Author's Note:

Here it is, the second part of the Victini arc. Expect the big battle continuation and also the aftermath. Obviously, last time we had the return of the GS ball. Back in the Celebi arc for Johto, I remember saying it'll be one of the more prevalent legends in this series so when we see that capsule turn up, you know we're heading to sometime shenanigans (and as a certified whovian, I love my wibbly wobbly story lines). Even if this is a mostly unique creation, it will actually be a foundation for important plot points later on. We'll also get an introduction to the next gym leader... I have taken some more creative liberties with this one so I hope you can see where I got my inspiration from. I do want to inform you; I'm going to need a little break to catch up on writing. Sorry for the delay. Not much else to say, just don't forget to vote in the poll and with that, let's begin!

Chapter seventeen: Victini Liberty P II

Shelmet sighed as he small bird ran ahead out of the room. He couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed by his young teammate.

"Greetings, young one-" a voice appeared in his head. "May I be of assistance today?"

"Huh?!" He gasped. "Who's there?!"

"My apologies-" In a flash a flash, a tall, golden humanoid Pokémon appeared with a spoon in each hand and a book floating beside him titled "how unity and cooperation built the modern world". "I'm Alakazam. I assist the professor here."

"H-how can..." He stuttered. "Your lips didn't move."

"Oops!" His voice echoed again. "You see, I'm psychic and my preference in communication is telepathy. It's like our minds are on a phone call."

"Right..." He muttered. Shaking his head, one thought plagued his mind. "You assist the Professor? I thought this was a place for training."

"It is-"In a flash, he found himself on a rocky ground outside and filled with numerous Pokémon battling. "We ask any training or battles take place here due to limiting the damage. As for myself, psychics main muscle is the mind. By assisting in research and reading books, it's my own type of training."

Before he could answer, he saw a large purple monstrous Pokémon with pointy spikes flying towards them. He squeezed his eyes shut!

"This is where most of the other bugs socialise-" He opened his eyes and found a new location. A luscious green forest. "If there's anything-"

"Erm... actually I don't think this is-" he stuttered. "I lived in a marsh... I dunno if there is anywhere like-"

Another blinding flash happened, and he found him on the crust of a small lake. Several aquatic Pokémon were in the main body of water.

"This is the closest we have to such an environment-" Alakazam explained, "If you need anything else then please, I'm just a telepathic message away."

In a flash, the psychic type disappeared, and he found himself alone. Walking over to the moist soil, he hummed to himself.

"Yahoo!" A joyful voice echoed.

Turning to the commotion, he just saw a blue blur before the impact. He went flying, snapping his shell shut and crashed down into the mud. Peeking out, he found two blue Pokémon also getting up from the impact. One was a bold oblong shape and the other sort of resembled a Krokorok but shorter, rounder, and blue.

"Sorry about that-" The first one smiled. "I'm Quagsire and this is Croconaw. We didn't see you there."

"Oh erm-" he uttered. "It's fine."

"Are you new?" the one identified as Croconaw asked. "I don't think I've seen you before."

"I'm Shelmet." He smiled. "Erm, w-what was that thing you was doing?"

"Mud slide!" The duo loudly replied.

"Croconaw stands on my back and we use water to propel us forward!" Quagsire beamed. "It's fun!"

"Do you wanna play with us?" Croconaw asked.

"I-I can use water to propel anything-" he uttered.

"No worries!" Croconaw swiped him up in his claws. "We're all in this together!"

Snapping his shell shut, he could only watch as he was carried onto the back of Quagsire. The second water type turned his head and shot out a jet of water from his mouth. It propelled them forward and the slippery mud made for an easy surface, and they quickly picked up speed.

Despite keeping his shell shut, the slits allowed his face to feel the rushing wind. His heart thumped faster and faster with every second.

So caught up in the thrill of the ride, he couldn't be sure what they hit. He just knew that the three of them went flying over the ground.

