Chapter 9

New Friends and Enemies

Latios Division

"It's good to be back. That was an exhausting mission," Furno sighed, earning a nod from Zero. "As soon as we get back to the barracks, I'm going to bed."

"Not so fast, Furno," Stride said. "First we must select a new mission, prepare a pack for tomorrow, and finally eat since you won't have a big meal in the morning."

"Right," Furno sighed dejectedly.

Stride chuckled. "Don't worry, Furno. We'll be done before you know it."

Furno nodded and he and Zero followed Stride down the winding staircase, deeper into the base.

The trio stood in front of the mission board, trying to decide what mission to go on. Furno's eyes shifted from left to right, looking at all of the available mission.

"There are just so many to choose from!" Furno exclaimed. "How are we supposed to choose?!"

"Be thankful that there are so many," Stride said. "Had we come to look for a mission in the morning, there would be very few of missions to choose from because of the other teams trying to get missions. That's why we get are missions right after we get back."

Furno nodded before continuing his search.

"If I may interject," Stride said. "If you look at the bottom left of the mission sheets you'll see a letter. Those letters represent the level of difficulty the mission. The letters range from E to A, with E being the easiest and A being more difficult ones."

"What ranks were the missions that we did before?" Furno asked.

"Your first one was an E rank while the outlaw mission was a C rank," Stride answered. "There are also S rank missions, but those are only given to the higher ranked teams."

"S rank?" Zero asked.

"They are the only missions that are higher than A rank missions," Stride explained. "Those missions generally involve going up against the Emperor's forces, taking a town or village back from the Emperors rule, or other tasks of that caliber. You two won't have to worry about doing those types of missions for a long time."

"Riiight," Furno said nervously, turning back to the bulletin board. Furno then pulled off a a mission and showed it to the Riolu. "How about this one?"

Zero looked at the sheet and saw that it was a rescue mission for a place called Barren Canyon. Reading further down the sheet, Zero saw that this mission was a D rank mission.

"This looks good," Zero said with a nod.

Furno then gave the paper to Stride so that he could have a look.

"Hmmm, a D rank, eh?" Stride said as he looked at the paper. "And to Barren Canyon. That's a good mission for you two. Now all you have to do is to prepare a pack for tomorrow. Now, Barren Canyon is home to several ground and rock types as well as Maractus. Because of that, Furno, you will need to be careful. I recommend stocking up on oran berries."

"Okay, so where do we get the items?" Furno asked.

"Where? Well the Kecleon Market of course," Stride said. "You didn't expect me to pay for all of your stuff forever, did you?"

"So we have to pay for everything that we're taking on the mission?" Furno asked in disbelief.

"You can keep the things that are already in the pack, but you must pay for everything else," Stride said. "The money you two earned from your previous missions is in the side pouch. You have a total of six hundred and fifty poké. When you can't fit anything else in the pack, you can store your excess items in the storage facility across from the market. But before you two go, you should get something to eat."

"But aren't we eating in Team Surge's barracks?" Furno asked.

"No, you two will be eating in the mess hall today," Stride said. "I want you two to interact with the other members of the division and you can't do that if you only eat with us. When you're done, go to the Kecleon Market an buy the items you'll need for tomorrow. After that head to the barracks. See you two later."

"Wait, Stride we..." Furno said, but had already left. "Don't know how to get to the barracks..." Furno turned to Zero. "I guess we should head to the mess hall."

Mess Hall

Furno and Zero entered the mess hall and were shocked at the amount of Pokémon there. Each table was occupied and each Pokémon was talking animatedly with each other. Unsure of where to go, Team Dawn Breaker got in line and got there food.

"There's a lot of Pokémon here," Furno said nervously. "Where should we sit?"

"TEAM DAWN BREAKER!" a voice shouted, gaining the duo's attention. The turned in the direction of the voice and saw the Quilladin from two days ago waving at them. Having no other place to go, Furno and Zero walked over to him. "Hey guys! Furno and Zero, right?" Quill asked, earning two nods. "How have you guys been?"

"We've been good," Furno said.

"That's good. Do you guys have anywhere to sit?" Seeing the two shake there heads, the Quilladin smiled. "Then sit with me and my friends."

Before the duo could respond, Quill took there trays and walked towards a table, forcing them to follow. Quill finally stopped at a table with four other Pokémon seated, a Sudowoodo, a Zangoose, a Sylveon, and a Psyduck.

