(Two Hours Later)

Lucas, Barry, and Dawn were sitting on the ground in front of the bench I was sitting on as this person, Mr. Berry, assisted me in learning how to play a guitar. Like what happened with learning to read, I picked up the technique quite quickly. I was now playing the song from before for my friends, trying to keep my face from turning fully red. I could tell they really enjoyed listening, which I appreciated. I was planning to play and sing a lot on my journey.

And the Meowth's in the cradle and the silver Klang,

Little Beldum blue, now a Metang.

When you coming home, son, don't know when, but we'll get together then.

I know we'll have a battle then.

When I finished, everyone began clapping. "Wow Jasmine, that was really good," Barry told me. "Thanks, Barry." "Ooh, and you aren't stammering, that's new," Dawn said. "W-well, don't jinx it, now," I giggled.

I turned to my teacher and handed him his instrument. "Well, thank you for teaching me, sir, but I think I'm done for the day." "I understand, Jasmine. Same time tomorrow?" "Sounds like a plan!"

Mr. Berry walked away, as my friends sat down next to me. "So, anything else you wanna do today," Lucas asked me. "Yes, there is actually. I've been noticing those things on your arms," I said, pointing to a watch-like device on Lucas' wrist. "Where can I get one?"

"Well, the headquarters of the company is right over there, but they're kind of expensive," Barry said, pointing to a large building. "Well, it's worth a shot. What's the fault in trying?" "Um, embarrassing yourself in front of the higher ups of the Pokétch Company, that's the fault in trying," Dawn reminded me. :She's right, you know,: the voice in my head told me.

:Not now, Jasper.: :You can't silence me.: "Well, I think it's worth a shot," Lucas told me. "Thanks, Lucas," I smiled, as I got up and began to walk towards the building. :Wow, he can be so annoying sometimes, you know?:

:No, I actually don't know, ma'am.: :Ooh, so formal. Don't tell me you haven't noticed it.: :Noticed what?: :How Lucas is always so supportive of everything you do.:

:And is that a bad thing?: :No, it's not, I myself just find it annoying.: :Well, I'm sorry about that, but I can't control what he does, and I don't know what to call you.: :Huh, I guess I don't have a name. Well, since we're essentially one and the same, I think I'll choose Jasper.:

:Well, Jasper, I would prefer if you would keep quiet for now.: :Fine, I can't ignore someone that polite about how annoyed they are.: Jasper then stopped talking, letting my mind clear up. I continued walking towards the Pokétch building, the looming shadow of the building surrounding me. I took a breath, and walked into the building.

(45 Minutes Later)

"Heya, Jasmine, how'd it go," Lucas asked as I walked back to my friends. "Well, let's just say that my dad's stepfather was the Poketch Company president," I said as I held up my new Poketch. "Well, the coincidences continue to pile up. So, where do we go now," Barry asked. "Well, it's kind of late, maybe we should get a room at the Pokémon Center," Dawn suggested.

We all agreed, and began walking towards the Jubilife Pokémon Center. As we did, I looked back at the city, at the buildings and lights, and saw something I didn't need right now. Two light blue bowl cuts, wearing white uniforms and facing away from me. I was frozen with fear, and just stared in shock. "Jasmine, you alright," Lucas asked frantically.

"G-guys, it-it's T-Team...Team Galactic," I stammered out nervously, pointing in their direction. "Oh my...c'mon, we need to go," Lucas ordered, grabbing my hand and running back towards Barry and Dawn. "Guys, we're in trouble! Team Galactic is here in Jubilife!" "Lucas, Jasmine, get in the Pokémon Center, and get a room," Barry ordered.

"What about you and Dawn," I asked. "If they come into the Pokémon Center, we'll hold them back," Dawn told us. "Hey, you there," a Team Galactic grunt yelled to us. "Get going, you two, we've got this," Barry commanded, as he unhooked a Poké Ball from his belt. "Go, Chimler," he yelled, sending out an reddish-brown monkey Pokemon with white fur, golden markings, and a large flame atop its head.

"Infernape," it roared as it was sent out. "Jasmine, come on! We need to get you safe," Lucas yelled as he pulled me away. We ran into the Pokemon Center, leaving Barry and Dawn to defeat the Galactic grunts. "Hello, and welcome to the Pokemon Center," Nurse Joy greeted us.

