Niner's Stake, Home of the Miners you see everywhere...

[Aquarinyoshi]

More water rushed forwards and towards the rocky Pokemon. She stood there and took the hit, letting the boy angrily throw forwards a level fifty and male Golem onto the field. It seemed he had a couple anger issues. Hm...

[Shadow Slayer]

"Keep up the good work! Use Surf!" I yelled, and watched as another wave would crash hard over the opponent...

[Aquarinyoshi]

Golem flailed helplessly in the chilly waters as you onyl watched from the sidelines. As the water retreated, Golem was left there helpless. The boy was really fuming now and released a level fifty and male Aron.

[Shadow Slayer]

"Keep up the good work! Use Surf again!" I said to the Snorlax, liking the one hit KOs very much. I just wish I didn't have to do so much more training...

[Aquarinyoshi]

Your Snowlax let loose yet another round of water which swallowed up Aron. He was quickly called back with a few inappropriate words and replaced with a level fifty and female Lairon.

[Shadow Slayer]

"Surf, again!" I yelled, watching the huge wave suddenly appear from nowhere and crash hard on the Lairon, hopefully knocking it out?

[Aquarinyoshi]

The wave flew down from the heavens as a Godsend and cleanly knocked the Pokemon out. With veins popping out of his tiny head, the kid tossed forwards a level fifty and male Aggron this time, obviously ready for a battle.

[Shadow Slayer]

"And lets finish this one too, with its godly defense but not as godly special defense, with a surf attack!" I said to the Snorlax, who went forward for his final training battle.

[Aquarinyoshi]

Snorlax rose high into the air and rode the final wave down before he reached the maximum level a Pokemon could ever reach. As he hit the Pokemon, you could almost hear him cry in joy from reaching the peak of his training. Now all you knew he wanted was a nice long rest...

The boy walked over to you and threw the money on the ground before stomping on it and storming off. How are parents disciplining their children these days? Sheesh!

[Shadow Slayer]

I recalled the Snorlax after giving him the biggest hug I could muster, happy for his completed training! I then sent out my Roserade and said, "Ready? We're going to finish up Magneton, and then start on Pikachu." I attached the special attack raising item onto her, and then signed up for a 6 v 6 single battle level 50 only.

[Aquarinyoshi]

A woman walked out onto the field. She smiled at you to reveal her pearly whites. Reaching for her necklace, she pulled off a Pokeball and tossed it forwards to reveal a level fifty and female Rhydon.

[Shadow Slayer]

"Alright Rose, come on out!" I said, throwing the pokeball forward, revealing my Roserade. She was going to finish up Magneton's training.

"Now, use Energy Ball!"

[Aquarinyoshi]

Rose jumped high into the air and pressed her boquets towards one another before summoning a large green ball and shooting it towards Rhydon. It fell with the hit and was replaced by a level fifty and female Sudowoodo.

[Shadow Slayer]

"And now, let's continue. Use Energy Ball, go!" I said to the Roserade, who went forward to attack our opponent once more.

[Aquarinyoshi]

Another green ball was sent down from the rose Pokemon as Sudowoodo barely made an attempt to dodge. She fell to the ground, fainted, soon to be replaced by a level fifty and male Rampardos.

[Shadow Slayer]

"Energy Ball, again!" I said to the rose pokemon, who prepared the ball of energy to fire and explode on our opponent.

[Aquarinyoshi]

As with every other Pokemon, Roserade sent the same ball of energy for a one-hit knock-out. His trainer recalled him and sent out yet another, a level fifty and female Geodude this time.

[Shadow Slayer]

It was then that I recalled Roserade, and decided to withdraw from the training at the guild. I wanted to stop, since this was taking so long.

---

Freeform: Gramps' arrival!

The sound of thunder roared through Camber Town that one sad night, six years ago. I stood there, twelve years old; unsure of what exactly was going on. My heart felt heavy from a recent loss in the family, and I could not sleep anyway due to my sorrow. I slowly creeped down the wooden stairs, when I suddenly heard many voices attempting to whisper to one another, to not wake myself and my siblings.

I looked from behind a wall, at the front door of my house. Standing in front of the door was my mother and father, as well as my grandfather. My mother and father stood there, looking tired in their pajamas, with my mother looking with concern and distress at my grandfather, and my father who looked as if he wished to go back to bed, but at the same time didn’t know what to make of the situation.

My grandfather stood there, partially in his usual outfit. He was wearing a collared shirt, as well as a pair of nice dress pants that were lifted up on his waist higher than they should be, because well, he was old. He wore a golden bracelet on his left arm, as well as a brown belt with a golden buckle with the pants too. The belt was significant, because for his birthday two years ago I bought him the belt while shopping with Mom in Zephyr City. He told me that he’d cherish the belt forever.

He quickly put on a black overcoat, and was holding a brown traveling bag in his left hand. He then put on a backpack; one that many people who went on Pokémon journeys wore. He looked to his daughter, who was my mother, and his eyes were filled with sorrow. It tugged at my heart. He had been like this for the past couple of weeks; it was days ago that my grandmother, his wife, had died.

“I’m sorry Kathy.” He suddenly said. His voice was also filled with sorrow. My heart continued to tug as I watched my grandfather, that I had known and loved all my life, continue to be depressed the way he had been for such a long while. I wanted to do what he always told me was best: give people hugs. But for some reason, I didn’t think that would work.

“Dad, you can’t leave.” My mother said. “I can’t lose you too, after losing mom. This is an incredibly tough time right now for all of us. Think of your grandkids, think of Bob coming with your other grandkids to come see us all from Johto. All your friends coming to pay their respects. Please, stay with us!” Tears began to flow from my mother’s eyes. My heart began to hurt. I hated seeing my family this way.

“Kathy…watching you cry just tells me that I shouldn’t stay here. I love you all with all my heart. Standing here before you and watch you cry is something I do not wish to do.” Grandpa said.

“Frank…” My father then spoke. He placed his hand on my mother’s shoulder, and said, “We need you more than ever. Please, you can stay with us. Don’t leave when all of your family is coming to see you. They need you too.” His words were filled with the hope that my grandfather, Frank, would change his mind and stay.

But the look on my grandfather’s face was not the look my father was looking for. Grandpa spoke up and said, “I’ve lost the one woman who meant the most to me in the world. The one I loved more than anything. My true love, my partner, and my best friend…she’s left me for another world.” He said, and a tear fell down his cheek.

“I-I don’t know what to do now Kathy. I’m lost. She helped me through my life, guiding me and keeping me well. We kept one another well, loved each other dearly. And I, no, everyone thought I was going to go before her. You heard what the doctors said. I wasn’t going to live long. And here I am standing here in my daughter and son-in-law’s house, alive and in the best health I’ve been in years. While my wife is now dead. What do I do? I can’t keep on going. I’ll bring you all down even more with my sorrow. I must go out into the world and explore once more, to find what I should do with my life. I’ll be fine. I’ll keep in touch. I love you all…” Grandpa said.

My mother was now crying, and grabbed onto grandpa’s jacket, burrowing her face into his body. She was saying, “NO! I cannot let you leave! Please stay Dad! This isn’t fair!” My mother sounded like a little child.

I now stood there, tears rolling down my cheek, myself surprised I still had tears to cry after the meltdowns I was having from the loss of my grandmother. My father turned towards the wall, and noticed me there. He stood there and then decided to walk on over towards me.

“Hey buddy, what are you doing awake?” My father said. I stood there, looking at my father, and just continued to cry. My cry was loud, echoing through the darkness of our house so early in the morning. Lightning flashed outside of our home, surrounding our windows with a blue, frightening glow. Thunder roared once more, but my crying seemed to stand out over it. My mother and grandfather turned towards where my father and I were standing.

My mother began to cry as well, and turned towards my grandfather. Tears flowed down his cheek, but he turned away. He took the black hat in his hand, and placed it on his head. He opened the front door, and entered into the thunderstorm that surrounded my hometown.

I looked at him as he left, and then ran towards the door. I reached out my hand for the door, screaming, “Grandpa, grandpa,” over and over again. I continued to cry, and scream out his name, hoping for him to come back. But he didn’t turn back. He kept on moving forward, ignoring my calls.

I ran outside, and tripped from the slipperiness of the grass, and lay there, tears and rain mixing together. I was being drenched in the sky’s tears as well as my own, and looked on ahead as the old man I knew as my grandfather left on a journey. A journey without me.

“Don’t leave me…” I said to myself. My father stood behind me, and picked me up, despite his constant mentioning’s of how big I was getting, and how he couldn’t pick me up anymore. He put me on my feet, and then embraced me, which startled me.

I wrapped my arms around him, and continued to cry. He simply rubbed my bright red hair, and said, “Don’t worry. Everything will be all right. But for right now, just let it all out. Just cry. Don’t hold your feelings back.”

And as I cried, I embraced my Dad tighter, wishing that this was all just a dream.

---

A sigh of relief came from the mouths of main hikers and miners who resided in the Miner’s Guild. They stood there, in front of the building, as I turned around and waved to them, saying, “Thank you all for the incredible training!”

The building they were standing in front of had many patched up walls and windows, as well as the “Miner’s Guild” sign hanging halfway off from where it should be. I sweatdropped from the damages I had caused.

“Just don’t come back for awhile, ok?” One of them said jokingly, but he honestly meant what he said. I really tore that place apart!

I chuckled at the people of the Miner’s Guild, and then placed my bag correctly on my back. I fixed the glasses on my face, brushed some dust off of the black shirt I was wearing, and made sure the belt that held up my Blue Levi’s jeans was in place. I messed around with my red hair for a bit, shaking any sand that might have found its way in there from the wind. My hair was pretty weird. It was usually a darker, brownish color without the extra light, yet in the sunlight, it was a brighter, orange like color. My mother used to tell me, from all the time we spent on the beach during our family vacations, that it would eventually turn blond. It wasn’t something I was looking forward to.

