Tales of Pokémon! [IC]

[Altered Tundra]

As he was born in the Johto Region, Gios does find it pretty exciting to wander into the land of Kanto. Though not much different than what Gios sees in Johto, it has its differences. The main thing that young Gios does notice is the landscape, and the way that Kanto presents itself. He’s not really complaining as he loves it in Kanto, but Gios just has to take it all in before he sets out on his journey in this region. Within Kanto, Gios has made some friends, some enemies, and so on and so forth. He’s actually been lucky enough to not alert any unneeded attention of those who would try to harm him whether it was to prove a point or bully him or whatever.

Traveling from home has prompted Gios to bunk with a family friend who lives just southwest of Cerulean City. It definitely convenient for him, so he complains not. To him, having a place to stay when he is not traveling within Kanto make Gios feel happy, and that’s all there is to it. This family friend actually has been in Gios’ life for the entire sixteen years he’s been alive. This person is the best friend of his father, Aries. As such, Gios feels at peace when he stays with him. However, the time for him to stay with Luster, his dad’s best friend, has came to an end as Gios, on a bright, sunny morning set out.

“Thank you for your hospitality, Uncle Luster.” Gios said, bowing as he left his Uncle’s house.

[B]“Anytime Kid. Where are you off to?”[/B[ Luster asked.

“Cerulean City. I heard there’s a gym there, and that’s where I’m going to start.” Gios said as he waved goodbye with his Girafarig next to him.

Going down the road, Girafarig sounded excited for this journey. He and Gios have been together for over five months, and they bonded instantly. This was the kind of bond that only those destined to be best friends would bond. It was a bond only Girafarig and Gios could share on an instant. Because of this, they trust each other with all that they are. It’s because of this one bond that Gios is one-hundred percent positive that he and Girafarig will overcome any obstacle that they encounter in their travels.

On the current route their on right now, it would be evident that Gios and Girafarig are on the perfect one to a straitforward walk to Cerulean City, but that would be compromised. As Gios notices a flock of Sparrow coming inward, Gios and Girafarig prepare for a battle. As they do so, Gios noticed that the Sparrow Flock took a U-Turn, but one of them got left behind as the motions of the entire Flock created a gust of sorts that put the one in danger, and as such the sparrow was coming down fast. Gios, without any hesitation went running off, and caught the Sparrow in his arms as he did a baseball slide.

Gios light set the Sparrow on the ground. He reached into his supply bag, and there he pulled out a potion where he lightly sprayed it on the Sparrow. Instantly, it was able to move on its own. The Sparrow actually reacted how Gios expected it to as he actually cuddled to Gios as a sign of affection. Gios knew what this meant,

“Would you like to join us, Sparrow?” Gios asked with a heart-warming smile.

The Sparrow nodded.

With that, Gios threw up an empty poke’ball, and within seconds, Gios had caught himself a Sparrow.

]“It seems we got ourselves a new friend, Girafarig.” Gios said nudging towards Girafarig. He responded with a excited cheer.

It was with that one event that Gios, Girafarig, and Sparrow all went forward to Cerulean City where Gios would hope he would challenge the gym leader.

[Gerontis]

Richard Smith

Instead of walking upstairs and going to Katherine, he figured it would be smarter to let her sleep and rest out some more. He needed some fresh air, at least that was what he said to himself as he walked towards the exit of the hospital. Scratch followed Richard with a joyful expression and looked around with a curious look. Though he sometimes made the expression of wanting to run to somebody or something, he kept following Richard.

---

Emilie and Richard
Collab post of Gerontis and Fieryfly

Richard was walking towards the Pokemon center. He was in need of some more pokeballs and other items he would need on the journey. Of course, Scratch was walking next to Richard. With his hands at the back of his head, Richard was thinking about the journey ahead, not really worried about other stuff. Some called him because of that a simple mind and maybe he was, but actually he wanted to clear out the more important and bigger stuff before he would turn his attention to other things. He glanced at Scratch, who hadn't show any sign of wanting to make trouble. ''Well well...You have been quiet for some time now...Everything alright, Scratch?''

The Totodile looked up and bounced two times. Normally he did it four or five times and with a more times, so Richard knew something was bothering his pokemon. He brought his right hand to the head of the little fellow and patted it. ''Don't worry buddy....Soon we will head out once more and experience more adventures...Promised.'' He bite his lower lip right after that moment, even while Scratch and Arthur were the only ones Richard would promise things to, it reminded him of that he also made two promises to Katherine. He sighed as he found the whole situation just confusing and it also frustrated him to some extent. Not that he was truly bothered by it, a very few things could bother him anyways.

As the two walked in the pokemon center, they noticed it was busy and so Richard stopped and whistled. Scratch bounced and started to climb on Richard's back. Waiting till his pokemon was ready and sitting on his shoulder, Richard continued to walk as he threw a few glances around. With the start of the pokemon League, it was no surprise that suddenly so many trainers were in the city. For a brief moment, Richard was pondering if he should go after badges himself. Not that he was really interested of winning anything, but he wouldn't mind some competition. Richard sighed and he would have to spend more time thinking about it. Suddenly Scratch leaped of his shoulder, scaring Richard. With big eyes, Richard saw how Scratch vanished in the mass and he mumbled some curses. Looking around he couldn't easily see the little pokemon who had suddenly rushed away.

Scratch stopped and looked with big eyes to her. She was all alone and in a corner, curled up. The Totodile suddenly looked like he felt some guilt as he slowly walked to her and spread out his little arms. ''Tototototo....tototototo...totodile.'' It mumbled softly as he slowly and gently cuddled the girl who was sleeping. He closed his eyes as he felt guilty and then decided he would cheer the girl up. His eyes shot open as he gained a joyful expression on his face and ran a bit back. Suddenly he turned and charged towards Emilie. At the last moment he jumped and landed on her as he softly bite her right ear. While he was carefull not to hurt her, he was munching on it as he looked with a overjoyed expression on his face.

Emilie had been planning to just close her eyes for a couple of seconds while she was waiting for the line of people to clear. Sleep however had other ideas in store for her. Curled up on the side of the sofa the girl was sleeping rather soundly until the world suddenly landed on her stomach. With a screech Emilie woke up and bolted upright. Something was chewing on her ear. Still dazed from sleep she tried to slap it away as if it was some kind of bug. She blinked and found herself looking at a creature she had already encountered today.

Why the hell was there a Totodile biting in her ear? What was it with Totodiles today anyway?

"Get away from me." Emilie said as she tried to pick the reptile up to release her ear. However the Totodile had other plans as he made a kind of chuckling sound and held on to her ear.

''Best is just to talk him away..Believe me, you don't want to pull him away and then lose a bit of your ear.'' Richard said while he looked worried at the scene. He had heard the screech and it was pretty obivious that it had to do something with Scratch. Only a dumb person wouldn't relate a screech with the fact that Scratch ran off somewhere. He slowly walked to the two while he slowly embraced his Totodile. ''Come on, Scratch. Let her ear go.. She doesn't like it.'' He spoke friendly to his pokemon who released the girl and then started to bounce and hugged her again. Richard scratched the back of his head with his right hand as he looked confused. ''Sorry...Normally he only hugs people who he has met before. Am so sorry for the trouble.'' He tried to smile friendly as he also tried to think of a solution to manage to pick up Scratch and pull him away.

"Should I feel priviliged now?" Emilie remarked sarcastic as she tried to get the little arms of the Pokémon off her. "Just put him in his Pokéball or something. I am really not in the mood for more Totodiles today. I mean just this afternoon... Wait. His name is Scratch?" Emilie stared to the creature. Now that she thought about it, the scarf looked kind of familiar. Quickly her eyes shot around. Was that guy here? But in the crowd she couldn't find him. That was... strange. Still she did not like this Pokémon. Not at all. Her leg was still tobbing from his bite of before. "Either way, get him away from me. I don't want to have anything more to do with him."

Richard looked suddenly very serious and nodded. ''Yes, you should actually. Most just get bitten or bothered by him as he loves to cause some misschief.'' He answered her sarcastic remark with a complete honest answer as she then told him to put him back in his pokeball. ''And you don't think I wouldn't have thougth about that? May I ask how much you love your ears? The more you try to keep him away, the more he will want to ''cheer'' you up.'' He smiled and nodded when she asked if he his name Scratch. He rubbed his neck with his right hand while he explained the name mistake. ''Actually, should have him named Trouble or Bite. But Bite means something rather vulgar in the French language...So I named him Scratch. Though it was a nice name for such a pokemon.'' He paused as he noticed how she didn't like Scratch showing his affection for her.

''Don't worry too much about. In a couple of minutes, he will let you go as he will get bored. Unless he did something he regretted..Then you will find him likely sticking to you the whole day. Heh, he is a bit quirky sometimes..Sorry.'' He said while he shoved both hands in the pocket of his pants.

Great, just great. Emilie really was not in the mood for this. She was still tired and sleepy and just wanted to go to bed. Alone, without a Totodile sucking on her ear. "Just leave me alone." She mumbled irritated to the Pokémon. "Just get back to your owner or something and stop bothering me. You already almost bit my leg in two. I don't need my ear come of as well. Just go away Scratch. Really. Find your trainer back and continue to bite his fingers off or something."

Richard chuckled. It was the second girl that Scratch showed affection to in a short time. He tilted his head to the right as he continued to smile. ''Heh..Sorry that he bit you...But actuallly..I am his trainer. You must be the girl who Arthur had thrown his cellphone at? Right? With the old nokia. That was kind of my fault..Sorry.'' He became more serious as he thought about it. ''What did you do that he bit you anyway?'' He suddenly asked as it if was her fault that Scratch was naughty sometimes.

"Just-" Emilie struggled with the creature. She just really just couldn't handle this right now. The guy before her didn't really make it better as he just kept smiling and talking. Why couldn't he just remove his damn Pokémon and shut the hell up. His question however made Emilie turn her head away from Scratch and to the guy. Her eyes were burning. "What did I do? I didn't do nothing. I was just trying to leave after appearantly your friend had thrown that phone against my head when your great and awesome Pokémon just bit my leg. And your friends fingers when he tried to help me. Just get him away from me please and leave me alone." Her voice held something desperate.

Richard's smile faded away as he looked with a expression of guilt when she began to answer him. ''Oh...Sorry..Scratch...Come on.'' Scrath looked up to Richard and then back at Emilie. Suddenly instead of hugging her, he jumped and started to munch on her nose. Richard's eyes shot wide open as he quickly grabbed the Totodile and was able to pull him away before he could get a grip on the nose of the girl. It started to writhe in his hands, but Richard knew when it was enough. He looked with a stern look and Scratch stopped as the Totodile looked away and became quiet and calm. Turning his attention back to Emilie, a faint smile appeared on Richard's face. ''He is awesome, no? Anyways, you know Arthur? Heh...Sorry for that. If I had been more carefull, then Kathy wouldn't end up in the hospital and then you wouldn't have been bitten by Scratch...Sorry for that.'' He made a little bow when he finished talking to the girl.

