Pokemon Fanfic

Cerulean City Part 3: Frigid Weather in the Water Gym

Shan was siting on the beach looking out at the bay. The sea air was fresh and she inhaled deeply. Rattata was siting next to her and the others were playing in the sand. She had decided to enjoy the beach before she left for the gym again. Hopefully Slick wouldn’t be at the bridge.

"Rattata," Rattata said and jumped into Shan’s Lap. Shan petted his ear and smiled. "Don’t you want to go and play with the others?" She asked. Rattata looked up at her and then down to were Charmeleon was playing. "Ra," He said and ran down to her. Shan stood up and stretched. Puwar had recovered nicely and was playing with Eevee and Butterfree. Nidoran was chasing Rattata and Charmeleon around.

"There you are." Said Gary walking up behind her. Shan smiled and looked at him.

"Hi," she said.

"Misty tells me that you’re going to try for your badge today." Shan frowned.

"Yes," She put her hands on her hips. "That is if there isn’t any more problems."

"So I hear you caught a Nidoran and a Meowth." Shan nodded. "What did you name your Meowth?" He asked smiling. Shan sighed.

"Puwar," Gary started to laugh. "What’s so funny?" Shan asked. "I think it’s a perfect name for her." Gary stopped laughing and looked at Shan.

"Don’t get me wrong," he said. "I like the name. It’s just that, well, trainers always name Meowth's funny names like that one." Shan frowned.

"She likes it." Shan said folding her hands infront of her and turning her head. Gary looked at her and smiled.

"I didn't mean to make you mad," he said. Shan looked at him and smiled nervously.

"Oh you didn't," She said dropping her hands to her side. Gary knelt down and picked up a small shell that was lying near his fee. He turned it over in his hand and then put it in his pocket. Shan watched him do this with a puzzled expression. He chuckled upon noticing.

"Hey how about you come back up to the lab and I'll show you the Slowbro." Shan smiled and nodded.

"Sure. . . Uh, what is a Slowbro?" Gary looked at her and laughed.

"You'll see," he said and turned to walk back up to the lab. Shan waved for her pokemon to come back to her. She recalled all of them Except for Charmeleon who refused to go into the ball.

"Come on girl," Shan said and lifted her up. Charmeleon climbed onto Shan's back and Shan, reluctantly, carried her piggyback up to the lab. When she reached the door Gary was waiting for her. They walked into the lab and past the blue room to a room were scientist were busy at computers.

"This," Gary said gesturing with his hands. "Is Slowbro." Shan turned to look a large pink pokemon with a huge shell. She took out her pokedex and pointed it at it.

"SLOWBRO: LIVES LAZILY BY THE SEA. IF THE SHELLDER ON IT'S TALKE COMES OFF, IT BECOMES A SLOWPOKE AGAIN."

"Char," Charmeleon said taping Shan on the head. Shan set her down and walked up to the Slowbro. He looked up at her with a dopey grin across its face and slowly leaned forward. Shan smiled and pet it on the head.

"Slowbro is so cute Gary. How did it. . . AHHH, get it off." Shan shouted as she discovered that the Slowbro was now sucking on her hand. Gary laughed as Shan pulled out her sopping wet hand.

"Gross," she said and made a face. Charmeleon began to laugh loudly and roll around on the ground. Gary, still laughing, handed her a towel.

"Slowbro seems to like you," he chuckled. Shan made a face as she wiped her hand off.

"Why did it do that?" She asked looking at a confused Slowbro.

"Oh it just does that from time to time. He only dose it to people he likes." Shan lowered her hands to her side and looked at Gary.

"What does he do to people he doesn’t like?" Gary smiled and walked over to the Slowbro.

"He uses his psychic power on them." Shan looked wide eyed at the dopey looking Slowbro. Charmeleon, who had finally stopped laughing, walked up to the Slowbro and sat down next to it.

"It's a psychic pokemon. It looks more like a water type to me." Shan said. Gary stood up.

"It is a water type. Slowbro is classified under two types." Shan sighed and looked at Charmeleon who was still seemingly laughing. The Slowbro looked at Charmeleon who in-turn looked at it. Shan watched as the Slowbro leaned forward and closed it's massive mouth over Charmelon's head. Shan ran forward.

"Ahh, Charmeleon." Shan said and pulled Charmeleon out of the Slowbro's mouth. "Oh are you ok girl?" Shan asked and wiped her off with the towel. Charmeleon looked up at the Slowbro and tried to lunge at it. Shan held her tight.

"Isn't so funny when it happens to you, ehh." Charmeleon settled down and hugged Shan.

"Slowbro has been hear for a long time. We found him when we started this lab and he's been hear ever since." Gary said and handed the Slowbro the shell that he had found earlier. Slowbro took it and put it into his mouth. After a short while he took it out of his mouth and tossed it behind him.

"Why did it do that?" Shan asked.

"Beats me," Gary said. Shan stood up and turned to him.

"I better go," she said. "I'm suppose to meet Quin and go to the gym." Gary's smiled faded.

"Be careful Shan. You and Quin are going up against a real challenge. Unlike Steel," he looked down. "Unlike Steel Aqua uses enhancer technology."

"Well that may be but I have to try." Gary walked out of the room and Shan followed him.

"When Quin and Mark first went to the gym the challenge was different. Actually Aqua was pretty fair. The challenge was a swimming race. Now you can either go up against a junior trainer or up against him. Aqua decides." Gary said.

"Well I'm not afraid of him." Gary sighed. "You really are like wonder boy you know." Shan laughed.

"Me like the great Ash Katchum. I wish I was as good as he was or." Gary looked up.

"He still is good," he said sternly. Shan, a bit taken back, smiled.

"Ok," her smile faded. "Gary can you tell me were Lavender town is exactly." Gary’s face took on a look of terror.

