DISCLAIMER~~...how many times do I have 2 say this. IF I OWNED POKEMON, DO YOU SERIOUSLY THINK I'D BE SITTING ON MY FAT ASS WRITING FANFICTION UNTIL 4:00 IN THE MORNING!!! (takes deep breaths) now where the hell is my coffee?
Oh yeah, and I don't own Annie either. (yeh, I know, there's a song from Annie in this. Don't ask why I put it in. I hate mushy, cheesy stuff!)
I Just wanna say thanks Mewberries 4 being one hec of a loyal reader! (not that i'm sucking up or anythin'!) ANYWAY, WHERE ARE MY REVIEWS FROM MY BEST FRIENENEMY, XILMIN NERRAR?!
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CHAPTER FOUR
Mew watched as the red head disappeared around a corner. Cocking her head to the side, Mew smiled a little, knowing that she had partly succeeded in her task to retrieve the pendant. There was one problem though. She suuddenly felt the icy hand of guilt close around her heart, and squeeze tightly. After a moment of sulking, she turned around to find that the other girl and her Vulpix had disappeared. Mew turned round the corner, spotted the duo, and continued following them. Why, she didn't really know. Neither the girl nor the Vulpix knew that they were being followed.
And that's how I intend to keep it…well, for now anyway. Mew thought to herself, giggling.
Crystal and Vulpix kept staring ahead, looking a little uncomfortable (both had heard the mysterious laugh again). Crystal tugged at her strap nervously. "Here anything?"
"Vul. (nope)"
"…Good…neither did I."
***
A sharp breeze blew through the hard metal bars of the cage. He shivered, stiff and uncomfortable from having to spend sleepless nights lying on a hard concrete floor. Suddenly, one red eye fluttered open at the sound of footsteps nearing. Ninetails forced himself to rise and snarl at the shadowed stranger.
Giovanni laughed and threw a bone into the cage, rotted flesh hanging form it.
"Well, well. How's our new recruit feeling?" Giovanni sneered as Ninetails attempted breaking through the metal bars. The pokémon fell to the ground, his chin grating off the concrete bottom.
"You cannot win. Don't you understand?" Giovanni stepped back from the cage and clicked his fingers once, "But I will give you a second chance. I always was a fair man." He smiled again, only this time in a more sinister way. His facial features were suddenly lit up by a pair of glowing blue eyes at his right.
Ninetails watched as the door to his cage was opened. He forced himself once again, to leap forward. He had never seen a pokémon like this before. It looked almost human as it hovered in the air. The light of his eyes and the thin collar locked around his neck, reflected off his heavy armour.
Ninetails summoned every last ounce of energy left in his body, and prepared flame-thrower. Giovanni watched Ninetails with interest from the side. Any normal pokémon would be too weak to fight. True, this pokémon *was* powerful.
A small smile began to dance on his lips. He waited only until Ninetails had let the enormous ball of fire escape, before he gave any orders. Barrier.
Mewtwo heard the order from within his master's mind and immediately produced a sphere of dark psychic energy which surrounded him. The fire blast couldn't penetrate the sphere and instead, flew back at the attacker. Ninetails was flung back against the wall by his own powerful fire blast. Whimpering a little, he got back to his paws.
Giovanni, a little surprised at Ninetails strength, gave Mewtwo another command. The psychic pokémon silently obeyed. A blue aura suddenly surrounded the Ninetails, and it rose high into the air.
In the shadows, Meowth watched, hardly daring to breathe. As a Team Rocketeer, what *could* he do? He hung his head in shame, and forced himself to watch as Ninetails was picked up and thrown against the wall like a rag doll. This time, he didn't get up.
Giovanni clicked his fingers again. Four Rocketeers rushed to his side. Giovanni nodded his head once. Butch and Cassidy walked cautiously over to the unconscious pokémon and clipped another glowing blue collar around its neck. Suddenly, Ninetails eyes opened, and began to glow an eerie red.
Giovanni smiled, then turned to Jessie and James beside him. "So far you have failed in ever single attempt to capture Pikachu." Jessie and James hung their heads in shame, "However, this time there is *no* way you can fail." Jessie and James glanced at each other, then to the Boss.
Giovanni brought to pokéballs out and returned Mewtwo and Ninetails. He then handed the pokéballs to both Jessie and James, who were currently in a state of shock.
"Wh, what do you want us to do boss?" Jessie stammered. Giovanni grinned and turned to an enormous screen which suddenly appeared behind him. It showed a picture of a magnificent flaming fire-bird.
"Moltres, the Legendary Bird of Fire." Giovanni whispered. "You must capture it. There can be NO failure this time. It is your last chance." Jessie and James nodded obediently.
"Don't worry Boss! You can always count on us!" James slapped him on the back and grinned stupidly. Giovanni looked at him with a blank expression.
