Polishing the egg carefully I hummed a tune under my breath, making sure it was perfectly clean before laying back on the bank to bathe in the sunshine whilst the others did their own thing either with their Pokémon or by themselves. I think Misty was fishing, Brock was cooking some dinner and Ash was training with his Pokémon. I have to say, he's really taken on board a new way of thinking. He's been training hard recently and I think that loss with Whitney may have really helped him to understand the importance of keeping his Pokémon in shape.

"When will you hatch?" I asked the egg softly, interrupting my song to smile down at it. "I really want to meet you." I got no answer but I could still sense its life force within. It was really strong now, so either it was just a really strong Pokémon or it was almost ready to hatch. With a dreamy smile I went back to humming, enjoying the last rays of sunshine.

But then I began to get a sense of trepidation. Slowly I sat up, looking around me towards the trees which rustled innocently. The feeling of someone watching us prickled at the hairs on the back of my neck, making me feel even more nervous as I slowly rose to my feet, arms carefully guarding the egg.

"Is something wrong Ruby?" Misty asked as she looked up from her fishing to notice me standing like a sentry.

"I don't know…I just get the feeling that we're being watched." I answered, glancing around before giving a shaky smile. "Maybe I'm just hungry and my stomach is sending messages to my head." That's when the ground exploded.

Everyone screamed, the blast rocketing through the air and swept around the entire clearing, causing everyone to be covered in dust and splattered by dirt. "Misty!"

"Ruby!" She yelled back and I struggled towards her. "What was that?"

"I don't know, Brock! Ash! Where are you guys?"

"Over here!" Another blast shook the earth, sending me tumbling to the ground and I quickly turned to shield the egg, curling up into a ball to make sure it didn't get hit by any of the blasts. My heart raced at over a thousand miles an hour, kick starting the adrenaline rush as I scrambled to get to my feet and run to the others.

"Alright kids, time to face the music." A dark, mellow voice said from within the smoke just as we reached one another.

"Who's there?" Brock demanded, instantly pulling us three behind him to shield us, keeping his arms spread as a broader protection. "What do you want?" The smoke began to clear as a morbid, spine tingling laugh vibrated the airwaves and a figure dressed in a long black trench coat appeared, shaped to his slim figure.

He had long blood red hair which was pulled back into a ponytail with a gold hook earing on his left ear and a dark hat which was pulled low over his eyes. "What do you think? I want that egg, and you're going to give it to me."

"No I am not!" I yelled back, suddenly furious. "I don't hand over things that belong to me to arrogant jerks like yourself!" I saw one of his eyebrows quirk upwards and he looked up slowly, revealing the darkest coal black eyes I had ever seen.

"Oh really?" He questioned before snapping his fingers. Suddenly we were surrounded by people and Pokémon, the men wearing black jumpsuits and masks on their faces. "Are you so sure about that?" There must be at least twenty of them, how could we even begin to think of taking on such numbers, we're only four! "And just so you know, I have reserves." A powerful looking Gyarados suddenly leaped up from the water, roaring blindly into the light of the setting sun before it turned its blood thirsty eyes on us. "We're not afraid of hurting little kids and their Pokémon to get what I want, so why don't you be a good little girl and hand that egg over!"

"Don't do it Ruby, we can take on these creeps." Ash said to me as Misty shrieked and cowered behind Brock from the Gyarados, who had a scar over its left eye from a previous battle. I didn't see how I had a choice, I couldn't ask my friends or any of my Pokémon to go up against such unfair and overwhelming odds, there were just too many and all of them were final evolutions and obviously high level of experience.

"I…I don't know…" I whispered, suddenly feeling afraid. "I can't ask you to defend me like this, this isn't safe for you…" I glanced back to the man who was waiting patiently, enjoying watching me squirm. "Just who are you?" I asked and he shrugged.

"You may call me Rhodri, if you must. Now, about the egg. Hand it over or I'll just take it." He snapped his fingers and a Venusaur stepped forwards, shooting out its Vine Whip to grab the egg as I gasped, shocked into paralysis.

