First off, this chapter came out a LOT later than I intended. Procrastination, school, and lack of support extended the time of writing. But I really hope you enjoy this chapter. Took me a while.

This chapter will be a bit of a...tragedy, as the title hints. Guess what you want now, but you will only really know until you read it. And also, the timespace orbs are basketball size in the anime, but doesn't actually have a canonical size, in the games. So I'm using that flexibility to make them pendant size.

Kenny stared at the statues in surprise. He had no guess on what was to be in here, but even this stretched his imaginations. Around a dozen stone figures, each in a form of fighting that seemed to link together. It had been present for a while, Kenny assumed, judging by the cobwebs and brittle weapons.

Staring at one of them, Kenny remembered the position. A figure with a blade, but in a peculiar looping motion. A motion that Dawn used to defeat him just a few days ago. Another one, spinning like a top, just like how Dawn danced out of the way of his precise jabs. All of these statues reminded him of the fight (which he wasn't too fond of remembering).

"This is Shadow Force." Kenny noted.

"Only a few moves of it." Maxie confirmed. "It is the origin of Mt. Pyre's martial art expertise."

At the same time, Rowan was giving the same lecture to Dawn. "Back then, the founders of the Pyre Faction, obtained the recorded pages of Shadow Force. Within just a few months, they became heroes, known throughout the regions. They created the clique." Dawn, for once in her life, stayed still in quiet interest as Rowan started getting more into his history lesson. "A few generations passed, and the pages disappeared. Shadow Force has not been used since."

"So how come I learned it?" Dawn asked. She was just a slave-servant. Why her, out of all the more experienced and stronger people in the world?

Rowan frowned, troubled, and obviously knew the answer, but wasn't very happy about it. Before he could speak though, footsteps echoed into the room. Someone was coming (someone who wore really loud and possibly hollow shoes, lucky for them).

"Mr. Rowan, you have to leave." Dawn fretted, sitting up straight and checking to see if somehow she could make the chains look unbroken. "As long as I'm here, they won't harm you."

"When I came here, I didn't intend to leave without you." Rowan retorted with determination unlike himself. "Come on!" Grabbing her hand, they ducked away to a corner of the wall, and to Dawn's surprise and awe, Rowan somehow opened up a door, a hole in the wall with a thrust of his hand.

"Where did you learn all these skills?" Dawn gawked. He ignored her.

"Move!" He hissed, and she quickly reacted, ducking into the crevice as the footsteps got louder. The stone door closed behind them, and Dawn could hear the shouts of surprise as the arrivals...arrived. They would call the Pyre Leader shortly. They needed to get out of there fast.

"Where does this go?"

"The secret tunnel can reach the outside." Rowan panted as they ran, Dawn still trying to free the chains that bound her wrists.

"What about Barry and the others?"

"Don't worry. Barry's waiting down the mountain." Rowan pushed her to go faster. "Hurry! They'll catch up soon."

They ran through the corridor, and after a few seconds Dawn spotted two doors, one just seemingly an open hole carved out of the stone, and another the spiked cage door (like the ones they use in medieval castles) to the outside. Almost there. They passed through the first 'door', and suddenly a stone slab fell out and crashed on the ground, blocking it. It was a door! They were locking down the prison! The second gate was falling. They pushed forward, not wasting time to talk. They might make it.

Dawn pushed herself to run faster than ever. And yet they still were too late. It was falling too fast. "Hold it up!"

Rowan struggled to hold the stone slab up by the spikes, as Dawn crept under it. They couldn't hold it. If they could just hoist it up an inch, they could both escape. Rowan groaned in pain as the spikes dug into his shoulder. A decision had to be made.

Rowan came here fully knowing it was more than likely he would not come out. This was nothing surprising. "Move!" Suddenly Dawn felt herself pushed out of the way, onto the stone ground past the gate as Rowan was left to hold the gate himself. And when she looked back in shock, the sight froze her.

The gate fell, unstoppable, and Rowan collapsed, as the spikes fell onto his back. Dawn couldn't move. Rowan was pinned to the ground, as blood leaked out, making Dawn slightly nauseous. "Mr. Rowan!"

Dawn felt tears of desperation leak out as she bolted to the gate, and tried to lift it. To no avail, of course, but Dawn tried anyway. She had tried so hard to make it so that she could protect herself, and now someone would die because of it.

No. She couldn't accept that.

"Child." Rowan hissed out, grimacing in pain as life slipped away slowly. "Stop trying. Run!"

"There has to be a way!" Dawn sobbed, still pushing. "You can't die!"

"Listen to me, Dawn." Rowan pulled her back down. "You're special. You were born special."

Dawn couldn't see anything. The tears were blinding as she realized the inevitability. Why did seeing him die make her feel like the one pinned lethally?

