XxxxX

I was lying in a field with Nova, the sun warm on our faces, and the sky a brilliant blue. It was peaceful, a rare moment of tranquility.

Suddenly, the ground beneath Nova started to tremble. Before I could react, Nova was sucked into the earth, vanishing without a trace. I scrambled to the spot, clawing at the ground, but it was as if Nova had never been there.

Laughter echoed around me. I looked up to see Derek standing there, a smug grin on his face. "You think you can protect them? You're too weak."

My anger flared. "Shut up, Derek! You don't know anything about me or my team."

Derek's form began to blur, shifting into the figure of my mother. Her eyes bore into me with that familiar look of disappointment. "Rusk, how could you let this happen? You never live up to my expectations."

I clenched my fists, trying to keep my voice steady. "I'm doing my best. You have no idea what I've been through."

"Your best is never good enough," she retorted, her voice dripping with condescension. "You always fall short. You can't even protect those you care about."

"Stop it!" I shouted, feeling the frustration bubble up. "I'm not you! I don't need to follow your standards."

She stepped closer, her form growing larger and more imposing. "You'll never amount to anything, Rusk. Just like I always knew."

Her words cut deep, and I felt a surge of helplessness. I wanted to argue, to prove her wrong, but the weight of her judgment was crushing. "I won't let you control me," I managed to say, my voice shaking.

She sneered, her voice booming as her form continued to grow, towering over me like a giant. "You're nothing without my guidance. Just a lost boy playing at being a hero."

Panic surged through me as I turned and ran, the ground shaking beneath my feet. Her laughter echoed all around, a mocking sound that seemed to come from everywhere at once. "You can't run from the truth, Rusk!"

I ran faster, my heart pounding, but no matter how far I went, her presence loomed over me, her giant form casting a shadow that swallowed everything. "You think you can escape me? You're pathetic!"

"Leave me alone!" I shouted over my shoulder, but her laughter only grew louder.

Before I could respond, the ground opened up beneath me, and I fell into darkness, her mocking laughter echoing in my ears.

I jolted awake, heart pounding, the remnants of the nightmare clinging to me. Shaking off the lingering dread, I got out of bed and quickly dressed, eager to check on my team. The Pokémon Center was quiet in the early morning, the only sound being the gentle hum of the healing machines. I made my way to the recovery area where Nova and Rukia were resting.

Nurse Joy greeted me with a kind smile. "Good morning, Rusk. How are you feeling?"

I forced a smile. "I'm okay, just worried about my team."

"They're doing well," Nurse Joy reassured me. "Nova will need another day of rest, but you can take them with you. Just make sure they don't overexert themselves, and bring Nova back in a few hours so I can do a final checkup, and as long as everything looks like its setting right you should be able to head out this afternoon."

"Thanks, Nurse Joy," I said, relieved. I gently picked up Nova's PokéBall, feeling the emptiness of my hood without my partner nestled inside. "Come on, buddy. Let's go."

Outside, the mountain range was shrouded in a heavy fog, the weather mirroring my mood. The events of recent days plagued my mind. My team had been beaten, my dreams had turned to nightmares, and I felt utterly alone without my friends to lift my spirits. I wished I had someone here who could lighten the mood, maybe distract me from all this. But I was on my own.

I trudged down the garden path of the Pokémon Center, lost in thought. The fight with Derek replayed in my mind, the anger and frustration resurfacing. My mother's judgmental voice echoed in my ears, reminding me of my failures. I clenched my fists, trying to push the negative thoughts away, but they lingered, gnawing at my confidence.

I glanced at my team, who followed me closely, their eyes filled with concern. "Sorry, guys," I muttered. "Just having a rough morning."

Rukia nuzzled my leg, and Aster landed on my shoulder, chirping softly in an attempt to cheer me up. I managed a small smile, grateful for their support. "Thanks, everyone. We'll get through this together."

As we continued our walk, the fog lifted for few moments, revealing the rugged beauty of the mountain range. Despite my heavy heart, I couldn't help but marvel at the breathtaking view. The serene landscape seemed to contrast sharply with the turmoil that seemed to continue plaguing my mind.

My thoughts kept drifting back to the battle and the nightmare this morning. I needed to step up my attempts at using my aura. The tournament in the Rota kingdom wouldn't be for a while, but I couldn't wait until then to figure it out. The fog around me helped keep distractions at bay, and I realized this was as good an opportunity for anything.

