Pokemon Fan Fiction / Pokemon Fan Fiction ❯ Poke Quest: Kanto ❯ Poke Quest: Kanto ( Chapter 1 )

POKE QUEST

NOTE: Before you read this story, you should know that everything here is taken place in real life. Pokemon are real in this story, and Earth animals such as cats, dogs and more will be mentioned. Thanks.{Pokemon English Speech}
"Normal Speech"
~Tele-Speak~
*Thoughts*

"Anemo!" I yelled. "Hey, Anemo! Where are you?"

I signed as I looked under my bed. *Where is that bird? *

"Anemo? I have to go to Professor Oak's Lab in ten minutes, and if you don't get here, I'll leave without you!"

{Alright, alright. I'm coming. Hold you're horses.}

I heard a flutter of wings and bird 0.30 metres (1'0") in length and a weight of 1.80 kg (4lb) appeared.

"Good, girl." I said as I ran my index finger on the top of her brown feathery head. She chirped happily

{What are we doing today, Ana?}

I shrugged. "I don't know. Prof. Oak needed me for something, but I don't know what it is yet."

{Maybe he wants to show you a new Pokemon.} Anemo guessed.

"Maybe," I replied doubtfully.

Yeah, I'm able to understand Poke-speech. I was born with the ability. Prof. Oak only usually called me for two reasons. One: To translate Pokemon Speech. Two: To take care of any sick, weak, injured or pregnant Pokemon.

My brother, Nick, had already started Pokemon Training on his sixteenth Birthday. He would be seventeen by now. The reason that I'm not a Pokemon Trainer is because I'm to busy with my job. I take care of any abandoned Pokemon or any unhealthily or Pregnant Pokemon. I look after them until they're strong.

I hope to become a Pokemon Trainer some day. Some day I may even become a Pokemon Master. If not, I'll try to become a Gym Leader. I like Fire-Types, so maybe I'll take over Blane's job or get a gym off my own.

Anemo is my pet Pidgey. She follows me around every where. I found her injured at the side of the road just near my house. She didn't have a very good life. First of all was her trainer. A kid named Kevin. He was one of the most evil Pokemon Trainer I had ever heard of. He hated to lose. Whenever Anemo lost a match he would injure her in different ways, such as breaking her wings or pulling out her tail feathers. He would then wait for a week or two before healing her at a Pokemon Centre. He always told Nurse Joy that Anemo was like this because of battling other Pokemon. Several days later Anemo had lost another match. An Arcanine, but also by her own trainer didn't only beat her. Kevin had left her on the side of the road. When I had found her she had a broken right wing, fractured left wing, missing tail features and same parts of her features were covered in Acid. Probably done by an Ekans or an Arbok. I also found out that Kevin had used his Electrode to paralyse her and his Jynx to freeze her into a solid ice cube. Being weak against ice, it had really hute her. The sun had melted some of the ice away when I had found her, but her feathers were freezing cold. There were also burn marks in several places. She also had only one HP left.

At first she didn't trust me. But then she did. She told me her life story. From being born to now. I had tooken care of her. She's better now. The right wing is fixed, but it hurts her sometimes. I keep having to tell her not to fly, but she never listens. Her left wing is completely healed. The tail features have grown back. The poison is gone. Her feathers are warm. She's not paralysed and the burns have disappeared.

We arrived at Professor Oak's place ten minutes later. When Anemo and I had walked in the door, he was standing in front of a machine that held five Pokeballs. Standing next to the Professor was five ten-year-old kids. Three boys and two girls.

"Hello, Ana. How is Anemo today?"

"She's fine," I answered.

"That's good. Kids, I like you to meet Ana. She's fifteen and is great with Pokemon."

"Is she a Pokemon Trainer?" a girl with auburn hair asked.

"No, Nancy. She looks after sick and injured Pokemon."

"Is that a Pidgey on you're shoulder?" Nancy asked me.

"Yep. Her name is Anemo. She's only level twenty and she's a great friend."

"Anemo. I like that name," Nancy said.

"Can we touch her?" asked a boy with black hair.

"Yeah, sure. Why not?"

Anemo seemed to enjoy all the intention. She was happily chirping away as the kids ruffled her feathers. I smiled happily at her. After what she had been through, she needed this.

{This is great, Ana. Besides you, I didn't think other humans would even care.}

"Everyone is different, Anemo. Not everyone is the same."

The five kids stared at me, confused. But Prof. Oak smiled.

"Ana can understand Pokemon speech. It was something she was born with. It's quite a useful talent, I can tell you. Anyway, the reason that I called you is that I need you're help. I have five kids here and five Pokeballs. The problem is that I promised to give you a Pokemon that you could train, since Anemo was already partly tamed before she meet you."

I smiled. "It's OK. They're the ones becoming the trainer, not me. You can give me one some other time." My face showed disappointment, but I was still happy.

"Well, if it's alright with you. One last thing. Would you like to give the kids their Pokemon?"

"Yeah."

"Well, go ahead then."

I stood in front of the machine as the five kids stood in a single line. I handed out a Pokeball to each kid.

The starter Pokemon had turned out to be Sandshrew, Poliwag, Nidoran(M), Horsea and Vulpix.

Half an hour later of teaching the new Pokemon Trainers first aid lessons I went home.

Five minutes later I saw a body lying on the dirt. Looking closely I could see that it was a Charmander. But it was different from any other Charmander that I had ever seen.

It's body, head, arms, and legs and tail were gold in colour. The stomach and tail flame were silver. And the eyes were bronze. It surprised me. I had looked after three Charmanders and they were all red, pale brown and had green eyes. OK, so one of them had blue eyes.

I stared at the Charmander for a bit. He looked at me fearfully with his bronze coloured eyes.

Finally he spoke. {Who are you?}

I gave him a reassuring smile. "I'm Ana."

{Are you a Pokemon Trainer?}

I shook my head. "No. I looked after sick and injured Pokemon. What happened to you? And why are you gold, silver and bronze?"

{Wild Spearow attacked me. As for the different colours, I was born this way. I am a legendary Charmander. I need someone with experience to look after me.}

{Ana has experience,} Anemo said proudly. Her chest was puffed out. {She may not be a Pokemon Trainer, but she's quite good at battling.}

The charmander suddenly looked excited. {Perhaps you can be my trainer.}

"I can't. I'm not a Pokemon Trainer. Besides, I can't leave my job."

{Sure you can. Get someone else to do it.}

"There's one more problem. I haven't been to Pokeschool."

{It doesn't matter. There's lot of people who haven't been there and they still become Pokemon Trainers.}

"Why me?"

Charmander hesitated. {You're the first person I've met.} He said lamely.

Somehow I knew that that wasn't the real reason.

"Look, I hate guessing games, so why don't you just tell me?"

{I can't. I can only tell you if you say yes.}

"Why?"

The Charmander shrugged. {I don't know. You might turn down the offer when you here the reason.}

"Depending what it is, I won't."

{Fine. Out of everyone, you're the only one who can understand Pokemon. See the reason that I'm gold and silver is that I'm different from every Charmander. Different from every Pokemon, even. I need to find my true self and you're the only one that can help.}

"OK. So how do I help? And what's you're true self?"

{My true self is for me to know and for you to find out. In order to reach all of our goals, you need to become a Pokemon Master.}

I blinked in confusion. "But what about my job?"

{Do you have someone to take over until you get back?}

I thought for a minute. "Yeah. I taught my parents how to look after different Pokemon."

{Good. We shall start then.}

"What? Right now?" I yelled.

{Of course. I have been waiting for you for a long time. You were surposed to be my trainer when you turned ten, but I couldn't find you. How old are you now?}

"Fifteen." I answered simply.

{Right. We have a lot of catching up to do. We better go see Professor Oak.}

It didn't take long for the three of us to get to Professor Oak. It took a while because I had to heal the Charmander with my mid kit, which I always carried in my bag. Hopefully I will get a new bag, because this one was way too old.

Professor Oak was writing on a piece of paper when I walked into the lab with Anemo and Charmander.

"Hello, Ana. What brings you here?" He obviously didn't notice Charmander.

"Professor, I'd like to talk to you. It's very important."

Professor Oak looked puzzled for a few seconds but then he nodded and pointed to a black leather chair in front of him. "Of course. I'm sure I can spare a few minutes. Please, take a seat."

I sat down. "I don't know how I'm going to tell you this, but I need you're help."

Professor Oak straightened up. He looked slightly confused. "Of course. What is it?"

"OK. I found this gold, silver and bronze coloured Charmander. He said that he needed my help. If I help him I get to find the reason of why I can understand Pokemon speech. The reason I came to you is because I need you're promission for me to go on a Pokemon Journey."

Professor Oak looked shocked when he stared at Charmander. He then turned to look at me. "Are you sure? What about you're job?"

"It's already been sorted out. My parents can do it until I come back."

