A/N Hey guys, what's up! I don't know how I'm going to get a chapter out in two weeks, as I have a huge science project coming up. I'll do my best. Anyways, enjoy the chapter!

Kat's POV

"Run, Kat! Get out of here!"

I can only stare as Espeon is fighting the persian, and losing. Raichu, Spearow, and Absol are battered and bloody and I can't tell if they're unconscious or dead. Wave after wave of desperate psychic energy blasts from Espeon and yet it's doing nothing to phase the cat.

It's not long until Persian defeats Espeon, then moves towards me slowly. Somehow it speaks. "See, you were never strong enough. And you never will be." Suddenly it pounces, claws extended for my throat.

I wake up with a gasp, sweating and breathing heavily. Oh, it was just a dream. All of my pokémon are fine, there's no persian, and everything is okay.

Beside me Espeon gets up from sleeping Raichu's side on the couch and curls up next to me. "Are you alright? I could sense that wave of fear.

I whisper back, "Y-yeah. It was just a nightmare, don't worry about it."

Espeon frowns. "Let's just hope it's nothing too bad, and hope that Arceus knows what he's doing. I think the president of Silph Co. wanted to talk to you yesterday but Luke convinced him to let you rest. Good thing, because you needed it."

"Uh, how long was I out?"

I can hear Espeon's mental laugh in my head. "Well, you fell asleep around 3 in the afternoon, and it's currently 7 in the morning."

Wow, I guess I really did need the rest. "Is anyone else up yet?"

Espeon shakes her head. "Well, everyone stayed up a little late last night." After a mental yawn (somehow), she continues. "There was a lot of buzz about what all of us did, and everyone found it a bit hard to fall asleep."

I smile. "If you want to snuggle up with Raichu again and get a bit more shut-eye, be my guest. I just have to get some air."

She doesn't say anything, but I can feel her embarrassment. Regardless, she moves over to Raichu on the couch and lies down next to him, falling asleep quickly.

Silently I get up and throw on a jacket and jeans as I step into the cool air outside. It's still early so it's a bit chilly outside.

Outside I see that there aren't too many people up this early, just a few people with their pokémon out.

I hear a small explosion behind the pokémon center, where the practice field is. Curious, I make my way over there to see Lucario sparring with Luke's sandslash. Luke, however, is nowhere to be found.

I should probably just let them be. I turn away and decide just to walk around the city for a bit (the safer side, at least).

The crisp air and the walk help me think. Why would I dream of Giovanni's Persian? My pokémon saved me, so why am I so afraid?

My hand subconsciously touches the thin cut on my neck, which seems to have mostly healed overnight. Maybe it's because I know I'm not strong enough, and that if it weren't for Raichu I would have been dead. I shiver at the grim thought. Is that what my mind is telling me? That I have to be stronger on my own and stop relying on my pokémon to save me?

No, that can't be right. We get stronger together. Together, we can beat any enemy, even Giovanni's wicked persian.

All of a sudden my grumbles. Oops, I guess I should head back now.

When I get back, I see that everyone is up, having breakfast. Jake smiles at me as I walk in. "Here, I got you some already."

"Thanks," I reply and sit down with the rest of my pokémon.

While we're eating, Julia says, "You know, I'm pretty sure that the president of SIlph Co. wanted to talk to you today. He already talked to us, and I'm pretty sure he's in Sabrina's gym until the building gets repaired. I think he has a gift for you as well."

"Ok!" I wonder what it is. "I think I'll go see him after breakfast. What are you guys going to do in the meantime?"

"Eh, just kick back and relax. I think all of us need it.'

"Yeah, I agree. The league isn't anytime soon, so I'm not in a rush. I think the pokémon would enjoy a break too."

Whenever I can I let my pokémon out of their pokéballs, if they want. I can only imagine what it's like to be stuck in a sphere of blackness. Spearow is flying around, a little anxious since I didn't use him in the Silph building. I still don't think he's ready for that kind of fights just yet. Pikachu, Espeon, and Absol walk beside me, but Absol seems a bit tense, walking around where he used to live for who knows how many years.

A few people stare (probably at Absol) but for the most part we are left alone. When we get to Sabrina's gym the doors open and Sabrina walks out.

"Hey, how's it going? Congrats on evolving your eevee into an espeon; it's not particularly easy. Anyways, Ross is waiting for you inside."

I enter the gym and in a back room I find an old, kind-looking man. What do I do? What do I say? Timidly I manage to say, "Uh, hi sir. You wanted to speak to me?"

He just smiles. "Please, call me Ross. I have to thank you for all that you and your friends have done to help defeat Team Rocket."

I feel my cheeks flush. "It was nothing, just the right thing to do."

"Oh, you're too modest. You've done more than you know." He clears his throat, then asks, "Do you know why Team Rocket invaded my building?"

Now that I think about it, I don't really know. "Uh, not really. I just thought they would be after money or something."

