Hey everyone, sorry this has taken so long to get out. Writer's block sucks. Anyway, thank you to those who R&R'd the last chapter, hopefully, the next one won't be as long of a wait. Thank you also to SparklingDashofEgypt for helping me.
"I cant believe I lost again." Misty sighed sadly, placing her pokeballs in the tray for Nurse Joy."You were so brave Starmie, I'll see you soon."
Atem and the gang entered the center, standing in line behind Misty as Nurse Joy said, "I'll take good care of your Pokemon, if you wish to sit over there and wait." She pointed to the benches against one wall.
"Thank you, Nurse Joy." Misty smiled, turning around and spotting Atem. "It's your turn now." She smiled at him.
"Thank you, miss-" Atem blushed as he didn't know what to call her. "It's Misty, nice to..." Misty stared in shock. "Oh my gosh! D-did I just see a Suicune sitting outside?"
"Yeah, she's my companion," Atem explained proudly. "Do you mind? Can I go out and see her please?" Misty asked, hopefully.
"Just a moment." 'Aurora, would you mind if this girl comes to see you?' He asked Aurora. Aurora stopped what she was doing and looked in at the pokemon center. 'I cant sense anything from her, I guess that would be ok.'
"Go on out." Atem nodded to Misty. "Thank you so much!" Misty squealed with delight, as she dashed out the door.
"Maybe, I should go follow her out. Just in case." Yugi suggested, handing his pokeballs to Atem. "I sense no animosity in her, she won't hurt Aurora," Atem answered, taking the pokeballs and turning to Nurse Joy.
"Yug' is right Pharaoh, one of you should go out. We don't know her." Joey pointed out. "Good point, but not everyone is like Bakura." Atem reminded him.
"Joeys right Atem, maybe you should go out and watch her just in case, you wouldn't want anything to happen to Aurora, would you?" Yugi asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Good idea. Take care of my pokemon would you?" Atem asked, heading for the door. "Of course, we'll be here for them." Yugi smiled.
Atem headed out. "Misty? Aurora?."
Misty was busy still fan girling over Aurora. "I still cant believe I have a real Suicune in front of me, you are so beautiful."
"She was my first pokemon actually." Atem smiled, seeing the contented look on Aurora's face. "Wow really?" Misty looked surprised, then blushed, giggling. "I'm sorry I'm being so crazy over your Suicune, I guess I have a confession to make."
"Oh? What is it?" Atem raised an eyebrow, partially suspicious. "I'm actually the gym leader of this town, I specialise in the water type." Misty admitted.
"Just our luck, we were wanting to challenge you." Atem smiled. "You are more than welcome to once nurse Joy gives my pokeballs back." Misty giggled.
"Thank you. I look forward our battle." Atem smiled, nodding. "I'm sorry, I never asked what your name was, I was so busy being fascinated by Suicune I forgot my manners." Misty looked embarrassed.
"Atem, and it's all right." Atem continue to smile, looking at Aurora as well.
"Nice to meet you Atem." Misty smiled then looked sheepishly at Atem. "Um...Would it be ok with you if I gave Suicune a pat?"
"Ask her." Atem offered. Misty looked confused. "Her? You mean Suicune but your her trainer?"
"She can give her own opinion. Just ask." Atem nodded. Misty still looked confused but shrugged it off. "Suicune, is it ok if I give you a pat?"
Aurora sat with her front legs out stretched, but turned her head away. 'Please tell her not to touch my mane and crown please.' Atem nodded at her suggestion. "Can you please not touch her mane and crown, she doesn't like it."
"I understand and respect that." Misty nodded, gently stroking Auroras shoulder. "Oh wow, she is so soft."
Atem chuckled. "Yes she is, that surprised me the first time too."
"Do you mind if I call her Aurora?" Misty asked as she continued to gently stroke Suicune's shoulder.
"I'm sure she wouldn't mind, she told me I could call her it when we first met." Atem nodded in agreement, with a smile.
"I know I wont be able to understand you Aurora, but I want you to know that you are the most beautiful pokemon I have ever seen." Misty smiled as she continued gently to stroke Auroras shoulder.