"Yes, well do that again and I'll kill you." James backed away nervously. Jessie grabbed his collar and pulled him out of the room, shouting behind her.
"Don't worry Boss! You can count on me!! Come on, Meowth!" Meowth nodded sadly, stealing a glance at Giovanni who was watching him steadily. Meowth sighed heavily, then followed both Jessie and James away from Team Rocket HQ.
Giovanni then turned towards Butch and Cassidy who were waiting silently. "You two on the other hand. I have another mission for you."
***
Crystal walked along the edge of the kerb, whistling to herself. Running through her mind were the happenings of the last few days. Well, in actual fact it was mainly the happenings on the volcano.
She had lived around Tollow for a couple of months now, playing with the popular teen band, 2BA Master. She had been the essential guitarist in the band, however, she had always felt that she had been neglecting her pokémon, and finally decided to leave and become a serious trainer once more.
But right now she was worried about the volcano more than anything. There had been no seismic activity of any kind, and everyone had thought the volcano had been dead for thousands centuries. Why had it just blown it's top like that? And without any warning!
She sighed a little and glanced at Vulpix who skipped merrily beside her.
At least no one was killed. But if I hadn't gotten there Misty would of…Why did I go up there anyway? This question suddenly sprang into her mind. No one, not even Crys, would be that crazy to fly around an active volcano! What had possessed her to do a thing like that?
She stared at the ground, deep in thought, and at first never heard, and probably wouldn't have heard, the weeping from the alleyway, if Vulpix hadn't nipped her leg!
"Owe! Vulpix?! Huh…what's that?" Crystal tiptoed into the dark alleyway as the cries got louder. The crying slowly turned into a voice, a singing voice…someone was singing. Singing a song full of sobs and whimpers. Actually it sounded pretty pathetic...sorry, I don't have that sympathy thing going!
"#Maybe far away, or maybe real nearby,
He maybe pouring her coffee, she maybe straightening his tie…
Maybe in a house, all hidden by a hill,
She's sittin' playin' piana, he's sittin' paying tha bill…"
The young sweet voice was carried through the air like a feather in the wind. Crystal had a clear view of the young girl with soft brown curls and midnight blue eyes. She sat on the edge of a window sill above the dark, dank alleyway.
"#Betcha they're young, betcha they're smart.
Betcha they collect things like ash trays and art!
Betcha he reads, betcha she sows…maybe she's made me a closet of clothes!
Maybe they're strict as straight as a line… don't really care, as long as they're mine…"
Tears welled in Vulpix's eyes and it cried softly in Crytsal's arms.
"Vul, vul…pix."
"#Betcha they're good, why shouldn't they be…
Their one mistake, was given up me…" The young girl's voice was shaken full of sobs now.
"So maybe now this prayer, the last one of it's kind, won't you please come get your baby…maybe…"
"..........THAT'S SO BEAUTIFUL!!!"
"VUUUUUULLLLLLLL!!!!!" Crystal and Vulpix fell into floods of tears (anime style of course!) and hugged each other close.
The young girl on the window ledge suddenly glanced down at the two and jumped with a start. Skilfully, she leapt down from the window ledge and over the wooden gate that signalled the end of the alleyway.
"Vul, vul, Pix? (should we go after her?)" Vulpix asked, a look of worry and concern on its soft features.
"Come on!" Crystal said, a determined tone to her voice. Vulpix jumped inside her backpack as Crystal leapt over the gate (yet not as gracefully) and ran after the young child.
"Hey! Come back!" Crys called in vain. "Jeez, is this kid ever fast!" She called back to Vulpix who felt like she was going to be sick.
"Vuulll…" She moaned, head spinning, vision doubled. Crystal kept running after the small, grey dot ahead of her. The little girl didn't seem to know where she was going, as she kept doubling back every few streets. Finally, she made a sharp right turn into a large and much darker alleyway than before.
Crystal stopped and looked around. This alleyway had a dead end to it. But the dead end was drenched in darkness, and only a few rays of light shone on it, as if to prove it existed. As Crystal's eyes slowly became accustomed to the dark, she could make two, no three characters against the back wall of the alleyway.
"What the?"
"Vulpix?"
Slowly, the two tallest characters stepped into the light infront of Crys and Vulpix.
"Prepare for trouble and make it double!" Both of the Rocketeers posed.
"To infect the world with devastation!"
"To blight all people in every nation!"
"To denounce the goodness of truth and love."
"To exstend our wrath to the stars above!"
"Cassidy!"
"Butch!"
"Were Team Rocket circling earth all day and night!"
"Surrender to us now or you will surely lose the fight.""
"That's Right!" Both called out.
"Raticate!" Hissed a Raticate which seemed to leap out from nowhere.
