Eevee danced at my side, bounding happily. She had just been washed and brushed so her coat of fur was shiny and soft, making her feel much better. I giggled as she pounced on a butterfly, watching it fly before bounding after it again but never swatted at it.

"Vee! Vee!" She trilled happily then blinked as it landed on its nose. She turned around and looked at me with a smile and my heart instantly melted. How could anyone let this perfectly adorable Pokémon go? Or even evolve it? I'd want to keep it at this stage forever.

We'd been walking for a good couple of hours now but I could see the Safari gates, which only made me start to run with Eevee at my feet. Eevee happily hopped along, her fur brushing against my leg as we headed towards the little cottage where people signed in and got their Safari Balls.

Stopping just outside I took a few moments to catch my breath then drew myself up, looking down to Eevee. "Come on Eevee, let's go inside."

"Vee!" Nodding its head it leaped up the steps one by one as I climbed them then knocked on the door. There was a scrape of a chair and the clomping of someone's heavy footsteps before a man opened the door and he glared menacingly down at me.

"Yes? What do you want?" I smiled up at him.

"Hi! I'm Ruby. I was wondering if there's any chance I could come in and ask you a few questions." I said to him and he frowned. "You see, I have a PokéDex and I'm doing research on Pokémon all over Kanto, and I thought it would be a great idea to come and see some of the Pokémon here and ask about their habits, their lifestyle, diets and things like that." He continued to look down at me suspiciously and Eevee drew back behind me, flattening its ears to its head whilst hiding behind my legs.

"Dear! Don't be so frightening, the poor child." A kinder voice called with a titter of her tongue then pulled her husband out of the way of the door. This woman was much shorter, with wizened features and a kind smile, bright eyes shining like warm chocolate. "Oh, you must be hungry. Come inside pet, I have some hot cocoa that you may enjoy."

"Thank you, that's very nice of you." I said then stepped inside their hut. The taller gentleman wore rangers' clothes, a belt with large pockets which held Pokémon feed and several different fishing hooks. I turned to face the woman again who smiled then pulled out a comfy chair for me.

"Sit down dear, you look tired. Have you travelled far?"

"I come from Pallet Town." I answered her as I accepted a cup of cocoa, Eevee jumping up into my lap then settled down to curl up and have a nap. "I would have been here yesterday but something happened and I got a little off schedule." I told them, resting a hand on Eevee's back and gave her a gentle stroke.

"That's a very beautiful Eevee." The lady continued. "Have you had it long?" I blushed.

"No, we only met yesterday. You see, Eevee is the reason I didn't get here when I was meant to. Her previous trainer was trying to abandon her in the woods when I came across them. I gave the girl what for then took Eevee in but it took some time and a lot of games before it felt a little better from just being abandoned." I smiled down at Eevee lovingly. "So Eevee is part of my team now, though it doesn't want to go into a Pokéball yet, I don't think it's used to them."

"Hmm, she's quite young." So it was female. Kind of goes without saying, only a girl could make such adorable faces as her. "Though judging from her physique, she has a high experience level. Poor thing, forced to grow up so fast. It's good that you played with her." The lady told me with a nod of approval. "Playing with your Pokémon is very important in raising them." I nodded my head eagerly.

"I know, it builds trust and friendship and also love. When it comes to Pokémon, you have to treat them with the utmost care and do your best to understand them and understand what they're trying to tell you." The lady smiled then looked to her husband, who was looking at me thoughtfully.

"Why exactly are you so interested in our Pokémon specifically? Don't you want to just go out and capture as many as you can to fill in your PokéDex like the rest of you trainers?" The ranger demanded haughtily, watching me suspiciously but I smiled and shook my head.

"I'm not interested in capturing Pokémon. I want to build a family, not a battle team, so I don't plan on having any more than maybe six Pokémon and I already have three, though I'm likely to lose one soon as he wants to return home so I'm taking him back to Cinnabar Island." I told them briefly then continued. "I feel that it's more important for me to build relationships with my Pokémon and only battle them if they want to, not because I want them to. Besides, when I grow up I want to be a Pokémon Ranger of sorts." The man arched an eyebrow at me and I blushed.

"That's a rather challenging dream, young lady. It's a tough road to be a Pokémon Ranger." The lady said to me gently and I nodded.

"I know, but my dream is a little different. You see, I've had some experiences with Pokémon who have been abandoned by their trainers and it's opened my eyes a lot. It's made me think of how many Pokémon get abandoned every day simply because their trainers can't be bothered." My eyes darkened and I made a sour face. "It makes me so angry!"

"Vee?" Eevee looked up so I smiled and stroked her head so she settled down again to sleep.

"So I've decided that when I'm older and I've gathered information on all the Pokémon there are, I want to open a Pokémon Sanctuary, where people can bring their Pokémon to be looked after and rehomed without needing to go through the stress of being completely abandoned. It it'll work for cases where someone becomes too old to take care of their Pokémon or someone passes away, but I can then also extend my help to Pokémon who have been injured and need time to heal and those who need to be helped to trust humans again." My eyes sparkled as I imaged the place I was going to create. "It'll be fantastic!" Shaking my head I blushed with a shy laugh. "Well, of course I need to learn a lot first."

The couple looked at one another, a silent conversation passing between them before they nodded. "Forgive my rudeness, Ruby, I'm very wary of strangers." The gentleman ranger said to me with a nod of his head. "My name is Fraiser and this is my wife, Agatha. We are one of the many people who help out here at the Safari Zone, keeping watch and making sure everyone is safe here." I smiled then held out my hand to shake his.

"It's very nice to meet you both. You don't mind me asking a few questions, do you?" I asked and they shook their heads.

"Of course not, what do you want to know?" I took in a deep breath then began my questions.

"You have a vast amount of land, how do you manage to feed all the Pokémon?" I asked and Frasier answered me, tilting his cowboy ranger hat slightly with a cocked smile.

"We use the jeeps to cover the ground, but the Pokémon mainly feed themselves. There's plenty of grass and edible plants they can eat, fish as well but to add more range and balance to their diet, there's plenty of stations around the place where we put out hay or mashes that the Pokémon know they can come and munch on whenever they want." He explained, walking over to a map then pointed out various spots. "We have watchtowers and camers that scan practically the entire ground, all of which is visible from our command centre here." He tapped a large red block which sat at a larger entranace to the Safari Zone. "We're just a small outpost here and there's several dotted around. This allows us better access to all areas if we need to be called to a scene quickly."

