FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Please note: The following story contains interactions of a sexual nature. If you are not of legal age on your country, go no further.

Pokémon does not belong to me. No money is being made from this; No copyright infringement is intended.

=== MEET XV

"Get him!" A male voice was heard, echoing in the vast darkness.

"He's moving too fast!" A female voice answered.

"Wait... Look out, Elys!"

"No! Freya!" The anguished scream was heard from the first voice.

"I'm fine... Focus!"

"This is it!" A louder voice was heard. "I've got him! Ready? Let's finish him!"

Suddenly, everything went blank, dissolving away in a bright flash. After that, nothing but darkness was left again. This went on for a while before one of the voices from before was heard again.

"They fought for their ideals..."

"They?" The answer came from the darkness itself. "Who?"

"Unlike you, he knew how to deny what was wrong... He didn't just sit by with his doubts, letting others do harm to innocents."

"What was... wrong?" The answer came again. "But... I've been told... I'm no one to choose or know what's wrong."

"Have you no will or reason of your own?... If that's the case... I urge you to think it over. My command to you is... Wake up! Wake up and try to reason for yourself: What IS wrong?!"

"Wait! What? Wait, no... AHHHH!"

A Pichu woke up with a gasp in the early morning. He took a moment to catch his breath before trying to remember what had just happened. It took him a while before he finally remembered: He was having a dream. And not just any common dream; It was a dream like the ones he ha been having for quite some time now: Voices, names, and a sudden flash. After the flash, he'd usually hear a voice talk to him in a cryptic, mystifying way, and then there'd be another flash. The strange thing was the strange way he felt whenever he had these dreams: It was a mixture of anguish and excitement. Like most mornings, he chose to ignore his dreams for the time being and got up from the bed he was lying on.

He stood still in his room for a while, trying to fully wake up. The room was a large, grey extension of equally grey tiles. Come to think of it, it was more like a hall. He kept the small bed he slept with and all of his belongings in the corner that was the closest to the door, as he felt that placing anything on the room's other end only meant having to walk more.

As expected, this was no ordinary Pichu. Even if he did look like one: The small, yellow body, which was so clear in color that it was almost white, pointy yellow ears with black tips, pink cheeks, and a black tail. He seemed common in almost every aspect... He was not. This Pichu, as strange as it might sound, was created in a laboratory and born to belong in a group that went by the name of 'Midnight Voices'. He occasionally heard some of the older ones refer to it as 'Thousand- Five', but he hadn't really paid too much attention to that title. This group was composed of nineteen 'Genetically superior' Pokémon that had all, like him, been made. What was this group's goal? To establish total and absolute control over the world. Because of this, this Pichu had been raised under the belief that the 'normal' inhabitants of the world were nothing, and that he, being superior, had every right to trample them as he pleased.

He never really believed in that.

Being what he was -a product of genetic alteration- He hadn't been given a name. Like most others he worked with, he referred to himself by the number that had been marked on his right forearm, which was nearly invisible unless he focused really hard on seeing it: XV.

Finally waking up fully, he shook his head and realized he was late. He was late for breakfast; he was late for briefing... He was probably late for whatever he had been assigned to do for the day.

He grabbed a blue band with a 'XV' on it, placed it on his left forearm, and ran out of his room.

He ran down the hallways of the gigantic fortress his group used as its main stronghold. He had heard about other places that were used as facilities for training and experimentation, but he had never been picked to go to one as to know if they were all like this one: Dark and unnerving. The fortress' sinister atmosphere was boosted by another fact: It was built in a gap between dimensions that had been made a long time ago when the lords of time and space clashed. Because of the fact that it was not in the normal world (or in any world at all), sun didn't shine on that place. Perpetual darkness. The name 'Midnight world' couldn't be more fitting for a place like that.

As he kept running, he crashed against a Lucario. XV was knocked back and left quite dazed by the impact. The Lucario, who didn't even budge, looked down at him, then stretched out his hand to help him up.

"Thanks, III," XV said as he got up. The only answer he got was a severe and rather cold stare from the Lucario.

"You're late, you're lazy and you're careless," III answered. "Briefing's passed without you. You're supposed to head out to Lizean and kill off some Exploud agitator that's been stirring the resistance."

"Right!" XV gave a determined nod, then kept running.

"It took two days to train him," III muttered as he saw the Pichu vanish down the dark hallways. "I guess that's what I did wrong..."

XV was in a rush now. He was supposed to be somewhere he wasn't, and worst of all, it was the kind of job that usually earned him a lot of scolding and criticism. Why? Because he always asked the same thing: "Why do we kill them?". In time, this ended up earning him two cold replies:

"You are no one to question what is right or wrong. Your job is to fight, not to think," The answer was given to him by professor D'Wilde. A rather brilliant Alakazam scientist, and the one who funded and commanded the entire group's operations. Their 'leader', so to speak.

The other one: "Because, if you don't kill them when they're in front of you, they'll kill you first. I'd like that, but I don't think you would." This one came from XVI. His 'older sister' Zangoose. They never got along too well, so he always though she said that to tease him.

He kept running. And, once again, carelessly crashed against someone else. XV closed his eyes as he was knocked back once again. He rubbed and shook his head, trying to ease the pain he got from this new crash.

"Ah, goodness... Are you well, XV?" The question came from a Raichu. Unlike most, this one was incredibly thin. A ruffle in the fur on his head gave him a rather peculiar hairdo. He was wearing a pair of glasses and a white labcoat. His fur was, like XV's, incredibly clear, almost white.

"Uh... Yes,sir, professor Van Burke!" XV answered. The Raichu that he crashed against was professor Van Burke: Another brilliant mind, and responsible for the creation of quite a few of the Pokémon he worked with. "I ran into III a while ago. He told me what my job for today was, and I'm just in a rush to get there quick!"

"I understand," Van Burke answered. "They were quite upset when you didn't show up... By all means, hurry up! And fight well. Show them what you can achieve!"

"Right!" XV said as he got up and kept running. "I've got work to do!"

He left the fortress and continued on the outside until he reached the spatial gate. This was what they used to travel through dimensions into the regular world. Thanks to that, they could be anywhere anytime, not having to worry about the time that was lost while traveling, not to mention that was the only way out of their world. As he walked towards the gate, he saw a Zangoose standing cross- armed next to it. Like most of her species, she was quite muscular, but also somewhat plump (reminding her of that was sure to get whoever did it defenestrated). The usual crimson markings that are present in the body of a Zangoose were not there, leaving her fur a clean, snow white. At the tip of her paws were two sets of menacing- looking claws that, judging by appearances, could have easily slashed through thick steel. That was XVI, as marked by the red band that covered her left forearm.

XV approached her to say hello, but the only thing he got was a rather painful kick from the larger Pokémon.

"Hey!" XV said as he got up from the kick. "What's that for?!"

"For being late and making me miss out on the fun!" XVI answered. "They had me stay and wait here for you! Now, Let's hurry it up!" Not giving XV a chance to answer, she grabbed him and tossed him into the gate, then walked into it herself. "To the outskirts of Lizean, you dumb thing! And make it snappy!"

===ANOTHER DAY ON THE JOB

XV closed his eyes as he felt reality around him dissolve. He hated that sensation; It was like falling off a roller coaster after riding it for ten minutes. It always left him dazed and dizzy. When he opened his eyes again they were standing in a vast, snowy field. The cloudy, grey skies prevented sunlight from reaching them as a cold, cruel wind blew. Behind them was a large city, its dark buildings standing out in contrast to the snow's white, which rendered XVI almost invisible because of her fur's color. He was barely recovering from the dizziness when he felt the clawed paws grip his hands and drag him around the snow as he was moved forward by an annoyed Zangoose. He was shivering from the cold of the snow against his body, but XVI couldn't have cared less.

"Come on! The others are there already!" She yelled at the Pichu as she dragged him about. "It's always the same! What's the use of that talent of yours if you're not around to use it?!"

