Yo, what'z up my friends of fanfiction! Back at it again with a new chapter of BFTH! Chapter 12... Damn! I hope you like the chapter and review if you so please.

Red dashed into the stadium to see both Gary and Seifer already on the field. "Dammit... I'm too late." He cursed, going to find a seat. "If I can't tell him. I can at least protect him from here." Red sat down and looked around. He saw Gary's friends all sitting together, as the norm. What wasn't normal was that May was absent. Her not being present stood out, even more so since Paul and Dawn were there, whom was resting their hands on the others. Red looked away, not caring about that at all, and focused on the match. He knew Giovanni had something planned, it was only a question of what.

Gary looked across to his opponent, some blond prick, in his opinion. The spiky-haired trainer didn't know who this "Seifer" was, but he was gonna kick his ass. Gary called across the field, "Hey, don't really know you, but, don't be too surprised when I kick your ass!" and he taunted.

Seifer was at first shocked, he didn't expect such blatant taunting, but, once the shock passed, he laughed. "That's the spirit!" Seifer grinned a full smile. "But, I'm afraid it's the other way around, my friend." Gary hummed in confusion, the blond was happy to explain. "I'm gonna kick your ass."

Paul chuckled at the two and looked to his side and saw Ash even cracking a smile. But... he knew that something could happen during this match, but he had no idea what. Paul wanted to tell Gary about everything, just as Ash did for him, but he knew that he shouldn't. For two reasons. One. It could put him in danger. Two. Ash would kill him. Yeah, that wasn't something he wanted, especially after just now getting into a relationship. The purple-haired trainer closed his eyes, remembering how that came to be...

Dawn looked to her side and smiled, she was very happy right now. Watching Paul's face made her remember how they got to this point in the first place.

Dawn woke from her passion induced slumber with a smile on her face, she enjoyed what had happened earlier. Dawn needed that, to be with a friend, someone she cares about deeply, and she knows cares about her. Her and Paul weren't always the greatest of friends, but... Ash brought them together, Dawn wonders what he'd think if he were still around. Dawn tries to block a lot of the past out, it hurts a mighty amount, and... she regrets her actions back then too. She wished that Ash were still around, so that she could apologize. But you can't always get what you want. She knows that now, she's learned a lot. As Dawn thought, the smell of steak entered her nose. She groaned at the smell, it was enticing she couldn't focus. She got up from her bed, making sure to put proper clothes on, and headed down to the main area.

She spotted Paul in the kitchen, cooking no doubt. Dawn smiled and walked up to him. "Whatcha cooking?"

"Oh, you're up!" Paul turned to see her, a grin on his face. "I thought I'd make you some dinner."

"Well that's awfully kind, of you." She said in a joking tone, and took a seat at the nearby table, which was just one of those black fold out ones.

"Yeah, yeah." Paul flipped his steak, proud with how it's coming out. "So..."

"So?" Dawn asked with a head tilt. She knew where he was going, but wanted him to start.

"So..." He began again, putting the nicely cooked steak on a plate. "What are we, now?"

Dawn fell silent. She knew this question was coming, but an answer, was not something she had. "Well..."

"You don't have to answer now, it's fine." Paul mumbled, playing with his hair.

The blue-haired girl watched him put another steak onto the pan, as she thought about what to say. What did she feel... What did it all mean... Does she want her and Paul to be "thing?" Dawn was confused, but one thing was for sure... after everything that has happened, staying "friends" didn't feel right. She took a deep breath in, and let it out. "I don't want to be just friends, Paul..."

Paul's eyes went wide, but never left the meat. "Okay..." He urged her on.

Dawn thought some more, trying to find the right words. "If we want to become anything more... I have to tell you something."

The purple-haired man closed his eyes and let out a shaky breath. He flipped his steak to its other side, but turned the burner down so that it wouldn't burn. Paul turned around and looked at her in the eye, dark blue met black, as they stared at each other. "I'm listening." Was all he said.

