Here with chapter 2. I was playing some more Pokken and was really proud of myself. I fought Shadow Mewtwo and got really close to beating him! Whoop! Considering I was level 38, 600 health and he had like 1000 health, was Mega the whole time and a spamming ass, I'm happy. He had like 200 health left. I also customized my guy to look awesome!

Also, the team theme for these two is Seras Victoria the Real Vampire-Zakuro. When you should listen to the song Mare will say, "Aura Unrestricted. Time's Vengeance."

Mare was watching a battle, feverishly. He and Riley were up in a half an hour, and he was nervous. He didn't know who he would be fighting, or how he and Riley should approach them. He felt a hand on his shoulder and looked to see Riley giving him a smile.

"Thanks, pal. You always know what to say to make me feel better." Riley gave slightly annoyed glare. Mare chuckled uneasily.

"Sorry. We need to teach you sign language. You're way to smart for your own good and that would help you a lot." Riley rubbed his chin before shrugging.

"Maybe one day." The crowd started to cheer, drawing the attention of the duo back to the arena. The fight was between a Pikachu and Charizard.

"Wonder who will win." The Charizard then Mega Evolved, becoming coated in blue fire. Mare chuckled, he knew who was going to win now. In the final round if one Pokémon reached Synergy first then they were almost always the winner.

The Charizard flew at the Pikachu, picking it up and throwing it into the air. It started to blast it with blue fire before it was launched away. The small mouse was daze allowing the Charizard to fly up and send a wave of air into the Pikachu that sent it skyward.

The Charizard started to build power, unleashing it before the Pikachu hit the ground, sending the mouse into waves of blue fire that caused it to faint once it flew from the other side and slammed into the barrier.

Mare clapped at the battle, still worried. he looked around, suddenly curious where Cynthia could be. He had told her she could join them, yet she was nowhere to be found.

"Riley, can you sense Cynthia in this crowd?" Riley closed his eyes, his appendices lifting up and aura coating his body. After a few seconds they lowered and Riley opened his eyes. The aura faded and the Jackal shook his head.

"Dang. Wonder where she went to?"

"You feel ready?"

"I believe so. What do I need to do?" The man chuckled.

"Simply go out there, and fight the trainer who wants to face you. If no one wants to fight then pick one." She nodded, turning to the opening. She had hoped they wouldn't make a big scene about her being in Ferrum. But such things were never that simple. She had hoped to keep that secret from Mare at least a little longer.

"Wonder what he will think about me once he sees the truth? Only time will tell, I suppose."

A man in a white suit stepped onto the large stage, tapping the mic.

"Is this thing on? Great! Greeting everyone! I am Silas Nohras. Many of you know me and many of you trainers know my wife, Felicia. We are the owners of this coliseum and hosts of this tournament. As many of you have heard, there is a rumor about the former champion of Sinnoh being here. Well, I am here to put those rumors to rest. They are true."

When he said that the crowd went crazy. Ferrum didn't have Gyms... Rather any that were as big as the ones in other regions.

"She is here today, and going to do the honor of fighting one of you, trainers! So, please help me welcome to the field of battle, Cynthia!" Mare stood quickly, Riley shaking his head in a knowing manner.

Everyone started to cheer as Cynthia walked from the tunnel and to the center of the stage. Silas gave her a pat on the back, his silver fauxhawk rustling as he shook his head happily.

"Is there anything you would like to say to the people before your opponent stands?" Cynthia grabbed the mic, clearing her throat softly.

"I wanted to thank you all for welcoming me here to fight in your tournament. Just know, this first round does not count as a battle, and whether you win or lose it will not effect your standing in the tournament. Also, there will only be one round instead of the traditional two out of three." Silas chuckled, such as he always did. He took the mic back when Cynthia offered it to him.

"Brilliant! Would anyone care to take on the former champion of Sinnoh?" The audience went quiet. As excited as they were, they did not fancy the idea of fighting the ex-Champion. Mare shifted his gaze to Riley. He then looked to his left at Felicia. She was his advisor after all. She leaned close.

"If you wish to battle her then shout it out." Mare nodded, clearing his throat.

"I will fight her!" Everyone turned to him. As people started to recognize him they started to cheer. Mare, Riley and Felicia started to make their way down to the field. When they got there, Felicia started to look over Riley quickly.

"He looks good to go! Knock em dead, you two!" Mare and Riley knelt next to each other, backs to Cynthia.

"Plan of attack?" Riley pounded his fists together. Mare rubbed his chin before snapping and pointing at Riley.

"Quick and dirty. I like it. Just be careful. She feels much stronger than before and I have a feeling this is going to be our toughest fight. You ready?" Riley nodded. Both stood, Riley walking forward. Cynthia's Garchomp walked forward, then the barrier formed around them. Mare looked to Cynthia, smirking.

