Pokémon - The Journey Begins
Chapter 24: When the Hill Becomes Steeper...
The sun was bright, and the birds in the trees were chirping, and Lizzie was pacing outside her tent. It has been for hours since Matt had left with his Squirtle. Unknown where either of them could be, she continued pacing. Jordan made several attempts to get her to relax, however regardless what he said, Lizzie refused to listen.
She suddenly looked up, hearing soft footfalls on the long, dirt path, as finally Matt's figure showed up, with Squirtle right behind him, as always. He was flicking something in his hand constantly, again and again. He smiled at both Lizzie and Jordan, waving to them.
"Matt, where the frickin' hell have you been?!" Lizzie asked.
"All that work that you didn't want me to do last night happened to work out in my favour! I found the Fuchsia gym this morning, won the Soul Badge, and walked back. I used Zubat's radar to find it, so now I know where we are! We're not stuck near Saffron after all!"
"Matt; Lizzie's been pacing around, talking about you constantly for the past couple of hours. She was really worried about you You see what happens when a girl falls in love? I have to listen to their rants and complaints!"
"Hey! Watch it!" Lizzie snapped, holding up a fist.
"Hey, I didn't mean anything!" Jordan stepped back, holding up both his hands, as if he was surrendering to her. "Please, whatever you do, don't step on my toes like the last time I said that."
"You DESERVED it!"
"Can't you take a little tease now and then?!"
Matt sighed heavily, as he wiped off some sweat from his forehead. Squirtle sighed as well, and decided to sit down. "Come on, you guys. This isn't a good time to fight."
"Ooh, wait!" Lizzie dropped her fist, and faced Matt. "What about our bikes, are they there?"
Matt frowned and shook his head. "Team Rocket must have taken those, too, or destroyed them. Or perhaps they were stolen. Whatever. But since I know where we are, all we have to do is walk south from here, and take a ferry to Cinnibar Island."
"That sucks, having to lose our bikes like that. We might have to pay to borrow other bikes, and hope that those ones won't get stolen," Lizzie said.
"I don't think we should try that anymore. Knowing how often Team Rocket is after us, we could lose them again. Not all Joys at the Pokémon Centers will be willing to allow us to lose those bikes. Next time, we'll probably have to pay for them in full," Matt pointed out.
"Squirtle..." Squirtle muttered.
"Oh well, you seem to know our direction. We have to go South?" Jordan asked.
"Yes, this way," Matt pointed. "And we must be prepared for battle at all costs, Team Rocket is beginning to become desperate here. Their constant trying to capture us and kill us is honestly starting to scare me a little."
"I know!" Lizzie replied. "They've gotten so desperate that some day they could just come up with their entire army or whatever."
Matt placed his hands on Lizzie's shoulders and stared deep into her eyes. His infamous look, full of confidence and sincerity. "Don't worry. We're fully equipped with very strong Pokémon. Nothing they do could ever keep us from fighting back. If they ever were to kill a person, it could be huge trouble for them. Honestly."
"It's true," Jordan continued. "If one of them ended up killing just for the purpose of Pokémon, they could easily be tracked down and all of Team Rocket could be completely wiped out."
Matt stood still and thought for a minute. The idea sounded very intriguing to him. If he could flush out Team Rocket by giving up his life, he would do it.
"Hey, what's up?" Lizzie asked.
Matt blinked and slowly stared coldly into Lizzie's eyes. "I'll do it..." he quietly muttered.
"What?" Lizzie became frightened; that was not the same look Matt gave her only a few short moments ago.
"I said, 'I'll do it'," Matt repeated.
"What are you talking about?!" Lizzie asked.
"If sparing one's life is enough to help annihilate Team Rocket, I'm willing to give up my life for that. Team Rocket, where are you?!" Matt turned and began to run, as Squirtle began running right behind him.
"What?! Matt, what the hell do you think you're doing?!" Jordan shouted. "I'm not even sure if what I have to say is true! I mean, the police so far are defenseless against Team Rocket. You could just be wasting your life!" He began to run after him, but Lizzie held out her arm, and stopped him before he could get too far.
"I'll go after him. You watch the camp." She began chasing after Matt. "What in God's name has gotten into you, Matt?! Why are you so obsessed with Team Rocket? First you're willing to kill Arrmun, and now you're willing to expose yourself just to stop one small fragment of the entire organization?!"
"I don't care! I can help prevent other lives from being destroyed if I give up my own life!"
Lizzie stopped and gasped for breath, regaining her stamina. "I never understand you, Matt. Sometimes you can be kind, sometimes you can look like the smartest person in the world. But other times you don't even think, and dash ahead into dangerous situations. You can be so stupid."
Matt stopped and turned around. "What?" He approached Lizzie, not completely hearing what she said the first time.
"I thought you were different. I thought that deep inside you really cared for others, but it's not true. It just isn't. All guys are the same. Self-absorbed, arrogant, thoughtless--"
"No! I'm none of those things! Stop saying such nonsense!" Matt yelled back. "Why do you think I'm doing this? For myself?! If I can stop Team Rocket by giving myself up for them, then isn't that better for the world?"
"Squirtle squirtle squirt!" Squirtle replied angrily to Matt.
"What? What are you complaining about?!"
"Matt, look in your Zenigame's eyes. He truly cares for you. He doesn't want you to do such a rash thing! Fod God's sake for once will you listen to reason? Do you have any idea what a stupid thing you're doing right now?"
"Lizzie, what do you prefer...me giving up my life to prevent Team Rocket from harming another soul, or letting me live and have Team Rocket continue its reign of terror?"
"Neither! When the hell did either of these options come up?! You don't need to risk your life for exposing Team Rocket. No, I don't want you to do something stupid like giving up your life, and no, I don't want Team Rocket to continue it's terrible reign of terror. They will be stopped some day! You have to realize this. Not to mention...no, forget it."
"Speak," Matt said, almost ordering her to respond.
Lizzie turned around and looked at Matt straight in the eyes with tears rolling down her face. Never had Lizzie ever felt such strong emotions over a person before, nor had she ever been faced with such a twisted, bizarre situation. "Think about it..." Lizzie sniffled; "what do you think I'm going to say to you?"
"You're going to have to tell me yourself," Matt replied. "Don't just assume I know something just by looking at you."
"STOP THIS!" Lizzie shouted, falling to her knees, beginning to sob. "Look at me! Look at me, damn it!"
