Well here it is, Chapter 2. I would have updated yesterday, but I left my notebook in my dad's car, and he drove it to work... Whatever. Here it is, a little late.

* * *

Professor Rowan stood up. "Dawn, do you realize the importance and danger of the task I've asked you to do?"

I nodded. "What's the deal with Team Rocket anyway? This is, what, the third time they've come back?"

"You would be right. Tomorrow morning, Skyla will arrive on Route 201 to bring you to the top of Mt. Silver. Please don't forget anything. It would be bad if you were at Mt. Silver and you realized you'd left, say, your toothbrush."

"Okay. And who do I look for when I get there? I can't be doing this alone, right?"

"A man in a black cloak. His name is Lance and he's a Dragon Tamer of Johto. He has always sought out Team Rocket whenever they cause trouble."

"And he'll help me?"

"Yes. And so will your Pokemon."

Leave it to a Pokemon Professor to say something so cliche but true. "Thank you, Professor."

"Good luck, Dawn."

I stood up and left the lab.

* * *

Lucas, Barry and I clinked our glasses of lemonade together. Barry didn't know how to play football; however, he screamed at the game on the television like he did. "Come on, man! You're doing it all wrong! You shoulda gone that way!" Lucas and I laughed so hysterically it's a safe bet to say we nearly died. Eventually, though, someone went to get the manager. Chuckling, he asked us to either calm down or leave the cafe.

We walked out the front door into the Jubilife City street. "So, Dawn," Lucas said, "why'd you invite us out here anyway?"

"Well, ah..." I hesitated before saying, "I'm leaving for Mt. Silver tomorrow."

Barry sprayed the lemonade he'd been drinking on the Jubilife City street, Wild West style. "You're leaving for where?!?"

"Mt. Silver? But that's the most dangerous place on Earth! You'll get yourself killed!" Lucas said, his voice heavy with concern.

"I'll be fine," I reassured him. "I've got Giratina to protect me."

"You're right. It's just that..." He trailed off.

"We don't even know why you're going. Can't you at least tell us that?" The tone of Barry's voice hadn't become much calmer, but it certainly had become calmer. He tossed his empty can of lemonade to the side of the road without a second glance at it.

Lucas, however, took a second glance at it. He stopped suddenly and grabbed Barry's arm. "Hey! RE-cycle!"

Barry let out an exaggerated sigh, rolled his eyes, and bent down to pick up the can. "I swear to Arceus, Lucas, if you pull your environment crap on me ONE MORE TIME I'm going to fine you 100,000 Poke for being an annoying turd."

I laughed. "I'm going to miss you guys."

Barry tossed his lemonade can into a nearby recycling bin. "Seriously, though. Why are you suddenly going galumphing off to Mt. SIlver?"

"Team Rocket's back again, and people think they're in Mt. SIlver, so all the regional Champions are going to clean up."

Lucas grinned. "I like how you put it. 'Clean up.' Like they're, I dunno, litter?"

Barry's expression dropped to an annoyed glare. "You would."

"We'll be able to see you off, right?"

"Yeah. I'm being picked up on Route 201 by that Unova Gym Leader with the plane. Skyla, I think."

"Yeah. Well, see you tomorrow, then." Lucas ran on ahead into Sandgem Town.

Barry smirked. "Sounds like Lucas. Leaving the emotional goodbye for tomorrow."

"Yeah."

"Well, Miss Dawn." He held out his arm to me. "Would you like me to escort you back to Twinleaf Town?"

I linked arms with him. "Why, yes I would."