Author's Note: About freakin' time I finished this chapter! Dang this took a while! But it has a lot of good stuff in it, I'm rather proud of my first real gym battle, I think they did decent without actually sweeping the field, but you can definitely tell that they're innately skilled. Anyway, I don't know if Chapter 13 will be out in August or September, because I've got another fic I've been working on in the interim, and it's almost ready for publishing, so I might put that out first. In any case, I hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon, Houenn, May, or any derivitave thereof. I do own
my character TJ.

Note:
"Speaking"
Thinking
Pokéspeak
Psychic conversations
Flashbacks
SHOUTING!

Chapter 12:

Code of 7

"Step it up boys! We're burning daylight!"

Skipper, Ranger, and Warrior groaned. "We're tired," whined Warrior. "We've been 'stepping it up' for three days now! What's the deal?"

TJ grunted. "Let's go."

Ranger cleared his throat. "TJ."

TJ stopped and inclined his head towards the Treecko. "Yeah?"

"I need to rest. My chest hurts."

TJ sighed. "Fifteen minute break, then we're back on the road."

The three pokémon sighed gratefully and sat. Warrior glanced at TJ. "You're not still pissed about Norman, are you?"

"Of course not!" TJ barked, crushing a flower in his fist. He stared off into the distance, a scowl on his face.

"You're upset that you got in trouble for defending us, aren't you?" said Warrior quietly.

TJ clenched his fist until the knuckles whitened, then sighed. "Yes." He forced a chuckle. "That transparent, am I?"

Warrior shrugged. "It's only natural."

TJ nodded frustratedly. "I just don't understand how they can expect me to stand by and let you guys be clobbered!"

"Why not," said Ranger quietly, "they do."

A heavy silence descended over the group. It struck TJ how very little he knew about his adopted brothers' respective pasts. "I take it you have experience with such matters?" he enquired.

Ranger's hand jerked spasmodically to his lower snout, and the scar that the other Kanes hadn't noticed before. It looked suspiciously like he'd been kicked in the jaw by someone wearing steel-toed boots. "I don't want to talk about it!"

TJ and Warrior stared at Ranger, fidgeting uncomfortably. Both wanted to comfort him, but neither knew how.

"YAHAAA!" shouted Skipper as he leapt upon Ranger's shoulders. "TAG! You're it!"

Ranger huffed in pain. "What'd you do THAT FOR!" he shouted. "THAT HURT!"

Skipper shrugged. "I wanted to play tag! You're it!" And he dashed off.

"SKIPPER!" Ranger shouted. Springing up, he began chasing the little Mudkip, snarling. TJ and Warrior chuckled.

"You think he realizes that Skipper just cheered him up?" asked TJ.

"Not yet," replied Warrior. "But later, maybe."

"You think he'll say thank you?"

Warrior snorted. "I'll be impressed if he acknowledges it!"

TJ laughed. Watching his brothers, he felt the anger melt right out of him. Sighing, he called out, "Skipper! Ranger! Knock it off, we're leaving!"

"But, but," whimpered Ranger, "my chest still hurts, thanks to somebody landing on my shoulders!"

TJ unzipped his duffle full of clothes. "Hop in."

OOOOOOOO

"Whoooaa…" said Skipper.

"You said it," agreed Warrior. The Kanes stared at the monolithic structures of Rustboro City. Dominating the scene was the massive Devon Corp. headquarters in the middle of downtown. Surrounding it were various shops, apartment complexes, parks, and a wide variety of tourist attractions. Closer to the edge of town, the National Pokémon College campus teemed with various trainers and pokémologists. Right in front of the Kanes, the city gates loomed like the mouth of a massive beast. TJ gulped nervously. "You get the feeling they don't like strangers here?"

"They don't!" barked a strange voice.

The Kanes jumped two feet in the air. Inside TJ's duffle, Ranger moaned in pain. TJ swiveled his head and glanced at the stranger. "Who're you?" he asked sharply.

"Name's Jonas," the man replied. He was about five foot five, with brown overalls and a blue shirt. His hair was a mixture of dark brown and engine grease black. He was holding a wrench, and there was a trucker stepping into his rig just behind him. Sitting on his shoulder was a Plusle.

TJ nodded in greeting. "My name's TJ Kane. These are my brothers: Skipper, Warrior, and the Treecko in the bag is Ranger. He's got a few issues right now, so he gets a ride in the duffle."

Jonas indicated the Plusle and said, "this here's Jump Start. If you're planning to go into the city," he continued, "stick to the tourist sites. Lotta the locals are superstitious morons. They don't like trainers walking about in their sacred city. Be careful."

TJ nodded. "We will." He cocked his head and said, "sacred city? I've never heard Rustboro called that."

Jonas sighed. "Most people haven't. Thousands of years ago, or so the locals claim, this city was built by 'god's chosen people', or some such like that. Apparently, there was a temple and everything, and the believers of this 'god' had to come here to worship and make sacrifices. But over time the inhabitants of the city sinned, and so their god abandoned them to the fates, and it fell. One hundred and fifty years ago, this place was a bunch of ruins with a few hardcore inhabitants. Then Devon Stone the First, the founder of Devon Co., came here with a building crew to excavate whatever ancient secrets he could find. This led to that, and pretty soon he'd decided to build his company's new headquarters here, and the rest is history. Today, almost everybody knows Rustboro for Devon Corp., and only a few researchers at the college know about its past."

