Hope you guys are ready for a battle, because it's time for the next Chieftain face-off!

Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon or its content. All rights to Game Freak, Nintendo, and related parties.

Chapter 9:

Shadows and Light

Guest Star:
Koga (Fuchsia City Gym Leader) as Sensei Kuro

Screams. That was what Sora first heard as he started coming around. Random, horrifying screams of torture, agony, and desperation. Sora couldn't figure out where they were coming from, but these screams were hurting him. Then, the screams became pleas, calling to Sora to save them. Sora didn't know where he was, but he curled up on the ground as he tried to block out these cries. Even so, the sound persisted.

"No, stop." Sora muttered to himself, "No more. I can't bear it." But the screams continued to magnify, tearing into Sora like Fearow talons. Then, he could hear his friends in those screams. They were pleading to him, asking him why he failed them. Yolanda, Prince Pewter, Tidus, Sarah, Drake… Rina. Sora couldn't take any more of it. He felt like he was going to explode.

"PIIIKKACHUUUUUUU!" Out of nowhere, Sora was shocked awake by a really strong Thunderbolt. He bolted upright, sweating profusely, worn and weary. His mind was abuzz with questions, his nerves shot with adrenaline, and his heart beating like a drum. What had he experienced just then? A nightmare? What did it mean?

In his ponderings, Sora felt two small beings hop into his lap. When he looked down, Pikachu and Larvitar looked at him with concerned expressions. Their eyes were brightly lit, but not with joy or relief.

"Lar." Larvitar cried, hugging close to Sora.

Calming himself down, Sora told him, "It's alright Larvitar. I'm here."

"Pikachu." Pikachu sighed, seeing his master was better.

"Thanks for waking me Pikachu." He told his buddy.

"Pika Pi Pika Pika. Pi! Pika, Chu Pi?"

"Long story. And one I'd rather not relive."

"Pika Pi. Pika Pikachu?"

"That's right! Violet and Rina were with us too. What happened to them?" Pikachu merely shrugged. That was when Sora began to take note of where he was. Unfortunately, the room seemed to have no light in it. Even so, Sora found that there was no one else in the room with them. It was just him, Pikachu, and Larvitar. Sora could not even find his staff anywhere.

"Are we prisoners?" Sora muttered as he stood up. No sooner had he uttered the words that the door slid open, blinding the occupants with the outside light. "Who's there?" Sora demanded, shielding his eyes from the light.

His only reply was, "The Chieftain is ready to see you." With his eyes adjusted, Sora ventured out of the room and into the courtyard.

The inner courtyard looked like a Japanese garden. Small trees hung low over river channels filled with Goldeen. Shrubs and flowers dotted the place in a particular pattern, and cherry blossom trees were beginning to bloom, over-looking the other plants. Sora felt like the very place was making him feel calmer, more at peace with himself. But he remained on-guard for any potential sneak attacks. He didn't want a repeat of how he got into this mess.

He ventured into the garden with Larvitar and Pikachu following dutifully by his side. Sora spotted people milling about the courtyard, all in traditional kimono's or other traditional Japanese garb. It was like Sora had entered into a whole other world. But where were Violet and Rina? That was Sora's main focus. He had to find his friends, to make sure they were alright.

But then, he stopped when he spotted a pair sitting under a cherry blossom tree. The two looked almost exactly like him and Rina that Sora thought he was hallucinating. He watched, transfixed, as the boy snatched some of the falling petals and presented them to the girl. She giggled, and pecked him with a kiss, making him blush. Shaking himself out of it, Sora turned away, and ventured onward.

Then, from behind him, a voice spoke, "Turning from the truths you hide in your heart, guardian?" Startled, Sora spotted a man in a dark-blue ninja outfit, a red scarf tied around his neck, and spiky, black hair. How did this man sneak up on Sora without his knowing? It was like he had been a shadow the whole time.

"Who are you? Where are my friends?" Sora demanded as he scooted away from the mysterious man.

"Pikachu!" Pikachu shouted.

"Larvitar!" Larvitar pitched in. But the strange figure did not even register the question.

Rather, he continued by elaborating, "Do you hide these truths because they frighten you? Or is it a fear that comes from others?" Sora was becoming quite perplexed by the questions he was being asked. What truths? What fear? All he wanted to do was save his friends and battle the Chieftain. "You cannot hide what you shelter in the shadows from one who dwells in shadows."

