DWA: Last time we met Alexander Garcias, the friendly rival! She won her double battle and anyone knows, Hoenn Natives are just good at those. Now she has her battle against Bugsy! Should be fun!
Also sorry this seemed to come out later I took the weekend off to recharge my writing batteries.

I don't own Pokemon, but I own my characters, and plot! Alexander Garcia belongs to KnightofStories

Reviews:

RedAgent14: Yeah it is fast and I do wanna fix that, but at the same time there is a reason. Lily is kinda cocky. She may, she may not, I don't wanna give any spoilers because that's just not fun. Also, personally that thing gave me zero issues. So, yeah.

"Speech"

'Thought'

[Translated Pokespeech]

Ch 6: Ilex Forest

"Bug Buzz!" Bugsy shouted out and Ledyba sent out soundwaves at Phantoma that washed over her, causing her to wince.

"Clear Smog!" Lily shouted. Phantoma blew a stream of smog that hit Ledyba straight on, but it flew out of the smog.

"Aerial Ace!" Bugsy shouted and Ledyba shot at Phantoma and slammed into her and sent her back.

"Night Shade!" She shouted and Phantoma shot dark rays from her eyes and hit Ledyba, it was pushed back and winced when it glared at Phantoma.

"Psybeam!" Ledyba charged the attack and fired it, hitting Phantoma and sending her to the ground and floated up.

"Phantoma! Stay Strong! Clear Smog!" She shouted and Phantoma blew the smog at Ledyba and the attack engulfed it and coughing was heard as it was blown in its face, when it tried to fly out Phantom predicted it and covered its escape route. This continued for a bit before Ledyba fell to the ground unconscious. Bugsy recalled it and nodded.

"Good job! Now, for my ace, Scyther!" He shouted and the mantis appeared and glared at Phantoma.

"Phantoma, return!" She said and held up the Poke Ball.

"Gotcha! Pursuit!" He shouted and Scyther's right blade glowed black and he shot at Phantoma. He slammed his blade into her and sent her flying and into the wall. She fell, unconscious.

"Phantoma…" She said and recalled her and glared at Scyther. "Zack! Go! Fight by my side!" She said and Zack teleported in front of her.

"How very curious. Quick Attack!" He shouted and Scyther gained a slight white glow and shot at Zack.

"Tele-" She started and Zack vanished. "…port. Alright! Confusion!" She shouted and Zack appeared on the field and raised a hand up and glowed pink, one by one the lights burst and went out until they were all out. Light from the windows illuminated the room slightly.

"Well that's ominous." Bugsy said as Scyther growled at the small Pokemon. "False Swipe." He said and Scyther's claws glowed and he shot at Zack.

"Confusion followed by Disarming Voice!" She shouted and Zack held out both hands and stopped Scyther and slammed him to the ground. Zack then cried out, sound waves washing over Scyther. He growled and stood and slowly walked closer. He raised his still glowing blade when close enough and Zack stopped his attack.

"Now!" Bugsy said and Scyther slashed down, only to hit the ground. Zack stood beside the blade, staring at Scyther. He jumped to avoid the next attack and landed on his blade.

"Our turn!" she shouted and dark fire engulfed Zacks right hand and he jumped slightly and slammed his fist into Scythers face and sent him back a considerable distance, and suddenly Scyther combusted for a second.

"Burn…" Bugsy said. "That hinders us immensely…" He said. "Wing attack!" He shouted and Scyther's wings glowed white and shot at Zack.

"Double Team!" She said and Zack made many copies and Scyther passed through many and suddenly gained a pink glow and slammed into the ground keeping momentum. As he tore through the dirt he burst in flames for a bit and soon stopped. He was out. Bugsy sighed.

"Well, that would be that." He said and recalled his Scyther. Lily laughed and jumped.

"We did it, another down!" She said and got her badge case as Zack teleported to her shoulder and was smiling. Lily ran over and Bugsy had a badge in hand.

"As proof of your victory here, I present to you, the Hive Badge." He said and handed her the badge. Lily started to leave after putting it away in her badge case.

