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Isaac Gravity April 28th, 2005 10:49 PM

Cont
--------------------

(Outskirts of Lavaridge Town)

“Pokemon battle?” Brendan queried.

“It’ll be a 3 on 3 match. No recalling Pokemon until they are no longer able to battle or claimed victory! Oh, Ragnarok must be one of your fighters as Torkoal must be one of mine!” Flannery confirmed. “Since Yuriko forced me to take a day off from all the work I should be doing I need something to burn off some excess stress.”

Brendan rubs his throbbing arm while looking at the untouched beauty of this area.

“Quit being such a baby I didn’t squeeze your arm that tightly!” Flannery snaps. “No weaseling out of this either!”

The snow colored hair boy looked at the rather impatient teen with a rather crossed expression.

“I’ll take your dirty look as a yes?” Flannery answers for the annoyed 13-year-old. “Good, then let me give you one fair warning: Don’t look down on me. I lost that Gym battle to you a month back because I wasn’t being true to myself… but it’s different this time!”

‘You may not be faking your image anymore but there IS something about you that will cripple your battling…’ Brendan mentally states.

A strong silence overtook the area for the moment until both parties called out their Pokemon.

“Go! Magcargo!”

“Aero Adler! Come out!”

Both, the Magcargo and Taillow popped out of their respective balls and prepared for combat. Flannery tosses Brendan an annoyed look.

“Why didn’t you call out Ragnarok first like you did the last time?” The 17-year-old questioned. “Hmph, looking down on me I see… You’ll regret that soon enough!”

Brendan couldn’t help but face fault. From his perspective the teen would’ve gotten really upset if he called out his Water/Ground hybrid to combat first on the grounds that he thinks he could have another “easy win.” Looks like the saying d*mned if you do d*mned if you don’t would suit very well here…

The snow colored hair boy couldn’t dwell too much on this saying when he noticed Aero Adler rise higher into the air to avoid Marcargo’s Flamethrower only to find himself doing nothing but dodging constant fire projectiles from his lava snail opponent.

Despite all his quick dodging, Flannery‘s Magcargo was able to fully nail Aero Adler with a well-placed Flamethrower which clipped the bird out of the air and making a dive-bomb for the cold ground below.

“Aero! You’re a sitting duck up there! Switch to Flight formation B!” Brendan calls out his Pokemon.

Aero Adler acknowledges his trainers call and expands his wings to pick up a tailwind and swoop downwards to avoid being victim to another of Magcargo’s Flamethrowers and crash land into a nearby bushel of leaves.

Overtime a rustling sound was heard in another area, and then another. This pattern continued to persist for the remainder of the time.

Heat began to generate from Magcargo’s body to show her growing irritation the matter.

“Flight formation B?” Flannery questioned before getting the full picture. “So your strategy is to hide until you can think of a better strategy? This is pitiful! You‘ve really been taking it easy Brendan!”

‘I fought all three of her Pokemon before and a Magcargo wasn‘t one of them!’ Brendan mentally rebuked. ‘And with that thing being rock hybrid Aero isn’t going to do too much no matter what he throws… I might as well call it in… No! I can’t think like that! What did Dad say about a Magcargo’s weak spot… focus… Focus!’

‘I admit when you first came to Lavaridge to fight me for the Heat Badge I was a tad overconfident. And that forced my loss…’ Flannery mentally confirms. ‘But when we and Mia were working together to trek through Mt. Chimney and during your recuperation time here I took note of each of the Pokemon you two primarily used. I’ve seen a handful of you and Mia’s tricks and seen your limits and realized they can be easily overcome!’

Flannery muttered the words “Your too obvious” before she ordered her Pokemon to use Rock Throw on a boulder nearby.

Magcargo charges at the boulder and is able to smash it into tiny bits of rubble that flew about the battlefield forcing both, Brendan and Flannery to shield their faces for a moment.

With the rubble pretty much making a nice distraction for Magcargo, Aero Adler emerged from hiding in his well-concealed spot in the trees to swoop down at full speed and attack the lava snail from behind.

“Aero! Steel Wing its shell with everything you got!” Brendan orders his Taillow.

Aero Adler’s wings begin to shine with bright sliver while he continued his high-speed dive bomb. The moment the Taillow made contact with the lava snail he found himself bouncing off what it appeared to be glass that formed from thin air.

Using her opponent’s state of shock to her advantage, Magcargo engulfs Aero Adler with a Flamethrower at point blank range. All the small Flying-type could do is take the full brunt of the attack and hit the ground burned, bruised and beaten.

“Ah, Aero…” Brendan muttered as he ran over to the Taillow and pick up his injured form. “I’ll try harder to not let you down next time…”

“You guys weren’t bad but… You were just way too predictable-” Flannery cuts herself off when she notices Magcargo was flinching in pain as shell started to crack.

Brendan recalls Aero Adler to his Pokeball before even addressing the 17-year-old.

“Even though you used Reflect it only halves physical attack damage and your Magcargo was barely able to put one up in-time for it to work properly enough.” Brendan began coolly. “What we did might be considered predicable to you; but usually the most basic of things are usually the most effective.”

Flannery frowns slightly and recalls her pained Magcargo only to call out her strongest Pokemon Torkoal.

The 17-year-old didn’t even bother to make a playful taunt or some kind of goading gesture towards the snow colored hair 13-year-old; the look on her face pretty much showed she felt pretty crossed about her miscalculation.

“Quit stalling and call out your next Pokemon.” She said impatiently.

Brendan squints his eyes slightly to shake off the glare the sunlight put on his glasses before he fully rubs his eyes and calls out Ragnarok the Marshtomp.

‘Maybe I’m taking this too seriously…’ Flannery mentally rambled. ‘I mean, I know these kids are good but… Where do I stand in comparison to such talent?’

The Lavaridge Gym Leader breaks from these distracting thoughts to order Torkoal to attack.

--------------
(Ever Grande City. Pokemon League HQ)

The Hoenn Champion didn’t seem too fazed about the matter. If anything, a low ‘humph’ was breathed out of him.

The Elites, with the exception of Phoebe who looked more sympathetic than anyone else, were pretty much expressionless about this.

The Gym Leaders didn’t know what to make of it all… The current events were just a spiral of blurs to them; so, like the Elites, were unable to convey any emotion.

Though a Gym Leader himself Norman, who was the center of attention, could only grit his teeth and glare harshly at those in-charge.

The Guards were pretty much paid to just stay silent and do their job without hesitation, not like they had much to say about this matter.

…Well with exception of a certain seething turquoise-haired agent who was pretending to be a guard and was fighting with all her inner might not to blow her cover.

The Head found himself rubbing his temples in utter frustration. It appears that his fellow board members went behind his back on this one… Not only that, but also this information was NOT meant to be leaked out period and was a type of trust formation between all regional governments and their Pokemon League officials.

Had someone from the Government let themselves in all hell would break loose…

Again, a dead silence has enveloped the room, deluding many into an ocean of emotional chagrin and mental crossroads.

“You all act as if someone died.” The second-ranked official comments. He then turns back to the man he was originally interrogating “Now Norman, If I didn’t have 20/20 vision I’d say that trainer number 07361 is an Experiment-X that bears your last name.”

“There’s a lot of people in this world who aren’t related yet bear the same last name… It’s only a coincidence…” Norman scoffs.

The sixth-ranked official gave Norman a scrutinizing look. “So you don’t mind if she along with all those with the code Experiment-X registered as trainers in the Hoenn Region have their trainer licenses purged, suffer a hefty punishment for their misdoings and have their potentially lethal Pokemon subdued!”

The Head broke from his depression when he heard the sixth-ranked official say those things.

“What- Robert you two…”

“I-I’m sorry Walter…I- I just can’t afford my years of hard work to amount to nothing!!!” The sixth-ranked Official reasons.

“…Have all of you people gone insane? This is a pure breaching of a contract that has been kept sacred for years!” The Head shouts at his fellow officials in disgust. “Not only that, but you’re speaking of fellow human beings; children who mean no one any harm! They just want to recover the life that they thought they’d never get to live again… Work along side the exact creatures that were the reason for their misery! Why do you want to alienate them more than they already feel…”

Steven wanted to make a comment of his own at the moment; instead, he remained silent to respect the words that this man who was obviously given this position for a reason had just said.

Norman also had to respect the impassionate words that this man just spilled out.

At this moment the Petalburg Gym Leader could only think back to his own obsessions and disregard for his child that lead to the ultimate result.

Even though May, in a sense, was lucky enough to have a home to return to with parents who love her… or at least figured her importance to them, there were others that never have anything at all. They even fled the premises before Norman could even give them some of the antidote.

The others just didn’t trust him.

Perhaps, in the end, they were the real lucky ones. They didn’t have to return home just to feel that bitter sting of betrayal run through their veins. Even if they did try to “get over it” as most would say.

Even though the chestnut-haired girl is good at covering her remaining malice for her parents, Norman knew it was still there. He could see that in her even up to this day… The bond between them is gone. There was only emptiness now.

He could laugh with her, make jokes and even eat at the same table. But she was only playing dumb to his fatherly ways. Or maybe she wasn’t playing dumb…it’s just the only way she feels she can live now.

“If I could, I’d adopt everyone of those poor souls but that’d only be a cheap way of atonement wouldn‘t it?” Norman muttered under his breath.

“No man could ever be that generous…” Steven assures while glaring at the emperors throne sector of the stadium through narrowed eyes.

“The only reason I aspired to become a Gym Leader was because I can make a difference.” Norman admits to he 19-year-old. “If anything, I am guilty for using Pokemon… I use them to reach another’s heart. I trained hard to understand not only myself but also the balance of what it means to exist… Through Pokemon I hope to lend my talents to give purpose to those who wish to seek that. Revive faith to those who become too deluged in the dark… I didn’t just limit my dreams to just trainers…One-step at a time I want all to understand themselves. And I’m doing that the only way I know…”

“I see…” Steven replies, still having his eyes tacked on the emperors throne sector of the stadium.

What sets many off when they see the third official summon two guards to restrain the Head menacingly and orders another to taser a turquoise-haired guard whose cover has just been blown.

The shock of the surprise attack forced Gabrielle Jenny to her knees.

“This matter has already been settled on a 5-3 basis.” The fourth-ranked official confirms to the Head. “With your vote it only makes it 5-4. You made a nice speech but it’s useless.”

“So you decided to go against a multi-regional agreement?” The turquoise-haired agent growls. “You won’t get very far! The identities of all of those children were to be kept secret as agreed by all regional officials! … I’LL BE D*MNED IF YOU THINK I’M GOING TO ALLOW ANY GREATER DEAL OF TURMOIL FALL UPON MY HOMELAND! THIS PORK BARREL WITCH HUNT WILL NOT BE COMPROMISED!!!

“I must say I’m impressed that a government lackey would have so much patience after all our sour words towards your group.” The second-ranked official mused. “But I told you this many times over: The Hoenn League is its own power in the field of Pokemon and their trainers. Tell the government to back out of our affairs!”

The seventh-ranked official nods. “This is no pork barrel project, this act was given full clearance and we were handed a nice service fee to boot.”

“I see, so our opinion doesn’t seem to matter here no matter what we do!” Wattson announced angrily.

“The woman from the government is right!” Tate growls. “This won’t be compromised!” Liza finishes.

“You realize situations like these require a decision from every division don’t you?” Winona stood up, not caring what becomes of her at this moment. “I’m afraid that the union rules you out here… As well as a 5-9 vote.”

After the oldest, youngest and most influential of Hoenn’s Gym Leaders show where they stood on this, the other Gym Leaders stood up angrily to show their defiance.

“I thought today was to be a meeting concern Hoenn’s reconstruction not pointing fingers on a source who plays NO relevancy to it all.” Wallace comments.

“That’s right, you guys just make me wanna chase down Aqua and Magma even more and personally make that syndicate pay!” Brawly adds.

“It doesn’t matter…” Roxanne mutters lightly, still being seated. “What these children are makes no difference to me… If they can’t pass my test then they can’t battle me for a badge! Being what they doesn‘t mean they‘re the perfect trainer they all have ways to go…”

The other Gym Leaders were worried there for a second; but gave supporting looks for the 15-year-old Child of Gaia’s decision.

In the Elites section Glacia shook her head in irritation while Sidney shook his in amusement.

“Looks like the Gym Leaders could throw in another vote.” The Dark-type Elite announced. Making Glacia glare at him angrily.

Sidney shakes it off saying he want to be on the winning side.

Drake didn‘t need or want to hear any arguments and rebuttals here. An act like this was a break of the by-laws all seafaring men go by and that‘s something he couldn‘t tolerate.

