~A few minutes later, back at Sorey's campsite. With the bright morning sun's rays shining down on the small group, they finish packing their camping gear and set out for the last few steps to Spencer's house~

~Serah's P.O.V~

(Alright, now it's time for the final stretch. I hope we don't screw this up for ourselves, but now that I think about it, nothing bad really happened during this trip yet.) "Hmmp, I guess that means my leading skills are amazing." I softly said continuing to walk, unfortunately I said that loud enough for Nikko who was walking right beside me to hear. "What was that Serah?" He responded, suddenly hugging me from behind. "Jeez, what's with you this morning? You're so, you know, happier than usual." I asked turning around and locking paws with him.

As I did a warm smile flew across his face. "I guess I just slept well last night." He laughed, letting go of my paws and walking ahead to where Cyade was. (Well, at least he's not in that mood he was in earlier.) Continuing to walk, I noticed Sorey approach me from the side. (it's thanks to him that we're even getting this gear, I'm gonna' have to thank him later.) "Hey, Serah, when we get to Uncle's house, and get our gear and all that, will you battle me?" He suddenly asked. "A-A BATTLE!?" I suddenly blurted. (After seeing what he did to Nikko and Cyade back at the guild, does he really expect me to battle him!? No! Hold on Serah, just think for a moment. I'll have the same gear that he'll have so technically, we'll be on the same level.) I giggled a bit and shot a determined look into his eyes saying: "You're on! I just hope your uncle is there to watch you lose."

Then out of nowhere, Cyade and Nikko invaded our conversation. "A battle between you two? Man, I got money on Serah." Cyade said, stretching his arm around me and Nikko smiling. "Actually, if anything, I think Sorey's gonna' win." Nikko excitedly said. (Oh what!?) "Huh, what was that Nikko? You want me to bash your brains in?" I threatened cracking my knuckles. "O-oh, it was nothing… nothing at all…"he said frightened by me. Then, after a few minutes of walking we came across a wood cabin like house in a the middle of a clearing in the forest with a waterfall behind it! The sun, which was shining directly on it, only made the experience better.

(It's so beautiful! I would love to live in a house like!) "Sorey, it's that Spencer's house?" I asked. He quickly responded with a "yeah" and lead us the the front door. "We finally made it!" Nikko excitedly said running up to the front porch with Sorey. Looking over at Cyade l, I found that he was just as amazed as I was. "Cyade, you ready to get our new gear?" I asked giving his back a quick slap. "Y-yeah." He responded walking up behind Sorey and Nikko with me.

After three knocks on the door a gorgeous female lopunny answered, greeting us with this motherly smile. "You all finally made it! I've been waiting so long to meet you all in person. I must say, you all are much cutier in person: Sorey, Nikko , and Cyade. It's especially nice to finally meet you Serah." (AGH! To meet me? I don't know who she is yet, but she's amazing!) "Please come in you four.

Entering the house nearly took my breath away! It was like the perfect mix of nature and technology. (For a house made with what looks like wood, this was amazing!) Taking a quick look behind me to see how my team was doing, they were just as amazed as I was… Well, all except Sorey. What really almost killed me with excitement was her kitchen, it was big and had six large windows that looked out on the waterfall. That's where we saw Spencer talking to a younger looking Lucario.

"I don't mean to be rude, but what's your name?" I asked the Lopunny. She giggled a bit and said. "My name is Lucy, and those two Lucario outside are my husband and son: Spencer, and Anubis. "OH WOW! A SON AND HUSBAND! WILL YOU BE MY ROLE-MODEL!? "I suddenly blurted hugging her. "Oh my! I'd be happy to… In the meantime, you all must be hungry, please let me cook something for you all until my husband is ready." "Oh man! Didn't even need to ask, you're amazing ." Nikko yelled rushing over to the kitchen table with Cyade,and Sorey. "This might actually be my chance to learn some new recipes!" I quickly grabbed my notepad from my tail and watched as she began to cook.

After we ate, lead us to her beautiful backyard where Spence had four special looplets laid out for us. "I'm glad to see that you all made it here in one piece. Now, for what you came for: The Inferno looplet, The Hydro looplet, The Aura looplet, last but not least The Master looplet. Each one was careful crafted to support you in every way during battle. (He's not lying about their power, we saw that at first hand with the fight between Sorey, Nikko, and Cyade… I'd just like to know why he's doing this for us.) Then, just before Sorey and the others ran up to Spencer to receive the looplets I quickly planted my and asked "why?" In an seemingly aggressive tone.

"What's wrong, Serah." Sorey asked stopping in place with Nikko and Cyade. "What's the real reason you made these for us, Spencer? I know from personal experiences that people don't just give things away and expect nothing in return." I asked staring him in the eyes. Suddenly, he began to clap and praise me. "Impressive, Serah. You are truly worthy of being the leader of your team. Sorey, would you please explain to your partners why I created these looplets for them?" He said, giving Sorey the center of attention.

"W-well, I should have mentioned this earlier but…" He mumbled. "It's cool, Sorey, just say what you have to say." Cyade said smiling, and patting his back for reassurance. (Come on, Sorey, we're your team just say what you need to say.) Slowly, leaving the feeling of anxiety behind, Sorey smiled and told us why. "Uncle Spencer, made these looplets for personal research, he's studying the effects of type specific battle tools on a pokemon's performance during battle. and so he made these because he thinks by using us we would be able to test the looplets in different scenarios. This would drastically improve his research ." (Research, huh.) "Well, Serah, your call will you continue as part of my research or not?" Spencer kindly asked.

"Hmm…I'll need my team to decide with me. Yo, Sorey, Cyade, and Nikko let's circle up." In a matter of seconds they gathered around me like a team of passimian planning their game strategy. "Well, what do you guys think we should do?" I asked to the group. "I not sure, I really don't wanna' be used as an experiment." Nikko said softly. "It's not like that Nikko, it's more like you unknowingly collecting information from your battles." Sorey stated. "Cyade, how do you feel about this?" I asked. "Hmmp, I really don't give a damn." He claimed. (Jeez, I should have known that was coming.) "Enough about us, how do you feel about it, Serah?" Nikko asked, essentially handing me the mic on center stage. (Are they really okay with whatever I decide on?) Looking at all of their cute little faces, I was warmed by their smiles of assurance towards me.

It was enough to make me cry a bit. Slowly, I wiped my tears, took a deep breath, and broke the circle and faced Spencer with a determined look on all of our faces. "We've decided that, As long as this tech can help us achieve our goal of helping others in a time of need, we will gladly become your research projects. However, if your tech doesn't support us to reach those goals then… Then we'll return it in a heartbeat." (Oh my goodness, I actually just said that to an adult!) "Woah, Serah that was amazing!" Nikko suddenly shouted hugging me.

"You know you're an amazing leader, right?" Sorey said hugging me. "That was pretty cool, Serah." Cyade said smiling at me. "Well then, I definitely didn't expect an answer like that one." Spencer praised, bringing our special looplets to us. Unknowingly, approach me from behind and something that stuck with me for a long time. "Serah, it's up you to continue leading them the way you are. What you just just said to my husband proved that. I genrette you, if you continue on this path you'll surely have created the strongest team in your guild with you on top." Then, in a matter of seconds tears came rushing a smile that wouldn't break for a long time.

"Hold on, Serah, there's still one more thing we have to do before this story ends." Sorey mentioned, while I was putting on my looplet. "Oh yeah! the battle!" I giggled a bit, and readied myself for battle.

~The End~