Secrets of the Night

DISCLAIMER: I Do NOT own Pokemon!

Chapter 51: Entrusting Loyalty

Warning: Heavy Hurt/Comfort Genre. Family fluff here and there. You have been warned. xD

The funeral lasted for days, at least it felt like it did for a small boy who suddenly found himself without a mother nor a father.

He had woken up in a hospital bed after the incident, thinking that he simply had another episode. His mind was a blurry vortex of scattered facts and images. Failing to piece together the prior events, he panned the white-walled room that smelled of antiseptic. Neo wasn't scared of hospitals. He was far used to them, but he couldn't help but wonder where his mother and father were. They usually stayed beside him. Even Gremio was not around.

The doorknob clicked and a familiar individual stepped inside. Neo's face lit up as he leaned forward to meet him, but Gremio was quick to rush to his bed and lay the young boy back onto the stark-white linens. Neo complied and settled back down, only to meet the melancholic gaze of his caretaker. He recalled Gremio took a short vacation, under orders from his father. Since he was there now, Neo assumed he was unconscious long enough that the said vacation was over. Vacation? Didn't he and his parents went on a vacation? An outing on the yacht?

"Young master..." Gremio drew his attention, cutting in on his thoughts. "How do you feel?"

Neo blinked. Gremio's tone was more concerned than usual. He guessed his latest breakdown was worse than he initially thought. "I'm fine."

"Good." Gremio gave a solemn nod and took a deep breath before he continued. "Did you sleep well?"

Neo paused to think. He did sleep well, as far as he could tell. It was more like a dreamless sleep but that was a good thing, he thought. Neo bobbed his head, wondering why Gremio was using some kind of delaying tactic. He was six but he knew the man well enough to know if he was hiding something. Plus, his father had taught him well about being perceptive. It was a need when training ghost pokemon. "How long was I out this time? Where are my parents?"

"You were unconscious for two days at least," Gremio replied.

Neo tried to process it. Two days wasn't enough for Gremio to finish his vacation. Then again, he would have ended it as soon as he heard Neo had collapsed. He was very protective and much of a worry-wart. Suddenly, the child felt troubled. Gremio didn't answer the second question. Neo looked up at the Takamoto family butler and met his gaze, a sinking feeling settled in his chest. He clutched the sheets anxiously and asked again, "Where is mommy and daddy?"

"Young master, what do you remember?" Gremio didn't answer yet again and instead replied with a question.

Neo looked down and started piecing the events again. It took a while but his head grew clearer. Vacation. The yacht. Water. Dinner. Broken glass. Fire. Screams. Blood. The memory hit him hard. He suddenly cried out in anguish as he clasped his arms. Where were his parents? Were they alive?

Gremio quickly held his trembling form securely in his arms and frantically called out to the nurses and doctors in the hall. Neo could barely hear them scrambled in as he muttered incoherently, wanting badly to know what had become of his mother and father. "Momm... Daa...aaad.."

Everyone was a mess of blurry white running to and fro before him. The strong hold around him disappeared and was replaced by hands of strangers. Still muttering his parent's whereabouts, he singled out the black shade of Gremio's tailored suit in the sea of white, slowly being swallowed up and disappearing from his sight. The world stood still and silent. The dreaded possibility that filled his thoughts suffocated him. He didn't want to believe it. Slowly succumbing to the darkness, he curled himself into a ball, hoping to wake up from the nightmare.

The gray atmosphere settled thickly in the outskirts of Lavender Town. There was no rain, no thunder, just darker shades of the usual clouds that loomed over the somber landscape.

Neo felt hollow in the midst of it all. He wore his best clothes, beneath a thick coat to ward the cold winds during the ceremony, but it didn't do a thing to warm his heart. He was completely drained of it all, leaving but a shell of a once brightly smiling child.