“Usually, in a situation like this a man of my caliber would sit back silently and watch your plans be thrown back at you in the most vile of ways…” Drake comments. “You people hold the top ranks here but a captain is nothing without his crew.”

“So… You’re with us?” Brawly questioned.

“Neutral.”

Much similar to Glacia, the ghost-using Elite Phoebe remained silent the whole time. However, unlike Glacia the Hawaiian-clad 19-year-old kept her eyes tacked on Steven.

She saw the look his face; the slightest push and all hell would truly break lose… She hadn’t seen him hold such an expression since the first time they met in the endurance battles with the Elites the winner of the Victory Road tournament two years back…

‘He was such a prick back then.’ She thought with a smile.

-------------
(Flashback)

[Every two years Hoenn holds its Regional Championship to determine the lands new top trainer. But I was pretty oblivious to this at the time…]

[However, almost a decade ago a horrible scandal concerning the newly made Champion and the League caused many stripping of positions. Not only that but the Fortree City Gym Leader had passed away and it’d take some time before a new one would prove worthy to fill their shoes.]

[Hoenn’s trainer community was thrust into a period of shame and anguish. It took until five years ago when the current Head: Walter O’Neil was given his position was when things picked up for us all.]

[Mr. O’Neil was a man looking for aspiring Pokemon talent that he knew existed within the weakened Hoenn Region. It was through his dedicated travels that he found the current Elite Four. Before any of us could be named anything, we first had to battle amongst ourselves to see our ranks then face off with the originals.]

[The trainer whom I had the honor of facing was no push over… It took all my experiences in battle, what I learned from other trainers, my Grandma and Mr. O’Neil to muster a victory that I could hardly win… Knowing a Custom Tactic also helped me some…]

[If anything, he just gave in when the deciding blow was to be made between my Dusclops and his Mr. Mime… He said I might be young but I really am a definition of Hoenn’s pride. He then said something about a home for retired trainers far away… I really wonder what became of that kind old Psychic…]

[It was because of my battle results that always left me a little unsure of myself and always pushed myself harder than the others…]

[Then two years later a special event specifically meant for the Elites came about… Glacia warned me to be on my guard but I wasn’t too sure what she meant…]

In the room where Phoebe awaited her challenger she couldn’t help but feel unnerved. Could it be high time to make replacement Elites?

The pained cries of Sidney’s Pokemon in the room ahead pretty much told her that Sidney lost his match… and his rank…

::Footsteps calmly climbing the stairs are heard::

‘He’s here…’ The Hawaiian clad 17-year-old mentally growled. ‘I can’t afford to lose… I worked way to hard to fall!’

The door opened to reveal a blue-haired young man who appeared to be about Phoebe’s age.

The teen was dressed rather casually, with in a long sleeve white shirt that held the Slateport City all boys’ private school insignia on it along with his dressy pants and shoes.

The serious expression on the male’s face one that showed he‘s most likely one of those dark, broody types. That’s just what makes guys like him hot Phoebe figured.

“You my opponent?” The 17-year-old asked Phoebe darkly.

The piercing glare this guy was giving Phoebe was really unnerving her, but she couldn’t let this guy see any signs of intimidation.

“If you wish for the third seat of the Elite Four then you’ll have to fight me for it!” Phoebe announced.

“Hmph, fighting for your spot would be setting my standards too low.” The blue-haired male comments, not even once changing his void expression.

The 17-year-old quickly takes note of the angry look on Phoebe’s face and pulls out a Pokeball.

“You got problem with me? Then make use of that anger while you try to land a scratch on my Pokemon.”

That was the last straw for Phoebe; she quickly grabs the ball containing her Sableye.

“Arrogant creeps like you don’t deserve to even step foot here!” The Hawaiian clad 17-year-old growled. “I’m going to make sure you learn what true humiliation is!”

(End Flashback)
-----------------

‘For some reason, after our battle that day…’ Phoebe mentally rambles as she continued to watch Steven who began to walk over to the emperors throne sector. ‘I guess I shouldn’t be so shocked about these findings…’

From the corner of her eyes the 19-year-old Elite noticed that the guard who Steven knocked down was trying to be as stealthy as he could when getting up before rushing at the Hoenn Champion taser first.

“STEVEN! BEHIND YOU!!!” Phoebe screams at the top of her lungs.

The 19-year-old Hoenn Champ stops in his stride to glare at the guard at the corner of his eyes.

Whatever the 19-year-old was going to do he couldn’t; Norman jumped right in front of the him, taking the full brunt of the taser.

The guard shoves the weakened Petalburg Gym Leader aside just to have himself thrown to the ground in a more forceful manner by Steven.

Before any more of Hoenn’s finest could make a move, Glacia called out her two Glalie to freeze them in their place. The ice-hearted woman’s frostbite also bit her Elite Four Allies.

“g-Glacia…I th-think your aim is s-sl-slightly off.” Sidney shivers.

“Hm, pathetic, even the considered best wield only weak talents with second-rate strength.” Glacia smirks.

“Glacia!?” Phoebe yelps in bewilderment. Drake was better at showing the old seaman rage. “Glacia! What the hell?”

Isaac Gravity April 28th, 2005 10:58 PM

Cont 3
-----------------------

The 30-year-old woman throws the Seaman a smug look before even bothering to answering to anything.

“As you can all plainly see, this whole situation is obviously out of our hands. I’m only stopping you from making fools of yourselves. Stop crying over what you can’t stop and embrace it.”

“So you’re telling us to sit back and let this act endanger innocents and turn Hoenn into a laugh stock?” Winona snaps.

“You really don’t get it do you?” Glacia hissed. “Our dear executives are too ashamed of their lack of involvement with the two cults until it was the damage has been done. Now, they must look for a scapegoat. The usual suspects if you will…”

Winona didn’t like Glacia. But that didn’t stop her from listening intently to the older woman’s words.

“So what do you mean?” She called out to the blonde Elite Four member who completely ignored her.

“Just answer the darn question!” Tate and Liza shout angrily.

Glacia continues her smug look but answers to them while looking away. Showing her questioners a great sign of disrespect. “Our region’s Pokemon League is now teetering on the brink of being laughing stocks. Since they failed to do a thing about Aqua or Magma and feel it’s too out of their way to hunt them down, they go after an easier target…”

Glacia decides to grace the Gym Leaders by turning to them with a smile. “After all, from those people who do know of the situation not many understand nor feel compassion for these kids. And with the X’s rumored abilities incompetent trainers would deem them as cheaters. Now, would you want that kind of publicity?”

“So in the end this is only about reputations…” Wattson sighs.

“Think however you want but the ends justify the means!” Glacia announced. “You all may hold power in the eyes of lesser trainers and little children in desperate need of a role model, but don’t let those things get to your heads! Everyone is given a rank in their life so you should learn to know your place…”

And with that, the 30-year-old woman picked herself up and out of the stands with her two Glalie who hastily tagged along behind their trainer.

“Well, its good to see someone understands the hierarchy here.” The silent until now second-ranked official replies. He then turns to the stands, giving the Gym leaders, Elites and Regional Champion a: that is all look. “The vote has been made and progress has already been predetermined! So as far as the Hoenn League is concerned: all those with the code Experiment-X registered as trainers in the Hoenn Region have their trainer licenses purged, suffer a hefty punishment for their misdoings and have their potentially lethal Pokemon subdued!”

“Norman Hiromi’s punishment for his treason will be decided a more quite location… No further arguments shall be made unless you wish to relinquished of your positions!” The third-ranked official finishes.

The fourth, sixth and seventh had very content looks on their faces.

The sullen/rather angry looks of everyone else proved where loyalties on the matter resided.

“THEN ENJOY YOUR OWN DESTRUCTION WITHOUT YOUR CHAMPION!”

The eyes in the room were locked on Steven once more. If looks could kill the glare Steven tossed the officials could be enough to leave a body completely mangled and unidentifiable.

“You heard me… I want nothing to do with this and I refuse to just idle by while those who suffered a great deal like I have are put through more misery!”

“s-Steven! Wait!” The Head tried to reason despite the two guards who hovered over him menacingly.

“I’m sorry, but what you said is very true and I wish to preserve those thoughts… Even if that means relinquishing my title as Champion to hold this belief.”

Phoebe looked at Steven in shock. Considering that day two years ago his aspirations for wanting to become Regional Champ so badly was one that she found noble and was make good progress, so why…

“Why quit now Stone? The Victory Road tournament is only a few months away. Why not wait till your defeated by some faceless trainer?” The fourth-ranked official smirks.

“Please, as if you could hold a tournament when half the region’s trainers are all fixated in certain areas due to Magma and Aqua’s mayhem.” The 19-year-old scoffs. “Furthermore, it’s pretty apparent to me that you lost all understanding of what it means to be a trainer. The Gym Leaders and Elites might be bound to this Region but a Regional Champion is always replaceable… Go find yourselves a new publicity stunt!”

Making sure Norman was fully ok; Steven gives the emperors throne sector one last harsh look before walking away without once looking back…

-------------
(Outskirts of Lavaridge Town)

Ragnarok hits the ground with skid but quickly picks himself up and tries to land a Water Gun on Torkoal, who hid inside of her shell, used the move Fire Spin to act a motor to spin about the battlefield but found himself only damping the environment even more.

“Torkoal time to stop playing around and close in!” Flannery ordered.

The Steam turtle avoids Ragnarok’s recent attack and spins straight for him. Ragnarok quickly jumps away from the first attack but his hit from behind by Torkaol’s second coming making him hit the now muddy ground as before.

“Ragnarok into the air!” Brendan orders his Pokemon.

The Mudfish nods weakly and launches himself upwards by spraying Water Gun at full force on the now muddy soil helping him avoid Torkoal‘s recent hit and run.

While in the air the Mudfish bombards the area with Water Gun attacks which Torkoal found more of a task to avoid than usual while spinning.

In all her frantic dodging the spinning Steam turtle went over a muddy mound of dirt leaving her an open target to Ragnarok‘s Water Gun.

“Torkoal! Give ‘em a dose of their own medicine!”

Brendan had no clue what the 17-year-old meant until he saw the Steam turtle come out her shell and use Overheat with all the power to uplift herself into the air.

“Ragnarok! Get out of there!” Brendan shouts.

Ragnarok hastily aims Water Gun above himself to help quicken his decent to the ground. This strategy helped him avoid any massive damage that could’ve resulted when Torkoal came careening by and was even successful in hitting the Steam turtle dead on.

Torkoal counters Ragnarok’s retreat by pelting him with Overheat. This forced the Mudfish to hit the ground with a loud thud.

The Steam turtle quickly tucks herself back into her hard shell to plummet back to the ground.

Rather than body slam Ragnarok like everyone, including Ragnarok himself figured; Torkoal dived straight into the ground, staying in there for what it seemed to be countless minutes.

The looks of confusion and caution were pretty audible on Brendan and Ragnarok’s faces… Not even Flannery knew what her Pokemon was up to…

A few more minutes had passed and still no sign if Torkoal.

Ragnarok irritably rubbed his eyes. Brendan to take note of this and pulled out what little was left of the eye cleaner Mia gave to him.

When the snow colored hair boy was about to shrug off the risks and approach his Pokemon, Brendan heard an abnormal crunching sound. The 13-year-old quickly came to notice the grass within the area Torkoal had made a hole was dead, brittle and spreading its influence.

“Idiot! What do you think your doing!?” Flannery shouts at who it seems to be Brendan and Ragnarok.

------------
(Later that day. Ever Grande City)
(Outside Pokemon League HQ)

“I’m surprised to see your still here!” Phoebe’s voice greets former Hoenn Champion Steven Stone.

The snappily dressed 19-year-old stopped staring at the statues of former Hoenn Champions to acknowledge Phoebe with a smile.

Phoebe frowns slightly at Steven’s reactions but still tries her best to show a cheerful disposition.

“It’s hell in there you know… Everyone is in quite an uproar about you abdicating your post like that… I wouldn‘t have called you to the meeting if I knew you were going to do something so foolish…”

“That’s why I should thank you.”

Phoebe froze in her place at the former Champion’s answer to her problem. Steven still held his enlightened disposition and continued talking.

“Do you know why the statues of those past Champions were erected?” He asked. “These souls showed a level of compassion and dedication to Pokemon battling that hasn’t been seen for ages… Their unshakeable determination and unrivaled battle spirit would have never allowed what has happened today…”

“Don’t you think your being a little too hard on yourself?” Phoebe reasons. “I mean, come on! So you’re the Regional Champ, but that doesn’t mean that you’re expected to play super hero the moment trouble rises!”

