Hi everybody. Sorry for the delay, I've had a few things to take care of at school recently and it unfortunately took priority over preparing another chapter. The good news is that I managed to get this one finished and it turned out to be a pretty big piece of character reflection. I hope that at least provides a little bit of diversity so that this fic is more than just the characters going through the journey.

Chapter 13: Complicated

Within the mansion of the Hale residence, Ash and his friends were able to enjoy a period of rest from the recent adventure they had just overcome. Both Spencer and Michal were overcome with the joyous feeling of being reunited with one another and the offer of letting their saviors stay for the night was the closest thing they had to feeling they had come close to repaying Ash's efforts. The group had split into three for the night after dinner was done and Ash's friends were given an opportunity to learn more about the family household.

Will was currently engaged in meditation as he focused himself to observe everything that had changed about Molly in the recent hours since she had undone the curse of the Unown that threatened to take hold of her life. Will opened his eyes when he told Molly, "It would seem that you are in fact as well off as your parents were hoping. I believe your father said that you were born with weak constitutions is that right?"

Molly nodded, "Yeah. Papa told me that my Mama was severely hurt when she gave birth to me a long time ago and that she might not even recover. He told me that I wouldn't have a chance to see the outside world because I might have contracted that disease from her as well. It was something that he didn't know about until it was too late."

Will confirmed, "That is what he told me about. It would seem that Mew is right in that fusing with the Unown is what resulted in making you into the woman you are now. The only thing that is different about you now would be their immediate presence on your skin it would seem."

Molly looked over her arms when she agreed, "If I ever do go out in public I might seem a little weird."

Will told her, "It's nothing that will exclude you from any activities. The worst that might happen is that people will assume you are passionate about body tattoos. If what Mew said was correct however you might have something about you that will be very interesting to observe."

Molly looked back to Will when she asked, "You can talk to that Mew?"

Will explained, "Well it is a thing that only psychic users have been able to fully master. You might hear her talking to you if she wants you to hear her."

"I'm not sure how that works. How do you get psychic powers?"

"It's not something that can be attained overnight unfortunately. It is only something one can achieve with recognition at a very young age and with a lifetime of dedication. Many of my kind don't even manage to achieve full mastery after that long."

Molly was disappointed when she accepted, "I guess I'll have to accept that. But do you really think the Unown aren't trying to do something with me as their host as you said earlier?"

Will scratched his chin when he contemplated, "It would make sense. They created a new immune system for you so it cannot be completely out of the question to see other changes. It is something that would have to be awoken if somehow possible."

Molly requested, "Please, try and do something to make me bring out those powers."

Will agreed, "I hope this doesn't bring about another calamity." He brought his hands up when he framed his masked face on both sides and told Molly, "This will seem odd. But you must now empty your mind. You must free yourself from all earthly concerns."

Molly asked, "How do I do that?"

Will answered, "Focus on my voice. Banish all thoughts. Focus on everything that does not tie you to this realm." Molly closed her eyes when she accepted the instructions and found herself unable to think about anything else. She listened to a low hum that Will offered as he continued his meditation.

As Will meditated, he did everything that his psychic training had given him instruction to follow in such a situation. Molly had done everything she could to empty her mind and allow others to read her thoughts. Will came closer within her mind as he began to hear the chant that he had come to remember from when the crystal tower still stood. "Unown… Unown…"

Will continued to listen as he pushed away his personal thoughts and tried to further look into her mind before snapping back to the present. He interrupted the small blankness of Molly's mind when he told her, "And you may now return." When Molly opened her eyes he told her, "It would seem that you do indeed have something within you Molly. Something that could very well be dangerous if it was wielded improperly."

Molly asked, "Does that mean I can't leave the house still?"

Will shook his head, "It should still be possible, but it does mean that there is a hidden potential within you that has the potential to be awoken. I don't know what it could be without seeing it, but for right now you must do everything you can to remain in contact with me and inform me if anything different happens to you at all."

Molly accepted, "How should I do that?"

Will took out his Pokedevice when he showed her his contact information and told her, "You can contact me by this number. I don't normally hand this out to anyone, but in your case I think this could be something important. Just be mindful and don't let yourself be the catalyst of something comparable to what we have seen happen earlier today."