Emilie screeched again when the Pokémon lashed on to her nose. Luckily Richard was on time and got Scratch to calm down. She stared to the guy. If that Totodile was awesome? Hell no. But she wouldn't say that. It would only lead to more discussion and that was something Emilie wanted to avoid right now. "I don't know Arthur. I take that that is your friend's name? We have walked to Celadon together, but we don't know each other. And I don't really want to know. Not now. Either way I got a room to rent." She rose from the sofa and picked up her bag, slinging it over her shoulder. As she started walking away she regretted her harsh words. What was she thinking being all mean? She stopped and turned around. "I accept the apology though." She mumbled her eyes on the ground. "I'm just... It is just... not a good moment to talk. See ya."

Richard nodded as he raised his hands up and smiled while he responded. ''No worries..I can understand it.. I know how that feels. I think..Anyways,'' He looked at Scratch and beckoned him as he talked to his pokemon. ''Come on, let's buy what we wanted before we go back to that redhead and the others, okay?'' He then smiled and nodded to Emilie before he turned around. Richard started to walk to the shop as he thought about his word choice a few seconds ago. Redhead? He chuckled as he thought who he meant with that.

Emilie stopped dead on her tracks as she heard Richard speak. The chance was so small, so extremely small, but she just couldn't help it. Redhead. The word nestled itself in her head. It could be, it could not be, but if she wouldn't ask then it would gnaw on her the whole night. She turned back and bit her lip. "Ehm, sorry. I couldn't help but hear, but redhead. Do you by any chance know Zane?" She asked.

Richard turned his head and raised an eyebrow. ''I thought you weren't in the mood to talk?'' He said while he was in a less joyfull mood when she suddenly came back while he was trying to look what he wanted to buy in the shop. ''Shouldn't you just go to sleep?'' It was rare to see Richard react like that, but he had said sorry and the sorry and goodbye had gone to waste with her coming back to talk with him. That and he wanted to think and be on his own for the moment, to ponder about some things.

"Please," Emilie pleaded, "I really really need to know if you meant him with redhead. I really really need to know. Really." There was after all just that little, tiny chance that he said yes. Richard stopped and looked with a displeased expression on his face. ''Let me get this straight. First you didn't react that nicely when I was trying to...It was kind of my fault, true, but now you suddenly want to know who I mean with ''redhead''? I don't know you and to be honest, I'm not sure if I want to answer your question. Sorry, but like you were just a couple of moments ago, I'm not in the mood for talk.'' He became silent for a couple of moments and sighed as he turned around. ''I'm going to shop for a little bit...If you're so desperate to know who I mean with redhead, then you should meet me at the hospital over a few hours.''

Emilie had the urge to kill the guy. Why couldn't he just answer? She clenched her firsts. "Fine." She said then. "Fine. I'll see you there then." With that she turned around and fled. She really didn't want to cry before that guy's face. Richard turned around and went to the shop of the pokemon center.

---

[Gerontis]

Richard Smith

Maybe one isn't bad.....

He had bought three pokeballs and looked at his belt. Five pokeballs and only one that was used. Well..used? He glanced at Scratch who was munching some snack. The pokeballs together with the snack had cost Richard around the 200 pokedollars, leaving him with just around 700 pokedollars left. Walking back to the hospital, he couldn't resist it when he saw a clothes shop. He didn't like to shop, but knew that it would ease his mind for the moment. Looking at Scratch, he smiled and beckoned his pokemon to follow him. ''Come, maybe we can spot something nice.''
Scratch bounced twice as he then followed his trainer.

Walking into the shop, Richard heard the beat of a song, but he didn't pay too much attention to it as he was looking around. It was actually a pretty cool place as he saw it. People could sit down at a place to relax and drink something, there was a area where you could buy clothes and then some kind of dancing area, like a disco. At least, Richard assumed it was, seeing that the entrance gave him the glimps of it. Walking to the racks with clothes, his eyes fell the gloves section. Curiously he walked to it and chuckled. He picked out a pair of fingerless gloves and looked at them. For some reason he couldn't understand why he was about to buy them, cause why would he buy fingerless gloves when he could buy normal gloves? He took out the gloves and then looked around some more. He wanted suddenly a new vest, as he knew that he could always use one more. For when they would be in quick sand...again. As he walked to the place where the vest where, he saw a nice black hoodie. A smile crept on Richard's face as he took out the hoodie. This should be enough for now.

After he tried out if the hoodie would fit him, which it did, he went to the pay desk, where a girl smiled in his direction. ''Can I help you with something, sweetie?'' Richard nodded and gave her the pair of gloves and hoodie while he turned his head to the dark entrance of the disco. Maybe....
''Do you have a discount card?'' She asked him while glancing at him and then afterwards flashed a smile. Richard wavered and thought about it, but before he could answer it, she already talked to him. ''I assume that Totodile is yours? Then you're a trainer, right? Then if you show me your pokedex, then you can get a nice discount and maybe...more.'' She winked.

Richard showed her his pokedex and received not only a nice discount, but she also reached out something small. ''Come on...A little gift from me for you.'' She said and after Richard took it, she bended foward while letting her head lean on her hands. She looked with an interested look to Richard, while he looked at the wristband. He smiled back and thanked her while he put it right on. Scratch looked curiously to it and bounced, which made Richard also smile. He was rather content with it. ''So, sweety, where are you from?'' She asked him, which made Richard turn to her as he replied to her. ''Just some little village.. You?''

She smiled as she shook her head and winked at him. ''I was born and grown up here. So a villager heh? Hhmm, do you like the big city?'' She glanced at him again while Richard pondered about the question. He shruged. ''I guess it has some charm, but I prefer the outside and travelling around more..Though the city has it things that you can't find outside it.'' He looked around while asking her an question. ''Where can I change? I would rather put on my new clothes already on..And then where could I get a drink, if isn't that too early for it?''

The girl giggled as she walked around the desk and took him by the arm and smiled. ''I know where you can change if you want...Wait, let me call somebody to take over desk.'' She let him go as she walked back when Richard nodded. Waiting for a few minutes with shoving his hands down in his pocket, the girl came back with another girl. They giggled and the new one winked at the previous one. ''There! Am back..Oh, you need to let your Totodile stay with Irene, she can take care of him. Probably feeding him some snacks. If you don't mind.'' But before Richard could ask if Scratch would mind it, the quirky Totodile already charged at this Irene girl who laughed and waved at Richard and the girl who led him where he could change.

Richard was too much in thought and then noticed the place where he was. He raised an eyebrow as the girl giggled. ''You can dress here and if you want to drink something, I could show you the bar at the disco part.'' Richard wavered as he knew that he shouldn't stay too long away and then Arthur wouldn't like it that Richard starting to drink again, but Richard was thirsting for a good pint or even a scotch. He shruged and did his vest off. The girl took a seat and giggled. [b]''Nice tattoo...Where did you get it?''[/color] Richard paused before he put on his new hoodie as he looked at the tattoo. ''Oh...Nothing important..''

After he was done, he looked at her and frowned. Did she just changed? The girl giggled and winked at Richard. ''Come on! Let's go and have some fun, shall we?'' She took him by his hand and started to guide him to the disco area. There was only one entrance to it and because it was in the nice looking shop, Richard didn't expected to be big or large. Once he was inside, he was pleasantly surprised. It even kind of busy, even during this time. That made Richard somehow more relaxed before he was dragged to the bar. The girl winked and then ordered two shots. She looked at Richard and smiled. ''So...Alone or with somebody?'' She asked him, leaning a bit towards him. Richard scratched the back of his head. ''If I was with somebody, why would I be alone here?'' He responded, not really knowing she meant something else. The girl giggled and then spoke again to Richard. ''So, you're alone? Aaww, that is sad, no? My name is Racheal.'' The barkeeper came back with their shots and as she handed Richard his shot, she softly smiled and asked him. ''So...What is your name, sweetheart?''

Richard smiled and glanced at his drink. Arthur wouldn't be pleased...But Richard wanted to clear out his mind. This whole thing with Kahterine had made him a bit confused and then that other girl, who was making a sudden fuss about finding out who the ''redhead'' was, well everybody with some brain knew it was Arthur, who would glow as a tomatoe when a nice girl spoke to him. ''The name is Richard..Pleasure to meet you Racheal.'' He and Racheal drank the shot in one swig. She smiled and laid her hand for a second his shoulder as she winked. ''The pleasure is mine.'' She then took the empty little cup of Richard and put it with hers on the bar.

Spoiler

''Oh! I love this song, let's dance!'' She grabbed his hands and tilted her head while flashing him a warm smile. Richard wavered and looked the other way. ''I'm not sure. I shou-'' She interupted him as she got closer. ''Come on, I thought you had nobody and what harm could one dance do?'' He thought about it and smiled faintly before he would let him be dragged to the dance floor. It wasn't that he couldn't dance, he could, but it was that it was some time ago that he had done it. She laughed as he danced with him for some bit. The more they danced, the more Richard felt it was more natural and then noticed how close they were. He smiled as she came closer and winked. Suddenly he turned his head. Racheal looked confused as she giggled. ''Hard to get? I like that game...Come.'' She reached out to his cheeks and then was a bit starled from what she saw. Instead of the friendly and polite expression that had been on Richard's face, there was this bland look. No emotion or what so ever was traced on his face as he suddenly smiled and gently took her hands and removed them from his gace.''I think I'm going to drink some bit more..Was fun dancing with you.'' He winked at her and then turned around and walked to the bar, not looking back at the girl.

Once he was at the bar, he sighed and ordered a glass whiskey. Not caring for how late it was, he wanted to drink something strong. For once he couldn't care for the time or what so ever. All that mattered was that he could lose his mind for now. The barkeeper gave Richard the glass and Richard looked at it.

''Promise me you won't drink yourself to death, okay? Hihih, I would hate it to see you end up as a drunkard. Though you are kind of cute when you're drunk..Kidding honey.~''

His nose wrinkled and then shook his head while he mumbled some words. ''Seems I'm going to hell anways...Renee..Heh.'' With one swig he drank up the whiskey and gave the barkeeper his glass again, who filled it again. ''Heh...In a good mood?'' He asked Richard while he gave him his drink. Richard thought about it and grinned. ''You can say something like that....Cheers.'' ''Cheers.'' Richard took another swig of whiskey and closed his eyes.

Hell? Seems like that I'm becoming more and more like him....Fuck it.'' He thought while he smiled and reached out his glass. The barkeeper laughed and filled it again. ''Here..one on the house...Hope you're feeling lucky pal.'' Richard smiled as he thought about somebody and laughed. ''Heh...I wish I was lucky...I wish..'' Richard mumbled.

He took another swig and a light blush started to form on his cheeks.

[Gerontis]

Something revealed!

