It was a lil past noon as Rose and Konjou had left Slateport City on a ship heading their way to Dewford Town for Rose to battle and gain her 6th badge at the Gym.  The trip was to last for 3 to 4 days and so in that time they did train together and relaxed but on the 2nd night a storm appeared that caused the ship to toss and turn w/ everyone that was on deck was trying to get to safety while Kazuki and Rose were helping get PoKe'MoN inside but the ship causes a young Bulbasaur to slide on the deck to fly off but Rose grabs onto his wrist and the railing, she was holding out tightly but was losing her grip that when she slips but was able to toss the Bulbasaur back onto the ship and Kazuki grabs the young Bulbasaur and shouts out to Rose as she splashes into the ocean and was dragged out to sea doing her best to stay afloat as the ocean's water were rough until she finally after about 30 minutes of struggling made it to land and w/ the last bit of her strength she got herself further on land and collapses to rest.

The morning soon was upon her as her face was touched by the sun's rays, she grunts a lil and opened her eyes as she soon stood up and left the haven that protected her that night while looking up at it to see it was a partially buried piece of an old ship and by the size of it showed it was kind of a cruise ship as she steps to the side and see the remains of said cruise ship close by, she looked at its size then looked around, the island itself was bare of any food or fresh water, just sand, the ocean surrounding her and the old ruined ship before her, maybe there would be a raft for her to use that may be intact, she only hoped there was one cause w/o food or water she wouldn't last long, so into the ship she went through a large hole in the hull as if something had rendered it open w/ a can opener, once inside she was hoping it would hold out while also being able to find a raft to escape the island and get to another island as she felt a bit lost w/o Konjou by her side but wouldn't give up either way.

She searched for 2 hours w/ only a fireball to light her way, she was starting to get hungry as she continued through the dark maze of the ship now having gone up 3 flights of stairs to appear in what might be the dining hall and feeling as hungry as she was she was then hoping maybe she might find some food that isn't spoiled or rotten, she heads into the kitchen looking in the cupboards then opened what appeared to be the freezer storage and when it opened a cool breeze came from it, it appeared that the freezer was still working but then she sees a large pile of ice that had different types of food inside, she took a few and used her fire to melt them out and have a meal and it was very satisfying that she was ready to continue her search for a good raft to use and leave this empty island and old abandoned ship, she began looking all through the ship to end up in captain's room, looking about it seemed someone lived here as it was still clean but a mess w/ no cobwebs or anything but some stacked items; lifejackets, blankets, pillows and more, she begins to look through the items carefully to then find a raft as she takes one and begins to head back down the stairs.

Rose reaches the 3rd floor getting closer to where she came in w/ the raft in tow but suddenly she turns and sees a dark orb flying towards her, it was 'Shadow Ball' as she dives out of the way just in time as the orb bursts into the already shattered mirror and a voice calls out, "You dare to enter my domain!  I'll teach you for stealing from me!!" he shouted as Rose spoke out, "I didn't know anyone was still around, I would have asked if I knew you were around." she said as she was behind a table that was on its side, "Shut up, thief!  I'll make you pay!" he shouted sending small fireballs that hit the table, floor and the wall in front of her and she knew it was the move 'Will-O-Wisp' as it began to burn and she moves jumping out of the way but screams as her tail was hit and when she looked it was partially covered in Ice, she looked at who struck and finds it was a Gengar looking old, a lil blind in 1 eye and in tattered clothing w/ long and shaggy hair and beard as the fire was gone and the floor was covered in ice, Rose saw he used 'Ice Punch' to try and stop her, "You will pay for trespassing!" he said as he stared at her w/ eyes the glowed and was laughing a bit insanely as he was lifting his arms about to use another attack to where Rose stared back for a moment then closed her eyes.

