Chapter 40

I've been running alone
And I've been searching for gold
See a little in between the spread of this dust
Praying that in time I'll make some light of the dark

If there's one thing I know
Is that there feels nothing like home
Nothing like the feeling of a limitless road
Fire in my blood, there's only one way to go
Ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh
Oh, ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh

I don't wanna stop this fight
Though I'm smiling through bloodshot eyes
In this moment I'm dreaming wild
So wild
And in my heart I'm dreaming wild
Sleeping, oh, believe it
I don't wanna stop this fight
So wild

See, I've been running from goals
I wear each lesson as I go
Never no tomorrow could bring nothing at all
I will take my chances and be ready to fall

Still know nothing of this world
I'm still my mother's diamond girl
I will keep on fighting 'cause I'm fighting for love
Pressure on my lungs, now I'm singing out
Ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh
Oh, ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh

I don't wanna stop this fight
Though I'm smiling through bloodshot eyes
In this moment I'm dreaming wild
So wild
And in my heart I'm dreaming wild
Sleeping, oh, believe it
I don't wanna stop this fight
So wild

Stop this fight
Bloodshot eyes

I don't wanna stop this fight
Though I'm smiling through bloodshot eyes
In this moment I'm dreaming wild
So wild
And in my heart I'm dreaming wild
Sleeping, oh, believe it
I don't wanna stop this fight
So wild

White's voice died in her throat and she immediately stopped playing her guitar. Her misery from the past two days seemed to have returned. Archy, who was laying on the ground next to the bench White was sitting on, looked up at his trainer with some concern.

"White, is something wrong?" The Arcanine asked as he sat up.

"Yeah, I'm fine," White muttered, though she never felt less fine.

The two days since Sky Blue's lapse of sanity had been rough. The group was slowly splitting apart. Mira was no longer speaking to White or Sky Blue because of her mixed feelings of worry, anger, and betrayal. She spent all of her time with Leia or Margaret somewhere in the city.

Margaret had returned to her normal self and insisted that White did the right thing in telling Mira the truth, and that for now she wouldn't tell anyone else. White had a feeling that Margaret felt guilty about being critical with her because she was more quiet than usual. If White was perfectly honest with herself, she was actually glad Margaret confronted her.

Amos had hung around White more since her discussion with Mira. He didn't talk about Sky or Mira when with her, but would simply ask if she was ok. He would then offer some method of distraction, which White would decline. She appreciated the effort, but she would much rather stew in self pity.

Danny, Leia, and Fiona all seemed to notice the tension that had split among the others. Danny had tried to confront Margaret about the problem, but she would fib and claim she knew nothing about it and that he should merely focus on training his new Pokemon, Cain the shiny Shuppet.

Leia had also asked all the girls about the tension, but they would all say that nothing was wrong. After this, Leia didn't push the subject and instead merely made sure that everyone knew she was willing to help them. Fiona, however, was always by White's side. The little girl seemed to notice White's unhappiness and did everything she could to make her feel better. White didn't feel like playing with Fiona, but she never had the heart to say no.

However, no one in the group was more depressed than Sky Blue. He rarely spoke anymore and kept to himself. When signing into the Pokemon Center, he had gotten his own room and stayed there for hours on end. While Sky told them he didn't like sharing a room with a Gardevoir and a Shuppet, White knew he didn't want to risk hurting anyone.

Now White was finally alone. Everyone else was out doing their own thing (except Sky, who had not left his room that day), so White took her guitar and sat outside the Pokemon Center. She had decided to let Archy out of his pokeball, something she knew she would regret later.

"No you're not," Archy argued, bringing White out of her thoughts. "You've been unnaturally quiet since the incident at Reflection Cave! It's about time you start telling me what's going through your head, and also start telling me what you're planning for the future!"

White sighed at this, and finally said exasperatedly, "Ok, well let's see. Mira hates me, Sky Blue just went from the happiest member of the group to the most closed off, and I'm too tired to actually make things work. Besides all that, I have less than a month to find a hidden Psychic and Fighting Type tribe on the route next to Laverre City, and then pray to God that when we find the tribe, the tribe will help us and not kill us instead. So to put it simply, I'm stressed, I'm depressed, and I feel like I'm carrying the world!"

