~Five~

~Joy~

Misty easedherself into a sitting position; she leaned back on her elbows and blinked,studying the room she was in with fascination.

“What am I doinghere?” she yawned and stretched, then pulled herself out of bed.

The room wasdecorated simply in shades of white and lemon, she opened the curtains andlooked out over a busy city landscape, then it all came back she had walked afew miles through the night to get to this city for a reason she wasn’t evensure of.

She showered and got dressed, once that was out of the way she went down stairs to meet up with Ash and Co.

The moment she entered the hotel lobby she felt angry, a raven haired girl was sitting with Ash, Brock and Pikachu, enjoying her breakfast.

Misty walked over, careful to look confidant and beautiful, she sat down next to Ash.

“Morning everyone. Did you sleep well? What’s for breakfast?” her eyes fluttered over Valeri who was consumed in devouring her food. Misty raised her eyebrows subtly that no one would notice.

Ash was looking like he’d been dragged out of bed, his hair was still messy and his eyes were red with exhaustion.

“Brock and I literally had to drag Ash out of bed this morning,” Valeri told Misty.

Misty’s smile was strained but nobody seemed to notice.

Brock and Valeri got on very well; they were always caught up in a conversation, and laughed a lot. This, to Misty, was a good sign. It meant that this new girl probably wasn’t that much competition, and after that fight she’d overheard between her and Ash she knew that this girl had no hope especially if she was competing with first class material like Misty.

She repeated the last thought in her mind as she went to help herself to some breakfast.

The city was packed with life, smoke curled from every gutter, people pushed past impatiently, and in every alleyway one was bound to find at least one stray Pokemon.

Valeri felt a bit lost. She was used to the harsh struggles of the wild now it seemed she was caught in the net of anxiety that came with city life.

The buildings were imposing and tall like the people, Valeri found herself avoiding both as much as possible and resigned herself to the alleys where the Pokemon regarded her as more one of their own: an outcast.

She and Mix had made allies out of one of the strays there, a meowth.

The meowth was enchantingly intelligent and told her of many of its troubles and adventures in the city, she also found out that most of these Pokemon had runaway. They couldn’t understand humans so they broke free of the chains of society. They seemed happier experiencing the daily struggles of the Alley.

After having dinner with Ash, Brock, Misty and Pikachu, she took Brock to meet her feline friend.

The two of them took a walk through a city park, a superficial attempt at trying to preserve the beauty of nature but it inevitably came short to the authenticity of true wildlife.

Valeri stopped to admire a cluster of daisies beside the path. Brock crouched down beside her.

“It’s amazing how life develops…” she said quietly.

“Yeah…you can’t make life, it makes itself,” Brock looked thoughtful.

Valeri didn’t say anything, there were two reasons for this, the first one was that she didn’t agree with Brock and the second was that she’s just seen two familiar faces.

She pressed her finger to her lips, and gestured at Brock to follow her. They crawled through the bushes.

Peering through the foliage, the two of them could make out two people standing by the park lake.

Ash and Misty. They were talking softly.

Valeri pulled Brock out of the bushes, she stepped onto the path nearby to Ash and Misty. Their conversation soon became audible.

“…think of her?” Ash was saying.

“She seems okay. Is she traveling with us from now on?” Misty responded.

“Yeah.”

They stood in silence, Valeri watched as Misty brushed her hand artfully against Ash’s and watched him blush profusely.

She is good, Valeri thought in amusement. She decided to take Brock and walk past, she figured that Ash and Misty wouldn’t recognize them in the darkness.

As she was level with them her foot caught on something. She fell between them.

“Val? Is that you?” Ash asked, with a strange emotion hidden in his voice. Was it relief?

Valeri groaned and pulled herself up. Misty was hiding her emotions well so Valeri couldn’t read her mind.

Brock helped Valeri onto her feet. Once everybody had their feet on the ground they turned to face each other.

