"Sky Battles?" I echoed the term, bemused. My gaze traveled upwards until it was focused on one of Fortree's natural "skylights." Suddenly receiving Alti's Poké Ball and the earpiece made more sense. "You mean, we're going up there?"

"Correct!" Sierra beamed. "Why would it be called a Sky Battle if you did it on the ground? Don't tell me you're afraid of heights?"

"No, I'm not. I was curious, that's all." Doubt pricked at me and I couldn't help but voice it aloud. "Um, we won't be in putting ourselves in harm's way if we do this, right?"

"'Course not! Done this dozens of times and not once has someone gotten hurt." Her response coupled with her confidence instilled some solace within me. I didn't have to take the risk, but I wanted to. And now that I really thought about it, a battle in the sky sounded thrilling. Reassured, I gave Sierra a trusting smile, letting her know I was fine with her proposition.

"Okay, then what are we waiting for?" I asked, letting Alti out of his ball.

Someone tugged at my sleeve and I looked down to see Winona holding out her goggles. "You can borrow these. You're gonna need them more than I do." Thanking her, I made sure to adjust them so they would actually fit me before slipping them on over my eyes. With their colored lenses, the world was tinted a faint blue and it took me a moment to get used to it.

"I'll see you later, I guess?" I said to my friends hesitantly.

"Good luck, Stevie," Wallace said, smiling uncomfortably. I could tell he was still nervous, even after our talk. I gave him a look that said, "It'll be fine once it's your turn."

Winona waved to me. "Have fun! I've always wanted to try a Sky Battle. I've heard they're amazing!"

"I'm sure you're right," I said. Hoping that I didn't look like a fool while doing this, I tried to situate myself on Alti's back as best I could. An Altaria's cloudy feathers weren't simply for show, they really were as soft as they looked. By the time this occurred Sierra had let out a Skarmory and was calmly sitting on its back, patiently waiting for me.

"Ready?" she asked. I nodded and her grin grew wider. "Then I'll see you up top. Don't keep me waiting!" Her Skarmory took off and the duo vanished out one of the canopy gaps.

I couldn't believe it, she hadn't even given me any instructions on how to control Alti! I flailed about mentally for a minute before attempting some type of command. "Uh, follow them, please?" I asked the Altaria. He chirped in understanding, and the next thing I knew we were taking off.

The one thing I could compare the experience of ascending to was riding an out-of-control elevator. I scrambled to get a grip on Alti's feathers as we shot upwards, squeezing my eyes shut and all the while praying that I wouldn't fall off.

The air suddenly became a lot colder and previously nonexistent winds tore at my hair and clothes. I slowly opened my eyes. We had stopped ascending and were now in an ocean of sky blue, clouds occasionally dotted around us and the sun shone even brighter now that there was nothing blocking it. It was beautiful and almost otherworldly in a sense. Not too far away, Sierra was waiting.

"Seems you're managing all right," the woman's voice projected from the earpiece with a burst of frazzled static. "Alti give you any trouble?"

I copied what I'd seen Arietta do and pressed a finger to a tiny button on the device, responding with, "N-no, everything went smoothly." I shivered as a freezing gale swept around me and drove invisible needles of ice into my exposed skin. "Is it supposed to be this frigid?" I asked.

"I guess I took us up a little too high," she mused. "It was so if any attacks went awry nobody on the surface would be hurt."

She then let out a large, long-necked green and brown Pokémon with wings that looked like giant palm leaves. Because of the amount of greenery on its body, I figured that it was a duel Grass-Flying-type.

"There are two rules to my Sky Battles," Sierra stated. "One, no Ground or Rock-based moves. And two, all moves have to be communicated over these earpieces so neither Trainer can have an unfair advantage over the other. Are you ready to begin? Send out your first Pokémon and we can get this Gym challenge started!"

If any of us go down, I'll let you know so we won't drop out of the Poké Ball's recalling range, Meteor told me. I nodded in response and prepared to send out Orbit. A lot of Flying and Grass moves were Special, and I wanted them to set up a Light Screen. I would briefly be at a disadvantage, but I could recall Orbit easily enough. But before I could act they retaliated to my plan by emitting a small, high-pitched whine.

