-The Legal Stuff:-

1) I am not affiliated at all to Game Freak nor to Nintendo, nor any other companies that write/produce Pokémon.

2) I do not own any part of Pokémon.

-A Waiver:-

1) I am not following any storyline already created, not a game, not the television show, my storyline is completely original as far as most characters go and as far as what is going on with the plot.

2) The only thing I borrowed from the game (I just started playing Crystal Version again) is the Gym Leader's names and their Pokémon, the city names, route names, and a couple of Team Rocket situations. I think I also mention well known people like Professor Elm and Professor Oak.

Basically…storyline and main characters are of my creation, the other stuff I borrowed from Crystal Version.

-And finally, the story. (: Enjoy!-

Chapter Twenty-One:

An Unfair Fight.

"We got half an hour," Doug walked out of the building that ran the ferries. Ashley and I were sitting on a small, wooden bench near the end of the pier where we would board the ferry when it arrived.

"Half an hour?" Ashley sighed. "That is so long! I wanna be in Cianwood, now!"

"Patience is a virtue," I muttered to myself, absentmindedly stroking Espeon's head as she sat next to my legs.

"I'm just ready to get my sixth badge, you know?" Ashley sighed as she dropped onto a bench on the pier.

'I think you should use different Pokémon for your next badge match,' Espeon said to me as she glanced up at me. 'Just so you have practice with all your Pokémon.'

"That's a good idea," I nodded.

'You know, we have a half an hour,' Espeon murmured.

"And?" I glanced down at her with an arched eyebrow.

'We could get some training in,' Espeon said then nodded towards the end of the pier. 'Just stand on the beach, you can still see the pier and when the ferry arrives you can easily get back up here.'

"Good idea," I smiled and turned to face Ashley. "I'm going down on the beach, I won't be far and I'll be back in time to catch the ferry."

I turned and headed down the pier. Doug watched me walk past him before snapping in my direction. "Where are you going?" He barked.

I threw him a flippant stare before heading down the stairs and onto the sand. "Why does he care so much about what I do?" I snapped as I followed Espeon across the sand.

She stopped and turned towards me. 'I want to fight Typhlosion,' she said to me.

I let my breath out and rolled my eyes. "You're ignoring me."

'Well then again, Mareep would have an unfair advantage of Noctowl,' Espeon sighed.

"Espeon, I'm trying to have a conversation with you," I hissed.

'I'll fight Noctowl,' Espeon nodded as she looked up at me. 'Send him out.'

I rolled my eyes. "Fine," I sighed before grabbing three pokéballs from my belt and sending out Mareep, Typhlosion, and Noctowl.

'And the other two?' Espeon asked.

"Houndour and Ledyba?" I inquired and she nodded. I shrugged. "I'll train them later, I think they need more one on one time than you guys."

Espeon nodded then leapt towards Noctowl. She began a quick conversation with Noctowl before crouching. 'We're ready when you are Rowan,' she said to me.

"Espeon, start out with a Psychic attack, Noctowl, dodge and fly up," I said and my Pokémon immediately reacted. I turned now towards Typhlosion and Mareep, flashing them both a smile. "You two ready to battle?"

Mareep bleated before throwing a confused look up at Typhlosion. He shrugged before letting out a soft roar in my direction. I let out my breath and crossed my arms over my chest. "You guys are going to square off against one another."

"They don't look too sure about that," Doug said behind me. I whipped around and found him sitting on the edge of the pier staring in my direction.

"I don't need you to tell me what to do," I hissed.

"No?" His eyebrow arched up onto his forehead.

"No," I agreed.

"Ah, well then," he slowly stood, wiping the seat of his pants off. "I won't tell ya the ferry is early and is already here."

I glared up at him as he walked away from me. I looked around him and found the ferry sitting in the water at the opposite end of the pier. "Great," I sighed before turning back towards Mareep and Typhlosion. "You two lucked out."

I leaned against the railing, the wind off the water pushing my hair out of my face as I took in a deep breath of ocean air. I sighed happily before turning around to face Ashley and Doug. Ashley looked relaxed but as usual, Doug looked perturbed about something.

"What type of Pokémon does the next gym leader use?" I asked and Doug immediately looked up at me.

"Fighting type," he answered as Espeon shrugged at my question. "His name is Chuck, he's tough."

