The Princess and The Pokeball

Crystal was quiet for the past hour gazing into the walls.

She sat beside Red at the table and absent-mindedly ate her breakfast.

The prince worriedly glanced beside him while Lyra gave a concerned look before touching her hand.

"Princess...? Are you alright?" the handmaiden asked softly.

Crystal flinched at the new warmth and unconsciously jerked towards Red causing him to drop his spoon. She froze at her action then quickly moved away after the realization came to her.

"I'm so sorry..." she suddenly croaked.

Then she bended to reach for the spoon, but then a hand touched hers.

Red stared at her then at his hand which was over hers.

"Eeep!"

The princess jerked backwards again causing her to fall on the floor.

"Princess!" Red yelped and quickly stood to help her.

"No no! It's alright! I-I-" she exclaimed and slowly stood up, dusting her blue dress.

She was blushing mad at the fact that she embarrassed herself...again. 'Ugh.. He hates me'

She gained her poise and apologetically bowed at Red then excused herself to go outside.

"O-Okay... Are you sure you're alright Princess?"

Instead of hearing the Princess' voice, he received a nod, followed by the closing of the door, then finally some awkward silence with Lyra silently glaring at him.

"So...Lyra?" Red tried to start.

"Prince Red..." Lyra deadpanned. Her bored eyes looking right into the Prince's.

"H-How are things in this castle?"

"Not much..."

Red sighed.

In the end, he concluded.

'This is going to be a long day...'

...

Cloak. Check.

Boots. Check.

Messy pony-tail. Check.

Peasant clothes. Check...no offense.

Crystal nodded at her reflection.

If Lyra knew about this was what she meant by "excusing herself out", Lyra would never have agreed let her out.

The princess grabbed her satchel with most of her pokemon and went for the door. It slightly cracked as she opened it, taking a peek outside.

The hallway seemed empty which was very usual. Every morning, the maids usually go out to the market and stay there until noon while they trust Lyra in taking good care of the castle.

Crystal looked at the wall clock inside her room.

It read 6:50. The delivery carriage will be there after 10 minutes.

Crystal stealthily walked to the kitchen. She was used to all those break-outs, plus she always snuck food out of the kitchen and have her midnight snacks, she does them everyday after all. And not a single one of them in the castle knew about it, even Elder Elm.

Crystal opened the door and found the kitchen abandoned.

She sprinted across and hurriedly ran for the back door where the delivery carriage was supposed to arrive. If you're wondering why Crystal has to get to that carriage, it's because the carriage was her only ticket outside the walls surrounding the castle grounds. It was her only way to go unnoticed. Sure, she could teleport to the other side using her Xatu, but since she tired it out from last night's—nevermind—she couldn't.

She hid under a bush for about a few minutes until the carriage came right before the clock sounded for 7 in the morning.

Workers got off the carriage and started bring barrels, crates, and baskets of food inside the kitchen.

When they cleared it all out and ready to leave again, Crystal hurriedly ran for the back just when they made a turn.

She tucked herself into the innermost part of the back.

Crys grinned happily at her success and made a mental note to comeback before 8.

...

New Bark in the morning is always the busiest time of the day. Bakeries, and restaurants open as early as 5 am for those travelers who are available at that time while the Market opens at around 3 in the morning (and they would be packed at that time).

Crystal felt the carriage wheel turn to its left, she guessed they had reached the plaza by now.

She slowly walked towards the back while holding the carriage's side for support, then she peeked through the pile of boxes. She was almost at her usual drop-off.

The princess covered herself under her hood and leaped off the back when it passed by the ally.

She grinned at her successful landing.

Another successful break-out.

Crystal, then, started for the market place and began to walk around. She needed a break after all the emotional stress she went through, and somehow, the market place seemed to be a good place to relieve all that...

She watched her people interact with each other and go along with their happy lives. Children ran around with their joyful screams and shouts as they play at the plaza. Pokemon had also been helping their owners and played with some kids.

Somehow, seeing them happy like that made her love being a princess.

Honestly, her job as a princess was harder than she had thought. Her parents expect that she must be the next successor or at least pass the test of an Elite Ruler, just like her parents.

