Mina Arellano, I very much appreciate your review! The only one so far for a while now. Anyways I'll try to make this chapter long to make up for the last one. I don't own Pokemon!

Chapter 13: Chasing Rubies

Monday, February 17

I'd spent all of Sunday looking for the mysterious Ponyta, but found no signs of the Pokemon. But today was a new day, and I was optimistic. I was wearing my usual winter clothing, but I had on a pair of yellow rain boots that totally clashed with the rest of my outfit, but it'd been cloudy on day and the news had said that there was a seventy percent chance of rain. I even brought my bag with my dark pink umbrella inside. As I got to Route 7 it began to pour, just as the news had said. I searched the small open area with both of my Pokemon under my umbrella with me, and I had been about to head back to the Pokemon Center, not optimistic anymore about catching a fire type in the pouring rain.

"Shiii." Electra suddenly stopped, though I at first hadn't noticed, leaving her in the rain for a moment. She was growling. After a moment I turned around, seeing the electric type growl, while she produced blue electricity around her.

"What's wrong Ele?" I had decided that sometimes Electra was too long a name, and was going to also call her Ele. I turned back towards Electra, giving the already soaking wet Pokemon some shelter from the rain with my umbrella. I looked up at the edge of the forest, elevated on rock, where Ele had been looking. There, just a head poking out of the dripping foliage, was the beautiful tan face of a Pokemon only slightly unfamiliar to me, with a sad looking mane of fire, was a Ponyta. She was staring straight at me. I could hear her mane sizzling with every drop of liquid to fall on it, then flickered, struggling to stay aflame. Just as suddenly as I'd seen it, the head disappeared into the trees.

"Wait!" I called after her. I forgot about everything, my Pokemon, the rain, even my umbrella, dropping it to the ground in order to race after the fire type. That last one was a very sad mistake. I got to the rock ledge, and hoisted myself up it, leaving my Pokemon behind to figure out a way up. Branches scratched my face, ripping and wet, I quickly became a mess. I had no idea of where I was going, and eventually stopped in a random clearing, looking up to the sky for any sort of answer. The only thing I got was a 'you're welcome' for no lightning or thunder. I hated those two things. Before I could take another breath, the gray up and falling droplets swirled together, creating my first vision in a while.

In it, I was looking at myself standing with a huge, brilliant Rapidash, on top of a green hill, blue skies behind us. The me standing on the hill smiled at the creature, the gorgeous Pokemon with a determined but otherwise monotone face. The me with the Rapidash jumped onto the fire type's back, and we rode across miles and miles of rolling green hills and plains, just the two of us. Eventually we started riding into a forest, and before long, I noticed it was the same forest I was currently in. The vision was leading me somewhere. I began walking in the physical world, the same way I had been going in my vision. It was odd how this was the only time I could remember having a vision this long without serious pain. Finally, the me riding the Rapidash came into a small clearing. I blinked, and my eyes opened to the real world, a currently dark, cold, wet world. On one side of the clearing I saw a small cave and made my way there.

Inside, there was a long tunnel, of which I was reluctant to go in, for reasons you know. Thankfully, when I turned into one of the small chambers, I saw Ponyta. She was lying on the grass covered rock floor. Her mane was small, calm, I assume because she was sleeping. I'd been about to command a move from Mazey, but then I remembered I had left them behind when I started chasing after Ponyta. I was cold, wet, and close to shivering, so I decided to leave something outside so the Pokemon knew I was here, and settle down for a quick nap. I couldn't really find anything except for the bow Mazey had worn for our last Contest, which I really didn't want to use, but that was the only thing I had been able to find, so I tied it to a tree right outside the cave. I then found my own small chamber, was able to start a small fire, and then curled up in a soft blanket. I mean, what else was I supposed to do?

My eyelids fluttered open before being shut again, my body reluctant to wake up. I forced myself to sit up against the stone wall, I didn't remember where I was, why I was here, or how long I'd been there.

My mind was fuzzy, and the left side of my face numb from the cold and sleeping on the hard ground. To try and regain feeling feeling in it, I took my hand and roughly ran it against my face. It pushed around some of my dark blue hair, and caused my hat to fall off, but they had been messed up anyways. After readjusting my hat, things started coming back to me.

Rain, run, vision, Ponyta, waiting for my Pokemon to come and find me. I started making my way through the winding tunnels of the cave, hoping I wasn't lost. Ponyta was no longer in the room she had been in earlier. Eventually, I made my way outdoors, and saw that the rain had finally stopped. Of course, it was still sopping wet outside, and dark clouds were still hanging in the air, a few pockets of sunshine and blue making it's way through. I picked up Mazey's now ruined bow from where I had tied it up earlier. The meadow before me was beautiful, the grass surprisingly green for this time of the year. The few spots of snow left made it look that much more beautiful.