Suddenly one of my Pokéballs burst open and Charizard roared in anger, grabbing both vines and with a powerful arm swung the Pokémon around as it groaned in surprise as Charizard lifted it off the ground and tossed it aside into several other Pokémon and their trainers.

"Impressive, your Charizard has been well trained." Rhodri said to me with a nod of his head. "Very well, if that is how you wish to do this." He snapped his fingers. "Get them." Charizard whirled around and faced me, growling to me with an intense fire burning in his eyes.

"You want to fight?" I asked and he nodded his head. Seeing the fire in him suddenly lit my own, intensifying all anger and rage I have ever felt before until I couldn't contain it. How dare these creeps try to steal my egg?! I'll show them hell for this! "Alright, Charizard let's use Flamethrower! Hit all you can, everyone else come out and join the fight! We need your help!" I called and Ash tossed his Pokéballs into the air. The only Pokémon I held back was Dratini as she was still in no shape to fight and I didn't want her getting hurt.

"You guys come on out too, it's an emergency!"

"Misty chooses everyone!"

"Let's do this!" Brock agreed and suddenly we were surrounded by our own Pokémon who formed a protective ring around us. Pidgeot screeched in rage then dove down into the battle, my Pokémon all leaping forwards to hold back those who went in to attack them. I kept my eye on them as the others started calling out directions.

"Eevee behind you! Use Dig!" I called and Eevee instantly burrowed underground. "Charizard, fly up into the air before those Donphan charge you!" He rose up and the two Donphan smashed heads together, knocking each other out as Charizard joined Pidgeot and Noctowl in the sky.

It was mad, everything jumbled together and confusing but I fought to keep a steady head, focusing on my Pokémon as the others did the same. "Pidgeot use Quick Attack to get Pikachu out of there!" I yelled, pointing to Pikachu who was surrounded by several ground and rock type Pokémon so she dove down and formed a Twister, spinning with accelerated speed, swooping down and carried Pikachu out of there.

"Thanks Ruby." Ash said to me and I smiled.

"No problem." I told him before looking back over to my Pokémon only to find Eevee being struck by a Nidoking's powerful Mega Punch. "Eevee no!" I cried out and leaped forwards, holding the egg in one arm to catch her in the other but it was too late, she was too exhausted to battle further. "Oh Eevee I'm so sorry." I whispered as I let her return. "Rest now, you battled so hard and I'm proud." I stood up, my anger spiking further. "Bulbasaur! Vine Whip into Razor Leaf once you have that Nidoking up in the air! Scyther, you use Fury Cutter on that Pinsir, don't let it get to Vulpix!" I directed and Bulbasaur instantly grabbed hold of the Nidoking and lifted it up, whipping it several times before striking it down with the Razor Leaf, however Nidoking landed on its feet and used Earthquake.

Suddenly the ground began to crack up, trembling and breaking as all the Pokémon around were affected by the powerful attack. "No!" Most of our Pokémon were knocked out by this single hit, all save for those in the air and Pikachu who was still on Pidgeot's back, shooting Thunderbolts left right and centre.

"Give up little girl!" Rhodri called once silence had ensued. "Fighting is pointless." Now with most of our Pokémon out of the battle we were once again greatly outnumbered. Charizard landed in front of me, glaring at the Nidoking but suddenly the Gyarados struck without even warning. It gathered a Hyper Beam together and shot it towards Charizard.

"Charizard look…!" He was hit before I could even warn him. Charizard roared as he was flung backwards, crashing into the ground where he lay, unable to move after such a powerful attack. "Charizard!" I made to run to him but Brock held me back.

"Don't get too close to them, you'll just be setting yourself up for capture." He said to me so I lifted Chariazrd's Pokéball instead.

"Charizard return!" Blinking back tears I looked over to Rhodri who began to walk forwards.

"I told you, it's fruitless." He said to me calmly, his sickening tone making me want to vomit. "Now. Hand it over." I took a step back, hugging the egg to me and shaking my head so he sighed. "Very well. You leave me no other choice, my dear. Gyarados, Hyper Beam."

