DWA: Whattup readers. From what I can tell people are trying to catch back up with reading the previous arcs and while that makes me wanna wait for people to catch up…I wont, not because I'm an asshole (which I totally am) but because I left you guys in the middle of a battle for 2 years and wanna finish arc 3. By the way, I wanna clear up things with Arc 4.
Lily will not have any love interest, she's thirteen what was I thinking two years ago.
Lily's companion, whenever she gets one, will not participate in the league…because writing two gym battles is tedious.
That's about it. I am thinking ahead to Arc 5 and really have to work things out with that regardless if it's a ways off. ANYWAYS, that's outta the way, I don't Own Pokemon, I own this plotline, and my characters however. Other OC's belong to their respective creators.

Reviews:

GSlayer: Yep, keeping 3rd person perspective. It works far far better.

Gerticus: Yeah I dunno how I'm managing to keep people unique haha. Also for the battle…I just really wanted to move on. I had some new ideas and didn't want a gym battle slowing that down. I have an idea for the next two gyms that should help. You must be Gerret in that case. Nothing is set in stone until I post a chapter. If I wanted to Stanley could kill Mike next chapter! He…He won't but…I have that power. And I do hope that was a compliment, it looks like it. The main reason I had it as first person was because that's how I wrote back then. Then I got into roleplaying on Deviantart and now third person seems way better.

"Speech"

'thoughts'

-Telepathy-

[Translated Pokespeech]

Chapter 29: Secrets and Questions

-(ooo)- Vermillion City

Stanley and company sat down in the Pokemon Center panting. They had gotten tickets for the Anne in the nick of time.

"Let's try and never cut it that close again." Stanley said

"You'd think we'd be in shape to make a run like that and not be exhausted!" Rina said. Blizz laughed

"You guys are wimps." She said

"Says the Pokémon." Corin retorted. Blizz shrugged

-So tomorrow we head for Cinnabar Island, I overheard it's like a resort.-

"There's also an abandoned lab where scientists tried to clone mew." Corin said.

"Did they?" Rina asked.

"Nope, it's rumored someone succeeded." He said.

"I wonder who." Stanley said. Corin shrugged. "It doesn't matter to me."

"Say Corin, I've been meaning to ask and well, now seems a good time while we wait." Stanley started

"What is it?" Corin asked looking over to him.

"Why didn't you come to Celedon?" Stanley asked.

"I thought we agreed to not ask!" Rina said. Corin looked away and Stanley looked to Tai.

-It…hurts to look…such sadness, my word what happened to you Corin?-

"I'd rather not Taisetsu…" He stated.

"We shouldn't push him gu-" Rina started but was interrupted.

"We need to know Corin, if we can help in some way just tell us please." Blizz said Corin sighed.

"Fine…I was travelling with a girl named Abbey while I went for the league here…I don't wanna say much but…I loved her. She was killed in that city, it hurts too much to go back there. I'm not giving you my life story, that's all you're getting. Please excuse me." He said getting up and walking off. Everyone was kinda shocked, Corin didn't seem the kinda guy to let something like that affect him.

"Welp, cliché time, go get 'em girl." Blizz said pushing her out of the booth.

"Wh-What!?" Rina said.

"You heard the girl, go get 'em." He said

-We have your back, metaphorically, have fun though~- Taisetsu said with a wink

"Y-You guys planned this!" She shouted

-Guilty~- Taisetsu said giggling.

"We don't need Tai to tell us you like him, now get going!" Stanley said.

"If I refuse?" Rina said hands on her hip.

"Then you miss brownie points." Blizz said. Rina glared, but sighed.

"I hate every single one of you and hope you die painfully…also thank you." She said and ran out.

"Think it'll work out?" Stanley asked.

"Iunno." Blizz said.

"What a grand sister you are to her." He said laughing. Blizz grinned.

"You know it!"

-(ooo)- Meanwhile, with Rina and Corin

Corin walked down the streets of Vermillion City, hands in pockets and head down, he really didn't want Stanley to press the issue.

"Corin!" A familiar voice called out. Corin sighed and looked back as Rina ran up.

"I'd rather be alone Rina." He said

"Now now, dealing with your issues alone is not the way to go." She said

"…Rina I have a question." He asked. Before she said anything he asked, "Why do you travel, challenge gyms and the like?"

