'…told me I had one week!'

'The deal was going down. We needed to get the proof.'

'Did you get it?'

'No. He wasn't there. He must have been tipped off. We have a mole.'

Voices drifted over as the world slowly returned. Now, there was silence.

'You can't seriously think it was me.'

'You told her about us.'

'Dom, she's not –'

'I know. Damn it. I know. But you have to see how this looks, V. Some people are not happy. Her sister –. She's awake. I've already covered for you. Sort this out, V, or the NH will.'

Damnit. I was pretty sure they were talking about me. What about my sister? And what does sort this out mean? Are they going to kill me? I faked opening up my eyes blurrily as convincingly as I could, as if I hadn't been listening in.

'Hey,' Ronnie said softly, sitting down by my side. 'How are you feeling?'

'Like shit,' I admitted.

'Yes, that is how people usually feel when they get shot,' Her words held a bite of accusation.

'Wait, this is my fault now?' I sat up, wincing at the pain.

'I told you not to go to the mountain,' She adjusted the bed so that I could sit up, her eyes flashing in anger.

Realization dawned on me. Her reluctance at going into the cave. It was because… 'You knew. You knew the poachers were there.'

'Of course I did' She burst out angrily. Wait SHE was angry?

'Why didn't you tell me?' I demanded.

'Because I was trying to protect you!'

'I could've help! I want to help!'

'And how well did that turn out for you?'

My mouth froze and I stared at her, openmouthed. Her sentence brought back memories of the battle. A hunk of green, crumpled on the floor, wings still. She seemed to have realized it too, and quickly back tracked.

'I'm sorry. I didn't mean –'

'Neo?' I asked, bracing myself for the answer.

'He didn't make it.'

I closed my eyes and sank my head back into the soft and fluffy pillow. Clenching my fist, I whispered. 'Dawn?'

If something had happened to Dawn. I couldn't have – I can't lose both of them.

'She's fine. I returned her after she tore into the poacher. They are both at the Pokemon Center'

'The poacher?' I opened my eyes.

'Dead.' Ronnie confirmed.

'Good.'

Ronnie seemed slightly uneased by my answer.

'I'm sorry about Neo.'

'I want to see them,' I told her after a long moment, pulling off my blanket.

'Wait,' Ronnie grasped my hand.

I looked at her.

'At least wait for the doctor?' Her eyes were unreadable.

'If you tell me what happened.' I was dying to know why my sister was there, dealing with poachers.

At her nod, I relaxed. Turns out, the doctor took pretty long, which gave Ronnie time fill me in.

'We knew that there had been some poaching activity in Mt. Chimney for a long time. Nothing serious, a few missing Spoinks. But we knew that Professor Hawthorne has been dealing with the poachers, and people he worked with have varying degree of knowledge of this. It was mostly his research assistants who handle the deals though, and because of that, we couldn't expose him. If we caught his assistants, he'll claim he has no knowledge of this, and it will be written off as some scandal. This time, we heard that he'll be making an appearance himself, so the NH planned to catch him there. But something happened. Someone must have told him because he shifted the meeting and didn't appear. We weren't supposed to be there when it happened.'

'What was Ariel doing there?'

'Your sister? She's working for Professor Hawthorne, Cara.' Ronnie waited for the implication to sink in.

'But… There's no way… Ariel will never work with poachers!'

That was all I got before the doctor arrived. He told me I was super lucky the bullet missed all the important things didn't ricochet off anything, whatever that meant. He then asked me a bunch of questions and then when I insisted on being discharged without seriously answering any of it, he gave a long-suffering sigh, as if he had heard impatient trainers who got shot demanding to be discharged all the time. He prescribed me a bunch of medicine and told me to take it easy for the next few weeks.

