"I choose you!" Eevy and Taylor called together, both releasing their next Poke’Balls down onto the field.

A huge roar of power rumbled through the Rose Town Pokemon Gym as Taylor’s third Pokemon emerged from its Poke’Ball. A high pitched shrieking call came from the opposite end of the Gym as Eevy’s third Pokemon also broke free of the yellow and orange ball holding him captive. Steelix’s roar shook Eevy and Dragon hard enough that they almost lost their balance on their tilted podium. Lovo’s horrible shriek pierced Taylor’s ears enough that he had to cover them. The third round was about to begin.

"Leader Andiron has chosen Steelix and Challenger Hikoboshi has chosen Jolteon-"

"The name’s Lovo, gooney-boy," Lovo snapped.

"Whatever," Jullian continued, "Let the third round begin!"

"We can take that pipsqueak out easy!" Taylor boasted, "Go, Steelix!"

"Just you wait and see!" Eevy stood up, not remembering she was sitting on the rail of her podium, "Oh shit," she murmured as she started falling.

"I got ya’!" Dragon flailed and caught her shirt, "Sit down before you fall off!"

"OK," she laughed, sitting right down beside him, "Let’s fool with him a little bit," she whispered, "Get as close as you can to me and act all sweet."

"No problem in that department," he answered as he moved closer and wrapped his arm around her, "Better get battling."

Taylor started getting maroon from his anger, "Steelix, go get them!"

"Lovo, get moving!" she called as she turned to face Taylor with Dragon sitting with his legs to her left, "You can do this, little buddy!"

"Go, Steelix! Use Slam attack!"

"Lovo, Agility now!"

Lovo kicked up the dust and dirt from the crashed podium as he ran forward. Steelix’s great metal tail whirled past him, missing by but an inch. It was so close it managed to remove a tuft of fur from the top of his left ear. He pulled it down and got watery eyed at it.

"OK," he stood up with a cry-ish type voice, "That’s just going too far! When you mess with an Ovo’s fur, you’ve just plain gone too far!"

"Aww," Yuu-Yuu commented, "Go get ‘em, Lovo!"

"Come on, Lovo!" Sooney cheered, "Go, Lovo! Go, Lovo, go!"

"Steelix, Iron Tail attack, now!"

"OK, Lovo! No more messing around! Give it your Double Kick!"

Lovo hopped forward, jumping Steelix’s shining tail. He landed on the huge Steel- type’s back and ran forward, powering towards his head. He jumped for a huge kick, right in Steelix’s face. The hulking iron-made Pokemon cried out long and hard, tipping backwards. Lovo jumped, flying back down and stomping down on Steelix’s neck as he hung his head backwards. Lovo somersaulted off, sliding to a stop in front of Eevy’s podium. Steelix laid on the ground. It sat up and bellowed out with puffs of dusty dirt and drips of sand falling from its scuffed face. With one last rage-filled cry, Steelix’s head fell to a slamming halt on the ground, sending a huge quiver through the Gym.

"That’s whatchya get for messin’ with ma’ fur," Lovo cracked as he sat next to the podium, looking at his ear.

"Steelix is unable to battle! Round three goes to Challenger Hikoboshi! The score is now Leader one and Challenger two. There will be a fifteen minute break!"

"Ah, good," Lisle loosened up, "I was getting tense and I wasn’t even battling."

Dragon leaned back, holding the bar and hanging his legs off the other side. He looked up at the ceiling and noticed a fan. He smirked to himself and watched it spin until something caught his attention. He looked down and saw Eevy with her hands behind her head on his lap. She had her legs locked in just the right position around to bar to keep from falling off. Her eyes were closed and she took a deep breath, attempting to relax. She seemed to be thinking of something. What, he hadn’t the foggiest idea, but he was almost sure it was important by the way she kept taking such deep breaths. She leaned her head forward and pulled out her hair band, fluffing her hair and leaning back down. She sighed with her eyes closed and her face seemed to tighten at the very thought of something. He reached out with his right hand and ran his index finger around her chin. Her eyes shot open and she glanced over at him.

"You OK?" he asked in a whisper.

