Chapter 22

Carrying On

-Griffin-

I stared at the ashes that used to be trees and plants. We had managed to rally some Water Pokemon and we put the fires out. We spent the rest of the night caring to the wounded Pokemon. We tried to go to sleep after that, but none us did. I was exhausted.

"You need to go home, Skiddo." Mia petted the Grass-Type.

"Skiiiiiido!" He replied back.

"You want to stay with me? Is that it?"

"Skid!" He nodded.

"I'd be happy to have you then." She smiled.

Mia rummaged through backpack and found a Pokemon. She held it out to Skiddo. Skiddo tapped the Pokeball with his head and he was sucked by a red light. The Pokeball rolled in Mia's hand for a few seconds then stopped.

"Awesome! You caught a Skiddo!" Liam high-fived her.

"Come on out, you two!" Mia threw her only two Pokeballs in the air.

They snapped open and with a brilliant light, her Pokemon were revealed.

"Ivy, this is Skiddo. Skiddo, this is, Ivy."

The two Pokemon greeted each other with warm smiles.

"Now, what to name you?" Mia thought for a moment. "How about, Fern? Do you like that name?"

"Skid!" He yipped happily.

"Fern, it is!"

I walked away from where my friends were and went over to Asher who looking out into the distance with Crimson by his side.

"What's up?" I asked as I tried wiping some of the soot of my arms.

We already washed up but there was some still left on me. My clothes were completely trashed from last night so I was just wearing my gray fleece and some cargo pants. I usually stick to jeans, but all of them have been ruined from this stupid journey.

"They got away." Was his answer.

"I know. They always do. We've fought with them a few times before. They're slippery alright."

"We need to be ready for them. You did a good job last night but we need to do even better if we want to stand a chance against them at the Seafoam Islands."

"Are you challenging me to a battle?" I grinned.

"Sure. But let's hit the road first."

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"Can we battle yet?" I asked after we walked for about an hour and a half.

"No. We still have ground to cover." Asher said as he looked at Zoey's map. "We should be able to get to Fuchsia City by tomorrow afternoon."

"Cool. Now can we battle?"

"No. Ask me one more time and I'll hit in throat."

"Ohhhhh! Sibling rivalry!" Liam whooped.

"Shut up, single child!" I punched him in the arm.

"You have no idea what it's like having a sibling." Zoey groaned. "Especially if she's Zella Sparks."

"I guess we stop now." Asher gave in.

"Excellent!" I unclipped Kit's Pokeball and threw it in the air.

It opened up and Kit formed before us in a flash of light.

"Just like old times. You never could beat me." Asher smiled as he hurled a Pokeball in the air.

The Pokeball snapped opened and revealed his Honchkrow, Darkwing.

"Honch!" He squawked.

"Start things off with Feint Attack, Kit!"

My Zorua raced towards Darkwing with a trail of purple energy. Kit jumped in the air and slammed into the Honchkrow and sent him to ground.

"Don't let him get up, attack with Night Daze!"

Kit was surrounded with black energy. She charged at Darkwing with blinding speed.

"Sucker Punch." Asher ordered.

Darkwing snapped up and swung his wing at Kit. He nailed her and sent her back from where she started.

"Air Cutter."

Darkwing pounded his wings, and several crescent made of wind went flying towards my Pokemon. Each one hit her. She cried out in pain.

"Use Snarl!" I ordered.

Kit's face twisted up in a snarl, and a beam of energy hit Darkwing. The Dark/Flying-Type shook it off.

"Now use, Night Daze!"

Kit charged at the Honchkrow while surrounded with dark energy. She successfully hit Darkwing but he recovered quickly.

"Let's finish this, use Brave Bird." Asher commanded.

Darkwing flew towards Kit at a blinding speed. I swear, he looked like a blue glowing blur. Darkwing rammed into Kit, sending her flying into my arms. She was out cold.

"You did good." I returned her and took out another Pokeball.

"Oh, so you want more?" Asher jeered.

I threw Nuz's Pokeball in the air. Nuz leapt out with a brilliant light. I had been thinking about renaming him since he was now a Shiftry and not a Nuzleaf.

"Nuz, use Solar Beam!"

Particles of energy rained down from the sun and Nuz started collecting them in his leafy hands.

"Air Cutter!" Asher called to his partner.

"Brace yourself!" I yelled to my Pokemon.

My Shiftry grunted in pain as he was hit by air cutter.

"Release your energy!" I ordered.

Nuz stuck his arms out and he shot a bright green beam at Darkwing. The attack shot him right out of the sky. He fell to ground with smoke trailing from his wings.

"Darkwing, return." Asher returned his Pokemon.

