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I eventually roused from my slumber and rolled over, opening my eyes slowly, the ceiling coming slowly into focus. I opened my mouth, yawning loudly and arching my back and threw the covers off, feeling completely revitalized and renewed.

I changed into some blue jeans and a red cami after I finished brushing my teeth and washing my face, shouldered my pack, and weighed Grovyle's Pokeball in my hand, noting that it felt a bit heavier than before.

After my starter had evolved, I hadn't really gotten a chance to learn about it's new strengths. The only thing I was certain about was that it had gained an attack, and only barely resembled the Treeko that I had first battled along side. No matter, I had evolved my Pokemon.

More than that, the President of a huge Corporation had trusted me with a job and to top it all off, given me a Pokenav! Me, the sixteen and a half year old who had been a trainer for three whole days. Actually now that I thought about it, that didn't seem unprudent. I shrugged, the man who had given me the job was the same who had entrusted the Shroomish Guy with the package, so I guess prudent wasn't really part of the company's policy.

I flipped out the Pokenav, and registered my mother's number in it. My thumb hovered over the dial button, but I decided against calling my mom seeing as it was still quite earlly

I walked out of the Center and over to the Pokemart, and picked out a granola bar packaged in green wrapping, unwrapped it, and started eating it as my green trainer card was swiped through the machine, deducting the amount owed.

I slipped it back into it's holder, my hand brushing against the envelope that Mr. Stone, President of Devon Corporation, had entrusted to me to deliver. It occurred to me that I did not know exactly to whom I was supposed to be delivering it too, or how the heck I was supposed to get to Dewford. I had checked the map, and I had realized right away that Dewford, home to the second gym in the league, was the small island to the southeast. If worst came to worst, I could hold onto Vaporeon's tail and she could swim me across.

First things first, I thought as I squinted my eyes, trying to make out the address, but to no alas. I could only make out the word: 'Stone'. But just that word made my interest quicken, the letter must be for Mr. Stone's relative.

Before I knew it, I was walking through the Petalburg Woods. I was itching for a battle, I wanted to test out Grovyle's abilities. I had a feeling that the evolution had made her more formidable

A slight breeze swept through the Woods, rustling the leaves in the trees.

As the rustling died down and the Woods returned to the eerie silence, I jerked my head to the right as a distinct chirp reverberated from somewhere above me.

I trained my eyes on the small form of a birdlike Pokemon that had it's head cocked and was staring down at me from a low branch of a sycamore tree, hopping back and forth from foot to foot.

I picked my Pokedex and flipped it open, lips pursed as I waited for it to register the Pokemon.

Tailow, the TinySwallow Pokemon. Tailow courageously stands it's ground against foes, however strong they may be. This gutsy Pokemon will remain defiant even after a loss. On the other hand, it cries loudly if it becomes hungry.

A Tailow huh? As I watched the Pokemon curiously, my heartrate accelerated, my conscience fully aware of what I wanted to attempt. I wanted to catch a Pokemon, to really catch it, not have it faint on me as Poochyena had. I opened my backpack quickly, riffling through the contents until my fingers brushed, or more correctly smashed, against the side of an empty Pokeball.

I pulled it out feeling triumphant, and shot my eyes skyward once again, searching for the tell tail blue of the Tailow's tail against the colorful leaves of the Autumn trees. I felt my shoulders fall in dissapointment- the Tailow had dissapeared.

"AHH!" I shrieked as something pecked at my ankle. I jumped back , my stomach in my throat.

The little Tailow was looking up at me, fluttering it's wings and opening it's beak. I looked down at it, feeling embarrassed by my reaction to the little Pokemon. It opened it's maw again, looking at me with imploring eyes.

My eyes shadowed in confusion.

And then it screeched.

My hands flew over my ears, trying to block out the huge, unpleasant sound that was radiating from the tiny Pokemon. Why was it doing that? I wracked my brain, trying to figure out what had caused this obnoxious onslaught.

...cries loudly if it becomes hungry...

I grabbed the half eaten granola bar from my bag and broke off a piece and tossed it to the Tailow, still cringing from the racket it was making. It snapped the food up in it's beak, and opened it's maw, asking for more.

The process went on for a few minutes, until I ran out of granola. The Pokemon, now placated, looked around rather bored. Careful not to make any sudden movements, I tossed the empty Pokeball at the Tailow, trying my luck and capturing the little blue and red Pokemon.

It didn't work out quite right.

