Emerald: The Legend of Hoenn II

by MsBeka

With the Hoenn League finished, Beka Goldheart and her friends travel out to the Battle Frontier, where new friends, adventures, and enemies await as well as a new test for Beka's heart... Contains Hoennshipping.

10. Vs Spencer

Before this chapter begins, the characters Bridget and Severin Emmanuel Van Ambrose belong to fellow author The Crazy Sausage Dog and not me; so if wanting to borrow these OCs, ask this author first. Also, thanks goes out once again to BEWK for the help with certain parts of this chapter.

Vs. Spencer

The next day after the battle with Tucker; Beka, Edgar, and Ken were all at the Battle Frontier's Pokemon Center and teaching the youngest of the group about their Pokemon battling techniques outside of the Center.

"All righty Ken, are you ready for your first lesson in a Pokemon battle?" asked Edgar with a smile.

"Sure thing!" called out Ken, "Big Brother Ed!"

'Heh…' thought Edgar, '…he called me big bro.'

"So, should we get started?" asked Beka on the sidelines with PK.

"Yeah!" responded Ken, "Lets!"

"Alright," said Beka, "I'll referee while you two battle."

'I think I'll use Ironhyde…' thought Edgar and then called out with: "Okay kid! Get ready!" Edgar then pulled out the Premier Ball from his belt, expanded it in his hand, and then threw it out; calling forth: "Ironhyde! I choose you!"

From the tossed out Premier Ball came forth a surge of white from the sphere's insides and then landed on the ground. From the outburst of light materialized Ironhyde upon the battlefield before Edgar.

"A-ron!" called out Ironhyde in a gruff voice, ready for battle.

"Alright…let's go Teddy!" called out Ken as he turned to his Normal Element that currently stood by his side.

"Te-ddi-ur-sa!" called out Teddy and then leapt out into the battlefield before Ken, ready for battle as well.

Battle Situation:

Edgar's Aron, Ironhyde, vs. Ken's Teddiursa, Teddy

This is a one-on-one battle with no substitutions or time limit

BATLLE BEGIN!

"Ironhyde, use Headbutt on Teddy!"

Ironhyde lowered its steel head and then began to run toward Teddy in hopes of ramming it with its attack.

"Teddy, dodge the attack!"

Teddy made a powerful leap to its right and evaded the oncoming Ironhyde and its Headbutt attack.

'Not bad…' thought Edgar and then spoke with: "Ironhyde, use Water Pulse!"

Ironhyde opened its mouth and spat out three rings of watery light that then formed together and barreled toward Teddy at a fast pace.

"Teddy, use Protect!"

Teddy's body began to admit in a golden aura that shielded around its form and caused the Water Pulse to negate off after hitting the shield.

"You're doing great Ken!" called out Edgar in words of encouragement to his opponent.

"Thanks Big Brother Ed!" called out Ken, beaming a smile and rubbing the back of his head.

"But that doesn't mean I'll go easy on you!" called out Edgar and then called out to his Pokemon with: "Ironhyde, use Mud-Slap on Teddy now!"

Ironhyde kicked up its right front leg into the ground and sent out a blast of mud toward Teddy.

"Teddy, use Double Team!"

Teddy, flashing for a brief moment in a white light, suddenly split into various illusions of itself and surrounded the battlefield before Ironhyde.

"Okay," pondered Edgar, "now quickly use Iron Tail on the one in the middle!"

Ironhyde charged at a Teddy within the middle of the group and then leapt at it. Then, as it was air borne, Ironhyde did a turning movement that caused its backend to glow in a metallic hue of light and for it to unleash its Iron Tail upon the Teddy; revealing it was the real Teddiursa.

"Teddy, no!" exclaimed Ken in shock.

Teddy, with its illusions disappearing from around it, tumbled backwards for a few feet, but then climbed back onto its feet and showed that it was ready for more.

"Alright Teddy, now let's use Leer!"

Teddy narrowed its dark gaze out upon its opponent and caused its eyes to glow in a red hue; causing Ironhyde to shake softly in fright and for its Defense to be lowered.

"Aw, dang," muttered Edgar at the attack.

"Now use Fake Tears!" called out Ken.

Teddy then began to show a look of sadness upon its face and followed with it beginning to wail and sprout tears from its eyes; causing Ironhyde to now seem concerned for Teddy and also for its Special Defense to drop dramatically.

'Oh no!' exclaimed Edgar in his mind.

"Now Bulk-Up Teddy!"

Teddy then inhaled in a deep breath and exhaled its breath, causing its Attack and Defense to rise.

"Ironhyde, use Iron Tail!"

Ironhyde began to charge at Teddy again with its Iron Tail glowing from its back.

"Teddy, use Earthquake!"

Teddy jumped up into the air and landed hard upon the field, causing shockwave rings to form from under its feet and for a massive blast of white light to blow from underneath it and surge toward Ironhyde.

"Quick, use Protect Ironyde!"

Ironhyde enveloped itself in a golden surge of light that covered its body and protected it from Earthquake.

"Aw man…we were so close!" exclaimed Ken in disappointment.

"Okay Ironhyde, now use Double-Edge…full force!"

Ironhyde, glowing for a brief moment in a white light, began to charge at Teddy again.

"Teddy, Double Team!"

Teddy, once again, used its Double Team move to surround the battlefield around the oncoming Ironhyde.

"That's what I wanted you to do…Ironhyde, use Shock Wave!"

Ironhyde stopped with its charge and then began to focus upon its next attack. From its rock and steel form began to glow a bright yellow hue of light that then lead to a few outbursts of static lighting that shot up into the sky. Then, from the sky came forth dark storm clouds that bellowed and formed within a circular pattern above the battlefield. With the clouds formed, sudden bursts of lighting began to rain down on Ken's side of the battlefield and struck Teddy with the powerful electrical attack.

"No!" exclaimed Ken at the sight of his Teddiursa hit.

Teddy, after hit by the Shockwave attack, collapsed upon the field and to show that it had fainted to the attack.

"Teddy is unable to battle," called out Beka, "Ironhyde is the winner! The victor of this battle is Edgar!"

"Teddy!" called out Ken as he ran out and picked up his Normal Element into his arms, "Are you alright?"

"Te-ddi…ur-sa…" said Teddy quiet as it stirred from its faintness.

"Hey! Is Teddy okay?" asked Edgar as he ran up to Ken.

"Yeah…it'll be fine…" said Ken.

Edgar then knelt down in front of Ken and smiled at the youngest, complimenting with:

"You did good Ken…"

"Thanks…you're awesome Ed…" spoke up Ken with a smile.

"Thanks," replied Edgar, "but you're awesome too. I know you have great potential in becoming a good Pokemon trainer."

"Yup…but," said Ken, "I need to get stronger and much better at battling."

"I doubt that will happen kid!" came a voice from out of nowhere, "You should quit while you're ahead…"

The three trainers turned to were the voice was coming from and saw that it belonged to Larz, as he was leaning against a tree with his arms crossed and pressed on a cunning smirk.

'It's Larz!' thought Beka in exclamation within her tone.

"No one invited you Larz!" sneered Edgar, "So get lost and go crawl under a rock!"

"Pi-ka-chu!" called out PK in anger as well with its trainer.

"Humph…like I'd listen to you…" grunted Larz to Edgar.

"You're a meanie!" spat out Ken to Larz.

"Is that so?" asked Larz with a smirk as he saw Ken and pulled out a Pokeball, "I have to differ runt…"

Larz was about to call forth the Pokeball for his Pokemon to appear, but was soon stopped as he saw Beka get in-between him and her friends.

"I advise you leave now Larz…" spoke Beka in a low tone as her hazel gaze began to harden.

"And why should I Emerald?" asked Larz with a smirk.

"Because you're nothing but trouble," responded Beka, "that's why…"

Edgar then stood beside Beka and spoke with:

"And also, you're nothing but a bully. You always like to pick on people weaker than you Larz! You just never learn…you're just like your father Giovanni."

"So I guess I am Knight…would you like me to demonstrate to you again the lost of someone precious to you like my father did to your parents?" asked Larz as he began to chuckle evilly.

"You take that back now!" exclaimed Edgar in anger.

"And what if I don't?" smirked Larz.

"Grr…" Edgar growled softly at Larz.

"Larz…why can't you leave us alone?" asked Beka.

"Because he's a leech," said Edgar, "that's why."

"And also because I want you with me Emerald…" smirked Larz and then suddenly took Beka's right hand into his hand.

"Don't touch her!" snapped Edgar in rage.

Beka, seeing Larz having his hand on her unwantly, grabbed Larz's wrist and twisted it back so that he would let her go.

"Yeow!" yelled out Larz in pain.

"Let me show you what happens when you mess with a girl the wrong way…" said Beka coolly as she lifted up her right leg, pressed her foot against his gut, and then pushed him off her; causing him to land hard onto the ground upon his back.

"Ugh!" grunted out Larz as he landed hard onto the ground.

"Yeah Beka!" cheered out Edgar, "That'll teach him!"

"Now," said Beka in a cool, low, serious tone, "leave us Larz…"

"I swear that you will regret that day you ever crossed me Beka Goldheart…" said Larz in a threatening tone as his darkened, hard eyes narrowed upon the red-haired, hazel-eyed trainer.

"I'd like to see you try…" said Beka coldly, "…Larz Silver Rocket…"

"Now get lost!" snapped Edgar.

Larz simply stood back up upon his black booted feet and with a smirk, he stated with:

"You will both pay in dear time. Knight…you're first in my hit list…and then you're next Emerald…"

"I like to see you try and get your plan fulfilled…" spoke Beka quietly.

Larz then turned and began to walk away from the group, but then stopped and looked over his shoulder, speaking to Edgar with:

"I do have a question to ask you Knight…how did it feel to lose both your mom and dad? I bet your mom died screaming!"

Larz then burst into a harsh laughing matter that hinted within an evil manner.

"Why you!" growled out Edgar and then came at Larz, only for Beka to hold Edgar back from a fight.

"Ed, stop!" exclaimed Beka, "Calm down!"

"You're so pathetic Knight…" laughed Larz and then walked away, eventually leaving the scene.

'Larz…you creep…' thought Beka with a hardened look in her eyes as she let got of Edgar.

"Dang it!" spat out Edgar in rage and then threw his right fist hard into a tree, leaving it there for a moment as he breathed in heavy strides of anger.

"Ed…are you…will you be alright?" asked Beka cautiously as she held a concern look in her eyes as well as the tone was present in her voice.

"I need some air…" spoke Edgar softly and then walked off, leaving Beka and Ken alone by themselves.

Beka, knowing that she needed to speak to Edgar, pulled out a Pokeball and tossed it up into the air, calling forth:

"Blaziken, I choose you."

From a surge of white light that projected from the Pokeball came forth Blaziken upon the scene.

"Blaz-i-ken!" Blaziken called out as it was shown in its full form.

"Blaziken…watch over Ken please," asked Beka to her Fire/Fighting Element.

"Blaze…" Blaziken nodded to its trainer.

"Ken," said Beka, knelling down to the seven year-old, "stay here with Blaziken until I find Ed and bring him back. Okay?"

"'Kay," spoke Ken softly as he hugged Teddy.

"Don't worry, I'll be back soon," smiled Beka.

Beka then stood to her feet and turned to run after Edgar in the direction he went to.

"Pi-ka!" PK exclaimed, who was left behind by its trainer, and ran behind Beka.

0o0o0o0o0o0

Within the depths of the woods, Edgar was walking toward the end of a lake that was on the Frontier grounds. Kicking his feet angrily as he shuffled along his feet along the ground in a walk, Edgar thought with:

'That stupid Larz! He just ticks me off! How dare he make fun of my parents like that!'

Suddenly, Edgar's thoughts were soon interrupted by the sound of a familiar, yet insane, cackling laughter:

"GACK-ACK-ACK-ACK!"

"Huh?" asked Edgar as he turned to face… "YOU!"

"That's right Blue-Eyes!" said Pat as he smirked at Edgar while he leaned against the trunk of a tree, arms crossed.

"I'm not in the mood, you jerk!" spat out Edgar in haste, "Now leave or else!"

"Or else what?" asked Pat with a smirk, "Just moap around like a loser? GACK-ACK-ACK!"

"GRR!!" growled Edgar in impatience, "You're testing my patience!"

"Tell me Blue-Eyes…are you a good swimmer?" asked Pat, still keeping his dark smirk on his face.

"What kind of dumb question is that?" asked Edgar in disgust, "Of course I know how to swim!"

"Well, you're going to need it!" exclaimed Pat and then called out with: "Now Feraligatr!"

Suddenly, an out burst of water came from the lake that was right behind Edgar and followed with Pat's Feraligatr lunge forth from the depths of the water. Feraligatr then grabbed Edgar, pinning the trainer's arms close to his body, with its massive blue claws and catching the black-haired trainer by surprise.

"Hey!" yelled out Edgar as he struggled against the strong grip of Feraligatr, "Let me go!"

"Now," called out Pat to Feraligatr, "take him down under! GACK-ACK-ACK!"

"No!" cried out Edgar as he felt Feraligatr tighten on him more within its blue scaled grip.

Feraligatr then made a powerful leap into the lake, dragging Edgar down with it into the lake's watery depths. Meanwhile, as this was going on, Beka and PK suddenly appeared upon the seen and saw Edgar go down into the lake with Feraligatr holding him in its grip.

"Edgar!" cried out Beka as she saw her friend go under and then whipped around to look at Pat and ask: "What are you doing?!"

"GACK-ACK-ACK-ACK!" cackled Pat, "That'll teach Blue-Eyes to mess with Pat MacClintock!"

Beka, releasing a soft growl from her throat, turned back toward the water and saw that air bubbles began to wield and burst from below; signaling that Edgar was running out of air from below. Without hesitation, Beka threw off her messenger bag from around her shoulder and dove in after Edgar.