"I..." Dawn sighed. "Have a problem, I need to work out." She paused, "Alone." And looked away. "I... can't tell you what it is though, not yet, sorry."

"Hey." Paul's voice dragged Dawn's gaze back up, and she was met with a wonderful, rare smile on Paul's face. "It's okay. You don't have to tell me." He placed his hand on Dawn's cheek. "Even if I don't know, or understand, I want to help you, and do anything I can."

Dawn lightly giggled before nuzzling into Paul's hand. "You're unbelievable."

Paul smirked "So I've been told."

"So..." Dawn began, quite nervous about what she's about to say. "Can I be your g-girlfriend...?"

Paul nodded. "Of course, even with the secret."

She gave Paul a hug and said. "Thank you."

Paul gladly hugged back, with a thought in the back of his head. "I have secrets too..."

When Paul opened his eyes again the coin toss was over, Gary had won it, he could see his friend doing a goofy air fist bump, down in the field, so Seifer had to send out first. Paul didn't know if Gary was in danger or not, Ash didn't tell him much about his "Seifer" character, but he was a part of "Red's crew" so he was to be feared. "Don't lose, Gary." The purple-haired man thought, playing with his hair tail.

Gary smirked as he walked back to his side, cocky after winning the coin toss. "Let's see whatcha got, Seifer, send out your mon!"

Seifer shook his head. "You never stop, do you?" He slicked back his blond hair. "I like that!" A smirk of his own formed and he grabbed a ball from his coat. "C'mon out, ZOROARK!" Out of his blue and red great ball came an Illusion Fox, wearing its own smirk.

Red's breathing hitched, "He's using Zoro as a start?!" That pokemon has been his ace as long as Red's known Seifer, the blond named him Zoro and they've been together forever, supposedly. Ash groaned when he remembered the missions where Zoro was a main member. His Illusion's made some missions very simple.

"Hmph, impressive..." Gary mumbled, "But I got an idea!" He pulled out his pokeball. "Go Tyranitar! Out came a big green Armor looking Pokémon.

Both pokemon and trainer stared each other down, waiting for the first move. Gary groaned, "I'm tired of wait'n... GO!" He threw his hand out, a motion for Tyranitar to move, "Use body press!" The big green beast ran towards Zoroark, as quickly as it could, and tried to slam its full weight onto the fox.

Seifer smirked with a chuckle. "Zoro..." He spoke in a low tone. "Move." Was all the blond said. As if by use of magic, Zoroark was no longer under Tyranitar's body and was now on his side, watching the green monster fall down on its stomach, completely missing him, laughing all the while, so was its trainer, Seifer. "Man! That was funny!"

Gary grumbled. "You'll regret that laughter!" He cooled himself down, mustn't let anger take over, "Go now! Focus punch!" After hearing his trainers command, Tyranitar began focusing, closing his eyes.

Seifer hummed in interest, "Alright... ZORO! You focus punch as well." The black-red fox tightens its feet onto the ground and focused.

Clemont adjusted his glasses. "What is he thinking? There is no way a Zoroark could go toe to toe with a Tyranitar!"

"He has a plan."

The gang turned to the new voice, it was Red, he walked up to them and took a seat next to Paul, and crossed his arms.

"Seifer's going to use Zoro's ability to change into Tyranitar." Red predicted, with a cool, unfazed tone.

Max scoffed, "But, that's an ability that can only be used at the beginning of a battle, Zoroark wouldn't have enough strength to do it in the middle." He explained to the hooded man.

Red groaned, he's already regretting coming over here, in truth he didn't know why he did in the first place, well, what's done is done, if they want to think we're all friends, whatever! "Just watch, kid." He said, trying his best not to be a dick. It was very hard.

Paul chuckled watching the exchange, and mumbled. "You're still you aren't you...? Getting fired up about pokemon battles."

Dawn tilted her head in confusion. "Did you say something?"

