Well, here's Chapter 11. Sorry it took me so long to update! Hope you enjoy it!

Chapter 11: Replicas, Truth and the Rival

Rustboro City

Alex smiled at his parents over the video phone. It had been a while since he checked in, and had begun to miss them.

"Now honey, remember that the Gym Leader uses Rock - type." Brendan advised his son "They're weak against-"

"Grass and Water. I know, Dad," Alex interjected.

"Well, don't forget. I want you prepared for every battle," Brendan said sternly.

"Now, just remember that the Contests are equally important. You've got to give them a show!" May said, with Amy babbling on her knee.

"I know, Mum. I'll follow your Contest guide," Alex said smiling. "I'll get one of the five Ribbons, even if I don't win."

"That's my boy," May said, winking.

"No! You have to win! Battling is the only pure -" Brendan started.

"We've got to go, honey. We'll see you on TV!" May said, cutting Brendan off. Alex could still hear the rant after the phone had been switched off. His Dad really had no time for Contests. Unless it was battling.

"I hate Contests!" a voice yelled.

Alex spun round to see Kevin fall out the door, with Lizzie standing over him.

"Hey, I didn't mean -" Kevin stared, but stopped on seeing Lizzie's expression.

"I'll watch, but I won't enter," She said in a huff.

"I don't want you to. I don't like participating either, but I like watching," Kevin said.

"Fine. But no cheerleading," Lizzie said sternly.

Alex was unsure whether he should groan or giggle at the scene. Lizzie helped Kevin up, and they made their way over to the table Alex was at.

"So, how was last night?" Alex asked. "Get up to anything?"

"Like what?" Kevin asked.

"You know. The uh, romance…" Alex said smirking. Kevin paled, and Lizzie hit Alex a slap to the face.

Alex got up quickly and shook his head. "Why do I even bother?"

Torrie and Michael came in soon after, hand in hand. They were smiling and laughing.

"Morning, Lovebirds," Alex said with a laugh.

"I'll hit you," Torrie warned. Alex cringed. He now had to worry about Lizzie and Torrie hitting him. That wasn't good.

"So, the Gym battle is today," Michael said. He was looking forward to his first battle, and earning a Badge for the League.

"Has anyone seen Cloud?" Alex asked. "I haven't seen her all morning."

"No, she didn't leave her room, from what we saw," Torrie said.

Alex sighed. "I'll go call her, and check if she's ready to go."

Alex took the stairs up to the floor that Cloud was staying on. He found her room, room 117, quickly and knocked on the door.

"Cloud?" Alex called. "Are you up?"

Cloud was shocked from the reverie she was in by the sound of Alex's voice. "Yes! I'm here!" She called.

"We're going to head to the Gym. You want to come?" Alex asked, still behind the door.

Cloud opened the door and smiled. "Of course I'll come. I want the Badge, remember?" She asked playfully, slapping Alex's shoulder.

"Alright. You sure you're fit to?" Alex asked.

"Don't start with that," Cloud said, helping Emmer up onto her shoulder. "I can handle a Gym Battle."

Alex smiled at his best friend and secret crush. "Okay. Let's go get that Badge!"

The pair got to the lobby, and met with the rest of the group.

"You okay, Cloud?" Torrie asked.

"Yeah. I'm fine. I just didn't get much sleep last night," Cloud said, shrugging.

"Well, if everyone's ready, let's go to the Gym," Kevin suggested. Lizzie smiled at him and kissed Kevin on the lips. Alex would have made a smart remark, but Cloud had covered his mouth before he could think of one.

"Not now," she scolded.

Alex shrugged with a sheepish smile. "Okay. I won't this time."

The group made their way out of the Pokémon Centre, and round towards the Gym. On the way, they noticed huge flyers over Rustboro City about the Contest being held.

"Look at that," Torrie remarked. "Looks like the Contest is being held tomorrow."

"We should register after the Gym Battle," Michael suggested.

"Not me!" Lizzie cried. "There is no way I am entering a silly Contest!"

Kevin shook his head and held up his hands. "I'm not going to try this time."

The group understood his meaning. Once Lizzie decided on something, there was no way to change her mind.

Cloud stared up at the poster for the Contest. There was something alluring about Contests, that reminded her about her mother...Cloud had to enter.

