"…where you come from? Why you come? I like that I met you. You and him are nice. Nice nice…"

"Will you shut up? I'm trying to watch."

"Why you want to watch? Its mean… you mean before. Not to me, someone else. You go 'Whoomph! Bam!' and he fall down. Not nice!"

"I suppose not… but, oh, shut it. It's exciting to watch."

"But-"

"Stop."

"Hmmph. Meanie."

….….

Raven watched from a slightly elevated platform in the corner of the building, leaning against the wall. It wasn't the greatest view, but at least he wasn't smashed up in the crowd in front. It looked uncomfortably hot and sweaty, more so than the actual fighters. He even had a little breathing room, due to the fact that the other spectators were giving him a strangely wide berth. He shrugged it off as good luck. Berri was sitting on his head, almost pulling on his hair with how focused he was on the match while he held Chewie in his arms. They had only recently stopped babbling on about something, but Raven didn't mind either way. Both of the competing trainers had microphones wrapped around their heads to make their voices heard over the cheering, so he could always hear them.

Currently on the stage were two rookie trainers, one almost looking like the boy scout from the other day. He was using a mankey, while his opponent, just an average trainer with the generic gear, was using a machop. Raven could tell they were rookies by the hesitance in their commands, their choices of attacks, and even by their stance. The boy scout was far too tense, his hands clenched so tightly they could have drawn blood, while the other trainer was far too laid back. He reeked of arrogance of a reputation he didn't have. Especially now, when his chances of winning were as slim as they were.

"Mankey! Double-edge!" the boy scout cried. The mankey twirled in the air to land on his feet from a previous tackle, launching off with only a moment to rebalance himself. The machop, fairly bruised at this point, pushed off on one foot to dance out of the way. Raven winced, seeing how much pain the simple movement caused. Even though his trainer appeared to not care, machop in general tended to over-exert themselves to the point of near death exhaustion. This one still had a ways to go, but any caring trainer would stop it long before that…

"Leer." The other trainer almost looked aloof as he called the attack. The machop grunted in reply, glaring at the mankey with as much intimidation as he could muster. His eyes flashed, and the mankey stopped its charge, the fear on its face out of place for such an aggressive pokemon.

"Mankey! Snap out of it!" The boy scout called out, but it was to no avail. His pokemon was all but lost under the glare of the machop.

The spell was broken in a flash as the machop quivered, falling to one knee. His fist crashed into the ground, creating small cracks but only just able to support himself. The mankey shook himself, launching off to finish what it had started.

Raven felt Chewie whimper in his arms as the two pokemon collided, the machop flying off into the corner of the arena. He landed painfully on his side, rolling to the edge of the platform. He pushed against the ground with both arms, his left quivering under his own weight. His trainer carelessly threw out another command. "Reversal."

Raven's eyes widened. If the machop used reversal while that badly beaten, it would easily KO the mankey. Normally a last stand move, Raven realized that the generic trainer had let the match be so one sided the entire time on purpose, just to use it. It was a horrible tactic used only by trainers who don't care about their pokemon. It must have been the reason behind the trainer's smug expression. Now that he had called his ace card, he was even worse, smirking as if he had already won. The boy scout didn't seem to pick up on the plan as quickly, nodding at his mankey. Raven shook his head, slowly, so Berri wouldn't fall off.

The machop slowly stood, taking a fighting pose as he readied his attack. He lunged forward, reaching out to grab his opponent when he fell to the ground on his face, unmoving. The generic trainer jumped to his feet, yelling out at his pokemon, but it was too late. The bell rang, ending the fight.

"And that, ladies and gentlemen, concludes the semifinals of this year's Youth Fighting Dojo Tournament!" the announcer said with as much zeal as you'd expect from someone paid to be excited. "Richard, from Cerulean, and his fighter, Mankey, will proceed to the finals held later in the day! In the meantime, the snack and food bars outside the building…"

Raven tuned him out. He sighed, a little disappointed that he had slept through the first matches while at the same time relieved. They weren't exactly the best of trainers, and he was sure the previous ones weren't either. There was supposed to be a tournament for the adult trainers held the next day, but he would have moved on by then, much to Berri's displeasure.

"…our competitors have all fought valiantly…"

Thinking of him, Raven glanced up. "What did you think Berri?"

"Sno snorunt," he said in a slightly bored tone.

