Truth and Rumors, Chapter 2
By Arina Ketchum
"I just don't get it." I muttered as I spread the map out on the ground. This is Celadon City, but we're supposed to be at Rock Tunnel! How did we miss it? I sighed, frustrated, and very confused. Pinkton City, the town I had just left, was also not on my map. Might as well get a bite to eat and hit the local Gym to see if I could get a badge as long as I was here...
As I started my walk out of the woods into the city, I stepped over something that was too oddly shaped to be a rock. When the small dust cloud settled, I picked it up - A Pokedex. I flipped it open, and automatically, it said "Good morning, Rob Oak. Please enter your password to gain further access to your Pokedex."
ROB OAK'S POKEDEX?!
"Rob." I whispered. I looked around, half-expecting him to step out from behind a tree. What did this mean? Had he just dropped his Pokedex when he was on the bubble? Or had he been mugged when he was on the ground again and in the robbers' haste they'd dropped his Pokedex?
Now I RAN to the Pokemon Center. SOMEONE must have seen him, either on the ground or up in the air on the bubble.
I dove into the Center, where lunch was being served. I upset two people carrying trays of food, apologized profusely, then ran into the main room where Nurse Joy was standing behind her desk, chatting with an older Pokemon trainer. "Excuse (pant) me (pant) Nurse..."
Nurse Joy looked over at me and gave me a quizzical look. "Are you all right?" She asked. "Is something wrong with your Pokemon?"
I shook my head, and before my legs gave me an ounce of notification, I fell to the floor in exhaustion.
"Oh my goodness!" Nurse Joy and the other trainer ran over to me.
"A glass of water! Go!" Joy ordered, and the other trainer ran out of the room.
"Hey Nurse Joy." a male voice said behind me. I tried to look around, but the room spun when I did that. I moaned and fell flat on my back. This is what I got for running all through town!
The boy who's voice I'd only heard looked down at me. I looked up at the boy. My eyes saw an illusion, while my brain was trying to process that I knew who this was...
"ROB!" I screamed and jumped up with re-newed energy. Rob backed away in fear. "YOU'RE ALIVE!"
"Uh..." Rob cocked an eyebrow. "The last time I checked I was..."
"Thank God you're all right! You're father's been worried since you haven't checked in -"
"Um, excuse me, Miss, but who are you?" Rob relaxed only a bit.
"Oh yeah, like you don't know. Our fathers' have only been mortal enemies since Day One, Rob." I grinned.
"No, I'm serious, I have no idea...wait a second. Take your ponytail out."
Mystified at Rob's behavior, I obliged and took the green scrunchie out of my hair." As soon as I did, Rob snapped his fingers.
"I thought that was you. The girl on t.v. who saved the Ponyta's life. Areena Whats-her-name."
"Arina Ketchum, and will you stop pretending like you don't know me, Rob? You're starting to worry me."
"I'm sorry, I wish I was pretending, but I only have memories of the few last weeks I've been in Celadon."
My eyes grew as big as saucers and Rob said, "Your face will freeze like that," which promptly made me return to reality.
"Come with me." he continued. "I'm living at the Celadon Gym as a guest of Gym Leader Erica. Maybe we can fill in the gaps we both have."
A sweet smell permeated the air as Rob and I entered the Gym. A Gym battle was taking place as we went into the arena and took a seat at the sideline benches. Erica, as Rob pointed her out to me, was battling a purple-haired girl about my age. Erica had a Gloom; the girl was using a Ninetales. The match ended fairly quickly as the Ninetales firespinned Gloom into unconsciousness. A bell went off, signaling the girl as the winner. She whooped in joy while Rob and I clapped. I got a glimpse of the Rainbow Badge, and I promised myself that as soon as this whole mess with Rob was straightened out, I would earn that badge as well. The girl headed over to the benches while Erica walked over to us.
"Hi Rob...and Arina Ketchum?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Good Lord, you gave us all a good scare a few weeks back. We'd all thought Team Rocket...well, never mind. You're here to earn a Rainbow Badge."
