A/N: So for this chapter, I'm planning on centering it around Miranda and how she deals with the fear she has. I might do this throughout the chapters, giving different characters the entire spotlight. But it also might leave out some parts of the tournament such as this chapter so I'll have someone summarize what happened so people know what's going on despite not seeing it. Maybe show bits of it.

Chapter 5: Her Crutch and Dominating round 3

Miranda sighed as she sped down the roads away from the league. She was fine. She didn't understand why it was that Cynthia and Blaze were so worried about her. She slowed to a stop, pulling to the side of the road and frowning as she pulled off her helmet, her red eyes gazing at the open road in front of her as tears slowly formed. She had messed up.

Was that really what she needed though? No! She doesn't need help! She's just fine the way she is and shes hurt that Blaze couldn't accept her the way she was. His approval didn't mean anything to her but she relied on him to understand her and she thought he would take her side.

But he didn't. When she needed him, he left her. That's right, he doesn't like her. He puts up with her. That's what they all did.

He was quick to jump to Cynthia and completely left her in the dust! How dare he!? She gripped her head tightly, snapping her eyes shut and whimpered until a pokeball opening made her eyes snap open, tears sliding down her face. Espeon materialized in front of her and mewed as she tried to form a psychic connection with her trainer but was met with resistance. A lot of it.

'Miranda.' Espeon tried to say but Miranda only heard a soft mew and she gripped her hair tightly.

'What am I doing? Why am I leaving? Because that blond bitch took your friend! But she's my friend too. That bitch isn't your friend! She doesn't understand you! Blaze does and he seems to be comfortable with her. She has corrupted him!'

"Shut up!" She suddenly yelled which made Espeon jump back in surprise and looked at Miranda worried, feeling the inner turmoil she had with herself.

"I need to get back! Shut up!" She yelled into the open air and Espeon suddenly forced herself into Miranda's mind, making her gasp, her eyes completely wide as they began to glow red slowly.

'Miranda! I need you to calm down!'

'Espeon?' Miranda said in her head.

'Yes. I'm here. Please calm down my dear friend. You're having a mental breakdown. Please... go back. Accept help.'

"No!" She yelled out. "I'm not crazy!" She said, crying and Espeon looked at her trainer sadly.

'Denial is a natural part of it. You're becoming worse.' Espeon said through their connection

"I'm not! I'm completely fine! Never better." She yelled before gripping her head in pain, Espeon frowning as the connection was severed.

'Please return. I beg.' Espeon said to herself as she watched her trainer crying.

She was going crazy and Espeon could only sit and watch.

Back In The Tower.

Blaze was sitting on the chair, the other three there as well as they all sat there silently.

"She's been gone a while." Charlie said, nervous about the elongated silence.

"Yea. I'm getting worried." Cynthia said.

Ash had told her Miranda might go crazy if she was seperated from Blaze for too long and she was worried that he was right.

'Alakazam, please teleport Blaze to my location.' Blaze heard Espeon's voice in his head and he blinked in surprise as Alakazam came out.

"What's wrong?" Cynthia asked and Blaze stood up.

"Espeon is calling us." He said and without another word, they disappeared in a flash of light, leaving the other three confused.

Outskirts of Indigo Plateau

Alakazam arrived with Blaze and they immediately noticed a familiar Espeon sprinting to them.

"Espeon?" He asked.

'No time! Help her!' Espeon pleaded desperately and he was confused as to what she was talking about until he heard sobbing and looked forward, recognizing Miranda's motorcycle.

Next to it was someone sitting down with their knees to their chest, crying. He frowns and slowly approaches her, kneeling down in front of her.

"Mira?" He asked softly and went to touch her but she immediately slapped his hand away in fear, her breathing becoming much faster and her eyes wide with pure fear.

"Please don't hurt me." She whispered, her hands going back to her head and holding it tightly.

"Miranda, it's Blaze. Can you hear me?" He asked and went to touch her again but she suddenly yelled.

"No!" A red Psychic wave burst from her body, sending Blaze soaring right to a car but her Espeon immediately dashed forward and used Psychic on the car to slow it down, Alakazam immediately using Psychic to get Blaze away from the car that had almost hit him.

He grunts as he lands on the ground before quickly climbing to his feet and approaching Miranda again who had gone back to whispering to herself as she held her head.

