~POV: Amara~

"Idiot!" Mother raged. "Stupid girl!"

The slap was as loud as a clap. I whimpered as mom's hand made contact with my already-scarred cheek. Her face was as red as the Tamato berries I spilled on the kitchen floor. I dropped to my shaking knees and scrambled to pick up the now bruised fruit.

"Clean it up and finish breakfast," she grumbled.  Mom stomped back over to her room and slammed the door. I scooped up all the berries and rinsed them in the sink. Tears pricked at my eyes from the harsh slap.

Mom's words replayed over and over again in my head. She wasn't wrong. I was nothing but a failure. A mistake as she had stated once before.

I finished cooking Mom's breakfast and placed it on a chipped plate for her to eat later. I had lost my appetite. If the old clock on the wall was right, I was now late for school. Great.

I rushed into my room and ran a brush through my short white hair. I grabbed two black barrettes and clasped them onto the side of my hair. Stumbling into the bathroom, I brushed my teeth and pulled on a white tank top with a pair of black jean shorts. Just as I was getting ready to head out to the bus, I looked in the partially broken mirror.

Who looked back was someone I began to hate a little more each passing day. It was a sixteen-year-old girl who was the exact definition of failure. Her high cheekbones were sunken. Her once sky-blue eyes are now clouded over and dim with disappointment. She stares off into space with a slight frown that is permanently glued onto her pale scarred face. 

This girl in the mirror was me.

 Small cuts and bruises littered my arms from Mother throwing bottles and punches at me. Just now a new red welt has appeared on my left cheek. Yesterday's black eye was still visible and my chipped tooth was still yet to be fixed. I snatched a small bottle of concealer and tried my best to cover up the wounds. When I finished, I stepped back to take a look.

Now, my face looked very smudged... Blurred even... This was hopeless. I let out a long sigh. My shoulders drooped as I shuffled my feet towards the door of my room. My faded blue backpack hung on a single wooden peg in my blank bedroom. It was the only pop of color in this old and crumbling house.

 I grabbed it and threw it over my shoulder. As I made my way down the hall, I ran my hand against the peeling gray wallpaper. When I made it into the kitchen, I saw my mother sitting in silence as she nibbled on a piece of stale toast. She sat at the only chair at our rickety wooden table deep in thought. When I ate, I was expected to either stand or not eat at all. 

"Goodbye," I mumbled on my way out. I didn't bother to wait for the answer I knew would never come. She was never one for talking, or at least never to me...

I tugged on my too-small black sneakers that I've kept and worn for years. I tied the frayed laces and stood back up. My toes screamed against the tightness of them. I secretly longed for a new, bigger pair of bright blue sneakers. I wanted something that would give me a bit of color in this monotone life of mine. However, I knew it would never happen. We didn't have the money for such luxury like that.

I reached out and pulled the front door open. On its rusty hinges, it groaned opened to reveal the dying world I've come to know. Plants shriveled and slumped over, yellow-brown dying grass, and garbage tumbling down the cracked streets were all my eyes could see. Musty, polluted air filled my lungs as I breathed in. 

"This is all just a small price to pay for our safety against the Pokémon," I recalled from hearing from a Circle Commercial. As always they were right. I was thankful for everything they've done for us. Their efforts may leave us in a quite dirty and polluted world, but who really cares at this point? If it wasn't for them, our human species would still be in the danger with those dreaded Pokémon.

The dusty yellow-ish school bus slowly turned the corner and pulled up at the end of the driveway. I hurried down and climbed the steps up to where the seats are. The bus was filled with kids my age. They all chatted happily and wore big smiles. My heart ached to join and talk to them, but I knew that none of them would let me. I was a freak compared to all of them, or a social outcast you could say.

I made my way to the back of the bus and plopped myself down into my usual seat, alone. The bus began to slowly inch forward again to make its way back to school. I stared out my window expecting to see the path that heads straight to school, but we didn't. Instead, we stopped at the end of a random road, not a house. This never happened before.

The doors squeaked open and everybody looked over with interest to see who the new kid would be. A boy who looked around my age climbed up the stairs. He wore a clean forest green uniform shirt that matched his green eyes. He pushed his brown, slightly messy hair out of his eyes and looked at all of the faces of those staring at him.

He quickly looked at everyone, as if he was looking for someone specific. Whoever that was, I knew it wouldn't be me. Who would want to talk to me anyway? I put my head on my hand and looked out of the window, waiting for the bus to start moving again. I just wanted to get this day over with.

A hand surprisingly tapped on my shoulder. "Hey, mind if I sit here?" I looked over my shoulder and saw the new boy looking at me with a grin.

"Yes? I do mind," I snapped, hoping he would just go away and leave me alone like everyone else in the world.

His smile wavered but came back. "You're funny," he stated as he held out his hand, "My name's Austin."

I didn't shake it. Instead, I stared at him with a cold glare I've picked up from my mother. It was a glare that I hoped would make him go away. Unfortunately, it didn't. He casually slid into the seat next to me. The bus started and once again we were back on our usual way to school.

