Welcome to chapter 21! I know it's been a little bit of a wait, but trust me when I say it will all be worth it. Last chapter, the hospital was attacked by a terrorist and Zane was confronted by his fears that had developed after being tortured by the Saviors. To say the least, Zane pulled through. But will he ever have to worry about it again? We also got a look at Ruby's past five years ago. But What really happened on that day? We don't know because the Authors like to keep these juicy secrets for themselves. I'd also like to thank wishindo for liking and making this story one of their favorites. Your support is what keeps me going! Without further ado, I present to you chapter 21 of 'Forbidden Love' by xX-xeXeeD-Xx! Oh and another thing! I do NOT own Pokemon or Game Freak! I am simply borrowing their wonderful little setting so that I may create something beautiful with the power of LITERATURE!

"Trust is like a mirror, you can fix it if broken but still see the cracks in that reflection." -Unknown

(POV)

(Location)

[Time]

(Thought)

(Speech or Speech)

Forbidden Love

Chapter 21: Trust

January 22

(Zane's POV)

(Cerulean City *Hospital*)

[5:13 pm]

About an hour later after the attack, there were numerous police squad cars parked outside the hospital but there was no need for paramedics seeing as the hospital was where the attack happened. Countless people who were shot in the process were being tended to in the hospital. Some, unfortunately, died and the attacker's motivations were still unknown. I, myself, was sitting in the back seat of one of the squad cars being questioned of what exactly happened. In my mind, I knew they would never believe me if I told them exactly what happened. How I took the attacker down and why my nose started to bleed.

I made up a different story and said ,"Well at that moment, I was on the third floor and when I heard the gunshots I was startled out of bed and nearly broke my nose when I feel out of my bed." I knew this excuse was definitely not viable and eventually they would figure everything out sooner or later. Or would they? Would they even guess it was I who took down the attacker using an ability that was thought to be extinct in humans? The officer didn't question me further, so I asked him where Wendy was. He looked confused but then came to a realization.

"Well, we gathered all the survivors just outside the door of the hospital. I bet she's over there. The hospital, for now, is off limits though, but only for a little bit. If you have nothing else to say, you best be on your way." He boldly stated.

Knowing this I made my way over to the entrance and looked for Wendy. After a moment of scanning the audience, I spotted her. She was talking to Dr. Hira. I slowly weave myself through the crowd until Wendy, Dr. Hira, and I was face to face.

Wendy started ,"Zane! I'm glad to see you're a hundred percent." Dr. Hira smirked while Wendy rejoiced.

I reply ,"Wendy what I was trying to tell was interrupted, to say the least."

She stops smiling and says ,"Don't worry, it all makes sense now. That stunt you pulled, how fast you recovered, it all fits together."

Her statement shocked me slightly ,"It's because I'm-"

"You're a Zoroark disguised as a human!" Once again I was interrupted by Wendy this time.

My face was completely in shock. After an awkward second, I shook my head and said ,"Yeah, close enough."

Wendy look upset and said ,"Wait, that's not it? Tell me then, what are you?"

I look down and sigh ,"Maybe it's best for the both of us that I don't say anything."

Dr. Hira giggles ,"Sounds like you have a secret that probably shouldn't be said in public."

I rub the back of my head ,"I guess you can say that. But I do need to call up Ryder if I have the all clear to leave."

Dr. Hira comments ,"Of course, but there is some paperwork that needs to be dealt with but that will be after all of this is over. You can use the pay phone right around the corner, and here's some poke cents."

I repond ,"Thank you!" I then turned to Wendy ,"And please don't say anything about what actually happened to the officers."

She commented ,"My lips are sealed."

Before I parted ways I gave Wendy a hug and Dr. Hira a handshake ,"Well, maybe I'll see you another time."

They waved as I walked away and I waved back. I got to the pay phone and inserted the coins and put in Ryder's number.