The 'talent' XVI referred to was a special trait XV had that was, much to the envy of some, unique to him: Part of the alterations and changes done to his genes resulted in him developing a rather unique power: He could learn, duplicate and perform every last move, ability or trait of others; all it took for him to do so was to be hit by them or be close when they were done, and was able to learn and use any attack he pleased. This had grown to turn him into a somewhat important part of the entire 'domination scheme', as his versatility came in handy for all kinds of work. He hadn't been dragged around for too long when he felt his 'sister' come to a stop in front of what looked like a mountain. He could have sworn it was a mountain if it wasn't for the green piece of cloth with a 'XII' on it that could be seen in it.

"Hey, we're here!" XVI called out to the mountain as she poked it with her claws. "Did we miss out on anything?"

"Huh?" The mountain turned around. That was no mountain; it was an Aggron. He looked down at the two and scratched the back of his head for a while before noticing them. "Hey, It's XVI! Sorry, but you're a little hard to notice in this weather... Why are you here? Weren't you supposed to be waiting for XV?"

"Right here, dumbass!" She said as she raised her paw and pulled the Pichu up, lifting him as high as she could so the Aggron could see him.

"Ah, right... Sorry, little guy," XII said as he leaned to get a closer look. "But you're hard to notice too, what with your size and all, I could've sworn you were just a speck of pollen! Though it'd be weird, having Pollen in snow like this..."

"Are you three done talkeeng?" The voice came from behind them. All three turned around to see who it was: Green arms with gigantic hands, a band with a 'VII' on one of them, an orange bill, large eyes, a shaggy, yellow poncho, and a green sombrero; A Ludicolo, which was a rather unusual sight in a place as cold as the one they were at.

"Hey, VII! They finally catched up!" XII told the Ludicolo.

"Bien, good..." VII answered. "Now... Our mission: Thees Exploud guy has been goeeng around, steerring us trouble with the Leezean reseestance."

"He talks so weird..." XVI whispered at the Pichu next to her. "It's funny, but a little annoying."

"And, as your supereeor, I am going to take poeent! So let's go! Onwards, amigos! Let's get crazee!" As he finished saying this, the Ludicolo took off with a step that was somewhere between a dance and a jog.

"Our 'supereeor'?" The Zangoose scoffed. "He just thinks he is, but he's not above me in our ranks... Anyway, let's roll!" She took XV's hand again and sprinted off. Noticing the she was moving slower than VII, she tossed the Pichu away and started running on all fours, which made her remarkably faster.

XV got up and managed to roll away while yelling "look out!" with his tiny voice just in time to avoid XII's foot crushing him.

"Sorry, runt!" The Aggron called back at the smaller one as he ran off, the ground trembling with every step he took. "Like I said, you're so tiny! Maybe if you actually tried evolving!"

The Pichu simply wiped some snow off himself and took off after them, trying his best to catch up. The fact that he was still a Pichu at the age of two was something that was always picked as a laughing matter by the rest of his colleagues. They'd make fun of the fact that he hadn't evolved, even if all it took for him to evolve into a Pichu was happiness. He couldn't understand why he wasn't able to; he simply couldn't.

They dashed through the white, snowy field, each of them moving as fast as they could as the white flakes that fell from the grey, depressing sky slowly covered what trail they left on the ground. There was something unusual about this day, yet no one except XV seemed to notice. He felt anxious and uneasy, even more than he usually did whenever he was asked to carry out orders involving ending the lives of others. He never minded couriering or scouting around, in fact, he liked to feel like he was useful in spite of how much weaker he was, but killing was the one thing he never enjoyed, even when he noticed some of the others did. After a while of running they stopped at a ledge that overlooked a lower portion of the fields. VII crouched at the top, followed by XVI. Both of them looked down at the group that was gathered below them. There were no Pokémon that looked like an actual threat, except for the one large, menacing and very angry- looking Exploud. He was pacing back and forth around the others, which were sitting in a circle.

"Hey, runt!" XVI called XV. "Come over here, will ya? You stay there, XII. You're too easy to notice."

"So, that's thee guee..." VII said. His sombrero cast a shadow that hid his eyes and gave him a strangely cunning look. "Well, niño," he grabbed XV's hand. "Off you go!" He threw the Pichu down to where the Exploud and the others were. The mouse flew through the air and landed a few feet away from them.

"WHAT WAS THAT?!" The Exploud yelled.

"Ah, this can't be good..." A Glaceon with a red kerchief tied around his neck said lowly as he walked away. "See you later, Ar... And, um... Vive la resistance, huh?"

"WAIT! DAISA!" The Exploud gigantic voice could have been heard a mile away, yet the Glaceon didn't turn back ; all the opposite, he dashed away even faster, until the snow naturally hid him from sight. "AH, DAMN! WHAT WAS THAT ABOUT?!"

XV got up and, once again, cleaned some snow off himself. Unfortunately, he was noticed by his enemies.

"Boss, It's the Midnight Voices!" A Piloswine told the Exploud. "They've found us!"

"AH, HELL!" The Exploud roared. "WELL, WE AIN'T GOING DOWN WITHOUT A FIGHT! GET HIM!"

"And that's where we come in!" XVI said with a smile as she leapt off the ledge and landed on the Piloswine, killing him in a single, quick slash.

"Ha, si!" VII yelled as he jumped off, spinning in dancing motion. "Let's dance, babee! XII, staee here!"

"Whatever you say..."

Each led their own fights, and XV was forced to deal with none other than the Exploud, who was walking towards him with a furious glare. Once he was in front of the small Pichu, he swung his massive fist at him, which XV could dodge by a tiny frame, but was unable to avoid the second. XV was sent flying away, crying in pain.

"Ah, they got him again..." XVI held her paw to her face and shook her head. She was standing on top of a dead Mamoswine.

"Aye guess we're made of tougher stuff than he ees!" VII said.

XV got up and shook his head. He was seeing double from the blow he had just taken. Unfortunately, that was the point in which what XVI told him proved to be true: Unless he fought back and defeated his adversary, he'd be the one to get killed. He ran at the Exploud and hit him with a Mega Punch, which made the Exploud stagger. He tensed his arms, and his small hands changed and were replaced by sets of black claws, akin to a Zangoose's.

"And then he tries to imitate my claws..." XVI said as she and VII spectated the fight atop a pile of bodies. "I wish I had a power like that..."

"Meh, you're not meesseeng out on anytheeng speceeal," The Ludicolo told her.

XV leapt at the Exploud and slashed him twice on the face. The Exploud stapped back, covering his face and grunting in rage. Even though it couldn't be noticed because he was covering it, his face was a deep red from anger. Getting up, he shook his head furiously, unable to contain his fury. He stepped back until he was against the rocky wall of the ledge XII was standing on.

"STUPID KID!" He roared. "HOW CAN YOU DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS?! YOU FREAK! BUT YOU'RE ABOUT TO FEEL SOME REAL HURT!" He took in as much air as he could, then let out a roar far louder than any he had made before. XV was blown back, while XVI covered her ears. The Ludicolo next to her didn't even flinch. The ground itself was shaking from the intensity.

"How can you not hear that?!" XVI told VII after the loud scream was over.

"Are you keeddeeng?" VII answered. "Aye leesten to miuseec louder than thees all da taime!"

XV got up again, feeling dazed by the loud noise. He quickly recovered and walked back to where he was standing. "Ah, yeah?" Try this!" He did the exact same thing the Exploud did, taking in as much air as he could, then letting out a loud yell. Once again, XVI covered her ears and VII simply sat there. The ground shook again, but the Exploud, like VII, was unaffected by the Hyper Voice attack.

"IDIOT!" The Exploud yelled. "THAT HAS NO EFFECT ON ME!"

"But this does!" XII said as he stomped the ground as strongly as he could, causing several rocks that were loosened by both the Exploud and XV's Hyper Voice to fall on top of the Exploud, crushing him.

"And that's that!" XVI said as she got up and began to walk away. "Time to head back to the fortress and report. Let's roll!"

"Yaha!" VII said with enthusiasm. "Thees has been the easiest job of the week!"

