Clay watched them leave. Andrew glanced over his shoulder as he stepped outside. At that moment, Clay suddenly thought of Hilda. Did Hilda ever look back? Did she ever hesitate? He recalled the last time he saw her, the door closing behind her.

"You'll be forced to form a connection with Kyurem."

The door closed behind Andrew. Clay sighed.

"You will join Hilda and N. You will likely vanish."

"What will your fate be?" Clay lowered his head. "Maybe you'll be different."

"It's a hot day," Kenya said. She wiped her brow.

"It's a beautiful day!" Bianca threw her hands up, tossing Larvesta into the air. She caught it with a laugh.

The three of us were traveling on Route 6, following the river. I gazed at the flowing water, thinking.

"Hey Kenya, are you alright?"

"I'm fine," Kenya said. She wiped her brow again. "I'm sweating so much."

"Do you need a break?"

"I said I'm fine!" Kenya stormed ahead, leaving the two of us stunned.

"I don't think she's fine." I glanced up at the blue sky. For some reason, I felt chilly. The chill was deep inside of me; I couldn't shake it. I watched Kenya walk away, silent. "Andrew?"

"Y-yeah." Kenya stopped at a wooden bridge, looking over at us.

"Wait up!" Bianca called out, breaking into a run. I followed behind her, examining the treeline.

"You guys are being slow."

"Don't change the subject," Bianca snapped. "What's up with you?" Kenya scoffed.

"What?" She huffed and crossed the bridge.

"She's probably just in a mood," I spoke up. Bianca raised an eyebrow.

"No, somethings happening here." We shared a look.

"If you say so."

"You're not worried?" Bianca turned on me. I glanced past her at Kenya, walking on the other side of the river. She kicked a rock, pausing to wince.

"I see your point." Bianca nodded, starting across the bridge. I followed her, thinking out loud. "Do you have any theories on the matter?"

"Well, I figure it's either about you or Lenora."

"Me?"

"Or maybe Clay. Maybe she's still ruffled about her match with Clay."

"Or maybe Nathan." She nodded. Kenya glanced over her shoulder at us, noticeably slowing her pace. We'd caught up with her by the time we arrived at Chargestone cave.

"Wow," Bianca peeked into the cave. "It's bright in there. Kenya marched into the cave. Bianca hesitated before following her. We followed Kenya deep into the cave. She paused a few times, looking around.

"Which way do we go?" Bianca asked. I tried to recall the route I'd taken the day before. Kenya grumbled. Something whizzed through the air.

"Watch out!" Bianca pushed Kenya, getting hit by a white blob. The blob expanded into a web, pinning Bianca against a wall. Electricity crackled throughout the webbing. Bianca winced. "L-Larvesta!" Fire erupted from the web, freeing Bianca. Larvesta chirped, satisfied.

"Kenya heads up," I nudged Kenya, gesturing to a Galvantula further into the cave. It hissed, crackling, Kenya sent out Druddigon.

"Hyper beam!" Druddigon fired a beam, bathing the cavern with light. The light revealed dozens of Galvantula gathered behind the one. The Galvantula scattered, avoiding the attack. Several webs hit Druddigon, slowing its movement. Druddigon roared, struggling against the webs. Kenya grabbed onto one of the webs, tugging violently. A Galvantula hopped onto Druddigon, releasing a discharge that consumed Druddigon and Kenya. Kenya screamed, convulsing.

"Ember!" Bianca ordered. Larvesta fired a volley of flares, knocking the Galvantula off. I sent out Tranquil. Tranquil zipped around the cavern, slashing at random Galvantula. Kenya collapsed, held up by her hands stuck into the webbing.

"Kenya!" Bianca ran over, trying to pick her up. Druddigon roared, grabbing a Galvantula and hurling it at the others. The movement flings Kenya and Bianca around. Tranquil slashes the webbing binding Kenya to Druddigon. The girls fall. Druddigon charges at the pack of Galvantula. A volley of webs hit Druddigon, restraining it. Druddigon roars, firing another hyper beam.