“No, but I am expected to be the first to oppose it! Even more so, that title leaves many with the anticipations that whatever trouble would arise, not only would the reigning Regional Champion be the first to oppose it, but will also be the one to stop it!”

Phoebe was pretty much-caught off-guard by what her peer had said just as much as she felt that she shouldn’t be too surprised…

It was only two short years ago that they had met and in that short-lived battle that she saw a small frightening glimpse of what makes Steven Stone…

-------------
(Flashback)

Phoebe grits her teeth in frustration as a trickle of sweat rolls down her soft skin.

Sableye, Shuppet and Duskull; they were all beaten in the most humiliating of ways by the blue-haired challenger and his Pokemon Armaldo and a creature she never seen before that he addressed by Metang.

Neither Pokemon were put into faint status or were beaten to an inch of their health; hell, neither Pokemon even suffered any serious damage. The 17-year-old male simply called them back saying: “they shouldn’t overexert over such petty creatures like ghost Pokemon.”

His attitude, his choice in Pokemon, everything about him made Phoebe sick to her very core.

It was a long shot but she’d have to depend on her most reliable Pokemon Dusclops to win it all for her! She seemed to be doing quite well against the 17-year-old’s Pokemon Aggron but neither Elite nor her Cyclops ghost could afford to get cocky…

It was time to wrap this up and Phoebe had just the idea to clinch it all and defend the rank she worked so hard to obtain.

“Dusclops,” Phoebe addressed her Pokemon. “We can’t afford to lose this… It’s time! Ab-”

“I won’t lose, I can’t lose, and I shouldn’t lose.” The 17-year-old who we know as Steven Stone emphasized on Phoebe’s words. “Won’t and can’t are two different meanings. When you say I won’t lose in the tone you’ve been uttering you’re trying to mask your uneasiness with overconfidence. When you say I can’t lose like you did now it shows your realization of inferior you truly are.”

Steven’s words were hitting Phoebe pretty hard. It was his razor sharp words and the situation she so far experienced that made her find herself unconsciously falling to her knees while staring at the floor as if it was giving her council.

The blue-haired 17-year-old gave the Hawaiian-clad teen a very apathetic glare as he wraps up his words. “Finally, when you say I shouldn’t lose like I expect you to say very soon, you pretty much have seen with your own eyes how weak you truly are yet you’ve been fully disillusioned by then and refuse to accept reality. The proof is in your actions.”

Seeing her partner suffer was too unbearable for Dusclops. She defensively stood in front of her trainer and began to move her hands in a hypnotic manner that hinted to be wary. Steven was pretty much unimpressed by the Cyclops Pokemon’s courage.

“The only thing that your going to accomplish by standing before us is unnecessary bruises while marking further humiliation on your trainer.” Steven replies. “You’re too weak while your trainer is too unskilled to further handle this battle.”

“h-How dare you…” Phoebe hissed despite her current position. “You got a lot of nerve to question the bond I share with my Pokemon…”

“Just give up! Hoenn already suffers from a low quality of trainers in comparison to other regions. These low standards were what lead to the chosen Elites but this will change very shortly once I take over…”

Phoebe was beyond interested in hearing what this condescending prick was saying to her; Picking herself up she glared down her opponent who could at this particular moment, could pass for a mortal enemy and addressed her Pokemon.

“Abyss of the Twilight!”

A silver aura emanates around both Phoebe and Dusclops. The Ghost-type’s singular eye glows with a gleam as a dark mist begins to seep from her body like a steam from a broken heater.

It wasn’t too long until Dusclops became one with the mist which slowly but surely began to engulf the room in complete darkness.

Steven narrowed his eyes slightly at the change of atmosphere. He knew no move like this could ever be recognized in the Pokemon movepool… Nor was there an attack called “Abyss of the Twilight…” No, this was a gimmick in the truest form known as the Custom Tactic.

The 17-year-old gave Phoebe a very harsh look, which she shook off with a cruel smirk.

“You use something as lowly as a Custom Tactic?” Steven growls. “I’ll defiantly make sure I beat you utterly…”

“You got a lot of nerve to prance about the way you do!” Phoebe verbally counters. “I’m going to show you the one who really bears the heavy insecurities in the heart and soul!!!”

Steven was about to make an order to Aggron, but as soon as he said his name the Steel/Rock hybrid was completely engulfed in the darkness.

Steven tried to walk in the direction where his loyal Pokemon ally as he believes is still standing while extending his arm to feel him out…

Only to grasp emptiness…

Growing anxiety was now overlapping the rather no-nonsense expression the blue-haired 17-year-old once held.

:: Droplet of water touches the ground::

“Was that sweat escaping your brow?” Phoebe’s voice echoes in the emptiness. “I wouldn’t be surprised. The darker your fears the worse your experience in Abyss of the Twilight will be…”

When Steven attempts to ignore Phoebe and wipe his brow he’s taken aback by the large red eye that was appeared right before him.

The 17-year-old steps back a bit disgusted only to realize that the eyes were being projected all about the dark emptiness. It was just for a second, but Steven could have sworn that he saw Dusclops’ hand moving in a grasping fashion before disappearing again.

Replacing the hands were images that he’d rather not remember…

The situation took a turn for the worse when everything had darkened to the point that he couldn’t even anything of himself any longer.

He tried mouthing out his Pokemon’s name but his voice couldn’t rip through the thick emptiness and now bounced about the area he was in at such a decibel that would force one to crumble to their knees and cover their ears.

When Steven attempted to protect his needs of hearing, the words: “I don’t want to go back there!” “Keep that thing away from me!” “I’m not a guinea pig!” “Not a blasted experiment!” “I don’t want to die! I don‘t deserve to die!” Kept screaming like a mantra in his mind that began to jumble among each other and increase in volume.

All these simultaneous happenings had Steven’s breathing rate increase along with dilating pupils and a face covered in a cold sweat. The 17-year-old found himself throbbing head with his left hand while his right kept a firm hold on the ground.

Overtime, his left hand began to tremble on its own and started to push pressure upon what it was once trying to soothe. Could it be because of the reappearance of the multiple eyes in the darkness that began to shine? Or was it the uncomfortable visions that he started to see along with the literal mental attack his own thoughts were leaving him?

Whichever the case; The 17-year-old froze in his place when he heard the approaching cry of furious entity that failed in trying to manipulate the voice of his trusted ally Aggron followed by a pale yellow gleam that was able to tear through the darkness.

Despite his demands for the entity in Aggron’s hide to get away, it instead ripped through the thick contents of the darkness to approach Steven. Only revealing itself as monstrosity beyond one’s imagination.

GYYYYYAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

When Phoebe heard this tortured scream, a light smirk escaped her lips. From where she stood, she had no clue what her fellow 17-year-old was actually witnessing and simply took his cries as a mere commonplace fear that all those with a high amount of pride suffered from.

This, of course, would shortly change.

To be continued…
-----------------------------------------

Well, this is a first for me, a cliffhanger that actually ends within a flashback… First time for everything huh? Anyway… yeah, been a while huh? But well my personal life, studies pickiness about how to plan the scenes took its toll. That and I’m a lazy guy.

But things might look rather confusing 'til part 3 of this chapter so just bear your senses and stick with it. We made it this far? Why lose track now?

Isaac Gravity May 14th, 2005 5:39 PM

Please note!: That right now we're still in the midst of Phoebe's very long flashback.
------------------------------
Disclaimer- I don’t own Pokemon or anything else

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Chapter 21- To kill a fire chick (part 2)- Imbalanced Barricades
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All these simultaneous happenings had Steven’s breathing rate increase along with dilating pupils and a face covered in a cold sweat. The 17-year-old found himself throbbing head with his left hand while his right kept a firm hold on the ground.

Overtime, his left hand began to tremble on its own and started to push pressure upon what it was once trying to soothe. Could it be because of the reappearance of the multiple eyes in the darkness that began to shine? Or was it the uncomfortable visions that he started to see along with the literal mental attack his own thoughts were leaving him?

Whichever the case; The 17-year-old froze in his place when he heard the approaching cry of furious entity that failed in trying to manipulate the voice of his trusted ally Aggron followed by a pale yellow gleam that was able to tear through the darkness.

Despite his demands for the entity in Aggron’s hide to get away, it instead ripped through the thick contents of the darkness to approach Steven. Only revealing itself as monstrosity beyond one’s imagination.

Steven gave out a horrified scream when he came face to face with the beast, which, in reality, was his loyal Pokemon ally Aggron.

The 17-year-old hastily dragged himself away from the concerned Iron Armor Pokemon who continued to approach him. Aggron stopped in his place when a multitude of small blue flames encircled themselves around him in a manner similar to candles that would create a glow of mystery in a pitch-black cathedral.

Only contributing to the scenes eeriness was the reappearance of Dusclops hands that moved in trance-like manner.

Witnessing the scene once again forced mental images that Steven’s head that he’d rather not see; more noticeably of three first person images: The first image was that of two shaking palms stained with blood over a body of what it seems to be a badly injured boy who clutched his sides.

The second image was a room full of corporate-like people applauding the speech concerning the bright future that is in-store for Devon. The man giving the speech was none other than Mr. Stone who stood to the left of the first person perspective. Through his shades we could see the reflection of a 15-year-old Steven who looked more irritated than composed as he struggled to put the erratic shaking of his left arm to a barely noticeable manner.

The final image was of a right hand accepting a flower from a 7-year-old Mia.

While these three potent images passed, many more blurred memories, be it somewhat precious or nightmarish sped along with them…

Sweat drenched Steven’s face as his breathing began to calm down slightly; the 17-year-old’s dilating pupils began to slowly regain their normal life… His left hand also began to slowly shift over his face until it fully covered his left side and was making its way to his right as if it was trying to blind him from the horrors that were reality.

Despite fully acknowledging his left’s unconscious movements by stopping it with his right, Steven allowed it…

…He allowed the blinding void to slowly sweep across his vision… Even though he didn’t fight it, he kept his eyes wide open to what he witnessed before him…

---------------
From where she stood, 17-year-old Ghost using Elite Phoebe could hear all what had just occurred. Even though she was the one who had her Pokemon use such a Custom Tactic; the Abyss of the Twilight was a move that held TWO MAJOR flaws…

The first on the list is that by using the technique Dusclops must use all of her strength in order for her illusions to reach a proper projection state to fool the minds eye. Phoebe shook off this matter since there hasn’t been a trainer or Pokemon that has been able to defeat her Custom Tactic; they were too busy writhing in fear of what only exists within them…
The true thing that worried her was the latter point: The strength of the Abyss of the Twilight only reflects on how dark ones heart is… The worse their fears the deeper the plunge of Abyss will be…

Quote her Grandmother back on Mt. Pyre: “The mind, though being one of mans strongest assets is also mans greatest weak spot. This technique was developed to cripple even the strongest willed of beings… But please only use this when the situation is dire. All living things react different to the world around us… the mental damage that the Abyss inflicts could all but totally destroy a man…”

Phoebe just met the guy, but no matter how much of an uptight, condescending, full of himself prick he was in her eyes, everyone was scared of something, and nobody deserved to be completely consumed by those fears.

“Why are you torturing yourself? Just surrender and I’ll call my Pokemon off.” Phoebe announced coolly.

Rather than hear what she wanted; Phoebe instead was greeted by silence. This resolution left a mixture of anger and rising concern ring within her when she attempted to make another call to her opponent.

“Is winning all that matters to you?! I know you can hear me so please for your own sake just give u-Aaaah!”

Phoebe’s words were cut short when a heavy tremor due to the shockwaves created by Earthquake made her fall on her rear. Following the shock quickly after was the thundering sound of metal shattering which pretty much drowned out all other noise and forced the ghost using Elite to cover her ears in agony.

That tore it! She couldn’t afford to have Dusclops call off her technique; there may be a chance that he was actually able to withstand it all until now… This left Phoebe only one option: Go inside the Abyss no matter the dangers that followed it…
-----------------

Steven found himself riddled with cuts and burns from the onslaught that Dusclops had meant to unleash fully on Aggron. The 17-year-old winced in pain as the effects of Will-O-Wisps lingered its dance on his fragile human flesh.

Steven began to realize that his body wasn’t touching the ground but was instead in the protective hold of the one who saved him from the full power of the earthquake in trade of all those cuts which freely bled and those burns that made the stinging pain even worse.

In his eyes, that protector was the monstrosity in Aggron’s skin.

Pieces of metal falling from his strong hide and battered to the point where only will power can carry him; the monstrosity, no, Aggron stood his ground the entire time.