"Yea, I know you could have taken them. But I'm not exactly young enough to compete in the youth tournament, and would you really feel good about beating opponents like that?"

"…sno."

"Thought so," Raven said, glancing downward. "How are you holding up Chewie?"

"…special deal on tickets for tomorrow…"

She merely whimpered, lowering her chin onto his arm. He scratched her ear, nodding slightly. "Don't worry girl, we'll be out of here by the end of the day."

"…and for those of you who just can't get enough, we have a special bout to hold you over till the finals!"

Raven perked up at that, and so did Berri. He could tell from a few strands of hair being yanked from his head. "Oh?"

"Our champions from the Adult Tournament last year, Kenny and Vortex, are taking on two very special challengers, the champions from our Johto tournament, Kinsey and Littlefoot!"

The crowd got unusually excited at that announcement, Raven and Berri being a part of it. Since the pokemon had names, Raven could only guess what kind they would be. He loosened his grip on Chewie once he realized he was squeezing her andbegan watching the entrances to the arena. He had never been to Johto, and never really had an urge to, but perhaps he'd visit it on his way back home. The stage went dark and a drumroll started as the announcer spoke again.

"And now, introducing our own two time champions, hailing from Vermiiiiillion City, Kenny aaaaaand Vooooooooooorteeeeeeex!"

Spotlights targeted the left side of the arena as the trainer and his pokemon walked up. The trainer himself looked like a picturesque surfer, complete with no shirt, perfect tan, toned body, sharpedo tooth necklace, dirty sun-bleached hair and bright red floral swim trunks. He had one hand in his pocket as he waved to the crowd, his lively green eyes and lady-killer smile noticeable even from Raven's distance. He could hear the difference in the crowd's cheer, with the entirety of the female fans making themselves heard. Beside him, only slightly shorter but much broader, was the justly named Vortex, a poliwrath. He took up most of the space on the walkway, being almost twice as broad as his trainer. His arms remained by his sides, though Raven could tell he was flexing at least a little bit. His muscles almost seemed out of place on a poliwrath for how big they were, and he could tell that they weren't just for show. His stomach's spiral design was as mesmerizing as any of his species, but it was his eyes that told Raven how serious he was. He was going to leave that arena either victorious or unconscious.

The two stepped onto the arena, the announcer waiting at least a full minute before the cheering went down. It was lengthened by numerous winks sent into the crowd by Kenny, but eventually he put his hands up, slowly quieting the audience. He only looked to be in his mid-twenties, and already famous. As Kenny scanned the crowd, Raven noticed with surprise that he looked at every equally and with gratitude, from his female fans who were reaching through the arena's ropes to try to touch him to the more reserved male fans who were grumbling in jealousy. He looked for a moment at Raven himself, his smile widening ever so slightly when he saw Berri on his head. He nodded, Raven surprising himself by smiling and nodding back.

He was caught off guard when the announcer spoke again. "Now, for the fabled four time champions of Johto's Adult Fighting Dojo Tournament, hailing from Mohogany Town, Kiiinsey aaaaaand Littlefooooot!"

From the other side of the arena came the same spotlight introduction, bringing to light two more individuals. The trainer didn't have any certain stereotype that could describe her, but Raven did notice that she was remarkably good looking. He heard some girl nearby mutter about the best trainers also being the best looking as he sized her up.

She looked the same age, if not a little younger than Kenny. Her dark brown hair was parted in the center, only reaching down to her neck in length. She was wearing a fairly plain white T-shirt with a badge design on it accompanied by worn jeans. She was smiling and politely waving at the crowd, though Raven could see her other hand tapping nervously against her leg. She was more beautiful than pretty, and so refreshingly normal-looking that many of the men were imitating the girls from when Kenny arrived. Raven thought he saw her blush when she looked at Kenny, but much like the wave, it seemed more a courtesy. Beside her was Littlefoot, a hitmontop. He was walking normally with his tail wrapped around his midsection instead of spinning on his head, strolling with a cool confidence he seemed to support his trainer with. He didn't appear to have much more muscle than average hitmontop, but Raven knew that looks meant nothing when it came to hitmon. That particular branch of the pokemon genome was fighting before humans could walk, and only grew exponentially. As they reached the arena, he reached up, briefly holding his trainer's hand before stepping forward.

