"Greninja" I whispered, closing my eyes as I searched for our connection. There, pulsing. Two separate lines of life, side-by-side. They began merging, becoming one. "Connect!"

Greninja and I yelled in unison, a cyclone of water bursting around the Water and Dark type. Immediately I felt my body strain, beads of sweat already forming on my forehead. Now that we weren't in a life or death situation, the same adrenaline that had let me do this twice with Greninja back in Laverre City wasn't there, so now I was finding out there were limitations to this power.

I clenched my teeth. "Embrace the night! Full Sync!"

The water cyclone shattered, then formed back together to form Greninja's new form, wearing a cloak that reminded me of my trench coat. I sighed, wiping the sweat of my head. It felt a little easier on the both of us in this form, now that the energy wasn't just circling out of control around him.

"And there it is," Robert was grinning, clapping his hands. "The Kage-Shinobi!"

"The what?" I looked back at him and Alex, raising an eyebrow. We were currently camping on the fall-covered Route 15, despite it still being summer. A river ran right by where we had set up camp, all our Pokemon either playing in the shallow river or sitting in the shade of beautiful Fall trees.

"Darkness and ninja," Alex explained, slapping Robert on the back of the head. "I'm actually the one who came up with the name."

She smiled at me. "Darkness being Kage and ninja being Shinobi. Together you and Greninja are the Kage-Shinobi."

I looked back at Greninja, who met my gaze with his red eyes beneath his hood. "How about that then? We're the Kage-Shinobi. A name where we're one."

Greninja croaked happily. I grinned and went over to my Pokemon, lifting his cloak with one hand. It appeared to be made out of tiny black bubbles all stuck together, giving it great mobility.

With a slight pain shooting up my spine, Greninja's cloak and additional weapons dematerialized.

"Geez," I cracked my neck, feeling slightly better. "We need to practice this a lot more if we want to avoid any drawbacks. That is, if we can avoid them at all."

"This is interesting," Robert mused, staring at his pokedex. Actually, to call it a pokedex at this point just didn't cut it. Throughout the journey, Robert's been experimenting with it, adding and taking stuff off. Now there was an additional screen that could pop out and read what I assumed were vitals.

"What?" I asked, Greninja and I coming over.

"Hm?" Robert looked up. "This was you and Greninja's bond levels, which I managed to observe through this."

He pointed at the screen, where two vital signs merged and became one, however, they were slightly off after a few seconds. "I'm certain your bond is fine, it's just the physical difference you have to overcome. Greninja is a Pokemon and you're a human. There might be more to this than I can identify though, so I can't be an expert for you."

"Whatever it is," I grinned. "Me and Greninja will overcome it."

"Gren," my Pokemon agreed, walking towards the river to join Absol, Mawile, and Florges, who were all playing in the water. Greninja leaped in, splashing the water in their faces.

In the middle of the camping area Snorlax was splayed on the ground next to a tree, snoring. Quilladin was rolling around on his stomach freely and Corvisquire watched from his perch on the branch overlooking the two. On the opposite side of the tree Arcanine and Ninetales slept in the sunlight together. Pyroar and Vespiquen were doing a mock battle without any special moves while Lucario sat away from the main group in a crisscross position, eyes closed in meditation.

Robert stood and stretched. "Aaaall right. It's close to noon, so I'll get started on food. I'm thinking curry. Any preferences? I can make several types."

"Spicy," Alex nodded. "As good as you can make it."

"Chicken," I responded, standing. "Not too spicy for me."

"Really?" Alex seemed surprised.

I offered a half-grin. "I don't mind my food being a bit spicy, but I prefer not to have too much."

I headed over to Lucario, but walked along the river to do so. Greninja was showing off in the water by making three small spirals of liquid rise into the air around him, making them dance. Chuckling, I headed towards where Lucario sat beneath a tree, his back to the trunk.

When I sat down in front of him, he cracked one eye open. Seeing me, he closed it again, letting out a breath.

"What's up, Lucario?" I asked.

He opened both eyes, meeting my gaze, then looking at his legs, shifting his right paw.

"Ah," I understood immediately. "We have more control over your aura now, but your still upset that you can't control your Blaze Kick huh?"

Lucario gave a halfhearted grin, then it dropped. He stood and faced the tree. He thrust back his arm and slammed it into the tree. It shook, leaves falling down around us.

"I know your frustrated," I said. "But it isn't good to let it control you like that."