"One reason. The other is this." I pulled out Rob's Pokedex and it opened. Rob's picture popped up on screen and Dexter announced, "I'm Dexter, a Pokedex program created by Professor Gary Oak for trainer Rob Oak. Rob, please enter your password to access your Pokedex."
There was silence for a full minute before Erica finally said, "I think we have some talking to do."
It took me an hour to explain what exactly was going on, and that included the whole side story of me running away from home and what I did after getting out of Viridian Forest via the bubble. I did not mention anything about Rumer or her stealing Squirtle, and also skipping over my journey into Pinkton City, saying I'd only gotten lost and wound up in Celadon.
"And that's that. Now maybe you and Rob can fill in blanks after Rob drifted away from me in Viridian Forest."
But Rob shook his head. "The Blastoise's bubbles explain how I got here so quickly, but how I lost my memory is still a mystery. I woke up in the woods near the Gym and bumped into Erica when I went looking for help. Erica's let me stay here at the Gym until someone could tell me who I was and where my parents are."
"Which brings us to today and now." Erica gently rested her chin on the top of her hands. "We need to call Rob's parents immediately and tell them we've found him. They've been worried sick, I'm sure."
I looked away. "Rob's dad will be...his mother..."
"Arina?" Erica asked gently. "What is it?"
I couldn't bear to look at Rob as I dropped the news. "Mrs. Oak died when we were three years old. Car crash."
There was silence for a minute as Erica and Rob considered this.
"Ok." Erica sighed, slightly dismayed. "Well, now that we know who you are, I'll look up your home phone number in the League directory. Anyone who's anyone in the world of Pokemon is in there."
So Erica found the number and dialed on the videophone next to her desk. I was a nervous wreck while deciding how to break the news. "Hi Professor, I found Rob, but he seems to have lost his memory and ended up in Celadon.'
Professor Oak picked up the phone on the second ring.
"Hello Professor Oak. This is Gym Leader Erica in Celadon City."
"Hello, how can I help you?" He said a bit absently as he typed on a computer keyboard off-screen.
"Actually Professor, I think we found something you've been missing."
"Hm?" This time Professor Oak looked at the videophone as I pushed Rob on- screen. "ROB! What are you doing in Celadon? Why haven't you called me? Have you won any badges yet?"
Rob looked upset and looked to Erica for help. Erica butted in, coming to Rob's rescue. "Professor Oak, there have been some major developments since Rob left Pallet Town..." And so Erica outlined the basics of what had happened, including Rob losing his memory and my showing up and identifying him.
The big question was then raised - what happened now?
"Rob is welcome to stay here as long as he likes, but I'm sure you'd like to have him home." Erica said.Â
Professor Oak nodded. "I would. I can drive over and be there in two days time."
"No."
We all looked at Rob, surprised at his interruption.
"No offense, sir, but with my memory gone, I feel like I'm a complete stranger to you. I think if I went back home I'd feel very uncomfortable."
"Nonsense, Rob. Once you get back into familiar surroundings -"
"Again, no offense...Dad," Rob said awkwardly, "but I left home to train Pokemon. Since I arrived at Celadon, that's what I've been doing, and I've found I'm pretty good at it, even if I wasn't at first. Even if I can't remember who I am, I still want to set out and finish my journey."
I thought Professor Oak was going to throw a fit, but instead he just sat there for a minute, brooding silently. Finally, he said, "Fine, whatever. I can't stop you anyway. Just remember to check in once a month."Â And with that, he dropped the connection, which startled us in Celadon.
"Ouch." I murmured. He was really upset.
"Oh dear." Erica sighed. "Rob, are you sure this is what you want?"
Rob nodded. "I don't have to become the best, but I can't leave something unfinished that I started."
"And I can help you too, Rob." I added. "After all, I did get the best score on the trainer's exam."
"You did?" Rob was slightly taken aback.
"Yup, beat you by six points."