It happened so fast that I barely registered it happening. Gyarados turned on us and before any of us could blink, was shooting its attack at us. Somehow we managed to leap aside, avoiding direct hit but I crashed to the ground and the egg rolled out of my arms as time slowed down and a shrill, piercing sound rang in my ears.

My vision throbbed and I struggled to focus, everything shifting out of shape as someone bent down and picked up an object, shifting in and out of comprehension. I tried to push myself up but my elbows gave out beneath me, making me groan in pain as I felt everything throb and ache. "Such a pity…" I heard someone whisper in my ear. "Such…tness to be…asted. Good bye, Ruby."

I tried reaching out to take the egg back, tears streaming down my face but all I heard was one last, blood chilling laugh before everything went black and silent. My mind was so dead to the world that when I next awoke, I was momentarily confused as to who I was and what I was doing.

Then it all came flooding back to me in a series of images flickering before my eyes until I cried out and clenched my eyes shut. "You're awake!" Ash sighed with relief. "We were beginning to really worry Ruby, you've been unconscious for an entire day."

"A whole day?" I repeated, shaking my head as I tried to sit up but Brock rested a gentle hand against my shoulder.

"Take it easy, you were badly hit by that Hyper Beam and it's going to take some time before you fully recover." I shook my head still, trying to sit up again.

"No, I have to go after the egg. It needs me."

"Ruby you're in no shape to stand, let alone walk or go egg searching. You have to think about yourself too you know." Misty said to me, holding Togepi in her arms but even Togepi looked sad. Under my quilts I tried to find my belt but there were no Pokéballs, all of them were gone.

"My Pokémon?" I questioned so Brock reached out and handed me a single Pokéball.

"Dratini is okay seeing as it didn't battle, however your other Pokémon aren't in such great shape. They're all in Nurse Joy's care for the time being but she's confident they'll all make a full recovery. They just need rest and time to recover from the loss." He informed me.

"I want to see them." And then there was no stopping me. I got out of bed, tied on my neckerchief and slipped my hat on my head whilst always wearing the same expression, one of defeat. With Ash's help he led me over to the unit where my Pokémon were being treated and when I saw them, I broke down.

I cried for all I was worth, ashamed to have let my Pokémon reach such critical condition yet I was so proud of them for battling so bravely and facing such impossible odds. Ash let me sob on the floor, seeing as he didn't know what else to do until Pikachu leaped down from his shoulder and faced me.

"Pika…" He said gently and I sniffed, looking up at him with watery eyes. "Pikachu, Pika Pika." Pikachu said to me, patting my cheek then wiped away my tears. "Pika Pi, Pika Pika!" He began to lift his arms and made several gestures as he spoke, his expressions also helping me to understand what he was saying.

"Oh Pikachu, I couldn't. I couldn't ask you to fight like that again." I said to him, continuing to cry quietly. "You were all so brave and strong but we were still no match against those guys, whoever they were. If anything ever happened to any of you then I would be heartbroken." In answer Pikachu leaped into my arms and nuzzled into me, offering me comfort as Ash and Misty knelt at my side, placing their hands on my back.

"It's okay Ruby, we'll think of something." Ash told me and I nodded my head, sucking in a deep breath before going over to my Pokémon each in turn, staying with them a few minutes to stroke their heads and kiss their faces before finally I turned around to face the others.

"Let's get something to eat, then we'll be able to think a little more clearly." I suggested and the others all nodded their heads in agreement, smiling gently to me as I followed them out last. I let them lead the way, however Pikachu stayed with me as I began to think quickly.

I needed to go after them but I can't take any of my Pokémon or my friends, it's just too dangerous. Maybe if I could connect with the egg again then I would be able to find it, however if they're too far away then I'll need to find a way of reaching them without letting anyone else know.

"Pika?"

"I'm fine Pikachu, just thinking." I said to him. We didn't speak over the meal, in fact we all agreed that what we all needed was a long sleep before we could make our next move. Apparently Officer Jenny had already been informed and was out looking for the gang as we spoke, however I doubted they would have much luck.

