Hidden Journey
Part Ten

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Foolish

"As our lives change
come whatever.
We will still be
friends forever."
"Graduation" by Vitamin C

***

The duo burst from the door, the rickety thing flying off its hinges and landing with a crack, and they faced...

"Well, if this isn't the biggest, meanest meadow in the world," Matt said dryly, noting the lack of evil kidnappers.

"I know," Vulpix sighed. "And here I was so looking forward to a good fight. You wouldn't know of..." She broke off and began to scream.

"What? What is it?" Matt spun around, looking for the cause of such a horrified scream. He dropped his hands and sighed when all he saw was Gary walking towards them. "You can stop screaming."

"What? No I can't! It's horrifying!" Vulpix said, looking terrified as Gary advanced towards them.

Gary ran the rest of the way, making his way to them, "Guys, where have you been?"

"Oh, you know," Matt shrugged. "Kidnapped and tied up in an abandoned cabin, the usual."

Gary frowned, "You were kidnapped? How?"

"We scheduled early," Vulpix explained. "You know how difficult it is to get a good kidnapper."

Matt nodded, "Yeah, all the good ones are booked so early these days."

"Be serious!" Gary glared. "What happened?"

"Sorry," Matt apologized, "Delayed shock reaction, I think. I really don't know what happened. The last I remember was that I had been trying to call Celerity, but someone hit me on the back of my head." He held a hand to the back of his head, feeling a bump. "I think it'll hurt later."

"And I was about to go shopping," Vulpix frowned. "Someone snuck up behind me and put a smelly cloth over my muzzle...I'm sorry, nose, and I passed out."

"Chloroform." Gary said. "Someone knew where you guys would be and how to do it, but why? It doesn't make any sense."

"It looks like someone wanted us out of the way for some reason," Matt said, "but why? There's nothing of any importance at home."

"Just some Pokemon," Vulpix reminded them. "Cirrus has some high level, and unusual, Pokemon."

"Unusual, yes," Gary said, "But hardly enough to steal...Wait...There is one."

"One what?" Vulpix asked. "Speak not in riddles, Oak."

"The Cyndaquil." Gary said. "It's very...unusual."

"Smart, is more like it." Matt said. "It knows how to write in english, and it's got an extremely high vocabulary."

"But who would want a Cyndaquil?" Vulpix asked. "I'm pretty smart for a Pokemon, but you don't see people going around to steal me."

"We'd better get back home," Matt said. "I don't like the thought of leaving the house without anyone in it. If they did take the Cyndaquil, then we know something's up."

"Yeah," Gary said, "But what?"

***

So far, my life has been composed of more twists and turns than a really good rollercoaster, I thought to myself, looking up with a mix of resignation and indignation. But this is really far too surreal, even for me.

Celerity stood over me, dangling a toy Weedle on a string. "C'mon Vulpix, good Vulpix."

I blinked and looked away.

"C'mon cutie fire fox, bat the toy." The girl was not easily deterred and continued her singsong tone. "Who's the cute Vulpix? C'mon..."

"Celerity..." Ash said. "Don't taunt Vulpix."

"Why? Afraid she'd get caught in the line?"

"No...It's tacky," Ash stood up and took the toy from a protesting Celerity. "And she could flamethrow you."

"Oh," Celerity said, pouting. "Kay."

It was around four in the evening and I'd just found out that Brock was intending on entering me in some Pokemon Beauty Contest so he could return me..er, Vulpix...back to Suzie. However with Lia around, Brock wasn't so gaga over Suzie. Didn't really matter much since Suzie was currently gaga over some gorgeous sandy-haired guy. She'd shown us a photo of him and he looked a bit stuck up and had a Ninetales by his side.

"...Vulpix after the contest," Brock said.

"What's that?" Suzie asked, her tone teasing, "You'll only return Vulpix after you two win the contest?"

"I didn't mean it like that," Brock blushed. "Suzie."

"Brock, you're so funny!" Suzie giggled. "How about we enter together as a team? Would you like that, Vulpix?"

Taking that as my cue, I darted over to Suzie's side, tilted my head up to her, and cooed.

"That settles it then!" Suzie said, leaning down to scratch under my chin. "We're a team."

