Winter sat at one of the many booths at the buffet alone, slowly sipping at her glass of banana smoothie as she flicked throughput the messages on her plasma screen with a disappointed sigh.

"You seem stressed,"

Winter didn't bother looking up or registering who's voice it was. She felt that they were a Guardian from their aura and simply let her thoughts out. "Adrian and Hisoka haven't contacted me or anything yet, I get that they need to lie low but--"

Winter looked up, eyes widening in alarm. "Oh,"

"Winter, did you see a ghost?" Red chuckled in amusement.

"How about you turn around first," Winter huffed.

Red turned around and froze when he saw Silver, standing there with his mouth agape. Silver quickly shut his mouth and huffed. "I need to talk to you, Red,"

"It can be said here, can't it?" Red grinned, hiding his discomfort. Damn Winter, your introversion has rubbed off on me.

Silver sighed, running his fingers through his hair angrily. "Fine," Silver grit his teeth and finally spoke. "You and Whi-Two, you've changed ever since you starting hanging out with Winter."

Red just stopped, staring at Silver funny. "Uh, what?"

"The others wanted to confront you and Whi-Two about it and sent me to say that Winter is changing both of you and you should probably stop hanging out with her," Silver stated clearly. "And Summer and Fall wants to know how you got Winter to act so nice to you guys."

Winter simply scrunched her nose up in distaste hearing Silver's words. I'm just bringing out their true personalities. We all act differently around the people who are our definite allies, the other Keepers. Everyone else will be treated differently depending on the Guardian.

"Is that a problem?" Red asked innocently. "I think that the rest of you are overreacting. Whi-Two and I are perfectly okay and normal."

"Whatever," Silver glanced over to Winter, who was still pretty passive and quiet. The plasma screen in front of her was gone and she was innocently sipping on her tall glass of banana milkshake, fingers wrapped around the glass delicately.

"If you want me to say something, don't bother waiting," Winter spoke up.

Silver simply growled at her venomously in an attempt to hide his true emotions. "I wasn't waiting for anything!" Then, he stomped off.

Red sighed in exasperation, moving to slide into the booth before Winter stopped him.

"Grab food first, Red. Take a moment to think about what you want to say and stress eat if you have to," Winter advised. "I need to sort out my own thoughts for a second too,"

Red nodded, seeing the wisdom in Winter's soft words and walking off to grab a plate of food.

Soon after, Lack-Two slipped into the ibooth with a modest plate of food. "Morning,"

"Whitley has eaten already and Red's about to come back. I was going to explain to him, but Silver just pissed the both of us off, so I sent him to grab food,"

Lack-Two nodded. "I feel weird around the others, but I feel comfortable with you, so I decided to join you instead. What did Silver say this time?"

"Something about Red and Whitley changing since they met me," Winter sighed. "But it's natural to be honest. Keepers are most at ease and comfortable and caring when around each other. No matter how close we get with other people, we'll never be able to drop our guards as much and thus we behave differently."

"Winter, you realise that that isn't me, right?" Red murmured awkwardly, taking a seat next to the pink haired girl.

"Relax, I know," Winter chuckled. "Somehow, none of us noticed that Lack-Two has understood every word we speak in our language and I accidentally figured out last night when I needed to speak to him."

Red lit up. "How many now? Who is he? What does he do?"

"Ayumu, Akemi's other half. Strategizer of the group," Winter smiled. "So we have the problem of reintroducing Whitley and Lack-Two."

"Does he know that we call Whi-Two, Whitley?" Red asked. "If not, that's her real name and prefers that the other Keepers call her that."

"Sadly, I'm not sure if I count due to the shit I've said and done." Lack-Two sighed, hanging his head in dismay.

"One step at a time," Red chided. "It will all fall into place in its own time, but for now, we need to find a way to introduce you to Whitley as her partner."

"I'm pretty sure that Whitley doesn't hate you at all," Winter quickly backtracked. "Okay, that might be because she technically cannot hate you, but I feel like her personal feelings play a role too. She just can't bring herself to hate you."