Before becoming a princess, Crystal had lived with a little of the loneliness and hardship since both her parents, who were leaders of their respective cities/towns, seldom come home. Back then, she had thought that kings, queens, and princesses did not have to worry about anything.

But when her parents were proclaimed Elite Rulers, everything in Crystal's life changed for the best.

But she kind of wished she had a chance to go back because she remembered leaving something very important.

Something she always loved.

She just couldn't remember what.

Or was it a "who"...?

"Hey—! Super Serious Gal—! I didn't know... You live here?"

Crystal smiled at the people around her as each one of them greeted her without knowing she was their princess. She walked towards some stands and examined the fruits. 'The berries have been growing quite well this year...'she thought.

"And this! This is my favorite! Look! Even—likes it—! See! I told you it's—..."

"Good morning Miss!"

Crystal quickly turned her head to the source of the voice and found a stout man, smiling at her, wearing a scarf.

"Would you like to buy my berries?" He asked holding out his hands to his set of berries piled neatly on his stand.

The princess smiled gratefully but then she shook her head and waved it off.

"But Miss, we have a special discount! It's only for today..." The man insisted but Crystal politely declined. She didn't have any money with her right now and she didn't want to make a scene.

"Miss, please, I-I can give you one box for free if you buy half a pound!"

Tempting...but still Crystal refused.

She had NO money after all, although she wanted to help this man.

He seemed so desperate.

"I—"Crystal's apology was cut off when someone handed the man 3 silver coins.

"I'll take it!" a voice suddenly exclaimed beside her.

The vendor seemed happy. He grabbed an empty bag, and there he placed the half-pound and the one free box of berries he promised.

"Oh thank you so much kind sir!" the vendor bowed at the man several times before turning to grab a new bunch of berries.

Crystal smiled and turned beside her to thank the person for the kindness shown.

But when she did, her eyes widened at the sight.

In front of her was the familiar 'jet-black-spiky-bangs' guy beaming down at his bag.

'What was his name again...? Go—?'

"Gold!" Both heads turned to a certain red-head who was busy holding some bags.
"C'mon. The others are waiting..." he blankly stated while Gold rolled his eyes and waved it off. "oh yeah, your mom wanted to do something for her. She said something about helping out with the shop?"

"Wait. You and mom know each other?" Gold asked raising a brow. The red-head just turned and walked away leaving Gold confused.

"Okay...?"

Then he turned to Crystal who had been listening to their conversation.

"Hey, thanks by the way..." Gold thrust his bag to his side while giving Crystal a mischievous smile.

"That discount was just what I needed."

Then he grabbed a certain pokeball from his belt and faced it to him. "Look Ataro! I have berries for you!"

The Ambipom cheered inside its ball while Crystal looked at the trainer and pokemon amusingly.

'Ataro...huh...?'

"Super Serious Gal! This is Ataro!—Aipom!—hahahah! He likes you—!"

'Why is it coming back to me?' she groaned at her thought.

Crystal rubbed her eyes. Seriously, her memories of that boy just kept firing at her since yesterday.

"Oi..."

'Just who is this boy?!'

"Oi!"

"What. Is. It?" Crystal turned annoyingly.

"Whoa! Chill, you don't have to be so serious girlie..." sounded Gold as he holds his hands up conveying that he didn't mean to offend her.

"What?" Crystal scrunched her brows in confusion.

"I said—Ahhh...Nevermind..."

Gold rolled his eyes and ran towards his group leaving Crystal behind. As he left, Crystal heard him mumble, "Serious Gal."

Her fingers twitched when she looked at him in annoyance...

'...Serious...? I'm serious?'

"Yes! Yes, You are."

"7:30 in the morning, miss" replied the man as he looked up from his watch.

"Thank you!"Crys said in her moderated voice and went towards her next store, the bakeshop. Just 30 more minutes before she sneaks into the castle again.

Even if her maidens go around doing her shopping, she always has a specific list when it comes to bread in this specific shop.

She didn't know why though.

It was a simple bakery, nothing special. But she always loved their pastries.

Upon entering the small shop, the scent of flour and ovens greeted her nose.

She walked around looking at the mouth-watering pies, loaves, buns, toast, and all those pastries.

