Dark City Part 1: Battle filled Reunion.

Shan bolted awake and gasped for air. Realizing that she was not dead she looked around. At the foot of the bed Charmeleon and Rattata were fast asleep and laying next to each other. Raising her hand to her head she felt a loose badge. What had happen to her? Her memory was fuzzy.

"Where am I?" Shan asked aloud. She knew that it wasn’t with the rockets. The room was a quaint bedroom much like the one she had slept in when she was in Pewter. The widows were open, allowing a fresh breeze to flow into the room. A chair in the corner of the room held her backpack and pokebelt. Shan pushed off the blanket and slowly stood up. Walking over to the window she pushed aside the lace drapes and looked outside. At first she gasped upon realizing she was on the second floor, but determined to find out were she was she forced herself to look.

"Wow," Shan said as she looked out. The town was busy with people running back and forth from shop to shop either shopping or picking up supplies. The heavy smell of baked goods made Shan feel hungry. As if on cue Charmeleon awoke thanks to the sweet smell of the town.

"Char," She said and leapt into her masters arms. Shan pet her and then set her down as the door to the room opened and a small elderly woman walked in.

"Oh," The woman said. "Yer finally awake then." Shan didn’t know what to say or if she could trust the old woman. The woman, seeing that Shan was unsure smiled and walked toward her. "My name is Masey," She said. "Ya already know my brother the Captain. He told me about what happen to ya and I’ve been lookin after ya since ya got hear." Shan smiled.

"Thank you." She said. Masey laughed. "Ya were out for two days lass. Truthfully I thought ya weren’t goin to wake up for a week. Ya took a bad hit from the waves." Charmeleon growled a bit at Masey who smiled and pet her on the head.

"Char," Charmeleon said calmly. Shan was surprised that Charmeleon allowed Masey to pet her.

"Wow," Shan said. "Usually Charmeleon isn’t so friendly to strangers." Shan said.

"Well we just have an understanding lass," Masey said. "She knows that ya needed ma help, and so there for she wasn’t gona ta attack. And that critter," Masey said pointing to Rattata. "I couldn’t get near ya with out him makin a fuss. Yer other critters weren’t as hostile so I let them out in the yard ta play." She said. Shan sat down on the bed and scratched Rattata behind his ear.

"He’s just a bit overprotective I guess." Shan said. A brief wave of exhaustion ran though Shan causing her to close her eyes and step back. Masey sighed.

"Yer still too week," She said. "Aren’t ya lass?" Shan sat back down on the bed and put her hands on her head. Masey was right, she was still week from her ordeal from the rockets and she was hurting all over. Her body felt like it had been hit with a two-ton truck.

"I’m fine," Shan said. "I have to head out so I can find my friends." Looking up at Masey Shan could see her concern.

"I can’t let ya go Lassie, not while yer still so week. Ya were hit pretty hard by a wave and taken down into the water. Cap almost went all the way to the bottom ta save ya. "She set Shan’s bag on the floor and moved the chair closer.

"Is the Captain ok?" Shan asked.

"Ya don’t worry none about my brother. He went down ta the docks ta report about the SS Ann."

Shan looked down, her mind was filled with conflict. How could she put these kind people at risk. The rockets weren’t giving up and she knew that if she stayed there was a chance that they would harm the Captain and Masey. She felt Dizzy and laid back on the bed. "Ya get some rest Lassie." Masey said. "You’ll feel better after ya sleep some." Masey left. Charmeleon and Rattata curled up next to Shan. She pet them both on the head as her eyes grew heavy. Her thoughts were now on her fiends and if they were ok. She drifted off into a contented sleep.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

They had set off towards Dark City in the hopes that they would run into Shan there. Mark walked slowly behind Alex and Quin sulking in his own way. He wasn’t sure why Shan had left. He had been blaming himself and that only seemed to make things worse. Nurse Joy had told them that she Didn’t know who Shan was, which was odd, because she had seen Shan during the whole day that they were there. Mark angrily kicked a rock and watched as it bounced down the old dirt road. Quin turned to look at her Cousin.

"Hey are you going to lag behind all day?" She asked. She brushed a strand of blond hair from her face and watched as Mark walked past her angrily. She put her hand on her hips and frowned. "What’s your deal?" She asked.

"Nothing." Mark said harshly. Quin glared at him.

"Markus Stream Jr. don’t you talk to me that way." She said. "I was just trying to find out what's up with that bad attitude of yours." Alex, now noticing that he was a good few feet ahead of them turned and watched them fight.

"Hey what’s the hold up." He said walking towards them. Alex crossed his arms in front of him. A few leaves fell to the ground as they all stood staring at each other.

"Look," Mark said. "I am just trying to think about a few things, that’s all. Why do I have to share my feelings. I’m not a bleeding heart, I just want to be left alone for a while." Quin sighed.

"You think your so tuff sometimes." She said. "You think you’re the only one who’s angry. I thought that Shan and I were friends to and she left." Quin said calmly. "You’re not the only one that’s angry or worried. I don’t know why I’m worried though," she said looking at Mark. "She’s like super girl or something."

"You two actually think that Shan would just up and leave?" Alex said calmly. "I doubt that." Mark looked at him.

"You haven’t known her as long as us so just stay out of it." Mark said. Alex sighed.

"Well tell me this in all the time you’ve known her has she done anything like this or talked about it." Alex asked. Mark and Quin shook their heads.

"No," Quin said. "But we’ve only known her for a short time to. Alex rested his hands on his hips in an all-knowing fashion. Mark hated it when he did that, it was like he was trying to act soupier.

"Well," Alex said. "I don’t think that Shan is the type to run away. You know how strong she is. Maybe she thought that she needed more training or something. What ever the reason we won’t know until we find her." The two cousins looked down. Mark clenched his fists at his side.

"What if Tachi got her?" Mark said in a worried voice. Quin fell silent.

"Who?" Alex asked. Quin looked at him and then frowned.

"He’s some top guy at team rocket. Mark and I only saw him once but from what Shan’s told me he’s tuff." Quin said. Mark looked at her.

"Shan never talked to me about him." He said.

"Since when do we girls need to include you boys in our girl talks." She said mockingly. "Shan and I talk a lot when you two aren’t around."

