Disclaimer~ I own nothing but my own characters Arin and Crystal.


CHAPTER FIVE


Professor Oak was very excited at Misty's news of the moonstone pendant and the volcano. He kept on going on about a sign or something to do with the awakening of legendary birds. Pretty boring anyways. Gary and Misty glanced at each other, utterly bewildered by his ramblings.

"I'm sure I have it here…somewhere…" Professor Oak mumbled from somewhere inside a closet full of books. "Oh yes, it should be in here! I'll just check. Hold on a minute! Gary, hold these…and these…and these!" The professor rummaged through shelf after shelf, throwing books back to Gary, who had become a living library!

Outside in the peaceful afternoon, the pokémon roamed Professor Oak's special sanctuary where he studied each and every single one every day of his life. The tranquil flowing river was filled with water pokémon enjoying the sweet sunshine and quietness the day had to offer.

Suddenly, four characters burst out from under the river's surface. Arin, Vulpix, Wartortle and Crystal, came up coughing and spluttering, and made their way to the grassy bank. The surrounding pokémon were too astonished to know what to make of them. Once on the bank, Crystal returned Wartortle, who had recently evolved from Squirtle, and turned to Arin. (her first ever pokémon from Prof. Oak was Squirtle)

"Say, you alright?" She panted. Arin nodded and grabbed onto Crystal's arm and buried her face into her stomach, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! It's okay, it's…" Suddenly, Crys realised where they were. "Oh boy are we okay! We're at Professor Oak's laboratory! Hey Arin, you're a lucky charm!" Arin shivered a little and followed Crystal towards the house. "With any more luck, Misty will be here too." Crystal said, almost to herself. Then suddenly she paused.

"Hey Arin?" Arin nodded looking up at her, "Why were Team Rocket after you anyway?" Arin stared at the ground, not sure if she wanted to answer or not. Was there any harm? This trainer had unselfishly saved her life. There couldn't possibly be any harm in telling her, could there? Suddenly, a small flash from Arin's hand, caught Vulpix's attention.

"Vulpix. Vul, Vul!" It cried licking Arin's hand. Arin realised that the Vulpix had noticed. Sighing heavily, she lifted her hand up to Crys, who gasped as she saw the reason why
Team Rocket had attempted to capture this child. A ring, it's pendant…a polished moonstone. A very familiar finely polished moonstone.


***

"Yes, yes, yes. I'm sure I'll find it any moment now!" Professor Oak called from further inside the closet.

Misty and Gary, who had escaped the mountain of books, sat utterly bored, on the couch.

"So, what happened to Ash anyway? Did he realise he wasn't as good as me and wimp out?" Gary said smugly, folding his arms across his chest. Misty was about to shout some kind of insult back at him before she heard the living room door open. In the doorway, stood two utterly drenched figures (one of which looked very familiar).

"Well, that was refreshing." Said one, leaning against the doorframe, looking very displeased. The younger girl grabbed onto her legs and peered at the two characters on the couch. Beside her sat an equally soaked Vulpix.

"Crystal?" Misty questioned. Crystal focused on the red haired girl and grinned.
"Hey Misty. I decided to come after all."
"How did you get here?!" Misty cried delighted. Gary sat beside her utterly bewildered.
"The hard way." Crystal answered glancing down at her soaked clothes. "Bad things ain't supposed to happen to good people. Listen, kid here needs clothes and food. Ehh, where's Professor Oak?" She asked, looking around.

"Ah ha! I know, I could have leant it to…Crystal, what are you doing here? And why are you so wet?" Asked Professor Oak as he climbed out of his closet.

"Sorry, I kind of made an unexpected visit…and I mean on my part as well as yours. As for the wet part, I'll explain later." Crys answered. Beside her, Arin and Vulpix giggled a little.
"So who is this?" Professor Oak said, bending down and smiling at Arin who hid behind Crystal' legs again.
"Sorry Doc. She's a bit afraid of…well Humans, I guess. Bad experiences." Crystal answered scratching her head and shrugging.