Prof.Oak looked at Anemo. "Anemo is at level twenty. I can't let you take her on a Pokemon Journey at that level."

"I can't leave her here. Why can't I just take her with me, but not use her in battle until later on? I need her. She can be useful, even if she can't battle."

"Oh, alright. But before you use her in battles, you're Charmander must be at level twenty. I take it that you want Charmander as you're starter Pokemon?"

I nodded. I was too excited to say anything.

Professor Oak handed me five Pokeballs, but I shook my head and handed them back to him. "It's OK, I've got plenty of them from people for healing their Pokemon. I also get money and I use the money to buy items."

"Alright, then. I'll just give you a PokeDEX."

I took the PokeDEX and put it in my jeans pocket. I couldn't quite describe it, but there was something different about that PokeDEX. *'I'll think about it later. *

"I'll tell you're parents what you're doing, but I won't tell them about what colour Charmander is. I'll leave that for you to tell them"

"Thanks."

The three of us left. For four minutes we walked aimlessly through the grass areas. There was not a single Pokemon around. In the last four years after Ash had became a Pokemon Master, Pokemon have been scarce. Even Rattata and Pidgey weren't as common as they were back then.

"Hey, Charmander?"

{Yes, Ana?}

"Do you want a Nickname? I think I have the perfect one for you."

{Sure. Sounds great. I have heard that humans are very creative. What are you going to name me?}

I shrugged. "How about Gover?"

Charmander blinked. {What?} Even Anemo looked confused.

I signed. "I made it up, but it does have a meaning to it."

{Ana it sounds like a nice name, but do you mind explaining it to us?}

I laughed a little. "Sure, Anemo. It's short for Gold and Silver. The G-O is the first two letters in the word 'gold'. V-E-R is the last three letters in the word 'Silver'. I named Charmander Gover, because of his colour."

Charmander smiled. {I was right! Humans are creative! I like the name. Thanks.}

I grinned. "Great. You're name is now Gover." I took out a Pokeball. "Gover, I haven't even caught you yet."

{Oh yes, of course! You better do that now. Don't forget to capture Anemo.}

I smiled as I put the Pokeball in front of Gover. With one paw, he touched the small button and was turned into red light and was suck in. Without a struggle the Pokeball went ping.

I did the same for Anemo and the same effects happened. After a while I realised Gover.

{Thank god. I was getting bored in there. Why can't they install a TV in that Pokeball, anyway? Or even a Microwave or something? What about a book?}

"What kind of book would a Pokemon read?" I asked. "How to cure boredom? Not likely."

{Very funny. Why don't you let Anemo out? You'll be very surprised with her new features.}

"Her features? What about it?"

{Just let her out and you'll see.}

I signed. Without a word I tossed the Pokeball containing Anemo. She emerged in a rush of feathers. I was shocked as I studied her features. She looked nothing like a real Pidgey. Her beak, shoulders, head, back and tail feathers were gold. Her chest, stomach, talons and wingtips were silver. Her legs were gold and so was the line just under each eye, which was usually black. Her eyes were now bronze.

{Because of you're past everytime you capture a Pokemon their colours turn to gold, silver and bronze.} Gover explained.

"Past? What past?"

{You have to find that out. Come on, its time to go.}

Anemo and I followed Gover to wherever he was leading us.

____________________________________________________________________ ___ A lone figure watched the young girl and her two Pokemon. He watched them with interest. He had never seen something happen like that before. That Pidgey was normal before. How did it change colours? The figure really wanted to find it, so he followed the girl, making sure that he kept in the shadows and followed at a safe distance. ________________________________________________________________________

I stopped walking. "Hey, Guys! Do you get the feeling that somebody or something is watching you? Or even following you?"

{Come to think of it, I am getting the same feeling.} Gover agreed. He looked around. {I can't see anything, though.}

Anemo had flown up into the sky from her perch on my shoulder. {Neither can I,} she called down as she once again landed on my shoulder.

I signed. "It must have been nothing. Come on. We have to go to my place first. I need to pick up some stuff. Plus, I want to see the animals before I leave."

{Sounds good to me,} Gover agreed. {I can't wait to see you're house and meet you're parents.}

{You'll love it there,} Anemo said gently. {I have lived there for a long time. I have always enjoyed Ana's company.}

Gover looked surprised. {Even after what you have been through, you still trust humans?}

{No, not all humans. When I first meet Ana I disobeyed her. Two weeks after she had found me I had then began to obey her.}

{Why?}

{I hated battling back then. To tell you the truth I disobeyed Ana because I thought she was a Pokemon Trainer. See, I thought she was one because off all the Pokemon she had. She had dozens of them. Surprisedly there are at least three or four small cages in her own room. There are two that I know off. One cage holds a badly poisoned Vulpix. The other cage has a Totodile that is blind in one eye. An Ekans poisoned the Vulpix. As for the Totodile, his trainer caused the blindness. I really don't know how. Anyway, it turned out that she had Pokemon because she actually looks after them. She seems to enjoy these creatures that humans call 'cat'. Ana has two at home. The female tabby had tried to take a swipe at me the other day, but I used a Tackle attack and showed her who was boss. She never did attack me after that.}

We laughed.

{Anemo?} Gover asked quietly. {Can you please tell us about you're life with you're old trainer. I really want to here it.}

I felt Anemo shiver. She was still on my shoulder. I looked into her sad and haunted eyes. I knew that she didn't want to go through it all again. To her it was much too painful to live through it again. It was even painful to tell the story.

Anemo took a deep breath and spoke. {It was a while back from now. I had hatched out off my egg two days earlier than usual. I had two brothers and one sister. My parents were both Pidgeots. My father belonged to Kevin's Dad and my mother belongs to Kevin's Mum. Four weeks after birth one of my brothers died.} Anemo's eyes began to fill with tears as she spoke. {Two weeks after my brother's death my sister mysteriously died. Then two days after that my other brother died. I was the only baby Pidgey left. My parents were angered with themselves. They thought that they hadn't taken care of their children well enough. But I knew the truth. I knew how my brothers and sister had died. It wasn't from natural causes.} Suddenly Anemo didn't look sad any more. Instead she looked angry. Furious. {Kevin and his parents had killed them. They had killed one each. Kevin's father had shot one of my brothers. The mother had poisoned my other brother. Kevin's way was much easier. He had half filled a bathtub with hot water. My sister had died in that tub. She had drowned in a bathtub of boiling hot water. There was nothing I or anyone could have done to save them. All I could do was keep the truth from my parents. I don't know why, but I never told them. I was surprised when Kevin's parents had different plans for me. I was going to be Kevin's starter Pokemon. I'm not sure when he started his first Pokemon Journey, but I'm pretty sure that he'll be the same age and height as you, Ana.}

I cringed a little at that, but let Anemo continue her story.

{For two months Kevin had trained me. I had to obey him. If I hadn't he would have killed me. I had two months of torture. I felt nothing but pain and sadness. I don't know what happen to my parents after I had left. Maybe they have escaped. I hope so. I hope to see them again. I don't know how I survived, but I did. The pain never really lasted long, because I would always black out. To Kevin I was weak. But he is wrong and someday I'll show him how tough I really am. Then one day I had lost a battle against an Arcanine. It wasn't my fault. That Arcanine was level 65 and I was only level 20. After being beaten up by Kevin and his Pokemon I was left on the side of the road. Days later Ana that took me to her place and looked after me. Because of my problems with Kevin, she had promised to never train me until I was ready.}

{I don't want to sound rude, but if you don't want to be trained then why are you coming to this journey?} Gover asked gently.

Anemo signed. {I had to get over my fears of battling someday. Besides, Ana is my friend. Even if she is only a human and not a Pidgey like myself.}

Gover said nothing, but a smile mysterious smile appeared on his lips. The gold and silver coloured lizard was differently keeping some sort of secret.

{Another reason I have come to this journey is because...} She had suddenly trailed off. I think she was disgusted with herself.

"What's you're other reason, Anemo?" I asked softly.

I...I want revenge. I'm so afraid. I want revenge on Kevin, but I can't. I'm a Pidgey. Pidgey's are too friendly and too docile to think of getting revenge. It sounds cruel, but I really want Kevin to pay for what he did.}

"And what about his parents?" I asked. "Do you want to get revenge on them, too?"

{Of course I do. I don't want to kill them. I just want to scare them or something.}

I grinned. "I think we can do that."

Anemo looked at me strangely. {I hate to say this, but what do you mean?}

"It's simple," I turned to Gover. "Hey, Gover? Didn't you say I had some kind of magical powers?"

{Well, yeah, but the only magical powers you have so far is the ability to change the Pokemon's colours from their original colours to gold and silver.}

"That's exactly what I mean," I said with a small smile. "Having at least one different coloured Pokemon is hard to get, but having loads of different coloured Pokemon is even harder to get."