I lay there deep into the night, thinking about my Pokémon and the battle, wondering if there was ever even the slightest of chances that we would have won. Somehow I doubted it, seeing as those guys had obviously been trained for this sort of thing.

My mind slowly making a decision, I got out of bed and walked over to the desk, picking up some stationary to write a letter to my friends, telling them exactly where I was headed and that I didn't want them to follow in case I put them in further danger.

Once it was done I left it on the desk for them to find, quietly got dressed and packed my things then slipped out the door. I had also left a note to ask Nurse Joy to hold onto my Pokémon until I came back for them, and if I didn't then to send them back over to Professor Oak where they would be safe and well looked after.

Now with everything deadly quiet, I slipped out into the night. It was chilly but I quickly brushed it off, taking deep breaths as I walked down the road then stopped, closing my eyes and cleared my thoughts.

The result was almost instantaneous. I felt my mind soar towards a distant mountain, covered in snow yet there was an entrance in one of the caves which led to a secret hideout, where I felt the power of the egg beating strong, calling out to me. North.

Sighing I opened my eyes and set off in that direction. The mountain would take several days to get to, however I was sure that if I caught a bird Pokémon along the way I'd be able to get there within the night. I had been walking for about ten minutes when someone called behind me.

"Pika! Pika Pi!"

"Pikachu?" I turned around in surprise to see the little yellow Pokémon racing after me, panting for breath.

"Pika Pikachu. Pika Pika!" I knelt down and faced Pikachu with a sad smile.

"I have to try Pikachu, I can't wait for my Pokémon to get better and I can't ask them to go through what they did again. It's not fair and they'll need time before they're able to battle again. However that egg needs me right now, so I'm going to go get it back.

"Pi." Pikachu nodded his head then stood up, waving his arms before flexing them. "Pikachu!" Huh? He wants to come with me?

"But Pikachu, you're still recovering too and I can't take you away from Ash, he'll get so worried about you and if anything happened to you then I'll never forgive myself, and neither will Ash. You mean too much to him." I said, lifting Pikachu up to hug him. "I know you're just trying to be a good friend and I thank you so much for it, but this is something I have to do alone."

"Says who?" I froze in place, eyes shooting wide open as sparks crackled on Pikachu's cheeks as he twisted out of my grip and jumped onto my shoulder, glaring at the person who had spoken from the shadows.

"Pika!"

"Hey Rubes, how's it going?" Gary asked as he stepped into the moonlight, arms casually folded as he watched me. "You're not seriously thinking of going alone, are you?" I continued to just stare at him. "I happened to be in the neighbourhood when I saw you guys being rushed into the Pokémon Centre. Ash filled me in on what happened." He explained with a shrug as he stepped a little closer. "Now tell me you aren't planning on going after those guys alone, are you?"

"I have to." I answered simply. "I nearly got my friends killed yesterday and I'm not going to put them through that risk again." I turned my head away, struggling not to burst into tears again.

"But you don't have any Pokémon. How do you expect to get your egg back without some firepower?" Good question. And for it, I have an excellent answer.

"I'll use my own firepower." I told him simply, giving him a glare as he sighed.

"Please tell me you're not seriously thinking what I think you're thinking." I arched my eyebrow.

"You're able to think?" He shot me a dark look.

"Stick to the subject! You can't go in there without any sort of backup, escape plan or even alone! You're just one kid, Ruby, and it's too dangerous for you to handle on your own."

"Pikachu." Pikachu nodded his head in agreement. "Pika Pika!" I sighed, shaking my head.

"I don't have any other choice." Gary exhaled, calming himself down before walking over to me and resting a hand on my shoulder.

"Sure you do. I'll come with you Ruby, I'll help keep you safe." I stared up at Gary, unsure of how to answer.

"You'd…you'd do that for me?" I asked and he nodded his head.

"Sure. It sounds like a blast. Besides, I have something that's much better than walking." He smirked before tossing a Pokéball up into the air. "Come on out buddy, I have an old friend of yours who wants to see ya!" Suddenly the space in front of me was filled by massive jaws and piercing yellow eyes, a prehistoric screech making the trees shudder in their sleep.

