Beware, for this chapter is a bit longer! It's a little slow, but it prepares for the next chapter! And that chapter shall reveal all you need to know about Atsune! Almost…hehehe. Enjoy! ((I didn't bother to proofread this one, because I'm really lazy. Beware the many B verbs))

Ch. 4 – To Black Base!

(Rocket H.Q.) —

Three members of one of the biggest crime organizations sat in their boss Giovanni's office, shaking nervously. Giovanni sat with his back to them, thickening the tension. The room shone with expensive taste, rare trinkets and pokemon pelts everywhere around them. James, Jessie, and Meowth wondered why they got called in to see the boss himself. Could they really be in that much trouble? Their mouths went dry, and none of them could help but tremble.

"As the Head of Team Rocket, I lead a very busy life." Giovanni started suddenly, making the trio flinch. "You three are greatly in debt to me, and for what? A single Pikachu. Now I must know…why is this one pokemon so important?" The crook spun his chair to face them.

"Sir," Jessie began, "This Pikachu is no where near ordinary. The strength of it is unmatched!"

Giovanni nodded, "As you may not know, our scientists lost one of their test subjects." He placed a picture on the desk before them. "Recognize her?"

"That's the brat!" The trio yelled in unison.

"Er, what we mean is…" Meowth started.

"…She's the one who foiled our most recent attempt to capture Pikachu. We would've had him if it weren't for her." James explained.

Then they began telling their boss everything they knew about 'the twerps' before finally ordered to leave. Once they left, Giovanni smirked devilishly. The plan he held in his mind was nothing less than cruel…

"Okay, I ask again, are you guys absolutely sure you want to accompany me?" Atsune asked the group before her.

"For the millionth time, YES!" Gary shouted.

"Alright already! I just wanted to be sure you all know what you're getting into."

Ash smirked at her. "Don't worry about Team Rocket! We'll be here to protect you!"

"It's you people I'm worried about…" Atsune muttered to herself. The gentle morning breeze felt great on her face as they walked out of the Pokemon Center, Absol at her side.

Suddenly, Atsune crashed into someone and stumbled back. "Agh. Um, sorry. I didn't-"

The man she bumped into towered over her, and glared at her fiercely. He then merely grumbled and walked off.

"Yeesh! What's with him?" Atsune wondered aloud in an annoyed tone. "Whatever."

"Forget it!" Ash told her. "Now let's go!" They headed north, towards the edge of the city. "So, where exactly are we headed anyway?" Ash asked aloud.

"Wait, you were just leading us blindly!" Everyone asked in unison.

"Well, we've been practically everywhere!" Ash defended.

"Excuse me, but Team Rocket is still on my tail. If we can start now and head fast, we can make it to somewhere safe." Atsune explained.

"How far?" Gary asked.

"Well, if we went by foot, its a couple days' walk for you guys. But…"

"But…?" Ash questioned.

"If we flew quickly then we can probably be there by night." Atsune beamed. Flying always felt fun for her.

"Flew!"

"Yeah! You have pokemon who'll help you, right?" she smirked.

"Actually, I don't have any that can fly." Brock stated.

"And neither do I." Misty confessed.

"And all my flying types are with my gramps." Gary said.

Atsune turned to Ash, "And you?"

"I have my Charizard and my Pigeot."

Atsune thought about it for a moment as they walked. By now they made it to the edge of town. "Okay, I have two pokemon that can fly that I'll lend you. Ash can lend one of you his Pigeot or Charizard. I on the other hand can get to my spot on my own, not to mention Absol hates to fly. And using my pokemon will be good 'cause they can guide you to my safe place. Although I'll have to go on a slightly different route."

Ash spoke up, "I'll follow you with my Charizard. You shouldn't go off on your own."

What was she, a kid? But Gary began speaking before Atsune could. "I'll be the one to go with her."

Ash pulled aside Gary and spoke in hushed tones. Atsune remained kind and ignored them, even though she could easily hear them if she wanted to.

"Fine. Ash'll go with you." Gary muttered.

