Woohoo! We're back baby, and what better way to be back than with chapter 2 of my story? Anyway, exams are over, failed my respiratory cardiovasculair diseases test and my Musculoskeletal diseases test for the ones who were wondering. This also means I have a little more spare time on my hands. I always try to update within two weeks. If I don't, I've most likely lost interest or I'm dead.

Big shoutout to my first three reviewers: Thor94, Storylover Vodhr- Dux Ducis and Ayishere. You guys rock! On with the story.

Disclaimer: I don't own pokemon, if I did Ash would actually remember all his life lessons and grow as a character.

''Ash!'' Speech

'Ash!' Thoughts

'Ash!' Telepathy

''Dusknoir is unable to battle. That means all three pokemon of Conway are eliminated, and Ash will proceed to the quarter finals.''

The referee rose his flag, signaling the defeat of the bulky ghost type pokemon. Ash couldn't believe his eyes as he ran up to his Gible, scooped him up, and began cheering loudly.

Said pokemon bit his head affectionately while the crowd cheered them on.

''We have a winner folks, looks like Ash from Pallet town will proceed to the quarter finals!'' the announcer exclaimed loudly, booming his voice through the microphone.

Dawn and Brock were cheering for Ash in the stands, the former completely in cheerleader clothes, hopping up and down excitedly while the latter gave Ash a big thumbs up, impressed again by Ash's battling technique.

The young trainer himself couldn't believe that his plan worked either, but letting Gible bite down on Dusknoir, and then ordering him to shoot the ghost type in the sky with a draco meteor did the trick though, and now he was in the quarter finals.

''You did good, Dusknoir, take a nice and long rest,'' Conway muttered to his pokemon. He couldn't believe it; he calculated every single move, every single battle technique Ash ever used, and in the end it was all for naught. Ash was just too unpredictable. He readjusted his glasses and gave his trademark smirk.

''Ash!'' he yelled, getting the attention of his opponent.

''That was a great match, the way how you come up with these unorthodox battling styles on the spot is amazing. Truly, you're destined to win this tournament,'' Conway praised Ash, who rubbed the backside of his head awkwardly.

''Thanks, Conway, but it's my pokemon that deserve the praise, without them I wouldn't even be standing here right now.''

Conway nodded at that. They both shook hands and went their separate ways, leaving the battlefield.

''Ladies and gentlemen, that concludes the matches for today. Be sure to be here tomorrow afternoon for the drawings of the quarterfinals matches. Until then, enjoy your stay here on the Lily of the valley island!'' the announcer told the crowd.

The stadium slowly dispersed, Dawn and Brock began leaving too and soon, the stadium was quiet. It was then that the quiet was pierced by a lone man who had stayed behind.

''So Ash made it to the quarter finals after all? Interesting,'' the man spoke, yet no one else was around. The man—known as Tobias—waited a couple seconds before speaking again, like he was listening to a response from somebody.

''You were right; I might be able to come into play after all.''

He gave a smirk, his one eye hidden under his long blue-ish hair. The red jacket that he wore only contrasted his hair color even further. He stayed silent for the longest time before he began to contemplate.

''So Latias is under her way as well? That might be slightly troublesome,'' he spoke and quickly added, ''but nothing I can't handle, I assure you.''

Tobias' Darkrai was on the lookout, making sure every curious person who came too close to his trainer was going to have nightmares for at least the next three months. Tobias in the meantime, focused his attention on the middle of the battlefield.

''I don't doubt you, but Darkrai is just an extra precaution tha—WHAT?!'' Tobias couldn't believe what he just heard. he felt like he just got sucker punched right in his gut. His eyes narrowed and his face turned into an angry snarl.

''That's impossible! He should be long dead after what I did to him three years ago. There's no way he could—''

The legendary trainer's breath quickened. So he was alive after all. Moreover, he was going to arrive tomorrow night and he knew about Latias as well. This was not good. Even if he defeated him once, even if he destroyed his will to live in that instant as well... Even now with all the legendary pokemon in the world, Tobias couldn't help but still feel a little intimidated. Intimidation that quickly turned into anger.