Misty and Ash were looking at Valeri and Brock in amusement, their eyes focusing on their hands, which Brock still hadn’t released since he’d helped Valeri up.

Valeri scowled and dragged Brock out of the park.

They stepped into the street, and then ducked into a dark alleyway, shadow fell heavy into the corners, eyes picked them out from the back of the alley.

Valeri led Brock inside. Bright green pin pricks of light caught her eye. From the darkness, a cream figure slipped into the half light.

“Meow,” Meowth cocked its head, studying Brock’s face. It unsheathed its claws, just in case.

“Don’t worry Meowth this is my friend Brock,” Valeri picked the Pokemon up in her arms, it retracted its claws.

Brock petted the animal on the head, Meowth swatted his hand away.

“It believes humans and Pokemon are equal so try not to treat it like a pet,” Valeri explained, Meowth glared at Brock who looked mildly stunned.

The conversation turned slightly awkward with Valeri and Brock casting around for something to say. In the end it was Meowth who was first to speak.

“Meowth meow!” it jumped out of Valeri’s arms.

Then climbed over the wall at the back of the alley. They saw its cat eyes watching them from atop the wall.

“Meowth!” It wanted them to follow.

The two humans followed the cat, struggling slightly to get over the fence.

They kept close to the wall, with Meowth keeping right in front of them to guide them away from the alley gangs. In the city streets it was your best chance of survival to join a gang. Or so Meowth told them. It was a loner most of the time. Being skilled at keeping out of the way gangs didn’t hold much of a threat to Meowth, human or Pokemon.

They came to what seemed to be a warehouse. A few dustbins were clustered below a small rectangular window. Meowth pointed to the window.

They got on the dustbins and peered into the warehouse. Valeri gasped.

A man dressed mostly in red, was standing on a platform opposite another person who wore your every day trainers’ clothes.

It was a double battle. From what Valeri and Brock could see it was a gym, a large poster of the gym’s badge was held up behind the gym leader. His Pokemon were a ledian and (gasp!) a red gyarados against the other trainer’s raticate and scyther.

“It’s a red gyarados! Those are incredibly rare,” Valeri said to Brock.

Brock nodded.

The battle ended rather quickly with the ledian and gyarados working together, using techniques that complimented the other perfectly.

The trainer walked out with dignity, shaking the leader’s hand and even giving a smile. After he left the apparent gym leader withdrew his Pokemon and disappeared behind the poster of his badge which must’ve had a concealed door behind it.

Meowth blinked at them.

“How’d you find out about this?” Brock asked.

Meowth mewed of an answer, and waited expectantly.

“How do we get in?” Valeri asked.

Meowth led them down another alley way, which they realized all connected in one way or another.

From what they could tell beside the small window there was no way to enter the building.

Meowth nodded at an area of wall.

Valeri ran her fingers over it. She had seen a couple of movies like this. There was bound to be a secret switch somewhere…

Meowth pushed her out of the way and muttered a two word line. “No way,” Valeri said in disbelief.

The door crumbled away to let them in. “Open Sesame!? That has got to be the lamest thing ever…” Valeri muttered.

They went in. They were in a red corridor. The walls were lined with red, and the paintings on the walls were of red objects. Red apples, red boats, red Pokemon, red scissors, red houses…the list went on.

The corridor stopped abruptly giving way to large (you guessed it: red) double doors. Brockstepped up to open the doors.

The doors opened on their own accord.

They walked in. They were in a dark room. Lights suddenly went on.

The man in red stood before them. He was a large man, with wide shoulders. His hair was a dark shade of crimson and smoothed back with gel.

His suit was a deep tone of scarlet, and his shoes a shade of shiny cherry.

“Good evening my name is Erd. Erd Bright. I am the gym leader of this gym. So you want a battle, correct?” His tone was soft and fluid anything but his abrasive red décor and dress sense.

“Don’t you think Ash would want to be here?” Brock asked Valeri.

