The forest looked beautiful. With bright sunshine lighting every leaf and brightening the path we were carefully following thanks to Max's navigator, I felt like there wasn't a thing in the world that could go wrong.

"I'm not happy!" But then May had to go open her big mouth.

"Aw come on May, we just finished taking a break." Ash said impatiently as May flopped to the floor.

"I wouldn't call that a break." She grumbled wearily and Ash caved in.

"Alright. Guess we'll just have to take another one then." He said finally but then Max's navigator began to beep loudly.

"Look guys! There's a Pokémon Centre just ahead!" He informed and instantly May was back on her feet, smile restored and also some of her energy.

"There is? Really?" Brock was at her side in a flash and grabbed her arm.

"In that case May, off we go then!" He cheered happily and I arched an eyebrow, placing both hands on my hips. I wonder what could have sparked this enthusiasm. It wouldn't happen to have anything to do with a certain pink haired, nurse uniform wearing lady called Nurse Joy, would it? Of course not. No.

"Let go. You're hurting my arm!" May pulled back her arm the same moment Brock loosened his grip, sending May flying backwards but she stumbled into a tree which thankfully kept her from falling.

"Are you okay May?" I asked with concern and she nodded her head though as she stood, she rubbed her back.

"Yeah, but there's something weird sticking out of this tree." She informed so we all got closer for a better look. It looked like a part of a net, the bark of the trunk scratched up from it being launched from somewhere behind us.

"Yeah you're right." Ash said as Brock rubbed his jaw thoughtfully.

"Wonder what it is." I knew. Way back in Kanto when in the Safari Zone, Fraiser warned me about this kind of thing and showed me all kinds of traps used by those who catch wild Pokémon and sell them.

"Poachers." I spat with disgust. "It's a poacher's trap."

"Pika Pika!" Pikachu called and we looked around to see that there were scratches and chunks of bark missing from the trunks of the trees.

"Something sure happened here. Are you sure it's poachers?" I nodded my head, clenching my fists tightly until they trembled and my eyes narrowed darkly into slits. I was unable to speak as my rage began to build. Whoever had done this must have been successful in capturing a number of Pokémon. If they harmed a single one of them, I swear I'll make them pay for it.

"Hey Ruby, calm down." Ash said, gently resting a hand on my shoulder. "We don't know what happened for sure, it could all just be a misunderstanding." He told me reasonably so I took a deep breath and relaxed a little.

"You're right. But I'm going to find out." With that I strode forwards in the direction of the Pokémon Centre. Maybe the news bulletin would have something about poachers being sighted in the area, or I could call the local Officer Jenny to see if she knew anything. Even so, I didn't say another word all the way to the Pokémon Centre.

"Welcome everyone." Nurse Joy greeted with her signature warm smile and bright eyes, making Brock cry out in elation.

"Nurse Joy!" However May shoved him aside to greet her first, smiling happily.

"Hey there! Did they transfer you from Oldale Town Nurse Joy?" May asked but Nurse Joy only blinked in surprise. "May, remember? You really helped us out at the Pokémon Centre back there." She tried to remind the baffled Nurse Joy, who then smiled again.

"Well I don't see how that's possible, since I've never seen any of you before." She revealed and May took a step back in genuine confusion.

"Never? But you're Nurse Joy! Right?" She pressed, leaning over the counter but Nurse Joy wasn't at all confused anymore, seeing the mistake May had made.

"Right, but the Nurse Joy in Oldale Town that you know is my older sister."

"Really?"

"Cross my heart." Nurse Joy giggled and I looked down at Brock who feebly tapped his forefingers together as I crouched down where May had pushed him.

"So not fair. I didn't even get a chance to talk to her this time." I sighed before giving a smile, touching his shoulder.

"It's okay Brock, you'll get your turn. But if you goof off again, I'll be taking over Misty's job." I warned him before looking over to Max who showed his sister a picture of a group of Nurse Joys' all graduating from nursing school.

"Look at this May."

"Huh?! A bunch of Nurse Joys'!" She startled then looked at the Nurse Joy at the desk who smiled.