He clutched her hand harder, but Dawn could feel the grip weakening. "You were born with five seals." Dawn frowned, worried that he was talking gibberish, and tried to think of another way to get him out. She could save him. No. She had to save him! "Listen to me! If the five seals were never opened, you would have lived peacefully forever. But unfortunately, you learned the Shadow Force."

Dawn didn't know what he was talking about. Was this what he meant when he said he tried to hide it? What were the seals? And why was it unfortunate? "It's inner focus and power opened the first seal. And it sealed your fate. Your destiny."

"Mr. Rowan, please. I don't know what you mean." Dawn pleaded as every cough of pain felt like a stab to the back. "I have to get you out of here."

"Child." Rowan lifted something the size of up weakly. An odd shaped golden pendant, and Dawn couldn't tell if it was a triangular prism or a crystalline shape. "This is the Griseous Orb. You were wearing it around your neck when I found you." He gulped, breathing labored breaths, before continuing. "And now I return it to you. Wear it, and find your place in the five regions." Find her place? She was a slave! She didn't belong anywhere! Right? "The orb will guide you. And remove the seals..." Rowan coughed again, his words becoming so strained that Dawn couldn't help but interrupt him.

"Mr. Rowan!"

"That's all I can tell you." He choked out. "You will have to find the other answers yourself."

"I'll get you out of this, Mr. Rowan!" Dawn cried, assuring not only him but herself. "You can endure it, please!"

"Dawn, stop this foolishness." Rowan chided, lifting his head up in one more burst of energy. "Even though I beat you, yelled at you...you are my biggest–biggest pride."

Dawn blinked out the tears in surprise. It was very comforting to know that someone was proud of her. Like a real parent. She had never experience it before.

Or maybe I have. If only they weren't crumpled and almost dead.

The hand in hers went limp. Rowan's face was on the stone. Dawn hesitantly shook it. No response. "Mr. Rowan? Mr. Rowan! Mr. Rowan!"

She kept shouting and crying, well aware that she should leave but couldn't just leave Rowan. It was hopeless, she knew it. Dawn had to abandon him.

But when a dozen student-guards arrived at the scene, she was still pulling at the trapped lifeless body.

Mauville City. The capital of Hoenn. And in the center of the city, inside a well guarded building, a droplet-shaped white crystal suspended above a silver platform as streaks of water circled it, a supernatural occurrence that none would believe unless they saw it with their own eyes, a Mystic Water. And outside were all the nobles and officials of the city.

"Official Juan." A messenger hurriedly approached the head official and whispered in his ear.

"What?!" Juan turned with wide eyes. Running to the two people in front of the door, he urgently said, "I have to enter the palace. I have to meet the king!"

The Mystic Water was still suspended, but as another second passed, it started dimming, its glow diminishing. The ropes of water around it faltered, and a few splashed on the ground. Meanwhile, Juan knelt before the king, still confined to his bed. "Your Majesty. The mystic water is weakening. Kyogre's rage cannot be stopped. I'm afraid Mauville City will be drowned in water. You must take care of yourself! Hoenn cannot survive without you!"

King Spenser coughed loudly, terribly weak. He had been confined to his bed for so long, his hair tangled and quite dirty too. Not only did he look weak, the once majestic king looked like a simple hobo. But he managed to sit up in a somewhat dignified way, as if reminding to the doubters that he was still king. "This...this is retribution–" Another fits of retching and coughing.

Juan paused. What did he mean by retribution? Did they...did the king do something? He could hear the pounding of the rain, even from inside. People were running into their homes, shocked by the sudden downpour, which didn't seem to be letting up. In fact, it might never let up.

The arrow pierced the red circle, and Drake slowly lowered the bow, smirking.

"Nice shot, Minister Drake." Ash remarked.

Drake turned to the heir. "Your highness, why don't you warm up your body as well?"

"Oh, no no." Ash laughed nervously, fanning (with a fan) his face profuseously. "I think you should take care of all this tiring and physical stuff. I'll pass."

Drake laughed as well, putting down the bow. He was out just for a little archery practice, with Paul and Ash both coming. There were several guards too, but after some time getting used to being watched every second of free time, they usually seemed invisible. A few moments after he did though, a soldier arrived by horse, kneeling to the Prime Minister with a white roll of paper in a red seal.

"Urgent message from the capital."

Paul handed the letter to Drake, who read it with an impassive face. Holding for a few seconds, Ash put down his fan and sauntered over to the two, peering over the minister's shoulder. "Is this the letter asking me to go back and inherit the position as heir?"

Drake raised an eyebrow at his genuine curiosity and enthusiasm. "Your highness, stay calm. If we were to return to the capital, i would have personally informed you."

"But this–"

Drake motioned at Paul, who nodded. "Your highness." He gestured for him to leave, as a few guards came up to his movement.