0o0o0o0o0o0

Meanwhile, underwater, Edgar tried to break free from Feraligatr's grasp, but proved useless as he strained effortlessly against the massive Water Element. Suddenly, with his lungs screaming and burning in his chest for air, Edgar gasped for air and ingested in water into his form.

'Can't breath…' thought Edgar as he felt himself slipping into the darkness, '…this is the end for me…Beka…'

0o0o0o0o0o0

Beka, seeing air bubbles floating within the water, caused her to trail her hazel gaze down the line of bubbles and saw Edgar and Feraligatr in the water. Without hesitation, Beka grabbed a Pokeball from her belt and tapped upon the red vessel's top; causing an outburst of white light to mesh out. From the light materialized Beka's Milotic within the water.

"Mi-lo-tic!" called out Milotic in its heavenly hue.

Milotic then turned to look at its trainer and saw that, in sign language, Beka order Milotic to use its Body Slam. With a nod of confirmation from its trainer, Milotic surged toward Feraligatr and slammed hard into the Water Element's side; causing the crocodile Pokemon to release a now passed out Edgar from its grips and into the water. Beka quickly swam over Edgar, grabbed her into her arms, and with a powerful kick upwards with her legs, she carried the both of them up to the surface. They both then broke the lake's surface and Beka turned to Edgar to say:

"Ed! Hang in there!"

Beka, doing a back swim, took Edgar back to shore and once feeling the sands under her feet; she got up to her feet and dragged Edgar onto the shore. Beka then gently plopped Edgar onto the sands and looked at him, showing that the trainer wasn't looking good since his eyes were closed and he wasn't responding at all.

"Pi-ka!" PK exclaimed as it saw its trainer in his current condition.

"Edgar…" said Beka softly and then thought with: '…I need to help him…'

Beka then began to give mouth-to-mouth to Edgar in hopes that her action would help to revive him from his grime, current state. After a few breaths into her friend, Edgar suddenly spat out water from his throat and began to cough violently as he cleared himself from the unwanted surge within him.

"Edgar…are you alright?" asked Beka with a concerned look.

"Beka…what happened…?" asked Edgar wearily.

"You almost drowned…but thankfully, Milotic and I got you out to safety…" said Beka with a reassuring smile on her face.

Edgar coughed more and then replied with:

"Thanks…"

"Sure…" said Beka and nodded, however, she then turned to Pat and spoke with: "Alright Pat…what was the big idea?"

"Isn't obvious…I was trying to teach blue-eyes a swimming lesson called revenge!" exclaimed Pat.

"How can you do such a thing?" asked Beka in disgust.

"Because you and Blue-Eyes are nothing but pests!" yelled out Pat, "However…now that you're here…why don't you come with me and show you where you rightfully belong to Baka?

"Beka…" came Edgar's voice, "…take him down."

"Right…" said Beka, nodding and turning toward the lake.

Releasing a high pitched whistle from her lips, Beka summoned forth her Milotic from the lake to come up beside her. The majestic Water Element did so as it slithered out of the water and got beside its trainer.

"Time to expose you as the fraud you really are Baka!" called out Pat and threw out a Pokeball into the battlefield, calling forth: "Come on out Tyranitar!"

From a flash of white light from Pat's aerial Pokeball came forth a Tyranitar, a Rock/Dark Element that looked like a massive dinosaur-like creature with brownish-green rocky skin, giant spikes that protruded from its back and alined down on the Pokemon's back, white claws, a showing of its blue-plated scales upon its stomach, black triangular markings on its chest, and narrowed black eyes.

"Ty-ran-i-tar!" roared out Tyranitar in a massive cry.

"Milotic…let's go…" said Beka.

Milotic quietly slithered before its trainer and readied itself for battle.

Battle Situation:

Beka's Milotic vs. Pat's Tyranitar

This will be a one-on-one battle with no substitutions or time limit

BATTLE BEGIN!

"Tyranitar! Use Thunderbolt!"

Tyranitar's rocky body began to illuminate in a yellow glow that shrouded its body and then sent out massive surges of electricity that splinted across the field toward Milotic.

"Milotic, Protect!"

Milotic sent up a golden aura around its serpentine form that caused the Thunderbolt, when it hit the Water Element, to negate off.

"Milotic, use Hydro Pump!"

Milotic then opened its mouth and sent out a massive surge of water that nailed hard into Tyranitar's chest.

"No!" exclaimed Pat in shock, but then turned into laughter as Pat cackled out with: "GACK-ACK-ACK-ACK! You fell for my trap! Tyranitar, use Thunder through Milotic's Hydro Pump!"

Tyranitar's body glow again in a yellow light, but grew brighter due to increase in strength, and then sent forth a massive blast of electricity that blaze through the Hydro Pump and hit Milotic hard with the attack. The Thunder attack caused Milotic to stop Hydro Pump and unleash a wailing cry of pain.

"Milotic, no!" exclaimed Beka in shock.

"C'mon Beka!" called out Edgar in support for his friend, "You can beat that jerk! You can do it!"

"Milotic, use Protect!"

Milotic, hearing its trainer through the attack, unleashed another shield of golden light that admitted from its body. With the shield up, Thunder lifted off and once again negated off the dragon Pokemon.

"Drat!" spat out Pat.

"Milotic, now use Surf!"

Milotic, with its body glowing in a watery blue aura, released a powerful cry that rang through out the scene and commenced its next move. From behind them, Beka saw that a massive tidal wave began to arise from the lake; arching high above the trainer and her friend in order to avoid them from getting hit by the attack. The Surf began to arch over and then, when it was above Pat and Tyranitar, the attack came raining down upon the group; as well as showing at Feraligatr, who was still in the lake, was caught up in the Surf and was coming down with the wall of water.

"Noooo!" exclaimed Pat as the wave crashed and sweep him and his Pokemon into the water's wake.

As he and his Pokemon surged down deeper into the forest, Pat yelled out:

"This match maybe a draw…but mark my words…I will be victorious against you Baka the next time we meet!"

As they disappeared deeper into the woods, a PING! noise was heard and followed with a speck of light that dinged to show that he was gone.

"Milotic, thank you!" exclaimed Beka in happiness and hugged her Milotic in praise.

"You did it Beka! Even though it was tie, you did…" exclaimed Edgar and then was followed out with: "…uh…uh…uh…ACHOO!"

Beka turned to see that Edgar had let out a heavy sneeze and followed with him sniffing back a coming cold and rubbed his nose.

"Ed, here…" said Beka, walking over to Edgar and pulling off his blazer.

Beka, after setting the blazer on the ground for the time being, Beka pulled out a green blanket from her messenger bag and wrapped it around Edgar's form.

"I'm okay Beka…honest…" said Edgar softly.

"Here…" said Beka, ignoring Edgar's comment and popping in a cold pill between his lips and gently pushing it inside of his mouth, "…swallow. It'll stop that cold…"

Edgar swallowed the pill down as Beka had ordered and then heard her say:

"And we need to go to the Pokemon Center…we need to get you out of those wet clothes…and I mean really wet…"

As Beka spoke the last of her sentence, she ringed out Edgar's red blazer as water drained and spilled from the red blazer jacket.

"Beka…I'll be fine…" said Edgar, not wanting Beka to worry about him.

"No…we shouldn't take any chances…" said Beka.

Edgar sighed at Beka's last comment and spoke with:

"Oh okay…you win…"

"Come on then," said Beka, "let's go…"

With that, the two trainers and PK left the lake side to go pick up Ken and Blaziken and then trek off to the Center.

0o0o0o0o0o0

About an hour later after taking a hot shower and fully dried, Edgar was lying on his back on a bottom bunk bed that was in his rented room at the Pokemon Center. Replacing his trainer's clothes, in which Beka had gone to dry his attire at a washer/dryer mat that was located in the Center, Edgar wore upon his form a long night shirt and pants that were colored in Suicune-blue tone and had Suicune-white, diamond-designs along the sleeves and pants of the PJ set.

"I hate being in bed…" mumbled Edgar with his arms crossed and having an annoyed look upon his face.

"Pi-ka-chu…" PK sighed at its trainer's reaction.

Suddenly, the door to Edgar's room opened and showed that Beka had now entered into the room with Edgar's fully dried attire that was neatly folded in her arms.

"Hi Ed…" greeted Beka as she came into the room.

"Oh," said Edgar, sitting up to see Beka walk in, "hey Beka."

"I came in to keep you company," said Beka as she set down Edgar's clothes on a dresser that was in the room.

"I can't stand being in bed Beka…" moaned Edgar.

"I know…it's hard…" said Beka, sitting on the edge of the bunk bed.

Just as Beka had sat down, the door open again and this time Nurse Joy stepped in to check on Edgar and his condition.

"Alright Edgar…time to take your temperature," said Nurse Joy as she pulled out a thermometer from her apron's pocket.

"Um…uh…" said Edgar softly as he saw the thermometer in Nurse Joy's hand.

"What's wrong?" asked Beka to Edgar.

"I hate thermometers…" said Edgar softly.

"But…it won't hurt you…it's just to see if you're okay…" explained Beka.

"Come on Edgar. Be a good boy, I won't bite…" joked Nurse Joy and giggled softly.

"It'll be fine Ed…" reassured Beka with a smile.

"Fine…" sighed Edgar, giving into the two females.

Nurse Joy then placed the thermometer into Edgar's mouth as Edgar pressed his tongue down upon the medical device so it held still in his mouth. Moments later, Nurse Joy took out the thermometer and looked it over carefully.

"Good…98.6 degrees Fahrenheit…a normal temperature…" diagnostic Nurse Joy at the results, "Now Edgar…that wasn't so bad…"

Nurse Joy then giggled and cleaned the thermometer and placed it back into her apron's pocket.

"Uh…y-yeah…I guess…" said Edgar softly as he began to hint blush on his cheeks.

"Well…you aren't running a fever or a chill," said Nurse Joy, "so that's good…but, you'll need to stay in bed and rest awhile, alright?"

"What?" asked Edgar, a little shock about the statement, "but…but…but…but what about my battle with Spencer?"

"Edgar," said Beka, "it can wait awhile…your health is more important right now…"

"But Beka…" said Edgar.

"Ed…remember what happened to me in Cerulean?" asked Beka, "I don't want the same thing to happen to you…"

"Oh," said Edgar softly, clearly remembering what had befallen upon Beka when she was at the Cerulean Gym, "all right…"

"Beka," said Nurse Joy, "watch Edgar for awhile as I run the Center…bye you two!"

With that, Nurse Joy turned and left the room to return to her post in the Center.

'This bites!' thought Edgar with disgust in his tone, 'I have to find a way to sneak out…there's no way I'm going to miss my battle with Spencer…'

"Ed…would you like me to get you anything?" asked Beka, being the answer to Edgar's prayer.

"Um…yeah!" exclaimed Edgar as he placed on an innocent grin, "Heh! Actually you can! Can you bring me something to eat? I'm kinda hungry."

"Okay," said Beka, "What would you like?"

"Um…uh…whatever you want," said Edgar.

"Okay then…I'll be back," said Beka, getting up from the bed and leaving the room.

"Pi-ka!" PK exclaimed and followed Beka by jumping on her shoulder.

Beka and PK, now having stepped into the hallway and closing the door to Edgar's room, began walking down the hall to look for the Center's cafeteria.

"Hmm…I wonder where the cafeteria's at?" pondered Beka to herself, "This Center is pretty big and most of the hallways are identical to one another…"

Beka and PK then went around a corner, hoping to see where it would lead her to.

0o0o0o0o0o0

After Beka left and closed the door to his room, Edgar immediately got out of bed, threw off his PJs, and slipped into his trainer's attire quickly.

"I hate to lie to Beka, but…I'm not going to miss my Pokemon battle and besides…I feel better now…" said Edgar to himself as he clipped on his Pokebelt from around his waist.

Edgar then walked to the door to his room and poked out his head, making sure the coast was clear. Seeing no one in sight, Edgar burst out of the doorway and began to make a run for the entrance way to the Center; which was clear in his view and not far from his room.

'All right!' cheered Edgar in thought, 'The coast is clear and no one is in sight…heh…freedom at last!'

0o0o0o0o0o0

"Well, it wasn't that way PK," said Beka as she talked to the Pikachu on her shoulder, "so I'm guess that it's…AH!"

Beka suddenly felt a heavy load of something tackle into her and caused her and the something, or someone, to collapses on top of her.

"Ow!" came a familiar cry of pain on top of Beka.

Beka looked up, since she was on her back and facing up, to see a pair of sapphire blue eyes shine deeply into her eyes and realized that it was…

"AHH!" Edgar screamed as he saw Beka, "Beka!"

"AHH!" Beka screamed as she saw Edgar, "Edgar!"

'Oh man!' thought Edgar at the sight of Beka, 'I'm so busted!'

"Um…Ed…" said Beka meekly, her face flushing a deep red to see that Edgar had her pinned to the ground and was upon her.

"Uh…h-h-hey! What's up? Heh…heh…" asked Edgar as he began to chuckle nervously.

"Um…Ed…" said Beka nervously, "…you're…um…on…top of me…"

"Oh! Sorry!" exclaimed Edgar, blushing a deep red as well as he realized he was on Beka and immediately got off of her.

"It's okay…but, why are you up and fully clothed?" asked Beka as she observed Edgar, "You should be in bed…"

"Um…I…" said Edgar, not knowing how to responded to Beka's question.

"It's about your battle, right?" asked Beka.

Edgar softly nodded to Beka's question; his response.

"Ed…I know you want to battle," said Beka, getting up to her feet, "but please…you need to rest…"

"Beka…I feel fine…really," said Edgar.

"Please Ed…just an hour nap?" asked Beka.

Just then, Nurse Joy suddenly appeared behind Beka and saw Edgar was out of his room and fully clothed.

"Edgar!" exclaimed Nurse Joy, "What are you doing out of bed! Get back to your room and in your bed this instant!"

"Aw, come on!" pleaded Edgar.

