Pokemon Fanfic 12

Vermilion part 1: What’s wrong with Rattata?

Tachi stood looking down at the academy. Naru was standing next to him smiling widely.

"This is going to be easy," she said looking at him. "All those brats are the kids of famous pokemon trainers or breeding center owners. I can’t believe that the boss is going to let us handle this ourselves." She put her hand on her hip and looked coyly at Tachi. "The boss will reward us big if we pull this off." Tachi looked at her.

"Tell those two to get ready," he said sternly. Naru frowned. Tachi walked over to a tree and leaned up against it. His eyes narrowed.

"You can’t still be upset about Shan," Seth said. Tachi looked at him and frowned.

"Be quiet," he said. Tachi stood up and walked towards Seth. "You need to learn your place recruit," he looked at Naru. "Why is he still hear?" Naru slipped on her long black boot and looked at her partner.

"You know why," she said and put on a pair of fake glasses.

"I hate nepotism," Tachi said and looked at Seth and walked past him. He looked through his binoculars again. His eyes widened and he looked at Naru.

"I knew she would stop by hear," he said and grinned widely. Naru looked up at him.

"What do you mean?" Tachi looked at Seth.

"Nothing, get him fitted up with a costume. The girl is down there with her friends." Naru, shocked took a step back.

"That freak is down there?" Naru took out some cloths and a wig and tossed it to Seth.

"She won’t get away this time," he crossed his hands infront of him and smiled evilly.

"Why don’t we just take her out?" Seth said, "I want that Charmeleon," he said smiling. Tachi turned and walked up to him.

"The boss wants her alive," he put on his jacket. "He doesn’t want her dead."

"But I think.." Tachi slapped Seth across the face hard. Seth looked at him with anger in his eyes.

"Shut up," Tachi said. "I don’t care who your Mom and Dad are kid. Out hear you listen to me ," he pushed Seth down. Naru smiled and watched Tachi, she pulled her hair up.

"My Mom and Dad are. ." Seth started to say but was cut off by Tachi glaring at him.

"Your Mom and Dad were nothing. They screwed up more missions than anyone," he laughed a bit. "They weren’t elite’s like Naru and I."

"You should listen to Tachi kid," Naru said walking up to them. "He’s a pro. Hey Tachi do I look like a school teacher." Seth stood up and looked at Naru, he grinned.

"I wish I had a teacher that looked like you." Tachi kicked Seth’s feet out from under him.

"Naru you look fine, now get going," he smiled. "And take the son of Jessie and James with you. He can pose as a student." Seth stood up and glared at Tachi.

"Shan will know who I am you know." Naru walked forward.

"Seth she won’t know you," Naru said. "Not after a bit of makeup. Now let’s go." Tahci walked up to the other member. And then looked over at Naru.

"Hey you two," Naru looked at him. Seth did to, but with anger in his eyes. "Don’t screw this up, and watch out for the girl." Seth stormed off. Naru winked at Tachi and he watched her walk away. He turned to his other partner.

"Go down and keep an eye on Seth, make sure he doesn’t screw up." The man saluted and walked off. Tachi smiled and walked back to his vantagepoint over looking the academy. The boss had told him that he was to forget about the girl, that he would send a supper elite to catch her. He couldn’t allow that. He wanted the job, no one had ever escaped him before. Her piercing eyes still haunted him. He knew that if he could catch her he would head right up the latter and become a supper elite.

"Your won’t get away from me this time Shan," he said and walked down the hill towards the academy. "In the end, no one ever gets away from me."

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Shan yawned and looked over at Mark and Quin. Mark was slumped over in his chair and Quin was half-asleep.

"Char," Charmeleon said looking up at Shan. Shan could tell that she was worried about Rattata. Shan was holding him in her lap, he had been breathing heavily ever since his attempt at evolving.

"Don’t worry Charmeleon," Shan said petting her on the head. "Rattata will be fine. He just needs to rest." Shan pet Rattata on his head he looked up at her weekly and closed his eyes.

"What is taking so long?" Quin wined. Mark leaned back in his chair.

"Chill Quin The headmaster will be out in a few minutes." Shan sat up as two boys walked past them followed by two girls.

"Hey," She said looking at Mark. "I thought that this was a guys school." Mark looked past her as another girl walked by wearing a uniform. He smiled.

"This place might not be that bad after all." Mark said grinning widely. Quin slapped the back of his neck.

"MARKUS STREAM YOU ARE IMPOSIBEL!" She yelled. Shan raised an eyebrow.

"Hey I thought that your last name was stream?" Quin smiled. My dad and Marks dad are brothers and they married two of the Cerulean sisters." Shan sat back.

"Oh," she said. Just then an angry man walked through the door.

"What is all the commotion about," Quin blushed and smiled. "Oh so it was you," he said looking at them.

