Trials of Reluctance (PG-13)

[Isaac Gravity]

Cont
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(Verdanturf Town)

"Wally, read it and weep!" Daisuke grins smugly as he flashes a Contest Pass. Since Wally has never seen such an item before he's not impressed. "A card with a ribbon? You graduate your Troop or something?"

"You sayin' I can't?" Daisuke counters a bit insulted. "Anyway, this is a Contest Pass. I can now enter Pokemon contests with it!" Daisuke gives his friend a ****y grin in an attempt to look big. "Lemme guess? You want me to fill you in on what that big building north of your house is right?"

"Not really." Wally replies flatly.

"Great, 'cuz I'll tell you!" Daisuke answers. "That my friend, is a Pokemon Contest house!"

"You're just bursting full of information today Dai." The sickly boy dryly comments to the Scout.

"Wally..." Mia intervenes. "A Pokemon Contest is sort of like a beauty contest. And in it Pokemon trainers and their groomed Pokemon can compete in the following competitions: Beauty, Coolness, Intelligence, Toughness and Cuteness."

Wally looks at Mia and considers what she said for a moment. "Hmm… That doesn't sound as cool as a Pokemon battle." he confirms.

"Then you never witnessed a Contest." Mia replies in quick tone that made it sound as though she was snapping at him. "Even though Pokemon can't battle like a regular battle, they're fighting for the most appeal points using corresponding moves that will boost their appeal rating. For example, your Ralts' Psychic attack is considered an Intelligence category move. While Sharky's Bite is considered a category of Toughness."

Daisuke quietly takes notes as the indigo-eyed 10-year-old spoke. "You don't say…"

Wally gives a face fault in Daisuke's direction. "Just a second ago you acted as though you knew everything…"

"Ra…" Ralts agrees.

Mia ignores Wally's rude heckling and continues to speak. "Worst of all, you can loose appeal points if a rival Pokemon trips yours up with one of their appeal moves."

"That's despicable!" Daisuke clenched his fist in anger. "Isn't that against the rules or something?"

"That's where strategy and proper use of moves come in." Mia answers while lifting her finger in a teacher-like fashion. "Using a move like Defense Curl will defend your Pokemon from a trip up at most once. You may not gain any extra appeal points for performing such a move in a contest where that's not the proper move type. You may actually lose points, but it's better than losing the bulk of it."

"You don't say…" Wally mused. "I think I'll stick to regular battling."

"Well, of course you would!" Daisuke snorts proudly. "Contests are something only the skilled can do…"

"You didn't…" Wally mutters. This forces a huge toothed grin to fall Daisuke's face. "Hell yeah! Me and my Seedot are gonna rock the Coolness Contests!"

"You haven't a clue what you're doing do you?" Wally continues to question his friend who still holds a confident ground.

"Well, the only way to learn is to actually witness one! Kids do get in for free on Wednesdays."

Wally grins. "Yeah, and maybe Mia could tell you more info along the way."

Mia shakes her head at the offer. "I have to work on Alia's repair…" she begins before addressing Wally. "Also, you have a lot of homework to do…"

"I could've really kept an eye on you if went..." Wally sighs. "Besides, I could do something like homework in my spare time."

Mia puffs her cheeks slightly from those comments. "You might be older than me but I don't really see a real significance when you act like you're the younger one!"

"There you go with that attitude of yours again!" Wally snaps at the girl. "All you ever do is sit down and criticize me! I never once seen you do anything for yourself!"

"That's because you never really watch me." Mia counters before walking away from the boys, never looking back.

Daisuke puts a hand on his friend's shoulder. "Let it go man," The scout began. "Girl's are just weird anyway."

Giving a sour "Yeah" Wally, along with Ralts follow Daisuke to the Contest House.

--------------
(Route 105)

Within the woods of the swamp-like terrain of the many Isles of Route 105 13-year-old Brendan Birch, through all of his toils, labor and close-knit team work with his five Pokemon were able to finally track down some Herbs that could be grounded for medicine he needs.

But like any item of rarity, fierce competition is to always be expected…

"Roxx!" Brendan yells as he and the rest of his Pokemon allies run up to the injured Swinub after he was knocked backwards by a strong surprise attack made by a Poliwrath.

Just by looking at the fighting frog's bulkier than usual muscles and the veins that bulged from practically every aspect of its body it must be a regular user of the discontinued Berserk Gene item.

"That was for my teammates." The owner of Poliwrath replied.

The ebony-haired female's teammates were obviously those two Team Aqua Grunt that ambushed Brendan earlier in the day but were swept off by Angelique.

MacSlasher the Zangoose and Ragnarok the Marshtomp moved defensively in front of their trainer while Ringo the Numel and Aero Adler the Taillow finished the box formation by keeping from the rear.

The ebony-haired Aqua Grunt extends her left arm in a gimme fashion.

"What?" Brendan growls.

"You and that Magma girl really injured my friends." The Grunt explained. "Those herbs are hard to find but do the trick. I'll take them from you as a way of you saying sorry for butting in."

"I have a better proposition for ya? How about you drop dead?" Brendan snaps.

"Listen, I took care of that Magma brat don't think I won't hesitate to take what I want from you by force."

Brendan froze in his place after hearing those words. He wondered what those seeming sounds of a scuffle were far off the distance a while back…

And he also remembered who was currently resting there…

"Yeah real easy to kick someone when they're already down for the count!"

"There's no such thing as honor in the fights between Aqua and Magma!" The ebony-haired Aqua Grunt snaps at the 13-year-old. "Honor is only a five-letter word the moment the two rivals clash. All moral codes, status and humanity are replaced by mounting dreams and aspirations!"

The Aqua Grunt gives snow colored hair boy an enlightened face. "Everyone, Aqua or Magma, Young or old all have their own silly little dreams… My friends and I joined Aqua because of the prospects of a living in one big ocean… Nothing but buried treasure and constant adventure would await us… That girl… she might be young but she is a Magma; my organization's sworn enemy… And I must dispose of her at any degree possible just to obtain the long-run goal. She's knows this too and would easily kill me and you in a heartbeat if she must…Especially considering her reputation…"

"b-But it all seems so pointless…" Brendan mummers despondently. "The planet is fine the way it is! You're just destroying each other and risking the lives of millions over a meaningless cause!"

"Your meaningless cause is my dream worth fighting for…" The Aqua Grunt mutters softly. "Dry your eyes and face me. We'll fight for that item like noble rare hunters holding nothing back."

"After hearing all this I don't even want to fight period…"

"It's something that we all must do in some shape or form for something we cherish." The ebony-haired Grunt replied. "I cherish my friends who I've been through thick and thin with since we were all little girls. Don't disgrace your Pokemon, they cherish you and will throw their lives away right now to prove that."

Brendan looked at all four of his Pokemon who had their eyes tacked on him.

The snow colored hair adolescent then looks at Roxx the Swinub who was cradled in his arms. The ice pig sniffed at his trainer in a sympathetic fashion.

This was what he wanted right? He even left a prestigious Pokemon school that many would kill to enter just to go out into the world and challenge himself.

-----------------
(Flashback to Brendan's chat with Mrs. Birch in Chapter 1)

"They kept saying I was from the boonies and that I got such good marks 'cuz my Dad is who he is…"

(Flashback to Chapter 6)

"That's right!" One of Karen's friends agreed. "Just listen to Roxanne and come back to the trainers school with us. WHY DO YOU WANT TO GIVE UP SUCH A HIGH RANK?"

"There's a reason I decided to leave this data run school to travel around…" Brendan growls, sick of his peers labeling of him. "There's only so much data can teach you…I've learned that…And I'm not the same guy you once knew me as because of it!"

"I am ultimately a better student than you are so why fight a useless battle?" Karen chides her former schoolmate.

(Flashback to Chapter 14)

"Hey yeah!" Sarah interjects. "You must be a pretty loaded kid to have such stuff anyway!"

(Flashback to Brendan's chat with May in Chapter 3)

"Sure we may learn the stats and strengths of Pokemon. But a real trainer sees the true pain and grow much stronger. I wanna bear that burden too…I wanna see how it's like…Data isn't everything! Ciel taught me that."

(End Flashbacks)

--------------
'I'm sick of that life…' Brendan mentally confirmed. 'I knew the roads ahead of me and I didn't care… If I run now I might as well continue my old way of living.'

Rising to his feet as if defying all that doubted him, Brendan Birch stared down his opponent and pulls off his headband in a fashion of showing he accepts any all odds now set against him. Only bringing a look of respect from his Pokemon allies' faces.

"Good, you weren't blacklisted by my people for nothing I see." The ebony-haired Aqua Grunt smiles for the boy's raised fighting spirit. "Use as much Pokemon as you please, I'll hold nothing back for this."

The Aqua Grunt's Poliwrath also celebrated this by beating at its swirled belly in a rhythmic-like fashion. The heavy beats the fighting frog made on itself actually looked as though it was paining it.

The young woman then shuffles into her Pockets until she pulls out an X-Attack and X-Accuracy.

"I'll show you the exact same combo I used to beat that girl's group of Pokemon." The ebony-haired young woman announced proudly. She then doused her Poliwrath, who was already equipped with the Berserk Gene with the two items.

At first it looked like nothing of any significance had occurred if you rule out the minor twitch Poliwrath gave from time to time…

It took sometime but the fighting frog Pokemon's fist tightened as its muscles bulged and tightened even further while the visible veins on its body began to swell up and pulsate in another sickening manner.

The pumped Water/Fighting hybrid then launches Blizzard at his foes without any sign of warning.

Had it not been for Ringo's natural seething cauldron of boiling magma for a body, Brendan and the others would've become instant living ice sculptures.

As soon as the ice melted MacSlasher lunged at his foe; using his speed and the trees surrounding the area as an ace up his sleeve to confound his mightier foe.

"Good job MacSlasher, now Fury Cutter!" Brendan commands his Pokemon.

MacSlasher narrowly evades Poliwrath's tree piercing Ice Beams and uses his gained momentum to attack the fighting frog from overhead with a barrage of slashes with his claws that gained more power with each swipe made.

Because of the way the attack was made all Poliwrath could do was shield itself using both it's bulky arms as a shield.

When MacSlasher was about to throw down one more attack with all the strength within him, Poliwrath slaps his paws away and quickly nails the Zangoose in its stomach.

The impact of the blow made everything within the Cat Ferret Pokemon feel like it just rattled. The strength of the attack alone caused MacSlasher to fall back a few feet from his foe where he landed on Ragnarok, who attempted to catch him.

"Two down." The ebony-haired Aqua Grunt mutters

"Nothing is down until we say it is!" Brendan shouts ruefully.

Ringo agrees with his trainer's words by standing on its hind legs just to fall back on all fours creating Magnitude at the power of 5.

Poliwrath, with all his advantages easily leap away from the attack leaving itself open to a small fireball created from Ringo's Ember attack.

The fighting frog took the first attack and created a small spiky iceball in his right hand to absorb the second.
With the iceball now illuminating with a new kindling source, Poliwrath treats the situation as if he just threw a bowling ball in the form of icicle stalagmites that went careening right into Brendan, Ringo and Roxx.

The impact of the blast created a small flurry within the battlezone. The attack itself could be compared to someone suddenly getting smacked with a flash blizzard with bits of hail created by an angry Jack Frost.

Brendan laid flat on his stomach, only feeling the unnerving chill of the sudden lapse of his body temperature.

Despite the numbness he felt; the 13-year-old felt the added weight of Roxx on his back. While, not too far in front of him, Ringo shivered violently from the freezer burn a large percentage of his body suffered from.

"It looks as though we didn't get enough strength to leech the true powers of Sub-Zero Hell." The ebony-haired Aqua Grunt mummers before addressing Brendan. "My Poliwrath is quite a rarity in this world full of no-talent trainers and their weak Pokemon. It only took us months to perfect the simultaneous use of Ice Beam, Submission and Blizzard in one powerful blast."

"s-Stop t-trying to act special!" Brendan snaps. "It's called a Custom Tactic…and it still has its heavy flaws…"

"You're in no position to talk about my flaws."

"You said you'd hold nothing back so what's all this?"

Nope, he had it all wrong as far as the Aqua Grunt was concerned. Poliwrath really was fighting with everything he has now…

It didn't take the fighting frog too much energy to ambush and freeze the slumbering Angelique and her available Pokemon with the Sub-Zero Hell Custom Tactic…But it was the Dusclops who laid hidden the whole time that gave the most problems…

The Cyclops Ghost Pokemon was quite an opponent. It came down to the point where she had to use the Berserk Gene, X-Attack, X-Accuracy combo to leech Poliwrath's full combat potential to counteract it.

Poliwrath entered this battle drained from the very start… It's the stamina boost the combo creates that's keeping him going as we speak. The ebony-haired sea enthusiast just failed to realize how tough the little blacklist is…

The Aqua Grunt broke from her contemplation to notice something is wrong… The kid had five Pokemon. And why is there a hole where the Zangoose and Marshtomp…

"Sh*t!"

The ground beneath Poliwrath became soft and muddy. As the Water/Fighting hybrid found himself losing his footing with the slippery environment.

MacSlasher bursts from the ground, using his foes vulnerable state to nail him with a successful Slash to the face.

The Cat Ferret Pokemon's attack fully forced Poliwrath off his feet and open to a Quick Attack from Aero Adler who laid dormant within the trees to have the Fighting frog land on the soil in the most pained of ways.

The Water/Fighting hybrid then felt heavy pressure being made on its right arm. Using what little strength it had left, Poliwrath forcefully lifts his arms to see Ragnarok having his arms and legs tightly wrapped around his bulky arm with Bide.

Poliwrath's muscles bulge as he slams his lifted arm onto the ground heavily in hopes he could pry the Mudfish off. Though Ragnarok yelps in pain he didn't yield, this forced the irate fighting frog to continue his actions.

…And he was fully prepared for any and all interference…

Using his available arm Poliwrath launches himself towards Aero Adler with Ice Beam.

The attack caught the overly aggressive MacSlasher when he made a lunge at him; finally bringing defeat to the Cat Ferret Pokemon.

Aero Adler was clipped from the skies when Poliwrath threw a heavy punch at him with the arm that Ragnarok grasped himself to. The shock from the blow made fighting frog finally able to pry the drained Mudfish off his being when he lands on his feet.

"Out of luck and out of Pokemon." The ebony-haired Aqua Grunt muttered.

The young woman then takes it upon herself to walk over to 13-year-old and grab him by his white hair.

Roxx weakly tied to hit her with Powder Snow but was knocked off his trainers back by Poliwrath's Ice Beam.

Two loses in one day and both were to Aqua. Brendan could only think what the hell had gotten into him to even think he could even win…

The boy's thoughts went blank when the Aqua Grunt pointed a gun at his head.

"Like I said," The Aqua Grunt replied solemnly. "Nothing personal but blacklists must be taken care of. By letting you and your Pokemon go I run the risk of allowing a threat no matter how small, to grow…"

All Brendan's conscious Pokemon could do was watch with pure guilt. They all felt better knowing that they'd go with him.

A heavy gust stormed into the area before any end result could kick-up; a Skitty runs into the area and bites the Aqua Grunt's hand. This forced her to drop her weapon and her focus on Brendan.

With her job done, the Skitty runs away from the woman just in time to avoid getting run down by a strong ghostly force like the Aqua Grunt did.

A stronger breeze with hint of warning within it blew into the area until it was replaced an enraged Angelique and her Pokemon.

The 14-year-old's eyes usually cat-like topaz eyes were practically slits now. Aside from the strong killing intent that ran chills through Brendan's spine, he also took note of the similarity of this scene.

"Ugh…so that Dusclops somehow got you free…" The Aqua Grunt replies despite only getting menacing growls as her answer.

The raven-haired 14-year-old took her sweet time walking into the midst of the battlefield. Only stopping once to narrow her eyes at Brendan. What couldn't be sure if those eyes were of sympathy or disgust.

"Do not interfere…" The girl warns the downed 13-year-old, forcing him to look at her angrily.

"And do what?"

Angelique's answer was her tossing Brendan away with her psychic power. In all her rage the 14-year-old had no grasp or concern how much power she put into the attack and forced the 13-year-old too hard against a tree where his body shook freely from the shock.

"So that's how you thank someone who helps you?" The ebony-haired Aqua Grunt growls at the 14-year-old.

Angelique turns to the woman with a slow malicious look only trying her hardest to suppress her growing power.

"…Third-rate…" The 14-year-old mummers in-between heavy coughs. "…You ambush me…humiliate me with your use of false might while I slumbered then have the edacity to question my will?"

Angelique shudders as the horrifying look she gave the Aqua Grunt could pass for that of a homicidal lunatic.

A dark funnel opened from under Dusclops feet creating a powerful vacuum-like windstorm again but at a stronger degree.

"sh-Shoot." Brendan groans in pain. "I have to get the guys to safet-Arghh…my ribs!"

The Aqua Grunt didn't like what was going on but she had to rely on Poliwrath's yet again. The Fighting Frog Pokemon braced itself to unleash another Sub-Zero Hell. Much to its surprise, the wind absorbed by the spiky iceball in his hand quickly shattered.

Neither Poliwrath nor his trainer had time to perplex over the situation since a strong gust from the funnel wind forced a broken log to fly at them.

The ghost Pokemon's one eye glows with a fierce gleam as it began to move its hands hypnotically; the black hole under him begins to expand its territory ever so slightly.
Overtime the Pokemon and the funnel become one taking the shape of a huge cyclone that for a split second looked like a furious black dragon when the merger was in process.

"I WILL NOT BE MADE A FOOL OF BY A THIRD-RATE AGAIN!!!" Angelique roars. "AMADEUS! DEMONIC WIND OF THE CYCLONE DRAGON!!!"

Everything in Angelique's body seemed as if it shutdown when she uttered that command. The 14-year-old coughs up a heavy amount of blood before collapsing.

Yami the Absol allows the girl to fall on him as he struggled to hold his ground while the Custom Tactic ravages at everything and anything within the area.

 

[Isaac Gravity]

Cont 2
-----------------------
(Much later)
(Verdanturf Town)

"I never knew Contests could be so intense." Wally admits. "But why was there an actual Pokemon battle?"

"Don't take what that girl said to heart." Daisuke replies. "Every Contest must have some different event.

Wally shakes off the annoying subject of Mia and focuses on the Contest he witnessed. "In any case, that Drew-guy and his Masquerain kicked a lot of ass."

"Feh, he ain't so hot." Daisuke shrugs. "Seedstar and I could easily out do him in any event."

"Well isn't that nice," A rather arrogant voice replied from behind. "I step outside to bask in my victory and meet some wannabes who have the nerve to compare my talents to theirs."

The 11-year-olds turn around to see a lime-green haired boy looking at them rather smugly. The boy himself was about May's age and wore a black shirt under an unzipped long sleeved purple jacket that went well with his purple pants and rather expensive pair of sneakers.
By looking at his rather feminine face you could tell that the boy was someone you could dub as a: ****y, rude, stuck-up dude that needs to be brought down a few dozen pegs yet has many (too many) fan girls.

"It's that Drew-guy!" Wally exclaims, hoping he could probably get an autograph.

Drew arrogantly flicks back his hair and gives Wally a content look. "I never knew I was this popular in this small town…" The 13-year-old began. "Looks like I already got a poser on my hands."

"Poser?" Wally mumbles before understanding the insult. "My hair is naturally green jerk! You're the one whose hair looks dyed!"

"Poser." Drew comments again just to successfully rile the 11-year-old.

Wally grits his teeth in frustration. When Ralts heard this guy insult his trainer, the little Pokemon stepped in front of him defensively.

Drew notices Ralts angry disposition and takes the actions as a challenge. "Hmph, so you want to made a fool of?" He confirms.

"Hey! Pretty boy! If you're so hot then why are you going to a beginner house?" Daisuke intervenes, fully defending his friends.

Drew just looks to the 11-year-old with a "are you an idiot?" expression.

"Novice." The Coordinator scoffs. "REAL Coordinators like to enter many different types of Pokemon into contests even if they won them already."

"If that's the case then why not take me on." Daisuke comments with a confident smile. "I'm entering a Coolness Contest tomorrow so you have no reason to look me down!"

Drew closes eyes as he began to speak. "More amateur action…" The 13-year-old calls out his Pokemon. "Roselia, you know what to do."

"Dai!" Wally calls out to his friend. "He challenged me to fight… I don't need others stepping into my problems…"

"Guys like him need to learn to show some respect even if they are competition!" Daisuke assures. "This'll be over in a nanosecond!" The 11-year-old now calls out his Seedot. "Seedstar!-"

The battle was over in a Nanosecond…but it didn't end in Seedstar the Seedot's favor.

Wally, Ralts and Daisuke watch in shock as Seedstar is knocked back several feet away from them.

"Pitiful." Drew smirks. "Look at how ungroomed that Seedot is! It couldn't even faint gracefully."
The 13-year-old now takes note of Daisuke's overly disappointed reactions. "Kids. Just like 'em to pick a fight and go crying to someone after they get their words handed back to them on a silver platter."

"Does it look like I'm crying to anyone?" The Boy Scout snaps. "If your so amazing like you said then face me in the Coolness Contest tomorrow!"

Considering what just happened, many would take Daisuke's words as sheer pointlessness. But after witnessing a type of Contest and hearing the explanations from Mia… then Contests aren't like actual battles and he'll be able to shut Drew up in what he loves most.

Drew himself had no clue what was on Daisuke's mind but didn't really care. He could blow another day securing his spot on Verdanturf's contest hall wall of fame.

That, and he was bored and needed some cheap laughs.

Though only giving a little 'humph" it was certain that the 13-year-old Coordinator had accepted the 11-year-old campers challenge. He then turns to see Wally shuddering with anger.

"Want something?"

"RALTS DOUBLE TEAM!"

Five Doppelgangers all circle around Roselia who quickly counters by spinning around rapidly while little petals fly from the giant flowers it held.

The petals quickly disperse of the doppelgangers and of Ralts himself.

"Not even one missed…" Wally mummers.

"Hmph, amateur." Drew chides. "Your Pokemon takes too long to form doppelgangers leaving you open attack. That'd hurt you big time in a Contest."

"Well this isn't a contest!" Wally shouts. "Ralts! Double Team!"

Ralts nods and breaks into ten copies of himself this time.

"Again with the Double Team…" Drew mutters with a shrug.

"Now Ralts!"

Ralts along with the ten doppelgangers began to teleport about, never once faltering. These actions even began to confound Roselia.

"I know what your Roselia did was one of those never miss moves." Wally grins. "But even a never miss move would have a hard time if their foe teleports about!"

Drew looks at the 11-year-old a bit surprised at how far he thought ahead. But he shakes of that feeling by closes his eyes at the whole scene while smirking.

The 13-year-old's attitude again successfully picked away at Wally's patience.

"Ralts! Psychic!"

Ralts along with four doppelgangers stop in their teleportation dance to circle Roselia. Though the doppelgangers stood poised; Ralts was breathing heavily.

That was the give away.

"At least you aren't stupid." Drew comments. "But you're still an amateur."

Roselia quickly nails Ralts with the never miss Magical leaf attack. The little Psychic-type tumbles to the ground fatigued and beaten.

"Crap, Wally and Ralts lost too…" Daisuke growls bitterly.

The green-haired 11-year-old unconsciously fell to his knees. His eyes tacked sadly on Ralts.

"Aw man…why'd we have to lose to a guy like that." Wally laments to his partner. "Anyone but him…"

"Hmph, you lost because you're hopeless." Drew responds.

These words made Wally and Daisuke face the Coordinator with bitter scowls and gritted teeth.

Since he pretty much had enough of the day's events, Drew flicks back his hair smugly before making his leave.

The Coordinator didn't even bother to pay attention to the silent Mia whose brows furrowed with discontent as she struggled to force the words that came out a decibel higher than a whisper.

"It was good plan."

"Eh?"

"Had Ralts been higher in the area of stamina this battle would've ended in Wally's favor…" Mia explains. The 10-year-old then turns to the leaving Drew with a scowl. "Don't act so proud!"

Drew just kept walking. He was used to the scenario: Some punk kids act too big for their britches, he beats them. Then they go crying, whining and insulting him yet never once question their own heavy flaws.

Mia watches the Coordinator walk away before moving over to the defeated party.

"Aw don't worry about me." Daisuke grins, returning Seedstar the Seedot to its ball. "Seedstar and I will rest up and tomorrow pretty boy is goin' down! You quote me on that."

"This isn't right…" Wally mutters. "How could guys like him be so strong…It's not like they deserve to be…"

"Because they work hard." Mia answers.

The 10-year-old's words of truth got the attention of both 11-year-olds; however Mia got on her knees to face Wally on an equal level.

"It doesn't matter what kind of mentality a person has. As long as they work hard they can overcome any obstacle." Mia finishes her words by giving the morose boy a comforting smile. "You just have to train harder and know what your doing next time…You big baby."

Wally's facial expression softened a bit even after the younger girl's deliberate insult.

"IN ANY CASE WALLY!" Daisuke loudly interjects. "We should let out Pokemon spend the night at the Center. We'll pick 'em first thing tomorrow and show that guy what's for!"

Feeling a bit better after the others words of confidence, Wally cradle Ralts in his arms and stands up to face Daisuke.

"Hell yeah! Me and Ralts will work real hard so we can become an invisible duo!"

"Darn straight!" Daisuke agrees. "Good to see my words of wisdom influenced you some."

"Yup."

::HONK HONK::

The group to the direction of Verdanturf's entrance to see a Limousine drive into the area and parks itself a few feet in front of the group. Stepping out of the car was Tomoyo Stone.

Seeing this, Mia quickly removed herself from the ground and nervously hid behind Wally.

The 11-year-old didn't have time to ask Mia what was wrong since after Mrs. Stone's descent from the Limo the Regional Hoenn Champion Steven Stone also came out to make himself known.

The words: "Ah, how lame." was all Wally could mummer as an end result.

------------------
(Much later)
(Wally's Aunt and Uncle's home)

Wally and Steven watched from the corners of the hallway while in the living room Mrs. Stone chatted away with Mia…Ok, actually it was more like Mrs. Stone lecturing Mia on responsibility and family tradition while Mia was as silent as a mouse only nodding or murmuring when needed be.

Seeing his fill of the situation Wally turns to Steven who had his back against the wall opposite the boy.

"Was she always like this?" The 11-year-old asked.

"Like what?"

"Does she always allow people to walk all over her like that?"

Steven gives Wally a stern look. "Unless Mia reflects something of your true self I believe you have no say in family related matters."

Wally ignores the Hoenn Champion's comment and thinks back to all the advice, information and lectures Mia gave him during the two months she was with him.

"She's such a hypocrite." The green-haired boy confirms with a frown.

"In comparison to how she was before I left to live on my own, Mia has grown some." Steven admits. "But, the Stone family is a strong bloodline that is always able and willing to grasp success."

The Hoenn Champion turns to Wally with a very serious look. "Mia falls short in description and has completely failed to show any real accomplishment for herself. I'm afraid to say no matter how much my baby sister gradually changes she will always remain a spoiled, weak-willed child."

---------
(With Mia)

Mrs. Stone takes her time to inspect every aspect of her daughter, greatly impressed by the psychical development.

"I must say Mia, I hardly recognize you!" The woman proudly states. "You look so tan and healthy! And you've developed some muscles on those arms! Maymay must've been working you hard."

Mia's eyes downcast sadly. Mrs. Stone ignores her daughter's usual behavior and turns Wally's 19-year-old cousin Wanda thoughtfully. "Speaking of Maymay, how is she?"

Wanda frowns. "She's been like this for two months. Her condition never changes…but…I fear…"

Wally's Uncle cuts Wanda off to try to change the subject. "Luckily, our little girl is studying to be a fine doctor."

"I'd say she's already become that and then some." Mrs. Stone replies before addressing the 19-year-old. "I'm very grateful for what you're doing for Maymay, she's quite important friend to our family who's gone so much out of her way to help Mia with her confidence issues. Her defining qualities really do make her a pretty unique kid…" Mrs. Stone chuckles. "It's actually come to the point where I sometimes mistake her for my own child!"

Mia sank into a deeper feeling of uselessness after having to stomach her own Mother sing such high praises for someone else's child. Even if that person deserves the praise AND is her very best friend whom she wished more than anything were a really sibling with…

…It still really stung…

"C'mon! C'mon! You're this Region's Champ! So show me your Pokemon!"

Mia turns over to the source of the noise and face faults as she sees Wally pulling a very hesitant Steven by his wrists towards the door.

"Yes, I am this Region's Champion. And as such you can always hit the League's official Website or any other fansite and see my winning team for yourself."

That's stupid! The real thing is right here! It's not like they're so holy I'll go blind!" Wally counters. "You might as well let me see 'em close up now before you lose your title in the upcoming championship anyway is all I'm saying…"

"Such an honor…" Steven sighs before he and Wally finally left the room.

With that over, Mrs. Stone turns to Mia with a stern look.

"Mia," The woman 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?"

Mia looked at her Mother weakly before a flicker of courage lights itself within her. "I'd stay by her side. Like she does with me!" The indigo-eyed girl spoke honestly. "Traveling with May-san was the only thing I ever decided to do on my own… And I'm glad I made that choice!"

"Well then, I suppose we'll just have to confirm that." Mrs. Stone replies, pulling out a Safari Ball. "This'll prove if your disappearing act without any consent was all for naught. I toiled hours of blood sweat and tears to get this Pokemon ready for an Intelligence Contest. Jenrya! Come out!"

Mrs. Stone throws the ball and out pops a Phanpy.

Mia quickly realizes where this is going and pales. "Momma… You're not implying that…I-"

"Of course! That's the reason why I'm here!" Mrs. Stone proudly proclaims as she puts her hands on Mia's shoulders. "Mia! Your task is to reclaim family honor and win this contest!"

"Honor…Momma? This…doesn't go back to your childhood rivalry does it?"

Mrs. Stone clenches fist and shakes them ruefully. "Grr. That Darlina!" Mia's genki Mother remises bitterly. "I had that Cuteness contest in the bag then she did the most disgraceful thing! During her turn to have her Pokemon demonstrate she had her Pidgdy use Gust and aimed it directly in the direction of my poor ChuChu! It didn't hurt anyone else! The full throttle of the attack forced him to faint because of it! Thus disqualifying him from the Contest! What was worst was her comment to me after she walked out of the Contest House with the trophy that should've been mine!"

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

A dejected 10-year-old Mrs. Stone walks out of the Contest hall. Her features stung with defeat as she carried her equally saddened Pichu.

"It's ok ChuChu. You alright?"

Mrs. Stone then runs into Darlina who turns to her smugly.

"Real smooth Tomoyo. But I remember when I was just as pitiful and couldn't do anything right! Pwahahahahaha!"

(End flashback)

----------------

"You wench…" Mrs. Stone growls at the memory that felt like yesterday. "Ihateyou!Ihateyou!Ihateyou!!"

"I think she needs some personal space." Wanda suggests as she backs away slowly.

"She's…always like this…" Mia confirms.

"So Mia, you really think you can handle this?" Mrs. Stone assured. "As heiress to the Blossom Perfume Company this is only a stepping stone of your true challenges…"

"If…that's what it'll take to prove how much I've changed then I will…No…I-I want to!" Mia smiles faintly as she thinks to herself. 'I must try…or all this really was for naught…'

Wanda gives Mia a light sympathetic look as Mrs. Stone takes her and Jenrya to the Contest House.

"Poor Girl…She's a wreck." Wanda comments sadly as she heads to the room where May rests. "Perhaps, you were the only person to ever see and accept her true face… For all those who care for you and need your strength keep fighting whatever is preventing you from coming back to the realm of the living and overcome it!"

-----------------
(Route 105)

"Feh, Overkill as always." Team Magma Admin Tabitha replies with a whistle.

The Magma Admin takes note of the purple mist that did a good job of hiding all the carnage that laid waste about the place. It didn't take him too long to notice that Angelique's Dusclops; with half of his body breaking into vapors while the remaining half of its normal physical appearance threatened to break into a full fledged miasma was the source of the mist.

Taking that, as well as the bodies either dead or should be dead about now laying about within the destruction; it'd be safe to say nobody won.

Tabitha finally noticed Angelique's still form covered under some debris.

Rather than deal with her, he decided to retrieve the unconscious and badly damaged Skitty, Yami, Mirai and Amadeus to vacant Pokeballs he had on him.

It's not that Tabitha is a good guy or anything; he just doesn't want the 14-year-old to go livid when she learns her Pokemon were left behind…

…Provided she ever awakens herself.

"I never knew you would allow your group to sink so low Tabitha." The voice of Team Aqua's Admin Shelly spoke.

Along with Shelly, were Aqua Grunts Mariah and Sarah who quickly saw their friend and her Pokemon's mangled forms within the dissipating mist.

Normally Shelly would like to put a flirty attitude with her longtime rival, followed by a bit of a chat… They did used to have a meaning together at one point in life…

…But this… After viewing all of this, his actions, his resolve…

"You are really disgusting…" The redhead growls.

"I'll take that compliment." Tabitha cooed. "In any case, Magma has things to do, I'll leave the refuse to you. Adios."

Tabitha puts Angelique on his shoulders and walks off to the Magma helicopter waiting for him outside the forest.

Leaving Shelly to watch him go with a hardened look until the purple mist began to irate her.

"D*mn! The area isn't safe!" The woman gasps. "Mariah! Sarah! Hurry up and lets move out!"

Mariah hastily carries her friend while Sarah recalls her friend's felled Poliwrath into an empty Pokeball. Both treasure hunters take note of Brendan and his Pokemon lying about in horrible shape.

This forces them to falter in their movement until Shelly loses her cool with them.

"I SAID MOVE!"

This forced both Grunts to flinch in their place but they went along with their superior's orders.

--------------------
(The next day)
(Wally's Aunt and Uncle's 8 AM)

"Ok… Just put this here and…" Mia murmured to herself cautiously. "Good! Now it only depends on Alia…"

Fully putting Alia back together, the 10-year-old then activates May's A.I. travel companion.

Alia's language wasn't that of man at first, it was more she announcing her rebooting and use of back-up data and the percentage and length it'd take.

After almost a good ten minutes of this. The words "COMPLETE" appeared on the screen.

"Mia? Been awhile." Alia greets.

"Erm…Alia, how are you feeling?"

"A little out of place but I'm working better than the last time…"

Mia frowns a bit guiltily. "I'm sorry about that…I had to work around the parts of you I didn't really understand… I-I just didn't want you to break apart…"

"… Don't think too much of it…" Alia responds calmly. "After that Gym Battle a lot of my programming circuits got fried so alot of my data was either lost or pretty much corrupt. We'll just have to head back to LittleRoot and get my creator to repair me."

Mia paled when she heard that last part. "a-Alia…about that…"

"What? May is still fuming?" The A.I. travel companion scoffs. "Tell her to deal with it. I may not like her all that much, but I can't go against my programming-"

"No! That's not the problem!!" The indigo-eyed girl cuts Alia off before explaining to her everything that happened while she went offline.

---------------
(20 minutes later)
(The room where May rests)

"So all this happened while I was offline?" Alia asks with a flat tone.

Mia doesn't answer; she instead allows her hair to overlap her eyes as she pitifully downcast her eyes to the floor.

"So... I guess were stuck here until May and her Pokemon get it together huh?" The A.I travel companion comments.

"I don't think we could've done anything even if I did follow May-san that day." Mia admits with a weak smile. "She might've been worse off had I been there; in constant need of protection…"

"I'm not sure what happened between you and May when I shut myself down. But that isn't true Mia! And you know it!"

"The funny thing is she didn't say anything to me…" Mia counters. "She just walked away…this is a conclusion that I made up on my own… But even though I knew this was true I-I still went along with Momma's challenge…"

This was getting really hard for Alia. She was never programmed to deal with these kinds of situations and she was trying to be as sincere as her abilities can take her.

Luckily help was eavesdropping in front of the door…

…And made himself known in the most loud of ways.

"Mia!" Wally shouts.

The 11-year-old opens the door rather quickly to face Mia who shared an equal look of annoyance on her face.

"Your Mom said she needs you and Jenrya to meet her outside for some last minute practice."

Mia nods solemnly at the 11-year-old and begins to walk by him.

"Mia." Alia began. "I'm going offline for the rest of the day. I still feel kinda fuzzy and wouldn't want those bugs to take over… Knock 'em dead in that challenge of yours." The A.I. travel companion adds before shutting herself off.

Mia nods in an assuring manner to the Pokedex but realizes that it was just an excuse to avoid her guilt over the matter of not being there for her trainer.

"Do you really think crying is going to solve anything?" Wally asked the 10-year-old in a very serious tone.

"What I feel isn't any of your business!" Mia counters sharply.

The 10-year-old then shakes her head feeling that she has no right to out vent her frustration out on Wally and goes back to May's bedside.

Putting, Alia carefully on the top of a nearby drawer; Mia takes removes a silvery bracelet with an emerald in its center from around her neck and places it around May's left wrist much to the 11-year-old's curiosity.

"What are you…"

"This necklace is a special gift that was given to me since I was really little." Mia explains with a smile. "Momma said it'd bring me amazing luck, I never believed it until I met May-san and went on all these amazing adventures… But even before that I always cherished it and never took it off."
Mia turns to May's resting form fighting every urge to break into tears in front of Wally who was trying with all his might to do the same. "May-san… you're the first real person I could ever call my best friend…please let this bracelet be your guiding light to return us. You may not believe it, but you changed the perspectives of many people… Myself included."

