A/N: Sorry that I've been slow to update, but I'm back now. I created a reference sheet of what Atsune looks like, but I've yet to update it onto my DeviantArt account. I can't say I'm the best anime artist out there, but it's fairly good in my opinion. Sloppy, but it gets the point across. Hehe, she carries a lot of weapons, but I guess that's just how I created her, always prepared for anything. Send me a message or something if you want to see it, and I'll reply as soon as I upload it…like I said though, it's kinda sloppy. Oh well, now's the time to stop ranting and get on with the story! YAY!
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Ch. 6 – A Dangerous Deal
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"No!" Atsune cried, staring in shock at Ash's struggling body. Cursing under her breath, Atsune wrenched open Pikachu's cage with her hands, picking up the pokemon. "No offense Pikachu, but your trainer is the most stubborn idiot I've ever met!"
"Hehehe, what now Atsune? I promise to let the boy go if you and the Pikachu stay." Giovanni told her from the monitor
Atsune stared at Ash who yelled back something that couldn't sound through the invisible barrier between them. Atsune's mind clicked into action, forming a plan. "Giovanni, I propose a deal." she said, looking at the screen with an expressionless face.
"A deal? Sounds interesting." Giovanni smirked.
"More like two deals actually. If I can break through this wall without the use of weapons or pokemon, you have to take my second deal no matter what. Oh, but don't worry, you'll have plenty of chances to re-capture me in the future. And if I can't break the wall, Pikachu and I are yours." Atsune explained.
Giovanni's expression seemed thoughtful, considering his possibilities. "You've got a deal, on one condition." Atsune studied the screen suspiciously. "I get my own tiny secret deal if you break that wall. Which you won't be able to do, so be prepared to move back in with us." He chuckled.
Atsune knew how this guy worked. Make a deal and he won't break it, even if he is scum. She set Pikachu by Absol, walking to the wall. Ash still tried to yell to her without prevail. Atsune pressed her ear against the barrier, listening intently. She stepped to the right a little, and then moved far to the left slowly. "Right…" Atsune muttered, pulling back her fist, "HERE!"
Her punch collided with the unseen wall, hitting a weak spot with uncanny accuracy. Rocket Grunts still at the door gasped in astonishment as the wall shattered before their eyes. Atsune ambled over the rubble, turning to Giovanni's T.V screen. "Now what did you AH!"
Atsune felt a strong, painful prick on the back of her neck. She reached back and yanked out a small needle. A dull, numb, coldness spread from her neck to the rest of her body painfully slow.
"Hehehe, that needle was tipped with the serum used in your more…rebellious days with us, remember? Occasionally while you were escorted from place to place, you attempted to use your strength to defy us. And then we made this…the serum used to keep you settle during such transactions." Giovanni explained.
Ash, now able to hear every word, stared at Atsune in shock. "What!" A Sharpedo leapt up to try and bite Ash, who yelped and lifted his legs the last second.
Atsune fell to her knees, only now remembering this damn serum! When struck with it, her strength diminished to that of a normal person, and it hurt like hell as it first spread. Her breath came in short, wheezing pants, cold sweat forming on her temples. It began to die down at last, leaving Atsune feeling very weak. Her armor and weapons felt heavier, and her whole body trembled.
Absol and Pikachu growled at the T.V screen, and Giovanni merely laughed. "Now you must take on your second deal like this. Your old serum only lasted ten minutes, but this new and improved serum will last for hours!" He laughed his cruel laugh, the rocket grunts laughing along.
Ash stared at Atsune helplessly. "I'm sorry! You wouldn't be like this if I didn't follow! Get out of here Atsune! Take Pikachu and run!" This time a Carvanha leapt up at Ash, causing him to yelp and dodge again.