A collaberation post between : Katherine ( Ginger Collie), Arthur ( Roran Hawkins) and Richard ( Gerontis)

The sudden warm feeling on her cheek made Katherine speechless. Instead of fighting back or arguing , she just sat there, her hand on her cheek as if she was trying to keep the feeling there for just a little while longer. Kathy’s eyes followed Richard as he left the room. Did he just kiss her? She asked herself in disbelief. The more she thought about it the more she doubted herself. She could feel her cheeks turning run as she blushed when she finally took her hand away. Did he like her? Her head ached as many ideas and thoughts zoomed through her head. Did he, did he really like her? Like really, really. Katherine’s heart started to pound faster as her chest heaved in and out. Closing her eyes, she forced herself to calm down. It was just one kiss right? It could mean anything. She shouldn’t make assumptions. He could just be trying to be nice. Although, she would have preferred the former.

Looking down, she stared longingly at the duvet with gloomy eyes. Katherine couldn’t come to sense why she had such strong feelings for the boy, she had just met him a few days ago and yet it felt like she had known him for years. Maybe it was because they didn’t have many boys at her village… nice ones that is. But even so, she had never felt feeling so strong for a boy before.

Katherine sighed, lying right down in her bed as she decided to get some sleep to clear her head. Anyways there was a good chance she would have that same dream again, which alone brought a smile to Kathy’s face. Closing her eyes, she slowly but surely sunk into a deep sleep.

She awoke in a dark room, the floor as cold as ice. Kathy rolled over, pushing herself up with her stiff and aching hands. Around her was nothing but darkness. “Hello?” She called out but only to get the voice back. Katherine wrapped her arms around each other, trying to keep warm. Why was it so cold? She looked around her again, but still there was nothing. A sudden erie voice broke the silence.

“Help me, help me…” It called. Katherine turned around, despratly trying to find out where the voice was coming from.

“Arthur?”

“Help me, help me…” It called again. The voice echoing into the distance. Kathy panicked as she started running, trying to find out which direction Arthur was. “Help me, help me…” It called again. The darkness was endless. Katherine would run and run yet she was still surrounded by the same darkness.

“Arthur, where are you? Can you hear me? Arthur?”

“Help me, help me…” Katherine spun around in terror, her eyes flickering in every direction. She could feel her limbs tremble wildly. The voices seemed to be coming from every direction.

“ARTHUR!” She screamed in fright. Kathy stood there, listening out for the voice.

“Help me, help me…” The voice seemed different now; it was no longer Arthur’s.

“Richard? Where are you? Please, tell me? Richard? Richard?” Katherine now started to pick up the pace as she continued to run, but still not getting anywhere.

“Help me, help me…”, “Help me, help me…” It was both of their voices now and both seemed to have gotten louder.

“RICHARD! ARTHUR! WHERE ARE YOU?” She screamed, now in complete terror. Kathy turned to see shadows moving in the darkness. “Who’s there? Richard? Is that you? Arthur?” Every time a shadow would move, she would turn with it, her eyes searching among the darkness for people. As she spun again, she saw the light glow of a face stare at her in the darkness. Katherine took a step back, still trembling. The face was looking down, the body hidden in the shadows. “Wh-who ar-“ It’s head shot up, showing two piercing eyes that now stared down at her. Kathy’s heart started to pound against her chest. Looking at the face more closely, she could see that the figure was the women who she had punched in the stomach earlier. The figure strode out of the darkness, heading towards her at speedy pace. Katherine turned, and ran as fast as she possibly could away from the woman, her whole body shaking in fear. Looking back as she ran, she could see the figure become small and smaller as she gained distance. Kathy sighed in relief ever so slightly as she turned back forward. The woman’s face was now just a few inches from hers. Kathy stopped dead in her tracks, staring motionless at the glowing eyes that now pierced into hers. The woman’s emotionless stare now turned into an evil and sinister smile as her hand reached out for Katherine’s neck. Chocking her, Kathy drew her last few moment of life, the last thing she saw was the smile on the woman’s pure evil face.

Katherine shot up, her eyes flickering around the room. She opened her mouth as she sucked up a lot of air as if she had actually been choked. Kathy grabbed her neck, pulling at where the woman's hand was. Slowly, she regained control over her breathing. Taking a few deep breaths, she gave a sigh of relief as told herself that it was just a dream. Katherine rubbed her stomach again, which was now striking in pain. Now calm, she let her eyes wonder around her taking in her surroundings. Where’s Richard? Is he still looking for Arthur? Kathy pondered about it and suddenly felt guilty. If she hadn’t have been so stupid she wouldn't be here.

Katherine started to panic again as she spotted the empty space at the bottom of her bed. Vivie was gone. It wasn’t like her Vulpix to leave her side, ever. Getting more and more worried, Kathy turned over and dragged herself out of bed. She clenched her fists in pain as her legs gave away from under her. She bit down on her tongue to stop herself from calling out. Grabbing the side of the bed, she pulled herself up, her eyes tightly shut as she tried to cope with the pain. With her left hand she drew the curtains around her as she quickly got changed. Putting on Richard's scarf and her shoes, she made her way out of the room, limping slighty from the pain. Kathy searched the corridors and then slowly made her way down stairs. No matter where she looked, she couldn’t find Vivie. Panicking, Katherine sneaked out of the hospital, deciding to take her search outdoors. As her eyes adjusted to the light of the sun, she looked around her trying to spotted Vivie. Having no luck, she started to walk around, noticing how large the city was.

As she neared the border of the city, she came to what seemed like the entrance of a forest type area with a few plain fields near by. As she continued to walk, she heard what seemed like a call of distress. Picking up pace, she started to dart towards the voices. Once she came to towards a clearing, she hid herself in amongst the trees as she watched what all the chaos was about. A boy was standing with a what looked to be something red in his hands and he started to punch it. The red thing was struggling out of the boys grip but to no avail. There was also something blue getting fired upon by the boys two pokemon. Vivie? She asked herself as she took a closer look at what the boy was hurting.

Rage filled the girls eyes as she came darting out of the trees and towards the boy. In the rush, she ignored the pain in her stomach as the anger blinded her. Once Kathy was close enough, she tackled the boy onto the ground, forcing him to let go of the Pokemon. She swung out her hands, grabbing the boy's clothes. The boy, now relizing what was happening, pushing Katherine off him. He stood, and grabbed at her hair, pulling it as hard as he could. Katherine kicked out at the boy and managed to smack him in the face with her foot. In pain, the boy let go of her hair as Kathy rose again, looking back at Vivie to see if she was OK. Suddenly, she felt something hard slam into her side as she came tumbling down onto the ground again. Pain struck Kathy like lightning on impact. The boy put his hands on her neck, swinging her around as Kathy tried to push him off. In a last ditch attempt to break free, the girl swung her fists around and smack the boy on the side of his head. The boy let go of her neck as he spun round on the floor, holding onto his head in pain. Kathy pulled herself up once more and backed away from the guy, heading towards Vivie. The boy's two Pokémon came running towards their trainer, trying to see if he was alright. Vivie stood in front of Kathy, putting a distance between the two trainers.

The boy stood, looking at Kathy in rage. A blue blur also came to stand next to Vivie, also protecting Kathy. Katherine looked down in surprise at the blue Pokémon. Was that the same Shinx she had come across earlier? She asked herself, returning her stare back at the boy.

"Houndour, bite! Heracrosss, Aerial Ace!" The two Pokémon came shooting towards Kathy, Vivie and Shinx.
"Vivie, Ember on Heracross!" With that, Vivie sent a blaze of fire towards the flying Pokémon, knocking it off course. The Houndour came running towards Vivie, it's razar sharp teeth at the ready. Suddenly a flash of light knocked into the Dark Pokémon and sent it onto the ground. Spark? She thought as she saw the Shinx glow a bright light around itself. Kathy looked back up to see the boy growl in anger.

“No bloody girl attacks me! Heracross use Tackle, Houndour use Shadow ball.”

“Vivie! Energy Ball, go!” The Vulpix made a green ball and pushed it towards the Houndour’s Shadow Ball. Both moves collided together, coming out even. The Shinx returned the Heracross’s attack with its own tackle, although the Heracross had the edge. “Vivie, Ember again!”

“Bulldoze, Heracross!” As the moves collided, both Pokémon took a lot of damage. The boy clenched his fist at Kathy, running and smacking into her again in anger. His two Pokémon fended off Vivie and Shinx as they tried to help. The boy grabbed Kathy’s shoulders, slamming her back and forth into the ground. Katherine was in too much pain to react to the boy.

Arthur was taking a walk through the city with Krabby when he heard something, something out of the ordinary. He rushed towards the place where he had heard it, and saw a boy struggling with a girl where at the same time there were at least 4 pokémon fighting. His heart jumped when he recognised the vulpix that had accompagnied them yesterday, and spotted Katherine lying down on the ground. He charged forwards, while Krabby dug himself into the ground. Using his speed, momentum and lenght he kicked the other boy in the ribs, forcing him off Katherine. The guy rolled away clenching his painful side, tossed aside as a football. His houndour suddenly experienced a sudden pain as Krabby's pincers shut thight around his hind legs, using Vicegrip to ensure minimum comfort.

"Katherine! What happened?!" He yelled concerned.

He helped her up, supporting her with his shoulder, and saw the other boy stand up too, armed with a fierce growl, just like his houndour. Unlike the houndour however, he was still in for some more, as he charged forwards determined to do whatever he was already doing before Arthur showed up.

"What the hell is going on?" He yelled at the boy and Katherine at the same time, dodging aside clumsily, taking a flailing fist to his belly while doing so. It forced him to let go of Katherine while he rolled over. When he stood up again, he frowned deeply and watched the other boy in the eyes. Fine. If you wish to play it that way. He nonchalantly straightened his back in an attempt to lure the other person into attacking him, while preparing to execute the same move he had performed against Richard.

Katherine sighed in relief as she saw Arthur kick the boy in the ribs. With Arthur as support, she pulled herself up using his shoulder. Wincing in pain, she stood, her hand clenching her stomach. Shock appeared on her face as the boy's fist slammed into Arthur, knocking him onto the ground. That shock soon turned into anger as her eyes pierced right at the boy. Kathy slammed into the boys side, and drew her fist up to punch him. Kathy hit the boy on the cheek bone, causing her to clench in pain from the impact of her fist. "Damn it, don't you dare hurt him, jerk!" Katherine swung her fist back again, but before she could land another punch, the boy kicked her in the stomach, causing her much pain.