Anemo looked doubtful. {I don't know. Maybe they'll just assume you caught a few of those shiny Pokemon that live in Johto. Whatever that is.}

"Johto is like Kanto, only it has new Pokemon. That Chikorita that was at my place for four days was from Johto. Some of the Kanto Pokemon lives in Johto. As for the shiny Pokemon, well, they're quite rare. A shiny Pokemon is a Pokemon that has different colours from any normal Pokemon. They're very hard to find. But there is one that is quite easy to find. In Johto is a place called the Lake of Rage. If you go there you should find a Pokemon know as the Red Gyarados. As we all know, Gyarados are usually blue. But the red Gyarados is not blue, because he is a shiny Pokemon."

{Besides having different colours is there any other difference in shiny Pokemon?} Anemo asked me.

I shrugged. "Not really, but there are two difference. Every time a shiny Pokemon comes out of its Pokeball it shines, giving it the name Shiny Pokemon. The second difference is that shiny Pokemon are said to be stronger than normal coloured Pokemon."

{Sounds amazing," Gover said. {Oh, Ana, before I forget you better take a look at you're Pokeball. You should find something different about it.}

I took one of my Pokeball out of my belt. "Whoa!" The Pokeball was very different. Instead of being red and white with a black band it was three different colours. The red part had turned into gold, while the white part was now silver. As for the black band, it was now bronze. "Great, I just won Gold, Silver and Bronze. What is this, the Olympics?"

Gover chuckled. {Nope. It's not the Olympics. It's a Pokeball.}

"I can see that,"

{Why don't you check you're Pokedex now?}

"Sure, Gover." I took out my Pokedex from one of my pants pokets. "Wow!" The Pokedex had also change colours. The red part was now Gold and the buttons were silver. "What? No bronze?"

{Bronze isn't the actual main colour. It's usually the eyes of a Pokemon that you've caught that changes to bronze.} Gover explained.

"I was being sarcastic."

{Oh, yeah, before I forget, you should check out you're Pokedex again. It's different from everyone else's.}

"You mean besides the colour?" I asked as I took it out of my pocket. Without waiting for an answer I opened it and looked at it. "What's so different about it?"

{If you give me a chance to explain, I'll tell you.} Gover said in annoyance. {Humans these days. They're so demanding.}

I rolled my eyes. "And aren't some Pokemon the same?"

Gover rolled his eyes back at me. {Some, but not all.}

"It's the same with humans," I said curtly.

{Can we get on with the Pokedex?} Gover asked. I didn't answer, but Gover continued anyway. {There's not much difference. It actually gives information on all versions of the game. Red/Blue, Yellow, Stadium, Gold/Stadium two, Silver and Crystal. Red and Blue are the same, and so is Gold and Stadium two.}

I wasn't very impressed, but I smiled anyway. "Why does it give me information that I can find in the Pokemon Games? I mean, it just seems to be a wast of time."

{It'll change later,} Gover said calmly. {You're going to have to earn it.}

I pointed the Pokedex at Anemo. It beeped as it began to analyse Anemo's data.

"Pidgey-L20: A common sight in forests and woods. It flaps its wings at ground level to kick up blinding sand. Very docile. If attacked, it will often kick up sand to protect itself rather than fight back. If at all possible, it will try to avoid battles. Small or weak enemies are blown away by WHIRLWIND. It usually hides in tall grass. Because it dislikes fighting, it protects itself by kicking up sand. Common in grassy areas and forests, it is very docile and will chase off enemies by flapping up sand. It rapidly flaps its wings in the grass, stirring up a dust cloud that drives insect prey out into the open."

"What are her attacks?" I asked the Pokedex.

"Anemo knows five attacks. Tackle, Sand-Attack, Gust, Quick Attack and Whirlwind."

"Analyze Pidgeotto's data."

"Data unconfirmed. Species not known. Select another Pokemon to analyse."

Gover must have seen the surprised look on my face, because he said, {It won't analyse a Pokemon's data unless you have caught it. As far the Pokedex can tell, you haven't even seen a Pidgeotto. And don't bother pointing it at me. It won't work.}

"Why not?"

{Because I'm not a real Charmander.} He suddenly looked embarrassed. {Call it a curse. The powerful Shadow Master turned me into a Charmander. I'm actually a gold and silver coloured dragon with bronze eyes, but when I was turned into a Charmander my colours wouldn't change. They just stayed the same.}

{So that's why you're gold, silver and bronze,} Anemo mused. {And I thought you were either a shiny Pokemon from Johto or a mutated Pokemon from another planet.}

Gover glared at her. {Watch it, Feather Brain,}

{Sure thing, Smokey.} Anemo said with a laugh.

"Hey, you!" yelled a voice.

I looked ahead of me to find a boy about ten or eleven in front of me. He was eyeing my Pokemon in absolute wonder. "Yeah?"

"Where'd you get those? They must have been hard to catch."

"Not as hard as you might think," I muttered. "Long story. What's you're name."

The boy looked surprised that I would even ask. "Luke. What's you're name?"

"Ana. The Pidgey is Anemo and the Charmander is Gover."

"Oh. I have Pokemon, too. Wanna see them in battle?"

I shrugged. "Couldn't hurt."

{Not for you, anyway.} Anemo grumbled.

I grinned. "How many Pokemon do you have?"

"Four."

"OK, I'll start first. Go, Gover!"

Gover stood between Luke and me. {My first battle. This could get interesting.}

"I choose you, Slowpoke!" Luke yelled.

A red beam shot from the Pokeball and a large pink dopey-looking Pokemon stood in front of Gover. It yawned and looked at Luke, waiting for his trainer's command.

(Or not,} Gover added as he looked at his opponent. {Do you expect me to fight this dumb-looking animal?}

The Slowpoke looked offended. {I'm not dumb.}

{Yeah, whatever.} Gover grumbled. {Let's just battle before we all die of old age.}

"OK, Slowpoke, use you're Water Gun!" Luke yelled.

I laughed nervously. I don't know the first thing about Pokemon Battles. I've looked after Pokemon, but I've never trained them.

"Dodge it and use..." I thought about it for a few seconds. Gover had already dodged the Water Gun attack and was now wanting patiently for my next move. At least I think he's waiting patiently "Err," I looked at Gover's claws. They were gold, but still long and sharp. "Use Scratch!"

{It's about time,} Gover grumbled. {I was beginning to get worried. For a minute there I thought you knew nothing about Pokemon.}

"Uh, I don't." I said sheepishly.

Gover almost fell over. {WHAT? And you're surposed to be magical? Jeez, I thought everyone knew how to train Pokemon.}

"My friend Claire has two Pokemon and she doesn't know the first thing about training Pokemon, and she's had them for nine months." I pointed out in a slightly smug voice.

{She probably knows more then you do,} Gover said in an even smugger voice.

I gave him a dirty look and was about to say something when there was a loud cough behind us. Both Gover and I jumped in surprise.

"Look, um, I have absolutely no idea what you're saying to you're Charmander, but can it wait? We're in a middle of a battle and I want to get to Pewter City, so I can challenge Brock."

"Is Brock back?" I asked in surprise.

"Yeah. He came back two weeks ago from his journey with Ash. He's a Pokemon Breeder now, but is still a Gym Leader. Much more stronger than four years ago."

"He'll be tough to beat," I mused. "Especially since I only have a Charmander and a Pidgey, which are both weak against Rock Types. Although, most Rock Pokemon are part Ground, so Gust may have a chance. It'll be easy for you, Luke. You at least have a Water Pokemon. How'd you get a Slowpoke so quickly anyway?"

Luke grinned. "Things have changed since four years ago. Pokemon aren't as common as they were back then. For four years Pokemon have been living in places that they have never lived before. No one has found a Slowpokes near Viridian City four years ago, but now they're just as common here as they are in Slowpoke Well."

"Where do you find them?" I asked.

"I found mine in that grass area near the Kanto League Building. The one were the guards check to see if you have all eight Badges, but I think you can also find them near Pewter City."

"Thanks. It's a big change from the usual Rattatas and Pidgeys"

(You make that sound as if it's a bad thing,} Anemo said in a slightly hurt voice.

I guess I'm original, too.} Gover signed.

"Actually, come to think of it, you're both different. Gover isn't a real Charmander and Anemo's colours are different from any other Pokemon."

{How does that make me different?} Anemo asked.

I shrugged. "Besides the colour I'm not really sure yet. Maybe I'll find out later."

{What makes you think I'm different?}

"I don't know. I can feel you're powers and its different from the wild Pidgeys that we've past so far. It's more stronger, so is Gover's, only his is more stronger than yours."

{Better not say too much in front of Luke,} Gover suggested and both Anemo and I nodded in agreement.

"Are we battling or not?" Luke demanded.

"Sorry, Luke." I said. "Yeah, we're battling."

"Good. Slowpoke, use you're Water Gun attack."

