Author's Note: Hello and welcome to my little PokéExperiment, Since You've Been Gone. This is a bit of practice writing in first person-present tense and also a bit of practice at writing a bit sadder material. This will be a four-part story in Silver's viewpoint, just so you know. Also note, I'm unsure if this falls in Hurt/Comfort or not...so the genre is more of Friendship/Drama/Hurt/Comfort...although I'm certain other SoulSilver shippers will see this as Romance. XD If you see it as such, I personally won't mind. Just know that this is officially a friendship story, alright? I hope you enjoy it!

I rock on my heels and pull my thin coat shut with a frown, a bitter chill racing through the black cloth and freezing me in place. I look up at the docks with half-hearted interest just as the boat pulls into the Olivine harbor. The winds off the ocean are extremely salty this afternoon, even more so than usual. The S.S Felicia let out a loud blast of her horn as she yet again reached the Olivine shore, drawing the attention of the awaiting people that anxiously waited for loved ones to disembark the large ship.

After about a half an hour, the ship's stairs were lowered to the dock, allowing the passengers to rush down to their awaiting friends and family. I narrow my eyes as I watch for you, just like I always have for six years.

...Nothing. The last one to get off the ship is a figure wrapped in brown cloth, as if they had just escaped a desert instead of arriving in the early autumn chill that has once again reached Johto.

I let out a sigh and shake my head, not really understanding what compels me to look for you at the docks every month when the Unova-bound ship makes its return voyage. What makes it so stupid is that I know you're not going to come back home.

You're already dead.

I know you're dead; that's the only reason you wouldn't come back home to your happy-go-lucky mother and your cheery friend Ethan, the reason why you've never sent a single letter or called even once. We all know you're long dead, six years gone and soon to be seven on the first of December.

We thought you'd let us know when you got there. Your mother would check her mailbox every morning for any signs of mail, and she'd always have her Pokégear right beside her all day long. Ethan and I would always check the Olivine Harbor on the first and last days of the month to see if you'd be coming home for a visit. I'd even visit your home every Monday and Wednesday to see if they'd heard anything. Everytime I went, I could gradually see the depression growing in your mother's eyes, the flame of hope dying slowly as she found no signs of her daughter's progress in Unova.

We waited for you. Once a year passed, we started to worry. Lance called Champion Alder of Unova and found that you'd never challenged the Elite Four. The man said the Gym Leaders couldn't recall ever facing a girl with your features, but they said they'd keep an eye out for you. I remember when he told your mother the news. She suddenly fell to her knees and just bawled at the Dragon Master's feet, not even hearing our words of reassurance or comfort.

When two years had passed since you left, Ethan stopped coming to the docks every month. He instead spent his time trying to contact an old friend named Crystal Heart who lived there, trying to see if she could find anything about you. Six months of careful searching proved fruitless when she told us she couldn't find a single trainer who registered for the Unova League with your description. He cried for you on my shoulder as he told me the news, unable to hold in his tears any longer. I found myself crying beside him as feelings of hopelessness sank in.

When three years had passed since you left, Red's mother stopped by for a visit with her son. Red had came down from his frigid home when news of your disappearance reached him about a year after you left. He tried to fly to Unova on his Charizard, but the unfavorable air currents drove him back to Johto with a heavy heart. His mother told us that we shouldn't give up just yet. After all, her son had been missing for three years before he showed up on Mt. Silver. Your mother was slightly comforted by this and decided to increase their efforts to find you, vowing that she would find you.

We still waited for you. Four years passed by and you were still missing. I tried to send Crobat out to find you, but he came back a month later with multiple wounds on his wings from wild Pokémon attacks. Ethan tried next with his Noctowl, but his bird only lasted a month before flying back home to collapse on his doorstep. Falkner and Green both tried with their Pidgeots, sending both of the birds out at the same time to try together, but they came back within four months, wounded and tired. Lance finally tried to do the same with one of his Dragonite, but even the Dragon Pokémon came back beaten and bruised.