Lack-Two still sighed, picking at his food. "What can I do to... I don't know... repent?"

"That's a little too far," Red chuckled. "You'll think of something. Winter, if you're done, can you talk to Whitley?"

Winter nodded and stared at Red expectantly.

Red stared back dumbly.

Winter sighed.

Red furrowed his eyebrows.

Winter teleported out.

Lack-Two couldn't hold back a few laughs at Red's face of realisation. Both males, despite hardly conversing prior to then were completely at ease with each other. Nothing seemed to be forced like usual, it was just simple and easy.

"You know, I was scared of Winter before she realised I was a Guardian," Red admitted. "The second she realises that you're a Guardian or Keeper, I'm not really sure how these terms work.... Anyway, she softens up and becomes much kinder and all of that."

"Yeah, I might get whiplash from her change in attitude," Lack-Two joked. "She's so cold to everyone else and yet so casual, natural, kind and protective of us. It's almost... strange, I suppose,"

Red nodded in agreement. "I think that the title of Leader suits her really well. More than it suits me, to be honest...."

Lack-Two shrugged. "I don't know you well, you don't know me well but I know that you'll make a good leader because you have," he paused to think. "Kazuki's soul in you."

"It's weird though," Red sighed. "Everyone else seems so well adjusted to the fact that they're a Keeper or Guardian and then there's the two of us, the noobs who know nothing. It's frustrating because I feel like I should know this and Winter's just explaining things continuously like we're children,"

"Arceus! You think that Winter knew since she was born?" Whitley set her banana raspberry smoothie down as she sat next to Red. "She had to learn and tell us all of this!"

Winter sat down next to Lack-Two with a casual shrug. "I learnt from Solar and Lunar since Skaria is very close to the legend that we're from. They're both Skarians and learnt it growing up, so when they met me, Lunar kinda just sensed that I was important and kept me close to both of them."

Lack-Two couldn't concentrate on the rest of Winter's words. His eyes avoided anything and everything Whitley related, his gaze dropping down to his lap and he began twiddling his thumbs to distract himself.

"Lack-Two, relax," Winter soothed.

"It's not Lack-Two, call me Blake!"

Lack-Two froze, wide eyed and unable to comprehend what he had just said.

"Okay, then you should call me Whitley as well," Whitley stated just as boldly though her body language screamed something entirely different. She looked embarrassed and flustered, like a middle school girl talking to her crush or the most handsome guy in the year level.

"You know, skim over what happened for now, that might be easier. Work on your bond and then when you're both more comfortable, talk about what happened," Winter advised.

"That shouldn't take long because you're Akemi and Ayumu, right?" Red grinned, taking a sausage and munching on it.

"In theory, yeah," Whitley admitted. "I, uhh, hope that you can work with me, Blake."

Blake nodded, embarrassed. "Yeah, same here,"

Winter nodded in approval, gesturing for Red to pass her the banana smoothie she was drinking earlier. Red slid the drink across the table and Winter caught it effortlessly, taking a small sip.

"Another thing," Winter suddenly remembered. "Blake, look me in the eye,"

Blake looked at Winter directly in the eye, feeling as if his entire life was being read by Winter's mesmerising malachite eyes. He couldn't help but flicker his gaze away, but Winter made no comment or reaction to show her distaste.

Winter backed up, relaxing with a pleased smile. "Your eyes are changing, which means you probably got your mark not too long ago, a few days maybe?"

Blake nodded, confused. "Yeah, how did you know?"

"Your eye colours change after meeting your Guardian," Winter explained. "Whitley's eyes used to be brown, but they slowly changed into blue like it is now," Winter gestured Whitley's aquamarine eyes. "Solar and Lunar's eyes were blue and black respectively, but now look like the sun and moon."

"What about me?" Red asked eagerly. "What's my eyes?"

"I have no idea what you had first. I think they became red because you met your Guardian and became a Keeper pretty damn quickly," Winter shrugged. "Your mother did name you after your eyes, correct?"

Red nodded, wondering how Winter knew.

