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DISCLAIMER: I Do NOT own Pokémon.

Chapter 30: A Hidden History

"Ruby? Battling Gyms in Johto?" Sapphire murmured to herself in disbelief. She couldn't understand it. Why? For what reason does he need gym badges for? …Does he know? She took a moment to collect her thoughts and glanced at Lapis, who met her gaze with a hesitant look. Should she ask? Ruby did say that he'd ask for help if he needed it, and Sapphire wanted to trust his judgment. But leaving things as it is was extremely unsettling.

"Hey, what's the hold up?" Chuck interrupted.

Sapphire shook her head as she shifted her attention back to the Cianwood gym leader. "N-No, I'm okay…"

"Very well! Shall we continue? My pokemon's itching for a rematch!" Grinning, Chuck grasped firmly a pokeball in his hand and sent out his next contender for the second round: a Hitmontop. It was a primarily brown humanoid with black beady eyes, a blue spherical body and a tail with a spike, matching its two-clawed feet. The most vital feature was the spike that protruded atop of its head.

The Talonflame remained aloft, overseeing the wide rocky arena. But when it caught the sight of its familiar opponent, the blazing avian cawed piercingly and flared up its vibrant orange feathers. It was definitely fired up for its fight.

Sapphire looked up unto the Talonflame that Ruby gave her in exchange for the Amaura. Thoughts of the boy circled in her mind. Gradually, her focus began to drift away.

"Sapph! After this, let's head to the tower!" Lapis shouted, jolting the girl out of her daze.

Sapphire turned around and saw him, smiling and waving at her direction. Did she hear him right? Was he going to tell him everything? Will the answers she had long awaited for, finally arrive? It became a drive. As soon as she finishes this battle, she would find the truth she'd been searching for ever since Ruby disappeared.

The battle commenced and Sapphire was first to strike. "Talo, Razor Wind!"

As instructed, the Talonflame flapped its strong wings and created a whirlwind. Shrouds of dust flew into the air and clouded the earthy battlegrounds. The Hitmontop did a backflip and initiated its primary fighting style, rapidly rotating like a top using the spike on its head. When enough force gathered in its wings, Talo swung repeatedly and launched white crescent energy waves at the enemy.

"Hitmontop, use Sandstorm!" Chuck commanded.

The handstand pokemon hastened its rotation and summoned thick brown clouds from the earth beneath it until it became a violent cyclone of stinging dust. Everyone shielded their eyes against the buffeting soot, but remained focus unto the on-going match. The hurricane absorbed most of the blows sent by the Talonflame's Razor Wind, but overall, the Hitmontop didn't come out unscathed.

The Talonflame was having trouble flying. The usually minor-damaging attack was taking its toll heavily upon the fire/flying-type. Sandstorm was highly effective if based on type, it, being a rock-type move after all. Sapphire knew the situation became dire. She knew the longer Talo stayed in the air, the more dangerous it was.

Without a choice, Sapphire ordered her Talonflame to descend near the ground where the winds weren't so strong. Then she instructed it to follow up with Brave Bird. Talo lit up with a vibrant sky blue aura and hurled itself against the Hitmontop, halting its sandstorm creation.

"Now, use Triple Kick!"

As the gym leader commanded, his Hitmontop spun again, but this time with its tail and feet equally aligned. It charged at rapid speed towards the low-flying bird and dealt its series of assaults, gradually gaining force with every hit.

The Talonflame was pinned between the buffeting Sandstorm and the flurry of kicks from the enemy. It was quickly losing strength. Sapphire had to think quickly, "Talo, use Acrobatics!"

Dodging the last blow of the Hitmontop, the Talonflame countered with its own series of claws, wings and beak. All executed at low altitude and with flair of elegance as Ruby trained it to display. Sapphire smiled, unbeknownst to the onlookers. She could recognize Ruby's handiwork anywhere, whether it was at a contest, a pokemon fashion show or a real battle. His style was etched in her heart and mind.

The battle raged out with at that pace, close physical combat under the turbulent Sandstorm. It ended in a draw, much to everyone's surprise. Chuck was familiar with the Talonflame so he made the necessary instructions to his pokemon to counter and dodge, helping it survive the onslaught of the flying-type attacks. As for Sapphire, Talo was not used to battling at a low altitude and even at that level; the blows from the Sandstorm still caused more than enough damage.