I decided to spend some time meditating. My team took the chance to relax and rest some more. Nova, especially, was tired out; his evolution had drained his energy, and the injury didn't do him any favors either.

I sat down, closing my eyes, and focused on my breathing. In and out, slow, and steady. I needed to find that spark inside me again, the one I had felt during the battles. Clearing my mind, I tried to sense any energy within me. Come on, Rusk, you can do this. Find it.

As I meditated, I started to feel something—a pulsing flame in the center of my chest.

Concentrating, I tried to move it around my body. The resistance was strong, like pushing through thick mud, but I managed to sluggishly begin to circulate it. With each successful limb it reached, my body felt more energized.

However, as I attempted to move, my concentration shattered. The flame retreated to its home and stubbornly refused to come back out.

Damn it! I opened my eyes, frustration boiling inside me. Why could I draw upon it when I was in danger but struggle now?

A strange light had gained my attention from under my shirt, glancing down a light blue hue began to slowly fade, receding back into the pendant Rowan had gotten made for me.

It finally hit me—the feather I got from Cresselia had glowed every time I had used my aura, I just never really noticed because of the danger I was in. Of course. The feather must have been activating my aura, running it purely on instinct instead of conscious thought. Now that I was trying to use it on my own, it wasn't responding to my will in the same way.

Frustration welled up inside me, but I took a deep breath and tried to focus again. I couldn't rely on the feather forever. I needed to learn how to control my aura on my own. I closed my eyes once more, diving deeper into my meditation. Okay, Rusk, let's try this again. Feel everything. Find the flame again.

I focused on my breathing, letting the rhythm calm my mind. Slowly, I scanned my body, feeling for that warmth again. The beating flame in my chest was faint, but it was there. I honed in on it, imagining it as a small, flickering light. Move. Circulate.

The resistance was still there, but I pushed through it, guiding the flame through my body. The energy flowed sluggishly at first, but with each attempt, it became a bit easier. I could feel the warmth spreading, invigorating my muscles.

As a couple hours passed and morning turned to day, I continued to practice, determined to gain some form of progress. My team rested and recovered around me, providing silent support. Nova was curled up nearby, his breathing steady and peaceful. His evolution had taken a lot out of him, but he was strong.

The sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the mountains. I opened my eyes, feeling more connected to my aura than I had before. Despite the challenges, I felt a renewed sense of purpose. I would figure this out, for myself and for my team. We had come too far to give up now.

With that resolve, I got up and looked at my team. "Alright you guys, let's get going. I can practice more later, for now we should get back to the center, Nurse Joy wanted to take another look at you're recovery Nova, make sure everything was setting properly before we set off."

Gathering my team and heading back into the Pokémon Center.

Inside the center, I handed Nova over to Nurse Joy. "I'll be waiting in the lobby for Nova's checkup," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

"We'll have him ready for you soon, Rusk," Nurse Joy reassured me with a smile. "Just make sure he takes it easy for a bit longer."

I nodded and made my way to the lobby. Sitting down, I couldn't shake the lingering weight of my thoughts. But there was a small sense of progress. My aura practice had led to a discovery, even if I couldn't fully utilize it yet. Progress was progress.

Needing a distraction, I headed into the videophone room and dialed Professor Rowan's number. After a few rings, his familiar face appeared on the screen.

"Rusk! It's good to see you. How are things going?" he asked.

"Hey, Professor. I've had a rough few days," I admitted. "But I managed to find something out about my aura. The feather from Cresselia seems to help me tap into it, but I can't control it on my own yet."

Rowan's eyes narrowed slightly as he thought. "Interesting. Sounds like you're on the right track. These things take time. Don't rush it."

"Yeah, I know. I'm planning to head out over the 206 Bridge in a few hours," I continued. "I wanted to update you before I left."

"I'm glad you called. It's always good to keep in touch," Rowan said warmly. "How's your team holding up?"

"Nova's still recovering, but Nurse Joy said he should be ready soon. The rest of the team is doing okay," I replied.

"Good to hear. Just remember to take care of yourself too, Rusk," Rowan advised. "You're pushing yourself hard. Have you thought about looking into any of your old hobbies? You seem too focused on making distance and not enough about enjoying your journey."

I hesitated, thinking about the impending legendary battle. Could I really afford to take it easy?

