Here we are! Chapter Thirteen! You know what I just realized? Scarlet is turning out to become like an alter ego of mine, in some moments I will randomly call my dog Growlithe and my friend Nash Nathan. It's super embarrassing.

Chapter XIII:

"So are you going to try and get a badge from you're Mom Scar?" Nathan questioned as we walked down Mt. Moon and towards Cerulean City. We had bid our farewells to Hank and Sandshrew, promising we wold meet up again sometime, and now we had decided it was fine time to be heading back along on our journeys. I needed a new Gym Badge.

"Of course!" I smiled in excitement. "And we're going to win it too! Right Growlithe?"

The puppy Pokemon barked in agreement, whereas Bryce snickered slightly. "Hey Scarlet, in case you didn't realize, your mom has water type pokemon. Don't you think a fire-type, a steel rock type and a water type would be a bit difficult? Besides, you know how strong your Mom is, even you're Dad sometimes can't beat her!"

Growlithe frowned but I waved my hand. "Don't worry! I know my mom inside and out. I will be able to win."

Nathan just shook his head. "Whatever you say. I guess we'll find out soon enough."

"Hey!" A voice from behind us called. I turned in surprise, and raised an eyebrow upon seeing a girl I didn't recognize who looked to be about thirteen.

The girl raced over and skidded to a stop, her wide brown eyes shinning in delight.

"Are you three heading into Cerulean City too?" She beamed placing her hands on her hips, and I took this moment to scan her over quickly.

The pale skinned girl has light brown hair tied in two pigtails by pink ribbons. She wore a pink and white Pokeball cap and had black-rimmed glasses hanging above her nose. She has a pastel blue zip-up hoodie and a white tanktop underneath, and wore a ruffled pink skirt and striped leggings with white boots. She keeps her Pokeballs on a yellow belt which was strapped tightly around her waist.

"Umm actually we are-" Nathan began, until Bryce leaped forward, his eyes lighting up.

"Well hello! It's a pleasure to meet someone as lovley as you along on our journey through Kanto, my name is Bryce, I'm studying to be a world famous breeder, and might I say, I'm not too bad." He leaned in making the girl step back warily, an uncomfortable look on her face. Bryce didn't waver however, and just grinned dashingly. "Does that make you impressed?"

I rolled my eyes and leaned forwards, grabbing him by the ear. "Enough you idiot! Can't you see you're scaring her?" Throwing him backwards lightly, I turned back to the girl, who still looked uncertain. "Sorry about him, I never want to know whats going on up there. My name is Scarlet, and I'm training to be a Pokemon Master." I flicked my hand over to Growlithe, who was grinning at the girl toothily. "This is my partner Growlithe."

Nathan smiled as well and tucked his hands into his pockets. "I'm Nathan, aspiring Top-Coordinator. And unfortunately-" He looked over at Bryce who still had a love-struck look on his face. "That idiot is our cousin Bryce."

The girl laughed and smiled, extending her hand to me. "Aria, I moved her from Sinnoh about three months ago. I'm studying to be a Pokemon researcher like my parents, but I decided to go on a journey to get some experience. Hey, do you know anything about a boy who is the great grandson of the famous Professor Oak? My parents told me he would be travelling Kanto, and I would love to meet him."

I beamed, and Nathan scowled. "Oh you mean Ean? Yeah, we started our journeys together. I think he has a head start on us though. If you want you can come with us to Cerulean City. I'm sure my Mom can find him."

Aria looked bemused, but then broke into a huge grin. "Wait... I know now! You three are famous kids! The ones traveling Kanto to follow your parents footsteps! Oh cool!"

I flushed and rubbed the back of my neck. "Yeah well, we still have a lot to learn."

Aria looked taken aback. "So does this mean you're on your way to challenge you're own mom Scarlet?"

I shrugged, and Growlithe leaped onto my shoulder and I grunted under the weight. "Well we were..." I sighed, rubbing Growlithes head. "But I don't know if I'm strong enough."

"Oh that's an easy fix!" Aria beamed. "Let's have a battle! That way we can both get some experience."

Nathan nodded. "That's a good idea Scar. That way we can see if you really are ready to challenge you're mom."

I scowled. "Shut up Thanny! Who asked you!" Seeing the boy flush and Bryce and Aria laugh, I smiled. "But I accept. This is going to be fun! Bryce can you be the referee?"

