As the trio set up a cozy campground in between the canyons and forest the day seemed to become more pleasant somehow. No questions were asked beyond friendly conversation or when assistance was needed with various chores. Kurishimi laid out three tents now since they managed to buy another after the eventful night they experienced last time they had camped out. Each trainer allowed all their Pokémon to enjoy the outdoors since it was a nice evening for the entire group to relax which was a rare moment in itself. Even Akuma seemed particularly calm as he prepared a group meal with Vulpix. Chad enjoyed his time getting to know some of Akuma's less popular team members like Misdreavus and Sableye while Dodrio kept an eye, or rather six eyes, on the group as a whole. The only Pokémon to not make an appearance was Chad's Gyarados since it seemed an unsuitable area for a water dweller to relax even though it could just as easily have joined the group if it so desired.
During dinner and for some time afterward the three trainers spoke for a while about various adventures and encounters they'd had before meeting up with each other. Akuma expressed his first encounter with a Feraligatr years ago which brought about a long time desire to raise a Totodile someday as well as interesting stories about his time spent in Sinnoh and Hoenn. Kurishimi had stories regarding her life as it was back in Celadon City, plus some of the time she'd spent with Akuma when she studied under him. A few inside jokes were brought up along with details which Akuma hastily interrupted for reasons Chad could only guess at. Though Chad was still a young trainer by age and didn't have many stories of his own he was able to talk about things he'd learned over the past months with a great deal of excitement. They were things both Akuma and Kurishimi had discovered a long time ago, but Chad's enthusiasm brought back many memories for the two as well.
As the sunlight began to fade the Pokémon started to fall asleep and were placed back inside their poké balls as they nodded off. Eventually the only ones still awake were Vaporeon, Vulpix, Dodrio (though two heads slept while one stayed awake), and Ivysaur. Two exceptions were Cleffa and Totodile who slept on Akuma's lap and at his side respectively instead of returning to the comfort of the poké ball. Since Akuma was without his usual selection of impressive looking Pokémon, his only two experienced members being Gastly and Dodrio, Kurishimi noticed he seemed very different tonight. Under normal circumstances he would have Charizard or Infernape with him at all times and he had even regained control of Magmortar recently too. Strong Pokémon at his side may have made him appear more threatening than she guessed because right now he appeared to her as any other normal trainer that they could have passed on their way to this area. Out of curiosity and with Akuma in a good mood, Kurishimi felt pressed to ask.
"So Akuma, why did you leave all your strongest Pokémon in Lavender? Even without Charizard you seem to usually bring Fearow so you have a flying Pokémon in emergencies."
"That's an easy question to answer. I was getting too spoiled with strong and convenient Pokémon so I brought some with me that aren't used to battling regularly. I could have brought Metagross or Infernape along, but if there was a battle to be fought I'd simply use them from the start or in reserve as a trump card and it would be a wasted opportunity in the end. If there is a battle to be fought on the road later I can put myself in a situation where I won't know whether I'll win or lose if I don't battle my hardest. It's also an insult to the person I battle when I intentionally outclass them from the beginning. By not bringing seasoned fighters I can learn how to battle in case of emergencies and those Pokémon I keep out of battle in favor of others can get experience naturally. This way both Pokémon and trainer can grow together."
"Since when do you care about giving friendly attention and growth?" Vaporeon muttered as she relaxed by the fire.
"Since when do you care about anything I say or think?" Akuma shot back.
Vaporeon kept back the shadow of a smile. "Well quipped, good sir."
Akuma ignored her and stroked the tuft of fur on Cleffa's head as he continued. "There is a bit of truth in what Vaporeon says however. I don't care one way or another about how my Pokémon grow or function as individuals. I focus on their battle strength as a team and for solo fights. I need to rediscover how they grow up on their own. For now I want to learn how their skills and talents evolve as Pokémon instead of members of my team. I'm not a battler right now. I'm a researcher and observer concerning the six most underdeveloped members of my team."
"Six?" Chad said in mild confusion. "Don't you mean seven?"
Akuma shifted his gaze to the side. "No, I'm observing six, not seven. Speaking of which, that's something else I'm going to do on my journey now. I've decided to train and master Shiner to become a member of my standard six Pokémon roster."