She loved every single one of them.

Too bad she can't reveal herself to the people, just to get benefits.

"GOOD MORNING!"

"AHH!"

An energetic voice suddenly greeted her in the sense of making her crash into a box full of flour.

The young man immediately helped her up and accidentally pulled her hood down as he dusted her off.

"S-Sorry, Miss, I—!"

Then he paused and drew closer towards the princess...

"Serious Gal?"

Crys froze at the nickname. What? She cautiously looked up and saw...Gold. Again...

He was on his flour-dusted apron and his long-sleeves, rolled up to his elbows. His jet black spiky hair looked like it had snowed on him and his face covered in powder.

Gold was the first to recover then broke a grin.

"Are you following me?" he teased.

"WHAT?! N-No! I-I-I... IDON'TEVENKNOWYOU!"

She squawked, blushing hard, as her voice echoed inside the shop.

Gold's eyebrows suddenly rose then etched a serious one before leaning in.

It took Princess Crystal a second before realizing that she had just revealed her true self.

She waited for Gold to recognize her as the kingdom's Princess—who sounds like a frog. Maybe her story should've been titled as the Princess and the Frog, only, she's the frog and she would never be kissed by some prince who would turn her back to normal.

"Okay... You seriously need to stop being so serious. I. was. joking."

She froze.

Thank Arceus. She sure was glad he was dense.

Gold smirked and turned around towards the counter.

"I am not DENSE!... whatever that means..."

Crys dusted her clothes of what's left of the flour and made her way out.

"Hey, wait!"

Crys turned back around as a paper bag smack right at her. "OW!"

"Sorry..."

"WHAT WAS THAT FOR?!"

"As a thanks for the berries, and to lessen the burden off me..."

"Huh?"

"GOLD! Has someone bought our bread?" Yelled a woman's voice inside the kitchen.

"Uhh...Yes..?" Gold looked at Crystal as she opened the paper bag full of loaves.

"GOOD! How much was it?"

"Uhhh...3 loaves is equivalent to..?"

"That's 15 silver coins Gold!" it sounded enthusiastic.

Crystal's eyes widened.

15 silver coins?!

Who would charge each loaf of bread for 5 silver coins? Was that how much she was spending when she buys from this store?

"Y-Yeh... Great!" Gold nervously laughed trying to ease the conversation.

Crystal patted her pockets to see of she did have any loose change. She found one silver but that was all she had.

"It's okay... it was my idea anyway..." Gold whispered to her dilemma.

"but..."

"You're lucky I can pay for this."

"You owe me one SSG..."

...

"Princess...?"

"..."

"Princess Crystal, are you alright?"

"Hm?"

Crystal sounded as a response to Red's worrying.

She had been acting strange since she got back after an hour of excusing herself outside.

But what was strange, was seeing her hold a paper bag of loaves. Where did she get that anyway?

"N-Nothing. I was just wondering how much do you pay your knights?" She asked.

"I don't really know... How come?"

"Just..." The princess suddenly shifted her gaze outside the carriage.

They were currently traveling to Violet City to visit the orphanage that Princess Crystal was supporting. Red heard that part of it was burned from last night's incident, and that Crystal wanted to check on it.

They stopped by the entrance and was greeted by none other than the owner, Earl. He was a stout man with a round face and a sunny smile plastered on his face.

"Ah, Princess..." He humbly bowed as Crystal slowly stepped out of the carriage.

"Good morning Earl, how are the kids?" Crystal looked around the area and was somewhat relieved that only the pokemon shed was slightly burned, other than that everything looked normal. "They're fine. The fire didn't reach the building. But we weren't able to save the shed in time."

"Thank goodness..." She sighed in relief. In her mind, Crystal mentally said sorry for whatever damage happened. She hoped she can fix it.

"Oh! Tonight's going to be a full moon too! Are you coming to watch with us Princess? You can bring your prince too if you want" Earl playfully eyed Crystal making her blush at the comment. She felt guilty about forgetting Red that he was there.

Earl laughed at her expression before turning to the prince, "And you are?"

"I'm Red of the Pallet Kingdom, it's nice meeting you" He replied while giving Earl his courteous bow.