"Have you already fought all the gym leaders?" Ashley asked and I glanced over at her before looking back at Doug. He was nodding.

"Yea, it took me two times to beat Chuck," he muttered. "I had to switch my party around because I wasn't prepared the first time."

"What Pokémon do you have on you right now?" Ashley asked. Wind off the ocean was blowing her hair and mine across our faces.

"Six of them," Doug answered, half-assed.

"She means which Pokémon Doug," I sighed.

"A mix of them," he replied.

"Why are you being so difficult about this?" Ashley asked. "You like to play hard to get?" She stood up and walked up to him, leaning towards his chest. "I normally do too, but you just make me want to-"

"Okay," Doug's hand clamped over her mouth as he glared down at her. "I'll tell you who they are."

"Let's hear it," I waved towards him.

He shot me a look before releasing Ashley and leaning against the banister behind him. He quickly rattled of a list of Pokémon. I stared at him wide-eyed, not having understood a single word of what he had said.

"Wow," I hissed. "Say that again, slower."

Doug glared over at me before slowly letting out his breath. "Umbreon," he said, pronouncing each syllable unbelievably slow.

I arched my eyebrow at the name of the Pokémon. Umbreon. As in similar to…Espeon? "Doug?" I asked.

He sighed, seeming to expect my question. "What?"

"Umbreon is an evolved form of Eevee, isn't it?" I asked.

"You just figuring that out?" He asked in response.

"Maybe," I muttered.

'It's a dark Pokémon,' Espeon said to me. 'I evolved into an Espeon in the morning, thus an Eevee would evolve into an Umbreon at-'

"Night," I whispered, glancing at Doug. He did seem to love the nighttime.

'Exactly.'

"You know," Ashley was saying, I looked over at her. "I was reading something."

"I'm surprised you can read," Doug muttered under his breath and I couldn't help but to smile.

"And it said that the ferry was a new addition," Ashley continued, seeming to have missed Doug's smart-ass comment. "Within the last couple months."

"So?" I asked.

"When did you beat Chuck?" Ashley asked Doug.

"Awhile ago," Doug answered with a shrug.

"Was the ferry built?" I now asked him and he shook his head. "Well how did you get over here?"

"One of my Pokémon," he muttered.

"Which?" Ashley asked.

Doug let out his breath impatiently. "You won't leave me alone until I answer, will you?"

"Probably not," Ashley said as I shook my head.

"A Feraligatr," Doug sighed. "I crossed the ocean on a Feraligatr."

'Talk about an uncomfortable ride,' Espeon said, then started to giggle. 'I'll bet he was soaking wet and extremely peeved when he arrived.'

"That would have been a funny sight to see," I started to laugh along with her as I pictured the image in my mind.

"Feraligatr?" Ashley was asking Doug. "I thought only Professor Evergreen and Elm had those Pokémon at their disposal."

I looked up at Doug. That was a good point; though it was true I never would have thought of it.

"It's possible to get them elsewhere," Doug muttered.

"Where?"

"Elsewhere," he hissed.

"What other Pokémon do you have?" I asked.

"Different kinds," Doug snapped.

"Ashley," she looked over at me as I called her name. "Hit on him again."

Doug's eyes grew wide as smile spread across Ashley's face. "Did you see me in my bikini?" She asked him and Doug's upper lip lifted in a scowl. "Did you see my belly button ring?"

I was swallowing back a wretch.

"You know two!" Doug shouted suddenly, looking to me. "What more do you want to know?"

"Who do you have with your right now?" I asked.

"I told you two," Doug hissed.

"Umbreon and Feraligatr," I said and he nodded. "What other four do you have?"

Doug let out his breath impatiently. "Why?"

"I want to know," I shrugged.

Doug muttered something under his breath before looking down to the belt at his hips. He studied the pokéballs for a moment before looking up at me. "I have an Arcanine, a Slowking, a Kangaskhan, and a Togetic, okay?" Doug hissed.

"Most of your Pokémon are pretty big," I laughed as I pictured each of his Pokémon.

"So what?" He snapped at me.

"Is that a theme? Since you're so tall, you go for tall Pokémon?" I asked with a smile.

He glared at me, then opened his mouth to reply. Ashley interjected though. "Togetic! Can I see it!"

"No," Doug hissed.