"Hey, Cloud." Alex called, snapping Cloud out of the reverie. "You okay? You've been spacing out a lot lately."

"It's just...those guys are after me because of my powers. I can't help but feel they're a curse that put you all in harms way," Cloud said, her eyes downcast.

"Hey. It's alright," Alex said, brushing her hair out of her eyes, and lifting her chin. "We'll always help you, no matter what."

Cloud smiled, joining Alex in his sheepish grin. He was a good friend to her, and she was thankful.

"Look at all of the Christmas decorations!" Torrie said. The group looked at the Christmas trees and lights being put up round the City. Soon, the place would be overrun with Christmas spirit and festive cheer. As well as dozens of screaming children that wanted their presents.

It didn't take the group long to find the Gym. It was one of the largest buildings, and had a boulder on top. Plus, it had the large 'POKÉMON GYM' sign, that was hard to miss.

"Well, shall we go in?" Kevin asked.

"Why are you in such a rush?" Michael asked. "You don't do Pokémon battles."

"True, but I'll watch Lizzie's," Kevin said with a smile.

"Alright..." Michael said, not truly convinced. "Ready Ralts?"

The small Psychic Pokémon smiled, and jumped up, ready for a Pokémon battle.

"Let's go then," Torrie said. "I want to see how tough this Gym Leader really is."

They pushed aside the large doors, revealing a long corridor.

"Guess the layout's changed," Alex said. "Dad said that it was more open when Roxanne ran things."

"I guess the new Leader changed things," Cloud said.

The group came to a field of rock, in the middle of an expansive room, with some spectators seating around the edges. Across the way, there was a set of large doors, with a rock PokéBall inset.

"Hello! Anyone home?" Lizzie yelled, catching everyone by surprise.

"Don't be so loud!" Kevin hissed.

The doors opened, and a man in a hiker outfit came out. "You must be looking for the Gym Leader, right?"

"Yes. Where is he?" Michael asked.

"The Leader went to the Trainers School today. And he's meant to be a Judge in the Contest tomorrow," the hiker replied.

"Great," Torrie muttered. This messed up the plans that the group had.

"I guess we'll come back later," Alex said.

"Alright, kids. I'll tell the Leader you were looking for him when he gets back," the hiker said.

The group left the Gym, their collective mood suddenly more glum than when they first entered the Gym.

"Well, that was a waste," Michael said.

"Guess we'll have to make other plans," Alex said. "We'll meet back at the Pokémon Centre for dinner."

"Fine with me," Torrie said. "Come on!" she cried as she grabbed Michael's hand, rushing off towards the centre, where a large tree was being erected.

"Those two sure have fun," Alex chuckled.

"Guess we'll see you later," Kevin said. He and Lizzie smiled and waved at Alex, before heading off towards the shopping mall.

"Well, I feel sheepish," Alex said, grinning. "What will you do Cloud?" he asked, turning. But Cloud wasn't around. "Cloud?" Alex called again. He shrugged when there was no response. "I guess she went to be alone."

Alex looked up at the sky and smiled. "At least it won't rain," he said, smiling.

Alex decided to find the Trainers School, and see what the big deal was with it.

Cloud walked down an empty street, which was sparsely decorated. It was the hub of local tourism, but the festival had closed it down, because everyone wanted to be involved in the lighting ceremony.

She sighed, and Emmer gave her a quizzical look. Cloud smiled at the Pokémon. "It's alright. I'm just tired."

Cloud didn't notice a girl with black hair and a boy with blond hair watching her. They looked at each other and nodded, moving across the rooftops to intercept the girl.

Cloud looked at the festive decorations adorning the city, and thought of her mother. She loved Christmas, and it had become difficult for her lately, because of her powers.

"What should I do?" she asked, suppressing the tears.

"How about you come with us?" a voice asked.

Cloud suddenly became aware that she was relatively alone, and called out, "Who's there?!"

Two hooded figures emerged from a side street, and stood in Cloud's path.

"We're...old friends," one spoke.

They removed their hoods, to show a boy and a girl. Cloud gasped at them. The boy looked just like Kevin, except he had blond hair and blue eyes, and the girl was identical to Cloud herself, except she had black hair and blue eyes.

"Who are you?! Why do you look like me?!" Cloud demanded.

"I am Xion. This is Roxas. We are Replicas to those chosen by the One." The girl responded.