"Though I hoped to go alone…oh well." Atsune stopped and pulled out two pokeballs. "Go!" she yelled, throwing the spheres. From the light appeared Tropius and Dragonair. Atsune ignored the groups' gasps of shock as she spoke to her pokemon. "I need you two to fly Gary and Brock to the base, alright?" Both of her pokemon nodded happily.

Ash brought out Pigeot, and told him to let Misty ride him for a bit and follow Atsune's pokemon.

"Gary, you can ride on Dragonair, and Brock, you take Tropius." Atsune ordered. She turned to her pokemon again as they got on. "Get there as quickly as you can, but remember to take a break when you need to. We'll meet up there." Once everyone got settled, they took off to the skies and left Atsune and Absol with Ash and Pikachu.

"So, how exactly are you going to get to this 'Base' when you're not gonna fly?" Ash asked.

"Easy. I'll run." Atsune stated simply.

"But you said it'll be a few days on foot!"

"Yes, but I also said that it'll take that long for you guys. So get out your Charizard."

Ash, still bewildered, summoned Charizard. "CHAAAAAR!" It roared powerfully, shooting intense flames into the air.

"Now, you can wonder all you want about how I'm doing what I'm about to do, but all I can say is that it's from the mysterious past I won't tell you about yet." Atsune told him, smirking. "Now get in the air, and don't lose me."

Ash gave an annoyed look at being ordered around, but did as she said. Atsune looked at Absol and they nodded. "Time to really test my abilities!" Absol and Atsune took off at a run, leaving the trail and headed northwest. The flapping wings of Charizard sounded out above them. In mid-run, Atsune and Absol sprung onto a low tree branch, jumping on to higher ones as they went. Soon they leapt across the tree-tops, within a good view of Ash and Charizard. The wind rushed past, her hair whipping behind her.

"How are you doing that!" Ash yelled to her as he flew in beside her.

"I told you, wonder about it all you want. I can't tell you just yet, but later I will." She yelled back during jumps.

Back in the clearing where they started off, a man watched them take off. He pulled out a cell phone, dialing rapidly. "Boss, the subject ran off and is now leaping across the treetops. Her companions took to the air, and I am unable to follow any longer without being seen."

"Did you plant the tracking device?" Boss Giovanni asked.

"Yes, we managed to bump into one another."

"Good, your job is done. Report back to headquarters."

"Yes Sir!" And with that he hung up.

Dragonair and Gary lead the way to Atsune's base. A couple hours passes since they first took off, and now the group glided down to the beach they now flew over. The human riders got off and stretched a bit, stiff from the long ride. The ocean air smelled great, and felt very soothing. Brock seemed lost in a day-dream. "Such beauty," he whispered, glancing at Atsune's pokemon, "and such great pokemon."

"Too bad she can't be trusted!" said Misty, obviously hearing Brock.

"Oh come on Misty! She probably has a very good reason to keep her life secret."

"Yeah, that's for sure! How do we know if she's even remotely who she says she is! For all we know, she could be a dangerous criminal running from the police!"

"Will both of you just knock it off!" Gary shouted to them. They both went quiet and stared at him, confused. "She's not a criminal. I know she's not. Sure, I don't know of her past either, but I know I can trust her enough to know she wouldn't cause us harm." He sat down in the sand and sighed.

Misty fumed, sitting a good distance away from the two of them. Brock sighed, "I'll make us a quick lunch…" He then began fumbling around in his back pack, getting to work.

"The sun's setting! Let's take one last quick break." Atsune yelled to Ash. Her legs felt a little sore, and she and Absol panted for breath. They slowed to a stop, resting under some trees. Charizard landed a few meters away, letting Ash off.

"Here Charizard, rest for a while. Thanks Buddy." Ash told Charizard before recalling him into his pokeball. Pikachu hopped onto his trainer's shoulder.

"Hey Ash?" Atsune called, leaning against the rough bark of a tree.

"Yeah? What is it Atsune?" he asked, turning to face her.

"Could your Pikachu do a favor for me?"

Pikachu stared at her puzzled, "Pika?"

"Like what?" Ash questioned warily.

