Chapter 18

"That was so awesome!" Ian exclaimed as he and Flurry left the stadium amidst the rest of the spectators, "I mean, I don't think there's any Pokémon in the world that's that strong! I mean, oh my God, that was incredible!"

"Yeah, Katana really is something," Flurry smiled at her guest. She had been escorting Ian around Himitsu Island since they had arrived. It was a chore that she didn't mind, but she had been unable to convince PureBlueSky to come with them, despite the fact that he didn't seem to mind the boy on their way to the ship. Of course, Sky had other things on his mind. Other people, to be more specific.

"Hey," Ian stopped, an idea occurring to him, "you know them, right?"

"Oh, yes," Flurry nodded, "we know them. Aurum trained Sky and the rest of the Four, after all."

"Wow," Ian marveled, "was he the old guy in that picture at the house?"

"He sure was," Flurry answered, "Aurum's been training Pokémon and human Pokémon for almost his entire life. We owe a lot to him."

"Cool…" Ian paused again, "can we meet them?"

"Oh," Flurry stopped, the idea had never really crossed her mind, "sure, I guess we can. He should be leaving the stadium right about now. Let's see if we can catch him."

Flurry led the boy around the edge of the stadium, heading for the competitor's entrance that she had used herself on several occasions. The stadium itself brought back wonderful memories for her. Inside she had fought alongside Sky with Tempest and the rest of his human Pokémon.

In just a few more days she'd be back inside. Strangely, she felt nervous. She hadn't felt nervous about a match since the first year. Back then, Sky and the rest of the Four had been together. They were a small family leading a bigger family of human Pokémon and around them an entire world came into existence, thrived and grew larger and larger.

But those days were gone. The Four were broken and so was Sky. Flurry would give anything to have those days back again.

"Hey, look! A Leafeon!" Ian suddenly exclaimed, darting ahead to meet a young Leafeon-girl and a boy that were both just teenagers. They were looking around the outside of the stadium, completely lost. The boy looked nervous and worried, but the Leafeon-girl just continued skipping around and chattered away about the battle that had just ended.

The girl noticed Ian first. Smiling, she turned to talk to him as he trotted up to greet them.

The first time Flurry laid eyes on the pair; there was nothing to indicate that this would be THE Mark Diamond and his human Leafeon, Maple. But, at that time, they were still just kids. They were lost and still trying to figure out who they were and what they wanted. They did not yet know what they could become.

So, when Flurry walked up to meet them, she thought that they were just like any other newcomers to the tournament. She didn't realize what it would lead to.

"Hi," the Leafeon-girl said cheerfully as she bounded up to stand in front of Flurry, "my name's Maple and this is Mark! What'syourname? I've never met another human Eevee-evolution, that'ssocool! Of course, I've only been a human for a few weeks, so, I guess that makes sense. But, anyways, it's so nice to meet you!" Maple scarcely paused to breathe during her introduction and Flurry caught only half of it. Fortunately, she had heard the most important bits.

"Oh," Flurry said, unable to react, at first, "my name's Flurry. I'm with PureBlueSky."

"PureBlueSky?" the boy Maple called Mark spoke up and stared down at Ian, "you're PureBlueSky?"

"Yep!" Ian lied, and Mark's bottom jaw practically hit the ground.

"Ian!" Flurry scolded, "no, no, no, no, he's not PureBlueSky. Sky's not here, right now. He's…well, he's just not here." Mark's expression switched from horrified shock back to general confusion, while Maple grew worried.

"Oh, okay," Mark shook his head, "you see, we're trying to find Aurum. You don't happen to know where he is, do you?"

"Oh, sure," Flurry nodded, "he should be coming out of the stadium, soon. We were actually on our way to see him, too."

"Oh, cool!" Maple exclaimed, "we can go together, then!" She began skipping away, in the wrong direction, and Flurry had to chase after her to get her on the right track, again.

As they walked, Mark explained to Flurry how Maple had evolved two weeks ago, and they had come to Himitsu Island to learn more about what that meant. In the meantime, they had registered for the tournament. However, Mark's main fear, and Flurry agreed with his opinion, was that they were vastly unprepared to compete.

"If you're really afraid, you can just drop out," Flurry said, feeling concerned for the kid, "no one will think any less of you for it."