"Why would you want to go there?" He asked. Shan looked down at her feet and then quickly back up at Gary.

"I. . I am just curious. That's all." She said. Gary was nice but she wasn't ready to tell anyone about the dreams.

"Well it's just outside of. . ."

"Gary!" Ash said loudly. "Don't." Gary looked at Ash angrily.

"What?" Gary asked. Ash looked at Shan and then at Gary.

"Would you excuse us?" Shan nodded as Ash and Gary walked a few feet away form them. Ashes large Pikachu ran up to her feet and was looking at her master. Shan could see that they were arguing and when Gary walked off she knew that they were.

"Pika," the Pikachu said. Shan knelt down.

"Oh I wouldn't she might. . " Shan pet the Pikachu on the head much to Ashes surprise.

"Oh I'm sorry," Shan said standing. "Did you say something?" Ash shook his head. "So why did Gary leave? I wanted him to answer my question." Ash frowned.

"Look just forget about going to Lavender town," he made a gesture with his hand and his Pikachu jumped into his arms.

"Why," Shan asked. "What's the big deal about a town?" Ash frowned.

"Lavender town is to dangerous. It is rumored that Team Rocket has a base of major operations there." Shan smiled.

"So," she said. Ash smiled.

"You are to much Shan," he said. "Why do you want to go there anyway?" Shan smiled.

"I was just wondering were it was," she folded her arms infront of her. "Besides I never said I wanted to go there." Shan held her smile. Inside she was kicking herself, she hated to lie.

"Well I am not going to tell you. Now get going or your going to be late to the gym." He turned and walked away. Shan watched him walk away and looked down at Charmeleon.

"I don't care what he says," she said. "I am going to go there," she sighed. "Maybe it will stop the nightmares."

"Charmeleon," Charmeleon said. Shan walked out of the lab with Charmeleon toddling along besides her.

When she got to Nugget Bridge Quin was nowhere to be seen. She sat down on a rock and waited. After an hour Quin finally showed up.

"Hi," she said running up to Shan. "Sorry I'm late but I was fishing with my dad and I caught another Goldeen. I gave it to my younger sister." Shan smiled.

"Oh were you late? I was just siting hear enjoying the scenery." Shan said. Quin made a face.

"Well now that I'm hear let's go." Shan stood up and slung her pack on. Charmeleon yawned and Shan recalled her. Shan took out Puwar's pokeball and released her.

"Meow," she said. Quin laughed.

"Hi Puwar," Puwar looked up at Quin and then at Shan. Jumping into the air she landed on Shan's backpack.

"Oh no you don't," Shan said and made her get down. "You have to walk so that you get stronger. When you get tired you can ride on my pack." Puwar looked up at Shan and smiled.

Shan, Quin, and Puwar were almost across the bridge when they saw a figure standing on the Bridge. The figure stepped forward and Shan could see that it was Slick.

"Oh man not him again," Quin said. Puwar began to hiss as he walked up to them. Shan stood rigged.

"Well good morning ladies," Slick said. Shan and Quin glared at him.

"Get lost," Shan said. "I don't have the time to mess with you today." Slick looked down at Puwar and smiled.

"You still have that week little Meowth," he looked up at Shan. "I thought that you would have abandoned it." Shan slid her foot forward.

"Hey," she said. "You lay off of Puwar. She is a good pokemon I just got her yesterday and she is already very loyal to me." Slick smiled and took of his sunglasses.

"So your on your way to the gym. You know Aqua is extremely hard to beat." Shan smiled.

"I don’t think I will have any trouble." She crossed her arms infront of her. For a moment Slick just stood there looking at them when Quin broke the silence.

"Why are you hear anyway?" She said putting her hands on her hips. Slick smiled.

"None of your business kid." He said. Quin lunged forward and Shan held out her arm to stop her.

"Who are you calling a kid?" She yelled. Shan was finding it difficult to hold her back.

"Clam down Quin," she said. "Save it for the gym." Quin looked at Shan and settled down. Slick laughed and walked past them.

"I’ll see you around Shan." Shan narrowed her eyes and sighed.

"Let’s go Quin," she said and recalled Puwar.

After an hour of walking in silence they came across the gym. Quin jumped with Excitement. "I can’t wait. I am going to beat Aqua in the swimming race this time." Shan looked at Quin.

"Actually," she said. "Gary told me that Aqua does fights now." Quin's expression fell.

"Oh," she said hanging her head down. "If Gary said it then it must be true," her eyes took on a dreamy look. "He would never lie."

"Your right," Shan said smiling. When they both looked at each other they snapped back into reality.

"Ok lets go in." Shan said and they walked into the gym. Inside there was a heavy smell of chlorine. Shan and Quin found that it only got stronger the further they went into the gym.

"This is weird." Shan said looking at one of the aquariums. Inside a Goldeen was swimming around. Huge statues of mermaids and water pokemon surrounded them. It was dark and eerie but Shan found it also to be very beautiful.

"Maybe this door leads to the main battle floor?" Shan said opening a door. When they stepped through all they saw was a large in-ground pool that had a few platforms floating on top of it. A huge aboveground platform was at the opposite end of the pool. Shan was beginning to think that they had gone the wrong way when Quin stepped forward.

"I am Quin Stream from Cerulean. I have come to earn a Real Cascade badge." Shan smiled and stepped forward.

"And I am Shan. I am from the town of Hidden and I want to battle the leader of this gym." She said.

A door opened at the side of the pool and a girl dressed in a red bathing suite came out. She jumped onto one of the platforms in the water and glared at Quin and Shan. Quin gasped, as the girl put her hands on her hips.

"You must battle me. Master Aqua dose not wish to waste his time with you two." Shan frowned.

"Well you tell him that I have come to battle him and I will not leave until I do." Shan looked at Quin. "You go first," She said and smiled. "You can do it." Quin smiled and nodded. She stepped forward.

