A/N Hey everyone! I'm sorry I don't do this more often, but thanks to (and everyone else so far) for following and/or favoriting this story. This would not nearly be as fun to write without you guys with me. Speaking of which, I have to give a shoutout to Aminti and his stories Wanderlust and Evolving Stratagems. They are both amazing stories and deserve a lot more recognition than they get. If you're into good stories with good character development and a slower storyline, these stories are great. Anyways, here's the chapter. Enjoy!

Kat's POV

Fire. The city before me is burning, while the same Arceus with pitch-black eyes is causing chaos. The pokémon was fighting against the blue, pink, and white lights shined brightly as attacks flashed across. As I fly through the battle, I'm glad that none of those involved can see me; that would be bad.

Suddenly the white light stops in front of me, and I can see myself, glowing with white power. I recoil just before she zips away. What the heck? My attention is drawn to a swirling black mass of a pokémon, heavily injured and bruised. He slowly floats up to me as the battle rages on, and asks in a pained voice, "Do you understand?"

Suddenly a large black mass appears in front of Arceus, and a stormy mass of darkness and fire explodes outwards, consuming the lights, and eventually enveloping me and the mysterious black pokémon in burning darkness.

I open my eyes with a gasp, sweaty and afraid. Beside me the egg is radiating heat, enough that I can feel it from a few feet away. I hope that means it's going to hatch soon.

On my right Absol stirs, startled. He looks around, searching for danger, but I pet him gently. "Hey, I'm fine. It was just a nightmare." He lies down but looks at me, concerned. "I promise you, I'm fine. Nothing to worry about." Internally, however, the black pokémon's words ring in my ears. "Do you understand?" What does that mean? What was that pokémon? And why is that the second time I've had that dream?"

Espeon gently jumps on the bed on my other side. "Are you sure? You've been having a few nightmares lately."

"I'm fine, I promise."

Espeon frowns. "You're not a very convincing liar, you know that?" Her tail snaps sharply. "Seriously, you should tell somebody. Me, the others, Jake, Julia, we're all here for you."

Should I? I mean, they're my friends. It's probably not a good idea to keep this secret. "Al-alright. I've been having nightmares, but they're not just nightmares. They almost feel like visions."

Espeon frowns. "That's not good. Considering how much other crazy stuff is going on, I can only guess that your nightmares are indicators of the calamity that you have to solve."

"Well, you're not wrong." I tell her. "In my 'visions' I see Viridian City burning under the wrath of Arceus, but not entirely Arceus. His eyes were soulless and void of any emotion except anger and rage. Three lights opposed him: one pink, one blue, and one white. Last night the white light stopped for a brief moment in front of me, and I saw myself."

"Well, you better get ready for it. Seems that future you has to fight God."

I look out the window of the room that Sam and his family were so kind to let us stay in overnight. The storm has stopped, and the trees glisten with raindrops. As usual I see Lucario up practicing some martial arts moves and Jake collecting some random berries from the forest with Scyther. I guess that's what he's been doing. I'll just ask him about it later.

I slowly roll out of the bed, Espeon and Absol behind me. Raichu groggily stirs awake, but Spearow's out like a light. I'll let him sleep in after yesterday. After changing, I take the egg with me which feels pleasantly warm to touch. I walk outside the cabin and over to Jake. He looks at me in surprise. "Hey Kat, didn't expect to see you up yet. Why're you up so early?"

"I just needed some fresh air. Nice to see you and Scyther getting along. Where's Wooper?"

"Oh he's still sleeping. The battle yesterday really tired him out." He looks at the egg cradled in my arms. "Is it safe to carry that out here?

"I'm sure it's fine. Besides, the egg is really warm. I think it's going to-"

A bright light cuts me off as the egg starts to glow. I quickly place it on the ground and take a step back.

When the light fades, I move closer and see a small red fox with a single tail open her eyes for the first time. She looks up at me with wide, curious eyes.

As I gently pick her up she clings to my chest, still staring at me. Still in my arms, she looks around at Espeon and Jake, who are staring.

Jake speaks up first. "Whoa. I've never seen a baby Vulpix before. Who knew that they only had one tail?"

"Yeah, that's new to me too. But she's adorable." The little fox in my arms starts whining and pawing at my shirt. "Awe, what's wrong?"

"I'm pretty sure she's just hungry."

Suddenly my stomach growls as well. Sheepishly I say, "Well, I guess I'm hungry too. Let's head back for breakfast."


When we walk in the quaint cabin, Julia's eyes widen. "Did the egg hatch? Oh my gosh, she's so cute!" Vulpix looks at her, but then paws at my shirt again. "Yeah, she is, although I think she's just hungry right now."

I quickly get some pokémon food out, but before I could give any to her Jake pulls out a few berries, squeezes the juice out of them into a bowl, and hands it over to me. Huh? Why's he doing that? Seeing my confused look, he says, "Baby pokémon don't have teeth and won't be able to eat solid food for a while. Berry juice should be fine for now."

Oh, well that makes sense. Duh. Shifting Vulpix to one arm I take the bowl and slowly tip the contents into the fox's mouth, who drinks happily. Once she's finished I wipe some berry juice off her mouth and she cries contently.

Sarah runs down the stairs. "Good morning! Mom and Dad told me to tell you that they will be up soon to make breakfast."

Jake says, "No, they don't have to do that. I don't know about Kat and Julia, but I actually know how to cook a little. It's the least we can do.

The little girl thinks for a bit, then says, "Okay! I'll tell mom and dad though." She then runs up the stairs.

