I'm back with Chapter Fifteen! I hope you all enjoy because in this one someone gets a new Pokemon! (Although I'm not saying who...)

Anyways...

On to the chapter!

Chapter XV:

Growlithe and Pikachu stood in crouched ready positions, Pikachu looking confident, reflecting my dad's emotions, and Growlithe looking determined, reflecting mine. My dad was right, you're Pokemon feel what you feel.

From the sidelines, my mom was looking unsure. "Scarlet won't learn anything if Ash just destroys her." she whispered to the four teens along the sidelines. "I hope he knows what he is doing."

Nathan frowned and looked at me. "Scarlet sure looks nervous. She knows she needs to come up with a strategy."

"Shut up Nathan! You think I don't know that? I'm trying to focus here." I growled, and everyone started laughing while Nathan shot me a hurt look. "Ouch. Sorry."

Austin was seated on the ground in front of my mom, clapping excitedly. "Go daddy! Go Scarlet!" he cried out in glee.

"Alright Princess, you can have the first move." My dad smirked.

I breathed out in frustration. I still didn't have a strategy, and if I didn't make a move soon, my dad would.

"Alright Growlithe! Start us off with ember!" I called, and the puppy barked and shot out a single flame that went flying towards Pikachu, who's eyes narrowed in concentration and nimbly dodged it without my dad telling him too.

Ash tilted his head. "She's going to have to do a bit better than that to get us. Pikachu, use electroball!"

Pikachu began to store electrical energy in a bright ball, and leaned back in preparation to fire.

I bit my lip. Now I could test my strategy. "Hold on Growlithe." I nodded to my fire type, and the puppy barked and crouched lower in preparation.

My dad looked confused but shrugged. "Now Pikachu!"

Just as the tiny mouse fired the ball of energy, I sprang into action. "Use dig Growlithe!"

"Growl!" The puppy hastily began to dig into the soft ground, disappearing under the surface and I smiled as the ball of energy missed and hit a nearby tree, causing a small explosion.

Everyone on the sidelines gasped at the smart tactic, and even my dad looked impressed. "Not bad Princess! But we're not done yet. Pikachu! Sense the ground! You know where Growlithe is."

Pikachu began to sniff and look at the ground in suspicion, and I waited for the right moment when Pikachu perked up in realization, and I smirked. "Now Growlithe!"

The puppy sprang out of the ground in a quick leap, colliding into Pikachu and sending the Pokemon backwards. "Pikapi!" The tiny mouse cried out in surprise, but managed to spin and land back on his feet without much difficulty.

My dad laughed. "Oh that was surprising! But you're going to need a new tactic now. I already know that one exists. Now it's my turn to surprise you! Pikachu, use Agility to run around Growlithe!"

My mom shook her head. "Oh no. You're dad must really want to confuse Scarlet. He's attempting to put her under pressure."

Pikachu raced forward, running circles around a very confused Growlithe. I grit my teeth in frustration and struggled to think.

An idea popped into my head and I beamed. "Growlithe! Spin while preforming an ember attack to come out in all directions!"

My mom smiled and shook her head in disbelief. "She is just a picture of her father."

Growlithe nodded and rolled over, spinning fast and shooting out thirty embers at once. One collided with Pikachu, who cried out in pain and skidded to a halt, his fur sparking up in anger.

Ash looked surprised and slightly miffed, but shook his head. "That was smart. You alright Pikachu?"

The tiny mouse nodded once and Growlithe smirked and stopped spinning. Looking more confident now.

My dad's eyes had narrowed and he smiled. "Sorry Scarlet, I love you but I really would like to end this. Pikachu, use thunderbolt!"

Pikachu nodded and charged up a large mass of electricity, and fired it off without a second glance. As the thunderbolt soared towards Growlithe I gasped, my eyes widening. "Growlithe try and dodge it!"