"Scores on paper tests don't mean a thing." Rob sniffed. "The real challenge is facing off in battle."
"Is that an invitation to battle?"
"No, it's an invitation to watch your butt get kicked by me!"
"Why you -" I seethed. "You men are all alike! How do women put up with you?" I shouted.
"Easy. We marry 'em and and then break them." Erica answered, stepping between the two of us before I could chew out Rob some more. "I have a proposition for you two. If you want to battle each other, whoever wins the battle gets the Rainbow Badge."
Nothing would have stopped us from attending this battle. As Rob and I faced off, Erica and the girl she'd battled earlier watched from the bleachers.
"You're toast, Oak. Your Pokemon can't possibly have enough experience to beat me!"
"Don't be so sure!" Erica called. "He *has* been training."
"Hmph." I looked away from Erica and began concentrating on a strategy for battle. As far as I knew, he had his starter Pokemon, Charmander, and Kakuna from our trade, and at the pond in Viridian he'd used Rattata and he'd mentioned a Sandshrew...But if he'd been training, his Pokemon might have evolved...
"Ready Arina?"
I nodded. No way I could lose this one! I'd never live it down at home if I lost to an *Oak*.
Erica stood up and announced, "This is an official Gym match! Only three Pokemon are allowed to each challenger. The winner will be determined when one of the challengers has fainted at least two of their opponents' Pokemon. There is no time limit! Let the match begin!"
"Go Sandshrew!"
"Bulbasaur, you're on!"
"Sandshrew, Slash Bulbasaur!"
"Bulbasaur, Vine Whip!"
Ground was no match for Grass-Type, no matter how much experience Sandshrew had gotten, because in 3 minutes, it was fainted.
Rob pulled out his second Pokemon, Charmeleon, which ended up besting Bulbasaur using Firespin. I recalled Bulbasaur and pulled out Rattata, hoping Rattata had some more experience than I thought.
No such luck. Rattata tried his best for me, but Rob's Charmeleon toasted Rattata in under a minute.
So we both switched Pokemon, I to Spearow, Rob to Beedrill.
Minutes later, Rob and I both stared at both our fainted Pokemon. I couldn't believe it, we'd just lost to each other!
Erica and the girl both clapped. "Very well done, both of you," the girl said.
"Tiebreaker?" Rob was already reaching for his belt.
"You're on!" I cried.
"That won't be necessary." Erica interrupted us. "You've both shown great skill today handling your Pokemon, which, in my eyes, deserves the honor of the Rainbow Badge."
"YES!" I whooped and threw a fist in the air.
"Come to my office with me." Erica called as she walked off.
"Wow, you guys are really lucky," the girl at the bleachers cried. "A lot of Gym Leaders aren't half as nice as Mistress Erica."
"Thanks for the warning. What's your name?" I asked.
"I'm Angel Firestorm. And you're Arina Ketchum, the Pokemon Master's daughter, who lives right across the street from me before I left home on my Pokemon Journey."
"I thought I recognized you. You just moved to Pallet, right?"
Angel nodded. "C'mon, let's get your badge and then grab a bite to eat and we can talk some more."
"Sounds good." I agreed and walked to Erica's office with Angel. Rob lagged behind silently.
"I'm proud to present you both with the Rainbow Badge." Erica said when we arrived in her office. "Congratulations! I think this calls for a well- deserved candy bowl raid," she continued and picked up the glass dish on her desk. As she held it out to each of us, her elbow lightly grazed the top of a silver picture frame on her desk, knocking it over.
"I'll get it." Angel offered and gazed at the photo in the frame when she picked it up. "Wow, who's this, Erica? She's beautiful!"
"Hm?" Erica glanced at the picture and her face fell. "Oh, that's my younger sister. She disappeared a long time ago when she was on her Pokemon journey. My family never saw her again."
"I'm sorry." Angel was about to put the frame down when I took it from her. "Hey!" I cried. I know her!" I couldn't possibly be mistaken. "This is Rumer, the girl that stole my Squirtle!"
