Man. Between writer's block, thunderstorms and having to replace our computer I never thought I'd ever get this chapter up. But I did. Hopefully things will go a bit smoother during the rest of the chapters.

Chapter 7: Frozen in Time

Chad and Neo were on their way back to Pallet Town after their search of the Viridian Forest. However, the mood was very grim. Giovanni, the evil leader of Team Rocket, had just informed them that the Seviper they were looking for had been sent to one of Team Rocket's bases for detoxification, meaning that obtaining a sample had become next to impossible. While they were both taking the news hard it was clear that it was affecting Neo the most.

Neo: Our best chance...ruined. How am I going to save her now?

Chad looked over at Neo. He could tell that Neo felt as if he failed Sasha by not being able to find the Seviper.

Chad: How are you holding up?

Neo: Not too well.

Chad: Don't worry. We'll save her yet.

Neo: I'd like to know how.

Chad: Maybe Professor Oak has some good news for us back in Pallet Town.

Neo: I hope.

Just then, Salamence roared. Chad looked ahead and saw they were closing in on Pallet Town.

Chad: We're almost there.

As Salamence began its descent, Chad could only hope that Professor Oak had something good to tell them.

Once they arrived, everyone could tell that things hadn't gone as planned. Neo went with Ziggy and Angel to tell them what happened while Chad did the same with Professor Oak.

Professor Oak: So, what happened out there?

Chad: We searched the area around where Neo said they first encountered the Seviper hoping that it was still there but….

Professor Oak: It wasn't, was it?

Chad: No. Team Rocket got it before we got there. And what's worse is that "he" was there.

Professor Oak: You mean!

Chad: Yeah.

Professor Oak: What happened after that?

Chad: He told us that he sent the Seviper to one of their bases for detoxification.

Professor Oak: That means that we can't make an antidote for Sasha.

Chad: Professor, is she going to die?

Professor Oak: She will without an antidote. Did he say anything about there even being one?

Chad: He said that they were the only ones who had it but didn't say where it was.

Professor Oak: That doesn't really help us any.

Chad: If only we had more time.

Professor Oak: ….actually, there may be a way to give us all the time we need.

Chad: How?

Professor Oak: It's risky, but here's what I suggest we do….

Meanwhile, Neo had just finished telling Ziggy and Angel what had happened. Both were greatly saddened by the news.

Ziggy: No. It can't end like this….

Angel: Poor Sasha.

Neo: I know. I was really hoping that Professor Oak had some good news for us when we got back.

Angel: I wish we could say he did.

Ziggy: Yeah. She may be closest to you but she friends with all of us.

Neo: I know, but it doesn't look like she'll be with us for much longer.

Professor Oak: That may not be true.

The three Pokémon turned to Professor Oak as he and Chad entered the room.

Neo: What do you mean? Did you find a way to save her?

Professor Oak: No, but there is a way to keep her alive until a way is found.

Angel: How?

Chad: Cryogenics.

Ziggy: Cryo-what?

Chad: Cryogenics. It's the study of the effects extremely low temperatures have on things.

Neo: How's that going to save Sasha?

Professor Oak: I believe that if we place her in a cryogenic state it will give us enough time to obtain the antidote from Team Rocket.

Angel: Would that really work?

Professor Oak: Well she'll have to be under constant monitoring but….

Neo: Wait a minute! Why will she need to be monitored constantly?

Professor Oak: Well, there are some risks involved.

Neo: Like what?

Chad: Under extreme cold it'll be easy for hypothermia to set in. To prevent that she'll be hooked up to a machine that'll monitor her and prevent that from happening.

Professor Oak: But if there's a power outage then there'll be nothing keeping the machine running and there'll be a good chance that hypothermia will set in.

Neo: And then?

Chad: It's possible she could die from it.

Neo: So what you're saying is that you want to take her from one dangerous situation and place her in another?

Professor Oak: It's our best chance. We have to do this.

Neo: I'm still not sure about this.

Chad: Please, Neo. Her life depends on this.

Neo was torn. He knew that this could be the only way to give him enough time to find the antidote for Sasha, but he didn't want to put her into another dangerous situation.

Professor Oak: Neo, while it's my opinion to go through with this we've agreed to let you make the final decision.

Neo: Alright, but before I do I need to know something.

Professor Oak: What is it?

Neo: How long does she have?

Professor Oak: She's lasting longer than I originally thought, but unless we through with this procedure she'll be dead by morning.

None of the Pokémon knew Sasha was that close to dying. Now Neo knew he had no choice but to allow Professor Oak to place her in a cryogenic state.

Neo: Alright. I'll agree to it.

Professor Oak: If you want I'll give you some time with her before we proceed.

Neo: I'd appreciate that.

Professor Oak lead Neo into the room where Sasha was. She was sleeping on a bed in the middle of the room. Neo jumped onto the bed and looked at Sasha.

Neo: She looks so peaceful. It's hard to believe she's fighting for her life.

Professor Oak: We wanted her to be as comfortable as possible.

