Sam opened her eyes, smiling as the mist lifted, seeing her opponent and stage once again. Everyone questioned where it came from in the first place, but they'll never know it was only used to give the sisters a brief moment together before separating again

West looked around confused, feeling the chills going through his skin from the cold mist that suddenly lifting like it never happened. It was questionable.

He looked over to see if Crystal was okay, but the darkness made it impossible to see the crowd at all

"Westly, was it?" Sam asked. West looked back at his opponent crossing her arms, holding her chin to think. She giggled and kicked her feet in the air from her swing "Sorry I was so rude not too long ago! I've been convinced to give you a chance" how did she get convinced? By who? "I am still stated to my own opinion, so I can judge you all I want" she winked "You just got lucky."

"What do you mean by that..?" Sam held her heart, wishing she can get another hug from the one she hasn't seen in years

"I've been reminded to keep my cool. I've worked long hours for this show, and I worked myself too much. I almost stopped sleeping, and it took over me. I'd get easily flustered, even if that's not who I am. I'll have to give my apologies to that guy who I spoke wrongly to..." she frowned "Welcome, Westly Kimana" she offered her hand "To the show! Don't disappoint me, now!" Something about the shape and color of her eyes... She was a bit too far away to see properly, but this little girl almost reminded him of a young version of Crystal. Is that weird?

"Right! Thank you for giving me a chance!"

"No problem! You seem pretty confident, don't you?"

"That's not the point. My Pokémon and I trained hard, so I believe that they'll carry me as far as possible. One should be enough to beat you, but if it comes down to almost losing, I'll have to use my final Pokémon!" Crystal stopped walking up the stairs heading towards the exit and looked back at what he said. Is he going to use the Pokémon?

"And you believe this Pokémon will help you win?" He nodded, chin up. Sam admired the look in his eyes, knowing Crystal was right about him "If you feel confident enough then" she returned Rapidash and threw out another Pokémon, releasing her Darmanitan Crystal remembered back when it hatched.

The Otashi family always raised Pokémon hatched from eggs. She raised her Pokémon, even Cleffa came from hatching and became part of her and West's team. Not that there was anything wrong with catching wild Pokémon, but they believed that bonding at first sight brought greater power and strength than catching one who might not even want them to be their master

"Then give me everything you got! Let's begin the battle!" Sam cheered. Hard to believe she was so disgusted by West not too long ago if it wasn't for whatever happened in the mist.

West nodded and sent out his Houndour "I'm ready!" His face turned dead serious, a face Crystal disliked... It was the same kind of face Rhea and Aaron wore. Sam was a little triggered by this, but brushed it off for Crystal "Houndour! Use crunch!"

The battle was too intense for words. Never had Crystal thought he could be so aggressive in battle. She sat on the steps of the stairs, staring at the entire show going down. She knew he could battle, but this anger was devoted just for a name

The audience was even silent, staring hard at how much was happening. Sam looked like she was having a blast "Wow! This is the most fun I've had in a battle yet!"

"It better be!" West smirked "time to end this! Houndour! Punishment!" Houndour howled up to the ceiling, glowing and growing "W-What..?" Houndour's body grew into a tall and threatening beast with large horns "You evolved!" He gasped

"It evolved?" Sam blinked. Crystal leaned on her knee

"It evolved" not so surprised

"Hey, little lady" big Timmy walked over "Will you get back to your seat?"

"Will you leave me alone?" He groaned. West felt even more confident than before. Houndoom completed its evolution and started its punishment attack, speeding towards Darmanitan and knocking it almost towards Sam, but slammed it into a cannon. Darmanitan was unable to battle

"Oh!" Sam smiled "That was so cool! An evolution in the middle of a battle and show! It's perfect!" West took a deep breath and sighed. Rhea told him when she came home that all the gym leaders were lazy and ill-mannered towards her. They wanted nothing to do with her, and all gave a lousy attitude. Can't really blame them for giving her an attitude. She's like any Kimana.

Sam was that way towards him earlier, but something about the mist completely changed her persona. She almost looked like she was crying once the mist lifted, but in a happy way

"Congrats!" She returned her Pokémon "You defeated one of my Pokémon, but don't think this one is going to be easy to battle! I raised all my Pokémon myself, personally, from eggs! This Pokémon in particular... My parents didn't trust me to take care of it, but it's now one of my strongest Pokémon! I hardly use it, but this battle is very important!" It is?

"How?" West questioned. Sam flinched, almost giving it away

"Because its the last act of the night! We gotta make it worth it!"

