A/N: I deleted my game on Pokémon Black just so I could write this story . . . but, considering I didn't know what part I was at anyway, I'm pretty psyched. And then I started, got to the first gym, and realized . . . I didn't actually delete my game. Stupidly, I ignored the warning and began playing. I was unable to save it, forced to delete the first game, and began again.

Hopefully this story will make up for it. :D

Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters, creatures, or Pokémon itself. I'm not that creative, and I still don't know the entire Unova region's Pokémon yet. So, feel free to point out mistakes.

The shipping for this is Touko/Cheren, because I've thought they were an amazing couple since the beginning. This highlights their adventure, together and apart.

WARNING: MAJOR BLACK SPOILERS!

Enjoy!

Choices

Touko's POV

I remained a safe distance away as I chuckled softly. Cheren, seriously annoyed, glared at me from his path on my rug.

Yeah, that "path" hadn't been there ten minutes ago.

"Where is Bianca?" he huffs, not pausing to look at me. I blink once, before shrugging. I mean, seriously, how was I supposed to know?

"I think," I begin, glancing at my watch, "she'll be here at exactly 10:30. Wanna bet on it?"

He shakes his head moodily. "Can't you take this seriously, Touko? I've waited four years for this! How can you not be impatient?"

I snort. "I'm extremely impatient," I state, bouncing on the bed. "I'm just keeping it in. You oughta try it sometime. And, excuse me; you're not the only one! Sometimes I really regret not taking that Pokémon to myself."

Cheren winced. Whoops, I'd mentioned that dreaded year.

You see, four years ago we turned ten. All four of us: me, Touya, Bianca, and Cheren. Only Touya and I had on the same day, though. Sometimes it really sucked to have a twin.

And there'd been a mistake at the lab. There was a shortage of starter Pokémon, and only two left by the time we got there.

We'd argued for hours over who would get it. Bianca's overprotective dad wouldn't let her go yet, so she was out. And even if I wanted to go without my two best friends, I wouldn't be selfish. Touya himself had been much more excited for that single day than any of us.

And so, he set out on his journey alone. I always forget what starter Pokémon he got . . . I think it was Tepig.

I focused on the carpet beneath Cheren's feet, before throwing up my hands in frustration. "Oh, c'mon, Cheren! Stop the pacing! Not only are you shaking the entire room, my mom can probably hear you downstairs!"

He hesitated. After a few seconds of silence, he releases a loud sigh and places himself beside me on the edge of my bed. He begins tapping his long, pale fingers against his knee.

I slap my forehead hard.

He stops, but his leg begins trembling shortly afterward. I glare at him. "The pacing was better than this, Cheren. Can you not keep still?"

"Does this mean I can continue pacing?"

I rub my forehead. Man, I have much more strength than I thought! I think I damaged my I.Q. there.

I mutter that I blame him for my newest headache. He flashes a crooked smile and stands. I flinch as I picture another trail of footsteps forming on the rug. Mum would kill me . . .

But before he can even get into position, a blonde blur races into the room. I raise an eyebrow at Bianca. "Do you realize what time it is?" I ask, preparing to grip Cheren's shoulders. I had the feeling he desperately wanted to kill her.

She looks down at her watch briefly, before grinning. "9:30 exactly! I'm right on time!"

I take a step back, waiting to be forced to sit on Cheren to keep him from slaughtering something. He was already fuming.

"Ever heard of a thing called spring forward? Yeah, it was months ago! It's 10:30!"

I whistled innocently, drawing their attention away from each other. "Cheren, I think you owe me money now."

He adjusts his glasses. "I never agreed to that bet, Touko."

I wrinkle my nose. "So? I'm going to end up beating you in our first battle, so why not pay me now?"

He chuckles dryly. "Ha, we'll see."

I place a hand on his shoulder, keeping my expression serious. "We'll see you weeping in defeat, yes."

Bianca bursts into laughter while Cheren scoffs. I offer a small smile, and he returns it. Wow, that was a first.

"So, who's going first?" I attempt to keep the conversation going.

"It's your house." Bianca shrugged. "You should go."

I bite my lip. I just knew I wouldn't be able to open that box. I had a problem with ribbons. They were too dang difficult to unwrap.

"Naturally," Cheren agrees. I sigh and begin carefully removing the green ribbon.

After it's gone, I begin to tremble. I face them, trying to hide my fear. "I-I can't do it, guys."

Bianca beams and takes Cheren's hand, much to his displeasure. It's obvious on his face.

"We'll help!" she exclaims, and they each take a place beside me. Bianca snatches my hand, while Cheren quietly offers me his.

After a moment of hesitation, I slip mine into it. His fingers are freezing.

And with our intertwined fingers, we shove the lid off the box. It clatters to the floor.

Cheren grips my fingers tightly, and I realize how pale he is. He's normally pale, but still. Much more than usual.

We peek over the tall sides of the box, shaking with apprehension. Inside were three red-and-white balls, just as anticipated.

Cheren and Bianca look at me expectantly. I grab all three Pokéballs and fling them into the air. There is a combined flash, filling the room with light, before fading. And then there they are. One of them would be mine.

I get down on my knees and stick out my hand to the first one – Snivy. It promptly turns its head, reminding me immediately of Cheren. I wave him and Bianca forward. "It's just like you!" I laugh, pointing at Snivy.

Cheren crinkles his eyebrows together as he studies it. The Pokémon looks him over, a hopeful expression forming. It actually wanted him for a trainer.

"You're going first, remember?" he reminds me, but I can tell he's pleading for me not to choose the Snivy.

I nod and smile at the other two. Water or fire?

I made one of my famous split-second decisions. Let the Pokémon decide. You don't choose it, it chooses you.

I lean forward to come face-to-face with Oshawott. "How would you like to train and grow strong together?" I question it. Its features light up with shock, before it leaps into my arms.

I laugh, forced onto my back, hair streaming beneath me. "I take that as a yes!"

Oshawott jumps down and does what seems to be a victory dance. Bianca's dancing around with Tepig, while Snivy's waiting by the staircase.

I stare up at the ceiling.

Had I made the right choice?