(Yo, Mike again! Sorry it took so long, have no Wi-Fi access, plus procrastination. Not important, though. Anyway, here's my new chapter. Hope you enjoy!)

There was a light above, and it slowly grew smaller and smaller, as I fell into darkness. And the whole time, I felt someone calling me, but I couldn't quite make out who or what they were saying.

"C'mon, dude, get up," Rai said sternly.

I snored rather loudly, hoping he would get the hint.

"Snoring's not gonna get you outta this."

I continued.

"Alright, you asked for it."

Lightning coursed throughout my entire body, forcing me to jump out of bed in a flash.

"Awake now?"

"LITTLE RAT BASTARD!" I cried at the top of my lungs.

I jumped at him, but he sprung out of the room. I gave chase.

"When I get my hands on you, I'm gonna make meat-lover's ratatouille!"

When he reached the stairs (my room's on the second floor), the mouse jumped to the bottom. I tripped and fell down the staircase.

"Ow, oof, oh, d'ow!" I landed in a not-so-glorious heap.

"Had enough?"

My words were muffled by the floor.

"Huh?"

"NOT UNTIL I KILL YOU!"

I grabbed for him, but missed by inches. I got up, just as Rai started running again. We went through the living room, where he busted down the door with Strength.

"Dagnabbit, Rai!"

He ran out, and once I was on the porch, I lost him.

I sighed. "Be safe."

I went to the kitchen, where Luke and Kong were sitting at the table, eating French toast and sausage and reading the paper, respectively, while Heart was at the stove, wearing a cute lil' apron and humming a little tune.

"Since when do you read, Kong?" I asked, sitting down.

"Problem?"

"Not at all… it has to do with errands, doesn't it?"

"Bingo."

"Ugh, I feel—"

"I wouldn't finish that, Dad," Luke interjected, with a mouthful of food.

I looked at him. "Where are your manners?"

He gulped. "Sorry."

"Here you are," Heart chirped, setting a plate down in front of me. "Egg sandwiches."

"Thank you very much," I told her, before digging in.

Luke slid a piece of paper across the table to me. "Grocery list."

I picked it up and took a look at it. "Why does it have dildo and lubricant on it?"

Soon as I said that, the list disappeared.

What the-?

"Don't know why I had that. This is the list."

He handed me the list.

"That's better, but what's this thing at the bottom?"

"The model number for the carburetor," Kong explained.

"You couldn't write down the name?"

He went back to his paper.

"Of course not. Ah well, how hard can it be?"

-Five hours later-

"For the last time, that is not a B, it's an E next to a 3!" I yelled at the cashier.

"Sir, you're making a scene, and for the record, I DON'T WORK HERE!"

"Then what's with the uniform?!"

"It's a long story."

Leaving in a huff, I silently cursed the Pokémart. Ever since their expansion, they've lost touch with potential and returning customers alike. And I doubt my attitude did anything to fix that. I decided to go back, when I saw this weird, run-down shop. I felt my feet walk to the door, and my hand open it.

In the words of an old comedian, the mess could not be described without use of the word, "cluster." Seriously, it was a lot nicer on the outside. Heaps of rust and broken junk were all over the floor, varying greatly in size. I'm surprised the building hasn't been condemned.

"Hello?"

CRK!

I looked to my left, and witnessed a pile that reached a decrepit ceiling.

Please don't tell me that's gonna fall.

CRK!

Dagnabbit.

I dove out of the way in time, avoiding death by mere inches.

I looked back at the scattered mess. "Whew, that was close. If I hadn't dodged that…"

I don't have to finish that, right? Right.

Suddenly, an arm had erupted from the scrap!

"AAAAH!"

Then, an upper torso, complete with head, followed, groaning.

"ZOMBIE!"

I grabbed a pipe and charged. I whacked the foul thing in the head a couple times, yelling "Die, zombie!" each time I swung.

"I'm not a zombie!" it yelled, sounding a bit like Barney Rubble.

"Eh?"

I struck it once more.

"Ouch!"

"Sorry, had to be sure. I've seen a talking dead guy or two in my day."

Once he fully emerged, the man took my weapon and used it to strike me in the shin.

"Oh, oh, oh," I repeated, hopping on one leg, while clutching the other.