"I'll be frank for once. You remember that creepy looking guy that I bumped into out of the pokemon center?" At his nod she continued. "I think, no, I'm almost positive he works for Team Rocket, and I have a tracking device planted on me."

"What? Well, what can Pikachu do?"

"Instead of waste time searching all my clothes for the device, I need Pikachu to shock me with all he's got. That should destroy the device."

"Pika!" Pikachu exclaimed.

"There has to be something else Atsune."

Atsune sighed. "I'm sorry, but we don't have any time. After this we can run to Petalburg City, grab a quick bite, and get to my base. Please, I can handle it."

Ash looked at Pikachu. "Go ahead buddy. Make it strong, but quick."

Atsune looked at Absol, "Don't do anything, okay?" Absol nodded.

Pikachu looked a bit reluctant, but hopped off of Ash and landed in front of Atsune. A cool breeze whistled by in the tense silence. "PikaaaaaCHUUUUUU!" The mouse pokemon yelled, releasing a powerful bolt of lightning.

"AAAAAAGH!" The electricity coursed through-out her body. The power felt unmatched to even those of Team Rocket's strongest electric pokemon! She shut her eyes at the pain, feeling the hair stand up on the back of her neck. Then it was over, and she fell to all fours in the grass below.

Absol instantly stood by her side. "Absol!" Absol wanted to attack the electric mouse, but followed orders and did nothing. She merely nuzzled into Atsune's shoulder worriedly.

"Atsune! Are you alright?" Ash asked, he and Pikachu coming over.

"Fine. I-I'm fine. You've raised your Pikachu well. Never before have I felt such a strong thunder shock." She replied. Just as she suspected, there fell a small black device broken to bits and falling off of her. She tried to stand up straight, but stumbled forward.

Ash caught her before she hit the ground, one hand on her shoulder and his other arm wrapped around her waist. They looked into each others eyes, standing up at last.

He's actually….kinda cute…Atsune's brain thought numbly.

"Agh!" Ash yelled, falling to the side. Absol stood where he once did, having just tackled him aside.

"Absol!" she called out mockingly. Absol stood on her hind legs and placed her forepaws on Atsune's shoulders, licking her cheek affectionately.

Atsune then uttered a sound Ash and Pikachu never heard her utter before. She laughed. No, Atsune giggled! She hugged Absol happily, letting Ash and Pikachu stare funnily.

"Girls…" Ash muttered getting up, bewildered.

"Pika…" Pikachu agreed.

Atsune, beaming happily, let go of Absol and faced them. "Alright! Who's up for a quick run to Petalburg City!"

They charged out, quickly finding the path that would lead them to town. Atsune went slow, keeping at Ash's pace. Within minutes, they arrived at town, breathing heavily. "Looks like (pant) we made it." Ash said happily. He lead the way into town, since Atsune couldn't remember exactly where to go.

"Hey wait! This way!" Atsune called, running into a bakery. Ash, Absol, and Pikachu followed closely behind. Moments later they walked out, munching on different pastries. "Okay, our quick bite!" They sat at one of the small tables outside the store. Dusk had come, the sky a marvelous orange-red.

"Well," Ash started, "I know you won't tell me much, but is there anything about yourself that you can tell me?"

Atsune swallowed, shifting slightly. "I guess I could say a little."

Absol watched carefully, a bit concerned.

"I was once a pretty well known pokemon trainer. This Absol used to be my dad's, but he gave her to me on my tenth birthday as my starter pokemon. I never caught a lot of pokemon, but I sure saw a lot. Besides my pokemon, I traveled alone. I had no real friends to be truthful." Her mind flickered back to the strange dream she had when unconscious with Gary. That had to have been just a dream…she thought.

"Wow, you must've been pretty lonely…" Ash stated sadly.

"I had my pokemon, and that felt like enough for me…Well, I had a small family. I had few relatives, and I had a brother."

"Had a brother?" Ash asked.

"Yeah…he too was lost to my pursuers." Atsune looked down, finishing off her pastry.

"Oh…right. I'm sorry." Ash apologized.

"It's alright. C'mon! Let's get going. It'll be dark soon, so we have to travel fast."

