Chapter 2

Crystal looked up to see the source of the voice only to wish that she hadn't. Right above them was an enormous Noctowl with a hungry gleam

in it's eye. And from the way it stared at her it looked like Crystal was an adequate meal. "Alador, you're a wizard do something magical"

Alador tried to focus but he knew it wouldn't do any good. He had already used what little energy he had left to push Crystal out of the way of the

Noctowl's previous attack.

"I'm all out of energy, we have to run!"

The mighty owl let out a devious cackle,

"Run as fast as you can little ones I could use the exercise".

Crystal didn't need a second warning ,she took off faster than a Ponyta with Alador not too far behind her. Running was the no use, the Noctowl was an agile flier and was quickly gaining on his prey.

"Crystal, do you know a way out of the forest!" Alador screamed

clearly out of breath.

" I'm sorry I can't – I can't remember." the purple pokemon screamed at the top of her lungs while sill running for her life.

"Looks like I'm going think of something" The little Abra quickly hatched a plan, he came to a complete halt, turned around and looked Noctowl in it's piercing red eyes

" Noctowl!"

The massive owl stopped in mid air obviously confused by the Abra's sudden bravery.

" Noctowl , I have a proposition for you."

"I'm listening" the large owl replied apathetically while sharpening his talons.

" I have a riddle for you. If you solve it you can eat me and my friend but if you can't then you have to let us go."

A look of disbelief appeared on Crystal's face

"Hey keep me out of your suicidal propositions you bonehead!"

the Smoochum said as she smacked Alador really hard.

But Alador knew what he was doing, while

Noctowls are vicious predators they are also known for being wise and intelligent and enjoying a good riddle.

"All right you've got my attention, I'm very intrigued".

Alador swallowed hard, apprentices were accustomed to reading spell books all day, not life and death situations but he managed to stay calm and composed.

" All right, if a Ditto mates with a Nidorina how many times out of five will the Nidoran be male?"

The Noctowl laughed hysterically " That by far had to be the worst riddle I ever heard. By the way you bluffed boy, I almost thought you had a chance." The owl soon collected himself "out of five there is a huge possibility that all would be female because one out every fifteen Nidorans are male not one out of five."

An arrogant smirk spread across the owl's beak.

Alador smiled back "you're wrong, It's true while one out fifteen Nidoran's are male, Nidorina's are generally barren and are incapable of laying eggs." Alador's grin quickly disappeared, "you have let me and my friend go."

Crystal looked at Alador and saw the determination in his eyes. She thought it was kind of cute the way he the way he tried to look intimidating. She knew there was something special about him something familiar but she couldn't quite put her finger on it. Noctowls's face was nonchalant.

"Fine, you are free to go"

the Noctowl cooed as he flew away.

"But next time you won't be so lucky."

Later

After few hours the duo finally managed to make it out of the forest in one piece. Alador overtime found it harder and harder to ignore the

rumbling of his empty stomach.

"Man, I could really use some pecha berry stew right now."

Was the only thought that he could piece together

coherently.

"We're finally here"

Crystal exclaimed as they approached a small cozy looking house with a tire swing in the front yard, smoke protruding from the chimney, and an angry looking woman on the front porch. The woman looked very similar to Crystal except her hair was

significantly longer and she wore a voluptuous red dress. This was obviously Crystal's mother.

"where have you been young lady? You were supposed to be home three hours ago." Crystal was clearly irritated by her mother's nagging.

"Mom, there was just a minor hold up, I'm okay."

Then the Jynx's glance shifted to Alador who was trying his hardest to be unnoticed. "Who is this?"

"Mom, this is my friend Alador, I found him in the woods, he's from Cresselia Town right next to the palace"

then she added

"he's on an important mission for the king".

" Hmmm. Cresselia Town? Boy you're a long ways from home, but I my husband can help you out." She cleared her throat and added

"Crystal's father's working at the ranch, he'll be home in a few hours, why don't you wash up stay for supper there's always plenty to go around."

That was the best thing Alador heard all day.