"Huh?" Erica was taking aback, now looking at me wide-eyed.
Rob nudged me. "Not funny."
"I'm not lying! She's a lot older now, but I'm positive it's her!"
"Arina?" Erica whispered. "Please tell me you're not kidding."
I shook my head violently. "I swear I'm not. I saw her just last week at Mt. Moon!"
Erica shakily sat down. I explained the story of what had happened at Mt. Moon.
"If you can loan me a flying Pokemon, like Pidgeot or Spearow, I'll go to Mt. Moon right now and bring her back here." I should have thought before I spoke. How was I going to persuade a woman who hated my guts for being a trainer to come to Celadon with and talk to her sister, a Gym Leader? Unless knocking her out was an option, it was going to be very difficult.
"I'm coming with you." Erica announced.
I shook my head. "That's not a good idea. The minute she sees you, she'll turn tail and run. She's not the same sister she was when she was ten."
At Erica's curious glance, I added, "It's a long story. I'll let her explain when she gets here."
"But how are you going to get her here? She hates anything to do with trainers, right?" Angel asked.
I nodded. "I think I have an idea, and I'll put it into action when I get there."
"We'll use my Fearow to get there." Rob announced.
"What's this 'we' stuff, Oak?"
"It's MY Fearow, therefore I'm going!"
I "hmphed" and crossed my arms over my chest. "*Fine*, let's go!" I muttered.
"Let's go before you two kill each other." Angel started shoving me toward the door. "Don't worry about a thing, Erica, we'll be back in no time with your sister in no time!"
Angel used her Pidgeot and Rob and I traveled with his Fearow to Mt. Moon. Erica watched us with pleading eyes, and we waved back to her, hoping to raise her confidence that we would succeed.
"So what's your big plan?" Rob asked as we headed skyward.
I answered, hoping I sounded more confident in the plan than I felt. "We're going to doing a little lying to get Ms. High-and-Mighty out of Mt. Moon and back to Celadon. Here's what I'm going to say..."
End Chapter 2
By Arina Ketchum
"I just don't get it." I muttered as I spread the map out on the ground. This is Celadon City, but we're supposed to be at Rock Tunnel! How did we miss it? I sighed, frustrated, and very confused. Pinkton City, the town I had just left, was also not on my map. Might as well get a bite to eat and hit the local Gym to see if I could get a badge as long as I was here...
As I started my walk out of the woods into the city, I stepped over something that was too oddly shaped to be a rock. When the small dust cloud settled, I picked it up - A Pokedex. I flipped it open, and automatically, it said "Good morning, Rob Oak. Please enter your password to gain further access to your Pokedex."
ROB OAK'S POKEDEX?!
"Rob." I whispered. I looked around, half-expecting him to step out from behind a tree. What did this mean? Had he just dropped his Pokedex when he was on the bubble? Or had he been mugged when he was on the ground again and in the robbers' haste they'd dropped his Pokedex?
Now I RAN to the Pokemon Center. SOMEONE must have seen him, either on the ground or up in the air on the bubble.
I dove into the Center, where lunch was being served. I upset two people carrying trays of food, apologized profusely, then ran into the main room where Nurse Joy was standing behind her desk, chatting with an older Pokemon trainer. "Excuse (pant) me (pant) Nurse..."
Nurse Joy looked over at me and gave me a quizzical look. "Are you all right?" She asked. "Is something wrong with your Pokemon?"
I shook my head, and before my legs gave me an ounce of notification, I fell to the floor in exhaustion.
"Oh my goodness!" Nurse Joy and the other trainer ran over to me.
"A glass of water! Go!" Joy ordered, and the other trainer ran out of the room.
"Hey Nurse Joy." a male voice said behind me. I tried to look around, but the room spun when I did that. I moaned and fell flat on my back. This is what I got for running all through town!
The boy who's voice I'd only heard looked down at me. I looked up at the boy. My eyes saw an illusion, while my brain was trying to process that I knew who this was...