"You're last name is Knight, correct?" asked Nurse Joy.

"Uh…y-y-yeah," stammered Edgar.

"Well good!" said Nurse Joy, "I just happen to have your cousin Misty on my speed-dial here at the Center…I could give her a call and tell her on your current status…"

"No!" exclaimed Edgar with his arms out in stopping Nurse Joy's actions, "Don't, please! Anything but that!"

"You're choice…" said Nurse Joy with a smile, "…and besides, when you were seven, you once had the chicken pox and you didn't want to stay in bed back in Cerulean."

"Huh?" asked Edgar, surprisement on his face, "How…how did you know that?"

"Well," said Nurse Joy, still beaming her smile, "before I was the head nurse here at the Battle Frontier in Hoenn, I used to work in the Cerulean City's Center in Kanto and I was the one who took care of you."

"Really?" asked Edgar, still surprised.

"Yup! You were the little Poliwag," giggled Nurse Joy.

Edgar cringed at the word of his dreaded nickname as Beka began to laugh softly at Edgar's action.

"Hey!" exclaimed Edgar, "Beka! It isn't funny!"

"I'm sorry…I couldn't help it…" said Beka, suppressing back her laughing.

"Humph…" grunted Edgar as he crossed his arms and looked away.

"Well," said Beka, "I guess since you're fully dressed, you mind as well sit out here in the lounge awhile and take it easy."

"Oh no!" stated Nurse Joy, "He's heading for bed."

"But Nurse Joy…" said Edgar, but was cut off by Nurse Joy with:

"No buts! You go back to bed this instant or I'll call Misty and tell her what's going on!"

"Yes ma'am…" sighed Edgar, giving in to Nurse Joy.

With that, Edgar turned and moaped back to his room as Beka and Nurse Joy watched him leave and enter into his room.

"I'll follow him and keep him company in his room Nurse Joy…" said Beka to Nurse Joy.

"Alright," Nurse Joy nodded and let Beka and PK go to Edgar's room.

When Beka and PK reached Edgar's room, Beka gently turned the knob to the door in her hand and poked her head into the room.

"Ed?" asked Beka.

"I'm in bed…" sighed Edgar.

"Is it alright to come in?" asked Beka as she pushed more into the door and entering into the room.

"Yeah, sure…" sarcassed Edgar, "it's not like I'm going anywhere…"

Beka entered into the room to see Edgar was on top of his bed, having kicked off his white sneakers beside the bed and for his Pokebelt, hat, and blazer to both be thrown upon the dresser's top and rested there untidily. Beka, having sensed Edgar's tone, spoke with:

"Ed…I'm sorry, but you need to take this as a precaution…"

"I know, but still, this bites!" exclaimed Edgar, "I'm seventeen! Joy treats me like I'm an infant! I can make my own decisions."

"It's for your good though…" said Beka softly.

"Yeah…I guess," said Edgar softly as well.

Beka softly sighed and then sat down on the edge of Edgar's bed to keep her friend company.

"Edgar…" said Beka softly.

"Hm?" asked Edgar.

"I'm…sorry about earlier…" apologized Beka.

"What are you talking about?" asked Edgar, curious about Beka's apology.

"Well…back between you and Larz…" said Beka meekly.

"Larz is a snake…and besides," said Edgar, "it's not your fault."

"But what he said…it was just…so wrong…"

"Yeah…" said Edgar and reached into the inside of his green shirt.

Beka turned to see Edgar pull out his mother's golden, heart-shaped locket that was around his neck and opened it; showing a picture of Edgar's mother and father together within the picture, holding each other and smiling within the photo. Beka quietly leaned over to see the picture of Edgar's parents that was within the gold encasement and to see Edgar with a deep look in his sapphire eyes.

"My mother was so pretty…" said Edgar softly.

"She's beautiful…" agreed Beka.

"Yeah," said Edgar, "she sure is…"

"Your father is handsome…" said Beka as she saw Edgar's father.

"Yup," said Edgar simply.

"I know that they have good hearts…" said Beka.

"Why do good people have to die the way my mom and dad did…it doesn't add up…" pondered Edgar in a soft tone.

"I…don't know…" said Beka softly.

"I always ask myself…why…" continued on Edgar.

"But…you know," said Beka, "there is more good in this world than evil…"

"Good and evil…two sides of the same coin…" pondered Edgar in a philosophy.

"The Yin and Yang of the universe…light vs. darkness…" spoke Beka softly, adding in her opinion to Edgar's.

"Exactly…" said Edgar and then switched to: "…hey Beka…"

"Yeah?" asked Beka.

"I bought you something…" said Edgar.

"You did?" asked Beka, surprised that Edgar had gotten her something.

"Yeah…" said Edgar and then sat up.

Beka saw that Edgar had pulled up his backpack from the ground and zipped opened a compartment that was on the backpack. Edgar then reached inside the compartment and pulled out something in his hand. Beka then watched as Edgar brought his hand out to her and to show that he had presented Beka with a pair of emerald earring studs that were in the form of a cascade water drop.

"Earrings…" said Beka softly at her gift as she took them and placed them within the palm of her hands and observed them carefully.

"I…I know it's not much…but…" said Edgar softly.

"They're lovely Edgar…thank you…" said Beka with a soft smile.

Edgar smiled as well and began to blush to Beka's comment, glad that she liked the gift he gave her.

"Well, I guess I have something new to wear with my green attire," smiled Beka and then laughed softly, "but, I'll have to get my ears pierced as well to do so."

"Yeah…" chuckled Edgar.

"So…what's with the gift?" asked Beka.

"Um…um…" said Edgar in stammers as he blushed red, "…well I uh…w-w-wanted to give you something so you can um…look p-p-pretty…"

"Oh…" said Beka softly with a light blush and then smiled, "…that's so thoughtful…thank you…"

"Welcome…" blushed Edgar.

Beka then stood to her feet and went toward the window that was in Edgar's room and gazed out at the Battle Frontier.

"Beka?" asked Edgar, standing up and went by her side, "Is something wrong?"

"No…I just wanted to gaze out onto the world…the world that gave me a second chance…" said Beka softly and then asked with: "…Ed…have you ever wondered…if there was another purpose for you in life?"

"Well yeah…" said Edgar, "…I wondered when I became a trainer, if this was my path…my destiny…to become the best I can be…"

"Oh…" said Beka.

"Yeah…but I can't complain…to be quite honest…I'm glad to have you with me…" said Edgar as he took Beka's hand into his.

"Yeah…I guess so," said Beka softly as continued to look out and seeming to not notice her hand in Edgar's hand.

Edgar then began to edge closer to Beka and toward her face, gazing at her features in which he found to be the most beautiful thing in the entire universe. He then took the back of his hand and gently began to stroke Beka's face in gentle caresses of love and care as his hand glided against her skin and his fingers gently moving upon her cheek. Beka, feeling something gently touching her face, turned toward where the touch was coming from and saw Edgar was close to her face and that he was gazing deeply and lovingly into her hazel eyes.

"Beka…" said Edgar, wrapping his arms around her waist, pressing her close to him, and looking deeper into her eyes.

"Yes?" asked Beka meekly.

"I love you…" Edgar spoke with a soft smile, "…you're my inspiration every time I battle out there…"

"I am?" asked Beka again in her soft, meek voice.

"Yes…" nodded Edgar and then pressed his lips against hers in a kiss.

Beka began to blush red as Edgar sank his lips against hers into a kiss and then he stopped to look deeply into her eyes; her hazel eyes beginning to see a sapphire light with crystal shades of light filling into her mind.

"You're my whole world Beka Goldheart…" whispered Edgar to Beka.

"I…I am?" asked Beka, a bit stunned with everything occurring before her.

"Yes…you are…" said Edgar softly, but then noticed that Beka had a stunned look upon her face and asked with: "…What's the matter?"

"Um…" Beka was about to speak but was cut off by Edgar.

"I'm…sorry…" said Edgar, pulling away from her and letting her go from his hold, "…I know…you still love Stone..."

Beka sighed softly to Edgar's comment and then she heard him speak with:

"You know how I feel about you Beka…why can't you feel the same?"

"I…I do know how you feel…I…I…" said Beka softly, now feeling nervous before Edgar, and was again cut off by him as he said:

"Well, tell me then…who do you love…me or Steven?"

Beka stood there in shock to Edgar's question, the decision she would have to make to either keep or break her friendship between her and Edgar.

"I…I…" Beka spoke softly, not knowing what to respond with, but was then cut off by Edgar's sigh as the black-haired trainer spoke with:

"I need to rest."

"Okay…" said Beka softly.

Beka watched as Edgar crawled back into bed and had his back to her, facing the wall with his eyes. Seeing him like that on the bed gave Beka the sign to leave and which she did. Closing the door behind her, Beka then looked down into her hand and saw the pair of earrings that she still held within her palm. With a soft sigh, Beka slipped the earrings into her pant's pocket and left the scene, eventually leaving the Center as well. Meanwhile, back in his room, Edgar continued to look at the wall and thought with:

'Why can't you feel the same way about me Beka?'

0o0o0o0o0o0

Being within the sanctuary of the woods that surrounded the Battle Frontier, Beka sat upon a giant tree stump as she pondered upon the many thoughts that had now clouded and filled her mind with uncertainty and confusion. What was she to do now about Edgar…she knew he was upset about not giving him a clear answer on her heart's choice and it was now beginning to eat away inside of her. Little did Beka know, but May and Katie was walking together within the forest and conversating amongst each other when they suddenly spotted Beka and decided to approach her to talk with her.

"Hey Beka," greeted Katie.

Beka turned to hear the voice and saw it was only the two other female trainers within the group and spoke with:

"May…Katie…"

"Hey Beka," asked May, "what are you doing here by yourself?"

"I…needed to think…that's all…" said Beka, trying to cover up her current feelings.

"Wanna talk about it?" asked Katie, sitting down next to Beka on the stump.

"No…" replied Beka simply.

"I know what it is…it's Edgar, isn't it?" asked May.

"It's nothing…really…" Beka responded, hiding away her feelings.

"Beka…you can't fool me…" said May, showing bits of a stern tone in her voice.

"Please May…not now…" said Beka, pleading with the trainer.

"This is just like you!" exclaimed May, her voice slightly raised, "You're always avoiding the subject!"

"Uh…May," said Katie, trying to suppress May, "if Beka doesn't want to talk about it, then…uh…let's respect her wishes, huh?"

"That's the problem!" exclaimed May, her voice harsh in tone, "Beka is always afraid of telling Edgar how she really feels!"

As May shouted out those words, the final straw was pulled for Beka and caused the red-haired trainer to stand to her feet and yell out, causing Katie and May to be caught by surprise by Beka's action:

"I don't know how I feel anymore! I don't know how I feel about anything! I can't decide where my heart belongs! There! Is everyone happy? If I'm that much of a burden to everyone, then I'll just go away and never be heard of again!"

"Beka…please calm down…" said Katie, trying to calm down the raging trainer.

"I can't!" yelled out Beka, growing angrier and starting to cry, "I just can't! I want to tell how I really feel, but I can't! I don't know anything about myself!"

"Beka…" said May softly, realizing how angry she got her friend, "…I'm-I'm sorry…I didn't mean to yell at you…this is none of my business…"

Beka couldn't stand being around her friends in the current mood of anger she was within and began to walk off.

"Beka wait!" exclaimed Katie, holding out her hand for Beka to stop.

Beka didn't take notice and continued on.

"That's it…" said Katie, taking out a Pokeball, which was in a amber color with ancient fire emblem designs burnt upon it, and threw it out; calling out: "…Entei, block her path!"

From the ancient Pokeball came forth a fiery surge of red and orange light that burned like fire and materialized into the Legendary of Volcanoes: Entei, a Fire Element that looked like a massive crossover between a lion and a dog with a golden tri-pointed crown upon its forehead, red tri-pointed plates on its face, a grey mesh of hair that looked like a mustache on its nose, a thick, shaggy brown mane that covered its head and reached down pass its shoulders and rested on its sides, brown hair that covered its chest as well as a grey plate of hair that was underneath it, black circular padding around its joints on its legs, giant grey paws, wing-like appendages on the sides of its back that hosted a grey-white mass of fur that connected to its back and followed downward to resemble a tail, and glistening ruby-brown eyes.

"EN-TEI!" the Legendary of Volcanoes roared onto the scene, sounding like a lion's roar mixed with the eruption of a volcano.

"Huh?" asked Beka, realizing and feeling the presence of another Legendary near her.

Beka was then suddenly face-to-face with Entei's dazzling ruby-brown eyes that burned into her own eyes and touch deeply into her soul.

"An…an Entei…" Beka awed softly as she backed away from the Legendary and toward the two other trainers.

"Beka…you're not going anywhere!" Katie's voice called out to Beka.

"And why not?" asked Beka, having hints of snapping hidden within.

"Because you need to know that you can't survive out there on your own!" exclaimed Katie, "You need us!"

"But…I…" said Beka meekly.

"Beka…you can't face the world by yourself…" said Katie, "…there will be people in your life that you will need to be depended upon, whether its family, friends, or Pokemon."

Beka lowered her head toward the ground, her red hair gently straining over her face and overshadowing her emotions as she spoke with:

"Why…why is it so hard for me…?"

"Beka…" May said softly as Beka continued with:

"It's so easy for you two…" said Beka softly, "…you both have someone to give your hearts to…May, you have Brendan…Katie, you have Night…but…why do I have to decide who I love when I really don't know the truth?"

"Beka," said Katie, "you do know the truth…you can feel it inside your heart…"

"Then…why is it being pulled in two different directions?" asked Beka.

"Only you can decide," replied Katie.

"I just…don't know…" sighed Beka.

"I'll tell you what Beka…come to my room tonight and we'll have a girls' night out," suggested Katie with a smile.

"I dunno…" said Beka, feeling a little dismayed about Katie's idea.