"Aerodactyl!" I beamed, leaping forwards and flinging my arms around Aeroodactyl's neck, laughing with joy. "It's so great to see you! You look awesome buddy, Gary's obviously been doing a great job raising and training you." Aerodactyl beamed happily, rubbing his nose into my back as I laughed then pulled back.

"So Rubes, what do you say?" Gary asked as he climbed up then offered me a hand. Suddenly the bushes rustled and I turned around to see a round shape walk out from within them, carrying what looked like a microphone in one hand. No…way…

"Jigglypuff!" Jigglypuff beamed up at us and took a large breath to sing but I quickly covered its mouth.

"No Jigglypuff! Just wait a second." I pleaded and she glared at me.

"Puff!" Her body inflated angrily so I took my hand away and smiled apologetically.

"You couldn't have turned up at a more perfect time." I told her. "Listen, there's a group of bad guys who stole my Pokémon egg and we're going to get it back, but if you could help us then I think we'll be able to beat them all without even needing to try." I said to her and she listened curiously. "If we can get their attention, would you sing to them and make them all fall asleep for us? That way we could steal back the egg and no one would have to get hurt."

"Jiggly…" She mused to herself, thinking it over diplomatically.

"And as a reward, I'll set up a concert just for you so you can sing to everyone at the Pokémon Centre, and I even have a way to keep them awake to hear your beautiful singing." Instantly her eyes sparkled.

"Jigglypuff Puff!" She squealed then leaped into my arms, nodding her head and I giggled.

"Alright then!" I looked at Gary's outstretched hand for a moment, considering my option to ignore it and just climb up myself but then Pikachu leaped up with a bright cry onto Gary's shoulder, turning a broad smile towards me so I smiled and nodded my head.

"Let's go." I placed my hand in Gary's and let him pull me up behind him, settling Jigglypuff in front of me. I was surprised at how warm his hand was and how soft his skin felt, though I quickly shoved the thought aside and hid my blush as Pikachu jumped back onto my shoulder.

"Hang on tight, we like to go fast." Gary warned me but I frowned.

"Hang onto what?" I demanded but then his hands reached back, gripped my own and pulled them around his waist.

"Me you idiot. Let's go Aerodactyl!" Aerodactyl moved so fast that I didn't even have time to blush in embarrassment. We shot into the air and I was almost ripped off the back but I held on tighter, Pikachu keeping himself anchored down as we soared up into the air but Jigglypuff just kicked her feet and laughed with excitement, enjoying every second of the ride.

"Head north! The egg is up in the mountains." Gary didn't question me, merely nodded his head and steered Areodactyl in the direction I had called, using the stars to navigate which I was pretty impressed with. I think I could do with learning how to navigate by the stars, it'll be useful seeing as Ash always gets us lost.

We soared through the skies with speed, cutting through the air and travelling over the ground so fast it turned into a dark indistinguishable river. We flew straight for around twenty minutes until I suddenly felt my mind shift and connect with the egg's.

It was moving, surrounded in darkness as the bumpy road jostled everything within the truck. They were moving out and were already on the road heading towards the nearest port to get out of Johto. I saw the escort, a total of five trucks and the road they were heading down. "Go that way." I pointed, my voice dull and unfocused on what was going on around me. "They're moving off the mountain and to port. We have to hurry."

"You got it Rubes. Come on Areodactyl, show us what you've got." Aerodactyl somehow managed to find even more speed, slicing through the clouds with a cry before diving down a way so that we could see where we were going.

It didn't take long for us to find the convoy, using my hand as a needle point to guide us as I continued to remain locked onto the egg's location until finally we were practically on top of them. "Puff?" Jigglypuff questioned, peering down before squeaking and hiding into me.

"It's okay, I won't let you fall Jigglypuff. I've got a good hold on you. Right Pikachu?" I questioned and Pikachu nodded his head.