Once five years had past, your mother wasn't even leaving the house. She wouldn't let anyone inside to visit her, either. Not even Ethan's mother could convince her to open her door. I decided to stay in New Bark Town with Ethan's family to try to help out. Ethan wasn't doing much better; he would act perfectly fine one moment before suddenly falling to his knees and sobbing the next. I tried to keep myself from breaking like they did, but it only seemed to get harder to hold back the tears.

When the sixth year arrived, your mother threw in the towel. I remember watching her finally leave her home with messy hair and blood-shot eyes, a photo of you clutched to her chest. She waited for us to come over to her side before gently placing the photo face-down on the grass and announcing with a cracking voice that you had to be dead. Ethan broke into tears and clung to his mother as I just stood there, feeling as if gravity's pressure multiplied ten-fold, robbing the air from my lungs and sending me crashing to the grass in a daze, unable to think or do anything.

I went to your funeral. Your mother had planned a small cermony just for the citizens of New Bark Town, but Lance payed for a large reception at a fancy church instead. All of New Bark was there; Ethan wore a tuxedo, and your mother wore a long black dress and a veil. Professor Elm and his family came, all in black just like everyone else. The Professor didn't talk about his research once during the whole day, maybe even the whole week.

The Gym Leaders came. Bugsy and Falkner were the first to show up, but everyone came. The Kanto Gym Leaders even came by and attended your service, even that old man who's Gym is in the Cinnabar Islands. Lance wrote a speech about you on behalf of the League and one for himself, and each of the Gym Leaders put in a word for you.

The surprise of the service was when Red came in through the front door in a black suit, snow on both shoulders and his hat completely gone from his head. His Pikachu was right behind him with an orchid in his mouth to put on your empty casket. He certainly shocked us all when he presented a long speech for you and spoke as clear as day to the whole crowd. Green said that it was the first time he's heard him speak so clearly, even when he had to stop because he was crying too hard.

Ethan and I still go visit your gravestone in your hometown every week, always cleaning the place up and leaving some flowers. Your mother still cries loud sobs in the evening, even when she seemed just fine only seconds beforehand.

Remember that flower you gave me before you left? The white orchid. You told me they were your favorite, remember? I hate to admit it, but I've never had a green thumb. It's nearly drowned twice, been toppled over by energetic Pokémon five times and been scorched by a redheaded idiot who thought a lightbulb would be just fine when the sun decided to hide for a week. Even though I've basically done everything wrong, it still manages to live on.

I'm proud to say that I've gotten the hang of taking care of the delicate flower. It only took a dozen failures or so.

Remember how we used to talk? Not really talking about anything important, just silly chatter that you would ramble on about, like how your new Egg was doing or how your Typhlosion nearly roasted Ethan when the boy snuck up on you. Sometimes, you'd ask me about my family, or why I never wanted to find a place to take me in. You'd sit there, looking more serious than the elders who live near in the Bell Tower's monastery as I spat out the foul tales, nodding to show you were listening or giving me a pat on my back when I found the words choking me. You'd always give me half of your favorite chocolate bar after I finished, almost as if you were praising me for letting it out.

You would always tell me how it's alright to cry, how I can talk about my feelings and still be strong. You knew better than anyone that I bottled things up and preferred to keep my emotions hidden because I thought they made you weak.

Would you be proud of me if I said I've cried nearly every day for five years?

Do you remember how we first met? How I literally shoved you into the dirt when you found my hiding spot near Professor Elm's window? You didn't cry, you didn't yell at me. You didn't even so much as give me a dirty look. You just stood up, brushed yourself off and went inside. I still think that it's pretty impressive for a ten year old girl. Then we met constantly, battling each other at every turn. We became rivals, you never showing anything but compassion when all I did was put you down and make a complete jerk of myself.

I'm sorry for being such a jerk to you, I really am.