"Alright, see ya there!" XII called them as he turned around. "I'm going to Lizean for a while to see if anything needs to be taken care of."

"I'll go to Lizean too..." XV said lowly. "I... I just need to think something over..."

"Alright, little guy... Can you make it back on your own?" XVI asked him. "Suits me better if you got lost, but I don't think the boss would like that, huh?"

"It's okay," XV answered. "I'll get XII to take me back later..."

"Okay, see you later, then... Wimp!" She kicked XV, knocking him down to the snowy ground again.

"Sure... See you..." XV got up and walked south after XII, towards the city of Lizean...

===THINKING IT OVER

'What's the matter with me?' XV thought as he stared off into the snow- covered fields in the distance. He was sitting at the top of a snowy hill that overlooked a vast portion of the fields ahead. Around the hill were several grey and depressing buildings. Steam was coming out of some vents on their sides, causing the snow around them to melt. That was the city of Lizean. The Northernmost city of the world, the one closest to where the entrance to the Midnight World was, and thus, the first city the Midnight Voices took over. That happened 3 months ago, and ever since, they had been having trouble putting down rebels and resistance fighters that rose against them.

'Why? Why do I get this weird feeling? I feel like I'm... Empty...'

**Perhaps you are.**

XV felt strange about how his mind had just answered his own question. Then he remembered how familiar that voice was: It was the same one that talked to him in his dreams. 'Don't you get enough of bothering me in my dreams?'

**Are you really satisfied with what you do? If you were satisfied and happy, why couldn't you evolve?**

'I have no reason to not be happy... I have a huge home, I have power, I have friends...'

**How many of them are really your friends?**

The Voice made a good point with that. Most of the others would use him as laughing stock or look down on him... Okay, maybe he wasn't happy, maybe he didn't like what he did. But what could he possibly do about it?

"Hiya!" The cheerful greeting came from a Plusle that approached XV from behind and covered his eyes. "Guess who?"

"You're carmine," XV answered.

"Good guess," Came another, calmer voice.

"And you're Lapis," XV said. "What have you two been up to?"

"Ah, nothing big," Carmine replied as he took his paws off XV's eyes. "Just hanging around town... We brought you something, though!" He pulled out a blue band and tied it around XV's head. "See? What do you think?"

"I don't know," XV answered. "I can't see it."

"I told you he wouldn't like it..." Lapis said sadly.

"It's okay, you two," The Pichu told the other two. "I'm sure it looks good if you picked it for me."

Those were Carmine and Lapis; A rather upbeat Plusle and an usually sad Minun that worked for XV. He didn't see them as underlings or anything of that sort however. Among all the Pokémon that worked for the Midnight Voices, Those two were the only ones XV always thought he could call friends.

The three were now sitting on top of the hill, staring into the distance.

"What's on our mind?" Lapis asked XV. "You look down. That's usually my thing..."

"Ever get this feeling what we do is wrong?" XV answered her question with one of his own.

"Well... Yeah," Carmine answered. "It's not like there's much of a choice. It's what we do for a living, and if we don't like it, it's not like we can quit or anything..."

"Quit?" XV looked at the Plusle. The word seemed to have awakened something on his mind: Perhaps the dislike for killing, perhaps the way he questioned what he was told... Perhaps he didn't really belong with them. The nerves and anxiety whenever he had to end the lives of others... And it all added into the solution Carmine had unwillingly offered him: Quit. If, at the age he was, he still hadn't managed to evolve, and all it took for him to achieve that was to be happy, then maybe he wasn't happy doing what he did... The idea planted itself in his head: What if he quit? Would they go after him? That was a risk, sure, but it didn't mean he couldn't try... "Carmine," He said as he got up. "You're a genius."

"Huh? Well, thanks, but... Why?"

"That's the solution!" XV answered. "If we don't like what we do, if we're not happy with being a part of this, then all we have to do is quit!"

"What?!" The Minun and Plusle asked in surprise at the same time.

"You can't be serious, lord XV!" Carmine told him.

"You'll get nothing but trouble if you even try to," Lapis added.

"Well, I want to evolve and be strong!" XV replied. "And I'm sick of making others unhappy! This is it... Tonight, I quit. Keep it quiet, please?" Saying this, he ran out of the other two's sight, heading into the streets, looking for XII.

"Nice going, moron," Lapis said in her sad tone, staring into the distance. "You just bought our best friend a ticket to suffering."

"He can't be serious," Carmine answered. "I don't think he'd dare quit."

"You didn't think I'd dare punch you, and yet I did," Lapis replied.

"Ugh, you're right," The Plusle felt a lump on his throat at the thought his words had gotten his leader and best friend in trouble. "Well, let's just think positive and hope that doesn't happen."

"Yeah, let's..."

"Stop!" Two Hitmonlee ran past the hill, chasing after a Glaceon and Jolteon. Both had red kerchiefs tied around their necks, but the Jolteon's looked far darker than the Glaceon's. "Return the TM! It's our property!"

"Oh, you want it?" The Jolteon answered as they both turned around to face their pursuers. "You can have it..." He placed his paw on the CD- like machine, which let out a bright glow before fading to a dim color. "Here!" He flung the used TM, which hit one of the Hitmonlee in the face. "There you go!"

"Nice one, Hagen!" The Glaceon told him.

"Learned from the best!" The Jolteon replied. "Now, let's go back and see how Pops and Tanya are doing."

"You're forgetting someone," The Glaceon answered.

"Hey, she's your girl, worrying about her ain't my thing," Hagen replied.

"Whatever man, Let's go!" They both took off walking past the Hitmonlee that was still standing, not paying attention to him.

"You think we should help?" Carmine asked Lapis as they watched the scene that was taking place below them.

"Nah, I don't want to get to get in trouble," Lapis answered. "The Jolteon and Glaceon would beat us up..."

"Always so negative..."

===RESIGNATION

Hours had passed since XV returned to his world. He had spent almost all time since then mulling over whether or not to quit. The thought was now buried in his mind: All he could think off. Some kind of strange impulse told him it was the right thing to do, yet he wasn't so sure... It was as if a part of him wanted to stay and help the domination progress, but a much stronger part of him wanted to leave and find a place where he was happy; One where he really did belong...

The Latter finally won.

He got up, and, almost in no control of his actions, walked out of his room. He wandered through the dark hallways, reaching the exit and stepping into the Spatial Gate.

"I want happiness," He said these words without realizing it, and soon, the world dissolved around him again. He was gone with a flash, not aware the someone had been watching his every move...

"He left... And, from what I've been listening, he quit..." The one who watched him said. "I wonder if he bothered leaving a letter of resignation?"

XV was hanging on as strongly as he could. Even if he couldn't see what he was hanging on to, he was dong his best to not let go as he traveled through dimensions at an incredible speed. He was, literally, feeling himself coming out of himself. The dizziness was still there, and he was losing consciousness... He tried his best to stay in reality, but it was in vain. He let go, slipping away from the world as he lost consciousness.

"And so, it starts... My revenge... Mine and my friends'. I just need him to realize who he is..."

Hours later...

"He quit?" An Alakazam in a .labcoat said in disbelief. He was standing in a sinister- looking throne room, with windows overlooking the shadowy cliffs the fortress was built on, lit by a dim blue light. Bowing in front of him, was a Mewtwo that had a 'I' branded on its right forearm.

"That is what II reports," The Mewtwo answered. "Apparently, the thought had been present on XV's head for a long time. In fact, II even mentioned something about 'dreams'."

"Dreams?" D'Wilde asked. "...I might know... Leave, number I."

"Yes," The Mewtwo said as he vanished in a shadowy flame.

"So, here you are again..." The Alakazam spoke into nothing. "And you took advantage of the misled sense of justice he had. Very well, If you would take away my most valuable pawn, don't expect I'd give him up without a challenge... You fell against me once. It is not a problem for me to destroy you... For good..."

=== STARTING THE SEARCH

It was dark, but that was nothing unusual in the Midnight World. Silence reigned in a large, round hall. It's grey walls were lit by a bluish light that covered the whole room. Several Pokémon were gathered on that hall around a long table; the eighteen members of the Midnight Voices were present there. In the farthest edge of the room, an imposing silhouette presided the meeting.