Landing shell down in the mud, he struggled up but once he was, he opened up to properly look around. Both of the water types were covered in mud and sat on the ground checking themselves over until a shadow blocked out the sun, so he turned to see what.

A giant orange Pokémon with a fierce expression, antennae sparking wings flaring glared down on them. He snapped his shell shut.

Charizard let out a massive roar as he rocketed into the air, swirling around the dark dragon type. Channelling his claws with dragon type energy. Slashing out at the black furred dragon, he cried out as the hand-mouths snapped at him whilst foaming with dark type energy.

Seeing him get further ahead, he quickly realised that he held a small speed advantage. Pulling back and flying away, he wanted to maximise it.

Building flames up in his throat, he spat it out and let the fire cover his body. Energised by his own fire, he picked up the speed.

Taking a wide berth in the air, he caught sight of his opponent, who stopped in the air. Tracking him by hovering in place.

His eyes widened as a dark blue flaming ball of dragon type energy shot out. Ducking underneath, he turned to charge back in.

Building up dragon energy in his own mouth, he spat it out once more and the raw-power covered his body. Another pulse skimmed off the top, but it wasn't enough to stop him, and he tackled the three-headed beast. Grabbing through the dragon fire, he tossed the opponent down to the side.

Channelling the energy into his claws, he swiped them down and slashed over Hydreigon's back. Quickly following with a second dragon claw.

Seeing him cry out in pain, he channelled the more natural flying energy. Diving down, he began punching in and snapping in an acrobatics as they fell.

The dark dragon snapped down on his arms, causing him to stop the assault. Seeing him trying to drag him towards the water, his eyes widened.

Shooting out a quick flamethrower, he broke free from the grip of the dragon. Spreading his wings he took off and shot over the field further.

Glancing back to his opponent as he gained altitude, he returned to tracking him. With a deep breath, he launched out condensed soundwaves in a beam.

He tried to dodge but the hyper voice was easily redirected. The sound was deafening as the wind hit his wings blowing him higher into the sky.

Performing an unvoluntary loop, he found himself in a spiral down towards the water. Shaking his head, his eyes narrowed, and wings spread out. Acting as a parashut, he stopped just above the water and the tail slapped the surface. Shooting a ball of fire, he charged through for another flame charge boost.

The tips of his wings skimmed the water as multiple balls of energy rained down over him. Electric, fire, ice, dragon... attacks of all different types.

He knew the opponent was likely a specialist in long range attacks... where he focused more on a mix to handle a multitude of opponents. Unfortunately for him, that sort mixture meant he likely couldn't win a power match. It's not impossible but it's likely Hydreigon is likely holding on without showing his true force.

"Kingdra!" He roared, snapping the Pokémon's attention to him. Still levitating thanks to the ghost. "Dragon pulse when I say!"

Tensing up his whole body, the wings shimmered in metal. His claws did likewise and extended out. His tail followed next with finally his head.

Turning up, he shot up as the flames blew off his body. Letting out a mighty roar, he rocketed up towards the dark dragon.

A pulse of dragon energy shot out and hit his wing, but it failed to detour his assault now. Tackling the opponent up, both went flying upwards.

Fire spewed around his mouth, and he snapped down on the neck of the dragon. Breathing out through his nostrils, smoke covered both of them in a cloud.

Feeling the heat intensify, he used the smoke as an insulator and expelled the fire through his skin. Cries from the opponent gave him an opening. Forcing himself onto the opponent's back, he used his arms to lock the dark dragon in place. With all his physical strength, they flew out of the crowd.

Entering a spiral, the involuntary movement stopped his opponent from trying to escape. Fighting energy flew through his blood, giving him a boost.

After the third full loop, they began diving straight down. His eyes locked onto Kingdra, and he let out an ear bursting roar. "NOW!"

The high-concentrated beam of dragon energy hit Hydreigon's chest. Imploding helped with slowing their decent as his wings spread open.

Releasing his hold, both claws grabbed one of the dragons arms. Using the remaining momentum he spun in hovered space.