Molly nodded when she told him, "I'll do that. But if I'm able to leave this place and go out on my journey, I really want to have the chance to do it."

Will accepted, "I can't stop any potential future trainers. Judging from your pokeballs it would seem you might even be prepared already for such a time at hand."

Molly took hold of one of the crystal pokeballs when she agreed, "I hope they're still as powerful. I want to see the world and be something truly remarkable to everyone."

Will complemented, "It's not every day that someone gives me or any member of the Elite Four a challenge. Just don't let the strength be a driving force behind you Molly. The best trainers are capable of recognizing how their strength is achieved and when to best apply it."

Molly agreed, "I'll do that Will. It was really nice of you to offer me such advice. Maybe one day you can have a rematch with me to see if I can in fact win?"

Will nodded, "There's another part of being a trainer I can't turn down. A rematch. I can't say no to such a thing without coming off as inferior now can I?"

Molly accepted, "One day when I become a greater trainer, I'll do everything I can to prove myself as worthy of this chance that I've been given."

Ash and Karen had some time to themselves when they were wandering out on the lake bridge in the mansion yard. Ash began the conversation when he saw the nearest bridge and offered, "What you did was a big help today Karen. I don't know how we could have stopped Molly from everything she tried to do if it wasn't for you."

Karen accepted, "You probably would have had to get creative. But from the sounds of it you seemed to have trouble with the big dog himself before I did anything. Honestly it is kind of disappointing we didn't actually get to meet Entei himself, but that's a privilege not everyone has the chance to see."

Ash agreed, "That is true. Although there is one thing that I'm more concerned about Karen."

Karen kept walking beside Ash when she looked up to the night sky and asked, "What's that? Concerned about being able to hold your own?"

"What happened to you down there with the Unown?"

Karen dreaded the question but knew that it was going to be asked. She told him, "It's something that I've had ever since I was a little kid. Something that I've been able to manage myself but still comes out every now and again when I get into a situation like the one I just saw earlier."

Ash agreed, "I saw you really young when I embraced you. Did something happen that day?"

Karen explained, "I met my Spiritomb. When I was a kid I had an irrational fear of psychics. I had nightmares every night about how I would end up being controlled by someone with psychic powers. One day it seemed like something out a dream. Spiritomb came to me and engulfed me in darkness. That's when I learned about what it really was."

"You took in darkness and then it managed to become a part of you. It almost sounds like what happens to some psychic users."

"You mean like how they become really attached to their powers?"

"Sabrina used to be so overpowered by her abilities that she almost lost her humanity. I managed to save her only because I had a Haunter at the time who appealed to the part of her that was still locked away inside her. You don't seem to have that obstacle however. You haven't allowed darkness to make you its subject."

Karen agreed, "If only it was that easy. When I'm submerged within Spiritomb, I form a connection with him that only he lets me hear. When we're together he wants me to forgo everything around me and use darkness as a means of domination. I've had to handle it for the last twenty years and I still end up feelign tempted by the chance to see what he has to offer me. There's only one thing that has keapt me from doing that."

Ash was about to ask what she thought it was but knew it as soon as he answered, "Companionship. You wanted to use the darkness to confront your fear of psychics but you didn't want to ever be alone in this world."

Karen smiled when she told him, "You read me like a message out of a fortune cookie Ash. The truth is that being as strong as I am isn't something that I've been capable of on my own. I've always needed someone else to be next to in order to keep my sanity. When most trainers start to see how serious I get in battles though, that's when they start to walk away from me."

Ash took hold of her hand when he told her, "That's not somethign I plan to do Karen. You made good friends with Will and he's more than happy to have you at his side. For the short amount of time that I've known you, you've been a good friend and a great partner. If you ever find yourself edging towards that darkness again, I can be there for you and allow you to remain human."

Karen looked at Ash when she thanked, "That's nice of you to offer Ash. I didn't think you had that much heart in you. You're supposed to be dedicated to Sabrina aren't you?"