Silently and without emotion, he stood before the two erected tombstones and placed a rose on each of them. There were many He didn't dare look long at the words engraved on grey stone. He merely caught a glimpse of 'a loving mother' and 'a caring father' and felt the tears well up in his eyes. He wanted to speak, to say a few words to his parents but his voice was caught in his throat. So instead, he stepped back and let the words of the priest linger in the background.

Many people attended and extended their condolences, saying how sorry they were and how his parents were great people. But it didn't mean anything to Neo. They were strangers just reminding him over and over that his parents were gone. Gone. Never to return. Never to come back.

Sensing his charge's distress, Gremio escorted him back to his room before he went back down and catered to the rest of the guests. He didn't want to leave Neo at that time but there were too many things to handle, especially with the affairs of the estate left to a newly orphaned traumatized six-year old. Gremio knew they had a battle ahead of them, but it was one he vowed not to lose, for his young master's sake as well as for his late former one's.

Inside the large manor, beyond the empty halls and quiet corridors, Neo sat at the head of his bed, legs tucked and arms wrapped around them as he sobbed. Arana and Nero stayed and kept him company on the bed. With the Litwick's light and the Gastly's familiar voice, they did their best to lighten his spirits but as expected, it was a futile attempt. Neo was too far into despair.

"They're... gone," he choked out, repeating the words that Gremio used to confirm the horrific event to him. Those two words had instantly shattered all hope that he held. He saw what happened but for someone to tell him it was all true, it only drove the icy dagger deeper into his chest. "Gone..."

"Is he waking up?" Chase's voice echoed in the deep void.

A tender hand brushed against his forehead as a refreshing scent filled the air. He felt the tenseness of his body relax.

"It's one of my best herbal incense. It'll help. Let us simply give him time to awaken on his own." It was another voice, female. Familiar, but he couldn't put a finger on it.

Wondering the second voice's identity, Neo fluttered his eyes open and was met by the glistening green canopy above. He raised a hand reflexively and blocked away the bright sunlight from his eyes. A shadow appeared in his field of vision and helped shield him from the rays.

"Neo, do you want to drink?" Chase asked from somewhere on his right as more and more figures loomed over him.

Neo moaned his reply and struggled to sit up. An arm slid behind him and gave him support, allowing him to accomplish the feat. Neo took a moment to scan his surroundings and recall the events. He found himself still in the gym and lying on the back of a Tropius. He didn't stay blacked out for too long to require a hospital, it seemed. Chase was crouching down on the grass and next to him was a brown-haired woman whom he recognized as Daphne, the Celadon City gym leader. He shifted his head to the other side and saw Gertrud, Kashu and... "Gremio?"

The ever dependable butler nodded as he continued to kneel on one knee. He withdrew his hold around the teen and motioned to Chase to hand him the bottled medicine. Chase held it out. And Gremio reached over and uncapped the top before extending it to Neo whose hands were slightly shaking. Wordlessly, Gremio inched closer and held it to his lips while keeping an arm on his young charge's back to help steady him.

Neo exhaled deeply after taking a couple of sips. He took another few minutes for him to recompose himself before addressing the situation. Turning to Gremio, he merely met his gaze and the elder man dutifully stood up and answered the unspoken questions.

"You were unconscious for forty minutes," Gremio began, glancing at his silver watch for confirmation. "The symptoms weren't as severe and given Miss Willow's expertise in herbs, we made the decision to treat you here for the time-being." He cast a grateful look at the Celadon City gym leader, who smiled back, before facing his charge once again. "If you did remain unconscious for a whole hour, then we would have taken you to the nearest hospital. Fortunately, it didn't come to that..." Neo nodded at that and continued to stare at Gremio. "And as for my presence, I was already in the area after the investor's meeting in Silph Co. I was standing outside the gym, waiting till your battle had ended but then I heard yelling coming from the inside so I rushed in to check on you."

"I see..." Neo trailed off, slowly digesting the recap of events.

"So uhm... Neo?" Chase's voice drew the raven-haired teen's attention. "I hate to butt in but... Should we call it a day? We can postpone the battle tomorrow," he suggested, fearing that his friend was in no condition to continue.

