Trials of Reluctance (PG-13)

[Isaac Gravity]

Disclaimer- I don?t own Pokemon or anything else
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(Mt. Chimney)
(Where Brendan and co. are)

The two attacks: Ragnarok?s Iron Tail and Exploud?s Custom Tactic: Shining Fist canceled each other out. Both Pokemon leap to their respect sides but Ragnarok wobbles a bit

?Good the soul thread has been created.? Gatsura smirks.

Brendan and others just looks at him puzzled but hate his guts too much to ever ask him what he means. So Gatsura continues to lecture these as he sees them: Inexperienced whelps.

?My partners Custom Tactic Shining fist is just a move to test his foes courage and see if they will guard counter or flee from the attack. Once contact is made the field to the trainers fighting soul is open and then the true fight begins when both the Trainer and Pokemons honor and life is at stake?By the way what a nice oceanic feeling your fighting spirit emits boy. Why would a fellow brother of the sea resist Aqua??

?I resist?because I have something more precious to fight for?? The 13-year-old admits. Brendan then smiles at Ragnarok who nods at him. ?Losing here means losing my dreams.?

?That?s why you aren?t going to fight alone!? Mia bravely spoke up as she calls out Hiro the Treecko and walks next to Brendan. ?I also want to protect those I love?And I won?t die here I won?t let what May-san taught me go to waste!?

Flannery smiles at the two younger trainers before calling out her Torkoal. ?If we can?t beat this guy then we have no right going any further. After all he did threaten all our lives.?

?Your loyalty towards one another is commendable?? Gatsura spoke respectfully. ?BUT you yet to see a true battle until you fought with raw power! Be glad that I, the great Ryukyu Gatsura is going to show you this!?

?Something isn?t right? Mia mentally rambled before addressing to Brendan. ?Brendan, may I see your battle scanner for a moment??

?Already ahead of you?? Brendan grimaced as he pulls out his A.I. Travel companion Ciel and activates her battle scan system. In comparison to Alia who lives for battle data Ciel?s looked a lot less impressive but was accurate non-the-less. ?Oh,? The snow colored hair boy adds. ?Her name is Ciel.?

?No time for casualties Brendan!? The usually introvert personality Pokedex spoke. ?I?ll begin the scan if it?s ok with you??

Brendan and Mia both looked at the collected levels of each Pokemon on the battlefield while Gatsura just gave a disgusted look at Ciel or what he considered: Another cursed useless contraption of the lazy land dwellers.

?Hmm.? Brendan confirms the situation. ?Ok, Exploud is only Level 45 while we have a Level 28 Treecko, Level 36 Torkoal and Ragnarok whose Level 34.?

Hearing this, Flannery puts her hands by her hips and smirks at Gatsura in a taunting way. ?Hey? Don?t you realize whom your dealing with? You might as well slink back to your rowboat right now. You?re playing with an elite trainer now.?

Brendan looks at Flannery smugly. ?And if I beat you I must be a few ranks above an elite.?

::Whack!::

Brendan just rubs the bruise on the back of his head while scowling at Flannery who just glared at him.

Gatsura also couldn?t help but throw a wicked smirk himself as he murmured something about stupid children.

Brendan and Flannery passed off his confidence as a bluff. Mia however, took his overly relaxed attitude to consideration.

?We out number him yet he?s so confident?? The Indigo eyed 10-year-old mentally frets through gritted teeth. ?What are you hiding??

?Exploud!? Gatsura orders his Pokemon. ?Show them what a true battle with might really is! And don?t skimp on a single detail!?

Exploud makes a running start and with a mighty leap launches himself into the air and down towards his opponents.

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Chapter 20- The Burning Soul Battle!
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(Mt. Chimney)
(Somewhere along the start of the mountain path where Hikers love to climb)

?Hey, sleepy-head.? Steven addresses a resting May. ?You aren?t really expecting me to piggyback ride you all the way up the mountain are you??

Considering May?s utter silence for the last thirty minutes the 19-year-old Hoenn champion began to become a little nervous.

?I knew it? He inwardly grumbled. ?She wasn?t in any condition to go anywhere to begin with?. All I seem to do lately is baby-sit??

Steven gently placed May by a rock and saw that her cheeks were rosy. ?Perfect, she?s sick.? The 19-year-old rolls his eyes as he feels her forehead confirming a fever most likely caused by all of May?s sudden movement after just recovering.

As Steven rummaged through his travel bag for some medicine he failed to notice that Tsunami the Torchic was also suffering from the same conditions. The only difference was that small flickers of flames sparked from the Chick Pokemon?s body acting like she was feeling pain from her own heated body. This worried her Pokemon allies a lot.

?Hiromi, come on wake up.? Steven shook the 13-year-old, vaguely removing her from her slumber. ?Here, drink this. You should be lucky I hold a lot of homemade herbal remedies on me?But it?s a bit contradicting to do so being the fact that I hardly become ill.?

?NO!? May screamed as she managed to crawl a few feet away from Steven. Her eyes looked very sick and distant. ?I had my share of medicine for a lifetime! Get that garbage away from me!?

?She?s delirious?? Steven sympathetically thought as he put the drink away. ?Ok Hiromi, we?ll play it your way? You better not collapse or die of dehydration.?

Taking May?s silence as a whatever, Steven focuses on how he was going to get up that mountain without the tram.

The Hoenn Champ then gets an idea and starts it by calling out his most powerful Pokemon Metagross and suggests it to climb up the mountain and see if it can create a type of safe walking path.

Metagross did as it was ordered. Using its sharp metal claws the steel crab Pokemon began to scuttle up the rocky wall.

Whirlpool the Zigzagoon, Lightning the Electrike and Tsunami the Torchic who was dragged by Lightning since the chick Pokemon became too hot to carry on her back without getting scorched; hitched a ride on Metagross upon May?s orders.

In-order to stay on of the steel crab Pokemon?s back while it made its vertical climb; Lightning charges the ions in her body to create a magnetic cling to keep herself and her allies on him. This tactic did irk the Metagross some, but it basically felt like a mere tingeing sensation.

Steven didn?t even bother to question the stubborn girl.

?Good, a weak rock structuring only four feet away from Metagross.? Steven silently replies as he watched the Pokemon trek from his binoculars.

May weakly nods as she tries to stand but just falls on her rear, still in a bit of a blur. ?al-Alright! Leave the rest to me?Whirlpool! Rock Smash!?

Whirlpool grins and jumps off Metagross only to land on rocks a few feet below the scuttling metal creature run back up the mountain at full speed and leap off the Steel Crab Pokemon for a huge boost of momentum before rolling itself into a little fuzz ball with rock breaking power.

?Are you insane?? Steven yells at the 13-year-old. ?Your Zigzagoon is doing what most with sense call a suicide move! Also,? The 19-year-old adds. ?Rock Smash?s power depends on the Pokemon.?

?Whirlpool combine the Rock Smash with Double Team immediately!?

Steven watched in pure surprise as he considered: the little fuzz ball slowly broke into five doppelgangers of itself.

The five doppelgangers all broke into five more each and all collies into the weak rock structure. Destroying it effortlessly.

?Shouldn?t have expected less?? Steven inwardly smirks before becoming serious. ?Metagross! Protect!?

A strong barrier formed around Metagross and its passengers, shielding them all from the falling rubble.

?Now Metagross! Finish the job with Earthquake!?

Metagross lifted its front right claw and stabbed the rock wall in front of it. This caused a small crease to climb up the wall before it completely cracked apart which caused more rubble to fall.

Whatever Steven had in mind didn?t happen.

Metagross began to scuttle up the wall it as well as May?s Pokemon were sent plummeting to a lower area of the mountain by a sneak attack from a very pissed off Steelix.

-------------
(Where Brendan and co. is)
(Before the Steelix attack)

Exploud makes a running start and with a mighty leap launches himself into the air and down towards his opponents. The muscular Sound Pokemon then launches a strong Hyper Voice at the trio of Pokemon.

?Torkoal Flamethrower now!? Flannery hastily orders her fire turtle Pokemon.

Torkoal quickly launches the attack straight at the Hyper Voice. Both the distanced attacks cancel each other out causing a mid air explosion as bits of fire to rain down on Brendan and the others which lightly burned their skin and created small holes in their clothes.

Out from the smoke from the canceled out attacks was the Exploud, who was coming straight at his foes fist first.

Torkoal nods to Hiro the Treecko and Ragnarok the Marshtomp as a heavy amount of smoke escapes from her body creating a Smoke Screen.

That doesn?t stop Exploud, who launches his punch right into Hiro who was the closest target.

The Sound Pokemon gave a content look as he saw the pained look on the Tree Gecko Pokemon only to see him give a toothed smirk before his along with the images of Torkoal, Ragnarok, Flannery, Brendan and Mia all turn into grass stumps that ensnare the Muscular Sound monster with whip-like roots as they plant themselves and the Exploud into the ground.

The Exploud struggles with all might and bears a strained yet irritated look as he sees his foes and their trainers circling around him.

Ragnarok breathes life into plants by splashing a strong Water Gun in their direction while Hiro stands in his place, roots all around him as he uses the life draining Mega Drain.

Exploud felt as though his entire life force was being sucked out of him.

Wanting to see the next day, the Exploud musters all of his remaining strength and makes a loud ear-piercing screech.

That breaks both Ragnarok?s and Hiro concentration but begins to crack some of the weaker rock formation on Mt. Chimney.

Due to the loud cries of the Exploud, some boulders gave away and began to tumble downwards toward the battle below?Specifically where Hiro the Treecko stood.

Since the Gecko Pokemon was rooted to the ground he couldn?t defend himself or run away even if he wanted to.

?Hiro!? Mia screams as she runs over and shields her Pokemon from near doom forgetting or not caring about what happens to her.

?Ragnarok! Iron Tail!?

Upon Brendan?s orders the Relaxed natured Mudfish Pokemon leaps into action and crushes the giant boulder that threatened to hurt his allies with one powerful strike with his fin-like tail that glowed with bright silver.

With Mia and Hiro safe, Ragnarok used the larger bits of the plummeting boulders to leap and smashed the next nearest rock whether it is with the Iron Tail attack or with his bear hands or feet.

Torkoal quickly joined in the attacks by melting any and all falling fragments from Ragnarok?s attacks with Flamethrower.

?Impressive,? Gatsura compliments Brendan?s Pokemon. ?But like the trainer it?s still too soft??

Brendan noticed all the cuts and bruises forming on Ragnarok?s being as the quickly growing fatigued mudfish continued to break some falling rocks. It didn?t help that Brendan himself started to feel a sudden burning sting sensation run within his hands and lower arms.

The boy quickly saw why: His gloves and lower sleeves of his sweater were mysteriously torn. His knuckles were bleeding badly as were his hands and arms that were riddled with cuts?

With the group?s attention busy. A sharp rock cuts Exploud?s right arm free from the roots vile grasp.

Exploud then uses his free hand to ram his hands into the ground and pull the roots out from the ground.

Doing so also caused Hiro, who was still rooted, to be dragged from where he stood and towards the muscular Sound Pokemon who first used him and the roots as a kind of ball and chain weapon to hit the fatigued Ragnarok from behind and right into Brendan.

?You all seem to hold high regard for each other yet your abilities to work together are horrid.? Gatsura further his taunts.

Exploud then took it upon himself to rip Hiro from the roots which really hurt considering that he was attached to them at the moment. Then slammed him to the ground like a spoiled child who didn?t have any further use for their rag-doll without any mercy.

The Muscular Sound Pokemon completed his act of cruelty by eating the roots for himself, recovering some lost energy.

 

[Isaac Gravity]

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

?HIRO!!!? Mia screams horrified as she suddenly felt her whole body go suddenly numb.

?Mia! Get it together we haven?t lost yet!? Flannery screams at the 10-year-old as Torkoal, who hid inside of her shell, used the move Fire Spin to act a motor to spin into the scene to whisk Hiro away from any further torment.

?I know the real reason why this guy?s Pokemon seems so superior to ours??

Both, Brendan and Mia weakly turn to Flannery.

Flannery nods. ?Haven?t either of you honor students heard of the Pokemon Parameter Share System??

?I?ve heard May-san talk of this a few times?? Mia admits. ?But?She was always referring to the games and the similarities between video games and the real thing are very limited??

?Well then, this May-san you keep talking about obviously knows her stuff.? Flannery grins before continuing. ?As you both know, all Pokemon have a specific talent that make them unique in certain fields: Like the best thing about Zubats is their speed, while a Torkoal, because of their hard shells make them masters of defense. Well, the Pokemon Parameter share system was a theory created by a group of researchers about three years ago found discovered a difference in there Pokemons growth when they raised them in a place full of Zubat and Golbat.?

Brendan realized this as he sat up. ?I-I remember that? The whole experiment was a bust since the whole thing was undetermined??

?Undetermined.? Flannery smirks. ??Until Medium Akane Weinwright came into Slateport City?It was she who determined that Pokemon have a type of odd hidden effort build potential within them that can help them leech their abilities true power.?

Mia looks at Flannery in an understanding manner. ?So, you?re saying??

?That I worked blood sweat and tears into my Pokemon so they can not be matched in strength nor speed.? Gatsura boomed as a sudden quake that situated from below started. ?Of course combat is considered a sport among men for ages so vitality and stamina is of utmost importance... A man of the sea always takes every tale seriously.?

?So that was it?? Mia mentally deluges into her thoughts again. ?He tricked us?It was his vast years of experience and training that made him wield such confidence in his Pokemon?even when he knew what he was up against??

Knowing he has the advantage Gatsura sneers. ?So, what do you children plan on doing from here??

??Ragnarok?? 13-year-old Brendan Birch called out to his Pokemon. ?Mud Shot!?

A surprised look was Mia?s reaction to the snow-colored haired boy?s recent move; a simple grin was Flannery?s.

Ragnarok the Marshtomp launches himself into the air by spraying Water Gun at full force on the now muddy ground.

?We came this far why should we turn tail now? Because someone told us to?? Brendan spoke knowingly. ?When trainers meet opponents like you they?re excited at the prospects of what they can learn from them?And I learned a lot from you?Whether it be positive or negative. I won?t run! From you or this! I?ll fight!?

?Brendan?? Ciel spoke to her trainer in her usual hushed motherly tone brimming full of pride. ?You?re no longer the easily pushed around boy I once knew you as?You?ve grown up so much that I can?t believe that I overlooked it.?

It was kind of hard for Mia to believe that Brendan was shy. Very calm and mature in attitude: sure, a little quiet and very levelheaded: always. But shy? In the Pokemon Academy he was the one always starting conversations in their small, dwindling group of friends.

Not only that but he was always quite defensive for those he cared for?Even if he knew he was going to get the holy hell beaten out of him. Since the Pokemon academy was a boarding school Mia thought of the snow-colored hair boy as a psuedo older brother.

Flannery just shook her head while smiling.

Ryukyu snorts. ?Like I was going to allow you to get off that easy boy!?

When the sea captain spoke Exploud mimicked the weaker Pokemon?s actions by getting a running start before he used the momentum to jump then use Hyper Voice to launch himself into the air in pursuit of Mudfish.
--------------

(Where May and Steven are)

The Steelix glared icily at Metagross, Lightning, Whirlpool and Tsunami as it made a rather creaky hissing noise attracting many Zubat and Golbat from out of the hole where Steelix popped out from and to hover around it as if entranced by its eerie tune.

The Steelix then glares coldly at Tsunami, and then looks down to Steven, May and little Aron. A wicked look falls upon its already intimidating features.

With a piercing screech made by Steelix, Lightning, Whirlpool, Tsunami and even Metagross freeze up in their place; their bodies, shivering, despite the lack of frozen temperature.

The cruel minded Steelix then uses its mighty tail to swat the Pokemon even further down the mountain leaving them badly injured.

To add insult to injury Steelix then launched Dragonbreath in hopes of finishing off the Pokemon slave dolls. Despite the paralysis Metagross, due to its heavy experience and the fact that it too was a steel type used Protect to shield himself and the others from the attack.

With the distance well enough Metagross was about to send Steelix a nasty splitting experience with Earthquake, the Zubats and Golbats then took it upon themselves to harass The Steel Crab and company.

Things weren?t looking well for Steven and May either. Feeling the shockwave of Steelix?s Screech, four Onix burst from the ground and surrounded the duo and little Aron who gives a low little growl while trying to defend the chestnut haired girl.

The four Onix looked at the tiny Steel Type with amused features. Each of them began to wonder how tasty his steel hide might be.

?Hiromi!? Steven hastily yelled as he grabs the drained girl and rolls away to avoid the first Onix?s attack.

The other two Onix decide to attack together with Rock Throw. ?Hiromi now?s not the time to sleep!? Steven desperately shook her to no avail?

Having all he could take, the 19-year-old called out Armaldo who smashed through the rock attacks then parried with Water Pulse that completely defeated two of the attacking Rock Snake Pokemon.

As the Rock-Bug type was about to launch another strong Water Pulse at the fourth Onix who started to burrow into the ground, his attack was block by the steel-like hide of another, smaller Steelix who, like its elder, had great defenses considering all the rich nutrients it absorbed and the hardening of it?s body due to its deep burrowing.

This gave the Onix the time it needed to launch its sneak attack towards Armadlo with Dig.

Despite being a ground attack, the Onix?s power and level wasn?t high enough to even do any real significant damage to the Bug-Rock who made sure that no falling rubble fell to his master and his acquaintance.

?Cradily! Give Armadlo a hand!? Steven orders as he calls out the evolved fossilized plant monster?

::Click::

::Click::

::Click::

The Pokeball fell to the floor while Cradily was trapped inside the ball.

?What?s this!?? The 19-year-old Hoenn Champ shouted incredulously at what he just witnessed. Without any warning an Onix deliberately slammed its tail into the ground a few feet from the Champion.

The impact of the Onix?s heavy tail against the ground knocked Steven back some and made him drop the herbal drink he was about to carefully give to the sleeping 13-year-old who, along with Aron tumbled was also sent tumbling back due to the force.

Steven shakes his other Pokeballs and hears the same clicking noise. The Hoenn Champion looks over Armaldo whose growing weary from fighting the remaining Onix who is working quite well with the Steelix whose covering it flaws.

The 19-year-old then takes note of the horde of Zubat and Golbat hovering around the area. ?Even though Armaldo appears to hold the advantage here the odds are against him. And Metagross is too busy shielding Hiromi?s Pokemon??

Making once last scenery check towards the Pokeball containing Cradily that laid a few feet away Steven came to his decision.

Before Steven ?made his move? he noticed little Aron run by unnoticed by the larger Pokemon to grab the medicine Steven dropped for May.

The Little Aron then ran as quickly as his tiny legs could carry him as he ran over to the spot he managed to drag May?s fatigued form to hide her from the Onix and Steelix.

However, his move wasn?t left unnoticed. The elder Steelix who had been comfy in the walls of the mountain watched the little steel dino with malice in her eyes.

The mountain hag of a Steelix then launched Dragonbreath aimed at little Aron. The attack didn?t get to its slow moving target though?

A sound resembling a tidal wave hitting a wall of boulders was heard from above the mountain it was only a matter of seconds before a rock slide consisting of: mud, rocks and boulders came plummeting down the mountain as a reflex and onto the elder Iron Snake cutting her attack short as well as burying her under the debris.

The other Onix and the other Steelix turned to see what happened shocked that their leader was beaten by something so petty.

Armaldo used their unguarded state to it?s advantage with a well put Water Pulse on the Onix who fainted and fell victim to the rockslide.

The Steelix smirks lightly at the group before quickly burrowed itself into the ground for a hasty retreat.

With the mountain hag of a Steelix thwarted. Her control as most would call it dissipated; The Zubats and Golbats who also heard Soltone?s message but didn?t give a rip about what that freak said and pretty much lived laidback lives. So they went about their business.

Steven walks over to pick up the ball that contained Cradily but couldn?t help but feel that the defeat of the giant snake Pokemon was a little too easy.

The shivering that Metagross Lightning, Whirlpool and Tsunami was suffering from also stopped?

The group now turned their attention to the sleeping Chick Pokemon whose condition worsened?

To Be Continued?
------------

(Notes)

You might complain that Steven?s high-level monsters should be getting whipped like the way I wrote. But take into consideration those Onix and the two Steelix are somewhere around their high 20?s to low/mid 30?s.
A group of them vs. one even if a more superior in level Pokemon won?t look good. (Especially if the stronger monster becomes confused or paralyzed.)

 

[Isaac Gravity]

Disclaimer- I don?t own Pokemon or anything else
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Side Story 1: Tsunami's Growth
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(Tsunami?s Thoughts)

[What?s happening to me? Ugh?Oh, Great Fire Guru of the sky who paints the world with a shining rainbow please give me a sign!]

Her answer was nothingness?

[Am I being punished for how mean I was to May? Or?better yet because I wasn?t there for here when she needed me most?But how can I forgive her if I can?t forgive myself!]

?But she apologized and everything!? A voice that sounded like Whirlpool the Zigzagoon?s protested as the spotlight shone down on him.

?I think this whole argument was just a huge clash of your similar personalities.? A voice that sounded like Leaf the Shroomish points out as the spotlight shone down on him. ?Best to forgive and forget.?

[?That?s right? I don?t need, want or deserve any kind of forgiveness especially from her! She never cared about me! All she obsessed about since the beginning was getting stronger and constantly collecting battle data. Musing about how much more useful to her I?d be if I?d just evolve?I was one big game to her! I get a little upset and she shoos me away! Calls me useless! She tells ME to grow up!]

?FINE! GO DO WHAT YOU WANT! YOU AREN?T MY PROBLEM ANYMORE!! GO BURN A TREE OR SOMETHING!!! j-JUST GET OUTTA MY SIGHT!!!!? May?s voiced trailed into the emptiness. Only fueling the Chick Pokemon?s anger.

[SHE?S THE SPOILED ONE! SHE?S THE SELFISH ONE! SHE THE ONE THAT NEEDS TO GROW UP!!! I?M FINE THE WAY I AM!!!]

?Hey, fire crow.? Lightning?s voice greets. ?Shut up.?

[Wha-]

?If anything your acting like a brat. Bangs is willing to let bygones be bygones and start over with us from scratch. She cares about you so much that she was willing to throw all her troubles away, ALL THE THINGS THAT PAINED AND HAUNT HER IN HER SLEEP TO THIS VERY DAY just to see us all safe and happy?You are selfish if you can?t see this nor your own flaws.?

[?]

?Face it Tsunami?You?re selfish?Selfish, like Whirlpool, who stole from others at a ridiculously often rate over petty materialistic items that he didn?t even need even though he knew what he did was wrong?Selfish, like me, who spent my life constantly bullying weaker Pokemon and trainers then shaking ?em down because I didn?t give a d*mn? Selfish like Leaf, who brags about how his lack of vision makes him absorb more sunlight than most of his properties.
?And? Lightning finishes. ?Selfish, like our trainer? Who for some bizarre reason got guys like us under her control and to work together like one huge function!?

[?I?]

?I believe she?s just scared to evolve is all. Nervous if she can?t handle the responsibility of being older. Right? Say I?m right ?cuz I know I am.? Ragnarok the Marshtomp greets his old Lab mate.

[y-You look different?]

?Hmph that what happens when you grow kid.? Daigo the Ivysaur answers as the spotlight now comes upon him.

[I thought you said you never wanted to grow!]

Daigo shakes himself as if he?s shrugging. ?Change in plan. I?m Mia?s Default Partner Pokemon. I have a duty to uphold as Leader of her team.?
The Ivysaur continued his speech in a detached yet cool manner. ?She needs me?I?ll just be a puff planter that can plant a lot faster.?

The spotlight then goes back to Whirlpool who jumps about happily. ?Even humans grow you know. They start as wee little babies then get bigger and bigger. Also, when they aren?t growing they get smarter.?

?Land Guru of Thunder, your dumb.? Lightning smirks while rolling her eyes at Whirlpool who just lunged at her ensuing a fight cloud.

[May?]

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

May, in her Oldale Middle School Uniform walks out of the school premises after another long uneventful day of school?

A lot of Homework as usual, reviews for an upcoming test.

?Chi!?

May looks above her to see Tsunami the Torchic balancing herself on a fence to greet the pessimistic 13-year-old.

?Ready for tonight Partner?? The girl asked with a grin.

Tsunami happily nods. She?s been feeling kindling flames within her body for about a week now. According to Alia she was going to learn a move called Ember. Sounds fiery enough?

The day suddenly felt a bit more rewarding for both of them.

After all, She wasn?t just a house pet?She was a trainers battle partner.

The scene suddenly changes to the appearance of the Rustboro City Gym. Tsunami feels as though she just got hit by a ton of bricks then realizes why.

In front of her was Roxanne?s Pokemon Nosepass who looked burned and strained from all of the little Pokemon?s Ember attacks.

She then sees Nosepass?s trainer: Gym leader and child prodigy: Roxanne who wasn?t focused on the battle. No, the usually in control Gym leader was pissed! She glared cold daggers not at Tsunami but at her partner.

Tsunami weakly turns to see May?or at least she thought it was May?It looked like her?but she looked so much more ?foreboding?deadly?

Who cares, May was just as annoyed with Roxanne as she was?

But Tsunami also felt a little pit in her stomach that grew and grew?