I observed Ponyta eating the grass out in the middle of the field, looking right at home. I was glad she didn't see me, I wasn't in the mood for another chase. I cocked my head at her.

"She looks lonely." I said out loud. I took out my Pokedex, thankfully the rain hadn't ruined it.

"Ponyta, the fire horse Pokemon. As a newborn, it can barely stand. However, through galloping, its legs are made tougher and faster." I looked up some more information on the fire type Pokemon, and found that they usually live in herds.

"Where's your family girl?" I whispered to no one. Ponyta didn't even look up. Knowing that she was all alone out here, just made me want to catch her even more, to give her a home, a family.

I heard some rustling in the woods behind me, and I looked back, instincts telling me to run any second now.

"Shiiii!"

"Electra, Mazey!" I said quietly, taking both wet and disgusting Pokemon into my arms and cuddling them like stuffed animals. They loved it. "I'm glad you two finally found me." Mazey then looked behind me, not even smiling, just a curious look on her face. I too then turned around, and saw Ponyta standing just a few feet away. It took me a moment to react, I was surprised I hadn't heard her coming. Eventually I crouched down to her height, holding out a hand.

"I see that you're all alone girl. There's plenty of room here in our family." I smiled gently at her, and I'm sure my Pokemon were doing the same. Slowly, step by step, the cautious creature made it's way towards me. At last, she was close enough that I leaned forward only a little, and my hand was on her muzzle. It was very warm, soft. She closed her eyes for but a moment, before stepping back.

"What's wrong?" I asked, even though I knew she couldn't answer. Ponyta whinnied several times, even rearing up on her back legs. She started shaking her head, and it took me a moment to realize she was gesturing towards my Pokemon. "Oh, you want to battle?" Ponyta whinnied again. I grinned. "I'll take that as a yes. Electra, you're up!"

"Shinx!"

"Kay, Shinx use Charge!" Ele began storing up electricity, my heart was only half in the battle. The other half was going through hundreds of different names for our new family member. Ponyta used Stomp, rearing up on her back legs and stomping on Electra.

"Spark!" Because she was so close by, Ponyta was immediately hit with our attack. Before Ponyta had a chance to attack again, I commanded Electra to use Thunder Wave, paralyzing Ponyta with a blue electricity. I grabbed a small Pokeball from my bag, enlarging it with barely the movement of a finger. It hit Ponyta square in the forehead, pulling her into the device. I watched the blinking light on it, silently praying to Arceus it would work. A moment later, it clicked.

"Yes!" I yelled, giggling like a seven year old with a puppy. Picking up the capsule, I said my first words to a fire type Pokemon in my position.

"I finally thought of a name for you, Ruby." I returned both of my other Pokemon, and made my way back to Oreburgh City, picking up my dropped umbrella along the way. I wanted to leave today, but I still had to beat Roark, and decided to stay up all night training, and leave as soon as I beat Roark, which had better be tomorrow.

I was running, I ran through Oreburgh City as fast as I could. Today I was going to beat Roark. Today I was getting my first Gym Badge. That was all I could think about. Until I almost tripped when I saw a familiar blue face sitting outside a house.

"Azumarill?" The blue creature looked up, seemingly surprised to see me. I knelt down in front of him, patting his head. "What are you doing here little guy, I would've thought Shinji had left already." Azumarill looked towards the ground. I understood almost immediately.

"He-he didn't." He looked away again, his face a pool of sadness. "Tha-that bastard!" I yelled, standing up, my fists balled up. "I can't believe the nerve of that guy! Leaving his own Pokemon like that! I-I, I mean, he was given the opportunity of a lifetime, his own Pokemon for Arceus' sake! Do you know how many people would kill to have something like that!" I was about to go on, but was stopped by a small child.

"How many?" He asked. I looked up, finally realizing that I had been about to cry. I was glad the child stopped me.

"I-I'm not sure." I replied, laughing nervously while wiping the tears threatening to fall from my eyes away.

"Then why'd you say it?"

"It's just a figure of speech." I laughed quietly again. The boy sat down next to Azumarill, who happily jumped into his lap. To be honest I was completely confused. "Um, are you and Azumarill friends?"

"Uh huh, a guy with a really cool jacket gave him to me." The boy didn't think anything I was saying was important, so I continued to pry.

"Do you know what color his jacket was?"

"Yep, blue and black!" Shinji. Definitely Shinji. Why in the world would he give Azumarill to a kid like this? "Are you and Azumarill friends?" I was caught off guard by his question, being lost in my thoughts.

"Uh, yeah! We've played together before!"

"Well, maybe you should take him then..." The boy mumbled. I frowned.

"Why is that?"

"Well, Azumarill is really strong, and I'm not. He should have someone strong to be with him." I smiled sadly at the child. It was so sweet that he was thinking about Azumarill over himself.