Shakily, Atsune rose to her feet. "You're right Ash, you were an idiot to follow me, but you're forgetting one thing. My second deal." Her piercing gaze shot at Giovanni, causing everyone to flinch at the ferocity of her glare. "I'm sick of you and your twisted games, I'm sick of being your lab rat, and as easy as it is, I'M SICK OF HAVING TO CONSTANTLY KICK YOUR ASS!" Not shaking so much now, Atsune drew herself to her fullest height, giving off a highly intimidating aura. "I'm going to fight your Carvanha and Sharpedo with the use of three weapons and one pokemon. When I come out alive, you are going to let my friends and I go and not pursue us for three weeks! After that you can continue to fail in all attempts to capture me!"
Giovanni remained silent, but nodded once. He had a strong pissed off look on his features. Apparently he saw how making her weaker might get her killed and thus the possibility of losing his test subject if she dies.
Ash seemed at a loss for words for a moment. "Atsune, No! Without your strength, you'll get ripped to shreds! Just keep it to a normal pokemon battle! Please! Anything but nearly getting yourself killed!"
Atsune looked up at him. "Back down Ash, this isn't your fight. I have to do this. You and your friends helped me out, so now I'm helping you. I do anything to protect my friends. And as I said before, I'm not having your blood on my hands." That shut him up, and he couldn't find a decent argument.
"Use Pikachu…" he told her. Atsune stared into his eyes from the floor below feeling a small connection between them. She nodded, and then started to pick out her weapons.
She took her Kubaton off of her necklace and held it in one hand, and held one of her Sai in the other hand. She took off her socks and shoes, wearing just a pale shirt and some loose pants. Pikachu ran over to stand next to her. "Pikachu, I don't think I'll need you too much, but Thunder on my word, 'kay?"
Pikachu nodded, "Chu…" Absol watched from the side, uncomfortable at the thought of her trainer's life on the line, but knew she mustn't interfere.
Atsune grabbed her third weapon, one of her hidden daggers that she unsheathed and held between her teeth. She cast one last glance at Ash, who thrust back a desperate look. Atsune was fighting not only for her life, but for his and their pokemons' lives as well. If she failed…there'd be no one else to help them.
Shedding a tear, she ran for the water and dove in, holding her breath.
Instantly the pokemon were on her! Three Carvanha and two Sharpedo total. She dodged direct hits barely, but their rough skin scraped into her flesh as they jetted by. A Carvanha came straight at her, mouth wide open. Atsune thrust her Sai with all of her might into Carvanha's mouth, piercing through the top of it head.
The other pokemon learned from this, and started using attacks. A second Carvanha used Crunch, digging teeth into Atsune's shoulder. Just barely keeping her mouth shut at the pain, Atsune stabbed her Kubaton into the eye of the fish, making it release her and swim away.
A strong Water Pulse attack crashed into her, slamming her into the tank wall. With Atsune's lowered strength, it hurt more than it should have! Her blood slowly filled the water, making it hard to see. The third Carvanha came at her with a Take Down attack, but Atsune bounded off the wall to the surface. She only managed to take a small gulp of air before something clasped onto her foot and brought her under.
The fight was just as bad for Ash, hanging above uselessly. He watched as she first dove in, but the rippling water didn't allow him to follow the fight very well. A Carvanha floated to the top, bloody and unmoving. Time seemed painfully slow, and blood filled the water and didn't allow him to see any more. His hope slowly decreasing, he held his breath as he waited for Atsune. She surfaced! Only to be yanked under again, "ATSUNE!" he cried, fighting his bonds. He watched not seeing her surface for a very long time. A couple more pokemon floated to the top, and then…nothing. He couldn't help it, but he hung limp, his vision blurring with tears.
Then he heard it, a loud splash and a gasp for air! Atsune made it up again!
Atsune knew her trouble though, only knowing one way out of it. She grabbed the side of the tank, half out of the water when she yelled to Pikachu, "NOW!" Sharpedo, the last of her opponents, surfaced and came at her with an open jaw full of bloody teeth.
Pikachu shocked the water with his strongest Thunder attack. Atsune yelled in pain as the electricity surged through her too. It ended abruptly, and Sharpedo sank back into the depths of the bloody water.