Making her body temperature rise higher than it usually did. Though at the same time she was nervous she also felt excited at the prospects of new firepower.

?Tsu! Run at Nosepass with full power using Peck as your guide now!!!? May calls out to her Pokemon in a rash voice that was full of distance and anger.

Tsunami didn?t argue, she felt enticed to?To melt a bloody hole into that totem pole reject?

It started as a mad enraged dash of reckless victory but her body temperature kept rising and rising. ?Am I going to spontaneously combust?? Tsunami inwardly frets yet she never wavered from her order. ?May I guess this is good-bye??

The scene switches now to Rusterf Cave where Tsunami took her first life. She laid on the ground so pitifully after being deflected as if her attack didn?t even affect the creature. All of May?s tough training regime and she still couldn?t amount to jack.

That didn?t stop her that little fire in her began ignite again. Her Ember attack did a bit more significant damage too?It actually got the creatures attention so May could drag Mia, who was scared out of her wits to safer corner.

?Shoot. I gotta throw my weight on this!? Tsunami mentally proclaimed as she continued her assault.

But the beast lunged at her! She didn?t expect that! The chick Pokemon now found herself scared out of her wits and unable to move.

Before she knew it she had been recalled into her Pokeball.

--------------------
(Black screen)
(Tsunami?s thoughts)

[If only I was stronger then?Maybe if I evolved too I could?ve beaten the fire beast of hell?]

[?No?It was too strong?besides, I was exhausted by the time I got there?If I?m May?s default Partner then I should start acting like a leader rather than a spoiled child! I went to that steel cave that day to save her when in reality I needed to save myself]

[May?you didn?t want to train Pokemon yet your abilities to raise us and tame even the most pained spirits is so amazing?It was something you could never run from is that why you continue to fight? Is that why you took me back?? Tsunami then remembers how her recent encounter with May when they finally reunited. ?No?There?s more to it?]

[The fire inside of me is so much stronger now May?It wants to burst forth and give me more firepower?]

[But I?m scared! What if I?m still no good for you and act like a brat again?]

[May I?m scared! What should I do?]

[Please help me!]

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

I had a hard time debating if I should even port this chapter from ff.net (well not really a chapter more like a side story that happens within the events) I mean, I covered the inward thoughts of protagonist and her friends/eniemies so why not her main Pokemon?

Err... yeah perhaps I should just get back on track...

Great Fire Guru of the sky who paints the world with a shining rainbow is Ho-oh

Land Guru of Thunder is Raikou

 

[Isaac Gravity]

Disclaimer- I don?t own Pokemon or anything else
-----------------
Chapter 20- The Burning Soul Battle! (Part 2): Two faces of the same coin
------------------

(Mt. Chimney)
(Where Brendan and co. currently are)
(Before the Steelix?s defeat)

?Ragnarok!? 13-year-old Brendan Birch defiantly called out to his Pokemon. ?Mud Shot!?

Ragnarok the Marshtomp nods at his trainers commands and despite his own pains and bruises, launches himself into the air by spraying Water Gun at full force on the now muddy ground.

The Legendary Sea Captain Ryukyu snorts at Brendan and his Default Partners attempt. ?Like I was going to allow you to get off that easy boy!?

When the sea captain spoke Exploud mimicked the weaker Pokemon?s actions by getting a running start before he used the momentum to jump then use Hyper Voice to launch himself into the air in pursuit of Mudfish.

?Torkoal now!? Flannery orders her Steam turtle Pokemon who quickly hides in the contents of her shell to unleash Overheat sending waves of fire that spread throughout the battlefield.

Luckily, Exploud wasn?t at the peak of his jump yet enabling him to get singed by the powerful yet trump-card fire attack.

?Hiro Toxic!? Mia ordered her Treecko.

The Tree Gecko Pokemon then pulls out what it seems to be a Purple-point strand of dry hay which he swiftly throws, like a ninja would throw projectile, at the too busy to shield himself from the flames Exploud causing the attack to connect with his right arm.

Once connected, a spot of purple began to form around the Exploud?s arm until it began to grow and spread at an alarming rate.

Exploud quickly rolls himself into a blocking manner from the Steam Turtle and the Tree Gecko only to remember about the target he was originally pursuing who just deluged him with a strong Water Gun right in his gapping mouth. Thusly, choking the Sound Monster who fell to the ground struggling for air.

Ragnarok now felt it was time to go on the offensive and made his charge at the higher-level creature.

?Sir, I suggest you stop this at once.? The 10-year-old spoke simply to the suffocating Legendary Sea Captain. ?A Treecko?s version of Toxic is a bit more complex than other grass-types? The poison is first rooted into your Pokemon?s bloodstream. There, it will quickly spread through the body until your Pokemon eventually succumbs?I-I can give you the antidote but you must surrender first.?

Brendan was pretty shocked at Mia?s level cruelty.

Then again? May isn?t what most would call a good influence on others. None the less it was because of the Soul thread that he and his Pokemon created when canceling out that man?s attack was why that they were both was suffering now.

Rather than even acknowledge Mia?s offer Gatsura and Exploud were more interested in saving their asses.

Banging against his chest with his fist in what one would call a self Heimlich maneuver Gatsura continued to cough violently. For the sake of himself and his partner.

In the meantime, Exploud stopped forcing his cough and clamped his huge mouth shut. Which was a risky move since it was inwardly drowning as his eyes bulged with veins.

The Sound Pokemon then began to squeeze his right arm and push so much pressure against it that his own arm that the sound of cracking was heard while purplish water began to seep out from the holes within the Pokemon?s odd looking mane.

Ragnarok leaped at Exploud and came down with a strong Iron Tail while Hiro, who stood from an opposite side, launched Bullet Seed?

Exploud looked as though it was about to explode from all the pressure it held in. But the rather intelligent Pokemon figured since it was poisoned aside from suffocating why not focuses his entire center on the pain of breaking his arm.

Not only could this at most slow the poison from further spreading but it maybe his key to beridding the suffocating.

The seeping purplish water turned into a faucet. With bulging, vein filled, watery eyes, Exploud successfully broke his and Gatsura?s right arm.

The Exploud then belches out a great amount of water through its huge mouth which splashed all over Ragnarok the Marshtomp who let out a pain-staking yelp as the purplish water got into his eyes.

Exploud quickly grabs the mudfish Pokemon by his Mohawk-like fin and uses him as a shield from the piercing Bullet Seed attack.

The Sound Pokemon then disposes of his ?shield? by tossing him into Torkoal who attempted to jump into the fight with a spin and run Fire Spin.

Exploud quickly jumps to avoid another Purple-point strand of dry hay thrown by Hiro and manages to nail him with a light kangaroo-like kick.

Landing back on his feet, while breathing heavily while remnants of water in combination with his saliva oozed down his mouth. Exploud only had a small fraction of his Health Points left.

?Brendan! One more attack and this is over!? Ciel informs her trainer. Before becoming more cautious. ?Brendan?are you ok??

?Ragnarok? ugh... eyes are getting blurry?? Brendan murmured, almost tripping due to his dissipating vision and the unbelievable pain he just felt when Ragnarok was hit from all those attacks if Flannery hadn?t been there to help him.

?Don?t worry he?s right here?? The 17-year-old assured him in a hushed voice.

Brendan wasn?t listening. He managed to blindly wriggles free from Flannery?s hold only to fall on his stomach.

The 13-year-old crawled over to Ragnarok who cringed and shook violently as he screamed out in horrid pain, Brendan smiles warmly at his Pokemon partner and friend yet couldn?t help but feel a huge twinge of guilt for letting this happen.

All the snow colored hair boy could see at that moment was the first time he received Ragnarok as a Mudkip and all the fun adventures they had together. Not to mention how livid he would get in the beginning when Ragnarok would suffer a minor scratch.

It was these soothing moments that cluttered Brendan from feeling the sudden stinging pain that burned in his eyes as they became clear?

?One moment he was able to see his hand touching Ragnarok?s stomach but then it just turned into clear lavender. Which was replaced by that painful feeling that Ragnarok was suffering from.

It hurt like hell, for sure it did. But rather than scream, the boy just gritted his teeth and closed his eyes tightly as tears freely fell from them. Brendan once never stopped rubbing his best non-human friend?s belly to calm him down as best as he could.

Feeling Brendan?s presence, Ragnarok calmed down and manipulated his doings.

Flannery couldn?t help but give a softened expression at the scene while Mia used Gatsura and his Pokemon?s gasping for air as a chance to run over to her friends and pull out some healing aids.

If Ciel could bow in respect she would. But thanking the two girls for being there for him psychically was enough.

?EXPLOOOOOOOUD!!!!?

Exploud was back and ready to battle. And boy, was he feeling mighty angry!

Not wasting anytime he immediately lunged at the group.

Hiro bravely attempts to use Bullet Seed but Exploud shakes off the minuscule damage before giving the Pokemon a strong punch to jaw instantly defeating him.

Adding insult to injury Exploud then used Hyper Voice on the already beaten Pokemon for inferiority complex reasons.

Hiro slid past the group and only inches from a near fatal fall of the cliff, K.Oed.

Mia practically shoved Flannery the eye cleaner and rushed towards her Pokemon?s side as tears formed in her young indigo eyes.

?COUGH! COUGH!! YOU BRATS DARE TO MAKE A FOOL OF THE GREAT RYUKYU GATSURA?!? I?M THROUGH PLAYING GAMES WITH YOU!!!?

The man and his Pokemon roared at such a decibel that it could cause a rockslide.

Mia scowls at the man. ?What?s so great about you? You?re a fool.?

Ciel agrees. ?Are you proud of yourself for pulling a low blow like that? You said you fight with honor and the fist! Where?s your honor in such a cowardly move??

?A man?s dream drives one to say and do desperate things.? Gatsura gives a low growl while eyeing Brendan and Ragnarok who rubbed their eyes, showing signs of regaining their sight. ?A battle between men must be fought to settle things once and for all. For losing here only means death.?

?Your dreams are trash dreams for a trash person.? Flannery starts quietly as she stood up in front of Brendan as she spread her arms in a defensive manner. ?WHY DON?T YOU GET YOU HEAD OUT OF YOUR A*S AND TAKE A GOOD LOOK AT THE WORLD AROUND YOU! THE WORLD IS FINE! IF IT NEEDS SAVING FROM ANYTHING IT?S FROM KNOW-IT-ALL BASTARDS LIKE Y-?

Exploud interrupted the teen?s words with a weak Hyper Voice attack, knocking her backwards. The ground below Brendan and co. also started to weaken as a consequence of Exploud?s move.

Torkoal launched a Flamethrower attack at the Sound Pokemon who only jumped over the attack and used the Custom Tactic Shining Fist to crush the Steam Turtle?s shell.

Torkoal quickly ducked into her shell and used Fire Spin to act a motor to spin away from the shell cracking attack.

?No escape coward?? Gatsura murmured with pure venom in his voice.

Exploud irately launched a Hyper Voice that hits his target right on the mark making Torkoal crash into a nearby wall beaten and bruised. That doesn?t stop Exploud from bombarding the Steam Turtle with another Hyper Voice.

Flannery watched the scene very pained. She made a vow that she?d never lose yet she messed up again where it really counted?

The teen stiffened when she felt a hand pushing itself into her jeans rear-pocket.

Her sudden feeling of lost personal space dissipated when she saw that Brendan was struggling to pick himself up, as was Ragnarok who was clinging to Brendan?s neck while sniffing the air constantly.

?Brendan if you wanted my help then just ask for it?? The 17-year-old replied in a softened voice as she helped him up.
The Lavaridge Gym Leader now faces Gatsura with an angry look before it slowly formed into a sad smirk. ?Some elite trainer I am?? She mutters. ?I had to rely on the help of two kids to help me fight one Pokemon that?s only nine levels over mine and we still lost?I don?t deserve to call myself anything??

?Losing here means death Flannery-san.? Mia assures as she hugs Hiro the Treecko tightly. ?We haven?t lost...?

?So you lost. Big deal.? Brendan mutters. ?If you wanted to win so badly you would?ve gave it everything you had but you didn?t. But like Mia said?we haven?t lost??

Flannery gritted her teeth at what the 13-year-old was saying to her. ?The- Who the hell do you think you are!? What?s with you two!? Why are you two so calm huh!??

Gatsura was still pretty angry, BUT he is a man of the sea and goes by his own code. Thus, he decided to enlighten the young Gym Leader by what Brendan and Mia meant. ?You had your edge at the tip of your fingers yet like the land lover you are, chose to shoot off your mouth and play around.?

?What??

?You knew a Custom Tactic yourself.? Brendan spoke solemnly yet a bit annoyed. ?This whole fight would?ve resulted differently if you just used it. What were you so afraid of??

Flannery was dumbstruck by this realization. Well yes, back home Flannery was considered a battle genius.

Much similar to Roxanne, she mastered the art of Custom Tactics at a very young age.

The moves Flannery knew could?ve clinched the fight for her and her allies.

But at that moment all she could think of was when she was of the tender age of nine when she first showed off this move to her Grandfather who she finally managed to persuade into a Pokemon battle after his years of retirement?

?Let?s just say the old timer looked as though his own family member had just stabbed him in the back and he was getting one last look at her with his final breaths? With his eyes full of betrayal and pain.

That realization slowly started to overtake the 17-year-old but she still tried her hardest to hold onto what little pride she had.

?Oh, so I guess that the mighty little hero boy has some last minute heroics planned??

?No?? The 13-year-old admits. ?I?m not as talented as you are but when my Pokemon and I spend months working ourselves to the bone just to get the hang of something we?ll use it every chance we get.?

Gatsura pounds his chest heavily. ?Whatever you try boy it?s not enough!? Exploud fist glows brightly as he lunges at the battered, bruised and blinded mudfish Pokemon who just stood his ground. ?I WILL SEE MY DREAM COME TRUE! THIS BATTLE OF THE SEA AND YOU LAZY LAND DWELLERS IS OVER!!!?

Exploud launched his attack at his foe. Rather than hitting Ragnarok, Exploud?s fist came into contact with a scalding hot geyser that tore away at the ground greatly which shot up in front of the mudfish Pokemon from nowhere.

Exploud pulls back shaking with pain as his left arm was now maimed with severe third degree burns.

Gatsura also held his now harshly burned arm and glowers at the group of kids very annoyed.

Flannery and Mia also held a: "When did you know that?" Look at their snow colored hair companion.

?I?m always called a dropout.? Brendan mummers. ?It was rare when someone would just see what I?ve accomplished and not rub it off as an advantage of being son of Prof. Birch? I still might be perceived as that? But? I worked too hard to let anyone stray me from my path now??

Though tired, Exploud was determined.

The Sound Pokemon opened his mouth as widely as he could to launch his strongest Hyper Voice. The attack was released at such a decibel that all sound around the battlefield completely muted.

From a third person?s view of the fight it seemed that Brendan was yelling something at his Pokemon Partner, who, with his last bit of energy pulled his arms down from his vertical position to horizontal I-just-threw-something position.

This forces the geyser-like wall to rip through everything in its path as charged towards Exploud and his trainer.

The sound returns when the two attacks collided.

 

[Isaac Gravity]

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

The stronger than usual Hyper Voice was vastly weakened as a result of the attack but had enough strength to make contact and knock out the already fatigued Ragnarok and shatter the ground below Brendan and his friends making them all fall to a lower level of the mountain.

The same result could be said about Ragnarok?s Custom Tactic. The move was severely cut down to size due to Exploud?s handy work but still had enough thunder to hit its targets.

Exploud had no strength left in him? The Loyal Sound Pokemon fell to floor and closed his eyes remembering the easy days when it was just him as a Whimsur, his fallen comrade Squirtle and their master and friend Gatsura.

A lone tear escaped Exploud?s left eye when he remember all their happiness and hardships at the sea? In his own tongue Exploud murmured: ?Master?I?ll be joining Blastoise on the other side?? Before he was swept up and horribly burned apart by the scalding hot water.

Seeing the remnants of the geyser coming his way, the legendary Sea Captain Ryukyu Gatsura didn?t even budge. The only thing he could remember was what Brendan, Mia and Flannery were told him from the beginning and throughout the fight.

?So your dreams were unified?? Gatsura spoke in a supposed quiet manner. ?If I too fought with those who shared my dreams could I have been the one to live to see the next sunset? No,? The sea captain admits. ?We did fight as one but our drives were completely different?Humph, I lose??

Like the man of honor he truly is Gatsura spread his arms while giving a proud smirk as he too became consumed in the dying geyser.

Not even uttering a word as the geyser finally smashed itself against the mountain trail wall?

The area where that once furious battle took place was turned into a rockslide consisting of: mud, rocks and boulders began to roll down the mountainous path greatly altering a conjuring battle that took place below?

-----------
(Where May and Steven are)

?Chi?? chirped the voice of Tsunami the Torchic as she finally started to stir. Much to the relief of her Pokemon allies, minus Metagross, who hardly knew Tsunami anyway.

Meanwhile, below the mountain pass. Aron finally reached the feverish May Hiromi who, like her Pokemon ally also began to awaken from her raised fever.

Little Aron wastes no time to nuzzle the girl by her shins in an attempt to bring the girl to her senses.

?Tsu?? May weakly mutters as she opened her eyes only to bear a weakened look.

?Mrph! Mphron! Mrph!? Aron continued to nuzzle at the 13-year-old?s leg while gesturing to the drink in his mouth.

May was still pretty dazed but she was also dehydrated, that left her usual mentality about medicine to dissipate.

?Is that for me?? The 13-year-old asked.

Aron puts the drink on the floor and nods proudly.

May grins gratefully as she quickly guzzles down the rather bitter drink.

Steven didn?t know whether to feel a bit annoyed of the little Steel/Rock type or sing praises that he got the rather stubborn girl to drink the bloody thing.

As the 19-year-old was about to walk over to Armaldo and give spray him with the ever refreshing Full Restore May?s voice addressed him.

?Hey, Mia?s brother??

?Eh? Since when were you one to be so casual Hiromi?? Steven grins, fully basking in May?s embarrassment.

?Does it really matter?? The chestnut-haired girl verbally countered before looking at her running shoes to avoid eye contact with the 19-year-old.

Steven shrugs while the grin on his face grew wider. ?Meh, No problem. Only helping out a close friend of my little sister?s.?

Steven had to admit he felt a little more at ease now.

He hated having to constantly keep his guard up around the girl due to the realization that the Experiment-X?s, due to the serum, were known to be quite erratic in behavior and when their emotions or stress levels got a little out of whack they?d go berserk.

May was no exception of this in fact, from the stories that Mia had told him of their adventures she was a prime example and could not be taken lightly under ANY circumstance.

?Arrr?.?

The 19-year-old Hoenn Champ then noticed that while walking by him Little Aron shot him a warning look that said: ?I got my eyes on you pal.?

The elegantly dressed 19-year-old shrugs this off and attended to Armaldo.

::RUUMMBLE::

::GROOOAAAAAR!!!::

Much to Steven?s surprise, Armaldo quickly pushes him aside just to receive the full burnt attack made by the Steelix who fled the picture earlier.

It was a dirty sneak attack yes. Lowest of the low blows anyone who fights with what one calls honor can ever call?

?But it worked. Armaldo was already exhausted from his previous fights and was about to receive the Full Restore before this happened. Thus the mighty ancient Pokemon was defeated in the most shameful manner.

?Armaldo! Return immediately!!!? Steven yells as he recalls his ally into his Pokeball gritting his teeth angrily at the cowardly Pokemon but kept his usually cool demeanor enough to address May. ?Hiromi! Get out of here now! This task is an easy one. Not to mention a personal one??

?CRRREEEHIIIIISSSSSS?

::RUUMMMMMMMMBLE::

Much to both trainers dismay, the elder Steelix burst forth from ground right behind the smaller, younger Iron Snake.

The elder wasn?t only different from her relative in just mere height, oh no? This Pokemon emanated with blackish/purple aura?

From the perspective of Steven and the Pokemon, including the younger Steelix: There was something about her that just chills down their spine.

And it wasn?t just the ominous look that appeared in the elder Steelix?s black eyes? Her air wasn?t the same at all as it was a while ago? Only emptiness and rage could be felt from this creature now?

The signs of evil incarnate.

?CRRREEEHIIIIISSSSSS!!!!!!? The Steelix roared in her high pitched voice before sinking her razor sharp mouth onto the Steel block that connects the smaller Steelix?s head to the rest of his chain-like body.

Her strength being boosted by the evil intentions emitted from the aura around her was cracking through the younger Steelix's softer metal hide quite easily.

The younger Steelix tried to escape its elder?s monstrous lockjaw grip but was ultimately failing as he felt his everything was going blank.

The smaller Steelix gives an ear piercing death scream as its malicious elder successfully disconnected his head from his body.

The Steelix then began to feast on the fallen Iron snake?s body ravenously.

The group?s only reactions to this were either that of overwhelming disgust that slowly transformed into a mix paralyzing anger and fear.

May looked at this creature with contempt and sympathy. Constantly being angry and bitter and wanting nothing but to lash out?
That ultimately leads to the destruction of the lives of those that truly care for you because you couldn?t see the point?This sight before would have been her future if she had given in to the serums influence? If she didn?t wake up and see her flaws?

May cut herself from her contemplation when she fells a light nudging at her feet.

The 13-year-old turns to see Aron nervously trying to pull May away as if gesturing her to run as tears well up in his eyes.

?Don?t be afraid.? May assures the Level 5 Steel/Rock hybrid as she pulls out an empty Pokeball. ?You like following me around right? Well you?d have to make this a home sooner or later? so? just dry your eyes and trust my judgment on this one!

The Aron was too young to understand the natures of right and wrong. But he did know that he did trust his princess with his life and that?s all that mattered to him.

May quickly taps her Pokeball lightly on the baby dino Pokemon?s head and he quickly entered the ball rattling inside a couple of times before becoming comfortable in his new environment.

The chestnut-haired 13-year-old picks up the ball and sighs a bit relived.

?HIROMI JUMP!? Steven Stone?s voice called to the girl from the distance.

May?s not one to be ordered in such a manner, but a little voice in the back of her head told her to just listen to the guy without real argument and thus, did so.

It?s a good thing she did listen to that little voice that knows what would have became of her when she was within the range of the plunging Metagross? Earthquake.

The steel crab?s actions easily disrupting the feasting Steelix from her meal enraging her. When it attempted to give out another loud screeching noise it was bombarded with a barrage of little fire bullets from Tsunami the Torchic.

Lightning and Whirlpool look at each other with content looks before they both leave their safe spots to join the fray below.

Metagross quickly began to scuttle towards his opponent as fast as his claws could carry him. Not even the recurring arrival of the Zubats and Golbats could stop the Steel crab Pokemon who easily cut through the bulk of them with Psychic.

Since Psychic does hardly any significant damage to Steel-types, Steelix used the Zubat and Golbat horde to her advantage as she rocketed towards Metagross with the blackish/purple aura around radiating even stronger while launching the bizarre attack which even knocked a mighty Pokemon like Steven?s Metagross off its feet.

?This day just gets worse by the moment?? Steven mutters irately before calling out to Metagross. ?Metagross don?t let this best you!?

The Steel Crab Pokemon manages to pull itself together and land on all fours.

Metagross quickly began to scuttle away from all of the Steel snakes rabid attacks and movements not caring what was crushed or destroyed along the way.

Zubats and Goldbats quickly began to flock around the Steel Crab cluttering its vision.

Lightning the Electrike quickly took care of the problem by ramming into the crowd with Spark before jumping getting sucker punched by a speedy Golbat who hit her from the side with a well placed Wing Attack.

Metagross quickly launched Psychic at its winged foes a numerous number of times before growing a bit weary from the constant uses on what it seemed: an endless number of foes that kept flocking to it and Lightning, who was also in the same boat as her ally from the constant electric assaults she made.

Steelix attempted to use this to her advantage and snatch up the Steel Crab in her jaws.

What she didn?t anticipate was Steven calling out Aggron who bashed her in the face with a strong Double Edge.

Aggron quickly latches his strong metal claws to the creatures face and manages to claw at the Steelix?s right eye causing the Steel snake to thrash about leaving her open season to another Earthquake attack from Metagross.

?CRRREEEHIIIIISSSSSS!!!!!!?

The Iron snake uses Screech again causing everyone close enough or sensitive to her noise end up inwardly shivering.

The Iron snake Pokemon quickly slams herself into the shivering Metagross face first, quickly taking care of two birds with one stone.

Lightning managed to move away before running victim to the same treatment.

?th-This move again?? Steven mutters. ?Metagross? Aggron?shake off the control?Aah!? The 19-year-old could only weakly shield himself from the harassing Zubats and Golbats.

That was the case until his left arm started to tremble freely forcing him to unconsciously use his right to grasp onto the erratic appendage leaving him open season to any and all nicks to the cheeks and attacks.

The same could be said for May.

Unfortunately for her, a smarter Zubat deicided to stop flapping just to annoy her and actually take a bite at her shoulder.

This act infuriated Whirlpool, who was the closest to May at the moment. Struggling to get up to do something proved more painful than usual thanks to a higher-level Golbat?s Confuse Ray.

Watching her friends plight from afar, Tsunami?s feathers ruffled fiercely as she launched a strong barrage of fire bullets at the swarm of Zubats and Golbats that harassed May and the others, taking a lot of them out.