Expecting to hear Ryder, instead Beatrice answers.

"Hello?" She says unaware of who was calling.

I reply ,"Hey, it's Zane, I'm calling from the hospital. Where's Ryder?"

When I told her who I was she replied happily ,"Ryder's out at the beach. It's about to rain, so I'm not sure how much longer he will be."

I comment ,"It's fine, I just need someone to pick me up from the hospital."

She then realizes the reason why I called ,"Oh you're getting out today? I thought it wasn't gonna be until another week. But don't worry I'll be there faster than you know it. Let's surprise Ruby."

Before she hangs up I say ,"See you soon."

She repeats what I said and hangs up.

(Zane's POV)

(Cerulean City *Hospital*)

[7:38 pm]

After only about thirty minutes after I called, I see a white Mercedes-Benz pull up and see Beatrice roll down the window. "Need a lift?" She asks smiling.

I get in the front seat and we drive off leaving the hospital.

Beatrice speaks up ,"So what's with all the police cars?

I sigh ,"You have to make sure that only you and I know about this. I'll never hear the end of it if Ruby finds out."

She comments ,"Go on."

"There was a terrorist that attacked the hospital, and of course I took action and took him down. But the less fortunate people pulled the short straw today."

There was only silence. She then broke it ,"Well as long as you're okay. I won't say anything or mention it."

The rest of the way we talked about how Ruby is progressing in her own training. Apparently Ruby is a fast learner as well.

We finally arrive at the cabin. I take in the fresh breeze remembering the soothing breeze and the relaxing smell of the forest behind and the creeping ocean breeze from the East. It put me at ease. We then enter the cabin and I'm greeted by a familiar face.

"Zane?!" Ruby shouts excitedly. She Runs over to me, wraps her arms around me and embraces me. I lose my balance for a little bit but regained it. "I thought you weren't coming home for another week."

I once again explain myself ,"Dr. Hira gave me the all clear to leave. I suppose I was healthy enough to leave."

Ruby buries her face in my chest and says ,"I'm just glad you're here now."

We hold each other in a tight embrace until Beatrice speaks up. "ahem... Zane, I didn't mention this before but you still have those bandages on the side of your face."

I touch my left cheek and remember them. "Well, I guess I'll go take them off." I go to the restroom and slowly take each bandage off. Ruby walks in as I peel the last one off. And then I was able to see the scar in full fledge in the mirror. The slash across my cheek made it look like I was smiling perpetually. I could vividly remember then knife's sharp edge as it glides through my flesh. The face scar served as a reminder. A reminder of my true hatred of the Saviors. I turn my head towards Ruby and see a tear in her eye. Once again she embraces me and buries her head in my chest.

I rub her head and say ,"It's okay, I'm home now. There's no need to worry about me." I then notice Beatrice was leaning on the restroom door seal. "C'mon... Let's go find Ryder" I say after kissing Ruby's forehead. It was lightly raining before I got into the cabin, but now it was starting to rain heavily. So we quickly made our way to the beach. We got to the beach but we find Ryder exhausted and bloodied along with a dead body next to him.

"Took you long enough... Zane..." He stated and stared at Ruby and me.

I mutter ,"Holy fucking Arceus..."

I then signal Ruby to help me get him up. I notice that there was a blade in his chest and avoid it. I grab his right arm and Ruby grabs his left arm and we hoist him up. All the while he grunts and sighs.

"Thanks..." He mutters out. The storm began to die down but only slightly

I questioned Ryder ,"Was that a League Agent, Ryder?"

He answers after scanning me ,"Yeah... A tough one at that..." He mutters and coughs.

The sand was starting to become more like mud and slowed us down. Halfway to the cabin, I think aloud ,"Damn it... This is ridiculous..."

Ruby asks concerned ,"Can't we just heal him, Zane?"

I reply ,"We have to get to the cabin first... Who knows how many other dangers are there..."