TJ nodded slowly, deep in thought. To him, the city sounded strangely like Jerusalem back home. That meant that the people would be the Terran equivalent of Jews. TJ's experiences with Jewish people had been okay, but they tended to weird him out, what with all their eating and complaining. He'd have to be careful what he said to whom in the city. "Interesting," he said slowly. "And how do you know about all of this?"

Jonas shrugged. "I'm a descendant of the ancient inhabitants of this city."

TJ raised his eyebrows. "You don't share your parent's beliefs about their God? Or about outsiders?"

Jonas sighed, and his shoulders fell. "Yeah, I'm not exactly thrilled about the state of things, but that was a long time ago. I think my people need to move forward, find a way to worship god while staying in touch with the world. I guess I'd prefer it if Devon would leave the ruins alone, but they're here to stay, so we might as well get used to it. As far as what I believe about god," he said, his face perking up, "I definitely believe he's out there, and I think he's giving us all a second chance."

"Riiiiight," TJ intoned, "then why did you sound so skeptical?"

"I've gotta eat," said Jonas. "Most of my generation is finding that they need money, and going to work for Devon. I just graduated to a level-one technician in their garage. My faith isn't very popular within the company, so I usually hide it. You seemed genuinely interested, so I felt okay telling you more than I normally would."

TJ bobbed his head in understanding. "Cool. Well, I guess we'll be going then."

Jonas smiled. "Where you headed?"

"We've got a date with Roxanne!" TJ replied. "And then I'll probably hit the college library. I've got some legal discrepancies to take care of."

Jonas's face fell. "Roxanne keeps teacher's hours, she closed the gym about thirty minutes ago. And only students and accredited researchers can access the campus library."

"Crap!" TJ muttered. "Thanks man. I guess I'll just have to find a way into that library on my own."

Jonas shook his head disbelievingly. "What do you need to get in there for anyway? Couldn't you just look it up on the web?"

TJ shook his head no. "I need detailed minute legal information. I've got a, uh," he searched for a word, "delicate situation. I need to get in and do my own research."

Jonas frowned. "Well," he began, "if it's that important, you could talk to Eliza, see if she'll help you."

"Eliza?" TJ said questioningly.

A big sappy grin spread over Jonas' face. "My fiancé. She's a fourth year student at the college, and she works as an assistant librarian to help pay some of the bills. You'll have to convince her it's a good idea, but she's probably your best bet."

TJ shrugged. "Couldn't hurt."

"Hop in," said Jonas, indicating a nearby pickup truck. "I'll give you a ride."

OOOOOOOO

Eliza turned out to be a short woman with strawberry red hair and glasses. She was wearing a denim blouse with a knit sweater, and a green cotton skirt. She was outside, sitting on a bench and eating a sandwich. When Jonas got out of the truck, her face lit up. "JONAS! Hi sweetheart!"

Her voice was low and musical, and quavered in a way that made TJ's spine tingle. For a brief moment, he was overwhelmed by a desire to see May. He swallowed hard; he understood Jonas' earlier sappy grin.

Jonas looked up from kissing his fiancé. "Eliza, these are the Kanes: TJ, Warrior, Skipper, and the Treecko in the bag is Ranger. He's not feeling very good."

"Well," corrected Eliza.

"Well, then, Ms. Fairy," said Jonas. "Any way, TJ here, he really needs to use the library's resources, and he's not a student, and he doesn't have credentials, but it's really important, so he was wondering if you would—TJ? TJ, you okay?"

TJ jumped, and blushed. "Uh, yeah. I, uh, well, it's just," he looked up at Eliza, "you're very beautiful, ma'am, and you obviously love Jonas a lot, and he obviously loves you a lot, and I just got to, I mean, I guess it's because of this girl. She lives in my hometown, and she's traveling around as a coordinator right now, and we kind of left some unfinished business, and I, uh, well, she's beautiful, and sweet, and I really miss her, and I can't stop thinking about her, and I guess seeing you and Jonas, I just really miss her." TJ rubbed the back of his neck self-consciously. "I'm sorry if I disturbed you."

Eliza looked at TJ, her eyes sparkling. "You love this girl, don't you?" she asked.

TJ stared at Eliza. Did he love May? He'd thought it, heck, he'd even said it to Norman! But no one had out and asked him before now. He stared off into the distance, thinking. DID he love May? Enough to tell her so? Enough to marry her? Spend the rest of his life with her? He'd never been in love before, the locals had seen to that. TJ shrugged his shoulders uncomfortably. "I dunno!" he said in a loud voice. After all, this wasn't the sort of decision one made lightly! He'd probably have to discuss it with his brothers, and most especially his girlfr—

TJ stopped cold. He had just subconsciously called May his girlfriend. I guess I do think of her as my girlfriend, and I would think we'll get married, if we stay a couple for long enough! TJ felt as if he was teetering on the edge of a great precipice. The enormity of his decision weighed on him like a Wailord. TJ took a deep breath, and committed his heart.

"Yeah, I love her. I love her! Hell, I want to spend the REST OF MY LIFE WITH HER!" TJ was shouting. A great tide of joy swelled within him. The confidence and strength inherent in knowing who his soul mate was flowed through him like a stream of magma.

Eliza smiled warmly. "Wonderful! Congratulations! Does she know?"