The Arcanine began to slowly nod his head when White finished. He then started slowly, "Yes, that certainly sounds stressful. But to be blunt, you both should've told her the truth years ago."

"Thanks, I feel so much, Captain Obvious!"

Archy chuckled to White's great annoyance. The last thing she wanted was to be laughed at.

"White, I just realized," the Fire Type started suddenly, moving closer to look at his trainer. "I thought you had a scratch near your eye, but I don't see it. Surely it didn't heal that quickly!"

White shifted uncomfortably as she answered quietly, "I, uh...I had Margaret get me some makeup that would cover it up. It's there, but I used makeup that was the same color as my skin to cover it..."

"Won't that make it worse?"

"I don't know, but I didn't want Sky to find out. The only people who know I even have the cut are Amos and Margaret."

Archy sighed and told her forcefully, "Whitney, you're just driving Sky Blue farther and farther away. Why would you hide this from him?"

"He hurt me after Missy died, and he felt guilty for weeks after that. I rarely saw him, and I have reason to believe he almost killed himself. I don't want that to happen again, it would kill him! He's gone through enough without me adding to his problems. Besides, he might leave he thought he was endangering everyone!"

"He is endangering everyone, White. Then what did you say happened to your hand?"

"I told everyone I cut it on one of the mirrors in the cave."

A silence fell between the two of them. A moment later, Archy changed the subject and asked, "So where is everyone today?"

"I think Danny went to challenge the gym, Margaret and Fiona went with him. Mira was out with Leia and Amos, so they're somewhere in the city. I have no idea where Sky is, probably in his room."

There was suddenly a small thump as something landed on the unoccupied spot of the bench White was sitting on. She looked over to see a bouquet of flowers that had appeared at her side. They were beautiful white ones, tied together with a red ribbon. Someone had tossed them over the wall that separated the Pokemon Center battlefield from the rest of the city.

"I don't think he's in his room, White," Archy whispered, a smirk on his face.

White didn't say anything. Her stomach squirmed with guilt and she held the flowers. The memory of Sky's booming bellow seemed to be on repeat in her mind.

WHY CAN'T YOU LOVE ME, WHITNEY?!

"Whitney?" Archy suddenly repeated as White snapped herself out of the horrible memories. "Are you ok? You don't look well..."

"I'm fine," White whispered as she began rubbing a petal from one of the flowers between her thumb and index finger. "Archy, could you go see if he's still there?"

The Arcanine hesitated, but nodded and got up to check the battlefield. Once he was out of sight, White lifted the flowers up and hid her face in them. Every thing Sky had said to her in Reflection Cave seemed to come back to her. But there were three words that kept coming back to her.

I hate you!

She wasn't sure who the real Sky Blue was anymore. She knew he would never admit that he had those negative feelings toward her. There was no getting around the fact that the side Sky had revealed that day was him speaking. Everything he said was how he felt deep inside.

A few minutes later, White heard the light sound of paw steps that announced Archy's return. The Arcanine nuzzled against White's cheek before sitting back down in his usual spot. This time White could hear footsteps slowly approaching. She looked up and turned to see Sky Blue walking down the street towards her.

Sky looked dreadful. He was paler than usual, and he looked more sickly than he ever did before the incident at Reflection Cave. He wore a black cloak over his usual punk style. He was no longer limping or using White's staff to support him. He was now walking on his own. He looked more depressed than White had ever seen him in his life, and she dreadfully missed his usual cheerful smile. Sky Blue seemed to be a completely different person.

Her best friend stopped a few feet away from the bench. He was acting much like Mira did the night she confronted White. He didn't look at her, but merely stared at the ground. He seemed uncomfortable being around her.

"I'm sorry if I startled you," Sky began in a hoarse voice. "I wasn't sure if you wanted to see me or not..."

"I must admit, I wasn't expecting flowers today," White told him as she carefully set the white flowers on her guitar. "But thank you very much."

"Well I got some for Mira too. I put them in her room with a note. It was the only way I could tell her everything without losing my head..."

He hesitated before continuing, "Yours was more of a bribe, but they are apology flowers too."

"A bribe?"