"A...a..team?" Brock stuttered. He blinked then leapt from the chair he sat in to kneel by Suzie's side. "Oh, Suzie! I'll make you so proud of Vulpix!"

"I know you will, Brock," she said, sounding a bit sad.

We were all in one of the common rooms in the Pokemon Center, waiting for Lia's Porygon. It had been suddenly exhausted for some reason and Brock insisted on Lia taking it to Nurse Joy. That meant Brock could get his daily Nurse Joy Spotting fix for the day, but for some reason he didn't space out when he saw the pink haired nurse. It was really odd. Could Brock actually have it bad for Lia?

"Okay guys," Lia said, coming up with a smile on her face. The Porygon hovered with its normal blank look, right behind Lia's right shoulder. "Anyone up for an early dinner?"

It wasn't until later that evening, around six, that things almost went horribly wrong for me. Brock and Suzie decided it would be good to check out the venue for the contest and they took me along. Suzie wanted to get a new Pokeball for me, but luckily Brock declined her offer. Even though Suzie would be getting Vulpix back after the contest, the woman agreed with Brock. He told Suzie that Vulpix's old Pokeball, while incredibly messed up thanks to the large woman on the train, would be back to new by the end of the week.

How did things almost go spiraling down? It seems that Vulpix has a close male foxy friend…and he very much liked her. No, nothing lemony about the relationship, but he was very taken with Vulpix. I couldn't really see why since Vulpix has the most obnoxious attitude. Okay, so I like Gary and he's got a total attitude, but that's my boy!

So there we were, looking around at the large indoor arena (the Blackthorne Convention Centre) and checking out the booths that were set up in adjoining rooms to the main area, when a male voice broke into Suzie and Brock's conversation.

"Hey, Suze!" The voice was male and cheery.

Suzie spun around on her heel. "Zane! It's good to see you!"

The two shared a quick hug, and Zane pecked Suzie on the cheek. "I didn't think I was going to make it! Cosmos forgot a few things."

Zane was just about as tall as Brock, with a slender build and sandy blonde hair that threatened to fall over his eyes. He looked to be around the same age as Brock and Suzie…and he looked interested in Suzie. If you know what I mean.

"Where is he?" Suzie asked, looking around Zane's feet.

"He decided to stay behind in the hotel room to freshen up," Zane explained. "We literally just got to Blackthorne and checked into the hotel room. I see Vulpix is looking as fine as ever."

I took that as my cue to coo cutely up at the young man.

"She is," Suzie smiled. "Brock has been taking very good care of her."

"That's right!" Zane said. "You gave Vulpix to Brock, didn't you?"

"True, and he's decided to give her back." Suzie nodded. "Just after we win the contest."

"We?" Zane cocked an eyebrow. "You two are a couple?"

Brock's eyes widened and I thought he might have had a coronary, until Suzie laughed, a gentle sound, "Oh no, Zane! We've just teamed up for the contest!"

Brock's face fell faster than snow on cedars.

"Well why don't we go and check out the area as a group?" Zane suggested. "Get to know the area."

Sighing deeply, I thought, Not that there's much to see. I mean, you've seen one convention center set up for a Pokemon beauty contest and you've seen them all.

"Vulpix, why don't you go on up to the room?" Brock said, crouching down to ruffle the fur on my head. "You look tired."

Tired, bored, what's the difference? But I nodded anyway and walked towards the exit. I spared a look back to see the three walking off towards a grooming booth. With another sigh, I continued walking towards the exit. There were lots of free roaming Pokemon around, so it's not like someone would try to stop me. Two Machop were sparring with each other, a Bellosom was sighing in defeat as it seemed to be trying to teach a Bellsprout a dance move, and a Totodile was juggling five different colored pokeballs with its water gun attack.

Almost out, I thought tiredly, and then I can get back to the hotel and just sleep like a log.

"Vulpix!" A male voice called out. I almost turned to it, but there were a few Vulpix scattered around, so the voice could be for anyone of them.

I could even call for takeout. The vid-phone has a touch screen menu. What I'd give to sink my teeth into a nice steak. The thought cheered me up considerably.

"Vulpix! Hang on will you?" The voice sounded a bit annoyed this time, so it probably was a call for me.