"Hey," interrupted Jonas, "that's great, congrats. Now how about we focus? Eliza, TJ wants you to help him sneak into the library so he can research some stuff in the legal department. Will you?"

Eliza looked at Jonas, taken aback. "Why?"

Jonas shrugged. "He says he needs to get in there."

Eliza frowned. "Jonas! I can't just let anyone into this library! Besides the fact that I have no way of knowing whether or not they're trustworthy, it wouldn't be right! I'm an employee here, and I'm supposed to follow their rules! I couldn't let someone in just because you think they should be let in, and quite frankly I'm upset that you think you can do that with me! I have half a mind to…"

TJ listened as Eliza lay into Jonas. Glancing at Jump Start, he indicated Eliza with his eyes and shot him a questioning look. Jump Start shook his head and gazed at Jonah forlornly. TJ winced. "Guys? Guys! Hey! Guys, c'mon! GUYS! HELLO!"

Eliza stopped berating Jonas, and the two of them stared at him. TJ sighed. "Look, I'm sorry if I asked you to do something immoral. If you really want to know, I'm looking for a way to legally participate in battles with my team, okay? Totally not worth fighting over."

The couple stared at TJ. "What," said Jonas, "like a code of seven?"

"Code of what?" asked TJ. Eliza nodded.

Jonas sighed. "Code of Seven's an ancient oath my people took for Yaweh. It meant that they would fight against pokemon to defend the city. It's not a commonly known thing, even among my people. Even taking the oath was pretty painful, because you had to get all manner of tattoos on your body to denote it."

TJ stared at Jonas. He mulled it over for a moment, then shrugged. "Yeah, something like that. All I know is, I fight to defend my brothers. Norman Maple, the Petalburg Gymleader, beat Ranger up pretty badly. I think he would have been more cautious if there had been the remote possibility that I could have creamed him personally. I will find a way into that library to research legal loopholes, and you can help me or not. But it won't really matter, because like I said, I will find a way into that library."

Eliza looked down, frowning in thought. "You really think that?"

"I know that."

"You could get hurt."

"Doesn't matter."

"Why do you care so much?" asked Eliza.

TJ sighed. "I don't know how my beliefs jive with yours, but I know that there is a God. He brought me here. I believe he created us all equal. I believe in his son, Jesus. I believe that that son died for our sins. Now, believing all that, how could I in good conscience allow my family to fight while I sit by and twiddle my thumbs? I'm a warrior. I still don't know what God wants with me, but I know what I think is and isn't right, and I'm going to follow it. My brothers getting hurt while I stand around and watch is not right."

Eliza glanced at Jonas. "How close does that sound to Code of Seven?"

Jonas shrugged. "Generally speaking my people don't like Christians, but it's pretty open. If he wanted to take that vow, I don't think there's a law preventing him from doing it."

TJ frowned at Jonas and Eliza. "What?"

Eliza looked at TJ. "The ancient pokemological code that Code of Seven comes from is the basis of all current league operating procedures. Basically, anything that appears in the ancient code has to be honored, or the structure of all leagues worldwide is null and void. If you were to take that vow, no force on earth could stop you from fighting with your pokemon, and you could demand they battle you."

Jonas and TJ gaped at her. "How the heck do you know that?" asked Jonas.

Eliza shrugged. "I'm an assistant research librarian at the largest university on the continent. Highly venerable and important professors are constantly asking for my help. You think I don't retain any of the information I research?"

Jonas laughed. "I knew there was a reason I'm marrying you!"

Eliza shot him a dirty look, then glanced at TJ. "Well? How about it?"

TJ sighed. "I don't know…" he said. Inwardly he struggled. Would God condone this? It was essentially manipulating religion to fit his own needs, after all. What do I do Lord?

"I need some time to pray about it," he said. "Can I get back to you later?"

Eliza nodded. Jonas glanced at him, then said, "take all the time you need…but be warned that the Code of Seven ceremony has to be performed on a full moon, and that's tonight. If you don't want to wait another month…"

TJ gulped, then nodded.

OOOOOOOO

Jonas pulled up to the pokemon center. "We're here."

TJ nodded. "Thanks man. For everything. And tell Eliza I'm sorry if I offended her sense of justice."

Jonas chuckled. "She'll get over it. Have you decided?"

TJ shot him a look. "Dude, it's only been twenty minutes!"

Jonas shrugged. "Your window for this is limited. It's got to be tonight!"

TJ sighed. "I still need more time!"

Jonas nodded slowly. "Well, if you do decide to go for it, meet me here," and he gave TJ a scrap of paper with an address, "at around midnight."

TJ took the scrap. "Right."

Jonas nodded. There was an expression halfway between a grin and a grimace on his face. "Hope to see you there man."

TJ sighed. Jonas nodded and walked back to his truck. As he drove off, TJ glanced at the paper scrap. He felt like a great weight was weighing on his shoulders, preventing him from breathing properly. He glance at the other Kanes. "What do you think about it guys?"

Warrior shrugged. "What's to think? It sounds like a good idea."

Skipper nodded in agreement. "You already fight with us; this'll just make it more official."

TJ shook his head. That hadn't been what he'd meant. Shaking his head again, he stared up at the clouds and sighed.

"TJ…" murmured Ranger from the duffle bag.

TJ glanced down. "What's up?"

