AN: Welcome to Chapter 13 everyone! Don't you love when you're done with classes at like 2 and can write all day because no class on Friday. Anyway, I'm sorry this is more of a filler chapter, but this one isn't one I can delete because something happens here that is needed to connect to a future chapter. Anyway, I hope you like it!

Disclaimer: Don't own anything related to the rights of Pokémon.

Chapter 13

By what it said on the map they weren't far from Saffron City and Vermilion City was just up the road. Keygan thought it was best to skip Saffron for the time being. She had heard rumors that the city was crawling with either Team Evolution or people who worked for the League. Tuning into surviving longer on her journey it was best to wait until the she got stronger. Made sense to her and so the next place for a gym was the port town. A quick route to Vermilion was through the Underground Passage. However, upon arriving it didn't look like that would be the case either.

"What's going on?" Javan asked someone who standing there waiting.

"The path is blocked. There is horrible smell and no one can get through it or even go down there to even see what it is."

"Now how are getting to Vermilion City?" Catelin asked.

"Please sir! I can help!" a small voice said among the crowd. The three looked and saw a little girl about ten or so pleading to a police officer.

"I'm sorry no one is permitted. This isn't a place for you to play. Now go find your mom." He said shooing her away. Keygan looked at the scene and got offended for the little girl who seemed to only have this defeated look in her eyes. He no right to talk to her like that and she sincerely claimed to be able to help. Shouldn't they at least hear her out?

"Hey!" Keygan shouted as walked up to them. "Aren't you going to hear her out?"

"Excuse me?" the officer questioned.

"She might have valuable information."

"Doesn't matter. I cannot be responsible for her actions or anything were to happen to her."

"Then I'll take her." Keygan without hesitation.

"Keygan…" her friends warned her.

"It seems none of you are going to do anything so might as well let someone at least investigate." Keygan said challenging him.

The officer looked perturbed at this older child telling him her opinion. He wished could smack the child. She had an attitude and he could stand those who stand against law. However, he knew how not to get burned. This time literally. He was looking right at Keygan, but his focus was mainly on the Vulpix that was currently standing in her shoulders. The fox gave him a glare that dared him to make the wrong move. Touch the girl and you won't get that hand back.

"I don't care, but I am not responsible." He said. At least they would leave.

"Didn't expect you." Keygan said without missing a beat.

"Thank you miss!" the little said.

"You're welcome." Keygan said. "Now what do you know?"

"It's Ingrid. We were walking back from Vermilion and we got separated when some bad people came after us. Ingrid made sure I got out before they could grab me. I know I should have gone back, but…" she explained as she started to cry.

"Hey, it's alright." Catelin said pulling the girl into a hug. "It's completely understandable. Don't worry, we'll find Ingrid. What's your name?"

"Wendy…" she sniffled.

The police had main entrance of the underground path blocked, but they didn't get to any of the air conducts which were wide enough to fit a human being. With the help of Beedrill it wasn't hard to make sure everyone got down safely. As soon as everyone was done the reason for the mile perimeter was figured out.

"What's the smell?" Catelin gasped as she covered her nose.

"Pix!" Vulpix cried as she snuggled her head into Keygan's hair and her scarf. To Keygan it was like Vulpix was trying to bury herself.

"What do you mean?" Keygan asked confused. She smelled something, but it wasn't as awful as Catelin was making it to be.

"You can't smell that?!" Catelin exclaimed in a disgusted voice.

"No, I have no sense of smell." Javan revealed and they all looked at him surprised by that bit of information. "It's true."

"Good to know…" Keygan said nodding.

"So what about you?" Catelin asked Keygan.

"It doesn't bother me." Keygan said.

"Me neither!" Wendy said.

Keygan could feel Vulpix nuzzled further into her neck. Vulpix really couldn't stand the smell. Keygan reached behind her and picked up her fox. He placed her on the ground and untied her scarf. Vulpix looked at her trainer confused before she realized that Keygan was tying it around her nose. The smell wasn't as strong, but it helped.

"Why didn't you just put her in her ball?" Catelin asked. Vulpix glared at Catelin and growled. Catelin's eyes widen as Vulpix looked like a thief with her mouth covered and glaring eyes.

