Hello Readers. (^_^)

School is officially out so I will be...updating at the same rate...and hopefully not this late at night...

Anyway...

"Talking" Thoughts "PokeSpeech" "PokeSpeech and Talking"

On with the story...


Chapter 8: Trust


Previously:

*Drew's POV, Petalburg City*

Max shifted his glasses, "So let me get this straight. There are two evil groups after all of you and 'Arc' is really Arceus."

Arceus nodded, "Pretty much sums it all up."

Max smiled, "If you guys are going to go on some crazy adventure. Count me in!"

We all smiled, except Paul, at Max's enthusiasm.

At least Max is alive...

But in the mess we're in, who knows how long we have left to live?


*Arceus's POV, Petalburg City, Nighttime*

These children have no idea about what's in store for them.

The Hunters and the SBS will not give up until all of them are dead now, not just Dawn.

Dawn herself is still too weak to take on the SBS and not trained to fight the Hunters.

Hikari needs to train her in higher level magic; Dawn has the basics mastered, so she needs to move on.

Silver will need to train Dawn in weaponry and fighting.

She could use magic to form a weapon, but she needs to know how to use it.

Hopefully Hikari will be able to train Dawn and Silver all of them...

I was snapped out of my thoughts when I heard Silver ask, "Why are you still here, Arc?"

Since we were in the Pokémon Center Lobby, Silver was calling me by my human alias.

Can't a person think?

I sighed, "I'm just making sure all of you are out of harm's way. I still believe all of you would be safer in Indigo."

Silver crossed his arms and snorted, "You know that I'm strong enough to keep everyone safe."

I rolled my eyes, "Don't get to cocky Silver. Remember what happened twelve years ago? We all thought the same thing then and failed. If you ever need help don't hesitate to ask. We'll find a way to make it to you."

Silver's arms fell to his side limply as memories flowed through his head.

Why did I bring that up?

It was a dark day that all of us wish to forget.

After a few seconds, Silver said shakily, "I shouldn't have let my pride get in the way of my duties. I apologize for my actions and words."

I laughed lightly, "Silver you are too formal for your own good. None of the others would have said such a lengthy apology. They would have just said 'sorry' and gotten it over with. No enemy will wait for your lengthy apology either."

Silver sighed, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't even be an Aura Knight. I'm too young, too rash..."

I placed a hand on Silver's shoulder, "Silver, you've been an Aura Knight ever since the incident. You are more than ready. Riley and any other new Aura Knights could never compare to you and the other Aura Knights. All of you have courage and a will to fight for what's right. That alone will bring you far."

A small smile forming on Silver's face, "Thank You...I shouldn't doubt myself..."

Maybe I overdid the encouraging, hopefully his ego doesn't sky-rocket, but then again Silver isn't the egotistical one...

I nodded, "Don't doubt yourself. Fear and doubt are only beaten by courage. Never back out when you are needed... It's getting late. I think you should get some sleep."

Silver smirked, "And if I don't go to my room for some shut-eye, what will you do?"

A slightly evil smile formed on my face, "You don't want to know Silver. You don't want to know. Now go to bed, I need to go back to the HO (Hall of Origin)."

Silver's smirk turned more evil "Well good night. I'm pretty sure everyone else is asleep already. I'll let them sleep well tonight, but after today, it'll be time for some training."

Why did Silver have to be the only Aura Knight available?

He's going to torture these kids...

I shook my head, "Don't go too hard on them. They haven't been through training that hard before. Also, we're going to have someone sent here to help you."

Silver stared at me blankly, "Who?"

I shrugged, "You'll see when she arrives."

Silver's eyes widened, "This isn't good; whoever it is will probably hold me back..."

I smirked, "That's exactly why we are sending her. I suggest you don't make her mad. Well, see you soon Silver, but not too soon. Keep all the children safe. Actually since you are a child, I should rephrase that. Keep everyone including yourself safe. Good-bye."

As soon as I finished my sentence I quickly walked out of the Pokémon Center, ignoring a shocked Silver, and into Petalburg Park.

I made my way to a secluded part of the park and made sure no humans could see me.

I smirked slightly before transporting myself back to the HO.

Hopefully nothing goes wrong and everyone manages to stay alive.

I wonder where Giratina is.

I need to talk to her about bringing back to life some innocent people that were mistakenly killed.


*Paul's POV, Route 102 (Oldale Town to Petalburg City), the next morning*

Silver just had to say that we can't go to Rustboro City and Dewford Town didn't he?

