I wish it was over. I wish killing Wulfric solves everything, but it doesn't. It creates an entire new world of problems, and only a few of which I can solve. But to me, those are the only ones I care about right now.

It's night now, maybe eight or nine o'clock. I'm completely exhausted. Since I can't just go through the entrance gate, I had to climb my way around. The climbing and itself wasn't difficult, but it took a very long time.

Right now I'm walking around the campsite on victory road. It's halfway through the route on what looks like the remnants of a castle. I'm looking for Sage. He's most likely here. I'm sure he wouldn't have kept going, and I'm inclined to believe he's strong enough to get through Victory Road at a good speed.

There're a lot of people, which is pretty strange for this late in the summer. I guess a lot of kids started late this year.

I hear a grunt from behind me. It's Averie. I have her resting in my backpack right now. After doing a check up of my own, I couldn't find any life threatening injuries. There was a bruise forming on the left side of her face, but nothing else that I could find. No concussion, nothing broken, and nothing internal that I could figure. I wanted to take her to the Pokémon Center, but my plan could've been comprised. I know first aid so I'm confident in Averie's condition.

She mutters in a questioning tone.

"What is it Averie," I ask her softly. She nudges the left side of my neck and I turn in that direction. I scan the area before finally I spot someone I know: Cerise, her platinum blonde hair practically glowing. The others are also there and right in between Jasper and Russet is Sage. Step one complete. I start walking closer.

"Why isn't your name Russell," I hear Sage ask. I'm assuming the question is for Russet.

"Because," Russet begins. "Russet means reddish-brown and apparently my mom thought it'd be a good idea to name me after the color of my hair."

"It's not that bad," Cerise says, "to be named after a color."

"But at least your name sounds like a name. Most people think of the color when they hear my name."

"Actually," Peridot interjects, "They probably think of the potato." That earns a few snickers from the rest of the group.

"I'm named after a color." This is Sage again.

"I thought Sage was a plant," says Russet.

"It's also a color. So is Jasper."

"I thought that was like a mineral." That was Cerise.

"It's a color too. I think a blackish-green."

"I thought jasper was a reddish color."

"I could of sworn it was yellowish brown."

"No, you two are thinking of the gemstone. I'm talking about an actual color, like red or green or purple."

"And who exactly gives a fuck," Jasper interrupts. "How'd we even get on this topic?" He sounds like he's in a very bad mood.

"Somebody woke up on the wrong side of the bed," Russet mutters. He sits back and turns away from the group. His eyes light up when he sees me. "H-hi Sienna!" The rest of the five turn, looks of boredom, happiness, and confusion on their faces. They all greet me, except for Sage and Jasper.

Sage stands up. "W-why..." He trails off, slight fear in his voice.

I finish his sentence. "Am I here? Because I didn't want to stay there."

Sage frowns. "He wouldn't have just... What did you..." He gives up with his questions. "There's a reason you're here."

"Not exactly," I say. "I want to finish the journey. And I guess since you're here with them, I want to spend time with my brother." Not entirely untrue. I don't really want to finish, but I do want to spend time with my brother.

"You did something to him."

"No," I respond with a clear conscience. I didn't do anything. That was all Averie.

"... You're lying. I know you are." He pauses as if expecting me to interject. When I don't, he continues. "You've never liked being in our family." True. "You were an outcast." Also true. "What I don't understand is why. You were Wulfric's favorite grandchild. You were nice and actually, you were a sweet child. Was it because you were an incompetent trainer?"

"Now wait a second," I exclaim. "I was completely competent. Moreso than you in fact." If it's one thing I hate, it's people underestimating me.

"As if," Sage says with a humorless laugh. "You got so defensive; it must be the reason."

That's not the reason, Sage. It was because I'm quote unquote 'unstable.' Apparently my mental state was too shaky. They just believed the lies Wulfric told them. They didn't know how to think for themselves. It was because I was, am, the designated target. I guess they never told Sage this.

That gives me hope that I can help him, that maybe, just maybe, I can get him to trust me.

"I was their chosen target," I say. It's basically true. "They don't like me not because I'm not a competent trainer, but because they just choose."

He looks sidelong at at me. "I find that real hard to believe. Nobody in our family is that petty."

"Then I'll prove it to you," I say. I need Sage on my side. I have to make him trust me and hopefully this'll do it. " I challenge you to a 1-on-1 battle."

He looks momentarily confused. "With what? That Eevee?" I nod. He scoffs haughtily. "Alright. Whatever. You decide the rules then. You already have enough of a disadvantage."

"Gratuit-à-Mort." His eyes widen in shock and what looks to be fear. "Just no switching out."

"Sienna, are you sure," Russet asks worriedly. He and Cerise look extremely concerned while Peridot and Jasper just look confused.

"I'm positive," I confirm. "I know exactly what I'm doing."