"Thank you!" She said

"Wait! Before you go, some advice, things will ramp up in difficulty from here. I would make sure to do some training." He said smiling. Lily nodded

"Of course! Bye!" She said and ran out, Midnight following. Bugsy's smile faded. "I do hope she understands what I meant…" He said and looked up. "Now…to replace the lights…" He said

-(o)-

Lily ran into the center and luckily there was no line so she set Zack and Phantoma's Poke Balls on the counter. "Nurse Joy, please take care of these two." She said. Nurse Joy nodded and smiled, taking the Ball and Zack to the back. "Be back!" She said and ran out and across the street to the Poke Mart. "Now, we need more food, and other camping supplies." She said and Midnight nodded and started walking around, and the two started gathering gear. Midnight was getting things like food water and other survival gear. She saw a swiss army knife and decided to grab it and put it in the bag before picking up the bag with her mouth, rinse and repeat for other such things. Lily was getting potions, bandages and medicine. She went to the counter with Midnight and paid for the supplies.

"Ma'am, by the way we're having a promotion. Please choose a Poke Ball of your liking." He said and set some on the table. "Absolutely free."

Lily looked at the balls and hummed. She took the Ultra Ball and the man put the others away. "Have a good day ma'am." He said smiling.

"You too! Bye!" She said and ran out with her bags and went in the Pokémon Center and sat down and started putting away her gear as Zack hopped down from the counter, looking refreshed. He walked over and smiled, holding Phantoma's Poke Ball.

[Here you go!] He said. Lily smiled and took the Poke Ball and put it on her belt. "I should get something like Stanley's cool device! Maybe when we get to Goldenrod!" She said smiling.

[It's possible.] Midnight said. [Now shall we get going?] She asked.

"Yeah! Off to Ilex Forest." She said. And stood and put her bag on. She then walked out and bumped into someone.

"Oh my sorry!" She said. Lily looked at the girl, who seemed to wear way too much mascara, but it worked for her. She had green and white colored clothes. "Oh, you seem prepared, heading into the forest?" She asked. Lily nodded.

"Yeah! Why do you ask?" She asked.

"Well its easy to get lost without a map. But there is a map if you find the shrine to Celebi! So if you get lost, just find the shrine. Most if not all roads lead to it, plus there are tons of markers." She said

"Thank you!" She said smiling.

"Of course. Have a good day!" She said and left. Lily smiled and ran towards the gate, Midnight and Zack following, well, Midnight with Zack sitting on her followed.

-(o)- Time: 1:30pm

Lily walked into the gate and many trainers were lounging or leaving for the forest or Azalea Town. She walked through the building and smiled as she stared at the forest. "Wow…its beautiful." She said looking around.

[I agree, no forest in Hoenn looks like this one.] Midnight said.

"Well, we should at least find the shrine." She said. "The forest is a long walk after all, I feel like we should set up camp and take a day to train." She said and started walking. Midnight followed.

As they walked they saw many Pokémon. Lily liked all the Pokémon she saw but didn't really feel, connected to any. She battled a lot but didn't catch any. She wanted Pokémon she connected with on some level. Even with Phantoma there was a very small connection. That was the best way to describe it, but in truth, she just saw Phantoma and had a good feeling that was a Pokémon she wanted.

"How you feeling Zack, Phantoma?" She asked the two, Zack on her shoulder and Phantoma floating beside her.

[Kinda tired.] Zack said.

[Same, we've fought quite a few Pokémon.] Phantoma said.

"Well we'll stop battling then. Let you two rest!" She said. They nodded and kept walking for what seemed like hours, and due to the way the sun shone through the trees it was almost night.

"Think we should set camp?" She asked Midnight.

[It would be best. Over here, there's a stream.] She said and dashed into the brush. Lily ran after and soon came to a small clearing next to a stream. She set Zack down and she grabbed a stick and jammed it into the ground, showing where she came from.

"Okay, let's set up camp." She said.

-(o)- ES Johto HQ

Alex sat in his office looking over reports. "Still no sign of those damned shrines." He said. "Then again who said they would be easy to find?" He said chuckling and looked to another folder. "Goldenrod Game Corner hmm? A Team Rocket money maker like the one in Celadon. I should take care of this soon." He said.

"And the weather forecast will call for heavy rains." He said grinning under his mask. "This region will bend to my strength." He said and sighed. "I just need to get the ball rolling."

-(o)- Ilex Forest

Lily stepped back and wiped sweat from her forehead. "Wow that was annoying to set up." She said looking at her simple yet spacious tent. Zack and Midnight had set a fire up and done it safely. Lily sat down and pulled her bag over and sighed and looked up at the stars. "Our journey has been fun so far!" She said. "The storm, the gyms, even the Unown!" She said.

[I can't call the Unown incident fun.] Midnight said.

[They hurt Mama and Aunt Midnight.] Zack said.