''I already took him on once, I can take him again!'' he screamed to the heavens. He stayed silent as little droplets of rain began falling from the sky, drenching him in an instant.

Soon it turned into a massive storm; lightning brightened the dark afternoon sky and thunderclaps shook the earth. Anyone who was outside would get an ominous feeling about this sudden mysterious weather pattern for sure.

Tobias felt only rage, however, and he gave a growl. ''What do you mean I can't harm him? I—''

He stayed silent again. After a while he lowered his head and nodded solemnly.

''Alright... I won't harm him,'' he agreed and just like that, the storm was over. The wind stopped blowing and rain stopped falling. The sun shone brightly, making the clouds disappear in an instant. In just ten minutes, the storm came and went. The sky gave no indication whatsoever it ever occurred.

''But let me make one thing clear,'' he warned to whatever entity he was speaking to. ''If he gets in my way, I'll do to him what I should've done three years ago.''

With that, the legendary trainer ended the conversation and returned to the pokemon center. His Darkrai silently followed him while Tobias regained his composure.

'Whatever your plan is to catch Latias, it's going to fail. Fate has already made its decision and it will be the end of you no matter what you try,' he thought as images of three years ago came back to the surface.

The woman, the little girl and the ignorant man came to mind. The fire had burned down the house completely; the flames engulfing everything on its path. He watched with his Darkrai how everything burned to a crisp.

He could feel the heat radiating from where he was standing. The building creaked, and gave awat, as it all collapsed down. With that final look, Tobias left, his work done.

He snapped back to reality as he approached the pokemon center.

'Enjoy the last week of your extended life, because after it, you'll be gone.'

''Ash! Congratulations, you were so great,'' Dawn told Ash, who smiled sheepishly. Brock nodded in agreement.

After the match they promised to meet up in the pokemon center. They were currently sitting in the restaurant, ordering their food. Pikachu was sitting contently on Ash's shoulder, already waiting for his bottle of ketchup while Piplup napped in Dawn's lap. The pokemon breeder spoke up.

''Ash, The way how you utilized your pokemon in battle today was extraordinary. I have no doubts in my mind that you can win this tournament.''

Ash looked at his older traveling companion and friend, who put a hand on his shoulder after his praising words. He looked at Dawn as well, who gave a bright smile and a nod.

''I don't know what to say, thank you guys, for believing in me,'' he confessed them honestly. Ash made a promise right then, right there, that he would not fail his friends. His face turned into one of determination and he pumped his fist into the air.

''I'm going to win this tournament for sure! Right, Pikachu?''

''Pikaa,'' was Pikachu's response as his trainer slowly rubbed his head.

''I wouldn't be so sure, Ketchum,'' came a cold voice from the right. Ash didn't need to turn his head to know to who the voice belonged to, and yet his head was turned in an instant.

''Paul,'' he whispered. Pikachu took on a defensive stance, cheeks sparkling dangerously with electricity, ready to fire the moment Paul tried anything funny.

''I see you still know my name, that's a feat on its own, and could you tell your rat to back down? He's not intimidating in the slightest.''

Ash's eyes narrowed at Paul's words.

''Pikachu is not a rat! He's my partner and friend. Why are you here anyways?''

Paul simply looked stoic at Ash's murderous glare and raised a brow.

''To get food? You're not the only one who needs to eat, Ketchum, although you eat more than a Snorlax does on a weekly basis. It wasn't even my intention to waste my time on such a loser like you, but your annoying voice could be heard all the way from the main hall.''

Ash's eye twitched and he was about to do something he would've regretted weren't it for Brock. He looked at the pokemon breeder who held him back and who silently shook his head.

Ash turned back to Paul, annoyed. This guy was even worse than Gary in the old days. He knew exactly what to say to get under his skin.

A thunderclap pierced the silence while the two rivals continued to stare at each other, like they were in a Mexican stand off.

''Loser?'' Ash responded finally, ''I made it to the quarter finals by defeating Conway.''

There was a hint of proudness in Ash's voice that did not go unnoticed by Paul. He snorted at Ash's response though.

