Hi everyone and welcome to the 18th chapter of the "Pokemon Academy and the Controllers of eath and sea"!

The first thing to say is that I'm sorry because I took me more than expected to make this chapter. Some personal issues took some time for me. After that I kept feeling that this chapter needed some improvement so I kept revising it again and again until I was satisfied with it. I hope you all find it interesting too (I have a hunch that you will). As yoou're used to... it's TIME WITH REVIEWS!

12courtney12: Yes you are! I'm very happy to know that this is your favourite story. I'll try my best to keep it that way. Thanks for reviewing!

Hazelnut Tre: Soon? Yes, but not as soon as you'd probably like!Thanks for reviewing!

comisure: I'm happy you liked it even though Ruby refused to battle. He will show his power, but in the right time.

Guest nº1: I like them a lot and I'm not going to stop making them!

Guest nº2: I know that many of you expected him to battle, but I had planned it to be like this from the beggining. I'm glad you liked it that much.

ArcticFenris: Well I know that this is quite a different kind of story, but it was just something that hit me and I gave it a try. I tried to make this story similar to the manga in some ways and keep it completely different in the others. Saying that you like it that much makes me very proud. Thanks for the review.

anonymous: Well yoour review was interesting. You guessed a lot in that. Some of the things you said were right, but some of them weren't. Only a headsup, after reading this chapter you can perfectly guess the reason for his hate towards battles. I won't spoil anything if i say that the most logical answere is not always the right one and more when there are some important things in the story still unexplained.
As for who you are... If I base the guess in the people who usually reiview I would say that you're either RionaCreimsi (but I believe that's not the case because she always reviews in a different way...), Itsnowedlastnight or Smile_all_of_your_days. I strongly beieve that you are one of the two left then. If you're not one of them... my most sincere apologies. Either way thanks for the review and for thinking so hard about it XD! I hope you like this one too.

Wants an update: Well here you have it. I explained at the beginning why I updated so late. As I said I try to update on Saturdays or Sundays, but like in this one it's not always possile, I hope you can forgive for that. I'm glad though that you wait so much for an update, it means that you like this story so it's a good thing. Thanks for reviewing.

So that's all in TIME WITH REVIEWS! Thanks for all the attention you guys are paying to this story. It means a lot and encourages me to write more and better!

Before we start LC5 has some things to say.

LexClone5: Hey peoples, LC5 here, these past few weeks have been horrible for me, but that will not stop me from at least taking an hour of my time to edit your favourite story about your favourite people. I had to move on such ridiculously short notice (like three days before editing this), but I still have my phone, so I can still edit this pretty easily., hope you enjoy it, and thanks for waiting, I know I had to wait to just receive the chapter.)

Disclaimer: Does it really need to be said at this point?

All this said... READ and ENJOY!


Ruby's POV

-If you shoot that flare- I heard Green say when I began to walk away- You won't ever be one of us.

-I once thought that I had finally found someone to call my friends- I said turning - But I guess that I was only lying to myself. Thanks for everything guys… It was good while it lasted.

"Of course I was lying to myself all the time, there's no way on earth that they would be involved with people like me. I should've never left my home even if I had no friends there and I was all alone. Feeling all your hopes smashed with a punch in your face, it's much more terrible." I was thinking on my way home while I was using the extra-speed my shoes gave me. I didn't know what I was going to do next…

When I arrived at my apartment I entered and closed the door, and then in the most solitude I broke down. I don't know how long it had been since the last time I cried, but I cried. I cried out of pain, but it didn't come from my cheek or jaw. It came from much under that. It came from all the hopes smashed, all the times I had feared this moment, but mostly it came from those times that I thought that maybe I had a safe shot when I finally would tell them the entire truth.

I cried there for I don't know how long, before I suddenly felt trapped inside the apartment, like the walls would crumble on top of me. Without hesitation, I just stormed out leaving my Pokegear behind. I began to run again, but towards the clearing over the lake instead. I found that place to be very beautiful and since I found it, it became like my thinking place. This was where I trained my pokemon, I thought about things when I woke up in the middle of the night and I was unable to go back to sleep again… Sitting in those rocks relaxed me in a way that is very hard to describe. The fact that this was the place I met Sapphire and comforted her the night she said that she was my friend surely had something to do about it.