"Well, recently Silph has been developing a pokéball specifically for violent or uncontrollable wild pokémon. It's called a master ball, and can catch any pokémon regardless of strength, status, or health."

Really? A pokéball that never fails... Ross continues, "So, it is critical that Team Rocket never gets their hands on that technology. For ensuring that, I have to repay you." He pulls out a purple pokéball with a plain white 'M' on it."

"Is- is that…?"

"Yes, this is the master ball. After yesterday, I realized the dangers of having such a powerful piece of technology. I have decided to hand the technology over to the G-men, who can protect and use the master ball technology much better than I can. This is currently one of the only three existing master balls in the world."

Do I really want to take a pokéball that can capture any pokémon? "Thank you, but I have to refuse. I want my pokémon to be friends with me and come willingly, not forcing them with a pokéball that never fails."

I thought he would be mad that I refused his offer, but instead the president smiles even wider. "You know, your friends said the same thing. It really shows your character that you would rather make friends with your partners than capture them by force. There's not that many of you kind souls nowadays."

He puts the master ball away, then pulls something else out from behind the desk. No way, is that really-

"Unfortunately, I don't have an excess of pokémon eggs to give out, only one, but your friends insisted that I give it to you. Now, would you accept this gift, a new friend?"

I can't believe it. He's actually giving me a pokémon egg. Can I really keep him or her safe? With Arceus's prophecy and my run-ins with Team Rocket, is this the best decision?

Behind me Espeon lightly jumps onto the desk, and looks at the red and white egg. "I think you should take it. Don't be worried about not being able to protect it; you can throw freaking lightning bolts for crying out loud!"

"Thanks, Espeon." The Silph president just blinks. "Uh, did I miss something?"

"Oh! Sorry about that. Espeon can talk to me telepathically. It's really cool sometimes."

"Interesting. And yet your espeon is not that old. Usually only extremely powerful psychic type pokémon can use telepathy with their trainers. Do you know how you are able to now?"

"Not really, I just assumed it was a thing that psychic type pokémon could do."

"Well, you and your pokémon are certainly special, that's for sure. After I had heard that some kids helped expel one of largest criminal groups out of my building, I did some research. Now, the G-men shut me out after a little while, but I did find out that you've been in the right place at the right time fairly often. Rocket's attack on Cerulean, the invasion of the Ranger HQ in Vermillion, and now the invasion of my building in Saffron."

I can feel Espeon tense behind me. What if he knows about my gift? Maybe Espeon's telepathy isn't something I should advertise. The president pauses, then says, "Don't take this the wrong way. I mean no harm to you. Now, have you ever heard of something called the Champion of Arceus?"

"No….? What is it?"

"When I was a young boy, there were legends of a child who was gifted with amazing powers. Unlike many of the other pokémon trainers at the time, he wanted to just be friends with them, not capture them against their will. When the land broke out into a vicious civil war, Arceus visited this young boy and gave him the power to connect his soul with his pokémon's. A more powerful version of empathy, if you will. Instead of just feeling what your pokémon feel, you should be able to draw on their power and give them yours. The legend I heard says that only young boy and his starter, a typhlosion, could completely bond their souls, creating a new form similar to what we know today as mega-evolution."

Whoa. So I guess I'm Arceus's champion then, right? It would explain the dreams and the powers. While I'm trying to wrap my head around that idea, I sputter out, "Wh- why me? Of all the people in the world, what makes me so special?"

"Well, I think that the answer is quite obvious. He motions to Espeon and then the rest of my pokémon running around in the gym. "You and your pokémon share a special bond that I have seen in very few other people. Not many would refuse a master ball, yet you did for the sake of a friend you haven't met yet. You are definitely worthy of becoming Arceus's Champion."

I have so many questions, but I need to ask this one. "So, what do I do now? Can I still go on my journey, or do I have to do something specific for Arceus?"

He laughs. "Of course! Your journey is how you will get stronger and able to face the challenges ahead. The G-men have been helping you out, don't you realize? Why else would a government agent allow three kids to just walk into a building that has been taken over by one of the largest criminal organizations in the world? They've been keeping their eyes on you; I'm sure Arceus has a plan."

Well, it looks like I just keep going, and I'll run into whatever problems I need to find. "Alright." I carefully pick up the egg, which feels warm to the touch. "Thanks for the egg! I'll be sure to take good care of it. Come on Espeon."

Despite now knowing that my destiny is more or less predetermined, I can't help but feel a little excited. So I'm apparently a Champion of Arceus, and have a new friend. I can't wait for the little guy to hatch. I wonder what pokémon he or she will be. I'm guessing a fire type based on its warmth and coloring. But I guess we'll just wait and see.

A/N So a few major plot-related things happen here. I've been thinking of how to explain Kat's powers coherently, and this is the best way I got. Also, a new team member is coming. Take your guesses on what pokémon it is. Just know that it is a fire-type pokémon and from Kanto-Johto. Until next time!