The group had followed Rina to the Pokemon Centre about 15 minutes after she had walked off, so she would have some time alone. When they entered the Pokemon Centre they found her sitting miserably on a sofa in the lobby. She had her chin resting in her hands and Sparky wasn't with her. The lobby was quite empty; probably because it was around midday and most people chose this time to challenge Gym Leaders. The small group approached Rina and sat with her.

"How're the Pokemon?" Andy asked carefully. Rina sat back and looked from Rikki, to Tizzy and then her eyes rested on Andy.

"I don't know yet. It could be another hour before Nurse Joy is finished checking them over." Rina replied glumly.

"Hey, don't be down! Since it could take a while let's go and eat! I saw a really cute looking cake shop!" Tizzy licked her lips and pleaded with her friends.

"Alright then, I'll just go and tell Nurse Joy." Rina made the decision and got up to tell Nurse Joy they would be back soon.

Once she was done, the small group left the Centre and Tizzy led the way to the shop. She let Tubby out of his Pokeball (she had to recall him earlier because he was too big for the Pokemon Centre) and told him about all the cakes she had gotten a look at in the window. It made Rina feel better when she entered the cake shop. It was cute! The tables had colourful table cloths on them and strawberries were painted on the walls. The waitresses were all wearing white and pink dresses with a frilly apron at the front.

"I want this shop." Rina exclaimed.

"It's so... girly!" Andy huffed.

"Be quiet. I'm more of a tom boy but I have to admit, this place is cute." Rikki said.

"What do you think Tizzy?" Rina asked.

No answer.

Rina turned to face the door and found that it was no longer visible. Instead a blue blob replaced it. She walked over to the window and Rikki and Andy followed her. What they saw was normal to them, but people passing by stopped to take photos. Tizzy was desperately trying to squeeze her over-sized friend into the shop.

"Look's like we'll be sitting on the tables outside...like all the other times we stop and eat in a public place." Rikki remarked.

-

"I am absolutely stuffed!" Tizzy giggled as the group entered the Pokemon Centre.

"I'm not surprised. You and Tubby ate half of the shop!" Rina said.

"How did you afford that much cake anyway?" Rikki inquired.

"I won a few battles before I met up with you guys and earned quite a lot of money!"

When Nurse Joy noticed Rina enter she called her over, and Rina wasted no time going to the desk.

"Nurse Joy, how are my Pokemon?" Rina asked a worried expression on her face.

"I'm afraid they were all in very bad condition. Rina, whatever battles you've been having have really taken their toll on your Pokemon. They need to rest so they'll have to stay here for the night. And your Pikachu's tail needs time to heal." Rina wanted to cry at the thought of her Pokemon suffering. She knew they were injured but not this much.

"What about my Mothim?" Rikki asked.

"Oh so she is yours? Well she wasn't as bad as Rina's Pokemon but she needs rest too. I've put all of your Pokemon in the play area with the other Pokemon who are staying."

"Play area?" Andy said.

"Yes. Its a fairly large room with toys and all sorts of entertainment for the Pokemon. Any Pokemon who need to relax and take it easy usually go there." Nurse Joy explained, a small smile on her face.

"Our Pokemon could all do with a relaxation day. I can't remember the last time my Pokemon took a day off. Nurse Joy, do you think I could leave my other Pokemon here?" Rikki asked. Nurse Joy said it was fine and took Rikki's Pokeballs. Andy and Tizzy decided to leave Ivysaur and Tubby there too, since it was only fair that their Pokemon had some fun too. In the end Tubby had to go out into the garden because of his large size, where he fell asleep under a tree.

"You can pick them up tomorrow when Mothim and Rina's Pokemon are fully healed."

Rina thanked Nurse Joy and they went to sit down. Rina apologised to Rikki for causing her Mothim to become injured, but Rikki told her not to worry about it. She assured Rina that the Pokemon would be fine. The group chatted idly and realised they still had loads of time to kill. Andy suggested they go to the gym and see if there were any battles going on. After all, if Rina watched the gym leader battle someone else she would get an idea of what to expect. The city was practically empty, and the only conclusion Andy could come up with was that everyone was watching a battle somewhere - most likely the gym. When Rina and the others were about halfway to the gym they were suddenly stopped by two people who Rina knew.

"Well, I haven't seen you in a while." Ebony smirked.

"Rina, who are they?" Rikki asked her friend.

"That's Karumo and Ebony, members of Team Elemental." Rina grumbled. Rikki mouthed the word "oh" and then there was silence.

"Cookie?" Tizzy sped up to Karumo (pulling Andy along with her) and offered him a white chocolate chip cookie from her small bag. He smiled wildly and was about to accept it when Ebony smacked him on the back of his head.