What's wrong? I asked them. Orbit whined again, their voice rising. I could tell they were afraid. You have nothing to fear, I promise you I won't let you fall if you faint, I tried comforting them. Their presence receded, trying to pull away from my conciousness. It was at times like these that I loathed the fact they couldn't speak. I wish there was a way you could tell me what is wrong, then I could help you.

...

Orbit's presence wavered with uncertainty, then settled into reluctance. A faint humming resonated within my head, like someone was trying to speak but couldn't open their mouth to do so. Puzzled, I started to ask, Orbit? What are you—?

It was then that the sky around me vanished. I was plunged into a world of rocky cliffs and sweltering heat, lying sprawled out on my side on jagged earth that was blisteringly hot. My disorientation didn't last long as the ground began burning me. Wanting to escape the stinging pain, I tried to move, but my body wouldn't comply. I then realized that I couldn't move at all. Every part of myself felt foreign to me, like I was seeing through the eyes of a limp doll.

"Disgusting, absolutely wretched." My blurred gaze focused on whoever was speaking, and my breath caught in my throat. I was looking at Valerie. "What do have to say for yourself?" she addressed me coldly.

"..?" My blood turned to ice. I couldn't speak. My mouth was open but not a single word would leave me. I was so confused. What was happening?

"Nothing, as expected. Remember what I told you? About what it means to be a member of my team?"

Your... team? I wondered.

"It's more of an honor than anything you could ever achieve. I even let the collar come off for a few days so you could try and recover. But no, it seems you're ruined."

Ruined... It then clicked with me. I was looking through Orbit's eyes. But how?

"And you know what happens if I consider you ruined. I'll have to... release you. Kirlia, use Psychic." The Shiny Kirlia at Valerie's side obeyed, and a second later I was engulfed in searing pain. For nearly a minute all I knew was pain; burning, torturous anguish that felt as if my nerves themselves were twisting and writhing.

Kirlia raised his arm, and I was lifted into the air, still paralyzed by my fear and agony. Out of the corner of my eye I could see the sheer cliff I was being suspended over, dropping dozens of feet down. Air left my lungs in a hitching gasp. There was no doubt in my mind of what Valerie was planning to do.

"..!" I tried to speak again to no avail. Fear escalated into outright terror, dulling the pain Psychic caused. Kirlia gave me a sadistic look, purple eyes gleaming with malice. He could tell that I knew of their intentions. He teasingly let me drop once or twice, only to catch me before I would fully descend into free-fall, each time making my heart jolt frantically against my ribcage and small whimpers escape my throat. I don't want to fall! Don't let me fall, please! I begged internally.

"That is enough, Kirlia. I think it has had enough now." Valerie's lips curled into the cold smile she always favored. "Farewell, Baltoy." The Psychic aura dissipated, and there was nothing keeping me in the air. I fell, seeing Valerie's sick, cruel smirk before my sight was abruptly cut out.

I shakily opened my eyes, not letting them widen beyond small slits. I was doubled over, body wracked with shudders, hands clutching Alti's feathers so tightly that they had lost all feeling.

That vision was nothing like I had ever experienced. But it was no ordinary vision. Somehow, I had seen Orbit's memories. I'd experienced the last few moments before they were cast out into the wild by Valerie. Revulsion put the sour taste of bile on my tongue when I thought of the injuries they had when I found them cowering in the forest. I felt nothing but pity. Orbit, I'm so sorry, I told them.

...

What's going on? Meteor's angry shout shattered the pane of silence invading my thoughts. Orbit, what did you do?

..!

The furious accusation caused a wave of nauseating fear that wasn't my own to crash over me, twisting my insides into knots. Quit it, Meteor! I practically screamed at him, gritting my teeth. The last thing I wanted right now was a war with my mind and body being the battlefield. They showed me a memory of theirs. It was all they could do to explain why they don't want to battle, I explained as calmly as I could.

   Still! They were causing you pain! Meteor objected.

...

