"I accept your challenge," I said, surprising everyone in the room, including myself. 

Blair's smirk slowly diminished as I stood up from the chair I was sitting in and walked towards her. I didn't even have to look back to know Rena was giving me a disapproving look, but I had to do this. Something inside of me said I had to prove that I was good. If this battle was all I had to do to prove to someone I was good, then I'd do it.

But a battle with a Pokémon I've hardly battled with? I wasn't sure if this was a smart idea. No matter what, Blair was going to keep her mouth shut. What was at stake was how much help Rena could give me. Surely, she could visit me after hours, but after opening her own business and inventing as many things as she could to help out the people in this world, Rena hardly had any free time. She had more important things to worry about than me.

"W-wait, really?" Blair asked as I stood a few feet away from her, keeping an open area for our Pokémon to battle.

"Sylvia, don't you dare do this," Rena warned. "Blair, you're—"

"She's right," I interrupted, looking back at Rena. "Look, I know people aren't going to trust me anymore. If a battle is all it's going to take to earn some sort of trust, then I'll give her a battle. Blair doesn't need to be fired or anything because I understand where she's coming from." I turned to look back at my opponent. "If we battle, it will be on my terms. One-on-one. No holding back. No substitutions or use of any items. Understood?"

Blair nodded her head. "Understood. Zoe, I choose you!"

I watched as Blair threw her Poké Ball into the air. A flash of light escaped the capsule as a Pokémon emerged, landing on the ground with her four legs. The Pokémon let out a mighty roar, despite being a small electric-type with some white stripes accenting her black fur. Her blue and yellow eyes stared at me, before the Pokémon took one of her hooves and brushed it on the ground, signaling she was ready for battle.

My lips pressed together. Braviary may have an advantage as he could fly in the air, but a Blitzle wasn't the kind of Pokémon to be easily beat. Even if she still had room to grow and evolve, Blitzle—or Zoe, as Blair nicknamed her—still had the type advantage. She was also a very fast kind of Pokémon.

There was no way I could do this without a plan. If things had gone my way, I would've sent out Audino or Mienshao, who were really good at battling tough opponents. But I couldn't do that when they were hurting right now. I was just lucky enough to have one Pokémon with me who could battle.

I just wish things would've ended a bit differently so that Rena's reputation wasn't on the line. My hand grabbed his Poké Ball and tossed it in the air. Instead of looking at Braviary, I looked back at Rena.

She looked angry as her face grew red and she glared at both Blair and me, but she didn't say a word.

"I'll take the first move," Blair announced. "Zoe, start out with Quick Attack!"

My head snapped back over towards the battle, finding Zoe zipping towards Braviary. The Blitzle didn't seem to have a second to lose. Seeing how fast she was moving, I don't think there was much time that Braviary could dodged it.

"Braviary, use your Aerial Ace attack," I yelled.

Instead of Braviary's body being wrapped in a white light like a normal Aerial Ace would, his body turned white, right before he dove towards Zoe. The light changed into a blue, a sign that he wasn't using Aerial Ace at all, but rather, he was using Brave Bird.

That move would recoil, causing damage. Knowing his and Zoe's attack would hit head on, we couldn't afford having an attack like that. This wasn't a practice battle where there wouldn't be consequences. Like every battle I seem to fight in, there was something at risk.

Even if it was something as small as trust, we couldn't afford to lose it.

The two Pokémon clashed together, but with Braviary being the bigger Pokémon to Zoe, he was able to stand his ground, causing his opponent to bounce back. Zoe landed one her feet, sliding back a bit while her Trainer gave her the next attack.

"Discharge," Blair called.

Zoe didn't even finish sliding as bolts of lighting shot from her body in every direction. Not knowing where this attack would land, I knew we were in big trouble. The Electric-type would cause major damage to a Flying-type like Braviary.

"Use Double Team!" I countered.

Unlike last time, Braviary listened. He multiplied into ten different forms, surrounding the black and white Pokémon. It didn't take long for Zoe's attack to knock down every decoy as the attack was still shooting off bolts of electricity at random.

