Another chapter to the story! Day 2 of the Tetra Arc's training sessions for our yet-to-be heroes.

Thanks to MyNoseAgreesWithMe for their constant chapter title ideas, so I commend them. However; this time, the idea of "conformation" might be slightly different than what many of you will think of it as...

Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon. Never have and never will (unless I get enough money to buy it, but that's never going to happen.)


*Chapter 5 Conformation*

Denoval Medical Hospital, one of the largest facilities for treating the citizens of the city was located conveniently nearby the Pokemon Center. It was a large light-blue complex with windows on each floor, a walk-in entrance at the front, and the emergency entrance on the side of the rectangular hospital. Although the building was meant for the ill and injured, people crowded the lobbies waiting patiently for their appointment times or visiting loved ones at this time of 4:00 p.m.

Doctors, nurses, and staff alike were rushing around the area, helping those in line and answering questions to those who were impatiently aggravated. Due to the nature of the situation, people are regulated to stand in lines as a method of organization so that the staff may quickly get to each individual, albeit, rather slowly. Among those who stood in the formations, a lone Kurogasa's turn was up as the person in front of him was finishing with their affairs. Although he was patient and friendly with most people, the feeling of annoyance and impatience welled up within him, just like any other person.

Unbeknownst to most of his friends, the teen would visit the medical facility at least four times a week, especially on Mondays and always after school. The act has become a habit to him, but not one that is to be shameful about, rather, sacred and significant to his life. One factor that would tie into these visits would be that he never smiles in the hospital. Those who think that they know Kurogasa, would never understand the possibility of him frowning, even own family.

"Hello sir, what can I do for you?" The line had finally moved as Kurogasa took a step towards the counter and nurse who waited for his answer, impatiently.

"Here to see someone."

Clicking on her mouse, she typed in a few key strokes, "Name of yourself and patient, please." As the brown haired teenager replied, the nurse began to rapidly tap her touch screen pad and almost instantly gave him the consent. "Fifth floor, room 373." Reaching into her desk and pulling out the visitor's pass, she handed it over to him with a smile. "She must be really important to you, boy."

"Yeah," His reply was the same to every other comment he received during the countless times he had come by. There was nothing he desired from befriending the staff of the hospital, only their consent was necessary to reach his destination as fast as possible. "Thank you." Forcing a smile, he made his way down the crowded hallways to set of four elevators, luckily one of them was unused. Pushing the up button, the rolling of the wire cables could be heard from the other side, until the doors slid open and he stepped in, no one else with him.

The doors swung open on the fifth floor of the hospital and Kurogasa walked out, elevator closing behind. Sighing in relief, he turned left, before striding down the empty corridor passing rooms 368 to 371, finally reaching the end of the hallway and room number 373. Sunlight shined through the window to his left, curtains withdrawn and warm on his body, the brown haired boy turned the steel knob.

"Excuse me!"

Slamming into the nurse, all her paperwork slipped out and flew onto the ground, scattering all around. As she knelt down to pick them up, Kurogasa as well, leaned over and snatched up the straying papers nearby.

"Thank you," she said with a grateful smile. "Are you here to visit this person?"

Kurogasa nodded, "Yeah, she's very important to me."

"I see," Sending him a wink, the nurse gave him a pat and walked away while muttering to herself about young people. The teenager, confused as to what she was talking about, shrugged it off and walked sunlit room.

Large and bright, the patient's room had a bathroom near the entrance and a large flat screen T.V. in the right hand corner next to the window. A white covering curtain hung from the left hand corner, where the patient was resting and unbothered. Although the space appeared to be welcoming, the unbearable stench of the elderly and disinfectants lingered through the air. Slightly holding his breath, Kurogasa slowly treaded towards the white wall of cloth and gently pushed it aside.

Kneeling beside the white bed, Kurogasa grasped the limp hand of the young woman, who had tubes strewn all around her body. Her fingers felt like bones beneath the silky skin and only veins could be seen through them. Red side bangs fell to the bottom of her face, as bandages covered her eyes. A tube slowly moved as her breathing was supported by the cable which was connected to her nostrils. She appeared as if her body no longer was human, but rather an android with cords all equipped onto her, so she may continue to live.