"Are you in league with Ragnar and Tyrannia then?" Sora gritted.

"Hmm. You truly are afraid. And that fear has already begun to poison you. How much longer would it be until the poison ran its course, leaving you as an empty shell?"

"Listen! I don't have time for riddles. Where is the Chieftain, and where are my friends?!" Just then, Sora felt a "sense" of someone coming from behind him, Reacting as swiftly as a Jolteon, Sora blocked a ninja's attempt to swipe at him with a kunai. The move enabled Sora to knock the weapon out of the ninja's hand, and he gained leverage to press him back into the water channel. Reacting on instinct, and on "sense," Sora swept his leg to trip up a kunoichi. When he saw what he had just done, Sora became stunned. How'd he do that? He had been good in combat, but never good enough to detect sneak attacks.

"Impressive. You are who we expected when we challenged you." The ninja grunted.

"When you challenged me?" Sora asked.

"Yes. I am the Chieftain of Irk Island, Sensei Kuro. I had been expecting you."

"Glad we finally get to meet. Chieftain Kuro, I accept your challenge. I am Guardian Sora, hailing from Trinity Island and the kingdom of Aurora."

"Well met, guardian."

"Before we commence, I would like to know what happened to my friends." To answer the request, Kuro snapped his fingers, and a sliding door opened behind him. Inside were Violet and Rina, both held by ninjas who held small shirukens to their necks. Rina was still unconscious; her breathing had become heavier somehow. Sora was stunned.

Outraged, Sora demanded, "Release them!"

"You have no place to make the command." Kuro spoke sternly, "You were meant to come alone. Our dojo is a secret place that no one may be allowed to know. Your friend, and the mermaid, are both trespassers."

Growling, Sora told Pikachu, "Use Quick Attack to save Violet and Rina." But before Pikachu could prep the attack, one of the ninjas pressed his shiruken deeper into Violet's neck, causing her to grimace. Playing it safe, Pikachu chose not to engage this time.

"Your accomplices will be safe, only if you do what I say." Kuro told him, "Especially the mermaid. Tentacruel poison is quite difficult to remedy. And by my count, she may not have longer to live." Sora hated the position he was put in. For one thing, he was ready to face the Chieftain and get his second badge. Then again, who's to say Kuro would honor his word of keeping his friends safe? If Sora didn't obey, he would kill Violet and Rina without a moment's hesitation, and their blood would be on his hands. He had no choice.

With an antagonized growl, Sora replied, "Then, let us battle. But no harm is to come to them."

"You have my word." Kuro assured. With it, the battle was ready to begin.

An obscuring cloud seemed to have lifted as Rina came around. Her body felt weak, and her limbs like they were detached from her. Rina's eyes took a while to focus, but she eventually discovered Violet sitting next to her, holding a certain herb over her nose.

"V…Violet?" she whispered.

"Welcome back." Violet replied warmly, "Looks like this medicine is really helping."

"Wh… Where's Sora?"

"Over at the battlefield. He's about to battle the Chieftain; ninja master Kuro."

"The… Chieftain? But… what about..?"

"Shh." Violet shushed soothingly, "Rest Rina. We're being held prisoner, since we both trespassed here. Sora has to battle Sensei Kuro so that we'll be alright." Rina understood what she meant fairly quickly. Sitting quietly at the back of the room was a ninja, crossbow trained on the pair. A Sableye stood beside him, teeth bared in a vicious grin.

Turning her head to her right, Rina spotted Sora and his two Pokémon on the battlefield. Sora was missing his staff, but he didn't seem fazed by the absence. He looked very grim and fierce, his expression sharp as a spear. Rina tried to get up, but her muscles would not respond. She hated the thought of being helpless, but there was nothing she could do. It was all up to Sora now.

Sora faced his opponent, steeled for a tough battle. Without his staff, Sora was limited to just using Pikachu and Larvitar. Sora knew Pikachu could hold its own in battle, but Larvitar was still very young, and did not have a lot of battle experience. Even so, without his staff and his other Pokémon, they were all he had.

Sensing this, Sensei Kuro snapped his fingers. Immediately, a ninja appeared with Sora's staff, who then tossed it at the guardian.

Once Sora caught it Kuro instructed, "We shall use two Pokémon only."

"Very well. I accept." Sora replied.