"And that is our situation," Number I said. "XV has resigned and escaped. From now on, all of our efforts should go towards his capture and recovery. If he fails to comply, you may resort to violence...as long as he is not killed in the process."

"What?!" VII yelled from his seat. "You must be crayzee, Uno!"

"The accent guy's right," the words came from a Gallade that was sitting with a 'V' band around his left forearm. "He just jumped from our dimension to the actual world. How are we even supposed to know where he is?"

"Simple," I answered. "It's his first time traveling through dimensions, and he's only ever been to the northernmost regions. I do believe it is logical to search the city of Lizean first, seeing how it is the last place he was at. If you fail to find him there, search the nearby towns and settlements. Frost could be a good place to search, too. I don't think I need to tell you how important Professor D'Wilde must consider him to be in order to have us perform a massive search for him, so get to work."

The hall was filled with the voices of Pokémon talking, and it was almost impossible to hear anything through all the noise that was being made.

"Alright!" a Nidoking with a 'IV' on a fist tattooed on both his arms shouted excitedly. "I hope he refuses to come back! That way I can mash him senseless! Here I come, runt!" He rushed out of the hall, laughing loudly.

"Let's have a go at it, then," III said calmly as they all got up from their places. He looked at V. "It's time we take action."

"Right..." V answered as they walked out of the hall. "It's hard to believe the kid would leave. Why would any of us want to?"

"Sometimes it's hard to do what we do," III replied. "I don't know if you remember, but we ourselves used to feel bad about the killing. It takes guts to do it when you are the kind of Pokémon he is."

"'Used to'?" V asked. "I still regret it."

"Our enemies defy our honor," III replied. "And because of that, they must die. Innocents, however, have no blame, and I'll be damned the day I harm one."

"I wonder where XV went, though. It's his first time alone out there."

"He'll be fine," the Lucario said. "If he remembers anything I've taught him, he'll make it. That's bad, though. It means getting him back will only be harder."

"As if the Lizean resistance wasn't giving us enough trouble already... One of our guards got attacked yesterday."

"Let me guess," III answered. "Daisa and Hagen stole from us again."

"Damn guys have been giving us nothing but trouble. I wish I knew where they're hiding so we could put them down at last."

They reached the Spatial Gate and stepped into it.

"Get us to Lizean, huh?" V said as they were both enveloped by a bright light and disappeared from the place.

The Lizean resistance...were they heroes? Or were they just a gang of crazy boys trying to challenge a new authority? I once asked a friend about it; her thoughts were the latter. And she was a part of them.

_ _

=== NEW HOME, NEW LIFE

XV was once again surrounded in a vast and infinite darkness, just like he was whenever the voice in his dreams talked to him.

"Come on, now..." the same voice from his dreams called him. "With the ways in which they have changed your body, I'm sure you can survive a fall like this."

"It's not easy..." XV answered. "Besides, what do you want from me? Why can't you leave me alone? How do you even know me?

"I'm always there," the voice answered. "I've known you for your whole life, and I'm always there..."

"What? Have you been stalking me or something? What are you, some revenge-thirsty guy that lost his family to us?"

"I am, indeed, thirsty for revenge," the voice responded, "but I prefer to call myself an 'instrument of justice,' which is what you are. You will assist me in my journey for revenge."

"I won't!" XV answered. "I'm no one's tool! Stay away from me!"

"It's time to wake up. You can't do it by yourself, it seems, but don't worry. Someone will help you. And remember, little one... I'm always there..."

"Hey!" The scream broke the darkness of the dream, pulling XV towards reality. "Hey, li'l one! Get up! Get up, I tell ya!"

"Huh?" XV opened his eyes, being suddenly blinded by a bright light. He came to his senses and realized it was sunlight.

"Hey! Come on!"

XV was becoming more aware with every passing second. He felt something rough rustling under him. He was lying on grass... Grass? That wasn't right. Where was the snow? Why was the sun shining so brightly on him? Puzzled by where he was, he decided to get up. He was in a vast lush, green meadow, several deep red flowers were in bloom around the field. The sky was a clear blue, much different from Lizean's grey one, and the sun was shining down on him. This was the first time he had been in a place like this.

"Well, It's about time ya woke up!" the voice came from behind him. "For a moment I thought I was talkin' to a dead body!"

XV turned around to see that the one talking to him was a Pikachu.

"Where... Am I?" XV asked, as anyone would have if they found themselves in an entirely unknown place.

"'Where am I?'" the Pikachu mimicked. "You're in Ruby Plains, about a week's walk from Sol. What kind of question is that, anyway? Ah, never mind. What's a little guy like you doin' out here? I thought I was the only Electric Pokémon within miles!"

"I fell," XV answered, not realizing how stupid his reply was until a moment later: How could he have fallen if there wasn't a single tall spot in sight? He just wanted to get that conversation done with and walk away as far as he could. When he said he wanted happiness, he didn't imagine a place like this. But coming to think of it, the ambiance seemed nicer than that of the North region.

"You fell?" the Pikachu asked, puzzled as he looked around. "From where? Well, doesn't matter. Let's just get you out of here before officer Roserade or some of his goons come and grill us for trespassin' into private property. Let's go, huh?" He took off towards some woods in the distance. XV decided to follow; it was better to follow a stranger for a while than to be caught by the law and get into trouble. He tried to remain as silent as possible, however.

"So, what's your name, tyke?" the Pikachu asked as they both walked through the woods, the strong sunlight filtering through the treetops and making small flakes of light cover the ground.

"It's... XV," XV said, speaking as low as possible. "And I'm no tyke. I'm two, I'll have you know."

"Really?" the Pikachu replied in awkward surprise. "Well, Fifteen's a funny name. And sorry, I had no idea you were that old. You just seem-"

"Baby-like?" XV finished he sentence. The fact he was often mistaken for a baby annoyed him.

"No, I didn't mean that," the Pikachu said. "It's just it's weird, seein' a Pichu your age... Either way, nice to meetcha, Fifteen. I'm Leon: Adventurer for Hire!"

"Adventurer for hire?" XV asked. "What kind of business is that?"

"What it sounds like," Leon answered. "Want something done? You hire me! Simple business. Pays out nicely, too!"

"Sounds exciting," XV said. "Well met, Leon."

They stopped in front of Leon's house. The Pikachu approached it and opened the door, letting XV have a look inside: It was a warm place, with a calm atmosphere. It was built of logs that were held together by solid tar. There was a table close to the door, and a fireplace at the end of the room, next to which were two beds with a window behind each.

"This is where I stay," Leon told the Pichu. "Sbeen nice talkin' to ya. Dya know the way home from here?"

"Um... That's the problem," XV replied. "I have no home..."

"Uh-huh..." Leon didn't quite know what to say now. "So, no home, huh?"

"But I'll find one," XV answered as he turned and began to walk away.

"Nah, wait!" Leon reached out and grabbed the Pichu by the arm. XV reacted instinctively and tugged away, as he had been taught to whenever someone did that. After XV calmed down, Leon continued, "Listen, it's dangerous out there, and it's gettin' dark. You got no home, and I have two beds, so... well, you can stay here if you want. Some company to talk to is welcome, too."

"I...I don't want to give you trouble," XV responded, determined to go away; he wanted to avoid being seen. In fact, he felt amazed the Pikachu hadn't noticed the band on his forearm. "I'm fine, I just need to get to town from here and I'll find a place to stay."

"Hey, it's no trouble at all," Leon told him as he held the door open. "Come on in, kid. Welcome to your new home."

"Thanks, I guess," XV answered in a whisper as he walked, still undecided, into the house and headed for one of the beds. "I can stay in this one, right?"

"Any one ya like," Leon answered. "It's no prob."

"Okay, then," XV said, still unsure of what he was doing as he climbed into one of the beds and lied down. "Good night, I guess..."

Later that night...