Chuck was proud to admit defeat. But when he was about to hand over badge, Sapphire declined. She explained that she wanted to fight in the last round, in her own style of battling, not Ruby's. The second battle became like a rematch for the two pokemon, so to her, who was an outsider, it wasn't an official battle where she used her own techniques and capabilities to win. Also, though was in a hurry to get to the Embedded Tower, it wasn't a reason for her to not take a gym battle seriously. Sapphire knew better. Chuck gave out a hearty laugh and agreed to have another round.

This time, it was between a Lapras and a Machamp. The battle was going to be the first time for Lalo and Sapphire to fight together as pokemon and trainer. They exchanged eager grins and sized up their muscle-bound opponents. The Machamp was big bluish gray four-armed pokemon with yellow lips and a black speedo. It flexed its bulky arms and pounded its fists in pairs, feeling proud about its strength and physique.

Sapphire glanced back at Lapis who shot her a thumbs-up while holding a camera in his other hand. It didn't seem like he was against prolonging the topic. Was it a good thing or a bad thing? Either way, Sapphire was confident she was going to win the battle though there was a type disadvantage.

"Machamp, use Focus Energy and then follow-up with Karate Chop!" Chuck instructed. The superpower pokemon pumped itself up, by enlarging its muscles as a red aura outlined its body. Then it rushed towards the enemy with all four hands open and ready to strike.

"Lalo, Ice Beam!" Sapphire commanded.

The Lapras, who was wading the shallow pool, fired a sky blue ray at the foe, freezing the terrain and its legs, but only for a couple of seconds. The Machamp was able to break and land a clean hit unto the Lapras shell, after Lalo managed to move his head away in time. The Shell Armor ability prevented the critical blow that the Machamp would have caused when it used Focus Energy, thereby lessening the damage it would have taken.

"Okay! Now use Cross Chop!"

At close range, the Machamp crossed its two upper arms as they glowed from the elbow down, slamming its forearms against the front of the Lapras. Lalo yelped in pain and clenched its jaws. Then it retaliated on its own using Headbutt, knocking the Machamp a couple of meters.

"Good job, Lalo! Now use Blizzard!" Sapphire yelled with a thrilled expression.

The Lapras smirked and conjured an ice storm from its mouth. The waters froze over, as well as the dry rocky ground. It became a domain of ice. The Machamp got back on its feet and lunged towards the opponent with another Karate Chop, as the frost bore heavily on its arms and legs, gradually slowing its pace, till the humanoid froze over mere inches from laying a hand on the Lapras who breathed in relief, but only for a brief moment.

"Machamp, Bulk up now!" Chuck shouted, clenching his fists.

Almost instantly, the superpower pokemon broke free of the ice and let out a deafening roar as it powered up in a flaming red battle aura. The battle was not over.

Sapphire's Lapras cringed at the loud cry but remained determined to win, just like its new trainer. The girl balled her fists and yelled out, "Lalo, Thunderbolt!"

With brilliant yellow electricity accumulating in its mouth, the transport pokemon launched a yellow bolt of lightning straight at the Machamp's exposed chest, but the superpower pokemon endured it well and countered with Dynamic Punch. Lalo was hit hard and greatly shaken up. His vision blurred and everything in sight was in doubles.

"Machamp, use Karate Chop! Chuck ordered, grabbing the opportunity of the confused opponent.

"Lalo, move right!" Sapphire instructed.

Though his vision was impaired, the Lapras was somewhat able to hear. Closing his eyes to muster the extent of its remaining focus, Lalo followed and evaded the attack, sliding to the desired direction. The Machamp followed through again with another assault, but with Sapphire's help, Lalo was able to dodge each one. The terrain having now made of ice, allowed the water/ice-type to move smoothly and freely.

By the time, Lalo recovered from his confusion, the Machamp was succumbing to the late effects of the Thunderbolt: paralysis. Sparks flew out of its body as the muscular pokemon fell to its knees. It was an opportune time to finish it.

"Lalo, Hyrdo Pump!" Sapphire shouted.

The Lapras unleashed the final blow, a surging torrent of water that knocked the Machamp off its feet and sent it skidding across the unfrozen side of the arena. Cheers erupted from the witnesses of the great battle.