"Pika!" Jigglypuff took a deep breath then nodded her head, looking determinedly down at the ground as Aerodactyl began to dive. "Pikachuuuuu!" Pikachu yelled as we all leaned backwards, aiming for the head of the line of trucks.

"Alright Aerodactly, let's get their attention with Hyper Beam and Ice Beam, at your own leisure." Gary said and Aerodactyl instantly set to work. He blasted the road in front of the first truck, making it screech to a halt before freezing over the last, gliding over the top to blast them again as men began to leap out of their stations and try to find the source.

"Now Jigglypuff!" I called and she leaped off Aerodactyl to land on one of the trucks, clearing her throat before beginning to sing. "Hurry and land Gary, we don't want to crash!"

"You got it." Aerodactyl came in for a land and instantly we all covered our ears, distracting ourselves from Jigglypuff's admittedly beautiful singing as everyone in the convoy began to groan and drop to sleep, their Pokémon all following suit.

Jigglypuff stopped singing at the end of her song, looking around with a blink. "Puff?" Seeing that everyone was asleep she rolled her eyes and shook he head in irritation before springing off the truck and whipped out her pen, beginning to draw on everyone's faces.

"Nice work Jigglypuff, you were amazing." I told her with a smile. "Now if anyone stirs, you make sure to sing that beautiful lullaby to them okay?"

"Puff." She nodded her head proudly, blushing slightly at my compliment before continuing her work to draw on everyone's face. I ran past each truck until I stopped at the third, feeling the source of the connection coming from within so I rolled up the back and jumped in, shining my torch to find the egg sitting in a contraption that locked it in place, however I fiddled with the buttons until it finally sprung back open.

"I'm here now." I said softly, lifting the egg up and smiled. "I've got you." I felt a wave of relief and joy wash over me from both ends of the connection as I turned and jumped back out of the truck, heading over to Gary with Pikachu on my shoulder.

"You got it?"

"Yeah, right here." I said, wrapping the egg up in my jacket then zipped it up to keep it warm.

"Okay then, let's get out of…" Suddenly everyone began to stir.

"Jigglypuff!" I called quickly but before she could sing, someone clapped their hand over her mouth and lifted her up.

"Quiet you little pipsqueak!" The guys snarled and I instantly made to charge forwards.

"You let Jigglypuff go you turnip nosed jerk!" I yelled and with a clench of my fists, rammed it into his face with all my might. He yelled aloud and let go of Jigglypuff who I caught in my arms, holding her gently before drawing back. "It's alright, just start to Sing now!"

"Oh I don't think so. Houndoom, if Jigglypuff starts to Sing, use Roar to counteract." Rhodri said as he stood up, pen marked all over his face though he didn't realise. I began to snicker, Gary unable to hide his laughter either as we both began to crack up. "What? What do you runts find so amusing?!" He demanded until one of his little sidekicks coughed.

"Uh…boss? You got a little something on your face." Rhodri instantly began to rub at his face, smudging it until most it was cleared away though there were still several marks left behind. I had to hold my breath to keep from laughing but then all fun out of the situation was taken away when Pikachu was grabbed off my shoulder and Gary was restrained, Aerodactyl being surrounded by Houndoom though the prehistoric Pokémon screeched in anger and made to attack.

"No Aerodactyl! Just sit tight for a moment." Gary ordered, glaring over to Rhodri as I too was surrounded by Pokémon, each one glaring as Jigglypuff gulped then hid her face in my neck so I held on a little tighter.

"You're very brave, you little runt, but now you've tested my patience to the limit. I'll be taking back that egg and dealing with you and your boyfriend very severely." Rhodri told me, glowering down with rage. "Boys, teach that kid a lesson." One grunt approached Gary, cracking his knuckles and pounded his fist into his palm, ready to pummel Gary but I was not going to let that happen. Not this time.

Fresh determination washed over me and I growled, feeling energy rise up from within and burst free as I yelled, closing my eyes tightly shut and I felt the egg vibrate against me. Large pulses of blue light shot out from me and stretched outward as all my emotions towered over one another. Fear, hope, anger, hate, care, joy, shame, confidence, pride and love. I felt them all burst out of me until I suddenly felt empty.