I had that coming.

"Is there something you need, sir?" he genuinely asked.

"Besides a medic?"

Once I stopped hopping, I got a good look at him. He was covered head-to-toe in dirt, wearing a ratty old jumpsuit. Underneath the filth, I could tell his short hair was blue.

"Another Squito?"

"How do you know my family name?" he asked, an eyebrow raised.

"Well…"

I told him how I met these brothers, Don and Moe, on my earlier travels.

Don was the first one I met; I didn't meet Moe until, like, six months later. Yes, his name is Moe Squito, but the joke went over his head. Don's, too. Moe's the younger brother, and runs the "family business," which is the Squito family (mafia). Don, on the other hand, was disowned by the family, for not using his technological and mechanical prowess to strengthen them. Since then, he has been in Hideaki, a refugee universe, where he creates many amazing things. One of them is a friend of mine. Silvia, a gynoid (female android) with an A.S. (Artificial Soul), which is a variation of A.I. Don't ask me what that is. However, she's for another time.

"So you're their cousin?"

"Yep, call me Junk Joe!"

"Oh-kay, what are you doing here?"

"No particular reason, just love it here. What are YOU doing here? …In my store, I mean."

I shrugged. "Don't really know."

"Hmm, wait one moment," he told me, before jumping into the rubbish and disappearing.

"Umm…"

His head popped out of another large pile. "I'm back."

"That was ridiculously fast."

"Here."

He tossed me something from in the heap. I caught it and looked it over. It was a [brand-new] piece of machinery, one I believed was—

"A carburetor?" I spoke aloud. I gawked at him. "How did you..?"

"Call it intuition," Joe said, stepping free.

"Thank you," I expressed, tucking it under my arm and reaching for my wallet.

"Hold it," he stated.

"Huh?"

"I won't accept payment."

"What?!"

"I have no need for it. I'm self-sufficient, my own crops and everything. I do this because I love the smell of the ages." He inhaled, then exhaled. "Ahh."

"Well, I have to repay you, somehow," I insisted.

"Just come back anytime. Not many people pass through here."

"Alright then, but if you need anything, you only need to ask."

Before I left, he said, "One thing. Don't mistake me for a zombie again, okay? Those swings hurt."

I chuckled nervously. "Yeah, sorry about that."

I walked along the pavement, carrying groceries whilst humming the same tune as Heart from this morning. No idea what it is, but it's kinda catchy.

It wasn't long before I reached home. I went inside, and was met with a delectable aroma. While I loved it, it meant the guys were making dinner. I walked into the kitchen, where my son was stirring the contents of a large pot, and the mouse and primate were setting the dinner table.

"I'm starting to think you guys dislike my cooking."

"Not true," Kong assured me.

"We just like his better," Rai said. "OW!"

Kong had bonked him on the head.

"That's a real boost to my confidence," I responded sarcastically.

Heart walked around me, carrying a basketful of Berries with her vines, humming that same tune. She set them down in the sink.

"Dear, could you help me clean these, please?" she asked me, sweetly.

Yes, my lovely flower!

"Of course."

I scrubbed some Sitrus and Leppa Berries, while she did the Cheri and Pecha.

"I didn't know you were growing Berries, Heart," I said.

"You're always eating Pechas, so I thought, why not grow some? This way, you can have them anytime you want. But then, I decided to have Berries for everyone here."

"That was very considerate. You're an angel," I let slip.

Urk!

"What?"

"Uh, n-nothing," I stuttered, resuming scrubbing.

Smooth, Mike.

She didn't press the issue, but I swear, she was smiling out of the corner of my eye.

Soon, dinner was served. We all sat at the table (Boss has a perch, instead of a chair), and ate French onion soup and a special salad made up of various Berries, romaine lettuce and a pinch of salt. Normally, I don't eat salads, but this is my exception. Simply scrumptious.

Afterwards, I retired to my room. Nothing special, just your standard full-size mattress with blue-and-brown sheets, and a tall dresser. Well, aside from the in-wall vault behind it. Inside it, I keep a little pouch, some charms, and a sleek, single-edged scimitar. It was made by another Hideaki resident, the ace weapon smith, Mark S. Mann. For some reason, though, society calls him Marcus. He's one of the most, if not the most, skilled swordfighter I've ever met, and I've met a lot of them. However, that, too, is for another time.