"Good. Now, Crobat, begin!" Kuro summoned out a purple bat with four wings in an X formation. Sora remembered that Crobat were fast, and their attacks could be menacing.

He didn't feel trustworthy about the ground, so he summoned, "Noctowl, I choose you!" And out came Sora's shiny Noctowl, looking rested and eager to battle.

"Crobat, Toxic Spikes!" Immediately, Crobat launched streaks of purple light around Noctowl, as they all descended and disappeared into the field. It might have looked like nothing happened, but Sora saw the ploy. If any of his Pokémon even touched the field now, they would instantly be poisoned. To avoid that, Sora had to keep this battle in the air.

"Noctowl, Sky Attack!" Becoming a streak of light, Noctowl charged at Crobat with immense power.

"Meet it with Cross Poison." Kuro responded. With all four wings becoming imbued with toxic energy, Crobat knocked Noctowl back, cancelling the Sky Attack. "Now, use Screech." Crobat let out a high-pitched sound, forcing Sora, Pikachu and Larvitar to cover their ears. Not only them, but Violet had to block out the noise herself.

"Noctowl, use Confusion!" With its horn gathering psychic energy, Noctowl blasted Crobat back, stopping the Screech attack.

"Crobat, Wing Attack!" Streaking faster than could be registered, Crobat nailed Noctowl repeatedly. Noctowl did its best to stay aloft, but the constant string of attacks was taking its toll. Eventually, Crobat knocked the owl Pokémon towards the ground. But Noctowl recovered nearly a second before it hit the ground.

"Nice work Noctowl!" Sora cheered.

"Cross Poison!" Crobat dealt one last blow, and drove Noctowl into the ground. From there, the Toxic Spikes did their work, and began poisoning Noctowl with relative ease. Sora's Pokémon looked sick, weakened, and incapable of performing at full strength. And with that poison, it would become weaker as the battle dragged on.

"Now what to do, guardian?" Kuro posed his question, "Your Pokémon has been weakened and poisoned, making it weaker than a flailing Magikarp. What shall you do to overcome this?" Sora growled in response. He hated how his Noctowl had been overtaken so easily. It was only the first match, and Sora already had his back to the wall. What could he do now? He needed to win, to keep his friends safe. Just then, Noctowl began to stagger back up. When it did, it let out a proud cry and spread out its wings. It wasn't giving up, no matter what.

Grinning, Sora answered, "At first, it may seem like all hope is lost. But, you cannot give up, even when everything is against you! My Pokémon won't give up, so neither will I!" Sensei Kuro smirked, proud of the response he received from the young guardian. "Noctowl, Confusion!" Mustering up its strength, Noctowl launched another Confusion attack at Crobat.

"Dodge, then Cross Poison!" Crobat slid out of the way of Noctowl's attack, then charged at its opponent with a cross of poison.

Smirking, Sora instructed, "Shift into Hypnosis!" Refocusing its psychic energy, Noctowl locked gazes with Crobat. The four-winged bat halted its attack, and began drooping closer to the ground, until it had touched down. "Now, Sky Attack!" Becoming a streak, Noctowl dashed into Crobat, and it fainted instantly.

"My Crobat is defeated." Kuro spoke plainly as he returned his Pokémon to his Pokéstone, "An impressive display of will. The poison seems to not bother you."

Pulling out a Pecha Berry, Sora replied, "The poison does bother me. But, I don't let it impede in the task I have before me." Noctowl flew onto Sora's arm, and pecked at the berry to cure itself of its poison.

"Very good. You have the focus of a true warrior. That is not an easy thing to have in the face of such trials." In the back of his mind, Sora wasn't quite so sure. Partly why he was so focused on winning was for his friends. He had to win, or risk their lives being put in jeopardy. Especially Rina, and the Tentacruel venom. He needed to pull out a win quickly, or risk her dying from illness.

"Now then, for your true test!" Kuro proclaimed, "Gengar, appear!" From the light came a purple ghost Pokémon with stubby hands and feet. It wore a wide, menacing grin and a wicked gaze.

"Gengar." It chuckled.

Steeling himself, Sora asked, "Are you ready, Noctowl?" Noctowl chirped a proud reply, and flew back into battle. The next match was about to begin.

Back on the sidelines, Rina began to feel some strength returning to her. It wasn't much, but it was enough for her to try and lift herself.

Violet noticed her doing this, ad coaxed, "Rina, rest. We aren't in the best position for you to get up right now."