Luckily, the Iron armor Pokemon harden his body with Iron Defense throughout time when Dusclops ignored him to mentally provoke his trainer and was able to do it once more before being struck by the Earthquake.

Also, he had to be glad that his foe had seemingly low attacking abilities.

Realizing that Steven had actually relaxed himself in his grip; or just pretty much stopped moving all together, Aggron’s expression became that of a calmed one to completely enraged at what has happened to his proud trainer.

Letting go of Steven, Aggron gave out a piercing roar full of primal rage that was able to cut through the darkness.

Outside of the Pokemon League HQ Aggron’s loud roar was able to completely shatter the glass roof where Steven and Phoebe’s battle raged and spread throughout the distance. Many of the wild Pokemon in the sea-surrounded area felt it wise to hide when they heard the enraged cry of this furious warrior. While trainer Pokemon also held this mindset yet their human allies stupidly stayed put, only growing more curious at what was going on.

A heavy cloud formation began to form over the roof of the League HQ. Eventually those thickened clouds slowly began to become a dark gray as the crackling sounds of thunder forming echoed about.

Overtime, a flash of light began to grow within those clouds until it was finally released in the form of a powerful Thunder attack that shot right into the dark room creating a pillar of light that cut through the Abyss of Twilight!

Steven painfully watched as the Thunders glorious crackling light spread its territory and pushed the darkness away.

Aggron wasn’t done though… he was far from what he considered making an intruder pay dearly.
--------------------------------------------

From where Phoebe stood, she found herself once again covering her ears, but this time it was to protect her hearing from Aggron’s piercing roar.

The 17-year-old ghost using Elite didn’t really know what to make of this… Any of it! Could Aggron gone crazy from the Abyss’ spell she thought?

Or could it actually be…

‘No!’ Phoebe mentally rebuked. ‘The Abyss of the Twilight cannot be beaten! No one’s will is that strong! Be it man or Pokemon!’

But Phoebe had no choice but to accept that unshakeable determination; a powerful drive no matter how self-serving it is can defeat any task…

A powerful flash of light cut through the dark mist of the Abyss forcing the entire contents of it all to be pushed to where she stood.

It all happened so quick, one moment she was pleased with the turn of the battle only to feel concern for her rival then get her own mind attack Custom Tactic be thrown into her.

Dusclops must’ve had no real time to counteract the unseemliness of the matter either, for Phoebe found herself surround by many eyes that projected themselves all about the dark emptiness.

What followed after this were the many rushed images from STEVEN’S past.

It was all too much for Phoebe to take so quickly. The 17-year-old found herself falling her knees, fighting every urge to vomit while tears streamed down her face.

Adding to the echoes that already played in a jumbled mantra in her head, were Phoebe’s own words of: “What is he?” “What the hell is going on!” “WHY AM I SEEING THIS?!?” and many more.

One of the most horrifying images that pushed the Hawaiian-clad teen too far was a first person image of a pair of feet floor with nothing but a pool of blood covering them. The ragged breathing from the masculine voice as well as the blurred vision proved that he was the one with blood loss.

Not too long a few voices that sounded like someone screaming “Steven” “Mister Stone” and what not seemed to be getting closer to the dark room.

The image eventually trailed to that the half the males left arm was cut off and dripping with blood. When the voices: consisting of Mr. And Mrs. Stone as well as a servant or two barged into the room they were completely horrified at the scene. Mrs. Stone even fainted.

All the voice of Steven said was “The imperfection is dead” before blacking out onto the cold blood stained floor.

Phoebe didn’t know what to make of it all… She just covered her mouth and began to openly weep.

It wasn’t long until she too heard the approaching cry of furious entity that sounded like a mutated Aggron followed by a pale yellow gleam that was able to tear through the darkness.

Phoebe didn’t say a word, nor could she; her voice practically seemed to have disappeared for the moment only being replaced by ragged breathing and constant tears. She noticed something ripping through the thick contents of the darkness but couldn’t pay to much thought of it, even if it would bring her death…

…She wasn’t dead… But that was only because Dusclops broke from the long ago beaten Custom Tactic and used what little energy she had to materialize in front of her and take the full brunt of a Metal Claw that tore a hole through her brittle body making purple vapors seep out from its contents.

Phoebe looked up weakly to face her beaten Pokemon fall to the ground and see some metal from Aggron’s hide fall off until he too, hit the ground with a loud crashing noise.

Dusclops versus Aggron had ended in a bitter draw; however, Steven had won all the earlier sets thus, victory belongs to him…

Phoebe looked at her Pokemon full of guilt… Their combined will to win forced this horrible outcome, even if Ghost-types cannot die it surely felt as though she almost lost a piece of herself at that moment…

The Hawaiian-clad 17-year-old returned her partner to her Pokeball. With that task done she then took note of Aggron’s return to his ball, she quickly turned to see Steven sitting up while throbbing his left arm, with Aggron’s Pokeball in hand with his right.

From the look on his face you’d say that he was the one who lost.

“Aggron, I apologize…” The blue-haired 17-year-old murmured softly. “I grew too complacent and now you’re in this state… I thank you for loaning this coward your ability to lack fear…”

She didn’t say a word, nor was he looking at her; but Steven confirmed these words aloud for her to hear.

“That’s right, the beauty of Steel-types is that they are the true unmovable forces of nature… Incorrigible and unstoppable… Proud warriors who cannot feel fear! You chose to wield ghost Pokemon because you felt falsity of the wavering heart was strength wasn’t it?”

Phoebe grit her teeth angrily but couldn‘t help but feel the incredibly biter sting of defeat. Of losing your life’s work in only matter of seconds to one undeserving…

It hurt; it really did hurt…

A lump formed in the female teen’s throat while her eyes watered slightly with tears.

“w-What’s your problem anyway!” She manages to choke out. “You won shouldn’t you be happy?”

“Pokemon battles are competitions of nobility and pride.” Steven lectures, completely ignoring Phoebe. “The strength of a trainer and their Pokemon is not determined by what kind of moves they posses or if it’s the most flashy strategies. No, it‘s determined by the intensity of their united battle spirits! Outside gimmicks in battle like attach items and the overly flashy Custom Tactics are only a waste of time and only clutter the true meaning of Pokemon battling with flash and blind eye candy…”

“Those are the words of Mura the burning passion…”

“Exactly.” Steven confirms. “I was almost beaten by someone who uses a Custom Tactic… I made a promise myself to never lose to those kind of trainers… Tch, I need to train harder!”

Phoebe couldn’t believe this guy… even now, even after all this he still had the nerve to look down on her and point out that it was the Abyss of the Twilight and not her and Dusclops toil master the skill that almost did him in…

Oh no, this goes much farther than that! He dared insult the integrity and increase in strategies that those so-called gimmicks bought into the Pokemon world… That was it…

“That’s the exact reason why Mura lost to Glacia…”

Steven turned to the teen with an icy glare. Phoebe wasn’t intimidated by him nor was technically fond of him even if some of those images pretty much burned themselves into her subconscious.

“Mura was a strong trainer who I too, looked up to when I was a kid…” Phoebe began. “But over the years… When I finally saw being a Pokemon trainer not just about going on cool adventures and making a rank for yourself, I saw that Mura’s words were useless.”
As she spoke, the 17-year-old nobly picked herself up and stared right into her opponent’s eyes.

“Mura was too arrogant to think all trainers ever start out as confident in their abilities like he was… Not everyone is naturally talented in things and thus, they become discouraged by more successful trainers who would usually scorn them. Where is the battle spirit if you had no real spirit to begin with? Should they run away crying or should they work hard to beat those geniuses?” Phoebe comments. “Pokemon battling is like life: Anything goes, anything is possible. Speaking against certain aspects of strategy; may it be a strong final attack, items that don’t endanger the Pokemon’s life, a Custom Tactic or any of the like only limits how far actual battles can be fought and shows whose truly the blind one!”

Steven didn’t answer Phoebe, but she could easily tell that she had fully riled him. Maybe she might be going to far with what she was going to say next, but he was the one to go beyond the line first.

And also…

“Mura was an overbearing pig who had the nerve to all out shun and degrade those who broke from his one track views-”

“I heard enough! Mura the burning passion is one of those heroes that practically defined the meaning of Pokemon trainer in this region before the ice-hearted woman who dared copy ousted him his namesake and utterly destroyed everything he stood for! That woman…” Steven murmured her name ruefully. “Glacia… I know of her reputation as I know how she stripped Mura of his proud position… She will feel a worse humiliation than she could ever inflict on those with pure will…”

“If you believe this then you’re the one who will cause Hoenn’s fall and not me or Glacia…” Phoebe shook her head through closed eyes. “I don’t know who the opponent Glacia has to face but-”

“That person whose facing her, faced you, the one before you and the strongest Elite is I.” Steven states simply much to Phoebe‘s surprise. “Didn’t you know I was the winner of the Victory Road succession match Elite?”

A light look of embarrassment graced Phoebe’s features.

She was so wrapped up with her training regime that she didn’t even remember Drake telling her about the would-be Champion-deciding tournament coming shortly. But, to her dismay when Drake had told her this it was about two months ago.

“Elites aren’t replaced unless a new League chairman replaces the old one and determines it so.” Steven responds. “The trainer expectations of this region really have become of very low quality in comparison to others… When I become this region’s Champion, no one can ever look down on Hoenn ever again!”

“I can’t personally see Glacia losing to just anybody really.” Phoebe comments. “And you really don’t get why Mura lost to someone like Glacia don’t you?”

“You’re mistaken, I know why he lost.” Steven corrects. “He completely looked down on those who used gimmicks like Custom Tactics feeling them as no threat! His overconfidence caused his loss but…” He continued. “I am different from that view point, I acknowledge the strength of such ploys and dedicated one of my goals to hunting down trainers who rely on such tricks and defeat them utterly!”

Phoebe cringed slightly at what she heard… This character was… too much… And I don’t mean this saying in a humorous fashion.

“What are you…”

“A born and raised resident of this lovely region who wishes nothing but to make the world see its grace…”

Having nothing further to say, the blue-haired 17-year-old shoves his hands in his pockets and walks by Phoebe to the door leading to Glacia’s room.

The Hawaiian-clad 17-year-old mutters, “No, I mean, what are you really…” as all what she recollects all that has happened during her fight with this strong, yet unruly foe.

The 17-year-old makes one turn to the door that lead to Glacia’s quarters; still shaking off any thoughts of the second most powerful Elite losing to that Mura groupie before heading to the lobby room in the HQ to get her allies healed.

--------------
(An hour later)
(Main Lobby)

Phoebe sat on idly on a chair while she stared at the hand clock on the wall over HQ entrance/exit door.

“Yo, you could at least try to mask your disappointment.” Sidney suggests to the 17-year-old while handing her the diet soda she requested.

“It’s taking too long don’t you think? This is Glacia we’re talking about…”

Sidney shrugs. “Knowing her, she’s probably trying to mess with his head… but it’d be a bit tricky to top a guy like that…” The Dark using Elite admits. “He came out of Hoenn’s low ranking trainer quality and is fighting with vengeance!”

“Yes, this makes me wonder how you got chosen to be an Elite considering you’ve been getting nothing but lucky breaks up until now.” Glacia teases from behind, easily taking Sidney‘s drink from his hand.

Phoebe stared at the woman whom she respected with utter shock. Glacia stopped sipping on the extra cold drink to acknowledge the teen.

“What? I lost. Can‘t do anything if he‘s better than I am.” She answers simplistically.

“You know… he’s a huge fan of Mura’s teachings.” Phoebe replies.

“Yes, yes he whined quite a bit about the decrepit dropout throughout our battle, which, might I add was mostly trash talk.” Glacia confirms. “He is a strong one though, almost likeable.”

Glacia took a look at Phoebe’s rather strained expression and smirked lightly before continuing.

“Oh yes, and I noticed that it was quite a lot of screaming within your battle room, not to mention all those nasty cuts and burns that he had on him when he went to face me. I asked him if he wanted my Pokemon to freeze him to very bone in hopes of curing his wounds but he said drop dead and gave me this really hostile stare to go with it. He must read too much manga…” She mused. “He must’ve really worked himself under that easily bruised skin of yours for you to bear your usually filed claws at him-”

“WHY ARE YOU BEING SO CASUAL?!” Phoebe shouts at the older woman before lowering her voice. “Didn’t annoy you at all when he ridiculed all your effort and hard work and had the nerve to question where you stand as a trainer? Who is he to-”

“He’s arrogant and that‘s just what Hoenn needs right now...” Glacia cuts the 17-year-old off with a solemn tone. “If you have talent why should you be afraid to flaunt it… no matter how modest or kind you are to others will still be jealous of you… So why not give them a reason to actually hate you and give them motivation to work! Even if it means constant assaults on your being…”

The ice-hearted woman then gives a light shrug. “But only the true trainers, regardless of what their beliefs are can ever make it to where we stand.”

