Note: If I owned Pokemon, I'd have an excuse to drop out of high school. I would really like one of those…

Ruby groggily opened his eyes. He attempted to lift his eyebrows but was soon against it; his head felt like a train wreck. But the hard linoleum floor felt oddly familiar, and the light blue walls were an indicator of where he was. Ruby wined as he got up and looked around Wally's room. It hadn't changed much since that fateful day years ago when Ruby took Wally to catch his first Pokemon. There were still posters of death metal posters on the walls (Wally likes a group called 'The Souls of Burning Immortals'?), and there was still that picture of the two of them with Sapphire at her Sweet Sixteen, which sat on Wally's desk. Propping himself up, Ruby felt his Pokeballs poke him in the back. He was greeted by Wally and an oddly healthy Professor Birch.

Ruby made a gesture towards the wound that the Professor should've had, but Wally couldn't contain his joy. Wally roared, "Ruby! Celebi saved us! Can you believe it? Can you fucking believe it? Celebi saved us!"

Wally pulled Ruby upright as Birch tried to explain things. "At least," the Prof said in his usual know-it-all way, "I think it was Celebi. This has all the markings of its work, including how we're unscathed after that event. We came back to a place that was in both of your memories, too. But this is odd…"

The irony of the Prof only now saying something was wrong made Ruby snicker. Birch continued. "…Celebi rarely does anything without some sort of personal gain or motive. What could it want from us?"

After a beat of awkward silence, Ruby remembered something. "Uhh…where is Michael?"

Wally picked up. "Mike said something about needing research on Pokemorphs. He said he'd call us." Just like Michael to leave like that. Unlike Michael, however, was to believe in Pokemorphs. But then again, why wouldn't he believe in them after being thrashed by a pair? Ruby sat back on the floor, looking up at Birch, who sat rather comfortably on Wally's bed.

"Professor," Ruby started up, "How did you know about the Pokemorphs? Or about LiH?"

Birch took a deep breath before standing up and looking at his watch. Ruby figured Birch was going to change the subject before his Pokenav rang. Ruby picked it up, and it said that Michael was on the line. Ruby flipped it open.

"Ruby, turn on the news. Now."

Wally turned on the HD Television plastered into his wall, and was annoyed instantly by Diamond's smug look as he spoke from his office, in front of the Hoenn flag. Ruby threw the Pokenav to the floor as he read the liner under Diamond: "War with Orre Declared."

Diamond spoke a smile. The sleezeball. "Earlier today," he began, "three of my trusted men were attacked. We have no doubts that these villains are from Orre, as my men recognize one of the freedom fighters from their country.

"Apparently, due to this event following the Covenant of Light's betrayal, we must take no chances and assume that the two are connected. One thing is clear: Orre and the Covenant are our enemies. First they attacked our beloved Slateport lighthouse, and now begin to attack out men. As of now, we are in a state of emergency."

Wally turned off the television, tired of hearing Diamond. He leaned against the wall. "How could Diamond connect us to Orre? Or how could he connect us to the Covenant, for that matter?"

"Perhaps that's what Diamond wants." Michael appeared in the door to Wally's room. "Where are your parents, Wally?" he asked.

"On vacation to Kanto," Wally replied, trailing off as he saw the boxes of pizza Michael carried. Michael set them down and met Ruby's glare. Michael sighed, and Wally instantly began to devour the first box.

"After the time I left Johto," Michael began, "I was fighting Team Cipher in Orre when they tried to come back. That gave Diamond the alibi to say that I'm an Orre freedom fighter. He could then conclude that you all are my accomplices. Besides, Hoenn and Orre were never really friendly to begin with." Michael sat down and let that sink in.

Wally spoke with his mouth full of pepperoni. "You went to Johto? When?"

"It's where we met, as little kids…" Ruby trailed off, a pang of distaste in his tone.

Birch moved for the door, and Ruby got up, fully prepared to tackle the Prof to the floor if necessary. Birch noticed this and spoke. "Ruby, there has to be a reason for Diamond wanting an excuse to declare war on Orre. But whatever that is, I still have work to do and—"

Ruby interjected. "Are you shitting me, Prof? Sapphire and Emerald are in Orre. How can you say something like that?"

