Here comes the second part of this Spring on Mars update. As always, read earlier chapters first to understand what's going on.

Fair warning: this chapter is DRAMATIC! If you're cool with that, read, review and enjoy the story!


Psychic Abigail's Kirlia dropped to the ground after a single bite. While Stark, Rhodes and Whitney were recovering from the brutal beating Maylene's Pokemon subjected them to, Ross was battling Route 214 trainers in hopes of learning to spit fire. Every time an opponent went down, he would try to ignite something... only to let out no more than a few sparks.

Needless to say, the best part of their training was a fight against Collector Jamal. By biting his Porygon to hell and back, Ross earned his trainer a Razor Fang — the item to further Matt's development. Speaking of Matt, the second best thing that took place were his constant attempts to steal something from Lucas' bag. The Gligar was living up to his nature — those antics were amusing the Flareon, while their trainer was glad the Pokemon paid no attention to his pockets.

What kind of ruined their fun was fighting Collector Douglas. Even though Ross beat the opponent's Flareon, the fact that it could breathe fire while he couldn't put him through a wringer. Lucas knew when his species would usually start using Ember, so he understood him.

"He evolved a few levels too late," he explained to Mars. "They say there's always time to learn, but when it comes to Eevees, you gotta make your choice early, otherwise 'obtaining' your power will take more effort."

"Sounds rough," she said and looked at an upset Ross. He shook his hanging head before dropping on his left side.

"But harder doesn't mean impossible," Lucas pointed out and picked Ross up. "Don't worry, man. If we work together, you'll learn to burn stuff up in no time flat."

Matt got to creaking out encouragements and jumping on his tail. This seemed to amuse Ross, and when he saw a wild Houndour, he wasted no time challenging it. Soon it was down... but no fire would come out of Ross' mouth.

"Come on, Ross, you can do it!" Mars exclaimed. "You know you can!"

"You heard her?" Lucas asked. "Go give 'em hell!"

Several more minutes of battles and Matt's creaking took Ross to level 33, bringing about numerous bruises on his body. By the time he brightened up he could barely stand on his paws, so that happiness was temporary.

"Man, you better take a break, otherwise you won't live to see your first fire," Lucas pointed out when Ross' head hung like a water balloon.

"Damn it, can't you see you're destroying yourself?!" Mars exclaimed, squeezing her head. "You need to chill, otherwise you'll never burn!"

Ross' head jumped at that exclamation, and his eyes met Lucas'. His trainer said, "She's right. Look, you WILL learn to set stuff on fire, but if you keep training with these, you're gonna collapse, and nobody wants that." He took Ross in his hands and looked at Mars. "Thanks. He finally cooled down," he remarked after Ross' muscles relaxed.

"I just kinda... blurted it out..." she admitted. "Maybe I should do as you suggested and take a nap?"

"How long have you been having these migraines?"

"For about a month or so. At first they weren't so bad, but eventually I had to start taking meds. They help... somewhat."

"You sure about this?"

"Please, don't worry about me... it's not worth it."

"If you say so..." Lucas muttered. 'It's not worth it,' she says. Yeah, she's got low self-esteem all right, but she's sure been doing a nice job of hiding it. Until now.

The four of them sat down by the lake near the intersection between Route 214 and Veilstone. Matt tried tickling Ross, but he wouldn't budge. Looking at his reflection, the Flareon appeared lost in his own space. It took him a while to smile at his trainer, at Mars and at the ever-so-supportive Gligar.

Still, their support, no matter how genuine, couldn't completely shake his feeling of inferiority off.

"Well... if it's any help, my Golbat couldn't learn to produce poison by herself either," Mars finally admitted. "According to Lucas, the only Poison-type move Golbats learn is Poison Fang, and they learn it at a much higher level. So, in order to make up for it, I used a TM. TM06, to be more precise."

"How did she feel about it?" Lucas wondered as both he and Ross looked at her. "How did she take the fact that you fixed her lack of natural ability through mechanical means?"

"She didn't mind that," she responded with a shrug. "We at Team Galactic usually don't form long-term bonds with Pokemon. In a way we're like those corporate bastards, using Pokemon as workers, a means to an end, with no strings attached."

Lucas sighed. "How shallow."

"You're right. It's only thanks to you that I finally begin to understand just how horrible it is," Mars admitted with her head low. "Unfortunately, I feel like if I or Master Cyrus tried to explains this to the others, they wouldn't listen." She covered her forehead and shook her head. "I just don't get it. He treats His Pokemon so well, and now I'm starting to follow His example. But everyone else... why can't they be more like us?"