"Mikoto…" Moving strands of hair from her open mouth, he sat there with his eyes closed. Guilt began to churn in his stomach as every time he looked at her, the memory of that day would hit him like a brick. "Why were we caught up in the stupid attack?" Concentrating on his thoughts, he attempted to perform Aura Search, an ability Riley had taught him that allows the user to locate the aura of living beings. Although Kurogasa hasn't perfected it, he had learned to glimpse the fragments of aura from the training. At first, there was only darkness, but as he focused harder, a small flame of blue appeared before him.

You're still alive and strong… Smiling under his breath, the teen opened his eyes and panted, beads of sweat running down his face. Using aura was no easy task, Riley had told him that it would take years to perfect it, but his potential innate ability had given him an easy start. Checking his Xtransceiver, Kurogasa realized that the aura guardian would be waiting for him.

He stood up and stared down at the lifeless body of the very woman he had loved, but could no longer see him, or even hear him for that matter. The horrible stench was long gone, but in its place left an aura of gloom that seemed to emanate from the girl. With a sigh, Kurogasa closed the covering and walked out, as hospitals gave him a very uncomfortable feeling.


Making his way up the rocky hill, sweat rolled down his face as the bright sun was heating him up like an oven. Kurogasa wiped away the wetness with his hands as he ascended the cliff, gripping the ledge and pulled himself over it, finally at the top. Patting his dirt-stained clothes, he looked up to see his mentor and Lucario waiting for him on top of a large boulder. Riley smiled down at him before jumping down to land right in front of the teenager, who jumped in surprise.

"Jeez Riley, you gave me a scare!" Kurogasa laughed. "Well, time for my training, right?"

The aura guardian nodded, "Good, now let out Riolu, so we may begin."

Reaching into his pockets, Kurogasa pulled out the Poke-Ball and tossed it up. Light flashed as Riolu appeared and gripped its fists as if it were ready to start a fight.

"Alright, let's begin with Aura Detection, shall we?" Riley gestured. "Like last time, your detection of objects and reflexes will be tested. If you can accomplish this task, then you will be fit for battle against the Tetra." With that, he and Lucario tied their blindfolds around the two students so that they may not see, then, they each picked up a stone. "Get ready."

All Kurogasa could see was darkness, but that was the advantage. As everything was dark, nothing but aura could be seen if he concentrated on it. Focusing on his surroundings, he did what Riley had taught him the day before. He may not know exactly what the guardian had meant when he told him to feel his environment, but trying as he hard as he could, there was presence of objects nearby. Locating a roundish object coming his way, the teenager ducked, but was surprised when it hit him on his back.

"What? How?" Confusion in his voice, another hard stone was thrust onto his side, causing him to grunt. "Dammit, maybe they aren't what I see them as?" Looking around, all he could see were outlines and shapes, but nothing seemed to be in a particular form. Perhaps they are the outlining of stones and boulders surrounding him? He heard Riolu cry out in pain this time and focused his detection ability towards the source of the cry. A blue flame lit up from his right. He ran over to feel his Pokemon and helped it up. "Come on buddy, we can do this."

Another sound was heard from behind, causing him to tilt his body to dodge, but the stone had hit him again. Frustrated, he gritted his teeth and tried to recall how he would detect Riley and Lucario. All he had learned at this moment was to find things that were non-moving and his mentor was definitely playing tricks on him by changing locations each time he would attempt to locate them. Grunting as another stone him on the cheek, he felt a wetness trickle down his face and placed his hand over it to feel a sting.

Crap, I'm bleeding from that hit.

Trying once more, Kurogasa focused the aura around him as the outlines of rocks and boulders surrounded him once more, no blue flames, except for Riolu's. Strength sapping away, the outlines and flames started to fade away, but he had to concentrate even harder. Maybe if he stayed in this focus for a longer amount of time, then the guardian would show up? Clenching his fists, the teenager focused even harder, almost feeling light-headed, but he didn't stop. Just as he was at the brink of his last bit of energy, a figure of a man in blue flames appeared before him. The figure raised a hand, most likely about to throw another stone.

