Just a few more days and we would be back in Saffron City. We had been walking all day and the sun was staring to set, casting everything in orange and pink.

The roaring of water was heard as we came to a wooden bridge leading to the other side of the valley. Below was a rushing river.

"We can cross the bridge and find somewhere to camp. That okay with you guys?" I asked.

"Yes, let's hurry 'cause I bet we're all tired and hungry." Michelle said.

"Sounds good. Let's go." Jason said.

We were about to start crossing, when leaves rustled from a nearby tree.

"Who's there? Show yourself!" Jason called out, alarmed. Nothing happened.

I saw Michelle frown at Jason. She decided to take a kinder, more gentle approach. "You can come out. It's okay, we won't hurt you." Michelle called softly.

"Vee! Vee!" Eevee cried.

Another rustle came and then a Pokemon flew out from the leaves. To my surprise, it was a Togetic! I held up my Pokedex to the Togetic.

"Togetic, the Happiness Pokemon and the evolved form of Togepi. Togetic is said to appear only to kindhearted people. When it finds such a person, it is said that it will share its happiness with them and scatter a glowing down called 'joy dust.'"

"Wait...what's a Togetic doing in Kanto? Togepis and Togetics live in Johto, and Togekisses live in Sinnoh." Jason said, slightly confused.

"Well, I think that we're pretty lucky to see it, then." I said.

Togetic was flying around Michelle very happily and joyfully.

"Why is Togetic so happy to see me?" Michelle wondered.

Togetic started to fly above us showing off its different moves.

"What? Is there danger?" Jason asked.

"Does it want to battle?" I wondered.

Michelle was watching Togetic and then her eyes flashed with interest. "Togetic is...it looks as if it's in a contest." she said.

"Tic! Tic!" Togetic cried.

"Wait a second...did you see a contest? Did you see me in my contest back in Lavender Town? Have you been following us?" Michelle asked.

"Togi!"

Michelle was thinking about something. "Were...you following me because you want to be in contests, too? Do you want to be with me to be in my contests?"

"Toe!"

Michelle smiled and said, "I would love to have you come with me, Togetic!"

Togetic was so overjoyed, that it flew at Michelle and hugged her and Michelle happily hugged back. I smiled and then remembered what my Pokedex had said.

"Michelle, Togepi, Togetic, and Togekiss choose only the kindest of people to be their trainers because they can sense what's in their hearts. I would have to agree with Togetic. You're a perfect choice." I told her.

"Wow...you really think so?"

But before I could answer, Togetic flew above Michelle and began to flap its wings very fast. A sparkling dust was scattered from Togetic, which fell down onto Michelle, covering her. This must've been what the Pokedex had called "joy dust."

"Well, I guess that answers my question." Michelle said, looking up. By scattering its joy dust, Togetic had officially shown that it wanted Michelle for its trainer. Michelle smiled and reached for a Pokeball to catch Togetic.

But before she could bring it out, a Hyper Beam shot across the sky, startling all of us, and destroying the bridge. We were trapped...something bad was about to happen. I could feel it.

"Toe!" Togetic cried in alarm.

"There's a Salamence." Jason said, pointing to the sky.

A Salamence was slowly descending to the ground, and on it was a purple-haired woman. As the Salamence landed, three vehicles; Team Rocket vehicles, pulled up behind the hunter. The grunts got out and the woman was now looking at us.

"Well, well. I've been looking for that Togetic for a while, since it escaped before I could catch it. But it looks like I've found something even better: you three!"

I looked at her and realized that I was right. Something bad was happening. She was dressed like Hunter Oliver, with the same red jumpsuit and a long black coat. And then I spotted the cannon. She was a Pokemon Hunter!

"Another Pokemon Hunter working with Team Rocket?! Just how many of you are there, exactly?" I asked.

"There are four of us." she replied. "I believe you've already met Oliver. Unlike him, you won't escape from me so easily." she said, smirking.

She aimed her cannon at Togetic, but Togetic flew away too quickly, causing her shot to miss.

"Go catch that Togetic! Don't let it get away!" she ordered.

"Yes, Hunter Mya!" A few grunts hurried into one of the trucks and sped away.

