Elm's lab was decently close to my home. It would take about a 3 minute walk, but when seeing Gold come out the house that's a few houses down from mine, I felt like the trip was going to be longer.

"Good morning, Valerie!" Gold smiled, waving with his Cyndaquil in his arms. I nodded to greet him.

"Morning. Just call me, V. It's more simple"

"I don't see what's so complicated about your name, but okay" he laughed. I grew up having the name 'kitty' back in the club. It never settled well since I wasn't a toy to play with, but everyone still called me that name even when I got in a bad mood after being called that. V was every so often used to call me in a more casual manner instead of a 'cute' manner the girls like throwing at me. I'll stick with V, since I'm use to that more than my actual name.

"Yeah" I walked off, he followed.

"I can't wait to see what kind of Pokémon the professor is going to give you" he said "I know I was super happy when I got Cyndaquil. Isn't he adorable?" I looked at Cyndaquil enjoying the pets Gold was giving it "Say, when you get your Pokémon, why don't we have a battle?" I waved my hand.

"No thanks. I rather get to know my new Pokémon before I decide to battle with anyone. How rude is it that you force a new partner to fight for you" he looked confused "It's wrong to order a Pokémon to protect you when they hardly know you. Wouldn't it be better if they got to know you and want to protect you because they want to? Not because they have to?" He frowned at Cyndaquil looking at him.

"I... I didn't think of it that way" I chuckled.

"It's okay. You're still young"

"I'm only 15!"

"I thought you were 16" he looked away, looking childish.

"I'm almost 16, so same thing!" I rolled my eyes and finally arrived at the lab. Elm was making some coffee when we walked in.

"Good morning, Elm!" I waved with Pichu on my shoulder.

"What's up?" Gold smirked, lifting his hand for a simple greeting.

"Hey there, you two! Good morning!" Elm smiled. We stopped in front of a table with a container with two Pokéballs with one spot missing one "I have here two Pokémon you can choose from. I'll only let you choose one" I took the one from the middle "D-Don't you want to see what's inside?"

"It doesn't matter to me what the Pokémon looks like. I'm happy I'm given the chance to have one" I hugged the ball "Thank you, Professor!" He sighed and smiled.

"Well, open it to see what you chose!" Gold pushed. I threw the ball and released a little green Pokémon with a large leaf on its head. It looked up at me with its shining red eyes and smiled big.

"Oh my.." I gasped, amazed at the cuteness I chose randomly.

"This is Chikarita" Elm said. I nodded, knowing that, and picked up my new Pokémon.

"Hey there! I'm Valerie! Nice to meet you!" Pichu came out from my hair to greet it with me. Chikarita cheered and greeted us back with a smile.

"Seems she's already taken a liking to you" Elm said "I'm so glad!" I caught something in the corner of my eye. To avoid being noticed, I let my hair fall forward and I peaked at what was looking through the window. A head of red hair...

"I can't wait to battle!" Gold cheered. I looked away from the window and looked at Gold making Cyndaquil and Chikarita meet "You two know each other. How about a friendly battle?"

"What did I tell you?" I put Chikarita down. He did the same "I don't want to battle right now. Be respectful towards my decisions. You kids are way to excited to battle when there's so much more into things than winning"

"Whoa" he raised his arms "I didn't mean to make it so personal. I just got excited" he lowered his arms "and what do you mean, you kids? You're almost as young as I am!" I shook my head and walked off with my new Pokémon following me.

"If you really want to battle, you're not battling Chikarita. You'll be battling Pichu" him and Elm jumped.

"Pichu?" Gold asked, puzzled.

"Didn't you say she didn't have any attack moves?" Elm asked, nervously.

"Yes well, we got to spend some time together at home to realize something I finally discovered" I smirked at Gold "So? Do you want to battle now?" His lips curled high in excitement.

"You bet!" I looked at Chikarita looking up at me.

"You stand next to me and watch for today, okay?" She smiled and rubbed herself on my ankle. I picked her up and walked out with the boys. Elm walked out to watch and observe while Gold stood across from me in the small battlefield we made and prepared our Pokémon.

"I kinda feel nervous, knowing I'm going to battle with a Pokémon who's blind in one eye" Gold started sweating.

"You just started thinking about that? Wow, you really are a kid" Gold glared at my joke.

"I'll show you who's a kid! Let's go Cyndaquil!" Cyndaquil flared up its flames, ready for battle. I'm not sure how long ago he received this Pokémon, but if it has the same fighting spirit as Gold, that's all that matters.

"Let's go, Pichu" I spoke without raising my voice. Pichu jumped off my shoulder and accidentally fell on her face. I quickly picked her up and brushed the dirt off her. She rubbed her head embarrassed and sprinted to the battle field to face her opponent.

"Y-You sure you want to battle with Pichu?" Gold asked nervously.