"Has she talked about me?" Mark and Alex asked at the same time. Quin rolled her eyes. Mark and Alex each shot a frown at each other and then blushed.

"Ha ha," Mark laughed. "Got ya," he said. "You don’t think I care about what you girls talk about do you. I mean come on."

"Yea it’s not like we need to know or anything." Alex said. Quin smiled.

"Hey what if that guy Slick showed up?" She said. "He was bad news too." She said.

"Ahh," Mark groaned loudly. "Let’s just get to Dark city. We can try to figure this out over a burger or a pizza." Quin made a face.

"No way let’s go to a nice place to eat. All you two ever eat is burgers." They began to argue again as they continued down the road.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

When Shan woke up from her nap the cold chill of night greeted her. The bedroom looked eerie as Charmeleon’s tale caused shadows to dance across the room. Shan put her hand on her head, it still hurt her but thankfully the pain and subdued some. She got up and headed to the door leaving her pokemon to sleep. She looked at them and smiled. Rattata was laying next to Charmeleon who sat propped up against the bed. Between them a rambunctious Kitsune twitched in his sleep, Shan thought that he might have been dreaming of battling. Eevee and Butterfree slept at the foot of the bed and Puwar was laying as close as she could get to Kitsune. Puwar had been acting odd around the tinny Vulpix cub, it was almost as if she thought he was her own.

"Good night my brave ones." Shan said. As she turned to leave she stopped. Where had that come from. It seemed familiar as if she had heard it said to her before. She smiled at the sappy sentiment of the thing she had said. She walked down stairs were she saw Masey sowing in a rocker in the corner. Shan shivered, the long nightgown was made of wool but it was still very chilly in the house.

"Good evenin Lass." Masey said smiling. "Are ya feelin better?" Shan nodded but then wobbled a bit.

"Getting there." Shan said. "Can you tell me were my cloths are?" She asked. Masey smiled.

"There out on the line lassie. The seawater ain’t good for cloths or pokedex's."

"Oh no," Shan said worried. "If that thing is lost or broke I can’t replace it. I mean I could buy another one but there expensive and I saw some rare pokemon with that one." Shan said. The thought that she might have lost all of her data and the map of Lavender town made her upset.

"Well Lassie it was ok. Cap took a look at it and it is workin fine." Shan let out a sigh of relief.

"You must be hungry," Masey said. Shan shook her head.

"No I’m fine." She said her stomach rubbed loudly betraying her. Shan blushed red as Masey laughed.

"Come with me Lassie." Shan followed Masey into a small kitchen where some baked bread, fresh fruit and a casserole were waiting. Shan, usually polite, began to eat quickly. When she realized that she had lost her composure she blushed and looked at Masey with her mouth fool. Shan swallowed and put her hand behind her head.

"Excuse my manors Mam." She said. Masey laughed.

"Don’t ya worry none Lassie." Masey said. "Ya just go on and eat all ya want. I can wip up more anytime." Shan smiled and then looked down sadly. "What’s the mater lass?" She asked.

"I should leave." She said. "If I stay I might put you in danger." Shan stood up and then let out a cry as she fell back down into the chair. Her whole body ached, she had never been injured like this before. Masey stood up and walked towards her, Shan lifted her hand and shook her head. "If I stay," She said breathing heavily. "Team Rocket might hurt you." She paused and looked at Masey. "I can’t let them do that. What kind of guest would I be if I allowed that to happen." Masey smiled calmly at Shan.

"Ya don’t need ta worry about me Lass," she said. "I kin fight them urchins off with me frinpan." Shan laughed a bit. "My brother may be a good swordsman but I am the worlds best fighter when it comes ta cooking utensils." Soon Shan was laughing uncontrollably. Masey son joined in, after a while the small house was filled with Shan's laughter. Something that Shan had not heard for a very long time.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"One, Two, Three," Quin counted as they walked along. Mark stopped and looked at her.

"What are you doing?" He asked.

"Four, Five. I’m Counting stars." She said. Mark slapped his hand to his forehead. Alex stopped walking and looked over his shoulder. He wasn’t a very patient guy and the two cousins were beginning to bother him.

"Why," Mark said. "In the wold would you do that?" Quin sighed.

"I’m board," She said. "Are we close to Dark City?" Alex sighed.

"We’d get there sooner if you two would just keep walking." He said without turning. Quin sighed.

"Well I was just wondering." She said and looked around. "Hey, do you think that there could be any pokemon around hear?" She said. "I need one more to make my sixth." She said. "I really want a strong water pokemon like a Cloyster or a Slowpoke." She said as they walked. "Oh and another Staryu would be good because then I could evolve it. Oh and I would just love a Vaporeon," She smiled and brought her hands to her face. "Or a Tentacrule or maybe a Lapras." She lowered her hands. "Oh well maybe I could catch a. . "

"Would you stop." Mark said angrily. "We will find you another water pokemon if you just be quiet." Quin smiled to herself, she knew how to bother Mark, it was a simple skill that came with many hours of practice.

"Hey look." Alex said as they walked towards a clearing. "We made it." He said. Mark put his hands on his hips and smiled.

"Alright let’s get some food." He said. Just then something rustled in the bushes behind them. They all turned to see what it was.

"Hey," Quin said. "That might be a pokeomon." The bushes rustled some more and a small pokemon walked out. Quin took out her pokedex and pointed it at it.

"MANKEY: EXTREMELY QUICK TO ANGER. IT COULD BE DOCILE ONE MOMENT THEN THRASHING AWAY THE NEXT INSTANT." Quin shut her dex and frowned.

"It’s not a water type." She said in a disapointed voice. Mark and Alex both took out a pokeball in unison.

"I’ll catch it," they both said. Alex and Mark glared at each other and then at the Mankey.

"Go Doduo!" Alex Shouted.

"Go Glitter!" Mark shouted. The Two birds formed infront of them. "Gust that Mankey Glitter." Mark shouted. Glitter began to flap her wings at high speeds causing a small whirlwind to form and head towards the Mankey. The Makey looked at it and stepped to the side and began to laugh. Glitter screeched at it angrily for mocking her.