"Sora… He needs… to know." Rina grunted, "He'll be too… distracted… about me."

"As long as you're safe, he can focus on winning. His Noctowl already beat Sensei Kuro's first Pokémon." Rina was relieved to hear that, but at the same time very worried. There was something about this place that felt wrong to her. It was like there were shadows present everywhere, poised and anxious to strike.

Seeing the strain that was displaying, Violet eased Rina back onto the mat. Then she started applying an orange paste on Rina's injection wounds. Violet's recent behavior puzzled Rina. When they first met, she had been rather hostile towards her. Now, Violet was helping her recover.

"Why are you helping me?" Rina asked, "I thought you hated people like me." Violet's Axew came out of its shelter, and helped Violet with the medicine they were given.

"I don't hate you Rina." Violet answered, "At least, not in the same way as Princess Yolanda would. But, I will admit to having misgivings about you. I was always told the legends about mermaids, and the tragedies they were a part of. That's what I initially thought about you; that you were like all of them. But, with the way Sora sees you, maybe all those tales weren't true after all. Maybe you are a friend, not a threat." A friend, not a threat. That was what Violet called her. Rina still didn't understand it, but she figured Violet might be beginning to open up to her a bit. But, only time would tell.

At Sora's end, the second battle was about to begin.

Sora and Noctowl braced themselves as Sensei Kuro called out, "Gengar, Shadow Ball!"

"Noctowl, dodge and use Foresight!" Dodging the dark balls of energy, Noctowl tried its best to nail Gengar with a Foresight attack. However, the onslaught of Shadow Balls kept it from focusing, so it wasn't able to set its sights on Gengar. When it finally let up, both Sora and Noctowl found Gengar to have vanished from sight. Sora already figured Gengar merely disappeared, yet was still around here somewhere. He just had to look, and see anything peculiar.

Just then, he had another "sense" coming from above Noctowl.

Acting on it, he called, "Foresight, above you!" Noctowl heeded the order immediately, and flashed its Foresight up at Gengar, who reappeared rather suddenly. "Now, Sky Attack!" Noctowl streaked up, knocking Gengar out of the air. But Gengar looked unfazed, its signature grin permanently fixed on its face.

Chuckling, Sensei Kuro spoke, "You play like a child."

"What?!" Sora burst in outrage.

"Pikachu!"

"Your Noctowl is frail compared to Gengar. This next battle will break you in half even more so." Opening his left palm, Kuro revealed a rainbow-colored stone set in his glove. A Keystone! "Let us see how long you last with Mega Evolution!" Tapping his Keystone, Kuro proclaimed:

"Beyond evolution. Mega Evolve!"

Then, much like what happened with Akito and Blastoise, two sets of tendrils appeared from Kuro's Keystone and Gengar. The lights linked, and Gengar began to change shape. Its arms grew longer, while its legs shrunk into its body. A third eye appeared on its forehead, and its wrists flamed out. It had Mega Evolved!

"Not again." Sora grunted.

"Gengar, Sludge Wave!" Kuro commanded. Then, Gengar spewed out a toxic wave up into the air and over Noctowl.

"Noctowl, Confusion to counter!" But it was too late, for Noctowl was engulfed in the attack. When it reappeared, Noctowl looked sick again. "Noctowl, try your Hypnosis!"

"Gengar, Venoshock!" Again, Gengar was faster, and nailed Noctowl with its poison energy. When the attack landed, Noctowl began to fall to the ground.

"Noctowl, no!"

"Pika!"

"Hmph! Venoshock does double damage when the opponent is poisoned. Your Pokémon has no chance. And, Foresight is no longer in effect after Gengar Mega Evolved."

"Then, use Foresight now!" Before it made impact with the ground, Noctowl flashed Gengar with Foresight, taking away its advantage as a Ghost-type. Then, Noctowl crashed and fainted.

"Noctowl!" Sora called, racing over to his unconscious ally. Noctowl looked weakened, but it would recover from this fight. Returning it to his staff, Sora requested, "You did amazing Noctowl. Now get some rest." Sora sized up his opponent now that his true strength had been shown. So Sensei Kuro could use Mega Evolution too, the same power Akito displayed before. This meant that Sora would need to match that kind of power. And there was only one Pokémon he knew who had it.