"I wanted you to come with me to the Tower of Mastery. I heard a rumor that there's a guy there that gives away Key Stones to those he finds worthy of having one. But I don't feel like I should go alone, and you're the only other person here. You see my problem?"

White couldn't help but chuckle at this answered, "Yes, I see it."

"Plus this will make up for those stupid Poke Puffs."

White heard Archy snort with laughter at this. In an act of desperation before the last showcase, White had asked Fiona and (maybe forced) Sky Blue to help her with trying the Poke Puffs she made. Fiona was all too happy to stay up late at night and try different Poke Puffs, no matter how bad they were. Sky Blue, on the other hand, acted like a Lilipup who had eaten chocolate. In short, he got sick and acted like the whole thing was torture (Fiona had found the whole thing amusing).

"Well I don't have a choice do I?" White finally sighed, taking the guitar case the was propped against the wall. "Just give me a minute to pack up."

"Do you want to go back and drop that off at your room?" Sky asked uncertainly as he watched White set her guitar in its case and snapped it shut.

"No, I can carry it. I'll have Archy take the flowers back to my room though."

Archy's head shot up at this. He looked in disbelief at his trainer, as if unsure if he heard correctly.

"White, are you sure you don't want me to accompany you in case-"

"I doubt anyone will come after us," White interrupted, slinging her bag over her shoulder while picking up her guitar case in the other.

"That's not what I-"

"I know exactly what you meant. Now please take these back, Archy."

White held out the flowers to Archy. The Arcanine glowered at her, but he took the flowers between his jaws and stalked off down the sidewalk back to the Pokemon Center. She sighed, turned to look at Sky again and said quietly, "I'm sorry for his behavior, he shouldn't have-"

"I'm not upset," Sky intervened in an emotionless voice. "I expected this kind of behavior. Come on..."

The one eyed trainer turned his back on her and began walking away. Feeling a little taken aback and nervous, White slowly began to follow him.

White had never felt so distant from Sky as they walked through the city. She had always been the one to intimidate him, even though she never tried to. Sky was more talkative while White would ignore him and kept quiet. Now the roles were reversed. Sky Blue was the quiet and serious one while White struggled to start a conversation.

After fifteen minutes, they finally reached the north end of the city that overlooked the sea. A small beach was below the overlook that connected to a long sandy path that led to the island on the other side of the city. In the distance, White could see a huge tower on the island.

The Tower of Mastery, home of Mega Evolution.

"Sky Blue, wait," White called to Sky as he was about to descend the stairs that led down the small beach.

Her friend stopped as she caught up to him. He did not look at White as she caught up to him and said in her seriously, "Skyler, I'm sorry I told Mira about everything, you're obviously angry at me... I should have consulted you first..."

Sky said nothing, which scared White. The her brother's silence unnerved her. She was not use to this distant behavior.

"I'm not mad, Whitney," Sky finally answered in a low voice. "If I'm mad at anyone, it's myself. I should've told her from the start. I shouldn't have gotten this situation so out of control. Besides, you've invested most of your time and emotions into finding a solution. I am grateful, but this is my problem, not yours."

"Sky-"

"Whitney, I don't want to argue with you. Heck, at this point, you're one of the few people who doesn't look at me like I'm a monster. I lost everyone's trust, and in truth I didn't deserve it in the first place."

He turned to look White dead in the eyes and continued seriously, "I'm going to go to the Psychic Tribe alone. I will not endanger any of you again. Our friends, they don't need me, but they need you. You need to stay for them."

"That's a lie and you know it!" White spat furiously. "We do need you, Skyler! The whole reason Mira got concerned in the first place was because you were depressed! She was worried about you! You're like our power source. When you're happy, we are all happy and reassured! But once you're sad and depressed, we feel the same way! If something makes you scared and anxious, we have every right to be worried, because you are the most encouraging member of our group!

"And after all you and I have been through, do you really think I'd just let you leave?! They could kill you if you go alone, and I will not let that happen! After all that's happened, we can't just separate like this! You're right, I put a lot into finding a cure for you, but that's exactly why I can't leave! I care too much to leave you!"

Sky didn't answer. When moving to stand by Sky's left side, she realized his eye was closed.

"We don't have time to discuss this-" Sky began, but White made a threatenly growl.