"Let a real pokemon trainer show you how to do it. Doduo drill peck." Alex shouted. The two-headed bird leapt at the Mankey one of the heads tried to attack while the other tried the same. The Mankey dodged each attack and soon the Doduo was entangled. Behind him Alex could hear Mark laughing.

"Oh wow," mark said. "How can I be that great, ohhh pleases tell me oh pokemon expert." He said sarcastically. "Watch this."

"Glitter use wing attack." Glitter flew to the Doduo and began hit it with her wings. The Mankey though a punch at her and knocked her to the ground. It jumped up and down angrily.

"MANKEY, MANKEY." It shouted. Mark recalled his Phidgy.

"Watch this," Alex said. "Doduo," he stopped when he remembered that his Duduo was tangled up. "Never mind return." The Mankey laughed and began to jump around. Mark and Alex both looked at eachother.

"I want it," Alex said. "I do great with ground and poison. Fighting isn’t so different." Mark laughed.

"Well I should have it because I like training normal pokemon. That thing looks like a normal typed to me." They were both glaring at each other when they heard Quin giggling.

"Aww," she said petting the Mankey who was now eating a cookie that she had given it. "You’re so cute." She said. Mark and Alex grabbed a pokeball and hurled it at the Mankey. It jumped out of the way and both of the pokeballs smacked Quin in the face. Quin fell over and then jumped to her feet.

"What is the big IDEA?!" She shouted. The tow looked at eachother and then at Quin.. The Mankey picked up one of the two pokeballs and began to toss it into the air.

"Sorry Quin," Alex said backing up. Mark smiled and did the same.

"We weren’t aiming for you." Quin walked towards them with a sore red face and frowned.

"I’m going to. ." A dining noise cut her off. They all looked over to were the Mankey had been standing. It had caught it’s self. Alex picked up the ball.

"Alright," he said. Mark laughed.

"That’s my ball." He said. Quin grabbed the pokeball.

"It’s neither of yours." She said. "It’s mine I was looking at my brand new ultra ball when I was hit with two pokeballs thrown by two creeps." She said.

"But how can you tell?" Mark asked. Quin snapped the ball to her belt.

"Easy," She said. "It didn’t disappear." She said. Alex sighed.

"That’s right trainers can only keep six pokemon at a time the rest are sent to the lab or place were you got your pokedex." Quin smiled.

"I might trade it for Kurrin." She said. Mark laughed.

"No way," he said. Quin smiled.

"Well then I am going to call him,"

"Her," Alex said correcting Quin.

"Well then I am going to call HER Rival." Quin said. "Let’s go into town and you two can pay for dinner since you own me." She walked on ahead.

"Oh well," Alex said smiling. "How much can she eat?" Mark looked at Alex with a somber expression.

"You are going to be surprised." He said. They walked after her.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Ya sure about this Lassie," Masey said as Shan stepped out onto the porch. Shan smiled.

"I need to get my pokemon to the pokecenter to make sure they’re ok. Don’t worry about me ok." Masey smiled.

"Lass I don’t worry," She said. "Ya come back hear and ya kin stay the night." She said. Shan smiled and walked off followed by Charmeleon.

"She’s nice," Shan said as they walked.

"Meleon." Charmeleon said. Shan put her hand on her chin and then laughed.

"Hungry," She said. "Well am I right?" Charmelon nodded. Shan laughed again. "So what else is new." Charmeleon grumbled and they walked on.

When they got to town Shan was surprised at the old buildings. She saw a sign and they walked over to read it.

"Dark City," Shan said aloud. "Looks more like a town to me. What do you think Charmeleon." Shan said looking at Charmeleon. She smiled when she saw her laying at her feet.

"Oh my poor girl." Shan said. "Don’t worry we’ll get you fixed up in no time." Shan headed for the pokecenter. As she walked she admired the beautiful surroundings and began to get homesick for hidden. When she finally arrived at the pokecenter she went in and handed her pokemon to Joy. After a confusing introduction Shan walked to the videophones.

At first she just sat there staring at the receiver. "I know I have to call him but man do I hate doing it." She dialed Geovon labs and was surprised when Jinxins picked up the phone.

"Hello Geovon labs. . .Oh it’s you." He said with a smirk. "You still haven’t caught any new pokemon young lady." He said. Shan sighed.

"I know," she said. "I ran into some trouble and I. . ." Jinxins laughed.

"I knew you would give up." He said. Shan could fell her face go hot with anger. "Don’t worry I’m sure your good at something." Shan took a breath and glared at him.

"I am not giving up. I’ve had problems with team rocket." She said calmly. Jinksis looked at her and took on a serious look.

"Deal with it." He said. Shan’s eyes grew wide.

"What?" Shan asked unsure of what had just transpired.

"You heard me. I am sick and tired of people complaining about team rocket. They aren’t even an organized group of thieves. They pull random crime after random crime and they are nothing more than a bunch of misfits." Shan bit her lower lip to hold back from shouting.

"Your wrong." She said. "They are organized." Jinxins crossed his arms in front of him and frowned.

"I do not want any excuses," he said. "And I do not want any more complaints. You will just have to do what you can to make sure that your pokemon are safer. The trainer is to protect his or her pokemon at all times." Shan looked down.

"You don’t get it." She said. "They aren’t after my pokemon."

"Then what is the problem." Shan looked at him.

"Nothing," she said. She wanted help but not from him. "I’m sorry for bothering you good bye." She shut the screen off just as Jinxins was about to speak. She sat there staring at the black screen in front of her. IT was funny, she had been so excited to start this journey and had studied so hard to make sure she was prepared. Why was it that dangers like team rocket was avoided in her pokemon study group. She stood up and turned to the counter. Joy looked at her and smiled, something that Shan was getting used to.

"Your pokemon are still being worked on. Since this is such a small town I only have one Chancey and one nurse on duty." Shan returned Joy’s smile.

"That’s ok no rush." Shan said. The radio that Nurse Joy had on began to broadcast news about a two local street gangs. Joy sighed as she read though her charts.

"I guess I will have quiet a few patients tomorrow." She said setting the chart down.

"What do you mean?" Shan asked. Joy turned off the radio and then turned back to Shan.