Paul shook his head. "No, no. Nothing." He turned his gaze back to the battle.

Gary took a look at his pokemon and smirked. "All ready to go?" He asked his pokemon, whom gave him a nod. "LET ER RIP!" After hearing its master's command, Tyranitar broke his focus, his arm glowing an orangish color, and he charged at his smaller opponent, roaring its name as it ran.

Seifer wagged his finger with "Tsk, Tsk, Tsk," and slicked back his hair. "Zoro... Do it." He calmly said, his pokemon nodded in understanding.

Gary scoffed, throwing his hands up. "Dude, your pokemon's not gonna know what to do, if you don't say nothing!" He yelled across the field, he was only met with a wink from Seifer. "Tch, whatever... TYRANITAR, don't let up!" His pokemon continued his charge, unfazed by the, tiny in comparison, pokemon. But... something unexpected happened, Zoro jumped up into the air, his focus punch ready. Before Gary could ask what it was doing, Zoro started to glow a pixel-like black and came crashing down... as Tyranitar! "What the hell!?" Gary exclaimed.

Seifer laughed briefly. "Heh, what are you gonna do now?" he asked, clearly mocking his opponent.

"Nothing changes..." Gary, which surprised Seifer, had a cool and calm face on. "Tyranitar. Get ready for impact." His pokemon stood under where Zoro would come crashing down, ready.

"What the hell are you doing!?" Seifer was utterly baffled, why would he just stand there and face it head on, instead of run away!?

"What I've always done!" Gary smirked, looking Seifer right in the eyes. "I've faced shit like this before!" He looked up to the sky and recounted all his many battles with his true rival, his best friend. "Isn't that right... ASH!"

Seifer's breathing hitched. "Ash... Red..." He let out a chuckle. "I guess he has an effect on everyone, huh..." The blond mumbled. "Fine then!" He steeled himself. "LET'S END THIS!"

"YOU'RE SO DONE!" Gary shouted back.

"GARY!" Zoro came crashing down onto Tyranitar's arm.

"SEIFER!" Tyranitar pushed back.

"AHHHHHH" They both yelled as their pokemon were in a match of strength and power, in both mental and physical regards.

In the stands everyone was hyped! ... But, Clemont asked an important question. "They do know this is the first battle of five, right?"

Paul shushed him. "Shhh, don't spoil it for them."

It was so very bright... Brock could hardly look around. He knew he was in the hospital, he knew May was nearby... but, there was one thing he didn't know... Why was his throat so scratchy! "Water..." He croaked out, sounding like a 90 year old man. When he spoke, his surroundings became clearer, he was able to fully open his eyes to see a girl with brown hair looking over him.

"Did you say something, Brock?!" May was a little frenzied, she didn't expect him to be up, and he has poor timing too, the nurse was out at the moment.

"Wa... ter." Brock tried to repeat himself, it came out a little clearer, but still very harsh.

"Water?" May asked, Brock nodded, putting on a smile, which May happily returned, "Okay, let me get you some." May hopped up and dashed out of the room, with one goal. Find water.

Once May was out in the lobby, she looked around for a water jug or a nurse. "Water... where are you?" She mumbled, putting her hand up to her forehead, just above her eyes, looking around. "Ah!" She spotted a water dispenser with paper cups stacked next to it. "There you are." She jogged up to it, plucked one of the cups and filled it up.

Unbeknownst to her, a man with black hair walked to her, with a sorrowful expression. "Hey, May."

The bandana wearing girl looked up to the source of the voice, it was Makoto, when she looked at him, he tried hiding his face behind his hair. "Makoto..." May stood up, water cup in hand. "What's wrong?" She asked, with concern in her voice.

Makoto looked away from her bright face. He didn't deserve to see it. "Can we talk?"

May was confused, but agreed nonetheless. "Sure, just let me give Brock his water."

Makoto looked at her again. "Oh, he's up!?"

May nodded happily. "Yep!" She started walking off. "See you in a bit!"