The chick Pokemon then began to attack the Steelix who managed to get her jaws on Aggron who, due to the paralysis could barley struggle the Iron snake's closing jaws.

It wasn?t long until the chick Pokemon started feeling an overwhelming amount of heat burst through her small, feathered body.

Tsunami felt it in her entire being. Her body temperature was too much for her?

May didn?t know why but she felt as if something inside of her; a little flame that usually burned regardless of the situation had just extinguished.

She also noticed that the Ember barrage stopped.

?CHIIIII!!!!!!!!?

The battle came to a temporary halt as they all looked up the mountain trail to see a bright light show taking place consisting of a chick Pokemon and an overheating body that flared up with fire that was eating away at her.

From where May and the others stood the scene looked like a growing fireball that was undergoing the final process of its existence?

May refused to believe that however; it was this feeling of anxiety and loss that made her desperately blurts these words out.

?Tsunami? n-nice light show but we have to get serious!?

?th- This isn?t some kind of joke Hiromi!? Steven blurts out in a very cold tone, while holding in any and all urges to scream out in pain.

?y-Yeah right liar?Tsunami?s strong!?

The Hoenn Champion pretty much ignored the girl and focused on trying to stabilize himself.

A further rush of fear overtook the 13-year old as she nervously bit the bottom of her lip and prayed to god that Tsunami was only releasing an unnerving amount of excess heat?

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

Ok, before someone wants to chew my head off over the Steelix killing and eating what it could of the other Steelix. Here?s a kick to thrust you out of your candy-coated world: Look at the Pokedex in your games. Pokemon DO eat other Pokemon. (Which makes sense since real animals seem to not exist in the Pokemon world)

Since Steel and Rock types have a diet that consist around eating rocks or metal I figured that more desperate minded (or just plain malicious) Steel or Rock or Steel/Rock hybrid would see that a quick fix to strengthen their body would be by eating the hide from another living creature whose body is already quite strong.

Final note: For those who haven?t played Pokemon Colosseum what the Steelix did is called Shadow Rush. The whole point behind Cipher in Colosseum was to create Pokemon that unlock the evil in their hearts to gain unfathomable power.

With this being the case even a lower level Pokemon could stand up to a much stronger one as if they were equals, no as if they were the more powerful ones!

 

[Isaac Gravity]

Disclaimer- I don?t own Pokemon or anything else

----------
Chapter 20- The Burning Soul Battle! (Part 3): Second Wind
----------

The tiny fireball soon turned into an even bigger flame at the moment before quickly dwindling into what most with seem as nothing.

::BEEP BEEP BEEP::

Not really caring if she was being too forceful about it or not, May snaps out of her state of shock and hastily pulls out her talkative A.I. travel companion from her phanny pack. ?ALIA? OUT WITH IT!! WHAT?S GOING ON??

Alia was completely caught off guard by her ally?s outburst.

Despite this the talking Pokedex kept her usually firm no-nonsense ground when she shot back at the girl. ?No clue. Get in range and we?ll talk.?

?Useless as always!? May scoffs.

?May, if I?m so useless?? Alia coolly counters. ?Then stop relying on me and figure things out for yourself.?

Getting to her feet in a quite wobbly manner, the 13-year-old took haste to the now mudslide covered mountain trail.

A soft wind swept through the area. Along with the calming breeze ash and orange feathers blew along with it.

This sight only slowed the movement of the chestnut-haired girl.

A tiny orange feather lightly brushed itself against May?s cheek, making the girl to completely lose her footing and slide down the mudslide path.

Zubats quickly began to harass the 13-year-old who just laid there with the mounting bruises and cuts, whether they be new or reopened that appeared on her rather fragile form.

?May c?m-n! No time for sleep or guilt trips!? Alia screams at her partner. ?When did you become such a freaking sissy!? Get up!?

Alia knew she was pushing it with the13-year-old but she just never could stand watching the girl get so emotional.

It annoyed her greatly since, unlike Ciel, she was never programmed to concern over such things?

Alia couldn?t help but get relief from May?s weak attempts to lift her fatigued body, yet only cursed herself when the 13-year-old could to shield herself from the Zubats who continued to bite and scratch at her.
----------

With the effects of the iron snakes Screech finally wearing off, Metagross charges straight into its metal foe to free Aggron from her near lock-jaw grip.

The steel crab?s naturally built strength advantage helped make its strategy a complete success! Aggron wasn?t too happy about the impact to the ground but neither was Steelix.

The iron snake angrily picks herself up only to steal a glance at May?s situation from afar?

A rush of unknown rage paralyzes the iron snake as the purplish/black aura around her pulsates in an even stronger manner.

All the Steelix could do is give a loud enraged roar.

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

Inside the room surrounded by glass derived of a hard to break substance. A bright light begins to flash and shine brightly quickly intensifying the heat of the room much to the Onix?s dismay.

Through the blinding light the Onix could see a few men in white coats watching with cold anticipation of the occurring events. All of them either wore protective eyewear to shield their eyes for what?s to come.

But what about her? She was inside this increasing hot room and her eyes began to hurt even if she closed them.

The Onix?s survival instincts kicked in as she began to bash her head constantly against the wall, not caring if she was slowly but surely chipping bits of her rock-like head.

She gave a loud ear-piercing screech that began to weaken the odd coating of the mirror.

Her constant struggle began to alarm the wicked group of scientist who began to rush their workstations and feverishly inputting the system defensive mechanism. The system defense kicks in, causing five lasers to pop out of their hidden gates in the room and sedate the Onix with painful beams meant to tranquilize and stun the Rock Snake.

If it wasn?t bad enough the lights intensity within the room continued finally making the Onix succumb to whatever the scientist had intended for it.

(End flashback)
------------

In a mad rage, the iron snake launches Dragonbreath in a vertical manner with all her might.

Becoming attracted to the light and the sound, the Golbats and some of the stronger Zubats circled around the iron snake.

Steven squeezed down his arm as tightly as he could maintain; eventually, the pain calmed down just enough to view this spectacle for himself.

The iron snake continued her futile Dragonbreath to the sky, while her mouth began to soften from the overexerting use of the heated Dragon-type attack with paralytic properties.

It seemed like a brief moment, but the attack seemed to burn a hole through the thick sky almost letting true sunlight shine through.

But that was only for a moment.

The reigning Hoenn Champion continued to study this scene until he shakily pulls out an Ultra Ball.

?You continue to pull forward even when it?s all in vain?? Steven questioned. ?Doing whatever is required to maintain your own existence and only that is something that isn?t uncommon for the beings you chose as foes today? But-?

Steven growls fiercely as he throws his Ultra Ball at the iron snake Pokemon.

Capture looked inevitable! Inevitable, but not unstoppable?

The Golbats that hovered around the Steelix finally showed their use as one Golbat flew in front of the spherical container, allowing itself to get nabbed.

The bat Pokemon, full vitality and stamina, easily broke out from its sphere-like prison to rejoin its brethren.

The Golbats accompanied by higher level Zubats all began to hover around the Steelix entreating themselves like living shields.

The Hoenn Champion cursed his carelessness. Aggron struggled to pick himself up to angrily launch Hyper Beam. From a far view perspective the mighty turn-exhauster burned a hole with the moving blue cloud around the iron snake only to be slowly filled back up.

As a response, a few aggressive Zubats zoomed at their aggressor, only one the three attempted a Supersonic which missed its mark anyway.
Attacking the infuriated Aggron didn?t prove to be in their best interest, so, harassing his trainer was the best next thing. After all he was only a human, they all go ?eep eep stay away!? and stuff with them.

Not many got by Metagross? defense but it was running low on steam himself?

The tiny bat Pokemon enjoyed their chance harassment of the region Champion. What they didn?t care to notice within Steven?s shielding of his face was the fury growing his eyes.

When one of the Zubat decided to nip at the 19-year-old?s hand it found itself head first, in his closing grip. Being pressed against his palm with his two fingers, the bat Pokemon now had no choice but to sink its fangs in Steven?s palm.

?Even I have my limits of patience?? The Hoenn Champion growls darkly. The 19-year-old tightening his hold on the Zubat, helping the frantic creature sink its fangs deeper into his skin, this allowing more blood to seep freely. ?Are you enjoying this? Until you learn the costs of living, your pain means little to me??

A sudden barrage of fiery bullets blazed through the air and successfully made contact with Golbat/Zubat barricade.

Aside from Steelix, many including Steven, ceased their actions to take of the direction the assault came from.

The Hoenn Champion and the Golbat who abdicated their jobs took note of the same barrage being fired in the exact spot May laid. The attack never touched the 13-year-old nor was it ever intended to harm her; the meddlesome Zubats however, was a different case scenario?

The final thing to be noted was a bright yellow/red thing descending from higher up the mountain path and towards the girl, remaining there.

The Golbats all made their way for that new intruder while Steven tossed aside what was left of his earlier object of attention to move towards fainted Lightning pulling out what it seemed to be a Max Revive.

------

?Chi?

Every strand of returning energy May Hiromi had felt a while ago felt like it had dried away.

When the chestnut-haired girl felt the weight of her battered body take its toll, a strong arm caught the girl and struggled to push her up and against her back to rest.

The person was a lot shorter than May but its strength pretty much outmatched hers? the kind Samaritan also felt quite fuzzy, in a feathery manner of fuzzy.

::BEEP BEEP BEEP::

?May! May! Hey come on open your eyes! Sleeping here is not the best of ideas!? Alia screams at the girl whose head slumped down to show drifting consciousness.

May?s eyes were heavy from fatigue but she struggled with all of her might to at least open one eye.

?Ts-Tsunami?? May mummers, weakly opening her eyes once before closing them again, getting to see a lovely view of red and yellow feathers blowing about.

Opening her eyes again, she was able to see the blooming feathers subside to view a very injured yet, rather concerned looking yellow bird through blurred vision.

?Ch-Chi!? The voice of this bird was a lot different if not deeper than Tsunami?s squeaky chirps.

May could only smile weakly for the Pokemon voicing, ?You didn?t have to??

The fowl Pokemon known as Combusken better yet: Tsunami the Combusken eyes waver a bit but rather than acting on what she wanted, the sounds of the approaching Golbats forced her to turn around and activate Protect to shield herself and her trainer.

Two of the Golbat pulled back to enfold themselves in their large wings before expanding them in to perform the wind slicing Air Cutter.

Their little tactic completely broke down Tsunami?s weakened line of defense knocking her into May.
The 13-year-old winced lightly from the excess heat the Blaze active fowl Pokemon bared. Tsunami narrows her eyes hatefully at her attackers and pulls herself upwards to charge right in the center of her foes attack formation.

The Fire/Fighting hybrid breathes in deeply as a tiny reddish/yellow/orange ring forms around her beak before unleashing a strong Ember attack that made her previous form of Ember, even if Blaze influenced look like flames used for a teakettle.

The Golbats were all quick enough to easily evade the attack. Tsunami didn?t care though, testing the strength of her newfound arms and legs the fowl Pokemon attempted to swat/drop kick any and all who stood in her way!

For reasons of being too fatigued, not used to her new body AND most importantly, her opponents could fly, this assault was also a failure?

The airborne trio circled around the fowl Pokemon before all diving in for the kill. Tsunami did all she could to evade the incoming dive-bombs and their follow up attacks, she even tried using Blaze active Embers when they came in range enough.

One of the Golbats took advantage of the fowl Pokemon?s opening by grabbing her attention by keeping itself airborne before preparing itself for faking a dive-bomb which, unlike the other attempts made by it and its breathen seemed to have bizarre afterimages follow its movement.

Regardless of how much different the attack looked, desperate Tsunami unleashed Ember which should?ve hit its marker had not for the confounding veil the movement bat Pokemon and its afterimages created.

In Tsunami?s eyes, the Golbat and its images all seemed like it was slowly pulling back yet before she knew it, the bat Pokemon was right in front of her and swatted her with its mighty wings.

?Tsunami?? May mutters weakly. The 13-year-old struggled as much as she could to move but there was nothing left to give?

The impact of the untimed attack made everything within Tsunami shudder with pain.

The other two Golbat hastily joined in the fray by knocking the defeated fowl Pokemon upwards with a strong Wing Attack while the other added insult to injury by sending her to the ground badly cut and a heavy thud included, with Air Cutter.

The 13-year-old?s eyes widened in horror as she watched the fowl Pokemon hit the ground like a rag doll. The Golbats all victoriously descend upon her; begin to fight among themselves who should be the one to sink their fangs into her more tender areas.

Some more bat Pokemon soon attempted to join in but were scared off by the territorial trio.

?stop it?? May voiced in a tone just above a whisper. The chestnut-haired girl continued to mouth these words, each time becoming more desperate and high pitched.

---------------
Within the 13-year-old her inner child, once known as her wild half, shook her head fearfully as tears welled up in her eyes.

?Tsu-tsu can?t die?? The 5-year-old trembled before tears ran freely down her cheeks. ?Tsu-tsu? can?t die!?
The child shuddered to the point where her fear was replaced by anguish. ?You said no more pain!!? she shouts. ?YOU SAID IF WE CHANGED NO ONE WOULD SUFFER ANYMORE!!! YOU SAID-?
----------

May?s eyes become slits as the pressure within finally reached its peak.

??STOP IT!!!?

The following events were that of slow of motion for the 13-year-old. Falling to her hands and knees, the chestnut-haired girl began to vomit violently, literally gasping for air in-between coughs.

The area was suddenly filled with a void of intensity as foreign sensations pulsated within the Pokemon may it be domesticated or wild.

Even Steven felt this pulsating wariness, he did break a sweat and trembled some much to curse of humanity but if his loyal allies held their ground why shouldn?t he?

?The serum? and the antidote?? The 19-year-old mentally cursed. ?So the purification remedy wasn?t enough? What exactly did they do to the Experiments-X Hiromi??

For the Zubats and Golbats, this feeling gave a rush of uneasiness or bitterness in their systems. This caused many of the bat creatures to either take flight or stand to fight.

For May?s Pokemon allies, it was a feeling of a seemingly bottomless pit of broiling animosity that overtook any and all senses they claimed.

This is what got the trio of Golbats to ascend into the skies when the fowl Pokemon, though utterly beaten, held eyes of deep primal rage while an powerful fiery aura rippled around her being. Lightning and Whirlpool also underwent this malicious change?

The main difference was Lightning was the only one who could pick herself up?

When Steven tried to halt her movement his hand got burn lightly by the overdrive of electricity she released.

The electricity around Lightning?s body rose rapidly to the point she winced from her own charge.

Growling fiercely, Lightning took one defiant step forward! In this process of her action, her sharper than usual teeth were shaping into that of a higher caliber? Makes sense, as her entire being was morphing.

Lightning?s electric output continued to rise rapidly. The little wolf Pokemon planted her paws into the ground as she continued to undergo more bone-cracking morphing into a larger, sleeker form. Her once dominant green fur was being permanently shed off and replaced by the once miniscule yellow. Now the color blue seemed to be a minority?

Some of the Zubat and Golbat who weren?t moving about in a confused ruckus didn?t appreciate Lightning?s change and attempted to knock off her high and mighty domestic Pokemon horse.

?The fear of being fried from intensity of spewed electricity quickly halted this dispute?

Steven watched Lightning?s change with mixed thoughts. It?s obvious that the Pokemon met the requirements to undergo evolution? Yet, from his experience and witnessing of dramatic evolutions of Pokemon of many diverse backgrounds none were as lengthy and dare he admit it, hideous as what he had the ?opportunity? to behold.

Could this be one of the results of the Pokemon?s exposure to the chestnut-haired Experiment-X and the influence of-?

The electric build-up over takes Lightning?s being as she gives one loud howl of pain before she somehow finally underwent normal evolution processes to become the Discharge Pokemon Manectric.

The rippling fiery aura around Lightning, Tsunami and Whirlpool pulsated at stronger rate.

Still holding the insane ferocity within them, Lightning howls loudly. The Pokemon continued to do such until the skies were being darkened by veiled thunderclouds.

The cause for her insanity: 13-year-old May Hiromi dragged herself slowly towards Tsunami.
Pulsating with a rippling aura of anguished flames, the chestnut-haired girl hissed fiercely while making every paining move. Her once wide cerulean blue eyes still cat-like slits?

A powerful shock pulsated within the stuck-on-herself Steelix. The iron snake actually stopped her futile Dragonbreath to search out the feeling that made her own aura react so.
--------

May continued to drag herself to her fallen default Pokemon who could only glare hatefully at the Golbats above.

With her earlier intensity dying down, blurred vision was only a mere facet of losing consciousness. Something that Tsunami, Lightning and Whirlpool were all feeling at that moment until they eventually blacked out.

Noticing ?that air? was wafting away, the trio of Golbat was ready to swoop in again only to reach another squabble over who?d claim victor of the prize?

May reaches her hand out to the fowl Pokemon. In all her confusion and daze the girl?s eyes looked towards the Steelix who glared at her darkly through a weakly pulsating aura.

Ominous black eyes into fading cerulean blues?

This stand off lasted until May once again felt the feelings that started this situation. The 13-year-old?s weakened aura dispersed without warning and for her, everything was black?
-------

Seeing the end result Steelix glared in disgust and readied one last Dragonbreath on the catalyst of a human.

That would?ve been her motive had Steven Stone not command his Metagross to ravage the ground with Earthquake, successfully ripping away at the her hard body and bringing the quick defeat she should?ve faced from the beginning.

He couldn?t careless if it was dead now, but leaving such a creature out there: dead, faint or whatever was not in the best interest for anyone in Steven?s eyes?

Thus he ended everything with an Ultra Ball.

-----------
(Minutes upon minutes later)

?Finally awake?? Steven questions the stirring May.

Beside him was the Magma trio of Fred, Touya and Yuji each bearing their own amused expressions after hearing the situation from the 19-year-old.

Steven wastes no time handing the girl a bottle of water and a brief recap of the matter while she and her Pokemon, who were all placed back in their balls, slumbered.

The nostalgic memory of that Steelix made the 13-year-old inwardly curse herself but all the same she asked if she could take it.

This quirked the interest of the Magma Grunts, as well as Steven, who looked at bit surprised that May made such a suggestion; his eyes almost seemed to spark with a bit of respect. But he chose to look away from the 13-year-old with a doubting sigh.

?I personally feel you should just live your life and not put yourself at risk.? The Hoenn Champ comments lightly. ?Look what that reaper did to you and your Pokemon in New Mauville. If you couldn?t even light a candle to something you?ll face more often in the future how can you deal with this??

May shook with anger as she lowers her head while fiercely gritting her teeth. It was true she knew.

She didn?t have to be reminded that she almost lost everything dear to her yet had to be practically dead to even realized she was enwrapped around such tender warmth and love. She didn?t want to lose that feeling or risk any of them?

Steven furthered his questioning of the girl?s ability by looking down at her with a cold glare. ?If you really feel this doubtful about yourself then why don?t you just return home and leave Pokemon training to REAL trainers. I?m sure your house pets can do quite well with your daily chores.?

?WHERE THE HELL DO YOU GET OFF SAYING STUFF LIKE THAT TO MY PARTNER!? The infuriated Alia screams at the top of her sound chips. ?Acting all high and mighty! Not everyone is naturally good at things when they start. It?s hard work that makes the trade perfect! You-?

?Alia enough. I can fight my own battles?? May grumbles in a morose fashion. Only riling the A.I. Travel companion even further. ?That goes beyond that May.?

?I said STOP!?

?Guh!?

?He?s right?I?m not that strong and I have a long way to go. Who knows, I might even get killed along the path I continue to tread.? The 13-year-old eyes Steven harshly now. ??But even if I went home? The lives my family, friends and myself would be at risk regardless now! So what?s one more problem among the ones I already posses? I?m not scared??

A small grin appears upon the Hoenn Champ?s features but he still chooses to test the waters. ?So, the novice thinks she has what it takes to talk trash to a pro? Is your pride that strong??

 

[Isaac Gravity]

Cont
--------
?What? Are you expecting me to get intimidated and cry?!? The 13-year-old counters.

?Enough.? Steven replies calmly. Kindly putting his hand on the chestnut-haired girl?s head. ?You?re still an impulsive brat. Like many trainers your age.? Steven hands May the Ultra Ball. ?But, of a group of brats one of them usually shows signs of true potential and your one of them. The Steelix should be safest with you. Come Hiromi! Let us see if you can really protect your loved ones??

?Let me get this straight.? Alia growls. ?You were going to give May the ball from the start? So why this nonsense??

?Just testing the waters?No reason.?

?WELL MAKE ONE!? Alia shouts.

------------
From the view of his binoculars a rather muscular man in white spandex and had his massive red hair in a style that could rival Son Goku?s Super Saya-Jin form hairstyle watched the situation with a malicious grin forming on his face.

?Experiments spotted.?

-----------
(20 minutes later)
(Mt. Chimney. Where Brendan and his party are)

13-year-old Brendan Birch and his Pokemon Ragnarok the Marshtomp laid flat on their backs both in a great amount of pain due to the effects of the Soul Thread during their battle with Ryukyu Gatsura.

?He?s become really strong.? 10-year-old Mia Stone spoke in a hushed voice while attending to Ragnarok?s injuries. ?I never saw him push himself so far in anything that concerned a confrontation.?

?Well, people change.? Were the words of 17-year-old Lavaridge Gym leader Flannery who sat a few feet away from the group having her own share of bruises and bandages.

The 17-year-old then addresses Mia with a voice full of self-doubt. ?Mia right? How the in the name of Moltres did we survive that fall? We were so far up the mountain?now??

Mia stifles a little giggle then begins to pull out something from her sleeves of her oversized Pink shirt revealing to the teen ?the reason.?

?A Zubat?? Flannery asked quizzically.

Mia nods. ?It was actually unintentional though. When we were falling this little guy and a whole group of Zubat and Golbat were passing through this area?Luckily there was a huge number of them so they broke our fall?to an extent anyway.?

The Zubat Mia held had a bad injury in its left wing disabling the ability of flight for a while. The creature, still wild and untamed nipped at the 10-year-old?s cut finger. Mia winced in pain a bit but let the Pokemon take its bite.

?Whoa! Mia, didn?t you ever hear the movie called Little Shop of Horrors?? Flannery panicked.

The indigo-eyed 10-year-old smiles warmly. ?It?s quite fine Flannery-san. Onii-chan told me that sometimes you have to expect things like this before a Pokemon could fully trust you. And considering how I met little Nall-chan this is the least I could do.?

?Nall-chan?? Flannery took a good look at Mia petting the rather distrusting Zubat and then looked at Brendan and Ragnarok resting soundly.

The next thing that ran through the cute Lavaridge Gym Leader?s mind was her witnessing of both: Brendan and Mia in battle.

The 17-year-old couldn?t help but feel a sudden rush of inferiority when comparing these two, as she sees them: Amateurs to someone who spent her entire life mastering the art of Pokemon battle and understanding the meaning of true Battle Spirit.

Flannery turns to the younger girl?s direction when she hears her squeal ONII-CHAN really loudly.

Flannery looks towards the sky see what the 10-year-old was jovially yelling and waving her arms to.

The 17-year-old notices that the tram to Mt. Chimney seems to be working again. As she also noticed that some blue-haired idiot was standing by the open door on a moving vehicle calling out to them.

The fellow then turns to the inside of the tram and rather desperately seems to be saying something to whoever was inside.
Whatever happened, the tram stopped for the moment and the snappily dressed guy quickly rushes inside the tram and throws out a rope to Mia and co.

?HURRY! GRAB IT! WE?LL ROPE YOU UP!?

?OK ONII-CHAN!? Mia simply answers before she turns to Flannery while gesturing to Brendan rather innocently. ?Flannery-san I know this is much but?erm??

Flannery just sighs in an amused manner before slowly getting up and responding to the indigo-eyed girl. ?Fine. But you?re carrying the Marshtomp.?

Mia smiles sheepishly as she picks up the smaller and lighter Ragnarok the Marshtomp while Flannery is busy mumbling to herself while carrying Brendan on her strong shoulder.

Regardless of who they picked up; both girls grabbed the roped and were pulled upwards by the blue-haired fellow Mia kept calling Onii-chan and two other men dressed in Team Magma costumes.

--------
(A while later inside the moving tram)

Five minutes have passed since the group consisting of: Team Magma Team Cell #50 Fred, Touya and Yuji. Hoenn Champion Steven Stone, Lavaridge Gym Leader Flannery, with novice trainers: Mia Stone, a visibly exhausted May Hiromi and a sleeping Brendan Birch who slept peacefully on May?s lap, along with his resting Ragnarok the Marshtomp made their way towards the top of the mountain.

And since those five minutes Mia has been shedding nothing but tears of happiness.

But who could blame her really? Her best friend has been in out of it for months with little chance of ever awakening.

The scene just left a widened smile on the faces of everyone else in the tram.

?Mia,? May spoke to her friend in a soft voice. ?I thought you were a big strong girl now.?

?b-But?? The indigo-eyed 10-year-old sniffled in a mixture of warmth and sadness. ?May-san, I-I thought I?d??

?No, It was because of you why I was able to look into reason and come back.?

?b-Because of me??

May removes Mia?s necklace from around her neck and gives it back to the younger girl.

?Stop stuttering.? May orders. ?Mia, I?m glad to be able to call you my best friend none-the-less be it... I don?t know what would have happened to me if I hadn?t met you.?

