What's up everyone, shield here with another chapter. First off, I am sorry that this chapter is coming out so late, but I have a good excuse. I have stopped writing on my old gateway net book and have transferred this story to my brand new Surface Pro! It took me from Tuesday of last week to Friday to get everything set up and for me to get semi familiar with the new computer. Enough of this, let's get on to the reviews.

Monpoke: I just want to say thank you for all of the support you have shown this story. And thanks for adding my story to your community. I hope that you continue to follow the story. Thanks again.

Rayrudan: The last chapter was definitely bright, although I think I am better at writing depressing and dark chapters. It's sad but true. I also hate the whole Pokémon stuck in the Pokéball thing, but I just feel that if I have them all out at once for any extended period of time, that I will get the characters mixed up.

Phillip Harbindinger: Thanks for the criticism. Like a lot of people, I have a nasty habit of using "to" and "too" the wrong way. Thanks for telling me or I probably wouldn't have watched for it. I hope I did better in this chapter. The Pichu TF in the last chapter is actually just a coincidence. I figured that IF Ninetales was going to eat anything for a snack, it would be a small mouse, that and I like Pichu and its evolutions.

Foxyjosh: Actually the transformation was a Pichu. If you got confused, it was my fault. I should have been more descriptive. I was thinking about a Fennekin for this part, but decided against it for two reasons. The first is that, if the Ninetales did eat it, it seemed kind of cannibalistic to me. The second reason is that Fennekin's next to evolutions look like girls and I felt that it would feel kind of awkward. I wouldn't say that Dr. Mitchel has a new Pokémon because technically the Pichu is still his grandson.

Ok, on to the story!

A story to me means a where there is some surprise. Because that is how life is – full of surprises.

Isaac Bashevis Singer

Chapter 25

Lawrence's POV

I can't really put what I felt into words. Mom wanted me to tell her everything that happened inside the Pokéball, but somehow, anyway I tried to explain it seemed to not sound right. The only thing I told her was that it seemed like a life-like replica. Somehow, it didn't bother me. The fact that I was in a fake world for several days, just didn't sink in for me. I acknowledged that it happened but it just didn't affect me as much as I was told it would. After about an hour of trying to explain my feelings and after Caleb had shown us what he had learned, we got into Mrs. Ward's car and began the trek to Saffron City.

"Hey Sam, I've been thinking. How are you going to beat Sabrina? She is a psychic type gym leader so you really don't have anything that will be effective against a psychic." Katlyn asked as we bounced down the highway.

"I was thinking about catching another Pokémon, but I want to try this with only Marik, unless the rules say otherwise. Marik does know Bite, but that is probably not enough."

"Gee, you think?" Katlyn said sarcastically. "You need some more fire power for this one. I've been thinking about this for a while now."

"You know how to think? Somebody call an ambulance because I think Katlyn hit her head!" Caleb laughed.

"Don't call an ambulance, it's a miracle. Not a disease." I snickered.

"Quiet both of you! Or I will rip you both a new one!" Both Caleb and I quickly stopped our laughing and sat quietly on the seat. "Now, as I was saying, I've been thinking about your battles. I will have to talk to Basil about this first, but I want you to train him. I am a terrible trainer and it would be better if he had someone who knows what they are doing teach him."

"Katlyn, I can't. He is your Pokémon."

"I see him and I feel that fail him ever time he battles."

"Katlyn, I'm sure Basil thinks highly of you. You were practically the only thing he talked about while I was inside the Pokéball. He told me that he felt that he wasn't doing enough for you." I interrupted.

"That's not true. He does everything I need him to. I am the one that needs to do more for him. That is why I think Sam should train him. I just am not strong enough to train him properly." Katlyn replied.

"Katlyn, let's talk about this when we get to your house. Besides we will need to talk about this with Basil's input."

"OK, we will talk about this when we get home." Katlyn sighed.

Katlyn's POV

"But Mistress. I am your loyal ssservant. To ssserve anyone else would be an insssult!" Basil exclaimed. We had made it home without incident, and I had immediately shown Sam to my room. Basil towered over both Sam and I like a mountain towering over a house.

"You wouldn't be serving him at all. He would be like…like your appointed tutor. He wouldn't be your trainer, but you will be obligated to help him when he needs you." I explained. "Besides, you would be able to spend more time outside your Pokéball if you accept." I added.