"Prime Minister, you haven't told me what it–"

"Send the heir to his room safely." Drake ordered, turning his back on the prince.

Paul swept his hand at Ash. "Your highness, please."

Ash frowned. When you keep up a facade that intricate and prolonged, some attributes will affect you. The prince was reportedly dimwitted, close-minded, curious and distracted. More so than logic, Ash really wanted to know what was in that letter. Reluctantly, he sighed and spun around, walking back to the village. "Such a weather, too..."

After he was out of earshot, Paul walked up to the minister. "What's happening at the capital? Is it serious?"

Drake was still impassive, and while his face was unreadable, his eyes shone with something. Was it excitement? Or something else? "The king won't be alive for much longer. I'm afraid once that happens, Mauville city will be..." He faltered off.

Paul grimaced. Now they had a time limit. Perfect. "I'll gather the men and horses. We should leave quickly."

Drake didn't move for a second, considering the outcomes of King Spenser's death. Whether they liked it or not (they didn't), Drake and his followers were reliant on that prince. "Is there any news from Sabrina?"

Paul's face flickered with slight uneasiness. That Sabrina..."No."

"Then we will wait." Drake let out a long and aggrieved sigh.

"But if there's no king," Paul's placid face broke out in bursts of anxiousness. "Mauville will drown in water."

Drake stared at the young man. "I know." His face flashed with annoyance. "If we can't control the mystic water with Manaphy's technique, we can't protect the capital. And if Mauville falls, the rest of Hoenn will follow. I didn't come here just to crown an idiotic prince just because he has royal blood." He snarled, before taking a deep breath before asking himself, "What does the people's lives and Hoenn's fate have to do with me?"

Paul followed the ranting minister as he walked from the archery range. "But you're the Prime Minister."

"I'm sick of being below one person and above the rest!" He snapped suddenly, huffing and sitting down. "Why would I bow to a measly king of Hoenn? I wouldn't care if he's the Emperor of Kanto."

How close was that to the truth.

Paul paused, waiting for the rant to end. "In such a disaster, none will be spared."

"That is the reasoning of the weak." Countered Drake, now on a roll. "Remember. Even if Arceus itself wants be dead, I will still fight back." He smirked lying back on his chair. "Who said that only those from the Reiji family could be the king of Hoenn?"

A lot of people, but nonetheless.

"Patience, Paul." Drake chided at his worried expression. "I'm waiting for the perfect moment...even if i have to bury Hoenn for it."

Kenny staggered slowly down the stone prison. The mere thought of meeting Dawn was enough for bile to rise through his throat. Not Dawn herself, no, of course not. But the thought of what he had to do when he got there...he was still shell shocked. He couldn't believe his father would be so ruthless.

But disobeying him would be out of the question. The consequences would be...dire.

But doing that to Dawn...why was his father had such disregard to life? In his opinion, Dawn was much more than a technique. Then again, his opinion didn't matter to him.

The torchlight cast an even more ominous glow, as if signifying the terror that was about happen.

"Let me ask you; what is the state of the five regions right now?"

"It's turbulent." Kenny absentmindedly said, still observing the statues in awe. It was amazing they remained in this condition after...well, if his father's information was correct, millennia. "All the nations are still ready for war against each other."

Saying it out loud, Kenny worried about such an occurrence. A inter-region war. And it wasn't implausible.

"What about the situation of Hoenn?"

Kenny pondered on that. Why was his father suddenly concerned with the situation of the regions? "It's very complicated. Anything could happen, at any moment."

Maxie nodded. Kenny turned and looked at his father, wondering why this concerned him. But as always, Maxie's face was unreadable. "What about the situation of Mt. Pyre?"

Ah. There it was. And Kenny knew the answer, and was fairly sure his father did too. It probably didn't please him. Hesitating for a second, trying to find a way to put it in words, he responded, "We're...not as good as we used to be."

He waited for a response, but Maxie just sighed and paced around the room. "The Shadow Force, what made us strong in the first place has been lost for a long time. Now we are merely a shell of it. It wouldn't matter if it had stayed gone forever, but Dawn shocked everyone at the last round. I would expect some would know it, and are eyeing it right now."

It wasn't just Maxie that wanted that technique. It was actually pretty famous, with any experienced martial artist having heard of it. They knew the legend, and the power behind it.

"Whoever gets that form first can strike the first blow to this turbulent world." Maxie explained. "A major shift in power. A vacuum."

"Then I'll work hard." Kenny answered quickly, long learning what his father liked to hear. "I won't let the faction down. I won't let you down."

He nodded. "Well said." Maxie turned to the nearest statue, and a dark look passed over his eyes. "Whether Mt. Pyre can regain its lost glory all depends on the Shadow Force."