Orbit's presence was riddled with sorrow and an overwhelming sense of guilt.

   Hmph, at least you feel sorry, Meteor spoke in a voice saturated with vitriol. Don't pull that crap again, alright?

   Orbit emitted a long cry of remorse, growing quieter until I couldn't hear them anymore. They didn't need to do anything else to convince me. They had gotten their point across. Orbit wanted to battle nowhere where they could possibly fall. Again, I found myself wishing that I could communicate with Orbit through means other than emotions.

"Is something wrong?" Sierra's question startled me.

"No! E-everything is fine! I was having a difficult time deciding which Pokémon to use first." Snagging Maverick's ball from my bag, I hastily let her out. "We can start!" I forced cheeriness into my voice even though I was still shaking from experiencing the memory. I felt horrible for doing so, but I pushed the memory to the back of my mind. I unfortunately had more important things to worry about.

Fighting two to three was going to make for an uphill battle, that was for certain. I whispered a silent prayer to Arceus that Orbit not participating wouldn't cost me the battle already. Accustomed to the Gym challenge rules, I made the first move. "Maverick, use Agility!" She needed to be as quick as possible, even more so now.

"Trying to set up, are you? Tropius, stop it with Air Slash!" The large duel-type harshly carved a slash through the air with one of its wings and the slice turned into a bold line of wind that glimmered like a blade in the sunlight.

"Evade it and use Agility a second time!" You can't risk being too slow! Maverick streaked to the side, avoiding the Air Slash and raising her Speed again.

"Tropius, Magical Leaf!" A dozen glowing leaves sprung from Tropius' wings, shooting towards Maverick with precise accuracy. She tried to dive out of the leaves' paths, but they followed her like homing missiles. Her increased Speed was no match for Tropius' attack, and the razor-like projectiles struck her wings. Maverick's wings gave out, and she tumbled downwards.

"Now use Air Slash again!" Sierra commanded. Tropius created another blade of air that thankfully missed its target.

"Use Steel Wing to right yourself and try to attack!" Maverick's buckled wings lashed outwards to her sides, catching wind in them and halting her descent as the energy needed for Steel Wing strengthened them. She flipped over and fell into a swift dive before streaking back upwards. Tropius didn't have a chance to react and was battered by Maverick. After attacking she went down again, vanishing when she fell into a low-hanging cloud. Several seconds passed, and she didn't reappear.

"Maverick?" Had she been secretly attacked? My heart skipped a beat at the thought that she might have fainted without me noticing. Meteor, is Maverick conscious?

She's okay, he reported. She's hiding in the clouds under Tropius, waiting for her next command.

That clever Skarmory! I smiled. "Maverick, use Steel Wing!"

"Sunny Day!" Tropius released an orb of light into the air. It shattered into thousands of warm-colored particles that hung in the air like dust, reflecting the sunlight and amplifying its rays. Right as the move finished, Maverick slammed into Tropius' underside with frightening speed. The leafy quadruped seemed almost content to go down, falling until Sierra recalled it and sent out a Swellow in its place.

"Use Swift, Maverick!" Bits of light coalesced into star-shaped shards that gathered beneath Maverick's wings. With a flick of her feathers the shards were propelled forwards. Because Swift couldn't miss or be avoided, Swellow was caught in a rain of tangible lights. "Follow up with Slash!"

"Dive down and try to dodge it!" Both Swellow and Maverick plummeted towards the surface, the duel Steel-Flying-type right on Swellow's tail. Because of her increased Speed, Maverick overtook Swellow and seized its tail feathers in her beak while flinging her wings out to slow them down. She then violently snapped her head up with all her strength. Swellow was roughly dragged upwards and flung back into clear view in a thrashing blur of red, white, and blue feathers.

I was stunned by what Maverick had done. In the span of a few scant minutes she had become a vicious bird of prey. She was truly at home in the sky, and I could use this to my advantage. I allowed my thoughts to deviate from the battle and tried to put myself in a predator's position, what they would think and how they would act—savage.

Confirming the plan I hastily cobbled together, I issued Maverick's next move. "Use Steel Wing!"

