Disclaimer: If I owned Pokémon in any way, you wouldn't like it, it would a terrible mess and well…

21. A Cry from a Ghost

I woke up to a knocking sound and a loud voice.

'Come on, you young'uns gotta get up, we're going fishing.' The voice told me.

I sat up rubbing my eyes to wake me up.

'What time is it?' I heard Camilla asked.

'It's five.' The fisherman replied.

'In the morning?' Brock complained.

'Yep, hurry up, or I'm going to throw you all off the dock and into the water. So, chop chop.'

I was not ready to wake up, forget five, six was too early to wake up. Why do some people wake up so early?

I got up groggily, I hated being woken up, especially so early, when it's still quite dark, when it's dark it is the night, light signals time for you to move.

I slowly got dressed and made my way outside.

Pikachu followed walking out behind me, I glanced back and saw it yawned.

'Ah, you're the first one out, you must be the one who asked about the fishing tournaments yesterday, eh?' The fisherman asked me.

I yawned and shrugged my shoulders.

'Grab an old rod and cast you line as far out as it can go.' The fisherman said.

I cast the line, but I almost fell over backwards on the deck, thankfully there was a fishing chair, so I sat back and relaxed, trying not to fall back asleep.

My Pikachu perched on my hat making sure it stayed awake, it was about to sleep it would fall off.

My friends came out a few minutes after I did, one by one.

Camilla seemed even more tired than I was. She was yawning the whole way to the fishing chair that was nearest to mine.

Rachel was holding Eevee in her arms, the Eevee was asleep at the moment.

'Missy.' The fisherman said.

'Yes?' Rachel asked she looked confused, like why she was signalled out, why she was chosen instead of someone else.

'I'm afraid, you are unfit to fish.' The fisherman said.

I started to get annoyed, but I quickly realised he was a fisherman, he would know best. I was still confused but for an entirely different reason. Why was Rachel unfit for fishing with us, she was the same age, Camilla was still able to fish-when she had properly woken up.

'Excuse me?' Rachel asked in disbelief.

'You have a baby Pokémon, that baby is the only thing for a few days you need to take care of.'

Okay, now it made sense, babies were a lot of work, you have to give them your full undivided attention.

'Wait! I have to care for this baby non-stop for three days?' Rachel asked.

'Yes.' The fisherman replied simply.

This was going to interfere with her chateau battle in Lavender.

'What about the battle chateau in Lavender?' She asked.

The fisherman sighed, and by the look on Rachel I was sure she already knew the answer.

Rachel sighed in defeat, but nevertheless she sat down in her seat facing the water, stroking her sleeping Eevee.

Would I have to be that bored when my Pokémon hatched from its egg? I didn't want to devote all my time to a baby, I know that sounds extremely selfish, but I need to train and prepare for battles that will come up. I couldn't become too preoccupied with a baby Pokémon and miss out on battles. This was the first time I was questioning whether I should have the egg in my bag or not.

I wondered how much that would become a problem, besides what if my Pokémon needed my full undivided attention for more than a few days? What if it was for a few weeks? I shouldn't be thinking into this too much. My egg shouldn't hatch for ages. I should wait for the moment to come and decide by then on what I should do.

'Young'un, you got a bite.' The fisherman snapped me out of my thoughts.

My Pikachu moved to my shoulder pulling on my left arm to try and help me pull it in.

I looked at my rod and sure enough the string was being pulled on. I got up and started reeling in the Pokémon, I used as much force as possible to pull it in. It should definitely be a large Pokémon; with the amount of force I was using to reel it in.

After a few more tugs the Pokémon landed on the deck. I was pretty sure it was a Magikarp. It was definitely big, maybe even huge.

It has a large roundish body with reddish-orangey scales. It has large vacant eyes as if its oblivious to everything and big pink lips. Its fins are white. It has a three peaked fin on its back and stomach, both are yellow. The barbels are white.

I took out my Pokédex to scan it.

'Magikarp is virtually useless in battle as it can only splash around. As a result, it is considered weak. However, it is actually a very hardy Pokémon that can survive in any body of water no matter how polluted it is.' The Pokédex told me.

The fisherman came over to me and looked at the Magikarp.

'You caught a female one, she's a beauty.'

'How can you tell it's a female?' I asked.

'you can tell what gender a Pokémon is depending on a specific feature. With Magikarp, a girl will have white barbels, while a male will have tan barbels. For Pikachu, yours had a straight ended tail, while the females have two circles on the end of theirs. So both you and your friend have a male Pikachu.'

