Author's Note: I can't believe I forgot. I DO NOT OWN PIKMIN 2. OR ANY OF ITS CREATURES. I DO OWN MY CHARACTERS AND CREATURES NOT IN PIKMIN 2. Haven't updated in a while. I was waiting for ratings, but didn't get any. Sorry to all you anonymous readers; I accidentally turned on the "No anonymous reviews" thing. Anyway, if no one reviews this chapter, I'll assume that no one likes it, and I'll stop writing. So if you want more of this story, please review.

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Jewel stretched. The beginning of another day! Of course, it would be so much better if she didn't have to wake up so early. The sun had not come up yet, and it was COLD!

After eating some breakfast and getting ready to go out, she stepped out of her tent. She took it down and rolled it up, and packed it in a trunk. She then hung the trunk on a high branch of a tree. The army following them would pick it up when they came through the area later, as it was only a hassle to spies. Marrow and Ivy had gone on ahead, though Jewel thought it may have only been an excuse to get some privacy, away from her. They left tracks for her to follow, though she had to erase them as she went. There would be the occasional footprint, a bent branch, or a crumb from that day's boysenberry muffins, made by the camp's cook. They were relatively easy to find, for Jewel's eye, which was used to looking for treasure.

When she reached a clearing, she saw a large Bulblax sitting in the middle of it, slumbering. Or maybe it was a Bulborb. She never could tell the difference. Jewel decided to chance it, for there were obvious signs that someone had gone through the clearing, and that someone had to be Ivy and Marrow. Jewel tiptoed towards the sleeping creature slowly, hoping it wouldn't wake up. It did. It rose with a deafening roar, and turned its attention to Jewel, who muttered a most unladylike word and turned and fled. She ran back into the forest, with the Bulborb in hot pursuit.

The Bulborb ran after her, and soon cornered her, trapping her in a crevice. Jewel whimpered, and closed her eyes, waiting for the embrace of death. But there was a hiss in the air as a sword cut through the Bulborb's leg, and it fell. A Red Pikmin ran past it and pulled Jewel out of the crack. "Who are you?" he inquired.

Because he was another Pikmin, Jewel decided to tell the truth. "I'm Jewel. I'm a spy against the empire!"

The Pikmin nodded, and plunged his sword into the Bulborb. It howled pitifully as blood welled out of the wound, and soon died. The Pikmin led Jewel away from the canyon and back to the clearing Jewel found the Bulborb at. "I'm…Niko. I am new to this place, as I've been living in an old town for many years. The town was impervious to news, so I haven't any clue about current events. Care to fill me in?"

Jewel nodded, trusting him. She knew about the town of Okitox, a town encased in an impenetrable shield that kept anything from going in. The natives could still get out, but were generally discouraged to, it had been said. The town was disconnected from the rest of the world, cutting it off from information and keeping it living primitively. "Yes. By the way, thanks for saving me. Anyway, it's like this…" And Jewel told him all about the conquering of Pikmin when Olimar left, as the creatures easily overpowered them. "And so, the rebels are now fighting against the empire, and I am a new spy in the ranks," she concluded.

"Interesting…Well, can I help? I'd like to join!" Niko demanded.

Jewel smiled. Already this youth of about 20, barely older than her, was starting to grow on her. "Sure! I'll put in a good word for you. You can go live at the camp, and train!"

Niko grimaced. "Fighting training? I already know enough about that," he boasted.

Jewel grudgingly had to admit that was true. "Well…"

Niko sighed. "You know what? Never mind. I'll just stick around in the wilderness, I guess."

Jewel smiled. "All right. I'll pass information to you if we meet again."

Niko smiled, too. "Thanks. Oh, and here," he said, giving her a bouquet of roses. "I found these on the side of the path, and naturally, they should go with you, a lovely Pikmin."

Jewel accepted it with grace, and thanked him, blushing slightly.

The two parted and went their separate ways, Niko to his treehouse or wherever he lived, and Jewel following Marrow and Ivy's tracks. They were relatively easy to follow, and had not lead her to any problems yet. But soon, she came upon a large creature. Its eyes glowed red and its body was suited in a gleaming armor. But worst of all, there was blood on its teeth. Jewel convinced herself that the creature had recently fed and had not eaten her good friends, but just in case…"Who are you?" she and the creature said in unison. Jewel grinned, but the beast said nothing, maintaining a sour face, so she answered first. "I am Jewel, humble Pikmin. And you?"

With a grimace, the creature muttered, "Celia. I'm sure it's a pleasure to meet you," she said with dripping sarcasm so real Jewel could almost feel its stickiness, like saliva spat out of Celia's mouth. Jewel immediately knew that she would not get along well with Celia. Celia, after some consideration, said, "Well, if you're a Pikmin, why aren't you in the camps?

Jewel gulped. This could mean trouble…she put her hand on her belt, ready to draw out a spell to contain Celia, but answered, "I am a rebel. Going to do something about it?" she inquired.

Celia seemed not to be surprised. "It will not matter anyway. Though, Kuyin will need to know about this. There seem to be more and more rebel Pikmin running aroun-" Her statement was cut off as Jewel pulled out a bottle and ripped the cork off. A stream of green liquid shot out of it with amazing speed and precision towards Celia. Eyes wide, she ducked the blast and rolled out of the way. Behind her, the liquid gushed into the ground, melting through several layers. Then, unsheathing a basic katana, she leapt at Jewel. Jewel barely had time to scramble out of the way. And another slash came from Celia, a horizantal one, and a vertical one, each coming close to her body than the last. And finally, she was backed up against a tree. "Now you will pay, little Pikmin," barked Celia. And she raised her hand to make the death blow. Jewel stared at the next bottle in her arsenal. The thing was, the other potion only had the acidic effect on earth; it would simply immobolize a living creature. But the next one was different…Jewel twisted to the side slightly so the sword struck her arm. Blood oozed out of the wound, and Jewel lost her mind at the same time. She did not hesitate in taking out the liquid solution, kicking Celia away from herself, and throwing the potion at her. Jewel did not flinch when the potion hit Celia and exploded. Jewel did not seem to notice as Celia's body burst into flame and screams of agony erupted from it. The flame licked at all the things around, and slowly burned and burned, scorching Celia's body to a charred piece of ash, until it died out. The ashes were misshapen and deformed, and were blown away by the wind. And, as dawning comprehension came into effect on her, Jewel put her face in her hands…and cried.