"Yeah. I’m just thinking," she answered, looking up at the ceiling fan.

"What about?"

"What it’s going to be like if I get into the League. And what it’s going to be like not being able to see you," she ran her hand along the collar of his shirt, "I’ll miss you a lot, you know."

"I’ll miss you too, but we’ll still have letters and we may meet again," such a lie!

"Maybe-" she thought, "Maybe the League can wait."

"Wha?" he gagged.

"Maybe the League could wait a while. I wouldn’t mind staying out for another year or two to stay with you. I’d die to find out who you really are and I know one surefire way of doing that," she grinned crudely.

He choked, "No, Eevy!" he said in a loud whisper, "You get into that League and don’t worry about us. I’ll be there to watch your matches and see you win."

"Promise?"

"Yeah," how could he not be there with his job, "Sure do."

"Thank you," she sat up and positioned to kiss him, but was cut off.

"The fifteen minute break is now over! Please choose your fourth round battler now!"

Dragon’s shoulders and neck drooped as Eevy called her next Pokemon, "I choose you, Zovo!"

"I choose you!" Taylor’s Poke’Ball ripped forward.

"Skar!" Eevy’s heart stopped, "Skar mor ry!"

"Skarmory," she breathed, "Be careful, Zovo!"

"I will be!"

"Leader Andiron has chosen Skarmory and Challenger Hikoboshi has chosen Flareon. Begin round four now!"

"OK, Skarmory! Lead off with a Steel Wing attack!"

"Zovo, blast it with Flamethrower!"

Skarmory took a head on Flamethrower attack but hardly seemed phased by the powerful blast. It seemed as if to be completely untouched even though Fire- type attacks usually boil Steel- type Pokemon. Skarmory thrashed forward, cracking Zovo across the face with his Steel Wing attack. Zovo spun backwards, tumbling over and landing in a crouching, shaking position. He stood up and shook himself straight.

"Skarmory, give it your Fury Attack!"

Skarmory hit once, head on, knocking Zovo backwards. He came back again from behind, knocking him in the opposite direction. The next time came from the left and the next from the right. One last slam came from above, spinning straight down into his back and slamming him to the floor. He shakily stood and hissed.

"Can you keep going, Zovo?" Eevy asked wearily.

"Sure can," he grunted.

"If you’re sure, give it the best Fire Blast you can muster!"

Zovo shot a good sized Fire Blast, pushing into Skarmory and sending it back a few flaps, "Skarmory! Hidden Power attack, now!"

"Zovo, look out!" Eevy wailed, jumping forward on the bars as Dragon held her away, "Watch out!"

Eevy was too late and the attack exploded on contact. The power of Skarmory’s Hidden Power would probably been too much for Lance’s prized Dragonite to handle. The cry of a Flareon echoed through the Gym, shooting into everyone’s hearts, including those of Joe, Jullian and even Taylor. Eevy gagged a choking, gasping Japanese swear word and slid down the corner pole, running into the attack’s leftover power. Lance wanted to go in, but something told him to let it fly. Raikou and the Beasts were working on Eevy’s Umbreon power of absorbing energy. For no apparent reason, the attack’s white light went transparent, enabling those outside to see inside. Eevy was fallen over Zovo, shaking like a leaf. The attack spiraled into one slender column and seemed to disappear into Eevy and Zovo. Eevy shot up and looked side to side, trying to decipher this, but Zovo was out like a light beside her.

"What the hell was that?" Taylor asked shakily.

"I have no clue," Eevy answered, looking around, "But I feel great."

"Heh?" Phantom questioned, "You just ran through a Hidden Power attack. How can you feel ‘great’?"

"I don’t know," she looked at herself, "But I do. I really feel good. Too bad Zovo didn’t get that too. Better return, boy."

"Well," Jullian started, "Uh, Flareon…is unable to battle…Round four goes to Leader Andiron. The score is now Leader two and Challenger two. The next one to win, wins the match. Choose your last battler now."

"Oh man," Eevy whimpered as Dragon pulled her up to the podium, "What now? Vovo can’t take this."

"Use Yovo," Dragon pointed out, "He still hasn’t been out."

