Day 10: Plaster Disaster

Morning found Zara exactly where last night had left her: on the roof. She had woken up at five o'clock sharp, and, unable to fall back asleep, had gone out the window and up top. But not to relax and wait for the day to start. To train.

"Sceptile, Dragon Pulse! Lairon, Dragon Rush!" Zara shouted.

Sceptile threw it's head back and shot its Dragon Pulse at Lairon. Lairon jumped into the air and charged the attack, the energy of a Dragon Rush swirling around it. The attacks collided and exploded.

"Good job, you two!" Zara praised. "Now Sceptile, Leaf Blade! Lairon, Iron Head!"

Again the two attacks connected and exploded.

Zara glanced at her watch as her Pokemon fell back from their attacks. Seven fourty-five.

"Okay guys, I think that's enough for now. We'll work more later. Return," and she held up two pokeballs. Sceptile and Lairon disappeared in two flashes of red light.

Zara put the pokeballs back in her pocket and reached for her backpack, drawing an apple and a bag of chips out if it. Sitting down at the edge of the roof and letting her feet hang over, she bit into the apple. The food she'd snuck out of the kitchen earlier this morning, so she would have something to eat without having to go to breakfast. Suspicious, perhaps, but it wouldn't be the first time she'd skipped a meal to train for an upcoming battle.

Zara quickly finished the apple and chips, but they didn't satiate her hunger. Skipping supper last night and breakfast this morning had taken a toll on her. But she couldn't let that distract her. Pushing her hunger to the back of her mind, she focused on the day ahead.

Any minute now, students would come pouring out the side door to watch the days battles and wait for their own turns. All she had to do was climb down the fire escape, go back inside and down the stairs, and out to the courtyard with them, and nothing would seem amiss to Steven and the Elite Four.

But she didn't want to go down. Going down to the courtyard only meant putting herself in harm's way, letting herself be seen, therefore giving the two women an opportunity to follow her, and putting strain on her nerves.

But perhaps there was nothing to be worried about in the first place. For all she knew, the reason Lysander and his two, no wait, she'd forgotten Alain again, three minions were here might not involve her at all. They might just be interested in the school. Or in the Mega Evolution energy used here.

Yeah, right.

She looked down at the field again and spotted movement. Time to go. Slinging her backpack over one shoulder, she clambered down from the roof and went out to the field.

Wally was waiting for her when she arrived. "Hey Zara!" he exclaimed cheerfully as soon as he saw her.

"Hey Wally," she said back, trying to be just as cheerful, but not quite succeeding.

"What happened to you last night?" Wally asked. Zara tensed at his question. The last person on earth she wanted to lie to was Wally, but he was treading on thin ice. "I missed you at supper," Wally went on.

Zara quickly pulled together a plan. She glanced around to make sure no one would overhear, then bent down and whispered in his ear, "I was hiding from someone."

"Really?" Wally asked, wide-eyed. "Who?"

"Alain." When Wally opened his mouth, she covered it with one hand and went on. "He lied to me about something, and I didn't want to confront him about it during supper. But do me a favor. Don't tell anyone about what I said, okay? And it wouldn't hurt if you stayed away from him too. He doesn't seem to be the most trustworthy person ever."

Wally didn't answer, only nodded his head and looked away at the crowd. Zara followed his gaze till her eyes came to rest on Alain. He looked up, and Zara quickly looked away, not wanting to make eye contact.

From across the battle field, Glacia said, "Would Gordon and Brittney please step up to the field."

The two named trainers separated from the group and stepped into the trainer's boxes.

"Are you both ready?" Glacia asked.

"Yes," they both said, but neither of them looked very ready.

"Then battle begin!" Glacia shouted.

Gordon sent out his Glalie, and Brittney sent out her Baynette. They fought a long battle, both of them repeatedly having a chance to land the finishing blow, but neither willing to do it. Finally, Glalie took Baynette out with a Crunch. Baynette fainted and Brittney recalled it, Gordon apologizing profusely for beating her.

He must really like her to feel so bad about beating her in the competition, Zara thought.

Next up, Alain and Dave.

As the two boys stepped up to the trainer's boxes, Zara thought she saw a flicker of movement through one of the second story windows. Is that Sidney? What is he doing on the second floor?

"Are you both ready?" Glacia asked the trainers.

"Ready," they both answered.

"Then battle begin!" Glacia shouted.

Zara stared hard at the window, willing whatever it was to show itself again, and hoping desperately that it wouldn't and she could say she imagined it.

A flash of color appeared again. White color, not red, thankfully. But still, what was it?

Go get Steven, her mind told her, he'll know what it is, or what to do.

Not giving it a second thought, she turned and raced for the courtyard backdoor.

X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*XX

Alain stood in his trainer's box, Dave across the field from him. His mind was still crowded with confused thoughts about Zara's behavior last night. He didn't understand why she'd called him a liar. Yes, he would admit he had broken his promise about keeping her secret, but obeying and helping Lysander was more important than a single person's well being, even if it was Zara. But he had never lied to her about anything. He never lied to anyone.

