Week 14

A New Adventure

By: Warrior Seadra

Adrian pulls out a chair and sits down. He pulls himself towards his desk as the bell rings. Adrian releases his breath saying, "Made it."

"Welcome back to school, everyone." Professor Jasmine says, standing behind her desk. She gathers the classroom's attention and gestures to the circular arrangement of the desks "As you've probably guessed, we'll begin the semester by discussing what you've all done over the break. Samuel, would you please start?"

"Of course." Sam smiles as Adrian inwardly groans. "Jarod and I decided to explore the Johto region. Before starting any training, I got..."

Sam pulls a badge from his jacket and displays it for everyone to see. "a Zepher badge."

The students begin gossiping upon seeing the badge. One taps Adrian's arm and whispers, "He's going all the way, just like your sister."

Adrian glares at his classmate in disgust as professor Jasmine asks Caitlin to speak. Adrian looks down at his desk, griping its sides. 'What should I say? Last time I told the truth...' Adrian recalls the laughter and ridicule. His expression changes into a glare as he tightens his grip.

"I... I don't care." Adrian whispers to himself.

"What was that Adrian?" Professor Jasmine's voice cuts his thoughts. "Do speak louder for us all."

Adrian slowly raises his head. To varying degrees, everyone gives him their attention. Adrian hardens his expression as he regards each classmate in turn. "I... I'm tired of running. I won't boast or say anything. So... so just watch. Watch me claim the top."

Professor Jasmine shakes her head as many of Adrian's classmates snicker. "Very well, let's move on. Jarod..."

…..

"Just a moment, Adrian." A receptionist calls as Adrian reaches for office exit. Adrian turns towards the receptionist and she holds out a dragonair mask. "You forgot this."

Adrian reaches for the mask. He stares at the mask in his hands and feels a chill. 'I'm pretty sure I left this at Erika's...'

"My younger sister, Kagome found this lying on a table. She asked me to return it to you."

Adrian hesitantly looks up to the receptionist. She winks at the boy who flinches by taking a back. "Re-really? I'm being careless..."

"Relax," Kagome's older sister waves her hand. She gestures to office surrounding them as she says, "we all know. You two were so obvious, to us anyway. We're rooting for you."

Adrian thanks the receptionist as he backs away towards the door. With a final "thank you," he leaves his school's main office while placing the mask into his bag.

"How nerve wracking..." Adrian whispers to himself as he exits the building. He cuts across some open grass towards his next class. "But I never thought I'd actually be removed."

Adrian stops and looks up to the bright, cloudless sky. "It's bitter, sweet."

"What happened?" Adrian hears Caitlin's voice ask. "Or are you talking about the rips in your clothes?"

"I was removed from battling." Adrian says, examining his clothes. Locating the tares in the fabric, he turns and gives her friend a smile. "I don't have to battle with the academy's pokemon, but what'll my parents say."

"That's what bothers you?" Caitlin raises an eyebrow. Walking past Adrian, she sighs while shakes her head.

"Yeah," Adrian walks after the girl. "they're eventually going to receive the notification and then... Well, worst that can happen is being disowned... No, that probably won't happen."

"It really isn't something that important, then. Anyway, it's official. We're a cou-"

Adrian stops. The shock on his face changes into disgust as watches Caitlin walk ahead, still in her conversation. He turns away, and chooses a different path to his next class.

…..

"How's it feel?" Sam's voice jeers. Adrian looks up from his lunch and sees the teen mocking him from across the table. "How pathetic can you be?"

"Don't deny it." Jarod cuts Adrian's response. Standing beside Sam, he juts his chin and looks down on Adrian. "You're out of the battle program as of yesterday, everyone knows."

"You're the biggest disappoint this schools ever had, you know." Sam continues. Adrian looks to his food and continues eating.

"You know, you should be begging us to train you." Jarod scoffs, "Some people are just worthless!"

"That's why you're weak." Sam slams his hand on the table. He stares at Adrian and growls, "And the weak don't belong here."

Adrian drinks his orange juice and stands. He pushes his chair into the table and grabs his tray. With a glance, he regards the two teens. "My classes end twenty to thirty minutes earlier than yours. Not to mention I no longer to see you in the afternoons. I see no problems."

Adrian turns his back to the due and walks away. As Adrian walks for the library, the event lays heavy in his mind. 'To sit and do nothing...'

Adrian recalls the day his journey first started and the adventures shared with his pokemon. The Erika, Duck, Professor Oak, Bill and the various trainers he's faced. Upon remembering the poachers, he recalls the incident at the Safari Zone, the sacrificed pokemon, and Lugia...