"Yes, I'm sure. You insisted on a battle" I sighed "Listen, I'll have to ask you for a favor. I know Pichu can't use attack moves, but she can do some things. I want to test what she can do in a battle. For convenience sake. I don't want her being left out" Pichu nodded quickly. Gold lifted his head.

"Ah! I get it now! In that case, I don't see why not. It's the least I can do!" He smiled big. I'm sort of regretting my request... "Alright Cyndaquil! Take it easy on Pichu, okay?" Cyndaquil stopped flaring it's flames.

"Alright" I looked at Pichu looking at me "Show me what you're made of" she nodded and faced Cyndaquil confidently "Go!" Pichu placed her hand on her mouth and blew out a kiss that sparked hearts towards Cyndaquil, making it go heart eyed and go a bit crazy. I choked in laughter before bursting out laughing.

"What the-?!" Gold was taken back that Cyndaquil was spinning around, all in love "What's going on!?"

"I had no idea you could use Attract! My sweet little one!" I held my stomach in pain "You're just like your momma!" Pichu blushed, feeling shy "Alright!" I calmed down "Lets continue!"

"Cyndaquil! Snap out of it!" Gold shouted "Use tackle!" Cyndaquil didn't listen, still head over heals for Pichu "Use Ember!" Cyndaquil opened its mouth and let out a ember attack. I gasped.

"Pichu! Dodge!" I yelled out. Pichu jumped to the side, but ending up falling down. Of course, her tail isn't as good as it use to be. Pokémon use their tails for balance. She doesn't have one. She ended up getting burned "Pichu!" I hurried towards her. She jumped up and glared at me "Pichu!"

"Pee!" She shook her head and looked back at Cyndaquil snapping out of the attract trance. She still wants to fight...

"Alright..." I frowned "Keep on going!" Pichu nodded and did a double team to surround Cyndaquil "Awesome!" When surrounding Cyndaquil, she let out a loud scream that got me covering my ears tightly.

With one eye open, I watched small hearts escaping her screams and throw them towards Cyndaquil flying off from the strong winds. It fell hard on the ground and stayed there, fainted.

Pichu cheered in victory and ran to jump into my arms. She missed and went to the far right. I caught her on time and hugged her tightly.

"That was amazing!" I laughed, spinning her around "I'm so proud of you!" Gold went to scoop up Cyndaquil and came up to me.

"How is that possible?! The battle didn't lost long" I looked at him very confused "Isn't Pichu a baby Pokémon? It should be at the same level as Cyndaquil, right?"

"You misinterpret. Pichu isn't a baby, despite its appearance" he still looked confused "Pichu hatched 13 years ago when I first got her"

"13 years old!?" He looked at Elm not looking as surprised as he thought he'd be "That little thing is actually 13 years old?!" Elm nodded and explained.

"Yes. Her mother had requested an egg to Kanto, and since it was a bit difficult to deliver an egg, it was more complicated than it could had been. I helped them out. It's quite unfortunate about what happened to her" he came to pet pichus head "but she's able to fight in her own little ways. She didn't even make a physical move"

"Pichu also can't carry electricity like normal electric type Pokémon can. She can't even evolve" Gold's jaw dropped at the same time we heard glass shattering. Elm looked back at his lab surprised.

"Did the last Pokémon get free?" He ran inside. I don't think that the last Pokémon did anything when I saw that red headed boy outside the window. I didn't know what his intentions was, but it doesn't sound good when Elm screamed "Theif!!" Gold ran inside "Call the cops! He ruined my lab!!" I looked over at the side of the building to see that same boy I met in the farmers market escaping with a Pokéball in hand.

"Oh boy" I sighed "Should had seen that at least coming! Let's go!" I yelled at my Pokémon. Pichu got on my shoulder and I picked up Chikorita to carry her as I chased after this mysterious boy "hold it!" I yelled at him. He kept on running "You got some balls to steal from someone's home in the day time! It's like you're asking to get caught!" I laughed, getting him to look back at me "Chikorita! Can you use Vine whip to grab him?" She nodded and took out her vines to grab his body and lifted him in the air, making him struggle to get free and refuse to let go of the Pokéball I'm sure he stole.

"Nice work" I pet Chikarita and placed her down "So!" I walked up to the boy glaring me down like I was a monster "What brings you to NewBark town? I mean, there are bigger places you could had stolen from. Why did you choose there?" He huffed angrily.

"I don't have to tell you anything!" I smirked amused at his bad boy behavior. Not my type, but I rather not refer to him with a type since he's a minor "let me go!" I dug in his pockets and grabbed a wallet "Hey! That's mine!"

"I'm not going to steal anything from you, but it'll be smart to return that Pokémon you stole" I looked at his trainer card "Silver Rocket. Interesting name" I was uncomfortable with the last name and threw the wallet back at him. I got Chikarita to put him down, making him look at my unpleased face, confused.