As I walked out of the hospital (after filling another bunch of forms), I learned a few more things. The first is that I was at Mauville City Hospital. Which made sense because Lavaridge didn't exactly seem like they had a hospital. Ronnie had Flew me into the Mauville City Hospital at breakneck speed. She didn't want to chance Teleportation when I was gravely injured. Second, nobody knew about what happened in Mt. Chimney and the NH wants to keep it that way.

'I'm serious,' Ronnie said. 'Nobody can know about that.'

I wasn't going to talk about it anyway, because I was going to find out what was going on with Ariel first. When I asked why though, Ronnie shook it off, saying that the NH wanted to stay lowkey. I collected Dawn and my other Pokemon from Mauville City Pokemon Center and Theodore teleported all of us to Lavaridge Pokemon Center, where some NH members have dropped off Neo. A sense of trepidation came over me as I stepped into the Pokemon Center. Though I was still slightly annoyed with Ronnie for not telling me about the poachers, I held her hand, needing that familiar warmth. She lightly squeezed my hand, steadying me.

'I'm here for my Scyther.'

Nurse Joy gave me a sad smile. Luckily, she just seemed somber, not pitying. I don't think I could take that. 'Just a moment, sweetie. Will you please give me the Scyther's Pokeball and your Pokedex?'

While Nurse Joy checked through my ID, I released Dawn, needing to check on her. She looked around wildly, confused for a second.

'Growl!' Her eyes locked on me, and she pounced.

Wincing, I tumbled back onto the floor and she licked my face. I had to smile as I gave her a hug. Her fur and claws were blood free, thankfully. Someone must have cleaned her. Probably had to sedate her to do that. I ran my fingers through her fur, relieved that she was ok.

'Sweetie, we can go see your Scyther, whenever you are ready.' Nurse Joy sounded reluctant to interrupt. Perhaps she had seen one too many trainers who had suffered.

'Let's go and see Neo, ok?' I asked Dawn.

Dawn gave a hopeful whine as she let me up. Unable to meet her wide eyes, I told her. 'Neo didn't – Neo isn't –' I choked, willing myself not to cry.

Dawn seemed to understand. She gave a mournful howl, burying her face into my shirt and we sat like this for a long while, seeking comfort from each other.

'Let's go see him. Then we can send him off with everyone else.' My voice cracked slightly as I stood up.

We followed Nurse Joy to a small room, where Ronnie and Nurse Joy waited outside. Neo laid on a metal table, one of a few in the room. The room was eerily empty and silent. My footsteps echoed in the room as I walked towards him. He looked so peaceful, his eyes closed. He could have been sleeping, if not for the two gaping black holes in his chest. I ran my hand over his head, softly stroking his shoulder. A tear escaped my eye. I felt it, hot as it slid down my cheek. Dawn pressed her flank against me. That reminded me. The team should be here. They should have their chance to say goodbye as well. I released Lexy and Estelle. Estelle took one look at Neo and understood. She was, after all, the most matured on my team. She placed her hand on my shoulder, a calming touch. Lexy wasn't as astute.

'Trainer? What is happening? Why is Neo sleeping there?' Lexy asked, peering out of his shell.

'Neo,' I swallowed the lump in my throat. 'Neo is not here anymore. He has passed.'

'He won't be here anymore?' Lexy looked crestfallen, the sorrowful look in his eyes when he realized what my sentence means almost broke me.

'He died protecting me,' I placed my hand on Lexy's shell, half to comfort him, half to steady myself. 'We need to say goodbye to him now.'

Dawn, who was closest to Neo, literally and figuratively, went first. She pressed her nose into his shoulder and murmured, moving away after giving him one final lick.

Estelle glided over. 'You were a good comrade. I was honoured to have fought by your side.'

'You were a good brother,' Lexy said.

Then it was my turn. I gently stroke his head. 'I made you a promise, when I first got you. That you will always have a home in my team. You became more than that, more than a hero to me. You were my family. I will make you another promise now. I will hunt down those poachers and take them down. I will avenge you. I hope you can find peace now, maybe a new family, in your new home. Goodbye, Neo.'