"Come on! It'll be fun! You, me, and May…we'll all sit around, talk whatever we want, share a few pizzas, and have no guys interrupting us," said Katie as she pressed on her smile.

"Okay," said Beka softly, not wanting to disappoint her friend.

"Yes! This will be great!" exclaimed May in excitement, but seemed to press a concern look at Beka, wondering if Beka really wanted to go on with the suggestion.

0o0o0o0o0o0

Meanwhile, back within his room, Edgar was lying on his back upon the bottom bunk of the bed and playing with Ironhyde and PK.

"Wow Ironhyde, you're a little heavy…" chuckled Edgar as he felt the weight of his Rock/Steel Element next to him on the bed.

"A-ron…" grunted Ironhyde, having a disgruntled look on its face and puffing out a snort.

"Aw, I'm sorry pal…" said Edgar, smiling and petting Ironhyde's metal head.

"A-ron!" said Ironhyde in a happy tone.

"Pi-ka-chu…" said PK, looking at Edgar.

"Hey buddy, you're my pal too…" reassured Edgar and ruffled PK's right ear.

"Pi-ka!" exclaimed PK in a happy voice.

"PK," said Edgar softly to his Electric Element, "do you think Beka feels the same way as me?"

"Pi…" said PK softly, seeming hesitant to answer Edgar's question.

"Maybe I came out strong…" said Edgar softly.

"Pi-ka-chu," said PK.

Edgar sighed and then looked up to see the bottom of the top bunk before his blue eyes, speaking with:

"Why is love so complicated?"

Suddenly, a knock was heard coming from the outside of Edgar's door that made the black-haired trainer to sit up and call out with:

"Come in."

The doorknob turned and followed with the door being open to the inside of guys' room. Edgar saw that it was only Brendan and Night stepping into the room and checking in on Edgar.

"Oh, hey guys," greeted Edgar after recalling back Ironhyde to its Premier Ball, "what's up?"

"We heard you were stuck in bed…again…" said Brendan, and then sighed as he spoke in a joking manner, "…I swear Poliwag, if you want to be in the group, you gotta take better care of yourself."

"Hey!" exclaimed Edgar.

"Brendan…let's not Ed get worst…" sighed Night.

"It's okay Night…" said Edgar and spoke with an ending chuckle, "…besides, Sweat-Band Boy doesn't have much of a brain in that snow cone head of his anyway…"

"Hey!" exclaimed Brendan.

"We saw Beka leave the Center," said Night, "she looked sad…did something happen between the both of you?"

Edgar was silent to Night's question.

"Come on Edgar…spit it out…" said Brendan.

"I kissed her…" said Edgar softly.

"That's nothing new," said Brendan, "you kissed her coming here on the S.S. Tidal."

"Yeah," said Edgar, "but I think Beka still loves Stone…and that really bugs me…"

"How so?" asked Night.

"I asked her if she felt the same way about me as I felt about her, and as usual, she doesn't know…" said Edgar and sighed with, "…maybe it's best that I forget about her and head back to Kanto…"

"What?" asked Brendan, immediately perking to Edgar's last statement in shock, "What are you talking about? You still have to be here at the Battle Frontier to complete the Challenge and what about us?"

Edgar didn't reply.

"I can't believe you…" growled Brendan softly and then grabbed Edgar by the collar of his shirt, pulling the black-haired trainer up from the bed and glaring dead centered into his blue eyes, "…listen to me Edgar Knight and listen good! If you bail out on us now…you'll be making the biggest mistake of your life!"

"Let go of me Birch…" spoke Edgar in a low, threatening tone.

"No…I won't!" shouted Brendan, yelling in his friend's face, "You're one of my best friends and I will not let you leave our team like this!"

"You don't get it do you?" growled Edgar, his tone rising in anger.

"Don't get what?" asked Brendan, his tone having grown even louder, "Abandoning your friends? Giving up on your dreams? Breaking your promise?"

Those last statements caused Edgar to bow down his head…the words sinking inside of him.

"Edgar…please…don't do something that you're going to regret in the long run!" said Brendan.

"Brendan…" said Night quietly, trying to calm the white-haired trainer down as he saw Edgar's downward expression.

"No!" exclaimed Brendan, "Someone has to knock some sense into him! The Edgar Knight I know would never abandon his friends, no matter what!" Brendan then gazed at Edgar with a dark brown, ruby-hinted stare and spoke with: "You're nothing but a quitter!" Brendan then let go of Edgar in a push on the bed and stated with: "Fine…go back to Kanto for all I care, you jerk! But if you leave now, I'll never forgive you!"

Brendan then turned around and stormed off out of the room, eventually leaving the Center.

"Edgar…are you sure about this?" asked Night, his arms crossed as he stared at his friend.

"I don't know…I really don't know…" spoke Edgar softly.

Night released a soft sigh from his closed lips and then spoke with:

"I don't know what to tell you Edgar…but…do as you wish…just remember, the choices you make in life have a cost…and…I hope you make the right choice and are willing to pay your consequences…"

With that, Night turned and stepped out of the room; closing the door and giving Edgar time to decide.

'Maybe this is the best choice…' thought Edgar.

"Pi-ka?" asked PK, pressing a concerned look on its face for its trainer.

"We're going home PK…" Edgar spoke.

"Pi? Pi-ka-chu?" asked PK, exclaiming in its question and translated to Edgar's ears as: What? Why?

"We're going and that's that PK," replied Edgar.

"Pi-pi-ka-chu…" said PK, shaking its head in disagreement, No, I won't leave…

"PK," said Edgar, "I know it's hard…but there's nothing for me to do here…Beka won't love me back…"

PK, seeming disgruntled by Edgar's reply, grabbed Edgar's right sleeve to his blazer in its mouth and began pulling it back up his arm; its white teeth gritting hard against the red, durable fabric.

"PK!" exclaimed Edgar, wondering what was up with his Pikachu, "Hey! What are you doing?"

PK had pulled back the blazer's sleeve to reveal the green and yellow Rayquaza ring designed handkerchief that Beka had given Edgar, back from the days of the Hoenn League, tied around his wrist.

"This was the handkerchief Beka gave me…but what's the use…" said Edgar softly, hints of sadness within his voice at the sight of the cloth.

Edgar, spoke PK within translation that had now become clear and crisp in Edgar's ears, I remember the story when you told me that Beka gave you…don't you think that it's a symbol of deep care and feelings?

"Huh?" asked Edgar, looking at PK with shock and realizing that he could understand PK's thick, dialect language, "PK…I…I can understand you, so well…"

And you haven't? asked PK with a look of confusion on its face.

"I must be going crazy…" said Edgar, pressing his forehead against his raised up hand, "…one second I can only understand bits and pieces to your words…but now, I can translate an entire sentence in your language into English…"

Edgar…please don't go… pleaded PK.

"PK," said Edgar, "I already made up my mind…"

Well…if you are going…then I'm staying… stated PK, …I'm keeping my promise…

"PK…don't make this any harder…or else…" said Edgar, taking out a Pokeball, "…you're going in a Pokeball…"

Edgar…please don't go! exclaimed PK, You just can't!

"Beka doesn't love me PK…" spoke Edgar softly, his words seeming heart-felt and sad.

That's not true! exclaimed PK, Beka cares about you so much! I don't know how deeply, but she does care for you!

Edgar then felt something hit him, a memory from Cerulean when he faced the Fighting Pokemon Brothers. He remembered after he got hit by Poison Sting, he felt Beka cradle him in her arms and could feel her crying for his pain; pleading she was sorry and that she wanted to help him within his battle against the Brothers.

"Maybe…" spoke Edgar softly.

Edgar…please stay… spoke PK.

Silence filled the room as Edgar stood there on the floor and gazed at his feet. PK remained silent as its brown/black eyes gazed quietly at its trainer.

"PK…" Edgar spoke.

Yes? asked PK.

"All right…I'll stay…" said Edgar.

"Pi-ka-chu!" I knew you would! cried out PK for joy and smiled.

PK then jumped onto Edgar's right shoulder as it nudged against its trainer's cheek while Edgar smiled and hugged his right arm on PK upon his shoulder. Just then, the door creaked open to reveal Night poking in his head to check on Edgar.

"Edgar…have you made your decision?" asked Night.

"I'm staying," replied Edgar.

"That's good to hear…" said Night with a soft smile and then turned with a serious look when he spoke with: "…I would advise you speak to Brendan…he seems pretty upset with you Edgar…"

"I know…" said Edgar in agreeance and nodded.

0o0o0o0o0o0

Making their way out of the woods, Katie, May, and Beka were heading back to the Center when they suddenly saw Brendan coming into view before them; seeming really upset over something.

"Brendan?" asked May meekly, running up to her boyfriend.

"Hey Brendan…what's wrong?" asked Katie softly.

"It's Knight…that stupid idiot…" muttered Brendan with a serious look in his brown eyes.

"What happened?" asked Katie.

"Ed wants to leave us…" said Brendan.

"What?" asked May in shock, "But why?"

"He wants to leave because of Beka," spoke Brendan.

"B-Because of…m-me?" asked Beka meekly, nervousness and sadness filling with her at Brendan's words.

"Yeah," nodded Brendan.

"I…I knew it…" said Beka softly in a sorrowful tone, hanging her head low, "…This…this is all my fault…because of me…everything bad has to befall on everyone else…I…I think it's best if I…if I…"

"Brendan?" came a familiar voice, causing the group to turn and see Edgar and PK before them.

"Edgar…" said Brendan, turning to see Edgar.

As this took place, Beka quietly slipped away from the group unnoticed to leave the one whose heart she broke…

"Listen..." said Edgar to Brendan, "…you were right…I was wrong…"

"So…you're staying?" asked Brendan.

"Yeah…" spoke Edgar.

"Edgar…why were you even thinking about leaving?" asked May.

Edgar didn't answer to May's question at first, having a moment of silence to fill the air, but then spoke with:

"It was just a mistake on my part…that's all May…"

"Well…I think you need to get your priorities straight," stated May with her arms crossed.

"Yeah…" nodded Edgar softly.

"Guys…" stated Katie softly.

"Yeah?" asked Brendan.

"Where's Beka?" asked Katie.

"Oh great…" said May with a sigh.

"I'll go find her…" reassured Edgar and began to go look for his friend when Katie interrupted with:

"Wait…I think it be best if you didn't look for her Ed."

"Why not?" asked Edgar, turning to look at Katie in an odd way.

"She…she thinks you hate her…" said Katie softly.

"I don't hate her," said Edgar, "where did you get that idea?"

"I saw it in her eyes…I heard it in her voice...Edgar…I think Beka might be afraid to face you…" spoke Katie softly.

"I don't know where you got that idea," spoke Edgar, "I'll go talk to her…"

"As you wish…" sighed Katie.

After Katie's final statement, Edgar left the others in search for Beka within the woods that surrounded the Battle Frontier.

'This is all my fault that Beka's like this…' thought Edgar as he ran into the forest.

"Poor Edgar…" said May softly, "…I hope he can find Beka and get this all resolved…"

"Yeah," agreed Brendan, "me too…"

"Me three," agreed Katie as well, "I hope things don't get worst…"

0o0o0o0o0o0

Meanwhile, deep within the woods, Beka was walking alone with her hands dug deep into her pant's pocket as she gazed out upon the grassy ground before her; a plastering look of sadness filling her face and hazel eyes.

"Am I really a problem?" asked Beka to herself, "Am I really that much of a burden? If the guys didn't want me around…I could've just left…all they had to do was ask…"

"Talking to yourself Emerald?" came a chuckling voice.

Beka turned her head to her right to see Larz appearing from out of a line of trees with his arms crossed and placing a dark smile on his face.

"Larz," said Beka softly, seeing the flame-haired trainer, "it's you…"

"The one and only," replied Larz with a sly smirk, "What's the matter? Did you get into a fight with that fool Knight?"

"I guess you could say that…" sighed Beka.

"Well, maybe I can make worth your while…" suggested Larz with an evil chuckle.

"Please," said Beka, "just leave me alone…"

"Why should I?" asked Larz, "It's amusing to see you like this…so fragile…so weak…"

"Why?" asked Beka simply.

"Because it's written all over your face…" answered Larz.

"I guess you're right…" sighed Beka again.

"Y'know," said Larz, his sharp black eyes focused on her, "you remind me of someone close to me…"

"Who?" asked Beka, a bit surprised by Larz's statement.

"Uh…never mind…" said Larz, realizing what he had said and trying to change the subject.

"Are you sure?" asked Beka.

"Yes!" growled Larz sharply, "I'm sure you fool!"

"Fine, fine…I won't bother you anymore…" winced Beka within her statement and then turned to walk away in another direction away from Larz.

"Why leave so soon? Let's have a battle Emerald…you and me…here and now," said Larz with an evil smirk.

"I'm…not in the mood for a battle…" said Beka softly.

"Unless you're a coward," spoke Larz, causing Beka to finally forfeit to his battling offer.

"Fine…" sighed Beka and got within a position for battle.

"I have a secret weapon here that I will use to crush my arch enemy Knight," spoke Larz to Beka, "but why use it against you?"

"What are you talking about?" asked Beka with confusion in her tone.

"Like I would tell an airhead like you…" chuckled Larz.

"What's that suppose to mean?" asked Beka in retaliation.

"My," sarcassed Larz, "you have no sense of humor Emerald…"

"I'm not in the mood for humor…" said Beka, pulling out a Pokeball and for her hazel eyes to slowly dim to an emerald green hue, "…if you want to battle me…then let's."

"Come on out Magneton!" called out Larz, throwing out a Pokeball.

From the Pokeball bursted forth a stream of white light that materialized into a Magneton which hovered slightly above ground.

"Mag-ne-ton!" called out Magneton in a low, electrical voice.

Beka then threw out her Pokeball out onto the field and called forth:

"Dratini, I choose you!"

From a surge of white light from her Pokeball materialized Dratini upon the grassy field.