"I second that!" Gertrud chipped in as well as Kashu, both had worried looks across their faces.

"It is alright with me," Daphne added encouragingly.

"No."

All of them turned their heads at Neo, completely caught off guard by his reply. Everyone, but Gremio, that is. Sighing in exasperation, he hoped that he could change his mind. "Young master..."

"No," Neo repeated more firmly and squeezed Gremio's sleeve. He locked eyes with the elder man and waited for his approval.

With another five years taken off his life, Gremio let out a breath of surrender and turned to Daphne. "Miss Willows, I apologize for my charge's stubbornness, but I ask that you heed his request."

The Celadon City gym leader took a moment to decide but gave in as well. She was not one to yield easily but she admired her current challenger's determination. "Very well," She replied, getting up and motioning the breeder/referee girl to take care of the pokemon. "We start fresh, but I suggest that we do a single round. Perhaps, a double-battle would suffice?"

Neo nodded in agreement. Although he wanted the full-on battle, he knew better than to look a gift Ponyta in the mouth.

Gremio bobbed his head in gratefulness before addressing Neo's silver-haired friend, Chase. "Sir Graceland, can I ask you to take the young master's pokemon? I need to have a word with him."

Chase froze momentarily at the honorific. It still needed time to get used to. But he complied nonetheless, ushering Gertrud and Kashu as well as taking the rest of Neo's pokemon with him. He then followed after the breeder girl to where they could heal the pokemon.

Halfway across the field, he glanced back and saw Neo sitting up, attempting to get off the Tropius but Gremio smoothly scooped him off and allowed the green and brown dino to leave. Chase chuckled quietly as he watched his friend squirm in the elder man's arms but stopped immediately when Gremio shot Neo a disapproving glare. Not wanting to be on the receiving end of that as well, he hurried off, Kashu and Gertrud trailing behind.

"Honestly young master, you're acting like a child with a tantrum." Gremio set the young Takamoto heir back on the ground, making sure he was steady on his feet before allowing space between them. He then eyed Neo from head to toe, noting anything that may pose a reason to worry.

Neo caught his gaze and straightened himself more properly. "I'm alright."

A moment of silence settled between the two.

"Anything to report?" Neo inquired, his tone was quiet but it grew in seriousness.

"I have encountered the said individual," Gremio began, observing his charge's growing anxiousness. "He was much younger than I initially anticipated, however, I deem he isn't to be underestimated. He is from Semira, mostly likely from the sector of assassins."

Neo took in the information as calmly as possible, refusing to comment until Gremio had finished. So far, his suspicions were confirmed, much to his displeasure. With a slight bob of his head, he signaled Gremio to continue.

"I found him late last night but I did not engage him."

This startled Neo slightly. Did Gremio let him go? Did the shady individual escape? Just what exactly had gone through between the stalker/assassin and his (seemingly) faithful butler? He was unsure how he felt about it all. Part of him was worried about Gremio. If he fought off the assassin, would he win? He'd never seen him in full action before so he couldn't exactly say. The rest, he wondered if Gremio had let him off on purpose. Could it mean he sided with the people who killed his parents instead siding with him? No, it couldn't be. He trusted Gremio to know it wasn't like that.

Gremio noted the wariness of his sole charge and continued. "For the time-being, he is not a threat. He may trained as an assassin, but his mission was not of one. He was merely assigned to trail you for reasons I have yet to uncover," he informed, easing Neo's suspicions just a bit. "If he was, then there would be no need for me to inform you of the details. I would simply say that the matter is resolved." His tone caught Neo by surprise but the boy masked it well. With a deep breath, Gremio returned to his more relaxed demeanor. "So for now, I will continue to assign my Fletchinder as surveillance. You and Sir Graceland should continue on as you were before and do not seek him out."