"Simple: I can say that I am merely slowing the three of you down. You don't need me for this. I'll leave saving the world to you." Birch grinned. "It worked out once already, right?"

Ruby hated to admit it, but Birch was almost as much of a father to Ruby as he was to Sapphire. Besides, the Professor was right anyway.

Nighttime made the volcano's shoreline extravagant. Gold stared out of his hotel suite window, in only his boxers, letting the air conditioning do its job. What should've been a chill day was ridiculously stressful. His thoughts were all about Crystal, more so than when she was actually there with him. Gold didn't even think about the Coliseum. Tomorrow, all he needed was his trusty Pichu, and the rest would take care of itself. But what would happen after that was anybody's guess. Gold could've questioned Silver, but he refused to…

A knock at the door. The door swung open, and Gold didn't need to turn around to know whom it was. Silver walked slowly over to Gold, and sat on his bed in the center of the room. There was silence between them for a moment, letting Gold gather his thoughts. Gold finally spoke. "What are you doing here, Silver?"

"I…I needed somebody to talk to."

Gold turned around, prepared to verbally assault Silver. But when Gold looked at him, Gold didn't see the man that he had despised. No, Gold saw a broken boy, looking as though he had been robbed of all that he was. Gold said nothing as Silver spoke.

"I…I envy you, Gold. Your entire life, you've done what you wanted. You are here, as Pokemon Master, because of what you chose to do. Win or lose tomorrow, you know you lived how you wanted.

"Me…hell, I'm like the exact opposite. The only reason I'm a Pokemon Trainer to begin with is because I ran away that one fateful day when new Pokemon were being handed out in New Bark Town. The only reason I followed you across Johto was because I wanted to show father that I could be something other than what he wanted me to be…The only reason I…"

Silver looked at Gold with a sorry look, as though he wanted to apologize for everything. Silver spoke slowly. "I…I'm sorry about Crystal, Gold. I hope that one day you can forgive me for what I did to the two of you."

Gold took a deep breath. It was now or never…

"Silver, is Crystal really alive? Will I have her again after this is done?"

"Yes, I cleared it with my father. He was hesitant at first to let you off, but he eventually reeled."

Gold looked taken aback. "Wait…you fought for me and Crystal?"

Silver stood up, and walked to the open window. He put his arms on the windowsill and looked out next to a silent Gold. Silver continued. "Tomorrow is my last day as a Pokemon Trainer. Father wants me to succeed his role as leader of Team Rocket."

"Congratulations."

Silver let out a grunt. "Congratulations, my ass. Gold, I don't want any of this! I want to be you, get it? I want to walk away from all of this and be free to do what I wish, to be the man I want to become.

"Ha…look at me, Gold. I'm so pathetic I'm here talking to the one man who would give anything to hang my ass from a skyscraper. I have nobody else to turn to. Who would sympathize with me, when I want to turn away the life that any other kid my age would kill to have?"

Gold said nothing. What could one say when the man who has tormented him so suddenly asked forgiveness for the sins that were to come from a life of evil?

The friends, reluctant as Gold and Silver were to admit it, were silent for a long time.

Emerald walked alone on the Coliseum plateau, where the best trainers the world had to offer would "compete for glory". Emerald had grown tired of talking about how much of a joke the entire campaign was, and kept his complaints to himself. Emerald let the cool air chill his bones on the last night before his job would be fully served. The odds were that he would have to personally deal with all of those would-be Masters personally. Not that it mattered; Emerald himself was, literally, the only person who had an unlimited level of power when it came to Pokemon.

That is, it would be if his sister didn't have to suddenly get involved. How couldn't she? If their father had exposed Sapphire to Pokemon the way that he did with Emerald, then of course she would become a Pokemon Trainer. One could carry it further and say that if Emerald had that 'illness', then perhaps Sapphire could 'get' it too.

Despite the danger of fighting an opponent whose mastery of Full Synchro could rival and potentially surpass his own, Emerald grinned to the stars. After a lifetime (if you could call living until the age of nineteen a lifetime) of toying with LiH's strongest enemies, it would be a change to have to try for victory for once.

