On the Wings of Council

by TopazSoarhire

Ok, Topaz thought it would be easy, until she meets her Cyndaquil, Fury, things start going on a different track, next thing you know she's jumping off buildings, outrunning forest fires, and that's the least of it!

12. WOC12

Hi guys, ready for another wacky adventure? Yeah, me neither. Actually this is just a filler episode to get some information down so there isn't much to read, action wise I'm disappointed with it. Its funny, I hope. Not hysterical funny, corny funny.

Mega thankyou to everyone who submitted a form, it gave me a lotta insight into what you guys are into. It will always be open and I'll do another one alone the track. On thing I'd like to clarify is the mateship between Tez, and pretty much everyone else. I don't know if its because of a bloke sorta friendship- many people pointed out the Growlithe puppy part as being mean to laugh but come on, I've seen you blokes trip your mates over and laugh- or an international kind of thing. It's the latter that I'm leaning towards because a lot of boys said the same thing. I guess I'm very casual in my friendships and Topaz and Fury's is a lot like Ashlee's and mine- you're there or your not, but I ain't gonna whinge. I don't trip her over, but I laugh when she does, or stubs her toe, or majorly embarrasses herself. *Snickers* So you see? The characters aren't being mean when they're eating and Topaz is missing, they're just thinking that she can look after herself, even if that's far from the truth. Thanks anyway guys.

Thanks to Misty, Mistydeedee here for the use of Flur and Operia. She has her own fantastic fic here, Lapras Valley High as well as a couple of others. She also has pics of Flur under her name.

Thanks to Sumalee for the scanned picture. How did that come about? For my birthday I suggested that instead of a prezzie she draw a few characters. I let her too it for the day and when she came back, I looked bloody awesome! If only we could all look anime. It took us a bloody long time to find a scanner and I had to patch it up some, but that is all Aaliyah's work. She is a fantastic artist and the only reason she can't post is neither of us has a scanner.

Now there's also a big list of thankyou's to the people who persistently encourage me to write. Emerald Dragon as always and she has an incredible fiction on Inuasha I think that's how its spelt. I couldn't get into it because I didn't know the concepts, and I'm not a romance kinda girl, but maybe if you email her she'll give you a yell. Kenta Macauttum is the most prominent, and paramount on my ficcy's list, though I don't' always have the time to email him. If your looking for a fiction that is regularly updated, as opposed to my 'Oh that time of year already?' sort of things, he is da man! Also Mamo'chan, I think I pissed him off for my opinions regarding 'things.' My sincerest of apologies should she continue to read. At the end of this chapter, I'll post a list of my favourite places and fictions. There's also another major thankyou due, to a girl who gave me fanart! Wahoo! I'm not kidding fanart and you'll see it through out. Her name is The Pet Keeper and though I offered her a guest star in a chapter, she courteously said no. So, if you have fanart of little Tez and her adventures, do hesitate to send it!

Well enough incoherent blather, onto the story.

On the Wings of Council

The Wrath of Phaenex

"Thundershock you goddamned ball of fluff!" I screamed at Bolt. He sat on the grass, his tail wagging from side to side and his usual blank expression. "Come one! Tackle! Thunderwave! Lightscreen! Anything!"

"You really need to train your Mareep better," scorned my opposing trainer, Roland. He spun his Pokeball on his finger, looking bored. His Ciskwis scratched around in the dirt with its long narrow beak fro whatever insects she could find. A Ciskwis is a small, kiwi like bird. Long deep maroon feathers so fine they could have been hair, yellow markings on its face around its eyes and feet and long earlike crests on either side of its head and a bony plate. She wasn't worried about my Pokemon in the slightest. I didn't blame her.

I slapped my forehead with my palm, regretting sending the sheep Pokemon to battle an obviously experienced trainer. I chewed my lip and thought what I could do. I wasn't going to recall Bolt and let him have the point without a fight, but one look at Bolt and you knew he wasn't going anywhere. I slapped my forehead again and called, "OK, Cotton Spore!"
Bolt turned his head and looked at me curiously. "Huh?"

"Is that the only word in your vocabulary?" I yelled in frustration.

"This is stupid, can I just finish him?" whined the Ciskwis, who also wore a translator. The normal type fluffed her long draping feathers. Roland nodded and she dashed at Bolt. She split into two separate Pokemon and I recognised it as Double Edge. They sandwiched poor Bolt and he bleated in pain. I gritted my teeth, not liking him being hurt but hoping it would knock some sense into him.
Ciskwis reformed and leapt back breathing a little harder. Bolt moaned, dizzy and hurt. "Bolt! Listen to me! Thun-"

"Tackle him!" interrupted Roland with a triumphant smirk. Ciskwis bowed her head and slammed into Bolt with her rock hard head plate.
Well, I guess I was wrong about him not going anywhere; he was going to the moon.

"Mreeeeeeeeeeep!" He flew high into the air, tumbling over and over. With a cry of worry, I ran into the field and stood directly beneath him. His wail trailed off and he fell heavily into my arms. His ticklish fleece rubbed under my nose.

"Ya-ah-ah-ah- AHCHUUUUUUU!!!!"

"Maaaaaaaareeeep!" Once again Bolt couldn't contain his electricity and it spilt from his wool into my body with no restriction. I jerked up and down, my arms flapping like a Pidgey as they dug into his thick fluorescent fleece. Blue lightning burned through my veins, frazzling my shot nervous system.

Finally I flopped to the ground, gasping and glaring at the bundle of fluff that sat in my stomach. He was fainted and yet he still managed to maintain that same dulled expression.

"You are worthless!" I muttered and recalled him to his Pokeball. Meanwhile, Roland and Ciskwis were karking themselves with laughter. Roland was holding his stomach and laughing long and hard, his Pokemon rolled in the dust in much the same state of mind.

"That's not funny!" I yelled stabbing my finger at them. I flushed red as they ignored me and continued to laugh. I clenched my teeth, then began to laugh softly, grinning wickedly. That made Roland sit up.

"What?" he asked warily. I still held that disturbing grin.

"Bolt is my worst Pokemon. He never listens, just sits and stares." My eyes locked onto his, their mischievous blue twinkling. "Now your gonna see a real Pokemon! She's the original lean mean fighting machine! In case you haven't recognised me, I'm Topaz and if you've heard half of our accomplishments, you'll know she's a force to be reckoned with! If I were you, I'd forfeit now and save Ciskwis a lot of pain! FURY GO!"

"Go? Go where?" returned a dopey voice. My eyes widened in horror as I searched the trees behind me and saw the Quilava lazing under a bottle brush tree, between her paws was the stem of a plant. Her goofy grin broadened as she took another sniff.
Oh no! I thought with a moan. Since last week, Martha had let me out of bed to train, she had introduced Fury to the miracle of Pokenip Milkshakes. Fury fell in love with them and it had sustained as her main diet since. She insisted on having some of the leaves tucked beneath her collar and now I saw this as the dumbest thing I'd ever done. Fury rolled onto her back, singing to herself.

"Fury! I need you to battle!"

"Battle? Battle your own b-b-battle!" Fury stuttered, then fell into a mad giggle fit. She sniffed the Pokenip again and called lazily, "Topaz! I choose you!"

"Get on the field your drunken Pokemon!" I yelled at her but to no avail. Instead her eyes rolled back into her head and she fell asleep.

"Hahaha!" Roland cackled wildly. "Oh god! The renowned Topaz, huh? That was the easiest battle all day! Wait till I tell everyone that not one of your Pokemon would listen to you. Ok, three on three and I won! I beat them!" He wiped the tears from his eyes and held his head.

"That's not fair!" I wailed. "No, I don't call Fury, I call Target!" I held up another Pokeball and smiled earnestly.

"No way! I won fair and square. 500 bucks, now!" I grumbled and handed him the roll of notes. He whistled to Ciskwis and they both walked away still sniggering.

OK, I admit Chilun and Bolt weren't the greatest choice of Pokemon to send into battle, but I should have been able to trust Fury.

"Get over here you!" one of Fury's eyes half opened and she teetered over to me, still with that idiotic grin and Pokenip stem. I gritted my teeth to keep my temper, then reached down and snatched the plant from her paws.

"Hey!" she protested as I kept it out of her reach. She leapt up onto her hind legs, whining and grabbed for it, but she only fell over backwards.

"Your not getting this till your sober. Gawd knows what this stuff does to you."

"I think you're the one who's not sober," she slurred, giving me a black look.

"What are you? Level 9?" I rolled my eyes and started waling. Fury got up quickly and followed her Pokenip.

"Lv 29 I'll have you know! I think…"

"Forget it, let's go back to the daycare. Jeeze! When you've come back from Venus, we're gonna have a long, long talk." I checked my watch about an hour before dusk so no nocturnal Pokemon yet. Maybe I could drop Fury in and do some light training while she slept it off. I flexed my fingers. They stung and a couple of my nails were starting to grow back. My arms ached a little and most of my scratches had cleared up.

The only problem was that the Beedrill venom still left its mark. Dizzy spells took me and usually left in tit wake a nasty headache, or a queasy stomach and no appetite.

"Damned, you better shut up about this or Marc will never let me live this down," I commented, though mainly to myself.

"Yeah, but it'll cost ya!" She stumbled into a pothole and I waited for her to get up. It was a long wait. Fury's flames burnt dimly, a side effect of the Pokenip.

I rubbed my temple, feeling a migraine forming. I leaned against a tree hoping it would pass. In a complete switch of mood, Fury's expression become concerned. "I'm sorry. Ya Ok?"

"Yeah," I mumbled weakly, smiling. "Screw this, lets fly home. Come on, Talorn!"

Talorn escaped from her Pokeball in a flourish of red light. She saw Fury's condition and gave a disgusted glance. "Ug! I don't know how you can stand that weed! Bad as human drugs!"

"Nu-uh!" Fury retorted, sitting at my ankles.

"Quit it, migraine here. Can you fly us back to the Daycare Centre, Talorn?"

"Of course dear, I'm not the one incapacitated!" Another down her beak glare at Fury and she spread her wings allowing me to straddle her back and Fury between my legs. "Sure you'll be able to hang on Fury?" Talorn cooed with a sly smirk.

"Bring it on you stuffed Doduo!" she crowed back.

"Peooooooot!" Talorn screamed and rocketed into the air at the speed of sound. I clutched her feathers tightly as my eyes bulged from my head and my heart tried to ram its way through my throat. While I chocked on my own breath, Fury egged the Pidgeot on further. Taking up the challenge, she barrel rolled over and over and my stomach churned like a cement mixer. I tried to tell them both to stop but she cut me off with a gut-wrenching loop the loop. We skittered across the treetops with leaves slapping my face and I almost swallowed a bug until I gagged on it to the pointing of choking.

Talorn shrieked again and startled a flock of Pidgey into flight. Their wings whirred around my ears and I let go with one hand to shove their plump brown bodies out of my way. Just then Talorn thought it was the perfect time to twirl upside down. I wrapped my arm around Fury and clung like mad to the handful of brown feathers. Fury cackled, enjoying the air rushing past her ears and death just and inch away. My hair streamed behind me, the wind tugging at my cap.

"You can do better then that!" Fury whooped.

"NOOOOOOOO!" Talorn flew straight up, past the trees the clouds, till we hung in a clear crystal blue sky. I breathed a sigh of relief. This was nice. My head still throbbed but if I surged the thermals for a while, I'd be fine. I released my iron grip on Talon and lay back with my hands behind my head. I sighed contented. This, was nice. Fury jumped onto my chest and we enjoyed the freshest air in the world.

Then I heard Talorn chuckle softly.

Oh Gawd no!

Talon rolled over and with out a hold, Fury and I plummeted through the sky.

"AHHHHHHHHhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh- I haven't stopped falling I just need another breaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaath!"

My stomach lurched as I flipped again and again arse over ankles. Fury, somehow managed to keep upright giggled madly. We fell rapidly through the clouds, droplets of water studding my skin. The ground grew and details could be made out. The Daycare, the forest in the distance, the earth where I'd probably go splat……

I screamed again, my wild summersaults whirling faster and faster. The ground exploded into my vision and it suddenly dropped away as my Pokemon whipped beneath us both and carried us safely to the Daycare Centre. I toppled off her back and stumbled around their yard like a drunkard at three in the morning. I saw four of everything and all of it was blurred. I moaned as the big busted form of Martha lumbered towards me.

"Oh! Oh! OH! My little Topaz! What' wrong with you? Not another headache? Or is it the poison coming back!" she bawled.

"Sick," I croaked, trying to get through Martha's hysterics.

"Yes, I know dear! Let me call Nurse Joy, I'll send Ashia!" She was about to rush into the house when I emptied my gut at her feet. I retched violently and when I was done, I righted, wobbling a little, my vision still swaying.

"No, air sick," I mumbled weakly, and fell backwards.