"Why don't we ask Azumarill what he thinks?" I suggested. The boy nodded. "Azumarill, how would you like to travel with me? To keep battling, and enter Contests. It's a lot of fun!" I told him smiling. Azumarill took a few steps towards me. Then, the water type looked back at the boy, who was staring at the dirt beneath us. I smiled sadly yet again.

"I get it." I stood up as Azumarill jumped back into the boy's lap. "I think Azumarill wants to stay with you."

"Really!?" His face just lit up.

"Of course! You're a really good friend to him, and someday, I bet you two will make a good trainer and Pokemon pair!"

"Thanks!" And with that the two ran off towards a nearby playground., holding hands And I really did understand exactly how Azumarill felt. He doesn't want to battle, or train, or compete in anything. All Azumarill ever wanted was to be loved.

Before I knew it, I was locked in a three on three battle with Roark. I'd already knocked out his Onix with Mazey, and I was currently battling with his Geodude.

"Mazey, Razor Leaf!"

"Counter with Hidden Power!" A small cloud of black smoke appeared when the two attacks hit. "Now Rollout!"

"Dodge it and use Razor Leaf again!" This time it hit.

"Seismic Toss!"

"Dodge!"

"Rollout then Seismic Toss!" Geodude was badly injured, but managed to hit Mazey with Rollout before giving her a beating with Seismic Toss. Mazey was unconscious as soon as she hit the floor. I was disappointed, but we were doing pretty well. Geodude was severely weakened, and only had one more Pokemon left. I, on the other hand still had two.

"You were great Mazey." I lightly put her Pokeball to my lips, not really kissing it, but still a sign of affection. I then swiftly grabbed, enlarged, and threw up my next choice in the fanciest way I could, all within about one second. I know, I'm getting good at this trainer thing, and the fancy throwing will help with my Contest performances too!

"Ruby, spotlight!" The fire type appeared, looking excited for her first trainer battle.

"Another type disadvantage Hikari? You sure?" I nodded, a determined look on my face.

"There's no better way to win than when you're at a disadvantage!" I shouted back. I was planning to beat Geodude without using my fighting type move. It would be a nice surprise for Roark's powerhouse Pokemon later on. Roark nodded back and made the next move.

"Geodude, Rollout!" I immediately thought up a strategy to take out Geodude as quickly and easily as possible without doing damage to Ruby.

"Ruby, hard left!" I had been coming up with different little code names for my Pokemon, and this was sort of one of them. Ruby banked to the left, straight for the wall, and above that wall, the balcony where the Gym trainers were watching us. Ruby kept running, and almost looked like she was going to hit it, until she used Agility like we'd practice and easily turned away from the wall. Unfortunately, Geodude was going to fast to stop. The impact shook the wall, though I barely took notice of the 'wows' that came from the trainers. Geodude was unconscious.

"Return Geodude." The rock and ground type was gone almost instantaneously in a flash of red. "You might actually have a chance this time Hikari." Roark commented teasingly.

"I think I've got more than a chance, Roark, much more." I replied. The red haired man smiled, and grabbed yet another Pokeball.

"Cranidos, I'm counting on you!"

"Cra!" My heart was nearly beating out of my chest, but not out of fear. I was exhilarated.

"Focus Energy!"

"Get ready!" I told Ruby.

"Headbutt!"

"Agility!" The two ran around for a while, but it was getting old fast. "Turn around and use Flame Wheel!"

"What?!" I smirked. I knew that Roark wouldn't expect that. Not only was it a fire type move, but since Cranidos was still coming at Ruby damage would be done to both Pokemon. Both slid backwards on the ground.

"Agility and then Stomp!" Every time Ruby used Agility she got faster and faster, so there was no dodging for Cranidos, and Stomp hit just as hard as I was expecting it too, a kick right in the face with one of her hooves.

"Cranidos, come on, get up!" Roark encouraged the ancient Pokemon, who managed to pull himself to his feet. "Zen Headbutt!" I decided right then and there that I was done dodging. I waited. Waited. And waited. Until Cranidos was right there. And Ponyta trusted me with her complete being.

"Double Kick!" Ponyta turned around, kicking Cranidos straight in the face with both hind legs. I knew even before Ponyta's hooves connected with Cranidos' face that he was done for. That was when the ref announced it.

"Cranidos is unable to battle, so the winner is Ponyta!"

"Ruby!" I corrected, feeling more confident than ever.

"And the victor is Hikari!"

"Whoo!" I yelled, giggling while I ran out to Ponyta, hugging her in my arms. Then Roark's hand was in my face, handing me a small metal object. It was a circular shape with a flat side at the bottom and was a brown color.

"It's pretty embarrassing that I lost to a trainer like you, no Gym Badges even. But, that's tough luck for me. You were strong and I was weak. That's all there is to it. According to League rules, I have to give you my Gym Badge. So here you go Hikari, the Coal Badge is yours."

Tuesday, February 18

All done! Yay, first Gym Badge! Bye!