I was frantically making notes on a notepad, ticking my tongue out as I quickly summurised what he was saying. "How do you know where to go?" I asked him, looking up. "If there was a fight breaking out somewhere and a camera picked it up, how would you know how to get there?"

"Good question." Agatha answered as she sat down in her comfortable chair. "You see the map is divided into squares?" I nodded my head. "And notice how the latitude line at the top is lettered from 'A' onwards?" I nodded again then my mouth dropped with a soft 'oh' sound.

"And the longitude line is numbered from one downwards, and you use those markers to coordinate the exact location you need to get to by contacting the nearest watchtower and outpost, which can then get to the scene quickly." I nodded my head. "It's so simple, yet it looks like it's really effective."

"Clever girl." Fraiser praised and I smiled up at him. "We've kept the land as close to its natural habitat as possible for the Pokémon to live the way they would in the wild. Although this is a tourist attraction, it's important we keep good care of the Pokémon. Their health is very important as we have many herds here, so sickness can easily spread so we hold checkups for all the Pokémon at least every three months."

"We have all their information right here." Agatha said as she patted her computer proudly. "You see, we have so many Pokémon that it's almost impossible to keep track of them. However we've tagged them all so that we know exactly who they are and their health record also. When they get caught, though, this chip is then deactivated although the records are all still safe and are accessible to every Pokémon Centre throughout Kanto. It's all a little complicated with the system itself, but once you know how to work it, its pretty self explanitary." Agatha smiled at me as I contined to take notes then jotted down a few ideas of my own.

"Thanks, this is all great!" I smiled to them. "Do you have several different habitats or is it all the same grassland?"

"Mostly grassland." Fraiser answered me, folding his arms across his chest. "But we of course have a few lakes and some rockier land towards the north. Each Pokémon has its preferred area and habitat, so you'll have to take in account all the different Pokémon types and their needs when you start this Sanctuary of yours." Fraiser gave me a little smile. "How about you come out with me on my rounds? I could use a hand and I could tell you more about the Pokémon themselves as and when we see them." Nodding my head eagerly I stood up.

"That sounds great, I'd love to." I answered and Aagath stood up, went over to a cupboard, picked up some Pokéballs and also a fishing rod.

"Here pet, try catch a few yourself if you fancy any. You never know who you may meet out there." She said to me and I took them gratefully. I reached into my backpack and drew out five hundred dollars and paid for them, though she tried to insist they were a gift.

"No, no, I want to do my part in helping this place. It's really great and I want it to continue running." I smiled to her as Eevee sat on my shoulder happily, nodding her head with me.

"Vee! Vee!" Agatha chuckled then tickled Eevee's chin, making her squeal and I adored the sound as much as I adored her.

"You be careful out there. Althoguh you'll be safe with my husband, you can never know how Pokémon will react. Always remember that." Agatha told me sternly, pointing a finger to me. "Never presume to know what a Pokémon will do, no matter how well you know them. They can always surprise you, and they are always dangerous, especially when wild."

"I'll remember. Thank you for your help, Agatha." I said to her with a smile then followed Fraiser outside where he jumped into a Safari jeep. "Hold onto me Eevee, I wouldn't want to lose you." I said to her and she looked up at me.

"Vee?" I chuckled

"I think we're in for a bumpy ride." Fraiser chuckled. He looked much nicer when he smiled and laughed, more friendly than before.

"You're right about that. I'll go careful, don't you worry." He assured me then head into the Safari Zone. He took me past a watchtower to point it out and I quickly jot down the basic schematics and outline of it for an idea. It was basically a tall tower with a rotating light at the top like a lighthouse to keep an eye out for intruders after closing hours, though it also had a radio tower and a large hut at the bottom where several rangers kicked back at, waving as we passed.

"Are you all volunteers?" I asked as we moved off again.

"Some of us are, there's a mix of full time, part time and volunteers here as we can always use extra hands. I myself am a volunteer as I've worked all my life to save money to live comfortably, but now I do this for pleasure. Pokémon have always been extremely important to me, ever since I was little and I've never lost my love for them." He explained as we drove alongside a herd of Taurus and I gaped in awe. "Some Pokémon prefer to live in herds, so you'll have to consider this factor when you take in Pokémon." Fraiser said to me. "If you keep Pokémon separated then they're likely to become lonely and depressed. Also these Taurus need wide open space so they can charge around to their heart's content, keeping them in shape and it also aids their more docile side of their nature."

He slowed down the jeep a little so I could write these facts down on my black and red striped notepad, taking down everything he told me about their diet and tips on how they help to keep the Taurus entertained. "They like to charge things, so we've built ramming posts which can withstand great force." Fraiser told me, pointing one out. "We have to replace them every so often but they last pretty well. Also it keeps them from fighting one another."

Next we came across some Khangaskan and I smiled. "They raise their young in their pouches, don't they?" I looked to Fraiser who nodded. "They're very protective of their young, I know that, so it's very dangerous to approach them when looking threatening, so you'd have to gain their trust first before they'd let you near them." Fraiser smiled.

"Precisely. We let them alone mostly though sometimes they come looking for food if the weather is particularly bad and has killed some of the plants, specifically through winter. We have a greenhouse, though, where we grow plants and berries practically all through the year. I'll take you to see it later and you can ask one of the gardeners about which Pokémon prefers what." Hey! That'll be great information to share with Brock! I'll definitely take notes on that.

I spent the day with Pokémon, helping to feed them, learning how to take care of any injuries and I talked loads with the vet who gave me useful leaflets to help me learn how to notice when my Pokémon was getting sick, ranging from grass Pokémon to fire Pokémon and all the types in between, with specific details about specific Pokémon. It was all so fascinating!

Compeltely enthused by my education, I even stayed the night and continued the next day, and the day after that. In fact I spent an entire week there, learning all I could about the Pokémon and their habitat and became quite well known by all the rangers.

They looked out for me, welcoming me onto the team as I helped break up a fight between two Fearow. They had wanted to wait for reinforcements but I simply whistled sharply and the two Pokémon looked at me. Placing my hands firmly on my hips I glared at them as Eevee coward behind my legs.

"Now you two, this is no way to behave! Just look at all those Spearow in the trees there, is this the example you think you should be setting them?" I demanded and one of the Fearow shook out its feathered head.

"Fearow!" He answered then glared at the other who snapped its beack but I shook my head.

"I don't care who started it! I'm going to finish it. Now both of you, what has you both so riled up like this?" I approached slowly, hand ready to dive for Pidgeotto's Pokéball and the other rangers watched in fascination as I interacted with the Fearow. "I know! I think you both just need a little play time and massage to calm you both down. Come down here, please." I pointed to the ground and they both lowered their heads, seemingly with shame.

