-- ''I've been pretty down in terms of feelings, especially after that confrontation with Froslass in Snowpoint City, North Sinnoh. The loss of my friend Cloud was still heavy on my mind. The sun was setting and the sky turned a beautiful pinkish orange, but it's not like the sky was smiling upon me this day -- not during my trek through Routes 216 and 217, nor during the way all the way back to the base of Mt. Coronet and upon my arrival at Route 208, and the adjacent Hearthome City. After travelling through some fields and paths surrounded by simple trees, I came face to face with one of those Entrance Gate buildings that connect cities and towns with adjacent Routes. I figured I had to go through if I wanted to find some company. As I did though, I was met with some friendly faces earlier on than I expected -- Proto, an Eevee with a deep-blue fur and lightblue neck tuffs; and Marry, a young Mightyena who I happened to know from Route 101 from the Hoenn region! The latter asked me what was wrong, since they saw my eyes were full of tears. I told the two about the disappearance of Cloud, and about my lonely journey through Sinnoh, and its way harsher environments compared to Hoenn's tropical climate I was so accustomed to at this point. I told my friends I had quite some trouble conquering the blizzards and harsh rainpours during my way down the snowy mountains, and the fear I felt when I realized I had to face the claustrophobic tunnels of Mt. Coronet again, only now in reverse. 'Hey... We feel really bad for you, Lay', Marry said, 'right after we've passed through this Gate, we'll arive in Hearthome City. I've heard they hold Pokémon Contests there, and I've become quite intrigued to try one!' 'T-That's... because it is the ONLY place they hold Contests here in Sinnoh', I replied, '...y'know how in Hoenn, there are several of those Contest Hall buildings?' 'Yeah?'. I continued: '...or, at least, that used to be the case, until they replaced almost all Contest Halls with so-called Battle Tents, with the ONLY Contest Hall left being the one in Lilycove City' Proto looked over his shoulder, smiling: 'Don't be so sad, Lay buddy! C'mon! We're going to have some fun here! Let's see if we can reach the coveted Master Rank! Sure, we'd have to practice a lot with Contests for that to happen, but I am more than willing to at least try it out! Who knows?'

By this time, we entered Hearthome City, and I saw the paved streets stretching out from under our feet, and the big circular domed building looming over our heads. If only Cloud were here to join us in our journey -- he'd have found this quite the exciting place to be, I figured. 'Look!', Marry said, 'I see they've changed up the entrance gates to Amity Square! Look at those adorable depictions of several Pokémon they put on those gates! A Psyduck, a Torchic, a Drifloon...!' Marry's announcement peaked my interest and pulled it away from the Contest Hall. For a moment, I managed to put aside my grief, and I walked after Marry and also Proto, who was now too following in the Mightyena's footsteps. I could feel the tears still welling in my eyes. 'This place was designed specifically for people to walk and play with their Pokémon', said Proto, 'it's like a walking park for a dog, only it's the Pokémon like us that'll get a walk! Ain't THAT a funny thing!'. He looked at Marry and then at me, realizing both Marry and I were kind of hound-like anyway. We all chuckled a little nervously, when we realized this all three at the same time. Marry was the first one to run: 'Last one to reach Amity Square will be treating us to a Poffin cake at Valor Lakefront!' 'Oh yeah? 't won't be me!', Proto teasingly replied, running after him, leaving me behind. At first, I didn't know what to do. I felt the sadness creep in again, depsite my countless efforts to surpress it. I knew the two were good friends, but I had come to realize... their relationship as close friends hadn't been as strong as it was a couple months ago, when I saw them together for the last time. With that thought, I went after Marry and Proto, who both headed for the park gate of the serene Amity Square...'' ~