"Here we are," Quill said happily to Furno and Zero, setting down the duo's trays. "I'd like you to meet my friends. The Sudowoodo is Brooke, the Zangoose is Zeke, the Sylveon is Glenda, and, finally, we have Ducky the Psyduck." Quill gestured to each Pokémon as he said their names. "Guys, I'd like you to meet Furno and Zero."

"Wait... You guys are Team Dawn Breaker!" Ducky said in disbelief. "Oh my Arceus! It's nice to finally meet you two!"

"Huh?" Furno asked as he and Zero sat down across from the other four Pokémon. "What do you mean, finally meet us?"

"Don't you two know?" Glenda asked. "You two are famous!"

"W-What?!" Furno asked in surprise. "W-We're famous?!"

"Duh," Quill said, sitting next to Furno. "Like I said when I first met you two, Everyone expects big things from you because you two never went through the rookie training and you two are being trained by Team Surge."

"B-But we're not being trained by Team Surge," Furno stuttered.

"Yeah right," Quill said. "You guys are being trained by Stride."

"Yeah, but he's the only one training us," Furno argued.

"See," Quill said happily. "I told you."

"That's so cool," Brooke said in awe. "What's it like being trained under a legend such as Stride. What has he taught you? Is he a tough trainer? How many missions have you done?"

"Well we've only been training with him for two days," Furno said, slightly overwhelmed by the questions. "He's tough but fair, he's had us train with Monty, and we've done a D rank retrieval mission and a C rank outlaw mission."

"A C rank mission already?!" Ducky asked. "Wow you two must be strong,"

"Not really," Furno said sheepishly, embarrassed from the praise. "In the end, Stride stepped in and finished off the outlaw."

"You're so modest. That's so cute!" Glenda cooed, causing Furno to blush.

"Why are you so quiet?" Zeke suddenly snapped at Zero.

"W-Wha?" Zero stuttered.

"What, you think that just because you're being trained by Stride that everyone else is under you?" Zeke asked angrily.

"N-No I-" Zero tried to deny the accusations, but was cut off by the enraged Zangoose.

"You think you're above everyone, don't you?! You think that you're better than everyone!"

"No, I just-"

"Well I got news for you! You're not better than us! Your- OWW!" Zeke's rant was cut short when Brooke hit him on the head with a brick break. "WHAT THE HELL BROOKE?!"

"Don't you what the hell me!" Brooke said angrily. "What the hell was that?!"

"He was looking down on us?!" Zeke argued.

"How do you know that?!" Glenda asked angrily. "You don't know anything about him!"

"Seriously, Zeke, you need to stop jumping to conclusions," Quill said. "I can guarantee that he's not like that."

"But he isn't talking!" Zeke tried to argue.

"That's just how he is," Furno said, slightly angered by Zeke's accusation. "Zero's always like that around others. It's not because he thinks you're beneath his notice, it's because he's... wary around others."

"Why's that?" Ducky asked Zero.

"I'm not sure," Zero said truthfully. "I'm just like that."

"Were you always like that?" Brooke asked curiously. "Or did something happen to make you like that?"

Zero shrugged. "I don't know. I only have memories of the past four days."

"What? You mean you have amnesia?" Quill asked in surprise.

"Y-Yeah," Zero said, not liking all of the attention he was getting.

"But if that's true, why aren't you wary around him?" Zeke asked accusingly, pointing at Furno.

"I don't know," Zero said. "I guess it's because he's the first Pokémon I met."

"That makes sense," Brooke said. "So how did you guys meet?"

Seeing his friend in distress, Furno jumped in. "I met him in Shrouded Forest. I was walking close by when I found him unconscious in the middle of the forest."

"What were you doing in the forest?" Zeke asked in an accusing tone. "You were trying to spy on the base weren't you?! Admit it! You- OWW!" Zeke was hit on the head again by Brooke.

"What did I say Zeke?" Brooke asked threateningly.

"It's fine," Furno said. "Some of the Emperor's forces came by my home and tried to take me away, but I ran away. That's actually how we met Stride. Zero and I thought that he was part of the Emperor's forces, so we ran into a mystery dungeon to avoid him."

"You two ran into a mystery dungeon without any items?!" Glenda asked in awe. "You two are brave."

"I wouldn't say brave," Furno said, scratching the back of his head sheepishly. "It was more desperation than bravery."

"Still, it takes courage to enter a dungeon like that," Quill said.