Neo hesitantly nodded. So they were just going to leave an assassin alone in order to trail them like a stalker? He thought it over and concluded that they had little choice. Gremio had addressed the matter as best as he could, possibly and his emphasis on 'not to seek him out' was clear and well-placed.

"And another thing, you master..." Gremio interrupted, drawing Neo's gaze back to him. He reached for the hilt of his sword, which had gone unnoticed by the teen until now, and unfastened the prismatic sphere that rested on the tip. "You mentioned something about Mega Evolutions, correct?"

Neo nodded, anxiously staring at the familiar round object that Gremio now held in his hand. It was the same one that Blaze had. Did that mean? "Is that a Key Stone?"

Gremio extended his hand and Neo did the same, only palm facing up. He then handed over the object and allowed Neo to examine it closely. "It has been mine for many years, even before you were born and I was still under your late father's service." He allowed a pause before continuing. "I used it many times to protect those whom I value the most. And I hoped that now it would do the same even if it isn't in my possession anymore."

Neo held his breath for a moment, attempting to swallow the meaning of Gremio's words. The Key Stone that he now held was filled with memories, some included the times his father was alive. It was not only an object of power but of great sentimental value. As the severity of the thought dawned him, he stretched out his hand again. "Gremio... I... I can't accept this."

Gremio's expression softened as he enclosed Neo's fingers around the glistening stone. "Keep it, please. I'll rest easier knowing that in someway, I'll be with you in your journey."

Neo felt tears threatening to fall from his eyes. He held them back as best as he could and took a deep breath. Putting away the sphere, he gazed up at Gremio. "I'll take care of it, I promise."

Gremio nodded in approval before shifting to another matter. "Did you have another bad dream? I'm referring to when you were unconscious."

Neo looked at him, visibly startled. "H-How...?"

"You were crying," the elder man answered simply, causing his charge to reach for his face and confirm the presence of tear tracks. "I told the others not to mention it and that I would handle the matter."

"I...I..." Neo tried to find the words. His heart rate quickened as his body trembled. But before he was on the verge of hyperventilating, his body suddenly relaxed as he was pulled into a comfortable embrace by the man he saw as his second father.

"Say no more... There is no need to." Gremio rubbed his back soothingly, relieved when he felt the young teen relaxed by the gesture. For a moment, he recalled the broken words Neo had muttered when he was unconscious. Gremio only picked up three words but he instantly understood the severity of the dream Neo was witnessing.

They stayed like that until the others had returned. Daphne, Chase and Gertrud didn't comment nor bring up the subject. Instead they went straight to the topic of the battle. Neo was grateful for that. He took back his team from Chase, plus Gertrud and readied himself for the battle. Gremio stayed due to his stubborn charge's insistence. The look on the boy's face reminded him too much of the little child he had worked so hard to return the smile to. Neo wanted him to watch. It was like a son wanting to make his father proud.

With everyone positioned in their respective places, the official gym announcer stepped up to the arena. "It will be a single round double-battle. The side with the only remaining pokemon will be declared the victor... Ready your pokemon!"

Daphne called forth her Shiftry and Tropius. "Nightshade, Palme, onward to battle."

Both huge and bulky pokemon appeared inside the arena and let out their respective battle cries.

Neo cast Gertrud a look, immediately making her face lit up as she leaped into the battlefield. With Blaze's Roserade in position, Neo sent out his second choice; a Chandelure that quickly materialized out of the burst of crimson light and hovered next to Gertrud. "Let's show them how it's done, Gertrud... Arana."

The two replied with eager voices, Gertrud's coming out as a mental one saying, "Gladly."

"Final round! BEGIN!"

"We'll take out the Shiftry first," Neo quickly informed them of the strategy, earning brief nods from both pokemon. "Arana, use Flamethrower. Gertrud, use Sludge Bomb. Do it like we did when we battled before."

Sharing similar sly looks, Arana and Gertrud went into position just as Daphne called out her attack. "Palme, use Magical Leaf. Nightshade, close in and use Feint Attack."