My family didn't have a long history of having my gingery hair, my father having it till he was 14 (it then turned brown on him), and my mother having brown hair with red highlights. Being 18 and still having it surprised myself, since it wasn’t expected, with what happened to my father’s hair. But anyway…

I had fastened my belt and made sure the six pokeballs were all safely attached to it. I had many Pokémon of different types with me, and I really wanted to test out their strengths.

I took in a deep breath of the air around Niner’s Stake, which was warm since we were so close to the desert. It was weird. Winter was upon us and yet it was still warm. Even though I had traveled for almost four years in the Sharma region, and experienced this more than once (being warm when it should be cold), it was still strange to me.

I was about to say goodbye to this place for a long time, and head on over to solve a mystery. A mystery I should have solved a long while back, but there were some distractions…

I am very much hoping you are not thinking about me, human. The invisible God of the Dead said, transmitting his thoughts to my mind. I gasped, knowing he knew who I was talking about, which was him. Our minds were connected; they were one. Because he was incredibly skilled, Drogaur was able to tap into this connection and read, as well as understand, everything in my mind.

I scratched the back of my head, turning around to look at the ghost/steel type. A golden aura emitted from his body, and for some reason, I could see him without the golden veil. It was most likely due to our connection.

“Well, there’s no hiding my thoughts from you. So I won’t lie. I didn’t bother solving the mystery because you were going to cut me in two.” I said.

Yes, a truthful thing indeed. You’re lucky now that we’ve made this agreement, or “contract.” Otherwise you’d be in many pieces right now… The god of the dead said, moving right in front of my face, staring at me with an incredibly serious face of his own. I sweatdropped, and looked away. I couldn’t help but chuckle.

I will not hold it against you, human. For your reason was justified by the need to save your own life. A selfish reason, as many of your thoughts and reasoning’s have been since I’ve known you, but an understandable one. The serious looking ghost said.

I turned to him and spoke. “Now you know that isn’t true. I’m not completely selfish. But everyone has the urge to protect his or her own life. Especially when they have a goal, or a reason to live.”

Yes yes, you are right. I apologize for falsely accusing you of being overly selfish. I have read your thoughts and memories, you do think of others quite a lot. There is one in particular…

“Not in this freeform, buddy.”

We’re thinking of two different humans. The god of the dead said, and I blinked at him, then blushing. It was frustrating, for he could know everything about my thoughts, and myself while all of his were locked away. I was curious to know who he was thinking of and what secrets were in that mind of his…

“Well then, who are you thinking of?” I asked.

Before he could continue, a gust of wind began blowing in our direction. A piece of paper was blowing along with the wind, and promptly smacked me in the face instead of continuing in the direction of the corona desert.

I quickly pulled it off as Drogaur let out a ghostly chuckle, causing me to glare at him. Looking at the paper, I saw a sign that said the following: “Tournament on the main street of Niner’s Stake, at 1 PM on Friday! We’ll take all challengers! The winner shall receive a fabulous prize!”

“Shall we enter?” I turned to Drogaur. He simply nodded to me, and I smirked. Time to show those trainers that were entering this “tournament” how tough I really was.

---

“You may want to know, he’s here in Niner’s Stake.”

“Oh, is that so…”

“You seem too relaxed. You haven’t seen him for some time. And the last time you did, he didn’t seem too happy. Are you two ready for another encounter? What will happen? You can’t expect everything to go well after what happened six years ago right? He’s not just going to instantly forgive you, you know?”

“Yes, I know, Slowking. And if fate has brought us together here, then I’ll let fate do its job, and we’ll see what unfolds.”

“If you’re sure…”

“Just as soon as I finish this crossword puzzle, we’ll enter the competition.”

---

“Phew, got the six I needed just in time.” I said, holding my phone in my hand and looking at the time. It was 12:30, and the tournament started in half an hour. I looked up ahead of me, and saw that there was a table with many people surrounding it. The lines were moving quickly though.

I ran to the back of a line, and took in a deep breath. Drogaur floated in the air above me, completely invisible to all but me. At times, I thought it would be funny what would happen if others could see him, and other times I was glad he wasn’t visible. There would be a lot of trouble if someone saw him…I could just imagine the police all over me, and a short old woman jumping up and down angrily in my face…

The slowly moving line finally moved a bit faster, leading me to the table everyone surrounded. The man who’s line I was on handed me a piece of paper, in which I took an area that was a couple of feet away from table.

This area had a couple of chairs and a table, as well as umbrellas over the tables. I looked around, and saw one table was open to be seated at. I looked over to it, and then sat on down in the open chair.

Across the table from me was a startled looking Slowking, who upon locking eyes with me, ducked away from my vision. His trainer, an old looking man in his late 70’s who looked in great shape and health for his age, was wearing a black overcoat and a pair of nice dress pants, as well as wearing a hat that mostly covered his face. He was holding a pen, and was doing a crossword puzzle in the paper.

I sat there, looking at him for a second. My mind and heart told me that I knew this guy. My heart ached in pain from thinking and looking at him, while my mind was searching drastically for the memory that I needed to associate with this guy.

Maybe my mind was playing tricks on me?

No, that couldn’t be the case. I looked over at Drogaur, who seemed to be struggling with something. He seemed to know something I didn’t know, but had a look on his face as if he was trying to keep up with something.

Your mind is going insane, human. I’m trying to slow it down, but it will not listen like normally. This man here is very important to you. But I’m leaving it up for you to discover who he is. Drogaur said. Great. A direct link to my consciousness, and he won’t even help me when I need him.

I decided to ignore it, which caused Drogaur to give me a look of disappointment. I pulled out a pen from my pocket and filled out the form. The form asked simple questions like, “Where were you born?” And “Please fill out the six pokemon you’ll be using.” It didn’t take long to finish.

After it was done, I looked up to see the Slowking, who looked to be at an extremely high level, looking up at me. He gasped away once more, hiding himself.

The old man didn’t seem to mind me sitting there next to him, yet my mind was restless. It continued to look through, wanting me to analyze and look at his face more carefully, so it could find out who this man was.

The old man looked up at me, putting his pen in a coat pocket. He stood up, staring at me for a bit, but no response appeared on his face. I stared back, but the hat was throwing me off. I couldn’t tell who he was because of the shadow over his face.

After a bit of awkward staring, the old man said, “Lovely weather!”

I blinked back into reality and said, “Uh…yeah. It’s great.”

“I’m going to enter the competition now.” The old man said, waving away to me, and a familiar looking gold brace was on his arm. My mind began going insane once more, looking for a place in my memories where this man could be, but could not find one. I must have repressed the memory of this person pretty far into my mind.

I need to find out who that is…

---

Some time passed as I stood there, trying to figure out whom this guy was. An alarm suddenly snapped me back into reality, and a man with a microphone said, “Alright then, we’ve managed to fix up a list of who faces who, and its time for the tournament to begin!”

I turned to the man with the microphone, and Drogaur floated above me, interested in who we were facing. The man with the microphone stood tall holding a piece of paper, and said, “The first battle shall be between contestant number 31, Billy, versus contestant number 15, Walter! The match here will be a one on one battle between both people. The rules change within every round. Trainers, choose your pokemon!”

I stood there, a pokeball in hand, ready to battle. The man, Walter, who looked to be about 42 years old, held a pokeball as well. He was wearing a blue collared shirt, and a pair of brown dress pants, as well as a funny looking pair of glasses. He smiled at me and said, “I’m not going easy on a young fellow like yourself. Gyarados!”

Out of a pokeball came forth a powerful looking level 59 male Gyarados, who towered before me, and roared out loudly in my direction. A powerful burst of wind blew at me, but I stood tall, not too afraid. Gyarados weren’t scary. =P

“Alexis, to the field!” I yelled out, and a pokeball burst open, out coming a level 70 female Luxray, who roared out loudly to the Gyarados before her. The roar was equally powerful to the giant Gyarados’ roar, but struck fear into the Gyarados’ eyes, as well as the trainer before us.

We could easily overpower them.

“G-Gyarados, teach this young boy a lesson! Use Hyper Beam!” Walter said.

The Gyarados looked at Alexis suddenly with no fear, and charged up a powerful beam that would do incredible damage upon impact. Alexis stood there, and awaited my command.

“Spin dodge it, and give yourself a boost with quick attack.” I said.

Gyarados blasted forward the wide ranging red beam at Alexis, which the Luxray easily avoided by spinning through the air, boosting her speed with a quick attack. She slammed into Gyarados’ side, doing some slight damage.

“Now, slam the Gyarados into the ground with Iron Tail.” I said. This was kind of like a contest. I was showing off Alexis’ amazing new power.

Alexis turned around in mid air, floating above the water type. Gyarados floated there as well, unable to move due to using the powerful hyper beam attack. He glared at her, but she was very much unphased. Her tail glowed a powerful looking metallic color, that not only looked cool, but it made her tail incredibly heavy. She slammed her steel type tail onto Gyarados’ head, smashing the water type onto the ground! The Gyarados roared out in pain, barely holding on.

“And now, Thunder Fang.” I said.

Alexis’ teeth began gathering energy, until they were completely surrounded by a powerful amount of electricity. I smirked, and watched as Alexis bit hard into Gyarados’ body, zapping it completely.

She then let go, and jumped off of the water type, walking back over to my side. I looked over at Walter, who looked horrified. Gyarados had been badly beaten. Maybe we overdid it a little?

“And with that intense battle, we’ve found our winner, contestant number 31, Billy!” The announcer said. I smiled, and then said, “Alexis, you did great. Return.” I pulled out her pokeball, and a laser zapped her back inside.

