I hope you enjoyed the previous chapter, I had so much fun writing it!

To the guest that corrected his earlier review, Daniel won't have a Gyarados. He was quite against that. Now, for Xander to have a Gastly? That might actually be possible, but not for some time. If Xander does get a Gastly, it will likely be just before Sabrina comes into play.

Also, I know that I recently answered a guest's on whether Xander was based off me, but I forgot to include that some events have been slightly dramatized in real life, and that the names of everyone included were changed. The only true names are Xander and Daniel, every other name has been altered.

Oh! If you have questions about the guns, Xander and Daniel will never kill anyone if they don't have to. This does not mean they won't shoot at people, they'll just use them as a last resort, or to even the ground against the Rockets. (Excluding Jesse, James, and Meowth, they understand the Trio needs to keep following Ash.)


Daniel POV

I sigh in exasperation as the age old problem that refuses to be solved comes up to the plate once again. The situation that can only cause misfortune to the one that attempts to fix it. The precarious position I have been placed in once more that always results in a major catastrophe. That horrid task that life has assigned to me:

Waking up Xander.

I first thought about firing my newly obtained gun. Needless to say, the only outcome would be Xander panicking and firing at me. Considering I was less than five feet away, even a poor shot like him could probably hit me.

I might have trickled a little water on him, but a simple reminder of what happened when water was the cause of his waking up after training with Foxglove shot that down too.

The safest option was Train Whistling him, but he'd still be pissed at me.

So I was faced with two options. Awaken a beast, but get to Cerulean before dinner. Or let have a very safe day, but not arrive at Cerulean until a day or two, which might be enough time for Ash and Company to catch up. Although, now that Brock's with them, it might be safer to travel with them for some time…

"...why…"

I'm brought out of my thoughts when I heard Xander speak. It was common for him to mumble in his sleep every once in a while, but this was the first time he's said a whole word… maybe I should let him be, see what he says.

I sit down on a nearby root. Xander was currently sleeping in a sitting position against a tree, without his pokemon for the first time. Judging from the shouts I heard when Xander trained last night, a most exhausting regime had been completed, and Foxglove and Jet were too tired to stay out.

I'm actually wondering why Jet's having a hard problem with learning Steel Wing. He accidently used that instead of Wing Attack during his battle against Brock, but he has been somewhat unsuccessful. Maybe I should give him a rock or something like that to hit? Nah, too small-

"...don't… … I… trusted you… … thought… cared…"

Hmm? What's he talking about? Sounds like he trusted someone, and that he thought this someone cared about something… but what? It can't be Xander that this person supposedly cared about, because I know Xander never dated or went out with anyone. He's always been to shy for that.

"...why… Susan…"

Hold up. Susan? Why would Xander be dreaming of her? Those two went their own ways last year, after school ended in eighth grade… As a matter of fact, the two hardly even interacted during high school. I know for a fact that the two had no kind of feelings for each other at all. They knew each other well, yes, but Xander told me he could never date her. 'Too much like a sister', he had said, before they suddenly split.

Suddenly, Xander started twitching, and his mutterings became rapid and incomprehensible… wow, that was a big word for me… Anyways, Xander began to writhe against the tree. Was he having a nightmare?

"Xander?" I ask hesitantly.

He only writhes worse. Almost like whatever he's dreaming about is causing him pain… I can't stand to see him like this. I steel my nerves and grab him, "Xander! Wake up!"


Good news! It was successful and he woke up!

Bad news! I'm now traveling through Mount Moon with a very pissed off Xander, and a bloody nose!

Apparently holding down an Antisocial teenager who hates physical contact is a very stupid thing to do.

"Bhy da hell dib you hab to punch me?!" I cry as I hold a wet cloth on my nose, blood still dripping from it, and onto the rocky floor of the tunnel.

Xander glares at me, "You were the one with the bright idea to hold me down when I was groggy. I thought you were attacking me, and I reacted accordingly. Be glad you had trapped my legs, or you might not ever have a child."

I shudder at that.

Xander looks away, "For whatever its worth, I'm sorry. But don't confuse that with me taking my punch back, that felt good."

I glare for the briefest of moments before his word and actions register. I couldn't help but have to stop and lean against the rocky wall and begin to laugh. Xander sighs, "Great. What's so funny? Did I manage to hit you hard enough that you've gone crazy?"

I point at him weakly, "Da bay you abolojised, you thounded 'ike a sundairay!"

He tilts his head in confusion, and mutters, "I sounded like a… tsundere?" He pauses and thinks back to what he just said, before he sighs with some laughter, "Dear god, you're right… I sounded like a total tsundere."


"Hey! Be're binally 'ere!" I cheer as we enter the large city, still holding my still bleeding nose. Xander really punched hard! The puncher in question nodded.

"Yep, we are," he agrees, "thankfully, we didn't get lost and made it here with time to spare before dinner." I narrow my eyes at him.

"Be dibn't get lost betause I hab da mab!"