That's it!

With as much force as he could produce, Kurogasa detected the stone and stepped to the side, dodging it. Noticing the figure's sudden shock, he lunged at the surprised attacker and felt contact as he tackled the aura clad figure down, both crashing to the ground. He stripped off his blindfold while opening his eyes to see that he was on top of Riley, who nodded his head with a smile. Standing back up, the suited man wiped dust off from his clothing and gave Kurogasa a clap of satisfaction.

"Well done, Kurogasa. You seem to have gotten a hold of Aura Detection."

Smiling under his deep breaths, the teenager gave the guardian a thumbs up, "Of course, but that sure did take a lot out of me!" Falling down, he laid down on his back with hands outstretched. "Now, what else do we do?"

"For now, you have passed today's test. Tomorrow is the last day to train, so you should get some rest," Riley said while glancing over at his Lucario who had his hand over Riolu. "It seems as though your Riolu will need to focus on our training a little bit more, but is making progress."

"Sounds good, man I'm beat!" Sitting back up, Kurogasa stretched his arms and cracked his knuckles. Aura training had taken a lot out of him and the thought of using it as a battle technique was quite daunting. "Can aura detect anything?"

Riley nodded, "Yes, only things that are alive though. Although rocks aren't considered alive, they aren't dead, so they are visible as outlines in sensing aura."

"I see," Recalling Mikoto's condition, he was glad that she was alive, but still uneasy about that fact that she had been in the coma for years. "Well, thanks for the lesson, Riley. I guess tomorrow's really the last day for us to toughen up before we fight those weirdos, right?"

"Yes," Grave and uncertain, the aura guardian's tone wasn't one that would encourage people before a big fight, but his mentee seemed unfazed by the air of impending doom that was upon them.

Scratching his chin, Kurogasa asked one more question, "About these Tetra guys, how powerful are they? And do you know anything about them?"

"Honestly, I've only just learned about them, but a few of those trainers that Looker had mentioned are indeed powerful," Riley said as Lucario and Riolu returned to their respective trainers. "Paul, one of the Tetra, was a well known Pokemon trainer. He was quite skilled in battle and his Pokemon were difficult to overcome. Only a select few trainers were strong enough to beat him, such as the Champion Cynthia and him."

"Him?"

The aura master took a deep breath, "His name was Ash Ketchum and a personal friend of mine. He was the one who declined my offer to take the path of the aura." Eyes narrowing, Riley seemed as if he didn't want to continue, but still went on, "I...I can't sense his aura anymore."

"Then, does that mean..." Kurogasa started.

"He's most likely dead," Riley finished. "And I know who was the likely candidate for his death. Team Pneuma, of course." Returning his Lucario back into its Poke-Ball, the aura guardian gave his student a pat on the back. "You should get going, I'll see tomorrow." With a small salute, the gym leader jumped from the edge of the cliff and disappeared beneath the rustle of leaves, leaving Kurogasa to stand there, deep in thought.


*Shotaro*

"Dew!"

Leaping to the left, Arcanine's Flamethrower missed by an inch and Kenshin countered with a high pressure Hydro Pump. On Marley's command, the large dog bounced up, the otter Pokemon staring in disbelief as Arcanine gained speed and rammed into Kenshin with a powerful Extremspeed. The Dewott flew back, landing on the hard dirt of the dense forest and in front of Shotaro, its master.

"Not bad," With a smirk, the white haired lad directed a finger, "Kenshin, Swords Dance!"

Getting back up, the Dewott released a number spiraling blades around it, strengthening its power. "Go! Razor Shell!" Dashing forward, Kenshin grabbed two blades as they formed into shining shells and Arcanine embraced for the attack.

"Thunder Fang," At the Goth's order, Arcanine's fangs emitted sparks before lunging at the oncoming Pokemon. Just as Kenshin entered the dog's area of attack, it flipped forward, soared above the latter's back and sliced through, causing it roar in anger.

