Lyra gulped. Why was she in here? To prove she wasn't a coward, and she did not want to be left behind in a dark forest. Which one was worse? Being alone in the dark in a forest - that she was sure of. She had Silver and Barry while she was in here. Where was here? She had no clue. She only knew that her comfort was standing right beside her, and it was in the shape of a boy with dark eyes.

Barry grinned. He was on a roll with the jokes. Lyra seemed so nervous. She must not like it in here, he thought. So he made her laugh to comfort her. He really did try. He tried to be up somewhere where Silver was. Barry knew Lyra saw Silver as a great friend, maybe even something more. Silver was in love with her. Simple as that.

It wasn't hard for Silver to like her, either. Her big, chocolate brown eyes that complimented her slender face and pale skin were hard not to like. Lyra had it all. A great personality, caring for her Pokemon, and she was cute. But, she also had a hurt leg, a freaking bodyguard (or he might as well be, due to the looks Silver shot at him that Barry easily ignored) and she knew something. Whatever it was, it was on her mind, and no matter how much Barry made her laugh, it was still there. So he kept trying, despite the fact that Silver seemed to be even closer to her now. Protective little jerk.

Silver twitched. He had no fear for this place. He had no fear for outside, either. He only feared Barry was going to try and mess with her again. He had been flirting with Lyra since they had got in here. The part that infuriated him, though, was that Lyra was responding. Maybe not in the correct way, but she was still being the kind, funny female he knew too well. As soon as they got out of here, they were going to Eterna and ditching the boy.

But what if Lyra wanted him to come with them? Then there would be an issue, and Silver would have no control over it. He hated not having control over something. His view would go out of whack, and he would not enjoy it. Not one bit. Like right then, Lyra was laughing at something stupid Barry had just said. Whatever it was, it was just stupid. Barry was stupid. Silver did not like him.

Not one freaking bit.

Lolly sat upon a chandelier, dangling idly from the base. She saw Barry… then Lyra, who was giggling at something Barry said, and then Silver right next to her, looking pissed. He was so protective. It was a miracle he hadn't kicked Barry out or ditched him yet. She had no doubt he would when they finally got to Eterna.

Kelly sat next to Lolly, her red tail glowing faintly. If Kelly was such at ease right then and she wasn't at focus, her tail and the gem on her forehead would be shining so brightly, their location would be given away instantly. Lolly scratched Kelly under her chin quietly, offering a small smile to her Ampharos as encouragement for what she was doing right then.

A lone Ghastly floated up to Kelly and lingered. Following that Ghastly, 3 more of its kind and 2 Haunter appeared. Lolly resisted the urge to reach out and see if her hand would phase right through their bodies.

When Kelly relaxed, the ghost-typed Pokemon snapped out of their trance and floated away. Upon seeing the humans below them, however, they instantly flew down, becoming invisible. Lolly grinned, sitting silently on the chandelier as she watched the result of her Ampharos's magnet.

As soon as the air turned colder, Silver knew they were surrounded by ghosts. He had been in a similar situation when he obtained his own Haunter. He continued appearing calm, though, to not alarm the other two trainers with him. He only turned to tell Lyra what was there when… Lyra had moved a little closer to Barry, who was wearing a fleece jacket, and he wrapped it around her shoulders.

Silver's face drained of all color. His jealousy was eating at him like a hungry Sharpedo. He wanted Barry gone. His rage got the best of him when he stormed over to Barry and glared at him with the coldest of glares. His hands twitched with the fist he was preparing if needed. Silver hated this boy with his entire mind, heart, and soul, and hatred fueled his words as he yelled: "GET YOUR FREAKING HANDS OFF OF HER YOU STUPID WEAKLING!"

Lyra stared up at her rival. His eyes frightened her to the point of backing away. Barry had only noticed that the air had gotten colder and let her have his jacket. That was it. But Silver saw it as something else…

Lolly watched as Lyra ran from the scene, Barry and Silver gaping after her. The ghost type Pokemon, drawn to Lyra's good aura, followed. Lolly was devastated. She jumped down from the chandelier, Kelly following suit. She glared at both of the boys, who were bewildered at her sudden appearance.

"You've got to be freaking kidding me! You IDOT!" she yelled. She wasn't sure who she was talking to. She ran after Lyra into the upper floor.

Lyra was so scared, and hated herself immensely for showing her fear. She was scared of the ghosts, she was scared of being alone, but most of all, she was scared of Silver. What had come over him? He had just…radiated hatred. Pure, boiling hatred. It was his eyes that made her run. Lyra had never before seen her rival like that before. Ever.

So when a hand came down on Lyra's shoulder, she whipped around and nearly knocked off Lolly's head with her bag. Lolly fell backwards onto her behind, her Ampharos crying out in surprise. Kelly readied an electric attack, but Lolly held up her hand, and Kelly immediately relaxed.

Lyra helped up the girl hurriedly. "Oh, oh my God, I-I am so sorry!" she stuttered out. Tears came gushing. Lolly, after getting over her shock, placed her hands on Lyra's shoulders and embraced her. Lyra cried on the older girl's shoulder.

"I know we were never formally introduced, but…my name is Lolly," Lolly uttered softly. She patted the younger girl's back with care.

Lyra sniffled, "L-Lyra." Lolly said nothing more, just stood there hugging the sobbing girl.

Lyra started talking quickly. "I-I am so confused, Lolly. There was this earthquake on Victory Road back in Johto and we were s-sucked into this underground river. W-We came into the Lake Acuity lake cavern, and I fell down another hole… I saw a Mesprit, and it let me hear Silver's thoughts, and he said… he… cared… And… then we got out and I fell off my Lugia… Silver carried me on his back all the way to Florama. Now we're here, and Barry keeps pissing Silver off and Lolly… I… I am so confused!"

Lolly sighed. "It tends to happen when a guy loves someone. Other guys even speaking to their girl are seen as a threat. Especially Barry. My brother is such a retard sometimes."

Lyra gazed at Lolly, her eyes flickering with… hope. "Silver… Silver loves me?"

Lolly never got to answer, though, as a Haunter attacked her from behind and she fell to the ground. When she rose again, her eyes had changed from their soft hazel to a menacing red, and her face displayed nothing but the evil grin that made Lyra scream.