Alex watched as Zeno knelt next to his Lucario, holding his paw in his hand. She didn't hear him say anything, but his silence spoke volumes. She could practically feel the turmoil coming off of him.

Robert put a hand on her shoulder and nodded. Alex looked back at Zeno and took a breath. She walked over carefully and looked down at him. Of course she knew he was holding stuff back from them, both information and feelings. While she didn't know how much, she had a feeling it was all eating away at him whether he would admit to it or not. She should be mad about that, but she knows she's doing the same thing with her past.

"Zeno," she said softly.

"It isn't weak," she heard Zeno mutter. "We'll prove our bond is strong."

He stood suddenly, causing Alex to take a step back. He returned Lucario to his pokeball and spoke without looking at Alex. "Let's head over to the gym."

He walked by Alex, a determined step in his stride. But she saw it and was sure Robert did as well. There was a false confidence behind Zeno's eyes.

"Zeno," she called out to him, but whether he was ignoring her or just didn't hear her over the loudness of his thoughts, he kept walking without a response.

...

As if in a daze, I soon realized I had reached the Laverre Gym. Taking a deep breath, I pushed open the doors. I found myself in a extravagant entrance hall, a desk to my right. Four pillars held up the ceiling and a staircase was at the end of the room, opposite of the main doors. Four women wearing kimonos stood in front of the stairs and they bowed.

"Welcome to the Laverre City Gym," the black-haired one spoke. "If your business here is to battle, then walk on ahead."

They parted, two on each side, making a path to the stairs. Setting my gaze, I tried to walk confidently. "My bond is strong with my Pokemon. We can win. I will prove that."

Once up the stairs, I entered the main battling arena. With nature growing around me and the battlefield surrounded by red fencing, it reminded me of old Kantonian gardens. The lights dimmed and the red and white sliding doors making up the walls slid down. Screens lit up and flower petals seemed to fall around me as the scenery changed to a view of fall trees. A woman now stood on the opposite end of the battlefield, dressed in a kind of pink, yellow, and black kimono dress. The sleeves were big and looked like wings. Her black hair swayed behind her, eyes a soft misty black and purple.

"The gym leader Valerie has made her entrance," the other woman from before announced.

"Ah," Valerie tipped her head slightly, eyes seemingly staring into my soul, sending a tingle down my spine. "You're a curious one. You seem to be lost in your turmoil."

She held up her sleeve as she gave a lighthearted chuckle. "If you plan on trying to win with your inner demons creating chaos within you, I'm afraid you have only come to lose."

"My name is Zeno," I gripped a fist, trying not to let her words get to me. "And I will win. So let us battle."

The other woman, who I assumed was going to referee, looked to Valerie. The gym leader nodded and the ref raised her hand. "The gym battle between the Laverre Gym Leader, Valerie, and the challenger, Zeno, will now commence! Each trainer is only permitted the use of two Pokemon! Only the challenger may substitute! That is all!"

"Two?" that was different than most other gyms. "Why just two?"

"I will choose first," Valerie spoke, sending out a Pokemon. "Sylveon, let us show this trainer our skills."

"Fine then," I threw a pokeball. "Let's go, Mawile!"

"Another Fairy," Valerie said dreamily. "How beautiful, but a shame. Disarming Voice."

Sylveon gave a cry, a ring of pink music shooting towards Mawile, getting bigger.

"Use Iron Head," I said.

Mawile tensed, then nodded and her head and back jaw hardened into iron. She jumped forwards, straight through the Fairy attack. She swung her jaw, aiming for Sylveon.

"Grab her," Valerie had a soft smile, voice airy.

Sylveon nodded and her ribbon-like feelers extended forwards, wrapping around Mawile's body and back jaw, snapping it shut.

"Wha-!" my eyes widened.

"Know your Pokemon well," Valerie advised. "Moves aren't the only thing that can allow you to win."

Sylveon swung Mawile around before launching her high up, nearly touching the ceiling. She fell back down, creating a small crater upon impact. Mawile stood, battered and pissed.

"Play Rough!" I shouted.

Mawile launched herself forwards, snarling.

"Hyper Voice," Valerie raised her right sleeve.

Sylveon took a huge breath and let loose a sound that caused me to clasp my ears shut with my hands. It blasted forwards, slamming Mawile away.

"We haven't landed a single hit yet," I realized as I looked at a battered Mawile. "And already she's tiring."

"Mawile," I said, looking at our opponent. "We can't lose. Not now. Sucker Punch!"

Mawile looked at me, eyes narrowed. Jerking her head back to stare at Sylveon, she crouched, then sprung.

Valerie's eyes reflected sadness. "Giga Impact."

Sylveon ran forwards, wind and energy gathering around her as she rocketed forwards, slamming into Mawile and slamming her out of the arena. Mawile tried to get up, snarling, but went limp.

"Mawile," I whispered. With a grimace, I held up her pokeball and said, "Return." With a flash of red light, she was sucked back into it. I clipped it back to my belt and unclipped Frogadier's.

Letting him out, I said, "We have to defeat two Pokemon, Frogadier. Do it, so you can become stronger. You have too."

Frogadier nodded, looking at his opponent, who had yet to be injured.

"Start with Double Team!" I commanded. "Then use Cut!"

Frogadier multiplied into a dozen other and all of them ran forwards, a small blade in each of their right hands.

"Hyper Voice," Valerie cocked her head to one side.

Another loud yell burst forth from Sylveon, blasting away all the copies. Frogadier slammed his blade into the ground so he wouldn't get blown away.

