Thank-you for all of your wonderful reviews, Permanently Scarred, Wolfy Pup, Lilac, shadow-dog18, XxRainbow-DarknessxX, kankananime123, and GwangFei. This chapter follows one more episode, and then Bella will be separating from Ash and his friends for a while. This chapter focuses more on Gary and Bella then anything else, though. And the story behind all of Bella's strange dreams will be revealed, too. I think this chapter will be a dead giveaway of what is to come in future chapters, though.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own the Pokemon franchise.

CLAIMER: However, I do own my characters.

Please enjoy, no flames, but I will accept constructive criticism.

Chapter 11: Stranded

"For it was not into my ear you whispered,

But into my heart.

It was not my lips you kissed,

But my soul."

-Judy Garland

It was like diving into the deep dephs of the sea. My eyes opened, and I found myself hovering in the darkness. A little girl was hovering in front of me. She was probably around six, only two years younger than myself. She wore a long-sleeved, white nightgown and socks. Thick, medium length hair covered her head. Her appeared to be a bluish color, which matched her eyes. Beside her hovered the odd looking, yet awake, Charmander, Squirtle, and Bulbasaur. I turned to the one that hovered beside me.

It looked so much like the friend that I had lost when I was younger. Yet so different at the same time. It was the same size as a six-year-old human child, and had childish features, revealing its true age. Only it had the features of a pokemon, too. Its body was a pale lavender, almost completely white. It had curious dark purple irises; two horns jutted out of its skull. Its stomach was a dark purple, as was its long tail. It had three fingers on its human-like hands, and three twos on its feet. It has human features, but most of its physical traits were cat-like.

The purple pokemon looked at me and smiled, "Hi, Bella."

I smiled back, without even knowing why, "Hey, …" the name was lost to me. Instead, I heard someone shout my own name.

"Bella?"

Is someone calling me?

"Bella!"

My eyes fluttered open. It took a second for the blur to vanish, allowing Gary to appear before me. "Gary?" I asked groggily.

He smiled, "Bells! Your OK!"

"Eh…your too loud," I groaned as I sat up. "And of course I'm OK," What was that strange dream? Who was that strange pokemon? It almost looked like…like a Mew. And…who was the little girl? Do I know her? Its all so familiar…yet so distant…ugh…my head. I stroked my temples. I looked around. We appeared to be on a beach, wish a deep jungle behind us. "Where are we?"

"We're on an island." Gary said as if it were obvious.

I rolled my eyes, "Yeah, but how'd we…" memories from before entered my mind. I looked around frantically. Ash, Misty, Brock, Pikachu, James, Jessie, and Meowth were nowhere in sight. Neither was my egg. "MY EGG!!!" I shrieked. "IT'S GONE!!!" I almost felt like crying, but my will fought against the tears. I ran my hands through my hair. I was almost at the point of hysterics; my motherly instincts were beating me senseless for allowing an innocent, unhatched baby to just disappear.

Gary sighed as he rose to his feet, "Sorry, but there's nothing we can do about it."

"What do you mean!?" I jumped to my feet, "We have to go look for it!" I reached towards my belt, but I noticed that three of my pokeballs were missing. I checked all of the ones I could. Charmeleon and Nidorina were still there. Pikachu, Growlithe, and the new pokemon were gone. "I LOST SOME OF MY POKEMON!!!" I could feel the tears running down my cheeks. Guilt captured my heart. For leaving them behind. For being a lousy trainer losing them.

Gary stomped up to me and grabbed my shirt, shaking me, "Calm down, Bella! Get a hold of yourself!"

My hand flew up and struck him across the face. Gary stood there, wide-eyed. I snarled, "Get away from me! I need to look for my friends, got it!?" I turned away and sprinted towards the woods…

Bella's Pikachu's POV:

My head hurt something fierce. I opened my eyes and sat up; a large forest surrounded me. I stood up on my small feet and began walking around on all fours. Where am I? Where's Bella? "Bella!" I called, "Bella!" Everything was either grey, black or white.