Now I won't be able to get my first two Hoenn badges...

Even though I've already traveled through Hoenn once, I can't reuse the badges, they have the year marked on them and the Gym Leaders get tougher every year.

Our little group of seven, Silver, Max, May, Drew, Barry, Dawn, and I, were walking along route 102 on our way back to Oldale Town.

I was walking as far away from Silver as possible.

One day of mind-reading is enough.

Max broke the silence, "Are we there yet?"

At least someone had the courage to break the silence, not matter how stupid the question...

May rolled her eyes, "Max that is the stupidest question to ever ask, of course we aren't there yet, we just left this morning, the trip is six days minimum if we take the trainer's path.."

Max shrugged, "I was only breaking the silence. Is it always this quiet with you guys?"

May shook her head, "Not really. Drew and I are usually fighting, Barry and Dawn are usually too hyper and talking, Paul and Silver are the quiet ones. Then again, we've only traveled together on the bus ride to Petalburg..."

At least she didn't say that I was a cold jerk...

Max nodded, "Okay... Drew random question. Why are you even in this mess? You didn't even know Dawn."

Drew sighed, "May and I have been traveling together since Johto. I was with her when the Hunters first attacked Dawn. Silver appeared and rescued us just in time..."

Silver cut in, "And that is exactly why I have been asked to train all of you. Hunters are immune to magic so Dawn and Hikari won't be able to protect us, or even themselves for that matter."

I don't see a Hikari around here.

Max shifted his glasses, "Who's Hikari? There are only two girls here, not three."

Dawn sighed, "Hikari's hiding. She's a larger target for the SBS and the Hunters. They've both been after her for almost five hundred years."

I forgot the kid didn't know that much...

Max's jaw dropped and he stopped walking, "Five hundred years? How is she still alive?"

Dawn shrugged, "She isn't; she died five hundred years ago. After her death, Giratina revived her as a Shadow Angel, which can't die from natural causes. She's the last living Shadow Angel and the oldest witch in existence. She's also my emphasis on great aunt."

Max's eyes bugged out, "Are you serious?"

Dawn nodded, "Yes I am."

After a few seconds Max managed to compose himself and continued walking, "Wow! I never would have thought that someone that old could still be alive. You're from Sinnoh, so she's also from Sinnoh? Does that mean she was around during Feudal Sinnoh? The only thing that still remains from that time is the Monarchy and a few nobles, in each region."

Dawn smiled, "Yes, Hikari is from Sinnoh. She was a noble during Feudal Sinnoh, but she was burned for being a witch. You know, the non-witch princess of Sinnoh looks exactly like me."

So Dawn looks exactly like the princess of Sinnoh.

It would be weird if they switched places, you wouldn't be able to tell who is who

Besides, I would still love Dawn more, but the princess could be an option...

Wait!

I did not just think that!

I really need to get my mind straight.

Dawn is dating Barry; she doesn't love or even like me.

I'm just a useless addition to this group that has nothing to do with it.

Dawn doesn't love me and I don't love her...

Great, now I sound like all the people in denial...

Silver suddenly stopped walking and turned around, body tense, "How do you know this? Have you met her?"

Why is he so tense?

Dawn tilted her head in confusion, "Yeah, while I was traveling with Ash and Brock. We even switched places for a short while. She entered a contest as me, but she gave the ribbon she won to Jessie, a member of Team Rocket that always tried to steal Ash's Pikachu."

Silver relaxed when Dawn said Ash and Brock, but flinched when Dawn said Team Rocket.

I guess he only relaxed because Dawn met the princess before she came to Hoenn.

However, why would he flinch at Team Rocket?

Does he have a history with Team Rocket?

No one else seemed to have noticed the points at which Silver relaxed and tensed at, so I didn't comment.

By now all of us had stopped walking and were watching Silver and Dawn's exchange of information and questions.

After a few seconds, Silver asked, "Did she give you anything?"

Dawn nodded, "Yes, her Togekiss. She's with my mom right now."

Silver sighed, "Since she gave you the Togekiss, there is no way for her to track you down... Unless... Did Togekiss have a habit of leaving for a few hours and returning completely unharmed?"

Dawn thought about it for a moment, "Actually, she has done that once or twice...What does that have to do with anything?"

Silver rubbed his temples, "Togekiss could be giving information to the Hunters."