"Yeah, but he’s been on that "I’m gonna lose because I know it" kick and I don’t think he could handle a Steel- type battle like that."

"Doubting your Pokemon?" he questioned as he leaned away, "Tisk, tisk, Eevy."

"Good point," she nodded, "I choose you, Yovo!"

"What is that?" Eusine asked, looking to Yovo’s face.

"Cool shades, dude," Kayla laughed.

"Black Glasses," Dragon smirked, "A little present."

"Why?" Eevy asked with an odd face.

"Because. Black Glasses boost Dark- type moves. Now get on out there and win!"

Eevy shook her head and turned back to the battle, "OK. Fine."

"I choose you, Metal Wing!"

Eevy almost suffocated, "No!" she wailed and took her chances with the tipped podium, "No way! I refuse!"

She tripped and fell over, sliding down the podium’s platform. To most she would have appeared nuts, but to relatives she was acting instinctively. That happens when somebody sicks their Pokemon on you. Eevy had been chased by that Metal Wing Skarmory thing of his enough to know to avoid it.

"You keep that thing away from me!" she freaked, "I hate that bird!"

"Calm down," Dragon slid down next to her, "Don’t worry. I won’t let anything happen to you," he pulled her shaking form closer, "It’s alright. Just calm down."

"Yovo!" she burst, "Go!" she pulled away and stood up, leaning with the podium, "I’m not giving up! Get out there and battle!"

"Ah, that’s the butterfly I remember!" Taylor’s wicked laugh rung out, "Go, Metal Wing."

"Yovo, don’t you give up," Eevy breathed, "Go!"

"Metal Wing, use Fury Attack!"

"Yovo, use Agility!"

Yovo ran forward, zipping away from the Fury Attack. He U-turned for a Pursuit attack in the back. Metal Wing was hit enough to actually call out. Yovo landed and spun to face the Skarmory.

"Mud Slap attack!"

"Quick Attack!"

Yovo Quick Attacked, alright. Right into the Mud Slap, spatting him right in the face. He shook his head side to side, flinging the Black Glasses away. They had covered his vision, protecting his Accuracy.

"Go, Metal Wing! Use your Peck attack now!"

Yovo took a direct hit, pushing against the Skarmory’s beak with his head, "Yovo! Bite attack!"

Yovo chomped down on Metal Wing’s wing, but without his Black Glasses it hardly phased the bird. Yovo quivered and backed away, whimpering. His eyes started spilling over as he realized he wasn’t only going to lose a battle, but and entire Gym match. He started crying as Metal Wing got closer. Eevy knew the feeling. The feeling of being trapped between a rock and a Steel Bird Pokemon. She dropped her head and looked away, as she couldn’t recall Yovo from behind Skarmory. Yovo’s memory kicked into gear and he remembered what he’d seen at the Pokemon Center in Cutter Town. The scene he’d fought to remember of Eevy, his brothers, father and all their friends smiling down at him. His face hardened and his eyes dried suddenly. His chin stopped quivering and his tail stood erect.

"I’m not a loser!" he cried, "And neither is Eevy! Don’t quit on me!"

The Poke’Balls at Eevy’s waist broke open to show her Pokemon slamming down on the field. Taylor flipped out.

"Stop cheating!" he growled.

"We’re not cheating! You’re the only cheater of any kind in this Gym!" Sovo snapped.

"Let’s go! Beat-Up attack! Eevee Beat-Up!"

"Espeon Beat-Up!"

"Flareon Beat-Up!"

"Vaporeon Beat-Up!"

"Jolteon Beat-Up!"

Yovo trounced forward with all his might, "Umbreon Beat-Up!"

Each Pokemon jumped up, slapping the Skarmory with all their left over power. With each hit, Metal Wing cried louder. When Yovo hit, Metal Wing fell to the ground.

"What?!" Taylor’s voice echoed through the Gym, "Get up, you dumb bird! I said get up!" Metal Wing fought to stand, "Now give them a Steel Wing!"

"Ovos, return!" Eevy called, recalling all but Yovo, "Alright, Yovo! Take Taylor down with an Umbreon Special Crunch! You know why?"