Matt's eyes widened. Suddenly he had understand. That bizarre feeling within him suddenly started to speak out. Did she love him? Him? How could somebody like himself be loved, by somebody who definately deserves better? He shook his head. "That's a pile of crap, Lizzie. You don't love me."
"I don't what?!"
"I get it, Lizzie. I get it. And you're right. You've seen how I've acted. I'm nothing more than self-centered; you're right, I don't think things through. God, I'm so stupid. You know what? Now this all makes sense." Matt turned around and looked ahead. He could see Silph Co. in the distance, as if a tall tower was rising itself amongst the trees surrounding it. "For you to go through so much trouble to stop me, it would only make sense if I was killed now."
"No! No!" Lizzie jumped to her feet, and lunged herself at Matt, as they both crashed onto the ground, rolling down the hill roughly. As they reach the bottom, Lizzie coughed between sobs. "Would you stop it and listen to me?! You're really scaring me!"
"If you have such strong feelings about me, why aren't you letting me leave?! You've constantly been saying that I'm scaring you, and how I'm not doing the right thing, so why are you letting me stay? I'm not doing this for myself! I..." Matt stammered. "I..." he took a deep breath. It's all right, he told himself, tell her. "I...I'm doing it for you."
Lizzie's eyes just stared at Matt's, she shook her haid and was prepared to speak, but Matt quickly put his hand over her mouth, silencing her.
"I don't want Team Rocket harming you again. What they've done to you is unforgiveable. I'll never forget how you've been treated. You've become too important to me..." Matt sighed, closing his eyes. "I...I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that. You seem upset, I'll go--"
"No," Lizzie pulled Matt back down to the ground. "No. Go nowhere. I don't care. I don't want you to do this. If you care that much for me, don't go, please. Team Rocket will be stopped, and they will not be allowed to continue with their evil, vile ways. Matt, come on, I've seen too many people harmed and...controlled by Team Rocket. You don't need to go through...what they did."
"What are you talking about? What do you know?" He sighed. "But as long as you promise me that one day, they will be stopped, then I don't expose myself."
Lizzie's eyes widened as she wrapped her arms around Matt. "Oh, oh, you have no idea how much this means to me...really, you don't. Oh, God, if I could just--"
Matt interrupted Lizzie's speech by pressing his warm, pale pink lips against hers. They remained motionless for several seconds. As he removed them, Lizzie and Matt stared at each other, both in awe, uncertain of what just happened.
Matt tore his head away. "I...I'm sorry, I didn't mean to--" Matt started to get up, but Lizzie grabbed his arm. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to, I swear, it just slipped!"
"No, Matt, I didn't mean that--"
"Please, let me go, I need to start doing some SERIOUS thinking!" Matt tried breaking out of Lizzie's reach.
"Matt, don't run. Stay here. Running doesn't solve anything."
"No, I'm dead serious, Lizzie. Please, let me go."
Lizzie sighed as she released her grip on Matt's arm. "You promised though. If you go towards Silph Co. I promise you I will kill you myself!"
"I already said that I'm not going to get myself killed! Please, I just need to think about what the hell's been running through my head." Matt began to run through the vast, open field, confused with all the mixed emotions he felt. Frustration, fear, determination and confusion. When he was far enough away from Lizzie, he blinked a few times and looked at himself. His arms, his hands, his feet, his jacket and even his watch.
"What...what did I just do? Did...did I kiss her? Oh GOD!" He pounded a nearby tree. "Why did I just DO that?! What in God's name has been running through my mind these past couple of days?!" He began to analyze his thoughts, trying to make sense ouf of them. Was it for his frustration for Team Rocket? His burning anger for Arrmun? Perhaps was this mixed with sudden feelings he had for Lizzie? Lizzie? Did he have those feelings for her? Did he kiss her because he loved her? Or was it to keep her quiet? So many questions ran through his head, as his Squirtle eventually caught up to him, and tugged at his jeans.
"Interesting. I never knew I'd find you here all alone," a voice called from behind Matt.
Matt shot his head around and stared straight into Arrmun, with the same cold look he had in his eyes, and the same arrogant speech. "Go away. I'm in no mood to deal with you right now." Matt turned his back on Arrmun, almost hoping he would go away.
"Look, you've caused me a lot of frustration. If you don't start following my orders, I'm going to have to get a little bit rough on you, is that understood?" Arrmun asked.
Matt turned around, and stared at Arrmun, giving him a perplexed look. "And just what in the hell makes you think I'm simply going to start listening to you? I've beaten you every time. If anything, I should be giving YOU orders to follow."
"That's unfortunate, it really is," Arrmun brushed his hand through his hair.
Matt, once again began to grow very angry. "Listen to me, you idiot! I'm serious here, I'm not in the best of moods! Don't make me do something regrettable!"
"That sounds like your everyday attituge," Arrmun muttered, becoming impatient. "I don't know what's wrong with you today, boy, but you've gotten me into a LOT of trouble."
"Good, I'm glad. You know what? Everything terrible that happens to you is something you greatly deserve, and I'm serious by that. As far as I'm concerned, you can go to hell." Matt walked by the tree against which he was leaning and began to run, with Squirtle directly behind him as always. Shortly, he felt a sudden increase in weight, as he was brought down roughtly onto the ground.
"You don't understand, boy."
"No, YOU don't understand!" Matt quickly turned around and placed both of his hands on Arrmun, he then shoved him off, and pulled himself to his feet. "All this time you've been chasing us around, stalking us, causing us pain and fear, especially to Lizzie! I could have killed you so many times, and honestly, with the mood I'm in, I could actually do it!"
"Stop making such pathetic threats," Arrmun replied, pulling himself to his feet before facing Matt again. "You know the consequences of killing, so why bother repeat yourself?"
"I don't care what the consequences are, as long as you are completely out of my life." Matt harsly replied. "You've gone far past the line just from being a common thief."
"How ironic. Who's the one who's trying to kill who here?"
"You've tried to kill us as well, you idiot. You don't deserve to live after the way you've treated me and my friends." Matt grabbed a Greatball from his belt and enlarged it. He stared straight into Arrmun's eyes. Arrmun also stared back. His eyes seemed to burn with a blazing fire, which could consume everything in its path. With it blazed determination, desire, and the rejection of losing. He shook his head, wondering what had just occured. "This is the last straw."
"First, let's make a bet," Arrmun stammered, slightly intimidated with Matt's look.
"I am not making a bet with a lowly, pathetic member of Team Rocket. You wanted to battle, let's get this over with!"