Ranger sighed. "You and you alone can decide if this is right. We're not capable of giving you the answers you need, and we shouldn't be the ones to ask him who can. You'll have to do that on your own, and make your decision based on what you think his answer is."

TJ nodded, a smile on his face. Trust Ranger to fully grasp the situation, he thought. Glancing at the sky again, he offered up silent prayer. Lord, aid me in honoring you!

And with a gentle shrug of his shoulders, he started trudging back towards the pokemon center.

OOOOOOOO

Jonas and Eliza were at the local temple. Eliza sat on the ground next to the door, while Jonas paced in front of it. Sighing angrily, he said, "where is he! The ceremony has to start at exactly midnight on the night of the full moon! He doesn't have much time!"

"Jonas!" said Eliza in a quiet voice. "Calm down. He'll be here on time if he wants to do this."

Jonas whipped around. "What if he isn't here on time? What then!"

"Well," said Eliza in a sedate tone, "I imagine that would signify that he's decided not to do this, at least not tonight."

"It'd also signify that he's crazy," Jonas muttered.

Eliza smiled. "It's his choice Jonas."

Jonas sighed from deep within his chest. "I know," he said. "It's just that I want to help him."

"You really like him, don't you," said Eliza.

Jonas shot her a half-smile. "Yeah. He kinda reminds me of myself."

Eliza laughed. "I knew there was something about him that seemed familiar!"

Jonas chuckled. "What, his rugged good looks?"

"No," Eliza replied, "his complete disregard for the rules!"

"Hey!" said Jonas in a mock-hurt tone, "I don't disregard the rules!"

"True," agreed Eliza with a smile on her face, "you shatter them with a two foot solid steel breaker bar!"

"And don't you forget it!" shot back Jonas.

"Forget what?"

Jonas and Eliza looked up to see the four Kanes walking towards the temple. Jonas' face broke into a huge smile. "You decided to come! Excellent!"

TJ bobbed his head. "I wasn't sure if doing this to thwart an inconvenient law would have honored God, I needed time to pray and listen. I'm still not sure, but I don't get any signs from him that this is wrong, so I'm going for it."

Jonas smiled. "Right this way then!"

The group walked into the Temple. Inside the door, an old man with long hair stood with his hands hidden in the sleeves of his robe. He motioned the group to follow him and strode down the hall. Jonas and Eliza followed him. TJ glanced at the other Kanes, then shrugged and strode after the other humans with his brothers in tow.

Several minutes and multiple dark hallways later, they arrived in a courtyard in the dead center of the building. Eliza and Jump Start stopped at the threshold and sat down. TJ shot them questioning looks. Eliza shook her head and said, "women and pokemon aren't allowed in the courtyard. Your brothers will have to stay here."

TJ bristled with anger. "Where I go, my brothers go. Period. If they have a problem with that, I'll find someone else to do this ceremony!"

An old and venerable-looking man hurried up to TJ. "Mr. Kane, the ceremony is about to start. Pleas come this way."

TJ glared at the man. "Not without my brothers!"

The man peered behind TJ. "They're welcome to watch as long as they don't enter the inner circle."

TJ stared at the old man. "You're positive?"

Eliza had an extremely guilty look on her face, causing the old man to stop. But really, what problem could there possibly be, as long as they just watched? "I'm positive," he said.

TJ nodded sharply. "Okay. Come on guys."

Skipper and Warrior trotted out after TJ into the courtyard. The old man's face turned ashen, but he had already acceded, and his pride wouldn't allow him to recant his permission. Swallowing nervously, he scurried after the Kanes.

OOOOOOOO

Inside the inner courtyard, Jonas stood next to a man who was clearly in charge. Behind them was a large stone altar. Next to the altar were various implements. TJ glanced at them and gulped. "Those look…unpleasant."

The man in charge glared at him, then at the pokemon behind him. "They can be. What have you brought into this sacred ring!"

TJ glanced behind him, then back at the man in charge. "I was told my brothers could watch."

The man in charge worked his jaw, speechless. Jonas tugged on his sleeve, then leaned in close and started whispering to him. While they were doing that, the venerable old man walked in, giving Skipper and Warrior a wide berth. Warrior glanced at him, and said, "boo."

The man jumped. "Keep away from me spawn of Shaiten! O Lord have mercy on this old servant's soul!"

The Kanes laughed, even Ranger, although he stopped periodically to wheeze. The venerable old man glared at the pokemon. "Little demons! What do you find so funny!"

TJ shook his head. Forcing himself to stop laughing, he muttered, "knock it off," out of the corner of his mouth.

Ranger glanced at him a bit resentfully, but sat down and crossed his arms. Skipper and Warrior looked a bit mutinous, but seemed to take their cue from Ranger. TJ turned back to the priest and said, "look, I know that they're not exactly welcome here, but they promise to stay outside the circle—you do promise, right guys?" he interjected. Skipper, Ranger, and Warrior all nodded their heads in agreement. "They promise," TJ continued, "and furthermore it would be cruel to prevent them from watching this. I'm some of the only family they have, and I'm about to undergo a very painful ordeal. They can't bear the pain for me, but if they're there to commiserate, they might feel a bit better about it."

The rabbi glared at the three pokemon, but after a few moments his eyes softened. "I understand. They cannot come into the ring, but they may stay."

The venerable old man gaped at the rabbi, then turned away muttering. The three pokemon settled down to watch. The rabbi glanced at TJ. "Are you ready?"

