"Get your lazy butt up Kori."

Kori groaned. She grabbed one of the pillows and held it over her head. She just wanted to stay in bed.

Lyssa just rolled her eyes. She snatched away the covers that were on Kori. "You're setting a very bad example," she complained, staring pointedly at the sleeping Chimchar and Oshawott.

Kori just groaned and turned on her side, cuddling closer to Chimchar's warmth. Lyssa began shaking her shoulder.

"Come on," Lyssa said. "You promised you would help Diana practice for the Contest. And Kenny is downstairs with her."

Kori eyes snapped open. Having a Kenny downstairs without proper supervision was not a good idea; who would know what he would say without her there to stop him. Plus, she had made that promise to Diana. She yawned as she rubbed the crust out of her eyes and slowly sat up on the bed. She stared at Lyssa through bleary, tired eyes. "I'll get ready in a few. Just keep them busy a little while longer."

Lyssa gave Kori a hard you-better-be-ready-to-get-the-hell-up stare before leaving the room. Kori felt sweat drop. That Lyssa was too serious, she thought. She gave another yawn while she turned to look at her sleeping pokémon. She would let them sleep a little while longer.

Kori pulled out an extra change of clothes from her bag. A pair of blue jeans, a red shirt and purple cardigan. Her other clothes got dirty after that haunted house craziness. She would have to wash them later. Kori walked into the bathroom and showered.

Lyssa came down the stairs and sat down. "She's awake now."

A red headed boy wearing a green shirt shook his head and smiled. "That sounds like the Kori I know."

Right next to him, a blue pokémon stood. "Prin." Diana recognized it as a Prinplup.

Diana took out her pokédex. "I wonder what the pokédex will say about Prinplup."

Prinplup- the Penguin Pokémon and the evolved form of Piplup. Because every Prinplup considers itself to be the most important, they can never form a group.

"Hey, want to hear some stories about Kori?" Kenny offered. Lyssa leaned closer in.

"This I wanna hear," she said in a devious way.

"Cor."

"Bidoof," Lyssa's newly caught Bidoof said.

Diana fed more pokémon food to Shinx and Turtwig as she listened expectantly.

"Okay," Kenny started. "We were all in pre-school at the time. It was Kori's birthday and she was taking her turn to hit a pinata. Only when she took the hit, she missed it completely and she hit a Beedrill instead."

Lyssa laughed. Her Bidoof had to pat her on the back to make sure that she didn't choke. Diana and all of the other pokémon were giggling.

"Anyway, the Beedrill looked like it was so going to sting her with its Fury Attack or something. Everyone was so nervous, but she didn't even notice it. She kept hitting it like it was the pinata. After a while, I think it actually got scare of her and ran."

The audience continued to laugh, even Swablu and Cherrim, who Lyssa had released earlier to eat with them. "And then there was this other time," Kenny continued. "It was when she first moved to Twin Leaf. She was walking to our pre-school with her mom and they were coming down the hill. Kori tripped land came rolling down the hill. She actually-."

"Bumped into someone and they both fell on their butts," the girls chorused, along with the pokémon (native language of course).

Kenny lost his smile, frowning curiously at them. "How did you know that?"

"She still does that," Diana explained.

"It's pretty much how we met her," Lyssa finished. All the pokémon nodded.

Kenny laughed. "Sounds like her. She actually bumped into Dee- dee."

"Dee- dee?" Lyssa became thoughtful. "Do you mean Dawn?" Diana looked confused. Who was Dawn?

"Yeah," Kenny confirmed. "You met her?"

"I did back in Jubilife City," Lyssa explained. "And I noticed that Kori and Dawn really don't get along all that well."

"Oh, they've been like that almost since the moment they met," Kenny said. "Which is crazy since they're so similar to each other. I always thought if they weren't fighting, they could have been best friends."

"That's terrible," Diana said. "But why do they act like that?"

