Chapter 5

Nightmares and Reality

When I returned to the Pokémon Center, I came in on a happy scene. I chose to stay and watch.

"Nurse Joy, thank you for helping my beloved little pokémon. He's all better!" She held her pokémon tight in her arms.

A suspicious man approached from the opposite side of the room and oddly enough I saw him ready handcuffs. I began walking forward purposely colliding with him.

"Watch where you're going kid!" The man yelled as he stumbled back.

"I could say the same to you." I replied. All I could do was stall him. I gathered as much that he was some sort of undercover cop hence handcuffs. The regulation of pokémon has gotten a lot worse. Operation in a pokemon center is illegal, but I see that isn't stopping them.

He shoved past me and went straight for his victim. Other trainers were now viewing this situation as it unfolded. I had one stroke of inspiration on what to do. Pull a Matthew. I put the guy in a headlock and pushed him back towards the entrance.

"Weakling." He attempted to provoke me further. He grabbed a pokéball from the back of his belt. "I'll show you how the law deals with rebels." He called out a Gardevoir.

I simply stood my ground at felt the psychic powers enter my mind. I let my mind become an open door and soon my mind was free again. The Gardevoir broke into tears and I walked past. The cop stood in awe. Every uninvolved person scurried out and the tension in the room rose.

I let my eyes and mind wander. I fixated my sights on the pokéball on his belt and I felt unexplainable force pushing on my hand. I opened my eyes looking down and saw the object of interest right there as if handed over unwillingly. I was simply baffled. I called his Pokémon back and threw the deactivated pokéball towards the front desk.

In an act of furious anger, the man grabbed me by the neck. I saw Shiro ready an attack, but he did too. He dashed away from me and grabbed my partner. I tried to leap at him, I froze when his hands threatened to strangle Shiro. I saw a figure behind him, nurse Joy, and her foot made an impact right where the light doesn't shine. With a groan of pain, the man dropped Shiro and fell to his knees.

Shiro ran to my side. "Serves him right." She muttered.

"Don't ever come back you fool! This is a place where your law is void." Nurse Joy yelled as the man ran out of the Pokémon Center. She then walked to her desk and waved to me. "Thanks for your help. It is always nice meeting another fighter."

"It wasn't a problem." I replied. "Why are they getting so bold?"

"There is a bounty on any and every trainer. They have gotten greedier." Joy answered. "I'll take care of everything, so you don't have to worry." She assured.

I nodded and left with my partner in my arms. The way to the doors alone was slow and long. Once we were a distance away the mood lightened.

"Wow, life sucks nowadays." Shiro stated.

I agreed. "Sure does."

We walked on the roads for a while taking no specific directions. A familiar voice pierced my ears.

"I've been looking all over for you."

It was Rina. "Hey, what's up?" I asked.

She explained in excitement. "I found the perfect place to have lunch. You are put against trainers while you wait for the food. It looks really fun!"

Before I could say a word I was chasing her into the front door. "Sheesh. There's no need to rush." I panted.

We ended up sharing a table surrounded by a lot of people. The place was totally packed. Within thirty seconds of placing our orders, I was asked for battle after battle. This made the events earlier fade from my mind completely. Becoming familiar with Shiro's moveset was simple. And in the spirit of dining, we chewed through the competition.

I could tell that the wait for our food was almost over, yet it was like time didn't pass at all. One group of two trainers approached us.

"Up for a double battle?" One asked.

Rina and I glanced at each other in confusion. "This will be interesting." I said.

She confidently replied. "Let's do this!"

Versus ace trainer Carl and ace trainer Britney.

Carl sends out Buizel. Britney sends out Wooper.

Sarina sends out Pecan. Kevin sends out Shiro.

Buizel used Aquajet.

Pecan used Thunderbolt. Foe's Buizel fainted.

Shiro used Freezedry. Foe's Wooper fainted.

Pokemon trainers Sarina and Kevin won.

We sat back down at our table and began casual conversation while we waited the last few minutes for our food.

"How was it going in Sinnoh?" I asked.

"Pretty normal. It's just a lot colder than it is here." She looked at her Pikachu. "Different pokémon too."