Martha helped me into the house, telling me insistently, not to worry. All I could do was thank her as she hurried me into the kitchen. Talon perched herself in a tree to roost for the night, apologising for her childish behaviour and Fury tagged at my feet looking ashamed of herself, but still the muddled expression. I ordered her upstairs, keeping the cross tone in my voice. She trundled up the stairs sullenly, looking over her shoulder to make sure I was watching.

When she was gone, I sighed and confined in Martha about the horrible battle. Chilun fought well but ignored my battle commands. His stubbornness allowed him to succumb to Ciskwis's low Peck and Mimic attacks. Bolt lasted approximately thirty seconds and Fury……. I hoped I had convinced her to get off Pokenip. I asked Martha about it and she didn't know if there was a cure, but she'd see what she could do.

"Has anyone else comeback yet?" I asked, drumming my fingers on the table and propping my hand in my palm.

"Yes, Adam and Ashlee dropped in about midday and said they'd see you in Ecruteak. Ashlee thanked you for looking after Togepi's egg for as long as you did. Sumalee and Marc I haven't seen since this morning. Cal and Ashia are down the back beneath the willow."

She musted have seen my face pale because she laughed heartily and assured me that they didn't see me be sick. "Send Ashia back will you?" she said finally.

"Yeah, but I bet they heard me," I muttered as I walked out the door. I passed the eucalypt Talorn was perched in and preening her glossy brown feathers. She was a vain Pokemon! I nodded and she nodded back. I added to my list to get something special while we were in Goldenrod.

I pushed aside the long curtain of willow leaves to find Cal and Ashia sitting close together murmuring softly between each other, until they saw me and sprang apart. Cal blushing furiously stared at me while Ashia, calmer, smiled slowly.

"Uh… Ashia, Martha wants you in the house'" I told her with a raised eyebrow. Another quick look at Cal showed he was still flushed a bright red and staring at the ground. I thumbed in his direction with a curious expression and she only answered with a furtive glance before ducking through the leaves. When she was gone, I plonked down beside him, flinging an arm around his shoulder.

"Cally! Oh Cally!" I crooned in a singsong voice, bursting into a fit of giggles. "What was zat about?"

"Nothing," he replied quickly.

"Oh, I think it was Cally!"

"Do you have to give everyone and annoying name?" he mumbled.

"Yes I do, and don't change the subject!" I tightened my grip around his neck, giving him a look at my guileful teeth. Feeling a small pinprick of heat at my temples of my headache returning, I released him and leaned against the tree trunk with a furrowed brow.
Sensing I wasn't feeling well, Cal asked worriedly, "You OK?"

I smiled softly, "Yeah, just a bit of a headache, it'll be better if I rest a minute or two.

I closed my eyes, feeling the whispery breath of the evening breeze against my slightly clammy skin. My hair swayed gently, swishing pleasantly down my back. The rosy afterglow of the sunset tattooed against half closed lids and I hummed a few notes of my favourite song beneath my breath. I was a little surprised when I heard Cal sit back and hum with me, and even more when we sang the last chorus together.

Our voices trailed off and laughed softly.

"So you like that song too," he asked cautiously.

"Yeah, mainly cos its not that lovey dovey pop crap," I said with a shrug. "You can apply it to other stuff too. Eh, what do I know about music, its as good as my sense of fashion and direction."

"Then you and me are in the same boat," he turned to me with a cheeky grin. "So, how bad was that battle?"

"You heard about that?" I cried and he nodded, still grinning broadly.

"I heard from a guy who's girlfriend told him. He told my bluntly that your nag, your sheep and your weasel didn't listen to a word you said.

That Chilun was stubborn, Bolt was doped, and Fury was on a high!"

I hung my head groaning. "Does everyone know that? Oh gawd I'll be the laughing stock!"

"Yep!" he laughed even louder, and when it finally died down, he wiped the tear from his eye, and chuckled. "So what did you come here for?"

"I was thinking, I'm feeling better, and I've beaten most of the trainers round here, so you want to move on to Goldenrod? Plus I reckon, if we don't leave soon, Fury's gonna be in a coma by the end of the week.

He snorted again, but held a sceptical glance. "I don't know Topaz, you just said you had a headache."

"Headache, shmedache, I'm fine!" I retorted indignantly. "I've got my list all planned." I pulled a piece of paper from inside my cap and handed it to him. On it was scrawled all the things I needed to do while in Goldenrod.

ò Go to PokeCenter, full checkup.

ò Stock up at PokeMart.

A Potions

A Antidotes

A Pokeballs

A FLEA POWDER!!!!!

A Sowing kit {Note, learn how to sow}

A Revives

ò Get translator

ò More sets of uniform

ò Do washing

ò GET MORE SOAP!!!

ò PHONE:

A Oak

A Faulkner, gloat, check on Talon

A Mum, Note, get story straight BEFORE calling

ò Kick Whitney's arse, gloat

ò Pamper Pokemon, check with Joy for Pokemon Spa

ò Check out Gamescorner, underground markets

ò MUST RETRIEVE BIRD!!! Gloat

ò Get Scotties first Pokemon

"Hmm, you have a lot of gloating to do."

"I know!"

"Yeah, I'm comin, I'm sick of Louis slapping me on the back so hard I could cough up a lung."

"But what about Ashia!" I sang. "Better get used to Louis, could be your grandfather-in-law Cally!"

"Shut up!" Cal snapped, smacking me upside the head playfully. I grinned harder, jumping up and running towards the house yelling, "Cally, Cally, Cally!" laughing all the way.

*~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~*

Later that night we sat on the back veranda, looking up at the stars. Moments before I had finished Fury's lecture and she was feeling pretty sorry. She rubbed against my legs and stayed unusually quiets. I scratched her reassuringly behind the ears as she sidled up closer. She almost purred, I swear!

"So, Topaz," Marc smirked. "I heard an interest rumour as I was coming back from training, successful day of training might I add. It seemed that little Miss Perfect isn't so perfect! In fact, she lost dismally! I spent my time looking for the kid who kicked your ass, then kicked his ass! Charmeleon mopped the floor with his Pokemon, all four of 'em!"

"Quit it Marc, or I'll kick your knee caps so hard you'll have to walk backwards to go forwards," I warned.

"Tut tut! Jealousy is such an ugly emotion!" he simpered, that sloppy expression still plastered on his face.

I growled, glaring at the spiky, brown haired boy. That's when I remembered something too. "I heard something too, Marcalark. Something absolutely fascinating!" I batted my eyes sweetly. "Except mines first hand and much more reliable. I met up with a group of girls. They said they were hit on by a guy who matches your description perfectly! Hmmm, I wonder what its like to be turned down five times in five minutes?"

That shut him up. He leaned back against the porch beam and crossed his arms, simmering. With a satisfied smile, I fell back into he grass with my hands behind my head. "How'd you do Suma?"

"Excellent!" she beamed. Maverick danced around her gesturing hands, his eyes watching them with a greedy gleam. It made me wonder if she'd ever start soon with some serious training with the blithe little Totodile. "Gehib is progressing like a runaway steam train! Shahman's learnt another attack. Butterfree has been improving her psybeam and Druean is still getting used to the extra wings. Fireline should evolve soon too!"

"Cool," Ashia said impressed.

I sighed, clicking my tongue. "Oh yeah, uh, Martha. "I'll be leaving tomorrow morning, Cal to. I don't know about the others but its time we got going. Your hospitality has been much appreciated and everything I eat after today will be compared to yours."

"My little Topaz! I'm touched!" she cooed with her hands clasped, still ignoring my displeasure at the diminutive. "Its good knowing people that appreciate my cooking so much!"

"We adore your cooking!" Suma agreed heartily. "But we can't impose on you any longer."

"Speak for yourself," Marc butted in before Cal could cover his mouth.

"Well then, I'll have a great big farewell breakfast for you when you wake up!" The big busted woman smiled.

"Louis will be there to see you off too, won't you dear?" Louis offered a snuffled snore from his rocking chair. Martha jabbed him and he started awake with a 'Yes dear' and fell back into a comatose.

"You'll be off tomorrow, so get to bed." She ushered us inside and up the stairs so fast I could have sworn I was home again.

I changed in the bathroom into my silky boxers and climbed into bead with Fury tucked beneath my arm. "See yis in the morning."

"Ahuh, night."

"To!"

"You too."

*~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~*

Thanks again for letting us stay so long Martha and Louis," I thanked gratefully.

"I'll miss your Pokenip milkshakes!" Fury added mournfully. She caught my deprecated glance and grinned sheepishly.

I hitched my pack for the fifth time and knelt into the dust in front of the day care. Kellie, Tinda and Sizzle shuffled their feet and looked forlorn. "Come on you guys, why you looking so sad? I'm leaving! That alone should be worth a celebration!"

"Bebe, mag Bebe," Sizzle mumbled, scuffing the dirt

"He says he wants to go with you, they all do." Fury translated, none to thrilled.

"I can't guys, and if I did, you would be at Professor Oaks most of the time. Don't worry, you keep acting the goody-two-shoes and some perfect trainers will be able to train you properly."

"Rogue! Tyrougue!"

"Sez he'll escape and follow you."

"Oh please! Look, just hang it here, you'll be safe and will get regular meals. Ask Fury, or Mave, or Pichu, sometimes we go for days on an empty stomach. I gave Ashia my cellphone number and I have hers, so I'll ring plenty. I'm sure Louis will let you inside for that." I gave a lopsided smile, mussing Kelly's hair, punched Tinda's arm and high fived Sizzle. "Seeyis, you guys ready?"

"Yeah," they chorus blandly.

"If you have any trouble, just call," Suma offered.

"Thankyou, very sweet off you my dear!" Louis said. "Anytime you're in the neighbourhood, drop by!"

Before we started, I saw Ashia shoot Cal a pointed look. He waved goodbye but ignored it. Hehehehehe! I'd get him later!
Soon, their house was out of sight, Marc was whinging, Pichu was zapping left and right, Suma was whistling, Cal was lagging behind, Mave was wandering off, Fury was keeping track of him and I was bashing my head against a brick wall trying to ignore them all.

Everything was back to normal.

*~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~*

"Topaz SHUT UP!"

"You shuddup!"

"You started it you little spore!"

"How old are you two? Your acting like nine year olds!"

"I'm hungry!

"PiiiiiiiCHHHHHUUUU!"

"Ahhhhhhhhhhh!"

I got up coughing and spluttering and fuming. "Can't you keep that vermin under control???!!!" I yelled and was even angrier as a puff of smoke and a hiccup ruined my antics.

"Just cool it," Suma tried to persuade us gently, stepping between Marc and I like a ref at a footy march. "Topaz, shutup. No one wants to here 999 bottles of beer." I started to protest but she cut me short with a quick zipit mime. I pouted sullenly and stalked ahead, Fury at my heels.

I scuffed my foot on the dusty dirt road. Pines and Shebarks line its edges shielding us al least a little from the glaring eye of the morning sun. It wasn't to bad for me, being brought up in the out back of Metone, and then moving to the islands, but there's only so much B.O one can take. I was sure I was pretty woofy too, my deodorant ran out yesterday morning.

Irritated, I turned my cap around backwards and then tapped up the map on my Pokégear. Pressing various little red buttons it flashed on, showing our location, and the location of the city. With a bit more fiddling it showed ratio's of time and speed. I breathed a sigh of relief, we would be within the air conditioned comfort of the Goldenrod PokèCenter by midday!

"How's a bath and a pizza sound, Fury?"

"Pass on the bath, but a pizza would be heaven," This was affirmed by the loud gurgle of her stomach. I snorted and scratched her behind the ear.

"Here." I pulled out two crumbling cookies from my pocket and gave them to her. She munched them happily and we picked up the pace, filling the time with out usual meaningless babble of conversation.

"How come you take on a nickname?"

"What d'ya mean?"

"I mean your real names not Fury, what is it?"

"Quiiiiillllaava!" she replied in her own language, soft and growling as it always but with certain stressed syllables and pitch it made it sound different.

"Quiiillllllllaaavah," I tried. When she shrivelled her nose with a suppressed grin, I asked, "What?"

"You said you like to wear tuna."

"Ugh!" I gagged, I didn't even like tuna!

"And theirs your answer, your primitive vocabulary can't handle it!" she jeered. "Though Marlix has the hang of it."

"Tah! That nitwit." I was about to launch into a fit of insults when the first white sentinels jutted just above the horizon.
Civilization! Sweet, sweet civilization!

"Hehehehe!!!" I cackled. "Chocolate and showers and spat and hamburgers and heaters and my own room! Screw walking! GO CHILUN!"

Behind me a few indignations and wonderings of what was going on, By the time they caught up and saw the roof tops of Goldenrod, I was on Chilun's back, Fury tucked un front, chasing after them with a mad whoop! Never mind him trying to beat the record for first horse to break the sound barrier, all it meant was I'd get their even faster! I urged them him on with a kick to the ribs leaving the others eating my dust!