"Yeah... sure." Bryce mumbled, his dreamy look vanishing for a short moment. "How about a two-on-two battle, first person to lose both Pokemon loses."

Both Aria and I nodded in determination, and took off towards the plains.

One Aria and I were positioned a good distance apart from each other I had a look around. The field was grassy and level, perfect for a battle.

"The battle between trainers Aria and Scarlet is about to begin! This will be a simple two-on-two match, so let's get started! Trainers release you're Pokemon!" Bryce called, his hands dropping to signal the fight to begin.

Aria smiled and picked up a pokeball, tossing it into the air. "Luxio! I choose you!"

The pokeball exploded, and a black blue and yellow pokemon resembling a lynx appeared, a smirk on its face. I gasped and pulled out my Pokedex. "Luxio! Those are from Sinnoh!"

Luxio, the Spark Pokémon. By touching friends with its front paws, Luxio is able to communicate through the sparks it emits.

"Luxio was my second pokemon, I caught her in Sinnoh before we moved here. It's possible to find them here now, but they sure are rare." Aria beamed, and Luxio gave a loud roar for effect.

My brow furrowed as I tried to think. Luxio was an electric type... so Buizel's a no go. That means either Growlithe or Aron.

I looked over at my puppy Pokemon and saw him frowning, and I instantly made up my mind. If this is the training we need, I think it's time to test my new Pokemon. Reaching for the Pokeball, I threw it, and called out my signature battle cry. "Alright Aron! Let's go!"

The iron rock pokemon appeared, roaring loudly and crouched, ready for anything.

Aria raised an eyebrow. "Aron huh? Interesting choice. But it wont be enough. Luxio, use charge!"

Luxio crouched down, and sparks began to fly out of the Pokemons fur, giving off a bright yellow light. I raised an eyebrow at the strange move and Aron cocked its head in confusion.

"Scarlet!" Nathan cried. "Charge is a move where it begins to store up electrical energy! If you let that energy get to high the Pokemon will have ridiculous amount of energy! The electric attacks will be very powerful!"

My eyes widened. "Quick Aron use mud-slap!"

Aron flicked his routine shot of mud directly at Luxio, and the Pokemon was hit by it, making him cry out in pain, and fall backwards, his charge fading. The Pokemon got up however, and was looking more powerful than usual, his fur emitting small sparks.

"Awesome Luxio!" Aria beamed, and I groaned. Charge worked, and now the Pokemon was stronger than before. Aron was still fresh though, so I figured he would be okay for a while.

"Now Luxio! Use Spark!" Aria beamed, and Luxio shot out a bright electric light that hit Aron before I could call an attack.

Aron squealed in pain and was thrown backwards, and I gasped. "Aron!"

The Pokemon whimpered from he ground, and struggled to stand. "Ar.. Aron..."

I looked at him with pleading eyes. "Please stand up Aron! I know you can still battle!"

The Pokemon's eyes suddenly widened and he grunted, pulling himself to his feet, panting hard. "ARON!" He roared, and I smiled. "You're the best! Now Aron use metal claw!"

The Pokemon charged forwards, his claw lighting up, and this time it hi before Aria could call an attack. Luxio was thrown backwards, and he shrieked in agony as it tumbled backwards into the dust. When Aria called for her to stand, it was clear she could not, and Luxio fell to the ground in a tired heap.

"Luxio is unable to battle! The winner of this round is Aron!" Bryce called, and Aria sighed and called Luxio back into her Pokeball.

"You're tough, I'll give you that. But let's see f you can beat my next Pokemon!" Aria beamed, and tossed a pokeball to explode in a white light, and there stood a red monkey pokemon, who danced wildly.

"Woah!" I gasped, reaching again for Dex. "A Chimchar!"

Chimchar, the Monkey Pokémon. Chimchar easily climbs the sheerest of walls and lives on mountain tops. When it sleeps, its flames go out.

"Alright Aron are you ready?" I beamed, but gasped when I looked down to see Aron wincing, surrounded by a static light.

"That's Luxios Static effect! When Aron used metal claw it looks like he was affected. I would swap him out Scarlet." Nathan winced.

I sighed and pulled out Arons Pokeball. "Alright Aron return!" When the Pokemon disappeared I smiled against the Pokeball. "You did great! Take a rest from that paralysis."