He placed a hand on the statue, and it suddenly rippled like a mirage. Kenny rubbed his eyes, startled, and then it crumbled to dust. The other statues followed shortly.

"Father?" Kenny started in surprise. Wasn't this some of the revered Shadow Force? Why did he destroy the only thing they had left?

"These are useless." Maxie waved him off. "I want the real Shadow Force. The alive one."

Kenny felt like he had just been punched in the stomach. Dawn. That was what Maxie wanted with her. In retrospect, he probably should have figured that out sooner.

Kenny stopped in front of the doors to the cells. He desperately wanted to abort. But he had just promised his father to do it. Trembling in despair, he removed a small red packet, the size of a tea bag. He remembered the absolute repulsion he felt when he received it.

"Dawn trusts you." Kenny wasn't too sure about that, since he literally just betrayed her, but he didn't interrupt. "Only you can convice her to take the poison."

"But...but this is Spirit-Break Powder." Kenny couldn't help but hold the bag at arm's length. His father wanted him to use it on her?!

"Yes." Maxie's face didn't change, in fact was devoid of the slightest of remorse. He didn't seem to care that he was ripping away the life, spirit, and free will of a person. "For an hour after taking it, she will tell everything you want to know honestly. Anything and everything."

Kenny trembled as he stared at the red packet.

"But one hour later..."

"Both spirit and soul will be lost." He repeated it to himself. This couldn't be happening. Why was it him that had to do this? Why was it him that was stuck in such a hard decision? He couldn't do this. Kenny couldn't help but cry. At the unfairness of the world. Dawn would become a husk. A pile of rotting meat forever. He clenched the packet tightly, wishing it would just disappear. Kenny had finally realized just how cruel his father was.

"You should end that servant that you knew since youth, by yourself. That is your punishment. And it is also a chance to prove yourself to your ancestors that you can bear the heavy duty of reviving Mt. Pyre."

Kenny smiled bitterly at the karma, before taking a shaky breath to calm himself. It didn't work. He stared up at the ceiling blankly, contemplating just standing there for a while.

Dawn gasped in terror as she woke up, reliving the terror of seeing Rowan dying. She was in her cell again, having passed out quickly due to exhaustion (and also poor living conditions). After falling into despair that Rowan's daring escape plan had ultimately failed, Dawn felt around her neck, and the Griseous orb was there, still pulsing slowly. They hadn't taken it from her.

It had all ended so soon. Dawn had accepted that she was about to die in the games, but then she survived, and wanted to happily reunited with them all. Then this happened. In a blink of an eye, Rowan was gone. It all seemed too fast.

She clenched her hand around the crystal. The only thing Rowan left for her (cause she lost the stick). And he gave her a mission. Dawn was determined to fulfill his wish. She had always been a pain in his back. And it was too late to redeem herself.

But she could still live. Get out of here somehow, and find her destiny that Rowan wanted her too find oh-so much. She could do that. She had to do that.

Someone was coming. The guards opened the cell door, and a unpleasant figure walked in. Dawn looked up, and started quietly, which then descended into silent seething rage (which was mutually returned). Why did things have to get worse every second?

Ash yawned, resting on the ledge above the gaping hole that he and Dawn fell in just days ago. What a beautiful day. The sun was shining, the birds were chirping. He wasn't staying indoors on such weather.

"Are you thinking on how to report to your father, the emperor, on the fulfillment on one's duty?" Reggie dryly reminded him, not pleased on his laid back attitude.

Ash sighed, unfazed by his friend's attitude. "Blah, blah, blah. You keep reminding me. 'You're the Crown Prince, you have to stop the turmoil in Hoenn.'" He grinned at Reggie's offended look at his poor imitation. "That's all I hear these days from you."

"Then I'll remind you some more." Reggie rolled his eyes, sitting down next to him, still annoyed he chose this particular spot to rest. "Haven't you wondered why Drake isn't willing to return to the Capital?"

He frowned, sitting up. That he did know. But why...was troubling. "Drake wouldn't return to the capital. At least not for a while. He sent men to find the Mirage Palace."

Reggie snapped his head in attention. How would Drake even find the Mirage Mountains? It's existence wasn't even confirmed! Well, Reggie knew it existed. But why would the Prime Minister go for something so unreliable? What was his motive?

Then again, if one was looking for the Mirage Palace, that really only had one reason... "He's looking for Sabrina, isn't he?"

Ash looked just as grim as Reggie felt. "He waited patiently for ten years, even killing his best friend, the original Heir Apparent, Brandon Reiji. Was it all just for the throne?"

Ash looked up at Reggie, who had an odd look. A look of concealed fury and hate. Ah yes. This was a touchy subject. Continuing cautiously, he added, "He's limited by the inability of the royal family's water control thingamajig, so he must support me as king." He couldn't help but chuckle. Oh, the karma. "Tell me. Would he be happy about it?"