When I arrived there I sent Zuzu out and I commanded that he kept training that new contest move. He was watching me with a worried expression, but obeyed me at last. The thing he did just before starting to train was toss one pokeball from my bag and letting a white and green pokemon to be released from it. Seeing that Ruru was watching me with both horns shining he just left to start his practice.

I smiled towards Ruru who was watching me before sitting in the same rock I sat that Friday. Looking at my shoes without seeing anything, my mind wandered towards the dream I had earlier today. When I woke up I was surprised that I got so scared from it, but right now I knew the reason. It hadn't been the same nightmare as always, this one had been longer and more accurate. In this one I had relived all the events that took place in that day of September 5 years ago…

5 years ago (night of 20th of Septemeber)

We were already outside the building. As we planned, we divided in two different groups. Red, Green, Gold, Sapphire, and Emerald would be making as much damage to the building as possible; Yellow, Crystal, Blue, Silver, and I would search for any tracking device or injury in the flying types we would use.

-Charizard doesn't have any- said Blue.

-Are you sure?- I asked and she nodded- How about you Yellow?

-I looked at Aero's and Pilo's thoughts and they don't have any either- she said.

- Good- I praised her- Please, do the same with Mantaro and then rest. You'll be able to do that without problems, don't you?

-Yes- she said- I could even check Mantine and the others.

-No, you rest after Mantaro- I told her- We still have a long journey and it won't be easy.

-Okay- she said.

-What about you Crystal?- asked Silver.

-Not a single one- she said- Tupeon is clean.

-So is Emerald's Mantine- I said.

-My Murkrow is clean as well- said Silver- Seems like they didn't think we would try to escape.

-I know and that's a good sign…- I said- but let's be cautious.

-Mantaro is clean too- said Yellow- and all the pokemon are in perfect shape.

-Very good- I said- We have to wait for them now, but we need to hide ourselves.

-Any ideas?- asked Crystal.

-The explosions they're going to cause will create smoke- said Silver- If we mimic that we will be able to hide properly.

-Then let's use fog- I said- We need fire and water.

And with that hint both Blue and Crystal sent out her Growlithe while Blue released her Wartortle. Colliding a Flamethrower with a Water gun they created a curtain of fog that prevented everyone from seeing us and our pokemon. After a little while we heard a huge explosion and then some other explosions after some time. The sounds of people running and trying to stop the fire that was created could be heard from where we stood, but anyone said anything of our disappearance. Just then we heard the sound of five people running directly towards us and stopping in front of us. I prepared myself and I grabbed a pokeball in case they were grunts. I immediately relaxed when I saw that they were our companions.

-Everything okay?- asked a worried Yellow.

-Yeah!-shouted Gold.

-So what are we waiting for?-asked Crystal.

- Nothing, now everyone ride your pokemon and let's go!- said Green.

-We all know where is the meeting place, the pokemon too. We will go there in 5 groups, Red and Yellow on Aero, Green and Blue on Charizard, Gold and Crystal on Mantaro and Tupeon, Emerald and Silver on Mantine and Murkrow and finally me and Sapphire in Pilo. We all know the routes, now please take care and see you there- I said with a reassuring smile hoping to give them the last confidence boost.

And with that we all climbed on the pokemon and dashed out of the prison. I looked around me to see them take the different routes we had decided randomly. Me and Sapphire were taking the highest one and the more centric one. If everything went well, we would be the last ones to arrive, but shortly after the others. Looking around again I noticed that all the figures had disappeared and finally I saw the face of my travelling companion, Sapphire. The pairs of the journey weren't random. It didn't really matter about the others, but I HAD to accompany Sapphire. I looked at her and she had a nervous smile in her face.

We weren't very far when I heard the sound of an alarm coming from the prison or the organization headquarters. I became alert and started to look around frantically. I kept looking behind, left, right, and front in the darkness of the night searching for any single sign of danger.

After an hour or so I relaxed a little, but I kept searching nonetheless. So far the flight had been quiet. Not me or her said anything to the other, too focused in our surroundings. I looked at her who was behind me from the corner of my eye and I saw her looking at the city we were approaching from above. I looked down and I saw that despite the time there were a lot of light coming from the houses, buildings and parks in there so they may have been having a festival or something. Thinking about the time made me realize quite an important thing.

-Happy birthday Sapphire- I said looking at the darkness searching for any sign of danger.