"Yeah, well I bet you guys have some incredible stories," Furno said, shifting the conversation away from them.

"Not really," Quill said, a little depressed. "We've only had a few training exercises outside the base, but other than that, we're always in the base."

"What do you do after training?" Furno asked.

"After that we have the opportunity to form teams with the other rookies or we get recruited by already existing teams." Quill explained.

"How long does training last?" Furno asked.

"Usually a few months," Quill said. "We're actually scheduled to complete our training in about another month."

"Cool," Furno said.

"Oh, no," Duck muttered, pointing to something behind Zero, Furno, and Quill. "Here comes trouble."

They turned and saw a group of five Pokémon walking towards them. There was a Grovyle, a Snover, a Corphish, a Gligar, and a Braixen. The whole group had a snobbish attitude while the Grovyle also had a look of superiority as if everything is owed to him.

"Who are they?" Furno asked.

"There the biggest jerks in the training program," Glenda said. "The Corphish's name is Craw, the Snover's name is Weiss, the Braixen's name is Reyna, the Gligar's name is Glave, and the pompous Grovyle in the middle is Brier.

I don't like these guys, especially that Grovyle, Zero thought as he observed the group. He's giving off a spoiled and arrogant kind of vibe, as if they think that they everything is owed to them. Zero gained a pensive look. How do I know that? Oh, right. Stride said something about Riolu being able to sense the emotions of others. I'll have to talk to Stride about that at some point.

"Well, well, well. What do we have here?" the Grovyle said with a snobbish voice.

"What do you want Brier?" Quill growled.

"What? Can't I see my 'best friends'?" Brier said sarcastically, his cronies laughing behind him.

"Since when are we friends?" Brooke asked angrily.

"What with the animosity? Just because I'm better than you doesn't mean you have to act so mean," Brier said in a condescending tone.

"Who says you're better than us?!" Zeke shouted in anger.

"No one has to say it," Brier said snobbishly. "It's just a fact. I've aced every training exercise and test we've been given. You guys just can't compare to me."

Quill, Ducky, and Glenda were all growling in anger while Brooke, though angry herself, was struggling to hold Zeke back. Furno and Zero were both glaring at the group, both angered and repulsed by the Grovyle's attitude.

"Anyway," Brier said offhandedly, as if not noticing the groups anger. "I heard that Team Dawn Breaker was here and I wanted to see them for myself." He turned to Furno and Zero. "I take it you are them."

"Yeah, we're Team Dawn Breaker," Furno said, crossing his arms.

"I see," Brier said, looking at the duo with a critical eye. "I can't say I'm impressed."

"What was that?" Furno asked angrily.

"I'm just stating facts," Brier said as if what he just said was common knowledge. "I honestly don't see what Team Surge sees in you two. They would be better off spending their time training someone of higher caliber."

"Someone like you?" Furno asked in a deadly tone, his flame growing slightly in response to his anger.

"I didn't say that, but yeah. Someone like me," Brier said smugly. "I'd be a much better choice, especially over a weak Chimchar like you."

Furno glared at the Grovyle and was about to retort, but Zero beat him to it.

"I'd prefer that you didn't insult my teammate," Zero said in a cold voice, all shyness and nervousness gone from his voice. As he spoke, the young Riolu seemed to give off an aura of anger that unnerved all those in a ten feet proximity.

"O-Oh yeah?" Brier said, trying to hide his unease. "And what will you do if I don't stop?"

Zero raised his paw and a black aura surrounded his paw, shaping itself into a claw. While his shadow claw was not mastered, as a mastered shadow claw extends the reach of the Pokémon using it by a foot while Zero's only gave him an extra half foot, it did make Zero much more menacing. The menacing aura seemed to intensify, causing several Pokémon to stop their conversations in the mess hall and causing Brier, who the aura was directed towards, began to sweat.

"If you don't stop, I'll have to make you stop," Zero said, glaring daggers at the Grovyle.

Brier gulped, but retained his smug demeanor despite his growing fear of the Riolu. "W-Whatever," Brier stuttered, trying to save face. "We've got better things to do than hang out with you losers. Come on guys."

Brier's gang gave the group one last glare before turning around and leaving the mess hall. As soon as they left, the aura that Zero was giving off dissipated. Zero felt eyes on him and noticed that a portion of the Pokémon in the mess hall, including those at his table, were staring at him. Seeing this, Zero became nervous again and tried to make himself smaller.