Just fight your battle, he thought, it'll clear your head for a while at least.

"Charizard, let's go!" Alain shouted. Charizard burst onto the field flaring its wings as it landed and stirring up dust. Across the field from him, Dave already had his Salamence out in front of him. Alain knew from the stat boost challange that Salamence was powerful. Not an opponent to be messed around with. Then again, none of the competitors were.

"Salamence, Mega Evolve!" Dave cried, touching his keystone. Salamence roared as its Mega Stone reacted and in Mega Evolved.

"Alright, Charizard, Mega Evolve!" Alain shouted, touching his own keystone. Charizard also roared as it Mega Evolved.

When the Mega Evolution was complete, and the rainbow colored symbol flashed in front of Charizard, Dave ordered, "Use Flamethrower!"

"Flamethrower, Charizard!" Alain shouted.

The two Flamethrowers met mid-field and exploded.

"Use Dragon Claw!" Alain ordered.

"Dragon Claw!" Dave commanded.

Both Dragon types took to the air, and met in a clash of wings and claws. They slashed and slashed at each other, but both countered every swipe, and neither took any hits. They quickly broke apart, seeing it was useless to keep trying to hit the other one.

As Salamence and Charizard flapped away from each other, Dave ordered, "Steel Wing, let's go!"

Salamence roared and its wings grew and turned a slivery color. Flapping them once, it charged Charizard, aiming to strike it across the chest.

"Intercept with Thunder Punch," Alain ordered.

Charizard drew back one claw untill electricity crackled on it, the streaked forward to meet Salamence. It struck Salamence's right wing, and the two Pokemon struggled for a moment. Charizard won out in the end, aided by its ability, Tough Claws, and set Salamence flying back toward Dave with its Thunder Punch.

Salamence tumbled throught the air, then as it reached its trainer, righted itself and turned back to Charizard.

"Flamethrower!" Dave shouted.

A stream of flame left Salamence's mouth.

"Flamethrower!" Alain commanded.

Charizard intercepted the flames from Salamence with its own, and they exploded. Smoke blew over the battle field from the blast.

"Fly up Salamence!" Dave ordered when the smoke got so thick both trainers lost sight of their Pokemon.

Salamence shot into the air, quickly clearing the top of the smoke cloud, and starting to circle the field.

Alain studied it for a moment, then ordered, "Flamethrower straight up Charizard!"

Charizard threw its head back and shot a stream of flame into the smoke. Salamence, who had been waiting for Charizard to fly up to it, was caught off guard by the move, and took the Flamethrower full in the chest. It faltered in its flight but didn't fall, roaring as the flames continued to pound it.

"Hyper Beam!" Dave shouted up to his Pokemon.

Salamence threw its head back and fired it attack straight down at the Flamethrower. The Normal turned Flying type attack cut through the Fire type one like it was nothing. Alain had no time to warn his Pokemon, and Charizard had no time to move. The Hyper Beam struck it, and exploded.

Alain heard Charizard roar in pain, and he gritted his teeth.

The dust cloud flew even higher this time than it had when the Flamethrowers had exploded. Salamence, at Dave's command, flew even higher, surpassing the top of the building. It couldn't attack, needing to recharge after the Hyper Beam, but it watched the cloud anxiously for Charizard so it could dodge.

Alain watched Salamence closely. "Charizard, are you alright?"

"Char," Charizard growled in responce.

"Good," Alain said to himself. "Dragon Claw!"

He couldn't see it, but he heard Charizard's wing beats as the Fire type took to the air. It shot out of the dust cloud and charged Salamence. Salamence reared back when it saw Charizard, but couldn't change direction fast enough and got its wings sliced by Charizard's Dragon Claw.

As Salamence fell back from the Dragon Claw, Dave shouted up to it, "Dragon Claw!"

The Dragon and Flying type twisted and sliced its own claws down Charizard's side. The Flame Pokemon roared in fury and pain.

Both Dragon types turned in the air to face each other. "Flamethrower!" both of their trainers shouted. Both Pokemon fired Flamethrowers at each other. They intercepted and struggled for several seconds, before Charizard's Flamethrower broke through and again slammed Salamence with a torrent of flames.

Salamence faltered as it took the attack, then rolled over mid-air, and fell to the ground, landing with a loud crash.

"Salamence, no!" Dave shouted.

"Char!" Charizard shot down at it when it landed.

Dust again covered the field, thus they had to wait for it to clear to see if Salamence had fainted. But Alain wasn't sure it had. "Charizard, be ready to-"

"Salamence, look toward the roof and use Hyper Beam!" Dave shouted. Salamence roared, and out of the dust came its bright white Hyper Beam. By the time the attack was visible in the cloud, Charizard didn't have time to dodge. It took the attack full on, and as the explosion sounded across the field, Alain saw his Pokemon fall from out of the smoke and hit the ground next to Salamence. No, you have to survive that hit! he thought.

More dust, but this time a breeze blew over the field and blew it away. On the now visible field, Salamence stood over Charizard, pinning its wings to the ground. Alain's mind shot to his battle with Malva, and he shouted, "Flamethrower, now, Charizard!"