"Long time no see Jill." Quin said sternly. The girl smiled for a moment and then frowned.

"The name is Coral," she said taking out a pokeball.

"What do you mean Coral? Your name is Jill." Coral laughed at Quin causing her to blush.

"Coral is my gym name. So how have you been Quin? Do you still have that stupid Staryu." For a moment Quin just stood there, suddenly her face turned bright red, causing Shan to step back.

"MY STARYU IS THE BEST. IT CAN BEAT ANYTHING YOU GOT!" She yelled. Shan smiled.

"You tell her Quin." Shan cheered. Coral sneered and tossed her pokeball up into the air and caught it.

"Well Quin," she said spinning the ball on her finger. "You still have that temper I see. I would have thought you would have grown out of that by now." Quin made a face and took out her Staryu's pokeball.

"Are we going to do this or what?" Quin asked. Coral smiled.

"Be patient. First the rules."

Shan sat down against the wall and waited. Quin seemed to be more confident than she had been. She wondered if it was all show. "We fight one on one," Coral smiled. "A sudden death round. The first pokemon down loses." Coral smiled slyly. "Do you understand or do I have to say the rules again?" Quin narrowed her eyes.

"I understand now let’s do this." Quin tossed down Staryu's pokeball and the starry shaped pokemon quickly appeared.

"Hhugh," it said loudly. Coral began to laugh.

"Still a Staryu I see." She spun around and threw down her pokeball. "Go Starmie." A huge star like pokemon jumped from the ball. Shan grabbed her pokedex and, turning the volume down, pointed it at the Starmie.

"STARMIE: A WATER / PSYCHIC POKEMON. THE CENTER SECTION IS NAMED THE CORE PEOPLE THINK THAT IT IS COMMUNICATING WHEN IT GLOWS IN 7 COLORS. THIS IS THE EVOLVED FORM OF THE STARYU."

Shan shut her pokedex and watched as Quin made the opening move. "Staryu Harden." She shouted. Staryu’s gem began to glow and a white light surrounded it. Coral watched in amusement.

"You call that an attack. Starmie use your Water gun." The Starmie pointed its many arms at Quin's Staryu and five blasts of water shoot out of them. Quin's Staryu jumped into the water just as the water attack reached it.

"Staryu tackle it from under the water." Quin shouted. Shan cheered. Staryu suddenly burst out of the water and hit the large Starmie in the center causing it to fall into the water unconscious.

"Oh no my Starmie." Coral recalled it and glared at Quin. "That was a cheep shoot." Quin smiled as she recalled her Staryu.

"It was a perfectly good attack. It’s not my fault that you suck." Shan laughed loudly from behind her.

"Way to go Quin," she cheered and stood up. "Hey Coral why don’t you open a window or something?" Coral looked at Shan as did Quin.

"Why?" she asked. Shan smiled and crossed her arms infront of her.

"Because some fresh air would be good after that match. Man did you stink." Quin busted out laughing. Coral shoot an angry look at Shan.

"I’m not done yet she still has to beat the second challenge. I challenge you to a swimming race Quin." Shan took on a puzzled expression.

"I accept." Quin said. "Just let me go and change into my swim suite." She left the room and then came back in wearing a green suite. Shan scratched her head.

"Hey how did you change so fast?" She asked.

"I was wearing it under my cloths." Shan sat back down as Quin and Coral jumped into the water. Quin and Coral both took off the terms of the race was who ever did two laps first would win. Shan could see that win it came to swimming Quin was extremely fast. She had finished one lap when Coral was only half way though. When she did the final lap she jumped out of the pool and waited for Coral to finish.

"No. . . way." Coral said out of breath. Quin smiled and jumped up into the air.

"I did it! I get the cascade badge. Hand it over Jill." Coral climbed out of the pool and sighed.

"Fine," she walked over to a cabinet and took out a small box. She walked back over to Quin. "I Coral hear by present you Quin Stream with the Real Cascade badge." Quin grabbed the badge and cheered. Shan stood up and walked over to her.

"Great job Quin. It doesn’t pay to be cocky Coral." Coral frowned.

"Well It’s your turn so get ready." She said and put the box away. Shan just stood there. "Hey I am not going to wait around for you to battle me." Shan frowned.

"I don’t want to battle you," she crossed her arms infront of her. "Like I said before I want to battle with Aqua." Coral slung a towel around her neck and walked forward.

"You can’t possibly think that the great Aqua would want to waste his time with you." Shan narrowed her eyes.

"I don’t want to battle you," she said. "You suck. If Aqua is to scared to battle me then I want the badge due to a forfeit on his part, just like it says in the handbook." Coral lunged at Shan who stepped aside, and laughed as Coral fell headfirst into the water.

"So," said a voice. "You want to battle me," a door opened on the above ground platform and a tall man wearing an orange and red diving suite walked out. Shan looked up.

"Yes I do." Shan said. Coral swam to the edge and jumped out of the pool.

"I tried to tell her that you wouldn’t battle her but she wouldn’t listen." She said looking up at Aqua. Shan stood her ground. Quin was standing behind her with a towel around her neck.

"Go home little girl." He laughed. "I don’t battle just anyone. I battle those who the league tells me to battle. I usually let my Trainers battle." He looked at Coral. "Although a few of them lack experience." Coral turned and walked out of the gym.

"Well you will battle me or forfeit." Shan shouted. Aqua took on an amused look. "So you know the handbook. Your right I can battle you or forfeit." He leaned forward on the railing of the platform. "You win I’ll battle you." Shan smiled.

"If I win both challenges you have to work for me for a week. I could use a trainer with your kind of knowledge." Shan frowned.

"Sorry but water isn’t my specialty." She said smiling. "But I accept. If I win you give me double the amount of money I have in my wallet." Aqua sneered.

"Deal," he jumped down from his platform. "Now let’s begin." Shan jumped onto one of the platforms.

