Author's not: I do not own any characters, creatures, places, or cleaning products from Poke'mon.

Chapter 2: Freedom

The judge sat brooding over the information my attorney had just given him. I was sitting on a comfortable chair facing judge Hoffman and numerable people I didn't know. My gaze fell on the graffiti the boys had left behind and I had to bite my tongue to keep from laughing.

The truth was, they had nothing on me. The most they could do was send me back to the Orphanage with a large restitution fine, and/or a lot of hours of community service. Unfortunately, Sean, Red, and Alice were looking at jail time. I hoped that they wouldn't have to.

Finally the judge cleared his throat. "It seems that I'm in a predicament. I have no hard evidence that you actually were in that building, or that you broke that store window."

I sighed in relief.

"However." he boomed, "I do have evidence that you had been drinking underage, and that you were trespassing on government property." He paused to let this settle in. I blinked. "Therefore, since you can't possibly pay a fine, I'll give you 150 hours of community service at the Vermilion City gym."

Vermilion city? But that was miles from here...there's no way the Orphanage would transport me there everyday.

"Also the Orphanage refuses to take you back." He grumbled. "You're too old for a foster home to want you, so you will be Emancipated."

I almost crapped myself. Emancipated! That's every teenage Orphan's biggest dream! No more Orphanage, I'm flying solo! Once the community service is complete I can do whatever I want! Hell yeah! If I got off this lucky, then surely the others did too!

"Court is dismissed." The judge finished.

I literally ran out of the court room and lept for joy. "Yes!Yes! Ye...Alice?"

I froze when I saw my closest friend in shackles, sitting in a confined room talking to her attorney. I growled angrily, remembering that horrible night. 'Not without her...I can't be free without her.'

"Kathren." My attorney shouted.

"What?" I cried out.

"There's a few things we need to follow up on." He stated. Then handed me a check for 10,000 dollars.

My mouth hit the floor.

"This is from you're parents." He informed. "They left it for you to have once you were 18."

"Parents?" I tripped over the word.

He nodded. "The Orphanage wants you to sort through your stuff then they'll transport you to Vermilian City."

I nodded.

"Oh, and just to warn you, Lt. Surge is no push over." He stated. "Keep you're head up."

"Thank you." I said desperately as he rushed off.

I turned back to the room where Alice was in. I shed a tear and walked down the exit. I growled at the bailiff and left the building. I walked a few blocks till I reached the orphanage. I stood outside it, looking at it, remembering all the years I'd spent there.

'This is it, I'm never going to see this place again.' I though as I walked down to the door. I froze as I saw the Headmistress coming. 'oh...shit'

"Good morning." I stated and bowed respectfully.

"Follow me." she ordered.

She lead me up to my room. On my bed was laying a large pack with a sleeping bag attached. I took a few minutes packing clothes and a photo album. Then I put the surprisingly light bag on my back and I looked at the Headmistress expectantly. She turned and walked out of the door, I followed closely behind. We exited the building.

"This." she said, referring to a blue mountain bike. "Is your transportation."

I gapped but couldn't utter a word.

"Here, you'll need this." She stated, handing me a poke'ball. then she handed me a poke'dex. "And this."

"What are these for?" I asked stupidly.

"Well we can't have you out in the wild unprotected, now can we?" She snapped.

I sighed, "I suppose you're right."

I looked at the poke'ball curiously, then attached it to my belt. I glanced at the poke'dex and shoved in my pocket. My mind clouded over...this is what I dreamed about...how did it happen? I mounted the bike hesitantly.

"Good luck." The Headmistress said.

"Thanks." I said in a daze. "I'll need it." I speed off towards the town. I stopped at bank and cashed the check, then headed over to the poke'mart for supplies. I bought a few potions and a couple poke'balls. 9,000 dollars left.

As I was exiting the city I stopped and turned around to gaze at it one last time. The huge building rose like alien weeds, feeding on the planet. It would feel good to get out of the big city for a while..but I would miss my home. There was a sign that read: Welcome to Saffron, home of Silph Co. How charming, we're known for a company.

"Goodbye Saffron." I whispered, fighting back the tears that pricked painfully at the back of my eyes.

I turned around and speed off on the bike. The country side rushed past me and I took a deep breath, my first breath of freedom, no Orphanage, no city, no cops, just me and the road that lies ahead, and where ever it takes me. My eyes sparkled in the noon sunlight as I weaved along the path, humming happily to myself. This was the best rush I'd ever felt.

I came to a sudden halt. I had stopped infront of some tall grass. I set my bike aside and brought my new poke'mon to hand. It wouldn't hurt to see what poke'mon I have, or how powerfull it is. I took a step into the tall grass and instantly a bird-like poke'mon jumped out infront of me.

"Alright!" I exclaimed while opening the poke'dex. I pointed it at the new poke'mon.

Pidgey: Pidgey is one of the most common poke'mon. It is classified as combonation normal-and-flying-type Poke'mon, and it can blind it's opponent's by kicking up dust with it's wings.