Atsune felt woozy clinging to the edge of the tank, but managed to pull herself up and out of the water. Lying on her stomach, Pikachu and Absol ran over, Pikachu wearing an apologetic look. Slowly she rose to her hands and knees, and then to her feet. She swayed dangerously, but turned towards Giovanni's face. "Now let us go."
Giovanni scowled for a moment, annoyed with such a delay. The floor closed over the tank and Ash was let down, released by a slash attack from Absol. "Lead our guests out for us, and do not try to catch them again for three weeks." He barked to the Grunts.
Ash saw Atsune sway again, and caught her just as she began to fall. He picked her up, holding her cold, wet, and trembling body in his strong arms. Atsune felt safe, and allowed him to carry her. Absol and Pikachu managed to gather up Atsune's armor and weapons.
They at last made it outside, locked out of the Rocket Base. Atsune felt an immense wave of pain rack her body, causing her to cringe.
"We have to get you to Nurse Joy!" Ash told her as she tensed, and his throat clenched in worry.
Atsune reached up and grabbed Gardevoir's pokeball, releasing her. The pokemon came out, a look of worry crossing her face for her trainer. "Gardevoir…"
"Gardevoir, teleport us just outside of Oldale city." Atsune croaked, wishing she hadn't been hit with that serum dart. Gardevoir teleported the group, making it brief. Absol quickly hid Atsune's armor and weapons in some underbrush.
"What? Why not just go to the Pokemon center straight away?" Ash asked.
Atsune cringed more, and then said, "Think about it. How would people react if we popped into the pokemon center so suddenly? Especially in a state like this. It may also draw suspicion."
"Who cares! You need treatment!" Ash protested.
"I care. It'll be better if we rode in on Rapidash." As she said this, Atsune recalled Gardevoir and pulled out Rapidash. The proud fire-horse stood tall before them, whinnying once. "Rapidash, we need you to carry us to the pokemon center alright?"
Rapidash turned sideways so as to let them on. Ash placed up Atsune as carefully as he could before getting up himself. Pikachu held onto Ash's jacket from his place behind them.
Atsune looked down at Absol. "I know you can't run as fast as Rapidash, so just meet Ash at the Pokemon center as soon as you get there, okay?" Absol nodded and Atsune looked forward again. "Extreme Speed Rapidash!"
Ash held on as best he could as the horse charged forward. His arms acted like safety bars for Atsune, keeping her mostly upright. The scenery blurred from trees to buildings as they entered the town. Ash couldn't remember when he went so fast! Rapidash weaved easily through people and cars, leaping over obstacle with the same grace.
It was then he noticed something. Atsune's shirt was pale, thin, and wet! He flushed with embarrassment and turned away, trying to keep his mind on other things than that. Before he knew what happened, they slowed to a stop outside of the pokemon center.
Rapidash trotted through the doors, Ash calling out, "Nurse Joy! Quick! We need serious help over here!" Atsune grabbed Ash's shirt, and he looked down at her.
"Don't say who I really am…" she told him, handing him her pokebelt, "and please just make up a story." She passed out, going limp against him.
"Atsune!" he cried.
"Quick! Set her on here!" Nurse Joy ordered. Ash looked over and saw a stretcher that had wheeled up next to them by a Chansey and a Blissey. Ash set Atsune on it, watching as she was lead away. He got off Rapidash and managed to find Rapidash's pokeball to recall him.
He took off, heading for the emergency room to follow Atsune, only to be stopped by Nurse Joy. "I'm sorry, but I can't let you in there right now. What exactly happened to her anyway?"
Ash thought of how Atsune told him to make up a story so as to keep secret of who she really is. "Well, we were…um…in the forest. I don't know exactly how it happened, but some, er, Ninjask attacked us. Probably protecting their territory I guess." It wasn't entirely a lie, since they did have to fight off Ninjask yesterday. Was it only yesterday? It felt like weeks ago.
Nurse Joy nodded suspiciously, rushing into the emergency room to help. Ash noticed Absol and Pikachu waiting by the door Joy went in, still as stone. He didn't even notice when Absol came in. Ash walked over to them. "Absol, could you tell me which of these pokeballs Gardevoir's is? I think it'll be best to get the others…" he held out Atsune's pokebelt and Absol nudged a pokeball. Ash released Gardevoir.
