Disclaimer: Pokemon don't belong to moi.

Heh, sorry for the long wait. I am giving you an action-packed chapter plus a cliff hanger to make up for it ;)

Enjoy.

Chapter Two

~ Hanging in There ~

"Where'd he go?" Calem panted, skidding to a halt in Aquacorde's Town Square. I stopped next to him, looking around carefully. We had chased the boy who stole Calem's Froakie all the way from Vaniville Town to Aquacorde Town and I wasn't about to give up now.

I noticed a shady figure slipping into an alleyway behind a row of houses lining the square out of the corner of my eye. Gotcha.

I glanced at Calem, instantly pointing in the opposite direction. "We should split up to cover more ground. You go that way, and I'll go this way. Meet you back here in half an hour," I told him, the bossy side of my personality slipping into my tone. I didn't wait for his response before springing after the thief. In my rush I accidentally knocked a woman over but I didn't have time to stop and help her up so I just yelled an apology over my shoulder. I couldn't let the thief escape.

Entering the alleyway I paused at the entrance, scanning the walls. They were made of brick, and the walls on the left enclosed gardens attached to houses. The walls on the right were just walls with some bins lining them.

There. I saw a figure dart out from the shadows and exit the alleyway the opposite end to where I was standing. Cursing, I ran after him. I should have checked to see if the alley was open both ends. When I emerged once more into the Town Square I immediately spotted the thief heading towards the bridge with Froakie still in his arms.

"You're not going to get away this time," I muttered, running after him. I paid no heed to the civilians who exclaimed in surprise at my hurry, but I was more careful this time and I didn't knock anyone over.

Slap, slap, slap. My trainers smacked against the cobblestone of the bridge in a rhythmic beat. I wasn't the fastest person in the world, or the fittest, but my years of spy training paid off as I settled into a rhythm. The adrenaline was already pumping through my veins and I relished the feeling – it was what I lived for. I wasn't even panting when I reached the other end of the bridge, although my breathing was slightly heavier.

I stopped after jumping off the bridge and took my time to look at the route ahead. It was mostly long grass that led straight up to the entrance of what I guessed was Santalune Forest, the edges of the route being lined with trees and bushes apart from a space on the left which was the edge of a cliff. At the bottom of the cliff was a sparkling blue river which I guessed supplied water to the fountain in the Aquacorde Town Square. It was actually really pretty- I might even go so far as to say it was beautiful with the sunlight bouncing off it. However, there was no sign of the thief who stole Froakie anywhere. In fact, there was no sign of any human life, period. Remembering my training, I closed my eyes and listened to the sounds around me. I could hear some bird pokémon calling out to each other, some other pokémon digging holes in the bank… and the battle cries of two pokémon fighting each other. One of them, I realised, sounded a lot like Froakie.

Snapping my eyes open, I dropped into a half crouch and snuck forwards, moving through the tall grass as quietly as I could using its height to hide me from view. After about a minute I found what I had been looking for; the thief was using Froakie to battle a random wild pokémon. This pokémon was mostly grey but the tips of its over-sized ears, its small ruff and its hindlegs were brown. As I watched, it tackled Froakie, sending the water pokémon flying backwards. Wow, that's some strength it's got, I thought as I wondered what kind of pokémon it was.

I suddenly remembered the pokédex Trevor had given me and pulled it out of my bag. Pointing it at the unfamiliar pokémon, I waited for the machine to crackle into life.

"Bunnelby – the digging pokémon. They use their large ears to dig burrows. They will dig the whole night through," my pokédex informed me.

"Whatever," I muttered, losing interest. After placing the device back in my bag I glanced around for the nearest tree and spotted an oak growing on the edge of the cliff partly overhanging the river below. One leafy branch was jutting out right over the top of the thief's head. Perfect.

"Come on Froakie, you can do better than that. Use Bubble," the thief commanded the stolen pokémon, unaware that I was scaling a tree which would place me directly above his head when I reached my chosen branch.

"…Froakie…" Froakie looked uncertain as the opposing Bunnelby eyed him warily.

The boy tapped his foot impatiently. "I know I'm not your trainer but I promise if you do this one thing for me I'll return you to him safe and sound, okay? I might even throw a poképuff into the deal."

Eh? What in the world is a poképuff? Losing my focus I lost my footing and slipped. An involuntary yelp of surprise slipped out of my mouth as I grabbed onto the nearest branch to save myself from an embarrassing fall, and I swung my dangling legs until they found something to rest on too. Scowling, I adjusted my position and continued climbing, this time concentrating fiercely on what I was doing until I was safely sitting on the branch I had singled out earlier. Turning my attention back to the battle below, I was relieved to see that the thief still suspected nothing.