Rina was sort of taken back by this. "Um well…I guess competition with Stanley. I always saw myself as the better trainer. I underestimated how much he studied, and his eye for detail. I want to officially beat him just once." She said

"And what then?" He asked.

"I…don't really know. Wander? Support Stanley in this stupid war?" She asked herself.

"Don't wander." Corin said

"What? Why?" Rina asked.

"Too much time to think, regret, brood over every detail. Have a goal, always have a goal." He said. "Do not end up like me." He said looking at her. "The world doesn't need more people like myself, it needs people like you."

Rina blushed and stared at him. "Did you wander?"

"Yes, for revenge, for peace…to take the lives that took hers, when I did that, I kept walking." He said looking up to the sky. "When the day comes where you defeat Stanley, stay with him. He needs all the support he can get." He said looking to her.

"…Then you have to stay too." Rina said. Corin gave a rare chuckle.

"You don't want that." He felt her hand grasp his arm.

"Yes we….I do. I want you to stay Corin. If you don't want to do it for us, that's fine, do it for yourself. You need a net." She said. "Just in case you slip."

Corin was very surprised, it had been, well a long time since anyone seemed to show interest in his wellbeing. "Rina…thank you. I will consider your offer."

"Ain't no considering, you've already accepted." She said smiling

"Oh? How's that?" He asked

"You really think Stanley would let you go anyways after all this? Nah man, now come on." She said pulling him along.

"W-Wait Rina!" He said

"We're getting you some Ice cream!" She said giggling. For a second, Corin saw Abbey where Rina stood, and he smiled.

"You win on that, let's."

-(ooo)- Back at the Center

Stanley, Tai, and Blizz were watching the news.

"Pokémon and Human relationships are on the rise, and while it was widely accepted regardless of law, Kalos and Hoenn finally followed in allowing lawful marriages and relationships with Pokémon. They have joined Unova and Sinnoh in the bill, with Johto, while strict, right behind them. Regions like Oblivia, who have allowed the relationships since long before the joined the United Regions, and are under the Ranger Union, who are pushing the hardest for these bills are overjoyed at the news." The news caster said.

Taisetsu and Stanley smiled at one another and Blizz giggled. "Get a ring soon lover boy." Blizz whispered.

Stanley put a finger to his lips but winked and Blizz shrugged.

"While this is a step towards full ratification, regions like Kanto and Orre still have strict and harsh laws against these relationships, such as forcing a release of the Pokémon, and revocation of the Trainers license if applicable. While these laws are to only affect those native to the region, there are still many reports of the Regions doing these acts to visitors of the region."

"Assholes." Blizz said.

"You can say that again…" Stanley said

"Serves those Pokephiles right!" Someone said from another table.

-Let them talk, we need no confrontation or suspicion.- Tai quickly said

"We know." Stanley said.

"In other news the Kanto region and the Johto region are getting help from the Organization known as Engulfing Shadows with Team Rocket, the largest crime syndicate in the world with the deepest hold in the two regions. The Remnants of Team Aqua and Team Magma are also being fought in the Hoenn region, all three regions are grateful for the help, and the leader of ES to us that he was more than happy to help."

"People are happy to see them as always." Stanley said looking around.

"No reason not to be with all the press coverage, and they haven't done anything wrong from what we've heard." Blizz said

-But we know their true colors.- Taisetsu said glaring at the emblem on the TV.

"They gotta go, soon." Blizz said. They all looked at the emblem, they didn't know what awaited them in the future, but how could they? After all, they still didn't fully trust Mike.

-(ooo)- Time: 4:09pm, Location, Route 12

Mike walked along the trail of the Route that left Lavender Town, he went there to pay respects to the Pokémon once buried there. Of course now he was alone, or rather, whoever was following would like him to think that. He sighed and stopped.

"Whomever you are, come out of hiding." He said turning around. A body became visible. "Ah, Snow, to what do I owe the displeasure?" He asked as the girl got ready to fight.

"Square up Mike." She simply said and Mike laughed.

"You're joking right? David is the only one who can beat me." He said. Not caring, Snow rushed him. Mike sighed and dodged her fast punch and karate chopped her back then kicked her to the ground.

"You're a damn villain who is fighting against peace." She said standing up. "A resistance we will crush!"

"Isn't that what all loyal followers of dictators do?" He asked. "They all say that." He said forming a black and red Aura Sphere and tossed it. Snow jumped back and it hit the ground and exploded. Snow rushed through with her short sword out. Mike's eyes widened, and he suddenly looked more serious as he unsheathed his blade to block her strike.