I stepped back with those last words. Making sure that everyone had said their goodbye, I returned them and walked out of the room, where Ronnie was waiting, Nurse Joy gone. She drew me into her arm. It was only then, as I laid my head on her shoulders, that I let the tears fall.

Ronnie and I were waited in the reception. Ronnie explained to me that I can either cremate Neo, or bury him in Mt Pyre, or really, I could take his body and bury him myself. But that was just going to be troublesome. I opted to cremate him, which could be done right there at the Pokemon Center. It was apparently quite fast, so we chose to wait at the Center, my eyes sore from the crying.

'So, what do you want to do now?' Ronnie asked.

'I want to train,' I said quietly. Ronnie seemed surprised at this, so I explained. 'I want to get better. I want to get all 8 badges and then challenge the Elite Four. Maybe I can get into the League. Then I can take down the poachers.'

'Cara, the League –' Whatever she said was cut off by the beep of my Pokedex, which had been returned to me.

'Hey little sis, how are you?' It was a text from Ben.

'I'm good. Just got my fourth badge, what's up?' I replied. For some reason, I found myself unwilling to tell Ben about Neo. I bet he would tell mum and dad and they will be badgering me nonstop. This was my own journey. I would deal with this myself.

'Nothing, just checking on my baby sister. Congratulations!' Came the reply.

If Ariel was dealing with poachers, what are the chances that Ben is too?

'Nah, he practically just sits in his lab and stares at rocks all day.' Ronnie commented.

Oops, did I say that out loud? Wait…

'How did you know that? Were you spying on him?' My mind was running at a 100 mile per hour.

I was sure that there was something I was missing. A piece of puzzle my mind was trying to connect.

'Yes,' Ronnie said, eyeing me. 'Because of his connections with Ariel, we have been keeping tabs on him.'

'Connections? As in brother? But I'm Ariel's sister, why…' The last piece of puzzle finally clicked into place. 'You were keeping tabs on me.'

Ronnie nodded, her eyes still on me.

'What the fuck?' My mind registered that I had just cursed, but I was too preoccupied to deal with it. 'So this whole time you were just spying on me?'

'Cara, calm down.' But oh, asking a girl to calm down is like adding oil to fire. 'Wait –'

'I can't believe you.' My mind was still racing, trying to connect all my memories I had with her. 'But you told me about the New Helios!'

'Keep your voice down!' Ronnie hissed when I shouted 'New Helios'. 'It was a test. See a poacher would have known about the NH. But you didn't give any indication that –'

'Of course I didn't!' I stood up.

'Come on. You have to admit, you looked suspicious. You had an extremely rare dragon with you. You were Ariel's sister. You were everywhere the poachers were! It didn't help that you insisted on going to Mt. Chimney and found the secret entrance the poachers used.' Ronnie had stood up as well.

'Wait. You thought I was a poacher?! You still think I am one?'

'No! Well, yes at first. But after I spent time with you, it was clear you were far from a poacher. Cara, I –'

'Then why didn't you tell me!' I couldn't keep the whine out of my voice..

'What am I supposed to say?' Ronnie yelled, finally having enough. 'Oh, hi, I have been sent to watch you because your sister is chums with the poachers and I'm here to determine if you are. Don't mind me as I follow you everywhere!'

'So everything what just a lie then? A plan concocted by the brilliant Ronnie. I have to give it to you. You are the best actress. Was anything that came out of your mouth even true? Or was it just some sob story so I'll fall for you?'

Ronnie looked hurt. 'No, it wasn't a lie. Everything I told you is true. I like you. I was just trying to protect you.'

'I don't need your protection!' I shouted.

'Of course you don't,' Ronnie said mocking. 'You were doing so well aren't you, diving into everything without thinking about the consequences. You are so fucking selfish you don't think about anyone except for yourself.'

'So Neo's death was my fault?' I stared at her. I couldn't believe what she was implying.

