A/N: Hi everybody! I'm baaaack! And I'm ready to give you this new chapter. It's pretty long like the last one, and it's sad too. You wanna know why? Well, you gotta read, silly! Check it out!

P.S. The song from the last chapter was "Together Forever" from the first Pokemon soundtrack. It's such a cute song! Yes, I like Pokemon music! So sue me! ;)

Chapter 10: Stan's Bad News

Crystal slowly walked in through the opening of the front doors. There was employees everywhere, cleaning up the kitty liter mess Crystal had caused earlier that day. She couldn't help but notice the frown on the manager's face. He seemed worried about something. Crystal took a deep breath. She crawled underneath a shelf and pretended to slip out from there. No sooner had she done that when Becky, an employee that fed the hamsters and the birds, saw her. "Hey, there she is!" she smiled. Becky squatted down and picked up the little hamster. "Hey there little hamster! Where were you?" she asked in relief. Everyone sighed, knowing the rare purebred hamster was safe and sound. Becky placed her back in her cage. "Don't worry, Sir! The hamster musta' been hiding in a corner or something!" the cashier told the manager. He nodded and smiled, relieved. Crystal grinned as well, knowing the employees weren't angry with her.

"A-HEM!" a furious voice shrilled in Crystal's ears. Crystal immedietaly stiffened, knowing whose voice that was. "Heh heh! H-H-Hi Mom!" the little girl slowly turned around. She turned to face Angie, glowering over her. Nikki, her mother and everyone else was huddled in a corner. Crystal felt very small. "Crystal, what were you thinking? Going out into that dirty, infested world and giving us all a heart attack! Do you have any idea how much damage you've caused?" Angie scolded. "Especially to our fur?" Haylie added. "And our hair?" Rose piped up. "And to me?" Nikki whined. "Nikki! Haylie! Rose! I'm talking here!" Angie hissed. The three girls backed off. "As I was saying, Crystal, how could you do this? I thought I specifically told you: NO going outside!" she continued.(A/N: Yeesh! Harsh much?) Finally, Crystal had had enough. She was sick of always being pushed around all her life. So before she could stop herself, she blew up.

"THAT'S IT! I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE! WHY ARE YOU SO PROTECTIVE OF ME, MOM? I CAN DO ANYTHING AS LONG AS YOU LET ME! I MAY BE FOUR, BUT I'M A HAMSTER! I'M NOT LIKE A HUMAN! I CAN ACTUALLY DO MORE THAN YOU THINK I CAN DO! I CAN JUMP OVER SODA CANS, CLIMB TABLES, OUTRUN A CAT, AND EVEN MAKE NEW FRIENDS! MOMMY, WHY CAN'T YOU TRUST ME? I'M YOUR DAUGHTER!" Fuming, she whirled around and scurried into her ham-house, noticing a tiny glimpse of her family and friends' shocked faces. She sunk into a corner and actually started to cry. After a while, she managed to calm down. However she remained in the corner, sulking. Suddenly, Crystal heard footsteps. "Crystal? Sweetie, can I come in?" It was Nikki's mom--who by the way, is named Faith. "Sure..." Crystal answered in a small voice. Her aunt smiled and quietly came in.

"Crystal, I came in because your mom...well..." Faith's voice trailed off. "Auntie, why is Mommy so protective of me?" Crystal turned around and looked at her. Faith sighed and sat on Crystal's bed. "Sit..." she patted a spot next to her. Crystal sat. "Why, Auntie? Why doesn't she trust me? I mean, I know I'm young, but I'm not a baby whose learning how to crawl! I can do things on my own now!" Crystal demanded. Faith sighed again. "Oh Crystal...times have been so hard lately for your mom. Ever since your dad left the family, she's been all over you!" Faith began. "I know that, but why?" Crystal asked, sniffling away her sobbings. "Well...when Angie met your father, she was pretty sure she was in love. When they had you, everything was perfect! sighs But then, they started fighting and arguing on how to raise you. I would hear them almost every night whenever I fed Nikki. And then, I'd hear you cry. It was hard for all of us...did Angie ever tell you your dad's name?"