Seeing my worried expression, Rowan spoke gently. "Rusk, I know you're probably a bit worried about the job after what happened last time, but don't lose sight of why you started this journey. Enjoying the little things can help you stay balanced and focused."

"Yeah, I'll think about it," I said, feeling a bit lost.

Before I could say more, a notification pinged, indicating that Nova was ready for pickup.

"I should go get Nova," I said. "Thanks for the advice, Professor."

"Anytime, Rusk. Take care, and remember, this journey is as much about growth as it is about the destination, even if there are a couple jobs along the way. Think on it," Rowan said, giving me a reassuring smile.

I nodded, hanging up the call and heading back to the lobby. Rowan's words lingered in my mind as I trekked back in.

As I approached the counter, Nurse Joy handed Nova's PokéBall back to me. "He's all set, Rusk. Just make sure he doesn't overdo it."

"Thanks, Nurse Joy," I said, feeling a mix of determination and uncertainty.

With Nova back by my side, I was ready to move onward. Rowan was right in some ways, I really did need to find something to do while traveling, things hadn't been this quiet when I travelled with everyone before.

But before I even made it out of the center, my stomach growled. Drawing a giggle from Nurse joy who had yet to leave the lobby. "It might be best to stop for lunch before you take off."

Sighing to myself, I had forgotten to eat in my worry this morning. A pang of guilt hit me as that also meant that none of my team had eaten breakfast or dinner yet. "You're right, Nurse Joy. Thanks for the reminder."

I headed to the small dining area within the Pokémon Center. The smell of food was inviting, and I could see a few trainers already seated, enjoying their meals. I found an empty table and released the rest of my team from their PokéBalls.

"Alright, everyone, it's time for a much-needed meal," I said, heading to the cafeteria line. I had my team pick out the food they wanted. Rukia, Aster, and Nova gathered around, their eyes bright with anticipation as I dished it all up.

"Here you go, guys. Enjoy," I said, setting the plates in front of them. They dug in eagerly, and I couldn't help but smile at their enthusiasm.

As they started eating, I went to grab something for myself. The center's cafeteria had a decent selection, and I quickly picked out a sandwich and a small bag of chips for later. Returning to the table, I opened up my phone's map and started putting together a somewhat half-baked travel plan.

The rest of the trip shouldn't take much longer, no more than a week and a half from here.

Tracing a finger along the path, I noticed a smaller branch off leading to a bridge maybe a few hours from the center that I could probably use to shave off some time. This might get me there quicker, I should take a look to see how sturdy it is. I can always move back onto the main road if it's not...

I glanced at the calendar on my phone. It had been around nine days since I left Oreburgh, and I had about a 2 and a half-ish left to get the job done and make it to Floaroma Town for Dawn's contest in time. It would be a bit narrow, but I should have around half a week once the job's done to make it over to Floaroma town, and I might just be able to buy one of those damn bikes in Eterna… though I might also be able to hire a teleporting Pokémon to take me…

I would've taken one originally but of course, being the dumbass I tend to be, I figured taking the scenic route would be better… it's the goddamn farmer in my blood isn't it… hah… never trust a farmer to be one time, they run on completely different clocks than anyone else, my dad is a prime example. 'it'll jus' take fifteen minutes to get this one thing done… (and then we've got twenty-seven more left after that)'

Chuckling to myself, I started to plot out when I needed to head over to Floaroma Town for the contest. The job itself was supposed to take no more than three days, leaving me just enough time to travel back for the contest. Every hour counted, so planning the most efficient route was crucial.

I scrolled through the map, marking potential rest stops and noting any points of interest that might help us along the way. The smaller path leading to the bridge seemed promising, but I needed a backup plan in case it wasn't standing.

"Okay, Nova," I said, glancing down at him. "We need to move quick if we want to get the job done and trek over to Floaroma."

Nova tilted his head, seeming to understand. He lay back contentedly, his energy slowly returning after the meal.

I glanced at Nova, who seemed ready for whatever lay ahead. "Alright, bud. We've got a plan. Let's finish up here and then head out to check that bridge."

Noticing my team had long since finished their food, I quickly finished off my own, much to Nova's snickering amusement. Recalling everyone as they all seemed tired from the food, I began the trek to the bridge.