"Ma'am, I'm sorry to be rude, but we don't have the time. We'd like a room, please, one for 4 people," I quickly told her. "May I ask why you're in such a hurry?" "We just need a place to rest for the night. The heat has just been getting to her," Lucas quickly said.

"Oh, okay then." Nurse Joy reached behind her desk and grabbed a room key. "Here you go, your room is Room 202." "Thank you, ma'am," Lucas responded as he took the room key. We walked to our room and went inside, before quickly locking the door.

"We should be safe," Lucas told me, as I slumped against one of the bunk beds on the side of the room, my head in my knees. "I can't believe it, they just had to come back. They can't just leave me alone." "Jasmine, are you alright?"

"No, Lucas, I'm not okay! Just when I was beginning to think I was safe, this happens! I can't go back to Team Galactic, I just can't!" "Jasmine, Jasmine, it's okay. Barry and Dawn will stop them, I know it."

"But what if they don't? If they lose, and you lose too, what am I left with? You guys have been across the whole region, and I've only been to 4 places! I only have Rusty to protect me, and he can't stand up to those grunts Pokemon! I...I...I don't want to leave you guys!"

I began to cry, scared by the prospect of losing my friends. I sent out Rusty, his yellow eyes casting a soft glow on the room around him. As soon as he saw my tears, a look of fear spread across his face. *Jasmine, what's wrong? Why are you crying?*

:Rusty, things have gotten real bad. Team Galactic found us, and while Barry and Dawn are holding them off for now, I don't know if they can do it forever. This...this may be the end of the road.: *No, Jasmine, you can't give up! Not like this!*

Rusty rushed up to me and leapt into my arms, tears filling his eyes and running down his cheeks. I brought him close to my body, his head resting on my right shoulder, and hugged him, as I tried and failed to calm down. Lucas, seeing how not even my only Pokémon could keep me from crying, sat down next to me and put his arm around me. "Jasmine, please stop crying, I hate seeing you like this. You don't deserve this sort of strife, you deserve happiness."

"Lucas, all things deserve happiness, big and small, human or Pokémon," I told him back. "I know, Jasmine, but...you deserve it more than anyone. You've been through so much in your life, and yet, the universe still refuses to give you a break." "L-Lucas, I...I don't know what to say." :Ouch, worst time possible,: Jasper butted in.

"You don't have to say anything, Jasmine, you just need to rest. I'll keep you safe, I promise." Lucas then gripped me in a hug, which I returned to him. "Lucas...thank you," I whispered to him, as fatigue rapidly overtook me. "I'm here for you, Jasmine, always," Lucas told me, as I fell asleep in his arms.

(Barry's POV)

"Empoleon, Hydro Pump the Crobat," Dawn ordered her Pokémon. Her Empoleon shot a pillar of water at the grunt's Crobat, sending him spiraling to the ground. "Alright, Chimler, use Flare Blitz to finish it off," I commanded my Pokémon. My Infernape made a barrier of fire around himself and charged, smashing into the grounded Crobat, knocking it out. Chimler jumped back, a bit of electricity surging around him, but still ready to fight.

The grunt returned his fainted Crobat, leaving only one person remaining, one I knew all too well. Her purple hair reminded me of what she did to me at Lake Acuity, and filled me with rage. "Well, Barry, it's certainly been some time since we last fought," Jupiter told me. "Yeah, it sure has, but I'm going to beat you this time! I won't let you get to Lucas and Jasmine!"

"Well, I guess I'll have to move you out of the way! Dragalge, let's go," Jupiter yelled as she threw out her Poké Ball. It sent out a floating, purple sea dragon that resembled a piece of dried up kelp. "Chimler, Close Combat," I told my Infernape. He nodded and rushed to the Mock Kelp Pokémon, punching it rapidly.

As Chimler jumped back to his original spot, the Dragalge looked like he was barely phased. "Oh, Barry, that's just like you, using a Fighting-type move on a Poison-type," Jupiter smirked. "Empoleon, use," Dawn began, before I stopped her. "No, Dawn, this is my fight, and I won't lose. Not for me, not for you, not for Lucas, and not for Jasmine!"