"Champion of Sinnoh, eh? Why didn't you tell us?" Cynthia let out a sad sigh.

"I had my reasons." Mare frowned, turning to Riley. He then held up his hand and made a weird shape with it. Riley nodded, planting a knee and hand on the ground. Aura started to well up around them both. Mare closed his eyes and let out a slow breath.

"Breath. Just breath. We have each other's backs until the end. We can do this." Riley grunted his acknowledgement. Riley stood up, the aura around them both fading away into the air.

"I've got a bead on your aura, Riley. Let's do this as one." Riley held up his right fist, then brought it back down. This was his sign that he was ready for combat. Cynthia turned on her Synergy head set and Mare did the same.

"Let's show them how we do things." Riley nodded. Before they started, the advisors did their chant of assistance to each trainer. Felicia gave the duo a boost to their Synergy power, bonding them closer. Mare couldn't tell what Cynthia's was, but he made sure to send his cautious feelings to Riley. The Lucario gave a right foot tap. An awknowledgement tap. If Riley had opened and closed his fist repeatedly it was to disagree. They both knew their codes and how to use them.

When that was done they were to pick their supports. Mare always had Espeon backing up Riley, since she would heal his wounds and keep him fighting. He saw Cynthia chose Cresselia.

"Makes sense that the champ would get access to the nice stuff. Won't stop us though, right?" Right foot tap. The timer then started to when they would be set loose upon each other.

"5"
"4" The crowd was now counting down.
"3"
"2"
"1"

Riley and Mare wasted no time attacking the duo. Garchomp did not move, Mare knew this meant a couple of different things.

"Change things up a bit!" Riley stopped rushing them and jumped high into the air. He launched an Aura Sphere at them, smoke and dust covering the Garchomp. When it cleared everyone was surprised to see Garchomp was unharmed. Riley flinched, and that was all it took for the large dragon to rush after the Jackal.

"Disperse!" Riley floated above the ground a few inches, then clapped. An aura wave dispersed around him that pushed Garchomp away. While the dragon had blocked it, it didn't look very happy that its assault had been interrupted. Riley had calmed down after his shock.

"They can take punishment, deal it, and intimidate people. So we have to be creative." Mare chuckled.

"Ont mon ton befolig!" Riley instantly seemed to warp into the Garchomp, punching, sweeping kick that led into a backwards elbow thrust. The force from the aura infused combo knocked Garchomp away. Riley switched stances. Dual. Mare closed his eyes, crossing his arms. Riley balanced on his back right foot, coating himself in aura and started to meditate.

"No fear, buddy." Riley let out a hum. Garchomp got its bearings, seeing the meditating Lucario. It roared, rushing it, arms coated in draconic energy.

"Hold... Hold. Sprecsun." Riley slid underneath Garchomp, then slammed an aura sphere into the exposed back. What he didn't expect was for the Garchomp to be unaffected and turn, slamming a leg into him. He flew back, rolling to his feet quickly when he hit the ground.

"Countered us. Riley, keep calm." He knew his partner had a tendency to get angry when things didn't work, and it only made him reckless. Powerful, but reckless. Riley let out a course breath, closing his eyes and seeming to push down his stress.

"Good. Breath. Now, be prepared for anything. We are never safe, ok?" Riley nodded. He assumed a fighting stance. He slowly walked forward, ready once more to meet his foe.

"Taijitu." Riley tapped his right foot. Cynthia was also speaking to Garchomp, but Mare could not hear her. The loud cheering from the audience was deafening. When Riley got within range the Garchomp swung.

"Water." Riley closed his eyes and lowered his head. When the blow came dangerously close, Riley moved his opposite arm to meet it, but gently moved it along his arm like water, so it passed over him and away. The Garchomp was caught off guard by this.

"Strike." Mare only whispered this. Riley slammed his left fist into the stomach of the Garchomp. The beast leaned over, hurt from the strong fast blow.

"Eclipse." Riley gave an uppercut infused with aura to the Garchomp, sending it skyward.

"Wolf." Riley's eyes flashed as he sprinted forward. He created a bone staff, jabbing the Garchomp multiple times before sending it skyward with an strong uppercut. The staff disappeared and Riley lowered to a hand and a knee.

"Venom." Riley sprinted forward, once again jabbing the Garchomp multiple times, though he finished with a slam that caused Garchomp to crater into the ground.

"Fox." Riley used his aura to jump away to safety. As soon as he had done that the ground around Garchomp exploded and was sent into the air. Realizing their trap had failed, Garchomp slowly stood. Cynthia had a playful smile on her face. Mare growled when he saw Garchomp looked like it had barely been hit.