"Dodge it, Gover, and use Scratch!" I yelled.

Gover dodged Slowpoke's attack easily, and scratched Slowpoke's skin with sharp claws.

"Good work, Gover. Now use Growl."

"Grrrr!" {Let's see you beat that, Pinky.}

{Go, Gover!} Anemo cheered.

The Slowpoke looked slightly confused. Its attacks were weaker than before.

"Ignore it, and use Confusion." Luke yelled.

Suddenly Gover was surrounded in a blue light. He was lifted straight up into the air. Gover tried to break free but couldn't.

"Gover!" I yelled in horror. "Try to break free!"

{That's easier said then done,} Gover barely said.

I took out my Pokedex and opened it up. "Analyse Confusion attack," I commanded.

"Confusion: An attack that may confuse an opponent."

"What type of Pokemon is effective against Psychic-Type moves?"

"Bug-types are stronger than Psychic-types. Dark-type moves such as Bite and Faint Attack would work best, since Psychic-type moves cannot effect Dark-types."

Satisfied, I put my Pokedex away. "So much for that," I muttered. "Gover only knows Tackle and Growl. None of them are Dark-Type moves."

{Ana, you're gonna have to think of something, and fast.} Anemo warned me. {I don't think Gover can take it much longer.}

"I know, Anemo, but I don't know what to do."

I looked up at Gover. He was struggling to break free from the blue energy.

"Hang on, Gover. I'll think of something!" I yelled.

Luke looked slightly amused by all this. "This is getting boring, Slowpoke. Finish it off."

{Right, Luke.} Slowpoke used his Psychic powers to slam Gover in a nearby tree.

"Gover!" I yelled, rushing to him.

{I'm OK!} He called out.

I signed with relief. "Use you're Scratch attack!" I yelled.

{As you wish, Ana.} Gover said as he scratched Slowpoke across the flank.

Slowpoke suddenly slumped onto the ground unconscious.

"You did it, Gover!" I yelled in joy. "You won you're first battle."

Gover looked pleased. {Yes. I beat a Water-Type Pokemon.}

"Not bad," Luke said as he recalled his Slowpoke. He clipped the Slowpoke's Poke Ball onto his belt, and then unclipped another Poke Ball. "But can you beat this Pokemon?"

He tossed the Poke Ball to the ground. A red light escaped from the Poke Ball, and formed into a shape.

It looked like a small Fox with six red tails. It was 2'0" and weighed twenty-two pounds.

{OK, who's my opponent?} The Fox-like creature looked around. Suddenly he spotted Gover. {Is this it?}

"Yep," I answered.

{Can you understand me?}

"Yep. I don't mean to sound rude or anything, but what are you?"

The creature looked surprised. {I'm a Vulpix. I'm a Fire-Type Pokemon.}

"Get ready, Vulpix." Luke ordered his Pokemon.

{I've been ready,} Vulpix lowered down on his front legs, so that his chest was almost touching the ground. He gave a flicker of his six tails and then turned his head towards Luke, waiting for a command. {I'm ready when you are, Luke.}

"He's ready," I translated to Luke.

Luke smiled. "Thanks. Vulpix, use you're Tail Whip!"

"Dodge it, Gover." I commanded. "And then use Scratch."

Vulpix rushed towards Gover, who jumped out of the way. Vulpix went rushing past, but not before Gover scratched him across the flank.

{Aaaaaaaahhhhh!} Vulpix yelled in a mix of pain and terror.

Vulpix crouched down low. Small trickles of blood were seeping through the wound across his right side.

"You have to recall you're Vulpix," I said to Luke. "Its too weak to fight!"

There was silence. No one said anything for a while. I hated the sudden silence, so I decided to break it.

"Are you OK?"

Luke looked as if he had just snapped out of a trace. "Huh? What?" He turned to look at me. "Did you say something?"

"Yeah. I did. What's up with you?"

"Nothing."

"You don't sound very convincing,"

"It's nothing, really."

I gave him a look that said, 'quite lying. I know you're upset, so tell me what's wrong.'

Luke cringed a little. "OK, fine. One of the things I wished for was to understand Pokemon speech."

"Oh, right. So, that's what you're upset about?" I asked in surprise.

"Don't sound so surprised. It's almost everyone's dream."

"Not mine," I said softly. "I was born with it. I guess that makes a bit of a freak."

"No, you're not a freak." Luke assured me.

"Pokemon aren't the only creatures I can understand. I can also understand normal Animals."

Luke's eyes widened in amazement. "Really? Cool. I would love to have that ability."

"Yeah, it's cool in a way. What is it, Gover?"

The gold and silver Lizard was jumping up and down in excitement. {I forgot to tell you something really important}

"What's so important?" I asked.

{Further alone here is a cave that was found a month ago. Tourists have been visiting that cave in hopes of finding the pink coloured egg. It is rumoured to house only Normal-Type Pokemon.}

"But why are you telling me this?"

{Simple. No one has found the egg. People believe that it has a Normal-Type legendary or rare Pokemon such as Eevee in it.}

"What happened to the people that couldn't find it?"

No one knows. Many other people believe that the Normal-Type Pokemon either killed those tourists, or they had just gotten lost. Others think that they were captured.}

I whistled in disbelief. Luke gave me a questioning look. I translated what Gover had just told me.

"Whoa! Are you guys planing to go to Ori Cave?"

"Ori Cave? What's that?" I asked.

"It's short for Original Cave. It's named that, because it has Normal-Type Pokemon inside it. I wouldn't go inside it, though. It's way too dangerous."

I turned to Gover. "Is there any real reason why I have to go inside this cave?"

{Yeah, there is, actually. Besides the egg, inside that cave is a whole new secret that only you can discover. Plus, if you discover that secret you get a Normal-Type Pokemon.}

"What did he say?" Luke asked.

"He said that I could find a completely new Pokemon inside that cave." I lied. It was half true any way.

"You three are crazy," Luke said. "You can't go in there."

"We can and we will. Gover, Anemo and I will be going straight inside that cave after I visit my parents."

Luke backed away a little in absolute horror. "You can't. It's too dangerous."

"Oh, give me a break, Luke." I said in annoyance. "Nothing bad is gonna happen."

"You don't know that for sure," Luke muttered tersely.

I laughed a little. "Don't be ridiculous."

Luke signed and shook his head a little. "Like I said, you're crazy." He then turned towards Pallet Town. "I better get to my friend's house before it gets dark. I should have been there half-an-hour ago."

"Wait! What about the battle?"

"I guess we can battle again when we meet next time." Then before I could say or ask anything else, he ran off

"Well, that was great," I muttered sarcastically.

Gover laughed. {He's not the only one that thinks you're crazy.}

I gave him a dirty look. "For you're information, he said that all three of us were crazy."

{Yeah, whatever. Let's just get to you're parent's place. I'm starving.}

"I'm sure they'll have some food there," I said. "So, can you tell me anything else about the Ori Cave?"

Gover shook his head. {Not much. A long time ago a large dog-like creature abducted a ten-year-old girl. Sort of like a golden retriever, only it was way larger and had pale pink fur that looked almost white. The dog took her to the cave and kept her there. No one knows why. Many people believe that the little girl can control Normal-Type Pokemon. She would be eighteen by now.}

{That was nine years ago,} Anemo said.

Gover nodded. {Many people have searched for her inside the cave. They know that that is where she is. But rumour has it, that the dog is killing everyone and everything that enters the cave.}

"OK, so what has this got to do with me?"

{You're the only one that has a better chance of finding her.}

"What? Why do I have to find her?"

{Because she is you're friend.}

"Friend? Excuse me, but I don't know her at all."

{Yes you do. You just don't remember her.}

I laughed rudely. "Remember? How can you expect me to remember someone I have never meet before in my whole entire life?"

{Ana, she's is surpose to go with you on you're quest, whether you remember her or not.}

"She is going with me on my journey?" I asked, stunned.

{Yes, of course. Her goal is to be the greatest Normal-Type Pokemon Trainer that ever lived.}

"What's her name?" I asked.

{I think its Jennifer.} Gover answered.

"Jennifer? Where inside the cave could she be?"

{No one knows,} Gover said solemnly.

"We'll find out eventually," I reassured my friends. "But first we have to head out to my house before it gets late."

_________________________________________________________________ _____ The lone figure shook his head in disbelief. *I can't believe that they're planing on going inside that cave.* He thought. Then he grinned. *It wouldn't hurt to take a look at it myself. I might even find something very interesting in there. After all, I could add that Dog Pokemon to my collection. *

"I see that you're still watching her," said a male's voice behind him.

The young boy didn't turn around. "What is it, Giovanni?"

Giovanni chuckled. "Nothing really. I just come to see where you were."

"Well, now you know," The boy snapped.

Giovanni signed and then shook his head a little. "I know this is hard for you, Daniel, but you are my grandson. Soon you will be the boss of Team Rocket."

