Chapter 90

"It does sound like a good idea," Mark missed the end of RiverofTears' match as Silph went on about building a human Pokémon school on Himitsu Island. He had no idea why Silph was asking him personally. There wasn't much he could do to help the businessman.

"So I can count on your support?" Silph pressed.

"Uh, sure…" Mark shrugged. Neither Maple nor Cherry knew how to read, but both were eager to learn. A school, any school, for human Pokémon would be exactly what they needed.

"Aww…" Kim cooed as she watched the two female trainers on the field hug after their match, "that's awesome." The match had been almost as stressful on Kim as it had been on the two that were battling. While Maple, Cherry and Claire cheered and clapped, Kim had spent most of the match nervously fidgeting in her chair and struggling to keep herself from chewing her nails as the back-and-forth battle unfolded below her. With it finally over and RiverofTears' win secured, Kim could relax again.

"Breathe, Kim, breathe," Volt told her.

"Cram it," she snapped, returning to her old self.

"That certainly was an interesting match," Silph commented, "hardly anyone does that well against one of the Four."

"Right…" Mark nodded. The idea of defeating one of them never crossed his mind. Training with Aurum was more than enough to show him how difficult it would be. If, by some miracle, he lasted long enough to come up against one of them, he would do exactly what Cara just did. Winning or losing didn't matter as much as simply making an impression. As long as they remembered you; that was what mattered.

"She's against Aurum next time. Right, Daddy?" Claire asked. Mark quickly turned to look at the Skitty-girl.

"Yes, indeedy," Silph chuckled and ruffled his daughter's pink hair, "first six against six match of the year. Now that will be something else."

"Aurum and RiverofTears…" Mark mused. Round Three would be the quarterfinal match. If Mark managed to last long enough, he would be against the winner in the semi-final. It would be either his mentor or the young woman he just watched wash away her enemies.

However, that was the least of his worries, right then. First, he needed to focus on surviving his fight with Lily. It was his primary goal, but still, he had been pushing Cherry far too hard to get ready. After that long morning, he couldn't force Cherry to keep training.

"You know Aurum, too?" Cherry asked.

"Uh-huh," Claire answered, "he's a little mean, but I like him."

"Yep," Cherry nodded, "he helped a lot when I was training."

"What did you say?" Silph raised an eyebrow.

"Aurum's been training us," Maple happily supplied the answer. Silph turned back to Mark, who fidgeted in his chair.

"Uhh…yeah…" he admitted.

"Well, you are all just full of surprises, aren't you?" Silph grinned, "I had no idea old Aurum was teaching newcomers. You're lucky."

"Really lucky!" Claire cheered. Next to her, Cherry blushed and struggled to suppress a grin of her own.

"It's…temporary," Mark explained, "He only agreed because I just had Maple, at first." He glanced towards Kim and her own human Pokémon. Their friendship was only beginning to come together again. He didn't want to hurt their feelings.

"I see," Silph nodded, "well, if he's still training you now that Cherry's evolved, he must've taken a liking to you."

"Uh…right," Mark agreed.

Evolved? Silph must have assumed that Cherry had evolved into a human on the island. There was no way for him to know that Mark had found Cherry in the Team Deus prison that lied underneath the city.

He wondered if he should tell Silph what had happened there. Silph seemed like a kind and sincere person. He would probably listen. On the other hand, Mark had no proof of what was down there. And he still believed that someone in the Silph Co. had paid for and oversaw the operation. Alfred Silph's motives and intentions for his tournament were pure, but someone was using him.

"I wonder though…" Silph grinned slyly, "Has he told you about RiverofTears?"

"What about her?" Kim stepped in. RiverofTears was no longer on the field, diverting her attention.

"Well, perhaps it's not my place to say…" Silph shrugged.

"Oh, come on!" Kim whined, "Tell us!"

"Pretty please?" Sprinkle added.