"I had been so easy yesterday though. Need to keep Riley standing." Mare flicked his wrist, watching as Felicia sent Espeon into the ring. The pink cat let out a call and yellow light. When the light enveloped Riley his wounds were healed.

"Good." He still saw one or two that had yet to disappear, but they were small. Mare was slightly terrified at the damage that one hit from the Garchomp could bring to them. If they had been caught in that trap the battle may have ended right then and there.

"Riley. We have to figure out a way to make it feel pain. Ideas?" Riley opened and closed his fist quickly.

"Crap. Just do what you can and avoid being hit. Ok?" Foot tap. Mare saw they were close to a Synergy Burst, and realized if they managed to reach that they would have a real chance. Riley knew what he was thinking and nodded slowly.

"Distance game them." Riley charged an Aura Sphere launching the ball of aura at them. Garchomp simply blocked it. It had done next to nothing, but it was better than nothing. Riley charged another, then started to fire them non-stop. Garchomp simply blocked them all.

"This is getting nowhere. Riley, Go-Go!" Riley rushed forward, moving side to side as he did. He was almost a blur as he went. When he reached Garchomp he did something that surprised the beast of a Pokémon. He jumped on her head. Garchomp reached up, but was lacking the arms to get Riley off. Mare clapped.

"Do it!" Riley started to unleash point blank force palms onto Garchomp's head. After the fifth Garchomp suddenly slammed its head into the ground, smashing Riley underneath it. Riley tried to get up quickly, only to get a large foot slammed into his face. He was launched into the barrier, stuck on it from the force. When he opened his eyes Garchomp was diving at him. He was slammed into the wall by Garchomp, crushed between a rock and a hard place.

"Riley!" The Lucario crumpled to the ground while Garchomp backed away. It was returning to Cynthia, expecting the fight to be over.

"Riley is unable to fight. The winner is-" Everyone grew quiet as Riley stirred. Mare walked around the barrier so he stood next to his partner. He knelt down, then placed his hand on the barrier.

"Riley." He got almost no response.

"Riley, if you can't fight then tell me." They had a sign for surrender. When Riley looked at Mare he would hold onto his snout with his hand. Then he would shake his head.

"Riley." The Pokémon lifted his head to look at his trainer. Riley slowly made his way to his knees. Riley placed his hand on the barrier, right where Mare's was. He nodded to his trainer. Mare smiled.

"Are you sure?" Riley stood, then lifted his hand.

"Awesome." Mare made his way back to his spot. He watched as Riley slightly limped to where he had started. Garchomp did the same, though it almost had a smirk of pleasure on its face. Mare and Riley were both coated in aura. Mare turned sideways, placing his hands in his pocket and closing his eyes.

"Aura Unrestricted. Time's Vengeance." They almost never went to this great of lengths, mostly because the wear on both of them was very high. With Time's Vengeance Riley was able to do much more damage, but one hit would practically end him. Mare was feeding him energy though, helping him to stay standing.

Riley Mega Evolved, but it was different. Instead of the bright lights, there was aura around him that flowed into him. Riley started to slowly move his arms around him in meditative stance, a storm of aura swirling slowly around him.

"Show them the truth of aura, my friend." Riley spun, holding a hand behind him. Aura began to form in that hand in large quantities.

"Show them power." Riley slowly spun, aura dancing around him quicker.

"Show them weakness." Riley planted a hand and knee on the ground.

"Show them sorrow." Riley rose, holding his hand above his head.

"Show them..." Riley held his hand out in front of him horizontally.

"Time's Vengeance." The aura formed into a large great sword that was swirling with energy. Riley let out a sigh. His mega was similar to his normal form, except for the obvious. Mare lifted a hand lazily and pointed at Garchomp. His eyes ablaze with aura.

"Go." Riley held the sword backwards, both hands on it as it dragged behind him on his right side.

"Zakuro." Riley warped above Garchomp, sword he normally above his head. He fell, slamming it into Garchomp who tried blocking. The blow knocked Garchomp back. If Garchomp had not been blocking it would have been much more severe. Riley was already beginning to tire though. Mare could feel it, even as he poured his strength into Riley.

"We finish this, Riley." The Lucario tapped his foot, then rushed forward, sword held in his right hand. Garchomp once again made ready to block, but was surprised when Riley slid under. The slash to Garchomp's back caused it to fall to its knees. Riley jumped high above Garchomp, holding the sword up and ready. He slammed into the Garchomp below. A bright light filled the stadium, and people had to cover their eyes.

When it cleared Riley was standing a ways from Garchomp, sword behind him on the ground as he panted. Sweat rolling down his face. Mare was no better, hands on his knees as he panted for air. The aura that had surrounded the arena faded away and Riley devolved. They looked at each other and smiled, then collapsed into unconsciousness.