*~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~*

"I'm singing in the rain! Just singing in the rain!" I crooned happily, running my hand through my wet hair, loosening the conditioner. I soaped up my body for a third time, scrubbing my face, back and between my toes! Oh, the joys of being clean! With reluctance I turned off the water and stepped out of the PokèCenter shower, towelling down with the softest one I could find. I dried my hair and pulled it into a ponytatail.

After slipping into my sleeveless cobalt shirt and violet slacks, I skipped out of the room, humming cheerfully. Usually it was only Sumalee's who acted this syrupy and I'd have been on her back, but it seemed like and eternity since the PokèCenter in Azalea town. Sure, Alia and her family were nice, but having Martha around was like being home again. No, thank, you!

I rounded the corner into the main lobby, avoiding a young man who had stocked up on Pokèballs, balancing the miniature pyramid carefully so not to scatter them across the rose and white tiles. Just being inside the building made you feel at home. Sliding doors welcomed the majority of trainers too exhausted to open it. Just ahead was the main counter, attended by Nurse Joy or one of the numerous Chansey tapping away at the keys of a computer. To the left was the waiting room, complete with reasonably comfortable chairs, pamphlets and magazines dating as far back as the 21st century. Beyond that was the emergency ward and visiting room, stairs leading upwards to the trading area for long distance trades. To the right were the trainers to just kick back. Pictaphones lining the wall, couches and bean bags faced a TV fixed on a documentary about Seadra, food booths sat facing a fly screen window letting the cool breeze waft in.

I bounced jovially onto a couch opposite Suma and Cal. Marc was busy cracking unsuccessfully to a girl at the counter.

"What do you thing we should do Topaz?" Sumalee asked. "Relax here the rest of the day or challenge the gym?"
Sumalee waited patiently for my reply while Cal drummed his fingers on the coffee table. Irritated I answered stiffly. "Rest of course.

I ordered a full check up for my Pokemon so I won't have Fury around for the rest of the day."

"Yeah, my Pokemon are in there too," Cal mumbled. The idiot just remembered you actually need Pokemon to ear a badge. I told him so and he blushed.

"Ditto," Suma sighed. Suddenly her eyes lit up, I could practically see the little light bulb flashing over her head. I knew the expression. I shook my head in horror before she even opened her mouth. "Come on! An afternoon free of ratbags we normally can't trust in our tents alone. We're in the largest shopping central in Johto, and loaded."

"Speak for yourself," Cal interrupted.

"And looking for something to do."

"Listen to me, I said N.O!"

"You can't pass this up!"

"Watch me!"

"Look at my streaks, their gone. Hair done to!"

"Bloody hell, I'm outta here!" I leapt to my feet and scrambled to escape but Sumalee grabbed my shirt and yanked me down again.

"Hey, Marlix, wanna come shopping?"

Marc looked over, as he did, the girl took her chance to slip away. "Jeeze, 'bout time! Look at me! I'm outta date, I'm still wearin last months stuff! His challenge forgotten, he sauntered over and flopped into the seat next to me.

"Get this through your heads, I do NOT shop!" I roared over the top of them.

Marlix glanced me over distastefully. "Come on Topaz, you need it. Desperately. Who do you think you are in that little costume? Ash Ketchum? And look at that dry skin! Those split ends! Don't you condition?"

"Shut up, what are you? A poof? I like my splitends just fine!" I retorted angrily! Suddenly, I saw my escape. Heh heh, survival of the fittest! "What about Cal? His hairs all ratty! His clothes, I really don't think they go with his eyes!" I snickered and tried to slip away as Suma hen pecked him, but Mark clamped down on my shoulder and forced me into my seat again.

"Uh, uh, uh!" he chided, wagging a finger with a sickly sweet grin. I felt like ripping his sweat band off his head and throttling him with it. He pushed me towards the door, Suma did likewise with Cal. He threw me a hopeless glance. I on the other hand dug my heels stubbornly into the carpet and refused to move, throwing a tantrum like a little child.

"Come on Topaz," Suma tried persuasively. "I traded cooking duty with you last night."

"That was a favour to all of us," Marc joked, letting my stiff body fall backwards as he sidestepped. I growled, rubbing my head. I knew I was beat.

"Stupid conscience," I rumbled blackly, and trailed after them a good distance behind, wishing I that I could at least have Fury for support.

*~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~*

"OOOHHHH! My arms are tired, my feet ache!" I moaned pitifully.
"Stop whining, you just doing that cos you've done your shopping. We've barely done two hours."
"Am not." I sulked, dropping onto a bench exhausted. I had four bags on my arms; one held the necessary things a trainer need. The usual stuff, Antidotes, Pokeballs, Potions, etcetera, etcetera, yada, yada. The all-important item on the list was Apollo's flea powder. The little brat had decided to nap in my sleeping bag and now I was pretty red and itchy. Who knew such tiny red dots could be such a pain in the arse.

In another was all the things needed to sustain life while camping, two-minute noodles, packet popcorn, marshmallows and of course pre-packaged dinners. They were a godsend. Each had some dried meat, vegies and fruit, for the Pokemon and us. Little treats too. Blocks of soap, tubes of toothpaste, and rolls of toilet paper were stuffed in there. A sowing kit as well as step but step instructions, but I wouldn't bet three cents on being able to understand them. They were like those How-to-Draw things. A circle, a line, and oval a square, and in the next box you had a perfectly drawn horse or something. Absolutely useless.

In the last bag were some knickknacks I was picking up. Most were gifts for my Pokemon, both belt and those at Professor Oaks. So far I had gotten Target a few Rarecandy, little bloke was obsessed with them, Talorn an ornate mirror I knew she'd love, Chilun a Focus bands, he'd go nuts for it cos he didn't care about me, or the other Pokemon, he only wanted to battle and bite me. Gail, the abused Girafarig I had picked up from the Rockets in Azalea was a pretty bell on a ribbon to hang around her neck. I hoped this would get her to trust me more. I had tried to train with her but she was just too timid to do anything.

Bolt had a Magnet, in a feeble hope it would help him control his electricity. For Aria, my Aquatro with a pretty voice, a karaoke CD and as well as his Flea powder, the Houndour receiving a few squeaky toys for him to tear apart with those razor teeth, he certainly practised enough on my shoes.

Artemis the Eevee, was always complaining she'd never evolve cos I was too stingy to dish out the money for an evolution stone. She competed vigorously against Cal's Vaporeon and didn't seem to get anywhere. So, instead of an evolution stone, I would get her back from the Professor and treat her to the Beauty Salon in the underground. The said it was guaranteed to boost a Pokemon's happiness levels.

For Snap the Ekans, I found a comfortable looking cane basket. Oak said he spent most the day sleeping under his desk and got very cranky when disturbed. I got a nightlight and some of those glow in the dark stars for my Ledyba, Ledrick and some weaving patterns for Spindle, the Spinarak. Locket the Hoppit had a very stylish aerial scarf. Mystic, the Natu I had trouble understanding even with his translator got the coolest pair of sunnies I could find, a big black pair that reflected when you looked into them. And Joust, the knight like Pokemon I picked up some carbos and irons to boost him up.

Also, since leaving Ilex I had gained two knew Pokemon. The first was a Ritusha I had dubbed Miasma, a type of toxin. The Ritusha was a cross between a tortoise and a toad, with something else thrown in between. He had a squat, toads frame and elastic legs, but his head was like a snapping turtle with a parrot beak I was positive could do a hellova lotta damage. His shell was more like a crabs carapace, with poisonous spines sticking out of its edges. All to top this off was the bright green and white patterns. It really was bizarre. Unfortunately I hadn't met Miasma since his capture and I hoped he would like the pains.

The second was of course, the bird, Shirasharmi and was yet to bring him out of the PC. Gloat! Gloat! Gloat!

Now, I know what your thinking. Where'd the shortarse get all the dosh?

What? You think I lose all my battles? I'm mortified! I am the Amazing Moltres! I…… We'll leave it there.

Back to me whining.

"Now where are we going?" I groaned. Marc grabbed my wrist, dragging me to my feet.

"Getting our hair done, my streaks are practically gone," Suma chirped happily.

"OOOOOOH-NOOOOO!" I yelled, stumbling backwards. "You people aren't touching my hair!"

"Don't worry, we won't."

*~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~*

"Well, what do you think?" Suma prodded, positively elated. "I think it looks a 110% better!"

I scowled into the mirror. "It looks the same."

"Of course, you would have killed us otherwise," Marc added, admiring his pikes with bleached peaks in the shiny surface of a hairdryer.

"It looks okay," I admitted reluctantly. My reflection stared back at me. My well knotted, matted and basically unbelievably messy blue hair was gone, instead my raven tresses were soft and silky, tied on top of my head with its usual Pokeball tie. It fell in slight waves down to my waist, a little shorter then it had been.

"Bye, bye, fringe," I mumbled dolefully.

"Stop being a baby," Suma tsked. "How's mine?" She gave a dramatic twirl. Her hair was now a shock of green with a long thin braid trailing down her back.

"Yeah, no worries."
"No worries?"

"Fantastic, mon cherrie," Marc cooed, sidling up beside her. She shoved him away disgusted. "Hey, where's Cal?"

"I'm not coming out."

"Come on, Cally. I had to be dolled up, so do you!"

Cal shuffled from behind a screen, staring mareepishly at the ground. His own hair had been trimmed neatly, except for his own tail of hair hanging loosely at the nape of his neck. It too had taken on a smooth sheen. He scratched beneath his hair with knitted brows. "I don't care how soft they make it, it itches." I nodded vigorously in agreement.

"Nooooooowww!" Suma said thoughtfully. "Let's get rid of that moth eaten shirt."
I shrank back into my seat, until I saw a sight in the mirrors reflection. "Hang on mates, I'll be with you in a sec."

*~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~*

More then three hours later, I looked so radically different I wanted to punch myself. I sulked in front of the mirror in my room, hating myself for liking it. I hated clothing. I went clothes shopping every three years, always buying a size too big, which actually shows you how little I grow.

"Damn Topaz!" Marc exclaimed, a fair distance away. "You look like a girl."

"I know," I moaned, hanging my head. "I want my cap."

"You don't need a cap anymore," Suma chirruped, dumping the extra four bags of clothing onto her bed, and picking through it like a Murkrow through over carrion. "I mean, its not like you need to hide that haircut."

I glowered at her, falling back onto my bed, hands beside my head but they were tangled up in the strap thingy's on my shorts. I grew more and more flustered until I flung them off my shoulders so they hung loosely.

I am not some Misty look alike, I thought vehemently, fiddling with the singular ear stud had had done that arvie. It was adorned with a small blue resonating amberite gem.

"I'm gonna go test this out," I said with a wicked grin, making the three trade nervous glances. I hurried down the hall, unusually self conscious to the counter.

"Hello Miss, may I help you?" piped Nurse Joy as enthusiastic as ever, oblivious to the chaotic work of the Chansey assistants behind her.

"Me, Joy, Topaz," I reminded her with a swish of all that was left of my fringe to one side so that it partially covered one ye like it used too. "Are Fury and the other ready?"

"Why yes, though your Articolt thought to give us trouble." She gave a faint flicker of surprise but retrieve all six of my Pokeballs, handing them carefully and attending to the neatly dressed boy behind me. I ignored his leer, but something tugged at me. There was something familiar about him. A hat hid his eyes and hair but his businessy poise just made me nervous. I shrugged it off, making my way to the courtyard chains dangling at my weeks.

How could I get used to that, I lamented, hoping didn't have to sneak anywhere.

I stepped into the semi sunlight, a gauze overhead filtering its feet and casting the cool shadow. It was like being in a make believe place. To my left, tundra where Jynx and Shivera ran wild, sending billowy plumes of fresh snow into the air. Behind it gawd knows how far away rocky mountains dipped and soared above the materials. To my right, a grassland with grazing Tauros and Rhyhorn with a miniature forest at its boundaries, just one big patchwork quilt of climates and ecosystems interwoven on the outskirts of Johto's largest city.

I reached only for Chilun's Pokeball, and thought better of it, taking each of my teams Pokeballs and hurling them into the air. Each materialized in sparkling crimson beams. Fury escaped hers hissing and spitting furiously, twitching and blinking like an epileptic fit.

"I hate them!" she snarled. "Hatethemhatethemhatethem!!! Human contraptions!" She shook herself like a wet dog, embers fluttering in the air and scorching the grass. I frantically stomped out the tiny flames beginning to catch. When I was done making an idiot of my self, I searched the area and saw Chilun's receding arse disappearing over a snowdrift.

I shook my head in exasperation. "Fury, go grab Chilun, would ya?"

Fury shrugged and bounded through the snow, kicking up flakes and leaving mushy footprints behind her. I waited patiently hearing the yips and snarls and brays as she tried to convince the icy horse to come back. Finally a plume of fire leapt skyward, melting the banks into frosty puddles that were already freezing over again. He came trailing grumpily over the wilted hills with Fury nipping smugly at his heels.

