Everyone was shocked to see that Yvonne had a keystone of her own. We were told that she was given the stone as a gift, which only I knew what that meant. She brought it along to probably discover what it may be, and she finally got her answer.

Korrina's grandpa was just as shocked, but didn't pay any mind since it was gifted to her and wasn't going to be used in a way where it had to be shown if she was worthy of using mega evolution. She kept it on her while I went off to challenge Korrina at her gym.

We had finally battled after so long. After a long time, I had finally felt like battling someone else became a challenge. The rush in my blood was pumping at the newer opportunity for my Pokémon to grow! Mega evolution wasn't even involved yet, but imagining beating down a much stronger version of a Pokémon who temporarily evolved got me more excited to keep continuing my journey! It's a shame that I wasted so much time just studying and not getting through this road sooner!

"That was amazing!" Korrina clapped "You won in a landslide! Impressive. You finally managed to beat me" she shrugged her arms "but it was years since we last fought. It was an experience I'll never forget!" She skated over to me and handed me my new gym badge "I had fun" I smiled and took the badge.

"That was intense... It's been a long time since I battled like that" she giggled.

"Glad you enjoyed yourself, but I do have to apologize. You'll have to go up to the top of the Tower of Mastery if you want to receive the Mega ring" she crossed her arms "You'll be getting yourself a mega ring, but even Yvonne has her own and doesn't even plan on using it. Tell me, do you know why she doesn't like to battle?"

"Beats me... She has really strong Pokémon, but whenever we travel through routes, she hasn't got any interest in getting a new Pokémon either. I would think that seeing me catch a few would make her want to do so too, but she's really quiet and doesn't seem like she looks forward to much" Korrina held her chin.

"That saddens me to hear. Maybe she has something on her mind that she doesn't want to tell you" I sighed, feeling that was the case "Anyway, I'm sorry for sending you this way and that. I swear, I'm not giving you the runaround. You've done great rolling with the punches. So great that I'd like to ask you a favor"

"What is it?"

"Battle me again, won't you?" Huh? "But this time, it won't be just another gym battle... I want a battle between equals! As two trainers who can use mega evolution!" I see! "I'll be waiting for you with Lucario at the top of the Tower of Mastery!" Korrina waved, expecting to see me soon.

I had left the gym and went to find wherever Yvonne had wandered off to. She said she wanted to take a walk, so she didn't get to watch my gym match or see how intense it got! I felt like there's been something on her mind lately, since she's been quieter than usual.

Not really knowing where to check after checking our hotel room, I ended up walking back to the Tower of Mastery where Korrina was waiting for me and saw Yvonne at the beach, staring at the ocean with the wind blowing in her hair.

"Yvonne!" I called, running up to her. She turned back to smile at me "There you are!"

"Here I am" she chuckled "Looks like you beat the gym leader. That's great! Korrina just passed here, telling me the news"

"Yeah" she just smiled at me, not really saying anything else. I rubbed my head, not knowing what to say. She really has been acting different "Hey... Is something wrong?" She looked confused "It kinda seems like you haven't been yourself lately" she looked back at the ocean "Do you want to talk about it?"

"I've been doing some thinking lately. Don't worry... It doesn't really have anything to do with you"

"You said doesn't really... So it does have something to do with me?" she sighed and hugged her arms.

"I don't know... I'm just nervous about the end of summer" I frowned.

"Yvonne..."

"I hate this sort of thing about myself... I don't have a real goal set for myself, yet I've been wanting to go on this journey. All I've been doing, minus my services, has just been me following you and not really battling or catching Pokémon" she looked down "I don't even feel like a trainer anymore... The spark of being the best trainer just faded away"

"You wanted to be the best trainer?" She looked back at me "What changed?"

"I can't really tell you right now... Maybe at the end of summer" I nodded, understanding that. She took out her key stone and raised it to the sun setting "I was given this for my services, but to be given a very valuable thing just to talk to me, it's strange. I don't feel worthy to hold such a sacred item. I don't deserve it"

"We're still not done with our journey. We still have time for you to look forward to something new" she smiled a bit and pocket the key stone.

"Thanks... I do look forward to that" she came up to me for a hug. I was surprised for a bit before returning her "My imagination has been taking a toll on me lately... About what your response may be in the future. You'll probably end up just liking my services and not me... You'll start to change like any other man who likes that sort of thing" I pushed her shoulders away to look at her.

"What? Is that what you think?" She frowned "I'm not like that! Sure, I really really like what we do and all, but I'm not going to turn into a jerk!" She nodded.

"Yes, I believe you. I don't really think that will happen, but people do tend to change drastically" she started crying. I lowered my arms, not understanding why she was acting like this.

"Yvonne, tell me what's wrong" I held her in my arms "I don't like seeing you like this"

"I'm sorry... I just keep imagining the worse. When you don't return my feelings for you, I don't think I'll be able to stay" I bit my lips "I won't be able to face you again. We haven't known each other for that long, but I like you a lot"

"I-"

"You don't have to say anything" she cuddled into my shoulder "I'm making myself feel this way. It's what happens when you have a lot on your mind. It's the the worse case scenario, but even so, I still want to be your friend" I hugged her closely "I don't want you seeing less of me when..."

"What?" She shook her head and let go.

"You're probably right when you said that I may find something during the journey. We are partly halfway through" she smiled "I look forward to it! Thanks for listening" I smiled and pet her head.

"No worries. Don't be afraid to talk to me" I wiped away her tears "I'm here for you like you're here for me" she smiled like her usual self, which I was glad to see.

"Thank you..." she wiped her face "Don't let me keep you from getting that mega ring!" She pumped her fist "You got this!" I chuckled.