"Pidgey huh?" I pondered. "This thing says you're at level 3, lets see..."

I press the button on my Poke'ball and out pops another creature, cat-like. I point the poke'dex at it.

Eevee: Eevee can't evolve on it's own, but there are three special stones that can trigger a change. Each stone has a different efect.

"Hmm...level 6, not bad!" I shouted happily. "Okay then Eevee, are you ready?"

"Vee." It chirped enthusiasticly.

I looked down at my poke'dex. "Eevee, Tackle!"

It responded by bashing itself into the bird-like pidgey. The bird responded by hurling a cloud of dust at Eevee, who was blinded for an instant, allowing pidgey to attack.

"Try tackling again!" I encouraged.

Eevee complied and knocked out the annoying pidgey. "Yes! You did it!" I celebrated and hugged the little creature. It jumped up and down happily, then ran around in circles.

"I think i'll call you spaz." I announced.

"Vee, Vee!" It cheered.

"Okay spaz, time to get back to your ball, we've got traveling to do." I stated and shut the poke'ball as Eevee went back in

I hopped on the bike and continued on my way. I spied a few trainers in the tall grass so I stuck to the path. It took hours to finally reach the halfway point, which was a beautiful, secluded lake. By then I was theroghly exhasted and decided to camp there for the night. I let Eevee out and started a fire. I rumaged through my bag and found some food. I cooked the poke'food first then mine. When I was finished I laid down and stared at the stars. I wondered when Alice would get out.

"Don't forget."

Fleeting images of our last conversation together filled my mind.

"Grr! I won't forget!" I cried out into the night. Eevee looked up.

"Don't worry spaz, i'm fine." I reassured her.

She looked at me funny then lay down and relaxed. I sighed and curled up in my sleeping bag. I knew it would be a long night.

- -

I woke early when the sun was just peeking over the horizon. I stretched and noticed Eevee was awake. I smiled and started to clean up camp. When everything was packed up I put Eevee back in her ball. I placed it back on my belt and hopped on my bike. This would be interesting for my poor legs.

I kept a steady pace and noticed even more trainers. I swallowed and kept looking ahead. No one bothered to stop me. I sighed in relief. It was another beautiful day, warm. a slight breeze smelling of flowers and the sea rushed through my hair. My bike glided smoothly along the path.

Soon I could make out the city not so far ahead. I picked up the pace. Eventually I was gliding down the bustling streets, the sea sparkled gloriously on the horizon. Beautiful ships sailed by like soft clouds across the water. Sailors bragged about the previous day's catch and roared above the crowd how much it was worth.

I smiled and headed towards the Poke'center. I walked in and was greeted by and extremely friendly face.

"Hi, I'm nurse Joy, how can I help you?" she asked.

"I...my poke'mon needs to be healed." I replied shyly.

She laughed and took the poke'ball away from me. She placed it on some sort of machine and after a few beeps she handed the ball back.

"Thank you very much." I said sheepishly.

"No problem." she grinned. "Is there anything else you need?"

"Um...could you tell me how to get to the city gym?"I requested.

"Certainly, just go back to the main road, take a right, go all the way down to the last street, and take another right." She instructed, "You should see it."

"Thanks again!" I yelled as I burst from the building and hopped on the bike. I followed the nurse's instructions and found myself in front of a gigantic building. The dazzling city gym where I'd be spending a fun packed whooping 150 hours with Lt. snuffles in la la land. Yeah...right. The place was huge and uninviting. I swallowed.

I put the bike in the bike rack and entered the large building. I was in a decent sized room filled with trainers and scattered trash cans. I frowned, what work will he have me do? What could I possibly do in a gym?

"Can I help you?" An old man inquired.

"I'm looking for Lt. Surge." I replied.

"Lt. Surge is busy and has little time for...kids like you." the old man stated.

"Yeah, better run along home, you could get hurt around big guys like us." Another man taunted.

"You're right, I might get hurt." I sneered, "With those huge feet of yours you might get us all killed."

"Enough, both of you." A man from the shadow's shouted across the room.

"Y-yes Lt. Surge." The young man backed off.

Lt. Surge stepped forward, revealing blonde hair and dark eyes. He had on a uniform with dog tags and a scowl that could break a man. He stood a couple of feet from me and boomed:

"Who are you?"

"I'm the Juvenile from Saffron City sir." I replied. "I'm here to complete my community service."

"What in the hell took you so long?" He exclaimed.

"I took a bike." I stated calmly.

"I don't want to hear any excuses!" He shouted. "I don't feel like wasting my time, so the bottom line is, I want this place kept so spotless I could eat off it! The supplies are over there in the closet. Now make your sorry ass useful!"

With that he turned and stormed off to where he'd come from. I walked over to the closet and opened it. An avalanche of dusty cleaning supplies buried me. I managed to struggle free.

I laughed to myself. 'so much for freedom.'

Well that took longer than I thought, I was hoping to get it updated yesterday. Oh well, hope you enjoyed it, I'll be back with more updates as soon as I can. Please Review.