Sidney breaks from his mood to nod until Glacia notes in his direction: “I’m still considering if you every really count.” This forced him to face fault slightly.

The 28-year-old faces Phoebe again with a confident look. “But don’t get me wrong… I do intend to make the little s*it pay for his insult of the integrity of the Elite Four but that’s unless Drake leaves anything of him left.”

Phoebe considers this for a moment before smiling lightly at the woman and thanks her. Glacia gives the teen a shooing gesture with her free hand while she sipped more of her drink.

The teen knew that despite being kind of… err… hard to chat with casually due to her rather… condescending choice of words, you somehow managed to get around all that you’ll meet a very beautiful, talented and intelligent woman who’ll never betray her comrades or her namesake…

Isaac Gravity May 14th, 2005 6:00 PM

Cont
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(Some time later)

Over thirty minutes has passed and neither Steven nor Drake had entered through the lobby.

Since Glacia had no interest in stepping out of the overly air-conditioned building just to go site seeing, she was able to get her fellow Elites to just take advantage of their ranks and just simply travel to Drake’s area to just wait and see for themselves who is victorious.

While climbing up the stair that led to Glacia’s room, they could hear the battle cries of Pokemon and of Drake echoing throughout the corridor. The trio shortly found themselves bracing themselves against anything closest to them after a heavy shockwave overtook the area.

“Heh looks like Drake is pretty much enjoying his battle with that newbie.”

“I suppose this region will finally have a true Champion after nearly a decade of shame.” Glacia adds.

“Maybe… just maybe…” Phoebe mummers as she continues to think back to the battle she had with her blue-haired peer. “But… I’m not counting Drake out just yet… He’s the best amongst us and Glacia’s the one with type advantage against him! I’ll put my faith within my Elite members before I‘ll ever acknowledge him as a Champion.”

Sidney couldn’t help but smirk lightly at this while Glacia just gave a slightly annoyed slightly approving cough.

“So I suppose we should keep moving then. After all, this is a milestone for Hoenn and all…” Sidney suggests with a grin.

The two females nod only to be thrown from their balance when another, louder tremor takes over the area.

After that no noises were no longer heard…

Could the fight between the mighty Dragon sea captain Drake and the powerful young newcomer who took the region by storm have ended in a deadlock? What could this mean for the results? Did he have a few extra wins over Drake or vice versa to claim victory?

This is something that the three Elite’s had to know.

It was a ten-minute climb from where they were to the locked door that leads to Drake’s battle arena. Interestingly enough, they didn’t have to wait or anything that required disposing of the item.

The one to come out of the room a broken man was Steven Stone.

The hardened look of frustration and disappointment on his face; not to mention his resolve to not even acknowledge the other three Elites pretty much made them feel they should at most respect he made it that far…

Phoebe could’ve sworn she heard the blue-haired teen mutter something about what the hell makes Custom Tactics so special… so seemly powerful? They are only gimmicks in his eyes after all… This made the Hawaiian-clad 17-year-old shake her head in a disapproving fashion.

“He’s strong, I’ll give him that.” A rather bruised Drake comments. “He also knows what needs be done to reach out to Pokemon… He’ll be an amazing Champion that this region needs so desperately.”

The other three Elites quirk an eyebrow at that comment but didn’t need to ask the serious Dragon wielding Elite to know what it all meant.

“Psh, what a drama queen.” Sidney comments.

Glacia makes a sly grin when she heard that. “He looked rather crossed. Drake did you scold him?”

Drake shrugs. “I admit when I say he is a strong trainer and understands the relationship needed to grow alongside Pokemon but he lack the ability to respect and acknowledge other trainers choice of battle style. This is a very diverse field yet at the same time, another vital aspect that separates a true trainer from one without a clue.”

“Feh, he’s a Mura fanboy what do you expect?”

“Glacia, you have no respect for others period.” Sidney face faults.

“Regardless of that,” Drake scoffs. “If our Champion doesn’t change his views he won’t be Champion very long.”

“I beg to differ…” Glacia rebukes. “You don’t need to have that sailors pride to be strong. I still believe that a guy like him is what this region needs.”

The blonde looks in the corner of her eyes to see that Phoebe was descending the stairs. A look of cunning entered the 28-year-old’s blonde’s features as she turned her eyes back to the male Elites who continued to press the topic of their Champion.

------------
(A bit later)

With a little direction from the Nurse Joy of the League HQ building, Phoebe found the new Hoenn Regional Champion Steven Stone standing by a railing and watching the ocean in deep contemplation.

The Hawaiian-clad 17-year just stood from a good distance of the new Champion trying to find the right words to begin a hopefully calm conversation.

Unfortunately, finding the right words to say to a guy who pretty much verbally destroyed your dignity, insulted the integrity of what you and your group stood for AND beaten everyone only to act as though he lost and worst of all, (in Phoebe’s book anyway) dumped rather disturbing memories that seemed to have involved the one in question into your very being.

Ok, so the whole memory thing wasn’t technically his fault per-say; but his Aggron did repel the Abyss of Twilight too quickly for Dusclops to try to dissipate the move, forcing the mind dump.

Though as much as she couldn’t forgive the blue-haired teen’s earlier crimes it was because of what happened that made a twinge of sympathy and confusion mix and soothe the bitter anger that completely consumed her in the midst of their battle and afterwards.

As much as she didn’t like it nor wanted to be thought as “those kind of girls” she walked to where the male was and rested herself on the railing a good three feet away from him… Not expecting him to say a word nor was really hoping he would…

“Your Custom Tactics… What makes them so special?” Steven mouthed aloud after a good ten minutes of silence. “It doesn’t make sense how gimmicks should hold such amazing power.”

Phoebe was a bit taken aback that he even said anything at all and almost didn’t hear him since she nearly blacked out from the soothing ocean breeze that tickled her skin.

The 17-year-old female turns to look at the new Champion rather groggily, only to see such a look of elegant sorrow on his features that many girls, including herself, would count for precious.

This is what made her drop her guard and give the male a slight benefit of the doubt.

“You really don’t get it…” Phoebe sighs. “The Custom Tactics aren’t a gimmick but no matter how many times I argue this with you you’ll never listen…”

“Then if they aren‘t gimmicks what are they?”

“Custom Tactics…” Phoebe began. “Are a trainer and Pokemon’s unity. What most like Mura saw as insignificant; Custom Tactics take years to master… it may take a shorter time for others like you but for me… It took my entire childhood to utilize the understanding of the attacks my Pokemon could do and even longer to hone it in perfect synchronization with their natural attributes.”

“A unique synchronization of the noble battle instinct and the natural animus instincts… That’s what makes the Custom Tactics?”

“There’s more to it really… But it’s really hard to put into words to be honest…”

“So Custom Tactics is a kindly wrapped package with a nasty well thought out surprise inside?” Steven confirms, regaining his usual composure. “This only proved my suspicions. I’ll make sure not to be caught off guard by such things ever again…”

The newly made Hoenn Champion gives Phoebe a slight nod before going about his business. This made the Hawaiian-clad Elite break from her relaxing spot from the railing to turn to him rather crossed.

“You used me for information!” She shouts angrily.

“Quite the contrary,” Steven retorts. “You didn’t have to give me any information it was my luck that you became arrogant and suddenly felt we were of same class.”

“I never…”

“Arrogant creeps like you don’t deserve to even step foot here. I’m going to make sure you learn what true humiliation is.” Steven repeats Phoebe’s words rather flatly. The blue-haired 17-year-old then turns to face the female. “I find your behavior ironic because then you saw nothing of me but a lowly trainer with attitude. Yet now that I’ve proven my superiority you wish to automatically be talkative with me.”

Phoebe gives the male a sour look. “Don’t be so smug. I’m not being nice to you, I actually felt sorry for you back there…”

“You said battling is like a war and war is hell… Shouldn‘t you be glad that I took your advice?”

Phoebe looked down to the floor. She felt really stupid even trying to argue this… What the hell was she thinking that she could try to understand the fellow even after all those memories, his memories that flash from time to time when she closes her eyes…

Maybe it was because she was really frustrated, or because of her lack of an actual childhood growing up.

But whatever the cause, when Steven gave her one last smug look along with the lines “You should and the Elites should start worrying more about improving your poor performance skills than on me” before turning to leave. Phoebe mouthed:

“Champion or not, the next time you should show your face here I’ll most defiantly beat you down…”

This made the newly made Regional Champion stop in his place and turn to Phoebe with a rather surprised look. That look of surprise formed into a content smile through closed eyes.

“Well then, I would say my influence as Champion is already spreading.”

Now, it was Phoebe’s turn to bear the confounded expressions. Unlike Steven though, it remained that.

“If people see me and how I act only to learn I’m this Region’s Champion, they’ll become outraged… They’ll envy and hate me and think a prick like me doesn’t deserve to be where I am. You felt that too didn’t you Elite?”

A small blush formed on Phoebe’s cheeks. He’s been playing everyone from the start! Well, not everyone… Just her…

“It’s ok.” Steven grins. “This is how I am. And even if I don’t want to be like this, I’ll keep this outlook just to make trainer grow envious of me, make them get up and work hard to beat me! And with every challenge they make… I’ll crush them… Only fueling them to work harder with their Pokemon as one force until reach a level in their Pokemon battling skills that hasn’t been seen since the days of old… A level I too wish to obtain…”

Steven turns away from the female but continues his speech. “So please, by all means, despise me. If that what will make you something that can truly give something to make others sing praises of Hoenn please work yourself to the bone to beat me… Yet you‘ll never succeed…”

Phoebe couldn’t help but chuckle at how little she truly she knew about the young man… the new Regional Champion…It wasn’t meant in a malicious way but in away of admitting defeat and perhaps throwing respect in a manner that two souls who once held such disdain for one another could.

“I really don’t know if I can actually hate you anymore after hearing all this Mr. Champion.” Phoebe responds in-between chuckles.

“Steven. My name is Steven Stone.” The Regional Champion implies as he starts to walk back to the HQ. “I better see improvement from you Elite. You too hold a high example for Hoenn.”

“My name is Phoebe!” The Hawaiian-clad 17-year-old calls out to the leaving male. “The third seat of the Hoenn Elite Four! I better hear you start calling me by my name from here on!”

Phoebe watched the 17-year-old go until he was no longer in sight.

What an interesting guy he proved to be…

That guy, Steven Stone Phoebe thought. You really can’t look just at the surface even if you don’t wish really look any deeper; you’ll only be the wrong one in the end…

Sure, those images she saw were burned into her memory; sure, they might annoy the hell out of her and will even give her nightmares from time to time. But at least Phoebe can literally hold the meaning trapped inside the dreams of others.

And that can be a blessing and curse…

(End Flashback)
--------------------

‘Even to this day he’s still good at surprising people…’ Phoebe smiled lightly at the memory. The Hawaiian-clad 19-year-old broke from that fond mindset to see that Steven had a rather sullen look on his face while he looked at his left palm.

“Somehow I feel that I failed Hoenn by just throwing it all away like that… without a second thought… but,” He continues. “At the same time my heart feels this heavy relief that I won’t live with the guilt of letting my fellow inhuman beasts suffer while I played the League’s whipped dog.”

Phoebe sighs slightly and begins to walk over to Steven. Grasping his left hand gently she takes a look at his palm herself.

“I don’t see a beast when I look at these hands… But I do see good palm readings.” She knew it was wrong to lighten the mood but she decided to read his palm only to look at Steven slightly perplexed. “Eh? This is odd? Your fortune says you’ll have nothing but constant success?”

“Of course I’m a Stone.” Steven huffs indignantly. “Success is something that always follows this proud bloodline.”

Phoebe just smiled lightly at his unexpected reaction. She has been hearing rumors for quite some time about the Regional Champ’s mentality: With strangers he’s quite the serious, overly uptight, no nonsense sourpuss. But with others he’s rather familiar with he’s a rather enjoyable guy to be around.

Phoebe couldn’t believe that herself, since in her eyes, Steven was just like Glacia. You had to learn to understand them and prove that you’re capable of being around them.

She was quite content with the understanding she and the former Hoenn Champion have developed these short two years. It had this business-like feel mixed with the occasional casualness of two content acquaintances.

