Authors - Warlordess and Miyatoriaka

Notes – Here be chapter two/part three of my joint project with Miya, which I decided to post early for Valentine's Day. It's also Leaf's introduction, which was a little harder for me to write because I don't know much of anything about Leaf as a character. I mean, in the games, she's the avatar of the player's whim (should they choose a female character) and I've barely read the Adventures manga, nor have I seen Origins (and I have no clue if she's even in it). So I threw a bit of info together from the game and gave a bit of Gary's mean streak... but also tried to write her as a bit more complicated than your average rival/bully, which eventually shows through between this chapter and the next.

According to Miya, Leaf wasn't necessarily meant to be a reoccurring character in her comic so this may be all we see of her (and the OldRivalshipping) in this story.

Anyway, read on and please review! Unless you're one of those derpy anonymous trolls. If you're one of those then you can go choke.

OoO

Title - "An Alternate Journey"

Summary - Eleven year old novice trainer Misty starts her Pokemon adventure, best friends Gary and Ash by her side. But will she withstand every test her travels throw at her and become the greatest master trainer of all time? Fic co-crafted with famous fan-artist, Miyatoriaka!

Ages - Misty and Leaf are eleven years old, Ash and Gary are thirteen, and the adults are adult-aged so who cares about 'em? Lol.

Chapter Two - Rival

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The cotton candy sunrise came and went while the three trainers snoozed, making up for their disrupted sleep from the night before. The sun had fully risen by the time they did wake, all of them eating a light breakfast of bread, jam, and fresh fruit before Misty released Gastly so he could direct them towards their next destination: Pewter City.

"Wow, we got here much quicker than I thought we would considering how many days we were stuck in Viridian Forest," Gary noted, his hand saluted against his brow as he took in the sights. He hadn't visited this staple city recently since his gym and familial locations were settled in the more southern areas of Kanto.

"It's all thanks to Gastly!" Misty responded proudly, "Because of him, Eevee and I will face off against the gym leader here right after a quick trip to the PokeCenter!"

"Ah, well, maybe you should pace yourself," Ash warned her cryptically.

"Wha'd'ya mean?"

"It's just... You've been a trainer for all of - what? - two weeks, almost half the time of which was spent stuck in one place, and now you wanna march straight up to the nearest gym to demand a battle? Much better prepared trainers than you have set themselves up for major loss because of that kinda recklessness."

"Okaaay... so do you two know anything about the gym? You both are part of the league yourselves, right? There must be something you can tell me."

"Hm, well, like much of the architecture here alludes, the gym utilizes rock-type Pokemon. Unfortunately, there was an upset a few years ago so the trainer in charge has alternated a couple times. Even the representative at league events has varied. Because of that, I dunno what their skill level is or what specific Pokemon they're likely to use. I can say," Gary paused to release a huff as the group of three humans and one ground-traversing Pokemon carefully ambled over some particularly uneven terrain leading from the plateau that divided Viridian Forest and Pewter City, "that, due to this gym being the first stop for most new trainers, the league challenge presented is kept at a moderate level."

"Doesn't mean you shouldn't expect a good fight though," Ash began next, almost losing his footing and having to take a moment to regain his step. "The challenge level might be maintained for new trainers but there's basically no Pokemon you can catch around here that has an advantage against rock-types. You either have to force the advantage yourself by picking a starter that can measure up or you have to get really lucky."

"Well, let's just get to the PokeCenter first," Misty mumbled, her formerly impressive ego vastly reduced by the information that had been offered.

"Yeah, and maybe we'll walk around town while you come up with a strategy. We'll still need to stock up on potions and food and stuff. There might be some interesting sights to see too."

The group finally made it into town, catching sight of the PokeCenter's great red roof even from their distance and making a Beedrill line for it. Misty withdrew Gastly back to his Pokeball with a word of gratitude, picked Eevee up into her arms, and approached the front desk where a young woman with a pink uniform and even brighter pink hair was waiting with a cheery grin to greet them.

"Welcome to our PokeCenter, here to heal your Pokemon's every woe! I'm Nurse Joy and I'll be registering your Pokemon in our database so they can be admitted for healing or check-ups."

"Hey, wait, didn't we meet her in...?"

"Oh, yeah, you don't know, Misty, but every Center is run by a relative of the samy family. The same holds true for the police force," Ash informed her.

"Relatives...?" the redhead replied with a brow quirked in suspicion. "You sure they aren't clones?"

She had said such a thing offhandedly, meaning it as a joke, but when she next returned her gaze to the aforementioned woman, that originally sweet smile was suddenly looking a little strained.