She thought it was going to be the end when she quickly acted on impulse and used 'Mud-Slap' covering the Gengar's eyes as he shouted and stumbled while she then charged and whacked his head w/ 'Iron Tail' knocking him unconscious, she breathes out a lil and bowed, "I apologize for doing this but I must get back w/ my master and continue my journey." she said as he quickly grabbed the raft and left the ship, she got it inflated and used 'Swift' to propel her away from the ruined ship and island, she was out in the middle of the ocean looking for any signs to then see a rescue boat w/ Konjou on board, she was relieved to be back w/ him again as they continued their journey together through the Hoenn Region, winning badge after badge she was closer to achieving her dream of being the next champion; but throughout their travels she strangely felt a lil colder the further she was to the PoKe'MoN League as if a dark cloud was looming over her but she shrugged it off thinking it's doubt and she felt as long as Konjou was w/ her she would never fail.  But once are the championship qualifying rounds she was over powered each time and lost her chance to advance and get a chance to fight against the champion to where she felt she had failed her grandmother's legacy and out shame to her entire family, it was a long trip back home to Lavaridge w/ Konjou always by her side trying to comfort her for her loss, "Rose, in battles like those we learn more from our defeats." Rose gently sniffled and looked to him w/ a smile, "... your right... it just shows I need to train hard... will you help me, Master?"  "Of course." she hugs Konjou tightly, "... as long as I have my family... and you... I'll keep pushing to be the best and I will be someday." she said as they soon reach Lavaridge.

They arrive at Lavaridge to where Rose's family all comforted her and they ate her favorite dinner and trained some more w/ Konjou by her side, but when Amber returned the next day she was the new champion of the Hoenn Region and came to her house personally thanking her for being that lil stepping stone that got her to the top, Rose was angry as she was shooting fire everywhere at the open field where the waterfall was, she was punching and kicking rocks and boulders she was literally having a fit and Konjou came up and spoke, "Rose, stop, your only hurting yourself.  You need t-"  "NO!!  Shut up!  I've been training all my life to be a champion and I failed!  To the 1 PoKe'MoN I hate the most!  And you... you’re supposed to be the greatest fighter ever.  And I... I still lost... I lost my dream to be a champion and Amber will make sure of that!" she said tossing her grandmother's earring at him as he caught it, "Konjou!  It's... I... just... just go away..." she said as she sat down holding her legs to herself as Konjou breathed out looking down a lil as he turned and walked away, Rose had her eyes closed as she was feeling terrible about everything but her heart felt a lil worse cause of what she said to her love and that she didn't mean and was only letting off some steam, after she had time to cool off and gather herself she then stood up breathed out, "... I can't just give up; I just need to... to center myself.  I need to find my center, like Master Konjou says, Find your center and you'll find your way." she said and turns to head back home but a chill in the air made her feel cold all over for a moment that she looked around a lil as there was a bit of a breeze that then turned warm.

Rose looks up at the air as there was something coming down from the dark sky and when she caught the small particles she spoke, "... ashes." she then felt the ground shake an looked up at the Mt. Chimney as it was starting to act violently and the siren from the center was sounding the alert the voice was to muffled a bit from her current location but she knew it was not good new as she rushes back to town as quickly as possible.  The siren continued to sound loudly as she returns to the towns entrance as the citizens were running out but there was some smoke in the air that she coughed a bit and rushed to her family to see if they were ok, which they were as they followed the rest as well but when not seeing Konjou anywhere she quickly began searching for him to where someone pointed up on the mountain as the lava was on its way down the mountain as she sees a huge blast of energy going across the mountain leading away from the town, when she saw it she immediately runs towards where the blast was knowing well that Konjou would be there, she reaches the source of the beam and it was coming from Konjou as it looked like he was using up the rest of his power finish as he goes to his knees as she calls out to him, "Konjou!" he looks to her and tosses the earring to her, "I'm sorry I couldn't help you achieve your dream before.  But don't give up, no matter what.  Be strong." he said just before the lava flooded over and engulfed him in its fiery blaze as she screams, "KONJOU!!!" her voice echoed while showing that the lava missing more than 3/4th of the town from path Konjou made before.

