Before you all go 'OMG You can't get a Swanna from Skynarrow Bridge!' and 'Fake!' Let me just tell you, shut up! Yes you can cause I did so suck on them apples :P


Chapter Eight

A New Friend

As we started walking along the bridge a small breeze went past and I took a deep breath. The sun was up and the sky was clear, not a cloud in sight.

"Isn't this great?" I asked Riolu and Dewott and they both agreed. Dewott walked in front of us while Riolu walked beside me. After last night's events, Riolu has never left my side.

"I'm fine Riolu." I told him for what felt like the tenth time.

"I know that but." He broke off and I looked at him concerned.

"But what?" I asked him.

"I was scared about what would happen if you died, we haven't known each other long and I didn't want to lose you so soon." He said quietly and I smiled and picked him and hugged him.

"I promise I won't go anywhere." I told him and he let me hug him.

"Ok, ok, let me go." Riolu said jumping out of my arms and crossing his arms over his chest. I couldn't help but giggle over the fact that he's trying to act all cool and tough. I looked at the structure of the bridge and wondered how tough it must have been to build this. I saw a weird shadow above us and I looked up to see some kind of bird coming straight at us.

"White watch out!" Riolu shouted and I picked him up and quickly dodged the bird.

"Swa, Swanna!" The bird said and I looked at saw it looked like some kind of swan. I grabbed my Pokedex and pointed it at it.

Swanna, the White Bird Pokémon. Swanna start to dance at dusk. The one dancing in the middle is the leader of the flock.

"Oh so you're a Swanna." I said and I went closer to it but Riolu stood in front of me along with Dewott.

"De, Dewott," Dewott said in a threatening tone.

"Swanna, Swa, Swanna," Swanna said flapping its wings at them.

"Riolu?" I asked and he answered my but kept his eyes on Swanna.

"Dewott said to not harm you." Riolu said and I nodded and then frowned.

"What did Swanna say?" I asked him.

"She said not to trust humans, that you're just going to abandon us." Riolu said and I felt sad and suddenly understood. I step away from Riolu and Dewott, despite their protests and got down onto my knees.

"You're trainer released you didn't they Swanna?" I asked gently and Swanna seemed cautious.

"Yes." Riolu translated.

"Did your trainer say why?" I asked.

"They said it was because they didn't want to trap me inside those balls. But I was happy in them, I didn't mind at all. It's all because of that stupid group." Riolu translated and my eyes widened.

"Team Plasma?" I asked and Swanna nodded.

"I can't believe someone listened to them." I said, clenching my fists in anger.

"Swanna?" Swanna asked me and I didn't need Riolu to translate.

"Yes I hate them, I believe that Pokémon should be free but if they want to stay with their trainer they can. Team Plasma is going about this all wrong." I said through my teeth and I felt Dewott place his hands on my knees. I looked at him and he smiled and tapped his chest.

"De, Dewott, De, De." Dewott said and I smiled.

"Thanks Dewott." I said.

"Dewott." Dewott said and I looked at Swanna who not only looked hungry but lonely. I grabbed some Pokémon Food from my bag and held some out for Swanna. She looked at it cautiously and then came over slowly and ate them from my hand. I smiled and when Swanna was done I gently ran my fingers over her feathers.

"Swanna would you like to come with us?" I asked and Swanna's eyes widened.

"Swa?" She asked and I nodded.

"It'll be fun and I could really use a girl." I said and she smiled and flapped her wings and I laughed.

"I'll take that as a yes?" I asked and Swanna nodded. I grabbed a Pokeball and gently tapped it against her forehead. Swanna disappeared into the Pokeball and it moved for a bit and then made a sound.

"Yes, I have a Swanna!" I cried out and Dewott and Riolu high fived each other.

"Swanna come on out!" I shouted throwing the ball into the air. A red light appeared and so did Swanna.

"Welcome to the team." I smiled and Swanna flapped her wings. Dewott and Riolu went over to her and Dewott tapped his chest and Riolu rolled his eyes. Swanna tapped his head with her beak and said something that made Dewott go off his head. I laughed and hugged Dewott until he calmed down.

"Swanna would you like to stay out of your ball?" I asked and Swanna shook her head.

"Ok then, Swanna return." I said and Swanna returned to her ball.

"Come on, Castelia City isn't that far." I said and we ran the rest of the way.

We arrived in Castelia City around midday and man was the city huge! I couldn't even imagine finding my way around the place. I looked over and saw a cart stand selling Castelia Cones.

"Yum!" I cried out and ran over to the stand and bought three. I gave one each to Riolu and Dewott and ate mine quickly. I looked down and saw a small black and red dog like Pokémon.

"What's that one?" I asked pulling out my Pokedex.

Zorua, the Tricky Fox Pokémon. It changes into the forms of others to surprise them. It often transforms into a silent child.