"Well. I remember that Dee- dee thought Kori bumped into her on purpose." Kenny looked up in thought. "And I know it didn't help that Kori and her parents moved from a completely different region."

"A different region?" Lyssa looked confused. "But why would that be a bad thing?" As someone who came from a different region herself, she found the reason to be a bit insulting.

"Well in pre- school, there was a game where you have to name the pokémon you saw in a picture the teacher showed if it was your turn," Kenny explained. "Kori was never good at the game. In fact, she was terrible at it. She always got them wrong. Dawn used to tease her about it. I think the main reason we became friends was because I was the only one that didn't laugh at her."

"She didn't recognize the pokémon?" Diana whispered. How what that possible? If she had come from Kanto, Johto or Hoenn, she would have recognized at least some of the pokémon that call Sinnoh their home. Where did she come from then?

"Yeah. Dee- dee and her fought all the time. They also played these mean tricks on each other."

Lyssa raised an eyebrow. "Liked what?"

"Like one time-." Kenny was interrupted when a hand was slapped over his big mouth.

"Not another word," Kori said very lowly. She, along with Chimchar and Oshawott, sat at the table and dug into their food. Pokémon food for them; eggs and tofu bacon for her. Kori smiled at Kenny. "Good to see you Kenny."

"Nice to see you too Kori," Kenna said. He looked at Chimchar. "So I guess you started your journey with Chimchar."

Chimchar, hearing her name, paused and waved at Kenny. Kenny waved back.

Kori nodded. "And judging by that Prinplup over there, you started with a Piplup."

Prinplup didn't respond. Kori wasn't sure if it knew that she was talking about it.

Kenny smiled. "That's right." He pointed at Oshawott. "And what pokémon is that? It looks like your mom's Dewott."

Kori laughed. "This is Oshawott."

Oshawott waved at both Kenny and Prinplup. "Oshawott."

"Pleased to meet you," Kenny said to Oshawott.

Prinplup just closed its eyes. "Prin."

Oshawott immediately got angry. He had just been disrespected, after all. He planned on teaching that fat bird a lesson. Kori had to try and calm him down.

Kenny had the decency to look sheepish about his pokémon's behavior. "Sorry about Prinplup," Kenny said. "He tends to be a little standoffish to anyone else that isn't me."

"I bet," Kori remarked. Oshawott calmed down and they all continued eating. "So Diana, have you picked which pokémon is going to make the appeals round?"

Diana nodded. "I decided to go with Shinx and use Turtwig to battle. Since I already registered, I still need to go over exactly which ball capsules to use."

Kenny looked at Diana. "So does that mean your competing in the contest as well?"

Diana nodded. "Yeah... hopefully it'll work out."

"Of course it will," Lyssa said with a wink. "You'll have us to help."

They all talked for a little more. When they were all done eating, they left the Pokémon Center to go to the training area behind the building.

When they got on the training grounds, they were surprised with the blue shade of an electric attack and pain filled cries. As they walked closer, they noticed the tree people on the ground. Lyssa and Kori even knew them.

"Hey Ash! Dawn and Brock!" Lyssa waved. The group ran over as the three got up.

"Nice hairdo Dee- dee," Kenny said in a singsong voice.

"Kenny!" She called in surprise, trying in vain to fix her crazy looking hair. "Everyone has a bad hair day once in a while," she said defensively.

All the more reason to cut it short, Kori thought. She wouldn't say it though because of the truce she had with Dawn. "So I guess you're here for the Contest too?"

Dawn slowly nodded. "Yeah.. I was just practicing with my pokémon," she answered, gesturing to her Piplup, Buneary and an unknown pokémon. Kori pulled out her pokédex.

Pachirisu- the EleSquirrel Pokémon. A pair may be seen rubbing their cheek pouches together in an effort to share stored electricity.