-What?-she asked quite surprised. I chuckled silently, after everything that we went through, it was normal to forget some things even if they were important…

-Today's your birthday remember? I think it's long past midnight so… Happy birthday!- I said smiling towards her before returning my gaze to my surroundings.

-It's true, thank you!- she said before throwing her arms around me from behind and hugging me tightly.

I looked at her who was smiling with those little fangs showing and my face grew a little hotter at that. We stayed like that for some time while I gazed again to the surroundings.

-Ru-Ruby I, you know… - she began still in the same position- I would like to tell you something…

-What thing?- I asked still looking around.

-W-well…- she started shyly when I saw a figure coming from the corner of my eye.

-WATCHOUT!- I yelled pulling her away from the flying blue dragon that stopped on front of us.

I looked at the flying Salamence who was levitating in front of us. I tried to sent Ruru out to fight him, but he charged towards Sapphire. I pulled her behind me and then the dragon's claw started glowing and attacked me. I tried to avoid it, but I couldn't and I felt a sharp pain above my left eye. I found myself laying on Pilo's back and the Salamence looking directly at me.

-I-I have to prot-ect her- I said while trying to stand up glaring at the pokemon.

But while still trying the dragon-type attacked again. I was able to avoid direct contact this time, but the trembling the attack caused made me lose my balance and I soon found myself falling from Pilo… I looked at both Sapphire and Pilo for the last time before shouting:

-Pilo, keep going!- She was one who had to escape from there the most. If she was caught the world had a huge problem...


I was falling and my head hurt like hell and something more. I touched the place with my left hand only to take it back full of blood. I was falling head-first and I didn't have a flying type. Not even Ruru's Psychic could lift me enough and she still didn't know how to teleport. My head hurt so much that I couldn't think or move correctly and I couldn't see nothing with my left eye due to the blood. I was going to die as soon as I arrived to the city below me. My last thoughts were directed, though, to the girl and the pokemon I had left behind. I only could hope that they would be able to escape from it or at least be able to face it along with Red, Green and the others before being caught. She was too important to get caught again and for more than one reason.

I almost got used to the idea that this was my time to die when I saw something like a flying figure coming towards me. At first I thought that it was just my imagination, but then a firework illuminated the place enough to let me see the figure of a Salamence coming towards me at great speed. I had no idea why he was chasing me. "Maybe the smell of blood turned him mad" I thought, but I didn't care, it was my last chance to avoid my death and I was going to take it.

Opening my arms and legs I tried to decrease the speed of the fall using the friction of the air, in order to let the pokemon catch me. It didn't do much so I unzipped my jacket and extended it as much as I could with my hands grabbing the corners of it. With this the friction was increased and I started to lose speed. The Salamence was flying at a great speed and started to cut distance towards me. Finally, when I was 50 m. above the ground the pokemon grabbed me from both jacket and trousers with his powerful jaws in a precise movement. He started to stop the free fall and when he did it, he started to fly to the place we came from taking me with him. He was going to take me back to that mobile base, but I had other ideas in my mind… With the idea of earning my freedom again and saving my life I grabbed my three pokeballs and I opened them in the back of the dragon type sending out my Poochyena, Skitty, and Kirlia.

-Coco, Nana, Ruru! We have to make him fly closer to the ground!- I said- Coco Iron tail! Nana Tackle! Aim to the body. Ruru use Shadow ball on his right wing!

And with those attacks the flying type was forced to lose height and with the attack to his right wing he had a hard time flying with the same power as before. He started to shake in order to make my pokemon fall, but Ruru was levitating and Coco had a firm grip on the pokemon. Nana though was struggling to stay there and finally fell from it. I saw this and acted quickly, but my head was hurting a lot and I was becoming dizzy by the fall and the loss of blood I was sure I was experimenting. The adrenaline was the only thing keeping me going at that time.

-Ruru use Psychic to lift Nana!- I yelled when I saw her falling and she could comply me request perfectly- Nana use Hyperbeam on the other wing!

It was a risky move, but I had to do it. Receiving the attack and crying in pain the dragon type opened his mouth and I fell again to the empty space under me. This time though I was somewhat prepared for that and I was able to take a hold in one of his strong legs. Nana and Coco again on his back, Ruru floating nearby, me hanging from one of his legs and the attacks he received in both wings were something the pokemon couldn't handle and began to fall even when he tried to fly. He was falling slowly at first, but I was going to make the fall much faster.