Sending the opponent down straight and splashing into the water. Letting out a victorious roar, the dark dragon resurfaced on his back with swirls in his eyes. Glancing over the chaotic battle field, his eyes widened as two ships of similar designs were fast approaching.

"Starmie!" He roared, turning to the mysterious Pokémon still in their own battle. "Whirlpool and keep those ships away!"

Passing his opponent through the air, he swooped down and snatched the mushroom Pokémon. Taking off, he caught sight of the large whirlpool forming in the water, but the boats were still threatening to pursue forward into certain death... guess he'll need to make it even more dangerous to deter them.

Expelling the heat through his body, the Pokémon in his grasp cried out. Letting out poisonous spores in an involuntary reaction.

His built-up flare blitz burnt up the powder before it could infect him. Leaving a wall of fire in the sky to burn up the sails if they continued.

He caught sight of a beam of ice striking the small ghost. Causing him to release his psychic hold and sending Kingdra into the water.

The duel dragon water type disappeared beneath the water. It didn't take long for a second whirlpool to form close by, widening the coverage from the ships currently manuvering. His eyes glanced back to the damaged ship, Machamp was climbing back on board, dragging both Darmanitan and Hydreigon up.

Adjusting his path, he took a wide berth and snatched up Cryogonal with his flare blitz. With a mighty roar, he rocketed back over the ship.

Stopping with a spin, he threw the mushroom Pokémon then the snowflake. Machamp caught them and tossed them into the pile of Pokémon.

He certainly had the superior physical strength out of all of Drake's team. Problem is, he also had the ego of some sort of superhero.

Turning back around, he noticed the multicoloured bird striking the small ghost. Unable to withstand the blow, he hit the water, moving to the whirlpools.

"You get Yamask!" He roared to the fighting type. Not explaining his role in the plan, he took off after Sigilyph. The splash of the fighting type followed.

Charging at the psychic flying type, he felt the familiar tingle of psychic type energy around him. Opening his jaw, it flared with dark type energy. Snapping down on the barrier of the ESP, it weakened the hold and he continued to close in on the bird. It tried to move but was even slower than the dragon.

Extended both arms out, the claws grew and glew white. The coldness of ghost type energy surrounded them, and he slashed down with shadow claws.

He remembered their first adventure in Kanto... they tried to take on Saffron gym as the second badge before the city went under Rocket's siege, but he lost miserably and Pinsir couldn't handle two opponents at once back then. So, they spent a lot of time working on counters to the type of mental capacity.

A strong gust brought him out of his thoughts, and it slowed his movements considerably. His eyes caught the golden feathered opponent, flying around.

Using the tailwind to keep ahead of him, it only took a couple more shadow claw's for him to switch tactics. He'd needs to act smart... shame Drake's not here.

Building up the heat within his body, he saw the red tint around his body. Expelling the heat out in a wave to protect himself like a sort of shield.

Sigilyph came up to his face and the three blue eye dots began to glow. Closing his eyes as he felt the hypnosis take hold, he clenched his fists close. A spark of electricity charged his fists. Punching himself in the stomach, the shock was enough to nullify the attempted sleep induction waves.

Bursting his eyes open, he force the heat-wave energy up and out his mouth. Firing the inferno out in an intense blast, blasted the bird back.

After ten seconds, it ended, and the flames disbursed. A golden box faded, revealing the opponent mostly fine.

"Great... this is gonna be like fighting Xatu-" He growled to himself. Zooming up into the sky, he began to speed up in a circle.

Feeling the dragon energy fill every cell, the rushing wind picked up. Building up his dragon dance on other dragon dances until he hit the maximum boost.

Swooping down, he spat out a flame of dragon energy. It spread out and covered his body as she spun and directed his decent towards the bird.

His golden-feathered opponent tried to move but his tailwind boost failed low. A light blue box formed as he crashed in and grabbed Sigilyph.

Reflect reduced a lot of his impact but it didn't matter. Now in his grasp, his wings spread and flapped them to gain height.