Riding the high of energy, Maverick complied gleefully, hurtling towards Swellow. She smashed into the disoriented bird in a silver flash akin to one of her Swift shards.

"Grab Swellow with your talons and throw it above you, then follow up with Swift!" Maverick snatched her opponent as Swift shards formed under her wings and flung it over her head. The starry bullets raced after Swellow, further battering it.

"Try and use Aerial Ace!" Sierra's frantic order blasted out from the earpiece's speaker. The weak retaliation barely scratched Swellow's opponent. I countered with Slash and Maverick fluidly followed my words like a steel-feathered extension of myself. Adrenaline surged through me, singing aloud a soundless melody of exhilaration that I joyfully let myself drown in. Never had I ever felt so alive, so free. It was an amazing feeling, absolutely amazing.

"End it with Swift!" I yelled, ready to continue on to Sierra's third Pokémon. Maverick let a hailstorm of lights chase after Swellow, who had vanished into the clouds.

"Swellow, use Heat Wave!" The air rippled with fire, small tongues of flame licking the clouds and sizzling away as they ascended. The last few dying sparks of Sunny Day ignited, intensifying Heat Wave's power. Maverick was blasted by the unexpected Fire move, scorching her and robbing her of her remaining HP.

She's down! Meteor exclaimed.

"Understood. Maverick, return!" I was able to recall her before she fell out of range. You were absolutely spectacular, I praised her, hoping she could hear me. I would have to make sure she could hear those words later. Even if I had one Pokémon left, I wasn't going to let this ruin my exhilaration.

"A Metang? What an odd choice," Sierra said after I exchanged Maverick for Meteor. "Let's make this interesting, huh, Xatu?" Her last Pokémon was a green and red-feathered bird with white wings, strange eye-like markings on its front, and piercing black eyes framed by bone-white sclera. "He's a funny little thing. I found him on an island while I was out flying one day. He was staring at the sun. Didn't even seem to notice me until I started a battle with him."

He's a Psychic-type, Meteor informed me. I thought that was the case considering I could sense a third presence lingering on the far reaches of my mind. I could see that Xatu was staring intensely at Meteor.

Psychic-type moves would hardly phase Meteor, so Xatu was most likely to use some type of Physical move on him. "Use Iron Defense!"

"Feint Attack!" Xatu teleported in front of Meteor and struck him with a blow comprised of dark energy.

A Dark move? I didn't expect this. I needed to be extra cautious now. Xatu's eyes were still locked with Meteor's boring into them relentlessly. Seeing this, an idea formed. Meteor, try going into that group of clouds. It'll be more difficult to see Xatu but you could navigate using your senses. If I was right and Xatu's sight was his strong point, then reducing it away could help.

Got it! Meteor disappeared into the cloudscape. Xatu's gaze tracked him and the bird fell into a dive. Sierra signaled for me to come with her and I told Alti to follow. The moment we entered the clouds my vision was instantly obscured by misty white. Condensation began gathering on my goggles that I annoyingly had to wipe away every few seconds.

"Do you see either of them?" Sierra asked.

I'm on your left, Meteor appeared from the mist, startling both Alti and me. I found myself regretting this decision. Sorry 'bout that! he quickly apologized. What do you want me to do now?

Sense where Xatu is and when you're close enough... "Use Meteor Mash!" I made sure Sierra could hear the last part of my sentence so she wouldn't think I was cheating. Through the clouds in front of me I thought I saw a flash of green. Meteor retreated into the vapor and no less than a second later I heard the screech of a bird Pokémon.

Found him! Meteor exclaimed. A burst of white sparks brightened the clouds close to my right. I love how I have a move named after me! He was obviously joking and I laughed slightly.

"Xatu, use Tailwind!" The clouds were suddenly torn away, revealing the two battlers. His hindrance gone, Xatu could now attack freely. He generated a gale of gray that Sierra called Ominous Wind. Meteor managed to take the attack but was left shaking afterwards.

Ghost move... Meteor's voice was trembling. He couldn't take much more of this. Another attack or two would finish him and I couldn't let that happen.