'Tell Misty that I said "Thank you".' Aurora told Atem as she closed her eyes in pleasure.
"Aurora said to say Thank you to you for the compliment," Atem told Misty.
"You're very welcome Aurora." Misty smiled as she suddenly remembered what she was doing before she met Atem and Aurora. "Oh shoot, I need to get back to my gym."
"Speaking of which, Joey, Yugi and I would like to challenge you if that's ok?" Atem asked, remembering that Misty's gym was next on the list.
"Of course you can, its actually been a long time since I've had anyone challenge me." Misty giggled and then looked up at Aurora. "Are you going to use her in our match?"
Atem shook his head. "No, I think for now she is too strong to be used at this stage. Maybe once my friends and I get further along in our journey then I might use her."
"Fair enough, I understand that." Misty nodded, albeit sadly. "If you want to though Atem, she is more than welcome to swim around in the gyms pool during our match."
"Oh, that is really kind of you, Thank you Misty." Atem smiled.
"Your welcome, now I better get going to prepare for our match. See ya around Atem." Misty gave him a wave as she walked away.
Turning to Aurora, Atem looked up at her. "Was I right in saying you don't wish to compete in this match with Misty?"
Aurora nodded. 'I would hate to hurt her team with my strong moves.'
"At least you can watch us battle from the pool." Atem chuckled as he spotted Yugi and Joey approaching out of the corner of his eye.
"Ooh Temmy's got a girlfriend." Joey teased.
"Actually Joey, she was more interested in Aurora than she was in me," Atem smirked, winking at Aurora.
"I'm not surprised, I now have a Raikou and I'm still jealous." Yugi chuckled.
"Oh yea, rub it in you two. This is just like back at home, you and the Pharaoh had all three Egyptian gods, Dark Magician AND Dark Magician girl!" Joey pouted.
"You had some really good cards too Joey, what about Red eyes and Thousand Dragon?" Yugi raised an eyebrow at his best friend.
"Yeah, ok Yug'. Your right, how could I forget good ol' Red eyes." Joey grinned.
"I miss home as much as you two do, truthfully. But we are in this world now and we need to decide what we are going to do." Atem pointed out.
"I think maybe we should go somewhere and train up Squirtle, Charmander and Bulbasaur. What do you two think?" Joey looked at Atem and then Yugi who both nodded in agreement.
"That's a good idea, Joey, even though I was the only one who won against Brock, there's no saying I'm going to beat Misty and like Atem I'm not going to use Raikou in my battle either." Yugi pointed out, nodding at Atem.
"Speakin' of that big ol' Thunder cat, we don't know much about him do we? Whats your Pokedex says Yug'?" Joey asked, curiously.
"Mmm, I'm not sure. I guess with all that happened, I forgot to see what it says." Yugi pulled his Pokedex out of his pocket and looked up Raikou's details.
"Raikou, the 'Thunder' Pokemon." Stated an electronic voice. "This pokemon races across the land while barking a cry that sound like crashing Thunder." It finished.
"Well, it certainly mentions Thunder a lot, maybe that's what you should name him." Joey suggested.
"What? Thunder?" Yugi raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah, why not? Atem has named his Suicune after what she is? No one is stoppin' you from doin' the same." Joey pointed out.
Yugi thought for a moment. "Ok, Thunder it is." He smiled before taking Raikou's ball off his belt and letting him out.
'Oh, that feels a lot better. Thank you for letting me out.' Raikou stretched, yawning loudly.
'Raikou.' Yugi asked via their link.
'Yes? How may I be of assistance?' Raikou ask, sitting down in front Yugi.
'How do you feel about me calling you "Thunder" from now on?" Yugi asked.
Raikou tilted his head at Yugi's suggestion. 'Thunder?'
"Yes, much like how Atem calls your sister "Aurora" , I would like to call you Thunder. If that's ok?" Yugi added quickly.
'Of course, I am the Thunder pokemon after all.' Raikou smiled.
"Mind tellin' me whats goin' on?" Joey nudged Atem.
"Yugi was just asking Raikou if it was ok to change his name," Atem answered as he watched Yugi interact with Raikou.
