Please Note: I realize how appallingly long it has been since I last updated. I can only apologize but I simply do not have as much free time as I used to. * Sigh * busy busy busy.

Anyhow this is just a brief chapter to try and get back into the swing of things.

Enjoy,

KissOfTheAngel

The pristine hallways were nothing but a gleaming blur in my peripheral vision. The flawless marble, the chaste gold brick aligned with gemstones. A blur, nothing more. My footsteps echoed amongst the vast corridor as my pace slowed by a fraction. The familiar coppery taste seeped within the cavity of my mouth as my heart thumped mercilessly against my chest. I had been running, that much was certain.

When did I start running?

I allowed myself a hearty recapture of breath as I slumped against the archway of the dormitories. The lump that had formed in my throat was undeniably large. It was like trying to swallow medication without water. Tears burned my eyes as I fought in vain to recall Grandfather's words. My mind struggled, it was dazed from my breathlessness state no doubt.

Then the bitter reality came flooding in.

Grandfather had told Ghetsis, I did not support Lord N's beliefs. Not the liberation, nor the methods we use to go about liberating in general.

The sordid affair of the last few days were a result of the Powerful Sage's punishment. The consequence of my defiance. Nothing more and nothing less. I cringed as I expected the pain to hit me, that strange sensation that occurs when one is upset, so overwhelming that it wracks the body like physical pain.

I waited in vain for seconds on end. Such pain was absent.

Was it conceivable? I asked myself, my mind seemingly clearing like an autumn fog as I regained my breath. Was it at all possible that a man of Ghetsis' caliber would lower himself to sleeping with a woman in order to punish her or convince her to 'see the light'? I had been certain of it moments ago, assured even as I fled Rood's chamber.

Arceus! What must he think?

What possible excuse could I give from practically bolting from his presence? That was not the standard Delilah behavior. My fists clenched of their own accord as my mind's eye envisioned the cogs in Grandfather's head churning, grinding against one another as he pieced together the reason for my strange behavior. He was a remarkably intelligent man, only a fool would say otherwise.

Motherfuck it!

I may or may not have let out a groan of frustration; I could not be sure as the tranquil roar of the waterfall from the hall drowned out any minute noise.

I knew one thing for certain. Although I had not been there to witness Ghetsis' reaction to my Grandfather's revelation concerning me, I knew he had not been pleased. Why would he? He had no doubt spent years of work and research, exhausted many an hour on this vision; his son's vision. Now to find that the adjoined research had been sourced by a woman who had no intention of abandoning her Pokémon and would much rather side with the Elite Four if need be.

I sighed deeply, opening the eyes I did not realize were closed. Straightening from my slouch against the arch, I absentmindedly brushed and unruly lock of hair out of my eyes. In doing so I became all too aware of the busy shuffling around me. Groups of grunts suddenly rushing back and forth cases in hand. My brow furrowed of its own accord. What was all the commotion about? I heard a mixture of both nervous chatter and excited howling. My eyes scanned the faces frantically.

Perhaps there had been a fire alarm and I had not heard it in my distracted state?

"Hey Lilah!" Came a pleasantly- ultimately female- bellow. My eyes ceased their darting and instead fixed on the figure behind me.

It was Keiko. She was fairly new, in fact she had only joined us at the beginning of the year. Come to think of it, it was almost sad that we deemed that as 'new' around here. Erina had met her during a poker game in the main lobby. It was a risky and albeit illegal game, staking in money and Pokémon alike. Anyone found to be playing the game would be fined or sentenced accordingly. Players were more often than not 'peeps who'd stick together', therefore anyone partaking in the game could be trusted… or so Erina told me, I in honesty did not know. I have no desire to play, ever.

Nonetheless, she was a friend of Erina's, therefore she quickly developed into a friend of mine.

I scanned her face then, attempting a small smile as I caught sight of the twinkle in her pink-hued eyes.

"Woah, I have to rush Lil. I can't miss this train." Her cheeks were flustered with joy and excitement. "Gotta catch up with the others…" She mumbled hurriedly skewering through her belongings, her arm disappearing into her satchel.

"Slow down!" I almost giggled, spying the orange wig clutched within her manicured fingers.

"This is my first mission. Can you believe it?" She almost shrieked, battling with the accessory to get it on her head. "Ooh, and it's a big one…" She continued, fighting for breath as her desperate hands pulled at the wig with no avail.

What could possibly be going on that has caused this amount of commotion?

I frowned in confusion as I pried her hands away, aiding her with the hair piece. I was fairly experienced, although I myself did not wear one, I helped Erina with hers all the time. "What's happening?" I asked combing the fringe with my fingers.

Her jaw dropped in an almost comical fashion. "You mean you haven't heard?!"

I nodded my ignorance as I pulled her hood atop her head, the ginger bangs peering from underneath.

"Thanks…" She clutched her satchel somewhat tighter as if she was torn between rushing down the hall and gossiping with me. "… Delilah it kicked off at Chargestone Cave. Lord N was there and everything!"

I felt my eyes widen in response.

" Anyway, 'cause of that Sage Ghetsis just held a meeting, turns out we are to take the Dragonspiral Tower ahead of schedule."

My stomach dropped upon hearing Ghetsis' name but that did not deter my concentration.

"Dragonspiral Tower?" I interjected. "But I haven't completed the research for one. We don't even know if the building is stable for another, the foundations could just collapse… it's ancient. There hasn't even been a board meeting yet. The taking of the tower was not supposed to occur for months." I felt panic rise in my core.

Keiko smiled indifferently as she placed a small gloved hand upon my shoulder "I guess Sage Ghetsis just… trusts you."

Her words ghosted through my ears and seemed to travel along my spinal cord until they puddled within the pit of my stomach.

"Anyway, Lilah. I've gotta go. We'll catch up when I get back, yeah?"

I smiled my response, but she had already fled to the stairs.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: I am so glad I'm not a field grunt.