"Draaa!" called out Dratini in an innocent cry.

"Heh…" laughed Larz, "…a Dratini…how pathetic…"

"Looks can be deceiving…" quoted Beka.

"I'm going to enjoy crushing you Emerald…" said Larz with an evil smirk.

"Just battle Larz…" said Beka, her eyes flashing deeper into an emerald color.

Battle Situation:

Beka's Dratini vs. Larz's Magneton

This is a one-on-one battle with no substitutions or time limit

BATTLE BEGIN!

"Magneton! Use Lock-On!"

Magneton's three eyes scanned upon the battlefield and took aim at Dratini, which was standing before it on the field.

"Dratini…use Thunder Wave!"

From the wing-like appendages on the sides of its head, a faint bluish-white glow emitted from them and then followed with the dragon sending out outburst of static electricity; striking Magneton and paralyzing it. Larz, seeing its Pokemon inquired, immediately pulled out a bottle of Paralyze Heal and sprayed it on his Pokemon; showing it fully recovered from the attack. Beka gritted her teeth at Larz's action and then called out with:

"Dratini, again with Thunder Wave!"

Dratini used its Thunder Wave again and shocked Magneton once more with its Electric Element attack.

"Grrr…" growled Larz, "…curses…Magneton! Use Lock-On and then use Zap Cannon on that Dratini!"

Magneton again focused its Lock-On on Dratini and when it caught the Dragon Element in its sight, Magneton's six magnets folded into the center of its tri-body and began to form a sphere of electrical light. Then, it unleashed the sphere of electrical light that zapped in an instant across the air and slammed it hard into Dratini; knocking the dragon backwards and to show electrical static around its serpent body in the form of a Paralysis status.

"Dratini!" called out Beka, "You can pull through! Now use your Flamethrower!"

Dratini lifted its head up and then shot out a blast of red, orange, and yellow flames that came forth from its mouth.

"Use Protect Magneton!"

Magneton then sent forth shield of golden light that surrounded its form and caused the Flamethrower attack to negate off.

"Dratini, use Agility!"

In a desperate move, Dratini began disappearing and reappearing around certain parts of the field to increase its Speed status, but due to Paralysis, Dratini seemed to flinch and stop for a brief moment before continuing with its fast-past tactic. This gave Larz an idea.

"Magneton! Use Toxic!"

Magneton's six magnets again folded into the center of its body, formed a sphere of purple light, and then shot out the sphere in the form of a glob of toxic sludge; slamming into Dratini when it had stopped to recover from Paralysis and nailing its movement strategy to a halt.

"Dratini!" exclaimed Beka, seeing her Dragon Element trapped in the Toxic mess and struggling to get out of it.

"Now use Rain Dance and finish off with Thunder!"

Magneton's body began to flash for a brief moment in a blue aura that caused gray rain clouds to form above the battlefield and for a light shower of rain to veil around the battlefield. Then, Magneton's body melted from a blue aura to bright yellow light that caused it to send forth a massive surge of electricity that streaked across the field and directly hitting Dratini. Dratini gave out a cry of pain as the Thunder literally dissolved the Toxic from around its form and for the tiny dragon to collapse on the field, showing it had fainted.

"Dratini!" cried out Beka and then ran up to her Dratini and picked it up in her arms, "Dratini…are you alright?"

"Dra…" spoke Dratini weakly as it opened its dark eyes to see its trainer.

"Don't worry my friend…I'll get you to the Center…meanwhile, take a rest in your Pokeball…you deserve a good rest after your good battle…I'm proud of you…" said Beka, holding out Dratini's Pokeball and recalling it back inside the spherical vessel.

"Humph! You are so pathetic…" grunted Larz as he recalled back his Magneton.

"What do you mean?" asked Beka, looking up at Larz.

"You haven't given your all in this battle," said Larz.

"I'm sorry," said Beka, "I told you I wasn't in the mood for a battle…"

"If I can beat you, anyone can!" shouted Larz, "And they call you the Emerald of Hoenn…you're nothing but a joke. You're just a weakling as Knight…in fact, even more of one…"

"Why do you do this?" asked Beka, "Why do you make others feel so down about themselves?"

"Because I enjoy crushing weaklings like you," laughed Larz.

"You're nothing but a bully," said Beka, "true weaklings at that…"

"Oh really? If I'm a weakling, then how did I beat you then?" asked Larz with a chuckle, "Maybe you should go back to wherever you came from…you don't belong here…"

Those words hit Beka hard, causing her to lower her gaze to the ground and spoke with:

"I know…I don't belong anywhere…"

"Next time, if you want to battle, I'm not that hard to find," spoke Larz, "but in your current…I pity you…a real trainer should look deep within and search what they lost…"

"And this coming from the son of an evil leader of an evil organization?" asked Beka with surprisement at Larz's comment.

"Heh…think what you want…now I will leave you to let you sulk in your misery…" said Larz, cackling in an evil laughter and leaving Beka; almost like a shadow and leaving nothing to show that he had meet her.

When Larz vanished from sight, Beka fell onto her knees in defeat; the defeat of not only her battle but the feeling of defeat that her emotions that began to swell within her. First it was with Edgar…and now the realization that maybe she didn't belong…not only here at the Battle Frontier, but in this world as well…

"Beka!" a familiar voice, faint but getting stronger, was heard within her hearing.

"It's just the wind probably…" spoke Beka softly to herself as her red hair spilled over her shadowed face, "…no one wants me…"

"Beka!" the voice called out again, getting closer, "Where are you?"

"Nowhere…" spoke Beka to herself, "…I'm nowhere…"

Just then, Edgar had come onto the area where Beka had battled at and saw her on the ground upon her knees.

"Beka!" called out Edgar and ran up to her.

"No one wants me…" mumbled Beka, with Edgar picking it up.

"Huh? What are you talking about…?" asked Edgar, kneeling beside his friend.

"No one wants me…" spoke Beka, seeming lost in her own sorrow, "…I don't belong anywhere…I'm…I'm nobody…"

"Hey…," said Edgar softly, "…don't say that…that's not true…"

"And how would you know?" asked Beka.

"Listen…Beka," said Edgar, "I'm sorry…about earlier…"

Beka didn't reply.

"I know I came on strong…I didn't mean to hurt your feelings…" spoke Edgar, the tone in his voice filled with sadness.

Beka then suddenly began to shake in grief and Edgar took notice.

"Beka?" asked Edgar, "What's wrong?"

"Why…why do I have to be the one…to be so different?" asked Beka, her voice shaking.

Edgar didn't know what or how to respond to Beka's question, and then heard her when she said:

"I just…I just need…to go away…"

"No, wait…don't go," said Edgar.

"It's the only way to make people happy…for me to just go away and never be known about again…" said Beka, her words bringing back painful memories from the real world.

"I don't want you to go," said Edgar, "and neither do the others."

"But," said Beka softly, "it's the only way to make you all much happier…"

"Don't say that!" exclaimed Edgar, "You know that's not true!"

"I just want to make you all happy," spoke Beka softly, her words seeming out of place and causing a scare in Edgar, "and you all shouldn't be with me anyway…I have to defend the world against Team Sky…I have to serve under Rayquaza…I have to do this…alone…"

"Beka…not this again…" said Edgar.

"Then," said Beka, "if you don't want to hear it…then I'll just go…"

"You think you're the only one with a purpose?" asked Edgar, "I have a purpose too! You're not the only Chosen One Beka!"

"But then why am I the only one that has to be different?" asked Beka in an exclamatory tone, "Huh? Why was I chosen by billions of people from my world to come here and be Emerald?"

"So what if you're different!" exclaimed Edgar, "That's what makes you unique! That's what makes you, you Beka! Cherish it! You might think being Emerald is a curse, but you know and I know that it's not true! It's a blessing in disguise! Y'know, I'm a Chosen One as well and sometimes, I just want to be a normal kid with a normal life, but I can't. Suicune chose me for a reason; just like Rayquaza chose you to be Emerald…You don't have to carry the burden by yourself."

"But I have to…" said Beka meekly.

"No, you don't," said Edgar, "I'm here with you and I'll go with you until the ends of the Earth by your side as well as the others."

"…" was Beka's response.

"Beka please…stay," pleaded Edgar.

"Why?" asked Beka.

"Because…you're my friend…and I need you…" said Edgar softly.

"But…" said Beka meekly.

"But what?" asked Edgar, "You have to face Team Sky alone? Not gonna happen."

"No…not that…"said Beka.

"Oh…" spoke Edgar softly.

Beka nodded and said:

"I thought…I thought you hated me…"

"I don't hate you…where did you get that idea?" asked Edgar, "You're fun to be around with Beka. You make me…well…happy."

"How?" asked Beka.

"Your presence," said Edgar, "your sense of humor, your smile…"

"But…it's not entirely complete for you…" said Beka.

"Beka…I…I know sometimes…I come on strong on you…and I'm sorry…I really feel bad about it…" said Edgar and then stood up, "…if you want to be alone…I understand…"

"Okay…" said Beka softly.

"Just don't leave us…" said Edgar.

"…" was Beka's response yet again to Edgar.

With no response given, Edgar quietly turned around and began to walk back toward the direction he came through, but was then stopped with Beka saying:

"…Edgar…"

"Yeah?" asked Edgar, a long silence trailing after his question.

"Um…" said Beka softly, seeming hesitant to speak at first, but spoke with: "…there's something I want to talk to you about…but…I want to wait until the Frontier Challenge is over with…to tell you…"

"Okay…" said Edgar softly.

"And…thank you…for well…you know…for everything…" thanked Beka.

"You're welcome…" said Edgar.

"I…I don't want to be alone," said Beka, beginning to realize on her faults in comments earlier, "Edgar…I want to be with you guys…I want to have fun and adventures with you all…"

"I know, we want to be with you too Beka," said Edgar, "I mean…when my mom and dad died, I thought I was alone…that no one would want to be with me…I thought my world would crumble, but it didn't…"

"Because you had Misty…and your cousins…and Ash as well as your other friends…" said Beka.

"True…" said Edgar, "but you got us Beka, and we have you…and that means a lot…"and ended with a soft smile on his lips.

"Yeah…" replied Beka with a soft, yet weak smile beginning to perk on her face.

"If you want to talk…I won't be far away…" said Edgar and began to walk off when he heard Beka say:

"Actually…I want to go back to the Center…" she stated, getting up, walking over to Edgar, and taking her hand into Edgar's right hand, "…with you and the others…"

"That'll be nice," said Edgar with a smile.

"Yeah," said Beka softly.

With that, the two trainers headed back toward the Center hand-in-hand and ready for their adventure as friends as always. Beka, failing to realize what she was doing, began to gently press against Edgar's arm as they walk; causing Edgar to blush softly and to think with…

"OW!"

Edgar's thoughts, not being able to come forth, were stopped when he bumped his forehead hard against a low-hand branch of a tree.

"Ed!" exclaimed Beka, "Are you alright?"

"Ow…" moaned Edgar, taking off his hat and rubbing the part of impact on his forehead.

Seeing that he had a tiny nick on the point of impact on his forehead, Beka pulled out a band aid and put it on Edgar's forehead where the tiny inquiry was at.

"Uh…thanks?" asked Edgar with surprisement.

"Sure…anytime," said Beka with a smile, which caused Edgar to blush red and for Beka to notice and to ask with: "Ed…are you alright? You're growing red…you don't have a fever, do you?"

"Uh, I'm f-f-fine…" stammered Edgar.

"Okay," said Beka softly and then suddenly heard someone call her name.

"Beka!" came the familiar voice.

Edgar and Beka turned to see it was Brendan, May, and Katie running up to them.

"Guys?" asked Beka meekly.

"Who did you think it was…the X-Men?" asked Brendan with a smirk.

"Well, if you were in fact a mutant Sweat-Band Boy, your white hair makes up for it…" laughed Edgar.

"HEY!" exclaimed Brendan.

"May…Katie…I'm sorry about earlier…" said Beka and bowed in forgiveness.

"Oh, it's okay!" said Katie and hugged Beka, "We forgive you!"

"Beka?" asked May meekly.

"May…I'm sorry…" said Beka, turning to face May.

"No…I should be apologizing…" sniffed May, in which she then burst into tears and went to hug Beka as well.

"Guys…" said Beka softly, hugging both girls in her arms as they hugged her back.

"Hey Ed," said Brendan, "did you kiss and make up?"

With his question stated, Brendan felt Edgar whacked him hard on his head.

"OW!" exclaimed Brendan.

"You talk too much," said Edgar as Garrett and Night sweat dropped.

"Come on guys," said May, "let's go back to Pokemon Center."

"Right," said Edgar and the group proceeded to the Center for a few moments of rest.

0o0o0o0o0o0

'So I wonder what Pokemon I should choose against Spencer? Hmm…' asked Beka to herself in her mind as she looked at her Pokeballs that were held in her hand.

Sitting within the lounge of the Center, Beka was preparing for her battle against Spencer at the Battle Palace and was deciding carefully on her Pokemon of choice.

"Hey Beka, what are you up to?" came the voice of Edgar as he sat down beside Beka on the couch she was at.

"Oh hey Ed," said Beka, looking up from her Pokeballs to talk to her friend, "I'm just deciding on which Pokemon I should use for against Spencer."

"Well," said Edgar, "I already got my three chosen, so I'm good to go."

"That's good," said Beka, "and as a matter of fact, I think I might have a good idea of my three of choice as well."

"Heh, that was quick," chuckled Edgar.

"Oh wow!" came a voice of a female, which had an Australian-accent within the tone, from behind the couch, "Are you really her? Are you really Beka Goldheart?"

