Celedon City Part 1: Crystal Bloom
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Shan yawned as she waited for Joy to finish checking on her pokemon. Charmeleon was sitting on the floor near her feet rubbing her back on the chair. Shan looked at her oddly. "What's with her?" Quin asked. Shan shrugged as she reached down and rubbed Charmeleons back.
p "I don't know but it can't be fleas I mean she doesn't have any fur." Shan said. When joy came out Shan took her pokeballs and then looked at Charmeleon. Joy noticed that Charmeleon was now rubbing her back on the edge of a potted plant.
p "Oh no stop that." Joy said walking over to her.
p "I've tried to get her to stop but she just can't seem to stop itching." Joy picked Charmeleon up who was to bothered by her own problem to growl. Joy hoisted her up onto the counter and took a look at her back. Joy smiled and looked at Shan.
p "What?" Shan asked nervously. "Is she sick?"
p "No," Joy said and then smiled wider. "Come hear and look at her back. Do you see those two large Bumps?" Shan looked and then trued blue.
p "Oh no she's injured." Shan said almost shouting.
p "Hu wha." Mark said bolting awake. Alex who was leaning against the wall opened his eye and then closed it again.
p "No no she's fine. These bumps are her future wings."
p "Wings?" Quin asked. "But I thought that Charmeleons couldn't fly."
p "Your right but Charizards do. She still has a long way but these bumps are the start of a long evolutionary process. They won't get any bigger but they will bother her."
p "You mean she's going to evolve again?" Joy nodded.
p "Yes but not for a while. She's still to young to young." Charmeleon let out a growl and tried to scratch her back again. Shan rubed her back and looked at Joy.
p "Is there anything you can giver her to help her with this itching. She looks like she is in pain." Joy shook her head.
p "No but if you go to the gym you can get some special Herb's that will help her deal with the scratching. Oh and you might want to cover those bumps so that she can't scratch them if they get damaged with in the next few days her wings might not ever grow properly."
p "Well I guess I'll go there then." Shan said. She watched as Joy raped a badge around Charmeleon so that she could not scratch. Shan smiled and tossed a pokeball in the air.
p "Hey we'll go to." Mark said. Shan shook her head.
p "Your pokemon are still in the care unit. Just chill out hear I'm not going to battle. I'm just taking scar along." Shan released the Growlith who looked up at her with a intense look. Mark stared at him and then looked at Shan.
p "Who'd you send back?"
p "Oh I sent Rattata back for a while. He'll be ok," Shan said petting Charmeleon. "Jinksis may be a jerk but he knows how to take care of pokemon." Shan grabbed her bag and turned to leave.
p "Charmeleon." Charmeleon barked angrily wanting to go.
p "No girl you stay hear. Hey guys do me a favor and keep her from scratching ok." Shan turned to leave. Mark looked at Charmeleon who growled at him.
p "How are we suppose to do that?" He asked.
p Out side Shan ran towards the gym with Scar running besides her. He seemed a bit surprised at her. "(Your fast for a human.)" Shan looked at him almost forgetting that he was psychic. They stopped infront of the gym Shan laughed to herself and opened the door. "(What is so funny?)" Scar asked walking past her.
p "Nothing I was just thinking that your pretty neat for a Growlith with an attitude."
p "(Pay attention to your own self master and leave me be.)" Shan stopped and looked down at him. She reached out and petted his head and smiled.
p "Lighten up ok. You don't have to call me master call me Shan." Scar seemed to smile as she pet him but then back away as if angry.
p "(I'll call you what the others call you. That cub cause you master so does all the others.)" Shan sighed and stood back up.
p "They all call me master?" Shan asked. "I didn't know that. Can you tell them not to call me that." Scar looked at Shan with puzzled eyes.
p "(Why? Are you planing on getting rid of us?)"
p "Of course not I love all of you. I just want you to be my friends. If you call me master then it wouldn't be right. I just feel that it would be better if you didn't." Scar sighed and walked ahead.
p "(Unfortunately we can not do that. We are bound by our own law.)" Shan walked alongside of him curious.
p "What law is that?" Shan asked. Scar looked up at her.
p "(I can't tell a human. Not even one as kind as you.)" Shan smiled at him and crossed her arms behind her.
p "So does that mean you trust me now?" Shan asked. A few people passed her by and gave her an odd look. Shan ignored them but Scar seemed embarrassed.
p "(No I don't I don't trust humans. Now stop talking to me your making yourself look crazy master.)"
p "I don't care what people think I always talk to my friends and your a friend even if you don't trust me yet. Scar I know I'll win you over." Scar ignored her as they walked on. The soon came to the gym which looked like a large blooming flower. Shan looked up at it.
