DWA: Hey all! How are ya? Doing well I hope. Last time, we saw Lily attacked by ES, along with a raid on the Game Corner. This was the first real move by ES on both Johto and our protagonist! After that, Lily went on to train, came back, and beat Whitney! She also gained a new travelling companion! Now we see that journey continue.

Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon! I do own my OC's and plot for this series. Robin is owned by RedAgent, and Alexander by KnightofStories

Reviews:

RedAgent14: Lots of action near death stuff if not for Robin. And of course everyone knows! But the real question is, how does Zack differ from other Shadow Pokémon?

"Speech"

'Thought'

[Translated PokeSpeech]

Chapter 9: National Park: Bug Catching!

Lily and Robin were walking down the road of Route 35. Lily was happily listening to Midnight, which had been, confusing Robin.

[So, the big question, am I in the next Gym Battle?] Midnight asked. Zack was walking too, simply reading the emotions of people they passed but staying silent.

"Definitely!" She said smiling. "Midnight the Absol will make her debut!" She said and Midnight grinned.

"Hey Lily?" Robin asked.

"Mm? Yeah Robin?" She asked looking at the older teen. Through their short time it was discovered Robin was 15, from Kalos, and reached Top 8 there.

"Can you understand Pokemon?" He asked.

"Oh no! I have a translator!" She said and moved her hair to show the device.

"Wait they have those!?" He said.

"No they're being tested! My brother has one too! I can see if I can have one made for you!" She said smiling. Robin smiled.

"I would be very grateful Lily." He said. She nodded.

"I'll message the Professor later tonight!" She said. Robin nodded.

"So, Midnight is making her debut huh?" He asked.

"I've battled with her before but, not here." She said. "She's currently the strongest on the team!" She said.

"Well you made a great debut choice, next gym is Ghost Type!" Robin said. Like jumped.

"Awesome!" She said. "It'll be easier!" She said.

[Not just easy?] Zack said.

"Nope! How boring would it be if it was easy? I mean, Goldenrod is a mixed place in my heart." She said, stopping and looking back on the city, it looked so small from where they stood. "My first gym loss, my fourth Pokémon…my second event that seriously hurt me, my first….near death, hopefully the last." She said.

Robin stared at Lily, her voice got more serious when she said she was hurt. "Wait, what happened before?" He asked.

"Oh! I never told you…" She said and held her left arm. Zack shuddered, recalling the odd Pokémon.

"The Unown…attacked?" She said. "I think, they showed me something, thinking of it gives me a headache." She said. "Midnight and Zack couldn't do anything." She said.

"Seems like your adventure is very…eventful." He said chuckling. 'She's gonna have me killed, even if she had nothing to do with it I'm going to die young traveling with her…' He thought. They started walking again and in silence for a good hour before Lily pipped up again.

"So, what else do you know about Johto?" She asked.

"Not much, haven't been here too long." Robin said sighing. "I spent a good amount of time in Ecruteak City so I know that the best."

"Still handy, and it means we'll experience lots of new things together!" She said smiling. Robin smiled and nodded.

"Lily, I have to say, traveling with you will be one hell of an adventure." He said smiling.

"Now why's that?" She asked.

"I mean look at your current adventure. I'd say it's been interesting." He said. "So that means there will be so much more to be had during it." He said. Lily grinned.

"Sounds right! This adventure will be the best ever!" She shouted. Robin laughed at her energy.

"I certainly agree." He said smiling.

-(o)- ES Johto HQ

Alex was staring at a large map of the Johto region, pins were in it, colored silver, gold, blue, yellow, red, and green, for each Legendary Pokémon.

"So, many for the beasts, One for Ho-Oh and Celebi, and two for Lugia." He muttered. His recon teams had been scouring for intel on the temples that could house the weapons. "Celebi's shrine is the easiest guess as to where, that's not the issue." He said. "It's when it is." He said and sighed.

"If the Temple even has a when…I doubt we'd get Celebi's weapon, even if we found it." He said and took out the pin, but then put it back in. "Just in case. As for Ho-oh, it was easily the tower, but, the weapon was gone." He said and took out Ho-oh's pin. "Which means someone either sold it to a pawn shop, or knew what it was…I bet the latter." He said. "I suppose we search for the beast temple first." He said. "Lugia…is of no consequence. The weapon won't work with Shadow Lugia by my side." He said chuckling.