"Every Pokémon Centre in the country is run by a Nurse Joy and they all look exactly alike." Max told her studiously and I ruffled his hair with a chuckle.

"Well it seems like someone's being doing their homework." I said to him with a wink as he smiled brightly up at me.

"Please. You're so naïve!" Brock informed us and we looked at him as he turned his head slightly to gesture to Nurse Joy. "Nurse Joy's uniqueness is easily seen." He stated before taking both of her hands, making her blink in surprise. "It's completely obvious, I can tell the difference. Your bangs are a millimetre longer." How he noticed this tiny detail, I do not want to know.

"Awesome. Brock, you're amazing." Ash said with a laugh, impressed by our friend's closely accurate observation.

"Or just plain insane." I offered, placing a hand on my hip.

"Nurse Joy!" Someone called from the entrance and it was none other than Officer Jenny with her Growlithe, both of them standing to attention.

"Well look who it is." Nurse Joy said with a smile. "It's Officer Jenny."

"Not you too!" Brock suddenly flung himself forwards and I sighed, shaking my head as I pinched the bridge of my nose.

"Here we go again."

"Ah well, hello there. I see your eyelashes are one tenth a bit longer than any other Jenny in the country." He sort of complimented her and she gave a shaky smile and laugh.

"Don't tell me. There's a bunch of Officer Jenny's too." May guessed and I nodded my head.

"That's right. They keep everyone in order and help keep the peace." I told her as Max found a photo of the Jenny's as well.

"You got it sis."

"I told you not to tell me!" She said, staring in shock at the number of Jenny's there were and how alike they were. Practically twins.

"Anyway, Nurse Joy I need to know if there have been any injured Pokémon brought to your centre recently." My interest peaked and I lifted my head, training my ears carefully on what was being said.

"Why no. But why do you ask?" Nurse Joy questioned.

"There have been reports of a poacher operating in this area." Officer Jenny informed and instantly I growled, anger spiking to unbelievable heights.

"I knew it!" I hammered a fist against the wall and the clock there shivered, almost dropping off the wall but it stayed firm as I blinked. "Oops, sorry."

"Based on his methods, I'd say it's this Pokémon poacher Rico." She said and instantly I took the photo and began to absorb every detail about him. The green here, sickly smirk, prominent nose and square jaw. I hated the guy already. "He thinks nothing of injuring Pokémon in order to catch them." That's when Ash showed her the net part we'd found in the forest.

"Look what we found."

"Oh dear. It's part of a capture net commonly used by poachers. Where did you find it?" Officer Jenny asked us all and so Ash told her.

"We found it in the forest on our way here."

"You've got to show me where." She told us so we nodded our heads then lead the way, though I kept a firm grip on Brock's shirt and dragged him up to the front away from Officer Jenny before he could go all goofy again.

"Come on Sherlock, it's time for you to help us solve a case. Not the mystery of which Jenny is which." I told him, barking slightly as I stormed my way back to the place we'd found the net piece.

"We found it right here." May said, stepping forwards and rested a hand against the exact same tree she'd bumped into.

"Pokémon hunters use these capture nets to immobilise Pokémon before catching them." Officer Jenny explained to us and I clenched my fists tightly again. That bone headed creep.

"I wonder if it hurts them." Ash worried as Brock lay a hand on my shoulder so I looked up at him. He didn't say anything, merely gave a single nod which I returned then took a deep breath to relax.

"Hey look! Tyre tracks." Max pointed, spotting the tracks which lead away from the scene, ones we hadn't spotted before.

"The poachers must be travelling by car, they're still fresh!"

"They couldn't have gotten very far from here." Brock added so I instantly laughed aloud, rushing forwards but stopped beside Max to fluff up his hair.

"Way to go squirt. Great detective work." I told him as Ash and I both grabbed a Pokéball.

"We'll search from the sky!"

"You bet. Charizard, I need you, now!" I called and both Taillow and Charizard appeared, spreading their wings and calling out. I climbed up onto Charizard's back eyes focused upwards. "Alright Charizard, we're looking for distressed Pokémon that have been captured by poachers. Let's go find them, free them then see how that poacher likes to be caught himself." Charizard grunted and nodded his head, spreading his wings and prepared to take off when Max called out.

