Hiya! Here's the next installment...

Disclaimer: Scizor X and I do not own the wonderful thing that is Pokémon.

Hilbert and I entered the town quietly, Leafy and Pyros trailing behind us. Encountering Team Rocket was a bit of a shock for us.

Not only did we have strange Pokémon that came out of nowhere—and I was beginning to suspect a pattern they came out at the beginning of every new route—wealso had Team Rocket to deal with. I didn't really want to take on a whole criminal organization (who does?). And I had a feeling Hilbert felt the same.

But we couldn't just ignore it. We've played the game often enough to know the police were virtually useless, as were the gym leaders. We couldn't ignore them or else they would win. Winning might not have bugged me so much (as it was just a game to me before) but this wasn't a game anymore.

I glanced at Pyros and felt a smile tug at my lips. I had Pyros. I had Eternity. I had Pokémon. This was my—our—new world. I couldn't let Team Rocket win. I couldn't let them stay around and risk losing her Pokémon. I couldn't and she wouldn't.

For now though, we headed to the Pokémon center before we would go to Kurt's house and discuss apricorn balls. Then we would deal with Team Rocket, take our next gym badge and leave this place.

( ｡◕‿‿◕｡)

Kurt's house was a small little thing, but it was homey. Hilbert and I entered it quietly, noticing the elderly man that seemed to be brooding and the sweet little girl that appeared to be making tea.

"Hm? Who are you?" Kurt asked, glancing up from his musings upon seeing the two trainers.

I gave a polite smile. "I'm Lyra and this is my friend, Hilbert."

"Lyra and Hilbert, eh? You want me to make some Balls? Sorry, but that'll have to wait."

"How come?" Hilbert asked quietly.

"Do you know Team Rocket?" Kurt asked, but before either trainer could respond he quickly carried on. "Ah, don't worry. I'll tell you any who. Team Rocket's an evil gang that uses Pokémon for their dirty work. They're supposed to have disbanded three years ago. Anyway, they're at the well, cutting off SlowpokeTails for sale! So I'm going to go give them a lesson in pain! Hang on Slowpoke! Old Kurt is on his way!"

The man's rant seemed to have built up in energy and at the end he jumped up with the vigor of a toddler in full blown temper tantrum mode. He rushed past us, quickly disappearing from sight. I gaped (mostly at how energetic the elderly man seemed to be) and Hilbert frowned.

"We have to follow him," Hilbert said calmly. "He's too old—he'll get hurt."

I could only nod as we rushed out of the homely home and chased after Kurt. We only caught a glimpse of Kurt as he fell down the well before the we climbed down after him.

At the bottom of the dimly lit well, we found Kurt sitting down near a small puddle. He gave them a grimace. "Hey there, Lyra and Hilbert. The guard up top took off when I shouted at him. But then I took a tumble down the well. I slammed hard on my back so I can't move. Rats! If I were fit, my Pokémon would've punished them… Ah, it can't be helped. Lyra and Hilbert, show them how gutsy you are in my place."

I could only offer a small smile and Hilbert looked sheepish. Nodding towards Pyros and Leafy, we entered the Slowpoke Well.

( ｡◕‿‿◕｡)

I had to recall Pyros after our third Rocket Grunt battle, using Eternity instead. Hilbert had to recall Leafy and currently alternated between Bat and Guts. As we continued to battle through, I felt a sharp annoyance.

I found that I strongly disliked Team Rocket.

Finally, the we found ourselves facing the last Rocket, Proton.

"What do we have here?" Proton asked, a sneer emerging on his face. "I am often labeled as the scariest and cruelest guy in Team Rocket… I strongly urge you not to interfere with our business!"

"We will protect all Pokémon," I said firmly, my eyes narrowing.

Proton sneered and threw out a Zubat and Koffing.

"Eternity, use Thudershock on the Zubat," I said calmly.

"Bat use Supersonic on Koffing," Hilbert said.

Eternity glowed a bright yellow as the electricity built up inside of him released and slammed into the Zubat. The Zubat gave a cry of pain before falling to the ground, unconscious, with a thud. Bat gave a battle cry, before an echoing sound emerged from its wide mouth.

The sound wrapped around the Koffing, forcing the Pokémon into confusion.

"Thundershock," I murmured.

"Leech Life," Hilbert said.

And the battle was over.

Proton's face twisted into a furious scowl as both of his Pokémon fell.

His scowl lasted a heartbeat before an apathetic mask shifted onto his face. But he couldn't quite hide the disdainful sneer that twisted his lips. "Humph… Team Rocket was indeed broken up three years ago. But we continued our activities underground. A small obstacle like you won't be much of a problem for our mission. I advise you to be very afraid of what is to come!"

And with his hands in his pockets, he pulled out two small black balls before throwing them on the ground. A flash of dark light blinded uw before it was gone—along with Team Rocket.

"Way to go!" Kurt called as he came up from behind Hilbert and I.

"How's your back?" Hilbert inquired politely.

Kurt gave a grin. "Fine, just fine. Come on, let's get out of here kids."

We complied

( ｡◕‿‿◕｡)

"Well you two certainly handled that well. As I mentioned before, Team Rocket was disbanded by a boy called Red three years ago. Now that they have come back… I have a bad feeling about it… In any case, it would please me greatly to make Pokéball for trainers like you. This is all I have now, but here take it."

And Kurt handed the two trainers each a new ball. We exchanged glances before smiling and thanking him and leaving.

We had a gym to face.