Before we could react, Mya fired again, turning Jason to stone. She then raised her arm and aimed at Michelle. NO!

"I'm sorry, Michelle! But I have to do this!" I yelled as I pushed her and Eevee off of the cliff and into the rushing river down below. I was hit with the shot from the cannon meant for Michelle.

Michelle's POV

I couldn't open my eyes, I was too weak and scared. I was drifting in something cool and then I was on something that was hard. I felt a huge pain in my head, but I couldn't find the strength to open my eyes. What happened? Everything was blank. I could no longer feel the warmth of the sun. It must've been nighttime now.

"Vee...Eevee!"

Something soft nudged my hand and my hand moved like it was being shaken. But I couldn't get my eyes open. Something soft rubbed my cheek and I felt its warmth against my cheek.

"Vee! Vee! Vee...Eevee."

Then I heard crying...I forced my eyes open and forced my body to get into a kneeling position. I was on the shore next to the river. I must have washed up downstream, since the water was calmer. And beside me, looking downwards with tears falling from her eyes...was Eevee.

"Eevee!"

Eevee looked up, hearing my voice, and jumped into my arms, happy to see I was okay.

"I'm so sorry, Eevee. I didn't mean to make you worry." I said, hugging her.

I gasped as I suddenly remembered Adam and Jason and Mya. Adam had pushed me into the river to keep me from being captured. If we had all gotten captured, it would've been the end. He did it so that I could save them...like he did for me when I was captured. I wouldn't let this chance go to waste!

I sighed. "But I don't even know where they are."

"Togi! Togi!" Togetic flew out of the forest and over to me, happy to see that I was okay.

"Togetic! It's good to see you. Good to see that you escaped from Team Rocket again. I need to find Team Rocket's ship, they took my friends. Can you help me?" I asked.

"Toe!" Togetic flew ahead and waited for me. Togetic was going to show me the way. I ran after it, following behind.

Hang on, guys. I'm coming.

Normal POV

Mya stood in a room in her ship with Adam, Jason, and Pikachu. Jason and Pikachu were still stone, while she slowly lowered the lever on Adam's dome.

"Froslass, freeze his feet and hands to the wall when he's free." Mya said to her nearby Pokemon. The Ice Beam hit Adam's hands and feet, freezing him to the wall before he could react.

He sharply inhaled from the cold that his hands and feet were feeling, and realized that he was in Mya's ship. He looked at her and boldly said, "If you're planning on torturing me so that I'll answer whatever questions you have, then you can forget it. I won't answer anything." He remembered that Oliver had done just that to Michelle when she was captured.

Mya let out a cruel laugh and said, "Oh, I'm not planning on asking you any questions. This torture is for my own...fun. If Team Rocket wants to question you, so be it. They'll ask you themselves once we get to the base."

"What does your boss want with us?"

She looked at him with a bored expression and said, "I don't know what he wants with you kids. He never told me. But that's his business, not mine. I just follow my orders."

"What did Team Rocket do to my dad?"

"Why do you think Team Rocket had anything to with it, kid?" she asked.

"After having been disbanded for so many years, they reappeared around the same time that my dad vanished."

She laughed once more. "You're smarter than you look. Yes, Team Rocket did have something to do with it. We killed him. He managed to put up a good fight, he beat over a hundred grunts' Pokemon, but his Pokemon grew weak after all the battling. The other hunters and I took care of his team after they were weakened, and then killed him. I'll tell you this, kid. He sure gave us a run for our money. He fought back for as long as he could, but it was four against one. You now know the truth about your dad. He's dead. No one can stop us and our plans now."

She then looked at her Froslass and said, "Froslass, freeze the boy's body, but leave his head alone." The ice slowly covered Adam's body. He began to shiver more and more as the ice engulfed him, and his breathing became faster and sharper.

When his body was completely frozen, Mya looked at him and said, "I think that's enough for now. I wonder how long your body will be able to last in that cold ice? Froslass can freeze you to temperatures as cold as -60 degrees." she said as she left with Froslass. The door closed behind her.

