I tossed a pokeball in the air, catching it once it fell down. I was laying down in the guy's tent alone, pondering. Kamake was back. I already had a vague guess on why her new boss, whoever that was, would want the artifact. The power to revive the dead is what Princess Allie had said, but I was banking on the notion of everlasting life, like the king in the story.

Now the question was, who was Kamake working for? The people stealing the stones? The ones who messed with Garchomp? At the moment there were too many variables and I couldn't rule any possibility out. Especially the one where they are all connected.

"Then there's Lysandre," I thought, grabbing Robert's Holo Caster and checking the message again.

"Squad 2 reporting. Two stones vital to our operation on Route 10 have been stolen. Currently tracking the culprits. Will report later."

So that definitely ruled out there only being one party involved. So we had Lysandre and whatever he was up to and the ones who stole the stones. Who was Kamake working for? And who were the ones involved with Garchomp?

As my thoughts became more tangled, I heard the zipper to the tent slide down. I put down the Holo Caster to see Robert there.

"Food's ready," he jerked a thumb behind him and I nodded.

I crawled through the tent flap and stood, stretching. The air was beginning to cool as dusk swept across the small forest on the edge of Route 7. Robert had got a fire going with a boiling pot over it in the middle of the small clearing. Alex was already sitting on a log near it, with a light blue jacket to keep herself warm. She smiled when she saw me and I smiled back. I sat on a small log to the left of her, there being three logs in total, arranged in a triangle around the fire.

Robert dipped a ladle into the stew and filled a bowl with it, handing it to Alex, who nodded in thanks as she sipped at it with a spoon. I got mine next and I took a spoonful, blew on it, then carefully ate it.

"So," Robert said as he began giving out pokefood to all our Pokemon around us. "It's been a day. Any thoughts on Kamake?"

I nodded, putting my stew down. "There's at least two parties involved. Lysandre and his group, and then Kamake and her boss. Whoever Kamake's new group is, they were probably the ones who stole the stones on Route 10, but I can't rule out the possibility of there being a third group."

"It's Alola all over again," Alex commented as she went for more stew, testing the handle of the ladle that was sticking out of the pot.

"Yeah," I said. "Seems that way huh. But that just adds more to the mystery. Like which one drugged Garchomp? Lysandre, Kamake, or this hypothetical third group?"

Robert nodded, finally digging into his stew. "They're not going to make it easy for us are they?"

I shook my head. "It never is. Though, from what Kamake said, her boss wants to test me."

"That just means we're going to run into them again," Alex said. "At least finding them will be easy."

I nodded, but I was still bothered by something. "Look, we're going to be dealing with a lot of dangerous people."

"Just like Alola," Robert pointed out.

"Yes," I said. "I know, but-"

"Zeno," Alex put down her spoon. "We're going to stop them. No matter the risk."

I sighed. "Yeah, I know. That's now what I'm getting at."

Now they looked confused. I hesitated, then said, "In Alola, we got lucky. There wasn't a whole lot of hand-to-hand combat and when there was, I took care of most of it."

I looked at my three Pokemon, Arcanine finishing his bowl with Froakie and Riolu next to him eating their own food. "We need to rely on our Pokemon to help us, but that doesn't guarantee we'll always have them at our side. That's why I want to train you two."

Alex raised an eyebrow. "Train us?"

I nodded. "We can start off with just our bodies, but if you guys want, I'll show you both how to properly handle knives."

Robert sipped his bowl. "What exactly will you be teaching us?"

"The basics," I said. "How to go hand-to-hand, disarming your opponents, how to spot for weaknesses, stuff like that."

He nodded. "Alright, I'm in. Should be useful."

Alex shrugged. "I know a bit of fighting from back home, but alright, yeah. Let's do it."

I grinned. "Good. Then we get up with the sun tomorrow. Oh yeah, we'll transition from fighting alongside our Pokemon to just us."

"Will it be us two vs you?" Robert asked and I nodded, then he said, "Won't it be unfair then?"

I smirked. "Yeah, it will. For you two at least."

...

"Now then," I said. "Lesson number 1, how to fight hand-to-hand. Robert, if you please."

He hesitantly came forwards and I smiled innocently. When I motioned with my fists, he raised his. In quick succession, I struck his arms, which he barely managed to use to defend himself.

He winced. "Ow."

"Trust me," I said. "I'm holding back. Now, what should you do when I go to strike?"

"Cower in fear," he joked.

I sighed. "Keep your arms like that. Block my punches. When I show signs of letting up, throw out your punches, but return your arms back into position."

He nodded. "Sounds easy."