'Guess, I should have known that, eh buddy?'

'Pika.' It said shaking its head in disappointment

I saw the fisherman measure the Magikarp. He smiled before coming back up.

'You caught me a 39.7 inch Magikarp, thank you.' The fisherman said.

He Picked up the Magikarp, he took it to his house. I didn't know what he was doing with it in there.

The fisherman then came out with a much smaller Magikarp before throwing it back into the water.

'Well I must congratulate you young'un, that should be a good enough size for me to win, but remember we have the rest of the morning to go so no napping now.'

I didn't plan on that, there was no way I could nap now, not after that.

Brock managed to catch three throughout the morning, his largest was a 35 inch, wasn't bigger than the one I had caught, but it was large.

Camilla caught six throughout the morning, how she managed that, I will never know, but still one of her surpassed the first one I caught, or rocks, but they still came close.

I caught three more, but they were all too small, probably smaller than the one the fisherman previously had.

I felt Sorry for Rachel the whole morning. I bet she was looking forward to catching some fish, but she seemed to like taking care of her Eevee, especially since it woke up. They were playing, while Rachel was teaching it and making it extremely happy. She was very good at mothering it.

'Okay, young'uns, I keep my word. You are free to go now, you promised what you told me yesterday, and I promised to let you stay, and now you may leave.'

'Thank you, we appreciate the help, good luck in Sinnoh.' I said before I slung my bag on and my friends and I made our way towards Lavender Town.

Rachel was holding Eevee so its front legs and head poked out above her arms.

'Once we get to saffron City, I plan to do everything I can to find out as much as I can on evolving my Eevee.' Rachel said.

'Remember Rachel, it is a baby, you might want to give it some time and thought before you decide to evolve it, remember Eevee have several different evolutions…' Brock started.

'And we can concentrate on that after the battle chateau.' I added.

'I wonder who I'm going to battle.' Camilla pondered.

'Me to. It will be interesting to see a new face opposite mine, to see if a new Pokémon will be here, another one to fill up our Pokédex.' Rachel said.

It was obvious both were excited and nervous.

I took out my PokéNav Plus and looked for Lavender Town. It looked like a simple enough town. Not much to do in Lavender, although there was the Pokémon tower, that is where people go to pay respects to fallen Pokémon, even if I wanted to stay away from that tower I'm sure my friends would eventually drag me into it.

This town was for the battle chateau, and then we leave.

'Anybody fancy visiting the Pokémon tower?' I asked putting away my PokéNav Plus.

'Where dead Pokémon are?' Camilla asked rhetorically.

Rachel chuckled nervously. 'No thanks?'

Brock had been silent.

'Brocko?' I asked hesitantly.

'No, thanks. I would rather stay outside.'

Well I'm glad that was settled, no-one would like to visit the Pokémon tower.

A few minutes later we entered Lavender town, it was quite small and I could see the Pokémon tower, at the other end of town.

'Jordan? Rachel?' A voice I didn't recognize called out to us.

I looked towards where the voice was coming from. I saw a girl with chocolate brown hair, a white fedora had with a red bow around it. She was wearing a sea green top and she also had a brown short skirt on, she was wearing white trainers.

She seemed to be running towards us. Neither Rachel or I recognized her, but she definitely recognized us.

She embraced me and Rachel in a group hug before letting us go.

'How are you?' She asked.

I was confused and so was Rachel.

I swear I had never met this girl before, but she seems to remember us, maybe she knows me from collecting Gym badges and she knows Rachel from the battle chateau.

I don't know.

'Sorry?' I asked.

'I asked how are you.' She stated, she looked as confused as I was.

'We don't know who you are.' Rachel told her.

Leaf expression changed to sadness, but that quickly vanished to her smiling.

'Rachel, I can't believe you don't remember your childhood friend. Jordan, how could you forget professor Oaks summer camp?'

Something tugged at the back of my memory, a face, it was definitely this girls, but a lot younger.

'Wait a minute…' Rachel started.

Realization hit me. This girl was from our group at Oaks summer camp.

'Leaf?' Rachel asked.

'You dyed your hair, tired of copying me?' Leaf teased.

Rachel embraced Leaf in a hug and Leaf returned it.

Then Leaf came to me and gave me a short tug.

She looked behind Rachel and I and noticed Brock and Camilla.

I almost forgot about them.

'I'm guessing you're Leaf?' Camilla asked. 'I'm Camilla.'

Leaf embraced Camilla in a hug before she could protest or do anything.