Crystal and Vulpix glanced at each other then back to Team Rocket, awe-stricken.
"Kay…"
Cassidy crossed her arms, pleased with their little performance.
"Jesse and James don't even know the meaing of the word, motto!" she laughed flicking her golden hair back. "We are just *so* much better!"
"But of course! We are the real Team Rocket. Better than those two any day! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!" A small girl wriggled in his arms, trying to get free, although it was no use. Crystal saw this and frowned.
"HEY! Leave her alone!" She shouted, ready to pounce on them. Vulpix tugged on her shoe to calm down.
"Vul! Vul!"
Butch saw the little Vulpix and smiled. "Look Cassidy, what luck! A Vulpix to add to our collection." Crystal glared at him harder.
"If you think you're going to capture Vulpix, you can just blast off right now!" She growled, "Give me back that kid!"
"The Boss sent us on a special mission to collect and deliver this particular kid. You could take it out with him." Cassidy laughed evilly. Crystal plucked a pokéball from her belt and tossed it into the air. If she used Vulpix, it would be hard not to hurt the child, so instead...
"Pidgeot! Attack!" The pokéball opened in mid air, and out of the blinding flash of white light, Pidgeot appeared.
"Pidgeooo!" It's call echoed off the walls as it swooped down menacingly towards Team Rocket, talons extended fully.
"Agh! I'm outta here!" Butch yelled, dropping the child as he ducked from Pidgeot's attack. He ran passed Crystal at the speed of light, leaving Cassidy alone.
"Hey! Agh!" She screamed ducking from another attack. "We're supposed to be a team! Aghh!" Cassidy took off after Butch, leaving the young girl crouched on the ground. Vulpix slowly approached her. Cautiously, the young girl stroked Vulpix as it leaned against her.
"Vuuull Pix." She purred softly. Crystal returned Pidgeot before walking over to the two and smiled.
"So, you're not going to run again are you?" Crys asked, crouching down beside the young girl. She looked only to be around seven or at the most eight years old. Crystal smiled at her reassuringly, to show that she meant no harm.
"My name is Crystal." She held her hand out to the girl who took it gingerly. "What's yours?" Crystal asked, keeping her voice quiet and soothing.
"Arin." The girl muttered back, keeping her eyes on the ground.
"Vul! Vulpix!" Vulpix introduced itself, happily. Crystal laughed.
"And I see you've already met my trusty companion here. Ay Vulpix!" Crystal patted her on the head and picked her up. She looked down on Arin, who still had her eyes on the ground.
"So, are you lost or anything?" Arin shook her head, eyes still on the ground. Crystal had no idea what to do. Sighing she backed off.
"Where are your parents?" Arin didn't answer. "I think I should take you to the pokémon center or something."Crystal said, concerned that the girl might be attacked and captured again. Arin shot up and shook her head.
"No, I don't want to go back to an orphanage, please don't take me back. I'd rather be captured by Team Rocket, please!" Crystal was rather taken aback by the girl's sudden pleads and cries. She sighed, hopelessly.
"I just can't leave you here by yourself though. You may not be lost but I doubt very much that you have a home at all." Crystal said, glancing at the rags the little girl was wearing. First the whole Volcano and the Misty thing, now this child! What next?
Why is this stuff happening to me?! I'm innocent!
Crystal looked down at the little girl who now clung onto her bare legs, tears glinting in her midnight blue eyes. She couldn't take her to this orphanage, and she sure as ever couldn't take her along on her journey.
Crystal sighed, "I don't want to leave you here, but you can't come with me…" She reached into her pocket and pulled out her wallet. "Here, take this. If you ever need me, I guess you can contact me through Prof. Oak in Pallet town." She handed Arin a piece of paper with a number on it. "I'm sorry kid, but I have to be on my way."
Arin stared at the money and the piece of paper in her hand, then back up to the young teen and her Vulpix as they left the alleyway.
"Vul, Vulpix?" Vulpix cried softly to Crystal as they walked along the street.
"I'm sorry Vulpix, but I can't take her. It's too dangerous. What if she was hurt?" Crystal walked on, hoping that her friend would leave the subject alone. However, even if Vulpix left it alone, her guilt wouldn't.
Suddenly she felt a slight tug at the back of her shirt. "Vulpix, please leave it." A second later, she felt another slight tug on her shirt. "Vulpix, quit it." Crystal turned to her side, to see that Vulpix was there and not behind her. She turned all the way around to find Arin standing there sheepishly.
"Huh? Arin." Great! "Ohh, boy. Look, kid, you know as well as I do that you can't come along with me. You're safer here. Now, goodbye. Call me if you need to." Crystal turned round only to walk straight into a lamppost. "OWE! Arrghh! This is not my day!" Grumbling, she picked herself up off of the ground where Arin was still standing.