"It is," I said, then struck again. I made sure to go a bit lighter on the punches this time and he kept in form. When I pulled back my hands a little, he struck. I blocked his punches with my open palms, smiling.

"Good," I encouraged. "Good form. Now Alex, your turn."

She nodded and took Robert's place. I didn't bother with instructions this time, knowing she had been paying attention to Robert and me. As I struck, she blocked with ease before dropping to her hands and swinging her leg, knocking me off my feet. I fell on the ground and a breath escaped.

"Sorry," Alex looked apologetic. "Didn't mean to hurt you."

I waved my hand, grinning. "No no, I'm fine. But where did you learn to fight like that?"

She shrugged, rubbing her neck. "I, I guess I just picked it up."

I wasn't going to push her. If she didn't want to tell me, I was alright with that. I had kept my fair share of secrets and still do.

"Okay then," I said, getting back into position. "Let me show you what to do when you can't take a person down like that."

For a couple hours, with occasional breaks for water and food, I managed to teach them a few basics, Robert learning quickly, but not as quick as Alex. I had to keep my guard up when I trained with her. She already knew a couple tricks, which I was beginning to grow more curious about.

"Okay," I said, wiping the sweat off my face. "Enough of this."

Alex and Robert let their arms go limp, more exhausted than me for sure. I had them team up against me, yet they couldn't get an inch in. Hopefully they could eventually.

"Now," I clapped my hands and Arcanine padded over, shaking his body. Froakie and Riolu stood on either side of me, both ready. "Pokemon, up front."

Snorlax stood to Robert's left with his Chespin on his right. Alex's Ninetales stood next to Chespin on her trainer's left with Flabebe and Combee to her right.

"Training with just humans won't be enough," I said. "With Pokemon, a new level of danger enters the battle. You have to fully trust in your Pokemon and their abilities for this to work. Cover for each other. Of course, the desirable course of action is humans vs humans and Pokemon vs Pokemon, but the world doesn't play by rules. So then, both of you and your Pokemon," I held out my arms, grinning. "Come at us."

Alex and Robert shared a look, before nodding. They rushed forwards, Alex taking the lead. She swung for me, but I ducked, catching her in the middle. I saw Combee flying towards me as I let Alex fall to the ground, so I spun my body around and let Froakie leap over me, slashing a glowing blade. I rolled along the ground, watching as Arcanine tackled Ninetales while Snorlax barreled towards me.

Running forwards, I yelled, "Force Palm!"

I jumped, Riolu's palm shooting me just high enough to kick off the back of Snorlax's head. I tucked in my body and rolled along the ground, sending Robert off his feet. I heard a loud thump and looked back to see Riolu had tripped Snorlax.

"How in the world did you do that!?" Robert exclaimed as I helped him to his feet.

"Years of Practice," I said. "And a little imagination. Pokemon provide an interesting combination on the battlefield. Learn to use it."

I looked up at the blue sky, noting that it was midday. "Okay, we're done for today. Lunch!"

...

"Ugh," Alex winced as she sat on her log, taking a sandwich from Robert. "Bruises for days huh."

"You said it," Robert said as he winced as well.

I chuckled. "Look, I'm not saying I'm enjoying this, but I'm not not saying that."

"Laugh it up," Alex said through a mouthful of food, then swallowed.

"You know," I said, chewing. "You guys did pretty good. I say we train every night before we sleep. Give it a couple weeks and you guys should be able to hold your own in a fight."

"Hey," Robert swallowed. "How about we do a Pokemon battle afterwards?"

I nodded. "Pokemon training is a must."

"Sure," Alex agreed. "How'll we do this?"

"Let's see," I stroked my chin. "Robert, how much healing supplies you got?"

"A ton," he said. "With extras for emergency."

I nodded. "Good. I'll go against Robert, then whoever wins can face you Alex."

She nodded. "Sounds good to me."

Robert pulled out a bag with a red plus sign on it. "Potions at the ready. Let's do this."

"So," I nodded at Robert's pokeballs. "Two vs two I take it?"

He nodded. "Don't want you to have the advantage now do I."

I grinned and held out a hand to Riolu. "Alright then, Riolu, lend me a hand will you?"

"Riol," he slapped me on the hand as he walked past and slammed a fist into his open palm, taunting Chespin who stood next to Robert. The Grass type jerked his head forwards. "Ches ches chespin!"

"I think they're ready," Robert got up and I went to the far side of the clearing. Riolu came to stand in front of me, feet spread apart and fists clenched.

Alex went to stand as referee. "Alright then, the battle will be a two on two battle between Zeno and Robert. It goes until one person's party completely faints. Begin!"