"Oh, well, we'll soon change her mind." Misty said, stretching out her hand to Arin who looked at it cautiously. Crystal nodded to her that it was safe and the timid young girl carefully took Misty's hand. Misty led her into the kitchen where she gave her cookies and milk (and doesn't everybody just LOVE cookies and milk!).

"Gary, could you do me a favour and fetch me something for our two guests to wear." Crystal shook her head quickly.

"Erm, you know I don't like hanging about places for long. I'll be goin--"

"Nonsense!" Professor Oak interjected grabbing her hand and pushing her down beside Gary on the couch.. "You can't go away soaking like this anyway. Your father would kill me!" He laughed. "Gary, could you do that for me please?"
"Sure thing, Gramps." Gary nodded and raced off.

"So, I take it you've met Misty already?" Professor Oak said, motioning her towards the fireplace where a glowing fire burned. Crystal moved from the couch and sat cross legged infront of the warm fire and turned to Professor Oak.

"Yeah, but it's kinda a long story." Crys smiled, but she knew that her pathetic attempt to skip the story would be overlooked by Professor Oak.

"Well, you know I have the time Crystal." He said, biting into an apple and sitting down on the couch infront of her. Crystal sighed and explained how she had rescued Misty on the volcano, and accompanied her half way to Pallet town, then discovered Arin and ran into Team Rocket and…blah, blah, blah, and (for good luck another…) blah! Alright, alright. I promise I won't interrupt the story anymore…honest.

Professor Oak seemed most interested with the young girl that Crystal had found. He was about to ask where she'd come from originally, before Misty and Arin came back into the living room.

"Professor Oak, is there anything for Arin to wear here? I think she's pretty cold." Misty asked, with her arm around Arin who had grown to like her.

Professor Oak was about to answer before Gary walked into the room and handed Misty a pink dressing gown with flowery patterns on it.

"Here, you can take his bathroom robe." Gary smirked at Professor Oak who immediately turned red at the sight of his pink dressing gown. Giggling, Misty wrapped it around Arin and set her down on the soft rug beside the fire.
"Yeah, pink's definitely your colour professor!" Misty laughed aloud.
"Yes, well, erm." Professor Oak cleared his throat nervously and tried to change the subject, "Anyway, eh, what were we talking about?" Crystal smiled a little and shrugged.

"Don't know. All I know is I'm going for a long bath…a very long bath." She turned to Gary who handed her a shirt.
"Only thing I could find…unless you want his purple flowery gown?" Professor Oak went bright red again. Crystal grinned.

"I think this will do." She headed towards the door and paused. Turning round, she saw the perfect little picture. Misty and Arin playing with Vulpix on the floor infront of the fire place, Gary joking about the pink dressing gown, and the professor turning a deep shade of red. Something told her to remember this 'perfect picture' of her friends, no matter what happened.
Professor Oak looked up to see that Crystal was still standing in the doorway, looking deep in thought.
"Is there something wrong Crystal?" Professor Oak asked, concern showing in his voice.
"Vul?" Vulpix yipped. Crystal shook her head and forced a smile.
"Huh, eh, no. I thought I'd eh…forgotten something, that's all." With that she walked swiftly out of the room.
I think I really need a cold shower!

***

Misty lay on her stomach, and stared into the burning fire, her mind on two things. The first, Professor Oak had contacted Ash and Tracey, telling them to meet her in Pallet at his laboratory. How was she going to explain why she had left in the first place though? Telling Ash the truth after a year of being his half friend half enemy, would not be the easiest task.

Then there was trying to find Ninetails. She owed him her life, and would save his in return. However, finding one of Jessie and James' hide-outs was one thing, but finding Giovanni's base was possibly suicide! She knew Team Rocket wasn't just made up of idiots like Jessie, James and Meowth....Meowth. Suddenly she remembered how Meowth had saved her. Something's going on...but what-- Her thought were interupted by a quiet voice behind.