Reggie snorted. Did he really need to answer that? "Is he asking Sabrina just to obtain that technique?"

"I don't know. Probably" Ash shrugged, reverting to a more serious attitude. "It's possible that she could grant him that power. The consequences would be...dire."

"Her whereabouts are always mysterious." Reggie mused. "There is an Palace in the Sandstorm Deserts, but as it's name suggests, is a mirage."

Ash nodded, surprised he knew that. Most people just assumed it was there, but of course, very little people knew the truth, because it was always shrouded in a sandstorm. It was hard to reach by itself. "Exactly. When did you learn about that?"

He ignored him. "If Sabrina really grants him his request, your life will be in danger."

"I'm glad you recognize that." Ash didn't seem to be bothered by the warning. In fact, he seemed even more laid-back than usual. "I've over-exhausted myself just for your Reiji 'clan'."

Reggie ignored his exaggeration, and stared off into the distance. His heritage to most, was blurred. Very few people knew about it. "My connection with the Reiji family is already severed." Ash's smile faded, recognizing where his friend was headed. "You know what I'm after."

"All right, I get it." Ash sighed, still amiable. He raised an eyebrow curiously at Reggie. "Why are you always so grim and serious and cautious about everything?"

"If I wasn't, would I be alive today?"

"Don't worry." Ash shrugged, getting up from the ledge and staring at Reggie, who was slightly taken aback by his sudden seriousness. "Both of us...will definitely live longer than that old man."

Reggie deadpanned at his obviousness, but couldn't help but crack a smile. Unfortunately, that only pleased Ash further.

Actually, considering the perilous journeys ahead of them, that seemingly certainty was soon to be questioned.

Kenny slowly walked up to the cell, subconsciously keeping his footsteps as soft as possible. But before he could fall into another bout of guilt and despair, he noticed something at the door. It was unlocked. And open.

Rushing to the cage door, it didn't seem to be forcefully destroyed. Someone must have unlocked it and forgotten to close it. Which meant–

The bed was empty. The chains were slack on the ground. Dawn was gone. Taking a full spin, Kenny scanned the room, but nothing. No sign of blue hair anywhere.

"Dawn?" Kenny called into the echoing caverns. Nothing. "Dawn!" Oh, no. This was bad. If she had escaped, then–

Actually...Kenny stumbled back at the revelation. Oh, goodness. What a relief! Perhaps luck was on his side after all. He had an excuse. This was amazing! If she really escaped, Dawn would be safe. For the time being, anyways. This could work. Kenny smiled in what seemed like since days. Maybe this was a good thing.

Unfortunately, it wasn't. Dawn had been bailed out of jail, but to...a possibly even worse fate. She had been kidnapped (is it kidnapped if she's already kidnapped?) and brought to one of the many tall rock formations that stood among the cliffs. Being thrust near the edge, Dawn stumbled, staring fearfully at the drop below. Her hands were still bound. If she was pushed, it would be a long, fatal fall, with nothing to stop her plummet.

And the one who brought her here was none other than Zoey. Tearing her eyes away from the ground far, far below, Dawn sighed in annoyance. "So you even bribed the guards to bring me here. You really put in the effort this time." She noted with mild and reluctant admiration.

"Pyre Leader Maxie holds you because of your prowess in the Shadow Force." Zoey said, undeterred. "Do you really think he cares about your life?"

Dawn almost snorted again. Why would he care about her life? That's what Zoey did say, but obviously, it was a lie. The Pyre Leader only used others for his own gain.

"Consider killing you a gift." Zoey tilted her chin up. "You should thank me."

Dawn couldn't withhold her snort this time. She wasn't blind. Zoey wanted her dead for her own reasons. "Even if I wanted to die, it wouldn't be today."

"That is not your decision." Zoey smirked, and to of her escorts rushed at her. Thankfully, Dawn's feet weren't bound (to make it easier for them to pull her along), and she easily kicked them back. The two groaned in pain on the edge, dangerously close to falling off, before getting up and staggering down the stairs to the ground. Dawn didn't know where they were going, but it was not the time to ponder.

"Zoey, Zoey, Zoey." Dawn chided with a sigh, clearly aware she was infuriating her even further (which was a plus). "You can't kill me like this."

Zoey started grinding her teeth, but hid it well. "You are good, I'll admit. But I risk the punishment from Pyre Leader, and the blames from Kenny just to bring you here. I'm not letting you down easily."

Dawn raised an eyebrow. She expected as much, but then what did Zoey have in mind? She had a sinister aura around her, unlike her usual fiery attitude.

"Lenora!"

"Of course, my lady." Lenora signaled downward, and Dawn found out why the two guards headed downward.

Barry struggled fruitlessly, arms held stiff as he was pushed toward the center.

