Aroura: We're Back!!

Akki: After a...wow...a three month break.

Aroura: I'm almost finished with re-writing a few of the chapters in Newcomer. And, a word to the wise, I advise, if you haven't already, that you read part 1: Newcomer. Otherwise, you just might get lost.

Akki: Well, enjoy.

"Ow, ow, ow, ow…" with a strangled yelp, the Gang landed in a pile of bushes off to the side of a dirt road.

"Blaze?" Aelita gasped, keeping her face buried in the pile of leaves and sticks sitting under the group.

"Pika chu…"

"What was that?" Aelita shuddered, picking her head up. She found herself staring into two tiny black eyes. "Yeek!!" She flung herself backwards and onto Jeremy, who cried out in surprise. In front of the group was a tiny yellow mouse-like creature with two long, black-tipped ears and a lightning-blot-like tail. Standing next to it was a red-yellow, six-foot tall chicken-like creature with a long, creamy colored mane. Instead of a beak, it had a long pointed mouth. On each hand were three grey claws.

"Pi pika chu pi!" the tiny mouse cried happily, raising its paw towards Aelita.

"Blaze ken ken blaze." The chicken smirked, turning to Lizzy.

"Wait…I know these two…" Lizzy grinned. "It's nice to see you again."

"Ken blaze?"

"What…what's it saying?" Jeremy asked, trembling.

"Blaziken," Lizzy answered, gesturing to the giant chicken (shudder…I'm sorry, Blaziken…), "is saying that, one, it's nice to see me again and, two, he wants to know why I'm back." Lizzy grinned. "Pikachu," She gestured to the mouse, "on the other hand, is saying 'hi' to Aelita." She turned to the pink-haired girl. "It wants you to shake its paw."

"Oh…" Aelita turned to Pikachu. "Uh…how do you do?"

"Chu chu pika pi!" Pikachu smiled.

"Translation, please." Odd muttered.

Kelsey sighed. "It said-"

"Pikachu!!"

"Blaziken!!" the Gang turned to find a group of five kids running towards them.

"I'm sorry." The youngest girl said, resting her elbows on her knees, taking in deep breaths. "Was my Blaziken bothering you?" She had light brown hair pulled into two ponytails and covered with a red bandana with a strange white symbol on it. She was wearing a tight, red, short-sleeved shirt, a white skirt, a pair of blue shorts, a pair of blue and white gloves, and a pair of red and yellow shoes. Clipped around her waist was a yellow bag.

"Sorry…I'm confused." Yumi admitted quietly. "But…what's a Blaziken?" The opposing group looked at her strangely. Lizzy and Kelsey slapped a hand to their forheads.

"Uh…don't mind her…she's not from around here." Lizzy grinned impishly.

"…Lizzy?" the oldest girl whispered. Her red hair was pulled into a single ponytail on the side of her head and she was wearing a yellow, short-sleeved jacket with a red t-shirt underneath and a pair of yellow shorts. Floating behind her was a pasty white creature with red and blue triangles covering its body.

"That's my name, don't wear it out!" Lizzy smirked, jumping to her feet. "It's good to see you all again!"

"Same here!" agreed the black-haired male. He bent over and picked up Pikachu before placing him on his right shoulder.

"Have you improved at all, Ash?" Lizzy laughed, addressing the black-haired boy and placing her hands on her hips.

"If you mean his work habits, he hasn't improved one bit." Brock smirked as he pulled off Ash's cap and ruffled his messy hair.

Ash took his hat back and slammed it onto his head. "You won't believe it! I have so many badges and I beat the Battle Frontier too!" he cried. "And now, we're on our way to Sinnoh."

"Really? Sweet…" Kelsey and Lizzy grinned simultaneously.

"Sinnoh? Battle Frontier? Okay…I'm really confused." Ulrich whispered, nudging Lizzy in the ribs. "Mind giving us a proper explanation?" Lizzy sighed.

"Hey, Liz, Kels…we were just gonna go to Professor Oak's. You wanna come?" asked the red-haired girl.

"We'd love to, Misty." Kelsey answered. "I really want to see Gurasu again."

"Gu…ra…su?" Yumi questioned, slowly pronouncing each syllable.

"My Leafeon." Kelsey explained.

"Leaf…eon?"

"Ugh…" Kelsey moaned. Lizzy placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"Don't worry. She'll get it sooner or later." Lizzy grinned. She turned back to the others. "Well? What are we doing just standing here?! Let's go!"

Aroura: Ok...this time, I need two reviews before I put up the next chapter. Got it?

Akki: From the way it's going, the next chapter is going to be rather long...

Aroura: Akki, please, back away from the notebook. And drop the torch as well.