"Hey dreamer, what's up?" Misty turned to face Crystal who was showered and dressed in her normal tom-boyish way. Gary's shirt tied in a knot at the front with her cut off shorts. Her feathery brown hair spilled over her shoulders, and her deep blue eyes flashed in the warm light of the fire. All in all, Crystal was rather beatiful in her own way. However, Misty could obviously see that Crystal didn't care for this virtue!

"Ash mainly I guess." Misty sighed as she stretched herself infront of the fire, and began to swing her legs back and forth in the air. "Or it could be Team Rocket and that Ninetails… I guess." She added thoughtfully.
"Love and adventure. Two things that just don't mix…I guess." Crystal sighed, mimicking Misty. "I'd better find Professor Oak. I think I have to talk to him about… something." Misty looked up at Crys with a questioning expression.
"Talk to him about what?"
"Em, I'd rather say after I speak to him first. Nothing against you Mist, it's just…" Misty quickly cut her off with an understanding nod.
"It's alright. Just as long as it's not anything really, important that I should know about."

Crystal cringed at each word her friend had just spoken. It is only another pendant I suppose…but what if it is important! I wasn't cut out for this stuff.

"Eh, Misty, where's the kid, er, I mean Arin?"
"Oh right. I put her to bed. Think she'll be alright without you? She's kinda grown attached to you." Misty said with a slight giggle. Crystal wasn't the parental typish person.

"I don't see why that's so funny." Crys frowned cocking her head to the side.
"You… a parent, ha, ha!" Misty broke into peels of laughter, and rolled about the carpet holding her stomach.
"Hey, hey! Calm it. What happened to the depressed you. I liked that one better. It didn't scare me." Crystal grabbed Misty by the shoulders and settled her down. "You're one strange red head." She laughed.
"You ain't so normal yourself! How do you manage to get into more trouble the second I leave anyway?" Misty asked her. Crystal shrugged.
"It's a gift I guess." She got to her feet and stretched a little

"I'm going to find Professor Oak. Hey, wait a sec…please tell me Gary's gone." Misty shook her head.
"No, he's outside in the barn training his pokémon, I think. He's only staying here for a couple of nights, then he's going again." Suddenly an idea stopped off in Misty's devious mind. "You know…I think that's where professor Oak is too."
Crystal groaned. "What, in the barn too? Oh great. Gary will probably want money for this shirt…know-it-all, jerk."
Misty smiled, mischievously. "Sure." She uttered under her breath. Crystal glanced at her and glared.
"You didn't say anything, right?" She asked angrily. Misty put on an innocent look and smiled.
"No, I didn't say anything Crystal." Crystal headed back out the room and called back to her.

"Good! If you need me, I'm going to say goodnight to Arin, then I'll probably be at the barn." Crystal began climbing the stairs in search of the spare room.
"You're acting like a parent Crystal." Misty shouted, giggling. Crystal smiled and shook her head.

Upon finding the spare bedroom, she crept inside and over to the bed where Arin slept soundly. Crystal smiled and stroked Arin's curly hair back off her forehead.

"Goodnight kid." Crystal bent down and planted a kiss on her forehead. "Sweet dreams." Crystal patted Vulpix who was curled up on the end of Arin's bed. Slowly, it opened its eyes to see Crystal tiptoe out of the room. Vulpix, careful not to disturb Arin, leapt off the bed and followed Crystal outside the front door and across the pokémon sanctuary towards the barn.


It was getting late and the sun had set a good half hour before. The calm clear night drifted overhead, stars shining like diamonds in the sky. Crystal walked slowly towards the barn where she could hear Gary clearly. A familiar call from behind made her spin round. Towards her at super speed, came Vulpix.
"Hey Vulpix." Crys smiled and bent down as the small fox like creature ran and jumped into her arms.
"Vulpix! Vuulll."

From the barn, Gary heard Vulpix's call and poked his head out to see Crystal walking towards him. Hands on his hips he stood in the doorway, awaiting the two moonlit characters.
"Well now, come to get some tips from a real master." He laughed in his usual arrogant self-centred way ((I really can't stand his laugh!)).
Crystal glared at him and shook her head. "I'd sooner take tips from Misty's Psyduck." Walking straight passed him, Crystal and Vulpix entered the small barn where Gary had recently been training Arcainine.

