GAAAAH! Everybody smack my stepsister in the head. Don't ask why, just do it X_X

-cough- Anyway. . .

Steve: HA! HA HAHAHAHA!

RainbowSerenity: . . . . . .

S: Thores Zandai said I'm cooler than Darrell! –hugs TZ- YEAH! YOU ROCK! BWAHAHA!

RS: -.-;;. . . Uhm. Of course. They reviewed which means they rock, but you don't have to be all. . .touchy feely and. . .stuff.

S: Eh heh heh. . .ummm. . .can I go beat up Darrell now?

RS: NO! He's a very important character and you just can't kill him off whenever you feel like it!

S: How can he be more important than me?!

RS: . . . . . . .

S: ANSWER ME!

RS: . . . . . . .

S: X_X

~Chapter Twenty-One~

"Liiiiiindseeeeeeeey," someone called, and shook me around.

I slowly opened my eyes, expecting Mom or someone, but I saw chunks of auburn hair spilling from a bun over my face.

"ARRGUH! ATTACK!" I cried, sitting up and throwing a pillow at Ivy.

"Hey, I thought that was reserved for Steve!" Ivy giggled, hurling the pillow back at me.

I caught it and stretched, watching Kitsune suddenly bound into the room, looking around for something.

"Oh, sorry Kit," I laughed. "I just attacked Ivy with a pillow, is all."

Kitsune made an angry growling noise and walked off with a swish of his double tail, probably to the kitchen where he would wait for breakfast.

I groaned and got up before Kitsune could use a Psychic attack to make me—you do not mess with Kit when he's hungry--and I shuffled to the kitchen where Steve was already eating breakfast, that pig.

"'Mornin'," I mumbled, pouring out some PokeChow, for Kit. I looked out the window---already Mom and Dad were with the Rapidashes. Mom was riding one of them---I couldn't tell who from this distance---and Dad was throwing flakes of hay into certain stalls.

I yawned and got out bowls for cereal for Ivy and I. Steve noticed me yawning and raised an eyebrow.

"You wouldn't be so tired if you weren't with. . with him!" he cried, throwing his spoon at me. I ducked, and it hit the floor with a loud clatter.

Ivy looked confused. "Um, am I missing something?"

I opened my mouth to answer her, but of course Steve interrupted: "She was at the beach with ol' Whats-his-name, that dude with the black coat and the Umbreon. At freaking ten at night! TEN!"

"Oh, you were with Darrell?" Ivy smiled slyly. "The frisson never lies."

"Bad Lindsey," Steve muttered, getting up from the table.

"Well, really!" Ivy cried after him. "You're acting like you're jealous or something!"

Steve stopped in his tracks and gave Ivy a Look. He spun around opened his mouth like he was about to say something, but I interrupted when I sighed loudly. "Do you guys have little fights like this all the time when I'm not around?"

"No," they said in unison.

"Liars," I laughed. "Hey, want to go riding today? It's such a beautiful day. . ."

Ivy grinned. "Yeah! You can show off your jumping skills. Maybe Joker will even evolve."

"Fat chance." I looked at Steve. "Are you coming?"

"Why wouldn't I?" he answered, walking back over to Ivy and I and flinging his arms over our shoulders. "After all, I'm here with my two best friends, why would I spend that time holed up in a room?"

I rolled my eyes and opened up the back door, wondering if Mom or Dad was willing to have Professor Oak transport Pluto or another Ponyta over here. If not, maybe Ivy could ride Joker while I rode one of the Rapidash. . .and Steve would ride Phoenix, of course. . .

"Hey kids," Dad called from the feed room once we were outside. "Going riding?"

"Yeah," I answered for all of us. "Daaaaaaaaad. . .do you think you could pleeeease call Professor Oak and get him to transfer Pluto or another Ponyta for Ivy to ride?"

Dad raised an eyebrow. "You really think that 'angel talk' is going to work on me?"

"It has before!"

He sighed. "Well, I can't right now---Diana has a show coming up and I have to go with her to see about the entry fees and stuff, and plus, I have to finish these feeds."

I was about to groan, but Dad raised his eyebrow again. "And don't you have a stall to muck and some tack to clean Miss Oh-My-Friends-Are-Here-So-I'll-Skip-My-Chores?"

"Daaaaaaaad," I complained, but it did no good. He just grabbed another bale of hay and went towards a stall.