Kurishimi's eyes grew wide while Vaporeon jumped up in shock. "Please tell us you aren't serious," Vaporeon pleaded. "I saw it fight once before so I know it's too dangerous for even you to handle! Pokémon can sense the power of others and Shiner's power is the only Pokémon I've encountered that's too high for me to sense. I heard that you've got respect from Big Red now and that's impressive enough, but Shiner won't just hurt you. It'll kill you!"
Akuma stopped petting Cleffa's head and curled his hand into a tight fist. "I'm expecting that too, but there's no other way to beat Shinji. Before I saw him again at the power plant I've only fought three battles where I nearly died. I remember every one of them vividly each day as if they happened a few hours ago so I know better than anyone that it is impossible to beat him unless I have something more powerful than me on my side next time."
"Even then it won't be enough if it is as you say," Kurishimi joined in. "If that guy is stronger than all three of those times just having it fight for you won't be enough to win. If things get out of control I can't help you either because I'm obviously not strong enough in comparison."
"You are, but your Pokémon aren't."
"That's beside the point. Whichever one defeats the other you still have to deal with the one left over. No matter how much damage was done to either side your chance of success hardly moves up to slim! I know you can't beat Shiner so I know there's no way to give you any favorable outcome in the battle."
"I. Know. That," Akuma said through gritted teeth. "But I'm the one who has the best chance to beat him. The responsibility is entirely mine!"
"Just because you feel like he betrayed you by becoming someone you didn't think he was doesn't make it solely your responsibility to fight your old best friend!"
Akuma quickly stood up letting Cleffa roll onto the grass, still asleep. "How did you hear about that!?" He asked with barely controlled anger.
"I… um… oh…" Kurishimi grasped for the words, but she knew she was already in big trouble. Mr. Fuji had warned her about Akuma's temper regarding this person, whose name was apparently Shinji. He also specified that Akuma shouldn't discover what they knew about the man either. It was a truth that was off limits to everyone, including those closest to him. In saying what she said, Kurishimi had stepped so far out of line it wasn't possible to find her way back.
Akuma stepped closer to her, his rage at the boiling point. Vaporeon and Vulpix rose to their feet if they needed to defend their trainer while Chad and Ivysaur waited in fearful silence. "Where did you hear about that?" Akuma repeated.
"Fuji… Mr. Fuji mentioned it."
"How much?"
"That he watched over you and left Lavender Town to become a criminal while you were in Hoenn. I didn't know his name until now."
Akuma seemed to hold himself back with a fraction of whatever self-control he had managed to retain. His face was red with anger now; even from the glow of the fire it was evident. "Commit this to memory," he finally said as he aggressively pointed a finger at her, "He is mine to deal with as I see fit. He is my problem, my responsibility, and my future; no one else's. You keep your nose out of it all." He started to walk away from the fire when he realized Chad was still sitting quietly next to Ivysaur. "Both of you," Akuma added as he walked out into the darkness.
"We didn't deserve that," Kurishimi said to Chad after Akuma was gone.
Akuma kept walking until his eyes had adjusted to the now dark night and found he had wandered off to the forest border. Out of anger he punched a tree and hurt his hand. Realizing his temper had gotten the better of him again he sat down with his back to the tree and leaned forward with his head in his hands. Once again this was all Shinji's fault. Everything would always be his fault. Akuma was frustrated, angry, and hurting now. He tried to openly tell them what his plan was and they had rejected the idea. But there was no other way at this point. As far as he knew it was impossible to beat him otherwise. Shiner might not be enough for victory, but it was unquestionably the strongest single Pokémon any trainer alive was carrying right now. On the other hand he could try to capture a legendary Pokémon again, but it would take too long to find one that was both strong and capable. Frustrated with his broken progress Akuma called out Gastly to talk to. Being a ghost, Gastly didn't need to sleep quite as much as living Pokémon, but she would still sometimes do so if she wanted her spirit to feel refreshed.