"I've given it a bit of thought before," I said after a minute. "And I still think it's your confidence that isn't allowing you to use Blaze Kick to its full potential." Lucario turned his head slightly to look at me. "Blaze Kick isn't even a move most Riolus and Lucarios can learn, not without a parent being a Blaziken. Because of that I think you need to be fully in control of your emotions."

I leaned back, staring up at the sun through the leaves. "You stole Robert's Holo Caster way back when, remember? That's how we first met, me trying to get you to stop stealing and really see the world. I had to battle you to convince you though."

I grinned at that and Lucario turned back to face me and sat down crisscross again, calmer now. "I don't know what made you like to steal and what life you had before we met, but I think it has to do with your lack of confidence." Lucario cast his eyes down, not looking at me. "I'm on the money then I take it."

I sat forwards, waiting for him to make eye contact again. Once he did, I said, "Don't let your past define who you want to be. Let it be there, serving as an example of what you embrace and what you cast away. I know that more than anyone."

I clapped my hands together, surprising the Fighting type. "I got it!" Standing, I held out my hand and helped him up. "I don't know what difference it'll make, but how about you and Greninja battle again?"

Lucario gave me a questioning look and I grinned. "Look, one of the best ways to overcome something is to connect with it. And your very first battle with me was against Greninja when he was a Froakie. It's only fitting."

Lucario let out a breath and nodded.

"Good," I turned and shouted, "Hey, Greninja! We need you over here!"

Greninja, who was in the middle of tossing Mawile around in the air with his tongue, dropped her in the water and leaped out of the water towards us.

"Alright," I stepped back, letting my two Pokemon face one another. "I want both of you to battle. Lucario needs to work on his kick and with you there's a less chance he'll end up with a bad burn. I also feel like this training would benefit you as well, Greninja. You up for it?"

"Gren," Greninja closed a fist, nodding confidently.

"Look at that," I looked at Lucario. "He's ready to not hold back. What about you?"

Lucario hrred, stepping one foot back and adopting a fighting stance.

"Hey," Alex was coming over with Absol, Mawile, Pyroar, and Vespiquen. "Mind if we watch?"

"Not at all," I nodded, heading closer to her to get out of the way of Greninja and Lucario. "I'll give you two freedom on how you want to fight, but try not to take it too far or push yourself."

They both nodded their heads at me, then focused on each other. Their eyes narrowed and Greninja placed his right webbed foot out to the side, right hand going with it, while Lucario tightened his fists. They didn't move for at least half a minute, then-

A swirl of water collected at the base of Greninja's feet, skyrocketing him towards Lucario. Lucario bent his knees, feet pressing into the earth, then he pushed off the ground, drawing a glowing fist back. At the last second, Greninja shifted the wave to the right, avoiding Lucario's punch and directing the wave into his side. The Fighting type crashed to the ground, but he used his paw to flip onto his feet. He drew both hands back, a sphere of concentrated aura powering up.

Greninja landed back on the ground, some twenty feet from Lucario, a Water Shuriken clutched in his webbed hand. He flipped, the added momentum making the shuriken zoom towards his opponent. Lucario growled, blasting the Aura Sphere. It canceled out the Water Shuriken and slammed into Greninja. The Water type fell to one knee, grimacing. He then slammed his hand on the ground, fissures cracking the ground as they zoomed towards Lucario. The Fighting type glanced around as the cracks surrounded him and he jumped, but it was too late to avoid the attack. Three spirals of water shot upwards, blasting Lucario into the sky.

Greninja ran forwards, leaping as he threw two Water Shurikens. Lucario gritted his teeth as his lower right leg burst into flames. He kicked one of the Shurikens away and dodged the other while midair. He twirled his body, aiming his blazing foot towards the incoming Greninja. The Ninja Pokemon swung his right foot as well, the body part glowing. The two Pokemon clashed, a ripple spreading through the air, and both landed back on the ground. Lucario stomped his foot on the ground, making sure the fire was out. Already having kicked a Water Shuriken, his foot didn't seem to be hurt really.

Lucario raised his gaze, eyes narrowing. He jetted forwards, landing a solid punch into Greninja's middle, sending the Water type skidding along the ground for another thirty feet or so. Lucario shot towards him once more, but Greninja had gotten to his feet, doing the same. They zoomed past one another, Greninja getting flipped onto his back while Lucario skidded to a halt, turning on one foot. He slammed the claws on top of his paws together, a harsh metal ringing directed at Greninja, who held his head at the sound. Seeing the opportunity, Lucario shot an Aura Sphere, the move slamming into Greninja.