I reached out to one of the Fearow then began to gently work my fingers into its head where Pidgeotto enjoyed to be massaged most and instantly I got the reaction I wanted. Fearow slumped and gave a soft moan as it relaxed, wings flattening to the ground as I then continued down his neck. "There, doesn't that feel better? You've ruffled all your feathers trying to fight when really, you should be making yourself look your best." I told him then turned to the other. "Come on, your turn now."

So working my fingers carefully into their heads whilst wearing my ranger gloves to makes sure I didn't get oil on their feathers, I loosened up their tempers then grabbed a long piece of rope from the back of one of the jeeps. "Okay guys, this is how the game works. You hold one end and you hold the other like this." I handed each piece to the Fearow then stepped back. "Now you have to tug as hard as you can! Go! Pull really hard!"

Both Fearow flew up into the air then began to tug at the rope, playing tug of war and the Spearow in the trees began to chant for either one, where they began to get competitive and put their win strength into trying to gain some ground. "Pretty impressive Ruby, you'd make a great Ranger no doubt." Fraiser said to me, putting a hand on my shoulder.

"My Pidgeotto used to play this game with me all the time when I was little and she was only a Pidgey. It kept us entertained for hours." I said to him with a soft smile. "All we have to do now is make sure they don't get tangled in the rope, though they're smart enough not to."

"I'll have the boys keep an eye on them. You take a break now, go fishing or something. You've been working very hard these last few days, I'm beginning to wonder if you'll ever leave." I beamed up at him.

"I'm tempted not to." I admitted then smiled. Grabbing my pack I head towards my favourite fishing spot. I'd caught a few over the last few days but I hadn't captured a single Pokémon. I still had the original Safari balls that Agatha had given me.

Climbing over the hill and down a trail I passed a group of trainers catching some Pokémon so I stopped to watch them, making sure they didn't break any rules before carrying on. I tugged on my red neckerchief then smiled down at Eevee as she trotted at my side happily, enjoying the sunshine.

We found our private little spot and I set up a line, carefully making sure the hook wouldn't hurt any Pokémon who took the bait then cast the line out before sitting down, holding the pole in my hands. "Vee?" Eevee pawed at my leg and I looked down to see the tennis ball in her mouth.

"Okay." I giggled. "Just one throw, okay? Or I might miss a bite." Eevee was happy enough with this so I set the pole in a stand then threw the ball over the rise. "Go get it Eevee! Hurry!"

"Vee! Vee!" She bounded away, climbing up the hill then darted off after it, disappearing from sight. I waited for a few minutes then frowned. Where was she? I had only just taken a few steps after her when I heard her shrill cry of fear. "Vee!"

"Eevee! I'm coming Eevee!" I yelled then raced up the slope, scrambling clumsily in my haste then leaped up over the rise to see someone facing my Eevee, holding a Safari ball in their hand preparing to throw it at her as she cowered into a tree trunk, the tennis ball at her paws.

"Alright, an Eevee!" Hey wait a minute, I know who that is, it's Gary! "You'll make an excellent addition to my team. You're mine Eevee!"

"Hey! Jerk-face! Leave my Eevee alone!" I yelled, throwing a stick that I had scooped up from the ground and flung it at Gary, who turned around with surprise.

"Huh?" The stick hit his head and he yelped, clutching his brow as it began to grow red and Eevee ran through his legs towards me, where I dropped to my knees and caught her as she leaped at me. "Ow! What was that for?" Gary demanded, glaring at me as I cuddled my poor Eevee. I got up and shot him a look.

"For trying to capture my Eevee." I snapped back, going over to collect the tennis ball then carried Eevee back to my pole, which still hadn't twitched. Seems the Pokémon weren't biting today.

"How was I to know it was yours? I thought it was just one of the Safari Pokémon." Gary snapped back then followed me. "How long have you been here?" He asked me as I sat back down by my pole and set Eevee in my lap but after a few seconds she licked my cheek then jumped into the water to have a splash around. She loved the water a lot. It had rained a few days ago and the morning after, she had splashed in every single puddle that crossed her path, playing in the water and pawing at it whilst chirping in that sweet voice of hers.

"About a week. I've been volunteering." I answered him, keeping my eye fixed on my line. Gary arched an eyebrow.

"A week? I would have thought you'd have moved on by now. There's more Pokémon to be seen than the ones out here, even if there are a few good ones." I rolled my eyes.

"I'm not capturing them, I'm studying them. Fraiser and the others have been teaching me all about looking after the Pokémon and how to effectively run such a large stretch of land. It's all really interesting, but I wouldn't expect someone like you to understand." I told him haughtily and he rolled his eyes, sitting down beside me though he put a sensible distance between us.

"Yeah that's right, you and your hippie dreams." I shot him a look but said nothing in reply. There was a while of silence and he wasn't moving on, so I frowned then looked at him.

"Are you still here?" I questioned and he arched an eyebrow as he continued to rest in the sun.

"I've been Pokémon hunting since dawn, I'm taking a break." He answered me in a similarly snappy tone. "There's one Pokémon apparently to live here that I haven't found and I want to catch it." I groaned then shook my head.

"You wouldn't happen to be after Dratini are you?" He sat up interestedly to look at me.

"You've seen it?" I snorted.

"No, but the rangers sometimes talk about it. They complain about stupid Pokémon trainers like you stomping all over their land searching for the Dratini when it's only really a myth. There is no Dratini here or someone by now would have seen or caught it." Gary shook his head.

"It's not a myth, it has to be here somewhere. I've just got to keep looking. I'm Gary Oak, the best trainer in the world! I'm gonna find that Dratini and use it to become a Pokémon Master." I looked away with an unimpressed look.

"Good luck with that. Yet so far you've caught zero Dratini, so your quest is a little slow at the moment, don't you think?" He glared at me.

"You're such a drag." I glared at him heartily and Eevee stopped to watch us as our argument began to heat up.

"Well you're such a jerk!"

"You're a snivelling wimp!" Gary flung back so I leaped to my feet and towered over him.

"You're just a mean bully!" He jumped to his feet also, towering easily over me but I didn't care, there was no way I was backing down. He has to back down first!

"You're a loser!" My voice rose to top his, leaning closer as he did the same.

"I hate you!"

"I hate you!"