The beam cut across the wall, taking out several Galvantula. Tranquil dropped, narrowly avoiding the attack.

"Druddigon, calm down!" Bianca shouted, dragging Kenya's limp body. Druddigon roared again. The Galvantula were keeping their distance as Druddigon struggled against the webs.

"Tranquil, find an exit!" I called out. Tranquil vanished into the cavern, I sent out Emboar.

"Larvesta, help Druddigon," Bianca whispered. With a chirp, Larvesta headed over to Druddigon. Emboar and I moved to Bianca and Kenya. Kenya wasn't moving. Bianca gave me a nervous look, her face illuminated by a nearby glowing rock.

"What do we do? Is she okay?" I knelt by Kenya. Bianca glanced over her shoulder. Larvesta was chewing through the webs on Druddigon. Druddigon, watching, was starting to calm down.

"You sent Tranquil to find an exit, right?" Bianca grabbed my arm. "We just have to be patient." She wiped her eyes, biting her lip. Kenya winced, raising a hand to her head.

"Kenya!" I perked up, watching her. Bianca was silent. Kenya's eyes fluttered open, letting out a slow breath. Druddigon watched, seeming to whimper.

"What happened?" Kenya asked, glancing between us.

"You got zapped!" Bianca exclaimed. Kenya grunted, looking past us at Druddigon.

"I'm fine."

"That's good," I forced a smile. Kenya frowned, avoiding eye contact. She groaned and got up.

"Druddigon!" Druddigon roared in response. Larvesta hopped off, having freed Druddigon. Tranquil appeared, landing on my shoulder. Tranquil chirped desperately.

This way!

"Follow us!" I called out, following Tranquil's lead. Bianca scooped up Larvesta and started running. Kenya, Druddigon, and Emboar hung back and fought off several Galvantula.

Tranquil led us out into Mistralton city. I nearly collapsed, tired of running. Kenya did collapse, face first in the dirt. Druddigon roared, nervously poking at her.

"Kenya!" Bianca screamed. We ran to her side, helping her up. Kenya spat out some grass.

"Gross."

"Woah," Bianca looked around. "This place got messed up. I returned Emboar, and the three of us approached what was left of Mistralton. The city was bustling. Everyone was doing something, mostly cleaning and doing preparations for rebuilding. I spotted Skyla; she was talking with construction workers near the gym.

We took Kenya to the pokemon center and got her a room. Bianca and I approached Skyla together.

"I don't want it to be stylized," Skyla insisted. "I want it exactly how it was!" She threw a blueprint to the ground. "How hard is that?" The construction worker backed off, sighing. Miles frowned at me, standing beside Skyla. Skyla noticed us.

"Hello, Ms. Skyla." I shook her hand. "Is the gym currently open?"

"Not at the moment," Skyla said. "Might be weeks."

"Bianca!" Mary was coming down the street. Bianca cracked a smile, turning to greet her.

"Unfortunately, it means a lot of trainers are stuck here." Skyla crossed her arms. "For some, I'm the last badge they need for the league." She ran a hand through her hair. "And this is all I can give them."

"Do you know when you'll be accepting challengers again?"

"Soon, I'm hoping." She glanced at the destroyed gym. "I just want to have a gym to battle in first." She bid me farewell and returned to yelling at the construction workers. I approached Bianca and Mary.

"There's so many people here!" Mary was talking. "But Skyla won't battle anyone!" Bianca frowned.

"Why not?"

"Apparently, she wants to wait until the gym is rebuilt." I joined in. Bianca scratched her chin.

"Why? A battle is a battle no matter where it is," Bianca said. I spotted Cheren sitting on a bench near the wrecked Poke Mart. I nudged Bianca and gestured to him. "Cheren!" Bianca waved, getting his attention. Mary turned, cocking her head. I glanced over my shoulder at Skyla arguing with construction workers.

I wondered how long it would be before I got my chance to battle her.