"What?" Zero asked. When no one answered him he grew slightly annoyed. "What?!"

"What do you mean what?!" Quill asked. "What was that?!"

"What was what?" Zero asked. "You mean my shadow claw?"

"He's talking about that aura that you gave off," Furno said. "I didn't know you could do that!"

"What are you talking about?" Zero asked.

"That aura you gave off when you were threatening Brier," Ducky said. Zero gave them all a blank look, causing Ducky to sigh. "When you were threatening Brier you gave off an aura of anger."

"I did?" Zero asked.

"Yeah, you did," Glenda said. "It was like you projected your anger and made it a tangible thing."

"I-I didn't know I could do that," Zero said.

"Sure you didn't," Zeke said sarcastically. "I bet you knew about that power and you're trying to gain are trust so you can kill us all with it! Admit it- OWW!" Zeke clutched his head and glared at the Sudowoodo that just hit him. "DAMMIT BROOKE!"

"I told you to stop jumping to conclusions," Brooke said uncaring, causing everyone except Zeke to laugh.

"But still, that ability was weird," Furno said. "Maybe you should talk to Stride about it when we get back."

"Yeah..." Zero said.

The group continued to make small talk as they ate before Furno and Zero had to leave and head to the Kecleon Market. The duo said their goodbyes to their new friends and headed out.

Kecleon Market

"Finally, we're here," Furno said when the duo entered the market.

"Welcome!" Furno and Zero jumped in surprise at the voice. They turned and were greeted by the green Kecleon.

"Sorry," he said sheepishly. "I didn't mean to surprise you two."

"T-That's okay," Furno said, trying to still his rapidly beating heart.

"Well, is there anything that I can help you two with today?" the green Kecleon asked.

"Y-Yeah, there is," Furno said, finally calming himself. "We're going on a mission to Barren Canyon and we need to buy some items for the mission."

"Barren Canyon you say," the Kecleon said, his eyes sparkling slightly. "Of course I can help you two!"

"Really? Great!" Furno said happily.

The Kecleon led the duo into the store and discussed what they would encounter in the dungeon and what they might need.

"...Barren Canyon, as you know, is full of ground and rock types, meaning you are at a type disadvantage Furno." Furno nodded and the Kecleon continued. "Knowing this, you two should buy some oran berries."

"That makes since," Furno said. "Last time I checked, we only have a couple of oran berries left."

"In that case, take these," the Kecleon said, tossing four oran berries to Zero, who caught them in surprise. "I would also recommend you two getting a couple of scarves," he continued. "But you two already have some equipment. Speaking of which, where did you two get those items."

"They were rewards for doing a mission," Furno answered.

"I see," the Kecleon said, smiling lightly. "I thought that maybe you two went somewhere else to shop. Anyway, I also recommend you two get some escape orbs for when you two need to leave the dungeon quickly. My brother can get you some of those."

"Okay," Furno agreed. "We could also use some apples."

"A good decision," the store keeper said. "It's always smart to have a few food items with you at all times. Here you go."

The Kecleon tossed Zero seven apples, which he barely caught.

"I also recommend some sleep and blast seeds in case things get hairy," the Kecleon said, tossing three red seeds and three green seeds at Zero.

Why does it feel like I'm always the pack-mule, Zero thought as he caught the seeds.

"That should hold you guys for a few days," the Kecleon said. "I'll ring you guys up and get you those orbs."

The duo nodded and followed the Kecleon to the counter. When they got there, they saw a tired purple Kecleon standing at the desk, holding his head up with an arm he had propped up on the counter. Seeing them approach, all fatigue disappeared from the oddly colored Kecleon as he smiled at the duo.

"It's good to see you two," he said happily. "Things are usually quiet around this time and I was getting a little bored. Is that all for you today?"

"They also would like some escape orbs brother," the other Kecleon said.

"I see," the other said. "And how many would you two like?"

"Uhhh..." Furno said, looking at Zero for help. Zero merely shrugged, not knowing how to answer.

"Hmm, well the total of your other items is three hundred and eighty poké. And each escape orb costs a hundred and fifty poké, so how many can you afford?"

"If that's the case, we can only afford to buy one orb at the moment," Furno said dejectedly.

"I'll tell you what," the purple Kecleon said. "Give me what you have, and I'll give you the items you want and an extra escape orb on the house."

"Really?!" Furno asked in surprise.