"These two pokemon have seen their fair share of tournaments and have never backed down from a fight! And now, they fight to keep their glory! May the best mon win! The match begins in five!"

The crowd went wild as the countdown started, both Vortex and Littlefoot eyeing each other apprehensively.

"Four!"

Kenny leaned back against the ropes, not minding the occasional hand brushing his legs from a fan girl. Kinsey clapped her hands together, looking as if she were sending out a prayer.

"Three!"

Berri clutched onto Raven's head tightly, much more eager to watch this fight. Even Chewie was hushed, overawed by the immensely powerful pokemon who had entered the arena.

"Two!"

Raven raised an eyebrow, noticing that Littlefoot hadn't hopped onto his pointed head yet. He thought their fighting capabilities were a little limited while on foot. Was he that confident?

"One!"

Vortex clenched one fist, pulling it back like a slug ready to be shot. Littlefoot uncurled his tail, pointing it back and pushing it against the ground, folding his arms and leaning back on it.

"FIGHT!"

"Water pulse!" Kenny wasted no time, immediately going on the offensive. Vortex shot his fist forward, a rippling circle of water appearing and rocketing toward Littlefoot. The hitmontop jumped back, using his tail as a spring to bounce up and out of the way, never unfolding his arms as he moved. The water pulse dissipated as it collided with a psychic wall surrounding the arena, something Raven had just noticed due to its lack of necessity in the previous fight. The psychic pokemon standing around the arena finally made sense. Vortex was already on the move before his attacked had disappeared. He rushed Littlefoot, jabbing out with his elbow in a strong blow.

Again the hitmontop sprung backward onto his tail, narrowly avoiding the attack. He sprung back up just as quickly, sending a powerful kick directly into the poliwrath's stomach. Raven could only see one kick, but as Vortex skidded backward, he could see three points of impact. His mouth gaped in awe. "Triple kick…"

Littlefoot was back on his feet, hopping casually from one to the other. Kenny looked mildly surprised, but Vortex roared out, bringing his arms to his sides, revealing no serious injury. The two squared off, taking poses once more.

"Vortex, earthquake!" Kenny called out, waving his arm out to the side. Raven was curious why trainers tended to do that.

The poliwrath leapt backward, jumping straight up as soon as he landed, coming back to the ground fist first. The impact shook the room, muffled by the force field, but still sending a few unaware people off their feet. Littlefoot had jumped upward, completely avoiding the attack in the air.

"Littlefoot, hi jump kick!" Kinsey shouted, holding her hands balled into fists by her chest. Her voice was… interesting. It was normal enough, but something about it drew Raven's attention… in the split second before Littlefoot attacked. Using his momentum, he drew in one leg and extended the other, aiming directly at his opponent. Vortex had since got to his feet, and with surprising speed for one so muscular, put up both hands in time to catch the other pokemon's foot.

Littlefoot's eyes widened in surprise as Vortex swung him by his foot, slamming him into the ground. He made to repeat his attack when the hitmontop spun in his grip, smacking his tail against the other pokemon's face. The momentary distraction made Vortex loosen his grip, Littefoot kicking off of his hand and flying across the arena. He landed neatly on the spike on his head, already spinning so fast he was blurring.

"Ooh, serious already Littlefoot?" Kinsey asked, possibly not aware that everyone could hear her thanks to her microphone. "He must be good."

Again, something was odd about her voice. Raven frowned. It couldn't have been… familiar? No, he had never seen her before. Had he? She was barely older than he was.

"Very good," Kenny clapped three times, looking honestly impressed. "I didn't think he'd get out of that. Looks like we need to get serious too, Vortex."

The poliwrath slammed his fists together, taking a step back as he readied himself. Littlefoot spun on his head, moving back and forth across the arena, actually leaving small scars in the flooring from spinning so fast. They stood motionless (well, one of them) for several seconds while the crowd grew silent, and soon all could hear the whirring of Littlefoot's limbs.

Kinsey called out, breaking the pseudo silence. "Agility!" Littlefoot moved so fast it was difficult to follow. He initially rushed Vortex, who had moved to stop the advance, but just before getting close enough to actually touch, he zoomed off in another direction, much to his opponent's surprise. He kept moving in varying directions, occasionally passing by the poliwrath and tempting him into lunging after him, something Raven knew would be an immense opening. Something Kenny appeared to know as well, calling out to his partner, "Easy bud. You'll get your chance. He can't do that forever…"

Kinsey giggled. "You'd be surprised…" Littlefoot continuously moved around the arena, drawing indiscernible patterns in the flooring with his spike. Raven noticed that his balance never shifted, even when turning. He supposed his stance never changed either, but it was hard to tell.