"Are you alright?" Arin asked quickly, holding out a hand to help her up. Crystal nodded, still holding a hand to her head.
"Vulpix Vuuull?"
"Yeah, yeah. I'm fine." Crystal kept walking. Arin was still beside her half running to keep up with Crystal's fast pace. Suddenly, the trainer stopped herself and turned to see Vulpix and Arin staring up at her with pitiful eyes.
"Look Arin, I know how you feel and everything but, I can't take care of you as well as an orphanage can." Crys said, desperately trying to explain.
"But, I wouldn't be any trouble." Arin stammered, still staring at her with the same hopeful, glistening blue eyes.
"I'm sorry Arin, but no. I can't. You wouldn't be any trouble but maybe I can take you to the police or…" Arin slowly trudged off back down the street dropping the money and the phone number behind her.
"Arin! Ohh," Vulpix glared up at Crystal. "What? What did I say?!" Vulpix sighed and glanced back at Arin who had disappeared back down the street.
"Come on, Vulpix. I can see the river just ahead. That's the edge of the city. If we follow it back up stream we'll come to …" Suddenly, Crystal was cut off by a startled scream from behind. Crystal and Vulpix spun round.
"Arin!" Crystal ran back down the street towards the scream, but no one was there.
"Vulpix! Vul!" Vulpix cried towards her trainer.
"Huh? What? The river? But we would have seen them if they'd gone to the river!" Crystal said, scratching her head, confused. Vulpix ran towards the river ahead and Crystal followed, deciding that her Vulpix was better to trust than herself!
Upon reaching the river, Crystal and Vulpix immediately saw the trap. Above an enormous waterfall, stood Team Rocket on a small wooden bridge, that looked just about ready to fall apart.
"Vulpix! Fire spin!"
"Vul, Vul!" Vulpix exclaimed shaking its head.
"Huh? What do you mean no?" Crys asked baffled as to why Vulpix would refuse her. Then suddenly, she realised who Butch held in his arms once more.
"Huh. Kid! Don't dare touch her!" Crys shouted angrily, leaping onto the bridge with Vulpix by her side. Cassidy raised her hand in the air to stop them. "Come any closer and the girl goes for a nice refreshing swim!" Vulpix and Crys stopped to a halt.
"Rati! Caate!" The Raticate crouched, ready to attack.
"What do you want?!" Crys asked, anger burning in her eyes.
"We want your pokémon!" Butch announced, grinning.
"If I give you my pokémon, whose to say you won't run off with her?!" Crystal glared. Cassidy grinned.
"No one." She shrugged off. "You're better not to take any chances though, so just hand over your pokémon or else, kid!"
"Too afraid to battle?" Crys taunted, however Butch and Cassidy were not to be toyed with.
"Have it your way. No pokémon, no kid!" Cassidy laughed and signalled to Butch who raised Arin over the bridge's rope railing.
"Wait! If you want my pokémon…then here! Have them all!" Crys chucked her bag at Butch who yelped in agony as it hit his stomach. Falling back against Cassidy, he let go of Arin who fell towards the water. Crystal leapt to the railing and grabbed Arin's hand before she fell into the fast flowing river below her.
Dragging Arin under the railing and back onto the bridge, Crystal snatched her bag off of the winded Butch and Cassidy. Vulpix leapt infront of her trainer and the small girl.
"Right Vulpix!! Fire spin!" Vulpix's eyes lit up, glowing a fierce red, contrasting with its soft cute features.
"VVVVVVUUUUULLLLLL!!!!!!!" It cried as fire spewed out of its mouth and took on the form of a mini tornado. The fire spin ripped through the bridge, blasting Team Rocket into the sky.
"Looks like Team Rockets blasting off again!!" they cried, as they blasted into the sky at the speed of light. Vulpix and Arin smiled as they waved goodbye to the unfavourable trio.
"Goodbye, see you later!" Arin called, for once smiling.
"Vul! Vul!"
However, Crystal sat, crouched on the bridge, her face quite pale. Suddenly she jumped up. "How stupid am I?! Erm, guys, our trouble ain't over." Arin and Vulpix glanced over to where Crystal was staring. The ropes holding the bridge were beginning to burn from Vulpix's fire spin.
"Uh oh." Arin stuttered grabbing onto Vulpix for support.
"RUN!"
"RUN!"
"VUL!" The three tore across the bridge as fast as they could, but before they could reach the ground, each rope snapped, and the bridge, plus all its occupants, plummeted into the river toppling over the steep waterfall.
***
So, what has happened to Arin and Crystal. Will Misty be reunited with Ash? And what has happened to Ninetails and Mewtwo?............LIKE ANYONE GIVES A SHIT!
See ya later! (oh and Gary fans, yes he will be in the next part)
