Ch. 9 – Time to Prove Who I Am

A/N: Weird, at first I just wanted to add some humor, but then it turned into something that may actually create the basis for my sinister plot for the rest of the story. Hahaha….my friend said I made Misty so bi-polar….it cracks me up.


It took a while before Atsune wiped away her tears. She usually hid her feelings as best she could, but now she didn't have the spirit. She passed a newspaper stand seeing the bold headings of "TAMOTSU'S BACK!" She paused briefly to watch the televisions showing the news from an electronics store.

"We arrived late last night in front of club called 'The Poison Fang' to an unbelievable scene." An anchorwoman broadcasted. Clips of Atsune in the massive crowd of reporters appeared and the anchorwoman continued. "Spectators to a fight and hostage situation reported that this girl is none other that Atsune Tamotsu, the once famous pokemon trainer who presumably died after a disappearance two and a half years ago." The picture went to the reporter talking to a guy who was in the club, they guy who lost the dance-off to Kisshomaru.

"I was there watching the whole thing. A guy started to fight Atsune. He had her trapped for a bit, but she escaped and he was telling us of how this was really Atsune Tamotsu! I didn't believe it at first, but then she spoke up saying it was true! I guess with the way she fought with her Absol by her side, I knew it must be true!" the man explained.

The television just showed the anchorwoman again. "Atsune refused to speak, but police report on her reasoning for her disappearance for these past years…" Atsune walked on, ignoring the rest. She knew it all already.

Absol just went by her side, allowing Atsune to stroke her occasionally. She felt worried for her trainer, but didn't know anything to cheer her up.

More people began to come out, and more people stared at her. Atsune just ambled along, numb to all sense and feelings. "Can't be trusted…" she muttered to herself.

Her father's ring glided gently between her fingers, the small object somehow comforting. Walking for a long time, recent events flashed in her mind. They're the ones who decided to follow her. They're the ones that got caught by Team Rocket in the forest, and they're the ones who had to be saved from the Ninjask. Her thoughts suddenly backfired. "I too can be trusted!" she announced to Absol. "That's it, damnit! I have to stop sulking and find Misty! I'm going to prove to that irritating redhead I'm trustworthy one way or another!" She took off the way she came, jaw clenched with determination.


Misty kept running until she was forced to stop for breath. Ash and Pikachu caught up at last, panting heavily. "Misty, please stop running." Ash begged.

"It's not like I don't have the right to!" she snapped. "I knew she was trouble from the beginning, but I never said anything. I could've been dead at any second just because of some guy after her!"

Ash looked at her sternly. "If she made any sudden movements you would've been. You can't say she didn't try to do anything because she did. We were so worried for you, but could we honestly just rush in with a punch when a knife was at your throat?" Misty looked away angrily, but silent. He continued, "She was trying to stall him and get him into a fair fight if anything. I know you understand perfectly that all she was able to do at that moment."

"Yeah, pick sides with her why don't you?!" Misty spat.

"I'm not picking sides! I just don't like to see you upset Misty. Atsune was doing her best to help you, and I'm sure her feelings are hurt a lot more than yours from what you said. Despite what's happened to her, she's done her best to be a great friend to all of us. Couldn't you give her a second chance?" Ash pleaded.

"I…I just don't know…" Misty looked down sadly. She felt defeated since she knew he had a point.

"Why'd you guys have to run so far?!" Brock complained as he collapsed beside them.

Gary placed his hands on his knees, trying to catch his breath. "We finally…found you!"

Their breath back, they stood up straight. Ash glanced at them nervously. "What happened? Where's Atsune?"

Gary pulled Ash aside, "She kinda froze at what Misty said and then walked off without a word. We tried to follow but Absol knock me over, protecting her. She looked at me and said she wanted to be alone. Ash, she was crying…" Ash tensed, not believing what he just heard.

Unfortunately Misty heard as well. It dawned on her that Atsune wasn't the type to cry over just anything. "Look what I've done. You were right Ash…all she tried to do was be my friend and look what I've said to her! I have to find her!" Misty ran off again, back from where she came.

The guys sighed in annoyance. "So much running…" they complained in unison before rushing to catch up. "Pi, Pikachu…" Pikachu agreed.