Winter rolled her eyes, able to literally read Red's thoughts. "It's pretty obvious that she named you after your eyes."

Red smiled mareepishly and continued to eat, shoving food into his mouth.

"How many left?" Whitley asked offhandedly.

"Two, just Hikari and Yuuki left," Winter grinned victoriously. "I never expected to find so many of you because of my battle with Silver," she admitted. "But I was probably going to meet Red and Blake anyway in the end."

Red laughed, nodding. "Yeah, Dexholder reunions and all of that,"

"Ewwww," Winter pretended to gag. "Don't remind me! Right now it already feels like hell!"

"Explain your relationship with Summer, Fall and Acacia please. I'm confused," Blake bought up something that neither Whitley or Red had touched base on.

"They're annoying, meaningless pests to me," Winter stated clearly.

All three waited for Winter to continue.

Winter finally sighed and gave in. "I was recommended to be given a Pokedex to Acacia via Government since they wanted to keep tabs on me and keep me safe since I refused a Guardian or adoptive parents. It's also how I met Summer and Fall."

"I was indifferent toward them at the beginning and I didn't care for them much, only accompanying them when necessary and being with them when necessary, but them Team Shade happened," Winter sighed.

"I was forced to work with them sometimes and I guess that they all became a bit attached to me? I don't know, nor do I care. I ignored them most of the time, but after I became Champion, I was under many more obligations and I was forced to hang out with them more and more."

Winter rolled her eyes, pausing briefly.

"Sorry, I find this funny, can you keep going?" Whitley smiled.

"Whitley!" Red scolded in a brotherly tone.

"What?" Whitley asked innocently.

No one in the booth could hold back their amusement, shamelessly laughing or giggling at the exchange.

"I'm serious though,"

"They forced me to enter Contests and stuff as well," Winter noted. "Acacia also tends to play dress up with me and I already have Solar who styles me and stuff. I'm perfectly okay with anything Solar does but not Acacia, Acacia just shows skin and puts on makeup, jewellery and so on, so it gets really annoying."

"Actually, Alakazam was caught so that they'd have a Pokemon to use Psychic on me so that I'd stop running away from them," Winter sighed. "I don't know what it say, it's horrible. They may respect me, but when they forcefully do this stuff, it's just unacceptable and a total lack of respect."

"Basically, you don't like them because they hurt your pride, right?" Whitley deadpanned.

Winter's eyes twitched. "No, not like that! I hold no respect for them and I just don't give a flying--"

"Censored,"

"-- about them," Winter finished with a roll of her eyes.

"There is a concert held as entertainment tomorrow or something, right?" Blake spoke up.

"I think I'll participate," Winter shrugged. "As long as Acacia doesn't get to dress me up, I'm fine."

"Deal," Red grinned. "I'll protect you!"

"I can protect myself!" Winter protested. "Tomorrow or the day after?"

"I'd say it's tomorrow," Whitley sipped from her glass with a smile.

Winter nodded slowly, eyes flickering around to gaze at her friends. She saw that all of them were tense, with Whitley and Blake still weary around each other. Red and Winter were tense as a result of that, their instincts as leader didn't like the fact that their own were tense, thus making them all tense.

Winter was never the best at breaking the ice, no pun intended, but Red, on the other hand, was amazing at it.

"So Blake, how many Pokemon do you have?" Red asked with a grin.

"Just my Samurott," Blake answered. "I never really needed to have anyone else."

"We're gonna have to change that, Whitley too. Once we're in Hoenn, we need to start filling up the slots in both of your teams," Winter noted. "But more importantly, how's Samurott doing?"

"He's completely recovered," Blake grinned. "Thanks for saving him, Winter,"

"As much as it was a noble thing for you to jump into the sea to save an ironically drowning Samurott," Red paused, eyes flashing with anger. "Winter, you can't swim!"

Winter immediately held her hands up in surrender, not even trying to fight it. "I know, I know, my instincts just took over, okay? Hisoka's the Guardian Pokemon and that reflects on me. I felt that Samurott was important probably because Blake is who he is and I just didn't pause to question it," Winter sighed.