"I'm not going to hurt you." He said softly.

"Liar!" She suddenly growled, her eyes glowing red as her hair began to float around her and she slowly climbed to her feet, her hand lifting up and Blaze was surrounded by a red outline and was suddenly lifted up.

'Miranda!' Espeon tried to yell but the mind of the young woman was like a fortress right now and nobody was breaking through.

"You are nothing!" She spat, venom in her tone as she approaches slowly. "Disgusting creatures like you need to be wiped from existence. Heartless. Perhaps I'll take out your heart."

His eyes widen in pain as he coughs, crunching being heard as her eyes narrowed, his chest expanding out as he coughs harder.

'Miranda!' Espeon yelled much louder and finally managed to snap her out of it, Miranda gasping and immediately dropping Blaze who coughed heavily as he groans in pain and slowly tries to push himself up.

Miranda covered her mouth as tears spilled from them again and she falls to her knees in front of him, slowly reaching forward to touch him but immediately stopped, her heart beating like crazy. She was afraid of him. Why was she afraid of him? He never hurt her or did anything wrong to her yet she couldn't bring herself to touch him.

Then the truth hit her like a ton of bricks crashing on her head. She was afraid of what she would do to him. The only human she wasn't afraid around and suddenly, she ruined herself of that. She was dangerous. That's what the issue was.

"Blaze... I think I'm in trouble." She whispered to herself as she notices him slowly manage to sit up and she immediately backed away until her back was against the motorcycle, trembling and clenching her fists against her tightly.

"Miranda... let me help you." He said which made her eyes widen.

Why? Why was he still willing to help her? She just tried to kill him and probably would have and yet the first thing he does is offer her help. She immediately shakes her head.

"No!" She yelled. "I almost killed you." She said softer now, her voice cracking a little.

"You're just not feeling well. But we can figure it out." He said.

Something inside of her snapped and her eyes immediately glared at him.

"No. I'm fine. You however, you're going to need help" She spat out suddenly, slowly climbing to her feet and he frowns.

"What are you going to do, Miranda? Where will you go?" He asked.

"Away from here! Away from all of you!" She suddenly yelled at him and he simply crossed his arms.

"Sure. I'm sure you want to do that. Okay. Go right ahead." He said and looks at her.

Her eyes grow wide and her fists clench. He doesn't care after all. He doesnt care about her! That asshole lied to her this whole time!

"How dare you!?" She spat out.

"Hm?" He simply tilted his head.

"You lied to me! Made me believe you cared and now you're just going to let me be!?" She yelled at him.

"Ummm nooooo. I'm letting you go cause you just said and I quote 'away from here. Away from all of you.' So go right ahead. If it'll make you happy."

Something inside of her completely just broke. Her heart. She was wounded. So very wounded at what he had just said. He didn't even acknowledge his lack of care for her.

"Why do you not care about me!? I trusted you! Confided in you my deepest secrets and you don't even care about me!" She yelled at him.

She immediately stepped back as she watched him approach but her motorcycle was preventing her from moving any farther back. She was about to go around it but he suddenly grabbed her wrist and her eyes widen, fear exploding inside of her and she screamed, immediately trying to get away from his hold but he always was stronger physically and she couldn't concentrate to use her psychic. She wanted to scream for help. She wants to escape. She was terrified.

"Don't do anything to me! Please!" She begged and tried to get away but he just wouldn't let go and she forced herself to look at him with her hardest glare but he simply looked at her blankly.

She was going to die. She was going to die alone on an abandoned street. No. She couldn't! But she was getting dizzy.

Her eyes slowly grew weak and she suddenly collapsed but Blaze caught her. She had passed out. She was so scared that her body shut down to save her. He gently lifts her up and looks at Alakazam.

"Take her back. I'll bring her stuff and Espeon back." He said and Alakazam gently got her before teleporting away.

'You knew this would happen. You knew that if you scared her enough, she would snap and pass out.' Espeon said and he nodded as he climbed onto her bike and Espeon climbs onto his shoulder and curled up around his neck.

'Yep. There was no way she would return willingly without a lot more persuasion and I just don't think she could take it.' He thought as he turned on her motorcycle.

'Not in her current state.' Espeon confirmed.

