DISCLAIMER: I realized I forgot this. I don't own Pokemon, but I do own Jack and Cora, as well as Bella and Thorn's personalities.

Chapter 7

"Alright, Bella, it's time to get the hell out of Phenac," Jack said grimly. "Next stop, Gateon Port." Bella cried out. They stepped outside the Phenac border, starting the next leg of their journey.

A FEW DAYS LATER...

Jack stood just outside Gateon Port, thanking Arceus he had arrived at last. Without any form of transportation other than his own two feet, the journey was a long one, and at times unpleasant.

The first thing he did was go straight to the Pokemart and buy some Pokeballs. He refused to be caught unawares again. Then he decided to check out the town for rumours of this creepy thief character that he decided to call Jackal. Bella, he kept in her Pokeball, letting her rest. She had been returned after the first few hours of walking.

He wandered the dark alleyways, eying trainers and warehouses. Who to ask, who to ask...

"Hahahahaha! You loser, you really thought you could win? Your Pokemon belongs to Team Snagem, now!" The voice was distinctly feminine

Well, well, well...He grinned and switched directions, heading towards the sound of the continued taunting. There, he was met by a surprising sight-Andy, minus his Shinx. Standing about two meters away was a girl in jeans, a white shirt, and a red vest. The vest was unzipped, showing "SNAGEM" in graffiti lettering across her shirt. She had icy blue hair and green eyes.

"Oh, how the mighty have fallen," Jack drawled, drawing the two trainers' attention. Remembering Andy's initial response to him, he really didn't feel above kicking the guy while he was down. Andy's eyes widened in shock.

The Snagem girl smirked. "Hello," she cooed. "Did you want a match, too?" Beside her, a Furret bristled excitedly. It looked like it barely had a scratch on it.

Bella freed herself, taking a battle stance, raring to go. "Sure. A battle for Shinx?" Andy stared at him, as if he couldn't believe what Jack just said.

The girl laughed. "Yeah, sure. I'll give him back, as long as you can win. You won't, but I'll give you a shot. Furret, Shadow Rush!"

"Bella, Return!" He grabbed an empty Pokeball in anticipation.

The two Pokemon collided, seemed to slide past each other, facing away from their owners...and then Furret collapsed, unconscious, and Bella's front right leg gave out. The Pokeball in Jack's hand glowed, red turning light lavender, white turning silver.

"Purity Ball, go!" The girl's jaw dropped as the Furret was captured with little resistance.

"But how?" she wailed.

"Did you think we wouldn't figure out how Snagem was taking Pokemon?" Jack demanded. "You think it's hard to replicate?" He was bluffing, but really, how much could she know? He watched her jaw tighten. "Now free Shinx so I can reclaim him."

"Like hell I will!" She turned and ran down the alleyway. Cursing, Jack followed.

He lost her by the docks. She had gotten too far ahead of him. He cursed and stopped, looking at the intersecting alleys that created a crossroads. Which way?

Her laugh floated over to him. "Arceus, you're a fool! Way too trusting."

"Where are you?" He spun, trying to track the sound. "Who are you?"

"You can call me Frost," she sang. "Me 'n' my new Shinx, we'll see you again soon. Take care of that Furret for me, I want it in top condition when I take it back from you."

"You'll never take it back! Now come back here and give me Shinx!"

"So over excited," she purred. "See you around."

"Wait!" There was no reply. He growled in frustration. "One step forward, two steps back," he muttered. He turned and made his way back to where he left Andy.

ABOUT AN HOUR LATER...

Andy was sitting against a grimy brick wall, waiting for him. "Well?" he demanded.

Jack shook his head. "I lost her." He didn't offer an excuse, knowing there wasn't one. He looked away.

So he was completely unprepared for what happened next. Andy grabbed him and punched him in the jaw. "You lost her," Andy screamed. "You lost that stupid bitch, you lost my Shinx!"

Jack shoved him back. "Shut up," he snapped. He took out the newly captured Furret and wrapped Andy's hand around it. "I'm sorry, okay? Maybe with this, you can get Shinx back." Andy sniffed and looked at the Purity Ball.

"Lavender...?" Andy whispered.

"Yeah, so what? Do you want the Furret or not?"

Andy hesitated, then took it. "Sorry," he mumbled. "It's just that, no one's ever seen lavender before. Different colors mean different things," he explained. "The most common color is silver, I think. And light blue. The blue heals faster than the silver."

"Great, tell me how the lavender works out later. After you get Shinx back," Jack added meaningfully.

Andy just looked at him. He opened his mouth, shut it again. Finally, he just nodded and took off in the direction Frost had taken.

Thank Arceus; Jack thought he might have been about to thank him, and he was grateful for the silence. Swallowing that much pride might have killed both of them.