"I can't do it, not anymore."

…..

"Night shade, Haunter!" Adrian cries as his pokemon dodges a beam of light.

Haunter's eyes fade to black and shoot dark lightning at an abra. Abra, unable to move, receives a direct hit and faints.

"Abra!" The pokemon's trainer cries. She recalls the pokemon with a red beam of light and throws a pokeball. "It's up to you Drowzee!"

"Night shade, Haunter!" Adrian cries. Haunter's black lightning strikes Drowzee as she raise her guard.

"Recover!" The opposing trainer cries. Drowzee heals herself while Haunter attacks. The black lightning dissipates revealing Drowzee emanating a yellowish glow.

Adrian narrows his eye, focusing on Drowzee's panting. "Sucker punch!" he cries.

Haunter barrages his opponent. Drowzee, unable to counter, takes each hit, recovering moments afterwards.

"That's enough, Haunter." Adrian calls. His pokemon vanishes mid-punch and materializes before Adrian.

Drowzee, panting heavily, falls over. The glow disperses as the pokemon hits the ground.

"Drowzee, return!" The owner cries while holding up a pokeball. A red beam of light flies out and recalls the pokemon. As Adrian recalls Haunter, she continues, "You might have beaten me, but Sabrina is much stronger. Your type advantage won't do you any good against her."

"Thanks for the tip." Adrian waves to the trainer as he steps on a teleporter. He feels his body grow lighter as white light baths him. Light fades and he sees Sabrina. She stands opposing him on the opposite end of an arena.

"Welcome, Adrian." Adrian hears Sabrina. "Are you ready to battle?"

Adrian smiles, holding up Haunter's pokeball. "Let's."

"Then we'll have a two on two battle. I'll start with, Hypno!" Sabrina tosses a pokeball and a yellow pokemon holding a coin tied to a string appears

"Then I choose, Haunter!" Adrian throws his pokeball. The ball opens in mid-air, materializing the ghost pokemon. As it flies back to Adrian's hand, he says, "As challenger, I should start. Night shade, Haunter!"

Sabrina nods her head and smiles.

Haunter's black lightning engulfs Hypno. As the attack disperses, Hypno steps out unharmed.

"Is that all?" Sabrina's hmpf echoes.

"Wh-?" Adrian questions aloud as Hypno strikes at Haunter. Electricity flies from his fist as the punch connects with the ghost pokemon. As Haunter propels backward, Hypno places its hands on top of each other and forms a purplish orb.

"Evade, Haunter!" Adrian cries as Hypno releases the sphere.

The ball flies threw where Haunter floated. The sphere detonates in the air and expands, exploding pitch-black. Haunter appears behind Hypno and fires a pulse of darkness. The blast hits the back of Hypno's head. Hypno turns and swinging its. Haunter, caught in a trance, falls asleep.

"Haunter, come rest!" Adrian holds up Haunter's pokeball. A beam of light recalls the sleeping ghost as Adrian holds up another pokeball. "Your turn."

"Double team!" Adrian shouts as he throws the pokeball. As the ball releases the pokemon, a circle of pikachu appear, surrounding Hypno.

Hypno's eyes glow and Pikachu falls to the ground.

"Chuuu..." the pokemon groans struggling to its feet

'Disable?' Adrian questions, recognizing the attack. 'But Sabrina hasn't... No she never-'

"Chuuuuu!" Pikachu's cry cuts Adrian's thoughts.

Adrian looks to Pikachu and finds him rolling on the ground.

"Pikachu!" Adrian cries. The pokemon continues rolling around, shrieking in fear.

"Pikachu is no longer able to battle." Adrian looks up and sees Sabrina recall her pokemon. "Please come again."

Sabrina turns and walks into the gym. Adrian looks towards Pikachu and sees the pokemon yawning. Pikachu stretches as it rises onto its feet and shakes its head.

"Chuuu..." Pikachu complains as he trots to Adrian's side.

Adrian lifts his pokemon. He purses his lips as he steps on the teleporter.

''No commands...'

Adrian recalls Sabrina's invitation. 'Nor open her mouth.'

…..

Adrian steps from the pokemon center and strokes his chin.

"Actually, that insane defense is the real problem." He mutters to himself, recalling the ineffectiveness of Haunter's attacks. "They hit, I know they did. But even with the type advantage, there was barely any damage..."

Deep in thought, Adrian walks down the street and turns at the corner. He wanders around Saffron city, stopping to watch the occasional trainers battle each other. As he continues drifting, a group kiai vibrates the air.