Arthur charged forwards and landed his palm right in the boy's rear skull. Using the time his opponent would be stunned he planted his foot in the inner knee of his opponent and placed his elbow into the back of his opponent. Giving him no chance to to stand up, he then kicked the boy in his ribcase again forcing him on his back. Not letting go of the initiatice he then jumped onto the belly of the boy and pinned his arms down py pushing his knees into his biceps, ignoring the other boy trying to ram his foot into his back. He then raised his hand and started methodically ramming his fists into the other boy, who managed to get one arm loose and swipe Arthur away with a fist to his temple. Arthur grunted as his lack of strenght was a ratehr large weakness. His opponent was plainly a lot stronger than him. He did however see his opponent spit out some blood and moan when he stood up again, signifying that his attacks had dealt some damage. Arthur positioned himself between the boy and Katherine, throwing a quick glance at the pokémon. He saw that the 3 pokémon fightin alongside eachother were keeping the houndour and heracross at bay, but not winning. Arthur now patiently awaited the boy, forcing an arrogant smile on his lips.

Katherine pulled herself off the floor, the pain becoming unbearable. Her vision because slightly blurred as she forced herself to stand. She stood back slightly, looking at what was happening before her.
"Arthur, be careful." She said, warning him.
"Don't worry! I've handled worse befo-" He said, turning around, further trying to provoke the other boy into attacking. He stopped mid-sentence to turn around and see the boy advancing on him. He parried the boy's fist, stepped forwards placing his left leg behind the boy's right leg, placed his left forearm in the throat of the boy, and pushed hard. The boy fell backwards over his extended leg, and landed hard on his back. His breath was taken away while Arthur now jumped on top of the boy again, and started punching again. He barely noticed when a stray fireball flew past, burning his cheek. The boy, this time unable to get Arthur off, submitted after a while. Arthur stood up, somewhat confused now the battle was over, and let the boy back off with his pokémon. He followed the boy with a fixated gaze, and turned towards Katherine again.

"How did this happen?" He asked, rubbing his painful bruises.

"It doesn't matter..." Katherine said forcefully as she went to see if everyone was alright. "Thanks for helping me." She said as Vivie jumped onto her trainers shoulder. Just then, she noticed him rubbing what looked like a few wounds. "Are you OK? Sorry for getting you mixed up in this... Em, didn't Richard find you? I wonder where he has gotten off to..."

"Yes, he did. I've just added these to the collection I had already. That being said, where is Richard? He said he went to ask you something. Didn't you see him since he went out to search for me?" He asked, some concern growing inside of him.

"What? No, I haven't seen him since he went out looking for you." Katherine gave Arthur a somewhat concerning look.

"Damnit. Then we'll have to look for him. Try calling him. Oh, by the way, I lost my phone. Instead of calling me, try reaching me on my tablet next time."

"How on earth did you loose your phone?" She asked rather surprised. Searching her pockets, she picked up her phone. "Whats his number again? I forgot to ask him for it."

"Another story for another time. Let's say it included headaches. Here it is." He said, giving her a piece of paper where he quickly noted down the number. "Come on. Can you walk? We've got to find him." He said, trying to avoid getting distracted.

"Yeah, of course I can walk, I'm fine." Katherine grabbed the piece of paper as Arthur passed it towards her. Remembering something, she looked back towards the Shinx who had helped out. "Wanna come too Shinx? We should really get you looked at." The shinx nodded and walked behind Kathy as they started to walk. Dialing the number given to her, she waitied for a response.

Richard grunted as he felt how his phone was ringing. He thought who it could be as he couldn't recognize who's number it was. He walked outside and felt a bit light in the head. Once outside he finally managed to answer the call as he raised an eyebrow. ''With Richard? Who is this?'' He didn't sound that friendly as he normally did, mainly because he didn't want to have some talk through the phone. Richard was also bothered that he was called by an unknown number, but then he would hear who it would be.

"Richard? Hey, it's Kath. I'm with Arthur, where are you?" Katherine said, acting a bit surprised with his tone. The boys voice wasn't the same as it always was, maybe something was wrong? Kathy, looked at Arthur and gave him a nod to stay that she had Richard on the phone.

Richard sighed as he looked around, while he thought quickly. How did she get his number? Wait, Arthur was with her, so that was logical. The thing that bothered him was why they were calling him. ''I'm ..somewhere. You're in bed, right? I will be right back soon, probably in a hour or so.'' He said while he quickly thought what he could do. He had spoken with a more friendly tone, but it was a bit too late to cover his more harsh one which he answered her call with.

Katherine gulped slightly, pondering about how to answer his question. He would probably kill her if she said she had sneaked out of the hospital, wouldn't he? But still, that not much of a excuse to lie to him. He would find out sooner or later. "Well, err, not really. Me and Arthur are in a-" She paused for a moment, looking at her surroundings. "A field. Near the hospital, but not that close... if you know what I mean." Katherine took a second to think about what she was going to say next. "You see, I got into a bit of a... fight..." She said, whispering the word fight. "But it's fine, Arthur's with me. Maybe we should, maybe... go to you? I mean, you're close right?"

He thought and looked around. How could he in earth know such a thing? He sighed and then thought for a moment. ''There is this place. Go to the pokemon center and then three shops left of it, there I will be waiting for you and Arthur....And don't do anything stupid, okay?'' He was annoyed and decided to hang up. She just got in the hospital and he had told her to get some rest and then this? He quickly picked up Scratch from the friend of Racheal, Irine, who was at the pay desk. Just when he was about to leave, he heard a voice behind him. ''You're already going?'' It was Racheal who smiled and tilted her head to the right. Richard cursed in his mind as he smiled back in her direction.

Katherine hung up the phone, as she looked towards Arthur. "Well I don't think he is that pleased..." She said, rudding her neck. "He said he would wait for us three shops down from the Poke center." Looking down towards the Shinx, she decided to pick the small Pokemon up. "Why don't you ride on my other shoulder? We can get those wounds check out at the Poke center along the way." The Shinx nodded as it slowly climbed onto the should of Kathy. "Lets go then."

"Sure." He said somewhat absent upon following the girl infront of him. He deciphered Krabby's smile, which is rather hard, and noticed he hadn't got a single wound thanks to his shell. "Hah, wish I had a shell like yours." He said. After a short walk they arrived at the location where they would meet Richard. Supposedly.

Richard came walking with Scratch following him and he smiled to both of them. Scratching the back of his head, he however kept some distance to them for some reason. ''Okay...You both okay?'' He asked them while he then looked more worried to both of them. It was clear that he wasn't happy that they had been in a fight, but he was more displeased at the fact Katherine was out of bed, while he had asked her to take some rest and not to beat somebody.

"Sure. I'm fine. Just more bruises. As usual." Arthur said, intrigued by Richard's state. He could, having known him for years, easily see that he had been drinking. Why? Ever since Renee he hadn't drunk a drup. Not since she made him promise not to get drunk. It was not just strange, but very strange. He knew Richard as someone who always held his promises, especially to him and Renee. Why suddenly do so anyways? "What've you been doing. You said you went to visit Katherine after finding me, and when you left me in the cafetaria you said you went to Katherine. Yet obviously you didn't show up. Found another damsel in distress? Got abducted by ratata? Some man told you he had candy in his truck?" Arthur asked.

As they arrived to the location that had been given, both Arthur and Katherine saw Richard walking towards them. Kathy looked at Richard with a rather disapproving glance. The girl still had one of her hands on her stomach but tried to not make too obivous. She was in pain, yes, but she really didn't want to worry anyone and she hell didn't want to go back to the hospital. Tilting her head, she looked at Richard. "Have you been drinking? Richard!"

Richard glared at Arthur and while there was no sign to be read from his face, who still held a friendly expression and a smile on his lips, Arthur would see the warning look in his eyes. ''Something like that..Yes. I've met the girl who you traveled with. And no, I'vent been drinking.'' He then looked back at Katherine and shook his head. ''Why are you out of bed? I thought you would rest out?'' He kept the distance between them, but saw that she held her a hand on her stomach, probably trying to surpress the pain she was feeling. He turned slowly to the right. ''So...Why are you outside? Did something happened?'' He asked while he was quickly thinking what he could do about the slight smell of whiskey, scotch and shots in his breath.

Katherine looked down towards the ground, thinking about how to answer. "I am out of bed because I want to and I can be!" She said, slightly annoyed. It was like he really angered her, it was just that she was in pain and she didn't need the lecture. "Why are you outside? What, so I can't go outside now is it? "

"Hoh! Hoh! Calm down guys! Arthur interrupted the two of them. He hated being a pacifier, as usually pacifiers get shot first. "We're all not happy! Richard is worried to death, Katherine feels like a prisoner but should really stay in bed, and I'm feeling like a closet of porselain that went down a waterfall! So, if you would both-"

Katherine's eyes shot straight at Arthur in anger. "I should really stay in bed? Whos side are you on anyways? I can be out of bloody bed if I want!"

"Please allow me to tell you to take a look at yourself. You've been holding your stomach for the entire time, needed my support to stand up, and are completely pale." He said with a laugh

Looking down, she quickly took her hand off her stomach as Arthur mentioned about it. " I AM FINE!" She said nearly shouting at the poor boy. She hated the feeling of being usefless and the fact that Arthur was pointing everything out wasn't helping.

Does that count as a headshot? He thought. "Noone likes this situations so let's all submit. Richard you stay in bed, Katherine you stay with Richard, as he- ... I meant..." He started, intentionally mixing them up to create some humour. Perhaps that would calm the others. " uh... Katherine will stay in bed untill she's at least partially healed. Richard will stay with her so she doesn't get jealous of not being able to go outside, and doesn't get bored. And I'll visit the doctor and fix the mess that is me." He tried.

Katherine grunted at Arthur in anger. "I can do what I very well like, thank you very much!" Kathy said in rage. Jealous? She wasn't jealous! No! She was fine!

"Okay. If that is your wish." He said stiff, raising both hands and backing off. "If you're both so fine then and don't need my help, Katherine. Jump up 2 times in a row, Richard, walk 10 meters in a straight line. See you guys later." He said. He had enough of this. All of his body was aching and he was wasting his time knocking some sense into these two ... well, idiots. Somewhat anrgy he turned around and walked towards the hospital, deaf for any further provocations. He had tried to help, but he couldn't do more than that, could he? He had hoped the bite wound in his hand would heal on its own, but by now he had realised it would require stitching. Too bad he hated needles like he hated heights. Next time Katherine'll get into trouble she can save her own ass. He thought bitter, knowing that he would never be able to back that up with deeds.

Katherine glared at Arthur with piecing eyes. "Damn it, go then, I don't need you nor anyone! " In pure rage, she clenched her fist and held it in the air shaking it.
"Good for nothing, jerk! "

Richard just stood and kept his mouth shut. Shoving his hands down in his pockets, he just listened and didn't utter a word. His phone suddenly ringed, but after looking who it was, he sighed and declined the call. He looked back and still kept his mouth shut.

"Uhh, I HATE YOU!" She screamed as Arthur walked back towards the hospital. Clenching her hand onto her stomach, she stormed off leaving Richard and Arthur behind her.

