The next morning, I woke up at the crack of dawn. It had been a constant downpour all night long. As I stared out the bedroom window, I couldn't help but notice the flooding on our main street. My eyes closed slowly as I pictured Kyle when he had attacked me. His power had come out of seemingly nowhere. It was something that I would have to monitor to find out what caused it. My heart rate accelerated as I remembered the feelings at that moment.

"Can't sleep?"

I inhaled sharply before turning around to face Kyle. His verdant orbs were focused on my face. His attention made me blush as I found myself growing entranced with them. He currently was covered by his sheets but I could make out his form as he curled his knees to his chest.

"I guess you could say that. I was worried about you."

"What about?" he asked, and I sensed I had upset him.

"I made a slight guess but one that almost cost me dearly."

He avoided my eyes and I instinctively knew that he understood.

"You were planning on ending your life, and I would have been powerless to stop it. There was a time when I almost did the same. It doesn't make it right. You...you have so much going for you. A family that loves and adores you. Friends who support you. Why?" I whispered urgently trying to sway his thoughts. My chest ached for him, in a way I had never had experienced in my life. Nothing could compare to this pain. I'd rather suffer torture for a thousand years than experience losing him. He was my friend. His pain was mine.

"You aren't wrong. Every day after Mewtwo, I've been struggling to get my head above ground. I feel like I'm constantly drowning. You have NO idea what that's like. I was manipulated. I was turned into a disposable pawn for Eon. Now I have the chance to stand on my own two feet, and I almost killed you. I almost crossed that line."

"Crossing it is a big step. One you didn't take," I started but he shook his head.

"Rose. You still don't get it! That power...the night I almost killed you. I saw things. Things that while dreadful, tempted me. The temptation turned into desire and I accepted it. When I attacked you and Kenzo, I saw what I could become. I saw what my power could achieve. It was frightening and alluring at the same. With that much strength, I could never lose again. I would never have to be manipulated again. I wouldn't have to trust anyone again."

"But you would be all alone," I replied, as I empathized. At one point I had made a vow to stay alone.

"I-" He hung his head and I knew that he wanted to admit he would be better off alone. "I saw the pain and misery. I caught a glimpse of a future where I destroyed it all. My friends. My family. Everything burnt to ash and at the center of it was me."

Premonition? No...it's something else.

"Deep down though, I'm scared. If there was any chance I could be led down that path, wouldn't it be better if I didn't exist?"

My lips curled into a grimace as I disagreed. I kept my voice silent as I let him data dump onto me.

"You probably think I'm crazy," he stated in a dark tone.

"I don't. Honestly, I can't explain why you went berserk on that field. I can't tell why you stopped. Whatever this thing is, you overpowered it. You stopped it yourself. Somehow. What if, whatever you saw, it was a sign that you need to turn back now before it's too late?"

His head rose an inch, and I listened to him exhale loudly.

"I want to. I don't know if I can though."

"Before she died, my sister and I talked about you. I heard fantastical things, which I refused to believe at the time." I stated, changing subjects on him rapidly. His gaze brightened at the name and shook his head.

"She compared you to the sun. You are warm. Bright. Funny. You made everything around you better simply by existing. She adored you. The rain has come out, but it doesn't mean that the sun is gone."

His visage calmed and relaxed as I looked back out the window.

"The sun is still there, shining brightly behind the clouds. We just have to move them away so you have a chance to shine again. Call it my bad luck, but I know it."

"You both are so dramatic. There isn't such a thing as bad luck," he giggled, moving swiftly to engulf me in his arms.

"Hehehe. Cut it out Kyle," I joked, leaning into the hug.

"You both are up early," a female voice called out from the door frame. Turning around, we were shocked to see Kyle's mother was observing us silently. Her body sagged against the door frame. Her eyes were framed with dark bags from lack of sleep. Yet she appeared entirely devoted to the scene in front of her.