"Now Feint Attack again." Xatu vanished from sight.

Remembering how Kirlia's Psychic rendered me, or rather Orbit, motionless, I thought it could work here. "Stop Xatu with Psychic!" I commanded. Listening to me blindly, Meteor feebly threw out one of his arms right as Xatu reappeared before him, and a magenta aura suffused the opposing Psychic-type, forcing the bird into a state of stasis. "Use Meteor Mash!" The aura was dropped and with his free arm, Meteor slammed his glowing claws into Xatu with the last of his strength. He dropped like a stone, fainted.

Sierra congratulated me as she returned Xatu to his Poké Ball. "For what I'm sure was your first Sky Battle, you battled like a pro. Nice job!"

"Thank you battling me, Si—" I paused mid-reply, my mouth dropping open. Meteor's body was emitting a blinding white light. No one needed to tell me what it was, I recognized that glow within an instant. Meteor was evolving.

Shock robbed me of words, and soon panic did the same with my breath Meteor began falling. Could he not hover in his last form?

"Descend, Alti! Please!" My plea sounded convincing enough as Alti obeyed and chased after the plummeting Steel-type. Deep down, I knew I wouldn't be able to reach him before he hit the ground. I stubbornly refused to believe it.

The landscape Alti and I were soon faced with was a plain surrounded in forest that was covered in very tall grass, interrupted by a sunken-down lake with a bridge extending across it. Alti touched down on the north side of the lake, and I nearly faceplanted trying to scramble off his back.

I yelled Meteor's name at the top of my lungs, begging for him to answer. For two minutes straight no reply came. Nothing, I couldn't even sense his presence. I felt tears beginning to prick at the corners of my eyes as the ultimate fear started to take over. I clenched them shut and turned my thoughts inwards. I called for him over and over, praying desperately that what I thought couldn't be true.

Stop yelling, I'm okay! The trees broke my fall... sorta, an exasperated voice one note from sounding baritone spoke to me. Meteor's presence surged into my mind at once, bringing with it relief so great that I felt dizzy from it. A set of familiar crimson eyes stared out at me from the trees, and my partner emerged into the open field.

Meteor now stood at my height on four powerful legs that retained the claws he had previously. His new legs were connected to his body in a way that looked like an arachnid's. His body shape was relatively the same as before except that there was now a metal, silver-colored "X" in the center of his face that made him seem like he was permanently scowling. But through all that, his gaze still held the comforting benevolence I could only associate with my closest partner and friend.

"Meteor, you... you look..." I was at a loss for words.

Surprised, huh? I think I look pretty amazing! he said, smiling. Yes, smiling. Under the "X" that took up most of his face, a line opened up to create an actual mouth. He could now express the countless smiles I knew he always wanted to.

"You're both okay, great!" Sierra and her Skarmory landed close to us. She looked at Meteor and let out a low whistle. "Never seen a Metagross in person. You're a lucky Trainer."

Metagross? So that's what they're called, I thought. My thoughts went back to our battle now that I knew Meteor was okay. "Um, am I still receiving my badge? Does Meteor not being capable of flight ruin things?" I asked.

"What? No, of course not!" the Leader laughed. "You defeated my last Pokémon before yours evolved. It still counts. And speaking of which, I owe you this." She gave me a badge fashioned to look like a silver-blue feather. "Earning the Feather Badge allows you to fly on your Pokémon outside of Sky Battles. That means you can fly with your Skarmory whenever you want."

"Really?" While it was a little frightening flying on Alti, I didn't think it was completely void of enjoyment. I guess I could try it later. I had to admit, the thought of it sounded kind of fun. I gazed at my Feather Badge for a minute longer before pinning it to my jacket. Six down, two to go.

It turned out we were on Route 120, the route immediately east of Fortree. We made our way back to the treetop city and got there right as the sun was setting. Thinking of Wallace, I told Sierra to expect another challenger tomorrow and went searching for my friends. Wallace and Winona were waiting in the Pokémon Center, having already rented a room for us. Before I knew it night had fallen, cloaking Fortree in a navy blue cloak of darkness.

