"The Hallowed Church," A hologram of a man named Rowan said. The three of them were sitting in the North Lumoise Pokemon Center after being questioned by the Officer Jenny, listening to a holocast recording from Kalosian History VII. Their Pokemon were sleeping, having been healed by Nurse Joy an hour ago.

"Is a religious group that was thought to be extinct by 17192." It continued. "But over the past two years, new adherents have revived the seemingly dead religion."

"That it?" Allison asked. Topher nodded. "Really? That's so short."

Topher rightened the black beanie atop his pale blue hair, which had got disloged when they were running this afternoon. It was a real testament to how worried Topher had been- he loved that thing, but hadn't fixed it this morning after they ran after Allison. "It's weird." he said. "According to this-" he held up his holocaster, which had an article projected an inch above it for Topher to read. "-the religion was only discovered recently, when some artifacts were unearthed that decribed the church. That was five years ago."

"So what?" Allison asked. "They just saw this obscure religion and, with barely any info on it, and said 'hotdog, why don't I dedicate my life to that!'"

Topher shrugged again. Allison normally thought Topher's perpetual silence was endeearing, but he needed to speak up every once in a while. This was his twelfth shrug this hour.

"Maybe they know something we don't." Allison said.

"Here's something." Topher said. "A Holo-Pamphlet."

He pressed play.

"The story of Alleos and Arceus." a gruff male voice said. "I am Arch Bishop Pierce of the Pure Snow, and this is the story of the Hallowed Church.

"'Millions of Years ago, Their was one man who was so much more than a man. Alleos. He created an egg. That egg hatched into Arceus, the Alpha Pokemon.

"'But Arceus was lonely. So Alleos created Pokemon of great power to rule with him. They were of the Types Water, Fire, Flying, Normal, Fighting, Steel, Ground, Rock, Ice, Electric, and Grass. These were the Pure Types.

"'But Arceus grew lonelier still. So Arceus created Legendaries of new Types: Dragon, Psychic, Dark, Fairy, Ghost, Bug, and Poison. The Impure Types. These Pokemon were not created by Alleos, and thus were not touched by his light. They are evil.

"'Alleos found out about this betrayal, of course. So he banished Arceus and all the Pokemon to Earth. Alleos then decreed that all who loved him and spurned the Impure Types would be forever welcome back into the realm of Alleos.'

"This is why we must not soil ourselves with Impure Pokemon." The voice said. "Only by respecting our Lord's wishes can we join him after our deaths. That is the mission of The Hallowed Church."

They all sat in silence for a few minutes.

"That's..." Topher stopped and shook his head.

Allison nodded. "Horrible." she finished. "How can Pokemon be evil? Dangerous, maybe, but evil?"

"Pokemon are only as good as their human partner." Dino said. For once, he looked concerned. "They don't think in terms of good and evil. They just follow their instincts or their Trainer's commands."

"And no one, human or Pokemon, is inherently evil." Topher said. "Choices make the person, not how they were born."

"At least we know why Joseph attacked me." Allison said. "He was trying to "Purify" me."

Dino shuddered.

"What?" Topher asked him.

"Just how many trainers did he 'Purify' before he met Allison?" Dino wondered.

None of them had an answer to that, so they just sat there for awhile.

Allison hadn't been able to do much sightseeing in the back of a police car.

But now, she could take the time to appreciate how different Lumoise City was from Laverre. It was more modern, but just as quaint, with trees planted in neat intervals along the side walk and cobblestone road. Pokemon and people chatted and browsed little kiosks and shops along the road. It was less peaceful and natural than Laverre.

They bought a strawberry scone and lemonade each as they headed toward Lumoise Gate 4.

"Thv iz oh gud." Dino said through a mouthful of scone. Topher scoffed quietly and Allison chortled.

"Dork." she called him, and lifted her scone and took a bite.

Or she would've, if it hadn't been eaten by a small ball of gas.

"Gastly!" Allison yelled, scaring both her friends and random passerby.

Gastly floated in front of them, the scone in it's mouth. Its swallowed the last bite and leaned into Allison affectionately.

"Is that him?" Dino asked, jumping up and down excitedly.

Allison nodded. When the Police picked them up, she had told them it wasn't hers. That was a mistake, because it was listed as a wild Pokemon in the nurses log, so it was released before she could do anything. Allison had decided not to go after it; she had caused it enough trouble. She had expected it to be traumatized of trainers, or at least of her.

But instead it had followed her. It wasn't scared of her, or hated her.

"Aww, you followed her." Dino drug it's hand through the smoke that made up a majority of it's body. "It likes you, Allie."
He was right. Gengar was happily flying around her, seemingly content.

It didn't blame her. So why did she blame herself?

"Gastly , why'd you follow me?" Allison asked.

"I think it-" Dino said, but Topher shused hin.

Gastly leaned into her once more. Allison realized that was it's version of a hug.

"Okay, you like me? Why? I got you hurt, and-"

"No you didn't." Dino blurted out.

Allison shook her head. "But I did. Gothita too. 'As a trainer, it's our job to protect Pokemon and People in need. Friend or stranger, that is our creed.'" Allison recited the trainer motto, something the Laverre gym leader had told them constantly. But I-"

"Stood up to Joseph." Topher interupted. "You were standing up to him without Pokemon. Then you used Kirlia, which you know would put you in danger as well. And I saw you standing over Gastly and holding Gothita."