Whitley suddenly let out a sigh. "I finally figured out what was bothering me. You know how the three of us couldn't work out what had me so worked up the other day?"

"Yeah, now that you're bringing it up, that's really annoying me," Red pouted.

"It was Blake," Whitley concluded. "Winter decided that whatever was bothering me wasn't a threat, right? I've had the same feeling since Winter told me about Blake, so now that I feel like this, I guess it's really no surprise."

Winter sighed with a shrug. She scanned the surroundings only to huff in irritation. "Just great," she muttered sarcastically. "The Dexholders really seem to hate me, don't they?"

"Considering you're a mix of Green, Silver and Platina plus a little more, I'd say so. People don't like Green for his serious nature, Silver for his cynical and sarcastic nature, Platina for her snobby attitude, but all of them have redeeming qualities they show to everyone, meanwhile, you don't let many see your redeeming qualities," Red noted.

"I guess that you shamelessly let your guard down around Solar, Lunar and the three of us," Whitley grinned. "But because you never show the same care to anyone else, people just think that you're plain cold. It's not your fault though, Treasure. It's just who you are. You don't have time to let down your walls to anyone else and you probably feel like you don't need to, to be honest."

"I really admire the way you treat your Pokemon, almost as if they're above you," Blake decided to join in. "The amount of devotion you show your Pokemon is amazing and you're always so gentle and patient with them, yes, even with Hunter."

"I've never seen another trainer like you," Red smiled. "I mean, just the way you bow so low to your Pokemon, getting on your knees simply to thank them after a battle. Considering your pride, it just goes to show how much you love and care for them."

Winter rolled her eyes, face flushed with embarrassment. "I only said that to point out that they're listening in," she murmured quietly, flustered.

All of them looked up only to discover what Winter said was true.

"Oh,"

"Our words still stand!" Whitley chirped.

A small plasma notification showed up in front of Winter, causing her to freeze. Winter regained her bearings and hurriedly opened the call.

"Adrian?" Winter cried.

"Winter, I'm fucked. I'm thoroughly fucked and not in the ass," Adrian hissed.

"Winnie, we need to get him out and now," Lunar spoke up.

"Lunar's right, he can't stay in Alola like that. He has to come to Skaria or something," Solar agreed.

"Everything began in Skaria, we can't just keep Adrian where it all began!" Winter reasoned.

"Winnie, they're active everywhere except for Skaria," Lunar whispered. "It'll all be okay. He can stay at one of the gyms out of sight."

"What about Hisoka?" Winter asked. "And what about--"

"Winter, he's safe with me still," Adrian seemed to be in a rush as she hustled about wherever he was. "They're on my ass and I'm gathering my shit and going,"

"Lunar's gym's safer," Winter cried.

It was unsaid, but they all knew why.

"Keep Hisoka, and your own Guardian close. Lunar, act normal and stuff, just hide Adrian there. Solar, can you go grab Adrian?" Winter spoke calmly, her voice immaculate and reassuring but Blake, Whitley and Red could see how anxious she was.

"No need, I'm going to get out myself," Adrian muttered. "Lunar's gym, right?"

"Yes," Solar affirmed. "And don't you fucking dare lay a hand on her!"

Adrian seemed too distracted to respond as he continued gathering the last of his things. "Lunar, can you head to a remote part of the gym?"

"That's everywhere," Solar deadpanned.

Lunar hummed in agreement for both men.

Winter tugged at her hair and chewed on her lips anxiously, waiting for Adrian to finish. "Hold up, change your hair and eyes and overall appearance, now."

Adrian dropped his things and did just that.

"Good?"

"Yeah,"

"STOP RIGHT THERE!"

Winter's eyes widened in fear, but knew better than to speak just in case she could be heard.

"I wish to be at Shizumi's side!"

The call ended.

Winter's hands were clasped over her mouth. She couldn't speak. She just stared straight in shock.

That was too fucking close.

"Winter!"

"Winter!"

"GODDAMMIT, ANSWER ME WINTER!"