"Wait! Can I come too?" He asked and we both looked at him in surprise as he pleaded with us. "You promised me a ride, and I want to help you!" I guess I did promise him, but it could be dangerous if we actually meet that poacher and I have to battle him.

"It's okay Ruby, I trust you to take care of Max. He'll be perfectly safe with you, especially with a Pokémon as strong and powerful as your Charizard." May added and Charizard lifted himself up proudly, agreeing with May's choice of words.

"Okay. But Max, you've got to promise to do exactly what I say when I say it. No questions, no fooling around. Got it?"

"Got it. I promise." Max assured me so I nodded to Charizard, who picked Max up easily in one hand then handed him to me and I settled him in front as we sat on Charizard's shoulders. "Whoa! This is cool!" I smiled.

"Hang on squirt, we're not even flying yet. Charizard, let's go!" With a roar Charizard leaped up into the air with a rush, making Max call out with a laugh, yelling at the top of his voice as I whooped, allowing the rush of adrenaline get to me as we rose up into the air then broke through the clouds with a tight spin, Charizard then opening his wings to soar.

"This is amazing!" Max yelled, letting go to hold his hands up in the air as I kept him stable. "Yeah!" Smiling I pulled out my camera then turned the lens around to face us. "Cheese!" He grinned as I poked my head over his shoulder, giving a smile before snapping the photo.

"Okay Charizard, show Max what you can do." I said as we both leaned forwards so Charizard dove back down, going in steep before pulling up at the last second over the treetops, stopping Max's yell as he sighed with relief.

"Okay, that was scary. But so awesome too!" I laughed then pointed down to the ground.

"Charizard, follow those tracks and fast!" I called and he instantly banked to follow its directions. Ahead I heard the explosions of something big, which instantly made Max lift his head.

"What's that?"

"It sounds like a battle. Hyper Beam if I'm correct, and a very angry Tyranitar." I can still remember the roar of Larvitar's mother. It's definitely a sound I won't forget for a long time. "Step on it Charizard!" He flapped his wings and we sped forwards, aiming straight for the sound of battle, where we finally came across…Team Rocket? No way! They were actually trying to help all those Koffing and Ekans escape.

ARGH! EKANS! NO, NO, NO! ANYTHING BUT EKANS!

I must have screamed aloud as Max suddenly looked at me with worry. "What's wrong Ruby?"

"I'm still a little scared of Ekans." I admitted with a shiver. "I was attacked by one as a kid."

"Oh, well don't worry! I'll protect you!" But then Max yelled. "Agh! I think I'd be more worried about that Tyranitar if I were you! It looks powerful!" Charizard instantly growled and I felt his determination, so I narrowed my eyes and leaned forwards.

"No way is it more powerful than my buddy Charizard. Okay Charizard, Fire Blast let's go!" Charizard roared, announcing his arrival and everyone looked up as Charizard swooped down then hit Tyranitar with a full body Fire Blast, forcing it back a couple of steps as I grabbed Max then leaped off of Charizard's back, landing in front of Team Rocket as they trembled on the floor, exhausted and hurt though their Arbok and Weezing hung back with their pre-evolved Pokémon friends.

"It's a twerp! And boy are we glad to see you. You gotta help us!" Meowth screeched in desperation as my Charizard faced Rico's Tyranitar.

"Yeah, for once we're trying to do the right thing!" James added as I glared at them slightly.

"Please twerp, from girl to girl, you've gotta help get these Ekans and Koffing somewhere safe!" Jessie tried. Of course, they would have a soft spot for those Pokémon, because they used to have ones themselves. Finally I nodded my head then gave them a smile.

"Ruby Bates to the rescue. Don't worry guys, you're safe now." I assured them all before turning to Rico, one hand gripping Max's sleeve to make sure I could move him out the way if need be. "So Rico, you're the one who's been hurting all these Pokémon. Well I'm Ruby, and you're going to be under arrest very soon!"

"Oh yeah? And what's a little girl like you going to do about it? Your Charizard may be taller than average, but it's still smaller than my all powerful Tyranitar." He boasted which only made Charizard growl in anger as I pushed Max back and he moved away.