"Because we’re not losers like him!" Yovo buried his teeth deep in Metal Wing’s neck.

"Skar!" the long, ear piercing cry rung out and Metal Wing flopped to the ground with Yovo hopping off and skidding away.

"Skarmory is unable to battle! The final score is Leader two and Challenger three! Round five and this match go to Challenger Evangelina Hikoboshi!"

"Kiya!" Taylor wailed, "Ah, ah, ah, AH!"

"We won," Eevy choked, "We won! We won!"

"Yeah!" the group piled on top of her, screaming at the top of their lungs.

"We won! We won! We won!" Eevy flipped.

"I did it," Yovo blinked and breathed to himself, "I really did it. I won!"

"You won the Platinum Badge, Eevy! You’re going to the League!" Morty shouted, "You did it!"

"OK, moron. Fork over the Badge," JP held his hand out to Taylor, "Let’s go."

"Forget it!" Taylor growled, "That last attack was a cheat! She didn’t earn it!"

Dragon grabbed at Taylor’s collar and held him up, "Why you little-"

"That’s enough," an older version of Taylor walked out of a back room and interrupted Dragon’s fun.

"Elder Master Andiron," Eevy bowed politely.

"Ms. Hikoboshi," Andiron turned to Taylor, "Taylor," he growled.

"Yes, father?" Taylor squeaked.

"I’m very disappointed in you, boy."

"Yes, I know. I lost."

"That’s not it in any sense. She battled well, fighting against you like a Mistress would. She rightfully earned the Badge of Platinum and you refuse to confer it to her deserving hands. Any Gym Leader knows that once a trainer has earned the Badge it is to be handed to them without question. You, on the other hand, hold out until I must come and do it myself."

Taylor whimpered nervously, "…Sorry…?"

"Sorry does not cut it anymore, young man!" he snapped, "Come here, boy," he yanked Taylor by the arm and turned out his pocket, snatching the Badge that toppled out, "Now, Ms. Hikoboshi."

"Eevy please, Master Andiron," Eevy said quickly.

"I, Elder Master Andiron of the Steel Pokemon Gym of the Town of Rose hereby bestow the Badge of Platinum upon Trainer Evangelina Hikoboshi. The third Badge of the Precious Metal Division and the twelfth Badge of the Gertan Rin Rainbow League expanse is now rightfully yours."

"I thank you, Master Andiron," Eevy very carefully took the Badge with a shaking smile and turned around, "Go, Ovos! Guys, we won!"

"We did?" they questioned together, "We did!"

"Look out Rainbow League," Eevy looked out the door towards Rainbow Metro.

"Because be we’re on our way!" Medira burst, "This rules!"

"As for you," Andiron continued at Taylor, "Out," he pointed for the door, "This Gym is no longer yours."

Taylor inhaled a few short, gagging breathes, "What? No! No, you can’t do that!" he whirled around and pulled begging on Eevy’s shirt, "Don’t let him take my Gym away! Butterfly, Angel, Eevy, Evangelina, Hikoboshi! Whatever I’m allowed to call you! Help me!"

"Phs," was the only noise Eevy made, slapping his hands away, "Why should I help you?"

"Because you’re a nice Pokemon trainer who only wants to help her friends?"

"And I repeat, why should I help you?"

"Come on!" he started groveling at her feet, "Please!"

Medira couldn’t help but laugh, "What a hopeless case," she shook her head.

"Maybe if you hadn’t treated me like you did for two years I would help you now, but I think I’ll let you lose your Gym for a while. Maybe it’ll straighten your idiocy out."

"No!" Taylor wailed, "Please! Please, please, please, please, please!"

Lance inched to Jason, Will and Luri, "This guy is our best protection from the Challengers," he whispered, "No matter how much of a screw-up he is."

"You’re not honestly going to let him keep his Gym, are you?" Luri questioned, "After what he’s done?"

"She’s got a point," Jason added, "He’s been a real scum bag. Maybe he doesn’t deserve to keep the Gym."

"But," Will broke in, "Lance is right. This guy’s fended off trainers time and again. We trust him, even if he does suck dirt."

"Master Andiron," Lance stood up straight, "May I speak to you, please?"