Winter buried her head in her hands, hiding her face in an attempt to conceal her emotions. She took a deep breath in order to compose herself. There was still a glint in her eye that said I am not okay, but they all knew better than to point it out.

Winter paused to think for a second, planning everything out meticulously. "We need to find the rest and run,"

"How many left?" Whitley asked.

"Two," Winter answered in the ancient language. "We've got a long way to go, so we're going to need to work fast. None of us can get out of the meeting either, so Blake, I'm going to need your help to plan everything out as perfectly as possible."

Winter cursed, banging her hand on the table in a violent rage. "Dammit!"

"Winter?"

"I need Yuuki, he's got the best instincts out of us all, he can sense things into the future and Ayumu's plans aren't all that accurate without Yuuki," Winter despaired. "A plan is never complete without each member of the team. I need to calm down and rethink everything,"

Winter's eyes flickered around and she sighed. "Adrian's safe," she murmured. "He's with Lunar right now because she's the best hiding spot right now. Not many people mess with Lunar because Skaria really doesn't like her. He'll be okay there, but Lunar needs to move to Hoenn for the meeting,"

"What if we gathered as many people as possible?" Blake put in. "If we're all in the same spot, Team Shade's going to think that we're just normal travellers. Sure, there's gonna be a ton of us, but they wouldn't think that we'd be dumb enough to stick together, so they'll assume that we're not going to be what we are."

Winter nodded. "First, before anything else we all need some means of defence. Blake, Whitley, I'm pretty sure you're the only two lacking in the department," Winter paused for a second. "We need to begin building your teams as soon as we get to Hoenn."

"In the meantime?" Red asked.

"We can't do anything," Winter shrugged.

"Yeah, we can't," Blake confirmed.

"So we're just going to have to plan and relax or whatever," Winter sighed, looking forlorn. "There's honestly nothing we can do because this is a Skarian ship. Teleportation without authorised access is forbidden."

"Woah, Skaria has technology like that?" Red asked. "Man, that must be a life saver!"

"Well, some Pokemon are able to override it due to sheer power," Winter admitted. "Hunter and Gardevoir both can override most teleportation locks without being detected, but that's something we keep to ourselves."

"Can Mes do that?" Whitley asked a little too eagerly. "I want her back soon, so..."

Winter nodded. "All the Pokemon who are able to do it effortlessly and remain undetected are level 85 and above according to Solar. He thinks that Legendaries can all do it effortlessly as well. Wild Pokemon also have an easier time going through undetected," Winter explained.

"Winter," Blake frowned at the younger girl disapprovingly.

"What?" Winter asked innocently. "If I remember correctly, you shouldn't actually care, especially because you're one of us now!"

Blake couldn't help but chuckle, shaking his head due to Winter's childishness. "You win," at the same time, Blake was grateful that Winter didn't reveal that he had quit the International Police, ensuring that everything that Whitley would hear would be straight from Blake and not a third party.

"I might sneak Solar on board tomorrow morning," Winter thought out loud. "He can dress me up for the contest so that Acacia can't complain about me being uncooperative."

"NO WAY!" Whitley squealed excitedly. "You said that he's the only one you let dress you up and everything! You're going to be so beautiful tomorrow!"

Winter giggled bashfully, her petal white skin flushing the faintest of cherry blossom pink to match her pretty pink lips and pastel pink hair. Her eyes lit up at the praise, feeling happy that someone so close to her complimented her.

"Winter, can you walk in heels though?" Red teased.

Winter nodded casually. "Solar forced Lulu and me to learn when we went on a really long training camp in the mountains. He stole all of our shoes and replaced them with stilettos. We were causing too much damage to our feet by walking around without shoes, so we had to use the stilettos and we both just got better in the end."

Neither Blake nor Red knew how to react. They were torn between feeling sympathetic for Winter and laughing at the pain she went through.

"Laugh if you want, I'm just gonna get you back eventually," Winter smirked, finishing her smoothie and pushing it aside. She cast a glance back to the Dexholders and scrunched her nose up in distaste.