He whistled and Crimson came running from his position in the shade.

"You got this, Griffin!" Zoey shouted.

"Crimson, Retaliate."

The red ringed Pokemon charged at Nuz and rammed into him, sending him flying across the battlefield. I swore under my breath.

"Use Leaf Blade!"

One of his branch like arms started glow a brilliant green color. Nuz lunged at Crimson and slashed him across the chest. Crimson grunted with pain but recovered quickly.

"Crimson, Dark Pulse then Iron Tail!"

Crimson shot a wave of dark energy at Nuz. My Shiftry was knocked back by the attack and that gave Crimson enough time to nail Nuz with Iron Tail. Nuz was flat on his back.

"C'mon, use Razor Leaf!"

Nuz jumped back up and sent razor sharp bits of green at Crimson. The Umbreon stood his ground but was hit by each of the Razor Leafs.

"Lets end this with, Payback!"

A purple ring formed around Crimson. Crimson jerked his head and the ring went flying towards Nuz and struck him directly. Nuz fell in defeat.

"What did I say? Just like old times." Asher scratched his Umbreon behind the ears.

"Shut up." I returned my Pokemon.

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"You bought stuff for s'mores but you didn't get any matches?" Liam asked Mia. "We asked you to get some!"

"I'm sorry it slipped my mind, Mr. Perfect!" She snapped.

We sat there with s'more supplies but with no fire.

Asher came back out of the trees with two rocks in his hand.

"Flint and steel." He said.

He struck the steel against the flint a couple of times and sparks showered down on the kindling. And after about five minutes, we had a full fledged camp fire. I stuck a marshmallow on a stick and held it over the fire.

"Dang it! I burned my marshmallow!" Zoey complained.

"I'll take it." I plucked it from her stick. "I love burnt marshmallows."

I popped it in my mouth.

"I freaking don't." Zoey replied.

"Why not?"

"Because burned things are nasty."

"Whatever." I pulled my half burned marshmallow from the fire and slapped it on some graham crackers with chocolate.

We all sat around the fire and talked. Asher shared his story of how he navigated Mt. Moon with a broken arm with his worn out Pokemon team. It's a classic. We recalled our greatest stories and fondest memories. I guess we all wanted to get it out before things got dark. The Seafoam Islands weren't far away.

All of our Pokemon conspired against us and ended running off with our s'more supplies.

"I'm gonna see if I can't get ahold of Mewtwo." Asher got up and walked to a secluded part of the woods.

Zoey, Liam, and Mia got in some deep conversation that I couldn't really contribute to so. I got up and walked through the woods. I came upon another clearing. Volbeats and Illumise hovered above a large pond. I sat down against a log.

I pulled up blades grass and played with them. I ripped them apart as I watched the Volbeats and Illumise dance high above the pond.

"Hey." I heard Zoey say as she sat down next to me.

"H-hey."

"I was feeling like a third wheel so I came to the find fourth." She smiled her beautiful smile.

I let out a short laugh. "Yeah."

"It's kinda scary. We get to Fuchsia tomorrow and then we confront the thieves. I don't think we'll get another moment like this."

"Zoey."

"Yeah?"

"I-I just wanted to say that meeting you and traveling along side has been the greatest thing that has ever happened to me. And I will keep every moment with you in my heart. I-I-I love you."

I stared at the ground the entire time. I couldn't even say it to her face. Lady killer, I know.

I felt the soft touch of Zoey's hand on my cheek. She directed my face away from the ground. I looked deeply into her captivating pale blue eyes. She smiled sweetly. She looked beautiful under the moonlight. I was probably blushing like crazy but I couldn't tell. Zoey's hand dropped from my cheek and she hooked it around my neck and pulled me closer to her.

Our lips touched. My heart was faster than the speed of light. I thought it was going to explode any second. My mind was blank I had no idea what to do. Zoey pulled away.

"I love you, Griffin." She whispered before kissing me again.

This time I held her hand. I loved her. I truly did. And my love for her grew more and more as this went on.

We both pulled away.

"Can you promise me something, Griffin?" Zoey placed her head on my shoulder.

"Anything for you." I was able to say with out stammering.

"Promise me that you'll always find away to be with me."

"I promise."

I intended to keep that promise. Suddenly, I heard footsteps pounding on the ground. I whirled around and saw Asher. He was whiter than snow and sweat was dripping off his face.

"They have Mewtwo." He said.

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Author's note: Romance! Sorry if that part was kinda crapy. I try my best. Anyway the thieves have Mewtwo! The book will sadly come to an end in about two or three chapters. Maybe more. I don't have much to say.

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