p "It's beautiful." Shan said walking up to the door. "And it smells great hear. I wonder what the inside looks like." Scar sat down and let out a bark.
p "(We won't know unless we go in. I don't have thumbs you know open the door.)" Shan looked at him.
p "Touchy," She said opening the door. Inside the overwhelming aroma of perfume filled the air. Scar sneezed as he sniffed the air causing Shan to laugh a bit. "Bless you." Scar scratched his nose and looked up at her.
p "(This is driving me crazy. Put me back in that ball I can't stand this.)" Shan recalled him.
p "Hello." Said a sad looking clerk. "How may I help you today. If you are hear about the perfume pleas inquire around the back. If your hear to battle I am sorry but there will be no matches." Shan almost fell over. She hadn't come for a match but it was still something that caused her concern since she planed on battling the next day.
p "I'm not hear to battle I'm hear to buy some lotion for my Charmeleon." The reshiptuinist tried to smile at Shan. "Is something wrong?" Shan asked.
p "Oh no," she said. "Actually yes. Our gym leader is in a terrible bind. I hate to see her like this she is normally so happy and sweet."
p "I'm sorry to hear that. I hope things work out for you guys. How much is the lotion?"
p "I'm sorry but only Miss Erika knows how to make it and she is so distraught she has refused to make any." Shan sighed.
p "But I need this lotion my poor Charmeleon is going nuts. Can't you convince her?"
p "I am afraid not. Once she makes up her mind that's it there is no convincing her. I am sorry." Shan sighed and looked around the gym. She noticed a picture of a group of women wearing brightly collared kimonos.
p "Hey are all the trainers hear women?" Shan asked.
p "Yes," she said picking up the picture. "This is a finishing school as well as a perfume factory and gym. Miss Erika wanted to make some place where everyone felt welcomed it just turns out that this gym has all female trainers. Hear we learn the proper eticke for battles." Shan sighed and leaned on the counter.
p "Now what am I going to do?" Shan asked aloud. "Well I guess there's only one thing to do." Shan said looking at the clerk. "I challenge Erika to a Battle." Shan said.
p "I told you that she isn't battling." The woman said.
p "It doesn't mater. She has to take my challenge its a rule. I hate to challenge someone like this but I need that lotion so my Charmeleon will get some relief." The girl shook her head.
p "I am sorry but I won't let this challenge go threw Miss Erika has enough to worry about with out you demanding a challenge." Shan crossed her arms infront of her.
p "I'm not going anywhere until I get what I cam for."
p "Tina what is the commotion about?" Asked a woman walking up to them. She had purple hair which she wore up in a tight bun on her head. Shan was awe struck by the kimono that she wore.
p "I'm sorry miss Erika but this girl wants a challenge." Shan sighed.
p "Actually I want some anti itch lotion." Erika seemed to force a smile at Shan.
p "I'm sorry but I'm a bit too busy to make any right now. I hope you understand I can't even battle because of my work." Shan sighed and leaned on the counter.
p "Well I'm sorry to but I refuse to leave with out that lotion. I have a pokemon who's going nuts." Tina frowned and slammed her palms on the counter.
p "We have already told you that we do not have any and no time to make it. Now pleas leave your bothering Miss Erika." Shan closed her eyes and smiled.
p "Sorry about that but no. I am not going." Erika smiled at Shan and then looked at Tina.
p "It's ok Tina pleas go on with your work." Erika turned and began to walk away. Shan frowned and stood up. Erika looked over her shoulder. "Pleas come with me miss."
p "My names Shan." Shan said with a smile. Shan flowed Erika to a room which was filled with what seemed to be hundreds of tropical plants. Shan looked up at the tall trees that were also growing. She turned around slowly admiring them and still walking. Shan suddenly tripped over falling backwards. She groaned, embraced at how clumsy she had been. It wasn't until she saw what she tripped over when she really felt bad.
p "GLOOM." Shouted an angry Gloom Shan quickly covered her nose as it sent out it's horrible aroma. Shan stumbled to get up. Erika giggled a bit and walked up to the gloom.
p "It's ok go on and play." Shan sighed and uncovered her nose.
p "Sorry about that." She said with a laugh. "It's just that. . ." Shan looked down to see a small Oddish rubbing on her leg. Shan frowned and gently nudged it away. "I was admiring. . ." She looked down to see that she was surrounded by small grass pokemeon. Shan felt terrible and tried to hide her dislike of grass pokemon from Erika. "My aren't they . . Friendly." Shan said forcing a smile.
p "It's to bad you don't feel the same way about them." Erika said with a sigh.
p "There ok," Shan said. "It's just I've not been to lucky with grass type pokemon." Shan said while nudging the pokemon away they seemed to laugh and only ran back up to her.