Before a bolt of electricity could hit Braviary, I saw the Pokémon diving down from behind, hitting Zoe when she wasn't looking. My eyes widened at the scene. I didn't give Braviary directions to use an attack. He should've waited until I told him what to do.

"I get it now," Blair claimed. "You two have a secret way of communicating, don't you?"

My hands tightened into fists. I wish I could say that was the case, but it wasn't. Braviary just wasn't listening to me. If he continued to not listen, we would be in big trouble.

"Braviary," I said as I remembered a move used long ago, "use Attract."

Blair smiled. Somehow, when she was battling, her shy personality seemed to have melted away. The confidence she now had radiated. Seeing that smile on her face made my stomach tightened.

"Counter it with your Attract!" Blair yelled.

Both Pokémon shot their attacks, but only one was clearly more powerful than the other. I should've realized it whenever Rudi and I would battle. He hardly used this move, but I thought it was because I knew how to dodge with my Pokémon. What I didn't know was that it was because Braviary struggled with it a bit. I had to realize it all too late.

It didn't help that I had never seen someone use the same move to counter it. More-so, I've never seen the countered attack ten times stronger. The hearts that came from Zoe's attack was much bigger than Braviary, and they were hurtling towards him.

"Braviary, use Air Slash!" I tried to counter.

Either I was too late or Braviary just wouldn't listen. He tried to fly away from the hearts hurtling towards him until he had nowhere to escape. The hearts crashed into him, and while Braviary tried to shake his head to get rid of them, it was no use. By the time he opened his eyes, he started to gaze over at Blair's Blitzle.

Frustration started to settle in. We needed to win this battle. I wanted to prove to Blair that I wasn't the bad guy, not anymore at least. I wanted to show her, and everyone around me that I was good. I just wanted to be good. Winning this battle could gain some trust. At least, the tiniest bit of trust.

So why was it Braviary wasn't listening to me? I needed him to listen to me!

"Alright," Blair cheered, "Lets hit them with another Discharge!"

My stomach tightened. Basic knowledge was that Electric-Type moves overpowered Flying-Types. Braviary was at a huge disadvantage. Without him listening to me, things could end very, very badly.

I still had to try.

"Braviary, use Protect!"

Bolts of lighting shot out of Zoe's black and white body. They zipped around the room, hitting the ceiling and random chairs and tables. Luckily enough, Rena had always been the precautious type when she created this place. From the past, she normally had a few battled down here with her own Pokémon, and because of that, had everything protected that none of her work would be harmed. An Electric-Type attack like that should've burned the chair, but instead, it was as if nothing happened.

Unfortunately, the chairs and the ceiling weren't the only things that were hit with the Discharge. Braviary didn't even attempt to use Protect as one of those beams zapped him right in the left wing. He fell to the ground, as he lost his balance. The moment he stood up, I could see that he was struggling to stay up.

If that wasn't enough, I could tell Blair and her Pokémon were just getting started on whatever strategy they had planned out.

"Alright then, Zoe use Quick Attack to run around Braviary!" Blair called.

I was confused why she would do that. She could easily use another Discharge or another Electric-Type attack to easily have him down for the count. Just having her run around Braviary seemed a bit off.

She had to be planning something. Before she could get to it, I had to get Braviary thinking straight.

"Braviary, listen to me. I don't know how you and Rudi used to fight, but if you don't listen to me, we are going to lose this fight if you keep acting like this. We need to win this, so please, just trust me on this, please!" I pleaded.

The Flying-Type showed no sign that he would listen to me. Instead, he just stood there, his head whipping back and forth as he tried to watched the Blitzle running around him without moving.

A smile formed on Blair's mouth as she balled her hands into fists. "Okay Zoe, now hit him with your Wild Charge!"

"C'mon Braviary, fly up and dodge it!" I yelled.

As Zoe sprinted over towards Braviary, her body started to electrify. Bolts of lightning wrapped around her. The closer she got to Braviary, the brighter the light became.

Braviary wouldn't move. He just looked over at Zoe, still infatuated by the Pokémon in front of him.