"Absolutely," Andiron answered, "What is it I can do for you?" he asked as they stepped away.

"You need to let him keep this Gym."

"Why, Master Lance, I had no idea you cared."

"You see I-" he cut himself off, "What did you just call me?"

"Oh, come now boy. Just because I’m old, doesn’t mean I forget my Challengers."

"You-you remember me?"

"How could I forget the boy whose Charmander evolved and obliterated my Steelix with a simple Ember attack?"

"I suppose that could be true."

"Well it is. That boy of mine is a disgrace to all Pokemon Trainers. Masters, Mistresses, beginners, the whole she-bang."

"Yes, but," Lance stopped him, "he’s also my best protection. Protection for all five of us."

"Five? I was told Peter was gone."

"He is," Lance looked to his right, eyeing Eevy out of the very corner of his eye, "But there are still five according to some very reliable sources."

"The girl? Raikou," he nodded, "I understand. Come, we will…inform my son."

"I wonder who’ll get the Gym now that Taylor’s gone," Lisle mused.

"Oh! I hope my dad gives it to me!" Kayla wished.

"Taylor," Andiron cracked, "You will thank Dragon."

"Why?" Taylor snorted.

"Because he has convinced me to allow you to keep the Gym."

"NO!" Eevy and Kayla wailed together, both planting their faces firmly on the floor in a painful facefault, "No fair!"

"You helped him keep his Gym?!" Morty and Eusine snapped, "Why?!"

"What do you think the Elite 4 would say if their best defense disappeared?" Phantom questioned, "Don’t you think they’d be at least a touch unhappy?"

"Maybe," Kayla frowned, "I guess so."

"Thank you!" Taylor flipped, "Yes! The Master is back!"

He flew at Dragon and slapped his back with all his might, then straightening himself out and walking away in the usual manner. A slip of Lance’s purple hair tipped down into view and he quickly flailed to fix it.

"Yes, well," he backed as far away from Taylor as he could get, "I expect you to clean up your act."

"Let’s get out of here you guys! We’ve got some celebrating to do!" Sooney grabbed Eevy’s wrist, "Let’s go!"

"I lost," Taylor then groaned, "I can’t believe I lost."

"Well, you should," Dragon snapped at him, "Cold hearts and stone faces don’t always win battles."

"And I suppose you would know!" he snapped, "I don’t care if you did help me or not!"

"Well, I must know something you don’t know because I’ve won something you lost a long time ago, Master Taylor. And once one has won like I have, they can never truly lose again. Good bye," he turned and followed Eevy, wrapping his arms around her shoulders.

"I don’t get that guy," Taylor shook his head, "How did he win her over like that? Do you know what I went through to get as close as I did?"

"Yes, I do," he had forgotten his father was standing behind him, "You went through flaming hoops and then she was the one who they set on fire. You tortured her, Taylor and if it weren’t for the strong convincing of Dragon I’d have taken the Gym from you."

"Whatever," Taylor snorted at the floor.

"Some things, just, do not change, I suppose," Andiron mumbled to himself as he turned and walked out.

*^~^**^~^*

"Mom! Hey mom!" Tammy’s head shot up at the sound of her daughter’s voice ringing through the house.

"Greg! She’s back!" she grabbed their father’s hand and dragged him out the door.

"I got it!" Eevy bolted up the street with dozens of boots and sneakers slamming down behind her, "I won!" she was waving the Platinum Badge in her right hand, "I beat Taylor!"

"You mean," her mother paused, "you have all twelve Badges? You’re going to the League!"

"I know! Doesn’t it rule?" she asked, flinging herself onto her father, "I won."

"Did better than Morty did," Eusine smirked, getting an evil scowl from his cousin.

"Wait a second," Eevy stepped back and looked to her right, "Where is that coming from?"

"Where’s what coming from where?" Yuu-Yuu looked from side to side.

"There," Eevy breathed and stepped to her right, staring into the brush, "It’s there," she narrowed her eyes, reaching into her back pocket and pulling out her Crystal Bell, "Come on out," she rang the bell only a few times.