Gratuit-à-Mort. Free-to-Death. It was a really common ruleset many years ago, but was practically banned due to how dangerous, even deadly, it could be. It ultimately lead to severe restrictions bring placed on what can and can't be done in battles in Kalos. More than a few Pokémon and trainers were killed battling this way.

In this type of battle, the trainer actively participates, allowed whatever weapon they made choose. If that wasn't dangerous enough, Pokémon are told to do whatever it takes to win, even kill.

It's dangerous, yes, but I know what I'm doing.

"When," he asks.

"Tomorrow. Early in the morning."

"Do you agree," I ask my younger brother.

He thinks for a minute, his green-gray eyes becoming clouded. "W-when is it over? The battle I mean."

"When both the trainer and Pokémon surrenders or one of us..." I trail, allowing everyone to fill in the blank.

"I agree," Sage says finally after a long pause.

"What's gratooyamo," Jasper asks.

"Gratuit-à-mort. It's a fight to the death," Sage answers. "Well, people and Pokémon don't always die, but it isn't uncommon." Jasper looked taken aback.

"And you're actually gonna do this?!" Sage nods, though he looks rather unsure himself.

"7 o'clock," Sage declares. "We'll start the battle then. It's that alright with you?"

"That's completely fine."

Sage gives a quick nod. "Alright. Then it's settled." He looks as though he wanted to say more, but instead he just walks away, Peridot and Jasper following closely behind him.

I turn to Cerise and Russet, both children looking very stunned. "I could use your help if you don't mind."

We choose our battlefield to be a little section of land a good ways away from the campsite. It was very rocky and uneven, remains of stone walls outlining our chosen section. We'd made an agreement upon waking up to stop the battle after an hour had passed, but only if there didn't seem to be a possible winner coming anytime soon.

Sage stood opposite of me, his jacket discarded and a fierce looking Weavile standing next to him. Thrown off to the side was his chosen weapon, an escape rope I'm sure he would be using as a whip. He was motionless, but looked thoughtful and distracted, like he was thinking of strategies. He may very well be; sadly I don't know him well enough to know his style of battle.

I've removed my hoodie and rolled up the sleeves of my shirt. I thought about exchanging the long-sleeved shirt for a tank top but I decided against. This shirt might offer me some extra protection from Weavile.

Averie was poised next to me, an intense look of focus on her face. She didn't seem at all intimidated by Weavile. The dark purplish bruise was beginning to show even more, appearing as a thick line going from her cheek to the base of her ear, but she didn't show any signs of discomfort. I really hope she isn't just faking.

There was a rather significant crowd forming to watch Sage and I. Word seemed to have gotten around the camp overnight. Some trainers were sitting on walls, while others sat on blankets on the ground. A few were standing.

Russet stood diagonal to both Sage and I, though he stood a decent distance away. He was chosen to referee. He looks understandably nervous as he calls for attention. The low hum of the crowd dies down.

"This will be a two-on-two match between the trainer Sienna and her Eevee..." He motions to me. "...and the trainer Sage and his Weavile." He motions to Sage. "This battle will be fought using the Gratuit-à-mort ruleset." There was a temporary low mutter from the crowd. "The match will be over with both participants on either side are deemed unable to battle, or when or if one participant on either side is... fatally wounded." He stops talking, but the crowd is completely silent.

"Alternatively," Russet resumes, "the match can be ended if an hour has passed and there is no clear winner that can be determined." He looks to each of us. "Trainers, Pokémon, is this all clear?" We all nod in unison. "Alright. Battle... begin!"

"Weavile," Sage days wasting no time. "Ice Shard!" Weavile creates multiple glass like prices of ice in front of her hand before sending them barreling towards Averie and I.

I curl into a ball, letting the sleeves of my shirt take most of the damage. I have experience with being attacked by Ice Shard. I don't need to tell Averie what to do. She's utilizes her special ability to dodge which, given this situation, isn't an illegal move.

Without being told, she performs Swift, sending shimmering gold stars towards my brother like a heat-seeking missile. Sage is hit directly in his chest. Weavile is quick enough to jump over the line of stars and uses the force to propel herself towards me. Her claws are glowing a sickly purple color. Poison Jab.

I grab her claws and roll backwards. I kick her to the side and push some of the hair from my face. Blood squeezes from the palm of my right hand. I'm not poisoned, so that's good.

A sharp cold pain hits my face before I'm knocked off my feet. My head hits the ground with an audible thud. Dammit, I know Weavile are fast! I should have kept my guard up.

I grab my knife and pop it open. I feel slash across my chest and return the favor with my blade. Weavile lets out a cry way too pained to be from the shallow cut on her cheek. I slice again, almost experimentally. She let's out another piercing yell.

The blade is steel... wow. Lucky for me.

I slash again. I don't want to stab her. I couldn't ever bring myself to kill a Pokémon. She screams again and puches me in anger. Ice Punch to be exact. Air rushes from my lungs and I cough weakly. Another punch, one after another. My movements are slowing, my cutting becoming weaker. I can feel the chilling cold beginning to advance across my body. I'm being frozen.

