Thunderstarry: Sorry this chapter took so long! I was…busy.

Sparky: #coughs# Thanks to hazza123, Shadow, Person and Emerald Milotic for reviewing the second chapter.

Disclaimer: What about me? Why is everyone ignoring me?

Thunderstarry: #sweatdrops# Oh, sorry… #holds up disclaimer#

Disclaimer: Thunderstarry does not own Pokémon.

Sparky: Moving swiftly onwards…to chapter 3!

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Chapter 3: Silvia

For four days I stayed in Professor Oak's lab, where he "researched" me. To do this, he had to store me in a Pokéball, and after the time he got me in one by throwing it at me while I was sleeping I decided I didn't like being cooped up in a 'ball all day. So on the second day when I saw him reach for the Pokéball cupboard, I promptly used Ice Beam and froze the hinges on the cupboard door.

The Professor contented himself with watching me after that, leaving me plenty of time to think about my family. Had they noticed I'd disappeared? Probably. Did they care? Hmm… #imagines happy brother in her bedroom trashing it and using all her stuff#

My thoughts were interrupted by someone knocking on the door. "'Tis a visitor; nothing more," muttered Oak as he put down his volume of forgotten lore and made sure I wasn't about to make a break for it. As soon as he opened it, his Aide started gabbling: "ProfessorOaksirthere'sagirlintherecalledSilviaandshewantsaSquirtleandwehaven'tgotoneandIdon'tknowwhattodoand…" the Aide paused for breath. Before he could start rambling again Oak put a hand over his mouth and said "Now can you repeat that with some punctuation please?"

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Silvia was a tall (well, she looked tall) fair-skinned teenager with long, black hair and beautiful hazel eyes. I didn't notice this until later because her first comment banished all other thoughts from my mind.

"But Professor, I really wanted a Squirtle…and what is this Pokémon anyway? It's kinda ugly." Suddenly, a huge wave appeared from nowhere and crashed down on Silvia's head, soaking the whole room in the process.

"Mudkip! How many times do I have to tell you not to use Surf inside?"

"Aww, this is my best lab coat."

"WHAT have you done to my HAIR???"

"I'm very sorry, this Mudkip seems to have an attitude problem," apologised the Professor, proffering a towel to Silvia. "It seems to enjoy attacking people, and unfortunately it knows some rather powerful attacks. I'm afraid we don't have any other starters in at the moment, and Professor Birch assures me that, if well trained, this Mudkip could really come around…" I was the only one who noticed him crossing his fingers behind his back. "…anyway, will you please take her?"

"Hrmph. Oh all right, but only until I catch another Water type. Then she's getting dumped in the PC."

"Excellent! Now here's your Pokédex, it's a National one so look after it, and six Pokéballs to start you off. I highly recommend going to Pewter City; you shouldn't have too much trouble beating Brock." Oak then bent down and whispered to me: "I know you are not what you seem, and I think you should stick with Silvia. She may help you find the answer to your problems."

But how did you know? I gasped.

Oak winked and mouthed "Never mind," before he turned to Silvia again.

I couldn't believe it. Oak knew what had happened and he could understand me. This was too much…

"…now are you sure you've said goodbye to your mother? Yes? Well, off you go then."

"Finally! Now, you,"she looked at me, "return!"

No way! I yelled as I dodged the beam of red light. I'm not going back in one of those!

Silvia frowned. "I said, ret…" Before Silvia could finish her sentence, I slapped the 'ball out of her hand with my tail. I landed on all fours and shook my head. Oak seemed amused. Silvia muttered under her breath as she clipped the 'ball back onto her belt. "Fine, be that way," she said before turning around and walking away. I looked at Oak, who inclined his head in her direction, before running after her.

I could tell this was going to be the start of a beautiful friendship.