"Ah! You're the one who saved the Violet City last night, right? We owe you our thanks." the fat man happily exclaimed.

"It was nothing, my knight here, really was the one who stopped the Masked Man" Red relied while pointing to Gold who suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

"Hey, isn't this the place where Rald grew?" Gold noted as he looked at the signage.

The nickname quickly caught onto Crystal's ears. It has been a long time since she heard that.

"Emerald? Why yes! I didn't know he went to Pallet Kingdom. Crystal, did you know?" He looked over to the still princess.

Crystal remembered that small blond with emerald eyes. She had loved the boy and it kind of hurt her to see him move away after the King and Queen told him about the Pallet Kingdom.

A few years ago, Emerald suddenly had the feeling of responsibility and decided to travel. He shared this to Crystal and she gladly requested him to her mother and father for knighthood. But instead of New bark, they decided to assign him to Pallet where he'll be under King Bruno.

It's been years and she had the feeling of wanting to see him again.

"H-How is he?" She whispered making her voice less croaky.

"He's been great, though, Gold, here, had been annoying him lately" replied Red, elbowing Gold's side.

"What? We're still close you know. Almost as if I was his big brother!" Gold playfully stuck his tongue out while Crystal laughed at the two.

"Thank you."

"So! Full moon? Who's up for it? Celebi might actually come at that night where it's at its peak" Earl suggested the group.

"Celebi?" Gold spoke up, his face suddenly shifting into a serious one while he eyed Red. This will be their chance to capture the Masked Man.

"Yes, well his home is in the Ilex forest, and at sometime of the year he comes home and roams around Johto, we think it's this time of the year. Right Princess?" Earl explained while the Princess hesitantly gave a nod.

"Sure! It'll be fun right?" Red exclaimed trying to mask his anxiety. "We should tell the others too!" He said to Gold.

Immediately, the knight knew what that meant: This is our chance, we need everyone's help to stop this.

Gold broke into a grin and nodded. Just you wait Masked Man.

"I don't think I can come." blankly stated Crystal, suddenly changing the mood.

"What?"

"Why princess?"

Both the Knight and Prince asked.

"I have some important matters to take care of... I'm sorry Earl, maybe next time?" The princess said bluntly as she turned around and went for the carriage.

Earl shook his head and replied, "It's alright Princess, we understand, make sure you do it well alright? Oh! And one more thing." He came to the princess' side and whispered something to her.

Then they waved each other goodbye and went back to the palace.

...

"So, how does this 'Masked Man' look again?" Silver asked Gold as both knights walked around the hallways of the palace. "Well it has this white robe draped over its body and it wears a mask" He replied to his friend. It was already night time and Red's men were asked to guard the kingdom while the king's men were ordered to look for the Masked Man after Red informed him. Tonight, they were in charge of taking care of the residents inside, specifically the princess.

"Here we are" Gold stopped in front of another guard and told him that it was their turn to watch over. "Watch the princess, she's already inside..." said the guard while Silver and Gold nodded in response. "We will, Joey" the latter replied and bid farewell as Joey went with his fellowmen in search of the Masked Man. Gold and Silver took their places by the entrance of the hall that led to Princess Crystal's room and stood sturdily, neither one of them moving, just observing the view laid out in front of them though the glass window.

In the sky, the moon hung and shone brightly lighting up everything as if it was morning, just as what Earl had said. Hopefully they will catch the Masked Man to fully end the issue and to identify the culprit. Although Gold was still troubled on whether who or what the Masked man was.

Down below he saw is friends making rounds while he watched Ruby on Flygon patrolling the kingdom in the skies.

"Ding Ding Ding"

The clock chimed, signaling both knights that it was already 10 in the evening. It was quiet and well for the next few hours until Gold's feet started aching. He guessed he didn't have enough rest since this morning, of walking around New Bark, sending out deliveries from his mother's bakeshop and assisting Red in his visit to Violet City with the Princess. Heck he probably didn't have an our to sit because whenever he does, Red always calls him to accompany him to do something.