"You weren't ordered were you? You found me to kill me, because you know it would be necessary, I like your ambition." He said and blasted her back with a Telekinetic blast. "But it was a wasted effort Snow, like I said, only David can win, back down before I kill you." He said

"Why don't you!?" She shouted. "There's no reason not to!"

"For me there is Snow. Like so many others I dragged you into this war, even if it was your last hope I dragged you in, I want to see those I pull in get out alive!" He said.

"Should join us then, it'd be guaranteed." She said

"Snow, you know very well I cannot do that, this world must stay light. Peace under tyranny is no peace at all. What peace is there dying on one's knees?" He said

"It won't be tyranny, it will be unity!" She said.

"Just as my followers can't be sure of my intentions, can you be sure of his?" he asked.

"I am fully invested with David!" She said

"Are you? What do you choose? The path your ideals have set you on, or the path of truth. Snow, listen to me." He said. "I believe there is more to this then we know."

"No, it's simple, we're the hero's, and you're the villains, and we will win!" She shouted and rushed at him. Mike swung his blade, knocking hers out of her hands and place his hand on her helmet and scrambled her with his Psychic abilities, causing her to cry out before falling to her back.

Mike sheathed his blade. "Dwell on what I have said, but also this, which do you follow? Engulfing Shadows, or the man at the top?" He asked as he walked away, and snow lost consciousness.

-(ooo)- Time: Next Day, 8:43am, Location, S.S. Anne

Stanley and Taisetsu stood at the front of the luxury ship, it was on the way to Cinnabar Island. Stanley was leaning on the bars arms crossed as support while Taisetsu sat on the rails. Some gave the pair odd looks but suspected nothing of it.

-They don't like us.- Taisetsu said giggling

"Lettem stare, we ain't doing anything." He said smiling. "A day on the Anne, boy did we get lucky." He said

"Indeed we did." Rina said walking up with Blizz and Corin.

"Sup guys." Stanley said smiling. Then his Poketch ringed. Stanley answered and it was Mike with a friendly face.

"Hello everyone, how goes the journey." He said

"Mike! It's, going well." He said

"Oh? Something wrong?" He asked

"We've been thinking, and, well, we need to know more." He said. Mike sighed and got serious.

"Yes I knew that question would be coming after you met Janine. Wait until Viridian City please. I'll answer all your questions in person." He said and Stanley nodded.

"We're all gonna hold you to that." He said with a slight glare and Mike gave a laugh.

"I expect nothing less Stanley. Good luck to you on Cinnabar Island, and try to relax a bit. You need to unwind every now and then. I'm sure Brian will say the same." Mike said.

"We will." He said and was about to hang up.

"By the way, have you seen much of ES recently, besides their normal activities?" Mike asked.

"No…why?" He asked, Rina and Corin were more interested now.

"Snow attacked me, I don't think she had orders too, but I ask you stay on guard, as hypocritical as that sounds." He said laughing. "Oh and one more thing, I can't wait to meet the new member of your group!" He said

"Wait, how did you-, we never said anything about him!" Stanley said shocked.

"People told me, simple as that. I do talk to the gym leaders." He said

"…Oh." Stanley said and chuckled sheepishly

"Anyways, enjoy Cinnabar! And keep one eye open at all times just in case." He said and hung up. Stanley sighed.

"Well for now we have time to spare eh?" He said smiling

"Yeah, wonder how Chip and Rocky are doing?" Rina said

"Knowing Chip he's running around the same tree chasing Cobalt to get something he stole." Blizz said laughing

-Rocky is definitely training for the league by now, or on the way to Viridian.-

"Yeah he tends to be a step ahead." Stanley said. "For now, let's focus on Cinnabar!" He said as the boat approached the island slowly.

DWA: Hey look, a chapter WITHOUT a pokemon battle! Lotsa stuff happening in Kanto. While you guys are all focused here I'm really focusing on Arc 4 and 5. I have a lotta ideas. I personally am very excited. I'm probably rushing Arc 3 but, well, I just wanna have Lily go on her adventure ya know? Arc five may be a challenge but that will be addressed sometime in the future. Also, if I DO need OC's for rivals and such, I will decide by the time I write the eighth Gym, and set up submissions for it after it's done.
Until next time readers, toodles!