Silver: I don't own Pokémon. Please do the three R's. Read. Review... What's the third?

I was surprised at Misty, but pleased with the way she took the news. Without a murmur of protest. So unlike her. Maybe she finally decided I wasn't a kid anymore. Maybe not. But at least I got through that scene without much trouble.

"Pika-Pi!" Pikachu said as he tugged my sleeve.

"What is it Pikachu?" I asked glancing at him.

"Chu," he answered pointing backwards.

I didn't look back, "Is someone following us?"

The electric Pokémon gave a nod of affirmative.

"Who is it?" I asked. "Or more accurately, do you know the person?"

"Pi-ka, Pikachu-Pi."

I nearly fell off Charizard in shock.

"Ya mean Mists is following me?" I asked.

"Pi-Ka."

"Pikachu may be wrong." I thought out loud.

Pikachu glared at me.

"Charizard, accelerate then turn sharply at 2 o'clock." I commanded, as I placed my special `flying` goggles on my eyes.

The Flame Pokémon needed no urging. He gave one loud roar and speeded up.

"Wait! Ash! Er... I mean Soul!"

So Pikachu was right.

"You were right Pikachu." I congratulated him. "Charizard! Stop!"

Misty neared me, riding Togekiss. But her hair was cut unevenly, like mine, and she was wearing skinny jeans and a ragged T-shirt, with a sleeveless jacket.

"What's up Mists?" I asked.

"First of all my name is Crys. Short for Crystal. Second of all, I'm coming with you Soul, I'm not letting you go away. You left me for four years, and I'm not letting you go away again ." Misty said firmly.

"No. I'm not dragging you into danger Mists. I don't know anything about my mission or Silver. For all I know I might not come back alive." I responded in kind.

"Lead the way Soul." Misty said, as if I had not spoken.

I sighed, recognizing the pig-headness that I often showed. Secretly though I was happy and impressed, since it meant that she cared, and was willing to do anything to keep me safe.

"Charizard. Keep flying."

Charizard craned his neck, looking at me. "Make your mind up." His eyes told me.

"I said, keep flying." I repeated.

He gave a snort, and flapped his wing and began moving.

"So, Misty, I mean Crys, where's Gary?" I yelled.

"Don't yell Soul!" Misty snapped back.

"So what's the answer?" I said.

"Um... I don't know exactly. I cut my hair using a penknife, and ragged my shirt with the same knife. Then I left Tracey a note that I'm leaving, but I didn't specify where." Misty spoke rapidly.

Just then my phone rang.

"Hello, Pokémon Trainer Soul speaking." I said.

"Hello? Soul? This is Gary." His voice sounded far off.

"Hey Gary! Why d'you call?" I said winking at a grinning Misty.

"Have you seen Misty? She's disappeared!"

"Nope! Only a Crystal." I answered.

"Crystals? In the air?" Gary sounded puzzled.

"No idiot! A girl named Crystal." I explained.

"Oh. Well then, I'll call you when I find her." Gary said, and hung up.

"Shouldn't you tell him? About me being here I mean?" Misty asked me.

"Nope." I replied grinning. "Cause you're going home once I reach Giovanni's place." I added mentally.

Misty shook her head. "Boys."

I turned to Charizard. "We there yet?"

He gave a snort, which I took to mean NO!

"Are we halfway there yet?"

He gave another snort.

"How many minutes until we're halfway there?"

He turned his head and glared at me.

"Fine, I'll shut up."

Charizard wagged his tail.

Misty gave a low chuckle, "Even your Pokémon can't tolerate your childishness."

"I'm not childish!" I complained.

"By just saying that, you proved you are." Misty said.

I pouted.

"What does the kid need now?" Misty teased.

"A kiss!" I said cheerfully.

"Later!"

I scowled.

"Charizard? Are we there yet?"

He gave a roar, and intensified his flame, until his body was searing-hot.

"Stop! I won't ask anymore!" I yelped.

Charizard gave a smirk and cooled his flame.

"That was naughty." I scolded him, once his body had cooled down.

Charizard gave another smirk.

The rest of the journey was continued in empty silence.