I then walked over to the seat I was at before, and promptly waited till I was called again. I managed to get a good view of the battle zone though. I wasn’t too interested in the other battlers. I was just interested in that old man that made me go a little nuts…

Your skills have improved, human. Dramatically. Drogaur said, complementing me for once.

“Thank you Drogaur, I appreciate your complement.” I said back to him, and then focusing on the battling. I had heard the next battle be between contestant number 15 and contestant number 32, Frank.

Frank… It was slowly coming to me. Drogaur smirked. But it instantly turned to a serious face. He seemed to want to watch this old man battle as well. This old man named Frank…just like…

Contestant Number 15, Sally, was a little girl at the age of 12. She happily jumped up and down, similarly to my Cherrim, and then threw a pokeball forward. The ball opened up, revealing a strangely high leveled Wigglytuff, level 62 and female. The girl danced around in her yellow and pink dress, and then suddenly pouted as her hair got messed up from the dancing. She quickly fixed it into pigtails, and then prepared to battle.

The old man moved the hat on his head a little, and held a pokeball in hand. He simply tossed it forward, causing the pokeball to burst open. From the explosion came a giant looking Onix, level 94 and male. I could tell one thing from this Onix though; it was old! For some reason, just looking at it, I could tell it had been around for a long time. It was incredibly powerful as well. The little girl was a little frightened.

“H-Hyper Voice!” The girl said. The Wigglytuff nodded, and took a deep breath in, screaming out loudly. The soundwaves surrounded the Onix’s body, but for some reason, he didn’t seem affected at all!

When Wigglytuff finished the attack, she looked startled at Onix standing there, unphased. I was surprised too. It should have done a little damage, not nothing.

“Dragonbreath.” The old man said.

The Onix’s hot breath turned into a flow of air that moved from the giant pokemon’s mouth over towards Wigglytuff, surrounding its body! The smell and power of the attack caused the wigglytuff to become paralyzed!

“Oh no!” The little girl said. “Um, Sing!”

Wigglytuff began singing, and differently colored sound notes were appearing in the air around Wigglytuff. But the Onix roared out loudly, sending sound waves of his own towards Wigglytuff! The screeching soundwaves destroyed the music notes making their way to Onix, and lowered Wigglytuff’s defenses by half!

“And let’s finish with Stone Edge.” The old man said.

Two blue rings surrounded Onix’s body, and the rings dematerialized, leaving rocks in their places. The rocks were small, but pointed and dangerously sharp. The rocks surrounded wigglytuff’s body, and smashed into her body, landing a critical hit! The paralyzed normal type fell back, fainted from the attack.

“And that’s it! Frank wins!” The tournament guy with the microphone said. The old man rubbed the back of his Onix, saying some words, and then recalling the rock type.

“Incredible…” I said, and Drogaur simply nodded in agreement. This old man wasn’t just any old man. No, he was an incredibly experienced pokemon trainer. He would be…a worthy challenge. I smirked at the thought of our battle.

---

Our display of power continued into the next couple of rounds. The second round, I faced a man named Timothy, facing his pair of Typhlosion and Charizard (both level 65), against my Luxray and my level 78 Golduck. The two, using their Hydro Pump and Charge Beam attacks, knocked back the two fire types incredibly easily.

The old man faced a woman named Faith, who used a Lopunny and a Ninetailes, both level 63 and 67, respectively. Using his Onix and his Lanturn (level 88), he knocked back the opponents, taking little damage in the process.

The third round had another double battle, which the two of us dominated once more. It was then, we entered the fourth round, right before the final round that would decide the winner.

“And the next to battling will be…Contestant number 31 and 32! Billy versus Frank!” The microphone man said.

“A six on six battle, huh…” I said to Drogaur. He nodded back to me, knowing that with the strength this old man had, we may need to use Drogaur in battle. That might cause some problems if others see him…maybe not, but who knows?

I stood in my position, ready to battle this old man, to tell if his strength was strong enough to defeat my new strength. And I deeply wanted to know, who was this man and why was his presence tugging at my heart and mind so terribly?

“And begin!” The announcer said. The two of us grabbed a pokeball on our belt and chucked it forward.

“Golduck, I choose you!” I yelled out.

“Pidgeot, go!” The old man said.

The balls burst open, and out came the familiar blue duck, facing the giant fully evolved bird, at level 92 and male. The two pokemon glared at one another, myself being at a level disadvantage, but I was confident in Golduck’s abilities.

“Alright Golduck, Ice Beam!” I commanded.

“Pidgeot, dodge and use Wing Attack.” The old man said.

Golduck opened his mouth wide and blasted forward a chilly beam of ice at the bird. The bird did circles around the beam, avoiding it with incredible speed. His wings glowed a white color, and he then smashed the wing right into Golduck’s body!

“Hang in there, use Confuse Ray!” I said.

“Pidgeot, Faint Attack to avoid it.” The old man said.

Golduck’s eyes glowed a yellow color and from the gem on its head came a burst of light! But Pidgeot disappeared in thin air, avoiding the attack. The bird reappeared behind Golduck, smashing hard into its body for great damage!

“Hang on Golduck, use Surf!” I said.

“Fly to avoid it!” The old man said.

Pidgeot soared high into the sky, quickly avoiding the huge wave that Golduck summoned from nowhere. Golduck jumped off of the wave, landing on the ground, right underneath the Pidgeot! He looked up at the bird to keep an eye on what it might do. But that sadly worked against him. The sun blinded him as he looked up!

“No good…Trust your instincts Golduck. Close your eyes.” I said.

“And strike!” The old man said.

Pidgeot flew down at high speeds at Golduck, who stood up with his eyes closed. I smirked and then through my thoughts, using Psychic, I said, Now press your hands to the ground, and summon a waterfall.

Pidgeot continued downwards, as Golduck pressed his hands on the ground, and up from the ground shot a burst of incredibly fast moving water! It shot up too fast for Pidgeot to dodge, and smashed hard into Pidgeot, knocking the bird to the ground. It quickly got up, and shook itself like a dog covered in water. The field, as well as Pidgeot, was now covered in water.

“Ice Beam!” I yelled quickly.

Golduck fired forward the chilly beam, which Pidgeot moved to avoid, but was unable to completely! It skimmed the bird’s wing, which caused the water on its right wing to freeze, making the bird unable to fly!

“Now that’s impressive! But not good enough. Brave Bird!” The old man said.

“We’re not giving up Golduck, blast it with Hydro Pump!” I yelled back.

The bird’s eyes glowed a blue color, and its body was suddenly covered in flames. The ice on its wing melted, and it was surrounded by an intense blue color! The bird gained its flight ability back, and zoomed towards Golduck at an intense speed. It spread out its wings, ready to crash!

Golduck fired a high-pressured water move from its mouth right at Pidgeot, but the bird didn’t bother dodging. It began spinning in mid air, smashing through the Hydro Pump! The bird’s intense energy stayed strong, and pushed its way through the water, until it smashed hard into Golduck’s body!

The duck went flying backwards, landing on the ground before me, knocked out. Pidgeot’s body sparkled a blue color, meaning it was taking recoil damage from the move. But it seemed pleased with its work.

“Great work Golduck.” I said, pulling out the water type’s pokeball, recalling it. I looked up at the old man, and put Golduck’s pokeball away. I picked out the next one and said, “Alexis, its your turn!”

The ball opened up as I tossed it forward, revealing the Luxray who roared out loudly, ready to battle. She smirked at the bird, knowing it would be an easy challenge to face a flying type.

“Mud-Slap!” Or not. The old man ordered the ground type move, and Pidgeot slashed at the ground, causing mud to shoot up at Luxray!

“Use Quick Attack to dodge!” I said. And in a burst of speed, Luxray moved out of the way of the mud, avoiding the super effective attack and definite accuracy loss.

“Now Pidgeot, use Heat Wave!” the old man ordered.

Pidgeot flapped its wings fast, and the temperature around Niner’s Stake seemed to skyrocket. The heat surrounded Alexis’ body, making it hard for her to concentrate. She looked up at the bird, who divebombed at her!

“Now Steel Wing!” The old man said, and the bird’s wings glowed a metallic color. The bird slapped Alexis on the head, doing some intense damage to the electric type!

“And prepare a Sky Attack!” The old man ordered next. He wasted no time at all…

“You can’t give in Alexis!” I shouted. “Now lets finish it, use Quick attack!” I said.

Alexis snapped back into reality and broke out of the heat. She zoomed forward and crashed hard into Pidgeot’s body, which was charging for energy to do a Sky Attack. Alexis kept her face into the Pidgeot’s body, holding her ground.

“Thunder Fang!” I said, and Alexis was about to fall back to the ground, when she bit hard into the Pidgeot’s body, electrocuting the bird! The bird began to fall down from the sky, but was flapping his wings hard to keep his place.

“And Sky Attack, go!” The old man yelled.

“No you don’t, use Discharge!” I said.

Alexis held her place bitten hard into Pidgeot’s body, and then let out an incredible amount of electric energy, that zapped the bird hard for some intense damage. The Sky Attack energy surrounding the bird disappeared, and the two pokemon crashed to the ground!

Alexis stood back up, shaking a bit, but was victorious!

“Great work Alexis!” I said. The electric type smiled back at me, and then roared out loudly. The old man looked over to me and smiled, recalling his bird pokemon. He held another pokeball in hand, and tossed it forward.

Out came a Lanturn, level 88 and female. Seeing the water/electric type made me a bit nervous, for we couldn’t use any electric type moves on the water type due to Volt Absorb. I pulled out a pokeball, recalling Alexis for the time being.

“Muk, your turn.” I said, and another pokeball burst open, revealing the blob of sludge that helped me capture Regice on Rinundra Isle. The blob yelled out, and an odor filled the arena. I was unaffected for some reason, but I could see the Lanturn wasn’t pleased, and neither was the audience.