"Hey Silver, can you watch my post for a minute I need to take a look at the roof." He told his friend. "Don't you dare leave me here all night" Silver glared at Gold and temporarily dismissed him. Gold gave him a grin for that, while all Silver did was stand back to his original position rather than argue with Gold. His friend had been working non-stop so he should let him go take a break.

"Thanks Silver"

Gold sat on the bricked roof as he felt the cool Johto breeze brush against his face. He kind of missed doing this with his old friend back at home. The one he used to call SSG, or Super Serious Gal. He never did get her name which is why he made a nickname for her.

Where was that girl anyway. The last time he saw her was when he left for Kanto to start his training as a knight. He was only 11 back then and so was the girl. Now 6 years and a few months passed and it made him wonder what she looked like already.

Was she still that serious girl he came to know? Did she still talk like she was a coughing Merkrow? He didn't mean that last one but she was! With her croaky voice...she rather keep quiet and gesture all day long, stopping laughs whenever Gold makes a funny face because she might burst out and cough all day long. He guessed maybe that was why she was so serious. She had been trying to keep her happiness in to prevent embarrassment. When they first met, he did laugh at her for her voice but that was the start of their friendship. . And somehow he saw that girl this morning. The one who gave him the berries and who visited the bakeshop.

"Maybe..."

Then Gold saw something move. Through his peripheral, Gold definitely saw something something white too. He quickly shot up and went to the top of the watch tower and looked over the palace. Then just a level below him, he saw the Masked Man detaching itself from the princess' window and flying off to the sky. Ruby was nowhere to be found, probably patrolling another area and he can't find his friends anywhere.

He had no choice but to send flew off with his Togekiss. He flew just by the window where Silver's post was to warn him about the princess. "Gold?! What are you doing there? Shouldn't you be here?" He exclaimed in annoyance. "I'll explain later! Right now, I just saw the Masked Man fly off by the Princess's window and—" Silver sensed his urgency and nodded, "I'll go check and warn the others! You go chase it!" Then he disappeared in the halls while Gold frantically flew with his togekiss.

"C'mon Togetaro! Let's chase that Masked Man"

"Where did it go?!"

Gold turned from left to right, flying in circles with his Togekiss in the moonlit sky.

He shouldn't let the Masked Man escape. Not this time again.

Then his togekiss started making noises and pointed to where he saw it. Then just a few meters away, he saw the Masked Man jumping... No more like flying over houses.

"Good job Togetaro!" They started the chase again. Flying over houses nearly reaching their target, but it seems like the Masked Man noticed them because right before Togetaro could use body slam on it, it slid down an alley and started running, making Gold lose his target again. "Darn it! That thing's smart"

It was already 12 midnight and nobody was in the streets. The king did issue an order for everyone to enter their houses so that no one will be put to harm, just this morning.

Gold quickly jumped off his pokemon and made a smooth landing on top of a roof. "Togetaro, search for him in the skies" then he dismissed his pokemon.

"Ataro, I might need your extra hands for this" he called out his pokemon and onto one of it's hands while Ambipom swung around the alleys. Where were the others anyway?

"Gold!"

The boy looked over to where he heard his name and found Red above him riding on his Aerodactyl. Ruby flew beside him too.

"We heard from Silver that you saw the Masked Man! Hop on!" Ruby exclaimed and scooched a little to give Gold a space to sit on. Ambipom tossed Gold over to Flygon and was returned to his pokeball.

Then his Togetaro came back. "You found it? Lead us!" He told his pokemon, then they followed his togekiss. Surprisingly it led to the forest just on the edge of Azalea town.

"Do you think it's going to the Ilex Forest?" Ruby asked the two. As they entered the forest, they saw a flash and suddenly the vines around them started frolicking and blocked their way. Some roots also sprouted from the ground causing them to fall off balance. "Flygon Hyperbeam!" Ruby managed to command his pokemon before they got hit by a vine.

"Was that Frenzy plant?!" Gold exclaimed trying to avoid the vines. He watched for Togetaro hoping that it wasn't hit. "Togetaro! Safe guard!" He commanded, soon, they were covered by a green bubble as they continued flying the vast sea of vines.