"Where's Professor Oak?" She asked realising he was not in the barn.
"Why would I know?" Gary shrugged and went back to training his Arcanine, making Crystal even more annoyed.
"Couldn't you at least try to help me!" She yelled at him.
"Vulpix?" Crys stared at Gary and Vulpix who looked a little taken aback.

"Sorry. I've had a bad…few days." She sighed and sat down on one of the haystacks.
"I've noticed." Gary frowned and sat down beside her. "Why are you looking for Gramps anyway?"

Crystal ignored his question for a moment, and stared out the open farm door to the house. On the top floor Arin slept sound, without a care in the world. There was something nagging at Crystal though. The child had a certain maturity that most eighty year olds didn't have let alone eight year olds! Some kind of gut feeling told her it had to do with the two pendants…but what exactly?

Slowly, she sank back into reality and suddenly remembered Gary's question. Staring at the ground she answered slowly, "You've seen Misty's necklace haven't you?"
"The one that gramps was goin' on about? Yeah, so?" Gary shrugged.
"Arin has one too. Different colour, but apart from that, they're identical. It's too much of a coincidence. I just wondered if Professor Oak has any information on them."

Gary sniffed, un-interested. "That's all?" Slowly he got to his feet.
"Why would you even care anyway? All you care about is popularity and…stuff." Crystal mumbled huffily, however Gary did not hear her and went back to training, turning his back on her. Muttering something else about him, Crystal left and wandered back to the house. Vulpix on the other hand, decided to stay with Gary, impressed by his training techniques and skills.

"Huh, traitor!" Crys called back, green with envy.
"Guess she just loves me like everybody else!" Gary shouted back, poking his head out of the barn door for a moment.

"Yeah?! Score me off your list!!" With her last insult, Crys left the barn and changed direction unconsciously to the shimmering river which had been her transport here not so long ago. The night sky above was now jet black, and dotted with thousands of glittering stars. Leaning against a small rock, Crys folded her arms behind her head and stared up at the sky.
I'll find Prof. Oak later…Just a small rest ain't going to …do anyone…harm… Slowly, she closed her eyes and fell into a deep sleep.


*************


A few rays of golden light shone through the wooden barn planks and onto three sleeping characters. Suddenly, one stirred at the sound of two voices outside. Opening her eyes, Crystal realised she wasn't outside anymore surrounded by grass and the flowing river. Instead she felt soft straw beneath her.

"Huh, where am I." Putting her hand to her head she glanced around. Snuggled in against her lay Vulpix, and far off to the right she could see Gary still asleep. Finally realising she was in the barn Crystal began pulling stray bits of straw from her hair and clothes.

The calls that she had heard in the first place, sounded again, this time louder. Suddenly, Misty raced into the barn.
"What happened to you two…okay three?" Misty asked, finding the newly awoken Crystal and Vulpix with the still asleep Gary. The sudden interruption had woken up Gary though. Slowly, he sat up stretching and yawning.
"Huh…what's going on?" He asked in a sluggish tone. Crystal noticed that Misty looked very worried.

"Well Ash, Pikachu and Tracey haven't arrived yet, and when I realised that you two didn't come in last night, I thought of Team Rocket then I panicked, and…"
"Whoa, calm down. I was here all last night…I guess. Wait a minute. How did I get here?" Crys asked remembering how she had fallen asleep beside the river and not inside the barn. Gary ignored her question and turned to Misty.

"I'll bet you anything Ash will be late as usual." He said with his typical smug smile. Misty glared at him then turned back to Crystal again.
"Weren't you trying to find Professor Oak?" She asked. Crystal suddenly remembered the stupid pendants and how badly she needed to talk to Oak last night.

"Right, Professor Oak!" She shot up to her feet and raced out the barn…only to appear a few seconds later.
"Ehh, Misty."
"Yes."
"Where is Professor Oak?" Crystal queried.

