The More, The Better

Chapter 3

Later that afternoon, near dusk, Mr. Monet and I were sitting in the empty stands, talking. Monet was sixty years old and had been around Ponytas and Rapidashs most of his life. He'd been buying them for forty years, and hiring jockeys to ride them.

"Unfortunately, Chance's jockey quit on me and I was scrambling for a new one. I thought the new jockey would be excellent, but he turned out to be totally incompetent. Rest assured that boy won't be racing Ponytas ever again. However, my mistake nearly cost Chance his life." Monet stopped and looked at me. "But you saved Chance and you showed me something that I never really realized before: Pokemon aren't just our tools for entertainment or battles; they are living things. Killing Chance would've meant that I cared only about winning, and I really care about Pokemon." Another pause. "I want to thank you Arina, and I'm giving you Chance to show my gratitude."

I was speechless. "S-s-sir, are you sure? I was only doing what I thought was right. I couldn't stand by and see a Pokemon killed as punishment for a broken leg."

"That's exactly why I want you to have him. You understand Pokemon, you did more than anyone would have today." Monet nodded approvingly. "You've got a lot of guts, Arina."

"Thank you, Mr. Monet." I felt slightly lightheaded as I shook his hand.

"Thank YOU, Arina. You'd best go tend to Chance now with Nurse Joy. The poor thing's suffered long enough."

* * * *

I peeked over the door of Chance's stall to see the fallen champion lying there peacefully. I still couldn't believe Chance was now mine! I opened the wooden door just enough to squeeze in, and Chance looked up.

"No, no, please don't get up." I started, suddenly losing my confidence. What on Earth had I done?

Chance snorted and lay back down on the hay.

"I've been asking myself all day," a voice came from the opposite dark corner, "what possessed you to do such a crazy thing such as saving this Ponyta's life, at the risk of your own."

"Uncle Brock?" I asked.

"And then I remember - you're Ash Ketchum's daughter. Ash did some crazy stuff, why shouldn't you?"

I knelt down on the hay, next to Chance's head, stroking him lightly between the ears. "Are you mad?"

I heard Brock sigh, "No. You saved a Pokemon's life, but I don't think you realize how much danger you put yourself in. If you'd been just a few seconds later, you would have been the one shot, not Chance. You were lucky, both of you."

Chance wagged his head, as if agreeing. "I know." I lay my hands on my lap. "I'm sorry for scaring you," I paused, "but I couldn't watch Chance get killed, I just couldn't!"

Brock silently put his tools back in his bag, then closed it. "Chance has a bad break in his rear left leg, but I've seen worse. Nurse Joy and I set the leg in a cast and I've been wrapping extra plaster on it, and letting it dry."

I nodded. "Don't move, Chance. You have to heal before you can stand again, ok?"

Chance nickered, and I took that as I sign that he understood. I looked at Brock. "Thank you, Uncle Brock, I don't know how to repay you..."

"Come on, let's go home," was all he replied.

"It's sort of funny, all these hurt legs." I said as we started for the car. "First me, then Pika -" I gasped. "I forgot all about Pika-baby! It's still at the Pokemon Center!"

"You go; I'll meet you there with the car."

I nodded and jogged off. At the Pokemon Center, Pikachu was sitting on the main counter, eating pieces of candy, delicately unwrapping them with its tiny paws, then happily popping them in its mouth. Nurse Joy was sitting there, typing away on the computer.

"Pika-Pi!" Pikachu cried, nearly choking on a piece of chocolate in his excitement at seeing me.

"Hi, Pika-baby!" I picked it off the counter and hugged it. "Ready to go home?"

"Pika!"

I looked over the counter. "Joy?"

Joy looked up. "Hello, Arina."

"Thank you for taking care of Chance and Pikachu for me."

"You're welcome." Joy said in a pleasant tone.

"How much is the bill?"

"Someone already paid it." she announced.

I blinked in confusion. "Huh? Who?"

Joy shook her head. "They swore me to secrecy. I'm sorry."

"O-k." I shrugged uneasily. "Thanks."

I turned away and Joy added, "Good luck."

I paused and looked over my shoulder quizzically, but then walked out to Brock's car.

"Where's Karen?" I asked as I strapped myself into the passenger's seat.

"Karen went home a few hours ago, there was nothing for her to do at the track."

"Oh. Well, then I guess I'd better just tell you then. Monet gave me Chance."