'That's for sure!' Wally mentally agreed.

The 11-year-old tries to wipes some tears from his eyes but realizes Mia had caught him in the act. The 10-year-old didn't saying anything though; she just allowed her tears to slide freely down her cheeks and left Alia where she lay to go about her business.

"Mia!" Wally stops the girl again. Though the indigo-eyed girl didn't say anything she did stop in her place to acknowledge the boy.

"You…trained really hard for that Contest." The 11-year-old began. "…Do your best is all I'm saying."
With that, Mia gives a small, solemn nod before she makes her way to Wanda's room.

There, she looks to see Daigo the Bulbasaur, Hiro the Treeko, Jenrya the Phanpy, Wally's Ralts and the little Aron that followed Steven to this area played happily as Wanda slept on her desk; her book, acting as her pillow.

"Studying to be a doctor must tiring…" Mia comments in a hushed voice.

The Pokemon all happily run up to Mia as they happily tackle her. She quickly ushers them out of the room so that Wanda could sleep as well as continue muttering something about loving back rubs with the 'proper oil.'

---------------------------------
(About an hour later)

"Great job you two!" Mrs. Stone compliments. "Now if you can memorize that you have the Contest in the bag. Oh!" The energetic woman then ties a Green scarf around Jenrya's neck as she ties Mia's hair with a green ribbon. "Matching team equal MEGA CUTE team that thinks together!"

"Erm right." Mia mutters. Jenrya simply rolls his eyes.

"Well then, what are we standing around here for?" Mrs. Stone giddily announced as she raises right fist into the air. "Let's Go!"

End Part 1

------------
(Notes)

If you haven't guessed already, the entire events within Chapter 14 and 15 part 1 all took place on the same day.

In the original version of this fic I had Wally and Mia act too chummy too quickly… Or just chummy at all.

I completely forgot to recognize their equally high amount of idolism they both have for May and the immatureness that comes with their ages that would lead to more of a light rift between them over this and other things.

They don't hate each other, they're just a little mad at each other for some reasons:

In Mia's case: She's a bit mad that May didn't trust her enough to take care of herself. Rather than believe in her, she asks someone she only met a few hours ago to look over her. Even if Wally is a trust-worthy friend of May's, the boy is only a year older than Mia and as far as the 10-year-old is concerned, he's not very mature in his actions and looks like he's the one in need of a babysitter.

In Wally's case: Like Mia, he's not too keen on being around someone he hardly knows or likes. Since Wally aspires to become very strong May asking him to watch over the girl kinda gave him the impression that Mia doesn't want to do anything for herself. It was this belief that got him a bit angrier that May took Mia along as a travel companion rather than even take him along on her quests.

Though the two do win each other's respect in later Chapters… I'd rather form a type of tolerance thing between them where they just figured that they both saw the other as a friend of a friend they both respect more than anything else.

In a sense another reason Mia was created was to give Wally an opponent at his current level to compete with. I'm not talking wrong against the little guy… but since you control Brendan or May in the Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire game you kinda become them. (Since neither character has a voice box when you're in control.)

Wally's boldness and the way he approaches you before challenging you to a battle in Mauville and in Victory Road gave me this impression: "The runt is acting a little too big for his britches. Fine, you want to bite the hand that fed and not expect to get schooled some more? Bring it!"

So why do Steven and Wally's interactions hold this feeling of hostility? Well, more or less its just the relationship every Champ in whatever field has with all the competitors: Even if the Champ is a nice guy/girl, everyone seems to dislike (or love) him/her and just wanna steal his/her crown and be the ones to make him/her fall.

 

[Strawberry Delcatty]

Mia's entering a contest...cool. I wonder if she'll be a Coordinator after that.

Bezerk Gene Poliwrath with that crazy Custom Tactic... wouldn't wanna face that in real life.

Drew makes an appearence and beats Daisuke and Wally. Tee hee. Looks like those two have some work to do.

I like how the story is shaping up. Keep it up! :classic:

 

[Isaac Gravity]

Disclaimer- I don't own Pokemon or anything else.

----------
Chapter 15- Great minds think for themselves! Enter Jenrya the wise! (Part 2)
------------

(The Contest House 10: 26 AM)

Mia and Jenrya stood in a room with eight other contestants and their Pokemon. All of them laughing and talking amongst themselves bragging why "they got this in the bag."

The entire room was full of Psychic and Ghost-type Pokemon. All of them were quite intelligent in appearance. Aside from the muscular dude with the Machamp, Mia was the only person with a non-stereotypical Intelligence Contest Pokemon.

"This is nerve wrecking…" The 10-year-old sighs.

Jenrya looks around the room unimpressed.

Overtime, he sees a Kadabra that was glaring his way. When they locked eyes, Kadabra narrows its eyes at Jenrya while pointing menacingly at him.

Jenrya just holds an exasperated look on his face as he locks himself in thought. 'Great, I've only been alive for six months and somebody already wants my blood.'

Jenyra looks at Mia, who looked very intimidated before walking about his business.

He didn't even get too far; a 12-year-old female with short brown hair dressed in the Hoenn version of the Cool trainer outfit got down on her knees to pet him.

"Hey, what a little cutie. Did you lose your way?" The 12-year-old asked the baby elephant Pokemon cutely.

'No!' Jenrya mentally replies with a smirk. 'But…I'd like to get lost with you anytime of the-'

"Jenrya! There you are! I was worried…" Mia cries as she runs up to two.

Making another exasperated face, Jenrya the sarcastic Phanpy again goes back into his thoughts. 'About what? I only walked four feet away from you.'

The 12-year-old smiles warmly at the younger girl. "You two must be lost. The Cute Contest is down the hall."

"n-No. I'm in the correct contest."

"You must be a first timer then," The girl confirms. "Phanpy are known for their strength so they're more known for Tough Contests."

"I know ma'am but…This Phanpy was trained just for this. I believe in him."

Jenrya nods at his partner's words.

A Cool trainer named Nick walks up to the conversation with his Haunter. "Feh. Chill out will ya Monica? Not everyone has to compete with the stereotypical types of Pokemon for Contests." The boy then shrugs. "Who knows, this kid and her Phanpy might even make it past the preliminaries."

'That's right!' Jenrya mentally agrees.

"Or not. Heh, but regardless of the situation…" Nick smirks. As he spoke with his closes eyes. "You can compete with whatever Pokemon you want. That's what makes a Coordinator a true Coordinator…But the outside type always has the disadvantage. No matter the situation."
The fellow then opens his eyes to look his 'chumpetition'. Remember that newbie. Oh, by the way, cute matching items, great if you were in a Cute or Beauty contest."

'What a jerk!' The baby elephant mentally growls. 'Who does he think he is? This is an amateur House! What gives him the right to under-look us? Makes me want to win even more! Right Mia?'

Jenrya looks at Mia and notices she's lost what little confidence she had.

Jenrya then notices the Haunter staring at him. 'What are you starin' at?' The baby elephant mentally growls. Haunter makes a scary face to shock Jenrya before disappearing with obnoxious laughter. 'Just as big a creep as his trainer.'

"Ooooh, Don't let that loser get to you. He hasn't won a single contest in this category yet himself and he's entered about seven already." The girl, apparently named Monica relies trying to cheer Mia up. "He's just bitter and feels threatened by the chance of good competition."

"r-Right. Thank you ma'am." Mia politely answers.

"Monica will do." The cool trainer counters embarrassed.

Jenrya smiles and thinks to himself. 'See Mia, everything will be all right. Just believe in your power and not someone else's like I've been told you do and you'll rock.'

The baby elephant then notices that the Kadabra is still glaring and pointing menacingly his way.

'Give it a rest already.'

----------
(In the audience)

"This is so exciting! I haven't been to these events in so long." Wanda smiles.

Mrs. Stone hands the 19-year-old a bag of popcorn. "You really need to get the hang of time management dear. No matter how swamped with work the office brings, I'll always find the time for a Contest."

"Time management has always been my weakest points." The 19-year-old admits. "It was very kind of you to invite me to this though."

"It's the least I could do for someone that's been so good to Mia and Maymay. Don't tell Mia this, but I know she'll do well. Steven is a bit skeptical about her; she's just a late bloomer who will amount to great things… We just have to work those self-esteem issues…"

"I-I won't say a word Ma'am, but Mia is quite young, so her struggling for your affection would never be out of the norm."

"Aren't they cute at that stage."

'It's not really a stage…' Wanda mentally frowns. 'I know people a bit older than me who are still struggling to win their parents approval…'

The 19-year-old took some time to remember how sullen Mia's facial expression usually is and how it would only light up when she would practically boast about her comatose friend. Wanda really wondered about that girl herself at points…

Wanda is sure about one thing though, that girl sure has a lot on her plate.

The 19-year-old was thrust out of her thoughts when Mrs. Stone put a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"Don't worry too much about these things. You'll get gray hair before your times. Mia will do very well." she assured.

"Ah! Oh, right! Of course!" Wanda nods hastily. When she was about to help herself to some popcorn, a sudden pulsation of an X-shaped vein that appeared on the left side of her head along with an annoyed face graced her features.

"Hm, yeah the popcorn isn't very buttery." Mrs. Stone mutters a bit impressed Wanda didn't need to bite into a kernel to see this.

What surprised the woman was Wanda bolting from her seat and towards the hall as if chasing something. The woman now looks at the popcorn and wonders if there was a small health violation following it.

------------------
(In the Hallway)

"And why are you here when you know you have school today? We're not raising you to be some delinquent!" Wanda shouts. "Well, answer me Wally!"

11-year-old Wally grimaced from the verbal beating his cousin gave to him but chose to stand his ground against the ferocious when furious (especially with him) 19-year-old.

"I… Mia worked real hard and I just want to see if she won't goof." Wally answers. "And Daisuke has a contest later this afternoon-"

"Don't give me that!"

"Madam, if I may digress…" A voice deep masculinity cuts in from behind.

The two cousins turn to face a rather aged man with an old fashioned mustache, who from the looks of the heavy flamboyance he adorned himself in, seemed to be deeply trapped in the long and thankfully forgotten days of noblemen.

Wanda and Wally sweatdrop at the newcomer, or rather the out of nowhere glimmering that appeared around him as he rubs his chin with his fingers.

"Not surprising you'd be overwhelmed by a man of my flair." he began. "But Madam, the tremendous torrents of education is something that follows for an eternity, while the dazzle that follows the blooming of a Contest is something that can only be captured in your heart for so long…"

As neither cousin couldn't find any other action but blink a few times, the flamboyant man continued his speech. "I've witnessed and competed in many Contests in my days and still find the deep pleasure of it. Whether it be one of Pokemon or human, the beginner house always holds that passionate spirit of festive budding beauty!" Tears begin to flow down the man's eyes as he continued. "Sootopolis City, though a place of such deep divinity is denied the access of holding regional Contests of any caliber, so I must travel outside my sacred haven to indulge in the radiance that is such! Surly, this boy pulsates with the serenity of such a truthful resolve and follows it to join in the festivities of the blooming! I commend you boy!"

The man walks up to Wanda and clasps her hands into his own, then gets down onto one knee to finish his actions. "Madam, I humbly beg you, allow this brave young soul to feed his passion!"

He was quite a weirdo, but very much a solid gentlemen. This made the flushed Wanda give into the man's plea, much to Wally's delight, of course.

------------------
(Where the competition is)

"Welcome everyone to today's Intelligence Contest!" The Announcer proclaimed energetically. "We have quite an arrangement of brainy Pokemon and their studious Coordinators all here to duke it out to show us who's the big brain of the beginner house! So, let's give 'em a round of applause!" The audience goes nuts with applause until the Announcer makes a type of sign to calm them down.
"Well," The brunette with silver highlights in her hair continues. "What are we doing standing about! Let the preliminaries begin! Will all Contestants go to their positions?"

The preliminaries itself was a nerve wrecking examination made by the head judge himself.

More or less known as: The Jackass Imperator. This guy is known for his picky attitude, *******-like mannerism and brutal criticism when judging. His glares feel as if he tearing you apart from the inside but regardless of that this man calls it how it is.

-------------
(In the audience)

"Where were you?" Mrs. Stone questions the vexed Wanda.

The 19-year-old quickly takes her seat coming to note that a very nervous Mia stood fixated in her place. It's pretty clear the usually rumored to be spectacular opening ceremony had just passed and she only had one person to thank for that.

The college student irately tugs on Wally's ear gesturing for the woman to ask him.

"Could you quit pulling on my ear already! No one told you to-"

"The only thing your telling me I want in life is to grow old and never have children along the way!" Wanda counters, now pulling on the 11-year-old's cheeks.

"You two are absolutely adorable!" Mrs. Stone chuckles.

"Excuse me but," A rather calm voice from behind responds. "If you wouldn't mind, I'd like to watch this."

Wanda and Mrs. Stone merely tuned to the fellow and looked away. Wally looked to the familiar face that was 13-year-old Pokemon Coordinator Drew and frowned.

"Want something?" The 13-year-old questioned flatly.

"Why are you acting so polite? Not like you need to hide anything."

"Likewise, I don't really have to pay attention to a no talent amateur."

'I really don't like that guy…' The 11-year-old mentally cursed before turning back to the contest.

-----------
(Where the competition is)

So far, he just examined three of the eight contestants and sent them away. Those three Pokemon disqualified were an Alakazam, Banette and Claydol.

Next up was the guy with the Kadabra that keeps giving Jenrya dirty looks.

"Hmm… Those shifty eyes represent a being that's full of surprises… Whether they be good or bad… Pass!"

The Kadabra's trainer named Evan gives a relived sigh while Kadabra smirks at Jenrya.

Jenrya gives his rival a smug look. 'Psh. You only lucked out.' The Phanpy mentally mused before he notices the Head Judge raising an eyebrow at him.

"Hmm… Phanpy are usually seen in Toughness Contests." The Judge comments as he goes straight into the feared bastard mode. "Are you sure you didn't enter the wrong Contest child?"

n-No sir. Jenrya was raised specifically for this one." Mia stutters.

"I see…Taking by the Green Scarf, I'd say you know what you're doing. A first for Coordinators who enter with unorthodox Pokemon."

'Unorthodox?!' Jenrya screams mentally. 'Someone ever tell you that the Nobleman look is out this lifetime?'

The Verdanturf Head Judge then feels the scarf's fabrics. "And it's the real thing too!" The man exclaims as he looks at Jenrya with interest. "Perhaps you may do well, perhaps not."
The man uncaringly continues his onslaught of commenting as he immediately notices the X-shaped vein appearing on the left side of Jenrya's head. "But overall, like true geniuses, you're a smartass. Reminds me of better days… Pass!"

Mia gives a huge sigh of relief while an X-shaped vein continues to pulsate on the side of Jenrya's head.

After eliminating one more contestant, the final four were left which consisted of: Monica, Nick, Evan and Mia.

Now the Contest moved onto Phase two: Crowd approval.

Monica and her Medicham really got the crowd going. Nick and his Haunter awed the crowd with its ghastly nature. Evan and his Kadabra didn't get too much love.

Mia and Jenrya really spiked the audience's interest by not only the unorthodox team but at how intelligent the little baby Elephant Pokemon appeared to be. The indigo-eyed 10-year-old and her cute yet very brainy elephant with the nice green scarf really stole the crowd's attention utterly, sweeping Phase 2.

"Wow! You got so many people to cheer you on…" Evan whispers to Mia. "What type of berries do you use?"

"I…didn't do much…Jenrya's family raised. I only trained with him." Mia sadly answers. Suddenly feeling like she's cheating the other contestants who actually did all their work.

Evan smiles for the shy girl. "Hey, that's ok. But you know what your doing and that's all what counts."

Kadabra angrily narrows his eyes at Jenrya while mentally bending his spoon.

'Stick around slim, I'm only getting started.' Jenrya smugly replies.

The contest now moved into the five part finale of Phase three: Coordinator and Pokemon strutting their stuff in a number of various challenges that test whatever field that they're trying to win.

Monica decided to take advantage of Medicham's hybrid and show how strong she is mentally and physically through heavy meditation and the lifting of certain objects with Psychic earning her a good deal of appeal points.

Aside from the awe/look of interest she earned from the Judge and audience, Medicham's Psychic also doubled as a mind crush to intimidate her rivals.

The action fully startles Kadabra, forcing him to his rear while Evan held his ears in frustration. This costs the duo seven appeal hearts. Haunter simply sinks into the ground leaving his trainer in the same predicament as Evan costing them four appeal points. Jenrya struggles with everything he has to fight off the mind attack, even stomping his feet a few times in the struggle. Mia on the other hand, was plain petrified. This costs them seven appeal hearts.

Nick's Haunter decided to show its exceptional knowledge of Algebra to show how scarily good he is at math but gave many, Wally especially, a headache in the process. The Judge, being a great lover of math rewarded him with many points putting him in the lead.

Kadabra watched this scene with great interest, whereas Medicham realized the Ghost-type's equations were off and yawned in disinterest. The Judge noticed this and took her actions as an act of unprofessional behavior thus, deducted four of her appeal hearts. Jenrya notices the same thing Medicham does and scoffs lightly, the Judge didn't notice the baby elephant's attitude but saw his restlessness and simply withdrew three appeal hearts from him.

Evan's Kadabra tries to use Hypnotism on the Judge and audience to force them to vote for him. The tactic failed and Kadabra ended up hypnotizing himself. Knocking him out for a while. Evan lost a lot of hearts for that one while all his rivals were unscathed.

Finally it was Mia and Jenrya's turn. As she wasn't strong enough to lug it on stage herself, the set-up crew dragged in a rather large stone. The Judge quickly began to criticize Mia's tactic saying: "I have a feeling of what you're going to do. All Pokemon of strength can do this." Mia nods and nervously counters. "He has to in order to complete what he making."

Jenrya, despite the annoyance of the jerk's presence, used Take Down to shatter the outer structure while his truck completed his desired item: A sculpture of Pikachu holding a flag but he ran out of moldable stone and Pikachu's ears were messed up a bit.

Many were interested at the sight. As was the Judge. Not saying anything further, the man deducts three appeal hearts from Mia's rivals for their Pokemon all flinching when the stone fragments flew about the area.

Now, Phase 3 moves onto part two of five: Each Pokemon takes turns trying to destroy a very heavy rock with mental strength. Using any skills used in the rounds prior to this one will be heavily frowned upon…

----------
(Some time later in the audience)

"I don't get it. Why do they look so tense?" Wally asked puzzled after witnessing Monica in action.

"They have to stay on guard because this is the perfect time for their rivals to trip them up. Get with the program." Drew scoffs. "You'll have to get used to your little buddy crying in frustration especially throughout this part. So for now, just be thankful you'll be able to keep up with this sadly laughable low-level of Pokemon Coordination."

An X-shaped vein appears on right side of Wally's head.

"It's low-level, maybe laughable, but only the true Contest enthusiasts can ever grasp the passionate spirit of festive budding beauty that can only come from beginner houses and its competitors." Wanda mimics the bizarre man's saying matter-of-factly.

Drew ignored the 19-year-old while Wally grins widely for her.

"Shh! It's Mia's turn." Mrs. Stone states.

-------------------------
(Where the competition is)

"Jenrya! Use Rock Tomb and form a box around your target. The impact of the shockwave the falling rock will make will be enough to destroy them!" Mia orders her Pokemon.

Jenrya look pale and is sweating.

"…Jenrya? …Are you ok?" The 10-year-old concernedly asked her partner.

Jenrya says nothing. He just continues to breathe heavily.

------------
(In the audience)

The audience begins to look bewildered as they talk amongst themselves.

"w-What's going on? Is he sick?" Wally questions.

"Jenrya was perfectly healthy this morning…" Mrs. Stone counters. "And there's no medical illness on him that I know of…"

"He looks very ill though. Probably those late bugs…" Wanda states.

-----------------------------------
(Where the Contestants are)

"Jenrya?" Mia called her Pokemon again, becoming very worried.

"He'll live." The Verdanturf Head Judge sourly replies. "Now quit stalling and make your Pokemon perform or both of you will be disqualified."

The Announcer looks at the Judge harshly as she addresses him. "Aren't you taking it a bit too far?" she asked. "I mean that Pokemon looks pretty sick. Perhaps we should call the Pokemon Center-"

The Judge glares at the woman before turning his attention back to Mia. "You have until the count of five: Five, Four-"

Mia gives her Pokemon a sad smile. "I won't force you Jenrya… You did well."

Jenrya looks at Mia as though she's crazy.

Despite his sudden illness, the baby elephant builds up his strength and gives a little scream as he summons up four huge boulders, which rises from the ground and floats in mid-air.

"j-Jenrya… Ok… Start the formation!"

Jenrya starts to pull off the very fancy in appearance formation. The boulders suddenly look as though they are struggling within his telekinetic grip.

The little elephant struggles to stay in control, as he also fought the urge to just collapse then and there.

Jenrya gives out an exhausted cough of lost breath before fainting. One of the boulders falls from the formation and into the ground. Had not been for the flamboyant aged-man and his Crawdaunt, the injury count would've been higher than just a few people in the front row.

The three remaining boulders all break away from the formation and land in random areas in the room:
One near the Judge, the other where Wally and co. were, but they all safely moved out of the way again thanks to the work of the flamboyant fellow and his very powerful yet awe-inspiring graceful Pokemon.

And finally, one that threatened to flatten Jenrya.

Mia grabs Jenrya but since he was too heavy for her to carry, all she could do is shield him and die along with him.

That didn't happen though, Evan's Kadabra quickly teleported both Mia and Jenrya to safety while Monica's Medicham used a strong kick to destroy the boulder.

"Hey! You ok?" Evan and Monica scream as they run up to her. Nick and his Haunter remained in their places; they knew they'd receive heavy deductions if they left their places for whatever situation.

"Jenrya! Jenrya!" Mia's calls her Pokemon as she desperately shakes him. "Open your eyes please!"

Jenrya made no response.

The Verdanturf Head Judge walks up to Mia and gives a harsh glare. "I suggest you get him up by the time the intermission ends. It cannot die before this Contest ends. You should be glad I'm not disqualifying you, none the less, arresting you for the damages and destruction you caused."

Mia makes no response; she just hugs Jenrya tightly.

 

[Isaac Gravity]

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

(During the extended intermission)
(Locker room. For Contestants only)

Mia sat on one of the benches; her head hung low with her hair overlaps her eyes. The girl felt absolutely horrid after the events that recently transpired.

"I'm such a fool!" The 10-year-old screams at herself. "I should've thrown in the towel! I knew that Jenrya wanted to go on… but-Why can't I do anything right!" The girl continues her self-demotion as she sniffles.

"Mia there's no point in beating yourself up about it." Monica replied. "No one was seriously injured and you weren't disqualified."

"Also, your Pokemon is doing much better now…" Evan adds as he further tries to lighten the mood. "Kinda weird considering all the craziness and all. Right? Ahahahahahaha-"

Monica glares daggers at Evan making him stop his poor attempt to help.

Mia faces at the duo weakly. "I thank you both. But this all is my fault…"

"Good to see you realize that." Nick confirms. "After all, it was your newb error that caused such a catastrophe! It could've been the tragedy of the Lilycove flower bowl all over again if you were any worse!"

"What's your deal?" Monica growls.

"Only calling it how it is." Nick counters matter-of-factly.

Evan scowls at the fellow competitor. "Well mind "keepin' it real" elsewhere? C'mon, we don't need some pessimist ruining an already sucky mood."

"Pretty big talk for a guy acting so phony." Nick verbally parries. "I bet you're only acting like this to cover up the fact that you tripped the newbie up!"

"Wh- I'd never do something so low!" Evan yells.

Nick continued his onslaught. "Why not? A little psychic attack is all it takes. Just because the amateur had no actually control over her Pokemon from the start is what resulted to this happening."

"I heard enough!" Monica shouts at Nick as she grabs him by his collar. "Look, we don't need sore contestants like you here! Get lost!"

Nick angrily pulls himself from the girl's grip and adjusts his collar while giving her an irate look. "You'd like that wouldn't you? The telltale heart called your conscious actually eating away at you Monica? This wouldn't be the first time that happened. Or do I need to tell the newbie the story of the kid whom you were all chummy with just to-"

"You b*stard!" Monica was already in tears when she was about to punch the boy's lights out but Mia manages to grab her wrist.

"Please stop arguing!" The girl pleas. Mia now turns her full attention to Nick. "You're right, someone probably tripped me up. Or I just can't control my Pokemon at all… Either way this is all my fault…"

Nick looks at Mia dryly. "At least you're admitting it." he replies. "But remember we all could've tripped you up kid; you only have yourself to blame for underestimating the lengths your rivals would go to win as well as your lack of training ability for your unorthodox intelligence Pokemon unable shake it all off."

"Geez, she gets the point man, just lay off already!" Evan shouts.

Another harsh exchange of words was set between the three Coordinators.

Mia didn't stick around for any of it; she just walks out of the locker room.

--------------------
(In the halls)

"What'd you say?" Wally screams at Drew.

"You heard me." The 13-year-old spoke. "One of her opponents tripped her up… though this is perfectly legal-"

"Well come on! We have to find out who did this and report it!"

"Why?"

"What part of cheating don't you get?"

"What part of what I said weren't you listening to?" Drew snaps at the boy. "In any case this isn't your problem so why waste your time pondering on it?"

Wally didn't say anything at first but he began to think of all the knowledge the younger girl had on contests not to mention how hard she prepared for it…

The boy then thought about the part of equal importance to him…

"I care because…I care…" Wally mummers. "Because it's my duty to watch over things and protect my friends!"

The 11-year-old's words made Drew raise an eyebrow.

"Forget I even talked you!" Wally snorts. "This is something I should be doing for myself anyway!"

Drew just watches the boy go while shaking his head at the boy's naivety.

The 13-year-old was slightly taken aback when the 11-year-old actually stopped in his place to face him once again.

"I almost forgot." Wally began. "Everyone starts out ridiculous at first, but that all changes when you become experienced enough through hard work! People like you are just afraid of growing talent!

"You still think you're talented?" The 13-year-old smirks. "When I see that, then I'll submit to it."

"Just don't lose track grooming your Pokemon to forget your battling skills. You're stronger than me now, but I'll most definitely catch up to you sooner than you think."

And with that, Wally walks away. Drew really didn't want to admit it, but even if a lot of trainers are trash talking weakling guys like that made the world Pokemon competition very amusing…

…A good laugh or two can always be thrown from their alley…

------------
(A bit later)
(Further down the hall)

"Man, for such a small looking place it's really hard to find your way…" Wally gripes aloud.

As the 11-year-old's feet kept plowing forward while his eyes continued to study everything it shifted their view, the outcome of the petite boy being knocked to his rear due to collision wasn't out of eventuality.

What he collided into is another story…

"Hm, the impact wasn't even that great a force, you really are as frail as they claim you to be aren't you?" The familiar voice of Steven Stone greets solemnly. The Hoenn Champion ignored the harsh look Wally tossed him, to finish drying his hands with a paper towel and immediately dispose of it. "In any case, I never knew non-Pokemon related educational facilities even allowed such field trips- Is something wrong?"

"What the hell are you anyway? Here you are lounging about when your own sister needs all the support she can get!"

"Oh?" Was Steven's response before turning away.

"Oh- Is that all you're gonna say?! Hey!"

"I told you before, the Stone family is a powerful bloodline which holds countless eras of great success and fortune as its backing. However, Mia is an oddity as she lacks even the most minimal of standards. I'm here only for business."

Though the Hoenn Champion would easily admit the official Champion only business" the League sent him on wasn't something he was too keen on doing either…

Being Hoenn Champion did prove to have its mighty quirks he figured… As much as he didn't really care for how commercialized the League tried to make such an important rank like Regional Champion look, they did need to make their income for all their events somehow…

Yet of all the things the League could endorse why this?

It's bad enough that Glacia, the second-ranked Elite Four member whose he's not on good terms with period kept teasing him about the manner, while fourth-ranked Sidney just kept trying to get him to try and smuggle him in or at most bring something back…
The third-ranked Elite Phoebe she… well, the rather beautiful Hawaiian-clad 19-year-old was just furious with him about it all. Only adding ammunition to Glacia's taunts.

Only Drake seemed to show no concern about the situation… Well, if a light pat on the back is not caring.

Steven regains focus to give Wally a cold glare at the corner of his eyes.

"Seeing my younger sibling in a Contest is nothing of any real significance. No matter how much of a lost cause she is, she's a Stone and that proud bloodline has to amount to something."

With that, the Hoenn Champion continued to walk away.

"… … I don't think I'll ever understand…" Wally mutters. "I don't have siblings and always felt lonely until I got to stay with Wanda. Kids who have siblings always say how much they wish they were alone simply because they bug them… Wanda tends to tease and pick on me from to time and I can really get on her nerves on that same ratio but- Do you hate your sister that much you'd stand by while she cries?" Wally questioned in a shaky voice. "Can you even look at yourself in the mirror and still call yourself a man when it's all over?! I lost respect for you! Hoenn Champion!"

"I thought it was you who was supposed to be watching over things? Isn't that what Hiromi designated and what you consented to?"

It was this and the comment about whether it was he who couldn't handle his responsibilities that made the 11-year-old freeze in his place.

"Despite what beliefs you hold, I really am here as a League representative. Yet at the same time," The Hoenn Champion continued. "Mia cannot have her hand held all the time. She chose on her own accord to prove to us she's not what she used to be. Though I personally have my own, more effective ways of testing this, I'll leave Mother to her ways, you to yours and Mia to her proposed path through Hiromi."

With nothing more to be said, Steven walked down the halls until he was out of site. Before he left though, a pair of keys fell from his pockets and to the floor. To Wally this was obviously intentional as he could've easily took note of the jingling noise of falling keys as well as the fact the removal of the keys from the pocket looked a bit forced.

Wally tossed the exiting fellow an annoyed expression from his over-obviousness. But there should be some worth to these things if he would do such a thing…

For his sake, the boy pondered, it better not be his house keys…

-------------------
(Sick Room)

'So stupid!' Jenrya mentally raged. "How could I have been so careless? Even if it was some stupid little trick to slip me up, I shouldn't have suc***bed so horribly to it! Especially after all my training! I was supposed to be prepared for anything… WHATEVER WAS TOSSED AT ME I SHOULD'VE-"

The baby elephant calmed down as soon as he realized Mia slowly entered the room. Jenrya originally wanted to pay no heed to the child, but felt the light feel of the 10-year-old's right hand softly rubbing his head.

"Jenrya… Please forgive me…" A teary-eyed Mia pleads softly to the very surprised baby elephant. "You're amazing every way but I'm not talented enough to even hide behind your strength right…"

A weak smile now falls upon the girl's face making Jenrya worry. "I know you might hate me, but I knew we'd lose…" she replied to the Pokemon's shock. "That's just… the usual end result when it comes to me… I'm a complete and utter waste of space… May-san could've at least took me with her so I could've found some use with as a shield!"

Mia cries out the question of why can't she also be anything of value before falling to her knees with loud aching sobs of pain and self-loathing.

Jenrya, on the other hand, still had a hard time trying to digest what he just witnessed. This matter went from the blame game to being a book without value. The baby elephant slowly picked himself up to look at the sobbing Mia with a pained expression.

'Why are you crying like that? Shouldn't I be the one in that position! I screwed up! I want to cry more than you, hell, had you not entered I'd be crying like a baby! But I still want to compete!' Jenrya continued to watch the girl cry until all feeling of sympathy was washed away by bitterness. 'You coward… So this is the real you huh? Tsk, what a troublesome waste!'

Jenrya turns away from Mia, taking note of Wanda's entrance but simply ignores her. Mia felt things couldn't get any worse for her. Even if the 19-year-old's entrance made her loud sobs simmer into light sniffling, tears were still being shed.

Wanda sighs lightly as she made her way into the room, quickly trying to loosen Jenrya's defenses with soft petting, muttering aloud "He showed signs of someone whose stressed out." in hopes it'd calm the crying girl but to no avail.

The 19-year-old heaves a small sigh when Jenrya pulled himself from her light hold.

"You and that girl… You must really hate her huh?"

Wanda shrugs when Mia stops sniffling long enough to face her with slightly crossed expression.

"All I'm saying is that a part of you must really be happy that she's not there to overshadow you anymore. What was it called…" Wanda trails off. "Oh! A sidekick complex or something… Whatever it is you have the spotlight now kiddo."

"I-I never! I would never wish harm to May-san!" Mia protests, now back on her feet. "sh-She's done too much for me to think like that…"

"But that can't stop you from being jealous of her, or be ready to curse her existence for not completing you correct?" Wanda counters knowingly.

Time itself felt like it had stopped for the 10-year-old. Even Jenrya's interest were caught as he no clue where the 19-year-old was going with this.

When Mia finally regains her senses, she still denied Wanda's findings. The college student simply rebuked: if that's the case, then she shouldn't treat the commentary like a criminal offense has just been committed.

Wanda shortly regretted saying this when Mia, her eyes swelling with a fresh batch of tears while on the brink of a nervous breakdown, was still denying her words.

Sure, he was angry with the 10-year-old, he saw as her as selfish and weak, but not even Jenrya could stand for her suffering like this. What he didn't expect however, was the seemingly antagonistic 19-year-old to wrap the girl in a warm hug.

This resolve even made Mia halt her actions.

Not a sound was made from either party for the short-lived moment the embrace took place.

"I'm so weak…" Mia sniffles. "Even now, all I can do is accept someone's pity… May-san isn't like that though… She's so strong, compassionate and beautiful it's no surprise why my family prefer someone so amazing over a worthless book…"
Mia shook lightly, failing the battle to hold back her tears. "May-san always denied that but we both know its true! I'm useless and always in need of help when it really counts! That's why she left me behind to end up like this… having me there-"

"Is calling yourself useless a new way to deny you were only being steered from harms way?" The 19-year-old questioned. "Wally's like that too, he always gets so upset with me when I'm only looking out for his well being. Sure, things can get rocky between us, but if I was ever given the opportunity to go back in time to choose a younger sibling… Wally would be my choice every time… You're really lucky to have such a loving surrogate older sister, don't let ugly feelings and some misunderstanding come between that."

"…May-san…wh-Why couldn't she trust me enough…" Mia quivered.

"Because she wants you to live and be strong." Wanda answered. "How can you desire trust from others if you can't even confide in yourself enough to simply see a Contest through to the very end? C'mon you can't be THAT selfish to see who you're really betraying here."

Wanda broke her hug with the indigo-eyed 10-year-old to allow her to make the final decision.

Mia took some time to consider her actions, but when the announcement of her Contest going resume in fifteen minutes the 10-year-old walked over towards Jenrya to hug him lightly. Only muttering something about not being able to run away anymore.

Jenrya really didn't know what to make of this girl. The best thing to do, is go with the objective created for him by Mrs. Stone no matter what and thus, allowed himself to be recalled into his Safari Ball.

Wanda smiled lightly as she watched Mia leave the room. Now the 19-year-old only had to solve the task of where the heck did Wally run off?

-----------------
(Twenty minutes later)

"Ladies and Gentlemen!" The brunette Announcer with the silver highlights in her hair begins her speech. "Due to… an error of sorts and a nasty little delay on our setup crew's part, we decided to move straight to Phase three part five! We hope that both Coordinator and Pokemon are ready for this final challenge!"
A man from the set-up crew walks up the Announcer and mutters something in her ears forcing her to pale. "Umm… Cough! Ladies and Gentlemen, we are still running through some errors so why don't we just give a round of applaud for our four final contestants once more huh?"

The crowd does such, as Nick with his Haunter, Monica with her Medicham, Evan with his Kadabra and finally Mia with Jenrya all walk out onto the stage for some pulled out of nowhere questionnaire's from the Announcer who mentally sobbed this is a low point in her career.

----------
(In the audience)

Wanda walks into the partially repaired room to notice the audience number has been drastically reduced. Only those with true Contest spirit (and didn't have to be rushed to the hospital) stuck around to see the outcome of this once in a lifetime chain of events.

Of course, the 19-year-old could see the flamboyant aged-man eagerly awaiting the event in the front row. Surrounding him were other enthusiasts, all female, who seemed to be more interested in him than in the Contest itself.

"So you haven't forgotten about little old me." Mrs. Stone seethed from behind.

Wanda faces the woman only to sweatdrop nervously when seeing her eyes were nearly demonic yet were flowing with tears, while a large X-shaped vein pulsated on the right side of her head.

"Well, I hope loads of fun came along with wherever you swingin' kids ran off to so this old fossil wouldn't drag ya down!" The woman sniffles. She then gestures to an annoyed looking Drew who silently sipped on a soda. "If it wasn't for this very sweet young man, I probably would've died of loneliness! It's good to see someone tolerates their elders enough to spend time with them when they're worrying for their daughter!"

"i-It's not like that at all!" Wanda stutters. "Wally just wandered off somewhere and I was looking for him! He is my responsibility after all."

Mrs. Stone stared at the college student suspiciously but sighed lightly. "Well, I'm sure he'll turn up." she changes the subject. "We should just get to our seats."

The audience all share surprise when the final event of Intelligence is revealed as a huge maze.

