Thankfully no one was injured from the fall. A little sore, but other than that they were fine. Kairi glanced up, staring at the hole in the floor (roof?) that caused them to fall. She scowls at it for a moment before noting the ladder. She’s suddenly thankful to know that her ‘rival’ was not that much of an ass to knock it over, wreck it or steal it somehow. Then again, he probably assumed they all died like the asshole he was. Kairi sighs. She makes her way to Nick as Gwen rises. Nick groans and cradles his head.

“Are ya hurt Nicky?”

“J-just a little… it’s just my head although…” Kairi helps her friend to his feet and they make their way to the ladder when Kairi heard something. She pauses her footing to look around.

“What was that?”

“Nick,” Gwen moaned catching up to the two. “Did Black really stab you?”

“W-what?” The boy sputtered. “Of course he did!”

“Really?” Gwen cocked a brow. “'Cause he seemed really surprised when he was accused of stabbing you.”

“H-h-he stabbed me!” Nick barked.

“Sush ya two.” Kairi hissed. “I 'ear somethin’!” The twinkling sound returned and Kairi strained her ears. Her eyes finally located the apparent source, a trio of statues. “Statues…?”

“You heard statues?” Nick looked at his friend oddly. “Kairi, did you bump your head?”

“We all bumped our heads Nick.”

“I mean worst than any one else!”

“Sush!” Kairi repeated. She leans Nick against Gwen and makes her way to the center of the room for a better look. Her calloused hand reached out and touches the snout of the beast with a hexagon crest. The surface rippled like pebbles across the water. Kairi’s mouth hung agape as the ripples began to glow and reach the other three statues despite the fact they were not touching.

“Um. Kairi, what’s going on?”

“I donno…” Oddly, she did not feel afraid. Startled, maybe, but not afraid. The rock suddenly shattered and three beasts stood there. One of a lion like nature, a tiger and one with resemblance of a dog. Each creature let out a roar before departing through the hole in the upper floors, the dog like one lingered to stare at Kairi, who’s mouth hung agape, before turned to the sky and letting out a roar that caused the rain to fall. The pokemon jumped away leaving the pre-teens stupefied.

“What just happened”

“I-I don’t know…”

“Let’s just go to the pokecenter and rest…”

“Alright…”

—

Nightfall came and in it’s wake the rain still fell with ferocity. At this hour the whole city was asleep, except for two figures. Two very familiar figures, Simon and Black.

“The murder… that was your work. Wasn’t it? And then you proceeded to frame that grunt, correct?”

“You know me so well Simon.” Black laughed. “I mean the murder detail. Yes, that was all me. That idiot was unrelated but became a useful scapegoat. I guess he should fondle girls more often.” Simon scowled.

“You asshole.”

“Yes, yes, I’m so terrible.” he scoffed. “Tell me something I don’t know.” Black’s face soon fell into a frown. “Too bad it wasn’t that bitch of a rival. Someone as weak and useless as her should be dead…” Black suddenly flipped his switchblade open and stabbed the blade into Simon’s stomach. Nothing vital but still painful. “You’ll do in her place though!”

—

Kairi… Kairi… wake up dear…

Sheets pooled around the blond girl’s waist as she pulled herself upright. She looked around. Nick was asleep in his bed and after climbing up the bunk bed ladder she found Gwen dead asleep. She curiously tilted her head. Where had that voice come from?

The door suddenly creaked open. Was the voice coming from outside the room? Kairi hobbled into the hall but found no one but the front door of the center open. As far as she knew the center was locked at nights. Maybe she should find Nurse Joy and tell her the doors were open…

Kairi… come here… come outside…

Steps came to a halt. Kairi obeyed the voice feeling enticed. The voice continued to whisper to her and she followed the voice, leading her to the base of Burned Tower where she witnessed Black shove Simon onto his back, climb onto him with a twisted look and wrapped his hands around the neck of her dear friend.

Without even thinking of the consequences Kairi swung her arm across the horizon. The collective puddle water came together, creating a whip of water and whipped Black across his face. Startled, he let go of Simon and took a hobbled back.

He recognized that kind of assault. He knew what hit him the only problem was that it shouldn’t even be possible. He was taken back as the attacker came running up. Kairi. It was Kairi of all people. He felt conflicted, angry, annoyed and yet smug.