"What are you talking about?!" Cloud cried.

"Surely you know. We were created to imitate those chosen to bear the power of the One. We are puppets without strings," Roxas replied.

"And I need to make you a part of me to be complete," Xion said, stepping forward. "This is what I was created for."

"That won't happen! Emmer! Get them!" Cloud yelled. Emmer jumped up, ready to fight for Cloud.

"Very well. If we must fight...Gullwing! Attack!" Xion called, throwing a PokéBall into the air.

It opened, and in a flash, a Taillow was standing beside Xion. So, they know their types, Cloud thought.

"Emmer! Bullet Seed!" Cloud called.

"Gullwing! Peck!" Xion called.

Gullwing took the brunt of the Bullet Seed, but shook it off, delivering a powerful Peck to Emmer, sending him sprawling.

"No! Emmer!" Cloud cried, running over to hold her injured Pokémon.

"It's useless to resist us," Xion said. "Surrender yourself. You will help us create the perfect world."

"You honestly believe that crap?" a voice called.

"Who's there!" Roxas called.

He was answered when a PokéBall collided with his face, revealing a Combusken. A figure emerged behind the Pokémon, smiling.

"You dare attack us!" Xion cried.

"I do. Combusken! Flamethrower!" the boy called.

Combusken complied, driving the pair and their Pokémon off.

"Are you alright?" the boy asked, kneeling down beside Cloud.

Cloud was shaking violently. She now knew her powers were a curse. They wanted to make her a part of a crazy plan.

"Hey. You're okay," the boy said, placing his hands on her shoulders. "What's your name?"

"I-I'm...Claudette Woodson. My friends call me Cloud," Cloud choked out.

"I'm Simon Garter. Here, let me help you," Simon said, as he helped Cloud stand, still clutching Emmer.

After Cloud had calmed down, and regained her composure, Simon said, "We should get you to the Pokémon Centre. Just in case."

"Okay," Cloud said shakily.

Alex sat in the lobby of the Pokémon Centre. The others had gone to bed, and he was left waiting on Cloud.

It was well over two hours ago that the lighting ceremony had ended. It had been a spectacular show, and Alex had met Roland, the Gym Leader. Alex had felt left out with the others, because they were couples. He had to tell Cloud how he felt, and soon.

The doors opened, and Cloud came in, holding a battered Emmer.

"Cloud! What happened?" Alex asked, rushing over to Cloud's side.

Cloud shakily left Emmer to Nurse Joy, before turning to Alex. "They attacked me..." She stuttered, before breaking down in tears.

"Who? Cloud please," Alex said, attempting to comfort her.

"The Organisation sent the Replicas to take her," a voice said.

Alex spun round to see a familiar face. One that he really hated. "Simon Garter," Alex spat. "What do you want?"

"I'm here to help Cloud. She has problems with her powers, and I can help her," Simon said calmly, helping Cloud to her feet.

"Oh yeah? How about I help you to the door?!" Alex yelled.

"Alex, please stop."

Cloud's voice was quiet, but the force in her words forced Alex to stop.

"Cloud?" Alex asked.

"Leave Simon alone. He helped me, and I want him to join the group," Cloud stated. With that, Simon helped Cloud to her room.

Simon paused slightly at the stairs, throwing a look back at Alex. "I'll see you at the Contest tomorrow," he said.

"Yeah, you will. Because I'll win," Alex said, glaring at Simon.

"If you think so," Simon said, before going up the steps.

Alex slammed the wall with his clenched fist. "How can Cloud...have feelings...for Simon?!"

Alex went outside, venting his frustration on a wall. "That jerk! How can he just do that!"

"Goodnight, Cloud," Simon said with a smile.

"Thank you, Simon," Cloud said, before entering her room.

Simon let out a deep sigh. "She is so cute...I've got to go with her..." Simon, said as he entered his room. He was completely smitten with Cloud, and her powers.

Cloud slumped against her door. "Wow. He is so cute," she breathed. "No wonder he's Drew's son..."

So, a new 'rival' joins the group, as a love interest for Cloud. Alex isn't best pleased about that!

And Roxas and Xion reveal themselves to Cloud, attempting to gain her power. And just what does Simon know about this?

Sorry about Giving the others the short end of the stick here. They'll feature more prominently next chapter.

Please, leave a review!

Until next time, Slán!