Night had fully fallen in Ruby Plains now. Silence filled the air as beams of moonlight filtered through the windows, falling right on the beds. Leon wasn't aware of this, as he was asleep, but XV was wide awake. He couldn't sleep thinking on what was going to happen to him now.

'Man...' he thought. "What did I get myself into? I left because I wanted happiness... and because what I was doing wasn't right, but I'm not so sure that was the right thing to anymore. No, what am I saying? Anyways... this Leon character seems pretty open just taking me in like that... I can't trust him, though. Ah, I don't know what to do...'

**You could sleep, you know?** the voice from his dreams was heard again. XV had grown tired of how it seemed to speak to him whenever he wasn't in the mood for it.

'Ah, you again...' XV thought. 'Please, please leave me be. It's because of you that I even considered quitting in the first place. Carmine only left it clear.'

**You did the right thing. You didn't just sit and watch as the others did wrong. You chose to leave, and believe it or not, that is a huge setback to their plans.**

'A 'setback'? I wasn't important to them at all. How is me quitting going to change anything?'

**All answers come in due time, after all, you and I are both instruments of justice. And we have a mission to accomplish.**

'Again with that... Just leave me alone, okay?' XV decided to try out what the voice had just told him and sleep, even if it seemed like something so hard to do. He felt amazed by how quickly sleep was catching up to him now, feeling that soft, pleasant feeling of closing one's eyes and drifting off into the land of dreams...

That's how he met Leon. Quite a weird one, from what I've heard. I guess he liked adventures. What better way to make a living than to do something you like?

The next morning...

"Rise and shine, Fifteen!" Leon's voice broke through XV's dreams, slowly bringing him back to reality.

"Ugh... Just...five mo...e...i...utes..." XV muttered from his bed.

"C'mon!" Leon grabbed XV and shook him, not realizing that by doing this, he was only rocking the Pichu back into sleep. "I have to get to town early if I wanna get some work, but I dun' wanna go 'til I'm sure you're awake, so gettap!"

"O...kay..." XV replied as he got up, still more present in his dreams than in the actual world.

"Okay, you're up," Leon told him. "Now let's get something to eat so I can get to business."

A few minutes later they were sitting at the small table by the entrance. A large apple rested on a plate in front of XV, but he wasn't taking one bite. His attention was focused on Leon; he wanted to know how safe it was to stay with this stranger.

"I'll be damned!" Leon said, looking at a piece of paper. "Says here them Midnight Voices guys are going around messing towns up! No real casualties so far, though. Seems they've got more trouble handling the Lizean resistance than everyone thought... What are they up to, anyways?"

'Oh, man...' XV thought as he hid the band without Leon noticing and prayed that he wouldn't see the mark on his arm, unlikely as the latter was. "Well, they're a bad bunch," he said. "Maybe they just feel like causing trouble."

"Yeah, you're probably right." Leon got up. "Anyways, I gotta go to work now. Try to stay here, okay? I dun' want ya gettin' lost."

"Okay," XV answered. "How long are you gonna be out?"

"What time the job might take!" Leon replied. "Could be an hour, could be the whole day..."

"Fine, I'll see you later then," XV answered in a dull tone. What was he going to do if Leon spent the whole day out, leaving him alone and bored there?

"...Unless ya wanna tag along?" Leon's request came as a bit of a surprise to XV.

"Um... Sure, I guess,"

"Awrite! So let's go, then!" Leon held the door open. Once XV was out of the cabin, he closed it and walked towards town, followed by the little Pichu. The grass in the fields was swaying softly with the gentle breeze that was blowing that day. The sun was, once again, incredibly bright; it made XV's eyes hurt, as he was not used to such strong light. Once in town, they were strolling down the road. Almost immediately, they were approached by a Weepinbell.

"On, Leon!" the Weepinbell said as she approached the two. "Thank goodness I've found you!... And who is this?" She asked, looking at XV, who hid behind the Pikachu. "He's adorable!"

"His name's Fifteen," Leon answered. "Kid's an orphan, I think. Took him in yesterday... And he's here to help me on the job today!"

"Ah, yes, the job!" the Weepinbell said in surprise, remembering why she had approached them in the first place. "That reminds me, Leon, I have work for you today!"

"Name it, missy!" Leon said enthusiastically, raising his hand in excitement. "You know I can do anything!"

"Good! Listen, some Carnivine fiend took my money and headed into the woods. All my savings are there! Can you please, please, get it back? You know some of it would be yours..."

"On it!" Leon called back as he sprinted off into the woods, followed by a very surprised XV.

"Leon!" XV called at the Pikachu as he hurriedly sprinted after him. He couldn't quite grasp his personality. He was hasty and upbeat; the closest he had ever met to him was Carmine. Come to think of it, he did remind him of his Plusle friend... "Leon, wait fo- -Whoa!" He let out a yelp as he tripped on a root on the road.

"C'mon! Show some excitement!" Leon told the Pichu, walking back to where he had just tripped to help him up. "Life's a blessing, boy! And y'have to show you are alive!"

"Right..." XV replied as he got up. 'So optimistic and enthusiastic... I wonder what makes him be like that?' he thought as he followed after Leon.

It didn't take long before they reached the forest. And it was only a few steps before they found the one that would be their target: a Carnivine was hanging from a few branches with a bag dangling from one of its roots.

"Yo!" Leon called out to the Carnivine, which scrambled further into the woods the moment it saw him. "Well," he looked at XV. "That's our guy. What does a Carnivine want money for, anyway? It's not like what they eat can be bought...or can it?" He shivered at the thought. "Let's just get him."

They headed in after it, going deeper and deeper until XV was no longer sure he could see the way back. He looked ahead and realized something that made him feel a lot less safe: Leon wasn't there.

"Hey..." he heard the voice coming from above him. "How nice of your friend to have left me something so tasty to eat..."

"Huh?" XV looked everywhere for the source of the voice, but couldn't see a thing. He had dealt with situations like this before, but the difference was he had always had the company of someone else while he did so. And he had to admit he was feeling quite scared right now. Just when he thought whoever said those words before was gone, he felt a drop of something fall on his arm. It was...sap? He looked up and realized that's the one spot he hadn't thought to look in. And it was too late. The plant fell on him and entangled him. He struggled to break free, but nothing he tried helped. That's when he remembered what he could do. Only hoping that no one else was around to see him, he changed his hands into claws and slashed at the vines. They fell to the floor, setting him free, and making the Carnivine flinch.

"What?!" He stared at the Pichu and the unnaturally large claws he had instead of hands. "What the hell are you?!"

XV didn't answer and just stood there, not sure whether attacking like that had been a smart thing to do. He changed the claws back into his hands and took a few steps back, scared that he had only enraged his attacker even more. And he was right.

Before he could react, the Carnivine had flung itself at him, it's gigantic maw open wide. XV stepped back as much as he could, and once the Carnivine was just a few inches away from him, he extended his arms, closed his eyes, and let out a panicked scream, not realizing that he had launched a Flamethrower attack while doing so. The Carnivine fell charred in front of him.

"I'm right here, Fifteen!" Leon called as he hurried back to where XV was. He arrived to catch sight of something that he couldn't believe: The Pichu was standing, still shivering, in front of the burnt and blackened remains of what he could only assume was the Carnivine he was chasing after. "Whoa..." He walked closer, then looked at the Carnivine, then at XV, then back at the Carnivine. "You did this? How the heck didja burn this sumbitch so bad? It looks like it was hit by an Arcanine or Blaziken!"

"I...don't know," XV answered with another lie. "I just did!"

"Kid," Leon replied, "you're full of surprises." He searched the burnt remains and found the money bag. "C'mon. Let's go give this back."

That night, back at Leon's house...

"Well," Leon said as he flung an apple at XV. "We worked an honest day, so we get an honest pay." He took a bite of another apple he was holding, then proceeded. "Y'know, if ya torched that guy, and that's NOTHING common among our kind...maybe there's other stuff you can do!"

XV didn't answer. He knew what he could do all too well. He also knew how most reacted to it, especially the more drastic changes like the claws, which he disliked to use for the same reason: They reacted with either fear or by calling him a 'freak'.