'It's nice to meet you, I knew you needed a traveling companion besides Rachel, Jordan.' Leaf said.

I didn't understand the meaning of the words Leaf told me.

'I'm Brock, former Pewter City Gym leader.' Brock told Leaf, holding out his hand.

Leaf shook it and now we had all been acquainted.

'So, Leaf what do you do here in Lavender?' Rachel asked as we walked towards the Pokémon centre.

'I help Mr. Fuji. He helps young Pokémon and sometimes goes to the Pokémon tower. He's there now, but his other assistant Meyle told me she was alright by herself, so I decided to come out and be reunited with you two.' Leaf explained.

'wait, you just happened to be looking out the window and see us?' I asked.

Leaf laughed. 'No, Mr Fuji knows Lt surge, the Vermillion City Gym leader. He told Mr Fuji of a helpful trainer by the name of Jordan, every day since Mr Fuji told me I have looked out the window to see if I could see you. It was a coincidence that Rachel is traveling with you, you brought along Camilla, and the former Pewter City Gym leader.' Leaf explained.

I understood, but I wouldn't say I was helpful, I mean I did go and get the flute to wake up Snorlax because my friends and I needed to continue on the route it was blocking. I did stop team Rocket multiple times, but that's because they were in my way. So overall I was just helping myself.

A though came to my head about the Pokémon tower.

'Leaf, how long has Mr Fuji been gone?' I asked warily.

Leaf seemed confused at my tone. 'Um, about half the day. Why is that?' Leaf asked sounding a little concerned.

'How long does he normally go to the Pokémon tower?' Camilla asked catching on to what I was thinking.

'A few hours.' Leaf said clearly getting confused.

'Any idea, why he has been there longer?' Rachel asked.

'Well, he did say he was going to get a baby Pokémon, I know sometimes it's hard because of the baby Pokémon's parent is a ghost, but it shouldn't really take this long for Mr Fuji to explain the situation to the baby's ghost parents.' Leaf told us.

My friends started on towards the Pokémon tower. All of them knew what I was getting at.

'Um, Leaf…it would be best if you stayed here, I didn't want to get Camilla involved in this and I can't make that mistake again. So, please, for your sake, please stay here and try not to get involved. We will bring back Mr. Fuji. I promise.' I said before I ran to catch up to my friends leaving a speechless Leaf behind.

'You think they're here?' Brock asked me.

'Leaf is the only one we can trust about Mr. Fuji. Besides who spends the whole morning in the Pokémon tower?' I asked rhetorically as we opened the door.

What met us what not what I expected. There were a few elderly people, some of them were shuffling across the floor, others were paying respect to fallen Pokémon.

'How many floors are there? Rachel asked.

Brock already had his PokéNav plus out.

'This place apparently has six floors, it was once a Radio tower, but now is a resting place for fallen Pokémon.' Brock read from the PokéNav plus.

'You still think they're here?' Camilla asked.

'It feels like they should be.' Rachel said

My Pikachu jumped off of my shoulder and sniffed around, Camilla's Pikachu copied mine.

'Pika.' They both said.

We followed the Pikachu, up to the second floor.

On the other side of the room were a few elderly people, they were clamouring, trying to all get up the stairs at once.

'I told all of you to stay down here, the boss is busy upstairs.'

All the elderly stopped.

One man piped up.

'I was told by your boss to come and help, he wants help with taking care of the baby's mother ghost Pokémon so he can steal it right? He can't do that without my help.' The man said.

I couldn't believe it. I had a hunch team Rocket were in with this and now I knew.

Our Pikachu had kept running and oi saw them slip through the crowd and up onto level three.

'Pikachu!' I called.

'Um excuse me' Rachel said running up to the man who was guarding the level three stairs. 'We are the apprentices of the man you just let pass, maybe he told you about us?' Rachel asked.

The man just shook his head, he looked at all of us.

'Four of you?' the man asked raising an eyebrow.

'We're competing against each other.' Brock replied.

I'm glad Brock knew what to say, I didn't have a clue of what to say to this man.

The man let us pass without another question.

Once we got to the third floor it was pretty much the same, but this place was bare of anybody. Nobody was on this level. I half expected it to be full of members of team Rocket. One would have been better, not even one member of team Rocket was on this floor.

My Pikachu was sitting in the middle of the floor with Camilla's. Its expression said something like: "Hurry up, we don't have long left".

I didn't know what was going to happen, but I was sure something was.

As soon as we reached our Pikachu a loud bang was heard, all six of us froze. Camilla and Rachel made a squeaking sound.