Sapphire sprinted over and flung herself around Lalo's neck. "Yer awesome, Lalo! …Yer trainer would've been proud." She whispered the last part while stroking the creature's long neck.

Lalo's face softened underneath the fierce battle scars. For a moment, he recalled the joy of battling with his trainer. Victory was sweet before, and now in the present, it hasn't changed. And with a new dependable trainer, he would be able to experience such thrills again.

Chuck handed over the badge again, but this time, Sapphire accepted it with pride. That was her sixth one so only two remained. How many does Ruby have? She wondered. She turned to Lapis and saw him making his way out, motioning her to follow.

After a quick thank you to Chuck, Sapphire followed Lapis to the pokemon center where she had her team healed up and ready for action. Lapis ordered a take-out dinner since he knew that they'd be gone for several hours and it was already late in the afternoon.

The heavens were hued in a dull blue but blazed with the vibrancy of the setting sun. Over the sea and beyond the canyons, clouds painted the sky orange and yellow. The waters mimicked the shades while filling the breeze with a nightly welcome.

Sapphire and Lapis made it through the cavern tunnels with most of the help coming from the boy's pokemon, mainly Azura. The journey to the Embedded Tower was pretty much quiet. Lapis didn't bring up any particular topic other than his commendation for the girl's gym battle. Sapphire, on the other note, was unusually patient. She seemed intent on trusting Lapis for the meantime. But if it was another dead end, she would likely throw him off the canyon without a second thought.

They arrived at the lake where they first encountered Lalo. Little by little, the wild water-types were returning, having felt the threat was no longer around. Both trainers decided that it would be bad to let the Lapras out to ferry them so instead, Sapphire sent out the Talonflame and they flew to the other side of the lake.

Afterwards, it was the rugged rock climb towards the hidden entrance. Lapis suggested that Sapphire could fly them up again using Talo, or have one of her fighting-types help. Azura's Telekinesis was also an option, but Sapphire refused all the choices and scaled up manually. Lapis sighed, unsurprised by the girl's tactic, and followed. He was not as skilled so he lagged behind considerably. The last few steps, Sapphire had to pull him up to regain lost time. Azura and Momo followed with a graceful psychic levitation from the Kirlia.

Now that everyone was together on smooth ground, they ventured in the cave-like entrance. When she stepped in, Sapphire immediately awed at the cylindrical-shaped chamber stretching far beyond the ground and high above towards the distant sky. It looked centuries old, weeds growing out of cracks and structures half crumbled. Still, it was surreal that a tower like it existed deep in the canyons.

Sapphire walked around and trailed a hand long the walls. Ring-like patterns were carved deep in stone. The same was on the floors. They were similar to the style that Lapis' clothes have. And the very same design mirrored the legendary weather trio of Hoenn. Of course! Why didn't she see it before?!

Sapphire turned around and saw Lapis accessing some sort of secret door on the wall. Azura with Momo on her head, followed behind him. Without batting an eye, Sapphire did the same. Inside was a small room with a pedestal in the middle. Before it was a statue of a Salamence, poised protectively with its wings curved inward. Strange. Why would there be a Hoenn pokemon sculpture in Johto?

Lapis glanced at the stone Salamence and smiled before looking back at Sapphire. He placed a hand on the pedestal and began, "This tower was created long ago by people from Hoenn. When disaster struck Johto and the creature of the seas unleashed continuous storms, they built this place to call forth Rayquaza… But merely constructing this tower was not enough to bring Rayquaza. They had to use a medium of some sort like Groudon and Kyogre's orbs."

"I heard most of that from Ruby. And the medium is the green orb that he had, right?"

"Specifically, it's called the Jade orb. It used to be kept here…" Lapis motioned to the circular indention on the pedestal. His eyes softened as if he was struck by a wave of nostalgia. "Do you know how the orbs were created?"

Sapphire pondered a bit but shook her head.

Lapis smiled and took a seat at the base of the Salamence statue. "How about I start from the very beginning? ….From the day Celebi whisked Ruby away?"

Sapphire flinched as her eyes widened. She mentally prepared herself for whatever revelations Lapis was going to share with her, but it actually happening was still very surprising.

"I know the subject has been put off long enough. Sorry about that…" Lapis leaned against the stone dragon and breathed deeply.