"Maybe because they view Saturn and Jupiter as better role models? Maybe a greedy bastard and a sadistic bitch inspire them more than 'goodie-goodies' like you do?"

"And to think that I used to NOT mind what they did to the civilians of Eterna... Think of it — I actually thought it was okay! Just... damn..."

"Relax, will you? We're gonna—"

"I'm gonna talk to Master Cyrus! He's gonna punish those jerks for their behavior! Information recovery doesn't require violence, now does it?! We can do it peacefully! We can—AAAARGH!" She squeezed her head and clenched her teeth. "Damn it! Not now!" For a whole minute Mars could do nothing but groan. Then followed a series of short breaths and finally a yawn.

"Oh crap! Maria!" Lucas exclaimed and caught her falling—dropping to the ground. "Maria, you okay?! What's happening?!"

"You... did it... again..." Mars remarked, referencing Eterna again. Then came the second series of short breaths. "Why is... everything... so blurry..."

For a moment Lucas lowered his head... and then he glared into her eyes and declared, "Guess we're about to find out." He took Mars bridal carry style and lifted her. "Ross, Matt, follow me!"

"S-stop... where are you go—"

Her consciousness slipped away before she could finish talking. Lucas, Ross and Matt ran north, passed a worried guard and went to a hospital. During his "Twinleaf Delay" days he read a lot about Sinnoh. That included medical institutions, and according to articles, Veilstone had some of the best ones in the whole region. Lucas thanked his luck for being there, otherwise helping Mars would be troublesome.

He ran inside and stopped just in time to avoid bumping into a woman in a coat. "Miss, I need your help!" Lucas exclaimed. "My girl Maria... I don't know what's going on with her, she keeps having seizures and migraines! And she looks so pale... Please, you gotta do something!"

"This way!" the woman exclaimed, and the two of them headed upstairs. "Good thing you ran into me! I know a thing or two about paleness and what comes with it!"

"Oh good grief!"


The migraine-induced void soon made way for worried faces of two people. One of them was Lucas Mercury, the other one was — Mars took a closer look, — Dr. Silverstein. The Galactic Commander in disguise realized where her kind-of-a teacher took her... but no panic attack followed. Silly as it sounded to her, she trusted him, though it wasn't nearly enough for a complete open-up.

"A hospital, huh...?" she muttered, sat up in her bed and covered her forehead. "You didn't have to go through so much trouble, really... I would've been fine."

"There you go again, underestimating yourself and your problems," Lucas berated her. "You're worth more than you think! Can't you understand that?!"

"Young man, please contain yourself," Dr. Silverstein asked him. "Miss Scarlett, how are you feeling at the moment?"

"Sleepy... but my migraine's gone. For now, at least..." Mars replied and looked at her blanket. "I was ranting about how Team Galactic treated its Pokemon and got so riled up my head started to hurt like hell."

"This, combined with fatigue and pale skin, is why I brought her here," Lucas admitted to Dr. Silverstein and turned back to Mars. It did nothing to clear things up for her though. The Galactic Commander still couldn't quite grasp why he looked so worried when he said, "Sorry if it's none of my business... but I've known something was off since Hearthome. Let's face it, Maria — you're not right in your body."

"He's right. Such pale skin is far from natural," Dr. Silverstein confirmed. "Not to mention, you look painfully thin. We will have to examine you further, but first, are there any other problems you're facing?"

"Please, Maria, let us help you," Lucas asked with a friendly smile on his face. "Think of people who care for you. They need you."

An image of Master Cyrus saving her from a furious Charon flashed in her mind before she began, "Dr. Silverstein, I..." She paused to gather her thoughts... and decided her condition didn't benefit anyone. She made the first step to recovery by stating, "Dr. Silverstein, aside from pale skin, fatigue, constant migraines and unhealthy thinness, I also sometimes feel tingling in my fingers. I usually don't mind it... but it gets annoying when I'm agitated. I'm also unable to feel any taste. All food, no matter how skilfully cooked, is one and the same to me."

"Speaking of food, what does your diet consist of?" Dr. Silverstein asked.

"Mainly rice and fruit salads, sometimes bread. I used to eat a lot of meat, especially fish... but I hated that. I was only eating that stuff because of my mother. She loooooved to push me around sometimes. Once she dumped me, I became a full-time vegetarian. I even quit drinking milk..."

