I have another chapter ready to go! Honestly I have no idea where all these ideas are coming from... I just really like writing this story, and honestly I don't think I'm going to give up on this *knocks on wood*

Anyway...

In this chapter, Nathan is feeling really down! How will the gang pull him back up to his usual self?

Chapter XI:

"Nathan! Wait up!" I called, as the boy raced through the contest hall and out the door into the streets of Crestfallen Town. I saw Nathan turn to look at me, and scowl slightly and begin to run faster.

The contest had ended, Rhianne pulling through to the finals only to lose to a girl named Summer with a powerful Breloom that wiped her Elekid to the floor. As soon as she had received her ribbon, Nathan had quickly exited the arena and went into the change-rooms, but before we could catch up to him, he was already finished, and made a bee-line for the doors while I chased him, Bryce and Rhianne not far behind.

I huffed and picked up the pace, Growlithe running by my side anxiously. "What's wrong with him?" I mumbled. "I get how disappointed he must be, but don't you think this is going a little to far?"

Nathan turned into a nearby park, and with a rush of people around me, I quickly lost him. Bryce and Rhianne soon caught up to me.

"Where did he run off to?" I grumbled, turning to Growlithe. "Can you try and smell him out buddy?"

Growlithe nodded, and began to look for a scent, and Rhianne turned to me with an eyebrow raised. "Do you know why he ran off? Did it have something to do with me?"

I fought the urge to snap out that it was her fault, trying to think clearly. Was it really fair of me to just snap at her all the time? What did she even do to make me angry in the first place? Why did I get so angry when she talked about Nathan? I should at least try to be decent to her.

Controlling my temper, I shook my head. "No. I don't think this is only because of the battle." I spoke out through gritted teeth.

I saw Bryce nod in approval. "I agree. I think there's a little more to this than we think."

"Grow!" My pokemon barked, flicking his tail towards the pond. "Lithe!"

I turned my head in the direction he was pointing, and I saw the shape of Nathan huddled under a tree looking out onto the lake. He was hunched over, and had a small look of sadness etched onto his face.

I sighed and jogged over with Growlithe at my side. I approached him gently, and sat down beside him, looking out onto the pond.

"Do you want to talk about it?" I asked him gently, and Nathan sighed and screwed him eyes shut. From behind me, I could see Rhianne and Bryce standing awkwardly by the tree and I stifled a giggle at how uncomfortable they looked.

After a few moments, Nathan spoke quietly. "It's not even about the contest at all honestly. I'm worried about what my parents are going to think. I mean look at you Scarlet! You've never lost a battle! You're parents won't shut up about you, and you were all over the news last week after your Dad announced you were turning ten."

I looked at him with a perked eyebrow. "People were excited about you too Nathan, when your Dad was at the Grand Festival last year, people were amazed when he said you were starting your journey soon. As for the battle thing, well I have to say it was close in that gym battle, not a walk in the park, plus I had you screaming advice at me from the sides. I couldn't give you tons of support at the contest."

Nathan was beginning to look frustrated. "You don't get it! Everyone expects me to do so amazing at contest just because my parents are Hayden's and Maple's! I don't want to live in the shadow of them! I want to be respected for my own achievements, but it will be nearly impossible with this weight of expectation on my shoulders!" Nathan trembled in frustration, which caused me to get frustrated as well.

"I have the same problem you know! Wherever I went as a kid, people would see me and say 'Oh look the Pokemon Masters Daughter!' not 'Oh look it's Scarlet!' I am a human being to you know! I would prefer to have my own identity, not some form that people created just because of who my parents are." I glowered, and from behind me Rhianne gasped.

"I knew I had seen you three somewhere before! Bryce Harrison, Nathan Hayden and Scarlet Ketchum!" She snapped her fingers beaming. "Now my head doesn't hurt trying to remember anymore."

Bryce just rolled his eyes. "Not helping Rhianne."

"Opps." She mumbled, twiddling with a pokeball on her bag.

Nathan scoffed and turned back to look at the pond. "Maybe this was all just to big a dream for me to handle. Maybe I should just quit now."

I looked at him in shock. "What? You can't do that! Look at how far we've come! You can't give in now just because you have hit a little bump in the road!"

"Easy for you to say." Nathan grumbled.