TJ swallowed hard, then nodded. Shucking off his shirt, he stepped up to the stone altar, and gritted his teeth as his wrists and ankles were tied down.

The residents of that part of the city were woken up several times that night by screams of pain.

OOOOOOOO

Dawn broke the next morning to reveal a sun that was red and swollen, as if it had been spattered with blood. As the morning progressed, many of the local residents commented on how strangely full and red it looked. Only a few select members of the community knew the why. They didn't tell anyone.

Around ten thirty, the Kanes walked out of the pokemon center. Only a doctor would have noticed the careful manner in which TJ walked. Warrior and Skipper kept shooting him looks every so often, as if to make sure he was okay. Ranger was still riding in the duffle bag, but thanks to the pokemon center he now felt well enough to sit up and observe his surroundings. Moving slowly, the four Kanes headed in the direction of the college…and Roxanne's gym.

The actual Gym was located at the grade school next to the college. Children of all ages ran and played in front of the building while watchful teenagers mediated their fun. The Kanes walked through the front door and into the office. TJ caught the receptionist's eye and said, "we're here for a gym battle. Could you direct us to Roxanne?"

The receptionist smiled apologetically and said, "I'm sorry, I'm afraid she's busy with a class right now. You can come back tomorrow if you like."

TJ's back burned. Forcing himself not to scratch it, he smiled just a bit too sweetly and said, "really? Which class is she teaching?"

The receptionist frowned. "I'm not allowed to give out that information."

TJ nodded. "I understand completely, it's just that Roxanne told me yesterday to show up at this time today for a battle, and she wouldn't tell me why. I think we're supposed to be a firsthand demonstration."

The receptionist looked slightly confused. "I don't remember her saying anything about a demonstration…"

TJ nodded sagely. "She wouldn't have, we caught her as she was leaving."

The receptionist frowned in thought. Finally she said, "well, I guess it's all right. Roxanne is in room two twelve."

TJ bobbed his head and smiled. "Thank you very much ma'am!"

The Kanes walked out of the receptionist's office and down the hall. As soon as they were out of the receptionist's hearing, Warrior shot TJ an accusing look and said, "what the heck was that!"

TJ rolled his shoulders nervously. "What do you mean?"

"You lied to her!"

TJ sighed. "Well, I couldn't think of a way to get in. It seems like she's always busy!"

Warrior shook his head. "TJ, this isn't like you. What's going on?"

TJ stared off into space for a minute, then said, "I don't know."

OOOOOOOO

Room two twelve turned out to be a large lecture hall. The title on the door said battle tactics. TJ looked at the others. "You ready for this?"

Skipper and Warrior nodded. Ranger sighed unhappily and said, "I wish I could fight!"

The other Kanes smiled sadly. Skipper said, "You have to rest and get better! You can fight the next one, okay?"

Ranger smiled. "Okay."

TJ turned the door knob and walked into the room. Roxanne was standing at the podium, indicating the board behind her. She looked up at the Kanes, frowned and said, "can I help you?"

TJ did not smile. His heart pounding, his throat dry, he said, "we're here for a gym battle."

Roxanne frowned. "I'm a bit busy right now, try again tomorrow."

TJ chuckled. It was not a friendly sound. "Looks to me like you're just teaching some children. I say we put it to a vote! Hey," and he turned to look at the class, "show of hands, who wants to see their teacher do a live demonstration of today's lesson?"

The class rumbled nervously. Then, a hand went up. It was quickly followed by another, and another, until most of the class were holding their hands in the air. TJ looked at Roxanne and allowed the barest glimmer of a smirk to appear on his face. "Well, there you have it. Looks like everyone's itching for a field trip."

Roxanne looked at her class for a moment. Then she sighed and glanced back at TJ. "Fine, I'll battle you. Meet me in the gym in ten minutes."

TJ shook his head. "No way lady, that gives you time to call law enforcement. Let's walk down together, hmm?"

Roxanne frowned. "You're smarter than you look."

TJ's eyes narrowed. "You should work on your veiled insults, they suck."

Roxanne glared at him. "Fine! Class, we're going on a field trip!"

TJ nodded slowly. "I'll wait," he said.

OOOOOOOO

Ten minutes later, the class trooped down to the gym. TJ kept his eyes on Roxanne; the entire trip, she stared into space, thinking. As they arrived at the gym, she smiled sweetly. TJ's fingers twitched nervously. One of Roxanne's teacher aides stood up on the judges' podium. "This battle will be a two-on-two battle between the Gymleader Roxanne and the challenger TJ! Each trainer may only use two pokemon! The battle is over when all of he combatants on one side are unable to continue battling! You may now begin the battle!"

Roxanne smiled again, her expression just a little too sweet. "Feel free to choose your two pokemon!"

TJ smirked grimly. "My mother would never forgive me if I preempted a lady such as yourself! After you!" Inside, however, he was sweating. What's going on, he thought. Why am I feeling so spiteful to her?

Roxanne's mouth twisted in annoyance. Drawing back her hand, she tossed two pokeballs which opened to reveal a Geodude and a Nosepass. TJ nodded in grim acknowledgement, then motioned to Skipper and Warrior. The two Kanes hopped out into the battlefield ready to fight. Sighting down on Roxanne's Nosepass, TJ shouted, "Skipper! Mud Slap Nosepass! Warrior! Cover him!"