A surprised look fell on the 10-year-old?s face. That face turned to broadened smile as her eyes welled with more tears.

Mia quickly wipes her eyes and gives one last feint sniffle before facing her friend and idol with a confident smile. ?I was just shaken up a bit May-san. I really not a weak baby anymore!?

?I never said you were.? May chuckles.

A small groan breathed out by Brendan was the new thing to grab the group?s attention. The snow colored hair 13-year-old painfully attempted to open his eyes as he started to move around a bit.

May softly hushed the boy by brushing her gloved fingers against his warm cheeks and hastily shuffled into his backpack, pulling out a case that held Brendan?s hardly used glasses.

May easily, yet cautiously put the glasses on Brendan?s face, making seeing things a bit easier for the boy.

?From what the others told me it might be better if you keep your glasses on.? Brendan blinks blankly at the sight making May give a mischievous smirk. ?You look quite handsome in them Bleach.?

Brendan didn?t even bother to wonder or ask his friend questions. Only a warm smile fell on his face.

The two 13-year-olds continued to look at one another with warm expressions neither saying a word nor caring about the way they were facing each other.

Like always, Brendan was the one to break their stalemate of silence.

?Welcome back??

?It?s good to be back??

Flannery wanted to tease Brendan about the situation but knew it?d be better to let the two have their moment. Mia, who often reads romance novels, gushed at the sight.

The males simply grinned through closed eyes.

::RUUMMMMBLLLE::

::SMASH::

?What?s going on!?? Mia yells gripping herself against Steven as the entire background goes red and molten rocks begin to drop about the area like meteorites.

Flannery looks out the window and curses in frustration. ?It?s the volcano!?

?We?re too late?!? Brendan questioned. ?But we were so close!!? Brendan?s A.I. Travel companion Ciel murmured sadly.

?It?s too late to dwell on what could have and what couldn?t be done!? Fred yells at the group before sounding desperate himself. ?Brace yourselves!?

A few pieces of molten rock bash against the tram until one of the molten masses of doom is able to burn the rope of the moving tram causing the vehicle along with it?s passengers to fall to their doom.

An explosion and building smoke could be seen over fifty feet below the area.

From that gathering smoke three Tropiuses each holding Fred, Yuji or Touya along with the injured and exhausted May, Brendan, Ragnarok and Flannery as backseat drivers.

As well as a Skarmory who carried Steven by his left leg and Mia who Steven tightly held onto flew away from the demolished sight and towards the top of the mountain.

The three Grass/Flying and the Steel/Flying all hastily maneuvered and avoided as much falling molten rocks as they could but due to the number quickly got grazed from the flames.

?This is getting ridiculous!? Touya growled at as he looked down to the remnants of the tram.

Yuji addressed Fred in a rather quizzical manner. ?Hey, don?t you think its weird?? Steven, Fred and Touya turn to him. ?Don?t you think that after all this the volcano should have erupted by now??

?Yeah, I know what you mean?? Fred nods. ?Obviously the report Veronica gave us about some type of phenomena taking over the whole operation into its own hands don?t seem so far fetched anymore??

Steven looks towards the Magma?s. ?Then if what you say is true?then that this? Thing is a bigger threat to itself than living things in general!?

The Magma?s all looked at Steven a bit confused on what he just said. But don?t stop their Tropiuses from following the speedy Skarmory.

Eventually the group all air-rid themselves all the way up to the top of Mt. Chimney.

A strong overwhelming flash of heated fog surrounding the area and an untimed Fire Spin blasted towards the Brontosaurs Pokemon and the Steel bird.

The quartet of flying Pokemon barely avoid getting shot down by the spinning inferno.

Through the fog the unknown fire attacks continued to shoot out towards them. When it wasn?t a fire attack it was crescent V psychic attacks.

Due to the affects of the Psywave attacks the thick fog cleared revealing to the weary group of adventurers all Magma and Aqua?s and their Pokemon on the ground out cold.

Not to mention the cause of the one who, not only did this to them but is putting the entire Hoenn region at the brink of destruction.

?So that?s the little bastard responsible for the destruction of our dreams!? The normally calm Fred growled. ?You?ll pay for every bit of your interference! Tropius! Magical Leaf!?

?Trop!? The Long-neck Grass type rises into the air before making an 180 degree turn which launched the never miss grass attack.

?So all the monkeys have survived the tigers trap at the watering hole.? The two-in-one Pokemon combination also known as Soltone mentally mused as it broke from its state of suspension and began to hover about which in reflex made the volcano rumble and burble a bit more.

?So that?s the cause of all our troubles.? Flannery spoke disgusted. ?What the hell is it??

May looks to her Pokedex with a quizzical look. ?No specific data May.? Alia admits. ?But according to the pages it?s really two Pokemon.?

?Soltone and Lunatone.? Ciel cuts her sister off as she further explains. ?Brendan! We saw a few of those sun-shaped Pokemon in Meteor Falls! Too bad they were so hard to catch and they fled.?

?Don?t remind me Ciel?? Brendan sighs exasperatedly. ?We could?ve really needed the help to know what we were up against?but I still don?t understand what Team Aqua wanted with that meteorite.?

Steven smiles at his younger sister, who tightly clung onto him for dear life before addressing Brendan and Flannery?s questions. ?Solrock and Lunatone. Both Pokemon are recently discovered Psychic/Rock hybrids founded by Prof. Cosmo of Fallarbor Town.? Steven closes his eyes before continuing. ?Both of these Pokemon are rumored to have come from outer space in the form of shooting starts or meteorites if you will.?

Steven then looks to his baby sister with a smile. ?I?m afraid we may have to part ways again??

Seeing Mia?s expression only made the 19-year-old want to look more dramatic as he speaks to her again. ?Mia, grab onto Skarmory?s leg and don?t let go?? Mia obediently does what?s she?s told. ?Good, as for me??

Steven lets go of his steel bird ally and old friend much to everyone?s shock.

The 19-year-old Hoenn Champion being a man of his passion first and anything else later quickly calls out his Aggron whose bulk easily ignored the overheated fog allowing it and his trainer to land onto the surface of the Mt. Chimney?s top only making a crater where the Steel type landed.

Steven narrows his eyes at the seemly unimpressed Soltone before withdrawing the overheated Aggron and calling out Metagross, who charged forward with Meteor Mash.

From the skies the group watched the brewing battle. Metagross should?ve easily taken down such a foe with one of his mighty Meteor Mash attacks but the Soltone took no damage whatsoever.

The Soltone sways to the left and the right before spinning around 360 degrees to push back the force of the Steel Crab?s attack back at it and its trainer.

?Even the reigning Hoenn Champion is struggling against that thing?? Brendan mummers weakly, gritting his teeth in utter irritance. ?It has to be that meteorite that?s doing all this for that Pokemon.?

??dammit? I hate this?? Flannery mutters before growing even more frustrated at her own inabilities. ?Being only able to just idle by and pray that someone saves us! This sucks! It really does!?

?It could be worse,? Team Magma Grunt Touya sighs.

?I don?t know how much worse than this it could get.? Yuji gripes.

?Well,? Fred replies as he lights his supposed last cigarette. ?You could always jump down there and burn to a crisp, but even if you do survive the third degree burns you most likely break your legs and die.?

?It?s nice to be calm?but being a little overly calm is kinda creepy wouldn?t you say Brendan?? Ciel jokes lightly.

Brendan only gives a lopsided grin to Ciel?s attempt at wit. Ragnarok just cocks his head to the side.

The snow colored hair boy looks over to May who sat quietly while watching Alia?s screen before putting her safely into her phanny pack and pulled out an Ultra Ball muttering something about irony with a smirk.

May throws the ball and popping out was the rather cruel minded Steelix.

The coldness of the iron snake?s black eyes left unknown chills down the spines of everyone but the Pokemon?s owner.

?STEELIX! DRAGONBREATH!!?

Rather than fully comply with the chestnut-haired girl, Steelix glared murderously at her from the corner of her eyes.

The Steelix attempted to lash at the group but due to its weight the Iron Snake found herself plummeting to Mt. Chimney?s surface at a an alarmingly quick pace.

It was able to slap Yuji?s Tropius with the tip of its tail. Forcing the Pokemon to lose some of its momentum to remain airborne and forced the exhausted May who didn?t hang on tightly enough off of its bulk.

Due to the length of the iron snake May was able to grab onto her tail and join the roller coaster ride down.

?MAY!!!/MAY-SAN!!!/HEY KID!!!/ARE YOU AN IDIOT?!?/IDIOT!!!? Came the voices of Brendan, Mia, Flannery and the Magma?s.

Fred quickly grabs Brendan?s arm and Skarmory latches its talons around Mia?s wrist.

?Listen! That girl made her own choice! Just respect it and watch!? Fred coldly answered much to the anger of the May?s friends who couldn?t struggle too much in their equally fatigued states anyway.

?CRRRRRREEEEEHIIIIIIIIISSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!? The piercing scream of the Steelix echoed throughout the Mt. Chimney area and a bit beyond.

A strong blackish/purple aura radiated around the wicked iron snake.

It was that same ominous force became her and May?s shield through the heated fog, tearing a thick hole as the Steelix charged through.

?Ok now?s our chance!? Fred shouts before turning to Brendan. ?You and your Pokemon better keep your grip!? Brendan nods as he shoves Ciel into his pockets.

?Don?t be a lamer you Numel!? Flannery shouts at Brendan. ?There isn?t anything you can do now! You?re in no condition to fight! Neither is that girl?But?? Flannery noticed that Mia and Skarmory had already swept down to the area and that the hole was closing before coming to a quick decision. ?Ok now we have to go in!?

Yuji and Touya didn?t react immediately?the two Magma Grunts looked over to their cell leader a bit concerned.

?Hey Fred? sure you should go in there.? Touya asked unsurely. Yuji nods. ?Yeah?your condition and all?Perhaps you should??

Completely ignoring her teammates, the Tropius that acted as air attendant to Fred, Brendan and Ragnarok swept down into the closing fog forcing the others to quickly follow suite.

-------
(Inside the fog)

Finally breaking through the fog. The blackish/purple aura slowly dissipates around the Steelix as she gives a loud exhausted screech as she plummets in the direction of Soltone, Metagross and Steven Stone.

?Metagross Return!? Steven yells as he recalls his Steel Crab.

Steven himself wasn?t in the best of shape either at the moment but even so he still attempts to save his life and that of a near dead Poocyena who whimpered when he was about to flee without noticing him.

?Right?? The 19-year-old sighs as he scoops the Pooch Pokemon in his arms similar to that of football player trying to recover a fumble and flees.

Soltone telekinetically lifts a rock and tosses at the Hoenn Champion. The attack luckily doesn?t connect directly but the power of the throw added with the impact with ground behind the 19-year-old was enough to throw the already imbalanced young adult off his feet and injure him some.

Even though he hit the hot surface pretty hard he never once let go of the Poochyena.

The Soltone hovered where it was since the beginning. The eyes of both Sol and Luna faces of the two-in-one combination lit up as it glowed with a sparkling fiery aura as it again turned to the somehow still active meteorite to amplify its stolen powers.

Unlike the many times where Soltone ?borrowed strength? from the meteorite for more strength this time it wasn?t getting any kind of feed?

A relapse in power? Hell freakin? yes?

The meteorite that everyone sought for? The same meteorite that gave Soltone this power and plunged Hoenn into this dark state slowly cracked and brushed with a strong light before shattering into a smaller chunk of itself.

Soltone found himself cursing its luck as well as its stupidity when the Iron Snake went careening into it.

The ground she landed on (and most of the vicinity around it give or take some yards) shattered and caved in no longer making old Grandpa snowtops a place for human tourist. If you were a molten lavaman however?

The iron snake?s impact left its tail that May held tightly to flailing about in a wild manner.

This forced the 13-year-old off the Pokemon and tumbling safely away from the danger zone right into the solid ground, very hard.

The chestnut-haired 13-year-old was riddled with burns and wounds. Standing on her knees and hands the girl coughed up some blood as a reflex to the impact of the fall. A sharp-toothed smirk falls upon the girl?s face as light hissing noise in a rather ragged manner could also be heard burbling from her.

?Well, aren?t you a wild one?? The tired voice of Amanda spoke.

From the looks of things the woman was seriously dehydrated, there wasn?t anything keeping her conscious really; her eyes were completely dull and void of life.

Maybe it was memories of something precious or her desires that kept her around thus far.

May turns to the 22-year-old woman with cold feral eyes and hisses at her. This didn?t horrify the woman in fact; she softened at the 13-year-old simply smiling and extending her right hand to touch her cheek.

?You remind me of Child??

?It was your groups fault this happened to begin with!? The chestnut-haired 13-year-old countered in a rather vicious tone.

The woman flashed a weak melancholy smile before answering. ?Yes, and I regret every minute of my weakness? I?m sorry?

??Sorry? You?re sorry!?? May growls at the woman. Her long bangs frizzed up in a fashion similar to her growing rage.

All the 13-year-old could think about was all the insane, life-risking danger her two best friends went through. Look at them! If Mia and Flannery hadn?t been their Brendan could have been really blind or worse. If Brendan weren?t there to take the burnt of the damage for the others they all would?ve been killed.

The girl then thinks of third best friend who she just found out was sent to the hospital in the Intensive Care ward in the town where he was suppose to be recovering from his illness! Now one of her close Pokemon allies is gone and who knows when, if at all, she?ll get to him again.

May?s mind then wandered on her Mom and the kind people she befriended in LittleRoot. Only fate knows what?s happening there right now.

There were also a few more people that the chestnut-haired girl worried about. Seeing this woman so relaxed after this was what pushed the girl too far.

?All this and all you can say is sorry?? May growls.

Amanda smiled. May narrowed her eyes as she attempted to grip the woman?s face in her hands but she quickly gave up on that.

?Child?? Amanda continued. ?That is all I can say because that?s how it is right now?I was weak, I couldn?t stop Red Sun?I was weak and that?s all it is?It?s out of my hands now??

?MAY-SAN!? Mia shouts at her friend who only turns to her at shoulders length before looking towards the growing destruction.

The 10-year-old, thanks to the aerial boost given by the Steel Bird Pokemon, could see Steven shielding something as he limps towards the machine containing the meteorite in hopes of shutting it down. Gaining on him was the increasing chasm that held lava below.
?Onii-chan?? The Mia mummers before addressing her best friend and mentor. ?May-san! I?ll be right back to help you! But I have to do something first!?

?WRONG!? Fred? voice shouted from above. ?YOU AND THAT BIRD NEED TO GET INTO HIGHER HORIZIONS NOW!-? Fred cut himself off as he lightly scratched his neck which felt sore from yelling. He then quickly patted his Tropius in a reassuring manner.

?Just keep going?? Fred assures his Pokemon. ?I don?t plan on succumbing here! YUJI GET OVER THERE ON THE DOUBLE! WE?RE PAYING BACK THAT GUY?S FAVOR??

Yuji complies with his Leaders orders and orders his Grass bronto Pokemon to fly over to Steven. Fred?s Tropius lands rather roughly on the hot ground forcing both its master and Brendan off.

The Magma Grunt groaned in pain a bit yet carried out his duties as a loyal Grunt quickly rushing to his superior?s side. Amanda smiles weakly at her subordinate before she gave a rather expressionless face towards Archie, who lie in a comatose state of shock this whole time.

Though hating the Team Aqua Leader for all these years for his pure ignorance and self suiting interests even she felt sympathy for a now broken, sad shell of man driven by mad desire only to leave himself with truly nothing in the end.

?Grunt?Please forget me and survey the area for all survivors?Magma or Aqua??

It was these words that made something inside the man tick finally making him speak. His response?

The way a guy like Archie would respond to the relative to his hated arch-nemesis.

 

[Isaac Gravity]

Cont 2
-----

?That?s what separate dreamers from men?Woman?Take your pity and shove it! Team Magma?their associates and their Leaders are weak! Why else would they cry to brats for help to defeat a group so robust as us??

The Aqua Leader then gives a hardened glare at the two brats. ?Do you inexperienced little blacklists truly believe I?d idle by and let you destroy the only chance to obtaining my dreams?Never?Team Aqua will crush all who get in their way EVEN IF IT IS A MERE CHILD!!!?

Brendan pretty much ignored the empty threat while May?s eyes were still locked on the expanded lava-filled chasm.

One would say that?s reasonable. Even though it may have alternate reasons for doing what it did, the Steelix did do what May asked it and then some.

?I doubt a Steelix would die that easily from something like that.? Brendan whispers to the girl he can?t ever ignore. ?They do have the ability to dig to the center of the earth.?

A dark smile formed on the chestnut-haired girl?s face as she murmured. ?I know.?

Adjoining to May?s words a new spectacle appears to the weary group. Starting with a tremor that made the lava burble while that meteorite pulsated with one final flash of light.

A vertical spiral of flames spurts out of the volcano, forcing away the airborne Skarmory and Tropius.

Finally making themselves known to the group were the combating duo of Soltone and Steelix.

Both Pokes usually hard bodies looked softened and overheated. Soltone was of the same glow of the meteorite.

Fire pumped from the Sun/Moon creature as it desperately clashed with its giant foe. The Steelix was completely engulfed in a strong blackish/purple aura. Her normal color scheme itself was no longer that of the light but that of a heightened darkened creature of the night.

The two-in-one creature then telekinetically forced the vertical spiral of lava to bind and harden itself against the Iron Snake Pokemon.

It then attacks her with the full intention that the move will melt through the Steel-type, taking it apart.

Not that it stopped the creature from struggling.

The Steelix gave out her patented piercing screech which forced the airborne group out of the skies and onto the ground while they shook in raw paralysis along with the already grounded group of onlookers.

The attack even made the so-called malevolent being like the hovering Solrock/Lunatone combinations freeze in its air-defying place.

With her ominous aura rippling around like an amoeba on the path of multiplying, the Iron Snake broke free from her bonds. The Steelix then drops her entire unconcealed by lava mass in a collapsed style to fully crush the Soltone against Mt. Chimney?s surface.

Since the attack was launched on the eastward side of Mt. Chimney the impact of the attack further damaged Mt. Chimney?s eastern outline. Forcing many landslides from the exterior of the once dormant tourist spot and cave-ins from within the Mountain?s dark, humid, maze-like chambers.

From where the battle took place between two vastly altered creatures known as Pokemon the surface either tore further apart or slowly caved-in. The distance where the only conscious set of onlookers watched they were safe?for the time being.

After her first heavy hit attack on the Soltone. Steelix lifted herself up to repeat her wild actions two more times preparing herself for a third.

?CRRRRRREEEEEHIIIIIIIIISSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!?

?ARRRRRAAAAAAAARGGGHHHH!!!?

Though the first scream was the usual cry of the aged Steelix; the second cry was that of her newfound trainer who, unlike the others was completely unphased by the paralytic effects of Steelix?s screech but suffered the excruciating pain of emitting the painstaking blackish/purple aura that the dark-toned Iron Snake constantly radiates at her emotions peak.

May?s feral eyes were fully slits now. A few more near inhuman screams escaped the 13-year-old as she clutched the left side of her head with left hand and pressed against it with her fingers very hard.

The 13-year-old?s right hand and knees kept the balance of her body, which burned and trembled in utter misery. A small mixture of tears and saliva formed on the ground above the girl?s face as she continued her pained cries.

Her own usually red aura sparked out from time to time proving that she was resisting the alien control.

From within the 13-year-old: Her inner child, once known as her wild half sobbed while huddling herself in emptiness as she shielded her head with her arms and screamed a little mantra that was suppose to soothe her usual atmosphere.

Before Steelix?s third attempt of her reckless attack could connect, the two-in-one Pokemon combination scorched the Steelix?s face with a Strong Fire Spin. Which forced the Steel Snake to turn away from her foe while utter a pained cry, allowing it time to hover around her to launch another attack.

The Steelix wildly lunged at the Soltone snapping her steel jaws at it constantly. Due the recklessness of the attack the Soltone was able to avoid the repeated assault until it was forced to flinch due to the lapse of sudden strength.

The aged Iron Snake didn?t waste anytime! Opening her massive jaws, she quickly clamped the two-in-one creation in her mouth.

The meteorite within the machine that caused so much grief was at its final point. Cracking sounds could be heard from the disintegrating space rock while its machine container creaked and clanked as it shook with one last jolt of strength before blowing a fuse.

A flash of light flickered from within the Steelix?s mouth before the enraged Soltone whose entire body was softened and riddled with cracks all over forcefully opened her jaws.

A stronger version of vertical spiral of flames engulfs the Steelix this one actually ripped at her aura pushing her to unbelievable lengths of pain.

As Steelix suffered the attack from the Solrock/Lunatone combination May suffered a similar fate. Little flickers of flame whizzed in and out of her body and Pokeballs, which contained her allies. The physical and mental pain the girl experienced was unbearable.

The emotional pain her friends felt by only being able to merely watch their friend?s torment was just has harsh.

From the point of views from the other conscious onlookers be it ally, acquaintance, enemy or Pokemon; was left in their own pool of thoughts as they mentally analyzed the situation whether it be the battling duo or the girl.

?This again? I?m really sick of watching her suffer like this? and what am I doing about it? Like always nothing!? (Brendan)

?Why isn?t our lives simple anymore!? (Ragnarok)

?Brendan and Mia are unusual but her! ? WHAT are these kids!? (Flannery)

?m-My body feels so numb?and May-san is hurt?I?m useless in the end afterall?? (Mia)

?Cripes! Isn?t anything ever simple?? (Yuji)

?Zoinks! If that lava doesn?t end me those two psychos will!? (Yuji?s Tropius)

?Never a dull day?? (Touya)

?That poor girl?Maybe one of my refreshing fruit could help her?The mood is just too dreary I hope I have enough tasty fruit for everyone.? (Touya?s Tropius)

?It looks as though the mission and out a complete bust? How bothersome?? (Fred)

?Boss?? (Fred?s Tropius)

?That girl? Another demon sent to ruin my dreams?? (Archie)

?Well today isn?t gonna be a clear day?? (Steven?s Skarmory)

?I see?The Steelix is attempting to create a link with her partner?Yet in the most spiteful of ways?The emotions that creature is emitting is too much a strain on her?I fear she could?Tsk this my fault!? (Steven)

?Aw d*mn, we?re gonna die.? (The Poochyena Steven is holding)

Amanda weakly looks at the suffering May and then to that of the berserk Steelix.

?Such a horrible creature?? 22-year-old Team Magma Executive Amanda thought as she just weakly watched the chestnut-haired girl suffer.

Certain thoughts of a certain raven-haired girl with topaz eyes flashed through Amanda?s mind as she struggled to move her drained body.

?The world I wanted to create was suppose to be a wonderful place for those like you and her? A paradise void of hostilities and fear? I know how much those like you suffer but then again, we all suffer in our own way; be it petty or heart-wrenching.?

Amanda is able to get to the ball but due to her own lack of strength at the moment her hold on the ball is weak, allowing the red and white sphere to roll away from her.

Popping out from the Pokeball was the alphabet inspired Unknown.

The L-shaped creature glanced dully at its trainer then became wide-eyed when it saw the two combatants before it then looked back to its trainer with a rather saddened look, fully understanding what may happen.

?My understanding of Psychic Pokemon nor Custom Tactics may not be as great as yours, but at any cost I will I will not see another like you suffer!? Amanda breaks from her mental speech and talks to her obscure Pokemon.

?It?s time? Mass Teleportation.?

Unknown shuts its one-eye tightly, trembling a bit as a multicolor spiral forms around it.

It starts out as a little white sphere that formed from within. That white sphere slowly expands, engulfing the letter-shaped Pokemon in a shimmering white light. That shimmering white light slowly expanded beyond the Pokemon and swiftly took over the entire top of Mt. Chimney.

-----------
(Somewhere around the highlands of Route 111)

The muscular Goku-esque man with fiery lions mane watched all the transpiring events from his high-powered binoculars. Removing them for only a moment the man smirks.
?Pah, I guess Ein was a bit too sudden to dump the reject tools used for the preparation of project SHADOW. But I must admit, not even I could?ve counted on these events??
-----------

(Back in the war zone)

So? That human stole her power source away. The Steelix thought.

That woman just didn?t steal away the girl; all the little humans and their Pokemon disappeared?

?Why? Does that human know her power source? Were they ?family??

Family is a word alien to her after all?She was born from out of an egg from a cold lab?
The only family she had was a psudeo one in the Mt. Chimney area?Until she either witnessed their fall or killed them herself for her own needs?

?Those guys? what are they to each other that could force her to lose? And become part of their pet brigade?

?They were all just food needed for strength in this fight?Her food, her reserve?

?Her necessity to survive this madness?

With this as her resolution, Steelix shook her head about wildly, forcefully closing down her jaws. Her black eyes widened as cracks began to chip at her usually flawless form.

The Solrock/Lunatone combination struggled with all its might to escape the grip of his mighty foe. Why wasn?t it escaping? Where was all of its glorious power?

The scent of a dragon?s air was heathed heavily from the Iron Snake?s mouth and into the wind.

Steelix closed her jaws with no remorse. A loud crunching noise echoed throughout the area.

She won? They won?

The Steel Pokemon then turns when she hears a hissing noise. She turns to the source like a curious child.