Do you remember how I stole Totodile and Sneasel? I tried to give them back. The Professor took one look at Feraligatr and said he'd prefer if I kept him. He claimed that Feraligatr seemed to actually like me and want to be my Pokémon. The man in Cianwood City hid in his house and yelled at me until I left, shouting that he didn't want me to come anywhere near his new Sneasel. I just shrugged and left an apology letter in his mailbox, just like you suggested when I asked you how I should tell him I was sorry.

I'm trying to be better to my Pokémon now. I've even evolved Sneasel into a Weavile now. Ethan helped me evolve my Mangneton into a Magnezone, just like you said you would when you came home.

I'd hate to tell you, but the League revoked your Championship title on the day of your funeral. They decided that it'd be the best to let Lance take over the throne again until someone else could come challenge him for the title. The Dragon Master wasn't too happy about it, though. He put up a plaque in your honor in the main hall of the League and presented your mother with the certificate you received when you beat him. He only gave an apology and slowly walked out of town.

I finally beat Lance a few months ago. It didn't feel right to have someone else just waltz up and snatch what you worked so hard for.

Remember when we were just little kids, acting as if we were bitter rivals one minute before laughing with each other's arm around our shoulders the next? You were so small then, shorter than any girl your age but three times as brave. I remember teasing you about how everything about you was so tiny, but you'd only state that it's what's inside that mattered. Ethan and I are teenagers now, almost reaching adulthood. We've changed a bit; our voices aren't as high and we've both grown quite a bit taller. I'd like to believe I've grown on the inside too, grown to become a better person.

It's hard to imagine you being gone so early. It's nearly impossible to believe you're dead only a year and a half after you set out on your journey to beat the Johto Champion. It still feels like a horrible nightmare.

Sometimes, I feel like you're still out there. You always said I was as stubborn as a Tauros. I know it's absolutely crazy to think so, but I still do sometimes. Maybe that's why I still wait at the docks, even when everyone else has given up. Sometimes, I'll dream about the way things were; us laughing about something Ethan did, battling with you at the League or just hanging out with you like we did back in the Dragon's Den. I'll wake up and grab my Pokégear to call you, but then I'd realize that you're gone and that I can never hear your voice again.

It still hurts. They say it'll get better, but it just doesn't. I still miss you. I still think about you. I still come to the docks and watch the S.S Felicia release her passengers and desperately scan the people for any signs of you, only to once again find you nowhere in sight. You're still gone and I'm still waiting for you to come home.

I shake my head with a sigh and close my eyes, tears threatening to spill out of them faster than the Tohjo Falls. I then shove my hands into my pockets and reluctantly turn around to tail the leaving crowd of happily reunited individuals yet again. I slowly look over my shoulder to find one or two people lingering at the docks, one of the stragglers being the strange figure who was the last to disembark looking around anxiously. Perhaps they're looking for someone, too. The thought somehow dampens my mood even further, making me let out another sigh and lift my head to the darkening skies above.

"...I still miss you, Kotone." I mutter out the words and let the winds carry them to the docks before I head towards the nearby Route 39 on my way back to New Bark Town.

A sudden hand presses against my left shoulder, holding me back from leaving the docks. I flinch and spin around to find the cloaked figure standing before me, their face hidden within a shroud of brown cloth that covered the top of their head and mouth. Feeling a little uneasy about this strangly-dressing individual, I yank away and take a few steps back.

"...Can I help you?" I spit the words out with forced polite airs as they seem to shiver in the wind. I pull my coat closer to myself as they slowly reach towards their chest.

"...Silver?" I raise an eyebrow as a young woman's voice leeks out of the now obviously-dusty cloak. I take another step backwards and tilt my head away from them with a frown.

"...Yeah...Again, can I help you?" They seem to take a sharp breath before slowly reaching their right hand towards their hood and unwrapping their face. I narrow my eyes as a long trail of brown fabric starts to uncurl from their head, exposing their face to the cold air.

The person slowly reveals a dust-caked face with long brunette locks, their hair dull as if they hadn't taken care of it properly in a long time. She brushed a lock away from her brown eyes with a weak smile and let her hand fall back to her side. I stare at her for a while before letting out a sigh.

