A/N Well this was a delay. I apologize for taking so long to post. I was distracted, reformatted my computer and forgot to get all my stories recopied into text files. I also had a very busy schedule with work, and finally have some time to start posting chapters and continue writing. Yay for life getting in the way. I'll start a regular update, I promise! With the story, I'm taking an idea a friend game me, and moving between the view points of Red and Mai, I hope you enjoy it. Alright. Enough of that, Onto the chapter.

Chapter 2: Mai

Hearing of his prowess, and watching his amazing skill at the Pokemon League made me seek him out. That and Kira's obsessive nagging. He could help us, and in turn help the world. At least I hoped so. He would be like me, returning home to only want the adventure again. I drew many a glance as I walked into Pallet Town, two of my beloved Pokemon following me. Angel, the Blaziken I raised and trained from a little Torchic walked along the left of me, while Kira the pesky Espeon that I was given as a newborn Eevee near the start of my journey walked to my right.

I had a feeling Kira stuck her nose into things, using her unique gift to visit Red. Warning her not to, the hunch grew that she wouldn't listen to me anyways. Kanto was an amazing region, but I continued to see sights that reminded me of home, of Hoenn. I had heard strange rumors floating from Johto, and I wasn't sure what drew me to seek out Red. I heard Kira almost jump up.

"We will finally get to meet him!" She used her Psychic powers to speak, allowing me and Angel to hear her. But I had a little secret I tried to keep involving Angel as well.

"Mai, are you sure this will be worth our trouble?"

Yes, I spent so very long to teach Angel to talk. No one was around, so I didn't bother to keep her quiet. It seemed to be a sensitive issue everywhere I traveled, so she normally didn't say a word. Most took her for a mute, which suited me just fine.

"Angel, Kira. Please calm down, everything will be just fine. I have to speak with him myself."

We continued to walk, Kira motioning us towards Red's home. As we approached his home, I saw him exit the house. Red, the Champion of Kanto, looked over at me. It wasn't long til I noticed the Pikachu at his feet, staring between us and Red as if confused by the situation.

"The... Espeon." Red softly let out noticing Kira.

I put my hand to my face, and groaned softly. Kira tried to give a playful look, but I turned to glare at her.

"I told you not to do anything..." I turned back to Red. "I'm sorry, Kira is always impulsive, and never seems to listen."

"Who are you?"

"My name is Mai." I smiled softly at him, "And I know all about you Red. I watched your battle at the League. I was impressed, I had to talk to you myself."

"Talk to me? I'm not sure I am getting what you mean, Mai."

I could understand Red's confusion, so I would have to do my best to explain.

"I've traveled from the Hoenn region, trying to find myself in the world after I got home. I couldn't keep myself in one place for long. I'm sure you understand what I mean."

By the look on his face, I could tell Red already knew the feeling that had carried me on my adventures.

"Red, After watching your victory in the league, I knew you'd feel the same as I did. This world calls out to us in so many ways. I couldn't stay still, after I won the 8th Hoenn League tournament, I felt the need to explore."

Red looked down, "What are you suggesting? We travel together?"

I smiled, "That wouldn't be so bad would it? When I traveled around back home, I always had my friend and rival beside me. You and I would make a great team along with our Pokemon."

Red didn't seem to sure of the idea. At least that's how it appeared to me.

"How about this, Red. I challenge you to a battle." I pointed at him with a smirk.

Angel and Kira both looked at me a bit shocked that I issued a challenge to him. Red himself took on a surprised expression. I felt the need to prove myself to him, maybe that would get him to accept it. He looked down to Sparky, and nodded.

"I accept."

His eyes looked at me with a fire I knew all to well. It was time to see for myself if I could do this. It was clear to me that Kira was nervous about the idea, but Angel was ready. Even with how calm and collected she could be, Angel always was up for a good battle. He motioned for me to follow, and led us to an open field nearby. I had only one rule for this battle.

"We use one Pokemon only."

Red nodded to the rule, and Sparky moved out in front of him, taking a fighting stance. I didn't need to say anything, Angel moving before me. After watching the league battle, I knew Sparky was fast. Very fast in fact that only Angel could keep up with him. I trained her in speed, and it paid off. For the most part that is. She had the one flaw of having to end the fight quickly or falling due to fatigue.

As soon as the battle began, both Pokemon clashed in the middle. The sound of lightning and roaring fire echoed in the area. I watched in awe at how well Red trained his Pikachu. Size isn't everything in this world, and Red was proving me right. The two Pokemon traded physical attacks, before Red issued his command.

"Thunderbolt!" He let out, Sparky charging up his attack before everything came to a halt.

All five of us stopped at the sound of a loud whistle, and the local Officer Jenny coming up to us quickly on her bike.

"Red! We have a problem!" She let out, stopping close to red.

I ran over by him, listening to the news. After Red defeated Giovanni, the leader of Team Rocket vanished without a trace. Two members of Team Rocket had made their way to Pallet Town at were starting to cause problems. At that, both Red and I started running towards their location.

"I'm not letting anyone attack my home!"

There was an anger in his eyes, something I didn't expect from him. It wasn't a time to worry about that, I was going to help him with this. We could hear the sounds of crashing, and fighting. Others in the town had sent out their Pokemon to try and defend but it wasn't enough. As we came into view, we saw what was being used. A Jolteon, and an Onix were moving fast, knocking out many Pokemon, and moving to destroy a nearby home. Two people standing behind them, laughing. Both where wearing the standard Team Rocket attire, but both had masks on.