Misty kept running, guilt plaguing her at last. Her guilt blinded her and she ran out into the street. The honk of a car sounded and she froze, facing the on-coming car. It wasn't even trying to slow down or turn! It just kept coming! Misty braced for the hit, squeezing her eyes shut.

Something wrapped around her waist and she felt herself flung to the side. She landed on something softer than concrete…a person! She opened her eyes and looked beneath her to see Atsune!

Atsune smirked, "Jeeze, I leave for two seconds and you need rescuing again. Now…if you could get off please?"

Misty scrambled off of her, watching Atsune sit up. She looked at the street to see police cars chasing after the car that almost hit her. "You got me out of the way."

Atsune nodded. "I can't just sit back when a friend is in danger, right? Even if I'm not worth trusting…"

Misty shook her head. "No, I'm sorry for what I said. You really are trustworthy and I really am glad I met you." Hesitating for a moment, Misty pulled Atsune into a hug.

Atsune was shocked at such a sudden change of mood, but hugged back. Atsune helped Misty up. "Sorry, but I'll be right back."

"Where are you going?" Gary asked as they guys panted beside them.

"To go stop a car chase! I'll catch ya later!" Atsune took off, pursuing the police sirens. The thrill of it all felt amazing! Absol ran at her side as they slowly began to catch up to the speeding cars. Within seconds Atsune ran past the police cars and sped along side the criminal's car. At first the guy inside didn't see her. He wore a hat that covered thinning hair, his clothes old and mattered with stains. Finally, the man inside glanced at her in shock, and then recognized who it was. He swerved to hit Atsune, but she easily jumped up on top of the car.

Her fist broke into the side window and she tried to grab a hold of him. The car suddenly made a right turn and Atsune was thrown off and rolled painfully to the side. Absol helped her up and they saw the criminal flip the bird back at them. Filled with rage, Atsune chased after him again. Far ahead of him, Atsune saw a little boy bounce his soccer ball into the street. Atsune saw the little boy rush over to grab his toy, oblivious to the oncoming car.

Panic rushing through her, Atsune ran even faster. Her heart pounded and her throat clenched. She could just feel her arms trembling as she past the criminal's car. The boy looked over and froze as he saw the car coming straight at him. His face flashed with a fear that reminded Atsune strongly of her little brother Takara. That face…she couldn't bear to see such a face!

Atsune, now in front of the car, held her arms crossed before her in a defensive stance as a barrier between the boy and the car. The vehicle collided painfully into her and Atsune felt herself sliding back. She began to slow down, and the car stopped. Atsune looked back, seeing the boy stood directly behind her. If Atsune had waited a moment more, he could've been dead.

"Go boy, run back to your house!" Atsune told him. He didn't seem to hear her. "I said MOVE!" she shouted. He looked up at her with a jump and ran crying to his mom who stood nearby. She embraced him tightly, starting to cry as well. They were in a slow area, an apartment complex on one side of the street and a small park on the other. People stopped and crowded in clusters a safe distance from the incident.

Atsune felt sore, but went to the side of the car. There she hauled the scruffy man out of the car and dragged him a little ways from the car. He didn't seem to be severely injured, but he had been knocked unconscious with the crash and a small cut bled on his forehead. Absol came up and pulled away the gun still clutched in his hand. Absol didn't destroy it sine she knew it was 'evidence' for the police.

Police sirens sounded as tires screeched to a stop. Several officers came up and aimed their guns at the man as a precaution. An ambulance followed and the medics pulled away the unconscious man onto a stretcher.

Officer Jenny walked over to Atsune. "We appreciate your help Atsune, but…what happened here?" She looked at the totaled car, then at the boy and mother still crying off to the side. The clusters of people chattered quietly to one another, glancing at Atsune and the police.

Atsune looked in horror as she saw a news team nearby, still filming Atsune. "I'm pretty sure you'll find out very soon." They rushed over to her, a male reporter shouting questions. Absol growled at them, causing them to shut up. Absol stayed between Atsune and them as Atsune walked over to the mother and son.

"Is he okay?" she asked cautiously.