"It's almost down, go in for the kill!" Shotaro ordered as the water Pokemon's smaller size gave it the advantage. Dodging the fangs once more, Kenshin sliced Arcanine's right flank, while turning around for another strike. However; realizing its plan, the canine leaped back, Kenshin staggering forward before being squealing in pain as electricity bit into its fur.

Shotaro, unable to do anything at the moment, watched as Kenshin was bitten down harder, until the otter Pokemon could no longer move. Throwing the limp Pokemon back to Shotaro, Arcanine returned to Marley, who stared at her mentee, but said nothing. She was a woman who said little and preferred not to brag about victories as there was no point in them.

"Well, I guess you won," Grinned the white haired boy, but stopped as his mentor only stared with absent expression. "Something the matter?"

"You've got a lot on your mind," she said. "You're not telling me something."

Returning her gaze, the boy just smiled at her. To him, she was just someone who got in his way and he wanted more than anything to have her leave his presence, but that wouldn't happen anytime soon, which Shotaro knew. What did she know about him?

"I guess, today's session is over, right?" Attempting to change the subject, he helped Kenshin get up and grabbed his bag from the ground.

"Not quite," Her blue eyes did not leave his own, in fact, it appeared as if she was gazing through them and into his mind.

Shotaro waved his hands, "Oh, come on, Marley. I'm beat, and my parents are waiting for me." His eyes began to twitch at her continuous stare, something about them was very uncomfortable to the boy, almost invading.

"No," Marley said with an ominous tone. "You're not going to your parents." Even as she said this, her eyes never shifted from the boy's.

"Miss, my parents would not like it if you kept me from returning home."

Narrowing his eyes, the air around the boy seemed to change, and Marley noticed this as well. She began to slowly walk towards him, her eyes never leaving his and with each step, Shotaro's heart began to pound even faster. What is this woman thinking? Had she seen through him? The boy's smile, began to curve down and he noticed Marley's sudden halt at this action, but her feet never stopped moving. Soon, she was right in front of him.

"What do you want, bitch? I just want to go home! I want to go back to my mom and dad!" His breathing had turned into large huffs, as his chest heaved and his hands shaking at.

Looking up, he froze. The woman's eyes could no longer be seen, only a shadow covered over her face and her black hair made it worse. Sweating, the boy hadn't realized that he had lost his cool, the woman would see through him, she would see into him. Quickly halting his breaths, he smiled up at her, attempting to cover up his outburst.

"I'm sorry, but I didn't mean to—," His words were cut off as arms surrounded his body and he was pulled up close against the gym leader. No longer able to control his breathing, the boy began to inhale and exhale rapidly in short gasps. He shook his head, telling her to stop, telling her no, but she would not let go. Grabbing her arms, he tried pushing her away, but his strength was oddly weak against her embrace, almost as if it were sapped or…he couldn't bring himself to do it. "Damn you, woman."

Struggling with all his might, he pulled free of her grasp and glared at her. He had never shown another living being besides Kenshin, this side of himself or rather, they did not live to tell the tale. Panting with sweat all over him, he noticed that she still had her gaze on him and it was excruciatingly painful to him. She had tried to get him to open up to her, that was her true motive this whole time, and she had almost succeeded, but fortunately, he managed to escape from her consoling embrace. Shotaro's eyes widened in surprise as she spoke to him.

"Your darkness, pain, and past should not be yours alone to bear. You're just a poor child who lost his family."

Shaking uncontrollably, the boy could not bear to hear another ounce of her words, she disgusted him. She was the just like the rest of the world and Team Pneuma, they did not care about anyone. All the people in the world just wanted to get inside of his head so that they can trick him, so they can manipulate him to cause further harm. Like Team Pneuma did years ago, many years ago to his parents. Marley's eyes narrowed as Shotaro's lips formed a straight line, one that was neither anger nor joy, something terrible in between.

"You're just like Team Pneuma and the world, you don't care about me or anyone else. All you want is to kill, and that will go unpunished," Shotaro smiled. "The best way to go about life is to trust yourself, and only yourself."