But Emerald did envy his sister. How he longed to be Sapphire, longed to be able to enjoy his powers for his own reasons. Of course, the fault was his own for running away from home as a boy and harnessing his powers. But then again, didn't Sapphire probably have to endure years of hospitalization? The difference was how Emerald's mastery of Full Synchro came at an age less than ten, yet apparently Sapphire didn't even know what Full Synchro was until barely a week ago.

How different Emerald and Sapphire's lives were; Emerald ran away at ten to find himself while Sapphire didn't take up Pokemon until she was fifteen. Was it wrong for Emerald to wish that he wasn't a mere tool, but a person who was able to fight for his own beliefs?

"Emerald."

He turned around, and standing in the far corner of the arena was his younger sister, Sapphire, as stunning in the night air as Emerald himself was (Professor Birch must have some good genes). Emerald looked her over for a split-second. She held no Pokeballs, no bag, and she was alone. What was the point of this?

"How do I know you?"

Emerald looked Sapphire in the eye, and he was struck hard as she showed that she honestly had forgotten Emerald. He moaned and scratched the back of his head, trying to find his words. It was the moment of truth: does he try to re-forge life with his family, or does Emerald make up some lie and let his and Sapphire's paths uncross? Emerald had chosen his path.

"Sapphire, I'm your brother, remember? I left home about a good nine years ago? Wow, I guess my childish fantasy was right; you guys didn't miss me one bit."

Sapphire moved toward Emerald. She had to say something, anything that could be of meaning. This was her brother. She remembered the name, but Emerald was just a blank in her memory. Sapphire opened her mouth to speak, but Emerald was already walking past her and back to the hotel rooms behind the Coliseum seating.

He turned back to Sapphire, and they stared at each other for a long time. It took a little while, but Sapphire finally understood the message: Emerald didn't want to be saved, or whatever he called it. Emerald didn't want to come home, to rebuild his life as Birch's son and Pokemon prodigy, to simply live. He was happy here, whatever he was doing with his life. Emerald was glad that she understood, and she gave a nod of understanding. However, Emerald did say one more thing.

The Coliseum's aftermath would be much more trying than anything the actual Coliseum had to offer. If Sapphire tried to do something in the events to come, if she interfered with the Emerald's job…

"Sapphire," he said, this time not giving any flak or 'teen spirit' that had characterized him, "Tomorrow, if anything happens…run away. Don't try to be a hero; just run and live."

Emerald was gone again, like all those years ago, and Sapphire was left an only child once again.

Ruby was back home again. This time around, he was alone, as mom was out doing something involving flowers and other middle-aged women. Ruby sat on his bed, fondling Blaziken's ball and thinking about the day's events. Celebi had intervened to save himself as well as Wally, Michael, and the Prof…that seemed rather far-fetched. Celebi always has its own motives…could Celebi have also had something against Diamond and LiH?

Ruby sat up and rubbed his head. He hadn't slept in a while, actually. The last time he had slept soundly was two days ago. Ruby peeled off his shirt, which nearly stuck to his body with all of the sweat and dirt built up. He threw the black shirt in the direction of the laundry basket, and lay back on his bunk.

Bzzz…Bzzzz…

The Pokenav on Ruby's night-table vibrated back and forth, ringing in his ears as he tried desperately to go to sleep. Would the world not leave him alone?

Bzz…Bzz…

Ruby picked the Pokenav up with a grunt and flipped it open. Ruby moaned into the receiver.

"Ruby, it's Birch."

"Yeah, what is it?"

"Ruby, look…I'm leaving for a little while. I don't know when I'll be back…"

Ruby sat up. Why would the Professor leave now of all times, when the world may well be coming to an end? "Where are you going, Prof?"

"I can't say, Ruby. Listen to me, stop fighting against LiH. They'll kill you, do you hear me? These people will kill you. Stop fighting."

What was Birch saying?

"Goodbye, Ruby. Take care of my daughter."

Birch hung up, and in that moment, Ruby understood that Birch had been kidnapped.

End Hesitation IX: Divine Intervention