"Gardevoir!" she cried, looking around for her trainer.
Ash looked at Gardevoir, "As you saw…Atsune is badly hurt. I was hoping that you could take me back to Black Base to get the others. I'm sure they would want to be here…"
Gardevoir nodded, her eye beginning to glow. A moment later and they stood in Black base in front of everyone. "Ash!" Misty shouted in surprise. Everyone rushed over, and Misty spoke first. "Ash…you're covered in blood! Have you been…crying?"
It hit Ash, he had cried for a moment when he thought Atsune died. He wiped his eyes with his hands as his only response.
"Where's Pikachu?" Brock asked.
"And where's Atsune!" Gary questioned with deep worry in his voice.
Ash did his best to keep his voice steady, though it proved difficult. "We…we got away from Team Rocket, but Atsune had to make a deal with Giovanni in order to do it."
"She traded herself! Then where's Pikachu?" Jimmy asked.
"No, she didn't trade herself. When I grabbed onto her as she left, we teleported to some house of a family she knew. She told me to stay there, but I didn't listen. I followed her and got caught by Team Rocket. They tied me up in this big room, hanging from the ceiling over water filled with Sharpedo and Carvanha. A little while later, I saw the wall in front of me rising, and it was the dead end hallway Atsune told us about. There seemed to be an invisible wall there or something, 'cause she couldn't get through. I tried to tell her to get out of there and leave me behind, but she didn't hear me.
"I saw her talk to Giovanni, who was on the TV screen like she said he would be. Then she came to the wall and broke it with one punch. She apparently made a deal with Giovanni or something. Giovanni struck Atsune with a dart or something. It took away her strength, and she wouldn't have it back for hours. I didn't want to believe it, and I told her to just get out of there. Atsune wanted to go on with her deal." He paused, still regretting he couldn't change her mind at the time.
"Well! What kind of deal did she do? Tell me she's all right!" Gary ordered, near shouting.
"She…I wanted to stop her, but I couldn't. She was going to fight the Sharpedo and Carvanha with three weapons and one pokemon!"
"WHAT!" Everyone shouted. Misty covered her mouth with her hands in horror. Brock and Jimmy's jaws dropped in shock, too stunned to move. Gary went unbelievably pale and sat down. He breathed heavily, but still listened. A chill ran down their spines as this information soaked in.
"I couldn't do anything to stop her, so I let her use Pikachu. I should've done more to stop her…anything more. I got so scared; she dove in and didn't surface for a while. The water turned red, and I couldn't see what happened. I thought she…I thought she died. In the end she was only half out of the water and the last Sharpedo was coming at her. Pikachu shocked it, but Atsune was also wet and took the pain too.
"She came out alive, so Giovanni's part of the deal was not to chase us for three weeks. I got her to Nurse Joy in Oldale, but with her strength gone, I don't know what's going to happen. I came back in case any of you wanted to come and wait at the Center…" Everyone was silent, taking in what Ash just said.
"Of course we'll go! Let's head over right now." Jimmy said. Everyone but Gary walked over and stood by Gardevoir.
Ash walked over to Gary, "C'mon. I'm sure she'll want you there too when she wakes up." Gary looked up at Ash and nodded, also going over to Gardevoir. Once at the center, they waited…
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"I knew you would win!" Atsune heard a girl say happily. She looked over to see a young boy and girl walking together. It felt so familiar, and she could almost feel the cool evening air on her face. Wait, this happened before…
The boy smiled at the young girl. "That battle was easy! Well, I am pretty strong, aren't I?"
The girl laughed, "All the better!"
Atsune suddenly realized that the girl…was her younger self! Could this be from her past? Did this really happen? Atsune couldn't remember, but kept watching.
"I'm sorry…" the boy stated, stopping to look at Young Atsune.
"What's wrong?"