'Exactly. Let's talk to her once she's had some time to relax.' He thought as he took off driving.

'Easier said than done.' Espeon said with a sigh and he nodded.

'True. But a clear mind is a focused mind.' He said.

'Alright heavenly messiah. Let's see what you come up with.' She said and Blaze chuckled as they drove back to the tower.

Two Days Later.

Miranda's eyes slowly fluttered open and she groans a little, the sunlight flashing through her window. She tried to sit up and winced, holding her head a little as she rubs it and looks around. Where was she? Her bed, a nightstand, her suitcase. She was back in her room. Great.

She took a deep breath before freezing as she heard voices outside the room. But they weren't voices she recognized. Her heart started beating faster and her breathing grew faster, looking around desperately in the room when she stopped as the door knob to her room slowly began to turn. She always locked her door. How could she forget this time?

She climbed to her feet and tried to control her breathing, slowly approaching the door as it opens. She held her breath and as soon as she saw the shadow of someone, she immediately got out of hiding and slammed her fist towards the persons face only for him to catch it.

"Miranda! Relax! Just me!" Blaze quickly said and her eyes widen and she immediately pulled back, looking away towards the ground.

"Sorry." She mumbled.

"It's okay. Glad to see you're back to being yourself. Here." He said and handed her some bacon and eggs with biscuits and she looked at it, her stomach growling.

She silently accepted it before walking past him and noticing that nobody was there. He must have been talking with his Pokémon and she just accidentally read their minds. She set it on the table and he handed her orange juice which she accepted.

"Where is everyone?" She asked as she starts to eat.

"Watching the second round to see who moves on to the third." He replied and sits next to her.

"Then why are you here? I thought you didn't care about-... did you say round two?" She asked.

"Yea. You were out for two days. Which answers your question about why you're so hungry. And I do care about you." He said and she looked at him, her eyes glowing red for a moment before she goes back to eating.

"Then why did you do that to me? I was terrifed." She said, poking at her food, avoiding his eyes.

"I needed to get you back here somehow. Kicking and screaming would attract attention. So you passed out and Alakazam took you here." He said and she frowns before sniffing.

"You smell bad." She said and he chuckles.

"That's not me. That's you." He said and she looks at him before touching her hair and resisting the urge to gag the food she was eating. She hadn't gotten out of bed for two days.

"Ummm..." She started, her face slowly flushing red. "the umm... the bathroom..." she muttered and he laughs which made her flare up red in embarrassment.

"Relax. Apparently you've been holding it in while you slept. So I recommend eating and then... brushing your teeth, showering, and using your other business." He said and she nods, her hair hiding her face as she ate.

The voices she was hearing, the uncertainty, the fear, the uncomfortable terror inside of her. It was all gone. She was comfortable around him again and she thanked Arceus for that. She didn't know what she did to have this life. She didn't know anything anymore.

"The voices are gone." She muttered and he looked at her.

"What voices?" He raised an eyebrow and she stared at her food.

"I'm not well. I... I thought I would be okay but... I'm not. I'm hearing things. I was terrified of you. I trust you above everyone else and I felt like I would die from how afraid I was. I was angry at you and... jealous of Cynthia. I fought with a voice in my head." She admitted.

"Why are you jealous? What did it say?" He asked her and she couldn't help but feel warm at his concern.

He did still care. It wasn't just empty words.

"I just... I was jealous that you didn't take my side and instead chose to side with her. I felt so betrayed. So very angry. Jealous. So many different emotions. But I realize now that you both simply wish to help me. But I don't want her help. I'm not comfortable with her like I am you. I'm on edge when you aren't in the room. So I refuse." She said as she finished eating and stood up.

"Are you sure? Just me won't be easy." He said and she looks at him before doing something Blaze has almost never seen her do.

Miranda smiled at Blaze. A genuine smile that he wasn't sure he would see ever again.

"I trust you." Was all she said before walking to her room, leaving Blaze frowning.

I trust you. God those words meant the world to him coming from her but they revolved around such an extreme case. She was putting all her faith in his basket and he was afraid that he wouldn't be able to save her. She needed professional help. But who did he call? Who would you confide in when you're literally afraid of everyone.

He decided that he needed some external opinions. He stood up and walked to her bathroom, knocking.