Dawn stared at Silver in denial, "That's not possible. Togekiss would never do that!"

Silver sighed, "Anything is possible. The Sinnoh royalty and what remains of the nobility are all allied with the Hunters. If the Hunters said you are a witch that needs to be killed, the friendship goes down the drain. Togekiss wouldn't give information knowingly. They're probably asking her normal questions, like how you're doing and where you're headed next. She doesn't know what she's doing. We need to call your Mom."

Dawn can't trust her own Pokémon now...

I wonder how many people I can't trust anymore...

Reggie is immediately on the list.

I guess the weak pink haired Maylene is as well, Dawn did make her feel better about being a Gym Leader after I annihilated her.

Dad will probably have to go on the list as well...

How many others will be added on my short list, besides the people here?

Dawn crossed her arms and snorted, "And do tell me how we will do that all mighty Silver Rival Rocketti?"

Rocketti!

His last name is similar to Rocket!

Maybe people think that he's a member of them, so in turn he has an extreme hate against them.

Silver didn't answer instead he pulled out a cell phone from a pocket in his jeans and tossed it to Dawn, "Dial her number. I'm sure you know it."

Dawn grumbled under her breath, but dialed her mother anyway, putting it on speaker phone.

After a few rings, her mother picked up, "Berlitz Residence, this is Johanna Berlitz speaking. Who is this?"

Dawn smiled slightly, "It's me, mom."

"Dawn! Why are you not on speaker phone?"

Dawn's face turned serious, "This is an emergency. Mom, can you get Togekiss?"

"Sure, Dawn, but I want an explanation later."

Dawn sighed, "Of course, Mom. Can you just get her? Silver, the Aura Knight whose phone this is, believes that the Hunters may be using her to get information."

Johanna gasped, "That's terrible. I forgot that the royalty and nobility of Sinnoh was allied with the Hunters...I'll get Togekiss right away."

A clatter of the phone was heard as Johanna left to get Togekiss, leaving all of us in silence.

Silver broke the silence, "I think we should move off the path and into a safer location. Anyone could eavesdrop on us here."

We all nodded before quickly following Silver to a clearing just off the path.

As soon as we were in the clearing, Dawn said, "I'll be able to understand Togekiss, so don't think it's weird."

We can all understand our Pokémon to an extent...

Once Dawn finished her sentence, we heard her mother pick up the phone again, "Here is Togekiss."

"Dawn? Johanna said it was you. Why did you call?"

Dawn sighed in relief, "Togekiss! Thank goodness you're there. I have a question. Have you been visiting Salvia lately?"

"Yes, why do you ask?"

Dawn tensed, "Has she asked you anything about me?"

"Just how you've been, where are you heading next, and where are you now. Why do you ask?"

Dawn flinched and stared at Silver in disbelief for a few seconds, before replying, "Togekiss. I really don't mean to sound suspicious, but do you know who or what the Hunters, witches, and/or the Society of the Black Star are?"

She actually cares about what her Pokémon think of how she acts?

"I've heard Salvia mention the Hunters before, but as I was leaving. I don't think she knows that I heard her. What are they?"

Dawn bit her lip, "The Hunters are a group of witch hunters, the Society of the Black Star is a group of evil witches, and witches in general are users of magic that have powers similar to Giratina's normal powers and Arceus's dark and ghost powers. There are very few pure witches left, I only know of two."

"Okay... Why do I need to know all this?"

Dawn sighed, "Togekiss, I am one of the pure witches left alive; my emphasis on great aunt is the other. Salvia's family is allied with the Hunters. They're using you to get information to kill me."

Togekiss gasped, "Dawn! I can't believe it! Salvia, my former trainer is out to kill you and is using me to help! I thought you two are friends!"

Dawn shook her head sadly, "We were friends. That friendship went down the drain as soon as the Hunters discovered I was a witch. Togekiss, I need your help, please don't help the Hunters anymore; avoid going to visit Salvia, unless you have no choice. If you have to go see Salvia, make up lies, don't tell her anything. Please Togekiss."

"It's okay Dawn. I won't tell her! I'm your Pokémon now, and you are my friend. Salvia is stupid to not trust you anymore."

Dawn smiled slightly, "Thank you, Togekiss. Can I talk to my mom now?"

"Of course."

There was a sound of some ruffling as Johanna put the phone to her ear, "Yes, Dawn?"