"Hey!" a familiar voice called. I turned to the other. Another Pikachu leapt from the trees. It stopped in front of me. I sniffed at it, realizing that it was that boy's pokemon. "Are you OK?" he asked.

I nodded, "Yeah…but, where's Bella?"

"I don't know," he shook his head and then gestured to a spot behind me, "Are those her pokemon? They smell like her."

I turned and found my trainer's pokeballs on the ground. I scampered up to them and sniffed them. They carried the familiar scent of Growlithe and then that new, unfamiliar scent. I tapped the familiar one and watched as Growlithe appeared. He shook his head and narrowed his eyes at me, "Where am I?" He groaned.

I shrugged, "Dunno."

He looked around, "And where's my human? Where'd she go?" He glared at me, "Did you do something to her?"

I rolled my eyes, "No, moron! Bella's my trainer, too. I'm just as lost as you." I then turned to the other pokeball. My tiny paw tapped it, allowing my trainer's new pokemon free.

It was a small, light brown furry creature; a cross between a fox and a cat. It had light brown fur, and adorable, large dark brown irises. Long ears protruded from its head. A white collar of fur surrounded its neck. Its bushy tail was tipped with white. From its smell, it seemed to have been female. The little brown pokemon looked at me curiously, "Who're you?" she asked.

"Pikachu," I replied, "You?"

"Eevee," The little brown pokemon replied. She looked around, "Where's Amy?"

"Who?" Growlithe asked.

"My trainer." Eevee replied.

I looked away. It was hard to admit this, "I heard Bella say that she abandoned you on that giant ship we were on."

Eevee growled at me, "Amy would never betray me!"

"Then why are you here?" Growlithe asked. The normal-type fell silent.

"Now come on guys!" Pikachu said, "We're all lost here. So let's work together to find out trainers!" The bushes rustled, and soon that boy's Charmander, Squirtle, and Bulbasaur appeared. "Did you guys find anything?"

Charmander shook his head, "No."

Growlithe stuck his nose upwards towards the air, "I smell salt. The ocean's close! Follow me." He took off running in a random direction.

"Wait up!" I called. Pikachu, Charmander, Bulbasaur, Squirtle, and Eevee all gave chase. We eventually wound up on a beach. Growlithe was waiting for us, sniffing the air. I looked around. Not a single human was in sight. "What now?"

Pikachu gestured towards a rock, "Over there!" I turned towards the rock. There was a Slowpoke sitting on it. Pikachu, Charmander, and I all walked up to it. "Hey." I called in a friendly manner.

"Hello." Pikachu said.

"Could you tell us where we are?" Charmander asked.

There was no response. I blinked, "Uh…hello?"

"Can't you hear us?" Charmander asked.

Pikachu decided to try a different approach, "Where are we?"

"Can you help us out?" the fire lizard asked. I folded my paws over my chest. I don't think he's going to say anything anytime soon. Almost immediately, the pink pokemon stood up. It backed up and dipped its tail into the water. Then it sat down and prepared for a nap.

My jaw dropped. Well, that was completely and utterly useless! I shook my head and joined Squirtle, Bulbasaur, and Eevee as they lounged in the shade. Growlithe was sniffing the air frantically for our trainer…

Bella's POV:

The tears continued to fall as I weaved through the trees, slipping and fall through bushes filled with thorns. After everything that we had been through, I was not prepared to abandon them. I would find my pokemon no matter what. I won't leave until I do! I thought angrily as I stomped through the forest. I noticed that not a single wild pokemon had appeared, nor any humans. It was odd, but I enjoyed the quiet. I enjoyed having some time by myself. I stopped when the ground began to shake. I turned towards the source, which was behind me. My jaw dropped and my eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. It was a giant Charizard. It glared down at me and roared. I screamed "SHAT!!!" Turned, and sprinted away as flames nearly hit me.