"I'm heading out for a bit. Make sure to lock up." He said and Miranda simply said okay which made him nod before walking out of the room.

Inside The Stadium.

Blaze knew that if there were was someone he could trust with this, it was Cynthia. He turned a corner and noticed Cynthia sitting on a bench, chatting away with Ash. Someone he's seen her with quite a lot since the tournament started.

"Well don't you two look cozy? When's the wedding? I want to make sure to mark my plus one and have my 'how we spend our nights' toast ready." He teased as he approached but Cynthia turned to face him and shot back.

"I don't think people want to hear how you and Miranda sleep together in MY toast." She said.

"Oof! That's painful. Especially since you joined in once. You telling me all of it was fake? Every sound?" He covered his mouth and fake gasped. "I've said too much."

Ash laughed and shook his head.

"You two. Wow. Blaze, I'm sure you didn't come here to throw banter back and forth." He said and Blaze shook his head.

"Absolutely right. It's about Miranda." He said and since his joking tone was gone, they both looked at him intently at the sound of her name.

"She woke up from her Anxiety attack?" Cynthia asked and Blaze nodded.

"She seems to be back to normal. But I don't know how long that'll last." He said.

"Judging from the story, anxiety attack is putting it simple. From what I heard, you put the fear of Arceus into that poor woman. So we should call it terror attack. But, on a more serious note, you clearly came to us cause you need advice. On what?" Ash asked.

"She admitted to needing help. I tried convincing her to accept more help but she just said that she trusted me. The problem is, I don't trust myself with a responsibility that big. So I want to get her professional help but..."

"You don't know who to trust with something this big." Ash confirmed and Blaze nods.

"I was hoping maybe you guys might have an idea." He said and scratched his head.

"Wow, you really don't feel comfortable asking for help." Ash said with a grin.

"Bite me, child." Blaze simply said and Ash pouts.

"Hello? Serious issue at hand." Cynthia interjected and they both stop.

"Right. I can make a few calls to some friends. See if Brock knows anyone too. I'll contact Cynthia and Cynthia can let you know." Ash said and Cynthia nods.

"Yea, that can work. I'll keep a lookout as well. For now, I recommend finding some medication she can take for when she needs it. Monitor her. Do not let her overdo it." Cynthia said seriously and Blaze nods.

"I know what I'm doing to that extent. Keep me posted." He said and and they nod and he walks off.

"You think she'll be fine?" Ash asked.

"Miranda is tough. Really tough. Trust me. She'll pull through. I have no doubt in my mind." Cynthia said in thought before talking again. "And seriously with the banter? How old are you two? 12?"

"You don't understand love." Ash said, shaking his head and Cynthia looks at him completely blank faced.

"Look who's talking." She said and he looked at her confused.

"What do you mean?" He asked and she couldn't help but laugh and push him.

"Nothing at all. Come on. The next match should be starting soon." She said and stood up, Ash joining her with a frown.

Nearest Hospital

Blaze had swung by the tower and convinced Miranda to go to a hospital and then hopped on Charizard with her. He took them to the nearest hospital before Blaze hopped off of Charizard and pet his starter as he tries to get Miranda off who didn't look comfortable at all.

"Wait here my dear friend." Blaze said and Charizard nods, watching as Blaze gently pulls a terrifed Miranda into the hospital.

Once inside, she basically clung to him and pressed up to his back, shrinking as much as possible and closed her eyes and he frowns. He leads her to a front desk and he looked at the receptionist.

"Hi there." He said and she looks up.

"Oh. Hello. Do you have an appointment with us today?" She asked and he shook his head.

"No. I'm looking for medication that can help my friend here." He said, signaling to the terrified woman behind him and the receptionist frowned.

"What's wrong?" She asked.

"She's afraid of humans. I seem to be the only exception. I realize that you normally need a doctor to prescribe medication as he or she sees fit depending on the person but we can't really wait that long. She's getting worse every day." He said and the receptionist looked back at Miranda who cowered further back, her heart pounding in her chest at being close to so many people and her hands were sweating.

It was gross but she couldn't really care at the moment. She was too busy trying her hardest not to have an anxiety attack or just, pass out in general. So far it was working but she was so uncomfortable.