I blew some bangs off my forehead. "Sorry guys," I sighed. "I thought since my only best friends were here I wouldn't have to do chores for just a few days, but noooooo. . ."

"Hey, don't sweat it," Ivy laughed. "We'll help."

Steve was rolling up his sleeves. "Where's that saddle soap? I can't wait to ride already, it feels like I haven't sat in a saddle feeling stupid while Lindsey jumped on Joker in months!"

Ivy and I double smacked his arm. "It has been months, stupid!" I laughed.

"After all the help I give, you just abuse me," he sighed back, but he was smiling so I knew he wasn't really mad.

"Okay!" Steve suddenly cried, startling two of the grazing Rapidashes into a trot. "First one to clean two bridles wins! Ready set, go!"

~*~

It really figured that Darrell came over my house for the first time in history when I was covered in bedding, muck, and straw. He was leaning on the fence that marked the edge of the property when I walked out of Joker's now-clean stall, with me smelly and flies buzzing around my head.

"Darrell!" I yelped when I noticed him. Luckily Mom and Dad were finding out about her upcoming show.

Kitsune, who had been asleep in the middle of the yard during the whole mucking-out business, suddenly woke up and ran to Darrell, probably begging to see Umbreon.

I also ran up to him. "Hey!" I cried, out of breath from the shock of seeing him. "What are you doing here?"

To my even greater surprise, he leapt over the four foot high fence like it was nothing, gently grabbed my shoulders, and greeted me with a kiss.

Although I couldn't say I didn't like it, I was kind of confused and embarrassed. What if Steve or Ivy came out of the tack room before the kiss ended? Who just does that anyway?

Luckily, Steve and Ivy came out from cleaning the tack about two seconds after Darrell pulled back. I glanced at them, and Steve was looking mad about something, and Ivy looked shocked, surprised, and pleased rolled into one.

"Sorry," Darrell whispered. "But I did say I'd come find you."

"Y. . yeah," I said breathlessly.

Steve stomped over towards us, and Ivy followed him, still rolled in her emotions.

"What are you doing here?!" he demanded to know.

"I believe I have the right to step foot on the Tamer's property, unless Lindsey has given me the information I don't have the right."

Steve looked confused for a second as he struggled to decipher what Darrell was talking about, but then he just blurted out, "Yeah, well, who says she gave you the right, Mr. Darrell. . .Darrell. . ."

"Hunter," Ivy supplied with a know-it-all grin on her face.

"Shut up Ivy," Steve muttered, and continued yelling at Darrell. "Darrell Hunter," he barked. "I swear, you think you can just come barging in and—"

I kicked Steve in the knee this time. "Uh, Steve, I didn't say he couldn't come here. You don't have to get all mad about it."

"Who's mad?" he mumbled, rubbing his knee.

"Anyway," Darrell suddenly said, swishing his coat. "I just wanted to tell you that I think I may have a lead on the whereabouts of a Dragon Pokemon."

For some reason, I had to force my grin, but I really was happy for him. "That's great! So. . .are you going to find it?"

He reached into one of his pockets and pulled out one of those Pokeballs of his. "Yes," he answered. "I don't know where it could be hiding. . .I would suspect somewhere in the woods around here. . .but I will find it." He said the last three words in a deep voice that was entirely unlike his own, and he blinked for a second like he was trying to remember what he had just said.

"Well, that means. . .I'm off," he said, and since Steve and Ivy were watching, I refrained from kissing him again as his proper farewell. Darrell then jumped back over the fence and wandered off in the people passing by.

I absentmindedly wandered over to Joker's paddock, with Kit, Ivy, and Steve following me. I let us all in the paddock, and Joker nudged my hand for treats, and that somehow snapped me out of it.

"Well," was all I said before Steve started in.

"Lindsey, how can you stand that guy?!" he cried. "Geez! He thinks he can just waltz on in here and act like he owns the place or something?! Why don't you ever try to stop him?! Don't you see what he's---"

"Steve, chill out," Ivy hissed, shaking his arm.

But of course he didn't. "I don't like that guy, so I don't see how you could! I guess 'they' were right when 'they' said 'opposites attract', since you guys are far from being passable friends---or I guess I should say 'more than friends'," Steve continued to growl. "It's like you've completely forgotten us! What's more important right now, the fact that we're only here for a few more days before we're out of your life again, or that all he has to offer you is that he wants to find a Dragon Pokemon?! I hate this, Lindsey! I hate the fact that you've gone completely crazy in only a few months! I hate how you've changed so much!"