"My aunts, nieces, sisters, and cousins are all just as human as I am, just as we all share the same passion for caring about Pokemon."

Next moment, any residual malice had vanished - though Misty retained her apologetic expression for a few seconds longer - and Nurse Joy held out a tray with six empty Pokeball slots on it.

"Please deposit your Pokemon for me here and my assistant Chansey will escort them to their room after admission. Will your friends be leaving theirs as well?"

"Yeah, might as well," Gary relented, and he and Ash both began to remove the round miniature devices from their belts while Joy placed two more trays on the counter and scanned Misty's with an electronic reader, then typed a few things into her computer.

Before she could follow suit with Ash and Gary's Pokemon, Misty took the opportunity to place Eevee on the counter as well.

"Um, she's one of mine too. Do I...? I'm hoping I won't have to force her into her Pokeball. I didn't before."

"Oh, my, a trainer who travels with their Pokemon outside of a Pokeball? And this Eevee doesn't seem to be an infant either. But it's absolutely no problem! We have plenty of patients who are more like companions and visit just like this."

Nurse Joy accepted the fox-like Pokemon into her arms, giving her a comforting pat along her back, then turned and placed her on a timely delivered stretcher that Chansey had rolled up. She finished scanning and entering Ash and Gary's Pokemon IDs into the computer, added their trays to the stretcher as well, and Chansey rolled everyone to the back area of the Center.

Afterwards, the three trainers reserved a room and left to take in the sights around town, including the PokeMart and a couple of specialty stores. When they'd finished with lunch, they headed back to the PokeCenter to retrieve their Pokemon, Gary taking the opportunity to check their funds and make a budget for their supply costs.

"So TMs are...?" Misty was asking him in the meantime as the whole lot of them waited for Chansey to grab their Pokeballs.

"Well, they're short for 'technical machine' but, as for what they do, they're used to teach Pokemon moves they wouldn't ordinarily learn through training and natural growth. There are some real powerful ones available."

"Thanks," Ash said in reference to the nearly always smiling Nurse Joy handing over their Pokemon. "Are we heading back out?" he asked this time to his friends.

"Ah, about that... I was wondering if it's possible to go visit Pewter Gym?" Misty began, picking Eevee up into her arms with a kiss to her forehead before allowing the Pokemon to climb over her shoulder. "You know, like I used to do back in Cerulean City with you, Ash. I figure this is the only way I can prepare myself more for my own gym battle. Unless you wanna let me battle you. You never replied to me when I asked yesterday."

"Well, it's true that most gyms have open hours for spectators to come watch but we'll have to go check and see what hours those are..." Gary replied to her, nudging Ash into prolonged silence before he could come up with a retort.

In fact, the raven-haired trainer was going to respond anyway to Misty's commentary about him supposedly never answering to her challenge the night before but he was interrupted by yet another person as soon as they'd made it out the sliding double doors of the PokeCenter.

"Oho! My goodness, if it isn't the late bloomer of Cerulean City!"

Misty's expression immediately darkened as she stopped in her tracks, already apparently knowing who the voice belonged to without turning to see for herself.

"Oh, no."

"I'm sorry, what was that?" asked the girl with long brown hair, a black high collar sleeveless dress, and white trainer gloves, leaning in close and smirking, prodding Misty in the cheek.

Ash had to blink in wonder, curious as to how she'd moved in so quickly (and who she was for that matter).

"I said, hi, Leaf, how've you been since you left Pallet Town?" the redhead rephrased, stiff plastic smile on her face as she made a half-hearted attempt to swat the other girl's hand away.

"Oh, well, thanks so much for asking! Everything's been going so perfectly! I've gotten six badges, I've made so much money and fame that it's almost unnecessary for me to even compete in the league and become the Pokemon Master! But of course I still will," the snarky preteen added in afterthought, "And lastly, of course, is that I've caught the perfect little team of Pokemon! They're all so cute!

"But silly me! You shouldn't let me talk about myself all day! So what about you, Misty dear? Still a late bloomer as always, I see! It looks like you've barely started out! So... when did you finally leave home, hmm? And when were you planning on introducing me to your handsome companions?"

It had felt like every sharp word spilled from this girl's lips in a single cunning breath. Her passive-aggressive jabs and flaunting self-promotion were enough to make Misty's blood boil. But then again, Leaf had always had a way of crawling under her skin, ever since they were youngsters in school together.

"Uh, anyway, Ash and Gary, this is Leaf. She's my..." What? The only term Misty could think of to describe her was 'bane of my existence' but the redhead couldn't help thinking she needed to say something more subtle. "... I've known her most of my life. Leaf, this is Ash," she paused to point him out, "and this is Gary. They're traveling with me."