"Come here, horse. Joy said one of your forelegs has a tight muscle, but you wouldn't let her near." I was bluffing of course, but I knew Chilun well and was certain that something of that degree had occurred. "I'm gonna check it myself, so I'm trusting you not to send me on a flying lesson."

"And you know it, punk!" I heard him snort. "Look at those ridiculous clothing! And your ear! Punk kid, oughta knock some sense inta that thick skull, might even improve that ugly mug of yours!"

"Is that so, nag?" I said sweetly, batting my eyes. Then, it would have been the most hilarious thing I'd ever seen. His mouth sagged open and his ears cocked out in astonishment. "That's right Chilun! I understand every word you mumble under your breath! Every insult, complaint and threat! All thanks to the punk earstud! Ha! Ha! Ha and ha!"

I leapt nimbly away as his front hoof came within an inch of my nose. I crowed again and he sprang after me. I dove for the snow and ran swiftly across it. Ironically, the ice type did the same only as he bounded the snow's surface he sank hock deep.

"Game, set and match!" I gloated out of reach. He yelled now understandable but nether the less foul abuse. Suddenly my legs twined together and I ate snow. A shadow fell over me and as I rolled onto my back, Chilun towered, blocking out the sun. He grinned wickedly, his lips curled in equine contempt and one hoof loomed over my chest. "Heh heh? Come on, truce?"

"Game set and match!" he mocked arrogantly, blue flames holding steady and tasting the air.

"Heh heh heh….. FURY!!!"

"Can't help you now, Topaz, you dug your own grave! Lava! Lava!" she guffawed as she enjoyed herself thoroughly from a safe distance.

"You need help?" Both Chilun and I looked up startled at the interruption. On the crest of a snow hill stood a girl. She giggled with her hands on her hips and a playful gleam in her eyes. She skidded down the side of the mountain and came to a skipping halt at my side. Confused, Chilun backed away and let her help me up. I brushed the snow off my bare skin, shivering and cursing. Over a rise, Fury poked her head up vigilantly looking for danger. When all was clear, she padded to my side.

"Coward."

"I told you, you were on your own. It was your own fault anyway!"

Shaking my head, I returned my attention to my saviour. "Thanks, Chilun woulda kicked my arse to the other end of the playground otherwise."

"Damn right!" he agreed with a flick of his tail. I shot him a warning glance but he only looked on.

"Hi. My names November Tara Jane!" she chirped enthusiastically as she frisked from foot to foot adding a happy giggle.

"I'll bet," I said dryly with a raised eyebrow. She ignored the scepticism and began to hum noisily. My eyebrow skirted higher. How did I meet these people? I mean, is it an optimists mission in life to seek out the pessimist and convert them? Cos they were always turning up on my doorstep with that big crescent moon grin from ear to ear.

"Wow! Did you train him?" she asked with childish amazement. I began to wonder how old she actually was.

"Yeah, but not very well, so it seems."

"I challenge you to a battle." I baulked, looking for her Pokeballs. She tapped her foot impatiently. "Well?"

Never to let a challenge go unanswered, I smirked confidently. "Of course, but allow me to introduce myself. I am Topaz Soarhire! The Amazing Moltres! Conqueror of Team Rocket, Gyms and every obstacle in my path!"

"Oh yeah! I heard about you!" I bowed mockingly, rolling my wrist in exaggeration. "This should be easy!"

I sweat-dropped, thinking how I really shouldn't build myself up like that. Recovering my poise, I straightened up.

"Ug. Ok then. My other Pokemon are out there somewhere, so it'll be a two on two. Two hundred dollars to the winner. Also, since you've seen my two, you show me yours."

"Deal!" she whipped out two balls, flinging them into the air. They spun and split into two crimson beams forming two unknown Pokemon.

"Op-Ria!"

"Fluuuuuuuur!"

Digging around in the numerous pockets of my shorts, I found my Pokedex and aimed the sensor at the first. On the screen appeared a picture identical to the creature before me. Its tall ebony ears were slightly bent and chocolate-tee brown tips. It walked on four slender legs with the same brown on black splashed irregularly on the paws like socks. A whiplash tail curled sorta like a pigs, though its luxurious tail made a queer effect. The rest of its sleek body was lightly speckled of deep brown so that the suns rays made a marvellous marble effect.

"Operia, the Faithful Pokemon. One of the many evolutions of Diamante when it is exposed to the Opal of Faith it is a very faithful companion, they have been known to guard the graves of their dead trainers. This may have produced the legends that they can see the shades of the dead."

I inclined my head, impressed at the capture. She giggled and stroked her chin. "Ri-aahhh!

The other bounced on its toes. Tiny, it barely knee hight and a bright, almost cherry red. It was lizardous, like a smaller version of Dragonite, though it had no arms. Instead its relatively expansive wings thrummed the air keenly, loose skin patterned in glittering yellow and red gave the effect of flickering flames. At the end of its pebbled tail, similar streamers fluttered lazily. Its rounded muzzle complemented the large innocent eyes, with more fluttering fire streamers from tiny earflaps.

"Flur, the babylizard Pokemon. This lively Pokemon is found in a wide variety colours. Despite its adorable features, it lives a solitary life and is wary of other of its own species. It is also well known for its quick, darting movements that trick the eye."

I shrugged. Soso, or at least until it moved. Behind it left fleeting, multiple images of itself, like the blue of a mouse on a computer screen. With a faint frown of contemplation I tried to figure out if Fury and Chilun would be able to take them on. A ground/dark and fire/flying could be a challenge.

"Ok, I'm down," I agreed finally.

"Kewliez!"

"Coolies?" letting it go, we sketched out a battlefield in the snow. When done, I was situated at one end, sincerely regretting the skimpy shirt, with a sluggish Quilava and a disobedient Articolt and November at the other bouncing eagerly, Flur and Operia equally enthused. Greaaat!!!!!

I declare this battle begun!" I cried, and slapped Chilun across the whither. He gambolled casually onto the battlefield and mirroring his, so did Flur. I swore into my chest as the fire types wings pumped up and down.

"Beat rush!" I ordered, jabbing my finger at the lizard. A wisp of vapour curled from his flared nostrils as he snorted and sprung forward, his heavy hooves plunging into the snow, kicking up a whirlwind of snow. His heavy shod hooves swiped at Flur, but they went straight through the blur of the fire type, thudding into the drift. I stood astounded as the blur cheeped pertly, now behind Chilun. Chilun pivoted, swinging again, but again Flur disappeared. "Flur-a-flur!"

"Chilun! Stop it! You numskull horse!" I yelled, practically frothing at the mouth as he ignored me and tried unsuccessfully to even clip Flur. Snow flew, and Chilun lashed out as he darted in teasing circles around him.

Suddenly, Chilun's feet snarled together and with a watery thump he collapsed, panting, into the churned up snow. He lay on his sides, chest heaving, lathered in sweat.

"Now listen!" One angry eye laid accusingly on me as Flur danced from foot to foot, chittering merrily. In defiance he shook his fetlock and with fiery determination pawed at the hole he had dug himself, hauling himself up. He whinnied breathlessly at the smaller, faster Pokemon, branding his hoof into the ground.

The Flur stopped its agile movements to stare with its curious dark eyes. Chilun stamped again, nickering softly. Flur started bobbing up and down like a bird, the flamers on top of its head wavering furiously.

Growing more and more annoyed as I was receiving nothing from the translator.; I swore under my breath, of course it couldn't interpret body gestures! It worked on soundwaves and resonance to decipher Pokenese. "Fury, what's happening?"

"Insulting him."

"Okay Flur! You can stop playing now!" November hollered cheerfully across the snowy ground, victory evident. Flur cooed back, large ebony eyes like sparking embers.

I swooned, snarling at myself for thinking I could win this match. A fire/flying verse ice, no contest and add to that a stubborn streak to rival Grampa Canyon with a sprinkle of arrogance and ignorance thrown in for good measure, we were screwed. Despite being younger, the girl obviously had experience I didn't.

"Gust!" she called light heartedly. Flur rocketed into the air, her wings pumping furiously, flushing shrieking squalls tearing up the snow. Its biting winds gnashed Chilun's eyes and nose. He roared teetering onto his hind legs, flinging more into the air, his hooves flashing and screaming like a berserker, his hooves squelched in the mush and kicked out blindly with his hind legs.

"Calm down Chilun," I cried out in vain over the winds a fwist sound cut by my ear and when I realised it was the sizzle of his tail cresting by my ear, I staggered backwards with a pinched yelp. I fell into the snow shivering, that icy crust mashed into my skin, sucking in a winded gasp as it pressed into my Beedrill stings. I stared vacantly at the waxen sky, listening to Chilun's rampage. With laboured breaths, I rolled onto my stomach, wincing as my skin kissed the snow and propped myself onto my hands. To my utter horror, I could make out the lantern form of Flur through the blizzard ducking to and fro beneath his flailing hooves.

"Agility Flur!"

I grunted as the blur shifted into a smudge, barely made out through the miniature storm. Chilun still had the lunatic idea of using physical attacks. He lunged at the fleeting streak with a horn attack but he was already behind him. His hooves cuft the air, raining blows left and right to no avail, but at last, one heavy leg clouted the baby lizard inside the back with stunning force. He was flung limply into the air, tumbling in wild revolutions before pitching nose first into the snow with a dull thud and rolling to a sprawled stop.

"Flur!" wailed November. Gone was the bright smile, now she only looked on wretchedly at the unmoving Flur. "Flur?"

"Flur-ur." The muffled pur was followed by the twitching of his crumpled wings. The cherry red creature shook itself off and glared at Chilun, bruised and annoyed, but none the worse.

"Yeah!" His trainer cheered enthusiastically. "Alright, lets do it! Agility and ember!"

I didn't even see the movement, all of a sudden; Flur was beneath Chilun stomach, face tilted upwards and the black coal eyes glittering wickedly with his head thrown back. Flur gurgled, spewing a fountain of flame that wrapped around the ice horse like a blanket, smothering him. He screamed in agony, bucking and fighting to escape, its fiery embrace. Rivers of melted crystals coursed down his side, sizzling as the searing heat evaporated.

"Return!" I choked out and Chilun was gathered safe in his Pokeball I gazed regretfully at its polished surface, mirroring my warped reflection. "I'm sorry I took so long, I'm such an idiot," I murmured. I turned to face November with unflinching resolve. I pushed myself out of the snow and climbed to my feet, looking around for Fury and she was lying behind a snowdrift.

Good, I though, the one time I was glad she was thinking of herself.

She stepped carefully through the puddles, keeping her paws clear. She moved beside me, perching on her haunches. She gazed thoughtfully at Flur, prancing from foot to foot. She didn't look doubtful in the least, just calm and ready to battle.

"Reckon you can beat them both," I asked, nodding in Operia's direction. As I rubbed my arms, it looked less and less likely that Fury would be able to defeat Flur. Now it may look like I don't have faith in my Pokemon, but there's a difference between having faith, and being naïve.

She shrugged, adding, "No worries, push comes to shove, I got Phainex on my side." She sat peering across the battle field, but I think I caught the glimmer of uncertainty.

"That's good enough for me," I beamed, flashing an encouraging grin. She trotted dauntless onto the field, opposite the still boogying Flur. "The match may commence!"

My eyes flew up my forehead hard and fast in amazement, as Fury pounced on the lizard like a guided missile, pinning him down with all four limbs nailing his into the snow. Only his wings were left free, struggling savagely thwapping against it, whining and wailing. He shrieked as Fury grinned, sitting placidly on his stomach.

"Ember!" November yelled, stomping the ground and crossing her arms like a child denied candy before bedtime. Fury squealed, blinking rapidly and snorting the fluttering flakes out of her face, but not yielding her hold.

"Fury! No fire! Hit 'em with a Swift!" She uttered a burbled reply obliging by spilling a cascade of golden stars at the lizard, pelting him an lowering the HP bit by big. His cries of distress grew weaker and weaker, and were worn out all together.

"Onya girl!" My praise was cut of in midsentence as Flur's paddle feet kicked up, catching her stomach and flipped them both over with him on top now. He cawed happily, lashing down with daggered claws, crisscrossing her fur with red marks. Fury cried out in anger, jerking forward and snapping her maw of needles into his skin.

With a quick glance across the field, November glowed, with her hands on her hips, grinning. OH JEEZE!

"Fury let go! Get out!' Fury heeded my ardent orders, unlocking her jaws and springing beneath Flur. Too late! Flur trilled an ear piercing squeal, lips pursed as a ribbon of fire caught the fleeing Quilava, entwining her in a knot of flame. Fury's pupils dilated and her eyeballs rolled wildly like marbles as the tornado coiled tighter. She mighta been a fire type but claustrophobia came in many shapes and forms. She screeched and leapt at the barricade, shrank but scorched, fur smouldering.

I cringed, her whimpering as Flur rocked backward on his tail giggling.

Think! Think! Think!" I screamed furiously at myself, terror closing in as the tornado grew tighter, obscuring her from sight. Suddenly, as if someone had tied a note to a brick and chucked it at the back of my head, it hit me.