Three Pokemon calls rang around with everyone but Eevy backing away. Three colors shot from the bushes. Raikou jumped the bush, slamming down and roaring. Eevy's face brightened as he stopped and skidded beside her. The rest of the group just kind of twitched.

"Let’s go, Raikou!" Eevy laughed and happily mounted her electric friend, "My buddy!"

"She really does know Raikou. It wasn’t a hoax," Kayla twitched, "Wow."

Entei lunged toward Medira who stepped away. He crouched down with her quivering beside him.

"Uh, OK," she swallowed and got on, "Cool."

Suicune’s high pitched cry rumbled around as she sprang from the bush toward the petrified Mizu. Mizu backed away, squeaking in fear.

"Come on, Mizu!" Eevy hugged Raikou from behind his neck, "They’re nice."

"I don’t know," she choked.

"Let’s go, Mizu! You can’t be afraid of the Legendary Beasts, can you?" Medira laughed.

Mizu inched forward and sat down, "OK. This is freaky."

"Eevy," her mother stepped forward.

"Ah, don’t worry, mom," Eevy scratched at Raikou’s ear, "These three are nothing but cute, overgrown house pets."

"Not true," Entei retaliated, "I’m not cute; I’m magnanimous."

Eevy smiled and laughed. Medira giggled behind her hand and Mizu was too flipped out to move.

"This bell," Eevy dangled it in front of Raikou’s face, "What is it?"

"A very special bell," Raikou nodded, "Its ring reflects the purity of the soul holding it. The more beautiful the ring, the purer the soul. It’s as simple as that. If you were to let Taylor ring it, it would simply give off a clunk. Morty, Kayla, Eusine, Lisle, Sooney and Yuu-Yuu would have something that could be called a pale ring. Dragon, JP, Starla, Phantom, Mizu, Medira and yourself would have a bright, happy, cheerful ring. Silver sounding, you may call it."

"Cool," Yuu-Yuu whimpered, "Awesome."

"Hey," Eevy questioned, suddenly giving a somewhat evil smirk, "You guys feel like a ride?" she turned and pointed between Mizu and Medira.

"Ride?" they quivered together, "Wha?"

"No!" Mizu wailed as Suicune bounced away, taking her with her, "Help me!"

"Whahoo!" Medira called, being used to riding fast, "You go, Entei!"

"Come on, Raikou! Go faster!" Eevy leaned down.

"Wow," the group watched the Pokemon take off, "Too cool."

"Hey, can you carry two people?"

"Sure can, angel."

Raikou, Entei and Suicune looped around. Poor Eusine didn’t see Suicune coming and got popped into the air, slamming down behind Mizu. Jason jumped on Entei as he ran by and Dragon simply hopped up as Raikou sped past. Lisle started whining that she wanted a ride. Morty ran his hand down the side of his face and groaned. Starla started complaining that Suicune was her Beast, but Phantom reminded her that Mizu and Eusine deserved a turn. Tammy and Greg stood holding their breath as their supposed little girl road around on a wild Lightning Beast with someone they knew nothing about clinging to her waist.

"We wanted to speak to you and you alone, angel and also to you Medira," Raikou shouted, "Is that at all possible at this time of great celebration?"

"Uh, I guess so."

Suicune paused as Eusine and Mizu slid off and tipped side to side. Jason jumped of Entei’s side as he kept going and Lance slid off Raikou as he too ran off. Dragon turned around and was faced with a steaming father and an annoyed mother. He cleared his throat and swallowed hard.

"Yes?" he squeaked.

"Who are you?" both parents asked together.

"Mom, dad," Morty pulled them away with a little snicker, "Come on, let’s go and chat about some things," he pushed them towards the house and leaned back to Dragon, "You owe me."

"Raikou! Where are we going?" Eevy shouted as the tore past the Gym.

Taylor’s eyes nearly toppled out of their sockets, "…No…Way…" he shook his head, "…No way…"

"We want to talk for a bit!" Suicune ran up beside her as they approached Sprig Forest and skidded to a stop where Eevy had first seen Raikou.

"What about?" Eevy asked as she stepped off and stomped on the place where she had started her fire that very odd night so long ago.