Daniel snorted. "Like I would ever want to do that. I wanted to start my Pokemon Journey when I was ten, but you wouldn't let me. You trained me to become a Rocket Member."

Giovanni frowned. "I did give you a Pokemon, though."

Daniel rolled his eyes. "Yeah, an Eevee. It's a Normal-Type. I like Psychic-Types."

"Then maybe it'll evolve into a Espreon soon,"

"Maybe. But it has to be happy first."

Giovanni let out a long sign. "You're fifteen. When are you going to realise that being a Team Rocket Leader will do you good?"

"Yeah, I'll just keep the tradition," Daniel said sarcastically. "That way Team Rocket can keep going on and on."

Giovanni chuckled. "You sound just like you're Dad."

Daniel rolled his eyes. "Give me a break. I'm nothing like that Dolt."

"Dolt? Since when did you use that word?"

"Since I meet my Dad."

"Do you even know what it means?"

"Of course I do," Daniel snapped. "It means, a slow-witted or stupid person."

"I see that you have been studying. I'm impressed. Any way, your father is back at the Team Rocket Headquarters. He wants to talk to you."

"Yeah, well, I don't want to talk to him."

Giovanni signed loudly. "I really think you should at least here what he has to say. Your father is trying the best he can to make it up to you."

"Why? He should have thought of that before he got me adopted. He and Mum left me in the first place. I have an older brother, but I was the unwanted child. I don't need them."

"It's alright to feel angry."

"I don't feel angry, alright? I feel lost and scared. Everyday I think, why me? Wasn't I good enough for them? Was there something wrong with me? I don't know. Why did they have to leave me? My brother had gotten everything. He even ended up with most of my stuff."

"Your obviously angry with them."

"Like I said before, I'm not angry with them I'm degusted. I actually hate them. I wouldn't even cared even if they'd died."

Giovanni shook his head slightly. He could hear the quiver in Daniel's voice, but he decided to ignore it for now. "What you're real father has to say may be important to you. I suggest you at least talk to him."

"Why should I? You adopted me when I was just a baby and I haven't seen my real family for sixteen years. Why do they want to see me now?"

"Just talk to him,"

Daniel opened his mouth to protest, but Giovanni was already to far away to hear him any way, so he said nothing, but just fumed.

"Thanks for the tip," Daniel muttered as he stomped his way back to the TR Headquarters.

__________________________________________________________ ______________ "Mum! Dad! I'm home!" I yelled as I stood in the lounge room with my two Pokemon

"Where in the kitchen making dinner!" my mum's voice called out.

The two of us walked into the kitchen. Both of my parents were there. I could smell the wonderful smells of something cooking.

"Something smells good. What are you making?"

"Stir fry," Mum answered. "Professor Oak told us that you were leaving on a Pokemon Journey."

"Yeah. I want to become a Pokemon Master."

"That sounds wonderful, Ana." My Mum said. She sounded very happy. "Are you taking Anemo with you?"

I nodded. "Yep. She's going to help me."

"Is there any reason why you're Charmander is gold and silver, and has bronze coloured eyes?" My Dad asked.

I shook my head. "Nah, I just found him like this."

Earlier I had told Anemo to wait outside. I didn't want my parents to know that she had changed colours.

"Where's Anemo," Mum asked.

"Outside. She's hunting before we leave." I answered.

Mum nodded. "Are you staying for dinner?"

Again I shook my head. "Sorry, I can't. We really have to get going. I want to visit Ori Cave before it gets dark."

Dad took a sip of his coffee. "If you are going to go there I suggest you pick up a lot of items, because you will be there for quite a long time."

"Plus, you also need to get the Boulder Badge before you enter," my mum added.

I nodded. "Shouldn't be too hard. I'll just train Gover to level twenty. I might even catch another Pokemon and train it up to level twenty as well."

Mum smiled. "That's good. Before you go I have two things to give you. They'll both help you in you're journey."

She went into the fridge and then took out a red lunch box with a pattern of a Charmander on it.

"I made you a few things to eat. They should last you for quite a while. You can eat them whenever you feel like it."

My Dad handed me a white box. On the lid was a note. I put the box on the bench, so I could read it.

Dear Ana.

In this box is a couple of different Pokemon items that should be useful in you're journey. Use them only when you really need to.

I have had them for quite a while, but they're yours now. Take good care of them.

From Shane.

"Who exactly is Shane?" I asked.

"He was my friend," Dad answered. "Six years ago he went on his Pokemon Journey to try and find every Legendary Pokemon egg he could find. Two weeks after he had just started his journey, he entered Ori Cave. But he never came out. Two days before he left for his journey, he left this box and told us to give it to you when you start your own Pokemon Journey."

"Does everyone think he's dead?" I asked.

Dad frowned. "He has to be. No one has ever found him yet."

"But if he is in Ori Cave then why doesn't anyone go and find him? We know where he is."

"It's not that simple. He could be dead. Anyone that goes inside that cave is either lost forever or killed. Unless you're strong enough to survive. Which I very much doubt."

My mind suddenly wondered about Jennifer. The girl that Gover was talking about. A large pink golden retriever had kidnapped her. But was she dead? Did she survive? And if she did, why did that dog take her into the cave?

I didn't tell my parents about Jennifer. It was a rumour after all. The girl was missing, but no one really knows how she disappeared.

I opened up the white box and then whistled in disbelief. It was filled with tons of different Pokemon items. Each item was in a small black pouch that was tied with a black cord or piece of string.

I took out one of the pouches and opened it. Inside were sixteen Fire Stones. The other pouches had different items in them.

There were Water Stones, Thunder Stones, Leaf Stones, Moon Stones, Potions, Super Potions, Hyper Potions, Max Potions, Repel, Super Repel, Max Repel, Ice Heals, Burn Heals, Poke Balls, Great Balls, Ultra Balls and only one Master Ball. You name it. Almost every single Kanto item was in that white box.

I looked at the Poke Balls. There were sixteen of them. There were fifteen spares, but one Poke Ball wasn't empty. There was a Pokemon inside.

Without opening it I clipped it to my belt with Gust and Gover's Poke Balls, and then reached inside the box for the Great Balls.

There were seventeen Great Balls in all. Only sixteen were empty, and one had a Pokemon inside. I clipped the Great Ball next to the Poke Ball I had just clipped in earlier.

The seventeen Ultra Balls lay in front of me. Only one of them held a Pokemon. It also ended up on my belt next to the Great Ball.

The last ball, a Master Ball, also held a Pokemon. It was probably a rare or very strong Pokemon. It was probably just an Eevee or a Chancey or something.

I put the spare Poke Balls in my backpack. I now had enough spare Poke Balls to catch almost all one-hundred-and-fifty Pokemon.

"See ya, Mum and Dad!" I yelled. "I have to go! I might came and visit after I get my first Badge and explore Ori Cave!"

My Mum came from the kitchen. "OK, Ana. Have fun. Don't push you and you're Pokemon too hard."

I nodded. "Right. I won't. See ya."

"Say see ya to Anemo for me!" my Mum called out as Gover and I left the house.

_________________________________________________________________ _______

Daniel walked noisily through the TR Headquarters. He was not thrilled about having to meet his Dad after not seeing him for sixteen years. He hadn't even caught a glimpse of him. He didn't even know his father's hair colour, eye colour or anything. Nor his mother's or older brother.

Daniel's thoughts wondered to his brother. Where was his brother now? Was he still alive? What about his Mum?

Daniel was so absorbed into his thoughts that he didn't see the man in front of him, until he nearly bump into him.

"Sorry," Daniel muttered. "I didn't see you."

"That's alright," Daniel looked at the man. He was way taller than Daniel. Tall enough to tower over the dark blond-haired boy. His eyes were pale blue, and the hair was dark brown. He wore a black suit and a red tie. His hair was neatly combed. His face showed a look of concern as he stared at Daniel. He coughed. "Aren't you a little to young to be here?"

Daniel shook his head. "No. I'll be sixteen in November. My Grandfather lets me stay here, so he can look after me."

"Where's you're parents?"

Daniel stiffened a little. He really wasn't in the mood for talking about his parents.

"I hope I didn't say anything to offend you."

Daniel looked slightly embarrassed. "No, it's OK. I don't have parents. I'm adopted. I live with my Grandfather. My parents put me up for adoption when I was born. They had another son, but for some reason they didn't want me."

The man looked shocked and comforting at the same time. "Those creeps. They shouldn't even be parents in the first place. How old is you're brother?"

Daniel blinked. Surprised by the question. "Um, eighteen, I think." He smiled a little. "I'm not really sure. Do you have any children?"

The man shook his head sadly. "Unfortunately, no. My wife and I have been trying for four years. We had a daughter, but she died when she was six months old. The doctors didn't know what even caused her death. It was like she died of nothing. Almost as if she wasn't meant to be on Earth."