The Pokeball hit the Tailow straight in the face, and it reeled back in alarm, flapping it's wings to regain balance. I turned red in embarrassment, why hadn't the Pokeball worked? I had just to touch the Pokeball to Poochyena when I captured it...

I must have done something wrong. I retrieved the Pokeball and, while keeping one eye on the Tailow, pleased to see that beyond regaining its balance, it had not made any attempt to leave, looked down at the red and white Pokeball.

The smooth surface was only marred by the button that was used to call out a Pokemon for battle.

Perhaps...

I pressed down the button and tossed the Pokeball once more at the Tailow. This time, I had to cover my eyes as a red light emerged from the Pokeball and enveloped the Tailow, drawing it into it's confines.

It shook once. Twice. Three times.

Cautiously, I approached the Pokeball, and picked it up. I was about to celebrate my success when the Pokeball broke in half in my hands and an enraged Pokemon emerged. I had to dive out of the way to avoid the little dive-bombing Pokemon as it repeatedly attacked me.

"Poochyena! Bite!" Poochyena burst forward and leaped into the air, propelling itself forward fangs bared as it snarled in fury. The teeth barely grazed the Tailow's teeth before it flitted out of reach and disappeared into the woods.

Seething, I made my way through the Petalburg woods quickly, defeating a few bug type trainers quite easily with my Poochyena. I had debated on battling with Grovyle, but Poochyena was quite a few levels behind. I wanted my Pokemon's levels to be balanced, that had been my reason on not using Vaporeon, had it not? There was no point having on beast while the rest struggling to hold their own in a fight.

I was pleased to see that Poochyena and I could work together well, we were almost in sync, and that gave us the advantage over the numerous caterpie in the forest. In the short time we had become partners, we had bonded.

I checked my Pokedex, and was pleased to see that he had gained a couple of levels during the course of a few hours, now boarding on level fifteen.

As I scrolled through the information, it occurred to me that I didn't know what level Poochyena evolved. I was rather perturbed when I failed to find that particular piece of information.

Poochyena barked joyfully, playfully butting into the back of the knee, causing me to almost lose balance. I smiled jovially and patted his head in appreciation for all the hard work he had accomplished.

It wasn't long before I had left the woods behind, and made my way to a small cottage on the sea with a weather beaten boat docked in a harbor not to far off. Perhaps I could get a ride to Dewford, if I could find just find the captain and beg a favor from him.

I knocked on the cottage door tentivally, and was greeted by: "Come i-PEEKO! Get back here! Quickly, shut the door befo- I got you you little feathered crazy-" I closed the door swiftly behind me as I stepped in, and was amused by the site I saw. I Wingull was holding a captain hat in it's beak, fluttering around the room mishiviously, being chased by an elderly man, from who I got the distinct impression that he was not angry at the Pokemon, just annoyed.

His balding head and distinct features made me think that I knew him from somewhere, but I could not place where I would have seen this old man. Definitely to old to be the father of one of my friends. Perhaps Grandfather...?

"It's you lass, you saved my Peeko," he said, looking quite astonished as he looked at me. Ahh yes, he was the man who had been standing right outside the cave that Pirate Bastard had holed himself up into, so that must mean the Wingull was the one that had been captured. "Just call me Captain Briney"

"It was not problem at all," I said, shaking his hand. A waft of onion assaulted my nose, and I couldn't help but crinkle my nose in distaste at the odor, which seemed to be coming from Mr. Briney.

"Is there anything particular that I can help you with lass?"

"Actually," I said, shuffling my feet in embarrassment, "I was trying to find a way to Dewford and Slateport..."

"Say no more," he said, his eyes twinkling. "I would be happy to sail you to both places. After all, without you, my darling Peeko would be in the hands of that hooligan!"

There was a rush of activity in the lodge, buoy's being dragged out, ropes and sails hauled to the door, and an anchor being hoisted up to Mr. Briney's shoulder (I was rather surprised by this, the anchor looked like it weighed at ton). I helped where I could, helping find supplies that lay in the nooks and crannies in the lodge.

I walked out to the boat behind Mr, Briney, after he denied me in my quest to help him carry the things to his ship, and climbed the creaky old steps onto the the deck of the boat, which gave ominously under my weight. I sincerely hoped we wouldn't meet any storms out in the open sea, I wasn't sure if this boat would hold up.

"We'll set sail at once Lassie, it's an overnight trip to Dewford, we should be there by morning. Away we go Peeko!" He cried before the engine of the boat roared to life, creating a turbulence in the water.