A news report from the sky talks about how Mt. Chimney had over flowed and destroyed almost 1/4th of the town, the home to the new Hoenn Champion: Amber and that 1 life was taken from the lava of Mt. Chimney; the renowned Mystery Fighter: Kazuki "Silver FoxFire" Nobu for changing the direction of the lava from destroying the town of Lavaridge, the town is currently being cleaned to be livable once again but all the citizens have moved away for the time being as the TV was turned off.  It was Rose's mother: Leera that turned the TV off as she sighed looking to Rose as she was curled up in bed softly breathing and sniffling as she was shivering a bit as well, Rose's father: Victor opens the door w/ his leg having been broken from before beckons his wife to come outside to speak but his expression was an unhappy one as she went outside and the door closed and in the silence Rose didn't hear much but then heard her mother crying as Rose closed her eyes crying further as the twins; Chuckie and Bell had inhaled to much of the volcano's ashes that they were having difficulty breathing and was taken to the Mauville center as soon as possible but Rose hearing her mother's cry knows that they didn't make it and were no longer in the world of the living, after giving them a proper burial and saying their good byes they were beginning to travel to Slateport as they were invited to stay w/ the grandparents in Ecruteak City.

While they all were heading to Slateport her father; Victor's leg was in terrible condition that he could no longer work and maybe had about 3 years to live before all the bone fragments in his veins spread and cut his heart but his mind will be damaged by the fragments in a matter of maybe 1 month, this caused more worry to Rose's mother; Leera as she cried a bit more and soon reached Slateport and go aboard the ship heading to the Johto Region's Olivine City.  It was going to be a long trip that throughout Rose was silent and quiet mostly keeping to herself in her depression that soon she was in her room while the rest of her family were trying to ease their minds on the loss of their home as well as Chuckie and Bell's death, Rose barely ate anything but some food was provided in the room that she moves and lightly sits up looking at the food and gently begins to eat but then sighs, "... Konjou... I... I'm sorry.  It's entirely my fault; I shouldn't have blamed you for my loss.  I... I wish you were back here by my side... you could have them." she said w/ her eyes closed shedding some more tears, there was warmth that gently filled her body all over as she lightly opened her eyes to look and touch her collar as the gem gently glowed then a soft voice was heard as she perked and stood up, "Hello?  Is someo-" she looked at the window to the door and see a phantom image that goes through the door, Rose watched a lil frighten but was compelled to follow after the strange but almost familiar phantasm of a ghost. 

Rose opened the door and looked as she followed it outside to where it was a bit dark outside but she didn't pay much mind to it that when facing this phantom that called her she spoke, "... who... who are you?" she asked as the image didn't speak but it then turns and solidified to be Konjou, she gasped and froze shedding tears as she reached out, "Konjou... I... I'm sorry." she said while he reached out to her speaking but no sound was heard, before they could touch a harsh cold wind blew chilling her and making Konjou's image fade away, "No!  Wait!" she called out then the ship was shaking about harshly and rain began to shower down on the PoKe'MoN on the deck were gasping and hanging on while on the speaker the captain calls out, "Attention, attention!  Everyone please return to your rooms, we've just been hit by a huge storm, return to your rooms immediately." everyone began to rush inside as quickly as possible but before Rose began she hears the screams of 3 of her siblings; Brandon, Lisa and Martha and a couple other PoKe'MoN fell into the ocean as she grips the sides calling out to them, the 2nd youngest and eldest of her brothers; Lance, jumps into the ocean and begins to help his family while some crew members tossed life preservers to pull them in but it was difficult to keep the ship from moving away from to PoKe'MoN that needed to be saved, Rose went over and help getting Lisa on board and held onto her as Lance was getting Martha and Brandon as the life preserver was sent out Lance was getting tired as he grips them and the preserver and was beginning to be pulled in.

Rose watched holding Lisa against herself and the railing to then see her other siblings were now being pulled up but the rope rips and snaps causing Lance, Martha and Brandon to fall once more into the ocean and the current was so rough that what felt like seconds they were swept away in the current but before they disappeared under the waves they shouted to Rose, "Be strong, Rose!  Be strong!", Rose was shedding tears as she cries out hugging Lisa against herself as she takes Lisa back inside to explain to her parents that they were taken by the sea but a search crew was out to get them back as soon as possible, Rose could see the worry in her mother's expression while her father was already losing his memory, as her only sibling w/ them; Lisa, was now suffering from a high fever.  They arrive at Olivine City and took Lisa to the center to help her recover but it was almost proving futile that she'll last the next 24 hours from what the nurse said, they were also waiting for any word on Lance, Martha and Brandon as Rose's mother looked like she was going to fall apart at any second and her father had lost most of his memories and motor skills that he needed to be in a wheelchair to get around.  Rose was walking along the pier heading towards the station to see if there was any word of her siblings but when she got there she was told they drowned from the waves being too rough and couldn't fight back to survive, she was returning to the center shedding tears for the loss of 3 more siblings leaving her w/ 1 left and she wasn't going to last if nothing changed.