Daniel shivered slightly. He had felt the same way, but unlike that little girl, he was alive. If that girl were alive today, she'd be much happier than Daniel was. She'd have a real family. A mother to care for her. A father to talk to. Parents who loved her.

Daniel, on the other hand, had no one. His Grandfather loved him in his own way, but was too busy with his job to really look after Daniel.

All Daniel wanted was a real life. A chance to feel like he was apart of something. Not only he didn't have a family, but also he didn't even have any friends. His only friend was his Eevee, who was snoozing inside his Poke Ball.

"Your awfully quite," The man said with concern. "Is something wrong?"

Daniel opened his mouth to say something, but then stopped. What could he tell this stranger? Sure, the man was nice and all, but he couldn't tell a complete stranger what was totally bugging him. Finally he shook his head. "It's nothing. I was just thinking. I do that a lot. I kind of just space out from time to time. I wouldn't worry too much about it. To me it's common."

The man nodded, but he didn't look very convinced. He had a good mind not to say anything. Instead, he held out his hand. "I'm Erik Simmons. I come here to meet you're Grandfather."

Daniel took the man's hand. "I'm Daniel Nothing." He laughed. "I prefer not to use my parent's sir names, so I'm just called Daniel."

The man laughed. "Well, we better change that then. How about I'll call you Danny? It'll be a bit of a change from Daniel, but close enough to you're real name."

Daniel grinned. "I'd like that."

The man smiled. "Danny it is then. Alright, I'll see you around, Danny."

Daniel waved. "Yeah, bye."

Daniel watched the man until he turned a corner. Signing, Daniel went to find his father and get the talking situation over and done with. ________________________________________________________________________

"So, what should we do first?" I asked.

{It might be best if you train me up to level twenty.} Gover suggested. {That way, when you battle Brock, you'll at least have Anemo to fight if I faint.}

I nodded. "Sounds OK to me. What to help, Anemo?"

{Of course. What do you want me to do?}

"Fly up and see if you can find a Pokemon Trainer."

{No problem,} Anemo said as she took wing. {Hopefully, I won't be long.}

It took only five minutes for a trainer to come running into our direction. It was a girl with honey blond hair and brown eyes. She wore a tank top with a picture of a female Nidoran, a Jigglypuff, a Pidgey and a Horsea. She also wore a pair of blue jeans shorts and a charm bracelet on her right wrist. Around her neck was a necklace with a small Shellder (it's fake) hanging down from it.

Anemo chirped on the girl's shoulder and then took of into the air again. She did a couple of acrobatic moves in the air. She then flew in one full circle and landed on my shoulder.

The girl squealed with delight. "Oh, is that you're Pidgey? I followed her here, because I thought she was wild. I really love her colours. They're really beautiful."

"Yeah, she's mine. Her name is Anemo."

"What a lovely name. I absolutely love cute Pokemon. I have three cute Pokemon. My name is Erin."

"I'm Ana."

"Don't you just love cute Pokemon? My brother is four years older than me and he's already in Johto." Erin hang her head to one side. "Then again, he always rushes things." She smiled. "I don't. I like to go with the flow. So, what brings you here?"

"I'm training my Charmander in hopes of winning the Boulder Badge, but I need a Pokemon Trainer to help me. That's why I send Anemo to find one for me. It turned out to be you. So do you want to battle?"

"Looks like I took the bait," Erin joked. "Sure. Why not? I'll battle ya." She took out a Poke Ball. "I'll choose first, OK?"

"Fine by me," I answered.

Erin drew her arm back. "Good, because I'm ready to kick some serious Pokemon butt."

{Is she mad?} Gover asked uncertainly.

I giggled a little, so Erin wouldn't hear me. "No. I don't think so." I stopped giggling. "At least I hope not."

It was Gover's turn to laugh. Only to Erin it sounded like Char-char-char!"

I grinned at Charmander and then turned to look at Erin. She had put on an ocean blue headband. Standing next to her was a dull yellow Pikachu. Of course. A Pikachu. One of the most cutest Pokemon.

"Why is you're Pikachu a dull yellow?"

Erin signed and then looked a bit embarrassed. "This Pikachu is from a litter of four Pikachu. They were all different colours. My Mum and Dad each have a Raichu. My parents raised the baby Pichus into Pikachu and then gave them to us. I have two brothers and one sister. My older brother, Mike, always gets to pick first. He had chosen an orange-brown Pikachu. The colour was closer to a Raichu's than a Pikachu's. My second older brother, Sam, chosen a bright yellow Pikachu. My sister, Mandy, picked a sandy-yellow Pikachu and I ended up with this dull yellow Pikachu. I named her Duller. She's actually quite strong."

"She's cute. You ready to battle?"

"As ready as I'll ever be"

"OK! Go, Gover!"

{I'm ready to duel!} Gover yelled as he stood in front of me. {Let's rumble!}

I signed as I shook my head a little. "Will you just get on with it?"

{Sure thing. Jeez! Aren't you grouchy today?}

I gave him a dirty look. "Don't push it, Lizzy."

{Lizzy? I'm not even gonna ask.} He spread his legs wide apart and glared at the Duller. {OK, I'm ready to battle. Just say my first move and I'll do it.}

"Yeah, yeah! I know all that. OK, Gover use you're-"

{Wait! Wait!} Gover interrupted. {I almost forgot to ask you one very important question.}

"What's that?"

{Do you actually know what attacks to use?}

"Er, I wouldn't get to that right now."

Gover slapped his forehead with the palm of his hand. {I'll take that as a no,} he groaned.

I smiled sheepishly. "Hey, not everyone is perfect."

{No kidding,} Gover muttered.

I crossed my arms over my chest. "I'd watch it if I were you."

{But you're not me,} Gover said triumphantly. {So therefore, you can't say that you are me.}

I was about to tell Gover that it was a figure of speech, but Erin interrupted me.

She was looking at me, then at Gover and back to me again. "You can obviously understand Pokemon. That's all very well, but can you understand this? I, Want, to, battle."

"Um, not really. Why are you speaking so slowly?"

"Arrgggg!" Erin raged.

"Hey, I was only kidding."

"Good. Now let's battle."

"Gover, start off with you're Scratch attack!" I commanded.

Gover nodded as he run towards Duller. His scratched Duller across the face, and she put both paws in front of her face in pain.

{Ow, ow, ow! Dam you, Charmander! I'm gonna teach you to play nice!}

And with that, Duller jumped up and she gathered the electricity into her red cheeks. They began to sparkle with power as she prepared for a Thundershock attack.

{Here goes nothing,} Duller was straining against her own power.

{Uh-oh,} Gover said worriedly as he took a couple steps backwards. {I shouldn't have scratched Duller across the face.}

{No, you shouldn't have,} Anemo said gleefully. Then in a sing-song voice she added, {You're gonna get it now!}

{Oh, shut up,} Gover mumbled as he looked wryly at pale yellow Pikachu, whose cheeks were pulsing with power.

{You'd better watch it, Gover.} Duller crackled evilly right just before she unleased her attack.

"Quick, Gover, try to dodge it!" I yelled desperately.

{Yeah right,} Gover rolled his eyes, but still quickly dropped to his stomach and rolled towards the right, safely out of harm's way.

The electricity zapped the ground right where Gover had just been standing before. It was so bright; that the five of us had to cover our eyes until it passed away.

"Wow! That was a jolt," I said in awe.

"No kidding," Erin said slowly as she stared at Duller and then at Gover. "You're Charmander is very fast. I didn't think he would survive that attack, let alone dodge it."

I grinned. "Neither did I, but he did it, and I'm proud of him."

"The battle isn't over yet," Erin said, waving her index finger in front of my face. She grinned broadly. "Duller is still standing, and she's not through yet."

My grin widened. "Yep, and I'm gonna make you wish that you'd never said that."

Erin laughed in amusement. "Is that a challenge?"

I laughed a little. "Yeah. A real challenge this time."

Erin smiled as she looked up into the afternoon sky. "I'm always challenging people who are stronger than me, so my Pokemon and I keep getting better and better. I'd be an idiot if I turned down this battle."

I blinked in confusion. "Are you having second thoughts?"

Erin shook her head. "No, of course no. It's just that, you're Charmander is the first Pokemon that dodged Duller's Thundershock attack. She never misses." Erin looked at me. "I think you'll have a better chance at being the Pokemon Master than me."

I frowned. "What are you saying? Are you going to quit?"

Erin signed. "I'm not sure."

I glared at her, but kept my voice calm. "You can't just quit just because my Charmander dodged you're Pikachu's Thundershock for the first time. Gover may have dodged Duller's Thundershock, but that doesn't mean that you can't never beat Gover." Erin just stared at me. I smiled. "I'm guessing that you also want to become a Pokemon Master, so if that's what you want, then go for it, Girl. Don't just run off with you're tail stuck between you're legs like a scared little doggy."