"Good save" Crystal sweatdropped

"Seriously! Move your ass!" Big Timmy shouted. Crystal eyed him with a dark aura, making him surrender and let her stay where she remained

"Come on out! Volcarona!" Her strongest Pokémon flew into the air and sparkled into the spotlight above them "Show them what you're made of! Bug buzz!" Volcarona's wings started vibrating, releasing a loud and unpleasant sound that irritated the crowd around them and the sensitive ears of the Pokémon who had to hear it. Houndoom howled, trying to discard the sound. Once the noise stopped, Volcarona was already behind it

"I-It's so fast!" West gasped. Sam grabbed the clothe she was on and swung forward to hang upside down

"This won't take long! Thrash!" Volcarona started beating up on Houndoom without stopping for a breather. It was too fast to be real... Houndoom had already fainted

"A-Already?!" West took a step back "Damn" Sam stood straight on the clothe and leaned forward, bending her back

"Told you it wouldn't be long! Come on, let's see your last Pokémon! We don't bite!" She giggled. West huffed, taking out his love ball.

It's been a while since using her for a battle... The last time using her was for gaining money at the Battle Tower, and he was well known for having a Pokémon like this. It's special and can be counted on to help him win against a strong Pokémon like Volcarona

"Alright! Come on out!" he threw out his Love ball and out came out an elegant Pokémon of the full moon, sparkling in shiny feathers with a crescent moon shaped head. Opening its eyes, it released a battle cry. Crystal stood slowly

"A Cresselia?" Why didn't she figure it out before? Legendaries can sense actual potential in people and would gladly guide or join them if liked well enough. He gave her a hint, of the Pokémon by saying 'full moon', and that it helped him with his night terrors. An actual legendary... and a psychic "He..." she smiled "Has more potential than I thought" Sam put her hands together in awe

"Big sister and this guy both have a legendary... They're destined to be together, despite family names. Like Romeo and Juliet..." she whispered to herself. Dave, near her, blushed at her sensitivity to romance "Awesome! So awesome!" She cheered happily with the crowd "Let's do this!"

What felt like hours, the legendary and fire/bug type kept getting at it. Cresselia didn't have to move much to handle what her opponent was throwing. She was elegant and floated tall with a high head, staring at her opponent like how Crystal would look down at trainers who dare try to disrespect her

"Use future sight! Then slash!" Cresselia closed its eyes, obeying. A struck of pink light shot through the tent, disappearing. She appeared behind Volcarona and slashed its body to the ground

"Volcarona!" Sam gasped. Vollcaronas wings fluttered, but it had the strength to fly back up, staring up at Cresselia looking down at it for the bug it was "Darn it!" It's too strong... and any shooting attack or physical attack won't work "Heatwave!" Crystal gasped loudly

"Wait! Don't do that!" She turned back towards the stairs to escape but ran into Timmy who never left when standing behind her. She panicked, looking over at the heat wave quickly taking over the tent, making everyone else sweat while Crystal's face immediately turned red even if Froslass tried its best to help her avoid it

Cresselia shut her eyes, trying to avoid the pain of the heat. Her eyes snapped open, peaking at West wiping his forehead and look towards the audience where she knows the one he cares about, the one he's been dreaming about in his sleep, was in trouble without him there

The future sight finally appeared, striking through the tent and aimed towards Volcarona's body, stopping the heat wave and ending the battle. Everyone cheered at the end. West fell on his butt, exhausted, while Sam waved her face to cool herself off

"That was fun-" it occurred to her that she was trying to find relief of coolness after a sudden change of temperatures around her.

Remembering Crystal's condition, she gasped loudly and looked around "W-What have I done..?" She went to panic mode and searched through the darkness of the crowd, but no luck

"Sam?" Dave questioned. She grabbed his shoulders, almost yelling

"Turn the lights on! Now!" West sighed and peeled his shirt from his sweaty skin, watching his special Pokémon floating back to him

"hey, Cresselia! You did great!" He smiled, petting her head "I can always count on you to save me, huh? I thought I was about to lose! How embarrassing would that be in front of so many people?" she looked towards the audience

The lights around them turned on, allowing him to see the crowd finally. Crystal wasn't in her seat "Where's Crystal?" He searched around, finding Timmy near the staircase holding someone in his arms. West froze, seeing the red on her cheeks from where he was

"Samantha! We have an emergency!" He shouted like his voice was a bullhorn. Sam hurried and appeared in front of the situation in less than a moment

"Crystal! Are you okay?!" She panicked. Crystal's breath was thick and suffocating. Sam's eyes filled with tears "Oh no... The heat wave. It's my fault..." West hurried over to take Crystal in his arms, feeling on her cheeks

"Dammit... Not again" Sam looked at him

"A-Again..?"

"Yeah" he looked at her panicked tears "Uh... It's her condition. This happened before when the temperatures dramatically change. She gets fevers quickly" he carried her in his arms

"Wait! Why is she here if something like that effects her!?"

"It's her own personal reasons. I've been taking care of her throughout our journey around Kannena" she flinched

"I-Is that so..?"

