DWA: What's up guys! Enjoy the long chapter? I certainly did! Anyways, like I mentioned there will be a time skip the chapter, nothing major and I'll gloss over the details. Anyways, let's get to those reviews!

Manaphymajic1999: Well I hope things go better soon, also congrats! Life's been good though I'm not getting into detail here!

RedAgent14: HA! That was more relevant when it was a 3 year wait, still good! Trust me I'm excited for each chapter, and especially the next arcs. Hopefully we get more reviews too!

"Speech"

'Thought'

[Translated Pokespeech]

Ch 16: A New Strength, A New Threat

Chuck stared at Lily, who had eyes filled with determination.

"You, can't be serious, asking this at like, three am…" He said.

"I am serious. My journey, while short hasn't been easy.

"Well, how long?" He asked.

"A month at least, I know…I'm asking a lot, and I hardly know you and vice versa but, I want to be able to fight." She said.

"Why? I don't understand. Give me your reason." He said

"I'm being hunted, by Engulfing Shadows, the commotion at the center was someone…trying to kill me." She said. "Zack and Midnight both got very hurt."

Chuck stared at her and sighed deeply. "I see, alright Lily, for one month I'll take you under my wing." He said. "You and your Pokémon." He said. Lily gasped and beamed.

"Thank you so much! We won't let you down!"

-(o)-

And so began the month long training. Robin stuck around for it to support Lily, Hana and Alex continuing on, both demanding a battle in the near future.

Lily's training was tough, Chuck showed no mercy and the first week was spent with aching muscles and fatigue, for her whole team. Titania had taken to battling well and was bonding well with Lily. Warren was easily able to keep up, so the Chinchou she caught was swapped in, and aptly named Lucy!

The second week went and Lily was getting stronger, that much was clear, as was her team. Even Robin was impressed by her newfound strength and drive. Thankfully it wasn't anything over the top. Lily did seem much more confidant in herself.

Time went on, Lily gained strength and learned how to fight hand, Zack seemed to take to it as well, it seemed he really wanted to be a Gallade. It was a crash course and that's why most days ended with Lily and company exhausted, not that they seemed to mind. During their time, exploring the caves near the city, Lily had discovered a Stone that looked like a Mega Stone, but it was unclear what Pokemon it was for. They decided to find out later and continued the training. Overall, Lily's training went extremely well.

-(o)- Time: 12:04 pm, One Month and 4 days after training began, Location: Ferry to Olivine

Lily looked out into the sprawling sea before them with a new smile, no hidden fears behind it. Zack and Midnight stood beside her, smiling as well.

[That training was way too rough.] Midnight said.

"But well worth it!" She said smiling

[Indeed, I feel, well, stronger than ever.] Zack said.

"So buddy, when ya wanna evolve?" Lily said.

[After the next Gym, unless it's needed before then.] Zack said. Lily nodded.

"You got it Zack." She said.

"You guys seem happy." Robin said walking up behind them.

"We are!" Lily said happily spinning around. She definitely looked fitter.

"We have a lot of catching up to do." He said. "Alexander and Hana are way ahead."

"Yeah, and when we catch up, we'll be ready!" She said.

"Hey, you gonna be okay?" Robin said suddenly. "I mean, we're passing the Whirl Iles soon." He said.

"I'll be fine!" She said. "I'm tougher, I won't…I'll be fine!" She said.

"I hope your right." He said looking out to the sea.

-(o)- Time: 4:09 pm, Location: ES Johto HQ

"So, how go things?" David said reading a report. He was checking in on the progress they had made.

"Well sir, we are influencing the radio broadcasts as well as dealing with Team Rocket, and two Gym Leaders and an Elite Four Member is with us." He said.

"How'd you manage to get one of the Four this time?" He asked.

"Right of battle, he's old fashioned indeed." He said. David nodded.

"Shadow Lugia?" He asked.

"Safe, sound, and ready to end his lighter half." He said.

"Yes well Lugia won't let you, he must be awake, so that's a fool errand, and furthermore he's too weak to matter." David said. "Divert resources from the Lugia hunt to more important tasks."