Looking at the photos on my wall, I reminisced about the old days. I mean, the really old days, when I was a senior in high school. Halfway thru the year, me and my friends, Ryan and Travis, were pulled from our universe into other universes. After meeting new people, and some good old-fashioned battles, we returned home. Although, not to say things were normal. Don't worry; you'll know… eventually.

There was a knock at my door.

"Come in," I said.

Heart entered, looking a little embarrassed. "Hello, dear."

"What's up? Is it Tuesday already?"

She shook her head.

"Wednesday?"

"Sunday.

I snapped my fingers. "Not even close."

"Mike? Is there someone you love?"

"Of course."

"REALLY?!"

I was shocked by her sudden outburst of what appeared to be excitement. She seemed to become aware of it, as she quickly looked down with her flowers behind her back. As an awkward silence was about to set in, she asked, "So, who is it, if I may be so bold?"

"Lessee, you, Luke, Kong," I listed, counting them with my fingers.

"No, I meant," she interrupted, "as a… a…"

"A stepstool? Scapegoat? Peon?" I suggested.

"As a mate."

I started laughing, out of the blue. After a few minutes, I calmed down.

"Sorry, that was incredibly rude. I meant nothing by it. My brain has a couple hundred screws loose, but that's no excuse."

"It's okay," she said, a downhearted expression on her flawless face.

I sat on the edge of my bed, then patted a spot next to me. "Come, sit."

A small smile showing, she walked up to me and sat to my left.

"You really wanna know?"

Heart nodded.

"There was one girl. Her name was Lynda. When I first met her, she was in trouble with these guys, and I saved her. We liked each other, but the farthest we went was holding hands. It didn't help that certain people had terrible timing, but I digress."

"I see."

"Why this interest?"

"You never talk about yourself."

"I do, too!" I defended.

"Not about before you came to Sinnoh."

"Well, trust me; you don't need to know."

Some things are best buried.

"I want to know. I want to know more about the man I love."

My eyes widened to the size of saucers. "Pardon?"

"It's true. You're the one to whom I will devote myself, body and mind, always and forever."

Heart's never this bold. Is she in heat?

"Ha-ha, very funny," I said, trying to brush it off.

She pinned me down and straddled my hips. "It's no joke. When I first laid eyes on you as a Budew, I knew we were meant to be soulmates. Why can't you see that, Michael?!"

Despite her furious look, tears flowed from the marvelous rubies that were her eyes down onto my face.

"Heart, I'm sorry. I just couldn't believe you would be in love with me, of all people." I quickly rose, wrapping my arms tight around her. "Ever since you evolved into a Roselia, I hated myself for hurting you and everyone else. I tried my best to be a better man, but I'm no better than I was before! I wanted to be nothing less than what you deserve, because I love you too."

"Dear," she whispered, returning the embrace.

That's why I have to do this.

I pulled out her Pokéball from my side pocket and activated the recall mechanism. A second later, she was in the device.

I am truly sorry, Heart.

The morning after, I took the old Jeep out to Rowan's. His lab may be across the street from me, but I still had to take the Jeep, to pick up some training equipment later for Luke. He really needs to rest his body.

I pulled up in front of a large facility. No matter how often I come here, I'm still astounded by all the space he has. Useful, too, with all the various Pokémon living here. A lot of them are mine, but they're irrelevant, at present. I went to the farthest part of the property, away from prying eyes, before releasing Heart. She had her arms crossed.

"Why did you do that?" she asked.

When I stopped being a Trainer, I swore I'd never touch my equipment again. Unfortunately, my hand was forced.

"You're not thinking clearly. The hormones are messing with your mind, making you say stuff you don't mean."

"I do mean it! I would do anything for you, because you're my—"

"STOP," I commanded, almost livid. "I know what you were gonna say. Something along the lines of 'true love,' right? Well, lemme tell you something; there is no such thing. Nothing more than a fairy-tale."

I turned to walk away, when she cried, "But you said you loved me!"

I stopped and looked back. "I lied."

Something broke in me, seeing Heart rejected. As I left, I heard her crumble to the ground, crying to the heavens.