Beka turned around to see who was talking to her and saw two individuals were standing behind her. One of them was a female who was about fifteen years old and stood at five feet, four inches in height with shoulder length dark brown hair, hazel eyes, and slightly tanned skin that shown a few freckles upon her face. The female's attire consisted of a white t-shirt with black sleeves, a pair of white, fingerless gloves with black cuffs on her hands, a denim mini-skirt, a red Pokebelt that was buckled around her, knee high white socks, and red runner shoes with white soles and laces. Beside the teen was another teenager who was male at appeared to be eighteen and stood at a height of six feet, nine inches with brown hair that shown bits of blonde and black within, olive green eyes, and a pale skin complexion, but also honed a muscular built with a navy blue tattoo on his left arm. The male's attire consisted simply of a white baseball cap, a black sleeveless shirt, a pair of three-quarter length, dirty denim jeans, a black spiked Pokebelt, and black runner shoes.

"Umm…yes I am," said Beka softly.

"Wow!" exclaimed the girl, "it's so cool to finally meet you! I'm Bridget!"

"Hey Bridget," said Beka with a smile, standing up and shaking hands with the girl.

"Hey there," said Edgar, standing up as well and extending a hand, "I'm Edgar Knight."

"Wow, I've heard about you too!" said Bridget and shook his hand, "You're quite famous within different regions of the world."

"Well," said Edgar, "I am a pretty good trainer." He then chuckled after his statement.

"Hello," came the voice of the male as he stuck out his hand toward Beka, "my name is Severin Emmanuel Van Ambrose. It's an honor to meet you Miss. Goldheart."

"Same here," said Beka with a smile and shook Severin's hand.

"It's an honor to meet you as well Mr. Knight," said Severin and shook Edgar's hand as well.

"Like wise," spoke Edgar and shook Severin's hand.

"So are you two also competitors within the Frontier Challenge?" asked Beka.

"Yup," said Bridget with a bubbly smile, "but not only that…Severin?"

With a nod of Severin's head, both trainers pulled out a small casebook and opened to show to Beka and Edgar. Immediately, the two trainers gasped to see that both Bridget and Severin had already collected the seven Frontier Symbols with the area.

"No way!" exclaimed Beka.

"They got all their symbols already!" gasped Edgar and then looked up at the two and took an even closer look at them, "Wait a minute…I recognize you two now! You're both top Pokemon trainers!"

"Yup!" giggled Bridget, "But…it's best if you don't mention it too much…it's really my Pokemon that deserve the credit and outburst like that can be very rude…"

"I understand," said Beka with a nod.

"Yeah, me too," said Edgar, "sorry about that."

"Oh, it's okay!" smiled Bridget, "But you two are quite powerful as well; especially your Blaziken Beka. We both saw it on television when you battled Edgar and his Suicune."

"Yeah," said Beka, pulling out a Pokeball that contained her Fire/Fighting Element and smiled, "Blaziken was my very first Pokemon…I got it when it was a Torchic and has been there for me…as well as my other Pokemon."

"Perhaps you would like to see mine Beka?" asked Severin, holding a Pokeball as well, "I think you might be interested to see it."

"Sure," said Beka, "I'd love too."

"Okay then," said Severin and threw out his Pokeball, "Alpha, come on out!"

From a flash of white light that burst from the Pokeball came forth a Blaziken that was much different that Beka's. This Blaziken was extremely the opposite of a normal Blaziken, having pastel blue feathers that substituted for the red parts of its body, gold flame-like designs on the bottoms of its legs instead of yellow, pure white feathers that flowed on its head instead of a cream color tone, silver-colored claws, and eyes that gleamed in a beautiful gold and sky blue light.

"Blaz-i-ken!" Alpha called out and clenched its fist to outburst flames on the wrists.

"A-A-A-Ama…zing…" said Beka softly, awe clearing present in her voice.

"No way!" exclaimed Edgar, "That is so awesome looking and it's not the rare shiny Blaziken either!"

"Well, she is rare," said Severin, "but true…a shiny Blaziken would be darker in its natural coloring, not blue."

"You said it was a she?" asked Beka and continued to look at Alpha, "Wow…she is beautiful…"

"Thanks," smiled Severin and then recalled back Alpha in her Pokeball for rest.

"Well," said Beka, "Edgar and I have to go to our battles against Spencer now…but it was nice meeting you two. I hope we can chat more after our battle."

"Sure thing," nodded Bridget, "Severin and I would be glad to chat with you guys some more."

"Yeah, and you can meet the others in our group as well," smiled Edgar.

"Alright then!" smiled Bridget, "Well, good luck to you two in your battle!"

"Thanks," Edgar and Beka said in unison and bowed in leaving.

0o0o0o0o0o0

"Well," said Edgar as he, PK, and Beka walked toward the Battle Palace, "it's quite different now that it'll be the two of us going to our battle."

"Yeah," said Beka, "Benen went to join Brendan and May in their battle challenge while Ken went with Garrett to learn some more about Pokemon."

"Heh, that's cool," stated Edgar.

"Well," said Beka, stopping suddenly, "I guess this is the Battle Palace, huh?"

The two trainers stopped to see a giant, ancient like structure building with a golden and gray colored layer tile roof and burnt orange-brown sides with pillars to held support the massive building up on its foundation. They also noticed that there were flowers growing everywhere within the area of the building and that a calm, serene river flowed next to the fields.

"Oh yeah…" said Edgar softly and took in a deep breath, "…this is perhaps the most peaceful place to be at within the Frontier…"

"It is peaceful and zen-like," spoke Beka softly.

"Yeah," said Edgar, "well…let's go inside, shall we?"

"Of course," said Beka and the two trainers proceeded in.

Within the inside of the building, Beka and Edgar saw a few people tending to and taking care of their Pokemon as the two trainers walked up to the reservation desk.

"Welcome to the Battle Palace," came the voice of an elderly man at the desk, "I am here to help lead you and prepare for your battle against the Frontier Brain and Palace Maven Spencer. Now, have you two decided on which three Pokemon you'll both be using?"

"Yes sir," both Beka and Edgar spoke and registered in their Pokemon quickly.

"Very well then," nodded the elderly man, "follow me to face Spencer himself…"

"Whoa! Right now?" asked Edgar in shock, "But…don't we have to face a top apprentice of Spencer's or something like that?"

"Well, not really," the elderly man spoke, "Spencer believes that it'd be best to battle straight to him so that he can see first hand of a well and unexhausted Pokemon and not let bad first impressions be made."

"Well that's neat," spoke Beka softly.

With a nod of his head, the elderly man led the two trainers into a room that would lead them into Spencer's battling area. As they walked, Beka and Edgar noticed that various Pokemon were running around within built in ponds and grass patches that were established in the hallway.

"Don't mind them children," the elderly man spoke, "they are all Spencer's Pokemon and will not do any harm to you…unless of course if you disturb them…"

"I have no need to bother them," said Beka as she looked at the various Pokemon.

"Neither do I," added on Edgar.

"Pi-ka-chu…" agreed PK.

"So why do Spencer let them run around free like this?" asked Beka softly, "Just for relaxing?"

"Well, not only that Miss. Goldheart," said the elderly man, "but Spencer believes that it's best to let Pokemon be who they are and that it can help them to be not only better relaxed, but to also to help strengthen them in battle…"

"I can understand," Beka nodded.

"Well now…we're here…" said the elderly man, stopping before a set of giant doors that held upon it an engraving of the Battle Frontier symbol, "you two may both proceed inside to face against Spencer. I wish you both luck…"

With a bow of thanks to the elderly man, both Edgar and Beka proceeded up to the double doors to the room, placed their hands upon the doors, and pushed them forward. From the extended doors, the trainers saw that they had entered into a massive room that was inlaid with brick pattern designs all around and giant circular windows along the left side of the room that shown gentle sunlight pouring within. The trainers also saw that there was a red colored battlefield which rested within a pool of water and seemed to cut off a connection between trainers and their Pokemon.

'Interesting…' thought Beka to herself as she looked at the battlefield.

Just then, her thoughts were interrupted as she heard the sounds of someone entering the room from the other side of the field. Beka casted out her hazel gaze to see that it was an elderly man that was bald with a massive beard that flowed down his face, tanned skin with blue Unown A designs tattoos on his arms, and closed eyes. The elder's attire consisted simply of blue robes that were upon him, tanned colored pants, and held within his hand a staff that beared upon it the ancient symbol designs of Kyogre upon it.

"Is that Spencer?" asked Beka, leaning over the Edgar and whispered to him.

"Yeah, it is," Edgar replied back in his low tone.

"So you two are challenging me for your next Frontier Symbol, I presume?" asked Spencer.

"Yes we are sir," said Beka, bowing to him in greeting, "my name is Beka Goldheart."

"And I'm Edgar Knight sir," said Edgar, bowing to Spencer as well.

"Well," said Spencer, nodding softly at the two trainers, "it's good to meet you Edgar and Miss. Goldheart. Now, shall we begin?"

"Of course," said Edgar and then turned his gaze to Beka, "okay Beka, you ready?"

"Yeah," said Beka, "but…I think you should go first Ed."

"Really?" asked Edgar with a soft blush on his face.

"Yeah," said Beka, "you ought to go and battle Spencer first since I faced Anabel first the last time we had single battles."

"Thanks Beka," said Edgar with a smile and then stepped into the trainer's box that was upon the bricked floor to begin the battle.

"Well then Edgar," said Spencer, "you do know the rules to this battle, right?"

"Yes sir," replied Edgar with a nod, giving Beka a wondering ponder on what the rules for this Battle Frontier facility was.

Edgar's Battle

"Very well, let's get started then," said Spencer, picking up a Pokeball from within his cloak and threw it out, calling forth: "Arcanine, go!"

From the aerial borne Pokeball burst forth a flash of white light from within and that spilled onto the battlefield. From the mesh of light materialized an Arcanine, a Fire Element that looked like a huge dog-like creature with orange colored fur housing black stripes upon that covered its body, creamed colored, thick fur that was housed upon its tail, on the sides of its legs, and surrounding its neck and face like a mane, a black, sensitive nose on the end of its long muzzle, and also sharp black eyes that held an ancient intelligence within.

"Arrrrr!" roared and barked out Arcanine.

"An Arcanine, huh?" asked Edgar as he pulled out his first Pokeball as well and threw it, calling forth: "Inferno, come on out!"

From Edgar's thrown out Pokeball came forth a burst of white light that broke from the spherical vessel and spilled upon the battlefield as well, materializing to show Inferno had appeared onto the battlefield.

"Charrrr!" roared out Inferno as it spitted out a surge of fire from its mouth.

Battle Situation:

Edgar's Charizard, Inferno, vs. Palace Maven Spencer

This will be a three-on-three battle with no time limits

BATTLE BEGIN!

"Now Beka," said Edgar as he turned to the female trainer, "watch how these battles take place in the Battle Palace."

"Okay," said Beka softly and adverted her gaze to the battlefield in the middle of the pool of water.

From the battle, Arcanine and Inferno let out intimidating roars toward one another and then finally, Arcanine made the first move of the round. In a powerful, high moving dash forward, Arcanine slammed its Extremespeed attack hard into Inferno's chest; causing the Fire/Flying Element to stagger back a bit.

"Can't you call out an attack Ed?" asked Beka, wondering why nothing was being done about the situation.

"I can't," said Edgar, "in Spencer's battles, you have to have trust in your Pokemon and let them battle for themselves…"

Beka continued to watch as she then saw Inferno regain its balance upon its feet, spread out its massive dragon wings, and then took flight; showing its claws extended out and then when in close range to Arcanine, Inferno swiped its claws at Arcanine and hit the canine Pokemon. Inferno had attacked Arcanine with Scratch. Recovering from Scratch, Arcanine suddenly vanished into the air and then reappeared behind Inferno and slammed itself hard into Inferno's back; attacking with Aerial Ace. Inferno was knocked to all four of its claws, but then quickly bounded into the air and became airborne above the battlefield upon its massive wings. Then, Inferno made a graceful loop in the air that caused it to disappear and then suddenly reappear behind Arcanine and slam its own Aerial Ace hard into the Fire Element's back.

Arcanine, becoming angered with Inferno, raised up its upper lip to expose its sharp teeth and release an intimidating growl from its throat while Inferno circled above the field and quietly spat out tiny embers as it awaited the next move. Arcanine then began to run around the field, charging up energy within its graceful, running movement, and then made a powerful bound into the air; its teeth bared in and opened with a dark aura shimmering around them to show its Crunch was coming into play. Immediately, Inferno lowered its left wing and dove away from the oncoming Arcanine and dodged the attack. Inferno then turned onto its back in the air and sent out a massive storm of fireballs, also known as Ember, which slammed into Arcanine as an intimidating manner. However, Arcanine's ability, known as Flash Fire, kicked in and allowed the Ember attack to not only hit it, but to restore its HP instead of striking it down. With the extra energy returned to it, Arcanine landed gracefully on the battlefield and looked up at Inferno; giving a smug smirk as the dragon snorted in rage.

This didn't last long as Arcanine striked again with another powerful uplifting of its body toward Inferno and slammed a massive Body Slam into the Charizard and sent it flying brief toward the ceiling. Inferno immediately gained balance within the air and dove down toward Arcanine. Arcanine thrust itself away from Inferno in the air and landed back on the field safely as Inferno craned its head up quickly and curved backup into the air. Then, Inferno made another graceful loop as it ascended up and vanished from sight, only to again reappear from out of nowhere and slam hard into Arcanine; the critical hit Aerial Ace to knock off Arcanine's remaining HP and thus for it to faint.

"Arcanine is unable to battle," called a referee that was positioned along the side of the battlefield, "Charizard is the winner!"

"Great work Inferno," called out Edgar and giving Inferno a thumb's up.

"Char…" Inferno growled as it nodded to Edgar when it landed.

Spencer recalled back Arcanine and then sent another Pokeball out onto the field, calling forth:

"Claydol, go!"

From a flash of white light from the Pokeball came forth Claydol, a Ground/Psychic Element that looked like an ancient doll-like toy with a brown body with a point at the top of its head, a row of pink eyes that surrounded the disked-shaped head with white and tan outlines around them, and also had white, circular shaped and tan dot designs on the front of its body.