'Yes,' She said harshly. 'You were so impulsive. If maybe you had listened to me, Neo will still be here.'

'Listened to what? More lies?' I ran my hand through my hair. If she had, Neo wouldn't have died. 'You said I'm selfish? Then you are a coward. You couldn't even face your dead Pokemon and your dead girlfriend. Or was that just another one of your lies?'

'You are a fucking bitch,' Ronnie glared at me, her hands clenched by her side. 'I don't want to see you ever again.'

'Go then. Since all I am to you is a fucking NH mission.' I glared right back at her.

'Fine.' She grabbed her jacket, shouldered her bag and marched out of the Pokemon Center.

I sank back into the sofa, scarcely believing that this was happening. Maybe it was a bad dream. Maybe I will wake up, Ronnie's arm draped over me, Neo still in his Pokeball. That was how Nurse Joy found me a few minutes later, sitting shell shocked on the sofa and staring into space.

I stepped out of the Pokemon Center, the urn containing Neo's ashes in my hands. Of course, I knew what I said to Ronnie was true. I still want to train, get all 8 badges. Get into the League. Maybe that's the way to take down the poachers. But I was still filled with betrayal, anger and sorrow. I stepped onto Route 112 and entered the ashy forest. I kicked and punched and yelled, tree, branches anything in my way. I may have ignored the doctor's advice to take it easy a little, and scared off every single Pokemon on Route 112. It was only until I released Dawn (to talk to her), that I realized I still had my Pokemon to take care of. She darted off after being let out of the Pokeball. Cursing, I chased after her, not wanting to let her out of my sight. Of course, I already knew where she was going, but I wasn't taking any chances. Call me paranoid, but the last time Dawn ran off like that, I got shot. Neo died. Ronnie left me.

I was right. After a mad sprint through the forest, shoes crunching on the leaf litter, kicking up a dust storm, leaping over countless tree roots (I should try out for parkour), I came to the small bubbling spring I found Dawn at a few days ago, when all our troubles were wondering where to find a Fire Stone and getting a chunk of meat from a motherly teammate. Dawn was hardly winded, staring out at the spring. The water lapped quietly at her paws. She let out a howl, a heart wrenching sound filled with sorrow. Claws unsheathed; she tore at the ground. Chunks of earth and water flew everywhere. I realized that my Pokemon need to grieve sometime. Outside, like Dawn, not in their Pokeballs. Here was a place as good as any.

When I released Lexy and Estelle, Dawn had calmed down somewhat. She laid, belly down, at the edge of the small pool, staring blankly ahead. I sat beside her, my fingers parting her soft fur as I place it on her body. Lexy sat on the other side of her. He seemed to understand what Dawn was feeling, or at least a small part. Lexy had lost his mother and a brother too. Estelle sat beside me. She seemed to understand grief. I wondered if it was a Psychic thing. When she joined my team, she didn't seem that old, just a small Ralts who wasn't even strong enough to kill her own prey. But she had matured so quickly. The first to reach her last stage in evolution. Now, she radiated a sense of otherworldliness, but yet a calming presence for our entire team. I recounted to them what happened.

'You must not think that it was your fault.' Estelle's voice broke through the silence.

'Of course it was,' I said quietly. 'I should have checked that I returned him.'

'We all think that it is our fault. Galaxy and I should have been there. The cub thinks that it's her fault for wanting to kill the poacher who captured her and killed her mother.' Estelle told me. 'Where would we be then?'

I mulled over her words. I realized how similar Dawn and I were. Anything I was feeling must have been mirrored in her.

'Dawn, it is not your fault,' I stroked her back.

Dawn let out a low whine then broke into a low string of mumbled words.

'I will not translate that. Tell her yourself.'

Dawn gave a huff. She agreed to get a translator and so, after I returned Lexy and Dawn, Estelle Teleported me to the store in Mauville and back. After Lavaridge Gym, and the cocky boy, I had enough to buy a translator like Lexy's, and then some. I placed the sleek black rectangle on Dawn's throat, and she fidgeted as we waited for the beep.