There. She saw a tiny machine. Very tiny by her standards.

So this was the thing that was the source to all the fuss?

?Idiots?

The Steelix came to her very well thought out decision about the annoying contraption.

She smashed it with her bulk.

Why eat that thing? Look what it did to her meal? Besides she already regrets eating him for mere reason of tasting bad.

With no strength or will do anything. Steelix sunk herself into the lava. Hopefully she could dig into cooler ground and get her body to harden again.

The Iron Snake departed, not even caring for a heroes bow.

-------
(Route 112)
(Two Hours Later)

?That?s a relief, she finally starting to stir.? Brendan sighs as a response to May Hiromi?s fluttering of her eyes and heaving of a little groan.

Laying flat on her back, May was quite surprised when she realized her head rested on Flannery?s lap in mock older sister-like care.

When the 13-year-old attempted to move around Mia lightly held onto her right arm, looking at her quite concerned. ?Please, don?t move around so much May-san?You scared us quite a bit.?

All the chestnut-haired girl could see was the downpour of rain droplets that dispersed the thick smoke that once filled the sky and washed away the tainted snow that poisoned the lungs of many. Be it Human or Pokemon?

The warm smiles on her close friends faces also brought the 13-year-old to mummer, brimming full of hope: ?Is it over??

The broadening smile on Brendan?s face, the warm smile and state of near tears from Mia, as well as a grin and a wink from Flannery was all the 13-year-old needed to know for now. And with that she took some well-deserved rest.

?Yeesh, Kids today are bursting full of energy.? Yuji gripes. ?If I had half of their energy??

?Those four did more than hold Hoenn?s share of courage.? Steven replies, fondly petting the Poochyena he rescued from Soltone. ?But, in any case this nightmare is behind us now?We should head to Lavaridge Town to rest up. I know of a alternate way to reach the Jagged Pass.?

Touya gives a little shrug while sighing dejectedly. ?It?s gonna be hard considering all the mess around us?One hell of a fight must?ve happened down here.?

Yuji nods. ?And there?s too many bodies for us to carry in our current shape??

?Such lazy guys?? Steven mutters with a smirk.

Fred just smirks at the sight before turning back to the unconscious form of Amanda who wore a smile on her face. ?Don?t know what you did boss but you saved us all??

Fred broke from his smile when he noticed the 22-year-old woman wasn?t breathing.

The Magma Grunt quickly scrambled three feet ahead of him when he saw a familiar object made of stone. Pulling out the object, the man with the dreams of building Verdanturf?s around the world dropped the object and shuddered in loss.

?Fred? What?s up?? Touya calls out to his pained companion.

?Eh? Hey Fred what?s wrong buddy you can tell us.? Yuji adds.

Fred didn?t answer he was too brokenhearted to tell his longtime friends the news that would go down as: The second great tragedy of Team Magma and Aqua.

As if showing a type of symbolism to it all, the rain poured at a harder rate. Showing natures anguish and sorrow at man?s stupidity.

?The downpour of an angry Mother Earth?? Archie mentally mused as he looked at the still form of the smiling Amanda. Thinking of his departed cousin Ayame whose face bared a similarity to the 22-year-old?s when she was brutally killed.

The Team Aqua Leader then weakly glares at his left hand and at the carnage around him. ?What in the name of the sea have I become?? Archie mummers as a stray tear rolls down his cheek.

-------
(Black screen. Alia narrates)

[And so, the bitter conflict of Mt. Chimney has finally come to an end?
Back-up for both Teams came to the scene. It was a heated confrontation to say the most.]

[The Magmas were at a pained loss at the loss of some of their most skilled spy?s and trainers. But were deeply grieved over the loss of their cherished Executive Amanda whose always treated them all with love and equality. Quote Team Magma Grunt Fred?s words: ?She was a loving woman who?d easily give her life for her family. Whether they were artificial or blood.?]

[Aqua also suffered a great amount of casualty loss among them was their best seafarers, their best warriors and prized scientist Schneider who selflessly attempted to put a close to the Soltone?s actions only to be thrown off the mountain by that creature. They later found his mangled body lying in landslide grave.]

[The two Teams, Thanks to the efforts of Steven Stone, Team Aqua Leader Archie and the three remaining Team Magma Grunts was able to calm down before any more unnecessary bloodshed should be unleashed. Both sides gave each other one last hard malicious look before taking any and all unconscious and barely alive members of their groups and going their separate ways. Both more determined than ever to wipe the other out and achieve their dreams.]

[Today truly will be an event remembered in Hoenn. The entire region (especially those close to the Mt. Chimney area) was in complete shambles. Many homes, shops and places of human and Pokemon refuge was demolished or horribly damaged. Many lives were lost today, many lives changed.]

[As an act of gratitude from the three Magma?s Fred, Touya and Yuji: May and co. was taken to Lavaridge Town where they are currently recuperating from their ordeal.]

---------------
(Route 119)
(Weather Center)

Team Magma Leader Maxie stops in his examinations of a blueprint to just stare blankly at the ceiling for the moment.

?Sir? Is anything the matter?? Magma?s top Admin Tabitha questioned hastily.

?Tabitha? Did you ever hear of the saying when living beings create a type of connection regardless of what that bond might be??

?No sir I believe I haven?t?

?Mm.? Maxie mutters before looking at his subordinate enlightened. ?Though you may not have heard of it, I believe you have felt it in some shape or form. That invisible feeling in your heart you get when something painful happens to the close for.? Maxie gives Tabitha an unsure expression. ?Though I know this sense I feel is active at this moment? All I can feel nothing??

?You?re pretty much a man who feels the sorrows of the world sir.? Tabitha grins.

?Perhaps.?

?Oh right! About the condition of-?

?Do not concern.? Maxie responds coldly much to Tabitha?s surprise. ?I?ve warned Angelique time and time again about the risks of using her full powers knowing how frail she is. That?s why I say don?t concern.? Maxie assures. ?I doubt she?ll let herself die until Magma fully has accomplished its goal? Perhaps this will just teach the girl the values of listening to others and swallowing her pride from time to time.?

Tabitha was a bit surprised by what his leader had just said about someone he views as his own daughter but couldn?t stress the utmost importance of Magma mission.

Maxie turns away from the Admin saying he?ll leave the rest up to him and the Grunts.

Walking outside Maxie looks up at the cloudy sky with a look of indifference.

?It?s a hard road that man must live.? Maxie mentally sighs. ?Justice comes in many different shapes and perspectives for many different people? Many suffer because of these conflicts. But in the end there is only one true meaning of justice and it is that of Team Magma.?

(End Story Arc 3)
End Chapter 20
---------------

Updates- 10/11/05- Such a rough rewrite (hardest/longest one to do) ? But this was surely worth it! This like many of the heavily updated chapters mentioned on my profile was in need of the greatest revisions. How I missed them during my four month long revision almost six months back is beyond me. But what matters: These are how they should be.

(Notes)

1. Think of the properties in Chemistry, a term called Half Life where certain organic objects takes hundreds of years until it deteriorates into nothing. Both Team Magma and Aqua knew once they leeched the full power of the space rock to their advantage it?d become brittle and useless. However, Soltone didn?t.

2. ?Child? Amanda refers to Angelique by this name.

-----------
Yes, I know that Soltone?s last stand was very anti-climatic? maybe even a little rushed. I was a bit inspired by Godzilla movies for the whole Steelix vs. Soltone bit? I even had Steelix pull a Godzilla after she won.

Oh, and I want to beat you guys to the punch before you ask. The Soltone didn?t truly have the power to destroy the entire Region. The meteorite did really boost its powers, yet at the same time the Soltone squandered the true bulk of the meteorites active properties by trying to heighten its own ?power? (giving it False power if you will) then used whatever was left showing off.

Next- Special bonus Chapter!

 

[Isaac Gravity]

Disclaimer- I don?t own Pokemon or anything else

----------
(Route 112)

?Many of Hoenn?s finest have come to investigate the mysterious eclipse that covered all of Hoenn during the Mt. Chimney warnings.? TV News reporter Gabby reported from the recently to the public area of Route 112. ?It?s still highly unknown if either Teams Aqua or Magma were responsible for the incident at out once beloved sleeping giant or if they were responsible for making the seemingly endless stream of dark skies, earthquakes and tainted snow that plagued many areas?.?

Gabby turns to the camera and makes look that would most would call invigorating.

?Even though there are still a handful Routes have been closed to the public; we can say this dear people of Hoenn: Despite all this pain we still have endured we survived and its safe to say that the sun will rise tomorrow and days to come??

----------
(Somewhere in Hoenn)

?What a load of bull!? Regional Interpol Agent Gabrielle Jenny grumbled as she turned off the TV in disgust, earning her a few complaints from her fellow workers. ?How can people stomach that pompous little ditz??

?If I didn?t know any better comrade?? Gabrielle Jenny?s longtime partner and friend Nasstastja Yukon grins. ?I?d say you were a bit jealous of the tabloid woman nyet??

?She?s just annoying.? The turquoise-haired agent pouts.

?Oh yeah, she?s so jealous.? One of the male agents laughs.

His laughter forces everyone else to laugh in the turquoise-haired agent?s expense.

?Yeah, yeah laugh it up bozos!? Gabrielle Jenny huffs bitterly. ?But you know I?m right!?

?Right about your assumptions about the League? Perhaps Jenny, perhaps.? The Chief of the sector mutters completely oblivious to what was going on.

?Err Chief!? The turquoise-haired agent jumps nervously. ?I was uh??

?Never mind the chit-chat Jenny!? The Chief hastily responds. ?Hoenn?s overall reputation is looking pretty bleak at the moment.?

?Commander what did the technicians find?? Nasstastja queried.

?Much to what we expected. The League seems to be suffering from many fiscal charges from many questionable financial sources.? The Chief reports. ?And according to the Head of the League himself, they claim to suffering from quite a lot of data leaks.?

?Data leaks?? One male staff member scoffs. ?Hmph, someone needs to scan for spyware??

?I think he means hackers.? A female staff member corrects. ?The League in Johto complains of little cyber punks breaking into their firewalls from time to time as well. There?s no point to hacking the League mainframe though.? The woman shrugs. ?Trainer information is updated by the week even if there is rundowns from time to time...?

?There?s lots of reason to want to break into something as big as a regional League database Mireille.? Gabrielle Jenny states matter-of-factly. ?Fame, information, foul play. The skies the limit. These little bastards just see the Internet as one huge playground and see their victims as the latest level.?

?Information and sabotage likely but still pointless.? Mireille scoffs. ?What?s the point of fame since you?d have to leave a little trace of your data behind to prove you?re the one. I don?t think anyone is willing to get arrested or worse off be so spiteful as to get someone else?s trainer license taken away over fame.?

?Then you?re more of a rookie than I took you be!?

?No! You?re just too deluged in the conspiracy theory!?

?Ladies, please calm down.? The Chief replies in a mellow tone. ?Both of you have good points about this matter and this is why I?m sending you to pick up the information we need on the inside.?

?Me or her?? Both Jenny and Mireille questioned.

?Gabrielle is the best when it comes to undercover work.? Nasstastja comments knowingly.

?Well, Mireille isn?t any amateur herself!? Mireille?s partner Agent Alvin Smiddy counters.

?That is true.? The Chief admits. ?And we wouldn?t want the League?s mole or moles to become to curious about our utter silence after months of negotiations?
It takes the government veteran a moment to think this out but he comes to his conclusion. ?This will be a two man job.? He states. ?Agents Jenny and Acoba, since you two seemed the most interested about this perhaps a dual effort would be needed.?

Both females stand up and salute.

?Well do our best to keep tabs. Try not to get your cover blown. Remember Hoenn?s credibility is at stake.?

?Yes Sir!?

------------
Side Story 2: Aftermath
------------

(Two weeks later)
(Lavaridge Town)

The flickering spark must be kindled by some sort of catalyst before igniting into the flame it?s truly meant to be. Could this be also said for a human?

With hair as wild as flames passion this young woman must blaze through the already damp path laid out for her. Cultivating her know-how, moving only through her hunger for true self worth. She is the Elemental Master of Fire!

?A spark waiting to become a fire.

---------------
Flannery laid on her bed with a very sullen look on her face. The 17-year-old Gym Leader listened almost trance like to her Cassette Player, constantly rewinding back to a ceratin part of the song. It didn?t really bother her; in her mind a similar type of playback ran through her head.

?Her hesitance?Her humiliation?

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

Flannery gritted her teeth at what the 13-year-old was saying to her. ?The- Who the hell do you think you are!? What?s with you two!? Why are you two so calm huh!??

Gatsura was still pretty angry, BUT he is a man of the sea and goes by his own code. Thus, he decided to enlighten the young Gym Leader by what Brendan and Mia meant. ?You had your edge at the tip of your fingers yet like the land lover you are, chose to shoot off your mouth and play around.?

?What??

?You knew a Custom Tactic yourself.? Brendan spoke solemnly yet a bit annoyed. ?This whole fight would?ve resulted differently if you just used it. What were you so afraid of??

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

?It?s not like I wanted to?but?? Flannery sat up quickly, constantly beating her face in a manner when one splashes water on their face. ?What am I talking about!?? The 17-year-old yells aloud, obviously put back into her usually self. ?An elite trainer like myself has no time to cry over a little mistake! My whole town is in shambles and needs my help! Hahahaha! That?s right! I don?t have time to contemplate my losses! Gotta go forward and onto my duties!?

Grinning to herself, Flannery rushes about her large Inn-like home, picking up a lot of plywood and working tools while greeting any visitor she passed by that stayed in the home.

?Who cares about those kids anyway?? Flannery mentally rambled. ?They?re the ones whose butts are still in the hospital. Not like me, it was in and out! They need to lay off the junk food and drink more milk!?

Flashes of the battle rush through the 17-year-old?s mind, making her take back her rather bitter words. ?No, that isn?t fair to say? They really gave it they?re all and got hurt because of that? D*mn! All I could do that whole time was just play support AND I COULDN?T EVEN DO THAT RIGHT!!!?

When the brooding Lavaridge Gym Leader was about to leave the family room of her home, a long-haired bleach blonde woman in her late twenties stopped the teen in her tracks.

?Good morning lovely Empress!? The woman named Yuriko greeted the teen in a singsong manner.

?Hello Yuriko.? Flannery greets back before tossing the pretty woman an annoyed look. ?And drop the ?empress? stuff will ya??

The woman named Yuriko closes her jaded color eyes to flash the teen an amused look. ?Old habits die hard. Anyway, are you going to help in the reconstruction of the town again??

Flannery nods proudly. ?Well, yeah. It?s my duty as Gym Leader! I grew up here Y?know and all the citizens here took care of me after Grandapa died so I?m indebted to protect my people!?

?My, quite noble aren?t we?? Yuriko teases as she gives a cat-like smile. This only makes Flannery puff her cheeks a bit annoyed. ?ANYWAY YURIKO?How?s the Inn status??

Yuriko frowns at the question. ?Well, its getting pretty tight?Are you sure we should let all these people stay here for free? Seems like most of them are just freeloading??

?Yeah, I know?? Flannery agrees with the older woman/inn caretaker. ?But things are just tight in general now?A lot of people are suffering?But?? The 17-year-old adds while flashing a rather sly look. ?Tell them that any and all donations offered to their gorgeous hostesses will be graciously accepted! This opens to them more privileges as guests in the Inn and further nurtures our loving hospitality towards them.?

Hearing this, the 28-year-old woman couldn?t help but shake her head and smirk. ?A shrewd business woman as always? Just like your Grandmother?She?d be proud to see how well you?ve grown up.?

Flannery flashes the woman a weak smile and rushes off to town.

------------
(A bit later in town)

Flannery dillgently nailed a board over a destroyed wall of a kindly old woman?s home.

?Thank you so much for your help Flannery dear, you?re such a good girl.? The kindly woman compliments from the bottom of her heart. ?You?ve been such a great asset to us all right now but you should really concern about your health right now dear. Flu season is right around the corner y?know. And you still have such nasty bruises from your mountain climbing.?

Flannery turns to the woman warmly. ?Nah, I don?t deserve any praise and I?m well rested. Lavaridge is my home and you always took such good care of me when Grandpa passed away? This is only a start of what I should be doing for you.?

?Such an amazing girl. Possesing both strengths of both Grandparents? I?m sure they?d be proud that you?re following so closely in their footsteps deary.? The kind old woman begins before looking at the 17-year-old a bit more concerned. ?But wouldn?t you rather be out playing with friends and achieving the dreams that you want? You?re only one person, with one life and you should live it the way you want it.?

The words uttered by the old woman constantly kept rushing through the Lavaridge Gym Leader?s head. She bit the bottom of her lip lightly as a flash of her younger days swept through her.

-----------
(9 years ago)

In the Outskirts of Lavaridge Town a little redheaded girl in a blue dress and matching blue shoes accompanied by an Old man stood at opposite ends of eachother.

?Wow Grandpa! So your finally gonna train me!? An 8-year-old Flannery announced happily to the retired Elite Four veteran/current Lavaridge Gym Leader.

Flannery?s Grandfather gave the girl a steely look before pulling out a Pokeball. ?Flannery, you will listen to me.? he spoke gruffly. ?Do you know what it takes to be a good Pokemon trainer??

Flannery shook in a rather genki manner before her right fist punches the air. ?Of course! To become a Pokemon Master!?

?FOOLISH CHILD!!! It?s that kind of thinking that will only result in only harsh disappointment and bitter self loathing!? Flannery froze in her place from the rise in the old-timer?s tone. Seeing this the old man calms down. ?The title Pokemon Master is only given to those who undergone many a hardships and maintained many triumphs?It?s not an easy title to grasp.?

Flannery gives a little snort as she rolls her eyes. ?So? I hope you aren?t discriminating Grandpa just because I?m a girl! I?m the best in town! No one can beat me!?

?And thus is why you?re weak.?

Flannery becomes pissed and charges towards the old man, bombarding him with a barrage of weak punches while yelling at the top of her lungs.

The old man only smirks at this. ?You may be a competitive person Flannery?but you lack the the drive that separates a competitor with a winner.?

?Yeah?? The 8-year-old sniffles. ?And what do I lack that makes me so weak huh?!?

?You lack what makes the true feeling of the fight. What makes even a hopeless battle seem like one to remember?That is, young one, you lack: The understanding of the Battle Spirit.?

Flannery stops her actions and looks at the veteran trainer puzzled. ?Battle Spirit??

?The passion of a true warrior.? The old man begins. ?The power that drives one to better oneself rather chase the coveted dream that many race for yet fail to understand? Even if you are determined, even if you have the power and will to win; without the Battle Spirit resonating within you and your Pokemon partners you will be nothing more than a power hungry ego-maniac.?
Flannery?s Grandfather turns to leave. ?Until you understand this Flannery, you?ll never grasp your true potential and will ultimately be a waste of my time??

The 8-year-old?s hair overlaps her eyes as she stood there in pure silence and utter shock.

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

?AHHH!? Flannery yelps.

She was so indulged in her flashback that she absentmindedly banged her thumb against the hammer rather heavily.

?Oh my! Flannery are you alright?? The old woman panics. ?Stay put! I?ll get you some bandages!?

As the woman rushed into her home Flannery nips on her injured thumb and curses her situation to herself.

-----------------
(Lavaridge Hospital)

?There you go!? Steven Stone proudly announced as he puts a huge basket full of what it seems to be creams and lotions on May?s hospital bed.

This left a look of puzzlement on the faces of May Hiromi and Brendan Birch who sat to the girl?s right.

The snow-colored haired boy was riddled with bandages and suffered some rough injures. Also, since the battle Brendan?s vision still wasn?t at his best, forcing the boy equip his much detested glasses.

To May?s left was her 10-year-old travel companion, the baby sister to Steven Stone: Mia. The Indigo eyed girl was also in bandages but her injures weren?t as bad as May or Brendan?s.

?Creams?? May muttered a bit confused.

?Not just any creams? Steven corrects. ?These are special massage creams from the Blossom Company import lines. I made sure to put enough different creams for all you and your Pokemon.?

Mia nods, continuing her brother?s words. ?Mum?s company doesn?t just reside in Hoenn?It?s a worldwide chain. She?s made many merges with many different businesses large or small so there?s a lot of different kinds of perfumes, lotions and skin care items being mass produced that not even Onii-chan or I know of yet.?

?On the contrary Mia. There?s a lot of skin and beauty care items you don?t know of? But as heiress to Mother?s company your going to have to start familiarizing yourself very soon.?

Mia downcast her eyes May?s bed a bit unsurely muttering ?r-Right.?

The girl?s so-called words of conformation didn?t seem to convince May, who glanced at her friend with a frown.

Brendan in the meantime examines two of the Pokemon creams. ?Excite Scent, Vivid Scent? Hmm.?

?You?re in luck.? Steven replies to the snow colored boy. ?Those are powerful new Pokemon massage treament creams that are produced only in the Orange Islands. They?re currently being planned on being shipped as one-time sellers value to a land called Orre. Mother hopes that selling certain exotic skin care and beauty items as elusive items to certain lands would increase the import rate from buyers.?

?That?s a pretty good strategy.? Brendan comments making May nudge him with her elbows. ?Don?t give him a reason to brag.?

Steven closes his eyes while he gives a little shrug. ?Well Hiromi, if you want my opinion, you could learn a lot of from your friend there. Not only does he respect his superiors but also,? The 19-year-old continues. ?I?ve received no scorn what so ever from him. A first from a male trainer I meet who knows of my reputation.?

?I-I?m not all too into championships and the like?? Brendan truthfully counters. ?I?m more interested in completing Ciel?s Pokemon pages. Besides, I?m on this journey to work hard and see all that effort as a reflection of myself and only myself? Nothing more.?

Thinking back to what the snow-colored haired boy had told her, May looks at her friend with an admirable smile.

Mia is also quite impressed by Brendan?s aspirations but wasn?t feeling too pleased altogether at the moment. ?Mum always seemed so lax and scatterbrained? It looks like I?m the one who doesn?t know left from right??

?You?re quite an impressive guy. And I must admit, I?m not one who?s easily impressed.? Steven states, obviously eyeing May?s reaction to Brendan?s words.

Brendan sheepishly rubs the back of his head. ?Err thanks? That?s a good bit of praise coming from the Champ.?

?No,? Steven interjects. ?I don?t believe there?s any need for formalities here? Please just call me Steven Stone: Or simply Steven would suffice.?

Steven then gives the group thumbs up, while flashing Brawly?s trademark flashing his pearly whites, causing a glinting sound to be made. This caused many passing Nurses to blush feverishly or faint.
However, it only forced a huge face fault to fall onto the faces of May, Brendan and Mia.

?It?s suddenly getting quite feverish in here! I might need to take my own temperature at this rate Ehehehe.? (A random nurse)

?What?was that?? (Brendan)

?He must know Brawly?? (May)

?Onii-chan?So not cool?? (Mia)

Steven stopped short in his ?pose? when a ringing sound came from his pocket. The trio watched the 19-year-old who turned his back to them to address the call with blank expressions.

To their surprise, Steven closes his cell phone rather rushed and turns to them with a grim look.

?I?m sorry I couldn?t get to chat with you longer.? The Hoenn Champion politely begins his removal words. ?But there?s a matter that I must head out of town to confirm? I?m just pleased to know that my baby sister is in good hands.?

Without even waiting for May and co. response Steven rushes out the door.

?Erm?See you Onii-chan?? Mia dumbly answers to the air.

--------------
(Two Hours Later)

Finally able to exits hospital doors, May, Brendan and Mia all decided to check on their battle-torn allies in the Pokemon Center.

Their visitation turned into a checkout as the extensive damages made to the Pokemon hospital severely compromised a lot of its services. No need to say many were pissed about the matter; but they should be grateful that the place is up and running at all?

Aside from the rants of whiners, Mia happily rubs her cheeks against her the five balls, which held Daigo the Ivysaur, Hiro the Treecko, Sharky the Carvanha, Jenrya the Phanpy, and Nall the Zubat. (Whom she pets names Nall-chan.) Promising all of them she?ll never endanger them like that again.

The 10-year-old deceased her smothering to steal a peak at her eerily silent human comrades: Aside from stealing a few glances at one another, not a word was uttered between the heavily flushed May and Brendan as the chestnut-haired girl had one arm around the snow-colored haired boy?s shoulders to aid her walking leverage.

From the coordinated way the two wobbled while moving, it was hard to tell which was the real heavily injured one?

May winced a bit to hold her ribs with her free hand forcing the boy hastily stop in his place and for Mia to rush to her side to keep her standing.

?Sorry!? Brendan quickly answers.

?Why do you need to apologize?? The chestnut-haired girl snaps before apologizing for it. ??Brendan, what do you plan on doing now?? The girl changes topics in a soft tone.

Brendan looked at his friend a tad surprised before answering the question. ?Before this mess happened, I had my hopes high on visiting Jagged Pass to gather up data for Ciel as well as the herbs that grow there and see for myself if the perseverance volcanic ash gave it was really responsible for their high level of potency? But with all this? I really don?t know anymore??

??If? your so dead-set on doing something?? The chestnut-haired 13-year-old starts coyly. ?Perhaps you can help me with my training??

?In your condition!?? Brendan?s AI travel companion Ciel squeals from the boy?s pockets. ?May, you can barely stand on your own let alone have your equally injured Pokemon expect to do the same!-Brendan please say something to her!?

