Chapter 14: The Temple part 1

A/N: I had a lot more time to write in the last week due to the snow in the UK, so here we are. Enjoy.

Chapter 14 START

After using the prize money to buy 10 Castelia Cones, Team Sarah decided to take things lightly after winning the tournament. After Theodore's arm being left in a cast and the confrontation with Connor it would be a bad idea to immediately push them.

Sarah was confused. Today, Theodore's cast would be taken off but in the last three days, he's been acting weird, especially with Anubis. He offered to play games after Anbuis and Athena finished their exercises, things like ball or something calming like colouring without her asking. At first, she thought it was just a phase due to their efforts to win the tournament, but it stayed. He's also smiling. A genuine smile.

Theodore had his cast off after Nurse Joy checked it and said it was fully healed. He had to do some arm exercises to get it moving again. Again, this world's advanced technology still amazes him. He had surgery and fully recovered in just a few days with no scarring.

They were in the Pokemon Centre and it was the last evening before they faced Burgh again tomorrow. Sarah was going over her plans in her notebook. He left her to it. He saw the new colouring book she had bought at his request.

"Hey guys, you want to colour?" He asked the kids.

"Yes!" They both said enthusiastically.

They coloured on a collection of dragons. Athena worked on a Fraxure while Anubis worked on a Hydreigon. He himself worked on a Dragonite. The kids did draw outside of the line sometimes, but despite the mistakes, it was an enjoyable and peaceful experience. At the end, they had a slightly messy coloured drawing of a bunch of dragons found throughout the regions.

"Guys, your food is ready," Sarah said as she came from the table in the corner. The two went away leaving only them alone. Theodore was about to go too, but Sarah said, "Is everything okay, Theodore? You've been acting out the norm for the last few days." She saw him smiling during the colouring. "You've been smiling a lot too."

"Really?" Theodore said, tracing his face with his fingers. He felt his mouth curling up to his eyes. "I...I don't know. lately, I've been feeling differently."

"Did something happen?"

He thought about it. The night they won the tournament, and Anubis conquered his fear of Connor and destroyed him.

Dad he called him and he called him son. Theodore shivered. This isn't like him at all. He wouldn't say such a thing but he remembered the strong sensation when he encouraged Anubis to keep going despite his logical mind saying otherwise.

Sarah noticed his silence.

"It's not a bad thing you know," She said. "To care about others."

He struggled. This was strange, but his body and mind forced him to go along with it. He even forgot about the reason he had the cast on. The mysterious power he gained and the feral emotion he felt.

He just walked to eat his dinner along with his team. He looked to see them eat delightfully as he joined them unlike when he was in his previous world where he would eat alone, miserably, feeling dull.

Sarah faced Burgh who was standing in his casual calm fashion.

"I'm surprised you came back. After you ran away crying, I thought I wouldn't see you for about a month." She grimaced at the memory. It was childish of her. "Instead, you beat the tournament in the Battle Club and came for a rematch. That takes real inner strength."

"Thank you for the praise, but this time I'll beat you. I'm different from the trainer you saw a week ago."

Burgh released his Dwebble.

"Dwebble."

"Anubis, you're up."

"Rio."

"I see you've taken my advice quickly. This matchup should be in your favour as bug and rock type moves are ineffective against fighting types."

"Your advice was my biggest helper in the tournament. Anubis, use Swift."

Burgh clicked his teeth. He couldn't use dig to dodge and get close for X-scissor.

"Use Protect." The stars deflected from the shield. "And now use Rock Wrecker."

"Use Brick Break to break through it then attack him." Anubis used Focus Punch instead. His glowing blue fist smashed through the large rock into small pieces and he was in front of Dwebble. Sarah forgot he learned Focus Punch and forgot Brick Break, but this made her giddy. The move was more powerful.

"Use Dig!" Burgh shouted. Dwebble was startled at Anubis's speed and rushed to dig through the floor, but Anubis brought down a Kraton strike along with his focus punch on the crustaeon's head. It felt like he was hit by a hammer. If it wasn't for him being a gym leader's Pokemon he would have fainted right there and then.

Anubis went back, awaiting his next order.

"Keep using Rock Wrecker, don't let them get close," Burgh said.

He summoned as many as he could, throwing them at the canine Pokemon who dodged them swiftly. Luckily, he knew what his trainer was planning. Anubis was now near the side wall. Dwebble threw the rock in front of Anubis forcing him to dodge backwards and be backed into the corner.

"And now use X-sizzor." He closed the distance in an instant and charged his claws.