And with the emptiness, I began to see. With each burst of light I saw the lights around everything they touched, both people and Pokémon. Most were dark and disgusting but there were a few bright stars among all the black, including Pikachu's electric yellow and gold aura or Gary's bronze and orange. It was amazing, yet also slightly terrifying. With a deep breath I began to send out an emotion of calmness, taking away all the badness that surrounded me and slowly, everyone began to step back from us, letting Gary go and the Pokémon left Aerodactyl to return to their trainers.

I don't know how I was doing it, all I knew was that it was working. Finally the last pulse disappeared and I opened my eyes only to collapse to the ground, shivering from the cold as everyone I had manipulated stared off into the distance in a daze. "Ruby!" Gary instantly raced over to my side as Jigglypuff gently shook my arm, trying to wake me up.

"Jiggly? Jigglypuff…" She whined with worry as Gary reached me, lifting me up into a sitting position then let me rest against him in his arms.

"Ruby, can you hear me?"

"Hmm…" I stirred slightly, beginning to gain back my own senses.

"Pika!" Pikachu leaped onto me, carefully avoiding the egg and peered closely at me. "Pika?" Suddenly I heard laughter and it made me shudder so Gary drew me closer protectively, glaring up at Rhodri as he finally snapped into sense.

"Well, what a pleasant surprise. We have an aura user." Aura user? What is that? "My client will be thrilled to hear of this. Perhaps you and your egg will stay together for a little while longer."

"If you want Ruby then you'll have to get through me first." Gary said bravely as both Pokémon jumped in front of me.

"Pika!"

"Puff." Jigglypuff agreed, glaring as she inflated her body to appear more intimidating though Rhodri only snorted.

"Very well. Everyone step back, I shall deal with these pests. Gyarados! Teach these vermin a lesson they shall never forget." Gyarados appeared with a roar, glaring as it struck the ground with its tail and made the trees quake in fear as it now focused on us.

"Aerodactyl! Use Hyper Beam!" But Aerodactyl didn't answer. "Huh?" Gary looked around to find Aerodactyl still in a trance. "Aerodactyl, snap out of it!" Suddenly I felt my only Pokéball burst open and Dratini appeared, chiming to announce her arrival and that brought me a little more back to the land of the living.

"Dratini no…you're still ill." I said to her, trying to reach out but she moved and stood between Pikachu and Jigglypuff, sending them a quick order and they both nodded their heads before leaping back, letting her face Gyarados alone.

Rhodri threw back his head and laughed, snorting and chortling as my tiny little Dratini faced the giant Gyarados, who also looked slightly insulted at the lack of challenge. "You're going to battle my mighty Gyarados with that little…worm? Oh this is too beautiful, please, please just stop." He laughed, wiping a tear from his eye. Hang on, did he…did he just call my Dratini a worm? Now that is unacceptable!

Slowly I began to stand, making Rhodri blink as Gary helped me find my balance, though I gently pushed him away as I stood determinedly on my own two feet. Hey if Dratini was willing to battle in her condition then so am I.

"Don't insult my Dratini." I told him in the darkest voice I had ever spoken in, making Rhodri blink and stutter slightly, unsure of how to answer. Dratini lifted her head and called up to the stars before beginning to shine brightly. I gasped, staring as she began to grow in length, her neck arching gracefully as her ears became more like sweeping wings and a round orb settled at the base of her throat. "Dratini…you're evolving?" I whispered in shock as Pikachu jumped up to my shoulder and stared in awe.

"Pika…." I pulled out Dexter but didn't pull my gaze away from my evolving Pokémon as Dexter spoke to me.

"Dragonair, the Dragon Pokémon. Dragonair has the ability to manipulate the elements as it wishes." Finally Dragonair appeared, lifting her head and called out in a beautifully mysterious voice before lowering her head, aiming her now pointed horn towards Gyarados who recoiled slightly. There were two extra orbs at the end of Dragonair's tail, her tail tip trailing over the ground elegantly as she waited for me to give her an attack.

