Chapter 10 – Looking to the Future

The Onix rushed forward once more, the giant snake crashing into the earth causing everyone except chase to become unbalanced. The lynx however had no troubles keeping his cool as he bounded up the rock snakes body. There weren't many places the granite hide was weak to Pokemon like Shinx, however, both Jill and Chase had noted once such spot on the opposing Onix's head that was particularly weak to physical damage.

The opposing trainer had not noticed this yet though, and kept throwing the Onix into physical attacks to crush Chase. Luckily the smaller electric types speed was keeping him above board, but the continuous attacks were throwing him off. He simply needed more weight in order to deliver his bite attack to the correct area. Jill bit her lip wondering if she should switch out her small friend. True, her entire team had been training hard lately and this was a good chance to prove just that, but perhaps this size advantage was simply too much still.

"Chase come back!" Jill called out. The Onix had successfully thrown the blue Pokemon from its head again. Chase growled and shook his head.

"I can do this!"

"I know you can, but with more training! That Onix is simply too large and strong!" Jill responded.

"No! Don't pull me out of this blue… I can get him!" And with that declaration, a brilliant and blinding white light enveloped the area. Jill shielded her eyes confused as to what was happening. Peeking underneath her upraised arm, the young trainer was shocked to see her first befriended Pokemon growing rapidly. The small mouthy little Shinx was now longer, leaner and much fiercer looking. Black fur now covered her friends face, and his two front paws were circled with two yellow rings instead of one. Jill pulled out her Pokedex.

"Luxio, the spark Pokemon and the evolved form of Shinx. Strong electricity courses through the tips of its sharp claws. A light scratch causes fainting in foes" the Pokedex said. Jill looked up at her newly evolved Pokemon and something dawned on her. This was it. She was truly doing what it was she set out to do. Suddenly detached from the battle, the young woman looked at the larger form of the electric type bounded away from the rock types attacks, landing bite after bite on the living stone. She recognized that this was the potential that she and her friends held.

A thunderous crash echoed off the canyons walls leading to the forest, signalling a defeat for the opposing trainer. Chase let out a victorious roar with his now deeper voice. Those amber eyes were lit up from battle, slits focused in a hunters gaze. The future was now, the path laid out. Yes her journey had started, but only now was what she set out to do a realization for Jill. One of her Pokemon had evolved and was stronger than he had ever imagined he could become. What other possibilities were out there?

The young woman stopped just before the massive tree wall. The sun had a difficult time cutting through the forests canopy so the tint to the forest was eternal gloom. There was plenty of noise however, emitting from the woods. Wild Pokemon of all sorts could be found amongst the paths through the shrubbery. Sure there were some things that called these woods home which wouldn't be pleasant to run into, but it certainly had to be better than those thugs right?

Thoughts which she was trying to forget were fighting to get back into the forefront of her mind. If only she hadn't been so naive to ignore the warnings from the others about these snatchers… this team Galaxy or whatever they called themselves. They had chased her down here, maiming whatever got in their path. Two separate trainers had been brutalized by the three thugs. She had watched from the shadows as they viciously attacked two campers. And the threat of rape… A twig snapped and Cheryl whirled around arms held up in front.

"Please no!" the young woman cried out. She looked worse for the wear Jill noted. Hair which hadn't been washed in days, dress torn and minor scratches covering the girls arms. Her boots were looking worn too and caked in dirt. Tears were cutting tracks through the grim smeared face.

"Hey! Hey now, I'm not here to hurt you…" Jill said taken aback. She had almost tripped over the young woman in fact. She watched as the girl below her shook in fear. "I'm just a travelling trainer. My names Jill" the young trainer said in a soft voice kneeling down. Slowly moss green eyes peered out from under the arms of the scared woman.

"You're… you're not… Oh my Arceus you're not one of them…" The young woman was now crying in earnest.

"Not one of who?" Jill asked in confusion. It took a few seconds before the other woman could reply.

"There are some men out here terrorizing people. I watched them almost kill some campers in the neighboring valley and I thought they were following me…" Fresh tears washed down her face and she had to try and bring herself together. Jill knelt down and placed a hand on the young girls shoulder.

"I haven't run across anyone like that around here. Just some other trainers looking to get through the forest."

"Is that where you're going?" the woman asked in a still shaky voice. Jill nodded as she responded.

"Yeah I am. I'm looking to get to Eterna. I'm just a trainer, travelling through the region." The girl in the green dress beginning sniffing trying to get her run away emotions under control. Jill felt horrible for the young woman and extremely angry at the men who would do such a thing to others. "What did these men look like?" Jill asked.