As Charizard circled around Giovanni's home, looking for a landing place, I turned to Misty, " Crystal. Go home. To Gary. Now."

Misty shook her head.

"Fine! Be that way! I'll make you!" I yelled angrily, my temper snapping. "Charizard! Flamethrower! Force Togekiss to retreat!"

Charizard looked at me in surprise, but obeyed nevertheless.

Togekiss looked astonished, but turned sharply away to dodge the move.

I pulled out Garchomp's PokéBall.

"Garchomp! C'mon out!"

The blue beam, that was emitted from the PokéBall quickly turned into my Garchomp. Confidently, I jumped on his back.

"Land! Charizard! Two minutes, then follow me." I commanded.

Pikachu glared at me from Charizard's back.

"Of course you can come!" I said impatiently.

Pikachu grinned and jumped in my arms.

I didn't turn around to face Misty, because I did not want her to see the concern and tears in my eyes.

Garchomp landed almost at once.

I gave the dragon type a few words of praise, then summoned the rest of my group.

"Okay, everyone. Follow me. But if you get attacked attack back." I said softly.

The five nodded, so I took that as a message to start moving.

I crept silently into the building.

I expected to see Giovanni statues and photos all over the place. Well, that might have been the truth, but the place was teeming with people wearing Team Rocket's uniform and holding banners begging Giovanni to return. So naturally, I couldn't see the wall.

"Hey kid! Yeah you! Da one that sticks out like da sore thumb!" A voice hailed me.

I turned around sharply and saw Meowth?!

"Ya forgot yar uniform? No worry! We have extra!" Meowth said as he yanked me towards a door.

I motioned for my loyal team to wait.

Meowth rapped on the door, and entered.

Still pulling me.

To my larger surprise, Jessie and James were there, with a bundle of Team Rocket jackets and trousers.

"Medium or Small?" James asked, the instant he saw me.

Meowth shrugged.

"Oh! For goodness's sake! Can't you ask the kid?" exploded Jessie. "Sweetie? What's your size?"

I nearly gagged. Sweetie?

"He kinda looks familiar!" James mused.

"I'm a small." I said.

The three stared at me.

"Wh-what?" I stammered. I realized my mistake almost immediately. I forgot to put on a fake accent.

"Da twerp?" Meowth said in shock.

"Yeah. I'm Ash." I snapped losing my 'Soul' cover.

James opened the door. "EVERYONE! HERE'S THE GUY WHO MADE GIOVANNI LEAVE!"

Everyone froze and stared at me.

"GUYS!" I roared. "BATTLE TIME! I'LL SEE YOU IN GIOVANNI'S ROOM! GARCHOMP COME HERE!"

Without waiting for any reaction I bolted.

"CATCH DA TWERP!" Meowth bellowed.

Everyone unfroze and began grappling around for me. I gave them no chance. I belly-slided between their legs, and pulled down those I slid under. So it ended up a game of bowling, really. The fact that ThunderBolts and Flamethrowers were flying in all directions didn't help the Team Rockets much either.

"GAAR!" A voice roared beside me.

I turned around and saw Garchomp moving swiftly next to me, heedless of those in front of him.

I held up his PokéBall, "Return! I'll need you when I confront Giovanni!"

Once he was safely inside, I clipped the ball on trousers.

I got up, as my skidding had come to a near stop, and barreled my way.

"Look it's Ash!" Cassidy exclaimed, standing in front of me, with Butch.

"Look! It's Cassidy and... Botch!" I exclaimed back, as I head-butted them both.

"IT's BITCH!" Botch-Butch yelled.

I turned around, "Well, you're right about that!"

Cassidy turned to Butch confused, "I thought your name was Butch?"

I turned around, and continued my shoving and dashing. I paved my own road within seconds.

In front of me stood a door with a large Giovanni's face stuck to it. I didn't hesitate. I pushed the door open and ran inside, then slammed the door shut.

Giovanni was there, but he had his back to me.

"I told you." He said clearly. "I'm not coming back to lead a group of muppets."

"I don't want you to return." I said remembering my false accent.