"Your Badge and the League," Entei groaned as Medira held and yanked his fur to get down, "Ouch! Watch it!"

"The League is unlike any other. The Pokemon are stronger, faster, fearless; different in every way. Taylor was a tough opponent, but these trainers will be harder. These trainers also possess the twelve Badges of the Rainbow League. They too have beaten Taylor, Kestrel and the twins. They too have taken down the Hokubu division. They too have won over the Nanka battles. These trainers have trained hard, battling along through the Gyms just as you did. They will be harder than any you have ever faced before. The only difference between you and those trainers is that you hold the bell. Those trainers know nothing of us and they have never seen us. They’ve never touched to bell, much less had the chance to ring it. This will be different, Eevy and for it, the four you trust most, must leave."

"What?!" Eevy and Medira jumped up with Eevy continuing, "But I thought he was the one you spoke of!"

"I will not say who is right and who is wrong, but I will say that your bond with them has gone too far. I am sorry."

"You are not!" Eevy snapped, "You’re a conniving cat is all you are! A liar and a cheat!"

"That’s not true," Suicune said flatly, "Raikou speaks only pure truth, as all of us do. If you wish to get into the League, those four must leave."

"Why?" Medira suddenly burst, "Why do they have to go? What’s wrong with them?"

"Nothing ‘s wrong with them," Entei added quieter than usual, "You’ll meet them again, but first you must take on your true destinies!"

"And what are those?!" they snapped together.

"You need not know right now," Raikou said plainly, "You’ll find out soon enough."

"I hate it when you say stuff like that," Eevy moaned, "But I will believe you."

"What?! Why are you believing them?!" Medira freaked.

"Because I trust Raikou. His eyes show truth and meaning. You wouldn’t understand."

"I would so!"

"Yeah. Anyway, it’s getting late. Maybe we should go back."

"No," Suicune protested, "It is too late to return now. We could get lost."

"Liars. You three can’t get lost. It’s physically impossible."

"Not at night it isn’t. We rely on light and sun to find our positions. The moon offers no help in such departments."

"Oh," Medira sighed, "We’re camping out?"

"Guess so," Eevy laughed, "Ah, oh well. We’re used to it by now!"

*^~^**^~^*

Eevy rolled into Raikou and Medira into Entei. Suicune slept between them, snoring away. Eevy rolled over again, this time hitting Suicune. Just as she got comfortable again, her phone rang, sending the entire group into the air. Eevy sat with her hand on her chest, heaving for air.

"Who’s calling me at 6:30 in the morning?" she gagged and grabbed her phone.

"I don’t know," Medira yawned and rubbed her eyes, "but whoever it is tell ‘em to go away and let us sleep."

"Hello?" Eevy yawned, "Oh," she said sleepily, "Hi. S’Ok. No, I didn’t. Sure it sounds fun. I don’t know. Maybe. Yes. All twelve. Thank you. Sure could. Yeah. Sounds like a plan. Alright. Bye-bye."

She flopped back down and yawned wide with Suicune cocking a furry eyebrow at her, "What was that about?" she asked.

"That was a friend of mine. She wants us to meet her in Iris Town later today."

"Well, don’t you think you should get up?" Entei asked as she rolled away from them.

"Nope. I’ll get up later."

"Mistresses don’t sleep in," Raikou poked her in the back with his claw, "Up and at ‘em, angel."

"Alright, alright. I’m gettin’ there," she moaned and sat up, stretching out and yawning, "Happy now?" she smacked.

"No," Entei pushed her side, "Get up."

"Yeah, yeah," Medira mumbled into her pillow, "Eventually."

"Come on, get up," Suicune pulled the blanket out from under Medira with her mouth, "Let’s go."

"Gimme that!" Medira whined, but Suicune handed it to the already dressed Eevy.

"Get up," Eevy shook her head, "They won’t stop pestering you till you do. It’s not worth the hassle."

"Fine," Medira snorted sarcastically as she stood up and brushed off, "And gimme back my blanket!"

*^~^**^~^*

"Eevy was gone all night," Greg stared out the window, "I hope she’s alright."