Kenshin looked at his master with pain, Marley had opened up his true face and she would regret it. He looked over to her and was surprised to see that the woman still remained calm, almost lifeless. Hearing his master call out to him, the Dewott looked back at the mentor, before following him out of the grass plains, away from Marley. Although Kenshin obeyed and trusted Shotaro with his life, there was a glint that maybe, just maybe, Marley could finally change the ways of his master after all these years.

Watching, as the boy leaves, Marley sighed in disappointment. Efforts to get her student to open up to her would be tough, especially with a boy like that. Although, she was surprised that he loosened up when she hugged him, giving her a sign that she may have gotten through to him a little bit, but not enough to have him say something she wanted to hear.

This one will be tough, she thought to herself as Arcanine nudged her, signaling that it was time to return home. Stroking the dog's soft fur, the woman turned around and made her way back. A beautiful day has gone to waste, as the sun may have been up high and bright, but the people below its shining light, did not appreciate its radiance. They were ungrateful.


*Chou*

Hiding behind a large tree, Chou stood without moving a muscle. Any sound she made, would give up her and Meme's positions. She looked up to see her Butterfree was doing the same as it was perched onto one of the branches covered in leaves. The brunette smiled at her Pokemon as their plan was set and ready to be initiated at the instant the opponent comes near.

She perked up as footsteps could be heard from behind the tree, signaling them that the enemy was nearby. Giving Meme a nod, she raised three fingers and folded each one slowly. At the end of the countdown, they would jump out and launch the stored Solarbeam that Meme had charged up. As soon as the last finger went down, both quickly emerged from their hiding positions.

"Meme, Solarbeam!" However; she gasped as no one was there and the Butterfree had already gathered the light energy, ready to release. "Meme, no!" Before she could reach her Pokemon, it fired an enormous beam at the empty field, destroying the tall grass on the way. Quickly realizing that they have given up their positions, Chou turned around, just in time to be knocked away by a powerful Silver Wind.

"Vreeh!" Meme saw her trainer fly by, but detected the next attack and flew up, a Supersonic attack passing below. Turning back around, the Mothim lunged forward, slamming into Meme, but she wasn't fazed at all. Wing powder fell as the two bug Pokemon danced in combat.

"Put the pressure on!" Cheryl wouldn't hold back on the girl or her Pokemon, time was at stake here and they needed to improve the amateur's battle style as fast as they could. "Air Slash!" The moth maneuvered away and sent forth a blade of concentrated air from its wings.

Gaining speed, the attack made a whirling sound as it traveled towards the butterfly, which in turn, flapped away from harm, but heard more as the moth launched multiple air projectiles. Wings thrusting out, Meme launched herself higher up, air blades passing by, nearly cutting off her antenna. After evading a few more, she turned around and flew straight at Mothim, producing orbs of darkness.

"Go!" Mothim performed an aerial dodge as Shadow Balls were fired rapidly from above. Closing in on Meme, the moth spun left while throwing an Air Slash to her right, hitting the target spot on from their right flank and causing it to crash down towards the ground.

"No!" Running towards her Pokemon, the brunette leaped just in time to catch Meme, but cause pain to herself as she landed hard on the grass. "Ow…" Bruised all over her body, she tried standing up, as the butterfly flapped its wings once more and rose into the air. "We can do this, we've come this far and we can't go back, now." Nodding in agreement, the Butterfree raced towards its opponent with haste, Chou running close behind.

"Remember! The trainer is also the target as well! If the trainer goes down, the Pokemon will too!" Cheryl exclaimed. "Now, let's see what you can do! Mothim, Air Slash!" Wings expanded, the moth launched air blades once more, this time, aiming at both the oncoming opponents.

Meme fired multiple dark orbs to take out the incoming attacks, protecting Chou, but the assaults was relentless as more were about to come. Her trainer confirmed with a ragged cough, which gave the Butterfree some concern. Chou shook her head, signaling that she was okay for now and that the battle was to be the focus. However; the girl was beginning to wonder what she could do to help her friend. She didn't have no SPP gloves or something like that, except for…

Pins!

Reaching into her large pockets, the brunette grabbed a handful of Pokemon Should Be Free pins. Cheryl frowned in curiosity at her mentee's strange behavior, that girl was up to something, but what could be? Chou looked up to see Meme and Mothim were exchanging blows, blades of air and orbs of darkness impacting each other. Running up close, she had to distract the Pokemon so that Meme would connect one of her attacks.