"I should probably go," Winter murmured softly as she stood up.

"Wait--" Blake frowned, wanting to hear more from Winter.

Winter glanced through the corner of her eyes, letting them know what she was thinking. All three of them instantly grew angry. Winter's laughter cooled all of them down briefly.

Winter shook her head and glanced back at the Dexholders, most of whom were glaring her down. She shot them a smirk in order to hide her emotions, flipped her hair and turned back to her friends.

"I've got some work to do, so I'll be off. Don't bother looking for me if you can't find me," Winter advised before walking off.

Almost immediately, the Dexholders rushed over.

"Whi-Two, are you okay?" White asked worriedly.

"You three can't hang out with Winter!" Blue scolded. "She's a bad influence, just..."

"She's not a bad person," Summer frowned. "But she..."

"This is going to be an ongoing argument about Winter isn't it?" Blake deadpanned. "Well then, please leave me out of this conversation. I have my own opinions about--"

"Our point is, she could be manipulating you guys for her own benefit," Platina stated clearly.

"No, Winter's not like that!" Fall protested immediately.

That was ironic because Winter was using Fall and Summer to her own benefit.

"You've all made your judgement of Winter, but let us make our own unprejudiced judgement of her," Blake spoke for all of them.

"You know, I really don't know how someone so kind to her Pokemon could be so mean!" Whitley pouted, going back to her usual chirpy personality the Dexholders knew of her. "I think she just has a prickly exterior, something like Platina or Silver or Green!"

Red stayed uncharacteristically quiet as he tried to control his rage. He felt himself physically burning up to the tip of his fingers. He just knew it was hot and there was something burning, trying to break free of the cage it was put in. Red took deep breaths, trying to cool himself down.

Whitley noticed Red and nudged him under the table with her hand before reaching over and lacing their fingers together. Red immediately felt a difference in his body temperature, finding it in himself to calm down. Whitely let go of Red's hand and they both feigned innocence, pretending nothing was wrong.

Both of them could feel Winter's eyes on them despite knowing full well that she was nowhere near. With what felt like Winter's sharp gaze, they knew better than to acknowledge each other for what they really wanted to know.

"--remember how she taught her Gallade to use Frustration? Most trainers have enough pride to not teach their Pokemon Frustration unless they're truly desperate! As in life or death desperate! Even then they usually make them forget as soon as possible!" Blue ranted.

"Winter's the most prideful person I know, but there's no way I can defend that," Fall sighed.

Red bit his tongue and took a deep breath. "Aren't you all making assumptions about her a little too quickly?" Red asked innocently. "I mean, she's so nice to the three of us, maybe there's something you guys are doing wrong!"

"That's right, Winter's very nice to us!" Whitley quickly agreed. "She just needs time to open up to people and she's got this freaky ability to judge people and get a sense of their true personalities, so she knows who to surround herself with."

"She shouldn't be judging people by their covers!" Lyra protested.

"Like you are with Winter," Blake retorted. "Either way, she saved Samurott and I'm grateful for her for diving in and trying to save Samurott despite being unable to swim."

"Samurott's a water type, right?" Lyra asked. "How can a water type drown?"

Blake almost growled in order to express his anger. He held his tongue and sucked in a deep breath to explain. "Samurott is still a mammal and needs oxygen, only it doesn't need to surface every several hours or so. However, at the time, something was wrong with Samurott, meaning that he'd need more oxygen than usual and should not be underwater period."

"I'm glad it's a requirement to take at least 5 years of Pokeschool before becoming a trainer now," Whitley noted casually. "It's great that you know these things, Lack-Two,"

Red and Blake instantly picked up some Winter vibes from Whitley and forced themselves to hide their amusement.

Besides Red and Blake, anyone who picked up on it brushed it off since they had no idea how savage Whitley really was. Usually, she was excellent at holding her tongue back, but with Winter's reappearance in her life, she was finding it hard to hold her tongue.

"What was that?" Lyra screeched.

