Disclaimer: I own Pokemon like I own a an Eminem CD. Which means I don't. :P

Wahaaaaa, I'm back. I finally got some incentive to write this story some more thanks to some really great reviews (and the fact that school is out :P). This one's kind of short, but ah well. :P Enjoy!

Before the Capture: Venus

Chapter 4

{G... Gale!} Blade squeaked. The Noctowl smiled.

{Yes, dear--I was keeping watch when I saw two mischievous little Pokemon creeping toward the end of the meadow...} Venus and Blade gulped.

{Please, ma'am, don't make us go back,} Venus pleaded. {This is for the best--for everyone… wait, keeping watch?} Venus asked suddenly.

{Yes--from midnight to sunrise I keep a watch over the meadow. Zephyrus watches from sunset to midnight.} Venus blinked.

{Every night?}

{Every night.}

{Then... how come we never see you?}

{Well, you're USUALLY sleeping...} Venus blushed, but went on.

{But then... why didn't YOU stop the Ekans from invading your nest?? I KNOW you saw him if you were watching!} Venus cried. Gale ruffled her wings.

{Oh, I saw him, alright,} replied the owl, {and I was just about to use Hypnosis on him, but I saw a little green Pokemon already on it...}

{Do you mean Venus, Ms. Gale ma'am?} Blade asked timidly.

{That is precisely who I mean.}

{Well, so what?} Venus replied. {It was your egg, not mine. I was just looking for a way to relieve some boredom--but the egg was YOUR baby. And then Zephyrus wouldn't have put my family in such a tight spot!} Needless to say, Venus was more than a bit peeved.

{Oh, but Venus,} Gale said with a glint in her eye, {then you wouldn't be here talking to me as you try to escape the meadow and... broaden your horizons, would you?} Both Venus's and Blade's eyes grew wide in shock.

{You mean to tell me you PLANNED this?} Gale chuckled.

{Well, sort of. I was as surprised by the Ekans as anyone else would have been--but when I saw that you were more than ready to take care of such an adversary at such a great risk... I knew it was time for you to fulfill the potential that lies inside that little bulb. So I pretended I knew nothing about anything, though I was prepared to intervene if needed. But don't worry--I did get an earful from Zephie when I told him I didn't see what happened because I'd gone for an early breakfast...} she explained. Now the two young Pokemon were speechless. Gale continued.

{I've been watching you for a while, Venus. Ever since you came to this meadow, you've been something else. Given Zephyrus was sometimes right about your getting into trouble, but it's hard not to when you're such an inquisitive soul in such a small part of this vast world. You too, Blade,} she said, looking at the slightly intimidated Spearow. {The other Spearow call you weak for your peaceful nature, but it's really a sign of strength. Your ability to overcome such natural aggression has allowed you to grow in ways no Spearow can ever dream--in wisdom and reasoning. If it weren't for those, who knows how much more trouble Venus would have gotten into...} she said, smiling at Venus, who was now blushing again, just a bit.

{You two go on now,} she said. {If we sit here all night, you'll never be far enough away for the others not to look for you. I'm just glad you decided not to go until after midnight, or Zephyrus would have caught you...} Both Venus and Blade blanched at the thought.

{One more thing,} she said, producing a baseball from her wing. {I believe this is yours, dear,} she said kindly, handing it to Blade.

{Oooh, thank you!} she cried. {I couldn't carry it and fly here all by myself! It's these stubby wings,} she added sheepishly.

{You're more than welcome, dear,} the Noctowl smiled.

{I'll carry it for you,} Venus said helpfully. {Then you can play with it whenever you want.} Blade beamed at her friend's offer.

{You two had better be off, now,} Gale told them. {You two are sneaky enough that no one will suspect anything if I say I didn't see you--especially if I say I was at the other end of the meadow at the time. I guess being a former Pokemon of an actress paid off after all,} she said with a wink.

Before Venus or Blade could ask anything more, she smiled, bid them farewell once more, and flew off.

{Wow...} Blade said as they started out.

{I know… who would have known that a sweet Pokemon like her would pair with... that,} Venus said quite seriously. Blade giggled.

{I guess Zephyrus did do one wise thing in his lifetime, eh, Venus?} Venus nodded with a smile. {I wish I knew what she meant by that last comment, though... odd how you can live with someone so long and know almost nothing about them,}  she said reflectively as she flapped along beside her friend.

{Well, when we finally become the strongest Pokemon ever, we can come back and find out.}

{How do you know we'll become the strongest? Or that the meadow will still be around when we do?}  Blade asked dubiously. Venus stared at the ground as she walked for a minute, finding the words.

{Well,} she said finally, {it's hard to explain... something deep down just tells me we will. Like... like it's destiny.} Blade nodded wisely, understanding perfectly--deep down, she had the same feeling. She chuckled.

{I just hope it's sooner rather than later,} she said.

{Why's that?} Blade stopped flying and landed on Venus's bulb, winded.

{Cuz it's a real pain flying with these horridly short wings,} she panted. Venus laughed, and they continued through the forest all through the silent, dark night.

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Wow, who'd have thought the recent occurrences would have had outside influences? But all for the better--otherwise, there wouldn't be much of a story, would there? :P What does the world have in store for our little Pokeheroes? Shall we ever find out about Gale's interesting past? Maybe... you'll have to read and review to find out!

A/N: As I said, short. Also very inspired--I was going to have Venus's mother come instead, but this just hit me. Hope it's OK. :P Please review--it helps so much, it really does. Especially since I'm such a procrastinator and need incentive for almost everything. ^_~