The mother nodded and looked up at her. "He's alright. Thank you so much! If you ever need anything, anything at all, I'll do my best to help. I'm in your debt; I don't know what I would do without my little Tommy."

Tommy looked up at her, wiping away his tears. "Thank you lady! You saved my life!"

Atsune smiled at how cute he was. "It was nothing, really! I'm just glad I made it in time."

"No, it was really something! How did you do it?" The mother asked expectantly. Luckily, a surprised look came across her features and she changed the topic. "You're Atsune Tamotsu!" People who had witnessed and crowded around the accident turned their gazes towards Atsune all at once. She felt her cheeks grow red.

"Er…I have to go…" Atsune mumbled.

"Just remember, if you need anything, look for Mr. and Mrs. Spinner. We'll be happy to help!" Mrs. Spinner shouted to her as Atsune ran off.

Absol followed closely, and Atsune could sense the run tired her out a bit so she didn't travel too fast. Atsune sighed in annoyance. First day back and the media will already have a field trip.


As expected, the news of Atsune stopping the car with her body alone got out in time for the afternoon news. Not to mention Absol was deemed 'near dangerous' with footage of her growling at the camera. "Jeeze! Getta grip people! It's called being protective!" Atsune muttered as people moved out of their way on the sidewalk. She made sure no one heard her though.

Their party walked towards the edge of the city where she hoped that they could use Gardevoir to get away quicker. The media's story was true that she was captured by Team Rocket, though it didn't go into detail. Now Atsune heard people muttering beliefs that she spent her whole time training and the Team Rocket story was a sham.

"Look on the bright side! We're almost out of here!" Misty said encouragingly. Ever since they made up, they've been acting closer than ever. She spoke to soon.

"LOOK! IT'S ATSUNE!" someone shouted from behind them.

"Oh HELL no!" Atsune recognized that voice and started to run, but arms wrapped around her legs to trip her.

"Atsune! Do you remember us?! Your fanclub has re-grouped in your honor!" A nerdy looking guy clung to her legs. In a swift movement a large group of people picked her up and tossed Atsune up and down.

"Go! Go! Atsune! Go! Go! Atsune!" They chanted.

"Lemme down already!" Atsune shouted.

The obedient fans stopped, but didn't catch her as she fell on her back.

"Damnit! What the hell was that for?!" Atsune shouted. She got up and hid behind her friends, scowling darkly at the group of people.

"Who are these guys?" Brock asked.

"Ugh, you just HAD to ask!" Atsune complained.

"We are the Mareep of the Mighty Herder! We are the worshipers of the Fantastic One! We are the ever watching eyes of the Great One's battles! We are the cheerleaders of the game's Champion! We are…" announced the nerdy looking guy. Then all together they shouted, "THE ULTIMATE FAN CLUB OF THE BEST TRAINER OF ALL TIME, ATSUNE TAMOTSU!!!"

"What about me?" Ash proclaimed.

"Who the hell are you?" The nerd asked coldly.

Ash sighed and lowered his head sadly. "Apparently nobody…" Pikachu sighed for his trainer.

"These guys always stalked me when I came to this city." Atsune muttered darkly.

"Your harsh words are like candy for our ears and your glares like a warm embrace. We'd follow you to the ends of the earth!" They announced.

"Then how about you stay there!" shouted Atsune.

"To the friends of Atsune, let us introduce ourselves properly. I am Kyle, President of Atsune's Fanclub!" Kyle told them. His blonde hair seemed scruffy, and he wore a black leather jacket over the plaid shirt he tucked into tight jeans. His fashion sense seemed as horrible as ever. "I started this club thinking of nothing but my love for Atsune! Oh please my noble warrior, marry me!" Everyone except Atsune jumped in shock of his proposal.

Atsune sigh, "I said it before, and I'll say it again, I'm not going to marry you ever!"

"That's okay! You'll grow on me soon enough." He assured her, placing some old-fashioned shades over his eyes. He nudged Gary and whispered "She so digs me." Gary just glared daggers at him.

