Chapter 13

Author's Note: This is word emphasis

-this is telepathic conversation-

Celadon City:

It took three days for Nurse Joy to feel comfortable releasing Vee back into Red's custody, and she destroyed all records of Vee with the help of her Porygon. With Vee's unusual abilities it was better that there be no records of them anywhere, and Porygon ruthlessly hunted them all down, destroying them. Though Porygon did get the records of Team Rocket's experiments on Vee, and printed them out, mostly so Red had them, and would know what to look out for. Though Vee would only get treatment from the Nurse Joy in Celadon City. The fewer that knew about him the better. Red didn't mind having Vee checked in Celadon City once a year. Though it did give him a rather evil idea about adding a healing machine to his home in Pallet Town. His parents made enough money that it was feasible, and it meant he could take care of Vee on his own. That and he did take vindictive pleasure in spending their money to make up for the fact they were basically never around.

" Hey, Nurse Joy, how much would it take to actually get one of the healing machines the Pokémon Centers use? " Red asks her casually.

Nurse Joy understands immediately why he was asking, so he could look after Vee on his own. She hands him a catalogue with all the varieties of machines available, this included portable, rechargeable ones as well. Since he now happened to have Vee in his care, Red was so going to take advantage of the fact that his parents made up for not being around by allowing him to spend large amounts of money. To be fair, it would be prudent to actually have a portable healing machine, though the one he was getting could be recharged by plugging it in, or allowing an electric type to recharge it as well. Most trainers couldn't afford a portable rejuvenator, but then again most trainers did not have parents that felt guilty that traveled for work the vast majority of the time. He orders the premier, top of the line rejuvenator for him home, adds free maintenance checks twice a year, the ten year full extended warranty, free repairs, and free upgrades so long as the warranty lasted. He does call Daisy to let her know what he'd done, and when it would be installed.

They did discuss where it would need to be put, and Daisy agreed to call the electrician that Red preferred to help out with the installation as well. Daisy had to admit if she were Red she'd do the same thing as he was. She suspected Red would try to avoid Pallet Town as much as possible until he and Citrine were old enough to tell the gossiping old biddies where to shove their damned opinions. As it was they were already making noises about her finding a nice guy. Red yawns as he mixes up Citrine's Komala Coffee, and grabs food for the both of them. It was time to challenge the Gym Leader. Kerry, Saur, and Ignacia were all power houses in their own right. It didn't hurt that he taught Saur and Kerry Energy Ball thanks to Citrine having the limiters on her TM's removed.

Ignacia's speed could not be ignored, and in the case of Kerry he'd also found a video online on how to use Seed Bomb. He had Kerry and Saur watch that, as Kerry needed all the distance attacks she could get until she leveled up sufficiently that they both felt that she was ready to evolve. He did buy the Sludge Bomb TM and pay to have the limiter removed as that gave Kerry another long range attack as well. It sucked that Kerry really didn't move, but Red happened to be rather innovative when it came to pokémon battles. Erika would not know what hit her, especially when she would find out the Eevee she was so concerned about was in the care of a genuinely decent trainer. Very few ever saw Red's darker inclinations, not even his parents. His fellow Dex Holders, once there were more of them, would all laugh their asses off at the fact that people honestly believed Red was too nice to seek revenge. Should The Fighter ever meet The Key Who Connects All the pair would immediately become friends while bonding over the fact that everyone around them believed they were too nice to seek revenge or hold a grudge.

Gold and Green would both take immense pleasure in sending Red in to deal with people whom pissed them the fuck off upon discovering Red was an actual Troll, and delighted in pranking the hell out of people. Red did happen to like getting subtle revenge upon those that annoyed him. The gossiping old biddies of Pallet Town still didn't know whom was behind all the mysterious happenings in their homes. Some were of the opinion that a rather mischievous ghost type moved in, but no one even began to suspect Red was behind it. Just like the humiliating accidents that would happen to the few people whom had bullied Citrine. Not even Daisy suspected Red had a hand in that, maybe Haunter when she was still a Gastly for making her partner cry, but never Red.

Citrine would roll on the ground laughing behind closed doors whenever she saw the results of Red's fun. Maybe one day the gossiping old biddies would get a hint, until then, whenever they were in Pallet Town Red would have immense fun in rearranging the contents of their cupboards, moving their cosmetics around, switching knitting projects between homes...Citrine was honestly surprised he did not have a Ghost Type yet. She did love Red's Trolling side though. Once her hormones kicked in fully, and after Red's voice started to crack...well if he didn't make a move before then she would jump him. Citrine holds on to her disposable cup of coffee like it was a life line even as she eats her breakfast of fruit salad, toast, Moomoo Milk, and bacon. She and Red tried to eat as balanced of a diet as they could. They needed to keep their strength up while traveling.