Neo didn't respond. All of his attention was on Sasha at that moment.

Professor Oak: Just let me know when you're ready.

Neo: I will.

Professor Oak left the room, leaving the two Pikachu alone. Neo looked at Sasha's sleeping form. Immediately, tears formed in his eyes as he thought about everything the two of them had been through over the years.

Neo: So many things have happened in my life, but the one thing that I'll always remember is the day we met. Back then we were just two Pichu just starting off on our own.

A young Neo was walking through a forest looking for something to eat. He hadn't eaten anything since the day before and now his hunger was becoming unbearable.

Neo: If I don't find something to eat soon I'm going to collapse.

As he continued his search he came across a tree that had one apple on it. His eyes lit up at the sight of red fruit.

Neo: Finally!

He ran towards the tree, but he then caught sight of something else in the tree. Another Pokémon was already there trying to get the apple.

Neo: Looks like that apple's claimed already.

Disappointed, Neo was about to walk away when he noticed just what the other Pokémon was. It was a female Pichu. She was trying to reach out for the apple, but she didn't look too sure of herself.

Female Pichu: I've…almost…got it…

As she reached, her foot slipped off the branch she was standing on.

Neo: Hey! Look out!

The fall from the branch she was standing on was a good 10-15 feet. She would definitely be hurt from the fall unless Neo did something. Without thinking Neo ran towards her and dove underneath her, breaking her fall. Though it wasn't pleasant having something land on you from that height, Neo was more concerned with the other Pichu than himself.

Neo: Hey, are you alright?

Female Pichu: Yeah, but what about you? You broke my fall, didn't you?

Neo: Yeah. I'll be fine.

Female Pichu: Well, I should thank you.

Neo: No problem. By the way, my name's Neo.

Sasha: I'm Sasha.

Their introductions were followed by the sounds of our stomachs reminding them that they hadn't eaten. Both of them looked up at the apple still hanging in the tree.

Sasha: How are we going to get it down from there?

Neo: I think I know.

Sasha backed up and waited to see what Neo's idea was. Taking aim, Neo fired a low-power Thundershock at the apple. The attack did knock the apple out of the tree, but it also left Neo slightly dazed.

Sasha: Oh my! Neo, are you alright!

Neo: Yeah…I just forgot…about how…electric attacks…have a nasty after-affect on Pichu.

Sasha: Well, at least we got the apple.

Both Pokémon went for the apple. Of course they didn't realize it until they had both picked it up.

Sasha: Um…Just how are we going to do this?

Neo: Why don't we try splitting it in half.

Sasha: Okay.

They each pulled on the apple until it broke into two equal halves. Neo and Sasha, now each with a piece of the apple, sat down to eat. Minutes later, no trace of the apple remained.

Neo: That was good.

Sasha: It sure was.

Neo: So, where are you heading?

Sasha: I wasn't really heading anywhere. You?

Neo: Same.

Sasha: Say, would you mind if I traveled with you? It gets lonely traveling by yourself.

Neo: I was about to ask you the same thing.

Neo and Sasha, deciding right then to travel together, left the tree and headed off towards adventure.

That memory brought a slight smile to Neo's face. No matter what was going on or what his mood was, remembering how the two of them met was always a pleasant memory.

Neo: Who knew that we'd end up as close as we did. In fact, I can't even imagine how my life would be without you in it.

As soon as he said that, his face lost the cheerful smile it had a few moments ago and went back to the saddened expression.

Neo: Sasha…I never meant for any of this to happen. But I will make things right.

At that time, Professor Oak walked back in to check up on the couple.

Professor Oak: Neo, is everything alright.

Neo: Yeah.

Professor Oak: Are you ready?

Neo: …Yes.

Professor Oak: I'll get everything ready.

He left again to prepare the cryo-chamber for Sasha. Neo took one last look at Sasha. He knew that unless he got the antidote from Team Rocket this would be the last time he would see her alive.

About an hour later everyone was gathered in the basement of the lab where a special cryo-chamber was prepared. Sasha had been placed inside. Everyone was sad to see this happening. Ziggy and Angel were in tears from seeing one of their best friends go through this. But through all this, Neo kept a brave face. He knew that he needed to be strong for Sasha. He looked over at Professor Oak, who was preparing the chamber. After a few seconds he looked over at Neo.

Professor Oak: It's ready. Just give me the signal.

Neo looked at Sasha, still sleeping. He knew what had to be done in order to save her.

Neo: Do it.

Professor Oak nodded and pulled a lever on the chamber. Gas started pouring into it. A few seconds later the gas cleared, revealing Sasha in her cryogenic state. Though it was hard for all to witness, everyone knew that it was for the best. With their business there concluded, they started to leave the room. Neo was the last to leave. He walked up to the chamber and placed a paw on it.

Neo: Goodbye for now, my love…

With those final thoughts, Neo followed the others out of the basement.

With Sasha frozen inside the cryo-chamber it's up to Neo and the others to find the antidote. Will they? Find out in the next chapter of Battle for Life and Love!

Thanks for reading. Please review.