-Ruru, use confusion on him! Coco use Double Slap in his back! Nana use Take Down!- I commanded and I then heard his cry of pain and the violent shake he made to make my pokemon fall again. This time they were all able to stay in his back and we all began to sink quicklier than before.

I looked down only to see a festival in a park and the floor approaching quickly. The park had some people in it, places to have some drink or snacks, benches, rides for children… And we were going directly towards them.

-Get out of here!- I yelled still hanging from the Salamence's leg when all the people looked up and saw us almost falling.

I could see most of the people run out of the place, children running away scared and parents running after them, children being dragged away by their family and so on. The few people that remained where a great distance from the place we were going to meet the ground. When we were like 3m. above the ground the Salamence shook himself violently and did a spin effectively throwing us to the floor.

Fortunately, I hit the ground in the grass next to the rock path landing quite hardly on my back while Nana and Coco landed gracefully by my side. Ruru levitated until she landed in front of me while the massive Salamence stood across from us with a enraged face. I could see that he was very powerful, but I was not going to lose now, not when I was so close to freedom again. I struggled to stand up, but after a while and a lot of effort I was able to. I looked at him and I saw that he prepared to shot a Fire Blast.

-Nana use Hyperbeam, focus on the Fire Blast! Ruru Shadow Ball on the rock path in front of him! - I commanded- Coco use Double-Edge!

The Hyperbeam cancelled the fire attack while the Shadow Ball hit the ground and launched both large and sharp rocks and dust to the pokemon, creating a little crater. Being a flying type made the pokemon weak to rock type attacks and with my lack of those attacks I had to create them somehow. The Double-Edge also collided with the dragon type, but in exchange the Salamence used Dragon Claw to hurt Coco and shot a Dragonbreath towards Nana. Sure he was hurt, but all my pokemon and myself where tired and it was clear that the Salamence was an impressive pokemon.

-Ruru use your Psychic on Nana to make her dodge the attack and then throw her to the Salamence!- I commanded my Psychic-type- Nana take profit and use Take Down! Coco s-stand up and use Iron tail!

The Salamence tried to fire a Fire Blast again towards Nana when the Dragonbreath failed, but he couldn't concentrate much power due to Coco's attack in his right side of the body. When he fired the human-shaped flame it wasn't a full powered attack and Nana only used the fire to increase her attack and did a lot of damage to the dragon type receiving little damage herself. When it seemed that whe was preparing the next attack the Salamence winced in pain. He realized then that he was hurt badly and finally made the decision to retire. Struggling a lot he started to fly in the direction we came from and slowly, but surely disappeared in the night.

I was both relieved and happy that I won, but as the adrenaline began to fade I fell on my knees… I also winced in pain with the quick movement my body experienced. My pokemon looked at me worried, but they were very tired and quite hurt themselves so I just recalled them. I then put my eyes on the remaining people in the park. Some people had already left, but some were pointing at me and saying some things.

-He i-is, just a kid!-said one- And he was able to beat it! Just what kind of kid can do that?

-This kid's a-a monster!- said another one out of fear and with that he dashed out of the place.

The thing is that he wasn't the only one as the majority of them also left the place saying something like the first one. Shouts of "This kid is dangerous!" or "Let's stay away from him" or things in the same line could be heard from them. My head hurt more with every second that passed, the left part of my hair and face were covered in dried blood and the stains were falling down my jacket and to the floor. I touched the injure and my hand got covered by blood again. My dizziness became more intense and I looked to the very few people who were still there.

-H-help me… please- I said to them trying to reach them with my right hand.

When they looked at me, though, the look in those brown, blue… orbs showed a feeling that I never saw anyone give to me. It was a terrible sight. The feeling was pure terror. All of them were so scared that nobody did anything to help me. Trying to break them of their state I tried again.

-Ple-please… I n-need help- I said to them, but those 8 pairs of eyes still showed the same feeling.