Daphne's Shiftry immediately charged forward just as her Tropius flew up and with a beat of her leafy wings, flung a flurry of energy crescents. As Nightshade crossed the halfway point, along with the wave of Magic Leaf, Arana and Gertrud were in place. Neo's Chandelure was hovering above Blaze's Roserade who was currently accumulating piles of purple ooze on the blooms of her arms. When the target was finally within range, Arana spun in place, her arms extending sideways as streams of pale blue flames spew out, creating a rotating fountain of fire. Gertrud, perfectly safe in the midst of it, aimed and fired a barrage of toxic muck, some catching fire when it came in contact with the Chandelure's Flamethrower.

Nightshade skidded to a halt as fireballs began to rain down all around him. He did his best to leap out of the way but was unable to completely evade the united attack. Some of the burning gunk turned into makeshift landmines for grass-types as they littered the surroundings when they fell to the earth and continued to burn.

Because of the impaired areas to move in, Daphne's Shiftry couldn't maneuver as good as before. As a result, Nightshade was struck in several places, receiving damage from both poison-based and fire-based attacks. He roared in pain as the substance inflicted searing burns. But he wasn't one to get beat up by a single attack, even a combined one at that. Letting loose an angry growl, Nightshade surged forward and leaped up, lunging and aiming for the gap between the arms and the top of of the Chandelure's head where fire was spouting like an erupting volcano.

"Arana! Look out!" Gertrud tried to warn her battle partner but failed as the ghostly chandelier pokemon was completely struck down from the air with a hard blow from Daphne's Shiftry. And almost simultaneously, the flurry of leaves spiraled in, evading the dissipating streams of flame before striking Blaze's Roserade who was too preoccupied to defend herself. Fortunately for her, the attack was not effective unlike the Shiftry's Feint Attack on Neo's Chandelure.

"Arana! Gertrud!" Neo called his two battlers with concern, mostly for former due to the expected damage she took.

"I'm okay." Gertrud replied, getting easily back to her feet and glancing at her teammate with a worried look. "Can't say the same about Arana, though."

Neo shifted his gaze to Arana who was shaking off the dirt after she crashed into the ground. She was swaying heavily but after a few tries, she finally managed to float off the ground.

"Arana?" Gertrud studied the Chandelure to note the extent of her injuries. "Will you be okay?"

Glancing at Gertrud and Neo, Arana set her arms and head ablaze, showing off her burning determination before the two. She wasn't going down with one hit, far from it. Gertrud smiled and Neo acknowledged her resolve and returned his attention to the battle at hand.

"Let's press on the attack. Arana, go for the Tropius. Use Flamethrower. Gertrud, you handle the Shiftry with Sludge Bomb," instructed Neo, hoping to get his Chandelure much distance from the Shiftry and still effectively attack.

Both pokemon nodded in compliance before launching into action. With flames sizzling, Arana zoomed towards the green leafy dinosaur while Gertrud positioned herself in the line of the Shiftry's sight, accumulating handfuls of purple sludge while making sure that the grass/dark-type wasn't going anywhere near Arana.

"Palme, fly up and evade the attack, then use Aerial Ace. Nightshade, deal with the Roserade using Swagger," Daphne coordinated her countermeasures.

Daphne's Tropius took to the air with a strong snap of her wings just as Arana fired a blazing torrent of dull blue flames from her arms. The Chandelure's attack missed and Palme was now on the offensive. After achieving enough altitude, she rocketed down in a veil of white energy streaks.

Arana fought back by unleashing infernal torrents from her head, angled directly at Daphne's Tropius. Palme maneuvered in mid-air, rolling and swerving until she was mere meters away from her target. Arana pinned her hopes in one last go, focusing intently and firing just before moment the Tropius collided with her. Palme shrieked as the flames heavily singed her right wings, while as, Arana tumbled across the dirt, shaken but still very able to battle.