"Braviary! Look out!" I screamed. "Use Protect!"

The Pokémon looked snapped his head back at me for a moment, causing my heart to stop. His eyes still had hearts over them, as he was still under the effect of Attract. He wasn't even looking towards the Blitzle that was about ready to run right into him.

My hand clutched onto the necklace that hung around my neck. There wasn't anything I could do if he wasn't going to listen to me. He needed to listen to me if we were going to win.

We needed to start working as a team...but how could I do that if I hardly knew anything about him.

"Please," I whispered.

Just like that, Zoe rammed right into Braviary, but the Pokémon didn't move. A transparent wall surrounded him at the last minute, causing the Electric-Type to slide back. Her electric bolts of lightning faded. As they did, I realized Blitzle was no longer our opponent.

Standing in Blitzle's place was a Pokémon that was a bit taller than before. When the light had surrounded her when she used her Wild Charge attack, I thought that was because of the move itself. Instead, Blitzle had evolved into a Zebstrika.

Blair seemed to have noticed the change as well as her smile grew ten times bigger than before. "Eep!" she squealed. "You finally evolved into a Zebstrika, Zoe!"

Her Pokémon lifted her head in response. As she did, I noticed the scratches and bruises wrapping around her body. They weren't there before. Braviary had barely landed any attacks before this.

Somehow, she must've done some damage to herself. I glanced over towards Braviary, who used his wings to lift himself off the ground. It took awhile for him to do so. He wobbled the moment his feet lifted from the ground. One more attack on either side, I realized, and it would be over.

"Zoe, use Wild Charge once more!" Blair yelled.

"Braviary," I called out, "dodge it and use Slash!"

The newly evolved Pokémon sprinted towards Braviary, who could barely fly six feet into the air. His head watched the Pokémon as he flew there. He didn't seem to want to move until the very last minute where he dodged the attack and took his wing to use Slash the second the electricity zipped away from Zoe.

While Braviary landed on the ground, Zoe, the Zebstrika, crashed into the ground.

"Zoe!" Blair screamed.

A sigh of relief escaped my lips as I glanced at Braviary. Cuts and bruises decorated his body. When he looked back at me, I realized he was about ready to pass out. His breaths deepen the longer I looked at him, making me realize that if he would've taken one more hit, even if it wasn't effective or caused much damage, Braviary would be out for the count.

If only we were in sync sooner than we did, this wouldn't have happened. That battle was frustrating knowing he wouldn't listen to me. Would battles be like this from now on? Him not listening to me, only listening when it was the end? Hopefully that wasn't the case, otherwise, we would be in big trouble, especially if Team Miasma or that imposter would show up.

Not wanting him to pass out, I returned Braviary back into his Poké Ball. Once inside, I wiped away the sweat that was sticking on my forehead.

"I—I should've known," Blair whispered. I snapped my head up to see the girl tucking the Poké Ball back into her pocket. She dropped her head, refusing to look up at me. "I—I haven't had a battle like that since...thanks."

Blair tried to hide it, but I could tell she was disappointed. She looked up to me, showing there were no tears making an attempt out of her eyes. Instead, the girl gave a small smile and pushed back a strand of her short pink hair that slipped past her ear.

"To be fair, you gave quite a fight," I told her. "If Zoe would've landed one more attack, Braviary and I would be the ones at a loss, not you."

Blair nodded. "Thanks. We just need to get stronger in case anything happens here."

"No," Rena's voice scolded, "Don't think that you're getting off that easy."

I turned around to find Rena still standing behind her work table. Her hands clenched into fists as her mouth twitched in it's set scowl. I've been around Rena long enough to know that look. If someone said one thing wrong, she'd blow up.

"Rena, it's okay," I told her. "I think Braviary and I needed that battle more than we realized. If we are going to save my Pokémon and finally stop Team Miasma and that Braviary Man imposter once and for all, I'm going to need to learn how to work with Braviary. That is until we can get my Pokémon out of those Poké Balls."