"The bet will include my staying away from you for the rest of your life," he calmly added. He felt slightly relieved, still wondering how staring into a pair of eyes could do something so strange as intimidate him.
"Don't insult me!" Matt shouted. "Do you take me for an idiot? Do you honestly want me to believe that you'll stay off my back for the rest of my life?"
"Well, it's a win-win situation," Arrmun explained. Matt lowered the Greatball in his arm began to listen. "If I win, I get to take three Pokémon of my choice from your collection," Arrmun began, "and if you win, you get to keep all of my Pokémon. As a bonus for either, you will never see me or Team Rocket ever again. You have my word of honour."
"Honour?! You?!" Matt rolled his eyes. "Fine. Three of five battle. If I see any of you or another member of Team Rocket after this, I will search you out, and kill you. And you know that I can do it."
"I know you can." Arrmun pulled out a Greatball. "I'd hate to get personally slaughtered by you."
"You're pushing it way too far. Go Abra!" Matt released the Greatball from his hand as a strange-looking Pokémon appeared. It had long, golden claws, long, bony also golden feet, with a long, thick tail. It seemed to be wearing a thick piece of purple armour; long, flat black eyes, with ears like a fox and a snout like a pig.
"Arcanine, go!" From the Greatball in Arrmun's hand, a very large dog-like Pokémon appeared. Its paws were of a dark orange, its body with the occasional black stripes with a stained white, flowing mane, and a large, bushy stained-white tail.
"Abra, Teleport!"
Abra, who was sitting, suddenly released a small flash of light, before it vanished, giving Arcanine no chance to attack.
"Hey, that's being cheap!" Arrmun complained.
"Look, if you want to forfeit, that's fine with me. I'm really in no mood with battling now."
Arrmun looked around the grassy area, as Abra reappeared. It was well behind is Arcanine, and figured that if he made the command to attack again, it would once again teleport. He decided to sit and remain patient.
"Abra, quick, Psychic attack!" Matt shouted.
Abra's eyes began to glow, and slightly open, as if it was charging up for an attack. An Abra generally doesn't know very well their psychic attacks until they have evolved. The attack was taking a very long time to charge.
"Arcanine, Agility!"
The instant the attack was ready, Abra opened its eyes, in an attempt to telepathically grab Arcanine and control it to do its bidding. However, with a blast of speed, Arcanine dashed far to the side, which resulted in Abra losing its target, and hence cancelling the attack.
"Abra, Teleport again!" Matt yelled.
Abra once again released a flash of light, and it was gone.
"From above, attack!"
"What?" Arrmun looked around.
The Abra reappeared and already with a charged up Psychic attack, it had captured Arcanine within its grasp, and held it tightly. Arcanine was now unable to control itself, as it was being slightly lifted off the ground. In an instant, Arcanine was launched into a nearby tree, colliding with it heavily, and eventually landing onto the grassy terrain below. Very slowly it managed to pull itself to its feet.
Hmm...Arrmun thought. Since Abra's attacks are so limited, he'll end up using the same attacks over and over, he thought. I'll just have to wait and strike when the opportunity arrives.
Matt thought for a moment: This trainer isn't stupid; he knows all about Abra and its moves. I can't just continue to use the same moves over and over again. I have to try something new. If it was evolved, I would have a better selection of psychic attacks.
"Agility!" Arrmun called. "Now, Tackle attack!"
Matt noticed how much lower Abra was towards the ground, as Arcanine caught it in its sights. Before Matt gave out the order to teleport again, it was struck with a hard blow from Arcanine. It was down, and not moving.
"One to nothing. It looks like you'll have to do some more thinking," Arrmun muttered.
"Shut up. Return, Abra." Matt drew Abra back into the Greatball and minimized it. "Don't take this as a shoe-in." He replaced the fallen Abra with an enlarged Pokéball in his other hand. "Zubat, let's go!" Zubat appeared onto the battlefield as soon as the Pokéball was released. "Quick, Flash attack, just like before!"
"What...'Flash' attack he said?" As Arrmun looked on, his Arcanine was struck by a quick blow by the Zubat from behind. His eyes widened. Arcanine was down, and was not moving. "Phenomenal." He called back Arcanine inside its Greatball and minimized it. "Simply astounding."
"Don't screw around with me; it isn't going to work," Matt scowled.
"Who said I was messing around with your mind? Is it that difficult to tell a compliment from an insult? What I said certainly wasn't degrading. Go, Ivysaur!" Arrmun threw another Pokéball as Ivysaur appeared. "Razor Leaf attack!"
From the large flower on its back, several sharp leaves at a rapid pace closed in towards Zubat. It tried desperately to fly away, but it was struck with several of them, as it began to slowly fly towards the ground; its wing was injured..
"Zubat, use Leech Life!" Matt commanded.
Zubat quickly picked up some speed and landed on top of Ivysaur's neck right in front of its emerging bulb. It sank its teeth directly into it, absorbing as much energy and stamina as it possibly could. It then flew off, with Ivysaur nearly collapsing due to the sudden drain in its stamina
"Well, we'll just see about that. Ivysaur, Vine Whip!"
"Zubat, Supersonic!"
Both attacks were released at the same time. Zubat was struck sharply with the several vines from Ivysaur, but its attack slowed down when the mind-altering waves of Zubat slightly affected its thinking, and its vision began to blur slightly. Zubat now was flying lower and much slower than before.
"It's confused, Zubat, strike it with another Leech Life from behind!"
"No!" Arrmun yelled, as Zubat flew in, absorbing the remainder of Ivysaur's stamina. It collapsed, and was not moving. "Damn!" He called the Ivysaur back inside of its Pokéball and sighed heavily. "Only one chance left, but do I dare use it? Was only told only in emergencies, but this is an emergency...so..." Arrmun pulled out a strange-looking Pokéball with the top half glimmering a polished puple
"What's that?" Matt examined it closely. "It definitely doesn't look like any Pokéball I've seen."
"Of course. These have been around for a very long time. Only large cities ever sold these, but since the Greatballs are out, these, the Ultraballs are starting to become popular again as well. Well, here goes."
"Ultraball...?"
Arrmun threw the Ultraball to the ground. "All right Magmar, let's go!" Just like in Celadon Gym, Magmar appeared. Matt found Arrmun's predicament strange, because there was very little hesitation to use it before.
"I've seen this one before," Matt muttered, pulled out his Pokédex.
"Magmar, a fire Pokémon. Its body always burns with an orange glow that enables it to hide perfectly among flames. These Pokémon are often found in active volcanoes," the Pokédex explained.