"Clay-dol!" droned out Claydol in a low voice as it levitated on the battlefield.

Battle Situation:

Edgar's Charizard, Inferno, vs. PM Spencer's Claydol

BATTLE BEGIN!

The battle started out with Claydol suddenly vanishing in the air, using its Teleport, and leaving Edgar and Inferno on the edge of their feet. Then, Claydol reappeared behind Inferno and then sent out a golden beam of light that formed from a golden orb of light on its stubby hand; the attack being Hyper Beam. Immediately, Inferno spread out its giant orange and blue membrane wings and took up into the air; evading the Normal Element attack and its catastrophic damage. Then, Inferno lowered itself downward toward Claydol, pinning in its wings, and dove down at the Ground/Psychic Element with its claws glowing again, but this time in a brighter white aura which indicated Cut. Seeing Inferno come down at it with Cut, Claydol immediately raised up its arms and began to glow in a brown aura, which began to cause the field to shake. From the shaking movement, Claydol had summoned forth its Ancientpower move and caused a line of rocks to arise from the field and slam hard into the oncoming Inferno's chest. Inferno growled in pain as the rocks slammed hard into it and thus caused the dragon to crash onto the field, showing that it had fainted to the powerful attack.

"Charizard is unable to battle," called out the referee, "Claydol is the winner!"

Edgar recalled back Inferno and thanked it for a job well done. Then, after clipping Inferno's Pokeball to his belt, Edgar threw out his next Pokeball and called forth:

"Blade, come on out and help me out!"

From the newly thrown out Pokeball came forth Blade upon the field from the mesh of white light.

"Scep-tile!" called out Blade.

Battle Situation:

Edgar's Sceptile, Blade, vs. PM Spencer's Claydol

BATTLE BEGIN!

Claydol was the first to make its move in the new battle and started off using Ice Beam, by merely sending forth a blast of bluish-white light that looked like icy lighting toward Blade. Seeing the attack coming toward it, Blade immediately dodged the attack and began to prepare for its first attack. With a few powerful leaps across the battlefield in agile steps, the leaves on Blade's wrist suddenly began to glow and then merged to form two blades of green light; showing its Leaf Blade attack. Then, when in close range, Blade swung out its arms forward toward Claydol and slammed the Ground/Psychic Element hard with its attack. Claydol did a few backward spins upon its levitation and then balanced with a recover, ready for more. Claydol then attack by forming a golden orb within its stubby right arm's point and then sent forth the attack in the form of a golden beam of light; thus being its Hyper Beam again. Seeing the attack coming, Blade once again leapt out of the way of the attack with a powerful and quick dodge and then went in again for an attack. This time, Blade had opened its mouth and sent forth a brigade of its Bullet Seed attack, being high powered and forceful surges of green lighted seeds. The Grass Element attack took its toll as the attack slammed hard into Claydol and caused a massive critical hit to the Ground/Psychic Element and thus caused it to faint.

"Claydol is unable to battle," called out the referee, "Sceptile is the winner!"

"Yes!" cheered out Edgar, "Great job Blade!"

"Scep," said Blade and gave a thumb's up to its trainer.

Spencer recalled back his Claydol, thanked it, and then turned back to field and spoke to Edgar with:

"My, such power and trust that is embodied upon you and your Pokemon…but now, let the final round begin! Go Shiftry!"

From Spencer's last thrown out Pokeball appeared Shiftry before him on the battlefield.

"Shif-try!" called out Shiftry in its low tone.

Battle Situation:

Edgar's Sceptile, Blade, vs. PM Spencer's Shiftry

BATTLE BEGIN!

Blade was the first to begin this time and started off with its Quick Attack as it blazed toward Shiftry. Shiftry, seeing Blade coming toward it, immediately leapt out of the way of the oncoming Grass Element. Then, as it was in the air, Shiftry turned to face Blade's back and then opened its mouth to shoot out a black sphere of energy toward Blade; being its Shadow Ball attack. The Ghost Element attack slammed hard into Blade's back and caused the lizard-like Pokemon to crash hard onto its knees and hands upon the ground as it winced in pain. Shiftry then came down at Blade with its feet aimed right centered into its back as it prepared for another blow onto its opponent. Blade, immediately lifting its head up and seeing Shiftry come down upon it, quickly leapt from underneath Shiftry's target and successfully dodge the blow as Shiftry crashed hard onto the battlefield. Shiftry was again about to go after Blade, but found itself stuck since the heel-like appendage that was on the bottom of its feet had dug itself into the ground due to the crash and was now stuck in the field.

'A sitting duck…' thought Edgar with a smirk, seeing Blade's chance to strike.

Blade saw this too and also pressed a familiar smirk upon its face, knowing the time to strike was now. Blade didn't hesitate and then with another powerful Quick Attack, Blade got quickly up to Shiftry and prepared its next attack. When it got close to Shiftry, Blade's wrists again glowed in green aura blades and then sliced at Shiftry; causing a powerful blow to the Grass/Dark Element. Then, Blade's claws began to glow in a green aura and slashed once again at Shiftry and knocking the duel Element off of its stuck position and crashing into the ground.

"Wow, I didn't know you taught Blade Dragon Claw," complimented Beka to Edgar.

"Yup," said Edgar with a smile.

Shiftry, shaking off from Dragon Claw, stood back up upon its feet and ready for battle as did Blade when it saw its opponent wasn't done yet. Shiftry then began off by glowing for a brief moment in a white light and began to surround the field of illusions of itself around Blade; using its Double Team attack. Blade scanned the illusions with its golden colored eyes as if detecting the real Shiftry and then pressed on another cunning smirk. Suddenly, Blade vanished into the air and after a few brief moments, it materialized behind one of the Shiftry illusions and slammed hard into it; showing it was the real Shiftry as the illusions simply vanished from the field. Then, without warning, Shiftry turned toward Blade and sent forth another Shadow Ball from its mouth; slamming the attack hard into Blade's chest and sending the Grass Element flying off of it. Blade, recovering within the air, guided itself to a safe landing on its side of the field and awaited the next move of its opponent as Shiftry ready for the continuation of the battle.

Shiftry began off their next round by opening its mouth and forming a sphere of golden light from within and then shot out. Immediately sparking in its mind that Shiftry's next attack was Hyper Beam, Blade immediately jumped out of the way of the oncoming attack as it seared by in a golden blaze of light. Then, as it arose higher into the air, Blade opened its mouth and unleashed a powerful Screech attack that sent out a rattling, ear-splitting noise that caused Shiftry to wince at the attack as its Defense lowered. Then, with another prime moment to strike, Blade came down at Shiftry with its Body Slam attack and slammed hard into its opponent. With the final blow delivered, Blade sprung back off of its opponent and survey the damage on the field; showing that Shiftry had fainted.

"Shiftry is unable to battle," called out the referee, "Sceptile is the winner! The victor of this battle is Edgar Knight!"

"Alright!" exclaimed Edgar as he leapt for joy in his victory, "I won the Spirit Symbol!"

"Congrats Ed," smiled Beka.

"Yup," beamed Edgar and then hugged Beka, "and now…you can battle Spenser and win the symbol as well."

"Yup, I can," said Beka.

"Congratulations Knight," said Spencer as he had approached the trainers from his spot on the field, "you are the proud owner of the Spirit Symbol; however, I will present it to you after my battle with Miss. Goldheart. Is that alright?"

"Sure thing," Edgar said with a nod.

"Well then Miss. Goldheart," said Spencer, turning to face Beka, "are you ready for your battle?"

"Yes I am sir," said Beka with a nod.

0o0o0o0o0o0

Beka's Battle

With final preparations completed, Beka stood within her trainer's box and waited for her battle with Spencer to commence. Spencer didn't hesitate throw out his first Pokeball out and call forth:

"Crobat, go!"

From the aerial Pokeball thrown out came forth from a mesh of white light, in which materialized into Crobat, a Poison/Flying Element that looked like a purple bat with half-closed yellow eyes, its mouth bent in a frown and gleaming forth rows of giant white teeth, and had four pairs of wings with blue membranes that help kept the Pokemon up in the air.

"Crrro!" called out Crobat in a low, gruff voice.

Beka then pulled out her first Pokeball as well and threw, calling forth:

"Flygon, I choose you!"

From Beka's thrown out Pokeball came forth a white surge of white light that materialized into her Flygon upon the battlefield.

"Fly!" cried out Flygon as it appeared upon the field.

Battle Situation:

Beka's Flygon vs. PM Spencer's Crobat

BATTLE BEGIN!

Crobat was the first to make its move upon the opponent and did so as it folded in its four wings close to its body and dove down at Flygon, having its teeth bared and glowing in a black aura; its Bite attack. Seeing its opponent coming down upon it, Flygon spread out its diamond shaped wings and leapt into the air; becoming air-borne and evading the oncoming Crobat. Flygon then lowered its head toward Crobat and sent forth a blast of green fire in hopes that its Dragonbreath would strike the bat Pokemon down. Crobat immediately caught sight of the attack and suddenly vanished from its spot on the field, only for it to reappear behind Flygon and slam itself hard into Flygon's back with its Aerial Ace. Flygon unleashed a screech of pain as the attack penetrated into its back and caused it to crash into the ground.

'Whoa…' thought Beka, '…that Crobat is powerful…'

Crobat glided in circles above the field and waited for its opponent to get up as Flygon shakingly climbed back upon its feet and shook off the shock of its attack. Seeing its opponent up, Crobat then dove down again at Flygon with its wings glowing in a white aura to show its Wing Attack was coming into effect. Seeing Crobat coming down upon it, Flygon immediately kicked back up into the air and evaded the oncoming Poison/Flying Element upon its draconic wings. Back within the air, Flygon made a turn to face Crobat and then sent out its Flamethrower attack down upon Crobat. Seeing the Fire Element attack blaze down toward it, Crobat glowed for a moment in a white light and then became surrounded by its own illusions; Double Team coming into effect. The Flamethrower seared through a Crobat illusion and destroyed it on contact, thus making the attack miss the real Poison/Flying Element. Flygon then opened its mouth and unleashed a massive stream of golden star shaped lights, its Swift attack, and allowed the Normal Element attack to cut through the rest of the Crobats, destroying the illusions, and eventually hitting into the real one and causing minor damage to it.

Crobat quickly recovered from the Swift attack and moved onto its next move, in which it showed to have a red pressure mark on the side of its head and rapidly charged at Flygon with its attack known as Frustration. Flygon saw this coming from Crobat and didn't hesitate to admit a haze of dark mist from around its form and to be enveloped by the haze. Crobat sliced through the thick cover and reemerged from the other side; clearing the cloud and seeing that Flygon had vanished. Crobat immediately scanned the area around it in hopes of find Flygon and failed to realize a small line of haze was reforming from behind it. From that haze came forth more dark mist as well as the sudden appearance of Flygon as the dragon Pokemon slammed hard into Crobat's back and sent the bat Pokemon tumbling through the air. Crobat immediately gained momentum as soon as the attack hit, thanks to its four powerful wings, and then disappeared again into the air after doing a graceful loop in the air; its Aerial Ace coming forth again. Crobat then reappeared behind Flygon and slammed another Flying Element attack into Flygon and time, Flygon struck back. Once the Ground/Dragon Element felt Crobat slam into its form, Flygon turned toward Crobat, opened its mouth to show a dark aura surrounding its gleaming teeth, and then slammed its mouth hard into Crobat's main left wing; causing major damage to the wing and causing Crobat to flinch away from Flygon. Seeing this in effect, Flygon didn't hesitate to strike again and this time attacked Crobat with another blast of its Dragonbreath; causing Crobat to be sent down crashing into the battlefield and thus fainting.

"Crobat is unable to battle," called out the referee, "Flygon is the winner!"

"Great job Flygon!" cheered out Beka to her dragon.

"Fly!" cried out Flygon back to its trainer.

"Return Crobat," called out Spencer and recalled back his fallen Pokemon into its Pokeball. Once recalled back, Spencer thanked his Pokemon and then sent forth his second Pokeball, calling forth: "Lapras, go!"

From a second Pokeball came forth a surge of white light that materialized into a Lapras, a Water/Ice Element that looked like a plesiosaur-like creature with light blue smooth skin that was slightly speckled with dark blue patches of coloring on certain parts of its body, a light cream-white underbelly that formed from its lower jaw and under ward towards its tail, a grey spiked plate upon its back, a rounded horn protruded from its forehead, curled appendages on the sides of its head, and giant black/deep brown colored eyes.

"Lauu!" cried out Lapras in a soft voice.

Battle Situation:

Beka's Flygon vs. PM Spencer's Lapras

BATTLE BEGIN!

Lapras was to first to make its move in the battle and began off with opening its mouth, forming a sphere of bluish-white light from within, and then sending forth blasts of bluish-white energy surges that looked like white lighting; this attack being its Ice Beam. Flygon immediately responded with a powerful Flamethrower attack from its mouth and slammed the Fire Element move into Ice Beam, causing the two attacks to explode on contact and cancel each other out. Lapras then formed another Ice Beam attack within its mouth and instead of using it to hit Flygon; it aimed its attack upon the ground and began to freeze the field over in a sheet of ice as well as the swimming pool. Seeing the ice spread around the field, Flygon immediately took upon its green and red-outlined, diamond shaped wings and flew up to evade the ice coverage.