"I choose you, Charizard!" Appearing in the air, out of reach of the Toxic spikes, came Sora's fire-dragon Pokémon. When it appeared, Charizard regarded Gengar's presence with a fierce gaze. But Gengar merely chuckled like the trickster it was, enraging Charizard even more.

"You seek the path to power, against the might of shadow." Kuro grunted, "Pathetic!"

"My Charizard is not pathetic!" Sora retaliated, "We've been together since the beginning, and have only grown stronger as a team since. We won't lose to you!" With a mighty roar, Charizard spewed out a mighty Flamethrower into the air, demonstrating its power.

"That is not what I was referring to. I will show you the error of your methods."

"And I'll show you not to underestimate me! Charizard, Flamethrower!" Letting loose an intense inferno, Charizard blasted Gengar full force. But as the flames disappeared, Gengar had disappeared again. Faster than Sora could even blink, Gengar had skidded right behind Charizard.

"Gengar, Shadow Ball!" And Gengar nailed Charizard in the back. Charizard bore the attack, but it looked rather enraged in the process.

"Sweep back with Dragon Tail!" Charizard tried to do so while avoiding the ground, but Gengar skittered out of the way in a blur of purple. "Steel Wing!" Wings charged, Charizard rushed for the meddlesome Ghost Pokémon.

"Confuse Ray!" With all three eyes, Gengar locked gazes with Charizard. A strange light emitted from its eyes, forcing the dragon to descend right onto the field. The instant it did, the Toxic Spikes went to work as they poisoned it. Without mercy, Kuro shouted, "Venoshock!" Letting loose a torrent of poison, Gengar pelted Charizard and dealt excessive damage.

"Charizard!" Sora cried out. As the smoke from the attack cleared, Charizard looked very worn and weak. The poison was clearly affecting it. Sora and Charizard really had their backs to the wall.

On the sidelines, Violet and Axew were terrified. Kuro was slamming Sora's Pokémon all over the place without so much as a twitch. His Gengar was excessively powerful, maybe even more so than Charizard thanks to its Mega Evolution.

"Oh dear!" she whispered, "How is Sora supposed to win this fight? It almost seems impossible now." But Rina felt inclined to disagree. Sora and Charizard may have been knocked down, but they weren't out. They could come back and win this battle, and they had the power to do it.

Finding the strength to lift herself, Rina shouted, "Don't give in Sora! The battle isn't over yet! You still have the power to win this!"

Hearing her words on the field, Sora called back, "Give up? That's not how I battle."

"Then show this Chieftain why you have become so strong! Prove there is more to you than can be seen!"

"Rina! Are you trying to put us in more danger?!" Violet scolded.

"It won't matter what happens." Rina told her, "Because Sora won't lose. Not today."

"So selfish. Like a little kid." Violet pouted.

Spurred on by her words, Sora looked back onto the field. Sure, his Charizard was in a bit of a bind. But when had they never? This was where a trainer shined best; in the face of adversity. Besides, Kuro wasn't the only one with an ace up his sleeve.

"Now what guardian?" Kuro inquired, "Your Charizard is weakened, and growing weaker by the minute. Can you truly pull out a win in these circumstances?"

"I know we can." Sora replied, showing his Mega Ring, "Because this battle isn't over yet. And I have one more trick to play." Tapping his Keystone, Sora proclaimed:

"Keystone, hear my heart and answer my call."

Then, like before, tendrils of light shot out from the two stones, and connected in a powerful clash.

"Mega Evolution!"

Charizard's form made a quick change, and a fierce one. As Charizard began to Mega Evolve, the light around it radiated so much that the Toxic Spikes were scorched off the field. Gengar tried to shield its eyes from the radiant glow, and Kuro staggered back from its brilliance. It was far different from any Mega Evolution he had ever seen. How could Sora yield such power?

After the radiant glow rose into the air above Charizard, the light around it faded as its Mega form came into focus. Like the first time, Charizard had fins on its arms, wider wings, its tail flame was larger, and a horn protruded from the back of its head. Not only did it look stronger, but Kuro noted that Charizard seemed replenished. The poison it had was gone, and it was no longer confused. It was as if the Mega Evolution healed it.

"Such power." Sensei Kuro gasped.

"This is the power my Pokémon and I share, and the power that will defeat you now!" Sora shouted out, "Charizard, Steel Wing!"