"I knew it. But this fire Pokémon is different from all the others. It seems to be constantly surrounded by heat, so using Zenigame might not give me that much of an advantage." He turned his attention towards Zubat. "Can you still fight?"
Zubat nodded, rather slowly.
"Well, all right, but be careful!"
"Magmar, Smoke Screen!" Arrmun yelled.
Magmar took in a deep breath, then released large amounts of black smoke from its beak, completely fogging the area in. Matt coughed a few times, waving the air in front of him. "Zubat! Fly above the smoke!" Nothing happened. The smoke began to settle as Matt called again. "Zubat! Surface! Get out of the smoke!" As most of the smoke had cleared, Matt saw in horror as Zubat was on the ground, with some high degree burns. "Zubat, return. I'll heal your burns later on."
"Well, now it's tied, two to two. Looks like this is the tie-breaker..." Arrmun stood there, crossing his arms in confidence.
"Don't be so sure of yourself just yet..." Matt pulled out a Greatball. "Let's see if Onix here remembers you!"
Arrmun's eyes widened. "No...I've forgotten he had one of those!"
The Onix appeared from the Greatball and stood very tall releasing a mighty, thunderous growl; Magmar seemed slightly intimidated, as its balance became very unstable for a few brief moments.
"Onix, Tackle attack!"
"Magmar, Fire Punch!"
As Onix closed in to attack head-first, Magmar charged its fists, allowing balls of fire to raise from them. As soon as Onix moved in slightly closer, Magmar jumped on top of its nose, and struck it between the eyes. Onix cancelled its attack, and shot its head up, crying in pain. Magmar was launched high from Onix's nose, but landed on all fours, unharmed.
"Ha! Excellent move, Magmar! Of course, the ultimate weakness in any Pokémon: its vision!"
"Damn it. This is bad," Matt muttered.
"Now, keep sending blows until it falls over!"
"Onix, stay up so it can't reach you!"
Onix rose to its peak on the ground, high enough so Magmar couldn't reach it with any attack whatsoever without climbing. Magmar attempted to climb up its large, rocky body, but was knocked off each time.
"Now Onix, use Rock Throw!"
Nearby, Onix did manage to find some rocks to utilize, remembering the lack of proper resources in the Celadon gym, and released them full blast at Magmar. It avoided as many rocks as it could to the best of its abilities before being completely knocked off of its feet by being struck with a very large rock right across the face. It slowly got up to its feet, awaiting its next command.
"Aim for the eyes. Fire Blast!"
"Onix, to the rear!" Matt commanded.
Onix shut its eyes and turned to the side, as Magmar as quickly as it could unleashed its most powerful fire attack. Unfortunately for it, Onix's body was made out of solid rock, and the attack did virtually little damage to it.
"Quickly, Onix, before it recovers from its last attack!"
Onix quickly turned around and stared at Magmar with a fierce glare, not forgetting the pain it had previously given to its eyes. It unleashed another thunderous growl, which allowed Magmar to completely lower its defenses. In a quick attack, Onix spun around and struck Magmar heavily with its tail, sending it off its feet and colliding heavily with a nearby tree. It then collapsed, ansd was no longer moving..
"Damn, damn, damn!" Arrmun muttered, stomping the ground in anger and frustration each time. He angrily called back Magmar, cursing once more under his breath. He yelled a few more times, then dropped himself to his knees.
"There, it's done. Now go away, and stay away, understood?" Matt pointed his Greatball and smiled at Onix, calling it back inside. "Remember your promise; I'll keep it to the top of my head always, while traveling." Matt turned his back and began to walk away.
"Stop, wait!" Arrmun called. "You forgot my Pokémon."
"What?" Matt stopped and turned around. "I'm not a petty thief like you, Arrmun; I don't want them. They're yours; you need them."
"Need them? Look at me; I lost. I have nothing now. There's no need in my keeping them. I don't know how I've ever became a member of Team Rocket's Elite Force in the first place; I never realized what a lousy trainer I was."
"Don't," Matt replied. "If this is your last ditch effort: a guilt trip, then shut up. You're not going to get any sympathy from me. You deserve none."
"I can't go back to Giovanni now. If he realizes about how miserably I failed, then I'll be demoted, if he doesn't already kill me. I don't even understand now why I've joined Team Rocket."
Matt knelt down in front of Arrmun. "You're doing it to survive."
Arrmun quickly raised his head and looked deeply into Matt. "How...how did you figure that out?"
"Because right now you're obviously questioning your motives," Matt replied. "If the sole reason of your joining Team Rocket was to make a large salary to support yourself, and possibly other members of your family, I'm certain you've questioned your conscience often." He then shuddered at what he just said. "Whoa! What the hell am I saying to you?! Why am I talking to some criminal, hoping he could understand?!"
Arrmun looked up at Matt. "I...I'm so sorry for the trouble I've been causing. Please give my regards to Lizzie. I'll be on my way." Arrmun stood up, and began to walk with his back facing Matt, his Pokéballs in hand.
"Arrmun," Matt called out. Arrmun turned around. "Arrmun, what does this mean? Have you quit Team Rocket?"
Arrmun turned around and grinned. For the first time, Matt saw no evil in his eyes, nor an evil intention in his smile. "You said it, not me."
"Arrmun, if you're fighting against Team Rocket, come with us. We can be able to help you!"
"Sorry, but I'm an adult, I can take care of myself," he replied, turning around again. "However, if you ever come around to kill me, I may be defenseless."
"That's not what I meant."
"Yes, I knew what you meant. But I'm serious. I should be able to take care of myself instead of the financial support from an evil organization. Thank you for the offer, though."
"Will we meet again?" Matt asked.
Arrmun stopped walking. "Well, since you're going to compete in the Pokémon League, I may stop by once and a while. I have an old 'friend' to visit there, anyway. I hope I'll see you around soon." Arrmun walked off again, holding up his arm as if he was waving. Matt stood there, watching him until he couldn't see him anymore. He then heard some more rustling nearby as he turned his head towards it. It was Lizzie; she then ran towards Matt to greet both him and Squirtle.
"Matt! Thank God. I went to see Jordan, then he told me to come back and get you." She noticed the slight grin that appeared across his face. "Hey, did something happen?
Matt faced Lizzie as the grin eventually grew into a smile. He hadn't felt this optimistic in a very long time; ever since the beginning of his Pokémon journey. "Yes, something did happen. Something amazing, actually. You can rest assured, there isn't going to be anymore side-tracking for us anymore on our long journey...."