"Blaze. Please let's just leave and do this over the phone." She said softly, shifting closer and clinging to him as her eyes look around the white hospital, people staring at her weirdly, all the sounds, phones, people talking, papers shuffling.

She was going insane and she was so scared. So very scared.

"In a minute." He said softly and she frowned, watching him go back to talking with the receptionist.

She slowly let go of Blaze and her heart rate sky rocketed as she slowly backs away, trying to reach the exit when someone accidentally bumps into her and she let out an ear piercing scream, immediately stumbling away from the man only to bump into someone else, her eyes wide as she turns every direction, her heart rate blowing up as her terror takes her over, eyes all looking in her direction and she suddenly feels dizzy, stumbling as her breathing comes out quickly, turning and turning at all the faces looking at her confused and she suddenly collapsed to her knees, covering her ears and screaming in fear, trembling like crazy as she snaps her eyes shut, tears slowly spilling from her eyes.

"Get away from me!" She yelled before bursting out crying, clinging to her head tightly and keeping her eyes closed, refusing to open them for anything.

She felt two hands touch her and she opened her eyes in pure fear, snapping her head to the source before letting out a sob of relief as she noticed it was Blaze and not some random stranger.

"Okay. Okay, let's head back." He said sadly and scoops her up, Miranda clinging to him like a life line, Blaze apologizing as he walks out of the hospital.

"Please don't leave me." She whimpered. "Please. I'm sorry." She buries her face into his chest before crying more and he sighs.

Charizard noticed the two returning and looks at him quizzically.

"Guess it didn't work, bud." He said and Charizard simply blows smoke from his nose and leans down, allowing Blaze and Miranda to climb on.

"I'm trying." She said softly and closes her eyes as Charizard takes off into the skies.

"I know. Nobody is saying you aren't. It's just proving to be hard." He said and she frowns and hugs his waist.

"I didn't mean to put so much pressure on you. Making you the only person I get along with." She said. "It wasn't by choice."

"I know. You're okay. It's okay." He said and felt her shake her head.

"No, I'm not. I'm not okay. You know this so stop lying to me. Please at least have the decency to tell me the truth when it comes to my condition. There is no cure." She mumbled and Blaze frowned.

"Stop being such a pessimist. It'll all work out in the end and I will make sure of that." He said roughly which made her frown.

"How can you know that? You are being too optimistic. At least be a realist. There is a solid chance that I won't be fixed! I might die never knowing what it feels like to be able to walk the street and smile at people! I have fans! People I'm AFRAID of and can't interact with. It's killing me! I might never find love! I have never had that chance because I have always been horrifed by the concept!" She said and Blaze could hear the pain in her voice and he narrowed his eyes before suddenly forcing Charizard to make a sharp turn.

Miranda screamed in surprise and clung to him.

"What are you doing!?" She yelled over the wind but he stayed silent, whispering something to his Charizard who nodded and dove down before flapping his wings and taking off.

"Blaze stop!" She pleaded but her pleas fell on deaf ears.

She noticed Charizard landing in the forest and Blaze hopped off, Miranda completely confused as Blaze took out Alakazam and teleported away.

"Hey!" She yelled and immediately hopped off Charizard who stepped in front of her.

'Wait here.' His deep voice said and she frowned.

"I wasn't reading your mind. Now I am though. What did you say?" She asked.

'I said to wait here. This is important.' His deep voice rumbled and she froze.

She was surprised by his tone. It was so deep and rough. She knew it was going to be deep but that was ridiculous.

"What's so important?" She asked and he stayed silent which made her frown.

Blaze teleported back and returned Alakazam to the ball before climbing Charizard.

"Come on." He said and she frowns but climbs on.

Back At The Plateau

Charizard landed in front of a building and Miranda felt her stomach twist. There was a long line stretching from the building all the way outside and around the block. She frowned as he led her inside and she immediately froze before turning around only for Blaze to stop her. There were camera men and women everywhere.

"What is this?" She asked him and he sighs.

"We may not be able to get rid of your fear. But you want this. You want to be able to interact with the people who follow you. You clearly care about them. So show them. And I will be right here with you the ENTIRE process." He said and Miranda looked at him horrified.

"Blaze... no. I can't. I... I can't do that. I don't know!" She said loudly and he smiles at her.

"I will be right with you." He said and she looked around before looking at him.