Meanwhile, Gertrud was letting loose a barrage of Sludge Bombs, determined to finish off the Shiftry. Despite the throbbing pain of the burns and the newly inflicted injuries caused by the heaps of purplish goop that managed to hit him, Nightshade didn't give in. He growled hoarsely and an angry red glow outlined the treant-like pokemon. Gertrud's eyes suddenly began to glow similarly. The rage she felt built up, however, the rest of her senses blurred. She went berserk and started firing the Sludge Bomb haphazardly.

"Gertrud, please keep it together," Neo coaxed in a loud voice but it seemed as if his voice didn't reach the confused Roserade.

"Palme, heal your wounds with Synthesis. Nightshade, Feint Attack on the Chandelure," Daphne commanded and her two pokemon immediately complied, her Tropius radiating a gentle green light that healed her wounds while her Shiftry furiously lunged towards the ghost-type.

This was turning bad. Arana was on her own until Gertrud could come to her senses. With no other choice, Neo steeled himself and willed on. "Arana, you've got to finish off the Shiftry! Flamethrower!"

Arana wasted no time when she recovered. As soon as the charging Shiftry was within her sights, she fired torrents of ghostly flames from her arms and head. Try as the Shiftry could, the intense attack coupled by the damage he had sustained and the burns made it impossible to dodge. Nightshade was scorched by the blazing torrent and was knocked out, much to Neo's relief and the amazement of those who stood behind him.

"Well done, young one," Daphne complimented as she withdrew her Shiftry. "But the battle is not over."

Neo understood that. Arana was heavily injured and Gertrud was currently in no position to obey attacks, not to mention she was on a the verge of a rampage with her berserk behavior. Hoping for the best, Neo attempted to call out to Gertrud once again but it was still no use. Arana did the same with a weak wail but nothing happened. Gertrud remained lost, glaring angrily at space, ready to attack anyone or anything that would come near.

"Arana, we have to keep fighting." Neo traded nods of agreement with his Chandelure, their worries lingered but masked by their determination. "Go for it! Flamethrower!"

Pushing through her injuries, Arana released a torrent of ghostly blue flames straight at Daphne's Tropius, but because of the Palme's largely remaining energy, she dodged the attack and once again took to the air. It was then that Daphne initiated their counterattack.

"Aerial Ace, Palme."

Shooting down like a dive bomb, Daphne's Tropius released streams of white light that originated from the head and surged towards the back, overall enveloping the long-necked dinosaur. She came down with extreme speed. The move was too fast to dodge. Arana fired back with Flamethrower but her firepower was waning. She was once again struck hard by the attack and sent rolling across the field, earning stifled gasps from both Neo and the individuals that watched behind him.

Arana struggled to get up as she pushed herself off the ground with her thin curved arms. Her flames were weak and almost inaudible wails came out from her. Neo's voice echoed, urging her to get up. Raising her head, she met her trainer's almost-pleading gaze before she turned to look at Gertrud who was frantically getting a hold of herself. But her friend was somehow lost to them. Gertrud's eyes were glowing red as she glared at her surroundings. Rage rolled off her.

A thought washed over Arana. It was a long shot, seeing as she was just learning, but it was the only choice she got. With eyes glowing blue, she focused on her psychic abilities and hoped that it would work.

From the sidelines, Neo wondered what she was up to. It was Chase who indicated that it was light from Psychic. Arana was using it to channel her thoughts. Neo then understood what that meant. Arana was trying to use telepathy to get through Gertrud. But could she do it in the short span of time that she had to learn? And if she could, will she have enough time before Daphne's next move?

They were going to find out.

"Palme, Aerial Ace once again," Daphne called out and her Tropius quickly launched into the air, rapidly gaining altitude.

Neo was torn. He didn't want to disturb Arana's concentration by calling out to her, nor did he want his Chandelure to lay there like a sitting Psyduck. Looking up, he held his breath as Daphe's Tropius reached the level of the canopy, readying to dive down for the attack. A moment later, Palme descended. Neo's instinct was to yell and warn Arana but he was silenced by the notion he had to believe in his pokemon.

