"Ah, dang-nabbit," Arella growled as she tried the door to the Violet City Gym again, to no avail "I guess he's out right now" she turned to her party, which consisted of Elizabeth the newly evolved Kakuna who she was carrying, Matthew standing by her side, Daniel resting on her shoulder, and the newest addition, Fudge the Geodude, who was apparently mute.

"Guess he is delaying the inevitable," Elizabeth sighed.

"We could always check out the tower over there while we're waiting for him to get back," Daniel suggested, gesturing to the tower not too far away.

". . .I dunno, looks kinda creepy," Arella frowned.

"It might also be free exp to make sure nothing happens against Falknor or whatever the hell his name is," he shrugged.

"Falkner," she corrected him.

"As I said, whatever."

She sighed, "Might as well then. . ." she took a step forward, and the sky suddenly grew dark.

"What the-" she looked up, only to see it was night time, "Why did it suddenly become night time?"

"It's light from 6 to 6, and so is dark. You should know this," Daniel stared at her.

"Yeah. . .I guess I just forgot. . ." Arella smiled nervously, "Come on, let's go."


"'Sprout Tower'?" Arella read out loud the sign in front of the tower, "Why do I have a feeling it's a tower full of Bellsprouts?"

"More experience for me and Liz down there," Daniel flew up from her shoulder, "Are we gonna go in or not?"

"Give me a moment," Arella turned to Fudge, "You, stay out here"

Fudge stared at her in disbelief.

"You're Rock/Ground, Fudge. I don't want to risk you if this really is a tower full of Bellsprouts that only know Vine whip, especially when I still need you for Falkner," Arella gave him a reassuring smile, "I'll let you solo Falkner's gym, trust me."

His expression turned to one of understanding, and Arella knelt down to hug him.

"I'll be back out as soon as possible," she smiled, then entered the tower with the rest of her party in tow.


"All these freaking Bellsprouts are really getting on my nerves. This HM they keep talking about better be worth it," Arella grumbled as she climbed up another ladder, "Why the hell is there a tower of nothing but old men a Bellsprouts anyways?"

"I doubt any of us wants to know," Daniel sighed.

"Good point. . ." Arella turned to Daniel, then turned back forward to find a Ghastly in her face.

"HOLY SHIT, KILL IT!" Arella stepped back, sheltering her face before realizing what she said. "WAIT, DON'T KILL IT! Even though it creeps the hell out of me. . ."

Elizabeth and Daniel simply sighed while Matthew weakened it with a Water Gun. Arella chucked a pokeball at it, and picked it back up after it clicked.

"Uh. . .yeah. . .I guess I'll name you Nickel, but you're kinda going in the box after this. . ." Arella slowly put the ball on her belt, as if jarring it too much would make the Ghastly come right back out.

And then she noticed Silver right by her, simply staring at her.

"What?" she snapped, "Can't a gi- guy be scared of ghosts? What are you doing here anyways?"

"Leaving," he stated flatly, walking past her, "The sage is a wimp, like you, Arella."

"I'm sorry my mom wanted a girl," she retorted, and Silver stopped, "At least I don't look like a girl and have a girly pokemon! Did your parents dress you in pink and give you dolls when you were younger?"

Silver's expression suddenly turned dark and continued to walk.

Arella watched him leave, confused, "Did I. . .hit a nerve?"

Matthew tugged on her pants, "Arewla."

"Yeah, I'm coming," she smiled, turning back to the sage, "Can I get the HM yet?"

He shook his head, "No, I need to see how you treat your pokemon."

"Okay, I guess it won't hurt to murder more freaking Bellsprouts," she grumbled, obviously sick of all the Bellsprouts, "Elizabeth, can you take this one?"

"Yes," Elizabeth replied, then hopped over after Arella set her to the ground as the old man sent out a Bellsprout and a Hoothoot.

"Oh wow, something that isn't a Bellsprout!" Arella gasped, "Matthew, take care of the Hoothoot."

Matthew stepped in front of his trainer, blasting water onto the Hoothoot as Elizabeth sent a flurry of Poison Stings at the Bellsprout.

"Very good," he nodded slowly as he withdrew both now fainted pokemon, "You seem to treat your pokemon with love and care."

"Thank you. . ."

"Please, take this HM."

Arella walked over and accepted it, "What is it anyways?"

"Flash."

Arella frowned, "Really? I go through an entire tower for [b]Flash[/b]. Well this was a useless detour."

"I don't think it was entirely useless," Elizabeth commented.

"What do you-" she cut herself off as she turned around and saw not a Kakuna, but a Beedrill, ". . .You look good. . .I'm still sorry about your scar," the trainer walked up to Elizabeth, tracing the scar above her eye with her thumb.

"It's okay, it is a scar I will wear with pride," she nodded, "Not many Weedles encounter any bird and live to tell the tale."

"I guess you're right," Arella smiled, "Come on guys, let's get some rest. All of you deserved it."