Iron Defense, Meteor Mash, Psychic, and Hammer Arm, Meteor said.

I nodded in understanding, copying the moves' names down in my notebook. Meteor had learned a new move thanks to his evolution, one that I wasn't too happy with him learning until I found out that Metagross excelled in its Attack stat. In that case, Meteor Mash and Hammer Arm were excellent move choices. Now all I had to do was find out if there was a move he could learn that compensated for his lackluster Special Defense. I had to effectively start from scratch with his move and battle strategy chart, something I admittedly didn't look forward to.

Stifling a yawn, I glanced at the clock on the wall. It was close to eleven at night. As tired as I felt, I didn't want to attempt sleeping, not yet. I then looked at the door leading to the hallway, concern starting to well within me. At around eight Wallace had gone down to the lobby, saying that he wanted to call his mother. He and Winona only shared the same father, so it made sense why she didn't want to join him.

I frowned. Had he really been talking to her for nearly three hours? Wondering if something was wrong, I got up with the intent to search for him.

"Winona, I'm going to look for Wallace. Will you be okay by yourself for five minutes?" I looked towards the bird Trainer laying sprawled out on one of the room's beds. She had my Feather Badge held gingerly in her petite hands and was staring at it intently. When she had inquired about it, I decided to let her examine it. She wasn't one to steal things from others, she had earned my trust.

"Uh-huh. I'll be fine." Her eyes flitted up to me and she bounced up into a sitting position. "Hey, you think being a Gym Leader's hard?" she asked.

"I'm sure it isn't the easiest of positions to maintain," I answered. "But it can't be that difficult if you can become one in your teens." The Leader of Petalburg, a girl named Normandy, had to have been eighteen at the oldest. She certainly looked that way when I fought her for my fifth badge.

"Okay. I was only wondering," she said dismissively, becoming focused on my Feather Badge once again.

"No need to justify yourself," I said as I grabbed a spare key for the room. "Oh, and if River and Vinya try to go looking for me... don't let them leave the room, please. Tell them I won't be gone for too long."

"Gotcha covered!" Winona gave me a thumbs-up. I nodded appreciatively and left the room.

It didn't take very long for me to find Wallace. I found him seated on one of the couches in the empty lobby. He was tossing a Poké Ball about in his hands, muttering to himself.

"I'm not sure what I should do. Stevie said... So you agree with him, too? I thought that was the case. I know you're right, but I can't help it," he sighed, sounding discouraged. "Okay, I'll do it. Tomorrow morning it is, then." I cleared my throat, not wanting to startle him. This still didn't stop him from jumping. "Oh hey!" he exclaimed, giving me a nervous smile.

"Who... were you speaking with?" I questioned cautiously. I didn't know why I asked, it was pretty clear who he talking to and I was surprised the exchange wasn't entirely telepathic.

"Starmie," he replied, confirming my suspicions.

"It's late, you know that, right? I thought you would have returned by now. Did you lose track of time?"

"Kind of," he replied. "I talked with my mother for an hour or so, then I started getting nervous about tomorrow, and that's when Starmie chimed in. I zone out when I talk to her."

"I understand. I become wrapped up in conversations with Meteor more times than I'd like to admit," I said, empathizing completely.

You just admitted it, Meteor remarked. I rolled my eyes, sighing internally, and ignored him.

"So you really think I can do this, huh?" Wallace's gaze was downcast.

This again... I had no right to think that, not when I was so fearful myself in Lavaridge. There had to be some way I could convince him, and the potential answer came in a familiar wash of dizziness and chills I hadn't experienced in weeks. I welcomed the premonition, wanting it to give me some reassurance I could then give to Wallace. And it did.

I saw Sierra's Swellow unconscious on the floor of an unfamiliar building, Swampert standing over it. I saw Wallace looking shocked, then seeing that shock give way to elation. And I saw Sierra handing over a second Feather Badge.

The vision ended, and I was back in the present, a smile on my face. "Yes, I know you can. Trust me," I affirmed him. When Wallace looked at me, my grin widened, and I lightly tapped the side of my head. "You're fortunate to have a friend who's prescient."