"Fine by me." She took out Rattata's pokeball. Aqua took out a pokeball and held it at his side.

"This will be interesting. This is a one on one sudden death battle. " Shan felt uneasy about the way he said sudden death. Aqua tossed the pokeball down. "GO Dewgong." He shouted and a huge Seel like pokemon jumped out. She took out her pokedex.

"DEWGONG: Its ENTIRE BODY IS A SNOWY-WHITE. UNHARMED BY EVEN INTENSE COLD, IT SWIMS POWERFULLY IN ICY WATERS." She shut her pokedex and took out Rattata’s pokeball. She knew that he, out of all of them, was the only one who probably stood a chance.

"Go Rattata," she shouted as her deep purple pokemon formed infront of her. "Rattata this is going to be tuff but you can do it." Rattata looked over his shoulder at her and seemed to grin.

"Ra," he barked and looked forward. Aqua smiled.

"Do you think I am stupid?" He asked petting his Dewgong on the head. Shan and Rattata looked at each other.

"Hu?" She said. "I don’t know what you mean." Aqua grinned.

"I know this tactic all to well. You sent out that Rattata thinking that I would think it was week." Shan frowned. "Well I never underestimate any pokemon." Shan smiled.

"That is not why I sent him out. I sent him out because he is fast and strong." Aqua glared at her.

"Ok then let’s get this going." He said and gestured. The Dewgong jumped into the water. Rattata jumped onto one of the platforms on in the pool.

"Rattata combination Quick attack and Hyper fang." Rattata jumped forward and waited for the Dewgong to jump up.

"Dewgong Headbut," Aqua said and yawned. The Dewgong jumped up and was about to attack when Rattata leapt forward and bit down hard on its tale in Mid air. The Dewgong landed on a Plat form and swung it’s tale forward causing Rattata to go flying and land on a platform.

"Dewgong use Psychic," Shan gasped. The Dewgong lowered its head and seemed to strain.

"Rattata," Shan called out. Rattata looked at her. "Tackle it quick." Rattata leapt form platform to platform as the Dewgong's eyes began to glow. The Dewgong raised its head as Rattata barreled into it knocking it hard into the water. Aqua dropped his hands to his side in shook. "Way to go Rattata now quick get back to your platform." Rattata leapt back to his original platform.

"Not bad," Aqua said. The Dewgong leapt out of the water and a deep growl came from it. "Now let’s see your rat dodge this one." Aqua looked at the Dewgong. "Dewgong use your Aurora Beam." The Dewgong raised it’s head into the air and a chill began to fill the area. Shan took a step back. Rattata lowered his head and growled. The Dewgong’s eyes began to glow white and it lowered its head. The horn on its head began to flash.

"Gong," the Dewgong said and a beam was shoot out at Ratttata. Rattata jumped out of the way but his tale was hit with the beam causing it to freeze.

"Rattata," Shan cried. Rattata shivered and it looked up at the Dewgong and its eyes began to glow. Shan heard a familiar beeping and took out her pokedex.

"RATTATA HAS LEAREND A NEW ATACK. SUPER FANG. THIS ATACK WILL CUT DOWN ANY ENEMY." Shan shut her dex.

"Rattata use your Super Fang." Rattata jumped forward and bit down hard on the Dewgong’s neck. It screamed loudly as a red trickle of blood appeared on its snowy white neck.

Aqua watched as Dewgong fainted. Rattata jumped over to Shan. She picked him up and hugged him tight. His tale was frozen solid, behind her Quin was going nuts.

"Good Job Shan." She shouted. Shan smiled and turned her attention back to Aqua who was clenching his fists at his side in anger.

"Yes," he said regaining his cocky demeanor. "Very good job. But now you have one more challenge." Shan handed Rattata to Quin, who use a heal on him.

"Yes I know," she said and glared at him. "So what is the second challenge?" She asked even though she knew.

"A one on one fight," he smiled and recalled his still bleeding pokemon. "The first one to hit the water is the one who loses." Shan took off her hair clips and vest and handed them to Quin. Rattata growled at Aqua.

"I’ll be fine boy," she said. "Quin you might want to go up there to watch." Quin nodded.

"Good luck Shan. Rattata and I will be cheering you on." Shan watched as Quin left with Rattata.

"How touching," he said putting his hands on his face. Shan frowned. Aqua jumped onto one of the platforms. Shan did the same. "You are going to be working for me in no time."

"That Cascade badge is as good as mine." Shan said and waited for him to make a move. Aqua jumped at her and she quickly jumped back to a platform that was behind her. When he landed she jumped forward at him and threw a punch. Aqua dodge as she threw punch after punch. Aqua laughed but soon stopped when Shan threw a swift kick to his stomach.

"Nice. . Shoot." He said jumping back to a platform. "My turn." He leapt forward at her and started to through punches. Shan began to block quickly. Aqua suddenly tired to push her back. Shan almost fell back into the water but leaned forward and jumped up in the air and tried to kick him as she landed. Aqua ducked and Shan landed on a platform that was behind him.

"Your very agile aren’t you. Well I think I should stop playing around." Shan stood up and smiled.

"Well then maybe I should stop holding back to." She said. Above her Quin was clapping hard. Rattata was resting on her shoulder and barking at her.

Aqua yelled and jumped forward. Shan did the same only threw a sidekick that connected to Aqua’s stomach. He fell almost landing in the water. Shan landed on the platform that he used to be on. She heard him land on one of the platforms with a thud. She was breathing heavily and getting tired. Aqua was extremely fast and hard to counter but somehow she found a way to do it. She turned around and faced him.

"Not a bad hit," he said holding his stomach. She relaxed a bit, hoping she could catch her breath. "But I have other things to do today so I think I will just finish this now." Aqua closed his eyes and raised his hands above his head. Shan stood straight up and watched intently at what he was doing.