"Don't dodge it, take it and overpower him with another Focus Punch." He took the slash across the chest but he didn't feel much pain due to it being ineffective. With Dwebble now vulnerable, he ended the match, the Pokemon having fainted in front of him. This was an easy battle.

"Thank you Dwebble, have a good rest." Burgh recalled him. "Let's see how you will face against Whirlipede."

The bug and poison type Pokemon whirled on the spot and showed off its cutting ability. Sarah already knew who to bring out.

"Athena, let's go."

"Whirliped, use Steam Roller. Flatten her to the ground."

"Athena, you know what to do."

"Ralts." She waited until she got close before stepping aside and evading the attack. She let her go a fair distance before charging Psyshock and releasing the psychic projectiles. The three landed and Whirliped screamed in pain.

"WHIRLLL!"

"Oh no, your Ralts has improved her Psybeam."

"Yes." Sarah grinned menacingly. "And she's about to wipe the floor with your Pokemon."

"Don't think it will be that easy. Use Solar Beam."

"Counter it with Mystical Fire." The two attacks clashed. At first, Solar Beam was pushing against the flames. But Athena wouldn't take that, she's worked too hard just to be pushed back. Releasing all her hydrogen reserves, the flames doubled in size and encompassed Whirlipede.

"Whirl!"

She huffed in place. The air was cool as she breathed in. Perhaps it was more efficient to have dodged but-no, she beat Whirliped in a clash of attacks. Now she would end this after Sarah's final command.

"Whirlipede, Steam Roller." Sarah and Athena were confused, he'd already used that tactic and it failed. How could a gym leader make such an error?

When Whirlipede got close Athena was ready to dodge but she and Sarah were shocked by what Burgh said next.

"Stop the attack and use the momentum to use Venoshock."

"What!" Sarah shouted.

Whirlipede stopped her attack, her pincers no longer coated with steel type energy but with poison. Athena tried to dodge but Whirlipede changed angle and slashed her. Athena landed beside the side wall.

"But she didn't know that before," Sarah said.

"You're not the only ones who improved. Solar Beam again and don't stop. She's been poisoned."

"Dodge them."

The battlefield was starting to get blurry. The poison was a signature attack and worked quickly. With each dodge, she started to feel more drowsy and her skin was getting more sensitive, the air felt like small cuts on it. Whirlipede was relentless in how much she was sending but even she was getting tired having used a lot of grass type energy. Athena saw the one arriving and noticed how small it was.

Despite the headache forming she used a Psyshock, the three projectiles clashed against the Solar Beam. She was getting pushed back again due to her attack weakening after her headache increased. She didn't care. She wanted to beat this Whirlipede for she WILL be the strongest Gardevoir. That was the promise she made to her parents. She pushed and pushed, pushing against her headache as her Psyshock increased in power. She needed more power. And with one final push, she destroyed Whirlipede's attack and blasted him.

A blue glow encompassed her body. Both contenders watched in awe.

Is this what I think it is? Sarah thought. Yes, she's evolving.

She grew in size becoming a few inches taller than Anubis. Her dress changed into a knee-length skirt, and her hair grew to shoulder-length while the front allowed her eyes to be seen. She now had two red horns, one on each side of her head.

"Kirlia!" She said.

"Yes!" Sarah celebrated.

Athena moved around in her new body and engulfed her new height. Her instincts changed to commemorate it and it was like she always had it. She would now be able to talk to Theodore without looking so high up and Anubis…

Oh my cupcakes.

She was taller than him. That means she's the older one now. She'll be giving him so many noogies.

"Congratulations, but the battle isn't finished," Burgh said.

"You're right. You did great Athena. Return."

"Unleashing the guardian of the forest, fight for me Leavanny."

"Leavan," she said.

"You're going to fight using your Weavile again. Despite the matchup in your favour, what will be different from last time, although, after seeing the improvements in your other two Pokemon, I am expecting something."

"Theodore, come on out."

He stretched his arms and cracked his back. He wore a smug grin.

"I'm going to destroy you this time."

Leavanny just hummed.

"Leavanny, use String Shot then Hyper Beam."

As before, she charged her attacks quickly, but he was ready this time. Having trained his body more during the spars with Anubis and Athena, he evaded the string shot, it sticking to the wall behind him, and ducked from the Hyper Beam which pulverized the boulder behind him.

He rushed towards her while firing an Ice Beam. Leavanny's eyes widened from how quickly he charged it and her legs were frozen in place. She tried to break it with her claws but they proved ineffective. The ice was burning against her grassy carapace.

"Use Leaf Storm, don't let him get to you," Burgh said.

