A/N: After all the reviews; I realized how lucky I am to have wonderful readers like yourselves. Thank you guys so much. You are the reason this story is continued. (Although I'd continue to write even if I had zero reviews)

Chapter Twenty-Five

Release

"Simon? What kind of name is that?"

The Natu blushed. "Well; I was named after my father."

Shelley rolled her eyes. "So technically you're Simon Jr.?"

He shook his head. "Simon the III." She snickered.

They entered some shade and both fell silent. Simon and Shelley had been traveling together for two days. He had told her his mother was a Xatu and his father was a Noctowl. He had obviously come out of the egg a Natu; but his Noctowl genetics gave him slightly more developed wings. Thus; he could fly instead of being limited to hopping around.

Having no idea where they were going; they both had certain motives for traveling with the other. Simon was just happy to gain protection by hanging with the slightly schizophrenic Turtwig. Shelley had been lonely. And somehow… being with a flying type made her feel better. Or maybe it was the fact her abusive trainer was headed to Kanto.

They had casual conversation. Simon informed her he was petrified someone would eat him since he was so tiny. Shelley informed him there were no promises she wouldn't eat him.

He remained out of reach of her maw and the sharp beak that could snap him in half from then on out.

"So I told you about my fear, Shelley. Tell me about yours."

She froze; and shot him a nasty look. "None-of-your-fucking-business," she snarled.

The way it came out; it sounded as if it was one word. No matter; Simon got the picture.

"Okay… so is there anything you want to accomplish in life?"

Relieved to have a subject change; Shelley thoughtfully answered. "Well; first off, I never want to evolve."

Simon cocked his head to the side. "That's funny. Why ever not?"

She shook her head. "Tell me; would you want to be a gigantic turtle that can't fit through doors and has a fucking forest growing on your back?"

Simon nodded. "Okay, okay. You make a valid point."

Shelley began again. "The only other thing I can think of is… well, never mind. It's stupid."

Eager to befriend the psychotic Turtwig, he prodded. "Oh… it can't be that bad! I won't laugh. I promise."

The note of sincerity ringing through his voice coaxed her out of her shell. "I… I've always wanted to know what it's like to fly."

Simon smiled sheepishly. "I wonder what we can do about that…"

"Manny… where did you get all these?" asked Kit; eyes wide.

Manny shrugged it off. "It's a little hobby of mine… that's all."

Kit raised an eyebrow. "Little hobby?"

He blushed.

Kit walked into the dimly lit part of the burrow and walked past the many piles of TMs. The glittering metallic discs awed her in an unexplainable way.

"I've got multiples of common TMs… and all of the others except a few."

"How in the world do you tell them apart?" asked Kit; tentatively touching one with her paw.

When she touched it; an image flashed through her head of the attack. "That answer your question, Kit?"

She nodded happily. "That was Flamethrower! Can an Eevee learn that?"

The Sentret shook his head. "Not unless you come across a Fire Stone and become a Flareon," he said sarcastically.

"Well… what can an Eevee learn?"

Manny appeared thoughtful for a moment. Then; without warning, he dove into the mountain of TMs nearest to them and rummaged around. After a few minutes; he popped out and triumphantly held up five TMs.

"These five might be to your liking. They're the only fairly powerful moves an Eevee can learn."

Kit's heart fell. "Well; what are they, then?"

He named them off before handing each one to her.

"Let's see here… this one is Dig, that one there is Shadow Ball, this is Hidden Power, and that's Iron Tail."

She looked at the five TMs spread out before her. "Wait… so what's that one?"

Manny smiled. "Protect. It isn't technically an attack move; but it's useful for defense and if another Pokemon tackles your Protect bubble they bounce off and end up getting hurt."

Kit nearly drooled at them; but then corrected herself and politely thanked him for showing her. Manny raised an eyebrow.

"C'mon. You can't honestly tell me you don't want to know these moves! You'd be able to pound your siblings into the ground!"

"I didn't know if you were offering them to me or just showing me," said Kit simply.

He pushed the pile of TMs to her and she giggled with glee. "Which ones did you want to learn-"

"All of them! Right now!" she squealed excitedly.

Manny chuckled to himself. She was so darn cute. Even if she was a shiny. Shiny Pokemon were looked down upon; but hey, so were Sentrets. As these thoughts ran through his head, Manny absentmindedly placed each disc onto Kit's head and watched as they were absorbed into her. By the time the five had been learned; Kit was wobbling back and forth from exhaustion. Manny steadied her, and then helped her outside. Too tired to try them out; she thanked him profusely and stumbled home.

