QUEENSPELLER67: Hey. Thanks for voting in the polls.

K: Are you okay?
QUEENSPELLER67: Yeah, I am. Are you, though?

K smiles: Yes. I am. No, this chapter isn't about me, despite having won the poll. It was close. The author is under a lot of stress. She's got the disclaimer in yet another language.

Disclaimer: So, yeah. If you haven't figured out who K is, you will once you see the chapter heading. For the record: Tôi không sở hữu Pokemon.

Chapter 12: Karen Elm

A young female. The current Violet City Gym Leader, talk of the town. Then again, so was her brother. She had just turned 10, her mother was in the field as well, just not the same as her father. Her mother was also a Professor, but, she was somewhere along the line a teacher at the Ecruteak Gym.

Although Karen loved her brother & father dearly, she just wanted some 1-on-1 time, with her mom. Karen had a crush on one of her mother's students. He would talk occasionally about legends. Not just Johto's, but Kanto's as well.

Normally, Johto children from anywhere would travel to the town of New Bark to get his or her first Pokémon. Karen was lucky, or so people had said. The same could be said with her brother, William. Karen got her first Pokémon a few hours before she turned 10. Karen would smile from time-to-time, even with her crush. However, looks can be deceiving. Karen would stay in Ecruteak & came to know it as a second home, despite her gym being in Violet City. She had her stealth. Her brother was 8 & highly intelligent, but if his big sister wanted him to keep a secret, he would. On 1 condition: he gets a sugar high & is allowed to run throughout the Kanto & Johto regions, but, with clothes on.

(Karen's P.O.V.)

I'm turning my double digits in an hour. Oh, please be awake, please! My best friend was, thankfully. Both of us had befriended a Gastly & agreed that we'd have a Gengar. However, I was at the dentist's office. Sure that was 6 hours ago, but my friend was a true blue.

He said, "Karen, are you high on laughing gas again?" He then noticed the egg case I was holding. It was glowing. It was 1 am. He said, "It's gonna hatch. Where'd you find this?"

I said, "That's the thing. Thank Lugia," he put his hand over my mouth, something that would freak me out. I licked his hand, despite it being sweaty. We both made the gagging noise at the exact same time.

He said, "Okay. You went to the dentist. Wait, we're clear that you were at the dentist's right?"

I sighed & said, "Oh no, Articuno." I had my ways with words, despite my mind still being foggy. If I said, "Thank Lugia," well, the above explanation would happen. His hands weren't always sweaty. Oh no, Articuno was my code for saying that I was late & had to go to the ER, a place I knew all too well. Namely, due to Will's sugar highs.

Does by dos meant either there was a storm & an Electric Pokémon was relieving it's energy, like Zapdos or, any Gym Leader with a Gyarados that just learned a devastating move. In Gyarados's case, Dragon Rage. (A/N: Yes, Gyarados can legally learn Dragon Rage. Fun move.)

Trace, usually meant we were referring to our friend, Tracey Sketchit. We think his starter is either going to be a Smeargle because of Smeargle's signature move Sketch, or, any Pokémon with the ability Trace. (A/N: I know that Trace wasn't introduced until Generation III, but Pokémon from Generations [not counting a Mega Evolution] I & II have the ability Trace. This chapter is also an "In Memory Of" chapter, but also, I've gotta dedicate it to 2 people.)

He said, "So, what time did you go?"

I said, "Six. Mom's right. If looks could kill," he cut me off, but reminded me (as everyone else seems to do) that I look just like my mom.

He said, "So, what happened? Hygienist?"

I said, "Surgeon. I can't wait for these to come off. Honestly, I'd rather be stung by a Tentacool than go to the dentist. Well, aren't you cute?" picking up my newly-hatched partner.

He said, "Karen, it's late as is. Why don't you stay here tonight? You know my grandma doesn't seem to mind."

I said, "I don't know."

After his urging, but with an okay from his grandma, I stayed, of course resulting in a call from not my parents, but the police. I explained what happened to the officer, who, looked familiar, but my mind being on the anesthetic, I wasn't exactly sure who he was.

The next few hours were painful. Since I've been taking a lot of responsibility for Will, I got in trouble. This was his third offense streaking, so no surprise, I found myself in the juvenile delinquent center. However, this is the first time he's done it in Kanto. He got caught in Ecruteak & again in Blackthorn. Once he had clothes on & I could talk to him, he trilled, "You got your partner!" referring to my Gastly that I had long befriended. I said, "So, this is Kanto. How many cities have you been caught in?" He said, "Six. Saffron City's a nice place. It's pretty. Busy, as well. Your egg hatched & then evolved. When you left at 5, I told you to go east."