While walking away he heard the few hateful comments she threw at his back, and stored them in his memory, consciously or not. He didn't feel anything right now. Not resentment, not anger, just a very strange numb feeling. He knew he had only made it worse, but he didn't really care right now. He tried guessing why he was feeling so strange, when unasked a fact jumped to his mind. "Crocodiles aren't poisonous or venomous, but the many bacteria in their mouths will easily cause infections once bitten." Ah...Plausible.

Richard looked at Arthur and smiled. ''I see you back at the hospital..It is kinda my fault, wasn't it? I will call you on your tablet when we are on our way back.'' He said to his best friend as he silently followed Katherine. For now she seemd too angry to already confront her. Scratch was also the whole of the time silent as he was sad with the situation, but had faith in his trainer.

As she stormed off, she headed towards the border of the city, walking towards an empty, out of the way field. Once she was sure nobody could see her, she slammed down into the ground as the two Pokemon jumped off of her shoulders. Now on the ground, she sat with her arms around her stomach, her teeth clenched in pain. "Why were they acting so horrible to her for. She was fine, she didn't need their help anyways. They only made things worst." She said, her face looking down towards the ground. Vivie was by her trainers side, looking up towards Kathy. Katherine met her stare and sighed.

''Sorry.'' Was heard suddenly when he came out of the shadow with his right hand rubbing his neck. He had his usual expression and attitude as he walked towards her, but still kept his distance. He sighed and then smiled again. ''I was just worried..Next time I will react differently...But shall we go back? Before Arthur gets into trouble.' He asked her with the usual friendly tone.


Katherine turned to the sudden voice that came towards her from the shadows. It was Richard, his hand rubbing his neck and his usual blank but friendly looking expresstion on his face. Kathy looked away from Richard, anger still hadn't left her. "No. You're only saying sorry because you think you have to. You don't really mean it." Kathy said, her tone filled with rage but yet they was a hint of sadness. Still in pain, she pulled her painful body off the ground and started to walk away from the boy with the two pokemon at her heel.

His smile faded and he frowned. ''I don't...mean it.'' Noticing she walked away, he cursed and decided there was no other option. Rolling with his eyes he chased after her and gritted his teeth. How much longer would she be acting like this? And why was he going to so much trouble to calm her down? He could just go back to Arthur and continue their own way. Finally when he caught up with her, he soflty grabbed her left wrist, forcing her to stop. ''So you say I lied? Why do you think I would lie? If I didn't mean it, I wouldn't have come to say it, would I now?'' He stopped talking, hoping he had kept enough distance and didn't say too much that the smell was obivious.

As Richard grabbed her wrist, Katherine spun around vilently, and glared at him with rage. "Oh, don't act all innocent! " She said getting a whiff of what seemed like... whiskey? "You lie just like you lied to us back there. You HAVE been drinking haven't you?" The smell seemed to fade now, but she was pretty sure it had come from him. "Why don't you just leave me already? I'm nothing to you! Just go away!" She said in a cold and harsh voice.

He didn't released her, but thought about her words. Suddenly he let her go and stepped backwards. ''Sorry, but you just reminded me of somebody..Heh, stupid me. Sorry Katherine, hope you will be alright.'' He took another step backwards and a sad smile crept on his lips while he tilted his head. ''Well, you got my number...But..See ya?'' He slowly turned around, but was wavering about walking away. Normally he would already given up and just let her go, but..Nah, it was just maybe the drink? He knew better as he tried to tell himself it was the drink.

Katherine stared at Richard with sad eyes as he turned away. Her hand was still on her stomach as the pain became rather strong. Kathy looked back down towards Richard's feet where Scratch was, looking up to her with his big, round eyes. "I'm sorry, bye Scratch." She whispered, speaking directally at the blue Pokemon as she turned and took a step forward to walk away.

Suddenly two hands picked her up and Richard looked with a bland look. He sighed and shook his head. ''This one hell of a strange day, right? Time to get back to bed.'' He grunted, not because she was heavy, but because he was going through too much trouble. There were only four people in his life that he had went through trouble to try to keep in touch with them. Somehow, he felt the same for Katherine, though he wouldn't say it and likely knowing Arthur, he also wouldn't say it. He only whistled as Scratch started to bounced and ran off. The Totodile had a good smell and somehow, like he could find Richard at most places, the troublemaker had some kind of sixth sense of finding Arthur. Most likely to bother him, but sometimes it had proven to be usefull.

Katherine was surprised as too hands picked her up with ease and start to carry her back. Struggling slightly, she tried to get down from Richard's grip. "Richard! Let me go now!" She said in a somewhat annoyed and surprised voice. "You never give up do you? Damn it, put me down. Richard! " Looking forward, she saw the Totodile run off. "Scratch! Help! I'll give you a bundle of poffins if you bite Richards head for me. Please!" She said starting to give up. Katherine was in the middle of deciding on whether to hit the poor bloke or to give up and just get carried to the hospital. Anyways, she had to go back sometime, Arthur had her bags.

''Maybe..Maybe not. Besides, you kind of forced me, you know? I've been drinking, but that has a reason of his own. And I do mean it when I say sorry.'' He wanted to sigh, but while she already knew he had been drinking a bit, he didn't wanted to make it more obivious then it was. ''So...Is there a way I can make it up with you?''

Katherine gave a huff as she gave up the fight. "No." She answered rather stubbornly. Crossing her arms, she looked back up towards him with a annoyed glare. She didn't really now what he had done all that wrong, but she was angry at something about what he had done so she was just going to go with that. Her stomach seemed to throb in pain each time he stepped forward but she kept a blank expression on her face, trying not to let him see she was in pain.

Richard sighed and the smiled. ''I mean come on..I was just worried. After all, if I hadn't been so stupid, then you wouldn't been in so much pain in the first place. Then we wouldn't have this stupid argument and then I wouldn't have to carry you.'' He said, while he thought about it. While the arguing and trouble was something he didn't like, he somehow wasn't bothered with carrying her. ''But if you want to know it, I drank because I wanted to surpress some memories, okay? Our talk made me remember some things I just wanted to forget...Sorry.'' He said and then bite his lower lip, already regretting what he just had said.

"Oh so it's all my fault now is it that you go off and drink? Huh? Well I'll have that in mind the next time you open you stupid mouth!" Katherine gave an angry glare towards the boy as he continued to carry her. "Put. Me. Down. NOW!" She said, her tone forceful and cold. If he wanted to blame her for everything, he could go on ahead but she just hasn't got the time to sit there and listen to it.

He shook his head and raised an eyebrow as he suddenly flashed her an amused smile. ''Like in the hospital, you're not in the position to demand anything..Besides, you still haven't explained something to me..Sure, I may said that it look like it was your fault, but what I meant was simple.'' He thought before he would pick the right word choice. He glanced at her and looked more serious. ''I think your eyes are the most beautiful eyes I've seen.'' For a slight moment he blushed and then he quickly looked in front again. ''We're near the hospital.''

"What do you mean by 'simple'? So your calling me stupid now, are you?" Katherine huffed, as she turned back towards him. Kathy looked at him for a moment, all her anger forgotten as he told her that she had beautiful eyes. But it didn't last long as the anger started pouring back. She turned away from him, and looked in front of her as they neared the hospital. "What is with you and your lies?" She asked him in a serious tone. "Your only saying that to try and win me over again, but it's not happening. You don't mean it."

He stopped in all of a sudden and looked around. Seeing a tree, he walked to it and grunted. He placed her down and held her down as he looked more serious then before. ''Listen..I don't know why or what is causing me to go through so much length of trouble to try to keep you with me and Arthur, but like I said...I meant those words. Now..I won't let you go and we won't go any further before we've talked this out...Okay?'' He paused and then sighed, as he let her go, hoping she would stay down and he wouldn't have to put her down again. [b]''I'm sorry that I was that worried, but I don't want to see somebody being in so much pain..''

Katherine glared up at Richard with hatred in her eyes. "You can't stop me from doing anything! I'm not in pain, I've told you this before!" As he let go of her, she made an attempt to stand as shut her eyes in pain. "I'm never going to give in, ever!" She said, her voice harsh. "Vivie, help me!" She called out as the Vulpix came running to her trying to help her up. The Vulpix looked back up at the boy.

"Vul-Vulpix!" It said in an attempt to fend him off so her trainer could get up.

He rose up and then bite his lower lip. What more could he do or say to make her change her mind. Scratch was already gone to search Arthur and he didn't want to force her to listen to him anymore. He took a step back as he whispered some words, before turning around and walking away. ''I said you reminded me of somebody. Because I started to care about you.'' He shoved his hands in the pocket of his pants as he slowly started to walk away.

Katherine sighed as she heard his words. Did he really like her? No. He was just trying to get her to come with him. Thats all. He must be. Someone like that could never like a girl like her. And yet, the very though still lerked inside her head. Kathy's legs gave away from below her and she came toppling back down. She decided to just give up, so she just sat there. "Damn it. I hate you." She said annoyed, her voice much softer. Of course she didn't mean the I hate you part literally, she just wanted to make out that he had won. "Why did you have to be so damn cute and adorable?" She whispered, hoping Richard didn't hear.

Richard stopped and turned his head to the right. He flashed a smile when she claimed she hated him. ''Heh..You're not the only one.'' He said while a tear fell down to the ground as he turned once more and walked away. He felt how his phone was ringing, but he wouldn't pick it up until he had made some distance. For now he just wanted to walk.

[Mercenary Lord]

Naomi gave Connor a rather cold stare, as if the question was somehow an insult. "Well? Did you really think a punch from something as lowly as that would have any sort of effect on me? I'm fine, don't you worry about me." Physically she was fine. Now her pride, however, was a bit hurt from taking that punch without returning anything, at all. "At any rate, we shall soon see about those... kids. What we will do for now, anyway?"

Connor glanced at the sun, which was setting as they walked away. "Who's in charge here, anyway? If I had to say, I'd say we just hang around until night, and then go back and give those little kids a taste of what we can do. In the meantime, I think it's probbly a good idea that we check your stomach out. You might not feel it, and it might not hurt, but that punch was solid. There might be bruising that could seriously hurt later. What do you think? I'm fairly good with first aid and the like."

"In charge as in, between us? I'd say me, obviously." Naomi teased, even though... she considered it partly true. With a small chuckle, she took a few steps forward before leaning against a tree, shaking her head slowly at the boy. "I said I'm fine, I mean, what's the worse I could get off a simple punch? I feel like..." She leaned slightly forward, grinning as an eyebrow perked up, her expression showing some sort of defiance. "You're just trying to touch me, aren't you?"

He blinked. "Maybe." He drew the word out, like a teasing child. Then his eyes started flitting back and forth, as he recalled the worst he'd dealt with from punches. "The last time...no, the time before that, I had internal bleeding and half a month in a hospital from a punch to the stomach. Hit a rib, somehow, and punctured something. It's less...safe. Less safe than you'd think, getting punched, although I'm sure you're aware of that. I'll ask one more time, and if you don't want to, then thats fine. I'm pretty sure you know your own limits well enough."