Now what? I had Growlithe, a fire type, and I have Buizel, a water type. The choice seemed pretty obvious until I felt a tug at my boots. I looked down to see Growlithe whimpering and flicking his tail. I raised an eyebrow. "You wanna battle Growlithe?"

"Growl! Lithe!" The puppy barked, wagging his tail. I beamed and nodded. "Alright! Get on out there then!"

Growlithe snarled at Chimchar, than raced onto the battlefield crouching down low and growling in determination.

"Alright then, if you want to go with a fire type." Aria shrugged. "You can make the first move."

I nodded and turned to Growlithe. A fire tpye vs a fire type. I know better than to use straight fire type moves. "Alright buddy! Fire fang! Let's go!"

Growlithe snarled and raced forward towards Chimchar, his mouth lighting up with red flames.

Nathan nodded from the sidelines. "Good choice. Fire fang isn't just a fire type move. It will also leave some pain from Growlithe's fangs.

"Alright Chimchar! Dodge and use tackle!" Aria commanded, and Chimchar leaped out of the way of Growlithes fangs, before ramming hard into Growlithes back. Growlithe yelped in pain and rolled out of the way, shaking his fur in annoyance.

"Are you okay Growlithe?" I gasped, and the Pokemon barked, confirming he was fine. I relaxed and nodded. "Alright! Use bite at Chimchars legs!"

Growlithe charged again towards Chimchar, sliding underneath him and choming down hard on his foot. Chimchar screeched in pain and leaped backwards out of Growlithes sight line, causing the puppy to look around in confusion.

I gasped in shock. "Growlithe above you!"

But Aria beat me to it. "Flame wheel now!"

Chimchar began to glow red, and spin rapidly, becoming a ball of flame. I could only watch in horror as the ball connected into Growlithe, and and explosion was heard. Dust flew up everywhere, and I cried out in shock. When it cleared, I feared the worst, but gasped surprise when Growlithe was perfectly fine, growling at Chimchar angrily.

Aria looked astonished. "What! How?"

"That's Growlithe's ability Scarlet! That's flash fire! When a fire type move hits Growlithe, it causes little damage, and boosts the power of Growlithes fire type attacks!" Nathan cried out in glee.

I beamed. "That's so cool! Growlithe! Use ember let's go!"

Aria's eyes narrowed. "We're not finished here! Dodge and use scratch!"

Chimchar easily dodged the ember, and spiralled towards Growlithe. I whimpered. "No! Dodge it!"

Growlithe surprised me again. He started digging hastily at the ground, before completely submerging. Chimchar looked around in confusion, and this time Bryce shook his head in shock, smiling brightly.

"That's interesting. I think Growlithe learned dig!"

I laughed freely now, and nodded where Growlithe disappeared. "Alright buddy! Use dig!"

Growlithe burst out of the ground, throwing Chimchar backwards with a loud cry of pain, Aria called to him worriedly, and the monkey pulled himself to his feet. I could tell both fire types were exhausted, and I looked over at Aria. "Let's finish this."

Aria nodded. "Agreed."

We both paused, thinking of our best attacks in our brain, before calling out simultaneously.

"Chimchar use scratch!"

"Growlithe use fire fang!"

Both Pokemon leaped forward, throwing back there heads and crying out, before meeting in an explosion that threw me off my feet. When the smoke cleared, both Pokemon were lying unconscious, worn out and unable to battle anymore.

"Both Chimchar and Growlithe are unable to battle! This match is a draw!" Bryce called out, and Aria and I gasped and raced forward to meet our fallen Pokemon.

I crouched by Growlithes side, picking up my puppy Pokemon. "Oh Growlithe." I whispered, hugging the fire type. Growlithe whimpered sadly and I smiled. "Buddy! Don't worry about it! We learned so much from that battle! I learned about Flash Fire, and you learned how to use dig! I think we came out of that with more experience than you think."

Growlithe yipped in happiness, and I smiled, hugging the Pokemon.

"You were really good! I threw you off guard with Luxio and everything, but you still managed to catch up!" I looked up to see Aria smiling in excitement at me. I beamed and got to my feet, holding Growlithe in my arms.

"Thanks! For a researcher, you sure know a ton about Pokemon battling!" I extended my free hand, which Aria took, shaking happily.