My arms were flailing above my head as I fled the giant pokemon, which was almost as tall as a skyscraper. First my ship sinks, then I get stuck under water, then I'm stranded on a raft with Gary, and now I'm stuck on a freakin island with a giant, man-eating Charizard!!! "I'M NEVER GOING ON ANOTHER CRUISE AGAIN!!!" I screamed as I sprinted away from the fire breathing dragon that was five times it original size…

Gary's POV:

I groaned and stomped my foot. To my dismay, I had passed the same tree from before for the third time already. "Dangit! Is there any place with people around here!?" I shouted. It had been nearly three hours since Bella ran away, and I had not seen any hint of her or her wretched pokemon since. Good riddance. I thought as I made my way through the forest. I stomped when the ground began to shake. I looked up, and jumped when I saw it. It was a giant Blastoise, nearly five times its original size. It glared down at me. Uh…I have a Wartortle, so maybe it'll listen to me.

"Uh…hi?" I said awkwardly, "How 'ya doing? Have you…have you seen a stupid looking blonde recently?" It aimed its guns at me. I shrieked in fear and sprinted away as fast as I possible could. "NEVERMIND!!!" A powerful current of water was blasted at me…

Bella's POV:

I managed to escape the giant Charizard, and before long it was sunset. But I had not yet seen a hint of anyone. It hurt, knowing that I had failed them. The tears had dried, and I found myself walking in a blind stupor. I could imagine my mother's face when I told her that I lost my pokemon. She would be furious, and even worse: disappointed. I trudged deeper and deeper into the woods, not entirely sure where I was going. I stopped when a strange, loud sound attacked my eardrums. I looked up. You've got to be kidding. There was a giant, spiked yellow bird flying at me. Electricity shot from its wings. I immediately turned and began sprinting in a different direction as it flew at me.

I've gotta get away from here!!! I thought as I fled from the irate foul. Without warning, my ankle twisted in an odd way and the ground disappeared. Gravity jerked me downwards, causing me to fall in that direction. My stomach leapt into my skull, and I remembered hearing a scream echo off of the trees…

My head throbbed with pain. I groaned and pressed my hands to my cranium, wishing that I had some Tylenol. I opened my eyes and fought past the blur. It was dark. I could hear the crickets as they sang. A crackling fire was in the background. I sat up and looked around. Gary was sitting nearby, staring into the flames. I remained silent, unable to think of anything to say. "Are you OK?" It was like hearing a stranger. There was a kindness to Gary's voice that I had not heard since we were little. He looked at me, and unexplained emotion in his black irises.

I nodded, "Uh-huh…yeah…I'm fine," I replied sheepishly. I did not look at him as I continued, "Sorry…I slapped you…it was uncalled for." I had been feeling guilty for that for several hours.

Gary sighed, "Hey," he continued to stare at me, "I know that you…your looking for your pokemon…and I'm sorry for being so insensitive…but, its just," he groaned, "It's hard for me to say this…but…"

I held up my hand, "No need to preach to me, Oak," I said, "I know." He fell silent. We simply sat there, starring into the fire. The song of the crickets filled my senses. My body shivered; the temperature had dropped due to nightfall. I could feel my teeth chattering. I was about to call out Charmeleon, but a blanket wrapped around my shoulders. I looked towards my left; Gary was sitting in the blanket with me, staring at the fire.

"What're you doing, Oak?" I asked.

"Warming you up. What good is a rivalry if you freeze to death?" he said.

I narrowed my eyes, "I would rather be roasted alive then share a blanket it with you!"

"Oh just shut it, Bella!" Gary spat, "I don't like this predicament anymore than you do."

Both of us fell silent once more. My eyes began to droop shut as sleep attempted to claim me; but I was jerked awake when Gary's elbow brushed my side. I giggled as a result. The brunette looked at me, grinning mischievously, "Still ticklish I see."