The blue haired inventor frowned as she looked down at the three Poké Balls in front of her. I knew it bugged her just as much as it did me that I couldn't have any of my own Pokémon out. At least I had a Pokémon, even if he somewhat refused to listen to me. Things could've gotten a lot worse a whole lot faster if I didn't have him with me.

For all I know, I could still be stuck with Team Miasma. Even though I've helped them find Lantana, I know I'd never be forgiven for putting a stop to them five years ago. They could've made sure I suffered a fate far worse than imaginable.

That wouldn't have happened as it was the Braviary Man imposter who wanted to kill me. Braviary was the only reason I was out alive. My parents, Swanna, even Rudi...they wouldn't be happy if I joined them, especially since there were now two evils lurking around in this world.

I'd have to stop them and make sure that both Team Miasma and that Braviary Man imposter were locked behind bars for good. For that to happen, I would need to learn how to fight alongside Braviary and find those Lunar Wings somehow.

"I'm sorry if I'm overstepping," Blair's voice distracted me from my thoughts. I turned to look at the young woman, seeing her hand clenched into a fist over her heart. "But you said Lunar Wings were the only way to break your Pokémon free from their bonds, correct? I think I might be able to help."

Neither Rena or I spoke a word as we watched her pull her hand away from her. There was a snapping sound that followed. I was confused as to how that happened, but then Blair opened the palm of her hand towards me, revealing a yellowish-green curved feather tied to a necklace.

It didn't look like much to me, but hearing Rena gasp, I soon found out that feather was anything but ordinary.

"A Lunar Wing," Rena said in awe. "How did you get your hands on one?"

Blair lowered her head as she walked over towards me. My eyes were fixed onto that feather until she placed it in my hand. I blinked for a moment, seeing the feather was smaller than what I had expected as the ends barely reached the opposite ends of my palm.

We have one Lunar Wing. That meant one of my Pokémon could actually be saved.

I looked up at Blair. She turned her head to face Rena, biting her lip.

"It's a long story," Blair said as she shoved her hands into her pockets, "but I hope this can be of help."

"One won't be enough," Rena snapped. "We need a Lunar Wing for every one of her Pokémon that's trapped. You're lucky enough my invention works with one Pokémon at a time, but that doesn't help that there will be two Pokémon suffering. We need more Lunar Wings."

Blair took another deep breath as she looked me in the eyes and frowned. "Look, I know I'm not much help around here, but a single Lunar Wing is hard to obtain. I only have one because it—it's been passed down from my family for generations."

"How'd your family get ahold of this?" Rena asked.

"B-because," Blair started to stutter as she shifted back and forth on her feet uncomfortably. "I—well, we-we are part of a-a group called the Legendary Guardians. It-it's our job to keep an item safe. That item is-is passed down from generation to generation."

Rena and I shared a glance for a moment. I didn't have to ask what she was thinking to know Rena had no idea what was going on either.

"Who are the Legendary Guardians?" Rena carefully asked as she looked back at the pink haired woman.

"Well, y-you know how Unova doesn't have Pokémon that are common in other regions, and those that are found are said to have originated here in Unova?" Blair asked. I turned to look at her, giving her a nod. It was a concept Pokémon nurses were familiar with, especially those from the Unova region as those were the Pokémon they'd work with. "Unova wasn't always like that."

"That's a bunch of Tauros shit!" Rena claimed.

I shot her a look, silently telling her to stop. It shocked Rena as she noticed my glare. Her lips pressed together as she lowered her head.

"What was Unova like?" I asked a bit more gently than how Rena had been asking questions. "What happened that they left?"

Blair scratched the back of her neck. "W-well, from what I-I've been told, there were all kinds of Pokémon living here, including some Legendaries like Cresselia and Raikou, and Mythical Pokémon like Manaphy and Marshadow. Each having their own, um, item that could help. One day, disaster struck Unova, giving the Pokémon one of two options. They could either stay, or flee.

"The people were stuck. At least, that's what my pops told me. They couldn't leave because they believed Unova was their home, so some of the important Pokémon trusted them with an item to give them in case something happens. It could've been an item to-to summon them, or something to help people in battle. My ancestor got one of the few Lunar Wings.