Growlithe couldn't even blink, the thunderbolt connected with Growlithe causing him to cry out in pain, and when I looked down at my puppy Pokemon, he was completely unconscious.

I looked over at my dad and glared at him. "Dad! Did you have to shock him that badly?"

My dad rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "Sorry, I got a bit carried away." Pikachu nodded, looking at the puppy in concern. "Pika..."

I ran over and picked up my puppy Pokemon, who twitched slightly and looked at me in shock. "Growl...?"

I sighed and nuzzled him. "Don't worry buddy you did great."

The puppy wagged his tail twice and grinned toothily. "Lithe!"

My dad came up behind me with Pikachu perched on his shoulder. "Hey you did really well Princess! I didn't expect you to be able to hold your own for that long. You sure surprised me!"

My mom nodded from behind me. "I agree. I was impressed as well."

Everyone walked over to congratulate me, and I put Growlithe down so he could play with Pikachu and Austin, who started running around chasing each other.

Nathan and Ean seemed to forget about there disagreements for a while, and they came up and pushed me forward in excitement. "Hey that battle was awesome!" Nathan grinned, and Ean nodded. "The way you made Growlithe's ember spin like that? So cool!"

Bryce stoked his chin thoughtfully and smiled. "I think maybe you should try and teach Growlithe an attack that will work well at range. Right now you only have ember, and that isn't a very powerful attack."

I furrowed my eyebrow but nodded. "I think you're right. Let me see what attacks Growlithe can learn."

I pulled out Dex and flipped it to scan Growlithe, everyone waiting to see what the device had to say.

Growlithe's learn able fire type attacks are Flame Burst, Flame Wheel, Flame Charge and Sunny Day

My dad nodded. "Most of those are worth teaching. If you're looking for a good attack that works at range, I would go with flame burst, but sunny day is an attack I would make sure Growlithe knows. Growlithe will be able to boost the power of fire type attacks.

I nodded slowly, thinking about how useful that would be. If I was fighting a fire type, and I used Sunny Day, I would be able to double the power of my attacks, as well as if they attacked me back it would double the power again. That would be incredible!

Learning Flame Burst would help as well. I would be able to come up with more strategies to attack opponents, and I could attack at range with more power.

"Alright." I smiled. "I'll work with Growlithe to learn those moves. You're right Dad, both of those will help in the long run."

My mom frowned slightly. "Let's not forget about you're other Pokemon Scarlet. If you would like, I could work with Buizel to teach him Aqua Jet. It's a move he should learn on his own, but giving him a push would help speed it along. I won't have time to teach him another move, but I could show you what you need to do for him to learn Ice Punch."

I realized now that Bryce, Nathan, Ean and Aria were all working with their Pokemon, trying to teach them a few more moves. My parents had obviously already worked with them, and now they were practising.

"Whats with all the different moves?" I asked with a small smirk. "Two moves for Buizel and Growlithe? Why are you helping me so much?"

Ash laughed and grabbed his old cap before ruffling my hair and putting it back on. "We want our kid to be as strong as they can be."

Misty nodded. "Plus, the stronger you're Pokemon are the better you will do in Gym Battles. If you lose to a Gym Leader, they'll call me and then I'll never hear the end of it!"

I nodded slowly and then smiled. "Alright I guess that's a good enough reason."

Ash smirked and patted my shoulder. "That's my girl. Now, for Aron, I have a good move I think will help you in battle..."

(Line Break)

"Alright, now remember Growlithe, concentrate hard on making a stream of fire from you're mouth and into the air. It will form a ball, and then burst, and the flames will fall from the sky and hit you're opponent. Aron, you try and dodge, and then spiral towards Growlithe and tackle him hard. Take down is a good move for you Aron, because you're special ability is Rock Head, which means you never take recoil damage."

I was trying my hardest to teach the Pokemon the moves they needed to learn, but both Pokemon we're having trouble concentrating. It just seemed to be too much for both Pokemon to handle.

