THE NEXT DAY

I woke up in bed to Kyle curled up around my body. His warmth radiated through my side and filled me with happiness. Inhaling his earthy scent, I felt myself growing more and more attached with each passing minute. I didn't deserve forgiveness and yet he had given it willingly. I had a home. Shuffling and the clicking of a door let me know somebody had been watching our encounter. Knowing we had been watched, made my hairs stand on end. Pulling free of his grasp, I jumped off the bed and followed the entity until I came face to face with Lula. She let out a small cry of surprise, almost falling down the stairs. Her paw came up, and I grabbed it tenderly, helping her regain her balance.

"Lula! What the hell?" I hissed, glancing around.

"M-morning Rose," she replied. Her demeanor appeared worried as she glanced over her shoulder, and positioned herself in front of me.

"Why were you watching us?" I asked, glaring angrily at the water type.

"I-Ummm-I wanted to see Master. He really likes you a lot," she said. Her words were suspicious as I stared at the water type. I was expecting her to be defiant or upset that he was holding me as he had been, but instead, she appeared excited at the prospect. Her cheeks were flushed red and she avoided looking into my eyes.

"I...I like him too. I just wish I could offer him more than I have," I replied. She shifted her paws one over the other before speaking again.

"Master is a complicated person. He's... strong-willed. Something you both seem to have in common. I think that if you continue growing around him, you'll get to see it," she said. She appeared to be thinking about something before her eyes looked into mine.

"Rose. I can't always be there to protect you both. As a matter of fact, there may come a time when...his life is in jeopardy without either of you realizing it. If that day comes I hope you'll stand strong next to him. He needs you...more than me anyway."

My fur stood even higher on end as her words had an electric air to them. For some reason I couldn't place it, Lula seemed to be reaching out to a part of me that didn't exist in this current moment.

"Lula. What are you talking about?"

"Nothing. Just that Master is so lucky to have us right?" she said giggling.

"I guess so," I replied confusion about what happened filling my head. I looked at her again, as she turned around creating a pink bubble. She floated down the steps and stopped at the very bottom.

"Mom's making breakfast right now. She told me to let you both know it'll be ready in about fifteen minutes. Later Rose."

I remained at the top of the steps as Lula vanished from view. I couldn't understand what that entire conversation had been about. I questioned the legitimacy of the conversation we just had. There was no way around that. Lula was either drunk or not herself. I let out a low sigh and sought out the warmth of Kyle's body. I would have time to worry about his future later on. For now, I just wanted to sleep.

I woke up to the smell of bacon and melty cheese which pulled me out of the recurring nightmare. I shifted my weight and looked at Kyle as I saw his anger again in my dreams.

I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! GO AWAY ROSE! DON'T COME BACK.

My heart hammered in my chest, as I tried to remind myself that it was a dream. It did little to help.

"Kat…" he murmured.

I stared at him in disbelief but knew why he had said that name. Even now, he saw the only Pokemon he had ever loved. Guilt filled my gut as I considered that I was encroaching on my dead sister's territory. She wouldn't approve. Letting out a sigh, I gently nudged the human boy to rouse him.

"Kyle. It's time to get up. Breakfast-"

"KAT!" he screamed shooting up in bed. Tears streamed down his face as he looked around wildly, settling on me.

IT STILL AFFECTS HIM SO DEEPLY. I WISH THERE WAS SOMETHING I COULD DO.

Leaning in, I licked away the tears, as he rasped for air that wasn't forthcoming. We sat there for a minute until finally, he calmed down.

"Good Morning Rose. Sorry about that. I...I miss her so much," he said, hanging his head in defeat. He took his good hand and ran it through his hair. Placing a paw on his leg, I shook my head.

"Don't apologize. I want you to remember her."

He nodded unconsciously as he stared past me to the wall.

"Why did that have to happen? Mew said it was unavoidable. Now...I'm not so sure. All these events make it seem like someone or something is playing with my future. I just want to have the choice to do what I want," he stated. The weight of his words made him appear much more mature than he currently seemed.

"Your future isn't set, Kyle. You can always choose to go left when someone asks you to go right. If you were destined to die on that beach, my sister prevented that. She made her choice. She saved you. She didn't regret it. The cost was worth it to her. At this point, you've lived through two Mewtwo attacks. You saved her from Mienshao giving her her final wish. That's more than I could have ever asked of you. So with that being said, don't worry about what's coming. Just what...what's in the here and now. Like Breakfast," I said as cheerful as I could muster.