"Well first of all we do not allow such outburst from our students," Shan stood up.

"We aren’t students only he is." She said and pointed at Mark. The man looked at Rattata.

"Your Rattata looks like it is exhausted," he frowned. Shan looked at Rattata he was sleeping peacefully in her arms. Charmeleon jumped to her feet and sat next to Shan.

"So you must me Mark Stream," he said looking at Mark. "Your father and his brother were top students hear. I expect no less from you." Mark looked worried. The man smiled.

"My name is Prof. Lopal," he said crossing his arms infront of him. The three looked at him.

"My name is Quin Stream," Quin said nervously. The man smiled.

"Another Stream this is a surprising day. Who are you?" He said looking at Shan. Shan smiled and put her hands behind her back.

"My name is Shan." Lopal looked at her and frowned.

"What is your last name?" He asked.

"Doe,"

"Doe," he said puzzled. "I don’t think I know your family. Are you hear to take the entrance exam?" Shan looked at him and shook her head.

"No. Hey I thought this is a boy’s school." Lopal shook his head.

"Not anymore we changed that." Mark smiled.

"Thank goodness." He said. Shan shoot a glance at him.

"The exam is tomorrow," he said and handed them all some keys. "You are welcome to stay the night," he said looking at Shan and Quin. These are your room keys, you two can share a room." He said looking at Quin and Shan. The man walked off with out a word.

"Ok," Shan said. "I wonder were theses rooms are?" Quin said as they walked out into the hall. They were still looking for their rooms when they found the dinning hall. Charmeleon began to bark loudly at Shan and rub her stomach. Looked at Rattata and recalled him. She thought it would be best if he would rest inside the pokeball for now. She had already used her last heal on him which yielded no results.

"Can’t you think of anything other than food?" Shan asked smiling. Charmeleon shook her head.

"I am with Charmeleon," Quin said. "Let’s get something to eat and then go find our rooms. I need energy, we’ve climbed so many stairs I think I’m going to pass out." She said walking into the dinning hall. Shan and Mark followed her.

When they entered the room they could see over a hundred people talking and eating Dinner. Shan smiled as Charmeleon who was pulling on her pant leg.

"Charmeleon, Char." She said. Shan smiled.

"Let’s get in line," Shan said and they took their place in line. Charmeleon was standing next to Shan smiling. Mark and Quin got behind her.

"Wow," Quin said looking around. "There are alot of people hear." Mark smiled.

"Yea," he took a tray. "Dad said that this school is the best," he took a sandwich and set it on his tray. Shan looked at him.

"Well let’s hurry up and get a seat." She said. "Charmeleon is about to go nuts." Charmeleon looked up at Shan and smiled.

"Cha ar." She said. They quickly walked to a table and sat down. Around them trainers were talking loudly. Shan looked around as she gave Charmeleon a ham sandwich. She ate it quickly and sat down on the floor. She put some carrots in her backpack for Rattata, hoping that he would try and eat something later on.

"Hi," said a girl walking up to the table. She was wearing a long green skirt, a short sleeve blouse and a black vest with the academy crest on it. Shan took a bite of her sandwich as Mark jumped to his feet.

"Hi," Mark said. Quin smiled.

"Hi," she said. "My name is Quin and this is Mark and Shan."

"My name is Selest," she said. "I am the official greeter." Shan smiled.

"Can you tell us were our rooms are?" Selest looked at their keys.

"Your on the third floor and you are on the second." She said.

"Thanks," Mark said. Charmeleon jumped up on the table and barked at Shan. Shan picked her up and held her in her lap. Selest looked a little afraid.

"Is that yours?" She asked. Shan frowned.

"Yes she is my Charmeleon." Selest took a step back.

"I don’t like scary pokemon like that one. I like cute ones." She said. Shan stood up.

"How nice for you," she said. "Charmeleon is very cute." Shan picked up her tray and looked at her friends.

"I think I am going to look around a bit before I go up to the room Quin." Before Quin could say anything Shan walked off.

Shan had left the dinning hall and was walking down yet another hallway. Charmeleon was following her.

"Hu," Shan said looking into a classroom. "What is this all about?" She said looking at Charmeleon.

"Char?" Charmeleon said shrugging. Shan looked into the classroom. Inside students were all siting at tables. At one table two students were holding up cards to eachother at another table students were staring at spoons. Shan looked at Charmeleon and smiled.

"That is one strange group. I wonder what there doing?"

"They’re practicing." Said a voice from behind her. Shan turned and saw a tall boy with black hair standing behind her.

"Oh," Shan said smiling.

"What are you doing hear?" He asked smiling. "I thought that all new students were in the dinning hall."

"Oh I’m not a new student, just a guest. I got curious and I thought that I would do some exploring." He looked down at Charmeleon.