"There are two gangs that live in this town," she said sadly. "The worst thing is that they are all students of two schools hear. One school is rival to the other."

"Do the teachers know about this?" Joy nodded.

"Yes and they encourage it. It’s dangerous for any student to be walking alone at night. Depending what school their form they could get hurt badly." Shan frowned.

"That’s terrible."

"It gets much worse," Joy said leaning on the counter. "Not only to the students hurt people they use pokemon to do it and the pokemon get injured to. I have done all I could to stop this but I have to stay neutral. I’m not liked by many of the students." Joy looked up at Shan and then smiled. "But I still do my job and love it."

"Why are they such rivals?" Shan asked.

"I don’t know. You should be careful when you walk around tonight though. I heard that some of the students have been seen around this area. You might want to hide your pokebelt."

"Maybe I should." Shan said. "I wouldn’t want to get in any fights." Shan went back to the waiting room and sat down. Joy had turned the radio back on and Shan relaxed as she listed to it,

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"This place is small." Quin said as they entered Dark City. "I was expecting something a bit more, well. It’s small isn’t it?" Mark sighed and nodded.

"Yea it sure is. I’ve never been in a small town before. I thought that this place was a city."

"Well lets find the pokecenter," Alex said. "We should probably stay the night there and head to the gym in the morning."

"Who made you leader?" Mark demanded. Alex rolled his eyes.

"Give it a rest will ya? I am to tiered to deal with you." Alex said. Quin laughed and released her Staryu.

"Hect," It said as it jumped form the beam.

"Staryu," Quin said holding out her arms. Her Staryu jumped into her arms and she hugged it tight. "It’s been a long time since I’ve had you out." The Staryu’s gym flashed in agreement.

"Oh man Quin will you stop playing with that thing?" Mark asked as they walked.

"Never." She said. Alex looked at her Staryu and then at Quin.

"Was he your first pokemon?" Quin laughed.

"Yes, I’ve had him since I was seven." Alex looked puzzled.

"Really I thought that that was against the law." Quin shook her head.

"Not if you keep them at a lab." Mark laughed to himself and they continued on. Quin was admiring the buildings when Mark spotted a group of people heading towards them.

"Hey maybe they can tell us where the pokemon center is." Alex looked at the group and then frowned.

"I don’t think that we should. I’m getting a very negative feeling from them." Alex said.

"Well then maybe we shouldn’t." Mark said. Alex and Mark turned and began to walk away when Quin spotted the group.

"Hey there!" Quin shouted. "Can you tell us where the pokemon center is?!" Alex and Mark both looked at Quin and sighed.

"Next time make sure we tell your cousin what were doing." Alex said. Mark sighed and nodded. The group walked up to them, all of them looked serious. Mark began to feel uneasy about this whole situation but stepped forward.

"Hey what’s up?" He said. A tall guy walked up to Mark.

"You Kass" He asked. Mark looked over his shoulder at Alex and Quin who shrugged.

"No," Mark said. "We’re just some out of towners." Mark said. Behind him Alex and Quin stood wondering who Kass was and what theses guys wanted with him. The guy in the white cap looked over at Quin and saw her Staryu. He smiled and then turned to his partners.

"They are pokemon trainers guys. Should we welcome them to Dark City." The others laughed and nodded. Mark looked at Quin.

"Put him away," he said. "I don’t think theses guys are too friendly." Quin recalled her Staryu and frowned. Mark looked at Alex who looked a little concerned.

"Hey Alex?" Mark asked. Alex looked at Mark and then back at the group of trainers.

"What?" He asked.

"You ok?" Alex nodded. The guy that had greeted turned back to them.

"You three should have skipped coming into this town." He said.

"And why’s that?" Quin asked angrily. He looked at her and smiled.

"Because if you had you wouldn’t be in this situation now." He snapped his fingers and the group surrounded them. "My name is Tres," he said. "I’m the leader of the Yass team."

"Hey," mark said angrily. "We don’t have a quarrel with you so back off." Tres looked at his group and they began to smile.

"So," he said. "We don’t care. We’re just out to have some fun." The group laughed. Tres took out a pokeball and threw it down. "GO Ocho," he shouted. A Fearow formed infront of Mark. Mark took a few steps back, running into Alex.

"So you want to battle?" Mark said. "Fine let’s do it then," Mark began to reach for a pokeball when the Fearow flew at him and knocked him to the ground. Mark rolled to the side as the Fearow tried to jab him with its long beak. Mark jumped to his feet. "Are you nut’s?" He asked grabbing Kurrins pokeball. "GO Kurrin." Marks Squirtle jumped form his ball and sat down infront of them.

"Squirtle," Kurrin said and drew his head into his shell. Mark gasped as the Fearow began to peck at Kurrins shell.

"That Squirtle is no mach for my Fearow. It won’t even fight back."

"Tackle!" Quin shouted. Her Staryu rammed into the Fearow knocking it to the side. Mark recalled Kurrin and looked at her.

"Thanks," he said. Quin gave him a peace sign and then looked at Tres.

"You guys are thugs," she said. Tres laughed.

"Look cutie, we don’t play around. Ocho," Tres shouted. Ocho flew into the air and landed on his shoulder. "Now let’s get serious. All of four of us against you three." He said.

"Fine by me." Alex said. He took out a pokeball. "Go Vegita." His Sandslash leapt form his beam and looked at Alex, waiting for his command.

"You creeps are going down." Mark said taking out another pokeball. "Go Viper!" Marks Ekans formed and curled around his feet. Tres smiled.

"Now for you to see our team. Alright guys." A girl jumped infront of Quin and laughed.

"Go Voltorb," she said. Quin gasped as the Electric ball growled at her Staryu. Mark glared at the guy infront of him as a Geodude thumped its fists onto the ground.

"And me and my bro will take you on." Tres said looking at Alex. "I’ll let him go first." Tres stepped aside as his brother walked forward. "Go on Hermy." Tres said. Hermy smiled and released a Gloom.