p "Oh well shall we go on." They turned to leave. Shan suddenly tripped again over a Bulbasaur who laughed happily and jumped onto her back.
p "Bulba ba." It said rubbing on the back of Shan's head. Shan rested her head on her hand and sighed.
p "Oh brother." She stood up and ran after Erika. They soon came to what apeared to be a lab. Shan sat down on a bench while Erika set down some plants infront of her. Shan looked at them and then at Erika. Shan counted to watch as Erika began to put the plants into a boll and add oils to it.
p "Do you make it yourself all the time?" Shan asked. Erika nodded.
p "Yes," She said grinding up some Herb's. "It makes me feel good to make it. You can buy lotions at the department store but mine are all natural and it seems to work better."
p "I think it's neat that you make it hear. I heard that you also make perfume to. It must me tuff to do all of this." Erika set the boll down and looked at her.
p "Yes but my students help me."
p "You have students to? Wow you really do allot don't you?" Shan said and looked at Erika who was looking down at the boll with tears in her eyes. "Are you ok Miss Erika?" Erika turned and wiped her eyes with her sleeve.
p "Yes, I am."
p "Normally someone doesn't cry unless there sad." Erika smiled slightly.
p "No use hiding my feelings around a psychic." She said. Shan looked at her and almost fell out of her chair.
p "Ugh what makes you say that." Shan said laughing nervously.
p "I see. You don't want any one to know. I knew the instant we walked threw the garden. Normally those pokemon are skittish and hide from everyone. Everyone except for kind hearted people."
p "But that doesn't explain how you knew. . . I mean uh." Shan said. Stutering.
p "I know because the plants told me." Erika said smiling. Shan gave her an odd look and stood up.
p "Oook," Shan said smiling.
p "I see you don't believe me. If you come with me I'll show you what I mean. It will take an hour for the Herb's to mix completely." Shan followed Erika past the heard of plant pokemeon and into another garden. This one was smaller and seemed to be devoid of any pokemon.
p "What's that?" Shan asked. Looking at a small platform. Erika walked over to it and lifted the blanket off of it. Shan gasped as she saw a crystal in the shape of a flower resting on it. Erika sat down on one of the pillows that sat infront of the plat form and motioned for Shan to do the same. Shan did a bit reluctantly.
p "This is a place where my students and I come to meditate. Hear we try to communicate with nature. The Crystal Bud serves as a focal point. I star at it to start my meditation." Shan stood up and sighed.
p "I don't meditate." She said. Erika sighed and looked at the Crystal flower.
p "Your filled with so many emotions. You unsure, confused, and angry." Shan looked at he. How did Erika know?
p "I. . .don't know what your talking about." Shan said stepping back.
p "You do. But your scared to admit it." Shan sat back down.
p "I don't know what your talking about can I get my lotion and go pleas." Shan said. Erika looked at her.
p "You should try to meditate hear," Erika said. "I'll go and get your lotion for you. Pleas wait hear." Shan watched her leave. Shan turned to look at the crystal flower. It was simple but beautiful. Shan shrugged and closed her eyes.
p "I have no idea how do meditate." Shan said opening her eyes. "What in the world is with her anyway?" Shan asked. She found herself staring at the crystal. After awhile it seemed to be the only thing in the room. Shan closed her eyes and then opened them. She gasped as she released she was no longer in the room.
p "Where am I?" Shan said in a scared voice.
p "You already know that." A voice said. Shan turned to see a cloaked figure behind her.
p "Who are you?" Shan asked turning. The figure stood unmoving staring at Shan. Shan looked at it and stepped back.
p "No I. . ."
p "It is no use lying to yourself or me. Face it you don't want to remember what you lost." Shan turned as she heard something running threw the bushes. Shan suddenly felt terrified and turned back to the figure.
p "I don't know what your talking about. I just want to be normal!" Shan shouted. The figure turned and began to walk away.
p "Normal is boring," it said and disappeared. Shan suddenly jerked awake as found herself in the garden. She stood up and wiped the sweat off of her forehead.
p "What just happened?" Shan asked aloud staring at the Crystal bud. She jumped as Erika walked back in.
p "Hear is your lotion." She said handing it to Shan. "I am sorry about earlier I've been extremely busy lately." Shan looked at her and forced a smile.
p "I . .it's ok. I have to go how much do I owe you?" Erika smiled and closed her eyes.
p "Not a cent. I enjoyed meeting such a caring person. Lately the trainers that have been challenging me have been horrible to their pokemon. When I heard you demand to see me I was happy."
p "You were?" Shan asked stopping from walking away. She looked down at her feet still thinking about what she had seen.
p "Yes. You see it's always good to see someone who cares. I've been trying to save this gym from being taken over by another master. The league thinks that I am to soft when it comes to the second challenge." Shan turned and looked at Erika.