After a solid minute, Vortex was looking more and more unnerved. It was all Kenny could do to keep him from dashing toward the blurred hitmontop. Realizing that his pokemon was running out of patience, Kenny made his move. "Use earthquake!"

Vortex jumped up once more, punching the ground with slightly less force than before. The attack was still by no means weak, however, shaking the arena with significant magnitude. Littlefoot looked as if for a moment he had lost his balance, bouncing on the ground slightly and teetering toward Vortex. As he bounced higher and higher on the seismic waves, Raven realized what he was doing.

As the last ripples of the earthquake faded, Littlefoot came to the ground again, bouncing this time in Vortex's direction. The poliwrath looked up just in time to receive a full powered kick straight to the gut, sending him staggering backwards from the power of the counter. He had no time to retaliate, and Littlefoot had already bounced away and was spinning again. Kenny jerked forward, gritting his teeth. "Vortex, use Mind Reader!"

Littlefoot kept his distance as Vortex steadied himself, hopping slightly as his opponent closed his eyes in an uncharacteristically calm demeanor. Littlefoot moved back and forth, hesitant to move. "Oh! Um… Littlefoot, use triple kick!" Kinsey said, almost surprising herself. The hitmontop moved closer, all at once bolting toward the poliwrath.

Three times the pokemon clashed, and again they were on opposite sides of the arena, with neither looking like anything they did had mattered.

"I don't believe it folks, did you see that? Because I didn't! These pokemon are too fast!" The announcer called again, the crowd shocked into silent agreement. Raven grinned, wondering if anyone else had seen what had happened. Littlefoot had rushed Vortex with his attack, but the water pokemon had already raised his arm in defense. Because of his Mind Reader, he had easily blocked all of Littlefoot's strikes, despite the other pokemon moving back with each one.

Kenny was grinning, while Kinsey looked anxious. Neither of their pokemon looked injured, although with Littlefoot moving as fast as he was it was hard to tell. Vortex had opened his eyes, and was back in his beginning stance, looking ready but slightly more weary than before. "Water pulse!"

Another rocketed water circle was sent toward Littlefoot, but the pokemon easily slid to the side, evading it. "Again!"

Another ring. Littlefoot repeated his evading move, and again when a third came at him. Vortex was now punching air with both fists, sending water pulse after water pulse in front of him. Kinsey gasped as her pokemon weaved in an out of the attacks, getting dangerously close to a few.

"Now, aim for the ground!" Kenny yelled. Vortex shot his fists toward the ground, and instead of stopping at impact, the rings bounced and headed toward Littlefoot from a different direction, the hitmontop having been caught off guard by the change of attack. One of the rings glanced his side, sending him careening into one head on. He was flung back, landing near Kinsey who was watching nervously. "Quick! Circle throw!"

Vortex dashed for his opponent, who had barely managed to regain his footing before the poliwrath grabbed his torso. He began spinning, letting go of Littlefoot once he had gained some speed.

The other pokemon bounced off of the barrier as if he were a pinball, hitting twice before being sent back to the ground. Raven noticed the psychic pokemon grunting in effort as he hit. "Seismic toss!"

Vortex leapt up, grabbing Littlefoot before he hit the ground. Landing, he leapt again, diving backwards and crashing the hitmontop's head into the ground.

"My word! What a combo!" The ref said as Vortex jumped away to the other side of the stage. He had brought his opponent down with such force that his head was halfway buried in the arena, cracks spreading around him. "Could this be it for Littlefoot?"

All at once, the hitmontop began spinning, his head actually carving a bigger opening into the ground. Once he was free, he spun out and toward Vortex. The poliwrath raised his arm to block the rolling kick that had been sent his way, letting it fall slightly on impact. Raven could tell he was getting a little worn, but Littlefoot couldn't have gotten out of that attack unscathed. The two retreated again, both looking more determined than before.

"Guess not! These two fighters look like neither will back down! I think we'll need a new arena after this one!"