It really didn‘t matter how much his fan girls knew of him… They could never truly understand him even if they tried… They could never stomach what she has seen on him…

“Sorry to break such a tender moment,” A rather rude male voice spoke. “But are you Steven Stone?”

Steven gently pulls himself away from Phoebe’s warmth to turn to the fellow.

The male looked about the age of sixteen and was decked out with a suitable biker-punk outfit.

The fact that body tattoos pretty much every seeable aspect of his body made Steven wrinkle his noise in disgust.

“Hey I saw that you little f*cker!” The biker punk smirks rather wildly. “Well, are ya or are ya NOT Steven Stone Regional Champ?”

“As far as holding the virtues of what it means to be a Pokemon trainer… I am a Champion in my own right.”

“Just the kind of lengthy over-sophisticated bull that I expected to hear from Steven Stone!” The biker howls. “Now c’mon! I’m the third place winner of the Pokemon Island Online battle tournament and I know I’m more than good enough to deal with the actual Regional Champion!”

Steven’s calm demeanor pretty much faded and was replaced by a harsh scowl. “Sorry, I haven’t heard of such silly things… But if what you said is true… Don’t embarrass yourself challenging me with low level first form Pokemon!”

“Kuu. I don’t use first form babies! Only the best for the best will work here!”

After the biker yelled that he threw a Great Ball containing a rather weak looking but determined Arcanine.

“As I thought…” Steven sighs as he pulls out a Great Ball of his own. “My Pokemon and I will give you a teaching battle… He’s only been in my party for a good number of months but he’s a very interesting egg...”

The former Hoenn Champion throws the Great Ball to reveal his “interesting egg.” Better known as the multi-eyed leviathan Claydol.

“Ehjejeje! What kind of underused crap Pokemon is that! And you’re the fuggin' Champion?” The biker mocks. Steven and Claydol remained composed while Phoebe just wondered what kind of human code was he trying to speak in.

The biker ignored their expressions and continued his taunts. “Becoming Champion will be a easier than I thought! You weak newblet take this! Arcanine! Fire Blast!”

Arcanine gave a loud roar of compliance before it arched itself in a pounce position. The Tiger Pokemon of legend then released a rather dull-looking, yet quite powerful fire attack.

The powerful attack manages to connects with Claydol but a rather yellow-tinted mirror-like wall appears before the Multi-eyed Pokemon which pretty much seemed to dumb down the already unimpressive flames and leave Claydol almost unhurt and able to hover without any hindrances what-so-ever.

“You really have met my expectations and then some…” Steven spoke through closed eyes. “So you were able to somehow able to get your Pokemon to learn a strong move like Fire Blast… but that’s not saying much. Does your Pokemon only know attacks with no real knowledge of-”

“Shut your frickin' mouth! What would a bi like you know about real Pokemon battles?”

Steven gives a mock-disappointed sigh when he heard that.

“It’s a real pity… To think that my ambitions of wanting to be Champion only bred such ignorance…” He began dryly. “And to use such offending language in front of a delicate lady like Phoebe even, you must be popular with women.”

The 16-year-old biker with the mentality of a child began to rant and use even more foul language that was pretty much annoying the hell out of the 19-year-old. Phoebe just watched the situation in contemplation.

She knew that Steven was going to win against such the vulgar amateur. His Arcanine’s appearance alone proved that he wasn’t much as a trainer; for all we know, he could’ve somehow got a Growlithe put it in one of those very talked about Daycare’s she’s been hearing much of, and then along the way, SOMEHOW got his hands on a Firestone…

To cut things short, that Pokemon he owns doesn’t seem to be very attached to him… more like it was just listening to orders from someone who told it to comply with the guy…

“I HAD IT!” The biker roars after Arcanine’s physical attack was shrugged off by Claydol’s Reflect. “ARCANINE IRON TAIL AT MAX!”

Arcanine had no clue what the term “at max” meant, but he did use his well known speed to move across the battle ground in an erratic pattern with high hopes of dazing Claydol and easily giving him a strong blow.

Too bad its movement was more sloppy than erratic. Not to mention its speed was rather laughable.

“Is that the speed that Arcanine’s are said to be legendary for?” Steven comments. “Or are people just lulled by their fur?”

“Say good-bye to your title newb!” The ignorant biker yells. Steven ignores this and turns to his acquaintance. “Phoebe! Get close to me I can already tell that a teaching battle is useless if the one your teaching has the little amount of brain capacity needed to just listen to others!”

Phoebe was rather surprised about this but put her faith in the former Champion and thus rushed by his side.

With that settled Steven now focuses his thoughts on Claydol. “Wrap this up Claydol! Earthquake!”

A bright circle forms in front of Claydol before it broke into a burst of light.

If you had the strength to view the celestial flash you could see the piece of the ground flying upwards. You could’ve also seen that biker and his Arcanine being thrown into the light.

If not, then it could be estimated that the loud sound of the ground being ripped apart by a mighty force, not to mention that the impact of it all could’ve knocked one without any good footing to their backs.

When everything finally seemed to have settled down, Phoebe cautiously opened her eyes only for them to become wide and white with shock.

Before her was the entire area void of its lovely ground design. The only part of the cobbled floor that remained was the place where she, Claydol and Steven had placed themselves… And that was a four-foot tall pedestal…

…Well, at least the statues somehow remained intact…

Steven congratulates Claydol who simply swayed a bit in its gravity-defying hold.

“That wasn’t just any earthquake…” Phoebe voiced aloud.

“Phoebe,” Steven began. “What you saw was just Claydol using its natural psychic abilities to amplify the power used to rupture the grounds crust and nothing more.”

“Right, it goes against your standards to use a true Custom Tactic.” Phoebe smirks. “So what happened to-”

“They aren’t dead.” Steven confirms. “As sorry as I feel for the Pokemon, its trainer was in desperate need of a hard slap of reality sadly to say it had to join the ride.”

The former Champion then gives the youngest Elite Four member a light nod before going about his business. Claydol sways itself left and right in a type of polite gesture towards Phoebe before following its trainer.

‘So just like that huh?’ Phoebe mentally sighs.

Not taking full grasp of what she was doing until it happened; Phoebe ran ahead of the male and his Pokemon only to stop in front of them and extends her arms in a barricade fashion.

“Listen! I still think you’re being unfair to yourself… Despite your rank, despite that noble bloodline you go on and on about, you’re still human… No matter how much you refuse to accept your mortality and limits they exist! And they will remain with you until death!”

Phoebe turns away from the blue-haired 19-year-old muttering something like: “I understand how you feel… but…” only to turn back to him with a sharp glare. “As far as I’m concerned you are still this Region’s Champion! Yet, at the same time, I’ll respect your resolve... No matter what you do you doesn‘t make you less of anything. You‘re still Hoenn‘s shining hope… that’s all I really wanted to say…”

“I see…” Steven mused through closed eyes. The former Hoenn Champion and his Claydol then walk by the Elite.

Not another word being uttered between them.
-----------------------

The chap isn't done but I'm gonna stop it from here as I only wanted to tread through the flashback for the time being.

Isaac Gravity May 31st, 2005 4:47 PM

Cont 2
------------------------------
(Pokemon League HQ 8: 21 PM)

“Those Pompous! Power hungry! Top brass b*stards!” Fortree City Gym Leader Winona shouts into the empty halls of the Pokemon League HQ as she angrily punched at the wall with her right hand in a rhythmic fashion to every curse she made.

Every fraction of what had just occurred still played and rewinds itself constantly within the 21-year-old, only fueling her seemingly limitless anger.

Winona grits her teeth and shut her eyes tightly. She was about to give the wall another undeserving blow until she felt a firm yet soothing grip latch itself unto her wrist.

“What do you want Wallace?” The lavender-haired woman sighed dejectedly.

“You’re bringing no just to this fair skin of yours.” Wallace answers calmly. “I know of a lovely skin care specialist in Sootopolis that will make your skin shine with a glow that will only amplify your beauty… I also know of a lovely café conveniently setup right nearby-”

Winona gives the man a small frown as she pulls her hand away from his grip.

“Has everyone lost their minds?! How can you even think of joking at a time like this?”

“What’s done is done. We didn’t have a say in this to begin with… I also refuse to remain angry with the Executives since it was an electoral decision.”

Wallace pauses for a moment to take note of Winona’s frustrated position. “Winona,” The Sootopolis Gym leader sighs. “I’d say I known you on a personal basis for quite some time and this is why I’m going to say: Don’t lose your usual elegance over this!”

The Gym Leader of Fortree City stared at her fellow Gym Leader with a look of bewilderment. This only made Wallace want to further his speech.

“I know how much pride you take as ideal proof of Hoenn’s valor but don’t allow your deep dedication for a land you love so much push you to cause a drastic act that will only lead to painful consequences! Though I believe Steven retiring himself as Champion was a bit needless; I must consider his position in all of this and now can’t question my old friend’s actions as much as I want to…”

Wallace shakes his head despondently at the topic of Steven but knows that Winona is in greater need of help than anyone is right now. “But what Steven, our Region’s first true Champion in nearly a decade said is correct! We Gym Leaders have an important duty to uphold. We may not hold the ranking powers of the Elites or executives but we ARE the Leagues backbone… Without us to test trainers merit, Champions cannot be properly decided.”

Winona hated to admit it, but he was 100% accurate. The lavender-haired 21-year-old broke eye contact with the flamboyant Wallace out of slight embarrassment at her near child-like behavior just a moment ago.

This only earned her a comforting look from Wallace.

“You really should try listening to me more mademoiselle. You might have the strongest voice of the eight Gym Leaders but I still outrank you.” He comments in a singsong tone.

Winona didn’t make a comment to that and instead, turned away from Wallace to walk down the corridors. At least she was back to her usual no nonsense atmosphere one would say…

Wallace’s current plan was to respect her actions and just silently watch a proud woman who recovered a treacherous betrayal from what she loves with whatever dignity she had left; however, Winona broke that cliché by stopping in her place and clenching her fists tightly.

“Can you do me a favor?”

“For you my dear? Anything.”

“Are those Government people still here?”

“Still having pointless screaming matches with the Executives…” Wallace confirms.

“Good. Should it ever end… Please confront them for me! I’m not arrogant like those people who long ago lost all meaning of what it means to be a trainer… or a human…”
Winona’s shook with anger before turning around to face her Sootopolis companion. “TELL THE OTHER GYM LEADERS TO MEET ME IN PACIFIDLOG TOWN BY TODAY OF NEXT WEEK! FROM NOW ON ALL OPINIONS WILL MATTER!”

“You even have me interested in what your cooking up.” Wallace grins.

“I say its due time that the backbone shows what happens when a body lacks a vertebrate.” Winona states. “We’ll form a union of our own and discuss how to counteract this crisis waiting to happen through true combined teamwork and strength.”

“I see… But why Pacifidlog?”

“I was just looking for an excuse to finally take up on a friends offer on a group trial package he’s been nagging me about for his hotel there. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to make sure that a certain Gym Leader learns about the situation at hand.”

Wallace nods solemnly and notices that Winona now had her back to him but still hasn’t moved any further.

“Do not worry! I’ll set this up beautifully, you have my word.” He assures.

But that wasn’t the case…

“About your offer on that café in Sootopolis…” The lavender-haired woman began uneasily. “I’ll… consider it.”

With that done Winona walked away in a quick pace. Wallace could only watch the elegant lavender-haired sky dancer with a smile before going on his own important tasks.

---------------
(Later that evening…)
(Slateport City 3:45AM)

It had been a month; a month since Slateport city’s contest halls have been graced by an intense tournament competed by gamers and Pokemon fanatics alike.

Had one been alone in this now lonely room you could still feel adrenaline rush that went along with exuberant fanfare. The large room was still completely adorned with tournament banners and random junk that the janitors forgot to take care of. Even the giant TV along with the data simulator was left unmoved and still active…

One would really think the janitors in that place were slackers, but the battle simulators activation actually situates in an area that doesn’t reside within the contest halls but within a rented warehouse in the sleazy contents of downtown Slateport.

Inside the empty building, the 16-year-old creator of Pokemon Island Online Umi Furu typed furiously onto her laptop which was linked to an odd machine that her 13-year-old sister: the outgoing and energetic Danielle sat uncharacteristically still and silent sat.

Overtime the clattering on the keyboard stopped and the machine where Danielle was connected to began to make churning noises as it lit up. The other processors in the dark room also followed suite.

After proximity of nearly three hours, whatever Umi was trying to do came to a successful and bug free close.

Had not been for her navy blue shades we could’ve clearly seen the fatigue in in the chestnut-haired 16-year-old’s eyes.