"My name is Alex. Your Charmeleon looks strong, and she is adorable." Charmeleon seemed to blush a bit.

"Oh thank you," she said. "My name is Shan."

"Well come on then," he said and walked into the room. "I’ll show you what this strange group is doing." Shan blushed and followed him into the room. When she stepped inside she was met with angry eyes. One girl stood up and glared at her.

"What is she doing hear?" She said. Alex looked at her and smiled.

"This is Shan she’s curious about what were doing in hear Holly." Holly smiled.

"Like she could ever fathom what we are doing." Giggles filed the room. Shan stepped forward.

"Hey you might be surprised at what I can understand." She said a bit annoyed.

"Yea right," the girl picked up a spoon. "You just watch." She stared at the spoon. Shan watched what she was doing. Five minuets later Holly was beginning to sweat, then Shan felt a small twinge of energy.

"Ha," Holly said smiling. "Did you see that?" Shan looked at her.

"See what?" She asked. Charmeleon looked up at Holly and cocked her head. Alex laughed.

"You need work Holly," he said. "I didn’t even see it." Holly glared at him and then at Shan. The rest of the students in the room were watching them intensely now.

"I just bent this spoon using my psychic powers." Holly held the spoon side ways. Shan noticed that it was slightly bent.

"So," Shan said. She couldn’t see what was the big deal.

"HEY!" Holly shouted. "Do you think this is easy?" Shan smiled. She could sense some power in this room, maybe she could find some friends hear.

"What are you smiling at? Do you think you can do better?" Holly picked up a spoon and tossed it to Shan who caught it. Charmeleon growled at Holly.

"What am I suppose to do with a spoon?" Shan asked causing the room to laugh. One of the other boys laughed.

"You have looks but no brains, Hu? Your suppose to bend the spoon." Shan glared at him.

"Fine," Shan bent the spoon by using her hands causing the room to laugh harder.

"She’s to much?" A girl said.

"Alex stepped forward," he wasn’t laughing. He looked at her with his deep blue eyes causing her to blush again. "You have to use your mind." Shan smiled.

"I know," she said whispering. Shan raised her energy and looked at the spoons that were lying on the table behind Holly. She pushed her energy out and watched as the spoon's bent, twisting into balls.

"So when are you going to bend the spoon?" Holly asked. Shan pointed at the table.

"I already bent those." The students gasped.

"Wow," said a girl.

"No way did she do that." Holly said. Shan smiled.

"I am so glad to meet other psychics." Alex looked at her.

"Hey," he said. "That was amazing, I never felt anything like it before." Holly reached out and pushed Shan.

"You didn’t do that." Shan glared at her.

"Hey what is your problem?" Shan asked glaring at her. Holly smiled and looked at Alex.

"There’s no way she could have done that." She said slyly. Alex frowned. Shan stepped forward.

"What ever," Shan said. "I’m not hear to show off. Thanks for the invitation Alex." Shan turned to walk away when she felt something behind her.

"Hey," Holly said angrily. "Come back hear and prove that you did it," she laughed. Shan froze in her place. She wanted to show that brat up she knew that she shouldn’t.

"So," Shan said smiling to herself. "I guess you want me to prove that I bent the spoons."

"You guessed right," Holly said. There were mumbles coming from the students. Shan could feel he power rise and turned around her eyes flashed blue.

"I don’t want to waste my energy on such pathetic lintel parlor tricks," Shan said and looked at Holly who suddenly began to rise into the air.

"Ahiiieee," Holly shouted. Shan let her drop.

"Wow," Said a red hair girl. Holly jumped to her feet and glared at Shan. Shan lowered her power.

"There are you happy," Shan said smiling. "I have to go and meet up with my friends," she looked at Alex. "It was nice meeting you." Alex smiled back at her.

"Not as nice as it was meeting you." Shan walked out of the room with Charmeleon following her.

"Can you believe them?" She said walking up the stairs. Charmeleon jumped up a step and looked at her. "Man were they stuck up." Shan looked at Charmeleon and picked her up.

"Char," she said and hugged Shan. Shan walked into her room and saw Quin brushing her Seel.

"Hi," she said happily. Shan frowned and set Charmeleon down on the bed.

"Hi," she said flatly. Quin stopped brushing Seel, much to his delight, and looked at Shan.

"What’s wrong?" Shan took off her vest and looked at Quin.

"I met some other psychics and it didn’t go well. They weren’t very friendly," she sat down and sighed. "I thought that. . Aw never mind." Shan said and went to get ready for bed. Quin shrugged and looked for her Seel. She saw his flipper sticking out from under the bed and smiled.

"Seel," she said kneeling down. "Hey were not done yet."

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Naru sighed as she looked around her small room. "Thank goodness I don’t have to stay hear long. I don’t think I can stand this outfit for very much longer." She looked out the window and saw Tachi standing below. She opened the window and looked down at him.