Austin still smiled even against my glare. He turned his head away from me and out the window beside me. I did the same and watched as farms whizzed by. These farms are different from berry farms. These farms raised Pokémon for slaughter. After all, we need meat on our plates to eat.

Herds of Milktank were whipped with long strips of leather and herded into a building to be processed. Flocks of Pidgey wailed as their wings were chopped off to prevent them from escaping. Groups of Exeggcute were cracked open and sealed in airtight containers. Herds of Taurus were jammed in pens so close, it was a wonder to me how they could still breathe. Nobody paid them any mind though, we were all used to it.

The Pokémon should be grateful they were there. This was the only place Pokémon were allowed to live. The only purpose of their existence was to be killed and then served on a dinner plate. I felt no pity for them. Thousands... wait no, MILLIONS, have died from their actions. I looked over to see Austin staring in complete horror.

"How could they do this?" he growled as we watched the slaughter farms go by. 

I was quite confused about this reaction. "Do you mean how could they not do it?" I asked.

Austin snapped. "NO! How could they do this to innocent and misunderstood Pokémon!" Austin said with his voice rising. What the hell? How could a person defend such vile creatures! Let alone call them "innocent"! 

"They deserved it" I whisper screamed. 

"No, they don't! You of all the people should know that!" Austin yelled as his face went red from anger. He raised his hands in the air. I flinched and covered my head. Austin looked down at me where I was curled up on the seat of the bus. I was bracing myself for a punch or worse.

"Hey, are you okay?" he asked gently. All of his anger from a minute ago had disappeared. 

I slowly lifted my hands off of my head and met his eyes. He looked sincere, worried even. I had to remember: not all people were like my mother. "No, I'm not," I finally answered as the bus pulled to a halt in front of the school.

We stood up in our seat and waited to get out as people in the front stood to get off the bus. Austin bent down and whispered into my eat, "Good acting by the way. You were wayyyyyy better than me. We'll meet in the woods behind school later. Bye Amara!"

"What act-" I looked around to find Austin but here was already lost in the sea of students pushing past each other to get inside the school.

I was very confused about the past events. The one thing that Austin said that had stuck to my mind more than the other crazy things that he had said was the part about my "acting".

How did he know my name?

~POV: Austin~

I watched Amara disappear into the school. I've never been inside a real school. The only schools I've ever been to were just the makeshift schools back in the Resistance. I wouldn't be going here today though... or ever. Instead, I made my way to the back of the school into the woods. The dead trees spiked high up into the sky. I felt a pain deep in my heart for all the Pokémon that used to live here. If it wasn't for The Circle, they would still be living here happily today.

My feet crunched through the rocky soil as I hiked down the abandoned trails of the woods. "Star?" I called out.

No answer.

I cupped my hands and yelled into them, "Star I'm here!"

Silence.

I was getting worried now... "S-star?" I glanced around the woods worriedly. It wasn't like her to fly away from a meeting spot...

"OOF!" The air left my lungs as a huge feathered creature knocked into my back. I sprawled out onto the rocky path as the thing loomed above me.

"Star star! Raptor!" A familiar voice cooed.

"Star!" I exclaimed. I picked myself up off the ground and threw my arms around her neck for a hug. The Staraptor nuzzled my neck. She loves to sneak up on me. I guess I just wasn't expecting it today.

I unwrapped myself from my Pokémon and walked over to the side of the path. I stopped and sat down on the ground behind a dead bush. I opened my green backpack and pulled out a device that was concealed to look like a pen. When I clicked the top down, static erupted from it.

"Hello? Austin, is that you?" Goldric asked from the other side.

"Yeah. I found Amara."

"Good, when will you guys be back?"

"I'm hoping we will be there by the end of the week. Tell Aimee I said hey."

"Will do. Hey, be careful on your way back. The Circle is sending more troops around your location. They are starting to get suspicious."

"Don't worry, I'll be fine," I said into the pen.

"Alright, see you soon."

"Bye."

I leaned back with my head on top of my arms and stared up at the rising sun. Star curled up beside me and snuggled into my side. Everything was going to be okay. Amara will know what to do. She had to.

It was all for our future.

Our future with Pokémon.

~POV: Amara~

The school bell released us from the prison we called school. Kids poured out through the doors and loaded onto the buses outside by the curb. Today I wouldn't be taking the bus. I have to business to attend.

I made my way around the back of the school and felt my heartbeat pick up as I neared the path. I've only ever been in these woods once before back when Dad was still alive. It was back then when life was good. He took me here when the trees were filled with life. I remember the bright green of the trees and the clear blue skies. Now the trees are bare, and the sky is clouded over with a brown haze. 

"Remember, it's all worth it for our safety," said a Circle announcement from last night. I couldn't have agreed more. It was all for our safety. Dead trees and ugly skies are nothing compared to the murders that Pokémon have committed. 