"Great Froakie!" the thief cheered. I glared at him as Froakie did some sort of weird victory dance. "I caught Bunnelby!" Looking more closely at the boy I saw he was holding a pokéball in his hands, in which I guessed Bunnelby had been caught. Now, time for my grand entrance. I prepared myself for jumping gracefully out of the tree and landing in front of the thief to surprise him so much that I could snatch Froakie up from under his nose, make a smart remark about how thieving is another form of cowardice or something along such lines, and then sweep away grandly to return Froakie to Calem who would be forever grateful to me. What I did not plan on was Calem's sudden appearance.

"Hey, you – give Froakie back to me!" Calem demanded as he erupted, panting, from the tall grass. He looked slightly dishevelled with his hair all messy and his jacket flying open but I personally didn't mind (he looked hot). However, I did mind that he had just interrupted my plan. It was a good plan too, I thought resentfully.

"Why should I?" the thief retorted, quickly picking Froakie up. "He's been very useful so far; I think I might just keep him."

Calem glared at him. "He's my pokémon – you better give him back before I call the police," he threatened.

The thief laughed. "Oooh, I'm scared," he mocked. "Sorry to break it to you mate, but I'll be long gone before the police get here."

"Give him back," Calem repeated hotly.

The thief just laughed even harder. "Make me," he retorted. "Oh, I forgot. You don't have a pokémon so you can't," he added gleefully. Calem gritted his teeth and Froakie squirmed in the thief's arms, trying to wriggle free.

Maybe I can salvage my entrance after all, I thought, about to jump down from the tree. Unfortunately for me the branch I was balancing on wasn't very stable and it broke before I could jump. With a huge snapping sound the branch fell crashing towards the ground, taking me with it. I twisted in the air, my instincts taking over, and I hit the ground at a roll just as Professor Sycamore had taught me. However the branch was tangled with my legs so it rolled with me and I ended up underneath it. Oh well. At least nothing is broken, I told myself, trying to think positively.

"Serena?" Calem called, sounding surprised. He ran to my side and I blinked as he peered down at me in worry. "Seri, are you okay?"

"Hi Calem," I gave him as brighter smile as I could muster. "Yep, perfectly fine," I assured him.

"You just fell out of a tree," Calem pointed out with that look of surprise still fixed on his face.

"Yep," I tried to nod but a twig poked me in the eye and I yelped. "I'm fine!" I said quickly. "But some help getting up would be appreciated," I added, trying (and failing) to shift the branch off of me.

Calem nodded and helped move the branch before giving me a hand up. Immediately I was on my feet I turned to the thief, ignoring my jumping heart. Shut up, I growled to my heart. I have to concentrate on the situation at hand, not Calem, I thought firmly.

"You," I pointed at the thief.

He perked an eyebrow. "Yes, Seri?" He looked thoroughly amused by everything that had just happened. To be honest if I was in his situation then I'd be highly amused as well, but that didn't make me want to wipe the smirk off his face any less.

"Give Calem back his pokémon. And don't call me Seri!"

The thief rolled his eyes. "No."

"Then I'll make you," I warned him.

The thief glanced around. "I don't see that stupid Fennekin of yours anywhere – and even if I could see it I wouldn't be worried," he remarked lazily. "Anyway, as fun as this has been, I really do have to be going. Ta," he said sarcastically and began walking away.

"Who says 'ta' nowadays?" I muttered to Calem, but he wasn't listening.

"You won't get away with this," he called after the thief. The thief just raised his hand in a two finger salute but he didn't falter or turn back.

"Don't worry, I'll get Froakie back," I promised Calem, a grim look setting on my face.

Calem glanced at me. "How? You don't have Fennekin," he pointed out.

I almost growled aloud in frustration. "I don't need Fennekin! I can do it myself!" Not waiting for his reply I took off once more, running and tacking the thief, sending him sprawling on the ground.

"Let… Froakie… go," I grunted, trying to wrestle Calem's pokémon out of his arms.

"No," the thief spat. He held onto Froakie with an iron-like grip, kicking me away. I hissed in pain – I would have a bruise later – but I didn't give up. Without giving him a chance to get up off the ground I threw myself back at him, punching his cheek. He grabbed my leg and pulled me down on the ground where we began wrestling properly. I was barely aware of the fact Froakie had escaped from the thief when he loosened his grip on the pokémon, too caught up in trying to catch my breath. The thief knew how to fight, I'd give him that.

"Serena, stop it," Calem called. "I've got Froakie, now let's just go – Serena!" His voice sounded distant as the blood pounded in my ears. At the moment I was on top, trying to claw the thief's face, but he rolled us over so he was on top. I kneed him in the stomach, briefly winding him. He spat in my face and I was temporarily blinded.