It happened quickly. Palme rocketed down in a veil of white streaks with the plan to finish off her opponent. Seconds before collision, Arana's blue light dissipated and she met the Tropius' eyes that locked in on her. Suddenly, a green blur darted between them and the attack finally impacted, causing a burst of light that momentarily blinded both sides.

When everyone recovered, they were shocked to see Gertrud next to Arana, arms crossed when she apparently blocked Palme's attack. She was knocked off her feet by the blow but was finally cured of her confusion, evident in the luster of her crimson eyes.

Grinning, Gertrud threw a sly look at Daphne's Tropius who stood a few feet away after attacking before glancing at Arana. "I heard you..."

The telepathic voice that was also audible to Neo made the raven-haired teen smile. Arana had done it in the spur of the moment. Neo looked proudly at the two who in turn, met his gaze. At the back, Gremio watched his charge with a pride of a father. He smiled warmly, but that look was not visible to Neo, only to Chase who gave an amuse chuckle at the sight.

As Gertrud and Arana got back up, Neo looked to the battlefield. Flares of moral radiated off of him as well as his two fighters. "Let's finish this. Arana, use Psychic. Gertrud, Extrasensory!"

Arana, mustering all her remaining strength, radiated a blue glow throughout her body and fired a bright cerulean beam directly at the Tropius. Gertrud immediately followed up by emitting a golden light from her eyes and unleashing a multicolored beam of rings in line with Arana's. The two psychic-type moves synced and became one massive prism beam with golden rings surrounding the outer layer and the blue tint dominating the rest of the inner colors.

Daphne barely had a gap to issue an attack as the combined move closed in. In a last effort, she commanded Palme to use Magical Leaf. Her Tropius obeyed quickly and hurled a flurry of green energy crescents just as the massive attack struck. The result was explosive. Daphne's Tropius was thrown into the air and sent crashing back unto the ground where she laid unconscious.

Meanwhile, Palme's attack had made contact as well. Gertrud was in front, arms crossed over her so she had absorbed the majority of the attack and prevented Arana from taking too many blows to knock her out. Arana sustained injuries but managed to stay conscious, as can be, given she was hovering inches off the ground.

The match had ended.

"The victor of the Celadon Gym Battle is the Challenger, Neo!" The referee announced.

Chase, Gremio and even Daphne applauded. Neo cast them each a grateful look, his gaze lingering mostly at Gremio. He then turned to his two battlers who hobbled towards him. Gertrud and Arana supported each other as they approached, occasionally sharing quiet giggles among themselves.

Neo met them halfway just as Kashu bounded ahead of him. His Wigglytuff settled the two down and began to tend to their wounds. Neo stepped forward from behind Kashu and bent down to their level. Placing a hand on Arana's round head while casting a gentle smile at Getrud, he commended both of them on a job well done. The two beamed at the praise but winced due to their injuries, earning a scolding from Kashu. Neo quietly chuckled, followed by the rest of the pokemon.

After that small exchange, Daphne strode across the arena and stopped before Neo and the three pokemon. The raven-haired teen met her gaze and stood up to meet her. Daphne smiled warmly and gave a curt bow. "That was a fine battle, dear child. I commend you as well as your pokemon sincerely for your determination and prowess."

"Thank you for the battle as well as for your help earlier." Neo nodded back.

"Here is the proof of your valiant effort, the Rainbow Badge." Extending her open palm, Daphne presented him with a small trinket in a shape of a flower with eight petals, each representing a different color. "You have earned it. Wear it proudly. And may your endeavors bloom."

It was already sundown when they left the gym. A deep orange light had shrouded the pristine city in a burning glow, from the towering skyscrapers to the quaint little stores that lined the brick streets. The shadows, untouched by the sun, grew thicker with every passing second. In the west, the sky was becoming purplish in anticipation of another cold night. A small glitter and the first star had made its appearance.