The area became cold suddenly causing her to shiver a bit. She could see steam begin to rise from the pool. Shan looked up at Quin who was clutching the towel around her to try to keep warm.

Aqua body began to glow white and he opened his eyes. "You can give up now if you want and I will allow you to leave. Of course I will expect you back hear tomorrow to begin work." Shan frowned.

"I never give up." She shouted. Aqua narrowed his eyes.

"Aqua Ice," he shouted and brought his hands down. Shan watched as the pool suddenly froze over. She swallowed hard and glared at him, he had just made the fight more difficult. She knew she would have to do something, but she was running out of ideas. Aqua stepped onto the ice and raised his hands in the air again.

"Shard Dagger," The sound of breaking ice caused her to look down.

"Shan watch out!" Quin shouted. The ice began to crack around Aqua and rise up. Shan could feel her own power beginning to rise but had no idea what to do with it.

"Take this," he shouted and the ice flew at her. She jumped out of the way almost landing in the now freezing water. She dodged a second before Aqua began to laugh. Shan folded her arms infront of her and began to focus. Her eyes flashed blue as she glared at Aqua.

"Power up," she said and felt as the energy filed her body. With a jump she lunged at Aqua who raised his hand. She was hit with a cold blast of air and fell onto a platform.

"Nice trick," he said laughing. He threw another piece of Ice at her this time it barley missed her arm. Shan stood up and could feel the energy rise again, she had to try something different.

"Now to finish this," He said. He threw his arms out infront of him and the Ice began to fly at her. Shan let out a yell as she threw her own hands out, a beam of blue energy hit the ice melting it instantly. Aqua stood dumbstruck for a moment. Shan jumped at him again this time landing a punch to his jaw. He stumbled backwards and let out a cry as he hit the icy water. Shan, now breathing extremely heavily jumped onto the pool's edge and walked stood near the door. Above her Quin and Rattata were cheering her.

"Way to go," Quin shouted. Shan smiled and waited for Aqua to come up, nothing. She walked over to the pool and couldn’t see him. She looked up at Quin.

"Do you see him?" She called out. Quin shook her head. "Oh no," Shan said.

"What?" Quin said shouting down at her.

"Maybe I hit him so hard I knocked him out cold. I have to help him out." Shan jumped into the water and yelled at how cold it was. It was freezing, she swam down and tried to look for him. She could barley see anything, finally her lungs began to scream for air. She swam up to the surface and banged her head hard on something. She reached out with her hand and found that it the water was frozen solid. She tried to punch at it but it was no use. Some how Aqua had tricked her. She swam around the surface looking for a crack to breathe from there was nothing. Her lungs felt like they were on fire. She closed her eyes and tried to focus but she couldn’t feel anything it was to cold.

She began to feel dizzy and was about to black out when something white bust threw the ice and two hands pulled her up. She coughed and gasped for air.

"Shan," Quin said. "Are you ok?" Shan looked up at her next to her Seel was next to her.

"Th. . Tha. . That maniac." Shan said trying to stand but fell back down. Quin helped her up. "Wh. . Where is he?" She said angrily. Quin helped her off of the Ice.

"Right hear," Aqua said jumping down from his platform. He walked up to her. Shan looked up at him from were she was siting. She felt like she was freezing. "You are pathetic," he said crossing his hands infront of himself. "I can’t believe you fell for it. I mean I can swim extremely well I was fine."

"Yu. . You Jerk," Shan said still shaking. "I wha. .want. . m .my badge." She was still breathing heavily. Aqua laughed.

"I don’t think so kid." He said. Quin glared at him and stepped forward.

"Hey. You said that whoever hit the water first lost and you did. Give her the badge and the money you owe her." Quin said in a shaky voice. Shan could tell that she was scared of Aqua and she couldn’t blame her.

"Look little waterflower. I am not going to allow her to have that badge. I can’t let everyone know that I was beaten by this little girl." Shan jumped to her feet.

"I’m not a kid and you will give me that badge or I’ll report you to. . "

"Or you’ll report me to who? The police won’t listen to you and I know that the league will back me up. Face it kid you lost." Shan looked down at her feet. She knew that he was right.

"Aqua," a voice bombed from behind them. Shan turned and saw Slick walk threw the door. "Give her the bade." He said. Aqua took a step back. Shan turned to look at him. It was odd, he seemed to be scared of Slick for some reason.

"Of course." Aqua said smiling. "I was just about to give it to her." He took out a Cascade badge and handed it to Shan. She turned it over in her hand admiring it. Smiling she clipped it onto her belt.

"Finally," she said sighing. Aqua had his back to slick and was glaring at her. Quin stepped back.

"We better go Quin," Shan said stepping forward.

"Just to show there are no hard feelings," Slick said. "Why don’t you two shake hands." Shan stopped short causing Quin to run into her. Aqua extended his hand out and she looked at it.

"No thanks," she said and tried to walk past him.

"Come on kid," he said smiling. "No hard feelings." Shan frowned and shook his hand. Suddenly his grip tightened and she winced a bit from the pain. She focused all of her energy through her hand and Squeezed with all of her might. Aqua let out a cry and dropped to his knees. Shan laughed a bit.

"No hard feelings." She said sarcastically and left the gym.

"That was the hardest match I have ever done." Shan said setting down on a park bench. Quin sat down next to her.

"Tell me about it. I thought you were going to drown after that ice formed on the pool."

"How did I get out?" Shan asked looking at Quin. Quin smiled.

"My darling Seel saved you by breaking through the ice."

"Remind me to treat that pokemon Quin." She said and shivered again. It was very warm outside but she was still cold. Quin jumped to her feet.

"I’m going to call my mom and she give us a ride." Shan smiled at Quin. She knew she said something but she couldn’t quiet make it out.