The chair turned around, and Giovanni stared at me, while stroking his Persian. "Then what do you want to know?"

"Silver. Everything you know about that `dex holder." I said fiercely.

"And if I refuse to co-operate?" Giovanni was annoying when he was calm. Actually, scratch that. He's always annoying.

I didn't reply. I tossed Garchomp's PokéBall at his face.

Giovanni ducked, but behind him stood Garchomp, with his claw underneath Giovanni's neck.

"Garchomp will slit your throat." I bluffed. I knew Garchomp would never dream of killing anyone.

"Well then. Guess I have no choice." Giovanni smirked.

I heard a roar behind me, and a horn in my head.

"That's Nidoking. He has orders to kill anyone who threatens my life. His ball was behind you directly. All of my PokéBalls are scattered, in-case of intruders like you."

I didn't reply. Giovanni had the upper hand, and we both knew it.

"So who are you?" Giovanni said.

"Call me Soul." I spoke through gritted teeth. My mind was working faster than a Rapidash could run.

"Very well. Soul it is. What do you want from Silver?" Giovanni purred.

"None of your business." I snapped.

My defiance was rewarded with a powerful punch in my back, I fell on the ground heavily.

"The answer?" Giovanni asked.

I heard the door open, from behind me.

"Heads up Soul! Gyarados! Hydro Pump!" Misty?

I stood with difficulty, as water swirled around my legs.

I heard a roar from behind me, and I was lifted high up.

"Thanks Charizard," I said gratefully, recognizing his powerful grip.

"Kangaskan! ThunderPunch!" Giovanni commanded confidently.

Nothing happened.

"The water ruined the PokéBall's mechanism." Misty explained patiently. "Hydro Pump rusts gears, and may knock them into different positions."

Now was Giovanni's turn to look frightened.

Garchomp glared at Giovanni and pinned him backwards.

"Don't kill him. Not yet anyway!" I told the angry Pokémon.

"Okay! I'll talk!" Giovanni sounded high-pitched.

"Shoot!" I said as I perched on Charizard's back. Misty was behind me on her Gyarados.

"S-Silver left a long time ago, but he told me that every year, all PokéDex holders hold a meeting. It's today. A-and he said it's held in The Hall Of Origin. That's all I know! Swear!"

I turned to Misty. "You will come, I presume."

Misty grinned, "Try and stop me."

I turned to Giovanni, "I lied, I am not Soul. I am Silver's brother."

"A-ash?" Giovanni stammered.

I didn't answer him. I turned around, "C'mon let's go. Everyone return! Well stay Charizard."

I clipped my PokéBalls on my trousers, and motioned for Charizard to move. Pikachu was back on my shoulder.

"Gyarados! Well done! Return!" I heard Misty say, as Charizard zoomed into the open air.

Togekiss was there.

"Wait for Misty, then Hall Of Origin." I told Charizard, as I dialed Gary's number.

"Hello? Gary?"

"Hi Soul!" Gary answered, "Any news about Misty?"

"Yeah- about that... She's coming with me. It wasn't my idea! I swear! But I tried making her go, she left for two minutes and returned." I said.

Gary gave a sigh, "Just tell her to look out for you, okay?"

"Hey! I can look after myself!" I protested.

"Says the kid who has Pikachu Volt Tackle him." Gary sounded amused.

"W-who told you that? Ah forget, the connection's worse-" I began.

"Beep-beep-beep."

"Huh?" I looked at my phone. "The call has been disconnected."

I swore and placed my phone in my pocket.

"Don't say that Soul!" Misty scolded me.

"We've started moving!" I said, noticing that fact.

"Yeah, Captain Obvious."

"By the way Crys, what happened to Giovanni and how did you find me?" I questioned her.

"Finding you is about as hard as finding a tornado's path." She said teasingly. "As for Giovanni, I er... hanged him on a clothes pole. Persian is scratching him in an attempt to get him down."

I burst out laughing.

"Well no-one messes with my boyfriend and gets away with it!" She huffed.

"So can I have the kiss now?" I begged, remembering her earlier promise.

"When we land." She told me.

"Deal!" I agreed.