"I won't let you down" she blushed and nodded "Are you coming?"

"I'll stay here on the beach. No worries" I hugged her one last time before heading out to meet Korrina on the top of the tower, where I battled with the Lucario that I bonded with, and ended up keeping it once I won and got my mega ring.

"Looks like we're a team now" I pet Lucario smiling at me "You sure this is really okay?" I asked Korrina.

"Lucario waited so long to be with you. Don't question me now!" I nodded "I hope your journey will lead you two to new heights!"

"Thanks, Korrina" she smiled.

"Where's Yvonne? She has a keystone on her. She could've came with you"

"She's at the beach, waiting for me. We'll be leaving as soon as possible. She's been down lately, so we'll be leaving in the morning"

"Awe! Is she okay?"

"Yeah. She's better now" I explained as much as I could about not being able to know what she's good at through the journey "I'm sure we'll find something"

"She's most likely lost in this world" Korrina held her heart "A lot of people's life are gone through without liking what they experience. They grow up a certain way and feel like something is holding them back. We don't know the details, but perhaps it's the way she grew up or what she experienced that's making her feel this way" I frowned, thinking back at how she must've felt when she had to do all these things just to help her mom out.

"I'm sure we'll find something" she nodded and waved me goodbye when I was on my way to look for Yvonne at the beach. She was on the exact spot I left her at, but she didn't notice I was close by. She was singing to herself, playing with a small stringed instrument I never seen her have, under the moonlight.

Her song was soft and sweet. She sniffled through the words as I helplessly watched her crying up to her moon. Yvonne... the more she sang, the more she cried.

She stopped and sobbed into her legs. I stood there, not knowing what to do. I feel like no matter what I do or say, it won't help her.

I stood behind her for some time, watching her from a distance while she hugged her legs and watch the ocean crashing on some rocks. I didn't know how to approach her like this. Whatever she has on her mind, it's keeping her from smiling more. I don't know whether she's worried about my answer in the end of summer, or if she thinks whatever my answer will be, she will probably feel like she's holding me back because I'm still in school and she already has a career she can go back to with massage therapy, but I knew that wasn't what she wanted.

It seemed like there was something holding her back, even if she says she doesn't have to do that sort of work anymore. When singing that song, it made me think that someone broke her heart to make this change she claimed she had.

It took everything I had in me to go over there and say something, but I wouldn't know what to say. I told her she can tell me what's on her mind, but it probably wasn't convincing enough.

Lucario watched me overthinking to myself before making its way towards Yvonne unexpectedly. Wait!

Yvonne heard Lucario's cry and got up to see us walking towards her "Hey" she smiled "You're back! Took you long enough!" I nodded, seeing her lean down to greet Lucario "So Lucario ended up going with you" she poked on the mega stone on Lucario wristlet "Did you manage to mega evolve?"

"Yeah! It was really cool, but the amount of energy it holds drained mine and I'm pretty exhausted" I admit. Yvonne put her hands together.

"Well, in celebration for getting a new Pokémon, I'll make us some dinner! Luckily the hotel room has a mini kitchen" she pumped her fist "Yes! I can't wait to show off my cooking skills!"

"I tasted your macrons before" she pouted.

"That's baking! Cooking is easier for me since artificial colorings won't be involved" she shrugged "But I can't wait!" She jumped happily "I'll be able to cook for you! A way to a man's heart is through his stomach!" I blushed. She seems to be fine now, but is that really the case? "And I'll have something for the Pokémon too!" Lucario smiled at that "Let's go shopping!" She snatched my hand and raced to find the closest super market to get food. I smiled at her laughing the more she tugged on me. I wish I knew how to help her, but I can do nothing more than to give her the attention she wants.

The next day rolled around. We were heading to the next city, but got blocked by an entire ocean keeping us from going further "Should we swim?" Yvonne joked, which made me groan and hold my stomach "Still full, I see!" She laughed. I never had so much food in my life! My mom would be so jealous if she got to taste Yvonne's incredible cooking. I couldn't get myself to stop, and neither could my Pokémon and hers.

"We could use a water type Pokémon, but Greninja can only carry one person on its back" I stated. She pouted.

"Would be nice if I got to catch myself a water type, but I don't know where to get one. Maybe in this ocean?" I arched my brow, having no idea she wanted a water type that bad that she's pouting like that.

"What kind are you wanting?" She played with her fingers.

"A Squirtle" I blinked confused, getting closer to her face. Did I hear that right? "W-What..?"

"Serena wanted a Squirtle" she flinched "You're making me feel like you secretly may be her" she panicked and waved her arms.

"N-No way!" I sighed, knowing I shouldn't joke like that "being someone that confident and bold! I could never!" And that's exactly why it's hard convincing myself that they may be the same person. It's mind fucking, to be honest.

"Did Shauna tell you about Squirtles or something?" She quickly nodded "Even if we find one, it can't carry you in the ocean" she sighed. I stared at her watching the ocean, thinking about the other night when I heard her singing. It was such a sad song that she started crying, but it made me think back at what Korrina said about the times she ran into Serena while she was singing alone. She mistook Yvonne for Serena, making it obvious to everyone else that they do look quite similar, but still the opposite.

"Yeah... I know that" she sighed, still staring at the ocean. I looked at her longing for something. It was hard holding back knowing that I saw her crying when singing that song. I wrapped my arms around her from behind, making her look back at me "Calem?"

"Sorry... Let's just stay like this for a little longer" she slowly nodded and held my hands "I won't let go... I'm going to be with you for however long I can. Yvonne..." I don't know if it was my feelings getting me to say this, or I just wanted her to feel better. I shouldn't say how I feel until the end, just so I can understand what my heart is telling me. I like you...