"Well, if you must know, then," Silph easily caved, "I have it on good authority that RiverofTears is actually Aurum's granddaughter."

"Really?" Maple stepped forward, "they're…related?" She had met Aurum and nearly all of RiverofTears' human Pokémon yet none of them ever told her.

"Don't take it personal, if he never told you," Silph consoled them, "Aurum's as stubborn as they come and the Four keep secrets as well as any government agent."

Maple, Cherry and Mark all nodded to this. Still, even though they weren't always with Aurum, none of them had seen him with, or talk about, RiverofTears at all. What sort of grandfather never talked about his granddaughter?

"Well, I suppose we've hung around here long enough," Silph announced, "shall we get going?"

"Oh, sure," Mark agreed as the others moved to exit the box, "and thank you very much for inviting us." The others echoed the thanks.

"My pleasure."

Silph ushered his guests out of the box and back towards the stadium entrance. They said their goodbyes underneath the stadium archways. He shook hands with each of them, except for Cherry whom Claire hugged instead.

"Well, we must be going," he told them all, "places to go, people to meet, schools to build. That sort of thing." He beamed at them as if expecting a chuckle or at least a grin, but he went on, "and I trust that you have busy days ahead of you, as well. Battling and training and such."

"Uhh…" Mark had no idea how to answer. He didn't know what they were going to do.

"Oh, but keep that card," Silph told him, "You're welcome to come up to a match anytime."

"WHAT?!" Kim nearly fainted.

"Just a token of friendship," Silph beamed, "take care!"

"Tell Aurum I said 'hi'!" Claire shouted. Their car was waiting for them a short distance from the stadium. The others watched them go until the driver opened the door and Silph and his daughter drove away.

"Well, thanks for a good time, noob," Kim snickered, "I guess I don't have to punch you, now."

"Punch?"

"Never mind," she waved dismissively, "see ya later."

"Wait," Mark called to her, "about Aurum-"

"If you're gonna offer to get him to train us, no thanks," Kim shook her head, "you train your way, I'll train mine. Sound fair?"

"Uh, I guess…" Mark shrugged.

"Good," Kim nodded, "and be nice to your girls." She grinned at Maple and Cherry before turning to leave. Sprinkle and Volt came up to walk beside her, leaving Mark, Cherry and Maple alone together.

Mark watched them go for a few minutes. Before Cherry had run away that morning, he had hoped to spend the day training. He wondered what they could do on such a rainy day.

"Well, what do you want to do?" he asked, turning to Maple and Cherry.

"Uh-" Maple started.

"What do you mean?" Cherry cut her off, "we're going to train, right?"

"Huh?" Mark raised an eyebrow, "you…want to train?"

"Yeah," Cherry nodded.

"I…thought you wouldn't want to."

"No, I do," the Charmander-girl nodded, "Claire said something before. She said that her dad doesn't let her train, because she's too little. And she said that she really wants me to win tomorrow."

"Claire said that?" Mark asked. He paused for a second. "You two really are friends, huh?"

"Yep," Cherry nodded, "so…can we go train?"

"Yes, we can," Mark nodded. Rain or no rain, Charizard or Charmander, Cherry wanted to train.

Fate was as heartbroken as her trainer after their loss to Farin. There was nothing she could do for him.

She sat slumped in a corner of Cal's office. The boy, Lionel, and Tesla, the human Galvantula were talking to Cal, though she was only half-listening. She knew that she should be outside, hunting down the Meganium-woman with Whisper. But the human Zoroark followed Farin now and Cal had given her no orders. Without any orders from her master, Fate was lost.

"I don't give a damn about your match," Cal groaned at the boy, "go, stay, whatever. It makes no difference to me."

"Well, I was just…wondering," Lionel stood, flustered, "I mean…our original mission…what's going on?"

Cal turned to scowl at the boy. It had only been a day since the loss to Farin, but his face was haggard with anger and disappointment. Lionel took a step back.