"Yeah but that's a danger we have to accept! It's not like we're sheltered at home!" She said and pulled out cans of Poke Chow and poured them in bowls. "Here you three go." She said. Phantoma floated down from the top of the trees to eat.

[Thank you Lily.] She said and started eating. Zack did the same as did Phantoma. Lily took out a small cane and opened it with the can opener part of her Swiss Army Knife that Midnight had put in the bag. She got a spoon out and started eating the contents. It was just assorted berries so no need to heat it.

"I'm really excited!" She said smiling. "This adventure is so much fun!" Midnight smiled at her.

[I'm glad it is.] She said. Lily quickly finished her meal and put away the stuff she used and sighed.

"I wanna get moving as fast as possible. I'm heading to bed!" She said and went inside her tent with her bag.

[How fast does she get to sleep?] Phantoma asked.

[Should be a couple minutes. I don't know how.] Midnight said. [We should get some sleep too.] Midnight said. Zack just ran into Lily's tent causing Midnight to giggle. [He's worried for her. Well, let's finish our food and get some sleep.] Midnight said before going back to her food. Phantoma nodded and went back to eating. They would be up early to move though the forest.

-(o)- Time: 11:23 pm, Location, Mt. Silver.

Danny walked into the cave shivering. "Why would he meet here?" He asked and shook off the cold and walked into the cave. He stopped seeing a peculiar bolder that seemed to be…off. He let out his Empoleon.

"Come out Roland." He said. "Making me trudge up this accursed mountain is cruel enough. From behind the bolder came a man in hiking hear minus the backpack. He had rope around one shoulder and opposite waist, hard grey eyes, and a brown jacket. Underneath was a steel grey shirt, he wore worn yet tough looking pants, and had climbing boots on.

"What does the esteemed Engulfing Shadows want with me?" He asked in a curious tone. "And why send a mere child to talk?"

"I am not just some kid, I am leader of the Trainers of ES." He said. "Any trainer that signs up into the Trainer Regiment is under my command. I was sent to talk, trainer to trainer. We want you, Roland of the Elite Four, to join us, in our quest to help this world."

"You want me? Why?" He asked

"It would be helpful to have pull with the league in any way." He said. Roland gave a short laugh.

"Politics do not interest me. You came to me, to talk trainer to trainer, yet all you do is talk." He said and the bolder stood and turned. It was a Golem, a big one at that. "You wish to speak trainer to trainer? Battle me. Show me your conviction." He said.

Danny was taken aback, he certainly wasn't expecting this. He looked to his Empoleon, who was glaring at Golem. Danny chuckled.

"Empoleon! Hydro Pump!"

-(o)- Time: 8:09 am, Ilex Forest

Lily was walking down the path, making sure they weren't lost with signs that were along the road. Zack was on her shoulder, Midnight beside her. They came to a small clearing with what seemed a small wooden shrine.

"Hey! This must be the shrine!" She said running over. Midnight chuckled and walked over. She had an…odd feeling. Not bad, just odd.

"Its really nice, but very old." She said looking it over.

[Well of course. They aren't going to just make a new one.] Midnight said

"True, but it'd still be nice to clean it up." She said and checked the map. "So follow the left road huh?" She walked away from the shrine, which seemed to flicker into a newer looking shrine, then a patch of grass, then back to normal.

The two walked for a while before they found the gate.

[Oh good, we didn't get lost.] Midnight said. She walked in and saw a familiar face. "Oh! Hana!" She said and ran over.

Hana was sitting on a couch looking a bit miffed. She heard a familiar voice and looked up. "Oh look who it is, miss weird Pokémon." She said

"Well that was mean." Lily said frowning. "You don't look to happy."

"I'm not, Whitney wiped my team. I need to do some training and I promise you will too." She said standing. "Come outside, we're battling. If there's one thing I wanna do is have the chance to see you bawl when you lose and that will be to me." She said. Lily just followed.

[Auntie Midnight could beat her butt.] Zack said.

[Oh don't worry hun, even if we lose we can get stronger.] Midnight said. Lily nodded and they got outside and Hana walked to a nice clear spot.

"We're battling. I wanna beat you before Whitney does." She said.

"Okay! At the same time yeah?" She said pulling out Phantoma's ball.

"Yeah." She said and held up a Poke Ball. "3, 2, 1, GO!" She shouted. Lily tossed her Poke Ball. Phantoma appeared, as did a small blue Pokémon.

"It's adorable and doofy looking I love it." Lily said causing Midnight to laugh. Hana growled.

"It's a Wooper!" She said.