"Mom. I-"

"Don't. Delilah already explained it all to me. The fight. The aftermath. Say what you want about her, Rose is the spitting image of her sister. Katherine was smart. Hell, she tricked me every meal into giving her scraps."

As I looked at my friend I could see how uncertain and uncomfortable he was. He had to face his mother, who not only had been strict but had helped mold him into this current being.

"My son...I can't tell you how disappointed I am. I'm not getting any younger. Emily is out facing the world alone, and I want you to too. I'll support you. I'll love you. I'll always care about you, but this isn't the way!" she said, moving forward. As she sat down next to him, the bed bounced softly. I admired how much she accomplished.

"Just like the berries I'm responsible for at work, I have to nurture and feed you to grow the right way. Your father saw so much potential in you. He told me one day you would do something that would blow me away. When you returned home having saved a Fennekin and Gardevoir I couldn't help but beam with pride. When you defeated Mewtwo, I shared in your loss and pain. Despite everything, Bryan, Emily, Lula, still had faith in you. I still do. I just want you to be better."

"BUT CAN HE?"

As a group, we all turned to see a single dark figure standing in the doorway. I immediately grew defensive as a large shadow emerged. It shifted rapidly as it approached until appeared to form into a mirror image of Kyle. Kyle's mother stood behind me as I bristled at the enemy. Orange eyes stared into my own before it whispered and hissed like a Torracat at a threat.

"KYLE. YOU AND I BOTH KNOW THERE IS DARKNESS IN EVERYONE'S HEARTS. LOOK AT THE FRIENDS WHO CLAIMED TO BE THERE FOR YOU. LULA ALMOST ATTACKED YOU. ROSE TOOK YOUR ARM. EON BETRAYED YOUR TRUST AND MANIPULATED YOU. HE SENT YOU, A CHILD, TO GO FACE MEWTWO. KNOWING YOU WOULD DIE. YOU ARE ALONE. YET I'VE BEEN HERE FOR YOU. WHO ELSE PROTECTED YOU FROM KENZO AND ROSE? WHO ELSE COULD YOU THANK FOR WHAT HAPPENED THAT NIGHT? IT WASN'T YOUR FAULT THEY TURNED ON YOU-"

"That's not what happened!" I growled, stalking forward as his orange eyes flicked to me.

"LOOK AT HER. READY TO ATTACK YOU AGAIN, WITHOUT PROVOCATION. SHE HATES YOU JUST AS MUCH AS SHE SAID SHE DID BACK THEN."

"I never hated him," I whispered, as my eyes filled with water. "I have ALWAYS cherished him. Your lies won't work here."

Glancing back at Kyle I could see that the imposter's words had a profound effect on him. As his hand reached out, his mother intervened. She placed herself into his view, holding his face tenderly.

"Sweetie. We never abandoned you. We are here. Right now. So please-"

"Mom?" he questioned. His eyes were out of focus, and I sensed that this entity had interfered with Kyle's training earlier. Turning my back on the threat was a bad idea, but I had to reach him. Reflecting on the current events, it came to me in a flash.

"Kyle didn't need you to protect him. You didn't give him power. That power belongs to him. You twisted him into your puppet. Whatever purpose you have, he is stronger than that. He will shine again, and if I have to be the sacrifice for that, I will."

"IS THAT SO?"

As though a switch flipped, Kyle pushed past his mother. Time crawled to a slow as he placed himself in front of me. He faced this mirror, and unflinchingly clenched his fists.

"NO!" he howled at his doppelganger. I could hear the despair and pain in his voice, as he shielded me.

"WHY WOULD YOU PROTECT HER? SHE'S THE WORST. SHE STABBED YOU IN THE BACK. KILLED MEWTWO OUT OF REVENGE!"

"Yet she's, here again, to protect me from...whatever I'm turning into. I can't turn my back on her. I owe her sister that much."