“Lanturn, use Thunder Wave!” The old man said.

“Use Shadow Sneak, for a sneak attack!” I said.

Muk nodded and lifted his two hands high into the air. The sun created a shadow on him, and the shadow zoomed forward, smacking hard into the Lanturn’s body for some damage!

Muk laughed at the electric type, but would soon regret it. The Lanturn’s body sent forward blue waves of electricity, which zapped Muk and paralyzed its body! The Muk couldn’t move too much, and was obviously in distress.

“Hang in their Muk, use Sludge Bomb!” I said.

“Psybeam, Lanturn!” Oh boy…

Lanturn shot forward a blast of psychic energy, colored yellow, purple, and pink, that surrounded Muk’s body, and did an intense amount of damage. Muk began punching himself in the gut. He had become confused!

“Well well! Nice work Lanturn. Now, use Charge Beam!” The old man said.

“Muk, snap out of it! Use Gunk Shot!” I said.

Muk was bumbling around, not sure what he was going to do. He began spitting out sludge from his body, the poisonous ooze dripping everywhere. He was completely confused and paralyzed, and wasn’t listening to what I was saying. Lanturn was laughing at the poison type, which wasn’t a very smart idea.

The electric charge beam headed towards Muk’s body, when Muk suddenly snapped for some reason. His eyes showed incredibly anger and he roared out loudly! He fired forward a blob of intense sludge from his mouth, known as Gunk Shot, which burst through the charge beam and smashed hard into Lanturn’s body! The pokemon began horribly poisoned from the move, and disgusted as well.

“Tch…Heal Bell.” The old man said.

The little orb on Lanturn’s head swung back and forth like a bell, chiming and suddenly curing Lanturn of its poison, as well as Muk of its confusion and paralysis!

“Shadow Sneak!” I said, and Muk extended its shadow once more, smashing it hard into Lanturn’s body once more.

“Now before it can react, use Acid Armor!” I said, and Lanturn turned to attack the Muk, but muk disappeared! His whole body melted into the water surrounding the field from when Golduck had used both surf and waterfall.

“Thunder, on the water!” The old man said. But Muk was moving fast.
Muk’s body reassembled before Lanturn could charge up the energy to blast the water, and appeared right behind Lanturn! He laughed loudly, as the startled Lanturn fired forward the thunder attack, missing its target due to its fear.

“Shadow Punch!” I yelled, and Muk lifted up his fist. He threw a punch forward, missing Lanturn, but from the punch came another ghostly fist from nowhere, smashing hard into Lanturn’s body, knocking it to the ground. Lanturn turned to get up, but I wasn’t finished. Neither was Muk.

“Now, Shadow Sneak!” I said, and the shadow extended before Lanturn could react, smashing back the water type once more for some great damage. Lanturn barely could move at the moment, both afraid and angry at the Muk.

“Gunk Shot!” I said, pointing at the Lanturn, and a blob of intense purple sludge surrounded the Lanturn’s body. The sludge covered Lanturn completely, and when Muk nudged at the Lanturn a bit, he found out the water/electric type had fainted!

“Hmph.” The old man said, recalling his Lanturn. He looked to me, a bit impressed, but wasn’t satisfied. I could just see that he wanted to keep going with this battle.

“Slowking.” The old man said, and the level 89 male Slowking moved forward to battle, not really too enthusiastic to battle. But he seemed ready nonetheless.

“Muk, Shadow Sneak!”

“Slowking, Protect.” The old man said.

A green shield surrounded Slowking’s body, before Muk’s shadow could extend and smash into the psychic type. Slowking didn’t seem too impressed. Muk looked angrily at the psychic type, determined to overcome its weakness to psychic type moves.

“Shadow Punch, go!” I said.

“Now, Psychic.” The old man said.

Muk threw forward a fist of ghostly energy at the psychic type, who stopped the attack in mid air. Using Psychic, he turned the fist around, having it punch the poison type instead! Muk moved back, but was then lifted in the air by psychic and thrown to the ground hard for some intense damage!

Muk’s eyes were now swirls, signaling that he couldn’t continue. I looked to the blob of sludge, and smiled. “You did great Muk, return.” I put the pokeball back on my belt, and chose Alexis’ again.

“Alexis, come back out!” I said.

The Luxray appeared, sparkling with electricity, ready to battle. Slowking looked to the electric type, not too phased. I looked to the old man, who had the same look as his Slowking, but it didn’t surprise me. Those two…they were connected somehow.

“Alexis, Discharge!”

“Slowking, protect!”

“After the discharge is done, use Quick attack!” I said.

Alexis discharged thousands of volts of electricity, zapping the protect shield that the Slowking quickly put up to avoid damage from the electric type attack. The electric move then suddenly stopped, and Alexis quickly charged forward, smashing her head into Slowking’s body!

The psychic type yelled, “oof!” as the attack hit, but knew it wasn’t over. “Now, flip and smash it with an Iron Tail!”

As Alexis pushed the slowking back, her tail glowed a metallic color. Alexis jumped in the air, and then smashed her tail right onto Slowking’s head, doing some good damage!

“Thunder Fang!” I yelled.

“Zen Headbutt.” The old man said.

Slowking’s head glowed a blue color, and shined a light that blinded Alexis, causing her to stop her attack. She for some reason flinched in fear. The Slowking smirked, and moved forward slowly towards the electric type, who kept moving back. When she stopped moving, Slowking then smashed his glowing head onto Alexis’ head, doing some intense damage! The slowking’s head seemed to be as hard as a rock. I could see that Alexis was suffering immensely from the pain to her skull. She moved back, blinded by the light. But she still gave Slowking a look of determination. A look I had seen in so many other Pokémon that I had.

“Flamethrower.” The old man said.

An intense amount of heat exploded in a chain of orange and red flames from Slowking’s mouth, surrounding Alexis and causing the electric type to lose health fast. She looked up at the Slowking, and suddenly released an intense amount of electricity!

Using discharge, she zapped the Slowking doing some intense damage. But he held on, keeping up the flamethrower. The attacks exchanged, hurting their opponents, until finally Alexis gave in, falling forward, fainted.

“No, Alexis!” I said, and ran over to her. She looked up at me and smiled, asking me for forgiveness. I shook my head no, saying, “No, I should be asking you that. Thank you for your wonderful battle. I’m sorry I failed you as a trainer.”

She shook her head no, disagreeing that it was my fault, and then closed her eyes to rest. I smiled and recalled her to her pokeball. I then quickly walked over to my side of the field, and held another pokeball in hand.

“Amelia, your turn.” I said, bringing forth the Absol from her pokeball. She appeared, roared out, and then turned around at me. Upon seeing that once again, it was me, she looked at me with an uninterested face.

“You again…” She said, as if someone else would be commanding and training her besides me.

“Yup. Ready to battle?” I asked her.

“Nah, I think I’m going to go back to my nap.” She said, and lay on the ground, and I facepalmed myself. She chuckled as she lay there, pretending to sleep. The old man before me chuckled as well as the Slowking standing next to him.

“Come on Amelia.” I said.

Battle, weakling. Prove to me your training was worth our waiting. Drogaur suddenly said. Amelia opened one eye, and turned around. She remembered she couldn’t see the ghost type pokemon, but could hear him.

“How about you show yourself, and I’ll cut you in two.” The Absol said.

Battle? With you? Again? Ha! That would cause some chaos, weakling. You may not survive either. Would you like that? Death by my scythe? Drogaur said back.

The Absol growled out, and then turned to the Slowking. She stood up, and prepared to battle the psychic type. “I’ll battle, fine. But when we do battle, Drogaur, I’ll be the one killing you.”

“You can’t kill a ghost, Amelia…” I said.

She didn’t seem to care, and promptly ignored what I said. She then glared right at the Slowking. The old man smirked, and then prepared to battle us once more. The Slowking stepped forward, and yawned, attempting to make the Absol angry.

“They’re tough Amelia. Slowking took out Muk and Alexis.” I said.

She ignored me, and then roared at the Slowking. He once again didn’t looked phased.

“Amelia, Night Slash!” I said.

“Slowking, Protect.”

“I know what to do!” Amelia suddenly said, and instead of her blade glowing a dark powerful color, it glowed a bright white color. She sprinted forward, and slammed her blade on the protect shield, which caused the shield to break!

Slowking blinked as Amelia stood right before him. She then said, “Hi!” and gave the pink Pokémon a warm smile, that turned into an evil grin! Amelia smacked back the Slowking with her powerful blade, for some damage. He brushed himself off after the attack, and then looked up to see where his opponent could be. Slowking then gasped as Amelia appeared right before him!

“Great Amelia, smash it with a quick attack!” I said.

Amelia jammed her blade into Slowking’s body, for a quick strike for some good damage. Slowking winced once more, but was prepared to counter attack. Amelia moved back over to our side and said, “You can’t beat me, oldy locks!”

“Iron Defense.” The old man said.

“Night Slash!” I yelled.

Amelia’s blade glowed an intense black color, and she sprinted forward at the Slowking, preparing to strike at the psychic type. Slowking glowed a metallic color which caused it to double its own defense! Amelia swiped, which still managed a heavy hit on the Slowking.

“Now Drain Punch.” The old man said.

“Sucker Punch.” I said.

In a burst of speed, Amelia jumped right in front of Slowking as he was preparing the Drain Punch attack. His arm was tucked back, but it hadn’t gathered the energy it needed to make the attack!

Amelia jabbed its blade into Slowking’s body, sending him high into the air. He landed on the ground with a crash, and fainted from the intense power. His eyes rolled in swirls, and Amelia laughed at the psychic type. Amelia then smirked, walking back to my side, and said, “How’s that, ghost?”