"ARGH!" I bellowed then spun around, turning my back to him. That horrible, insufferable little twerp, why can't he just leave things alone as well as me? He's so stuck up. I hate him. HATE him. Just then, however, I noticed my line twitching. "Huh? Hey! I got a bite!" Jumping forwards I picked up my pole. "Eevee! You have to get out of the water quick!" Eevee jumped forwards and shook out her fur, turning to watch as Gary suddenly smiled.

"Alright! It looks like a big one!" I tugged on the pole, trying to reel it in but whatever had the line was pretty strong.

"I can't…do it! Help me pull it ashore!" I grunted and Gary instantly put his arms around me to gript the pole and help pull, though I blinked and stared at the arms that were quite warm and comfortable around me. I lowered my head to hide my blush then resumed pulling.

"Woah…seems like…a really big one…" Gary grunted as we struggled.

"Vee! Vee!" Eevee called then leaped onto Gary's back, straining her face to try and help. Without warning I felt the line being pulled forwards and I gasped.

"Oh no, it's go us!" I yelled as we were pulled forwards. "Watch out!" But Gary didn't let go. Stupid pride. We were yanked into the water and I flinched at the cold sharpness that washed through me and I clenched my eyes shut, turning my head to try and save myself from some of the shock.

We were dragged downwards, deeper into the water and we clung on as we were now entering a cave, I could feel the narrow passage as we bumped into it occasionally, its rough surface grazing against my side.

Suddenly light burst down from above and I let go of the pole, elbowing Gary to make him let go too then pointed upwards. He nodded his head then swam to the surface, where I then yelped inwardly. Wait, I still couldn't swim very well! I'd taken a few lessons from Misty on the beach but I'd only got as far as floating efficiently. I can't actually swim yet!

Panicking I kicked and clawed at the water, trying to rise up desperately and mimicked what Gary did, but all I managed was a pathetic little flop that got me nowhere. Oh great, not again. Only this time I didn't have Gyarados to save me.

Grasping my neck I tried to reach out and brush the surface of the water but I began to sink, the air now being forced from my lungs. Now burning for air, I felt my muscles seize up in pain and my eyes felt like they would burst from my skull unless I found oxygen soon.

A shadow flit across my vision and I looked to see a small serpentine shape cut through the water, only a silouhette before it disappeared again. What was that? Though I had no time to ponder the question, however, as my body went limp and I closed my eyes, floating uselessly in the water.

An arm suddenly curled around me and my eyes slid open slightly, only just noticing that I was rising. All at once I broke the surface and I coughed, throwing up some water as I flopped against the person who had dove in to rescue me, and of course there was only one person who it could have been.

Gary pulled me up the bank sluggishly, labouring for breath but he turned me over as I coughed, making sure I was okay. I groaned once I had got my breath back only to get Eevee's tongue lapping against me, trying to get a response so I smiled weakly and tickled her chin. "I'm okay." I assured her then turned to look at Gary, who was kneeling beside me, hands planted in the ground as he watched me with concern. "Thanks." I gave him a wry smile. "Did I forget to mention that I can't swim?" Suddenly he cracked a grin.

"I'd appreciate the heads up next time." He told me then shook out his hair as Eevee did the same, giving me a doubly spray and I giggled.

"Hey! Stop that both of you!" Eevee plastered herself to my chest so I cuddled her, making sure she wasn't hurt before sitting up. "Where are we? I've never seen this part of the Safari Zone before." I looked around at the large lake with rocks and what looked like crystals jutting out from the ground.

"I've never been this far either. We're right on the outskirts, possibly even out of the Safari territory." Gary answered, standing up as he looked around. "Maybe there's another way out of here?"

"I hope so, I do not want to drown again." I muttered as I made to get up but stopped when his hand appeared in front of me. I looked up at him and my eyes shone slightly. He looked kind of handsome right now, with the beads of water glittering in the sun as they dripped from his hair. Wait, did I just think that?

Smiling all the same I took his hand and let him help me up, one arm still cradling Eevee who shivered slightly. "Don't worry, you're okay now." I assured her but she continued to shiver so I took out one of my towels and wrapped her up in it to dry her off and keep her warm. "Let's try this way, the ground looks flatter over there." Gary nodded his head then followed my lead as I began to pick my way forwards.

We were met with a dead end, however. In fact, the entire lake was surrounded with a tall wall of cliff that could only be found if you were flying directly above it. "I'll send Pidgeotto, maybe she'll find something." I decided then let her out. "Pidgeotto go!"

"Pidgeo!" She trilled then flew a circle around me in greeting.

"Pidgeotto, can you see any way to get out of this bowl?" I asked her so she looked around then flew up into the sky.

"I'll send my Seadra down to check the water. Maybe there's a different, safer way to get out through the water." Gary said then picked up a Pokéball. "Go Seadra! Find a way out of here!" The Seadra appeared in the water after the flash of light and I gasped.

"Hey! I met you when you were a Horsea didn't I?" I knelt down at the water's edge then reached out to pet the Seadra who burped a few bubbles at me, making me giggle. "Hi! Oh you've grown haven't you? You look totally awesome."

"Seadra! Dra! Dra!" Chuckling I stood up beside Gary.

"If you find anything, let us know." I nodded and the Seadra dived down into the water, which rippled once it was gone.

"Pidgeo!" Pidgeotto called to announce her return and we both looked up to hear her verdict. "Pidgeo, Pidgeotto…" She shook her head so I sighed.

"Thanks anyway Pidgeotto, it was worth a try." I said to her then returned her to her Pokéball before looking to the water. "Looks like we've only got one option." I shuddered then blinked as Gary placed a hand on my shoulder.

"Don't worry, I won't let anything happen to you." He told me sincerely and I was touched by his honestly. Instantly I blushed.

"I'm sorry I said those things to you, they weren't very nice of me." I said and he looked away too.

"No I'm sorry. You're right, I am hotheaded and a bit of a bully, but I just can't seem to help it." He turned back with a small smile. "But hey, I'm trying to be better, some habits just die hard." Giving a chuckle I nodded my head then unwrapped Eevee who nuzzled into me. "Is it okay?"

"She's fine, just a little shocked I think. She loves the water but she wasn't expecting to get a full face of it." Putting her down Eevee bounced around my feet, swishing her tail prettily as I sat down and waited for Seadra to return. "Gary?" He looked down at me then sat also. "Why didn't you tell me you'd watch my fight against Brock?" Instantly he looked ashamed of himself.

"I didn't want to give you the means to gloat. Yeah, I came back from Cerulean to watch your fight, but when I saw how good you were and how close you were to your Pidgeotto, it made me realise how much harder I would need to work to be able to rival you. I guess I said those things because I was jealous." He shrugged. "Plus I saw you with that Brock guy, getting pretty close and that just made me angry." I frowned at him.