"I love it." She said smiling. Wooper just stood there, smiling.

"Whatever, I see you have a Gastly, I hope it can put up a fight. Let's begin! Water Gun!" She shouted and Wooper shot a stream of water at Phantoma.

"Dodge and use Night Shade!" She shouted and Phantoma shot black rays at Wooper, who jumped away, but was hit, but just stood there.

"Ice Beam!" Hana shouted and a light blue sphere or energy formed in front of Wooper. It fired the powerful attack that hit Phantoma, doing a lot of damage.

"Clear Smog!" She shouted and Phantoma shot a white smog at Wooper. It jumped away from the attack.

"Water Gun and one more Ice Beam should do it!" She said and Wooper shot water at Phantoma who was hit. Wooper launched the Ice Beam as well, hitting a dazed Phantoma, knocking her out.

"Phantoma!" She said. "Oh wow…" She said and recalled her Gastly. "Guess we need new moves." She said smiling.

"How are you happy with loosing!?" She said. "I don't get you, just get that Ralts on the field. Wooper return." She said and recalled her Wooper.

"Alright! Zack, you're on." She said and the Ralt's teleported on the field.

"Bayleef, let's show them how much stronger you've gotten!" She shouted and the larger Grass starter appeared.

"Okay Zack, Confusion!" She said and Zack glowed pink and sent and pulse of psychic power at Bayleef.

"Take it, then Razor Leaf!" She said. Bayleef easily took the pulse, then swing her leaf to shoot many leaves at Zack. They sliced into him, causing him to cry out. He glared at the Bayleef.

"Fire Punch!" Lily shouted and Zack's fist was engulfed in a dark fire and Teleported near Bayleef, above it to be precise.

"Reflect!" She shouted and Bayleef set up a barrier that Zack punched, Bayleef winced at the damage but was able to shake it off. "Now use Body Slam!" She said and Bayleef jumped up and fell.

"Confusion!" Lily shouted and Zack tried to Stop Bayleef to no avail as Bayleef landed on Zack.

"You should try evolving that Ralts." Hana said as Bayleef jumped off and Zack stood a bit shakily. As strong as Zack was, he was at a severe disadvantage against an evolved Pokémon. "Finish it! Grass Pledge!" She shouted. Bayleef cried out as she gained a green aura and a column of leaves surrounded Zack, obscuring him from sighed.

"Zack!" Lily shouted. The attack soon ended and Zack was out. "Zack…" She said as she walked over and picked him up.

"HA! I am the better trainer!" She said, expecting Lily to complain or whine. Lily sighed.

"You gave it your all, I guess Bugsy was right, we really do need to train!" She said laughing.

"Wait…WHY ARE YOU LAUGHING!?" She shouted.

"Because I'm glad we finally lost!" She said. Zack and Midnight looked at her. "I kinda felt like my battles were, too easy ya know? I wasn't learning. I was just winning. My brother said losing is the best way to learn." She said. Hana just stared at her.

"Phantoma has a really limited moveset and even more so when it doesn't make use of her high Special Attack. Zack is a pretty weak species of Pokémon until he evolves." She said. Zack huffed and pouted.

"…Okay kid, you're smart. Whatever, still won't get by me now." She said. "But, one thing, I wanna beat Whitney as much as the next person, but before you fight her, take a tour of the shopping mall may have something to help your weak Pokémon." She said. Lily smiled.

"Okay! Thank you Hana!" She said.

"Oh shut up! I'm only doing it because it's better for me to see Whitney crying or something." She said and walked back into the building. Lily sighed.

"I've been waiting for a loss, and I'm sure many more are ahead. But with each one we grow." She said

[You're very philosophical for a thirteen year old human.] Midnight said.

"…I may have needed inspirational quotes for a school project." She said.

[Mama probably doesn't know what half of them mean.] Zack said.

[Dear you would only understand a fourth.] Midnight said laughing.

Lily giggled. "Okay guys, onwards to Goldenrod!" She said and started running and Midnight followed.

Hana sighed as she sat down and rolled her Bayleef's Poke Ball in her hand.

"Fucking Whitney…how can she trounce me just like that…" She said and looked out towards Goldenrod. "Lily will have to overcome that wall to grow. And she better, I don't want a quitting rival."

DWA: Finally done! Sorry this took forever everyone. Took a break followed by simply not having a drive to write. Got it back, battles were uh, shabby, but it's the start of a region can't do much eh? Aaanyways, next time is Goldenrod City, look forward to the center of commerce in Johto!
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