After a long struggle, we had successfully carried Ryder from the beach to the cabin. Ruby and I were panting.

"We made it..." Ryder states with a weak smile. We then walked up the small step carefully making sure the Ryder isn't harmed in the process. When we got inside Ruby and I set him down next to the fireplace on his back. We were all fairly wet from the rain. Hades jumped on Ryder and laid down on him. Ryder barely able to move his arm strokes hades' back.

Mia came in but didn't say anything. But then gasped when she saw him up close. She then knelt down. Ryder turned his head slightly to see her.

Mia jokes ,"You're in serious trouble when you get better." she then used ember being careful to avoid Hades and warming Ryder up. Venus also walks in and sits on his waist. She then lowered her body to Ryder helping in warming him.

"Baka... You could've died..." She muttered.

Ryder then without looking at us says ,"Zane... Ruby..."

I answer lounging on the couch ,"Yeah?"

"Bury her body... Please..." He closed his eyes and began to sleep.

(Zane's POV)

(Kanto *The Cabin*)

[8:48 pm]

Ruby and I were making small talk to each other wondering what we should do about the body. Ruby then turns her head seeing Ryder I assume and says ,"Ryder... You okay?" I turn my head as well. It seemed that Ryder too has a pleasant scar on his shoulder.

"I'll live, don't worry about that..." He assures Ruby. He then kneels between Ruby and I, grabbing the body and slinging it over his left shoulder.

"C'mon... The sooner we bury the body, the sooner we can continue your training..." He states catching my attention. We slowly walked back to the cabin.

"But... Didn't I fail the first test?" I query Ryder after awkward silence.

"Yes... And no... Your first test wasn't murder. It was faith... Faith in your friends... That faith was tested in the hospital, but you pulled through..." There was a moment of silence.

I began to understand. "Alright... So, what's next?"

he answers ,"Well... Given that you also passed the second phase, Conviction, we can move to the last phase..." His statement made Ruby gasp.

She joked around ,"Wow, that's impressive Zane. What's You're secret?"

I reply ,"Ryder... Are you sure you're talking to the right person?" We drew closer to the shed.

"Of course I am... You showed conviction in many ways... The way you recovered, your 'never say die' attitude, your determination to end the Saviors. All of that shows tremendous conviction..." Another silence followed.

"The last phase is the phase of trust... I actually failed this phase, but the League had accepted me anyways... Because I was a 'Special Case', or so my superiors said..." Ryder added.

I respond with defeat ,"If you failed, what chance do I have?"

Ryder puts the body down and walks in the shed to get three shovels. He then hands Both me and Ruby one and held his own. He picks the body up once more and walks to the combat field. It was still dark outside so it was hard to tell. He drops the body and begins digging. Ruby and I followed. With all of our efforts combined, we were able to dig a sizeable hole really fast. We tossed the body in and covered up the hole without any issues.

"I have faith that you'll make the right choice Zane." Ryder finally replied. He looks at his watch. "looks like it's still early enough for the test... Do you think you're ready, Zane?" It was so sudden.

I simply nod. He crosses his arms and begins.

"Up until now, you've only faced your average threat... But, depending on whether you pass this test, we might be leaving to Unova as soon as tomorrow..."

Ruby immediately spoke up ,"Am I gonna go, too?"

"Yes... In fect, almost all of us are. You, Zane, me, Mia, Hades, Venus, and Dante... Well, depending on Zane's actions here, that is... We're going to take the fight to the Saviors... With a little something called Heiwa..." I perked up. Heiwa? Where have I heard that name before?

I then give my attention to the task ,"Okay... So what does this test involve?"

Ryder puts both of his hands behind him. He lets his arms rest and I see a magnum. He walks up to me and slowly raises his hand with the magnum. He cocks the hammer and points the gun at me.I refuse to flinch though... He smiles, and flips the magnum, leaving the grip facing him. I take the magnum with my right and scan it.