Misty sighed hopelessly, "He went to the library to find that book about the legendary something-or-others."She answered. Crystal nodded, biting her lower lip nervously.

"Where's Arin?" Crystal asked hoping that she was alright.
"Arin's outside. I was showing her round the sanctuary." Now it was Misty who saw the worry and distress on her friend's face.

"Crys, is everything alright?" Crystal shot up to look at her.
"Yep, sure! Everything's fine. I'd better go check on Arin though." Slowly and nervously Crystal backed out of the barn and raced off to fine Arin. Misty shook her head, utterly confused. "What is wrong with her?" She asked turning to Gary. Immediately he shrugged and shook his head.
"I dunno. Us Pokémon Masters have much more important business to attend …" Suddenly Gary caught Misty's dangerous glare and instantly shut up.



Arin sat beside the river playfully skimming the water next to a playful Horsea. Crystal paused as she watched the scene infront of her. Once more, something told her to lock this image in her mind, and never forget it. That same unspoken danger filled the air around her. What was it about this child? And why was she the only one who seemed to sense it?
This is crazy. I'm imagining things! I shouldn't be here anyway. Taking a deep breath, Crystal walked down to the bank where Arin played.

Crouching beside her, Crystal took a deep breath and spoke, "Hey Arin. Watch yah doing?"
Arin turned to her and grinned, "Making friends." She pointed to seal, Staryu and Horsea who greeted Crystal. Crystal smiled back at them then turned back to Arin, her face now very serious. Taking the small girl's hand, Crystal lead her a little way from the river and sat down beside her on the rocks. She began slowly at first, for the last thing she wanted was to scare the eight-year old off again. "Arin, why would Team Rocket want that ring you have?" She asked careful of her choice of words. Arin seemed to think hard about the question for a moment, then handed Crystal the ring. It's pearly colour flashed in the sunlight like white lightning. It did not seem to have any particular colour for as you moved it in the light, it shone like a rainbow through the sky.

"I don't know how I got it, but I kinda like to believe that it's my history…the missing piece of the puzzle." Arin answered in her somewhat unnatural mature way. Crystal looked deep into the ring. Power surged there. Dangerous or not, it was power. A great deal of power, not unlike Misty's own pendant.

I hope Prof. Oak comes back with that book. Crystal thought to herself hopefully. "Arin, does the ring…do anything." Crystal heard her question and knew that it sounded rather foolish. However, Arin returned her question without hesitation. Picking up the ring from the middle of Crystal's palm, Arin held it in between her thumb and index finger. Slowly, she extended her hand out to Crystal.

"Touch the centre of the stone." She instructed. Crystal looked at the girl, somewhat confused. Arin nodded her head to reassure her. For a young girl to reassure an adult was absurd, however, Crystal still felt comforted by this. Gently she reached out her finger and touched the shimmering moonstone. Immediately, the four metallic balls surrounding it, lit up. One green, one red, one blue and one yellow. Slowly, they rose into the air, circling the pearl like moonstone in the centre. Crystal's eyes widened in astonishment as the moonstone below her finger, lit up. It was too much. She jerked her hand away from the ring and leapt to her feet. Immediately, the ring stopped glowing and the four balls sank back into place.

"Wha, wha…what just happened?" Crystal stuttered. Slipping the ring back onto her finger, Arin looked up at her.

"I don't know." She said hopelessly. "I found that out when I was four years old. Don't know what it's for." Realising that she was still shaking, Crystal sat down once more . Arin sighed a little. She wanted to ask something but was clearly afraid. Taking a deep breath, she glanced up to Crystal who hung her head between her knees.

"Are you going away again?" She asked sorrowfully. Crystal locked eyes with her and paused. Dropping her head in between her knees again she whispered back, "Yes."