Brock nearly ran off the road at my announcement. He swerved to a stop on the shoulder and turned to me. "Tell me you're joking. Race horses are not just given away like that!"

"I'm not! I swear I'm not! Monet said that I deserved Chance because I risked my life to save him."

Brock turned off the car, and only stared at me. For a while we just sat on the side of the road in silence. Finally, he asked, "Have you thought of a name for your Ponyta?"

A little startled by the question, I asked, "Chance? Why would I want to change his name?"

"I don't know," Brock shrugged as he started the car again. "I figured you might want to give it a name of your own."

"Maybe." I said, looking out the passenger window. "I'll think about it."

We arrived back home a few minutes later, and walked toward the front door. "That's funny, all the lights are out in the house. Didn't you say Karen came home?" I asked, holding Pika-baby.

"Maybe she and Electra went out to dinner." Brock said as he unlocked the front door. As soon as I stepped in and turned on the lights, several people jumped out from behind the furniture, and yelled, "SURPRISE!"

I was so startled I stepped back a few paces, right into Brock.

"The party." Brock groaned good-naturedly. "I forgot all about it."

"Mom, Dad, Pikachu?!" I cried as I began to recover from the shock. "What's going on?"

"Well," Electra started, sounding almost apologetic, "you told me you didn't have much of a birthday, so I thought we'd have a birthday party here. Surprised?"

I nodded happily. "Yes, very much!"

"Rattat! Ratta!" Rattata cried as it ran into the room wearing a party hat. (Arina, I'm happy you're home!)

"Pika-Pi!" Pika-baby cried, wanting down. I obliged, and placed it on the couch.

"We're glad you're finally here," Electra said. "What took you guys so long?"

"That's a long story." Brock said with a nervous laugh.

"You can explain everything over your birthday dinner." Electra clapped me on the back and winked back at Mom and Dad. "Brock's not the only chef in this house."

* * * *

Three adults, one teenager, two Pikachu, and a Rattata just stared at me in disbelief.

"You WHAT?!" the adults shouted in unison. I stared at them calmly with a smile on my face.

"Arina Ketchum, you've told some clever whoppers in your time, but if you seriously expect any of us to believe you're the new owner of the twice crowned winner Chance -"

"Triple crown winner." I corrected my father, just a mite smugly. "And no, I'm not lying."

Mom looked like she was going to faint. "How?"

"Do you really want to know?"

"A contest?" Electra offered.

Brock and I nearly choked on our Miso soup, trying not to laugh at how far from the truth she was.

"Well, come on, out with it, before I go to the stables and find out from the Ponyta myself." Mom demanded.

Swallowing the bite in my mouth, I said, "Fine. I told you about Brock getting the tickets and us watching the races. While the Ponytas were going around for a third lap, Chance tripped and broke his leg. The officials for the race had a big meeting right there and then and they decided Chance should be destroyed."

Mom gasped.

"Officer Jenny came out to the field with a rifle, and I knew I couldn't let Chance die."

"Oh God." Dad whispered, holding his head in his hands. "Please tell me you didn't..."

"So I jumped the barrier and pushed Jenny out of the way."

Everyone's eyes were as wide as saucers now as they watched me regale the story.

"What happened then?" Electra asked.

"I begged everyone to save Chance's life, and Mr. Monet, his owner, finally relented, then later decided I should have Chance."

"You should have seen her, Elé," Brock nodded, seeming just as enthusiastic now about the events as me now, "she looked just like Ash does when he's angry."

Ash looked offended, but Misty nudged him playfully. "Well, you do tend to get a certain look, dear."

"She was ready to fight those guys with her fists to save Chance." Brock nodded.

"So you've got a lame Pokemon." Mom said.

"My Pokemon isn't lame! It's just as good as anyone else's! Maybe even better!" I cried defensively.

"No, sweetie. I mean that you've got a Ponyta with a broken leg." Mom laughed.

"And a lame Pikachu too." Electra said, nodding to Pika-baby.

"How did that happen, Arina?" my father asked.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Karen's head shoot up, and our eyes met. Even I knew the consequences if she got caught for this one. She knew she'd put Pika-baby at a disadvantage and in danger, and yet she continued the battle until I forfeited. She probably deserved whatever punishment was coming to her.