"Now we start!" The battle began. Quin, Mark, Alex were doing well at first but then the type disadvantage kicked in. With one hard jolt Quin's Staryu was beaten. Mark’s Ekans became tired after multiple attacks. Each attack seemed to be futile against the rock pokemon. Alex and Vegita were doing well but the gloom soon got the better of Vegita with Sleep powder.

"NO way." Mark said recalling Viper. Quin held her Staryu close and looked up at Mark.

"Now what?" She asked. Tres snapped his fingers again.

"Now it’s your turn to battle. You against our pokemon."

"What?" Alex said angrily. "NO way." Tres and his friends laughed as their pokemon began to walk towards them. Alex, Mark, and Quin began to back up slowly as each of the pokemon growled.

"Flamethrower," A loud vice said. A blast of flames were shot out at the oncoming pokemon causing them to run back to their masters. Mark and the others looked over at where the flame had come from.

"Shan!" They all said at once. Shan smiled and walked towards them.

"Hey guys," She said and walked past an angry Tres. "You’ll never believe what I’ve been though. Mark frowned.

"Where were you?" He demand. "Why did you leave?" He asked. Shan sighed and was about to answer when Tres interrupted.

"Hey who are you?" He asked. Shan stood with her back to him.

"I’m there friend and if you don’t mind we are talking so get lost." Shan said. Tres walked over to her and Shan turned around.

"Hey no one talks to me that was get ready for a battle. One on one." Shan smiled and made a gesture. Charmeleon came running and jumped infront of her.

"No problem," She said. "I need the money anyway." Tres released his Fearow again and they stared eachother down.

"Charmelon ember attack." Shan said. Charmeleon spun around and sent out three large rings of fire at the Fearow. IT dodged the first two but was hit with the second. IT let out a loud painful squeal and slunk back.

"Don’t be a coward get in there and attack." He said. Shan frowned.

"How do you expect it to understand a command like that. No wonder you suck at this. Charmeleon Growl." Shan said. Charmeleon growled at Ocho causing him to recoil again.

"Use your Furry Strike, use your peck, use something you stupid bird." Shan frowned and raised her hand. Charmeleon walked back to her.

"This battle is over." Shan said. "You aren’t even a challenge to me or my Charmeleon." Tres recalled his pokemon as did the others in his group. He glared at Shan.

"How dare you?" He said angrily. Shan smiled and looked at him.

"How dare I what?" She asked. "Beat a unskilled trainer? It’s easy when I know what I’m doing." Tres ran at Shan and tried to though a punch Shan moved out of the way and watched as Tres fell. She smiled to herself. Tres jumped to his feet and smiled at her.

"Let’s battle again," he said. "One on. ." A loud siren interrupted him. "Let’s get out of hear." Tres shouted and his group ran off. Tres turned and looked at Shan and her friends one last time. "This isn’t over." He said and ran off. The siren grew closer as A police bike pulled up to them.

"You four are under arrest for. ." The officer paused and took of her helmet. "Shan?" She said. Shan looked at her.

"Uh, which Jenny are you?" Shan asked. Jenny looked a little angry but then smiled.

"I’m from Hidden," She said. "Don’t tell me you’re apart of the local gang." She said. Shan shook her head. Behind her Mark and the others stood staring at them.

"Hey Shan," Mark said walking up to her.

"Man am I glad to see you guys’ I need to tell you that. ."

"Save it." Mark said angrily. Shan’s happy expression shifted into surprise.

"What?" Shan asked. Mark frowned at her.

"We didn’t need your help or want it. You ditched us," He said. Shan looked down at her feet.

"No. .I ." Mark raised his hand up.

"We don’t want to hear it." He said. "If you didn’t want to travel with us then you could have told us."

"Why did you go?" Quin asked walking up to them. Quin was a bit calmer than Mark. Shan closed her eyes and fought back her emotions.

"Well answer us?" Mark demanded. Shan looked up at them and narrowed her eyes.

"I don’t have to tell you anything." She said. "I left because I didn’t want to be around a bunch of wimps who will only slow me down!" Shan said and turned around and ran off. Charmelon followed her. Mark and Quin both looked at eachother.

"I can’t believe her." Mark said. Jenny slammed her helmet down on her bike and walked up to them. Mark looked at her.

"You three should be ashamed of yourselves." She said. Quin looked at her and put her hands behind her back.

"She’s the one who ditched us she even admitted it." Quin said.

"Shan would never do what you just said. I know that for a fact." Jenny said.

"I think Jenny’s right." Alex said. "When Shan told us why she left," he looked at Mark. "She was lying." Jenny sighed.

"She’s a good kid. She never turns on a friend or leaves them." Jenny said. Quin took on a sad look.

"We have to find her." She said. Jenny shook her head.

"No, just leave her alone for now." Jenny said and got back on her bike. Mark ran up to her.

"Wait," he said. "Can you tell us why she might say something like that." Jenny sighed and picked up her helmet.

"Well," Jenny said. "Shan’s never had friends her own age before," Jenny looked sad.

"So that’s what it is." Alex said. Quin looked at him.

"What are you talking about?" She asked. Alex sighed and looked towards the direction that Shan had run.

"Well it was when we were at the hotel a few nights ago. Shan was down in the lobby just looking out the window. She had the saddest look on her face," He said sadly. "It was like she was lost. I could feel that she was sad but not sad. It’s hard to explain." Mark looked at him and frowned.

"That’s stupid. We’re her friends." Mark said. Alex frowned at him.

"I’m just saying what I saw. Don’t yell at me." Jenny put her helmet on.

"I have to go. You kids go to the pokecenter it will be safer for you there. Don’t worry about Shan she’ll be fine." They watched Jenny speed off.

"How can Shan be sad or lost Alex? I mean she has us."

"Think about it Mark," Alex said almost yelling. "Maybe she is trying to find out who she is." Mark crossed his arms infront of his chest.

"But . .".

"Wait," Quin said calmly. "I think Alex is right. But I think that Shan might be sacred to."

"Scared?" Mark said. "She is the strongest trainer I have ever met what is she scared of?"

"I don’t know," Quin said. "But sometimes I can hear her talking in her sleep. While we were in the hotel she kept repeating Lavender town."

"Maybe her dreams are telling her where she should go?" Alex said. Mark laughed.

"Dreams are just pictures they aren’t relevant." Mark said.