"Barry–!? You–?!" Dawn glared at Zoey's pleased face, infuriated. It was one thing to punish her, but to bring innocents into threat for no reason?

"Dawn, get out of here! Don't mind me, hurry, you have to leave–"

"It's either you die or him." Lenora interjected, voice just as hard as her 'master'. "Pick one yourself."

Barry grimaced as they pushed him down. "Dawn, don't listen to her." He desperately pleaded. "You can't fall into their trap!"

"This is our squabble!" Dawn shouted at Zoey, ignoring Barry for the time being. "Why bring more people into this?!"

"It's only one person." Zoey's unchanging nonchalant tone unnerved Dawn. Did she have so little regard to human life? "If I bring the whole Regi Section as a whole in threat, so what?"

Dawn felt sick. Was Zoey really that vengeful and hateful? She had a cold feeling she wasn't bluffing. Her hands were still bound, but if she could just–

Apparently she couldn't conceal her tension well enough, because Zoey saw through it easily and a second later, her blade was at Barry's neck, forcing him to crane backward in fear, gasping for breath. Zoey seemed to be very pleased with herself, taking advantage of the cruel superiority of her position. "Not happy?" She taunted at Dawn. "I would like to see who's faster, you or I."

Barry shuddered, the blade already dangerously close to piercing skin, but he shakily breathed hard and his face suddenly calmed. "Dawn. Don't worry." Zoey snapped her head at him, intrigued on his lack of terror. Barry merely glared back, tight with determination. "I won't drag you down any further. Hurry and leave!"

"I can't leave!" Dawn shouted right back. Zoey and her lackeys looked on, mildly interested but mostly indifferent. "Just hours ago, Mr. Rowan sacrificed his life for me!" She gulped, remembering the desperation she felt as Dawn tried to save him. It was humiliating, and she refused to ever feel like that again. "I can't let anything happen to you either."

"More so that you should keep living on!" Barry half-cried, half-pleaded, also not completely over the fact that their mentor, caretaker...friend, was gone. "He would want you to stay alive!"

Zoey's eyes widened, and quickly jerked the sword back, since Barry suddenly shut his eyes tight and lurched forward, intent on killing himself. Barry stammered breaths, surprised that he was still alive. Zoey was glared at him, livid that her bargaining chip had nearly eliminated himself. They would have to be more careful. He was ready to die. That was admirable, at least, for a slave.

"Playing with fire, I see?" She hissed lowly, kicking him to his knees, while Dawn cried out in concern, as if she was the one pummeled. "Then you asked for it."

If he wanted to die, then there would not be much use left for him. She raised her sword.

"Wait!"

Six pairs of eyes stared back at Dawn, five with apprehension, and one with terrified confusion. One wrong move, and Barry would be gone. Another friend in the dust. Dawn looked in Barry's eyes. It was true. Barry was ready to die. He considered himself less than Dawn. He clearly thought she was special. Barry had always looked up to her, followed her, and she had always protected him.

All the more reason for this. "You win." She hung her head, as Zoey raised her eyebrow in a sinister way. "My life is in your hands."

Pleased, the redhead sheathed her blade, but her smirk faded into the memorable cold glare. "Don't blame me for being cruel. It's your own fault. You should have never come to Mt. Pyre."

Now, this is called victim shifting. If you have read this story long enough, Zoey is cruel and jealous, easily influenced, and perhaps because of her nobility status, unable to take no for an answer. But Dawn knew she was in the lower spot.

Dawn shut her eyes and forced herself to tear away from the sight of Barry fruitlessly struggling, and focused on her adversary. A few weeks, days even, ago, she would have yelled back with fire, and most likely get herself in more trouble. That's how she always did it.

But the last few days had been humbling. It wasn't always strike first. Perhaps it was wiser to understand, then try to be understood. Sadly to say, Dawn could see Zoey's hate. She felt violated, cheated. But this...this was still too much.

Inwardly calming her exterior, Dawn resorted to reason. She had seen enough bloodshed today. "Kenny has agreed to your proposal. Why are you still doing this?"

"You think I'm doing this for myself?" She snarled, and Dawn was annoyed at her overreaction. She was trying to be soothing and reasoning, but obviously Zoey wasn't having it. "Why couldn't you just die like you were supposed to?"

So they did conspire against her. Dawn always had her suspicions, but she fully confirmed them now. Zoey was the one who orchestrated this whole thing. All for some petty jealously.

"You just had to steal the thunder, didn't you?" Zoey ranted, blade lashing subconsciously, sparks flying as Dawn backed up warily. "If you didn't die, Kenny would have you in his heart forever!"

"Do you really think if I died," Dawn retorted hotly, her head abandoning all sorts of calming thoughts. "That Kenny would love you?"

"The memory of a dead person would be better than one alive." She hissed back, both her blade and tongue coiled to strike.