"Thank you, Rose," he replied as I hopped off the mattress. As we got to the wooden stairs, there was an animated discussion going on the bottom floor. We could hear Olivia and Delilah speaking animatedly and with angry tones.

"Wh-what's going on?" he asked me to which I didn't have an answer. I inhaled deeply catching the scent of two beings I didn't recognize. There was the faintest hint of Kalos on their bodies as we took the steps two at a time.

"It appears we may have company," a strict voice called out, as we turned the corner to head into the kitchen. Kyle paused, and I bristled in worry, only for a soft feminine voice to speak up again.

"It's okay. We should have come a little later in the day when he was actually awake. Come on out Kyle," the woman called out.

We moved out of hiding, and into the kitchen. At the dining table sat five beings. Lula, Delilah, Olivia, and two newcomers. There was an audible gasp from my friend as we recognized the strangers sitting in our kitchen. It shouldn't have been possible or even likely, but Diantha and her Shiny Gardevoir were here. The human was dressed in a beautiful lacy white one-piece with a gold necklace that hung on her well-endowed breasts. Turning to face us, I was immediately drawn to how icy blue her eyes were. She appeared extremely young despite the fact she was at least forty. Even as I looked into her face, I could sense the air of royalty which hung off her like perfume. Standing up swiftly, she seemingly glided across the wooden floors and pulled him into a hug. I watched the two apprehensively. My distrust for all humans still made me wary even though I knew that she was the purest being in all the regions.

"It's good to finally meet you," she said. Kyle nodded stupidly, as I could see he was still in disbelief over the current events.

"That's enough, Master Diantha. You know my concern is only for my son and if you think-"

She stopped mid-sentence, and I glanced to Olivia to notice her face had turned white as paper.

"As a grown adult, shouldn't he have the choice to decide what he does?" Diantha asked, to which Olivia nodded. Looking at Delilah I noticed she appeared distant. Fearful even, and I only wondered what had occurred before our entry. I made a note to speak to our Gardevoir after our guests had departed.

"To what do we owe the...honor?" Kyle said, in a faint voice. He appeared shaky and that he might pass out any minute now. Bracing him with my hip, I winced in pain as my wound cried out in protest.

"You don't have to be so formal Kyle. Just call me Diantha. We just stopped by to chat. Nothing more. How are you holding up?"

Kyle started to speak but she held up a hand.

"I'm...good! Better than good," he said, only to notice that her smile faded slightly.

"Please be honest with me. I heard about the battle. You lost a great deal that day," Diantha spoke sympathetically.

Her words had a sobering effect, and Kyle hung his head.

" 's been tough. Adjusting to...this," he said, looking to his arm.

"I'm sure it has. I can't imagine what horrible things you experienced that day. The loss of Katherine. Bryan in critical condition….oh! Forgive me. Bad habit. I didn't mean to go snooping," she said. She appeared genuinely embarrassed. As she sank back into the wooden chair, she crossed her muscular legs swiftly.

"No. You're...you're right. I'm guessing Eon told you these things, huh?"

"Perceptive," the Gardevoir said, in a firm neutral tone. I glanced at her and noticed she appeared uncomfortable with the whole situation. On cue, the psychic/fairy type turned to meet my gaze. Her eyes seemed to bore into me, and I tried to throw up a mental block to prevent her from reading my mind.

SO YOU ARE THE ABSOL. I'M NOT EXACTLY IMPRESSED.

My heart rate skyrocketed as I tried to block her out unable to.

EASY. WE ARE HERE TO SPEAK WITH YOUR TRAINER. I DON'T NEED TO HURT YOU. RELAX.

And like that she left me alone with my thoughts. The encounter appeared to happen over a millisecond as Kyle and Diantha were in the middle of a brief pause. Looking into her face, I felt flushed as she gave a small smirk. She had enjoyed that show of power, and I knew she had only been toying with my emotions. Shaking off my fear, I focused on Kyle and the conversation to the extent of all else.

"What-what are you doing here in Unova?" Kyle spoke up boldly.

"I'm visiting at the behest of a friend. He and I recently had a small...contest and despite losing, I am a person of my word. Eon sent me."