''Don't flatter yourself; any moron could've won from him. His confidence clouded his judgments in that battle,'' Paul said, his voice solid like a rock. The way he spoke left no room for discussion, like it was a simple fact of life.

Dawn looked on worriedly between the two boys, if looks could murder, they were murdering each other right now. Rain continued to fall from the heavens, making this argument seem even more eerie. Brock had had enough though. He was not going to sit by idly waiting for something bad to happen, and he took this moment to jump in.

''Alright knock it off you two. Why don't you spare your energy for the battle in two days?'' he stated imperatively. His voice sounded stern and the two boys reluctantly backed off from each other.

''Hmpf, why should I continue to waste my breath on you anyway? Even if fate decided you would win this tournament, you would still never win against me.'' With those words, Paul left the trio alone. Dawn sighed a breath of relief while Ash fumed silently.

'That Paul... Just you wait, I'll show him,' he thought darkly. Pikachu seemed to read his mind because his face was just as murderous as his trainer's.

''Ash, are you alright?'' Dawn asked, concerned for her friend. Hearing Dawn speak made him a little less tense, and he relaxed before he responded.

''I'll be fine, just Paul getting on my nerves; it's getting tiring after a while.''

Pikachu agreed with the young pokemon trainer. Dawn nodded; she hoped that that jerk would get what was coming to him. Soon, all was forgotten when the food had arrived, and with that, the storm had disappeared as well.

That night Ash couldn't sleep. Parts of the conversation with Paul lingered on in his mind. He sighed and slowly crept out of bed, making sure not to wake Pikachu or his friends in the process.

The young trainer tiptoed out of the room to the balcony, his bare feet walking over the cold but smooth stone. There he stood, looking into the starry night. His thoughts immediately returned to Paul.

'What if he's right?' he began thinking to himself.

'What if I'm not cut out to win this tournament? To win against him?'

Ash had never won against Paul ever, so why should now be any different? Ash kept on looking to the sky when a second person joined him.

''Can't sleep?'' Brock asked his friend who gave him a sideways shrug.

The pokemon breeder walked up to Ash and stayed silent for a moment.

''Is this about what happened this afternoon?'' he asked finally.

''I guess so,'' the pokemon trainer responded, his attention still on the night sky.

Brock didn't press any further and instead joined Ash in stargazing.

''Beautiful isn't it? Sometimes, I wonder what's out there. Between the billions of stars.''

He sighed.

''We always think we're so big, but when I look into the sky at night, I realize how tiny we actually are.''

Brock went on. ''Our world is nothing in the universe, a speck of sand in the endless sea, and yet everything works like it's supposed to be. It really reminds me of cells in a body, so tiny and yet so complex. Everything in a cell works together like a refined oil clock, just to make the organism its part of live.''

Ash shifted his attention to Brock.

''But a cell can't do it alone, it needs nutrients to survive. So your bloodstream helps it, giving it fuel in the form of oxygen, building materials in the form of proteins and energy in the form of glucoses and fat.''

Brock pointed a finger at Ash's heart region and went on. ''Your heart pumps the blood around, to give nutrients to every cell and collect the waste the cells have produced. But sometimes a nasty substance can block the bloodstream. This substance is called LDL. Ash, what do you think will happen to cells when the bloodstream gets blocked?''

''They don't get their nutrients so they eventually starve?'' Ash responded his friend unsurely. Honestly, Ash didn't have the slightest clue the human body was so complicated. Brock chuckled at Ash's choice of words.

''Correct, you could say they would starve and that's no good for the organism, so it's important that the bloodstream keeps on flowing. Luckily, there's also a substance called HDL that helps getting rid of this LDL.''

Ash nodded, somewhat understanding what Brock was talking about.

''You Ash, are one of those cells, contributing in life like all the other cells. The bloodstream's nutrients are your dreams and the heart are your friends. Your friends are always there to help you realize your dreams, but nasty substances like Paul block off the bloodstream and suddenly these dreams seem so far away...''

Ash listened intently as Brock continued his little life lesson.