Pretty good. For a dark type. Drogaur said back. Amelia growled, not happy she couldn’t see the ghost/steel type. I smirked at Drogaur, and said, “Thanks for getting her to battle.”

Drogaur just looked ahead at the old man, ignoring my thanks. I sighed, but then looked back to the battle as well. The old man said some things to the pokeball, and then held out another one. He wasn’t finished. Not even close.

“Arcanine, come on out.” He said, sending out a level 91 female Arcanine. The dog stood there, eyes blazing with passion, ready to battle. Amelia sensed the passion, and glared at the Arcanine, preparing to battle.

“Quick attack!” I yelled.

“Extremespeed!” The old man yelled back.

Amelia prepared to zoom forward when the Arcanine appeared right in front of Amelia, smashing hard into its body for great damage! Amelia did a flip in the air, and landed back on the ground.

“Water Pulse!” I yelled.

“Sunny Day!” The old man yelled.

An orange ball exploded in the air above us, creating a false sun. The ball of water from Absol’s mouth exploded on the ground, sending a huge wave over it, but the attack did little due to the heat.

“Fire Blast!” The old man said.

“Detect!” I yelled.

Absol’s eyes glowed a green color, and Arcanine summoned forward a powerful burst of heat from his body. The Arcanine fired forward a ball of flaming energy at Amelia, which extended in five directions, like a star! But Amelia jumped over it, avoiding it with detect.

“Quick Attack!” I yelled. And Amelia crashed hard into Arcanine’s side, knocking her down to the ground. The Arcanine jumped back up, and roared out loudly in anger.

“Overheat!” He said, and Arcanine’s body began to glow completely orange. The fire type Pokémon roared out as heat began to steam out in all directions. exploded with intense fire. The fire all spread around Amelia, heating her body incredibly, causing her to yell out in pain. The flames seemed to be badly burning her body!

“Amelia, return!” I yelled, and the laser absorbed her back into her pokeball. She had taken a considerable amount of damage. Arcanine smirked, and the white herb it was holding was used to restore its stat to normal.

I pulled out another pokeball, and then tossed it forward. “Looks like it’s your turn, Don!” I said.

The ball burst open, and the level 100 Charizard that I started with almost four years ago appeared. He was much taller than a normal Charizard, and his flame burned brightly due to the harsh battles he had been in.

He roared out loudly, and then glared at the Arcanine. She smirked back him, then winking, attempting to attract him. Don though, was uninterested.

“Extremespeed!” The old man yelled.

“Protect!” I said.

A green shield appeared around Don’s body, which Arcanine smashed hard into, doing no damage to the fire type pokemon. She jumped to the ground, which caused Don to smirk.

“Earthquake.” I smiled.

“Reversal.” He smiled back.

Don smashed his fist into the ground, causing the ground to shake. The earth shifted and everyone was having trouble keeping their balance. The shaking ground caused some intense damage to come across Arcanine, who tried keeping her balance, but fell back.

“Hold it in place Don, when it attacks!” I said.

Arcanine ran forward, recovering from the earthquake, and was glowing a brown color. The brown color was shining out in all directions, obviously meaning that the Arcanine had stored up an incredible amount of power in its body. She jumped at Don, who held out his hands, holding back the pokemon! Don felt a burning sensation on his hands, which shouldn’t have mattered due to being a fire type, but it was different. It was as if the sensation was eating away at his energy, and the force of power was just stronger than he could handle. She was pushing him back, and he was slowly taking damage from reversal.

“Now, Strength!” I said.

Don’s body glowed an intense white color, and he threw the fire type high into the air! Don smiled at his accomplishment, and then looked up, then disappointed. He saw the Arcanine was flying down fast at him, covered in intense flames. The flames, even though Arcanine had flash fire, were burning her own body and slowly doing damage to her. She seemed to be taking some intense recoil damage.

“Its using Flare Blitz! Dodge it!” I said, and Don nodded.

Arcanine roared out, attempting to smash into the Charizard with its most powerful move besides Overheat. Don flew up fast towards the Arcanine, and simply spun past her, avoiding the attack! He spread out his wings in the air, eyeing the Arcanine as it was heading for the ground.

“Now, Ancientpower.” I said.

Don created a ball of intense energy, and threw the ball right at Arcanine’s body. The ball pushed her to the ground, and rocks suddenly shot up all around her from the impact. They smashed into her body, knocking her out!

“Impressive.” The old man said. Don smirked, and landed on the ground in front of me. I looked at the old man, and he held another pokeball in his hand.

“Now, Onix, its is your turn.” He said, sending out that same Onix from before.

I cringed at the rock type, especially since it knew Stone Edge. But I didn’t have any other pokemon I could really use…

“Stone Edge.” The old man said.

“Don, dodge it!” I yelled.

Don nodded and flew high into the air, dodging the sharp rocks coming at him in all directions. He spun through the air, burned some to a crisp with flamethrower, and simply flew out of the way of other rocks, avoiding the attacks. His incredible speed made up for the weakness to rock types, for he could avoid the slow moving pokemon and probably land a good hit on them too.

“Iron Tail!” I said.

Don’s tail glowed a metallic color, and he took his long tail, smashing it hard on Onix’s head! The rock type roared out as the heavy metal tail attempted to bring him to the ground. But the Onix wouldn’t give in.

“Onix, sandstorm!” The old man said.

“No you don’t, use Defog!” I said.

A powerful sandstorm blasted in all directions, surrounding us all in sand from the desert. Don was high in the air, and flapped his wings hard, blowing away the sandstorm! The wind headed all in the old man’s direction.

His black hat flew off his head from the wind, and the coat blasted off his body too. And that’s when I saw what he looked like.

He looked to be around 80 years old, but not quite there yet. He looked in great shaped for his age too. He had a growing grey beard, not growing beyond his chin yet, but familiar looking. His eyes were hazel, and looked at me with sorrow. His hair was short, but standing up. He didn’t have any bald spots, lucky him.

He wore a golden bracelet on his hand, which looked incredibly familiar to me. He also wore a belt that had a golden buckle. Kind of like the one I…

I…

Was…who…why can’t I remember?

Wait. I know who this guy is.

He’s…

G-Grandpa Frank.

---

[Shadow Slayer]

My mind was going insane. I stood there, staring right at the old man before me and his Onix that looked a little confused. Don landed on the ground next to me, trying to snap me out of my trance.

Drogaur looked like he was struggling with something as well. He was trying to fight something, but he couldn't seem to resist what was going on. I could see his body trembling and his scythes slicing out in the air at nothing. He was fighting his own motions…

I continued to stare at the man. My heart ached with a pain that it hadn’t felt in six years. My mind was showing me all the memories I had with this man: the times we visited other regions of the world, other towns of Sharma, and the good times he had teaching me about pokemon. He told me so many stories of his life, and loved the family so dearly.

And he left us, six years ago. Left us when we were hurt deeply by the loss of his wife. My grandmother.

“Hey…Boo…” The old man said to me, and I stood there. He called me by a nickname he used to call me when I was a little boy. I could remember it clearly.

I could feel happiness for finally seeing him again. I could also feel sadness, for it brought up painful memories of my life when I looked at him once more. I also felt intense rage…and the rage was getting even more intense by the second.

Yes…use your rage… A voice in my head said.

Human! You need to calm down! Drogaur suddenly said.

I ignored him and listened to the first voice that talked. My rage…it was growing stronger. My face was filled with anger. The mark on my left hand was glowing an evil black color, and summoning a great power hidden deep within my mind. An evil curse.

Drogaur suddenly moved forward from his spot, and appeared in front of me all against his will. A red light suddenly zapped Don the Charizard back into his pokeball, and I placed it on my belt once more.

Drogaur roared out loudly, and a powerful golden light shined brightly around his body. The people of the town looked away from the light that shined above the town, afraid of being blinded from it.

The light subsided, and Drogaur’s form became visible to all. He had suddenly revealed himself to everyone, causing the people of the tournament to freak out and run away. What was this thing? What was going on? This is what they were thinking.

And my grandfather was horrified but what he had seen.

“Drogaur…” He said, standing back. Drogaur looked to be in pain, as did I, but we both looked very angry. The mark on my hand was glowing even more intensely than before. My eyes turned from their normal blue/green to a dark, devilish red. They were the color of Drogaur’s eyes.

Yes…your rage is your greatest weapon! Use it. Use the curse I’ve placed on you, human. The voice said. It was familiar.

“Bill! Snap out of it!” My grandfather yelled. But I ignored his words. I felt rage. Like…Like I wanted to kill. I obviously wasn’t that angry at him that I wanted to kill him, but something within me was making me a lot more angry that I should have been. I couldn’t control my actions. Something else was doing it…

Human, stop! Drogaur said.

But I could not listen or control my own body. My will was out of reach, it seemed. I looked towards the battlefield, hoping to take control of my actions once more when suddenly, everything was completely black. I had entered the depths of my mind.

I was standing still, looking ahead and seeing a man who looked about 5’9’’, with black hair, wearing a black leather jacket and black pants, as well as a white shirt, and a metal chain coming out from his left pocket, standing in front of me.

I moved my right arm up in the air, and he did the same. I growled, and he did the same. I laughed, and he did too. It was like looking in the mirror. I felt…powerful for some reason. Like, I was controlling this person in front of me. I seemed to like it for some reason…I had power. I had this strange desire, this lust to control and keep this power.

HAHAHA! Yes human, you like power don’t you? Use it then. Use Drogaur to the fullest extent. Use him for evil! A voice said. A man, 5’9’’, with spikey yellow hair, wearing a sleeveless black leather shirt, with fake fur on the shoulder parts of the leather shirt, and wearing similar black pants to the man in front of me appeared at my side in this darkness of my mind. He had a chain in his right pocket. And his teeth were like a vampire’s fangs.