"What ever the reason," Alex said calmly. "Let’s find Shan and find out." Mark and Quin nodded and they all went to find her.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Shan was siting on Masey's porch when Officer Jenny found her. Jenny parked her bike and walked up to her. Masey came out onto the porch and smiled at Jenny. "How are ya Lassie?" Masey said as she set down a tray of tea on the small table that was on the porch.

"I’m fine Masey," Jenny said walking up to the porch. "I’m just hear to talk to my friend there." Shan looked away from them and out to a near by field. Masey sighed and gestured for Jenny to follow her. Jenny looked at Shan with a sad expression and then followed Masey into her cozy house.

"So ya know that Lass?" Masey asked. Jenny nodded after setting her cop of coffee down.

"Yes she’s from my hometown. She’s a good kid I’ve known her for a very long time." Jenny smiled. "Longer than she even knows."

"What do ya mean?" Masey said sting down.

"I was the one that found her." Jenny said with a slight smile. "I was working in Junga town at the time."

"Oh that’s near Saffron isn’t it?" Masey asked.

"Yes," Jenny sighed.

"I know that the lass has no parents," Masey said sadly. "And after what she’s been though she must feel lonely." Jenny set her coffee down and looked at Masey.

"What do you mean?" Jenny asked. Masey sighed and began to tell Jenny about what had happened to Shan.

"Those monsters," Jenny said almost to tears. "I’m taking her back home where she can be safe." Jenny said standing up. Masey put her hand on Jenny’s and shook her head.

"Ya can’t do that," she said. Jenny sighed and looked at Masey.

"I know," she said. "She is a determined girl. Nothing I can say will make her go home."

"Maybe ya can tell her somethin that can help her go on." Masey said. For a moment Jenny just stood there unsure, should she tell Shan that she was the one that found her or not. Jenny smiled and then left the house.

"Shan," Jenny said siting down next to her. Shan looked at her and then back out to the field. "Masey told me about what happen with the Captain." Shan turned to look at her.

"She doesn’t know how they caught me?" Shan said. Jenny looked out at the filed as well.

"You want to tell me?" Jenny asked. Shan shook her head.

"Not really," she said. "I just want to be left alone." Jenny stood up and walked to the edge of the porch.

"I was the one who found you," Jenny said. Shan looked at her.

"What?" Shan asked. Jenny brushed a blue strand of hair from her face and then turned to Shan.

"I was the one that found you. You were about three or four," She closed her eyes as if she was remembering something. "I can remember it like it was yesterday. I was a rookie working in Junga town and was out on patrol. I was driving down the road when I noticed something." She looked at Shan who was now just staring at Jenny. "I wasn’t sure what it was until I was right on it. When I saw that it was a little girl, I skidded to a stop and ran up to her. It was you."

Shan leaned back and then looked back up at Jenny. "You’re the one who found me? Did you find any information on my parents?" Shan asked already knowing the answer.

"No, I tried but I couldn’t. You were able to talk but you had no memory of what had happened to you." Jenny laughed a bit. "When I first got a look of those big brown eyes I couldn’t help but try to help you out. You were a sweet kid and when you got transferred to Hidden I went to. I felt like it was my job to look after you."

"Why are you telling me this now?" Shan asked.

"I want to give you as much help as I can. I thought by telling you all of this you might be able to find out more about yourself." Shan smiled at Jenny.

"Maybe," Shan said. "But I have a long way to go."

"And you’re not alone." Jenny said. "Your friends are. . ."

"No!" Shan said harshly. "I . .I . .can’t get them involved." Jenny sighed.

"What do you mean?" Jenny asked. Shan raised her had and pointed at the chair that Jenny had been siting in. Her eyes flashed blue as the Chair was hurled off of the porch. Jenny stared at the chair for a moment not knowing what to think.

"Ahh," Shan said and fell back into her own chair.

"Shan?" Jenny said running to her. "Are you ok?" Shan smiled a bit though deep breaths.

"Simple. . .tricks. .like that never did this . . .before." Shan said.

"What do you mean?! Tell me what just happened?" Jenny asked in a worried tone.

"I’m a psychic Jenny. Team rocket attacked me with a Haunter that almost killed me. That and the escape from them has left me a little tired." Shan stood up and wobbled a bit.

"Shan," Jenny said sadly. Shan looked up at her and the laughed a bit.

"It’s funny," Shan said. "I actually thought that they were my friends. They were just acting though. I thought that Quin was becoming my best friend," Shan laughed again. Though the darkness Jenny saw the light reflect off a tear on Shan’s cheek. "But I was wrong."

"No Shan," Jenny said. "You’re not wrong. Your fiends care about you." Shan wiped her eyes.

"I’m going to go and find them." Shan said and walked off of the porch. Masey came out and smiled at Jenny. They watched Shan run off down the road.

"Ya gave her a start." Masey said. "Maybe she’ll find some kind of answers now. Would you like some tea?"

"Yes thanks," Jenny said and followed Masey into the house. Jenny paused and looked towards the road. "I’ll tell you more when you get back Shan." She said and went inside.

Shan was heading towards the pokemon center in the hope of finding her friends there. She felt terrible about yelling at them but at the time it seemed to be the only solution. She was almost to the center when she ran into Tres and his friends.

"Look who we got hear." He said. Shan frowned and turned to walk away. "Hey!" Tres shouted. "Where do you think your going?" Shan stopped and turned to face him.

"I’m in a hurry and I don’t want to mess with you so I am going to jump over you." Shan said as she walked. Behind her Tress and his friends laughed.

"No way can you do that," he said. "What? Do you think you’re an anime hero or something." Shan turned and smiled.

"No," She said. "I’m me." Shan took off running and as she came to Tres and his friends jumped high into the air and landed behind them and went on running. Tress and the others stood there for a moment unsure of what had just happened.

"Hey," Tres said angrily. "After her." They all began to run after Shan. When Shan got to the Pokemon center she went inside.

"Hey guys," Shan said breathing heavily. She looked around, no one. She walked over to a chair and sat down.

"Quin and Mark went out to eat something." Alex said siting next to her. Shan looked at him and sighed.