p "I'm sorry to hear that. Your the first gym leader I've met that hasn't been stuck up or a creep." Erika turned to look at the crystal bud.
p "It's funny," Erika said.
p "What is?" Shan asked. Erika was mysterious but interesting.
p "Many people who experience the crystal leave with smiles on their faces. But you look terrified." Shan bit her lower lip.
p "Hate to break it to you but I . ."
p "It's ok you don't have to hide it." Erika said. "It must have been scary for you to confront what you are afraid of."
p "I really have to go." Shan said and left Quickly. She wanted to get away from that garden where her dream had came across so clearly.
p "Come back anytime." Erika shouted to her as she ran off.
p Back at the pokemon center Shan found Charmeleon growling at Mark who was stuck in the corner. "Help," Mark said in a small voice. Shan sighed as Charmeleon ran up to her.
p "Char," She said. Shan knelt down to her and put the lotion on her back.
p "Ok I'm not even going to ask." Shan said looking at Mark. "On second thought I am what in the world did you do to make her mad?" Shan asked smiling.
p "Hey show some gratitude." Mark said crossing his arms. "It was the only way to keep her from scratching. You where goon a long time so I did the only brave thing I could." Alex laughed and walked up to them.
p "He grabbed her tale." Mark stuck out his chest.
p "Yes and I bravely dodged her claws to help you."
p "Was that what you were doing?" Quin asked. "It looked more like scurrying to get away." Mark turned red and shot a glance at Quin.
p "No uh that was just skillful dodging." Shan pet Charmeleon and recalled her so she could rest. She then looked out the window. It was starting to get dark.
p "So what did you do when you were over there?" Mark asked.
p "Nothing." Shan said walked away.
p "What's wrong with her?" Quin asked.
p "Who knows you know how she gets?" Mark whispered. "Lets just leave her alone for a while." Mark yawned and went over to where he had layed out his sleeping bag. "I'm going to sleep."
p Later that night Shan decided to go back to the gym. She wasn't sure if she should but she wanted to know what the dream was truly about. Shan sunk out and ran to the gym. She looked up at it and sighed.
p "Why am I hear?" Shan said. "This is stupid." Shan turned to leave.
p "I knew you would come back." Erika said walking up to her. Shan looked around.
p "How did you. . ." Shan started to ask. "Never mind."
p "Are you coming inside?" Erika asked. Shan shook her head.
p "No, I was just going for a walk and. . ."
p "Pleas come in for some tea." Erika said with a smile. Shan flowed her in. It seemed useless to head back now she wanted to know more about herself. Shan flowed Erika to yet another small garden. This one seemed to be for entertaining guests. Shan sat down as Erika pored her some tea. Shan looked at the tea cups. Each had a different pattern and nothing seemed to match.
p "Do you like sugar and milk with your tea?" Erika asked. Shan shook her head.
p "No thank you." Shan said. "I actually came to ask you about something else." Erika sipped her tea and smiled.
p "Yes I know you want to know more about the crystal bud."
p "Yes," Shan said. "How dose it. . .I mean what in the world happened?"
p "What do you think happened. The crystal bud is just a focus point."
p "A focus point?" Shan asked. "What do you mean?"
p "You wanted to know something and so you stared at the crystal bud as I suggested. When you focus on something sometimes you can see what it is you want to. But then again sometimes you see things you are not ready to know or are afraid to." Shan looked down.
p "I guess it worked." Shan said. "I saw something I usually see in my dreams. Will it do it again if I try again?" Erika shrugged.
p "Maybe, it's up to you. People who try seldom see the same thing twice. I can tell that your not going to see what you saw again."
p "Why not?" Shan asked.
p "Because you don't want to. Some part of you has to want an answer in order for it to work."
p "What will I see then?" Erika closed her eyes and set her tea cup down.
p "I don't know. I know that you want to know something about yourself." Erika said.
p "Tell me about it." Shan said with a sigh. "I've been wanting to find out more since I was just a kid. Recently I found out I had an aunt."
p "Oh?" Erika said knowingly.
p "But I'm not sure what to think of her. I mean why is it that she never came for me?" Shan closed her eyes and clenched her fists. "It's not fare. I just want to know more but every time I think I'm close to finding an answer I get more questions." Erika looked at Shan.
p "Answers are never easy when you really want to find them." Erika said. "Tell me something when you started your trainers journey what were trying to do?"
p "What?" Shan asked. "I wanted to be a master. Isn't that what everyone is trying to do when they train?"
p "Sometimes." Shan thought for a moment.