Ash blushed when he agreed, "Uh... yeah. Well it's been a bit tough to work out. I've just felt the need to help you because you needed someone to supprot you. I guess I'm still getting used to the whole idea of a relationship. I have to keep showing her that I care about her don't I?"

Karen confirmed, "You've only begun to understand the mind of the female species Ash. It get a lot more complex I'm sorry to say. But I think that's a situation that can work to our advantage. You and Will keep me from becoming Psycho Bitch and I'll teach you all the secrets of becoming a better ladies man."

Ash accepted the offer, "I guess I'll need it. I want you to remember that I won't look down on you just because we aren't... well together."

Karen accepted, "There's no rule saying that we can't do that Ash. But you know, all this talk of your woman is really getting me to wonder if you are giving her the attention that she needs right now."

Ash was cocnerned when he asked, "Can you tell if she's going to get mad at me or anything?"

Karen shook her head, "Oh no. I know girls like Sabrina. You'll know when she gets mad. Believe me, you should be more concerned if she's having the same kind of thoughts that you're having about this relationship right now."

With the stars aligned properly under the house of the Hale residence, Sabrina was indeed concenred about the status of her relationship. Right now she had taken the concern to the two people who she knew could probably offer the best advice about this predicament better than anyone else under the roof could. She sat across from Spencer and Michal when she told them, "I'm sorry if this is too trivial. I just have a lot on my mind that I haven't even wanted to keep bottled up."

Spencer dismissed the concern, "There's nothing you have to worry baout. I'm sure that nothing you want ot ask either of us is going to be something that we won't be able to handle."

Michal agreed, "You're probably already tired of hearing us thank you for evertyhing but it is the truth."

Sabrina nodded when she told them, "The things I'm worried about aren't even ones that I really have about Pokemon or training or the world at large. That's why I'm worried about htis not seeming like a big deal."

Michal offered, "You can tell us dear. It will even be a private matter if you're concerned about anyone else hearing this."

Sabrina mustered the will she had when she told them, "You've already met my boyfriend Ash. There's just things that I want answered."

Spencer nodded when he told her, "Well I know you might not see this as something serious Sabrina but trust me. There is nothing more concerning to everyone than a relationship that could take a turn for the worst."

Sabrina continued, "I don't think there's anything that will go terribly wrong. We're both good friends together... Probably a little closer than we should be."

Both Spencer and Michal were lightly surprised at the implication when Spencer told her, "Well if you and Ash have already... gone that far, then it's definately something you should get off your chest before it gets to be somethign serious."

Sabrina confirmed the observation, "Yes we've gone that far. I've had feelings for him ever since he helped me feel human again. Me and him were together for a week on the S.S. Aqua and things just built from there. I thought I would be able to have him all to myself and that I would be able to understand how wonderful a truly mutual bond with someone else was. Just like my mother and father before me."

Michal asked, "Haven't you had the chance though? Or is he just not a nice boy like he's leading us to believe?"

Sabrina answered, "He's a very nice person. So nice that... That it might be the problem. Ever since we've been together I had a feeling that there wouldn't be anything to tear us apart but now someone else has come into the picture. When Karen came, he's been interested in her."

Spencer observed, "So he's got his eye on that other lady does he? And you're sure that he isn't doing this because he wants to get closer to an Elite Four member just so he can have some higher position of power in the League rankings?"

Sabrina shook her head, "I would imagine that he would have already tried to do that by now if he wanted to. What's more, he's actually been at odds with these feeling ever since we got together. I'm worried about what this could do to us. I don't want this to break our bond together and I don't want Ash to be under the weight of temptation forever. Is there anything we can do?"

Michal told Spencer, "She is the psychic. I guess that they can sense these sort of things."

Spencer agreed, "She might be able to. But there's something I have to tell you Sabrina. You can't control how other people think or what they do. But what you can do is confront them directly about what you are feeling. That's what the whole point of a relationship is after all. Being able to be as direct with your other as much as possible. This way both of you live a happy life because you're both better together than apart."

Sabrina asked, "Is that how you managed to make your relationship work? You said that Michal was in the hospital ever since she gave birth to Molly. You could have easily found another woman to move on with. Is that what keapt you dedicated to her and not willing to move on?"