Dino put a hand on her shoulder. "You protected it. That's why Gastly came back. It wants to be with you because you're brave, and it's greatful."

Allison wanted to tell him no, she wasn't brave, or tough, she just acted like it. That they should know that.

But should they? Dino was so nice and naive, Topher quiet and shy. Her Pokemon were so young. The needed her to be brave.

As a trainer, it's our job to protect Pokemon and People in need. Friend or stranger, that is our creed. Her friends needed her to stop blaming herself for everything. She had been doing it ever since Eris had got hurt. But enough was enough.

Allison looked Gastly in the eye. "Okay then. Battle."

Allison pulled out Gothita's ball. "Gothita, let's do this!"

Allison threw her Pokeball, and Gothita emerged with a graceful twirl. Show-off. Allison thought proudly. "Feint Attack!"

Gothita threw itself forward like a Bullet Seed, and Gastly shot smoke at her in response. Gothita jumped above the smoke upon Allison's command and used Shock Wave on Gastly. Gastly countered with Night Shade, and the two attacks collided with an explosion of dark energy and electricity. From the side lines, Dino cheered.

Gastly shot another Dark Pulse. Gothita rushed forward and dodged the swirling ball of black light, before hitting Gastly with a Feint Attack. Gastly fell back.

"Yeah!" Allison called out to Gastly. "You're doing great, Gastly! But I'm not done. Feint Attack again!" Gothita once again went in for a Feint Attack. But when Gothita's attacked connected, it had no effect. Gastly used Night Shade and hit Gothita across the feild.

"What?" Allison said. It failed? "Gothita, you okay?" she asked her. The Fixation Pokemon stood up shakily, before turning to smile at Allison. Gastly took this as it's chance to use Night Shade.

"Mirror Coat!" Allison called out. A barrier of light appeared before Gothita, and the Night Shade reversed course as it hit the translucent wall. Gastly tried to move, but the attack swerved to follow Gastly like it had a mind of it's own. The attack hit, knocking Gastly back. It fell to the ground.

Allison pulled out a Pokeball and threw it. Gastly disappeared in a flash of red light.

C'mon. Allison pleade as it shook once... Twice... And...

Allison didn't realise she had been holding her breath until she let it out with the final click. Allison and Dino cheered as they all ran to the Pokeball.

Allison held it as if it were the championship trophy for the Alliance Games. She then swooped up Gothita. "We caught it! We caught Gastly!" She sang as she twirled around with Gothita, who seemed to be torn between escaping and smiling.

Topher gave her a small smile that lasted a middle second, before taking out his blue Pokedex. He pressed the holographic center, which caused the two red halves to split and reveal a holographic screen. Topher scanned Gastly's Pokeball. "Gastly, The Gas Pokemon." It said. "Its body is made of poisonous gas, with a solid core in the center. Despite lacking substance, it can envelop an opponent of any size and cause suffocation. Male, Level 21. Knows the following moves: Night Shade, Clear Smog, Curse, and Spite. Ability: Levitate."

So that's why Gothita's move failed. Allison thought. Gastly must of used Spite when Gothita attacked at the start of the battle. "'Suffocation?" Dino said. "Cool!"

"I know right?" Allison held the ball tightly. "So badass."

Topher shook his head. "I worry about you two." he looked at Allison. "And it wouldn't of been able to do use Spite on you if you scanned it before hand." Of course Topher knew about Spite.

Allison was too happy to punch him.

"You guys know what?" Dino asked.

"Huh?" Allison asked.

"Since Allison was the only one to catch a Pokemon, that makes her the Leader!" Dino said. "Congrats!"

Allison looked at him, then Topher. She had thought about what she had been about to say.

"I've thought about it," she said. "And I don't think we need a leader. You guys are my friends. I want to by your partners, not your boss."

Dino put his hands over his mouth. "That's so sweet! Ally..."

"Sounds logical." Topher said.

Allison couldn't help but grin too. "Then it's settled. Team Laverre will have no leader."

"Agreed." Topher said. "And we have our first match tomorrow. I scheduled it while you guys were talking to the police."

"Where?" Dino asked eagerly.

"In Ambrette Town." Topher said. "We can take the Subway to get there."

Dino clapped his hands together excitedly. "Yay! We'll crush them!"

Allison laughed.

Now Gale really was ready to flip a table.

"He what?" she growled.

Masa giggled. "Joseph got himself caught! By the police!"

Gale rubbed her temples. "How?" she asked.

Masa grinned broadly. "He tried to Purify a few trainers, and bit off more than he could chew. They beat him in a battle."

"They beat Joseph?" Gale asked.

Masa nodded eagerly. "Now can I punish him?"

Gale let out a deep breathe. Why was she surrounded by lunatics? "Do your worst. But that's not all I need of you."

Masa giggled. "You sound angry. I love it. What do you need, Head Priest?"

Gale looked Masa in the eye. "I want those kids. The Church doctrine says that all trainers must be purified. If word gets out that we were defeated by children, we'll never be taken seriously. So I need you to purify them."

Masa clapped her hands together. "This is going to be so much fun! I'll take Volterre and we'll have a blast!"

Gale smiled. "I'm sure you will."

A/N: How will Team Laverre survive the Hallowed Church? And what awaits them in Ambrette Town? Find out next week!