"ROB!" I screamed and jumped up with re-newed energy. Rob backed away in fear. "YOU'RE ALIVE!"
"Uh..." Rob cocked an eyebrow. "The last time I checked I was..."
"Thank God you're all right! You're father's been worried since you haven't checked in -"
"Um, excuse me, Miss, but who are you?" Rob relaxed only a bit.
"Oh yeah, like you don't know. Our fathers' have only been mortal enemies since Day One, Rob." I grinned.
"No, I'm serious, I have no idea...wait a second. Take your ponytail out."
Mystified at Rob's behavior, I obliged and took the green scrunchie out of my hair." As soon as I did, Rob snapped his fingers.
"I thought that was you. The girl on t.v. who saved the Ponyta's life. Areena Whats-her-name."
"Arina Ketchum, and will you stop pretending like you don't know me, Rob? You're starting to worry me."
"I'm sorry, I wish I was pretending, but I only have memories of the few last weeks I've been in Celadon."
My eyes grew as big as saucers and Rob said, "Your face will freeze like that," which promptly made me return to reality.
"Come with me." he continued. "I'm living at the Celadon Gym as a guest of Gym Leader Erica. Maybe we can fill in the gaps we both have."
A sweet smell permeated the air as Rob and I entered the Gym. A Gym battle was taking place as we went into the arena and took a seat at the sideline benches. Erica, as Rob pointed her out to me, was battling a purple-haired girl about my age. Erica had a Gloom; the girl was using a Ninetales. The match ended fairly quickly as the Ninetales firespinned Gloom into unconsciousness. A bell went off, signaling the girl as the winner. She whooped in joy while Rob and I clapped. I got a glimpse of the Rainbow Badge, and I promised myself that as soon as this whole mess with Rob was straightened out, I would earn that badge as well. The girl headed over to the benches while Erica walked over to us.
"Hi Rob...and Arina Ketchum?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Good Lord, you gave us all a good scare a few weeks back. We'd all thought Team Rocket...well, never mind. You're here to earn a Rainbow Badge."
"One reason. The other is this." I pulled out Rob's Pokedex and it opened. Rob's picture popped up on screen and Dexter announced, "I'm Dexter, a Pokedex program created by Professor Gary Oak for trainer Rob Oak. Rob, please enter your password to access your Pokedex."
There was silence for a full minute before Erica finally said, "I think we have some talking to do."
It took me an hour to explain what exactly was going on, and that included the whole side story of me running away from home and what I did after getting out of Viridian Forest via the bubble. I did not mention anything about Rumer or her stealing Squirtle, and also skipping over my journey into Pinkton City, saying I'd only gotten lost and wound up in Celadon.
"And that's that. Now maybe you and Rob can fill in blanks after Rob drifted away from me in Viridian Forest."
But Rob shook his head. "The Blastoise's bubbles explain how I got here so quickly, but how I lost my memory is still a mystery. I woke up in the woods near the Gym and bumped into Erica when I went looking for help. Erica's let me stay here at the Gym until someone could tell me who I was and where my parents are."
"Which brings us to today and now." Erica gently rested her chin on the top of her hands. "We need to call Rob's parents immediately and tell them we've found him. They've been worried sick, I'm sure."
I looked away. "Rob's dad will be...his mother..."
"Arina?" Erica asked gently. "What is it?"
I couldn't bear to look at Rob as I dropped the news. "Mrs. Oak died when we were three years old. Car crash."
There was silence for a minute as Erica and Rob considered this.
"Ok." Erica sighed, slightly dismayed. "Well, now that we know who you are, I'll look up your home phone number in the League directory. Anyone who's anyone in the world of Pokemon is in there."
So Erica found the number and dialed on the videophone next to her desk. I was a nervous wreck while deciding how to break the news. "Hi Professor, I found Rob, but he seems to have lost his memory and ended up in Celadon.'
Professor Oak picked up the phone on the second ring.
"Hello Professor Oak. This is Gym Leader Erica in Celadon City."