Both Kinsey and Kenny called out attacks at the same time. "Agility!" "Mind Reader!" Once again, Vortex took a calm, collected stance as Littlefoot zoomed around him, neither quite connecting but coming close enough to make the audience gasp several times. Both Kenny and Kinsey were on their toes now, eager to prove their pokemon to be the best.

Littlefoot circled Vortex several times, clashing occasionally only to be blocked by the poliwrath's already extended arm. It seemed to be going nowhere, but the crack each blow made rang through the halls, letting everyone know just how strong they were. Littlefoot broke away, spinning a little slower now while Vortex opened his eyes, his breathing a little ragged. Raven could see Kenny and Kinsey both going over their options in their head, realizing that their pokemon were, for the most part, even.

Kinsey called first. "Close combat!" Kenny's eyes widened in surprise at the reckless call, and Littlefoot moved in for the attack. Before Vortex had a chance to prepare, he was showered by kicks and punches from the hitmontop, all from a painfully close range and packed with power.

It was staggering to watch. Without defending, Littlefoot was leaving himself open to any attack Vortex was able to throw back, which he did several times. But it was obvious that the hitmontop had the upper hand, and soon Vortex was failing to counter-attack or to block anything. "Vortex, Endure!"

The poliwrath put up both arms, now taking every strike without thought of countering. Littlefoot continued to beat down on his opponent, wearing out the physical reserves that had kept him going so long in a last-ditch effort.

Blow after blow. It was almost painful to listen to the unopposed strikes, but Raven didn't turn away. He could feel both Berri and Chewie quivering, though for very different reasons. It wasn't long before the attacks slowed, then came to a stop altogether.

Littlefoot spun away, hopping to his feet. He was panting, yet still had a confident grin on his face. Vortex was bruised and beaten across his entire body, yet he still stood, as resolved as ever. Kenny looked worried, holding a hand out to his poliwrath. Raven nodded. Endure was a dangerous technique. Leaving the pokemon with only the slightest bit of stamina left, it was a last resort. He needed to knock Littlefoot out soon, and fast if he wanted to win.

"Littlefoot! Use focus energy!" Kinsey called out. The hitmontop nodded, pulling his feet together. He closed his eyes, similar to Vortex using Mind Reader. He was pulling together the last reserves of his energy for a final attack.

Kenny realized what was happening, calling out to Vortex. "Quick, use giga impact!" Vortex pulled his arms to his side, rushing Littlefoot like a bull. Raven's eyes widened. With that much weight behind it, a full on giga impact would end the match.

Just before Vortex collided with Littlefoot, the hitmontop jumped up, doing a front flip and swinging his legs in a powerful round kick to the back of the poliwrath's head, sending him crashing to the floor. Littlefoot bounced back, folding his arms in victory.

The audience and competitors gasped in unison as Vortex stood up, looking beaten but not out yet. That is, until he fell backwards, unconscious.

The audience let loose a cheer so loud it drowned out whatever the announcer was trying to say. Kinsey and Kenny rushed forward to their pokemon, Kinsey hugging Littlefoot and Kenny falling to his knees beside Vortex. Raven could hear them talking, but he had to strain himself to hear over the audience. "You did so good! I'm so happy for you!" "You gave it your best, bud… they were really skilled."

"Well, there you have it. The fabled champions of Johto prove their worth by besting our own champions! Let's hear it for Kiiiinsey aaaand Littlefoooottt!"

Kenny stood, returning Vortex to his pokeball as he approached Kinsey and Littlefoot. Initially the pokemon moved protectively in front of his trainer, putting himself between her and Kenny. She patted him on the shoulder, nodding as she stood up, and he reluctantly stepped aside. She reached out her hand to take Kenny's, who had already extended his. "Great match. We'll have to compete again some time." He said, putting on a more sincere smile.

She smiled in return, reaching down to hold Littlefoot's hand at the same time. "That sounds like fun. It's been a while since Littlefoot's had such a challenge." She glanced down at her pokemon, who was rolling his eyes. She shrugged, letting go of Kenny's hand. "Well, he won't admit it, but Vortex is probably the best pokemon he's fought in years."

"Heh," Kenny chuckled, hocking his thumbs in his trunks, "We'll have to break your record sometime. See ya around," he said as he began walking to his side of the arena, waving to the fans who were chanting his name.

