Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon, be it the idea, the creatures, or the world. Some of the characters in this story are my own while others can also be credited back to the original owners. I take no credit for anything not mine, and thank the creators of Pokemon for giving me inspiration.

Author's Note: Sadly I wasn't able to give Mira alot of storytime because I just flatly didn't know what to do with her. I actually don't remember ever getting to her back when I played the game! She will make another appearance down the road, to help balance things out, but yeah, sorry if you're a die hard Mira fan. This chapter was one I always wanted to write, so I do hope I made it interesting! Incidentally, I now do livestreams from time to time, and I'm currently streaming a Nuzlocke of Pokemon Diamond (Part of why I started updating this again) on Tuesdays. Check out .tv/spiralsigil or follow me on twitter ( Spiralsigil) for details. I'd love to discuss this fic during a stream :)

Chapter LIII: A World Without Fear

(Ventus' POV)

Mother was... Ecstatic, to say the least. When first I called her, and let her know it was me – Because really, she must have been so confused by the random number that appeared on her phone – She let loose with a veritable assault of questions. Everything from what I'd been doing, to what Pokemon I'd caught, to the places I'd seen. For the most part I'd been honest, leaving out only the things involving Team Galactic to spare her the worry. Since I'd already planned on telling Rowan next it seemed like the best way to go, and in the end I was spared at least a little bit of a lecture.

Then I called the Professor, and all of that came tumbling down. Mira had watched as I had to literally hold the phone away from my head as he shouted angrily at me. I could only imagine what the other researchers were thinking as they watched him rant. Though I'd tried to explain how the Eterna incident wasn't my fault – And hey, I just wanted the Pokemon Center, I'm sticking to that story! - It was anything but enough to sway him. No, he was right and I was wrong and that was all there was to it. 'Grumpy old man... Didn't even have any advice for me besides lay low!' I already knew THAT much!

Then again, what else could he say? I was already living on borrowed time till they showed up again, wasn't I?

More interesting, however, was what Rowan told me about Dawn. Apparently she'd gotten it in her head to become a coordinator... Whatever that was. He refused to explain it to me. But it meant that she'd left Sandgem town and would be headed towards Hearthome city – The very next place I was headed. There was a chance I'd even run into her, and while I wasn't exactly enthusiastic about seeing the pushy girl again, it would be nice to have a friend nearby for awhile. Especially since I'd had to leave Mira back at the Pokemon center.

'Sorry Mira...' I thought again with a frown, casting a glance back behind me. Eterna city was already vanishing into the distance as I strolled down the path beneath Cycling Road. Her leg hadn't been broken, thank God, but it had been sprained and she wouldn't be going anywhere anytime soon. Though she wasn't in any great hurry to part from Riolu, she understood well enough we had places to go, and vowed one day to catch up and tell us all about her adventures. I looked forward to that. Mira was young, but she was full of spirit, and a determination I definitely lacked when I first left home.

Ahead of me rose Mount Coronet, the tallest point in all the Sinnoh region. Heck it could have been the tallest place in the world for all I knew! I looked up at it as I approached but even from this angle I still couldn't see the top; it vanished beyond the clouds and kept going. Beside me, Riolu shared my gaze, before tugging at my pant legs. I looked down and with one eager paw he pointed up at the mountain, his eyes asking a silent question. I smiled warmly. "That's right buddy; that's where we're going."

Here and there we passed trainers locked in battle as we walked. There were even a few battling from atop their bikes! It was quite a sight to see; watching the trainers ride circles around their Pokemon and shouting commands while trying not to crash. "I am never doing that." I thought aloud, "Battling ANYTHING on a bike just seems ridiculous!" Still, not wanting to incur Rowan's wrath any further, I aimed the Pokedex at anything I didn't recognize. It would only give me more data to look into later, and that could only help us that much more.

Of all the battles we passed, the most interesting involved what I could only call an otter and a punching bag. We were only steps away from the entrance into Coronet's mountain path, but the absurdity of the battle made us both stop and look. The otter, called a Buizel by the Pokedex, was a small water type that was quick on it's feet even outside of the water. It dashed about swiftly, spewing torrents of bubbles and water at it's opponent who, as far as I could tell, was content to sit there and take it. Confused, I turned the Pokedex towards the bizarre blue creature. "Wobbuffet; the Paitent Pokemon. Usually docile, a Wobbuffet does nothing but endure attacks, and will never strike on it's own. These Pokemon are often known as the Counter-Pokemon, and upon being struck they will puff up their bodies to retaliate."