"Farin's wiping his ass with our original mission," he spat, "it's meaningless now."

"Yeah, but…" the kid stammered, "if we don't do it…won't we…get in trouble?"

Cal laughed maniacally at this, but his laughter was hollow.

Once again, Lionel had no idea what he was supposed to be doing. He had thought that listening to Cal was the right thing to do. Cal was much more experienced and was loyal to the head of Team Deus. He seemed like a strong leader. But next to Farin, it wasn't enough. Farin was crazy and ruthless…and it made him strong.

Lionel wanted to help Cal, but he didn't know if he could. He was registered in the tournament for a match that evening, but should he even go? Did it matter? He had hoped Cal could tell him, but…

The door opened and Lionel scrambled to the side of the room as Farin walked in.

"Oh! Sir! I…I was just," Lionel stammered.

"I heard, dear boy," Farin held up a hand and grinned, "You have my permission to attend your match."

"Really?" Lionel gaped. He had expected Farin to be furious. Instead, he was calm and controlled. He wasn't planning anything…was he?

"Really," Farin smiled and patted Lionel on the shoulder, "just get ready for our attack. We'll need every capable trainer we have."

"Uh, yes, sir," Lionel nodded, "you can count on me!"

"Excellent," Farin nodded, "that's just the kind of devotion I like to hear," he paused to take a long look at his young soldier, "now, please, give us the room. I need to speak to Cal privately."

"Oh, of course," Lionel turned to leave, but stopped after a moment to add another "sir" before he left the room. Tesla followed after him, fixing his cold, solid-blue gaze on Farin. But the man in the violet suit met his gaze and did not flinch underneath it. Then they were both gone, leaving Cal and Farin alone with Fate, miserable in the corner.

"Good afternoon, Cal," Farin greeted, cheerfully, "no one's seen you outside of your office since you're little…rebellion. Are you feeling alright?"

Cal did not respond. Whatever he said, it was a trap. Farin hadn't killed him, but there was still every possibility he would. Cal had vastly underestimated the man and was paying the price for it. His only hope now was to survive long enough to see Farin's plan fail.

"It's true, what I told the boy," Farin went on, "strong, capable trainers will make all the difference. Don't you agree?"

Again, Cal remained silent.

"I know what you think of me," Farin began circling Cal's desk, "you made that clear enough the last time. But big changes are coming, Cal. And you need to open your eyes. All I want is-"

Suddenly, he stopped. His gaze settled on the Gardevoir-woman huddled in the corner. His grin widened.

"Something wrong, my dear?" Farin asked her.

Like her trainer, Fate knew when to keep quiet.

"No need to be shy," he coaxed, "come here. I have something for you."

Fate made no move, only watched him.

From his pocket, Farin produced a ring with a rainbow-colored gemstone in it. He held it up, as a magician might tempt a member of his audience. Fate still did not move, but peered closely at the ring.

"Are you watching, Cal?" Farin smirked.

Fate glanced at her trainer, afraid that she had already been tricked by Farin. Cal turned in his chair. His expression was wary, but curious. He wanted to know what Farin was up to just as much as Fate.

"I didn't come here to gloat, or punish you, Cal," Farin explained as he waved the ring back and forth like a pendulum. Fate's visible eye followed along with it. She thought she understood what it was, could even feel it calling to her, but she couldn't be sure. Farin's every word and movement was laced with poison. Why would this be any different?

"I came to mend fences," he continued, "you killed my Crobat, but that's fine. Nothing too serious. No lasting harm done. It even worked out in my favor. Not a single person is going to back down from their mission. But now I need something different."

"And what's that?" Cal finally spoke.

"I need a second in command," Farin explained, "I have plenty of men. Plenty of good men and women, but not many leaders. For that, I want you," he stopped swaying the ring and held it up, "still watching, my dear?" he asked Fate. The Gardevoir-woman nodded.