"Chi pa!" Pachirisu greeted with a smile. Oshawott and Chimchar quickly walked over, along with the other pokémon. The group of humans continued their conversation. Everyone was introduced to Kenny and Diana. Arguments took place, namely between Dawn and Kenny. Kori rolled her eyes when Kenny started telling embarrassing stories about Dawn. Typical. He should just tell the girl how he really feels; it would make his life easier.

"So Diana," Brock started. "You're competing in the Contest as well?"

Diana nodded. "It'll be my first one." She started playing with the material of her skirt.

"She actually here to practice right now," Lyssa explained.

At that moment, Kori saw a movement from the corner of her eye. When she turned to look, her eyes widened. Not now, she thought.

Diana noticed the look. "Is something the matter Kori?"

"Ah... yeah," Kori answered hesitantly. "I just remembered that I forgot something important inside. I'll be back in a sec." Everyone watched as Kori ran into the Center before going back to what they were doing. Lyssa's was the only one whose gaze continued to linger.

Kori quickly ran into the Pokémon Center. She quickly looked around.

"Well well well," a voice said nastily. "Look what the Delcatty let in." Kori quickly turned around to face the voice. Juno pushed herself up from against the wall and walked towards Kori nonchalantly.

I knew it, Kori thought angrily. It was definitely Juno that had been watching then in the training grounds. "What are you doing here?" She asked angrily.

Juno raised an eyebrow and continued to smile condescendingly at the other girl. "Last I checked, trainers stopped at Pokémon Centers all the time."

Kori barely stopped herself from throttling the other girl. "You know that's not what I meant," Kori said lowly.

Juno just shrugged. "Pure coincidence," she answered. "I had no idea you losers would be here. Or that my pathetic sisters would decide to enter a Pokémon Contest."

"She's not pathetic," Kori immediately answered. "Just leave her alone."

"Leave her alone?" Juno's smile got wider. "But I need to be at the Contest to show my support." Juno started to walk passed Kori and towards Nurse Joy's desk. "That's what sisters do after all," she said, mockingly.

Kori immediately grabbed Juno's arm as she tried to walk past. "Don't even try to act like you care about being Diana's sister. You and I both know you only want to go to make a fool out of her. I just want you to stop being such a bitch and leave Diana alone."

Juno lost her smile and snarled. "I'll go wherever I want, when I want. No little loser is going to tell me what to do." She ripped her arm out of the other girl's grip.

"Then battle me," Kori said. "A three on three battle. Later tonight. If I win, you won't go see that Contest live and you don't talk or make your presence known to Diana for as long as we're in town."

"Please," Juno growled. "What's in it for me if I win?"

Kori shrugged. "What do you want?"

Juno became thoughtful, then she smirked. She knew exactly what she wanted from that loser. "If I win, I want your Chimchar."

Kori looked panicked. "I'm not trading my Chimchar to you," she answered angrily.

Juno's smirk widened. "Who said anything about a trade?"

Kori growled, ready to pounce. Juno held up a hand to her face, pointing her finger, while the other hand was placed on her hip.

"You're the one who challenged me," Juno reminded Kori, "not the other way around. If you don't think you can win, you can always back out."

Kori growled indignantly. "Fine! It won't matter when I beat you!"

Juno sighed, as if she was already bored with the conversation. "Whatever. Just remember that you better not use Chimchar in the battle. It would be such a bother to have to take it to the Pokémon Center once we leave town." Juno sauntered over to Nurse Joy.

Kori's anger disappeared with each step the other girl took. Now dread was beginning to set in. What did she just do? She felt nauseous. What would she do if she lost?

"Kori!" Kori looked towards the voice, worried that one of her friends had somehow overheard her conversation with Juno. She let out a sigh of relief when she only saw who had called her. Her mom, Taylor and Dewott were waving to her. She plastered on a smile and walked towards them. "Hey mom..."

"Hey sweetheart," Cari said. Her smile turning into a frown. "Are you alright dear?"

Kori quickly nodded, not trusting herself to answer the question. "Hey Taylor," she said to her sister, noticing the new addition in her arms.