"Hang in there Togetaro!" Red exclaimed as he flew before the pokemon. "It won't be long until Safe guard wears off" he told himself and started searching for the Masked Man. Then just beside him, he saw a small glowing pokemon wandering around the forest. It left a trail of flowers and vines growing as it passed by. Then a white robe followed it.

"Quick! Follow me!" Red shouted and led the group towards the glowing pokemon. It must've realized it was being followed because not too soon, the roots of the trees were uprooted again and started blocking off every entrance. Even the Masked Man was blocked off and was thrown off sight.

Gold lost his hold on Flygon and fell until Togetaro came to his rescue but they were thrown off too. Ruby and Red were stuck around vines and ended up trapped. This night wasn't going well with anyone.

"Urgh..." Gold gritted his teeth and slowly sat up from his position. Beside him, Togetaro sat up and tried to fly but sadly, it was badly injured. "Thanks Togetaro, you need some rest" he returned his pokemon back.

Gold struggled to stand up, he had bruises and scratches everywhere and from the blood sliding off his cheek, his head was somehow scratched open. He tore off a piece of cloth and covered his head, making a bandanna. He let his eyes adjust to the darkness, good thing it was a full moon. Gold walked around the forest when he suddenly saw a piece of white cloth torn by a branch.

"Could it be the Masked Man's?" He asked himself. Gold continued walking until he spotted his target by the river with a Xatu. The Masked Man then cleaned off the pokemon with it's robe. And yes, it was a weird sight for Gold.

"Sorry for getting you hurt, Xatee... I guess I shouldn't have chased it huh?" it said.

Gold was shocked to find the Masked Man caring and loving towards the pokemon. But what set him off was the voice. It was like he had heard it before. It sounded like that girl he met this morning.

Then his biggest thrill moment came when his target took off it's mask.

His eyes grew wide and his mouth fell open. Gold just never expected it to be that person out of everyone.

"P-Princess Crystal?" He stuttered as he went closer, revealing himself to her. The princess quickly stood up from her position and went behind her pokemon.

"Y-You're the Masked Man?" he asked coming closer, while Xatee spread its wing in defense of his master. He waited for a response and heard the princess sigh.

"Yes...it was me..." She replied walking over to Gold. She can't hide it anymore anyway.

"But why?" Gold gave her a concerned look.

"...I want to be normal again" She reasoned, looking over to the lake. "My voice I want it back..."

"But princess did you know how many people you have injured and had put to a near death situation? Just a night ago, you nearly killed a man!" Gold exclaimed, he was enraged but he kept his cool.

"I know that... And I take full responsibility of it. But I just have do it. For my kingdom. Now go home...I need to capture Celebi"

"Your kingdom? But princess—!"

"I know what I did okay? But you wouldn't understand anything! You would never understand why I'm like this! Why I wanted my voice back so badly?!" The princess screamed and Xatee protectively went before her and she flew away again.

"PRINCESS!"

"I want it back... My voice..."

That small plead came back to Gold when he was with SSG. She has been sulking ever since and that was what she always told him.

"Actually I do." Gold murmured and called out Ataro again. They started swinging through branches and followed the Princess.

"I really do..."

"I'm sorry Gold"

Crystal flew. Using Xatee's psychic she managed to glide across the forest and started navigating around it. She has to find Celebi, This was her last chance of getting back her normal life. To use Celebi's time traveling, she can undo what happened to her 12 years ago. Then maybe she can prevent the disgrace thrown at her parents for having such an ugly child.

She can't bear it anymore. The rejections she had faced since they were kids were unbearable.

"Princess!"

She heard Gold shout her name from a distance. "Mega! Use Frenzy Plant!" She commanded her Meganuim, then it unleashed it's power causing Gold the delay. It should hold him off a little longer..

Then she found a trail of freshly grown flowers shining under the moonlight indicating that it was Celebi's work. "Gotcha!"

Soon enough, the trail ended in a small shrine and came face to face with the legendary pokemon. She let herself down and wore the Mask again, preparing herself for battle Celebi sensed it's in danger and started attacking them. "Xatee! Use Mean look!" She commanded.

"Now Celebi can't escape!"

"Aerial Ace!" She commanded again and Xatu started slicing through Celebi but the pokemon was fast until it got hit by a branch which led to a critical hit by Xatu. Then she grabbed the GS ball she got from Kurt and readied her aim.