'So that Lapras used Ice Beam over the entire field and pool,' thought Beka, 'I see…so it must have a new way of being able to get around the field more easily…'

With its formation of the new ice field complete, Lapras then began to slide upon its stomach and flippers toward Flygon's side of the field with the same look of the Frustration move upon its face in hopes of attacking Flygon. Flygon lowered its head and dove down toward Lapras in a downward dive and sent forth another Flamethrower toward the oncoming opponent. Lapras then immediately skidded to a halt upon its flippers, craned its head up, and then sent forth a powerful surge of water, Hydro Pump, to meet the Flamethrower and immediately drown it out. The powerful Water Element continued upward and caused Flygon to make a quick dodge to its right and evaded the oncoming attack. Lapras then attack again by opening its mouth and sending forth a spiraling beam of light that was made up of tiny white arrows that followed each other in a single line toward Flygon, the attack being its Secret Power. Flygon, as it had done with Hydro Pump, dove to its right to evade the attack and then came down toward the field at a fast rate. It then did a back flip within the air as it was going down and when its reached the ground, Flygon slammed its long multi-green colored tail into the icy ground and sent forth a massive shockwave from the point of impact. From the point of the hit, a massive surge of white light blazed across the field, the force causing the ice from underneath it to shatter and splinter upwards in jagged formations as the massive Earthquake attack came in range of its target.

Seeing the attack coming toward it, Lapras sent forth a golden aura around its form that expanded out into a bubble shield and braced for impact. The Earthquake attack slammed into the shield and seemed to prove useless as the shield blocked the attack and rendered it useless. The Protect shield then lowered and vanished after Earthquake was over and showed that Lapras was unharmed. Flygon, snorting a bit to see one of its most powerful failed, kicked back up into the air and commenced with its own Double Team attack. Lapras then attack with its Swift as it shot out the golden lights from its mouth and sliced into all of the Flygon illusions, causing minor damage to the real Flygon. With its defenses gone, Flygon flew down toward Lapras in a fast pace, with its wings pinned to its body to gain acceleration, and to commence with its Body Slam attack.

Lapras immediately opened its mouth again and this time unleashed a powerful blast of wind, ice, and snow toward Flygon; its powerful Blizzard attack. The Ice Element attack penetrated hard into the dragon Pokemon as it screeched in pain at the double damaged it received due to its Duel Element makeup. Soon, the attack ceased and caused Flygon to crash onto the field hard and to show it had fainted.

"Flygon is unable to battle," called out the referee, "Lapras is the winner!"

"Flygon, return!" called out Beka as she held out Flygon's Pokeball and recalled back her Pokemon. Once returning back into its spherical hold, Beka spoke with: "Thank you Flygon, take a good rest my friend…" and then threw out her next Pokeball; calling forth: "Milotic, I choose you!"

In a flash of white light materialized Beka's Milotic upon the icy field and remained perfectly balanced on the field by not slipping.

"Mi-lo-tic!" called out Milotic in a heavenly voice and awaited for battle.

Battle Situation:

Beka's Milotic vs. PM Spencer's Lapras

BATTLE BEGIN!

As before, Lapras helped to start off the new round by raising its head to the air, closed its dark eyes, and unleashed a beautiful, harmonizing song that seemed to go into a deep, lullaby; being its Sing attack. Milotic immediately recognized the attack and sent up a crystal veil around its form that soon turned invisible on its side of the field. The musical notes in which the Sing attack was carried on hit and vaporized on the Safeguard wall and became useless for the battle. Lapras then proceeded to its next attack by glowing in a yellow aura, raised its head, and gave out powerful cry as electricity shot up from the horn on its forehead. The yellow bolts of lighting shot up into the ceiling of the roof and disappeared into the air, but were soon followed up with black clouds beginning to form within the area where the lighting had vanished into. Once the clouds had fully formed and darkened, in a sudden outburst, flashes of yellow lighting blaze down and rained upon Milotic's side of the field and hitting the sea serpent creature hard. Milotic cringed to the attack, but kept its defense up and made it through the attack. Once Shock Wave was over, Milotic attacked next by showing a red pressure mark was placed along the side of its head and charged toward Lapras. Once in close range, Milotic swung its fan tail and smacked Lapras hard with its Frustration attack; the force of the blow sending Lapras skidding backwards on the ice.

As Milotic had done with Shock Wave, Lapras shook off the damage and commenced with its next attack. Glowing now in a bright hue of yellow light, Lapras unleashed a powerful outburst of its Thunder attack toward Milotic. Seeing the attack coming toward it, Milotic immediately sent up a golden shield of light that surrounded its form and deflected off the Thunder attack. Lapras then attacked again by once again using its Frustration to come at Milotic upon the icy field. Milotic quickly slithered and slide away from Larpas' oncoming attack and then turned to face it, raising up its fan like tail, aiming it toward Lapras, splitting the fan scales, and then unleashing a powerful stream of golden light that was shaped in thousands of stars; it's Swift attack. The attack slammed hard into Lapras' side as the Water/Ice Element cried out in pain.

Lapras then again went in for the attack as it unleashed another Shock Wave attack and slammed the attack hard into Milotic, this time causing major damage to the Water Element. Milotic cried out in pain as the electrical attack seared into it and caused it to begin to pant heavy after the blow; exhaustion taking over. However, Milotic wasn't going to give up as it saw its chance for a win over Lapras. Seeing an opening in the ice nearest to it, which was caused by Shockwave, Milotic dove into the water under the ice. Lapras immediately caught what was going on and quickly glided onto the icy battlefield; away from the frozen water. This however proved useless as an upward surge was seen breaking through the ice from behind it and that Milotic had reemerged from the icy depths of the pool. With its scaled tail glowing in a metallic hue, Milotic swung out its Iron Tail attack and nailed Lapras hard with the Steel Element attack. That blow from Milotic caused Lapras to collapse and faint to the attack.

"Lapras is unable to battle," called out the referee, "Milotic is the winner!"

"Great job Milotic!" called out Beka from her trainer's box.

"Mi-lo!" called out her Water Element with a look of happiness in its ruby eyes.

"Return Lapras," called out Spencer, recalling back his fallen Pokemon. Spencer then looked up at Beka and spoke with: "You are just as strong as Knight is Miss. Goldheart…but it seems your heart is missing in the battle…"

'My heart?' asked Beka in her mind as she looked at Spencer in confusion.

"A trainer's heart is shown in their Pokemon within a battle…and it seems that you may not be giving it you're all Miss. Goldheart. Now…allow me to send out my last Pokemon…go Slaking!"

From Spencer's last Pokeball came forth Slaking, a Normal Element that looked like a massive gorilla with course brown fur, cream-brown colored face, hands, feet, and chest, white jagged fur around its neck and along the sides of its head, a pink nose, and having a tired expression on its face and black eyes.

"Sla-king…" Slaking yawned and proceeded to lie down on its side, propping its head upon its left hand.

Battle Situation:

Beka's Milotic vs. PM Spencer's Slaking

BATTLE BEGIN!

Slaking began the battle off with a shake as it stood upon its back feet and made a jump into the air, causing it to come crashing down upon the field and slamming hard into the ice that rested below it. From the point of impact, cracks began to form and followed with the sheet of ice to completely shatter and break apart from all around it; thus creating a clearing for the battlefield to be shown as it original was again. Milotic, seeing that Slaking had gone on a defensive maneuver for their first round in the battle, decided to use a defensive move as well and created a Light Screen before it and thus surrounded its side of the field. Slaking merely yawned at the sight of the attack and went to lie back down on the field. Milotic looked at Slaking in a confusing manner and wondering why the Normal Element was taking a nap. Milotic simply decided to go in for the attack and did so by charging toward Slaking, glowing in a thin white aura, and repeatability began to attack the Normal Element with its Return attack.

Suddenly, Slaking woke up and then, seeing Milotic in close range, attack the Water Element with a glowing white fist; its Mega Punch. With a powerful swing of its fist, Slaking slammed Milotic hard with the attack and caused the Water Element to crash hard onto the field and for dust to fly everywhere. Once the dust cleared, it showed that Milotic had fainted upon the battlefield.

"Milotic is unable to battle," called out the referee, "Slaking is the winner!"

"Return Milotic," called out Beka, holding out her Water Element's Pokeball and recalling back Milotic in a beam of red light, "thanks Milotic, take a good rest my friend…" Beka then removed her final Pokeball and threw it out, calling forth: "Blaziken, I choose you!"

From a flash of white light materialized Beka's Blaziken upon the battlefield, her final Pokemon in this battle.

"Blaz-i-ken!" bellowed Blaziken and then clutched its fists, causing fire to flare around its wrists.

Battle Situation:

Beka's Blaziken vs. PM Spencer's Slaking

BATTLE BEGIN!

Slaking seemed to slack off again, in which Blaziken used its first turn to power up its strength with Focus Energy by absorbing energy from its surroundings. Then, shaking out of its slacking stage, Slaking charged at Blaziken with a glowing Mega Punch attack. Blaziken immediately responded to the attack with its Fire Punch attack and sent forth its fiery attack toward its opponent and slammed into its opponent's fist as well. The two attacks collided and sent forth a shock wave that burst in between the opponents and sent them flying back to their own sides of the field. Slaking, seeing a tough opponent was presented to it, decided to not to go into its usual napping moment and instead readied for its next attack. The new move that Slaking performed consisted of it charging toward Blaziken on all fours and then leapt into the air when it go close to Blaziken, it's left back foot also glowing in a white light and showing its Mega Kick. Blaziken immediately saw what was going on and dodged Slaking, followed by it sending forth a burst of orange and golden flame light that was wrapped and held together with white flames.

'No!' exclaimed Beka in her mind as a look of shock plastered her face, 'Why is Blaziken using its Overheat attack now?'

Slaking immediately sent forth a golden shield of light, its Protect, to surround its form and to cause the Overheat attack to negate and thus become useless. Blaziken suddenly showed exhaustion in its form as it seemed to breath a bit heavy as its Special Attack sharply decreased, but it shook off the effect as if it was nothing. Blaziken then went onto the defense as it opened its claws, created a pair of orange and golden hue colored swords of fire in each hand, and then began to do an ancient dance, its Swords Dance, and thus increased its Attack strength. Slaking then dug its hand into the ground before it and swung out a mound of mud toward Blaziken, using its Mud-Slap move on the duel Element opponent. Blaziken merely leapt over the Mud-Slap move and with a powerful thrust forward, Blaziken charged toward Slaking and curled its right claw into a fist. Upon the fist shown a reddish-brown aura that was designed with a starburst shape on the knuckles and when Blaziken got into position, its swung out its fist and slammed its version of Rock Smash into Slaking; knocking the gorilla Pokemon backwards.

Slaking immediately leapt back to its feet, unshaken by the damage and causing Blaziken to pose into a defensive stance for battle. Slaking then curled its huge hands into fists and began to slam them into the ground hard, causing the field to rumble and shake to its movement. Then, from the field came forth large boulders that arose high into the air due to Slaking's beating manner and then began to rain down upon Blaziken; the move being Rock Slide. Blaziken's fists again clenched and glowed in a reddish-brown aura, signaling another Fighting Element attack to commence. Blaziken then leapt into the air toward the Rock Slide attack and began to swing its fists toward the falling matter, breaking the rocks into hundreds of pieces as its fist made contact and thus showing off its Brick Break.

This gave Slaking its chance, due to Rock Slide being a distraction, to unleash its most powerful attack and did so as it opened its mouth, formed a sphere of golden light from within, and then shot out the attack in a beam of golden hyperactive light. Blaziken, who was still in the middle of breaking away Rock Slide, caught sight of Hyper Beam and using a falling rock as ground, it leapt higher into the air to evade the attack. Blaziken failed to realize that a huge rock was in its path, since it was more concerned of being hit by Hyper Beam, and thus ran into it and to cause the Fire/Fighting Element to plummet back to the battlefield and crash hard onto the field. The Hyper Beam, which suddenly ricocheted off a huge boulder, suddenly slammed into the ground where Blaziken was and critically hit the fire bird Pokemon and caused it to roar in pain.

"Blaziken!" Beka exclaimed for her Pokemon.

She watched helpless from the pool at her Pokemon as Slaking finished off by slamming itself hard into Blaziken and causing a massive critical hit with its Body Slam attack on the duel Element. The Normal Element, seeing the damage it had done, backed off of its opponent to see the results of its attack and it showed that Blaziken had fainted to the move.

"Blaziken is unable to battle," called out the referee, "Slaking is the winner! The victor of this battle belongs to Palace Maven Spencer!"

Beka, feeling a second defeat of the day fall upon her, quietly recalled Blaziken back into its Pokeball and in a weak voice thanked it for a job well done. She then quietly clipped the Pokeball back onto her belt and began to walk out of the doorway of the room.

"Hey Beka…" said Edgar, showing a concerned look in his blue eyes for his friend's defeat, "…you did good and…"

"Thanks Edgar…" Beka cut into his words and then continued to walk off.

"Beka, wait!" called out Edgar but saw that she had left the room and that the door behind her shut. "Beka…" said Edgar softly.

"She seems to have a lot on her mind Knight…" spoke Spencer as he now stood beside the black haired trainer.

"Yeah…I guess," said Edgar, "but…I have never seen her up and leave a battle like that before…as if it was nothing…"

"Something must be troubling her heart," said Spencer, "for it is said that a trainer's heart is the key into success with relationship with Pokemon…I'm afraid her heart wasn't all in this battle…the poor child…"

Edgar then seemed to have a feeling a guilt fill him inside and wondered if the conflict he had with Beka earlier that day seemed to have affected her battle.

'I hope…I didn't hurt you Beka…' thought Edgar as he seemed to be shaken a bit.

"Well here," said Spencer, handing Edgar a golden badge of a square shape design embedded on it, "as for your victory here at the Battle Palace, you have earned the Spirit Symbol."

"Thank you Spencer," said Edgar, taking the symbol badge into his hand.

Spencer softly nodded and then spoke with:

"Perhaps you can also tell Miss. Goldheart that she can come back and challenge me again anytime…and to please look deep into her heart and find what she lost…"

"I will sir," said Edgar and then taking a quick bow, left the Battle Palace after Beka.

0o0o0o0o0o0

Coming up, Beka's training for her rematch against Spencer will include the arrival of a few more new faces as well as the search from within her heart…

I must apologies for the late delay of this chapter, but I have been banned from the site for a while (and I wish not to go into why) as well as busy with college and other factors.