Arin wiped her tears on the back of her hand. "Well... Can't I come with you?" Crystal straightened up again.
"Arin, do you remember the last time you came along with me? I almost got you killed, and I can't do that again." Crystal could hardly stand the sadness in Arin's eyes, "You'll be safe here with Professor Oak. Pallet is a nice town, and Oak is a good person...even though he's a little weird, but that ain't thepoint. He can look after you better than anybody else. Including me." Slowly Arin nodded, and got to her feet.
"Are you going today?" She asked, her shoulders slumped forward. Crystal nodded in reply. Without any response, Arin turned back around and headed towards the house.

A call from behind made Crystal turn. Walking towards her was Misty, Gary and Vulpix.
"Anything wrong?" Misty asked resting a hand on her friends shoulder.
"No, nothing. Listen, I'm heading off now." Crystal murmured, choking on the pain in her stomach. Guilt. She hated that feeling, or more to the point wasn't used to it!
"Vul, Vulpix." Vulpix whimpered, but Crystal ignored her.
"I'll just get my stuff. See you around, Mist. Nice meeting you." She shook Misty's hand gently before turning back to the house with Vulpix.

Gary frowned a little, "Huh, talk about rude." He muttered, folding his arms across his chest. Misty didn't answer him. She watched as Crystal walked back to the house. Something had to be wrong. There was so much that was wrong…where was the right?

Mew flew silently and unnoticed beside Crystal. The girl was right. Arin was a peculiar child. And only Mew knew why.

************


Crystal took one last glance at the house before turning around to face the road again. As always Vulpix was at her side. Rubbing against her legs, Vulpix mewed softly.
"Vuullpix." Crystal bent down to scratch her behind the ears. It purred happily. Crystal stood up again and tugged her back pack over her shoulder before resuming her pace.
Jeez, it wasn't like I meant to upset her or anything. Sighing, she lifted her head up and continued down the road.
Suddenly, she was stopped by a call from the house behind her. Turning round, she saw a figure running up to her. Squinting her eyes, she recognised it as Gary. Sighing with annoyance Crystal turned back round and kept walking.

After a moment or two, the figure caught up with her and skidded to a halt.
"What do you want Gary?" Crystal asked scornfully, refusing to turn around.
"You didn't say goodbye." A little surprised at his tone of voice (not his usual arrogant annoying tone) Crystal stopped in her tracks and turned to face him.

"Okay then. Goodbye." She turned to walk again, but Gary grabbed her hand and spun her round.
"Why are you going? Is it because of those stupid pendants? God, what have girls got with jewlery?" He asked, annoyance now sounding in his voice.

"I have nothing to do with it. Infact I have nothing to do with anyone, no one, nobody and especially not you!" She yelled back, pressing her finger against his chest. Gary pulled back.
"Well what about that girl!?" Gary asked quietly. "She's gonna miss you." Crys opened her mouth to shout something else at him, and found she had no words.

"I almost got her killed." Gary looked at her, wide eyed and confused. Crystal folded her arms and explained, "After I left Misty in Viridian City, I found her in the streets. She's an orphan and apparently Team Rocket is after her. She has to be kept hidden." She paused, "Chances are they think she's dead." Gary thought about this for a moment.

"What if they *do* know where she is! Team Rocket isn't just made up of Ash's idiotic followers. They are good at their work…trust me. That was Team Rocket's boss I fought back in the Viridian City gym. That pokémon of his is the strongest thing I've ever seen. No one could have possibly beaten that." Gary sighed. Crystal began thinking again.

What if Team Rocket do discover where Arin is? And what would happen here? she shook the thought out of her head. Negative thinking wasn't going to help anyone.

"Listen, I have no part in this whatsoever! This is all about Misty's necklace. I'm sure someone of your knowledge and almighty greatness can handle this yourself!" With that Crystal turned around and walked along the road and out of sight with Vulpix hot on her heels.

"Yeah, well that's fine! I can handle this! All by myself!!" Gary called back in vain and stomped off back to the house.


***********


Vulpix constantly pulled and tugged on Crystal's trainer as they walked along the rugged path.
"Vul, vuull, vvuuuuullll!!! …Piiiiiixxxxxxxxxx!!" Vulpix finally got her master's attention with a fire blast. Crystal collapsed on the ground. "*coughing* Thanks buddy!" She moved to sit down on the grass at the side of the dirt path.