"I’m sorry," she said. Alex raised his hand.

"You don’t have to apologies." He said. "I knew you didn’t mean it, but where did you go?"

"I’ll tell you when Mark and Quin get hear." She said. "Right now I just want to rest a bit." Alex smiled at her and then stood up.

"I’m going to go and see if I can help Joy out." He said. A loud crash caused them both to jump. Shan and Alex ran to the front where Tres and his friends were waiting for them. On the ground shattered glass reflected the light. Nurse Joy was glaring angrily at Tres.

"How dare you!" She shouted. "Get out right now. I won’t allow this." Joy said and walked out from behind the counter. "Either you leave or I will call the police." Tres smirked and pushed Joy back. Alex walked forward and stood infront of Joy and Shan.

"Hey back off," Alex said. Tres looked past him at Shan.

"Hey we have a score to settle." Tress said. Shan walked forward.

"No we don’t I already beat you." She said.

"No you didn’t. You just got lucky." Shan frowned.

"You just proved that you are a bad trainer Tres." Shan said. "A trainer that relies on luck, or believes in it in a battle is destine to lose. A skilled trainer doesn’t need luck they need to know how to help their pokemon in a battle."

"Bla, bla bla," Tress said. "Don’t you lecture me. I am the son of the Yass gym leader. We are the best and we will prove it to every pokemon trainer that comes to this town."

"By ambushing them?" Alex said. "You don’t have any honor at all. Why don’t you battle the right way?" Shan smiled causing Alex to look at her.

"I say we take this outside. What do you think?" Shan closed her eyes.

"I’ll battle," She said. "But I fell sorry for your pokemon." Tress and his group went outside. Shan and Alex turned to Joy.

"You’re going to be needed after this." Shan said and left.

Outside the street was dark making the battle conditions harder. There were only a few street lights that barley lit up the street. Shan took her position and held out a pokeball. Across from her Tress stood holding one as well. "We will fight three on three. Loser hands over one of their pokemon and it’s the winners choice." Shan frowned.

"No," she said.

"Scared?" Tress said. Shan shook her head.

"No," Shan said. Alex laughed at Tress.

"No way am I doing that. My pokemon are my friends and I don’t bet my friends lives."

"Me neither," Shan said. Tress crossed his arms and smiled.

"Fine then," his group of friends snickered. "You guys can have it your way then. Instead we’ll play for cash. That ok with you."

"Fine by me," Shan said laughing. Alex walked over to Shan and they began to talk about the situation.

"Shan are you sure about this bet. I mean all of your money?" Shan laughed.

"Alex don’t worry," She grinned widely. "I don’t have any cash on me."

"What do you mean? Shan what happened to your money?" Shan sighed.

"I’ll tell you later," Shan said and then took out Buterfree’s pokeball. She positioned herself infront of Tres and his Group. Behind her Alex watched.

She never ceased to surprise him. "She’s great." Alex said to himself. Shan looked over her shoulder at him.

"Huh? Did you say something?" Shan asked. Alex blushed and shook his head frantically.

"Uh no." He said. Shan shrugged and held out her pokeball.

"You can back down now Tress." Shan said. "I went easy on you before but this time I won’t hold anything back you got that." Tres took off his jacket and tossed it to the ground.

"Like I’m afraid of you." He said taking out a pokeball. "GO BEEDRILL!" Tres shouted. A large bee flew from the beam. Shan smiled.

"Go Butterfree!" When Butterfree formed Tres broke out laughing.

"Aww dose the little lady want to show me her cute little pokemon." Butterfree chirped angrily at him. Shan pet him on the head to calm him down.

"You just made a mistake." Shan said. "Butterfree get things started with a Confusion attack." Butterfree flew at the Beedrill and then seemed to disappear. The Beedrill spun around in a circle as Butterfree appeared and then disappeared again. Then in a flash Butterfree attacked causing the Beedrill to almost fall.

"Beedrill use your Fury attack!" Tress shouted angrily. The Beedrill looked at Butterfree and was about to attack when it suddenly hit it’s self. The Beedrill shook its head and landed on the ground. "What is wrong with you?" Tres shouted.

"It’s confused," Alex said.

"And now to finish this battle." Shan said. "Butterfree sleep powder combined with Confusion."

"REEEEEE," Butterfree said and began to flap is wings rapidly sending out a blue powder at the Beedrill.

"Ha it didn’t work," Tress said. Shan stood smiling as Butterfree disappeared and attacked. The Beedrill fell to the ground asleep as Butterfree hit it. Tress recalled his Beedreill and snapped its ball on his belt.

"Way to go Butterfree," Shan said as Butterfree rubbed on her leg. He flew up and landed on her head.

"That was," Tres said glaring at Shan. "You. . "

"One down two to go. You can leave now." Shan said.

"I am not going to back down? GO EEVEE!" He shouted. Shan looked at Buterfree and recalled him.

"Go Eevee," Shan said. Eevee jumped from her ball and landed gracefully infront of Shan.

"Wow," Alex said. "You can tell that your Eevee is in bad Shape." He said looking at Tress. "its coat is matted and it looks like it’s exhausted." Shan looked at Alex.

"Your right. I’ll let you choose another one if you want." Shan said.

"Eevee Tackle that little weakling." Tress’s Eevee ran at Shan's Eevee who jumped out of the way and barked happily at the game.

"Sweet Eevee use your Quick attack." Eevee took off running and rammed into Tres’s Eevee knocking him to the ground. Shan watched as the poor thing tired to get up. "That’s two," Shan said sadly.

"He’s not down yet." Tres said taking out a rock. "I’m going to make him fight. Come hear!" Shan watched as Tres’s Eevee walked slowly towards him. Tres placed the rock on his Eevee’s head and it began to glow. Shan narrowed her eyes.

"NO more miss nice guy." Shan said to Alex. "Any trainer that would force his pokemon to Evolve doesn’t deserve one."

"Your right." Alex said.

"Now," Tres said turning to Shan "Go VAPOREON! Destroy that little thing." The newly evolved Vaporeon just laid down. Shan felt bad for it, she could sense it was unhappy at what had happened to it.

"You’re an idiot." Shan said. "You just crushed its will to fight. Pick another pokemon and let’s get this over with."