The fog was thick, obscuring everything beyond a few feet in front of me. The air was crisp, filled with the scent of damp earth and pine. As I walked, I could hear the faint rustling of leaves and the distant calls of wild Pokémon, creating an eerie but serene atmosphere. The path was narrow, flanked by towering trees on either side, their branches reaching out like skeletal fingers. The crunch of gravel under my boots was a familiar rhythm, a steady beat that kept me grounded as I navigated the misty terrain.

After about an hour of hiking, the path began to incline, leading me up a gentle slope. My legs burned with the effort, but I pushed on, determined to reach the bridge before the fog lifted completely. The air grew cooler as I ascended, the moisture clinging to my skin and making me shiver.

Finally, the bridge started to come into view, its silhouette emerging from the mist like a phantom. It was an old wooden structure, slightly weathered but still looking sturdy. I stepped closer, inspecting the planks and supports. "Looks decent enough," I murmured.

I tested the first few planks, pressing down with my foot to see how much they would give. They creaked under my weight but held firm. The bridge swayed slightly in the breeze, the ropes creaking in protest. While it seemed a bit weak, it should hold my weight as long as I didn't rush over it.

Making sure my PokéBalls were secure on my belt, I was just about to step onto the bridge when a noise from behind made me turn around.

A small Teddiursa was calling out in curiosity, "Ursa?" It stood there, looking at me with wide, innocent eyes. I couldn't help but find it really cute and started to walk closer, my hand extended in a friendly gesture.

Patting it on the head, "Well aren't you just the cutest! Heh, if my friend was here she would've wanted you on her team." Reaching into my bag I pulled out an Oran berry, so far it seemed every other Pokémon I gave one to liked them.

Passing the berry to the small bear cub, a thought had passed through my mind. If this was the cub, where's the mother…

A deep rumble of a growl sounded out from the bush as the fog slowly started to lift, revealing a rather large and imposing figure, The mother.

Which it seemed, was not as friendly as its child, started to stomp forward and lowering down onto all fours, as it began to rush at me. Panic surged through me, and I bolted towards the bridge, hoping that it wouldn't follow any further.

The bridge held as I rushed to the halfway point, but I heard the Ursaring's heavy footsteps behind me. Glancing back, I saw the massive Pokémon charging onto the bridge. The added weight was too much, and with a loud snap, the bridge began to break apart.

Before I could react, the bridge gave way, and I felt myself falling. The cold air rushed past me as I plummeted towards the rapid river below. Only one thought passed through my mind as I looked down at the river below, if I had a nickel for every time I've fallen down into a body of water…

Meeting the water with a loud crash, gasping as I hit the surface, the shock of the cold and the force of the fall knocking the breath out of me.

The powerful current immediately took hold of me, dragging me downstream. I thrashed about, trying to keep my head above water, but the force of the river was overwhelming. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the Ursaring pull herself out of the river and back up towards where they had fallen, likely returning to its cub.

I fought to orient myself, the icy water numbing my limbs and making every movement a struggle. Spotting a narrow bank to my right, I desperately tried to swim towards it, my arms and legs burning with effort. The current was relentless, but I managed to make some progress, my fingers brushing against the rocky shoreline.

Just as I thought I might reach safety, a surge of water slammed into me, pushing me back into the center of the river. I gasped for air, my strength waning as the current pulled me further downstream. My vision blurred with the spray of the water, but I refused to give up, kicking and paddling with every ounce of strength I had left.

The cold was unbearable, sapping my energy and making it harder to stay afloat. My breaths came in ragged gasps, and my limbs felt like lead. I could see the bank growing closer, tantalizingly just out of reach. Summoning all my remaining strength, I made one last desperate attempt to reach the shore.

I was almost there when the current suddenly shifted, dragging me towards the center of the river once more. My heart sank as I felt myself being pulled under, the force of the water too strong to fight. I was tossed around like a ragdoll, the world a chaotic blur of rushing water and sediment.

Just as I thought I might be able to fight my way to the shore again, I was sucked below the water, the force pulling me down into the depths. I struggled to find my bearings, I reached out, trying to grab onto something, anything, to stop my descent, but my fingers found only water.

Suddenly, I felt a sharp pain as my head collided with something solid. Stars exploded in my vision, and everything went dark. The last thing I saw was the cavernous walls closing in around me as I got sucked deeper down, before unconsciousness claimed me.

XxxxX

That's Chapter 13 everyone! Rusk has fallen off the bridge on route 206, into the ravaging rivers and has been sucked deep into a cave!

Now, chapter question… If you could create a gimmick for a Pokémon game, what would It be?