Sure enough, as the water gun hit the Wobbuffet full on it's trainer, a small boy in shorts, pumped his fist and called out. "Use Mirror Coat!" I recognized the move; it was a lot like the counter we so often used, only for special attacks. Wobbuffet began to glow with energy, and with a cry of it's name a surge of water blasted back at the Buizel. Both otter and trainer alike were unprepared for the counter – The perks of having a Pokedex! - And the move sent the small orange water type sprawling. The Wobbuffet wobbled back and forth slightly, banged a flat hand against it's head in mocking salute and cried again.

'Gotta watch out for those things. They pack a wallop!' I looked down at Riolu. "Remind me never to let you punch those, okay?" The fighter quickly nodded his agreement, and once more we set off.

If the outside of Mount Coronet had been impressive, the inside more then did it justice. "Wow!" I cried, as my eyes trained higher and higher up, until I could no longer see through the shadows. Inside we didn't need the flashlight, for while the place might have been a mighty pinnacle of rock, it was also well illuminated by shimmering rocks, cracks on the walls and, most surprisingly, glowing moss. I looked about in wonder, taking it all in. The path forward was easy enough to find, and straining my eyes I could even see the way out across from me; we wouldn't even be in here long if I kept moving, but above me drew all my attention. I could make out a path high above my head, one that seemed to scale the mountain's height from the inside... But how to reach it? "I don't suppose you can jump that high... And carry me with you?" I jokingly asked my companion. When he didn't reply I looked down; Riolu had puffed out his cheeks and was glaring at me.

I couldn't help myself and burst out laughing, and just as quickly Riolu joined me.

"But wow, this place sure is cool. We have to find a way up there someday, huh Riolu? Just imagine looking out at all of Sinnoh from the top of the mountain! It'd look so... So..." I struggled for the right word as footsteps slowly approached me.

"Beautiful?" A voice offered, causing me to turn. A tall, serious-faced man stood beside me, looking up at the winding path above us both. If he hadn't spoken I'd have thought I was invisible to him, but when he spoke again it was directed at me. "This place, indeed, is a wonder to behold. A true natural marvel worthy of admiration." He turned and looked at me, arms resting behind his back. The man was well dressed, with a fine pressed black suit ill-suited for mountain travel, yet somehow without even a speck of dust or grime upon it. He was stone-faced, deadly serious, yet his voice was not without kindness. His hair caught my attention most, for it was as blue as the sea, and rose in short spikes above his head. It was hard not to stare, even as he kept talking. "There is a theory that Mount Coronet is where all of Sinnoh began. That this place, here, is where everything started."

I was still trying not to stare at his hair. "Wow..." I managed, at last prying my eyes away. Instead I knelt and picked up Riolu, and together we watched as the man took a few steps forward and cast a gaze upwards.

"In a newly created world, where only time flowed and space expanded, there should have been no strife. Sinnoh should have been free. It should have been peaceful and without hurt." A deep sigh escaped him, and I knew this wasn't the first time he'd said such things. Sadly, he turned to look at me again. "But that is anything but the case, is it not?"

Unsure, I only tilted my head. "I... Don't follow."

Allowing himself a brief smile, the man gently shook his head. "I'm afraid I often get caught up in my musings; allow me to try again. The world is... Damaged. Broken. It is sick, and in need of help. As a Pokemon trainer you have no doubt seen a great many things and places, and I am sure you have seen examples of what I mean." He let the words sink in, and I allowed myself to fight through them to their meaning. I used to think the world was simple; safe and kind. People and Pokemon coexisted and got along and everything outside of Twinleaf Town was bright and exciting and new, and for the most part I was right but...