Umi gave a light sigh and walks over to the neon-pink haired 13-year-old and began to carefully remove the helmet over her head only to show that Danielle’s wide dark brown eyes which sparkled with a constant child-like curiosity were now dull and void of life.

Umi tries to keep a composed look even after she stifled a little yawn and begins to utter an 8-digit code that consisted of numeric and other characters. It took sometime, but life had returned to Danielle’s eyes.

“Hey sis.” The 13-year-old begins to stretch lazily. “I had the weirdest dream.”

“Did you now?” Umi smiles faintly.

“Bah, I fail to see the point in all your tinkering with flawless genius.” An aged masculine voice replies from within the darkness of the room. “Danielle was automatically inputted with a self-growth program that I, Dr. Fitzgerald Nichol planned and created myself! Her own body practically needs little maintenance!”

The man who called Fitzgerald Nichol made himself to the Furu sisters. The man himself was rather elderly and was adorned with an attire of that of a scientist.

“Oh, didn’t realize Gramps was back.”

“I still can’t believe that my genius is being wasted on aiding in the development of such trivial things like video games.” Dr. Nichol grumbled indignity through crossed arms.

“Video games aren’t wasteful.” Umi counters. “Besides, I did keep my end of the bargain and gave you all the personality data of the top competitors in the tournament for your robotics project; though I fail to see the significance of it NOR of the plan your cooking up.”

“Aw Sis, I say if it makes Gramps happy we should at least support him.” Danielle responds. At the moment while the pink-haired 13-year-old spoke she was engaging in some light stretches.

Umi only shrugs slightly while Dr. Nichol gives a triumphant laugh.

“See? Gramps has never been happier.”

“Yes, it only seemed like yesterday when he was cowering at every moment after he betrayed the Pandora organization.” Umi smirks.

Dr. Nichol stops his nefarious laughter to cough slightly.

“Those days are behind me Umi!” The man proclaims. “If anything, I owe you for was the little ruckus you caused buying me time to destroy that lab and every miserable invention I built for those conniving crooks without being given a shred of credit for it all!”

“That’s only ‘cuz Gramps was too big of a chicken to make the move himself.” Danielle rebukes.

“Very expected.” Umi adds.

“So I didn’t know how to mask my hatred for those fools properly.” Dr. Nichol shrugs. “Bah! I’m done here! Umi, you better remember to bring me that updated data of those top ten people! And of that anomaly pronto!”

Umi and Danielle watch as Dr. Nichol walks away muttering something about no longer being a caged bird and can now shoe all his talents.

With the attention-hungry scientist no longer in sight, Umi stifles another yawn that grabs Danielle’s attention. The girl stops her exercise and puts her arms being her head in a carefree manner.

“Sis, I really don’t see the point in all the attention you give that Max-kid. I mean, the little know-it-all couldn’t even land his butt into the prelims.”

“True, he sucks at it but knows the idea.” Umi reasons. “Besides, as Dr. Nichol states we’re not after HIS data per-say more like the enhanced amount of skill and rather advanced strategies his player data shows from time to time.”

“Ha! I knew the little faker was getting his hand held the whole time when I saw that data versus his performance in the tournament.”

“That tournament was such a hassle…” Umi changes the subject. “I had no clue that the game’s algorithms were already being manipulated to make Macro programs. I’ll have to up the coding a bit and leave the legal work to C. Corp.”

A mischievous grin falls upon Danielle‘s features. “Those money-hungry b*stards are gonna sue those programmers for everything they got huh?”

Umi doesn’t answer and begins to walk towards the part of the warehouse where there was a couch.

“I want to improve the latest patch ASAP but in my current state it’d only create half-assed work with tons of bugs and a greater number of whiny players.” The 16-year-old yawns. “C. Corp’s GMs seem to have the situation down pat for now so I’ll just rest… Keep an eye on the old timer Danielle.”

Danielle gives her sister an admirable look as she watched her slowly drift into slumber. A small smile crept up the 13-year-old’s lips as she murmured: “No problem big Sis…”

----------
(The next day)
(Lavaridge Town Public Hot Springs)

“Oh? You really are interested?” The caretaker of Flannery’s family Inn Yuriko grins slyly as she rests her arms on the cobblestone floor, looking upwards at the person she was concocting business with.

10-year-old Mia Stone, wrapped in long white towel, held a rather uneasy ground but took a look at her Pokemon Daigo the Ivysaur, Hiro the Treecko and Jenrya the Phanpy for reassurance on the matter; they all nod confidently.

Mia turns back to the bleach blonde-haired woman and gives a confirming nod. “If it’s true what you say then my friend and I would very grateful.”

“I see.” Yuriko extends her hand out to the girl warmly. “Then we have a deal.”

Mia smiles kindly for the woman as she extends her hand to seal the deal.

To be continued
------------------------------

At least this time I treaded the rest of the part 2... something I should've done a while back but personal life, and studies got in my way... Hopefully I can fully tie up the point of what I'm trying to do by part 3... Hopefully...

Isaac Gravity June 20th, 2005 4:48 PM

Disclaimer- I don’t own Pokemon or anything else

Chapter warnings: Language to a point
----------
(Mt. Chimney path)

When Sceptile attempted to pick itself up it was brought it to its knees by a blue ball of electricity that soared down from behind.

No one had the time or actual bearings at the moment to fully contemplate the situation as another, slightly larger ball of electricity which bared the same color as the last landed in a position that could theorized by the overly suspicious that it was aimed for May yet missed its mark and made impact somewhere in between her, Mia, Gentaro and Sceptile.

The strength of the blast wasn’t anything that would create massive blood loss or lose a limb or two over thankfully; the blast did however, throw everyone a few feet back from their original location and did give a slight sensation of numbness throughout various parts of the body.

Even in an insolent environment like this, all the electric charges being adding into the atmosphere was a blissful moment for the Magneton. Each one of the three-in-one Magnemite fusions found each of their magnets pulsating freely with weak jolts of electricity.
One of the more curious, or better to say: greedy Magneton actually broke from the obsessive formation that it and its fellow Steel hybrids made around Lightning to get closer to point of the impact only to leak a greater amount of electricity around May.

Needless to say, these acts only further aggravated the fatigued Lightning and Tsunami, but it only came to a surprise to them when they noticed that the remaining trio of Magneton who remained around Lightning began to expand their hovering space just enough to circle around Tsunami as well.
While they pulled their unobstructed expansion off, the electric charges being leaked out of their magnets increased polarities to chain together and form a small field which successfully trapping the two.

It wasn’t long until Tsunami and Lightning came to notice the flash of a clear glass-like Reflect and the equally glass-like clear and yellow Light Screen meld itself along with the field to create a very sturdy barrier.

“Psh, angling is really off lately…” A rather relaxed male voice echoed within the mountainous terrain. “Can’t even hit the red target and its not like she’s not going anywhere anytime soon.”

The seemingly out of nowhere comment that came from overhead.

The source of the voice?

A fellow who tried to make himself look superimposed while standing on top of a combined barrier formed by two Magneton that skillfully hovered into the area.

When the distance between him and the ground seemed pleasurable enough, he jumped from his foothold to make himself known to the group’s battered forms.

From closer observation, the fellow turned out to be a young male somewhere between the age of sixteen or seventeen and was clad in a neon blue leotard with a large yellow lightning bolt insignia on it. This supposedly was supposed to be some kind of combo costume getup if you count the same color boots and gloves he wore along with the very Power Ranger-esque helmet with the same insignia…

In any case, the guy took a look at the situation before him and shook his head lightly.

“Geez looks like those groundlings died in the midst of the blast… No money outta killing them…” The neon-clad fellow reasons.

The fellow shakes his head exasperatedly while gesturing his arms in a “Darn the luck!” fashion during his walk towards May’s direction.

Laying flat on her back, May felt the chilled sensation of numbness run through her body. Despite that, the fingers on her right hand slowly contracted its hold on the badly damaged Alia, who she never once released her hold on.

“Ah? So, your not dead?” The fellow comments with a feral grin. It didn’t take him too long to realize that Mia was also starting to stir. As was Gentaro Masato, but from his stirred movements one could’ve sworn they heard squeaking and clanking going on in the process.

Unlike May, who recently recovered from hefty amount of injuries only to avoid her resting period and further get herself injured in her first visit to Mt. Chimney, Mia only had scratches and a minor bruise on her leg. Not only that, but she wasn’t as close to the point of impact as her chestnut-haired friend.

When the indigo-eyed 10-year-old managed to turn to take a peek at her friend she only took the expression of one who was about to scream out the name of one they care for fearfully.

The fellow skillfully brandishes a very bizarre pistol-like weapon at May that seemed to have its own visible miniature turbine situated within the barrel.

“Move anywhere near and the halfling dies.”

That day, over a few months ago… Even though Steven refused to clue her in on what put May in this condition; Alia, though not being their herself already had a good idea that May was a hunting game for a Crop Kids reaper.

Just the memory of that fierce topaz-eyed girl and the devastating power she and her ghost Pokemon were able to wield to vanquish Jill and her two Pokemon was something that burned itself into Mia’s subconscious… Just like every memory made when in the company of May Hiromi…

Jill and her friends were just some of those students who openly acted on their torment of Mia and there were times she wished that witch got a dose of her own medicine and then some… But… Even if her style of death was just what the doctor ordered, to witness such a scene at an age most would call “innocent” is truly too much a toll for anyone.

“Guh! Better do what he says… Unless you haven‘t ugh… noticed… That‘s what many call a Crop Kids reaper…” Gentaro Masato calls out to Mia weakly. “th-That’s unless… you really are nothing more than a lifeless little parasite that cannot do anything without a host…”

“Didn’t realize we were gaining so much momentum in the mainstream.” The Reaper grins. “But its good to see that not all groundlings are stupid aside from useless.”

Gentaro Masato grimaces a bit as he held tightly onto his inactive left arm with his right. The squeaking and clanking noises seemed to have amplified as the glasses wearing teen continued his bold attempt to at most sit up.

“… I’m no friend of theirs but at the same time… I’m definitely going to make you cry for you did to my Sceptile!”

The Reaper acknowledges the threat with a toothed grin.

“Pretty high and mighty aren‘t we?” May was able to hiss much to the bizarrely dressed reaper’s intrigue. “So this is where I’m supposed to beg for my life now… While making a heartened speech at what kind of hypocrite you are… for some cheap last ditch effort to save my own neck? …Go to hell…”

“May-san… what are you saying…” Was Mia‘s response to the situation. A light “Tch.” was from Gentaro Masato.

Tsunami herself didn’t really understand the parables her trainer was going on about but forced herself with what little strength she had to get on her feet regardless. With that chore done, the fowl Pokemon attempted to break through the barrier with a strong kick!

The only result from her strike was her own force being used against her as the barrier repelled her kick. Tsunami clumsily lost balance and fell on top of Lightning, who could only grow in frustration.

Tsunami struggled with all her might to get up but was fighting on borrowed fighting will long ago…

“Maybe if you were smarter you would’ve used what little is left is in your dulled abilities and become something worth the satisfying that drive inside you.” The reaper, who’s obviously an Experiment-X, scoffs. “With my abilities I‘m soaring past the groundlings in ranks and it’ll only be a matter of time till I‘m too rich and powerful to give a rip about those losers… And you? You’re nothing more than another days debris that‘s now food for the trash compactor.”

Not even caring about the glare the 13-year-old gave him, the reaper then snaps his fingers.

As a response to this, the Magneton who moved closer to May’s position earlier for more energy emits a strong amount of electricity. This sign gave clearance to the two Magneton that aided the reaper in creating his flashy entrance to come over and successfully ensnare May within a barrier.

Along with the three-steel hybrid barrier that contained Tsunami and Lightning; the six conjuring Magneton all slowly began to lift their prisms from the ground until they were freely able to levitate with them idly.

The reaper now decides to further his business by beginning his walk over to Gentaro, advising him to make good on making him cry.

“Making you cry?” The glasses wearing teen scoffs. “You should be more worried about the concept of being a mortal… Crop Kid or no…”

The reaper thought the 16-year-old was only trying to bluff his way out of a severe beating; however, it wasn’t until the unimaginable pain of something rather jagged jabbing itself into his calf that gave the meaning of “being mortal” meant.

Her teeth clenched and eyed tightly shut, Mia put everything she had into slamming that stone into the back nonchalant reaper’s left leg.

Had she actually time to contemplate the situation she’d actually find it ironic that it was a stone of all things that was the portal that determined saving her best friend and her Pokemon.