"TAMED FLAME!!" I crowed. "FURY! TAMED FLAME!"

Between the roping flames, her eyes lit up and gone was the face of panic. She growled, eyes narrowed into thin slits, glowing an eerie light. With bared teeth, she loosed a snarl of command. The tongues paused as if wondering who to obey. She articulated another gritty cry, as they whirled in on themselves, seizing the other Pokemon with a crackling that sounded almost like glee. Moments later he lay fainted over the snow.

"FAN-BLOODY-TASTIC!" I exalted, giving the thumbs up and Fury returning her best imitation with a toothy grin.

"Not so fast!" huffed November, still not losing the happy-go-lucky grin. "Go Operia!"

The lithe, chocolaty Pokemon minced elegantly to face Fury, sitting casually on its haunches. With its head cocked, its sniffed at Fury. "When was the last time you bathed?" she asked snootily.

"When was the last time you had a reality check?" she rebuffed in the same arrogant tone, holding her nose high in the air.

I suddenly knew just what to do, but how could I tell Fury without Operia hearing too?

"Commence the match!" November cried. "Tackle!"

She dug her feet into the match, smacking the smaller Quilava with her felt black shoulder. Fury rolled over the snow, a little befuddled but fine. She skated sideways as Operia dashed at her again, blowing past with puffs of snow floating after her. I smirked coolly, a pushover if I could just….

"Better tell ya Pokemon to lay off the sweet cakes!" I taunted from the sidelines. "If she can't catch Fury, may as well chase a Slowpoke!"

"Hey!" both Pokemon chorused indignantly. Operia squared up, rocketing at Fury with her head down. Fury ducked down, thrusting out with her hind legs and tobogganed under her. She kicked out hard as she past and she crashed head buried in the snow, Fury was on her in a jif. She leaped into the air above her belly up opponent and spouted a torrent of flame. It spread thickly across the air like a blanket.

Operia sat up, regarding the oncoming attack and with a rasping gasp, spurted a cloud of fine black mist, cleaving the attack like the red sea. It engulfed Fury and she dropped like a stone into the ice, coughing and wheezing. The almost microscopic particles buzzed around her like a translucent sack. Operia sauntered over her, simpering like a lotto winner. Fury moaned trying to totter to her feet but the mist seemed t beat her down.

I gritted my teeth, now or never!

"Leer!" I bawled Her eyes flew open, locking onto Operia with menacing malignance. They flashed brightly and she froze terrified, the sack dissolved into the chilly breeze. Fury bounded to her feet, booting Operia in the jaw with her hind legs and fleeing to stand in front of me. She glanced over her shoulder to confirm I knew what I was doing. I responded with a slow, sly wink, and she snickered.

"Hey Fattybomba! Yeah you! Tubby! Tubby! Tubby!" she sang mischievously Last time you took a nap the humans tried a Pokeflute to get you to move! Last time you went to the beach, they tried to shove you into the water cos they thought you were a beached Harness!"

She rattled off fat joke after fat joke, everyone so cheesy it was all I could do to stop from banging my head against a tree. Finally the torture paid of and Operia was snorting like a Tauros.

"You little!" she spluttered, pawing the snow and flicking tiny clouds into the air. Fortunately her trainer was in a similar state of mind, red as a tomato.

"Don't take that Operia, Takedown!" she howled, raking the air with clawed hands. Operia snarled, springing at Fury with all out frenzy, limbs splayed out like a pancake.

"Go!" I barked!

Fury dove between her legs, glissading over the snow, extinguishing her head backflame and still only scrapped under her belly. As Operia's paws brushed the surface, Fury dug her front paws in for purchase, the back half swinging in a 180o and breathed a tongue of flame over the ice, thawing her opponent footing as all feet were in contact. Each flew in a different direction, her back legs crossed, one went left the other went right and in a instant they were all in a tangle on the ground beneath her.

"REBIRTH FLAME!!" My voice rang through the park, it was drowned out in the roar of battle and she spewed forth her ultimate weapon, Phaenex, the fiery attack in the form of a bird. As the flame moulded its shape, Fury's eyes glazed over, glittering in an unearthly sheen, growing stronger as the Phaenex became whole. This was at least the third time I had seen her call upon this attack, never before had I seen it used by another, and I never ceased to be awed by it. The fine undulating wings stretched from the mantle and the balled head became recognisable as the upper and lower beak protruded outwards. Finally it gave a shrill cry of war, flaring its wings and fanning the area with buffeting gusts of humid air. The snow under me getting to me more sodden underfoot.

Operia, meanwhile stared vacantly, whether in fear or disbelief, I don't know, but with a hight pitched yip, broke and, ran in Fury's direction.

"NO!" I screeched. Operia had realised that while she controlled Phaenex, she was defenceless. Her paws churned the little more then puddles of snow as she beamed down on the helpless Quilava.

Phaenex shrieked with mad wrath. It threshed the air, simmering steam rising heatwaves. With wings pulled back it fell into a stoop, plummeting with wind screaming through the prominences of fire, target set on Operia, who's quarry was Fury.

"PHAEEEEE-NIIIIIIIX!"

Meanwhile, Operia was with in distance of Fury, she leapt into the air, maw gnashing like a rabid dog., but she didn't get within an inch of the comatose Quilava. Phaenex pulled its expansive wings, snapping her up in its claws and pinning it into the ground, but whether it realised that Fury was beneath it was too late.

"FURY!!!"

"OPERIA!"

I screamed racing heedless of the danger onto the field. Fury fainted and the Rebirth Flame erupted upwards in a mushroom inferno. The wind seized me and flung me into the air, my guts wrapping around the bole of a tree. Swallowing at the bile rising. I staggered to my feet, fear coiling around my heart as I begged. Please! Please! Please!

I crouched into the mush, her violet fur was almost charred black and her yellowing was an ashy grew.

"Oh gawd Fury I'm sorry Fury," I murmured, cradling her in my arms, feeling like I'd been hit by a semi trailer. "Look, we settle this later."

November nodded, looking equally scared. She stroked Operia's matted coat, cooing to her. Her eyes fluttered open and she whimpered. November plucked the ball off her belt and recalled her inside. I shifted Fury till I had a firm hold of her in my arms and took off for the PokeCenter. I cringed each time my loping steps jolted her, lifeless head against my neck, but there was nothing to be done. I could have recalled her too, but there was no way I wanted her to wake up broken and burnt inside whatever cramped pace there was in there.

With muscles burning and breath coming in wheezing gasps, I rocked up to the back door. In a burst of luck the door opened and on the other side was the kid from the counter. Unfortunately my tiered legs didn't lift my feet high enough and hooked the skirting. His face blanched as a sweaty raven haired girl squealed and tumbled at him.

"Jeeze!" he hissed, one arm wrapping around my waist, the other coming up to support Fury. "I got you!"

Still leaning into him, I looked through my Ponytatail that fell over my eyes. "Thanks Ol' mate," I said weakly, trying to get up on my own weight but he held on.

"I got her," he said forcefully, taking Fury from my arms and slung one of mine over his shoulder. Bracing both of us, he hobbled down the deserted hall, the hubbub of the centre echoing through. A girl praised an Oddish on its vibrant green leaves, two boys were in a heated argument on where to go next and a Chansey berated a fellow for running, it all meant nothing to me, droning in my head as that annoying pink heart wall paper grew hazy. My ever-opportunistic migraine plodded slow and steady to fore, but being the stubborn kid I was I was going to be some doll lugged into the room and I fought his grip.

"Fuh-" I moaned, trying to move faster.

"She's alright, worry about yourself."

"I'm fuh-"

His snort of contempt cut me off so I simmered silently, until we reached the main room. I broke free and grabbed the counter for support.

"Jo-oooy!" I bawled at the top of my lungs to be answered by an irritated, "I'm busy!"

"It's urgent, Nurse Joy." Ol' Mate called more politely. She appeared from the back room, non-committal as if every second case was an emergency, until she saw the shrivelled Pokemon he held. Her eyes widened.

"Another! Chansey stat! Heavy burns, a cold stretcher for a medium size and weight Pokemon!"

Three-flurried Chansey scuttled behind her, two carrying a stretcher packed with ice, another with instruments wrapped around her neck and a jar of balm. They chattered in a blur about pulse rate and burn degrees and platelet count as they circled her. Ol' Mate carefully lowered her in, stepping back to allow them to work. Still jabbering, they hustled me aside and vanished into the backroom.

"Will she be Ok?" I asked anxiously as I watched her go. Drooping over the counter, my brow knotted as the headache grew more insistent. I regained my breath and rolled my shoulders.

"She'll be fine, though I'm sure she won't appreciate the two full examinations in one day," Nurse Joy answered briskly. I shrunk to an inch tall under her stern gaze. "As for you! I told you to take it easy after those stings, and there you are. You trainers never listen, you all think you're untouchable, that it won't happen to you!" She continued to mutter as she stalked brusquely over, promptly check my forehead, making me say ahh and walk a straight line.

"You're lucky indeed aside from the singed eyebrows and a limp, you're fine. Thank this young man here Topaz, then sit in the corner with November for battling in the restricted part of the Park. You should be ashamed! After all the hard work those Swinub and Shivera's done this morning, and with in half an hour you have the entire Tundra as nothing but a puddle!" She threw her hands in the air and stomped back inside.

"I'll send Chilun and Aria to help later," I called meekly after her.

"That horse is going to be livid!" she called back.

With shoulders slumped, I turned to be face to face with Ol' Mate. He looked as if he had better things to do but this was a necessity. Irked, I said tartly, "Thanks Ol' mate, but I have to go site in the corner and think about what I've done."

"No skin off my back, though there's a good deal off your's. Might want to see someone about that."

I cut off whatever chansey he had of continuing the conversation by plonking myself dejected in the booth with November. She was busy scrawling enthusiastically on the placemat maze, humming merrily.

"Left! No! Right! Right! Ha! Made it through another one!" she boasted, pressing the piece of paper in my face.

"You do know they're all the same, don't you?" I said, irritated and incredulous this same girl had almost mopped the floor with me. She kept wagging it back and forth, singing and wagging, wagging and singing, as I propped myself up on my elbows, then, I snapped. I snatched it from her hands snarling and tore it into strips. "THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!"

"Hey!" she objected with the shreds in her palms. She then set about putting them back together. I threw my arms in the air, with exasperation and went back to grumbling into the crook of my arm about the unfairness of it all.

What was left of the afternoon dragged on to end a waste of a day. Joy popped over about 4:30 to inform us that each of our Pokemon was fine, but Operia was still in pretty bad shape. As bad as it sounds, I felt pretty darn smug. It was a cheap trick turning her own attack against her. While I smiled self-righteously, November cheered and began singing a children's song. She tapped in time on the table and bobbed her head, her reddish hair frizzing. I could the song the first time, maybe even a second time, but when she started singing the chorus for the eighth time, things got ugly.

"That's it you little rodent!" I yelled, shooting to my feet and shoving the table away. "One more time and I'll! I'll! Arg!!!!"

She stared innocently, awaiting the threat. With nothing to follow through with, I slumped back down. "You still owe me two-hundred bucks!" I grumbled darkly

"No I don't," she answered quickly.

"Yes you do," I corrected her hotly.

"No I don't."

"Yes you do! I won! Fury took down Operia!"

"She fainted too!"

"Operia fainted first!"

"You can't prove it!"

"Your Pokemon is hurt worse."

"But Flur beat Articolt!"

"And Fury beat Flur and Operia!"

"It was a Kamikaze attack!"

"Fine! We'll battle again!"

"Can't! I only have two other Pokemon, and they're not trained!"

"Then you forfeit!" I crowed, grinning wickedly. She looked helplessly at being jarded so effectively.

I mean, sometimes I'm so good I just amaze myself!

"A coin flip."

"Huh?"

"We flip a coin and loser pays up," November concluded elementary. "It's only fair, unless you don't like being fair…"

Sneaky little brat! "Fine!" I growled. "But we need a ref." {referee}

"Ok, the first one to come down those stairs," she agreed emphatically.

"Ahhh hell!" I swore aloud as Marlix appeared from the stair flight smoothing his spikes and righting Pichu on his shoulder. The electric mouse squeaked and zapped him lightly. The boy only rechecked his hair in the reflection of a case and was on a beeline for the girl he was cracking onto earlier. Before I could do anything, November was waving her arms with cries of, "Mr Spikehair!" I could have shrivelled in my seat but he was there with his slimy smirk.

"Yes young lady?" he said courteously with a sideways wink at me. I snorted and glared at his pathetic attempt to sound sophisticated.

"Get off it Marlix," I snapped. "Look, we're going to throw a coin and you have to be unbiased and decide the outcome of a clearly won battle, but we need you to ref the toss. Can you do that without screwing up?"

Undeterred by my acid tone, he grinned affirming. "Got a coin?"