"Man, are we almost there Tropius?" Brock whined. Atsune's Tropius nodded and followed Dragonair to land in Petalburg Forest. They could almost touch the treetops when Misty let out a scream of surprise!

"What's wrong Misty?" Gary and Brock ask in unison, looking back at her.

"BUGS!" She yelled, desperately fighting off a Ninjask. Not a second later, Ninjask's whole swarm rose from the trees, attacking the descending party.

The flying pokemon did their best to fight off the bugs, but having people on their backs put them at a disadvantage. These Ninjask were smart, and they attacked the pokemon more than the trainers. Dragonair, Tropius, and Pidgeot had a hard time staying up. No matter where they looked, Ninjask pummeled them with attacks. They grew weaker, but Dragonair rose higher to try and escape the attacks. They followed, never giving up.

"Agh!" Gary had to hold on for dear life, and couldn't even let go to release any pokemon. Dragonair suddenly turned a bright red, and suddenly vanish! What once held him so high above the treetops disappeared and he plummeted down towards the trees. He felt nothing except the wind rushing past him, his heartbeat pounding throughout his entire body, and the fear of his last moments…

"C'mon Ash! We've reached the forest. It's not even a mile in now!" Atsune called to her companion. Absol sat down next to Atsune, taking the time to breath. They just left the beach a moment ago, the forest trees in sight. The moon lit their trail from time to time, occasionally darkened by silver clouds that lined the skies.

Ash and Pikachu finally came up, gasping for air. "Just because (pant) you can run fast (wheeze) doesn't mean I can." She laughed again, shaking her head. What about her laugh made Ash's heart lift so?

"Hey! Are either of you two trainers?" a voice shouted out. Ash and Atsune looked over at a guy running up to them. He seemed about sixteen, his jet-black hair in a small pony-tail, glasses, and even an ear piercing.

"It depends on whose askin'!" Atsune stepped forward, her face expressionless.

"My name's Kisshomaru and I'm hoping for a battle." The guy told her, throwing a very seductive look.

"The name's Atsune and I'll be your opponent. I won't go easy, and I'll be quick." She replied boredly.

"You sure now's the time Atsune?" Ash asked.

"Don't worry. I haven't battled in a while, but I surely haven't lost my touch." Atsune turned to Kisshomaru. "Name your call."

"Two on two battle sound okay?"

"Alright with me." She responded. They backed away, leaving a clear area for the fight. They stared each other down, no one twitching. Atsune felt confident, she knew she could do this. The moonlight faded away, clouds covering the illuminant orb.

"Go! Mightyena!" He called, releasing his first pokemon.

"Mightyena!" The mighty pokemon appeared from the pokeball, standing with poise.

Atsune looked at Absol, "Sit this one out for now." She studied the opponent for a second, reaching for one of her pokeballs. "Go, Electabuzz!" she yelled, tossing out Electabuzz's pokeball.

"ElectaBUZZ!" Electabuzz cried, punching a fist into his palm.

"Go Mightyena! Use Sand Attack!" Kisshomaru ordered. Mightyena swiped up a screen of dirt into Electabuzz, who covered his eyes with his arm.

"Electabuzz! Hold your ground!"

"Quick Mightyena, use Crunch attack!" Mightyena charged forward, strongly biting down upon Electabuzz's left arm.

"Electabuzz, Thunder Punch!" Atsune yelled. Electabuzz's whole right arm crackled with electricity as he pulled it back.

POW!

Mightyena flew back, but still managed to land on it's feet. It snarled fiercely at Electabuzz.

"Go Mightyena! Use Take Down!" Kisshomaru called. The wolf-like pokemon charged, ramming into Electabuzz with great force, knocking Atsune's pokemon to the ground. "Now, use another Crunch attack!" Mightyena ran in for the blow that would surely end the round.

"Dynamic Punch!"

BAM!

In one swift movement, Electabuzz rose from the ground, slamming his fist into Mightyena.

Having the disadvantage, Mightyena fell to the ground in a fainted state.

"Mightyena is no longer able to battle! Round one goes to Atsune!" Ash called from the sidelines.

Absol leapt up and down in joy. "Absol! Absol!" she cheered happily.