"You still have pokémon like Roselia and Beautifly."

"You've been vacationing there?"

"Naw. I've uhh... read some books."

A waiter served food to us and our pokémon. It was great! After that experience with happy trainers and pokémon, all of the events earlier were washed away completely.

We arrived back at the pokémon center and got ourselves situated.

I was in the lobby when nurse Joy approached me. "Hello young fighter."

"Hello. I must've forgotten to introduce myself. I'm Kevin" I greeted.

She gave a smile, "Nice to meet you in better circumstances. I spoke of things with an associate of mine and he wants to see you."She turned around beckoning me, "However I didn't speak of those fine psychic abilities you have. I figured it was best kept as your secret."

I was now walking alongside Joy through the hall of the trainer rooms. "I guess even the smallest things can bring out the best in people. Although, I have never felt like I have reached my best as of yet."

"That's what I was expecting. A trainer like you said the same thing a few days ago. He had a Hoenn League Seal, an unexpected feat. He could teach you a few things if you meet him. Many true stories almost unreal. But, this is your stop." She opened the door and closed it behind me.

I was greeted by a familiar face. "Why, we have met at Dewford! Kevin was it?"

"Yup." He thrust a pin toward me and placed it in my hand.

"This will let people know you are a part of my group of allies. No bothersome enforcement again." He smiled, "Now normal conversation can ensue."

A question popped into my head out of nowhere making that horrible transition overshadowed. "Have you heard of Primal Evolution and primal energies?"

"Yes. Both Groudon and Kyogre are known to harness such energies. Like Mega Evolution."

"It is Mega Evolution. I examined the energy patterns and they are the same." The dangling Keystone on my neck caught his attention.

"That is interesting. I'd expect someone helping the professor to get research done. By the way, in case anything happens to that chain, have this." He handed me a wrist band with a slot for a Keystone. "I call it a Mega Bracelet. Use that Keystone of yours in it for extra personal style. Oh, and before I leave you on your own, have another for a friend. I have a good feeling about you. See you soon."

With that, he left abruptly. This day is unusual enough already. Why not add a little more spice? I gripped my Keystone knowing it had been what drove him off. I closed my eyes and sighed to blow off my curiosities, but once I did, a familiar voice echoed softly for just a brief moment. Then, it was gone. It was time to continue with my normally scheduled program.

I went to the typical four bed pokemon center bedroom that I would be sharing with Rina. She put down her cell phone just as I entered.

"Hey, we're staying for a couple nights or however long it takes for them to get here." Rina said.

"Who exactly?" I asked.

She shrugged, "Mika only said them."

"Oh."

"Kevin, what are those?" She asked. Pointing at the mega bracelets that I was holding."

"These things here?" I placed them on the small table. "Some guy gave them to me when he saw my keystone." I tapped the pulsating crystal in the smallholder on my neck.

"So that's what that stone was."

A knock vibrated the air and the door opened. "Young man, you seem quite busy today." Nurse Joy remarked from the doorway. "A man named Azrael called this center and wants to talk to you."

I excused myself from the room. I sat down at one of the video phones and the one and only man of the hour was staring back at me. "Hey Kevin, what's up?"

"You know, getting into all sorts of weird situations. The usual. How about you?"

"Living the past few days like an average protagonist. Plotting to take out those wackjobs. I enjoyed your note when you left."

"What are you talking about? I never left a note, I only left my stuff because I felt you might need the supplies."

"Interesting… who would try to cover it up?"

"I met a suspicious fellow that fits the bill. On another hand, we will be joining you guys again soon."

"Gotcha. Speaking of which I'm sending a pokéball now. Matthew is coming up with a plan for mass destruction, so I have to go douse his fiery personality with cold water see ya."

"Talk to you again later Az."

In flashy technological glory, a luxury ball materialized. Soul must have arranged something. I grabbed her pokéball and walked outside to the battlefield.

"Come on out." I brought out both of my Pokémon. Soul looked about in confusion and finally turned in my direction.

"Kevin!" She exclaimed as she leaped at me.

"Calm down. I'm surprised you got sent my way."

"I didn't expect to. Leaf must've planned this up and fed it all to Azrael."