He stared, "You took it from me."

"BETAUSE YOU ALREABY GOT US LOST TWIBE IN DA HALB MILE BEBORE BE ENTERED MOUNT MOON!" I shouted at him. He merely cleaned his ear out with his ring finger.

"Quiet down will you? You're making a scene."

I throw my free hand in the air with a sigh of exasperation. Xander chuckles at my actions, earning him a glare. Unfortunately, it didn't even faze him. He pulls out one of his pokeballs, "Out, Foxglove!"

The quad-pedalled dinosaur formed with a flash of white. "Bul saur?" He asks his trainer, who shrugs. "Nah, just wanted you to stretch- hold up." Why did he cut himself off? Better yet, has his bond with Foxglove gotten strong enough to interpret his words already?

"Say that again."

"Bul saur, bulba?"

His eyebrows bunch up. "Odd…"


Xander POV

Can this day get any weirder? First's the dream about Julian, which then transits to Susan, a lovely nightmare duo. Then a wake up to my best friend straddling me, which was VERY awkward by the way. I actually punched him because it looked like… well... nevermind.

Then there's me acting like a tsundere in the cave. That was embarrassing to realize.

And now there's me hearing my pokemon talk like a human again. I swear, he spoke like one then. Just like when I saw Daniel chase Abra for the first time! I could have sworn he said, "Whaaa?" And just earlier, I would plead to the judge he just said, "Training time?"

"What the hell is up with you Xander?" Daniel inquired. His voice sounded a bit odd though. Wait… when could he speak normally? Eh, whatever.

I wave off to Daniel, "Don't ask me, I've been having the strangest day."

"Uh… Vander? I dibn't thay anyting."

I turn and frown at him, "Yes you did, you just asked me what's up with me." He shook his head shakily.

"No… I onwy jusb thought ob dat."

Wait… hold on a fucking minute. Actually, no. Hold on a whole fucking day. I am NOT dealing with this right now! I just sigh, "You know what? Forget it, we'll talk about this some other time. Let's get that badge."

Daniel shook his head, "Leb's get my noze bicksed ub birst."

I shrug, "Fair enough."


Daniel POV

Xander is starting to freak me out. Admittedly, this is the largest event yet, but every once in a while he'll know what I'm thinking, or acts like he can easily understand his pokemon. Arceus did say he'd give us gifts… maybe this is Xander's?... If so… when will mine be revealed…?

Ah forget it. My nose is finally fixed up. Unfortunately, the process took too long and the gym closed for the day. Oh well.

I lay back in the bed in the room Xander had rented for us. He mysteriously disappeared while I was getting my nose fixed up, and came back holding wads of cash in his hands. He said it was from pokemon battling. I didn't believe him until I saw several trainers glaring at him as they entered the Pokemon Center. Xander kept muttering something about 'so close' as well. I think he was close to seeing either Jet or Foxglove evolve.

I look to my left, seeing Xander tapping notes into his tablet, with his pokedex on his left and his notepad and pencils on his right. He's probably going through his plan to take on the gym. I'm just gonna rush the sisters with Charmander.

I turn back and try to get some sleep, but some of Xander's words kept bothering me.

"I'm just barely a sociopath because I don't care about much at all."

"Emotional problems? Sleeping problems? Eating problems? They are all caused by the same thing; my inability to care."

"I'm only a useless shell."

"The jokes? My shield, my shield to hide this pain I constantly have."

"...and the sixth… betrayed me."

"They caused me to never trust people… Never care about anyone."

"I'm so tired of living a life where I'm only being used!"

My mind groaned at the enigmatic friend of mine. Why were those thoughts and negative emotions going through my head then? Wait…

"...don't… … I… trusted you… … thought… cared…"

"...why… Susan…"

No. They didn't just go their separate ways. Aside from me, Susan was the only one that had interacted with Xander quite often. Susan, Susan was the sixth friend. She was the one who betrayed Xander… but why? How? When- wait.

A younger Xander trudged along the seventh grade corridor slowly. His face cast down.

A younger Daniel ran to catch up, "Hey man! What's going on?... why you so upset?"

Xander shook his head, and roe it with a very convincing smile, "It's nothing, Susan and I just got into a small disagreement."

Disagreement my ass. Disagreements don't leave Xander looking depressed. Actually, ever since that day, Xander seemed slightly colder towards most others… and even when he was 'normal' he had a hard time trusting people. For five years, Xander only ever trusted me, Susan, Julian, Tracy, Justin, Stephen, and Carter.

Wait a minute. Stephen moved away years ago, I recall Carter and Xander having a HUGE fight with both words and fists (Xander winning with a bleeding lip and black eye), Justin had to also move since his dad found new work, Julian suddenly stopped showing up to our little outings, Tracy had once stalked Xander throughout school, and Susan…

No. Nonononono.

Susan faked being Xander's friend all that time.

"Figured it out, have you?"