"Hmph, you're pretty good." Kisshomaru stated, calling back his fainted Mightyena. "But you'll have no chance now, Go!" He released his second pokemon, a Houndoom!

"Houndoom!" The dark pokemon said.

"Alrighty, Return Electabuzz!" Atsune called, pulling Electabuzz into his pokeball. "You're up Absol!" The clouds continued to move, releasing the moon's light.

Absol leapt out into the field, just as the moon's rays hit. Atsune and Absol stood proudly, nothing standing in their way now.

At the site of them, Houndoom just couldn't do it, and neither could Kisshomaru. Kisshomaru walked forward. "I forfeit the match. I couldn't allow myself to further harm you or your pokemon, dear Atsune. I was a fool to ever challenge you." By now he stood right before her, and his Houndoom before Absol. "You are that of the most rare and beautiful of flowers, and I know we shall meet again." He whipped out a tulip, placing it in Atsune's hands.

"Houndoom," his pokemon crooned to hers. They walked towards town, leaving them behind.

Gone now, Atsune stared after him. "Now how in the world did he know I liked tulips?" she asked aloud, placing the flower in her hair. "I think I just made a new stalker!" she joked at Ash, who remained gaping after Kisshomaru.

"Er…yeah. Let's just…move on then." He muttered, dumbfounded.

Atsune laughed a little at his attitude, and he brightened at the sound. Off they walked, farther and farther into the forest.

"BUGS!" a girl screamed in the distance.

"What! That had to have been Misty!" Ash shouted, starting to run through the undergrowth. Pikachu, Atsune, and Absol ran behind him steadily. They arrived at a small clearing, looking around for any sign of their friends.

"Agh!" a voice cried from above.

"That was Gary!" Atsune looked up, seeing a fleet of Ninjask attacking Gary, Misty, and Brock. "Ash! Recall your Pidgeot, now!"

"But-"

"NOW! Or we won't be able to help!"

Ash fumbled, but pulled out Pigeots' pokeball and called it back. Atsune leapt high into the air and caught Misty, landing safely with her. She set her down, "Quick! Pull out any pokemon of yours that can help!"

As Misty and Ash called out pokemon each, Atsune called back her Tropius into its pokeball. Brock yelled aloud, beginning to fall. Again, Atsune leapt higher than any normal human and caught Brock. She landed with him, "You too Brock!" She set him upright. "Pull out any Pokemon that you can!" Atsune ducked as a few Ninjask flew at her.

"Aaaagh!" Someone cried. Atsune looked up, and saw that Dragonair flew higher to try and escape her attackers. They only followed, clawing every bit of Dragonair that they could.

"Damnit, they flew over the trees! This'll be tricky…" Atsune ran for a bit towards Gary and Dragonair. "Return!" She called, bringing Dragonair back into her pokeball. She only had one chance. She jumped onto a high tree branch, and bounded off of that towards the falling Gary. She caught him, but the velocity of his fall knocked her off-balance, and she fell with her back to the trees below.

Twigs snapped as Atsune's and Gary's weight came crashing down, giving small cuts as they went. Atsune felt the tremendous pain as her upper back hit a thick branch, though still breaking through the wood. They fell farther, the ground below rushing up to meet them.

She felt an agonizing pain all over and muttered, "At least the large pointy branch we snapped broke my fall." She felt it beneath her, Gary on top of her, and her right foot twisted in an awkward position.

"Thanks, you nitwit." Gary whispered before blacking out on her. Besides hardly being able to breath, things became worse. The swarm that attacked Gary in the air dive-bombed towards her. Atsune felt helpless as she watched them come.

"Now Pikachu! Use Thundershock!"

"Pikachuuuuuuuuu!" Pikachu cried, sending electricity at the swarm of Ninjask. The moment the attack ended, the bug pokemon all flew off to hide in their nests. "Atsune! Gary! Are you alright?" The group yelled, rushing over to them.

"A bit sore, but Gary here blacked out. Could you get him off of me?" Atsune told them, struggling for breath.

"Sorry!" Ash and Brock lifted Gary up, though accidentally bumping into Atsune's right foot.