"Water Pulse!" I shouted.

Frogadier leaped into the air, flinging a sphere of water towards Sylveon.

"Counter with Moonblast," Valerie's said.

Sylveon's feelers gathered in front of her, a sphere of fairy energy gathering there in a sphere before being launched. It collided with the Water Pulse, both moves being cancelled out.

"Cut!" I yelled.

Frogadier appeared to the side of Sylveon, slicing the blade across her side.

"Power-Up Punch!"

Frogadier followed up with his attack with a punch, knocking Sylveon away into the dirt.

"Oh dear," Valerie lifted her sleeve to her mouth. "The dirt's getting all over you."

Sylveon got to her feet and shook herself, eyes narrowed.

"Good," Valerie extended both of her sleeves. "Charm."

Sylveon winked one eye and Frogadier seemed to relax, drooping lower.

"No," I gripped a fist. "Quick Attack!"

"Baby-Doll Eyes."

Now both of Sylveon's eyes blinked, reopening with a pink glow to them. Frogadier faltered in his step, before stumbling past the Fairy type who moved out of the way.

"Moonblast," Valerie raised her sleeve.

"Block with Cut!" I shouted desperately.

Frogadier raised his glowing blade, wincing at the pressure of the Fairy move. The blade cracked before shattering, blasting Frogadier back.

"C'mon Frogadier," I pleaded. "You can't lose. You have to win. To live!"

...

Alex made to move, but Robert held her back.

"What are you doing," she hissed at him. "Can't you see-"

"I do," Robert said, looking at Zeno. "But this needs to happen. I think it's the only way."

Alex shrugged him off and looked at Zeno, who had a desperate look on his face. She knew Robert was right, so she could only scream in her thoughts. "Please, Zeno. Just stop. Stop this now!"

...

Clara sighed, turning and leaving the gym. No one had seen her come to watch the battle, but now she had enough. "Seems like he finally reached his breaking point."

She allowed herself a grin. "About damn time."

...

Frogadier picked himself back up, breathing hard.

"You have to live," I tightened both fists. "Quick Attack!"

"Sylveon," Valerie was getting ready to call out the attack, then shouted, "STOP!"

Frogadier was stumbling forwards, eyes bulging, clutching his sides. He let out a strangled croak before falling forwards, collapsing in the dirt.

My eyes were wide. "No. No! Frogadier!"

I ran to him, sliding onto my knees. He wasn't breathing. Panic coursed through me as I cradled him into my arms. Ignoring Valerie as she hurried over and shutting out other voices, I ran like I had never run before.

I saw my Charizard, the one I used to have during my time in Team Rocket. I shot him, killed him so he wouldn't have to suffer. I saw Mira, held captive in the arms of a maniac. I saw her throat get sliced open as blood spurted and I watched her die.

"HELP!" I screamed, bursting into the Pokemon Center that was close by. "I NEED HELP!"

...

I felt empty inside as I waited outside of the room Frogadier was in, sitting on a chair that was hard and uncomfortable. Nurse Joy had to call in other doctors to help her from the main part of Laverre City. They haven't left the room for a while now and I had no idea what was happening.

"Zeno," Alex said tentatively, kneeling in front of me.

"I..." my voice didn't sound normal. I swallowed. "This is my fault."

Alex was about to say something, but I beat her to it. "No, don't say it! I know it is!"

Alex flinched back, as if I physically hurt her.

I felt devoid of hope, my voice reflecting that despair. "I lost myself. I let my emotions get the better of me. I pushed him too hard."

I cradled my head in my arms. "It's all my fault."

I heard the door open and Nurse Joy came out, my head snapping up. She had a weary look on her face and looked at me.

"We managed to stabilize him," she said. "But I'm afraid he's well past his limit. He's only got a little time left. I'm sorry, I figured you should know."

Inside, I felt everything shatter. I stood on weak legs, my hands shaking. With shaky steps, I entered the room, the other doctors and nurses already on their way out, one staying behind to monitor his vitals.

I forced my gaze to look at him. He was laying in a small hospital bed, hooked up to an IV and other machines. A mask was on his face, small breaths, fogged it, but they were too far in-between to be normal. I reached out with shaky hands, clutching his webbed hand.

"Frogadier," I whispered, my words getting stuck in my throat.

"Fr-fro..." Frogadier turned his head slowly, pale yellow eyes staring into mine.

"I'm sorry," I choked out, tears falling. "This is my fault. I shouldn't have pushed you."

"Fro-froak," he croaked, the sound in his throat sounding rough as he tried to lift his hand to my face. Then it went limp and fell back into my hands and as if it were far away, I heard a machine flatline.

A cold feeling swept over me. My senses failed me and only minutes later did I realize I was running. Out of the room, through the doors of the building, and out into Laverre City where night had fallen. I had no idea where I was running to, but I couldn't stop. Tears streamed down my face as I ran, a scream of anguish ripping from my throat.

...

Hidden along the outskirts of the city, watching from beneath the crooked trees along the swampy route stood robed figures. One stepped forwards, holding in the palm of his hand a human skull, a glowing orb situated in the left eye socket. A Gengar rose next to him, tongue out as he drooled at the sight of the city, another similar orb pierced into the Ghost's tongue.

"Soon the time will be upon us," the man whispered, grinning behind his hood. "This city will be ours for the taking. It will be perfect for you, All-Powerful One."

...

Covered by the shadows of branches and leaves, the hands on the engraved clock moved. Only to those who could feel it, they sensed the change as the hands struck 13.

... Toodles