Crystal shook her head. "No. What was it?" she wondered. Faith smiled. "Phillip. He was a wonderful brother-in-law. Crystal, he really loved you and Angie very much. He loved Nikki too. He loved and cared for everybody!" she said. "Then why did he leave?" Crystal's voice came out as a squeak. "Because he wanted to see the world. He even wanted to take you! But Angie was outraged and said she wanted you to be raised in a world of society. Phillip said that you loved the outside world very much and that she would be happy if you were raised as an adventurous and outgoing young hamster. They fought for a long time. Finally, Phillip stormed into a corner and Angie went into her room. The next morning, he was gone. All that he left was a note to Angie saying that he was going to travel around the globe and no matter how you were raised, you would always have the stubborn, ambitious spirit that he had...and I guess after today, he was right." There was silence. Crystal had never heard that part of the story before. Even though she had her mother's looks, itdidn't mean she was just like her! She also had her dad's rebellious personality and need for adventure. So that's where I got it from! she thought.

"I...I had no idea." Crystal managed to say. "Yeah, well I can't blame you. Angie's just scared. She's afraid that since you have your father's character traits, you'll run away just like he did. Then she won't have her family anymore." Faith admitted. "What? But...but I would never do that! I mean, sure I like to be out there like Daddy, but she's my mom! I'll never leave her no matter how many times we fight! I love her! She means alot to me!" Crystal stated. Faith smiled. "I'm glad you feel that way, Crystal." she said. Faith hugged Crystal and left the room. Crystal smiled, feeling much better. She followed her aunt and walked towards her mom. "Mom?" Crystal piped up. Angie turned around, surprised to see her daughter smiling. "Crystal...I'm sorry! I don't mean to be so protective of you! I just want what's best for you, and--" But Crystal interrupted her. "Don't say anymore. I know what the real problem is. Mom, I will nevereverevereverever run away! You're my mom! And I love you. So, don't worry about a thing, cause I'm staying right here!" Crystal smiled. Angie smiled back. "Oh, thank-Q Crystal! I love you too. You're the whole world to me! And nothing will change that! But I guess I don't let you outside because it's hard to accept that you're growing up. And I can't change the fact that you want to be free too. You won't be a baby forever, and I have to learn to get used to that." Angie told her.

"I may not be a baby...but that doesn't mean I'm not a kid! I still have a loooong way to go!" Crystal shrugged. They both laughed. "Yeah, I guess you're right!" Angie agreed, relieved. "And besides, I left and came back, riiiight?" Crystal smirked. Angie nodded as if coming up with something. And she did. They compromised. Angie would allow her to go outside; as long as Crystal came back by 8 o' clock at night. "Thanks, Mom!" Crystal squealed, hugging her mother. Angie knew loosening up wasn't going to be easy, but hey! It was bound to start some time!

(The next morning...)

Everything and everyone in the city awoke with blissful energy. Children played once again in the hamster playground. Parents talked amongst each other. Everyone seemed relaxed and careless--except one certain hamster...

"Ohhh crap! Damnit! How am I gonna explain this to Crystal?"Stan whined. He had managed to escape Noel today and last night. What a nut! Stan scoffed as he thought of how Noel was convinced Stan was asleep under his wood shavings the whole time and he didn't see him."Stan?" Crystal's voice brought him back to reality. He looked up to see Crystal not too far away. "Crystal!" Stan felt a smile spread on his face. Overjoyed to see him, Crystal ran over and hugged him tightly. "Ouchichi! Can't...breathe..!" Stan teased. "Oopsie. Sorry." Crystal blushed and let go. "Anywho, I came to tell you that I actually got away with yesterday!" she continued. So, Crystal told her friend about the deal that she and her mother had agreed on.

"Lucky you!" Stan smiled. "What about you?" Crystal questioned. "Noel thought I was hiding in my ham-house under my wood shavings...the whole time!" he laughed. Crystal snickered as well. "Humans can be soooo easily fooled sometimes!" she giggled. Just then, Crystal grabbed Stan's arm and began to drag him out onto the streets. "C'mon Stan! Let's go terrorize a tour bus down on 5th Avenue!" she said excitedly. But Stan didn't budge. "Crystal?" he began. "Not now Stan you can talk to me later, okay? Let's go!" Crystal ignored him and tore off. Stan frowned. He could feel his heart grow heavy. Oh, Crystal. How the hell am I supposed to tell you this! It's totally breaking my heart...!

(Later that day...)

