Chapter 9

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Kira's P.O.V.

"Faster! Come, on!" I yelled.

Gold and I were in the middle of a heated battle, my Grovyle against his Beautifly. We battled for fifteen minutes, calling out orders.

We were on our final Pokémon.

"Beautifly, use stun spore!" Gold ordered out. I grew nervous.

"Emerald, use agility to dodge the spores, and when you do, use pursuit!" Emerald went around in a blur, dodging the poison like I had said, but Gold had something else in mind.

"Beautifly, take this opportunity and spray string shot. And do it all over the ground." His butterfly Pokémon let out a battle cry and shot webs out of it's mouth onto our makeshift battlefield. Emerald got caught in it in the process.

"Emerald, quick use leaf blade on the strings!" I was getting nervous. I had the disadvantage, yes, but I was determined to win.

"Before she gets out, Beautifly, use stun spore all over!" Gold beat me. He beat me to calling out a move. My breath hitched, seeing my Grovyle stop what she was doing.

If I remember correctly, Team Aqua trained my Pokémon a bit.. meaning, they must have given them a move or.. that's it!

"Emerald! Facade, now!" Bingo, Beautifly has been hit and fainted. I won.

A four on four match, and I won. I dropped to my knees after I returned Emerald. I looked at her Pokéball.

"We won, Emerald.." I muttered quietly, happily. I took in a deep breath.

That was a tough battle.

Gold held out a hand for me to take. I quietly took it and he brought me up.

"That was a tough match, Kira!" He exclaimed, smiling. His eyes show he was a bit disappointed he lost, but he wasn't too concerned about it.

"I hope we can battle again in the future." I nodded. It was a tough battle, and I enjoyed it, but not the whole yelling out my orders. Heh.

The rest of the group were watching us from the beginning. Honestly, I had not noticed them until now. I gulped.

"That was amazing, Kira!" May shouted to me. I only nodded.

"Well, you are definitely louder in the battlefield than out." Brendan remarked. I shot him a look.

"Can't help it." I growled. I walked towards the Pokémon center, ignoring everyone else.

I let Nurse Joy heal my Pokémon. While I was waiting, I went back outside to the beach and just stood around, gazing. It, then, got too hot for my liking so I went ahead and took off my shoes and socks, leaving me with bare feet digging in the sand. I sighed in content.

A few footsteps were heard and I turned my head to see three figures.

Red, Gary, and May.

Seriously, why does everyone call him Gary? Wasn't it supposed to be Blue- er- Green? Or.. never mind. I'll think about it later.

"Hello." I greeted, turning back to the sea.

"Kira!" May began. I braced myself. "You battled extremely well earlier!" I could tell she was impressed, but to me, she didn't look interested in competitive battling. I understand. I hated competitive battling.

"Thank you.." My tone softened. I placed my hands behind my back and locked them together.

"Do you guys ever wonder.. if there was ever a world without Pokémon?" I suddenly asked. I was curious, I couldn't help that.

I could feel the tension in the air, and the slight shuffle of sand.

"Maybe.." I turned around to face the three. May looked at me.

"I thought about it several times. To me, Pokémon doesn't deserve to be hurt, even by battling. They deserve to be loved and cherished.. which was why I thought of that.." She then looked down, shamefully. I walked to her and placed my hand on her shoulder.

"I'm sure there's a world out there for you, May." I frowned and walked away, leaving them on the beach.

So there are some people who wish for a better life here.

*^*^*^*

I walked out of Dewford Gym, triumphantly. I had won my second badge easily. Everyone else had left, saying they had stuff to do, so it was just me and my Pokémon. Good.

After I healed my Pokémon, I took a ride to Slateport from Mr. Briney who just happened to show up.

He dropped me off outside of Slateport, bidding me good bye, and he was off again towards Sootopolis.

Slateport. It smells of fish and sea.

I headed up to town, in the sweltering heat. A hut rests on the west side, drawing me near it. I opened the door and was met with an unbearable temperature. I gasped for breath and went outside.

Not going in there.

I continued my gruesome walk until I finally got to the city. I let out a relieved sigh. I went up past an outdoor market. Pokédrugs, Pokédolls, TM's and an assortment of flowers and fish were sold here.

I went by it all until I reached the heart of the city. Up north of the city is a route to Mauville, a battle tent, which I recognized, and some building where it looks like submarines can come and go. I went to look around until I saw something that made my heart nearly stop.

Team Aqua grunts were lined up outside the museum. I gulped.

I instantly went inside the mart, hoping none would see me. I immediately went to the window to spy on them. They didn't seem to notice anything, which was good.

"Hello." I nearly jumped out of my skin. I turned around to see a familiar face. Steven Stone.

"Hello, there." I responded quite hastily.

"You seem to be in a rush, may I ask why?" Gosh dang you and your politeness. I do not need that.

"Umm.. Just those Team Aqua grunts... I encountered them on my way here.." It was the truth, but only half. I dare not tell him what actually happened.

"Oh? So you have, huh? They seem to be desperate for something.." He began to talk to himself. My hands started to get sweaty. I want to flush them out, but I didn't want to be caught in the act as their members.

Think, Kira, THINK.

"Do you need help to flush them out?" I asked suddenly. He stopped his rambling and looked at me like I was crazy, registering what I said.

He nodded. "Any plans?"

I just smirked, inwardly.

****

Since I had the chip in my arm, which Steven did not know about, I volunteered to gather information while he tries to infiltrate them in the museum. It was smart, but it could have been better.

I asked several locals, but none had a clue what I was talking about except saying it was Team Aqua's fault.

I finally ended up in a warehouse-looking building. I entered and there was a man looking at some blueprints. I walked up to him.

"Excuse me." I said, getting his attention. He looked up from the papers. "Do you know where Captain Stern is?"

"Oh? Him? I'm sorry, Miss. I have no idea. He did say he wouldn't be far, maybe check out the museum? I would go there if I were him." I smiled and muttered a thanks. I left and went to the museum, which had no Aqua members in front anymore.

Going in, I paid for my one day trip, and searched. I found one of the Aqua grunts, so I pulled him aside angrily.

"What the hell are YOU doing here?" he seethed as he saw me. I didn't recognize him, but I had no doubts any of them recognize me.

"Shut your trap. Tell me, what are you doing here?" I was getting angry. I never got this angry over something like this.

"Something YOU couldn't do yourself: nab the Devon Goods!" I had to bite my cheek to prevent myself from smiling.

"I can't help that I could not find it!" I shot back. We both were glaring daggers before Archie came in.

Shit

He saw the two of us and come over, a sullen look crossed his features.

"Kira," He began, "you have failed to find the Goods. And for that, we must punish you. Tie her up and don't let her escape. I must deal with this meddling Stone." He walked away, going upstairs.

"You heard the man," I sarcastically spat. He gave me a shove and tied me up with ropes, tightly. I winced.

"Happy now?" He shot back the sarcasm.

I swear this is going to be the death of me.

Rumbling and heavy objects moving were geard from upstairs. The receptionists looked terrified, but didn't do anything. Cowards.

After that was done, Archie emerged back and placed a white cloth to my face. The last thing I saw before blacking out was Steven Stone on the stairs, watching.