The only answer I got was the gentle breeze of the wind whispering in my ears. Despite it being hot outside, I couldn't help but shiver. There was something unsettling about these woods. I continued my way down the dark path. 

"Hey," a southern accent said behind me. 

I turned around and saw Austin who had a grin plastered on his face. The first thing I've noticed about him was his new outfit. The usual green school boy outfit was gone. Now he wore a plain black shirt and jeans with a belt. On his belt was at least a dozen different devices. The one that stuck out the most was the gun.

"W-why do you have all of that," I stuttered as I took a few steps back. The Circle might have stopped Pokémon from murdering humans but humans murdering other humans was still a thing. Unfortunately, murder was very common around these parts and I sure didn't want to end up like Mya Barnes, a student who disappeared last week. She was found a few days ago with four bullet holes, one on each limb. She was left to bleed to death alone in these same woods. They still haven't found her killer. 

He looked at my scared expression then laughed. "It's okay to drop the act, I'm with the Resistance." He waved his hand over the devices, "I 'm sure you know what all these are."

"Resistance? What, no?"I knitted my eyebrows together in confusion. 

Now it was Austin's turn to look confused. "You're Amara Rayes, right? Daughter of the Silver Man?"

"Yes, I'm Amara Rayes..." I trailed off. I've heard of the Silver Man, I mean like everyone has. He led peaceful riots and did speeches for the "love" of Pokémon. I never took him seriously. 

"No, of course not," I finally said, "the Silver Man is not my father."

"Y-you don't know?" Austin stammered. He looked horrified.

"Star Star!" a Pokémon screeched behind me.

I spun around on my heel and saw a gigantic bird Pokémon. I let out a scream as it took a step forward. Austin's hand went to my mouth and muffled my screaming. "Stuhhp!" my muffled voice yelled.

"Stop screaming, someone might hear you!" Austin whisper yelled.

I stopped. He removed his hand and let me go. I took this as my chance to run. His arm shot out to grab me, but I dodged it. There was no way I was standing close to a Pokémon and a Pokémon lover!

My heart pounded while my brain raced. I willed my legs to push themselves faster. I could hear Austin picking up the pace behind me. Dammit...

All that sudden, I was in the air but not by Austin's Pokémon.

Above me, a silver bodied bird sunk its talons deep into my blue backpack. I flailed my arms and legs hoping to set myself free from the creature's grasp. The Pokémon began to climb higher into the air. Austin climbed onto his own bird and began his chase. Soon, we were far above the woods. I turned to see Austin and his Pokémon hovering far behind us. HisPokémon, that I don't know the name of, was no match for the speed of the one that was taking me.

"Let me go!" I screamed up at it.

The Pokémon folded in its wings and suddenly we were free falling. The wind tussled my hair back and forth. The blast of air began to make my eyes water, but I refused to close them.

"Open your wings! We're going to crash!" I screamed. 

The Pokémon bent its head down again like before and winked. It actually winked at me! I glared at it.

Then just before we hit the cold earth, it snapped open its wings like a parachute. We safely floated down to the brown grass below us. The second we were down, it let go of my backpack so that I fell headfirst into the ground. I shook my head to clear the blurriness in my vision. 

When I stood up, I got a good look at it. The Pokémon was unlike one I've ever seen, although I haven't seen very many. It seemed to be made completely out of metal, kind of like armor. It had razor sharp red and silver wings along with a wicked sharp tail. Its yellow eyes seemed to sparkle.

"Amara?" Mom's voice slurred behind me.

I whipped around and saw her leaning against the open door of our house. She held a half-full bottle of heavens knows what. When I turned back around, the Pokémon was nowhere in sight.  I glanced around the lawn and up at the sky. It was like it turned into air.

Mom stumbled back inside. I'm pretty sure she was just going to go pass out on the couch like every other night. When I walked in, sure enough, she was out cold. I sighed and walked back to my closet-sized bedroom. My dented alarm clock said that is was a little after six'o clock. I didn't care.

I flopped onto my bed and closed my eyes. I begged my body to let me sleep. I just wanted to let everything that happened today to disappear. 

As I began to drift into my usual nightmares, one thought stuck with me.

Why me?

~POV: Austin~

Star flew me to an oak tree and perched at the top. I took a piece of rope and tied myself to one of the highest limbs so if anyone happened to walk around on the ground, I wouldn't be in their sight. Star fell asleep far before me on the branch below me. 

I knew already that tonight I wouldn't be getting much sleep, if not any. Amara doesn't know about the existence of the Resistance... Or was she still acting? She seemed pretty confused about the Silver Man being her father too... No! She HAD to know about her father! Skarmory came to her rescue even though she was in no danger! She freaked out over Star though... But was she just pretending?

My thoughts raced through my head all at once but then one particular one remained.

What if she really didn't know ANYTHING about the Resistance?

No... She had to. Without her, I would go back to the Resistance as a failure. We needed a voice and she had to be it. No one else could do the job.

This has to work... I'll make it work.

I guess if she doesn't know, I'm just going to make her.