"Ok," she said and yawned. She watched Quin walk towards the a phone both. Shan took out her new Cascade badge and smiled as it caught the light. She leaned back and closed her eyes.

"Hey Shan," Quin said walking up to her. Shan opened one eye and looked at her.

"What?" She asked smiling.

"My mom said that she couldn’t come and pick us up because she had to take my little sister to shop for cloths." Shan laughed.

"That’s ok," she said setting up. "I don’t mind walking," she stood up. "What is your sisters name?" Quin made a face and put her hand on her hip.

"Lucy," Shan smiled.

"It must be great to have a little sister. How old is she?" Shan asked as they began to walk.

"She’s seven. She can be nice sometimes but other times she is just a major pain." Quin said laughing a bit. Shan thought about Greg for a moment.

"Kids can be that way sometimes. The kids at the orphanage are a lot like my little brothers and sisters." Quin looked at her a bit puzzled.

"So what is Greg like? Did he like his new pokemon?" Shan stopped short and slapped her hand on her forehead.

"Oh no. I forgot to call Nan back." She began walking again.

"You can call her when we get back to the lab." Quin said stepping onto the bridge. Shan smiled and they walked on. Shan was lost in thought when they reached the lab. She had been thinking about the fight with Aqua and what had happened. It wasn’t that she was afraid, it was that she was begging to realize what Steel was talking about, and that worried her.

"So did you get the badge." Mark said coming out of the lab. Quin smiled and took out her badge.

"Tada," she said. Mark laughed.

"Good job," Quin put it away and then looked at him.

"What are you doing hear? I mean Aunt Daisy never let you come over hear before." Mark smiled.

"It was Mom’s Idea," he said and looked at Shan. "Hey how did you do?" Shan took out her badge and showed it to him, but with less enthusiasm as Quin. "Hey good job."

"Thanks Mark," she said. Mark suddenly began to laugh. "What?" She asked looking around.

"How in the world did you get wet? Did you fall into the pool or something?" Shan blushed and walked past him into the lab and up to change.

"Mark!" Quin shouted as Shan came back out. She was wearing a pair of shorts and a blue top.

"What?!" Mark said in a laughing voice. Shan wondered what was going , that is until she saw Marks Ekans curled around Quin's leg.

"Get it off! You know I don’t like snakes!" The Ekans looked up at Quin with sad eyes. Shan laughed causing them all to look over at her.

"Ahh," she said smiling. "I think that the Ekans likes you Quin." Quin looked down at the snake and jumped back.

"I don’t care it’s creepy." She said. The Ekans looked at Mark and then curled up and hid its head. Mark frowned.

"Way to go cuz you hurt Vipers feelings." Mark walked over and recalled his pokemon. Shan sat down on a near by bench and waited for there fight to start.

"So," Quin shouted. "I told you over a hundred times that I do not like snakes and what do you do? You realize Viper," She threw her hands up. "YOU KNOW HE LIKES ME!" Mark stifled a laugh. Shan tried to ignore them and released Charmeleon.

"Char," she said and hoped into her lap. Shan was happy that she wasn’t mad at her for letting her out earlier. Shan pet her head and smiled.

"Hey girl," she said smiling. Off to the side she could hear Quin still yelling at Mark. "How about you and I go inside and leave these two to argue." Charmeleon looked up at Shan and then over to the two feuding cousins.

"Char," she said. Shan stood up and they both walked into the lab. Inside she was surprised to see five people about her age. Ash was standing infront of them, she walked up to see what was going on.

"First of all I would like to congratulate you for passing the pokemon test," the people around him all let out a sigh of relief. It had been a while since she had taken her test and she could remember how relieved she was when it was over. "Rachel," Ash said looking at a paper. "You scored the highest so you can pick first." A freckle faced red hair girl stepped forward. Charmeleon sat down and leaned against Shan's leg.

"Prof. Katchem do you have a Staryu?" She asked. Ash nodded and tossed her the ball and handed her pokedex and pokeballs.

"Oh thank you," she said and walked past Shan with a grin across her face. Shan picked Charmeleon up and sat down on a chair. Three more trainers picked their pokemon leaving only one left. Shan yawned and looked out the window, outside Mark was running like a maniac from Quin.

"What?!" A boy her age said throwing his hands up. Charmeleon jumped awake. Shan looked over to were Ash was trying to calm down a guy with green hair.

"I’m sorry I really thought we had more pokemon." Ash said. The guy ran his hand threw his hair and looked down at his feet.

"But," he began to say but stopped. "Thanks anyway Professor." Shan watched as the guy took the pokedex and pokeballs any way. She felt bad for him, it must have been terrible. Shan smiled and stood up.

"Hey," she said walking up to the guy.

"Hi," he said looking at her. "Um, do I know you?" he asked. Shan shook her head. Charmeleon hugged Shan around the leg, Shan gasped as Charmeleon accidentally scratched her.

"I couldn’t help over hearing what happened." She said. The guy smiled.

"Yea well I can catch a wild pokemon and it can be my starter." Shan could see that he was putting on a tuff guy act, she didn’t understand why.

"Well if you want I can help you catch one." The guy looked at her.

"Thanks but," he trailed off. Shan frowned.

"Hey come on," She said looking at him. "I know how hard it is to start off. Why not let me help you out." The guy looked down at his feet.

"No really I don’t need help," He said smiling. Ash walked up to them.

"Lester you should let her help you out. Shan is a very good trainer she has already won a real badge." Shan smiled.

"Well actually Ash," she said blushing a bit. Ash’s eyes widened.

"You got the water badge?" Shan nodded. Ash clapped his hands together. "Great job." Lester looked at her and sighed.

"It’s not that I’m not grateful it’s just that I want to catch my own pokemon. It’s going to be hard now that I don’t have a starter." Ash turned and walked away. Shan thought for a moment.