He turns towards the direction of the sound and spots a dojo. Through a window, he sees various trainers and fighting pokemon practice martial arts.

Adrian furrows his eyebrows as he steps towards the dojo. He opens the door, steps inside, and bows. As he rises from his bow, a black belt walks up to him.

"Is there anything I can help you with?" The black belt asks.

"Sorry," Adrian waves a hand. "I'm just taking a look. Seeing fighting pokemon in this city surprised me."

"Bahh." The black belt shakes his head. "We use to be the official gym. But when Sabrina came, she and her psychic pokemon took over. One day, we'll defeat her and reclaim our place."

The black belt sighs and shakes his head. "Sorry, I diverged a bit." On the side, Adrian notes the pokemon and trainers placing a mat on the ground.

"No, no," Adrian smiles. He closes his eyes as he drops his head. With a grin, he opens his eyes and faces the black belt, saying, "I'm the same. Is there anything you can tell me about her?"

"You've battled her?" The black belt muses over the sound of shattering bricks. "How was it?"

"A complete disaster. Her defenses were impossible." Adrian responds as trainers and pokemon cheer.

"Reflect and light screen." The black belt sighs. "It gets everyone."

"How long do the... No." Adrian looks to the side. He sees a young girl standing before a stack of bricks as he brings a finger to his lips. "That won't matter, not against her telepathy."

"That's right," the black belt grins. "against her, you have to assume she's always using those attacks. Therefore, you've got to break through them."

"How?" Adrian gives the black belt his complete attention.

"Brick break," The black belt thrusts the air with a punch. "an attack that'll shatter the barrier and inflict more damage upon doing so. But you're not ready to learn this attack."

"What?" Adrian narrows his eyes.

The black belt breaths in, bringing both arms to his sides. As he exhales, he clenches his fists an d tenses his entire body. Adrian is forced to step back. Cold sweat trails down the back of his neck. 'That same feeling.'

The black belt inhales, relaxing his body. "See, not ready. But our master... He's out in Johto training. He'll be able to help you, if you can find him."

Adrian thanks the black belt and leaves the dojo. As he walks, he sighs and looks at the train station further down the road. He clicks his tongue, saying to himself, "It's already Saturday afternoon, I don't have time for this."

…..

"Adrian!" A voice rings over the crowd as Adrian steps out of the train station. He stops and surveys the crowd. Over near the main road, he sees a pink haired girl jumping up and down while waving her hand.

Adrian smiles. He waves to Whitney and begins navigating through the group towards her.

Whitney stops jumping and grins. She rushes towards Adrian, forcing her way past the mass of shoppers.

As Adrian reaches Whitney, the girl jumps and tackles the boy. She tightly squeezes him in an embrace. "It's so good to see you again. What are you doing here?"

"Lo-looking for someone." Adrian stammers. He smiles awkwardly as he forces himself to remain calm.

"You came to Johto for training?" Whitney asks as she breaks away from the teen. She gives him a look of disbelief, "What are you doing?"

Adrian breaths deeply, placing his hand over his beating heart. He looks at Whitney and smiles, "I have to find a martial arts master and defeat him."

"Oh, then come with me." Whitney smiles, "I'm on my way to Cianwood. Chuck, their gym leader, is a martial arts master. Is that who your looking for?"

Adrian frowns, wrinkling his nose. "I doubt it, but maybe he'll know something."

"Great," Whitney grabs Adrian's wrist. She pulls him along as she continues saying, "Jasmine asked me to go and pick up medicine for her Amphy. Her ampharos lights the light house, so getting sick is no good. Anyway, the person making the medicine happens to also live on Cianwood. So come on."

Whitney gives Adrian's wrist another tug. She releases Adrian and walks ahead of the teen. Adrian smiles while quickening his stride. He reaches Whitney and matches her pace. Together, the two leave Goldenrod city. They face a few trainers and enter a park.

"Say, didn't you have a violin?" Whitney faces the teen and walks backwards.

Adrian sighs, "It got washed away, remember?"

"Oh yeah..." Whitney chuckles in embarrassment as she scratches the back of her head.

"But, I don't really need it anymore." Adrian walks to a pond. Underneath shade from a tree, he crouches and sticks his hand into the water.

Curious, Whitney walks up to the teen. From over his shoulder, she sees a wild poliwag rubbing against his hand. She smiles and joins Adrian in petting the poliwag. "It's still a shame. I was hoping you'd play something on the way there."

"Sorry, maybe next time." Adrian gives Whitney a smile.

A poliwag surfaces from deeper inside the pond and makes a few cries. The poliwag with Adrian and Whitney turns and gives a reply. Poliwag looks back to Adrian and Whitney as though saying goodbye and swims off into the water.

