Acacia made her way to her bedroom that was on the uppermost floor of the pokemon lab. Opening the door to it, she stepped inside and immediately was jumped by three small pokemon. Letting out a shrill cry of fright, she tripped and fell backwards into the hall, hitting her head on the wall as she did. Groaning and sitting up, she rubbed the back of her head and opened one of her eyes. [color=aqua]"Ow..."[/color]

"Rilll!"

"Rufflet!

"Maka maka maka!"

Blinking, Acacia realized that she was looking down at three pokemon who she reckognized from downstairs in the sanctuary. Picking up all three in her arms, she stood and went into her room, kicking the door closed gently behind her. Putting the three pokemon - who were like friends and never left each others side - on her bed, she gestured to her room. It was a mess. [color=aqua]"Why did you three trash my room? Again?"[/color] she said pouting at them. The Azurill looked apoligetic while the Rufflet and Darumaka seemed proud of the mess they made. Rolling her eyes at the three, she turned and started to clean up her room after ordering them to remain on the bed. They watched her curiously and jumped when she shouted in surprise. 

Reaching for the upturned photo of her parents, she picked up the frame, only to have shards of glass fall onto the floor around the picture. Tears stung in her eyes and she looked at the three of them, shaking her head. She didn't scold them, just stood and put the picture in the bag at her waist. The three pokemon all looked sad then, knowing they had screwed up. Glancing around the room, she saw her closet was open and sighed, walking to it and seeing what she already knew she would. An item that was one of the last things to remind her of her parents, was on the floor instead of on the top shelf where she left it. Picking up the object, a choker, she placed the thing around her neck, figuring it was the safest place for it. The stone inside rotated until it was in the proper orientation and settled after a moment. 

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Placing a hand on it, she would reach up to the top shelf and feel around, her hand finding the matching choker with a stone that was red and silver. Turning she went over to the bed and sat down next to the three little pokemon. She held up the choker and looked at them, speaking after a moment. [color=aqua]"Do you guys see this? And the one on my neck? These two things are the only things left of my parents before they dissapeared...not including Scizor. Do you understand? These are very important to me."[/color] she spoke to them, getting nods from the wide eyed creatures. [color=aqua]"It's why I'm here. Sycamore's research on these stones are the only clues that could lead me to finding them..."[/color] she trailed off as she started to get a lump in her throat. 

"Rill..." the Azurill came over and rubbed against her. Sniffing and rubbing at her eyes, Acacia petted the pokemon with her free hand. [color=aqua]"Don't you guys want me to find my family?"[/color]

"Ruff!

"Maka."

[color=aqua]"Okay, then you need to stop messing up my things like this, alright? If you broke these... I don't know what I would do."[/color] she said, reaching out and ruffling the feathers of the bird pokemon. Standing, Acacia reached behind her to her yellow belt and detached Scizor's ball. When she released him, she smiled and held up the choker. [color=aqua]"Time to go to work Scizor. This time we wont come home until we find my parents. My dad's your true trainer afterall. You want to see him again badly too, don't you?"[/color] she asked, reaching out and putting the choker with the red and silver stone around the pokemon's neck. 

"Zor!" the pokemon said nodding, a serious look in his face. Acacia nodded back and returned him to his ball, reaching to her back and placing it on the belt. With one more look at the trio on her bed, she gave a weak smile and waved, turning to leave the room. Before she could take three steps, the pokemon lept off the bed and stood in her way, in front of the door. Frowning, Acacia wondered what the problem was. [color=aqua]"What's wrong?"[/color] she asked, all three pokemon started shouting and jumping up and down. Tilting her head, she brought a finger to her lip, biting the nail. [color=aqua]"Let me guess, you want to come along with me?"[/color] she said, raising a brow. The three nodded and hopped again, causing her to run a hand through her hair. [color=aqua]"Okay..."[/color] she said, turning back into the room and releasing Skarmory, Sylveon and Jellicent from their balls. After speaking to the pokemon and asking them if they didn't mind to stay behind and help out in the lab. They looked sad but agreed, making Acacia promise she would return for them soon. The three adult pokemon left the room and made their way down to the main floor of the lab. 

Turning to the little ones, Acacia took out three pokeballs. [color=aqua]"Alright you three, hope you're ready for this. This journey wont be easy. I'm going to work you harder than you've ever had before. Got that?"[/color] she asked.

"Rufflet!"

"Zurrill!"

"Maka!"

Nodding, Acacia captured each of the pokemon into their own balls and attched them to her belt, keeping them at the front to remind her to train them harder. Remembering she should pack some items, she grabbed the large blue backpack and shuffled through her bag, taking inventory of what she had while she started on her way downstairs. [color=aqua]"I need more revives, potions, and full heals..."[/color] she said aloud, taking the stairs down two at a time. When she reached the main door, she saw the two sisters were waiting at the entrance. Sycamore popped up behind her suddenly and looked confused. [b]"Hey, I just saw half of your teams going into the sanctuary."[/b] he said, wondering if she knew. Acacia nodded and started to walk with him to the front door. [color=aqua]"Yes I know, I took along Azurill, Rufflet and Darumaka instead. What about you, got your team all ready?"[/color]

[b]"Yes, that's right. Well, this ought to be exciting with those two tagging along."[/b] he gestured to Shay and Salina. Acacia nodded and crossed her arms, noticing something about him. [color=aqua]"Those socks..."[/color]

[b]"That dress."[/b] he retorted with a smirk, causing her to roll her eyes as he pushed open the door of the lab and stepped outside. 

[color=aqua]"And so starts the beginning of the end."[/color] she mumbled sarcastically.