"Hey," Taylor said. "Meet RazorMist." The Oshawott in her arms responded to the name and smield. "Oshawott."

"Hello." Kori than addressed her mother. "Did you get it?"

Cari rolled her eyes. "After you woke me up at four in the morning, asking me to get it, I figured I should," she answered sarcastically, holding a plastic bag.

Kori looked sheepish. She had woken up earlier in the morning; the sun wasn't even up when she called her house. She had talked her mother's ear off about something she needed. It was part of the reason why she had been so tired when Lyssa tried to wake her up. "Thanks mom."

Cari smiled. "No problem," she said. She had truly been happy to do it, even if it meant being harassed so early in the morning "Now where are your friends?"

Kori led them outside to the training ground. There seemed to be a battle going on between Kenny's Prinplup and Ash's Pikachu. Kori led her family to some seats next to Lyssa. She smiled and waved at Kori's family. And Chimchar jumped into her lap, making her remember the devil's bargain she had made earlier. She wrapped her arms tightly around her starter. Lyssa eyed Kori oddly. The girl looked tense and was strangely silent. She noticed the way Kori was holding Chimchar, as if worried that she would be taken away. She noticed, but did not say a word about the action. Instead, she took over the introduction of Cari and Taylor to everyone else.

Taylor excitedly held up her Oshawott. "And this is RazorMist."

RazorMist waved. "Osha." She jumped out of Taylor's arms and sat on the ground with the other pokémon.

They all watched as Pikachu attempted to hit Prinplup with Thunderbolt, using his status as an electric- type to his full advantage. Kenny ordered Prinplup to use Metal Claw, deflecting the electric attack. Everyone, except Cari, seemed awed by the maneuver.

"I didn't even know you could do that," Taylor said awed. "I always thought that water- types would just go down after an electric attack."

"A type advantage doesn't make the battle." Cari grinned. "It always depends on much more than that."

Brock nodded. "Any pokémon can find a way to defend themselves against a type advantage if they have a good strategy and moves they can use to their advantage." Dawn and Lyssa nodded in agreement.

"Amazing..." Diana whispered.

Even Kori's troubled mind could appreciate it and stored away. Maybe Swablu can use it to defend against his type disadvantages.

They all watched as both Pikachu and Prinplup hurled themselves in the air. Kori honestly thought Pikachu was going to win when it attacked Prinplup's back with Iron Tail. Prinplup started falling towards the ground quickly. But Prinplup managed to soften the landing by using Bubblebeam on the ground, creating a large pile of bubbles it could bounce off of. Pikachu slowly landed back onto the ground.

The battle so far seemed to be at a standstill; no one seemed to be winning or losing. It was pretty intense to Kori. It was enough to occupy her mind and stop her worrying.

The battle really started picking up when, suddenly, a thick, dark smoke started covering the entire stage. Kori couldn't see anything around her. She covered Chimchar's face with her chest and her face in Chimchar's fur.

Someone started coughing. "What was that?" It sounded like Dawn.

"It's... Haze." Brock

"Staravia! Blow away the Haze!" Ash.

Kori removed her face from the fur and started coughing. It was hard to speak. "Swablu... Go help."

"Star!"

"Swab!"

Both flying- type pokémon flew up and over the smoke. They flapped their wings with enough force to blow away the smoke. Everyone gasped in shock when they noticed a man, and four pokémon overpowering Prinplup.

"Hey! That's not your pokémon!" Lyssa called out.

"So?" The Meowth said," It's in our possession."

"And possessions is 9/10 of the law."

Diana gasped. "That Meowth just talked..." She pulled out her pokédex.

Meowth- the Scratch Cat Pokémon. It is nocturnal in nature. If it spots something shiny, its eyes glitter brightly.

As interesting as a talking Meowth was, there was only one thing Kori cared about. "Who are these weirdos?"

"Weirdos?" The man asked indignantly. He wore a white outfit with a big, red 'R' on his shirt.