"Is this true Mistress?" I nodded. "Well, Mistress, I will consssent." The Arbok replied quietly. "Know thisss boy, if you try to ssstop me from helping my mistress, my wrath will be far worssse then anything Mew, or even Arceus himself, could hope of releasing on you." Sam looked at me in confusion.

"Basically he said that if I'm in trouble, and you stop him. He will beat the crap out of you." I replied as Basilisk nodded.

"Oh, well, I guess I have no choice, not that I would ever do that." Sam replied.

"I know that, but Basil doesn't get out much so he doesn't know you very well." I replied.

"Don't you think that you should change that? I really don't know any of your other Pokémon."

"I guess. It's just that Zan doesn't really like me and Jack is really his friend, so I thought that they would rather spend time together without me around, that's all." I said.

"Katlyn, Just get them out for a little bit. They need out for a while." Sam said. I thought for a few seconds then unclipped the two Pokéballs from my belt and opened them.

"Finally, some fresh air. Hey Katlyn, what's up?" Jack asked.

"Not much, We made it to my house in Saffron City today. I thought that you and Zan would like to get out of the Pokéballs for a while." I looked over at Zan, who just looked at me with his same mistrusting look. "How are you doing today, Zan?" I asked the glaring Jolteon.

"Katlyn, you are going to have to get Lawrence remember?" Jack reminded.

"Lawrence and Caleb was in here earlier. Where did they go? They should be here to." Sam said to me.

"I'm going to go find them. You coming or what?" I asked Sam as I headed for the hallway. Sam nodded then began to follow. "Basil, you Jack, and Zan can stay in here if you want to. I really don't think that I will need any protection in my own house."

"If you insist Mistress." the large snake replied.

Caleb's POV

"It's been a long time since we have been at this spot. I almost forgot how beautiful it was." Lawrence said as we sat on the veranda. The veranda sat on the second floor of our house and it connected my room to Katlyn's and my parent's room. The veranda sits above a closed off porch that we use as a second dinning area. The veranda overlooks the outer city where we can see the sun rise if we are up early enough. Even though our house is within the city limits of Saffron, we are in a rural type area. It is sometimes hard to believe that only a mile away is a large modern city.

"It's been, what, seven or eight months since we've been home?" I asked.

"More like a year and two months. You aren't counting the two months that we already have spent with Katlyn." Lawrence said.

"So, did you hear the news about our next stop?"

"Yeah, I heard that we are heading to Lavender Town because of some shrine." Lawrence said.

"Yeah, something like that. I think I need your advice about something. If someone did something they knew was wrong, but did it to help someone else, is that alright?" I asked.

"I guess it depends on how bad it was, and how bad the consequences are if they didn't do anything, compared to if they did do something." Lawrence replied.

"What if, they didn't do anything and it caused that person to have a nervous breakdown. So they gave them some sort of hope. That hope wasn't real but it makes them last a little bit longer."

"Caleb, what is going on?"

"Well, your mom indirectly told Katlyn that a shrine in Lavender would change her back to normal. The problem is that there is a shrine but she made up the healing part." I sighed.

"Why would my mom say something like that? That is... is just cruel." Lawrence said harshly. "If my mom can't tell her the truth, then you should. It's not right that she would have to go through that."

"I know that, but I don't think I can do it." I replied sullenly.

"Hold on, I will be right back." Lawrence left and went through my bedroom door. I watched the countryside around me as I waited for Lawrence to come back. It didn't take long for Lawrence to return and he brought the very person I was talking about with him.

"There you are. Lawrence said that you had something you wanted to talk to me about." Katlyn said as she closed the sliding door that led to the veranda. I glared at Lawrence for a couple of seconds then returned my gaze to my sister.

"Well, you see, I have been thinking about this since we found out about that shrine thing, and I think that you should... you should know."

"I should know what?"

"I think that you should know, that I think you should try some contests while we travel down there. There are a few beginning contests that you could practice in." I said with closed eyes.

"Wow, the way you were acting, I thought that you had some bad news or something. Alright, I will think about it." She turned around and began to head back inside. "I almost forgot, I need you and Lawrence to follow me. We are going to have a team meeting in my room."