"Leavanny." She blasted the attack in front of her. Theodore jumped over it and charged a Shadow Claw. She brought her claws up to block the attack, but he went behind her and slashed her back. She grunted from the sharp cut.

"Use Protect," Burgh said concerned. She was stuck in place and couldn't turn around. This will at least protect her while he figures out what to do.

Instead of breaking through the Protect, Theodore ran around her and used Ice Beam, encasing her in a huge ball of ice. He was brought down to all fours and huffed as his nitrogen reserves ran out and his air pipe felt a lot of ice burn, but he still smirked.

"What is this?" Burgh watched in confusion while Sarah watched with curiosity. He'd never seen this before in a gym battle.

Theodore had studied her anatomy in the library before training for the tournament. Leavanny, despite having blood, was a grass type and used photosynthesis for energy along with normal respiration. The ice ball will slow photosynthesis down and with half of her energy source cut off she wouldn't last much longer.

"Break through with Hyper Beam!" Burgh said.

She did but it was small and lacking much normal type energy. She crawled out of the small hole. She shivered as she struggled to stand up. If he was right, and he always is, ice crystals should be forming inside some of her plant cells and puncturing their cell membranes.

"That was a genius move. Did you teach him that," Burgh asked Sarah.

"No, he learned that himself. He's a special Pokemon," she said.

He charged a Shadow Claw and rushed towards her again. She didn't give up and glared at the coming Weavile.

"Use Leaf Storm," Burgh said. He slashed through the weak Leaf Storm. He aimed for the bug types weak spot while using Veloctar, it was a gap in the carapace between the neck and the chest.

Leavanny didn't even let out a groan as she fell forward and fainted.

"Too easy," Theodore said.

"Leavanny is unable to battle making Sarah Grace the winner of the Castelia Gym," the referee called out.

Burgh recalled Leavanny and walked towards Sarah with a large smile on his face.

"Congratulations, you completely demolished me. You took my advice and implemented it in an instant. Not many trainers would do that so quickly letting their pride get in their way." Sarah rubbed the back of her neck and smiled with a blush at the excess compliments. "You've beaten the Castelia Gym and earned yourself the insect badge."

He held out the badge in a tray but before Sarah could take it he held it back.

"Before you can take it you have to sign this contract," he said as the referee beside him gave it to her.

"Oh, yes." She slapped a hand to her head. "I forgot about that."

She signed it off without reading it as if she already knew what it contained. Theodore watched in confusion. That was never in the anime, and you should never sign a contract without reading it. He would know, some people tried to scam him with ownership of his patents.

He tugged on her dress and she knelt down. He whispered in her ear in English as he didn't want to deal with the constant surprise from other trainers of the Pokemon who could speak human language.

"What is that contract?"

"It's to join the military of course. They tell you this when you start your journey. If you want to progress past three badges then you agree to join the military or you would no longer be allowed to continue the circuit."

That was new, but it made sense. This world, he could conclude, was not running on cartoon logic and was realistic. It wouldn't make sense to have a 12 year old own Pokemon who could grow to kill an elephant from his own world with ease. The only thing he found strange in this world was the peace, it grossed him out like a feeling of homesickness.

He shook his head. Whatever.

And with that, they left. They went to the Pokemon Centre to get healed but Sarah went alone to the video booths.

She wasn't nervous like last time. She was going to be stern as she held the trophy from the tournament and the new gym badge. She typed her parent's number and they popped up.

"Sarah, my darling, how have you been?" her mother asked as her dad was beside her.

"I'm doing well mom, in fact, I'm doing awesome. How are you and dad?"

"We're doing well too dear, Audino and Gallade have been keeping us company. You're in Castelia City, you're progressing well," her mom said in an unenthusiastic tone that she didn't like.

"Sarah," her father called. "I know you want to keep travelling and complete the circus, but we were thinking." She could guess what he was about to say. "That you should come home. We're proud of you for making it this far, but perhaps it's better to get a job now. I know a friend who's willing to-"

"Dad." He stopped talking. "I told you, I need to do this. I'm not the little girl who always needed her hand held for some simple tasks. I want to grow and become someone who can be relied upon…it sucks you know, having to have everyone look down on you." Her parents kept silent. "Mom, dad, I love you, but I'm not going to quit my journey just because you don't think I can do this. Look." She lifted her trophy and badge. "I've just beaten a tournament and won my next badge. I've reached three now. My team have grown stronger than before. I'll come home as the champion after beating Alder, do you understand?"

…

"Okay," her father said. "We won't try to stop you from now on. If you're going to keep going then all we can do is give you our full support."

"But-" her mother said.