He looked out the window. "This region will belong to ES, no matter how long it takes." He walked to his desk and tapped a button. "Send teams to the specified locations for Entei. We'll be thorough, one at a time." He said and sat down and let go of the button. "Time to really get to work."

-(o)- Route 35, 2:50pm

Lily stretched as Robin finished packing. They were at the final stretch of the route, nearing the National Park, and just finished a late lunch. Lily had finished quickly and gotten training in, not much but some.

"So, one last bit of walking, and we're at the park." Lily said.

"Yes but we have more to go from there." Robin said as he hoisted his bag to his back.

"Ma'am, if I may interrupt?" Ordis asked and Lily smiled.

"Go ahead Ordis." She said and Ordis' hologram appeared.

"It seems the National Park is holding its bug Catching contest at 4 pm. Prizes for first place include a Dawn Stone, necessary for evolving Zack into a Gallade." Ordis said

"Woah really!?" She said.

"Indeed, there are many factors on deciding the winner! However what may interest you besides the Dawn Stone, is the fact all contestants keep the Pokémon the capture!" Ordis said.

"I'm so entering!" She said.

"The catch is you may only capture one Bug type Pokémon, so choose wisely Lily." Ordis said. Lily nodded.

"I will!" She said.

"I hear Pokémon like Scyther and Pinsir are normally winners, but not always. Furthermore they're pretty rare." Robin said as Ordis' hologram vanished.

"No sense in waiting!" Lily said as Midnight readied to run and Zack teleported on her back. "Let's go!" She said and took off, her Pokémon following.

"Lily you are too energetic for this lazy region." He said and ran after her.

It didn't take them long to reach the park checkpoint. A large two story building just like most checkpoints. Lily ran in and sighed as she stopped running and walked over to the counter to sign up as Robin walked in panting.

"Hi, do I sign up for the bug catching contest here?" Lily asked. The man nodded.

"That's right, simply enter your name and we'll hand you 30 sports balls." He said

"Sport Balls?" She asked.

"Just regular Poke Balls with a reskin, only used right here." He said smiling. Lily nodded and wrote her name down and accepted the balls.

"Why thirty?" She asked.

"Bugs are crafty." He said chuckling

"Yo Lily that you!?" a voice said. She looked over to see none other than Alexander as Robin sat down to rest.

"Alex!" She said as he walked over.

"How have you been? Woooaaah, what happened to give you that nasty scar?" he asked.

"O-oh this…just a training accident. A stray attack." She said nervously.

"Ouch, sorry to hear, but hey, you signed up! I'm hoping to catch a tough one! Like Pinsir!" He said.

"That would be cool! I…don't know what I want, I guess whatever interests me when I find it." She said.

"I know you'll grab something cool Lily!" He said smiling. "Just seems like the kinda gal you are!"

"You know it!" She said.

"I see you have a friend." Robin said as he walked over.

"Yeah! I'm her rival!" Alexander said.

"Glad to see Lily has other friends." Robin said smiling.

"Yep, we're gonna go to the finals in the Silver Conference!" He said.

"First, we gotta get there, and before that, this contest!" She said.

"Trainers, the contest will begind soon, please come outside for the rules!" The man said.

"See ya Robin, root for me!" She said and ran out with Alexander. Robin nodded and walked upstairs to the viewing and lounge area.

Alex and Lily ran out into a somewhat large crowd of trainers as someone walked on stage.

"Welcome everyone to the Bug Catching Competition! I'm sure you all know the prizes, but may be curious on the rules. So, you may only capture one Bug type Pokémon, but some are very strong, as such we have given you thirty Sport Balls. There is a time limit of two hours, and, you may only use One Pokémon to assist you." He said. "Furthermore, do not interfere in battles or captures, other than that, be fair and courteous to other contestants!" He said. Lily returned Zack.

"Midnight, you got me?" She said.

[I have your back Lily.] She said. Many trainers sent out their Pokémon in preparation and Lily hopped on Midnight.

"On that note, ready, set, GO!" He shouted and the trainers took off, but Lily, riding Midnight, had a clear head start.

"Later everyone!" She shouted laughing.

"Damn that girl!" Alexander said as he ran beside his Heracross.

Lily was looking for a good Bug Type, one she wanted. Beedrill, Butterfree and their pre-evolutions. She even saw a Heracross, but she wanted something she knew her Rivals didn't have.

[Lily, what are we looking for?] Midnight asked jumping over a stream.