Seeing the eyes glow once more, he snapped down in a crunch to break the concentration. Despite the reflect limiting the impact, it was enough to allow his continued ascent into the sky. Tightening his grasp around the avianoid Pokémon, he felt the fighting energy rush through to his claws.

Performing a full loop, the pirate ship was little more than a dot on the planet below. Letting go, he sliced the side of his hand across his opponent.

Smashing apart both defensive barriers, the bird began to free fall to the planet. With a powerful roar, he shot down after the opposing flying type.

Shooting out a barrage of quick embers, they struck Sigilyph. Picking up speed far easier, he channelled ghost type energy through his claws.

In one swipe, he sent the bird down into the boat. Crashing through the wooden floor, the force breaking the wooden barriers apart. His eyes noticed the show-off and bone wield pushing the rest of the unconscious Pokémon or elderly humans over to the clear leader. Creating a divide between them.

Letting out a powerful flamethrower, it created a wall of fire. He landed beside his trainer and fellow teammates. Letting out a roar to stop the grunts fighting.

He looked up to see his starter roar as he shot up to the Hydreigon. Catching sight of his own dragon type, he shot a dragon pulse up and it struck the stomach of the opposing dragon. His starter came flying down and splashed the opponent into the water.

The two robed elders stood by his side as a whirlpool formed. Off in the distance he saw a few more boats threatening to approach.

While his mind ran through potential escape routes, it was soon rendered pointless. A bone came flying and hit the first elder in the head.

Landing on his stomach, he turned in unison with the second guard. His pure ground type delivered a low kick skid, straight into his chin.

With both guards down, he took off to the far side of the ship. His attention focused on his hand with cuts from his previous assault. It became a battle to breathe as his fingers stretched out. Shaking in a nervousness as everything else disappeared.

"Maro!" His partner cried, snapping him out of it.

Looking up, he first noticed the ground type in an offensive stance against the elders. None with Pokémon ready to fight him. Out over the water he saw a wall of fire blocking the back up from joining them. From the water side, his fighting type climbed back on board.

His two back arms were full. One held Darmanitan by the scruff and the other held Hydreigon. Both were unconscious and soaked.

He effortlessly tossed the defeated opponent's over to the old men. Amoonguss and Cryogonal joining them from the sky.

Another roar from his starter and the fighting type turned around dived back into the ocean. Swimming straight over the whirlpool.

Turning back to those in front, he smirked. "It seems when we go at it. You just can't keep up."

"Foolish child-" The man growled. "We're working towards peace for Pokémon. Of course, we're untested in the battle format."

"And here I thought your sceptre was being used for compensation-" He quipped. As if on cue, his fighting type turned back up, letting his ghost go and rest on the deck. He quickly recalled the small Pokémon. "I don't think you're really on a good footing."

"If you're going to insist on interfering with Plasma's affairs then I'm afraid you'll be removed," Ghetsis hissed. Loud syrones began to sound and he noticed the flashing blue lights of police boats zooming towards the island. "Trespassing. Criminal damage. Assault. Your time is numbered."

A loud roar echoed, and a flamethrower shot down, splitting the deck in two. A wall of fire remained as his starter landed beside him.

"Charizard... go and make sure the dynamic duo aren't too overwhelmed-" He gestured down to the battle between Iris, Cilan and the grunts. Giving a nod, he took off and shot down to them. "Machamp... do you mind? It's a little difficult to talk through the fire."

His wannabe superhero picked him up and with a mighty jump cleared the fire wall. Smashing down on the mostly destroyed ship, he slid off the fighting type and stood in front of the elderly man who stumbled from the aftershock of Machamp's landing.

"I know you've got the police in your pocket so I'm getting arrested right now-" He reasoned. "Unless you refuse to press charges."

"What makes you think I'd do that?" the man asked with a snarl.