When Mare awoke in the hospital next to Riley he chuckled.

"That was a great match."

"Indeed." Mare looked over to see Cynthia sitting in a chair next to him.

"How are you feeling?"

"Great. That wasn't that bad." Cynthia frowned.

"You had lost consciousness from fatigue. That's pretty bad. Riley wasn't much better than you were." Mare chuckled.

"We've had worse. Seriously. We once held that form for a minute and thirty seconds. I was surprised we didn't die afterwards." Riley stirred next to them. He opened his eyes and smiled to his partner.

"Good job, bud." Riley and Mare gave each other a fist bump.

"What day is it?"

"Tuesday. You did your act on Monday. You haven't mossed anything. They postponed the tournament until you two were better." Mare chuckled.

"Hear that Riley? We can still compete." Riley nodded happily. Mare looked to Cynthia suddenly.

"Why didn't you tell me you were the former champion of Sinnoh? That's seems like something important to tell people if you ask me." Cynthia frowned at him.

"When people hear you're a champion, even a former one, you don't get treated as a human being anymore. You get treated as this godly figure that no one can compare to. So, I stopped telling people who I was and lived as Cynthia. Not Cynthia the champion."

Mare looked away for a second.

"I still see you as Cynthia then. Even if you were a champion I saw you when you weren't a champion. I saw you as you were. So don't worry about me seeing you as some god of sorts. I promise." Cynthia was at a loss for words. So she just smiled.

"Thank you." Mare smirked, then grimaced.

"Hope we didn't hurt Garchomp too much. That move tends to be a little overkill sometimes. We sorta lose all restriction when we use it. It's just, end the opponent. Aura overdrive is a good way to describe it." Cynthia smiled.

"She's fine. You gave her a nasty headache though. Now tell me. What was with that move. I've never seen something like that before." Mare sat up, grunting as he did.

"Well, every Pokémon has a point where they gain so much power from something, whether it be anger, sadness. Or in our case, Guardianship, that they burst with raw energy that makes Mega Stones look weak. I've seen it one other time from an old man who used a Charizard. I remember his Charizard becoming not just an fire type, but fire itself. It was amazing to see and I'll never forget it.

When a Pokémon reaches this state it summons something that makes up its personality and why it has Overloaded. Since Riley and me are based on Guardians and guarding each other, Riley summons a great sword. The sword that ancient knights would use to defend people. They were guardians, and in a way we're taking over that mantle."

Cynthia thought about it before nodding.

"I understand. Why is it so dangerous though?"

"Because that raw energy is both powering and destroying the Pokémon. The only reason we are able to use it so long is because it's a 'we' and not one. We use the power together to forge and control the power. We harness it and split the power. But even then it's hard. Each Overload has something it takes from the user. For us it saps our stamina. We get tired, slower, and weaker the longer we hold it until we eventually collapse."

Cynthia thought back to how exhausted they both looked before collapsing.

"If it's so dangerous then why use it?"

"So we can learn to control it. If we never used it we would never get better. But we can't go using it in random gyms. Mostly because we may destroy the gym. But because it's a situational thing. When I saw Riley hurt on the ground, the only thing that came to mind was what wouldn't I do to guard him. The answer was nothing. When he understood that we Overloaded. Not immediately. One can hold it back, but hold it back too long and it'll fade away into nothingness.

So every time we use it we may only get a second or two of extra time to use it, but every second is better than before. When we first started we were lucky if we could hold it for ten seconds. First time we used it we almost died. We have had times where coming out of it we didn't pass out or anything, but most of the time it's a last stand thing."

Cynthia once more nodded to them.

"I understand. Though I must ask that you be much more careful from now on." Mare chuckled and Riley gave a smirk.

"No promises. But, we'll try." Cynthia stood.

"The matches will resume tomorrow, so rest today. Also, thank you for the amazing match." She started to leave when Mare called to her.

"I still don't think it's possible that you were once a Champion. To me you're just perfect." Cynthia smiled at him. She nodded, said thank you, and left. Mare felt a fist connect with his arm.

"Ow! Riley, what'd I do!?" Riley gave a look that said, "You know what." Mare sighed.

"Whatever. You can't prove anything." Riley smiled. He then pointed to his head. Mare sighed in defeat, visibly deflating.

"I get it! You can read minds! Can I sleep now!?"

That was fun! Also, many more people will start to reach overload state. So don't think it's just Riley and Mare who can do it. Lots of people can, though when most people do it it's away from society because it's so dangerous. That super trainer Mare described is basically an older Red. Makes sense Red could reach Overload with how much of a bond him and Charizard have.

Though, if Red had a Synergy Head set... Christ Almighty! Anywho! Hope you enjoyed, if you have questions then feel free to ask me. Keep calm and may the Aura be with you all!