"AGH!" Atsune groaned, stiffening. The pain receded a moment later, and she sat up as best she could. "I think I sprained my ankle." A sharp pain ran up her leg, causing her to wince strongly. "Or broke it."

"Misty, help her get up." Brock told the redhead.

"No! We're not far from the base! I can make it, really!" Atsune leaned against a tree for support as she got up.

"See! She can make it on her own!" Misty told them, crossing her arms.

"Then would you grab Gary for a sec?" Ash asked a little annoyed. Misty took his spot in holding Gary, and Ash walked over to Atsune.

"Ash, what're doing? I'm- AGH!" Atsune cried. Ash, gently but swiftly, picked up Atsune bridal style. "Hey! Put me down!"

"No." Ash looked at Absol, who now stood before him growling. "I know she doesn't like it, but we both know it's for her own good. Now can you lead us to this base of yours?"

Absol stopped her growls and looked between Ash and Atsune, considering her options. "Absol!" She cried, standing in a friendlier pose. Absol turned tail and walked off leading the way.

"Traitor." Atsune muttered as she was carried along. Ash could hardly focus as they went along, Atsune's sweet scent somehow intoxicating. It took another few minutes, but Atsune said, "Wait. This is it." Before them stood one of the mightiest and oldest of trees is the whole forest.

Absol walked to the roots, leading them to a spot between a couple of the tree's roots.

"Set me down. Then feel the ground for something metal." Ash sat her on the ground, and did as she said. His hand caught a small metal handle, and he lifted it with all of his might. A trapdoor! Below it they saw a staircase, and there was a small, turned-off electric lantern hanging on the wall. "I hope the batteries still work." Atsune muttered, crawling over to the opening.

She turned on the lantern, and Absol carried it by the handle in her jaw. Absol led the way down, and Ash now acted more like a human crutch to Atsune as they walked down.

"No way…" Ash, Misty, and Brock gaped at what they saw. The stairs led to a whole underground hideout! No…it was more like…

"My bunker!" Atsune said happily, hopping over to sit on a nearby chair. It had separate rooms, some lab equipment, and heck, even its own bathroom! "Just lay Gary on that couch there." Atsune pointed out, and they did as such.

They explored the bunker a bit, and Atsune whipped out her pokegear and dialed Jiminy's number.

"Hello?" A male's voice called.

"Hiya Jiminy cricket!"

"Would ya stop calling me that already!" Jimmy asked in annoyed tones.

"Fine. I just called to say I arrived safely at Black Base. I'll be transferring to Home Base tomorrow, could ya try an' come?"

"Tomorrow? Sure, I can probably make it. It might be in the afternoon though."

"That's fine." Atsune assured him. "Just wanted to say hi an' such. Oh! How did my other pokemon react to Hitmonlee's news?"

"Oh, was that something! They threw their own little party and everything! They miss ya loads."

"Try and bring them tomorrow too, okay?"

"I will! You just stay safe, alright?" he asked.

"Oh you know I will!" Atsune mocked. "G'night Jimmy."

"Goodnight, and sweet dreams." At that he hung up.

"Hey! Where's your medical kit!" Brock yelled from another room.

"The back of the kitchen pantry!" Atsune called back.

After an hour of talking and swapping stories, Atsune's ankle was in a splint and Gary had been moved to the bedroom. Plus they pulled out all their sleeping bags to sleep in the main room. "You guys sleep here, I wanna be there when Gary wakes up, just so he doesn't freak or anything." Atsune told the group before quietly hopping into the bedroom.

Gary looked so peaceful asleep, Atsune noticed. Atsune sat in the cushiony chair besides the bed, her right foot resting on a stool in front of her. Not before long, Atsune fell into a deep slumber, tired of running from Team Rocket.

Ash came in a little later; smiling at Atsune's sleeping form. Asleep, she looked like a peaceful little girl. Ash placed a blanket on top of Atsune. He noticed the tulip from that strange guy still in her hair and scowled. That guy was surely something else. Gently, Ash took the flower from her hair and placed it on the dresser. "Good night." He whispered, exiting the room and turning off the light.