I turn to Jake. "You know how to cook?" In mock indignation I ask, "So you're saying that we didn't have to live off of trail mix for this entire time?"

He rubs the back of his neck. "Uh, I never really could bring a full kitchen with me, but I could try." To both me and Julia, he asks, "Do you want to help?"

Julia smiles. "Sure! I'm not very good, but I can try."

I shake my head. "Probably not a good idea. The last time I tried to cook something I nearly burned down the house."

He laughs. "Really? What were you making?"

I playfully smack his arm. "It's not important. Just know I probably shouldn't try to cook anything anytime soon."

"You might want to learn how to at some point. Why don't you try, and I'll make sure you don't burn down the place."

"Alright, alright. But I make no promises that I won't screw up."


After about 10 minutes of Jake telling me and Julia (but mostly me) what to do, I successfully made some oatmeal with a few oran berries without burning the house down. Jake afterwards quickly made some eggs and toast for our hosts.

"Oh my! You didn't have to so that!" Jane says as she comes into the kitchen.

"It's the least we can do for letting us stay here last night." Jake says as he starts getting some food for himself and his pokémon, while Julia and I do the same.

Sam comes down surprised at the food that's already on the table. "Good morning. You're too kind. You didn't have to cook breakfast for all of us."

I smile. "It was the least we could do. After all, you did heal our pokémon and let us stay overnight. This was nothing."

Sarah notices the baby fox that I'm holding again once I finished "cooking". "Wow, what is that pokémon?"

"It's a vulpix, and she just hatched from an egg this morning."

She tilts her head. "How do you know?"

"Uh, I don't actually know. I can just kind of know. And if not, they'll correct me at some point."

Satisfied with that answer, Sarah runs off while Jane and Sam look over and smile. Sam says, "Congratulations. I can already tell that you're going to be great with her." He looks wistfully at Absol, but turns back to Vulpix. "Just be careful and patient with her."

"Yeah," I agree. "She's going to be a great addition to the family."

As everyone sits around the table and digs in, I glance over at my pokémon who are all happy and eating with their friends. This is nice to just unwind and relax for a bit.


After saying goodbye to Sam, Jane, and Sarah, the three of us set off through the still damp trail to Celadon. Vulpix is in my arms while the rest of the pokémon walk alongside us.

Absol out of nowhere tackles Espeon off the trail. "What-" is all I can say before the ground beneath me starts to cave in. Oh crap. As I fall I hug Vulpix close to my chest, determined to protect her.

Thankfully the ground beneath is fairly soft, and with a groan I sit up, seeing Vulpix fine, but looking at me with concern. "I'm alright girl" I whisper to her, then look around. Jake is slowly getting up, while Julia is being put down gently by Lucario, who caught her before everyone fell.

I ask, "Hey, are you guys okay?"

"Ugh, yeah. A little banged up, but I'll live." Jake replies. Julia shakily says, "Ye-yeah. I'm okay. Thanks Lucario." Her eyes dart around fearfully, unusual for the normally calm ranger-in-training.

I look up and see three pairs of eyes look down at the hole. Whew. At least Absol and Espeon got out, and Spearow could just fly. Although, he isn't strong enough to pull any of us out.

I call up to them. "Hey, can you try to find help? Celadon shouldn't be too far away."

"Spear!" The plucky flying type takes off, while Absol and Espeon stay.

Taking a look around the hole we all fell in, I notice something unusual. The hole was not only on a fairly well-maintained path, but the walls were also smooth. This can't be good. Well, all we can do now is wait for Spearow to come back.

Suddenly a pink flash shoots across the opening. "Espeon? What's going on?" Suddenly a stream of fire passes over the opening. That's not good. Unsure if she'll hear me with the battle going on above, I think, "Espeon, can you hear me? What's going on?" A second passes before I hear "Rocket ambush, Spearow not back yet." A pause follows as a dark wave of energy flies over the hole. "Should be okay, they aren't too strong. As long as they don't get more help."

While I know that my pokémon can handle themselves, I still don't like that I can't do anything. Suddenly more fire shoots over the hole, but a strong wind pushes it back. Yes, Spearow arrived. Hopefully with help.

I hear Espeon, her mental voice strained but otherwise okay. "That's the last of them. Absol's keeping them contained. Spearow said that Celadon is nowhere in sight; there won't be any help from them. Looks like we have to find a way to get you- AAAHHHH"

A bolt of lightning flies over our heads, and I hear my pokémon's cries of pain as what I presume is an electric attack shocks them all.

"No!" I cry out, with everyone else looking worried. Wait, I've been able to use the moves of my pokméon. Through Spearow, I can fly. Come on! My pokémon are counting on me. My friends look at me weirdly as I concentrate, trying to focus on Spearow. The lovable bird that I found alone and afraid, which somewhat stalked me before finally joining us. The loyal friend who would do anything to help his family, old or new.

Finally I feel something, similar to the previous times yet more airy and flexible. I gently give Vulpix to Jake, and try to grow the feeling of weightlessness, until my friends and our pokémon take a step back. I look behind me and see that the air around my back is shimmering almost in the shape of wings. I grin and shoot up, charging a Thunderbolt in my hands. Those Rockets won't know what hit them.

A/N Whew, it's done. Sorry (not sorry) about the cliffhanger, but I needed to have something there before Celadon so I threw this in. I hope the growth of Kat's powers isn't too quick, but hey it has to happen eventually, and near life-threatening events are a good motivator. Until next week, AgentLucario out!