"You haven't seen anything yet. Charizard, Flamethrower!"

"Hyper Beam!" The Tyranitar made a quick fire Hyper Beam which cancelled out the Flamethrower, but as the explosion burst outwards it formed the perfect cover. Charizard flew forwards and body tackled the Tyranitar, locking claws and the two began to grapple as Team Rocket all cheered.

"Go Charizard go! Go Charizard go!"

"Argh! Tyranitar, use Thrash!" The Tyranitar began to beat at Charizard, who ducked and moved to avoid the blows, as his opponent kicked out wildly. It stepped towards Team Rocket, roaring in anger then lifted a foot up high and when I looked I saw Meowth and Max in direct line of fire.

"No!" I yelled and raced forwards, yelling aloud as I grabbed Max into my arms then Meowth also, tucking and rolling out the way as Charizard fought hand to hand, roaring then whipped out his tail to punch it into Tyranitar's face.

I held both Meowth and Max in my arms, shielding them both before I slowly uncurled and looked at them. "Are you two okay?"

"Yeah, thanks Ruby. I owe you one." Max said to me as Meowth just stared in surprise.

"What'd you save me for?" He asked so I gave him a genuine smile.

"You may be part of Team Rocket, and are always after Pikachu and our Pokémon, but you're still a Pokémon yourself, which means I have to protect you. It's part of being a trainer. But also because it was the right thing to do." I told him before handing them both some Super Potion. "Now, go around the Ekans and Koffing and start to heal them. They've been hurt bad but this will give them the strength to escape."

"Got it." Max nodded his head and ran over to the Pokémon, Meowth pausing a moment before growing serious.

"Right." I turned back to the fight and cried out in alarm to see Charizard being flung backwards, tossed against a tree which winded him greatly.

"Get up!" I yelled fearfully as Tyranitar prepared a Hyper Beam. "Charizard, use Fire Blast now!" Desperation gripped me and I flung it out to Charizard, letting my aura meld with his and he jerked awake, suddenly filled with a rush of energy which he used to use Fire Blast as a shield, letting it take most of the impact of the Fire Blast before getting up and flying at Tyranitar full speed, barrelling it backwards then whipped his head around to knock it down, though it retained balance.

Tail. I murmured in my head, eyes closed as I slid a foot around in the circle, mirroring the movements and Charizard instantly copied as I sent the message through him. He turned around and whipped out his tail with full force, knocking out Tyranitar's feet and this time, landed it on the ground. Now fly. Spreading my arms I motioned the flap of wing with elegance and fluid grace, making Max gasp then stare in shock and wonder.

"She's doing it! She's doing the dance!" Charizard flew up into the sky, stopping once he had enough altitude. I brought my elbows in tightly to my sides and Charizard burst into flame with Inferno before diving downwards as I spun around and he combined the attack with Fire Spin for extra power, which made Max's eyes widen in awe. "Whoa…now that's awesome…"

"Hyper Beam!" Rico called out desperately but Charizard hit before Tyranitar could reach full power, ploughing into its chest and draining its power in one hit, making it cry out before falling backwards, no longer able to battle. I exhaled deeply then opened my eyes. Looks like it's over. "No! Tyranitar! Get up you useless Pokémon, get up and fight!"

"It's over." I told Rico who swallowed nervously. "You are caught in your own net Rico." He was sweating in sheets, staring at me in slight fear before he turned and tried to run. Without saying a word I glared then flung out a hand to which Charizard stepped forwards and roared with all his might in Rico's face, making him drop to the ground then lowered a foot over him, keeping him anchored in place. "Don't mess with me." I told him with a smirk before looking around. "Max? You okay?"

"Okay? I'm great! That was one of the most amazing things I've ever seen. I'm so glad I took your camera from your backpack and filmed the whole thing!" He said, pointing to where my camera was sat on a rock, miraculously undamaged and recording everything that was going on. Well, I guess that's Max for you.

"Well twerp, it seems like we owe you one." James said, coming to stand before me then held out a hand. "Thanks for the help." I took it and shook it, just for this one time.