Spencer confrimed, "That's a good part of it. No one in this world can say that a relationship is easy. if they do, there's a good chance they haven't been in one."

Michal hugged Spencer when she told them, "That's what makes them worthwhile. We've never been serious pokemon trainers but we put everything we had into staying together. The point is that you should keep going forward with your bond with Ash if you feel that the two of you are able to keep your happiness in tact together. More importantly if you have happiness because you're together."

Sabrina nodded when she accepted, "I might have to process this somehow. As you've already heard, Ash is at the age where he is interested in women. I'll have to ask him if he can somehow see us being together."

Spencer agreed, "Of course Sabrina. You shouldn't do something that doesn't make you feel happy. If you want I can offer you my number so that if he's ever giving you problems I can sweep in myself and pound his ass into submission for putting you through a hardship."

Michal told him, "That won't be necessary. I'm sure she'll be fine by herself."

Sabrina accepted, "I'm glad to at least have a little help from someone who is in this committment right now. I hope that you will both still have a happy marriage."

Spencer shrugged his shoulders when he smiled, "I guess me and Michal here need to continue building our relationship don't we? Well at least we'll have plenty of time to get around to that."

The humans were approaching the night hour where all of them would be asleep but that didn't apply as much to the pokemon who watched their trianers from behind the scenes. Pikachu was rushing atop the mansion roof when he peaked into Ash's bedroom when he observed, "Boy Ash still looks like he's in tough shape after taking down a legendary pokemon like that. As soon as morning hits, he's probably going to be sleeping like a Geodude."

Mew flew up behind him when she told him, "Oh that might be the physical factor of course. But it isn't quite as simple as that."

Espeon walked up next to Pikachu when she agreed, "For someone who has the drive to be a real "force of nature" he sure does seem to hesitate when it comes to fulfilling his desire."

Pikachu told them, "Ladies you have to remember that I have a handicap. I can't read minds like that. What's going on here?"

Mew answered, "It's like Espeon says. He is likely to become a "force of nature" but he still seems to have some personal morals holding him back. All human constructs anyway, he wouldn't have these concerns if he managed to push through them."

Pikachu began to pick up on what the two psychics were referring to when he asked, "What's the convenience of having to stick with one mate anyway? When I was in a herd my dad had maybe a dozen or so and he made us memorize whose mom was whose until we were old enough to wonder on our own."

Mew explained, "Theres a variety of factors. Religion, politics, economics, social establishments, humans managed to create multiple constructs over the millenia in an attempt to not only survive this world, but to try and make themselves seem above pokemon. There might be a few populations that still practice polygamy but Ash wasn't fortunate to be born in that sort of environment."

Espeon agreed, "It's unfortunate that he wants to be like my Vaporeon brother but this sort of thing seems to stick out in humans it would seem. But just how do we manage to ease him into this sort of concept if he doesn't believe it's possible? Moreover how do we get Sabrina to accept the idea of being with someone like that Karen lady?"

Mew told her, "If we were able to lure them together where they were forced to accept one anothers presence then it would be a start. The good news is that I think another key step is going to be taking place pretty soon."

Pikachu looked into the room when he saw the door open and then another human stepped into the room. "Sabrina might be able to accept this if she stays friends with Ash. They aren't about to "work out their tension" are they?"

Mew leaned next to him when she observed, "I don't think so. Things could be a little more interesting than just that."

Ash was sitting on his bed when he heard the door open and was happy to see that Sabrina was making her way towards him. He welcomed, "Hey Sabrina. You look like you've had a lot on your mind recently."

Sabrina nodded, "I'm happy that you've been willing to respect my privacy. But there are things we have to discuss Ash."

Ash sighed when he agreed, "I guess so. I have to admit this already feels more dangerous than the whole debacle we were just struggling to get through."

Sabrina sat next to him when she told him, "You shouldn't be so tense Ash. We're supposed to be fine around each other. We're always honest with each other and we don't have much to hide from each other don't we?"

Ash confirmed, "Yeah. Us being two psychics and everything. I guess this is something we had to come face to face with wasn't it?"