Okay! Raising her fistful of pins, she threw them as hard as she could at the moth Pokemon. At that instant, the pins soared through the air and rained down on it, giving Meme a chance to launch her Shadow Ball.

"What the?" the green haired trainer was confused as her opponent was throwing round objects at her Pokemon. She gasped as Mothim was blasted onto the ground before running over to see if it was alright, but just as she made her way towards it, Meme and Chou blocked her path.

"So Cheryl, how'd we do?" Chou asked, bruises and cuts covered her cheeks.

At first, the gym leader was wide-eyed and in shock, but her mouth closed to form a smile of satisfaction. "You did well, you actually defeated me."

Gasping in excitement, Chou and Meme embraced each other before dancing around in a circle. They couldn't believe that they had won, and against a gym leader to boot. Cheryl knelt down beside her fainted Pokemon and complimented it before returning it back to its Poke-Ball. Standing back up, the gym leader was quite proud to see that her student had surpassed her in a battle, albeit with strange tactics, but were enough to deserve victory.

"Chou, I guess your training is complete. You have defeated me and learned to control your emotions, although just a little.

Chou smiled as wide as she could, "Oh my gosh! We won! But, what happens after this?"

"Well, we might want to know if the others are—," Cheryl stopped as the girl before her began to cough, just like the first time they had trained. Kneeling beside her, the gym leader patted her on the back. "Have you taken your meds today?"

Chou shook her head, "I forgot to…before school, I should get going…" Forcing herself to stand up, the brunette adjusted her large framed glasses and beckoned Meme to come with. Thanking Cheryl for her training, the girl cleared her throat as she made her way back home.

"Meme, wait for me out back…" Taking in a deep breath, Chou's Pokemon chirped as it flew back in the yard to wait for her trainer to take her medication. Although the Butterfree sensed an air of foreboding, she listened to her friend.

Doors were slammed open as the brunette walked in. She adjusted her glasses while striding over to her room. The door was covered in many fliers and stick-on objects that portrayed her passion for Pokemon freedom. Coughing while entering her room, Chou removed her book bag and gently hung it onto one of the hooks on the door.

Despite the fact that she is deemed the weirdo at her school, Chou's room was as normal as can be. Posters laid over the walls, a wooden desk housed her touch screen PC, and the bed was made of comforters and sheets patterned with Metapods. With a sigh, she went over to her cabinet mirror and looked at her reflection.

Pale faced and a pretty smile was what she saw staring back at her, although the freckles between her nose and mouth were quite visible, she didn't notice them. However; that face began to contort, her hands went over her mouth as she began to wheeze and cough. Lotions and various hygiene items crashed down around her as she fell, her body jerking as if she was being electrocuted. Water welled up from her eyes and trickled down her cheeks, her hands now covered in blood as the coughing reached dangerous levels.

My…meds…

Lifting her shaking arms onto the counter top, she raised her limp body onto it, coughing up more blood in the process. The wheezing had begun to sound as if something was clogged up and the stinging pain of the throat was excruciating, to the point of her crying, but her voice came out like an animals. Standing up, she looked at her face, no longer human-like. Red and bloodshot, the eyes were almost about to pop and blood drooling from the corners of her mouth. Barely opening her cabinet, she knocked off all other bottles and pulled out the prescription medications.

Gripping the secured lid, she pushed down and turned it as hard as she could, but her illness had completely sapped her strength. Screaming, she tried harder and harder, the lid still unwilling to budge. At that instant, her body fell over, dropping the vial of pills as it rolled under her bed. On the ground, and gurgling blood, she could no longer feel the pain, only the thickness of her lungs as they couldn't filter anymore oxygen.

This…is it…huh? Why didn't I take them before I left? Everyone…Meme…

Visions blurring, as the sunlight from the windows started to warp and swirl, Chou began to close her eyes. Darkness from the edges of seeing, closed in as if it were a vortex, ready to swallow her whole and…nothing.