Dawn wasn't quite sure this was true. Having lost a loved one just recently, it hurt more than she would have imagined. Apparently Zoey never felt that same heartache. Just hate, jealously, and pomposity. It almost made her sympathetic. While she never felt the pain of loss, it was redeeming. Humbling. Holding on to hate and fear was fatiguing.

"Are you going to jump or not?!"

Struck out of her thoughts, Dawn looked down off the cliff. She wasn't happy about the prospect of falling out of control again. The clouds were thin, and with her bound hands, gliding would be useless.

"Fine. I can promise my death." Dawn hung her head, but remembered a fact that she needed to ensure. "But you need to guarantee the safety of everyone in the Regi section."

Barry was shaking in desperation, and was shaking his head wildly, spraying tears everywhere, but Dawn had made up her mind. Forcing her stare on Zoey, who smirked, saying "You can trade your life for all of theirs."

Dawn didn't have much reason to trust her. But Zoey only wanted her dead. She wouldn't care less about everyone else. After all, someone had to do the dirty work.

"If you break your promise, death will not hold me back from you. I assure that." Dawn felt her voice rise, and to her pleasure, Zoey seemed a bit easy, but it flickered back to a mask of neutrality. Ghost pokemon were rumored to be from humans themselves, and haunted the living. Perhaps her threat had a ring of truth to it.

Then again, maybe not.

"Take care, Barry." Dawn turned, unable to watch his tear-stricken face, and breathed out slowly. It somehow felt different this time, probably because she was the one controlling her own death. And in a sudden burst of action, she sprinted to the ledge.

"No!"

And in that moment, Dawn knew she was going to die. So she decided to make it as grand as possible. Sprinting to the edge, she counted down silently, numbering the steps, and launched into the open air, doing a backflip just for good measure. And as she fell, Dawn closed her eyes, cherishing the rush of air around her as her last sensation.

Zoey and Leona stared down the pit, evidently still a bit surprised that Dawn had actually did it. To be honest, they were all expecting a sudden attack, but no. "There's no way she can survive such a fall." Leona said confidently, but Zoey disagreed.

"To jump off so easily, Dawn must have a plan. The slave is very cunning." Zoey grudgingly acknowledged, but didn't seem too upset about that, and smirked. "Unfortunately for her, I've already set up traps below. I have eliminated her chances of survival."

Barry sank to his knees, mouth wide open and flabbergasted in distraught. Another friend dead. Can we all just take a moment to give pity to this guy?

No? Fine.

Anyway, Dawn had changed her mind. Dying wasn't fun. And she remembered Rowan's will for her to live and travel the world. He said that it was her destiny to do so. So she wouldn't, or perhaps couldn't, die here.

And also there was a very convenient vine and ledge lying around.

Thwip! Thwip!

Dawn instinctively raised up her hands, which proved to be her saving grace. Two arrows struck the chains binding her wrist, and she was thrown back, but her chains were also broken. No time to dwell on that stroke of luck though. Did Zoey set up these traps? Probably.

Managing to snag on a cliff branch, Dawn took a breath of relief right before it snapped and sucked the breath out of her. Down she plummeted once more. How she had missed the feeling.

"I'm curious," Zoey glanced at the still shell-shocked Barry. "If one breaks a promise, how would a dead person seek revenge?"

Narrowing her eyes at the bribed guards, she motioned quickly, her voice taking on a snappy and hard tone instantly. "Throw him down!"

Barry was still unresponsive, tears still slowly running down his face, until he found himself out of control and falling. Things like that tend to snap people out of thoughts.

"Aaaaaagh!"

Dawn snapped her head up, also flailing and just trying to stabilize herself, spotted (and heard) a certain blonde-haired boy. Who was spinning, by the way. An image that was somewhat funny, if not for the dire situation. Putting aside the wonderfully horrible acts she would do to Zoey when she survived, Dawn looked behind her, looking for something, anything that could stop her fall. This was bad. Dawn could live with her own death, but she had to somehow save Barry, if anything!

Turns out that something was someone. It seemed whenever Dawn was in trouble, this obnoxious prince would swoop in (literally) and save her. How did he even know this? Was he stalking her!?

Although that thought was oddly dashed as she couldn't help but get lost in those entrancing hazel eyes.

"Barry!"

Said person fell out of the air, screaming, and Dawn without hesitation, leapt after him, taking advantage of her just-gained balance and angle. Ash started, but grabbed a vine and dove as well. Dawn caught on to the now-unconscious Barry, and held on to a ledge. Cursing herself for not bringing a vine, Dawn strained to keep them in the air, as her fingers started to leave imprints.