I was digging through my bag frantically, strewing my personal belongings on the deck, not worrying to make sure that none of them slipped into the unforgiving water of the sea. Where was it? Surly I had packed it, I had the distinct memory of-

There it was! I grasped a crumpled up piece of paper that had made its home at the bottom of my pack and made quick work of uncrrumpling it.

I plopped down on the bench that over looked the side of the boat, smiling as they see spray hit my face and the wind blew against me. Mr. Briney had come out to inform me that we were slightly behind schedule, the engine wasn't working optimally and could only reach 40 miles per hour. I told him it was quite alright.

I flipped the piece of paper over and pulled out my Pokenav, elated to find out that I had not imagined the numbers on the back. I punched them in hastily, excited to see if the number was correct, if I was lucky, I would be talking to my brother very soon.

"Hello?" I asked.

"Who is this," came the quarry of my brother. Not angry, just curious,

"Come now Jake, don't you recognize your own sister's voice when you hear it?"

"Samie!" Jake said in disbelief after a few seconds. My lips tugged upward, he let out a low whistle. I could almost imagine him, sitting cross-legged with his nav in hand, eyes widened in surprise. "I didn't know you knew how to work a Nav! Dad gave you one?"

"Nah," I said, not elaborating, just pleased to hear is voice.

"I haven't seen you in ages Samantha, enjoying lounging around home while I'm out and a bout doing big boy battles?"

"Hardly," I giggled, " I'm currently heading over to Dewford to deliver a letter."

"Your travelling?"

"I am!"

"Well then," he blustered. "You must come see me!"

"I will," I said, laughing slightly.

"How have you been Samantha, everybody's been treating you alright?" I heard the unspoken emotions behind the question.

"Fine," I said, my tone immediately becoming icy.

"Samie," Jake said, immediately contrite. "I didn't mean..." He trailed off into silence.

"It's ok," I muttered. "Jake, I have to go. Promise to call me later ok," I said softly, before rudlyslamming the nav shut and burring my head in my hands, feeling cold and hollow.

"Where here lassie," a rough voice said from somewhere above my head, a hand on my shoulder shaking me slightly. I yawned and sat up, swaying slightly and blinking in confusion. The sun was low on the horizon, setting or rising I couldn't be certain.

"Already?" I asked.

"You've been a sleep for a couple of hours my dear," he said, leaning over me and grinning widly. I flinched away from him,my teeth clenching. Damn Wallace for unsettling me!

Mr. Briney didn't seem to think anything was amiss, he leaned backward smoothing his white mustache with his forefinger. I sat back up, startled. If the captain of the ship was here, then who was steering the boat.

"Mr. Briney-?" I stopped abruptly as I looked port side. We had docked.

After thanking Mr. Briney profusely, and he assuring me that he would be waiting here to take me to Slateport, I departed from the sea and stepped onto the fine, grainy sand.

Dewford was a quiet town to say the least. There were buildings scattered here and there, the only real activity around the biggest building in the facility, was one or two people walking in and out of the gym doors. I cast a glance to the waves lapping against the shoreline, it was pictures. I had to resist the urge to pull out my journal and make a quick sketch.

If I were insandly rich, where would I hang out?

It made it harder that I didn't even now whom I was looking for, no idea of the physic or personality. Probably somebody really pompous and arragent. At least there weren't that many people in Dewford.

I really had meant to deliver this letter first thing, but a large building caught my attention first. A Pokemon Gym, the second in the legue. The letter could definitly wait an hour or two.

"Hello," I called, pushing the gym door open. Did the world want me to die? What was so hard about figuring out that night lights meant I was going to fall. I feel like this gym was made specifically to fuck me over.

"Hey Brawly, you got yourself a challanger."

"Who said that, I said, turning around quickly, trying in vain to make out the shapes around me.

"I did missy." Thanks, so helpful.

"Aww, stop messin with her George, turn the lights on,"

"But sir!"

"I want to see whom I'm challanging." The lights were flicked on and the room was illuminated, so I blinked like an owl, trying to adjust. The gym was big. Huge. Yea, I definitly would have tripped trying to figure my way around the place.

A man in his mid twenties, with striking blue hair was standing in front of me, arms crossed. Must be Brawly, I thought, taking in the size of him. He shot me a fleeting glance and smiled slightly- I found myself turning red.

"So I assume you want a battle," he said, motioning for the only other man in the room, George I pressumed, to come over. The man was dressed in a striped uniform, so I could only assume he would be the ref. "What's your name darling," Brawly asked me, a smile splitting his face.

"Samantha Shepherd," I managed to stammer out.

Brawly winked at me and Steven folded his arms. "Well, Miss Samantha," he said, "if you would like, we can have a battle right now."