But like it’s stated, that’s if she had time… Right now, Mia Stone was doing something very, very rare: Not thinking at all and acting upon her emotions.

It was through this obvious truth that would posses the 10-year-old to dig her fingers into the dirt while the reaper disregarded her existence to pull out the solidified mineral weapon and in a blind state of heightened adrenaline, slowly crawl behind him in his stride to pounce at him! Mustering all the strength a petite child in a near berserk state posses’ into striking his calf with utmost fury.
Even as we speak, Mia was putting all she could into grinding her new weapon against the screaming reaper’s flesh.

This didn’t sit too well with his Magneton, who were all so fixated on helping their master that they couldn’t hold the proper aligned charges to hold their barriers; thus, freeing the very weakened and injured May, Tsunami and Lightning.

Too much in pain to notice the world around him, the reaper shakily gripped his bizarre pistol-like weapon and just as shakily aimed it at the Mia.

Still not thinking, Mia stopped her prior attack to actually grab at the weapon with her hands, just to pull herself up a bit to bite the reaper’s arm. This time though, the reaper wasn’t as pain struck… More like pissed beyond belief…

The moment the indigo-eyed 10-year-old reached for her second attack; in all his mixture of pain and fury the reaper, with his free arm, punched her as hard as he could.

This easily threw Mia to the ground where she flinched lightly.

The Magneton all circled Mia threateningly. Each pulsating with more than enough electricity to render even the healthiest of hikers under cardiac arrest!

“You blasted little runt! I can’t believe a godd*mn groundling of all things got all up on me like that!!!” The reaper roared, aiming his bizarre pistol-like weapon at the downed child. “…I’m gonna kill you twice and make sure that every electrolyte in that halfling's body is fizzled out!”

Mia still wasn’t in-tuned enough to heed to the reaper’s threats. Her right cheek was swelled up with blood trickling down her lips, Mia could only mummer in-between coughs and hiccups: “Give her back!” “…Let May-san go…” “I won’t let my May-san down…”

“ARE YOU EVEN LISTENING TO ME YOU STUPID- GAHH!!! SONVA!!!

As his leg was wounded, the Magneton all came to the decision that it might be wise to retreat even if they could easily obliterate all of their foes with a grouped attack of some sort.

But how long till their master had until he might be forced to cut off that appendage? They couldn’t take that risk!

Three of the steel-hybrid Pokemon all synchronized their charges so they could successfully release maximum brightness from the HM evasive technique Flash.

When the field of vision was finally acceptable enough for ones eyes, Gentaro opened his eyes only to see his Sceptile’s assaulter along with his annoying three-way Magnemite fusion monsters were nowhere to be found…
Only leaving behind any and all battle damaged afflicted as a reminder of their range of destruction.

The next thing he noticed was that those two “pathetic” girls and their Pokemon were all out cold.

The glasses wearing teen managed to pick himself up despite the limpness of his left arm and the bizarre squeaking and clanking noises that followed whenever he moved.

He just recalled his K.Oed Sceptile to his Great Ball, saying something about May being a nuisance to all before going about his business.
------
(The Next day)
(Lavaridge Town. 3:05 PM)
(Lavaridge Town Public Hot Springs. Female zone)

After a good number of weeks being closed off to the public; the reopening of Lavaridge’s hot springs was a feeling of returning normalcy for the residents of the mountain-based town after all the hardships they’ve overcome and must continue to deal with unwavering spirits…

Her body and hair wrapped around green towels; Mia Stone dips herself deeper into Lavaridge’s famed stress reliever while deluging deeper into her thoughts.
A lot of them concerned May’s decision to double-back to Lavaridge despite her injuries. Mia quickly shoved that thought away when she came to remember how ravaged the area was and moving forward in their shape would prove greatly hazardous.

Her next thought was on that of Brendan and how upset he looked when she ran into him earlier… The usually kind boy didn’t even care to notice when she called out to him. Mia hoped he didn’t find out or was angry that she and May attempted to leave the area without even saying a goodbye…

Mia’s railroad of thought shifts gears to the memory of Jill’s slayer and the bizarrely dressed male that tried to do the same to May.

‘May-san… She was very serious when she said had not been for me we all would’ve been killed…’ The girl remised. ‘She even claimed that even though Alia’s damages are very serious and going back to the source is the best idea I kept her patched up for this long so what makes me think I won’t be able to subside anymore minor problems for a while longer… Have I really become that useful to you May-san?’

Though the 10-year-old positioned herself into the water just enough for her mouth to be overlapped, the hint of pink that tainted her non-bandaged cheek was proof enough of her swelling feelings of self-worth and pride.

Mia quickly rose up from the water to face Daigo the Ivysuar, Hiro the Treecko and Jenrya the Phanpy with a look of concern.

All three of them, not really the most pleased about the idea of entering such heated water (or water in general in Jenrya’s case) watched their trainer from the cobbled floor.

As for Sharky the Carvanha, a Pokemon given to her specifically to act as her bodyguard and her newest party member Nall the Zubat both were within their respective spherical containers as Nall, still with a broken wing and quite untamed, might gather unwanted attention to the more jumpy women in the public spring.
Sharky was a bit more of a complex case… Though the barracuda Pokemon also runs that little fear factor for most women there, the real problem is that he might be enticed to jump into the hot spring himself… And the LAST THING Mia wants is for her fresh water fish Pokemon to be cooked alive, sharkskin or no sharkskin.

“I had no clue that Reflect and Light Screen could be used in such a manner…” Mia mutters. “If those Magneton didn’t lose their concentration on the barriers then all would’ve been lost…”

-----------
(Flashback)

“Mia,” Mrs. Stone began thoughtfully. “I understand how much you enjoy Maymay’s company but after what Steven told me…you might become a hindrance to her in all of this.”

“But I’m not!” Mia spat out, making her cover her mouth with both her hands as a reflex.

“You aren’t?” Mrs. Stone scrutinized. “If you knew she had such fierce enemies Mia, what could you do?”

(End Flashback)
----------

Daigo, Hiro and Jenrya watched the 10-year-old’s expression grow more and more contemplative.

As none of them were exactly out on the battlefield that day to witness the trouble, there wasn’t really much the trio could do on the matter… Not even Jenrya could think of a sarcastic mental quip to any of this.
It actually surprised them to see Mia break from this state of mind to actually face them all with warm looks.

“All of you were a huge help when it came to carrying May-san and me through the shortcut Onii-chan showed us…” The indigo-eyed 10-year-old began. “You’ve all become stronger and stronger from when we first started to travel around… I hope I’m still worthy of being called your trainer.”

So she wasn’t too far from that mode… All three confirmed with exasperated expressions. While Hiro decided to loaf around and Jenrya just positioned himself for a nap, Daigo decided to keep good on his self-proclaimed position of Mia’s top bodyguard.

This earned the Ivysuar some coddling and giggles from his trainer.

“The trips to the hot springs would have been boring if you three didn’t accompany me.” Mia smiles. “I just wish May-san wasn’t so tired and could’ve joined us as well.”

“Perhaps your friend would like to bask in the sand bath the Inn I work at is known for?” A mature voice suggests from behind.

Mia couldn’t help but find herself jumping at this sudden newcomer no matter how friendly she sounded.

Well sure, there were many other females who varied in age within the hot spring but none of them were that close to the parameter Mia had ranged herself in. Nor did they bother to make their existence known to her.

The 10-year-old eventually catches her breath to turn and face the woman her Pokemon were staring at so exasperatedly…

The bleach-blonde caretaker of Flannery’s family inn who we know as Yuriko gave Mia a half apologetic, half inviting smile as she pressed her topic.
“I didn’t mean to surprise you but I don’t believe the ideals of feminine modesty can ever excuse over self-consciousness.” Yuriko reasons. “But I think the same meaning must apply for you…”

Mia considers this for a moment as she comes to notice that only a small percentage of females in the hot spring wore towels while the rest, like the busty Yuriko, were O’naturale.
The 10-year-old without any reason or emotion climbs out of the spring with her Pokemon clearing the walkway for her.

“Y’know, its funny how obnoxiously prideful children can be just because they’re allowed Pokemon training clearance at the fragile age of ten.” The bleach-blonde spoke in a tone of announcement, successfully gaining the attention of many of the females (mostly elderly) in the spring. Each fully agreed with Yuriko’s statement.

Yuriko fed off the energy around her and continued her words quite smugly. “Bullying has become quite a pressed topic nowadays considering how malicious children have become… Sure that bruise on your cheek will eventually go away but do you think its worth going to your grave over simple honor? Especially when they start using their status as trainers and their Pokemons abilities to harm you or those you care for?”

Critical hit.

Mia stops in her place and against her Pokemons best wishes, turned to face Yuriko. This revealed to all the females interested in the situation the 10-year-old’s bandaged right cheek.

“You don’t have to say anything further deary.” An elderly woman assured Mia. “The Lavaridge Gym often offers all sorts of self defense classes…” The woman’s voice trailed off until she remembered one minor detail. “Well, at least when Mura the burning passion ran it…”

“Oh leave my Flannery alone!” Yuriko, who completely forgot about Mia’s existence teased. “It’s one of her long term goals to reopen the school of volcanic fist! I mean she is the rightful successor to her grandfather’s school after all.”

“Flannery is indeed one of the best things that has happened to Lavaridge…” Another woman confirms. “But that Winona was one of Mura’s top apprentices despite her young age then… Flannery still has ways to go.”

“But Winona’s stoic and stuck-up! I mean who dresses like she does?” A teen argues.

After a while all the women began to gossip away about who was the better suited heiress for Mura’s dojo or the fate of the burning passion’s “legacy” in general.

This matter was very short lived as soon as Hiro launched a Bullet Seed barrage into the air.

“I apologize for my Pokemon’s rudeness as well as my own.” Mia spoke without warning. “But I don’t see how self defense will stop-”

“A long time back when the dojo was in its seemingly endless golden age,” Yuriko cut Mia off. “Mura had a peculiar student who, despite his bulky exterior couldn’t smash boards with his fist. He was dubbed Pillow fist from the other apprentices and was teased quite a bit.”
“To cut a long emotional story short,” The bleach-blonde continues. “An amazing discovery was made in the world of Pokemon at that time as a team of researchers who were studying a hidden Heracross civilization in the Johto region came to see them wield a bizarre technique that literally ripped through boulder structures by putting the right amount of force against certain soft spots of those structures… A breaking point if you will.”

“Wait… I-I heard of something similar to that!” Mia hastily realizes. “But it was a very old article concerning the behavioral pattern of the Pinsir in the Safari Zone… It wasn’t proven though, the Pinsir made themselves more elusive overtime…”

Yuriko shrugs. “From what he little he learned at the time, Pillow fist came to appreciate the values of mediation more as he confirmed that even if you somehow find the soft spot of your target yet cannot properly tear the pins of pressure that bind that target together your efforts are all for naught…”

Many of the females alongside Mia considered Yuriko’s words while others began to reminisce on the young man…

Being beings of the elements themselves, Daigo Hiro and Jenrya also saw great prospects in this tale.

Mia lifted her head from contemplation to face Yuriko once more. “Miss, I understand that the dojo itself is closed, but can you take me to this pillow fists home?”

“No,” The inn caretaker answers quickly. “Mura passed away five years ago. After his period of mourning, Pillow fist left Lavaridge to fully perfect the breaking point with no further scrutiny; who knows what became of him since then.”

Yuriko began to mutter something about being surprised he didn’t leave sooner.

Some woman chided her about not mentioning this sooner while others questioned the use of knowing such a “killing technique.”

“I-I wish for you to take me to the old dojo then!” Mia demands. “I know this Pillow fist is gone but he must’ve left behind some proof of his findings on the breaking point!”

“That he did…” Yuriko smiles warmly at the memory. “We’ll have to talk to Flannery to obtain the information then. She was the only person I know of who ever showed any interest in Iori’s endeavors… and the only person who‘ll absorb information like a mop.”

“My friend and I… We would be very grateful if Flannery-san could share what she knows with us…”

“I see…” Yuriko replies as she rests her arms on the cobblestone floor. “This will make Flannery very happy but perhaps, we should… discuss this further along the way?”

Mia held a round of last minute doubts but took a look at Daigo, Hiro and Jenrya for reassurance on the matter; they all nod confidently.

Mia turns back to the bleach blonde-haired woman and gives a confirming nod. “We‘ll have to go see my friend first though.”

“I see.” Yuriko extends her hand out to the girl warmly. “Then we have a deal.”

Mia smiles kindly for the woman as she extends her hand to seal the deal.

Kaiyori June 20th, 2005 7:36 PM

Nice I like it really cool


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