"Hey Romeo," She said laughing. She could see him frowning at her.

"Cut it out," he said. "Did that idiot Seth, have any trouble." Naru tossed down a rope and watched as he climbed up.

"No," she said stepping aside. He sat down on a chair near the window. "I don’t know why we are stuck baby-sitting him. I mean just because that girl got away. . ." Tachi jumped to his feet.

"Shut up," he said. "She was just lucky," he smiled. "That won’t happen again. You can bet on that."

"She’s been lucky three times now. So what is the plan?" She said crossing her hands infront of her. A ring came from Tachi's jacket. "Your phone is ringing Tachi."

"So," Tachi said taking it out. Naru took the phone.

"So, it could be the boss," she turned it on.

"Hi," she said. "Yes sir, what? But sir, .we. .I mean. Yes, I understand bye." Naru shot a glance at Tachi. He looked away.

"You lied to me. The boss said that we were suppose to go to Vermilion City." She said angrily. "As a mater of fact he said that the attack on this place wasn’t suppose to happen until next month." Naru said angrily.

"So what?" Tachi said.

"Tachi!" She said. "The boss is furious," she said calming down. "He said that if we don’t leave now. ." she trailed off. Tachi looked at her.

"What?"

"He said that he’ll get bump us down a level." Tachi sighed.

"I know," he said. "But I can’t let her get away," he clenched his fists at his side. "Now when we are so close."

"We have to leave," She said. "What is with you? Why can’t you just for get about that little freak."

"I can’t," he said looking into her eyes. "She got away form me. No one ever gets away from me."

"We’ll have a better chance of grabbing her in Vermilion, that is if she goes there. By then we’ll have a plan by then that will be foolproof." Tachi smiled.

"All right," he said. "You get Seth, Yano and I will meet you out front." He began to laugh.

"What?" Naru asked.

"I just got an Idea," He smiled and jumped out of the window. He landed on his feet and walked off. "See you in Vermilion City." He said looking over his shoulder.

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Shan was looking out the widow when she saw four figures running over a hill. She sighed, "Must be on a journey." She said to herself.

"What?" Quin asked jumping on her bed. Shan sighed.

"Nothing," she said and watched as her pokemon jumped on to the bed and curled up to sleep. Rattata was lying on the foot of her bed still week. She had tried to feed him some carrots but he only looked at them and turned his head.

"Don’t worry Rattata," she said sadly and picked him up. "Tomorrow I’ll take you to the pokemon center in Vermilion.

"Raa," he said weekly and fell asleep again.

"Let’s just get some sleep." Shan said setting him down.

The next morning Shan and Quin were woken up by a loud bang of a gong. Shan and her pokemon jumped in shock.

"What was that?" Shan said looking around. Quin yawned and frowned.

"I don’t know? But I want to go back to bed. Shan got up and frowned.

"Come on," she said getting dressed. "After Mark gets done with his test I want to leave. I’m worried about Rattata." Quin groaned and got out of bed.

Shan and Quin went to the Dinning hall and ate, they tried to find Mark but he was any were. "Where is he?"

"He’s probably taking the test already," Shan said petting Rattata. She had recalled Charmeleon and was carrying Rattata in her arms, to worried to put him back in his pokeball.

"Shan," Quin said looking at her.

"Yes?"

"Is Rattata ok? I mean he’s been like this ever since he tried to evolve." Shan hugged him close to her and looked at Quin.

"I know," she sighed and stopped walking. "I think that I should go on to Vermilion," Quin frowned. "I have to get him to a pokecenter."

"But What about the Rockets? They could still be around, can’t you wait?" Shan looked down at Rattata who opened his eyes slightly.

"I don’t think that I can Quin, he’s getting worse." Shan walked towards the gate with Quin following her close behind.

"My map says that Vermilion isn’t that far away," Shan said as they came to the gate. "I can be there in a short time if I hurry. When Mark gets done you guys can meet me at the Pokemon center." Quin nodded.

"Hey," Said a voice. Shan looked at Holy and frowned.

"What? Don’t you see that I’m in a hurry?" A few more people gathered around.

"I challenge you to a pokemon battle," she said angrily. "One on one." Shan handed Rattata to Quin and glared at Holy.

"Fine," she said taking out Butterfree's ball. "Let’s get this over with then." Holly laughed.

"Go Spam," Shan watched as the red beam formed into a Meowth.

"Spam? Why did you name it that?" Shan said angrily.

"I like the sound of the word," she said sarcastically. "If you had a Meowth then you would know that the name gives it confidence." Shan laughed.

"And you think that the name Spam is going to give your Meowth confidence." Shan put Butterfree's pokeball away and took out Puwar's.