Kinsey smiled, waving politely again at the fans in the room, scanning over each one with a slightly nervous expression. She scanned up to Raven, pausing when she saw Berri and Chewie, much like Kenny had. Her mouth opened slightly, and then he saw the first real smile she had put on since she entered the arena. And it wouldn't have bothered him so much if it hadn't seemed so very familiar.

She turned to exit the arena as the announcer spoke up again. "Let's not forget Kenny and Vortex, who will be competing in tomorrow's Adult Tournament! Now that our bonus fight is over, we'll get straight on with the Youth Tournament and our two pairs of finalists!"

Right now? Raven thought, glancing at Kenny and Kinsey as they left the arena, making way for the Youth Tournament finalists. He wanted to meet at least one of them. And from the way his hair was jerking back and forth, he thought Berri was thinking the same thing. He bit his lip, looking down at the puppy growlithe in his arms. "Hey Chewie, you want to stay and watch the final round or go and meet those two?"

"Rrrr…ruff!" she barked squirming to be let down. Raven nodded, starting to make his way through the crowd to the exit. This final match wouldn't be anything near the intensity of the last match, anyways.

As he made his way through the spectators and out of the area, he glanced around the clearing around the fighting arena and the nearby gym. There weren't many people outside, though a few crowded around the entrance. He set Chewie down at his feet, but Berri clung to his hair. He supposed it might have hurt him at some point, but he had long grown used to it.

"Sno, sno sno!" Berri said frantically, almost losing his grip and falling. Raven looked a little unwillingly as his hair was pulled to his left, where Berri had spotted the two champions exiting the arena from the side. They were headed in opposite directions, Kenny toward the pokemon center and Kinsey and Littlefoot… right towards him.

He blinked. She was laughing as she tossed a small candy toward Littlefoot, the hitmontop catching it deftly and popping it into his mouth. He was smiling so much it was hard to tell it was the same as the fighter in the arena. They were only a few steps away when they noticed him.

Her face broke into a sweet smile not unlike the one she had flashed him earlier. "Oh, hi! You were in the audience, weren't you?"

Raven found himself smiling despite himself. She was definitely familiar. "Yea, I was. You two make a great team."

Kinsey brushed away the compliment, smirking. "Team? He does all the work. I'm just moral support." She changed the subject almost immediately, smiling brightly at Berri. "That's a snorunt, isn't it? I've never seen one before! He's so cute!" Raven couldn't see it, but he was sure Berri was frowning, always trying to look cool instead of cute. "And weren't you holding a growlithe, too?" She looked toward the ground, where Chewie was peering at her from behind his leg, his pants cuff in her mouth.

Raven gently shook Chewie off, stepping to the side. "Yea, this is Chewie and Berri." Lindsey fell to her knees, holding out her hand and cooing to the puppy pokemon. She approached her hesitantly, reaching out and nibbling slightly on the outstretched fingers.

Lindsey laughed, scratching her behind the ear. "Fitting name, I think." She stood after scratching Chewie once more, waving towards her hitmontop. "I'm Lindsey, and this here is Littlefoot!" The fighting pokemon bowed slightly, and Raven felt tempted to bow in return, but instead picked Berri off of his head and setting him on the ground. "Berri loved watching you fight."

"Sno, snorunt!" Berri exclaimed, looking up at Littlefoot.

He looked down, putting a hand on his hip. "Hitmon? Hitmontop."

"Snorunt snorunt sno!"

Littlefoot laughed. "Hitmon, hitmontop. Hitmontop."

Raven raised an eyebrow. "Challenging him already? No patience…"

Lindsey looked at him, confused. "You can understand them?"

He shook his head, grinning. "No, just Berri. We've been together since we were both little."

"Oh, that's so cool!" She exclaimed, imitating her pokemon and putting her hand on her hip, looking down at Berri. "Want a challenge hm? How about this: Once you evolve, come find us in Mohogany Town! We'll be happy to battle!"

Berri sighed, nodding his whole body. "Sno sno…"

She merely laughed, reaching into her pocket, pulling out a pokenav. "Oh, look at the time. I need to get going if I'll be home by tomorrow." She returned the device to her pocket, smiling at Raven once more. "It was nice meeting you… you know, I never actually got your name!"

Raven hesitated smiling in return. Did she know him? It wouldn't stop nagging at him, the familiarity of everything about her. "I'm… Raven."

She cocked her head, as if she knew he wasn't being honest. Again, it was as if he'd seen it before. Still, she held out her hand. Raven took it, shaking. "Nice to meet you, Raven!"