'But there are problems... Team Galactic is a problem, and everyone just leaves them be! That's a BIG problem!' I thought back to the Windworks, to the forest, and even back to Eterna city – How many people had they hurt, or influenced, and for no reason at all? I thought of Cheryl, too scared to see her family, or Mira to terrified to ask for help in that cave. They'd even tried to rob Professor Rowan who, despite his gruff and grumpy exterior, worked tirelessly on research for the betterment of both man and Pokemon alike! The Galactics were the biggest problem I'd ever seen and NOBODY was doing anything to stop them! "Yes." I finally answered back. "I know what you mean."

The smile returned, if only briefly. "Do you know the source of the grief? The problem that sparks every evil, and every pain?"

To that I had no answer, and quickly I shook my head. Though it'd have been simple to once more rally against the Galactics and blame them for everything, I got the impression the man was speaking even deeper then anything those lunatics were capable of. Sure enough, he answered himself. "Emotions. Feelings. Desires. If we didn't have those things – If mankind could see their folly – Then no one would ever be hurt. There would be no battles, no wars, no hurt or pain. The world would be saved, and we all the better for it."

'Okay... NOW I'm a little alarmed...' Did this guy really just say FEELINGS were the problem?

"I can see your uncertainty, but believe me I have thought long and hard of this very thing." He took a step forward and, almost instinctively, I took one back. "Think of it this way; what would prompt a man to steal something from someone else? We know it's wrong, and that there are consequences for such an action, yet there are thieves still. What would cause that?"

It took me a moment to realize that was an actual question. Why was I being quizzed all of a sudden?! Shirking under his watchful eye, I thought about the answer. "I... I guess envy? Like, maybe the guy wanted something the other person had, but couldn't get it himself?" But that didn't sound right, and I frowned at my own words. "No, wait, he could just go buy it himself and not... Hmm..."

But the man quickly shook his head. "No, but you have the way of it. That would certainly play a role, for even if the man did purchase an item, he only wished for it out of envy. What of battle though? If someone hits you, you experience a desire to fight back, don't you?"

That much was true, and then some! I couldn't even count the amount of times my rage had all but consumed me when faced with the Galactics, and especially Ketrick. I hated him, with every fiber of my being. This time, the man didn't wait for me to answer. "Without desire, no true battle could commence. Indeed the first punch would never be thrown, for there would be no will to throw it. The world could be peaceful, boy, it could be better."

While I hated to admit it, he had a point. True there were lots of good emotions, like joy and happiness, and hell even feeling SAD made you feel alive sometimes – But if it meant stopping pain, and hurt, and war, were those things not worth giving up all the same? 'Why am I getting so worked up over this? It's all hypothetical anyway!' I turned to ask such a question, but the man strolled forward instead.

"I'm afraid I must go, I've been away for too long, but I would like to thank you for hearing me out, and allowing me share my philosophies with you." He offered a hand, and after a little reluctance, I accepted the handshake. "Might I ask your name?"

I blinked in surprise; what was with me and having full conversations with people and never introducing myself? I kept doing that! "Ventus." I told him, gently scratching at the back of my head and looking sheepishly away. "Man, I'm sorry. I keep doing that."

I wasn't sure, but I thought I saw him stiffen slightly at that. At once his calm demeanor returned and he permitted me one small smile. "Ventus then. How interesting. I believe we will speak on these things again one day." With that he stepped back, offered a small if humble bow, and stalked passed me. Confused at the words I could only turn and watch him go.

"Well that was... Weird... Hey wait!" I suddenly called, all but reaching out to stop him. "You didn't tell me your na- and he's gone. Great. Smooth moves Ventus. I'm pretty sure they teach that in introductions 101." Riolu was staring at me and, with a small blush, I turned away. "Nevermind! Let's just... Let's just go, okay? This has been one weird day!"

Nodding his agreement, Riolu followed after me as we headed for the path once more. Hearthome City wasn't far off now, and they were supposed to have a gym to face as well. I'd have to see about challenging a few trainers along the way first, to strengthen my team and, more importantly, get used to using Gible. 'Can't keep saving my first matches with new Pokemon for life or death occurrences...' The battle in the forest had been a near-thing, and Kirlia hadn't exactly had it easy against Roark! No, I had to break the chain and test out the little toothy dragon sooner then later, and the road to Hearthome would be the best place to do that.

Still, I found myself looking back towards the mysterious man I'd spoken to. Just who was he anyway? And why did his words leave me so... Uneasy?