"Go Puwar," Shan shouted. Puwar jumped form the beam and purred at Shan. Shan noticed that Holly’s Meowth was two times bigger than Puwar. Holly noticed to and began to laugh.

"It’s a runt," she said. "This will be easy."

"Get ready to feel the heat!" Shan said and pointed at Spam. "Puwar scratch attack." Puwar ran forward and jumped at Spam. She scratched him across the stomach and face, causing him to cry in pain.

"Spam use your scratch attack." Holly demanded. Spam ran at Puwar who jumped agilely out of the way. He tried again and managed to scratch Puwar's tale. Puwar jumped back and glared at the other Meowth.

"MEEEEEEEOWWW," she said loudly. Shan put her hands to her ears as the high pitched tone grew louder. She noticed that Spam dropped his guard, by covering his ears.

"Scratch attack," Shan said again. Puwar landed one final scratch to Spam’s face causing him to faint. Shan took out her dex as Holly recalled her Meowth.

"SCREECH: A HIGH PICTHED CRIE THAT WILL GREATLY LOWER THE DEFENCE OF AN OPONET." Shan shut her dex and smiled at Puwar.

"Good job, return." She said and recalled Puwar. Shan took Rattata from Quin's arms and walked past Holly.

"Were do you think your going?" Holly asked.

"My Rattata needs help," Shan said flatly. "I’m taking him to Vermilion to get healed, out of my way." Holy crossed her hands infront of her and stood her ground. Shan frowned she had to get Rattata help.

"MOVE!" Shan shouted and Holly was knocked to the ground by invisible hands. Shan took off running, behind her Quin watched as her friend disappeared down the road.

When Shan got to Vermilion she went straight to the pokemon center.

"Excuse me?" Shan said gasping for air. "My Rattata recently tried to evolve but somehow he stopped," Nurse Joy looked at Shan. "Now he’s sick, can you help him?"

"What do you mean he tried to evolve?" Joy asked. A Chansey that was near by took Rattata into the back.

"I mean he started to evolve but then stopped. Ever since then he has been tired and doesn’t want to eat." Joy smiled.

"Don’t worry," she said and gestured for Shan to follow her. Shan walked into the back were the Chansey had set Rattata on an examination table.

"I’ll just scan Rattata and see what is wrong," she said and left the room. Rattata looked up at Shan and then laid his head back down.

"Don’t worry I won’t leave you alone," she said and pet him on the head. Nurse Joy came back in with a device and pointed it at Rattata. It beeped loudly, causing Joy’s face to become sad.

"What is it?" Shan asked. Joy looked up at her and sighed.

"I think that Rattata might have an iron deficiency," Shan let out a sigh of relief.

"Is that all? For a moment I thought it was serious."

"It is serious," Joy said calmly. "Pokemon are different than humans, a low iron count means that Rattata won’t ever be able to evolve." Shan looked down at Rattata.

"I like him the way he is," she said.

"That may be but, if he doesn’t get treated for this deficiency soon he might die." Shan’s eyes grew wide with panic.

"What? No, tell me what he needs?" Joy walked over to a desk and took out a needle and a vile.

"I need to do a full examination on him to find out what exactly is wrong. It might be an iron deficiency or something worse. I won’t know till I am done," she said and gave him the shoot. Shan looked down at Rattata.

"How long will it take?" She asked.

"I’m not sure," she said. "It will take me an hour to set up the equipment and another hour to examine him. You should wait outside," Shan looked up at her and took off her pokebelt.

"Can you heal theses to," Joy took the belt and nodded. Shan walked out into the waiting room and waited. Joy came out and handed her a pokeball.

"This one is fine," she said. Shan tossed the ball and Butterfree flew out.

"Hi boy," Shan said as he flew around her head.

"Freeetreee," he said and landed on her head. She watched as joy disappeared into the back. Shan sat down and Butterfree flew around her head again.

"Must you do that?" Shan said sternly. Butterfree hovered infront of her and looked at her sadly. Shan looked at him and sighed.

"I’m sorry," he landed in her lap. "I’m just so worried about him." Shan looked down, she was wearing shorts and noticed the scar that was on her leg. "That was from the Raticate. When Rattata saved me." She said gently petting Butterfree's wing.

"Freetreefree," he said and fluttered his wings a bit.

"Well all we can do is wait." Shan said and heard the door open. Alex walked up to her.

"Are you ok? I saw you leave and followed you hear." He said. Shan looked at him and hugged Butterfree to her.

"No," she said sadly. "My Rattata is very sick." Alex sat down next to her and looked at her.

"I’m sorry," he said. Alex took something from his coat. "Maybe this will cheer you up." He held out a blue rose infront of Shan. Shan looked at it and smiled.

"It’s beautiful," she took it. Butterfree flew up and landed on her head. She sniffed it and suddenly something flashed through her mind.