"Togetics are so cute! They're one of my favorites," Ashley squealed. "I want to get a Togepi and evolve it!"

"Talk about something else!" Doug shouted.

"Touchy, touchy," Ashley whispered before heading away from us and into the interior of the boat.

I glanced down at Espeon and shrugged. She shrugged her little, pink shoulders back at me before we both threw questioning glances at Doug. I couldn't help but note that his anger was random at best.

"Chuck?" I called out in to the barren gym.

"Who dares challenge me?" Chuck roared, appearing down on the field as I headed that way. "You think you have a fighting chance? Think again!"

"Uh, I just wanted a gym battle," I muttered as I stepped down onto the field. Espeon took a seat in the stands with Doug and Ashley. "I didn't really want an argument too."

"Two Pokémon each!" Chuck bellowed, holding the respective number of fingers out in front of himself. "Prepare yourself to take on my fighting champions!"

"Different Pokémon," I muttered, grabbing a pokéball from my belt. "Electric types can fare pretty well against fighting Pokémon, so let's try…Mareep! Come on out!"

I tossed my pokéball up into the air, it opened and Mareep materialized on the field. "Mareep!" She shrieked excitedly.

"In that case, Primeape, go!" Chuck tossed his own pokéball out.

The short, monkey-like Pokémon with a pig-like snout appeared on the field. "Prime!" It screamed, slamming its fist, which looked like boxing gloves, against its chest.

"Primeape, start with Taunt!"

The Primeape starting to scream, it appeared to be annoying Mareep. Electricity danced across the wool on her back, ready to attack. "Mareep! Use Thundershock!" I shouted and Mareep launched a rapid flurry of electricity at Primeape. It zipped across the field and slammed into Primeape, who toppled over backwards.

"Karate Chop," Chuck ordered and Primeape flew across the field to slam his hand into Mareep's head. She squealed in pain and ducked away from Primeape.

"Thundershock again!" I shouted.

Mareep reacted instantly again, slamming Primeape with the electric attack. While it did obvious damage, it only served to infuriate the fighting Pokémon further. "Focus Energy Primeape," Chuck ordered calmly.

Primeape closed his eyes and pressed his fists against his forehead as he focused to increase his attack power. "Mareep, take advantage of this! Thunder!"

Mareep called out as lightning materialized somewhere at the top of the gym and slammed into Primeape. It tossed him onto his back, however he leapt to his feet and continued to focus his energy.

"Mareep! Thunder again!" I smiled. I had this in the bag.

"Primeape, Seismic Toss!"

Primeape eyes snapped open and he dashed across the field and grabbed Mareep. He spun around and threw Mareep across the gym. She slammed into the wall and fell to the ground, she didn't even try to stand up.

"No!" I hissed, glaring over at Chuck. "Okay," I said to calm myself. "Fighting types are also weak against flying," I thought out loud as I recalled Mareep. "Noctowl, go!"

My large owl Pokémon appeared out on the field, his wings stretched wide. He let out a loud hoot, glaring at Primeape in front of him. "Noctowl, don't hesitate! Start with Peck!"

Noctowl went launching across the field, slamming his beak in to Primeape's face. Primeape fell backwards and tried to shoot back up to his feet. He was looking exhausted though, as his breathing was labored. "Noctowl!" I wasn't going to let Chuck get an attack in on Noctowl. He still had to take on another Pokémon. "Grab him and Fly up into the air!"

Noctowl snatched Primeape by the arm and flew straight up into the air. He gained considerable altitude regardless of the extra weight. "Use Karate Chop while you're so close!" Chuck yelled up to his Pokémon.

"Don't give him the chance Noctowl! Drop Primeape now! Use Quick Attack once he hits the ground!" Noctowl let go of Primeape and he went tumbling to the ground. He slammed into the floor hard and slowly pulled himself up to his feet.

"Primeape! Endure Noctowl's Quick Attack!" Chuck shouted.

In a flash of movement, Noctowl slammed into Primeape, sending him spread eagle on his back. "Now back up into the air!" I commanded and Noctowl surged up into the air, away from any of Primeape's attacks.

Primeape slowly pulled himself to his feet, he should have been unconscious. These Pokémon were tough! "Noctowl! Finish this! Use Sky Attack!"