Charizard blasted Salamence with flames, and the Dragon Pokemon releaced its hold. Taking off, it flew higher and higher, trying to put some distance between it and its opponent. Charizard hauled itself up and took off in hot pursuit.

Salamence tried hard to get away from Charizard, but despite Dave's urging, it was simply too tired to get away fast enough. Charizard caught up to it easily, despite its own tiredness.

"Thunder Punch!" Alain ordered.

"Dragon Claw!" Dave countered.

Salamence and Charizard intercepted each other and struggled. First Charizard gained a few inches and Alain thought it would break through, then Salamence would gain ground and Alain thought he was about to lose. Finally, Salamence couldn't hold up any longer, Charizard struck its opponent, and it was all over. Salamence roared and plummited, fainting and reverting to its normal form before it even hit the ground.

"Salamence is unable to battle, so Charizard wins. Therefore the victory goes to Alain," Glacia announced.

Alain's expression didn't change, but inwardly he breathed a sigh of relief. Salamence was stronger than I expected. But I still won.

Walking out onto the field, he said, "We did it Charizard," and reached out to rub his Pokemon's head.

"Zard," Charizard answered tiredly. Alain returned it to its pokeball and headed for the Pokemon Center. Now what was I thinking about before? Right, Zara calling me a liar. I didn't forget about that for long.

X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*XX

Zara raced down the second floor hallway, every sense alert. Unable to locate Steven or the rest of the Elite Four, she'd decided to investigate the strange white something herself. Now she was starting to regret having come.

Thus far she'd searched ever room on the inside of this half of the building with no success. Nothing unusual hid in these rooms, only paint cans and pieces of broken plaster. She opened the next door slowly, and peeked in. Nothing but dust. Maybe I just imagined that white thing...

Next to her, Lairon jerked it's head up and growled softly.

Zara jumped and followed it's gaze. Around the corner, shadows danced on the wall. Someone was coming.

Without wasting a second, Zara opened the door wide and practically pushed Lairon into the room. She followed, and closed the door behind her.

Footsteps tapped the tile floor outside, coming closer and closer to Zara's hiding place. When they stopped, she guessed they were in front of the door next to hers, but she didn't dare open the door to find out for sure.

Voices started talking out in the hall. From what she could hear, it sounded like there was at least one male and one female speaking. Zara leaned over to the door and pressed her ear against it.

"...dumping it in this room here. Nothing should seem out of place, considering its all plaster." That was the feminine voice.

"And your work space?" That was the masculine voice.

"Completely cleared."

"How far behind have you fallen because of this?"

"Only...or two" Zara couldn't make out everything she said through the door.

"Hurry. I don't like waiting on something so importaint."

There was no responce, but Zara assumed the woman had nodded or shook her head.

"Once you have finished and have obtained...call...tell you how to set the sensors in your...locate what we are after. She may even have...on her."

What are they talking about? Who are they talking about? Who am I listening too? Zara wondered.

"Sir," the feminine voice answered.

Zara started, and beside her Lairon growled protectively at her movement. Covering her Pokemon's mouth, and her own mouth too, with her hands, she thought, This is Lysander and one of the women! What if they heard Lairon? What if they open the door?

That's easy. Then I'm toast!

"What was that?" Lysander asked.

"Probably noises from the battle taking place. These walls don't have any real insulation in them yet, so you can hear lots of things from down in the courtyard," the woman answered.

No response for several tense seconds, then, "Very well. I'll leave you to it."

Footsteps tapped on the floor again, one set going one direction, the other set going the other direction. Then silence.

A full minute after the sound died away, Zara let out the breath she'd been holding, released Lairon, and sank to the floor in relief. Her heart hammered away in her chest still, but now she could breath properly.

Thank my lucky stars that Steven didn't put much insulation in these walls! Never is when I will ever put myself in a position where that could happen again! she yelled mentally. I knew better, and yet I just had to come and see what was going on here. Whatever, I can criticize myself later. I need to get out of here.

Returning Lairon to its pokeball, she eased the door open and peeked out. Nothing. The hall was empty of both movement and sound. Zara eased the door open wider untill she could slide out, then closed it behind her and bolted for the stairs.

When she made it back down to the courtyard, Alain was gone and Wally was battling Astrid. The noise they made shook the trees in the courtyard, but didn't break Zara from her worried thoughts.

Who does Lysander want those two to call? What are they doing with plaster? What are they looking for?

Maybe they aren't after me. But if not me, then what? Nothing came to mind.

Well, no matter what, I'm going back up there with Steven and showing him that room those two were standing in front of. Whatever they're hiding in there that involves plaster, I'll find out soon enough.

Her mind made up, Zara sat down at the edge of the courtyard near the door to watch Wally's battle. The green haired trainer fought long and hard with his Gallade, but in the end, Astrid won out, taking Gallade down with a Dark Pulse.

Wally recalled Gallade, and left the field looking very disappointed. Zara couldn't blame him. At least he won his first battle, she thought.