"Wait, you said they bailed on you about a year ago," Lucas pointed out. "If you stopped consuming meat then, why hasn't your condition destroyed you yet?"

"Thanks to mommy, buying and eating meat became my habit. I spent a lot of time fighting it, with varying degrees of success... Given that it's been two months since I began this attempt, I'd say the habit is finally starting to die. Good thing too, since I really didn't like meat, and I still don't!"

"Hmm... your issue sounds a lot like Vitamin B12 Deficiency, but to make sure, we will have to run further analysis," Dr. Silverstein declared. "Are you okay with that?"

"Well uh..." Mars muttered, nervously glancing around. The second step was a tougher one. She already disobeyed her dear Master Cyrus once, and she wasn't going to do that again. "With all due respect, I just... can't agree to that without my father's consent. He already berates me for being a... rebellious child and for always doing things my way. I'm tired of disappointing him."

"I see..."

"Maria, caring for your own health doesn't make you rebellious!" Lucas argued. "It makes you human, and all humans have the right to live a healthy life!"

"Having a right doesn't mean you absolutely must use it!" Mars retorted. "I repeat: I'm sorry you had to go through so much trouble because of me."

"So... you wanna be like this, huh?" he whispered and pulled something out of his pocket. "Fine. I'll just go and talk to you father myself!"

He covered most of the item with his fingers, but it didn't take Mars long to recognize parts of the golden 'G'.

"Looks like my time to say it has come!" Lucas exclaimed and turned around to leave. "GOTTA GO FAST!"

The next moment he left the room, greatly increasing Mars' heart rate. She began to breathe rapidly and even wanted to get after him... but her consciousness failed her once more.


He reached the Pokemon Center like an Extreme Speed attack, and his bike brought him to the warehouse even sooner. One Galactic ID card slide later he was riding through the dark corridor of their HQ. Grunts were jumping out of his way with screams and profanities, and it was Charon who stopped him. Actually, it was more like Lucas had to pause not to run him over. One had to respect the elderly, even if the man in question was a scientific bastard.

"Charon, right?" Lucas asked huffing. He dug into his bag, found the Up-Grade he picked up back in Eterna and handed it to him. "I believe it's yours!"

"Oh, well... th-thanks..." Charon stuttered before Lucas drove further east.

"Hold it right there!" a grunt exclaimed as a whole group of them blocked the way. Lucas felt like one more word, and he would start screaming profanities too. The grunt looked confused and determined at the same time. "I don't know how in the HELL you got inside, but your ride's over!"

"Bastard!" Lucas replied barely holding himself back. "Your precious Commander Mars is dying! Your boss! I NEED YOUR BOSS! BRING ME YOUR PRECIOUS MASTER CYRUS!"

The grunts went silent for a while... then one of them pulled out an earpiece and said, "Master Cyrus, this is #51 speaking. That Lucas Mercury guy got inside our base and now demands your attention. According to him, 'Commander Mars is dying.' Should we bring him to you, sir?"

"No need for that," Cyrus replied. "I'm on my way."

"Understood. #51, out," the grunt replied and glared at a panting Lucas. A minute later he turned away and asked, "Commander Mars... how is she?"

"She's in the hospital," Lucas replied, his head still ringing after his hyperspace jump. "We offered her help, but she refused to accept it without Cyrus' consent. Goes to show how dependent on him she is."

The grunt said nothing, and soon his group split up to make way for THE man with bags under his eyes and spiked, blue hair. His expression alone "froze" Lucas in place. It was so empty and apathetic that he couldn't understand what Mars found in this man. As unnerved as he was though, he wouldn't just up and leave. Mars' life was at stake, after all.

"Welcome to the Team Galactic HQ, Mercury. Looks like I made the right decision by not blocking #85's ID card right after exposing that Interpol spy," Cyrus declared. "It is my pleasure to finally meet you in person."

"Adam Samson, I take it?" Lucas asked with false confidence on his face. "Yeah, we didn't get to properly talk back in Hearthome." The ringing finally stopped. "Look, sir, I need your help. Your Commander Mars' health is in critical condition, but she won't agree for further procedures unless you say yes."

"Hmm... that's sudden. What's wrong with Commander Mars, exactly?"

"She's got pale skin, constant seizures and migraines, fatigue, tingling in her fingers and complete inability to taste food. All of that points to Vitamin B12 Deficiency, but Dr. Silverstein needs to run further tests to make sure! This is where you come in, sir!"

"I see. And here I was worried I could lose Commander Mars."

"And you will, if you don't give us the green light she needs right now!"