Meanwhile, my mom and Buizel we on the other side of the field, trying to master Aqua Jet. "You're doing fine Buizel." My mom encouraged. "Just try and shoot the water around you. Then fly upwards."

The hard work soon paid off, and Growlithe could soon successfully produce a sunny day, and somewhat got the flame burst attack. It could use a little more practise. Aron's take down was successful as well, and Buizel had mastered Aqua Jet with ease, although the Ice Punch attack would have to wait.

We had worked for a long time, it was almost midnight now. Everyone was exhausted and ready for bed. Pokemon and trainers.

"I think its time we all headed inside." My mom smiled. "You're all welcome to stay the night, we have an extra bedroom all the boys can stay in, and Aria can share a room with Scarlet."

"Mom, dad, thank you so so much for all your help." I beamed, and returned the tired Pokemon to their Pokeballs, and picking up Growlithe. "I would never had been able to teach my Pokemon all these moves alone."

"I agree. Thanks Mr. and Mrs. Ketchum." Ean beamed, sliding his Pokeballs onto his belt.

My dad and mom had helped all of us out, Ean had been practising electroball with Flaaffy and another move I didn't know with Squirtle. I didn't know what everyone else had learned, I only knew about electroball because I saw it hit the tree behind where we were practising.

Nathan had been acting weird ever since Ean won the practise battle. He wasn't as angry or depressed as when he lost the contest, but he certainly wasn't happy. He seemed... very confused. He had trouble focusing and he seemed at a loss with himself.

When everyone headed up to bed, I turned to my parents for advice. After telling Growlithe to follow Aria upstairs, I turned to ask my parents about Nathan. "Mom? Dad? I don't know whats wrong with Nathan. He seems very lost. What do I do? I don't want him the same way as outside the contest hall, I had to take a blow and battle him."

My mom frowned but my dad raised an eyebrow. "Did you win?"

"Ash!" My mom growled, hitting my dad on the shoulder. "She's asking a serious question!"

"So am I!" My dad exclaimed.

I laughed and shook my head. "No, his Silcoon evolved and hit Buizel with poison sting."

Ash opened his mouth to say something, but my mom cut him off. "Scarlet, I think Nathan needs a confidence booster."

I tilted my head. "But he won the battle against me! Wasn't that enough?"

"That isn't a confidence booster, that's a way to rile someone up. We need to make Nathan feel included, and normal. A way to acknowledge his true potential and make him work hard again." My mom explained, smiling softly.

My dad had finally began to focus, and started nodding. "And I know just the way to do it. Misty, remember the present we were going to give Scarlet?"

I snapped my head up. "Present? Cool! Can I have it now?"

My Dad grinned a little wickedly. "Nope. I'm going to give it to Nathan."

My mouth dropped in a comical fashion and I groaned slapping my forehead. "Me and my fat mouth!"

My dad just laughed and turned me around, pushing me towards the stairs, which I went up in disappointment. "Get going Princess. See you in the morning!"

When I disappeared, I heard my mom and dad talking quietly from the first floor, and I leaned forward to hear what they we're saying.

"Ash, what are you doing?" My mom whispered, looking at my Dad with a raised eyebrow. My dad smiled and pulled my mom close to him, so their foreheads we almost touching. "I'm restoring the poor boy's confidence. It will make Scarlet and Bryce happier to when they leave to continue their journey tomorrow."

My mom frowned. "But will it prefer contests? I though you said it was a battler?"

"Oh no, that things got more elegance than all of France. There's no way Nathan could lose another contest if he uses this Pokemon. Besides, Drew called me and said he changed his mind about his present for Nathan as well." My dad grinned, and my mom just shook her head.

"I sure hope you know what you're doing Ash." My mom warned, and my dad just laughed and pecked my mom on the lips quickly.

"Do my plan's ever go horribly wrong?" He whispered with an air of confidence, smirking down at her.