“He’s with Misty though, he not going to want to leave her for a battle will he?”

“You don’t know Ash yet,” Brock said. “I’ll go and fetch him.”

He ran out the doors.

“Excuse me miss but you’ve left my question unanswered. Would you care to battle?” Erd peered down at her.

“Firstly I want to ask you. Who are you? How come I’ve never heard of this gym? And what’s up with all the red?” Valeri replied.

“I just introduced myself, Erd Bright, gym leader of this establishment. To answer your other question, this gym is unknown to most. It is run by five mafia dons, myself being one of them. (Valeri looked very surprised) We all specialize in certain types of Pokemon. Perhaps you’d care to guess what mine are? And at the end of each battle we present you with a badge. I dearly hope that you are not an officer of the law or I’m afraid you won’t be leaving this building. Ever.

Oh did I forget to mention that if you lose then you have to give me one of your Pokemon. Under league rules.” He drew two pokeballs, “Let’s begin, shall we? A double battle.”

“What about a ref?” Valeri asked.

“We don’t use referees in the Under league.” Erd released his two Pokemon.

Ledian! Gyarados!

The hovering ladybug appeared in a flash of red light accompanied soon after by a sparkling red sea dragon.

Mix! Rime! You’re out!

Mix hunched itsshoulders and shot a blast of fire. Rime glared at the opponents.

Impressive Pokemon. But cuteness and beauty won’t help you here! We’ll take out the Milotic first! Ledian use mach punch! Gyarados use hydro pump to give it an extra boost!

Ledian shot towards Milotic with its fist outstretched, behind it Gyarados shot a hydro pump, the water propelled Ledian forward.

Rime dodge!

But it was too late; the punch hit its target, followed by a blast of water. Milotic skidded over the gym floor. It was hurt but got up again.

Rime tackle attack! Mix get on Rime’s back!

The serpent and the mouse rallied together, and charged the opposition.

They got close to the Ledian, who met their attack with a determined expression.

Use a wide range flamethrower Mix!

The cyndaquil blasted hot strings of fire at the ladybug Pokemon. Its attack however was cut short by Gyarados who engaged Rime in battle.

The water Pokemon battled it out while cyndaquil was tossed about unable to use flamethrower.

Hmmm… We have them now. Ledian go for the cyndaquil use tackle!

The ledian shot like a bullet towards them.

Mix flamethrower! Milotic use Hydro Pump and hold it till my signal!

Mix aimed hisflame at Ledian, just as it came close he released the blast but-

Ledian use agility and dodge!

Ledian dodged the attack easily.

Now Comet punch!

But Milotic stopped the attack. Ledian got blasted by a hydro pump. It fell to the ground a few meters away.

Wrap attack quickly!

Milotic slithered around Ledian, and began gently squeezing.

Gyarados use Bite!

Milotic screamed in pain as Gyarados chomped down on her tender flesh. Ledian flew out of Milotic’s clutches.

Ledian Silver wind! If they try to attack you use light screen!

Ledian fluttered high into the air then opened wide its glittery insect wings, it began flapping hard and silvery white dust flew towards Milotic and Mix.

Burn it away with Ember Mixy!

Mix sent out a few embers that easily dissolved the silver wind.

Ledian supersonic! Gyarados Hyper Beam while they’re confused!

Ledian antennae twitched then released sound waves that disorientated Valeri’s pokemon. Gyarados lobbed a huge beam of golden light at Milotic and Mix.

Milotic use refresh then dodge! If you can retaliate with Gust and Fire Blast combined!

For a few seconds the blast went unhindered towards them. Milotic was glowing, clearing its bodyof impurities. At the very last second she slid out of the way. But the blast hit her. Mix fell from her back.

Mix get up! Use Fire blast! Milotic!

Ha ha you are getting desperate…Ledian, Gyarados finish this with combined twister and silver wind!

Gyarados conjured up a twister. Milotic heaved herself off the ground. She turned to face Gyarados and Ledian. An eerie glow surrounded Milotic.