"Speakin' about pokemon, what are we doing with ours?" Joey asked.
"I think we need to go out of town and make them stronger before we take on Misty," Atem suggested.
"Atem's right guys and maybe we should try to catch some others to put on our team. If Brock had three team members then who knows how many Misty will have." Joey added.
"Let's do it then, let's go and train." Yugi suggested, leading Atem and Joey out of town.
As the boys trained, beating various pokemon left right and center, after the long-fought out battle with a wild Ekans, Yugi gave Squirtle a celebratory high five but at the touch of his hand Squirtle started to glow. "Guys, whats going on?" Yugi took a step back from his partner as they glowing got brighter.
"I believe Squirtle is evolving." Atem smiled, patting Yugi on the back.
Once the glowing stopped, a new pokemon stood in front of Yugi. "War-tortle." It said, smiling at Yugi.
"Woah that thing is cool, check it's Pokedex Yug'." Joey grinned.
Yugi quickly pulled his Pokedex out of his pocket and opened it. "It often hides in water to stalk unwary prey. For fast swimming, it moves its ears to maintain balance." Said the electronic voice.
"Hmm, that's really interesting. I wonder what my Charmander will turn into?" Atem pondered as they went back to training.
As the boys continued to train, Joeys' Bulbasaur began glowing. "Ooh, looks like Bulba is evolving." Joey grinned in glee as the shape of his partner started to change.
"Whats he turning into Atem." Yugi asked as the glowing faded.
"Ivysaur!" The creature roared as the newly developed flower sparkled on his back.
"I'm interested to see what the Pokedex says about this one." Atem raised an eyebrow at the creature.
"There is a plant bulb on its back. When it absorbs nutrients, the bulb is said to blossom into a large flower." Said the computerized voice.
"Oh what? A flower? I hope you're not gonna turn into somethin' girly." Joey huffed as Ivysaur looked insulted at Joeys comment.
"Aww it's ok Ivysaur, I'm sure Joey didn't mean it." Yugi smiled, patting his head.
"Ivy-saur."He purred, leaning into Yugi's touch.
"Im sorry pal, I guess you are kinda cool." Joey smiled as he gave Ivysaur a pat.
"Now for my Charmander." Atem smiled determinedly at the small orange lizard.
"I reckon your Charmander is gonna be cool once it evolves." Joey smiled at his friend, giving him a thumbs up.
"That has yet to be seen and I don't even know when he evolves either. It seems like we have been training for a long time and still nothing." Atem frowned.
Seeing Atems' frown, Yugi gave him an encouraging pat on the back. "He will evolve eventually Atem, the professor said so himself."
'I'm sorry to interrupt your conversation, but your Charmander is actually a girl.' Aurora told Atem through their link.
"A girl?" Atem raised his eyebrow at Aurora, who was sitting nearby.
Aurora nodded, confirming Atems' statement. 'Yes, Yugi and Joey's partners are boys but the Charmander you have there is indeed a female.'
Hearing what Aurora had told him, Atem knelt down so he was at Charmanders level. "I'm really sorry for calling you a he all the time Charmander, I never knew you were a girl."
"Charr.." Charmander purred, smiling at Atem as to accept his apology.
"Now that that is sorted out, how about we get some more training done and get you evolved." Atem smiled as Charmander nodded then took a fighting stance.
Going back to their training, it wasn't long before Charmander started to glow after defeating her last Pidgey.
"Here we go, let's see what she turns into," Joey commented as Charmander started to grow taller.
Once the glowing stopped, a larger, darker orange lizard stood where Charmander once was. "Char-meleon!" She roared, shooting a large bright orange flame from her mouth.
"Woah! What is that thing?" Joey pointed in shock.
Atem quickly pulled out his Pokedex. "Charmeleon, the flame pokemon; When Charmeleon swings its burning tail, it elevates the air temperature to unbearably high levels." Said the computerized voice.
"So you're a Charmeleon now, well done." Atem smiled.
"Charr!" Charameleon growled happily.
"Nice to meet you Charmeleon, welcome to the team." Yugi smiled as his Wartortle high-fived her.