"I think I can help you there," she said and took out Nidoran's pokeball. "I just caught this pokemon," she looked at the ball. "But I think that he would be a perfect starter for you." She sighed. "The only thing is that he has to choose. If he chooses to go with you then you can have him. If he chooses to stay with me then you have to let me catch you a pokemon." Lester smiled.

"Wow," he said and hugged her. Shan, a bit surprised, jumped back. "Thanks, by the way what’s your name." Shan looked at him and smiled.

"Shan," she held Nidoran's pokeball up. "Ok let’s see if he will go with you. GO Nidoran." In a flash of red light the small pokemon formed.

"Nid," he said and sat down. Charmeleon sat down and leaned up against Shan's leg.

"Nidoran," Shan said. Nidoran looked up at her and cocked it’s head. "Would you like to help this guy out?" Nidoran looked up a Lester and then back at Shan.

"What I mean is," Shan said sighing. "I think that he would be a good trainer for you, but I want you to choose."

"Doran," Nidoran said and scratched it’s ear. Lester looked down at the small pokemon and smiled.

"Hi," he said. Nidoran looked at Lester and stood up. He walked over and sniffed his shoe. Shan smiled.

"Nid," he said and began to rub up against Lester's leg. Shan smiled.

"I think he likes you." Shan said smiling, she handed him the pokeball and pet Nidoran behind his ear.

"You be good for Lester." She said Lester made a face.

"Call me Les," he said picking up his new pokemon. "I think I’ll call you Uno." Uno barked and Les set him down. Shan smiled and watched as Les left with Uno, after he was gone she began to feel sad.

"Goodbye Nidoran," she said waving. "I know you’ll be happy with him." Charmeleon poked Shan’s foot. She looked down and picked her up.

"Char," Charmeleon said sadly.

"Don’t worry girl," she said hugging her tight. "We’ll see him again oneday, besides I’m sure that Les will be a good trainer for him."

"That was a nice thing to do," Gary said from behind her. Shan turned and looked at him.

"I. ." she sighed. She wanted to tell him that it was nothing but in fact it took her a lot to give away Nidoran. "I just thought that Nidoran would be happy with him." Gary smiled.

"I know it’s hard." Gary said setting down at a desk. Shan picked up Charmeleon and walked over to were he was setting.

"Yes," she said. "It was, but I know that Nidoran will be happy with him. He choose to go with Les." Gary smiled.

"Well I’m sure you will see him again one day." Gary looked at his watch and then stood up. "I have to go and check up on the Slowbro," he laughed a bit. "Want to come?" Shan put her hand oh her head and laughed.

"No, that’s ok." She said laughing. Charmeleon squirmed in her arms. "I think I will go and see if Mark and Quin have stopped fighting." Gary laughed.

"Those two always fight. How do you put up with it?" Shan shrugged, Charmeleon mimicked her moves.

"I just let them go at it until it passes." Gary walked away.

"Melon," Charmeleon said and hugged her around her neck. Shan walked outside. Mark and Quin were siting talking about something. They were laughing and acting like friends again.

"Looks like the fire stopped," Shan said walking up to them.

"Char," Charmeleon said. Quin and Mark looked up.

"What?" they said in unison.

"Never mind. Hey Mark were have you been?" Mark smiled.

"Well my mother and Aunt Lilly decided that they were going to go shopping with my younger cousin Lucy." He said sighing. "My dad and Uncle decided to bail out and I got stuck going with them to help them carry their things." Shan laughed.

"Well I needed a new outfit," a voice said from behind them. Shan turned and saw a small girl with big violet eyes and pink hair standing behind her.

"Lucy," Quin said harshly. "You know better than to sneak up on people." Lucy frowned out at Quin.

"Hey who are you?" She asked looking at Shan. Shan smiled.

"My name’s Shan." Lucy looked at Charmeleon and then back to her sister.

"Mom is looking for you Quin," she said crossing her arms infront of her. "And she said that you better have a good explanation for going to the Water gym." She put her hands on her hips. "You know you weren’t suppose to go there."

Quin turned red and angrily stood up. "Lucy you have a big mouth for a kid." Quin ran into the lab.

"So Mark," Shan said setting down. "When do you want to leave for the next gym?" Mark sighed and looked away.

"He has to go to school," Lucy said setting next to her cousin. Mark smiled and sat up.

"That’s my little cuz," he pushed down the cap that was on her head. "Always full of information." Lucy laughed and pulled her cap back up.

"School?" Shan said puzzled. "But it’s summer. Were in the world are you going to go?" Mark looked at her and leaned back.

"It’s called the Northern Lake Pokemon Academy." He said. It sounded as if he had rehearsed it. Shan smiled.

"Sounds nice," she said. "What kind of school is it?"

"It’s a school for trainers. My dad arranged it, I’m not sure if I want to go." He looked at Lucy. "Besides, it’s not for the summer. Pinkie hear got it wrong." Lucy jumped to her feet and shook her fist at Mark.

"Don’t call me Pinkie." She said angrily and walked off.

"I have to go there to take entrance exams. It’s a school for studying pokemon and it is said to be the best place to go if you want to be a pokemon scientist." Shan sighed.

"Sounds great," she said. Mark looked at her.

"Quin told me about what happened with Aqua." Shan looked at him and then back down at her feet. "Are you ok?" He asked. Shan turned her head.

"I’m fine," she said coldly. Mark ran his hand through his hair and looked forward.

"Um," he said. Shan looked over at him and smiled.

"I’m sorry Mark," she said. "It’s just that I won and that jerk wasn’t even going to give me the badge. That is until Slick showed up."

"Quin told me about him to," he said.

"Well I know one thing," she said standing. "Slick is not going to leave me alone, and that worries me." She looked at Mark.

"What do you mean?" He asked, he knew that it took alot to worry her.