"Now's a perfect time." She interrupted, using the same words as Mira. "I'm not giving up on you, Sky. We got in this mess together and we're leaving it together."

"Don't you understand?! I could have hurt you and the others! I could've gotten one of you killed! I can't let that happen again!"

White felt like her stomach twist in fear. She kept thinking of Sky racing past and scratching her face. Sky running out of the darkness and biting her. Sky lashing out and making her bite worse. Despite all that, she still wanted to help.

As Sky began to go down the stairs, White burst out, "Sky, please don't leave me again!"

He froze on the last step. He did not look back, but merely responded loudly, "What do you mean?"

"You know what I mean!" White snapped while rushing down the stairs after him. "After we escaped Kalos, when we made it to Kanto, you left me! We barely made it off the ship when you told me you weren't coming with me! I've seen and been through a lot, but nothing was harder for me than to watch you go! Please don't do this to me again!"

"Well one of us isn't going to get their way!"

"I hate to break it to you, but it's going to be you. We're seeing this through to the end together."

White held her breath as Sky watched her. A second later, he sighed and told her reluctantly, "Fine, but let's forget about this for now..."

"Thank you," White replied, her heart lightening as she followed Sky across the sandy trail that led to the Tower of Mastery. "So how do you plan on getting a Key Stone? They aren't exactly common stones. They might ask a lot of you."

"I didn't really think it through," Sky answered slowly. "But this seemed to be the easiest way to get one. I haven't been able to find a Key Stone anywhere else, this is the first I've heard of them in awhile."

White nodded and looked down at Sky's right hand. Something had glinted in the sunlight and caught her eye. A medieval metal gauntlet was strapped to his right hand. It was sharp and jagged, the finger coverings as long as claws.

"Where did you get that?" White asked Sky, gesturing to his gauntlet. "I've seen you with it before, but I've only caught glimpses of it."

"I've been working on it since you lost your arm," Sky admitted, lifted his hand and flexing his fingers. "When staying with you, I saw how your metal arm was more of an advantage than a disadvantage. I started making a gauntlet that I could use to protect my blind side. I have another one for the left in case this one doesn't work for the right, but it works well. I tweaked this one so its not your average gauntlet. I also have a spot for a Key Stone right here."

He pointed to a small gap in the center top of the gauntlet. It was a space small enough for a marble to fit in. White could tell that that Sky really wanted a Key Stone. She knew he had already began collecting Mega Stones for his Pokemon, and now the only thing he needed for his research was his own Key Stone. She only hoped that he could pass the test to get one.

After five minutes, they finally made it to the island of the Tower of Mastery. It loomed over them, casting them into shadows. White noticed that Sky's paced quickened as they began to climb the stairs that led to the entrance.

"So you're sure about this?" White asked him, as they got to the door. She couldn't help but feel that this might put pressure on him. Maybe even enough to push him back inside his own head.

"I'm positive," he answered, reaching for the door handle and pulling it open.

When stepping inside the tall tower, White looked up at the ceiling and immediately felt dizzy. The ceiling reached the top of the tower. There was a twisting staircase that led to several rooms on the way to the top. Smack in the center of the the main floor was the statue of a towering Mega Lucario. Engraved into the base was a door.

"Well we have the right address," the one eyed trainer began as he followed White inside while observing the huge Lucario statue. "But it looks pretty empty."

"I'd imagine someone is here," the female trainer responded dismissively.

White then approached the door to the room inside the Lucario statue. She hesitated before knocking on the door. She couldn't hear any noises from inside. She then sighed, "We may need to come back later, you're probably right."

But the door suddenly opened, and White was surprised to be face to face with Xavier. The boy smiled and greeted them warmly, "Oh, White, Sky Blue! We didn't know you'd be here!"

"Who's we?" White started, but her question was answered as two people appeared behind Xavier. The first person was Emmaline, while the second was an older man White didn't know.

"Do you know these two?" The older man asked as he stepped out of the room to look from White to Sky.

"Mister Gurkinn, this is White and Sky Blue, we met them and their friends on our journey," Emmaline explained to the older man, Gurkinn, while following him outside of the statue with Xavier.

"I see," the man mused, looking down at White as if x-raying her. "And why are you here?"