"I don't know what your intentions are, but answer my question. Are you part of Team Rocket?" He snorted and spat beside himself.

"Why would I be a part of those guys filled with weak people? Don't you dare compare me to those guys" I looked behind me to find Gold looking for me, but as no idea that I ran into the trees while following this boy "Why did you put me down and throw my wallet at me? Are you going to arrest me or something?" I crossed my arms as he looked at my Pokémon "Got some weak Pokémon you got there" I leaned down to grab his neck, making him freeze when seeing the anger in my eyes.

"Don't you dare insult my Pokémon" I threw him back and crossed my arms again. He rubbed his neck and took out the Pokéball he stole.

"So you think you're tough... Battle me then!" I narrowed my eyes.

"No" he send out a Totadile that stood in front of him, ready for battle. I held my chin to observe "Look at that. You decided to take this boy as your trainer" the little blue Pokémon gulped, but nodded and stood tall "I'm not going to battle you. I have no need too"

"Don't talk like you're going to win! Use bite on that weak little thing!" The boy pointed at Chikorita. Totadile ran up to her with its jaw wide open. I moved between them and took the bite instead, though it wasn't as bad due to lack of training and strength. I groaned anyway and lifted my arm it was hanging from. The boy froze on the spot.

"Didn't I make myself clear?" I moved Totadile away and gently brought it to the floor "I'm not going to battle you" I looked at my pinched skin. It'll will probably get bruising later "You're quite interesting" I looked back at the boy "I'd love to see more of you and how you get around thinking stealing and glaring at people like their smaller than you is a good idea" I waved him away "And because you're so interesting, I'll let you leave" I turned away "I never saw you" it was silent for a moment.

"H-Huh..?" This boy looked so similar to the baby in my family's photo album. Until I understand why, I won't report him. Of course, I can't mention that I find him familiar yet, so I'll play dumb.

"Do I have to repeat myself?" I looked back at him "Get out of here" he quickly stood up.

"Don't think I'm going to be nice to you just because you let me off the hook" I rolled my eyes.

"Trust me kid, I knew people worse than you. If you have any idea how I handle those kind of people, you'll be sorry. So be grateful. Now go" he glared, shaking a little, looked at the arm I was holding in pain, and ran off with the Pokémon he stole. My Pokémon frowned at me, obviously confused on why I let that happen.

"People like that always get what they deserve. Besides, if he gets caught, I'll never get my answers" I looked over at Gold seeing me and hurry over. I hid my arm "Reporting him will just keep him from telling me what I want to know"

"V!" Gold panicked "Are you okay!? You just disappeared!" I nodded and hugged myself.

"I tried catching the thief, but he got away with Elm's Pokémon" Gold looked around.

"So you saw him?" I nodded "That's good! You can give a description to the police!" He patted my shoulder "Did he hurt you?"

"He wouldn't be able to hurt me even if he tried" I winked "I'm more than how I look, you know?" He blushed.

"R-Right..." I walked without him to the lab and found cops already Inside. Everything was scattered on the floor, including glass and Elm who was slouching on his seat, surrounded by two men in uniforms.

"What happened?" I asked.

"The thief with red hair came into the lab and hurt the professors back when he tried getting the guy back in the lab. I came in at the same time the guy ran off through the window" I see.

"You two!" Elm was relieved to see us. The two cops turned around to see us. One of the cops glared at us while the other was surprised to see me as I was to him.

"You two" the other cop announced "Were you involved in this mess?" He quickly got to the door to keep us from escaping. The other cop walked up to me while Gold started arguing with the cop who made assumptions.

"I didn't think I'd see you again, Kitty" everyone stopped when he said that. I glared and grabbed his shirt.

"I have a name, and you know it! Don't start with me, bouncer!" He got me off him.

"Seriously? You still don't know my name after 6 years of working in the same place together?" He shook his head, ashamed at me "How sad. After all I've done for you" I pouted.

"S-Shut up..."

"Officer Falkner, sir" the other cop spoke "Do you know the suspect?" The bouncer who is called Falkner, which I remembered now as Falky, crossed his arms.

"She's an old friend" I looked back at the other cop and mocked him "She's innocent. Stop guarding the door"

"Why would you think she's innocent just because you know her" Falkner looked at me.

"It's because I know her, I know she's innocent. Why would the criminal come back through the front door?" The other cop cleared his throat.

"R-Right..." Falkner sighed and moved his hair from his forehead.

"Go back to the professor to support him while the ambulance arrives" he nodded and quickly ran off back to Elm "Rookies" I chuckled and played with his hair. This was the man who saw me at my worse in my apartment when Ronan got us to come in early. To think... he was working for a criminal as a police officer. I didn't think I'd see my old coworker again, but now that I have, I feel too embarrass to look at him when knowing that he found out about what I've been through, even if he offered his aid so many times... I just couldn't take anyone's help, and I'm ashamed...