Dawn sighed, "Mom be careful, and if worse comes to worse, move in with Dad or my oldest brother, preferably Dad. Good-bye Mom, stay safe. No need to worry about me."

Johanna laughed lightly, "When you say that is when I worry the most... Stay safe Dawn..."

With that, Johanna hung up on Dawn, and Dawn gave the phone back to Silver, "Thanks, I guess."

Silver nodded and put the phone away, "Let's get going. I don't feel like staying on any route for longer than we need to... It's best if we go back to Kanto or Johto. I have connections there that are more than willing to help us, plus it is safer there."

Does this guy always get to choose where we go next?

With that, we all left the clearing and went back to the main path.

After a few minutes, Dawn asked, "Silver everyone keeps telling me that Kanto and Johto would have been safer, why?"

Silver sighed, "Kanto, Johto, Cameran, and Fiore are all part of the Island of Indigo. Indigo has not only remained neutral throughout the fighting between the SBS and the Hunters, but managed to avoid having either group settle inside of it. Hoenn may be neutral as well, but the SBS is still living in it. That is the reason why Indigo is the safest region and why all the Aura Knights in the past five hundred years are from Indigo."

I wonder when an Aura Knight will be chosen from another region.

Dawn nodded, "Okay... Now I really wished I hadn't listened to Barry and come to Hoenn and gone to Kanto instead..."

Barry quickly turned towards Dawn, "Hey! I never forced you to travel with me, or asked you to travel with me. I only told you I was going to Hoenn."

Dawn waved her hand not caring about what Barry said, "Whatever Barry. So Silver, how are we going to get to Kanto or Johto?"

Silver pulled out a Pokenav from his other jeans pocket and looked at it, "We're going to take a ferry from Staleport City to Lilycove City, and the a boat from there to Vermilion City, Kanto."

I snorted, "If we're heading towards Oldale Town, how are we supposed to get to Staleport City?"

Silver rolled his eyes, "There is a shortcut from Oldale to Staleport. It's must faster than going to Dewford Town first."

Okay so he knows his geography...

Drew nodded, "I remember that shortcut. I used it a long time ago, when I younger, but it's a really narrow strip along the edge of a lake."

Silver didn't look up, "It'll test your balance. I'll take care of Max because he's still young. Although I was younger than him when I became an Aura Knight..."

Max smirked, "I get special treatment! Awesome!"

Silver smirked, "And if you keep that up, I'll make you go through training just like the rest."

Max flinched, "Okay... I won't rub it in their faces."

Silver's smirk widened, "On second thought, rub it in their faces as much as you want, but don't annoy me."

Why do I feel like nothing good is going to come out of this?

Max smirked evilly, "Okay, but I think I'll wait until then to rub it into their faces."

Silver shook his head, "And I thought I was evil. Max you're too young to be this evil."

Max crossed his arms and did a fake pout, "Why?"

Silver sighed, "I was the same age as you when I... With my past, it's okay for me to be slightly evil. You don't have a dark past, Max."

Dark past?

Maybe he really was involved with Team Rocket.

Max tilted his head and stared at Silver confused, "Dark past?"

Silver looked at his Pokenav, ignoring Max's question entirely.

After a few minutes of silence, I decided to ask Max's question but in a different way, "What's your connection to Team Rocket, Silver?"

Silver flinched and stopped walking, "I don't have a connection to that group of criminals."

Silver's tone told me to drop the subject, but I didn't, "You've flinched everyone time Team Rocket has been mentioned, you're even flinching now."

Silver glared at me and said icily, "My connection to Team Rocket is one that I'd rather not have. You shouldn't even care about that. I was sent here to train here and nothing else. My soul duty right now is to keep all of you safe."

I opened my mouth to retort, but Dawn walked over to me and slapped me, "Paul that is enough. Silver is one of the reasons we are alive. Have more faith in him. Everyone has things about themselves that they don't like talking about. I don't like talking about me being a witch. Silver doesn't like talking about his past. You don't like talking about your family. Drop the subject."

After Dawn's outburst I decided to keep quiet for the rest of the day.

Silver avoided me and mainly talked to Dawn and Barry, sharing some laughs with them that I only narrowed my eyes to.

You may have them putting their faith in you, but with everything going on to us, it won't be that easy to earn and keep my trust.


To Be Continued...


That has got to be the longest filler chapter I have ever written...

This chapter had some important stuff I guess, but not a lot...

Anyway, the next update will be on June 28.

Review. (^_^)