"Karumo! We are the bad guys; we don't accept cookies from little girls with odd hair."

Tizzy shrugged her shoulders and skipped back to her friends while eating the cookie like she had been deprived of food her entire life.

"Sorry to leave this exciting gathering so soon, but we want to go to the gym and watch the match that is probably going on and we're missing it." Rikki tried to barge past Karumo but he forcefully pushed her, making her drop on the floor on her bum. Man was he strong for a guy who looked so wimpy.

"You're gonna pay for that!" Rikki got to her feet and balled her right hand into a fist, ready to punch Karumo in the face. Rina grabbed her and held her back. Ebony snickered and made a comment to Karumo which the others didn't quite catch. Karumo and Ebony each took a Pokeball and released their Pokemon. Karumo's Pokemon was a Blastoise while Ebony used her Flygon. Rina, Rikki and Andy growled because they didn't have any Pokemon with them, while Tizzy had forgotten all about that. She reached into her bag and pulled out a red apple, mistaking it for Tubby's Pokeball. She then did something that shocked everyone who knew her: she dropped the rope that was tied around Andy's waist. The relief on his face was priceless.

"Go Tubby! Let's kick some butt!" Tizzy threw the apple which hit Karumo in the stomach, making him clutch the spot where he was hit. She giggled and said "oops" and ran to collect her apple which had rolled away from Karumo. Ignoring Tizzy's actions, Rikki spoke.

"Look, we don't have any Pokemon with us so we are in no position to battle. Can we do this another time?"

"We're Team Elemental; do you think we are going to call off this fight because you petty kids don't have any Pokemon at hand?" Ebony asked. It was most likely a rhetorical question but Andy answered anyway.

"Yes?"

"PRETTY TURTLE!" Tizzy was admiring Blastoise and kept touching his shell. Karumo wasn't too thrilled that his newest rival was getting along with his starter Pokemon, and like he did with Rikki he shoved her. Hard. Tizzy squealed as she fell to the floor and almost bashed her head on the concrete floor. Andy rushed her to help her up. He may not have been pleased with being dragged around by Tizzy, but they had grown quite close during their time spent together.

"Hey!" Rikki screamed at Karumo. "I may seem like I despise her, but Tizzy is my friend and no-one pushes her around like that! When I get my hands on you, you better hope an Officer Jenny isn't around!" This was a new side to Rikki. She had always made out that Tizzy was just a creepy girl but deep down she cared for her as a friend, just like she cared for Rina and even Andy. She hadn't spent much time with Tizzy and Andy but she had warmed up to them. The fierce looking Blastoise and Flygon kept the group from attempting to run away, which was Rina's only plan right now.

"I'm getting bored and it's a bit cold so let's just proceed with our mission given to us by Terry. We have lost track of Sky and we have no clue on her whereabouts so we basically have to capture Rina and get information out of her." Karumo said proudly. Ebony's eyes became wide and her face went slightly red with anger.

"You moron! You just told them our whole plan!"

"I did?" Karumo asked innocently.

"Oh well, let's just get this over with. Flygon use your Hyper Beam!" Ebony ordered.

"And Blastoise use Earthquake!" Karumo said eagerly. The Earthquake attack was released first and the ground shook violently, making the four teenagers stumble and lose their balance and then fall to the floor like little flies being sprayed with a deadly chemical. Karumo and Ebony were probably used to this attack since they didn't even flinch. The Hyper Beam then shot towards the helpless group, but it hit the floor a few feet away from them.

"That was just a warning. We'll attack you mercilessly next time unless Rina here agrees to join us on a not so luxury trip to Terry's place." Karumo said.

"I don't even know where Sky is! Are you too dumb to realise that? She is no longer travelling with me so how would I know?!" Rina argued.

"You're lying!" Ebony declared.

"If you want me that badly why not track me down instead of hassling my ex-friend and her travel partners?" Sky said while she came out from her hiding place which was an alley way nearby. With her was a girl much taller than Sky. She had waist-length black shiny hair and green eyes. She was wearing a green checkered dress with long white socks and black ballet pumps. A elegant Ninetales sat on the floor next to Sky. A Piplup stood next to the other girl and she was also carrying a baby Cleffa.

"Her Vulpix must have evolved..." Rina murmured. Rikki double-checked with Rina that the girl was Sky and Rina also said she had no idea who the older girl was.

"Sky! It's good to see you." Rina smiled.

Sky stared at her and scoffed. "I don't want anything to do with you Rina. I have a new friend now." Sky said rudely. Rina scowled and Rikki took notice of the sudden hatred in Sky's eyes.

