~Just Friends?~

"Attention all shoppers, Poke Mart Mini will be closing early this evening, please take all your items to the register immediately! Thank you!",announced a shrill voice over the loudspeaker.

Brock, the spiky haired, tan skinned Pokemon Breeder looked around disappointedly, dismayed that he had no time to purchase a new Potion that had just been released. He set down the small, clear spray bottle and walked toward the exit, noting the long line that had appeared before the register.

As he stepped outside into the rapidly darkening evening, Brock sighed and stretched out his arms, eager to return to the Pokemon Center for a good night's sleep. The former Gym Leader was in Celadon City for an annual Breeder's convention, hoping to further his knowledge of raising Pokemon. The convention was starting extra early the next day and he knew that he had to get some rest to be able to help with the children's activities the convention committee had planned.

So engrossed in his thoughts, Brock failed to notice that he was walking straight toward someone. The inevitable collision happened in an instant though Brock could still feel the pain linger on his head. As he got up to dust himself off, he noticed the stranger he had run into do the same.

"Sorry about that. I need to watch where I'm going next ti...", Brock started before catching sight of who he had knocked over. She was a rather tall woman, her raven hair highlighted by streaks of crimson and her dark turtleneck top matching her similarly colored pants perfectly. She took her time dusting herself off, not noticing Brock's mouth agape. He would not be silent for long though as seconds later he shouted joyously,

"LUCY!"

Before she knew what had happened, her hands were intertwined with Brock's as he gazed at her lovingly. The Pike Queen of the Battle Frontier could feel the heat coming to her cheeks as she looked away, hoping that her squinty-eyed crush wouldn't notice. He of course didn't, playing up the moment as if it were a soap opera.

"Oh Lucy my love, my fire has been out like a Charmander's tail ever since we parted ways. But now you're here and we are once again reunited.", Brock said, his trademark smile flashing. In the crevices of the logical part of his mind, Brock silently celebrated, knowing that there was no Croagunk or Max to interrupt this perfect, blissful moment. But just as Brock was about to turn on the charm, a sudden voice brought the two back to reality.

"For Celebi's sake! Did you not notice that I wasn't behind you?", yelled out an exasperated looking teenager. The stranger looked to be a little older than Brock was, his green hat fluttering in the slight breeze as it perched on top of his nest of dirty blonde hair. To Brock's surprise, Lucy acknowledged the young man, shrugging her shoulders as she replied, "Sorry Josh, I thought you were going to be in that Department Store forever and so I decided to take a walk."

Josh straightened his hat and quickly examined the large pouch he was carrying before turning his attention to Brock.

"So who's your friend Luce?", asked Josh in a nonchalant manner.

"Oh, this is Brock. I met him a while back at the Battle Pike when he was travelling with a trainer named Ash Ketchum.", responded Lucy whose cheeks tinted with color once again at the mere sound of Brock's name. "Uh...Brock this is...this is Josh.", she started, struggling not to stumble over her words. "He's a Pokemon trainer that I've known since we were...uh...um...since we were kids. Yeah since we were kids...", she finally finished with a sigh of relief.

Although Brock heard the melodious voice of Lucy ring through his ears, he did not process anything she had just said, for he was too busy staring daggers at this new rival (at least in his eyes).

I lost Lucy once and I won't lose her again. If he wants to battle, I'll give him a war! I swear it!