TO BE CONTINUED.
Chapter 24: When the Hill Becomes Steeper...
The sun was bright, and the birds in the trees were chirping, and Lizzie was pacing outside her tent. It has been for hours since Matt had left with his Squirtle. Unknown where either of them could be, she continued pacing. Jordan made several attempts to get her to relax, however regardless what he said, Lizzie refused to listen.
She suddenly looked up, hearing soft footfalls on the long, dirt path, as finally Matt's figure showed up, with Squirtle right behind him, as always. He was flicking something in his hand constantly, again and again. He smiled at both Lizzie and Jordan, waving to them.
"Matt, where the frickin' hell have you been?!" Lizzie asked.
"All that work that you didn't want me to do last night happened to work out in my favour! I found the Fuchsia gym this morning, won the Soul Badge, and walked back. I used Zubat's radar to find it, so now I know where we are! We're not stuck near Saffron after all!"
"Matt; Lizzie's been pacing around, talking about you constantly for the past couple of hours. She was really worried about you You see what happens when a girl falls in love? I have to listen to their rants and complaints!"
"Hey! Watch it!" Lizzie snapped, holding up a fist.
"Hey, I didn't mean anything!" Jordan stepped back, holding up both his hands, as if he was surrendering to her. "Please, whatever you do, don't step on my toes like the last time I said that."
"You DESERVED it!"
"Can't you take a little tease now and then?!"
Matt sighed heavily, as he wiped off some sweat from his forehead. Squirtle sighed as well, and decided to sit down. "Come on, you guys. This isn't a good time to fight."
"Ooh, wait!" Lizzie dropped her fist, and faced Matt. "What about our bikes, are they there?"
Matt frowned and shook his head. "Team Rocket must have taken those, too, or destroyed them. Or perhaps they were stolen. Whatever. But since I know where we are, all we have to do is walk south from here, and take a ferry to Cinnibar Island."
"That sucks, having to lose our bikes like that. We might have to pay to borrow other bikes, and hope that those ones won't get stolen," Lizzie said.
"I don't think we should try that anymore. Knowing how often Team Rocket is after us, we could lose them again. Not all Joys at the Pokémon Centers will be willing to allow us to lose those bikes. Next time, we'll probably have to pay for them in full," Matt pointed out.
"Squirtle..." Squirtle muttered.
"Oh well, you seem to know our direction. We have to go South?" Jordan asked.
"Yes, this way," Matt pointed. "And we must be prepared for battle at all costs, Team Rocket is beginning to become desperate here. Their constant trying to capture us and kill us is honestly starting to scare me a little."
"I know!" Lizzie replied. "They've gotten so desperate that some day they could just come up with their entire army or whatever."
Matt placed his hands on Lizzie's shoulders and stared deep into her eyes. His infamous look, full of confidence and sincerity. "Don't worry. We're fully equipped with very strong Pokémon. Nothing they do could ever keep us from fighting back. If they ever were to kill a person, it could be huge trouble for them. Honestly."
"It's true," Jordan continued. "If one of them ended up killing just for the purpose of Pokémon, they could easily be tracked down and all of Team Rocket could be completely wiped out."
Matt stood still and thought for a minute. The idea sounded very intriguing to him. If he could flush out Team Rocket by giving up his life, he would do it.
"Hey, what's up?" Lizzie asked.
Matt blinked and slowly stared coldly into Lizzie's eyes. "I'll do it..." he quietly muttered.
"What?" Lizzie became frightened; that was not the same look Matt gave her only a few short moments ago.
"I said, 'I'll do it'," Matt repeated.
"What are you talking about?!" Lizzie asked.
"If sparing one's life is enough to help annihilate Team Rocket, I'm willing to give up my life for that. Team Rocket, where are you?!" Matt turned and began to run, as Squirtle began running right behind him.
"What?! Matt, what the hell do you think you're doing?!" Jordan shouted. "I'm not even sure if what I have to say is true! I mean, the police so far are defenseless against Team Rocket. You could just be wasting your life!" He began to run after him, but Lizzie held out her arm, and stopped him before he could get too far.
"I'll go after him. You watch the camp." She began chasing after Matt. "What in God's name has gotten into you, Matt?! Why are you so obsessed with Team Rocket? First you're willing to kill Arrmun, and now you're willing to expose yourself just to stop one small fragment of the entire organization?!"
"I don't care! I can help prevent other lives from being destroyed if I give up my own life!"
Lizzie stopped and gasped for breath, regaining her stamina. "I never understand you, Matt. Sometimes you can be kind, sometimes you can look like the smartest person in the world. But other times you don't even think, and dash ahead into dangerous situations. You can be so stupid."
Matt stopped and turned around. "What?" He approached Lizzie, not completely hearing what she said the first time.
"I thought you were different. I thought that deep inside you really cared for others, but it's not true. It just isn't. All guys are the same. Self-absorbed, arrogant, thoughtless--"
"No! I'm none of those things! Stop saying such nonsense!" Matt yelled back. "Why do you think I'm doing this? For myself?! If I can stop Team Rocket by giving myself up for them, then isn't that better for the world?"
"Squirtle squirtle squirt!" Squirtle replied angrily to Matt.
"What? What are you complaining about?!"
"Matt, look in your Zenigame's eyes. He truly cares for you. He doesn't want you to do such a rash thing! Fod God's sake for once will you listen to reason? Do you have any idea what a stupid thing you're doing right now?"
"Lizzie, what do you prefer...me giving up my life to prevent Team Rocket from harming another soul, or letting me live and have Team Rocket continue its reign of terror?"
"Neither! When the hell did either of these options come up?! You don't need to risk your life for exposing Team Rocket. No, I don't want you to do something stupid like giving up your life, and no, I don't want Team Rocket to continue it's terrible reign of terror. They will be stopped some day! You have to realize this. Not to mention...no, forget it."
"Speak," Matt said, almost ordering her to respond.
Lizzie turned around and looked at Matt straight in the eyes with tears rolling down her face. Never had Lizzie ever felt such strong emotions over a person before, nor had she ever been faced with such a twisted, bizarre situation. "Think about it..." Lizzie sniffled; "what do you think I'm going to say to you?"
"You're going to have to tell me yourself," Matt replied. "Don't just assume I know something just by looking at you."
"STOP THIS!" Lizzie shouted, falling to her knees, beginning to sob. "Look at me! Look at me, damn it!"