She wanted this. She did. It was just so hard. But nothing ventured, nothing gained. She swallowed hard and Blaze lead her to the podium, people immediately seeing her and cheering loudly and Camera's immediately started rolling. She stood in front of the podium and her eyes looked over everyone as they quieted down.

She gripped her hands tightly to the podium and took a deep breath.

"Hi." She said weakly and immediately cleared her throat. "Hi." She said with a more clear voice.

Blaze watched her silently, watching as her eyes move to him for a second before moving back to the crowd.

"Just going... to uummm... clear the air... and explain why I have been avoiding everyone... here today." She said and her eyes fluttered as she felt the camera flashes hitting her.

She looked over at everyone before frowning, her heart rate increasing like crazy.

"Ummm... I... ermmm... okay... here goes... I've been avoiding everyone because I have Anthropophobia. Anthrophobia. For those who don't know, Anthropophobia means a fear of humans." She said, murmurs immediately rising up and she looks around.

She frowns sadly and tries to talk.

"Please lower your voice." She said softly but the murmurs grew louder and she tried again but no dice.

"Hey! Zip it!" Blaze yelled out which made her jump in fear and everyone to quiet down, camera's still clicking.

"Thank you." clears her throat. "Okay... look. It's a real phobia and I've got it bad. Okay? I am suffering every day to walk down the street because I nearly have a heart attack." She said before looking at Blaze and signaling him forward.

That confused everyone but she ignored that.

"This is Blaze. He's the only human I can remain comfortable around. Without him here, we aren't having this conversation. He's my lifeline. My sanity. Some view him as my crutch. Fine. He's my crutch. I need him otherwise I go crazy. There's nothing wrong with that. I want to love each and every one of you but it's too hard for me. It's hard for me to interact and I'm surprised it works right now." She said with a sigh.

They look at her with sympathy in their eyes and she frowns a little.

"But I'm managing. I know you want to hear from me and be my friend and be noticed but... it's too hard and you guys smothering me in the streets and not letting me breathe, it scares me. Gives me anxiety attacks and I just can't deal. Yet I'm here... trying my hardest to interact with you even though everything inside of me is telling me to run. Run and sprint the opposite direction. Get away from all of you." She said and shuddered out a breath.

She was doing this and she hadn't passed out... yet. She wasn't sure how long she could last.

"Here I am... willing and ready to get to know all of you." She said, her arms starting to tremble and she takes a deeper breath. "It will just... take me a while to get comfortable. Maybe longer than any of you would like. But if you could please have the patience and respect towards me while I fight this, it would mean the world to me. Please." She said.

They spoke quietly and she began to wonder if this was a good idea until someone stepped forward.

"We will always give you the respect you deserve. You can fight this." The young man said and shouts or murmers of agreement began to fill the room and she found herself smiling.

"Thank you. What's your name?" She asked and Blaze looked at her surprised.

"Liam." He said and she nodded.

She was right. The longer she did this, the easier it was getting. It definitely wasn't as easy as that but maybe... just maybe, she could finally interact with them.

"I want to get to know a little bit about all of you so is it possible to maybe just grab an extra mic and everyone can get into a line around the room? See if we can fit everyone in. Then when someone speaks, they move to the side and let someone elze come forward." She said and looked at Blaze who nodded.

"I think we can do that." He said and nodded at someone in the back.

He got a microphone and the teen known as Liam accepted it from Blaze and stepped forward a little. She was still far too afraid to do meet and greets and signings so this would work out just well.

"You said your name was Liam. Mine is Miranda. It's nice to meet you. I'm 22 years old and I like drawing and singing. I love classical music. I was born in Blackthorne in Johto. My favorite food is bacon and eggs with a biscuit or two in bed which is how it was for most of my life when I was younger due to being too afraid to leave my room. Now tell me some about you. Just some small info like I gave you." She said and he nods.

Miranda spent a long time up there. Thankfully, they had chairs so she ended up sitting down and getting to know everyone there a little. She was afraid. Yes. Almost basically horrifed at sitting in front of so many people but she slowly was getting used to it. It was so strange. Feeling somewhat comfortable around people she didn't know as much as others. It felt good.

Late At Night Back In The Tower

Charizard landed with a soft thud in front of the tower, Blaze and Miranda hopping off of him and Blaze pet him before returning him.