They slowly, but surely began to step back and finally they left me alone. While they were running out of fear I called to them, but it was no use and my last bit of consciousness faded when my whole body plummeted to the ground with a sound I never heard. The last thing I heard was the "click" of a pokeball opening and then I passed out…

That had been my both my nightmare and reality. Ruru patted my back and when I saw her she had tears in her eyes. I patted her head to reassure her when I went back to look at my shoes absent-mindedly. That lasted for some more minutes until I heard steps coming from the entrance of the clearing. Ruru lifted her head to see who the person was, but I didn't even need it to know it.

-You shouldn't be here Sapphire- I told her.

Green's POV

-Green that's something that needs to change now- Blue said- You're not like always and the others are noticing that. Just share your responsibilities and return to be the Green they know! Return to be the Green I fell for!

Just after that sentence she gasped and covered her mouth with both hands. I was also surprised that she said that, that I became speechless too. I looked at her again and she was still in the same position. My words almost refused to get out when I said:

-The Green I fell for?- I asked- You like me?

-Uhm… Yeah…- she said.

-Since when?- I asked dumbfounded.

-I don't really know… But you and me have been somewhat close in the last five years and in this time… it just happened- she explained before asking shyly- W-what about you?

-I do too…- I finally told her- At first I found you quite noisy and hard to be with, but after a while I started to appreciate you more. We were friends at first, but after the incident with Team Rocket I started to think differently about everyone… and mostly you.

-I'm glad- she said- but I don't like the actual you though- she added- I like the serious-but-not-as-serious-as-the-beginning Green, the one who likes to care for all of us in his way, the one who likes to push himself hard… but I don't like the one who stresses himself doing everything on its own. You push yourself too hard sometimes and you forget that the other Dexholders are here for you as well.

-I know and I'm sorry for that…- I said- I really am.

-I forgive you if you promise to trust us more- she said smiling- But you are really asking for forgiveness to the wrong person.

-I know…- I told her- I never treated Rub with the respect he deserves, the respect he has used towards us. Even though I would really like to know the reason for his hate to battles, though.

-Maybe if we gave him time he will eventually tell us- she said- If what he, Sapphire, and Emerald told us is true, he never got friends to rely on.

-I'll talk to him…- I said- And I'll also talk to Sapphire, she left before I had time to explain myself, again…

-I believe that she was more worried about him- she told me- She will listen and understand, but I don't believe that she will forgive you if you don't apology to him properly.

-I already said that I would do it… I'm sticking to my words- I assured her- You pointed another fact for my disappointment though.

-What one?

- You asked me why I felt relieved didn't you?- I asked her and she nodded- I felt relieved because both you and I know that Sapphire will be the last one of us to accept anyone. When I saw Rub entering the clearing, I thought that he would be the only one that Sapphire would ever fully accept if he had the proper abilities.

-It makes sense, she is quite close to him- she said- but this will be an issue to discuss another time. We have more important things to do today.

-I'll talk to them as soon as I can- I said turning to meet her gaze. When I did that I saw that she had that sly grin that we are all scared of- Wh-what?

-You know, when I said that I forgave you? It wasn't entirely true…- she said much to my dismay- You'll have to do me a favor in order to earn my entire forgiveness.

-Wh-what thing?- I asked facepalming.

-You'll have to go to the ball with me next Saturday- she said- And you know it's not polite to deny a favor like that to your girlfriend…

-Girlfriend?- I asked.

-Well I like you and you like me so we are boyfriend and girlfriend right now… Or we'll be if you do what you have to do with both of them.

-Okay, okay I get it- I said smirking before whispering- "Pesky" girl…

-But I'm YOUR Pesky girl right now!- she said clinging to my arm.

-Whatever- I said when I found my Pokegear vibrating, I had received a message.

I read it and I stood up. I quickly went to my room and grabbed my pokeballs and I went to Blue again:

-What's up?- she asked.

-I got a message from Red, we have to go!- I told her- I'll explain on the road.

-Okay, but let me do this first- she said grabbing my shoulders and pecking me on the lips- And after our first kiss… now we can go!

- You'll never leave to be "Pesky" girl- I muttered smiling when we ran out of the house towards the place Red had told me to- but again… thanks for being like that.

Sapphire's POV

-You shouldn't be here Sapphire- he said still looking at the floor.

I was surprised by his words, but I ignored them and I approached him. I sat in the rock in front of him just like that time while I could see Zuzu stop his training and look over us. I looked at him and the Kirlia who was by his side, then I tried to start a different conversation with him.

-Is this your Kirlia?- I asked him.