"They were wearing these weird uniforms it looked like and said they were apart of some team galaxy or something. I didn't get a good look I just started running away. My Pokemon aren't good at offensive battling, rather they are more healer type Pokemon." Jill knew exactly who this woman was talking about now. Team Galactic were about here as well. It seemed that their reign of terror was expanding and quickly. So much for that perfect world that woman calling herself Mars back at the wind works was talking about.

"You said your name was Jill?" The young trainer looked down once more into the moss green eyes of the other woman and nodded. "I'm terribly sorry. I've just been so scared. My name is Cheryl, and if it's not too much to ask, could I accompany you through the forest? I know these woods rather well and as I said before I can make a good healer if your Pokemon become injured…" Jill smiled.

"I'd love the company Cheryl. Here let me help you up." Jill gripped Cheryl's arm and helped the young woman to her feet. It was only now that Cheryl noted the Pokemon surrounding them as not native to the area. Especially the beautiful Ponyta.

"Are these all yours?" she asked Jill. Smiling Jill nodded silently thanking her friends for keeping a lookout.

"We should probably camp out here for the night. It's going to be dusk soon and I don't know that I want to try setting up a tent and fire and whatnot in the dark" Jill said. Cheryl agreed and led the trainer and her team to a clearing she knew before the entrance to the forest.

Sunlight poured into the spacious room, windows overlooking a most stunning vista. Today was cloudless in this area, affording a greater view than normal. However, the air was still chilled this far north, a sure sign that winter was on its way.

Cynthia stood overlooking her region as the four others behind her spoke about the goings on. Reports were coming in all over the place about various activities, challengers, Pokemon movements and even more mundane items. The champion however, was not interested in these things unless they pertained to what she was truly looking for. People at the local level could figure things out she was sure. Gym leaders around the region would be able to assist where required.

"I've heard something interesting as of late…" the bug type master Aaron said. Everyone but Cynthia turned to look at the younger man. "Apparently a group of people going under the name of team Galactic took hold of the Valley Windworks for over a week before being cast out by a new trainer." Cynthia was slow to register what her colleague had just said.

"Someone actually attacked the Windworks? Why weren't we notified?" Flint, the fire type master asked.

"Well the local authorities did call after the girl who helped them out had left. They tried assaulting the place a few times, but were defeated. I think we need to look at beefing up security in some of those areas. There's no way a group of thugs should have been able to take a place as important as that."

"What were they after?" the question came from Bertha this time. Aaron shrugged.

"Didn't say. My guess was electricity but no idea."

"Wonder if Volkner might know…" Flint said distractedly.

"Worth asking…" Aaron was cut off.

"Team Galactic?" Cynthia said in a quieter voice. All heads turned to the champion.

"Uh yeah…" Aaron replied. Cynthia frowned. Something wasn't right about that. There was a Galactic corporation run by the recluse Cyrus, but there had never been a mention of a team before. Besides, Cyrus didn't seem the type to organize 'teams'.

"Are you sure that's what they were calling themselves?"

"That's what the guy who called me said. Honestly Cynthia, it was just a group of thugs. They were probably patching themselves into the network to steal some electricity. I've already called in some other favours with the police to look into this" Aaron explained.

"That was what everyone said about Team Rocket." The statement was simple, but caused quite the effect from everyone sitting around the table.

"You think it's worth keeping an eye out for their activities?" Lucian asked the champion.

"Yes. Something isn't right about this…" Was Sinnoh starting to see a repeat of what had happened in Johto and Kanto? "I need to make some calls. Keep an eye out for anything out of the ordinary. And Aaron, did they tell you who this trainer was that defeated the Windworks? What she looked like?" Aaron looked around then finally up to meet his champion's brilliant blue eye, the other being obscured by her hair. Slowly he handed over a printout of the trainer profile that had been sent to him. Cynthia for her part gave away no reaction, but there was no mistaking that face. What have you gotten yourself into cousin…

Camp that night was a much more subdued affair. Chase wandered around wondering at this new world. He never imagined he could become more that the simple Shinx he had started off as. But ever since meeting Jill, he had done and seen things he could have never imagined. Look at him now! A Luxio! He looked back around camp, avoiding looking too long at the fire or at Epona's mane and tail which hurt his eyes with such bright light. There were wonders out there to discover with his family.

"Your eyes look exceptionally bright Chase" the high voice said looking up from the ground at the electric types pacing.

"I can see things even better in the lack of light now feathers. So look out in case I feel like a midnight prank!" Chase replied with a grin and a laugh. Star shook her head at his laugh.

"What does it feel like?" she asked. Chase froze and frowned. Both Caladan and Epona had perked up at the question.

