You'll notice that this chapter is distinctly shorter than the other ones. I wish I could write really long, amazing fanfictions with chapters exceeding 10K words like some of the very talented can (go see Ri2 and his 100,000 word chapters), but unfortunately I can't. From now on, the pace might or might not speed up some, and there will be long chapters every now and then when the plot gets really thick (starting at Chapter 7, more than one thing will be going on at once in the plot), but otherwise please don't expect the chapters to exceed 6 or 7K. If you want to see my longer chapters, Essence makes for a long read, but even that one I might start speeding up because I'm beginning to fall out of love with it.

And I've spent so much time on it that I don't want to discontinue it either. So hopefully these two will get finished. I'm also working on a crossover between Pokemon Colosseum and Legend of Zelda (the Link in question is the Twilight Princess Link) that takes place completely separate of this one. As such, I've given Wes and Rui completely different personalities because I like experimenting ;)

Chapter Six: Pit Stop at Pyrite

Wes could feel his rib cage acting up on him again. He didn't quite know why, but he just knew that it was happening. He hunched over the handlebars, willing himself to continue. Only half an hour into their voyage across this barren, sand-bedridden, godforgotten, hell of a desert and he was beginning to find himself failing again. All those training sessions with Gonzap seemed to be crumbling underneath him like an unstable building in an earthquake. He swayed slightly in his seat, his vision suddenly blurring.

"Wes?"

The call of his name sounded distantly in his mind and registered as a faint echo.

"Wes!"

This time the shriek sounded a bit closer…

It was very sudden to Wes, what happened next. First he saw red.

Again.

Then he head split in half.

Again.

Then a column of pain reared up in his chest like a Zangoose letting forth a fury of claw swipes. He pressed down on the brakes—located on the handlebars—with his hands and with a final effort, turned off the ignition and kicked down the stand. He leaned over the handlebars, panting.

Control the pain.

Subdue it.

The pain is not my master…not…my master…

"Wes! Oh my Rayquaza, Wes!"

That was the last thing Wes heard before his vision gradually faded into blackness.

Rui was panicking. A sandstorm was whipping up and headed straight towards them. She could see it in the distance, and guessed that in a matter of minutes, they'd be caught in a howling storm of sand pelting them like angry flies. Quickly she got Makuhita out of the Poke ball. "Hey, Makuhita, can you help me?" she asked desperately.

"Maku!" said Makuhita, flexing his arm muscles.

Rui breathed a sigh of relief. Makuhita truly was losing his corruption swiftly with no small thanks to Wes for that. "Can you get Wes into the sidecar? He never taught me how to drive this thing but I'm going to drive it to Pyrite and get some help."

Immediately, Espeon popped out of her Poke ball. "Espi!" she cried, distraught ("He had another headache spell!").

Umbreon followed, his frightened and nervous mewls so loud that they drowned out the sound of the approaching sandstorm.

"Listen, you two, guard Wes okay? A sandstorm's heading our way and I'm going to try my best to avoid it. But if we get caught in it, protect him. Don't worry about me, I'm going to steal his sunglasses." Rui snatched Wes's sunglasses out of his hair and plopped them on her head. They were almost too big but she'd manage.

Carefully she pried the key from Wes's fingers and jammed it into the ignition, turning it this way and that. After a few seconds of fumbling, she got the motorbike to roar to life. She kicked up the stand like she would a bicycle and pressed down on a pedal that looked like it would be for acceleration. She was right. The motorbike zoomed off. Rui gradually tilted the handlebars right, surprised at its similarity to a regular bike. She drove to the far right, hoping to avoid the worst of the sandstorm. For a few moments, she prayed to Rayquaza for a wind to drive the sand to the left…and the breeze arrived. Relieved, she was able to resume the normal course to Pyrite. She'd flown over Pyrite before and knew how to get there—at least, how to recognize landmarks on the way.

"Espi," murmured Espeon ("You're on the right path.").

"Umbreon," added Umbreon ("Wes used to come here before").

It was another half-hour before Rui was able to park in front of Pyrite Town's gates. The whole town looked as she remembered it: shabby, run down, and very, very shady.

A Bodybuilder walked past her, whistling. "Hey there, pretty chick!"

It's broad daylight! Rui suppressed a groan and said, "Hello, sir, can you help me? A friend of mine has a few broken ribs…do you know where I can find a hospital or a hotel where he can stay to recover?"

The Bodybuilder saw Wes unconscious in the motorbike's sidecar with a wary Makuhita watching over him and sniggered. "What are you talking about, girl? That skinny little whip doesn't stand much of a chance there. Just leave him. He doesn't have anything good about him. What stands out to you when compared to me, eh? Come with me, I'll show you what good is!"

"Excuse me, but I asked you a question, and I expect an answer," replied Rui coolly, letting her angry side surface. Not her squeaky angry side. Her angry, angry side. She let her eyes narrow, hoping to show that she meant business.