"Hey, ya haven't been using any Aromatherapy, lately," Sapphire noticed, her intrigue suddenly shifted to worry.

"I'm fine… I don't need it anymore," Lapis answered, giving the girl a feeling of dread and more possible reasons to be concerned. Noticing her expression and silence, the boy chuckled. "Really, it's okay. Don't you want to hear the story?"

Sapphire jolted out of her daze and sat beside Lapis, quietly observing whether or not he was indeed okay. Azura and Momo took a seat next to Lapis, opposite of Sapphire. They wanted to listen in as well. But for the Kirlia, she looked just as worried as Sapphire. Perhaps, even more.

"So shall I begin?" Lapis asked.

"Tell me first, how ya know all this?" Sapphire questioned back, sitting with her knees folded upwards and arms placed on top.

Taken back, Lapis pondered a bit with hesitance flickering in his ocean blue eyes. "Let's just say I was very close to a certain little girl…"

Ruby's POV

Everything happened too sudden. I felt like someone was calling me and I had this unexplainable urge to answer. I left Sapphire and the egg to go and see who it was. To my surprise, it was Celebi. It had been years since I saw the little fella again. Remembering the times it helped me before, I smiled nostalgically and asked how it was doing.

It didn't answer. Instead, Celebi reached out to me and began to glow bright white. I backed away from shock and the light dissipated. The time-traveller looked at me questioningly and hovered closer to me again, attempting to pull me towards the glow it emitted. I didn't know what it wanted, but it must be something important. I trust Celebi, but I need to tell Sapph about this first. I don't want her to worry.

I brushed away from Celebi's range and told it to wait. Time-travellers can wait right? They have all the time in their hands. I turned about and was going to run to Sapph, when Celebi held my arm and shook its head defiantly. What did it want?

Suddenly, Celebi's body lit up again in a blinding white light, and I felt my body being pulled in by some kind of strong force. What was happening? I couldn't understand. I tried to break free but it was no use. I yelled at Celebi to release me but there was no answer from the time-traveller.

I turned my gaze towards the woods, slowly fading away in the light. That's when I saw Sapphire running towards me, frantic and concerned. I desperately stretched out my hand to her, fearing that I might not see her anymore. "Sapph!"

"Ruby!" She ran to me with an arm reaching out. For a moment, I felt we touched.

Then everything finally faded into pure white. Sapphire was gone. My fingertips still felt the lingering warmth when our hands brushed each other ever so slightly. But that comfort was soon replaced by a massive headache and a surge of random psychic-like energy pulling me apart. I groaned in pain. Where was I? Where is Celebi? I don't understand any of this!

I clutched my head and pulled my knees up like a fetal position. My eyes were shut tight as the whirlpool of forces tugged me back and forth from all directions. My body gradually grew numb from the pain. But all felt lighter and calmer again when small figure tapped my shoulder. I slowly opened my eyes and glanced back. It was Celebi.

The little time-traveller shielded me with a thin barrier and handed me fragments of some sort. I stared at the silver and prismatic gold pieces on my palm. Basing on the texture and slight curving of the pieces, I guessed that they were from a pokeball. But what where these for?

I turned to Celebi again and saw the barrier around me had faded. I expected the pain to come back but there was nothing. I exhaled in relief and saw Celebi smile at me. I didn't return the favor. I wanted answers. I opened my mouth to ask the little time-traveller but before any words could come out, the light receded and I was transported into some unknown place.

Myriads of stars, cascading towards the horizon, donned the black heavenly dome. A silver full moon floated at the sidelines, watching over the earth with his gentle glow and ethereal warmth. I saw the moonlit sea stretched out before me as I stood on the rocky shoreline, listening to the billowing wind and gentle waves splashing the rocks near my shoes.

This wasn't the woods near Mauville, that's for sure. I darted my eyes from left to right, and sure enough this wasn't anywhere near where I was before. Was I still in Hoenn? Better yet, am I still in the present?

*shimmer*

"Just where did you take me… Celebi?" I asked, turning towards the sound of whimsical fluttering. Hovering in the air, the time-travelling kidnapper looked at me with a calm expression. It didn't seem to notice my growing panic and frustration. Then again, if it's Celebi, I shouldn't be angry at it. I breathed in deeply and spoke to it again. "Celebi, what is this all about?"

