Author's Notes: 11.10.09

Heya!! lol This chaper, well, not the best, but i managed to include some forsh- oops!! Oh!! And i got great updates for YOU!!

Ok, some of you mightn't (might + not = mightn't?) have heard about the new fic i just posted a while ago. "Chronicals of Fate: The 17 Knights" is the title, just to let you know. I'm searching for OCs!!!! Muahahah i love OC hunting! The best thing is, they come to me, and most of them are making me twitch with "i wanna start writing right now" syndome. Nuhuhuh...can't start now. Since I'm only accepting 16 OCs and I'm only giving time till the end of October, you better hurry, or don't cry when I say "Sorry. I got my cast. Better luck next time!"

Read my profile (which i finally updated) for more details, and read the fic about posting OCs. Be sure to read the curcumstances of your OC by filling out MY form. Did'ja hear it. MY...FORM. No? Louder? MY...FORM!!!!!!!!!!

Muahahahahahah anyways, sorry this chapter isn't as great (the past few haven't been also, huh?). I wanted a filler between the events of last chapter and the next chapter. I'm purposly keeping some questions unanswered, one of the top ones being "How did Bomber get back?" and "What is Yoshi's business?". Yes. Alot of people ask me that. Muahahaha!!! May you continue to be puzzled!!!

Ok, so, i'm evil. We all know that. Don't forget about "Chronicals of Fate: The 17 Knights", "Pokemon ABC!", and "Unseen, Unheard, Unfelt".

Always check my profile for more details. Except the last one. Check Silver Leafx's profile for that. :3

Well, hope you guys are happy that Chappy 25 is up!!! I can't believe i need just 2 more reviews until i get 100!!!!

Love ya all!!

Enjoy! :3

Chapter 25: A Promise Unkept.

"We're headed to Fucshia City!!" was the scream I heard at midday while I was participating in a sleeping marathon with myself. The picture of Akeno disappeard as I looked up crankily and saw the happy face of Riri, her purple eyes twinkling with an overjoyed sensation. I nodded and pulled the covers over my head, ready to fall back asleep. Thanks to her, I completely forgot what I promised Akeno in my dreams.

"Aren't you excited?!?" Riri cried. I looked up from the blankets and shook my head before going back under with annoyance. Riri frowned, pulling the covers off my face.

"How can you not be excited!?!" She whined. I shrugged, closing my eyes from the sunlight pouring in. Did she not get the message that I wanted to sleep?!

"But, the Safari Park is there!" she muttered, "Oh well. I guess that really isn't your thing.."

Riri finally left me to sleep. I smiled at the peaceful sound of silence, and pulled the covers to snuggle it between my shoulder and neck. A loud creak could be heard (damn that stupid hotel door!) and a few heavy footsteps could only mean…

"Hey, Kari." Yup. More intruders of doom.

"It's….Ki….ra….." I groaned, lazy enough to not open my mouth. The sound of Broly stirred me back into the suffocating position of pulling the covers over my face. I heard him let out a long sigh before poking me with his finger.

"Kari…Kira…whatever…" he began. I groaned and put my fist to my ear with annoyance, curling myself into a ball, "I think Kiki has gone crazy. She keeps talking to this little machine she holds up to her ear."

"Its either a PokeCell or a PokeKey," I muttered, trying to get him out of earshot, "Now go give your Pokemon a bubble bath or something…"

"But why does she keep talking to it? Is she secretly a robot…..?"

"Yes, Broly, she's a friggin' robot. Now go discuss this with Yoshi."

"Yoshi's not here."

"Then go discuss this with Riri."

"Who's Riri? I only know a Lexi, a Kiki, a Courtney--"

"GO!!"

"YES'MM!!"

I heard Broly stomp away as the door creaked open and close. I sighed and shifted to a more comfortable position, flipping my pillow over to sleep on the other side. The cool feeling relaxed me and I felt myself doze off to sleep. Apparently, not for long.

"KID!!"

Ugh!! Its Mr. Friggin Yoshi…

"GO AWAY!!!" I screamed off the top of my lungs, pluging forward furiously to sit up and growl with madness. Yoshi took a step back and put his hands up in surrender, his face in shock.