 

[Isaac Gravity]

Cont
---------------
(Where the contestants are)

"You Coordinators may not be the best there is yet. But each and every one of you has been through much with your Pokemon. Now after all of your training, all of your teamwork and trust it's time to put it to good use. For Part five you Coordinators have no control over…Your Pokemon alone can decide their fate."

Jenrya felt a bit unsure yet was ready to go all out if. A lone trickle of sweat rolled down Mia as she began to really consider what she was up against this round.

"Sorry for interruption everyone, but I have an important message I need to relay to a person who I know is about to wimp out!" Wally's voice bellows over an intercom.

Thanks to this foreign announcement, all activity within Contest house came to a close. Mia herself noticed the familiarity of the voice and prayed the message was for someone else… It had to be! Why would he go out of his way for…

-----------------------------------
(In the audience)

"What's that idiot doing?" Drew critiques.

"Better question: How'd he get there." Wanda twitches.

"Such a caring boy." Mrs. Stone mused in a soft voice.

This left Drew and Wanda to look at the woman with exasperated expressions.

-----------------------------------------
(Where the contestants are)

"Mia, after all that know-it-all trash you spat out you better not flake out or I'll never let you live this down!" Wally continues through the intercom. "Big deal, you made a mistake that almost wiped out the entire room but you seriously better dry your tears, grow a backbone and take some responsibility! We all believe in you so… stop being such a spoiled little crybaby and just win this!"

"But I'm not crying…" Mia mummers rather annoyed, trying to hide the pink tints on her cheek. Jenrya simply scoffs to that.

"Thank you young man, I'm sure your little girlfriend must be really invigorated for success now." The guy who usually works the intercom comments dryly. "In other announcements, our annual beauty pageant will be postponed until further notice. I apologize for all those this has unconvinced, thank you."

Despite Wally's further arguments and the threat of security guards on the worker's part, all intercom feed went dead. Leaving the room in an awkward silence.

Aside from Mrs. Stone, who thought the matter was cute and the flamboyant aged-man who now considered Wally even more commendable for not only wishing to indulge in passionate spirit of festive budding beauty of the beginner houses, but the entrancing dance of the Luvdisc has smitten him with a contestant who he now rallies with words of deep-seated passion! Only in the beginner house can events like these take place he proudly proclaims.

The remainder of the room bared a mixture of amused, annoyed, exasperated or embarrassed faces. (Wanda was definitely going to kill the boy should he dare show himself for a while.)

Mia's feelings were with the majority. She just wished she could somehow turn into Zubat and fly far away…

As her dreams weren't going to become a reality anytime soon, Mia hesitantly opened her eyes and stared wide into the still, lost in their own perceptions audience.

The 10-year-old's indigo-eyes widen when for a split second, she could've sworn she saw Steven standing by the door giving her a stern expression along with a confiding nod before going about his business.

"Even you Onii-chan?" Mia mutters. "…Even if you refuse to watch me… I-I won't… I won't run away!"

'So this is the real you…' Jenrya mentally confirmed. 'I really don't know why you look down on yourself Mia, it's really not acceptable for your health… Ok, let's start this over again. I'll give you infinite shots if you give me mine!'

"Well, today is just one surprise after another!" The Announcer sweatdrops. "Now without further ado! Pokemon take their place! On your mark…"

'Here goes…' Jenrya mentally growls. Mia just gives a determined yet nervous look.

"Ready set Go!"

All four Pokemon ran into the maze. The first obstruction in each of their path was a movable log.

Haunter just went right through the log while Kadabra used his psychic abilities to topple down the log. Medicham merely jumped over it while Jenrya had to use his own brute strength so he could squeeze himself in.

Jenrya failed to note how much strength he put into removing the offending obstacle. The log went flying somewhere into the third row where luckily, people possessed the common sense to run.

Once in the maze, the path broke off three ways: Left right and straight.

Haunter decided to sink into the ground while giving a smug little laugh. Medicham ignored her rival's taunt and ran through the left path, Kadabra walked into the right path before he decided to sit down and meditate.

'Ok left is taken and right never steers you correct so the best path is forward! Jenrya deduced as he runs down the path and sees a dead end. 'No good! Well, I'm just gonna have to use what my folks passed onto me and make my own path!'

Jenrya picks up speed until he was able to build the momentum needed to curl himself into ball and perform the bane to Pokemon Gold, Silver and Crystal players everywhere known as Rollout.

With the power of this mighty move, Jenrya was able to plow straight through the walls until he caught up with Haunter.

Haunter just looked at the baby elephant Pokemon with a bit of amusement before both were plowed down by a Psychic attack made by Medicham.

"Ladies first!" Medicham yells as she rushed by.

"Believe me after that you're no lady!" Jenrya sarcastically comments. The Haunter tries to laugh but he's in way too much pain after that blow.

Jenrya, despite his nervousness about using it, performed Rock Tomb to quickly block Medicham's path.

Haunter recovered from the attack and attempts to go through the rocks giving another one of his annoying laughs.

"You mind?" Jenrya asked Medicham slightly aggravated.

"Gladly." The Psychic/Fighting hybrid responds, launching another Psychic that successfully K.Oes Haunter time.

Medicham then tries to move the rocks but it won't budge, Jenrya then tries to help.

"What'd you do?" she screams at the baby elephant.

"Like I'd know my own strength. I'm only six months old!"

"How dare you snap at me like that! Respect your elders!"

Jenrya rolls his eyes. "Psh. You're my elder yet not even you can get out of this? I guess it's what they say huh Grandma? Age really doesn't necessarily mean you'll gain experience."

Medicham was so worked up about Jenrya's nasty attitude that she subconsciously punched on the rocks quickly destroying them.

Though this surprised the Psychic/Fighting hybrid herself; it doesn't stop her from acting proud.

"Ha, see that? That's been raw talent. Something you'll be able to obtain when you're a little older." she then runs off.

'Sometimes you just have to trick 'em…' Jenrya thinks to himself as he sighs.

Jenrya ran through the remainder of the maze and was out of breath as he exited. When the baby elephant Pokemon reached the finish line Kadabra and Medicham was waiting for him.

"With Phanpy out of the maze and Haunter out of action I'd say the final event is over!" The Announcer proclaimed. "Now it's time to tally up those lovely results-"

"There is no need." The Verdanturf Head Judge cuts the woman off. "I already had the conclusions since the beginning. Shall all contestants come here?"

All four contestants walk up to the Judge. "You all should feel practically proud of yourselves. The crowd seems to love you and in my eyes you all seem…adequate. But only one shall be crowned victor here:"

Being true to his title, the Verdanturf Head Judge was painfully harsh but true on his result:

Due to his sloppiness and untimed teamwork, Evan and his Kadabra nicknamed Third-Eye claimed fourth.

Earning third was Mia and Jenrya the Phanpy on the charges of: destroying property! Reckless behavior, and even after all that still owning the nerve to continue to compete!
…And that was very commendable in his book. Moreover, the fandom the indigo-eyed 10-year-old and the unorthodox Intelligence Contest creature made for themselves more than won fan approval.

Monica and her Medicham nicknamed Medli earned second place. They were a solid team that needs a bit more polish in their actions.

Finally, Nick and his Haunter nicknamed Casper took home the crown. To the Judge, Evan seems to understand the ways of the world… he knows what a man must do to be on top.

Before handing him the ribbon the Judge suggests he go out power-up his Pokemon more.

---------------------------------------------
(In the audience)

"Oh Mia…" Mrs. Stone sadly mumbles.

"She did her best…" Wanda compliments. "I guess they just feel that the damages are Mia's fault and it make the Contest House look bad if she won… But also they'd look dishonest if they were to just disqualify her for something she couldn't prevent."

Drew considered Wanda's words for a moment before giving a little shrug and goes about his business.

--------------------------------------------
(Where the Contestants are)

Mia's hair overlaps her eyes as she spoke…Oddly enough…she was smiling. "…It's funny…I lost, but I don't feel bad at all… I do feel a bit crossed but-"

"It's a feeling you get when you know you gave it your all but still couldn't make it." Evan smiles. "You did your best and you should have no regrets."

"Yup, There's always a next time." Monica agrees.

"Fortunately, my next time won't be in this stinkin' excuse for a Contest House." Nick adds.

Monica and Evan give the victor with a bitter face.

"Man, do you always have to be such an ass about these things? Confriggingrats you actually won for a change!" Evan mock congratulates.

"Seriously, we don't need sore winners killing what little there's left of the word sportsmanship." Monica agrees in disgust.

"I expected you slackers to say something so petty." Nick grins.

The cool trainer reveals to the trio, his badge collection case which treats as a multi-layer Contest Ribbon holder. The only items within it so far were ribbons for Normal level Beauty, Coolness, Cute and Tough Contests respectively.

Along with the ribbon won today… well, the cards were on his table.

"You see this? Five symbols of psychical acknowledgement! The Intelligence Contest format took me a bit longer to grasp, but today's end result proved I'm way above this kiddie corrals standards. Much more to be said than your two-won-by-a fluke ribbons Monica or that Contest failure's Evan's zilch!"
Nick gives the boy a little sneer. "Hey Evan, news flash: You got surpassed by an utter green and this is what? Her first Contest?"

Kadabra moves in front of his trainer defensively. Haunter responds to this by also going in front of his trainer and levitates higher in the air to fully grasp the intimidating effect his looming. Jenrya irately uses Rock Tomb to summon a large boulder between the two.

The eyes of the contestants now shifted to Mia who held the same expression of a lesser extent to that of her Pokemon.

Seeing the baby elephant's precise use of the move reminded them of that nasty incident which brought the hostility to how it is now.

"Why are you staring? It's a Contest and tripping rivals up is apart of this event." Mia replies calmly. "I relied too much on Jenrya's strength and that was the reason to this end result. The real one who needs more training in the end is me…"

"To keep up with me newbie, that won't be enough, but you have a better chance of leaving this dump than Evan does." Nick scoffs.

"That's what you may say, I'm a loser. I don't care what you think of me, I hardly know you. I try not to allow the words of others bother me anymore…" The 10 year-old responds.

The cool trainer shrugs and with his Haunter named Casper, makes his leave.

"Ha, he won't get far." Monica tries to comfort Evan who shrugs it off. "Actually winning ribbons aren't as easy as he makes it. You learn more from your losses than you'll ever do a win."

Evan then makes a joke of him only becoming a full-fledged Coordinator only three months ago.

Mia mostly plays the listening role as she slowly bust surely immersed herself within the duo's conversation.

'Way to go Mia! You took the matter a lot better than I would if I were in your position.' Jenrya mentally confirms. 'I guess it's like they say: Great mind really do think for themselves.'

------------------------------------------
(Much later in the day)

The crowd cheers wildly as Drew and his Pokemon are announced victorious in today's Coolness Contest. The 13-year-old flicks back his hair proudly, making his fangirls go into a greater frenzy.

-------------------------------------------
(In the audience)

"What a show stopper! That boy is definitely going places in the contest world!" Mrs. Stone proclaims. "I wonder if that young man would be interested in a sponsor?"

"Looks like that kid wasn't just talk." Wanda mutters. "And Daisuke couldn't even make past the preliminaries…"

"Kinda saw it coming but we should rally our friends all the same." Wally smiles. "Guess we're all a bunch of losers."

"Speak for yourself." Wanda scoffs.

Mia steals a glance at Wally but he was too busy arguing with Wanda to notice. The 10-year-old then turns to her overly exuberant Mother with a small smile.

-------------------------------------------
(Later that evening)

The group consisting of Mia, Wally, Mrs. Stone and Wanda all stood outside of Wally's Aunt and Uncle's home.

Mrs. Stone gives Mia a tight hug. "You're becoming even more confident and beautiful every time I see you!"

"Mum…" Mia mutters embarrassed. The girl then holds up the Safari Ball containing Jenrya. "I suppose you might want to take Jenrya back…Since I…"

Mrs. Stone looks at Mia blankly before smiling warmly at her. "Mia, Jenrya is your Pokemon partner now. Besides, you heard that Judge, there's still a lot of contests open for you to enter. No matter what happens, I'll always be proud of you. Like I am for you right now."

"Mum…"

"But try to win at least one contest 'kay?" Mrs. Stone winks.

Mia sweatdrops. That was her Mom all right.

"Oh right!" The cheerful woman realizes as she pulls out a Great Ball. "This is for Maymay. Inside is a well-trained Pokemon specifically meant to balance her team. She only has about three Pokemon right?"

Mia nods. "May-san will come back to us Mum."

"That right! So I'm leaving you with another hefty task! Say "hi" for Maymay for me! Oh-" Mrs. Stone cuts herself off to address Wanda with a cat-like smile. "You can't hide anything from me… Earlier today I caught a whiff of a very expensive men's musk around you. You should've told me you were acquainted with a celebrity like the legendary Juan the Charming Deep rather than try to keep him all for yourself…"

He was just some very bizarre Contest-hyped Casanova. Sure, he was quite the gentleman, but was the reasons Mrs. Stone just gave the real reasons for the treatment he got from everyone around there?

And he, a massive celebrity in the Pokemon world…

Wanda turned completely red in the face much to Wally's enjoyment. Mrs. Stone chuckles at this as well and gives her final goodbyes before fully entering her Limo and giving the word to her chauffeur to go.

As the dust cleared Wanda slaps the grinning Wally upside the head. "This doesn't excuse you embarrassing yourself and Mia!" she snaps.

"You change moods quickly." Wally mutters sourly. Forcing his cousin to give a content look. "Yeah, that'll work. Wally, for your actions today you have to do my chores for the rest of the month."

"Yeah right!"

"Quite showy now aren't we? Ok, so I'll just have to call your parents and tell them their son is becoming a delinquent."

Wally paled when he heard this. Wanda quickly runs into the house, goading Wally to give chase.

The 11-year-old chases after Wanda to work some kind of deal. The boy stops himself as soon as he reaches the door to turn back to Mia and toss her a pair of keys, much to her confusion.

"Whenever your brother decides to show up, give him those." Wally replies, trying to look cool while doing so. "I couldn't get anywhere in that place with his house keys."

Wally now runs through the door and after Wanda leaving Mia to stand there in contemplation. It didn't take the indigo-eyed 10-year-old to gather an understanding of what her friend-of-a-friend stated.

Muffling a little giggle to herself, Mia counts her blessings to be around such interesting people before staring into the beautiful blue sky.

----------------------------------------------
(Dewford Island)
(Dewford Gym)

13-year-old Brendan Birch, who had bandages wrapped about his body, slowly awakened in a bed foreign to him. The first face he sees is that of Brawly's assistant Emily.

Emily's face brightens when she realizes the snow colored hair boy finally recovers.

"BRWALY, ROXANNE! GET IN HERE! HE'S FINALLY AWAKE!" The Battlegirl cries.

----------------------------------------------
(Sometime later)

"Sorry about the wait little dude." Brawly grins, pointing to Roxanne. "But Roxanne has a thing about having her schoolmates see how hot she looks in a swimsuit."

Emily irately smacks her friend upside the head for that comment while Roxanne rolls her eyes.

It seems like Brawly wasn't lying. The 15-year-old prodigy was only wearing a long sleeve white school shirt that went down to her knees.

"Brendan, I never think I'd see the day when you'd act so recklessly." Roxanne comments in an indifferent tone.

Brendan gives the Rustboro Gym Leader a hardened glare. "I'm surprised to see you outside school walls."

"It was for oceanic study reasons, try doing the same."

Emily started to get a weird vibe that the two didn't really like each other. Either that, or this just how students at that stuck-up, high in the sky, I'm so much better than you school treat each other on a normal basis.

"In any case…" Brawly replies calmly. "We came to that Island to train. But instead we get a ravaged resort covered in a mist with those Aqua guys running about…"

"We were quite surprised when we heard them tell us in our faces about leaving a blacklist to meet his end." Emily adds.

"This is why I think your actions are unacademy-like." Roxanne points out. "Those two Aqua members almost seemed to pity you despite you getting yourself labeled an enemy."

"She's right kid." Brawly agrees. "You and your Pokemon almost bought the farm if you know what I mean, hadn't they warned us. Just goes to show the ways of the sea are always a forgiving mistress."

Despite the seriousness of the situation the Dewford Gym Leader couldn't help but crack a joke at his fellow Gym Leader's expense. "Roxanne almost went livid when we found you and your Pokemon the way we did."

"I just wanted to make sure someone who's representing the superiority Rustboro Pokemon Academy students have over other trainers doesn't do anything shameful to our name!" Roxanne snaps. "He still has to prove me wrong morally not just in battle."

Brendan felt a bit guilty at the moment, but quickly forgot that feeling when he winced in pain.

"Hey, take it easy!" Emily panicked. "You're going to be out of action for quite some time so I suggest you get comfy."

"Just holler if you need anything." Brawly cheerfully replies while walking out of the room. Emily and Roxanne shortly follow him.

"Roxanne." Brendan calls out to the Gym Leader dejectedly.

The 15-year-old stops in her place and turns to the 13-year-old. She gestures to the others that she'll catch up.

"Yes?"

Brendan grits his teeth but swallows his pride. "Are the Custom Tactics really a necessary factor in battle?"

Roxanne looked a bit surprised he asked such a question but knew the answer. "Not at all." she answers earnestly. "The Custom Tactics are just a type of proof of the powerful talents within the trainer world. Most think of the Custom Tactics as a kind of gimmick and shun those who wield them."

Roxanne takes note of the rather melancholy look on Brendan's face but finishes her words. "I believe they're just jealous though…"

Those last lines were what made the snow colored hair boy face the 15-year-old prodigy with a bewildered face.

"Let me guess?" Roxanne grins proudly. "You felt like that a bit when you saw Hiromi and others who you didn't think much of wield this power huh? I wouldn't be surprised…" The Gym Leader continued with a shrug. "The other students were insane with envy but still try to force themselves to harness that talent…"

"Not really." Brendan admits. "It's just…they seem so powerful…almost completely unstoppable…"

"Every fortress no matter how mighty has its weak spots Brendan." Roxanne replies knowingly. "Though I believe you have talent to be able to do a Custom Tactic… I believe it's even more impressive if you can use what you have in front of you to defeat them. That was the lesson I taught Hiromi when we fought. I may have lost my cool in the heat of it all but I believe I made my point… As she made hers…"

Brendan couldn't argue that. After her loss to the prodigy, May took the whole aspect of Pokemon training more seriously. And after their rematch Roxanne's attitude had changed quite a bit too when Brendan came back to the Rustboro Gym a few months back to battle for his badge.

Though taking her test was still of top priority; to Roxanne, every opponent who passes her exams regardless of whom you are, counts.

"I'll be in Dewford for a while." Roxanne announced. "Get better soon and we could probably go swimming together."

"Maybe." Brendan chuckles.

Roxanne grins warmly for her fellow academy student and tosses him his headband before turning to leave.

Brendan watched the Gym Leader go as her words ran on his thoughts.

"Right, I said I went out here to show myself what I can do…" The boy spoke aloud. "I should really start doing such! Ragnarok, MacSlasher, Ringo, Aero Adler, Roxx… it's time to see where our true potential really lie!"

---------------------------------------------
(A couple of days later)
(Mossdeep City)

Steven Stone stood in front of his locked door in frustration.

Holding the rumored misplaced Verdanterf Contest House master key-set in his hands, the 19-year-old could only rub his temples, wondering how the most ugly of mistakes usually befall only the most mighty of men…

End Chapter 15
---------------------------------

11/27/05- Of all the Chapters I had to rewrite, this Chapter was by far one of the hardest and most time consuming… But none the less, we unleashed a potential that should've been so let us together unleash the true potential of Story Arc 3 and the story!

Next Chapter we get to see how much Story Arc 3 has really improved with new two chapters! (The one coming up after this one is a chapter I worked on halfway but stopped, as I couldn't figure a way to squeeze it into the storyline. Until now.)

(Notes)
1. Again, much similar to chapter 13, the Pokemon are talking to each other in their tongue but since it's just them I translated it into English beats silent gestures especially since I like Jenrya's attitude.

2. "Jenrya picks up speed until he was able to build the momentum needed to curl himself into ball and perform the bane to Pokemon Gold, Silver and Crystal players everywhere known as Rollout." -Remember this quote?: C'mon, the most difficult thing (if only defendable thing) about G/S/C was the fight with Whitney's Miltank. This fight was especially vexing if you were like you're truly and wings it through games.

Next- Chapter 16- Pretty Nurse!

 

[Isaac Gravity]

Disclaimer- I don?t own Pokemon or anything else.
------------

(Oldale Town)

Max quietly trudged out of his elementary school by his lonesome. Though all of his classmates had agreed on a boys vs. girls game of dodgeball in the playground he much rather?Err? well considering everything he really just didn?t want to be the human shield or sacrificial piece in the game.

The 8-year-old would much rather bide his time away watching old Pokemon tourney tapes and analyze every second of each glorious battle, or just criticize the more incompetent trainers lack of talent and openly commenting what they should be doing.

?OY Max!? The voice of Danielle calls out to the boy.

When Max hears the familiarity of the rather annoying voice he continues along his way completely forgetting the neon pink-haired 13-year-old?s speed.

Danielle runs in front of the 8-year-old and gives him a playful grin. ?Is that anyway to treat friends??

?Provided you were my friend.? Max scoffs. This forces the persistent girl to walk alongside him.

?How can you not want a super cute girl like me as your friend??

Max ignores the 13-year-old and attempts to make a run for it. He noticed that Danielle wasn?t pursing him and shortly learned why after he crashed into Umi Furu.

The chestnut-haired 16-year-old moved back slightly watching Max fall on his back as his PokeNav rolled out from his pockets.

Danielle picks up the object and examines it mock-curiously.

?Give that back!? Max demands. ?A really respectable person gave me that!?

Danielle begins to enjoy using her size to keep the small boy from reaching his precious item.

?Danielle give the kid his toy back.? Umi sighs. The neon pink-haired girl grumbles a bit as she uncaringly drops the item in Max?s hands.

?It?s not a toy!? Max growls.

?In any case?? The 16-year-old continues. ?Since your Prof. Birch?s errand boy we?d like to ask you a favor.?

Max remembered the last time these two tried to ask a ?favor? this is what forced the boy to pull away. Umi quickly grabs the retreating 8-year-old by the arms and pulls him closer to her.

?Why are you running?? The 16-year-old questions in a harsh tone. ?This could be as beneficial to you as well.?

?LET ME GO!? Max yells loud enough to get the attention of nearby residents.

A few people, mostly parents witnessing the scene, angrily walk over to the trio. Danielle smirks muttering something about groundings needing to return to the earth and calls out her Sandslash.

The hedgehog Pokemon quickly tosses dirt at all the threats making them stop in their tracks to attend to their eyes.

Max figured as much; this was why he was glad he spent time around May.

Though he particularly didn?t like the girl, in situations like these, her erratic behavior made her quite wiry. She?d use everything and anything around her as a weapon.

With this as his mindset, Max grabbed onto Umi?s arm and bit her. With the older teen taken care of Max quickly swings his backpack at Danielle, knocking her to the ground.

The 8-year-old now makes a break for it. Danielle?s Sandslash follows suite.

Danielle sits up and rubs her nose. ?That little??

?Let it go and call back your Pokemon.? Umi replies. ?He won?t get too far.?

---------------
(A few weeks later)
(Fallarbor Town Pokemon Center Second Floor)

?Ok, Pokemon status ok. Trainer conformation status, all green. Pokemon to be traded: Seviper. Ponyta.? A trainer?s relation receptionist confirms. ?Will both parties please insert your Trainer I.Ds into the card slot.?

13-year-old Brendan Birch and a guy in a bizarre monster outfit both do as they are told, allowing the computer to successfully finalize any all needed information on either trainer and the swapped party members.

When the words: ?Transfer Complete? appeared on the screen the receptionist clasps her hands together happily.

?And so, by the art of trading two seemly different people have come closer together.? The woman smiles. ?Yet another big win for the Trainers relation club!?

?And an bigger win for me!? The guy in the bizarre monster outfit laughs.

?So, now that you got what you wanted?? Brendan replies to the fellow. ?Are you going to hold your end of the bargain??

?Eh? Oh right!? The fellow remembered before addressing Brendan more seriously. ?Are you sure you want to know??

Brendan nods.

When the receptionist heard that she paled; paled right before that emotion of anxiety turned into annoyance. ?Don?t tell me you tricked another person to trade with you by telling them about that place! It?s only an urban legend in these parts!?

?THE WORDS THAT FALL FROM MY MOUTH ARE NEVER LIES!!!? The fellow shouts very seriously. ?Chameleon Falls are very true! But it only takes the most vigilant of souls have been able to truly seek out this spring. Unfortunately I haven?t been dubious enough in my efforts to see this it for myself.?

?So it?s a spring now?? The receptionist scoffs. ?Last time you said it was like a fountain of youth full of beautiful nymphs and even has a lady of lake who grabs foolish men to drown.?

The man narrows his eyes at the woman but gives his end of the bargain. ?Chameleon Falls is a hidden spring situated within Mt. Meteor.? The fellow begins. ?They say that the falls was once an average waterfall until the unknown properties of a meteorite that fell from the depths of outer space contaminated the earth?s properties making the water pressure within that area highly erratic.?

?Or a Solrock and Lunatone are having a turf war!? The woman laughs. ?You never cease to amaze me! First you say Chameleon Falls has something to do with medieval ages now you compare it Star Trek and sci-fi geek stuff. Idiot.?

The two other receptionist in the room couldn?t help but giggle at their friend?s attitude. This only made the fellow in the monster outfit actually look like a monster when he blew his top.

?GRAAAAAAGHHH!!! WHAT DO YOU KNOW YOU HAVEN?T BEEN THERE!!!?

?KYYAAAAAAAAA!!!!?

?Ok, I believe you.? Brendan attempts to calm the situation. ?So is that all you know??

The fellow shakes his head. ?No, the main story behind Chameleon Falls is that it?s known to many who seek peace at mind and understanding in the ways of meditation.? The man admits. ?The reason all the other speculations come up is because for those who ever truly were rumored to ever really find Chameleon Falls??

The man cuts himself off for added reasons of the unknown.

??Were never heard from again??

--------------------
Chapter 16- Mission Start!: Unravel the mystery of Chameleon Falls!
------------------

The man?s words made Brendan freeze in his place. Even the receptionist didn?t dare make fun of the fellow.

Feeling content with the reaction he got, the fellow takes his new Pokeball and shrugs.

?But, any case you really are a bad trader. Allowing me to have your mighty Seviper for a wimpy Ponyta that I gained from my vast trade connections.?

?I-I suppose.? Brendan mutters. ?But I couldn?t use Seviper in my team anyway, I have a Zangoose and they?d just fight one another rather than rivals.?

Brendan, getting a bit of his nerve back freely browses through his account. The fellow decides to take a peak at the 13-year-old?s Pokemon box only to see the good amount of Pokemon IDs. Many of them, from other regions? Many of them, he didn?t have?

The fellow in the monster outfit, best known as a Pokemaniac unconsciously wipes away the drool that seeps from his lips just enough to address the snow colored hair boy.

?s-So where did you get all those ravishingly exotic Pokemon?? The Pokemaniac gulps. ?Namely that Cubone!?

?Oh, from all the other trainers I meet online through the Trainers relation club database.? Brendan replies with grin. ?I met a lot of interesting people through this group and made pretty strong connections as far as items and the like are concerned.?

The Pokemaniac glares harshly at three receptionists who wave in mock see you soon fashion.

The fellow didn?t know why until he noticed that Brendan logged out and was making his leave.

?Hey why the rush? Did I say that was all I knew I was only jokin?! Really!? The Pokemaniac calls out to the 13-year-old. ?Say, how about for another swap I tell you the some more interesting stories! The info will be worthwhile.?

The snow colored hair 13-year-old gives an exasperated expression as his eyes shift from that of the near pleading Pokemaniac to that of the receptionists who all gesture their hands to the boy to flee immediately.

Pretty much noticing that the 13-year-old?s eyes on them; the Pokemaniac faces them bitterly.

All three receptionists giggle and smile innocently. The Pokemaniac then turns his attention back to Brendan only to notice he was gone.

All the Pokemaniac could do was bellow out his loss. Much to the pleasure of the receptionists.

--------------
(Some time later)
(Meteor Falls)

?Beautiful??

Most couldn?t find better words to describe the interior of Meteor Falls. The astounding color of the overall rock structure of the cave were only amplified in its entire splendor by the practically sky blue color of the waterfalls and puddles that lay about area.

The craters within this dream-like cavern gave truly made one the feel that they were actually apart of a lovely painting, or even better: within a gorgeously crafted level in a video game.

?Since no ordinary child wouldn?t have the slightest clue about the significance of this area, it?s safe to say you must be Brendan Birch.? A voice from behind the 13-year-old questioned.

Brendan quickly turns around to face the unfamiliar voice only to see a man with a white lab coat and thick glasses.

?Prof. Cosmo??

?But of course.? The scientist grins. ?Well, just don?t stand there staring at my beautiful face, we got work to do!?

Brendan was caught of guard by the Profs nitty-gritty attitude but quickly complies with the man by calling out Roxx the Swinub.

?Brendan,? Cosmo frowns. ?I don?t think Swinubs can sniff out what were looking for??

?That might be so,? Brendan counters. ?But Swinubs are best known for their sixth sense to pick up hot springs. Roxx could easily sniff out any irregularities in water pressure that compares to hot spring temperature thus helping find Chameleon Falls.?

Prof. Cosmo looked at the 13-year-old peculiarly at the moment but laughs it off.

?Chameleon Falls? Nice one!? Prof. Cosmo laughs. ?I know my foolish apprentice mentioned that fictional dreamland when she asked if you could accompany me in my trip here for meteorite fragments for actual scientific study, but be serious here! You didn?t really take Roxanne seriously did you??

?Roxanne wasn?t joking when she told me all the stories of Chameleon Falls.? Brendan counters honestly. ?She was very serious about the prospects of this place and so am I.?

Prof. Cosmo couldn?t believe what he was hearing! Were people, more humiliatingly, A STUDENT HE HANDPICKED TO STUDY UNDER HIS GREATNESS, THAT PITIFUL?!?

If there?s one thing Prof. Jay Cosmo can never stand are: Idealist. Pathetic, drooling fools that do nothing but waste their time dreaming and always comprehending the ?what ifs? and claimed ?miracles? in life.

People who lack the logical standards of common sense to ever take the true science behind anything work only use these things!

?Prof. Cosmo was sick of hearing these nonsensical things and very much tired of the kind of people who exploit them.

?I?m a scientist!? Prof. Cosmo shouts. ?I?m not here to look for some make believe fountain dreamed up by my obviously over-imaginative student and a bunch of hippies who have their idiosyncrasies set up in the clouds!?

Brendan gives a bit of an insulted face about the manner but gives a defeated sigh on the manner.

?Exactly.? Prof. Cosmo replies in a: you?ll-thank-me-later tone. ?Now, come on. I need someone to carry this bag its quite hefty and- BRENDAN! WHERE ARE YOU GOING??

The self-proclaimed jack of all science trades watched Brendan and Roxx walk away from him in a slightly vexed manner.

?You seemed to misinformed.? Brendan answers while still walking away. ?I came here to find Chameleon Falls and not a rumored meteorite spotting.?

?Swee!? Roxx agrees with a snort.

Prof. Cosmo was rather angry at the boy?s defiance. But, being a man who lives by hypothesis, you could say he knew how to strike a nerve.

?So it?s true what they say?? Prof. Cosmo smirks. ?Brendan Birch of the Rustboro Pokemon Academy really is a worthless dropout.?

Hearing this, Brendan stops in his place. A look of frustration brimming on his features.

?What did you say??

Prof. Cosmo holds his content look as he adjusts his glasses. ?According to what I?ve been hearing from most of high status: They say Prof. Birch?s son is a coward who can never amount to his thunder. Also,? The man continued. ?You left the academy under these same circumstances, that and you most likely couldn?t cut it??

Brendan?s eyes downcast to floor miserably after hearing this.

Whoever said a Pokemon can feel the emotions of their trainer wasn?t lying. While Brendan stood frozen in his place only able to clench his fist futilely, Roxx twitched with every word the scientist made about his falsely made theories on his human companion.

If Roxx could speak the tongue of man he?d defiantly tell the guy off. In fact, screw reason altogether!

The Ice Pig had all he could take of the man and angrily lunges at him. Brendan is able to grab his Pokemon before he could get the chance of making any contact though.

Roxx attempts to wriggle from his trainer?s grip but only calms down as he begins to cradle him in his arms.

?Roxx, it?s not worth it?. Lets just go.? Brendan hushed.

?wh-Where are you going?? Prof. Cosmo calls out to the boy.

Brendan continues walking but replies: ?To look for what I came here to find. Good luck with your quest.?

?What? You mean to tell me you still wish to attempt foolish things?! Why??

?Because?? Brendan responds. ?I?m a worthless dropout who?d only get in your way??

Brendan, with Roxx in his arms continues to walk away, leaving Prof. Cosmo to watch the boy with quizzical awe.

-------------
(Oldale Town)

?Not you two again!? Max shouts as he found himself cornered yet again by the familiar duo that is Umi Furu and Danielle.

?By now we?d think you?d get the drill.? Umi replies solemnly. ?After all, you?re the one who keeps making this matter difficult.?

?We said you let you go to think didn?t we?? Danielle smirks at the boy. ?Now fair is fair!?

Max shuddered with pure irritation at the whole matter.

For quite sometime now, this pink-haired menace and her older sister has been ambushing him left and right.

And what were they harassing him over you ask?: Well, uh? They say it?s important and were willing to cause a lot of damage within LittleRoot to prove their point.

?So? Are you going to talk to Prof. Birch for us or what?? Danielle urges the question. ?WELL????

?WHAT?S SO IMPORTANT THAT PROF. BIRCH WOULD WANT TO TALK TO THE LIKES OF YOU FOR ANYWAY?? Max shouts back.

?Well, since you asked so nicely?? Umi smirks.

The chestnut-haired 16-year-old takes her time to carefully place the hefty suitcase she held on the ground to open and pull out the delicate piece of work.

Aside from the sleek design and the infrared ports located on opposites sides of the object; the item itself could compare to compare to those visors that many popular virtual reality online games used.

The only difference that could be seen was that there was a game controller already attached to the visor, pretty much leaving the use of a USB section of the computer. If a computer was even needed for this bizarre piece of work.

?A video game?? Max mutters a bit exasperatedly. Danielle nods. ?It?s not just any video game.?

?This will the ultimate tool for trainers to be to prepare them for the tasks ahead of being a Pokemon trainer.? Umi proudly begins. ?The first portable online game for those of ages and status far and wide to test their mettle in the world of Pokemon.?

?And you created this?? Max queried.

?This is big sis? dream work come true!? Danielle sniffles. ?She toiled for years on this and no one would sponsor us??

?That was the past! And this is now!? Umi shouts. ?Our portable is quite superior in more ways than one and our sponsors even started setting up caf? zones for players to play off the distance!?

?Hell yeah!? Danielle adds. ?We only need to see that old man because we know how awesome big sis? machine is, but now we just need to show how the higher-ups how useful it could be!?

Max didn?t want to admit it, but this seemed like a pretty good idea. These two really seemed to put a lot of thought in the entire set-up of the plan?

?But they missed one tiny little detail?

?You guys have a good plan?? Max admits. ?But? Just because he?s Hoenn?s top authority on Pokemon research doesn?t mean Prof. Birch is who you should be turning to over this kind of matter??

Danielle face faults after the 8-year-old transferred this important piece of knowledge.

Despite the fact she wore shades and that she struggled to keep a calm look, Umi?s eyebrow?s twitch slightly.

?Anything concerning Pokemon and any Pokemon related event that centers around the trainer community must always be taken this up with the officials in the Pokemon League in Ever Grande City!? Max then gives the girls a smug face while adjusting his glasses. ?Guess your sponsor left that important piece of information out huh??

?WHY DIDN?T YOU TELL US THIS EARLIER?!? Danielle roars at the 8-year-old.

?WHAT WAS THERE TO TELL WHEN YOU WERE TOO BUSY FREAKING ME OUT!? Max shouts back.

Umi puts her hand over her raving younger sibling?s mouth and sighs a bit despondently.

?This is awkward.? The 16-year-old mutters. ?Well, I guess no hard feelings then. Oh, right!? The chestnut-haired teen adds. ?Calming Danielle down will take both my hands, so why don?t you keep the Pokemon Island Online??

?Pokemon Island Online??

?Have fun with it.? The chestnut-haired 16-year responds quickly. ?Your name is Max Mitchellson right? I?ll add fifteen extra days to your free trial when you register. Think of it as an apology.?

Max watches Umi drag her younger sister off until they were no longer in sight. ?That was easy.? The boy thought before taking note of his new problematic event of the day.

Though the situation itself seemed legit enough and they seemed pretty earnest about it?Max still had his doubts about the Furu sisters ambitions? And their machine?

?Pffft. Like I?d be gullible enough to believe they?re sorry after all the trouble they caused us.? Max snorts. ?I better show Prof. Birch this item and really see what?s going on.?

 

[Isaac Gravity]

Cont
----------------------
(Meanwhile?)
(Mt. Meteor)

The search for Chameleon Falls was a lot tougher than Brendan originally anticipated it to be. For hours now, the snow colored hair 13-year-old and his loyal band of Pokemon allies searched tirelessly through the cave.