"How do you feel?" He asked and she sighed.

"It felt good. Finally doing something I never once saw myself doing. It felt terrifying. Thought I would pass out... but good." She said and smiled and he chuckles and nods as he walks into the tower, leading them to their room and once they walk in, Cynthia was sitting at the table, looking at them.

"Have a good time?" She asked and Miranda shrugged.

"It was alright." Blaze said.

"Not going to give me details?" She asked.

"Well, I guess not." He replied.

"She seems to be alright. Somewhat so whatever you did, it helped." Cynthia said and smiled.

It did help but Miranda still closed herself off from everyone. It was not going to be easy. It wasn't going to take just one day. It would take a lot.

"What did we miss?" He asked her.

"Round one and two are done. Ash's friends all made it through. They are very excited to be able to face us now. And as expected, a lot of tough trainers are moving on to round three. The rankings of how tough an opponent is comes up tomorrow along with the next battles. Odds are we wont be ranked till round six." She said.

"Maybe we might. Never know." He said and smiles as he walks to his room, Miranda having long gone.

So Miranda made progress. It wasn't much progress but it was still progress. Perhaps there was hope for the girl after all.

Next Day

Cynthia walked with her elite to the Pokémon Center where most of the trainers seemed to be. The rankings were up and she wanted to see who she should watch out for. She reached the rankings and her eyes widen in surprise. Sitting at number one was her. She was the most difficult opponent.

Standing at number two was Miranda who didn't seem to show even the slightest hint of caring. Although she did wonder how these rankings were decided. Number three was Lance which wasn't very surprising but it was still surprising considering he hasn't fought either. Misty was ranked four and Cynthia wasn't too surprised.

She has watched Misty fight and she was no slouch. Especially in this tournament. Max was standing at five and again, he's made it to round three after destroying his other opponents so she wasn't surprised. Brock was ranked at six but the rest were people she didn't know besides Alder and Steven. Miranda however recognized number nine. Liam. He had said he was in the tournament but Miranda wasn't expecting so high.

Another thing both Miranda and Cynthia were surprised with was that Blaze wasn't top ten. Although Cynthia already knew that once they see him battle, they will place him top four easy. Phyllip and Charlie weren't top 10 either but they were top 20. Overall, they were ranked fairly high considering how many people there still are.

Yes. Her main worries will most likely be her own Elites and maybe Lance. She knew she could beat Alder. Steven was very powerful as well. But he would undoubtedly fall along with the rest. She checked the matches before blinking and tapping Miranda who flinched and jumped in fear and surprise and Cynthia felt bad for the woman.

She had accidentally scared her. She signaled to the tournament ladder and Miranda looked over at it before nodding. She had a match in a few minutes against some no name Irrelevant who she would probably make her bitch during the match.

She walks away without another word and Cynthia blinked in surprise. She had to watch this. She hurried over to the stadium, people still filling in and her Elites following as well.

Miranda was nowhere to be seen but she was in the waiting room. She was as stoic as ever. She was completely calm, ready to take down this no name. As the trainers were called, they both walked out but Miranda refused to meet in the center.

"Round three of the Master League. This is a battle between Donovan Kyle of Twinleaf Town and Miranda Ruby of Cerulean City. This will be a three on three battle. Substitutions allowed. Form changes allowed. The spinner will decide who will send out their Pokémon first and have the first move." The Ref said.

"Hey, baby! Whenever I beat you, go ahead and help me carry home that trophy and maybe spend the night!" He yelled with a wink but Miranda simply stayed silent.

They called out the match between the two and the wheel began to spin to see who would go first. It landed on Green and Miranda wordlessly pulled out a Pokeball.

"Metagross." She said and tossed it, a massive white and gold metagross appearing and screaming out its name, kicking up wind as it did.

Up in the VIP box, Cynthia crossed her arms and leaned back.

"That poor boy. I didn't think she would pull out Metagross so early." She mused and the Champions looked at her confused but she just shook her head. "Just watch."

Donovan grinned and pulled out a Pokeball, throwing it and Magmortar materialized in front of the somewhat bulky man.

"Metagross vs Magmortar. Battle one, begin!" He yelled.

