Vul growled and bounded off after her her scent strong in the air. " Vul-Pix!" he barked zipping through the trees.

In the clearing Ren was chasing Rai around and Luna was napping in the shade. Ti-Tin was pawing at the water pokemon's tail curiously and Yuri was washing the dirt from Tomen's forehead.

Zorua hated transforming, though it was something she could do, it just didn't feel natural, but to protect Sylver, she would do anything. Zorua transformed back into a pikipek, flying into the sky, getting a better view of where her trainer could be. Finally, she spotted her in a clearing, Zorua quickly dove into a tree, watching her trainer carefully.

...

Marina saw Yuri trying to clean the dirt off of Thomas, and naturally, she wanted to help. Marina cheerfully made her way over to the two, bwarking her offer to help, but rather than waiting for a response, she just blasted Thomas in the face with her water gun attack.

...

"Missy, I missed you so much! I was heartbroken when you were taken away because you were too dangerous, but I could handle you, and I'll prove it by having you help me in my battle against Hala" Sylver promised the Pokemon. She returned the Pokemon to its ball, and turned to go back to Thomas and Yuri to get her Pokemon back, but she quickly spotted the odd pikipek in the tree watching her. "Zorua, bad girl, you're supposed to be with Yuri and Thomas, now go fly back and pretend like you never left" Sylvester commanded her disguised Pokemon.

Vul panted as he entered the clearing "Vul-" he started to growl his ears flat.

Thomas Jumped up looking more up and aware " Ahh!! Awake awake! " he yelled instinctively Yuri chuckling as his soaked blonde hair stuck to his face.

"Pop! Li! Lio!" The popplio cheered happily, proud of helping. "Hey guys I'm back- what happened to Thomas? Marina, what did you do?" Sylver asked. "I swear, I leave you guys for 10 minutes and you cause a mini natural disaster in the area." Sylver sighed. "Okay guys, come back now, it's getting late, and I'm exhausted" Sylver clapped, her Pokemon coming to her. "I'll take their balls back now too, they need their rest for tomorrow" Sylver said, taking the balls back. "Seeya guys tomorrow!" Sylver yawned, waving goodbye as she walked off.

"Boo!" Cried a strange girl doing her best to sneak up on sylver. Her hair was jet black the ends of it ending in red tufts,she seemed to have what looked like an odd fang that hung out of her mouth. Her clothing was black based but her eyes were a vibrant gold, the silver flecks doing nothing to,tarnish the color.

"Shade!" Damion called chasing after the strange girl. "Get back here now!" He yelled. Ailla hearing the return of her 'fanboy' imediatly hid behind Thomas. "You know you shouldn't get out of your ball! And you DEFINITELY know not to steal it and run off!!" Damion practically screech taking a wild leap at the supposed zorua. "Aww, but then who would make your life exiting?" Shade asked sweetly. "In the time I've had you I've had enough 'excitement' to last a three lifetimes. "Damion grumbled.

"Roo! Roo!" Rowlet hooted triumphantly perching on Thomas's shoulder so he could watch Ailla as she continued to hide. "Rowlet! Go away!" Ailla hissed. Just then her pack began to glow. As the egg within it started to hatch.

Thomas perked up at the Rowlet " Hmm Allia must be near by" he said running his fingers through his wet hair.

Gradient didn't know what in the world was going on. He was scrolling through his contacts- which did in fact include Ailla's sister Winter when Thomas seemingly faceplanted, the Zorua did that magic thing that Zoruas weren't supposed to do, and when it started looking and sounded like a rebellion. What was this, Mockingjay Part 2?

Gradient intended to find out more about that Zorua; it was NOT normal, that was for sure. It could talk, and could maintain a human image, and had full control over it. The illusion was physical, feasible, so it wasn't an illusion at all. It would make more sense for a Pokemon like Ditto, Mew, or Mewtwo, who literately bent their DNA and turned into something else. Zorua weren't known for that; they were known for being incredibly rare, and also known for making illusions. And not many Zoruas existed in the first place; so how come these two kids come across them? And one of them revealing extrodinary, unheard of powers.

How? Gradient intended to find out. And the best way to do that was to get close to the subject Zoruas, and their owners in person. It was decided: Gradient would find a way to travel with Damion, and hopefully the other Zorua owner.

Gradient dropped from the branch smoothly, guitar thumping on his back. He wore a smirk.

All was going well.

But that thought of Lysa's Holocaster conversation was imbedded in Gradient's mind.

So many mysteries to unravel, and so little time...

" oh, hey gradient" Rhys greeted gradient as he approached. "Are you going to train to fight the kahuna soon too?" Rhys asked him.

"I might. I've already beat all the gym leaders in the other regions." Lysa said.

"Really? Thats kinda impressive, so why are you even bothering with the island trials?" Rhys asked her. Rhys suddenly got a chill up his spine. "Oh... no, she's back, where is she?!" Rhys started looking around, panicked.