Brendan frowns at this but hastily examines damaged town, using that as proof enough why it isn?t such a great idea for May to train.

May refutes this by saying its perfect to hasten the level of the work.

 

[Isaac Gravity]

Cont
---------------
::BRRZTP BRRZP BWEEP::

As Mia was the one carrying the chestnut-haired girls phanny pack, she pulls out the buggy Alia.

?Scanning? ?. ?. ?. BRZZZT ? This area is very well suiting for stamina buildup.? The A.I. companion responds contently. ?May, we should being work ASAP otherwise we?ll never catch up for lost time. Or have you already forgotten our two recent EVOs??

?I know that!?

?It?s ok May-san.? Mia, who really didn?t want to undergo May?s training regime, replies sympathetically. ?You and Your Pokemon are plenty strong already and Alia is the Ultimate Program. Right now we should rest and work off our injuries. Alia you and Ciel must have got pretty banged up too??

?It?s fine?? Ciel kindly turns down the offer of an Mia patented repair and upgrade. ?Aside from My creator, Brendan?s the only one who knows how to spruce me up the way I like. Besides I think I?m fine functioning the way I was built to work?I like things to be simple. Sorry if I sound rude but that?s just how I feel.?

The 10-year-old gives an understanding smile.

?That still doesn?t explain how training here and now wouldn?t be in best interests.? Alia scoffs.

?Can you ever think of something aside from your needs?? Ciel comments.

?I?m only following my program: Collect data. Lots of it.? Alia matter-of-factly states.

?Exactly,? May confirms. The chestnut-haired 13-year-old pulls herself from Brendan?s protective hold only to lose her balance, slap away Brendan?s hand when he attempts to reach out to her and fall onto her rear.

?Brendan? Unless you?re going to help me with my training please step aside!?

?Training?? The boy mummers before getting annoyed with the girl?s attitude. ?You?re in the worst shape how can you think of such things!?

May only smiles slightly to her friend?s words before asking Mia for her phanny pack, the 10-year-old complies without any argument. The chestnut-haired girl now spent the rest of her time ruffling within its deep contents.

Brendan looks away from the girl with mixture of frustration and indecisiveness. Taking a deep breath the snow colored haired boy dejectedly mutters: ??what do you me to do??

May hands him an inflatable item and a pump. Rather than question why the girl would have such items, the snow-colored hair boy takes some time to inflate the item revealing a mini swimming pool.

?Brendan, can you loan me some water?? May curtly asked her silent friend.

Brendan called out Ragnarok the Marshtomp and asked him to fill the pool to the brim with Water Gun.

With that done, May now throws the Great Ball Mrs. Stone left her as a gift. What came out of it was a rather droopy looking fish Pokemon called Feebas.

Like Jenrya before her, Mrs. Stone already went ahead and named the fish Pokemon FiFi.

The fresh water fish Pokemon gave an unimpressed look at her surroundings.

With that finally done, the chestnut-haired girl calls out Tsunami the Combusken, Whirlpool the Zigzagoon, Lightning the Manectric and the little Aron whom May decided to name Waves.

Aside from FiFi, May?s Pokemon allies were in rather rocky condition but rather than topple over, they all looked at their trainer with expressions of deep shame and guilt?

May returns the look as she extends her right hand to place it on Tsunami?s bandaged feathered face.

?I? I want to stand on equal ground with her!? May voiced. ?I want to truly know you?ll be able to face a foe without laying on the floor only able to grit your teeth with the humiliation of dying like trash! Never again do I want to see that of any you? That?s why??

May lowers her head from her Pokemon allies, yet she keeps a trembling grip on Tsunami.

Flashes of the horrors they faced within New Mauville and in the Mt. Chimney path still remained fresh in the minds of the fowl Pokemon and her allies?

They were outclassed in every possible way. They failed to protect May and themselves? Had not been for the actions made by the Hoenn Champion in both situations, they really would?ve lived up to what May described?

Tsunami pats May?s cheek with her left. Waves moves closer towards, in his eyes, the weeping princess and her morose royal pet and rubs Tsunami?s leg.

Lightning and Whirlpool look to May awaiting anything she asks of them. The word ?Power? the vow ?to never fall again!? never seemed to hold such significant desire until now?

Mia remembered the savage beating Hiro received at the hands of Gatsura?s Exploud. The 10-year-old?s eyes welled with tears at the very facet of truth in her best friend?s words.

Ragnarok rubs his eyes slightly which caught his trainer?s attention. Brendan pulls out and shuffles through his first aid kid to quell the mudfish?s pain with what little was left of the eye drops Mia gave to him earlier.

With that matter done, the boy turns his attention back the chestnut-haired girl.

?Do you want to stand?? Brendan softly asks May who accepts his offer.

?We should start?? Alia starts.

May nods. ?Tsunami! Keep kicking that boulder with your left until I say otherwise! Hold nothing back!?

Tsunami nods and runs over to the boulder that crushed the Poke Shop and begins to kick at it rapidly.

?Whirlpool! Dig through that mudslide!?

Whirlpool complies with a playful expression and runs over to the mudslide that three men were working on. The petite raccoon Pokemon splits into ten more copies of himself with Double Team.
Five of the raccoons pummel any and all boulders in the slide with Rock Smash while the other five dig through the dirt frantically picking up any items they see as interesting.

?Lightning! Time test that TM Mia?s brother gave us! Thunderbolt at max!?

Lightning gives a toothed smirk before swiftly running to the top of a debris pile, howling loudly and tearing the whole pile down with Thunderbolt. She then leaps to the next pile and does the same.

?FiFi! Keep swimming about in a clockwise manner and keep doing it until I say you stop!?

FiFi the Feebas rolls her eyes but does what she was commanded to do anyway.

May slowly begins to remove herself from Brendan?s grip to slowly but surely, gain mobility on her own, even if it was limping.

?Waves come with me.?

From the little Aron?s perspective, his beautiful princess had used some kind of magic to change from her lovely outfit into a more sports coach feel.

Despite that, the loyal little Pokemon follows his Princess? orders until they stop at a smaller boulder only a few feet away from Tsunami.

?Ok Waves, what you have to do is simple.? May began quickly. ?Just keep colliding into the rock without any fear.?

May demonstrates by taking off her slightly torn white and black gloves, then punching the rock with her left as hard as she can.

Since her hand was still in the state of recovery, May winced in horrible pain as her knuckles began to bleed. This made the little Pokemon afraid.

?May-san!? Mia squeaks as if she?d been hurt and not her friend. Brendan, though not uttering a word, was frantically shuffles through his first-aid to see if he has anything left to help the reckless girl.

?It?s ok,? May smiles to her quivering Steel/Rock type as she licked her bleeding hand. ?It hurts a lot but how else can you get strong if you don?t endure the pain? Now,? The 13-year-old continues. ?I?ll help you until you?re confident enough to keep attacking on your own.?

The Level 5 Pokemon watches the chestnut-haired girl work and wince until he pulled back to build the momentum needed to bash against the rock with his steel hide.

The little Pokemon continued to do this, earning him a smile from May and her friends and respect from his Pokemon allies.

Due to the commotion May and her Pokemon made a growing crowd began to form at the speculation of this one lady, five Pokemon show.

Brendan, Mia and Ragnarok noticed this growing crowd and quickly sweatdropped through crooked smiles.

It wasn?t long until the girl?s bizarre training regime attracted the attention of all the people in town.

------------
(Other side of town)

Flannery busily shoveled some debris along with the help of some construction workers.

?Hey there?s some kind of Pokemon show going on!? One man yells. ?There?s no charge given!?

?That?s nice? Times feel so depressing perhaps a laugh will help.? A random woman responds.

?But Momma! I wanna see the furries some more! I wanna!? A little girl about the age of six whines to her mom who only answers: ?We shouldn?t be so overjoyed in times like this. People like Flannery are a rarity in the world but we must work hard too.?

?Hey, Hey did you see didja?? A hyper little boy runs into the area pointing to the direction of the source. ?I wanna be strong like that girl and have strong Pokemon like hers!?

All this fuss and sudden talk of strong trainers really piqued Flannery?s interest. But she wasn?t a child anymore?

Giving a little ?humph? as well as mumbling something under her breath, Flannery continued to work.

?You mean you aren?t interested? That doesn?t at all sound like the impulsive brat I knew back when I wasn?t balding.? Smirked one of the middle aged workers.

Flannery puffs her cheeks and continues to dig, trying to recover from her act of immaturity.

?Empress acts like an impulsive brat at times because she still is one.? Yuriko teases the hard working teen from behind.

?YURIKOOOO!!!? The 17-year-old screams at the 28-year-old.

?Relax, attempting to throw a tantrum is a sign of immaturity.? The bleach blonde-haired woman then puts index finger on Flannery?s forehead teasingly. ?But lovely Empress Flannery is no run of the mill brat.?

Flannery hides an annoyed blush. Before she could get back to work, Yuriko stealthily grabs the 17-year-old?s wrist and drags her to the source of everyone?s amusement. Much to her protests, of course.

When finally reaching the area the two notices the array of awe, clapping and rooting. Yuriko and Flannery make their way through the crowd to see the spectacle.

As soon as the Lavaridge Gym Leader got a glimpse of what was going on, she immediately sweatdropped.

 

[Isaac Gravity]

Cont 2
-------
May was rapidly shoveling through the contents of the mudslide with her bare, bleeding hands. Whirlpool, being the most energetic of the team, dug alongside the 13-year-old, covered in dirt and bruises but he was just happy to help. (And help himself to any object of value that was caught in the debris.)

Tsunami, Lightning and Waves were just exhausted. FiFi the Feebas just gave up on her own accord not wanting to end up like the others.

?Hah! Is that all you guys have? I still have energy to burn!? May lies, her arms shaking from the numbness her actions brought. ?You guys are suppose to be more superior to humans yet your letting me outdo you? You guys must not want to change at all??

Aside from Waves, who just felt bad about letting his Princess down, the others were just **** pissed.

Mia just watched her friend rile her own Pokemon with much success. They were getting up and back at it even if they wanted to collapse then and there.

They were all just so? stubborn! This was what made the indigo-eyed 10-year-old muffle a little giggle.

She stopped giggling when Brendan handed her a shovel before walking over to the pile to help May dig. (Much to May?s relief.) Ragnarok quickly followed suite pushing around a wheel barrel with him.

?I should surpass my limits too.? The 10-year-old thinks as she joins her friends help dig through the pile.

Watching this kindled a fire within the Lavaridge residents. These kids were just stuck in their fair town, why the hell were they doing the manual labor of citizens?

Should they feel impressed by their diligence or insulted that out-of-towners are besting them, none-the-less little kids who should be in school and not traveling around by themselves.

Most likely a bit of both?

?YEAAHHH!? One man yells at the top of his lungs flexing his muscles. ?I?m not gonna let myself be bested by some little kids and their baby Pokemon!? The man now throws out a Great Ball containing his Machamp. ?Show them how real rock breaking goes!?

Another guy agrees. He gets a little too excited and rips his shirt. ?LET?S DO THINGS HOW OUR ANCESTORS IN THE STONE AGE HAD TO!!!?

The man then attempts life a rock twice his size and ends up putting out his back at the fragile age of thirty-five.

More and more residents began to join in on this invigorating workmanship. Thus, bringing more injuries.

Yuriko watched all of this with an exasperated expression.

?Do people think anymore?? she comments to Flannery. ?At this rate Lavaridge?s hospitals will be even more packed than before. Idiots-What?s so funny?? The bleach blonde irately asked the chuckling 17-year-old.

?n-Nah, I think this is good. Everyone just feels that they lost a lot due to what happened and want to keep some kind of hope burning inside of them.? Flannery turns to the older woman and grins. ?After seeing this, I want to work harder too??

------------
(Two Days later)
(Ever Grande City. Pokemon League HQ)

Today was a dark day for the Hoenn region. Having barely avoided being wiped out by the ?World Saving? Teams Aqua and Team Magma the lovely green land known as Hoenn found itself in shambles from all the massive earthquakes that destroyed many homes, many people in the hospital from the inhalation of the tainted snow known as ash and a mighty high death toll for both human and Pokemon.

It?s only natural that the Hoenn Government get involved in the infiltration and destruction of the two teams once and for all. But since Team Aqua and Team Magma all contain members who are rouge Pokemon trainers this is why the Hoenn League: A special, if not secondary government specifically meant for the purpose of order and balance for all Pokemon trainers must also work diligently in this quest to stop this corruption of the trainer name.

Within the Arena-like board room The Hoenn League Officials: The nine Main powers of the Hoenn League. They sat in the emperors throne sector of the stadium. All of them held grim and serious look on their face.

Within the audience seats the eight Hoenn Gym Leaders: The sector bosses and holders of Gym Badges.

They all sat wherever they pleased in the bleachers. But for communications reasons they chose to sit in a group. Sitting a few rows below the Gym Leaders in the more plush seats sat the Elite Four: The claimed most powerful trainers in the region whose sworn duty is to protect the Pokemon HQ and test would-be Pokemon Masters to see if they are truly worthy in four succession matches.

?Tsk. Where is Flannery?? The lavender-haired Fortree City and very influential 21-year-old Gym Leader Winona griped in an exasperated manner. ?That girl is always goofing off! Didn?t she get any of my calls? She needs to act more maturely!?

?You should relax mademoiselle. I?m sure the pyro new girl will arrive fashionably late as always.? The flamboyant Sootopolis Gym Leader Wallace attempts to calm his fellow Gym Leader. ?Norman doesn?t seem to be here either.?

The Dewford Island Gym Leader Brawly couldn?t help but give the worryful Winona a ?cheer-up bud? pat on the back. Brawly style. (Which made Winona cough afterwards.)

?C?mon Winona, you?re way too serious. If the new girl wants to nap under a tree then let her goof off.?

Roxanne, who read her book at the time, murmured something like: ?Stop assuming everyone thinks as irresponsibly as you.? Of course, our favorite surfer dude Gym Leader pretended to not hear the Rustboro Gym Leader (despite being right next to her.) and continued his words. ?I can?t say I blame the newbie. Man, conventions are so lame. I wanna take a nap right now myself??

Brawly then yawns and stretches, not caring that it was annoying the hell out Roxanne.

?Poor Roxanne,? Mossdeep City?s Gym Leader Tate stated. His twin sister and fellow Gym Leader Liza picks up where he left off. ?Her beauty and intelligence??

??Has lulled the big dumb smelly beast to her proximity.? Both twins finish their words giving each other content looks.

Roxanne sunk herself deeper into her book obviously trying to hide her flushed face. Brawly on the other hand didn?t take too kindly to the diss set upon him and his longtime acquaintance by the youngest Hoenn Gym leaders.

?Wha- Dumb?! SMELLY?!? You freakish little gnomes! You dare mock the sexiness that is Brawly?? The self-proclaimed Beautiful Beast roared before looking a bit more relaxed. ?From now on, you midgets must refer to me as Brawly: The sexy Blue Beast!? Brawly then flashed his patented smile that glinted in an even shiner fashion than usual.

The beachcombing Gym Leader?s actions caused the other Gym Leaders, minus Wallace and the very silent Roxanne to cough rudely.

Not able to take anymore, Wallace stood up and made a pose. ?If Brawly is now known as the Sexy Blue Beast then it?s only fair that I?m now dubbed the gorgeous Blue phenomena of the sea!? The Sootopolis Gym Leader then puts his index finger by his mouth and began to laugh in a rather feministic manner.

Both Liza and Tate roll their eyes before making a comeback. ?We don?t dub monkeys?? Liza began playfully. ?We train them to do tricks.? Tate rudely finished in a harsher tone.

This forced huge red X-shaped veins to appear on the both Brawly and Wallace?s heads as their eyes go pupiless in a humorous manner.

A two on two verbal battle begins between the four.

?Hmm. With this a much ruckus, it?s quite hard to tell whose the REAL child here!? Veteran Gym Leader Wattson laughs.

?Hey Gym Leaders?? Elite Four member of the flaring Ice Glacia called out to them with a condescending look on her face. ?Why don?t you stop making a further joke of yourselves and shut-up.? The woman finishes her insult with a sneer. ?Isn?t it bad enough bad enough you?re all so horribly weak??

The 30-year-old woman?s cruel words were only answered with harsh looks and gritted teeth.

I?d only be BSing you if I said the relationship between the Gym Leaders and Elite Four in any region was good.

Hell, in all truth they hate eachothers guts. For various reasons too, whether it be envy or plain disdain for the other?s philosophy or way of doing things.

?You still don?t understand what I warned you so long ago Glacia?? Wattson thinks to himself, just as angry as his fellow Gym Leaders. ?Tomorrow?s another day and that breathes new talent? You?ll defiantly learn that the hard way sooner or later??

Halting the mounting tension in the air. The room suddenly dimmed and five spinning spot lights began to sever around the room until it finally landed upon the emperors throne sector of the stadium.

?Geez, those guys always gotta make a show.? The fun loving thrill seeker Sidney of the Elite Four chuckled.

The League Official in the middle of the desk shuffled through his handful of paper work, rubbing his temples before he began the meeting.

?The Hoenn Government is breathing down my neck like a Golbat that just bit you and won?t let go until your sucked dry?Damage all around?The Hoenn League?s credibility: Ruined? Mt. Chimney, Hoenn?s best tourist spot is now dubbed unstable costing this region millions in TOURIST FUNDS!!! CAN SOMEONE TELL ME WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON!?!?

The Head Official slams his paper work against his desk. Surprising everyone.

Winona knew she was asking for trouble but something had to be said?No point in everyone be turned into a scapegoat.

?s-Sir!? The 21-year-old stands up very nervous.

?What Winona? Please tell me you have a solution to this crisis.? The Head mummers exasperated at the situation. Winona bit the bottom of her lip and shook her head.

?Then what?? A female official in the eight-place seat spat out coldly. ?Out with it!?

?Well, the true problem of the matter is Team Magma and Team Aqua??

?And?? A male official in the fifth place seat muttered.

?Well after this both side are obviously heavily crippled now and are in hiding??

?Hey yeah,? Brawly catches on. ?We just have to flush Magma out now.?

?Correction!? Elite Four?s Ghost using Phoebe interrupts. ?We have to berid this region of both cults! What they did to Mt. Chimney was beyond the limits of all their antics. They ruined many businesses and lives! I still haven?t got a call from my Grandmother since the incident!?

The 19-year-old girl in Hawaiian attire was in the state of near tears.

Glacia only smirked and murmured ?still a pampered brat.? Phoebe ignores this and continues her plea. ?Please! This insanity between these two groups has to end! This wasn?t another one of either Teams silly little heists! This relates back to the days of their open street fights! Does someone have to be killed again before something is actually enforced this time? Well the numbers have raised and it?s not just the cults but also almost every living thing in Hoenn! I?ll do whatever it takes to help!-?

?Phoebe. Enough.? The strongest and oldest member of the Elite Four Drake spoke.

?But??

An Official who sat in the fourth place seat crouched in a brooding position. ?Blah, Trying to track down either Team is a huge waste of time and money which we?re very low on right now! Oh, did I say it?s a waste of time??

The second ranked official took over. ?Now, if we don?t have any REAL matters to discuss let?s move on to the main part of our gathering.?

Though everyone in the room was a bit confused by what their higher ups meant they had no choice but to see what these fools were going to do.

The once dark Colosseum room filled with light shining down on the only Gym Leader who wasn?t in the stands with his fellows.

?Norman?You do know why you?re here don?t you??

Norman Hiromi gives a steely look as he looks over to the emperors throne sector of the stadium. Only throwing them a harsh look.

End Side Story 2
--------------------

Update: 10/4/05 - One of my heaviest chaps to repair? Geez, the OOCness was so audible it makes me wonder how I could miss it all. But things are looking like the way it should be. (A lot of the mistakes been locked down too.) Calming chapter or not?

I?m finally back on track! Yeah, for those of you guys (you know who you are) who read and enjoy my story I?m sorry about the months of wait. Laziness, pickiness, my personal life and studies got the better of me. They still do really but I was able to scratch the time up to do what I had to do.

Again, my apologies if you were content with the original version of Trials of Reluctance. I felt I could?ve done a lot better if I didn?t rush and thought the story through better. And I?ll tell ya, It?s looking? a lot more pleasing to me regardless of any flaws that still exist within it.

So thanks for bearing with me and let?s get back on the road! I can?t promise you anything for the remaining five chapters ahead but I?ll do my best. That?s all I can say?


(Notes)

1. If my descriptions didn?t suck so much I could?ve better explained that Flannery?s home though might be noted as her Gym/home is pretty much a Inn for travelers as well.

Yet another filler I didn?t know where to put in the main story so I stuck it as it a teaser for the events coming next chapter and the bridge I needed to the form the final Story Arc. Quite long for filler though?Aw well. Things will make sense and be back on track next chapter.

For those who actually read the story?If you?re interested in another fun fact then here?s one: In reality there was suppose to be five extra stories added after Chapter 2 (Fire!) Each focusing on May?s time spent in LittleRoot and her growing relationships with the people around her. (They were nice stories, mostly on humor though.) But due to the fact I wanted to get straight into the actual storyline I skipped them and went straight to Of truth and decisions. To be honest, there were a lot of filler stories I had planned throughout the Reluctance story but I just not to do them. Like before I liked them but I like getting through things and not stretch them out pointlessly.

Next- (Final Story Arc: Overlap)
Chapter 21- To kill a fire chick

 

[IceKing]

Sorry for not reviewing in so long, you're style doesnt appeal to me that much so I can't read it easily.

Heres a review for chapter 1-4

Likes
Interesting personalities for the charachters (especially May)
Good emotion portrayal
Nice Plot (for now)
Interesting style (I know I contradict myself since I said your style didn tappeal to me, but that doesnt mean its not interesting)
Like the way you describe the battles (in the non gameboy way)

Dislikes
I dont like the use of present tense, but thats really your choice
A bit too many flashbacks (can make the story kind of confusing)
Some charachters are a little unrealistic (referring to Mrs.Birch)
Not a big fan of the health points system


Ill review the rest of the chapters sometime soon

 

[Isaac Gravity]

Well, I guess your dislikes can't be helped too much... aw well...

Personally, I like the HP and Level system since it gives it a RPG feel and also (due to my own inablity) helps me create limits and breaks within battles and Pokemon strength and what not.

I dunno about your comment about Mrs. Birch as I've met/know real people like her (an example being my sister) but not to the extremity I created her to at so I guess I could vouche with you somewhat.

 

[Isaac Gravity]

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

The once dark colosseum room filled with light shining down on the only Gym Leader who wasn?t in the stands with his fellows. Norman Hiromi gives a steely look as he looks over to the emperors throne sector of the stadium.

The fact that Norman was put on the spot in such a manner, not to mention being handcuffed and accompanied by a heavily armed guard pushed speculation among many people inside the room.

?Whoa, Whoa. Mr. Chalmers what seems to be the meaning of this?? The Head Official asked the second seat of the Hoenn Pokemon League.

?What else? It?s an interrogation.? The third-ranked official states matter-of-factly.

The second-ranked official ignores what goes on around him and begins his questioning.

?Norman?? The second-ranked Pokemon League official murmured in a mock-disappointed tone. ?Do you know why we hired you and none-the-less paid your finances for the tiresome trip from Johto all the way to the once lovely Hoenn??

The spotlight shone down brightly on the Petalburg Gym Leader. Norman could only turn his head slightly while closing his right eye to shield himself from the lights fierce glare.

?I was hired by Mr. O?Neal for my head-on and forceful battle talent. And?If I remember correctly Mr. Chalmers?? Norman tested the waters. ?You were strongly against a non-Hoenn born resident taking a position of Gym Leader, none the less compete in the Ever Grande City regional Tournament.?

Hearing this the other board member?s as well as the Elite Four and Norman?s fellow Gym Leader?s couldn?t help but crack a smirk.

This only angered the second-ranked League Official who at first, gritted his teeth and wanted to demand everyone to be silent and act their ages.

Instead of doing that though, the man only adjusted his tie and threw Norman a smirk.

?That might be so Norman,? Chalmers began his verbal vengeance. ?But even after all this we still took you in with open arms? And how do you repay us??

?By doing my job and making Pokemon trainers sweat.?

?Let me inform you Norman that our honesty policy is heads above all even talent.?

The second-ranked official?s words began to query confusion amongst the participants in the room. Norman?s record was completely clean.

On top of that since the man doesn?t seem to let on much about himself aside from his open passion for a Pokemon battle and vast respect for anyone who works hard and sees their Pokemon allies as equals and not as tools.

?That?s a shocker?? A female guard who was really Regional Interpol Agent Gabrielle Jenny in disguise thought to herself. ?Sure, Norman came to Hoenn almost a year ago and has made quite a reputation for himself but there?s nothing too suspicious about him? What would a man like him possibly hide??

The turquoise-haired agent was thrust out of her thoughts when noticed the third-ranked official glare at her from the corner of her eyes before looking away with a little smirk and muttering something about everything being a game of cat and mouse.

?Blast! Did she figure me out already?!? The turquoise-haired agent mentally panicked.

?Don?t worry to much about Ms. Tolbot.? A guard to left of Gabrielle Jenny mutters. ?She likes to unnerve all the newcomers and veterans. She says it helps determines if we?re still on par to work.?

