Note: Sorry for the delay, but I've been having a little bit of writer's block. ATTOTWE will be on hiatus for a while, and I may pause this one two, but for now it'll continue. Enjoy.

Chapter 16- Level Up! Advance to the Coppertown Mine!

Diane shook her head. "Thanks, but I don't think I'm ready yet."

John grinned, nodding. "Well, the offer's still open. Just give me a call. Come'on Kikapotimus!" "Kiko!"

Chuckling, John left the shop, the door's bell chinking as it closed. Smiling, Diane walked over to the counter.

"Hi! Do you sell Rare Candies for the Beginnings game?"

The storeclerk shook his head.

"Sorry, we don't sell any of the rarer items. Would you like us to special order some?"

"Er, no thank you. But I would like to buy a few Ultraballs."

"They're $20 for a pack of five."

Diane paid the clerk and, picking up the bag containing her purchase, turned to leave when a familiar voice stopped her.

"Oh, hi again."

Diane turned to find walking towards her from the back of the shop, his Raku trotting at his heals. Diane waved. "Hey! How are you?"

"I'm good. Listen, did you get an invite to your first gym battle yet?"

"Yeah! I'm going in June!"

Eric blinked. "That's when mine's scheduled for too!"

"No way!"

While the two trainers talked, their Pokemon tumbled and played, roughhousing cheerfully. Eric smiled sheepishly and ran a hand through his short, spiky hair.

"Well, I've gotta go. See you around."

"Same to you!"
Turning, the duo and their Pokemon left the shop together, splitting off to walk their separate paths home.

-Later-

Diane sat on the edge of her transformed bed, leisurely fishing. Though delicate training using the 'attack and switch' method of the older games, she was slowly leveling up Koi. The pond area that she was playing in didn't seem to contain any truly powerful Pokemon, mostly Crophish and Magikarp, and Diane was getting bored.

By its trainer's side, Ryu was staring into the water, curiously. It would splash in a few unches, shake itself like a would clamber out of the water. Diane watched her little friend, giggling at his antics. It had taken her a few moments to notice the Pokemon nibbling at her line.

"Gah!"

Diane stared wide-eyed at the moving bobber, reeling in the line as fast as she could. When the whateveritwas was about fifteen feet from the 'shore' it leapt, breaking the surface.

"Whish-cash cash!"

Diane didn't need her Pokedex to identify the huge catfish-Pokemon. Whishcash was a duel water/ground type, making it resistant to electrical attacks. It would be a good challenge.

"Go Ryu! Attack with Twister!"

"Ry Ry!"

Ryu launched itself at the fish-monster, firing off a quick succession of viscous wind gusts. The Whishcash winced before opening its mouth to attack.

"Whhhish-CASH!"

The burst of water hit Ryu head-on, sending the dragon into the water. In an instant Ryu had disappeared beneath the surface, followed shortly by the Whishcash.

"Ryu!" Diane panicked, glancing around for her partner "Ryu!"

"Raikaza!" The tiny dragon had latched itself onto its opponent and was wearying it ferrit-like with its teeth and claws. The Whishcash thrashed, trying to shake its attacker. Diane cheered.

"Ryu! Use Dragon Claw!"
Its talons glowing, Ryu slashed at the fish Pokemon. With a cry, both disappeared once more beneath the water's surface. Diane bit her lip, watching intently.

"Whish!"
"Rai!"

Diane grinned. The Whishcash was looking winded, close to fainting. Just one more attack would do it.

"Now! Finish it off with another Dragon Claw!"

With a flash of claws, the Whishcash fainted. The Capture Disk chimed, something appearing on its tiny screen.

-Advance to Area 4: Coppertown Mine?-
-y/n-

Clutching Ryu, Diane entered her response and her bedroom changed once more.