“I guess I made the right choice when I claimed you as my rival. A bitch you maybe, but you’re amazing.” With a laugh Black ran off into the shadows. Kairi paid him no heed. She tried to shake her friend, begging him to wake up. Her hand moved to his stomach when she noted a dark patch on the wet jacket. To her horror she found blood. She began to panic. What was she to do now. Where was the doctor. Who was she to go to at this hour?!

“Is someone out here?” a light suddenly shined on her and Simon. Wincing at the sudden light she looked to the face of her apparent savior. It was a monk. He knelled down to Simon and frowned.

“He is bleeding a lot… What happened to him?”

“I-I don’t know…! I just heard a voice a-a-and I followed it!” The monk could see this girl was quite hysterical and not the cause of the boy’s injuries. He held a hand up to silence her. “C-can ya 'elp 'em?”

“Yes, please, bring him into our shrine. We will do everything we can to help your friend… Once he’s better and you calm down you can explain what happened.” Kairi smiled gratefully. She lifted Simon onto her back and followed the monk.

—

Pidgeies chirped outside his window for the rainfall has finally passed over the night. Simon grumbled to himself and he rolled in the futon laid out on the tatami flooring. His eyes suddenly snapped open. Futon? Tatami flooring?

Simon quickly sat up to make his escape when he noticed what he was wearing. They looked like the robes of the sages he saw in town. A light white robe under a heavy navy blue with a sash knotted around his waist, loosely no less. A throbbing pain in his side caused the reels in his mind reminded him why he was in pain. Yes. He tried to confront that… person when he attacked him. Why did he stop though….?

As Simon pondered the question Kairi entered the room dressed in red hakama and a white haori, under her arm was Simon’s clothes all cleaned and and stitched up. The young lady smiled.

“Good morning Simon.” Simon went stiff for a second before glaring at the girl.

“What are you doing here?”

“Oh, I stayed the night with the monks… after… you know, you were hurt.” Simon sighed. Why the hell was she so reckless to jump into a fight with that asshole? He shook his head, grabbing his clothes as hr climbed to his feet. Kairi sighed, seeing her friend was ready to leave. “Wait… Simon, why would Black hurt ya? Is it 'cause yer my friend?” Kairi sighed. “That might be it… Nicky said he stabbed 'em too… I can’t believe such a jerk claims to be my rival!” Simon was suddenly swamped with horror as the pieces came together. Rival. He was her self proclaimed rival. No. Not him. Anyone but him.

“Stay away from him.”

“What?”

“Black! Stay away from him!” Kairi furrowed her brows. She got some genuine concern out of her friend but over Black of all things?

“It’s not like I’m followin’ him Simon. That creep is followin’ me! Besides I’m perfectly fine. I got nothin’ to worry about.”

“Nothing to worry about?! That asshole is a murderer and a psychotic sociopath stabbing con-artist!”

“Oh c'mon Simon! I’m fine!” Simon was shaking. Was it with anger? Fury? Fear? No one could tell.

“Go home Kairi!” he almost regretted those words as soon as they came out of his mouth.

“What…?” Kairi’s face held not emotion. It was simply blank, masking her feelings. Sadly, her voice did not mask how she feel. It said everything. Heartbroken and distressed.

“You… you’re not… a good trainer. You belong on your stupid farm! You never should of left it in the fi-!” he never finished that phrase. Kairi struck him in the face with enough force that he stumbled back. He winced. He was expecting a hit, not one backed with that much force.

“Don’t say that Simon…! Don’t ever say that! There’s nothin’ for me on that ranch! I don’t wanna to stay there, I don’t wanna work there till I die! I want to see the world! You know that…” she fell to her knees, tears welding up in her eyes. “You know that…”

“No. You don’t want to see the world. You’d never be able handle it.” he spoke softly. His instincts screamed to comfort her but he bit his lip and climbed to his feet. He briskly brushed past her, as he opened the door to the room he glanced back once more. “Return to the farm Kairi. Life is better for you there then it is out here. Our friendship was a mistake. It was a mistake to encourage to you leave home… everything was.”

“E…everything?”

“Everything.” he repeated. “It’s over Kairi. You are better fit in a life of obscurity,” he clenched the door frame slightly and muttered to himself. “You’ll be safer there…” with that said the door closed with a soft noise. Kairi remained on the floor, mind racing over everything Simon said to her. That wasn’t her friend. That wasn’t the Simon she wanted to find. That…

Simon couldn’t of become that heartless. It was impossible.