"No problem. I may dislike what you do, but you guys aren't actually that bad. In fact I'd say you're halfway decent." I told them but Jessie rolled her eyes.

"Oh please. This doesn't mean we'll stop trying to kidnap that Pikachu or any of your other Pokémon. Today is just a temporary truce to help these Ekans and Koffing." The Ekans hissed at me in thanks but although I could tell they were friendly, I whimpered slightly and drew back, but then I felt a nudge against my back.

"Charbok!" Arbok said then nudged me again, pushing me towards the Ekans.

"Arbok! What are you doing?" I demanded fearfully then pressed my eyes shut. Instantly I was swarmed with Ekans and Koffing, all of which were extremely grateful to me and my Charizard as some of them broke off and went to affectionately hug Charizard, who lowered his head to greet them calmly.

Slowly I became accustomed to the touch and sound of the Ekans around me, easing my fears bit by bit until I was giggling and hugging every single one of them.

"You know James, I think there's one more right thing we need to do." Jessie said and he nodded his head.

"You're right Jessie." He agreed before they both turned to Arbok and Weezing. "You guys had better go with them." My mouth dropped open in shock.

"The poacher may be gone, but these Ekans and Koffing still need you. They're weak from being injured and will need your help to survive." Jessie said to them as the Ekans and Koffing all grouped together.

"Charbok?"

"Weezing…" They both said in confusion, blinking before lowering their heads, unsure of what to do.

"It's alright, to be honest, it's because we care so much about you two that we know you'll be better off out here, helping these Pokémon." James told them and Weezing instantly moved closer, making James put his arms around him as Arbok embraced Jessie with a gentle Wrap attack, holding her close as she tried, unsuccessfully, not to cry.

"Now go, before we…change our minds." She sniffed, wiping her eyes before pointing. "Didn't you hear me? Go!" Arbok and Weezing herded the younger Pokémon together then led them into the bushes, far into the woods until none of us could see them. A new found respect dawned in me as Max stood close at my side, holding my camera.

"That was a very brave thing you did." I told them as they tried to suck it in. "It's not easy letting go of Pokémon you've grown attached to."

"Yeah well, we'll be fine. It's you who had better watch out twerp, because one of these days we're going to rob you blind." Jessie said, pointing at me but I merely smiled.

"I'll be waiting." I told them with a competitive look on my face. "Meowth, you keep the rest of that Super Potion for yourself. You look pretty beat up."

"Huh? Thanks twerp." He said, giving me a smile and a nod which I returned before the three of them raced off into the trees just as Ash, Officer Jenny and the others appeared.

"Ruby!" Ash called, waving his hand. "Are you okay?"

"Max! Max what happened? Are you hurt?" May asked as she bypassed Ash then quickly grabbed her brother. "You're covered in filth, what…happened…here?" She looked around, seeing all the craters from Tyranitar's Hyper Beams and Charizard who still held down Rico, as well as Tyranitar himself as he lay on the ground still, though Brock was instantly making sure it was okay.

"It's a long story. We'll tell you all about later. Right squirt?" I looked down at him with a ruffle of his hair and he nodded his head excitedly.

"You bet!"

"Oh my goodness, is that Rico?" Officer Jenny asked and he yelled.

"Will someone get this overgrown lizard off of me?!" I smirked proudly.

"Yup. Charizard thought you might like to have a little chat with him." Officer Jenny smiled then gave me a salute.

"I thank you very deeply for all your help today. You must be a very talented trainer to have fought off that Tyranitar and capture Rico, someone who's been avoiding our capture for a long time now."

"It was nothing." I said to her then looked at Charizard. "You can let go of him now. Return for a well deserved rest." I told him and the moment he was gone, Officer Jenny had slapped some cuffs on him and Growlithe was keeping a well trained eye on their new prisoner. I reached out and snagged the two Pokéballs from his belt. "I'll take those thank you." Smirking at him as I walked past I held out a Pokéball towards Tyranitar as Brock gave me the thumbs up. "Tyranitar, return!"

At least now we can take it back to Nurse Joy for some proper treatment. It took a pretty hard hit from Charizard, so we'd better get there right away.