A second guy stood at his side. "Hello," his deep, nasally voice greeted, "my name is Adam. It's good to see you again Atsune." He didn't meet her eyes, and his face showed his blush. Atsune knew he was always quiet and shy. He was the most tolerant just because of his shyness. His black hair was cut short and dressed like a typical school-boy. Along with being Vice President, he took care of the photography as one might have guessed from the camera strapped around his neck.

A girl leapt forward happily, "Hi! Remember me Atsune?! It's Emily! I'm the one who takes care of all the fund-raising! Remember?!?!"

"Yes! I remember!" Atsune shouted, struggling to keep behind Gary and away from Emily. She must have a case of obsessive compulsive for Atsune or something! Her red hair was pulled back into a long braid; her glasses making her eyes seem larger than normal. She wore a T-shirt of her own design that cheered for Atsune and all her most commonly used pokemon. Her high-water jeans looked faded, along with sneakers in pitiful condition.

"So who are all the other people?" Ash asked, pointing at the cluster of fans off to the side.

"Oh them? They're all fans of Atsune who know they're not worthy enough to be known." Emily stated casually, shocking everyone with her harshness.

"Yeah, well, it was nice to see you all again, but we really have to get going! Important battles to fight in ya know!" Atsune explained, grabbing her friends and starting to run.

Gary was the only one who saw as Kyle leapt forward and cling to her legs again, causing their whole party to tumble.

Atsune didn't feel the fall as hard as before. That moment she realized she fell right on top of Gary! Her cheeks grew hot as it dawned upon Atsune that their faces seemed only inches apart.

"Caught ya." Gary grinned sheepishly. His face seemed as red as her felt.

A tiny click and a flash of light from Atsune's left caused her to whip her head around. Squatting next to them, a camera in hand, sat Adam.

"Oh my gosh! You two look like such an uber adorable couple!" Emily shouted. "Quick, get different angles!" she ushered Adam, who immediately began to take shots from all sides.

"What?! No!" Atsune exclaimed wildly. Due to her position, she sat up awkwardly, placing her hands on Gary's shoulders to keep her balance. "Stop! It's not like that!"

"Oh yeah! That's right Atsune, add some flare into it!" cried Emily, who obviously ignored Atsune's words.

Atsune looked at the way she sat. Still on top of Gary, she seemed forcibly straddling a red-faced Gary. They looked at each other and scrambled apart. "I'm so sorry Gary!"

Emily danced around Adam happily, stealing his camera from him. "Oh man! We must broadcast this intimate story of love! These pictures shall go all over the world!" Emily ranted. Kyle lay devastated at the concept of 'Atsune's new boyfriend'

"Oh crap. Absol! Camera!" she barely managed to stutter. Absol understood perfectly and leapt towards Emily, attempting to snatch the camera.

Unfortunately, Emily pulled away the evidence last second, twirling with it in triumph. "I'm sorry Atsune, but the whole world must marvel upon your brilliant love!"

Atsune and Gary glanced at each other, turning away quickly with beet red faces when they met each others' eyes. Atsune looked up towards Emily, only to see her racing off towards town. "Damnit! If she makes it to the media, those pictures will be up for the evening news! Let's go Absol!" Absol followed as Atsune raced off, leaving the others behind.

It wasn't long before Atsune ran up beside Emily. "Now, gimme the camera."

"I'm so sorry Atsune!" She sped off in a different direction.

"Kuso! Kuso! KUSO!" Atsune cursed in annoyance.

Emily proceeded to run down the sidewalk of a busy street, weaving through knots of people. Someone grasped her legs and Atsune fell for the third time to the ground. "Ow…" she muttered. Looking up sadly, Atsune watched as Emily vanished into the crowd. She glared back at Kyle and Adam who still clung to her.

"My heart is shattered but I'll support your love no matter what!" Kyle cried. He and Adam both stood and chased after Emily.

"Why me?" Atsune muttered despondently. Absol helped her up and they ran off again. "If I lose those pictures…" Atsune started, shuddering before her sentence finished. As if weaving throughout the crowd wasn't hard enough, Movers of Machoke were bringing in new stuff into one of the stores. She saw one Machoke adjusting his grip on a big screen TV, only to drop it! Atsune slid underneath it as it fell, grunting lightly as she caught the weight suddenly. Quickly, she handed it back to the Machoke and got up, rushing to find her 'dear' fans again. Luckily, she could still smell their scent within all the city-smells.