"She is right, we've held her hand for too long. Although, we won't accept you coming back without becoming a strong trainer. You better fulfill your promise."

"I do. Thank you," Sarah said then grinned meticulously. "If it helps, I beat Isabella in a Pokemon battle."

Now that shocked them. Isabella, the one whom the family expected to be their most powerful trainer, was defeated by the runt of the family.

"By the way, have you called Professor Juniper, she said she wanted to talk to you," her mother asked.

"Oh fudge, I totally forgot. See ya mom, see ya dad."

"Goodbye Sarah," her father said.

"Goodbye dear," her mother said.

With the end of the call, Sarah let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. She didn't expect that outcome and took a risk to say what she said. She did have faith though that everything would be alright and it paid off, she didn't have to worry about her parents trying to stop her from journeying again. She called Professor Juniper.

"Hello Sarah, long time no see," a young woman said with a large smile. Her brown hair was wrapped up in a large bun, she wore red diamond earrings and had a face of beauty.

"Hello professor, I'm sorry I didn't call for a long time. I was meant to call you in Nacrene City but a lot of hectic things have been going on."

"I know, I heard about the kidnapping incident, to see that in our day and age is truly appalling. Well done for rescuing those Pokemon, you were really brave for doing so." Sarah blushed at the praise from her favourite teacher, the one who didn't treat her like a fragile little girl.

"How did you know about that?" Her name wasn't leaked out, was it? That would give her parents a heart attack if they found out.

"I get insider information from the police force and rangers of the region. Don't worry, no one knows it was you except for everyone involved."

"Phew."

"Anyway, how's Athena, did you catch any more Pokemon?

"Oh yeah, Professor, it was awesome. Athena evolved into a Kirlia and I've caught two more Pokemon; a Riolu and a Weavile." Professor Juniper giggled at the young lady's enthusiasm.

"You said you were in Castelia City. Then can you do me a favour? The Nurse Joy in your centre has a package from me, it's an important relic for a friend of mine, he's a researcher. I'll need you to deliver it to him. He's in the Nexacorp building, 4th floor. Can you do that for me please?"

"Of course Professor!"

"Thank you."

They said their goodbyes. After a ding and her name called out on the speakers, she collected her Pokemon, put the package in her bag, and went to her booked room. It was evening and she'd rather deliver it tomorrow.

She arrived at the Nexacorp building, was given a pass from the receptionist, and arrived at the 4th floor. She was surprised by the sight around her. It was a large laboratory filled with scientists who were working diligently on their projects. They used equipment that looked similar to the ones in movies. They glowed, were made of serene material, and looked like they could break reality itself. She didn't know what any of them did.

While Athena and Anubis walked beside her, not bothering to figure out the unfamiliar world around them, Theodore only watched with lust. This right here was his natural habitat. While others would find video games, sports or even drugs to give them a dopamine rush, he would rather study and create. He saw one of the scientists type in his password to log in to his computer. Fbsd76-#.

Oh yeah, I'm definitely taking advantage of this. He could feel a boner coming out.

"Alright everybody, time for lunch," a man called out. When he said that, many of the scientists let out a breath of relief at the prompt of food. The man saw Sarah and walked up to her.

"Hello, you must be Sarah, Aurea told me you'd come," he said.

"Aurea?" She asked.

"Professor Juniper. Do you have the package?"

"Yep, here it is." She got it out of her bag and gave it to him.

"Excellent." He marvelled at the package, feeling it over with his hands. "Thank you for doing this for me. Would you like a tour of the laboratory, I can show you what we've been working on lately."

"Really? I would love to."

While they went through a double door that required the man's keycard, Theodore took a step back just as they closed. He marvelled at the laboratory around him, at the equipment he could only dream of having before his transformation. He cracked knuckles, stretched his arms, and clenched his ass cheeks.

It's good to be back.

…

"And here we have our dream mist electron gun machine. We lost a lot of data from the Dreamyard's main energy project, so we had to start again. Hopefully, this time we'll get it right." She saw a Musharna through the glass producing the dream mist. The electron guns silently shot out their electrons through the mist which produced static throughout the fog.

"This is so exciting," she said. "I wondered how the project would change the world. There was so much promise there. Hey Theo-"

She was about to ask the Weavile what he thought as he was the more learning type of guy in their group, but he wasn't there. She looked around, even behind the machines and he still wasn't there.

"Do you know where he went?" She asked her other two Pokemon, but they just shrugged. Damn it, he was probably in the laboratory. She'll just pick him up after the tour.