"Bye-bye," Whitney waves to the poliwag. She stands and turns to Adrian, "Come on, we should get going."

The two dry their hands and continue to Olivine city. They board a ferry and disembark on Cianwood city.

"The gym's down that way. You can't miss it." Whitney points down the road. "It's built into the mountain side and has a waterfall running through it. I'll meet you there once I get the medicine."

"Thanks..." Adrian waves, watching the girl run off. He shakes his head attempting to regain his pace and runs towards the gym.

Adrian reaches a cave and hears a sound of falling water. A sign over the entrance declares, 'Cianwood Gym'. As he enters the cave, the sound of water intensifies into a roar. Adrian makes his way towards the sound and finds a shallow pool being fed by a waterfall.

"No one's here..." Adrian looks around.

"Sorry, sorry," a voice calls from behind. "I was out training."

Adrian turns and sees a large, shirtless man carrying a log.

"Name's Chuck." He introduces himself. Chuck leans the log against a wall and turns back to Adrian. "I'm the Cianwood gym leader."

Adrian looks from Chuck and to the log in disbelief.

"Don't give me that look." Chuck pounds his chest, "Training the body has everything to do with pokemon. Here, I'll show you!"

Chuck jumps into the pond and throws a pokeball. The ball flies, releases a primeape, and returns to Chucks hands.

"Let's go!" Chuck cries, pointing a finger at Adrian.

Adrian chuckles to himself as he reaches for a pokeball. "This is a complete misunderstanding. But, people like you... I absolutely refuse to loose against!" He kicks off his shoes and leaps into the pond. He feels daggers stabbing into his feet as water splashes around him while he throws a pokeball.

"Double team, Fearow!"

"Not wasting any time, huh!" Chuck lowers himself into a fighting stance. "A good sign, but your training isn't enough! Primeape, stone edge!"

Primeape punches the ground and various rocks fly up from the pond.

"Sky attack!" Adrian cries as the rocks stab through Fearow's after images. The remaining images vanish as Fearow waves past the rocks in a dive towards Primeape.

"Primate." Chuck calls, bringing his fists to his sides.

Primate lunges towards Fearow, his arms ready to catch the bird pokemon. Fearow vanishes and strikes Primeape from the side. Primeape falls, drenching himself in a splash of water. As Primeape struggles to his feet, Fearow jabs with drill peck.

"Primeape, return!" Chuck's pokemon disappears in a red beam of light. "You're turn, Poliwrath!"

"Thanks, Fearow!" Adrian calls back the bird pokemon. "You're turn, Weepinbell!"

"What?" Whitney's voice cries out. "Why are you guy's battling?"

Adrian glances towards Whitney.

Whitney shakes her head, "No, never mind. I should have known this would happen."

"Double slap!" Chuck cries, punching his arm out.

"Be-bell!" Adrian stammers, returning his attention to the battle.

Weepinbell avoids the attack, but is elbowed from the side. Weepinbell flies over the water and crashes into the wall.

"Don't let yourself be distracted!" Chuck roars, thrusting a finger towards Adrian.

"Come on Adrian! You can beat him!" Whitney cheers from the edge of the pond.

"Right..." Adrian says to himself, shaking his head. He looks up and meets Chuck's gaze. Despite feeling an intimidation, Adrian takes a step forward. "Bell, razor leaf!"

"Protect!" Poliwrath holds out his hands and creates a barrier. Leaves strike the barrier and float to the ground. "Strength!"

Poliwrath thrusts his hands into the ground.

"Giga drain!" Adrian cries as Poliwrath lifts a boulder from the water.

As Poliwrath winds his arms to throw the boulder, seeds of green light flies from his body towards Weepinbell. Poliwrath stumbles and falls over, the boulder falling on his back.

"Poliwrath!" Chuck cries out. He runs forward and kicks the boulder off his pokemon. He places his hand on Poliwrath's back and says, "You've had a good match. Get some rest now."

"Poli..." The pokemon responds as he disappears into a pokeball.

Chuck turns to Adrian and says, "Other than that slip up, you're not bad."

"Thanks." Adrian smiles as he scratches the back of his head.

"Hey," Whitney calls as she walks into the pond. She jumps, crying, "Yeow, it's cold!"

Whitney hops towards Adrian and Chuck and asks, "Did you forget?"

"No," Adrian responds, looking towards Whitney who's trying not to shiver.

"How are you fine?" She demands as jumps from foot to foot.

Adrian shrugs, "It's more painful than cold."