Roxanne smiled sweetly. "Class, please observe how he commands his team. He's using a freight train formation to try and cover his weak points, with a sudden burst attack to throw me off guard."

All four Kanes stared at her, nonplussed. Skipper slowed in his charge to stare at the crazy woman who continued to teach instead of battling. TJ collected himself and shouted, "LADY! WE'RE BATTLING HERE! CARE TO JOIN US?"

Roxanne glanced at him, then back at her class. "As I was saying, his tone indicates that he's unable to properly control his team without threat of imminent harm, which is a terrible way to handle things…"

TJ shook his head in disbelief. "Skipper, Warrior," he intoned, "crush 'em"

Skipper nodded. Resuming his dash, he was shocked to find that Roxanne's Nosepass was no longer where it had been. Spinning wildly, he searched for his target. At the sound of a thud, he turned around to see Warrior collapse from Nosepass's blow. Enraged he shouted, "you're Magikarp food!" and sprayed the Nosepass with his strongest jet of water. TJ stared at the calamity that had been an easy win and shook his head in confusion. Roxanne turned around and smiled at him. "I hope you don't mind," she said in a voice laden with syrupy sweetness, "but I've trained my pokemon to continue to battle while I teach. That way I won't lose time to Gym battles."

TJ seethed. "Warrior! You okay?"

Warrior stood up groggily. Shaking his head violently, he jumped up and snarled, "bring it on!"

TJ nodded. "Skipper! Go for the Nosepass! Warrior, slam dunk the Geodude!"

Skipper jumped towards the Nosepass, who collapsed on the ground and dodged. As Skipper landed, Nosepass glowed and unleashed a rock tomb attack, pinning him. Meanwhile, Warrior was playing dodgeball with the Geodude. Geodude would shoot towards him, intent on crushing him like a grape. But at the last minute, Warrior would dodge and the Geodude would ram solidly into the wall. After about the fifth or sixth time this happened, the Geodude was no longer going at quite the same speed. TJ scanned the field and shouted, "Skipper! Switch to Geodude and finish him with Water Gun! Warrior, keep Nosepass busy!"

The two brothers switched. While Skipper proceeded to annihilate Roxanne's Geodude, Warrior faced off against Nosepass. Nosepass glared at him and snarled, "Pasnosepass nose passpass!"

Warrior smirked. "If you say so, limestone breath."

Nosepass shrieked an embarrassingly high-pitched battle cry, and charged towards Warrior. Warrior jumped out of the way, rolled on the ground, and jumped to his feet behind Nosepass. "Missed me granite jowls!"

TJ shook his head and chuckled. He truly is the most annoying creature on earth, he thought. Warrior continued to dodge Nosepass, although he was starting to look tired. Skipper had Geodude right where he wanted. With a final overpowered jet of water, he managed to smash the little ball of rock into the wall. Geodude hung there, unable to fight any more. "YES!" shouted TJ.

Warrior looked over at his brother's defeated opponent. "All RIGHT!" he shouted. And in that one moment when he celebrated his brother's accomplishment, disaster struck. Heaving from exhaustion, Nosepass was still able to hit Warrior with a Rock Tomb. Warrior squeaked once, and then his type weakness betrayed him, and he sunk into unconsciousness. Skipper shouted in dismay, then charged at Nosepass, spewing jets of water. Nosepass was unable to dodge Skipper's attack, and went down. Skipper skidded to a stop, shouting in triumphant vindication.

As the dust from Nosepass' fall settled, TJ saw Nosepass glowing, an angry glint in it's eye. "Skipper! Get out of there!"

His warning came too late. Skipper was hit dead on by Nosepass's Rock Tomb attack. As sand and dust flew everywhere, TJ and everyone else in the room held their breath, waiting to see who would walk away from this clash of wills. Finally, the dust settled to reveal a very unconscious Skipper lying beneath the slabs of rock. The judge raised a red flag and stated, "Mudkip is unable to battle! The winner of the match is Roxanne!"

Roxanne's class broke into applause as TJ sighed. Roxanne turned around and smiled triumphantly at TJ and said, "same time tomorrow? When I'm not busy?"

TJ took a deep breath. It's now or never, he thought to himself. Gripping the railing on the edge of the field, he said, "this battle isn't over yet!"

Roxanne stared at him. "Two pokemon per trainer! The battle's over when both pokemon are unable to continue battling!"

TJ shook his head. "For a schoolteacher, you're incredibly dense. You should listen more carefully to the referee at the beginning! He said the battle's over when all of the combatants on one side are no longer able to battle!"

Roxanne took offense at this statement. "You can't use your Treecko, that's covered by the rules! What other com-bat-tants do you propose to take me on with!"

TJ sighed. Grabbing the hem of his T-shirt, he pulled it off to reveal the skin beneath. Roxanne and her class gasped collectively at the sight of myriad scars, the result of various hot implements being used on his skin. TJ tossed his shirt down on the bleachers and said, "Gymleader Roxanne, I challenge you to a code of seven battle!"

Roxanne gaped at him, not understanding. TJ sighed in frustration, and a fair amount of pain. The referee, meanwhile, was perusing a thick volume that looked like a league rulebook. Straightening suddenly, he picked up the book and scurried over to Roxanne, looking upset. Roxanne engaged him in whispered conversation for a moment, then straightened up and stared at TJ, horror mingled with revulsion dancing across her face. "You can't be serious!"