The whistle for lunch blew, and she rose to meet Wally and went inside with him. Her stomach rumbled as the smell of food enveloped her, earning her an amused look from Wally, but she didn't care. She sat with her friend, talked with him, encouraged him after his loss, and got seconds and thirds. Everything seemed almost back to normal, and the cheerfulness she showed around her yound friend was no longer forced, but heart felt.

But unfortunately, as all good things must, it came to an end.

Lysander, the two women in red, and Alain walked in as Zara was sitting down with her third tray of food. She looked up as Alain came in, and caught his eye completely by accident. She looked away quickly, but she could still feel his burning gaze on her the whole time he was in line. She kept her attention focused on her plate, doing her best to ignore everything, including the fresh fear that had welled up insider her.

"Zara? Zara!"

Wally calling her name forced her to pull her attention back to her suroundings.

"Zara? Are you okay?" Wally asked.

"Yeah, I'm okay," she answered.

"Are you sure? You've been acting strange lately." When she didn't answer, he went on, "Is it about Alain?"

Tears formed in Zara's eyes, but she forced them back. This is exactly why I never told you about any of my past. Because I didn't want to talk about it, and I didn't want to be reminded of it. "Not exactly, Wally. Just forget I said anything about it."

"But I want to help you feel better. It's what you do for me."

"No, just forget it. I'm fine, really." And she sat up straighter and smiled as brightly as she could.

Wally didn't look very convinced, but he went back to eating without pressing the issue anymore. Zara sighed inwardly and finished her food as fast as she could. She left, leaving Wally by himself, and went back outside to get away from everyone.

Everyone didn't stay inside for much longer. It wasn't fifteen minutes before all the other students, exceplt for Wally it seemed, filed back outside and filled the courtyard with a lot of general noise. Zara thankfully didn't see either of the women in the crowd, but Alain had come out, as had Lysander. She made sure to stay as far away from them as possible.

Glaica stepped up to the field and announced, "Will Zara and Flash please step up to the field."

Zara tore her attention away from Lysander, and cautiously approached a trainer's box. Someone sneezed, and she involuntarily jumped at the sound. Forcing herself to relax, angered thoughts crossed her mind, at herself for being so tense and at this Team for showing up in the first place.

Forget it, she thought, just focus on your battle. They won't try and nab you here in front of everyone.

Across the field, Flash had taken his position and set out his Ampharos. "Sceptile at the ready!" she cried, throwing Sceptile's pokeball into the air. The Forest Pokemon hit the ground with a thump, and looked back at its trainer with concern in its eyes.

"Scep tile tile?" Sceptile asked, pointing at the second story with its snout.

Zara only held up a hand to stop it, and shook her head at her Pokemon. No, Sceptile, it's nothing to worry about. Nothing happened up there, just got into a sticky situation. But I'm fine. All these thoughts she tried to convey in her look, but couldn't be sure if she accomplished what she was aiming for.

In response, Sceptile dipped its head and turned back to its opponent.

"Are you both ready?" Glacia asked.

Zara thought, As ready as I'm going to get, as she nodded to Glacia. Across from her, Flash nodded too.

"Then battle begin!"

"Ampharos, Discharge!" Flash shouted.

Ampharos leaped into action, jumping into the air and curling in on itself, shooting volts of electricity all over the field.

"Sceptile, Leaf Blade!" Zara ordered. Sceptile hesitated at her command for a fraction of a second before charging into the Electric type move and slicing through it. It fought off several of the volts before it was overwelmed and fell back, leaving deep gashes where it held onto the ground for support.

Sceptile looked over its shoulder at Zara as when it recovered from the attack. Yes Sceptile, I know that you would have been immune to it if you had Mega Evolved, Zara thought, but they don't. And if they hit us now and it connects, they won't have any idea why it won't work after you Mega Evolve. Thus, you had to take one Electric type hit for this plan to work. And after all, it isn't very effective.

"Use Dragon Pulse!" Flash ordered.

"Intercept with Dragon Pulse!" Zara countered.

Both Pokemon fired their rainbow colored attacks at each other. They exploded, both Pokemon remaining unscathed.

"From the depths of my heart, keystone respond! Sceptile, Mega Evolve!" Zara shouted, touching her keystone in her Mega Bracelet, and flinging her arm out beside her as it reacted. Her stance mirrored Steven's when he Mega Evolved his Metagross. Sceptile's Mega Stone reacted to her keystone, and the Grass type Mega Evolved. "Dragon Pulse, let's go!" she ordered.

"Electro Ball!" Flash countered.

The attacks met mid-field, Sceptile's Dragon Pulse quickly breaking through the Electro Ball and driving Ampharos backward. The Light Pokemon cried out in pain.

Flash cringed at the sound, then touched his own keystone and shouted, "Ampharos, Mega Evolve now!" His keystone reacted with Ampharos's Mega Stone, and the Electric type Mega Evolved. "Use Discharge!" Flash commanded.