"Oh, just an accident." I said lightly. "It'll be fine in six weeks." Luckily, Pika-Baby was too busy chowing down to take notice of the turn in conversation, therefore, there would be no argument.

"That's too bad." Electra dismissed the issue with a sigh. "Who's up for helping me clean the dishes?"

"I will." I stood up.

"Sit down. No birthday girls are allowed to work tonight! Brock, Karen, Pikachu, you can help me."

The named left the room, leaving Mom, Dad, Togepi, and me. "Are you mad at me?"

"For what?" Mom asked. "You saved a Pokemon's life at the risk of your own. I only know of one other person who'd do that." she looked at Dad.

"Not even I'm that crazy." Dad shook his head.

"You are most definitely a Ketchum though, Arina." Mom grinned.

I smiled, a lot more relieved, feeling a little more comfortable around my parents. After they'd picked me up in Viridian City, things really hadn't been the same between us.

The lights in the room suddenly went out and a voice started singing, "Happy Birthday". A cake with ten candles was set down before me as the song ended. I blew the candles out after making a silent, secret wish, and everyone cheered.

Later, everyone (except Karen, who had excused herself for the night) was settled down in the living room with cups of tea.

"Mm, this has been a wonderful birthday party." I murmured as I sat on the carpeted floor, leaning against the couch.

"It's about to get even better." Electra said, dashing out of the room for a moment, then coming in with an armful of presents.

"Presents?" I asked.

"Yup!"

"Oh, Electra, Brock! Presents weren't necessary!" Mom said.

"Yes, they were - OW!" Mom kneed me in the back.

Electra giggled. "Go ahead and open them."

So I unwrapped all my presents. From Brock and Electra, I got 100 Pokeballs - 25 regular, 25 safari, 25 ultra, and 50 great balls, a Pikachu plush toy (which the two real ones said was a good likeness, but couldn't compare to the original), and -

"Another Pokeball?" I asked, curious.

"Open it." Brock said.

So I maximized it and opened it. The flash of red appeared and turned into...

"An Eevee?"

"Yup, born two months ago under the expert care of Brock's Breeder Shop." Brock announced proudly.

"Eui?" the little Eevee asked me.

"Hi, little Eevee." I cooed as I picked it up. It looked up at me and began to wail.

"Oh dear." Mom said and put Togepi on the ground as I put down Eevee.

The little egg waddled over to Eevee and said, "Toge-Toge-Togepi?"

"Eui-Eui!" Eevee wailed back. Togepi patted it on the back. It stopped crying long enough to spot my stuffed Pikachu toy and nuzzle up to it for comfort.

"It's experiencing a little bit of separation anxiety, which isn't uncommon. It should recover pretty soon." Electra explained.

"Ok," I said, looking worriedly at the Eevee, who'd fallen asleep on the toy.

"We saved the best present for last, Arina." Dad said as I was cutting myself a second piece of cake a minute later. Dad cleared his throat and I looked up. He put his arm around Mom and held her close. "Everyone, we're going to have a baby."

There were gasps of delight from Electra and Brock. The knife dropped from my hand instantly. "What?" I whispered as I stared at my parents in profound, numbing shock.

"Isn't it wonderful, Arina?" Mom said.

"Excuse me." I said and ran out of the room and upstairs. By the time I'd reached my room, I was in tears. I'd been wrong the entire time! Mom and Dad weren't getting a divorce - they were getting closer! Now that I was leaving on my journey, they were having another baby!

Karen appeared at the doorway. "What's wrong?"

I whirled around, startled at her voice. "What do you care?" I sniffed angrily.

"Geez, you don't need to snap at me!"

"My parents are having another baby."

"And you're upset?! I'd give anything to have a little sib."

"Leave me alone, Karen. Haven't you done enough today?"

Karen sounded undeniably hurt by that remark when she spoke. "Y'know, I thought I had you pegged. I mean, you were this really sweet kid my parents gushed over since we were both little. I hated you every time your name came up, or any time I saw you. Then you ran away and I was so happy because you weren't the perfect child."

I simply stared at Karen - I hadn't expected this confession.

"So, if you'll excuse the expression, I was really p.o.'d when you came to Pewter after everyone thought you were missing, and even angrier when you came into the Gym the next day."

"So you used the illegal attack during our match to scare me off." I added, angry now.

"Dig isn't an illegal attack."

"The way you used it was illegal. You fight Pokemon to faint them, not to break their legs."