Once the humans and pokémon have been fed they set out, making sure they left nothing behind. Since they wanted to give their pokémon time to digest their food they walk around, heading for a bookstore. This was mostly for Citrine to find some more reading material though Red did browse to see if he could find a different book on Aura Guardians. He even grabs one of the order catalogues to look through since Citrine was still shopping. Her backpack had a special book section that would use the same shrinking technology of Pokéballs while also having a minor interface that would allow you to get the book you wanted. Red's eyes widen when there's a biography on Sir Aaron listed for sale. He immediately goes to talk to the clerk to order the book, and have it delivered via Delibird Deliveries to him.

He settles in on one of the arm chairs in the store to read more of his raising pokémon from eggs book while waiting on Citrine to finish shopping. Pika was settled comfortably on his shoulder with the rest of his team in the Balls. Vee was still rather skittish around most humans, not that Red, Citrine, or the Celadon City Nurse Joy could blame him for that. Vee had been traumatized by the experiments done upon him by Team Rocket. Just like any sentient being that suffered abuse it would take him a while to fully heal. Citrine having an Espeon had been a major boon, and Sailor Pluto hadn't even been taking Vee into consideration when she ensured her reincarnated Hime got a female Eevee! ChuChu and Espeon were once again on their favored perches, Espeon helping her mistress reach books just a little bit out of reach, mostly to read the back cover or dust jacket to see if they were interesting enough to read. She hated reading dry intellectual books!

Why academic types seemed to think everyone thought like them, and knew all those big, obscure words they tended to use she would never understand. Only other academics would even read those books, hence why there were some authors that would read the research, and then put it into terms for the layman, or just plain made the information more interesting to read. A new word here and there was okay, but not to the point of needing a damned dictionary on hand just to understand what was being said in an Arceus be damned book! Finally she had all the books she wanted, and since she happened to be a card carrying member of the Book Lovers Association she got a massive discount. Red marks his place and they set out to find the Gym Leader Erika. Neither of them was expecting, twenty minutes later, for Citrine to literally get tripped by a Tangela. She hit the ground before Red or Espeon could stop her. Citrine winces as she pushes herself into a sitting position.

ChuChu and Espeon both look rather disgruntled, even as Espeon chews out the Tangela for tripping her trainer. " 'Trine, you alright? " Red asks her.

" Think so, my already tender ribs are just a little more so. " Citrine answers.

" I am so sorry about Angela, she's just so excitable. " a female not too much older than Red and Citrine says.

Angela herself looks rather contrite as well after the dressing down Espeon gave her. She resolved to work more on her situational awareness. The human girl that was Espeon's trainer was apparently recovering still from getting backhanded by a Machamp of all pokémon. " It wouldn't be so bad if Citrine weren't still recovering from being backhanded by a Machamp. " Red admits.

That has the young woman and the people around her wincing. No wonder the girl's Espeon had chewed Angela out. Red helps Citrine up, and the blonde sighs in relief when her backpack doesn't cause her untold pain, " Well, most likely I'll have some bruising, but that's it. "

" You're still getting checked out by a doctor. " Red states.

Citrine groans at this, and accepts the Oran Berry juice. At least he wasn't making her take the painkillers too, then again they might not actually have low grade over the counter stuff. She'd have to actually check on that when they settled in for the night. " My name is Erika, the Leader of the Celadon City Gym. "

" I'm Red from Pallet Town, and this is Citrine, also from Pallet Town. I wish to challenge you for the Rainbow Badge. "

" If you wish to battle me then you need to find the pokémon known as Eevee. "

-Citrine, can she be trusted?- Red was immediately on alert when Erika said that. They'd already met two Gym Leaders that were working with Team Rocket.

Citrine had learned how to be subtle when she psychically scanned people be it empathically or telepathically. Espeon handles slipping into Erika's mind while Citrine handles the emotional aspect. None of them were going to allow any unscrupulous being to know about Vee. It took all of a minute for trainer and pokémon to uncover the truth about Erika, and Citrine pets ChuChu whom is back on her head while responding to Red's telepathic query, -Espeon and I agree that she is trustworthy. Apparently she helped to free Vee, then she subsequently lost track of him.-

Red takes in this information, and calls out Vee, cradling his new Eevee in his arms. Erika's eyes widen at seeing the Eevee she had saved looking so healthy, and not shying away from the crimson eyed boy. " How…? "

" Not here. " Red snaps.

Erika snaps out of her shock, realizing the crimson eyed boy in front of her, Red, was quite correct that speaking out in the open was asinine to say the least. She leads the pair to a secure room, though she was surprised the Pikachu immediately lets loose with a Thunderwave until she hears several small bzzt sounds. Her eyes widen, " Electronic bugs. "

" Yeah, after a few run-ins with Team Rocket I decided to have Pika send a burst of Thunderwave throughout whatever room we're in to ensure there's no form of electronic eavesdropping. Espeon? " Red says.

The Sun Pokémon casts out, then her psychic powers latch onto several Abra, bringing them into sight. Erika wastes no time in having her pokémon use Sleep Powder on them to keep them from Teleporting out. Getting a Psychic Type Pokémon was now an absolute must. The sheer paranoia of the children before her had been spot on. They took their security more seriously than even she did. She has some of her Gym Trainers come in and haul them off to Officer Jenny though she keeps the bugs. There was no telling how deeply Team Rocket was entrenched into Kanto's infrastructure. Best to keep those with her, though she would also be getting an electric type, or at least a pokémon that could learn Thunderwave. She had just been shown that she really needed to step up her security measures, not just for the city but on a personal level as well.