Neither Zara nor Sceptile so much as blinked and Ampharos released the attack. The electric surge grew around the Light Pokemon, then just as quickly as it was generated, flew straight at Sceptile. The Forest Pokemon turned its head and fixed one eye on Zara, who nodded ever so slightly. At her nod, Sceptile fell to one knee and groaned as if it were in pain.

"Good job, Ampharos! Now, Dragon Pulse!" Flash ordered.

"Dodge it!" Zara shouted.

Sceptile danced out of the way of the Dragon Pulse, ducking and dodging the wings of the attack. But as it cleared the move and turned to take on Ampharos, Flash ordered, "Use Electro Ball!"

As soon as Ampharos released the Electro Ball, it zipped straight for Sceptile, almost as if Ampharos had used Lock On the turn before. Sceptile took the attack full in the chest, but there was no explosion, nor was there any other sign that it had taken damage. At another nod from Zara, Sceptile flipped head over heels backward toward her and landed on the ground on all fours, to make it seem like it had been knocked back from the attack.

"Use Leaf Blade!" Zara ordered.

Sceptile jumped up and charged Ampharos, the leaves on its arms growing into green blades.

"Stop them. Discharge!" Flash countered.

Ampharos shouted it's name as it released the blast of electricity. The move zipped across the field straight for Sceptile, but this time Zara didn't nod to it. Sceptile raced through the bolts of electricity, absorbing them all one by one without even slowing.

"What's going on?" Flash asked aloud, confusion and panic in his voice. "Why aren't they taking any damage?"

By the time he finished saying that, Sceptile had reached Amparos and struck it across the face and chest with each of its Leaf Blades. The Light Pokemon let out something akin to a scream and flew backward, stopping just in front of Flash. Sceptile stood where Ampharos had been, power eminating from it.

"Wait a minute, its gotten stronger from our attacks, not weaker," Flash observed. Suddenly, understanding shown in his eyes. "Its ability is Lightning Rod!"

Zara didn't respond to Flash's guess, but a smile spred slowly across her face. That was all the answer Flash needed. His hands clenched into fists in anger as he shouted, "Ampharos, Dragon Pulse!"

"Dodge it, then Dragon Pulse, Sceptile!" Zara countered.

Sceptile dashed forward, leaped gracefully around Ampharos's Dragon Pulse, and fired its own rainbow colored attack.

"Cotton Guard!" Flash commanded.

Just before Sceptile's Dragon Pulse struck it, Ampharos put up a soft looking green barrier all around it. The Dragon Pulse connected, but Ampharos didn't take nearly as much damage from it as it otherwise would have.

"Dragon Pulse again Ampharos!"

"Detect, Sceptile!"

Sceptile dodged the Dragon Pulse and stopped with only one eye fixed on Ampharos, the other fixed on Zara.

"Use Frenzy Plant!" Zara ordered.

"Intercept with Dragon Pulse!" Flash ordered.

Both Pokemon fired their attacks, but the Frenzy Plant easily overpowered the Dragon Pulse, and Ampharos cried out as it was struck over and over by the huge roots growing our from Sceptile's tail. The combined effect of the move's power, plus Sceptile's raised attack, soon over powered the Light Pokemon, and a roaring explosion split the air around the field.

As the dust from the explosion settled, it became clear Ampharos had not fainted. When you could see the Electric and Dragon type's head, Flash ordered, "Use Dragon Pulse on the ground!"

Ampharos released a Dragon Pulse, and it hit the ground, stirring up a huge cloud of thick dust. Zara couldn't see anything. Even the light of the sun started to get patchy.

"Sceptile? Can you hear me?" Zara called out.

"Scep!" Sceptile answered.

So it can hear me, we both just can't see anything. If I thought I wouldn't have to watch my back, I'd close my eyes, but I don't dare. Who knows what might happen if I did.

"Dragon Pulse!" Flash ordered, and before Zara could figure out where the attack was coming from, it hit Sceptile full on.

"Don't let them recover! Dragon Pulse!" Flash ordered again.

"Sceptile, use Detect!" Zara commanded.

Sceptile dodged the attack, but Zara could only barely make our it's siloute in the dust. This will not work. I can't order Sceptile to dodge if neither of us can see what were dodging, and I just used up my only guaranteed dodge by ordering Detect. I need this dust to settle, but that's going to take too much time. Unless...well, I don't normally battle with that style, but considering the circumstances, I don't see a better solution. "Sceptile, Frenzy Plant!" she cried, "And give it everything you've got!" If I can't see to hit them for sure, I'll sent a strong move in from every direction.

Sceptile plunged its tail into the ground, roaring as it released the powerful Grass type move. The huge roots surged out from its tail, swiping through the dust and stirring it up even more. If Zara had been on the other side of the dust cloud, she would have seen Ampharos trying to dodge by running in every direction, only to be stopped by huge roots, and Flash shouting pointless orders that didn't help anyone.

When the dust finally settled, Ampharos lay in front of Flash, knocked out. It flashed and reverted to its normal form, mumbling it's name weakly as it did.

"Ampharos is unable to battle, so Sceptile wins! Therefore the victore goes to Zara!" Glacia announced.