"Just make sure that you use it wisely and buy your items from us," the Kecleon said happily.

"Thank you," Furno said gratefully. Zero pulled out their money and handed it to the Kecleon, who smiled in return.

"Thank you," the Kecleon said, taking the money. "I'll get those orbs for you from the back."

"Why do you keep the orbs in the back," Furno asked the green Kecleon as the purple Kecleon went to the back room."

"That's because our orbs and TM's are our more expensive products. Because of that, we keep them in the back to deter potential thieves," the Kecleon explained.

"Thieves?" Furno asked curiously. "Why would anyone steal from you guys? Wouldn't it be like stealing from the resistance?"

"Not really," the Kecleon answered. "See, we're a private business, meaning we're separate from the division. We are allowed to set up our business here and in return, we pay a small portion of what we make to the division."

"But still, why would resistance members try to steal from a business that's here to help?" Furno asked.

"Because not everyone in the resistance is good," the purple Kecleon said, returning with two blue orbs in his hands. "While everyone here wants to stop the Emperor, they are not all good. Some here are nothing more than mercenaries looking for a quick buck and would do anything to get what they want, even steal."

"Oh," Furno said, taking the orbs.

"Well if that's all, thank you two for your patronage and please, come again," the purple Kecleon said with a smile.

"Thank you guys for your help. We'll be sure to come by when we need items," Furno said, waving goodbye to the Kecleon brothers. "We'll see you guys later."

"Bye!" the duo said cheerily, waving at the retreating forms of Team Dawn Breaker.

Third Floor

"I think we're lost," Zero commented as the duo ran into yet another dead end.

"I realize that Zero!" Furno snapped. He turned around and walked back down the hallway, with Zero hot on his heels. "Team Surge's room is on the third floor at the end of the hall on the right, right?"

"Yeah, but I think we took a wrong turn somewhere," Zero said.

"Ugh," Furno groaned, smacking his forehead. "Maybe we should ask for directions..."

"I believe I can help," a serene voice from behind the duo. Furno and Zero turned and saw the speaker was a shiny Gardevoir.

"Who are you?" Furno asked curiously.

"My name is Angela," the Gardevoir answered in a monotone voice. "And you two are Furno and Zero."

"H-How'd you know our names?" Furno asked suspiciously.

"I know many things," Angela answered cryptically. "Things such as the fact that your Riolu friend is not what he appears to be."

Furno and Zero gasped in surprise, shocked that someone knew of Zero's origins when they had not told anyone.

"You need not worry," Angela said, her voice never changing. "I shall not tell anyone. Now come along. I shall show you Team Surge's room."

Before either Furno or Zero could say anything, the Gardevoir was already walking down the hallway. Furno and Zero exchanged glances before following her down the hallway.

The trio walked in awkward silence. Zero and Furno looked at the shiny Pokémon with looks of confusion and suspicion. They were both trying to figure out how the psychic type had learned about Zero being human.

Maybe she read our minds, Zero thought. She is a psychic type after all. But... I have a feeling that that's not the case...

They finally made it to Team Surge's room and Angela knocked on the door. A few seconds later, the door opened, revealing a smiling stride. His smile then turned to surprise when he saw Angela standing in the doorway.

"Angela? What are you doing here?" Stride asked.

"I was guiding these two," Angela said, gesturing to the duo behind her.

"Ah, I see. Got lost did you?" Stride asked teasingly, causing Furno and Zero to gain a sudden interest in the ground, causing Stride to chuckle. "Well, thank you for bringing them. I hope it did not inconvenience you."

"It was no trouble," Angela said in her emotionless voice. "I was compelled to be in that area tonight. I believe I was meant to guide these two here."

"I see. Well, thank you," Stride said.

"You are welcome," Grace said, giving Stride a slight bow. She then turned to Zero and Furno. "It was nice to finally meet you two. You two will do great things in the future and I cannot wait to see them."

With that, she spun around on her heel and left without another word.

"I see you met Angela," Stride said when Angela was out of sight. "What do you two think of her?"

"She's a little... off," Furno said.

"I agree with you on that," Stride chuckled. "Though I guess you really can't expect anything else from a psychic."

"You mean a psychic type, right?" Furno asked.

"No, I mean an actual psychic." Zero and Furno's eyes widened in shock. Seeing this, Stride chuckled again. "You see, Angela was born with the gift to see into the future. While she cannot see specific events, she can see fragments of events. With that information she can put together a composite of what is about to occur."