"What answer? Pyrite Town doesn't have anything here except single guys looking for girls," replied the Bodybuilder, obviously about to lose his temper. "I happen to be one of them, and we're more than happy to use force!"

"No thank you." Rui beckoned the Makuhita forward. "Just in case you haven't noticed, I have Pokémon on me! You don't, and if you don't answer my question, I will let my Makuhita pummel you to a pulp. You don't stand a chance against him, he's very powerful."

Makuhita stepped up to her side, flexing his arms like he had done to Rui earlier. "Maku kuhita!" he roared.

The Bodybuilder looked somewhat flustered but recognized that even his own "buff" body stood no chance against a Pokémon designed to fight and win. "Fine then, stupid chick," he growled in submission. "There's a Pyrite Grand Hotel right up the road. You can stay there for 100 Poke a night."

"Thank you." Rui mounted the motorbike again and rode it up the main road. Sure enough, there was a building that resembled a metal box with a faded sign that read PYRITE GRAND HOTEL: ONLY 100 A NIGHT! A BARGAIN! across the top. She parked the motorbike in the nearly nonexistent parking lot and with Makuhita's help, took Wes inside.

"Thank you, Makuhita," she murmured.

"Maku!" Makuhita replied. Almost a happy reply. Rui felt a small smile cross her face.

"Hello, I am the manager of the Pyrite Hotel! Do you need to spend a night?" An old man sat behind a small desk in a small lobby area. As far as Rui could see, the hotel was one floor and only had five or six rooms.

"I need a room for tonight," replied Rui. "And as soon as possible, please. My friend's been hurt."

"…I see…" the man replied, typing in a computer. "Okay! All set! You'll be this room to my direct right. Here's the key. We don't make much business so you're free to leave whenever, just make sure you pay once you're done. Remember—it's 100 Poke a night and you'll be arrested by our local police chief for theft if you can't pay up! Have a happy stay!"

"Th-thank you!" said Rui breathlessly, taking the key. "Come, Makuhita. And you guys too, Stellaluna and Sunny."

Espeon and Umbreon followed her while Makuhita supported Wes, who was still unconscious. Rui unlocked the door and sighed, collapsing onto a nearby bed. The room was fairly small, with only one twin sized bed and a small chair. There was also a set of drawers for holding important items or clothes, and on top was a TV and a remote. There was a bathroom too, of course, near the entrance of the hotel room.

"Guess Wes gets the bed tonight," Rui thought aloud. "Makuhita, guard the room for now. I'm going to go and fetch Wes's bag."

"Maku!" said Makuhita.

Rui dashed outside to the motorbike and opened up the trunk with a jerk of the key. "Somewhere…here!" she gasped, lifting with all her might Wes's bag. She wondered how he managed to carry it. He was so strong…and persistent…a bit stubborn too, she supposed…and full of stamina. Rui felt heat rise to her cheeks and rushed back inside. She unloaded the contents of Wes's bag onto the floor and searched frantically for a first-aid kit.

"Oh, I can't believe he doesn't have anything but Pokémon medicines! He doesn't have any band-aids, any antibiotic cream…nothing! What on earth!" Rui cried, throwing a few pellets of Pokémon food into the air in frustration. Stellaluna, Makuhita, and Sunny leapt onto the chow and easily cleaned up the floor.

"I need some help," Rui whispered. She walked slowly up to Wes and sat next to him on the edge of the bed. "Oh, Wes…" She couldn't help herself. She slowly ran a hand through his hair, surprised at how soft it was, and then stroked his cheek, running her index finger over the white strip across his face. Why was that there? Was it a tattoo? A tattoo signifying his role in Team Snagem?

His eyes were closed, and he was so tense… Rui felt her heart drop down to her stomach and gulped, unbuttoning his jacket to see if his ribs were doing any better. It was disgusting to her. There was blood everywhere on his T-shirt, which was also blue. Hating herself, Rui slip her fingers under his shirt and felt the skin. It was swollen and there was sticky, warm liquid everywhere. Blood. Rui felt upwards and gasped. There was a jagged, sharp edge poking out of him. She cried out with pain as the edge cut her finger. Swiftly she withdrew her hand and sucked on the small wound.

"Espi…" mourned Espeon ("Oh, no…").

"Umbri umbri!" cried Umbreon ("Normally it takes more than this to stop him!").

"I realize that," Rui murmured in response. "But…I don't know. Perhaps he's just had so much going on…perhaps he's been so stressed out." She felt hot tears try to free themselves from her eyes. Oh, why now? Why did she always have to cry over everything? She sniffed. "I'm worried. I'm so worried!"

She put her hands in her face and cried aloud.

"Maku…"

A gentle paw was patting her back.

She looked up, hiccupping. "Oh…Makuhita…" She blinked, the tears still gushing down her face. "You're…kind…you really are…"

"Maku hita," Makuhita replied somberly.