I just hope no-one heard that.

We began to start walking again slowly, but our efforts were futile, two team Rocket grunts came down.

'We've got this.' Camilla and Rachel said at the same time. Did they both know they were going to say the same thing?

Brock and I passed them as they began to start their Pokémon battles.

A few meters away from the stairs we were stopped. A team Rocket grunt followed by two other people we had come to recognize came down the stairs.

'Look, Jessie, it's the twerp.'

'It is a shame we can't entertain the twerp this time, isn't it, James?'

'Well we'll just take him to Petrel, he could have a play with the twerp.' Their talking Meowth said.

I looked to Brock, but he was eyeing the grunt that came down the stairs.

Another grunt came down the stairs and grabbed my Pikachu without me being able to do anything.

'Pikachu!' I called, but I knew it wouldn't be coming back yet.

I had no choice but be pushed up the stairs by the three team Rockets that I had unfortunately come to know.

Once up the stairs it was lined with Team rocket grunts, but none made an effort to come towards me as I was still being pushed towards the other stairs.

I saw someone dressed in black, but he had purple hair. I knew immediately who it was.

'Leave him there.' Petrel started. I was pushed towards the ground. 'Make sure his friends don't reach us.' Petrel said.

I didn't know if the listened to petrel, but I couldn't hear them anymore, so I could only assume.

I slowly got up to look at petrel who was pacing back and forth.

'You have too many bodyguards.' I commented.

'All these grunts.' He replied chuckling. 'No, there put there by our boss, they won't hurt you or any of your Pokémon, they have been stripped of theirs for now. Our boss thinks it's good for effect of our superiority.'

I still didn't trust Petrel, although I knew he was telling the truth it could be a trap, team Rocket was known for those sort of things.

'So, how's this going to work, you want to battle me and get revenge for that time in Mt Moon?' I asked.

Petrel growled. 'You, humiliated me, in front of Proton. The boss threatened to make me a grunt, a whole week I was laughed at, being humiliated by a runt, a worthless runt, like you.' Petrel got close to shouting. 'How could a novice trainer a few days into becoming a trainer have any effect, any chance of beating a team Rocket executive who's been working for team Rocket for years?' Petrel was really getting worked up, I was surprised he wasn't up in my face. 'You are lucky, with me. I will give you mercy, if you plea. Proton has to take orders from one of our admins, but you will not receive any mercy from them.' Petrel informed me, but I still didn't believe him. Our boss will be glad when I have beaten you, this is revenge for Mt moon, you little runt.' Petrel said.

'Golbat, go.' He said and he sent out his first Pokémon.

It looked like a large blue bat. It had purple wing membranes. It has small eyes with slit pupils and a massive mouth, which consisted of four fangs, two upper and two lower. It has two small pointed ears. It has short legs with long feet. It looked like a larger more menacing version of Zubat.

I took out my Pokédex.

'Golbat, the bat Pokémon and the evolved form of Zubat. Golbat bites down on prey with its four fangs and drinks the victim's blood. It becomes active on inky dark moonless nights, flying round to attack people and Pokémon.'

I would not like to be around when this Pokémon is up and active.

'Charmeleon, I choose you.' I said sending out my Charmeleon.

'Now, it's an interesting battle.' Petrel commented. 'Gobat, use wing attack.' Golbat started straight for us. Petrel was making this too easy.

'Charmeleon, use flamethrower.'

Charmeleon used flamethrower and it went straight for Golbat, but Petrel must have been expecting this.

'Golbat, pull up and dive to attack.' Golbat pulled up in time and dodged out of line, it suddenly dived at an incredible speed.

'Charmeleon, rage.' I said to it.

Charmeleon narrowed its eyes, as soon as Golbat was at arm's length Charmeleon just went at it, hitting clawing, just going full on at it. Petrel could only look on as his Pokémon was getting beaten up.

Charmeleon stopped for a second. Gobat escaped, it still seemed alright, but it was definitely noticeable it had been attacked. I wasted no time calling out another move.

'Charmeleon, use flamethrower.' This time Petrel wasn't ready for it and Golbat got hit by a powerful flamethrower.

Before it fell to the ground it regained its balance and eyed my Charmander.

'Gobat, use scary face.' Petrel said.

'Charmeleon, counter with Scary face.'

Both Pokémon made a scary face, but neither cowered by the others so our attempts were futile.

'Golbat, use Air cutter.'

Golbat starting flapping its wings faster until it let loose a gust of wind, but it was definitely stronger than any gust attack.