"COME NOW. CAN YOU TRULY PROTECT HER? YOU KNOW THAT WE COULD BE SO MUCH MORE WITHOUT HER."

I stared at my friend watching as he trembled violently. Something about this scene seemed so surreal. Whatever this creature was, it knew Kyle's weakness and internal struggles. It brought his doubts to light. It confronted Kyle with them, trying to convert him to its side. Looking at the clone, I recognized the darkness. The shadow was something we Dark types were all too intimate with. My eyes narrowed as I raised both arms. Energy formed in its hands as it took aim at Kyle.

"WELL...IT'S BEEN FUN BUT-"

My claws dug in, and my anger reached its peak. Pushing off, I shoved Kyle out of the way of the incoming attack. A black, violet, and crimson beam shot through the room, destroying a huge section. As Kyle hit the wall, I was at the fake's rear side, having blitzed it.

As I lunged forward, it spun around to face me in a nanosecond. His hands charged another beam which at point-blank I normally wouldn't have been able to dodge. However, my attention was only on this thing, and I wouldn't lose this fight. Not for Kyle's sake. Not for his heart. My claws shoved both its arms upwards, redirecting the attack away from me. As I reached upwards, I did a backward flip. My rear claws formed a shadow claw which I drove into his stomach before unleashing a single razor wind as I righted myself in mid-air. My first two attacks appeared to have some effect, while the latter simply dissipated on contact. The being winced and disappeared from my view entirely. Closing my eyes, I gave into my senses. The darkness around me may be used by whatever it was, but I was just as in tune with my surroundings. As it popped up behind me, I turned around with a compressed Night Slash. The blade ripped into it making it shriek in pain. The attack was strong enough to send the thing sliding out of the room, and into the hallway. It gasped for breath, as more help arrived in the form of Lula and Delilah. He was now cornered with no way to run. I let out a deafening howl, flattening the being against the wall, as I activated my ability full force. The creature fell to a knee, glaring daggers at me.

"If you get in my way, things will end badly for you," I growled, ready to fight further.

"HEHEHEHE. VERY WELL. FOR NOW, YOU'VE EARNED A REPRIEVE. KYLE...NOBODY KNOWS US BETTER THAN WE DO. YOU WILL EVENTUALLY TURN. YOU ARE BEING USED. IT'S YOUR FATE TO JOIN US."

"Never," Kyle whispered. Those words pulled at my heart, and I knew that we had finally gotten through. The war was over. Kyle had made his choice. The thing sunk into the ground, vanishing entirely. Everyone remained on edge, as I backed up to guard my friend. If it could appear anywhere like it just had, then our situation was direr than I realized. My mind returned back to the night he had almost claimed my life. He hadn't been in control. This thing had caused him to turn on me. Illusions. Tricks. Whatever that was, it was a threat and a sign that our fight was far from over. After a few minutes, the group relaxed our guard. Turning to face Kyle, I could see his visage was pale and sweaty. His eyes were out of focus due to the shock of what had just occurred.

Placing a paw on his leg, I smiled broadly at him.

"R-rose?" he said shakily.

"Are you okay?" I asked warmly. He shook his head in denial. I noticed that his breathing sped up and grew uneven with each passing moment.

"Easy, son. Breathe. We got you. It's okay…"

"It's not okay. IT'S NOT OKAY! He said...he said...destiny…" Kyle shouted, hyperventilating.

I shook my fur out, as Lula and Delilah approached.

"Wh-what was-" Lula started, shutting up as I gave her a nasty glare. Turning to Olivia, I sighed heavily. I needed to speak with him alone. Now. There were too many people here and he needed someone to anchor him to the present.

"Everyone out," I stated loudly. Olivia nodded in agreement and proceeded to usher everyone out of the bedroom, closing the door behind her. Kyle slumped against the wall, and I slowly assisted him to the ground. Pulling him to my chest, I stroked his hair tenderly. His trembling let me know just how traumatized he was. Regardless, we had gotten out unscathed and that was something to be grateful for.