(Meanwhile, in Veilstone City)

"Breaking news tonight, as Team Galactic grunts are seen in Jubilife City. Their intention is unknown so far, but two young trainers have begun to combat them," the anchorwoman said. "Oi, when will Team Galactic learn to quit? Am I right, Paul," Reggie asked me. I wasn't listening, but was instead looking out the window.

"You thinking about that girl again," my brother asked. "She has to be the reason those grunts are in Jubilife. I'm going to go over there, and I'm going to kick them out myself!" I stormed outside and sent out Honchkrow. "Honchkrow, we're going to Jubilife City," I told my Big Boss Pokémon.

"And you say you don't care for her," my brother smirked. "I don't, she only got a weak Pokémon to help me escape. I'm doing this because I don't want to see anything related to Team Galactic for the rest of my life. Not because some redheaded girl I knew a long time ago needs more than 3 people to protect her." With that, I climbed on Honchkrow and took off, heading for Jubilife.

As I soared on the back of my Dark/Flying-type, I thought about when I was a prisoner of Team Galactic. "Those morons had no reason to capture me, and yet, they did, for 3 years! I do owe this for Jasmine, though. If she hadn't asked that Pokémon to help me, I wouldn't have escaped when I did." We were still a ways off from Jubilife City, so I let the flashback consume my vision.

(Flashback Start)

Jasmine and I were in our cell, waiting for whenever the less than table scraps we called dinner would arrive. I was scratching a new tally into the wall, marking how many days it had been since I was put in there, and Jasmine was sitting against the wall, watching stray Joltik and Scatterbug creep across the floor. Suddenly, Jasmine jolted back, hitting her head against the wall. "Cellmate, did you hear that?" "I don't assume you mean the sound of your head hitting the wall, correct?"

"No, I didn't mean that, so you didn't hear it. Cellmate, I think I can understand Pokémon!" Hearing this, I dropped the sharpened toothbrush I used to etch markings into the wall. Jasmine never lied about anything, so I knew she wasn't just saying things. "You...you can speak Pokémon?"

"Well, maybe, I only know that I can hear what Pokémon are saying." She let a Joltik crawl into her hand and brought it up to her face. She stared at it for a few seconds, before it bit her hand, causing her to shake it to the floor. "Cellmate, I can speak to Pokémon too! I told that Joltik to use Big Bite on me, and it did!"

"Wow, that's amazing! It's too bad you're stuck here, and can't do anything with your power." Jasmine had a look like she had an idea, before looking around at the small group of Pokémon that dotted the floor. She picked up a Joltik and brandished it to me. "Cellmate, this Joltik is about to evolve, and when it does, we can use it to escape!"

Our hearts quickly skipped a beat, however, when we heard footsteps coming down the hallway. "Jasmine, act natural, just act natural," I told her. A grunt came in front of the cell, holding a tray of discarded food scraps. "Dinnertime, you worthless wastes of space," he said as he threw the scraps through our cell's bars. As he left, I observed what we were given.

"Some bread crusts, a half-eaten apple, and a tiny pepper. Wow, did we get lucky or what," I asked Jasmine. She just crawled over to the pepper, before setting it in front of the Joltik. It stared at the small red vegetable for a few seconds, before jumping onto it and nibbling at it. It weaved in and out of the small pepper, before jumping off and beginning to glow.

The Joltik grew larger, its legs grew longer, and its power grew a lot. "Galvantula," the Electric/Bug-type hissed as its transformation was completed. "Yes, we can use this to escape! You were taught how to battle before you were kidnapped, right," Jasmine asked me. "Yeah, I was, why?"

"You can use this Galvantula to beat anyone who stands in our way!" "Hmm, fair point! Okay, Galvantula, use Bug Bite on the cell door's lock!" The Galvantula nodded and rapidly bit the cell's hinges, severing them from the door. The door fell to the floor, making a large clanging sound.

"Oh crud, there goes our stealthy escape," Jasmine said. "Jasmine, Galvantula, c'mon! We're getting out, and we're doing it right now!" We ran out the cell, Galvantula leading the way. "Hey, there they are, and they're escaping," a grunt behind us yelled.