Karen looked away, ashamed. "I know. That's why I paid for Pika-baby's medical treatment."

I could only stare at Karen now.

"Well, you're welcome." Karen seemed aloof, like it was no big deal. "Night." She shut the door behind her as she left.

* * * *

Later that night, after crying myself to sleep, I awoke to someone tapping on my window. I stumbled to the window. It was Sailor Raichu! I opened the window and looked out as Sailor Raichu knelt down on the roof. "Sailor Raichu, what are you doing here?"

"Do you trust me?" she only asked as she extended her hand toward me.

"After you saved us at the ice cream shop last night? Of course!"

I grabbed her hand and she pulled me onto the roof.

"Senshi Teleportation!" she cried, and a bright light engulfed us.

* * * *

We arrived on the roof of a skyscraper in downtown Pewter City.

"Is this safe?" I asked, peering down at the street far below us.

Sailor Raichu said nothing.

"I have a funny feeling you don't want to talk to me about sports." I continued.

"I don't want to talk to you. I want you to talk to me."

"About what? The fact that my parents are having a baby - that they don't want me anymore?"

"Arina, that's not true and you know it." A male's voice said sternly behind us.

"What?" I looked back with Sailor Raichu. There stood a tall man wearing a gray suit, with a cape and top hat, and white eye mask.

"Tuxedo Takeshi." Sailor Raichu murmured. "I didn't expect to see you tonight."

"I didn't expect to be out tonight," he answered. "But when I heard that two parents were worried about their daughter, I had to come," he walked over to Arina. "Ash and Misty can act immaturely sometimes, but they love you. Just because they're having a baby doesn't mean they're replacing you or love you any less."

"I know." I whispered. "I'm just so scared. Suddenly my parents are getting along. Mom's going to have a baby."

"So you're feeling left out of the loop?" Takeshi asked.

"You don't realize how lucky you are, though. Some people don't have even have parents to love them." Sailor Raichu added.

"Arina, have you ever thought that maybe they aren't afraid of you failing them, but them afraid of failing you?"

I looked up in surprise. "Failing me? How could they do that? Don't they know I would give up the world just to have them?"

"When's the last time you told them, Arina?" Sailor Raichu asked quietly.

I looked at the two superheroes as the night wind whipped around us.

* * * *

Dawn broke. I stood inside the guest room at the Stone house, my stomach doing huge somersaults. What would I say? What would my parents do? Taking a deep breath, drawing strength from the conversation I had with Sailor Raichu and Tuxedo Takeshi last night, I walked downstairs.

Mom and Dad were eating breakfast when I arrived in the kitchen. For a moment, they just stared at me, and then I lost it. I ran to Mom and begged her to forgive me. I must have cried for about ten minutes and suddenly everything I felt tumbled out of my mouth, garbled by my sobs.

"I feel like I failed you and that's why you want another kid. One that would make you proud." I finally ended.

"WHAT?!" Dad and Mom both asked in shock at once.

"Arina, why would you think that?" Dad asked. "That's not true at all!"

"Your father's right. We've never thought you failed us. Look at yourself; you've got more Pokemon now than your father did when he reached Pewter on his journey. We're so proud of you that peoples' ears fall off after hearing us talk about you for hours!" Mom said

I giggled at the imagery.

"The point is we're not trying to replace anyone." Dad said firmly, cupping my chin gently so that our eyes met. "Especially you, our beautiful daughter. But we are expecting a baby, and like it or not, it's here to stay, and so are you."

"I know." I nodded, wiping at my eyes. "I am sorry."

"And we promise we won't drop news like that in front of everyone without telling you first. We thought we'd surprise you."

"Oh, you did!" I giggled. "I think I'd prefer a pair of rollerblades for my birthday, though."

"Why you! C'mere!" Dad growled good-naturedly and started tickling me. I screamed with laughter, begging him to stop.

"Oh! Blackmail material!" Electra cried as she snapped an instant photo.

I screamed. "Give me that picture, Aunt Elé!" I jumped up and ran into the living room.

Karen was waving the picture tauntingly in the air. I leapt for her, but she held out her hand. "Wait a minute, Arina."

"What now?"

"To get this picture back, you must challenge me to a re-match for the Boulder Badge at the Pewter City Gym." Karen said, still waving the picture up high.

"You're on!"