As Charizard rushed forward, Kuro commanded, "Gengar, use Confuse Ray!" But then, Charizard brought its wings in front of its face, keeping Gengar from locking eyes with it. In addition, Charizard barreled into its opponent and knocked it back. As it recovered, Gengar lost its vile grin, and instead had a deep frown in its place. "Very well, Shadow Ball!"

"Knock it back with Dragon Tail!" Once the dark orb was launched, Charizard knocked it back to sender, dealing major damage.

Grunting, Sensei Kuro shouted, "Venoshock!" Gengar let loose globs of poison from its mouth, trying to nail Charizard and knock it out. But Charizard sailed in the air like an ace, dodging and ducking all the poison globs Gengar sent its way. Sensei Kuro was beginning to lose his cool. Sora and Charizard had shifted this battle into their favor.

With a howling roar, he ordered, "Sludge Wave, NOW!" Gengar built up poison between its hands, then vaulted it all at Charizard.

"Charizard, intercept with Flamethrower!" A massive fire built up inside it, and Charizard belted out an inferno back at Gengar. The two attacks met in a heated clash, neither side giving an inch. Both Pokémon were straining to beat the other, using everything they had to win.

"You will not win!" Kuro roared, "You know nothing about the power of Mega Evolution. You and your Pokémon will not prevail!"

As Gengar's Sludge Wave began to gain ground in the clash, Sora responded, "I may not know about Mega Evolution, but this I do know. The real power I hold is one I share with my friends. All my Pokémon and I share a strong bond, stronger than anything I have ever faced. That bond is what makes us strong. And I want to use it to protect everyone I hold dear. To protect Tidus, Prince Pewter, Sketch, Cancer, Princess Yolanda, my whole crew. But even more, to protect my friends in Rina and her sisters." Then he proclaimed, "That is why I will not lose!" With a proud roar, Sora's Mega Ring began to shine. In response, Charizard felt a surge of power course through it. Channeling that power, it blasted out with all its might. Then, the Flamethrower overpowered the Sludge Wave, pushing through and consuming Gengar. A billowing cloud enveloped the field, obscuring both combatants from view. Sora and Kuro looked on with fierce expressions, Violet and Axew held their breaths in anticipation of the end result, while Rina held her hand over her heart as she waited to see the end. As the cloud began to dissipate, Charizard appeared looking strong and gaunt. And when it completely settled, Gengar was sprawled out on the field, having reverted to its natural form.

With the battle finally over, Charizard then reverted back to normal. And in response, Sora collapsed to his knees from exhaustion. Pikachu and Larvitar rushed to him, concerned that he had exerted too much energy.

Panting somewhat, he told them, "Don't worry. I'll be alright. But, what about Violet and Rina?"

"Pika Pi Chu?"

"It's okay buddy." Rising to his feet, Sora called, "Return Charizard, and get some rest." And Charizard returned to Sora's staff. Once that was done, Sora and his two Pokémon hurried over to Violet and Rina.

"That was amazing!" Violet cheered when Sora approached, "Worthy of a Dragon Master. It just goes to show how powerful Charizard is, being a Dragon-type and all."

"Dragon-type?" Sora quizzed, "Violet, Charizard is a Fire and Flying type, not a Dragon-type."

"You keep saying that, but I'm not going to believe that." Sora had a hard time wrapping his head around the idea that Charizard could be a Dragon-type, but his puzzlement could wait.

"Are you alright then?" he asked.

"What do you take me for?" Violet smirked, "I am a ninja, aren't I? Of course I'm alright."

"That's good to hear." Kneeling next to Rina, he inquired, "You had me worried for a while. Are you feeling better?"

With a nod, Rina replied, "Much better. Violet took good care of me while you battled."

"Violet did?"

"Hey, I'm not gonna go back on my word Sora. Besides, it's because of you that we're all still alive."

"Then, many thanks for watching over her."

"Just don't let Princess Yolanda find out. That'll be worse than a thousand tempests."

"Yet even a mighty tempest can be quelled by the boldest of hearts." Sensei Kuro spoke out as he came up to the three. Shooting to his his feet, Sora held his staff in a battle-ready position, with Pikachu and Larvitar ready at his feet. "Peace guardian. The trial is over." he assured, "You have passed. And the mermaid has been purged of the Tentacruel poison."

"She has?" Sora quizzed.

"The leaves of a Petilil are strong enough to revive anyone with merely a whiff of their scent." Kuro elaborated, "Your friend had it almost flushed out with the medicine you used. But she needed to finish the battle herself."