( ｡◕‿‿◕｡)

"Hiya!" Bugsy said as Hilbert and I entered the gym. The bug-type leader was grinning happily as he stood at the far end of the field. A referee already in place. "One of my trainers at the gym said I would be getting a couple challenges soon. Hope you don't mind we start right away!"

"Not at all," I called back, smiling. "Hilbert—my friend here—will be going first."

With a nod to Hilbert, I glided over to the seats, sitting down.

"Excellent!" Bugsy beamed. Hilbert smiled politely, pulling out a Pokéball and releasing his first Pokémon at the same time as Bugsy.

Guts came out, a determined glint in his eyes while Bugsy released her Scyther.

"Lick!" Hilbert commanded quickly and Guts was already running towards the opponent. Guts leaped up in the air, his tongue dangling out as he licked the Scyther. The Scyther gave a cry of disgust and tried to wiggle away, only to find its movements considerably stiffer.

She had been paralyzed. I gave a whoop of cheer for my friend and Hilbert grinned.

"U-turn, Scyther!" Bugsy called out to his Pokémon. But Scyther only cried out in pain as she struggled to move—unable to due to the paralysis.

"Fury Swipes," Hilbert said. Guts gave a battle cry as he began quickly scratching the opponent with his sharpened claws. Scyther struggled to move but the paralysis was still in effect.

Noticing how Scyther was unable to move—thus forfeiting his turn—still, Hilbert commanded next, "Faint Attack!"

Guts glowed a dark black before slamming into Scyther and knocking the Pokémon far away. Even from this distance Lyra could tell it was a critical hit. Scyther fell to the floor, unconscious.

Bugsy's eyes were wide as he recalled his precious Pokémon. He frowned and grimaced, releasing his second Pokémon.

Metapod was released and Lyra grinned. This match was Hilbert's. All Bugsy's Pokémon could do now was harden—it was only a matter of time.

Not to mention Lyra's own battle would be a cinch with her Eternity and Pyros—both able to use supereffective moves against Scyther.

And sure enough, both trainers walked out of that gym that day with new badges.

( ｡◕‿‿◕｡)

After healing our Pokémon, we finally decided it was time to head off.

But just as we were about to leave the town—

"Hey."

Hilbert and I, along with Pyros and Leafy, paused in their walking and turned their heads in the direction of the voice. My eyes widened while Hilbert's eyes narrowed.

Silver approached us, his own eyes narrowed as his face schooled a perfect mask of indifference. He stared at me, his eyes seeming rather dark. "Tell me something. Is it true Team Rocket returned?"

"Yes," Hilbert answered for me, his soft spoken voice having the rival turn his head towards him. "We defeated them."

Silver sneered, turning back to me. "What? You beat them? Quit lying."

My eyes flashed dangerously and Pyros snarled threateningly. Silver only sneered and his posture tensed. I could tell though. I knew what he was doing here. He wanted a rematch for defeating him. This wasn't about Team Rocket.

This was about his silly pride.

And my, much more important pride. I wasn't about to take this laying down.

"Are you serious?" Silver demanded. "Then let's see how good you are."

I motioned towards Pyros as Silver released his Gastly. Pyros snarled, his flames burning brightly.

"Flame Wheel," I murmured, my voice just barely raised above a whisper. I didn't need to shout to have my Pokémon do something. They just knew.

Pyros dug his paws into the ground and threw himself towards the opponent, already tucking forward and spinning. Fire erupted from his back end and top head and he was soon engulfed in it. He slammed against the Gastly, instantly knocking it out.

Silver's sneer faded into a furious glare as he recalled his Pokémon.

He threw out his Croconaw and I gestured for Pyros to return. Pyros growled in indignation, desperately wanting to fight against his rival but I would hear none of it. For now they were not equally matched. I knew this and Silver knew this.

Silver and Croconaw smirked at Pyros's retreating feature before Lyra threw out her next Pokémon—Eternity.

Croconaw's smirk faded, as did Silver's.

I smiled.

"Thundershock."

Eternity glowed a bright yellow as the dangerous attack left him connected to Croconaw, Croconaw gave a cry of pain but still stood.

"Scary Face," Silver commanded, barley able to keep the snarl out of his voice.

I felt a twinge of pity for him and his Pokémon. I could see it in his eyes. How desperate he wanted to win.

But I would never allow myself to lose to someone who treated their Pokémon so poorly.

So I said again, "Thundershock."

This time, Croconaw did not stand back up.

Silver's eyes flashed dangerously as he recalled his Pokémon and threw out his final one. A Zubat.

My smile became sort of twisted as I thought of the irony. Zubat would only reach Crobat if it loved its owner. I doubted Zubat loved his owner at all at this moment.

"Thundershock," she said.

Eternity released one final electrical bolt and it connected with an alarmed Zubat. Silver recalled his final, defeated, Pokémon and turned to glare at me.

"I hate the weak," he said, his voice low. "Pokémon, Trainers. It doesn't matter who or what. I hate to see them hanging around. That goes for Team Rocket, too. They think they are big and touch as long as they are in a group. But get them alone, and they're weak. I hate them all."

His glare darkened and he clenched his hands tightly into fists. "You stay out of my way. You won't be an exception if you get in my way."

And he turned on his heel and fled into the forest.

I felt myself frowning as I watched him go.

Poor Silver… he's still an arsehole that has to be kicked, but still…

Oh ho ho... Let's see what happens next. I have a feeling something exciting is going to happen...

Reviews are love.

(edit: Whoopsie. Had this entire chapter in 3rd Person POV. Just changed it back to 1st)