"But, y-you see, there's a problem with anyone who, uh, has these items," Blair said as she broke eye contact and looked down at the ground. "P-people have b-been hunting us down. They want to sell these items or use them for their own good. We aren't supposed to use them to summon a Pokémon or really use them unless Unova really needs help. I-It's part of the promise we, well, my ancestors made."

My eyes widened in surprise. It was surprising that someone would be given a huge responsibility like that, even if it was a long time ago. At the same time, her words made sense. Here in Unova, we only had Pokémon that originated here, unless you counted the White Forest. Special Items, like a Lunar Wing or a Key Stone were impossible to find in the Unova Regions. If there weren't any Pokémon that could produce or use it, then it wasn't going to be found here.

Key Stones, well, they were really only found in two places. While an Audino could use a Audinite that could be activated by a Key Stone, you'd have to go to Kalos or Hoenn for that.

Hearing that there were certain families that had these items was surprising. They left Unova and trusted people to only call on them if it was necessary. It made me wonder what happened to Unova that was so terrible that they had to leave? Whatever it was, it had to be far worse than what Team Miasma and Team Oblivion put us through.

Who knows what could've happened if one of them had an item that could've summoned a rare Pokémon such as Mew or another Legendary or Mythical Pokémon?

I looked down, remembering my first and only battle with Taipan, the original leader of Team Miasma. Maybe some of them did have an item. Afterall, Taipan had a Keystone that he used for his Gengar. I didn't think much about it then, but now I was starting to wonder if he stole that from someone who was keeping the item safe.

Maybe that was part of the reason for their multiple and seemingly random attacks back then, I thought to myself. One thing was for certain. I would never understand Team Miasma. Whenever I thought I knew everything about them, something keeps popping up. First, it was what they were after, and their true purpose. Then it was Gila's personal relationship with Rudi. Now, this.

That didn't matter at the moment. That was in the past, but learning from it could potentially help us right now. Taipan might have gotten that from someone here. I could only imagine what happened to those people.

No wonder why Blair looked as if she was scared to death the moment she saw me. She already had to worry about keeping the Lunar Wing safe, but being that I was affiliated with Team Miasma, I couldn't imagine how terrified she must be.

"Do you know of any other family that may have a Lunar Wing, or something that could help?" I asked. "Maybe they could help."

Blair shook her head as she looked back at me. "It's not necessarily that easy. See, our job isn't just to protect a unique item, but it's also to keep it a secret. After what happened a few years ago, we can't trust people. I wish I knew more about what happened then, but my pops didn't tell me. I'm sorry. I know I should've trusted you guys sooner, but I—I can't afford to trust someone when they can just..."

The pink-haired woman took her glasses off and started to clean them with a part of her romper. I could tell by the way she was avoiding eye contact—not by taking her glasses off all of a sudden, but because she was looking down at the ground—she didn't want to talk about it. Unfortunately, Rena didn't see that.

"It's a simple Lunar Wing. What could anyone do with a Lunar Wing other than get rid of nightmares?" Rena questioned.

I snapped my head towards my friend, shocked by how cold her comment was. It was awful that she was still clearly upset with everything that had happened. Even if that was the sole purpose of a Lunar Wing, I wouldn't be surprised if people would try to steal it and sell it in the black market. If not that...

"A Lunar Wing can summon Cresselia," Blair quickly confirmed my thoughts. I turned to look at her as she slid her glasses back onto her face. "They can't necessarily control the Pokémon, b-but they can i-if they have something like a Master Ball or some device created to control Pokémon."

In the corner of my eye, I saw Rena was about ready to shoot another comment, but I quickly interrupted her. I could tell by Blair's words that she was still shaken by everything that had happened. All Rena would have to do was snap one more time, and Blair would break down.

I'd know. I've seen that look in her eyes before...a few too many times before.

"That could end badly. Is there anything else that it could be used for besides summoning Cresselia here?" I asked.