"My friend heard you gave away Key Stones," White explained while glancing over at Sky, who seemed to be keeping his distance from the old man. "He wanted to get one from you. I just came as support."

Gurkinn seemed to become tense. He looked around at Sky and observed his appearance. White could tell that he was judging Sky by his clothes and eyepatch. For some reason, this made her angry.

"So, you want a Key Stone, boy?" Gurkinn asked Sky Blue sternly.

"Yes, sir," Sky Blue responded with equal seriousness. "I will do whatever it takes."

"Ah, so you realize that I don't just give them away. Key Stones are valuable and rare items, and can be dangerous in the wrong hands. You can understand why I hesitate to give you one."

"Mister Gurkinn, he can have my Key Stone!" Emmaline interrupted as she turned to Sky and White and continued, "I was recently given my own Mega Bracelet and Lucarioite by a friend. I came here with Xavier to tell Mister Gurkinn that I no longer needed the first of two Key Stones that were assigned to us. Sky Blue can have the one I was going to get!"

"I can't give him the Key Stone," Gurkinn interrupted quite harshly. "I don't know the boy, and like I said I don't just give away Key Stones."

White looked over at Sky. She thought she saw his eye flash and fist clench. However, his eye was still sky blue and his fist quickly relaxed. This made White tense slightly, yet she was glad Sky took control of himself.

"What do I need to do to get one?" Sky asked, his voice sounding like he was forcing himself to be calm. "I will only be in the city for a few days."

Gurkinn didn't answer right away. He was still taking in Sky's apperence, yet this time he was looking into the one eyed trainer's face. White could tell he was specifically looking into Sky's eye. Had he seen its momentary switch from blue to red?

"I'll make a deal with you," Gurkinn finally said in a serious tone. "You can battle for the Key Stone. Since you are battling for what would've been Emmaline's Key Stone, you will battle her. You will both use only one Pokemon. If you win, I will give you the Key Stone. Do you both understand?"

As both Emmaline and Sky Blue nodded, White couldn't help but feel very tense. She was hoping that Sky could emotionally handle a loss of a Key Stone. If not, it might result in another lapse of sanity.

*~*~*

"Let the battle begin!" Gurkinn shouted across the Tower of Mastery's outdoor battlefield.

"Blazestar, let's go!" Emmaline yelled as she threw a pokeball into the air. Her tall Lucario appeared out of the red light and roared, his chain earring swaying violently as he threw his head back.

"Alan, now's your chance!" Sky Blue called out as he tossed a pokeball as well. Alan the Alakazam burst out of the light. The Psychic Type was much quieter than the Lucario, but he glared ferociously at his opponent.

"Why does Emmaline always use her Lucario?" White asked Xavier as they both stood on the side lines to watch the battle. "I know she has other Pokemon."

"Emmaline and Blazestar are a lot alike," Xavier explained with a slight smile. "She uses her other Pokemon, and she cares deeply for them. But Emmaline and Blazestar both learn more from each other than they learn from the others. Blazestar teaches her how to stand up for herself and when to fight back, while Emmaline teaches him that fighting isn't always an answer. Besides, they have the closest bond."

A bowl erupted from the field as the two Pokemon began to fight. Alan had made two pink aura blades and crossed them in front of them. Blazestar formed a very light blue aura-made bone before leaping toward the Alakazam. The blades clashed violently. Both pokemon were trying to push away the other. In the end, Blazestar managed to push Alan across the field.

The Alakazam dug his long fingers into the ground to prevent himself from moving back further. His blades scattered away and turned to dust when stopping. It appeared that the Lucario had gotten stronger since before.

"Alan, hold on and use Psychic!" White heard Sky shout at his partner.

Alan's eyes glowed pink at the order. His pink aura appeared around Blazestar and slowly levitated him. The Fighting Type thrashed and howled as Alan used his powers to raise him into the air.

"Hold on and use Endure, Blazestar!" Emmaline encouraged her Pokemon as it howled with fury.

Without warning, the Alakazam slammed Blazestar against the hard rocky ground. He would then levitate him up again and continue to toss him. With a loud roar, Alan then threw Lucario across the field. The Aura Pokemon crashed to the ground with a yowl.

"Great job, Alan!" Sky Blue tell his Pokemon encouragingly.