Milotic use your own Twister but spin it backwards!

Milotic wrapped Mix in the end of her tail to keep him from harm as she conjured up her own twister. It was a battle of the wills as both twisters collided with each other. If they were equal in strength then they would both dissipate. Otherwise the stronger twister would win.

Milotic intensify!

Gyarados you too!

Both pokemon intensified the winds.

Ha! You forgot about my Ledian! Silver Wind!

Milotic visibly gasped as Ledian added her attack to the mix. Milotic tried to snap Mix out of his confusion in vain.

The twister turned silver. It seemed that Gyarados and Ledian would win.

Mix…

CyndaQUIIIIIIIIIIIIL!!!!

A ferocious fire blast erupted from the tiny pokemon. It was aimed slightly off but still had the desired effect. It merged with the swirling winds, burning away the silver wind and shooting straight into Gyarados’ mouth.

Gyarados! Are you okay?!

The great sea monster reeled back and fell heavily on the gym floor, unsettling a large cloud of dust as it did.

Mix flamethrower the Ledian! Milotic finish this off with Blizzard!

Mix flamed and missed. Still slightly tipsy. Milotic’s attack however affected the whole gym. Ledian fell to the ground as an ice block. Gyarados was coated in a film of snow.

Isurrender! Gyarados! Ledian! Return!

Valeri wiped the sweat off her face. She’d WON!

“I present to you the Red Badge. You battled well. I owe you a pokemon. Here take this egg.” Erd presented her with a plain circular red (well duh) badge and a pokemon egg.

He nodded and went behind his poster leaving her supposedly alone in the gym.

“Great Job, Val!” She turned around. Brock, Ash and Misty ran onto the field.

“That battle was hot.” Brock said shaking her hand, smiling.

“No…I won by pure luck. We need to train some more…” she said.

“Nah it was a really good battle. We saw most of it.” Misty said, beaming.

“I could consider you a rival!” Ash said, grinning.

She turned away and went to check up on her pokemon.

“Quillll…” Mix looked ready to fall over. Milotic was fine, she had used recover right before the match ended.

“I’ll take you to the centre Mix. That supersonic affected you bad.” She beamed in Milotic and picked up Mix, who crooned softly.

“Is Mix okay?” Brock asked with genuine concern on his face.

“I hope so. He got hit bad by a supersonic attack.” She gently stroked Mix on the head.

“Want me to pose as his trainer again?” Ash asked.

“Mmhm. That would help.” Valeri answered, examining Mix for wounds.

Misty looked to them for answers.

“I’m banned at all pokecentres, I’d get arrested if I show my face there.”

“What did you do?” Brock asked.

“It’s not what I did. It’s…I don’t actually know. Something my parents did.” Her voice had little emotion.

“Ash aren’t you going to battle for a badge?” Brock asked, tactfully changing the subject.

“Right now I’m kinda tired Brock I’ll come back in the morning,” Ash yawned and stretched.

“Wow Ash not wanting a badge. Incredible. Are you feeling okay Ash?” Misty asked playfully.

*grumble* was alls he got in reply.

“Let’s get back to the hotel. It’s late.” Valeri said and they all left, joined by Meowth in the corridor.

Valeri climbed into bed. She had taken Mix to the pokemon centre with Ash. He was restored to full health and now they were about to hit the hay.

She glanced once more at her shiny new badge. Mix curled up beside her.

“Great Job Mixy. You too Milo. Thanks Meowth for leading us there.” She said to Mix, Meowth and to Milotic who was curled up beside the bed.

“Goodnight everyone…” and they all went to sleep.

To Be Continued

Does Valeri complete the Under League? Will Ash win his battle the next morning? What is in the pokemon egg? Has Meowth decided to join the party?

Find out next time in The Evolution Gene.

Sooooo do I get any reviews? If you don’t want to be cursed for the rest of your life send a review in now! Or beware…