"Kyle. Look at me."

He buried his face into his knees, trying to hide from everything around him. His distress only made me more concerned for his condition.

"Kyle."

His wet eyes met my own as I wiped away the rapidly forming tears.

"It's going to be okay. "

"He said it was my destiny to join him. I can't let that happen. I can't. I can't. I-" Kyle protested, trying to shake me off. I persisted despite his obvious discomfort.

Digging my claws gently into his leg, I brought him out of the unending loop, and into the present.

"You didn't let it happen. You fought it. He's gone. We are SAFE," I said, watching as my words soothed his anxiety. His trembling slowed down bit by bit. His breathing normalized and his pupils constricted back to normal size as his anxiety faded away. He was still tense but otherwise more in control of his faculties it seemed.

"I saw him. The night I almost killed you."

The words brought me up short, as I watched him relive the night he had attacked me.

"Mewtwo started talking to me but I couldn't interpret his words. They were in Pokespeech. I only knew that Mewtwo would hurt me again. That...thing warned me that if I didn't end the threat now, everyone I loved would die. It showed me the cataclysm I would cause if I trusted others. He then showed me, you and Kenzo attacking me. It wasn't until Mewtwo grabbed me, did I hear you pleading with me. Your words snapped me out of my trance."

I sighed softly, and let him go.

"It wasn't your fault. For now, we need to go somewhere safe and relaxing. Don't worry. I won't leave your side for a minute."

He nodded and sniffled loudly.

"Rose?"

"Yes, Kyle?" I asked ready for whatever he had to say.

"Thank you. For everything," he whispered. Tilting his head up until his green eyes were level with my own, I leaned in and placed a sweet chaste kiss on his lips.

"Anything for my friend."

Turning around, I exited the room, giving him time and space to start packing. I noticed that the others weren't outside the door. I appreciated the privacy they had given us but now we needed to figure out our way forward. Moving swiftly, I climbed down the steps to the kitchen. As I entered the room, Olivia and Delilah asked the same question in unison.

"Is he okay?"

"He'll be okay... I think," I said not entirely trusting of my own words. "He needs everyone now more than ever."

His mother nodded again, and I noticed she had grown quieter since what had just transpired. She remained motionless for a minute before standing up and approaching me deliberately. She stopped and knelt to meet my gaze at eye-to-eye level.

"Rose. Be honest with me, please. Was it Kyle that night when he attacked you?" she asked. While I normally would have given a smart-aleck remark, I knew what she was really looking for.

"It wasn't him. We need to get out of here. Today."

"You can't take any more time off," Delilah said urgently.

"I know. Fuck," Mom swore, kissing my forehead. "I'm counting on you all. Keep my baby boy safe. I gotta go soon, but not before imparting some last words."

With that, she whirled on her heel and heading towards the stairs.

"What was that? It was so...cold. So dark," Lula said, hugging herself unconsciously.

"I don't know. It wants Kyle and that's all that matters right now to me. We can't let it," I said my brow furrowed. It would be hard to defend against this demon, but I had to have faith in Kyle's pureness. My sister loved him, and so did I. However, our love could only shield him so much from himself.

"Rose. I owe you and Kyle an apology," Delilah spoke with a small voice. "I know him just as much Olivia. I should have known that it wasn't his fault. I feel so foolish."

"It's not your fault," I replied, shaking my head. "Had it happened to Kat, I would have believed it had been entirely his doing. Like we agreed earlier. The fight's far from being over. Let's just get to Eon's. From there we can rest, and prepare for school. He'll be safe with Diantha looking over him. That...thing can't reach him there."

We all nodded and started moving about to prepare food, clean, and get ready for a good two to three days alone. I was more than ready to have some fun and soak up some rays away from this place. Lucia's meals were also a huge highlight, and I couldn't help but feel my stomach rumble in anticipation.

"Hungry much?"