Matt's eyes widened. Suddenly he had understand. That bizarre feeling within him suddenly started to speak out. Did she love him? Him? How could somebody like himself be loved, by somebody who definately deserves better? He shook his head. "That's a pile of crap, Lizzie. You don't love me."
"I don't what?!"
"I get it, Lizzie. I get it. And you're right. You've seen how I've acted. I'm nothing more than self-centered; you're right, I don't think things through. God, I'm so stupid. You know what? Now this all makes sense." Matt turned around and looked ahead. He could see Silph Co. in the distance, as if a tall tower was rising itself amongst the trees surrounding it. "For you to go through so much trouble to stop me, it would only make sense if I was killed now."
"No! No!" Lizzie jumped to her feet, and lunged herself at Matt, as they both crashed onto the ground, rolling down the hill roughly. As they reach the bottom, Lizzie coughed between sobs. "Would you stop it and listen to me?! You're really scaring me!"
"If you have such strong feelings about me, why aren't you letting me leave?! You've constantly been saying that I'm scaring you, and how I'm not doing the right thing, so why are you letting me stay? I'm not doing this for myself! I..." Matt stammered. "I..." he took a deep breath. It's all right, he told himself, tell her. "I...I'm doing it for you."
Lizzie's eyes just stared at Matt's, she shook her haid and was prepared to speak, but Matt quickly put his hand over her mouth, silencing her.
"I don't want Team Rocket harming you again. What they've done to you is unforgiveable. I'll never forget how you've been treated. You've become too important to me..." Matt sighed, closing his eyes. "I...I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that. You seem upset, I'll go--"
"No," Lizzie pulled Matt back down to the ground. "No. Go nowhere. I don't care. I don't want you to do this. If you care that much for me, don't go, please. Team Rocket will be stopped, and they will not be allowed to continue with their evil, vile ways. Matt, come on, I've seen too many people harmed and...controlled by Team Rocket. You don't need to go through...what they did."
"What are you talking about? What do you know?" He sighed. "But as long as you promise me that one day, they will be stopped, then I don't expose myself."
Lizzie's eyes widened as she wrapped her arms around Matt. "Oh, oh, you have no idea how much this means to me...really, you don't. Oh, God, if I could just--"
Matt interrupted Lizzie's speech by pressing his warm, pale pink lips against hers. They remained motionless for several seconds. As he removed them, Lizzie and Matt stared at each other, both in awe, uncertain of what just happened.
Matt tore his head away. "I...I'm sorry, I didn't mean to--" Matt started to get up, but Lizzie grabbed his arm. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to, I swear, it just slipped!"
"No, Matt, I didn't mean that--"
"Please, let me go, I need to start doing some SERIOUS thinking!" Matt tried breaking out of Lizzie's reach.
"Matt, don't run. Stay here. Running doesn't solve anything."
"No, I'm dead serious, Lizzie. Please, let me go."
Lizzie sighed as she released her grip on Matt's arm. "You promised though. If you go towards Silph Co. I promise you I will kill you myself!"
"I already said that I'm not going to get myself killed! Please, I just need to think about what the hell's been running through my head." Matt began to run through the vast, open field, confused with all the mixed emotions he felt. Frustration, fear, determination and confusion. When he was far enough away from Lizzie, he blinked a few times and looked at himself. His arms, his hands, his feet, his jacket and even his watch.
"What...what did I just do? Did...did I kiss her? Oh GOD!" He pounded a nearby tree. "Why did I just DO that?! What in God's name has been running through my mind these past couple of days?!" He began to analyze his thoughts, trying to make sense ouf of them. Was it for his frustration for Team Rocket? His burning anger for Arrmun? Perhaps was this mixed with sudden feelings he had for Lizzie? Lizzie? Did he have those feelings for her? Did he kiss her because he loved her? Or was it to keep her quiet? So many questions ran through his head, as his Squirtle eventually caught up to him, and tugged at his jeans.
"Interesting. I never knew I'd find you here all alone," a voice called from behind Matt.
Matt shot his head around and stared straight into Arrmun, with the same cold look he had in his eyes, and the same arrogant speech. "Go away. I'm in no mood to deal with you right now." Matt turned his back on Arrmun, almost hoping he would go away.
"Look, you've caused me a lot of frustration. If you don't start following my orders, I'm going to have to get a little bit rough on you, is that understood?" Arrmun asked.
Matt turned around, and stared at Arrmun, giving him a perplexed look. "And just what in the hell makes you think I'm simply going to start listening to you? I've beaten you every time. If anything, I should be giving YOU orders to follow."
"That's unfortunate, it really is," Arrmun brushed his hand through his hair.
Matt, once again began to grow very angry. "Listen to me, you idiot! I'm serious here, I'm not in the best of moods! Don't make me do something regrettable!"
"That sounds like your everyday attituge," Arrmun muttered, becoming impatient. "I don't know what's wrong with you today, boy, but you've gotten me into a LOT of trouble."
"Good, I'm glad. You know what? Everything terrible that happens to you is something you greatly deserve, and I'm serious by that. As far as I'm concerned, you can go to hell." Matt walked by the tree against which he was leaning and began to run, with Squirtle directly behind him as always. Shortly, he felt a sudden increase in weight, as he was brought down roughtly onto the ground.
"You don't understand, boy."
"No, YOU don't understand!" Matt quickly turned around and placed both of his hands on Arrmun, he then shoved him off, and pulled himself to his feet. "All this time you've been chasing us around, stalking us, causing us pain and fear, especially to Lizzie! I could have killed you so many times, and honestly, with the mood I'm in, I could actually do it!"
"Stop making such pathetic threats," Arrmun replied, pulling himself to his feet before facing Matt again. "You know the consequences of killing, so why bother repeat yourself?"
"I don't care what the consequences are, as long as you are completely out of my life." Matt harsly replied. "You've gone far past the line just from being a common thief."
"How ironic. Who's the one who's trying to kill who here?"
"You've tried to kill us as well, you idiot. You don't deserve to live after the way you've treated me and my friends." Matt grabbed a Greatball from his belt and enlarged it. He stared straight into Arrmun's eyes. Arrmun also stared back. His eyes seemed to burn with a blazing fire, which could consume everything in its path. With it blazed determination, desire, and the rejection of losing. He shook his head, wondering what had just occured. "This is the last straw."
"First, let's make a bet," Arrmun stammered, slightly intimidated with Matt's look.
"I am not making a bet with a lowly, pathetic member of Team Rocket. You wanted to battle, let's get this over with!"
"The bet will include my staying away from you for the rest of your life," he calmly added. He felt slightly relieved, still wondering how staring into a pair of eyes could do something so strange as intimidate him.
