Maxie's Real Plan

Disclaimer: Nothing. Nothing, nada, zilch, zip, ZERO! Get our drift?

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As Mal and Karania neared the harbor of Lilycove, both of the speedboats stopped, the blue one suddenly slamming into the red. Karania ordered Articuno to lower the altitude, and the two were on the ground in no time. The two girls quickly dashed towards the sunken speedboats, hearing some faint curses in the background that could be identified from a familiar man.

"Gah, what a load of junk..." Archie muttered, and brushed himself off.

Karania turned around to recall Articuno, then turned again. "Team Magma?" She asked.

Archie nodded. "Yeah, they-Karania! I didn't realize it was you!" He exclaimed.

Karania smiled. "It's okay," She said. "So what's Team Magma up to this time?"

Archie sighed. "The Soul Dew is their main priority, one of my grunts told me that he was also trying to capture you, and some other girl." said Archie.

Karania frowned. "Better keep an eye out..." She muttered.

Mal, getting bored, left Archie and Karania alone to carry on with their conversation. She walked through the crowded streets of Lilycove, her hair waving in the sea breeze. She shoved her hands into her pockets, watching as people bought things from the local stores and the rooftop of Lilycove Department Store. She sighed as she looked to her left, near the direction of the Pokémon Master Rank Contest Hall. She walked over to see if there was a contest going on.

Sadly, there wasn't. Mal groaned, then began trying to find something to do until Karania and Archie finished. She watched as Kyo peered through the window of the Contest Hall, then released the new Pokémon her uncle had given her.

"Go, Pokémon!" She shouted, watching as a three foot tall stell armored lizard-like Pokémon formed.

"Lairon..." The creature growled.

"A Lairon....wow..." Mal mumbled. "Let's call you Ripto, 'kay?" She said.

Ripto nodded. "Lairon...." He graveled. Ripto scrambled over to see what Kyo was looking at, and seemed to be quite interested. The two began talking, and Mal walked back over to Archie and Karania. The two seemed to be getting into the details about Karania being the Hoenn Champion.

"It seems you're enjoying being the Hoenn Champ," Archie said. "Oh, by the way, who's this young lady you have with you?" He asked, gesturing to Mal.

Karania looked over. "Her? Oh, that's Mal. We're traveling together to stop Team Magma," Karania said.

Mal nodded slowly. "Yup...." She sighed once more.

Archie smiled wearily, then spoke up. "I need to be going, I'll see you soon, Karania." Archie said, then released a Pellpier and flew away. Karania and Mal watched as the blue speedboat sank beneath the Lilycove Harbor lines.

Mal and Karania both frowned, then Karania spoke up. "I guess we should get a move on," She mumbled.

Mal nodded. "Alright, let me just go-" She stopped her sentance, then began walking towards the Department Store, her eyes narowing slightly as she recognized the figure. As quick as a flash, Mal was bolting towards the department store.

Maxie grinned evilly as he admired the object in his hands, but his celebration soon stopped when he saw her. That girl. The stupid little rat who really ticked him off at the Cave of Origin. Maxie scowled as he saw Mal run towards him, then tucked the item away in his coat and began running. Mal, glaring, turned quickly and ran after him.

"Stop, you coward!" Mal shouted.

Maxie pushed through the crowd to gain his escape. Quickly, he grinned, then turned around, rating past Mal, heading towards a cliff overlooking Lilycove Harbor. Mal growled, then followed him once more. Maxie quickly threw a Great Ball off of the cliff, a Charizard forming. Maxie ran off of the edge of the cliff, then fell on to his Charizard's backside, who flew away. Mal, being the careless and determined child she was, slipped off of the cliff's edge, but grabbed hold of the ledge.

"Dang it..." Mal muttered, then tried to climb back up the cliff, but failed miserably. She was exhausted. "Hey! Hey! Somebody!!?" She yelled, hoping to attract attention. Finally, Karania came, and helped Mal up.

"Are you alright?" Karania asked.

Mal nodded. "I think so, I was running after Maxie when that happened. What a jerk...." She muttered, then watched as Ripto and Kyo ran over to her. She recalled Ripto, then adjusted her things on her back, and allowed Kyo to sit on her shoulders. "Guess we should get going...." She muttered.

Karania nodded. "Yup, let's go." Karania turned around, and began heading for the Pokémon Center near the Lilycove City limits.

Karania and Mal reached the Pokémon Center within twelve minutes, only to be delayed by the sound of shouting.

"Hey, wait up!" The voice yelled.

Karania turned around. "What the?" She watched as the voice, who could be identified as a boy, ran up to them. He had spiky blonde hair, a black headband with the Hoenn symbol in red print, a red and black sweatshirt, black pants with yellow cuffs, red and black running shoes, and yellow and teal trainers.

"Wow! It really is you, you're Karania Avalon! I'm your biggest fan!" He exclaimed. "My name's Edgar Birch, I came to Lilycove because I knew I would see you here!"

Karania frowned, she seemed to be getting a bit creeped out at this kid. "And how did you know my location?"

"You come here a lot, right? And plus, I saw you flying over the ocean."

Karania let out a sigh of relief. "Good, I'm just making sure you're not stalking me."

Mal blinked.

"This is Mal, she's coming with me to stop Team Magma," Karania said. "We both had a slight mishap in the Cave of Origin."

Mal nodded. "Exactly,"

Edgar nodded also. "Pretty cool that somebody like you is traveling with Karania," Edgar said.

Mal spoke up. "I'm not a fan, I'm just traveling because I have to." She said.

"Oh." Edgar said. "Anyways...." Edgar kicked some dirt. "Umm....I was wondering...."

Karania chuckled. "Let me guess, you want to travel with us?"

Edgar rubbed the back of his head. "Well uh...yeah!" He replied.

Karania smiled. "Sure, you could travel with us. I'm glad to have company,"

Mal smiled also. "Great to have ya with us."

"Alright!" Edgar exclaimed, pumping his fist into the air. He walked over to a side bench and grabbed his backpack, then nodded as if to say, "I'm ready, now let's get a move on!"

The trio nodded, then all turned in the direction of Route 121, ready to acomplish their goals.