"Yeah, I know, but…" he looked ahead of them to Maple, who was re-living the first fight of the tournament with Ian. He lowered his voice before continuing, "she really wants to do it and…I don't really want to say 'no.'"

Flurry couldn't help but grin at this statement. The story behind the two kids was becoming clearer. Whenever Maple looked at him, Flurry could see what had motivated the former Leafeon to evolve into a girl. The feeling reflected in the boy's eyes wasn't quite the same, though. It was weaker than Maple's, as unsure of itself as the boy himself was. A lot would depend on what happened to them next.

But there was something else that seemed curious about the two. There was something about Mark and Maple that Flurry couldn't quite put her finger on. Maybe Maple was a bit more energetic than her and Mark was a bit more insecure than him, but the resemblance was uncanny, even eerie. Somehow, Maple reminded her of RiverofTears and Mark resembled PureBlueSky. Back before things had changed.

"Oh, we're here," Flurry said, shaking herself out of her thoughts.

There was nothing particularly special about the competitor's entrance to the stadium. It was really just a non-descript door in the side of a building. But when Aurum walked through, with his folding chair still tucked under his arm and the straw hat balanced precariously on top of his head, Flurry couldn't help but smile at the old man that had taught her so much.

"What the hell is this?" Aurum grumbled, peering at the four kids that were waiting for him. He only recognized Flurry at first, but after a second, the nervous teenage boy and the human Leafeon with eyes the size of dinner plates rang a bell. But he didn't have time to think if he knew their names or not before the Leafeon-girl and the small boy at her side began assailing him with praise and congratulations.

"Yeah, yeah, sure, thanks" Aurum waved them down, "what do you kids want?"

"My name's Ian," the small boy began before Aurum was finished, "I'm here with Flurry and PureBlueSky. That fight was amazing, I mean, I can't-"

"Sky's here?" Aurum ignored Ian and looked directly at Flurry.

"He's…around," Flurry hesitated, "somewhere." Aurum nodded, as if not really surprised that PureBlueSky himself had not come to congratulate him. Silently, Aurum was hurt that he hadn't.

"Umm…sir?" Maple gently tried to get the old man's attention, "I don't know if you remember me from the boat. My name's Maple, by the way. I know your name, but, I guess, everybody does…" Aurum raised an eyebrow, waiting for the point.

"But, anyways," Maple tried to control herself, "I just want to say, thank you."

"For what?" Aurum peered at the strange girl.

"That battle was really inspiring," Maple began, "I mean, to think that you and Katana could be that strong. I know that I'm not anywhere close to that, right now. But that's my dream now. I want to be able to do what you just did."

The old man watched her impassively, studying her expression as she praised his accomplishments. After a moment, he turned to the boy at the back of the group. He had just been standing there silently, just a scared little kid that didn't know what to do next.

"And who the hell are you?" Aurum growled at the boy, "speak up, if you want to be heard."

"I need you to train us," Mark responded.

"Really?" Aurum snorted laughter, "and why should I do that?"

"Because there's no other way," Mark admitted, "because I brought Maple here and it's going to be my fault if she gets hurt. It'll be my fault for not training her. For not, protecting her." As he spoke, he clenched his fists and closed his eyes. He still vividly remembered the splash of blood that had come out when Katana had ripped the final blow into Stampede. He didn't think he could bare it if something like that happened to Maple.

"That's not something I can prevent," Aurum shook his head, "you fight, you get hurt. That's how it works. No amount of training can change that. Not even the best, and I am the best, can promise you that."

"Yes, I know, but-" Mark started.

"But NOTHING!" Aurum roared, "this world is not nice to people. It will beat you and tear you apart! The sooner you learn that, the better off you'll be. You're nothing but a stupid little kid! Do some growing and learn what the world really is!"

"I-" but Mark couldn't finish. Aurum was right. What the hell was he doing here? He knew nothing about what was happening and there was no way that he'd be able to protect Maple, no matter how much he wanted to. He was still just too young, too weak…

"You don't really believe that," Maple's voice was barely louder than a whisper, "do you?"

Aurum turned to look into those eyes. There was a little girl standing in front of him. It was a little girl that wanted to fight. She knew what would happen if she went out there. But that didn't stop her.

"Why do you want to fight?" Aurum asked her, "what's out there, on the battlefield, that's worth the pain and the blood?"

What the hell are you?