"That…is…awesome…" I breathed. So that's why Dratini has been tired recently. She wasn't ill, she was just preparing to evolve by storing up all her energy! I really have my own Dragonair! "Alright Dragonair, let's show these jerks just how tough we are. Use Aqua Tail!"

Dragonair lifted up into the air, her body glowing around the edges as she began to fly and I laughed, watching as she whipped out her tail and a jet of water struck Gyarados in the face, making him flinch backwards.

"Don't be a wimp, get that Dragonair, use Dragon Tail!" Rhodri yelled in rage, his face turning as red as his hair.

"Dodge it then use Ice Beam!" I countered, both Pikachu and Jigglypuff cheering as we all watched the battle. Dragonair elegantly wound her way around Gyarados's tail as it struck out at her, avoiding it completely then soared up its back with an Ice Beam attack, causing it to shudder and crash to the ground, taking a lot of damage from the hit. "Nice hit Dragonair, now let's use our own Dragon Tail!" Dragonair spiralled around in the air, her voice singing out as she gathered power in her tail.

Gyarados managed to get up at Rhodri's yelling, however the moment Dragonair struck it on the head with Dragon Tail, it roared with eyes clenched tightly shut before smashing into three of the trucks, crushing them into scrap metal as Dragonair gracefully descended and landed before me.

"It's over Rhodri, you're not going to beat me a second time and you are not getting your hands on this egg." I told him and Pikachu nodded his head.

"Pi!" Rhodri smirked, taking off his hat to run his hands through his hair after he had returned Gyarados to its Pokéball. He gave a short, quiet laugh under his breath, fixing his eyes on me.

"You're something special. That boy over there is lucky to have you." I folded my arms and glared.

"He is not my boyfriend." I told him but Rhodri merely waved his hand.

"Regardless, your Dragonair may be newly evolved, but it can't handle all our Pokémon at once." With that he snapped his fingers. Suddenly we had Pokémon bearing down on us again, snarling and growling but Dragonair looked fierce as she faced them all.

The orb at her throat began to glow and she lifted herself up, continuing to glare until she slammed her tail on the ground and a pulse of water burst out in a large wave, slamming against everyone and everything but Dragonair formed a protective barrier around us as Jigglypuff hugged my leg and Pikachu hid in my neck. "Ruby, that's Water Pulse. It can hit multiple targets at once." Gary told me as the barrier disappeared and I looked around to see everything had been knocked down, including the trucks that hadn't been totalled by Gyarados. "We have to get out of here now before they get back up."

"One last thing." I said with a glare before pointing my finger out to Rhodri as the rain began to fall. "Pikachu, use Thunder!" Pikachu raced up my arm and with a leap, jumped into the air.

"Pika…CHUUUUU!" The road was filled with lightning as Dragonair spiralled upwards, her orb glowing as the clouds gathered and lightning flashed overhead, striking down at one of the trucks and I couldn't help but smirk. This has to be one of the greatest battles ever.

Rhodri got a full taste of Pikachu's power and so did his men, however once everything had ended, I walked over to Rhodri's twitching body. "Don't mess with Ruby Bates. She takes things personally." I told him before turning to Dragonair and flung my arm around her, one hand curled under the egg to keep it supported though I hugged my newly evolved Pokémon for all I was worth.

"You saved us! You absolutely dazzling Pokémon! I love you so much Dragonair!" She chimed happily at me before lifting me up with her tail and placed me on her back and rose up into the air.

"Puff! Jigglypuff!" Jigglypuff cried and I smiled, leaning down to quickly pick her up too as Pikachu jumped back onto my shoulder.

"We didn't forget you Jigglypuff, you're a hero too." She nodded her head proudly and I looked up when I heard a flap of wings to see Gary already on Aerodactyl, who dropped down by Rhodri and gripped onto both arms.

"Let's get this one back to Officer Jenny. I don't know about you but I think she'll be all too happy to clap some cuffs on this guy." He said and I smiled with a nod of my head as I rode Dragonair as she lifted up higher into the sky.

"I'll race you."