Going back to their training, Yugi, Joey and Atem decided to catch a few more members to add to their team; Joey caught a Rattata, Atem an Ekans and Yugi a Pidgey. They also decided to catch a Bellsprout, a Pikachu, and a Geodude respectively.
"I think we are ready to face Misty now, what do you two think?" Atem asked, folding his arms across his chest proudly.
"Yeah, we are more than ready, with the two new team members I'm gonna beat Misty easily." Joey grinned.
"I'm certainly happier with my new team." Yugi smiled. "Let's go!"
As they entered the city limits of Cerulean City, Atem looked to Aurora. "Which way is the gym, Aurora?"
Aurora closed her eyes and pointed her nose in the air. "I can sense the water from the gym over in this direction."
"Follow Aurora, guys," Atem told them.
"I heard that loud and clear." Yugi chuckled.
"Lucky." Joey huffed.
"Get your own mythical beast." Atem pointed out simply.
"Oh, yea, like an...Entei is just going to jump out in front of me, Pharaoh." Joey complained.
"I fell out of the sky and found one." Atem pointed out.
"I think I was the one who found you actually." Aurora giggled, leaving Joey clueless.
"That could be the case." Atem chuckled.
"Hey look, there's the gym, we're finally here, now I can test my new Ivysaur out against Misty." Joey grinned.
"And I get to go for a nice long swim in the pool." Aurora smiled as Yugi and Atem chuckled.
After he had stopped laughing, Yugi looked at both Atem and Joey. "Good luck, you guys."
"Thank you, Yugi, same to you." Atem smiled at him.
"Yeah, good luck to you too Yug'." Joey grinned, high-fiving his best friend.
Nervously stepping inside the gym, Atem looked around. "Misty, are you in here?" He called.
"Welcome to my gym guys, I hope you trained your pokemon up because my team is tough," Misty smirked as she released her Starmie out of its ball.
"Oh boy, what is that thing?" Joey asked, pointing at the large purple double starfish.
"This is Starmie, she is one of my favourite pokemon as well as my strongest." Misty smiled at Joey then looked back at Yugi and Atem. Speaking of which, who wants to be first?"
Yugi bit his lip nervously then stepped forward, sighing. "I'll go first."
"Yugi, are you sure? Misty is gonna be tough buddy, you heard her." Joey pointed out.
"I know that Joey, but someone has to be first. Plus it will give me a chance to test out my new Wartortle." Yugi smiled before turning to Atem. "Could you look after Raikou for me please?"
"Of course, I will." Atem nodded as he received Raikou's ball from Yugi.
Taking another step forward away from Joey and Atem, Yugi looked determinedly at Misty. "Misty, I challenge you to a battle for your badge."
"I would be honored to battle you Yugi, good luck." Misty smiled as she watched her Starmie move behind her then released a different star-shaped pokemon.
"Hmm, a water type. What do I use against it?" Yugi thought to himself. "I know exactly who to use, go Bellsprout!" he called as he released the skinny plant creature with a bell-shaped head. "Bell-sprout!"
"Good choice, I guess you know that water is weak to grass, well done." Misty congratulated him.
"I guess I had a bit of help with that from Aurora." Yugi chuckled.
"You had a good teacher." Misty nodded at Aurora before turning her attention back to Yugi. "Right, now that we both have a pokemon out each, it's my turn to attack. Staryu, water gun!"
Seeing the jet of water coming towards him, Bellsprout dodged out of the way. "Good work Bellsprout, now use Razor leaf!" Yugi command as the plant threw sharp-pointed leaves back at Staryu, hitting it directly.
"Wow, your Bellsprout is strong. Nice work Yugi." Misty applauded him as she withdrew her now fainted pokemon. "My Staryu was strong but my Starmie is stronger."
"Uh oh, Yug' might lose here." Joey pulled a face as Starmie stood in front of Misty.
"He'll be fine Joey, I'm sure he can win." Atem smiled.
"Since you won that last round, you get the first move Yugi," Misty told Yugi as he nodded.
"You know what to do Bellsprout, razor leaf her Starmie," Yugi commanded as it sent a barrage of sharp-pointed leaves at it.