Blair looked down as she started to rub her thumbs against her other four fingers. Whatever else a Lunar Wing could do wasn't good. I didn't need to know what that was.

What I needed were those Lunar Wings, at least just two more. Blair might not have had all of them, but she had one thing that would help us. She knew everything there was about Lunar Wings. Somehow, I had a feeling that would come in handy.

"You don't have to answer it if it makes you uncomfortable," I told her. "If you don't mind, I'd like to learn more about the Lunar Wing, and if there's any more of them here." Blair opened her mouth, and by the way her eyes widen, I knew she was going to protest against it, so I quickly added. "When you're ready."

"The hell, Sylvia! We don't have that sort of time!" Rena argued.

I flinched at her words. My arms slowly wrapped around myself.

Your time is running out. Her voice echoed. I think it's about time we speed things up.

I shoved the memory away as much as I could. They were both right. My time was running out. If I didn't do something quick, my Pokémon would suffer. I couldn't let that happen. They needed me. They counted on me to get them back.

When I looked at Blair, I noticed the poor young woman shaking. It wasn't because of the time crunch. It was because she was scared at what Rena would do. I was too afraid to see what Rena looked like as she took a step in front of me. For all I know, Rena could—

No. Rena wouldn't be that cruel. Rena wouldn't do that because Rena wasn't Gila.

"We don't," I agreed, stopping Rena in her tracks. Blair turned her head towards me as her pink eyes widened in even more fear. It was probably the same fear I had buried inside me every moment I was with Team Miasma. She didn't deserve this. The young secretary just walked in on this at the wrong time. "But I don't want to force things out of her that she's not comfortable with. It's not right."

Rena turned around. Her blue eyes widened, but it wasn't in fear. It was shock. Shock that I had dared to talk like that when my Pokémon were suffering.

While they were suffering, I knew Blair was too. I knew what it was like to try and keep something or someone safe. The expense of it was horrifying, and one wrong move could be the end. There was a reason Blair wasn't going to tell us the bad things a Lunar Wing could do if in the wrong hands. We had to prove to her that we weren't going to do that. Only then would she open up to us about information about the Lunar Wing. We just had to be patient.

"You really care for your Pokémon, don't you?" Blair asked.

I nodded my head. "I do. They're good Pokémon, and never meant to harm anyone. I-I know what it's like to lose a valuable friend. She was always by my side, battling and helping me with everything. We didn't get along at first. I mean, the young Ducklett was all alone before I found her. She had every right to be guarded, but with her help, I was able to take down Team Miasma the first time."

Tears started to stung my eyes. As they did, I closed them, seeing the one Pokémon I had failed. If only I was faster. If only I didn't pull her into this mess. If only...

"I couldn't save her, but if I had the chance to save her, I would, but I didn't," I told Blair. "The way you battled with Zoe, it reminded me of the time Ducklet evolved to help us in battle against a member of Team Miasma. You two are really something." I opened my eyes and forced a smile on my face. "You know how much she means to you. That's how my Pokémon are to me. They aren't tools. Each of them have a personality of their own. But, I can't save them without your help. So, when you're ready, whether that be tonight or tomorrow, please, let Rena and I know all that you know about the Lunar Wing to help us figure out where to find them, how to get Rena's machine to work, everything. We don't have much time, but I'm not going to force the information out of you if you're not ready."

I turned to look at Rena, who still stood there, frozen. "Don't be too harsh on Blair. She's only doing her best. Trust me, I know she is. She's only human after all."

No one said a word, but I didn't mind. Rena had the Lunar Wing and my Pokémon. With time, I knew she'd be able to figure out how a Lunar Wing would work into her invention. She already seemed to know, but having more information about it would be helpful, I'm sure. That was one thing I've noticed about working alongside Rena these past couple of years. Her knowledge is what keeps people safe, so if there was something she wasn't in the know about, she would do her research on it.

It made me feel relieved that part of her didn't change, but worried that her temper stayed the same. If anything, seeing how she nearly ripped Blair to shreds, she got worse. I remembered back when we first met. Rena tried her hardest to control her anger. As the years had gone by, I noticed her struggling a bit with it. Today, it just seemed to be one of her worst days. I feared I might have been part of the cause.