Erin shook her head in amusement as she smiled. "When I first met you, I thought that you were one of those girls who think that they're prettier, smarter or whatever. But now I know you're not."

"What made you think that?"

Erin shrugged and then looked down at the ground. "It was just a feeling. I meet a lot of people like that, who think they're better than everyone."

"Well, I'm defiantly not one of those people," I assured Erin. "Are you ready to continue battling?"

Erin shrugged. "Yep. Go, Duller."

{Here I go! Let's rock n' roll!} Duller said.

"You too, Gover!" I ordered. "Let's finish that Pikachu off!"

{You got it,} Gover laughed. {You'd better watch it, Duller. 'Cause I'm back in business.}

Duller rolled her eyes. {Yeah right. I don't think so,}

"Gover, attack with a scratch attack!" I yelled.

Gover ran towards Duller as fast as he could. Seconds later he left three long bloody gashes on Duller's face.

{Aaaarrrrgggghhhh!} She yelled in pain, as she clutched her face with both paws.

"Quick, Duller, use you're Tail Whip!" Erin yelled desperately.

I grinned. "Not gonna work. Gover dodge it. Don't let Duller's tail hit you. If it does, it'll decrease you're defence!"

Gover didn't reply, but he did jump up high into the air, somersaulted, and then landed only just a few inches in front of Duller, just to give her three more scratches. This time across her chest.

Duller was now showing signs of weakness. She could barely stand up. She was swaying back and forth on her toes, looking as if she'd hit the ground in any minute.

"No way!" Erin said in disbelief as she looked at her hurt and tired Pikachu. "Duller, use you're Thundershock! Come on, I know you can do it!"

{I'll try,} Duller gathered the electricity into her cheek pouch once again. Soon her cheeks were sparkling with electricity. It looked an amazing sight. Even though, I've seen it at least a dozen times. {Here goes nothing.}

"You better stand back, Ana," Erin said with a smirk. "When Duller focus her powers, she really focuses her powers in the most amazing way you can only imagine."

I crossed my arms over my chest and smirked back. "Quite being so cocky. I've handled Pikachus many times when I'm trying to heal them. They always electrocute me." My smirk changed into a small smile. "I've even been bitten by a Eevee, scratched by a Meowth, burned by a Growlithe and even poisoned by an Ekans."

"Whoa! Burned and poisoned? How did you get rid of them?"

I cringed a little. "The burn wasn't easy to get rid of. They never are." I rolled the sleeve of my right arm up to show Erin the nasty scar burn I had. I grinned. "Of course I had to go to the doctors. Two weeks after being sent home I had to go to the doctors again. That's when one of the two Ekans poisoned me. They used a Antidote for humans, so it didn't take long."

"Why didn't they use a Burn Heal for humans on you?" Erin asked.

I shrugged. "I don't think they've made one yet. At least, not that I know off."

"Oh, OK. Let's continue with our battle." After I nodded in agreement she said, "Alright then, let it go, Duller."

Duller gave a small sigh of relief before letting all the electricity out for a Thundershock attack.

It was stronger and bigger than before, but Gover still dodged it easily. Erin looked surprised, but I was more proud then surprised. Although, I didn't really expect he could actually move that quick. Especially faster than the speed of lightning.

"Finish it off, Gover!" I yelled in a bored tone of voice.

Gover grinned. I expected him to do another scratch attack, but to my surprise, he didn't. Instead, he began to spin faster and faster until his tail flame flew out bits of tiny flames.

I grabbed my Pokedex.

"Ember: Ember is a well-known Fire-Type attack. It has a chance to inflict a burn against its opponent, as well as being a fairly powerful attack. Charmander learns Ember at level 9."

I nodded, satisfied, and put my Pokedex back inside my pocket. "Cool! Good work, Gover! I'm counting on you!"

"Duller, no!" Erin yelled in horror as her Pikachu cried out in pain, because of the flames burning her skin. Weak sparks of electricity were sparkling against her cheeks as she tried to deal with the pain.

"Gover, stop!" I ordered. "She's had enough. We've beaten her already."

Gover stopped spinning. He nodded and stepped back. Erin ran straight towards her fallen friend.

"Are you alright, Duller?"

{I'll be OK, Erin.} Duller replied weakly.

Of course, Erin couldn't understand Duller, but she gently hugged her electric friend. "I'm so glad. I don't have any Burn Heal or Potions. I forgot to get some more."

"I do. I have plenty. You can use some if you want to."

Erin stood up and brushed the dirt of her knees. "That's great. Thanks. I'd really appreciate that."

I smiled as I handed her a Burn Heal.

Erin gave me a sheepish smile. "Um, this might sound weird, but I don't know how to use any of the Pokemon items. I usually just heal them at a Pokemon Centre once they're injured."

I blinked in confusion and replied slowly, "Oh, OK, then. I'll show you." I walked up to Duller. She was covered with small burns all over her fur. "I've done this a dozen times." I looked at Duller again and then at Erin. "No offence, but you should change her name to Scorch or Patch."

Erin laughed a little at that, and I couldn't help grinning. It was true. Not only Duller had scorch marks, but also some of her fur was burned away, leaving patches of bare skin.

"Maybe we should even call her Charcoal," Erin said with a giggle

I smiled a little in amusement as I stared at the charcoal black patches of burned fur and nodded in agreement.

"There a million things we called call her," I added as I opened the lid of the small tube-shaped Burn Heal. "All you have to do is just apply this to every burn just like this." I sprayed the Burn Heal over the nearest burn mark. "See? It's so easy."

"Can I try?"

I nodded as I handed her the Burn Heal. "Of course. You need to learn."

As Erin tended to Duller's burns, I rearranged through my back for a Potion. Twenty seconds lately I held up the small capsule in triumph.

"Do Potions now come in capsules?" Erin asked.

"Yeah. The Pokemon can just swallow them with ease. They're only the size of a pea."

"That small, huh?" Erin asked as I gave Duller the capsule. "What happens if they're unconscious?"

"Simple. You use the Spray Potion," I answered as I watched Duller swallow the capsule with the water I gave her. "The capsule goes into the most injured part of the body and heals it. It also gives the Pokemon its energy back. It's much more better than the Spray Potion."

Fully healed, Duller jumped up onto her feet. {Thanks, Ana. I feel so much better.}

"That's good to hear," I replied.

Erin shook her head in amusement. "I wish I could understand Pokemon Speech. That way I could understand what you're all saying."

I grinned. "Maybe you will some day. Just be best friends with them. You ready to continue battling?"

Erin nodded and recalled Duller. "Here comes Pokemon number two. I choose you, Pinky!"

Pinky turned out to be a Clefairy. When it came out it looked well groomed and ready for battle.

"Wow! Clefairies are more rare than they were four years ago." I commented, as Gover stood ready, waiting for my order.

"Pinky, use you're Doubleslap!"

{OK, Erin.} Pinky said as she started slapping Gover across the face.

{No way,} Gover raged. {I'm not letting a pink fairy beat me.} And without waiting for my orders, he scratched Pinky across the face.

{Hey, no fair. You didn't wait for you're Master's orders.}

I shrugged. "I probably would have told him to use Scratch any way."

"Pinky, use Pound attack!"

"Dodge it, Gover!" I yelled.

Gover jumped over Pinky and landed behind her. {Ha! You're too slow.} Without another word, he scratched Pinky across her back.

With a cry Pinky fainted.

{That was easy!} Gover yelled in triumph.

"Pinky, return." Erin said sadly. "You win again, Ana. There's really no point in me bringing out my third Pokemon."

"Why not?"

"I only caught it recently. I haven't even trained it yet, but I promise when we meet again, I'll use it to battle Gover. See ya soon, Ana."

Before I could say anything she ran off. "Well, so much for that. Now let's see what level you're on, Gover." Once again I took my Pokedex out of my pocket. "What level is Gover?"

"Gover is level ten. He's attacks are Scratch, Growl and Ember."

"I never asked for his attacks, but thanks any way." I put my Pokedex back in my pocket. "Come on you two. Let's find Gover some more opponents."

____________________________________________________________ ____________ "You wanted to see me," Daniel said to the man in front of him.

"Yes, of course." The man had a black Moustache and messy black hair. He looked as if he hadn't shaved probably in months. His bread was jet-black and shaggy-looking. His eyes were greyer than Daniel's was.

"What do you want?"

Daniel's father leaned against the wall behind him. "I want you to work for me."

"Does Giovanni know your asking me these?"

"Why should I tell him? Yes, he knows. His not happy, but he says it's completely up to you." The man grinned. "If you join me, I'll give you a brand new Pokemon. It'll be much better than that ragged weak Eevee of yours."

"Duel is not ragged and weak. He's my pet and best friend. Besides, I'm hoping to evolve him into a Espreon."