"She can't go to a hospital. Is there any way I can find a place where she can rest?" She nodded quickly

"Y-yes! It's my fault she's in this state! I-If only I knew!" Or remembered. She promised Crystal to make sure she doesn't expose who Crystal is, to avoid conflict. Looks like she's using him for aid, even if he's a family rival "I-I'm sorry!" He smiled kindly

"Don't worry about it. Sorry I cut the show short, but I better get going now" Dave walked over

"I'll escort you to the Pokémon gym where Sam lives" He walked past them to lead. With West turning around, Crystal opened her eyes to gaze at Sam crying, holding in her sobs. Of course, she feels guilty... it was always for the best that she keeps her fire away from Crystal because of her sensitivity

Crystal gave her a small smile, assuring everything will be okay. Nodding, Sam went back to the stage to end the show with a high attitude to make sure everything was alright. She couldn't help but notice... He's undoubtedly a different Kimana member

"This way" Dave pointed at the direction of a two-story building with stairs on the side to lead to the top floor and a bottom floor with the Pokémon gym symbol on the sign. Dave looked at how red and weak Crystal looked "A-Are you sure you don't want to take her to a hospital?"

"I'm sure" Crystal and West said "This happened before, so it shouldn't be too hard helping her" even if he is scared that her illness will get so bad to a point where he can't help her. He glanced at his communicator on his wrist, thinking of calling Brenda if it gets that bad enough to contact Wyatt

They proceeded into the house on the top floor, resting Crystal's hot body in the guest room "Sam should be here shortly" Dave smiled "Is there anything I can do for you?"

"No, you've done enough for us. Thank you so much" West bowed. Crystal opened her eyes, staring at her surroundings. This is where Sam lives on the weekdays... "I'll get some supplies to help us out. I'll be back" he rubbed her forehead and walked out of the house, where he saw Aaron standing in front of it like he was expecting him to come out

"Aaron! Where did you go?"

"You won the match... Congratulations. I didn't think you would have to use your Cresselia, but you did" he smiled a little "Proud of yah" West blushed, laughing

"Thanks! Crystal got sick during the match, so I had to leave early after winning. I think you can go in and see her. I'll be right back" he grabbed his shoulder to stop him "What's up?"

"Have you still not figure it out? About her?"

"What do you mean?" Someone screamed not too far from them. Sam fell on her face, face full of tears "Sam!"

"H-Hey..." she wiped her tears away and stood up "How's B- I mean your friend..?" Aaron eyed the panic in her eyes "I can't help but feel guilty about what I did. If only I knew!" She sobbed thick tears. West smiled and sighed. He still can't believe this is the kind of person Rhea came to hate first

"How could you have known?" She pouted "She'll be fine. I'll be back with supplies"

"O-okay!" He waved and ran off. Not noticing Aaron even near them, she ran into the house to run straight to where she would find Crystal, and not seeing he was right behind her. She stormed into the guest room and sobbed towards the ill princess

"Big sister!" Crystal flinched and looked over at Sam running into the room with dirt and cut marks all over her tanned skin from the fall she made during the run here "Are you okay!?" She flopped on the bed

"I should be asking you that... Why are you all dirty? Go clean that blood up, dummy"

"I was in a hurry to see you!" She sobbed "I'm sorry! This is my fault! I wasn't even thinking! I should have used a different move instead of Heatwave! It wouldn't have hit your sensitivity!"

"It's fine" Sam cried more

"No, it's not!" Crystal sat up "No! Don't sit up!" She ignored her and got up to pet her head, giving her a small smile "Big sister..."

"I'm fine, understand? I came all this way for you and the others. This isn't how I wanted to see you, so stop crying" Sam nodded and got off her legs

Aaron stared at the relax look on Crystal's face watching her sister clean off the mess. It was a completely different face than he was used to. She didn't even look at West that way. Aaron knew she left home for her family, and this was a moment right now. He can't tell West... Not only because he was sensitive when it comes to friends, not because he liked her or anything, but because Aaron could tell she cared about him and wanted to make sure he'd get a battle from her. She needed his support as well. He can't tell West, or everything will fall apart

Removing himself from the cracked door, he stepped away and walked pass Dave walking over with a bowl of water "Oh, Aaron, was it?" Crystal peaked at the door "Are you already leaving?"

"Yeah... I gotta go and train. I'll be expecting a rematch soon" Sam looked at Crystal staring at the door

"Big sister?" Crystal smiled "Um... Here. Just rest" she sighed and laid down under the blanket at the same time Dave walked in to place a cool towel on her forehead "You scared me out there... I haven't seen you in so long, and this happens."

"Yeah well... since I'm ill, that means I get to spend more time here. If that's okay..."

"Of course!" Crystal sighed, looking at the ceiling

"Wyatt is getting angrier and worried by the second, I can feel it."

"He's a worry puss! If I see him, leave him to me! I'll take care of you until it's time for you to go!" Crystal held Sam's rosy cheeks and closed her eyes, falling asleep almost immediately

edited on Grammarly 12/6/18