Neo and his company, mainly Chase, Gremio, Arana and Gertrud paid a visit to the local pokemon center. They spent a while resting while Arana and Gertrud continued their telepathy lessons, after Arana failed to do it the next time around. Neo relished at the sight of the two's close friendship, after having met only yesterday. He thought of giving Blaze a call later to update him on Gertrud's status.

Afterwards, they decided head back to their suites in the Palace of Persians Hotel. Gertrud was shell-shocked to say the least, especially after Neo and Chase changed into more formal attires before they left the pokemon center. It was the dress code, according to Gremio. They stood before the tall and fancy building, exchanging looks and quiet chuckles. Chase mused at sight of the Roserade, wide-eyed and gaping and told her that he had the same reaction and that it was perfectly normal.

After securing a room for Gremio and an additional reservation at the greenhouse for Gertrud, they had dinner at the dining hall. Chase had to witness Neo in his nobleman persona yet again, but he now thought of it as a normal thing for his friend and continued to watch quietly in the back.

"Sir Graceland," a voice called the silver-haired teen. Chase turned and saw Gremio standing behind him, dressed in his signature suit but without the sword. "May I have a word?"

"Sure." Chase shrugged his shoulders and trailed the elder man to a more isolated area in the hall. With every step, he wondered what Gremio wanted to talk to him about.

Stopping and turning about, he addressed the boy with a neutral expression. "Sir Graceland, I'll be leaving him in your care."

"I know that..." Chase snorted, laughing at himself for becoming worked up about the matter. "You don't have to tell me twice."

Gremio nodded and held out a velvet bag. He uncovered it and presented three items. Two were a spiraling metal bands, one was metallic gray and the other looked more like pale silver. Each twisted in a different direction, mirroring the other in a way. The grey one had a green and red marble crafted near the top, while, the silver one had a similar one, but the gem was pink and light green. The last item was gold and black cuff accented with a smaller jewel compared to the two former but the colors it consisted were like a crystal prism.

"A-Are those what I think they are?" Chase stared at them, awestruck.

"Use them with great care." Gremio returned them to the bag and handed it over to the speechless teen. "The grey is for your Gallade's right arm. The silver one is for your Gardevoir's left. And you can wear the Key Stone wherever you like."

"I... so... uhm," Chase stammered, trying to figure out what to say first. "W-What about Neo?"

"I already gave him his own Key Stone," Gremio informed. "By the time I'll have found something for your Grovyle, I'll have something for his Wartortle, as well as for Nero when he returns."

Chase felt overwhelmed even more, having learned Percival, his Grovyle could also Mega Evolve. It was an amazing feeling.

"Sir Graceland..."

"Huh?" Chase snapped out his reverie and looked up at Gremio.

"As I was saying..." Gremio gave an exasperated sigh. "Don't take Mega Evolution lightly. Your pokemon can easily lose control due to the massive power surge... Take absolute caution. Use them only when the matter is of great importance."

Chase let Gremio's words sink in before he clutched the velvet bag and nodded.

"Good." And with that Gremio walked passed him and returned to Neo's side.

Chase watched him disappear in the crowd before leaning against the wall and taking out the black and gold band with the Key Stone. The prismatic gem shone under the light of the golden crystal chandelier hanging in the middle of the room. Chase took in a deep breath and placed the accessory on his right hand, feeling the weight of it on his side. The power it signified was tempting but Gremio's words echoed deeply, reminding him of his responsibility. With one last gaze, he tucked the cuff beneath his black sleeve and retired to his room.

End of Chapter 51

Lol. So many things went on and I stuffed it in one chapter.
Heheh. I wanted to make Chapter 52 the collab for me and Dead Bones Sam so I had finish some stuff up.

Everyone has a keystone now! Yay! But Neo has yet to have any pokemon on hand that could Mega Evolve.
And the tour-oops... Spoiler! xD
Looking forward to the collabs!

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Note: I'm evil.