"It's time for me to go my separate way…I hate traveling with all these fans sometimes. Our bus is full, so I wouldn't be able to bring you along, though I really want to." The look on the boy's face could only be described as a despondent one. "I'm sorry…but I can't take you with me."
Young Atsune looked at the ground, and used every ounce of willpower to hold back her tears. "I…I understand. It probably would be easier. I know it would be heartless of you to send your fans away just on my account. Though I know that…I'll miss you…" Young Atsune embraced the boy, who held her tenderly in his arms.
For a moment neither of them could speak, and Grown Atsune felt a little awkward and uncomfortable. She…she dreamt this before.
"I'll see you again one day, right?" her younger self asked with hope.
"You will…I'll be sure of it. I promise." The boy said. He stroked her hair as she nuzzled into the crook of his neck and whispered something that Grown Atsune didn't catch. It went dark, and she saw Gary standing in a spot of light. Atsune sensed danger, and tried to call out to Gary but her voice didn't sound!
A Salamence appeared behind him, biting the back of Gary's shirt and rising into the air. "Atsune!" He shouted to her. Atsune ran as fast as she could, arm outstretched. Giovanni appeared on his TV before her, laughing a cruel, heatless laugh that resonated through the very air.
"GARY!" she shouted. Her whole body racked with pain and a loud, fast beeping noise drilled into her head. She didn't know it, but the serum was wearing off and her strength returning, which was a more painful process than losing her strength in the first place. She squeezed her eyes shut, thrashing wildly at the pain. Oh, how she wished that damn beeping would shut the hell up! The smell of her own sweat nauseated her.
"Atsune! It's Okay, I'm here! Everything will be all right." Atsune heard someone say.
"Gary?" she asked dumbly. Someone held her hand in theirs and she settled down, the pain ebbing away. She opened her eyes to the deep, dark eyes of Gary Oak, filled with worry.
"Yes, I'm here." He crooned, suddenly making everything so much better. He ran his hand through her hair, and Atsune shuddered once before falling into a peaceful, dreamless sleep.
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Ash and company waited hours on couches in front of the emergency room. No one spoke, and Ash realized what a mess he was. His wrists were rubbed raw by the rope that tied him up. The front of his shirt and vest caked with Atsune's dry blood, making him reluctant to look down. Ash felt like a wreck more than he looked like one, worried beyond belief for Atsune.
Gary seemed no better off than him. She paced from here to there, unable to sit still. He'd run his fingers through his hair now and then, looking at the emergency room every few moments.
"GARY!" someone yelled from the emergency room.
"That was Atsune! She needs me!" Gary shouted, rushing in without the slightest care that he wasn't supposed to. He ran to her struggling figure. "Atsune! It's Okay, I'm here! Everything will be all right."
Her thrashing decreased and she whispered, "Gary?"
Gary held one of her hands in both of his. She opened slightly glazed eyes to bear into his, "Yes, I'm here." He ran his hand through her hair once, feeling her relax. The next moment she dozed peacefully.
The whole group stood behind Gary, watching Atsune with worried expressions. Nurse Joy ran in with two Blisseys. "Excuse me, but none of you are allowed to be in here right now." She hustled over to Atsune and peeked under the blanket. "Yup, she bled through her bandages and it's time to change them. I'm asking you all to leave."
"But she called for me just now!" Gary protested in a loud whisper, not wanting to wake Atsune. "I need to be in here."
"I need you to leave." Nurse Joy said sternly, also in a loud whisper. "The bandages currently on her are the only things that are covering her right now besides her hospital gown. We can't have a male watching! Since you say she has called for you, then you, and only you, may be allowed in here once we're finished. Though you'll have to leave the minute I say so, got it?"
Gary nodded, "Thank you." He realized that he still held Atsune's hand. Reluctantly, he let go, but Atsune's grasp tightened. Gary bent and whispered into her ear while stroking her hand, "I need to leave for a few minutes. I'll be back the moment I can…don't be afraid."
Atsune's grip tightened for a moment, and then her hand fell limp in his. Gary placed it by her side gently and walked out with the others, his eyes to the floor.