"Vulpix." Crystal chided, in a soft voice. "There's no point in going back there. Professor Oak is taking it into his own hands. They don't need me, and I don't want to be there." Vulpix stared at the ground sorrowfully. Crystal scratched her behind the ear, but Vulpix turned her head away quickly. Crystal took a deep breath and stood up. Suddenly, in the field on the opposite side of the road, something caught her attention. A little yellow ball ran across the field, trying to duck away from a ferocious looking Fearow.

It swooped down on the tiny pokémon, missing it but still sending it tumbling into a dirt hole. The yellow ball squealed in fear as it saw the Fearow fly up into the sky, do a U-turn then swoop down towards it again. The yellow ball could do nothing. It hadn't the time to escape, nor the strength. It squeezed it's eyes closed and awaited the Fearow's dagger like claws to pluck him from his place. But nothing happened.

"Go Pidgeot!" An unfamiliar voice shouted. The little yellow ball opened its eyes a little. A red and white ball flew into the sky, producing a bright flash of light. Another shrill cry filled the sky, and the yellow ball squeezed his eyes closed again.
"Pidgeoooot!!!!!" A huge bird flew into the sky, attacking the Fearow off guard. However, the powerful Fearow regained its balance and attacked ferociously at Pidgeot.

The little yellow ball heard all kinds of shouts from the tall, two legged being that had apparently saved him. The giant Pidgeot and the fierce Fearow ducked, dived and swooped at each other for what seemed like forever.

"Pidgeot, let me get a clear shot at it! We're going for a grand finalé!" The two legged being shouted.
"Pidgeot!!" Pidgeot began beating it's wings at Fearow, sending it flying back.
"Fearroooooowwwww!!!" It cried and began readying itself for a grand attack.

"Vulpix, blast it out of the sky!" The female voice called. The Vulpix leapt onto its shoulders and sent a powerful ball of fire directly at the Fearow. Burnt to a crisp, the Fearow fell to the ground. The girl chucked a pokéball at it.
"Alright. A Fearow!"

Slowly, the little yellow ball uncurled itself and looked around. The two legged being was now hugging the Pidgeot and the Vulpix in the long grass.

"Good job guys! Ha! Ha!" The yellow ball frowned. Could it be that this was a Human? He had always been told to steer clear of humans. They were said to capture pokémon as slaves, but this one seemed to be friends with the pokémon. It had obviously saved him too! The yellow ball was too wrapped up in thinking about the whole situation that he didn't notice the human and the Vulpix coming closer towards him.

"Be careful Vulpix. I don't want to scare it." Crys fished out her pokédex from the back pocket of her shorts. Pushing the long grass apart, she pointed the pokédex to the little yellow pokémon.
"Pichuu, the infant form of Pikachu. No more information." It spoke in its robotic tone. Crystal smiled, and stroked the little pichuu gently.

"How cute." Pichuu looked around for somewhere to run to. Even if there was though, could he really manage? He was still too weak from the chase.
"Pichuu?" It cried curiously. Vulpix wandered up to it and licked him.
"Vuulpix (it's alright)." Pichuu cocked its head weakly to one side, then let himself fall into Crystal's hands.

"He looks pretty beat up." Crystal sighed cradling him in her arms arms. "Well Vulpix, looks like we've got an unscheduled stop at Viridian City's Pokémon center." The two began wading through the long grass back to the path with Pichuu still cradled in Crystal's arms.

****

There was a knock at the door of Prof. Oak's laboratory. Misty jumped to her feet and ran to the door. Standing there were four very familiar figures.
"Ash! Togepi! Pikachu!" Misty shouted happily and flung her arms around all three.
"Togi, Togi Priiii!" Togepi squealed happily.
"Eh, hi Misty." Ash greeted her a little unsure.

