Chapter 4:

Ruby POV

We didn't have to walk far before we were surrounded by our fellow Dex holders, my Dad and Mum and Professor Birch himself. As soon as we walked into Rustboro City, there they all were. All I remember was Professor Birch yelling at Sapphire until finally he just broke down and embraced her. My own mother also grabbed me in a tight hug while my dad ruffled my head. Soon everyone was hugging everyone just from sheer happiness at the reunion. We are interrupted by a nurse from the hospital saying that the girl that Sapphire saved from the Salamence is now in a stable condition and is expect to make a full recovery. Somebody, I forget who, then just shouted "PARTY AT PROFESSOR BIRCHES TONIGHT!" and we all erupted into cheers.

Around the early mornings of the party, I feel a tap on my arm and turn to see Sapphire. Using that brute strength of hers, she proceeds to drag me outside to the nearby trees. I complain endlessly at the dirt on my clothes when we finally stop at a cliff's edge. We sit down with our feet hanging over the edge, as I admire the surreal waterfall to the side of us. I feel her hand on mine.

"I'm glad that girl is alright."

I turn towards her as she stares at the midnight sky.

"I'm glad you saved that girl but Sapphire, that was so dangerous. What were you thinking risking yourself like that?"

She ponders for a moment, a somewhat troubled expression on her face as she gazes at the stars.

"I guess….. I guess I wanted to be the strong one this time. I remember when I first saw the Salamence, I froze up because all I could think of was how I was so weak and you were the strong one who saved me. I guess I saw that young girl as me when I couldn't do anything and the me at that moment was you, the strong one, the one who would save the other. I felt it was my turn to do the saving"

I was stunned. So stunned that I didn't even flinch when she reached up and yanked off my hat. Quickly, I whipped my hand over my scars.

"No Sapphire!"

She shifts into a kneeling position and places a hand on my cheek, caressing it gently.

"Please Ruby, let me see it. It doesn't cause me any pain anymore so please show it to me."

Staring into bright sapphire eyes, I very reluctantly remove my hand away, allowing her to see everything. Very gently, she traces my two scars with her fingers, causing me to shiver involuntarily. With a soft, peaceful expression, Sapphire slowly moves forward and brushes both scars softly with her lips. She then pulls back and stares me directly in the face.

"Thank you Ruby. Thank you for saving me."

She leans forward and taps her forehead against mine. We stay like that for a brief time until she plops back down beside me. Smiling, I wrap an arm around her shoulder, pulling her closer and she rests her head on shoulder. Together we watched the sun rising, unsure of what was to come in the future but for the moment, everything was as it should be.