"Why would that make you angry?" He gave a shrug.

"I don't know. Comes hand in hand with jealousy, right?" I gave him that point but it still confused me. Just then a shadow began to grow underwater and we both leaned closer, guess Seadra was back already.

However a tiny blue head poked up from the water with a little horn in the middle of its head, large violet eyes, small winged ears and a white muzzle. Oh…my…goodness…IT'S A DRATINI! AGH IT'S SO CUTE! LOOK AT THOSE LARGE EYES AND LITTLE FACE!

"Woah! It's a Dratini!" Gary leaned forwards and both our PokéDex's spoke at the same time.

"Dratini, the Dragon Pokémon. Dratini sheds its skin as it grows, often doing so while hidden behind large powerful waterfalls." I can't believe it. So there really are Dratini in the lake! This is amazing, I can't believe I'm actually seeing a real Dratini! This was another Pokémon my mom fantasised over, dreaming of having on practically everyday of her childhood.

"I'm going to catch it!" Gary suddenly proclaimed and I looked up at him.

"No! You can't!" I hissed and gripped onto his hand and arm, stopping him from throwing the Safari Ball at it.

"What? What do you mean I can't?" I turned and looked at the Dratini, seeing the watery eyes and pleading expression.

"Look at it. It looks sad." I murmured then knelt down at the water's edge as Gary blinked. "Don't be afraid, we're not going to hurt you." Eevee stepped a little closer with curiosity. "What's the matter little one?" Gary knelt down beside me and we both watched the Pokémon as it began to cry out softly, its voice chiming prettily. I listened carefully. It sounded distressed and worried, which meant something was wrong.

"Can you show me? Show me what's wrong?" I questioned and the Dratini swam towards the deeper side of the lake, leading us though it stopped to look back, making sure we were following. I picked up Eevee then ran after it, leaping over Gary who blinked.

"Hey wait for me!" Just then Seadra popped up so he gestured for it to hurry. "Come on Seadra, let's go see what the problem is!" I ran along the bank, following the Dratini as it cut through the water. We snaked our way around the little bowl that trapped us, following the water as it thinned out then suddenly burst into a wider berth, the glittering surface a dark shade of blue.

"Oh!" I gasped, staring at the small island where a poor little Oddish was under attack from several Krabby. How did it get out there? Never mind, that's not the most important factor now. I ground my teeth, angry at the unfair attack. Six against one? How was that even justifiable?

"Okay Pidgeotto, I choose you!" I yelled and sent her out in a flash. She flew up into the air then spiralled down, waiting for my command. "Use Peck on those Krabby then once they're down, grab that Oddish!"

"Pidgeo!" She called then dived down for the attack.

"Seadra use Water Gun! Knock them off that island!" Seadra leaped up from the water and shot its attack at one of the Krabby, the force blowing it off the island as the Oddish looked up weakly, blinking wearily.

"Pidgeo!" Pidgeotto slammed into one of the Krabby and pecked at it repeatedly, forcing it off the rock then did the same for another.

"Now use Gust attack, but be careful!" I called out and Pidgeotto positioned herself over the Oddish then flapped her wings, sending the other Krabby flying off the rock as Seadra took out the rest too. Easy as pie. Pidgeotto then picked up the mostly fainted Oddish and flew it back over to me where I caught it in my arms. "Oh you poor thing, don't worry though, you'll be okay." I promised gently, rubbing its head.

"Pidgeo!" Pidgeotto cried out in warning and I gasped before looking over my shoulder.

"Look out!" I leaped forwards, grabbing Eevee as I went then pushed Gary to the side just as a giant pinsir smashed into the ground where we had just been standing, breaking into the ground. Dratini called out in worry then dove back down into the water.

Spinning around I faced a rather angry Kingler, which glared at us inensely then lifted its pinsirs high. "Kingler!" It bellowed and both the Oddish and Eevee squirmed in my arms.

"Kingler, the evolved form of Krabby. A Pincer Pokémon whose claws can pinch with the power of ten thousand horsepower." Oh great, we're in trouble. BIG trouble! The Kingler slammed its pinsirs into the ground then roared once more, snapping them at us.

"It's using Crabhammer! Watch out!" I called, scrambling to my feet and dragged Gary up behind me but he stopped and turned to face it. "Gary! Are you insane? Can't you see how angry that thing is."

"No problem, I'll just catch it!" Gary answered then picked up a Safari Ball. "Go Safari Ball!" He threw it forwards but the Kingler merely lifted its large pinsir and knocked it aside into the water. "Huh? That was my last one!" I would have slapped my face with a groan.

"Seriously?" I deadpanned then hurried to turn and scramble up some rocks. "Hurry up and get moving! Pidgeotto, use Whirlwind! Try blow it away!"

"Bubblebeam Seadra!" Gary shouted as he raced after me but the Crabhammer slammed into the ground, throwing him to the ground again. The two Pokémon started their attack desperately but it seemed to have very little effect on the Kingler, which scuttled towards Gary with an angry look on its face. Maybe we shouldn't have attacked its babies like that. Lesson learned, never scold someone else's kids.

I gasped as the Kingler lifted a pinsir, ready to slam it down on Gary so I put both the Oddish and Eevee up on a high ledge then jumped back down. "Charmeleon, I choose you too!" I yelled, running forwards as Gary rolled out the way of one of the attacks.

"Charmeleon! Chaaar!" Charmeleon sprung forwards so I spouted off my orders.

"Pidgeotto, use Wing Attack! Charmeleon you use Slash from behind to try distract it whilst I get Gary! Seadra, keep using Bubblebeam and aim for its eyes! That'll blur its vision!" I called out and immediately the Pokémon set to work. Charmeleon leaped forwards, flipping over the Kingler then began to slash from behind and ducked under the clumsy swings of its hammer like pinsirs.

"Gary come on! Get up!" I called, running over to him then helped him to stand. "Are you okay?" He groaned slightly, clutching his side but nodded.

"I'm okay." I looked up into his eyes and he looked back at me and somehow, I felt strangely calm in his presense. Not at all afraid of the big pinsir which was…coming right at us! The Bubblebeam to Kingler's eyes meant that it was now hammering wildly and one of those blows was heading straight for us.

"Look out!" I yelled then shoved Gary aside without thinking, gasping as I turned then met the full force of its Crabhammer. Crying out I flew backwards, feeling the air rush around me before I struck the water with a giant splash.