I knew this was getting tough. I had to find a way to make him more confident! Thinking hard, I grinned upon coming up with the perfect solution.

"Nathan, I challenge you to a battle."

Nathan looked up in shock, and Bryce grabbed my shoulder urgently. "Scarlet, what are you doing?" He hissed into my ear.

I glared back at him. "Picking up his confidence." I spit back.

Nathan looked at me with his eyebrow raised, while Rhianne gave me an interested look.

After a moment of staring, Nathan nodded. "OK sure, but don't expect an easy win." He declared challengingly.

I beamed at him. Excellent, I'm already picking up some of his confidence.

Bryce sighed, still looking unsure, but seemed to think nothing was going to stop us at the moment anyway. "Alright, I guess I'll be the referee."

We stood up and walked over to a grassy field in the park, each of us a good distance away from each other.

"This will be a battle between trainer Scarlet and coordinator Nathan! Each will use one pokemon each, and when one pokemon is unable to battle the winner will be determined!" Bryce called, dropping his hands to declare the match had begun. "Choose you're pokemon!"

Nathan gripped a pokeball and tossed it with a cocky smirk, "Silcoon let's go!"

The cocoon pokemon appeared, rolling once and landing on the ground. "Silk!"

I furrowed my brow in confusion. Silcoon? Does it even know any attacks? I turned to Growlithe with a raised eyebrow, but the fire type shook his head. "Growl!" I nodded in agreement. I didn't want Nathan at a complete disadvantage, and besides, Buizel needs training anyway. Shaking off my concern, I grabbed a pokeball and tossed it.

"Alright Buizel let's go!"

The weasel pokemon appeared with a cross look on his face, and I smiled. Now would be a good time to check Dex and see what moves Buizel knows besides water gun. Pulling out the purple machine, I scanned my water type.

Buizel knows sonic boom, water gun, water sport, quick attack and double team

Oh wow. More than I thought. I made a mental note to remind myself to use Dex more often.

"You can have the first move Scar." Nathan smirked, flicking hair out of his eyes.

Raising an eyebrow, I shrugged. "Alright. Buizel use sonic boom!"

The weasel pokemon rushed into the air, and his two tails began to glow, turning white as it flipped around, sending a large white shock wave at Silcoon.

"Woah!" I gasped, watching my pokemons elegance as it landed back on his feet.

Nathan didn't waver, instead nodding to himself. "Silcoon use harden!"

The bug pokemons body shinned and Buizels sonic boom attack bounced harmlessly off the pokemons body.

"Now use poison sting!" Nathan called, and I recoiled in surprise. "Poison sting? When did silcoon learn that?"

Silcoon sent a flurry of purple needles flying towards Buizel, and I barley had a second to react.

"Use Quick Attack to dodge!" I called, and the weasel sprang off in a blast of white light, neatly dodging the poison sting attack and landing on his feet, panting slightly.

Buizel is getting tired from all that running. I need to think of a way to get past that harden.

"Use string shot Silcoon!" Nathan smirked, sensing how tired Buizel must have been.

Seeing the string of silk shoot towards Buizel, I began to panic. Think of something Scarlet!

Just as the string was about to hit Buizel I had an idea. "Buizel use double team!"

Buizel was instantly cloned, and twelve Buizels appeared around a very confused Silcoon. Nathan gritted his teeth in frustration, and turned back to his confused pokemon. "It's okay Silcoon, just relax! Look for the real copy, trust me you will be able to tell!"

I snickered. "Are you so sure about that? Buizel water gun, let's go!"

The copy's vanished, and a jet of water was blasted towards Silcoon, making it cry out in pain as it rolled to the floor. "Silcoon!" Nathan gasped.

Buizel landed on the ground, crossing his arms proudly. I smiled at the water type. "Nice shot Buizel!" The pokemon smirked. "Bui!"

Nathan scowled and turned to his bug type. "Come on Silcoon! Please get up! I believe in you!"

"Sil...SILCOON!" The bug type pokemon rolled to its feet, and glared in determination, and after a few seconds the pokemon flashed white, and raised off the ground slowly.

I gasped, and Buizel and Growlithe gave shocked cries. Rhianne and Bryce beamed and Nathan smiled proudly. "Awesome! Silcoon is evolving!"

