Chapter 3

Author's Note: This is word emphasis

-this is telepathic conversation-

In the Pokémon Center at the base of Mt. Moon Misty watches as Red rewraps Citrine's ribs, and helps her pull her shirt on as well. Once they've seen to their pokémon they set off for Mt. Moon. Haunter sticks close while Misdreavus is sent ahead to scout the situation out. Something Misty had to admit was smart, if they knew what they were getting themselves into things might be easier on them. Citrine looks at Red, " This is going to be a pattern, isn't it? "

Red looks at her, " What do you mean by that, 'Trine? "

" I mean we're going to end up running afoul of this Team Rocket a lot. I can just feel it. Arceus, why. Red, you are not allowed to be your usual reckless self, am I understood? " Citrine asks him sweetly.

Red shivers at the tone, and the look she was giving him, " If I have no other choice I will do whatever it takes to keep you, our pokémon, and the wild pokémon safe. "

Misty giggles, it looked like Citrine had Red well trained. Too bad she had gotten to him first. Red may be a little dense, but he seemed to be a genuinely nice guy. That was when Misdreavus returned, and Citrine writes out what her new partner was telling her, " Red, catch a Zubat in there, having one will be useful for navigation, okay. "

Red nods minutely, he knew Haunter would protect Citrine with everything she had. Citrine had also been working on her psychic abilities as well. Mostly the internal mental ones, like talking to him telepathically, and learning how to shield herself, even if she did still need him as an anchor as well. It was well known psychics would get stronger as they aged. Not all were lucky enough to have someone that would act as an anchor for them, or a ghost type that could dull their power, and let them get used to it little by little. Red calls Saur out while Misty calls out her Starmie. Red quickly catches a Zubat, and uses the little fellow to make their way through Mt. Moon.

Zu was an immense help, and Haunter took out the grunts with Hypnosis while the local Sandshrew that hadn't been captured used Dig to keep them confined. Misty is silently impressed with how efficiently they were dealing with the problem, here she was, a gym leader, and two rookie trainers were quietly, and effectively taking down Team Rocket's Mt. Moon operation. What she didn't know was the fact that Citrine happened to be a psychic, and was ensuring they could do this with a minimal amount of effort, at least until they ran into the Rhyhorn. -Red, be careful, that's the Fuschia City Gym Leader, Koga. He's a poison type specialist, but it looks like he's using Rhyhorn right now.-

Red sends a wave of gratitude Citrine's way, " Saur, let's do this. "

He would use Zu, but Koga would know how to deal with the Poison/Flying dual type. He had no way of knowing that many of his other counterparts had started out this fight with Pikachu, " Saur, Vine Whip, and follow it up with Leech Seed. "

Citrine steps forward when Rhyhorn is forcefully evolved into Rhydon, " Haunter, let's do this. "

Red blinks, why had she done that? At least that was what he was thinking until Rhydon charged, " Haunter, Sucker Punch, and follow it up with Shadow Ball! "

Koga's eyes narrow as the blonde girl directs her Haunter. Little brat reminded him of that damned Agatha, " Earthquake, Rhydon! "

" Haunter's ability is levitate you idiot. How the fuck did you become a gym leader if you forgot about that. Now, Energy Ball! "

Koga curses out loud when he realizes the girl had gotten ahold of a Technical Machine to teach her Haunter. " Hypnosis, and follow it up with Dream Eater! "

Koga's eyes widen, " Who are you, girl? "

" Citrine of Pallet Town! Haunter, Shadow Punch! "

" Rhydon, Horn Drill! "

" Ice Punch! " Citrine calls out.

Koga curses again, Ice Punch had to be an Egg Move, one bred into Haunter. Just his luck to run into a girl whom happened to have a well trained Haunter. Had he know that the girl was in fact Agatha's missing granddaughter he would have been more cautious. Misty, and Red, both watch Citrine battle with Koga, and then the two attacks explode upon collision. Red manages to somersault his way through the attack while Misty gets blasted backwards. Citrine, however, holds her ground, Haunter having used Confusion to protect the both of them. Then she sees that the roof is caving in. -Red, grab Misty, the roof's caving in.-

The Pallet Town residents move even as Team Rocket gets cut off from them. Red carries Misty out, and Citrine follows behind him. Haunter and Misdreavus behind their trainer, just in case. Once outside Citrine motions for Red to put Misty down, " Why? "

" She might jump to the wrong conclusion, considering where your hands were, Red. "

Red looks at her blankly for a few moments, then realization crashes down over him. He was eleven, he didn't think in terms like that, yet. Citrine has to giggle, even if it hurt to laugh, at the look on Red's face. Red groans as he looks at his best friend, though he does pull her to himself. -That's the first time you've ever taken the initiative in battle.-

Citrine relaxes into him, -Haunter had a better chance of winning that than you, and Saur did, Red.-

Red had understood that in Mount Moon, he was just surprised that she had stepped forward so readily. That was when Misty woke up, and Red pulls away from Citrine. The blonde checks the position of the sun to see how long it had been since she had taken her painkillers, and realizes the adrenaline of her battle with Koga had in fact covered over her pain, they had been in the mountain a long time. Red notices too, and hands her two pills, and another Oran Berry juice as well. Citrine takes the pills without complaint, and downs the Oran Berry Juice readily enough. Red looks her over, " You okay to walk, 'Trine? "

" Walk, yes, run no. Oh, Moon Stone is only good for evolving the Clefairy, Nidoran, Munna, and Skitty lines. It's an evolution stone like Fire, Water, Leaf, Thunder, Ice, Dusk, Dawn, and Sun Stones. " Citrine tells them both.

Misty blinks, " How do you know that? "

" I originally come from Johto, I now live in Kanto with Red. " Citrine says softly, deciding to trust Misty with that much.

Indigo Plateau:

Agatha nods at what her Gengar reports to her. Her granddaughter was traveling with a young boy named Red. She would leave her granddaughter be, she regretted not being around more to mitigate her daughter, and son-in-law's pushing of her only grandchild. Citrine still had her Gastly though she was now a Haunter, and a Misdreavus, though how the girl had gotten one she didn't know. Had Agatha known what her granddaughter's companion looked like then years later she would stop her colleague from freezing the boy. Sadly she did not, and therefore would end up pissing her granddaughter off.

Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon or Pokémon Adventures Red.