Not knowing what else to do, I started to walk out of Rena's main workroom and towards the elevator. Rena had updated me on progress. We were able to figure out something about the Lunar Wing. While I wanted to see how she was doing after everything that had happened, I realized now wasn't the right time. The Braviary Man imposter was out there somewhere, probably searching for me so he could end me. While I wouldn't run away if that was my fate, I needed to make sure my Pokémon were safe first.

Not to mention, a part of me somewhat feared Team Miasma had escaped. If that was the case, I could be in big trouble.

I couldn't fear that right now. As of right now, I had to take things one at a time. My Pokémon were my top priority.

"Wait," I heard Blair's voice stop me as my finger started to reach for the elevator button.

I turned my head, seeing the pink haired woman turned around and bowed her head. "I-I'm sorry for everything you've been through. I just don't—I don't want to be part of a bigger problem. I'll help. I'll help Ms. Rhea with the Lunar Wing, but there's one thing you should know about the powers of a Lunar Wing. It-it doesn't just bring out a lot of light that can help Pokémon out of their Poké Ball. In your Pokémon's case, the reason it can help, it-it's because they're living their biggest nightmares in there and can't escape. A Lunar Wing helps with nightmares, you know.

"But," Blair's voice darkened a bit as she continued, "a Lunar Wing can do more than just summon and take people and Pokémon out of a nightmarish state. It can help defeat powerful Pokémon, such as Darkrai or any nightmarish Pokémon for that matter that they can have the Pokémon in their control. That's why I-I-I have to be careful. Please, understand."

A sigh escaped my lips. Blair was simply afraid of what could happen. If there was one thing Rudi's favorite old movies and tv shows have taught me, it was that you never trusted those who were close to you. Anyone could've turned on you when you least expected it. It could be a close friend, a co-worker, even a family member. Just as long as the person had some sort of malicious intent, it didn't matter.

Blair was scared that would happen to her.

"I understand. Just take it easy and trust Rena. She's a lot to handle, but she has a good heart." I told Blair.

Rena's expression hardened to a sour one, almost as if she was going to say something against it, but it was too late. The elevator door opened, allowing me to step inside and leave Rena's Widgets.

Important and Long Author's Note:

I apologize for the long wait, but I'm even more sorry with the announcement that follows the wait: I'm officially putting this book on hiatus until Christmas. The reason being isn't because of the BNHA fic I am starting to plan out, but because I want to finish this book, I want to make sure the edits are 100% perfect (both future chapters and going back to edit these ones that are up...specially since this one's another mess), and I've got a lot of schoolwork/post school stuff I've got to make a priority.

And my goal is to have this book continued to be updating by Christmas...but it could be longer. I apologize in advance for the long wait. It will be worth it, I promise you (especially the next chapter...though I could be a bit biased as the next part has one of my fav. scenes in it).

I thank you in advance for being so patient. Before anyone starts to worry, this book won't be a forgotten project. I have an ending planned out, and that ending will see the light of day.

In the meantime, Pokémon Sword and Shield has just been released. Remember, some people have not gotten the game yet, or haven't gotten far into the game, so please, do not spoil the details for those who haven't gotten the game or have finished it yet. It will be much appreciated, especially since someone spoiled most of it by leaking every aspect of the game a week before release (which, while it was nice to see the Pokémon released beforehand, it was not cool that wasn't the only aspect of the game that was released, ruining the games for peps).

But, in honor of Pokémon Sword and Shield, I want to know, which Starter Pokémon are you going to start out with? I've already started out with Scorbunny, but I'm already planning on playing the game three times to play with all three. There's something really cool about each of them the more I look at them, and it gets me excited to finish this game so that I can try it again (who knows, maybe it'll be easier with a different Pokémon...only time will tell!)

Okay, I hope you all have a wonderful week. Cya'll around Christmas time (maybe later...but hopefully before). Take care everyone!