"Ruby!" Gary yelled but everything after that was a strange blur. I couldn't make out anything as I sank to the bottom. Why did the world insist on me drowning? Seriously, this is ridiculous! I swear, the moment I get out of here I'm going to get lessons and I don't care how long it takes, I am not going to die by drowning!

Suddenly I felt a small body nudge my back but I couldn't react, mainly because I couldn't even feel any of my body I was so shocked by the blow. The serpentine body then wrapped around my wrist then began to swim, pulling me back upwards to the surface and I groaned, slowly regaining sense and feeling.

The moment my head was above water I gasped for air then began to flouder, splashing my arms and legs as the Dratini pulled me towards the island where I gripped on then gasped for breath. It chimed its soft little cry and I smiled to it soflty.

"Thank you Dratini." I murmured then looked up as Pidgeotto gave a cry and I turned to see her being knocked out of the sky, Gary unconscious on the ground and Charmeleon was the next to be struck, the hammer blow sending him flying into the rocks where he slid down faintly. "Hey! Leave our Pokémon alone you big brute!" I bellowed in rage then dragged myself up onto the island, standing with feet planted firmly apart though I trembled slightly. "Okay Dratini, let's show this Kingler who owns this lake!" I called and Dratini narrowed its eyes and swam in front of me, ready to fight. "You and me, we can do this. Use…what moves do you know?" I questioned, blinking dumbly down but Dratini was already way ahead of me.

Electriciy rippled across its body as it lifted its head then called out with a battle cry, sending the streams of sparks at Kingler. Cool! Thunderwave! Now that it's paralysed, the Kingler won't be able to move!

"Great start Dratini, now use Dragon Rage!" Completely out of the box, I was kind of hoping Dratini knew the move as I had already seen its effect, and it was after all a dragon type Pokémon. Luckily Dratini opened its mouth, soflty shouting into the twister of air which slammed into Kingler, throwing it completely off balance and hammered it into the rocks.

The tremble woke Gary up and he groaned, rubbing his head before looking across to me and Dratini. "Now let's hit 'em with Slam! Go for it Dratini!" Dratini dived down into the water then all at once sprang forwards, its forehead glowing at the little bump as it chimed confidently.

Dratini hit Kingler with its entire body and the Pokémon was flung backwards again, groaning as it took extra damage. Pidgeotto now managed to stand up and fluttered her feathers, shaking herself out of her daze but I returned both her and Charmeleon to their Pokéball regardless. "You've done great Pidgeotto, Charmeleon, you both take a rest now." I said to them gently then looked up. "Finish this Dratini, use Twister!"

I was now remembering the move list Dratini learned from a magazine I had read ages ago. It was a godo thing my mom was so interested in Pokémon as she had kept all the magazines from her child, describing each of the Pokémon and their moves and I had studied every single one of them.

Dratini angled her head upwards and a Twister rippled out from its mouth spiralling upwards then moved towards the Kingler. It swallowed up the Pokémon, lifting it off the ground then it began to circle in the air, groaning loudly as the Twister flung it to the opposite side of the lake, where it fell into the deep water then did not resurface. "Alright! We did it Dratini!" I cheered and Dratini answered my elated call, leaping up into the air with sparkling droplets dancing around it as it cried out victoriously.

It leaped into my arms and I cuddled it, laughing as I rubbed my head into its cheek. "You were fantastic, Dratini, that Kingler will think again before bullying anyone else. You don't need to worry about it anymore." Dratini cooed then nuzzled my nose before leaping back into the water. Then I blinked. Uh…how was I supposed to get to the other side from this island?

"Hey Ruby! Seadra will give you a ride, just jump in and hold on!" Gary called and Seadra popped up in front of me so I smiled.

"Okay." I nodded, sucked in a deep breath then jumped into the water. Seadra instantly swam closer to me, circling me once as I smiled then held onto its body as it lifted me up to the surface where we then cut through the water until I was able to walk out myself.

"You were awesome, Rubes, that was pretty impressive." I scowled at him for calling me Rubes then shrugged.

"Can't compete with such natural talent, maybe you're lucky I'm not trying to be a Pokémon Master anymore, otherwise you'd never reach the top." I poked him playfully and he smirked before shrugging.

"Maybe, we'll see about that. We should battle it out someday to see who really has the best team."

"Sure thing, I'll take you on anyday." I nodded my head in agreement then turned to Seadra. "So did you find a way out?" It nodded its head, splashing the water at me and I chuckled. "It doesn't happen to be a very small cave deep underwater, is it?" Slowly Seadra nodded its head so I sighed. "Well, looks like today is just one of those waterlogged days." I said as I stood then looked up to Gary. "Could Seadra take us one at a time?" I asked and he nodded his head.

"Sure, no problem. You go first." He offered but I shook my head.

"No, you go, I need to get Eevee and Oddish over to the other side and I doubt they'd happily wait with you here. You go and I'll just help Oddish, it needs some treatment now." Gary nodded his head then dived into the water, never resurfacing. "Go Pidgeotto!"

Pidgeotto appeared but looked tired so I took my backpack and sprayed her with some Super Potion, revitilising her. "Okay, can you carry Eevee back over for me then come back for Oddish? Gary should already be there so he'll watch them until I can get through." I said to her, rubbing her head and she nodded.

"Pidgeo!" She rose up and flapped her wings, following me as I approached Eevee and Oddish, who looked exhausted and battered.

"Vee! Vee!"

"Yeah I'm fine, I promise." I smile, laughing as she leaped into my arms then snuggled in close. "Pidgeotto is going to carry you out of here, okay? You will need to wait with Gary until I can get there but I promise I won't be long, okay?"

"Vee." She nodded her head then let me lift her up into the air where Pidgeotto took hold of her gently then flew up into the sky. I then turned to Oddish with my Super Potion and sprayed it, put the bottle away then lifted it up into my arms.

"You poor thing, does that feel better?"

"Oddish!" It nodded its head then danced on my head, springing around whilst waving its leafy head and I giggled. Pidgeotto soon returned and I let her take Oddish away before turning to the water. Seadra leaped out of the water a moment later, trilling happily as it gave a little display for me.

"You look beautiful Seadra." I laughed then slid back into the water again. "Okay, I'm ready." I said then held onto its body, taking a deep breath before diving down again. This time I didn't panic, feeling perfectly at ease as Seadra was quite quick and agile in the water and I had plenty of breath this time.