He smiled, wondering if he should drop the whole thing. It wasn't very well held together, anyways. "And you, Lindsey. I'll make good on that challenge someday, too." He jerked his thumb down at Berri, reaching down and picking him up to set him on his shoulder. "He'd never let me forget it otherwise."

Lindsey giggled, patting Littlefoot on the shoulder as she began walking away. "I'll see you then… don't get any cuter on your way!"

Raven raised an eyebrow, watching her retreating figure. He would have to go see her, but only for the battle, he told himself. He glanced down at Chewie, who had completely lost interest and was running figure eights between his legs. He looked at Berri, who was punching his small hands together in mental preparation. He rolled his eyes. "Better get going then."

…

Raven pushed his hands into his pockets, whistling as he walked towards the road leading to Lavender Town. Chewie walked alongside him, while Berri still rode on his shoulder. His left shoulder. He only realized it when it started to get numb. It didn't bother him though.

There was gate heading out of the town in this direction, too. It was curious how closed up this city was, but he passed it off as bad luck. It wasn't easy on his mind to be in such a tight-locked city when he knew he was being chased. Or at least he thought he was.

He stepped into the building, noticing only one guard sitting behind the counter. It was dead silent besides the ticking of a clock on the other side, a vast change from the bustling crowd from the other entrance. He wondered if it was because everyone who wanted to see the tournament had already entered, or no one came this way.

He was leaning on the second option as the guard gave him an odd look as he approached. "You know you're headed to Lavender Town, right buddy?"

Raven nodded, remembered the geography lessons he forced himself to learn. They really were coming in handy. "Yea, can I just go through?"

The guard waved him over, breathing out what could have been a mouthful of advice to avoid Lavender Town or just muttering about doing his job. "Nah, need to check you in on a list of criminals. Should only take a minute or two. We have pictures of most, but we have a few just descriptions…"

Raven looked toward the exit nervously, knowing what was coming. Without the crowd to cover him, this guard might actually take the scanning more seriously.

"Now, you don't have black hair… no tattoo on your arm… but… hey, that's a snorunt, right?"

"What?" Raven said, looking back toward the guard. He was eyeing Berri.

"Says here the cops are looking for a kid with a snorunt. Something about an incident in Vermillion City."

"Vermillion? I haven't been there in weeks. I just came from… from…" he struggled to remember the name of another city close by. He noticed the guard reaching for his phone when he gave up. He picked up Chewie by the midsection, dashing for the door leading out onto the road to Lavender Town.

"Hey! Wait!" The guard called, having just picked up the receiver. "Kid!"

Raven was out the door before he heard anything else. He dashed to the right, knowing the main road was too easy to find him on. He ducked under several branches and hopped several roots before ramming into something that had stepped into his path. "HEY! WATCH IT!"

He bounced on the ground, having grabbed Berri so he wouldn't fall and having no way to catch himself. He grunted as the pain shot up his spine, but it was only brief, thankfully. He looked up, wondering who else had been snooping around in the trees. The other person looked down at the same time. "YOU!"

Raven jumped back, still holding his pokemon. It was the punk from the other day who had tried to steal Chewie, already reaching for the pokeball at his belt in anger. "You messed up all of my plans to join Team Rocket yesterday! You even stole my rightfully stolen pokemon! You're going down! Go, sandshrew!"

He threw out his pokeball, the flash of red light revealing the sandshrew from before. As he attempted to catch the pokeball on the return, out of anger or something else it bounced off his fingertips, landing on a nearby cluster of roots. Raven looked around and, seeing no immediate escape route, he set Berri down, stepping back several paces. "You know what to do, buddy." He set Chewie down beside him, kneeling protectively over her.

Berri immediately dashed for the sandshrew, ramming into him with a headbutt. The other pokemon skidded across the dirt, back against a tree. It angrily kicked up sand, spraying it into Berri's eyes as he charged again. "Sno!" The sandshrew lunged forward in a tackle attack, thinking his enemy was helpless.

Wincing, Berri tried to sidestep before slamming into a tree. He shook his head, standing up just in time to receive the sandshrew's scratch attack. He was sent reeling backwards, his cloak torn and face cut where it had made contact.

Raven gritted his teeth, realizing the trees made Berri's dancing battle style useless. "Berri, use double team!"