"Hello, how can I help you?" He said a bit absently as he typed on a computer keyboard off-screen.
"Actually Professor, I think we found something you've been missing."
"Hm?" This time Professor Oak looked at the videophone as I pushed Rob on- screen. "ROB! What are you doing in Celadon? Why haven't you called me? Have you won any badges yet?"
Rob looked upset and looked to Erica for help. Erica butted in, coming to Rob's rescue. "Professor Oak, there have been some major developments since Rob left Pallet Town..." And so Erica outlined the basics of what had happened, including Rob losing his memory and my showing up and identifying him.
The big question was then raised - what happened now?
"Rob is welcome to stay here as long as he likes, but I'm sure you'd like to have him home." Erica said.Â
Professor Oak nodded. "I would. I can drive over and be there in two days time."
"No."
We all looked at Rob, surprised at his interruption.
"No offense, sir, but with my memory gone, I feel like I'm a complete stranger to you. I think if I went back home I'd feel very uncomfortable."
"Nonsense, Rob. Once you get back into familiar surroundings -"
"Again, no offense...Dad," Rob said awkwardly, "but I left home to train Pokemon. Since I arrived at Celadon, that's what I've been doing, and I've found I'm pretty good at it, even if I wasn't at first. Even if I can't remember who I am, I still want to set out and finish my journey."
I thought Professor Oak was going to throw a fit, but instead he just sat there for a minute, brooding silently. Finally, he said, "Fine, whatever. I can't stop you anyway. Just remember to check in once a month."Â And with that, he dropped the connection, which startled us in Celadon.
"Ouch." I murmured. He was really upset.
"Oh dear." Erica sighed. "Rob, are you sure this is what you want?"
Rob nodded. "I don't have to become the best, but I can't leave something unfinished that I started."
"And I can help you too, Rob." I added. "After all, I did get the best score on the trainer's exam."
"You did?" Rob was slightly taken aback.
"Yup, beat you by six points."
"Scores on paper tests don't mean a thing." Rob sniffed. "The real challenge is facing off in battle."
"Is that an invitation to battle?"
"No, it's an invitation to watch your butt get kicked by me!"
"Why you -" I seethed. "You men are all alike! How do women put up with you?" I shouted.
"Easy. We marry 'em and and then break them." Erica answered, stepping between the two of us before I could chew out Rob some more. "I have a proposition for you two. If you want to battle each other, whoever wins the battle gets the Rainbow Badge."
Nothing would have stopped us from attending this battle. As Rob and I faced off, Erica and the girl she'd battled earlier watched from the bleachers.
"You're toast, Oak. Your Pokemon can't possibly have enough experience to beat me!"
"Don't be so sure!" Erica called. "He *has* been training."
"Hmph." I looked away from Erica and began concentrating on a strategy for battle. As far as I knew, he had his starter Pokemon, Charmander, and Kakuna from our trade, and at the pond in Viridian he'd used Rattata and he'd mentioned a Sandshrew...But if he'd been training, his Pokemon might have evolved...
"Ready Arina?"
I nodded. No way I could lose this one! I'd never live it down at home if I lost to an *Oak*.
Erica stood up and announced, "This is an official Gym match! Only three Pokemon are allowed to each challenger. The winner will be determined when one of the challengers has fainted at least two of their opponents' Pokemon. There is no time limit! Let the match begin!"
"Go Sandshrew!"
"Bulbasaur, you're on!"
"Sandshrew, Slash Bulbasaur!"
"Bulbasaur, Vine Whip!"
Ground was no match for Grass-Type, no matter how much experience Sandshrew had gotten, because in 3 minutes, it was fainted.
Rob pulled out his second Pokemon, Charmeleon, which ended up besting Bulbasaur using Firespin. I recalled Bulbasaur and pulled out Rattata, hoping Rattata had some more experience than I thought.
No such luck. Rattata tried his best for me, but Rob's Charmeleon toasted Rattata in under a minute.
So we both switched Pokemon, I to Spearow, Rob to Beedrill.