The only thing they were rewarded with was Roxx constantly leading them into tons of dead ends, areas that rely on an expertise that none of Brendan?s Pokemon have any skill in handling, an increased number of foes who get stronger and stronger at every turn and a mistakenly taken along flare horse Pokemon who was far from lenient?

?Roxx Powder Snow!? Brendan orders his Ice Pig Pokemon.

Roxx sniffles a bit but launches his attack at the sun-shaped Pokemon known only as Solrock. The Solrock took a good bit of damage from the Ice-Type attack and from its hesitance in fighting back; it?s safe to say it must?ve reached its battle limits.

?Good job Roxx, now it?s my turn to contribute!? Brendan pulls out a spare Pokeball from his pockets and attempts to make a capture of the sun-shaped creature.

Solrock, though weakened, had no intentions of leaving its happy home! With that as its mindset, Solrock uses the powers of Confusion to rattle weaker the rock formations on the ceiling of the cave just enough to have the smaller rocks fall about the area; knocking away the Pokeball and encasing time for the sun-shaped creature to escape.

Shortly after the Solrock?s disappearing act a group of Zubats all scatter about the area to harass the rabble-rousers.

Ragnarok the Marshtomp, Aero Adler the Taillow and Ringo the Numel did as much as they could to keep the swarming number of bat Pokemon to a minimum with Water Gun, Quick Attack and Ember respectively, but quickly found themselves overwhelmed when the Golbats entered the fray.

MacSlasher the Zangoose did as much as he could to protect the fatigued Roxx but he too, began to see the significance of his foes growing number.

Though taken along in a hasty attempt to leave a crazed Pokemon fan, the Ponyta given to Brendan in trade named Ivy was a newcomer to the party none-the-less.

Too bad she didn?t act like it. Ivy wasn?t too thrilled about being traded off like she was some kind of piece on a board game and pretty much wasn?t too thrilled about the little winged rodents constantly nipping at her either.

A red X-shaped vein bulged on the right side of the flare horses head. The more it pulsated the shorter her patience.

?Brendan, the Pokemon here only range from Levels 13-24.? Brendan?s A.I. Travel companion Ciel states. ?It looks as though whoever said strength in numbers wasn?t lying!?

?Augh! No kidding!? Brendan mutters while shooing away Zubats who got too close with his free hand.

?I?m sorry about all this Brendan??

?Ciel, obtaining a Pokedex and completing its Pokemon pages is a goal that I aspired to accomplish for as long as I could remember.? The 13-year-old assures. ?We just underestimated the odds of it all!?

?This wouldn?t be so hard if that Level 30 Ponyta would just cooperate with the Team.?

?Ciel, I wasn?t even suppose to take her along.? Brendan admits. ?But that guy made me want to leave in a hurry.?

Ivy?s ears twitch slightly as her fiery mane expands in its length.

Having all she could take of the situation, the flare horse launches Fire Spin. This action forced everyone in the attacks path to quickly move away. Save for Ringo and some slower Zubat and Golbat who didn?t take too much damage anyway.

Brendan and his Pokemon allies took the attack as misplaced aim quickly corrected those assumptions when the flare horse started to throw Ember in Brendan direction.

?Ivy! Cut it out! We?re on your side!? Brendan yells. Ivy?s ears perk up slightly when she heard that liner.

?On my side? Oh no no no.? Ivy mentally chuckles. ?My trainer is Honzo and I wish to be back with him! Or suffer like the last thieves who dare try to tame me!?

Ragnarok shot a warning Water Gun at the Ivy?s hooves forcing her back some.

The flare horse quickly notices the mudfish standing protectively in-front of his partner and also takes note of the snow colored haired boy?s other Pokemon who all surround her.

Ivy stands on her hind legs while whinnying loudly to show her open frustation on the matter.

With Ciel back in his pockets, Brendan swiftly recalls Roxx, MacSlasher, Aero Adler and Ringo. Good thing he did too, otherwise Roxx would?ve been victim to Stomp.

Before the 13-year-old could recall the enraged flare horse or before she could try to make another attack, the Golbats who didn?t flee the area decided to swoop down at the intruders with a strong Wing Attack while their attention was off them and on each other.

The continued assault was enough to deal hefty damage to both sides. Ivy was knocked to her sides, while Ragnarok leap in front of Brendan to take the bulk of the damage. The mudfish?s act of heroism not only K.Oed him but knocked him and Brendan off solid ground and into a stream.

Brendan held a tight grip on his defeated Pokemon while the streams heavy currents thrashed his body about in the most rough of manners. He could feel his body being rocked about in many different directions in no specific timing or pattern.

It was as if the pressure of the stream was actually pulling the 13-year-old to the bottom and with the strength of the currents fighting against it to swim to the top would prove a vain attempt to survive.

It wouldn?t have mattered one way or another. Brendan Birch was out of air and could literally see the light?

-------------
(Black screen. Brendan narrates)

When I was a little kid, I remember when my daycare teacher described heaven to the class. She said something about your body becoming as light as a feather when you rise into the light?

Well, I went into the light yet my body feels like a plummeting ton of bricks that just hit the canvas. Maybe I went to the other place?

Nah, guess going to heaven isn?t the same for everyone? but it didn?t have to hurt either?

-------------------
(Sometime later)

Brendan weakly awakens to the familiar voices of his Pokemon party. The only voice that wasn?t heard was Ragnarok?s.

The little mudfish Pokemon was in bad shape and could only give his trainer a weak grin confirming his safety.

A weak grin wasn?t good enough for Brendan. It wasn?t much, but he had to make due with feeding Ragnarok a Revive and a Potion to at least raise his spirits and will to move around, along with soothing any minor wounds.

Though Ragnarok felt a bit better and all his Pokemon allies, minus Ivy, weren?t separated from him; this place, though as beautiful as it appeared was no heaven.

From deeper investigation of his surroundings, the place was in-fact was some mostly likely underground portion of Mt. Meteor.

The most noticeable thing within the room was the waterfall that flowed with such pristine and clear water that it even to the illusions of the naked eye looked as though the entire scene looked as like a glittery pond that created an everlasting rainbow to symbolize eternal beauty.

?Beautiful?? The 13-year-old mouths upon closer inspection.

?Hey, are you just gonna stand there or do you enjoy staring at others.? A deep masculine voice asked from afar.

Brendan and his Pokemon were all dumbfounded by the whereabouts of the voice.

?You?re the one who has your eyes open. Use them and look in the opposite direction of up.? The voice says again.

From the high-up place where they stood, finding the voice was quite a task, especially for Brendan, who had to put on his glasses to heavily eye the contents of the mist created by the falls to see a figure, no, two figures within it.

?Hey, come on down here!? The voice invites. ?You?re obviously no ordinary explorer to find this place?but that doesn?t make you special either??

::BEEP BEEP BEEP::

Brendan goes into his damp pockets to pull out the mock-motherly Ciel. The 13-year-old hoped that his A.I. Travel companion wasn?t damaged in anyway.

?Zzzt! Brendan! You know you can?t trust strangers!? Ciel warns. ?Not like we have much of a choice.? Brendan reasons. ?That guy might know a way out.?

?That may be so, but don?t be trusting!?

?Right,? Brendan agrees before addressing the voice again. ?There?s no path, how do I get down there??

?Simple kid,? The voice answers. ?You jump.?

?Me? Jump that distance??

?It?s not even that far of a jump.? The voice parries.

Brendan still wasn?t too convinced. MacSlasher nods at his trainer?s decision. It?s not that MacSlasher is worried about the distance of the jump; it?s just that on that small strip of land is a hefty amount of water.

As far as he could remember, MacSlasher hated the added weight that would pull down on him after his fur is completely drenched. Not only that, but he looked rather silly like that too.

Ragnarok tries to show Brendan its safe and jumps down first, following him were Roxx, Ringo and the smug Aero Adler who flew down. With all of them safely in the bottom, they all look up to their trainer with hopeful eyes.

?They did jump?? Brendan gulps.

?Yes they did, Zzzt but perhaps you should? climb down?? Ciel suggests.

Brendan agrees to that and carefully puts Ciel, along with his glasses back into his backpack for his vigilante climb down a five-foot wall while MacSlasher watched him.

Halfway down the climb Brendan lost his grip on a more slippery rock and spent the rest of his descent as a back-first fall with his arms and legs flailing about.

The landing wasn?t that bad from Brendan?s point of view it was when MacSlasher decided to use him as a pillow, which really knocked the wind out of him.

?I forgot to warn you about climbing.? The voice chuckles. ?The environment here is pretty moist so you?ll mostly end up in the sorry position you?re in.?

It took Brendan awhile to get over his aches and pains, but when he did he was able to meet the voice face to face?

What the snow colored haired boy saw was a rather muscular man somewhere in his late twenties with long messy black spiked hair which he tied into a long ponytail and wore nothing but a pair of worn out khakis.

The man himself could be compared to one of those rugged laidback types who tend to keep their faces shaven lightly enough to show that hair was growing back. This is what Mrs. Birch and most old-fashioned women considered manly.

Next to the man was an Electabuzz who, despite its obvious high level and intimidating stature also held that lax nature.

?Never knew the day a kid of all people would find the hideout of Kyosuke the mighty.? The man, obviously named Kyosuke grins darkly.

?y-Your hideout?? Brendan nervously squeaks. Kyosuke couldn?t help but laugh at the boy?s simplicity.

Despite Kyosuke?s rather condensing laughter and Electabuzz?s intimidating smirk Ragnarok and the others were ready to fight. Brendan was also feeling that raised adrenaline rush.

Kyosuke stops laughing when he hears the low growls being made from the newcomers. The man sneezes a bit before he and Electabuzz exit their mediation spot in the falls.

?Geez, take it easy kid I was only joking.? Kyosuke comments between sneezes. ?Tch, back in the day you could set a clock to Chameleon Falls temperature change??

?Chameleon Falls?? Brendan mummers. The boy?s near disbelieving tone and expression forced Kyosuke to eye him oddly. ?Yeah, this place is Chameleon Falls. If you don?t believe me then dip your hand into the water and see for yourself.?

It?s not that Brendan didn?t believe him... it was just? Chameleon Falls under his nose this whole time. Despite this, the 13-year-old ran his left hand into the water anyway. At first the water was a soothing lukewarm, however?

?ACK! THIS WATER IS SCALDING HOT!?

?Exactly.? Kyosuke grins. ?The resonance of the space material from fallen meteor over the decades changed this areas entire fundamentals. Chameleon Falls is the ultimate place for those who seek peace at mind and understanding in the ways of meditation.?
Kyosuke looks at the glittery waterfall with a broadening smile. ?The only way to truly open yourself is to endure extreme physical and mental strengthening.?

The man then takes a look at Brendan and his Pokemon. ?Enough of that banter! You?re up!?

Kyosuke and Electabuzz walks a few feet away from Brendan and his Pokemon to pick up his small belongings consisting of a duffel bag, sandals and a tattered beige t-shirt. Once he puts back on his sandals and shirt; the wildman picks his belongings and walks off until he was out of site.

With the rather interesting duo gone, Brendan turns to his Pokemon partners. ?We almost drown to find this place, we might as well test our luck here.?

Ragnarok and the others quickly knew what that meant? They?ve been so busy lately they almost forgot?

?MARSH!? Ragnarok cries jovially.

The mudfish Pokemon with the nifty Mohawk quickly runs past Brendan and leaps into the sparkling water. Ragnarok, in all his joy swimming about, seemed completely unaffected by the falls erratic pressure.

MacSlasher and Aero Adler felt this was a good time to take a nap while Ringo and Roxx chased each other about.

Brendan felt relaxed enough himself and dresses down to nothing but his boxer shorts and his cherished headband while spreading out his wet clothing so they can at least dry a bit.
Ringo and Roxx trampled all over his clothes as soon as he placed it on the ground though?

The 13-year-old shakes his head a bit annoyed but just turns away to carefully walk on three flat boulders that made a convenient path to the meditation spot within the waterfall.

At the current moment the water was icy cold. Brendan gathered his nerve, shut his eyes and hastily stepped into the freezing liquid contents.

?a-All I have to do is just stand like this and ignore everything.? Brendan mentally confirms. ?th-That?s all? That?s all??

The temperature of the water dropped at an even lower degree. The sudden change of atmosphere was too much for Brendan?s body that was slowly adjusting to the current conditions.

This truth forced the snow colored hair boy to jump and fall into the lake full of lukewarm water that felt a heck of a lot better than the prior experience; however, just for a mere moment, Brendan could?ve sworn that pressure from the lake was deliberately pulling him down before he snapped back to his senses and swam for higher grounds.

Once he was safe, the 13-year-old turns to see Ragnarok laughing and playing about in the mediation spot happily.

?Are you trying to prove something?? Brendan asked sourly. Ragnarok shakes his head innocently.

?Your Pokemon has the right idea. He should join you balance out something?s.? Kyosuke?s voice trails from the distance.

Brendan follows his ears as best he could to see the wildman grinning from the ledge where Brendan first met him. Kyosuke?s Electabuzz was there as well, looking down at the scene cross-armed.

?What you never heard of perfect synch?? Kyosuke continues. ?Chameleon Falls is pretty harsh to brave on your own, and you?re quite a scrawny kid for your age??

Kyosuke ignores the annoyed look Brendan tossed at him and keeps his eyes tacked on his Pokemon allies. ?Yeah that?ll work.? The wildman confirms aloud before pointing at MacSlasher. ?You! Go give your allies a hand. Your fur should balance out the cold while the blue Pokemon looks like he could cover anything else.?

MacSlasher gave the complete stranger a: the hell are you talking about look before focusing back on his nap.

Ringo sneaks behind the Zangoose to burn his tail with Ember. The flash fire thrust MacSlasher from a cozy rest into a frantic leap into the lake.

MacSlasher quickly rises back to the surface and takes grasp of one of the nearby stones. He quickly shoots a harsh glare in the direction of Ringo and then towards Ragnarok, who was snickering.

Brendan carefully walks on the flat stones to approach his self-conscious ally.

?It?s not that we?re laughing at you.? The 13-year-old reason with a sympathetic look. ?We just never seen you like this before??

MacSlasher considers this for a while before just shrugging off the whole matter and just getting to work.

 

[Isaac Gravity]

Cont 2
-----------------------
(At that moment in LittleRoot Town)
(Max?s house)

?So, this really is a game.? Max mutters. ?Video Games are lame anyway, even if it is Pokemon centered??

Max takes the game and places it back into the case Umi left for it. It took a little effort and a lot of balance, but the 8-year-old was able to stack up a few chairs together to be able to shove the suitcase in the highest place in his closet.

With that chore done Max climbed down and was ready to move onto his next great task?

------------------------------------------------
(15 minutes later)

?Let?s see? I?ll make his hair dark blue like and put it in ponytail style to make him look cool.? Max, who was registering his character for Pokemon Island Online, suggest aloud.

?He?s gotta have glasses like me and I?ll make him sixteen so I can make up some sob story on how he was a pure genius at Pokemon but he wasn?t allowed to own one as a pet so he had to sneak off to become a trainer in his character bio. OH!? The 8-year-old laughs sheepishly. ?I almost forgot to name him? this is tricky??

--------------------------------------------------
(An hour later)
(Meteor Falls)

?Oh man, this good soup!? Kyosuke laughs happily. ?The variations that come with Tomato soup still never cease to amaze me! Hahahaha!?

Kyosuke?s boisterous laughter and endless prattle about the exotic taste of various soups has been going on for quite sometime now. Much to the disdain of Brendan, Ragnarok and MacSlasher.

It was bad enough that the Chameleon Falls was playing the morning shower game with them, but it was hard to focus with that guy?s loud voice none the less the smell of food that made their stomachs play a hand against them.

The flowing water changed from cold to piping hot as if to complement the trios growing frustration. Like the dozen of attempts before this one, they retreated into the lake full of cold water.

An X-shaped vein pulsates on the left side of Ragnarok?s head as he floats lazily in the water. MacSlasher laid on one of the flat stones, equally annoyed. Brendan looks up to Kyosuke with an exasperated look.

?Why are you looking at me like that?? Kyosuke asked.

?Time.?

Kyosuke takes a moment to examine the nearby timer. ?Congrats. You actually lasted more than two minutes.?

Not good enough, the boy thought. The 13-year-old hastily makes his way back to the falls, gesturing to his Pokemon to rest if they want.

?Hey, you aren?t really thinking about going back there?? Kyosuke questions the boy. ?Your body is in bad enough shape. It takes months to get used to the water pressures of Chameleon Falls. What exactly are you trying to prove anyway.?

Ragnarok pops up in front of Brendan and looks at him with a sympathetic expression. In the corner of his eyes the 13-year-old could see MacSlasher staring at him passively. Not to mention Aero Alder, Ringo and Roxx who all looked down at their trainer from where they stood with Kyosuke and Electabuzz.

Brendan heaves a defeated sigh after realizing he obviously outnumbered on this matter. Kyosuke couldn?t help but say something about not being able to deny faces like that.

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

?That?s quite an interesting reason to give all that up and go on Pokemon journey.? Kyosuke agrees. ?And even more interesting is how you got here?No wonder why those stories say people never returned.? The man adds. ?What kind of unprepared fool would be clumsy enough to slip into the streams here considering the type of water pressures Mt. Meteor has? There?s a warning sign in front of the cave!?

Kyosuke shuts up when he notices Brendan frowning. The man quickly modifies his words by saying that unlike the others Brendan has strong lungs.

?Nah, you don?t have to make excuses for me?? Brendan smiles weakly. ?Sometimes I think I was better off in the Academy??

?Where you were miserable and looked down upon regardless right?? Kyosuke confirms in a stern tone that made the 13-year-old flinch. ?Now with you turning your back they?re only showing you the ultimate feelings they had that they kept latent till now??

?Perhaps.?

?Never allow the pressures of anyone to ever steer your heart in the path you don?t believe in.? Kyosuke tells Brendan knowingly. ?You?re a proud young man who fight for what he believes in and I bet there are people who are starting to see your efforts and are starting to acknowledge you for them.?

Kyosuke turns to Brendan with an enlightened look. ?But the most significant are those who supported and believed in you from the very beginning. Their strength alone is enough to make you begin the run.?

The wildman was right. It took him sometime, but Roxanne, one of the greatest influences in the Rustboro Pokemon Academy no longer viewed the snow colored hair boy as a spineless quitter but perhaps as an example of the Academy?s real expanding influence and strength. She would even go to the points of scolding whoever would mock him in her presence.

Only by going on a Pokemon Journey could Brendan have met some of the most amazing people he?s ever laid eyes on.

Only by leaving that Academy?s cold data collecting walls could he have met and have the luck of befriending one of his biggest inspirations in life?

A warm smile crept up on the 13-year-old?s face when he realized how much he?s been able to accomplish so far.

?If you need an example of people who do what they know they should then look at me.? Kyosuke grins. ?I was born into quite a wealthy family but threw it all away just to avoid human contact and live my life in obscurity in the mountainous Route 119.?

?You?re a bit of a hypocrite.? Brendan frowns. ?For you to eat all those canned soups and crackers you pretty much go into town and buy them. That?s still human contact. Also.? The 13-year-old adds exasperatedly. ?Route 119 is overrun with tourist can?t see living in obscurity with that as a factor.?

Kyosuke and Electabuzz sweatdrop. They have to admit their location is quite a convenient one to harass tourist and trash-talking trainers who?d wander too close to his hut. They?d then milk ?em for everything their worth after wasting them in battle.

The wildman shakes off this truth with more of his loud laughter.

?You hear that! I told you we?re not alone!? A male voice echoes throughout the room.

?I don?t want to here it! Keep moving!? A female voice sounding quite familiar to that of Team Aqua Admin?s Shelly snaps.

?You people are bigger dreamers than I imagined!? A voice similar to Prof. Cosmo responds a bit defiantly. ?Do you really your fantasy spring is truly derived from a huge chunk of meteorite.?

A heavy slapping sound echoes about the room as does the voice of Cosmo giving a bit of a pained yelp.

Emerging from an area much higher than where the group were resting were two Team Aqua Grunts who took the back position. The Aqua Admin Shelly taking the lead and the captive Prof. Cosmo who was sandwiched in the middle.

?The Chameleon Falls is a prime example of the infinite powers of the sea!? Shelly responds angrily.

The smaller, less muscular Grunt constantly kept his eyes locked on some particular item that he slowly pointed about the room. The machine started to make loud bleeping noises once he directed it in the direction of the sparkling waterfall that is Chameleon Falls.

?Ma?am, we got a lock.? The Grunt replies.

?So that?s Chameleon Falls?It has to be!? Shelly grins. The Aqua Admin then turns to Cosmo with a smug expression. ?Can your ways of physics even amount a reason on the magnificence you see before you Professor??

Having witnessed the mystifying beauty of this room for himself and Aqua?s nifty little do-dad to pin point the irregular properties that are held within meteorites. Prof. Cosmo had to admit that maybe meteorites are the leading factorial to the falls? Well, if they do what those silly rumors say anyway?

?Come on out my little mice,? Shelly smugly calls out to the air. ?It?s quite untidy of you to leave your belongings out in the open in a public place just to hide from gorgeous ol? me.?

The little mice- Err Brendan and Kyosuke and their Pokemon were all hiding under the ledge that the Aqua?s and the captive Cosmo stood on.

Brendan was a little uneasy about confronting either cult considering his last encounters with them.

?Cocky b*stards!? Kyosuke whispers angrily. ?She doesn?t understand jack about the true meaning behind Chameleon Falls mysteries! Manipulative little sucks! Beings like that aren?t allowed here??
The wildman then turns to Brendan with a bold grin. ?Kid, I got a plan but it?s gonna take a lot of teamwork and a little guerilla warfare.?

Brendan snaps out of his own insecurities and nods blankly at the man.

?Remember when I told you how the environment here is moist?? Kyosuke reminds, while Electabuzz places his hands on the moist ground a few inches away from the ledge foundation. ?Though that and the concept that electricity is useless against the properties of ground is true? The moisture here is pretty much shortening the half life span of the rocks here. Forcing them to deteriorate at a quicker rate. This could also be said about electricity; useless as it is against those that can act as an insolent to it, putting the voltage rate at a powerful enough charge can tear through any insolent.?

Electabuzz charges with all the electricity stored in his furry body to fully manipulate the weakened rock structures of the caves dampened environment.

Due to the height of where they stood, Electabuzz?s attack didn?t reach Shelly and her party; however that was never the goal of the attack. With his power at his peak Electabuzz unleashes all of his latent voltage into the strongest Thunderbolt he could manage to fully obliterate the foundations of the ledge.

Electabuzz collapses to the ground completely tapped. Kyosuke picks up his friend and turns to Brendan while running to the right. Saying something about keeping them busy for as long as he can.

The 13-year-old wanted to argue this but he along with his Pokemon had to perform the standard run and leap away to avoid getting crushed by the toppling boulders that once made up the ledge where Shelly and co. once stood strong.

No one was too hurt from the damage. A bit of groaning along with a few bruises here or there, but nothing that requires a cast of any caliber.

Shelly rubs her forehead while mumbling a little curse under her voice. The Aqua Admin stopped in this action when she notices Brendan doing the same thing.

Eventually the two fully agknowleged the others existence; while Brendan just stared at the woman warily Shelly smirks lightly.

?Hah, isn?t this a surprise.? She laughs. ?I was looking for mice and instead, I find a ghost...?

Mission (Chapter 16) Pending?

--------------------------------

Ahh, Prof. Cosmo? the selfish coward who does nothing but obsess over his research and allows Aqua/Magma to take his coveted meteorite from his pitiful being in the Ruby and Sapphire games.

I mean if the meteorite meant so much to him then he should?ve accompanied your character to Mt. Chimney or at least given you some kind of advice to what your up against. But what does he do? He whines and cries how he lost his precious meteorite not even taking into real consideration what either Cult had planned for it. (Which obviously wasn?t good)

Being a person absorbed around Zelda games I?m used to giving an item and expecting something in return?but when you give the man the blasted meteorite he just acts all giddy and gives you his thanks and a TM I'm not too into using period. (Thanks after risking your life over it) Had it been me I woulda chucked that rock into the Volcano.

(Notes)

1. ?It was bad enough that the Chameleon Falls was playing the morning shower game with them, but it was hard to focus with that guy?s loud voice none the less the smell of food that made their stomachs play and hand against them.? -Remember this quote? - I kinda based Chameleon Falls around the whole idea of when one takes a shower and how the water temperatures suddenly change without (or with little) warning making you jump and pull away from the water.

Next- Chapter 17- War of the Elementals: The battle of Land and Sea

 

[Isaac Gravity]

Disclaimer- I don?t own Pokemon or anything else.
----------------

Shelly takes one good look at Brendan and laughs proudly. This act left the 13-year-old and his Pokemon partners very insulted.

?My apologies if I offended you.? Shelly chuckles. ?It?s just that it?s quite hard to feel threatened of one who wears Pichu-styled boxer shorts.?

An annoyed blush falls upon the 13-year-old?s face forcing Shelly to laugh more.

?I was planning on getting my little brother a pair of those! Mind telling me where you got yours?? The Aqua Admin laughs harder.

?Brendan, I haven?t the slightest clue how you got here?? Prof. Cosmo calls out to the annoyed 13-year-old. ?But grab whatever meteorite fragments you can and flee! Team Aqua is undeserving and ignorant of the beauty of science!?

?What meteorite fragments?? Brendan bluffs. ?Chameleon Falls is only a resonance of what used to be.?

?You?re pretty cheeky for a brat who that lost to the bottom-rung Swabbie ranks of Aqua twice.? Shelly smirks.

Brendan could hear the two Grunts chuckling and Prof. Cosmo muttering ?figures.?

The smaller grunt pulls out a different device that could compare to a cross between Johto?s Pokegear and Prof. Birch?s Pokedex design. The only major difference was that within the contents of the machine was hacked trainer information from the recently exploited Hoenn Leagues database.

The Grunt takes his time to examine the machine before facing Brendan with a content look and openly explaining his findings.

?This is quite interesting.? The Grunt exclaims. ?Despite your age, according to this information you?re a Badge Level 4 at the Rustboro Pokemon Academy, this gives you the official status and advantages of a trainer with four actual badges. Being son of Ivan Birch must have its benefits eh Brendan Birch??
The Grunt gives the 13-year-old a hardened look before continuing. ?Despite all this it says you also collected three official Hoenn League badges. But that?s meaningless since your status at the academy nulls those badges. What your doing is all in vain.?

?Uh-oh, Schneider?s old academy boarding days are kicking in.? The more muscular Grunt named Aldo laughs.

?Indeed.? Shelly agrees.

?Growing up, I too was a student at the Rustboro Pokemon Academy.? The Grunt named Schneider mummers ruefully. ?But I doubt my time there was anything like yours. I always had it hard since the other students gave me a hard time. Not only that, but no matter how hard I studied the Professors always graded me so harshly?I was practically on the verge of getting kicked out while their good for nothing favorites simply got treated like kings when all they do is cheat! On top of all this my parents were poor and no longer could afford to pay for me there??

Prof. Cosmo kept quiet. Before fully using Fallarbor Town as his place of research, he did remember hearing stories of a student who was quote unquote: ?slipping through the cracks and humiliating the academy with poor grades and constant failures in major exams.?

He was also guilty of the heavily marking students from time to time.

Schneider looks at Brendan with a cold look. ?I don?t really understand. I had no choice but to leave but you? You?re throwing everything given to you away as if going to the academy was some kind of whim to you!?

Brendan couldn?t help but sympathize with the man. He was very aware that a lot of students beside him had their fair share of hardships and personal battles in that so-called school of Pokemon prestige?

?But despite his sympathy for the fellow, he made one mistake in his words?

?The academy was no picnic for anyone really?? Brendan mutters in a low voice. ?I believe that leaving a place where you feel uncomfortable in is the best choice anyone can ever make in life!?

Schneider was completely shocked at what the snow colored hair boy said. Shelly and Aldo really didn?t see that coming either. Prof. Cosmo simply rolled his eyes.

The only ones who seemed anywhere near supportive of Brendan at the moment were his Pokemon allies who all look to him and nod.

?Comfort? Is that what the Rustboro Pokemon Academy means to you?? Schneider growls.

?When people saw me they saw Prof. Birch?s son. Not the student who worked his butt off to earn what he obtained in that school!? Brendan counters. ?No one spoon fed me in anything I?ve ever accomplished??

?So if that?s so, why leave??

?To each their own.? The 13-year-old simply replies. ?You love the academy, I don?t have that same feeling? I feel a lot happier being able to work like a real trainer and not sit in a classroom learning the estimate of a win based on Pokemon type, status and movepool??

::NEIGH!!!::

From the rockslide remains of what used to be the ledge. Ivy the Ponyta stood tall. Her fiery mane burned at a stronger rate to symbolize her dynamic entrance.

Brendan and his Pokemon were a bit surprised to even see that the flare horse somehow made it all this way. But weren?t too surprised what happened next.

Ivy?s fiery mane increases in its strength as an X-shaped vein appears on the left side of her head. ?Return me to Honzo? NOW!!!? The flare horse mentally roared, immediately throwing a strong Fire Spin aimed at Brendan and his Pokemon.

The 13-year-old and his loyal Pokemon partners all saw that coming? All they could do was jump away from the attack.

?And the few Ember assaults that followed.

Since one of the Ember attacks singed her favorite blue vest, Shelly irately calls out her Walrein and orders it to pound at that pesky pony with Ice Ball.

The first Ice Ball the high level walrus Pokemon was able to spit out was able to completely topple the rockslide, making Ivy lose her bearings on the already unbalanced environment.

The remaining four Ice Ball did a good job of trapping her with its icy contents. Walrein spits out three more Ice Balls on Ivy?s prison for good measure.

?Ivy!? Brendan calls out to his newly added ally. Not even she deserved that kind of beating especially considering the strength of the ice and her body temperature.

?This only proves my assumptions about you Brendan Birch,? Schneider grins. ?You?re a quitter; a no talent dropout who can only survive through your Daddy?s shadow. Though you have your beliefs, a dropout is still a dropout and that?s what you?ll always remain.?

?That?s not true!?

The Chameleon Falls begins to gush with a greater amount of water than usual, this made everyone break their attention from the current situation at hand and face this new predicament. The heaviness of the falls made the now overflowing lake slowly overlap the small strip of land and begin to rise to further expand.

?Psh, dropout this, dropout that. I never even knew brain-dead pirates even went to school.? A feminine voice comments playfully.

?I know that annoying voice?? Shelly mutters bitterly. ?Come on out and face me Courtney!?

?Who?s hiding?? Courtney?s voice replies contently. ?As always, Shelly I?m situated in a level all my own??

The group takes a good look at the wall to the left of the overrunning waterfall and notice three figures all in Team Magma outfits standing in a opening which had a small leak of water dripping out from its dark contents.

From the way the two males were dressed they were only Team Magma Grunts. The only female of the group was in fact Team Magma?s newest Admin Courtney.

Courtney looked down on her foes with an unimpressed face as she contently chewed on her stick of bubblegum.

?Hmph, still eating candy like a stupid little child Courtney?? Shelly smirks.

Courtney blew a small bubble. ?Gotta enjoy oneself before they have to rely on using hair-dye right grams?? The Magma Admin grins while showing off a nice chunk of meteorite. ?While you?re busy chasing little boys Magma was hard at work locating a rather huge meteorite that made a home for itself.?

The Magma Grunt to the right of Courtney nods. ?Too bad the sucker was all brittle and broke apart to what we hold otherwise we?d be carrying off more than you fishheads could ever dream of.?

Brendan?s eyebrows twitch slightly at what he heard.

?YOU BARBARIC MORONS! DO YOU HAVE THE SLIGHTEST CLUE WHAT YOU CAUSED?!? Prof. Cosmo shouts at the top of his lungs.

?Now, now Professor, that?s no way to treat those who made such an effort to talk to others.? Shelly grins before extending her hand in a gimme fashion. ?Now Courtney, that isn?t rock candy so be a good little girl and hand over that meteorite to the invincible Team Aqua.?

?The invincible Team Aqua?? Everyone but Brendan and the Aqua?s themselves replied exasperatedly.

?Feh, within this month alone we foiled three of your plans.? The Magma Grunt to the left of Courtney responds.

?You? Invincible?? Courtney snorts in Shelly?s direction. ?Yeah, so that?s why Aqua upped their training regime and Pokemon strategies just to compete with a bunch of little kids and their stupid Pokemon babies? And here I thought I was in need of an hearing-aid.?

Walrein looks straight at MacSlasher who gives him a low growl. The walrus Pokemon simply rolls his eyes in an unimpressed manner.

MacSlasher at the time was on all fours but quickly stood up on hind legs after Walrein made that blow. Ragnarok simply pats his ally on the back gesturing to him let it go.

?Spare me!? Shelly snaps. ?Magma would rather rely on the same substance that is foiling them just so you won?t sully those baby oiled hands of yours!?

Brendan quietly picks up his backpack and turns to his Pokemon with a nod. All of them return the gesture and quickly try to make run towards the trapped Ivy.

Walrein simply stands in front of them as Aldo and Schneider who held quite smug expressions at the moment.

All the 13-year-old could do was grit his teeth in frustration.

Courtney tries to blow an unimpressed bubble but her taunt literally blows up her face, leaving the sticky pink substance all over face.

Shelly breaks out laughing at the sight. ?What a nice look on you Courtney! It suites you much more than watching you chew like a cow!?

Courtney is able to rip some of the gum off her face and shows the onlookers below a very scary face. ?True, I look hot in anything. Not too much I can say for a prune like you. People must be tired of seeing those flabby hips of yours.?

?Excuse me?- Look here you little floozy!?

?I?m the floozy when you?re the one dressing like trash??

A trade of insults ranging from childish name calling to derogatory slang between the two female Admins took place for a good long time while everyone else simply watched.

?THAT TEARS IT!? Shelly shouts at the top of her lungs. ?PELIPPER HO!?

The Aqua Admin throws the ball containing the pelican Pokemon and orders it to attack!

Pelipper flies towards his trainer?s foes and sprays them all with Water Gun. The Water/Flying hybrid?s attack forced the meteorite out of Courtney?s hands and into its pouch-like beak.

A red X-shaped vein pulsates on the left side of Courtney?s head as she calls out her Swellow who hit Pelipper with Aerial Ace.

Pelipper shakes of the hit and angrily retaliates with Water Gun.

?NO! DON?T DO THAT!? Shelly shouts.

Too late, Pelipper launched his attack which his fellow winged opponent nimbly dodged. But the point wasn?t that Swellow dodged, actually had the bird been a little slower he could?ve got caught.

The problem was the meteorite was within the pelican Pokemon?s pouch-like beak already. The Water Gun usage only forced the space rock out of his beak and into the rapidly rising lake.

Prof. Cosmo went livid the moment his desired item fell into the lake while both land sea cults started to blame one another for their constant interference of their plans.

Pretty much having enough of verbal battles both sides decide to settle it Pokemon style.

While Courtney?s Swellow and Shelly?s Pelipper continued to do battle within the skies Courtney herself called out her Ninetales and the two Magma Grunts called out their Mightyena. Aldo calls out his Lombre while Schneider calls out his Lunatone.

Shelly?s Walrein made a loud battle cry to ignite the projectile attack using mini-war.

?Are you people brainless?? Cosmo shouts. ?Fighting amongst each other won?t recover the meteorite fragment! Get it together- Awwp!?

The scientist words were cut abruptly when Roxx the Swinub irately lunges at him from behind and quickly begin to jump on him constantly.

With everyone pretty much too busy fighting the other Brendan, Ragnarok, MacSlasher, Ringo and Aero Adler all rushed over to the Ice Ball prison that kept Ivy securely trapped.

Since Brendan lacked the strength his allies possessed, he had to make due with using his first aid kit as a psuedo hammer. Within the ice Ivy?s flames began to lower as response to her lowering body temperature.

The weight of the Ice Balls she felt earlier began to lighten. Through the contents of the solid liquid she could vaguely see the white haired thief kid and his vertically challenged Pokemon working with all their might to break her free.

They must of spent a pretty penny on her to take this much effort to want her free she thought; even if those strained looks on their faces and the cleanness of honesty in the boy?s eyes seemed pretty visible?

?Ivy! It?d be a bit easier to help you if you helped yourself a bit!? The flare horse heard the boy yell from outside the ice. She also heard his Pokemon say similar things to her in their tongue, save for the furry white guy who was rather vulgar.

An X-shaped pulsates on the left side of the Ivy?s head when she heard them talk to her like this.

Talking to her all chummy-like. And that human! The way he called her name irritated her to no end: Eye-vee, so unlike her Honzo who called her? well yeah the same way, but the way it rolled of his tongue was much more exotic.

The whole matter of the situation made her fiery mane regain its usual thunder.

Ivy?s ears perk up the moment the feeling of danger invaded her proximity. Whinnying as loudly as she could, Ivy?s fiery mane grew brighter. Now ignited with the motivation needed to escape her tomb.

?Good, Ivy?s still up.? Brendan sighs in relief. ?This should make freeing her easier!?

?YOU LITTLE FOOL MOVE NOW!? Shelly?s voice bellowed in Brendan?s direction.