''Know Ash, at that moment, your friends always have your back. The rest is up to yourself. Work away that LDL with the HDL your friends gave you.''

Ash looked dumbfounded at Brock's wise words. He never knew the pokemon breeder was so smart. But Brock was right though, he shouldn't let Paul or anything else get into the way of his dreams. In that moment, Ash also realized what a great friend Brock was.

''You know what, Brock? You're right! It's my dream to be the very best, like no one ever was, and I'm going to realize that dream.''

Ash enthusiastic response was met with a pat on the back. ''That's the spirit! In two days you're going to show the world what you're really capable of.''

Brock beckoned to Ash to follow him. ''Come; let's get some rest first, future champ.''

Ash smiled, before a question popped into his head. ''Brock? If the heart pumps the blood, what controls the heart to do so?''

The former gym leader raised a brow at the question. It was uncommon for Ash to ask intelligent questions like that.

''It's a part of your autonomous nervous system called the thalamus. The thalamus is a part of your brain that works narrowly with your cerebral cortex and lets your heart rate go up or down depending on the situation.''

''That means it's important, right?'' Ash asked to Brock.

''Very important, even more important than everything else. So what or who do you think the thalamus is in my little story, Ash?''

Ash blankly stared at his friend before he gave a little whine. ''C'mon, Brock, I was going ask you that, please tell me?''

Brock shook his head. ''None can do, Ash, it's up to your own to figure that one out. Besides, I think you're going to find out soon enough.''

Ash gave a frustrated huff at the pokemon breeder's adamant nature. No matter how he tried, Brock's lips stayed shut. He gave up after a couple of more tries and followed Brock back inside. Fortunately, he felt a lot better when he finally lied back in his bed again.

Soon, he was back in dreamland along with his Pikachu, who lied cuddled up around his chest. He dreamt about defeating Paul in the finals, about finally winning the tournament, and to finally let his dream come true.

The next morning Ash had awoken a lot better. He did his usual morning rituals before joining Brock and Dawn for breakfast.
''Well good morning, looks like you had a good nights rest,'' Dawn commented the unusual cheery Ash Ketchum.

Ash was definitely not a morning person, so seeing Ash in such high spirit after what had happened yesterday made Dawn feel happy for the young man.

''I got some good advice from a friend, so it doesn't matter if I'm going to face Paul tomorrow or in the finals. I'm going to defeat him no matter what,'' Ash stated the pokemon coordinator. He dug in his food while Dawn looked at Brock, who simply shrugged his shoulders with a grin on his face. Pikachu nodded at his trainer's words, sucking happily at a ketchup bottle.

''Say, did you guys notice that weird storm that occurred yesterday? I mean, it started so sudden and disappeared ten minutes later just as sudden,'' Dawn commented, beginning some idle conversation.

''Yeah, now that you mention it, it did seem odd. If it wasn't for Paul, I would've noticed it yesterday too probably,'' Ash responded to the group.

Brock hummed before sharing his side of the story. ''I heard that it were the generators of the stadium that went haywire, as the eye of the storm was exactly above it. Luckily nobody was hurt.''

''You don't actually believe that do you?'' Ash asked incredulously to which Brock shrugged his shoulders.

''What else could it have been?'' Dawn asked the group, to which she didn't need to wait long for a response.

''Why, pokemon of course, little lady,'' Conway responded who had materialized out of thin air besides Dawn. He had his trademark smirk on his face as he readjusted his glasses. Dawn gave a startled shriek as Conway leaned in and explained further.

''Some pokemon have the ability to make it rain, this ability is called drizzle. Only a select few pokemon can have this ability and certainly not on a scale as seen yesterday. The only pokemon who can do that is Kyogre in its primal form, but since we're all the way in Sinnoh and the Orbs are locked away safely, the only other explanation is a herd.''

At the word herd he turned his attention to Dawn who began to back away awkwardly.

''Yes, a herd of pokemon all with the ability drizzle. The effects would augment the abilities of the pokemon, creating one giant super storm wherever they go.''