-Yeah, she is- he said still not looking up- I told you that you would meet her someday.

-It's true… she was the only one that I had never seen in real life- I said.

Then he nodded towards his pokemon and the pokemon nodded back. After that I saw the Kirlia come slowly towards me. She stopped in front of me and looked straight to my eyes. I was a little unsure of her intentions so I looked to Rub. Our eyes met for half a second before he looked to the ground again.

-Ruru wants to meet you- he said.

-Oh- I said and I turned my gaze towards the veil-covered pokemon- Hi there Ruru!

She just lifted herself from the ground and did a turn around me before placing herself in front of me again. I then stroked her hair and she smiled.

-She likes you- said Rub a faint smile appearing in his face.

I nodded to him while the Kirlia's eyes glowed blue. I had no idea of what she was doing until I noticed my bandana fly away from my head.

-Hey give it back- I said- Your trainer made it for me!

I reached for her then, but then the pokemon teleported herself at Rub's side and my bandana floated until it landed on top of his head covering it completely.

-She is quite playful, isn't she?- I said standing up and going towards him and my bandana.

He just held it in his hand offering it to me. I grabbed it and started to putting it on my head. When I was finally able to do it I looked to him straight in his face. The sadness in his eyes was still the same that I saw before with Red, Green, and the others. He just spoke four more words:

-You shouldn't be here…

-Why not?- I asked him.

-Me and one of your friends had an argument a while ago, so you should be supporting him- he said much to my surprise.

-I'm just where I should be then- I told him.

-Huh?- he said- Why?

-Don't you remember? When that night you fell on this same lake for because of me- I laughed a little at the memory- Oh that reminds me…- I looked through my bag to finally take out that same ointment and passing it to him- Here I believe that you know how to put this ointment on, don't you? You'll feel better in no time.

- Thanks- he said applying the medicine on his bruised cheek.

-We really have to stop meeting here like that- I joked- You always end up with a bruise in your face.

-It's true- he said.

-So you remember? That day in this same spot you told me that I had 8 good friends and that you were sure that they wouldn't want to lose me as her friend- I told him- I don't want to lose them either and I'll do what it takes to avoid that, but…

-But?

-It's not true that I've only got 8 friends. I have, at least, 9 good friends and I don't want to lose the ninth either- I said looking directly at his eyes- I'm so sure that the other Dexholders don't want to lose that ninth person too.

-A-are you sure?- he said his voice shaking a little.

-Positive- I said with a reassuring smile- You told me that you were all alone in your last school, but that's not the issue here. Red, Blue, Gold, Yellow, Emerald, Silver, Crystal, even Green… all of them treat you like a true friend. I've never seen any of them act that comfortable around anyone besides you- I said taking a pause- That day I said that you were my friend and like you said I don't want to lose you as a friend.

He fell silent then and I did the same. I meant every single one of the words. I also knew that I wasn't the only one who felt this way because almost everyone had said something to Green. After letting the words sink he lifted his head to look directly to my eyes.

-You stalked me…- he said surprising me- Both you and Emerald, the first week I came here. Why?

-How did you know?- I asked him a little embarrassed.

-Tell Emerald that his copter is silent, but not invisible- he just answered- Why did you do that? Did you think I was a threat too?

-NO!- I almost yelled before looking away embarrassed- It's just that we found your behavior a lot different from anyone else's. That and your hate towards battles made us curious about you. Looking back I have to say that I'm sorry, but it was just a thing that came to me. I wanted to know why you hated battles or even if it was true that you hated them.

-That's why you came to see me at my first contest?- he asked.

-Yes and no. I wanted to see your ability with pokemon so I thought that maybe I could see if you were strong or not in there- I said before continuing shyly- I also wanted to cheer for my new friend.

-In fact I was surprised to see you there…- he told me- nobody ever came to see me compete, much less to cheer for me.

-Not even you parents?- I asked surprised.

-My mom would come, but she had a job as a lorry driver so she was far from home most of the day- he explained- And my dad's a Gym leader so he has a lot of work to do and not very much time to spend with his family. Even if he could, though, he wouldn't go and see his son "wasting his time".

-For what you've told me… you and your dad don't have the best of relationships…

-Nope. We are so different- he spoke- He loves to battle and I hate it. He detests contests and I like them. He wants me to rule the gym when he retires and as you probably guess I despise the idea.