TJ glared at her. "Do you think I allowed some ancient hasidic priest to scar my body like this because it sounded like FUN?" he shouted. "I fight with my guys! And you have to as well, it states so in the rulebook!"

Roxanne glanced at the rulebook again, then back at him. Her face was white now, and she looked like she was about to throw up. But the referee motioned to her and pointed to a section of text. Roxanne read it, then glanced back up at TJ, savage triumph written all across her. "It states here, and I quote, 'in a code of seven battle, trainers must engage in battle when all of their allowable pokemon have been defeated.' You may have nothing left, but I still have Nosepass!"

TJ smiled grimly. "Did you get to the part where I'm allowed to bring a weapon?"

Roxanne and the referee perused the rulebook again. After a few moments, Roxanne glanced back up at him, looking frightened. "It does say that," she whispered.

TJ nodded. "Right, let's get this over with." Grabbing his bat, he jumped onto the battlefield, ready for action.

Looking panic stricken, Roxanne cried, "Nosepass! Crush him!"

Nosepass waddled towards TJ, charging up some sort of electrical field. TJ smirked and said, "you'll have to do better than that!" Whipping his bat into position, he sprinted down the field towards Nosepass. Nosepass stopped charging, and glowed blue-white. TJ leapt off the ground and landed on one of the stone slabs left over from Nosepass's last Rock Tomb. The slab began to move, as Nosepass attempted another one, but before it could land TJ leapt off and straight at Nosepass. There was no time to duck, no time for Nosepass to brace himself, just the resounding clang of TJ's bat as it connected. Nosepass flew fifteen feet into the wall and slid to the floor, limp and unconscious.

Roxanne stared, transfixed by the sight of her defeated Nosepass. Turning around slowly, she stared at TJ. "I forfeit," she squeaked out.

TJ stared at her, and for a brief moment the animosity that had been building was replaced with pity. He shook his head. And quietly said, "I'm sorry, that's not an option in this fight."

Roxanne and the referee double-checked the rule book, then Roxanne stumbled off of her podium and stepped onto the sand. Swallowing, she glanced around at the field, all confidence gone. TJ swung his bat up to rest on his shoulder, and walked over to her. Roxanne twisted to look at him, her body refusing to work properly. She looked deep into TJ's eyes, and saw…something. Something frightening. Unable to help herself, she closed her eyes and squeaked in fear.

TJ swung his bat up into position. For a few seconds, Roxanne faded out and he saw Norman instead, glaring at him as Ranger was pulped in the background. The pity he'd been feeling was replaced by a wave of hatred, and he cocked his bat back, ready to swing. Blood pounded in his head as he stared at the picture of…Wait, no it wasn't Norman. TJ blinked, and stared at the cowering twenty-something school teacher in front of him. Norman swam back into view, and he felt his anger return a bit. Images of Andy, both Andy, of Samantha McPhoenix attacking Skipper, of Norman again, all danced across his field of vision. They're scum, he thought to himself angrily. He took a step back and charged.

Roxanne was only about twenty yards away. As TJ rushed her, more images flashed through his mind, heightening his rage. Twenty feet to go. TJ howled incoherently, his anger at the world for all they'd done to him and his boiling over and escaping its confines. Ten feet to go. TJ's gaze locked onto Roxanne and stayed there. Five feet to go. TJ snarled, "you're toast!" and sped up a bit. Two feet to go. TJ grunted with the strain of concentration. One foot to go. TJ jumped, and swung his bat up behind his back to strike.

As TJ's bat started to come down, the images swimming before his face all vanished, replaced by May's tear-streaked eyes. TJ twitched, his anger lurching horribly in his stomach and then ebbing away. His fumble was just enough that when Roxanne dropped to her knees in fear, he managed to miss her entirely. Roxanne opened her eyes, glanced around wildly, then clutched at her stomach and started throwing up violently.

TJ stared at her, breathing hard. May's face flashed before him, looking frightened this time, as if she was scared of him. She is scared of me, TJ realized. Or at least she would be if I did this. I'd be no different than Andy!

Thinking of Andy caused his anger to well up a bit. Again Norman swam across his field of vision. But abruptly, he was replaced by an image of Jonas arguing with the rabbi. TJ shook his head. What the hell is going on!

TJ glanced at Roxanne. Crouched on the ground, she reminded TJ of May, the day he'd saved her. Of Skipper when Kaz'd been attacking him. Of Ran-

TJ sighed. She's not Norman. She's not. Don't punish her for his crimes!

Roxanne had stopped retching. Standing up shakily, she put her fists up in a pathetic attempt to defend herself. TJ glanced at her, his feeling of pity returning. Now look at this fine mess you've gotten us into, he thought to himself. She didn't deserve this, a deeper part of his psyche muttered to him. A fight maybe, but she's not ready for a personal fight…she's so scared she can barely stand! You've started turning into Andy!

TJ thought fast. He no longer wanted to pummel her, but the law stated someone had to be defeated. How was he going to pull that off without hurting her?

After a few seconds, TJ frowned at Roxanne, then charged again. This charge felt better, cleaner; no longer driven by rage, he was able to reduce the battle to just that, a battle. Weaving his bat past her guard, he attempted to strike. Or, so it appeared. At the last second he carried his charge a bit to far "accidentally", and they both went down in a tangle of arms. Roxanne whimpered in fear, flailing a bit. TJ allowed her flailing to knock his bat away, then wormed his arms around hers and locked her in a full headlock. "Listen carefully," he whispered into her ear.