Charmeleon was pushed back a few feet before it dug one of its claws in the ground.

'Charmeleon, use metal claw.'

'Counter, with wing attack.' Petrel called out.

Chameleons claw turned white, while Golbat sped towards us.

As soon as Gobat was on top of us, Charmeleon swiped up and delivered a blow to Golbat. Golbat went up into the air and crashed into the ceiling before spiralling down.

It hit the ground and Petrel and I had seen it had fainted.

'We're not done boy.' Petrel growled. 'Koffing, let's go.' Petrel should know that Koffing was such an easy opponent.

I tried to contain a laugh. Instead, I smiled.

'Wipe that smirk of your face, kid. We won't fall for your tricks like those losers downstairs.' I assumed he meant Jessie and James.'

'Koffing, spin and use smokescreen.' Petrel told the Koffing.

Shouldn't he know this is all too easy when he used that. Well Koffing should say, goodbye now.

'Charmeleon, use flamethrower.'

The flamethrower flew towards the smokescreen.

'Koffing, use poison gas.'

Petrel was wasting his time, sure Charmeleon would get poisoned, but the explosion alone would faint his Koffing.

The flamethrower hit the smokescreen and an explosion was created.

All the grunt turned away, I had to turn away, because of how bright it was.

Once the gas cleared I saw Koffing was still there, it didn't look like it was harmed that much. Charmeleon looked a lot worse, I saw the purple on its cheeks and I was poisoned, it was obvious that that was Petrels plan, to get me poisoned.

Petrel looked at my face, my mouth was slightly agape.

'What do you have to say now runt?' Petrel laughed.

'Charmeleon, use Flamethrower.'

Charmeleon let loose a flamethrower, it went straight to Koffing, but Charmeleon strained under the effect of poison and fell to his knee, before he gave way.

I returned Charmeleon back, before I wondered who I should use next.

'Well done, Charmeleon, you were great.' I clipped the Pokéball to my belt before taking another off. 'Sandshrew, I choose you.' I said sending out the sand mouse Pokémon.

'Koffing, use poison gas.' Petrel said.

I thought team Rocket was smarter than that.

I tried to hide a chuckle, but unfortunately Petrel caught me out.

'What's so funny?' He asked getting a little irritated. Shouldn't his "Boss" have taught him about Pokémon types.

'For someone who's been in team Rocket for years, you sure aren't at all that smart.' I retorted.

I saw petrels face get red.

The poison gas hit Sandshrew, but Sandshrew just sat there and looked at Koffing, like nothing happened.

'What happened?' Petrel asked, he was definitely getting angry.

'Sandshrew, use scratch.' I said

Sandshrew ran forward before jumping up at the levitating Koffing and scratching across its face.

'Koffing, use Smokescreen.'

'Sandshrew, use swift.' I said.

Sandshrew let loose an array of stars and they headed straight towards Koffing. No matter what move Koffing used, or if he used smokescreen one-hundred times, swift would still hit.

Koffing was pushed through the cloud and fell to the ground.

'Sandshrew, use magnitude.' The colour from Petrels face drained rapidly.

'Koffing, get up!' Petrel shouted.

We all saw Koffing open its eyes, but Sandshrew had already smashed into the ground.

The magnitude shook the whole floor, many grunts fell over, it was that powerful, Petrel almost fell over. I fell to my knees.

I couldn't believe a magnitude of that size existed.

Once the shaking stopped I saw Petrel fall to his knees in utter disbelief.

I kept Sandshrew out.

'Well done Sandshrew.' I praised patting his head while after I walked up to it.

I motioned for it to follow me.

We walked up the stairs and I came out to the sky floor. I was actually outside again.

I saw the Pokémon tower had faded paint and it didn't look anything like a radio tower.

I looked over the edge and I saw Leaf who was still standing in the same place. I'm glad, she didn't move, she did exactly as I asked her.

I heard mumbling on the other side of the tower.

'Ah, the kid, who humiliated me.' I heard a vaguely familiar voice. 'Our Admin was right to place Petrel downstairs. I'm so glad you might get to meet her.'

'what have you done with Pikachu, Proton?' I asked.

'Your mouse is fine for now.' Proton replied.

'He's not a mouse.' I replied. 'He's my best friend.' I told him turning around to face him.

'Friend?' Proton scoffed. 'Pokémon don't become attached to humans, and vice versa.' Proton retorted. 'Pokémon are only dispensable tools, we use then to get by in the world, they are only used for violence.' Proton told me.