The group nodded at Conway's logic thinking. This also would explain why the storm only lasted ten minutes.

''Now that I satisfied your needs to know, can I get anything for you, Dawn? Something to drink perhaps?'' Conway offered smoothly. Well, in his mind it sounded smooth anyway.

''No thank you, I'm fine,'' the coordinator responded quickly, maybe a little too quickly for Conway's tastes. If he was disappointed, he didn't show it, as he kept his everlasting smirk on his face.

''Alrighty then, just so you know, the offer still stands if you change your mind. Ash... I'll be cheering for you.'' He pointed a finger to the young trainer and chuckled before slowly walking away.

The group sweat dropped at his antics and resumed their breakfast.

After they were all done eating, each member of the group went their separate way: Ash to do some training, Dawn to do some shopping and Brock had to run a few errands of his own. They promised to meet up at the stadium at 4pm sharp.

The pokemon breeder was currently in the main hall of the pokemon center. After making sure neither Ash nor Dawn where close by, he dialed a number he called just a month prior. It only took but a moment for Lorenzo's face to appear on screen, greeting the former gym leader warmly.

''Hello Brock, so nice of you to be calling again, congratulations with Ash's win by the way,'' the older man said, starting the conversation.

''Hey Lorenzo, nice to see you and thanks! Congratulations to you too with Tia's birthday. Speaking of, is she on her way?''

Brock didn't waste any time and got straight to the point. Who knew when Ash might be back in the center to heal his pokemon? The older man from Alto Mare didn't seem to mind as he explained the current situation.

''She left with the plane of 10 AM, so she should be there around 3 PM. Bianca's also with Tia, I hope that isn't too much of an issue.''

''Of course not,'' Brock responded immediately. ''I'm happy that she decided to join us as well. She can make the painting of the history when Ash wins the Lily of valley cup!'' Brock joked happily.

Lorenzo laughed at Brock's exaggerated tone. ''Well, if that's all you needed to know, this old man has got a lot of work left to do.''

''Problems?''

''You could say that again, some lunatic attacking my granddaughters. He was lucky he was gone the moment I got there, otherwise they could scrape what was left from him off the floor.''

Brock gave an awkward laugh at the older man's statement, before wishing him the best.

''I'll promise to return them both save and sound, you have my word.''

''I believe you, Brock. I know I can trust you, Ash and Misty with my life. After all what you did for us, thanks again, and I'll see you around.''

''Bye Lorenzo, take care,'' the former gym leader spoke before ending the conversation.

Lorenzo nodded his head when he'd hung up. This decision was right. Latias needed to see a little of the world and Bianca did so too. He couldn't keep them their whole lives in the city of water. Placing his trust in the heroes who saved Alto Mare two years ago seemed the best way to handle things.

''So that's where Latias and the little missy went.''

Lorenzo's breath got stuck in his throat as he slowly turned around. Sure enough, there he was, the man from the camera footage who had attacked Latias and Bianca back at the museum.

They weren't at the museum however, but in Lorenzo's kitchen. Lorenzo's eyes narrowed as the man gave a wicked grin.

''Sorry grandpa, seems like I don't need you anymore as you gave me all the information I needed.''

The words pierced through Lorenzo's skull like a hot knife through butter, the thick accent of the man emphasizing his threat even more.

Lorenzo began to fume. ''You attack my granddaughter, try to capture our only guardian, break into my home, and still have the authority to threaten me in my own house?!'' he screamed furiously at the man. ''Who do you think you are?''

''Me? Well since you asked me nicely I suppose I could tell you.''

He snapped his finger as a shadow ball attack was launched, and hit Lorenzo right in the chest. The old gondola maker screamed before the orb exploded on impact, launching him backwards and sending smoke and kitchen debris flying everywhere.

''They were going to scrape what was left of me from the floor right? Let's see about that, fatso!''

Lorenzo coughed as he recovered from the nasty blow. The man's Froslass came into view, and she smiled mischievously.

The smoke cleared, most of the kitchen was damaged thanks to Froslass' shadow ball. The man stood there, eyeing Lorenzo who lied in a pile of debris.