"They're Team Rocket," Dawn explained. "They're bad guys who steal Pokémon." She turned towards the man. "Hey James, where's Jessie?"

"Getting her nails done," Meowth answered.

"Nails done?"

"Who cares?" Kori asked. What does any of this have to do with getting Kenny his Prinplup back?

"Gimme back my Prinplup," Kenny ordered, "Get free Prinplup." Prinplup was being held by a snake like pokémon Kori didn't recognize.

Seviper- the Fang Snake Pokémon. For many generations, it has feuded with Zangoose. It whets its bladed tail on rocks for battle.

"Seviper." Seviper seemed to have a strong grip on Prinplup, no matter how hard the penguin pokémon struggled.

"Thanks to Dustox's Poison Sting," Meowth said smugly, "Prinplup's goin' no where."

The aforementioned pokémon smiled smugly. "Dustox."

"That's terrible," Taylor yelled.

"Pikachu use Thunderbolt!" Ash ordered. The electric mouse pokémon took a stance, ready to unleash it's powerful electric attack.

"No Ash!" Dawn yelled.

"If you do that, Prinplup will be hit as well. It won't be able to defend with Metal Claw," Brock explained. Ash and Pikachu slumped in defeat when they realized Brock and Dawn were correct. The bad guys laughed as they walked backwards.

"So we're supposed to do nothing?" Kori asked angrily.

"There isn't much we can do without hurting Prinplup," Carrie pointed out. It was true, but Kori still didn't like it. Not one bit.

Meowth turned to face James. "Hey everything's going well," He whispered. "How about we go for the whole kip and kabuddle?"

James grinned. "Let's do it!" He pointed towards the others and their pokémon. "Time to send you blasting off for a change. Attack!" Carnivine, Dustox and another pokémon attaked. Diana pulled out her pokédex to see about the unknown pokémon.

Cacnea- the Cactus Pokémon. By storing water in its body, this desert dweller can survive for thirty days without water.

"Dustox use Psybeam! Cacnea Pin Missile and Carnivine use Bullet Seed!"

"Dustox!" Dustox attacked with a multi-colored beam.

"Chim!" Chimchar jumped out of Kori's arms and ran towards it.

"Chimchar!" Kori watched as Chimchar ran so fast, she left two afterimages of herself. Finally, she jumped into the air,smalled into Dustox. Chimchar then grabbed Dustox, throwing it on the ground; stopping the Psybeam and causing Dustox to faint.

"What the?" Kori asked. Everyone had the same amount of surprise, but no one had the time to process it because, right after that, Piplup began to glow a bright blue. Holding up its arms, Piplup absorbed the rest of the attacks into a form that appeared over its head. The form turned into huge body of water. To Kori, it was spinning like a top.

"What is that?" Dawn asked, looking at her pokémon i shock.

"Piplup learned a new move," Brock explained.

Kenny looked in awe. "It's Whirlpool."

Dawn smiled with pride. She pointed to Team Rocket. "Piplup use Whirlpool!"

"LUP!" Piplup threw the large Whilrpool at Team Rocket, effectively blowing them back.

The attack was powerful. Team Rocket could not escape. Prinplup felt stronger as the water touched it, its strength was returning. Prinplup's eyes snapped open. "Prin." Prinplup's struggles renewed. "PLUP!" Prinplup broke out of Sevuper's grip and jumped through the Whirlpool to stand in front of Kenny.

Once the Whirlpool disappeared, Team Rocket quickly got up. "James screamed in shock when he saw that Seviper no longer had control of their captive. "Meowth," he whispered nervously. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

Mewoth nodded quickly. "Time to make that retreat." They and the other pokémon tried to run away, but to no avail.

"Not so fast," Dawn yelled. She held her knuckles in her hand and Piplup stood in front of her.

"You're not getting awat that easily." Kenny and Prinplup were definitely ready for action.

"Now Piplup."

"Prinplup."