"Great now use Night Shade!" Xatu stared creating the image around it and started forming a mirage just before Celebi escaped, That was, when Gold intercepted.

Crystal's eyes went wide when she watched Gold choke in fright as he saw his worst nightmares before him. "Xatee stop!"

Gold fell cold and frozen on the ground, he was breathing deeply and looked like he had a heart attack.

"Gold! Why—?"

"SSG!" Crystal froze and looked at him but it seemed like he wasn't recovered yet. That name... Gold knows that name.. But.. The only person who knows that name was...

He shouted in pain, it seems like his nightmare was too much for him, her Xatee was very strong.

"Gold!" From a distance was Red and his men running over to Gold's side. Then they faced Crystal and started calling out their pokemon. But She was the first to take her mask off.

"P-Princess Crystal?! Wh-What—?!" Red stuttered as he watched the princess running towards Celebi.

"Celebi, please heal him! Please." Her eyes were streaming with tears as she fell into the ground.

"He's my friend"

She can't believe she'd hurt her only friend. He was the only real one she'd ever had, and now she hurt him.

Celebi took the kind gesture and started approached the poor boy. She watched him being healed as a flower appeared beside him. It was yellow.

After a few minutes of silence. Gold began coughing and gasping for air while Crystal smiled and sighed in relief, to see her childhood friend safe.

"Princess..." that was the first thing Gold said. Then he watched Celebi come closer to her and held her hand. A blinding light covered his vision and he felt blind for the next 5 minutes.

Then he saw Crystal thanking the pokemon before it disappeared into the shrine. Then Crystal stood and slowly approached him. He was hoping for her voice to change but what he got was the total opposite.

"Sorry for what happened... I didn't—" The princess uttered in her croaky voice. She still had her old voice! That old Merkrow was still in there!

Before the princess knew it, Gold pulled her to a tight hug.

"Stupid Super Serious Gal." he murmured and buried his face onto her shoulder. Then he felt her hug back.

Arceus, he missed her so much!

-0-0-

"Thank you for visiting us, you have absolutely helped us so much" said Queen Karen bowed as King Koga slapped Red back. Crystal giggled slightly at the scene beside her parents.

They were about to leave in search for the next princess because apparently Red hasn't found his yet. But he was happy for a certain friend that he found his. The group already had their pokemon out and their bags were ready.

"You're welcome Your majesty, Thank you for having us stay here" Red said and did a courteous bow.

"Anything for You son! So the marriage! When will it be?" King Koga suddenly entered the topic but Red knew better, "She's not for me. But I do know a certain someone who's good for her"

He then winked at Crystal who blushed and faced someone behind him. Red didn't need to look at who he was. They were perfect for each other.

"Red, here" Crystal then gave him a pokeball that's way different from what he had seen.

"That is a GS Ball, I was guessing you would be needing it soon" She said and left hastily. Red decided to just nod in response.

Then everybody hoped onto their pokemon and flew off. "Bye Silver! Take care!" Lyra yelled from below.

Everybody then looked at Silver who was blushing madly.

"Hey Silver, what happened between you and pigtails?" Gold asked with a sly look on his face.

"N-Nothing did!"

"Yeah right..."

"Can we just fly over to the next stop?" Silver ended the conversation but Gold would stop at nothing until he gets the answer out of him.

"Hoenn's the next stop right?" Dia asked his friend Pearl as they flew over clouds.

"N-NOO!" Ruby suddenly exclaimed causing everyone else look at him awkwardly. "Erm. I mean, Hoenn's princess isn't really that okay so why not skip it?"

"Don't judge a book by it's cover my friend" Gold muttered his old proverb again.

"But I have read this book and let me tell you it's not pretty" Ruby reasoned.

"Oh well, we just have to, we already spent 2 days and found nothing." Red said, but he kept in mind what Gold's proverb meant.

"It doesn't matter if the princess lacked qualities...as long as she would have at least one..."

DONE! OH GLOB It has been a long time since I opened this. hahahah! Ayway, Thank you for those who reviewed :) I appreciate it. Really.