Sabrina told him, "I don't want you to think that I'm trying to accuse you of anything Ash. But I'm worried about… us."

"We… We haven't been going through anything rough have we?"

"You might be right. But I want to make sure that we don't end up in something that we regret."

"This is about Karen isn't it?"

"At least you know what it is. I know you've been friendly around her for a while. But I want to make sure that you aren't trying to… Well do anything with her without me."

Ash took hold of her hand when he told her, "Sabrina. I'm not going to leave you for anyone. I… I admit it's tough. I don't want to make excuses for myself but it's something that I'm just going to try and power my way through. I can tell Karen to leave us if that's what you want. Just say the word and I'll do everything to make sure that she doesn't risk coming in between us."

Sabrina smiled when she told him, "It's nice that you're so considerate Ash. But I don't want you to do that to yourself. You met with her earlier and you made a promise that you would be a good friend to her."

Ash looked down when he confirmed, "Yeah. Sabrina she's a really nice person when you actually get to know her. She's… only about as interested in me as I am. Just as a friend and as someone who "got away" and nothing else."

Sabrina confirmed, "There's always that room though. It sounds like if something happens between us then it might be a problem for both of us." She sighed before continuing, "I just don't know how to handle this. Ash I want to be with you and I don't want to lose someone like you."

Ash brought his arm around her shoulders when he told her, "You won't. Things might get hard and they might be difficult, but I won't let anything ruin us being together. You and I can go on this journey for as long as you want together and we'll beat the best trainers in the world together."

Sabrina was comforted by the words when she accepted, "Thank you Ash. I guess if we stay together long enough then we'll be able to confirm how well off together we are."

Ash agreed, "We've got something great going for us. But I need to know. Do you want Karen gone?"

Sabrina shook her head when she leaned her head on Ash's shoulder and told him, "I don't want you to stop being a compassionate person Ash. I want you to be who you were the day I fell for you. Just don't let what happens next be something that gets in between us."

Ash held her when he agreed, "Nothing will. And I'm not going to get tired saying that."

The three Pokémon outside the room watched Ash and Sabrina hold each other before they drifted off to sleep while Pikachu asked, "So what happened? It looks like they don't hate each other."

Espeon agreed, "That is the good news. As far as the two of them accepting the idea of multiple relationships though, they don't seem to be making much progress."

Mew confirmed, "That is the case. But if all goes as it could, there might be a situation later on where they could be forced to accept the idea."

Pikachu offered his insight, "We could just try and offer him the advice ourselves. I think if he has some help from his friends we might be able to see this whole thing end sooner."

Mew told him, "We could, but that is the problem of taking advice from Pokémon even such as me. Humans will only accept natural wisdom when it is something that they have to use to overcome an obstacle."

Espeon agreed, "Even in the presence of other psychics they seem to be rather skeptical."

Pikachu sighed when he commented, "I guess Ash is just going to have to keep holding back his instincts for a little while longer before I can get an idea of what's supposed to change things for the better.

Mew told them, "Let's put it this way. As soon as Ash makes his way to the last gym that he's headed for in this region, then we'll see if he's forced to change his idea about relationships. Although that might not happen for a little while but it should be something interesting to see at least."

Pikachu asked, "You mean you can't just give us an idea of what to look forward to? Who even is the last gym leader in this region and what's that supposed to do to change the course of this whole journey?"

Mew giggled when she told them, "I'm not the type who wants to offer spoilers for something that's just too exciting to watch unfold. Besides I can't risk having you two protesting the plan anyway."

Pikachu lamented, "And here Espeon was being the only one who didn't want this big story to be spoiled for her."

Notes on Chapter 13:

There we go. Another chapter has gone out and a healthy amount of development is done.

Will is allowing Molly to have the first steps towards becoming a trainer and we haven't seen the last of her either I might add.

Of course most of this chapter has been a bit more complicated than just that. Ash managed to get Karen to open up a little bit about herself and managed to convince Sabrina that he's there for her. Isn't this a bit counterintuitive you might ask? How is reaching the "final gym" of Johto going to lead to the accumulation of everything boiling over? This and more will just have to be answered as soon as we get there.

Until then, I look forward to seeing you all next chapter.