Disclaimer: *backs away from Ash's Pikachu* I told you, I don't own Pokemon! *pulls out a Pokeball* *Pokeball disappears* Told ya….I only own all of the Wendolphs, so there! *sticks out tongue at snotty lawyers*

Always Competing

Part 2

The Choice

By: MizuFaia

As 8th period got out at Cobblestone Pokemon Academy, Mary franticly searched for Ralph. "Ralph!" she yelled, seeing him get out from the Dragon Pokemon Arena.

Ralph sighed. Here we go again, he thought. "I'm not entering with you Mary!"

Instead of looking upset, Mary looked calm. "You know, my father's mines digs up tons of stuff," Mary stated calmly.

"Yeah, so?" Ralph asked warily.

"Do you know what this is?" Mary asked, pulling a emerald-colored stone out of her backpack.

Ralph didn't even look at it. "I know Wendolph Mines mine Rare-" he stopped, actually looking at the stone. "M-m-m-moon Stone?" he asked, gaping at the stone in Mary's hands.

"Of course. Like I said, my father mines out a lot of stuff, which includes Moon Stones. Look Ralph, I'll make a deal with you," Mary said, switching on her let's-talk-business voice. "You enter with me, and I'll give you two Moon Stones, one for your Nidorino and one for that dinky Nidorina that Emily has. If you don't enter with me, forget about even touching another Moon Stone for the rest of your life," Mary sneered.

Ralph hesitated. He knew how badly his Nidorino wanted to be a Nidoking, and how badly Emmie's (Ele: Since when do you start calling her Emmie? Ralph: Be quiet and let me think about Mary's offer! Ele: *whispers in Ralph's ear* Ralph: Really? Mary: Stop interfering with my brilliant plan! Ele: That's my brilliant plan!) Nidorina wanted to be a Nidoqueen. He sighed in defeat. Remember, if Nidorino and Nidorina evolve, they'll be stronger, so maybe Emmie'll get into the Orange Elite too, his conscience said. "Ok, I'll enter with you," Ralph said slowly.

Mary smiled wickedly, then pulled out another Moon Stone. Depositing the two evolution stones into Ralph's hands, Mary picked up her backpack and headed for home. "Bye Ralph! You won't regret this!" She called over her shoulder, tossing her pretty brown curls.

"I'm already regretting it," Ralph muttered.

"Regretting what?" a voice said from behind Ralph.

Ralph spun around. "Emily! Uh, nothing at all!" he chirped, trying to hide the two Moon Stones.

Emily narrowed her violet eyes (Ele: I forgot what color her eyes are, sorry. I think that they're purple…) "Why were you talking to Mary? And what are you hiding behind your ba-" Emily gasped.

"What?"

"Where did you get those Moon Stones?"

"What Moon Stones?"

"All right, what did you pay Mary for those?"

"For what?"

"The Moon Stones."

"What about then?"

Emily gritted her teeth. Ralph was just impossible! "RALPH, TELL ME WHAT HAPPENED NOW, OR ELSE I'LL TELL EVERYONE YOU USED TO WET THE BED!" she shouted.

"Here," Ralph said, shoving a Moon Stone into Emily's hand.

Emily stared at the stone, then at Ralph. He had always panicked when she threatened him, starting from after Ash, Misty, and Tracey left. "What's going on Ralph?" she asked quietly.

Hearing that his precious angel (Ele: I had to make it flaffy…I mean fluffy) was upset, Ralph muttered,"ItoldMaryI'denterwithherintheOrangeEliteCompetitionbecauseIknewhowmuchyourNidorinaneededtheMoonStoneandI'mreallysorrybutit'sthebestforthePokemonbye," he rushed out.

Emily stared at Ralph's retreating form, her violet eyes filling with tears. "Ralph," she whispered.

Ralph ran on, not stopping until he reached his house. I'm really sorry Emmie, but it's best for both of the Pokemon, he thought sadly.

At night, as Emily got ready for bed, she glanced at the pretty stone on her dresser. It shone in the moonlight, clearly showing a crescent moon in the center. She was tempted to use it, but stopped just in time. I'm sorry Nidorina, I just can't use it, she thought sadly, before getting into her bed.

Next door, Ralph stared at the Moon Stone on his dresser. I have to use it…I paid too much for this, losing Emmie's trust. Our friendship is probably broken by now…But I can't use it, knowing how I got it. I'm sorry Nidorino. I'm sorry Emmie, he thought, before getting into his bed.

On Brickstone Way, two lights clicked off at the exact same time.

Ele: *sob* How could you do that Ralph! *Sigh* Well, chapter three is coming soon, to a fanfiction.net near you! I'm sorry if the color of Emily's eyes isn't right…I have about 50 tapes, and I don't really have the time to watch them all ^_^;;. Hmm, what else? Oh yeah, sorry for that annoying line break up there, but it took me 10 minutes to try and fix it and when I couldn't…eh whatever. Send questions, comments, flames, whatever to misty102588@yahoo.com . Thanks!