"A Zorua, hmm doesn't look like it has a trainer." I said patting it. It looked and then ran for a bit and then looked back.

"He wants us to follow him." Riolu said and I looked at them. They'd finished their cones and Dewott looked curious while Riolu was cautious.

"Come on." I said running after him. Zorua kept running, dodging people and it was hard to spot him. Every once in a while I thought I lost him but he would wait for me. Soon I reached the park and couldn't find him anywhere. I leaned against the tree, went onto my knees and took a deep breath. I was so tired from running, so was Dewott. Riolu looked fine and kept an eye out just in case Zorua showed up.

"Where could he have gone?" I asked nobody in particular.

"He's right here." An all too familiar voice said and I looked up and saw N standing there with Zorua in his arms.

"He's yours?" I asked and N nodded. I suddenly wanted to strangle that Zorua, I worried about him for nothing. Upon seeing N, Riolu stood in front of me in a protective stance.

"Don't worry, I won't hurt her." N reassured him but Riolu didn't move an inch. N held out his hand to me and I hesitated before grabbing it. N's hand was warm and for some reason it felt safe. I stood up and quickly took my hand back. I didn't realize my hand was near my belt until N sighed.

"I'm not here to battle you." He said and for some reason I believed him.

"Then why are you here?" I asked him and he pointed at Zorua who looked bored.

"Zorua is going to apologize for making you run all around Castelia City, right Zorua?" N asked and Zorua mumbled something and Riolu told me he apologized. I smiled and patted Zorua on the head and he looked surprised.

"It's fine." I smiled and looked at the time.

"I'm going to go challenge the Castelia Gym." I said walking away. I looked back to see N still looking at me and I quickly walked away, blushing the whole time. I got to the Castelia Gym (it took me twenty minutes to find it!) and ran into Burgh.

"Sorry!" He apologized and then remembered my face.

"Ah hah! You're the one who fought Team Plasma in Pinwheel Forest... If I remember, your name is... White!" Burgh said and I smiled and nodded.

"Yep that's me." I said but he looked distracted.

"Come to challenge me I suppose? Sorry but could you wait a bit?" He asked and I frowned.

"Why what's going on?" I asked.

"I was informed that Team Plasma has shown up! In fact..." He broke off and looked at me up and down.

"Come with me! I'm going to the dock at Prime Pier!" Burgh told me and I nodded.

"Sure, whatever I can do to help." I said and I followed him to the pier. I saw Bianca there crying while a dark skinned girl with dark purple black hair was comforting her.

"Bianca? What happened?" I asked as soon as we got there.

"They took her... they took Munna." Bianca sobbed.

"I heard this lady's scream and ran after the thief as fast as I could. But this city is so big and so crowded...I'm afraid I lost them." The girl said sadly

"Iris...You did everything you could." Burgh said.

Dewott went over to Bianca and patted her. Bianca stopped crying and looked down at Dewott.

"Dewott, De." Dewott said and Bianca looked confused.

"Dewott said not to cry, a pretty face like yours shouldn't be crying." Riolu translated and I couldn't but think Dewott might be turning into a pervert.

"De, Dewott, De, Dewott." Dewott continued to say and Riolu continued to translate.

"There's no need to worry, I'll find your Munna for you." Riolu translated and Bianca hugged Dewott.

"Thanks Dewott, who knew you'd be such a big brother Pokémon." Bianca said and Dewott laughed and scratched his head in embarrassment.

"You're so lucky to have Dewott." Iris said and I smiled.

"Thanks, he's the big brother in our little group." I replied and Dewott tapped his chest and nodded.

"But that's so bad! Taking people's Pokémon is really bad! 'Cause it's really nice when people and Pokémon are together! They each have something the other doesn't, and they help each other!" Iris exclaimed and I couldn't help but agree.

"Agreed! No fear, we'll get Munna back. Right, White?" Burgh asked me and I nodded. "Having said that, finding a person or Pokémon here in Castelia City will be like finding a needle in a haystack."

"But we have to try." I said and they nodded.

"I'm gonna be Bianca's bodyguard. So you two go after those bad guys, Ok?" Iris said and Burgh and I both nodded.

"Dewott, Riolu I want both of you in your Pokeballs." I told them and they weren't happy one bit.

"I'm not going to lose either of you ok? It's just until we get Munna back." I promised and they reluctantly agreed.

"Dewott, Riolu return." I said and they went inside their Pokeballs.

"White let's go! Iris, you stay by that young lady's side." Burgh said and Iris nodded. Burgh ran off and I looked back at Bianca and gave her a thumbs up.