p "To tell you the truth I wanted to be a master of Fire pokemon but I also want to know more about my mother and Father. My aunt didn't tell me to much." Shan said with a sigh. Sabria had showed her a few images of them but images weren't what Shan wanted. She wanted to know them.
p "Sometimes trainers find that they want something different. They actually find out what they want to do or be when they go on a journey. I knew a young man who started out wanting to be a master. Unfortunately for him he became preoccupied by learning about pokemon. He only caught a few."
p "Really? What did he decide to do?" Shan asked and took a sip of the tea.
p "He became a Scientist. Maybe you've heard of him. Ash Ketchum?" Shan looked at Erika.
p "Are you kidding me?" Shan said with a laugh. "Everyone knows him. He one the League tournament when he was twenty. The youngest trainer ever. "
p "Oh so you do know him?" Erika said standing. "When I first met him he was just a noisy boy. He even insulted me and my perfume products. But he eventually grew up."
p "I wonder what I'll be when I'm done. You know it would be great to own my own gym." Shan looked over at Erika who was standing near some flowers. She knelt down and cupped one in her palm.
p "When a flower is ready to bloom it just does." Erika said.
p "I'm not sure I understand." Shan said looking at her cup. "I never understand." She stood up fighting her anger. "Why is it that when I want something it's always so far away. When I was little. . ." Shan closed her eyes.
p "Yes?" Shan shook her head.
p "Never mind I should probably get going." Erika nodded.
p "Yes it is getting a bit late. I hope that I have everything worked out by the time you come to battle me. You look like a formidable opponent." Shan laughed.
p "You don't know the half of it." Shan said. "I love to battle."
p "Most trainers do." Shan smiled.
p "I guess. But with me it's different it's like there's no one around me. It's just me and my pokemon facing off against someone else. That persons pokemon becomes my target." Shan sighed.
p "Go on." She said.
p "The only bad thing is that when I battle I'm pretty much ruthless. I don't know why but it just happens like that." Shan put her hand on her head.
p "Now I really have to go. I'm talking way to much." Erika laughed and nodded.
p "Me to. Well then I will see you to the door." Erika led Shan back to the entrance. Shan frowned when she saw Marks face pressed up against the glass.
p "Oh great." Shan said under her breath. Erika looked at Mark and took on an odd look.
p "Oh my not another peeping tom," She said with a sigh. "I'll have to call the police again." Shan thought about letting her but stopped her.
p "No he's not. He's a friend of mine," Shan said and sighed. "Even if he acts like a joker sometimes." Shan walked over and opened the door and Mark fell forward. He jumped up.
p "Wha. . what's going on?" He asked. Shan put a hand on her hip and looked at him.
p "What did you do fall asleep?" Mark blushed. "Oh come on." Shan said throwing her hands up. "What were you doing out there Mark?" Shan asked angrily. "I hope you weren't following me."
p "No of course not I . . I was."
p "I knew it he's a peeping tom isn't he." Mark looked at Erika and turned a bright red.
p "NO NO No. .. I was out for a walk and I was . . .Ok I was following you." He said.
p "How dare you do that." Shan said angrily.
p "Well I thought you were going to challenge Erika."
p "If I was it's none of your business Mark. I didn't come hear to challenge her I came hear to talk." Mark looked at her.
p "Well then what did you come to talk about?" He asked Shan clenched her fist at her side.
p "Mark," She said calmly. "If I were you right now I would not be prying in on me."
p "Come on Shan you came to battle right."
p "Arah," Shan said and left. Erika looked at Mark with an raised eyebrow.
p "Are you sure your her friend?" She asked. Mark let out a nervous laugh and ran after Shan.
p Shan was walking down the sidewalk towards the pokemon center quickly. Mark had made her angry. After all the time they had been traveling he still didn't trust her. "Shan wait pleas." Shan stopped and glared at Mark. The streetlights accented her angry face.
p "Why should I wait?" Shan asked. "Your impossible Mark." Shan said. "Even when I try to go somewhere you follow me. You must not trust me." Shan said.
p "It's not that." Mark said. "Actually that's it." He said. "I know I should trust you and the others but I can't for some reason."
p "Hm," Shan said. "You can't trust and I can't remember my past. Those are two big problems aren't they?" Shan asked.
p "One's not as bad as the other." Mark said. Shan shook her head.
p "Yours is worse. Trust is important. With out it a trainer is doomed to fail." Mark took on an angrily look but then it faded.
p "I know," he said. "I'm sorry I followed you Shan and for everything. I promise to trust you from now on."
p "Thanks but you can't promise that." Mark sighed.
p "I know." They both turned to leave. After five minuets Shan stopped and turned.
p "What is it?" Mark asked. Shan raised her hand.
p "I thought I heard something," She took a few steps in the opposite direction. The only thing on the street were a few cars and trash cans. Shan sighed. "I getting to be as paranoid as you."