"I'll know when I see it!" She said. The time limit was mainly because many trainers could spend the time hunting a Pokemon, or fighting one. But they had been searching for a while.

[Find it fast.] She said. Lily kept looking around as Midnight decided to run up a higher area. She ran ontop of a hill and Lily looked around.

"Hmmmm…" She said. "Over that way!" She said and Midnight nodded and dashed back into the forest. A few minutes later and Midnight suddenly stopped as a Pokémon passed by, its blades barely missing Lily, she recoiled and fell off.

[Lily!] Midnight said.

"I'm fine, this is the one!" She said looking up and seeing a Scyther, it looked battle tested. "Midnight! Psycho Cut!" She shouted and Midnights scythe glowed pink and she swung it, the blade of every flying at Scyther. One of Scyther's blades glowed black, the other orange. Scyther swung the black one and destroyed the Psycho Cut and the orange one sent a wave of energy at Midnight and hit her, pushing her back.

[So, you're tough hmm?] She said.

[I am, and you certainly seem worthy, whatever you are.] He said. His claws glowed red and he shot at Midnight.

"Sucker Punch!" Lily shouted and Midnight's paw glowed dark purple and shot at Scyther and slammed it into him, but was also slashed by Scyther, but didn't seem worse for wear as she landed, as did Scyther.

"Now Midnight, Night Slash!" She said and Midnight's scythe glowed black and she shot at Scyther and slashed him, and was met by a blade glowing red, it hurt more.

[Fury Cutter…] She said as she jumped back. Lily grabbed a Sport Ball and enlarged it and tossed it to see the Scyther's strength. He was hit and sucked in, but quickly broke free.

"Not yet…Psycho Cut!" She said and Midnight sent blades of Psychic energy at Scyther and he blocked the attacks, still taking damage. "Swords Dance!" She shouted and swords of energy circled around Midnight. Scyther growled and his blades turned a dark pink and shot at Midnight.

"Let's finish this! Giga Impact!" She shouted with a grin. Midnight roared as she was engulfed in light purple power and shot at Scyther. Scyther stopped in mid-charge and was hit hard by Midnight and was sent flying into a tree. Midnight stopped and panted as Scyther struggled to stand. Lily tossed another Sport Ball and sucked up the Scyther as it landed and started shaking. It soon stopped and pinged, sparks popping out from the button. Lily grinned.

"We caught 'im!" She said laughing and picking the ball up. "Perfect!" She said and started running back alongside Midnight.

-(o)-

Lily stood in the crowd next to the Scyther she had captured, who seemed confused.

[Why exactly are we like this?] He asked.

"It's a competition. Don't worry, didn't nab ya just for this." She said giggling.

[Fine fine, long as I get to fight.] He said. She looked down the line and saw that Alex had captured a Pineco, most others had things like Kakuna's and Butterfree's. After a bit the judge walked to the stage.

"I will now announce the winners, from third to first!" He said. "Third is, Kaito and his Beedrill! Second is, Alexander and his Pineco, and finally! First place goes to…Lily and her Scyther!" He said and the crowd finally cheered and clapped for the winners. The man gave out the prizes to the others.

"Congratulations, is there any stone you would like?" He asked.

"Yeah! A Dawn Stone!" She said. The man opened a box and picked out a Dawn Stone and handed it to her, and she put it away.

"Hey Scyther, we'll talk later okay?" She said. He nodded and was returned to his Sport Ball and she put the ball in her glove. Alex walked over.

"Congrats on winning Lily, hey you want the Everstone he gave me? I don't need it." He said.

"Sure Alex, if you ever need it gimmie a call and I'll send it over." She said. He nodded and handed it to her, and she put it in her bag.

"We'll battle next time we meet! See ya!" He said and ran off. Robin walked up with a smile.

"Congratulations Lily!" He said smiling.

"Thanks Robin! I don't wanna stick around, let's keep going to the next city!" She said as she sent out Midnight and Zack, the latter stretching.

"Never a moments rest, alright, let's get going." He said. From there the two took their leave of the stage.

DWA: Heeey guys sorry about bein a bit late. I had to deal with Microsoft Support and such the last few days. Also my subscription to my version of Microsoft Office seems to have uh, expired? I dunno I wasn't subscribed so I'm not sure as I can still use Word. Anyways, sorry if the ending is a bit rushed, I'm getting tired earlier now and really wanted to get this one out! Anyways, that's all, please remember! Favorite, Follow, and Review!