"Get off her you sicko," Calem growled at the thief. I was dimly aware of Calem trying to pull the boy off of me but I took no notice, rolling us over and over in an attempt to make him dizzy. I had forgotten about the cliff edge though, because suddenly both the thief and I were tumbling through thin air.

Calem yelling "Serena!" was the last thing I heard before we hit the water with a huge splash. Instantly water flooded my mouth as I flailed my arms and legs, trying to swim. The current grabbed me and I was useless against it – I knew how to swim but not very well, and I certainly couldn't fight a current. I was dragged under the water and my chest tightened as I began to fast run out of air. My ankle hit a rock and in desperation I tried to drag myself upwards. Just before I passed out I broke through the surface, coughing and spluttering.

All I could see was water, all around me. Green and blue colours merged together and my eyes stung. It was freezing cold and my limbs were beginning to go numb. The roaring of the river pounded in my eardrums as it carried me downstream.

Suddenly, a voice sliced through the rushing of the river. "Serena, swim towards my voice." I recognised Calem and his calm tone filled me with hope. Renewing my efforts, I struck out blindly towards his voice. "Froakie, he-," he added but the water sucked me under before I could hear the end of his sentence.

Darkness clouded my vision as I struggled. For the first time I was terrified for my life. Memories flashed in front of my eyes: watching Mum at a race, having dinner with Dad, the first time Professor Sycamore approached me with the offer of becoming his spy, our first training session, and the time I begun to dislike pokémon.

I didn't know how much time had passed before something grabbed my arm and pulled me up until my head broke the surface once more. Gasping for breath I wildly grabbed onto my saviour. I briefly wondered if it was Calem but it was too small to be him. Then all thoughts vacated my head as I was dragged out of the river. I clutched onto the grassy bank but I didn't have the strength to pull myself up, and neither did the one who was helping me. I was all but ready to give up when warm hands took hold of my cold ones and someone pulled me up onto the bank. I collapsed into the person's arms coughing up river water. The person was warm and dry, and he spoke to me in a soothing voice.

"Hey, it's okay, it's over now. You're safe," he said, holding me close.

Cracking open my eyes, I couldn't believe it. "C-Calem?" I croaked, my teeth chattering because of the cold. He saved me? I was ready to die then and there; partly due to the cold, partly due to embarrassment and partly due to the heart attack I was having at being in his arms, but I pushed myself away from him when I remembered the reason I had fallen into the river in the first place.

"Seri?" Calem frowned. "We need to get you back to Aquacorde Town," he said, reaching out from my hand.

I shook my head, shivering without Calem warming me. "W-where's the oth-other b-b-boy?" I asked, my chattering teeth making me stutter.

Calem glanced back towards the river. Following his gaze, I saw the thief being swept away downstream. "Good riddance," he muttered, but I knew he didn't mean that. A pang tugged at my heart. As much as I hated him for stealing Froakie and getting me into this mess, I couldn't let him die.

"We h-h-have t-to hel-lp." I stumbled away from Calem but my legs moved sluggishly and if Calem hadn't caught me I would have fallen back into the river. I shivered even more at the thought.

"It's not safe – if you don't get somewhere warm and dry right now I don't even want to think about what might happen," Calem shook his head. "He brought it on himself anyway."

Stubbornly I shook my head and began to stumble after the thief once more. It went against my spy training to let another human die if I could help it but more than that it went against my own instincts as a human. Yes, what the thief had done wasn't right, but he didn't deserve to die. And it was me who had rolled us into the river.

"Okay, I'll help," Calem grumbled. "Here," he sighed and picked me up.

"H-h-hey," I complained weakly, trying to ignore how nice it felt to be in his arms.

Calem began to run after the thief who was still being dragged downstream. "Sorry, but you won't get very far by yourself in this state," he explained as he ran. I was dimly aware of Froakie hopping after us, and I realised it was Froakie who had helped me when I was in the water. I made a mental note to thank him later.

"Uh-oh," Calem muttered after about a minute or so.

"What?" I was still freezing but Calem had warmed me up enough to stop my teeth chattering.

Calem set me down on the grassy back. "The thief is headed for a waterfall. There's nothing I can do," he said, looking out over the stretch of water.

"What?" I gasped, getting to my feet. I squinted and was just able to make out the thief's dark head bobbing along as he tried to fight the current, but his attempts were getting weaker and weaker the closer he got to the waterfall.

I ran as close to the water as I dared to get. "Hey, thief!" I called out. My voice wavered and I almost tripped and fell – my feet were stull numb and I was stumbling all over the place but I took no notice. "The rock – grab the rock!" I yelled as loud as I could, stopping when I was standing close to the waterfall. Calem came up behind me and wrapped an arm around my waist for support but for once I ignored him. "Don't give up now, you can do it!" I encouraged, but I broke down coughing up more river water. The next time I looked up, panic gripped me. The thief was no-where in sight.