One of the Magma Grunts Mightyena loses its footing after an attack from Walrein the moment it was about to launch Shadow Ball.

Though the Grunt was able to save his plummeting Pokemon from falling into the rising lake, he couldn?t prevent the wayward attack from careening towards Brendan and his Pokemon.

::CRASH::

There was no time for anyone to react; the attack had already hit its mark. Ivy, Ringo and Aero Alder all stumbled out of the dust cloud created by the Shadow Ball.

From the angle the Magma?s stood they could see Brendan, Ragnarok and MacSlasher all fall into the depths of the rapidly growing lake neither of them making an attempt to come back to surface.

-----------------
(In the water)

Brendan and his two Pokemon were a bit shaken up from the impact of the Shadow Ball but the aftershock wasn?t the problem?

It was that same bizarre pressure Brendan felt the very first time he got swept with the heavy currents of Mt. Meteors streams and again at a less aggressive but more wary feel every time he jumped into the lake after a failed attempt in Chameleon Falls.

This time, the lake wasn?t playing sea monster it was forcefully pulling him into the depths of its every expanding mass and was pushing the pressure the lower he got.

The snow colored hair boy could also see MacSlasher and even Ragnarok started to feel the sting of what practically seemed like nothing to them?

It had to be! The 13-year-old realized. That meteorite fragment? Who knows how long that once huge chunk of space rock was controlling the area only for it to be destroyed like that!

Now there?s a chunk along with any left over fragments of it flowing into the lake?He could probably sink to the bottom and make a grab for it if its nearby? but the pressure would?ve probably killed him and his Pokemon by then?

This is not good?Not good at all?

 

[Isaac Gravity]

Cont
--------------------
(Location: ???)

?Aaaahhhh!? Brendan yelps as he felt a heavy amount of pressure being made on his chest.

The 13-year-old haggardly sits up in a desperate attempt for air, pretty much throwing off whatever was on him in the process.

?Finally your up Clorox head.? The voice of 13-year-old May Hiromi comments in a playful tone. ?You?re quite a heavy sleeper.?

Brendan stops coughing to give his friend a harsh look that looked kinda weird since he was blushing quite heavily.

The snow colored hair boy quickly came to note that May was dressed rather outdoorsy with her short sleeve red shirt and blue overalls. Hanging from the right pocket of the overall was a long silver chain which complemented the two spiked black wristbands she wore as well as the very loose black collar around her neck.

It was much more punk than Brendan usually seen May dress.

Brendan himself was dressed in his favored headband blue and white soccer uniform and rather than have his gloves as his arm accessory, he only wore white wristbands on both writs.

He also realized that his surroundings were that of his and May?s ?spot? Route 103.

Brendan?s flustered staring at the girl made a light tint of pink form onto the usual in-control chestnut-haired girl?s face. May quickly gets up and walks away from him.

Tsunami the Torchic hastily ran up the hill to catch up with May. The chestnut-haired girl couldn?t help but smirk at this.

?What?s the matter bird? Aren?t Pokemon supposed to be the superior beings??

An X-shaped vein pulsates on the left side of Tsunami?s head before she irately scratch May in the leg for pretty much leaving her behind.

May retaliates by lightly kicking at the chick Pokemon who counters by shooting Ember at her feet. Brendan couldn?t help but laugh whole-heartedly at this sight.

?You two become quite close.? Brendan laughs.

?Yeah Tsu?s close to be getting thrown into the oven!? May grumbles. ?Seriously its like the destiny cycle was screwing me over like always when they gave me Tsunami!?

?Destiny Cycle??

May gave Brendan with a slightly annoyed glance for his question.

?You?re the trainer yet you haven?t heard of that?? The girl scoffs. ?Listen, the destiny cycle is like saying that the very first Pokemon you chose to quest with you and any other that you keep in your main party was fated to be with you.?

Brendan gives May a slightly impressed look that she quickly shakes off.

?To be honest its something that annoying little runt told me about?? The chestnut-haired girl then faces the boy on a more serious note. ?Oh, your Mom says to get your butt to soccer practice ASAP! So get moving!?

Brendan frowns while staring out into the blue emptiness of the lake.

?Good little boys shouldn?t ignore their Momma?s orders Bleach.? May smirks.

?I told you May my hair is natural!? Brendan replies hastily. ?Look? You? you-thanks for? well? you can leave if you want, I?m not going anywhere.?

May looked a bit surprised not just by Brendan?s outburst but that he indirectly disobeyed a rather scary when angry woman.

May just stood there and stared silently at the kind boy for quite sometime. Brendan didn?t even once look her way.

?Clor-Brendan?? May called out to her friend calmly. ?Do you even like playing soccer? I always thought you were too much of a Pokemon junkie to do anything else.?

Brendan pats Tsunami softly on the head while a small smile formed on his face.

?It?s not that I can?t do anything else.? The snow colored hair boy admits. ?Soccer just isn?t my thing. Chasing around a dirty ball back and forth is a bigger waste of time than playing video games.?

?What.? May snaps quickly. Brendan obviously didn?t hear her and continued.

?But I graduated from those silly things a long time ago? So that?s why I think it?s just a stupid waste of energy.?

A loud thwacking sound echoed within the Route when May heavily punches Brendan on the head. The snow colored hair boy spent some time rubbing his new ache but quickly felt a light breeze by his forehead.

Brendan turns a to the fuming May with a: ?what did I do?? face while she gripped his headband tightly in her hand.

?What load bull!? May shouts. ?You say you graduated from video games but you wanna know what I think?? She challenged. ?It?s not that you graduated from anything you just suck at it!?

Brendan?s eyes widened in shock.

?So, whatever your good at you continue to pursue it with an over smug attitude but anything else?s you have no talent you just shake it off and act as though your too cool for it! Thinking like that shows how pathetic a person you truly are!?

?It?s my opinion it?s not like it?s affecting you one way or the other!? Brendan snaps.

?You?re wrong!? May snaps back.

The two glare at each other harshly for a moment until May was to break their silence.

The chestnut-haired girl?s ocean blue eyes softened with a disappointed expression.

?I like playing video games.? May comments in a low voice. ?Just because you want to run away from every little obstacle set for you doesn?t mean you have the right to insult the whole community of fans? I?m not going to fight with you over something silly like this.?

May turns around and starts walking away from Brendan. ?I won?t say a word to your Mom.? The chestnut-haired girl replies coolly. ?And I?ll respect your opinion, you better respect mine.?

Tsunami leaves the snow colored hair boy?s side to quickly chase after her partner.

?It?s not like that!? Brendan shouts aloud, forcing May to stop in her place. ?My Mom pretty much forced me into the LittleDale soccer group without even wanting to hear my say in the matter? It?s not that I?m a bad player it?s just-?

?We should get going.? May suggests, much to Brendan?s surprise. ?You shouldn?t run from your fears because you seem too thickskulled to ever seem like the give up type.?

?Now you?re mistaking me with you.? Brendan chuckles.

May gives an amused little scoff and continues about her way. However the 13-year-old stopped in her place once again when she heard the boy call out to her.

?What??

?My headband please??

A mischievous look formed on May?s face when she took a good look at Brendan?s favored headwear.

?It has your scent? but? I think I?ll keep it!?

The chestnut-haired girl then runs away from the area thanking Brendan for the bizarre gift with Tsunami not too far behind her.

Brendan knew that the girl just wanted him to give chase and who was he to break her expectations.

The two 13-year-old?s and the chick Pokemon run about the area acting as if they were half their age.

They laughed and ran through about until the situation itself was a flash of fading memory?

--------------
(In the water)

?Warmth?? The sinking 13-year-old mentally mummers.

A few feet below Brendan a pair of beady yellow eyes flashed with a piercing gleam. A cascade of foaming bubbles shortly replaced that gleam.

--------------
(Above ground)

The foaming bubbles continued to expand its territory from within the lake.

The over mounting amount of pressure from the bizarre properties of the Chameleon Falls and this foreign factor caused everything to just burst and allowed the foaming bubbles to uplift the drowning boy and his two Pokemon back to surface with, of course, an added piggyback by the creator of the bubbles: The ancient rock fish Relicanth.

Prof. Cosmo was quite impressed at the spotting of such a presumed extinct creature. Ringo, Roxx, Aero Adler and even Ivy were just pleased to their friends/guys she needs to get back to her rightful partner were alright.

?How many lives does this kid have?? Shelly thinks to herself.

The Aqua Admin was thrust out of her thoughts when Aldo?s hand pushes itself in front of her face and made a clutching noise.

?Hey, don?t go all hulk mode on that.? Kyosuke grins from his spot in the lake close to Relicanth. ?That meteorite is one of a kind had to put my life on the line to get it.?

?What! That fragment rightfully belongs to Magma!? Courtney screams from afar. ?Swellow-?

Pelipper nails the full-fledged flying-type with Ice Beam that successfully turned it into a block of ice. Courtney irately recalls the frozen Swellow into its ball before it plunges into the ever-expanding lake below.

?No need to glare at me like that.? Kyosuke assures the Aqua?s. ?Just take what you want and never show your faces here again. There?s enough pond scum as it is here.?

Aldo really wanted to thrash the wildman for that shot but calms down when Shelly glares at him.

?Fine.? Shelly sighs mock defeated. ?Take the Professor as a gift for your cooperation. I hope you?re able to leave here before its too late humans don?t have gills you know??

The Aqua?s all return their Pokemon into their respective balls. Pelipper dives towards Shelly so she could grab its webbed toes and airlift her back to the path she once came from.

Aldo calls out his Peilpper to the same. Schneider takes one last look at the unconscious Brendan before giving content ?hmph? and following the same actions as his allies.

Courtney looks down at Kyosuke with a venomous scowl before recalling her Ninetales to make a dash into the tunnel in hopes of cutting Aqua off.

The Grunts follow her actions all the way.

--------------
(A few hours later)
(Mt. Meteor top floor)

?Finally up.? Kyosuke greets Brendan.

The wildman then drops all of Brendan?s belongings on him and explains the overall situation; emphasizing in great detail how much of a pain it was to get back all of his conscious Pokemon back into their balls.

?Sorry?? The snow colored hair boy mummers dejectedly.

It?s obvious the 13-year-old took note of the flooding water that now plagued the area.

Kyosuke looked at the boy blankly before laughing it all off. ?Oh please! Like there was anything one kid could?ve done against top ranking criminals.?

?So I guess that?s the end of Chameleon Falls?? Brendan still murmured. Kyosuke nods. ?It?s a pity, but be just be glad that the legend ends with you: The last fighting spirit to overcome the opposition to seek out Chameleon Falls and actually live to tell about the truth behind it? not some made up dreams.?

?Astral Plains.? Prof. Cosmo corrects.

Both Brendan and Kyosuke to look at him.

?Dream is a lesser way to describe when you enter a type of supersensible state without really being dead called astral bodies and visit a realm within your own head called the astral plains.?

Kyosuke shrugs lightly, ruffling Brendan?s hair as he also uses this manner as a way to pick himself up.

?Well today was eventful.? Kyosuke grins. ?Even if those guys stop fighting whoever gets the meteorite won?t use it for good things.?

?You?re going after them?? Brendan asked.

?Psh, like I care what happens to the planet. If these guys kill us due to stupidity then so be it? But I suppose that?s why people like you exist.? Kyosuke responds truthfully.

And with that, Kyosuke says his goodbyes and makes his leave. Brendan respectfully watches the man go until he was no longer insight.

?He gives me too much credit.? The boy thinks to himself. ?I have no clue what Magma or Aqua could hope to accomplish with a meteorite fragment but I bet we?ll be finding out not too far in the future??

------------
Chapter 17- War of the Elementals: The battle of Land and Sea
---------------
(Two months later. Mossdeep City)
(Location: A new Sushi and grill joint named: Fillet King)

?WAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!? Came the voice of Team Aqua?s seafaring Leader Archie.

Archie wasn?t dressed in his usual attire. The man himself wore a cook?s outfit along with an apron with a big red lobster on it that said: ?Tartar this!?

In his hands, the bearded man fluttered a fan happily giving his guests a huge toothed grin. ?COME ONE WELCOME ALL TO FILLET KING!!! WHERE THE FISH IS GOOD AND THE GRILL IS ALRIGHT! HEY WERE SO POPULAR EVEN OUR CITIES AMAZING GYM LEADERS EAT HERE AT THE ALL YOU CAN EAT BUFFET!?

Archie gestures to Mossdeep?s Gym Leader duo: Psychic twins Tate and Liza who were enjoying their deep-dish seafood meal.

?We?re? Tate begins. ?On a seafood diet. Literally? Liza finishes as she contently eats more of her shrimp and pasta meal.

The people inside the restaurant clap to their Gym Leaders approval.

The whole joint itself was swarming with Team Aqua members all acting as waiters and cooks.

Since Team Aqua is most supported by Archie?s loving hometown of Mossdeep it was only the wisest move to set camp there. And why not boast your love for the sea by opening a fish joint?

Hey, all large groups need money from somewhere.

?AHH I LOVE THIS WORK!? The hearty Team Aqua Leader exclaims. ?Perhaps I should give up the organization business and go into the business field!?

?Um Captain?? Team Aqua Executive Shelly dressed in a secretaries attire whispers to his boss. ?I?have bad news concerning the mission we swabbies number 246 and 7 on??

Archie turns to the Admin harshly.

----------------
(A bit later in Archie?s office)

Archie angrily bangs his fist against his desk. ?Cursed Magmas! Does their deceit know no end??

Archie turns to his puzzled first mate solemnly. ?That battle a year ago was before your time?? He begins. ?That bloodstained disaster that brought the level of hatred between Magma and Aqua by tenfold!?

 

[Isaac Gravity]

(Flashback)
(Archie Narrates)

[Exactly a few years ago, the feuding between our group and Maxie?s reached a boiling point where murder started to arise on both sides. Gang fights on the streets, brawls in any place.]

[This act was unacceptable by both our groups.]

[Just because some reckless newcomers who just wanted to itch for trouble and fights had no real view of either groups goals doesn?t mean that Maxie or I would allow such dishonorable behavior? Then the unthinkable happened.]

A lovely woman with black hair lay dead on the streets as people and an ambulance surround around her.

The Police did there best to push civilians away.

[My dear sweet Ayame?beaten to death in cold blood by my own members?Why? Because she was the wife of Team Magma?s Leader?]

[I couldn?t blame Maxie for feeling a fueling hatred for me?But couldn?t I feel that too? He turned my Ayame! My only family in the entire world against me!]

[Regardless of the situation, from that day forward Magma and Aqua?s bitterness grew into a venomous bloodbath. At one point I believe that both sides forgotten their views and goals and it just became a fight to survive.]

[Then last year? what was supposed to be a noble final battle between groups manifested itself into the worst defeat that Aqua ever had?]

[And it was at the hands of a devil?]

In Aqua?s original base in Lilycove. Screams of death could be heard all over the base.

?Captain! Bzzt! Captain!? Came the desperate cry of Team Aqua Admin Montell. ?Montell what is it lad? What is going on! Out there?!? Archie yells at his flunkie with equal desperation.

?Captain for all things holy?ugh?Don?t come out here! We?ll defend you with our very last breaths!?

?Montell as captain I must go down with the ship! I?M coming like it or not!?

?Captain Please-? Montell begs until something else gets his attention. ?Wait! Please! This isn?t the final battle we were expecting! AUGGGGGHHHH!!!!?

Montell is knocked down by a huge black figure as the color red is splattered onto the screen. Archie was horrified as well as shocked.

The Aqua Leader didn?t have to wait too long to see what was doing all this damage. Breaking down the steel door with a strong ghostly force, Archie saw his crew?s assassin: A girl, about the age of thirteen, who was fully clothed in the Team Magma uniform.

Archie always thought the Team Magma uniform looked stupid in comparison to Aqua?s but in that costume the girl looked just eerie with it on.

Realizing that this little girl had blood, his groups blood smeared all over her, enraged the Aqua Leader to no end.

?Maxie you sick coward! Sending a child to do this?this?Bloodwork!? The Team Aqua Leader bellows before he regains his composure in a very disappointed fashion. ??Is your lust for vengeance so deep that you would steal the innocence of one so young??

The girl gives an innocent little laugh. ?So this the man who preaches of false justice.?

Archie looks at the girl puzzled.

?Do you really think the planet can be turned into a living sea? You dream too much.? The girl then gives the man a little smirk. ?And there?s only one place dreamer?s like you can go when they try to turn tainted dreams into reality.?

Archie grits his teeth and calls out his Feligator.

He knew that fighting a child was wrong, but she was too far-gone, brainwashed by Maxie.

And ontop of that?The look in her cold topaz colored eyes shows she truly did single handily murder his men?and has no sign of remorse?

The girl?s playful facial expressions disperse as she calls out Houndoom. This creature truly showed familiarity to the Aqua Leader.

?t-that Pokemon?? Archie remised.

?Though Maxie may not be here to easily defeat you. I shall fight in his place with the creature he passed onto me.?

??Passed unto you?What is your relationship to Maxie? What is your name??

?My name.? The girl responds coldly. ?Is Angelique.?

Though the differences were vast. The moment he heard that name Archie knew Ayame?s memory lived on, and always will exist within Maxie?

Ayame always said if she should have a little girl she?d name her Angelique. Archie always teased her saying that that?s kinda expected as well as stereotypical. Ayame never cared; she thought that name had a glow of mysticism in it.

Archie saw it! Ayame?s anguished and betrayed soul glowering down at him at that very moment? As if she was saying: ?Are you happy now? Do you suffer slowly like I did when I was murdered! Well, don?t fear, your journey to hell will be a fast one!?

?Ayame?Wait?This is all some kind of mistake?? Archie weakly mummers suddenly feeling as though his life were being drained from him.

?Your tainted dreams must not exist.? Angelique states. ?Cerberus stop them.?

The now named Cerberus the Houndoom nods at his new master and lunges at Feligator with Crunch. Feligator counters with Hydro Pump.

Cerberus turns his lunge into a nosedive as he quickly throws itself to the floor, but his entire back gets badly grazed by the Water.

Feligator doesn?t stop there; it swings its tail in hopes to break the bones of its rival who was already cringing in pain.

Cerberus, despite the aching wound jumps over the tail swing only to get grabbed by its throat by the croc Pokemon with arms and legs.

Giving his fiery foe a toothed snarl, Feligator is ready to finish his foe off when his master commands it.

Archie didn?t have time to say anything though; Cerberus gives his foe a Fire Blast at point blank range.

This causes Feligator to lose his grip on the dark dog Pokemon who quickly sinks his teeth into the Croc Pokemon?s throat.

Feligator backs away giving out a dying cry before it swings its tail slapping Archie hard enough to knock him out the closed window and into the sea below.

Just before Archie plummeted into the sea he adores witnessed Feligator being dragged into its execution room.

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

?So that?s what happened?? Shelly mused as calm as she could.

Archie folded his hands as he went into deep aloud thought. ?Even though this planet is mostly composed of water the bulk of it is contaminated and sullied? By drowning these seeds the good seeds will harvest and grow.?
Archie goes into deeper meditation. ?But most good seeds will drown with the wicked?This is tough?Is my hopes really a dream??

Shelly considers her Leader?s words and shrugs.

?No matter the situation sir every grand plan is a double-edged sword that hurts as much as it helps.? The Aqua Admin replies knowingly. ?But in the end it?s knowing that the benefits to others that the plan does is what outweighs the negative thinking.?

Archie considers this a moment and laughs. ?No wonder why you?re the firstmate! Wahahahahaha!?

Shelly sweatdrops. ?Aye-aye captain?But shouldn?t we be addressing the troops now??

?What for??

?Well,? Shelly sighs. ?Aside from the bad news I gave you, we also had great news: Swabbies numbers 103, 206 and 179 have intersected Magma?s plan on the machine they were building.?

Shelly then begins to explain to Archie about their scientist finds. Most interestingly Magma?s plan to use the machine to cause Mt. Chimney to erupt at such an alarming rate that the shockwave of the epicenter will cause an earthquake strong enough to awaken two very powerful sleeping volcanoes buried in the ocean near the Southern Islands and Johto in hopes that will produce a chain reaction which will force other volcanoes to erupt as well.

?Blast!? Archie growls. ?Did Maxie even think of the chances his plan could fail and destroy this planet??

Shelly nods before continuing. ?But this is the interesting part Captain? The item required to work the machine is a meteorite found by Prof. Cozmo in Meteor Falls.? The female admin remises. ?We intercepted Cozmo and took the meteorite, we also learned that the meteorites polarities have to be in the right synch to work in our favor!?

?Meaning??

?If we chip the rock according to the way Swabbie number eighty drew this picture.?

Shelly quickly shows Archie the picture. ?We can force the lunar polarities to work in our favor and make Mt. Chimney sink. That would make those sleeping volcanoes act in a different manner.?

?Turning the whole land into a ocean! Schneider is a genius!? Archie happily announced. ?Come my dear! We have work ahead of us!?

Shelly nods as they both rush to elevator and the basement floor. As the elevator headed to its destination Archie couldn?t help but have thoughts run through his head.

?Maxie?Today you and your devil child will learn the true meaning of justice??

-----------------------
(Team Magma base)

?My fellow Magma?s? The Team Magma Leader Maxie voice boomed from the video recording. ?After a great amount of research and toiling we are finally ready to launch the final Armageddon against all those who stand in our path and finally unleash the road to true justice.?

Maxie closed his eyes as he continued speaking. ?Unfortunately, I cannot join you in this fray. As fate called it I have very important business to attend to elsewhere... But I have full faith and belief in all of your abilities!?

The Team Magma Leader clenches his fist in a determined manner as he finished his speech. ?Royce and Amanda will lead you all in this epic climax! Team Magma shall raise the hope of many ONCE AND FOR ALL!!!?

All The Magma Grunts and Admin?s all cheer for their victorious Leader. Magma Executive Amanda takes a nearby microphone and egged on the video recordings words.

?We of Team Magma are soldiers of Gaia trying to expand the land for the good of all! Remember that! We fight with purity and grace of the land itself Nothing shall limit us! No false powers are needed to bolster our already united strength!?

Amanda hands the microphone over to Royce who adds his words of movement. ?The last chapter of the clash of Land and Sea begins! We shall hurry to Mt. Chimney and recover what Aqua is trying to steal from us! ONWARD TO VICTORY!?

?ONWARD!!!? The Magma group agrees as they run to the doors.

-----------------------
(Aqua base)

Archie stood on podium as he addressed his men.

?Fellow Aqua?s!? He began. ?We have been forced back by those land loving Magma?s for long enough! The time to strike is now! We will use Magma?s own reckless, half-baked plan against them and save this planet and all those who are drowning within all the pollution and destruction that we, humans have so unmercifully caused!?

Archie finishes his speech in the same manner that Maxie finishes his. ?Team Aqua shall never sink for we know how to swim! We can never drown for we know how to scuba-dive! We will never allow Magma to deceive us again?because this time?? The Aqua Leader growls. ??It?s personal?Now onward! This will be the last time we shall walk on land so get used to it!?

The Team Aqua members all cheer as they rush out for combat. Archie took his sweet time walking out the door.

?Ayame?I swear to you that this was all a misunderstanding?? The man mentally rambled. ?But when you launched that demon onto my people you cut all ties we once shared?Team Magma?No, Maxie will go down for good! I swear it.?

End Chapter 17
-----------------------------------------
(Notes)

According the Webster?s college dictionary Astral bodies: a supersensible substance believed to pervade all space and to form a second body belonging to each individual through life and surviving death.

From what I heard, these forms are believed to be responsible for your dreams that take place in a place called the astral plains. That?s why they say that when you die in your dreams you die for real. But usually in Nightmares when you do become in mortal danger you?re usually thrusted back into reality before you do get hurt. Sometimes most aren?t as lucky as they show in horror/Fantasy movies/shows like Charmed (when it was actually a good series)


Next: Chapter 18- War of The Elementals: Tainted snow

 

[Isaac Gravity]

Disclaimer- I don?t own Pokemon or anything else.
-------------

(9AM: LittleRoot Town)

?Mrs. Hiromi!? 8-year-old Max calls out to May?s mother.

Mrs. Hiromi stops her gardening to turn to the young boy with a warm smile. ?Good morning Max. Usually I?d expect children to be watching Saturday morning cartoons at this hour.?

?Oh please! Cartoons are a waste of time!? Max scoffs. ?I?ve got way more pressing matters to attend to.?

?Didn?t know you were into video games.? Mrs. Hiromi chuckles, just noticing the visors and game controller. ?You follow May more than you admit.?

?This isn?t a game!? Max states proudly. ?This is Pokemon Island Online! A trainer simulation!?

?Ok, ok I?m sorry Max I couldn?t help but tease.? The woman cheerfully comments. ?Anyway that?s a stylish little object. It?s good to see your parents are sending you gifts while they?re away.?

?Err? actually Ma?am?? Max admits. ?I wanted you to help me with this level??

Mrs. Hiromi?s eyes widened for a moment before smiling off the boy?s words.

?Please!? The boy pleads. ?Mrs. Birch refuses to help me and is forcing Prof. Birch to do the same. You?re the only other adult I know that?s cool enough to handle the Battle Tower!?

Mrs. Hiromi considered it for a moment. She never really minded when May would spend hours on one of her game consoles. Heck, sometimes she?s secretly watched the girl play.

Not to mention actually take a shot herself whenever May stepped out.

?Well, it is a Pokemon trainer simulation?? Mrs. Hiromi considers.

?Please! Pleaaaaassssse!?

Mrs. Hiromi puts down her gardening tools and rolls up her sleeves. ?Well then, I suppose I could at most see what kind of Pokemon you use and probably throw a pointer in proper balance.?

?Really!? Max asked ecstatically. ?YOU?RE THE BEST!?

?But of course.?
--------
(Verdanturf Town)
(Wally?s Aunt and Uncle?s)

Wally grumbles in the kitchen as he washed a lot of dishes. He wore a white apron to protect his clothes from getting dirty and yellow gloves to avoid getting dishpan hands.

?I heard that.? Wanda calls to the 11-year-old in a singsong voice from the other room. Wanda was reading a complex book on Human Biology while keeping the T.V on the Discovery Channel.

?You knew the deal Wally,? The college student reminds. ?You promised to wash all the dishes if I let you go out with your friends. And you were so supposed to do that BEFORE you left. It?s not my fault you tried to weasel your way out it.?

?I didn?t think you meant it at this moment.? Wally whines.

?Why don?t you just take Mia?s example and just do your chores.? Wanda slyly counters.

?Then if Mia means so much to you just get her to do it! She doesn?t do anything else aside from moping about!? The 11-year-old parries.

?Wally, believe me, I don?t think it?s viably fair to even be jealous of someone like Mia.? Wanda sighs. ?If anything I feel nothing but guilt for the burden a child so fragile and young has to endure??

Wally didn?t say anything after that comment but Wanda decides to further invest in the situation.

?Did you know Mia has no friends? The only person who she ever felt she could be herself around is hanging on by a thread in the guest room! I don?t think I could every envy who she is Wally? I pity her way too much??

Wally continued to wash the dishes in utter silence. The words ?Mia?? were the only he murmured with guilty in a tone above a whisper.
------------
(Mt. Chimney)

?Cursed Sea Rat!? A Team Magma Grunt roars as he throws a heavy punch an Aqua Grunt who stood in his path to the machine and the meteorite.

The Team Aqua Grunt wipes the blood from his lower lips and he breaks into a frenzy of ballistic rage. ?Crusted piece of Whailmer barnacle!? He spat as he lunges and pins the man.

Before you knew it a brawl broke out between the three Magma?s and Aqua?s that fought for control of the grand plan.

Punches, Kicks, insult and slaps were thrown about on both sides. Many, like Nurse Joy would be glad to know that they aren?t using Pokemon in this personal spat. After a while Team Magma started to gain the upper hand. The Aqua?s were becoming dazed and confounded.

?Ha! You?d think for guys who spent their life at sea they?d put up a better fight.? Team Magma Grunt Sandra mocks her K.O.ed foe. ?I hear that!? Team Magma Grunt Joe agrees before he and the other Grunt interestingly enough named what?s-his-face (?What? to his friends) hear Sandra?s horrified screams.

Turning to see what?s wrong with their teammate, the duo ends up gapping at the sight: A huge rather muscular fellow towered over them. Holding up Sandra by the back of her neck.

The man himself was dressed as though he?s been out to sea often. Standing next to him was his two loyal Pokemon: Loudred and Blastoise, both Pokemon were abnormally muscular for there species and by the fierce looks and scars on them they?ve seen many fierce battles.

?So this is the infamous Team Magma eh?? The man boomed. ?You?re all a bigger bunch of flabby weaklings than I thought?how can such pipsqueaks hope to beat Aqua? Wahahahahaha!?

?SHUT YOUR FACE AND LET ME GO!!? Sandra screams at the man. The huge man simply does what?s he?s ordered and quickly lets the female Magma grunt hit the ground with a loud ?Thud.?

?I didn?t realize you were a lady for a second.? The man admits. ?I, the great Rykyu Gatsura am so used to her such effeminate screams from my foes I lost track of them all!?

The Aqua?s quickly took note to this man?s name.

?d-Did you say Ryukyu? THE legendary fisherman and treasure hunter: Ryukyu Gatsura of the well known ship Gatsura?? A badly beaten Aqua Grunt timidly asked as one of his open eyes tinkled.

Ryukyu nods. ?Wahahahaha! So my reputation precedes me I see! As does yours Team Aqua: The noble warriors of the sea! I heard of your amazing endeavors and exploits and hoped to join your ranks.?

The Magma?s heard of this guy if he joins Aqua at this moment they were screwed?

The Aqua Grunt was dumbfounded by this greats request. He made it so simple too. One Aqua Grunt named Jerry spoke for his team. ?Uh, s-sure but you have to take it up with our boss??

?Y-yeah.? Another Aqua Grunt named Hoop agreed. ?It?s not our call??

?I see?? The Legendary sea captain mused. ?Then I shall simply wait! But in the meantime I shall support you!? Ryukyu then gives the Magma Grunts a dark look. ?And I know exactly how??

?Well, were boned.? What?s-his-face mumbles. His group nods.

Within a matter of seconds the Legendary Captain wiped the floor with the two male Grunts and easily eradicated Sandra in a quick one-sided Pokemon battle. The Aqua Grunts then tied her and the two unconsciousness and badly beaten Magma?s to a nearby giant stalagmite.

?You Aqua?s talk big but this is only Round 1!? Sandra threats. ?Team Magma WILL rescue us! AND WILL DEFENATLY expand the land for the benefit of both Pokemon and Humans!?

Ryukyu snorts at the female Grunt. ?Brainwashed I see?You are wrong little girl??

?LITTLE GIRL! I?M EIGHTEEN!? Sandra snarls at the man. Ryukyu shakes his head.

?In the world of the sea you are just a child?You don?t understand the importance of the dawn of this new era?A land free of pollution and machines! Free of technology that makes man lazy and complacent?The Great Sea must come to be! And let all the apparitions of mans destruction drown in a cesspool of red?before the final purification!?

-------------
Chapter 18- War of The Elementals: Tainted snow
----------
(Mauville City)

Standing by the place where it all fell apart, 10-year-old Mia Stone contemplates deeply on life thus far.

Despite her spending practically months in one location, quite a bit has fallen upon her? Not to say any of it is any good to her?

?Oh! Your that girl who?s been living with Wally!? The familiar voice of Daisuke called out to Mia from behind.

The 10-year-old dully turned around to see just who she expected: Daisuke, however; along with him were two girls also in the same troop outfit uniform.

The girl to the left of the 11-year-old Boy Scout had short black hair with deep crimson streaks highlighted into them. Mia was starting to think the whole highlighting the hair thing was some kind of fad that girls and even most boys are crazily getting into.

The girl to Daisuke?s right had long red hair that she kept in a tight ponytail. Her hair seemed to be sparkling with what seemed to be glitter sprinkled about it? Though her hair looked quite pretty, Mia shuddered to think how long it might take the girl to wash out the glitter when she?s no longer interested in the fashion.

?Yes, I am she.? Mia politely replies. ?But Wally can?t come out to play right now, he?s been skipping out on his chores and Wanda-san is quite upset about that.?

?Aww man?? Mia heard the trio mummer dejectedly. The 10-year-old mutters, ?I?m sorry? while turning back to lean on the railing and stare at the lake in deep thought.
The 10-year-old didn?t have to look at the trio of 11-year-old?s to realize they were still standing there. Mia turns to the scouts at shoulders length to give them an icy stare.

In all honesty Mia?s always wanted to do something like that since May made that rather intimidating look appear rather cool.

While Daisuke was oblivious to it, the two girls noticed Mia?s glare but shrugged it off. The girl with the red hair frowns a bit but chooses to stand her ground and talk.

?No need to look at us like that.? The girl comments. ?Were sorry if we seem rude ourselves but Wally?s told us a bit about you and I?m just surprised to see you out here by yourself.?

Mia frowns slightly after hearing that. ?Why are you even wasting your time with me? Your friends of Wally right? Wally and I aren?t friends only friends of a similar friend.?

?Well, yeah considering how you talk to each other I?d figure so.? Daisuke agrees.

?Shut-up!? The girl with black hair screams at the boy.

?You?re only saying that because you never witnessed how she would act all high and mighty and stuff around us with her knowledge of Pokemon and stuff.?

?So the hell what!? The girl with black hair shouts. ?You act like a cocky dork every passing minute!?

?Well I don?t hold my nose above the air and act all prissy like how you girls do!?

?Boy, the way you gesture makes me question you sometimes!?

?Both of you cut it out!? The girl with red hair snaps at the two.

The two were confused why until they heard the feint sniffling that came from Mia.
-----------
(10 minutes later)

?Feeling better?? The girl with red hair asked.

Mia nods silently still a bit bitter about the fact she accepted someone?s pity.

The girl with the red hair put a comforting hand on Mia?s shoulder. ?I?m the youngest out of three kids in my family so I know how much of a pain it is to be constantly treated like a do nothing baby.? The girl admits. ?But you?re wrong about Wally, he?s a good guy??

?That?s true. Wally just a really responsible guy and could go overboard at times with things.? The girl with the short black hair responds calmly.

?And he can be quite cute too.? The girl with red hair giggles.

?Like when he gets all loud and whiny.? The girl with black hair agrees.

?Or just his boyish charm.?

Daisuke rolls his eyes at the whole girl talk. ?Whatever, I?m waaaay cooler than Wally. He?s just the center of attention because girls think he?s cute.?

?Or,? The black haired girl smirks. ?Because within his two month stay in scouts he earned more badges than you in an entire year.?

?Wally was in scouts?? Mia asked the red haired girl quizzically. The girl nods.

?My name is Jasmine by the way.? The red haired girl introduces before going any further.

?And I?m Jenna.? The black haired girl adds. ?You already know Daisuke??

?Well who can forget a legend?? Daisuke grins. ?Yeah legendary sucker.? Jenna scoffs.

?ANYWAY!? Jasmine lifts her voice. ?When Wally first came to Verdanturf he was actually pretty quiet. Only playing with his Ralts. A lot of the girls in class thought that whole quiet thing made him vulnerable but??

?To the point!? The other two scouts growl.

?Right!? Jasmine sweatdrops. ?Wally was in our troop for a short while but he proved to be a pretty open guy when you got to know him. He was practically flawless in archery but he had to quit before our troop could sign him into the regional scout meet.?

?He told us his parents back in Petalburg went livid when they found out he was in scouts and immediately had him quit.? Daisuke informs. ?It was too bad? he was my eternal rival??

Jenna looks at Daisuke and frowns.

?How it be called a rivalry when the guy you compete against completely outdoes you altogether?? The girl thinks to herself.

Jasmine smiles a bit understanding for Mia. ?Since you guys spent so much time together Wally must?ve told you he bad had it back in his hometown. Every time he stepped outside he was ridiculed or beat-up by the local kids. He didn?t have any friends? He said that May girl pretty much changed his life.?

?n-No, he never tells me much about himself...? Mia admits guiltily since she never really paid the boy too much mind to begin with.

?Hm, You should try to understand where he?s coming from more.? Jasmine suggests. ?He probably just finds you annoying in some sense since you?re kinda like him in most ways.?

?Wally-kun?? Mia mummers with guilt. ?I never knew these about him? I never even bothered to try to understand him? I really am what Daisuke-kun described me as??

Both Jenna and Jasmine give the nervous Daisuke a passive look. Wanting to take the heat off himself, Daisuke had a crafty plan.

?Say, Mia since you ventured all the way out here why don?t we all go to Route 110 and train our Pokemon together? That sounds like fun right??

?You were waiting for Wally-kun. I?ll go get him.?

?n-No its alright really!? Daisuke assures. ?Jasmine?s the one who likes him anyway! We could go while she and Jenna waits!?

?And miss you get your butt whopped by newcomer? ?Cha right.? Jenna grasps her camcorder readily.

?And I so don?t like him like that!? Jasmine shouts.

Both girls now grab Mia by separate arms and drag her off to Route 110 Daisuke has no choice but to follow.
-------------
(Mt. Chimney)

?Wahahahahaha!? Came the bellowing voice of the legendary sea captain Ryukyu Gatsura. ?So the great Archie, we meet at last!? Archie gratefully shakes Gatsura?s hands. ?I appreciate the support of any who wish to help Team Aqua in our dreams of expanding the planets water rate.?