I blushed and shook my head, "No. I'm not," I felt his fingers brush my side, and I giggled again. "Stop it, Oak!" His fingers dug into my stomach, and began to tickle me without mercy. I began laughing, while desperately trying to shove Gary away. He continued to grin like a madman as he tickled me relentlessly. I fell over, and due to the blanket, accidentally drug the fourteen-year-old down with me. Gary used his elbows to keep from throwing all of his weight onto me. I opened my eyes, and felt very awkward. I think he did too, because the boy was blushing.

That was when everything hit me. The shock of all of the excitement, and life-threatening moments finally took its toll on me. I began to sob, and my arms wrapped around Gary's torso. He fell over onto his side, and hesitated before wrapping his arms around me. I did not care that it was Gary who was holding me; I wanted comfort. To allow all of my emotions to flow freely, and just cry for a few minutes. My sobs continued as I embraced Gary. They lasted for hours until I finally gave into exhaustion…

The morning arrived after an eternity of sleep. I awoke in Gary's arms, which was very awkward for the both us. Once we were both awake, we quietly packed our camp and began making our way through the woods again. It was a little more bearable having someone with me. Eventually we came across a long, rock bridge. We began crossing the bridge, but we stopped when we saw… "A giant Pikachu?" Gary asked.

I sighed, "Okay, now that's just plain weird."

"Gary! Bella!" a familiar voice cried. I looked in its general direction, and found Ash, Brock, and Misty standing across from us. They noticed the Pikachu and nearly jumped out of their skin.

"Pikachu!?" Misty exclaimed.

"Jumbo sized!" Brock added.

I glanced past the giant rodent when I noticed a cloud of dirt coming our way; and the ground was shaking, too. I squinted my eyes to see what it was. Is that a giant…brown…pokemon? A large, dark brown, bug-like pokemon was sliding towards us. Like it was being dragged by something. Suddenly, the bridge broke, and all of us tumbled to the ground below. All five of us landed in something hard and metal, and it was moving fast. I opened my eyes and looked around. We were riding on a set of track, and in some kind of metal cart that was used for mining. And, to my surprise, the Rockets Jessie and James were in the cart, too.

Jessie smiled evilly, "Now we've got you right where we want you."

"Hand over Pikachu!" James ordered. They paused, glanced behind them, and screamed in fright when they noticed that the giant Pikachu was being dragged by a cable, "But not that big one!"

"Ash, over there!" Misty gestured over yonder. My eyes followed her finger, and I found the giant Charizard and a giant Blastoise running at us. Below them were Ash's Pikachu, Charmander, Bulbasaur, and Squirtle. My Pikachu, Growlithe, and a little brown pokemon were with them; to my relief, my egg was tied to my Pikachu's back. I also noticed Team Rocket's Ekans, Koffing, and Meowth.

"You guys!" I cried.

"Pikachu! Charmander! Squirtle! Bulbasaur!" Ash called.

Gary leaned over me, "Its our egg."

"They'll all be trampled if you don't do something!" the redheaded Gym Leader cried.

Ash turned to the Rockets, "Stop the car now!"

Jessie crossed her arms stubbornly, "We can't do that."

James held up a metal stick, "We can't stop; the breaks broken."

"Your kidding me." Ash and Gary groaned in unison.

"But we've gotta help them!" I said, determined to save my pokemon.

"Look ahead!" Misty called. I turned my head to the front, and felt my heart leapt to the back of my throat when I noticed a giant hill in the tracks. It was like a rollercoaster; which I had never ridden one before.

"Prepare for trouble." James whimpered.

"And make it double," Jessie looked like she was about to wet herself, "and I can't stand roller coasters!"

I gripped the sides of the cart as it rode upside-down on the tracks. I screamed, disliking the sensation of being upside-down and moving at such as fast speed. "STOP THE RIDE! STOP THE RIDE! I WANNA GO!!!" Jessie screamed, "WE'RE GONNA CRASH!!!" I. Am. Never. Riding. A. Rollercoaster. I thought as we safely made it back to the ground. I trembled as I opened my eyes and looked towards my pokemon.