"Alright, we're coming." I replied.

"Caleb! What were you thinking? You need to tell her the truth right now!" Lawrence whispered angrily.

"Lawrence, shut up! You don't have a sister! You don't know how delicate you have to be! Besides, if I tell her, she might never be the same!" I whispered back. Lawrence looked at me sadly, then walked after Katlyn.

"Are you coming or what? I'm not going to sit here and wait for you all day." Katlyn said impatiently.

"I'm coming, I'm coming." I replied.

Sam's POV

While Katlyn decided to search the upstairs, I decided to search the downstairs. I didn't find anyone aside from Mrs. Ward so I just headed back to Katlyn's room. Once I reached the top of the stairs, I found Katlyn just opening her door with Caleb and Lawrence stand beside her. Katlyn heard me walking up behind her and looked at me. She then opened her door. There was electricity flying everywhere. Jack was huddled on top of the bed watching the fight in horror, as Zan went flying across the room. Basil was slithering towards the fallen Jolteon. Zan jumped up and shot several Pin Missiles at the incoming snake. They hit Basil on his long body. Basil double backed from the attack. Zan jumped at him, revealing electrically charged fangs as he flew. Somehow, I knew that this was going to be an interesting conversation.

Katlyn's POV

"What in the world is going on here?" I yelled.

"Mistress! I... I didn't see you standing there." Basil stammered.

"Basilisk, shut your mouth and explain to me why you and Zan are turning my room into a disaster area."

"Well, you see, thisss... thisss imbecile. Attacked me for no reason." the Arbok hissed as he motioned at Zan. Zan looked over behind me at Lawrence then closed his eyes.

"I didn't attack you for no reason, you idiot! You were talking about food in front of Jack! It wouldn't be so bad except that his species was on your list of appetizers!" Zan yelled telepathically.

"I wasn't going to eat your friend! I was just trying to stop feeling hungry!" Basil yelled back.

"If it wasn't for our moron of a trainer, then you wouldn't be hungry." Zan shot back.

"How is this my fault?" I yelled defensively.

"Because, when you are in a Pokéball, it slows down the metabolism. Just because we are in it, doesn't mean we don't get hunger, you idiot!"

"Don't you ever call my Mistress an idiot! Ssshe wouldn't have let us go hungry if ssshe had known!"

"Why do you insist on defending her! She is a human, you brainless coot!"

"Becaussse, ssshe besssted me, you yellow cactus!"

"You are an overgrown snake skinned belt!"

"Yeah, well you are a sssuper charged airhead!"

"You both are complete idiots! Ok, so I didn't know that you guys get hungry! Neither one of you guys are dying! I was going to make you all lunch anyway! I will be right back! If I hear another peep out of either of you, then I am going to personally see to it that neither of you will be able to move for the entire rest of the week!" I yelled at the top of my lungs. The two Pokémon stared at me dumbstruck. Before either of them could say another word, I turned around and slammed the door.

"What just happened?" Sam asked as we headed back downstairs.

"Oh, just another day in the life. Come on, I'm going to need some help carrying the food up to them."

Sam's POV

I helped carry food bowls upstairs to Katlyn's room. Katlyn and I both had two bowls of Pokechow so I had to put one of the bowls down to open the door.

"Hey Sam, let Marik out for a bit. We are going to teach both Basil and Zan a little lesson about getting along." Katlyn said as I began to turn the knob.

"Ok, but I don't think I understand what this is going to prove." I replied. I released Marik and Katlyn explained her plan. "This is going to be so cruel, you know that?" I asked.

"Maybe so, but it's not like they won't get to eat afterwards. Let's just get this party started." I shook my head and opened the door.

"Ok, dinner is served. Jack, here is your food. Lawrence here's yours. Marik, Sam has your food. And Caleb I have your food also." Katlyn said as we began to dish out the food. I looked at Caleb, since he has frequent fits about his food, amusingly. He began to growl and whine as Katlyn began to brandish a bottle of milk.

"Caleb, don't give me any of that crap, today. Besides, mom said that it's time to slowly get you off the bottle. This bottle has more solids in it then your normal food." the Vulpix growled a bit but otherwise didn't make another noise.