Daniel's father signed and shook his head. He told out an Ultra Ball from his trousers pocket. "Here, it's all yours. You can have it."

Daniel glared at him. "What job are you asking me to join you with?"

The man grinned. It wasn't a nice grin. "Oh the usual. Steal Pokemon from other people. That sort of stuff. Sell the weak Pokemon and use the money to buy what we need."

"Why me? Why not someone older? Why do you want me now after all this time?"

"Easy. With your Psychic powers I could rule the world. Back then I thought you were useless, but now I know your not."

"As if I'd work for you. You only do evil."

"So do you. You're part of Team Rocket. Training to be the new Rocket Boss. How many Pokemon have you stealed from weak and unwary Pokemon Trainers? You're just as bad as all the rest of Team Rocket."

*He's just trying to make you feel bad* Daniel told himself. *Just don't listen to him*

"I haven't stolen any Pokemon." Daniel said truthfully. "I'm never going to. I have no intention of being a Team Rocket Boss. I also have no intention of joining you, so you can just take the Ultra Ball with you and leave."

Daniel's father chuckled. "You may change you're mind later on, so I'll just leave this Ultra Ball with you."

"Trust me, I won't." Daniel growled as his father left the empty room.

Daniel signed as he looked around. There was absolutely nothing inside the room; except for about ten boxes filled with things that Daniel didn't even know.

Daniel walked over and sat on one of the boxes. *Psychic Powers?* Daniel wondered. *Did he say I had Psychic powers?* Daniel shook his head. *Don't be dumb. Of course he didn't. You're just exaggerating. He was only making it up to scare you*

Daniel stood up and walked over to the closed wooden door. "I should leave. Everyone will probably be wondering where I am." He turned the door handle, but it stopped at a quarter turn. "Shit. That idiot looked me in." Daniel banged his fists against the door in anger. "Dam him. I'm going to kill him when I get out."

Daniel paced up and down the room. Ten minutes later he had an awful thought.

"Dam! I haven't even feed Duel yet. He's going to be so hungry, and I promised I'd take him to the park to give him some excises. He loves doing them. I was also meant to take him for a walk."

Daniel looked up. Above him he could just see a hole on the ceiling.

"At least I found a way out of here. Now all I have to do, is think of a way up there." He looked the room. "There's nothing in here, but boxes. That's it! Boxes! If I stack several of these boxes up top of one another, I'll be able to reach the hole on the ceiling."

Daniel began to work. He piled one box up top of the other. After a tower of five boxes were done he stopped.

"There, that should do it. Now all I have to is climb it."

Daniel started to climb the tower of boxes. Careful not to slip, he climbed one after another until he was at the top.

He was now just a metre below the hole.

"If I jump, I might just be able to grab the edge of the hole with my fingers."

Daniel took a deep breath and jumped. He quickly grabbed the edge of the hole with his fingers, and then quickly pulled himself up.

"That was kind off cool," Daniel said gleefully as he looked around. "Urg! I'm in some kind of attic. I never knew we had one." He sneezed. "There's too much dust in here." He sneezed again. "Way too much dust. I'm out of here."

_________________________________________________________________ _______ "Well, Gover, you're up too level seventeen. You haven't got long to go." I said.

{Nope. I haven't. Hey, aren't you going to check those Poke Ball's you got inside that box? I'm dying to see what's in them.}

{Me, too,) Anemo added. (Can we please? I wanna know what's inside them.}

I signed and threw my arms up in defeat. "Fine. Let's see what's inside." I took out a Poke Ball from my belt and threw it. "Poke Ball go!"

Out came a small pale yellow mouse-like creature with red cheeks and a very small black jagged tail. It was only 1'0" tall.

"It's so cute," I said. "A little Pichu. The pre-evolved from of Pikachu. I can finally get a Pikachu now. Do you mind if I call you Shock?"

{Not at all,} The Pichu said in a squeaky voice. {I like that name.}

I picked him up. "OK, Shock it is then. I'm Ana, your new Pokemon Trainer."

{Cool. Will you evolve me into a Raichu?}

"Some day, I promise."

{Hey, Ana, why don't you train him until he evolves into a Pikachu?} Gover suggested. {For you, it shouldn't take long.}

"How long would it take?" I asked.

{Just keep on training him until he gets to level eleven.}

"That's it? Just up to level eleven? That's easy to do."

{At least you'd get you're first evolved Pokemon.} Anemo said.

{At least you'd get you're first evolved Pokemon.} Anemo said.

"A Pikachu won't do good against Brock's Pokemon. They may be Rock-Types, but most of them are part Ground-Types."

{What's in the Great Ball?} Anemo asked.

"I have no idea," I unclipped the Great Ball from my Pokebelt and tossed it. "Go, Great Ball!"

Out came a small pink rabbit with huge ears and large teeth. It was 1'8" tall and was staring at me with intelligent eyes.

It's nose twitched. {Hello, my name is Toxicity. What's yours?}

I held my fist out to the male Nidoran, so he could sniff it. "I'm Ana. Its nice to meet you Toxicity."

{Nice to meet you, too, Ana.}

I grinned at Toxicity as I threw the Ultra Ball on the ground.

This time a light blue seahorse-like creature emerged. It had a single white fin on its back and a curled light blue tail. It started to look around.

{Where the heck am I?}

"You're in Viridian Forest with me and my Pokemon." I told the Horsea.

{Viridian Forest? Are you the new Pokemon Trainer that Shane wanted us to be with?}

I nodded. "That's me. I'm here to look after all of you know."

The Horsea nodded. {Fair enough. My name is Hyeto. I'm hoping to be a Kingdra some day.} She turned around to face Anemo. {Hello, Anemo. It's been a while.}

Anemo nodded. {Sure has, Hyeto.}

I jumped up in surprise. "Wait. Do you two know each other?"

Anemo nooded. {Yeah. Back when I was Kevin's starter Pokemon, I meet Shane. He used Hyeto to battle against me. Of course, I lost.}

{It's so good to see you again, Anemo.} Hyeto said.

{It's good to see you, too.} Anemo said.

{Let's train,} Shock said as he climbed on my left shoulder. Anemo was still perched on my right shoulder.

I shook my head. "Not just yet. I want to see what's inside the Master Ball first."

Toxicity grinned. {Go ahead. You'd be very surprised with what you find in there.}

I tossed the Master Ball on the ground. It broke open and out came a dark blue serpent with white underneath and black eyes. It was a Dratini.

{Hiya, Ace.} Shock said cheerfully. {How's it going?}

{It's going great, Shock. Is this our new Pokemon Trainer?}

{Yep,} Shock answered.

{Great,} Ace said with a smile. He turned to me. {Hello. You must be Ana. I'm Ace as you probably already know.}

"Hi, Ace." I looked at my Pokemon. "Cool. I now have six different Pokemon. A Pidgey, Charmander, Pichu, Nidoran male, Horsea and a Dratini." I looked at Hyeto. "You're a Water-Type, so you'll defiantly be good against Brock's Rock and Ground Pokemon. I need to train the rest of you to level twenty, but Gover still has three more levels to go."

{Well, I'm level twelve right now.} Hyeto said.

{I'm level ten.} Toxicity said with a small smile.

{I'm only level five,} Shock said with a small sign. {I'm just a baby, after all.}

Ace grinned triumphantly. {Well, I'm level fifteen. No one can beat the power of a Dratini.}

{Excuse me, I'm level seventeen,} Gover pointed out. {I have three levels left to get to level twenty. You have five. Do you get my meaning?}

Ace grinned sheepishly. {Sure thing, Gover. I knew that. Really.}

Gover rolled his eyes. {Sure you did. I believe you, thousands wouldn't.}

I laughed at Ace's baffled expression.

"Come on, guys," I said. "Let me train all of you to level twenty, so we can beat Brock."

{All right!} Shock said.

Anemo and Shock were on my shoulder. Ace was wrapped loosely around my neck. I was carrying Hyeto, while Gover and Toxicity were walking on each side of me.

"Once we get a badge, we'll enter Ori Cave for the first time."

Gover, Anemo, Shock, Toxicity, Hyeto and Ace cheered as we walked to a better training area.

I smiled at my new Pokemon friends. *We're in this together. We're gonna make it all the way through*

NOTE: You may have noticed that three of my Pokemon have unusual nicknames. For those of you who don't know what they mean, I'm going to write them down.

Gover (GO-VER): A name that is short for Gold and Silver.

Anemo (A-KNEE-MO): A word element meaning 'wind'. Ana's Pidgey was named after her Whirlwind attack.

Hyeto (HIGH-TOE): A word element that meaning 'rain'. That is Ana's Horsea's Nickname

I'm not really sure of the pronunciation of Anemo and Hyeto. If anyone wants to correct me, then go ahead. You can tell me by email.

If you have any questions, suggestions, or whatever, you can e-mail me at gyaragirl@yahoo.com