"I see." Rina muttered, then she told him, "Thank you for your aid."

"I don't understand." Sora pondered aloud, "I thought we were prisoners. Why would you aid us?"

"To test you. If you knew you were welcomed here, you would not be able to prevail over me in the face of adversity. Deception is a tool that can sometimes bring out the true nature in others." Sora was quite taken aback. He could not believe this had all been some illusion to help him battle at his true potential. He had to give respect to Sensei Kuro, who kept this illusion very real.

"Now, two things to heed you on." Sensei Kuro spoke sternly, "First, is to not lose hope. There will come many trials much like today, each directed to strike at your core, your self. Your friendship with the mermaid will be one of those. Only you can decide the course of fate for yourself." Looking back at Violet and Rina, Sora believed him to be right. When Rina decided to be known to the others, many would see it as a bad thing. Especially Prince Pewter and Princess Yolanda. That was one trial that would not be easy to solve. "Second," Kuro continued, "Is you have shown that, even in adversity, you will prevail. Therefore, this Prevail Badge rightfully goes to you." With a swift thrust from his hand, Kuro launched something to Sora, who caught it just as quick. The badge looked like a raindrop, but was black on one half of the face, and white on the second half.

Holding it up proudly, he cheered:

"Alright! I got the Prevail Badge!"

"Pi Pikachu!

"Larvitar!"

Just then, Sora began to feel woozy and light-headed. The world around him began to spin, making him nauseous. Then, he collapsed, and blacked out.

Sora! Can you hear me? someone called distantly.

Master, please get up! said another.

Oh Sora, please be alright. Open your eyes, please! another pleaded. As Sora regained consciousness, the first thing he saw was Prince Pewter, Tidus, and Yolanda all watching over him. Then Sora saw that he was back in the bamboo forest, near the Aura.

As Sora groggily got up, Yolanda cried, "You're okay! Thank heavens!"

"You had us all worried Sora." Prince Pewter came in, "I thought you said you would send word if you found the Chieftain."

Groaning a little, Sora told them, "Well, I did find him. Or rather, he found me. The Chieftain was a ninja, and he snuck up on me."

"A ninja? Really master?" Tidus quizzed.

"Yeah. He kept me prisoner, and we battled. I managed to beat him, somehow."

"How? Sora, we found you sprawled out here." Yolanda informed, "You've been missing for three days."

"That can't be right. I couldn't have been gone more than an hour."

"It's true Sora." Prince Pewter added, "It's been three days since you went into the woods. We were just getting ready to come find you."

As Sora's Pokémon began to come about, Tidus pointed out, "Hold on a second! Check out Master's staff." As Sora brought his staff up to view, they all noticed a second badge on the metal top, one that looked like a drop that was half black and half white. The Prevail Badge!

"There's the proof." Sora presented.

"So, then you were really attacked by a ninja?!" Yolanda gasped.

"Don't worry princess. It was all an illusion, to test my abilities."

"Some test." Prince Pewter grumbled, "Well, nothing we can do about it now. Let's make way for the next Chieftain."

"Alright!" Tidus cheered, "But, where do we go?" As if to answer his question, an arrow was shot at Sora's feet, a scroll flapping around it.

Taking the scroll from the arrow, Sora read, "Go to Salure Isle. There, your next trial awaits."

"Salure Isle!" Yolanda exclaimed, "I know that place! Brother, we must make haste at once!" Yanking her brother with her, Yolanda rushed back on deck.

"What got into the princess?" Sora asked.

"Beats me." Tidus answered.

"Pika Pika." Pikachu shrugged. So they boarded as well, ready for their next destination.

"Rina, please wake up!" Sarah called as her sister lay in their dinghy fort.

"Rina, please." Kari pleaded. Finally coming around, Rina rose up while rubbing her arms. "Phew! What a relief." Kari sighed.

"What happened in there?" Sarah asked. Looking up, Rina spotted Violet on the main mast, looking down at her.

Smiling, she replied, "I made a violet friend." Puzzled, the two younger mermaids tried to get more info from this new riddle as the Aura made for the open sea. Next destination: Salure Isle.

Sora: Well, that last battle was pretty hairy.

Rina: I'll say. But, I'm glad you're still here.

Sora: Speaking of here, where did Kenneth go?

Rina: And Sarah. Where did she run off to?

Next time,

Love on the High Seas