*Operation: Olivine*

Explosions and the sounds of screaming were heard throughout the seaport city of Olivine, as four figures quickly, but stealthily made their way towards the lighthouse tower, otherwise known as the Glitter Lighthouse. The four people were clad in chrome colored armor and their insignia of PN immediately identified them as Peons of Team Pneuma. Their Pokemon followed them without questions as being captured by the silver balls made exclusively by Pneuma would ultimately force the Pokemon to obey.

The sky seemed blood-red as the flames from the attacks emanated everywhere, destroying buildings and ships at the docks as well. Bodies of Peons, Pokemon, and civilians alike, littered the streets of the city. Sparks of fire flew out from everywhere, igniting even more dangerously as they landed on electric cables to cause greater explosions. Sailors with their Wingulls and Machops, as well as the local police force tried their best to halt the Pneuma invasion, but the overwhelming power of the SPP gloves would instantly overcome their ancient ways of battle. Running up the steps, the four Peons encountered two policemen and their Growlithe.

"Well, let's get rid of them," Jeered one of the Peons as he hurled a large blob of gunk from the extracted Koffing's Sludge Bomb. The others did the same, using their own extracted abilities and launched multiple attacks.

"We won't let you, Flamethrower!" At the police's command, the small dog breathed a large wave of fire, melting the Sludge Bomb and halting the other assaults. "Now get em'!" The Growlithe lunged forward at the nearest Peon, shooting balls of fire from its Ember attack, and knocking him back, but another Peon attacks with Water Gun, sending the dog flying. "No!" Before they could finish, the policemen were knocked off their feet and were slammed into the rock hard wall of the lighthouse, grunting before their final moments.

All four Peons pushed through the doors and made their way up the spiral staircase. Encountering more securities, the Pneuma members continued their assaults of Sludge Bombs and Water Guns, knocking away the opposing forces.

"Having fun, Analisa?" A Peon smiled underneath his mask. One of members, a female nodded in response. She had an Emolga on her shoulders and was the only female of the group, but was befriended only to one of them, as the others treated her like trash.

"She hasn't been doing shit during this operation," Snickered a Peon. "Why'd we have to bring her?"

"Hey, hey, hey. She's new and she needs a feel for what the job is like, you know?" The previous male said.

"Hmph, you're just being nice to her because she's your whore!" Both the others laughed at the insult, causing the female Peon by the name of Analisa to tilt her head down. "Isn't that right, Anthony?"

Although Anthony wanted nothing more than to knock these guys off of the platform to their deaths, he couldn't do that or else he and Analisa both, would be in trouble. Ever since Analisa's integration into the ranks of Pneuma, she has always been the shy and non-social member who would be taken advantage of by everyone. Anthony was the first and only friend to her, helping her out and teaching her the ways of Pneuma. After some time, she opened up to him and he learned that she wasn't some awkward shy girl, she was actually friendly and quite humorous as well, but the jerks at HQ wouldn't even give her a chance. Maybe she shouldn't have signed up for Pneuma, it isn't her type of thing, and Anthony more than anyone else, knew that.

"We've finally made it!" A Peon said. Turning to the other members, he signaled for them to take out the colored lenses. With the change of colors, activating the guidance light would allow Pneuma ships and aircraft to locate them for evacuation. Pulling out a large bluish film strip, he placed it over the large light bulb, fully covering it. "Marco, Anthony, Analisa, turn it on now!" All pushing on the large gear-like switch, chains began to move as the device spun until the lamp began to flicker and finally flash on.

"Good work Analisa, you did great," Anthony patted the newbie's helmet, causing her look up at him in joy. "I think you're the best out of all of us."

"Um...thank you Anthony, you were...great too..." she muttered under her mask, but gasped as the sounds of footsteps could be heard from below, the remaining police forces have located them. Running over to the doors, Marco and the other Peon locked it, but it would be a matter of time before they would break through to kill them.

"Grr, what's taking them so long?" Marco complained as he moved the light into the air. "We'll be Team Toast if they don't come quickly!"