Sablaur, you… Drogaur was saying.

Oh Drogaur, I’m doing nothing wrong here! The human is angry. I’m just giving him a way to express his anger towards his grandfather. The blond haired man said. He laughed loudly. He placed his hand on my shoulder, and then said to me, Now go. Destroy. I’ve put you on the path to destruction. Don’t get lost.

Reality returned, and we were standing on the field. Drogaur currently had little control of his body, and was trying to resist my emotions, but couldn’t seem to completely overhaul my emotions. I didn’t even feel like I was in control anymore. It felt like someone else was moving my arm and hand, and lips and body. I attempted to speak, but could not. I attempted to lift up my right arm, but could not. This is what it was like…

I wanted to scream. I didn’t like the feeling anymore. It felt…the strength felt great at first, it felt like I could really destroy and conquer at first, but now I felt as if nothing was mine anymore. I was being controlled and I felt a pain that seemed to burn within me.

I felt as if my skin was going to burn off my body. The rage I felt inside my increased as I stood there, and as my inner self, or my soul, struggled to become one with my body and mind again, but to no avail. I was failing.

I pointed forward at the Onix, and Drogaur zoomed forward. His scythe was covered in a deep ghostly energy, and he slashed hard at the Onix! Its high defense saved it from utter defeat.

“Ancientpower, quickly!” Grandpa Frank said.

Onix formed a glowing ball of energy, which it smashed at the ground, sending rocks up everywhere. But Drogaur’s incredible speed allowed him to dodge the rocks coming at him, and strike once more. He levitated above the rocks, and his metallic tail smashed Onix’s head with incredible force!

The Onix fell back, fainted from the powerful attack.

“Venusaur, come on out!” Grandpa said, and his level 95 male Venusaur appeared to battle. Drogaur opened his mouth wide, and blasted forward a burst of incredible metallic energy exploded onto Venusaur’s body, sending him backwards! The Venusaur had never faced an incredibly powerful attack like that one before, and began breathing heavily from the damage he had taken.

You…You have to stop him Frank… Drogaur’s voice suddenly said weakly.

“Drogaur’s going insane…because…Billy?” Frank said. He looked over at me, and saw that I was mouthing something, but wasn’t actually speaking. It seemed that I was commanding Drogaur without actually commanding him. My mind was mouthing what I wanted to say and do, and Drogaur was hearing and obeying the commands, but no one could hear what I was saying.

“Venusaur, hold back Drogaur!” Frank said. Venusaur nodded.

Drogaur lifted up his scythe, and smashed it on the ground in front of Grandpa though. He blocked his path, and Drogaur looked him dead in the eye. He opened his mouth wide, and suddenly began speaking.

YOU THINK YOU CAN JUST WALTZ ON BACK HERE AFTER LEAVING US SIX YEARS AGO? WE WERE TERRIBLY HURT BY THE LOSS OF GRANDMA, AND INSTEAD OF SPENDING TIME WITH THE FAMILY THAT YOU SAID YOU LOVED THE MOST, YOU DECIDED TO LEAVE! Drogaur’s voice was speaking my thoughts.

Frank stepped back, as Drogaur lifted up his other scythe, to strike. YOU ALWAYS LECTURED ME ON BEING SELFISH AND THINKING ABOUT OTHERS, AND YET YOU DECIDED TO LEAVE BECAUSE OF YOUR OWN SELFISH DESIRES! YOU’RE A HYPOCRITE! A LIAR! I HATE YOU!

It was then that powerful green vines from underground wrapped themselves around Drogaur’s body, holding him back. Drogaur was using what little control he had to try and stay and place and stop. Venusaur was struggling, but holding him in place. As I watched Drogaur stay trapped, I began to get angrier. In response, Drogaur began to thrash around violently, in order to escape. Frank stood up, and then ran over to where I was standing.

“DON’T COME NEAR ME!” I suddenly yelled, with a demonic tone added to my voice. A combination of my own voice and Sablaur’s voice.

“I LOOKED UP TO YOU! YOU WERE MY IDOL, AND YET EVERYTHING YOU EVER TAUGHT AND DID FOR ME WENT OUT THE WINDOW THAT DAY YOU DECIDED TO LEAVE! I DON’T WANT ANY OF THIS NOW, JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!”

But Frank wouldn’t give up. I was unable to move, but I kept yelling out, and Drogaur continued to try to escape to come to my side. Frank made it over to me, stood in front of me, as I continued to scream.

He then opened his arms wide, and embraced me as tight as he could. I gasped from this, and a tear rolled down my eye.

“LET…LET GO…” I said.

“Bill…I’m sorry for hurting you, I’m sorry. You’re right. You have every right to be angry at me. I was lost, I believed my Katherine (not his daughter/my mother, his wife’s name was Katherine too) was the only reason I had for living. But she wasn’t. I figured out that you, your mother, your father, your uncle and aunt, and cousins were all incredibly important to me too. My friends, my pokemon, they were all my reasons to live. I’d say that Katherine right now, from all I’ve done, would be the most disappointed and angry with me.” He said.

“NO, NO MORE! STOP THIS!” I said again.

He then began to cry. Tears rolled down his face, which caused me to gasp once more. Tears rolled down my cheek as well, and I stood there, listening to what he had to say.

“Please, forgive me! I can never heal the scars I left you all that day I abandoned the family. All I can do is beg for your forgiveness. I was too scared to return after what I did, after what I discovered. Please, Bill, I’m sorry, a million times sorry! I need you and everyone else more than ever…I’ve made a mistake. And I will work forever to gain your forgiveness. I will give up everything to be with you all again. For you are what I live for. Not a pokemon journey.” He said.

“STOP IT YOU OLD COOT! YOU’RE RUINING EVERYTHING!” Sablaur’s voice said.

“So please…Bill, forgive me…I deserve to be slaughtered by the god of the dead, but I want a chance to make up for my wrongdoings before that day comes…” He said, continuously crying. His collared shirt was becoming soaked from his tears and from my own tears.

I suddenly did something that I too was surprised about. I lifted up my arms, and embraced him as well. I hugged him as tight as I could, and continued to cry. We stood there, reunited after six years.

“W-Welcome back…Gramps…”

Venusaur saw the embrace, and let go of the ghost/steel type pokemon. Venusaur suddenly collapsed from the exhaustion, with a smile on his face. Drogaur had returned to his control of his own body, and took in a deep breath from the shock.

Did that…really happen? Drogaur said, staring at both my grandfather and myself, still in the embrace.

---

A little time passed after that, and the two of us were disqualified from the tournament. The last person in won by default, and obtained the prize. My grandfather and I though didn't seem to care.

We sat at the table we were sitting at before the tournament began, and prepared to have a long conversation. My grandfather brushed the sand off of his coat and hat, and then put them both back on. He smiled at me and said, “Well, what have I always told you Bill? Hugs are the best thing. The best thing in the world.”

I’d have to agree with him here. I mean, it snapped me out of my rage…

“I still want to know what happened to me back there.” I said.

Well, I can explain. Drogaur said.

After that moment where you snapped from figuring out that this man here was your grandfather, you became angry at his appearance. Your anger was strong enough for myself to even feel it. I can feel it by the way since we are connected due to that time in the Corona Grasslands. But there’s more to it than that. Our minds and thoughts were not just connected. But our actions and feelings as well. If one of us actually reached for it, we could control the other’s movements and actions. I believe I am able to do it as well, but I have no desire to. You are unable to reach into my thoughts like I am to you. But you, you somehow were able to control me. And in your mind, I saw Sablaur standing next to you, in that dreadful human form. I can only imagine the curse he placed on yourself and myself has given you this ability. You have a lack of control when it comes to your emotions…

“Don’t I know it…” I said. But to control Drogaur through my anger? I didn’t like it. I wanted him and I to work together, not for me to control his every action. I wasn’t even controlling him either. No, it was Sablaur. I had become his puppet…

“So that just means he needs to control his emotions, right?” Grandpa said. Drogaur nodded.

“Looks like I need to work harder at that then…” I said. I looked over at Grandpa, who said, “Well there are no worries here. You can do it Bill. I know it. I mean, you succeeded where I failed. You’ve become an incredible pokemon trainer, and you’ve captured Drogaur too.”

“…What do you mean?” I said.

“Well, it looks like its story time Mr. Boo!” He said. I sighed. It was nice to hear him talking like that again, but at the same time, I was eighteen, not ten. Such an old nickname…

“Way back when I was a trainer, in my fourth year of traveling, I came to the Sharma region. I was simply exploring the region for some interesting pokemon and trainers.”

“When I was in Penumbraville, I had met an old woman who told me an interesting story. She told me of a legendary pokemon that existed in Penumbraville here, who guarded the dead. He was incredibly powerful, and would prove to be a challenge to a trainer like myself.”

“When I heard the story, I knew that if a pokemon like that lived here, he’d be a real challenge. I decided that I’d battle and capture him. I’d become powerful trainer, one that could finally beat the Elite 4 in other regions, with a pokemon like that.”

“Using moves such as Earthquake and Fissure, I destroyed many of the graves in town and summoned forth the beast. Using the Golden Veil the old woman gave me, I was able to see him, but I had no idea what I was getting myself into.”

“My Pokémon battled hard, and I had suffered some wounds on my side, almost cut apart from the back, but we lived. Drogaur was going to continue, when the townsfolk appeared to kick me out of the town. He didn’t want to kill the people that were going to attack me, and figured that I’d probably die from the blood loss. He left me for those other people to deal with me.”

Yes. I did the same exact thing with your grandson. He said to Frank.

“Funny how things work out…” My Grandfather said. “But to continue.”