Then again she didn't have nearly as much motivation to make damned sure there was absolutely no electronic surveillance anywhere near herself, nor did she have any reason to have a Psychic Type make damned sure there was no human or pokémon surveillance as well. " Now that you've doubly ensured our area is secure…"

" Wait until the Abra are collected, then Pika can do another Thunderwave burst, just in case. " Red says as he leans back against a wall, his hat tilted down to shield his eyes, arms crossed against his chest..

Citrine settles herself on the floor, her back against the wall close to Red, and pulls out a book to read, along with a bookmark. ChuChu and Espeon are settled near her, if her head just so happens to settle against Red's right leg, well neither one of them was going to complain about it. Erika could see the sense in waiting, while she trusted Officer Jenny, the officers under her were a different story. Anyone could realistically be a Team Rocket plant. Red had recalled Vee, as he did not want Idiots finding out about Vee, and his rather unique qualities. He would do whatever he had to in order to protect Citrine and Vee, no matter what.

Red taps the fingers of his left hand against his right arm as he allows himself to fall into a meditative state. He still had some mental organizing to do, and shoring up of mental defenses as well. Might as well use his time productively while waiting for the enemy Abra to be removed from the room they were in. Pika, having long since learned when Red was meditating, was on full alert along with Espeon and ChuChu. That's not to say that the eleven year olds were entirely unaware of their surroundings, they were just giving off the appearance of nonchalance to set observers off their guard.

Alola, Trainer's School:

A young woman appears with garnet colored eyes, long viridian hair up in a half bun, orange diamond shaped earrings, a black t-shirt with an orange midriff baring tank top over that. The black t-shirt was tucked into the pale blue bordering on white jeans she happened to be wearing, there was a white belt with a gold oval shaped buckle through the loops of the jeans, and on her feet were white flats. Floating beside her is her Rotom, after discovering Red's passive aggressive Trolling tendencies at the Time Gates Sailor Pluto, currently in her civilian identity of Setsuna Meiou had decided to ensure Red got a Zorua, The Tricky Fox Pokémon. If only for the entertainment that was sure to come from such a move.

She did happen to have a valid identity in the Pokémon World, she could only stay at the Time Gates for so long without getting bored out of her gourd, plus, now whenever she left Dialga and Palkia made sure no one could get in. They liked having a human that could kick the asses of interlopers. Sure she was technically Chronos' hand amongst the mortals, but Dialga and Palkia had now claimed her as well. They would do the guarding while she took well earned breaks, especially since she had been guarding the Gates for over a thousand years, and one thousand of those was without even one Chronos be damned vacation! While she was taking a break Dialga and Palkia did the guarding, when they were relaxing she did the guarding, it was a win/win situation for all involved. Even Arceus couldn't fault his children for coming up with the arrangement, and he did have some idea of how lonely Setsuna's post happened to be.

Since Setsuna had made damned sure she was known as a tourist she heads straight for where Zorua happened to be and starts hunting. Finding a female Zorua would be even more difficult than finding a female Eevee, but well worth it should Red decide to breed his new partner in Trolling crime.

Celadon City:

Once the enemy Abra have been picked up, and the three humans and their pokémon were alone again, Pika once more uses Thunderwave, and there were two bzzt sounds. Erika swears under her breath at this, she was definitely getting a pokémon capable of learning Thunderwave now. " How did you come into possession of your Eevee, Red-san? " Erika asks him.

" He approached Espeon, and hung around because of her. According to Espeon, after watching my pokémon interact with me for a couple of hours he decided to catch himself in one of my Pokéballs. Nurse Joy was treating him for three days, and had a Center Porygon wipe out all traces that Vee had ever been there, and said Porygon hacked Team Rocket, and printed out everything they had on Vee before thoroughly eradicating all existence of said files. Nurse Joy even destroyed her paper files, all to protect Vee better. " Red answers.

Erika cocks her head to the side, she could see a traumatized Eevee approaching one of his possible evolutionary paths. " I was the one to get him out of that horrid facility, but he got away from me. "

" I'd recommend learning how to defend your own mind from psychic intrusion. " Red suggests to her.

" Enough serious talk, I believe you challenged me for a Rainbow Badge, correct? " Erika asks as they move into the Gym proper.

" I did. "

" Here in Celadon City it's three on three with the challenger allowed to use items and make substitutions. " Erika explains.

Citrine immediately heads for the spectators section while Red goes to stand in the challengers box. Erika summons one of her Gym Trainers, Lass McKenzie to act as the judge, and soon the battle for the Rainbow Badge commences. Red only needed Kerry and Ignacia to earn his Rainbow Badge with the unconventional tactics he used against Erika, catching her flat footed a few times much to her consternation.

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