'Pokémon fight because they believe in the trust between them and their trainer. Both share a bond that helps them in battle.' I explained.

'We both have different opinions, but the fact is to you Pokémon will always be a tool that you will only realize when you get older.' Proton told me. 'At team rocket we believe the way for Pokémon to know sooner, the better it will be, that's why we are training a Cubone in that way.' Proton said.

'You killed its mother.' I realised.

'I knew you were smart, unfortunately petrel isn't. Listen kid, if you weren't our biggest problem, we would recruit you into team Rocket.' Proton told me. 'You may even be better that our boss one day, and you would call the shots.' Proton said.

I scoffed. 'Not likely, not even if I did try to stop you, you'd still be evil.'

'Yes.' Proton mused. 'But, you'd instantly become an executive, or an admin, how fun would it be to push me around?' Proton asked rhetorically? He chuckled at the thought. I knew Proton was definitely the most laid back in team Rocket.

'Proton, bring the kid round.' A female voice ordered.

'Sorry, kid, duty calls.' He said before he turned me around and pushed me to the other side of the tower.

'Now, Mr. Fiji, this is where you attempts fall, a kid and his witty Pokémon, but he's not going to save you.' The female voice said as Proton pushed me round the corner.

I saw a girl with pure red hair, like Rachel's, first. She was towering over a man on his hands and knees. She was wearing a white waistcoat that had a red "R" over her left chest. She had white trousers on and black shoes I couldn't believe her clothes were that white.

The man on the floor was wearing a navy blue jacket and the same coloured trousers. I couldn't see his face, but he had grey hair and he was starting to go bald.

'Mr. Fuji?' I questioned in alarm.

He turned to face me. I could see his eyes were bloodshot, so I didn't know the colours of his eyes, he looked like he was in enough pain to die.

'Jordan.' He croaked.

I heard the girl in the white clothes laugh, her laugh sounded genuine, like it was funny that Mr. Fuji knew my name.

'The saviour has a name, he's so cute.' The girl said as she faced me. 'how I wish he could join team Rocket, he would be my assistant, my cute sidekick. We'd take over the boss. You and I.' the girl said to me.

I couldn't do anything; the girl was trying to make me buckle. I couldn't give in to team Rocket. 'It's ironic the one who's in trouble knows the name of the person who's meant to save him.'

'I…' I couldn't find the words.

'Sorry, cutie, you can't save anyone not today. We will thwart your plans of trying to stop us, this is the last time you have meddled with us.' The girl changed her tone so quickly, I almost cowered at her voice it was so frightening.

I understood this Admin was bipolar.

'Come on, Ariana.' Proton said.

'Quiet, Proton, I have a battle to engage in with this cutie.' Ariana said. 'What do you say Jordan Hale, of Pallet Town. You are a few years too young to be recruited into team Rocket.' Ariana told me.

I didn't understand what Ariana meant, or how she knew my full name. 'ready for our battle?' she asked me.

I shook my head and came back to remember that Ariana was the worst problem at the moment.

'Sandshrew?' I asked.

It looked up at me and looked like it was ready.

'Here's your Pikachu.' Ariana said as she started to throw me an orb Pikachu was in.

'Ariana, no!' Proton yelled he threw himself at Ariana, she fell to the floor, and Pikachu fell of the edge of the tower. I ran over to the edge and jumped after him.

I reached out to grab the orb, my Pikachu was in. Once I grabbed him I knew I was being extremely stupid. This was it, I had not saved Mr Fuji. I had died trying to save my Pikachu. My friends would suffer or either be recruited as worthless grunts in team Rocket. My mother would be captured team Rocket and my dad, if he was alive would be hunted down and captured also and they would be tortured and devastated for the rest of their life.

I felt a hit, but I shouldn't have. It was to my stomach. Once I hit the ground I shouldn't have felt anything. I would be dead.

I opened my eyes and saw a ruffle of brown feathers.

I looked up and saw a Pidgeotto, Rachel had come to save me.

Pidgeotto took me to the top and dropped me off before flying away.

'Need a hand?' I heard a voice I was glad to hear.

I looked at Camilla. She looked a little roughed up.

'You need more help than I do.' I replied.

'And you need a mirror.' She retorted.

We both laughed, but knew that the trouble wasn't over yet.

We both walked around to Proton and Ariana, they were both arguing.

'You killed my sidekick, Proton.' Ariana yelled.

I opened up the orb and Pikachu came out. I hugged him affectionately.

'Glad to see you, buddy. I'm glad you're safe.' I said.

'Pika.' He replied.

Rachel smiled.