"Don't think I haven't noticed what you've been doing to Commander Mars, Mercury," Cyrus muttered threateningly. "I see it in you. You want to take her away from me, don't you? Very well, I shall grant Dr. Silverstein all the permissions that woman needs... but in return, you have to promise not to talk to Commander Mars again. Understood?"

"Fine, fine, I won't, just... hurry it up! Hurry!"

Cyrus said nothing before revealing he had a Poketch as well. Seeing such an intimidating man with this device would make Lucas laugh... under any OTHER circumstances. Cyrus dialed a number, and soon the beeps made way for Dr. Silverstein's voice.

"Hello?" the doctor said. "Who is it?"

"Dr. Silverstein, this is Mister Scarlett speaking. Lucas Mercury told me of what happened to my daughter. I'm calling you to notify that you have my consent to run any tests and procedures you deem necessary to ensure Maria's well-being. That is all." The call ended. "There we go. Now get lost, Mercury."

"Gladly," Lucas whispered and got back on his bike.

"Oh, and... can I have #85's card back?"

"Sure," Lucas replied and handed the thing that "saved Mars' life" over to her boss. "See you around... Cyrus."

The Galactic Boss didn't reply as Lucas finally left the HQ. A grunt let him out of the warehouse, and he drove back to the hospital. Back in Mars' room, Lucas noticed that she was still unconscious.

"I'm not sure what's going on," Dr. Silverstein admitted, "but thanks for talking to her father. Though I'm not a psychologist, I knew she wasn't brave enough to do that herself."

"We reached an agreement faster than I expected, if I say so myself," Lucas remarked. "The only thing that bothers me is how possessive he is."

"As in?"

"He agreed to let you examine Maria... but now I must never talk to her again. He's afraid I'm going to 'take her away from him.' That's how he put it."

"That's sad... but I'm glad I at least get to save her life. Shame most of my colleagues don't share that mindset," Dr. Silverstein pointed out with slight disappointment. "Medicine is supposed to improve lives, not make money. It disgusts me how others are willing to reject poor patients under some 'lawful' guise."

"...Oh yeah, I definitely am... a lucky bastard," Lucas remarked. "Anyway, tell her everything when she wakes up, okay? Tell her that we can't talk anymore, but at least she gets to live a better life."

"I will. And now..."


Before Mars could drown her with questions, Dr. Silverstein notified her that her father gave his consent for further analysis. Blood tests, brainwave scans, pulse checks — literally everything pointed to Vitamin B12 Deficiency. Thanks to Lucas, Mars knew that containing Vitamin B12 were all the products she condemned, especially meat. She realized that her desire to look thin enough for Cyrus almost destroyed her.

Another kick in the back came with the fact that Cyrus prohibited Lucas from talking to her ever again. "That's cruel..." Mars claimed. "And I was beginning to like him too..."

"Sorry, but this is your family business," Dr. Silverstein pointed out. "Now, as for your treatment, it will take six months, maybe even a year, but you will get better if you start taking these." She produced a vial of Vitamin B12 supplements from a pocket of her coat. "Take a few every single day, and eventually, you'll recover. To speed the process up, I'd also recommend adopting a healthier lifestyle. I believe Gym Leader Maylene can assist you with that."

"Thank you, Dr. Silverstein..." Mars said, accepting the vial. "Guess I'll... repay you by getting better?"

"That would be the greatest reward in the world," Dr. Silverstein replied with a smile. "Have a nice day, Miss Scarlett."

"See you around," Mars said as she waved goodbye to the hospital that had such a caring doctor. On her way to the warehouse she encountered Lucas. When she opened her mouth to say something though, he adjusted his hat and walked away. Watching him go like that made her upset, and she couldn't shake that feeling off even when a grunt let her inside.

Matter of fact, this gnawing sensation only got worse when she reached the main corridor. While the grunts were cheering on her and thanking "their Lord and Savior" Cyrus for her return, Commanders Saturn and Jupiter didn't share their enthusiasm.

"Oh look who's back," Saturn muttered in annoyance. "The savior of cave girls is back in action."

"Have you tried getting into his pants too?" Jupiter scoffed. "Is that where your loyalties lie?"

"I don't get what Master Cyrus sees in you."

"Heh, look at her, acting all tough and working her ass off. Think you can catch up with us? Dream on, girl."

"Guess no raise for me..."

"Oh don't worry, Satty. I'm sure Master Cyrus will eventually grow tired of her, and when he does, her wage is all yours. You know I don't care for money anyway."