Flash recalled Ampharos and headed for the Pokemon center. Glacia left the courtyard as well. Zara, however, left Sceptile out of its pokeball as she headed off the field and out of the courtyard.

As she pushed her way through the crowd, Zara suddenly felt acutely aware of a cold gaze resting on her. A quick look over her shoulder confirmed her suspicion. Lysander was staring at her. But the thing the really made Zara's hair stand on end was his expression. Instead of his normal, expressionless face, he wore a calm, cold smile. It was the same sort of smile that Zara had seen Maxie or Courtney wear when they had a battle-deciding trick up their sleeve. The sort of smile they wore when they knew they were going to win.

Pressing on toward the door even faster, Zara snapped her fingers and Sceptile moved closer to her. They were three steps away from the door when someone snickered. Zara whirled to face the group of students, scanning the crowd for the person who had made the noise. Sceptile stepped out of her line of vision and off to the side.

Slowly, every student turned to face Zara and Sceptile. After an initial moment of confused silence, Carl asked, "What? Glameow got your tongue, Zara?"

Some of the students chuckled. Just leave, Zara thought, the only thing standing here is accomplishing is making you look suspicious. She took a step backward and reached for the door handle.

That's when everything went crazy.

One minute she was standing in front of the door, the next she found herself upside down, hanging from a place above her by her right ankle, all the blood rushing to her head and threatening to make her throw up. She flailed desperately, and finding she couldn't free herself, yelled, "Help! Someone get me down!"

She hung facing the wall of the courtyard, and thus couldn't see the crowd, but she could hear several of them laughing their heads off, as well as Sceptile roaring at them in confused anger. The Grass type came over to her and grabbing her arm, tugged at her trying to get the rope, or whatever it was that held her up, to snap. After a couple of tugs, it proved pointless, and Zara ordered her Pokemon to stop.

"Tile," Sceptile mumbled apologetically.

"Somebody help me!" Zara cried, panic and anxiety building within her. She tried to twist around and pull herself up to grab onto the rope, but couldn't get a hold on it. Every time she lunged up for it, she swung outward and around, putting the rope out of her grasp, and it wouldn't be back within reach untill after she couldn't hold herself up any longer. "Who did this?" she cried.

One person laughed an especially loud and frivolous laugh, and Zara knew immediately who it was. Jacklyn. She set this up.

"I told you you'd pay for your little outburst the other day," Jacklyn said as she approached Zara. From where Zara hung, she could only see Jacklyn out of one eye, but that didn't seem to deter the black haired trainer.

Taking a deep breath, Zara said, "This was your revenge? Stringing me up like a pinata? What are you going to do now, hit me and see if a drop any candy? I guarantee you that won't happen."

Jacklyn snarled at her, then said, "Perhaps you'd like me to get a baseball bat and we can find out. Just to be sure." And Zara saw her flutter her eyelashes mockingly.

"I'm already sure. Cut me down."

"You really want to come down? I've heard standing on your head is very comfortable."

Zara snorted as best she could with all the blood in her head. "Who told you that, a Zubat? Cut me down."

"Now who's the one who said they weren't incompetent here? If your so clever, you think of a way to get down."

Zara growled frustratedly and lunged for the rope around her ankle again. Under normal circumstances she could have thought of a plan to get down fairly easily, but considering the heavy pressure on her head from all the blood in it, and her panic at being caught and ripe for the taking within Lysander's, and Alain's, view, nothing was coming to mind. And the longer she couldn't think of anything, the more panicked she became.

"Just cut me down already!" she finally shouted.

"What? Does the bright young Champion's assistant need help from the incompetent trainer? My oh my, I don't believe my ears!"

"Just. Cut. Me. Down!" Zara hissed.

"I won't unless you say, 'Jacklyn rules and Zara drools'."

"What?"

"You heard me. All you have to say is five words, and I'll get you down lickety split."

"Not a chance."

Jacklyn shrugged. "Your choice. Guess you'll go back to having your Sceptile pull you down." And she turned and began to walk away.

Zara weighed her choices. Either she could hang here untill someone took pity on her and cut her down, and who knew how long that might take, or she could give in to Jacklyn's demands and have her cut her down now. Neither choice was desirable. But the latter would get her away from Lysander sooner, so...

Fine," she mumbled, "Jacklyn rules and Zara drools."

"Hm? What was that? I couldn't hear you," Jacklyn said in her sickly sweet voice.

"I said Jacklyn rules and Zara drools, " Zara repeated only slightly louder.

"Still can't hear you. You really need to speak up, you know."

"Jacklyn rules and Zara drools," Zara said as evenly as she could through clenched teeth.

"Very well, I'll cut you down now," Jacklyn said. Sending out her Blaziken, she ordered, "Blaziken, jump up and cut that cord."

Blaziken leaped high enough to clear Zara's ankle, then sliced the cord that held her up in two with its beak. As soon as it was cut, Zara started to fall. She cried out, and just before her head would have connected with the ground, Sceptile grabbed her leg in its mouth and layed her down gently on her back.