"Alright…alright…sweet dreams little demon."

"GO AWAY AND TELL EVERYONE TO STOP WAKING ME--"

"Kira!! You're awake! I made breakfas-"

"NOT HUNGRY!!"

"….alright then…" Riri muttered, taking out her little microphone pen and scribbling something on her palm, "Note to self : Maakkee…lesssss…fffooooodd…onn…Sssunnndayysss….."

*************

I ended up only sleeping for half an hour after that. It was around four when I finally headed out to the shopping district with Riri. I never knew Vermilion had so many shops! A feint cheering of people met my ears as I tugged Riri and told her about it. She nodded in intrest, grabbing my wrist and pulling me towards the origin of the sounds. Over there I saw a fairly large crowd of people gathering around a Pokemon battle between a Scyther and a Doduo. The Scyther looked like it was having a total loss to the Doduo, supporting itself with one strong leg while is breathed heavily. The Scyther's trainer looked mentally torn down as well, his eyes flashing dispair as he watched his opponent finish the Pokemon off.

"Doooooooooee!!!" the Doduo cried, zooming it at high speed. The two heads leaned in and both gave the Scyther a strong peck and a large kick, sending the Scyther skidding away. Finally, it toppled over in defeat, the dust flying from underneath it.

"Scyth!!" the boy cried out in horror, kneeling down to look at his Pokemon. Scyther was unconscious and motionless. The crowd gasped and watched the boy get up and return his Scyther, staring back at his opponent.

"We'll get you next time…" he growled. The opponent smirked smartly and pulled out his Pokeball, ready to return his Pokemon. I jumped up and down to get a better look at the winner, but everyone towered over me. Riri was in front of me giggling, and I was desperate to see what was going on. STUPID HEIGHT!!

"There won't be a next time," I heard the winner say, "So long now."

I saw a flash of light as the Doduo disappeared into red mist-like flames. The sound of footsteps indicated that the winner of the battle was walking away, Something clicked loudly in my brain. It was one of those times where something was utterly familiar yet you couldn't think of it. That voice….

Suddenly it just punched me in the face.

"Akeno!!!"

All the eyes looked at me as I made my way through the people. I got a view of him, finally.

"Akeno!!" I screamed, "Akeno!! Wait!!!"

He turned around with a confused look in his navy blue eyes. I panted and came to a stop in front of him, grabbing his shoulder to support my tired self. He let out a small laugh as I stood back up straight.

"Kira?" he chuckled, "What are you doing here?"

"That's what I'm trying to ask you!!" I growled. Akeno just laughed, scratching his head lightly. I smiled and looked at him, watching as he smiled back. He still looked the same from when I last saw him. His dark maroon hair still spiked out supported by clear gel, his navy blue eyes still flashed a sense of security, he still wore those same horizontal bar shirts with wide V necks over those distressed skinny jeans and checker sneakers. And that checker belt. That was the same one he had years ago.

"Haven't seen you in a while," Akeno muttered, failing to keep a smile. I glared at him, letting out a deep sigh.

"Well, I was going to show off my new Pokemon after I came back from Paranana, but your Grandpa told me you already left!!" I replied with a frown.

"Hehe. Sorry, Kira," Akeno laughed, "I went to Paranana to go see you, but they said you didn't enroll there. Then I thought you already got a Pokemon and you were starting on a journey, so I hurried and began mine. The last thing I wanted was to be one step behind you."

"Obviously, you need to stop jumping to conclusions!"

"It's not my fault you weren't in a place you should've been!!"

"Oh, and like that, the dunce says it's all my fault!"

"I never said it was your fault!" Akeno laughed and bonked me on the head, "I was just sad I couldn't go on a Pokemon adventure with you like we promised."

I opened my mouth but with that line I forgot what I was about to say. Was that what I had promised him in my dreams? That we would go on Pokemon journeys together? I watched him smile warmly as he looked down on me, his maroon hair blowing lightly with the wind. I gave half a laugh and looked at the ground. What we had promised, huh? No matter how I looked at it, I just couldn't imagine traveling around with Akeno. Akeno would refuse to follow us around as we traveled aimlessly. He knows exactly where he wants to go. I thought of Yoshi, Broly, and Riri. There was no way I could just leave them and go with Akeno, promise or not.