"Vulpix doesn't like going inside her ball remember?" Keygan said as she rummaged through her bag. Vulpix nodded. At least someone remembered. Keygan didn't mention to herself that she barely mentioned it before and didn't really flat out tell them. They probably thought Keygan liked being with her starter. "Here."

"What's this for?" Catelin asked as she took a scarf from Keygan.

"To cover your mouth." Keygan replied.

"Pix!" Vulpix cried at her trainer seeing that Keygan gave Catelin her other scarf.

"You'll get it back."

"Vul…"

"I'll wash it and buy you another one." Keygan deadpanned.

"Vulpix!" Vulpix cried happily as she hopped back onto Keygan's shoulder, but still kept an eye on Catelin to make she didn't harm her precious scarf.

"Keygan…do you think that's wise…" Javan tried to tell her before he was cut off for two reasons. The two reasons were that both trainer and Pokémon were giving him dirty looks and he cut himself off. Getting attached and spoiling her wasn't good, but the more he thought about in this case or the future it might be good that they were so attached to each other.

"Are we ready?" Keygan asked and everyone nodded.

"Ingrid was down there last!" Wendy pointed down to path where it was getting dark. They all took a breath and began their trek down the path.

"Why is getting darker?" Catelin asked as she looked up and saw the light are off. "I see the lights are off, but why?"

Crack.

"That's why," Keygan said lifting her foot to reveal broken glass. "They're all broken."

"OOM!"

"Ingrid!" Wendy shouted and took off in a sprint toward the sound that had scared everyone else but her. They all quickly shook themselves from their stupor and followed the girl. Ingrid was in trouble and from what Wendy said, because of bad people whoever they maybe.

"Come here you little brat!" a voice cried.

Upon arriving an area that still had light they saw a two familiar looking people. Even though their backs were turned anyone could they belong to Team Evolution. If they were around means that they were after Pokémon.

"Leave Ingrid alone!" Wendy shouted.

The two grunts turned and saw the group. Their mouths were covered by a mask. For a moment they looked surprised before the condescending grins appeared. This was there lucky day. They could get more Pokémon than they expected and had help if they needed it. It was perfect.

"Look what the cat dragged in. Now we'll get like six different Pokémon!" a grunt boasted.

"I don't think so." Keygan said pulling out a Poké Ball. "Go Beedrill!"

"Bee!"

"Looks like the hard way. Go Drowzee!"

"Spearow go and fight!"

"Drowzee Psybeam!"

"Dodge it and use Pursuit!"

"Bee!" Beedrill cried as she swiftly dodged the psychic type attack and went in for the strike. Taking one of his forearm stinger her jabbed it and struck Drowzee with a super effective move. Drowzee stumbled backward and went to his knees.

"Spearow Peck!"

"Poliwag come out and use Water Gun!" Catelin said as she seized her moment to enter the battle. Poliwag took the command and fired Water Gun hitting Spearow directly in the face.

"Drowzee use Psybeam again!"

"Beedrill Agility into Twineedle!"

"Spearow Aerial Ace!"

"Poliwag Double Slap!" Catelin said.

Spearow was faster and ended up overpowering Poliwag. The water type hit the ground and whimpered. Spearow then turned and went back toward his intended target, Beedrill who was had just collided a Pursuit with a Pound attack.

Vulpix heard Poliwag's whimper. Well to the trainers is sounded like a whimper, but to her it was a plea for help. Poliwag didn't want to let down his new friends. No one else would know that and her friend would be in trouble. Vulpix nodded and jumped off Keygan shoulder. For a moment Keygan was surprised, but the sounds at the battle at hand kept most of her focus.

"Pix!" Vulpix said as she released an Ember attack and informed Keygan she could do this alone. As some Embers were directed at Spearow some landed on the floor with the remains of what was her scarf. Burned green pieces of fabric laid in front of her and Vulpix didn't bat an eye. She was focused on the bird and what his next move was going to be. The Spearow was still up to attack Beedrill and Vulpix responded with Quick Attack. She hit the bird with full speed and he was threw back fainted to the ground.

"Bee!"

"Pix!"