"I'm done for, Gastly. I don't know what to do at this point." Akuma leaned back against the tree and stared up at the sky. "It seems like every time I make progress toward my goal I run into another problem. Of all the people I decide to set as my target I had to end up choosing the strongest. It's just impossible for me to beat him. Then when I come up with the only way to beat him for sure I decide to talk to them about it and they turn against me. They're right though. Even with the extra help I can't win. What do you think I should do?"
Being a ghost, Gastly was able to alter its appearance to take on the forms of different objects or creatures. It thought for a moment after Akuma had finished, then transformed into a simple doll of Kurishimi.
"No, I can't fight her. What kind of response is that?"
Gastly created another doll, this one appearing with a standard Team Rocket uniform, and started hitting the two dolls against each other as if they were fighting.
"Again, no I can't do that either. She's not strong enough to take my place."
Another doll appeared now; this one representing Akuma. The new doll hit the opposing doll like Kurishimi's had done, then both dolls hit it together and knocked it to the ground.
"You think I should have her fight with me?"
Gastly had the two dolls nod and shake hands.
"She's strong enough to defeat above average members, but what does that have to do with the problem?"
The enemy doll rose back up with a name tag on the chest now that said 'Boss'. The two friendly dolls struck it together and knocked it down again. After it fell the two bounced up and down in a comical dance of victory.
"No, that's out of the question. She couldn't make any difference in the outcome no matter how much we practice together."
Gastly adjusted Akuma's doll to be larger than Kurishimi's, then the girl began to slowly grow until it was just as large as its partner.
"I don't get it. You want her to grow up?"
Gastly repeated the process, but gave the two dolls a tag as well. Kurishimi's had the number three on it while Akuma's had a ten. As the smaller doll grew larger the number increased until the numbers and size matched.
"You're suggesting bringing her up to my level, right?"
The two dolls nodded and then hugged, which was strange to witness.
"I have no idea what you're suggesting, but I know I'm not going to like the idea whatever it might be," Akuma scoffed as he reclined against the tree more comfortably.
Gastly had Akuma's doll bow to the other, then the two shook hands and nodded at each other.
"Okay, I got it. You want us to make up, right?"
The dolls nodded and hugged each other again.
"I said I got the message. Stop making things creepier!"
The dolls shook their heads and put their arms around each other's shoulders.
"You've lost me again, Gastly."
Gastly had a heart float around between them which caused Akuma to panic.
"Oh no way, don't you even go there! She's hard enough to travel with as it is. I'm not causing any more problems by adding awkwardness!"
The two dolls laughed suddenly, in Gastly's haunting voice no less, and tilted their heads away from each other while the heart changed colors from pink to green.
Akuma sighed in relief as he finally got what Gastly was hinting at. "Don't scare me like that again. Fine, I'll see what I can do about getting that done. Even so, I don't think it'll help me to beat him in the end. Do you have anything else in mind?"
The dolls separated and took different poses of thinking, then each one had a red colored poké ball in hand that they raised up.
"I'm not having her learn how to use him too. Don't even joke about the idea."
Akuma's doll shook its head and vanished. In its place appeared a green and red creature with a mysterious appearance. Akuma was genuinely surprised and began to mull over Gastly's suggestion. Kurishimi's doll tilted its head as if waiting for Akuma's conclusion.
"I don't think so," he finally said. "It's a good idea and I'll keep it in mind, but I don't think she's ready to handle that Pokemon with her current skill level. We could give her special authorization for it of course and I'm sure we still have it somewhere in the vault, but it's not a good idea right now. Maybe if she gets stronger we can introduce them, but for now… no, definitely not. We'll see what happens."
The doll nodded again before Akuma's doll reappeared. The two pointed at him then back toward the distant campfire. They came together and hugged once more then seemed to shoo him off in that direction.
Akuma shook his head as if tired of his Pokémon's suggestion. "Fine then, I'll go do that now. I assume you're going to want to watch it for yourself, right?"
The dolls nodded and transformed back into Gastly before the Pokémon faded away with a smirk.
"Right, I'll try my best. You owe me though." Akuma said as he walked back to the others.
Kurishimi and Chad were still sitting uncomfortably by the fire when Akuma returned. Ivysaur and Vulpix were now gone and Cleffa had woken up in his absence. Neither trainer looked up to acknowledge him when he returned. Cleffa rushed over to him anxiously when she finally noticed he was coming back, but that was all the attention he seemed to deserve at this point. He knelt down and patted her head before giving her a magost berry to nibble on, then kept walking to stand by Kurishimi. Even then she never showed any recognition that he was there.