I was guided into the cave and I kicked my legs to help push us along, holding on securely as we journeyed through the darkness then up into the light, where I broke the surface then drew in a deep breath. "Ruby?" Gary called and stepped into the water, wading over to me as Seadra continued to pull me forwards.

He gripped me under the arms then helped me get to the shore, tired and aching all over. "Thanks Gary." I murmured then collapsed onto the grass and both Eevee and Oddish sprang on me so I smiled and hugged them both. "I think I want to sleep for a week now. That was exhausting, drowning twice really takes it out of you!" He laughed, shaking out his hair then placed his hand on his hips.

"How come you don't know how to swim?" He asked me and I shrugged.

"Never learned. Regretting it now though, I think I'll get lessons from somewhere. Maybe I'll stop at Cerulean City and ask Misty's sisters if they'd mind tutoring me." It was a good idea, plus it would give me time to study their water Pokémon.

Shaking my head I sent out Charmeleon who glared at me. "Char! Char!"

"I'm sorry you got beat up, but look at you! You just showed it how big and strong you are." I said to him then gave him some berries which would boost back up his strength. I shared some with Eevee, Pidgeotto, Oddish and Seadra then sat down again on the grassy bank.

"Char, Charmeleon." He snorted at me then whacked me with his tail.

"Ow! Hey, I thought we were past that?" I pouted at him but he folded his arms then looked away.

"Charmeleon."

"Are you still miffed you lost the fight? Charmeleon, you can't win every fight every time. That Kingler was huge! Plus you had a type disadvantage. You did your best and that's all anyone could ever ask of you. I mean, remember how you took on that Machamp! That was impressive, plus you helped us escape from the St Anne after it capsied." I reached out and rubbed his warm head, making his mouth drop open as it sighed.

"Chaaaar…"

"So don't be put down, you're always going to be the strongest Pokémon in my eyes." I told him with a smile then flung my arms around him, daring to cross the boundry. Charmeleon looked at me then slowly leaned his head into mine, rubbing his nose into my hair before drawing back. I beamed happily, completely filled with elation at the sign of affection he had shown me. I lifted his Pokéball offeringly and he nodded, standing up. "Come on, I think it's time we went back, Fraiser must be worried about us by now."

Charmeleon nodded his head then allowed himself to return to his Pokéball before I turned to Pidgeotto. "You too Pidgeotto, I'm very proud of you today, as always! You're a star." I beamed and she danced in front of me happily before flying into the red beam to be accepted back into the Pokéball.

Seadra also went back to Gary and I picked up Eevee, tickling her chin before looking to Oddish. "You take it easy now okay? I don't know how you got in there but please be careful! You could have been seriously hurt and we would never have known until it was too late."

"Oddish!" It nodded its head then leaped up into the air, waggling its feet before hopping away into the bushes, happily singing away. I turned with Gary to leave when I heard a voice call out from the lake.

We both turned and saw Dratini looking at us, where it then called out again and swam further forwards. I blinked then regarded it carefully, reading its eyes. "Hey Gary, I think it wants to come with us." I said then looked at Dratini. "You want to come travelling Dratini?" It nodded its head then leaped out of the water, arcing round then dove back in with a small splash before resurfacing again. I smiled then looked at Gary. "Looks like you get Dratini after all."

"Huh? You want me to catch it?" But Dratini began to make desperate sounds and it shook its head, swimming closer to my side and I looked with surprise as Gary chuckled. "I think it wants you to be its trainer. Right Dratini?" Dratini nodded my head and I knelt down at the water's edge to get closer to it, Eevee still in my arms.

"Is that what you want Dratini? You want to come with me?" I asked and it nodded its head. Standing up with a smile I tucked Eevee into one arm and picked up a spare Pokéball. "Alright then! Go Pokéball!" I threw it at Dratini who leaped up into the red beam with a mystical chime of its voice and then let itself into the Pokéball, which I caught back in my hand then looked at it proudly as the flashing red light then died out. "Welcome to the group Dratini, I hope I can do you proud." I murmured then clicked the Pokéball onto my belt.

Turning around I faced Gary who smirked cheerfully. "I'm sorry you didn't get your Dratini."

"No sweat, I think it'll turn out to be a much better Pokémon with you taking care of it." Gary said then offered me a hand to help me up the bank. I took it gratefully and together we staggered up the bank, soaking wet but smiling all the same. We got only a few paces when I saw a Safari Jeep racing over to us, Fraiser at the wheel.

"Ruby! Are you alright? You've been gone a long time, we were starting to get worried." He said then glared at Gary who didn't appear at all nervous of the towering ranger that now loomed over him. "Are you to blame for this young man?" I chuckled and stepped out in between them, lifting my hands.

"It's okay, Fraiser, Gary actually kind of saved my life. I hooked a Pokémon but it pulled us into the water. I'm really sorry but I lost the pole as I let it go, but I can't actually swim but Gary dived in and rescued me." I explained to him briefly then lowered my voice. "But we saw something amazing! I think you'd love to see the Pokémon I caught, though it should stay between us three." I gave Gary a pointed glare. "Right?"

"Sure, whatever." Unsatisfied with his answer I grabbed his ear and yanked him down.

"Right?" I reiterated as he squirmed.

"Ow! Ow! Yes alright! I won't breathe a word of it I swear!" Nodding my head I then let him go. Fraiser gave me a curious look.

"What are you up to?" I beamed at him.

"I caught a Dratini!" His face fell and he actually collapsed in shock, twitching on the ground as he groaned.

"A Dratini?" He breathed and I nodded my head excitedly.

"You see, the Pokémon actually dragged us through a secret tunnel underwater and we found this large lake where Dratini was. You see, it was afraid of all these Krabby and Kingler that were beating up an Oddish, though I have no idea how it got there, so we battled them all but the Kingler was so strong it took out all my Pokémon, so I battled with Dratini's help and we defeated it." I gushed, practically slurring my words together as Fraiser stood up and brushed himself off. "We got back through the tunnel once the fight was over but Dratini wanted to come with me, so it let me capture it. Isn't that awesome?" I beamed up at Fraiser who was smiling, his eyes filling with tears.

"All my life I have dreamed of seeing a Dratini…and now you have captured its heart. We'd best get you back to the hut before you both catch cold, but if you would allow it, Ruby, I would love to see your Dratini." I nodded my head and went to call it out but he clasped my hands. "No, not here, not when anyone could see, you're lucky the cameras are temporarily down in this section. Come on, jump in." He got back into the jeep and I leaped into my usual seat, holding Eevee who pawed at my face then licked my cheek.

"You're okay Eevee, that was quite an adventure, wasn't it?" I smiled down at her and she nodded her head.