"Oh," she said in shook.

"Is something wrong?" Shan looked at him.

"No I just remembered something. I just saw myself standing infront of roses just like this one."

"Did your mom have a rose bush like this one?" Shan shook her head.

"I don’t know," she said. Alex just sat there for a moment.

"Hey," he said standing. "Are you hungry?" Shan shook her head.

"No, not really."

"Well how about you come with me and we can get something." Shan looked at him.

"I just said that I wasn’t hungry," Alex smiled.

"I know," he said. "But you aren’t being truthful. I know when people are telling me the truth," he winked at her. "That’s my power." Shan sighed.

"Well yes I guess I am hungry," she looked up at Butterfree. "We should stay hear."

"Come on," he said standing. "I’m trying to cheer you up." Shan stood up as Joy walked out.

"How is he?" She said startling Butterfree who flew up into the air.

"I haven’t started the examination yet." She looked at Alex. "Why don’t you go and get some fresh air." Shan turned and walked out of the Pokemon center with Butterfree hovering next to her. Alex walked up behind her.

"I’m sure your Rattata will be ok," he said putting his hand on her shoulder. "Why are you so concerned." Shan spun around.

"Hey," she said almost yelling. "He’s my pokemon, why wouldn’t I be concerned."

"I’m sorry," he said. Shan felt Butterfree land on her head.

Alex sighed and so did Shan. Shan looked down. "He saved my life," she said.

"Really," he said. "No wonder he means so much to you." Shan looked at Alex and laughed nervously.

"Hey let’s go and get a soda." Shan said still worried. Alex smiled and they walked off together.

They walked to a small café and sat down. Shan ordered a soda and Alex ordered a coffee. "How long have you been training?" Alex asked Shan took a drink of her soda.

"Only a few months," she said. "How about you?"

"Well for about a year." Shan smiled.

"Why are you in school over the summer?" Alex smiled.

"Well," he said laughing. "I was asked to stay to introduce the new students to the school. I was going to head out tomorrow."

"Oh," she looked at Butterfree who was setting on the table staring at her. "What kind of pokemon did you start off with?" Shan asked.

"A Sandshrew that I named Vegita," Alex said smiling. Shan smiled to.

"I have a Meowth named Puwar," Alex laughed a bit causing Shan to sigh. "Well at least its not named Spam. Can I see Vegita?" Shan asked. "I’ve never seen a Sandshrew before. Alex took out a pokeball and smiled.

"Well actually he evolved last month and is a Sandslash now. Go." He said the beam formed into a large pointy mouse like creature. Vegita looked up at Shan and then turned to look at Alex. Shan looked at it and smiled.

"Hi there," she said. Vegita just continued to stare at Alex. "I guess it’s shy." Alex shook his head.

"No, he’s not shy. He just can’t hear you. He’s deaf," Alex said. "It’s actually a common thing among Sandshrew and Sandslash." Shan looked at Alex.

"Really?"

"Well since they live in caves they relay more on their sense of smell more than they rely on their eyesight and hearing."

"Hm," Shan looked at the Sandslash that was now itching its head. "Was it hard teaching him to battle?"

"Not really," Alex said and taped the ground with his foot. Vegita jumped to attention and looked at Alex. "Hey how about we have a practice battle and I’ll show you how he battles."

"Ok," Shan said. "But it will have to be one on one, my pokemon are at the pokecenter." Shan and Alex walked over to a small area near the café and stood staring at eachother. A few of the other customers turned in their seats to watch.

"Go Butterfree," Shan said Butterfree flew out and hovered above the ground. Alex made quick motions with his hands and Vegita jumped infront of him.

"Vegita," Alex said taping the ground once. "Slash attack," he said making more gestures with his hand.

"Butterfree dodge," Shan said as Vegita jumped up at Butterfree and slashed at him. Butterfree dodged quickly and flew up out of his reach.

"Butterfree use you Confusion." Shan shouted. Butterfree spread his wings out and began to flap them rapidly suddenly he appeared to disappear and reappear in many different places. Vegita just sat there until Alex taped the ground again. Butterfree was about to use the attack when Vegita dove under ground.

"Wow, I mean Butterfree use your sleep powder and fast." Butterfree began to send out his blue powder. Alex stopped his foot on the ground and Vegita jumped up and knocked Butterfree to the ground. Butterfree cried out in shock.

"Wow, that was great." Shan said picking up Butterfree.

"Thanks, as you can see I use sign language and vibrations to tell him what to do." Shan looked over Butterfree, he wasn’t hurt but he was startled.

"FreTreee," he said and landed on her head.

"I need to get back," Shan said smiling. "I think that Joy might be done." Alex and Shan walked back to the pokecenter. Shan looked around the lobby to see if Mark and Quin had arrived. When she didn’t see them she walked over to nurse Joy.