"All because I kissed your crush? It's not my fault he fancied me and not you." Rina smirked. Sky had suddenly gone from being the sweet vulnerable victim to the ignorant teen. Rina guessed it was something to do with her being with the older girl. She looked posh and stuck-up; the type of people Rina didn't like.

"He only kissed you because you flirted with him! You acted like you couldn't stand him but I knew you loved the attention!" Sky argued back. Andy could almost see the fire in the girls' eyes so he decided to break it up.

"Okay let's all calm down and take deep breaths..." He breathed in. "One..."

"We are still here you know!!" Ebony screamed. Every stopped what they were doing and faced her.

"You can all go as soon as Sky agrees to come with us. So, Sky? What do you say?" Ebony asked sweetly.

"Yeah, right. I wouldn't come with you losers in a million years! I know what you want from me: Mew. I don't know if you already know this but I captured Mew." Sky declared proudly.

Rikki smacked her own forehead and sighed. "Idiot..." she whispered.

"Oh so you have Mew with you?! Well that makes our job easier!" Karumo said.

Realising she just gave away her secret, she backed off a bit. No-one was supposed to know she had Mew, other than Rina of course since she was present at the time. Sky's new friend hadn't said a word since she arrived with Sky, she just stood there acting like a super model who everyone adored. Sky took out a Pokeball and released the pink cat-like Mew.

"Ooo! How nice of you to hand it over!" Karumo said excitedly.

"Flygon, Blastoise. Grab that Pokemon and do not let it go!" Ebony ordered. Both Pokemon rushed towards Mew, who was doing back flips in the air, due to her playful nature.

"Mew how about we send them on a little holiday? Let's see...ah! Teleport those evil people to Snowpoint City." Mew nodded and in a flash Team Elemental and their Pokemon were gone.

"That should hold them off for a while..." Sky said, recalling Mew. She smiled at her new friend and her new friend grinned back. She seemed friendly towards Sky even though they looked odd together. Sky was a thirteen year old with barely any sense of fashion, while this older girl was well groomed, had perfect skin and expensive clothes. Rina and Rikki walked towards Tizzy and Andy who were standing further away.

"Well, we can go now since that's all over." Rikki said as her group of friends gathered together.

"Not so fast! Do you honestly think I'm going to let you go after what you said?" Sky quickly said, directing the question at Rina. Rina looked confused but then understood what she was talking about. Before she could reply Rikki butted in.

"Look, we have places to be and things to do. Rina and you obviously aren't friends anymore so just drop it and get on with your life." Rikki said simply.

"And who are you?" Sky asked, raising and eyebrow.

"My name is Rikki, not that it is any of your business."

"And him?" Sky asked pointing to Andy.

"Oh come on! His name is Andy. Does any of this matter?!" Rikki threw her arms up and was becoming impatient. Sky then made eye contact with Tizzy.

"Hiya Sky! I have missed you! Do you want a cookie?" Tizzy stepped forward to approach Sky but Rina took her arm and held her back. Rina had always noticed Sky's dislike towards Tizzy and Tizzy had never caught on.

"I haven't missed you." Sky's friend laughed loudly at Tizzy; who was oblivious to Sky's rudeness.

"And why are you laughing?" Rikki bitterly said. The girl looked appalled for a moment.

"No-one talks to me like that! Do you know who I am??" Rikki shook her head. "I am Alyssia Gordon and every one should treat me with respect!" Rikki scoffed and laughed at her. The girl – now known to be named Alyssia – asked Sky more about Rina and what happened. Sky told Alyssia everything and even added in some extra details that she had made up. Alyssia gasped when necessary and kept glaring daggers at Rina every so often. When Sky added that Nicholas and Rina were planning on taking their relationship MUCH further, Rina got annoyed.

"That is not true and you know it! For a thirteen year old you sure are catty." Rina then added on something that was a bit immature, but she didn't care. "I bet you don't even know what that word means!"

"So what if I don't? I'd rather be clueless than be a slut." Sky retorted. Alyssia once again laughed loudly and her Pokemon laughed with her. Ninetales sat on the sidelines not wanting to get involved or laugh at Rina. Rina had done nothing wrong to the fox Pokemon so there was no need to stick up for her trainer in this situation.

"Hey kid. You better keep your mouth shut from now on. No-one insults my friends and gets away with it. I'm not being big headed but I hardly ever lose a fight and you do not want to get on the wrong side of me. Just because Nicholas had a thing for Rina and not you, doesn't mean you have the right to make up stories and call Rina a slut. She is mature, unlike you. To be totally honest, I don't blame him for not liking you. Look at you, you're pathetic." Rikki took a breath after her long speech and felt good about herself. Sky was speechless for a moment but then charged towards Rikki and slapped her. Rikki was shell-shocked and it took some time for her to register what had just happened. Rina was also shocked at Sky's actions, and Sky was a bit too.