"Wow," Furno said in amazement. "I can see how that's useful for the division."

"Yes, she has given us a lot of useful information that has helped us against the Emperor," Stride said. "She was the one that told me and Bolt to go to Shrouded Forest the night we met you two."

Furno and Zero's eyes widened, surprised to hear that Angela was the reason they now resided at the Latios Division.

"Well, enough about that," Stride said, ushering the two inside. "How was it at the mess hall?"

"It was busy, but we did meet some trainees around our age," Furno answered. "They were really nice."

"Good for you," Stride said as the trio entered the lounge where Samuel, Wake, and Mystic were sitting. "It's good for you to meet those your own age, especially since you'll be working with them in the future."

"Yeah, though we did meet a group of trainees that acted like complete jerks," Furno said, remembering Brier and his gang.

"Well, you know what they say. 'You can't get along with everyone'," Mystic said with a shrug.

"You don't have to get along with everyone," Samuel said. "You just have to work with them."

"Yeah..." Furno said. "Speaking of which, we wanted to ask you something Stride."

"Oh? What did you want to ask," Stride asked, Furno explained what happened in the mess hall and the aura that Zero seemed to give off. After Furno's explanation, Stride put his and on his chin in thought. "And you two are wondering what that ability was?"

"Yes," Furno said.

"From what you told me, Zero was using emotion channeling," Stride reasoned.

"Emotion channeling?" Furno asked with a look of confusion on his face that Zero mimicked. "What's that?"

"As I told you two before, Riolu have the ability to sense the emotions of others. On top of that, they also have the power to make others feel their emotions. My guess is that Zero unconsciously channeled his anger and used it to instill fear in those around him, creating that 'aura', as you described it."

"Wow," Furno said in amazement while Zero looked at Stride with wide eyes.

"Riolu tend to only channel their anger when they or someone they care about is in danger," Stride continued. "That shows how much you mean to Zero, Furno."

Furno blushed lightly while Zero shuffled his feet awkwardly, causing Stride to chuckle.

"I'm surprised that you were able to do that without any form of training," Stride said to Zero, looking at him with a critical eye. "...Unless you had prior training, which you could have had since we don't know where you originally came from..."

"What do you mean, you don't know where he came from?" Wake asked.

"Oh, didn't I mention that earlier? Zero has no memories prior to meeting Furno in Shrouded Forest," Stride said.

"No, you didn't mention that?" Wake said angrily.

"...Oops?" Stride said sheepishly, causing Samuel, Mystic, and Wake.

"Hehe, anyway, I plan on asking Monty to see if he can offer any help with Zero's emotion channeling. In the mean time, you two should get some rest. You two have a big day tomorrow," Stride said to Team Dawn Breaker.

The two young resistance members nodded and walked to their room have to saying good night to the assembled members of Team Surge.

"Hey Zero?" Furno said when the duo made it to there room and shut the door.

"Yeah Furno?" Zero asked.

"Do you... do you think we should tell Stride?"

"Tell him what?"

"That you're a... you know. Human?"

"Oh," Zero said in realization "I don't know. Like you said before, humans are supposed to be extinct. Who knows how others would react if they found out."

"But don't you think that Stride could help?" Furno asked. "He might know something that can help you."

"Yeah, but I'm still don't know how he'd react," Zero said, looking at the ground.

"You don't trust him?"

"... I don't know," Zero murmured. "I want to trust him, but it's like some part of me is keeping me from trusting him."

"Maybe it's just because you're shy around others."

"It's not just that," Zero said, clenching his fists in annoyance over not understanding his feelings that he was experiencing. "Stride's been nothing but nice to us, but something in me is keeping me from trusting me completely."

"Well maybe that will change in the future," Furno said, trying to dispel his friends worry. "Either way I'll stand by you no matter what."

"Thanks Furno," Zero said, smiling at his friend.

"Anyway, we should get some rest. We do a mission tomorrow after all."

"Okay," Zero said, moving towards his bed. "G'night Furno."

"Good night," Furno said, moving to his own bed.

The two got into there beds and after a few minutes, the duo fell asleep. Both were unaware that a certain Greninja was standing outside their door and had heard their entire conversation.

Zero's a human?! Stride thought. H-How is that possible? But that means... No that's impossible. Stride looks at the door to Team Dawn Breaker's room, his face full of confusion. What could this mean?