"Riolu," I said. "Let's start this wi-"

Before I could finish, Riolu had already started running forwards, fists glowing. He repeatedly punched Chespin in the face and stomach, sending him backwards.

"Hang in there Chespin," Robert called out. "Now use Vine Whip!"

Two vines shot from the back of the Grass type's head and slammed into the ground where Riolu had just been a second ago. Chespin's eyes looked upwards to see Riolu in the air, just having jumped.

"Use Force Palm!" I shouted, but Riolu ignored me.

Instead, his right foot was set ablaze with fire. The flames intensified, shooting his foot forwards in an arc. He slammed his blazing foot into Chespin, knocking him backwards, fire shooting in all directions. Riolu skidded on the grass, but his foot was still ablaze. He stomped his foot on the ground, but the fire was still there.

My eyes widened. "Froakie, Water Pulse!"

I saw Froakie leap up from where he was watching by Arcanine and fire the sphere of water on Riolu, knocking him backwards. Riolu landed on his back, where he shook his head to shake off the water, the fire quenched.

I ran over to him. "Riolu! You alright!"

He tried to sit up, but winced when he moved his right foot. That and a bit of his leg had been burned.

"Robert," I called and he yelled back, "Already on it."

He rushed forwards with a Burn Heal and began applying it to Riolu's foot and leg. Riolu hissed at the pain, but then sighed as the burn began clearing up. Robert then grabbed a potion and sprayed Riolu with it, healing him back to full health.

"You better now pal," I said as Riolu sat up and gave a thumbs up. "Riol!"

"What was that though?" I wondered.

Robert pulled out his pokedex. "We never did check his attacks did we."

He scanned Riolu and a bar popped up.

"Riolu, the Emanation Pokemon. It uses the shapes of auras, which change according to emotion, to communicate with others."

"Let's see," Robert began scrolling down through the entry before saying, "Here it is. Looks like he can use Quick Attack, Counter, Bullet Punch, Force Palm, and Blaze Kick. Sweet move set so far. And hey, his ability is Prankster. Makes sense for him."

"Yeah, better hope he doesn't keep that ability," Alex said, coming up to us with Chespin in her arms. She gave him to Robert who started treating him. "And that didn't look like a normal Blaze Kick."

I looked at Riolu. "Are you unable to properly use Blaze Kick?"

Riolu looked embarrassed as he rubbed the back of his head.

"That makes sense actually," Robert said, still treating his Grass type. "Blaze Kick is sometimes passed down to a Riolu when a Blaziken is one of the parents. But egg moves can be volatile at the best of times. It takes patience and a lot of training to master them. Bullet Punch seems to be another egg move of his, but since it's a simple attack, it isn't a problem."

"But Blaze Kick," he continued, helping Chespin up. "That could seriously be an issue for him if he doesn't manage to control it. I'd advise not using it in actual battles."

"Riolu," I said. "You hear that?"

He blew air from his nostrils, looking to the side at the ground.

"Hey," I placed a hand on his head and he looked up at me, where I wore a smile. "Look, I'm going to do everything I can to help you master Blaze Kick. But for now, we'll just have to be careful with it."

He nodded in understanding, then I frowned. "Oh, and I know your ability is Prankster, but how about you try and listen to my commands."

He looked sheepish and I smiled again, rubbing his head. "Alrighty then. Hey Robert, I think we should stop it here."

He nodded. "Yeah, agreed."

I looked at Alex. "You still want to battle?"

She waved her hand. "Nah, we don't have to. I think it'll be better for you and Riolu to have more of a training session than a mock battle."

I nodded and pointed to a rock on the far side of the clearing. "Let's go over there Riolu. We can try some kicking exercises."

He nodded and we headed over there. We trained until dinner, which by that time the sun was on its way to setting. The rock had large cracks in it now and Riolu was panting. We trained with both of his feet, how to kick properly in different directions and how to improve his accuracy. After dinner, we sat near the rock in silence, concentrating on our breathing. In the end, his concentration was slightly improved, but I had noticed him getting restless at some points. Blaze Kick was still far off from being mastered, but I knew that together, we would reach that goal.

Has it seriously been six days since the last update for this!? Jeez, I need to step up my game on this. The next two chapters will definitely be interesting, especially the latter. And did I mention we won't even be through a fourth of this book by Chapter 15? The expected projection of this book is around 80 chapters. Still fifty/fifty on some chapters that I have planned, but LDOC will still be longer than HBoD for sure. So still a ton of stuff to look forwards to. Some of course related to the games and anime, but I have some interesting original plot points coming up in the future that'll be epic to write. So, till the next update, which I'll try to get out in the next four days. Still not sure if I want to publish another chapter of this before TMR, but we'll see. So, till then. Toodles