"I wonder why she called your name." Misty said aloud as the E.R door shut behind them.
"I don't know…" Gary muttered helplessly. The time it took to change Atsune's bandages seemed like ages! The moment Nurse Joy walked out, Gary instantly rushed over to her. "What's happened? Is she all right?"
Nurse Joy's face turned puzzled. "She's all right but somehow…somehow most of her wounds are healing quicker than any normal human should. She might have a scar or two, but I'm sure your friend will be just fine."
Everyone sighed in relief and Nurse Joy continued. "She's sleeping right now, so I'm only going to allow you in for now." She told them, pointing at Gary. "Just stay quiet, and leave when I tell you, okay?"
Gary beamed, "You bet!" He quickly, but quietly, went into the E.R and found a chair. He brought it over next to Atsune and sat down, watching her sleeping form. He held her hand gently, waiting…
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She felt sore all over, just as though she trained all day in her fighting techniques as a young girl. Dad… she thought sadly. Wait, where exactly was she now? Atsune opened her eyes to a plain white ceiling with dim lighting. This place smelled funny. Atsune felt something around her right hand. Muscles straining, she lifted her head to look.
Gary hunched over, asleep against her bed, holding her hand. Atsune smiled and lowered her head. She didn't remember her dream, and she didn't remember what happened when her strength returned. Wait, she remembered all that had happened in the Team Rocket Base! She sat up with difficulty, looking around. She didn't see anyone except Gary, who woke at her movement.
"Atsune!" he exclaimed.
"Gary, is everyone okay? What happened to Ash and Pikachu? Where are the others?" she questioned with fear.
"It's alright Atsune. Everyone is fine and waiting in the waiting room. But are you okay? Taking on such dangerous pokemon! Why couldn't you make an easier deal?" he pestered.
"When making deals with that man, you always have to make it risky or he'll back out. Don't worry about me, I'm ready to go. Just a bit sore is all." Atsune told him stiffly.
"You're most certainly not ready to go! Ash told me how badly injured you were! You-"
"I said don't worry, alright?" Atsune told him strongly. "I heal faster than you think, now please move so I can get up."
"No! You have to rest, even if you do heal fast!" Gary blocked her way.
"I said I'm fine! Lemme up!" Atsune argued.
"What on earth is going on here!" Nurse Joy asked after walking in.
"Nurse! He won't lemme up!" Atsune proclaimed.
"You shouldn't even be moving right now! Lie back down and rest." Joy ordered.
Man! This place smelled funny. Atsune coughed once and shook her head. "No, I'm fine! I've slept long enough." She swung her legs over the side of the bed and lowered herself to floor. Atsune stumbled once, but stood tall.
"Please! You really must rest!" Nurse Joy cried.
"Where are my clothes?" At least the hospital gown she currently didn't open in the back.
The Nurse ignored her comment. "Oh, how can you move! It shouldn't be possible! You were only in bed for a day!"
"That long eh? I thought I would've taken a much shorter time." She mumbled with a smirk as she walked out to the waiting room. Everyone rush up at once, saying how worried they've been and scolding Atsune for getting hurt so bad in the first place. "Yeah, yeah, does anyone have some clothes I could use or something?" Atsune patted Absol lovingly, reassuring her friend that she was really okay.
Misty walked to her chair and picked up a small bag and then came back to hand it to Atsune. "I went back to get some for you. I figured you didn't want guys going through your clothes." She smiled lightly and Atsune smiled back.
"Thanks." Atsune looked at Nurse Joy, "Is there a bathroom I could change in or something?"
Joy nodded, still dumbfounded at Atsune's quick recovery. She led her patient to a bathroom where Atsune relieved herself and got dressed. She came out again and faced Nurse Joy. "Thank you for all of your help." Atsune told her, bowing deeply through her stiff pain.
Nurse Joy smiled, "I still don't know how you recovered so quickly, but I'm glad to have helped." Joy walked off, shaking her head.