"Counter it with Aurora beam, Starmie." Misty commanded, smirking as Starmies beam froze Bellsprouts leaves in mid-air.
"What! She cant do dat! Its cheatin'." Joey complained, looking shocked.
"I believe she can Joey." Atem contested him. "Misty is the gym leader after all and from what I remember Aurora teaching me, water types can learn Ice-type attacks."
"Oh, so now you tell me! Great, just when I thought my Ivysaur stood a chance." Joey paled.
"You'll be fine, you have Rattata, remember."Atem reminded him.
"Yeah, I guess so." Joey shrugged.
"Ok Bellsprout, one more time, hit her Starmie with another razor leaf." Yugi commanded as Bellsprout sent another wave of leaves at Starmie, only to have them frozen again.
"Nice try Yugi, but you'll have to do better thank that. Starmie, Aurora beam again." Misty commanded as Starmie blasted Bellsprout with a rainbow beam of light.
"Oh no, Bellsprout!" Yugi cried as he ran to his frozen pokemon, before returning it to its ball. "This is all I have left, go get'em Wartortle!"
"Wartortle!" The dark blue turtle pokemon cried as he stared at Starmie.
"Oh a Wartortle, it's so cute!" Misty cooed before shaking her head and snapping back to reality. "Focus Misty! Now, Aurora beam one more time Starmie!"
"Block it Wartortle, use bubble!" Yugi commanded as Wartortle sent out a barrage of bubbles from its mouth.
"Woah, nice work. I wasn't expecting that." Misty smiled.
"Wartortle has another attack that I haven't used yet as well." Yugi smirked.
"Ooh, I think Misty is in trouble. Yugi has that exact same look on his face that you get when you're about the win a duel." Joey looked at Atem who raised an eyebrow.
"I have no idea what you are talking about." Atem said naively.
"So, let's see what this other attack is then." Misty raised an eyebrow at Yugi.
"Sure Wartortle, use bite!" Yugi commanded as Wartortle flew towards Starmie with its teeth bared.
"Uh oh, doge it starmie!" Misty called, but it was too late. Before Starmie could dodge the attack, Wartortle had already bitten down hard onto one of Starmies pointed limbs, knocking it out instantly.
"Yeah, that's my buddy. Way to go Yug'!" Joey cheered, as Yugi blushed.
"Yes, well done Yugi. You definitely earned my badge." Misty smiled.
"Well done Yugi, I'm proud of you." Atem cheered as Yugi showed off his new teardrop-shaped water badge. (Cascade)
"I think it's your turn next, Joey." Yugi chuckled as he went back to Atem, stealing a hug from him.
"I'll let you get sorted with who you want to use Joey, while I heal Staryu and Starmie up." Misty smiled as she let Staryu out of its ball and started spraying a potion on its wounds, as well as Starmie's.
"Ok, so Yugi started with his Bellsprout to weaken her Starmie then he brought out Wartortle to finish the job. So maybe that's what I should do too, I should bring out my Rattata to weaken Staryu and then Starmie and once he goes down, I'll bring out Ivysaur. Good plan Joey." Joey praised himself as a large smile grew on his face.
Misty giggled at Joeys' expression. "It looks to me like you have a plan?"
"You better bet I do!" Joey grinned, rubbing his nose.
"Well, I'm ready if you are." Misty nodded for him to start.
"Ladies first." Joey gestured for her to start.
"That might be a bad idea on your behalf, Joey." Misty giggled before throwing Staryu out into battle.
"Startin' with Staryu, are you? Well, then I'll send out my Rattata." Joey enlarged Rattata's Pokeball before throwing it out. "Ratta-ta!"
Starting the battle, Joey got off to a good start, his Rattata taking out Misty's Staryu a lot easier than expected. But now it was time for Joeys' true test, Misty's Starmie. Although he was really nervous, Joey battled as hard as could, and only after a few rounds, he finally won beating Starmie with a series of Vine whips and Razor leaves.
"Way to go, Joey, that was a good battle." Atem smiled, high-fiving him.
"Thanks, Pharaoh, that was really tough but did you see how well Ivysaur did against her Starmie?" Joey grinned.