I face palmed. Will knows Goldenrod City pretty well, even though he's not the Gym Leader. He's one of their best Gym trainers, though. He started at the Earl Dervish Academy, but got in trouble. A lot.

He said, "We're in Viridian City." Being a Gym Leader, that city & another would catch my attention. Like Mossdeep City in the Hoenn region, Viridian City is known for Double Battles.

(Flash forward 8 years. Violet City. Karen's P.O.V.)

I said, "Good try, but it's my turn, now." I was battling one of my gym trainers, Falkner, who is 11. He's got his loyal Pidgey. I've got a Murkrow.

I said, "Murkrow, use Aerial Ace!" "Krow! Murr," as she used the move she had just mastered. Falkner just stood there as Murkrow knocked Pidgey down. Falkner had just commanded Pidgey to use Tackle. As Pidgey was falling, he began to glow & I said, "Murkrow stay calm." Let's see how predictable he's really become.

He said, "Alright Pidgeotto, use Whirlwind!"

I smirked & said, "Okay Murkrow, use Feint Attack!" Falkner said, "Feint Attack?" Murkrow began flying around slowly & then defeated Pidgeotto with a Whirlwind of her own.

As I was going over how he could improve, we found my little brother, waiting with a man. Great, a challenger. Falkner went back inside to take care of the field & Will said, "This guy wants,"

The guy said, "A battle with the Violet City Gym Leader herself," with a hint of venom in his voice.

I didn't like this guy. Plus, I only had one left. She may not be a Flying type, but I use her anyway.

Will said, "It's gotta be a field challenge. I'll referee," staring at his ribbon case before putting it back. He was wearing his mask & suit, usual contest attire.

The guy sent out a Koffing & I said, "Koffing, eh?" I enlarged my Poké Ball & said, "Okay, let's go, Gengar!"

He gulped & said, "Koffing, Haze!" All I heard was Will grappling with the guy & I passed out.

Meowth: Ah, Karen. Hey, readers. So, Koga did win da poll, but the author has her reasons. Which is why she likes Meowth. Not just me, in general.

K: Yeah, that's sorta it. No, I'm not Koga.

Meowth: Meowth?

K: Don't mess with me, Meowth.

Meowth: Fine. What's your name, though?

K: I share it with 3 different characters. One from Pokémon Conquest, another who made his debut with an Empoleon in a movie, & an idiot who you guys hired to get Pikachu.

Meowth: Kai.

Kai: Bingo. The author is thinking of incorporating us into the main story, either including or excluding my sister.

Meowth: Da author's quite da character herself, Kai. I can see why she'd do that. I think.

Kai: Ask her.

Meowth face palms, since Kai doesn't know Jessie.

Meowth: Younger or older?

Kai: My sister's younger than me. When she gets mad,

Meowth: Not a pretty sight.

Kai doesn't know how Meowth knew that, but guesses.

Kai: You've seen an angry girl before haven't you?

Meowth: Oh yeah. Let da author do her ting.

QUEENSPELLER67: As you know, Meowth is skilled in trickery. Okay, the disclaimer was in Vietnamese. After Meowth does the next segment, I'll be speaking at the note.

Meowth: So, this chapter is in memory of her brother's main team from Blue: Meow, Chiller, Hydro, Stinger, Jolt, & Blaster. Meow was her brother's Meowth & her brother just nicknamed that Meowth "Meow". Chiller was his Articuno. Stinger was his Beedrill. Jolt was his Jolteon. Blaster was his Blastoise.

Author's Note: The guys Karen brought up aren't OCs. In terms of the first AN, I ended up having a lot of fun whenever I had Dragon Rage. In the second AN, Pokémon from generations 1 & 2 have the ability Trace. Now, it's dedication time. I dedicate this chapter to my RL cousin, Karen. Karen, to my knowledge, isn't on the site. Now, the other dedication: Bittersweet Romanticide. Bittersweet Romanticide served (along 2 other writers) as inspiration for the alphabet challenge. Snapshots make the story is a story that belongs to Bittersweet Romanticide. Since these are flashbacks that'll be referenced later on the story, they're like snapshots. If it isn't obvious on the final guy, please read chapter 1. The other 2 guys should also be obvious. The grandmother isn't an OC, but she's one of my favorite characters. Rest in peace: Meow, Chiller, Hydro, Stinger, Jolt & Blaster. I'm basing those teams on the Generation 2 teams for Karen & her captor. Read, review, & vote!