My hopes skyrocketed as I realized the entire purpose of her being here.

"You...you came here to recruit me?" Kyle asked, hopefully.

"I mean...isn't that what you always wanted?" Diantha replied with a large grin.

"Yes...ma'am! I mean...Dias...I mean…"

The Head Master started to laugh quietly. It was very musical and light, making us all feel at ease as we sat there.

"Oh, dear. While Eon made it clear you wanted to become a ranger, he didn't exactly tell me your motives for such a decision. You must know that we accept hundreds of applicants per cycle, and we cut them down to approximately 50 at the end of the first two months."

Kyle nodded somberly.

"The students who did attend are sworn to secrecy but I know that the odds of success are slim to none."

"Sadly, not everyone is suited to the life that Alice and I live," Diantha commented. "Enough about us though. Take a minute, and think hard. I want to know the real reason this job is the one you desire most. Today, I came here to hear why this means so much. I need you to be 100% transparent with me, Kyle."

The room fell deathly quiet as I looked at my friend. His face had grown very serious as he was on the spot. I glanced to Alice who fiddled nervously with her paw. She remained still but I could tell that she was intently focused on Kyle.

"The reason...why...I wanted to attend. I am really sad that Emily didn't get the time I got to spend with our father. He was my hero. A genius. Funny. Empathetic. Growing up, all I ever wanted to do was make him proud. Then came the day where he was torn from my life. Two bullets. His death a noble sacrifice to protect Pyroars in Kalos. I couldn't believe the news when my mother told me. At his funeral, I swore to his tombstone, that I would be better than him. That I would serve others and not myself. A Pokemon Ranger is the epitome of my promise to him. They are servants who put others before themselves."

Diantha mused over his words for a minute as she leaned forward.

"Yet I can see it on your face right now. You said wanted, and you appear really upset. Why don't you think you deserve to attend."

"My arm…"

"The real reason, Kyle," Diantha said firmly. She reached out and grabbed his amputated limb tenderly. "The human mind is an amazing thing, but without the heart...you wouldn't last a minute. So tell me… what is your heart saying?"

Kyle hung his head and I watched as tears dripped down to the floor.

"I don't deserve it. I have done things that my Father would be appalled about. I've done things he could never forgive. I can't attend knowing that I've blemished his name and my own," Kyle wept. I wanted to comfort him, but Diantha beat me to it, lifting his head to meet her gaze.

"The fact you are upset this much by those mistakes is a very commendable thing. I sympathize with your pain. Kyle...nobody is perfect. Not Alice. Not me. Not your mother or anyone whose ever lived."

"My father was!" he responded fervently, and I couldn't help but smile.

"Maybe he was. Maybe he wasn't. What we both know is he was a living thing, and I'm sure he struggled to be the beacon of light you saw him as. Thank you for sharing with me. I'm leaving an entrance packet with your Mother. You need to take the time to speak with her about it and decide if you still want to attend. If you do, I am willing to bend the rules for you to attend our academy. Eon begged on your behalf. I can see why he did. Alice. Let's go. Olivia. Delilah and Lula. It was an honor. Thank you for having us."

Touching her Gardevoir the two vanished in a whirlpool of darkness, leaving the five of us alone to contemplate the events of the past ten minutes.

I watched Kyle sit down, grabbing a Pecha berry and tossing it into his mouth from the fruit basket in the middle of the table. Sidling up to his leg, I spoke up for the first time since our company had arrived.

"Are you okay?"

He shook his head as he chewed on the fruit thoughtfully.

"You know...I used to think the same of the man I married," Olivia said, drawing everyone's attention to her. "Kyle...your father wasn't a complicated man. He cared very deeply for you and Emily. There were times I used to think that you both were more important than me. In my eyes, there wasn't much he could have done wrong. Yet, he wasn't perfect. Despite the missteps you've made there is nothing that could make me stop loving you. You are my son and a spitting image of your father. Fallible but willing to work towards being the best he could. It's a trait I'm happy you picked up on."

Her words made me smile, but I noticed they had a different effect on her son.

"Yet...I've abused Lula. I disowned Rose and broke my promise to Emily, Mom. It's not like I deserve redemption. Too many mistakes…"

"That you have sought forgiveness for. You have to forgive yourself first," Delilah intervened, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You are in a room with beings who love you from the very depths of their hearts. Please don't do this to yourself."