Roxanne's struggles became slightly less insistent. TJ nodded. "Good. We can work all this out later, but I've decided I don't want to knock you out. It just wouldn't be right. So here's what's going to happen. In about twenty seconds, you're going to knee me in the nuts, and I'll release you. You get up and run, but you won't make it-I'll get to my bat before you escape. I'm going to swing my bat directly at your head, but stop just short of hitting you. When you feel that, you fall down and act unconscious, and I'll throw the match in my favor. If you don't do that, I will fight you in earnest, okay?"

Roxanne nodded, then jabbed her knee into his nuts. TJ sucked in breath, but he'd had lots of practice thanks to Andy Rathbane, so it didn't slow him much. Roxanne was already a few feet away, running. TJ stood, grabbing his bat as he did, and swung his bat at her head. For a brief horrific second, he questioned whether he'd have the ability to stop it so precisely, but then he felt the lightest of taps, and he knew that Roxanne was fine. She fell beautifully, collapsing on the ground and twitching. TJ glanced at the referee, and nodded. The referee said, "This match is now over."

OOOOOOOO

There was a minor uproar, of course. The league flew in officials to doublecheck the code, then fired them and flew in new officials to triple-check the code. When even those officials came back saying the Kanes were legal, the league leader sighed and acknowledged that he could do nothing more than warn the other gymleaders. While all this happened, the Kanes spent a few days looking as innocent as possible. Skipper ate as much as he possibly could, while Ranger convinced Eliza to sneak him with her to work, where he read up on ancient history—specifically, ancient swordsmanship techniques. TJ and Warrior laughed when they heard about it. "Great," commented TJ, "you're learning to hit more accurately, efficiently, and painfully! Remind me not to challenge you to a game of mercy anytime soon."

Ranger mumbled a noncommittal response and continued to read.

TJ and Warrior considered indulging in their random impulses for a few days, but in the end they just spent time talking to Jonas and Eliza. The couple allowed them to stay at their house, which turned out to be a much nicer place than the pokemon center, so they took them up on it. Jonas and Warrior spent long hours watching cartoons, while TJ alternated between joining them and helping Eliza in the kitchen and around the house. He asked her why she didn't sit one afternoon. "I just like to clean," she answered. It was a very noncommittal answer, but TJ let it go. He felt something with these two, something strange and powerful. He didn't want to disturb it.

On their last day in Rustboro, all four Kanes sat on the deck with Jonas and Eliza. The six had just heard on the news that Roxanne had publically defended TJ's actions, thanks in part to a talk the Kanes had had with her in her hospital room. They had also just finished a hearty celebratory dinner. They sat in lawn furniture, digesting. Jonas looked at TJ and lazily said, "well, you did it. You got past the law and defended your brothers."

TJ nodded. "Yup."

Eliza glanced at the Kanes. "So what now? Onward to more gyms?"

TJ nodded. "And after that, the Hoenn League Championships!"

Jonas sighed. "I suppose we'll never see you again," he commented.

TJ shook his head. "Not for a while at least. We've got lots of things to do."

Eliza nodded slowly. She glanced at the ground for a moment, then looked up and said, "our wedding's set for summer of next year. I'd love it if you could be there. And bring your girlfriend too, I'd like to meet her!"

TJ smiled. "Send the invitation to Professor Birch; it's a date!"

Human and pokemon alike laughed at nothing, because none could bear to say goodbye.

OOOOOOOO

TJ strode through the hills, glancing at the scenery. Beside him, Skipper and a fully healed Ranger strode along, while Warrior once again took shotgun. Glancing at the sun, Skipper said, "shouldn't we be heading in the opposite direction?"

TJ glanced at him. "What makes you say that?"

"Well," said Skipper, "isn't that the direction Dewford's in?"

TJ shook his head. "We're not going to Dewford."

Warrior gawked at him. "Why not? Isn't that where most trainers go after defeating the Rustboro gym?"

TJ nodded. "Yeah, so?"

Ranger laughed. "I get it."

Skipper and Warrior stared at him. Laughing again, Ranger said, "he's going to Lavaridge, because he's annoyed that he did the traditional thing and beat Roxanne first."

Skipper and Warrior laughed, while TJ vigorously protested. It wasn't until it was right on top of them that Warrior noticed anything moving. "Quiet! Something's here!"

The Kanes formed a defensive triangle, with TJ once again in the middle. TJ reached for his bat, but felt only empty air. Spinning around, he reached again. "Guys!" he said, "my bat's gone!"

With a rustle of leaves, the thief zipped out of the trees and ran full out towards the ocean. TJ was able to glimpse the fluffy white tail of a Zangoose before it shot over an embankment and towards the cove. Sprinting after it, the Kanes arrived over the embankment to find that the cove began just past the drop. Swimming towards the opposite shore was the Zangoose, clutching his bat in its mouth. TJ looked at the ocean again, then glanced at Warrior and swore. "Come on," he said heavily, "let's find a way to cross and go after it."

The four Kanes turned away and started walking around the cove, fuming the entire way. From afar, they heard high-pitched laughter, that sounded suspiciously like a Zangoose.

A/N: Next chapter, a new character! He rocks! He's got woodsy goodness about him! And he's more annoying than Warrior! YAY!