She returned to the center and told her parents the news from the station which made her mother look a lil more paler as she gripped her chest a bit while the nurse came to Rose saying that Lisa wasn't going to live much longer but was saying her name as if wanting to see you, Rose arrives to speak w/ Lisa, "... Lisa?" Rose asked, "... R... Rose."  "Hold on, Lisa, you... you'll be fine." she said shedding tears as Lisa smiled shaking her head a lil, "... Rose... be... strong..."  "I... I'm trying... I'm trying... so hard." she said as Lisa speaks again, "... be... strong." Lisa closed her eyes still smiling and soon goes limp as the machine showed her heart having stopped, the nurse comes in to check as Rose stood there looking to Lisa wondering why she was smiling, the nurse turns the machine off and lightly covered Lisa's face w/ the blanket, "I'm sorry, miss, she's dead." Rose sheds tears again as her body shivered and begins to walk to see her mother and father and when telling them the news, her mother looked broken as she sat w/ her love shedding tears and was speechless where Rose understood her mother's pain being the eldest and having helped raise them so.  The next day they made burials for Lance, Martha, Brandon and Lisa, Rose and her parents looked at the graves w/ such sadness but Rose still felt a warmth over her that while her father's mind was now lost in an almost vegetative state as he softly began speaking over and over, "Be strong." while her mother was behind Victor looking at the graves.

Leera looked on as she then turned and began to walk wheeling her husband in front of her while Rose stood there looking at the graves remembering what her father and siblings said, "Be strong." that made her remember the last thing Konjou said, "Be strong." she was confused on why they said that before they died as she just held her head shaking a lil but then there was a glow from the gem on her collar, she opened her eyes and touched the gem, "... master?" she asked to then look up to see the phantom figure again as she lightly moved towards it as moved away from her, "Wait... master!" she said running towards it to where she stops only focusing on him, "Speak to me!" she said as it stopped and turned to face her w/ his image becoming clear once more to be him as he reached out his arm and spoke, it was soft but she heard a few word, "Be strong... out... up an... el."  "I don't understand, what are you saying?" she asked reaching out to then feel a harsh wind blew past her again causing it to the image of Konjou to disappear again, "NO!" she shouted looking around again to then see her mother and father near a cliff by the lighthouse, "... m... mom?" she walks over, "Don't come any closer, Rose!" her mother said in a stern tone which made Rose freeze as she's never heard her speak that way before, as there was a sense of what might be dread in the air.

Rose's mother was silent for a moment as she looked at her from behind w/ Victor in front of her mother, "... I know it's hard to bare what you've seen... but... that's life... but remember 1 thing if anything... and that is to be strong, Rose... be strong." she said as Rose looked to her mother confused from her saying that as well then shook her head, "... mom... no." Rose said as she felt afraid thinking her mother was going to die as those words were spoken before someone died, Leera looks to Rose w/ a soft smile as her father was also smiling while saying "Be strong." over and over that she then moves helps Victor out of the chair to stand together then fell backwards over the cliff, Rose gasped as she then fell to her knees and forearms shedding tears again, "No... no... why?  Why is this happening?  Why?!" she kept asking while crying and hitting the ground w/ her fists, she sobbed for a good while before then standing and making a burial site for her mother and father but then gathering her things at the center and called her grandparents before traveling by bus to Ecruteak City where they lived, she felt herself hurt all over and probably couldn't do much of anything but when touching the collar it gave her some courage to withstand all that's happened while she traveled to be w/ her grandparents.  As she sat in the bus she was feeling tired as if she's been awake for weeks but as the driver spoke, "Ecruteak City, in 10 minutes." she looking out the window to see the city getting closer as she smiles a lil hoping for some comfort when she arrives, her gem glowed again as a warmth was over her once more that she felt someone touch her shoulder making her gasp and looked to her side to see Konjou's paw there then looking up to see him again but still transparent, "... master."  "Be strong, get... elf out... ache up and re... el."  "I don't understand."  "Get... elf out... ache up and re... el." he said before then before the door of the bus opens and a huge gust of cold wind blew the image away, Rose gasped and tried to stop it but was told it was time to get off the bus.