The blood that had accumulated in her head steadily began to spread back out to where it was supposed to be, and Zara lay still on her back for a minute to let it do so. Above her, Sceptile prodded her gently in several places, trying its hardest to make sure she was alright.

"I'm okay, Sceptile," Zara said, putting a hand on its head to reassure it. Sceptile nodded, then raised its head and growled angrily at Jacklyn.

"What are you mad at me for, you overgrown Treecko?" Jacklyn said saucily. "I was the one who got her down. You should be thanking me."

As a reply, Sceptile opened its mouth and began charging a Dragon Pulse. Blaziken stepped in front of its trainer and raised its arms protectively.

"Alright, what's going on out here?" said a voice from across the courtyard. Zara didn't need to see the speaker to know it was Drake. "Why are you all standing around?"

"And why is Zara on her back with a piece of cord around her foot?" another voice asked. This speaker came up to her, and Zara found herself looking straight into Steven's face.

"Steven!" Zara said, relief flooding through her.

"What happened to you?" Steven asked her. He offered her his hand, and when she took it, pulled up to her feet.

"Jacklyn decided to see what I would look like if she strung me up like a pinata," Zara replied. Reaching down, she untied the cord from around her ankle.

"Where did she go?" Steven asked.

"What do you mean? She's right-" Zara raised her hand and pointed at empty air. Jacklyn was gone. Looking around for her, she noticed Alain and Lysander were gone as well.

"Are you alright?" Steven asked.

"Huh? Oh, yes, yes I'm alright, just a little dizzy," Zara answered distractedly, still searching for Jacklyn.

"Maybe we'd better go see Nurse Joy," Steven said warily.

"No, I'm fine, just dizzy, I can walk alright, don't worry about-" Zara took two steps and stumbled, falling to one knee and felt bile rise in her throat.

"Let's go see Nurse Joy," Steven said firmly, pulling her up and putting her arm around his shoulders.

"Fine," Zara said meekly, "but afterward, I have something I need to show you."

X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X

Alain growled furiously and punched the punching bag again, leaving a sizable indent in the stuffing. How dare she! How dare she! How dare she hurt Zara like that!

He'd been in the training room ever since he'd left the courtyard, furiously tearing up this punching bag. He gave the bag one more solid punch and plunked down on a bench, seething rage at Jacklyn.

After Zara had stepped into the noose on the ground-and yes, there was a noose on the ground he just hadn't seen the thing untill it was too late to warn her-he'd watched Jacklyn laugh at her, along with several of her girl friends. To be honest, he had expected Jacklyn to laugh at her and then cut her down immedaitely, her revenge having been extracted. When she didn't, Alain had wanted to go up to her and drive her into the dirt, and then cut Zara down himself, but with what he'd said to Lysander about staying away form her, he couldn't do so without disobeying orders. And with what Zara had said to him yesterday about calling him a liar, he wasn't sure the help would have been appreciatied.

Alain let his head fall back and hit the wall behind him, and he sighed angrily. I will make her pay for that. No one, I repeat, no one gets to hurt Zara like that and gets away with it. I will protect her. I swear it.

He brought his head back up and added, And I will protect Mairin too. Whatever the cost.

He didn't readily acknowledge it, but Zara had found her way into his heart, and had earned herself a place right next to Mairin. Though she had slipped a bit when she called him a liar. Alain wasn't sure what she'd meant by that, but it must have been a mistake on her part, and perhaps when his mission with the Mega Evolution energy was finished he could come back and clear it all up. But he still cared about her, even though she hated him.

He put a hand up to his cheek where Zara had slapped him the other day. It no longer hurt, but something much deeper down that he couldn't place still did. She really hates me.

How do you know that Mairin doesn't hate you too? his mind thought ominously.

Shoving that thought away, he rose and steadied the punching bag. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a pokeball, intending to train and get his mind off what had just happened. At least Zara trying to stay away from me it easier to follow orders, he thought. He raised his arm to throw the pokeball, when his Holocaster rang. It was a message from Lysander. Come find me on the second floor.

On the second floor? Alain thought. I thought that floor was off limits. Nevertheless, he left the training room and climbed the stairs to the second floor.

Lysander stood at the top of the stairs, waiting for him. As soon as Alain reached the top, Lysander adressed him. "Alain."

"Yes, sir?"

"Walk with me."

Alain followed his boss silently as he turned and headed down the hallway.

"You are doing well in the competition."

"Yes sir."

"And you have collected a great deal of Mega Evolution energy."

"Yes sir."

Lysander didn't speak for a moment. "You will be happy to know that we have discovered a method of making Pokemon even stronger, I assume."

Alain's eyes snapped to Lysander's face. "Yes, sir, it would!"

"Then keep battling and training. When you have gathered all the Mega Evolution energy, I will-" Lysander stopped abruptly.

Alain looked away from Lysander's face and down the hallway to see Steven and Zara, along with Celosia and Bryony, standing in front of an open door and arguing.

"I assure you, we have nothing in there," Bryony said calmly.

Zara snorted. "That's not true and you know it!"