The 'maybe' wasn't... quite expected, though her reaction was merely a blink as well. "You're surely teasing." Naomi commented with a brief shrug, exhaling a soft sigh as she apparently gave up the tough acting. "... But fine, just take a look, then. I'm feeling a strange... stinging pain, it's odd." Lifting her shirt slowly just so she could take a look at her own stomach, she tilted her head to look over at him, as if expecting directions or so.

"Well, you could sit down, for one. That would make things easier." He studiously ignored her quip about joking. No reason to answer that, as far as he could see. A fairly large rock caught his eye as they slowed. "That'll work." He headed over, motioning for her to sit. "There really isn't too much to this, but if you feel a sting, it might be a bruise. Might just be a combo of pride and surprise. Maybe a bit of shock."

Naomi nodded at him, eyeing around for a place to sit... Then he just motioned her to the rock. Without any further ado, she made her way to it, sitting as she crossed a leg over the other, keeping a fairly stern gaze at Connor. "I can't say I wasn't a bit surprised, the kid nearly punched me for no reason, at all. She was giving me strange looks since we talked with them... Think she's some sort of mind-reader or so?" The question was accompanied by a faint chuckle. "And yeah, it hurts my pride more than me, you know. But she will pay for it."

Connor chuckled. "From what I saw, it was just female jealousy at work. You've got quite the figure, and I'm willing to bet that the girl was feeling a little threatened by you, in terms of comparison. Illogical, sure, but also predictable." He stooped down on one knee, and started poking at Naomi's stomach, almost at random. Not roughly, but not any more than business-like. "Nothing there...nothing...there..." He trailed off as he concentrated, going silent for around fifteen seconds while he made sure there was no damage that would show up later, no matter how small. Finally finishing, he stepped back, nodding approvingly. "Yeah, nothing hurt there. We're all set."

"Quite the figure?" His words brought an amused huff from the woman as Naomi rolled her eyes, just a bit. "That nearly sounds like a compliment. Anyway... I believe she might've been intimidated, for what reason.. I can't tell." And as he started to poke her stomach, she just kept eyeing him with a frown, which only faded when he stepped back with an approvingly nod. Grinning, Naomi raised her hand to jerk her thumb in his direction. "Hah, I knew you just wanted to touch me."

Connor tilted his head to one side slightly, eyeing her up. He decided to be honest. Just once. "It's more a matter of who wouldn't, to be perfectly and completely transparent." He turned. "I saw a neat little area on the map I actually did buy before we set out. I don't have any equipment for camping, though, so that might be a problem. Not especially, actually, since I sleep out under the stars a lot anyway. Still, it might..." He slowly realized he'd been talking to himself. Again. He shrugged. It helped him to think, so if the shoe fit...

He turned and set off for the small, secluded glade, only a little ways away. Within five minutes of walking, he pushed into a patch of bushes, and emerged in a relatively untouched, tiny bit of nature in the middle of a fairly large clearing. A single picnic table had been set up, and a firepit was settled in the center, but aside from that, there was no change whatsoever. He turned to face her. "Good enough?"

Naomi moved herself off from the rock, grunting quietly at that. "Oh, why, if I may ask? I'm not that intimidating, am I?" Her voice had a sultry tone, a subtle hint of a smirk playing over her lips, but it was only brief, before she distracted herself with what he said next. "Ah, I knew that, or well, assumed as much. Just thought it'd add a bit of... humor if you were the goofy, forgetful trainer." As he set off towards... well, she wasn't sure, but she didn't stay behind at all, quietly following after him.

Once he pushed into the bushes, leading them to the middle of a large clearing, with a pinic table, even, her curious eyes analyzed briefly as yet another soft sigh ghosted her lips. "Looks good enough, indeed. How did you find this? I can't remember we passing anywhere near this..."

"A combination of luck, thought, and Aeon. He saw the place when we passed this way a while back, and I remembered when I was looking at the map." He settled down on the picnic table. "Well, we've got some time to kill. Any ideas?"

"Ideas? Depends on what you have in mind." Naomi proceeded to settle on the picnic table, sitting carelessly over the bench, one of her elbows resting against the edge of the table, supporting her own weight.

He rolled his eyes in distress. "I asked you for a reason. I got nothing. Although..." He was thinking now, and an idea flashed across his mind." I don't believe I've met your team, as of yet. Want to do a little meet and greet?" He pulled five darkly colored Pokeballs from his belt: tiny things, small enough to all fit in one hand. He pushed the button on each, one after another tossing them into the glade. His Pokemon sprung free in a flurry. "These are my partners. They're...an interesting bunch, but damn loyal once you get them to trust you." He glanced sidealong at Naomi, expecting a similar introduction.

The woman just chuckled a bit. "Right, that will do." As he released his pokemon team, she took her own pokeballs in her hands, six in total, all of them colored in the same color scheme, following Team Mars' colors. Pressing the center of each pokeball, Naomi then tossed them over as her entire team released themselves all at once. "Indeed, they're quite interesting. Those are mine, loyal as well, and exceptionally fierce when it comes to combat. " While she was studying his pokemon team, her own would start to wander about.

Connor glanced over the six newcomers briefly, filing each of them away into his mind for later reference. "Huh. My team isn't really as much for...'fair' combat, so to speak. They're all useul to help me get the secrets I need, you know? I think I'll let you handle the heavy lifting, if worst comes to worst. But now we're back to the same problem. That was maybe five minutes of time. What next? I suppose we could just have a friendly chat, but I'm not sure how much I have to talk about right now." A thought crossed his mind, one he had filed away. "Oh...right. No, you're not really all that intimidating to me. You didn't get my point. It's not a matter of who would want to cop a feel, no. It's a matter of what sane individual wouldn't." He was being very blunt now, without any effort to circumvent the thought.

"You're an extractor, so I assumed as much. That's sad, as it makes it rather unfair to invite you to a spar, doesn't it?" Naomi shrugged, her hand moving to rest over the table, fingers idly drumming against the wood in a constant rhythm, her head slightly tilted to keep her gaze at him. "... Er..." As experienced as she looked, she was genuinely incapable of finding an appropriate answer for that, her eyes just kept pathethically flickering from side to side as she pondered what to actually reply... and if he'd care to notice, there was a slight, barely noticeable darker red tone coloring her cheeks. "... Right, right. That's... very flattering."

Connor snorted. "I'll say. It's not often you meet people like you. And don't count me out so soon. My team isn't specifically for fighting, but we can hold our own just fine." He glanced up. "You all right? You're looking a bit flushed, there. Aren't you used to compliments?"

And what do you mean with that? People... Like me?" Naomi finally seemed to look back at him again, smiling slightly. [COLOR="#ffccff]"I'm used to them, just not... so blunt. It's a tad strange to receive those."[/color]

"If I think something's true, I'll say it. There really isn't much to think about, in a secluded area without anyone else around. If we were in the middle of the public, I'd be a bit more careful, but until then...I won't be quite as stingy." He met her gaze evenly. "People like you, with excellent physical proportions, and a sharp tongue." He broke off suddenly as he caught Chief the Scizor staring at him. He turned, and the red Pokemon began speaking. Well, not speaking, but motioning the sign language Connor had taught him.

[i[What are you doing?[/i] Connor hadn't really come up with motions for much more out of operations, but if there was a motion for 'flirting', Chief would have asked why he was flirting. To which Connor would have replied that he wasn't, simply having a conversation.

As things were, the best Connor could do was shrug. The Scizor, looking unconvinced, buzzed once in what might have been a grim chuckled, before scaling a a tree, and closing his eyes. Connor shrugged again, looking back at Naomi. "That happens quite a bit. Chief is my...second conscience, so to speak. Anyway, I might have my secrets, and lots of them, but I won't keep too many of the trivial ones from you. you know, being comrades and all."

"Well, that's not a bad trait... It's a rather enticing one, may I add. I don't tend to speak so openly about my opinion on things, depending on what they are... Keeps an air of mysteriousness around me." Naomi grinned as she idly picked up her empty pokeballs, calling back each of her pokemon, leaving only the mightyena - Tari - which had laid down by her side, at the ground. "Though I guess it's true, I might indeed have a sharp tongue - but physical proportions? I... I'm afraid I have to doubt that."

Keeping herself from an innapropriate remark, she looked over at the Scizor, which was... apparently trying to communicate with it's trainer. It was a rather... strange, yet magnificient sight; the way they were capable of communicating like that. Exactly, or at least alike how Naomi was capable of somewhat understanding her Mandibuzz, whenever she used it to scout.

"A second conscience, heh? That sounds quite problematic to me. And I love knowing secrets, and while I can't promise to let you know a lot about me, I guess I can safely say we could trade some, hmm?" The woman idly rested her chin over her palm as she tilted her head slightly in his overall direction.

Connor chuckled dryly. "Don't doubt yourself. If you're all real, then you're the 'best proportioned'," He made quotation marks in the air. "Woman I've ever seen, much less met." He glanced at her, and for one split second, for less than that, a feeling flickered through him, something he hadn't been expecting. Affection. Not...lovey-dovey, sappy stuff, but a certain kindred spirit with this woman who was so much like him. The feeling only lasted a second, but it was there, and it had Connor's attention. Curious. This might be rather more interesting than I was expecting.
"Fair enough." he shook off the weird feeling. "I'll go first. My family thinks I died years and years ago. Only my sister and my best friend know I'm still around." He sighed. Sometimes he missed the days when he wasn't a wanted criminal. "Your turn."

It was fairly amsuing how they went from a simple conversation, to him constantly complimenting her curvaceous form. "Best proportioned? I'm sorry, Connor, but I believe you're exaggerating a bit. I'm merely... average." Naomi replied with a soft giggle, her eyes briefly scanning over him, a soft smile creeping it's way to her lips. This was enjoyable, but it was... a different kind of enjoyable. She wasn't capable of telling how exactly it was enjoyable, but she just felt it was. Odd enough. Trying to keep her mind off the thought, Naomi tilted her head slightly in a nod as he started to speak, her smile fading for the time being.

"Hmm." Interesting, he had a family after all - even though he was dead to them. "Well, let's see... Hmm." Pondering for a fairly long while of about two minutes, she grinned in a manner that showed that she was likely proud of what she said next... For whatever reason. "... I'm still a virgin."

"My mom always used to tell my sister on her bad days, 'you're as attractive as you think you are'. Maybe not entirely true, but it applies." He almost choked when she brought up her love life. "Can't say I'm...surprised. You're not exactly the most approachable person." He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "My turn again, huh...I met Chief the Scyther when I ran away from my dad into a forest. I never really got along too well with my dad. We weren't...the closest." He glanced at her with a fairly interested look. "And I'm not a virgin." He was rather enjoying this little game. In fact, he was almost looking forward to learning more about his co-worker.