Rose exited the bus as looked around covering herself up more feeling colder than usual thinking a lil that maybe it was winter time now in the Johto Region and she begins walking to where her grandparents live, she softly was touching her collar thinking of her parents, her siblings and especially of her master Konjou, she was slightly shivering as she got closer to her grandparents feeling as if her body was getting closer from the inside out but before she gets there an officer drives up to her, "Excuse me, miss, are you named Rose?"  "Yes."  "Come w/ me." Rose got in the vehicle and drove to the center explaining that her grandparents were gathering goods yesterday until they were a stray attack destroyed a billboard and it landed on them and a couple other PoKe'MoN, 3 of her grandparents sadly didn't survive the wreck but her grandmother; Elizabeth, was right now in intensive care and told them Rose would be arriving soon and to bring her to the center.  Rose's heart tightened as she felt she couldn't breathe from hearing this news as a fear washed over her on that her grandmother Elli would die as well, tears soaked her face as she entered the room where her grandmother laid, "... Grandma?" she asked softly touching her hand as Elli opened her eyes to smile, "Rosie... I'm sorry; we couldn't give you a proper welcome."  "Forget about that, all I want is for you to live, I'll do anything to make sure you live, anything!"  "Rosie dear... you are so strong."  "No, I'm not!  I'm weak!" she said gripping Elli's hand and sniffling as Elli lightly grips, "Rosie, knowing you are weak... helps make you be brave to overcome the terrible things before you.  To find the courage, that will lead you to victory… even to find your way back home." Elli said smiling as Rose looked to her a lil confused but was calmer in hearing her speak, "You will be fine, Rose... cause you are strong... and you are never alone." she said closing her eyes, "Be strong, Rose... be... strong." Elli said smiling as her grip soon loosened and was now limp as the heart machine made its long beep and the nurse turned it off.

Rose held her grandmother's hand in her own, feeling the chill of the air surround her as she felt that she couldn't live anymore w/o her family to support her now and she couldn't cry as all her tears were gone, she slowly stood up from the chair and lets her grandmother's hand go, setting it upon the other to slowly exit the room talking to herself, "... I... I'm all alone now... no family... no friends... no... no one... I wish you were all still here w/ me." she said as she leaned against the wall and slid to lean on it as she was slowly closing her eyes as if to give up and just lay on the floor, she could feel and hear her heart softly beating slower and slower as it was growing colder and darker around her as her body was becoming limp she subconsciously touches her collar once more, "... Konjou..." she softly said as the last beat of her heart echoed in the darkness.   The gem on the collar glowed a bit, "Rose.  Rose."  "... K... Konjou?"  "Rose.  Rose!" Konjou's voice was hear calling her name as she slowly opened her eyes seeing the glow from the gem was keeping the darkness at bay and his image stood before her as she reaches out slowly, he looks to her as if telling her to not give up which she grips the collar and struggled to stand up once again looking at him as he gives a lil smile and nods and motioned w/ his head to follow him, she was still weak but she was determined follow him as he keep stopping to see her still chasing him, she would stumble and be out of breath but continued as he led her to the Bell Tower, all the way to the top as Konjou spoke, "Get... elf out... ache up and re... el." she looked to him, "I don't understand... what are yo-" she stopped and looked at the bell as she thought on the last word, "re... el... !!  Ring the bell!" she said as Konjou smiled w/ a nod as she walked up to it and w/ a deep breath she gets a smell of something foul at clicks in her mind, as she punches the bell hard causing it to ring loudly through Ecruteak City as the vibrates shook the area into a haze as the words then became clear, "Get yourself out and wake up, ring the bell!" as she then strikes it some more making the world more and more hazed.