Knowing he was in trouble, Akuma took a slow and deep breath before he started speaking. "Stand up if you would please." Kurishimi didn't move. "Please rise, I wish to speak to you." Still there was no movement. "It's hard enough already to say this without you giving me the silent treatment, but please stand up so I can look you in the eye. I intend to apologize."
That seemed cause enough for Kurishimi to lift her head slightly. She looked over at Chad as the two exchanged silent words for a moment. Akuma waited for them to finish until she reluctantly stood up in front of him. She crossed her arms and made eye contact, but still said nothing. Akuma didn't catch anything in particular from her poker face, but she was evidently gritting her teeth while she waited. He figured that was the best he could have gotten at the moment from her so this would be the best time to set things right.
"I was in error when I said that the aforementioned situation was not any of your business. You know it affects me a great deal, that is evident to anyone, but I have not acknowledged the fact that it is relevant to you either. What affects me will in turn affect you in the end as well. When the emotions and mood of one person are altered between the two of us the other cannot remain unaffected and I have been choosing to ignore that fact up to this point. I will not stop my pursuit, but I could have been more considerate of you as I said so. You did not deserve to be attacked by me in the way you were and for that I apologize. I was in error, and I ask for your apology in an attitude of humility right now.
"I would also like to say something beyond that if you will permit me. For the majority of our time together I have regarded you as a learner who is accompanying me while I travel. While you may think otherwise of our relationship I must inform you that this will no longer be the case. It is with both hesitation and eagerness I must inform you that I no longer intend to travel with you with the sole purpose of training you. I have chosen, for whatever end it may bring to us, to accept your offer from a number of years ago that you once proposed to me. Because of my inexperience with such circumstances as well as having no such people with which I can attribute to this title I am hesitant to go through with the idea, but I feel it must be done now even if you will not agree with me at the moment for reasons which are obviously my fault to begin with. If this is the case, I will simply make the offer available to you, and you may or may not accept it on your own terms while I will not try to persuade you away from your choice at any given time no matter what it may be. Either way, I will still make the offer of my own free will to you." Akuma crossed his hand in front of his chest and bowed slightly as a servant would do to authority. "Let there be no secrets between us from this point on. I extend my friendship to you and wish to accept yours in return if it pleases you."
Akuma held his position for perhaps the longest ten seconds in his life. When there was no reply he stood up straight again to find Kurishimi unmoved from her position, but her body was trembling and her eyes shone by the firelight as tears fell to the ground. As he promised, Akuma did not look away from her. Kurishimi tilted her head down and sniffed as she rubbed her eyes. Akuma kept his silence and didn't move either. For whatever it meant, the moment was important to the both of them. Kurishimi had wanted him to call her a friend since they first started traveling together, but Akuma rejected her every time. Now in order for him to evolve as a person he had to risk allowing someone to fill the gap caused by the one he hunted and trust that she wouldn't betray him either.
Finally when it seemed Kurishimi had calmed herself down she stepped forward to give Akuma a cautious and friendly hug. "What you said… it hurt us both. He might not have anything to do with us, but whatever he did to you is hurting us too. I don't know if you're telling the truth, but … don't say anything like that again. Friends shouldn't hurt each other like that. This doesn't have to be so serious or life changing either. Just be our friend, okay? That's all you have to do is just be our friend."
Akuma sighed with relief as he attempted to return the hug, a gesture he'd never properly learned before, much less attempted, while Chad smiled at the two of them before he went into his tent to give them some privacy. Akuma guessed Kurishimi was trying to keep herself from crying or letting him see that she was doing so. Behind her on the ground two little dolls held hands as a green heart of friendship floated in the air between them. Akuma allowed himself to smile freely, another expression he still wasn't used to showing even though he'd been doing it more frequently recently, and because of this very person, he noticed. Even though he was glad to feel he had accepted her as a friend, he still felt bothered by something. He didn't know what, but he had a strong feeling it was something that should have been obvious and he knew it was something important as well.