p "Hey I'm just careful." Mark said. Shan laughed a bit.
p "Well theirs careful and then theirs you Mark."
p "Hey don't pick on me ok," He said laughing. "I know I'm a bit. ."
p "Loud, eccentric, pushy?" Shan said Mark shook his head.
p "No. . I was going to say careful. At least I don't go rushing head first into things like someone I know." Shan wasn't paying attention she was walking toward an ally way. Mark ran after her.
p "What are you doing?" He asked. Shan looked over her shoulder.
p "Oh just looking. I think I heard something coming from over hear. It might be a pokemon."
p "In the city?" Mark asked. "I doubt it."
p "Well I found Kitsune in Vermilion city you know." Shan took out a pokeball and threw it down.
p "Go Charmeleon." She said. Charmeleon jumped forward. Her tale lit up the ally way with an eerie glow. Shan took a look and then sighed.
p "Maybe I was wrong." Shan said looking at Mark.
p "Excuse me?" A female voice asked. Shan and Mark turned to see a standing behind them holding a doll.
p "My little Anna is lost. And I was wondering if you two have seen her." Shan shook her head.
p "No, I'm sorry to hear that Mam." Shan said. Mark looked at Shan and then stepped forward.
p "We'll keep an eye out and. . ." Shan jumped forward.
p "We'll do better than that we'll help you find her. I can't stand the fact that a kid is lost in a city." Shan said. Mark sighed.
p "This is going to end badly." Mark said. Shan shot him a look.
p "Mark!" She said almost shouting. "How can you say that poor kid must be scared."
p "Oh pleas help me find her." The woman cried. Mark sighed and then nodded his head.
p "Sure Mam." Shan smiled.
p "See Mark you really are a softy at heart." She looked at the woman. "Ok where was the last place you saw her?"
p "It was down this street this morning. I thought that if I came back down hear I could find her," The woman put her hands on her face and cried. "BUT SHE'S NOT HEAR." Shan took on a sad look.
p "Don't worry," She took out two pokeballs. "I think I know how we can find her. Go Eevee and Go Scar." Shan watched as the small Eevee and muscular Growilth jumped from the ball." The woman looked at them and smiled.
p "Oh what beautiful pokemeon." Shan looked at Mark. It was odd that the woman could shift emotions so easily.
p "Uh Thanks. Eevee, Scar. Sniff this doll and then try to find the sent of the little girl." Eevee sniffed the doll and then began to sniff the ground. Scar sat down and stared at Shan.
p "(You expect me to help a human?)" He asked. Shan frowned. p "It's for a little girl." Shan said.
p "(A human cub?)" Scar asked. "(Then I will help. Don't think that this is going to be a normal habit for me though.)" Shan sighed as Scar started to sniff around.
p "I wouldn't dream of it."
p "Who are you talking to?" Mark asked as they flowed the two pokemon.
p "Scar." Shan said. The two pokemon stopped at the same alleyway that Shan and Mark had passed by earlier. Shan could see the gym well from the vantage point. She turned to the woman.
p "Maybe someone at the gym can help us?" Shan asked. "Miss Erika might be able to led us a hand by calling the police." The woman rushed forward.
p "Oh that's not necessary." Mark and Shan looked at her. The woman walked down the alleyway.
p "What is with her?" Mark asked. Shan shrugged.
p "I don't know but I'm not going down that ally." Shan said crossing her arms. "I know you go and get Erika to call the police. That way we can help her find her kid. I'll hang out hear." The woman walked up to them.
p "Where are you going?" Mark turned to look at the woman.
p "I'm going to the gym to get some help. Don't worry I'll be back soon." Mark ran off. Shan smiled at the woman.
p "We should wait hear until help comes." The woman broke down into tears.
p "But what if she's down this ally hurt and crying for help." The woman grabbed Shan's hand and looked at her. "Pleas my Little Anna is all I have. Pleas help me." Shan knew she should wait but her good nature took over.
p "Ok," Shan said. Shan followed the woman into the ally. She was grateful for the street lights and disliked them. They made the ally look like something out of a horror novel. She shuttered a bit and walked on.
p "Hey kid," Shan said. "Anna?" Shan stopped and turned to look at the woman.
p "Anna? Come out Darling Mama needs you." Shan jumped back as a creature jumped from behind the woman.
p "Lady watch out." Shan grabbed her pokedex. "FERALIGATR: A WATER TYPE ALIGATOR POKEMON THIS POKEMON USES IT'S LARGE MOUTH TO CRUSH IT'S PREY." Shan stared at the pokemon. "I've never see that one before. Ok then gator I'm going to catch you. Lady you go for help." Shan reached for a pokeball but was stopped when something slapped her hand hard. Shan looked at the woman who was holding a whip.