Minutes later, Rob and I both stared at both our fainted Pokemon. I couldn't believe it, we'd just lost to each other!
Erica and the girl both clapped. "Very well done, both of you," the girl said.
"Tiebreaker?" Rob was already reaching for his belt.
"You're on!" I cried.
"That won't be necessary." Erica interrupted us. "You've both shown great skill today handling your Pokemon, which, in my eyes, deserves the honor of the Rainbow Badge."
"YES!" I whooped and threw a fist in the air.
"Come to my office with me." Erica called as she walked off.
"Wow, you guys are really lucky," the girl at the bleachers cried. "A lot of Gym Leaders aren't half as nice as Mistress Erica."
"Thanks for the warning. What's your name?" I asked.
"I'm Angel Firestorm. And you're Arina Ketchum, the Pokemon Master's daughter, who lives right across the street from me before I left home on my Pokemon Journey."
"I thought I recognized you. You just moved to Pallet, right?"
Angel nodded. "C'mon, let's get your badge and then grab a bite to eat and we can talk some more."
"Sounds good." I agreed and walked to Erica's office with Angel. Rob lagged behind silently.
"I'm proud to present you both with the Rainbow Badge." Erica said when we arrived in her office. "Congratulations! I think this calls for a well- deserved candy bowl raid," she continued and picked up the glass dish on her desk. As she held it out to each of us, her elbow lightly grazed the top of a silver picture frame on her desk, knocking it over.
"I'll get it." Angel offered and gazed at the photo in the frame when she picked it up. "Wow, who's this, Erica? She's beautiful!"
"Hm?" Erica glanced at the picture and her face fell. "Oh, that's my younger sister. She disappeared a long time ago when she was on her Pokemon journey. My family never saw her again."
"I'm sorry." Angel was about to put the frame down when I took it from her. "Hey!" I cried. I know her!" I couldn't possibly be mistaken. "This is Rumer, the girl that stole my Squirtle!"
"Huh?" Erica was taking aback, now looking at me wide-eyed.
Rob nudged me. "Not funny."
"I'm not lying! She's a lot older now, but I'm positive it's her!"
"Arina?" Erica whispered. "Please tell me you're not kidding."
I shook my head violently. "I swear I'm not. I saw her just last week at Mt. Moon!"
Erica shakily sat down. I explained the story of what had happened at Mt. Moon.
"If you can loan me a flying Pokemon, like Pidgeot or Spearow, I'll go to Mt. Moon right now and bring her back here." I should have thought before I spoke. How was I going to persuade a woman who hated my guts for being a trainer to come to Celadon with and talk to her sister, a Gym Leader? Unless knocking her out was an option, it was going to be very difficult.
"I'm coming with you." Erica announced.
I shook my head. "That's not a good idea. The minute she sees you, she'll turn tail and run. She's not the same sister she was when she was ten."
At Erica's curious glance, I added, "It's a long story. I'll let her explain when she gets here."
"But how are you going to get her here? She hates anything to do with trainers, right?" Angel asked.
I nodded. "I think I have an idea, and I'll put it into action when I get there."
"We'll use my Fearow to get there." Rob announced.
"What's this 'we' stuff, Oak?"
"It's MY Fearow, therefore I'm going!"
I "hmphed" and crossed my arms over my chest. "*Fine*, let's go!" I muttered.
"Let's go before you two kill each other." Angel started shoving me toward the door. "Don't worry about a thing, Erica, we'll be back in no time with your sister in no time!"
Angel used her Pidgeot and Rob and I traveled with his Fearow to Mt. Moon. Erica watched us with pleading eyes, and we waved back to her, hoping to raise her confidence that we would succeed.
"So what's your big plan?" Rob asked as we headed skyward.
I answered, hoping I sounded more confident in the plan than I felt. "We're going to doing a little lying to get Ms. High-and-Mighty out of Mt. Moon and back to Celadon. Here's what I'm going to say..."
End Chapter 2