Maple flinched when the thought crossed her mind. She closed her eyes, hardening her resolve, before continuing.

"Because it's a part of who I am," Maple said, "and I can't just let go of it. I won't."

Aurum looked back and forth from the Leafeon-girl and her trainer several times. There was something odd about them. They reminded him of his old kids, somehow. His kids, before they had grown up. It was PureBlueSky and RiverofTears all over again. Apparently, some things never changed.

"Alright," Aurum nodded, smiling slightly, "meet me at the edge of the Kieru Forest in one hour. We'll start your training, then."

Maple cheered and flung herself at the old man. She hugged him tightly, knocking his hat off while she thanked him over and over again. After a second, she turned to a dumbfounded Mark and hugged him twice as hard.

"Alright, now get out of here before I change my mind," Aurum groaned as he bent down to pick up his hat. The two teenagers smiled at each other and departed, leaving Ian and Flurry alone with Aurum.

Aurum sighed as he watched them go. Had he been too harsh on the boy? It always was a bad habit of his to be harsher on the trainer. Still, it was the trainer who was responsible for what happened on the field. If the boy wasn't ready to accept that, then there was nothing Aurum could do for him.

"Is it true you trained PureBlueSky?" Ian asked the old man.

"Yes," he nodded, "the Four wouldn't be four without me, I suppose you could say."

"Wow…" Ian marveled.

"Is something wrong, master Aurum?" Flurry asked, gently.

"It's nothing to worry yourself over, Flurry," Aurum reassured her, "just the sentiments of a tired, spent old man."

"You really do miss them," Flurry sighed.

"Tell me, something, Flurry," Aurum started as he stared off into space, "did those kids remind you of anyone?"

"Of, course," she shrugged, "they're just like them."

"Why do you suppose that is?" the old trainer asked.

"I don't know," Flurry admitted.

"Hmm…maybe we just want them to be the same…" Aurum sighed.

"I'm not sure what you mean, master," Flurry replied.

"Hmm…neither do I," Aurum started to walk away, "but I can feel it when I look in their eyes. Those two are special, just like they were."

"You sound like a romantic story-teller, master," Flurry smiled.

"I do?" Aurum stopped and turned to look at Flurry, again, "I suppose this place can change anybody."

"I hope you're right," PureBlueSky's human Glaceon said, looking up at the sun.

"Holy, sweet Arceus!" Maple hopped and skipped around Mark as they made their way back to the hotel to prepare for Aurum's training. Mark could hardly believe it, either. He had tried one last-ditch effort to save them by throwing himself at the mercy of Aurum. And just when it looked as though they would be turned away, Maple had somehow said the magic words to make him train them.

Luck. That was all it was, pure luck.

Even still, just because Aurum had said 'yes' it didn't mean that he would actually go through with it. They would have to prove themselves to him. If they couldn't do it, it was all over and they wouldn't have a prayer…

"Hey, you!" a gruff voice called out to them from up the road, "yeah, I know you! That blond kid said you had a Leafeon! Said you entered the tournament with just one human Pokémon!"

"Oh, crap…" Mark muttered. The man in front of him was deeply tanned, despite his blond hair, which was raised up into an absurd Mohawk. He stood nearly six and half feet tall and he made Mark look like a toothpick. He was flanked on both sides by two cronies of similar, yet smaller, build. He held out a Pokéball in front of him and Mark knew instinctively what that meant.

"Eww…" Maple stopped skipping and grimaced at the man, "I didn't think there were any bikers here…"

"Who the hell do you think you are?" the man yelled, "I'm the best solo human Pokémon trainer on the island and don't you forget it! I'll crush you myself right here and now!"

"Please tell me you're kidding…" Mark sighed. But the man didn't hear and he threw out his Pokéball. A moment later, it popped open and the flash of white light faded to reveal a human Blastoise standing ready for battle.

He stood probably just an inch shorter than his over-sized trainer and was stocky and muscular. His arms and legs were massive as were the two water cannons mounted on his shoulders. His tan vest and blue pants mirrored the coloring of a regular Blastoise. And although Mark couldn't get a good look at it from this angle, around the edge of the Blastoise-man's frame, Mark could make out what appeared to be a shell on his back.

After a moment, the Blastoise-man peered down at Maple, smiling a half-smile that asked the world if he really looked as good as he thought he did. Maple looked up at him and her eyes slowly widened with unexpected fear at the sheer size of him.