"Vee! Vee!" She jumed down into my lap then placed he paws on the dashboard, sticking out her tongue as the wind whipped through her fur. I glanced back to Gary who was sitting in the back of the jeep and he turned his head to look at me, so I quickly looked away again.

The moment we got to the hut, Agatha came rushing outside with a look of relief on her face. "Oh thank goodness! When Fraiser radioed saying you were missing, we feared the worst!" I smiled as she wrapped me and Eevee up in a towel then let her lead me inside.

I had a shower and changed, putting on a pair of cargo bottoms, a black tank top then tied my newly dry red neckerchief around my neck, setting the triagle to the left side over my collarbone then pulled on my own gloves, my fingertips poking through.

Shaking out my loose hair, which was beginning to curl because it had just been washed, I let it hang lose then stepped out into the front where Gary was already waiting. He glanced up at me then did a double take, though I can't think why, I didn't look anything special.

"Ah, dear, Fraiser has just filled me in on everything that happened." Agatha said to me, putting her hands on my shoulders then sat me down in my favourite chair, where Eevee then leaped up into my lap and I curled my arms around her. "Would you let us see it? Please?"

"Sure." I nodded then picked up the Pokéball. "Come on out Dratini, I want you to meet my friends." Dratini burst out of the Pokéball with a flash of light then appeared on the floor facing me. It greeted me with a cute sound then looked around to Agatha and Fraiser, who gasped and looked down with tears in their eyes.

"So it is true, the legendary Pokémon…all this time we have been searching and now here it is…" Agatha wiped her eyes then smiled to me. "I can't think of a better trainer for it, you are obviously something very special, Ruby, if it has chosen you."

"Driii! Drii!" Dratini agreed then leaped up into my lap, nuzzling into Eevee who opened one eye then shifted, placing one paw over Dratini who then curled up with her. Aw this is just too cute, wait until mom meets them!

"Ruby, you must understand that this Pokémon is highly sought after. You must not let it go for any reason or its power could be used for great wrong." Fraiser said to me and I looked down to Dratini as she slept curled up with Eevee. "You must not tell anyone where you captured it or we shall be overrun with Pokémon trainers, which is good for business but shall ruin the Pokémon's habitat here. You know when news first broke out about there being Dratini here, trainers flocked here from all over. It was like a massacre, they battled and weakened our Pokémon to capture them too, leaving many seriously injured, which is why we introduced the no battling policy, to keep our Pokémon safe."

"You have my word, I won't let anyone know." I promised but then thought about Ash, Brock and Misty. "Except my friends, Ash, Brock and Misty. I would never lie to them and I trust them completely with a secret, they care about Pokémon as much as I do. Brock and Misty are Gym Leaders and Ash started out from Pallet Town the same time Gary and I did." Gary snorted.

"Though he's lagging behind now, might as well give up." I glared at him.

"It doesn't matter how fast someone collects badges! All that matters is that you do your best to earn them!" Gary snorted then looked away with a smug look on his face.

"Sure, says the girl who returned her badges because she didn't think she deserved them." Ugh! Why does he do this? One moment he's as sweet and nice as a lollypop man then he's the world's biggest ignoramus!

"You know that's not true! I gave them back because I changed my mind about becoming a Pokémon Trainer! You're such a jerk, Gary, can't you be nice for more than fifteen minutes?" I yelled at him, startling Dratini and Eevee in my lap.

"You're the one who's so easy to irritate, it's not my fault you have a short temper." Gary snapped back and I leaped up though I still held both Dratini and Eevee in my arms.

"I do not have a short temper!" I yelled then blinked when I realised he was right. Oh well. "You're a big headed pain in the backside!" Gary jumped up too, practically going nose to nose with me.

"You're a loud mouthed, mould brained shrimp!" Oh no, he did not just insuly my height. No one insults my height and gets away with it! He's in for it big now!

"You're insufferable Gary Oak! I hope you fall in some Pokémon manure then choke to death on it!" He leaned a little closer, eyes blazing brightly and I could see my reflection in his brown orbs. I looked just as terrifying.

"Well if I die then who's gonna rescue you from drowning next time? Or catch you when you fall off a cliff?" That struck a nerve. I growled, glaring with all the heat and anger I could muster then exploded.

"Ugghhh…I HATE YOU GARY OAK!" Suddenly Fraiser and Agatha were laughing and I blinked before looking at them with a questioning look. "What's so funny?"

"You two, honestly. You fight like an old married couple. We should know." Agatha chuckled as she laced her fingers through Fraiser's and he pulled her closer, placing a hand on her waist to smile lovingly down at her. They gazed into one another's eyes adoringly then he lowered his head down and kissed her softly, making both Gary and I retch before looking at one another.

I stared at him a moment, horrified at the thought of us old and married then turned my back, lifting my chin proudly. "I'd never kiss that thing, it probably has rabies." I announced and Gary turned his back also.

"Why would I want you? I have a whole load of cheerleaders who want to date me." He answered so I turned around with a smirk.

"Oh? So where are they now then? And why aren't you dating one of them if they're all so pretty and fabulous?" Gary turned and glared back me, nose to nose once more.

"They didn't want to come to the Safari and I told them not to anyway! They would've scared all the Pokémon away. Besides, I could date any of them if I wanted to!" Snorting in disbelief I turned around again.

"If that's what makes you sleep better then you believe that." He growled, glowing bright red as I stroked Eevee's head. Agatha sighed, shook her head then clapped her hands.

"Alright you two, let's break it up. How about we have some dinner? It's starting to get late."

"No thanks, I've got a ride into town. I've got to send all my new Pokémon over to my grandpa." Gary said to them. "Thanks for everything, you'll probably see me again soon." He walked towards the door and I kept my back turned to him, refusing to even look at that creep. "See you later Rubes." That got my attention.

"My name is Ruby you jerk!" I yelled, catching his smirk before he slipped out the door. "Ugh! Stupid boy." I mumbled under my breath then sighed. "Sorry guys, did I scare you?" I fretted over Eevee and Dratini, hugging them closer as Agatha continued to smile almost knowingly.

"You know, you two remind me of myself and Fraiser when we were younger. We used to fight all the time, even when we were kids!" Fraiser chuckled.

"We hated one another at first, you know. Maybe one day you two'll wake up one day and find yourself in love with each other." Instantly I felt like vomiting.

"Ew no! That's gross!" I shivered then stuck out my tongue. "I'd sooner let myself be swallowed by a Muk than fall in love with stupid Gary Oak!"