"Don't worry, I'll make sure Team Plasma won't live to see tomorrow for kidnapping Munna." I promised her and Bianca's eyes widened and she smiled. I smiled back and ran after Burgh. Everywhere I went I asked if anyone had seen Team Plasma but nobody saw them. I ran down the street where the Castelia Gym and saw Burgh standing there looking at the building across from the gym.

"White there you are! This is definitely the place." Burgh said and we were about to go in but two members of Team Plasma appeared and pushed us back.

"Get lost Bug lover!" One of them said and I was surprised Burgh didn't slap him.

"Heh, I'll take the weakling." The other said looking at me and Burgh rolled his eyes.

"I wouldn't underestimate her if I were you." Burgh warned but the grunt didn't listen.

"I'll leave that one to you White." Burgh told me and I nodded.

We ran into the building and saw none other than Ghetsis standing there with some grunts; one of them was holding Munna who looked scared.

"My word, if it isn't the Gym Leader, Burgh." Ghetsis said and then glared at me.

"And the little girl from Accumula Town." He said in disgust and if Burgh didn't hold me back I swear I would've punch the smirk right off his face.

"We're here!" Iris shouted and she and Bianca appeared behind us. Bianca saw Munna and her eyes widened.

"You are Ghetsis if I am correct." Burgh said and Ghetsis nodded.

"Indeed... No matter. We already have an exceptional base of operations. Is everyone familiar with the legend of the founding of the Unova region?" He asked and it was Iris who answered.

"I am! It's the black Dragon-type Pokémon, right?" Iris asked and Ghetsis looked impressed.

"The truth is this... the black dragon appeared before a hero who sought the ideal way to knit together a world full of warring people. This black Dragon-type Pokémon shared it's knowledge and bared it's fangs at those who stood against it. Together, the power of this Pokémon and the hero brought unity to the hearts of everyone in the land, and that is how Unova was created." Ghetsis explained and I frowned. The black Dragon-type Pokémon that's he's talking about couldn't be Zekrom, could it?

"So basically you're saying you'll take what you want from people?" Burgh asked and Ghetsis chuckled.

"Now that would be breaking our beliefs, wouldn't it?" He asked and I couldn't take it anymore.

"You're not going to revive Zekrom just to do your own bidding." I told him and he looked at me impressed.

"You're a little more intelligent than I expected. I am fond of intelligent people, you see." He told me and for some reason it made my skin crawl.

"From every corner of the world, I have gathered knowledgeable people for our king's benefit. You could call them the Seven Sages, and with that we'll be on our way." Ghetsis turned to the grunt holding Munna.

"Return her Pokémon!" Ghetsis ordered and the grunt let Munna go and Munna ran over to Bianca.

"Munna!" Bianca cried out and hugged Munna close to her and looked at Ghetsis.

"Thank you for returning my Pokémon." Bianca said and Iris looked outraged.

"Bianca! Why are you thanking them? They take people's precious Pokémon!" Iris shouted and Burgh placed a hand on her shoulder.

"The friendship between Pokémon and people can be very touching. But, in order to liberate Pokémon from foolish people, we will revive the legend of Unova, and win the hearts and minds of everyone. Farewell..." Ghetsis said and Team Plasma left.

"What are you doing? Why are you letting them get away?" Iris shouted

"Don't worry, I'll make sure that they'll never steal Pokémon from others." I vowed and both Burgh and Iris's eyes widened. Burgh blinked and then cleared his throat and looked at each of us.

"What is everyone planning to do now?" He asked and I looked Iris.

"I'll keep being Bianca's bodyguard." Iris said and I smiled and so did Bianca.

"Uh-hm. That's great! Iris is a dazzling Pokémon Trainer, but maybe not at home in the big city yet? So, a little give-and-take, people and Pokémon need to help each other out." Burgh said and then looked at me.

"Well then, White. I'll be waiting at the gym." He said turning to leave and then I saw the time.

"Um, can we have it tomorrow?" I asked Burgh and he nodded.

"Get some rest then, I'm not going to let you have the badge without a fight." He added and left. Suddenly Riolu and Dewott appeared and stood next to me.

"Seriously can't you stay there until I call you out?" I asked them and Riolu shook his head while Dewott looked at Munna.

"Oh that reminds me." I said pulling out my Pokedex.

Munna, the Dream Eater Pokémon. Munna always float in the air. People whose dreams are eaten by them forget what the dreams had been about. When it eats a pleasant dream, it expels pink-coloured mist.

"Hmm that's an interesting Pokémon." I said and Bianca giggled.

"Yes but isn't Munna adorable?" Bianca asked while hugging Munna. I smiled and yawned.

"Come on, we need our rest for tomorrow." I said and said goodbye to Iris and Bianca. As I left the building I couldn't help but think, that somehow it's as if N and Team Plasma were aiming for the same thing: To revive Zekrom.


Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon. All mistakes are Riolu's fault.