''Get up and fight, Super Mario,'' he taunted as Froslass was twirling happily in the air.

Lorenzo chuckled, then began to laugh. His laughter soon turned into a calm smile as he stood up and faced the man.

''You really think you're getting away with this do you? Do you honestly think I would be so stupid not to have protection of my own?''

The man felt a little bit of fear creep in his system at this revelation. He didn't show it however, as he responded the older man.

''You're bluffing, you're just stalling the inevitable. Don't worry, I'll make it end quickly.''

''Am I?''

The man's fear turned into horror as Lorenzo produced a pokeball from his pocket. A Houndoom appeared, who began to growl immediately when he saw the man. Smoke was already rising from his jaw and his very sharp claws were ready to tear through anything.

''Meet my old partner. We both retired training fourteen years ago, but after the attack two years ago, I decided to bring him back into shape. Looks like it wasn't for nothing after all.''

The man lost his composure. Fear was evident on his face as he looked at the fire breathing hellhound.

'Why did it have to be a fire type of all things? Just my luck again,' the man thought sullenly. The man had one trick left up his sleeve though and used it immediately.

''You're going to use a fire type in your own home? Do you want to get homeless? Because that's how you get homeless.''

Just for a moment, the man thought his trick would work. It would give him somewhat of an advantage, but his hopes were shattered in an instant.

''I saw that look on your face just a moment ago, and I've seen it before. Pure horror. You've had experience with fire before, haven't you? Fire burns everything, it's full of life and it's wild, consuming everything on its path. If it only takes my home to make your life a living hell again, I'll gladly accept that.''

The fire in Lorenzo's eyes said enough as he took the initiative.

''Houndoom, flamethrower!''

The beast responded and shot a breath of fire at the Froslass at amazing speed. The man could just respond in time as his eyes widened at Lorenzo's offense.

''Dodge and retaliate with ice beam.''

The Froslass disappeared just in time. The flamethrower shot past her and hit a wall. Embers flew everywhere as the curtains already started to catch fire. Panic gripped the man as all his senses screamed at him to escape.

'This man is digging his own grave and is content to take me with him,' he thought, terrified. Quickly, he changed his mind.

''Froslass, use your ice beam on the curtains instead,'' he told her in panic.

The ice/ghost type complied and shot the frozen beam at the curtains, effectively putting out the fire and freezing them in an instant.

''Houndoom, use this opportunity to fire off a dark pulse.''

The fire/dark type growled an affirmative and shot a dark beam of energy at the Froslass. Said Froslass had no time to dodge the incoming attack and got hit pretty hard.

The Froslass gave a screech as the dark pulse connected. For a moment, it looked like the Froslass was going to faint, but when she opened her eyes, she showed no sign the attack even hit. In fact, it looked like the attack only managed to piss her off.

''Excellent, Froslass, now use blizzard to freeze the room.''

The man was going to make sure the room was not going to catch fire and burn them both alive.

''Counter it with fire blast,'' Lorenzo responded.

The attacks connected and canceled each other out. Mist was spread everywhere in the little kitchen room, making it difficult for both parties to see.

''Stay alert, Houndoom,'' Lorenzo whispered to his loyal quadruped.

Not a moment later, a shadow ball was shot straight at Lorenzo. Houndoom reacted as fast as lightning, and blocked the incoming attack for his trainer with his body, effectively protecting him.

Smoke filled the room again as Houndoom gave a yelp of pain when he got it, recoiling slightly from the not-very-effective attack. Lorenzo growled at the cheap tactic. Playtime was over.

''Houndoom, set up a nasty plot and then incinerate the other side of the kitchen with fire blast!'' The gondola maker roared.

It took only an impressive ten seconds to grant Lorenzo's request. The hellhound shot the five pointed flame sea at the other side of the kitchen. The mist instantly vaporized, and the walls on either side of Lorenzo glowed with a red hue as his Houndoom kept on going with his onslaught. Thick dark smoke clouds began to form as the fire literally engulfed everything in its radius.