"Oh, that's so sweet! You have yourself a couple of babysit - I mean, training coaches!" The slip-up did not go unnoticed. "You're just so lucky! Most of us have to accept the burden of traveling independently, taking full responsibility for our own goals and struggles, but having others take up your slack sometimes works too, I suppose. In fact, it even suits someone like you!

"Anyway, boys, the pleasure is all yours, I'm sure. I hope you both are taking good care of Cerulean City's late bloomer."

Misty couldn't help the slight twitch of her tightly hunched shoulders every time she was called that. And her subdued fury only doubled when she saw Ash mouth the words over to himself as he and Leaf shook hands, clearly confused but knowing better than to ask at the moment.

Leaf shook hands with an oddly tongue-tied Gary too and then swung back towards her old friend with a sly grin, taking in the sight of Eevee for the first time and bending down to greet her.

"Why, hello there, cutie! I didn't notice you before! I apologize for that! How could I miss such a sweet baby?" the brunette cooed genuinely with sparkling eyes, reaching out to stroke Eevee's fluffy mane and seeming the slightest bit perturbed when the Pokemon didn't respond to her earnest enthusiasm in kind. Rather, the normal-type Pokemon curled herself around her trainer's ankles as if trying to disappear from view.

"So where did you catch her? Eevee are really rare in the wild, you know. You usually have to breed one. I should know; I've been looking for one for myself for months now."

"Actually Eevee and I are partners because of Gary. He's Professor Oak's grandson. He was able to talk the professor into letting me breed an Eevee from an egg two of theirs managed to make. See, Eevee wasn't caught. She's my first Pokemon. That's why I had to wait so much longer than everyone else to start my journey."

Because she and I were especially meant to be together! So there! she couldn't help but add internally at the ever-so-slightly faltering smile on the other girl's face. It sure felt good to come out on top!

Indeed, her rival seemed quite put out by the reveal of such details but shook off her envy within seconds and reached her full height once more.

"Well, Misty dear, that just gave me a marvelous idea! Why don't we have a battle now that you're finally a Pokemon trainer too? Just a little one-on-one practice. I know how hard it can be for you when you're just starting out! You could probably use the experience and money. How about we battle starter against starter? Since I'm sure you don't have much of a team yet. And it seems like fate had us meet each other here today."

"Actually, Misty has caught herself six Pokemon already!" Ash blurted out from the background, retreating and regrouping when his redheaded friend glared at him. "Though Eevee is definitely your strongest option at this point," he clarified finally.

"You know what, Leaf?! You're on! Let's do this, right now!"

"Well, that's great then, isn't it? We even have an audience for our first ever official battle! Now, c'mon, there's a practice field over there we can use..." And then, at the sight of Misty looking quite suddenly embarrassed, "... Or did you forget we're standing right in front of the PokeCenter in the middle of a busy street?"

"I, uh, I - of course not! Let's go, Eevee!" the redhead huffed aloud, turning up her nose and stomping in the direction of their aforementioned battleground, the rest of their group following after them.

"This is a one-on-one battle between Misty and Leaf, starter Pokemon only, no items allowed during the match. If these terms are agreeable to both trainers," Gary paused here during his impromptu referee speech so that any complaints could be voiced if they existed before continuing, "then you may call out your Pokemon and begin!"

"I call Eevee!"

"Woo! Go, Misty!" Ash shouted from his place on the sidelines, pumping a fist into the air.

The redhead offered him a grateful smile for his camaraderie before turning a determined and scrutinizing gaze on her opponent, waiting to see what challenge she and Eevee would have to face.

Leaf had almost an entire year up on her experience-wise, and it wasn't until this moment that the novice Pokemon trainer realized how remiss it was of her to not have paid attention to what Pokemon the other girl had chosen for the start of her own journey that fateful day all that time ago. And no matter which starter she'd picked, it had probably evolved by now, perhaps even more than once.

"Come on out, Squirtle!" the female trainer shouted, elegantly tossing a Pokeball forward, where it snapped open and unveiled an all-too-familiar beam of scarlet light which morphed into the outline of a small turtle-like Pokemon Misty had learned much about back when she wasn't sure which Pokemon she should choose as her first.

Still, back to the present, she wasn't quite sure if she was more relieved or disappointed by the sight of this particular opponent.

"I hope you don't mind us making the first move while you're busy thinking? Squirtle, tackle!"

The water-type Pokemon gave a firm nod before running bipedal in Eevee's direction.

"Ah!" Misty gasped, collecting herself and responding by instinct, "Eevee, dodge it and use your sand attack!"