?Psh, yeah like that?s ever going to happen? The tied down Team Magma Grunt Sandra scoffs. ?Do you realize how unorthodox that plan is!? Not to mention that you stole it from my group! What ever happened to originality People!??

Archie and his group ignore the fuming Magma and turn their attention to the machine and Swabbie#80: Team Aqua Grunt and genius Schneider.

?Ok sir? Schneider confirms. ?The meteorite is broken down according to calculations?Now all I have to do is fix the frequency ratio of the machine??

?Good job as always Schneider. Now? commence the operation!? Archie orders. With a nod Schneider inserts the meteorite into the apocalyptic machine and starts it.

At first, nothing happened but over a period of an hour an eerie whistle overtakes the area until it becomes a wispy humming noise. As a result of this the lava within the dormant volcano began to burble steadily until the rate became more alarming quick.

?It begins.? Archie thought to himself victoriously ?Ayame, Maxie you lose! Your dreams will soon wash away with all the tainted machineries of man!?

?By Entei were too late!? Magma Executive Amanda curses as she along with a dozen of Magma?s best female battlers ran up to the top of the mountain.

Archie turns to the 22-year-old woman with a smug expression. ?You?re too late little lady?Team Aqua?s plan is going according to plan!? Archie then gives the woman a menacing look. ?I?m not surprised. Maxie again sends someone to do his dirty work. The bloody coward can?t face me??

Amanda literally went livid when she heard that fool of a man say those things. ?Unlike you and your band of round about scallywags Maxie doesn?t need to be there to constantly act as our brains?We have them! That?s a must in the job description.?

?Oh,? Amanda adds. ?By the way. It was so noble of you to launch a sneak attack on our base and all the areas that are under our Protection! That forced our troops to be at the small number its at now!?

?Ha! Protection?!? Archie scoffs. ?More like leeching what you wanted from good people!?

Before Amanda could say anything the wispy humming sound from the machine stopped. Causing everyone to stop in their place and think.

Little did they know that inside the volcano the lava began to burble at an even more alarming rate to the point it was rising.

What the two rival groups could is the meteorite beginning to pulsate and glow before the machine making a loud screeching sound so piercing that it shattered the glass protecting the meteorite and shattered a layer of the hard meteorite causing it to be smaller in size for either groups plan to work.

This was followed by a loud heavy tremor that went on for a few seconds, luckily the ground didn?t split apart.

?That?can?t be good.? The now untied Sandra mused. ?sc-Schneider? Archie nervously squeaked.

Schneider rather timidly examines the machine from a safe distance. Gaining a little courage the man walks up to it and looks at it rather puzzled.

?Well?? Gatsura boomed. ?Is it still good??

Schneider scratches the back of his head sheepishly. ?Actually this meteorite is an amazing piece of work. I?d love to examine it when our plans come to be.?

?So Aqua wins?? A random Aqua Grunt asked cheerfully. Schneider said nothing as he adjusted the machines calibrations. ?No, with this adjustment now we?ll-?

?OH NO YOU DON?T!? Amanda screams as she throws a Pokeball containing a Mightyena at Schneider. ?Mightyena! Stop that man at all cost! Team Magma still has a chance!!!?

?C-Captain!? Schneider yelps. ?I?m a thinker not a fighter!?

?Hold on youngling!? Gatsura roars. ?Help is on the way!?

At that moment five female Magma Grunt all stood in the legendary sea captains path.

?Laura, Megan! Go get Joe and What to medical attention quickly! Ran, Trixy, Lulu, Sandra, and Betty! Work as a group and take that legend down!? Amanda orders. ?I heard of him?And I know his weak point! Use his bulkiness against him! Douse him in flames!?

?Right!? All seven girls comply as they made their moves. The remaining Grunts all run towards the Aqua?s, Pokeball thrown. Leaving Amanda to stare down the irritated Team Aqua Leader himself.

?You are beginning to annoy me woman?? Archie growls venomously at the Magma Executive who smirks. ?Team Magma is all about unity. It is a family owned organization after all.?

?I had a family too?before Maxie destroyed it.?

?Ayame left you in your bitterness because of how pitiful a person you were! You were too wrapped up in your own self-absorbed whims to care for her?Maxie is different from you and he always will be. It?s funny how you act out of vengeance against one whose only crime was being in love with her?it was your murderous hate that caused her death??
Amanda gave Archie a very hardened look. ?And you couldn?t even stay dead to atone. You had to spite her and rise back from whatever dead sea the Little One buried you.?

?SILENCE!? Archie fumed. ?Those days are over! Ayame has no ties to me! She joined Magma and died as one!? Archie then throws his Pokeball.

Amanda was really infuriated now. ?No! She died an innocent bystander who was struck down by her own blood! And I?ll never forgive that!?

Amanda threw her Pokeball and the claimed final battle of Team Magma and Team Aqua began.

 

[Isaac Gravity]

Cont
--------------------
(Verdanturf Town)

Wally continued to disdainfully do the dishes. While Wanda continued to hit the books.

When the 19-year-old was going to read some more pages. A news flash came on the T.V.

?We interrupt your regularly scheduled program for an important announcement!? The news guy on the T.V. reports.

?It has to be important to interrupt a program on the Discovery Channel.? Wanda quizzically mutters before calling Wally. ?Hey Wally, get your lazy butt in here!?

?What? Want me to give you a foot massage while I?m here.? The 11-year-old sarcastically growled.

?Watch closely and learn.? Wanda hushes her cousin as she points to the News bulletin that read: ?Hoenn under siege!?

?That?s right people,? The reporter continues. ?Hoenn is under siege! As Teams Magma and Aqua battle it out in the cities of Lilycove, Fortree and Rustboro for domination. We?ll now turn to Gabby whose reporting from Lilycove. Gabby.?

?Yes, hello Hoenn this is Gabby speaking and I?m in the middle of what used to a peaceful Sake drinking contest turned into a drunken brawl by not Team Aqua or Magma but the civilians themselves!?

Gabby sidesteps a drunken person who attempted to tackle her. Kicking the man once in the ribs the famous news reporter continues her scoop. ?More and more civilians seem to be getting involved in the fray shouting: Hail Magma! Or Hail Aqua! Speaking with me now is a local from the Team Magma inspired gang The Ground. Tell me sir what are your thoughts on this whole matter??

The member of the Ground puffed his chest proudly as he spoke. ?Well I?ll tell you what I feel Slappy!?

?Gabby?

?Scrappy. Anyway.? The gang member continued. ?This is the high time we?ve been waiting for! Team Magma is gonna take over and trash those wusses at Aqua once and for all!!?

?Interesting thoughts.? Gabby mused. ?But may I ask? What do you have against Aqua?? The Ground member considered this before answering simply. ?Water Pokemon suck!?

That comment roused the attention of a lot of Aqua supporters and members of the Team Aqua support gang The Sea.

?Your wussy gang sucks!? One member of The Sea growls.

The Ground member laughs it off as he turns his back looking like he was going to walk away only to quickly turn around and crack the guy in the jaw. An old woman throws a vase at The Ground member knocking him out cold.

Now the old woman along with some members of The Sea start stomping him. Gabby simply kicks the guy once too for messing with her name then steps away and turns back to the camera.

?Ahem.? Gabby clears her throat. ?Well, that was interesting words from an angry fellow? Back to you Stef.?

Stef the anchorman sweatdrops. ?Err Thanks Gabby.? The man then addresses the viewers in a very serious tone. ?Ladies and Gentlemen please lock yourselves in your homes and-WHOA!?

A light tremor shakes the area. Stef braces himself for the moment and the shaking stops. He then gets handed a piece of paper. ?Ladies and gentlemen this is an urgent message to all those near Mt. Chimney! An evacuation notice has been made due to the fact that Grandpa SnowTops has miraculously become active and by the risks it could blow its top at any moment! Is this the Armageddon for Good sweet mother Hoenn? Is this the dark rhapsody known as Latios twist? Oh Lorddy Were doomed! DOOMED I TELLS YA! GAME OVER MAN! GAME OVER!!!?

Stef then goes nuts and runs up to the screen. ?HERE THAT GRANDMA? OLD SONNY BOY IS COMING TO VISIT!! WHY ARE YOU PEOPLE STILL WATCHING THIS THIS IS OUR LAST MOMENTS ALIVE! YOU SHOULD BE LOOTING! AND SPILLING YOUR GUTS OUT TO YOUR LOVE AN-?

The screen was cut off by static but a few shots of Security Guards holding down Stef could be seen before a full image of a Stef smiling next to a Pikachu who held up a sign saying: ?Experiencing technical difficulties.?

?This is serious?? Wally replies nervously.

?Hmm?I don?t ever remember a rhapsody named ?Latios twist.?? Wanda mused while scratching her chin in deep thought.

Wally turns to his cousin a little puzzled due to her lack of fret on the matter. Wanda turns to the green haired 11-year-old with a knowing look. ?Don?t be nervous. Magma won?t let any harm fall upon Verdanturf or Mauville. So we?re all safe?

?You mean you side with Magma!? The 11-year-old yells at his cousin in shock.

?Magma only wants to expand the land a bit.? Wanda answers with a shrug. ?I think what they?re trying to do is more beneficial for others like you than drowning everything like Team Aqua wants to.?

?I don?t get what you mean?? Wally mumbles. ?I thought both groups are wrong??

Wanda turns off the T.V. as she closes her eyes to speak. ?In actions yes. But as far as long-term goals? if I had to choose, I?d choose Magma. I don?t too much like the idea of Verdanturf becoming a small Island. The excess water may kill the plants and who knows what the breeze will bring across an ocean.?

?It?s good to see that someone also holds these beliefs.? A Magma Grunt solemnly spoke as he entered the house. ?Magma!? Wally hissed as he ran to grab the closest item, which was a broom and use as a weapon and protect Wanda. ?Who do you think you are? Breaking into other people?s homes unannounced? Think your God??

?Relax kid,? The Magma Grunt snorts unimpressed at the 11-year-old in an apron. ?Were not here to fight were just bringing in this guy that says he knows you.?

?Liar!?

As Wally was about to make a futile attack on the man, two other Magma Grunts carefully walk inside the household carrying with them a very bruised up Karate Man. This got the coolheaded until now Wanda?s attention.

?TONY!!!? The 19-year-old college student screamed horrified at this familiar faces state. ?Quick! Get him inside here now!? She orders.

----------------
(Sometime later?)

?So Wanda?? Wally quizzically asked his older cousin. ?Who is this guy??

?You mean I never told you!? Wanda gasped, feeling a bit stupid. ?Tony is my Boyfriend. Y?know, the same guy I ALWAYS brag about!?

?Oh him??

Wanda giggles a bit before turning to the Magma?s who were also a bit wounded. ?Before I get to your wounds tell me?What?s going on out there??

The Leader of the group of Grunts named Fred throbbed his icepack on his head.

?Not a good day to be a Magma?? He mummers. ?We didn?t realize Aqua had Rustboro under their fingers. This strong chick that uses Rock-Type Pokemon jumped a guy spotted us and we fled to the cave. We didn?t realize it was still blocked. We saw some Aqua loyalist beating this guy down. He put up a good fight but how long can you last in a ten on one? We jumped in I used my Poochyena to use Rock Smash on the area we grabbed this Tony guy who kept saying he won?t die unless in its in his loves arms and in his daze he gave us the directions to here.?

Fred looks at his Pokeball and smirks as if to curse his fate. ?I?m glad I earned a few badges before I went down this path??

Wally scowls at the man. ?Hmph. Garbage! If that?s so why throw your life away on nonsense like this!??

?Wally!? Wanda screams at the boy.

Wally ignores his cousin as he angrily clenched his fist. ?NO! I?m not sorry! Why would he want to make himself a wanted criminal and not expect this treatment? Do you think your some kind of superhero or untouchable bank-robber when you go around doing the things you do? Does that make you feel superior over others??

Fred look at Wally slightly amused before he talked again. ?Heh, you?re a sickly guy aren?t ya??

?What does that have to do with anything??

?Well let me ask you?: Were you always this strong-principled??

Wally froze in his place when hearing that.

?You were a weak, sickly, frail kid once. Never could go out and play. Never could make any friends because of that. Heh I bet the lovely bliss of Verdanturf tanned your skin.?

?Sh-shut-up!? Wally yelled at the man. ?What do you know!?

?I know that Verdanturf?s tasty air worked the same wonders for me?? Fred grins eerily. ?I felt a new courage building within me; like I could tackle anything. I was like everyone else now. Now I could go out and prove it! That?s what you yearn to do too? Isn?t it?

Wally steps back a bit nervously as the man continues his words.

?My drive was my love for the town that saved me? I wanted every grassy, beau tic area to be just like Verdan?s that?s why I fight. My drive is to make Verdanturf Town?s around the world?Maxie told me if our plans work it?s very possible??

Fred then turns to Wally knowingly. ?I see it?The same lust for power?but your drive feels different from mine. Is it just for selfish reasons? Or is there someone you want to prove yourself to? If it?s the first one like I?m guessing then your future is no better than mine?That?s just the words of one sickly dude to another.?

Wally backed away from the Grunts twisted words of wisdom. He was going to become like him? Or even worse?

?That couldn?t be? the 11-year-old mentally screams. ?He was lying!?

Pulling off his apron and gloves, Wally just quickly ran out the house as fast as he could, anywhere was fine as long as he could escape that lunatic!

Wanda wanted to stop him but deep down she felt it wise to just let him be for a change.

----------
(Route 117)

The blurred vision due to his forming tears veiled Wally?s vision, causing him to trip and falls to the ground quite heavily.

What the boy didn?t realize or care to realize was that he was breathing very heavily and was coughing a bit.

?I letting his words sting me so much!?? The 11-year-old thinks to himself through haggard breaths. ?I know it isn?t true! I know the difference between right and wrong! It?s not right! Why am I such a baby??

Walking through the Route Wally noticed the odd behavior of some of the wild Pokemon in the area. It wasn?t until the skies grayed and a familiar powdery substance that fluttered out from it was when the 11-year-old took note of what went on.

?Snow? In August?? Wally muttered quizzically. The 11-year-old then attempts to catch a snowflake with his tongue, which was his mistake. ?Aw man sick! This isn?t snow? Cough! It doesn?t matter! I can still meet up with the guys.?

Running as fast as he can the slowly but surely becoming sick again 11-year-old made it to Mauville only to be knocked to the forming ashes ground by Two Magma grunts who blocked the way.

?Sorry kid, roads closed.? The Magma on the right starts. ?You came from Verdanturf?? The other Grunt continues. ?I say you go to your home now for your own health.?

?I don?t care! My friends are over there! I-?

The Grunt on the left grabs Wally by his shirt and gives him a menacing glare. ?Listen brat get lost or I?ll make you go. And Mommy won?t be there to help you when I?m through with you.?

It was at this moment Ralts pops out of his Pokeball ready to fight for his friend. Both Magma Grunts try hardest to not burst out laughing.

?Hey isn?t that that psycho-type Pokemon Rick?? The Magma on the right laughs.

?It?s psychic George.? The Magma on the left corrects before continuing. ?And yea that lil runt is useless against our Poochyena.?

The Grunt on the left named Bob tosses Wally to the ground where Ralts hastily ran over to him.

The 11-year-old was too busy coughing and gasping for air to notice what happened, but he did flash the men harsh.

The Grunts both smirk to each other before pulling out their Pokeballs. Before either could launch their Pokemon they were both knocked to the ground flat cold due to a squeezing on their pressure points from one and only Steven Stone.

?They brag that they are environmentally correct yet here they are picking on children?? The 19-year-old Hoenn Champ mummers.

May?s now fully healed visually challenged Grass-type Pokemon with the Blackglasses: Leaf the Shroomish, shook a bit agreeing with the words.

Steven then turns blankly to Wally who sat up to face the 19-year-old while gritting his teeth. ?Just can?t keep your nose out of trouble can you gaki??

Wally growls at him while shaking with rage.

?Ah well, can?t expect too much from someone like you. Nice weather we?re having though. Nice and singed??

Wally had it. Tears ran loosely down the boy?s cheeks as he found his energy and ran at Steven attempt to throw a punch at him. Steven easily dodges the clumsy attack and let Wally fall to his face.

The 11-year-old coughs a bit but doesn?t let up. He again tries to attack the 19-year-old.

?Cough! I didn?t need your help! I was fine!? The 11-year-old managed to blurt out in-between sobs. Steven now confused stood in his place and allowed the petite Green haired boy to hit him with his weak punches.

?COUGH! I?was?fine! By myself! I could?ve handled them! -Cough! Cough!!- WHY DOES EVERYONE TREAT ME LIKE WEAKLING?!??

Wally suddenly has a lapse of strength and falls to his knees coughing very heavily. It didn?t help that the once flurry of ash quickened into a snowstorm of ash.

?This is not good! Mt. Chimney is in a worse state than I thought.? Steven mentally frets. He then gives a bit of an annoyed sigh in Wally?s direction. ?And what brings such a sickly guy like you out in this condition??

Wally ignores Steven and manages to pick himself up. Attempting to drag himself to Route 110. Steven grabs the boy by his arms.

?Aren?t you listening?? Steven snaps at the boy. ?You?re in no condition to be out here!?

?I know that! No one should!? Wally snaps back. ?I ?? have to? get m?Mia?my friends out of Route? 110...? The boy chokes out, breathing quite heavily.

?Wally listen, this air is not healthy for you at all your condition can worsen if you don?t get to safety soon... I know you like my sister but she?s a lot more well off than you are.?

No response but Wally remains still.

Steven hands the boy an air filter mask ?While its not as bad right now take this filter mask and get to the Pokemon Center. Though a hospital for Pokemon Nurse Joy is also obliged and willing to help residents from Verdanturf who are suffering. I?ll find my sister and your friends. Take care of yourself. Hiromi?s Pokemon will go with you.?

Wally glares at Steven distrusting. Steven?s face becomes very stern. ? I am not deceiving you. Especially when my younger sister is at stake! Now, please take the filter and go! Your Ralts is a Psychic-type so I?m pretty sure it can create a temporary barrier to shield you!?

?But?? Wally downcasts his eyes to the ground sadly. ?I can?t always just run to others to help?I hate feeling weak??

Steven knelt down and continued his no-nonsense look. ?Life is blind. True strength isn?t simply obtained by acting cool and strong. It?s earned!?

Before Wally could argue this he felt lightheaded.

Feeling as though a boulder just knocked the wind out of him, thrusting him into the state of unconsciousness. Steven picks up the boy and gives an exasperated expression.

?Stubborn little punk.? The 19-year-old mutters. ?Now I have to find my sister AND bring him to a hospital.?

The Hoenn Champion then looks over to Ralts and Leaf who were ok due to the barrier that Ralts created.

?So he isn?t as inept as a Trainer as I thought?? He mentally grins before addressing the two Pokemon. ?Look, I know this is not my call but can you two do this much for me make sure that this stubborn little gaki here doesn?t do something in the hospital??

Both Pokemon especially the very worried Ralts agreed. Steven said what he said for Ralts? own good. He personally doesn?t think the kid has a chance after all this air he breathed in.

?ONII-CHAN!? Came the familiar voice of Mia.

Mia rushed to the area with the Campers: Daisuke, Jenna and Jasmine.
----------

 

[Isaac Gravity]

Cont (2)
-----------------------
(Mt. Chimney)

The fight between Magma and Aqua raged on. Neither side looked like it was gaining the upper hand. Even the Legendary Captain Ryukyu Gatsura and his Pokemon Loudred and Blastoise were having problems against five very skilled Magma Trainers.

Archie was getting more of a fight from Team Magma Executive Amanda than he ever thought he would.

Both Archie and Amanda?s Mightyena made another leap at each other teeth bared before both hit the ground rolling around and snapping at each other ravenously, both hoping their foe would make one mistake and that would lead to their death.

?Why do you hesitate Archie?? Amanda goads the Aqua Leader. ?Afraid to die??

?Hmph. I admit little Amanda you have grown into quite a strong and confident young woman?? Archie begins. ?But! Because of what you believe, your attitude and lack of sight you can never best me.?

It was at that moment that Archie?s Mightyena launches a sneak attack at his unsuspecting foe with a rather skull breaking headbutt that caused Amanda?s Mightyena to loose its foot and tumble, like a rag-doll of the tip of the mountain and down some stairs.

Amanda turned to her Pokemon partner in pure fear as a pool of blood formed under it.

?You are still too young.? Archie growled darkly at Amanda who turned to Archie with pure malice.

?He?ll make it Ma?am! Only a number of broken bones.? A Team Magma Grunt named Veronica called out to Amanda. ?Just focus on securing this battle! For the hope of the planet!?

Amanda nods to her Magma member and turns to Archie with a look of anger and contempt. ?This isn?t over?In fact, you just opened the door to a chain that you started so long ago! Now begin to relive that wrath!?

Amanda calls out a Solrock that she nicknamed Red Sun. ?Red Sun!? Amanda orders. ?Drown Archie and his pitiful group in a sea flames!?

?Stupid.? Archie snorts. ?Solrock have Psychic properties is that all you have? If it is I suggest you lay down your arms now and let me laugh in that coward Maxie?s face for once again lacking the will to be a man.?

?Curse you.? Amanda growls before noticing that Red Sun was acting strangely. ?Red Sun where are you going?? Amanda asked her creature who simply ignored and spat flames at her.

Red Sun the Solrock floats high above the ground to avoid any and all attacks from its Dark-Type foe?s assaults as a light whirlwind of fire spins around it.

It was also at this moment that the meteorite began to resonate and cause the machine to make a deep and slow bleeping noise. This got Schneider?s attention.

The flames around Red Sun continue to increase and strengthen.

With a quick flash of its red eye The Sun-shaped Pokemon suddenly unleashes a strong Fire Spin attack, engulfing Archie?s Mightyena into its contents. Archie quickly jumps away from the dangerous pyrotechnic assault and looks on as the Fire Spin made its way in a straight path towards the machine and anything else that stood in its path.

?ALL MAGMA?S MOVE NOW! RED SUN IS OUT OF CONTROL!? Amanda screams.

?AQUA?S STOP THOSE FLAMES!? Archie orders.

Gatsura?s Blastoise steps four feet in front of the machine and takes the full brunt of the attack quickly caught in the fiery circle and lightly burned.

Red Sun continued its attacks on the Mecha Tortoise Pokemon as if lost all sense of mind. This caused the fighting between groups to stop for a moment.

The meteorite continued to resonate at an even faster rate now. This created a high pitched screeching again that didn?t bother the Magma?s or Aqua but sure as hell annoyed the crap out of the Pokemon in the area who whimpered and yelped in pain from the noise.

The noise didn?t bother Red Sun the Solrock though it just stopped his attacks on Blastoise and began to float around crazily shooting flames at anybody or anything in sight.

?What the hell?? Gatsura gasped.

?Obviously this shows that Magma has no control over their Pokemon.? Archie smirks.

Archie stopped his comments as soon as the noise caused Schneider?s Lunatone to pop out of its ball, eyes glowing in the same piercing manner, as it floats about trace-like until it saw Amanda?s Solrock.

Neither moved nor attacked, they just floated there. Overtime both Sun-shaped and Crescent Moon-shaped Pokemon began to move around each other in a rhythmic fashion much like the dance of day and night.

It looked almost enchanting for the moment. Enchanting until both Pokemon pulled away from each other before colliding.

After that a bright ethereal shine came from the meteorite, which blackened the skies for the moment revealing the lights beauty. The beautiful flash could be seen from far and wide with Hoenn. Leaving many with a mixed feeling of curiously, romance, awe and most importantly fear.

The light of the meteorite abruptly came to a halt and was replaced by a heavily smoking volcano and a huge tremor.

The rest of Hoenn also felt this nasty shock.
-----------------
(In Mauville Hospital for Humans)
(Repository Therapy ward. The intensive care unit)

?Is everyone alright?? Steven asked Mia, Wally?s friends and anyone in the area.

?Nothing sharp fell on me so I?ll live.? Daisuke mutters while throbbing his forehead.

?I?m Ok.? Jenna assures.

?Same? Jasmine groans.

?I?m ok as well Onii-chan.? Mia softly replies as releases herself from Steven?s protective grasp. ?Are you ok??

?I?ll live.? Steven smiles assuring for his worrywart sibling, ?But? The 19-year-old continued as he dusted himself off. ?This is becoming serious. I don?t think the area could take another harsh tremor like that. Worse off: Survive a stronger one.?

?What?s going on Onii-chan? Why is all this abnormalities occurring?? Mia desperately asked her older brother who looked straight in front of him wistfully as he spoke.

?You didn?t see the news forecast did you? Well??

------------
(A little later)

?Explains something?s? Daisuke aggregately growls crossed armed. Jenna nods. ?We had to literally sneak past those Magma?s just to get into Route 110 and it got worse when we tried to get back to town.?

Mia turned to her older brother apologetically as she hugs him warmly. ?I?m sorry I doubted you. Steven?I thought just for a moment that you??

?It?s quite alright to doubt Mia. I suppose I wasn?t exactly the most fair to the boy. I bear no grudge for that.?

Steven smiles as he ruffles his sister?s hair before nearly falling on the small and petite 10-year-old due to another heavy tremor. This one actually caused the electricity to break down as a few large stalagmites pushed through the concrete floor.

Luckily, no one in the hospital got hurt. And there was energy reserves so all patients would be fine for now. It was at this moment that Nurse Joy?s voice bellowed from outside thanks to her trusty microphone.

?PEOPLE! GO TO THE POKEMON CENTER AND MAUVILLE GYM ASAP!!! UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE MAUVILLE AND VERDANTURF ARE IN COMPLETE LOCKDOWN! ALL ENTRANCES TO ROUTES SHALL BE BARRICADED OFF!?

?What!? Many inside and outside the hospital screamed.

?THIS IS FOR YOU OWN GOOD! ACCORDING TO WATTSON ANOTHER EVEN STRONGER TREMOR IS COMING OUR WAY WITHIN AN HOUR! THE VELOCITY AND STRENGTH OF THIS NEXT IMPACT IS UNKNOWN! PLEASE! DROP ALL MATERIAL BELONGS AND GET TO THE GYM QUICKLY!?

?Oh yeah!? One man who came out from his home challenged. ?And why should we listen to you! You?re barricading us from civilization and expect one rinky-dink shack to save a city full of people!? GAAAH!?

Before anything else could happen the snowstorm of ash became even stronger acting like gusting blizzard. Quickly engulfing the rude man in its snow-like wrath.

The force of the wind caused Nurse Joy to be thrown back into the Center and fall on her back. Her Chansey and Blissey both ran up to her worried and shielding her from the glass shards that flew at them from the broken window due to the howling winds force.

Nurse Joy smiles at her friends and picks herself up. ?This is horrible. The air is so choking?how can anyone be expected to go outside??
The pink haired Nurse spoke aloud. ?Also that shock badly destroyed our energy source. The reserves can only last so long?? Nurse Joy then looks up to the sky fully of worry. ?Is this truly Hoenn?s final hour??

-------
(Verdanturf Town)
(Pokemon Center)

Though not hit as badly by that tremor. Verdanturf felt it. And the damages to people and homes are audible.

The thickening ash that disguised itself as a volcanoes snow gusted at a horrid rate. The thickness of the air was even hurting those who weren?t sickly, but was murder on those who were. Many buildings were ravaged due to the rising ground formations and stalagmites that formed.

Being a small town, the people of Verdanturf were able to commute over to the Verdanturf Pokemon Center for shelter since it was their only safe house due to the lockdown and all.

The Nurse Joy of Verdanturf had her hands full.

Attending to not only injured Pokemon but to injured civilians who got hurt in the quake. Wanda and any other uninjured person who knew a bit about the medical field did what they could to help out.

Even though Wanda would much rather look for Wally and Mia, her hands were tied at the moment with a huge number of injured people around.

May was carried into an intensive care room that was usually meant for very injured Pokemon but due to the lack of space and trainers in Verdanturf it wasn?t ever really used as much.

Making it the perfect room for sickly humans who collapsed or suffered asthma attacks due to the chocking air.

The Verdanturf Nurse Joy walked into the intensive care room dragging along with her a cart full of oxygen tanks.

The Nurse Joy of Verdanturf hated being confused for her twin sister in Mauville so to show she was different, she doesn?t have her hair in the usual Joy custom. She let her hair go loose to reveal that her long pink hair went down to her legs and put green highlights in it to show she was different.

Not only that, but she also changed the Nurse outfit from a loose white dress to tighter pink one that was a bit longer in length.

Finally, rather than use a Chansey or a Blissey she used a Pikachu and Jigglypuff to act as her allies.

Her yearn for change did make her the most appealing Pokemon Nurse in all of Hoenn and a huge popular amongst males. But her change made her become the rebel of the family. She was still loved but severely looked down upon and doubted.

She was never really understood?

Only her Pokemon and the youngest Joy who works as an apprentice to the eldest Joy in Fortree understands her and adores the ground she walks on. Mia and Wally has also grown quite understanding of this woman and adore her inner strength.

So all in all she didn?t have it that bad even if she was considered the family disgrace.

?This isn?t good? The pink and green haired Nurse mummers. ?The power?s completely down and if something isn?t done our reserves are gonna be shot?The air?s getting so thick?This can?t be good for these people?I have to get the air filter back online!? The Nurse suddenly began to ponder on how. This quickly forced her to loose confidence. ?Maybe if I call-?
Nurse Joy quickly slaps herself for even thinking of wanting to turn for her sister?s help. ?I don?t need them! I can do this! All I have to do is go to the basement and fix the generator before the next impact. Yeah that?s it! Then I?ll show them all that I?m capable!?

Leaving her Jigglypuff to watch the patients. Joy, with Pikachu by her side goes to the basement. Leaving the lives of many sickly people in her hands.

The lives of many?except one? Her fate was her own call?

---------------
(Location: ???)

?May!? Alia?s voice nagged. ?HEY! Wake up!?

???

?Do you want to sleep the whole day away lazybones?? Alia?s voice continued to gripe. ?Up and out!?

May Hiromi in her usual adventurers attire, awakes to find herself in Route 103, which she considered her and Brendan?s ?spot? where they meet, hangout and chat.

?Alia? What are we doing here??

?Man, she really is dense.? The familiar voice of Max scoffed as he walked up next to May. ?Don?t be mean Max!? Laurel teased.

May was getting confused. ?Max? Laurel? Why are-?

?Sorry I?m late!? Brendan pants as he ran to the spot while carrying 6-year-old Sally on his back. Sally?s twin Suzie ran on her own and happily ran up to May.

?Big girl is back!? She squeals happily. Max rolls his eyes. ?Ugh she?s been always here.?

May looked at Max very much weirded out now. ?What are you talking about? I?ve been around traveling for months?Wait! Where?s Mia!? May then checks her waist only to find her GBA and a Pokeball containing Tsunami the Torchic. This started to rupture fear and worry into the girl. ?What the-Whirlpool? Leaf? Lightning? Where are they?

Brendan walks up to May and puts a comforting hand on her shoulder. ?You shouldn?t force yourself. You have a pretty nasty bump on your head.? Max closed his eyes and crosses his arms. ?She must?ve had a nightmare. May going out and catching Pokemon that?s a laugh!?

?But I think those names are cute? Laurel giggles.

Hearing this May steps back nervously. ?A-Alia?what?s going on??

?You just fell on your head when you slipped on a rock while practicing your punches and kicks May.? Alia dryly answers. Before showing some concern for her owner. ?You?feeling ok??

?I-? Was the 13-year-old chestnut haired girls only answer. She also noticed she was in her adventurers attire that Mrs. Hiromi bought her but in her school uniform.

?Was everything that happened to me some sort of dream?? The chestnut-haired girl pondered disbelieving.

May noticed as she backed away Brendan and the others looked at her passively as they and everything around May slowed down and turned black and white if things couldn?t get any stranger Tsunami pops out of her Pokeball.

Bloodied and burned, Tsunami the Torchic glared cold daggers at what was suppose to be her trainer and partner.

?Tsunami?? May stammered in horror and rage at what happened to her Pokemon. ?What happened? WHO DID THIS?!??

?You?? The chick Pokemon spoke in human tongue. Which made May go wide eyed as Tsunami evolved into a Combusken.

?Is this what you wanted?? The now fowl Pokemon hissed at the 13-year-old. Tsunami then evolves again into a Blaziken. ?Or was it this??

Fire started to brew in the background as May unwaveringly stood down her bloodied final form starter Pokemon who glared icily, no, murderously at her.

Tsunami being much stronger and now much taller than May, grabbed her by her throat and picked up causing Alia who screamed at Tsunami to stop to fall to the ground and hit the ground shattering apart.

Tsunami allowed fire to flare up on her wrist to severely burn the chestnut haired girl who squirmed in unbelievable pain.

?Congratulations.? Tsunami spoke to May while tightening her death grip. ?I?ve become just like you?wrathful, pitiful and selfish. I?m as weak as you are now. We truly are alike. So let us die together in the hate that you created!?

May struggled as much as she could against her own Pokemon but to no avail. May could have sworn that Tsunami was putting her down since she started to feel her feet touch the ground. When the 13-year-old managed to open one eye she only saw herself.

A fiercer more version of herself, Or as most come to know as the Wild half.

?You?ll never berid of me! You hear me!? Wild May hissed at her true self. ?NEVER! I?ll kill you before that happens! Once and for all!?

End Chapter 18

------------
(Notes)

1. Ryukyu Gatsura?s voice is always bolded. I deliberately did this just to have a type of antagonist with a really interesting quirk. (Aside that he may be into Team Aqua?s dreams deeper than that of Archie himself.)

2. Amanda wasn?t lying, that was really in the description: ?Must be able to think way out of tight spots. And outwit nosy Trainers.?

3. When I mean ?Dance of Day and Night? I mean the way the sun and moon move when either rises or sets.

Next- Chapter 19- Race to the top: The Wild Flower that grows in the Far off Distance of the wind

 

[Isaac Gravity]

Disclaimer- I don?t own Pokemon or anything else.
-------------------

There comes a time when the surroundings you?re used to become a bother?The pressures and insecurities of life begin to spiral down and compress you, confuse you, scare you?

There are many paths you could take but not all of them are for the best?

It was these feelings that played on May Hiromi?s mind ever since she almost lost herself in Route 103.

Her thoughts are always like the wayward breeze; she would shrug off all of her troubles for a moment only to return to it with a gust of fury later.

Is this what makes one an adventurer? Or that of a confused, wandering soul who only exists to find true worth in oneself?

--------------
Chapter 19- Race to the top: The Wild Flower that grows in the Far off Distance of the wind
--------------------
(Astral Plains)

?WHY?? May?s wild half roared. ?WHY DO YOU PERSIST ON BETRAYING ME?!?

The wild half?s grip around May?s throat tightened by every passing moment. The 13-year-old could literal feel herself succumbing to her other half?s might.

In a desperate attempt to save herself and stop the wild half?s whining, May gives out one pained scream while throwing a hard kick at the wild half?s ribs.

The wild half cries out in pain from the hit, releasing her hold on May to hold her sides in a pained matter.

The 13-year-old didn?t have too much time to catch her breathe; the wild half, angrier than before swiftly ran up to May and gave her a hard blow to face before she could even react.

May slides a few feet away from her dark side. The 13-year-old wipes the trickle of blood that dripped down her lips through gritted her teeth.
From the fury growing within her own now feral eyes she was ready for an all out brawl for her body.

?Is that best you?ve got!?? May?s wild half growled. ?You?re too weak to be in control if that was a blow from your killing intent!? The wild half?s eyes were practically slits, as her teeth were looking more like fangs. ?You?re just expired trash! You don?t understand what it means to exist? YOU WORTHLESS WASTE OF MIND MATTER I?M GOING TO KILL YOU!!!?

May?s own fury was growing a pace similar to her wild half?s as her own ocean blue eyes went from feral to becoming piercing slits.

What the chestnut-haired 13-year-old really wanted to do at the moment was tell the girl to shut-up or punch her cranium in. Or both.

But her energy almost felt tapped, while her throat felt too bone dry for her to say a thing. All May could do is fall to her knees while lightly holding her neck, trying to force herself to cough at most, but all she was getting shortened breathes and light wheezes.

The wild half wanted to lunge at the girl but was knocked far away from the 13-year-old by a strong unseen force. When she tried to get back to her feet; that same force kept her practically pinned.

May was quickly growing light-headed from the lack of oxygen. The atmosphere around her was just getting less and less supplement on the amount of air molecules.

Everything after that just went black.
----------------
(Flashback: Southern Islands)

A 6-year-old May laid curled up in fetal position for warmth. Today she was locked in solitary confinement for merely defending herself against another child?s attacks. May couldn?t blame her. The girl though a year older than her lost all her sanity from what was going on around them. She just couldn?t take anymore and just snapped.

But she didn?t have to take out her problems on her or the others in the cell just because they were smaller?In a hellhole like this all you can do is fight; fight and fight until you were no more?Fight and be selfish that?s all.

It was the first time May ever maimed anyone?the only thing that truly irritated her was that Dakim and some of the guards wouldn?t let her clean up to remove the foul stench and stains of her and that girl?s blood from herself. Hell, the only reason she was locked in here was because she bit Dakim?s hand?