"Y-Yeah, I'll text you where!" He said, and was met with a thumbs up.

Makoto was now alone. "Dammit..." He closed his eyes in pain. "I don't want to do this...!"

"Things seem to be going smoothly, Jillia." Maya told her partner, while watching Seifer and Gary's match from the tree tops, with binoculars.

The silver-haired girl just nodded, she was on guard duty, they mustn't be discovered, or all of this could be for not. Jillia looked down to the ground and sighed, trying to remember how she even got here, to this point...

Maya noticed that sigh and asked. "What's wrong?" Not taking her eyes off the battle, which both trainers were on their third pokemon, Arcanine for Gary and Mamoswine for Seifer.

Jillia pulled out a piece of paper from her pocket, she smoothed it out with her delicate hands, a pen was resting on her ear, she grabbed that and wrote down, "Just trying to retrace the steps that took me here..." And tossed it up to Maya.

The older of the two caught the paper with trained reflexes and read it, and questioned. "What's that supposed to mean?" She dropped the paper back down so Jillia could reply.

Her way of communication fell into her palm and she wrote on it again. "It's just... I don't know..." Jillia stopped writing to think of what she wanted to say, she nodded when the words came. "Do you know, really know, what Giovanni is planning with the aura blades?" She proofread it before throwing it up to Maya.

When Maya read the page, her expression darkened... She didn't know what her boss wanted to do with those blades, but... "That doesn't matter." Maya looked Jillia for the first time during this exchange. "I own Giovanni everything, and you do too, don't you!?" Jillia's eyes widened, before she closed them shut, tightly. "So, it doesn't matter what he wants to do with them, I'll help him, no matter what!" Maya proclaimed and went back to watching the duel.

Jillia had no reply, so she stayed quiet, it's not like she could make a sound anyway... There was a lingering thought in her head, "Is this truly the right course anymore?" She looked up to the sky, "Someone, tell me, what's right!?"

Red watched the match intently, making sure nothing happens, nothing with Rainbow Rocket all over it. So far... nothing. It's been a clean match, which... didn't surprise Red. He knew Seifer, the blond wouldn't so readily assist in a plan to kill or maim... He just wasn't that type of person. On any missions that required killing, he'd push the responsibly to someone else, typically Red or Maya. Seifer wasn't a coward, Seifer wasn't weak... he was very much human. He felt sorrow, regret in taking one's life... the same can't be said for some. Seifer had a sense of humanity, that others lacked, Maya, Makoto, even Jillia, and of course, Red, himself, were all too willing to kill, steal, attack, like it was second nature... and maybe it was for them, but not Seifer, he didn't like this life, Red could tell, but... he also couldn't escape it. When Red focused again he could see both Gary's Arcanine and Seifer's Mamoswine were getting tired, but they both had smiles, just like their trainers.

Seifer let out a laugh, and flicked his coat. "Damn! You sure are a blast, Gary!" He yelled across the field with a wild smile.

Gary wipped his brow with a shit eating grin. "Yeah! You're a good time too!" Both of them were having the most fun they've had in a long time.

Seifer slightly coughed and then mumbled. "I forgot how much fun pokemon battles are..." He looked up to the sky, still with that crazy grin. "I FORGOT HOW FUN LIFE IIIIIISSSSSS!" Seifer screamed up into the sky, closing his eyes, remembering all the fucked up shit he's done. "I've hurt people, stole from people, kidnapped people, beaten their pokemon, rob the banks, threaten them with my blade... I'm an irredeemable piece of shit... BUT!" He thought. Seifer looked at Gary, who was a little surprised by his outburst. "I CAN STILL HAVE FUN!"

That's the end of chapter 12 of BFTH. I hope you enjoyed it, I know this one's a little shorter than usual, but, I wanted to get a chapter out, since it had been so long since chapter 11, so here you go! I still think it's pretty good! Well, see yea, Friends of fanfiction!