I blushed hard at Lula poking fun at me.

"I can't help it. Mom's great at cooking...but Lucia is a wizard in the kitchen."

"Is that so?" a mildly threatening voice called out from the living room. I recognized it as Delilah, bringing some light to the relatively grim situation. We all burst out into laughter over the small joke. Glancing to the Primarina, she burst into a lilting song that eased our worries and lulled us into a relaxed mood. We would be okay. I knew that as long as Kat watched us from above, things would get better. They had to or I didn't know what else I could do.

It didn't take long for us to pack our stuff. As I came upstairs, I found that Kyle had placed quite a bit of clothes into a bright orange sling backpack. As he clicked our Pokeballs into the strap, I noticed that he was still sniffling. He spun to face me with wide eyes that were red from excessive crying.

"Kyle?" I asked rushing to his side. Concern filled my chest as I wondered what his Mother could have said to leave him in such a state. He sat back down facing me. "What's going on?"

"You weren't here but...Mom told me some things I wasn't ready to hear."

"Like what?"

"She told me how beautiful and strong I was. She was so hurt to come home to the news of what had happened, but just like when I attacked you I had been fighting a real war against myself. I had fought my demons and come out not only stronger but more appreciative of the things in my life. She said that she and her father couldn't be any prouder of me than at this moment. She said if he was watching from above, my father would feel happy to have died the way he had. Because he left a son worthy of taking his place in the world," he finished, sobbing again. Snot poured out of his nose, and I couldn't help but realize that despite his age, he was still this vulnerable young boy. I corrected my thoughts almost immediately. He wasn't a boy because of his age, but because of the bad cards, life had dealt him.

I couldn't help but place a claw on his face and tilt it up so he could see me.

"Kyle. It's the truth. You've grown so much in the time we've been together. You took someone who couldn't trust a single damn human and made me fall in love with them. Your flaws aren't something to be ashamed of. This isn't a comic book. You aren't some perfect being, and if you were, I would think less of you for it."

I turned around as four Pokemon entered the room behind me. I had been aware of their presence and wasn't surprised that they had shown up to see us off. It wouldn't be a vacation without ALL of his Pokemon presents.

"She's right," Kenzo spoke in a gruff tone. "Your aura reflects your nature. Wild...but pure."

"It ain't something to be upset about, honey. Ma son and I see the potential for good in ya. Just like anyone, that will can be used for good or bad. It's up to ya what ya do with it," Vickie said, nuzzling his arm gently.

"Master. Do you remember my first day when I met you?" Lula spoke up, making us all turn to the Water/Fairy type.

"Yeah. I was just a little boy then," he whispered. His voice was thick with emotion from the tears he had been sobbing moments ago.

"When we met, you told me you wanted to be inseparable. That it'd be the greatest joy in your life to be with me. Master...I mean...Kyle. The joy has been all mine since that moment. Despite anything you've done, I've never once considered that this isn't where I belonged. I love you so so much and the greatest punishment you could ever force upon me is to send me away."

Finally, one more person entered the room, making his presence known. He held up his Pokecommunicator, revealing a single face. Arren emerged with his hoodie down.

"KYLE! Oh fuck. Can he see me? Damnit...I knew my signal was bad. Arren! You dumbass! Help me out here."

"I can see you Pene," Kyle spoke up. I noticed his head hung in front of one of his greatest friends.

"ARREN! I swear I hate you so much right now. I'm kicking your balls in next time we see each other. Okay. Right…"

"Focus Penelope," Arren stated loudly.

"I'm getting there asshole. Kyle. Sorry, I'm not there right now. I've...I've had a bit of a life-changing event. After Gallade died, I may or may not have made a new friend out in the field. He's a bit of a fucking loony but I'm training him right now. I can't believe my luck. It's a Mimikyu. Do you know how long I've waited for one? Like...an eternity! It's."