?Mommy, Daddy?? The girl sniffled. ?Why did you leave me here to die? Where are you?? May?s sorrowful eyes slowly formed into strong hatred as she finished her words in a low growl. ?I?ll never forgive either of you for what you?ve done??
----------

(Two years later)

A year has passed since Cipher?s base has been infiltrated and the kidnapped children now called the Crop Kids were all released.

Many tried to return to their normal lives and forget that shadowy past that they thought they?d never escape. It wasn?t an easy task.

Especially for those dubbed the experiment X-series who were given an untested and unstable serum meant to make them into feral killing machines that had the form of humans but the senses and instincts equal to any Pokemon; however the serum created by Prof. Ein was untested and contained many components that were unstable, in order to stabilize the viscous X-series children they were put under an extremity of physical and mental training.

Those who survived being injected with the serum succumbed to the labor. Those who were able to withstand the labor became wrecks, whether it is mentally, emotionally or both. With the potential to unleash there deadly might at any moment?

Whimpering in her sleep. 8-year-old May tossed and turned in her bed. Tears ran down the young girl?s cheek loosely as she screams and pleas to who ever is harming her in her dreams to stop.

?May! May!! Calm down your only having a nightmare sweetie.? Mrs. Hiromi who had been resting by her child?s bedside assured her as she hugs May sorrowfully. ?I pretty much have an idea of what you were dreaming of.?

May looked far from secure in her mothers hold. The 8-year-old?s eyes showed the expression of one who was being held by a crazy person, a complete stranger. And it was that thinking that made May dig her nails into Mrs. Hiromi?s back.
The woman winced and attempted to squirm a bit but she didn?t fight it. She continued to hold her daughter in a loving manner and hum the ?Hush little baby song? song until she?d eventually fall dead.

That didn?t happen though, May let her hands fall to her sides as she began to mummer something like sounded like: ?Momma?I?m scared? before she cries into her mothers chest. Mrs. Hiromi continued her warm hug and soothing melody as tears of her own rolled down her cheeks.

---------------
(3 years later)

She was feeling a bit under the weather and knew she?d be a sitting duck if she went down the usual path to school?

11-year-old May decided to skip school today and hideout in an abandoned spot under the bridge. No one goes there after all, only a few types of Water Pokemon call this area home.

Giving a depressed little sigh, May splashed some water on her face to perk herself up.

She didn?t have any friends, she was the demon child, and the Pokemon blasphemer a bane to all that live At least that?s what the citizens of Violet City say to any newcomer.

It was this realization that caused a sudden twinge of rage over take the girl. Thrashing at the water violently as if struggling for dear life May eventually stops and finds herself soaking wet and breathing heavily, trying to swallow in all the pain and torment she constantly undergoes?

She really hated the life she lived?

A little Poliwag pops out of the water and eyes May rather sympathetically. Being young and na?ve, the Poliwag simply hops out of the water and attempts to pat its tail on May?s arm. The girl instinctively grabs the tail and squeezes it.

Not feeling any real reason to hurt the creature, the chestnut-haired girl releases her hold on the monster and tells it to get lost.

It doesn?t?

?Taking the road of a delinquent?? The voice of the Violet City Gym Leader Falkner asked the 11-year-old.

May wipes her eyes before turning to the man with a fierce scowl. ?Piss off Pokemaniac I live as I please. Go pet and play with your monsters somewhere else.?

Falkner is a rather serious fellow but couldn?t help but try to bring the girl down a peg. ?Really?? He slyly counters. ?Then I guess you must pet and play with Pokemon too.? Falker then gestures to Poilwag that continued to cuddle itself against May?s leg, much to her annoyance. Falkner then goes back to his usual mode. ?Actually I volunteer my time to the PTA to make sure children go to school when they aren?t training Pokemon.?

The Gym Leader then grabs May by the wrist and tightens it to make sure she?ll succumb and fall to her knees.

The Poilwag tried attacking Falkner with its tail but it was a no go. But? that didn?t stop it from continuing?

The Gym Leaders actions only annoyed May even further as she blurts out to the man. ?My Mom is busy today OK! I don?t want to burden her but I don?t want to go to school! I never needed it!?

?Your Mom would be even more burdened if she found out her child didn?t return home. There are people you can turn to if others are bothering you??

?If you know so much why don?t you do something about it??

?It?s not my call unless you make the stand.?

Falkner finally let go of May?s arm.

As an act of vengeance May bites Falkner?s left leg. With his guard dropped and his attention focused on the pain, May pushed the Gym Leader into the lake and runs off screaming something like all people being cowards and hypocrites and being able to defend herself as she ran off swiftly.

The chestnut-haired 11-year-old didn?t even realize that the Poliwag was following her.

----------
(Two years later)

It was nightfall in Oldale town of the Hoenn region. After the people she had come to grow used to after a month of residence in LittleRoot Town learned of her past; May, in all her fear of being treated like she was back in her days in Johto lashed out at Brendan Birch and his friends and resulted in her almost killing Brendan.

Luckily, May regained her senses and broke into a sudden nausea.

What she didn?t understand was rather than avoiding her, Brendan and the others remained by her side. Even as we speak Brendan was walking May home.

?We don?t have rush.? Brendan softly smiles at his fatigued female friend as he slowly moved towards a nearby bench.

May looks at Brendan with nothing but guilt. ?How could you still go out of your way for me even after learning all this??

Brendan raises an eyebrow and looks at May a bit confused. ?Why not? It wasn?t my place to keep hounding you over your life?I got what was coming to me-?

?DON?T YOU DARE EVEN SAY THINGS LIKE THAT!? May screams at the boy becoming so worked up she stood up suddenly while yelling at him only to feel queasy again and sat back down. ?Brendan?Please?? May continued beginning to tremble for what she was about to say. ?Maybe?it?d be best if you didn?t hang around me anymore?I?m just putting you and the others at risk?And?You?re too warmhearted to even put yourself at risk like that??

?Idiot.? Brendan lightly commented. ?You?re trying to take the easy way out. It?s easy to throw yourself a pity party at the cost of others.?

May looks at Brendan with a light scowl. ?You?re the idiot!? She shot back. ?This is for your own good!?

?You don?t know that for sure do you?? Brendan replies. ?You?re just trying to take the easy way out to deny the truth.?

The snow colored haired boy now throws the girl a smirk. ?Do you really think pushing others away will amount to anything? You gonna try to push away your own Mom? I bet you already tried that and failed horribly.?

Indecisive silence was May?s answer.

Brendan?s features soften as he used two fingers to cup May?s chin. May looks at Brendan a bit surprised.

A light glow of pink overtook her cheeks color. Brendan doesn?t notice this and continues talking. ?She loves you too much. And in Johto I bet there were a few people who tried to open up to you but unlike your family?unlike us they fell for your attitude??

?Us??

?The people who like you but aren?t family?us! Max, Suzie, Sally, Laurel, Tsunami, Alia, Ciel, me, my parents and I bet the list goes on?? The snow-colored hair boy gives the chestnut-hair girl a smug look. ?Face it May, you?re loved. I guess that makes us all idiots but you?re the biggest one of them all for being so blind to the truth all this time.?

May?s flushed face slowly became flushed with anger.

A friendly exchange of verbal barbs would shortly ensue between the two friends. Yet, despite all that, May deeply took Brendan words into consideration.

-------------
(Months later)

In one of the many islands of Route 105 May Hiromi and her new travel companion: 10-year-old Mia Stone stood by the edge of a cliff watching a beautiful sunset that neither could hope to see if they remained in their respective homes.

From an exterior point of view one would say the two girls were practically opposites: May, a girl who looks brimming with confidence in everything she does. While Mia?s a more downcast, shy girl who holds a latent potential that can only be unleashed if she should ever see worth in herself.

The chestnut-haired 13-year-old silently watched Mia stare at the beau tic background with eyes that sparkled with curiosity and awe.

May couldn?t help but envy Mia a bit though. The indigo-eyed 10-year-old was pretty good at hiding her morose nature and makes her appear as one who can simply smile at everything. The only reason why Mia?s act didn?t work on her was because May understood her pain at first glance and could help but sympathize with her.

Mia was the complete opposite of her. May can?t deal with her problems; rather than face them with a false smile she would rather run away and laugh at the very fabric of existence.

Mia was a lot stronger a person than she gives herself credit for? A lot more true to herself than May ever was to herself in a long time?

?The sunset is amazing isn?t May-san?? The 10-year-old asked her friend. May simply gives the younger girl a weak smile along with a nod.

Mia feels a bit uneasy with May?s expression but shakes it off with a warm smile of her own.

?This really is a beautiful site. I could?ve never dreamed to ever see such a background unless it was within a painting or on TV.? Mia replies. ?I never regret a single day I joined you May-san. Thank you so much for allowing me to join you.?

?That?s the problem.? May mutters forcing Mia to look at her a bit hurt. ?You?ve seen nothing but constant danger since you?ve been with a low life like me??

?You aren?t!? The 10-year-old nearly screams at May. ?That wasn?t your fault. You tapped into the serum?s power yes, but you didn?t expect that to happen. But you had the inner strength to fight it?s control all you needed to do was to think about what soothes you??

?It?s kind of you to think like that Mia, but we should stop lying. It might get worse from here??

?You are no one?s monster May-san, you are not a solider of death and destruction?You never were and never will be?You rewritten and revived the perspective of living for too many people to ever truly allow the serum to win. The day you allow that is the day you truly have lost yourself??

May never answered the girl, she simply tries with all her might to avoid Mia?s saddened gaze. The 10-year-old walks up to her friend and puts a silvery bracelet with an emerald in its center and puts it around May?s left wrist much to the 13-year-old?s surprise.

?You chose to fight the serum?s control when you simply could?ve killed me.? Mia states matter-of-factly. ?It was your choice to take me along with you as it was my decision to want to leave my safe home were I felt unhappy and travel with someone who I deeply respect and knew if I hung around could help me change myself??

 

[Isaac Gravity]

Cont
----------

When Mia boldly said those words May was a bit taken aback by the words she chose: Decision and Choice the same words people have been telling her all her life.

It seemed that for the moment that everything around was slowly turning into nothingness. May?s surprised gasp at the events that transpired became an echo in the wind.

Mia gives May a warm smile to quell her friends worry. ?Why do you look so surprised May-san? It?s always been you. Even though what happened to you was a horrible and unpredicted event that no one deserves to live through?You survived it all and became very strong. After you escaped that wicked place, everything that occurred thereafter was all a response to your own doings. You chose not to fully fall to the serum because you realized that there were people around you that loved you deeply. You used their love to make what was to be a curse into your greatest possession and protect them and others fiercely.?

This was too much for May. The 13-year-old couldn?t help but break out laughing from everything she just heard much to Mia?s dismay.

?Oh, so let me guess?? she began. ?If I still don?t see it as that I?ve truly lost myself huh??

?No,? Brendan?s voice echoed from the emptiness. ?If you still can?t see the answer then why do you still push yourself forward like this? What exactly do you want in life??

Overtime, the snow colored hair boy, accompanied by Wally both walk from the white space to join the duo.

?I can?t believe the person who I looked up to all this time was such a crybaby.? Wally mutters disappointed.

May shakes off Wally?s words with a twisted smile. ?Am I the only one here who can see the humor in all this garbage??

?This is supposed to be funny?? Wally mummers.

May shook her head while shrugging still chuckling to herself about the expectedness of the situation.

Watching May?s actions struck a nerve within her friends. While Brendan chose to gaze at the chestnut-haired girl with a saddened gaze, Wally and Mia shuddered with mixed emotions.

?How could you?? Wally muttered quite crushed. ?After all the things you taught and did for me? They never had meaning to you!?

?You should stop lying to yourself May-san!? Mia desperately tried to reason. ?You?ve done so many things for so many people that you couldn?t be impure!?

May looked uneasy the moment the two pulled up those points but she was able to gather up her scattered pride and grins weakly at them.

?STOP LYING!? Wally shouts, fighting to hold back the tears that stung his eyes. ?You?re lying? You?re only throwing yourself a pity party!!?

?This isn?t funny May-san?? Mia replies sadly. ?What your doing is leading yourself to your own self destruction.?

May looks away from the two heartbroken youths to realize that a Pokeball was within her right hand.

The girl didn?t know when she ever pulled out; but as she gazed into its red and white design she came to her confirmation.

?Come what may.?

Brendan continued to watch May silently and came to notice that her right arm was lifting itself up without May really noticing.

When she did realize this oddity she struggled with all her might to put it down but was failing miserably.

?You lost all grip on reality so you losing control of yourself would be the most natural of responses.? Brendan reasons in a tone that the chestnut-haired girl never knew he could.

Despite the whip-lashed feeling of pain that ran in her system May grit her teeth and continued her struggle.

?I don?t see anything wrong with the way I lived life until now!? May snaps. ?It?s a cheap barrel of laughs anyway!?

?Do you really think that May?? Brendan snaps back. The snow colored hair boy looked away from the girl from what he was going to say next, but even he has his limits of patience. ?Or are you that much of a scared, confused and selfish little girl that you fail to realize how much your efforts to act oblivious towards everything around you is all a waste!?

?I have people like you to thank for that don?t I!?? The girl glared at the trio with teary vision but still help onto her pride. ?WHY DON?T YOU JUST F*CK OFF AND LEAVE ME ALONE!!!?

May?s right hand let go of the Pokeball and out of it spherical confines emerged a full blackened version of the steel-type Pokemon Steelix.

The iron snake glared down at its beckoner with cold clear eyes as it glowed with an ominous blackish/purple aura.

The glare alone was enough to leave chills down May?s spine. The crushing amount of malice that emanated from the aura was enough to make May unconsciously break into tears while falling to her knees.

?May?? Brendan calmly called out to her. ?If you didn?t really care, then why would you let such things get to you??

May couldn?t answer. She felt if she even squeaked the Steelix would break from its trance and obliterate her very being.

?Well May!? Wally presses the matter.

?Please May-san, we want to help you?? Mia pleads.

They want to help her? A thought in the back of May?s mind scoffs. If that?s so, then get this creature away from her! Why do people make such a big deal about her when Pokemon prove to be just as bad or worse than her matters are?

No, May knew the truth. She didn?t deserve help or kindness from anyone. She was given a multitude of openings from many different people but she rejected them all?

She deserved this, a suiting end?

??help me??

The emerald in the bracelet glows for a moment. This catches May off guard but she dared not to look at it?

?Or shouldn?t she?

It?s not she had anything to lose by just getting up and walking away. The Steelix was probably going to kill her anyway. No one was going to help her and she pretty much had nothing to lose considering how long she?s been through in the astral plains.

The words ?Come what may.? again escaped May?s lips as an empty smirk crept up her lips.

The emerald light glows with an even greater light. The pure shine of the Mia?s family heirloom became so strong that it forced the Steelix back.

The light continued to engulf the area and eventually vanquished the shadow beast.

May picks herself to face Brendan, Mia and Wally. All three of them gave their friend a warm smile along with a nod as they too were disappearing into the light.

May?s passive look slowly softens until her cheeks became tainted with a glow of light pink. Rather than break into tears, May flashed those closest to her with a playful toothed grin until she eventually disappeared with the green light.

---------------
With a strong flash from the emerald May awakens in what it seems to be fire engulfed area full of many dead bodies. Some human, the rest Pokemon? Her gloves were stained with the blood of those corpses.

Looking deeply into the background the 13-year-old could see images of her Pokemon walking out of the flames and towards her. None of them showed the face of their usual quirks they all looked bloodthirsty and vicious.

?Curse you!? Howled May?s wild half who approached the girl warningly as she held the right side of her face that was severely burned due to the bracelet and May?s new found hope. ?Why do you persist on getting rid of me? It was because of me you?re still alive to this day!?

May gave her wild half a venomous scowl before something inside her just snapped! This made all the rage within the girl just wash away; give a defeated sigh and showing little or no concern for the outcome for whatever she was going to do.

?I?m tired??

The wild half glared at May very distrusting.

May could care less of her reactions and continued her words with a warm smile. ?I don?t wish to fight anymore. I?m tired of seeing those I care about constantly putting their necks out for me. I quit. Being a trainer is too hard. I hate seeing my allies get hurt.?

?Y-you quit? Just like that?!??

May puts both her hands behind her head and yawns a bit before throwing her wild half a bored look?

?Why not? If I just laid low in LittleRoot like I originally planned and not get so worked up and *****y all the time I could?ve been home right now with my Mom. Oh, I would?ve had a lot of friends too. Tsunami would?ve been safe as my house pet and maybe if I didn?t lack such people skills I could?ve had a really cool boyfriend who?d be sending me letters about his quest rather than burdening himself by always being worried sick about all the time about me and working himself to the bone to always be there to help me?Come to think of it, I don?t even like Pokemon?why the hell did I even become a trainer?!?

?Because you must fight!? The Wild half screams at the girl fearfully. ?You want to make those who ruined your life drown in sea of their own blood! It was your ultimate dream!?

?Yeah?? May countered. ?Well, childhood dreams come and go! All my family has ever done for me was love me too much and always want the best for me!?

The chestnut-haired girl narrows her eyes. Clenching her fist as her eyes waver with a new found determination from within her heart. ?Those kind people hardly knew me but they just wanted to befriend me? My Pokemon? They?re my partners and even if my heart doesn?t reach out to every single creature in the world? It does reach out for them?

Tsunami, Whirlpool, Leaf and Lightning all lose their fierce looks and look at May with surprised expressions.

?Now it?s my turn to want the best for them??

?W-what are you saying?? The wild half quivered.

This was not happening! Was this the dark-minded girl that manifested her? Now, after all this she just wants out?!

She was lying?she had to be?She could feel the anger still pent up in her wanting the taste of blood. In denial May?s wild half quickly pointed that out.

?Ha ha! Nice lie. I could still feel it in you like a core waiting to burst. Stop trying to act all reformed?y-You haven?t changed a bit! You?re still bitter??

May raised an eyebrow. ?Bitter? Well yeah! Bitter that I was so blinded to the truth until now. I only have myself to blame now, no one else??

?you?you LIAR!!!? The wild half bellows at May full of rage.

Losing control, the wild half lunges at the girl and successfully pins her to the ground.

May didn?t even bother to struggle, she just stared right at other side, her face showing neither fear nor malice.

This was what truly unnerved her wild side. Was she really sick of it all? Did she really have no intention of ever leaving the astral plains?

For the first time in years the wild half couldn?t read May?s intentions?

?Aren?t you going to finish me?? May mock innocently asked her wild half as she attempted to gesture to Tsunami and the rest of her team of Pokemon. ??Because if you do? Those guys over there won?t let you leave either. We?ll be stuck here for good and we can truly make up for all the pain we inflicted on everyone.?

?NEVER!!!? The wild half screamed at the girl as tears ran down her cheeks much to May?s surprise. ?WHY ARE YOU BEING SO BLIND? THEY?LL ONLY HURT US AGAIN!!!?They don?t care?they never did? I DON?T WANNA RETURN TO THERE! Th-THEY BETRAYED ME! I-I DON?T WANT TO LIVE THEIR LIVES FOR THEM?I-?

As she continued her light tantrum the wild half shrank in size until she reverted back to when May?s heart was fully corrupted by hatred, mistrust and rage?

?All what was left was a 5-year-old version of May sobbing into the original?s chest.

May sat up to hug what used to be her wild half that threatened to destroy her very being?

Surprisingly enough, the wild half in the end was just a demonic rage that was bottled up and mutated into something monstrous due to the serum?s effects. Created and separated from May?s soul since the beginning because her heart could never fully give in?

?Mommy?Daddy? did they really hate me this much to go that far?? The 5-year-old version of the chestnut haired 13-year-old sniveled.

?No.? May softly hushed the sobbing child. ?They just wanted what was best?They really didn?t know about that whole mess themselves?In reality we were just victims of circumstance?And each day we were gone for those two years Mom and Dad cried their hearts out for us??

The 13-year-old?s own eyes begin to well with tears. ?And they were even more heartbroken to see what we had become? We could have changed but we chose to bad and hateful this is why I?m so remorseful??

?So?we- I was the wrong one??

?Choices could have been made but weren?t now they?re just what ifs?But there?s still time to make things right??

?You aren?t lying to me??

??I don?t know what I feel right now? But, I do know I want to get out of this place! I?ve been here long enough! I can?t always shrug off my problems!? May looks at her 5-year-old self with a determined smile. ?This is just another selfish thought from a very selfish person.?

5-year-old May giggles lightly before hugging the true May tighter. ?Ok, we?ll play things your way for now?? The little chestnut-haired girl replies. ?But if you?re lying I?m taking over!?

And with those words made the young girl slowly became transparent before fully disappearing, taking the entire background with her.

Only leaving a bright fiery aura to envelop around May?s being and a stray tear to roll down her cheek.

Shortly after this, a very familiar pale skinned, topaz colored eyed 14-year-old girl with long raven colored hair dressed in a sky blue robe and sandals to approach May.

?So you aren?t that weak little fledgling.? Angelique greets the 13-year-old in a passive monotone. ?You?re wild half was just your darkest, most wicked desires that could come to be?But I suppose you made the correct path?For one who wishes to dance amongst those of the light realm.?

May?s eyes go feral for a moment when she noticed that the person who got her into this mess was right there. But simply chooses to ignore the raven-haired 14-year-old and picks herself up.

Angelique noticed this and continued her passive words. ?You worked so hard over nothing and amounted to such. But if really means much to you do you wish to know about the serum??

Since Angelique didn?t receive an open answer from the girl she just decided to not lose her temper and simply tell her.

?The serum is an untested depressant that is suppose to make the user less capable of understanding reason and make them more in-tune to your animal instincts. With all sense of rational thoughts gone your more primal instincts will be in full swing: Your senses, strength and mobility will be dramatically heightened.?

?The depressant also was meant to dull all other senses that make anyone feel whether it be, pain fear or joy.? Angelique adds. ?You?ll know of nothing but to fight and to kill. Willing to take a life regardless of who it is without a single shred of remorse??

Someway or the other May wasn?t too surprised at these findings. Deep down the chestnut-haired 13-year-old knew this was all that truly needed to be known about that blasted serum?

?Did you mean what you said back there? About wishing to give up and run away from it all?? Angelique continued her observation of May.

?No.? May scoffs. ?I just knew that by slapping her I?d be giving into her? So I just figured that doing the complete opposite to the living embodiment of my rage would be the smarter choice??

The chestnut-haired girl mutters something about wanting punch Norman in the face more than ever.

?You? were lying?? For the first time in what it seemed years Angelique was at a loss for words: She bluffed her way out of that situation?

What was a surprised face slowly shifted into a lightly amused one as the 14-year-old muffles light giggles at her foe?s craftiness.

?I don?t really know what I want from life or what to expect of it?? May continued, while taking a more serious expression. ?But do know I really am sorry for what I did to my family and friends and do anything to secure what I know is dear to me no matter the costs.?

Angelique stared at May quietly, as if respecting her resolve and noticing her beginning transparency.

A strong quake snapped May from her thoughts and onto her rear. Angelique on the other hand stood tall as if she didn?t even feel that heavy tremor.

?Angelique.? The 14-year-old replies emptily. Forcing May to look towards her. ?My name is Angelique? I told you once that if I reveal the name I posses I must kill you? And now I know you must killed.?

?I?m surprised you failed to do it before.? May challenged. ?I don?t want sympathy from someone like you so why not just finish me now since that?s probably why you?re here.?

?It cannot be done here nor do I feel it sensible to in the position we?re in.?

The chestnut-haired girl really didn?t know what to make of what this girl was pulling.

The raven-haired girl flashed May a cruel little smirk. ?What I do is my choice Hiromi and no one else?s.?

Angelique shrugs lightly at May?s crossed expression and continues her words. ?I suppose it?s because you aren?t a third-rate like I originally thought you to be. Or it?s because of our equal ties to the devil?s gift? Right now isn?t the time for this? Nature is crying I can feel this even from where I actually am? ?

May didn?t even have time to react before she fully disappeared. A wicked smile slowly formed across Angelique?s face as she stared intently at her right hand that shook freely.

-----
(Flashback)

?Spare me.? Steven scoffs. ?For me to actually fear you I?d need to be weaker than you? Since you obviously went to such great lengths to try to maim Hiromi and her Pokemon I?d say you must fear her.?

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

?When she faced me?I could barely read her?Her further growth might be a threat to what I want?? The 14-year-old smirks darkly. ?But no matter how hard she fights, the powers of those who loves are only as good as the devotion they harbor for those around them?Take that and they become heartless, foolhardy berserkers?Hiromi, May You chose a foolish path.?


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

Updates: 10/4/05 - Really wonder why these much needed revisions missed my eyes all those months ago? Aw well, The matter is patched up and I captured the drama/emotions of May?s feelings a bit better then I did on either try.

 

[Isaac Gravity]

Disclaimer- I don?t Pokemon or anything else.
------------

(Mt. Chimney)

The meteorite continued to pulsate freely as the now Solrock Lunatone combination? showed the same lovely glow as heavy tremors that started to crack at the ground overtook the area.

?Schneider report!? Archie demands. ?What the hell is going on here?!?

Schneider holds on for dear life to the machine and manages to blurt out. ?Captain, we lost all control now! The meteorite is acting as a reflex to a new type of force. And I do believe that the Solrock and Lunatone have a lot to do with this.?

Both Aqua and Magma glared at the two-in-one Rock/Psychic Pokemon monstrosity.

?So?you?re telling me that that is going to be the cause of our dooms?? One Aqua grunt named Carl asked Schneider.

Schneider simply nods.

This makes Carl smirk a bit but the signs of fear and desperation were quite audible on his features. ?SO WHY THE HELL ARE WE JUST STANDING HERE WAITING TO DIE!!!? The paranoid man calls out his Poochyena. ?DON?T JUST STAND THERE YOU FOOLISH HOUND! KILL IT! KILL IT NOW!!!?

?The only thing that needs to be killed is this mutinous act!? Boomed the voice of Ryukyu Gatsura as he grabs Carl by his collar.

?Don?t be so stupid!? Carl desperately spoke. ?Can?t you see it?We screwed with nature now she?s returning the favor?THAT BLOODY EXSCUSE FOR A POKEMON TOOL HAS BETRAYED US AND IS GOING TO WIPE US ALL OUT!!! THEY DON?T CARE IF YOUR MAGMA OR AQUA!!! STOP BLINDING YOURSELVES FROM THE TRUTH!!?

Archie gives his former Grunt a disgusted look before he walked over to him and punching him in the gut. ?You should be more worried if you won?t be food for the Gyarados.?

?s-Capatin wait! We have to do something about that thing now! If we don?t band together as one now??

?Gatsura if it would not be too much trouble??

Without a second thought, Ryukyu, with his mighty strength tossed Carl right off of Mt. Chimney. All the Aqua?s watched with fearful looks but they knew that a heavy price is paid when you betray the noble ranks of Team Aqua.

Amanda was too angry for words to say anything to the Team Aqua Leader.

But she realized that dearly departed Team Aqua Grunt named Carl was right The Solrock Lunatone combination; aka: Soltone does have a lot of influence in these increasingly horrid events now?In fact, the creature seemed to be drawing power from the meteorite.

Carl?s Poochyena, seeing the death of his master in front of his young eyes feels the only thing left for it is to carry out his master?s last orders.

Growling menacingly at Archie, the pup Pokemon leaps at the Aqua Leader and quickly jumps off his back before his or Gatsura?s bulky Pokemon could get their paws on it lunging at the Soltone with the common bane to all Psychic-types everywhere known as Bite.

?Oh no you don?t! Partner to a traitor!? Gatsura roars as he has his Blastoise do Hydro Pump at the much lower level Pokemon who, not only got his ribs busted by the pressure of the attack but it was that same force that thrusted it off Mt. Chimney and to a fate similar to its master.

The legendary sea Captain then glowers viciously at the other Aqua?s who froze in their place. ?Do you really think life is always smooth sailing? The next person to attack that Pokemon must go through me first. And that goes for you nosy Magma?s as well.?

Whether it is fear, the realization of impending doom at hand, or the fumes emitted from the volcano that deterred their judgment was what caused a handful of the Aqua and Magma Grunts to rush towards Gatsura and his Pokemon.

The remaining Aqua?s who were loyal to Archie attacked the remaining Magma?s.

The fighting between sides again continued to an even fiercer degree. Amanda just watched the Soltone who just hovered high in the air, swaying back and forth in the tainted skies as though it found amusement in what the humans were doing.

Gritting her teeth to mentally curse herself, the 22-year-old Team Magma Executive then takes a look to the shattered land below?

The land she and her cohorts fought so hard to preserve was falling apart right before her eyes: The torn and ravaged lands due to the tremors caused by the meteorite and the Soltone awakening a sleeping giant. The tainted snow that was sullying the lungs of many innocents?this wasn?t what Magma?s dream wanted?

?This? Blast you Aqua? Curse you Red Sun? How could you?? Amanda growls. Pulling out her two remaining Pokeballs. ?I?m taking you down for your own and this planets good?Goodbye??

?I?d think twice before you do anything little woman.? Archie spoke darkly to Amanda. ?Aqua has waited too long for this moment?You shall not stop the volcano I will personally make sure of that!?

?You?re a crazy old fool! To that creature what is transpiring is only amusement!? Amanda spoke calmly before giving a malicious smirk.

The look that slowly formed on Archie?s face was rather a scary one. ?THE ONLY THING FOOLISH IS YOUR CONSTANT INTERFERENCE WRETCH! THIS MOUNTAIN SHALL BE YOU AND YOUR GROUPS FINAL RESTING GROUND!!!!!! I BURY THIS ENTIRE PLANET AND ALL IT?S WICKED INHABITANTS IN THE SEA!!!?

?THEN TRY!? Amanda shouts just as enraged.

::RUMBLE::
----------------

(Astral Plains)

May was snapped from her thoughts and onto her rear. Angelique on the other hand stood tall as if she didn?t even feel that heavy tremor.

?Angelique.? The 14-year-old replies emptily. Forcing May to look towards her. ?My name is Angelique? I told you once that if I reveal the name I posses I must kill you? And now I know you must killed.?

?I?m surprised you failed to do it before.? May challenged. ?I don?t want sympathy from someone like you so why not just finish me now since that?s probably why you?re here.?

?It cannot be done here nor do I feel it sensible to in the position were in.?

The chestnut-haired girl really didn?t know what to make of what this girl was pulling.

The raven-haired girl flashed May a cruel little smirk. ?What I do is my choice Hiromi and no one else?s.?
Angelique shrugs lightly at May?s crossed expression and continues her words. ?I suppose it?s because you aren?t a third-rate like I originally thought you to be. Or it?s because of our equal ties to the devil?s gift? Right now isn?t the time for this? Nature is crying I can feel this even from where I actually am? ?

?Wai-? Before May could finish her sentence she fully disappeared.

The only thing she heard was Angelique saying: ?Prove your worth. You owe debt to Team Magma now??

::RUMBLE::

::RUMBLE::

::CRASH!::
----------------
Chapter 19: Race to the top! (Part 2): The parties are assembled! Go for broke!
---------------

(Verdanturf Pokemon Center)
(Intensive Care Unit)

::RUUMMMMBLLLE::

?Ugh my head?? Groaned the voice of 13-year-old May Hiromi who was in a sprawled position on the damaged Poke Center floor. May blankly sat up to hold her throbbing forehead before she realized her location. And what was around her wrist. ?So I?m back??

?Ar?

That cute little squeak came from the same little Aron that May met when she was in New Mauville and gave the Silk Scarf to which he wore proudly. In comparison to last the 13-year-old met the baby Pokemon it looked a lot healthier, it?s metal body was also hardened to a regular Aron?s style meaning that it must of undertook a healthy diet that promotes its growth.

The Aron walked up to May or as he always sees and visualizes her as: A beautiful princess with a long white dress and flowing chestnut brown hair that went down to her legs and stared at her with large twinkling eyes.

May lightly sweatdrops at the sight. ?So, what brings you all the way out here? ? Wherever here is.?

The Aron quirks up and begins to tug at the Silk Scarf until he finally managed to pull it from around his neck and gently puts in front of May?s feet.

?So you came all this way?and went through all this just to-? May smiles warmly at the Steel/Rock Pokemon and ties the scarf around the little one?s neck again. ?Keep it. It?s a gift after all.?

Hearing that the Jolly Rock/Steel Dino Pokemon jumped about happily. That was until the Pink and green haired Nurse Joy and her Pokemon Pikachu and Jigglypuff stared at him and May in surprise.

-----------
(Upstairs: The Main lobby)

?People please!? Wanda pleas as she shields Fred and the other two injured Magma Grunts who also had no choice but to also take shelter in the Verdanturf Pokemon Center from some of the angry Verdanturf residents who were attempting to walk over and beat the living day lights out them.

?Wanda, back away this instant!? The mayor of Verdanturf growls. ?It?s because of despicable people like these that our region is under going such destruction now!?

?Yeah! Why are you defending pond-scum like them!? One woman screams.

A bodybuilder who lives next door to Wanda spoke in just as much annoyance but was more sympathetic in tone. ?Wanda, we understand your unbiased concern for others but?These men deserve no help?They and Team Aqua are both responsible for Hoenn?s current apocalyptic situation?We should just throw their asses out in there to suffer like more than half of Verdanturf?s sickly residents are right now! Like Wally! Have you not even once thought about him??

?Wally?? Wanda murmured. ??I am a doctor first! A doctor must not allow things like emotions to cloud their judgment. A person in need of medical attention is a person in need of medical attention. That is that.?

One man who was on the brink of his sanity grabs Wanda by her shirt collar. Just to get a broken jawbone by Wanda?s Martial Artist boyfriend.

?Why you-? The man growls at Tony who only gave the ill-mannered fellow an icy glare.

Before any further tensions could be released Fred puts an understanding hand on Wanda?s shoulder. She quickly helps the injured man up. Fred then begins his speech. ?Don?t waste your time you two? These people would never understand what either group is trying to achieve??

?What?s there to understand you arrogant monster!? A woman holding her crying child roars as tears rolled down her cheeks. ?You people only do as you please, destroy what you want then have the bloody nerve to say it?s for the good of humanity!!!??

The woman shook with anger as she sees Fred?s unmoved face. ?YOU PEOPLE MAKE ME SICK TO MY STOMACH! BOTH GROUPS ARE BELOW ALL THAT IS HUMAN!!! NOW LOOK! LOOK WHAT YOU SELFISH B*STARDS CAUSED! YOU RUNINED IT FOR US ALL!!!?

Fred pulls out a cigarette, which is risky considering his condition. Seemingly unphased and continued his speech. ?Right, were the selfish ones? We?re the ones who take natures bounty for granted and now as we speak we are locked in a fight to the bitter end to see if we can rectify an untimed anomaly that is tearing Hoenn apart.?

The sudden silence surprised the Grunt this only bolstered his verbal ammunition. ?Heheh, It?s funny you don?t seem to be screaming profanities at me any longer. What?s wrong? I was enjoying the idea of bathing in your ignorance? Like any person, we fight for what we believe in. I want to make places like Verdanturf all around the world with the expanded land. Maxie says it?s possible with a lot of hardwork and being able to overcome many hardships.?

Many people remained silent but still had the courage to give the man nasty looks. Fred ignored this and continued.

?People like you oppose Magma and Aqua because you feel that the world is fine as it is?Because you don?t look at those around you you?re too busy looking at yourselves and wondering what shoes you?ll wear?Maybe my assumptions are too biased but none the less. If you want to stop the dreams of either side prepare for a war! Every single member of both groups has there own aspiration for joining Aqua and Magma. Remember that. Yuji, Touya let?s go.?

?Ugh, Where to?? Yuji asked the cell leader as he holds his ribs. Fred smirks. ?Didn?t you get Veronica?s message. Amanda needs back-up. Whether we make it is up to fate to decide.?

?This is my Hospital and no one else?s.? Growled the voice of Nurse Joy as she helped carry a very physically fatigued May. ?And no one, I repeat, NO ONE will leave the premises in this harsh condition: Aqua, Magma, rich, poor, young, old. You are all welcome to stay here!?

Fred smiled warmly at the Pink and green haired Pokemon nurse and waved. ?Sorry, you can?t make me change my mind this time??

?Then I?m coming too?? May manages to speak as she limps over to the Magma?s. Making everyone turn to her as if she was nuts.

?Do you know what you?re asking to do little girl?? Fred asked the 13-year-old.

?I don?t see Mia or Wally anywhere?? May mutters before quickly turning to Fred and the other two dumbfounded Magma?s. ?Well,? She began. ?Can you take me to Mt. Chimney? Like you I have business there.?

Many including the Magma?s just wrinkled their noses a bit in disgust at the girl?s attitude.

?Oh and what business could a child have there?? The mayor scolds May only to end up a bit unnerved by the harshness of her icy feral glare.

Fred, being the leader of the group quickly spoke. ?Do what you want kid. I only have one thing to say: No stragglers. You better hold your weight and keep up with our pace. You look like you?re about to collapse at any given moment. Why don?t you just rest and count your blessings, what?s left of them anyway.?

?I told you?I have business up there?Well it?s more like a debt to pay than business.?

A pessimistic 16-year-old trainer who had been listening in on the whole situation only laughs at what he sees it as: May?s lack of sight. ?Heh. You kids these days?You think anything is possible just because you set your mind to it? You watch too much anime??