p "This was so easy." She said and took off her hair. Shan glared at the woman.
p "Naru!"
p "The one and only. You know I can't believe how much of a sap you are Shan. Shan went for another pokeball. Naru cracked the whip hitting her hand again. "No no little girl." She said. "Take off that belt and kick it to the side." Shan stood her ground refusing to drop her pokemon to the side. Shan shook her head.
p "No I'm not going to let you get them." Shan slid her foot forward. "Lets do this." Shan said with a smile. Naru walked forward and glared at her.
p "You little twerp. How dare you talk to me like that." She said and unraveled the whip at her side. "I'm not interested in those pokemon I'm hear to get my revenge on you."
p "Like to see you try." Shan said and balled her hands into fists. Naru snapped her fingers. The Crocodile like pokemon opened it's mouth and a huge blast of water hit Shan causing her to fly back into the a wall. Shan groaned as she looked up at Naru.
p "You had this coming since the first day we met. Ever since you broke my leg. I'm never going to forgive you for that." Shan stood up leaning against the wall. She looked at Naru with anger burning in her eyes.
p "Your the one who attacked me. I just acted and I don't want your forgiveness." Naru's face twisted into an even more angry expression. Under the streetlights she looked almost demonic. Shan swallowed a bit. Shan looked up as she heard footsteps running down the ally. Naru smiled.
p "Your lucky this time. I'm not Tachi you know I won't hesitate to destroy you. I don't think your that important. After all your just a little freak. The way I see it," Naru smiled and rested her gloved hand on her hip. "If we let you go you'll only end up destroying yourself and any one around you." Naru threw down a smoke bomb and disappeared with her pokemon. Shan gritted her teeth and winced at the pain in her back.
p "Who would have thought a water attack was so strong." She said to herself. Shan looked up as Mark ran up to her.
p "Hey your wet?" He said stating the obvious. Shan looked at him.
p "Ya think?" she said sarcastically.
p "What happened I couldn't get in the gym so I came back hear." Shan sighed and walked past him wanting to get out of the ally.
p "It was a trap. Naru was disguise like that lady. She's a good actress." Shan said.
p "Shan are you ok." Mark asked as they walked down the street. Shan looked forward not saying a word. Naru's words had hit her harder than the powerful water blast.
p "I'm ok," Shan said. "I just want to get back to the center for now. There could be other rockets around."
p "Shan?" Mark said rubbing his head. "I found something the a while ago I thought you might want back."
p "What is it?" Shan asked. Mark something out of his jacket and held it in his palm. Shan stopped short when she saw the badge that Surge had gave her.
p "I know you don't want it because of the fight between the two of you but you need it to get into the league." Shan looked at it and then at mark. "Look it's not like I meant to find it. . .uh. . .I just was walking around the area you threw it and hey three it was." Shan took it and then smiled. "What?" Mark asked nervously.
p "You can be nice sometimes can't you?" Shan asked. Mark blushed.
p "What?" Mark asked. "Look like I tell that Purple hairdo punk I am not a bleeding heart I'm just a nice guy." Shan laughed.
p "You know Mark your surprise me sometimes." Shan said as they walked into the center.
p "How's that?" Mark asked.
p "Sometimes you can be obnoxious, rude, forgetful, stuck up. . ."
p "Ok."
p "Bratty, full of yourself. . "
p "Ok knock it off." Shan Laughed.
p "But then there are times when you can be nice to." Mark turned red and looked away before Shan noticed.
p "You know I've been wanting to tell you something for a long time Shan. I think I . ." Mark turned around to see Alex staring behind him with a smirk.
p "Shan went in the other room." He said. Mark was now completely red.
p "Why is it when I'm in a good mood you have to show up and ruin it." Mark said as Shan walked back out.
p "Sorry Mark I went to put the badge in my case were you saying something?" Mark shook his head.
p "Hey Shan?" Quin said walking up to her. "Nurse Joy has a message for you."
p "Really?" Shan said. "I hope it's Nan." Shan said.
p "You mean you still haven't talked to her." Mark asked.
p "I've tried believe me I've tried. But every time I call I get an answering machine." Shan released Charmeleon and her other pokemon. Charmeleon followed Shan to get her message.
p "It is Nan." Shan said with a surprised voice. Shan quickly called.
p "Hello?" Said Nan.
p "Nan?" Shan asked. Nan turned on the vid screen and smiled at Shan.
p "Oh hi dear." Nan said. "I'm so glad your safe and sound. I have got some great news for you. We have found one of your relatives." Shan smiled.
p "Sabrina right?" Shan said.
p "Yes dear how did you know?" Shan smiled.