"We could be SO rich...partner," Leon told him XV, who was once again surprised. "That's right. From now on, I have a partner in this business: You!"

"Uh...thanks."

"So get rest, champ!" Leon replied. "We're getting up early tomorrow!"

=== THE LAST DAY

Days flew by quickly as XV and Leon made a living off helping the Pokémon of Ruby Plains solve their problems. This was a new experience for XV: For the first time, he wasn't forced to act on the commands of a superior or hurt others that had nothing to do with his job. In fact, Leon wouldn't make him go out to work if he didn't want to. Over those days, he had grown to trust Leon more than he had anyone before, and for once, it looked like he was finally starting to be happy, but he wasn't aware of the violent searches the Midnight Voices were conducting for him. Three months passed without him even realizing it. And, as he and Leon went out to do business, he became curious of one thing: Leon was the only one in Ruby Plains, and apparently in a very long radius, who did the kind of business he did. So one night, he decided to ask.

"Hey, Leon," XV asked as he and Leon were heading back home through the forest after a long day of work.

"Yeah? Wassup, pal?" Leon answered.

"I've been meaning to ask..."

"Yeah? What's on your mind?"

"How come you work as an adventurer for hire? I mean, I've never seen anyone else around here do what you do..."

"Ah, that story..." The Pikachu replied in a bored tone. "I guess someone was bound to get curious about it... Here." He opened the door to his cabin and walked in behind XV, then sat at the table. XV sat across from him.

"So?"

"Well... I'm from a town way too far away from here. It's called Blitzheim. Plenty of Electric- types there. Anyways, I was into legends and history...and I had a talent for getting into trouble. One day, I heard about heroes, brave and strong adventurers who would go around helping others in trouble. I liked the idea. After a few days of thinking it over, I made up my mind: I'd be a Hero. My old man went nuts when I told him." Leon chuckled. "He was all 'Think about your life!' 'Screw it,' I told him, 'you're rarely around.' So I left and headed off to Sol, a bit to the south. There, I discovered there that I was quite good and skilled at fighting and decided to get into the real Hero life. After about a week of helping other Pokémon get out of trouble, I arrived here. After helping some poor Bellossom out, I was offered some money. That's when my eyes went ka-ching! I realized I could be an adventurer for a living! I'm pretty ashamed to say I ended up becoming a sellout. My ideals of becoming a hero died with that first payment."

"Wow..." XV sighed. "And, if you're ashamed of being a sellout, why don't you just leave this and go live the life you wanted?"

"And miss out on the money? Sorry, Fifteen. I guess I'm just too greedy... Ah," he sighed even deeper than XV. "Let's just...let's just get some sleep now."

"Well..." XV felt a lump in his throat. "I guess I should tell you something about myself too..." This was it. He was about to reveal who he was to the only one he felt he could trust. And if Leon wouldn't accept him, then no one else would. He knew a moment like this would come since he became Leon's friend, but he still hoped it wouldn't have. "You know how the Midnight Voices are going around, harassing others around towns and attacking innocents?"

"Yeah, I hate them."

"Well... That's because they're looking for me. I'm... I'm one of them. I am XV, and I was one of their leaders..."

"Wait, wait...wha?" Leon was stumped to hear this. That minuscule mouse was the source of all the suffering that the nearby towns had suffered? It seemed almost impossible that someone so little, adorable even, was part of something so evil. "You're...one of them?"

"That's why I have those powers I have," XV replied. "Genetic alteration..." He closed his eyes and looked down, waiting for the moment in which Leon would kick him out for being who he was, but the moment didn't come.

"Well, that's a surprise," Leon said in a low tone. "I guess there's no way to tell who someone is just by looking. But that's okay, I guess. We all have our dirty little secrets we want to hide."

"You're...not mad?" XV asked, surprised. "You don't hate me?"

"Why would I hate you?" Leon asked. "You're not a bad guy, squirt. I think ya've proven that over these three months. Now c'mon. Sleep well, 'cuz we've got a LONG day tomorrow."

"T-Thanks...Leon," XV was amazed; Leon was far more open minded than he had thought. For him to have accepted him like that was something that moved him. He climbed on his bed and quickly fell asleep.

We can trick someone for a long time. We can trick many for a short time. But we can't trick everyone all the time. There's nothing better than to get that weight off your chest, taking off that mask that you wore for such a long time...well, actually there is: To be accepted when you do so.

_ _

The next day...

Leon and XV were walking back to town carrying a lost Miracle Seed they had been asked to find - incredibly hard to do so because of its size. Today, XV had given his best to show he was, in Leon's words, a 'good guy.' He was incredibly happy to think he had finally been able to reveal who he was to his friend. All he kept thinking as he and Leon walked through the forest with the orange of the setting sun filtering through the trees and bathing them in a soothing light was that he was ready to start a new life away from the troubles he had been a part of. He and Leon had been talking about berries the whole day for some reason he couldn't quite remember anymore. It was simple, amiable chatter between two friends.

As they entered town, they noticed something was wrong. Where was everyone? There seemed to be a commotion further ahead. As they approached, XV noticed many of the homes were destroyed. That was not a good sign, and that's when he saw him: the grotesquely huge Nidoking with the 'IV' on his arm. He let out a surprised and anguished gasp when he saw him.

"Well, look who it is!" IV roared as he noticed them approaching. "It's the runaway tot! C'mere kid, we're goin' home!"

"No!" XV yelled back. "I'm through with you! Just go away and leave me alone!"

"Oh, you don't get it, ya tiny rat coward!" IV said in an overconfident tone. "We're goin' home, whether ya want it or not! For three months now, it's been nothing but searching for you! So, come back, or let me pummel some sense into you!"

"So, you're messing with my work source," Leon took a step forward, looking at the destroyed homes. "And you're threatening to hurt my friend? Bring it on!" He got into a fighting stance and sparked some electricity from his cheeks.

"Okay!" IV roared. "I was looking for a punching bag, and it looks like I found myself two of 'em!"

"Not here, though." Leon looked around. "I don't want to leave this place a bigger mess than you've already made it. Fifteen! Let's make a run for the woods!" Saying this, he took off with XV following close behind him.

"That's right! Run, wimps!" the Nidoking yelled as he chased after them. They came to a stop once they were deep enough into the woods.

"Okay," Leon said, turning around and getting ready to fight. "Let's go!" He leapt at IV and hit him in the face with Thunderpunch. This did nothing to the giant.

"That's all?!" IV said, unimpressed. He punched Leon with such strength that the smaller Pikachu was sent flying away. After this, he grabbed him and started slamming him against the ground and a tree trunk alternately. "C'mon! Put up a fight!"

"Leon!" XV screamed in anguish as he saw his friend get slammed without a chance of defending himself. He felt so powerless to help. That's when he felt a strange surge in his strength. "Leave him alone!" He launched himself at IV and head-butted him so strongly that he made IV drop Leon and stagger. He then charged against IV and tackled him, then grabbed him by the tail and flung him away.

IV looked in surprise at the small Pokémon that has just thrown him away so easily. The Pichu's body was irradiating a grayish aura, and his eyes were glowing red in rage. "No way..." he said, feeling fear for the first time in his life. "What are you, XV?"

"I'll tell you who I am," the Pichu said. His voice sounded like two Pokémon talking at the same time. "I'm XV. I come from Ruby Plains. And this is the second time you've ruined my life. Go away!" He grabbed the Nidoking by the tail once again and threw him away into the horizon, so far that IV's large frame vanished in the distance, yelling.

XV wasn't too sure of what had just happened, but he didn't stop to think about it. His attention was focused on his friend.

"Leon!" he called out to his friend, tears in his eyes as he ran towards him. The Pikachu was lying on the ground, almost unconscious. "Leon, stay with me!"

"Heh...I guess I ain't gonna make it..." Leon coughed out some blood.

"Leon..."

"Hey, cheer up! It's my fault for underestimating that purple brute..."