As soon as he did, Magmortar was surrounded by a blue outline and suddenly lifted before being thrown at high speeds to the wall, crashing right into it only to kick up a bunch of dust. In an instant, blue energy immediately surrounded Metagross, his two front legs snapping together and he took off in a blur, blue energy trailing behind him as he twirled quickly before crashing into the Magmortar through the dust cloud, more darker smoke being released as he blurred back to Miranda's side, her gaze completely blank as her eyes flashed red for a moment and Metagross flashed blue.

The smoke finally cleared and Magmortar was completely shoved into the wall, completely knocked out after only two hits and murmurs filled the stadium as Donovan fumbled for his Pokeball, finding it and wordlessly returning his strongest fire type.

VIP Box

"Psychic immediately followed by Meteor Mash. Just two moves and Magmortar was down. The level difference between the two was far too great." Steven said.

"That's Miranda for you. No mercy." Cynthia said.

"We'll see how she does. She outranks me for some reason and I would like to know." Lance said.

Battlefield

"Perfect." She said in a monotone voice but Metagross already received psychic praise so it didn't affect him.

"Tch! Not over yet!" He yelled and threw out another Pokeball, an Infernape materializing and flexing before grinning over at the Metagross.

"Battle two. Infernape vs Metagross. Begin!" The ref yelled.

"Mach Punch!" Donovan yelled and Infernape blurred forward.

"Bullet Punch." She said calmly and Metagross met Infernape first, sending a barrage of punches, sending Infernape tumbling back in pain. "Psychic and finish with Earthquake."

"Meta!" He yelled and his eyes glowed blue, lifting Infernape into the sky only to shove him down violently back into the earth as if he used dig only for him to explode from the ground as Metagross fired off earthquake, the ground shaking and cracking before Infernape lands weakly, knocked out.

"What!?" Donovan yelled as Infernape was pronounced defeated but sighed and returned his starter.

VIP Box"Weren't kidding about that whole no mercy thing." Ash mused.

"No kidding. Poor guy just got bad luck in having her as an opponent." Cynthia said.

"I'm still not convinced." Lance said.

"Denial is the first stage." Steven said.

Battlefield

Donovan had sent out Umbreon this time but Miranda showed no signs of switching. Metagross suddenly blurred forward once the final match was called and landed several punches on Umbreon, making it skid back in pain.

"Dark Pulse!" Donovan yelled and swirling dark purple energy flew out of Umbreons mouth, heading towards Metagross who blurred to the side and dodged.

"Wrap this up. Brick Break and Hammer Arm." She said calmly and Metagross blurred forward, both arms glowing white and Umbreon flinched from the speed, Metagross spinning suddenly and clashing both attacks on Umbreon, sending it soaring into the wall, crashing causing smoke to kick up once more as Donovan called out in worry.

Metagross returned to her side and she simply waits, the smoke clearing to reveal a battered and fainted Umbreon and Donovan looked at his Umbreon silently before returning him. Miranda returned Metagross without a word.

"Perhaps I'll be the one carrying the trophy home. And I'm not your baby." She said flatly and walked away from the stadium as she was pronounced the winner.

She got out before feeling a strong arm fling around her shoulder and pull her close which made her face slightly heat up.

"Awesome job. Metagross has gotten stronger since we last fought." Blaze said and she mumbled a thanks, hiding her red face.

She was used to receiving congrats from Blaze and she was used to being close to him. So why did she feel so nervous? She pushed it back and simply smiled a little.

"Can we get out of here? Head to the Pokémon Center then just get on my bike and find a place to eat maybe or something." She asked and he nods.

"Yea sure. Sounds fun. My match isn't until later anyway." He said and she felt herself get much happier about that than she should have and she nods, staying close to him as they head to the center to heal up as she fixes her button up shirt collar that Blaze had messed up.

A/N: Like was stated at the top, I'll give some characters the spotlight for a chapter most likely before reverting to the main story. Reason I'm doing this is to build their character and give a deeper look into their thoughts and how they feel. Next chapter, Cynthia will finally get to battle so you'll finally see just how much she's improved. I also made Miranda sweep the guy because she's among the strongest trainers there so beating someone from round three is like a practice session for her.

Since she doesn't get along with people, having her silent for most of the match seemed like the way to go. Anyway, I'm having a blast with this! Have a good day/night and I'll see you next chapter!