A quick look behind me had me blinking. A large, well-groomed Ninetales was trotting up to me. Its fur looked like the most luxuriant fur coat and it glistened as the Pokemon came closer. Red eyes sparkled with good health and its teeth were incredibly white.

"Were you calling me?" I asked with a confused tone.

"I don't see any other Vulpix around here!" He laughed, sitting on his haunches. With the two of us side to side, it was like comparing a cocker spaniel to a Great Dane.

"Not to be rude, but maybe you need your vision checked." I said, indicating the other Vulpix. "I'm not the only one here."

"That's my Vulpix, still snappy as ever." The male was not angered by my snide comment, merely laughed once again. "And you are the only one for me!"

"Excuse me, but this is not an episode of Love Connection," With a grand flourish of sweeping tales, I spun around aiming towards the exit. "And you, whoever you are, need to take your tales elsewhere."

"Whoever I am?" The male bounded in front of me like an over-exuberant puppy. "Vulpix, it's me, Cosmos!"

Okay, the name rang a bell from what that Zane guy said, I admit it, but I was a bit slow that night. Call it tired, a lack of food, whatever.

"That's nice, I'm glad you know your name." I brushed past him again. "But I am tired and hungry, so get out of my way."

"You mean to say that you…don't remember me?" He cocked his head, red eyes quizzical. "Did you get hit on the head or something? We've been friends since we were kits!"

A chord struck deep within me, booming with an off-key sound. Vulpix I will so demolish you for not giving me every detail of your life!! I seethed inwardly, realizing that these two must be really close, despite what seemed to be a constantly snooty attitude Vulpix had towards Cosmos. I had to fake something, but what? He'd quickly realize I wasn't Vulpix…and then what would happen?

My mission would go down the drain, that's what would happen.

---

Gary, Matt, and Vulpix made their way back to the Blaine residence. There was a light on in the foyer, but Gary reassured them that he had left it on. Matt walked up to the door and opened it cautiously. When no one jumped out at them, the three went inside. Matt looked around and then asked, "Where did you last see Cirrus' pokeballs?"

"They were on the kitchen counter," Gary said, walking towards the kitchen. The chestnut haired male snapped the overhead lights on and sighed when all six Pokeballs were seen on the counter. "They look untouched."

Matt walked over and picked three up. "Only one way to tell."

Gary picked up the other three. "Outside? Or is the floor strong enough to hold up a Ponyta?"

"Here," Vulpix said. "Ponyta aren't as heavy as normal equines. They wouldn't be able to run as fast as they do if they were."

Without hesitation, the pokemon were called out and all six blinked up at the trio.

"Cynda?" The cyndaquil asked, before jumping up onto the counter. "Cynda?"

"She wants to know what's going on," Vulpix said, taking interest in her fingernails. "She heard a person in here earlier, but didn't recognize the person."

"But was it a man or a woman?" Matt asked.

The Cyndaquil looked down at the other Pokemon. The Ponyta whinnied and tossed its head.

"The horse says that it was a woman." Vulpix said, not noticing the Ponyta's indignant snort. "And that she sounded young, about your ages."

"Great, we've got a young thief on our hands." Matt sighed.

"But she wasn't a thief," Gary noted. "Someone who broke into your house but didn't steal anything."

"She didn't break in," Vulpix spoke up. "There's no damage here. Whoever was here knew the inside of your house well enough to teleport in."

"But why?" Matt asked. "I just don't get it. Why teleport in and not take anything?"

"We should take this to Officer Jenny," Gary said. "She'd know what to tell us."

"What?" Vulpix snorted. "That someone teleported into your house, but didn't steal anything? Or that someone knocked us unconscious and tied us up in a cabin?"

"I was in a closet." Gary said.

"Oh," Vulpix grinned wickedly. "And that means that you came out."

Gary glared at Vulpix. "You knew what I meant!"

"Sure I did," Vulpix said easily. "It means you came out of the closet."

"You sure stepped in that one," Matt said. "Or should I say, out of that one!"

Gary glared at Matt. "Do shut up."

---

I apologize to the ten people that may have been interested in this story. It's been difficult to think of anything for any story lately, especially Hidden Journey and tO eXPLAIN iN dUE tIME. I'll be having Chapter ten of tedi up by the end of next week.