The fox-like Pokemon leapt out of the way and then u-turned as Squirtle careened past, digging his stubby feet into the ground to try and keep himself from going too far beyond his original goal. Unfortunately he wasn't quick enough to avoid his adversary's follow-up attack and was punished by an onslaught of dirt in his eyes, momentarily blinding him.

"Use your water gun to wash your eyes out!" Leaf commanded.

"I hope you don't mind us continuing to battle while Squirtle is busy with that," Misty commented smartly, barely able to conceal her condescending and prideful tone as she mimicked her rival's statement from barely more than a minute ago.

Leaf's facial features tightened into a restrained grimace, clearly catching on but choosing to refrain from commentary and instead redoubling her efforts in the rest of their battle.

"Eevee, tackle!"

"Counter with withdraw!"

Squirtle paused in the middle of washing out his eyes, curling all appendages within his shell just in time for Eevee to smash into him. The normal-type squealed in pain and recoiled but shook it off rather quickly otherwise.

"Try your tail whip and then use quick attack, Eevee!"

"Use rapid spin!"

The fox Pokemon wagged her tail in Squirtle's direction just as he'd unfurled from his withdrawal but, while quick attack was an accelerated move, rapid spin was much faster. By the time Eevee had jumped from all fours to launch her weight at him, Squirtle was already curled up and swerving out of the way. But the relentless speed didn't stop there as the water-type glided circles around his opponent before lunging at her, smacking her to the ground and flying a solid ten or so feet away before popping out of his shell again and landing gracefully on his hind legs.

"Ah! Eevee, you can get up, right? We can still..." No sooner had Misty spoken these words than her Pokemon stumbled to her paws, looking the worse for wear in every regard but not wanting to let her trainer down. "Yeah, we can still do this! We can still win if we just keep attacking! Use your bite!"

"Iron defense!"

Squirtle withdrew into his shell once more, with the added effect of it shimmering a glossy white, just in time for Eevee to clamp down with her fangs, which proved to be quite the mistake. She whimpered as she pulled back, mouth clearly sore after such a folly.

"Water pulse!"

"Dodge--"

But there was no time. A jet stream of high-powered water shot towards Eevee, making contact less than three seconds after the order was given. The already wounded Pokemon was thrust that much further towards the side of the field, hitting the ground hard and rolling limply a few times before coming to a stop, struggling to get back up even after such a beating.

But Leaf wasn't finished quite yet, and she no longer seemed interested in playing her games either.

"Now finish it with your skull bash!"

"Wait, what?"

Misty's head drew a blank at the confident utterance that was Leaf's command. Skull bash was Squirtle's signature move, one of the most powerful techniques he could learn. Compared to that, there was nothing in hers and Eevee's arsenal that could compare. If this next attack made contact...

"Eevee, lower Squirtle's strength with your growl! Or at least get out of there if you can!"

It was no use, everything was over so very soon. Squirtle had started dashing at her precious Pokemon but that trot had turned into a mad sprint, during which the water-type was moving so quickly that his feet, then his stubbly legs, and then his body as a whole were powerful white blurs of agility and power.

Eevee successfully growled but it seemed to have no effect on the incoming threat so she attempted to follow through with Misty's secondary command... However there wasn't enough time.

Squirtle's hardened skull smashed into Eevee and sent the normal-type flying through the air before she hit the ground and wrenched round a few times in the dirt, coming to a stop in the left-hand corner of the field on her trainer's side.

Speechless and distraught, the redhead couldn't wait for Gary's official call to the end of the battle and began cautiously stumbling towards her unconscious Pokemon, but her half-hearted gait gained traction with every step until she was full-on running, her breath stolen from her throat, eyes both somehow watering and burning dry at the same time, her skin cold and heart hammering with fear.

Pokemon fainted and lost battles every single day, she knew that, but... not her Pokemon. Not her Eevee. Never before this moment.

"Misty--," Ash began, on his feet in an instant and ready to support her in her time of need but he was interrupted by the somewhat restrained sound of Gary's voice.

"Eevee is unable to battle, which makes the winners of the match Squirtle and Leaf!"

"Great job, Squirtle, come here!" Leaf called out, her Pokemon responding obediently with enthusiasm and waddling towards her. She fondly patted him on the head, kneeling down and granting him a soft kiss on the cheek before calling him back to his Pokeball and regaining her full height once more.

"Do you see now, Misty dear? Pokemon come in all sizes, types, and strengths. At the end of the day, it doesn't really matter that your Eevee was bred especially for you or that your friends gave up their time to help you on your journey. What matters to you most - or what should matter - is the bond you share with your Pokemon and the time you've put in together.