"Yes, I did. And now it is my turn to test my skills." Atem stepped forward as a lump formed in his throat.
" You can do it Atem, I know you can." Yugi cheered, giving him a thumbs up.
"I just hope I can... " Atem gulped as he touched Pikachus Pokeball.
"You can do it Atem, I believe in you as well." Aurora looked up at Atem from out of the water.
"Thank you Aurora." Atem nodded at her and smiled, before releasing his Pikachu from his ball. "Pika-chu!"
"Aww, what a cute Pikachu, do you think you will evolve him?" Misty asked, seeing that Atems' Pikachu was a boy.
Atem shook his head, shrugging. "I'm not sure that I know how to."
"It's actually really easy, Pikachu evolve with what's known as a 'Thunder stone'." Misty told him.
"Oh, that is very interesting. Thank you, Misty." Atem smiled at her.
"Sure, no problem. Now let's get on with our gym battle, shall we?" Misty raised an eyebrow at Atem.
"Of course, my Pikachu is ready and waiting." Atem chuckled as Pikachu took a defensive position.
"Good luck Atem." Misty winked as she released Staryu from its ball.
In Atems' favour the battle started out well, with Pikachus' speed and electrical attacks easily defeating Misty's Staryu. Now it was time for her Starmie. "I think you can handle this Pikachu?" Atem asked the little yellow mouse pokemon.
"Pika-Pika," Pikachu answered, its cheeks sparking with electricity.
"Now that's the kind of determination I like to see." Misty smiled. "Now go Starmie, aurora beam!" then commanded.
Now it was Atems' turn. Knowing that Starmie was not only fast but strong as well, Atem had to think back to his dueling days and all the tough opponents he has faced. "Now Pikachu, Thunderbolt!" Atem commanded.
Turning up on her side, Starmie barely dodged Pikachus's attack but now Pikachu was in trouble. "Starmie, swift!" Misty commanded as Starmie launched a barrage of bright yellow pointed stars at Pikachu.
Dodging the attack easily, due to his speed. Pikachu was able to launch multiple attacks at Starmie, eventually winning the match for Atem.
"Wow, well done Atem. That was amazing, I've never seen a Pikachu run so fast. You have yourself a good pokemon." Misty smiled, handing him his well-earnt badge. "Congratulations."
"Thank you Misty, your Starmie is very impressive as well." Atem smiled, gently taking the cascade badge from her hand.
Climbing out of the water behind him, Aurora nuzzled the back of Atems' arm with her nose. "I knew you could do it."
"Oh, Aurora! You startled me!" Atem chuckled as he turned to her, gently caressing her nose. "Thank you for believing in me, I'm sorry you haven't had a chance to battle yet, but you will get your turn. I promise."
"Thank you Atem and I know, I trust that you will keep your word." Aurora smiled inwardly as she licked Atems' cheek.
"Aww, that is so sweet." Misty smiled, watching the pair.
"Before we go Misty, could you tell us where we should go next?" Yugi asked.
"Oh, of course. Well, actually the next gym on your list is Lt. Surge. He is an electric type specialist." Misty informed them.
"Oh boy, there goes my shot at winnin' with Wartortle." Joey sighed.
"For not being here very long, you guys have certainly picked up a lot." Misty smiled.
"We had a little help." Atem chuckled, looking at Aurora.
"I think you have the best help you can get." Misty giggled.
"Well, we better get goin'. It was nice meetin' you Misty." Joey waved as he turned to walk out of the gym.
"Yea, thanks again." Yugi smiled before turning to follow Joey out followed by Atem until Misty stopped him.
"Hey Atem, I was wondering if I will ever see you guys again?" Misty asked, biting her lip nervously.
"We will be in this land until we find a way to get home but if I ever need anyone to look after Aur- I mean Suicune for me, I'm sure she'll be in good hands with you." Atem told her truthfully.
"Thank you Atem, that's really sweet. Well, I should let you go so you can catch up with your friends, and good luck with Surge." Misty smiled sadly.
Atem nodded a thank you to Misty before turning and walking out the door, giving her a wave as the large double glass doors closed behind him.
"Bye guys, good luck..."