"Guard this door. Don't let anyone in, understand?" she ordered two grunts standing outside the door.

"Yes, ma'am!"

In the room, Adam slowly felt his body going numb from the cold ice.

Don't take too long, Michelle. I know that you're coming, but I won't last long in this state.

Michelle's POV

Togetic lead me to where the ship was at. We were hiding in the bushes seeing what was happening. The trucks were loading back onto the ship. They were going to leave soon! NO!

I noticed a truck slowly approaching the ship. Something told me that they were the ones sent to go after Togetic and were coming back empty-handed.

"Eevee, I need you to return." I said as I tapped her Pokeball against her head. "Togetic, let's go."

I ran over to the truck and got underneath it, holding onto the bottom. Togetic flew under it with me, staying close to the tire to keep her hidden.

Up the ramp, and then metal underneath. The doors opened and the grunts got out. I waited for a few minutes, making sure every grunt was out of the room.

"Okay, Togetic. Come on," I said as I crawled out from under the truck.

I stood up and thought for a moment. I had to find Adam and Jason before this ship took off. I knew that time wasn't on my side. I walked through the halls, checking the doors, ducking out of sight, and then I saw it. The door around the corner had two grunts standing there, guarding it. That was it! I knew that Mya wouldn't have left them unguarded like Oliver did with me.

"Okay...Gastly, use Hypnosis on those two." I said as I released Gastly. Gastly floated to them, slowly vanishing and they fell to the ground, sleeping. I ran around the corner with Togetic flying by my head.

"Thanks, Gastly. Good job," I said, returning it.

I walked into the room and saw Jason and Pikachu as stone statues...and Adam was frozen to the wall! He was barely conscious, his face was pale, and his lips were blue. NOT GOOD!

"Growlithe, hurry and melt the ice!" I cried, releasing Growlithe.

I ran over to Jason and Pikachu, sliding the levers down, releasing them. Jason saw Adam and a look of shock came over his face. Adam was freed from the ice and Jason and I ran over to him.

"Adam...Adam, can you hear us?" Jason asked.

No response. His eyes were almost fully closed and his breathing was very shallow.

"Adam, please. Adam, do you hear us?" I asked.

"Y-yes..." Adam said quietly.

"Adam, try to stay awake. We'll get you out of here."

Jason grabbed one arm and I grabbed the other, about to pull Adam to the door. But at that moment, the door swung open, and standing there was Mya with four grunts.

"There's no way out, kiddies." Mya said. "I was content with returning to base with two of you, instead of wasting my time looking for the third. But it looks like I got lucky and she stumbled into my ship at the last second, trying to rescue her friends."

The door wasn't an option, since they were blocking it. There was no window for us to jump out of like last time, either. We were trapped. A rumble came from below and the ship began to take off.

"Well, tough luck this time. There's no-" Mya started.

Suddenly, a Kadabra dropped from a vent in the ceiling, followed by a figure in a long black cloak.

"Kadabra, use Psychic." the figure ordered. Mya and the grunts were thrown back into the wall behind them, stunning them.

"Kadabra, get these kids and their Pokemon out of here. Use Teleport!"

We disappeared and were now on the ground next to a stream. Up in the night sky, we looked as we saw the ship disappear into the distance.

"Who was that?" Jason asked. "And why did he save us?"

"I don't know..." I wondered for a second. Then I suddenly realized that there were more important things to worry about right now! "Adam!"

Adam was very weak and his body was freezing cold. "We have to help him! Jason, can you go get some wood? We need to make a fire for heat and for food, we can have some hot soup. That will help Adam." I said.

Jason nodded his head and ran off.

I removed my bag and got a blanket. Adam was sitting on the ground with his knees pulled to his chest, shivering uncontrollably and his eyes were drooping.

"Adam, you have stay awake." I said sternly.

I walked over to him and sat next to him. I wrapped the blanket around him and hugged him, with my arms rubbing his back. I was using my body heat to warm him up. Arceus, he was freezing! Jason needed to return, and fast.

"I'm sorry this happened to you. I should've gotten to you sooner." I said softly. Oliver had tortured me with electricity and Mya tortured Adam with ice. Honestly, his was worse. I was hurt, sure. But at least I was still able to move. Adam, on the other hand, was dying right now in my arms!