Tracey stood forward and coughed. "Ahem!" Misty glanced at Tracey and blushed.
"Oh! Sorry Tracey." She smiled nervously. Tracey crossed his arms huffily and snorted.
"Huh, sure whatever. I'm happy to see you too. I'm So glad that you appreciate me coming ALL THIS WAY AS WELL!"

Ash wasn't so sure of what to say. He still had no idea of why Misty left them in the first place and what *had* really happened to her on the volcano? He scratched the back of his head nervously as he followed Misty inside with Tracey, Pikachu, and Togepi.

As they entered the living room Tracey began wondering where Prof. Oak was, seeing as it was his house after all.

"Hey Misty, where is Prof. Oak?" Tracey asked looking around. Misty took a deep breath and sighed.

"It's a very long story, but to give you an answer, he should be back soon." She turned to Ash and smiled a little deviously, "However, there is a certain Oak who's dying to see you." Misty teased in a sarcastic tone. Ash frowned at her.

"Eh…May?" Ash answered. Misty sweatdropped, putting a hand to her head hopelessly. Behind Ash someone laughed. He knew that laugh from anywhere.

"Oh great, Gary." He muttered.
"Well Ash," Gary pretended to glance at his watch. "Late as usual I see." Ash glared at him.
"Can we please have no arguing this early in the morning?!" Tracey shouted. Misty whacked him over the head with her hand.

"Morning?! It's 2.00 in the afternoon!" Misty corrected sternly. Tracey shrugged innocently.
"Well it was an excuse for them to shut up." Tracey pointed to Ash and Gary who had ignored them and continued with their arguments. Pikachu who was getting fed up with the two, decided to give them a shocking lesson…sorry, must be Prof. Oak's influence. AAAAAHHHHHH!!!!

"Pikachuuuuuuuu!!!!!" Ash and Gary yelled as the electric bolt hit them. Misty folded her arms and smiled a little. She'd missed Pikachu. She'd even missed Tracey. But she knew who'd she'd missed most of all.

Suddenly she felt a tug at her shoelace. Looking down she saw Togepi.
"Togeprii." It squealed pointing to a little girl who had just recently entered the room. Misty bent down to Togepi and scooped it up into her arms. Walking over to Arin, she smiled at her and called for everyone's attention.

"Everybody, I'd like you to meet Arin. She's staying with Prof. Oak from now on." Ash managed to lift his head as he lay sprawled on the ground next to Gary.
"Don't tell me. Another long story huh?" Misty nodded in answer to Ash's question and giggled.

Prof. Oak cooked lunch and set it out for each of them. The group had long conversations, mostly about Misty and Arin's adventures in the recent past.
After staying the night at Ash's house, Misty and co. decided to leave once more on their pokémon journey making sure to say goodbye to Arin and Gary one last time.

Arin stood at the door beside Gary, and waved at Misty one last time as she headed down the path with the hopeful trainer, loopy watcher, and the yellow mouse with an electrifying personality. Oh yeah…and the egg.
"Some crowd." Gary laughed, hands on hips.

Prof. Oak had gone on another search for his long lost book. Gary was leaving that very day, Arin knew this. She didn't mind being left alone for a couple of hours before Prof. Oak came home, however Gary did. {Surprised? I am! I don't know what kinda shit I'm writing here, so leave me alone!!}

He stuffed things into his bag hurriedly as his car and cheerleaders waited outside for him. Arin sat infront of him, cross legged, and smiled.

"Where are you going first?" She asked beaming. Gary looked up and smiled back.
"Dunno. Hey, you will be alright by yourself won't you?" He repeated for the hundredth time. Arin had no idea Gary had a more or less sensitive side to him, and was therefore a little surprised. Nevertheless, she also found it funny and started to giggle.

"I'll be alright." She said, nodding towards the T.V and grinning back at him. Gary nodded and stood up. "Alright. Just don't tell anyone about my sensitive side, kay?" He said as he walked with her to the door. Arin grinned.
For the third time, Arin waved goodbye from the doorstep. Gary waved from his car one last time before it sped off back down the road. Arin whispered one last goodbye before turning back to her new home.



Next part comin' soon!