Heart, you deserve better than me, but you refuse to accept the fact that I'm a mongrel. This is the only way for you to see that. I know it, in my own heart… WHY DOES IT HAVE TO HURT SO MUCH?!

The tears burned like hellfire, but it did not deter me in the slightest. Her true soulmate will come along, and heal her pain, whereas I will rot away, a beast in a cage of my own design.

(Three days later)

"Huh?"

"You heard me," Rai said. "Where's Heart?"

I was in the basement, setting up the heavy punching bag I got from a friend, when Rai and Kong found me. They looked pretty steamed.

"I don't know. Then again, I can't seem to find anything else around here."

"Thanks, anyway," Kong replied, sounding sarcastic. Then, they went off somewhere.

I don't expect anyone to like the things I do. I only wish they understand why I do them. Monsters like me shouldn't be alive in the first place, least of all, be allowed to be happy. No one else seems to understand that.

I'm falling, falling. No light amidst the murkiness of my soul. This is the way it should be.

"Michael…"

That voice.

This time, I heard it crystal-clear, loud as a bell.

"Heart, what are you doing here?" I asked.

"I'm here to save you," she answered.

"… You're an angel. That's the problem, though."

"What do you mean?"

"I don't deserve you. Your kindness, your warmth; nothing can be compared to you, a goddess of this world. Me, I'm despicable, detestable. You and the others have every right to hate me, kill me even, and yet, you want to save me."

I thought about the early days, the dark parts of my journey.

"You're pitiful! A waste of life! Retards! Worthless!" were among the horrible words I used to describe my team. And some people wonder why I disgust myself.

"I have to ask: after what happened between us, why?"

No response. Then, I started to slow down until I came to a complete stop. A small radiant speck appeared overhead, that grew brighter and brighter, eventually removing all traces of shadow. What had been revealed astounded me. Multiple 'movies' of me, not just atoning for my sins, but being good in ways I'd never seen. Patching them up after a hard-fought battle, cooking the good stuff for them and being there when they needed me.

Is that really me?

"It is," Heart confirmed, her voice coming from my right.

I gazed upon her, tears welling up.

"You need to start giving yourself more credit. Everybody knows what you were like then, but they also know how sincere you are, and how much effort you put in to improve yourself."

"Heart, what I said before…"

"I know."

I sighed in relief. "I'm not the one who can make you happy, but I swear, I will spend every waking moment, working to do just that," I promised.

She smiled warmly at me. "I know."

I woke up with a start, just as my alarm went off.

I have to go to her.

I leaped outta bed, grabbed my sword from the safe, and- fully-dressed, mind you- zoomed to the front door. As I was about to leave, a newsflash popped up on the television.

"This just in!" a brunette spoke. "The Nidoking from Floaroma Town, nicknamed Scar for the large mark on its chest, has just attacked Professor Rowan's laboratory, along with a Breloom and Carnivine. No casualties reported so far, although witnesses have stated that they chased what appeared to be a Roserade into the forest."

"No," I gasped.

"Local law enforcement have advised any nearby citizens to stay away. They will apprehend this rogue Pokémon swiftly and surely."

The TV shut off.

"You happy now?"

Kong was sitting in a burgundy swivel chair, with Luke standing to his left and Rai on his lap.

"I didn't want this. It wasn't supposed to be like this."

Rai hopped down. "What did you expect, then?"

"For her to find someone better."

Before I could react, Rai jumped up and head-butted me in the face. "You're an idiot! She wouldn't pick Lord Arceus over you!"

"But—," I started, my nose throbbing.

"Save it for later, Dad. Right now, we have to save Heart."

"Huh?"

"We're going with you," Kong said.

"This is my mess, guys, so I have to be the one that cleans it up," I argued.

"Too bad." Kong held up a set of keys.

I checked my pockets, but it looks like he has my car keys.

Little rat bastard swiped them.

Reluctantly, I let the fiery monkey drive. Bad idea. We were swerving all over the dirt road going up, with Luke and Rai bouncing side-to-side in the rear. I was smart and had my seatbelt on, in spite of it being ineffective against Kong's driving.

"Where did you learn to drive?!" I hollered.

"Grand Theft Auto, where else?"

"Don't you keep blowing up in that?!"