I call out for Averie. Then, all I see is gold. Averie is on top of Weavile in a flash, teeth glowing midnight black. I want to watch, to admire how well my little Eevee can fight, but I need to tend to Sage.

He is picking himself up off the ground, makeshift whip wrapped tightly around his hand. He has a rather bemused look on his face. He looks rough. His shirt is off, instead hastily wrapped around his right arm. Blood is soaking through. Dammit Averie. I think you hurt him a little too badly for my liking.

From behind me, I hear the struggle between Averie and Weavile. I hear rabid snarling, feral growls, tortured yelled. But they're all background noises. They're muted. What I can hear loud and clear is Sage's wild, manic breathing.

"Weavile, use Ice Punch," he says, voice ragged. Averie must have really done a number on him. "And don't stop until that Eevee's frozen solid!"

If Weavile made a response, I didn't hear it. Sage is fast, unnaturally fast for a boy only ten. The whip connects with my neck. I can't help but scream. He repeats this. Then again. And again. He's fast, and I can't keep up with his movements.

That's the thing. Everyone in this fight is quick on their feet. They're small and swift. I'm the largest one in this group; I'm the slowest and it doesn't help that I'm half frozen. I can't keep up with everyone, but they have weaknesses too.

I grab the whip as it lashes down once more. My hand practically screams, the same one Weavile dug her claws into, but I try to ignore it. Sage tries to pull it from me however, I'm not letting him. I jerk the rope and he tumbles forward. I start to fall with him, but he's light enough, or I'm strong enough, to where I can remain standing with the rope still in my hand.

I put my foot on his chest and brandish my knife. "Well Sage. Are you going to surrender?" Sage struggles for a minute before finally finding it useless. He doesn't look at me, instead choosing to focus on the other battle across the field. Weavile has the upper hand, but Averie is putting up an amazing fight. They're both bleeding, whether it be from bites or cuts. You can barely see it on Weavile's body, but the slickness of her fur tells the story.

"Averie," I yell, not even struggling to keep a mischievous tone from my voice. "Use Return." I hear Sage mutter angrily from under me. He can see how loyal Averie is to me and he thinks this'll be a powerful attack.

A weak blue aura surrounds Averie. She runs into Weavile but there is no force behind the attack. Weavile barely flinches. Confusion appears on her face. Averie as well, though I can see the sly glint her eyes.

I fake a look of perplexity. Sage uses my 'inattention' to push me off him. From a pocket on the leg of his pants, he pulls out a Pokéball. Thank Xerneas! I was hoping he'd do this! Plan A is a go.

I still haven't let go of the whip, and his hand is still wrapped in it. I yank him backwards and bring him to the ground. We struggle over the Pokéball, biting and scratching and punching, even. Neither of us wanting to drop the whip.

I manage to get on top of him, and jerk the rope. He grunts in discomfort. I lift my arm, half to stretch, half to intimidate him with my weapon. He knees me in my stomach. Then, as a reflex, I slam my pocket knife down. It stuck into the ground only a centimeter from his cheek. No, not even. I'd cut his cheek, the faint faint red color of his blood staining the already flushed skin.

He looks bewildered. To be honest, I didn't want to hurt him. At least not cut or stab him. Oh well. It'll hopefully be worth it.

I yank the Pokéball while he's in a stupor and throw it across the field. Averie, almost limping, jumps to meet it just as Weavile attempts to swat it away. The white button meets her nose and a red energy shoots out to capture her. It clicks almost immediately.

"Averie," I shout, "come back out and use Return!" She emerges from the Pokéball before it even hits the ground. An intense cobalt blue aura complete enraptures her. She slams into Weavile at an unnatural speed.

Weavile hits the ground, but doesn't stay down long. Her claws glow black and she pounces back up. Averie dodges with Quick Attack, then strikes with Return once more.

Sage isn't trying to escape. He isn't even focused on our Pokémon's battle. He's looking inquisitively at me.

"Did... Did you..." He trails off. I smile sweetly.

"Only if you think I did." He keeps staring at me. In the distance I can hear the worn out grunts and huffs of our Pokémon. It sounds like Averie is only dodging while Weavile is on the offensive.

Sage gives me a look of surrender before calling to his Pokémon."Weavile, I think we need to give up." Weavile looks at him incredulously, but stops the onslaught.

I roll off of Sage and help him to his feet. He doesn't say anything; I think his pride is too wounded. He wants to say something, but he doesn't know what. I know. I can see it.

"Um... Sienna-"

"I surrender," I announce. I can feel the crowd and our Pokémon focus on us, but I don't care. I'm focused on Sage. We're almost at eye level. Strange considering how he's six years younger than me.

I've always loved his eyes, how they contrasted with Wulfric's cold and calculating ones instead always innocent and exciting. They gave me a sense of peace. Now they lool puzzled, amazed, and while still guarded they show a growing glimmer of trust.

Just as I predicted.