"I implore you reconsider sir. Lily Zenex-"

"Is a child, and has nothing to do with Lugia." David said. "While she seems to show great promise as a trainer, she is nothing but a mere child. In fact, it would have been beneficial to recruit her under our peacekeeping guise." David said. Alex sighed silently.

"I would assume that's no longer possible. Pity." He said. "If she does become a problem, kill her, no tricky stuff, just out of sight from eyewitnesses, oh, if there are any, clean them up too." David said. Alex bowed.

"Yes sir." He said.

"Good, keep me updated Alex, don't disappoint me. Dismissed." He said and the screen went blank.

"Fool, a Zenex is a Zenex, they always worm into business they don't belong. No matter how long it takes." He said. He sent a call to Tucker, who picked up looking sleepy as always.

"What's up boss man?" He said. Alex growled but shook off his anger.

"Lily may be heading your way soon, I want you to be ready to crush her. Kill her." He said.

"Wow, a kill huh? Don't you have your apprentice boy toy for that?" He said chuckling.

"Daniel's assassination attempts are always foiled. Make it seem an accident." He said.

"I'll try my dude." He said.

"Do not call me that!" He shouted.

"Never seen you angry boss. Cute. Now, I have to decide how I want to end a poor girl's life." He said.

"Are you really this dedicated?" Alex said.

"Not at all. But, I have a Pokémon who could do it other times. Bye boss." He said and hung up. Alex growled.

"That man infuriates me!" He said. "However, he has his uses." He said and he walked out of the room.

-(o)- Location: Cianwood City, Time: 7:00 PM

Chuck was meditating under a waterfall in his gym, he does it for two hours every day uninterrupted.

And of course someone would interrupt him today as he felt the water flow stop.

"Whoever stopped the water better have a good reason." He said.

"You're rusty, Chuck." A Feminine voice said. Chuck's eyes shot open and he blocked a jump kick, looking at the cloaked figure in shock as he jumped away.

"Why are you here?" He said.

"You know why Chuck, now spill it!" She said as she ran forward and swung at Chuck, but it was a feint as she kicked his gut while he blocked the fake punch. He growled and swung at her, but she blocked it.

"Well you still fight dirty." He said.

"How rude." She said and jumped up for a drop kick, and like she expected, was blocked, and he shoved her to the side.

"Now listen here-." Chuck started.

"I'm not really here for a sparring match, Chuck, I'm here about that girl." She said. His expression went from angry to furious.

"Listen you witch, if you do anything to her…" He growled.

"You'll do what Chuck? I'd win in any kind of fight. I am merely wondering how her training went. Most of the other gym leaders have cooperated. Preferably I would like her to have no trouble." She said. Chuck stared at her. "We both know that is far from truth by now."

"She did very well, exceeding expectations, her and her team." He said and gave a chuckle. "She really is a Zenex."

"You know of the family?" She said.

"One was a Master of this dojo, they have, such a connection with Pokémon and people. All talented. So she did fine, now leave witch." He said.

"…Chuck, times are changing, the attack on the center here is proof, let go of your superstitions. This peace, it will not last." She said and began walking out. "Furthermore I am no witch, just…a wisher." She said and left. Chuck sighed.

"…I need to pick a side don't I?" He said to himself quietly. He then walked to his back room to think on what the woman had said.

-(o)- Location, passing Whirl Isles, Time: 12:04 am

Lily was wincing as pain coursed through her, it hurt, but, it wasn't as bad this time. All it was doing now was keeping her from sleeping.

[Are you sure you're okay?] Midnight asked.

"Fine." She said, the works seemed forced out. "It hurts, but when it passes I can get some sleep." Lily said.

[I can get Robin.] Zack said. Lily shook her head.

"I'm okay." She said. "Honest." Zack frowned, simply worried for her.

[Okay…] He said.

"I'm fine, after all we trained for a month!" She said. Zack gave a smile and nodded.

"Well Olivine, here we come!" She said as she lied back in bed. She was ready for Jasmine now!

DWA: Wow okay so Lemme explain…I have been watching Final Fantasy videos, like, 1-6 is done. So yeah. I wanted to get this out so I can get something out, so yeah, we all know what's coming next! See ya then, don't forget to fav, follow, and review!