?And you?re just another loudmouth Coward!? Nurse Joy screams in May?s defense. This outburst from the Pokemon Nurse shocked many. ?How come when it comes down to it people like you are the first to break down. Crying about what you could have done in life what should be done. Thinking of yourself and always, ALWAYS putting down someone who has a light of courage in their heart! Things are bleak now yes, but what?s whining gonna prove??

Utter silence was the bulk of the citizens? answer.

The 16-year-old smirks. ?You really are a friggin? idiot aren?t you? Then I?ll say it slowly so it can fall into that thick skull of yours: WE-ARE-GOING-TO-DIE! IT?S OVER!! LIFE AS WE KNOW IT IS OV-AWWP!?

Before the rude teen could continue yelling he knocked square in the face by the quiet Touya. ?Have a bit more respect for your elders especially when they?re women.? The rather chivalrous Magma Grunt growls. ?Mainly one who lets you seek shelter here and used to be Fred?s-?

?Enough.? Fred starts. ?We wasted enough time on these hapless fools. Let?s move.?

?Wait! Girl!? Wanda calls out to May before handing her goggles, an air filter mask, her phanny pack, Alia, who greeted May as if nothing ever happened between them. And the Great Ball that contains the Pokemon Mrs. Stone left for her. ?You may not know me too well but-?

?It?s ok? May softly answers. ?I don?t know why but I feel I owe a lot to you?So, Thank you for all you?ve done for me.?

?Just make sure you find out what happened to my Wally and bring him and Mia back safely?Be careful??

With a simple nod May agrees to Wanda?s request and leaves with the Magma?s with little Aron following closely behind.

-----------
(Outside)

?Pretty heart warming scene back there kiddo.? Fred addressed May. ?You sure you don?t want to stay behind??

?May?s too hardheaded to listen to anyone.? Alia comments dryly. ?But it?s her usually bratty behavior that usually leads us down the path we need.?

?Thanks Al?Remind me to add your words to a resume?? May face faults. Alia, who was just happy to have her friend back quickly matches May?s sarcasm with a dry ?No problem.?

?Well, it?s not like the Pokedex is lying Hiromi. You are quite thick-skulled.? Steven Stone greets as he stood calmly ontop of a ravaged home. Only jumping down to face his baby sister?s best friend, traveling companion and mentor.

?You...? May mutters. ?Why are you here??

Steven shrugs. ?Stopping a person from risking her life without a clue...?

?I'll live, thanks.?

?Live? You can barely walk.? Yuji comments.

Feeling that there wasn't too much time to waste needlessly arguing with the 13-year-old Steven releases Whirlpool the Zigzagoon, Lightning the Electrike and Tsunami the Torchic from their Pokeballs to greet their trainer after months of separation?

Well, Whirlpool and Lightning did anyway. Tsunami, who bared the most injures just stood in her place looking at the ground too ashamed to face May.

May looks at Tsunami blankly before she crawls over to her and pokes her feathered face teasingly, only muttering. ?You think your so tough you little brat.?

?Chi?? Tsunami chirps softly as tears forms in her cute black eyes.

?Finally they forgave each other.? Lightning mentally sighs. ?I really thought Tsunami would die of grief back in the Center.?

?Good. Now all we need is to see them argue and everything will be back to normal.? Whirlpool smiles before noticing Aron who saw this scene as a very touching one as the beautiful princess hugs her long lost royal pet in a sparkling background.

?Beautiful?? The Level 5 Pokemon mummers, forcing Whirlpool and Lightning sweatdrop.

?Unfortunately Hiromi.? Steven began. ?Due to a very untimed mix-up your Shroomish was mistook for Wally?s Pokemon and was rushed with him to the Intensive Care room in the Hospital.?

May stopped hugging Tsunami and looked at Steven very vexed. Before the chestnut-haired girl could ask any questions Steven continues his serious tone. ?As soon as I turned my back Mia had Wally?s friends act as a decoy so she could sneak off to Mt. Chimney and confront Teams Magma and Aqua alone.?

After hearing that May quickly, yet painstakingly picks herself up and attempt to run.

Steven quickly grabs the girl by her left wrist. ?In your condition you won?t get far. But that won?t stop you will it?? Steven sighs before he comes to his answer.

Carrying May (who struggled at first was overall too psychically exhausted to continue doing so) on his back Steven quickly runs through the demolished Route 117 with May?s Pokemon. Save for Tsunami who Lightning carried on her back due to her injuries

?Hey! You mind slowing down a bit? Not all of us were track and field medal winners Y?know!? Yuji yells at Steven who turns to him at shoulders length while still moving.

?How did that saying go? Something about stragglers being left behind??

?Got us there.? Touya frowns.

?So why did you allow Mia to run off on her own if you know the danger she putting herself in?? May growls at the 19-year-old.

?She is a Stone. There isn?t an obstacle alive that can overcome our proud bloodline.?

May gives the 19-year-old a skeptical look.

?Though, I have to admit.? Steven coughs. ?The influence and impression you?ve made upon her was the only true reason why Mia has grown to accept her proud heritage. That?s something that not Father, Mother or even I could accomplish. Kudos to you Hiromi?Your drive is contagious.?

?Mia?? May mummers.

 

[Isaac Gravity]

Disclaimer- I don?t Pokemon or anything else.
------------

(Mt. Chimney)

The meteorite continued to pulsate freely as the now Solrock Lunatone combination? showed the same lovely glow as heavy tremors that started to crack at the ground overtook the area.

?Schneider report!? Archie demands. ?What the hell is going on here?!?

Schneider holds on for dear life to the machine and manages to blurt out. ?Captain, we lost all control now! The meteorite is acting as a reflex to a new type of force. And I do believe that the Solrock and Lunatone have a lot to do with this.?

Both Aqua and Magma glared at the two-in-one Rock/Psychic Pokemon monstrosity.

?So?you?re telling me that that is going to be the cause of our dooms?? One Aqua grunt named Carl asked Schneider.

Schneider simply nods.

This makes Carl smirk a bit but the signs of fear and desperation were quite audible on his features. ?SO WHY THE HELL ARE WE JUST STANDING HERE WAITING TO DIE!!!? The paranoid man calls out his Poochyena. ?DON?T JUST STAND THERE YOU FOOLISH HOUND! KILL IT! KILL IT NOW!!!?

?The only thing that needs to be killed is this mutinous act!? Boomed the voice of Ryukyu Gatsura as he grabs Carl by his collar.

?Don?t be so stupid!? Carl desperately spoke. ?Can?t you see it?We screwed with nature now she?s returning the favor?THAT ****ED EXSCUSE FOR A POKEMON TOOL HAS BETRAYED US AND IS GOING TO WIPE US ALL OUT!!! THEY DON?T CARE IF YOUR MAGMA OR AQUA!!! STOP BLINDING YOURSELVES FROM THE TRUTH!!?

Archie gives his former Grunt a disgusted look before he walked over to him and punching him in the gut. ?You should be more worried if you won?t be food for the Gyarados.?

?s-Capatin wait! We have to do something about that thing now! If we don?t band together as one now??

?Gatsura if it would not be too much trouble??

Without a second thought, Ryukyu, with his mighty strength tossed Carl right off of Mt. Chimney. All the Aqua?s watched with fearful looks but they knew that a heavy price is paid when you betray the noble ranks of Team Aqua.

Amanda was too angry for words to say anything to the Team Aqua Leader.

But she realized that dearly departed Team Aqua Grunt named Carl was right The Solrock Lunatone combination; aka: Soltone does have a lot of influence in these increasingly horrid events now?In fact, the creature seemed to be drawing power from the meteorite.

Carl?s Poochyena, seeing the death of his master in front of his young eyes feels the only thing left for it is to carry out his master?s last orders.

Growling menacingly at Archie, the pup Pokemon leaps at the Aqua Leader and quickly jumps off his back before his or Gatsura?s bulky Pokemon could get their paws on it lunging at the Soltone with the common bane to all Psychic-types everywhere known as Bite.

?Oh no you don?t! Partner to a traitor!? Gatsura roars as he has his Blastoise do Hydro Pump at the much lower level Pokemon who, not only got his ribs busted by the pressure of the attack but it was that same force that thrusted it off Mt. Chimney and to a fate similar to its master.

The legendary sea Captain then glowers viciously at the other Aqua?s who froze in their place. ?Do you really think life is always smooth sailing? The next person to attack that Pokemon must go through me first. And that goes for you nosy Magma?s as well.?

Whether it is fear, the realization of impending doom at hand, or the fumes emitted from the volcano that deterred their judgment was what caused a handful of the Aqua and Magma Grunts to rush towards Gatsura and his Pokemon.

The remaining Aqua?s who were loyal to Archie attacked the remaining Magma?s.

The fighting between sides again continued to an even fiercer degree. Amanda just watched the Soltone who just hovered high in the air, swaying back and forth in the tainted skies as though it found amusement in what the humans were doing.

Gritting her teeth to mentally curse herself, the 22-year-old Team Magma Executive then takes a look to the shattered land below?

The land she and her cohorts fought so hard to preserve was falling apart right before her eyes: The torn and ravaged lands due to the tremors caused by the meteorite and the Soltone awakening a sleeping giant. The tainted snow that was sullying the lungs of many innocents?this wasn?t what Magma?s dream wanted?

?This? Blast you Aqua? Curse you Red Sun? How could you?? Amanda growls. Pulling out her two remaining Pokeballs. ?I?m taking you down for your own and this planets good?Goodbye??

?I?d think twice before you do anything little woman.? Archie spoke darkly to Amanda. ?Aqua has waited too long for this moment?You shall not stop the volcano I will personally make sure of that!?

?You?re a crazy old fool! To that creature what is transpiring is only amusement!? Amanda spoke calmly before giving a malicious smirk.

The look that slowly formed on Archie?s face was rather a scary one. ?THE ONLY THING FOOLISH IS YOUR CONSTANT INTERFERENCE WRETCH! THIS MOUNTAIN SHALL BE YOU AND YOUR GROUPS FINAL RESTING GROUND!!!!!! I BURY THIS ENTIRE PLANET AND ALL IT?S WICKED INHABITANTS IN THE SEA!!!?

?THEN TRY!? Amanda shouts just as enraged.

::RUMBLE::
----------------

(Astral Plains)

May was snapped from her thoughts and onto her rear. Angelique on the other hand stood tall as if she didn?t even feel that heavy tremor.

?You really are an amusing person Hiromi, May.? Angelique comments. ?I feel quite satisfied knowing I successfully pulled pried you away from your losing battle with your wild half.?

It didn?t the 13-year-old too long to figure out what she meant.

?That mist! Why?d you-?

?I suppose it?s because you aren?t a third-rate like I originally thought you to be. Or it?s because of our equal ties to the devil?s gift?? Angelique shrugs. ?I don?t know myself why I feel I should do this for you.? The raven-haired girl flashed May a cruel little smirk. ?But what I do is my choice Hiromi and no one else?s.?

?Wai-? Before May could finish her sentence she fully disappeared.

The only thing she heard was Angelique saying: ?Prove your worth. You owe debt to Team Magma now??

::RUMBLE::

::RUMBLE::

::CRASH!::
----------------
Chapter 19: Race to the top! (Part 2): The parties are assembled! Go for broke!
---------------

(Verdanturf Pokemon Center)
(Intensive Care Unit)

::RUUMMMMBLLLE::

?Ugh my head?? Groaned the voice of 13-year-old May Hiromi who was in a sprawled position on the damaged Poke Center floor. May blankly sat up to hold her throbbing forehead before she realized her location. And what was around her wrist. ?So I?m back??

?Ar?

That cute little squeak came from the same little Aron that May met when she was in New Mauville and gave the Silk Scarf to which he wore proudly. In comparison to last the 13-year-old met the baby Pokemon it looked a lot healthier, it?s metal body was also hardened to a regular Aron?s style meaning that it must of undertook a healthy diet that promotes its growth.

The Aron walked up to May or as he always sees and visualizes her as: A beautiful princess with a long white dress and flowing chestnut brown hair that went down to her legs and stared at her with large twinkling eyes.

May lightly sweatdrops at the sight. ?So, what brings you all the way out here? ? Wherever here is.?

The Aron quirks up and begins to tug at the Silk Scarf until he finally managed to pull it from around his neck and gently puts in front of May?s feet.

?So you came all this way?and went through all this just to-? May smiles warmly at the Steel/Rock Pokemon and ties the scarf around the little one?s neck again. ?Keep it. It?s a gift after all.?

Hearing that the Jolly Rock/Steel Dino Pokemon jumped about happily. That was until the Pink and green haired Nurse Joy and her Pokemon Pikachu and Jigglypuff stared at him and May in surprise.

-----------
(Upstairs: The Main lobby)

?People please!? Wanda pleas as she shields Fred and the other two injured Magma Grunts who also had no choice but to also take shelter in the Verdanturf Pokemon Center from some of the angry Verdanturf residents who were attempting to walk over and beat the living day lights out them.

?Wanda, back away this instant!? The mayor of Verdanturf growls. ?It?s because of despicable people like these that our region is under going such destruction now!?

?Yeah! Why are you defending pond-scum like them!? One woman screams.

A bodybuilder who lives next door to Wanda spoke in just as much annoyance but was more sympathetic in tone. ?Wanda, we understand your unbiased concern for others but?These men deserve no help?They and Team Aqua are both responsible for Hoenn?s current apocalyptic situation?We should just throw their asses out in there to suffer like more than half of Verdanturf?s sickly residents are right now! Like Wally! Have you not even once thought about him??

?Wally?? Wanda murmured. ??I am a doctor first! A doctor must not allow things like emotions to cloud their judgment. A person in need of medical attention is a person in need of medical attention. That is that.?

One man who was on the brink of his sanity grabs Wanda by her shirt collar. Just to get a broken jawbone by Wanda?s Martial Artist boyfriend.

?Why you-? The man growls at Tony who only gave the ill-mannered fellow an icy glare.

Before any further tensions could be released Fred puts an understanding hand on Wanda?s shoulder. She quickly helps the injured man up. Fred then begins his speech. ?Don?t waste your time you two? These people would never understand what either group is trying to achieve??

?What?s there to understand you arrogant monster!? A woman holding her crying child roars as tears rolled down her cheeks. ?You people only do as you please, destroy what you want then have the bloody nerve to say it?s for the good of humanity!!!??

The woman shook with anger as she sees Fred?s unmoved face. ?YOU PEOPLE MAKE ME SICK TO MY STOMACH! BOTH GROUPS ARE BELOW ALL THAT IS HUMAN!!! NOW LOOK! LOOK WHAT YOU SELFISH B*STARDS CAUSED! YOU RUNINED IT FOR US ALL!!!?

Fred pulls out a cigarette, which is risky considering his condition. Seemingly unphased and continued his speech. ?Right, were the selfish ones? We?re the ones who take natures bounty for granted and now as we speak we are locked in a fight to the bitter end to see if we can rectify an untimed anomaly that is tearing Hoenn apart.?

The sudden silence surprised the Grunt this only bolstered his verbal ammunition. ?Heheh, It?s funny you don?t seem to be screaming profanities at me any longer. What?s wrong? I was enjoying the idea of bathing in your ignorance? Like any person, we fight for what we believe in. I want to make places like Verdanturf all around the world with the expanded land. Maxie says it?s possible with a lot of hardwork and being able to overcome many hardships.?

Many people remained silent but still had the courage to give the man nasty looks. Fred ignored this and continued.

?People like you oppose Magma and Aqua because you feel that the world is fine as it is?Because you don?t look at those around you you?re too busy looking at yourselves and wondering what shoes you?ll wear?Maybe my assumptions are too biased but none the less. If you want to stop the dreams of either side prepare for a war! Every single member of both groups has there own aspiration for joining Aqua and Magma. Remember that. Yuji, Touya let?s go.?

?Ugh, Where to?? Yuji asked the cell leader as he holds his ribs. Fred smirks. ?Didn?t you get Veronica?s message. Amanda needs back-up. Whether we make it is up to fate to decide.?

?This is my Hospital and no one else?s.? Growled the voice of Nurse Joy as she helped carry a very physically fatigued May. ?And no one, I repeat, NO ONE will leave the premises in this harsh condition: Aqua, Magma, rich, poor, young, old. You are all welcome to stay here!?

Fred smiled warmly at the Pink and green haired Pokemon nurse and waved. ?Sorry, you can?t make me change my mind this time??

?Then I?m coming too?? May manages to speak as she limps over to the Magma?s. Making everyone turn to her as if she was nuts.

?Do you know what you?re asking to do little girl?? Fred asked the 13-year-old.

?I don?t see Mia or Wally anywhere?? May mutters before quickly turning to Fred and the other two dumbfounded Magma?s. ?Well,? She began. ?Can you take me to Mt. Chimney? Like you I have business there.?

Many including the Magma?s just wrinkled their noses a bit in disgust at the girl?s attitude.

?Oh and what business could a child have there?? The mayor scolds May only to end up a bit unnerved by the harshness of her icy feral glare.

Fred, being the leader of the group quickly spoke. ?Do what you want kid. I only have one thing to say: No stragglers. You better hold your weight and keep up with our pace. You look like you?re about to collapse at any given moment. Why don?t you just rest and count your blessings, what?s left of them anyway.?

?I told you?I have business up there?Well it?s more like a debt to pay than business.?

A pessimistic 16-year-old trainer who had been listening in on the whole situation only laughs at what he sees it as: May?s lack of sight. ?Heh. You kids these days?You think anything is possible just because you set your mind to it? You watch too much anime??

?And you?re just another loudmouth Coward!? Nurse Joy screams in May?s defense. This outburst from the Pokemon Nurse shocked many. ?How come when it comes down to it people like you are the first to break down. Crying about what you could have done in life what should be done. Thinking of yourself and always, ALWAYS putting down someone who has a light of courage in their heart! Things are bleak now yes, but what?s whining gonna prove??

Utter silence was the bulk of the citizens? answer.

The 16-year-old smirks. ?You really are a friggin? idiot aren?t you? Then I?ll say it slowly so it can fall into that thick skull of yours: WE-ARE-GOING-TO-DIE! IT?S OVER!! LIFE AS WE KNOW IT IS OV-AWWP!?

Before the rude teen could continue yelling he knocked square in the face by the quiet Touya. ?Have a bit more respect for your elders especially when they?re women.? The rather chivalrous Magma Grunt growls. ?Mainly one who lets you seek shelter here and used to be Fred?s-?

?Enough.? Fred starts. ?We wasted enough time on these hapless fools. Let?s move.?

?Wait! Girl!? Wanda calls out to May before handing her goggles, an air filter mask, her phanny pack, Alia, who greeted May as if nothing ever happened between them. And the Great Ball that contains the Pokemon Mrs. Stone left for her. ?You may not know me too well but-?

?It?s ok? May softly answers. ?I don?t know why but I feel I owe a lot to you?So, Thank you for all you?ve done for me.?

?Just make sure you find out what happened to my Wally and bring him and Mia back safely?Be careful??

With a simple nod May agrees to Wanda?s request and leaves with the Magma?s with little Aron following closely behind.

-----------
(Outside)

?Pretty heart warming scene back there kiddo.? Fred addressed May. ?You sure you don?t want to stay behind??

?May?s too hardheaded to listen to anyone.? Alia comments dryly. ?But it?s her usually bratty behavior that usually leads us down the path we need.?

?Thanks Al?Remind me to add your words to a resume?? May face faults. Alia, who was just happy to have her friend back quickly matches May?s sarcasm with a dry ?No problem.?

?Well, it?s not like the Pokedex is lying Hiromi. You are quite thick-skulled.? Steven Stone greets as he stood calmly ontop of a ravaged home. Only jumping down to face his baby sister?s best friend, traveling companion and mentor.

?You...? May mutters. "Why are you here?"

Steven shrugs. ?Stopping a person from risking their lives without a clue...?

?I'll live, thanks.?

?Live? You can bearly walk.? Yuji comments.

Feeling that there wasn't too much time to waste needlessly areguing with the 13-year-old Steven releases Whirlpool the Zigzagoon, Lightning the Electrike and Tsunami the Torchic from their Pokeballs to greet their trainer after months of separation?

Well, Whirlpool and Lightning did anyway. Tsunami, who bared the most injures just stood in her place looking at the ground too ashamed to face May.

May looks at Tsunami blankly before she crawls over to her and pokes her feathered face teasingly, only muttering. ?You think your so tough you little brat.?

?Chi?? Tsunami chirps softly as tears forms in her cute black eyes.

?Finally they forgave each other.? Lightning mentally sighs. ?I really thought Tsunami would die of grief back in the Center.?

?Good. Now all we need is to see them argue and everything will be back to normal.? Whirlpool smiles before noticing Aron who saw this scene as a very touching one as the beautiful princess hugs her long lost royal pet in a sparkling background.

?Beautiful?? The Level 5 Pokemon mummers, forcing Whirlpool and Lightning sweatdrop.

?Unfortunately Hiromi.? Steven began. ?Due to a very untimed mix-up your Shroomish was mistook for Wally?s Pokemon and was rushed with him to the Intensive Care room in the Hospital.?

May stopped hugging Tsunami and looked at Steven very vexed. Before the chestnut-haired girl could ask any questions Steven continues his serious tone. ?As soon as I turned my back Mia had Wally?s friends act as a decoy so she could sneak off to Mt. Chimney and confront Teams Magma and Aqua alone.?

After hearing that May quickly, yet painstakingly picks herself up and attempt to run.

Steven quickly grabs the girl by her left wrist. ?In your condition you won?t get far. But that won?t stop you will it?? Steven sighs before he comes to his answer.

Carrying May (who struggled at first was overall too psychically exhausted to continue doing so) on his back Steven quickly runs through the demolished Route 117 with May?s Pokemon. Save for Tsunami who Lightning carried on her back due to her injuries

?Hey! You mind slowing down a bit? Not all of us were track and field medal winners Y?know!? Yuji yells at Steven who turns to him at shoulders length while still moving.

?How did that saying go? Something about stragglers being left behind??

?Got us there.? Touya frowns.

?So why did you allow Mia to run off on her own if you know the danger she putting herself in?? May growls at the 19-year-old.

?She is a Stone. There isn?t an obstacle alive that can overcome our proud bloodline.?

May gives the 19-year-old a skeptical look.

?Though, I have to admit.? Steven coughs. ?The influence and impression you?ve made upon her was the only true reason why Mia has grown to accept her proud heritage. That?s something that not Father, Mother or even I could accomplish. Kudos to you Hiromi?Your drive is contagious.?

?Mia?? May mummers.

 

[Isaac Gravity]

Cont
----------------
(Mt. Chimney)
(Somewhere along the mountain where Hikers love to climb)

10-year-old Mia Stone rested quietly ontop of Brendan Birch?s Ponyta nicknamed Ivy.

As he, his Flare Horse Pokemon the fatigued child genius and new companion along with them: 17-year-old Lavaridge Town Gym leader Flannery climbed upwards to the top of Mt. Chimney where all is loose between Aqua Magma and the Soltone.

Brendan looks over to the sleeping Mia with a concerned look on his face.

?Hey she?s gonna be fine.? Flannery assures the 13-year-old with a grin. ?After all you saw it. She single-handedly defeated that Gyarados all by herself only an Ivysaur and Treecko combination to do it. She?s just exhausted is all??sides? She adds. ?She safely atop that cute Ponyta of yours who?s going up with ease We?re the ones who have to be careful.?

Brendan scowls at the 17-year-old before murmuring. ?Quit trying to act cool. I?m surprised you even came out here considering the danger Lavaridge is in.?

Brendan accidentally sets his foot on a loose rock and losses his grip almost falling to his doom if Flannery hadn?t been there to grab his wrist and pull him up.

?And you need to learn how to mountain climb.? She counters. ?Your skills are similar to an Ariados on a leaking water spout. My hometown is smack-dab in that volcanoes path. We used this advantage for our great Hot springs resort. But the only flaw is if Mt. Chimney erupts Lavaridge and everyone in it is doomed! As Lavaridge?s newest Gym Leader I must protect my home now matter what!?

?I see??

?Besides? Flannery smirks as she puffs out her chest proudly. ?The only Pokemon I have left is my Torkoal?Since you were the only person in months to defeat an Elite trainer such as myself I felt it wise to enlist your help.?

?You enlisted my help!??

Flannery shrugs before giving Brendan a wink. ?It really doesn?t matter does it? We?re both on the same side and we should act as such. Children today are so ill-mannered?Oh, and don?t slip ?cuz I won?t always be there to save you Numel.?

And with that Flannery continued climbing up the mountain.

Brendan only shook his head annoyed but continued his trek up the mountain never the less.
----------------
(Mt. Chimney)
(Where Aqua and Magma is)


?Mutinous, cowardly DOGS!!!? Ryukyu Gatsura?s voice roared as he and his muscular Pokemon Blastoise and now fully evolved Exploud fought their way through all those that opposed them. May it be Magma or Aqua.
Aside from those that snapped under the pressure the remaining Aqua?s and Magma?s who kept their heads continued to fight each other, as did their leaders.

To the Soltone who at first watched and mentally snickered at the events transpiring before it quickly grew disgusted/bored with these Flesh and bone creations fighting fruitlessly over things that it knows they have no might to truly control.

?Humans had no might?But as for it?

?As for the many creatures known as Pokemon?

They could control the elements. Hell, they were just animal incarnations of each of nature?s bounty secretly there to keep the balance that man is so blindly wiping out?

?And the two-in-one Pokemon combination had enough of cleaning up after man?s many mistakes?Why the hell did it allow itself to be ruled for so long? Why the hell didn?t it see it before?

Maybe it was just too weak as a Solrock/Lunatone alone to do. One Psychic/Rock type couldn?t hope to defeat all those fleshlings but a combination with it?s brother and with the help of the meteorite from outer space that did nothing but praise it with ultimate power to rule. It could now become king! Make man into the slaves they turned Pokemon?

Meh! Screw that! What has other Pokemon done for it recently? It will rule and rule alone!

?But first?

With the meteorite there to amplify it?s power the Soltone used of the move Psychic to cause the entire Mt. Chimney to shake violently. Causing some Aqua?s and Magma?s that fought too close to the edge of the Mountain to fall to their doom.

This forced everyone to stop in their place to finally acknowledge the Soltone if they hadn?t thought of it as a potential threat already.

Too little too late?

The Pokemon then began to glow with a sparkling fiery aura as little spurts of flames began to shoot from its body.

It began as small waves until those waves turned into a very strong Psywave attack which literally cut through the thick air and some Magma?s and Aqua?s who were too close.

An attack at this caliber would?ve easily cut a huge man like Ryukyu Gatsura in half if it wasn?t for his Blastoise and Exploud who jumped in front of the legendary sea captain taking the brunt of the hit.

The impact of the hit cracked right through the hard shell of the mecha tortoise Pokemon that protected his allies from the brunt of the attack?Regardless all three were launched off the mountain due to the attack.

The Solrock/Lunatone combination then made an ear piercing screeching noise that brought many to their knees.

Floating high into the air, the two-in-one Pokemon combination began to again manipulate the meteorites power causing the pulsating outer space rock. The skies began to turn black a powerful wave of psychic energy suddenly burst from out of the creature and spread to fifty-yard radius.

The noise wasn?t one that humans could hear; but like the silent killer carbon monoxide which has no smell so Humans and animals die from breathing too much of it?s deadly fumes in.

The noise triggered by the Solrock/Lunatone combination was an attack that attacks the brainwaves. This caused made many crumble to their knees or made those with a weaker will black out.

--------------
(Mt. Chimney)
(Where Brendan and co. are)

?Finally a path where we can walk.? Brendan pants.

Flannery nudges Brendan to show that they still have one more climb ahead of them as she gestures to the very steep wall.

This forced the snow colored haired boy to sigh slightly.

Ivy the Ponyta?s ears twitch and she begins to whinny loudly in pain while standing on her hind legs.

The Ponyta?s actions forced Mia off her back and on her back in a harsh manner. This didn?t wake the 10-year-old; she just shook off the situation as apart of her dream.

?Ivy?? Brendan called out to his Pokemon before the sudden rush from Soltone?s attack reached him and Flannery too.

The 13-year did his best to resist it but was overwhelmed by the invisible assassin.

The 17-year-old Lavaridge Gym Leader fell to her knees as she struggled with all of her will power withstand the invisible sound waves.

?Gr-Grandpa?? Was the only word that popped up in Flannery?s mind.

Not too much a surprise that she would think of this? Flannery?s Grandfather is one of the greatest influences and reasons of her high amount of pride in her life.

At heart, Flannery is actually a kind and very insecure teenager with a lot of talent in the field of Pokemon battle.

Well, one would say it?s in her blood; after all, her Grandfather was once the leader of Hoenn?s Elite Four before finally defeated 10-years ago and replaced by Glacia the woman who fights with flaring ice.

For the Flannery?s grandfather he thought his life ended as soon as he lost to this cold spirited woman whose comment to him after sweeping him was: ?Face it old man. Times are changing and your so-called flames are just inadequate now. As they always were?It was only a matter of time before you were ousted??

The well-known battler lost to a woman who not only came out of nowhere but also knew no true meaning of the battle spirit. This made him lose all hope in the new generation of trainers coming to be? All trainers now-a-days only coveted the prestigious title of Pokemon Master and only want to be the best yet fail what the point of what being trainer really means.

With his life as a trainer over and his beloved wife?s recent passing, The old timer spent more and more time focused on his young granddaughter and his old passion of martial arts ever since?

?Gr-Grandpa?? Flannery weakly mummers, struggling with everything she had to keep her consciousness. ?I promised ?to?fight with?I can?t fall here!!!?

?And I don?t intend on dying here either? Ivy mentally whines as she continues to whinny loudly while her mane flared up fiercely, luckily Mia fell off the horse before she got engulfed by the horse?s flames. ?Just who do think you are taking over my mind!?

?I am the future ruler of that I survey.? Soltone spoke back telepathically to the flare horse. ?You?re strong. Or so it seems. Not like those weak humans you make yourself slave to.?

?I am no ones slave! I and I alone chose to protect and travel with the boy He promised me he?d help me find Honzo.?

?Why do you deceive yourself? What?s weaker than a disgusting human is a Pokemon slave doll who makes themselves act as a human?s tool? You?re fate is sealed.?

?Shut up! I heard all I wanted from you, freak!? Ivy mentally roared. ?Fate and destiny are intertwined matters both are always set and predetermined! You can always change your own destiny!?

The flame on flare horse?s mane grows stronger and stronger. Flannery weakly watched the fire Pokemon?s resistance; her heart growing with an even deeper determination to show the superiority of fire.

?And your predetermined destiny is to slain by the fleshlings and what you call slave dolls?Because one thing is certain?No one Human, tamed Pokemon or wild Pokemon want you as their RULER! NOW BEGONE! VILE ABOMINATION!!?

Ivy then uses all of her energy to unleash the TM gift that Flannery rewarded Brendan for defeating her a fire move she created herself with the help of one of her Grandfather?s old colleague named Blaine called Overheat.

The attack did nothing initially, but the act of defiance made the Soltone stop his assault since that little tactic wouldn?t work on the more stubborn ones like that Ponyta its human companions, Archie, Amanda and a few remaining Aqua and Magma Grunts and their Pokemon.

It?ll let all those annoying insects gather where he is and be crushed once and for all in one fell swoop.

With this in mind the Solrock/Lunatone combination just floated into the sky and hovered there, making little scratching noises as if laughing at everyone?s fate.

?Red Sun?? Amanda mummers pulling out a Pokeball containing her Swellow ?You?re too arrogant?Haze! Steel Wing that monstrosity this instant!?

?We?re not done! Little lady!? Archie growls at Amanda as he orders his Crawdaunt to intercept the attack. Leaving Amanda to glare heatedly at him. ?You fool! This is above you!?

?That creature is the building blocks to my plans?I will not let you?re disgusting family RUIN MY PLANS YET AGAIN!?

?Blast you?Haze! Quick attack that wretched lobster!?

As Amanda yet again lost her chance to attack the Pokemon the Soltone just watched with a bemused point-of-view.

----------------
(Back where Brendan and co. are)

?Finally awake?? Flannery smirks at Brendan who held his head in pain. Mia quickly walks over to him and uses an alcohol swab to clean up his wounds.

?Thanks Mia but I?ll be fine.?

?I know? but if May-san ever saw you like this she?d wanna have the head of the one who did it. Besides?I don?t like seeing my friends hurt.?

?You must feel pitiful now.? Flannery further teased the snow colored hair boy. Brendan only tosses a light scowl in her direction as Mia continues to bandage him.

?I hope you traitors don?t intend to rely on those land spoilers for too long?Because when I?m through with you not a first aid kit in the seas can save you.? Ryukyu Gatsura growls dangerously at the children as he limps over to them.

Gatsura was covered with blood, cuts and bruises. His outfit was torn a bit and the agony of loss was written all over his face but that didn?t stop the deranged man from glaring icily at Brendan and co.

?What do you mean by traitors sir?? Mia politely asked the deluded fellow. ?We?don?t too well know you?to ever betray you??

?You're just disgusting weak-willed traitors to the sea?Only true people of the sea would allow their own wounds to heal on their own?My Pokemon and I spent years upon years taking each cut and scar and then licking our wounds with our tongues or the beautiful grace known as the sea??

Flannery wrinkles her nose in an annoyed fashion. ?Yeah, well goodie for you. But look at yourself your in need of immediate medical attention??

?As I said my Pokemon and I need no medical attention?all we need is to aid in the complete in the finishing of Aqua?s plan.?

?AND AT WHAT COST!? Mia yelled at the man.

Brendan never saw the 10-year-old lose her temper before, so this surprised him.

Flannery on the other hand just smirked. ??Look beyond the this mountain and what do you see? That?s right you see what used to be happiness turned into a nightmarish realm? People and loved one?s are suffering and dying as we speak?How can you people be so selfish??

?Selfish things don?t come without sacrifices?Just a while ago my closet Pokemon partner threw his life away just to make sure Exploud and I live to see the next day?It?s a hard life either way?But at least I can know that when Aqua?s plans are complete and the Great Sea is finally formed washing away all these disgusting modern day conveniences that make Human and Pokemon lazy and weak that Blastoise?s sacrifice wasn?t in vain.?

Mia pretty much figured that everyone has their reasons for what they do in life. She found this understanding when traveling around with May and watched the 13-year-old constantly have to fight with the decisions of have her and her Pokemon allies fight on or run, kill or be killed, live or die.

Before Mia could think to say Brendan spoke in her place. ?Well too bad. You already had your Pokemon make a foolish sacrifice over your own obsessive ambitions.?

?What.?

?Brendan!? Mia gasped.

Flannery just egged on Brendan?s words. ?He?s right you know. Know one ever told you, Team Aqua or Magma to do what you do. You do it on your own free will. In fact, Know one wants an expanded sea! The world is already in fine balance! But if it came down to if I must choose?then I have to go with Magma for the belief of spreading more land for those needs homes! And because they?re principles are more?I don?t know believable.?

Silence followed by a respective face fault and sweatdrop was both Brendan and Mia?s response.

?But? Flannery continued. ?In the end words and actions are two different things! And I?m here to stop the destruction and madness caused by both groups! Now get of my way!?

?You dare to mock my dreams and then order me?? Gatsura growls as he narrowed his eyes full of malice and warning. ??You won?t live to do that again??

As soon as Gatsura said those words his Exploud bursts from out of the rocks also bloodied and full of cuts and bruises, some of its old scars and wound actually opened up. The Pokemon then quickly turned to Ivy who struggled to get near Brendan and shield him and used Hyper Voice on the already weakened Flare Horse.

The impact of the power sound wave attack knocked Ivy off all fours and on her sides. Before the horse could fall of the cliffs edge Brendan quickly recalled his ally and looked at the smug Gatsura with anger.

The Exploud then rushed at the trio of Humans at full force pulling back its fist and readied to punch the closest thing. Flannery shoes Brendan to the left and tackle shoves Mia to the right to avoid the attack.

Ragnarok the Marshtomp popped out his ball without warning and bravely leaped forward and used the move Iron Tail in hopes of cracking his foes skull.

Exploud?s fist glow with a bright white shine as it throws his punch at Ragnarok?s direction with a powerful Custom Tactic that literally ripped at the ground just by the punches force called Shining fist.

End Chapter 19
------------------

1. May learned from the Verdant Nurse Joy of the situation of Mt. Chimney and of Team Aqua and Magma?s bout there. May figured this was what Angelique meant by paying a debt to Magma their lighthouse beckon of the new world.

2. Numel are stereotyped to be: blunt, clumsy and not bright creatures. That?s why Flannery called Brendan that. Which is weird since Brendan is the complete opposite of that. I don?t really think Numel are ?stupid? though?Despite what the Pokedex in Ruby/Sapphire say?

For those who might say: ?You hypocrite then what about how you portrayed Brendan?s Numel in Chapter 11?? Well, to answer that I wasn?t trying to make him look stupid. I was just trying to convey the little guy as one who lives in his own little world, completely ignorant to the dangers/evils around him.

The same could be said about the joke about Machokes made in Chapter 1: It was May?s opinion on the matter. Personally, I think they?re pretty smart considering the fact they wear a belt to stabilize their strength levels and must know how much power is too much.

Well anyway: Next- Chapter 20- The Burning Soul battle!