Kyle sighed heavily and realized that no one was reaching him. Despite my lecture at the hospital guilt riddled his conscience.

"I'm glad to see your morales run deeper than words," I said, making everyone turn to me.

"I...I don't know what to say to that," Kyle stammered. I didn't need a response. Jumping up to the counter, I grabbed the package of papers.

"ROSE!" Lula screeched, but I waved her off, as I spread the manilla envelope of papers all across the floor. There was so much text, and blank spots, that I had trouble digesting the information. I read sentence by sentence going through each provision.

"All Pokemon who attend must have attained at least Level 50. All Humans who attend must have attained Level 40. You will ensure you are well kept and groomed. Your Pokemon of choice will be vetted upon application to the school. Pokemon shall be groomed and must be compliant throughout the training. Food, specialized diets and medicine outside of the normal rations will be provided on a case by case basis. Pokemon Abilities and Attacks are forbidden under all circumstances unless directed by a licensed Ranger. Weapons are prohibited on base. Death and severe illness may befall you during exams, trials, and tests. Please ensure you have a living will and your guardians are aware of possibilities that may occur."

"Kyle…" I whispered. Turning to him, he noticed the abject terror which occupied my gaze.

"What's up?"

"You could die. Attending the school! Is your dream worth that much to you?" I asked, unable to read his emotional state. He fell silent and twiddled his thumb unable to meet my gaze.

"Rose. We are aware of the possibility for death but…"

"No buts! If he attends, and the situation calls for it, he could be executed! And you're just okay with that?" I shouted turning to Oliva. Agitated with the prospect, my fur stood on end.

"He's my son Rose! Of course, I'm not okay with that prospect. No one here is. Yet he wants to go. Would you rather, I just hold him hostage and deny him his dreams? It's not easy for me to let him go!" With that she stormed outside, leaving the four of us alone and stunned.

"Rose. My mom cares for us. She only wants what makes me happy," he stated.

"Yes. But…"

"It's a fear tactic, Rose," Delilah spoke up.

"What?" I asked turning to face her.

"Do you honestly think that a well-known organization like them would willingly kill prospects during Training? It would bring their environment into question. They would lose support and the Rangers would be disbanded. They put that statement in there…"

"In the case of an untimely demise of a student, parents and guardians relinquish the right to sue, or file a grievance against the Rangers Institute," I read aloud, turning to the Psychic-type. "Lula. Come on. Please tell me you are on my side with this," I begged, turning to Kyle's friend. She looked into my eyes and then Kyle's.

"Rose. It's what he wants," she whispered.

"Has everybody here lost their mind?" I asked incredulous at what I was hearing. Turning around, I rushed back upstairs to sit alone in my thoughts. As I lay there in silence, I couldn't help but recall my sister's words concerning Kyle's dreams.

He's r-really strong-willed. Becoming a Ranger is his desire, and there is no cost too high for him. I want to be there to make it happen.

"It's reckless," I thought aloud. The silence was my answer to the statement. A gentle knock on the door disrupted my thoughts, and I grew agitated at the unwanted presence.

"Go away, Kyle!"

"It's not him," a female voice spoke up. Looking to the door, I recognized Delilah had followed me up. I fought the desire to turn her away. After a minute I conceded and opened the door. She glided in and sat on the bed swiftly. I stared at her absentmindedly as I chewed on my lip.

"Everyone downstairs knows the risks. To be honest, Lula and Olivia don't like the prospect that they could lose him in class. Are you saying you don't support his wishes?"

Her question infuriated me and I snapped in retort.

"Of course I support him! It is not about whether I want him to succeed or not. I worry that given his arm his chances of survival plummet."

"You are trying too hard."

Her statement caught me off guard.

"What?"

" I doubt anyone else has noticed but you are trying so hard to prove you care about him. He's your friend but that doesn't mean he is a child. Olivia suffers similar thoughts. I constantly have to remind her he's almost an adult now. It's his choice to make. Shaming for it is only going to drive a wedge between you two."

I sighed and retracted my claws. I was being too aggressive. This was about him. He would pick Lula to attend with him. I would be left behind to worry every day if I'd ever see him again.

" Rose...are you okay?"

I shook my head. I wasn't okay. Conflicted. Anxious. I was upset with no way of coping with it. I bottled it up and curled into a ball. I needed time alone.