"You can get me arrested but you can't guarantee a jury will convict which means I could be out of your hair for a year... maximum-" he explained, "of course, it won't matter if your endgame is some time before then. Which if it is, any diversion from your plan now would cause just as much hassle, if not more than little ole me. Ask Rood, I got a recording of him from the dream yard encounter, and I just got your full meeting on camera too. I look forward to Nimbasa-"

"If your threatening me, the police will confiscate your device." He growled. "It'll be child's play to have those pesky videos deleted."

"Except the thing with tech is its interconnected-" He corrected. "I set up an auto email to send first the dream yard video and I since added this one to it out to every media publication worth its salt. Newspapers, new channels, even social media. You name it. I go down, those videos come out. No matter your amount of dream mist, you won't be able to influence the revolution it'll cause."

"Why wouldn't you release them anyway?" he asked.

"People are stupid and I know I can beat you without their interference... not today, admittedly but I can sooner or later." He shrugged. "This is just mutually assured destruction. I go down today and so do you. I can give you my word but consider this... I didn't release the dream yard video after that."

The old man huffed in anger as their eyes locked. He knew it was a gamble but as long as a narcissist believed he could put smart a child, it's a gamble he could win. Seeing his browl flicker down, a smirk flickered upon his lips.

"Checkmate-" He nodded.

As if on cue, the police climbed on board with an officer Jenny at the front and a row of Herdier. "Everyone freeze!"

"Now officer, I appreciate the haste but there's no need for this-" Ghetsis walked over to her. "This ship is mine and it was all... just a big misunderstanding."

She walked between the two of them and seemed to examine his cuts and bruises. Turning to face him, her eyes shot down to his hands. Acting quick, he shoved them into his pockets and her eyes scowled. "But sir-"

"No buts officer... we were having nothing more than a spirited debate." He insisted. "But I do concern myself with the younger generation. If you don't mind, could you see these three make it back to the city safely? You never know what threats hide around the corner."

He didn't need to help identifying a threat when he heard it. Of course, he fully expected it. Plasma wouldn't just give up after today.

"See you around G-" He forced a cheerful expression on his face. "Glad we got this chance to chat. It's been... educational."

"Any time-" He returned in an equally forceful manner. "Educating the young minds is the privilege of those with experience to do so."

Following the officer's lead, he recalled the remaining Pokémon except for Marowak... and Machamp, who opted to swim alongside them. Climbing down onto the smaller speed boat, it didn't take long for Iris and Cilan to join them and the water vehicle set off towards the cities dock.

Feeling the wind blow through his hair, his eyes cast out across the water. Another island seemed to be floating just off the mainland, but this one seemed to be encased in a giant blue dome. A hand landed on his shoulder, and he turned to see Cilan stood behind him.

"That's the Blueberry academy." He noted. "It's the top school in the state. Specialising in science-studies, breeding & medical practices and battle tactics."

"If you ask me-" Iris interjected. "It's a waste of time."

"That explains so much about you-" Drake uttered before shaking his head and turning back to the ocean. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out the golden and silver device he received from Victini. Staring down at it, he remembered the story Ash told him during the silver conference about the item.

"What'cha got there?" Iris asked.

He looked up to see the two of them looking curiously. Letting out a low sigh, he held it up for them to properly see.

"It's called the GS ball... I first saw it in the orange islands-" He swallowed hard, knowing if they were coming along, they'd need to learn the truth sooner or later. "Professor Oak asked us to collect it from a fellow professor in the Archipelago and so we did. They couldn't figure it out and my brother ended up taking it to Johto resident expert on Pokéballs. I... never saw what happened with it specifically but he did share the history of it."

"What's inside?" Cilan asked.

"Nothing good-" He sighed. "There is a legendary Pokémon called Celebi. A time traveller."

"Time travel isn't possible-" Cilan shook his head. "If it were, we would've seen time travellers already."

"One, if a random guy comes up to you on the street, asks the year and yells 'It worked!" Drake explained, "you'd think they were crazy. Two, it's not something the majority of people get. Imagine Celebi as like the hands of time, keeping things happening to keep the time line in order."

