Pokemon Ultimate Evolution: Through The Middle, Episode 2: Amends

"Violet!" Jason exclaimed as we entered the apartment. He jumped into her arms and squeezed her.

"Hi, Jason. She cooed. "And an even bigger hello to you, Ryan." She put Jason down and pulled me by my collar into a sloppy, wet kiss.

"Welcome back, Vi. How was the trip?" I asked, pushing her away.

"Yeah, Vi!" Jason said. "Did you have fun?"

Violet peeled of her orange Jacket and purple crop top. "Ugh, you think hiking in the snow is fun? Well, let me tell you something, it's not. It was cold, and I could barley see anything... Mom and I got caught in a blizzard, and the mountain became so steep... Ugh, now I see why everyone flies to Letamae instead." Violet pulled off her tight pants, and plopped into our bed in only her boy shorts and bra.

"It's called Latimae for a reason, Vi. Higher latitude, colder climate."

"I know that, Ryan, but Mom insisted that we hike there for the 'fun'." Violet moaned as she sank into the mattress. "Hot damn, this feels amazing! Beat's sleeping on frozen ground.

"Yeah, yeah..." I yawned and joined her after peeling off my jacket and sneakers. "You can tell me all about it later, Violet." Jason snuggled beside me.

----

Tracey was asleep, half submerged in Pecha berry scented water when a loud knock at the bathroom door startled her. She sat up in the tub and sighed.

"Trace, you in there?" Donna shouted.

"Yeah, Donna." Tracey yawned. Donna had taught at Tracey's Trainer School since she was eight and had since been welcome in Tracey's home. It was normal for her to barge in. "I'm kinda relaxing here."

"Come on, dammit!" Donna shouted once more. "If you're not out here in ten seconds I'm clawing right through this door!" Donna took a step back and extended her fingernails a few inches. "Ten, nine, eight..." She counted.

Tracey climbed out of the tub and threw on her pink bath robe, not caring about the water spilling  from her hail. "Five, four, three, two! Don't say I didn't warn you!" Donna swiped at the door, missing it as it opened and slamming her hand into the doorframe. She sucked in as the pain exploded in her fingers. "Son of a bitch!" She shouted.

"Stop the games and tell me what's up already?" Tracey said, holding back a smirk.

"Ugh, some dude is asking for you. He asked that you come to the school ASAP." Donna said waving her hand back and forth.

"What's this 'dude's' name?" Tracey asked. She shuffled over to her dresser and combed the drawers for something to wear.

"I dunno, he refused to tell me. He's, uh, once of those 'Gardies'. You know the ones with the red bar in their chest?" Donna said with a shrug. 

"You mean, Gardevoir? Have you been studying Dex at all?" Tracey groaned slowly getting dressed. "Don't answer that."

"Right..." Donna blushed. "He was dressed all in black like some rockstar."

Tracey looked up from her drawers and faced Donna with a concerned look on her face. "What, you know him?"

"Unfortunately, I do." Tracey sighed. "Zenith... He used to go to the school, but he dropped out so he could spend more time with his daughter.

"Sounds like he used to be a lot nicer than when he was demanding to see you." Donna crossed her arms. "What're you not saying, Trace?"

"There's only one reason why'd he'd come back here after what happened with Zoey." Tracey quickened her pace and hastily dried and combed her hair.

"Okay, slow down." Donna said. "Who's Zoey, again?"

"His wife, but I don't think we have to worry about her." Tracey explained. "If Zenith is back then it means that he's not putting up with Zoey anymore..." Tracey finished dressing and made her way out. "I hope he doesn't have a Key Stone."

"So what if the guy can transform into a walking ball gown for a bit?" Donna scoffed, following her. "What's he gonna do, waltz us to death?"

"You don't understand how strong he'd be, and I know who he's gonna demonstrate his newfound freedom to first. Come on, we're leaving!"

----

I awoke to a quiet scratching noise coming from the door. I slowly snuck out of bed as to not wake Violet and Jason, and drew closer to the door, reaching for the knob. As soon as I touched it, the sound stopped. I opened the door quickly and stepped into red velvet hallway, quietly closing it behind me.

"Someone there?" I whispered. "You don't have to be so mysterious."

"Come to the roof, boy." A ghostly voice whispered back. "Maybe the mystery you feel will disappear if you do."

"Why should I?" A smirk spread across my face as I crossed my arms. "You're not the first ghost who's come here at night to scare people."

"Come on, boy. You don't really believe that curiosity killed the Delcatty, do you?" The voice chuckled.

"Of course, not. For all I know it could've been you." I said pointing at the space in front of me.