Noctowl stopped in the air, turned around and dove towards Primeape. An aura surrounded him as his speed increased. "Primeape, dodge!" Chuck ordered.

His Pokémon was too exhausted to move away quick enough. Noctowl went spiraling into Primeape, beak first. Primeape fell over backwards, unconscious. I smiled. Only one more Pokémon to beat and Noctowl didn't look any worse for the wear.

He definitely would have the upper hand no matter what Chuck's next Pokémon was. "Very nicely done," Chuck nodded as he recalled Primeape and picked up another pokéball. "But it is time for me to finish this. Go! Poliwraith!"

A blue Pokémon with boxing gloves on his fists appeared. He had a black and white swirled pattern on his chest. "Wraith!" It announced its presence.

"Don't let it intimidate you Noctowl! We can do this!" I cheered my Pokémon on. "Fly up!"

"Don't give it a chance, freeze that birdbrain! Ice Beam!" Chuck announced. His Pokémon new ice attacks? Noctowl, as a flying type, was weak towards them.

I swore as a large beam of ice fired into Noctowl's chest as he flew upwards. He let out a strangled cry as the feathers on chest froze and the ice spread onto his wings. He toppled to the ground. "Now, use Rock Tomb!" Chuck ordered.

A rock attack? Something else Noctowl was particularly weak too! Chuck must have taught his Pokémon a lot of TMs. I let my breath out, this did not seem good for me. If only Mareep had a little energy left! One Thunder attack would end this!

"Noctowl, just shake it off!" My voice cracked in panic as I called out to him. "Fly up again, try a Sky Attack!"

"You're done," Chuck shook his head. "Poliwraith, Hypnosis."

"Fly Noctowl!" I shouted in desperation.

My Pokémon couldn't move as it was hypnotized by the twirling pattern dancing on Poliwraith's chest. He was drawn to the movement and after staring at it for a moment, fell over sound asleep. "Finish this with a barrage of Ice Beams Poliwraith," Chuck said with a wave of his arm.

Poliwraith only had to land one solid blow before it was obvious that Noctowl was out for the count. He wasn't going to get back up or wake up anytime soon. My jaw sent slack as I stared at my Pokémon.

"Yes," Chuck said as he returned his Pokémon. "Your Pokémon may have had a type advantage, but that means nothing if you don't know how to command them."

With that, he turned and disappeared into the bowels of the gym. I remained standing there, staring at my unconscious Pokémon and my first loss.

"Ashley beat him," I whispered as I rested my hands on my fists. "Ashley beat him on her first try and I failed miserably."

'You were close, you had the right idea,' Espeon said to me.

"But I failed," I sighed.

'You didn't fail Rowan,' Espeon nuzzled her nose against my cheek as she tried to cheer me up. 'Everyone has their moments of weakness. You can't just be strong from the beginning and never encounter the feeling of failure. The strong are the ones that are able to shake it off, get up, and try again.'

"I don't want to try again," I hissed. "My butt will just be handed to me again."

'Use me then,' Espeon said with a smile. 'We'll have the type advantage and he won't know what you're planning.'

"But what if you aren't able to take on both?" I asked, looking at her.

Espeon's furry eyebrow arched as she thought, then she smiled at me. 'We have just enough time to battle him one more time before the gym closes,' she said to me. 'Come on, I'll explained what you're going to do on the way.'

Author's Notes: Chapter Twenty-One: I'm sorry I'm posting this chapter a day late. I'm going to edit Chapter Twenty-Two too and post here shortly. I promise. Yesterday was just a bad day for me, I had no energy and I was just really sad. However I feel somewhat better today and I want to send out a very special thanks to Delu for her compassion and sympathy. Delu, your kind words meant a lot to me.

Here's chapter twenty-one. I just read through it and edited it in my word document. I hope you enjoy it. I added a lot to it, I was going to add a training scene at the beginning but it turns out I don't have very much energy today either. I'll add another training scene, I promise. I'm just very tired.

Uh, a little more about Doug. There will be more interactions between him and his Pokemon later in the story, he's still suppose to be mysterious. I'm being deliberately vague about him. Don't worry, it'll all come together…I believe within the next couple of chapters. Any questions, or if anything is confusing message me and I will explain the issue and then change/add to the story. Thanks.

Have a good night.

Look for Chapter Twenty-Two within the hour!

Review/comment and subscribe.