"Aqua was scared of Slick Mark. I mean when I fought him he was fearless," Charmeleon jumped up on the bench and sat next to Mark. "When Slick told him to give me the badge his looked terrified." Mark stood up.

"Well maybe we won’t run into him." He said, they began to walk back to the lab.

"No," she said. "I know we will." They walked into the lab. Around them scientist were rushing about caring for pokemon.

"Marky," a high pitched voice said. Shan looked over her shoulder and saw a woman plow into Mark. "There you are Marky," she said. "You had me worried. Oh who is this? Is she your little girlfriend." Shan and Mark blushed. The woman grabbed Shan’s hand and Shook it. Charmeleon growled at her.

"Oh hi I am Marky's mom Daisy. You are so cute and let me just say that my son is the perfect boy." Mark, still blushing, stepped forward.

"Mom," he said nervously. "You’re embarrassing me. Shan is not my Girlfriend she is my friend." Daisy laughed.

"Oh," she giggled. "You must forgive me. My Marky is so popular with the girls’ and. . "

"MOM," Mark said annoyed.

"What?" She said tossing her blue hair. "I am just so proud of you for getting into the Northern Lake Pokemon Academy." She wiped her eyes. "He is just so wonderful." Shan smiled politely and tried to edge away. Daisy walked infront of her and smiled.

"So how do you like my little Marky?" Shan blushed.

"Daisy," a male voice said from behind them. "Why don’t you give it a rest?" He said.

"Hi," he said looking at Shan. "My name is Markus." He looked at Mark. "J.R I hope you are ready for the entrance exams." Mark stood at attention. Shan was surprised, usually Mark slouched a bit.

"Yes sir," he said.

"Well good," Markus folded his arms behind him. "You know son," he said sternly. "I went to that school and so did my father. You are expected to carry on this proud tradition." Shan sighed.

"Talk about pressure," she said under her breath.

"What?" Markus said looking at her. Shan smiled.

"I said to walk is a treasure." Markus looked at her with an odd expression. Shan sighed and looked down at Charmeleon.

"Char," Charmeleon said.

Shan left Mark to talk with his parents. She was setting in the break room when Lucy bounded in.

"Hi," she said setting down across from her. "Guess what?" Shan smiled. Charmeleon was curled up on her lap.

"What?" She said. Lucy took of her cap and smiled.

"Quin is grounded," she said smiling. "She has to clean the whole house because she went to the gym and wasn’t suppose to." Quin ran into the room.

"You little," she said shaking her finger at Lucy. "I can’t believe you told on me. You can forget about me taking you to camp." Lucy smiled.

"You have to you promised and besides mom is making you." She looked at Shan. "I am also going to be traveling with you for a while." Shan looked at Quin.

"Hey Lucy," Shan said looking at the pink harried girl.

"Yes," she said smiling.

"Could you go and see if Mark is done talking to his mom?" Lucy jumped up and left. Shan looked at Quin.

"She can’t Quin," Shan said. "I mean it is to dangerous." Quin sighed.

"I know but it won’t be for long. It’s only a day’s walk to the camp," Quin looked at Shan. "She won’t be any trouble."

"Well ok," she said sighing. "But we have to be careful I mean if the rockets were to find her and us we could be in for trouble."

"Hey don’t worry I’ll take care of her." Lucy came back into the room wearing a small yellow backpack. Around her neck a pokeball dangled from a silver chain.

"I’m all ready," she said. "And so is Bosola," she lifted the pokeball up.

"Well actually Lucy," Shan said stretching. "It’s a bit late to leave now," Lucy frowned. "But we’ll leave tomorrow morning." Lucy looked sadly down at her pokeball.

"Ook," she said and sat down.

"Hey cheer up kido," Mark said coming in the room. "We’ll get you to the camp on time. Hey who’s up for some dinner," he said smiling. "My treat."

"Then the answer is yes," Quin said. Shan could see that Mark was bothered by something.

"Thanks Mark," Shan said. "But you shouldn’t waste you money on us. How about we just get some burgers and grill them down on the beach." Mark clapped his hands together.

"Oh come on," he said. "I want to congratulate you two on winning the Cascade badges." Shan smiled.

"Ok," she said smiling. She nudged Charmeleon who woke up.

"Charmeleon," she said.

"He girl are you hungry?" Charmeleon rubbed her stomach and nodded.

"Cool," Mark said. "Let’s go."

That evening they ate a pizza parlor that was located in the city. Lucy, who was to excite to eat, just pushed her food around her plate.

"Lucy eat it don’t play with it." Quin said sternly. "Ok," Quin said wiping her hands. "It will take us a day to get to the camp," she pointed at the map on her pokedex. "If we go this way we should get there."

"After we drop Pinkie off we can take this rout to the academy. The good thing is that it goes past the wild gym. We can stop by there for a match and to get our pokemon healed."

"Well sounds good to me." Shan said and looked at Charmeleon who had begun to eat Shan’s pizza. "Hey," she said angrily. "You can’t eat that girl it’s not good for you." Charmeleon looked at her with the pizza hanging out of her mouth. She looked at the pizza and then finished it off. Shan rolled her eyes. "Don’t come wining to me when you get a stomach ache."

"Char," Charmeleon said and snuggled up close to Shan.

"Well we better get going," Shan looked at Quin. "I mean if you want to get going early tomorrow you should get to cleaning your house." Quin shot a glance at Lucy.

"I wonder how you knew that?" Lucy smiled and swung her legs back and forth in her chair. They all laughed. After dinner they went back to the lab were Shan met Violet, yet another aunt. Violet had twin babies that seemed to cry most of the night. Shan went to bed early that night. Charmeleon and the others were surrounding her on the bed. She closed her eyes and thought about the size of Mark and Quin's family. It was so large.

"I wonder if I have a family out there?" She said petting Rattata. He raised his head and set it back down. Shan smiled and drifted off to sleep.