As Alan looked back at his trainer with pride, White realized why Sky chose Alan for this battle. It was not because of Alan's rivalry with Blazestar, or because of his Psychic abilities. It was because of his close bond with Sky. He was connected to Sky, he shared Sky's burden. He had seen him through the good and the bad. Sky Blue wanted to show this bond to Gurkinn.

The Lucario slowly got back to his feet, his lip curled in a leer. Emmaline then shouted to her Pokemon, "Alright, let's try this! Blazestar, Mega Evolve!"

The trainer lifted her wrist to show a black bracelet with a rainbow colored marble engraved into it. As she pressed her finger to the Key Stone, causing the stone to react by glowing brightly. Ribbons of light spread out of the marble and connected with similar streaks of light emanating from Blazestar's ear.

White did not realize that the chain earring the Lucario wore had a Mega Stone attached to it. The chain drooped from the weight of the Lucarionite, it's orange, blue, and red colors shining brightly.

Blazestar glowed brightly as his features changed. He grew taller and his cream colored fur grew longer. More spikes sprouted from the back of his paws. Two of the appendages on the back of his head grew longer while also turning the tips crimson.

When the light subsided, the figure of Mega Lucario loomed over the Alakazam. Blazestar looked much more ferocious than before. He was not as intimidating as Ray or the Lucario that had been in White's dream. What she found intriguing was that Blazestar didn't seem to have trouble controlling his power. Lucarios had trouble controlling both their aura and the powers gained by Mega Evolution. Emmaline and Blazestar must have managed to control the power.

"Don't worry, Alan!" Sky Blue called to his Alakazam, who looked much more nervous about the fight now that Blazestar had gained more power. "We still have the advantage! Psycho Cut!"

Alan growled in response and remade the pink aura blades. He lunged at the Fighting Type, but Blazestar swiftly stepped aside. As the Alakazam continued to attempt to slash his opponent, the Lucario continued to dodge the strikes.

"Fight back with Bone Rush!" Emmaline commanded her Pokemon.

Blazestar immediately remade his aura bone and lashed out at the Psi Pokemon. The blades clashed and caused sparks to fly. Alan was struggling to hold his blades up while Blazestar had absolutely no problems. It didn't take long for Blazestar to slam his bone into Alan's back.

The Alakazam roared and fell forward. He slid much farther than before and caused dirt to kick up around him. Once he stopped, he seemed unable to get up. White could hear the Lucario roaring with laughter. Blazestar must be taking a great pleasure in beating down and humiliating his rival.

"Not as strong as you once were, are you?" Blazestar sneered as he twirled his bone around in his paws. "You're growing, older, weaker, and I'm getting stronger!"

As Alan slowly straightened up, he gave Blazestar a look that could kill and growled, "Oh, I'm not finished yet!"

The Psi Pokemon's body was suddenly covered in his pink aura. He was levitating himself so he could move faster.

"Get him with Aura Sphere, Blazestar!" Emmaline shouted to her Pokemon.

"Cut through it with Psycho Cut!" Sky Blue ordered Alan.

Both Pokemon gave a cry of obedience and did as they were told. Blazestar began to form a huge orb of aura between his paws while Alan formed another pink blade in his hands. The Aura Sphere that Blazestar formed was wild and fierce. White thought she could hear loud whispers emanating from it.  

Blazestar roared as he unleashed the sphere at Alan. As it rushed toward him, the Psi Pokemon swung his blade and slashed the sphere into quarters. It exploded, but Alan was still grazed by the attack. His levitation faltered, causing him to land  on the ground again.

White could see no chance of Sky winning the fight. Despite Alan's type advantage, Blazestar held all the cards. The Mega Lucario had more power and more strength than poor Alan, who had to use his powers to keep his own head up.

"Alan, please hang on!" Sky pleaded to his Pokemon as the Psychic Type tried to push himself up. "Try and stay up for as long as possible!"

"Finish with Aura Sphere!" Emmaline commanded her Lucario, who gave a grunt of pleasure.

The Mega Lucario formed another Aura Sphere, this one bigger than the last. The whispers from the aura were louder than before. When he released it, Alan threw out his arms with a howl and a protective barrier surrounded him.