"Zane..." Ryder asked for my attention. I raised my head and look at him. He turns his head at Ruby, and so do I. He pointed at Ruby with his right hand.

He then speaks the phrase ,"Shoot her..." They almost echoed in my head. I swing my head to look at him in shock. He steps back until Ruby and Ryder were at equal distances. He remained completely neutral.

I calmly respond ,"Ryder..? What are you doing..?" My grip on the magnum tightens...

He replies ,"It's what you're doing, Zane... you want revenge on the Saviors, right?! Are you prepared to lose everything to that end?" There was a sinking feeling in my chest. It felt like I was having a body migraine. I point the gun at Ruby... My hand had a little bit of a shake.

He adds ,"It's time to choose, Zane... Your feelings, or your mission... Your love, or your revenge... You're future, or you're present..."

Ruby blurts out ,"Zane... Don't do this... It's what he wants, can't you see? He's still working for the League... he still wants to kill us..!"

I started at Ryder, lowered the magnum, and began ,"Ryder... What's Ruby talking about?"

He sighs and crosses his arms. "A few months ago, when I was still working for the League, I got a call... The League wants you dead, Zane... And they had hired me to kill you... I didn't fucking know why, nor did I care... but... That day, at the Christmas Festival... I could've taken the shot... I could've killed you, Zane... All the way up on the Ferris Wheel and I still had a clear shot... But I didn't... And... Here we are... So... What now, Zane?"

I start ,"All this time... I've been with the man sent to kill me..." I shed a few tears.

"Zane..." He muttered, but I lifted the magnum and now had it trained on him. I open the chamber to see there was one bullet and I nod.

"One bullet is all I need..." I state while staring at him in seething anger...

He tells Ruby ,"Is this how you wanted it to go, Ruby..?" He didn't even look at her. She sighed and walked up to me and put her right paw on my left shoulder

"Zane... He told me because he needed me to trust him... Now he needs you to trust him" Ruby added.

I lash ,"And why should I trust him..? He could've killed... or hurt you..!" I place my left hand under the magnum and aimed for his chest.

He remarked ,"But I didn't..." This pissed me off.

"Shut the hell up! I'm done getting fooled, Ryder... No more... I'm going to end this now..." He spreads his arms and smiled.

"Go ahead..."

He wouldn't give up so easily...

I fire the gun feeling the force, Ryder kneels down grunting.

"Fucking... Dammit... Zane..." He mumbles and plants his face on the hard ground. For a split second, I didn't realize what I had done.

Ryder whispers ,"Zane... What did you do..?"

I drop the magnum realizing my error and drop to my knees.

"I... I thought... He was going to hurt us... Ruby... you have to understand..." I say with a shaky tone.

And then to my amazement Ryder gets up. Ruby and I both gasp in shock. He stretched as he got up. He walked to me and I started crawling away. He picks up the magnum, pocket it, then holds out his left hand.

"You pass... Now... I bet you guys are tired..." I slowly reach for his hand and he hoists me up. I avoid eye contact. "It was a blank, Zane... Don't worry." He says as he walks into the cabin.

So the day is finally over...

Thank you for reading! So what does this mean? Zane has completed his training what's going to happen now? Well aren't you guys in for a good tale. A whole new door of has just opened for Zane and I can't wait to write about it. Thank you al for your patience btw. Anyways... Follow, favorite, and leave a review please..! LEAVE A REVIEW! It's really easy. And if you didn't know, your words give me self-esteem. They give me a reason to go on. So please review. And I don't even care if you criticize the fanfiction. Because it will give me a reason to make it better. And if you compliment it, that means I'm doing something right. And don't forget to read PBM's story 'Torn'. It's told in Ryder's POV so I suggest everyone read it.

Here's that "kind of completed" link. I'm never gonna get the full one because for some reason you can't include links into a fanfiction.
www . fanfiction s/12559907/1/Torn