My moms eyes narrowed. "Yes."

I think I heard enough. I turned around and stalked towards my bedroom, opening it and seeing Aria on sitting on the floor and Growlithe curled up on the bed fast asleep. I looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "Why don't you share my bed with me? It is a queen, I'm positive we will both fit just fine."

Aria smiled and together we both sat on the corner of the bed, silent for a moment, before Aria spoke up. "Ean invited me to journey with him."

I looked at her in surprise. "That's great Aria! You two will get along great!"

"I hope so." Aria suddenly flushed pink, and I looked at her in question. The girl sheepishly smiled. "Ean is a lot cuter in person."

I furrowed my brow. "Huh?"

Aria laughed musically, and I began to look even more confused. "Oh come on, don't tell me you don't find Ean even a little bit cute?"

I blushed and looked down, awkwardly fiddling with my hands. "I've never thought of it that way before."

Aria looked amused, and leaned in closer and teasingly. "And what about Nathan?"

My heart fluttered once at the suggestive tone in her voice, but I tried to play it cool. "What about him?"

"Do you think of him that way before? Because he is really cute." Aria teased, poking me with a finger.

I began to feel flustered, and I'm sure I was as red as Growlithe's ember at this point, and I hurriedly walked into my closet and changed into a purple t-shirt and black track shorts, before tossing Aria a yellow shirt and white shorts.

"I'm really tired." I told Aria quickly, before jumping into the bed and pulling Growlithe into my arms, and he yipped in content. I flicked the bedside lamp off and screwed my eyes shut. "Goodnight Aria."

The last thing I heard was Aria's laugh, and her crawl to the other side of the bed and mumble a quick "Good-night."

(Line-break)

The next morning, all five of us trainers got up and ready, preparing for another journey to the next town, in this case, Vermillion City. For Ean and I, it was for a Gym badge, and for Nathan, a ribbon.

My mom had kindly washed our clothes for us, saying that a clean attire was the best way to say hello or something like that. I wasn't really paying attention, because I kept looking over at my dad, who had a mysterious Pokeball on his belt I had never seen before.

Nathan was quiet this morning as well. He seemed to be anxious to leave, constantly pushing us towards the door while still being respectful to my parents. I assumed he was dying to get away from Ean.

As we headed outside of the house to be on our way, I heard my dad's voice from behind Nathan.

"Nathan? Can I ask something important of you?" He questioned, and the brown haired, usually cocky boy raised his eyebrow and nodded. "Yes sir, what is it?"

My dad smiled. "You see, a while back I came across this Pokemon. I originally caught it to give to Scarlet when she got her first Gym Badge. But then... I realized how elegant it was. With a little bit of training, she is going to do amazing in contests. I want you to train her Nathan. Can you do this for me?"

I grinned from ear to ear, and Nathan looked taken aback. "M-me? Are you sure? I'm not nearly as good a trainer as Scarlet, Bryce or Aria."

Ean rolled his eyes at Nathan's deliberate insult, and crossed his arms with a huff, causing Aria, Bryce and I to snicker.

My dad smiled and placed his right hand on Nathan's shoulder, before reaching to pull out a Pokeball. Handing it to him, my dad beamed. "I can't think of anyone else I'd rather appoint to be this Pokemon's trainer."

Nathan took the Pokeball gently, and breathed in sharply. "O-okay. I won't let you down Mr. Ketchum."

My dad sighed and shook his head. "Please just call me Ash. When kids call me Mr. Ketchum I feel old."

Everyone laughed, and I nudged Nathan with an elbow. "Well? What is it Nathan?"

Nathan furrowed his brow. "I don't know yet Scarlet."

I rolled my eyes and shoved him harder, hearing a loud cry of protest from Nathan. "Well are you going to throw it and find out or what? I don't know about you, but I would like to get to Vermillion City before I'm fifty."

"Sheesh relax Scar." Nathan grumbled, some of his usual self returning. "You're so impatient."