I nodded, brown hair falling around my shoulders, slipping out of the Ponytail holder. I sighed and took the holder out, letting the rest fall down limply before taking my position onto one side of the arena.

Another referee in a white and black striped uniform walked out onto the field, holding a flag. So I guess George wouldn't be the one to preside over the battle. I waited patiently for George and Brawly to finish up whatever conversation they had started when I had left them, absently tugging at my hair.

"It will be a three on three battle, challenger may switch Pokemon out. Which ever trainer's pokemon are knocked out first win." the referee said, blowing a whistle for the match to begin.

Brawly wasted no time in calling out his Machop. With a bit of hesitation, I also did.

"Go Poochyena!"

"Low Kick!" Machop came crashing down on Poochyena's head, but he recovered quickly, shaking his head before glaring angrily at the Machop.

"Bite!"

From there on, the battle went smoothly, surprisingly because considering it was for a badge. It took me only minutes for Poocheyan to floor Brawly's Machop and Meditite, and I let Grovyle finish up the rest, and he did spectacularly, ending it all with a a critical hit Fury Cutter attack.

I glowed as the referee waved his flag, confirming my victory. "Good God girl," Brawly said, looking stunned. "You are strong!" I smiled, drinking in his praise. I jumped off the stand, immediately feeling dwarfed by the two men as Steven and Brawly approached me. "Take the Knuckle Badge, you definitely earned it. With it, you can use flash. You must come back for a rematch at some point, I would like to see how you progress. Here's my number," Brawly said, taking my PokeNav from me and hitting a few buttons.

I stuttered my thank you thrilled that I had the number of a gym leader that I could now bandy about. Brawly waved cheerfully to me as I left the gym, so unlike the way Roxanne had acted when I had beaten her. Two down, Six to go.

After healing my Pokemon from the gym battle, I decided I probably should get on with delivering the letter.

I walked into the Pokemart after some debate, thinking that there was a possibility because the person I was looking for was linked to the devon company after all. I walked through the mart, ignoring the venders who were trying to tempt me with colorful patterned scarves or Pokefood that was guaranteed to help accelerate growth, and finally resigned and asked one of the clerks for some assistance.

"Can you tell me where I can find a Mr. Stone?"

"The Champion?" the heavy set clerk asked. I blinked nonplussed . Champion of what? Rich Jerks? "I can't rightfully tell you, and even if I did now, I wouldn't. The Champion enjoys a certain amount of annomnity here, and I can't allow a simple girl to ruin that."

Simple girl? I pursed my lips in annoyance. Well then, if he was going to be rude and confusing, he wasn't going to be any help. I turned to leave, when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I recoiled violently, toppling over a neatly stacked pile of Pokeballs. I blushed and scooped down to pick them up, aided by a motherly looking woman who I assumed was the one who had touched me.

"Sorry, sorry sorry," I kept muttering under my breath, thourally embarrassed by my reaction. And it was all thanks to-

I shook my head, trying to clear the violent thoughts that filled my head.

The woman looked at me endearingly, and said, "Steven Stone likes to spend his time in granite cave, looking for rare rocks. If your looking for him, then I suggest starting there."

The clerk sent her a withering look before turning his back and counting his money, and muttering to himself about how 'all woman were alike.'

Feeling slightly mollified, I walked out of the center, having gained a new piece of information.'

Steven Stone, the Champion of Dickheads.

Caves meant dark. Dark meant no sense of balance. My hands were out in front of me, feeling around for any protruding object from the cave walls, anything to get my bearing and prevent myself from hurting myself. My toe hooked on the underside of a round object, and fell, landing awkwardly on my ankle, hearing three consecutive popping noises. I groaned loudly, and tried to stand, but collapsed once again.

I must have sprained it, I thought with dismay as I grit my teeth and balanced on my good leg, my left leg. I leaned against the cavern wall for support, making my way much more slowly now.

Poochyena was definitely murmuring and becoming more powerful. He took down an Aron, no trouble at all, and without receiving a scratch. Instead of recalling the Pokemon, I allowed him to scout out ahead.

"Cheyna! Poochyena!"

The echo bounced off the walls, creating a very loud cacophony. I followed the sound, putting as little weight as possible on my right ankle, proceeding in a strange hopping gait.

My hands suddenly stopped touching the wall, and I flailed in panic in the dark, until I could no longer keep myself up, and I fell forward. I close my eyes, expecting to receive a bad knock to my head, but it never came. Two hands caught me around the middle, preventing my face from smacking the hard floor. I struggled violently, twisting trying to break the grasp on me.