It was only when the slight echo came back around did I realize I had spoken my final thought aloud. I turned to see Xander's gaze on me. Odd. It wasn't cold or angry or upset… just… blank.

I tried to ask him what happened, but as soon as my jaw twitch he shook his head. "After the tournament. Then I'll tell you everything. For now, let's get some sleep." His word held a tone of finality, and his suggestion was one we both seemed to go along with quickly.


Xander POV

Damn it. I think as I try to fall asleep. I actually managed to slip enough for him to begin to piece together that… wait. Where did S- she come from? I don't recall ever saying her name… ah crap, I was sleep talking probably. At least he came to a more simple conclusion. Oh if only it was that small…


I find myself in a room of white, with large grecian pillars of gold forming a circle around me. Great, this is familiar. Hall of Origins in my dream again, what does Arceus want now?

"Good question, and one I'll answer."

I turn around to face the llama god of Pokemon. I bow slightly, "Greetings Arceus."

"Greetings to you, Broken One." I groan at the title.

"Why was I called that?!"

"Your emotional and mental state is very unhealthy. Perhaps if you fix that I'll call you a better name." It responds in a somewhat amused tone. I groan again, I forgot that Arceus was a smartass like me.

"But that is not here nor there, I have come to discuss your developing gift."

"I've been thinking about that, actually," I reply, "I can occasionally hear thoughts, and sometimes understand my pokemon. I have some kind of telepathy or empathy powers don't I?" The being chuckles at my assessment.

"Still observant as ever," it replies… smiling? I can't really tell… but what looks like its mouth is curved slightly more than usual. It continues its speech, "You are actually a very powerful Psychic. You will begin to unlock your complete potential after you defeat Sabrina. But you MUST let Ash win first. That is imperative. That said, I know I requested for you to not follow along with Ash, but until Sabrina is beaten, I need you to keep an eye on him, without the use of your guns on the trio of Rocket Members. However, any others are free game. When you run into Damien, make sure he pays, his actions were despicable. Also, you'll soon be able to get that Porygon you wish for so much."

I smirk, "Thanks for that." I harden my expression, "Other than that, I'll make sure Daniel gets the memo- wait," I stop at the sudden shiver of Arceus, "You're telling him now aren't you?"

The shivering increases and I hear a slight snicker from the god of Pokemon.

"Oh how I wish you were less perceptive. Now wake up before your loud friend helps you."


FWEEEEEEEE

"GAHH!"

THUMP

SMACK

"OW! WHAT THE HELL?!"

Ah the sounds of morning…

I stand up from my rude awakening and falling to the floor, clenching and unclenching my fist. I give an amused look to Daniel who is now hopping up and down holding his shin.

"What have I told you about startling me awake in a small bed?"

He glares at me, "If I recall, 'You wake me up and I fall, I'm kicking your ass', or something along that line. But you didn't kick, and my shin is not my ass!"

I shrug, "I'll Crescent Axe Kick instead."

He recoils, "I-I'm good." He straightens, "Anyways, Arceus visit you too?" I nod. "Alright then, I say we get some breakfast and some training in before hitting the gym, that good with you?"

I nod again, and head to the bathroom, "Fine, just let me take a shower and get changed."


Daniel POV

"We're here to challenge the gym!" I call out. Xander groans, "Seriously Daniel? Can't we just walk in and ask for a battle like normal people?"

I grin at him, "Not as long as my method keeps bothering you!"

"Tu-zut."

"Don't curse at me in different languages!"

He tilts his head, "Pourquoi? J'aime parler en français."

"SPEAK ENGLISH!"

"Je ne comprends pas, je ne parle pas anglais."

I groan, "I hate you so much." Xander justs laughs.

A girlish giggle shifts our attention to three girls behind us. I raise an eyebrow at them, "You're the gym leaders… right?" The girl with bluish purple hair shrugs.

"Like, yeah, but like, we don't really, like care for battling," she says in a valley girl accent. She extends her arm, "But, you can, like, totally take this anyways." She reveals to Cascade Badges.

Xander blinks before sneering in disgust and turning away, "Disappointing. Seems I've been training for nothing. I'm not going to accept something I did not earn."

The girl with blue hair shrugs, "Alright then, like, be that way."

I shake my head, "Forget it, let's go Xander." I'm only barely able to contain my own disgust. I knew they'd be pushovers, but at least they fought in the anime, albeit off-screen.

I turn to leave as well, but then a voice cuts us off, "I'm here to challenge the gym!"

I look to Xander at the sound of the familiar voice, "Well, at least we don't have to find him…" I mutter.

"Alright! What the heck are you three doing now?!" an angry female voice cuts in.

I see Xander smirk, "Correction, Red, it's wet the heck are you three doing now?"

I groan, along with the newcomers named Ash, Misty, and Brock.


Next chapter involves battling of Pokemon and Words! I just had to put some plot development in this one. Sorry.

I know I said you would find out about the gym battle this chapter, but the plot development took a lot longer than I expected.