"Why would someone be needed to keep the time line in order?" Cilan asked.

"Because of free will..." He shrugged. "It sounds good in theory until you give it to idiots and next thing you know; you've got a United States. And then a force like Plasma forms. You aren't half susceptible. Give anyone a chance to take control and you submit. Sometimes I think you like it, easy life."

"Legendary Pokémon are powerful beings..." Iris interjected. "There's a wish maker or the dragon protecting from interstellar threats. We just met a man-made Pokémon with the fusional power of an atomic bomb. Even beings to shape the lands and oceans... is time travel really a big stretch?"

"See, one week of lessons with me and she can actually make sense-" Drake continued.

"Har, har-" She sarcastically laughed. "So that still leaves the question of what is the... GS ball? Doing here?"

"Nothing good-" Drake sighed. Squeezing the device hard as his gaze drifted out into the city skyline.

After reaching the pier, he climbed back onto the land along with his ground type and two companions. Dismissing the officers offer of a further escort, they set off into the big apple. The bustling city sounds drowned out into silence as he looked at his hand.

Dried cuts coloured his knuckles as he stretched his fingers out. Unable to stop the trembling, he squinting his eyes shut to control the tremors. The memory of Ghetsis on the floor beneath him... punch after punch... numbness protecting from the pain caused to himself.

"Drake!"

Snapping his eyes open and head to the side, he found both companions looking at him. Concern filled their eyes, something he could only recall from his mother's face. Swallowing hard, he glanced between the two of them waiting for some sort of response.

"What?" he asked, a little forcefully.

"You was a little quiet," Cilan replied, "more than usual... it was like you was stuck in your own head."

"What can I say?" He put on a large smile. "Sometimes I just need an intelligent conversation."

"This is serious!" Iris declared, stepping forward and gently lifting his arm, examining his injured fist. "What happened?"

Pulling his arm back, it hid behind his back. "Doesn't matter!"

"Maro-wak."

"Don't you start-" he warned the ground type.

"Drake-" Cilan sighed. "You're hurt. We need to get that looked at."

"Why?" he asked. "It's just a couple scratches. I don't fancy selling my other arm to fund a doctor telling me the obvious."

"What if it's more?" Iris asked. "You haven't even said how it happened. It wasn't like that this morning."

"What makes you both so interested all of a sudden?" he asked.

"You're are friend," Cilan replied, "whether you like it or not... we care for you."

He tried to come up with some sort of response, some joke or sarcastic comment but he couldn't. A fuzzing feeling around his heart prevented any words from leaving his mind. It wasn't an alien experience; he just only experienced it with his mother before. It was close to his experience meeting a young Ponyta in the orange islands but that wasn't quite the same. Not wanting them to dwell on the moment, he doubled his speed to make it to the Pokémon centre.

Upon entering the building, it was busy like normal. Just like the rest of the city, it seemed it was packed and even though it was larger than your average centre between major cities. Although, all the attention was turned up onto the screen mounted on the wall. Cranking his head to look up to it, he found the sight of Ghetsis in front of the statue of liberty. His plasma grunts were lined up, holding up the flags.

"-the events which took place are concerning. The rift forming in the state is deep. Mending it will not be an easy task. However, I like to believe that we'll be successful in the end. A world where both people and Pokémon are treated with respect." He bowed. "We didn't inherit the planet from our parents, but we are in fact borrowing it from the next generation. It is our duty to ensure it's one worthy of them. That is all Plasma strides for. A brighter future."

Seeing the screen switch back to a reporter, everyone else seemed to lose interest & general chatter filled the room. He glanced back to see his two companions but before anyone could say something, a man rushed up to them. A tall man, probably six-four just from eyeballing it with wavy brown hair, a pink scarf loosely around his neck, a thin green shirt with long sleeves and striped, pink, green and black leggings.

"Be still my beating heart! Good day, Cilan!" The man greeted. "How's the restaurant doing? And your brothers, oh, it's been too long."