Rose punches over and over again to strike once more and opened her eyes to see that she was punching the hermit Gengar in the face while she was on the floor against her back, she cause the Gengar to fly across the room and into a wall as he grunts and groans in pain, Rose was confused on what was happening but she knew she used 'Odor Sleuth' and had just learned the move 'Counter' punching the living daylights out of that Gengar as he was using an attack on her, she tried to move but after using that attack she had no energy left, "Ugh, why... why can't I move?" she asked as the Gengar stumbles out of the wall as he speaks, "Ugh, had you in my clutches for 20 minutes and yet she still fights me, how did she withstand my nightmares?!" the hermit Gengar said as Rose gasped a bit thinking to herself that when his eyes glowed he used 'Hypnosis' then was draining her energy w/ 'Nightmare', "Ugh... no matter, I'll be able to finish this in 2 or 3 more minutes then you'll be m-" the hermit was saying before getting bashed in the head by Konjou using 'Zen Headbutt' then slamming the Gengar w/ 9 powerful 'Iron Tail' attacks as the Gengar screams bursting through the floors of the ship to end up in the boiler room, Konjou lands then goes over to Rose, "Rose, you alright?" he asked as she was crying and weakly hugged him as Konjou felt she was weakened a lot, "Master... I..."  "Easy Rose, you've lost a lot of energy, I have some-"  "NOOOOOOO!!!" the hermit Gengar busted out of the floor w/ as his eyes glowed red, "You will not take her!!  If I can't have her, no one will!!" he said as he uses 'Thunder' from inside the ship, Konjou grips and carried Rose dodging the attacks left and right as the hermit Gengar was blasting wildly about, Konjou while carrying Rose escaped the hole he came in from landing to see he was in the furnace but as the Gengar blasts another 'Thunder' Konjou disappeared w/ Rose exiting the ship entirely as the attack sets off a chain of explosions in the boiler room all the way to the engine.

Rose in Konjou's arms was somewhat dazed throughout what was happening to even hear the huge explosion from the ship that faded in the distance as she slowly closed her eyes and used 'Rest', it was hours before she gently opened her eyes to gently stretching herself out feeling so much better after such a good rest that she then realizes she was in a center's E.R. and when siting up the nurse enters to check on her and when seeing that she was awake she spoke "Kazuki brought you here.  It is an amazing story to hear, as soon as he got to the Dewford, he jumped off the ship and rushed to the rental dock and uh... borrowed a motorboat to go and search for you, it was quite amazing that he was able to find you so quickly, it was like he could sense where you were." she said while Rose gently touched her collar a bit w/ a lil smile still listening, "And when he returned he brought you here right away to be treated, but right now he's speaking w/ the officer and boat rental owner about the situation, where I think it was an honorable thing to do."  "... yes, I think so too." Rose said then the Nurse dismissed her saying she was 100% healthy, Rose thanks the Nurse and heads out of the E.R. and goes to the phone and calls her family as well as her grandparents, letting them know she's fine and that she was happy to see their faces again and was trying to cover up her tears and said that she missed them all and will keep in contact, when finishing the call she wiped her tears feeling happy they were still alive and well.

Rose breathes out a lil sigh as she sat there then heard someone coming into the center and when looking she sees it's Konjou as he looks to her and her to him as she stands up smiling widely and running to him, she was just overjoyed to see him again that she hugged him tightly, "Master!  I'm so glad to see you!" she said as he hugs her back and gently pats her back, "its ok, Rose.  Your safe now and well again." he said as she kisses his cheek and hugs him some more, "Oh master... I... I almost gave up, but my family and you... you helped me escape that horrible nightmare." she said as she looks to her not sure what happened back at the ship but he spoke, "... Rose, I'm not sure what happened there, but I'm sure it was your love for your family that helped you to overcome what you faced in your nightmare." he said as she softly shedded tears still holding him close not wanting to let go as he lightly held her to himself letting her enjoy the comfort of his company, her eyes were closed as she hugged him and nuzzled breathing soundly while against him as she felt her heart and mind was being healed from the damage from what she experienced in that nightmare and w/ the evil hermit of a Gengar hoping to never see him again; after a good while Rose finally looks to him, "I... I think I would like a break from training for a day or 2, master." he nods gently, "I think that would be best for a while.  We'll continue training when you’re ready, then you'll fight the gym here before we continue our travels." he said as she nods in agreement and rested her head on him once more "Can we stay like this a lil longer, master?" she requested while holding the hug tightly as he nods, "... as long as you need, Rose.  As long as you need." he said as she smiles softly feeling at ease in his arm as they stood there hugging one another as she dreamt of her family and Konjou living together in peace.

THE END