Atsune faced her friends. Yeah, she now saw them as friends, and wondered how she ever could've thought badly of any of them. "C'mon! Let's go out to eat, my treat!" She began to stroll out, only to be blocked by Ash and Gary.
"You nearly died! How can you be so cheerful?" Ash asked.
"Not to mention how worried sick we've been over you! You act as though nothing happened!" Gary brought in.
Atsune sighed. "We have three weeks. Even though we don't need that much time to get extremely far away, I still want to have a slightly enjoyable time." She whispered now so only they could hear, "Being stuck with Team Rocket for nearly three years was pretty boring if ya ask me."
Atsune grinned broadly and continued on out of the pokemon center. It was about 12:30 PM. Gardevoir had to take Professor Kircet back to his lab, since his said he had stuff to do. Gardevoir was back before long though. They spent the next hour at a nifty restaurant, everyone eating their fill. It was actually just some Burgers and fries, but it tasted great!
Walking out after their lunch, Atsune looked at the others. "Hey, you guys wouldn't mind if I went off on my own for a while, right?" she asked.
"What!" They all asked aloud.
"Yeah, I have some stuff I wanna take care of before we head out tomorrow." She admitted.
"Like what!" Ash and Gary asked in unison. They glanced at each other, but looked back at Atsune.
"Oh you know… just some stuff I'd be happy to do. I probably don't exactly need to, but I'd like to. In fact, I was thinking Misty could come with me." Atsune explained, looking at Misty.
"Me?" Misty said dumbly.
"Yeah! I was hoping to go out a buy a few new clothes and get a hair cut. Just some minor stuff I was hoping to do. It'd be so much easier if I had a fellow girl come and help me out!"
The guys anime-fell, "Girls…" they muttered together. They got up again, "Hey, how come we can't come?" Brock asked.
"Well, I didn't know that you guys would want to. So far I've never met a guy who liked shopping." Atsune snickered.
"Well, I'm coming! Just to make sure you're safe!" Gary announced.
"And I'm coming too!" Ash joined in.
"Hey! Don't forget about me!" Brock said.
Atsune beamed, "Great! You all can help us carry some of the stuff!"
They all sweat-dropped and Misty laughed along with Atsune.
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Dusk slowly crept upon them, and Brock cried out in desperation. "I thought you were only going for a few new clothes!" The whole group, with the exception of Pikachu and Absol, carried three or more bags. They sat on a long bench, placing their heavy loads at their feet.
"Yeah, I know, but I always say 'just a few' when I'm about to go on a full out shopping spree!" Atsune grinned. Their shopping had taken them to the edge of the small town. She pulled out Gardevoir. "Hey Gardevoir!"
Gardevoir appeared before them happily. "Gardevoir!"
"Gardevoir, could you teleport to Black Base and make sure all its defenses are up? I've been meaning to check on that." Said Atsune.
"Gar!"
"Oh, um, if possible, could you pretty please teleport my newly bought stuff to the base bedroom? I don't want to make you feel like you're a pack-mule or anything, so you don't really have to…" Atsune explained, feeling sheepish.
"Gardevoir! Garde." Gardevoir's eyes shimmered blue, and she, along with all of Atsune's new stuff, disappeared.
"I honestly don't know what I'd do without Gardevoir." Atsune admitted.
"Help! Somebody, Please! Anybody!" someone cried. Atsune stood and looked around, seeing a young boy running into town. She ran over to the boy, and the boy stopped and panted for breath.
"What's wrong?" Atsune asked.
"Please…" he panted. "I have to get to the police…" The boy seemed a little over the age of ten, with sandy brown hair and freckles. He looked up at Atsune. "Wait a sec…Atsune!"
Atsune froze, studying the boy. "Ethan?"
"Ethan!" the group cried in unison. Atsune had been identified by someone other than Team Rocket…
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A/N: Ugh, I stayed up 'till 2 in da morning writing this chapter, so be happy! I'm sorry if it seemed as though I went kinda fast though. Well, well, who's Ethan! And how does he know Atsune! All shall be found out next time in, The Test Subject! ((whee for corny exits! bounces off on a pogo stick ))