Tres took out a pokeball and glared at the Vaporeon. "I’ll deal with you later you traitor. Go Charmander." Shan recalled her Eevee and released her Charmeleon.

"Charmeleon Attack it with your Flamethrower." Charmelon leapt into the air and shot out a large blast of fire at the small pokemon. After one blast it fainted.

"I win." Shan said. Tress frowned and walked towards her.

"Hear," he said handing her some money. Shan was about to take it when she saw the Vaporeon again.

"Since you think that your Vaporon is so worthless how about you him to me instead." Tres laughed.

"NO way!" He said. "HE WILL FIGHT!" Tres shouted and raised his hand to hit the poor Vaporeon. Shan felt anger rush though her.

"Stop right there!" She shouted. Tres was knocked to the ground by an invisible force. Shan walked up to him. "How dare you even try something like that." She said her eyes flashing blue. Tres looked at her and jumped to his feet.

"What the. . ." Tres said backing up. Shan walked towards him.

"You don’t deserve such a loyal pokemon." Shan said angrily. Behind her Alex stood amazed at what Shan was doing.

"Shan calm down." Alex shouted.

"Yea calm down." Tres said in a scared voice. His Vaporeon leapt infront of him and growled at Shan. Shan lowered her power and smiled at it.

"Vaaaaa," the Vaporeon said. Shan knelt down and pet it on the head. Its growl soften into a purring like sound. Tres jut stood there not knowing what to think.

"Hey!" Tres shouted. "What is going on?" Shan looked at him and frowned.

"He’s loyal to you," she said. "I don’t know why though. You mistreated him, and forced him to evolve." Tress looked down at his Vaporeon and then back up at Shan.

"I. .I. . I don’t need any tips from a freak like you." He shouted. "Come on Vaporeon let’s go." Tres said calmly. The Vaporeon looked at Shan and Alex and then followed Tres and his group of friends.

"Hmm," Alex said walking up behind Shan. "You think that he’ll be nicer to it?" Shan didn’t answer. "Hey Shan," Alex said walking closer. "You ok?" He asked. With out warning Shan fell back, Alex barley caught her. "You fainted," He said in a surprised voice. "But you didn’t use that much of your power. What is it that you want to tell us?" He asked.

When Mark and Quin got back Alex told them about what had happen with Tres and what happened when Shan used her power. "That’s weird." Quin said. "It usually takes a lot to make her pass out."

"Yea it doesn’t make sense. Maybe something happened to her." Mark said. Alex nodded.

"She did say that she wanted to tell us all where she was."

"Your right I did." Shan said walking into the waiting room. "I’m not sure if I should tell you guys or not."

"Why?" Asked Mark. "I’m sorry about what I said earlier." He said sadly.

"Me to," Quin said. Shan sat down across from her friends.

"I have my reasons. One of them is that you might not want to be around me anymore." Shan said.

"Just tell us." Alex said. "Don’t worry about that," he smiled. "We’re not going to abandon our team leader."

"What?" Shan said looking at him.

"Yea," Mark said. "We almost went to pieces when you weren’t around to tell us to chill out. I mean it’s amazing we made it hear with out you." Shan sighed and looked away form them.

"I’m no leader." She said. "I’m a danger to anyone around me."

"Who told you that?" Quin asked. Shan closed her eyes and took a deep breath, slowly she told them what had happen to her.

"Oh my god." Quin said. "How. . .I mean. . .Why would they use a Haunter on you?" Shan sighed.

"Because psychic are week against that kind of power I guess."

"If I ever run into that Tachi I am going to teach him a lesson!" Mark said angrily. Alex leaned forward.

"Sit down Mark." He said and looked at Shan. "You still haven’t told us why you didn’t want to tell us about what happened to you."

"Well," Shan said. "Before I got caught I ran into Slick."

"Who?" Alex asked.

"A jerk that works for the pokemon league." Quin said. Alex looked puzzled.

"What did he say?" Alex asked.

"He told me that psychics that are as strong as me end up hurting the people around them. He said that since I don’t have any control over my power that it could go off at any time and hurt or even kill someone." Mark laughed.

"That dope," he said. "He was wrong." Shan looked down.

"He was right." She said. "I’ve been thinking about what he said since then, after I started thinking about it I remembered what I did in Surges gym."

"Yea but that was to help me." Quin said. "Not hurt me."

"Yea so why are you believing him." Mark said. Alex leaned back and closed his eyes.

"Because I also remembered the feeling I got when I used it. I never remembered anything about my powers before."

"What kind of feeling did you have?" Quin asked. Shan sighed.

"I can’t explain it. It was like I was angry but only worse." Shan said.

"You can’t listen to that guy." Mark said. "He was just trying to get to you right Alex?" Alex looked at Mark.

"No, he was right about what he said." Mark jumped to his feet.

"How can you agree with him." Alex stood up.

"Because I know he’s right. It happened to my Father." Marks expression softened and he sat down.

"Sorry man," he said. Alex ran his hand though his purple hair and sighed.

"It’s ok," he looked at Shan. "Sometimes it happens. My dad was a psychic, one day he just lost control and I just happen to be there. He didn’t know what was going on," Alex said. "By the time he realized what had happened it was to late."

"Did he?" Quin started to ask.

"No he didn’t hurt anyone he just completely demolished a store room." Alex said. "Shan it is impossible to be in control all the time. Your powers are stronger than anything I’ve ever seen and you can control them with out using any kind of meditation."

"I just wanted to travel and be a master." Shan said. Alex smiled and sat down next to her.

"Hey," he said smiling. "You know I can’t stand to see a girl sad. Cheer up I know that I’m going to stick by your side."

"Me to." Quin said. Mark laughed.

"Well if you two are going to stay I have to," He said smiling. "If I don’t who’s going to keep Alex on his toes." Alex stood up and laughed.

"Hey man I don’t mind traveling with just Quin and Shan. I mean I would be a lucky guy to be able to escort these to cute girls around town." Alex said jokingly. Shan and Quin blushed. They all laughed and began to make plans for the gym challenge that they would have the next day after words they all headed to Masey’s so Shan could introduce them.