"Ack!" An arrow hit her shoulder, and Dawn had to let go. But she held on to Barry, as Ash hurled the long end of the vine, which entangled around her. Dawn looked up in shock, wincing at the tension around her waist, and Ash grimaced in the strain to keep them both in the air.

Really sturdy vines, I know.

And even in the strain and weight, Ash managed to make his trademark smirk through the stone wall of pain. Possibly just to annoy Dawn.

Paul's dark boots plopped against the stone floor as he walked briskly to the Prime Minister's house. This was urgent, and he ignored the prying looks from the guards. Inside, Drake, as he usually was, sat in the back, contemplating who-knows-what. Paul would give much to know the things that gone in the reserved minister's mind. "Minister Drake. We have news from Sabrina."

Leaning in to whisper in his ear, Paul briskly and shortly paraphrased the information.

Drake's eyes turned bright in anticipation. "Hurry and get ready." Perhaps it would work out. Luck seemed to be on his side.

A while later, they arrived at the spot. An uncharted island, at least to Drake's knowledge. Someway off south of Mt. Pyre. It was almost miraculous that they had found it so soon. Then again, Drake had always had his suspicions.

"I've scouted the terrain of this area. It fits the criteria for the Mirage Palace, down to the very blades of grass."

"Looks like the bet paid off." The minister nodded, gazing across the shimmering lake. If the Mirage Palace was going to appear, it would be here. "Have you taken care of everything."

"I have." Paul responded. "Barriers are set up in each area. Guards patrol all the entry points. There will be no disturbance."

Pleased, Drake narrowed his eyes at the space in front of him. Time to see if it would work. "It should be almost time."

Indeed it was. Mere minutes had passed til the sun went down, blanketing the island in a coat of darkness. Candles were set up, and only Paul and Drake were left standing at the riverbank. Thunder boomed above, and lightning flashed wildly, but the two humans paid no attention to the storm. The small flames flickered, but Drake was more focused on the surreal image in front of him.

Like a mirage dispelling in reverse, a palace formed out of thin air and came to being above the lake. It looked, well, not real, but once it solidified, it was hard to imagine the scene without it. Some columns shifted in and out like smoke. It was another illusion, but Drake wasn't about to climb up to the real palace high in the mountains. That would just be a waste of time.

Paul looked somewhat uneasy, but Drake smirked. It had worked. It would pay off. "The King of Hoenn is near death!" He called to the smoky image. "Mauville City, Hoenn will be flooded! If I could have the royal power to control water, the troubles of Hoenn and Mauville will be solved!"

"Manaphy's technique has always been held by the Hoenn royal family alone." A soft, sweet voice echoed back at him, but Drake was one of the few people who knew how quickly the tone could rise to anger. "It is a rule established since the birth of the regions. Is the reason for this technique for kingship or your citizens?"

"Kingship." Drake wasn't shy to deny it. Or ashamed. He deserved the power. He had worked so hard for it, it had to pay off. "I want to be the king of Hoenn."

The female voice paused, musing, but didn't seem deterred. "All requests come at a price."

"Times change." Drake shouted back (which was unnecessary, but it felt like the good time). "I have everything you would want or need. As long as you fulfill by wishes."

The Palace Leader's voice chuckled darkly, and Drake got the distinct impression of her smirking, amused. "Fine. I will fulfill your desire."

Drake stared at the palace, slightly surprised that it had worked so easily.

"On the next blood full moon," She continued. "using the Relic Crown as a conduit, and the blood from a royal family member as the guide, you can gain mastery of the technique."

Drake's eyes widened in both astonishment and anticipation, and he quickly dropped to a bow, with Paul quickly following. "Palace Leader Sabrina, you have truly lived up to your reputation."

The dark palace was starting to fade, but Sabrina had one last thing. "Every gift comes with a price." She warned. "Remember your promise..."

The illusion faded away like clouds being ripped apart by winds, and the landscape returned to normal, with no sign of change.

Ash scowled, pacing around the bed which Dawn lay unconscious. Mt. Pyre had always been known as a paradise, a place to train and improve health and character. He would have never expected them to be so cruel. Not even a young girl would they show mercy.

"If everyone was compassionate as 'your Highness', the world would be at peace."

Ash ignored his dry sarcasm. "You flatter me, Reggie." He gestured at Dawn.

Reggie smirked, and set down his bag. Half of his appointments this month had been on this girl. At least Ash had the grace to pay. Though that wasn't too much of a problem for him.

A few things. Why the Relic Crown can give (kinda) water powers to an individual, is because you can find it Undersea, and I thought that was a cool connection. As for where he would get it...time will tell.

Serious talk now. I'm thinking of dropping this story. Or at least putting it on hiatus. To be honest, I don't think it's being received well. And also it takes up a ton of time, especially with school, and i'm just asking myself if it's worth the time and effort. Maybe it is. Maybe it isn't. Maybe it's not up to me to decide.