-So that's the only differences you have?- I asked him, it didn't seem such a big deal.

-It wouldn't be that bad in another family, but in mine it is. Whenever he talks about his job or the challengers he's got in his gym, the subject is in the air- he said- Maybe not specifically said, but implied.

-I understand…- I said, in that case it seemed to be quite the issue- Can I ask you something though?

-What thing?

-Have you always hated to battle?- I asked him.

His face darkened at the question and the sorrow in his eyes only deepened. He looked around for a while, like fighting with himself in his mind.

-No- he said finally.

-So something happened… Can I ask you what happened to you?- I asked and his face darkened even more.

-I'm sorry, but I can't answer this- he said sadly. I was very curious, but seeing how much this issue troubled him I decided to ask him another time.

-Oh, okay- I said- Can you at least tell me why do you want to be weak?

-I can't tell you either- he said, but then he grabbed his head with both hands before continuing- Those two things are connected.

-Oh, I understand- I said.

-Please don't get me wrong- he said then- I trust you and the others. I also know that all of you might be fed up with me and my secretism, but…

-But?- I inquired.

-I'm not prepared to tell the story, not yet- he said sadly- I know that I may seem selfish, even more when you explained to me your past the day of your birthday. You were extremely brave to open up to a guy who you only met 10 days ago. I know that I can trust all of the Pokedex Holders and you the most, but I'm not prepared yet. I'm sorry.

I looked at him and I knew that he was telling me the truth. He seemed troubled by the issue. I stood up to him and I put my hand in his shoulder. When he looked at me I just said.

-Don't worry, just tell us when you feel like it-I said- We'll be all ears.

-I promise something though. When I feel prepared to tell those events, you'll be the first one to know- he said before hesitating- and if I ever want to give another try into battling… you'll be the first one to know too.

I was surprised by those promises, but I was happy. I felt that he truly trusted me and the only thing that kept him from explaining was his self-confidence. Maybe he had tried to explain to another person and the thing went wrong.

-Can I ask you a last question about the issue?- I said and he hesitantly nodded- Have you ever told anyone?

-You said that I was the first to know the story after the Dexholders and your family- he said and I nodded- Only my father and mom knows mine… And one of them never accepted me after that- he whispered just loud enough for me to hear.

That made things much clear for me and then it hit me. "Rub was giving a second thought at the battling thing".

-You said that I would be the first to know if you wanted to battle again, didn't you?- I asked- If you do… I'll help you become stronger if you want.

-It's true, but I don't know if it will be anytime soon, maybe it'll never happen- he said looking towards Zuzu who was playing with mud- I can assure you though, that I will try to tell you my past soon. You deserve it for all you've done for me.

I nodded at him and then turned to the mud-fish pokemon.

-What's he doing?- I asked him.

-His practicing his Mud sport- he answered.

-Why? I saw that he knows the move very well- I told him- I've seen him use in both contests so far and it was okay.

-I'm trying to change it a little though- he said- Look I'll show you… Have you got your Donphan here?

-Yes do you want me to release him?- I asked and he nodded- Okay… Dono! Your turn!

And with that my elephant-pokemon appeared in the clearing. Rub only waved to Zuzu and made him come to us.

-Now Dono can you stay still for a second?- he asked and after I nodded to him he nodded to Rub- Okay Zuzu, use Donphan-Mud sport!

And with that the mud-fish pokemon started to pile more and more mud in the same place with incredible speed. He started then to mold the mud and when he retreated I could see a real size mud-made figure of a Donphan. I looked closely and sure, I could find mistakes, but it was still an amazingly well made statue of my pokemon. I looked towards Zuzu who had retreated to be in front of Rub who was petting his head.

-That was impressive!- I told him- It's almost identical to Dono, isn't it Dono?- I said and saw my pokemon sniffing the mud statue in front of us.

-Yes. Zuzu you outdid yourself today!- he praised his pokemon- I believe that you've gotten the hand of it!

And with that he threw that Pokeblock thing which his pokemon caught midair. After that he thanked him for the effort and recalled him. I then noticed that the Kirlia was still by his side, but she had a tranquil smile in her face.

-Can I ask you how could you think of that?- I asked him.

-I thought about it when I saw Yellow make that sand figure in the beach when you showed your Relicanth to us- he just said- I only tried to mimic that with the mud Zuzu can create with Mud sport.

