A/N: Thank you, SuspiciousHick, Mr. Unimportant, and Negrek for the reviews. Thanks, Negrek for the tip, I'll make sure I apply it.
Chapter Two – Adrienne and Des
"Not you again!" Autumn growled, pointing a finger at the girl in the door.
"Oh shut the hell up," replied the girl, walking right pass Autumn, straight to the front desk.
Autumn crossed her arms and glared at the girl. "Return, all of you," she grumbled angrily to her pokemon. "breakfast is going to be cut short."
She then walked up the girl. "I challenge you to a battle," Autumn said, striking her best "I'm-going-to-beat-you-pose" to the girl.
The girl turned around, her long, wet hair skimming Autumn's hand as she turned.
"Fine, I highly doubt you'll win."
"Best two out of three." Autumn stated, when the two were outside, and stationed apart from each other.
"Fine," The girl replied nonchalantly. "oh, and if you cared," she started, her voice still icy. "my name is Adrienne."
"Autumn," Autumn replied. "not that you need to know it."
"Back at you."
Amphie and Des were standing next to each other; Des filling in for a referee. "Best out of three Pokemon. When I raise the flag, you may begin." He instructed in a business-like voice. After he says this, he raises the flag.
"Go, Zangoose!" Autumn ordered, throwing her first Pokeball.
"Seviper," Adrienne ordered calmly, releasing the long, serpentine pokemon.
"Zangoose! Slash Attack!" Autumn instructed.
"Poison Tail," Adrienne said at the same time.
Zangoose ran at his opponent, long, claws at the ready. When he was in striking range, he jumped up slightly, and pulled his claws downwards. Before he made contact, however, the Seviper reared around, pulling his tail over his head, much like a scorpion. Zangoose made the slightest contact, but was hit first, and was pinned to the ground.
"Ssssev!" the Seviper hissed menacingly, showing his foot-long fangs. Purple acid beginning to ooze from the tips, falling onto the white fur of Zangoose; causing a small burning-like sound. Zangoose whimpered slightly. It was obvious, to Autumn, that it was poison.
"Zangoose! Try and break free!" Autumn called, looking worried.
"Toxic, Seviper!" Adrienne called from the opposite side of the make-shift arena. Seviper then slowly brought his thick, oozing fangs closer to the Zangoose, who just now managed to get his claws free.
Just when Seviper was close enough for the sting of the Toxic, Zangoose rapidly pulled his paws over the bulk of Seviper, and held on to his foot-long fangs.
"Shake him off!" Adrienne ordered coldly, loosing her touch of calmness. Seviper lifted his tail from the ground, and began swinging his head violently, Zangoose using all the strength to hold on.
Suddenly, it all happened too quickly, Zangoose pulled himself over his opponents head, and used his Slash attack once more; creating four, long cuts down Seviper's back.
"SSSSEV!" It hissed horribly, blood with a green tint dripping from his back.
"Seviper, return," Adrienne said in a voice so cold, it would freeze a melted popcicle in the Summer.
Zangoose, clearly proud of himself, stalked back to his side of the arena. "Hah. Sure you'll win, now?" Autumn mocked as Adrienne fumbled with her pokeballs.
"I'm sure I will." Adrienne replied, pulling a great ball from her chain.
"Umbreon, show this weasel who's boss!"
She threw the pokeball straight up, and from the maw of the ball, emerged a white beam of light, then an Umbreon, which was already in pouncing-position.
"Umbre!" she growled, baring her white jaws. She seemed very intimidating, indeed. The Umbreon's short and sleek, jet-black hairs were all standing up, and her glowing rings were flashing an electric blue; normally a sign of warning for this Umbreon.
"Faint Attack! Finish it off!" Adrienne ordered, pointing her finger at the Zangoose opposite. The Umbreon launched itself off her hind legs, and ran straight for Zangoose; who was ready for her attack with a Crush Claw attack.
Umbreon was much too fast and made it to Zangoose before he even pulled his claws back an inch. She used her attack well, and left the clawed specimen with barely any Hit Points left.
Autumn watched, mortified, as her Zangoose attempted to stand again. "Return, Zangoose; you did good," she said gravely, returning the pokemon.
Des watched, cocking his silver eyebrow. "The score is tied. One win, Adrienne. One win, Autumn. The next pokemon to faint shall loose." He stated.
Autumn thought deeply about her next choice. "Shadow, bring this Umbreon down!" she shouted, releasing a calm, yet fierce Mightyena onto the field. Shadow narrowed his red orbs angrily; he was determined to win this fight.
"CRUNCH!" Autumn yelled, but she noticed that both she and Adrienne said it. They glared at each other briefly, then turned their attention to the battle once more.
Both pokemon ran at each other, maws open and glowing with a faint, purple aura. At the same time, they launched themselves into the air, and attacked each other; Umbreon clamping down onto Shadow's tail, and Shadow on his opponent's leg.
They fell, and continued trading blows like this for a bit, then finally, they pulled apart. Both of them were cut and bleeding, and dusty from rolling. Panting heavily, they both ran at each other once more, but only one would come out this time.
Neither trainer nor referee decided to make a comment on this. Autumn was watching intently, ready to make an order, and Adrienne was acting as though it was all planned out for her from the start.
Which it was...
Shadow went for Umbreon's legs, which was probably a big mistake. Half way through a pounce, Umbreon changed her mind and made for a Faint Attack, taking Shadow out.
"Return, Shadow," Autumn said, sighing. "you win." she said to Adrienne, who just returned her Umbreon.
"I knew I would," she replied with a touch of arrogance. She took the money Autumn presented to her, and they shook hands.
Amphie, Des and Autumn all walked inside. Autumn had to heal her pokemon once more. Adrienne walked in behind them, and followed Autumn to the counter. "Great battle," she said, her coldness gone, and it was replaced with calm, yet emotionless tones.
"Same," Autumn replied, receiving her pokemon back. "Um... I was wondering, Adrienne, if you would like to join us."
"Join you?" Adrienne questioned. "You mean, like traveling?"
"Yes,"
"I'd love to."
"Welcome to the gang,"
Amphie and Des were bidding their farewells to each other. "I hope to see you again." Amphie said, shaking his hand.
"I believe," Des started, "that it won't be the last time we meet."
"I hope it's not." Amphie giggled.
"Bye then," Des replied, giving her a handshake.
Autumn, Adrienne, and Amphie all walked out of the Pokemon Centre, soon after, passing the Gym, and onto Route 120. "Let's go to my Secret Base, shall we?" Adrienne implied. "Its right here, and we can just do some talking before we set out to Lilycove."
"I'd like that." Amphie stated.
"Sure; I want to check out the Department Store. But please, let's make sure we come back. I want to beat Winoa!" Autumn exclaimed.
"Ahaha, we'll see," Adrienne said as they reached a large clump of grass. Small on the outside, not so inside...
"Well, climb in!" Adrienne said, crawling in, Autumn and Amphie following suit.
Inside was a large, open room; one side had a Surf mat, which was occupied by a large, Wailmer Doll. Next to that, was a blue balloon, and on the wall, was a poster of a Wingull. On the other side, was a Lovely mat, occupied by an adorable Skitty doll, and a pot of beautiful, pink flowers.
"Well, welcome to my Secret base." Adrienne greeted, walking to the centre of the room, and smiling graciously. "I guess I should be the first to tell you my story," she offered.
Autumn and Amphie agreed, and they all sat on a third mat in the middle of the room in a circle; Amphie and Autumn intent to hear Adrienne's story.