Lorenzo had to shield his face at some point as Houndoom finally stopped his attack, and the other side of the kitchen actually exploded, blasting Lorenzo off his feet.

Houndoom stood before him protectively, challenging anyone to mess with his trainer and face the consequences. Two challengers did approach though when the smoke cleared.

Chaos, everything was a mess. Half of Lorenzo's kitchen was literally gone, and the other half was burning with embers. Soot littered on the man's side of the field, turning everything into a black charcoal color, except the spot where the man was standing was unharmed. Somehow, the Froslass had taken the majority of the attack, and protected her trainer at the same time.

It took a big toll however, the ice/ghost type pokemon was breathing heavily. She looked utterly exhausted and it was a miracle she was still floating.

The man was certain he would've gotten incinerated right then and there. There was no time to escape and no way to dodge the attack. In that moment, he relived his biggest fear.

In his mind he saw his burning house, heard how the flames licked at the wooden inferior. Screams echoed in his mind. The screams of his wife and daughter as they both got burned alive, trapped in what once was a cozy little home.

Soon the screams of agony died down to nothing and the fire still raged on. Why didn't nobody help him? Where were the firefighters? He could do nothing but watch as his whole life went up in flames.

Tears started to form on the man's face as he cried. He bawled like a baby and screamed to the heavens until his voice was raw and his lacrimal sacs were devoid of any fluids. He continued to lay there miserable and rotten, waiting for certain death to claim him.

That was three years ago. The man snapped back to reality as he felt the pressure and heard the sound of the explosion. His ears started to ring and all he could see was black smoke.

When he rubbed his eyes clear of the soot, he saw his Froslass. She stood before him looking absolutely pissed. It was clear she had taken the attack head on in a attempt to protect him. Gone was her happy-go-lucky attitude.

'She would sacrifice her life for me,' the man realized suddenly, and somehow, he knew he would do the same for her. This gave him the resolve to go on.

'I'm not ready to join you yet, Julia and Esmeralda. Please wait for me,' he prayed silently.

''Ready for our last trick, Froslass?'' the man whispered to her. She nodded in acknowledgement, knowing exactly what he meant.

The smoke cleared and finally both parties could see. Lorenzo looked incredulously at the little ice/ghost type. Even the Houndoom looked somewhat surprised.

''I see you trained your Froslass well, however this is the end. Houndoom, finish it with a flamethrower.''

The man smirked and saw his chance to really end it. ''Destiny bond,'' were the simple words he said.

Lorenzo realized his mistake too late; the flamethrower made contact. The froslass screamed before giving a faint cry, and she fell out of the sky.
The man's anger quickly rose as he saw his beloved pokemon faint for him.

'I swear I'll make it up to you, I'm going to catch that Latias and have my revenge on him, no matter what.'

Of course he could heal his pokemon, he just didn't like seeing her get hurt. Especially when she had to take a flamethrower to the face. It made his blood boil.

The houndoom began to whine as the curse sapped his life strength and soon, he fell over, fainted as well. Lorenzo was flabbergasted. How could he have fallen for something so stupid? He had the experience of a veteran. Even this man's well trained Froslass stood no chance to him in the long run.

Of course Lorenzo had the type advantage, but strategic skill was just as important. Something the man just showed the gondola maker.

''You're going to pay for what I had to do to my Froslass,'' the man raged suddenly, a crazy look in his eyes.

Lorenzo was taken back by his statement, was this guy for real?

''Are you even hearing yourself?'' Lorenzo asked him as the man gave a crazed laugh.

''Shut up, you Mamoswine! You wanted to make my life a living hell again? Congratulations, you passed with flying colors! Now I'll make sure to make your life one too!''

The man's fist connected with Lorenzo as the older man slumped to the ground.

''After I've caught the Latias, I will kill your granddaughter slowly and painfully. There will be no mercy from me.''

''Who...Who are you?'' Lorenzo asked, fear etching in his voice.

''...They call me Malice.''

His fist connected with Lorenzo again as everything went black.

Did you like it, love it, hate it? Let me know in a review! Constructive criticism is highly appreciated! Till next time.