"I'm good, Burgh, thank you-" the green-haired teen smiled, shaking his open hand.

"Whose your friend, Cilan?" Iris asked.

"Oh, my apologises. Please allow me to introduce you to Burgh. Castelia city's gym leader," Cilan explained, "Burgh. These are my friends, Iris and Drake."

"I remember hearing you decided to leave and see the world-" He smiled. "Sorry about the Plasma announcement. I wish this were a happier reunion. I do agree with Plasma on one point, if we have Pokémon around, we all have to be concerned about them... and take care of them too."

"Different conclusion to their philosophy-" Drake mused. "Doesn't sound like you fully agree with them."

"What can I say, I like going out on a limb... its where the fruit grows!" He smiled. "So can I ask what brings you to this city of ours?"

"Drake here intends to challenge your gym-" Cilan explained.

"I look forward to your challenge, Drake, let's say tomorrow morning." Burgh smiled. "I just got through a day of filming & I'm beat right now."

"Filming?" he asked.

"Burgh, as well as being gym leader is a professional painter," Cilan explained, "and he's got a television show... the joy of painting."

"Why do I get the feeling the next day is going to be smiles & laughter?" Drake asked, rubbing his temple. "I can feel the migraine already."

"It's important you do something each day which makes you happy," Burgh replied, "now... I believe you was the challenger Lenora recently warned off. I believe you'd walk straight over my usual challenge so how about we make it a little more interesting? I'm thinking a double battle format. Four aside."

"Fine by me." Drake nodded. "Sooner this is over, sooner we can move on. No offence, your... joyfulness is a little weird."

"None taken," Burgh replied, "I guess I'm a little weird. I like to talk to trees and Pokémon. That's okay though; I have more fun the most people."

"Right-" He rolled his eyes... he could already see the true challenge he'd face here. Not punching him in the face.

"I'll leave you be with this, I started painting as a hobby when I was little-" Burgh explained, "I didn't know I had any talent. I believe talent is just a pursued interest. Anyone can do anything as long as they put heart into it. The secret to doing anything is believing that you can do it."

Not wanting to interact further, he watched the painfully cheerfully man walk out of the centre. Turning on a heel, he walked over to the video phone. It didn't take long for the professor to answer, and he switched his team around.

As the screen faded to black, he spun in his chair and found the two tag alongs standing in front.

"You wanna talk?" Cilan asked. "I can't imagine you're happy... with that news announcement Ghetsis did."

"I'm not surprised-" He stood up. "He's a populist, authoritarian, right-wing narcissist. Of course, he'd open his mouth. I'm not surprised."

"So why the sour face?" Iris asked. "You're brooding more than normal."

"Nimbasa-" He sighed.

"It's home to the fourth gym in the Unovan league," Cilan explained, "just North of Castelia."

"You two didn't hear it-" He swallowed. "Plasma are planning something for that city. Don't know what or when..."

"What're you going to do?" Cilan asked.

"What can I do?" he asked. "Alert the police? They're under his thumb, remember. Do my own press conference and alert the citizens? It'll send them into a frenzy, and they'll end up hurting each other... then Plasma can just reschedule and I'm the crazy kid who caused a mass panic for nothing."

"So, your just gonna do nothing?" Iris asked.

"We're heading over there next..." He shrugged. "We can hang around. Keep an eye out and if it happens whilst we're there, I'll fight... try to stop them."

"And if it doesn't happen when we're there?" Cilan asked.

"Then we move on..." He sighed. "And try to stop them at the next event, and the one after that and the one after that... until I've won."

"You think that's a good option?" Iris asked.

"Sometimes the only options you have are bad ones-" He looked her dead in the eyes. "But you still have to choose."

Thanks for reading... Please Favourite, Follow and Review. Also, feel free to ask any questions through PM, I will answer them all, although don't expect too big of spoilers. Don't forget to vote in the polls. I really appreciate the support. Thank you and see ya next time...