"Some people tend to take that saying a bit too far. Often ends up in arrogance. I hate arrogance." Naomi waved her hand in a 'matter-of-factly' manner, soon resting her chin over her palm once again. She wasn't... surprised by his lack of surprise, at all. It was true, no one really had the guts to approach her, much less take it to that level. Shrugging slightly, she kept a somewhat amused expression while listening to him; strange how many criminals didn't get along with one of their parents, it seemed to always go like that. "That last one was a bonus?" She asked with a bit of a smirk. "Good to know... Anyway, my turn, I guess."

Humming, Naomi settled her palm against the table, once again returning to the finger-drumming she was doing a while ago. "Rai, my Jolteon, has been with me for the longest time. My sister mistreated him when he was still an Eevee, so I stole him from her when I was... twelve or so. Then I ran away to my own pokemon adventure."

"He did seem pretty close to you. I can respect that. I haven't stolen any of my pokemon, but I wanted to, once." Okay, time for a big one. "I have never killed a person. Dislocated, sure, injured, sure, hospitalized, sure. Killed? No. I don't plan to, either, if I can help it." He looked up into the sky, noting the position of the sun. "Looks like we should get to sleep, if we want to have any rest before we jump those kids." He casually dismissed the thought of brutalizing children. It was part of the job.

Naomi had kept relatively quiet, merely listening... and amusing herself. Never stolen any pokemon, incapable of killing - what was he doing in a place like Team Mars, after all? She stood herself up, her cold eyes gazing over the boy, slowly tracing him - critically so, as if she was analyzing him mentally. "Have you ever thought, or considered leaving the.. criminal life, Connor?" If one asked why she had asked that, Naomi herself wouldn't be able to explain. As he answered, she'd proceed to start setting up their camp, since the idea of a rest was appealing, after all.

Connor shrugged as she walked away. "Nope. Never really felt the need to. I enjoy the little games of cat and mouse I play with the authorities. I steal things, they find out about it, and put me on the records, I pay someone to get me out of them, and I steal more. I don't hurt people too much, you know: I have a strict set of morals when it comes to being a rogue." The paradox made him grin ruefully and actually laugh out loud. "Makes so much sense, huh?" He kicked to his feet, looking critically at the tent Naomi had pulled up in a remarkably short time. A two person tent.

"Well, I'm going to take a bit of a power nap inside." He hopped in to the tent, arranging himself snugly on one side. A tiny smirk touched his face. It might be a two person tent, but he was fairly sure he'd just cornered the market on the tent real estate. He closed his eyes, intending to recover some of his sleep time.

"Interesting words. But what will you do when you absolutely need to kill someone, innocent or not?" Testing him, perhaps? Naomi had no idea of why she was asking these questions, perhaps she had taken a bit of a personal interest in him. Only perhaps. Glancing back at him at the sound of the odd, loud laughter, an eyebrow perked up as she just shrugged him off. It made no sense - then again, he was likely ironic.

... She eyed the tent, then him... Then looked back at the tent, a frown to her lips. It was a two person tent, really, she wasn't expecting that. These were usually... tight, and had little space. Making a mental note to buy her own tent whenever she plans on camping, even when basic equipment was given by Team Mars itself, she proceeded to kick her leather boots off and leave them outside as she stepped inside the tent, crawling inside it.

Naomi looked over at Connor, noticing his closed eyes - was he sleeping already? Nah, impossible. No one sleeps so quickly. "... So, it doesn't bother you, at all?" She asked with a more than obvious frown.

A smile touched his face when she spoke. "I've slept in some pretty crappy places. Air shafts? Not fun. Once I had to stay a few hours in a sewer. Like, in the sewer. That was uncomfortable, let me tell you. So...no, it doesn't bug me. It's a tent, after all. And I could be crammed in here with some massive, sweaty brute, so I consider that a blessing. If you're uncomfortable, though, I won't force you to stay." His eyes never opened, but he did shift slightly, turning just a bit further away from her.

"Sewers? How strange. I've never slept in any... odd place, myself. My missions doesn't needs that sort of thing, at all." Trying to make herself comfortable, Naomi shifted here and there, moving, changing her position, until she finally was laying down by his side, her arms crossed over her bosom as she stared at the ceiling of the tent.

\"Well, aren't you quite the gentleman. And where would I sleep if I was uncomfortable?" Uncomfortable she was; in fact, the oh so tough, cold and experienced Naomi actually had some... difficulties with direct contact, specifically with guys. Flirting, teasing and seducing, however, was no problem at all.

"Under the open stars, with your Pokemon." He turned to face her then, which was no simple task in the cramped tent. His body pressed against hers on more than one occasion. "What are you so afraid of? I'm not going to bite. Even if I was, I'm pretty sure you'd bite back, lethally. Of course, if you pressed me, I'd have no qualms about killing you, or a person in general. I just prefer not to."

"Sounds very enjoyable." A sarcastic reply, of course. Naomi had never... experienced sleeping without some sort of roof of her head, even if it was one of a tent. As he turned to face her, she glanced at him with the corner of her eyes, squirming slightly to the opposite side in order to avoid... touching, though it hardly helped as their body still pressed together here and there. "... I'm not afraid of anything, at all. And what are you going on about with biting?" ... Saying that she was uncomfortable was basically stating the obvious, at this rate. Even her manner of speech had changed, the confident, definitive voice was changed to a more... meek one, and the way she spoke was quicker than usual.

"Something tells me you don't like touching people. Well, at least not in a casual sort of way." He was sure she had had physical contact with many, many people, and most of them probably either didn't live to think about it, or forgot it among their numerous injuries. "I know that this is kind of strange, but it's not a big...deal..." Connor trailed off as that same feeling from before wormed its way back into his mind, He genuinely liked the girl he had been paired up with. They were much alike, except for this one area. "I...ah...huh. Lost my train of thought, there. But yeah, there's no need to be uncomfortable. If I wanted to hurt you in any way, I would have done it the second your back was turned."

Absolutely right. She hated casual contact; unless she was the one in control of the situation. In this case, however, she felt terribly... afraid. "Perhaps it isn't a big deal for you, but for me, it's... strange, okay? Don't... ask about it." Naomi gave him a glare, but her gaze softened at his words, a simple sigh escaping the struggling woman. [b][COLOR="#ffccff"]"It's not... that. I doubt you'd be able to hurt me, even if you tried. Remember who you're dealing with, boy." That was more like it, she was feeling more like... she was supposed to be, again.

"Fair enough, girl. I'm sure you can handle yourself. It strikes me, though, that this may be happening again. Depending on where we can find a tent. If you're going to get like this every time, then I'll just push you out, and leave it at that. I think I'm gonna go to sleep now. I'll be back in six hours, on the dot." He closed his eyes, and breathed in once, and then again, dropped directly into his lucid dream. This time, he just sat in his mentally conjured garden of Eden, enjoying the sights sounds, and smells of paradise, while considering his recent feelings. He liked this Naomi girl. He just wasn't sure how far that would go.

In the real world, Connor's sleeping form gently rolled down from the side he was on, and his should and arm connected with Naomi's figure, and stayed there. Connor barely noticed it. It usually took all of his concentration to keep himself lucid in his dreams.

... Girl. Had she just been talked down at? It was... How irritating it was, she wanted to punch him straight in the face - even though she had called him 'boy' moments ago. Keeping herself from doing anything other than turning her back to him, facing the opposite side, Naomi just... tried to forget that he was there, she just imagined the tent as a big bed - free of any intruder. Her eyes closed, and she started to relax... just when something moved slightly against her... waist. Fingers: in fact. Was he holding her waist or so? Was he doing it on purpose? She tried to glance back, but could hardly move without having to turn around and end up pressing their bodies together or something extremely inappropriate like that.

... So there was Naomi, being forced to sleep with a perverted hand over her waist. Awkward.

---6 Hours Later---

Connor was suddenly aware of curious sensation in his mental garden. A warm feeling on his hand, like...oh. His eyes snapped open, his mind paradise evaporating in seconds. He was...sort of holding Naomi. That was weird. He hadn't felt that affectionate toward her. "Sorry. I move a lot in my sleep." In case she was awake. "Yeah...my bad." He sat up, and crawled over the prone woman, and rolling out into the nature. He stood, pulling up the flap of the tent. "So did you want your revenge, or what?"

Oh, she was awake. And not happy in the slightest. "Oh, in your sleep?" ... Why she felt this strange feeling all of sudden, as if something told her that being held in her sleep was in fact... nice. Naomi was slightly confused now, really. The feeling of his fingers still lingered over the spot, and she somewhat craved... Nah, impossible. Shaking her head, she crawled out of the tent, putting her boots back on her feet as she straightened her shirt a bit.

"You're lucky we have things to do, understood? Don't you ever dare touch me like that again, whenever it's on your sleep or not. Now yes, let's go, some kids have fancy pokemon which will be useful... but more importantly, one kid deserves a lesson."

Connor watched her carefully. "Wouldn't dream of it." Unless you ask me to. Not sure if I could say no to that, even this early in the game. He nodded slowly. "All right, time to...move." He figured they would come back to this place for a time before setting out, and so he just walked out of the clearing, heading for Celadon. It made sense that they'd be there.

((IMPORTANT PART OF STORY: READ))

---Celadon City---

"We should split up, I think. We'll find them sooner that way." Connor didn't give her a chance to really speak, and simply set off, plodding through the city.

As luck would have it, he stumbled upon one of the trio. The one called Richard, if he recalled correctly. Connor bore this Richard character no ill will, so he decided to give the boy a little bit of a heads-up. "Hey." Connor slipped from the shadows, clapping him on the shoulder. "You. Richard. I'm gonna give you a bit of a tip. If you value your well being, do not go find your girlfriend within the next half hour. You might not live. After that, though, I'd fine her as soon as you possibly can. She might not live." finished, he slipped away, heading down the road, almost invisible, where he spotted Katherine, the rude child from before, proopped against a tree. This would be interesting.

Of course, if they split up, they'd find them easily enough - even if Naomi was slightly annoyed by the idea that Connor might come across Katherine first. Wordlessly, she started to walk about in Celadon, even taking brief looks inside certain shops and such. It didn't took so long until she spotted a figure leaning against a tree... Alone. A smirk crossed Naomi's lips, her tongue lashing against her lips, mostly out of habit. This would be fun, even though she'd need to control herself... Killing a kid would attract quite the unwanted attention.

"Oh, look if it isn't the bitch..." That malicious tone, it might've been even intimidating, to some. "We have certain affairs to make up, don't we?"

And without warning, Naomi took a few quicker steps forward, her left arm moving in front of her while she extended the right forward, sending a pretty powerful punch in direction of the girl's face, aimed at her left cheek - obviously with the intent of leaving a bruise when it hit.

[Roran Hawkins]

A collab post between Arthur (Roran) and Emilie (Fieryfly)


Bed time!