Ruffling through my pocket, trying not to catch the chains on the strap, but came up empty. November shrugged with her hands out. Marlix grinned slyly, waving away the minor detail and flourished a coin from his pocket, keeping it from Pichu's tiny grasping hands. He dramatically rubbed it over his leather jacket and settled it over his thumb.

"K, you tails Topaz?" he asked sweetly. I nodded warily, but didn't see how he could rig a clear 50/50 chance.

"You OK with heads darl?" he inquired after November. She nodded with anticipation. He flicked the coin into the air, laying it on thick as it somersaulted, winking in the light and clattered noisily over the table to land between us.

"NOOOOO!" I wailed, pounding my fist on the table.

"Now, Topaz, that's not ladylike," he simpered into my ear. I made to cuff his ear but he dance out of reach cackling.

"Why are you so smug, its not like you won the two hundred bucks?" I sneered, reaching for my wallet and slapping a wad of cash in front of November sulkily.

"No, but I deprived you of the two hundred bucks!" He laughed happily and sauntered away. Before I had a chance to yell something witty after him, Nurse Joy's head popped around the corner of the doorway and called sternly. With a last dirty look at Marc, I answered the Nurse's bidding and meekly followed her. A Joy is not someone you want to mess with, especially since their family spans the globe.

"Yes Nurse Joy?" November and I asked in unison.

With her hands on her hips, head still cocked for any emergency she said in a voice of flint. "As punishment for battling in a restricted zone, since you have water and ice Pokemon, you'll rebuild the Tundra. November, you can do the dishes."

"Can I change my pants upstairs first," I whined, wringing my hands.

"No, now hop to it!" she ordered tartly. Afraid to invoke her wrath further, I hurried quickly into the courtyard. With Chilun being revived, I had only Aria and a few Swinub to help. I spent the last to hours of daylight in back breaking labour. Aria sprayed a fine mist over the air, the Swinub used Icy Wind, freezing the droplets and I shovelled the product evenly over the ground. When I came in it seemed like every injury I had since the beginning of my journey payed out right then and there. Did I have a death wish or was it just me? Suma and Cal always came out intact.

So I stumbled back inside, dead on my feet. I managed a shower without falling over unconscious onto the tiles and cracking my skull. I peeled of the soggy new clothes; Suma would have a fit, and climbed into my cosy comfortable uniform. I had intended on dawdling down to dinner but my protesting limbs said, 'not on your life!' and dumped me uncompromisingly under my sheets with one arm curled around the pillow and the other dragging the floor. Ironically, I missed the dead weight of Fury straddling over my legs, kicking and pawing until she was comfortable.

Despite being a little after sunset, I slept like a Snorlax.

My nose twitched. Under it wafted the most appetising aroma since I'd left Ashia's. I could feel my tongue salivating even before I opened my eyes. I stretched beneath the covers, listening to the cracking bones but instantly regretted it as the dull throb of yesterdays work returned quick-smart and curled into the foetal position.

"Yo, Fur-" I started, but suddenly remembered she was spending the night in the infirmary. My expression softened, hoping she wouldn't be angry with me. She was a great mate through everything, always determined to do what it took to rise above the rest, but I still found her sometimes after she thought I was asleep, staring in a moon mirrored pool we happened to camp by. Each time I felt renewed conviction to find a Metamorphis Stone, but each morning the gravity of the task would come crashing down on my shoulders like the globe of Atlas.

I sighed sitting on the bed with my feet dangling and tracing detached circles over the boards, finally padding over the cold floor. With bleary eyes I saw the half dead monstered screwed into the wall cupboard. I grimaced as I sullenly realised it was my reflection. I slicked back the knots and cowlicks in my new hairdo and rearranged my uniform, but there was still just as many creases anyway. After I was satisfied I wouldn't send the people running for the hills, I slipped my sneaker on and meandered down the hall, following my nose after the morning meal. I clicked through my Pokegear nonchalantly, seeing it was a little past 7o'clock and when I looked up I saw Nurse Joy as pretty as you please, smiling delightedly.

"I've good news, Topaz," she greeted cheerfully with clasped hands. "Fury is well enough to lave with you anytime you want, as long as you restrain her from battle, and keep her I her Pokeball for a good deal to help the healing process. The burns, though extensive caused minimum damage to her flame resistant fur. Whatever attack was used I sure wouldn't want to come up against it. Any how, I think it will regrow quickly with mild discolouration."

"There's a problem, Nurse Joy," I said finally waking and sombre tones. "Fury's claustrophobic. She loathes he Pokeball and I couldn't keep her in there without her consent."

Mildly surprised, she glanced through the door and following her gaze I saw a thatch of deep violet hair. "That's odd. I've heard of Pokemon preferring open air, or are discomforted by the Pokeball but never afraid of it. I don't pretend to understand the mechanics of a Pokeball but I think that should be checked out. As for Fury, if you can't keep her in hers, keep her off her feet, otherwise she'll use all her energy up rather then spending it on repair. Don't battle under any circumstance for at least a week.

With a last stern look, she hurried to answer the frantic ringing of the counter bell.

Knowing that I wouldn't be allowed to visit for another hour, I licked my lips fiendishly and all but bolted for the small buffet table in the corner being picked over by greedy vulture like trainers, such as myself. I sighed impatiently as I joined the line, bumping into Cal, who like me was back in his usual uniform. He grinned brightly, asking where I had disappeared to after shopping. I explained over the choice breakfast about he battle, Fury and Ol' mate.

"Ol' mate?" he asked dubiously.

"Don't know his name," I munched, gnawing on a piece of bacon as we took a seat at a booth. "But there he is now."

Ol' mate must have caught the subtle nod in his direction mistaking it for a 'hello' nod, and made his way over to us. Cal shot me a black look but hid it as Ol' mate slid in next to me, with another carefree smile beneath his cap. Heaped on his plate was a scattering of fruit and cereals to which he selected a slice of apple. Picking him as not your usual kid, no kid eats fruit of their own accord, and returned the smile.

"Hey Topaz, Cal," he said with a tip of the cap.

"How'd you know my name, " Cal jabbed suspiciously with eyes narrowed. He was quickly loosing his appetite as he aggressively mashed his eggs into something that looked like he had already eaten.

"Nurse Joy," he answered quickly, matching the distrustful gaze. The silence stretched uncomfortably as they glared the other down. Knowing if I didn't do something quick there could be a very ugly scene, I scanned the canteen and fortunately saw Suma, fuming like a thundercloud with Marc tailing after her. I identified his cocky smile as his 'I'm on a hot streak' look usually reserved for trainers and instantly regretted the beckoning arm that had shot desperately into the air startling both boys.

"Good morning!" crooned Marc as he shuttled in beside Ol' mate. He then realised it wasn't Cal beneath the cap and asked, none to delicately, "Who are you?"

Ol' mate hesitated, whether it was the rude tone in which it was asked or because he was crushed into me, I don't know, but he finally answered. "Friends call me Jet."

"Then what do we call you?" sneered Cal with his arms crossed, leaning against the window and watching with the corner of his eyes.

"Call me what you want, but every one else can call me Jet," challenged Jet. I suddenly decided to busy myself in my food, figuring they'd find some way to pin the confrontation eminent on me, shoving a forkful of egg into my mouth. As the table stared at me expectantly, I just smiled with full cheeks and gazed intently at the last gulp of juice in my glass, which I quickly swished down.

"So what do we do today?" Sumalee eased into the conversation, efficiently defusing the tense situation.

I consulted my list, mentally ticking off the things I had done yesterday and sizing up what was left. What it basically came down to was a few phone calls and earning the Goldenrod Gym Badge. All I could gather from wandering outside was that it was a female gymleader, who had decked it in pink skirting cornices and various portraits of pink Pokemon. If it actually was a male gymleader, I was worried.

"All three-"

"Hehum," coughed Marc.

"I repeat," punctured Suma stiffly. "Three, have to earn our badges. I don't know about you, but I have a few people I'd like to check up on while I'm here."

I shrank back into the corner as her pointed gaze landed on me. Damnit! I thought I could get by without her noticing I wasn't wearing my new uniform. Cal shrugged, returning to peer out the window mumbling under his breath.

"Well, well, well!" I piped, glancing at my watch with the whole 'yes I'm reaaally looking at my watch and not for an excuse' grin. No one was convinced but I shuffled briskly past Jet and Marc. "Visiting time!"

I plucked a bacon slice off Marc's plate and hurried away, ignoring his attempt to snatch it back.

Fury gnawed happily with it clutched firmly between her paws and a pleased toothy snarl. She sprawled over a small crib and I could see the full extent of her burns. The Pokemon's ability to heal quickly had helped a good deal, most of her violet fur had sprouted but white welts had formed on her back that had bore the brunt of the attack. She seemed to be fine, but the slightest brushing of these blisters made her cringe.
"You get to come with me today, Fury," I told her eagerly, taking pleasure in her pleasure. "But no battling for a while."

"What?" She put the rasher down sceptically. "I'm bloody fine! Look!" The Quilava then proceeded in demonstrating just how fine she was. The spiny flames erupted on her head and back, not quite the same vigour as always but her enthusiasm lifted my heart. With I guilty sigh I cleared my throat.

"Look, Fury. I'm sorry I put you in that position, I should have anticipated your trance. I-"

"Topaz, cool it," she cut me off. "I'm fine, it was a mistake and, well, you stuffed up."

"Thanks, that's a real weight off my shoulders," I said dryly.

"No really. I forgive your failings, as numerous as they are, but you have to stop losing with Chilun. No wonder he doesn't see your competence as a trainer."

"That's because he doesn't listen," I retorted. "I gotta let you rest, I'll see how you're doing later."

I rubbed her head and left her with her bacon. She had a point, but I was really just too stubborn to admit it to myself.

Glancing around, I spied the pictaphone and pulled the list tucked away safe in my cap. Three people were on my list of necessities. Faulkner, Home, and Professor Oak to retrieve that strange bird. Weaving between armchairs and loose Pokemon, selecting a spare one in the corner. I slid into the seat, holding my Pokegear up to a small sensor allowing it to read my ID and phone numbers. A list appeared against a pool table green background and using the touch screen chose my home number. The cheerful recorded voice sang, "Ring ring ring! Ring ring ring! Phone Call! Phone Call!" as an animated phone rocked on its receiver. I waited patiently, drumming the table impatiently until the voice was severed and my brothers breathless face appeared on screen.

"Hey! Scottyboy!"

"Tezza! Howyadoin? Where's Fury? You earned anymore badges?" he blurted excitedly, peering past me for the Quilava.

With a fond smile I asked cautiously, "All clear?"

What I was asking was, was mum around. I didn't want her to hear how often I had come face to face with serious owies. All the more eager, his thick black thatches of hair bobbed as he darted glances off scree, then in a stage whisper, "No!"

I then proceeded to explain what had happened since my last call from Azalea Town, without the censorship mums version would receive. With bright eyes, he listened, butting in with questions and exclamations. Unlike a lot of brothers and sisters, Scott and I got on fairly well with mutual benefits. The only thing about him that really annoyed me was that despite being 12 and two years my junior, he was more then a head and a half taller then me.

"So, will she be OK?" he asked when I was finished, reminding me of how lucky I was to be on a journey.

"Put it this way, she'll heal faster then I will," I said, stretching my arm.

"What's that?" I stifled a squeak as mums concerned face shuffled Scotty aside and pressed against the screen. I quickly hid the blistered arm behind my back.

"Heal? Oh, well, uh, Fury and I were, um, tired from walking and she'll probably recuperate faster then I would. I forced a smile and nodded encouragingly.

"Oh, you poor dears!" she cooed, pulling back a little. With silent relief, then retold the story, leaving out key parts, basically anything that had a factor of danger over washing dishes, and fabricated a fair bit more, but mums satisfied and self secure expression settled my conscience. Concluding for a second time, she inquired after Fury.

"Resting in our room," I lied quickly. After more idle chitchat, mum chewed her lip.

"Topaz, you do remember what time of year it is, don't you?"

"Mum! I'm shocked! Of course I remember!" I exclaimed with mock outrage. Of course, I didn't have a bloody clue….. Oh well it would come to me later, these things always did, usually during an important maths exam.

"Take care Topaz, I'll tell your father you called, that you're in one piece. He's got a lot of confidence in you." She sighed with a weary smile and I knew she spent a good part of her day wondering if at that precise moment I was about to be eaten by an Ursaring. "Well, tell Fury I'm sure she'll be up and at 'em in no time. Good luck and I'll see you there."

"'Course mum, hooroo. Later Scottyboy!" I kept my bright cheerful smile plastered over my face until the screen winked back to its option menu and I drooped over the table. "There?" I wondered.

With my chin in my palms I swivelled my eyes to the list of phone numbers on the screen. l I made to press Faulkner's name but thought better of it, instead sweeping my little pile of knickknacks into my arms and logged off my Id. I climbed the flight of pastel pink stairs up to the upstairs arenas, trade forums and PC phones.