"Then we fight!" said the unnamed Peon. "Once they bust through, we'll surprise them with our attacks and..." Suddenly, the door was blasted open with a powerful smash, hitting the Peon along with it. The sounds of bones crushing were heard as he was rammed against the stone wall, before falling to the ground, unmoving, Analisa screamed.

Battered and covered in blood, a young woman in a white dress stood with her giant Steelix beside her. Gym leader of Olivine City, Jasmine, the steel princess herself, had come to deal with them. Directing a finger at the three Peons, Steelix slid at them with its tail glowing, Iron Tail at the ready. However; the Peons wouldn't give up without a fight. Anthony extracted from his Magmar and both fired devastating Flamethrowers at the iron snake Pokemon, causing it to roar in pain at its weakness to Fire-type moves.

"They're here!" Marco screeched as a large black helicopter hovered before them. He made his way onto the aircraft, jumping in and yelling at the other two to hurry up, but Anthony was still locked in combat with Jasmine as she covered her fire weakness with Sparkle, her Ampharos. Crying out, the yellow Pokemon released a bolt of electricity, Magmar and Anthony countered with Flamethrowers, creating a large explosion.

"Come on!" Grabbing Analisa's hand, they sped towards the chopper. Pushing her into the flying vehicle, he made his way to jump in when a Thunderbolt slammed against the helicopter, causing it to shake. "Shit!" Turning around, Jasmine had recovered from the explosion and commanded Sparkle to strike once more.

"Anthony!" The girl watched in terror as the man turned back to face the gym leader. "What are you doing?"

He gave her a thumbs up, "Teammates always protect each other, right?" Her eyes widened underneath her mask, as Anthony raised his SPP gloves at Jasmine, a look of annoyance on her face. "This is for my honor of Team Pneuma! Explosion!" As soon as he yelled the command, light flooded the entire lighthouse, almost blinding Analisa, but she didn't care. Her hands tried to reach out to the light, tears streamed down her cheeks, she wanted to die with Anthony, her only friend.

"It's too dangerous, retreat!" Steering the helicopter in the other direction, the pilot flew the aircraft towards the sea.

"Anthony!"

"Shut up, whore!" Marco punched her in the face, knocking her out. "Sheesh, it's just one dude, we have many at the base, I can't understand how Anthony was even that special to you."

As the black chopper flew over the ocean, the lighthouse crumbled into nothingness, along with the buildings and everything that was once the seaport city. The screaming had died down, no one was left alive in that city anymore, it was utterly destroyed and all life with it. Surely, the Johto News would broadcast the nature of Pneuma's treachery to the whole world, but it wouldn't matter, no one was strong enough to go against Pneuma. Not even the Elite Fours and Champions of all the regions can, as demonstrated by the Indigo Plateau's demise, there is no hope left for the world anymore.

*End of Day 2*


A/N: My latest chapter! Sorry it took so long (Tendou Souji especially), but I managed to get it done. I was very busy during these past days, so I couldn't really find the time to write. Anyways, i can't really say anything much about the chapter, other than I just finished it and as promised, new OC's and less of Kotei until the next chapter (actually no Kotei at all this chapter!). Also, yeah, this one was quite dark. I hadn't expected it to get THIS dark, but I hope it's for the best as character development, hope I didn't scare any of you.

OC Cast for Chapter 5:

Kurogasa Kururugi— By Fenikkusumaru

Debut: Chapter 1 Contact

Chou Hayashi— By TPNO (ThePikachuNerdOriginal)

Debut: Chapter 2 Concealed

Shotaro Daichi— By Tendou Souji

Debut: Chapter 3 Confrontation

Mikoto Kazehana— By Fenikkusumaru

Debut: Chapter 5 Conformation

Analisa Clarke— By dumbrunette1234

Debut: Chapter 5 Confrontation

I still have more OC's to put in, so please wait!

I've recently had in mind the idea of doing review questions where you decide what would be your favorite (something). So, I don't know if I'm doing this right, but here goes:

Which Pokemon move would you like to see, used in SPP? (Please leave your answer in the review, so others can see as well!)

Aristomacho: Mine would be...Moomoo Milk, I would just laugh at how someone would do that!

Thanks for reading! Please review and hope to see you next time!