"Galvantula, Sticky Web behind us," I commanded. Galvantula jumped and turned in the air, before firing a wad of webbing at the grunts behind us. The wad expanded rapidly, creating a net of webbing behind us, keeping us safe from the back. It landed back on the floor and kept going, us two following behind.

We continued to follow the EleSpider Pokémon, until we were stopped by two people. One, a purple haired admin, and the other a blue haired admin. "My my, children, now is not the time for daring escapes," Jupiter said. "I don't care! We're leaving, and we're never coming back to you!"

"Stupid child, you can't win against us. Now why don't you save your energy, and your possibility of a future and give up," Saturn asked. I looked back at Jasmine, who was visibly terrified. I relented, not wanting to get her hurt. "Okay, I concede, you win."

"That's good, sacrificing your slim chance of victory for the ones you care about. You're exactly the kind of people we like to break," Jupiter laughed. Suddenly, Galvantula spit two strings of webbing at Jupiter and Saturn, tying them up in string. It then shot two nets of electrified webbing at the admins, causing them minor pain. "Paul, you need to run, and take Galvantula!"

"Jasmine, I'm not leaving you behind! We're leaving together!" "And we will, Paul, but you take priority! You have your brother to go back to, but I don't know where my mother is! I'd rather it was I recaptured then you!"

I nodded to her and ran past the admins, and out the entrance to the Galactic HQ. I ran and ran, not stopping for anything, until I reached my old house. I frantically knocked on the door, until Reggie opened it. As soon as he did, I hugged him as hard as I could, having not seen him for over 3 years. "Reggie, I'm back, I'm finally back," I cried into his stomach area.

"Paul, is...is it really you?" "Yes, Reggie, it's really me! I escaped, and I'll never leave you like that ever again!" "B-but, how did you escape?" "I used Galvantula there, he helped me escape!"

"But how did you train a Galvantula without any Poké Balls?" "Jasmine helped me do it!" "Who's Jasmine?" "She's my friend, and she's right," I said, before turning and seeing that there was no one there. I began to panic, hoping that she was just slow or joking with me.

"Jasmine, where are you? This isn't funny, Jasmine! Jasmine? Jasmine?! Jasmine," I yelled in fear.

"Paul, you can't go looking for her, you could be captured again," Reggie said as he dragged me back inside. "No, Reggie, I have to get back to her, she's all alone and she needs my help! She won't be able to survive the torture that Team Galactic will put her through! Please, Reggie, let me go back! Let me rescue her!"

"Paul, please don't make me do this," Reggie said as he sent out his Swalot. "I have to save her, she's all alone without me!" Reggie just sighed, before saying, "Swalot, use Yawn on Paul." Swalot made a loud yawn, making me drowsy. "Jasmine, don't you...forget about me," I moaned, before passing out.

(Flashback End)

Honchkrow made a loud caw, knocking me out of my flashback. We were now within sight of Jubilife City, and Honchkrow began descending. "Steady on, Honchkrow, steady on." As we came into sight, I saw Barry and Dawn, Barry commanding an Infernape to attack a Dragalge. "Looks like Barry is just as clueless as ever," I whispered to myself.

As soon as I saw his opponent, I clenched my teeth in rage. Jupiter had been responsible for taking me away from my one true friend, and I wasn't going to let her off easy. "Maybe Reggie was right. Maybe I am doing this for Jasmine." I jumped off of Honchkrow, before asking, "Well, Jupiter, remember me?"

~~~O~~~O~~~O~~~

Word Count: 3109 Words

And thus, the longest chapter in the story so far has been made. And, after the Pokétch company president thing, we are out of the realm where Jasmine gets things because her parents got around a lot.

So, we now know some more about how close Paul and Jasmine were as prisoners together. That's a thing! Man these author's notes are getting harder to write.

Oh, yes! So, if you're familiar with Pokémon Adventures, you would notice that Barry's Infernape is named Chimler, like Pearl's in the manga. I did this because the manga had it's main characters Diamond (Lucas), Pearl (Barry), and Platinum (Dawn), owning Turtwig, Chimchar, and Piplup respectively. So, yes, Lucas will have a Torterra.

Well, these stories don't write themselves, so until next time, Happy Reading!