Theodore blew away the small smoke produced by the soldering iron. He enclosed the casing of the hand-sized device and put it on the table with the anti-flame spray. It was a psychic jammer. He'd logged into the scientist's computer, the one he saw type in his password, and used it to get whatever information he could find. One example is the frequency of sound needed to disrupt a psychic type's attack, and another was how to operate a machine to fabricate aerogel. Yes, aerogel. The most light material his world had made. It was very hard to make and had a lot of uses. He wished he could live in this place.

He stitched some pockets in his scarf. One for his notebook, one for his anti-flame spray, and one for his psychic jammer. He would wear his aerogel shoes to completely neglect electric type attacks. The material would completely separate him from the ground so the electricity would have nowhere to go. Usually, the material would be extremely fragile, but these twats have figured out a method to reinforce it. Truly amazing.

The double doors behind him opened and he quickly swept away his work to make sure no one knew what he did. I mean, who would expect a Pokemon to create such weapons.

"There you are, we were looking all over for you, where were you?" Sarah asked. Theodore merely shrugged while lifting the book about basic physics next to him. She sighed tiredly. "I'm not even going to ask. Anyway, Professor Gerald, I thank you for the tour." She bowed. He merely chuckled while waving his hands.

"There's no need for that young lady. We don't get many visitors and it's easy to find yourself indulged in the work you're dedicated to. The tour let me have a break too."

They left. Theodore adjusted his scarf so the devices didn't irritate him.

"There's no need to stay in this city anymore. I've already packed our stuff from the Pokemon Centre, we're leaving for Nimbasa City. It will take us over a month according to this map to get there. If we hurry we'll make it before spring ends."

They walked to the edge of Castelia city, gym badge in possession, an evolved partner, some difficult obstacles been overcome, and were ready to leave.

"Hold it!" Someone shouted from behind them. Sarah cringed, immediately recognizing the voice. It was hard to forget a voice that's been with you since the day you were born, through school, and leaving for your journey. She turned to see Isabella marching towards her.

"What do you want, I thought you never wanted to see my face again or whatever."

Isabella pointed a finger at her face.

"I may not have found a referee, but I'll crush you so hard that no form of cheating will allow you to win. I, Isabella Grace, challenge you to a Pokemon battle."

…

"Nah," Sarah said before turning and walking through the gates.

"W-wait, what do you mean? You can't just leave without facing me. I won't allow you."

"Well too bad, I don't have to accept your challenge and I won't. I have a 4th gym badge to win unlike you."

"Actually, I do have my 3rd gym badge. I beat Burgh 2 days ago. If you won't face me then I'll come with you to Nimbasa City."

That made Sarah freeze in fear. A whole month with her most hated cousin. Nope, she wouldn't do it.

"If you don't let me come with you," Isabella said. "Then I'll tell Aunty Miltia who really ate the whole cake on my latest Birthday." She saw Sarah's shocked expression. "Don't think I didn't know it was you."

Athena just looked at Sarah as if she'd been stabbed in the back by her. Sarah looked at her guiltily. She may have blamed the newborn Ralts for the whole thing when she actually ate only a small slice. Athena had just looked at the whole family in fear when they started saying words she couldn't recognize at the time, and she felt their anger through her horn. Yeah, not a fun experience.

"Fine," Sarah growled. "But stay out of my way."

"Trust me, dear, you'll be the one who needs to stay out of my way."

It had become sunset by the time they trekked through part of the route to Nimbasa City. The whole day was filled with silence as the two's awkwardness could be felt around them.

Sarah was cooking dinner. It would usually be a standard dish, but today, she felt like doing something special. She was making a portion for Isabella. She was family after all, no matter how much she hated that fact

"Do you mind explaining why your Weavile is eating steak made of pokefood?"

"He's a weird one. Trust me, the less you question it, the better."

"Okay." Isabella saw the ingredients Sarah was using like the sauces, but she wasn't preparing them properly. "You're doing it wrong."

"Doing what wrong?"

"You're supposed to put the Darumaca hot sauce after adding salt to the spaghetti, not before- you know what, here, I'll do it."

She forcefully shoved Sarah aside and took over. She flipped the pan with expertise. She added an accurate amount of each ingredient, and overall, did everything like it was second nature. In a small amount of time, she completed the dish.

"Voilà, witness the skills of a master chef." The plate smelled so delicious a Vanillite could smell it a mile away and they don't even have noses. "Try it and see."

Theodore, having finished his food, was curious at the gourmet-looking dish and took a bit.

"Weavile!" He nodded many times giving his approval. Isabella sent a small smirk at Sarah who huffed and went into her sleeping bag, not even eating her dinner.