"He once did it stationery!" Rai shouted.

"… Anybody wanna jump out with me?"

"Relax," Kong said, in a comforting tone.

"STOP!" I yelled.

We screeched to a halt, causing the jackal and mouse to be flung into the windshield.

"Why'd we stop?" Rai questioned, his face squashed.

"Any closer and we'll get caught."

A rather large police squadron was in place, scattered everywhere. There was no way we could anything in the vicinity of the lab without being seen. We got out and quickly ducked into the closest bushes.

"We need a diversion," I whispered.

"Like what, a pizza delivery?" Rai suggested.

"That won't work," Luke said.

"Yeah, you're right. How about donuts?"

"…Really?" I said, with a ton of sarcasm.

"It's worked for me."

"What do you suggest, Kong? Kong?"

He disappeared.

Where did he go?

Suddenly, there was this loud metallic crunch. Apparently, Kong decided to demolish a nearby squad car, by smashing it with another. Not long after, all the cops chased him in the opposite direction.

"That'll work," Luke said.

"I'm making pumpkin roll in his honor, once this is over. C'mon."

We hurried around the building, finding ourselves in what resembled a battlefield. Large chunks of the earth were missing, bellowing smoke from them. Among the Pokémon on the ground or running around doing who-knows-what, I noticed a Houndoom lying beside an injured Machoke.

"Maxwell, Muscle!" I called out, hurrying to them.

The Houndoom, noticing me, stood up as I drew near. "Mike, he's hurt pretty bad, from fighting the Nidoking."

"I can tell," I said. "Was he poisoned?"

"I don't know," Maxwell admitted.

"Okay." Kneeling down, I took a closer look at Muscle. His eyes were closed, and he was breathing heavy. While the wound just above his belt was shallow, poison might have seeped into it. I pulled a Pecha out and fed it to him, helping the bodybuilder chew and swallow.

"That should be enough," I said, retrieving a small bag from inside my shirt and setting it at the hellhound's front paws. "There's Pecha Berries in this, make sure everyone gets some, just in case."

"On it." Max picked it up and ran off.

I stood up. "Luke, use your Aura to close the wound. When you're done, check on the others, then follow behind. Understood?"

"Yes sir," he confirmed.

"Ready, Rai?"

He jumped onto my shoulder. "Oh, yeah!"

I ran towards the forest.

"Huff, huff, huff, you see them yet, Rai?" I asked, gasping for air.

I really should exercise.

"Not yet," he replied.

I was running as fast as I could, which was pretty fast for a chubby. Still, jumping over large roots and dodging trees and such can really take a toll on you. Would've been better if my friend wasn't weighing me down.

"Wait, I hear something."

I stopped and leaned against a thin, sturdy tree, keeping myself up with an outstretched arm and breathing as slowly as possible.

"From the sound of things, they cornered her. She's making them work for it, though, firing Shadow Balls non-stop."

"You can tell what attack Heart's using?" I questioned.

"There's a reason I have big ears, y'know."

"Right."

My breathing was steady now. I stood up straight.

"Caught up, Luke?"

"Yes, Dad."

He walked up next to me and told us, "Everyone's alright. However, you'll want to make sure later."

"Gotcha."

We continued our advance, with me leading. As we drew near, I heard yelling, drowned out by explosions. Once we reached a clearing, we stopped. On the other side, Heart had her back against a large rock formation, fending off the rogue Nidoking, Breloom and Carnivine with a bombardment of dark-purple spheres. She looked like she would keel over soon.

No doubt about it. She's between a rock and a hard place.

Rai jumped off. "OK, Mike, Luke and I can take the bastards, while you grab Heart and go."

"Are you out of your mind?! Scar, on his own, is bad enough. Fighting him and the Grass-types is suicide!"

"What choice do we have?" Rai asked.

"Let me fight them."

"No," Luke said flatly.

"Why not?"

"If you die for her, she'll never forgive us, or herself!"

"Why does that matter?!" I screamed.

They were thrown off by that.

"The whole reason she's in danger, that all this happened, is my fear. I was afraid that when she saw the real me, she wouldn't love me anymore. Chalk that up to my idiocy. If any of you got hurt or worse, I'd rather be dead than live with that."

Luke and Rai just stared at me, mouths agape.