"Where is our food?" Zan asked.

"You two had enough energy to fight so I thought that you didn't need anything to eat." Katlyn replied resolutely.

"Katlyn, you little, can't you see we are starving? Basilisk, you are hungry to aren't you?" the Jolteon yelled angrily. The Arbok said something that just made Zan even more angry.

I watched as the four Pokémon ate their dinner. Both Zan and Basil, watched in hunger as everyone else ate. Finally, after about fifteen minutes, everyone had finished eating. Zan looked as if he was about to keel over, and Basilisk was lying on the ground already.

"I'm going to be right back. Sam, you coming?" I nodded and began to pick up a few of the dishes.

"You know, some would say that you were being cruel in there." I said as I shut the door behind me.

"Hey, I just want to show them that a strong team doesn't fight. I think they got my point."

"You should really take your own advice. If you are going to have Pokémon, you need to spend more time with them." I lectured.

"I know. When we start traveling again, I plan on letting them out more. Besides, I might try some contests while we are traveling. Caleb said that he thinks I should give them a shot. Put those in the sink over there. I'm going to get two more bowls." Katlyn said as she opened up a cabinet. I placed all of the dishes in the sink and helped Katlyn pour two more bowls for Zan and Basil. We took the two bowls back to Katlyn's room and let the two starving Pokémon eat. Neither one complained about a single thing afterwards.

Katlyn's POV

Zan and Basil scarfed down their meals like tornadoes. Neither one complained afterwards and Zan even said that he was impressed that I would even think of doing something like that. After they had finished, we began to talk about the coming trip. We all agreed that it would be best to walk, since, if we needed to, we could lose anyone that was following us. We really didn't need a repeat of what happened in Fort Trell.

"Ok, I want to know what y'all think about me participating in a few contests while we travel. I already have Caleb's opinion."

"I think that it would be great. It will be a new experience for you." Jack said enthusiastically.

"You do what you want. I don't think that you will win any contests if you bother using me. Besides, I'm too highly profiled to be seen in public like that." Zan said nonchalantly.

"I'll take that as a yes then. Basil, what do you think?"

"I will follow you Mistress. I don't know how much help I can be, but I will try."

"Thanks Basil. Lawrence?"

"Well, I guess it's alright. I mean, it's not something I know much about, but hey, I think you should give it a shot." he said. There was something in his voice that seemed to say something else, but I couldn't place my finger on what it was.

"Great, I'll begin looking for the qualifications then. I have somethings to do, so Caleb is going to show y'all around until I get done." I said.

"Ok guys, follow me." He sighed as he led everyone out of my room.

Charles' POV

The bustle of Saffron City was bringing back a flood of memories. Everything, from the sound of the cars to smells of the exhaust, all reminded me of the days before my recruitment into Team Rocket. Those days were the happiest I have ever had, but like they say, all good things must come to an end.

Flashback

"Staff Sergeant Charles A. Renford. Reporting as ordered, Sir." I saluted the higher ranked officer.

"At easy sergeant." I lowered my hand from the salute and stood at ease. "I have heard some really good things about your platoon. Your leadership has proven above average on ever level. Your men respect you and would obey you if you needed them to do something that is potentially fatal. You have a promising future with the military, Staff Sergeant."

"Thank you Colonel Durant. I am doing everything I am doing my best sir."

"I am sure you are. Your career is not what I have called you here for. You have no living relatives, correct?"

"Yes sir. Both my parents and grandparents died during a boating accident ten years ago." I grimaced.

"Don't you have a sister living near the base?"

"N-no sir, she recently passed away."

"I see, here in the military, we recruit highly intelligent candidates into a special program. This program is highly top secret, so I can't tell you much about it. What I can tell you is that if you accept, you will be more help to your country then sitting in the barracks and planning your next strategy for the war games next month."

"If I refuse, sir?" I asked nervously.

"You will be allowed to leave freely. However, if you let anyone know about this conversation, I will be forced to have you killed. We can both agree that would a tremendous waste. What do you say Staff Sergeant?" The colonel asked.

"I would do anything for this country. I will do it sir." I said after a couple of seconds of deliberation.

"That is what I wanted to hear. I will get everything ready for the transfer. You enjoy your evening Sergeant, because after tonight you will be officially dead."