?r-Right! Sure?? The turquoise agent laughs nervously.

The woman then cautiously turns her attention back to the impending situation at hand.

----------------
(Final Story Arc: Overlap)
Chapter 21- To kill a fire chick
-------------

(Lavaridge Town)

Despite two days have passed in the quiet mountainous town of Lavaridge the construction process has been going along at a surprisingly quick rate.

Filled with a new found passion burning within them; the Lavaridge citizens toiled effortlessly in restoring beauty to their home. Putting blood, sweat and tears in to every little task these people are a true example of unity.

However; The citizens of this lovely town are a little too overzealous about reconstruction?They?re taking incredibly needless, not to mention clumsy leaps to speed their work only resulting with a lot of stupid mistakes and a hefty injury count?

-----------------
(Lavaridge Graveyard)

?Mura the burning passion.?

?Friend, family man and this communities biggest supporter. You will always be remembered in our hearts and marked in the annals of this town?s memory as Lavaridge?s greatest Hero. Rest in Peace beloved hero.?

These were the words carved into the gravestone of Flannery?s Grandfather.

Flannery tends to visit this grave sight on a daily basis just for the reasons of nostalgia. Even though there was nothing but gravestone to look at, the 17-year-old belived that her Grandfather?s spirit was affixed to this spot since he could never up and leave the place he devoted his entire life to?

Well, that?s at least what Flannery herself believed?

?Do really you think blubbering like a useless child will bring him back to this cruel world?? A rather deep mencing voice filled with nothing but masculinity growls at Flannery from behind.

The 17-year-old turns around hastily to see a large muscular man adorned in white spandex and had his massive red hair in a style that could rival Son Goku?s Super Saya-Jin 3 form hairstyle.

The man held nothing more than an atmosphere of intimidation around him; however, this meant little to Flannery, especially when she realized the identity of the man.

?You got a lot of nerve to show your face around here Dakim?? Flannery growls. ?You sully the name of Grandpa?s school by using our martial arts techniques to play bodyguard for drug lords!?

?Pah, I disregarded Mura?s teachings long ago...? Dakim scoffs.

This pretty much irked a nerve within Flannery. The 17-year-old gives the man a very dark look.

?Don?t you mean Mura-sensei??

?Master, sensei, It?s all meaningless.? Dakim replies. ?The power you see before you is a mastery that I, the great Dakim has created through my own labors and will to be unbeatable? Of course a bit of my weaker techniques are derived from Mura?s basic skills but that?s what I get for ever even looking up to a half-hearted weakling.?

?The hell did you say!?? Flannery yells, fighting every urge to deck the man right there.

?You heard me brat!? Dakim growls. ?Mura was a pitiful excuse for a man who could no longer live up to the requirements of being strong and thus, in his own cowardice to hide from humiliation, committed suicide in the main hall of his own dojo!?

Flannery stood shocked at what the Cipher Admin had just blurted out.

Dakim glares at the 17-year-old Lavaridge Gym Leader with disgust making a face that seemed as if he wanted to spit in her face just for reasons of disrespecting a deceased man.

Dakim refrained himself from doing this though, he didn?t want to waste further time dealing with a brat nor did he have intentions of harming her. She wasn?t in Cipher?s way and proved to pretty much a threat only destined to destroy herself.

Who was he to put her out of her own misery? Even if he enjoyed the thought of ridding every fabric of his disdain?

?With a mindset like yours I?m surprised you lasted this long in this world... Must be good to be a pampered brat.? Dakim continues. ?After all, it was people like you that was the final push for that cowardly swine.?

Flannery was still pretty much disgusting every word that this DBZ dead-ringer kept babbling on about. The teen was unconsciously balling and unballing her fists until something inside of her finally snapped.

?y-You?re LYING!? The Lavaridge Gym Leader shouts. ?Grandpa was a proud and wonderful man! He had no reason nor would ever throw his life away for anything unless it was noble! Typhlosion?s Pokeball is nowhere to be found! Grandpa is out there somewhere training hard? He?s? he? HE FAKED HIS OWN DEATH AND NOTHING MORE!!!?

?Faked his own death? Then why waste his time making a life-like copy of himself just to be hung at such a height? You?re as blind as Mura is; I?ll expect to see your grave next to his a few months from now??

?Sounds good?? Flannery grins. ?Be good to be buried near family. Not too much I can say for you? You?ll probably die one day to some lesser bodyguard who holds a gun? Gasp! Where would the power-hungry trash be buried his former boss thinks? Hell, just lug his heavy rear into the nearest sea. A Gyarados should finish your remains! Go to hell!?

Dakim defiantly wanted to maim the teen now? But he managed to somehow extend his fuse and simply walk away from her, not uttering another word.

Flannery doesn?t even waste her time watching the Cipher Admin leave the cemetery; she turns back her entire attention to her Grandfather?s grave.

--------------
(Outside the Cemetery)

?That wretched little brat!? Dakim roars.

The Cipher Admin quickly grabs a nearby garbage can and throws as far as he can.

?Relax, she?s only one deluded little child.? Cipher Admin Chief Ein replies to his fellow Admin through a comm. device at the Cipher labs. ?If anything I should be congratulating you for keeping your cool.?

?Pah, I wouldn?t have to be dealing with this nonsense period if it wasn?t for this ridiculous mission Nascour set upon us! That cursed figurehead!?

?I suggest you watch how you talk about your betters.? Ein reasons coolly. ?Cipher?s funds have been pretty bad lately and we need some kind of financial boost to further expand Cipher?s power and complete our research on Project SHADOW.?

Dakim frowns. ?True, but what good will a blasted toy do? We wasted tons of our remaining funds on that brat and her stupid video machine!?

?Again, a matter of circumstance in order to gain more.? Ein verbally counters. ?Pokemon Island Online will be the perfect financial staple for Cipher. After the groups known as Aqua and Magma crippled the region with there feeble little war the economic state for many areas not to mention the mental security all the people felt here is now shattered. All thanks to the incompetence of Hoenn?s superiors.?

?Hmph. So were going to promote and use this game as some allusion to help people escape the turmoil that is life? Weaklings??

?Something like that.? Ein grins.

?Feh, this all a waste of time!? Dakim snaps. ?That little brat is so demanding! If its not money she?s asking for robotic parts and alloys! Also,? The fuming man adds. ?I can?t believe you actually gave her access to our old experiment files! Someone brings us a little money and they get VIP access to all Cipher hides??

?Mass distribution, game patches and upgrades to the game take a lot of effort and money that?s understandable.? Ein reasons. ?Second, the machine parts are no problem since we just tear down any old inventions we no longer use that almost match her part descriptions and ship it to her.?

Ein takes a moment to sip his coffee before putting his final words. ?Finally, you fail to realize the influence online games have over the community nowadays. In less than four months Pokemon Island Online has raked in more money than any other get rich quick scheme we hatched and it?s also earning C. Corp a good reputation amongst gamers and Pokemon fanatics alike.?

?Nascour must be allowing this.? Dakim grumbles defeated. ?In any case Ein, how is Project SHADOW progressing??

?As I said we need more money for further development.?

?Then do I story to tell you.?

?Humor me.?

-----------------
(Mt. Chimney path)

Road of ruins. That?s the best way to describe the remains of the beloved spot of all mountain climbers.

The entire area was plagued with debris-jagged holes and some remains of felled Pokemon, be it rock snake or poison bat. What would make one want to return to such a disheartening hell?

Reminiscing on the pride of survival? Or perhaps unfinished business?

?May-san?? 10-year-old Mia Stone muttered full of guilt. ?I?m sorry about this??

13-year-old May Hiromi gave a slightly annoyed sigh as a small playful grin curled up her lips.

?Oh no problem at all.? The chestnut-haired girl dryly counters. ?If you really concerned over my safety then you?d never do something as stupid like attempting to follow me when I climbed over the landslide that?s cutting off Lavaridge from the rest of society just to injure yourself forcing me to take some cuts and bruises to simply chase after your clumsy self.?

?I?m quite selfish sometimes. I?m sorry.?

?I thought you were a big strong girl now? Stop apologizing like you?re some kind of pitiful servant.? May snaps. ?Did it ever occur to you that after all those months I spent laying around that playing piggyback with you through such rugged terrain is the best way for me to keep in shape and develop my weakened muscles??

Even though the Indigo-eyed 10-year-old knew the chestnut-haired 13-year-old was just trying to make her feel more at ease with the situation; Mia couldn?t help but chuckle lightly and hang on a bit more tightly to her idol.

Tagging along with the two girls was May?s Pokemon allies: Tsunami the Combusken and Lightning the Manectric. Both of whom were outside of their Pokeballs to treat the rock climbing session as leg muscle training.

While Lightning didn?t too much mind her trainer?s training plan on the grounds that she felt out of shape, Tsunami was ecstatic about the whole process. Ever since she evolved she has become quite found of her rather powerful legs and would deliberately kick the air continuously or jog in place just to show ?em off.

?Mia,? May calmly addressed the now content 10-year-old. ?How are you??

?I?m more concerned about your condition May-san.?

?No, I mean how are YOU Mia?? May corrects.

Mia had an idea of what the 13-year-old meant and frowned slightly.

?What troubles me is something that I must learn to deal with on my own??

?So you say??

::RUUMMBLE::

The untimed movement of the small tremor forced the fatigued 13-year-old off her feet and onto the ground face first.

?May-san! Are you ok?? Mia desperately asked her friend.

A small annoyed groan was May?s first response.

?CRRREEEHIIIIISSSSSS?

::RUUMMMMMMMMBLE::

?Curse it all! Mia! Crawl the hell as far away as you can from here!? Was her second.

Even if Mia wanted to up and run away, the Steelix that had once played savior just a few weeks ago burst forth from the ground in the most menacing of fashions.

Still bearing signs of softened metal around her mouth and body, the battered Iron Snake Pokemon glared coldly at the human who dared tried to treat her like a slave doll.

--------------
(At that moment)
(Lavaridge Town. The Herb Shop)

?Well, if it isn?t my favorite white-haired Pokemon trainer!? Flannery teased 13-year-old Brendan Birch who slightly adjusted his glasses. ?Your eyes still bugging you?? The 17-year-old continued.

?It?s getting better?? Brendan assures.

?This must be tough on you guys right?? Flannery questioned rather bluntly. ?It?s getting really hard for all of us really? Lavaridge is almost looking like its old beautiful self but the only problem is that landslide that?s cutting us off from Route 112. It?s way to risky to just use explosives, yet at the same time its too dangerous and unstable to attempt any hand construction??

Flannery takes it upon herself to point at the very limited apparel the store had to offer and then grabs Brendan by his arm to show him the some of the town and its residents. ?As you can see supplies are running dangerously for us and we practically nothing left to ration. The visitors who got stuck here are becoming quite unreasonable too? It?s becoming harder and harder to keep up the enthusiasm? so? So just don?t act like those stupid tourists and think you?re the only one who has it hard!?

Brendan tensed up slightly. Though he wanted to advise the 17-year-old to scold the tourists and not him he figured that her taking out her frustration out on him had a lot to do with her shattered pride?

And being one of those who was unconsciously responsible for its destruction he knew better than to say something that would sprout a fight.

Despite his plans, Brendan couldn?t help but wince in pain as Flannery tightens her grip on his arm and drags him further into town. Taking from her grip it?d be best not to say a word and just hope for the best.

----------------
(Meanwhile)
(Where May and Mia are)

?Tsunami! Flare Peck!?

The fowl Pokemon quickly complies with May?s command by picking up velocity while running by all the rubble that Steelix threw in her path.

The flames around Tsunami?s red and yellow body increased dramatically as her velocity surpassed the usual required speed for her Custom Tactic. This action caused the flame to compress into a dark red flame that circled around her body that quickly ignited into larger flames that practically engulfed Tsunami?s body when she prematurely leapt at the Steelix.

Rather than look a small flaming meteor when using the attack when she was a Torchic, The Flare Peck looked more like pinpoint needle that brimmed with stinging flames.

The speed of the attack quickly smacked the Iron Snake in the face, forcing it to pull back some to shake off the aftershock of the attack. Tsunami on the other hand, was ricochet to the ground once the impact was made.

The Steelix irately attempted to crush the fowl Pokemon with her bulk but was only successful in further damaging the terrain when Lightning quickly ran by and dragged her ally to safety.

Steelix picks herself up and fires Dragonbreath at the retreating duo. Lightning manages to get Tsunami on her back and begins to leap from rock to rock on the damaged Mt. Chimney mountain climbers? path.

Tsunami attempts to hit her crazed foe with Ember but Steelix uses the propellers located on the mid-section of her chain-like body to conjure a sandstorm that acted as a shield from the fire bullets. The Iron Snake continued this defensive ploy while going on the offensive with Dragonbreath.

?That Steelix has a pretty good balance formation going for her. But it has its heavy limitations.? May?s A.I. Travel companion Alia inquires after her careful data collection of the battle.

May and Mia both took note that ever since Steelix conjured the sandstorm shield she?s been belted to the same spot since. And with her use of Dragonbreath she wasn?t going anywhere anytime soon?

?LIGHTNING! JUMP INTO THE CYCLONE AND USE SECRET POWER!!!? May shouts at her Pokemon.

 

[Isaac Gravity]

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

The moment Steelix heard the chestnut-haired girl?s voice she wanted to break from her strategy and crush the human alive but her little barrier had to be completely out of the way first.

The Iron Snake started to feel the bitter strains from her excruciating battle with the two-in-one monstrosity Soltone return to her with vengeance. But she couldn?t let up now!

Without warning a gush of power emerged from the Iron Snake?s disturbed emotions through the form of a feint blackish/purple aura. The added power boost gave her the adrenaline needed to heighten her Sandstorm barrier and launch a pretty strong Dragonbreath? if she hadn?t already lost her senses and made a foolhardy rush at the mountain path and began to ravage at it as if it there was an actual meaning behind it all.

Lightning was caught off guard by the Iron Snake?s advance but was nowhere near the point of impact. Instead, she was able to gain some momentum off the move to plummet downwards towards her foe?s head.

Since the effects of Secret Power were totally random, Lightning could only charge up the ions in her body and let instincts take over from there?

Tsunami flinched slightly from the growing amount of spark pulsating from Lightning?s body. Despite it all, the fowl Pokemon kept her grip around her ally and managed to wriggle herself just enough to bombard the crazed Iron Snake with Ember.

The Steelix quickly let out an enraged cry when hit with the attack but was silenced the moment Lightning had crashed down on her head with a move that could compare to Body Slam.

The attack itself didn?t faze the Iron Snake; it was the sudden feeling of everything she was made of going numb forcing her large bulk to fall to the ground in such a stone dead manner that was the problem.

Lightning and Tsunami both tumbled to the ground a few feet away from there beaten opponent, neither one in any condition to fight on? The same could be said for Steelix but that pretty much didn?t stop her from trying to get up and finish her obstacles off once and for all.

But that little plan failed altogether.

She only grows more agitated when she sees May and Mia moving over to the area.

?We were only lucky that it didn?t regain half of its actual strength yet.? Alia sighs. ?May, lets wrap this up and head back to LittleRoot ASAP!?

?Yeah, yeah??

?Though I know it?s quite scary I can?t help but feel sorry for it?? Mia comments sympathetically.

?Pfft. Don?t be!? May scoffs. ?It?s already a registered Pokemon if your going to say what I know you?re about to then forget it! Wouldn?t that count as abandonment??

?Yeah??

"In any case Mia," May addresses the girl with a neutral expression. "I owe ya one for that TM Lightning used to wrap this matter up..."

Seeing that she was actually proving to what she always wanting since she joined the 13-year-old, Mia's face couldn't help but light up with enthusiasm and pride.

Rather than listen to the rambling of the two human females and be returned back into her spherical confine that is the Ultra Ball; Steelix used those small moments to gather whatever was left of her strength to pick herself up.

To her, the surprised looks on their faces were priceless. Even if she wanted to follow-up their hesitant shock with an attack or simple escape tactic she used what was little left of her willpower to at most pick up her heavy body.

It?s quite a shame that the Iron snake was so prideful? It?s quite a shame the Iron Snake was so dead-set on showing its might over humans and domesticated Pokemon?

Had she not foolishly picked itself up with the small amount of energy she had left just to have nothing to follow it up a Sceptile who appeared from what it seems to be thin air wouldn?t have collided into it with Focus Punch.

The Steelix gave out a piercing cry of pain as the spot where the attack connected cracked and shattered slightly.

When the Iron snake was about to hit the ground for the count she found herself trapped inside a tossed Great Ball, which, like Sceptile before it appeared from nowhere.

Once the Great Ball hit the ground Sceptile quickly grabbed the item and leapt over the shocked group to deliver the stolen goods to his trainer.

?Awesome. Never even knew Steelix would be out in the open in Hoenn like this!? Sceptile?s trainer comments happily.

May, Mia, Tsunami and Lightning all turn angrily to face the little thief; only to learn he isn?t so little.

From the male?s so-called bishounen-like appearance, he ranged from the age group of sixteen-eighteen. Aside from his dark blue hair, which he styled into a ponytail. His glasses and his clothing style made him look appear to be that of a student who holds a lot of pride in his high school? But the school insignia seemed to be torn off?

The trainer takes note of the two younger girls and the two Pokemon when he sees Sceptile looking their way in a menacing fashion.

?Oh, didn?t realize you guys were still gaping away...? The teen starts. ?You do realize that wild Pokemon are considered wild for a reason correct? Wild as in untamed, not domesticated-?

The teen cuts himself off when he sees the very serious look on the face of Mia and the furious looks on May, Tsunami and Lightning.

?No kidding you stupid jackass!? May shouts at the teen. ?What the hell do you think you?re doing!??

The teen adjusts his glasses with his middle finger while a smug look formed on face.

?Hmph, from the looks of it my Sceptile saved some rookies from becoming a pile mush from a Steelix who they had no chance of beating even with two Pokemon working together?? The teen replies. ?Thus, my Pokemon did what two lessers couldn?t and I, Gentaro Masato has bagged himself an uncommon Pokemon!?

Tsunami and Lightning nearly went livid from this guy?s comment and Sceptile?s goading wasn?t quenching their growing fury either.

?So, you admit to spying on us?? Mia asked in a serious tone.

?As if I knew what you guys were possibly yammering about.? The teen, which called himself Gentaro Masato, shrugs.

?Quit playing dumb you lying bastard! You were hiding the whole time! That Steelix is a registered Pokemon! It belongs to me!? May furiously shouts at the teen.

?So it ran away then? Trust me, the Steelix is better off with me if that?s the case.? Gentaro Masato reasons calmly. ?You?re May Hiromi daughter to the popular Gym Leader Norman Hiromi correct??

?Last names don?t mean anything?? May scoffs.

The teen ignores the 13-year-old?s attempted ignorance to the truth and begins his interrogation.

?I?ve been doing some research about your endeavors in this region so far and all I can say is this: You don?t and will never own what it takes to become a competent Pokemon trainer? Give up, go home and leave Pokemon training to those who take it seriously!?

?You have a lot of nerve to question May-san when you proven to be nothing more than a thief.? Mia growls.

The teen turns to the 10-year-old slightly disgusted. ?And who are you? Her cheerleader? Why don?t you stop leeching off others and get talent of your own wannab-?

The teen cut himself off to yelp in pain when a sudden multitude of screeching sounds began to echo throughout the area.

The decibel of the combined sound waves made everyone feel as if their eardrums were going to pop; they could only writhe in pain while trying their best to cover their ears.

It was different for Gentaro Masato, despite his best attempts to shield his ears he found himself muttering: ?Error! Appendages unstable! Left arm function ceased!? before giving out a loud cry of pain.

Alia also found herself talking in a critical machine language making warnings of an emergency shutdown error and a system override being imminent. These warnings persisted even after May, despite the risk of not saving her own hearing shoved the A.I. Travel companion under her body without even really thinking.

Lightning on the other hand could shake about yelp frantically. As a natural self-defense Lightning?s body began to spark with electricity which voltage rate continued to rise just to fully thwart what was offending her.

As Lightning?s voltage output increased the noise finally came to a close.

Was Lightning?s abilities the cause to the sound tormentors likely demise or was her body?s act of self-defense that attracted four Magneton; the source of the attack to come and circle around the wolf Pokemon moving closer to her every so often just to absorb some of the glorious sparks of Ions that would randomly pop from her body.

Needless to say this annoyed the drained Lightning but she was too exhausted to do anything.

When Sceptile attempted to pick itself up; a ball of blue electricity that brought it to its knees hit it from behind.

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

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

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

?So what exactly do you mean?? The undercover Gabrielle Jenny questioned the also undercover Agent Mireille Acoba through a comm. device hidden in her outfit.

----------------
(Sixth-ranked official?s office)

?Nothing?? The femme fatale dressed as a janitor answered. ?It?s all gone? The league's financial files are completely clean? Not only that but any hardcover files are completely blank pieces of paper.?

-------------
(Where meeting is taking place)

?You?re kidding me?!? The turquoise agent raises her voice.

When she noticed a guard nearby her looking at her curiously she waved cheerfully at him. The man coughs out of embarrassment and goes back to looking stoic.

The undercover agent then takes more precaution about talking when she also noticed the third-ranked official turned her way once more.

?You are in Robert Telanski?s office right??

?Of course!? The woman answers incredulously through her comm.

-----------------
(Where Mireille is)

?So what?s the problem? Is their firewall as good as it?s rumored to be?? Gabrielle Jenny questions through her comm.

?The password is so simple a child could break into it provided they can crack into this system?s mainframe.? Mireille Acoba answers coolly. ?The problem is what I stated: Their financial files, balance books, archives dating to almost three decades are all cleared off??

?What?? Gabrielle Jenny replies through her comm. ?How? That can?t be? Nasstastja and I were given full access to their financial files the last time were there and they seemed pretty high up in debt with a lot of heavy rollers. In-fact Mr. Telanski seemed rather hesitant the moment we chose to take a look at the files in the second cabinet.?

?That was the easiest to obtain section in this whole room and the entire cabinet was empty? You think they were ready for us??

?Possibly, there?s no way they could clear all those bills in such a short period of time without some heavy price sacrifice that would deter the trainer community greatly by now??

The Regional Interpol Agent known as Mireille Acoba gives one last run through a few of the Pokemon League?s trusted treasurer?s portfolios, both digitized and hardcopy before taking a moment to consider the situation.

?Jenny, just what are they discussing in that meeting?? She asked the haired-haired agent.

?They seem to be putting Petalburg Gym Leader through some kind of court marshal?? Gabrielle Jenny answered through her comm.

When Mireille began to silently try to do the math her comm. link to her partner was completely cut off.

-----------------
(Where meeting is taking place)

?Hey? Acoba? Acoba?? The haired-haired agent questions her partner?s sudden silence.

A mission was a mission and she REALLY couldn?t afford to get her cover blown in the position she?s in; but a personal sense of justice will speak deeper than given duties from time to time?

?GYYAAAAAAHHHH!!!? Came the pain shriek of Norman who was thrusted to his arms and knees by a strong jolt from a Guard who hit him with a taser from behind.

Not only could Mireille Acoba been uncovered but also an act of cruel and unusual punishment has been dealt right in front of her own eyes?She couldn?t afford to leave her post now? Not with this with this kind of odds? Not after a man who she feels is being played for a scapegoat in these tough times just got a taste of punishment without doing anything to deserve it?

Mireille Acoba? A woman she hardly knew? A woman she only knew for so long and has done nothing but been at odds with her? A woman who was assigned her partner in this mission for Hoenn?s honor and in her own carelessness got cut off from her?

?She would have to wait?

?Cough! Did I say something that you didn?t like Mr. Chalmers?? Norman innocently asked his superior.

?Playing dumb to the end aren?t you Norman?? Second-ranked official Chalmers growled.

?What the!? Brawly growled furiously.

?Is this the treatment one gets for stating their beliefs?? A furious Wallace bellows, utterly shocked and disgusted.

Wattson was just as betrayed by the Officials actions as the rest of his comrades but knew that aggression will only begot escalated aggression.

?Isn?t this a bit much?? The Mauville Gym Leader calmly reasons. ?I may not have known him for too long myself?But, I can assure you that man is one of the good ones.?

The seventh-ranked Official couldn?t help but clap in a rather sardonic manner.

?I believe that all men are obligated to hold to their own secrets.? Wattson growls.

?Really?? The second-ranked official continued. ?Even if it has a direct connection to Hoenn?s territory of shame??

?Really? And what does Hoenn bear that could ever mark as shameful?? The calm voice of Steven Stone reasoned from down the halls.

The sound of his coming footsteps echoed throughout the room until the 19-year-old finally entered the stadium-like meeting room.

?Eh? The Regional Champ? When did you enter in here unannounced?? The seventh-ranked official mumbled. ?Are we holding some kind of publicity stunt or something??

?Stone who the hell do you think are? You were not summoned to be here!? The fourth-ranked official growled through enfolded hands.

Steven didn?t answer immediately; he decided to turn his attention to the injured Norman. When the guard tried to grab the Hoenn Champ by his shoulders he found himself staring at the lovely ceiling

?STONE!? The fourth yells raged. ?Know your place. We may have allowed YOU to become Champion despite your background. But don?t you once think that we?ll allow the purity of Hoenn to be sullied any further by freaks who obtained the gift of the devil!?