"You will understand soon," it replied through telepathy. The voice in my head was small, but filled with assurance, kindness and sincerity. It was calming. I told myself that I needed to be patient. I trust Celebi. Anything involved with it, must be something of great importance. Even though I have no clue what it could be.

Turning around, I looked to the island that we were in. It was dark but the moon's glow provided enough light to make things discernable. I was standing on the rocky coastline, just before a dense forest, spreading vastly atop an earthy plateau. The leaves swayed and shifted with the wind, mixing with the voice of the ocean. I couldn't quite place it. Somehow, the place felt familiar.

Suddenly, loud noises originated from beyond the cliffs, shattering the peaceful atmosphere. Something was coming. I instinctively took a step back for precaution. Then a round four-legged creature jumped down and landed on the ground before me with an almost explosive thud.

I reached for my pokeballs around my belt, but only grasped air. Then I remembered my whole team was back there. And I am here, wherever here is exactly. What was I going to do? I needed something …or someone to fight it off.

Celebi!

I looked to the time-traveller for help, only to find that it had magically vanished. Now what?! I had no pokemon, no pokedex, no pokegear, and no Celebi. Heck, my poketch still says 1st of July, 4:00pm and here it's night. All I had left were only the two broken pieces of some sort of pokeball, the size of my thumbnails. This wasn't looking good for me.

The unknown pokemon stepped closer, growling gruffly and glaring at me with its glowing yellow eyes. The shadow of the cliff prevented me from seeing what kind of pokemon was it, but either way, I was in trouble.

"Who's out there?" A voice called out from above, right where the round quadruped pokemon came from. It was a girl's voice, a child-like one, too. Is she the pokemon's trainer? Then there may be a way for me to avoid this fight.

"C-Could you call off your pokemon?" I pleaded, raising my hands between my head. Hopefully, she would sympathize with my current situation. "I mean you no harm, I'm just a little lost."

A heavy pause passed by before the voice called out again, "Caelum, come back."

The four-legged boulder-like pokemon turned around and walked up the side of the plateau using Rock Climb. Luckily, it wasn't that that high, just steep. The edge was just a mere feet above my head. I think I could get up there. The girl might be able to help me find out where I am.

Okay, that's the plan.

"Excuse me, could you help me?" I carefully stepped on some larger rocks for added height leverage, before reaching a tree root, sticking out of the side of the plateau. I pulled myself up and scrambled to the edge, slowly but surely dragging my body unto the top. If Sapph were here, she would have made fun of me and my now dirt covered shirt.

"Gon…" The pokemon I saw before stood in front of me. It had very short legs and its body was heavily armored in stone silver. Under the better position of the moonlight, I realize that it was a Shelgon. Just my luck, a pre-evolved Salamence.

I cautiously stood up, hoping not to startle the Shelgon. Then I panned my eyes around to look for its trainer. Then that's when I saw her, under the moonlight, standing shyly behind her dragon pokemon. She was wearing a weird green and white long-sleeved robe with red and yellow accents. Her black silky hair was long and curled around her youthful facial features, while her eyes were silvery as the moon and as misty as the shroud of clouds around it. Was she… blind?

"My name's Ruby," I introduced myself with a smile to show that I was friendly. Even though I knew she couldn't see my smile, I knew her pokemon could. That way, I posed less of a threat to its frail-looking trainer.

"You're …not from around here, aren't you?" The girl asked, stepping to the side of her Shelgon.

I was taken aback. She was blind, but she could tell that? A girl's instinct? Sapph and senior Blue did say that a girl has better intuition than a guy. Oh well. But at least, it's safe to assume that I can explain to her that I was. She's just a child after all, maybe a good six or seven year old one. "Y-Yeah. My pokemon dragged me here suddenly and flew off. Could you tell me where I am?"

The girl cocked her head to one side and blinked in wonder. I kept staring at her eyes. They were as deep and mysterious as the air around her, but they also gave off this lonely and empty feeling.

"Jade! Where are you?" several voices echoed from the dense shadowy woods.

The girl flinched and turned her head towards the voices. "I need to go back. They're looking for me." With a slight tap of her hand against the Shelgon, the pokemon bent down to the ground and let the girl mount on the brown saddle strapped to its body. Her hands trailed along the rough shell of the pokemon before moving towards the leather strap. Once he got a good hold, she hoisted herself up and sat down securely on the saddle. "I'm sorry, but I really need to go. I wasn't allowed to be out here."