"I think he's holding onto the rock like you told him," Calem muttered in my ear. "But he looks too weak to pull himself up…"

I followed Calem's gaze and swallowed. I could now see the thief's hands gripping the rock but his head was under water. He wouldn't last much longer.

"Call for help," I told Calem, scanning the bank.

"On it," Calem muttered, searching his bag for his Holo Caster. "Wait – what are you doing?"

I glanced back at him. "Saving a life," I muttered before taking a deep, shuddering breath and jumping. I know what you're thinking: that's so stupid of you, what do you think you're doing, you're risking your life for someone you don't even know and you know he wouldn't do the same if he was in your situation. Or if you're not thinking that then… whatever. The point is, I was doing something stupid. Yes, I had just jumped back into the river which not five minutes ago I thought would become my deathbed But this time I was in control and I knew what I was doing. I knew I could save his life.

The river wasn't very wide so it should have taken only a couple of arm strokes for me to reach the rock the thief was clinging onto for dear life but in my weakened state it took me seven arm strokes and a whole lot of hope. The river seemed to be trying its hardest to drown me but I was determined not to give it the satisfaction.

After what seemed like forever I finally reached the rock. I was almost too weak to pull myself up but, somehow, I managed. The rock was wet and slippery, and only just big enough to me to sit on it. I briefly wondered how I was going to get the thief on as well but I decided to focus on keeping myself on the slab of stone and not letting the river wash me away. The river lapped at the stone and spray leaped at my face. I had to grip onto the edges of the stone to ensure I wouldn't fall off.

"Help… me…" a hoarse voice gasped. I looked down to see the thief pathetically hanging onto the edge of the stone for his dear life, with his hair slicked back by the river and a terrified look in his eyes. "Can't… hold… on…"

"No," I muttered, grabbing his hands before the river could sweep him away. "Come on, pull yourself up," I told him, trying to pull him up myself. He was too heavy. "Please, just pull yourself up," I begged him. He tried to speak but another wave crashed over his head and he began coughing violently, my grip on his hand almost slipping. I was frozen with no idea what to do.

I looked around desperately until a flash of cream and orange caught my eye. Staring at the opposite bank I saw Fennekin sitting there watching me.

"Fennekin!" I shouted. "Help me!" I pushed aside my dislike for the pokémon. If she would only help me, I would go on a journey without any more protest. I would try to 'befriend' her and I would never again call her useless. But Fennekin simply wrapped her tail around her paws and turned her head away. Hatred for the pokémon filled my body and that, mixed with newfound determination to prove that I didn't need her anyway, lent strength to my limbs. I heaved on the thief's arm and managed to drag him onto the stone, but in doing so I had to move backwards. Forgetting that the stone wasn't big enough for the both of us I fell back and with a scream I felt myself falling back into the river. I would have been dragged down the waterfall if it wasn't for the thief. He had grabbed my hands when I began to slip and he was now holding on tightly.

"I've g-g-got you," he muttered through chattering teeth. The river was tugging me with all its strength but the boy holding onto my hand didn't let go. But neither of us had much strength left, and I could feel his arms shaking with effort. If he wasn't careful, he would get pulled back into the river as well. A sudden thought occurred to me – if I told him to let go I would go over the waterfall and die, but he would live and the rescue team would make sure he survived. However if he kept holding on to me we both might die.

Fear gripped my body. I knew the right thing to do would be to let go so that he could at least live, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. As selfish as I sounded, I didn't want to die. So I clung onto his hand with all my remaining strength.

Looking up at the thief, I saw hesitation in his eyes. The same thought must have occurred to him – that he would survive if he let go of my hand. For a moment it looked like he was going to let go, but then he suddenly let himself fall backwards. He fell so suddenly that I was jerked forwards, my arms and upper body pulled onto the stone while my legs remained in the water. His upper body also remained on the rock, but his bottom half was in the water as well. For a moment I was confused, but then I realised: the rock wasn't big enough for both of us. So we were sharing it.

"Th-th-thank y-y-you," I whispered, gazing into his dark brown eyes. For a moment I thought he hadn't heard me over the roaring of the waterfall, but then he managed a thin smile.

"Y-you're we-we-welcome."

"Seri, the rescue team are on their way," Calem called from the bank. "Hang in there!"

So hang in there I tried to do. Then I blacked out.

Author's Note: So, who thinks Serena and the thief are going to live? Or do you think they will die? Let me know your thought sin a review! And please tell me how I did writing the action, it's my first time writing action so feedback would be much appreciated.

Next chapter we have the after effects of the river episode, the appearance of a shameful Fennekin, and an interesting call from Professor Sycamore.

Thanks for reading!

~ Jay