'You were supposed to drop the kids Pikachu.' Proton said. 'To kill it. It would make the kid easier to capture.'

'that plan was flawed, he jumped over after his Pikachu and now they're both dead, you idiot.' Ariana said.

Neither one of them had noticed our presence yet.

'That would have been one less minor kid to deal with.'

Ariana slapped Proton across the face.

'The boss will hear about this.' Ariana threatened.

'Minor?' I asked.

Ariana's eyes opened wide in disbelief.

'How did y-you?' Proton asked stuttering in shock.

'Cutie survived?' Ariana asked. Her face slowly morphed into happiness. She saw Pikachu perched upon my shoulder. 'And, he's got his own sidekick.' Ariana replied.

Camilla, looked a little offended. She was no-one's sidekick.

'So, how about it. Shall we have this battle, cutie.'

'As long as I can join in.' Camilla said.

'Then, I'm battling.' Proton said. He had a red mark across his cheek.

Mr. Fuji had moved to sitting up, but he didn't look much better.

'Go, Arbok.' Ariana said, sending out a large Cobra like Pokémon.

It has purple scales all over its body. It has a hood just below its head, the hood had a face like pattern. It resembled a face. It looked like it had two eyes, each were yellow, which was surrounded by red and outlined in black. A misshapen black diamond, it was elongated and upturned on each side looked like a mouth. It then had a "V" above the eyes with a line from its jaw to the bottom of the "V". It had two small eyes on each side of its face and its open mouth showed a forked tongue.

I took out my Pokédex to scan it.

'Ooh, cuties scanning my Pokémon.' Ariana exclaimed in happiness. It seemed everything I did made her happy. She seemed a bit bubbly to me, why was she recruited to team Rocket if she was so happy.

'Arbok, the cobra Pokémon, and the evolved form of Ekans. This Pokémon is terrifically strong in order to constrict things with its body. It can even flatten steel oil drums. Once Arbok wraps its body around it's foe, escaping its crunching embrace is impossible.'

'Go Raticate.' Proton said, sending out the one Pokémon, he used before.

'Sandshrew, are you ready?' I asked.

It nodded in agreement.

'Jigglypuff, light the stage.' Camilla said, sending out her Jigglypuff. It puffed its cheeks, before it released the air. It was showing its opponents it was strong.

'Arbok, use constrict, on Jigglypuff.'

'Jigglypuff, use bounce.'

As Arbok went towards Jigglypuff it held its breath, inflating itself, but it was too slow because Arbok grabbed Jigglypuff and wrapped itself around Jigglypuff. Jigglypuff's breath was let out.

'Jigglypuff!' Camilla cried.

'Raticate, Hyper fang.' Proton, ordered.

No, you don't, I thought. 'Sandshrew, use magnitude.' I said.

Sandshrew used magnitude.

'Arbok, keep up with the ground.' Ariana said.

Arbok let go of Jigglypuff.

Now, Jigglypuff was going to get affected by the magnitude.

I gave Camilla an apologetic look.

Raticate was off balance and its Hyper fang was inches off Camilla's Jigglypuff.

Once the magnitude stopped everyone regained their balance.

'Jigglypuff, use doubleslap.'

Jigglypuff delivered two powerful slaps to Protons Raticate, since they were direct hits his Raticate fainted.

'Arbok, use poison sting.' Ariana said.

Arbok opened its mouth and sprayed needles that were purple towards Jigglypuff.

'Sandshrew, use rollout.' Sandshrew rolled into a ball and started rolling Towards Arbok.

'Arbok, dodge, and use Wrap.'

Somehow Arbok managed to dodge my rollout.

'Jigglypuff, use bounce.' Camilla said.

Once again, Arbok grabbed, Jigglypuff before it could get far enough in the air to dodge. And once again Arbok squeezed the air out of Jigglypuff.

'Sandshrew, use rollout.' I said.

Sandshrew rolled into a ball and quickly rolled towards Arbok.

Jigglypuff fell limp in Arbok's wrap, and I knew my attempt to save Camilla's Jigglypuff made no difference.

Sandshrew hit into Arbok as Camilla called back her Jigglypuff.

Camilla reached for her second Pokéball, but Ariana stopped her.

'Ah, ah, ah.' She started shaking her head. 'Proton only used one, you only get to use one.'

Camilla looked at me.

I shrugged my shoulders, implying that is was fair, and even if she took out a second Pokémon, Proton would probably hurt her or something.

'Now it's just me and, cutie.'