"Bonza!" I cheered quietly as every panel was empty. I snagged the single PC panel and closed the door behind me. I punched up the menu and responded to the prompt that was the custodian of my boxes was Professor Oak.

Again that irritating little phone appeared joggling on the hook but was squashed almost immediately as Professor Oak's red and flustered face appeared mashed against the screen.

"Yes! Yes! What!" he yelled frantically.

I recoiled as I peered uncertainly past him. "Is this a bad time?"

"Topaz! Thank heavens!" The old mans face bloomed with sheer relief, but blanched as an explosion, dulled by the speakers skewed it violently and he ducked beneath the table. The screen showed something as close to a war zone as any. Beakers flung left and ring, some smoking, some rolling shattered in pools of multifractual colours. A shelf split down the centre spilled a cascade of capture balls over cracked and charred tiles.

"Professor Oak!" I blurted, eyes searching frenetically for him. "Are you there? What is it? A Team Rocket Assault!! Mewtwo! Is it Mewtwo? Is it-"

"It's that bird you sent me!" he wailed, still out of sight. Suddenly two callused hands gripped the frame of the monitor and yanked it off the table. After a moment of adjustment, his face reappeared flustered, still looking past the desk legs. A sharp shriek rent the air and I vaguely remembered it, I also remembered the circumstances I had heard it. It was majorly pissed.

"What do you mean?" I snapped irked, as if it were my fault.

"I had been observing its stats inside the Pokeball until yesterday afternoon when I released it! I've been trapped ever since! It won't let people in or myself out. I'm hungry and my tests are in ruin. You're right; it was a newly discovered Pokemon. "Ohhhh!" He glanced miserably at the chemistry set. "That bird was an incredible DNA breakthrough."

"I don't think he sees it that way," I pointed out as a crackling florescent flame scorched an upended chair behind him coupled with another terrorising screech. "Why don't you recall it?"

"He shot me a black look that said all too clearly 'duh!', but was too polite to say it. "I would, but your Pokeball is in that mess out there!" he retorted jabbering at the balls rolling over the floor.

"Ok, it's a fully red Pokeball with a violet strip running around it, passing through the release button. It's an ultraball," I described, ticking off on my fingers. There was a soft thud as Professor Oak set the monitor on the ground, facing out at the devastated lab.

"I'm too old for this," he mumbled, crouching at the edge of the screen and scanning the scattered balls for mine. He nodded slightly, indicating he has spotted it. "I should be relaxing and eating my tofu!" As if on cue his stomach gurgled loudly, and a small sweat-drop appearing at the corner of his eye, identical to my own. I shook it off concentrating on the task at the hand. You really had to admire the man, devoting his life to Pokemon and Trainers dealing with hardships like this everyday. Okay, maybe not quite like this.

A distance crash signalled the bird was on the other side of the building and like a shot the Professor was off, dashing low over the floor and darting looks over his shoulder. I craned my neck, like when your playing a racing game, desperately trying for a better view but all I could hear were slippers slapping the tiles and the swishing of the fabric of his labcoat. Suddenly an enraged shriek and an energy blast blew over the table and the pictaphone monitor rolling across the floor, melted plastic melting down the scree. Bursts of static interrupted, snowing it at irregular intervals, but the bullet form of blue streaked past, toppling the screen again and landing it on its head.

Upside down, dead centre was the Professor frozen like a Nidoran in the spotlight, the bird set on its course like a guided missile.

With my heart in my throat, I snatched the screen, putting my lips to the speaker and smashed my balled fist on the Speak All button. I bawled at the top of my lungs. Somewhere in the room, a megaphone still left in tact bellowed my voice sending it resounding like the voice of God. "MOVE IT OLD MAN!"

Professor Oak snapped from his stupor, spied the bird dazed from the yell and ran. Jarred by movement, it screamed flared its wings with glowing ambiance and pumping his long peacock tail. Pulled against the ferocious gusts of air, I saw the Professors fist slam down on one of the Pokeballs rolling over the floor like marbles. I leapt from my chair sending it clattering over the floor as his legs flew from under him. The bird cried, Oak dived with arms out stretched, landed on his shoulder and rolled hugging something to his chest. Scrambling from his knees to his feet he flung his arm out, clasping a red Ultraball with a violet stripe, and boomed "Pokemon Return!"

The red light charged the bird, trapping it and sucking it in a shimmering crimson curtain. He shrilled, vainly struggling against the intangible force but slowly and surely his molecules dissolved from pure matter and I heard the distinctive ping of the full Ultraball.

After a moment of adjusting his tie and making himself presentable, he hobbled over, balancing most of his weight on one leg. The feet grew closer and he stooped with a soft groan to set the blinking monitor right way up on a stool.

"Wow!" I burst out. "That was legendary Professor!"

Smoothing his hair into place he looked down at me. "Is that so? I don't take kindly to being referred to as 'Old man." I blushed furiously, ready to stutter an apology and an excuse in the same sentence but he smiled wearily gazing around.

"I hope insurance covers this." I cringed, because some uncanny instinct I knew that if it didn't it would be coming from someone else's pocket, namely a blue haired someone. "So, Topaz, why did you call me?"

"To get that bird," I said sheepishly, playing with the fingertips of my pointers, feeling very, very small.

"Of course," Professor Oak obliged, rather pleased, but one eyebrow rose with caution. "Are you sure? It may be, well, dangerous."

"No worries, Prof!" I laughed arrogantly, watching the irritation at the shortened version of his title. "I'm his trainer! He'll recognise me!"

"That's precisely what I'm afraid of!" he emphasised. "But you are the trainer. Give me a few minutes to find a working teleporter."

"'Course Professor," I fetched back the chair that was lying legs up in the corner of the cubicle, one wheel still spinning. Just as I scooted it in front of the monitor, he returned, a rosy red."

I have one viable and it's all set up with the bird in place. Who are you sending back?" he puffed with his back to me, fingers clacking along a sparking keyboard.

"Bolt," I answered with a discouraged sigh. Professor Oak heard and shuddered.

"Really? Couldn't you send that lovable little Sentret?" He returned to face me with a pleading smile. When he saw I was steadfast in my choice, he moaned softly, muttering, "I'm really learning to dislike that Mareep. Okay, ready."

I placed Bolt's Pokeball in a slot and with a trilling chirp, the machine hummed to life and the ball glowed becoming insubstantial. The machine pinged and instead of an entirely red Pokeball was one divided with and elliptical stripe. I hesitantly retrieved it; fervently praying the mechanisms wouldn't give out while I held it so close to my face.

"I have…. Bolt," Professor Oak alerted reluctantly.

"Well, I have phone calls to make, as well as reassemble this place. Now where did Tracy disappear to…"

"Sorry for all the trouble," I apologised again, bobbing up and down like a twig in a wave. He nodded absently and ended the transmission, leaving me clutching the ball nervously. I rolled it in my palm. Wondering if I should try releasing it outside, and thinking better of it. Outside it would escape and I'd die before I let that happen. At least in here I could contain the damage.

With my mind made up I held it at an arms length, and squeaked the release command. "Pokemon go?"

The red beam lanced out and I jerked back, covering my head and diving for the corner. Through my fingertips I spied the birds physical form manifesting. Its raptorish beak for the tearing of prey bulged on its sleek head and keen eyes. Wings built for hovering and manipulating the wind pinned to its body with gleaming talons on stark and wrinkled feet for grasping rather then walking. Its long flowing tail rippled after it. All this bathed in sunset.

"RIIIIIIIIII!"

SPLAT!

The majestic bird sprawled against the winder pane like a dog chasing parked cars. A trailing 'bri' followed by it sliding down slowly and slumping at the bottom. His fierce eyes blinked groggily as it sat, feet splayed and his tail swathed as an emperor's robe. I, meanwhile had dived into the corner with my hands over my eyes peeking cowardly through my fingers. I waited tensely and still it sat stunned.

Very slowly, I moved from my foetal position into a crouch, peering intently. With a few kangahops, I inched closer until I was in a arms reach, but I wasn't putting my hand out just yet, not with that wicked beak. This close, I could make out the faint rise and fall of its chest as it inhaled, the sun golden disk bobbing up and down, sending a ripple of light over the glossy sheen of its feathers.

Suddenly it stirred, and I almost broke for the door to run screaming to Nurse Joy for help. Again, its wings gave a flutter. Swallowing hard, I watched as its head shook away the glazed look, and calmly surveyed the room. Finally its penetrating gaze laid on me, searching me up and down, with no hint of letting go. I stiffly hunched with stricken features ready to be blown away at any second by a Solar Flare. "Still it patiently watched.

"There you are," it said coolly in a clearly male voice, propping itself up and smoothing out his rumpled feathers, tucking his head into his shoulder to preen.

"There I am?" I repeated shrilly, still not budging.

"No. Bad human. Ya say, 'here I am.' He scolded, not stopping his meticulous cleaning. "Funny, ya humans invented the language and ya still can't get it right."

"Now just a minute-" I began, irked at his tone, like someone belittling a pet for peeing on the mat.

"Yeah?"

"Nothing!" I stuttered quickly. "Nothing! Nothing at all! Not a word past my lips." I gave a quick zipit mime and stretched a smile, as he eyed my odd behaviour with a mouthful of feathers. He craned his neck letting pull slowly from his mouth, fluffed himself up and returned to his searching eyes to me so that I couldn't help but twitch.

"So, what? Are you only brave when cornered or are you trying to trick me?" he asked nonchalantly.

"Not on your life," I replied sincerely. He accepted this placidly without another word, but ambled closer with a skipity, skipity kind of a lope found in most parrots. I scuttled out of his path and pressed against the wall of the cubicle more curious then frightened. He hopped past me, latched one claw into the woven seat of the chair, then his beak, then his other foot, until he had clambered to the top of it. We stared at each other eye to eye. The room was deathly silent, until, that is, he spied the Pokeball clutched in my frozen hand. The bird lost its good-humoured expression, glaring with disgust.

"Can I getta look at that?" he growled. With another uncertain and lopsided smile, I hastily obliged, holding the compressed Pokeball on the palm of my shaking and outstretched palm. He seized it in one talon, holding it up to his eye with head cocked as he inspected it attentively, cleverly turning it through his claws. His short quill like crest clicked up and down in something I had recognised with Aria, if I ever saw her so, agitation. As soon as I realised, I scrambled back into the corner with my hand ready to grope for Target's Pokeball, my Sentret the only one small enough to be able to battle comfortably in the room.

The bird glanced my way sceptically and slotted the ball between his beak, the release button behind his poised tongue. My heart suddenly rolled onto its back waving a little white flag. He knew it; I knew it, his coal grey tongue wagged by the button tauntingly with red eyes glittering. Did I move? Not on your bloody Chansey, or my life. I'm not that stupid! I saw the spac-attack he'd had at the lab! I wasn't deluded, but then again my reputation as a trainer would be shot to oblivion if I let the thing get away. Fury would be pretty trounced if all her hard work were for naught. And Nurse Joy would have a fit……

CRUNCH!!!

My thoughts trailed off as the beak clamped down on the smooth orb. It shattered. Slivers of the splintered shell spun about the room, cogs and coils hung dangling by wires a long the inside of the crushed pieces in his mouth, sparking bright scintillas of red and white electricity dribbled sickly from the frayed ends. With an almost inaudible chuckle the bird let the tangle of wires drop with a clatter to the floor. And then, to add insult to injury the Ultraballs lens rolled from under it to wobble drunkenly beneath my nose and topple onto its side, winking mockingly.

"Why you little!" I exploded, overcoming my timidness in outrage. "Do you have any idea how expensive that ball was? Not only was it an Ultraball but it was custom made! You bloody better pay up!"

With head still cocked and smiling with dry amusement he said graciously," Oh, I'm sorry, let me get my purse."

I wagged my finger and jabbed at him, mouth opening and closing at a loss for words. Finally my shoulders sagged in defeat, with a mushroomed sigh. I had plans on spending the day cruising the underground markets and checking the sights, not arguing with tweety bird here.

The bird suddenly cackled with delight. "Ok, lets go!"

"Go where?" I muttered sullenly, beneath my fringe. That made me even more depressed, what was left of it.

"Out of this room, its hot and stuffy."

"Nu-uh! I ain't taking you anywhere! You're crazy!" I snapped, folding my arms, no longer patient. The bird seemed all the more mirthful. He clucked his tongue with a please flutter of his tail.

"Pfft, the old crank deserved it," he snorted. "It was all good and well, till he wanted a Deanay sample!"

"DNA?" I echoed, drawing closer in a quick little hop, he spread his wings and fluttered onto my shoulder. I restrained from batting him off like a mosquito, he was certainly as irritating as one.

"He ripped out one of my tail feathers!" He sneered indigent, his breast flushing a burnt orangey red. "Do you know how long it'll take to grow back? A decade at least!" He hung his head mournfully.

"Fine." I muttered grudgingly. But I pointed a threatening finger. "But one false move and every Pokemon will be on you like a tone of bricks. Including Suma's Alavar.