"IS everything ok?" Joy looked up at her and shook her head.

"No, I am afraid that it is more serious than I thought. Your Rattata needs to have an operation." Shan looked at Joy.

"Ok," she said. "When can you do it?"

"I can’t," Joy said. "We don’t have the equipment hear to do the operation. He’ll have to be sent to a lab to under go the surgery." Shan knew what she was going to say next. "You’ll have to send him to the lab were you got your original pokemon at.

"I know a better place though." Shan said. "The lab in Cerulean, they can help him there." Joy shook her head.

"No that Lab specializes in water pokemon only. I know this is hard but if you don’t he won’t last through the night." Alex stepped forward.

"What’s wrong with him?" Joy looked at Alex.

"Pokemon have a gland that allows them to evolve Shan’s Rattata has a dysfunctional gland and it has to be removed." Shan looked up at Nurse Joy.

"Ok, I’ll call Geovan labs and let them know he’s coming. I just wish that I could go with him." Shan walked over to the Videophones and sat down. Butterfree landed on her head again as she dialed.

"Good evening," said a joyful voice. Shan turned on the vid-screen and noticed that Greta was gone.

"Hi," Shan said. "I need to speak to Prof. Jinxins." The woman on the screen smiled.

"May I ask what about?"

"My Rattata needs an operation and the Vermilion City Joy told me that I would have to send him to you."

"Ok, I’ll go and get him for you." She stood up and disappeared. A moment later Jinxins sat down. Upon seeing Shan he frowned.

"Oh it’s you. Look if you’re going to go historical on me again forget it I have better things to. ."

"No," Shan said sadly. "I have to send you my Rattata. He needs an operation."

Jinxins looked at her. "Well go on and send him to me then." Shan stood up and looked at Joy who was setting Rattata on a transmitting table. She pushed a few buttons and Rattata disappeared before Shan’s eyes.

"We just sent him to you. Please help him?" Jinks looked at Shan.

"Don’t worry we will," he noticed that Butterfree was siting on Shan’s head. "Oh you have a Butterfree." Shan looked up at Butterfree.

"Yes he was the first pokemon I ever caught."

"Shan pleas put your pokedex into the scanner on the left of the vid-screen, I want to see how many pokemon you have seen." Shan took out her pokedex and did what Jinxins said.

"Wow," he said. Shan smiled.

"I know," she said. "I’ve seen a lot."

"You have seen a Lapras?" He asked looking at a printout. Shan nodded.

"Yes, hey is Rattata ok?"

"Yes it’s fine," Shan felt odd about sending Rattata to Geovan labs. Jinxins wasn’t exactly on her favorite person’s list.

"Please save him." Shan said with pleading eyes. For a moment Jinxins looked at her with a soften face.

"I’ll do my best." With that the vid screen went blank. Behind her Alex was talking to Joy.

"Well I guess I have to wait." Shan said.

"Shan," Alex said looking at her. "I have to go. Would you like me to tell your friends were you are?"

"I told Quin that I was coming hear but you might want to remind her. Thank you for the rose," Shan said taking it out from behind her ear. "It’s beautiful." Alex blushed a bit.

"Yea well when I see a pretty girl that is upset I like to try and cheer her up." Shan blushed and watched as he walked away. She sat down and waited.

Waiting was never something she liked to do. Her pokemon were keeping her company but try as they might couldn’t seem to cheer Shan up. When Mark and Quin finally got to the pokecenter it was already getting dark. Mark seemed angry as Alex came walking up behind them.

"How is he?" Quin asked. Shan just looked down at the floor.

"There hasn’t been any word yet," Shan jumped to her feet. "I hate waiting, why can’t they just phone and tell me how it’s going?"

Mark sat down in a chair across from her and sighed. "I’m sure he’s ok. Rattata is one tuff pokemon," he said. Shan smiled a bit.

"Your right," she said. "But I can’t help but worry." She looked up at Alex who was no longer wearing his school uniform and now was wearing jeans and a red shirt.

"I decided to go ahead and get started on my journey today," Mark shot a glance at him.

"Well then why are you sticking around hear with us?" Quin glared at Mark as did Shan.

"Mark," Quin said angrily. Alex just smiled and looked over at Shan.

"I wanted to see how things turned out with your Rattata." Shan smiled.

They all sat in the waiting room and waited. Shan was besides her self and was finding it difficult to control her powers.

"Oops sorry," she said watching a plant tip over. "Man," she said. "I’m so worried that I can’t even concentrate."

"Your power is really amazing," Alex said. "Are you related to any one in Saffron City, they have really strong psychics there." Shan shook her head.

"I don’t have a family." She said. Alex became quiet. Shan leaned back in her seat and stood up.

"Nurse Joy," she said. "Has anyone called yet?" Joy shook her head.