"Say what you will, but for once, I won't back down from my choice. I'm fighting them, and that's final."

"… Certainly," Luke submitted, begrudgingly. "You have to swear you won't die, then."

"I swear."

Rai groaned. "Fine. C' mon, Luke."

They dashed across the clearing, slipping past Scar and his goons. Luke scooped the strong flower up into his arms and whisked her away, with Rai in tow.

"Hey, get back here!" the purple monster roared.

"Or what?"

They spun abruptly, facing my direction.

"Who the hell are you?"

"Won't matter if you know or not," I stated, winding my arm. "'Cause I'm gonna beat your ass into the dirt, where you belong!"

I wasn't able to see the Breloom's fist flying at me. By the time I did, it pushed me back hard, causing me to bounce off a pine.

"Geh!"

The Carnivine snared me in midair with its vines and lifted me high above the world.

Dagnabbit.

I plummeted at speeds far beyond the average skydiver's descent.

This is it.

I crash-landed into the ground, lying at the bottom of a large crater created by the impact. By some miracle (a.k.a. plot), I survived, but everything below my neck wasn't responding.

"Dammit…"

Something slid down. I twisted my neck to see what it was. My eyes widened at the sight of Scar, his penis fully erect.

"You're not my type, so you don't have to worry," he said, a rumbling voice emanating from his maw. "I am curious, though, as to your relationship with the harlot."

My eye twitched. "I'm the guy who put her in this predicament."

"How kind of you, to provide us with something to relieve ourselves."

"Heart is not a DOLL!"

He stomped on my chest. The trauma forced a good amount of blood into my mouth.

"She will be," he promised, looking down at me.

He climbed back up and was gone.

… I mess everything up. Maybe I'm just being a baby, like my step-dad told me. I was never very confident, and very lazy, and I made excuses. It didn't help that he'd beat me once. Justifiable, in a way. Thing is, I don't care for myself. Never had, probably never will. But if I die now, things won't be better.

I ordered my body to move, it didn't.

C'mon, move! You've been through worse. I know you can. If you don't, we'll lose Heart!

A finger twitched.

You're not what you were before. You couldn't do shit back then. But after that day, you grew strong.

My right hand clawed the soil beneath it.

You fought dragons, giants, even gods, just to grow stronger for yourself. Now that someone important is on the line, you're gonna give up?!

My left leg pulled up.

Even I know you're better than that. Now that you decided to listen, let's THRASH SOME BASTARDS!

Slowly, but surely, I rose from the ditch and stood on the ledge. The bastard Pokémon were walking away, most likely thinking me dead.

Time for a shocker.

"HEEEY!" My shout scared a flock of Starly out of a tree and away.

They looked back, shock written all over.

"Piece of advice: Never underestimate a chubby."

Before they could retaliate, I practically flew like an arrow at them. I collided with Scar, still going. We busted down an evergreen with our inertia. For the moment, he was down. Turning my attention to the others, I bounced off the trees to reach the Breloom. The little dino-thing dodged my incoming attack and countered with an Energy Ball. I drew my sword to absorb the move, which pushed me away. Landing on my feet, I slid a-ways, the blade glowing bright-green.

"What the-?!"

I swung, launching a variation of the Energy Ball. It made a pretty big explosion, and when the smoke cleared, it proved enough to take him down. I ducked just in time to avoid the Carnivine's Power Whip. Its intensity made the hair on my arms and nape stand.

Close one.

Another swing and he missed. Another, miss. It went on for about five minutes, before I started getting fatigued again.

Better finish this quick.

With another burst of speed, I nailed the overgrown flytrap with a punch in the mouth from my free hand. He soared over the forest and out of sight.

"That's the end of that," I huffed.

Something struck me from the side, sending me tumbling across the open space.

"How's that?!" the monster roared.

Once I stopped, I slowly got up. "I'm tired of getting knocked around. Does that answer your bloody question?"

"We could have avoided all this, if you'd just let me have her."

"Not gonna happen."

"You'd rather she remain pure."

"The only thing I want is her happiness," I corrected, walking towards him. "Being the borderline-insane idiot I am, I went about it the wrong way. Now I realize, I should try to be the one that brings her joy."

I stopped within striking distance, assuming a relaxed boxer's stance.