"Pene!" Arren snapped, and I couldn't help but notice that both he and Kyle were smiling as the female rambled.

"Right. Right. Okay. So here's the deal. I don't blame you for any of the shit that went down that night. Gallade left on his own terms. Just like Katherine. I know you still miss her, and I do too. I'll never forget the bastard who took her life. After the fight, you were torn. I wanted to hate you for it but after this long...I can't be. It wasn't your fucking fault that everything fell to the wayside. What I'm saying is if you ever need me...I'm here."

"Tha-thanks, Pene," Kyle mumbled and a huge smile grew on my face. This is what he needed right now more than anything.

"Now get your panties out of a twist and smile, before I come and make you myself."

"Hey, Pene?" Arren spoke up, getting the female's attention.

"Yeah jackass?"

"There's a Drapion behind you," Arren said, pointedly. We all watched as the female turned around to nothing but just snow. The prank didn't go unnoticed as she screamed into the mic. Unfortunately, Arren had already cut the link. But not before we caught the first few words.

"OH! YOU PIECE OF- Click."

The group fell into an uproar and cavalcade of laughter, and it was a relief to me to see the light shine again. Kyle was looking like the person I had first met. The darkness which had been hanging over him seemed to fade into the background. His eyes were aglow and his smile genuine.

"Kyle. It's going to be okay. Everyone here knows that," Bry spoke up.

"He's right," Arren agreed. "We just need to catch our breaths before we get back to training for your future as a Pokemon Ranger. You aren't giving up on me."

Kyle nodded firmly as he took in a giant shaky breath.

"Thanks, guys," he whispered, standing up in a smooth motion. Kenzo, I, and Lula all rushed to aid him as he got up.

"Thank-"

"Don't you dare forget about me, young man," Delilah said, emerging from the door frame. Before anyone could stop the Gardevoir she practically glided past everyone to pull him into her arms. I noticed that she buzzed with Psychic energy, but her words were shielded from everyone's view. As she pulled away, Kyle appeared to be fully refreshed. His face was relaxed and at ease. Smiling, she kissed his forehead.

"Well. Looks like the gang is all here. Shall we get going?" she asked, glancing around the room. With a resounding nod, everyone gave nods and cheers.

Despite not being there, one more being watched the ongoing events with her spirits in high hopes. Her sacrifice had not been in vain. This was the fresh start the boy would need. It brought her the greatest joy she could have ever know.

SEVERAL HUNDRED MILES AWAY

A single male Pokemon stared at the location where Mew had been murdered. It had never been his intention to get her involved. As a matter of a fact, he had wanted her to be safe. The two had been close friends. However, this world had proven to be a facade perpetrated by her killers. Things had to change and soon. His hopes to convert Kyle to his cause had been all for naught. Had the male killed Rose, then the world have fallen to ruin shortly thereafter. Arceus would choose to reset everything. To wipe humanity and restart from scratch. Again he had been foiled by the damn Absol. She was a thorn that he intended to cut out of his side.

Not to mention, he hadn't anticipated that Mewtwo would fail. The situation was evolving in ways he could never have imagined. It was unfathomable that the human could resist his destiny time and time again. Not without some help. He suspected his friend perhaps may have had something to do with it. He couldn't be sure though. Grinding his teeth in frustration, he finished draining the soul of a Gothita who feebly struggled in his grasp. She whimpered and cried for her mother as he devoured the sweet innocent soul. As the last of the light left her eyes, his strength returned. It had taken a lot out of him to shift forms. Sighing, he dropped the corpse and faded back into the shadow of the tree. His plans could wait as long as need be. For now, he needed to regroup, and wait until the moment was ripe to strike at Kyle's heart. Once the stake was in, the boy would do anything to stem the bleeding, including giving in to him.

"I have all the time in the world," he whispered. He smiled devilishly, as he listened to the parent's howl in sorrow upon discovering their recently deceased child. He always won in the end, even if he lost for now.