"Whoah, take it easy," a concerned voice said softly.

I froze.

Steven's POV

I leaned on my shovel, hand running through my hair. Why was it that I couldn't find a waterstone anywhere in the cave? I had been digging for hours, and all I had managed to uncover was a broken thunders

"Ron..."

"I know Aron," I muttered. I was at home in the caves, it was my escape. Nobody bothered me, they kept away. I could think about anything that was bothering me without being disturbed, and was usually at ease. Usually.

Instead, I was worrying and feeling agitated. It was the anniversary of that dreadful day of betrayal.

Sighing, I turned back to my shovel, and thrust it back into the earth. At the same time, I heard a startled explanation, and my head snapped in the direction it came from. A black shape was flailing around.

I crossed the small distance between it and steadied the shape with my hands, just as it began to fall, which I now realized was a girl. She immediately started to struggling, and I was surprised to find that it took a good bit of my strength to hold her steady.

I pulled her to her feet. "Are you alright?" I asked rather worried.

She stopped moving.

I left her and lit my lantern so I could see what was going on.

The girl was standing awkwardly, her right foot lifted slightly above the ground. Her clothes were smeared with dusk and dirt, the obvious sign of a travelling trainer and a Pokebelt hoisted around her waist. My eyes flashed to her face and I stared at her in disbelief, recognizing her instantly. She apperantly recognized me as well.

"Samantha?"

"You remembered my name?" she said, surprised. I let her out of my grasp, and Samantha imdiatly edged around to the the exit of the cave and sank down,nursing her ankle, ignoring the Poochyena, I assumed it was hers, as it was trying to comfort her.

"Steven." She said curtly. Her eyes flashed to my face and I saw comprehension dawn on her face. "Hold up. Steven Stone!"

Oh, so she had found out. "Samantha, are you alright," I said sympathetically, sitting down across from her; I didn't like the way she was looking at me. Being dwarfed by my height didn't help.

"Quite," she said, relaxing slightly. "I have a letter for you." She turned and drew out a crumpled letter and tossed it to me. I didn't give it a glance, I was to absorbed in staring at her brown eyes, putting two and two together.

"A letter," I choked out in disbelief. "Your Shepherd's daughter," I said accusingly. She grimaced.

I opened my mouth, but I stopped and cocked my head as I heard a sharp rumbling noise. A noise that always proceeded a rock slide.

"Look out", I said, pulling her out of the way as quickly as I could. Not a second to late, where she had been sitting a second before was being pummeled by falling rocks.

The scare seemed to have cured her of her earlier... discomfort. She smiled up at me and thanked me. "Well, I know it sounds corny, but thanks for saving me..." I laughed, feeling more light-hearted than I had in days. I saw Samantha's eyes travel over to the deserted shovel on the cave floor. "What were you doing Steven?"

"Guess," I said scratching the back of my head.

She thought for a moment before shrugging.

"Do you really want to know?" She looked up at me imploringly. "Well, in that case," I said, trying not to smile. "I was disposing of a corpse. You know, getting rid of the evidence."

"Steven Stone," she pouted, jutting her bottom lip out. You are terrible!"

I laughed, grinning foolishly. "Nah, I was busy looking for rocks."

"Like the ones your dad has?"

"Exactly like that." She smiled and walked back over to her pack, limping slightly. "Samantha, what happened to your foot?"

"I tripped," she muttered darkly. But then her expression changed and she just smiled at me before bending down to shoulder the pack."So, can I ask a question?"

"Shoot."

"Someone said you were a champion?"

Oh, that. "Well they mean the Champion of Hoenn."

I grimanced as I saw comprehension dawn on her face. "You know, thats usually something somebody would mention when they first introduce themselves." She was obviously thinking back to the interview in Petelburg. I was thinking about it too. "Steven, if you don't mind, can we get out of here? I'd rather not have another near death experience today..." I laughed and retrieved my shovel before lending her my support.

"Let me help you get back, it's the least I can do..." She smiled up at me in thanks, and I moved to help her, but I stopped and cocked my head. Was that more rumbling?

"Duck," I shouted, pulling her to the ground and attempting to shield her. I winced in pain as rocks hit my back repeatadly, hissing with every blow. It stopped as soon as it started, and I rolled over, moaning in pain. I looked over at Mina, but she wasn't moving. "Fuck," I muttered as I realized her head had been hit and she was out.

"Metagross," I called, as my phycic pokemon apeared in a flash of red. "To the Pokemon Center."