…

"Damn it, this isn't working," Isabella said as she tried to improve her Servine's evasiveness. Her method of training was to make him sprint as much as he could to increase his speed and have an easier time dodging attacks. So far, it's proved fruitless. What was she doing wrong? She was her school's top student so she should have figured this out. She bit her nail in thought.

"That's not how you should train for dodging," Sarah said.

"What's wrong with my method?"

"It trains his stamina which would be good for his ranged attacks and longevity in a battle but doesn't fix his issue here. You have to-you know what, here, I'll show you."

To Isabella's confusion, she tied some rope around her Servine along with a boulder she was surprised she could carry. Her Servine struggled to keep himself ahold.

"So how will this help-"

"If you give me at least ten minutes then I can show you." Sarah got a few small projectiles like pebbles and twigs. "Servine, I used this training method for Anubis and it worked out greatly. You have to dodge these things that I throw at you, okay?"

"Servine," he said.

She started to throw them at him, first underhanded and slowly then overhand and fast as the reps built up. Isabella sighed.

This is useless.

And then came the second set. She was shocked. His speed had noticeably increased by a bit. He started to struggle with the heavy rock attached to his back.

"His leg muscles are made of fast muscle fibers which are excellent for dodging." Sarah had studied this in the library to confirm the training method's theory and it did. "Sprinting doesn't work on the explosiveness his legs need for dodging. This is a good method that worked with my Pokemon."

Isabella was silent. How is it that Sarah was able to train her Pokemon better than she could? No, it wasn't possible. But the scene in front of her showed otherwise.

She just huffed and went to eat her sandwich on the side.

…

They stared at the hill in front of them. They would have to move through the narrow path on the side. It was an easy slip if you didn't have the right shoes or were reckless. The fall below looked nasty. Sarah had to put her team in their pokeballs and the the girls carefully trod past.

"Brav Braviary." There was a Braviary who had built their nest on top of the hill overlooking their path. It flew away to collect food for its Rufflets, but while doing so, knocked a couple of rocks onto them.

"Oh shit!" Sarah managed to handle a few pebbles landing on her, but Isabella had to dodge a huge one that was about to land on her head. In doing so she slipped on the edge of the pathway and fell.

She closed her eyes and prepared for the huge wave of pain about to hit her. Sarah swiftly grabbed onto her arm while keeping a strong grip on the wall behind her.

"H-hold on." She grunted as she lifted her up. It was hard to keep a grip on the wall for yourself and someone else. She managed though, and huffed in place. Isabella stared at her cousin. She'd saved her. "Are you okay?"

"Why did you save me?" Isabella said.

"You're my cousin, what do mean?"

"No, you did this because you wanted me to think I needed you. You wanted a one over me. Well, I don't need you and I never will!"

Sarah just walked away.

"What did I ever do to you?" She asked. Isabella just stayed silent and walked furiously behind her.

The evening was filled with another silence. Isabella couldn't get out of her head the idea that Sarah thought she was better than her. She didn't need saving, especially from someone such as her. They went to sleep and Isabella dreamed of some memories from their childhood.

(Flashback)

"Belle, Belle!" An enthusiastic voice of an 8 year old called out. Sarah called out the nickname of her cousin.

"Yes, cupcake," Isabella responded with her own nickname. It was based on Sarah's addiction to cupcakes.

"My mom bought me a new Lego Togekiss set. Let's play."

"Cool!" They played for hours on end, pretending to have a tea party with their new Togekiss figures and flying around like the coordinators they saw on TV.

"Sarah, Isabella, it's time for school," Sarah's mom, Miltia, called out. They groaned but put away their new Lego set and got ready for school. While Isabella skipped through the road in glee, Sarah just walked while looking slightly anxious.

Classes started and it was the typical day where Isabella would always put her hand up to answer the question while Sarah sat quietly on the side. Sometimes the teachers ignored her otherwise she would be answering every question. While Sarah, when called out, only fumbled as she struggled to answer. Here was one such example.

"Sarah, who was the second king of Unova after the Original Dragon had split into its three counterparts."

"Uhhhh, Daniel the 6th."

"No, it's David the 1st. Maybe if you studied harder then you would actually be able to answer a question." The rest of the kids laughed. It was such an easy question.

"Hey, Isabella," someone from behind Isabella called. She turned to see one of the class's loudmouths, Jax. "Your cousin is pretty dumb, huh?"

"W-well, I wouldn't go that far-"

"Yeah, he's right," his associate next to him, Barry, said. "Hey, Sarah. You're very stupid, I mean, why are you even in this class? Go back to nursery." He shouted. Sarah just hid her head between her arms. "Your cousin's way smarter than you. Be more like her, isn't that right Isabella?"