Bryce nodded, and crossed his arms. "It looks like Silcoon was tired of Nathan feeling so down. He really wants to win this battle as well!"

"I guess so." Rhianne beamed. "Scarlet could be in trouble."

The pokemon stopped flashing, and the former Silcoon spread its wings, and a large gust of wind surrounded the pokemon, showing off its beautiful form. "Beautifly!" it cried in determination.

I gasped in wonder and reached again for my pokedex. "Beautifly huh? What does Dex have to say?"

Beautifly, the Butterfly Pokémon. Beautifly have long, thin noses which can extend to suck the pollen out of flowers.

Nathan had his pokedex out as well, checking for new moves Beautifly may know.

Beautifly knows the moves tackle, string shot, poison sting, and gust.

Nathan beamed, and flipped his pokedex shut. "Alright awesome! Ready to go Beautifly?"

"Beau!" It cried, and I narrowed my eyes. "We're not done yet! You good Buizel?" I asked the weasel, who nodded and smirked in anticipation.

"Alright Buizel! Use sonic boom!" I cried, and Buizels tail lit up again, sending the wave flying towards Beautifly.

Nathan's eyes narrowed. "Beautifly, dodge and use gust!"

The butterfly pokemon spiralled to dodge the sonic boom, and flapped his wings in a rush to send winds flying towards Buizel, who squinted and held up his arms to shield his eyes.

"Now finish it off with poison sting!" Nathan cried, and Beautifly raced into the gust and shot out a string of needles towards Buizel, and I gasped. "Buizel! Dodge it!" But it was too late. The sting attack hit dead on, and threw the pokemon backwards, while crying out in pain. The wind picked up, blinding me for a moment, and when it faded I opened my eyes to see Buizel unconscious.

"Buizel is unable to battle!" Bryce called, a grin on his face. "The winner of this battle is Nathan!"

Slowly a grin spread on Nathans face, and he cheered loudly and punched the air. "Alright!" He cried in delight. "We won Beautifly!" The butterfly pokemon trilled in delight and landed atop Nathans head, nuzzling him happily.

I sighed and walked over to Buizel, who had awoken looking rather dejected. "Hey, it's okay buddy. We can't win every battle, and besides, you did great! That double team attack was awesome, and your water gun has gotten so much stronger since the last time we battled!" Buizel looked up at me. "Bui? Buizel!" He put a toothy grin on his face and I laughed, giving him a hug. "Alright buddy, take a nice long rest."

Once Buizel was safely in his pokeball, Growlithe and I walked up to Nathan, who was still smiling at Beautifly.

"Hey that was an awesome battle Nathan!" I smiled at the boy, and he shok out his brown hair and smiled. "Thanks! I didn't know Buizel knew all those moves! Why didn't you tell me?"

I snickered. "The same reason you never told me about Beautifly knowing poison sting."

Nathan laughed, and gave me a one armed hug, which made me flush. "Hey, I never said thanks. I don't know why I got so down on myself, but I promise that won't happen again!"

I smiled, and nodded. "Good."

Rhianne and Bryce made there way over to us, grins on their faces. "Hey you two were really good!" Rhianne smiled, and I attempted to give her a smile. "Yeah, I've never seen you two look so determined!" Bryce agreed.

I nodded, and stopped when I heard my tummy rumble. "Hey what do you guys say we head on over to the Pokemon Centre and get something to eat? I'm starving!"

Nathan nodded. "Fine by me."

I turned to look at Growlithe. "What do you- Growlithe?" My pokemon wasn't by my side, and I furrowed my eyebrows. "Where did Growlithe run of to?"

I heard a loud barking and I spun around and gasped. Growlithe was trapped in a metal cage, being levitated high into the sky by a Zorua balloon. Inside the balloon three figures were laughing.

"Be respectful, and take off your hats!"

"Were here to snatch pokemon, and that will be that!"

"Oh great." Nathan grumbled rolling his eyes. Rhianne looked confused. "What's going on?"

"To protect the world from abomination!" Jackie cried, standing up straight into the balloon.

"To unite all peoples with declaration!" Jace cried in a similar tone.

"Hope and Faith to always defy!" Jackie continued, smiling mischievously.

"As fast as a bullet we are sure to fly!" Jace crackled, crossing his arms.

"Jackie!"

"Jace!"