"I’m sure," Dragon sat down beside him, "The Beasts would never let anything happen to her."

"You’d better be right, boy."

"Don’t worry, I am."

"Dragon," Phantom scolded, "Loosen up. You look tighter than a drum."

"Go away," he said in an odd tone, "I can take care of myself, mommy."

"Hardy, hardy, har, har," Phantom turned and slopped down next to Starla, "You’re such a funny person!"

"I think so," JP laughed, "He does a job makin’ fun of you."

Will shot Jason a nasty look even though he didn’t see it, "Yes, well. I’ve noted a few times when he’s done a good job on you too, munchkin."

"Stop callin’ me that," JP snorted, "My name is Jas-JP."

"Uh huh."

"I wish Eevy would get back," Eusine whined, "I want to talk to her about Suicune."

"Yeah! Me too!" Yuu-Yuu blared.

"Oy vey," Lisle laughed and sat down next to Morty, "You guys act like you’re centered around Eevy like the planets are to the sun."

"In a way," Tammy nodded, "She’s always been the boulder of the rocks, if you see what I mean."

"I think I do," Sooney put in, "That’s what my mother says about my brother Shawn. That he’s always been the strong one. The one able to handle most things and juggle the family at the same time."

"Exactly," Tammy continued, "When Morty left she was the only one that didn’t cry."

"That’s true," Morty nodded, "Her face was as straight as a ruler when I left. Didn’t so much as flinch."

"Wow," Starla breathed, "She didn’t even whimper?"

"No. She’s gone through a lot and learned just how to deal with certain things," Greg answered from the window.

"Can I ask a question?" Mizu asked quickly.

"Sure, what?" Eusine looked to her.

"What is that?" she pointed to the middle of the room at a white light flickering in midair, "Eusine," she whimpered closer.

"Whoa!" Eevy moaned as she teleported in, "That was some wicked ride, Sovo."

"Cool," Medira groaned, "What a wild trip. I gotta get a teleporting Pokemon."

"Thank you," Sovo grinned and coiled around Eevy’s legs, "I try."

"Uh huh," Eevy nodded, "Hello, everyone."

"Uh, hi," Lisle answered blankly.

"Come on, everybody," Eevy brushed off, "We’re going to Iris Town."

"What?" her mother dropped the plate with Nova lunging to catch it, "But you just got here and haven’t even spent a full day with us."

"I know, but Chenille called and told me about a big Pokemon Breeder’s Society Convention this weekend and I really want to go."

"Bu-bu-but," Greg stammered, "What about us?"

"We’ll be back. So, who’s coming?"

"I’d like to…" Yuu-Yuu trailed off, "But I think I’ll hang around here."

"I’ll stay behind too," Mizu put in.

"In that case, I’m staying too," Eusine answered.

"I’ll go," Sooney answered quickly, "Maybe Tracey’ll be there!"

"Oh brother," Medira rolled her eyes, "I’m coming."

"I’ll go for fun," Lisle added.

"I suppose I’ll go," Morty shrugged.

"You’re only going because Lisle’s going," JP pointed out, "I’m coming."

"And you’re only going because Medira’s going," Phantom laughed, "We’ll go. That is, Starla and me."

"I’m definitely going," Dragon stood up, "Mr. or Mrs. H?"

"Oh no," Tammy shook her head, "No, no, no. We don’t train Pokemon. Only little Nova, here."

"I just want to stay home anyway," Greg yawned.

"Now Yuu-Yuu, Mizu, mind yourselves. Taylor’s still out there. Eusine, you’d better be good too. And no betting with him."

"Yes, mother dear," the three she was lecturing said together, batting their eyes and making cute faces.

"Don’t worry, we’ll be good," Yuu-Yuu waved at them.

"As always," Eusine smirked.

"Yeah, right," Mizu frowned, "I’ll keep an eye on them. See you guys in two days."

"Yep! We’ll be back here Monday. Bye!"

OK...I readily admit this could have been a bit better, but...Trust me, everything will get more serious and more meaningful in just a few chapters. Promise! Nothing much else to say, so...Bye!

*^~^*Pro_V*^~^*
-=O~Her Many Pokemon~O=-