"I-I mean, she isn't doing as well as she should. She should play less with Legos and study more." Sarah looked betrayed when she said that. A pang of guilt hit her.

They had lunch together and Sarah had ignored the comment from history class. It was a single comment that probably didn't mean anything.

Classes had resumed and the same thing kept happening. Isabella would exceed in them while Sarah plummeted. In all of them, Jax and Barry would do the same comparisons and insults towards Sarah, and they would get Isabella to go along with them.

"Hey, Isabella. Join us for lunch instead of that loser," Jax said with his group of misfits behind him.

"Yeah, you're too good for someone like her," Barry said.

"O-okay," Isabella said, not really wanting to go, but due to pressure, did so anyway. She left Sarah to be by herself.

Over the next few weeks, she started to distance herself from her, speaking and playing less. It made sense, didn't it? She was someone who far excelled everyone else at everything, it would make sense to stay away from her.

She started to hang around with Jax's group more often and spend less time with Sarah until she didn't at all. Even when coming to each other's home, they didn't hang out like they used to. She missed it, but that feeling was filled by the bullying she started to do to Sarah. She didn't think it was bullying. She was simply reminding her of her place.

"I want to become a Pokemon trainer," Sarah announced to the whole house. Isabella and her parents were staying over for the night. Everyone just froze in silence. It was Isabella who broke it first.

"Ha ha ha. You become a Pokemon trainer. You can't even look after yourself, how do you expect to look after an Oshawott?" She kept laughing and was chastised by her parents. Lightly, of course, because she was the star of the household and thought to become the best trainer in their family.

Sarah's parents didn't have the heart to say no but tried to discourage her. When Sarah was reluctant that's when she became angry.

Her becoming a Pokemon trainer, what nonsense. She would teach her her place. Yes, that is what she would do. She would become so much better than her that she'll quit and never go back to journeying again. She bet she wouldn't even be able to get a single gym badge.

(Flashback end)

After two weeks, they had come across a desert terrain. This was the main obstacle towards Nimbasa City, so if they could get through this then they should be fine for the rest of the route. The wild Pokemon were getting stronger but were perfect for their team's training.

They changed their clothing to the appropriate ones. Isabella clicked her teeth. She didn't expect Sarah to be smart enough to think ahead. She was thinking of ways to get one over her just like she did when saving her on the cliff.

Sarah recalled her team as the desert terrain was windy and would mess up their fur and dress. She would call them out in case of any wild Pokemon.

It was a challenging walk but nothing they couldn't handle. They came across a large pyramid, the size of an apartment. It stood out from the rest of the dessert. A sign was in front of the enclosed entrance.

Temple of Tutankhamun

WARNING! DO NOT ENTER. POKEMON HERE KILL HUMANS.

So, it's one of those. I wondered how long it would take to see one. Sarah thought. Some Pokemon's instincts were too strong to overcome their desire to kill humans, unlike most species. Unless they were raised from hatching or tamed in a special way, you were warned not to enter these zones they reside in.

Sat on the pyramid close to the ground, was a Pokemon Ranger who was keeping guard in case any stupid trainer decided to waltz in anyway and get themselves killed.

Sarah was about to walk away.

"We should go in there," Isabella said. This was the best way to get one over her.

"Don't you know how to read?" Sarah said. "'Warning!' And 'killed'. I value my life, thank you very much."

"What's wrong, you're not scared are you?"

"We're not kids anymore, we're 12. That won't work on me."

"Oh, come on. I'm sure you would like to see what's in there. Think of the sightseeing. It would be quite the experience." Sarah hesitated but still ignored the provocations. "Fine, I'll go myself. You'll see an expert Pokemon trainer go in, take some pictures, and come out alive. Oh yoohoo, mister Ranger." The Ranger lifted his head. She pointed in the direction behind them. "I saw a kid having fainted that way. He wasn't wearing the right clothing for this weather."

"Damn it, stupid kids with their arrogance. Thank you for telling me young lady, I'll be sure to see he's alright."

As soon as the Ranger was out of site, Isabella went to the enclosed doors of the pyramid. Unsurprisingly, it was locked. She felt over the walls of the pyramid but it was sturdy, not weak despite how ancient the structure looked.

"Stop that, you'll get us in trouble!" Sarah whispered loudly.

She didn't stop and walked around the structure, keeping an eye out for an opening. There. There were a few bricks missing in the bottom corner at the back of the pyramid. She dug out a bit of the sand. There was a small hole that would allow entry to them.