Whitley's eyes widened and she winced, hanging her head as she teared up. She hated being yelled at for any reason, it was against her nature as Healer. She hated fights, she hated anything involved with fights.

Okay, maybe Pokemon battles are still kinda alright.

Whitley had no one to hide behind as she prepared for the onslaught of anger from Lyra.

"HOW DARE YOU--"

"LYRA!" Red raised his voice, standing up.

Everyone hushed.

Red was the unquestioned leader of the Dexholders being apart of the original Dexholders and the strongest. No one dared to challenge him and no one had ever seen him so angry at an ally before.

Lyra shut up, now looking terrified of Red and the fire in his eyes. He was furious that someone had dared make his Healer cry.

All of the guardians were particularly sensitive when it came to Akemi because she was the most sensitive of the lot. As their healer, she hated fights, she hated people being injured, she hated being alone. She was also known to cry easily despite not being Shizumi, the emotional balance of the group.

"Lyra," Red hissed threateningly, causing Lyra to whimper fearfully.

Whitley couldn't stop her tears as they dripped down to her skirt, staining them. The atmosphere was too much. They were fighting, they were angry, all because of her.

"What the hell is going on?"

Chills ran down everyone's spines, hearing the familiar, cold voice, now sounding furious.

Whitley squeezed her eyes shut, clutching the fabric of her skirt closely when she felt arms wrap around her.

"Akemi, it's all going to be okay,"

"K-kasumi," Whitley whimpered.

"Shh, Akemi, no one's fighting anymore. No one's going to be angry with you. Emuritto will beat whoever made you cry up in a heartbeat," Winter reassured her.

Red slowly sat down, mumbling his apologies to Winter. Winter nodded and smiled at him, mouthing the word thanks to show her appreciation for him standing up for Whitley.

"Hey, stop crying, Akemi. Come on, I'm about to beat Lyra into the Distortion World if you don't stop crying." Winter joked, using an uncharacteristically soft tone with Whitley. She was crouched down in front of Whitley, wiping away the elder's tears gently. "Akemi, if you don't stop crying, I feel like Ayumu's going to slash someone's throat. Kazuki too, not to mention me as well."

"Okay, maybe being violent is just going to make you sadder, but we want you to be happy again. Please stop crying now," Winter sighed, deciding that she had no choice.

"When tomorrow comes, I'll be on my own,"
"Feeling frightened of, the things that I don't know."
"When tomorrow comes, tomorrow comes,"

"And though the road is long, I look up to the sky,"
" And in the dark, I found, lost hope that I won't fly."
" And I sing along, I sing along, and I sing along."

"I got all I need when I got you and I,"
"I look around me, and see a sweet life."
"I'm stuck in the dark but you're my flashlight,"
"You're getting me, getting me, through the night."

"Kick start my heart when you shine it in my eyes,"
"Can't lie, it's a sweet life,"
"Stuck in the dark but you're my flashlight,"
"You're getting me, getting me, through the night."

Winter's eyes fluttered as she finally dared to look Whitley in the eye again. "You feeling better?"

Whitley nodded, wrapping her arms around Winter gratefully. "Thanks,"

Winter pet Whitley's head fondly before sighing. "The three of you were unconsciously sending out distress signals. Kazuki, Ayumu, don't respond but I was pretty freaked out and I backtracked pretty quickly."

"Sorry," Whitley sighed.

"It's not your fault, but I won't pick a fight," Winter sighed. "Kazuki, Ayumu, please talk, just not in this language."

"Winter, is uhh," Blake began awkwardly.

"She hates fights or anything resembling them. Yelling at her or anyone close to her makes her cry pretty easily," Winter admitted before adding. "I thought it would've changed, but clearly it didn't. That's my fault for making assumptions."

"Winter!" Whitley whined, sniffling through the last of her tears. "I'm not--"

Winter stood up with a small giggle, ignoring the presence of all the other dexholders like they didn't exist. "Red, reign in that flame, kay?"

"Says you!" Red snorted.

Winter shrugged casually with a soft smirk. "Let's not forget Whitley's greatest weakness," she murmured softly.