"Something the matter?" Chuck asks as Whitney gives Adrian a dumbfounded stare. The martial artist regards Whitney and Adriana.

"No, no," Adrian waves a hand. The water splashes as he steps toward the martial artist saying, "I'm looking for a karate master from Kanto. You wouldn't happen to know where he is, would you?"

"That guy? He came by for a match the other day." Chuck crosses his arms as he looks to the ceiling. "Let's see, he said something about fighting gyarados..."

"The Lake of Rage!" Whitney cries out. She jumps onto Adrian's shoulders and crashes onto his back. As Adrian stumbles forward, she lifts her legs and supports them at Adrian's side. Whitney continues, "He must've gone there!"

Chuck laughs as Adrian resigns himself to carrying Whitney, "Well, he's probably gone some where else by now. I might have said other day, but that was weeks ago."

"This..." Adrian sighs, "may take a while."

"No worries," Whitney grins. "You'll find him soon enough."

"Consider it part of the training." Chuck comments as he walks for the shore. Adrian follows him as he continues, "This'll help bring out your spirit."

"Training?" Whitney tilts her head, accidentally bumping Adrian's. "Is that why your searching for him, for training?"

Chuck laughs. "Brick break is a great move. But without proper determination, you'll never master it. Don't worry, once you find him, you'll be ready. It's the same for everyone."

"Thanks." Adrian says, facing the gym leader.

"Well, I need to get back home." Chuck walks for the entrance. "Good luck."

"Bye Chuck!" Whitney calls out to the gym leader. She waves from a top Adrian's back throwing the teen off balance. Upon reaching shore, the two put on their shoes and leave.

"Weren't you a little to comfortable?" Adrian asks, glancing towards Whitney.

"Relax, it's not like we just met or anything." Whitney giggles.

…..

'Don't let yourself be distracted!' The memory plays itself in Adrian's head. Lying in bed, he stares at the ceiling. "Come on Adrian! You can beat him!" The memory continues. Adrian looks to Whitney on the other side of the room. She swipes at the air in her sleep and rolls over on her bed

'Don't let yourself be distracted!' Chuck's roar echoes.

'Have I gotten weaker?' Adrian questions as he rolls over to face the wall.

…..

"Are you sure you can't stay longer?" Whitney asks Adrian. The two sit next to each other on a bench inside the train station. "I mean, it's not even four."

"I wish. Since Fearow had to pull the boat back to Olivine, he too tired to fly." Adrian gives Whitney an accusatory glare. The girl winces and mouths an apology with a wave. Adrian sighs and leans back against the wall. He cringes his nose in disgust, much to Whitney's dismay, as he continues, "Anyway, the hike from the station to the Academy is going to take hours."

"Academy?" Whitney tilts her head. "Wait, wait... You're a student?"

Adrian bites his lips as he opens his eyes, realizing his slip.

"Where, where?" Whitney presses, leaning closer to the teen. "Come on, tell me. If you do, I'll forgive you for challenging Jasmine and not me."

Whitney gives Adrian a wink. Adrian slides away from the girl, his face wincing in discomfort.

"Hey, wait..." Whitney grins. She slides after Adrian announcing, "You're shy! I would have never guessed."

"Ok, ok." Adrian panics as he reaches the wall at the end of the bench. Whitney continues closing in on him. "It's the one between Pewter and Viridian."

"That one!" Whitney jumps back. With a hand, she covers her gapping mouth. "That place is top notch!"

"Look, please don't tell anyone." Adrian brings his hands together to beg, "I'm not suppose to be out here training or in possession of pokemon."

"I won't," Whitney smiles. "but you have to battle me next time."

"Deal." Adrian sighs. He recalls the tears that ran down the gym leader's face when she lost to Duck.

"Oh," Whitney gives Adrian a serious stare. "I'll tell you now, but my plain badge won't be as easy as the mineral badge."

Whitney's gaze softens and changes into one of confusion. "Speaking of which, you never got a badge from Chuck..."

Adrian narrows his eyes, recalling the scene. "Yeah, your right..."

A/N: Another chapter of pokemon. Since it's been so long, I decided to do two. Not much happened, apart from Academy issues, Adrian got two new badges, Whitney learns Adrian's a student, and Adrian is tasked with finding the karate master to name a few. Actually, that probably is a lot for a few pages. As you can tell, Adrian's also a bit scatter brained, or just really focused. He wasn't actually challenging Chuck for a gym badge, so the thought never crossed his mind. I also made a hint that Whitney might have recognized Adrian. I wonder if anyone picked up on it. Review please. The ffed back will make me a better writer.

Ja ne