Emilie had gotten herself a room and had enjoyed a few hours of decent sleep before the alarm she had set woke her up. Still feeling sleepy and quite awful she reached for her mobile phone and subdued the urge to throw the object against the wall. A button press later she let herself fall back in the cushions. For a moment she remained completely still and then she remembered what Arthur's friend had said. To meet him in a couple of hours at the hospital. Immediately Emilie shot up and got out of bed. However small the chance might be, she still had to try. Who knows, maybe he indeed did know Zane. Quickly she fixed her hair and her clothes, stuffed her phone in her pocket and zipped up her hoodie. With her bag slung over her shoulder she exited the room and locked the door. Then she took off.

It wasn't difficult to find out where the hospital was. In the Pokémon Center hung a map and within a minute or two she had figured out a way and surely ten minutes later she entered the street where the hospital was situated. She didn't see Richard between the people yet. She checked the time and figured he must be delayed. It would probably be the best if she waited by the front door.

Arthur arrived at the hospital. The initial numbness that had spread over his body as if he had the flu had cleared somewhat, and he had, partially thanks to a helpful driver driving throuh a puddle of water, regained a clear mind. Grumbling he climbed the stairsd towards the entrance, trying to get together an explanation for the doctor already. Now he was thinking about it, he wasn't the only person who was bitten by Scratch. The girl, whatever name she had, was bitten too. He hoped she would know that she could get an infection, but raised his shoulders. She'd find out soon enough. He stumbled over the last stair and walked towards the entrance.

She arrived at the front door just as Arthur did and halted abruptly. There were so many people in the city and of all people she had to meet it just had to be this guy. She really was not in the mood to talk to him again. Who knew, maybe he started throwing with phones again. Still maybe he knew the wherebouts of that friend of his. She stepped towards him. "Hey," she said awkwardly, not really knowing how to start a conversation with a guy that partly hated her. "So ehm, I met your friend. The guy who owns Scratch?" After all she couldn't be sure that he didn't have any other friends. "I was looking for him. Do you perhaps know where he is?"

Arthur looked up and saw the girl from earlier that day. "Hello..." He answered awkwardly, obviously seeing she felt awkward too. "Ah, Richard. What about him?" He said while frowning. He hadn't left the two of them standing there in good terms, to say the least. "He should be near the fields South of here. Why do you need him?" He asked, getting annoyed by being reminded of the annoying situation he just went through. "Oh, how's your leg by the way? Perhaps you should let a doctor take a look at it. My hand'll need stitches, and it's probably infecting too. Can't trust crocodile bites, right? All the bacteria in them." He warned her. He didn't know how hard totodile had bitten her leg, but his hand's palm had been shredded because he had tried to pull it out in a reaction. Bad idea. He thought. He waved his hand infront of her, showing the badly bandaged hand.

"Oh ehm..." Emilie fiddled with her zipper of her hoodie. It was kind of awkward to say that she was coming because his friend had mentioned something about a redhead. After all it was rather vague and weird and Emilie didn't like sounding weird to people. She was therefore glad for the distraction that Arthur gave. "My leg feels quite okay... Totodile bites are infected? I didn't know that. Either way..."

"Well, not exactly. The bacteria that live in their mouth will also have a chance to get in your blood, and as a result infect you. Doesn't happen all the time though. That's what you get from watching National Pokéographic Channel in the late evenings." He said while shrugging. When he noticed he interrupted her, he gave a faint smile. [COLOR=#B22222]["Sorry, go on."/COLOR]

Emilie let out a nerveus chuckle. "Ehm well your friend, I mean Richard, said he would meet me here. I ran into him after you and well ehm we would meet up here."

"Oh, another of his wondrous plans? What did he want to speak you about? There's few things that he knows and I don't. Well, actually, there might ... I'm derailing." He interrupted himself. He found it rather strange that he wasn't shutting down yet, as he would in most other occasions. However, he noticed to his shame, he again almost mumbled that thought out loud, and fiercely hoped the girl hadn't heard a thing.

"None of your business really." Emilie replied sounding more snappy that she wanted. It was just that this whole mess was rather strange and she didn't really need more people involved. Besides she was still suffering from a hangover and wasn't thinking hunderd percent straight at the moment. "Why is Richard in the South anyway. We had an appointment."

Arthur grunted at her remarks."Puh. He's trying to comfort that girl we met yesterday. Bah! I don't get it! I tried to help her, and she shot both of us with her eyes!" He said angrily. He didn't want to involve her in the problem though, and had to try hard not to call Katherine a bitch. He frowned and shook his head, completely angry again. "You won't see him in the coming hour or two. Just like yesterday. Always leaving me to carry their rubbish..." He muttered angrily.

Emilie wrapped her hands around herself and stared at the ground at that information. So he dumped her for another girl. How familiar did that sound? The being dumped part then. What had she expected anyway? Nobody liked her. Nobody really wanted to be around her. Zane, Richard, her parents, they were all proof of that. Arthur probably wanted to leave as well. She really didnt want him to leave, because that would mean she would be alone again. Alone in a city full of people. "Richard said he knew a redheaded person." Emilie said before she could help herself. "He said he would show me if I came here."

Arthur's frown deepened and let his shoulders hang. "That's how he calls me. It's ... a complicated story..." He said annoyed. He could strangle both Richard and Katherine right now. At least, he felt like he could. He kicked at the ground in sheer frustration and tried to calm down. "Did he say anything else?" He finally asked.

"He was not in the mood for talking." Emilie said mimicking Richard's voice as it had sounded when she had met him in the Pokémon Center.

Despite everything he bursted into laughter when he heard her near perfect imitation of Richard's tone. When he had finally regained control of himself, feeling ashamed for acting so awkward which made him laugh again due to the abnormality of the entire situation. In two days time everything had been thoroughly messed up. He scared himself by hearing his own laugh. It didn't sound normal, but instead somewhat insane. He couldn't exactly remember when he had finally laughed in such a way. "I ... I've heard that ... sooooooooooh many times..." He finally managed to say, panting after the laughter.

First Emilie was afraid that Arthur was laughing about her, but at his words she realized that Richard was his cause of laughter. She chuckled softly. "He didn't seem in such a good mood..." She said before adding absentmindedly. "Scratch tried to bite my nose. I swear that Totodile has something with me..." She rubbed her nose before looking back to Arthur. Her feet shuffled around awkwardly. "So ehm Richard doesn't actually know a redhaired person? That sucks. I guess I'll just... assume our appointment is over then."

"Not really. He just knows me. I don't know why he told you that. He knows I hate it when he calls me like that, and now he's telling random strangers? Anyways, got to have the doctor take a look. Care to join me?" He said, raising his shoulders after taking a look at his hand.

"Well I kinda eavesdropped on him... Emilie mumbled, looking to her shoes.

"Well who was he talking to then? He couldn't have been talking to Katherine, as she was with me. That still means he was saying that to a stranger, or to himself, which is even more troublesome..." Arthur said, not noticing the girl's reaction.

"To Scratch as they were walking away." Emilie said. "Would that qualify as talking to yourself?"

"Eh... Wouldn't know actually." He mumbled. He invited her to walk alongside him towards the hospital, as his hand started feeling strange. At least, even stranger than just a minute ago. He also felt somewhat funny in his head.

Emilie followed. Maybe seeing the doctor would not be such a bad idea. The idea that that bite might have been infected shocked her. Getting sick would not do. Zane's trail would be long gone by then.

"How come's you're actually searching for a redhead then? There's supposed to be quite rare and distinctive." He asked, intrigued by her 'quest'. They stepped into the elevator after passting the help desk. Halfway the 7th floor however, he started feeling less steady. He started wobbling and losing his balance, as the world around him stopped acting as it should. He obviously recognised the funny halucinations he had discussed with Richard the same morning as he told him about the kiss. "Heh. Funny." He said, shaking his head and searching support against the wall. He quickly regained his balance, but felt concerned when the doors opened again.

"Still none of your business." Emilie mumbled as she entered the elevator with him. For a moment she was lost in her own thoughts and only realized slowly that Arthur was unsteady on his feet. She frowned at him. "Are you okay?" She asked him unsure. The door opened at their floor.

"Sure, sure!"

"Right..." Emilie didn't believe a word of it. She recognized the way he walked as being drunk. She knew it from experience. "Let's just visit the doctor right?"

Soon Arthur was being examined by a man clad in white. The man carefully stitched the bite close and started bandaging Arthur's hand as suddenly Emilie saw how the boy's eyes rolled upwards and he passed out.

Arthur tried walking as steady as he could and wore a faint smile to cover his sudden weakness. He sat down near the doctor, and for some reason didn't say he was feeling dizzy. Why? He suddenly realised it was because he didn't want to seem weak infront of the girl. He smiled faintly as he still didn't know her name. He was about to ask when his vision went black. He panicked as he lost control over his body, and fell backwards on the bed. The still heard the shouting of the doctor before his ears too failed.

Comfortable sleep.

[Roran Hawkins]

Arthur opened is eyes. Light. Blinding penetrating light. He frowned and closed his eyes again, carefully opening them again in slits to prvent being blinded. He let out a soft grunt. Slowly his eyes adapted to the light, and he rose on the bed. White sheets, white walls, white light, ... Everything was white. He looked at his hand, avoiding to watch up at all costs, and saw an infuse slowly letting water seep into his body. A hospital? He frowned and looked up, and saw nurses run past in a blur of speed. "Wha..." He started, but stopped after hearing his own voice. It was rusted and cracked after such a long time of inactivity. He cleared his throat and retried. "What happened?" He asked to noone in particular. He tried answering his own question by scanning the latest memories recorded in his brains. He remembered talking with that girl, going inside, waiting a short while at the desk, entering the elevator, dizzyness... Exiting the elevator, walking, slowly and steadily, careful not to fall or lose balance. He tried his best not to humiliate himself in front of her, he wondered why he cared if he humiliated himself in front of her. He had dismissed the issue when more dizzyness nearly sent him off-balance. They had entered the doctor's room, started stitching, asking questions, casual chatter, and blank. He couldn't remember a thing past this point. As if he had lived for, he wouldn't know, perhaps an hour, a day, a week, a year, without realising.

He sat more upright and paid attention to his surroundings again. "Uh, anyone?" He asked, somewhat shy. A nurse stopped next to him and said that a doctor would be there soon. "Right, right..." He muttered. He felt somewhat feeble and tired. As if he had been up all day long. He rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and felt hungry. How long had he not eaten anymore? And where was Krabby? He had accompanied him when ... whatever happened, happened. "Krabby?!" The moment he called the pokémon's name, he saw something move near the end of his bed, as the crab pokémon crawled over his legs onto his chest. "Here you are..." He said, before he realised he hadn't felt the crab pokémon walking over his legs. His eyes widened in shock as he bent further to feel his legs. They felt completely normal, warm, somewhat muscular, healthy and clean, under his hand's touch. He had however felt as much as if he would've touched someone else's leg. He didn't feel his legs at all, as a matter of fact. All he felt, was that they were numb.