Stan and Crystal laughed as they walked down the street. They had sneaked off and followed some teens to a hamster mall. While Crystal window-shopped at some stores, Stan took a deep breath. He had been trying to confess something to Crystal all day. C'mon Stan, you can do this. You have to! If not, things'll get much worse for her! But I wish this wasn't happening!Stan told himself. Finally, he was able to muster up enough courage to say Crystal's name. "Uhh..u-umm...Crystal?" he choked out. "Yeah?" Crystal replied, not taking her eyes off of the windows. "Crystal, this is serious. You need to look at me." Stan found himself saying. "What?" Crystal looked at her friend--and froze. Stan had a really hurt look on his face.

"Stan, what's wrong? I...I don't like the look on your face.." Crystal whispered, a fearful chill running down Crystal's spine. "Crystal..." Stan started, but trailed off. Crystal grew even more afraid. She felt like crying. "Stan, tell me! You're really starting to scare me!" Crystal whimpered. "Crystal. I'm sorry, but...I'm leaving." Stan let it out. "Heke? What are you talking about?" Crystal seemed confused. "Noel said me and him have to go back. To my home. Where I really live. I don't live here, remember?" Stan explained.

Crystal was speechless. For two long seconds, she couldn't breathe. Finally, she was able to choke out a few words."L-Leave? Leave me? But...b-but...but you can't leave! Stan, I don't want you to go! I want you to stay! Here! With me! We're friends! If you leave, who's gonna play with me!" Crystal began to cry. Stan hung his head as Crystal continued to bawl. Crystal wiped her tears, but they wouldn't stop rolling down her cheeks. "When...w-whenare you leaving?" she dared herself to ask. "Tomorrow morning. I found out just last night." Stan answered sadly. Crystal cried even louder and harder. "Nooo! This isn't happening!" she cried between sobs. She was almost inconsolable. Finally, Stan squeezed her in a hug. Crystal returned it.

"Crystal, I don't wanna go either! B-But I have to! Noel's my human. And I'm his hamster. What will he do without me?" Stan told her, tears forming in the corners of his eyes. He blinked them away before Crystal could look up at him. "Crystal, he needsme. He's like family..."The heartbroken girlsniffled. "I'm gonna miss you." she squeaked. "Me too." Stan nodded in agreement. They stood in silence. After what seemed like a year, Stan perked up. "Look, I have only one day left here. Why not make it the bestest day we've ever had!" he suggested. "You know, what? You're right! We should make the best out of it and have the funnest day of fun days in the whole wide universe!" Crystal said in determination. "Yeah, that's the spirit!" Stan smiled bravely. "C'mon! We're gonna have one hell of a day that neither of us will never ever forget!" Stan grabbed Crystal's paw and ran through the exit doors.

(Late that night...)

Crystal tossed and turned in her bed. Stan was leaving tomorrow. They had had a great day today. But Crystal was sadder than ever. Her best friend was going home. She wouldn't see him for a long time...maybe even forever! Crystal cried silently for a few minutes. Finally, she stood up and sneaked out of her cage. She slipped out into the midnight darkness and ran down the hollow streets. She feltlight-headed and numb. Thoughts rushed through her head. Losing Stan wasn't going to be easy. But maybe, she could do something that would make the aching less painful. And not make Stan forget about his friendship with her. Ever. "I'll make sure Stan never forgets about me. Then, we'll never forget about each other! And I know just how to do that..!"

(Half an hour later...)

Crystal slipped back into the pet shop. "Nobody's awake. Good." Crystal smiled. The sneaky hamster ran across the floor, climbed the shelf, crawled back into her cage and entered her ham-house. She had a secret package in her paws. "I gotta hide this, just in case. This is only for Stan and only he can see this. After all, he ain't leavin' without a good-bye present!" Smiling in triumpth, Crystal shoved the present under her bed, and covered it with wood shavings. Then, she collasped onto her bed and almost immedietaly fell asleep. A few seconds later, a small figure stepped out of the shadows from outside of Crystal's room. It was about Crystal's size. Nikki. She smirked evilly.

"Hmmmm...who's Stan?"

To be con't...

A/N: Okay, that's as much as I can put! Next time, Stan bids Crystal good-bye...and they both have special surprises for each other! But that's not all! Crystal, Nikki, Haylie and Rose's mothers have a terrible new secret that will affect them for the rest of their lives! Nikki hears some gossip about it and tells Crystal, Haylie and Rose. They are determined to find out--and it isn't long 'til they do! So don't miss out on chapter 11, Tearful Good-Byes!

See ya then!

And sorry I haven't been around lately! But I'm back! And I'm ready!

crystalgurl101