Tomorrow, she decided; she would begin training.

The Sneasel hastily collected berries that grew from the trees nearby. She was going to need all her strength; a storm was going to blow in soon. The chilly mountain air did not penetrate her fur; it was meant for these conditions. She did shiver, however, when she saw on odd object floating down the mountain stream. It was long and thin. There were three red and white spherical objects attached to it's back.

She hissed angrily; fearing this new Pokemon species that invaded her territory. The belt slowly slid across the rocks; dragging across the bottom of the shallow mountain stream. When the Sneasel realized it posed no threat; she nimbly leapt up the mountainside, and joined her mate in their cave. She snuggled down next to her beloved Weavile and fell asleep; quickly forgetting the odd-shaped Pokemon.

Many Pokemon eyes other than the Sneasel's warily followed the belt for the next two days; as it swiftly went down the mountainside. When it reached the bottom of the mountain; it became caught on a rock. The rushing water bashed against the belt; ramming one of the balls into the bank. The button had been pressed.

A yellow-orange lizard appeared; and immediately had her breath taken away by the icy water. Not only was is un-bearably cold; it caused intense pain. She screeched, and then held her tail out of the water as she scrambled onto the banks. She had just almost died. The first word out of her mouth?

"Fuck!"

As her tail's flame slowly began to rekindle; she realized two things. One; she wasn't in the flowery meadow anymore. Two; she was alone.

She frantically looked around; gathering her bearings.

Okay, I was in the river… that's where my Poke Ball is! Maybe that's where Kelly is!

She scrambled to the banks and saw Kelly's leather Poke Ball belt in the water; wedged between two rocks.

Did she abandon us? And where's Shadow?

She hesitated, and then plunged her fist into the icy waters. She gasped at the searing pain, and then tugged the belt until it came loose.

At least Tyson and Kenya are with me. Now I won't be so lonely.

After recovering from her water-damage; she sat wearily on the bank and pressed the buttons on the capsules. Kenya appeared and wildly looked around. "Where's Kelly? Where are those mean men in black?"

It was then Claire's memory returned to her.

"Oh my Mew," she whispered. This is not good. This is REALLY not good.

She frantically began pacing back and forth; trying to piece together what had occurred since they were recalled by Kelly that day in the meadow.

"Tyson has no idea why you is so upset. Would you like a cookie? They make everyone feel better; even Tyson!"

Claire shot him an icy stare. He took a step back and fell silent.

"Cookie? You have a cookie? Oh, oh, let me have it, please!" squealed Kenya.

"SHUT UP! BOTH OF YOU!" Kenya looked at Claire in shock; and was on the brink of tears. "Look, Kenya; Tyson is just a idiotic, shit-for-brains dinosaur. And he does not have a fucking cookie!" said Claire through gritted teeth.

"Tyson resembles that remark!" he protested.

"I think you meant resent, Tyson," corrected Kenya; already over Claire's outburst.

Claire took a deep breath to keep from strangling them. It would do no good to tell them they were lost. So; she decided not to.

"Actually Kenya; for the first time… I think he knows what he's talking about."

Tyson proudly puffed out his chest. Claire began walking in the opposite direction of the mountain.

"Where are we going?" asked Kenya as she bounded along beside the Charmander.

Claire sighed heavily. "I have no idea, Kenya. Anywhere away from the mountain."

"But I don't understand. Why did Kelly leave us? Where is my Uncle Shadow?" Her eyes welled up to the brim with tears at the mention of her beloved Poochyena.

"Once again. I have no idea," said Claire; the last sentence spoken slowly. As if to get a point across.

"So… Tyson wants to know where we're really going," spoke the Cranidos; intentionally repeating Kenya's question to piss off the Charmander. Claire missed his arrogance though. The Charmander hid her slight fear with false confidence and a head held high.

"We're going back to Sinnoh."

A/N: Ah... what a lovely tangled mess everyone is getting themselves into. But at least we know what came of Claire, Tyson, and Kenya!

How do Simon and Manny pull in, you might ask? They'll tie in eventually. But how they tie in is for me to know and for you to not find out for a long time. (: Yes; i know I'm evil.

As for Shadow, Grace, Wes, Anne, and Uno; we catch up with them next chapter. Shadow's getting over his mopey mood; and next chapter will mostly be from his point of view.

Shelley will kill you if you don't review. So... please do! (:

Until next Chapter,

~Shelby