"I understand," I replied with a nod. It was a reasonable excuse. Someone like her isn't allowed to be here alone in the dark. It could be dangerous. Then again, she had a capable-looking Shelgon while I had nothing at all.

"I wish I could bring you with me, but I don't think they will understand. It might cause trouble," The girl said with a disappointed frown. I felt like an abandoned Poochyena from her words. I sulked a bit, but there her warm smile returned. "Tomorrow. Let's meet again."

"Sure." I smiled back.

I watched her trot back to the woods on her Shelgon, until she completely disappeared in the cluster of trees. It was refreshing meeting her. She was kind of weird but she looked really cute and sweet.

But that's not what matters now, I was alone again. My plan backfired and I was back to square one. I sighed and looked around for any signs of Celebi. Nothing, as predicted. The little fella wasn't there so I was on my own till morning.

Alright! Ruby, man up! Surely, you picked up a couple of survival tips from Sapph. After all those time she dragged you along during her field works, I cheered myself on. The vision of Sapphire yelling at me flashed through my head very clearer, from her unusual accent to her sweet adorable giggles. It was comforting.

Anyway, plan B: Survive until Celebi or morning comes.

Beneath the moonlight, I walked along the path between the shadowy woods and the cliff's edges, looking for some kind of shelter, be it a cave or a tree as long as there were no pokemon living in it. On the way, I kept trying to remember this place. It was familiar but I can't recall if I've been here before.

It took me quite a while but I found a sturdy looking tree, standing separately from the rest. Its leaves were wide and shady and the branches seemed thick enough to support my weight. Also, there didn't seem to be any pokemon roosting atop of it. Ruby, you hit the jackpot!

Now all that's left is to climb up.

Most of the branches were out of reach even by jumping. I grunted and tried again and again. It was frustrating, I could almost hear Sapph laughing somewhere above the branches. I huffed in exasperation and thought of a way through this. I could always scale it by using the tree trunk. Nah. I'll rip my clothes. That wasn't a good idea, seeing as I also don't have my sewing kit.

Think Ruby! Think! I crossed my arms in front of me and tapped my foot impatiently. Then it hit me. Arceus, I'm such an idiot!

I took several steps back and crouched down in a runner's position. With deep breath and a quick click, my Running Shoes turned on and I darted towards the tree. Using the momentum, I made the jump for the nearest branch and held on tight.

Success! I hoisted myself up and settled triumphantly on the branch, overlooking the crystal sea with the moon's rippled reflection shining on its surface.

"Beautiful," I muttered, stretching one leg out in front and bending the other upwards. I leaned back with my hands behind my head and closed my eyes in an attempt to fall asleep.

I was unsuccessful. My poketch showed it was only 7:00pm, too early for me. But the time here doesn't feel like it's that time. It was already night when I arrived three hours ago, so it should be even later than 7:00pm. The cold wasn't a problem. The thick leaves of the tree managed to ward off the most of the chilliness, as well as provided a gentle nature lullaby.

I daydreamed to pass the time, hoping that I'll doze off soon. I wondered what Sapph was doing. My guess was that she's trying to find out where I am. I could only imagine how worried she is. Senior Red and the others must be worried too. They were all in Mauville eating cakes and pastries…

*grumble*

Bad idea to think of food. I clutched my stomach and groaned in exasperation. There was no way that I was going down and look for food. Besides, I had no idea where to look. Maybe, I should have followed the girl. Jade, was it? But it's too late for that.

The cold settled in. I wrapped my arms around myself and eventually, I fell asleep. In my dreams or should I say nightmares, was a recurrence of a strange vision that I had been having for several times now. There was fire, places burning, people crying out, and a colossal shadow standing before me with soulless eyes glaring. I felt fear, but also frustration and anger.

The scorching flames around me were destroying everything that I held dear. Darkness settled in the skies as it gave rise to memories that I shut away a long time ago. Memories that I didn't want to remember again.