"That's it." Rikki kicked Sky in the stomach and pushed her onto the ground. Sky managed to pull Rikki down with her and a fight soon took place.

Sky was mainly pulling at Rikki's hair and trying to stop Rikki from doing much damage to her. Rikki was violently scratching Sky's face and also pulled her hair a few times. Alyssia stood back not wanting to get caught up in the fight. Rina made several attempts to pull Rikki off of Sky but she also didn't want to get too close in case she got hurt. Tizzy was sitting down a few feet away from the fight reading a magazine. It was the latest issue of 'Sinnoh Weekly'. Andy was sat next to her watching the fight.

"Andy, you're a guy. Come and help me!" Rina yelled desperately as she planned a way of getting close enough to Rikki to pull her away from Sky.

"Like you said; I'm a guy! What guy doesn't enjoy watching cat fights?" Andy grinned as he cheered on Rikki.

"Oh my gosh!!" Tizzy squealed, jumping up from the floor. "The girl tried to dye her hair blonde after finding out her crush loved girls with blonde hair. But the dye turned out to be bright orange! In the end her crush dissed her and called her a carrot head! Hahahahahaha! What a silly girl." Tizzy dropped to the floor and rolled around laughing.

Alyssia was still standing there watching Rina grab hold of Rikki's shoulders and yanking her off of Sky. Sky started to crawl away but Rikki lunged for her and grabbed her arm, pulling her back into the fight.

"Where is my free lollipop?! Andy! The shop people didn't give me my free gift: a red lollipop! Do something!" Tizzy complained. Andy ignored her and carried on watching the fight which was amusing him.

Sky was screaming while kicking her legs randomly, and at the same time she was pushing Rikki. Rikki was starting to calm down as she was pleased at the sight of Sky having a huge scratch on her cheek that was starting to bleed. Rina forcefully grabbed Rikki and got her off of Sky. Rikki did nothing but watch as Sky scrambled to her feet, tears streaming down her face. She ran to Alyssia and the older girl put a comforting arm around Sky's shoulders.

"You'll pay for that." Alyssia sneered.

"Whatever, she deserved that. I didn't even hurt her that much. All I did was leave a scratch."

Alyssia and Sky walked off and Rikki's friends gathered around her. Rikki self-consciously fixed her hair and fixed her clothes. She wasn't injured as the fight hadn't been as serious as it looked. The group noticed several teenagers and kids scattered around the area. It seemed as if they had watched the fight and enjoyed watching it. To them it was entertaining.

"I would be disappointed in you, but Sky did deserve that. After starting gossip like that she had it coming." Rina said.

"I made sure not to hurt her too badly. Sky isn't worth the trouble. Its that Alyssia girl I'm worrying about now. She said I will pay for what I done, who knows what she has planned for me if we ever bump into each other."

"There is no point worrying about it now. Luckily for you a police officer didn't notice the fight going on. If they had you'd be in serious trouble now." Andy said, a small smile on his face. Rikki laughed and agreed with him. Rina looked at her watch and saw that quite a lot of time had passed since leaving the Pokemon Centre.

"I'm getting hungry. How about we go and get something to eat and head back to the Pokemon Centre afterwards? I think Rikki could do with a rest. We all saw a different side of her today. Not only did she stick up for me but she stuck up for Tizzy!" Rikki looked around nervously and replied,

"Yeah well, you won't see the soft side of me again." They all laughed at her and began walking around to find a place to eat.

"Andy?" Tizzy said his name with a serious face and he looked at her seriously.

"Yes Tizzy?"

"Tomorrow we shall sue that shop man for stealing my lollipop that I paid for!" She kept a serious face and all Andy could do was sigh.

'Has she already forgotten that the lollipop was free?'

A/N: I didn't think I'd actually update before Christmas xD So Karumo, Ebony and Sky make an appearance along with Alyssia! This chapter was quite different from the rest because it involved a human fight and not a Pokemon fight! I hope that didn't put any of you off... It seems as if Sky has changed incredibly! I might update again before Christmas but in case I don't... Merry Christmas! A present that I want from all of you is reviews! It'd make me happy (:

You know what else would make me happy? If you lovely readers check out "Tizzy's Challenges" by Crazy Amazing. As you can probably tell it's all based on Tizzy and her view of the journey. It's an amazing story so go and read it and please leave a review!

Sarah.