"Don't insult me!" Matt shouted. "Do you take me for an idiot? Do you honestly want me to believe that you'll stay off my back for the rest of my life?"
"Well, it's a win-win situation," Arrmun explained. Matt lowered the Greatball in his arm began to listen. "If I win, I get to take three Pokémon of my choice from your collection," Arrmun began, "and if you win, you get to keep all of my Pokémon. As a bonus for either, you will never see me or Team Rocket ever again. You have my word of honour."
"Honour?! You?!" Matt rolled his eyes. "Fine. Three of five battle. If I see any of you or another member of Team Rocket after this, I will search you out, and kill you. And you know that I can do it."
"I know you can." Arrmun pulled out a Greatball. "I'd hate to get personally slaughtered by you."
"You're pushing it way too far. Go Abra!" Matt released the Greatball from his hand as a strange-looking Pokémon appeared. It had long, golden claws, long, bony also golden feet, with a long, thick tail. It seemed to be wearing a thick piece of purple armour; long, flat black eyes, with ears like a fox and a snout like a pig.
"Arcanine, go!" From the Greatball in Arrmun's hand, a very large dog-like Pokémon appeared. Its paws were of a dark orange, its body with the occasional black stripes with a stained white, flowing mane, and a large, bushy stained-white tail.
"Abra, Teleport!"
Abra, who was sitting, suddenly released a small flash of light, before it vanished, giving Arcanine no chance to attack.
"Hey, that's being cheap!" Arrmun complained.
"Look, if you want to forfeit, that's fine with me. I'm really in no mood with battling now."
Arrmun looked around the grassy area, as Abra reappeared. It was well behind is Arcanine, and figured that if he made the command to attack again, it would once again teleport. He decided to sit and remain patient.
"Abra, quick, Psychic attack!" Matt shouted.
Abra's eyes began to glow, and slightly open, as if it was charging up for an attack. An Abra generally doesn't know very well their psychic attacks until they have evolved. The attack was taking a very long time to charge.
"Arcanine, Agility!"
The instant the attack was ready, Abra opened its eyes, in an attempt to telepathically grab Arcanine and control it to do its bidding. However, with a blast of speed, Arcanine dashed far to the side, which resulted in Abra losing its target, and hence cancelling the attack.
"Abra, Teleport again!" Matt yelled.
Abra once again released a flash of light, and it was gone.
"From above, attack!"
"What?" Arrmun looked around.
The Abra reappeared and already with a charged up Psychic attack, it had captured Arcanine within its grasp, and held it tightly. Arcanine was now unable to control itself, as it was being slightly lifted off the ground. In an instant, Arcanine was launched into a nearby tree, colliding with it heavily, and eventually landing onto the grassy terrain below. Very slowly it managed to pull itself to its feet.
Hmm...Arrmun thought. Since Abra's attacks are so limited, he'll end up using the same attacks over and over, he thought. I'll just have to wait and strike when the opportunity arrives.
Matt thought for a moment: This trainer isn't stupid; he knows all about Abra and its moves. I can't just continue to use the same moves over and over again. I have to try something new. If it was evolved, I would have a better selection of psychic attacks.
"Agility!" Arrmun called. "Now, Tackle attack!"
Matt noticed how much lower Abra was towards the ground, as Arcanine caught it in its sights. Before Matt gave out the order to teleport again, it was struck with a hard blow from Arcanine. It was down, and not moving.
"One to nothing. It looks like you'll have to do some more thinking," Arrmun muttered.
"Shut up. Return, Abra." Matt drew Abra back into the Greatball and minimized it. "Don't take this as a shoe-in." He replaced the fallen Abra with an enlarged Pokéball in his other hand. "Zubat, let's go!" Zubat appeared onto the battlefield as soon as the Pokéball was released. "Quick, Flash attack, just like before!"
"What...'Flash' attack he said?" As Arrmun looked on, his Arcanine was struck by a quick blow by the Zubat from behind. His eyes widened. Arcanine was down, and was not moving. "Phenomenal." He called back Arcanine inside its Greatball and minimized it. "Simply astounding."
"Don't screw around with me; it isn't going to work," Matt scowled.
"Who said I was messing around with your mind? Is it that difficult to tell a compliment from an insult? What I said certainly wasn't degrading. Go, Ivysaur!" Arrmun threw another Pokéball as Ivysaur appeared. "Razor Leaf attack!"
From the large flower on its back, several sharp leaves at a rapid pace closed in towards Zubat. It tried desperately to fly away, but it was struck with several of them, as it began to slowly fly towards the ground; its wing was injured..
"Zubat, use Leech Life!" Matt commanded.
Zubat quickly picked up some speed and landed on top of Ivysaur's neck right in front of its emerging bulb. It sank its teeth directly into it, absorbing as much energy and stamina as it possibly could. It then flew off, with Ivysaur nearly collapsing due to the sudden drain in its stamina
"Well, we'll just see about that. Ivysaur, Vine Whip!"
"Zubat, Supersonic!"
Both attacks were released at the same time. Zubat was struck sharply with the several vines from Ivysaur, but its attack slowed down when the mind-altering waves of Zubat slightly affected its thinking, and its vision began to blur slightly. Zubat now was flying lower and much slower than before.
"It's confused, Zubat, strike it with another Leech Life from behind!"
"No!" Arrmun yelled, as Zubat flew in, absorbing the remainder of Ivysaur's stamina. It collapsed, and was not moving. "Damn!" He called the Ivysaur back inside of its Pokéball and sighed heavily. "Only one chance left, but do I dare use it? Was only told only in emergencies, but this is an emergency...so..." Arrmun pulled out a strange-looking Pokéball with the top half glimmering a polished puple
"What's that?" Matt examined it closely. "It definitely doesn't look like any Pokéball I've seen."
"Of course. These have been around for a very long time. Only large cities ever sold these, but since the Greatballs are out, these, the Ultraballs are starting to become popular again as well. Well, here goes."
"Ultraball...?"
Arrmun threw the Ultraball to the ground. "All right Magmar, let's go!" Just like in Celadon Gym, Magmar appeared. Matt found Arrmun's predicament strange, because there was very little hesitation to use it before.
"I've seen this one before," Matt muttered, pulled out his Pokédex.
"Magmar, a fire Pokémon. Its body always burns with an orange glow that enables it to hide perfectly among flames. These Pokémon are often found in active volcanoes," the Pokédex explained.