'Sandshrew, use dig.' Sandshrew burrowed under the ground.

'Arbok, follow it.' Ariana said.

Well, I didn't see that coming. Arbok tunnelled through where Sandshrew was a while ago and followed it underground.

'Sandshrew, use dig and jump.' I said.

'Arbok, follow Sandshrew out.'

This is what I was waiting for.

Sandshrew jumped out and three seconds later so did Arbok.

'Use bite.' Ariana said.

'Use mud shot.'

Sandshrew turned around and threw clots of mud into Arbok's mouth, this send it towards the Ground.

'Use, magnitude.' I said.

Sandshrew came down towards the ground and hit it hard creating a great tremor, not as bad as the magnitude that was used against Petrel, but it was still powerful enough to bring us all to our knees.

As soon as it stopped shaking we saw that Arbok had fainted. I was surprised at the Arbok's durability. It held out for a long while, a powerful magnitude and a mud shot, one of which was a direct hit. That Arbok had some serious training.

'Oh well, I lost.' Ariana said. 'Seems like cutie wins.' She continued. 'I will get revenge.' She said in her frightening voice before she disappeared down the stairs.

Proton whispered something in my ear before he left.

'She's never been this laid back, until she met you.'

I didn't understand that I would have that much of an effect on people.

I didn't dwell on it I had to help Mr. Fuji.

'Mr. Fuji?' Camilla asked. 'Are you alright?' She asked.

He pointed to the opposite corner of the floor 'Cubone.' He croaked.

Rachel came up the stairs with Brock behind her.

'Can you take him to his house, please?' I asked Rachel.

Rachel let out Her Pidgeotto, Brock and I helped Mr. Fuji up to get on Pidgeotto. Rachel flew off and Brock went the long way.

I went towards Camilla.

'stay back.' She told me.

'Why?' I asked.

'I need to gain the trust of this Cubone and more importantly, its mother.'

'Okay, I'll meet you at the bottom.' I said before turning away and following Brock.

Once I reached the bottom I received a bone crushing hug from Rachel and also one from Leaf.

'You idiot.' Leaf called me.

'Thanks for the support.' I replied.

'You jumped off a six story building.' Rachel told me, as if I didn't know. I didn't when I jumped, but now I remembered.

'What happened?' Brock asked.

'Well I went to the floor above you and I battled Petrel, before going to the top floor.'

'Wait.' Rachel said. 'The guy in Mt. Moon, the one with purple hair?' She asked.

I nodded.

'Wait.' Leaf said. 'You've met these before.'

'Only the executives once, but Team Rocket, many times.' I replied. 'Anyway I got on the top floor and proton talked to me about Pokémon and how they were indispensable tools and whatnot. Then his boss, the Admin called Ariana…'

'The one with the same colour hair as me?' Rachel asked.

'Yes. She told Proton to bring me to see her. I saw Mr. Fuji on his hands and knees, he looked like he could die there, like his injuries and bloodshot eyes were that serious. Ariana was about to give me Pikachu back, after she called me "cutie".' I said.

'Pikachu back?' Rachel asked.

'Cutie?' Brock asked.

'I think Pikachu, is the goal of Jessie and James.' I replied. 'About "Cutie", I have no idea, but she said I could have been in team Rocket, just a few years older, that was the excuse, but there was more meaning than that, like she was addressing somebody else some other child like me. Only older.'

I was confused, and so were the others. 'Anyway, Proton pushed her as she was giving back Pikachu and she dropped him off the edge of the tower, so I jumped off, Pidgeotto saved me. Thank you Rachel. I came back, they were arguing, Camilla came, we battled them, we beat them, they ran away.'

Camilla came before we made our way to the Pokémon centre.

She had a Cubone in her arms.

'So the mother let you take the baby?' I asked.

'Mhmm.' She replied.

'I'm going to take care of him before I train him.

'Now we both have a baby.' Rachel replied gesturing towards her Eevee.

'You know; you guys can stay with Mr. Fuji tonight. I'm sure he'll let you, you did save him after all.' Leaf said.

So, here is chapter 21, the second longest chapter as of at the moment. I know I made Ariana OOC, well I think I did, she doesn't really say much in the games, and she's not even in the anime, so I put a little twist on her. I wonder if any of you could guess what she was talking about when she said. "You are a few years too young to be recruited into team Rocket." And how did she know Jordan's name. I'll probably do a POV somewhere in a near future chapter, but not the next one cos it's a big one. Anyway, thanks for reading, the next chapter should be up next Saturday.

Chapter 22. The BEST of Friends