The two Pokémon glared down their opponents as they returned their fainted Pokémon. Both Pokémon before them were well raised and knew why their trainer was under watch. She already had two badges and despite they knew not all gym leaders agreed with them they did have to follow the rule of reporting when someone won a badge. They kept an eye on anyone who even won one. However, she was different for some fiery reason. A nod told them to leave.

"Let's go. Nothing we can do." The grunt said as he and his partner turned around and made haste down the path leading toward Vermilion City.

"Glad that's over…" Javan said. He felt guilty that he didn't help much, but Slowpoke was still about a minute late on commands. He was getting better though.

"Me too." Keygan said walking up to her Pokémon. "You guys okay?"

"Bee." Beedrill nodded.

"Pix…" Vulpix said she released what happened.

"Hey, you were awesome. You protected Beedrill and gave up something. That's selfless Vulpix and it proves your growing." Keygan told her fox as she petted her. "For that I think I'll get you two new ones."

"Pix!"

"Poliwag, are you okay?" Catelin asked.

"Poli…" He was, but he was disappointed he couldn't have done more.

"You did great and it just means we have more to learn!"

Poliwag looked at his trainer and smiled. She was teacher and he was glad he could be there when she still learning herself. He'd get stronger for sure. He heard about Vulpix from Jigglypuff and believed her. However, she didn't seem like the rude and sneaky fire monster that the pink Pokémon claimed her to be. She seemed great and strong. He wanted to be like that.

"Ingrid, it's okay! You can come out!" Wendy cried to her friend.

"Gloom!"

Out from behind a plant came Gloom…a Pokémon.

"Ingrid's a Pokémon?" Catelin asked.

"Yup and she's my best friend." Wendy answered as she hugged her Pokémon.

"I thought it was a person…" All heads nodded.

"That explains the smell. She was scared and lonely so she produced the smell until Wendy would come back. Wendy doesn't mind the smell thus she knew she could get back to her." Javan explained.

"And Keygan?"

"Well 1 out of 1000 people don't mind the smell." He mentioned to answer Catelin's question.

"Lucky me." Keygan said with a smirk.

"I'm sorry I left you…I won't do that again…" Wendy said as some tears started to fall.

"Gloom…" Gloom said as she wiped her girl's tears. Wendy was a sweet girl and been raised up by perfect ladies. Gloom wanted Wendy to be her trainer one day so they could go on a journey. Sure she was an evolved Pokémon, but that just meant she would be prepared and could protect her.

"Thank you so much! I won't forget this! I wish I could repay you!" Wendy said to them.

"It's perfectly fine. We were happy to help you." Keygan said. "Just make sure you get home safe."

"I will!" Wendy said smiling. "I'll repay you one day and I won't take no for an answer!"

"Alright." Keygan said smiling. She knew when the battle was lost.

"I guess I'll go tell the officers that everything is fine." Javan said he made his way back to the other side. As she walked away he looked back to make everything was still in order. It was the way it was supposed to be.

"If you're ever in Celadon City you should visit me!" Wendy said smiling. She liked these trainers they were nice and strong. Her family would like them too for sure. She was definitely going to tell them about this when she got home.

"Count on it." Keygan said.

Keygan had to admit that she looked forward to visiting her. It was nice to see a happy face after all this. A person who loved Pokémon and wanted to be with them. Celadon wasn't far and Keygan was thinking that would be her fourth badge. Well, she needed to survive the Vermilion City Gym first. Something about the entire situation bugged her. Why was Team Evolution after Wendy? Sure it must have been for Gloom, but she had mentioned they tried to get her too. Were they really stooping so low to go after a child? Keygan took a calming breath as it would just push her further.

"Don't worry, she won't last for long. She'll be out of our hair." a voice said over a communicator. He was glad his grunts were keeping an eye on trainers that seem to show potential. They could do the simply work while he kept up appearances and his eye on another person he was interested her. She never knew and seemed to naive to notice. He knew that wasn't true. She was smart, but when you grow up together you seem to trust them more. This was going to be his world and she couldn't stop him despite she didn't know who she was trying against.

"Yes sir." a grunt answered as he closed the communicator and headed toward Vermilion City.

AN: Oh the ambiguity! There is the end! Exciting news...next chapter...is a...gym battle. I hope you'll come back to read it because this time is different. Please Review in the meantime! I love hearing from you. See you next time!