She saw a group of three young boys playing monkey in the middle with a little girl's doll. "Haha! Come and get it if you can!" a boy wearing his red cap backwards laughed. The golden-haired girl ran to and fro as they tossed her precious toy to each other. The girl soon sat down and began to sob.

"Absol!" Absol cried, jumping over a boy with scruffy black hair and snatching the doll from him.

"It's rude to steal girls' possessions." Atsune said, stopping behind him. "All of you," she addressed the boys, "…apologize!" Her command seems scary enough to make the boys yell sorry and run off. "Stupid brats…I'll never find Emily at this rate." Atsune muttered.

Absol handed back the doll to the girl, who cautiously lifted her hand up to stoke Absol's head. "Thank you." The little girl mumbled, smiling. Absol licked her face as if to say, 'you're welcome!' The little girl giggled.

Atsune smiled at the cute sight, "It was good to help, but we have to go now. Stay safe!" Atsune called as she an Absol rushed off again.

"Knowing them, where would they go?" Atsune asked Absol. Recognizing where they headed, the answer seemed obvious. "Well of course professional reporters aren't worthy of writing such a story, so they'll head to where they can write it themselves." Atsune smirked, picking up her pace as their school came into view. The school must've only let out recently, since there were a lot of kids and teachers out front. Rushing to the front desk, Atsune asked the woman "Where's the journalism room?!"

They woman stared at her for a brief moment before saying, "Take a left over there and it should be down a bit and on your right."

"Thanks!" Atsune yelled back the second she finished. Following her directions, she came upon a scene in front of the journalism room. Before anyone noticed her, she and Absol ducked down near a trash can and watched.

"C'mon Kyle, she's an imposter and you know it." A voice stated. A big guy backed Kyle against the lockers. Great, a muscle-head! thought Atsune. His spiked hair was a dark green with black tips. His face looked dull and stupid, and he wore the school's blue and red senior hoodie with jeans and expensive looking shoes.

"That's not true!" Kyle's voice squeaked. Kyle seemed intimidated by the other guy's size, shaking lightly at the knees.

"All this work is for nothing." The voice said, ignoring Kyle's comment. "You know what they call people who do work for the hell of it, right?" After a brief pause, the big guy grinned, grabbing the front of Kyle's shirt to pick him up and slam him against the lockers. "A loser!"

"L-Let him g-go!" stuttered Adam.

"Shut up wimp! You're just as much a loser as he is!" the big guy laughed, shoving Adam to the ground with one hand.

"Are you still wearing that old rag?!" A girl spoke to Emily. Probably the big guy's girlfriend, thought Atsune. Her short hair was blue with black tips, her clothes small and skimpy. Girls like her always made Atsune want to toss her cookies in disgust.

"It's not a rag! It's a hand-crafted piece of art that will be worth a fortune when I get Atsune to sign it! Then you'll be sorry! You're gonna be begging for money when you need to be broken out from jail or get in debt by getting pregnant and marrying a cheap bastard who's in debt with an expensive car!" Emily rambled. Her detailed assumption and courage to say that to a bully's face surprised Atsune.

"Shut the hell up already!" The girl said before back-handing her roughly. "That Atsune's a fake; even you should be able to see that. Some fans you are. Anyone could dress up as she used to and catch an Absol." The girl snickered.

Atsune stood from her hiding spot and leaned against the wall within sight. "Yeah, but I wonder…" she started, pausing as they looked over in shock, "…could someone really imitate how Atsune fights?" Atsune looked over at them from the corner of her eye and Absol stood by her trainer with poise.

No one answered her, frozen in their spots. Atsune walked over next to them, helping Adam up. "You're a tough looking guy, and probably a strong trainer as well right?" Atsune addressed the big guy. "Put down my fan club's president and we could just see who's fake. I'll let you choose the event and I can guarantee your sorry ass will be put in its place. If needed, we'll have your slut choose a second event, but I'm positive that won't be happening."

The girl scowled, "Bitch! Who're you callin' a slut?! That's Alexis to you!"