Riri came up from behind, looking curiosly at the two of us. She smiled deviously, giving a pat on both of our backs.

"Aww, how sweet. Go on a date!"

"WHAT?!!?" Akeno and I turned to Riri and yelled in unison. She snickered, using her two hands to grab our wrists before dragging us along. I turned to look at Akeno in shock as we came to a small coffe shop and entered, a small bell declaring our entrance. She shoved us in a booth, gave me a wink, and handed money to the clerk before trotting off, giggling.

"Damn that hyper…." I held my tongue as I crossed my arms. Maybe I should just leave Riri behind or shove her off a thousand foot cliff blindfolded with duck tape over her mouth…

"Kira?"

I looked up at Akeno and shook the thought out of my head. Why was I now imagining death to my friend!?!

"Yeah?" I muttered, looking at his lit up face. I had never seen him so joyful ever in my life.

"Let's go to the Pokemon League together."

At once my heart plopped to the ground and shattered. I knew he was going to ask that. I looked down hoplessly at the table, my arms loosening as I breathed out slowly, thinking of words to say.

"Where are you going from here?" I asked, hoping for a welcoming answer.

"I'm going to Celadon next after I train a bit to beat the Gym here," he smiled, "You and could train and get the Thunder Badge with me!"

I gave a small smile and pulled out the Thunder Badge. It was beautiful. I only managed to get it with the help of Riri. Akeno gasped at it and looked at me in awe.

"How many badges do you already have?" he asked. I lifted up a single finger (no, not my middle one!!).

"One?" he raised an eyebrow, "Don't they have a rule about getting them in order now?"

I shrugged and watched as Akeno frowned. He let out a sigh right before I did.

"Well, that's alright. We'll head back to Pewter and get you your Boulder Badge from Brock. I heard his Pokemon aren't that hard to beat…"

"I also heard he was born with his eyes glued shut and he owns a lifetime supply of gel…" I murmured softly. Akeno laughed a bit, scratching his head in the process.

"Well-"

"Thanks for the offer, Akeno, but tomorrow I'm headed to Fuchsia with Yoshi and the others," I interrupted Akeno coldly and got up from my seat, taking a few steps before turning around to see his confused face, "Do your best to beat that cocky soldier and his stupid Raichu. I'll be expecting an epic battle the next time I see you, 'kay?"

And I left without a sound. I didn't hear Akeno say anything after that. Poor guy. He better beat that Gym Leader. I won't just sit down and chat the next time I see him. I glanced at my hoodie pocket. My Pokemon won't end up like that Scyther for sure.

*************

"All aboard!!"

The crowd of people boarded the small ship as it bellowed deeply, echoing through the morning dew. I gave a yawn and followed Yoshi up the steps, half trying to stay awake. I yawned once more as Yoshi handed me a card key for my room before walking away tiringly. I turned to Riri and nodded, and the two of us dragged our feet aimlessly around the decks before someone had to escort us to our room. I flopped down on one of the beds and just died. No more boat trips at three in the morning!!

I felt myself drift aimlessly through darkness, the cold slowly coming in to wrap around me cruely. I felt myself shiver as I fell in slow motion, images passing by me like many on-screen flashbacks. A picture of a Poliwag forming from red mist-like flames, a golden Vulpix wagging it's three tails in unison , a Cubone with a toxic wound oozing painfully, beautiful bright flames pouring from a Quilava's mouth, a surge of electricity lighting the sky from a torn down Manetric, and a Ponyta leaping as high as the sky and coming down to beat up an Electabuzz. I realized these were all my companion's Pokemon. Their most beloved Pokemon. Why was this happening? I had asked too soon. Yoshi's voice echoed through the darkness in the sadest tone I've ever heard from him.

"Sometimes Pokemon end up in places they don't belong…"

Then I saw his face. The patches of light on his face as shadows from a flame bounced on his skin, his pale, lifeless eyes looking at me with coldness…just as I was about to shiver, it all went away, with a quick stomach churning drop, a rush of a freezing feeling, and the loudest scream I've ever heard that rang deadly in my ears.

*Muahahahah!!! What is happening???