“I ran away, trying to escape. I didn’t know where Drogaur was, didn’t know he was leaving me to live. I managed to escape the town, but collapsed from the blood loss in the Corona Grasslands. It was then, that I met her…”

“I met your grandmother. She was traveling outside of Penumbraville with some Pokémon, and gasped upon seeing me collapsed and wounded. She took me to the Pokémon center in Penumbraville, and had me nursed to health. I thanked her with all my heart, and stayed with her for a while. Time passed, and we eventually fell in love. I took her on my journeys through the other regions of the world, until finally we settled down in Kanto, where I was born, and raised your mother and uncle.”

“That’s pretty amazing grandpa. I didn’t know that!” I said. He always had the most interesting stories. And this one by far…Drogaur had fought both grandfather and grandson.

“I’m glad you enjoyed my story, Bill. I missed telling you them. You were always so interested…” He said, and placed his left hand on the table. I looked at it curiously, for I thought I saw something. On his hand was a star.

But not just any star…

“That’s…a curse mark!” I suddenly said, pointing at the left hand. My grandfather looked at his hand and then said, “Yes. Drogaur and I have met more than once…”

---

(Now, this is where my grandfather will be narrating. Telling another story, yay)

You see, it happened just about 15 to 16 years ago. Your mother, father, your grandmother, yourself, and myself were all shopping in Zephyr City. It was your second birthday, and you were very excited about going to get a present.

“Wow, what are we gonna get grandpa?” You asked, looking up at me with your curious blue eyes. I smiled at you, and said, “It’s a surprise, little guy.”

“Is it a Charmander? Is it? I want a charmander! Charizard are the bestest!” You said, and you turned to your mother. You quickly ran over to her and pulled at her pants in order to get her to tell you, but she smiled back at you too and said, “Sorry, but you’re a little too little to get a Pokémon, Billy!”

“Aww…” You said, and we laughed. Your mother picked you up, as we walked through the big city. “I want a charmander…” You continued to say.

“Oh, please, be happy we’re getting you a special gift.” Your grandmother said. You looked away from her and pouted.

“Besides, don’t you want a Bulbasaur like your grandpa?” I asked you. You continued to pout. It was kind of cute.

“Well, you’ll be happy with what you get.” Your grandmother said.

“Oh come on now mom, be nice. He’s only two.” Your mother said.

“He’s going to grow up to be a spoiled brat if you’re not careful.” Your grandmother said.

Your mom then pouted too, and said, “No he’s not…”

Your dad the whole time stayed out of the situation. He never really was too good with us, always feeling a little awkward.

“Well Steve, what do you think of all of this?” I asked him. I wanted to connect with my son in law, accept him into my family. He was important to me. He looked back at me and said, “We’re going to raise him right. He’s going to be a mature adult just like I am.”

“No no, not like you Steve. I don’t want him sitting on the couch eating ice cream all day yelling at the TV watching sports. He’s going to be a fine young scholar and maybe get into pokemon training, after he has a job that he can rely on.” Your mother said.

“That’s boring, Kathy.” Your dad said.

“I think we should let the boy make his own choices, ok?” I said to them, trying to end the inevitable argument.

We continued walking in silence, and you had fallen asleep in your mother’s arms. It was a long drive down to Zephyr City, and you were tired. It was a little early in the morning. But you were excited because you kept thinking you were going to get a Charmander.

We made it to the mall here in Zephyr City, and headed up to one of the upper floors to a certain toy shop that you loved very much. You woke up upon hearing the sound of the toys in the shop going crazy, and the other kids who were here early as well.

Your mother put you down, and you ran inside, literally wanting to play with everything.

It was a joyous sight seeing you so happy. It made me a happy grandfather, seeing you so happy. I smiled at you, and my dear Katherine and I went to look after you. Your mother and father then walked up to us and asked us to keep an eye on you as they looked around the store for something else that was special.

After a bit of playing around, you chose the toy you wanted, which not surprisingly, was a special Charizard action figure. You just seemed to have an obsession with them.

We left, and you ran around the floor we were on, pretending to play with it even though it was still in the box. I smiled at your happiness. We continued to walk on that floor as you ran around, and I mearly looked away for a second when you walked into an elevator while playing!

The doors closed, and you were headed down. I exclaimed to your grandmother that we had to go after you fast! Your mother would be extremely angry if we had lost you…

We headed to the next elevator, and headed down the number of floors, hoping to get to you quickly. On our way down, we heard something that scared me beyond all belief.

Gunfire.

A woman screamed, and I recognized the voice. It was even worse than I thought. It was your mother.

The elevator doors opened up, and your grandmother and I ran out. What had happened was a burglar had tried attempted to steal your mother’s purse. Your father had attempted to be the hero, and stop him, but he was knocked aside and shot in the leg.

As blood spilled out on the floor, your mother shrieked, and the burglar grabbed her. You had gotten out of the elevator, and ran towards the burglar, seeing your father hurt and your mother being attacked.

“HAHAHAHAHA! YOU SHOULD JUST HAND IT OVER LADY! NO ONE BETTER INTERFERE, OTHERWISE YOU’LL ALL DIE! I’M NOT AFRAID TO KILL!” The burglar yelled. He was insane.

The look on your face was complete fear. This man, he was hurting your mother and father, who had protected you all your life. What would you do? You didn’t really understand the concept of death at this point, but you understood that the two of them were in serious pain. And like the rest of our family, you wanted to be the hero. With your Charizard action figure you thought you could do anything. So you pulled it out of the box, threw the cardboard at the man, and then said the following.

“Listen meanie man! Let go of my mommy!” You said to the burglar.

“No, Billy, run!” Your mother said. But you wouldn’t listen. You gave him the most serious face you could muster, and ran towards him. The burglar just laughed at you, and kicked you directly in your gut, knocking you out of consciousness. The kick was so hard; you broke a couple of ribs. And you were having trouble breathing, which wasn’t a good thing due to your asthma.

I ran to your side, making sure you were all right, but you weren’t responding. Your mother continued to scream, and in order to shut her up, the burglar pulled out his pistol, and proceeded to shoot one of her vitals. He was arrogant and too consumed by his power that he missed his target, but still managed to blast her out of consciousness from the bullet.

The bullet pierced through her skin, and she dropped to the floor, beginning to bleed on the floor like your father. Your father looked over to her, trying to crawl to her side and help her. But the burglar stomped on his face, and said, “You’re not going anywhere, hero!”

The woman at the information desk behind us was literally shaking in her place. She held a phone in her hand, and was stuttering and attempting not to scream, but was calling the police without letting the burglar know. It was only a matter of time before we were saved. But this man…he had almost killed my daughter, son-in-law and grandson. I wasn’t going to let him get away with this.

I had stepped forward and said, “You better be ready to fight. I’m going to kill you.”

“Prove it, old man!” He said, and aimed the pistol at me. He pulled the trigger, and a bullet moved fast towards my body, when your grandmother yelled, “No, Frank!”

She pushed me out of the way, and took the bullet instead. She fell to the ground, and I collapsed as well. I looked at her, nudged her to see if she was all right, but I could tell she was barely hanging in there. It was then that I stood up, and charged the burglar.

He proceeded to shoot, but your father grabbed his leg. Distracted from your father, he paid no attention to me, and that gave me the chance to punch him clearly in the jaw. He dropped his weapon, and I proceeded to beat him till he was unconscious…

The police came and arrested him sometime after, and I had gotten everyone to the hospital safely. I sat in the waiting room alone, until I saw a doctor with an unsure look on his face come out with your father.

Your father stood there, his leg bandaged up and his head wrapped as well, looking apologetically at me. I smiled at him and stood up, hugging him. I was just happy that he was all right.

The two of us turned to the doctor who then said, “I’m not sure how to tell you this, but I’m going to do my best. First, the little boy. The burglar kicked him pretty hard. The man wore a metal plate under his shoe, which literally shattered some of the boy’s ribs. From the shock he began to breath heavily, which was difficult due to his asthma. He’s now barely breathing from overexerting himself, and well…may not live.”

“The younger woman suffered a shot that we were able to remove, but the shock of being shot and most likely seeing that her husband was dying shocked her even worse. She’s gone into a coma. We’re not sure whether she’ll wake up or not. And she may be mentally scarred for the rest of her life.”

“As for the older woman, well, she too was shocked from this all, and suffered a blow to the spine. She’ll be paralyzed for the remainder of her life.”

The doctor looked down at the ground, and then up at our horrified faces. “I’m terribly sorry. We’re doing the best we can to find out if there’s anyway to save them. But it looks like it's the end.”

Your father and I sat in the waiting room, hoping for the three of you to recover. Your dad began to cry after thinking of losing you all, and I felt the tears coming on too. I just knew that…we’d lose you all after that speech. They didn’t even try to reassure us that the three of you would be all right. They too knew there was no hope.

I stood up, and then proceeded to leave the hospital. Because I knew that there was someone who could help me. I hadn’t seen him for close to forty years, but I could probably find a way to convince him to help me. Or at least, I thought so. From the research I had done on this guy, I was sure he could help…he could do something.

Your father followed me, and grabbed me by the shoulder. I turned around, and he said, “Frank, where are you going?”

“I’m going to Penumbraville. Someone there can help us better than these doctors.” I said.

“You just need to wait. They’re doing their best.” Steve said.

“No. I’ve met so many people in my travels around the world. I’ve lost many friends of mine in my life. I know what an unsure face looks like. Those doctors are very doubtful that the three of them will recover. But I know someone that can help them out.” I told him.

“I’m coming with you. I can’t lose my wife and son.” Steve said.

We traveled on my Pidgeot and Fearow over to Penumbraville, landing safely in the town that I hadn’t visited for close to forty years. I stood around; I remembered the darkness and dread that surrounded this place.

The time was currently 2 in the morning, and Steve and I were tired, but I knew that we’d be able to stay up for this. Those who were precious to us were in grave danger.

