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"Not for very long,: Keiko said before the tapping, which made her giggle a bit. "He seems very eager," she added.

Keiko had to think for a moment before deciding on how to word her response. "Hmm... well, if you get a message from GRAY saying that everyone that can needs to go somewhere, it's probably a good idea to do as he says. That's the only good time to listen to him, though. He's kinda... well, I don't want to talk bad about him. He can probably hear us from anywhere in the base. Well, there are missions to be done if you're bored. You can always ask Sub if none of the missions on the list interest you. I'm sure there's always something he needs done. But if you can't find anything to do for the team, your best bet is probably to work on getting your Pokemon stronger. Otherwise, if you do take a mission, you might get overwhelmed, and that's never a good thing."

Keiko tried to think of something to add to that, but nothing came. "Sorry if I rambled a bit there, but that's the best advice I can give you. Which isn't much, given I've not been here all that long."

This made Keiko smile. "Thanks. Glad to be of help."

With Articuno right next to me, looking over my shoulder, I sit there at the kitchen table with a pen and a sheet of paper. It was some time that I done this. Another letter to Miles in Hyda. Considering my track record, I'm a little disappointed in myself in not getting at least a few lines to Miles sooner. Then again, I have been caught up in a whole multitude of things...perhaps things to tell Miles about. As I wrote on, I had a bit of a realization...I actually miss the fox. I, nor Tails, Tristen, or Freth haven't seen that Ninetales hybrid since...well...I believe it was last Christmas, now that I think about it. God, I'm getting a heavy dose of nostalgia now...

With a sigh I wrote:

Dear Miles,

Its been some time that you heard from me. I hope you can forgive me on that regard; I'm usually more consistent in things like that. I also realize I am also so easily distracted by other things. Nemeses to shut down, raising two kids, training in both my own skills and my Pokemon's...gets to the point where one tends to forget from where one comes from and how one came about. I figure that while I got the moment of peace, I should get back in touch with you for a change.

Maybe I should kick things off with an apology in regards to my training. I still stand by the fact that if I lasted that bit longer against you in our bout, I probably could of won. For that matter, despite your changes thanks to Kitsune, I am still wanting that rematch with you. However, that said, I'm afraid to say that I'm not as anxious now as the last time I wrote to you. I have been humbled, Miles. Perhaps I should explain a little...

Several months ago, Tristen and I went to a region that we were pretty unfamiliar with at the time. Its the Unova region across the seas. Tristen and I took part in a pretty grueling competition, one that had a Xatu Hybrid and some sort of acquaintance that actually was adept in using an artifact that controlled the very earth around her as contestants just as Tristen and I were. The artifact user wasn't really too much of an issue to me, the Xatu hybrid though...well...whole different story. It took about three encounters with him before I managed to take him out. I'm not really sure if its the fact that he was psychic or it really was what he called 'his training from hell', but whatever the case, it left me with a very grim realization at the end of the contest. If I had that hard of a time against one Xatu hybrid that didn't even know what chi was for the most part, just exactly how long would I have lasted against you? I...was feeling a bit like a heel when I remembered the last letter to you. I'm sorry for getting a little...I guess immature? Too headstrong? I'm not really sure of the right description for it.

Regardless, I've been redoubling my efforts, but as I do so I can't help but to realize something. As crazy of me to say it, I started to think about Hyda a bit. I actually miss that region a bit. I'm tempted to make it a point to take a trip over there eventually. See you again in person, for starters. See Remy, have a spar. Visit the cities once more and take the boys and Freth along for the ride.

Speaking of the family...Tails of course hasn't changed in the least. Still the outgoing lovable wild child that we're all accustomed to. That said, Tails taken on a bit more responsibility in the team in general. For that matter, he's really been taking on a more responsible role as a brother to Tristen, who has been trying to get stronger for him...which now that I write this down, I'm left with another realization. While I don't mind the fact of having loved ones to get stronger and fight for, Tristen apparently has this 'Tails is the center of the universe' mentality which has me thinking that eventually will put Tristen in a world of hurt somehow. I'm not sure, to be honest. I may be getting paranoid. Any advice, by chance?

The team in general have been...well...off the walls, but what else is new? Then again, yea, there has been one notable instance where its just outright bizarre for even us. Remember Darts, by chance? Well, we found him again for...perhaps the 3rd time now, though in his case this time, probably not for the better. He once again got his nose to where it didn't belong, namely at a shrine dedicated to the legendary dragon, Giratina, out in the Sinnoh region, and now, the only thing that actually keeps him in this plain of existance, is, incidentally enough, his own jacket. It's pretty much acting as a artifact in its own right, and for that matter, he too became a hybrid. Its either that or its a Giratina trying to come into our world through Darts's body. Haven't quite figured that out yet, really. I don't know too much specifics. I do know this much. At least I can be the one that can keep an eye on him now instead of Night.

Speaking of the black Ninetales, Night has been on her own training session herself, which I'm finding quite unlike her. Heck, she actually took a trip to the top of Mt. Silver to train for a solid month and just only recently got back, but now she is apparently set to go on some trip to Mt. Ember, on Sub's advice, to further advance herself. And here I thought that I was a bit on the obsessive side when it came down to advancing. I wonder what got her fire going?

I think I may want to wrap it up here. There's something else brewing now out here in the regions that a few went to go check on real quick. Despite which, I'm hoping to stay in touch with you here more often than what I was. Say 'hi' to your beloved and Mikey for us over here. Until next time.

Sincerely,
Blizzard

With that out of the way, I felt a bit content now. I took the canister and stashed the letter in the canister, then looked back at Articuno. "You ready to take flight, again? Sure you don't want a few circles around Mt. Silver first? It has been a few months, after all, since you took THAT long of a flight."

"Arrrrriii."

"Alright." I strapped on the canister to Articuno and lead the legendary bird outside. "I'll see you soon, okay?"

The bird kicked off the ground then started to fly off.

"Oh, hi, Dan!" Keiko said happily, glad to see another familiar face. "I've been hanging on alright. How about you?"

"Killing yourself?" Keiko blurted, a bit shocked that Dan would say such a thing.

"Oh," Keiko said quietly, calming down visibly. "Scared me for a minute."

"So, how are things with you and your girlfriend?" Keiko asked out of the blue, looking to change the subject.

"Boy, do I know that one... Keiko sighed, recalling how long it's been since she's heard from Al. "Oh, well. Everything will turn out okay. I'm sure of it."