"Jump in!" Ash called.

Charmander, Squirtle, and Bulbasaur leapt into the cart one-by-one. They landed in Misty and Brock's arms. Growlithe and the little brown pokemon were next; Gary managed to catch them. Ekans and Koffing made it safely back to their masters. Last was Ash and me's Pikachus. Mine, with the egg on his back, landed in my arms. I took time to embrace all of my pokemon, "I've missed you guys so much!" I cried. I noticed that Meowth was the last pokemon to get on. And them, due to our bad luck, the other giant pokemon were added to the fray.

"M-maybe our luck'll hold out." Gary said hopefully.

"Well, based on our recent run of luck," James began, "I'm sure that the cable will snap."

"Right. About. Now." I heard Jessie mumble. Just as they predicted, the cable snapped.

"Then we'll probably get hurled into the air." James predicted. As soon as he said it, the cart was flung into the air. I gripped all of my pokemon protectively.

"Now we'll probably crash into someth'in." Meowth said. Ash, Brock, Misty, Gary and I all screamed as we crashed into a giant yellow bird. I opened my eyes, and to my surprise, it was mechanical and we flew right through it. The pokemon fell and crashed into the other giants.

"And finally." Jessie said.

"We hit the water." James finished. The cart began to dive the water that was below us. We all screamed as we fell towards the cool liquid.

"A VERY, VERY LONG DROP!!!" Meowth managed to say before we hit the water.

Ash recalled his Charmander and Bulbasaur, while his Squirtle aided him in swimming to the surface. Misty called on her Starmie, who helped her and Brock. I recalled Pikachu, Growlithe, and wrapped my arms around my new pokemon and my egg. Gary wrapped his arms around my waist and swam towards the surface. All of us managed to reach the shore after swimming for several minutes, and took a deep breath.

I squeezed my blonde hair for a few seconds, and then looked at my egg. It was not damaged. That's a relief. I thought. I then looked at my new pokemon. It was the most adorable pokemon I had ever seen. I quickly pulled out my pokédex. Eevee, a normal-type. Its behavior is affected by its surroundings. They are very rare in the wild, and they can live almost anywhere. This one is female. I held my hand out to her, and allowed her to sniff it. She hesitated, but the Eevee walked up to me and licked my hand. She smiled and leapt into my lap. I giggled and stroked her wet fur, "That's a good girl. Don't worry, I'll take good care of you." I embraced her, and then recalled her into her pokeball. I placed the kanji for 'fox' on it. I placed the pokeball on my belt, and then looked around.

Everyone else seemed to be relieved, because we were on a different island. Then, something began to shake in my lap. I looked down, and found that the egg was shaking. I gasped, "Its hatching!" The egg shook, and then turned white. It slowly morphed into my sixth pokemon. In my lap sat a small, light green creature. Its skin was light green, and a horn jutted from its forehead. A black strip decorated the bottom of its eyes; the irises were a dark, sharp, yet adorable, crimson. It had a small tail that resembled a fan, and deep brick-red stomach. There were random black spots on its small body. I pulled out my pokedex and researched the information. Larvitar, a rock/ground type. They are usually quiet, and spend most of their time eating. They can be found in the mountains in the Johto region, mostly. This one is male.

A Johto region pokemon? But how'd he get here? I Larvitar began stroking its head against me, smiling in delight. "Congrats, Bella." Ash said as he tried to pet my new pokemon. Larvitar gazed up at him in fear, and quickly used Harden.

I cradled the baby pokemon, "Its alright, Larvitar. Ash won't hurt you," I cooed. I stood up and craddled the baby in my arms, "Well, let's go look for a city." Everyone nodded their heads in agreement, and we set off for a nearby city…

End of this chapter. Please review and the next one will be up soon…