"IT'S COMMANDER SAT—Actually, scratch that, you're right. Thank you, Commander Jupiter."

"What's going on here?" Cyrus asked, surprising everyone with his sudden arrival. "Oh, Commander Mars..." His voice dropped. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, kinda..." Mars replied and looked away. "But it seems that I'm not welcome here..."

"Don't be ridiculous," he replied and took her hand. "You have no idea how worried I was for you. What if you died? Why didn't you tell me what was bothering you?"

"Oh there we go..." Saturn grumbled.

"Commander Saturn, Commander Jupiter, check the development," Cyrus ordered and smiled at Mars. "To my office, Commander Mars."

"Understood," all three Commanders said at the same time, and the "couples" went their separate ways. After a few minutes of silent walk Mars and Cyrus reached the metal doors of His office. The doors slid out of their way, and they entered a room with starry walls and a huge, blue desk in the middle.

They took their seats, and Mars quickly noticed that her boss was upset. "M-master Cyrus... what's wrong?" she asked.

"I'm very sorry, Commander Mars," he replied with a sniff. "I've let you down. I was blind and thus didn't see what was going on with you."

"Oh Master Cyrus..." she whispered and hit the table with her fists. "It was all because of Jupiter! That skank just looks so... fine! I wanted to surpass her in the body department, so I started dieting! I wanted to lose weight to impress you! But then I just... couldn't stop! Master Cyrus, I felt like I wasn't good enough for you!"

Cyrus sighed. "Charlene, I... I've always admired you, and I always will. You don't have to prove anything to me." He left his seat, walked up to her and caressed her cheek. "You're perfect just the way you are."

"Master Cyrus..."

"Please, forgive me for not paying enough attention to you. I'm a busy man, yes, but it's no excuse for such neglect, now is it?"

Mars got off her seat and hugged him. "I forgive you, Master Cyrus," she said. "I know you're doing your best."

"Thank you," Cyrus muttered and even shed a tear. "Now, it is my understanding that you need some time to recover and that you're not feeling too well."

"Yeah," Mars replied with a yawn. "Guess I better go to my room and finally take that nap I kept talking about... during Mercury's training."

"Speaking of Mercury, he had the nerve to push you with such critical condition. What does that make him?"

"M-master Cyrus, he had no—Actually... he did say he started questioning my health back in Hearthome..."

"...Yet he still chose to send you to the Wayward Cave, all the way over Mt. Coronet."

Mars groaned and grit her teeth.

"Charlene, it's best that you forget him. Some abstract sense of right and wrong is more important to him than your health. I don't believe him coming here to talk to me is reason enough to think he's changed."

"I guess..." Mars replied and walked towards the metal doors. "Thank you, Master Cyrus..."

"Don't push yourself, okay?"

"I won't, don't worry..."

And with that, Mars left His office and headed to her room. Jupiter tried to pick on her, but the redheaded Commander didn't even acknowledge her presence. Upset and conflicted, she slid her card over the security lock ditch and dropped to her bed.

Soon she looked at her face in the mirror. Then she looked at her hands. Then at her legs. They were all so pale and lifeless she turned away and shed a tear. A tear of remorse. Friggin' hell, what have I done to myself...? she asked herself. Why was I trying to impress someone who already loved me and cared for me?! Why?!

She punched her cabinet on which her laptop stood.

And Mercury... why did he go out of his way to help me? Was it his pride or what? Did he... actually mean it? Nah, of course he didn't... right? Damn it, why does he have to make everything such a royal pain in the ass?!

Mars took a deep breath.

I resent having to say that... but he... he got me to stop destroying myself. He did help me out... He risked his life by getting into the HQ and having a talk with Master Cyrus...

She punched herself in the chest.

That's right! He's not that bad! Sure he made me fly over Mt. Coronet! So what?! It wasn't too bad, now that I think about it! And... rescuing Mira did feel good...

Mars glared at the door of her room.

Mercury, my blind obsession with Master Cyrus almost destroyed me! I understand it now! And if you don't feel like being my teacher anymore, I will show you what I've learned! No, I... I...

She clenched her teeth.

"I will SURPASS YOU, LUCAS MERCURY!"


Oh man, here comes the first bump on the way of their relationship! You can't have a romance story without obstacles, now can you?

As you can see, Mars' real name here is Charlene. However, I'll keep calling her Mars outside of dialogue lines until she dumps that code name for good.

By the way, what do you think of Cyrus so far? Is he manipulative enough?