Adam's eyes were still drooping. I heard him say in a weak voice, "I...I feel so tired..."

"Hey, stay awake. You can't close your eyes, or you might never wake up." I said. He was still really cold. How long had he been frozen? How badly was his body affected?

"Adam, you can't leave us. I can't lose someone else that's close to me. You and Jason are like brothers to me. I already lost my father, I can't lose my brother, too. Jason can't lose his brother, either. Your mom and dad can't lose their son. You're stronger than this." I told him as tears rolled down my eyes. I felt scared and worried. Besides my mom, Adam was the person that I cared about the most.

"Adam, please...you mean more to me than anything in the world...I...I need you." I said between sobs. I then felt a strange feeling inside, something I had never felt before. What it was, I didn't know.

"Please don't cry." I heard Adam say to me. "I don't like seeing my friends and family sad."

Jason returned and dropped the wood close to us and called out Charmeleon, who made a fire. I moved away from Adam, reached into my bag, and removed some soup. After a few minutes, we were all eating, since we hadn't had any supper. I fed Adam since he was too weak to eat on his own.

"Adam, you can't die. Your dad needs you. You're going to find him. What about your dream of being a Pokemon Master?" Jason said.

Jason then got Adam out of his cold clothes and into his pajamas. We talked to Adam for a few hours. By keeping him talking, we knew that he would stay awake. After a while, his body began to feel a little warmer. That's when we finally agreed that he could go to sleep without fear of anything happening to him. We lay on the ground in our sleeping bags with Adam in between Jason and I.

Normal POV

Back on her ship, Mya looked at the grunts lying on the ground, beaten by the cloaked man. He had Teleported away with his Kadabra after beating some of her grunts.

She looked at the grunts and sternly said, "None of this ever happened. As far as the boss knows, we never ran into those kids on our mission, and we never lost them. Don't speak about this to anyone, got it?"

She did not want to suffer the boss's wrath for letting them escape as Oliver had. But she wondered who the mysterious man was and how he was able to sneak aboard her ship.

Adam's POV

I woke up to find myself lying on the ground between Jason and Michelle. I got up and changed before nudging them awake.

They groggily looked at me, but seeing me up, wide awake, and obviously feeling better, they jumped up and hugged me.

"Thank Arceus you're okay, bro." Jason said.

"I'm so glad that you're feeling better." Michelle said.

Pikachu hopped onto my shoulder and rubbed his head against my cheek, happy to see me as well.

"Thanks for saving me, guys."

"You should be thanking Michelle. She's the one that rescued you and I from Mya's ship." Jason said.

I looked at Michelle. "You...saved my life..." I said in amazement.

"Well, you saved mine from Oliver. I guess that makes us even."

I reached out and hugged her. She was surprised, since she's the one who usually hugs me first. But she hugged back after a second. I felt a strange feeling as I hugged her, something I had never felt before. I didn't know what it was, but it was probably just me feeling glad to be alive and together with her and Jason again.

As I let her go, Togetic flew into Michelle's arms and she told me, "I guess you should also thank Togetic. It lead me to Mya's ship."

"Did it now? Well then, thank you, Togetic."

"Toe! Togi!"

Suddenly, Michelle remembered something. "Of course! I promised you yesterday that you could travel with me. With everything that happened, I guess I forgot. Sorry about that, Togetic." Michelle said as she removed a Pokeball.

Togetic touched the Pokeball and was caught.

"Yeah! I got a Togetic!" Michelle cried. "Now what do you say we get dressed, eat some breakfast, and head off to Saffron City?"

Author's Note: Phew! This chapter was crazy! We had a great time writing it and we hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

So it turns out that it was a Togetic that was following the kids from Lavender Town. And now it's part of Michelle's team! Michelle also saved the lives of Adam and Jason from Hunter Mya, just like Adam did for her against Hunter Oliver.

Now it's back to Saffron City for the boys' next gym battles and Michelle's next contest. How will the three of them do?

Find out next time on Pokemon NG!

Happy Easter, everyone!