"Well, I just catch on quickly. On our way through the city we should discuss our strengths and weaknesses. It's no good battling without taking something away from it, although I guess your Growlithe already did!" Aria smiled, reaching out and rubbing Growlithe's head softly, causing my fire type to yip affectionately.

"That's a good idea Scarlet." Came Bryce's voice from behind us. He and Nathan were standing side-by-side with smiled on their faces, looking pleased with how the battle turned out.

"Agreed. If you want to challenge your mom your going to have to come up with some kind of strategy." Nathan pointed out, raising an eyebrow. "It seems right now you're strategy is just brute strength. You will need to do a lot more training to raise you're teams endurance."

I frowned, and though more and more about it. Nathan and Bryce had a point, I was just using brute strength like my Dad did before he learned better. I was going along with anything and everything, and I didn't really think before I acted. It had worked or the most part so far, but now maybe I could change it around and come up with my own moves only my Pokemon ad I know!

"You're right. I'll ask my Dad for advice when we get to Cerulean." I nodded, and turned back to Aria. "First we can show you to the Pokemon Centre, because I'm almost sure that's where Ean is staying.

(Line Break)

We arrived to my birth town shortly after the battle between myself and Aria, and I felt my smile begin to grow as I looked around the city I had grown up in. I knew this place inside and out, nothing fazed me about this town anymore. The beautiful Cerulean river that ran through the city, the Pokemon Centre that sat directly in the middle of town, the flowers that bloomed from all angles, I loved it. My home, my family, everything is here.

I shot a sideways glance at Nathan and Bryce and Growlithe, who were talking to Aria. Well I guess not everything is here. My best friends were with me on my journey.

"Alright guys, right this way! Pokemon Centre dead ahead!" I beamed brightly. It seemed the Cerulean air as already making me more cheerful!

Entering the familiar Centre, I grinned brightly upon seeing the Nurse Joy I grew up around. "Nurse Joy!"

The pink haired nurse turned at the sound of her name and beamed. "Ah! Scarlet! Welcome home!"

I raced forward with a new found delight, and handed her Buizel and Arons Pokeball, and then picked up Growlithe and put him on the counter as well.

"Can you heal my Pokemon please? My friends as well if its not to much trouble" I smiled, and Nathan, Bryce and Aria approached us with their own Pokeballs in hand.

The kind Nurse took the Pokeballs and placed them in a cart to take them to a recovery room, before Aria tapped her fingers on the table to get her attention again.

"Hey, Nurse I was wondering if a boy named Ean checked in here?" She asked with a raised eyebrow, and Nathan scoffed slightly. "Not that I understand why you would want to be around that jerk."

Everyone ignored him, but the Nurse smiled. "Actually yes, he headed down to the Gym... probably to get his second badge. If you hurry you can catch up with him, although if you miss him you can come by later, he checked into a room for the night."

Aria beamed, and I smiled at my new friend. She would make a great travelling companion for Ean, that poor kid was all alone, and a bubbly girl like Aria would perk him right up.

"Alright thanks Nurse Joy! We'll be back later for the Pokemon, I want to go check in with my parents." I nodded up at the pink haired woman. She nodded, and moved backwards into the recovery room. "Alright dear, have fun! But come back around nine for you're Pokemon."

Together the four of us left the Pokemon Centre, and I began walking into the direction of the Gym. "If we hurry we may be able to catch up to Ean, although if he is challenging my Mom he may already be fighting her.

Approaching the familiar gym, my grin began to grow. The door to the Gym was locked, but that was no problem. Pulling my spare key out of my backpack, I turned the lock and charged inside, calling out loudly. "Mom! I'm home!"

"Mrs. Ketchum? Are you in here?" Nathan called, looking around in confusion. The lights were on, but it seemed nobody was around. Aria raised an eyebrow. "Maybe we missed her?|"

Bryce's brow furrowed, and he made the three of us jump by screaming loudly, the loudest I had ever heard the boys voice go. "HELLOOOO!?"

We heard a crash from the next room, and an angry looking Misty storm out of her office. "WHAT DO YOU KIDS THINK YOU'RE DOING IN-"

We all cringed at her tone until she gasped, running over and embracing me. "Scarlet! You're home!"

Kind of a filler chapter, but hey! I had to get over some writers block from this story so here it is!