p "I met her to. She kind of told me a little about my parents."
p "What do you mean Kind of?" Shan sighed.
p "Long story. I've been trying to reach you for a long time. I know Greg was adopted."
p "Well dear I'm sorry for not getting back to you but We've been busy hear. Most of the children are hear for summer break and I've been racking my brains trying to think up some activities."
p "Tell them I miss them."
p "Oh Shan one more thing. Your Aunt want's you to live with her did you know that?"
p "Yes." Shan said quietly. "I'm not sure what to think about that." Nan smiled.
p "I know you'll make the right choice dear. The kids can't wait to hear about your badges. How many do you have?" Shan smiled.
p "Four so far. I'm going to get my fith soon and then it's off to Saffron."
p "Oh and one more thing. Professor Jixis wants you to contact him. He is such a nice man." Shan laughed a bit.
p "Maybe to you." She said.
p "Oh did you say something?" Shan shook her head. After she was done she contacted the lab.
p "Finally you decide to call me." Jinkis said with a smirk.
p "Give me a break I've been busy you know."
p "Yes I know the pokemon you sent me are doing good. That Rattatata is enjoying himself."
p "Well you better take good care of him." Shan said.
p "Calm down." Jinxes said. "I'm calling to get a scan of your dex." Shan entered her blue pokedex for him to scan. She smiled as his eyes got huge. "You have a knack for finding rare pokemon. To bad you don't have one for catching them."
p "Hey they were mostly owned by people." Jinxes sighed.
p "Look Shan I don't like excuses. Next time you find a pokemon try to catch it. So far you've only sent me five and that is not enough. Get out there and catch more." The screen went blank before she could yell at him.
p"What a creep." Shan said aloud.
p "Well what do you expect from a scientist." Said a voice from behind her. She jumped and fell of the chair she was sitting on. Charmeleon growled at Alex who was standing behind her. Shan looked up at him.
p "You know you could have let me know you were behind me instead of scaring me to death." Alex laughed.
p "Sorry." Shan stood up and they walked towards the Lobby where Mark was watching a televised battle along with some other trainers.
p "We keep running into eachother." Said Drake walking up to Shan. Shan glared at him.
p "Great it's Drake and his band of brats." Dream ran forward.
p "Who are you calling a brat." Shan smiled.
p "Get a life Dream all you do is follow him around. Get with the times and get some self respect." Dream fumed as Drake walked up to Shan. "Oh Drake you don't have to stand up for me." Drake smiled and closed his eyes.
p "Who said I was going to." Shan frowned. "Let's battle Shan." Drake said. Shan shook her head.
p "No way I'm to tired to deal with you right now and besides my pokemon are tired to." Drakes Vaporeon walked up to his masters side. Charmeleon did the same with Shan.
p "Come on Shan it's not like your doing anything else." Shan threw her hands up and stormed out of the room. Charmeleon looked at The Vaporeon, sighed and went after her master. alex and the others looked at eachother.
p "I'll go talk to her." Quin said running after her. Mark and Alex stood glaring at Drake.
p Shan was sitting on a bench outside of the center when Quin found her. Quin sat down next to her and smiled. "Hey what's wrong?" Shan looked away.
p "I can't stand him. He's such a jerk," She sighed. "He always brags about being from a rich family and constantly picks on me because I'm not."
p "Well you can tell him that your related to Sabrina that would put him in his place." Shan shook her head.
p "I don't want to do that." Shan sighed. "We used to be friends." Shan said out of the blue.
p "Really?" Quin asked with doubt.
p "Yea in grade school. He and I would play together. But as we got older he just changed. He got mean and started to pick on kids who didn't have it so good. We were friends up till I stood up to him about what he was doing."
p "Really?" Shan nodded.
p "I was sick of it. We ended up getting into a big fight and after that he directed all that hostility on me. I didn't mind much even when the other students started to ignore me because of Drake."
p "Why didn't you say anything to them?" Shan shrugged.
p "I thought that I was helping the kids at the orphanage I didn't want him making fun of them so I kept quiet. You, Mark, and Alex are my first real friends." Quin smiled.
p "Well your my best Friend Shan," Quin said. "You really are allot older than your age sometimes."
p "Hey what do you mean?" Shan said with a laugh.
p "I mean you act so serious all the time. Just go in there and kick Drakes but. He's nothing when it comes to battling you." Shan smiled and stood up.
p "Your right. But my pokemon are to tiered to battle." Charmeleon jumped into Shan's lap. "I'll battle him after I get the badge. That is if he is still around." Shan and Quin went back inside the center.
p That night Shan thought about the events of the day and wondered if she would ever figure out what was going to happen to her. She drifted off to sleep hoping she could find out the answers soon.