"I'm so sorry, Leon!" XV cried. "I should have left last night. You wouldn't be suffering like this..."

"And you said you weren't a baby..." Leon answered faintly. "C'mon, don't cry! Even if I'm gone, you'll remember me. You were lucky enough to have gotten out of here alive, so get out there and live our life! Stop them tears! Go and live the dream, kid. Be a real hero, and don't sell out like I did. You just beat one of them Midnight guys. How hard can it be to take the others on? Now go on, and get them..." Saying this, he drew his last breath.

"Leon... You're right, Leon." XV stopped crying at once. "I'm gonna be a Hero. I'm gonna give them what they deserve. I'm gonna go and get them all, Leon! For you..."

He took one last look at what was left of his hometown, then took Leon's bag and headed off into the woods. Where would he go? He didn't know. But any place was better than staying where his friend had died. He wandered around the forest until he reached a road. The road towards the beginning of his adventure. More determined than ever, he set out on his journey...

The loss of a friend is something sad, isn't it? One moment of misery, one unfair twist of fate, and It's all over. I know how that feels. I lost almost everyone. But, in the end, life goes on, and we have to make the most of it.

=== FIRST ACT OF HEROISM

After two days of following the path he had been walking, XV arrived into a calm-looking town. Appearances can be misleading, however, as he discovered while walking into it.

"Riale," he read the sign that was hanging above the town's entrance. "Town of Train's Pride... So, this place has a train?"

The streets were bustling and filled with all kinds of Pokémon. To his right, he could see a Sentret peddling some goods, and to the left he saw a gathering of Murkrow scanning the area, as if looking for something. As he kept walking, he felt something crash into him and fell into the floor.

"Hey, watch it!" he said as he got up.

"No time, mouse boy!" a Buneary called back at him as she ran away.

"Hey, wait!" XV called her, but she didn't stop. "What's the rush? Hey!" He ran after her. He followed her through the crowded, bustling streets. They came to a stop when they reached a dead end in an alley. The dark alleyway was hardly frightening with all the bustle and noise coming from the streets outside.

"Now, you can't run away, little girl!" a Machoke followed by two Makuhita told her as he approached her. "Last chance: Hand it over, or we'll beat you so bad, you won't even be able to take...well, the 'second option'." He gave a malicious laugh.

"I'm not giving it to you!" she answered.

'Looks like she's in trouble,' XV thought as he witnessed the scene. Decided, he took a step forward. "Be a hero," he muttered as he stopped in front of the bunny and spread his arms.

"What?!" the Machoke asked, a little thrown-off at the Pichu's sudden appearance.

"Leave her alone," XV said. "Or else."

"Please!" one of the Makuhita said as both of them threw themselves at XV. He zapped them both, and they fell paralyzed in front of him.

"What the hell?!" the Machoke cringed a bit as he saw his two henchmen easily dispatched, then grabbed the Pichu and proceeded to use the famous Seismic Toss attack on him.

"Done?" XV asked as he got up, then grabbed the Machoke with his tiny hands. "Big mistake." He lifted the Machoke with the greatest of ease and used the same attack on him. The Machoke fell, immobilized on the ground.

"You okay?" XV looked back at the Buneary.

"Yeah," she answered. "Thanks, mouse boy! But this ain't no place to stay! Here!" She took his hand in her paw and ran, dragging him all the way to a train and climbed aboard it. They took two empty seats as the train suddenly started moving.

"So," she said. "I didn't thank you properly, you little yellow cutie! What's your name?"

"Fif-" XV stopped. If he used the name he was used to, then finding him would be easy for the Midnight Voices. 'Well,' he thought. 'There's no harm in it. He was my best friend, after all...'

"Fif?" the Buneary asked with an amused look. "Weird name!"

"No...not Fif," XV replied. "My name...is Leon."

And that's how those two met. It's hard to believe happiness can sprout from the worst of sorrows...I, too, know that too well. But, if there's something I learned from this journey, is that it doesn't matter how deep you fall, you'll always be able to get back up...

"Well, nice to meet you, Leon!" The Buneary said, staring at the small mouse sitting next to her.

This was XV's first time riding a train in his life. He had heard some of the other members talk about the one that stopped in Lizean every day, but he hadn't actually gotten into it. It seemed a pretty normal place: An aisle that ran through the middle of the car with two seats on each side. They were sitting in the two to the right. He got the aisle and the Buneary got the window. A few seats ahead were sitting an Ambipom and Pachirisu talking softly to each other. The Ambipom's spoke with elegant words in a flourish tone, something unusual in a species known to be as crazy and loquacious as his was. XV looked out at the sight of the streets moving so fast past his sight once the train started moving. His mind, however, was someplace else. He was thinking about the name he had just said.

'I wonder if It's okay,' He thought. 'I mean, how weird would it be to be called like that? But it'll give me a better chance to go by undetected and prevent them from wreaking more havoc than they already are... I hope you don't mind, Leon.'

"Um, Hello?" The Buneary poked at his shoulder. "Still with me there?"

"Yeah, sorry," Leon answered looking at her, still a bit idle.

"Well, thanks for saving me back there!" The bunny said with a smile. "Truth be told, I was pretty scared... If you hadn't been there, I don't know what they could have done to me. You're my hero! Name's Tiffany, by the way." She finished, hugging him.

"Uh, no problem," Leon answered, feeling awkward that this girl he had just met was being so friendly at him. "It's good to meet you, Miss Tiffany."

"'Miss'?" She let go of him gave him an awkward look. "Just Tiffany. Tiff is fine, too, if you'd like."

"Sorry... Tiffany."

"Well, we're safe now," Tiffany sighed, looking out the window into the fields around the outskirts of Riale. The sun was beginning to set. "I don't think they can come after me here..."

"What were they chasing you for, anyway?"

"Well, I got into some trouble with their mob. Apparently, they can't stand being beaten to a treasure they were after. Here," She searched the bag she was carrying and pulled out a peculiar- looking artifact: it was a circular medallion made of solid gold, covered with Emeralds and Diamonds that formed the shape of a Spiral, with Sapphires around it. Whatever it was, it was truly beautiful.

"Wow... It's pretty," Leon said, taking a good look at the item, becoming idle and lost in it's radiance.

"It is, isn't it?" Tiffany put it away, bringing the idle Pichu back to reality. "Can you believe I found it on the street? Anyways, the Machoke and his goons saw me pick it up. And, apparently, their boss had been looking for it for a long time, so they wanted it. But I wasn't gonna give it to them! I took off running, and that's when I bumped into you... Thanks again."

"But, why was their boss looking for it?"

"Their boss, Don Krow, is known to be into all kinds of shiny or valuable items. It seems like he had his eyes on this. But we've left him behind. We're good and on the road now!"

"Yeah, about that... Where are we going?"

"Ilsia," Tiffany replied, "Small village in the woods. That's where I'm from! I came to Riale to buy some food because I don't like how the berries that grow in the forest taste like..." She made a short giggle. "Who would have thought I'd run into trouble like that, huh?"

"Life's full of surprises," Leon answered idly.

"And where are you from?" Tiffany asked.

"I'm from... Ruby Plains," Leon said. The thought of how such a beautiful place had been ruined and his best friend had died because of him brought a tear to his eye, which reflected the orangish light of the setting sun outside.

"I'm sorry," The Buneary withdrew her words, placing her paw on his shoulder. "Word of what happened just reached us over here... I didn't mean to-"

"It's okay," Leon told her. "You didn't know."

"Well... You want something to eat?" Tiffany asked, reaching into the bag and pulling out a piece of chocolate.

"Sure," Leon answered, grabbing the chocolate and taking a bite. He wasn't so sure what he was going to do now, seeing how he was riding a train towards a town he had never heard of and didn't know how, exactly, he was going to fulfill the promise to his dying friend and beat the guys he had been a part of. The first step would be to get back to the north, but that could take a while... How was he supposed to become a hero, anyway? The concept wasn't too clear in his mind yet. So, what to do? Perhaps he'd just let things flow for now.