"Team Rocket is here with unlimited power!" Jackie snickered, leaning over the edge of the balloon.

"Ready for action, standing tall as a tower!" Jace called, an evil look on his face.

"Zorua! Now COWER!" The black fox screeched, leaping onto the railing of the balloon.

"Team Rocket! Give me back Growlithe!" I spat furiously, running up to the balloon as it began to climb higher. Soon it would be out of reach.

"Fat chance!" Jackie laughed, "We're going to take Growlithe to the boss!"

Jace nodded. "Then we'll be rolling in dough!"

Zorua nodded. "Very true, and no little punkette is going to stop us!"

"Just watch me!" I growled running up to the railing and grabbing onto the bottom of the cage at the last moment, and Nathan, Bryce and Rhianne gasped as I straightened up, hanging on for dear life.

"I hate heights." I grumbled closing my eyes as we ascended higher and higher into the sky. From inside the cage, Growlithe whimpered and licked the hand that was hanging onto the inside of the cage.

"Scarlet! Be careful!" Bryce cried, and I saw Nathan run under the cage, a worried look on his face.

Jackie, Jace and Zorua on he other hand were looking pretty angry. "The little punkette has hold onto the cage!" Jace cried, and Jackie snarled in fury.

"I'll show her! Houndour! Get that punk off of there with ember!" Houndour appeared inside the balloon and began shooting small flames towards me. I gasped, but Growlithe was there, killing the embers off with his own attack, stopping it from hitting my face.

"Growlithe!" He growled lowly, and Zorua winced at the dangerous look in his eyes.

"Guys, Growlithe says if we attack his trainer one more time, we're going to be sorry." He whimpered, and I turned to my pokemon in admiration. "Nice one." I whispered. Growlithe yipped in response.

But Jackie wasn't having any of that. "I don't care! Whats that little runt going to do? Houndour, ember, one more time!"

Just like seconds before, Houndours ember attack went flying at Growlithe, only this time, he was furious. Snarling in fury, I saw his teeth begin to emit flames, and he crunched down on the bars of his cage, instantly shattering them. He then shot out his own ember attack, effectively, destroying Houndours ember yet again. I hauled myself over to Growlithe and the opening he made in the cage.

"Wow! What was that buddy?" I gasped, leaning over to pat the puppy on the head. Growlithe barked in happiness and nuzzled my leg in response.

"Well it looks like the runts learned fire fang." Jace grumbled. "Isn't that just fantastic?"

Jacie groaned. "Ugg, lets get this thing flying. We can ditch punkette in the woods somewhere and take Growlithe to the boss." The balloon flew even higher into the sky, and now Nathan, Bryce and Rhianne looked like little dots on the ground.

Just as I turned around to fire another command towards Team Rocket, I heard a loud snap. Freezing in place, I looked up to see the cage wire connected to the balloon begin to snap.

"Oh no." I whispered, beginning to tremble. It seems that Houndours ember attacks loosened the wire, and it was going to snap at any moment.

I looked at Growlithe just as I heard another snap, and I groaned. "Well Growlithe, looks like we have to jump."

Growlithe whimpered, but nodded, and feeling a pit of anxiety in my stomach I knew this was the end.

I closed my eyes and we jumped just as the last wire snapped.

While falling through the air, I gritted my teeth and pulled Growlithe into my arms. "Gotcha!" I called, and hugged the pokemon to my chest as we fell. The cage had spun sideways, away from Nathan and the others, but I could still see the ground approaching.

I shut my eyes just as I though we were about to hit the ground when I heard a loud call. "Flygon! Quick! Catch Rhianne and Growlithe!" "Beautifly! Use gust to slow their fall!"

Wind swept around me, and we were instantly slowed, and I hit the back of something with a loud thump. Opening my eyes, I saw a large green pokemon with wings look up at us in concern, and I nodded. "We're okay, thanks a million."

Flygon lowered us to the ground and I fell off his back, hitting the ground with a loud thump before letting go of Growlithe and collapsing onto the floor, breathing hard.

Nathan, Bryce and Rhianne ran up to us with worried looks, and Nathan crouched by my side in concern, Beautifly on his head. "Scarlet! Are you okay?"

Growlithe whimpered and nudged me, and shakily I got to my feet. "Yeah... I'm fine. Just a little shocked. Who's Flygon is that?"