The big guy ignored her, as well as Atsune. "Sure, why not. I'll just become famous when I prove you're not the real thing! The name's Jake. Got a real name you'd like to tell me?" Jake smirked.

"Yeah, Atsune." Atsune smiled at his scowl.

"Alright, but I think we should announce this for everyone to see. More likely there are others who won't believe your lies like me, I'm sure they'll want to be convinced." Jake sneered.

"Do as you like, just choose your event already and we'll host it in tomorrow. I'm pretty sure I can arrange for the local stadium to sponsor us." Atsune explained.

"It'll be a surprise. I'll tell the stadium what my event will be and have them set it up." Jake suggested.

"That sounds fair enough." Atsune stated simply.

"Whatever. My challenge won't only defeat you, it'll crush you!" Jake threatened with a malicious laugh.

"Okay." Atsune told him, smiling at his annoyance. They shook hands and immediately he began to test her strength. He had a good grip, but hers was better. She didn't wince or try and pull away, but she did grasp tighter. Stronger and stronger her grip clenched until at last he pulled away with pain on his face.

"Just get to the stadium so they can believe what I say." Jake scowled, walking away with his girl.

When he was out of sight, Atsune glared at the three fanclub members. "I'm not going to chase you and longer! Gimme the negatives."

"B-But! Your love!" Emily stuttered.

"We aren't in love! Kyle tripped me and I fell on him and you know it's true!" Atsune scolded.

"I…I can't!" Emily muttered, clutching to the camera.

"Well I can!" Adam shouted, startling even Atsune. He snatched the camera from her. "She just saved you from a catfight that you would've lost and you can't even be grateful enough to give up some fake evidence?" He pulled out the film from the camera and gave it to Atsune, not meeting her eyes still.

"Thank you Adam, I really appreciate this." Atsune told him. He flushed with embarrassment.

"Forgive me Atsune! I've been a horrible fan! I'm so sorry." Emily shouted, bowing before Atsune.

"Just cheer for me tomorrow and I'll sign that shirt." Atsune said, smirking.

Emily looked up, her eyes shining. "Thank you!" She glomped Atsune, who barely managed to stay upright.

"Alright! Alright! I have to go set up with the Stadium. In about half an hour, start telling people of the event. That'll get me time to have everything squared away with the stadium."

"As you wish!" They chorused.


It wasn't until all of the details were dealt with when Atsune finally had time to find her friends again. It had been a few hours since her confrontation with Jake, and now she wandered around town in search of the others. Of course advertisements for tomorrow's fight hung everywhere and people stared at Atsune and Absol as they passed.

Atsune sniffed the air, getting used to picking out her friend's scents. She barely caught a whiff of them, but knew the general direction they were in. "Hi guys!" Atsune greeted as she ran up to them. Of course when she found them, they all gained up on her at once.

"Where have you been?!" They yelled in annoyance.

"Pikachu!"

"Well, one thing kind of led to another…" Atsune began, explaining all that had happened. "…and now I have to prove I'm really Atsune."

Brock shook his head. "But why give Jake the choice of event? You only put him at an advantage."

"Somehow, I think he'll need it." She snickered. "Though think about it logically. He'll probably pick some lame-ass thing that he's really good at and try to one-up me. If I beat him at something he's practiced for most of his life then more people might want to believe I am who I say I am."

"I see…that makes sense." Brock nodded thoughtfully.

"I'm gonna need each of ya'll to cheer real hard for me, 'kay?" Atsune said.

"You bet!" Ash confirmed.

"We'll be the loudest ones out there!" Gary exclaimed.

Atsune snickered, "Though I have to wonder if my fan-club might be louder." They all looked down the street where members of the club were passing out flyers and shouting for people to come.

"Second loudest if they don't already lose their voices by tomorrow." Misty laughed, everyone joining in the joke. They all headed off to find the pokemon center where they would stay for the night.


A/N: Gosh, I can see it all in my mind. I had a good story planned up, but by adding this, err… 'humorous' fan-club for Atsune things worked themselves into a whole different plot. And I have to say, these new ideas are juicier that the first ones! I can't wait until I overcome my laziness and write more!