A/N

Last chapter we saw Chase lose his first Pokemon, Shimone the Patrat in the sewers of Castelia City.

With Zerry's help I made my way through the sewers. As we made our way through I thought what I could have done to prevent Shimone's death. By the time we reached the entrance I'd worked myself into a rather depressive spiral. When we walked out I saw Iris still waiting. She spotted me, walked over and said "Burgh gave me a call to let me know what happened".

"He did?" I asked in a miserable tone of voice. Iris nodded with a sympathetic look on her face then answered

"Yeah and I'm truly sorry to hear what happened to your Patrat". I just nodded barely registering her words as I started to shut down. I then turned made my way to the Pokémon Center, entered the room I was staying in and collasped in the bed my mind going numb. When I awoke I saw that it was 11pm at night so I decided that I should go for a walk to try and help clear my head. As soon as I exited the PokéCentre Zelen popped out of his Pokéball and climbed onto my shoulders and curled around my neck. We walked in silence for a while before I heard Zelen speak. "I'm sorry," he told me in a quiet tone.

I gently scratched his head and told him "It's not your fault,".

"Yes it is. I was partnered with her and its my fault those Rattata killed her".

I shook my head and responsed "No its not, the fault is mine I was Shimone's trainer and…,. My voice trailed off unable to finish that sentence. Zelen nuzzled my check in a comforting gesture and said "Let's agree it was neither of our faults". I nodded my head in agreement then made my way to the Castelia Docks.

When I arrived at the docks I leaned on the rail and stared out at the ocean marvelling at its beauty. As I stood there staring out over the water letting the sounds of the waves wash away the feelings of guilt I had over Shimone's death as I knew she wouldn't want me beating myself up over it. I looked at Zelen who was on my shoulder and could see that his feelings of guilt were leaving him as well. "We have to continue our journey and defeat the league. I feel like we would be dishonouring her memory if we didn't," I said quiet tone of resolve. Zelen growled his agreement. My other Pokémon popped out of their Pokéballs and chorused their agreement. "That is very interesting," I heard a voice behind me say. I turned around and saw a man in a labcoat standing behind me. My first thought was that he had the strangest hairstyle. It was blonde for the most part except for one part that was blue and curved around from the top of his head to the bottom.

"What is very interesting?" I asked him curiously.

"Your Pokémon, there is something interesting about them. Something that is different from others of their species," He told me.

"Huh," I said in confusion.

"How many badges do you have?" He asked me.

"Two," I told him

"Interesting, very interesting. Only two badges and they display this much self confidence in themselves. He must be able to really bring out their potential and power. How does he do it? I must find out." he said muttering to himself in a ramble while looking away from me.

"This is a very strange human," Zelen said quietly. I gave a small nod of agreement. The man then turned back to me.

"Young man what is your name?" He asked me.

"Chase,"I told him.

"Chase I am a scientist and I wish to test a theory. I want to battle you to test that theory. I will be around Route 4 for a while. I hope to see you there," he told me before he walked off. As he walked off I realised he never told me his name

"That was an… odd encounter," I said aloud in bewilderment. My Pokémon gave a cry of agreement. I returned them to their Pokéballs and made my way back to the Pokémon Centre. As I walked back to the PokéCentre I started planning out a training routine for my Pokémon for the next few days.

A few days later

I stood in front of Burgh's Gym steeling myself to go in but I felt something holding me back. For a moment I wondered what is was then I realised it was fear, fear of losing another one of my Pokémon just like I lost Shimone. As I stood there I felt my fear my starting to take hold of me and I started to shake wondering if I'd lose another Pokémon. As my fear started to take over I felt a hand on my shoulder and a familiar voice say in a comforting tone "Chase it will be alright, everything will be alright". I turned around and saw two familiar faces standing in front of me.

"Roxie, Bianca. Wh-wh-wh-what are you two doing here?" I stammered out in surprise.

"We came to see how you were doing," Roxie told me, taking her hand off my shoulder.

"We heard about what happened to your Patrat," Bianca told me.

"Oh," I responded somewhat numbly.

Roxie gave Bianca a glance then placed her hand on my arm and said with a soft smile "Chase let's go for a walk. I just nodded and followed her. She led to the edge of the city where the park there was a huge fountain in the middle of it. We sat on a bench in front of the fountain and stared it for a while before Roxie finally spoke. "Chase, you're worried about losing another Pokémon aren't you?"

I nodded and answered "Yeah, that's why I was shaking in front of the Gym entrance. I was afraid if I took on the Gym I'd make a mistake that would cost one of my Pokémon their life".

"Having that fear is a good thing Chase," Roxie told me with a smile.

"It is?" I asked in surprise.

"Yeah it is, it means you care about what happens to your Pokémon and will do everything in your power to prevent them from dying," She told me then took a pause to collect her thoughts then continued "your problem right now isn't actually the fear, but the fact the fear is clearly taking control of you. I have that fear too and threatens to control of me too".

"Really?" I asked as I looked at her in surprise.

She nodded and responded "Yeah, I may be a Gym leader now but I started out as a trainer and had my own Pokémon journey," she looked into the fountain's water a sad expression appearing on her face, "I lost Pokémon, my dear companions, on that journey. I experienced the same fear you are experiencing now but I found a way to control that fear".

"What was it?" I asked her curiously.

She looked at me with a smile and answered "Music. It helps calm the fear and draws it away. But while that works for me it may not for you".

"So I gotta find what works me then," I responded.

"Exactly but don't be surprised if it takes a while to find it," she told me.

I nodded and the smiled at her "Thanks for the talk Roxie, I feel calmer now. I think I am ready to take on Burgh now".

"Anytime Chase, besides I owe ya for the venting to bout mah dad," she told meeith a smile which then faded from her face and a look of anger crossed her face and she poked me in the chest and said in a slightly angry tone "why didn't you call me and tell me what happened?"

I looked away sheepishly and said in a quiet tone "I did try to call you to talk about it, but every time I pulled up your number I couldn't bring myself to ring you".

Roxie's anger faded away quickly and just gave me a hug in response and simply said "Sorry Chase".

I hugged her back and said " 'Slright Roxie, now how about we head back to the gym". She nodded and we made our way back our way back to the gym. When we got back to the Gym Bianca looked at me and asked "Feeling calmer Chase?"

"Yeah," I nodded and glanced at Roxie and gave a smile then continued "thanks to Roxie". Roxie gave a small blush and Bianca just raised an eyebrow but said nothing. I then walked up to the door, pushed it open and headed inside with Roxie and Bianca close behind me.

A/N

Well how will the battle with Burgh go. Will Chase be able to keep his fear at bay and win the badge or will that fear rear its ugly head and cause Chase to lose one or more of his friends? You'll have to wait for the next chapter to find out.

Anyways I hope you guys enjoyed that chapter and as always please review.