Lucario ran for him, kicking up leaves as he ran. He leaped off the ground, angling his body towards the right, swinging his foot, which was now ablaze. Greninja barely had time to create a double of himself, Lucario's foot swinging through the copy like a mirage. He skidded along the ground, fire catching to the leaves. Greninja acted quickly, dousing the fire with a wave of water, in the process knocking Lucario off his feet.

Lucario howled, slamming all four paws on the ground, running forwards on the four limbs against the flow of the water. Greninja formed a blade in his hand, the weapon turning black as he lunged for Lucario. Lucario allowed himself to be slashed in the face, but he quickly leaped and slammed his feet down on Greninja, leaping again from the force of impact. He spun around, fire trailing from his foot. With a deep-throated howl, he slammed his foot against Greninja's back, slamming him into a nearby tree. Leaves shook and fell, Greninja falling to the ground, barely able to stand.

"Lucario's stronger than Greninja," Alex was a but surprised.

"Hmm," Robert was tapping a ladle against his thigh. "Type advantage definitely played a role..."

"Alright," I announced as Lucario made sure to douse his foot in a leftover puddle. "Battle over you two. Great job."

Lucario hobbled over to Greninja, helping him stand firm. I hunkered down, looking at the Fighting type's right foot. "Hey, not bad. Only a little burn this time." I grinned as I stood to face him. "You're getting the hang of this. Though, better have Robert heal it with some burn ointment."

Lucario nodded and I held out my pokeball. "Rest up Greninja. I'll save some food for you later."

"Gren," he croaked, nodding, and I returned him to his pokeball.

"You did amazing Lucario," I praised him, grinning proudly at him. "You're well on your way to mastering that kick of yours."

He scratched the back of his head, embarrassed by the praise, but grinning nonetheless.

"That was one hell of a battle!" A voice called out. We all turned to see a woman walking towards us, a smile on her face. Her long black hair hung down to the middle of her back that matched a pair of startling blue eyes and she looked to be in her early twenties. Her black combat boots crunched the leaves beneath her feet and she wore black shorts and a plain black t-shirt.

"Well," she put her hands on her hips. "No one's going to say anything?"

"Um," Alex shook her head. "Sorry, you just look like someone we know."

The woman grinned at that. "So you are the ones Clara mentioned before. This is perfect. I was hoping I'd run into all of you."

I could guess at what her relations to Clara was at this point, but her attitude seemed to be the polar opposite of Clara's.

"I'll cut to the chase," she waved her hand, pointing at us three. "I need all your help. Well, more like Clara does."

"Clara needs our help?" I raised an eyebrow at that. "She's not one to ask for it."

"Who says she's asking?" the woman shrugged. "I know how my lil' sis can be some of-" she caught herself, laughing. "Okay, most of the time. And she hates the three of you especially."

"Why would this make us want to help?" Alex asked, but I held out a hand to stop her. "Go on," I said.

She nodded. "As I said, she hates you three especially, Zeno the most of all. But she's gotten calmer lately and doesn't get provoked as easily as she normally would," she sighed. "Look, you all have done good for her, whether she wants to admit it or not. She's in a spot of trouble and I think it would be beneficial for you three to help her out of it."

"So," she held out her hand and her black nail polish gleamed in the sunlight. "Would you please help your rival?"

I looked back at my friends. Robert shrugged, smiling as if he knew something the rest of us didn't. Alex sighed, giving me a look that said that she would follow, but wouldn't like it.

"I guess we're all in agreement then," I said cheerfully, turning back to the woman. "We'll help. But, we didn't catch your name."

"Sarah," she answered happily. "Now come along. It's not far from here."

"What's not far from here?" Alex asked as we began returning our Pokemon, but she got no reply.

Sorry for the long break you guys. I needed that after reaching the midway point. Plus online school. I'm calling BS on my school and how it's handling online classes. We're being given way too much work and causing all this unnecessary stress. So that's another reason why it took this long for an update, but it's here now, so rejoice. Oh, and credit of the name Kage-Shinobi goes to one of my followers over on Wattpad. In other news, I put TMR2 on Hiatus for a number of reasons, so now I can focus on LDOC, but also on Dark, cause some of you really seem to enjoy it. Anyway, till next time. Let the second half of LDOC begin! Toodles!