After Groudon and Kyrogre were quelled, my father was weakened fatally due to controlling Rayquaza without a medium. Maxie and Archie appeared from the devastation. Team Aqua's leader sent out his Tentacruel, which I recognized to be the one that dragged Marge into the collapsing building, leading to her death. Its tentacles grabbed me and separated me from my father. I was slammed against the rocks, forcing me to drop the Red and Blue Orbs. As I struggled to break free and retrieve them, Maxie ordered his pokemon to kill my father. I yelled out in defiance as I watched the flames of hell took away an important person in my life.

The next thing I remember was waking up next to Sapphire. I sat up, ignoring the surging pain in my body and saw what had happened. My master Wallace was defeated. Winona, the gym leader of Fortree City was lying unconscious. Marge was dead, Steven too, and so was my father. No one was left to fight against them.

No one.

I would have given up all hope…

…If it wasn't for Mimi.

She was a Feebas that instantly became attached to me, even though I didn't like how she looked. Until I could find a perfect representative for the Beauty segment, I let her compete. She did her best and followed all of my orders, accordingly. But when she didn't meet my expectations during the Hyper Rank, I released all my frustration out on her. All that pent up emotions, just after Sapphire yelled at me for my selfishness were directed to her.

I calmed down after master scolded me. But it was too late. I saw her swim away in the flood, and felt my whole world crashing down. I did it again.

I keep driving everyone away.

I hated it.

I hated myself.

But she came back. She came back to fight for me. It was because of her that I realized what was truly important. And that was the beauty within the hearts that know how to love. She evolved into a Milotic, and with Sapphire's help, we defeated Maxie and Archie.

But now, in my nightmares, everything was coming back, all the fears, the pain, the regret and self-hatred. My heart and mind were in complete chaos like the scene of flames blazing before me. What was I to do? Who is behind all this?

I clenched my fists and stared up at the towering darkness in the midst of the inferno. The eyes, the shape, the ominous glowing patterns… It was unmistakable. Groudon.

*bam*

My dream shattered in an instant, along with the image of the fiery behemoth.

*bam*

Everything was black, yet I felt like my surroundings were shaking. What was happening? Was I waking up of having another nightmare? Before I could find out, a light appeared and rapidly consumed me.

*bam*

.
.

*thud*

I fell out of the tree and landed on my back. What happened? I groaned in pain as my vision continued to spin. Everything was moving in a rotating blur, from the leaves, to the tree, to the sky. At the very least, I could tell was it was morning. I rubbed the side of my head and groaned again.

"Morning…" a girl's voice pierced through the dead breeze, filling it with a lighter mood.

I sat up and saw her standing near me, facing outwards to the sea. Since it was morning, I got a much better look at her. She was still wearing a similar outfit, a green robe with yellow ring-like designs. The sleeves were white as well as the inside dress. Both were accented with red linings. Her hair was black and flowing with the breeze though the bangs that curled around her face remained in place.

I shifted my eyes and saw the culprit leading to my fall, her Shelgon. It must've Head-butted the tree like a battering ram. Talk about a wake-up call. That dragon must also be responsible as to how she found me.

"Sorry about Caelum," the girl apologized, smiling, evident that she did it on purpose. Before I could remark with sarcasm, her eyes softened like gentle clouds and she spoke up. "My name is Jade, by the way. I never got to tell you that before."

"You were in a hurry so it's understandable," I replied.

Jade shifted her head towards my voice and reached out her hand, while slowly approaching me. Caelum, her Shelgon trotted over to her and became a support for her other hand. I sat still as her child-sized hands touched my face. I flinched a little, but didn't move away. Her finger brushed against my hair and then trailed down towards my cheek.

"It really must've been a bad nightmare …if you cried," Jade said with a kind voice, but it startled me, nonetheless.

I backed away and placed a hand on my face. It was slightly damp, probably just tear stains. I quickly wiped the remains away and regained my composure. Jade still had her hand out as her gaze continued to face my direction. I felt the atmosphere slowly tense up. Did I make her feel uncomfortable, just now? I guess I should say something. "Uhm… Ja—"

"What color is the sky today?" She asked.

End of Chapter 30

I was trying to summarize most of the battling without losing all the thrill.
Hope that was good enough.

Here's Jade:
ht$tp:/$/fav.$me/$d7sx68l (remove all $)

This is where the hard parts that I planned are. The whole history, creation of the orbs. etc.
I hope I can explain them all properly. (Good Luck trying to pick up clues)

Any questions (that do not concern Lapis) please post in a review. :D
All other comments: review! Lol.