"You are really worried about him," she said. "I never saw a trainer so upset over a Rattata before. I am so glad that you care about him." Shan sat back down.

"Shan," Quin said handing her some coco. "Did you ever call Nan?" Shan shook her head.

"Maybe you’ll feel better after you talk to her." Mark said looking over his book.

"Maybe," Shan walked over to the vid-phone and dialed the number.

"Hi," Nan said. Shan sighed as the message played and waited for it to end.

"Hi Nan," she said. "This is the third time I’ve called and got the machine. Is everything ok? Well I am in Vermilion and I just thought I would give you a call. Bye." Shan cradled the phone and sat back. Every time that she had called there had been an answering machine; she had wanted to ask about Greg's new family. Just then the phone rang causing Shan to almost nock over the booth.

"Hello?" Shan said. The vid-screen flipped on and Jinxins smiled back at her.

"Good news," he said. "The operation was a success and your Rattata is doing great. There are a few things you need to do though." Shan smiled, her pokemon began to gather around her.

"Thank you sir," she said. "You don’t know how relived I am." Jinxins raised his hand.

"No hysterics," he said. Shan composed herself and sat back down. Eevee jumped into her lap. "No the first thing is. . .Hey is that an Eevee, oh and you have a Meowth to. Not bad." Shan sighed.

"Professor," she said.

"Oh yes. You can’t battle him for three days and you have to feed him this special broth that has medicine in it. You must make sure that his stitches don’t come out. They are right behind his ear. On the third day take him to the pokecenter and they’ll remove the stitches." Shan smiled.

"Ok send him to me."

"He’s already there. Cheek in with me again soon." The vid-screen went black. Shan jumped to her feet and ran to the counter. She did even wait for Nurse joy to open the swinging door, she jumped over the counter and ran into the back followed by her pokemon.

"Rattata," Rattata said and jumped into Shan’s arms. Shan hugged him gently.

"Hey Rattata you shouldn’t be jumping around like that." She said. Rattata nuzzled under her chin. Charmeleon hugged Shan and Rattata and barked happily. The others also began to nuzzle Rattata happy that he was ok. Even Eevee barked happily, much to Shan’s surprise. She knew that they had never gotten along.

"Hi Rattata," Quin said and gently pet him on he nose. "Are you feeling better?"

"Ra tata," he said. Alex and Mark walked up to her.

"So that’s your Rattata?" Alex said surprised. "That is the biggest Rattata I have ever seen. He must be extremely strong."

"You should see him battle." Mark said knowingly. "There isn’t any pokemon that he won’t battle. He is extremely loyal." Mark looked at Shan.

"So when will he be fully healed?" Mark asked. Shan wasn’t paying attention though she was still petting Rattata and hugging him.

"I am so glad that you’re ok." She said and walked over to were she had set up her sleeping bag and set him down. After Rattata fell asleep Shan told her friends what Jinxins said.

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Tachi walked into the gym smiling. Surge owned him a favor and it was time to call it in. Electricity crackled around him as he passed a row of Voltorbs. He laughed as he came to the rows of trashcan's that held the key to getting to the Lightning American himself.

"Surge, it’s me Tachi." Tachi said. The huge double doors opened and a large man stepped out. His blond hair was cut back and his eyes seemed to flash yellow as he walked up to Tachi. For a moment Surge stared at Tachi before he began to laugh.

"What brings you hair?" Surge said smiling. Tachi took out a small picture and showed it to Surge.

"Her," he said. Surge took a look and smiled.

"What about her?" Tachi smiled,

"She is a psychic that I have been trying to catch." Surges eyes grew wide and he began to laugh.

"You mean that this little girl got away from the great Tachi." Tachi clenched his fists at his side. He glared at Surge.

"I need you to were her down a bit. You need to make her use her power when she fights you."

"Sure, but she can’t compare to me. I am extremely powerful thanks to my new arm." Surge held up his left arm. The light reflected on its metal surface as surge displayed it proudly to Tachi. Tachi smiled.

"I think you’ll have your hands full Surge," Surge frowned. "She is extremely powerful," Tachi crossed his arms infront of him. "Why else would we be after her? If she wins I want you to giver her theses." Tachi handed Surge an evolve. Surge opened it up and took out four tickets.

"What are theses for," he read them. "The SS Anne? Is this a joke Tachi?" Tachi smiled.

"No," he said. "Once she is week and in the middle of the ocean there won’t be anyplace for her to run to. Just do it Surge," Tachi turned and began to walk away.

"No problem Tachi," he said.

Once outside of the Gym Tachi began to laugh, he couldn’t hold it back. "I am going to get you kid, and your little pokemon to." He chuckled at his own lame joke and headed off towards the harbor. In two days the ship would set sail, all he had to do was wait.