Red hummed in agreement. "Yeah, her uhh, would be mad,"

Winter froze before holding her tongue before she was able to cuss loudly. "Now that's two legendaries I need to catch up with! I should deal with Emuritto quickly otherwise she'll show up furious that someone managed to make her cry," Winter pinched the bridge of her nose in distaste.

"But Emuritto isn't Whitley's, right?" Blake asked hesitantly.

"Considering the number of people listening in, I can't exactly answer that right now," Winter scowled. "And before Fall and Summer gets any ideas, no, Whitley isn't a Guardian, she has the blessings of one,"

That sounded completely unfamiliar to Blake and Red. Both of them picked up the familiar feeling in their hearts whenever they heard information that Winter fed them, but it seemed off this time. It was strange.

"And I'd assume that you were the one who gave her the blessing?" Platina asked serenely. "I've never heard about such blessings, how does it work?"

"I want to be blessed as well!" Lyra whined.

"Unlikely," Winter scoffed. "Actually, make that impossible,"

"And why is that?"

"I have influence over the other nine as leader," Winter smirked. "It's not hard to manipulate them as I please, you know. Our instincts naturally make the others bow their head to me," her eyes flickered with arrogance.

Again, her words were hollow.

"I wonder how your Pokedex hasn't been confiscated yet," Platina sighed pitifully. "Or why the Gods chose you above us."

Winter batted her eyelashes with a small chuckle. "Oh, but Skaria's so small and weak that if my Pokedex was taken from me, the entire region would boycott against all of you. It'll be such a shame to take a Pokedex away from such a great trainer and the hero of Skaria, wouldn't it?" Winter simpered. "You know, Whi-Two, Lack-Two and Red are such nice people,"

"If you confiscate Winter's Pokedex, I'll gladly surrender mine," Whitley said instantly.

"Whi-Two?" White gasped.

"I mean it. I'm loyal to Winter," Whitley spoke seriously. "I wouldn't mind surrendering all that I have now simply to follow her wherever she goes next."

"What the hell did you do to make Whi-Two like that?" Black growled.

Winter laughed cruelly. "Why should you know?"

"Whi-Two, why?" White asked. "Come on, you should know how cruel Winter is!" White pleaded desperately.

"She's saved my life twice already," Whitley shrugged. "It's--"

"This has nothing to do with her saving your life!" Black almost yelled. "That was then! I don't know what the fuck she did, but she definitely changed!"

Whitley didn't back down, opening her mouth to say something before Winter stepped in front of her, shielding the taller girl. However, to everyone else, it looked like Winter was rudely shutting Whitley up and caging her.

"Take it out on me, not her," Winter demanded.

"Red!" Blue pleaded. "Say something!"

Red had his hands tied, unable to betray Winter. He couldn't turn his back on the Dexholders either, so there was nothing he could do. He opened his mouth before shutting it quickly, holding his hands up in surrender.

"Red..." Yellow murmured, holding Chuchu in her arms. Chuchu cried out for Pika, but Pika just burrowed into Red's jacket, hiding himself from the world.

Pokemon were easily influenced by their trainer's feelings, neither could do anything.

"Lack-Two, I know you hate Whi-Two, but-"

"Blake, can I trust you to take Whitley back?" Winter asked softly, knowing that Whitley was about to break from all the fighting.

Blake stood up quickly and Winter moved out of the way so the two could leave. Whitley was just about to cry again and Winter's temper was flaring up.

"Lack-Two?" White asked weakly.

Blake just ignored her, holding onto Whitley's hand tightly and refusing to let go, pulling her away from all the distress.

"Guys," Red finally stood up, cradling the lump in his jacket to support Pika. "We're disturbing other patrons right now. We'll debate about this in Hoenn, where it's actually appropriate."

Winter gulped and nodding in agreement before stalking off, roughly shoving her way through the Dexholders. Her skin was freezingly cold to touch, scaring some of the Dexholders.

"Red, whose side are you on?" Green demanded.

Red opened his mouth helplessly before sighing.

"No one's."