But it wasn't an ordinary barrier. It was made from both Alan's and Sky's aura. It was blue, red, and pink merged together. However, the black was shrouded over all the colors. It was like it was eating away at the shield. Once the Aura Sphere made contact with the shield, it seemed to bounce off and hit the Lucario instead, causing him to writhe and howl.

You idiots! White thought viscously, her heart suddenly beating twice has fast. You should know better than to do that!

It then occurred to her that maybe they couldn't prevent this. If Sky and Alan were mentally connected to each other, then Alan had access to Sky's power. He could use it at his disposal.

"White, where are you going?" She heard Xavier ask as she ran past him.

She did not answer but ran along the sidelines to Sky Blue's side of the field. She could see her friend covering his face, as if trying to protect himself from the aura. When she reached his side, she shouted to him over the loud hisses of the aura, "Sky Blue, you have to forfeit the match! This has gone far enough! He's using your power, it will drain you of power and make it easier for you to lose yourself!"

"We can't lose!" Sky bellowed at her furiously. "This is the only way! I have to win!"

"Skyler, if you won't do is for your own good, do it for Alan! He's using your power, and it wasn't made for him! He can't control the power like you can! It could either cause him to lose his mind or die! You have to save him!"

The glint of red appeared in Sky's eye again, causing White to back away. She didn't know what to do. This battle was causing to much strain on both Sky and his Pokemon.

But it her relief, Sky pulled out a pokeball and shouted, "ALAN, RETURN!"

The weary Alakazam roared as he was sucked into his pokeball. The barrier melted into dust and was absorbed into the field once Alan was gone. The aura that had attached itself to Blazestar dripped away from him and retreated into the ground as well, which finally stopped Blazestar's writhing and howling.

While Emmaline and Xavier ran to check on the Mega Lucario, Sky slumped to the ground and put his head in his hands. Alan's pokeball fell to the ground and rolled to White's feet. She quietly picked up the pokeball and whispered to it, "You did great, Alan. Try and recover for now."

The pokeball shook once in response and became still. White then put the pokeball in pocket. She didn't feel safe giving Alan back to Sky just yet.

"You did the right thing, son."

Gurkinn had approached them. He looked stern and serious, and much more intimidating than before.

"It didn't matter," Sky growled, finally looking up at the old man. "I don't know what I was thinking..."

"You can use this as a teaching moment," Gurkinn told the one eyed trainer. "You're a lot like a Lucario in many ways. Especially when it comes to Mega Evolution. That Lucario over that, he couldn't control his power at first. He didn't think with his head, he only knew how to fight. He couldn't control his power wisely. You are the same way. I know what you are, son."

"What do you mean you know who he is?" White questioned sharply. "How could you know?"

"I have some knowledge of Aura Guardians. You are different than the Aura Guardians I've heard of. You need to tame the power inside you, you need to harness it. Also, that connection with your Alakazam, it needs to break. The mental connection will cause more harm than good, to both of you."

Gurkinn then pulled a small rainbow colored marble out of pocket. He held it out to Sky Blue and said seriously, "I'm giving this to you as a tool and a method of teaching. You are like a Lucario with a Mega Stone. When you evolve, you have two sides fighting inside you. I want you to learn from your Pokemon, especially your Alakazam. They will show you how to control your power. Use this wisely, and please learn to control the power within you."

White watched Sky Blue take the Key Stone with mixed emotions. She felt proud of Sky for controlling himself and doing the right thing, and she felt happy that he got his Key Stone. But she felt scared and worried, about what had happened. Something was telling her that the next time he was tempted by his power, he would grab on to it and wouldn't let go.

~~~

These chapters are all fun and games until you come to a Pokemon Battle. Welp, I think I did good until the Pokemon battle. That's when I lose all motivation. I had plans but I forgot them and I didn't want a super long battle.

I don't have much to say, except thank you all for your votes and comments! The next two chapters I'm super excited for, so get ready for those! Hopefully I can get the chapter of The Definition of Being Human out soon, I'm putting a lot of effort into SWS2 though. If there are errors, let me know. I merely skimmed through the battle part.

Good bye until next time!

(Lyrics: Wild by Jones
Lyric Video: Alone Together by Fall Out Boy)