"I know…it'll be okay…" Rui closed her eyes. "Ho-Oh…Ho-Oh is watching over us…and…Rayquaza…!" She burst into a fresh wave of tears. She was worried. So worried.

Wes could hear the noises of some humdrum city as life went on around him. From outside of his closed eyelids he could see blurred colors and flashing lights…

"Didn't you once say you could recover Pokémon by holding them?" asked Espeon.

"I never said that," replied Rui, anxiously watching Wes.

"Well, perhaps you thought it. Sunny confuses thoughts with words a lot." Umbreon nuzzled Wes's cheek. "It's worth a try. Why don't you try it with Wes? He may not be a Pokémon…but he's never been held before…he's very lonely, Rui."

"…Wait!" Rui gasped. "I'm talking to you! What is this? I'm actually talking to you! And I can understand every word you say! I know that Wes can understand you two, that's a given. But me!"

"Perhaps it is your closeness to Pokémon and nature and your acute ability to feel the emotions and aura of those around you that bonds you with us. Your meeting with Wes was well-timed…his mental and emotional stability have never been secure," mused Espeon. "Nonetheless, try it on Wes. He might recover with you holding him. Or he might decide to wake up."

"There's not much left for him to live for," said Espeon. "The bond he feels with you is unusually deep. He's never felt so connected to another human being in his life. You two have known each other for but a few days, and yet already it seems as if you have known each other for the longest time. As if you two once met."

"Once…met…" Rui reached out her fingers once more to Wes's peaceful expression. "I feel like…I feel like we did…" She placed a towel carefully on Wes's bloodstained chest and before she could even think, quickly scooped his upper half into her arms. She had no idea why she was listening to the two Pokémon. She had no idea why she was doing this. Like she had cradled Drew when he was injured, she gently rocked Wes. Back…and forth…back…and forth…

Wes realized that someone was holding him. Not by the neck, pinned against a wall, like Gonzap enjoyed doing. Someone was holding him gently, carefully, like he was someone fragile, someone that needed love.

Love…

"Oh, Wes…" Rui whispered.

Espeon and Umbreon had curled up next to him and were both pretending to be asleep. In reality, they wanted to hear what Rui was saying. According to Espeon, the things one said and thought when alone were far more profound and honest than any other thought or speech.

"I didn't mean to hurt you." She buried her head in Wes's neck and shoulder. "It's just that…when they told me…I was so mad…because…Team Snagem…Team Snagem ruined my life. I know they did…it's become clearer and clearer to me as the days have passed. My past is becoming clearer and less muddled…it's still a mess, most of it. But I know. My parents are dead…and…Team Snagem killed them.

"I was in Agate Village once…and Team Snagem almost destroyed the Relic Shrine… They've messed up so much of my life that I hate them…I hate them so much." Tears began trickling down Rui's cheeks. "And to know that you were responsible for the poor Makuhita…"

"Maku!" cried Makuhita. "Maku…maku…" He waddled up to Rui and hugged her arm. "I forgive."

"Makuhita!" gasped Rui. "You're…talking!"

"I remember myself now," said Makuhita, standing up straighter. "It was Wes that stole me away from my trainer…but…I will return to him someday. Wes has changed. He is no longer the heartless child he was. Yet he is still a child. I forgive him, Rui. And I thank you for bringing me to my senses." He looked at Wes and tilted his head, and then added, "Rui, I'm going to sleep for now. It's evening…it's been a long time."

"I didn't realize…" Rui looked out the window. "Time…flies…" She sniffed. "Oh, Wes, please wake up. There's no hospital anywhere in this city, but please wake up. I know we've known each other for a very short time, but if you were to go…" She stifled the threatening waterfall of tears and sighed. "Who would Snag all the remaining Pokémon that are suffering?"

She closed her eyes and said in a resolute voice, "I just want you to know that I forgive you. I forgive you for anything and everything you've ever done to hurt me or the Pokémon, or their trainers. I can see your aura…it is so conflicted. But I know that you will win yourself and that the side of you that wishes to succumb back into evil will lose and disappear. You're amazing, Wes…you really are. You're so brave. Those that do nothing evil in their lives aren't as good as those who commit evil deeds but can turn away from them and start anew. That's what my Grandpa Eagun always liked to say. I think that you're great, really. Someday, I'll tell you this…when you're listening… Someday, when Orre is peaceful again, when there is no suffering, I'll be able to tell you this. I hope that you'll reply with kindness in your voice, with your gentle touch that you have given to me… Someday, Wes…"

Espeon stored the memory of Rui cradling Wes in her mind, promising herself that when it was the right time, she would show it to Wes.

Goddammit Wes…wake up…wake up…

You can't stay like this, closed in on yourself, forever, can you?

You have to wake up sometime. Life goes on whether you like it or not, and you will have to be a part of it sooner or later. Just wake up.

What are you doing, waiting for yourself to die? Waiting for your injury to worsen?

Don't you know that there is no injury? That you can keep your eyes closed but that you're not going to die?

And yet…Wes wished he could.