A young boy manifested where I'd pointed in a cloud of purple smoke. His clothes were dusty and covered in unknown stains.

"How'd you know where I was?" He said in disbelief.

"I told you, you're not the first person to do that to me." I walked past him towards the stairwell at the other end of the hall. "Plus you smell like a sweaty Stunky."

"Hey! Where are you going?" He asked.

"To the roof, of course? It would take longer to go back to sleep, so I'll at least play your game."

"He's comin' up boss." The boy whispered as I disappeared up the stairs. A voice quickly responded.

"There's a good Koffing." The voice chuckled.

"Gastly." The boy corrected.

"Whatever, I'll reward you soon." His bosses voice faded away.

----

The roof's concrete surface was cold under my feet despite the warmth in the air. I walked over to northern end and leaned on the raised side, looking down at the rest of the city. Even this late, the city bloomed with life: Neon lights shone on sides of the Pokemon Center and the Pokemart, campfires illuminated the beach just past the north gate accompanied by the faint sounds of party music. Near the forest to the northeast was the only dark building in sight. Looking at it reminded me of the events of six years ago…

"Busy reminiscing, kid?"

I recognized the voice. "So you've come back, Zeny." I sighed, not bothering to turn around. "What do you want, revenge?"

"Wow, not even a hello?" Zenith gasped. "I  expected you to at least try and hit me… This might be easier than I'd planned."

"Your not a threat, as far as I'm concerned." I said. "Care to elaborate on your scheme?"

"Actually, I don't want to fight you. Rather let's just have a friendly chat."

I was surprised, but I didn't lower my guard. I turned to face him. He looked exactly the same as he did six years ago. He didn't appear in a dress like most Gardevoir. The white bands that normally formed the skirt were flat around his legs, giving him an appearance closer to a Gallade. Hair dyed jet black, his face stood out against the pale night sky. What puzzled me the most was his expression… It was, soft and friendly.

What are you trying to do? He didn't come back here just to talk, I know it.

"Fine, Zeny, let's talk."

"Please don't call me that, Ryan." He asked.

"Get to it already!" I groaned.

"Alright, alright." I answered hold up is hands. He reached into the pocket of his "pants" and pulled out a small stone. It looked like a Meowth's eye marble. "Do you know what this is?"

"It's a Keystone, right?" I asked.

"Yup, and you know what is does, don't you?" He smirked.

"It allows like fifty or so species of Pokemon to Mega Evolve, Gardevoir being one of them." I answered. "Since you're holding it, and you don't seem to have a Gardevoirite, you can't make use of it anyway."

"I know, kid. That's why I came here. I wanted to give this little charm…" He paused, eyeing the Key Stone with glee. "To you."

----

Tracey burst through the doors of her office and looked around for Zenith. "I thought you said he was waiting here!" She panted.

"Maybe he got impatient." Donna shrugged. "Is anything missing?"

Tracey sat down at her desk and groaned. "No. Zenith wouldn't try and steal from me. He knows better…" Tracey rubbed her eyes and spotted a white skirt peaking out from behind the door, near Donna.

"Hmm? What are you…" Donna froze as a small Kirlia peeked out from behind the door. She pulled it shut, leaving the child exposed.

"Are you Tracey?" She asked, her voice barely audible as she looked down at the floor.

"Why yes, I am." Tracey answered. She got up from her seat and knelt down near the girl. "What's your name, sweetheart?"

"I'm supposed to be called, Sato. That's what my daddy told me." She answered. She fingered the orb fastened to her necklace. "He also said to tell Miss Davis, Let us awaken the worse in ourselves."

"Hon, what's your dad's name?" Donna asked.

"I don't know…" Sato, shrugged. "I'm sorry."

----

"Why would you give it to me?" I asked. "I don't really have a use for that either."

"Don't be like that. Maybe you'll find a partner who can utilize your strength…" Zenith held his palm out to me. "Here, take it. It's my piece offering to you. To make amends for how Zoey treated you back then."

I thought about it, and I couldn't find a hole in his story. "You know, I'm shocked you really went through all this trouble to make amends. I've never been one to think that people change, but hey, I'll take it." I reached for the stone and took it from his palm. I could feel some kind of energy flowing out from it. Zenith whistled loudly, and a large Talonflame came to is side. He mounted it and looked back at me.

"By the way, Ryan." He smirked. "Sato misses you a lot."

"Sato?" I gasped… Suddenly the Key Stone exploded into a a blinding light and and explosion engulfed the Trainer's School below. The shockwave knocked me down.

"Well what you ya know?" Zenith laughed. "Looks like she came after all!"

The Talonflame squawked and flew off out of the city.