Before I could push the boy into the ground, he tossed the Pokeball into the air and it exploded in a white light. When the light formed into a Pokemon, everyone gasped except my dad who was smirking.

It was a cute round blue Pokemon with wings that resembled clouds. It had two long feathers atop her head and a pretty white beak and onyx black eyes.

When the Pokemon noticed everyone staring at it, it tilted her head in confusion. "Swablu?"

"It's a Swablu!" I gasped, and Aria let out a happy squeal. "It's so cute!"

Nathan was smiling, and had his Pokedex out, already scanning the cute bird Pokemon.

Swablu, the cotton bird Pokemon. Swablu loves cleanliness and is quick to wipe off any unclean surface with its cotton-like wings. Swablu knows the moves Peck, Sing, Aerial Ace, Ice Beam, and Fury Attack.

"Swablu seems like a tough Pokemon behind all that fluff." Bryce said while tapping his chin. "Nathan you've really got yourself a cool new Pokemon!"

Nathan was crouched beside the tiny bird, and was gently stroking the Pokemon's head. "Hey there Swablu! I'm you're new trainer Nathan. We're going to be a great team, I can tell already!"

The tiny bird chirped in excitement, and nuzzled its head into Nathans hand. I cooed in adoration. "Aw look Nathan! He likes you!"

Growlithe had padded over to the bird and began introducing himself, and the bird Pokemon looked at Growlithe and began to chirp in response, and soon the two were engrossed in conversation.

I heard footsteps from behind me, and turned to see Ean and Aria. I smiled as they approached, but frowned when I saw their backpacks on their shoulders.

"We're going to head out." Aria smiled, and I sighed. Aria had become a good friend these last couple days, and although Ean was my rival, he was still fun and interesting to talk and hang out with.

"Alright. You two take care." I grinned. I leaned in and gave Aria a quick hug, and then did the same for Ean, causing the boy to flush pink and make Nathan grit him teeth.

"Hey Scarlet?" Ean asked once. I turned to him with a raised eyebrow. "Next time we meet, we are going to battle. Good luck with you're next Gym Badge as well. I think the outcome will be... shocking to say the least.

Bryce nodded once to Aria and smiled, looking as though he was trying hard not to get flirtatious again. He shook Ean's hand and wished him luck on his next Gym Battle as well.

Nathan gave Aria a one armed hug, and then turned to Ean with a look of steely determination and anger on his face. Swablu sensed his new trainers discomfort, and perched on his shoulder tilting his head again. I sensed another fight and stood by, waiting to break something up if I had to.

Everyone seemed to be listening carefully to what Nathan was going to say to Ean. My mom especially.

"Well Nathy-boy?" Ean asked with a raised eyebrow. "Need to get something off you're chest?"

Nathan grit his teeth again and clenched his fists. "I won't lose to you again Pokemon Geek. I am going to train twice as hard to make sure the next time we meet I will beat you."

I recoiled in surprise. "Are you serious Nathan? Last time I checked I was Ean's rival."

Everyone laughed, including Nathan and Ean. Aria and Ean waved good-bye and walked together down the streets of Cerulean.

I rolled my eyes as Nathan turned away from the two's retreating figures and returned Swablu to her Pokeball. "Why do they hate each other so much anyway?"

My mom laughed and hugged me. "Oh Scarlet, you'll understand one day. Now, you better head out as well. Don't forget to call us before Nathan's contest! Although I doubt May would let me forget about it."

I nodded and turned to my dad, giving him one last hug. "I will! I'll see you soon too. I promise."

And that was Chapter Fifteen! I hope you enjoyed and if you did please consider leaving a review!

Next Chapter:

Scarlet, Nathan and Bryce leave Cerulean behind and head for Vermillion, but soon come across a Pokemon Daycare and struggle to protect it against the notorious Team Rocket!

Love ya

Shelbs