"Use Bubblebeam!" Both Kenny and Dawn yelled. Both Penguin Pokémon attacked in perfect sync. The Bubblebeams connected with their targets. Sending the multiple members of Team Rocket were sent sky high.

"We're blasting off again!"

Kori and the others watched as Team Rocket flew into the air, disappearing into the skylight. Good riddance, Kori thought as she walked over to her Chimchar, picked her up and looked the fire chimp in the eyes. "What was that move you did?"

Chimchar looked at her in confusion. "Chim?"

"It's called Acrobatics." Cari and Dewott walked towards them. "It seems like Chimchar learned a new move too."

Kori smiled. "That's awesome Chimchar!" Chimchar smiled back. "Chimchar."

Mother and daughter rejoined the others. They had fun helping Diana with her appeals and practicing for the battle round. It wasn't until the sun finally started to go down that Kori had completely forgotten about what she had to do. Now it was starting to all come back. She felt nauseous.

That was why she walked back inside the Pokémon Center earlier with only Oshawott. She needed to tell them now, without Chimchar being able to hear. She released Swablu and Cherrim. "There's something I really need to tell you guys..."

Her pokémon became concerned. Cherrim, in her sunless form. "Cher?" Kori couldn't see Cherrim's eyes, but she knew the little pokémon was worried about her. Kori took a deep breath.

"There's a problem," Kori explained. She quickly explained about Juno being in Foraroma Town. Oshawott, being the only pokémon there who has met the girl, started angrily slashing with his scalchop.

"Osha!"

"Yeah," Kori explained. "She really is that bad." She then explained how she wanted to ruin Diana's contest premiere by showing up.

"That's why we're having a three- on- three battle." Kori continued. "If we win, Juno will leave Floraroma Town without showing up to the contest."

Oshawott held out the scalchop. "Wott!"Oshawott!" Oshawott liked Diana and she didn't want Juno to ruikn a good day for the other. He would protect a friend.

Swablu nodded. "Swab."

"Cherrim." They were all ready and able to battle.

"But there's a catch," Korri said hesitantly. Tears started coming. "We can't lose."

"Blu." Swablu used his wing to wipe her tears away. It felt so soft, Kori thought. It made her cry more.

"We can't lose..." Kori took another breath before continuing, "because if we do, Juno gets to keep Chimchar."

"Osha?" What? There was no way he had heard right.

Swablu and CHerrim were speechless. Instead, they both shared disbelieving looks with each other.

"It was the only way I could get Juno to agree," Kori quickly explained. "I couldn't let her hurt Diana; she's has very low self- esteem as it is now... I made this mistake, but I need your help to get through this... please don't tell Chimchar."

Oshawott hugged Kori's nech as Swablu wiped more tears. Cherrim stood and waited for Kori to finally calm down.

"I need to know," Kori said. "Can I count on you guys?"

The three pokémon shared a look with each other. Oshawott was the first the nod.

"Oshawott."

Swable held a wing in a salute. "Swablu."

Cherrim quickly nodded. "Cherrim cherrim."

Kori smiled. "Thank you," she said in gratitude. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

It was a good thing she would never have to find out.

Kori's Pokemon

1. CHIMCHAR (female): (EMBER, ACROBATICS, IRON TAIL, TAUNT, FLAME WHEEL)

2. SWABLU (male): (SING, FURY ATTACK, STEEL WING)

3. OSHATWOTT (male): (SCALD, AIR SLASH, RAZOR SHELL)

4. CHERRIM (female): (MAGICAL LEAF, PETAL DANCE, SUNNY DAY)

Lyssa's Pokemon

1. CORSOLA (female): (WATER GUN, ROCK BLAST, BUBBLE)

2. BIDOOF (male): (MOVES UNKNOWN)

Diana's Pokemon

1. TURTWIG (male): (RAZOR LEAF, EARTH POWER)

2. SHINX (male): (SWIFT, TACKLE, THUNDERSHOCK, SCARY FACE, SPARK)