With a flick of his wrist, Fate watched a small bulge appear at the end of Farin's sleeve. A moment later, he was holding a brilliant colored gemstone. It filled his palm and was perfectly round and smooth. Depending on the light, it shone in different colors, but mint-green and magenta were dominant. Fate stood smoothly and walked towards the call of the bright gem in his hand.

Like all Mega Stones, Gardevoirite was exceptionally rare. Few trainers had even one Mega Stone and some might search for years and never find one. Each one granted immense power, if only for a short time. Just to touch it would be a dream come true for Fate.

Farin pulled his hand back just as Fate was about to fulfill her dream. She didn't remember crossing the room.

"Ah-ah-ah," he taunted, waving a finger at her, "see with your eyes, not with your hands."

"Where did you get that?" Cal asked, coldly.

"Nothing is too good for my followers, Cal," Farin dodged his question, "it's just a present. That's all." He brought his hand around and let Fate snatch away the gemstone. She clutched it and rubbed her hand over its smooth surface like a witch lovingly rubbing her crystal ball. She even cooed an odd lullaby to it.

"And this is supposed to buy my service," Cal sighed, "you give me that and I do whatever you say." It wasn't a question.

"You forgot the ring, dear," Farin chuckled as he approached Fate with the ring necessary to activate the stone. A charm, a ring, a band, the list went on, but one was always required to work in tandem with the Mega Stones. The two resonated with each other to unlock their power. A trainer and a Pokémon working together were necessary to tap into that power. But, of course, a human Pokémon could fulfill both roles.

Fate took the ring from Farin and slipped it onto her right hand. It was a loose fit, but she didn't mind. She smiled at it. Both the ring and the Gardevoirite began to glow, as if begging to unleash their energy. Fate's body shook with the urge to let it loose and feel what the rush of Mega Evolution must be like, but she controlled herself. It would happen when Cal told her to do it, not before.

"…Fine," Cal sighed like a man twenty years older, "but not because of that," he pointed at the Gardevoirite, "only because I still care about what happens to this team. If you're so determined to gamble everything, then I have no choice but to make sure we actually win."

"We will, Cal," Farin patted him on the shoulder before turning to leave, "we will."

Cal waited an extra minute after the door closed.

"Put that away," he told Fate.

"But, master-"

"I said, put it away," Cal snapped, "don't take anything from him."

Fate turned the Gardevoirite over in her hands, peering fondly at the shining colors.

"We'll need it, though," Fate nodded as she stroked the gemstone, "won't we?"

Cal sighed once more. Was this Farin's real plan? Drive a wedge between Cal and his own human Pokémon? Fate was hypnotized by the thing and all Farin had to do was dangle it in front of her. What did he really want?

"I've never seen one," Fate mused, "but I knew what it was right away. Cal, it's so beautiful. Can't we keep it?"

Cal had no choice, after that.

He hadn't lied to Farin. He would do what the man said, for now. His own life would be on the line as Farin's second in command, but if he simply refused, Farin would kill him.

"Alright," Cal conceded, "but keep it out of sight. Those gems are nearly priceless and we're surrounded by thieves. Don't let anyone see it."

"Okay…" Fate agreed, "but…before I do…can I…just this once…" She licked her lips.

"No," Cal commanded.

"Yes, master," Fate nodded, sadly. She tucked the Gardevoirite away, down her dress. It felt warm, pressing against her chest.

Soon, she thought, soon.

AN: hope I didn't go too overboard there with Fate and her…uhh…intense interest in her new Mega Stone…

Anyway, MEGA STONES, YAY!

Generally speaking, if somebody has one, I'll say so, but mostly assume that people don't.

Oh, and sorry for missing the past two weeks. My two mini-vacations drained me a bit more than expected, but I should be able to get back to regular posts now. So, I'll see you Thursday

Just a few more chapters before the long-anticipated Mark vs. Lily match is up.

Thanks for reading!