"I can't really explain it to be honest feathers… It's all so new. I feel stronger, more capable, but it also makes me realize how far I still have to go to be strong." This was the most serious Chase had ever sounded. The others were hanging onto his every word. Jill was the only one who couldn't hear as she was still helping the new woman Cheryl and the girls Pokemon.

"But you are strong." The statement was matter of fact and said simply by Epona who was laying down closer to the fire.

"Well I know that fireball. It's just different is all. Takes some getting used to."

"I did not mean in the battling sense, but rather in the mental and spiritual sense." All the others were now looking at Epona, who herself had been staring off in the distance. Looking around, she was surprised to find herself the centre of attention.

"What do you mean by that fireball?" Chase asked, his head slightly cocked as he appraised his teammate.

"I mean that while you are a good battler and have grown to a new level of power under our good trainer's tutelage, you also have a strong sense of right and wrong, ideals that keep you bonded to everyone here."

"She's right" Caladan said, finally speaking. His deep voice always made the others listen to him out of respect. It sounded so impressive and powerful one couldn't help but stop and pay attention. "We all have that quality though. Jill has seen something in each of us, and I know that you evolving today Chase made her finally realize what we all see in her." The four Pokemon looked to their trainer finally helping the other young lady to her tent. It was well into the night and they couldn't help but feel fierce pride for the human who was accompanying them on this journey.

The shrill ring cut through the air, jarring the young man awake. He hadn't realized he'd fallen asleep, but the kink already forming in his neck told him that sitting beneath this tree probably wasn't the best spot to do so. His oldest friend opened one brilliant blue eye to regard his trainer who was frowning down at his Pokegear.

"Cynthia?"

"Hello Arthur. I'm glad I was finally able to make contact with you." The voice on the other end of the line sounded just a tad strained.

"Yeah I was out of service for a while there."

"Where did you go?" Arthur stared back up at the top of the mountain capped in snow. He couldn't see anything now, but just a week past he had faced down the toughest challenge of his life. It had completely wiped out both men and their respective Pokemon. Arthur had only just been able to make his descent now, thanks to the cottage which his challenger had built for himself.

"I was doing some searching and training in the mountains. You've been trying to reach me?"

"Yes I may have some news. Also I would like your advice on something. There's been some odd things happening in this region."

"Last I heard yours wasn't the only region with some issues." All over the news some odd stories had been popping up. Arthur had come back to civilization only to find that things were even more out of balance. Or at least they appeared to be. With both Sinnoh and Unova having murmurs of dissent, Arthur was on edge. Something was wrong and it was making his hair stand on end.

"I know. I've got some help here at least tracking down some of these rumours but that wasn't the real reason I called. Are you planning on travelling any time soon?"

"I can if you need me to." There was silence on the other end of the line and the young man could tell that the other champion was mulling things over in her head.

"It'd be for the best" she finally said.

"Give me a couple of days and I can fly out there. I have to stop in Goldenrod first and can catch a flight from there."

"Let me know when you can get here then" was all Cynthia said before dropping the call.

"What was that all about?" Arthur's starter asked.

"I don't know, but she's on edge like me. So either she's found something out about the legendries, or there's something worse on the go."

"Must be serious if we have to travel all the way to Sinnoh." Arthur could only nod in agreement. "Are you still planning on moving on from there?"

"I think its best bud. There's nothing left here for us. I doubt there's anyone out there now who could challenge you guys, but I also can't do what Red's doing. I know he's content but I'm not."

"What about the others?" Arthur frowned but Blaze could sense the emotion behind him too.

"Lyra said she'd take them at the ranch. Anyone else can stay with mom."

"They're not going to like that too much." Come to think of it, neither did Blaze. They were a family now.

"I know, but I'm not going for battles. I'm going to search. I'm going for answers. If they are needed I'll have them back in a second, but I have the feeling we'll need to take the others on this one." Blaze huffed. The legends who had pledged themselves to his friend, while powerful, weren't the same. Perhaps in time, but Blaze would miss the team. Arthur had a sad smile come across his face as if he read his starters mind. "I'll miss 'em too bud." To that, there was no doubt.

Jillian's Pokemon:
Caladan (Turtwig) - level 17, ability: Overgrow, nature: Bashful
Chase (Luxio) - level 15, ability: Intimidate, nature: Impish
Star (Starly) - level 15, ability: Keen Eye, nature: Lax
Epona (Ponyta) - level 13, ability: Run Away, nature: Naughty

And so we have the first evolution on Jill's journey! Also, we have some more characters getting involved. For those of you who haven't read the first two novels in this series, I would urge you to look back as that will answer where this new character is coming from. An old friend making an appearance. And Cynthia is worried and troubled. What does this bode I wonder?

I would like to thank those who have posted reviews as well. The advice and feedback is really appreciated so keep it coming! Until next time folks