'Trainer! It is all my fault! I am so sorry. I saw the bad poacher who kill Mama. And you got shot. And Neo got shot. If I hadn't lost that stupid battle, if I had been strong enough. I wouldn't need the Fire Stone. Then Neo wouldn't have died.' Dawn howled, crossing her paws over her snout.

The Fire Stone! I completely forgot about it. I released Dawn so that I could talk to her about the Fire Stone. I patted my pockets, which were empty. I checked my bag, and sure enough, it was there. Ronnie must have put it there when I was at the hospital. Willing myself not to think about Ronnie, I turned and offered the stone to Dawn. She gave another whine at the sight of it.

'Ok guys, let's get this straight.' I took a deep breath. 'Neo died, and its not any of our fault. He wouldn't have wanted us to mop around. He would've wanted us to train and get stronger.'

Estelle gave me a nod at my sentence.

'Neo brother was good. He was hero.' Lexy added.

'Neo was the best. He was the one who make me see that humans are not bad. He told me that Trainer was good, that Trainer will take care of me. But Neo took care of me too. Say he'll always be there for me.' Dawn sniffed, then placed her paw on the Fire Stone. 'Neo is not here anymore. So yes, I will train. I will be stronger. I will protect Trainer just like he protected all of us.'

I was half expecting something dramatic to happen, because it will be a perfect ending to her speech. But as seconds passed, it was clear that nothing was going to happened.

'Is this a fake stone?' Dawn demanded.

I knew she must have felt that Neo's death was for nothing. But the stone matched exactly the one in my Pokedex. There must be some sort of thing to activate it.

'No, it's definitely real,' I told Dawn, whose hackles were starting to rise. 'How about you hold on to it? I will Google this.'

Dawn held the stone gingerly between her teeth as I thumbed through the Pokedex. Then, a bright light enveloped her as she grew before our very eyes. When the light faded, a larger version of Dawn stood in front of me. She easily towered over me and was the tallest of our group by a head.

'Congratulations, Dawn,' I stroked her mane, which had grown considerably.

The words felt slightly empty though, as if we lost too much just for an evolution. Dawn seemed to understand. She touched her nose to my shoulder.

'Absol!' I whirled around, to see the dark blue Pokemon covered with white fur standing behind me.

'Ab, absol!' Absol barked.

'Absol? Wait, are you the one from the mountains?' I looked at him.

His pristine fur had a streak of blood, but he didn't look injured anywhere.

'He said, finally, you are a hard Trainer to find.' Estelle translated.

Estelle had a conversation with Absol, with Absol half braying and barking and Estelle talking telepathically in his head.

'Master, he wants to join us.' Estelle finally told me. 'He wants to fight.'

'Wait, what?' I racked my brains about what I had read about Absols. 'I thought Absols doesn't like to fight?'

'This one does,' I felt Estelle shrug in my head.

'Ab, absol ab absol sol ab ab absol.' He said.

'He said that he doesn't like it. But he hates injustice more. He had been watching the poachers in Mt. Chimney for months. He said that they were despicable, and he wants to stop them. He accepts that he must train and battle in order to defeat the poachers.'

'If you're sure, then welcome to the team.' I told him.

He gave me a short bow of his head. 'Absol ab absol.'

'He says that his name is Abraxion, the Warner of Disasters.'

Lexy gave him a slight bump to welcome him. 'Poachers sucks!' He declared.

I sighed. Neo might not be around but his vocabulary will be sticking around for a while longer. At least until I get it out of Lexy.

'Ab sol.' Abraxion nodded.

The rest of my team introduced themselves as I outlined my plans to him.

'Erekas! I finally got that mangy cub to get a translator. Now I still have to be a translator?' Estelle asked indignantly.

I had to smile, because for a moment, things were normal. I only had to worry about Lexy picking up what seemed to be a Psychic curse word.