-And what combo will you perform with it?- I asked him.

-That I won't tell- he said with an smile then- You'll have to come and see…

-I'll come then, but be sure to use it- I said to him then.

-Don't worry, Hyper-rank contests will be very tough so I'll have to use my bests shots- he explained- The judges will also be different so they won't know any of my strategies.

-That's good to know- I told him.

-Who was the winner of the "Battle Royale"?- he asked then.

-I don't know… I gave up just after you did- I told him- after what I saw I wasn't in the mood to battle.

-I'm sorry, I didn't want to spoil your day like that…- he said- I know you were all looking forward to compete in it.

-It's not your fault, it was Green's- I told him clenching my fist- If he had just accepted that you wouldn't battle, everything would've turned out fine.

Then my Pokegear made the ringing sound that indicates that it received a message. I looked at the person who sent it and when I saw that it was Green I put it back into my pocket.

-Aren't you going to even read it?- he asked me.

-It's from Green, so no- I told him.

-You should, maybe he wants to tell you why he behaved like that- he told me- you should at least hear him.

-I'll do it later- I said stubborn.

-Sapphire… you remember what we talked last time in this same spot don't you?- he asked and I nodded- Look this happened between me and him, he is still your friend so you should hear his reasons. Although I'm angry at him, I have to say that I also said some hard things to him and maybe he has a real explanation for his behavior.

-Maybe- I said, I knew he was right- but he still shouldn't have kicked you out! He is a friend not the person who decides who is able to come with us or not.

-You can also tell him that, but listen to him first- he told me and I grabbed my Pokegear again.

I opened and went to the received messages and searched for Green's one. I hesitated before opening it, but a look from Rub said that I had to leave all the rage I felt about him behind and read it. My eyes widened when I read it and I almost jumped at what it said. I then looked towards Rub.

-It's nothing like I expected, that organization has attacked again!- I said to him grabbing my fanny pack- I have to go to my apartment now, I don't have time to explain.

-Okay- he said- Thanks for everything Sapphire and take care!

And sending him a confident grin and a thumbs up I dashed out of the place towards my apartment to meet all the other members of the Dexholders.

Ruby's POV

I had a bad feeling about the new attack that had taken place. Something was telling me that it wasn't going to be like last time when they wiped the floor with the grunts. It also seemed too convenient that the attack was today. The first time the attack took place it happened after a whole afternoon of battling and today had just taken place the "Battle Royale" meaning that the Dexholders would've battled all the morning and even against themselves. Sure, it could be mere coincidence, but I had learned to expect the worst in those cases. It had been more than a month since the first attack so the fact that the organization had already planned everything for today only made more sense.

For those reasons I looked around to see that I wasn't going to leave anything behind before I thanked Ruru for staying with me and worrying for me and then recalled her. Then I sent out Nana to the field.

-Nana I need your help- I told her- Use Odor sleuth to follow the path Sapphire took!

After a nod from her she started sniffing and almost immediately found the path and started running towards the place. I then turned on my super-speed shoes before following closely behind my pokemon.

Sapphire's POV

After some minutes of intense running I saw all the Dexholders standing in front of my apartment. As I came to them they lifted their head to see me running. All of them came to meet me halfway and I stopped my tracks. I looked to them all to see concerned looks on their faces. Green was hardly meeting my gaze, but he seemed concerned too.

-Sapphire, I have bad news for you- said Emerald- The same organization attacked again…

-And they did something to you…- ended Blue getting out of the way.

She getting out of the way allowed me to see what was behind her. I gasped at the sight that was in front of my eyes. I was now looking to my single apartment or to be more specific, what was left of it…


So that was all for the 18th chapter! And it ends with a Cliffhanger!

With this you finally know what happened to Ruby after falling from Pilo. I know that some of the you have waited since the first chapters o finally know this. I hope it lived to the expectations.

I'll only add that I don't know when I'll be able to update next time. I believe that somewhere aroud Tuesday or Wednesday, but I don't really know. My holidays will become busy this week and next because I'm maybe going to vacation with some friends. I'll give more information when I know it for sure.

I have to thank, as always, LC5 for his hard job correcting my mistakes in this fic, even when he doesn't have his computer available.

This said... REVIEW and STAY TUNNED!