"Aleyoop," Isabella said dropping down. Sarah tried to stop her but ended up falling down too and landing on her face. She groaned as she held her nose.

This hag. I wished I was with N instead, at least he was useful. Why am I travelling with her again?

She was surprised to see symbols along the walls that she'd only been shown in school in history class. They were called hieroglyphics if she recalled. She traced over them as the rows showed abstract pictures of a couple of specific Pokemon. She wondered what they said. She didn't know how to translate them.

Isabella looked over the sentences intricately. History was always her favourite subject.

"This is one weird message," She said.

"You can translate it?" Sarah asked, shocked and almost impressed.

"Yes, at least some of it. There's constant repetition of 'reincarnation'. See that picture over there." She pointed at the picture that showed a throne with a Pharaoh sitting on it while holding his staff. Below the throne were tiny figures bowing to him. "A ruler of ancient Unova had apparently come out of nowhere claiming he comes from a world with no Pokemon, and superior technology. No one believed him and threw him out as a madman."

"A world without Pokemon. Sounds boring."

"I know. He used his knowledge of weaponry to take over part of the region and claimed himself as ruler, forcing a new culture called 'Egyptian'."

Huh, that's pretty cool. It sounded like a fantasy but here it was. It brought in a sense of mystery in Sarah as they walked through the cold hallways. They felt the smooth slab stones under them as they breathed in the dusty air.

"Ya~ Yamaaaask~" A ghostly voice sang that sent a shiver down their spines. A small black and skinny Pokemon phased through the wall, its tail carrying a golden mask that perfectly looked like an old man's. "Yaaaa."

It charged a Shadow Ball towards them. They jumped out of the way. Isabella summoned Servine while Sarah summoned Athena.

"Use Psyshock," Sarah said.

"Use Energy Ball," Isabella said

Both attacks landed and the Yamask let out a yell of pain. It retreated, phasing through the wall.

They should leave. They were lost. Through the many hallways, they couldn't retrace their steps and were now looking for the hole they used to enter aimlessly. 3 more Yamask appeared and they were tougher.

"Use Vine Whip, hold them all together," Isabella said. it was a struggle but Servine managed it, not letting any of them escape. This allowed Athena to use Psyshock, sending a charged projectile to each of them. They phased and left. Ever since she evolved her psychic attacks have gotten significantly stronger. They were more powerful and didn't cause her as much of a headache.

"Hey, we should use that strategy if any more come up," Sarah said. Isabella huffed but couldn't deny its value. This place was a risk to their lives so it would be wise to do so.

"Fine."

Any more that popped up were quickly sent away. After the Yamasks had learned their lesson they stopped coming. They recalled their Pokemon.

"Cofagrigus," a deep voice moaned from behind them. They slowly turned and their hearts jumped to their throats. A huge Sarcophagus that was over 5 feet rose from the ground. Its coffin was made of a strong gold-like alloy that hued the small amount of light hitting it. It had a pair of dead red eyes and menacing sharp teeth. Similar to the Yamask, it had a small golden mask on its forehead showing an unattractive middle-aged man. The scariest part of it was the four long ghostly arms coming out of it that looked similar to Theodore's Shadow Claw.

"AAAHHHHH!" The girls screamed as they ran as fast as they could. They twisted and turned through the hallways that seemed endless. Their footsteps echoed on their walls and almost deafened the Pokemon's wailing of its name.

"Cofaaaag."

This was a mistake. This was a very big mistake. Isabella thought. This was such a stupid idea. Why was I obsessed with holding one over Sarah, that's so childish?!

She knew what this Pokemon's instincts were. It would take people and turn them into mummies, allowing them to decompose while it feeds on their dead body.

In her haste, she bumped into the corner of a wall and slipped onto the floor. The Cofrafrigus extended one of its ghostly arms towards her leg. The hair at the back of her neck rose and she froze in place. Just as the large cold hand that screamed of the afterlife was about to wrap around her, she was yanked by Sarah.

"Come on, it's over there!" She pointed at the small ray of light at the end of the hallway. The adrenaline pumped as hope began to blossom within them. There it is, the exit is right there. But so was the Cofagrigus. He extended another hand.

Isabella jumped, grabbed hold of the ledge, and climbed through.

"Here!" She turned and gave her hand to Sarah. Sarah jumped and their fingertips only brushed. Isabella felt her heart stop when Cofagrigus's hand wrapped around Sarah's waist and pulled her back into the darkness. Her sash holding her pokeballs was ripped off and fell onto the floor. Isabella only saw her desperate face before she disappeared.

"SARAH!"