"What seems to be the problem?" Lysander asked, advancing to stand next to Steven. Zara edged away from him, Alain noticed, much to his confusion. The longer I stay away from her, the more confusing she gets, he thought to himself.

"Zara, please," Steven said. "Now, I'd like to see what is in this room if all of you don't mind. Zara tells me there is something I should know about in here."

Celosia and Bryony sharred a look, then Bryony looked at Lysander and touched the rim of her goggles. "Very well," Lysander said.

Without another word, Steven pushed the door open and stepped inside. For a minute he said nothing, then he came back out, his experession stern. "Zara, are you sure your feeling alright? You don't need to go back to Nurse Joy or anything?"

She went to Nurse Joy? Alain thought worriedly, then shoved the thought away.

"What? No, of course not! Why would you ask that?" Zara asked.

"See for yourself," And Steven stepped away from the door, giving Zara a full view of the room inside. Alain circled around the group untill he could see inside himself. The room was full of broken plaster. Pieces as small a ping-pong ball, pieces as big as a man, blue pieces, yellow pieces, white pieces, all over the floor and leaning against the walls.

Zara starred at the mess for a minute, then raced inside and fell to her knees, tearing at the plaster and scattering it more. "This can't be all that's in here!" she cried.

"Zara, come on, let's go back to the Pokemon Center," Steven said.

"No!" Zara shouted, balling her hands into fists. "I am not delirious! I'm telling you, this can't be all that's in here!" Suddenly she stopped and slowly turned to face the Hoenn Champion. "You don't believe me, do you?"

"You haven't been acting yourself lately," Steven replied. "Skipping meals, training for hours on end, and now this. I'm only questioning if your alright because you act like you're not."

Zara turned away from the group, her head down. "Alright, Champion, let's go." She came out of the room and headed for the stairs, Steven right beside her. As she passed Alain, she held her head up higher and put on a fierce expression, but he still saw a tear slip down her cheek. The sight confused him even further. What was she hoping to find in there so desperately? She helped prepare this place for the seminar. She would know better that anyone where everything is at.

When Zara and Steven were gone, Celosia said, "She's getting too nosy. Someone-" She would have gone on, but a look from Bryony cut her off.

"We need to complete our research and go back to Kalos soon, before this information falls into the wrong hands," Lysander said. "How much longer do you need?"

"We can move on to part two tomorrow," Bryony said.

"What information?" Alain asked.

"Information regarding what I was speaking to you about earlier. A method of making Pokemon even stronger."

Alain nodded at this. What would Zara want with that? Maybe she doesn't know what they're working on, but she's just curious about why Bryony and Celosia are here, and has started poking her nose in places it doesn't belong. Like she did with me.

"That is all I wished to tell you, Alain. You may go." And with that, Lysander, Celosia, and Bryony turned as one and left him alone in the hallway.

Alain went back downstairs and trained with Charizard untill supper, ate, then went to his room and his bed. Gordon was already there, snoring up a storm, but Alain didn't care. He lay down and tried to sort out the ever growing puzzle regarding Zara. Everytime he tried to put the pieces together, however, there was always at least one piece that didn't fit in with the others. Nothing made sense with her anymore. Finally, gave up and went to sleep, wondering what tomorrow would have in store. Jacklyn getting punished, that's one thing I know for sure.

X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X

Zara sat on the roof, crying as hard as she could. The tears were mostly from built-up stress, but the last straw had been Steven's doubt in her. That she hated more than anything else that had happened today. And, even worse, the proof she had been looking for wasn't there. She had nothing now to back her suspicion of Lysander or those two women other tha her background story, and she refused to tell it to Steven. But this non-exsistent proof was supposed to get Steven to make them leave, without me having to tell him anything!

She knew now that this Team was up to something, but what it was, and what they were after still evaded her. If she could have figured that out, it would have helped her know how to stay away from them.

Behind her, Sceptile rubbed its snout gently across her back as she sobbed. "Your the only one who understands me, aren't you Sceptile? Because you were the only one who was there through it all," she choked out.

"Sceptile scep."

"Whatever happens, Sceptile, you'll always be there for me, right?"

"Scep!"

"And I'll always be there for you too. I promise." This thought helped her to calm down, and when she wasn't sobbing anymore, she said, "Sceptile, what are we going to do? There are still four whole days of the seminar, and I nearly lost it after one day."

Sceptile put its head down on hers and pretended to snore.

"I'm not sure I can sleep. I'd be too afraid someone would nab me while I was out."

Sceptile growled and took a defensive pose.

After a moment of thinking, Zara guessed, "You'll stand guard while I sleep?"

"Scep!" Sceptile confirmed.

"Okay, if your sure." And Zara returned Sceptile to its pokeball, climbed down through her window, then released it next to her bed. "Are you sure?" she asked.

Sceptile nodded and pushed her gently backward onto her bed.

Zara chuckled slightly and said, "Okay, okay, I'm going to bed. Goodnight." And she kissed Sceptile on the nose and pulled her blanket over her shoulders. She was out almost as soon as her head touched the pillow.

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