"You must have wanted it if you accept it so well." I received a happy nod.

"What a wonderful reunion! Oh, it just reignites the flames of my ancestry. Too bad I'm warm enough as is." Shiro remarked in an insulting manner.

"What do you have against reuniting with those you are close to, you hot headed Vulpix?" Soul snapped.

"I'm an ice type. You couldn't even gather that." Shiro said all matter of fact like.

"Maybe this climate has turned your meager brain to slush." Soul huffed.

"Enough!" They both looked at me. "Both of you could have just gone with a simple greeting. Stop making foes over friends." Both accepted defeat. Just then, a loud shuffle came from the bushes, but following the sound was a poorly disguised tail of which the details couldn't be made out in the darkness. I dismissed the wild Pokémon. "We're going on a stroll. Follow me."

We walked in silence on the beach until we settled down and sat in the sand. I was annoyed with both Shiro and Soul, but lightened up when they came to a mutual agreement to give each other another chance. My hands were now full of feisty foxes. What a nightmare others can be without knowing it. They talked of duking it out to pass time, but that was not the point nor meaning of stroll.

"What marvelous looking Pokémon! The beauty of a coat like a fresh layer of snow and an elegant figure worthy of the sun's praise."

I looked to see a rather fancy looking fellow facing us. "Excuse me, but who are you?" I asked.

"Oh fellow trainer, they call me Juan. Sorry to disturb your connection with the waves. What might your name be?"

"I'm Kevin. Nice to meet you." I couldn't put my finger on it, but this guy seemed familiar.

"Your Pokémon seem quite restless, so why not battle to calm them down."

"Sure, why not. Their restlessness was getting to me."

"How about both of them versus my Kingdra? It's the only one I have on me."

"That wouldn't be fair. I wouldn't want you to put yourself at a disadvantage."

"No worries, this is merely like a workout to tire us all. Just like the waves, you must let your appropriate form be lost sometimes when you crash upon the shores of opportunity."

"Okay, I guess I can't refuse when you put it like that."

Challenged by Pokémon trainer Juan.

"Come on out my beauty." Juan sends out Kingdra.

"Let's go you two!" Kevin sends out Shiro and Soul.

Soul uses Psybeam.

Kingdra uses Water Pulse on Soul.

Shiro uses Aurora Beam.

Kingdra uses Water Pulse on Shiro.

"Sometimes, water is the first step of cooling off." Juan advises.

Soul uses Swift.

Shiro uses Ice Beam.

Kingdra uses Ice Beam on Soul. Critical hits!

Soul toughed it out so her trainer wouldn't worry.

Soul uses Future Sight.

Shiro uses Freeze Dry.

"That's enough. We've all gotten our excess energy out."

Juan ends the battle.

"Thanks." I said.

"I should be thanking you. I never expected such wonderful teamwork from a new trainer in this current time." He replied.

"I'm tired Kevin. Can I rest in my Pokéball please." Soul asked.

I got down on my knee and called her back also letting Shiro jump up on my shoulder.

"I can only guess that you're the one who helped out my dear friend Mr. Stone." He got out a Pokénav. "That battle taught me everything I needed to know. This is a gift from him to you Mr. Clark."

"My deepest thanks to you both." I said. "Especially for the ice. It reminded me of my other home."

"I've just come back from where I assume you speak of. Such a beautiful place. Let's talk soon. Here's my Trainer's Eyes contact. A few others are already pre-registered for you."

A fast figure zipped by along the surface of the water. It went back and forth before going off into the distant waves.

"I do believe that was the female eon Pokémon. I've heard it is attracted to those it finds interesting via the gossip of Pokémon. That battle was truly extravagant."

Juan walked me back to the Pokémon Center before leaving on his own. He reminded me of Azrael in a sense. He was cool and collected and just had a certain aura about him. More flamboyant for sure, but provoked a feeling of interest. Maybe I just wanna see the guy again. Az had a way about things that I just found agreeable after I got to know him. In my gut, I had this feeling that Azrael and I would end up in trouble when I got back to the others, yet that was comforting because Azrael, Matthew and I always got into trouble with one another.