Making his way out of the Pokémon centre, Tobias avoided the crowds of trainers heading to register for the Lily of the Valley conference and decided to take a walk before the match-ups were announced. After his performances against the gym leaders of Sinnoh, he was in no way worried about who he would face. If the tactics and team are working, then there is no need to change a winning formula Tobias thought. He settled down under a large tree, away from the main road and brushed his hair out of his eyes. He hadn't had it cut since he left on his journey and it had grown rather quickly. Tobias liked it this way; the likeness to Darkrai in his looks was something he was quite proud of. Making sure there was no one else around, he unclipped the Pokéballs from underneath his coat.

"Come on out guys. We're here"

Tobias flung the Pokéballs in front of him and watched as Latios, Latias and Darkrai all appeared in front of him. Even now, Tobias always felt his a tug on his heartstrings when he looked upon his new friends. They had been the best support group anyone could have asked for during his travels. Latios and Latias had been a great source of comfort to him and Tobias could honestly say that he had never had as much fun as when he was flying through the air with the two of them. It was impossible to be unhappy when the pair of them were around. However, it was Darkrai that had become his closest companion. Tobias had developed a very strong bond with the Pokémon, both in his dreams and the real world. He honestly felt as though the Pokémon knew him better than he knew himself sometimes. As such Tobias had solely used Darkrai for all of his gym battles, the Pokémon's strength allowing him to overcome most odds under Tobias' guidance. As a team they functioned in perfect harmony and easily thwarted all their opponents.

"I just wanted to tell you all before we head off to the stadium, how... how thankful I am for everything you've done for me. I couldn't have done it without you."

Latios and Latias smiled knowingly at the trainer, nudging him with their heads in a friendly manner. Darkrai, it's expression unreadable, said in its characteristically eerie voice: "We are...just as thankful...to have been with you...my friend."

"I think we should continue with the same tactics we used in the gyms. I'll use Darkrai for the tournament and I think we should easily come out on top."

Tobias felt another nudge after he said this, with the Eon twins looking at him in a somewhat scolding manner.

"Tobias..." Darkrai muttered, "Do not assume...it will be...all that easy...there are trainers here...that may yet...challenge us."

Tobias took a moment to reflect on that, his hand reaching up under his coat and absent-mindedly stroking the Soul Dew that was still tied around his neck. They're right Tobias thought I have to win this. For them. I can't allow myself to get complacent now.

"Your right guys. Ok, time to go. Sorry to have to keep you in your Pokéballs, but until we're alone I don't think we should attract attention."

Tobias recalled the Pokémon and fastened the Pokéballs back onto his belt. He stood up, took a deep breath and made his way towards the stadium. As he walked, he began mentally preparing himself to face the rest of the trainers competing for the Sinnoh League Conference. He grinned as he fell in line with everyone else; I can do this, I know I can!

A week later, Tobias was back in his cabin in Shelter town. He was sitting on his bed, fingering the Soul Dew still around his neck, listening to the wheezing that had crept back into his breathing over the past two days. On the window sill next to his bed, stood his glistening trophy from the Sinnoh League Conference, his named engraved on the bottom. Next to it was a photograph of Tobias holding his trophy flanked by Cynthia, The Sinnoh Champion and President of the Pokémon League, Mr. Goodshaw. Another photograph was the one that could be found in most press releases since his victory, a shot of Tobias commanding Darkrai in his final match. Three empty Pokéballs lay around the photographs. Looking out of the window, the sun was slowly setting outside and was casting an orange glow across the snow-tipped trees. Tobias almost laughed at the ironic symbolism of the setting.

"I don't think this is working anymore..." Tobias muttered, staring at the Soul Dew. A wave of fatigue washed over him and he lifted his legs onto the bed. He glanced at the oxygen tank that stood next to his bed that was covered in dust after being unused for several months, but refused to take a hit and quench the pain in his chest. He knew it would merely delay the inevitable at this point. Tobias heard the door open just as the chill from outside swept in.

"Hello Tobias." A familiar voice said from the door.

Tobias looked up to see Sizer entering the room, completely unchanged from the day he had first approached Tobias. He was brushing the snow off the shoulders of his travelling cloak and removing his hood so that he could shake the cold off his frost-bitten face. Sizer finished grooming himself and made his way towards the bed, setting himself down on the end. A gentle smile was upon the man's face.

"I see that the Soul Dew has stopped working now that Latios and Latias have left," queried Sizer.

"Yeah..." Tobias nodded, "I said my goodbyes this morning. Although I think Darkrai is still around. I get the feeling he didn't want to go too far until..." Tobias suddenly felt awkward talking about his imminent death. He felt a bit tongue-tied.

"I understand," said Sizer. He stood up and examined the photographs and the trophy on the window sill.

"I watched your matches on TV. You were very impressive, set quite a few records I believe. I don't think anyone has won a league conference using just two Pokémon."

Tobias grinned proudly. "Well a lot of that is down to Darkrai. He was fantastic. I really felt a connection to him..." He leant over and coughed, earning a sideways glance from Sizer. But when Tobias looked up, he was still looking at the photographs.

"The key word there Tobias is 'connection'...Darkrai couldn't have done as well as it did without you as it's trainer." Sizer turned to look at Tobias, who smiled gratefully.

"Thank you. Did you see my match against Ash Ketchum?"

" The trainer from Pallet Town? Yes I did," said Sizer with an interested look on his face.

Tobias' head leaned back as he reminisced, his fingers still fondling the Soul Dew. "Only trainer that defeated Darkrai during my whole journey. Even defeated Latios as well...I think he could of gone all the way..." Tobias resisted the urge to cough again.

"I had heard about him from an old friend, but that was the first time I saw him battle. I was impressed with his tenacity as a trainer and the bond he shared with his Pokémon. You're right, he does have excellent potential," said Sizer, smiling as he turned his gaze upon the setting sun.

Tobias was confused. Potential for what I wonder, he thought to himself. But the look on Sizer's face told him that this was something Sizer wasn't going to share. At that moment, his body was overcome with another coughing fit, a much stronger one which brought the pair of them back to the situation at hand.

"I think..." Tobias wheezed, "that my journey is finally at an end." He lay down on the bed, still grasping the Soul Dew. He turned his head towards Sizer, tears in his eyes and spoke in a whisper;

"Sizer...I just wanted to say how thankful I am for everything that you've done for me. The last few months have been the happiest of my life, a dream come true...and I couldn't have done it without you. Thank you...really." Tobias lifted up his free hand which Sizer then clutched tightly.

"Tobias, Champion of the Sinnoh League Conference...you are most welcome."

Tobias let the tears fall as he smiled with happiness. He let the tiredness wash over him and slowly he closed his eyes. And as everything began to fade, in his mind's eye he could make out a black, floating figure, still watching over him as it spoke;

"Goodbye...Tobias...my dear friend...may you finally...rest in peace..."

Fin