Berri began moving quick enough that after-images appeared, littering the small area with his doubles. The punk grunted, throwing out his arm much like Kenny had done. "Sandshrew, sand attack!"

The sandshrew spun, kicking up sand in all directions. The clones rapidly disappeared, but the sandshrew was left alone in between the trees. He looked left and right just before Berri came crashing down on his head.

"Damnit!" The punk yelled, clenching his hand. He realized that even without a clearing, he couldn't win easily. "Use earthquake!"

"NO!" Raven yelled, quickly spotting several trees that might fall if that were to happen. "You can't use that here!

"Screw you! Sandshrew, earthquake!" The pokemon quickly leapt into the air, slamming into the ground.

It seemed to happen in slow motion. Raven could almost see the seismic waves rolling through the ground. Berri was already in the air from his rebounded attack, so he picked up Chewie just before they reached him, almost making him fall flat on his face.

The punk got off no better, stumbling and falling on his back at his own pokemon's attack. Soon, the trees around them began shaking, several older and less-firmly rooted trees were teetering dangerously back and forth.

"Berri! Get out of there!" Raven called, struggling to hold onto the squirming Chewie. A tree creaked and groaned nearby as it began to lean, then fall directly toward him. Berri came dashing toward him, ramming into his stomach and driving all three of them back out of the tree's path. It fell to the ground with an enormous crash, and it was only the first of many.

Behind him the trees were too strong to fall, but in front the now fallen tree they heard several more crashes. Raven leapt to his feet, seeing the punk cowering in fear as two trees came toward him from either side. His sandshrew acted the same as Berri had, shoving him out of the way, but didn't manage to avoid the trees himself. The two trees cracked as they landed on the mouse pokemon, making Raven cringe. Several more trees were coming down nearby, sending the punk scurrying off deeper into the forest without so much as a backwards glance for his pokemon. Raven saw the Sandshrew reach out with one paw for his trainer before falling unconscious, the limb falling to the ground with a thud that was muted by the trees falling around him. He watched helplessly as the pokemon was buried in trees from his own attack. He crouched down, holding his arms over both Berri and Chewie to protect them from the branches and pieces of bark that were coming off with each fallen tree.

…

With a final crash, the last tree fell on what looked like a lumber pile. As the dust faded, Raven realized that the earthquake had cause much more damage than he had assumed it would. Berri and Chewie climbed up onto the log that was in front of them, surveying the damage. Raven hopped over the log, looking through the branches for the sandshrew while Berri and Chewie went off in another direction.

He tried to lift one of the fallen trees, but gave up when he couldn't even budge it. The earthquake was incredibly strong to move these trees, even if their roots were weak. He peered through the cracks, trying to remember where the sandshrew was pinned when he saw it, a sliver of yellow amongst the dark brown bark. He noticed it was well under at least four trees, surprised they hadn't simply crushed him. He was tougher than he had given him credit for…

He glanced to his side where Berri and Chewie were running up to him. They were holding the Sandshrew's pokeball. Raven smiled, scratching Chewie and patting Berri on the back. "Thanks guys."

He used the pokeball to turn the sandshrew into a mass of red light, quickly returning it to the ball's interior. The trees shuddered as they all settled into the space that had opened up, Raven staggering as he tried to balance himself. He yanked Berri away from a branch that would have slapped him as it fell, holding out his other hand to stabilize himself as the movement stopped. He held up the pokeball, staring at it for a moment. He looked off in the direction where the other trainer had fled, tightening his grip.

"I didn't want to have to do this yet… but…" Raven frowned as he turned towards Chewie. He reached through his satchel, hoping his hand would brush by a potion, but it only met a few pokeballs. He sighed, pulling a new one out. "Chewie, I need you to relax for me, ok?"

The puppy pokemon yipped, not quite sure what was happening. Raven threw the ball, turning the growlithe into red light and sucking it in. He turned to Berri while the ball wiggled on the ground. "You too. I need to get to Lavender town as fast as I can, or he won't make it."

Berri closed his eyes, nodding slightly. Raven pulled out his pokeball, returning his friend to its confines. He turned back to Chewie's ball, which had just stopped moving. He grabbed it, slipping it into his bag along with Berri's and the sandshrew's.

"Thanks guys. I won't keep you in there long." He said, hopping off of the trees and dashing back for the main road. He sprinted down the path, thoughts mixed with fury and concern.