"I knew it. But this fire Pokémon is different from all the others. It seems to be constantly surrounded by heat, so using Zenigame might not give me that much of an advantage." He turned his attention towards Zubat. "Can you still fight?"
Zubat nodded, rather slowly.
"Well, all right, but be careful!"
"Magmar, Smoke Screen!" Arrmun yelled.
Magmar took in a deep breath, then released large amounts of black smoke from its beak, completely fogging the area in. Matt coughed a few times, waving the air in front of him. "Zubat! Fly above the smoke!" Nothing happened. The smoke began to settle as Matt called again. "Zubat! Surface! Get out of the smoke!" As most of the smoke had cleared, Matt saw in horror as Zubat was on the ground, with some high degree burns. "Zubat, return. I'll heal your burns later on."
"Well, now it's tied, two to two. Looks like this is the tie-breaker..." Arrmun stood there, crossing his arms in confidence.
"Don't be so sure of yourself just yet..." Matt pulled out a Greatball. "Let's see if Onix here remembers you!"
Arrmun's eyes widened. "No...I've forgotten he had one of those!"
The Onix appeared from the Greatball and stood very tall releasing a mighty, thunderous growl; Magmar seemed slightly intimidated, as its balance became very unstable for a few brief moments.
"Onix, Tackle attack!"
"Magmar, Fire Punch!"
As Onix closed in to attack head-first, Magmar charged its fists, allowing balls of fire to raise from them. As soon as Onix moved in slightly closer, Magmar jumped on top of its nose, and struck it between the eyes. Onix cancelled its attack, and shot its head up, crying in pain. Magmar was launched high from Onix's nose, but landed on all fours, unharmed.
"Ha! Excellent move, Magmar! Of course, the ultimate weakness in any Pokémon: its vision!"
"Damn it. This is bad," Matt muttered.
"Now, keep sending blows until it falls over!"
"Onix, stay up so it can't reach you!"
Onix rose to its peak on the ground, high enough so Magmar couldn't reach it with any attack whatsoever without climbing. Magmar attempted to climb up its large, rocky body, but was knocked off each time.
"Now Onix, use Rock Throw!"
Nearby, Onix did manage to find some rocks to utilize, remembering the lack of proper resources in the Celadon gym, and released them full blast at Magmar. It avoided as many rocks as it could to the best of its abilities before being completely knocked off of its feet by being struck with a very large rock right across the face. It slowly got up to its feet, awaiting its next command.
"Aim for the eyes. Fire Blast!"
"Onix, to the rear!" Matt commanded.
Onix shut its eyes and turned to the side, as Magmar as quickly as it could unleashed its most powerful fire attack. Unfortunately for it, Onix's body was made out of solid rock, and the attack did virtually little damage to it.
"Quickly, Onix, before it recovers from its last attack!"
Onix quickly turned around and stared at Magmar with a fierce glare, not forgetting the pain it had previously given to its eyes. It unleashed another thunderous growl, which allowed Magmar to completely lower its defenses. In a quick attack, Onix spun around and struck Magmar heavily with its tail, sending it off its feet and colliding heavily with a nearby tree. It then collapsed, ansd was no longer moving..
"Damn, damn, damn!" Arrmun muttered, stomping the ground in anger and frustration each time. He angrily called back Magmar, cursing once more under his breath. He yelled a few more times, then dropped himself to his knees.
"There, it's done. Now go away, and stay away, understood?" Matt pointed his Greatball and smiled at Onix, calling it back inside. "Remember your promise; I'll keep it to the top of my head always, while traveling." Matt turned his back and began to walk away.
"Stop, wait!" Arrmun called. "You forgot my Pokémon."
"What?" Matt stopped and turned around. "I'm not a petty thief like you, Arrmun; I don't want them. They're yours; you need them."
"Need them? Look at me; I lost. I have nothing now. There's no need in my keeping them. I don't know how I've ever became a member of Team Rocket's Elite Force in the first place; I never realized what a lousy trainer I was."
"Don't," Matt replied. "If this is your last ditch effort: a guilt trip, then shut up. You're not going to get any sympathy from me. You deserve none."
"I can't go back to Giovanni now. If he realizes about how miserably I failed, then I'll be demoted, if he doesn't already kill me. I don't even understand now why I've joined Team Rocket."
Matt knelt down in front of Arrmun. "You're doing it to survive."
Arrmun quickly raised his head and looked deeply into Matt. "How...how did you figure that out?"
"Because right now you're obviously questioning your motives," Matt replied. "If the sole reason of your joining Team Rocket was to make a large salary to support yourself, and possibly other members of your family, I'm certain you've questioned your conscience often." He then shuddered at what he just said. "Whoa! What the hell am I saying to you?! Why am I talking to some criminal, hoping he could understand?!"
Arrmun looked up at Matt. "I...I'm so sorry for the trouble I've been causing. Please give my regards to Lizzie. I'll be on my way." Arrmun stood up, and began to walk with his back facing Matt, his Pokéballs in hand.
"Arrmun," Matt called out. Arrmun turned around. "Arrmun, what does this mean? Have you quit Team Rocket?"
Arrmun turned around and grinned. For the first time, Matt saw no evil in his eyes, nor an evil intention in his smile. "You said it, not me."
"Arrmun, if you're fighting against Team Rocket, come with us. We can be able to help you!"
"Sorry, but I'm an adult, I can take care of myself," he replied, turning around again. "However, if you ever come around to kill me, I may be defenseless."
"That's not what I meant."
"Yes, I knew what you meant. But I'm serious. I should be able to take care of myself instead of the financial support from an evil organization. Thank you for the offer, though."
"Will we meet again?" Matt asked.
Arrmun stopped walking. "Well, since you're going to compete in the Pokémon League, I may stop by once and a while. I have an old 'friend' to visit there, anyway. I hope I'll see you around soon." Arrmun walked off again, holding up his arm as if he was waving. Matt stood there, watching him until he couldn't see him anymore. He then heard some more rustling nearby as he turned his head towards it. It was Lizzie; she then ran towards Matt to greet both him and Squirtle.
"Matt! Thank God. I went to see Jordan, then he told me to come back and get you." She noticed the slight grin that appeared across his face. "Hey, did something happen?
Matt faced Lizzie as the grin eventually grew into a smile. He hadn't felt this optimistic in a very long time; ever since the beginning of his Pokémon journey. "Yes, something did happen. Something amazing, actually. You can rest assured, there isn't going to be anymore side-tracking for us anymore on our long journey...."
TO BE CONTINUED.