"We will continue to attack until that little brat shows up!" A male voice shouted from the two.

"Kira, Go. Make sure no one is hurt!" I shouted to Kira who took off running around the two terrorizing the area.

The woman nudged her partner and motioned towards us.

"Looks like the brat has a girlfriend. We'll make sure both of you pay for what you did to our boss!" She shouted, the Jolteon landed before her.

To our right, the Onyx was moving to attack. Before I could issue any orders, the Onix took a powerful blow the head, being knocked back and onto the ground hard. Angel landed before it, readying to strike again

"Angel! Rock Smash!" I let out, Angel launching herself up into the air well above the recovering Onix. Using the momentum of the fall, her leg glowed an off-white as she brought it down onto the head of the Onix. A large dust cloud erupted from the attack, and I knew it was the last that Angel could make in her current state. I hoped the Onix was out for the count, for I didn't want to resort to using any of my other companions.

I caught out of the corner of my eye Red glancing over. His mind focused on the battle before him. This was a side of him that I didn't see that the tournament, but this was a vastly different situation. Sparky was making the Jolteon look like a Slowpoke, Keeping out of reach of Physical and dodging any Electric attacks that the Jolteon attempted. It wasn't long before Red gave out his command.

"Sparky, Blazing Iron Tail!"

With that, Sparky seemed to vanish before I knew what was happening. I came to the quick conclusion that 'Blazing' was for speed, as Sparky appeared beside the now surprised Jolteon. I couldn't even see the attack as Sparky brought his tail down onto the Jolteon's back, knocking it into the ground. With the force of the attack, it was surprising that a crater wasn't left in it's wake.

The two grunts recalled their Pokemon, the girl turning to run off.

"Don't think we'll let you off easy for this!" The man shouted to us.

It was at this moment, that Red took off at him. The shock the man showed was to be expected as Red's fist clenched and nearly came into contact with the grunts face. Before he could react however, Red swung again and connected, his fist hitting the man in the stomach. The girl came back to her partner, who was staggering back from the hit. I couldn't let this go on, running up to Red and holding his arm.

"Stop, Red. It's not worth it!" I shouted.

Sparky and Angel moved in between us and Team Rocket. This seemed to give both of them a second wind, as the now defeated members of Team Rocket turned and started running off. I kept Red from chasing after them, and in anger he turned to me.

"Why!?"

Without thinking, I slapped him across the face. Both Angel and Sparky gave a shocked look, as Red seemed to slowly calm down.

"Do not bring yourself to their level. It's not worth it."

Red went silent, looking down with clenched fists. It was then that Kira ran up to us, without saying anything, she let us know that everyone was safe and no one was hurt. I let out a sigh of relief as did Red.

"I can't let them do this, I can't believe that I could bring this misfortune to my home."

"You didn't know, It was nothing you could of controlled. But you can control what you do now. I cannot believe anyone would do this. I want to help you."

Red looked at me, almost trying to think of a reason to say no. With almost a sigh of defeat, he nodded in an acceptance. I wanted to honestly help him, and it was clear that even with his strong will, this was tearing at him. Whatever happened on his journey through this region must of been painful.

"It, It will be nice to have company." He seemed to be trying to hard to sound sure of himself at this point.

It was then that people began to show themselves. They started to approach us, asking if we were okay. The entire town seemed to show up to figure out what had happened. Those that were unfortunate enough to be here began to question why it had happened in the first place. I saw a woman run up that I could only guess was Red's mother by her reaction. She hugged Red and appeared to be on the verge of tears. She must of been worried about her little boy. I don't blame her.

I slipped away from the chaos, not sure if my presence would be helpful. Angel and Kira came up to me, knowing full well what I was thinking about at this point. This event took me back to my home, taking me back to something similar that happened to me. I was hoping to forget about them, of those that were terrorizing and almost brought destruction to my home. Team Aqua, and Team Magma.

"Mai?" Red's voice snapped me from my thoughts, The towns folk seem to go to cleaning up the damages.

"Is everything going to be okay with everyone?" I asked with genuine concern.

Red nodded, "I had to explain that I am leaving again. I cannot give Team Rocket a reason to attack here anymore."

"Don't worry, Red. We'll stop them from causing any more senseless destruction."

"I hope you are right."

It was starting to get dark out, and the clouds began to darken as if the storm was returning with force. Red invited me to his home, even with me trying to decline. He wouldn't accept no and we began to head back. As we approached, Kira insisted to stay outside. She loved the rain and it wasn't a problem for me. Angel on the other hand didn't want anything to do with rain, so we entered in behind Red.

The rest of the night was quiet as the storm slowly returned to the area, growing in intensity. Angel was sitting against a wall, her eyes closed having already fallen asleep. I was offered the guest room, and accepted so I wouldn't appear rude. He led me to it, showing me to it and explain where things were around the house.

"If you need anything, My room is at the end of the hall."

"Thank you for letting us stay here, I was a little worried about where I was going to sleep." I laughed nervously.

"It's my way of thanking you for helping me and Pallet Town." Red gave a soft smile to me, it was kinda unexpected with the recent events.

We said good night, and I closed the door softly. Making my way to the bed, I felt the events of the day starting to effect me finally. My eyes grew heavy and it seemed that the moment I laid down and my head hit the pillow, I passed out.