"I believe I owe you that beat down now," I said smugly.

"So be it."

I threw the first punch, nailing him in the face. He didn't budge, however…

"OW!" I yelled, shaking my hand.

Might as well have punched a solid-steel wall, for Jirachi's sake!

He struck back, getting me in the side of the head. The blow disoriented me for a few seconds. Regaining my senses, I threw another punch, this one causing Scar to stumble a little. After that, it was a fierce exchange of fists, ending with a cross-blow to each other's face. I doubled-over, fighting to stay conscious.

Don't bail on me now, body, not when we're so close…

Scar tackled me, pushing me a few feet. Something dug into my side, but I didn't see what it was. I grabbed him by the sides of his waist, and lifted the bastard high over me. No doubt that surprised him. With a mighty roar of my own, I dropped him headfirst unto the earth. And by "dropped," I mean I frickin' planted his skull in the ground.

Rot in Hell, you sonuva bitch.

Finally, I headed back.

(Jenny POV)

"Alright, slow down, will ya?! I can't follow what you're saying," I said.

Ugh, why can't they learn to speak English?

A Lucario, Raichu and Roserade were really flustered about something, chattering away in their incomprehensible language. However, my gut says they must be Mike's. Hope he's okay, wherever he is.

"Where's your trainer? He must be worried about you."

That seemed to only make them more flustered, which quickly drained my patience.

I groaned.

"What's wrong?" Davis asked.

"These Pokémon are driving me up a wall! I can't understand a word they're saying."

"What about body language?"

"It's plainly obvious they're agitated about something, but I can't make heads or tails."

"Let me try," he said.

He knelt down to the mouse's level. "Hey, why don't you tell me where your Trainer is?"

The Raichu spoke in its native tongue, while making little gestures with his paws. Davis just nodded his head.

"Mm-hmm, I see…"

"Well?"

He stood back up. "They're saying their trainer went to fight the rogue Pokémon, and they want us to help him."

Please let me be wrong.

"Did they tell you his name?"

A heavy thud sounded out from the edge of the woods.

"Rose!" the bouquet Pokémon shouted, running past us towards it.

The sight was terrible. Mike was the Trainer that went after Scar. Beaten and bruised, he lied face down, bleeding from an injury on his side. Strangely enough, there was a tinge of violet in the blood.

"Davis, get a paramedic, ASAP!"

"Yes, ma'am," he replied, before running off.

"Mike, stay with me, got that?" I said, while Heart knelt beside him.

He groaned.

Please don't die. You're my only real friend. The others want me for my body, but you're not like that. You look out for me, help me even though you have your own things to do, and you have my back. I owe you so much, and I can't repay you if you go. So please, don't you dare die.

(Mike POV)

My vision was swimming, I couldn't make heads or tails of where I was.

"Ah, awake now, are we?" a muffled voice asked.

Once my eyes normalized, I noticed my surroundings closely resembled a hospital room. Well, an exact match, more like. Especially with the doctor hovering over me.

"Can I help you, sir?"

"You know, you're lucky," the doctor commented, sounding normal now. "Not many have survived a Nidoking assault."

"I guess."

He walked to the end of the bed I was laying in, glancing at the clipboard.

"Poisoned, too. Smart to have a Pecha Berry on you."

"My Roserade has Poison Point, and she's affectionate, too, so…"

The door opened, and there stood Heart and the others, accompanied by Jen.

"Mike!"

In one bound, she landed in my lap and hugged me tight.

"Hey, what's up?"

"You idiot!"

"Eh?"

"You could've been killed! If that happened, I would just die," she sobbed, her face buried in my chest. "You mean so much to me, dear. I need you in my life."

Heart…

I wrapped my arms around her and nestled my noggin in the white petals on her head, a smile on my face. She stopped crying.

"It's okay," I whispered. "I won't make the same mistake I did before. If you can hear my heart beat, I want you to know, from this point on, it beats for you."

Cheesy, I know, but I owe her that much.

I couldn't see, but I'm certain she smiled at that. We stayed like that for a few more minutes, until we had to part. Mainly because I got poisoned, again.

Dagnabbit.

(What is he, people? Is he really human? Eh, we'll see. Don't forget, read and review.)