I just stood there as he yelled this, my anger boiling by the second. When he finally shut up, I let loose with a counter-yell.

"Has it EVER occurred to you that people DO change?!" I yelled. "What would you have done if it was you who moved, huh?! You wouldn't have wallowed in loneliness or anything, you would've gone out and got yourself a girlfriend! I just went and found someone instead of thinking about Johto every waking minute! I haven't changed, you have!!!"

Still angry, I suddenly vaulted onto Joker bareback, no bridle, or even a halter and lead rope, and dug my heels into his sides. He snorted in surprise and took off at a canter, quickly going past Steve and Ivy and off the property. Somehow, Kitsune was able to follow me, though I don't know how or why. Kit was the last thing on my mind at the moment, though.

"LINDSEY!" Ivy screamed, running after me, but no avail---Joker was too fast. I kicked him again and he launched into a full-out gallop.

How I stayed on Joker's bare back at a gallop holding onto nothing but his neck, I'll never know. I pushed my leg to make him go left, which led down a dirt road into a rather dense forest---and Kitsune was somehow keeping up with me.

Joker kept galloping and snorting, and actually jumped over a small rock and I realized Mom was right about it being easier to jump in breeches, but I took no notice of it. I just had to get away from everyone---who did Steve think he was? He expected me to stay exactly the same for life or something?

Joker came to a very sudden stop, and since I wasn't paying attention, I was thrown off his back. Poor Jo was heaving, and he was covered with sweat. Kitsune, on the other hand, still looked as fresh as a Sunflora.

I looked all around, and saw nothing but trees, trees, and more trees.

"Oh man," I moaned, slowly standing up. Where the heck was I?

Joker seemed to suddenly stop breathing, even though his nostrils were flaring---in fact, the whole forest did. I heard nothing but a tiny whisper of wind.

I suddenly felt some kind of hot pain, and quickly realized it was coming from the key that I hadn't taken off since Steve had given it to me for Mom. I pulled it out from under my shirt and looked with shock to see that it had a faint blue aura around it.

Before I could register this information, I heard some sort of wild singing ripping through the trees that sounded vaguely familiar.

I gasped. No, it couldn't be. . .

Yes.

The Dragonair seemed even more beautiful than it was nearly five years ago. It still had that green tint in its eyes as it started at me---or rather, the key.

Was this Dragonair the Dragon Pokemon Darrell wanted to capture? I didn't know, but imagine if I could bring back this Dragonair for him. . .he'd be so happy for once. . .

"Dragonair!" my quivering voice called. "I challenge you!"

Instead of disappearing like it did last time, Dragonair just cocked its head curiously. Joker and Kitsune suddenly stepped up in front of me, acting as if they were ready to battle.

"Jo? Kit?"

At those simple nicknames, they launched themselves at Dragonair, hoofs flailing and claws bared. Before they tried to attack the blue Dragon Pokemon, it seemed like two against one would win, but it looked like Dragonair just flicked them off with a toss of its graceful head, and Joker and Kitsune where thrown into the forest.

I gasped in worry, but I was unable to move. Dragonair was keeping me stuck with its spell.

It was. . .floating closer to me. I couldn't take deep breaths anymore, I could only gasp.

When it was just a few feet away from me, Dragonair lowered its head and pointed its horn at my chest. I wanted to run away, but that spell was too strong.

All of a sudden, the Dragonair launched its horn into my heart. I screamed and felt so many different things at once---they key was burning again, my insides were tugging, and those voices, voices, voices. . .

I felt my body fly backwards and hit headfirst into something hard, probably a tree. I heard the Dragonair sing its song again. . .and then nothing.

~*~*~

{Steve is unavailable to comment at this time since he can't seem to keep his BIG FAT MOUTH shut. Thus he has been. . .packed away.}

S: (in a closet with duct tape around his mouth and wrists) MRSPRPH! MMMPWOW! GALW WOIALA!

RS: Anyway. . . Arigatou for everyone's reviews! I like reviews! Yay! ^_^ But I'm uber jealous of you now Zero_Chan. . .can I have Milo?!?!. . .especially since he looks like Gus Man. ^.^ Or so you say. ~_^ Eh heh. . .-cough-

Anyway (again). . .tune in this TUESDAY for the next chapter! What will become of Lindsey? Will Steve possibly admit something? ("HELIW WWLAOOOOOO!") Will someone actually find they like Darrell?

See ya Tuesday!