It's strange, isn't it? How sometimes two can get along so quickly... Friendship is a blessing. One that many fail to understand. To some it's a hindrance, to others it is a mark of weakness. But to me... Well, it's just a warm and pleasant feeling.

_ _

===NOT WHAT WE EXPECTED!

Time had passed quite quickly for the Pichu and Buneary as the train kept moving on. Leon was busying himself in his thoughts while chatting with Tiffany at the same time. The sun had already set, even though neither of them had noticed so while talking.

"Hey, look at that!" Tiffany pointed out the window towards a large, glowing mountain in the distance.

"What's that?" Leon looked out to see the large peak, feeling strangely mystified at the sight. The otherworldly cyan glow that irradiated from it awakened something in him that he couldn't understand. He felt restless, excited, even.

"That's Hope's Peak," The bunny replied. "It's beautiful, isn't it? I love how it glows at night... Night!" She said, a tad surprised. "I hadn't noticed, Leon. It's nighttime already! Time flies when you're having fun, huh?"

'She's right,' Leon thought, staring at the star-covered night sky above. 'I didn't even notice the sun set... Talking to her sure is entertaining.'

"Let's look at it, while it's still visible!"

The Ambipom and Pachirisu that had been talking early got up and walked to the next car. Leon and Tiffany were alone now. The comfortable silence that reigned at this point, combined with the train's dim lights were incredibly soothing. They hadn't said a word to each other since Tiffany suggested watching the bright mountain.

"So, how long till we get to your town?" Leon broke the silence once Hope's Peak had disappeared into the distance.

"We should be getting there tomorrow," Tiffany answered, leaning back on her seat and hugging herself to stay warm. "We could just sleep for now, if you want. Time's gotta run even faster that way, huh?"

"I guess," He leaned back as well and closed his eyes, trying to sleep, but was unable to. In the silence, he could hear a noise that sounded like sucking and groaning of some sort. He tried to get used to it at first, but after a while, it annoyed him. "Hey," He poked at Tiffany's shoulder. "Hey, can you hear that?"

"Yeah, I can't sleep because of it," She answered, wiggling a little.

"What do you think it is?"

"I don't know... Could be a Golbat attacking someone."

"A Golbat?" Leon remembered the Golbat. They were among the few natural denizens of the Midnight World that were unrelated to the Midnight Voices.

"Yup," She yawned, quietly getting up. "I heard one sneaked in the trained and drained some poor Miltank of all her blood!"

"So that noise could be a Golbat attacking someone?"

"Well, could be..."

"Then we should do something about it!" Leon whispered as he, too, got up. "We should at least make sure everything's okay."

"Whatever you say, I guess," They both walked, following the source of the sound until they figured it was coming from the next car.

"Let's have a look, then," Leon whispered as he lowly opened the door just a little to see what was going on. "And be quiet..." He peeked into the next car, the Buneary peeked over him so she could see what was going on as well. The source of the noise turned out to be something entirely different from what they were expecting.

The Ambipom from earlier was sitting on a bed. That wouldn't have been strange. The thing that made it so was that, at the foot of the bed was the Pachirisu, sucking on the Ambipom's Shaft.

"Oh, yes..." growled the Ambipom, clearly enjoying the treatment he was receiving

. The Pachirisu seemed focused on what she was doing, bobbing her head up and down, suckling at the rod in her muzzle. she kept going, seemingly tireless in her attempt to milk the male's shaft. The Ambipom seemed to be getting close to finishing, bucking his hips and grabbing the back of the white and blue squirrel's head with both his tail hands, forcing her down. Instantly obeying, the Pachirisu took the Ambipom's full length into her muzzle, being forced to go faster and faster everytime.

"That's it!" the Ambipom exclaimed as, with one final push, he shot his load into the Pachirisu's muzzle, the Squirrel gulping down load after load of the white fluid.

"Whoa..." Tiffany whispered at Leon, her face reddening as they closed the door. "Not what I expected to see..."

"Yeah," Leon answered, remembering the time he had accidentally walked on III and XVI doing something similar. The usual outcome of that would have been to get thrown out the window, but that day the Zangoose had, literally, used him to mop the floor. "I would have preferred the Golbat over that..."

"Well, it's too late in the night already," Tiffany whispered as the two headed back to where they were sitting. "Let's just try to get over... That. And get some sleep, huh? We should be arriving at my home tomorrow."

"Yeah, let's do that," Leon said as they sat down and he closed his eyes. Tomorrow he would have arrived at this new town. Hopefully, he'd find something to do there, and could decide how to carry out his goal.

Far away from there, someone was waking up...

The Nidoking weakly raised a tattooed arm as he regained consciousness. He had no idea how much time he had been unconscious, but he was certain it had been more than a few hours.

"Damn," IV muttered as he got up after quite a struggle. His entire body was sore and aching, and just moving an inch hurt him. The craggy, hard soil he was now sitting on was hot and the skies were grey, with no light visible through the many mountains in he distance except that of the lightning that was striking some of them, punishing the rock formations with a thunderous roar. He grimaced, holding one of his gigantic hands to his face and shaking himself aware. "What the hell's that rat made of? Ah, whatever... The guys are gonna hear about this..." He lowered his hand and looked up, but the flash of another lightning bolt when he looked up blinded him made his eyes sting. 'Oh, hell...' He thought, looking down. 'This is worse than a hangover... At least with the hangover I know I enjoyed myself before passing out, but this... This is like a crash. A VERY painful crash!'

=== POOR RESULTS?

The Midnight World, on the other hand, was not as fortunate as to enjoy the flashes of light the lightning offered. There were no such things as thunderstorms there (although VII was able to summon rain), leaving the grim skies, the deathly silence and the dull blue lights as the most common weather.

Quietly, a Lucario made his way around the sinister fortress. He walked up a set of stairs and kept going. Finally, he reached a long spiral staircase. After reaching the top, he found himself in front of a Mewtwo. The cold, emotionless stare of the Mew replica was enough to unnerve most, but III in particular had never felt too threatened by it.

"Did you find him?" The Mewtwo asked, staring at III with his penetrating gaze.

"He was nowhere to be found," III replied, crossing his arms. "Lizean, Frost, all those places... There wasn't a single trace of him."

"I see..." Number I answered. "The Professor appears to have given him a lot of importance, wouldn't you agree?"

"He IS rather unique," III said. "So far, I don't think there is anyone else with the ability he possesses..."

"IX came to see me not long ago," The Mewtwo continued. "He reports to have seen XV in Riale."

"That can't be," III shook his head. "That place is incredibly far from here."

"Apparently, our Absol friend found him quite some time ago, but decided to keep the information to himself. He, in his own words, 'wanted to see XV's situation unfold' before telling us about him."

"IX must be mistaken," III insisted. "Perhaps he saw another Pichu?"

"IX mentioned that the Pichu he saw grabbed a Machoke and used a Seismic Toss attack on him with the greatest of ease," I said. III's attention was attracted by these words. "No other Pichu can do that but the one we own, I think."

"'Own'?" III answered. "We do not 'own' him... That is one part of the Professor's plan that went wrong. And now that he is pulling his own strings," He stared at his hand, making some energy radiate from it, glowing in the darkness of the room. "He wants him back... This is all pointless, I think. We should just let him live his life."

"Are you saying we should leave our one most successful creation to wander about?" I's stare seemed to turn sharper. The Lucario, however, did not show any trace of being intimidated. "Perhaps I was mistaken about where your loyalty resides, III."

"I only meant to say that there are other ways... We could create a new one-"

"-How? Do you forget one of our subjects is gone?"

"I just... Never mind," III looked away. "How shall we proceed about IX's report?"

"First, send someone to search for IV. According to IX, he was sent flying a rather long distance. Once he is back, we shall discuss how the mission shall proceed."

"Understood," III made a slight bow. There were few things he despised than having to bow to others, number I was in a higher authority than he was, and he had no other choice.

"Then get on with it."

They would never leave him alone... Half of them didn't even know why they were really after him. It was just orders, I guess. How painful it must be, for one to gain his freedom only to have it snatched away from him...