After those spiteful words were blurted out a dead silence enveloped the room.

?Excuse me?? Steven asked in a cold tone that made many inwardly cringe.

?I suggest you stop playing innocent.? The third-ranked official suggests. ?You know quite well about those; if considering present time, ranging from twelve-nineteen? However, those from age groups age?s thirteen-sixteen are the real problem. They were given a type of gene altering depressant meant to make them into merciless assassins; being able to reach a potential with their Pokemon that can?t be humanly reached out by an actual trainer.?

The woman pauses in her words to type into her laptop for a moment.

?The chemicals used to make their serum were all illegal components?? She continued. ?Thus, those given that serum are known to bear a highly erratic behavioral pattern. Despite that quirk, they?re capable of going berserk at any moment? This could be a real haphazard to others. Thus earning them the title Experiment-X. X as in limitless; variable?Unknown.?

The third-ranked official didn?t get the expressions she wanted. Instead, she got an entire room of people looking at her dumbly.

?If I may interrupt,? Phoebe cuts the silence. ?I think its common knowledge to many about that disastrous happenings years ago. But how could someone like Steven be played apart of this??

?Indeed.? Drake agrees. ?But if I?m not mistaken? Stone, your nineteen correct??

Steven nods simply.

?Furthermore,? Winona adds. ?As champion, Steven Stone holds a lot of this region?s reputation on his shoulders? I may not know him very well personally and he may hold his own little secrets, but I can easily vouch that like Norman, he?s a trustworthy person and deserves his rank in the Pokemon world.?

Since Drake and Phoebe were both Elites and Steven was this region?s reigning Champion she?d let their insolence slide? But Winona was a mere Gym Leader, there?s no way she?s letting someone so lowly try to upstage one who not only utterly outranks her but also writes her paycheck.

?Quite showy today aren?t we Winona?? Tolbot smirks. ?Until you get your facts straight: A Pidgey is in no position to give advice to a Fearow.?

?Yes, and a Fearow should never sore to high through a Pikachu gathering.? Roxanne comes to her fellow Gym Leader?s defense. Forcing the third-ranked Official to grit her teeth.

?DID I DIE? OR DOES MY OPINION NO LONGER MATTER?? The Head yells at the top of his lungs. ?MR. CHALMERS! MS. TOLBOT!! WHAT IN THE NAME OF THAT IS GOOD ARE YOU TRYING TO PROVE BY ALL THIS? this BROO-HA-HA!??

To shut the raving man up, third-rank Tolbot typed on her keyboard to get on the screen view a listing of those Hoenn Trainers: ages thirteen-sixteen on the giant screen.

The screen made a blinking sound before the entire screen had a picture of May?s trainer ID. The fact that May?s picture appeared left Brawly, Wattson and Roxanne flabbergasted.

Roxanne being the most shocked.

Steven and Norman both sent the emperor?s section of the colosseum harsh looks.

?Oh, I see now everyone no longer wishes to fool around.? The second-ranked official smirks. ?Good. Let?s show the whole pasture now shall we??

With a press of a button, all the screens in the colosseum were filled with every Crop Kid confirmed as a Hoenn Pokemon trainer.

Tolbot tried to further emphasize the situation by enlarging Steven?s trainer I.D.

 

[Isaac Gravity]

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

(Outskirts of Lavaridge Town)

?Pokemon battle?? Brendan queried.

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

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

?Quit being such a baby I didn?t squeeze your arm that tightly!? Flannery snaps. ?No weaseling out of this either!?

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

?I?ll take your dirty look as a yes?? Flannery answers for the annoyed 13-year-old. ?Good, then let me give you one fair warning: Don?t look down on me. I lost that Gym battle to you a month back because I wasn?t being true to myself? but it?s different this time!?

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

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

?Go! Magcargo!?

?Aero Adler! Come out!?

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

?Why didn?t you call out Ragnarok first like you did the last time?? The 17-year-old questioned. ?Hmph, looking down on me I see? You?ll regret that soon enough!?

Brendan couldn?t help but face fault. From his perspective the teen would?ve gotten really upset if he called out his Water/Ground hybrid to combat first on the grounds that he thinks he could have another ?easy win.? Looks like the saying d*mned if you do d*mned if you don?t would suit very well here?

The snow colored hair boy couldn?t dwell too much on this saying when he noticed Aero Adler rise higher into the air to avoid Marcargo?s Flamethrower only to find himself doing nothing but dodging constant fire projectiles from his lava snail opponent.

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

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

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

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

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

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

?I fought all three of her Pokemon before and a Magcargo wasn?t one of them!? Brendan mentally rebuked. ?And with that thing being rock hybrid Aero isn?t going to do too much no matter what he throws? I might as well call it in? No! I can?t think like that! What did Dad say about a Magcargo?s weak spot? focus? Focus!?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

?You guys weren?t bad but? You were just way too predictable-? Flannery cuts herself off when she notices Magcargo was flinching in pain as shell started to crack.

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

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

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

The 17-year-old didn?t even bother to make a playful taunt or some kind of goading gesture towards the snow colored hair 13-year-old; the look on her face pretty much showed she felt pretty crossed about her miscalculation.

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

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

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

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

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

The Hoenn Champion didn?t seem too fazed about the matter. If anything, a low ?humph? was breathed out of him.

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

The Gym Leaders didn?t know what to make of it all? The current events were just a spiral of blurs to them; so, like the Elites, were unable to convey any emotion.

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

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

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

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

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

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

?You all act as if someone died.? The second-ranked official comments. He then turns back to the man he was originally interrogating ?Now Norman, If I didn?t have 20/20 vision I?d say that trainer number 07361 is an Experiment-X that bears your last name.?

?There?s a lot of people in this world who aren?t related yet bear the same last name? It?s only a coincidence?? Norman scoffs.

The sixth-ranked official gave Norman a scrutinizing look. ?So you don?t mind if she along with all those with the code Experiment-X registered as trainers in the Hoenn Region have their trainer licenses purged, suffer a hefty punishment for their misdoings and have their potentially lethal Pokemon subdued!?

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

?What- Robert you two??

?I-I?m sorry Walter?I- I just can?t afford my years of hard work to amount to nothing!!!? The sixth-ranked Official reasons.

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

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

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

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

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

The others just didn?t trust him.

Perhaps, in the end, they were the real lucky ones. They didn?t have to return home just to feel that bitter sting of betrayal run through their veins. Even if they did try to ?get over it? as most would say.

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

He could laugh with her, make jokes and even eat at the same table. But she was only playing dumb to his fatherly ways. Or maybe she wasn?t playing dumb?it?s just the only way she feels she can live now.

?If I could, I?d adopt everyone of those poor souls but that?d only be a cheap way of atonement wouldn?t it?? Norman muttered under his breath.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

?I see, so our opinion doesn?t seem to matter here no matter what we do!? Wattson announced angrily.

?The woman from the government is right!? Tate growls. ?This won?t be compromised!? Liza finishes.

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

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

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

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

?It doesn?t matter?? Roxanne mutters lightly, still being seated. ?What these children are makes no difference to me? If they can?t pass my test then they can?t battle me for a badge! Being what they doesn?t mean they?re the perfect trainer they all have ways to go??

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

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

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

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

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

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

?So? You?re with us?? Brawly questioned.

?Neutral.?

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

She saw the look his face; the slightest push and all hell would truly break lose? She hadn?t seen him hold such an expression since the first time they met in the endurance battles with the Elites the winner of the Victory Road tournament two years back?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Then two years later a special event specifically meant for the Elites came about? Glacia warned me to be on my guard but I wasn?t too sure what she meant?]

In the room where Phoebe awaited her challenger she couldn?t help but feel unnerved. Could it be high time to make replacement Elites?

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

::Footsteps calmly climbing the stairs are heard::

?He?s here?? The Hawaiian clad 17-year-old mentally growled. ?I can?t afford to lose? I worked way to hard to fall!?

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

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

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

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

The piercing glare this guy was giving Phoebe was really unnerving her, but she couldn?t let this guy see any signs of intimidation.

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

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

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

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

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

?Arrogant creeps like you don?t deserve to even step foot here!? The Hawaiian clad 17-year-old growled. ?I?m going to make sure you learn what true humiliation is!?

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

?For some reason, after our battle that day?? Phoebe mentally rambles as she continued to watch Steven who began to walk over to the emperors throne sector. ?I guess I shouldn?t be so shocked about these findings??

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

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

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

Whatever the 19-year-old was going to do he couldn?t; Norman jumped right in front of the him, taking the full brunt of the taser.

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

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

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

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

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

 

[Isaac Gravity]

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

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

?As you can all plainly see, this whole situation is obviously out of our hands. I?m only stopping you from making fools of yourselves. Stop crying over what you can?t stop and embrace it.?

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

?You really don?t get it do you?? Glacia hissed. ?Our dear executives are too ashamed of their lack of involvement with the two cults until it was the damage has been done. Now, they must look for a scapegoat. The usual suspects if you will??

Winona didn?t like Glacia. But that didn?t stop her from listening intently to the older woman?s words.

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

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

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

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

?So in the end this is only about reputations?? Wattson sighs.

?Think however you want but the ends justify the means!? Glacia announced. ?You all may hold power in the eyes of lesser trainers and little children in desperate need of a role model, but don?t let those things get to your heads! Everyone is given a rank in their life so you should learn to know your place??

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

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

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

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

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

?THEN ENJOY YOUR OWN DESTRUCTION WITHOUT YOUR CHAMPION!?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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(Outskirts of Lavaridge Town)

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

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

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

?Ragnarok into the air!? Brendan orders his Pokemon.

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

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

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

?Torkoal! Give ?em a dose of their own medicine!?

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

?Ragnarok! Get out of there!? Brendan shouts.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

?It?s hell in there you know? Everyone is in quite an uproar about you abdicating your post like that? I wouldn?t have called you to the meeting if I knew you were going to do something so foolish??

?That?s why I should thank you.?

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

?Do you know why the statues of those past Champions were erected?? He asked. ?These souls showed a level of compassion and dedication to Pokemon battling that hasn?t been seen for ages? Their unshakeable determination and unrivaled battle spirit would have never allowed what has happened today??

?Don?t you think your being a little too hard on yourself?? Phoebe reasons. ?I mean, come on! So you?re the Regional Champ, but that doesn?t mean that you?re expected to play super hero the moment trouble rises!?

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

Phoebe was pretty much-caught off-guard by what her peer had said just as much as she felt that she shouldn?t be too surprised?

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

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

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

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

Neither Pokemon were put into faint status or were beaten to an inch of their health; hell, neither Pokemon even suffered any serious damage. The 17-year-old male simply called them back saying: ?they shouldn?t overexert over such petty creatures like ghost Pokemon.?

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

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

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

?Dusclops,? Phoebe addressed her Pokemon. ?We can?t afford to lose this? It?s time! Ab-?

?I won?t lose, I can?t lose, and I shouldn?t lose.? The 17-year-old who we know as Steven Stone emphasized on Phoebe?s words. ?Won?t and can?t are two different meanings. When you say I won?t lose in the tone you?ve been uttering you?re trying to mask your uneasiness with overconfidence. When you say I can?t lose like you did now it shows your realization of inferior you truly are.?

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

The blue-haired 17-year-old gave the Hawaiian-clad teen a very apathetic glare as he wraps up his words. ?Finally, when you say I shouldn?t lose like I expect you to say very soon, you pretty much have seen with your own eyes how weak you truly are yet you?ve been fully disillusioned by then and refuse to accept reality. The proof is in your actions.?

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

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

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

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

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

?Abyss of the Twilight!?

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

It wasn?t too long until Dusclops became one with the mist which slowly but surely began to engulf the room in complete darkness.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Only to grasp emptiness?

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

:: Droplet of water touches the ground::

?Was that sweat escaping your brow?? Phoebe?s voice echoes in the emptiness. ?I wouldn?t be surprised. The darker your fears the worse your experience in Abyss of the Twilight will be??

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

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

Replacing the hands were images that he?d rather not remember?

The situation took a turn for the worse when everything had darkened to the point that he couldn?t even anything of himself any longer.

He tried mouthing out his Pokemon?s name but his voice couldn?t rip through the thick emptiness and now bounced about the area he was in at such a decibel that would force one to crumble to their knees and cover their ears.

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

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

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

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

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

?GYYYYYAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!?

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

This, of course, would shortly change.

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

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

 

[Isaac Gravity]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

?He allowed the blinding void to slowly sweep across his vision? Even though he didn?t fight it, he kept his eyes wide open to what he witnessed before him?

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

The first on the list is that by using the technique Dusclops must use all of her strength in order for her illusions to reach a proper projection state to fool the minds eye. Phoebe shook off this matter since there hasn?t been a trainer or Pokemon that has been able to defeat her Custom Tactic; they were too busy writhing in fear of what only exists within them?
The true thing that worried her was the latter point: The strength of the Abyss of the Twilight only reflects on how dark ones heart is? The worse their fears the deeper the plunge of Abyss will be?

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

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

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

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

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

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

That tore it! She couldn?t afford to have Dusclops call off her technique; there may be a chance that he was actually able to withstand it all until now? This left Phoebe only one option: Go inside the Abyss no matter the dangers that followed it?
-----------------

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

Steven began to realize that his body wasn?t touching the ground but was instead in the protective hold of the one who saved him from the full power of the earthquake in trade of all those cuts which freely bled and those burns that made the stinging pain even worse.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Aggron wasn?t done though? he was far from what he considered making an intruder pay dearly.
--------------------------------------------

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

The 17-year-old ghost using Elite didn?t really know what to make of this? Any of it! Could Aggron gone crazy from the Abyss? spell she thought?

Or could it actually be?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Phoebe didn?t know what to make of it all? She just covered her mouth and began to openly weep.

It wasn?t long until she too heard the approaching cry of furious entity that sounded like a mutated Aggron followed by a pale yellow gleam that was able to tear through the darkness.

Phoebe didn?t say a word, nor could she; her voice practically seemed to have disappeared for the moment only being replaced by ragged breathing and constant tears. She noticed something ripping through the thick contents of the darkness but couldn?t pay to much thought of it, even if it would bring her death?

?She wasn?t dead? But that was only because Dusclops broke from the long ago beaten Custom Tactic and used what little energy she had to materialize in front of her and take the full brunt of a Metal Claw that tore a hole through her brittle body making purple vapors seep out from its contents.

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

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

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

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

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

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

She didn?t say a word, nor was he looking at her; but Steven confirmed these words aloud for her to hear.

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

Phoebe grit her teeth angrily but couldn?t help but feel the incredibly biter sting of defeat. Of losing your life?s work in only matter of seconds to one undeserving?

It hurt; it really did hurt?

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

?w-What?s your problem anyway!? She manages to choke out. ?You won shouldn?t you be happy??

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

?Those are the words of Mura the burning passion??

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

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

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

?That?s the exact reason why Mura lost to Glacia??

Steven turned to the teen with an icy glare. Phoebe wasn?t intimidated by him nor was technically fond of him even if some of those images pretty much burned themselves into her subconscious.

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

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

Steven didn?t answer Phoebe, but she could easily tell that she had fully riled him. Maybe she might be going to far with what she was going to say next, but he was the one to go beyond the line first.

And also?

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

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

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

?That person whose facing her, faced you, the one before you and the strongest Elite is I.? Steven states simply much to Phoebe?s surprise. ?Didn?t you know I was the winner of the Victory Road succession match Elite??

A light look of embarrassment graced Phoebe?s features.

She was so wrapped up with her training regime that she didn?t even remember Drake telling her about the would-be Champion-deciding tournament coming shortly. But, to her dismay when Drake had told her this it was about two months ago.

?Elites aren?t replaced unless a new League chairman replaces the old one and determines it so.? Steven responds. ?The trainer expectations of this region really have become of very low quality in comparison to others? When I become this region?s Champion, no one can ever look down on Hoenn ever again!?

?I can?t personally see Glacia losing to just anybody really.? Phoebe comments. ?And you really don?t get why Mura lost to someone like Glacia don?t you??

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

Phoebe cringed slightly at what she heard? This character was? too much? And I don?t mean this saying in a humorous fashion.

?What are you??

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

?It?s taking too long don?t you think? This is Glacia we?re talking about??

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

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

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

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

?You know? he?s a huge fan of Mura?s teachings.? Phoebe replies.

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

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

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

?WHY ARE YOU BEING SO CASUAL?!? Phoebe shouts at the older woman before lowering her voice. ?Didn?t annoy you at all when he ridiculed all your effort and hard work and had the nerve to question where you stand as a trainer? Who is he to-?

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

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

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

The 28-year-old faces Phoebe again with a confident look. ?But don?t get me wrong? I do intend to make the little s*it pay for his insult of the integrity of the Elite Four but that?s unless Drake leaves anything of him left.?

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

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

 

[Isaac Gravity]

Cont
------------------
(Some time later)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sidney couldn?t help but smirk lightly at this while Glacia just gave a slightly annoyed slightly approving cough.

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

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

After that no noises were no longer heard?

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

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

It was a ten-minute climb from where they were to the locked door that leads to Drake?s battle arena. Interestingly enough, they didn?t have to wait or anything that required disposing of the item.

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

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

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

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

The other three Elites quirk an eyebrow at that comment but didn?t need to ask the serious Dragon wielding Elite to know what it all meant.

?Psh, what a drama queen.? Sidney comments.

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

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

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

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

?Regardless of that,? Drake scoffs. ?If our Champion doesn?t change his views he won?t be Champion very long.?

?I beg to differ?? Glacia rebukes. ?You don?t need to have that sailors pride to be strong. I still believe that a guy like him is what this region needs.?

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

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

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

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

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

Ok, so the whole memory thing wasn?t technically his fault per-say; but his Aggron did repel the Abyss of Twilight too quickly for Dusclops to try to dissipate the move, forcing the mind dump.

Though as much as she couldn?t forgive the blue-haired teen?s earlier crimes it was because of what happened that made a twinge of sympathy and confusion mix and soothe the bitter anger that completely consumed her in the midst of their battle and afterwards.

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

?Your Custom Tactics? What makes them so special?? Steven mouthed aloud after a good ten minutes of silence. ?It doesn?t make sense how gimmicks should hold such amazing power.?

Phoebe was a bit taken aback that he even said anything at all and almost didn?t hear him since she nearly blacked out from the soothing ocean breeze that tickled her skin.

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

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

?You really don?t get it?? Phoebe sighs. ?The Custom Tactics aren?t a gimmick but no matter how many times I argue this with you you?ll never listen??

?Then if they aren?t gimmicks what are they??

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

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

?There?s more to it really? But it?s really hard to put into words to be honest??

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

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

?You used me for information!? She shouts angrily.

?Quite the contrary,? Steven retorts. ?You didn?t have to give me any information it was my luck that you became arrogant and suddenly felt we were of same class.?

?I never??

?Arrogant creeps like you don?t deserve to even step foot here. I?m going to make sure you learn what true humiliation is.? Steven repeats Phoebe?s words rather flatly. The blue-haired 17-year-old then turns to face the female. ?I find your behavior ironic because then you saw nothing of me but a lowly trainer with attitude. Yet now that I?ve proven my superiority you wish to automatically be talkative with me.?

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

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

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

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

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

?Champion or not, the next time you should show your face here I?ll most defiantly beat you down??

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

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

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

?If people see me and how I act only to learn I?m this Region?s Champion, they?ll become outraged? They?ll envy and hate me and think a prick like me doesn?t deserve to be where I am. You felt that too didn?t you Elite??

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

?It?s ok.? Steven grins. ?This is how I am. And even if I don?t want to be like this, I?ll keep this outlook just to make trainer grow envious of me, make them get up and work hard to beat me! And with every challenge they make? I?ll crush them? Only fueling them to work harder with their Pokemon as one force until reach a level in their Pokemon battling skills that hasn?t been seen since the days of old? A level I too wish to obtain??

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

Phoebe couldn?t help but chuckle at how little she truly she knew about the young man? the new Regional Champion?It wasn?t meant in a malicious way but in away of admitting defeat and perhaps throwing respect in a manner that two souls who once held such disdain for one another could.

?I really don?t know if I can actually hate you anymore after hearing all this Mr. Champion.? Phoebe responds in-between chuckles.

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

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

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

What an interesting guy he proved to be?

That guy, Steven Stone Phoebe thought. You really can?t look just at the surface even if you don?t wish really look any deeper; you?ll only be the wrong one in the end?

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

And that can be a blessing and curse?

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

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

?Somehow I feel that I failed Hoenn by just throwing it all away like that? without a second thought? but,? He continues. ?At the same time my heart feels this heavy relief that I won?t live with the guilt of letting my fellow inhuman beasts suffer while I played the League?s whipped dog.?

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

?I don?t see a beast when I look at these hands? But I do see good palm readings.? She knew it was wrong to lighten the mood but she decided to read his palm only to look at Steven slightly perplexed. ?Eh? This is odd? Your fortune says you?ll have nothing but constant success??

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

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

Phoebe couldn?t believe that herself, since in her eyes, Steven was just like Glacia. You had to learn to understand them and prove that you?re capable of being around them.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Steven?s calm demeanor pretty much faded and was replaced by a harsh scowl. ?Sorry, I haven?t heard of such silly things? But if what you said is true? Don?t embarrass yourself challenging me with low level first form Pokemon!?

?Kuu. I don?t use first form babies! Only the best for the best will work here!?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

She knew that Steven was going to win against such the vulgar amateur. His Arcanine?s appearance alone proved that he wasn?t much as a trainer; for all we know, he could?ve somehow got a Growlithe put it in one of those very talked about Daycare?s she?s been hearing much of, and then along the way, SOMEHOW got his hands on a Firestone?

To cut things short, that Pokemon he owns doesn?t seem to be very attached to him? more like it was just listening to orders from someone who told it to comply with the guy?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

?Well, at least the statues somehow remained intact?

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

?That wasn?t just any earthquake?? Phoebe voiced aloud.

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

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

?They aren?t dead.? Steven confirms. ?As sorry as I feel for the Pokemon, its trainer was in desperate need of a hard slap of reality sadly to say it had to join the ride.?

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

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

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

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

Phoebe turns away from the blue-haired 19-year-old muttering something like: ?I understand how you feel? but?? only to turn back to him with a sharp glare. ?As far as I?m concerned you are still this Region?s Champion! Yet, at the same time, I?ll respect your resolve... No matter what you do you doesn?t make you less of anything. You?re still Hoenn?s shining hope? that?s all I really wanted to say??

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

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

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

 

[Isaac Gravity]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

?What?s done is done. We didn?t have a say in this to begin with? I also refuse to remain angry with the Executives since it was an electoral decision.?

Wallace pauses for a moment to take note of Winona?s frustrated position. ?Winona,? The Sootopolis Gym leader sighs. ?I?d say I known you on a personal basis for quite some time and this is why I?m going to say: Don?t lose your usual elegance over this!?

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

?I know how much pride you take as ideal proof of Hoenn?s valor but don?t allow your deep dedication for a land you love so much push you to cause a drastic act that will only lead to painful consequences! Though I believe Steven retiring himself as Champion was a bit needless; I must consider his position in all of this and now can?t question my old friend?s actions as much as I want to??

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

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

This only earned her a comforting look from Wallace.

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

Winona didn?t make a comment to that and instead, turned away from Wallace to walk down the corridors. At least she was back to her usual no nonsense atmosphere one would say?

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

?Can you do me a favor??

?For you my dear? Anything.?

?Are those Government people still here??

?Still having pointless screaming matches with the Executives?? Wallace confirms.

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

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

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

?I see? But why Pacifidlog??

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

Wallace nods solemnly and notices that Winona now had her back to him but still hasn?t moved any further.

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

But that wasn?t the case?

?About your offer on that caf? in Sootopolis?? The lavender-haired woman began uneasily. ?I?ll? consider it.?

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

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

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

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

One would really think the janitors in that place were slackers, but the battle simulators activation actually situates in an area that doesn?t reside within the contest halls but within a rented warehouse in the sleazy contents of downtown Slateport.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

?Did you now?? Umi smiles faintly.

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

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

?Oh, didn?t realize Gramps was back.?

?I still can?t believe that my genius is being wasted on aiding in the development of such trivial things like video games.? Dr. Nichol grumbled indignity through crossed arms.

?Video games aren?t wasteful.? Umi counters. ?Besides, I did keep my end of the bargain and gave you all the personality data of the top competitors in the tournament for your robotics project; though I fail to see the significance of it NOR of the plan your cooking up.?

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

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

?See? Gramps has never been happier.?

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

Dr. Nichol stops his nefarious laughter to cough slightly.

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

?That?s only ?cuz Gramps was too big of a chicken to make the move himself.? Danielle rebukes.

?Very expected.? Umi adds.

?So I didn?t know how to mask my hatred for those fools properly.? Dr. Nichol shrugs. ?Bah! I?m done here! Umi, you better remember to bring me that updated data of those top ten people! And of that anomaly pronto!?

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

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

?Sis, I really don?t see the point in all the attention you give that Max-kid. I mean, the little know-it-all couldn?t even land his butt into the prelims.?

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

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

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

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

Umi doesn?t answer and begins to walk towards the part of the warehouse where there was a couch.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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