"Hey, don't forget," Mark leaned forward to whisper into Maple's ear, "he's a water-type and you're a grass-type. Size means nothing, but type means everything. You can do this." Apparently this was their lucky day. First Aurum agreed to train them and now Maple's first battle as a human Pokémon was against something she had a type advantage against.

Nodding eagerly and stepping forward, Maple faced her first battle.

"Diesel, Mega Punch!" Mohawk-man ordered. The Blastoise-man stepped forward, striking out with a massive right hook.

Maple ducked under the blow, avoiding it just in time. Her heart was already racing with excitement as the attack whizzed past her head, making her ears swish to the right side of her head. She had successfully dodged it, but it was a clumsy attack to begin with. Katana would've laughed at it.

Trying out a sudden idea, Maple ducked under the next attack and tried to vault herself up over top of her massive opponent by grabbing onto his arm for leverage. But the risky maneuver back-fired and Diesel grabbed her waist in mid-jump, slamming her to the ground at his feet.

"Ice-Beam," the Mohawk-man grinned as victory was already within reach. Maple stared up in horror at the mention of those words. The two things she feared the most were fire and ice. The two water-cannons aimed directly down at her and frost began to form around the nozzles as the super-cooled water was prepared for the attack.

"Maple! Leaf-Blade, NOW!" Mark screamed. Maple made her tail go rigid as she whipped it around and slashed directly across Diesel's mid-section, cutting into him an inch deep. A spray of blood splashed across Maple's chest and the massive human Blastoise dropped to one knee. The frost around the water-cannons began to fade as the attack was interrupted by the extreme damage done.

Maple scrambled backward and sprang to her feet again. Ready for the next move, she watched intently, her eyes darting everywhere. But another attack didn't come, and the battle was already over. The familiar flash of red signaled Diesel's disappearance and defeat at the hands of Maple, who was almost completely unharmed.

"Holy shit," one of the Mohawk man's cronies stared in awe, "she beat Diesel in one attack…" A moment later, the entire group was running away in confusion and panic.

"That's right!" Maple called after them, taunting, "And don't ever come back! 'Cause I'll do it all over again!"

Grinning, she turned back to look at Mark. A strange look of shock appeared on his face when she turned to him. Ignoring it, she moved forward to hug him in celebration. But, to her disbelief, he took a step back.

"What's wrong?" Maple asked, cocking her head to the side, slightly, "Mark?"

But he didn't respond for the first few seconds.

Blood, he thought, that's a lot of blood. She doesn't even realize it's bad.

Maple's clothes were virtually soaked with the thick, red liquid. As he watched, Diesel's blood began to run down the front of Maple's dress and drip onto the ground. A few drops landed on her bare feet, but she didn't take notice. Sweet, gentle, Maple, was covered in blood.

"Mark?" Maple's ears began to droop and she slowly curled her hands together in front of her. Why did he look so afraid? What was he afraid of? There was no one around but her…

Say something, dammit! Mark thought, Anything! God, she's terrified! Say something!

"Blood," it was the only word he could say and it was barely a whisper when he said it. He raised a shaking finger to point at her blood-soaked dress.

"Huh?" dumbfounded, Maple looked down at the blood on her as if she had splashed paint on herself. It wasn't a big deal. There was just a little bit of red stuff on her. But why was he so scared?

"That's a lot of blood," Mark said, unable to control his shock at the sight of so much of it right in front of him.

What the hell are you?

It was that all over again. But it was worse. This time, Mark was staring at her with that same wide-eyed fear. Maple just couldn't understand it. Why was he looking at her like that? Why?

Terrified that Mark was terrified, Maple cupped her hands and held her arms against her body, as if she were shivering in cold rain.

"We'd better get you cleaned up," Mark finally managed to force himself to speak with some sense again. He walked forward and held Maple's shoulders, trying to reverse the fear that he had caused. Bypassing that, Maple pushed against his chest, seeking the comfort that she usually found there.

What just happened? Mark thought. He didn't realize at the time that some of the blood on Maple began to soak into his own clothes.

AN: when i gave this story its initial rating of M, this is the chapter that i was worried about. It's been toned down, though, so we're good. this chapter is also the main reason why i chose to have blood at all. it's massively important to the storyline.

That'll be all, thanks for reading!