I proceeded to the same old graveyard that I had visited way back when, in order to summon the god that I had disturbed back during my travels. The god whose battle lead me to finding the love of my life.

I stood there in the middle of the restored graveyard, and got down on my hands and knees. I bowed before the graveyard and yelled out, saying, “PLEASE! OH GOD OF THE DEAD, DROGAUR, COME BEFORE ME!”

There was nothing. Your father stood there, confused.

I turned to him, and said, “Trust me Steve.”

He looked at me as if I was crazy, but then nodded. He got down on his hands and knees as well. Together, we said, “PLEASE! DROGAUR, COME BEFORE ME!”

“I need you Drogaur. My father-in-law here says that you can help my son and wife, and my mother-in-law live on. An evil man attacked them and they are barely alive. I can’t live without Kathy and Billy, and my mother in law, Katherine, is very important to me too. My family is everything to me. Please, help…” Steve said.

“I’m sorry for the things I’ve done to you Drogaur! I owe you my life and my current family right now. If not for you, I wouldn’t have met Katherine! And I wouldn’t have had my wonderful daughter Kathy, and my wonderful son Bob! And I wouldn’t have my grandchildren either! I cannot let my newest grandson, Billy, die before I do…”

We waited there, and tears dropped from my eyes. “Please…”

It was then that I looked up, and a shadowy figure hung before me. A gas that completely covered his body surrounded him, and we could not get a good look at the god before us. He looked down at me from above and glared at me with his demonic looking red eyes.

Pathetic. He said.

I stood up to him and said, “Please, help us Drogaur.”

And why? He responded.

“Because my family is in danger!” Steve and I said at the same time.

Your hearts stretch to those that you find precious to you. The one on the left, who you call Steve, you’ve been a selfish man all your life. I’ve been watching you. You’ve cared and done things only to benefit you. Sure, you’ve have a childhood of hell, but to treat others the way you suffered? Should they all suffer the same way you had to? As for you, Frank. You defiled the graves of this very town, disturbing the spirits who have moved on. You’ve also been a very selfish person your life as well. I will not help either of you. Drogaur said.

“Please, change your mind!” I said.

“I’ll do anything. You can take my life, my soul, my body, my mind, anything.” Steve suddenly said. I looked at the young man, the one who had stolen the heart of my daughter, and who I accepted into my family. He was willing to give up everything for the ones he loved.

“I will too. I’ll accept any burden, give up anything to keep them alive.” I said too.

Drogaur stared at us for a second, and then began to surround us with a strange black mist. The mist was the same that surrounded his body currently, and the same mist that surrounded the entire town of Penumbraville. We began coughing as it surrounded us, and collapsed to the ground. A great pain surrounded our bodies, and we yelled out from it.

You are both selfish people…or so I thought. To give up all for those who are precious to you…it is a very unselfish gesture. Besides, I would not know what to do with what you are giving to me. So, I will make a deal.

The two of us looked up at the god of the dead, and our left hands were burning with an intense pain. On each of our left hands formed a black star, similar to the everlasting mark I had with my Slowking on my right hand. But it burned and caused such incredible pain to me. Steve too, was suffering too.

I will curse you both for your sins, but grant you your wish. You will live with the pain of my curse for the rest of your days, and will wake up in Zephyr City once my ceremony is complete. But your precious ones shall live on, past their fate. I have spoken. Goodbye.

The smoke surrounded us both, and as I looked up at the god of the dead, I saw his dark eyes cast his judgment onto us. He then faded away into the darkness, and I closed my eyes, passing out where the two of us lay on the ground.

I awoke later, sitting in the seat I was sitting in before in the hospital, with Steve by my side. I blinked a couple of times, unsure of what had just happened. Steve did the same.

Steve then showed me his left hand, and I looked at my own, both of us grunting in pain. What had just happened was no dream…it was reality. The black star that each of us was cursed with existed. And I had a feeling that they wouldn’t go away anytime soon.

The doctors came out from the room and were shocked. “I’m not sure how to tell you this, but they miraculously recovered!”

Out from the door came the three of you. Your grandmother, who I greeted with a warm embrace, your mother, who your father embraced as well, and you, who jumped at your mother and father. We all embraced, happy to be alive.

From that day I on, I lived with Drogaur’s curse, happy to know that those I found precious were still alive…

---

(Returning to my character’s narration)

“And that’s my story Mr. Boo.” He said, still using that nickname. I stood there in shock. I turned around to Drogaur, and he nodded to me.

“But…you…huh? Why did you say anything?” I asked Drogaur.

I am surprised things turned out this way too. But I never felt the need. I searched your memories while I was in that dreadful masterball, and found out, but also found out he had left you. So there was no need to make any exclamation about it. But to think I tried killing the one I kept alive all those years ago. Fate is truly a mysterious force… Drogaur said.

“Well gramps, I’m very surprised…But it explains some things…Dad was an irritable person through most of my life. Probably because he was in pain…” I said.

“Yes. We tried many ways to get rid of the pain. Painkillers, other forms of massage and many other different trials. But we failed. The pain would not go away. Eventually it did for me though…”

You found something that was worse than the pain I instilled into your body. Which happened to be you losing your wife, even after all that happened. As well as leaving those who were precious to you, which was the whole reason you went through my ceremony all those years ago.

“I thought the same thing too, Drogaur.” My grandfather said. “The pain on my hand literally disappeared the day I realized you all were what was most important to me, but also that I realized I could never go back after abandoning you. It was a pain that hurt me more than Drogaur’s curse.”

“Well, I am cursed too now grandfather…” I said to him, showing the mark on my hand. It was the same as his, except for the circle that the mark extended outwards to…

“You’ve gotten yourself into some deep trouble, haven’t you.” He chuckled at me. “Well, that’s where all the fun is, right?”

“I wouldn’t say that, Gramps.” I chuckled back.

Say, Drogaur… I thought to him.

To answer the question you’re about to ask, I believe so too. Your grandfather was sick most of his life after he stopped traveling. But he seems very healthy after all of this training. I believe it was the loss of the curse mark’s pain that has restored his health.

So in a way, it was you that made him as sick as he was getting? I asked.

His body was getting older, and wasn’t able to hold up to my end of the bargain. Eventually he would have just died in his sleep from exhaustion. But now looking at him…he looks like he’ll be living for more than a decade. Maybe longer. Drogaur said.

So in a sense…leaving kept him alive. I said. I looked at my grandfather, who looked a little confused. But to think, that if he stayed with us, in his depression, he might have died pretty early. And then I wouldn’t have him here with me right now…

“Sorry, spacing out a bit.” I said to my grandpa. I pulled out my cell phone, and then stood up.

“What’s up?” He asked me.

“Well, I’m deciding what I’m going to do next.” I told him. “I’m either going to go to Zenith City to challenge the last two contests I need before entering the grand festivals, or I’m going to Nugem to solve the mystery with Drogaur.”

I say we go to Nugem, human. Drogaur said.

“Yeah, I agree.” I said.

“Well then, I’m coming with you.” Gramps said.

“Eh?” I asked. “Why?”

“Well its been years since I’ve seen you, and if I travel with you as a guardian, you can be protected from all this trouble you’ve gotten in. Plus, I’ll get to see you battle in those contests eventually. Besides, I was just roaming around the Sharma region. I have nothing else to do.” He said.

“Well…”I sat there and thought about it for awhile. My grandfather was the healthiest he’d been in years, and was an incredibly powerful trainer. If the ZEP attacked or something again, I’d have double the power, and would be able to take them down. If we ever encountered Sablaur on the other side where Drogaur couldn’t go, then I’d have someone else to battle with me. Plus, it might make the journey a bit more amusing. He was the funniest guy I knew.

I guess its settled. Drogaur said.

I nodded. “Sure, you can come with me Gramps.”

“Sounds good, Mr. Boo! Let’s get moving.” He said, and stood up, putting his bag back on. I did the same, and I took out my phone to call a certain friend.

Who knows what would happen next…

(The end!)

*Phew* That was an eyeful! Dear gosh, man! I envy your ability to just write on the spot; however, that can also cost you. The beginning was slow, but it picked up the pace towards the end. I also found grammatical errors in your writing. Overall it was a good piece, but be sure to not to rush too much. It's always nice to simply go back and enjoy what you've been able to write so far. I give you ten levels for it, fair?

[Shadow Slayer]

(Thanks again, I'll give 5 to starmie, 4 to manaphy and three to infernape)

The giant lizard flew down from above and landed in Niner's Stake once more. I smiled, I was ready for what Nugem had to offer me. Well, I'd be ready after a good night's sleep.

Gramps and his Pidgeot landed next to me in town, and the two of us had agreed we should be fully rested for the next day. It would be an interesting one, to say the least. I looked up at the moon, and then suddenly in front of the shining light was a golden beast. He floated down so I could look at him face to face, and then I nodded to him upon his reappearance.

"We'll sleep now, and then go to Nugem tomorrow. Alright? Not much more waiting." I said to Drogaur.

He somewhat agreed, and then Gramps and I went into the pokemon center, to sleep.

---

The next morning I awoke, showered, got dressed in a similar get-up, and then swapped out my team once more. Gramps and I left the pokemon center, and outside waiting for us were both Leon and Madeline.

Madeline waved to us, filled with energy, and Leon smiled. I waved back, and Gramps said, "Good to see you guys again!"

"It was only just yesterday we saw them, Gramps..." I said.

"It is always a pleasure to see the lovely Madeline and her husband Leon, Bill..." He said. Madeline laughed.

"Oh you guys are just so funny!" Madeline said. She turned to Leon, who smiled back at her. "Are you ready to go?" He said. I nodded to him, and then the four of us headed on out to Nugem.

Drogaur floated by my side, and I could feel within him, myself, and the desert we were entering that something was going to happen.