"...Look. I'm sorry but I honestly have no idea who you are." Her smile falls as she tilts her head down to her feet. "Now, if you'll excuse me," I turn away and frown. "I have places to be."

"Wait!" She snatches my right hand and pulls me back with a high-pitched yell. I turn back around with a scowl as she suddenly pulls out something from inside of her cloak.

My eyes grow wide as a familiar hat is slowly dragged into view, the white fabric coated with sand and dirt. The red ribbon seems to be ripped in a few places, further giving it a worn-out appearance.

"Where did you get that hat?" I snap my gaze back to her face as she tries to give me another smile. "How in the world did you find her hat?"

"...Silvy." I swallow hard and shake my head with disbelief as the nickname meets my ears. It has to be a trick of my ears, only one person would know that nickname.

And the one who gave me it is six years dead.

She slowly reaches her cloak's tie with her left hand and lets the cover fall to her feet, the wind carrying it backwards a bit before it meets the wooden planks. I further distance myself from the brunette as I find her wearing Kotone's clothes, the slightly-faded overalls far too short for the girl before me. I snap my head up to her hopeful face and scowl.

"What kind of sick joke is this?!" Her face falls at my shout as I shake my head and back away.

"Wait!" She suddenly rummages in the Kotone look-alike bag, shoving the hat inside before pulling out a Pokéball. She hurls the device and releases the beast inside, making me grab my Feraligatr's Pokéball just in case she tries to pull something.

The red disappears to reveal an obviously-ticked Typhlosion, the beast letting out a roar at the sight of me. I shake my head as tears form in my eyes, not understanding a bit of what was going on. Then, I surprise even myself. I speak. But, not to the girl...

I speak to the Typhlosion.

"...Blitz?" The Typhlosion cocks his head at me in recognition before his eyes grow wide with a grin.

"Silver!" He lets out a happy roar before turning to the girl. "We've made it, Koto! We're home!"

...Koto? Only one person has a Typhlosion who calls her 'Koto'. I look back at her to see her slowly nod her head and give me another hopeful smile. The pieces suddenly click as she pulls out a worn Trainer Card.

"...I'm so sorry I didn't come home." I take a cautious step forward and gently take the plastic from her hand. Sure enough, it's Kotone Soul's Trainer Card. I'd recognize the smile on her face anywhere. "Unova has this strange lock-down that prevents you from sending out anything or going anywhere until you beat the League." I look up with wet eyes as she takes a step towards me, her Typhlosion giving us a weak smile of his own.

I quickly snatched her right hand after depositing Kotone's Trainer's Card into my pocket, earning a small squeak of shock. I then pulled her down the street towards the Olivine City Hospital, knowing that I had to be one-hundered percent sure of this.

I just hope that this is real. Scratch that, I pray to Lugia that it's really her.

Author's Note: Personally, it was going to end at "You're still gone and I'm still waiting for you to come home.", however I couldn't leave it on such a sour note. I just... ;-; I couldn't. Not with my favorite characters here. I will admit I cried when I was writing Silver's reaccount of the events that took place over the six years. I'm a sensitive person, so stuff like this actually can make me sad. "orz

Personally, one of the saddest things in life is when someone just disappears without a trace. It honestly is one of the most heart-breaking things that still happen in our world. Picture someone you love going through their day, nothing unusual going on...then, you never hear from them again. They just disappear off the face of the earth. You can search for them, but you still can't seem to find them. You try everything to find them, but nothing leads to any clues about your missing loved one. Over the years, you eventually have to assume they're dead, right? But, oftentimes the family of the loved one will still have a small bit of hope that they may still be alive. You never did locate a body, so they might be alive...somewhere. And so you basically go through a cycle of hope and depression, because you'll never have the finite closure.

...Sorry about the sad ramble up there. But, I'd still love to hear what you think about this. Please don't hesitate to leave a review, and I hope you stick around for the rest of the story.