He bristled but nodded submissively. I opened the door a crack, peering through. A lone weather worn trainer ambled up the staircase but no one else. I opened the door fully and hurried down the stairs, nervously aware of the time bomb chattering pleasantly on my shoulder about how strange the human world was. I nodded absently but of course wasn't listening to a single word.

I emerged from the stairwell hesitantly, checking around the corner like a paranoid. I kept close to the wall and inched hastily towards my room. A few trainers stared after the newly discovered Pokemon and me.

Suddenly I hit the roof as Nurse Joy's happy-as-a-lark voice sang out across the room.

"Topaz! Oh Topaz! A phone call for you!" I cringed, winding through the trainers and tables until I reached her. "I'm transferring it to that Pictaphone in the corner."

"Who is it?" I asked curiously as she put the phone down and tapped at the keys of the computer. Her eyes didn't leave the screen as she answered. "Oh, its Sylvia Blackburn."

"Sylvia Blackburn..." I mused, hurrying to the booth where it juggled exuberantly and flashing the text "On Hold!" accompanied by a smiling sun winking, as if there was a little secret just between the two of us. With lips pursed in a wry smile at the thought, the phone flicked on.

"Tezza, my little darl!" cried the face delighted, warm and hopeful, blue eyes bright with experience looking over wire rimmed spectacles and pale hair like fairy floss.

"Nanna?" I exclaimed in disbelief, rocking the chair and tumbling into a heap on the floor. The bird shrieked and sped for a perch on a curtain rung. He shot me a dark look before preening again. Poking my head up and climbing into my seat in a bright red blush. Opposite me my grandmother smiled cheerily, fixing a daisy in the breast pocket of her cardigan.

"Nanna? I stuttered, forcing my voice to work, my eyes still blinking in surprise. She was the last person I expected to see on my journey. "Nan! How did you get through?"

"Your mother called me and told me you were in Goldenrod. I drop by often and talk to the attending nurses. But that's not why I called, wasting your precious time as a trainer. You must be busy if you can't even call you poor distant grandmother that you actually had gone on a Journey! But that's ok, these brittle bones will survive and your coming, that's the main thing, especially since you're so close-"

Coming? Close to wher- oh no. Oh no. Ohnonononononono! It can't be that time already? We only had one 3 years ago! Ohnonononono! "-to my property, so it shouldn't be a long trip. You are coming, aren't you? I mean my arthritis is sneaking up on my, I'm bearing well, and my osteoporosis, but I might not-" her eyes bulged with a dry raspy cough. "-see you before the next one."

My grandmother was the mother of the guilt trip, but I strengthened my resolve. "you see, Nan," I began, my voice cracking nervously. " I really don't think I can, my journey's really packed-"

"Oh really? Don't bother yourself then; all it is is a family tradition, not important to young'ns. You run along on your Pokemon Journey, with you're battles, and you're hoodlum friends, facing off against beastly odds every time you leave the comforts of civilization, and before you know it you've joined those hoodlum kids, Team Rocket! Stealing and cheating and lying and forsaking all that your parents taught you. Before you know it you'll have been caught by Officer Jenny after a shoot out and you be given a ten-year jail sentence!"

My nanna's eyes misted over, closing them with a sniffle. She smiled as if she had merely been a little distracted and concerned. She smiled weakly with her bottom lip quivering on the verge of tears. "I'm so sorry dear, you go on your journey."

Groaning inwardly I answered wearily," Okay, Nan, I'm coming."

Instantly her watery eyes vanished. "Oh you're such a good girl! Bring a pavlova!" The screen winked to its golf course green before I had a chance to object.

I leaned back in my seat, the hustle and bustle of the PokeCenter carrying on indifferent as I tapped my cheek with my index finger wondering how the hell that had happened and how badly I had stuffed myself over. Mulling it over I searched the walls until they lay on the calendar.

23rd.

"FIVE DAYS!"

Wailing in horror, I bolted for my room with arms flailing and my head in overdrive. Shoes squealing on the tiles and I reeled around the corner like I was on roller skates. Darting around the room I snatched my little knickknacks and crammed them into my bag without heed to order, or even breakables. I flung my spare clothes over my shoulder mumbling disjointedly before straining to stuff them in too.

"What the?" Sumalee's perplexed expression peeked around the doorway at the miniature whirlwind.

"No time. Get packed! I'm leaving with or without you!" Grunting, the grating of the zipper held the bulging backpack shut and I rushed out of the room, almost charging my other travelling companions flat on their arses. They stared after me bewildered before I'd stepped around the corner, dwarfed by my pack.

Rapidly pinging the counter bell, Nurse Joy popped to the counter, flicking through a manual sparing a quick glance.

"Please Nurse Joy! I need you to release Fury. We gotta leave immediately!"

"Just a moment, Trainer ID. "I handed my Pokedex over the counter. She scanned it over he computer with a generous beep. "There. Now remember what I said. No battling, minimum walking, no distress for at least a week."
"Thanks Joy!" Ducking into the restive ward, I ran to her bed and scooped her up, careful of her bare patches.

"Huh? Wha?" she gurgled sleepily, one eye half open.

"Sorry to cut your luxury stay short," I panted, shifting things around in the top pocket and resting her gently inside. "But this is an emergency!"

"Emergency?" she repeated doubtfully.

"Desperate. A family reunion."
Fury uttered a hoarse squeak. 'There's more of you!?"

"Much to my horror, yes." I heaved my pack on again, knees wobbling as I made flustered drunken steps out the sliding doors of the Centre, the trainers entering sparing me a wondering glance. Hurtling through as it shut came the bird, its tail rippling in the morning sunshine and it quickly sank its talons into my shoulder. My steps faltered but I kept the pace for the north track.

"Thought you'd leave without me eh?" he barked insulted, glaring at Fury bobbing in my pack.

"No time!" I panted. "AH HELL!"

My badge! The Goldenrod gymbadge! I glanced painfully at the road and my 'Gear before yelling in frustration.

15 minutes later

"All right Whitney, 2 choices. Give me the badge or- well that sums it up, but give me the badge I won fair and square, or I kick your arse personally and take it!"

"Topaz!" Glancing over my shoulder, my merry troop had gathered itself, Sumalee tapping her foot with disapproval. "We learn martial arts so that we may never use it."

"You're mean!" sniffled Whitney, recalling a Clefairy fainted beneath Talorn, chortling smugly.

"Three, two-"

"Here!" she shrieked, pouting and throwing it at my head. It brushed my ear landing in the dust. I plucked it up and balled my fist. Recalling Talorn I hastened for the exit but Cal blocked my path.

"Wait for us," he said angrily. I glared back but showing I wasn't going to argue. With clenched teeth, he muttered, "Please?"

"Fine, but I ain't sticking around for you're victory dance I'll be outside," I snapped.

Slipping between him and Marc, ignoring his smirk and cat claws, restraining myself from punching him to. The whiny little gymleaders tantrum had grinded the last of my nerves. Once outside in the air, I leaned my bag against the pastel pink walls. Fury carefully extracted herself to laze on the grass, watching my impatient pacing with concern. I tried some calming breaths, but all I could think of was the disaster of the previous congregation of Soarhire's. Think fire hoses people. Think of disturbing the peace. Think conga line in handcuffs. It made me want to cry.

Actually, it wasn't the only that that made me want to cry.

"Of for gawd sakes, loosen your grip," I complained my hand ready to shove the bird off.

"Then stop moving so jerkily!" His wings flared for balance as I stopped abruptly but lessened his hold. More punctures in my faded uniform had formed under his claws. Suma wouldn't be a happy chappy.

"Proper introductions are yet to be made," he said with a fluff of his feathers and a clack of his beak. "G'day, I'm Cooee. I'm a hybrid species know to Pokemon as a Shirasharmi, I ain't gonna be referred to as 'bird' or tolerate those bloody contraptions of Pokeballs!"

"Amen brother!" cheered Fury with laughter.

"Yeah, well, Topaz Soarhire, and"

"Don't bother, I know the specifics," he interrupted with a wise and knowing look.

"How?" He fell silent. "Whatever. Look this-"

"Psst!" My head jerked towards the noise, just in time to see a wisp of material vanish behind the corner of the gym. My eyes narrowed in suspicion. Fury pulled herself to her feet with effort but I made a curst stay put motion and started after it.

"Follow her~" she hissed to her new teammate, Cooee. He nodded and whizzed to my side, hovering quietly. I paused to wonder at his immediately loyalty but sped around the corner. The same material disappeared into Whitney's private grove, kept private by cream coloured fencing. Without hesitating I put on a burst of speed, bunching my muscles and letting them spring!

I cleared the fence, but one ankle hooked a rung and my weight toppled over, the full impacted braced by my shoulder. The joints cracked loudly in protest. I grunted and groaned, lying on my back in Whitney's bed of roses. A thin trickle of blood ran down my chin with dirt clods rubbing against my skin.

Great, half an hour and you're already dirty! I thought grimly, the sun dazzling in my squinted eyes.

"Real graceful!" cackled Cooee, talons hooked on the fence peering down.

"Oh you and Fury will get on just fin!" I said sarcastically. Scrambling to my feet, I hobbled through the hedge prying the thorns imbedded in my sleeves and legs. Sweeping the leaves out of my face, I emerged into a well tended garden. A small fountain made a delightful centrepiece trickling with watery laughter surrounded by bright coloured flowers and Pidgeys cooed in the branches of manicured shade trees.

At the far end was a bench.

On the bench was Jet.

"You certainly know how to make an entry."

"Oh. You." I said blandly. I turned my back ready to leave, but arrogant laughter stopped me. There's only on person allowed to laugh arrogantly in my little world, and that's me. I approached warily, my bodyguard leaping from branch to branch in the trees to my left, crest flicking apprehensively. What do you want?"

"I was going to challenge you," the 19 year old said confidently.

"What? The conventional method not good enough for you?" Even better another Angel. As the though came to mind I tensed ready to pissbolt in a second. He smiled. "I've been tracking you're career as a trainer, you're doing exceptionally well."

"Howzat? Both Suma and Cal have better belt teams then me. Ashlee Middleton and Adam Purves are way ahead. You saw yesterday, I couldn't control my Pokemon. "I retorted dubiously. Hang on? What, was I stupid? I should be hyping myself up, bloating that ego to its full size. But a second glance at Jet told me it wouldn't work with him. Those eyes held mine unwavering.

"Topaz, look at yourself. How would you describe you're Journey so far?"

"One cataclysm after another!" I cried ardently.

"That's what its all about," he assured me. "Face hardships and overcoming it. Struggling over every hurdle and know there's another one beyond it."

"To much Opera for you." I was bored, about to dismiss him as just another wacko that kept popping up on my journey. He pulled out his Pokedex, small and shiny black open with its light blinking. He offered it to me. I took it watchfully, spinning it around to read.

Alex Luther

"Jet?" I scoffed.

"Has more of a ring to it," he admitted mareepishly. "Keep reading."

Age: 19 Current League: Johto Beginning Pokemon: Charmander

Badges Collected:

I clicked the tab and on the scree flashed the badges he had earned, at least 20 of them. I gasped loudly rasing my eyebrows in amazement. I recognised the eight of the Kanto League, Four of the Orange Crew, a few of the Metone, Palto and Hoeen Leagues.

And he was talking to me. He wanted to battle me. I spied the tab for caught Pokemon in the top right corner, biting my lip slyly. I could get some insight onto this guys technique.

He saw the look and quickly retrieved it. "But I think we'll have to battle another time."

"What!" I squawked angrily. "I can take you on-"

"No, you're severely handicapped, but I was happy to talk to you."

"Talk is cheap," I protested vigorously, snapping Talons ball from my shirt clips. "Now or never!"

"Hey! What are you doing in my garden!" I whirled to face the furious Whitney, standing in the gap of the hedge and the true entrance. Behind me, I heard the unmistakeably sounds of a getaway, but didn't turn in time.

"Look what you did to my roses!" Whitney bawled.

I ignored her ranting, staring curiously after Jet, or Alex, or whoever he was.

Realisation dawned.

"Damnit I want my battle!"

"Oh, so now you want to battle?" Marc smirked with arms crossed.

It had slipped my mind

I wailed in despair.

Conga line in handcuffs, here I come….

* * * * * * *

Okay, I'm sure some of my more dedicated readers will note some inconsistencies, mostly the change of story Topaz's last name. I decided mine was way too boring and Soarhire fit her perfectly {Soar-higher}. Also about her history and her change of birth place. I am not a beach person, though I love skiing and other such water sports, but I also wanted to make sure everyone new she's the Pokemon equivalent of Australian, so that's how the Metone League fits in. Again, thanks for reading, and don't hesitate to email me if you've got qualms, queries, or just need some help with you're fiction. Over the time I've been away, so great people have emailed me to help them tweak and give pointers. I gained immense enjoyment from it.

Shirasharmi@hotmail.com

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