Flashback ends

That afternoon was a lot like this afternoon. Everyone was out on the town, enjoying life. I stood in front of the very restaurant I had visited on my last night. To this day, I still don't understand what possessed me to get into this mess. I have learned one thing, what I am doing is for the best.

I wandered around Saffron for several hours. I already had the location of the girl, so I could do a little pleasure seeking while I had time. The boss wouldn't know since I masterfully set the tracker they had planted on me, in between the bushes that surrounded the house. Tonight I was going to spend some time by myself. Despite my hunger, I did not feel like eating. I slowly began to wander, not caring where I wind up.

I slowly found myself in front of a red brick house. The shutters had been locked shut for the night. The house was an old Victorian design, with a large porch wrapped around the front of the house like a belt. There was a single window open and inside was a young woman and her two kids, sitting at a table. A man in his early thirties came through a door and hugged the woman before he to sat down. I was tempted to knock on the door, but knew I couldn't. That day, when Colonel Durant asked if I had any family, I lied. This house was my sister's. I was mad at her for some stupid reason. I guess that was the reason I was in this mess in the first place. I knew I couldn't see her. Not until my mission is complete.

"Laura, I know you can't see you right now, but I promise I will see you as soon as I can." I vowed. I turned my back to that place of comfort. My vow seemed somewhat hollow. I felt that there was no end in sight to this mission.

Sam's POV

"You have been quiet for the last few hours." I said as I pushed open Katlyn's door. Katlyn was sitting at her desk typing on her computer.

"I guess. I have just been looking at the schedules for the contests. There is one here in Saffron in two days. It's small, but it is a start. I'm going to see if I can go to it." Katlyn said tiredly.

"You seem like you are finally accepting your roll as a kid again." I said as Katlyn got up and flopped on her bed.

"I guess I am just used to it by now. I am just glad that I will be able to go back. So, what did you need?" she asked.

"I was just wondering what you were up to. Oh and your mom said that dinner is almost ready."

"Ok, thanks. I'll be down in a minute. Anything else?"

"Yeah, Maggie told me that she will be able to change me back, tomorrow." I said excitedly.

"Darn, I liked being older again. Don't get to comfortable. When we get to that shrine, you will be ten years my junior." she teased.

"Katlyn, what happens if this place isn't what you expect?" I asked solemnly.

"I don't know Sam. I really don't, but I just have to believe that it is there and that it can fix me." Katlyn replied with a nervous smile.

"If it doesn't turn out the way you expect, remember that me, Caleb, Lawrence, your parents, and your Pokémon will be there for you."

"Thanks Sam, but for now, let's think optimistically."

"Alright. Hey, we better get down stairs or we will miss dinner." I smiled.

"First one there gets to the table gets their choice of ice cream, when we hit the road." Katlyn yelled as she took off towards the door.

"Hey! No fair!" I yelled as I gave pursuit. Katlyn laughed as we ran down the stairs and into the foyer. We had almost made it halfway through the foyer and into the kitchen when Katlyn slid to a stop. The front door opened and a man stepped through. He shut the door then caught a glimpse of us. He froze in place and his skin quickly paled.

"Dad." Katlyn whispered. Katlyn's dad didn't take his eyes off his daughter. He didn't even say anything before he calmly walked into the kitchen.

"Let me guess, he didn't know." I whispered.

"I figured that Mom had already told him. Judging by his reaction, I guess she didn't. We better go back to my room. I don't think we are going to want to be here for the fight that is about to happen." Katlyn said.

"No, you will eat your dinner, and we will explain the situation to your dad." Mrs. Ward spoke as she peeked into the foyer.

"Ok, but what about Sam? This isn't exactly the same as explaining why I had a seventy on that math grade in high school." Katlyn said quietly.

"We will all eat dinner, and discuss the situation afterwards. That way Sam can eat, then leave if he wants to." Mrs. Ward replied firmly. "Now, go sit down at the table, and I will set out the food."

"Yes ma'am." Katlyn and I said simultaneously.

I don't think that this chapter is as good as some of my others. I really don't have anything to say except that I hope that y'all liked the chapter. If you have anything to say you know what to do. If you are enjoying the story smash that follow/favorite button. This is shieldliger001 signing off.