* * * *

"This is an official Gym match. There are special rules."

"Karen!" I whined, "we've already been through this part!"

Karen sighed. "Two Pokeballs. No time limit."

"Really." I asked a teensy bit sarcastically.

Karen sighed and tossed out a Pokeball. "Go, Geodude!"

"Arina calls...Bulbasaur!"

"Geodude, tackle attack!"

"Bulbasaur, leech seed now!"

"Geodude, dodge the seeds, then tackle!" Karen cried.

"Geo!"

"Bulbasaur Tackle attack!"

My call came too late. Geodude tackled Bulbasaur first. Bulbasaur bounced back a couple of feet towards me, but then righted itself.

"Hang in there, Bulbasaur! You should be able to beat Geodude! Try Leech Seed again!"

Bulbasaur sent out its leech seed once more, and this time it hit the target. Geodude, out of energy, dropped like a stone.

"No way!" I cried in disbelief.

Karen recalled Geodude. "I am impressed, but is Bulbasaur a match for Onix? Go!"

"Oh no..." I moaned as the giant rock snake reared up before us.

"Gronix, use Bide!"

Memory lapse set in. "What the heck IS bide, again?" I asked as I pulled out Dextra.

Dextra chirped, "Bide is a Technical Machine (TM). The Pokemon using Bide takes damage in two turns, then unleashes it back double."

"Oh cool! I didn't know that (obviously....). Ok, Bulbasaur, return!"

Onix glowed blue, as it powered up on Bide.

"Go Squirtle!"

"Gronix, use Screech!"

"Squirtle! Bubble now!" I covered my ears as Gronix screeched, but smirked. "A little noise isn't gonna hurt a water Pokemon! Again, Bubble!"

"Gronix tackle attack."

"Squirtle, withdraw!"

"Wait for it Onix!"

"Move out of the way of its tackle, then use your Bubble attack, Squirtle!"

"Screech weakens your defenses." Karen warned me.

"Doesn't weaken my attacks though!" I answered her.

"Gronix, Screech attack, then tackle!"

Squirtle rolled its shell over to Onix, then sent out bubbles aimed directly at Gronix.

Gronix roared and promptly passed out.

Karen was stoic. "Onix, return."

I ran over to Karen. "I'm sorry Karen, I didn't mean to hurt Gronix that badly."

Karen smiled. "Gronix will be fine once Nurse Joy treats her. Congratulations, Arina. I commend you on a great battle." she paused. "You're o.k., you know that?"

I smiled. "So are you, Karen."

"Friends?"

"To the end!"

* * * *

"That's everything." I said as I zippered up my backpack that afternoon.

"Are you sure you have to go so soon?" Electra asked. "You just got here!"

"Elé, she has to continue her Pokemon journey." Brock put his arm around Electra comfortingly.

"That's right." I nodded. "But I'll be back soon enough, ready to battle in the Pokemon League." I turned to Karen. "Thanks for the match." I pointed proudly to the Boulder Badge pinned to my shirt. "This means a lot to me. Thank you."

"The next time you visit, we'll have another match!" Karen said as we hugged.

I waved goodbye to the Stones, six Pokeballs at my waist. My parents had left for Pallet Town right after breakfast. Chance would be staying in Pewter and Baby would be staying with my parents and then both would join me on my journey in six weeks after their legs had healed, and their casts had been removed. For now, I had Pidge, my Pidgey; Highdive, my Spearow; Poke, my Weedle; and Bulbasaur, Squirtle, and Rattata. Eevee (whom I dubbed Eve) wanted to stay with with Pika-baby and Togepi, dragging with it my new stuffed Pikachu toy by its plush ear. Squirtle, although very reluctant, had agreed to come along for the trip after I promised to return it to its home in the pond when we reached Viridian Forest at the end of my journey.

"Dear Diary,

After a brief stop in Pewter, I am once again on the road. Our next stop is Mt. Moon, and then Cerulean City, home of my mom's three older sisters, Daisy, Lily, and Violet.

I still have no idea who paid for Ponyta's medical expenses; some kind stranger, I suppose. I wish I could have thanked them in person.

I have not heard from Rob, so I'm beginning to wonder how far he really did go on that bubble. I hope he's o.k., and not wandering around lost somewhere.

Time for bed. All my Pokemon are asleep now, as I should be.

Love,

Arina"

End Chapter 3