Rhianne smiled, and leaned over, patting the green pokemon on the head. "He's mine."

I nodded. "Thanks again, that could have been really bad. Flygon huh?"

I pulled out my pokedex and scanned the green pokemon.

Flygon, the Mystic Pokémon. Flygon is the evolved form of Vibrava. It's known as the desert spirit because of the song-like voice that emanates from the sandstorms it kicks up.

I nodded. "Flygon sure is a cool pokemon."

Rhianne didn't say anything, but she looked at me with interest. "I saw the way you grabbed Growlithe mid air like that. That takes real courage and bravery. I'm very impressed."

I looked at Rhianne in surprise, and nodded. "Thanks."

It was silent for a moment. None of us knowing quite what to say, until the Zorua balloon hit the ground and the three members of Team Rocket reappeared, snarling at us.

"That was some interesting tricks you did midair punkette." Jackie snarled.

Jace nodded. "Risky too."

I glowered and from my side Growlithe growled in fury. "You three almost had us killed! What's your problem!"

Rhianne nodded, and Flygon narrowed her eyes from behind her. "Yeah seriously! You three really need to learn about boundaries!"

Jackie raised an eyebrow. "And who might you be? Another punkette?"

Rhianne glowered and turned to me. "Scarlet, let's teach these three a lesson they wont forget in a hurry!"

I nodded, grinning. "Agreed. Let's go Growlithe!"

"You too Flygon!" Rhianne called, and both pokemon leaped forwards. Growlithe actually taking the extra step to jump on Flygons back.

Jace frowned. "Fine. Poochyena! Show these punks a thing or two!"

"Houndour, stand by with Poochyena!"

The two dog pokemon leaped into battle growling in anticipation. Jace and Jackie grinned. "Poochyena! Use bite!" Jace smirked. Jackie nodded. "Houndour bite too, let's go!"

Both pokemon went charging towards Flygon and Growlithe, their teeth lighting up in a bright white light, but Rhianne and I were ready.

"Flygon fly between them!" Rhianne called, and the large pokemon took off, flying between Poochyena and Houndour before they could even blink.

"Now Growlithe use fire fang!" I called, and Rhianne nodded. "And Flygon, you use dragon claw!"

Growlithe turned the fiery attack directly on Poochyena, chomping onto the back of his neck as flames seared through his fur, and when he cried out in pain, he tossed the pokemon back towards the balloon. Flygon did the same, only as soon as the pokemon raised his now-purple claw, the swipe force alone sent the dog back towards the balloon as well.

Jackie, Jace and Zorua cried out in alarm as their own pokemon collided with them, causing them to fall over in the balloon.

I smiled and turned to Rhianne nodding to her. "I'll give you the honours today."

Rhianne beamed and turned back to Flygon. "Flygon! Finish this with Hyper Beam!"

Flygon reeled backwards, before firing off a purple and white beam that istantly collided with the balloon, sending the theives soaring into the sky crying out.

"LOOKS LIKE TEAM ROCKETS BLASTING OFF AGAIN!"

"That was awesome!" I laughed, as the four of us walked out of the Pokemon Centre. It was about three hours after the incident with Team Rocket, and we were parting ways with Rhianne. She was heading back to the Contest Hall to meet with her family, and we were heading off towards Mt. Moon, and hopefully Cerulean City.

"I agree. And Scarlet, I would just like to say, although we got off to a pretty rocky start, I'm glad we can try and get past that." Rhianne smiled softly, and after a few moments, I nodded. "I guess we can, and now that I can show I can be nice to you, maybe Nathan will learn from this and at least try and be nice to Ean?" I asked hopefully, turning to Nathan.

He scowled and looked away. "I will when he tried to be nicer to me that stuck-up arrogant-"

Bryce cut him off by throwing a hand over his mouth, and pushing him lightly. "Shut up Nathan, we just got out of a fight, don't throw us back into one."

Rhianne, Growlithe and I chuckled, and we waved good-bye to Rhianne and headed off into the direction of Mt. Moon.

There we go! Chapter Eleven! Now, I have a question I would like you guys to try and answer if you would please, because this could very well change the story around completely.

Do you think Scarlet should catch a Pokemon in Mt. Moon?

Thanks again!