"Squirtle and I have been together for almost a full year. We've won six badges together, earned a living and survived and thrived together. We've built a team together too.

"Nothing can replace or replicate the bond I have with my Pokemon or the time we've spent working towards our goals. Even a novice like you who just started out will have to work at it if your dream is to truly become the greatest Pokemon Master ever."

"Hey, Misty, you okay...?" Ash asked, kneeling down beside her as she sat in the grass, cradling her unconscious Pokemon in her arms. "You know, once we get Eevee back to the PokeCenter for awhile, she'll be good as new in no time!"

Gary walked up to them both as Misty, still dispirited, managed a nod.

"But, then again, I'll have already finished collecting badges and challenging the league long before you, which means that I'll naturally become a Master class trainer first. And it seems pretty clear to me from the battle we just had that you'll never be a match against me anyway, will you, Misty dear?" Leaf goaded more shallowly now, drawing a hand through her long brown hair and hmphing with a mild smirk adorning her face. "After all, once a late bloomer, always a late bloomer, am I ri--"

"--Hey!" Ash shouted, on his feet in an instant and staring her down from a considerable distance, quite fed up with her condescending attitude. "What makes you think you can talk to my friend like this?! Just 'cause you're a stronger trainer and just 'cause--"

Gary laid a hand on his shoulder, averting his gaze slightly under Ash's increased ire, though the raven-haired trainer was also effectively silenced by his friend's maneuver.

"I don't think that's it."

"Wha'd'ya mean?"

"I think... I'm just saying..." And Gary dropped his tone to such a lower murmur that Ash had to strain to hear what he was saying, meaning Misty probably couldn't hear it at all (which was probably the point), "... that she needs to learn this lesson too."

"Yeah, well, that doesn't mean that she," Ash paused long enough to jack his thumb in Leaf's direction, "should be the one to teach it! But it's fine! If she wants to talk about bonds made and time spent with Pokemon then I'll gladly match her! After all, Bulbasaur and I have been together for years! And Weepinbell too! And--"

"--No, Ash!" a strained voice rang out from the ground, and the two young men faltered amid their discussion as Misty vigilantly rose to her feet, still holding Eevee just as closely and tenderly as ever. "I don't need you to fight my battles for me. I don't... I don't really get what you guys were saying but I just wanna say one thing! Eevee and I are a great team! Whatever we may be missing now we're gonna find and master! Do you hear me, Leaf? The next time you and I battle, we're gonna be the ones who best you!"

Leaf threw her hands up in a casual shrug, her lips curling upward so faintly that none of the others could even see it.

"Whatever you say... little miss late bloomer," she replied aloofly, turning on her heel and marching proudly away. "Now if you'll excuse me, I've got a date with an ancient Pokemon exhibit."

"What was her problem?" Ash begged aloud as soon as she was gone. "Misty, are you okay? You shouldn't listen to Leaf just 'cause she beat you in a battle, okay? You and Eevee are plenty close and plenty strong, right, Gary?"

There was an edgy pressure to his tone that not so subtly demanded Gary had better agree but the Viridian gym trainer was still staring after Leaf with awkwardly flushed cheeks and sharp eyes.

"Yeah... Ash is right, I guess..."

"You guess?!" the raven-haired trainer yelped, though his expression darkened as he looked his old friend over with pursed lips and furrowed brows, apparently catching on to something he'd missed earlier on. "Are you just saying that 'cause you're--"

"--I'm just saying that because, even though Leaf came on strong," the burgundy-haired trainer countered, pointedly interrupting what he had a feeling was going to be a very embarrassing and very accurate accusation, "she made a good point... and a strong impression," he added.

"C'mon, Ash, like I said before, Misty was going to have to face this moment sooner or later. You gotta remember that we're here to help her when it's needed and give her advice here and there but... there are just some things it can't be our responsibility to teach her.

"I mean, isn't that why you blew off her requests for a Pokemon battle? Because you were worried you'd accidentally end up playing the role Leaf did?"

"... You're too smart for your own good, ya know that?" Ash begrudgingly admitted, blushing.

"Guys..." Misty's voice rang out from behind them, and both boys jumped nearly a foot in the air, having basically forgotten during their heated discussion that she was present to hear their every word. "Guys, it's okay. And thank you. I... don't really know what happened or like how it happened but I'll get stronger from this and we'll win the next battle against Leaf, just like I told her."

Perhaps Ash was imagining it but he couldn't help thinking that the expression on the redhead's face was more affectionate than it should have been as she stared wistfully in the direction Leaf had vanished in, considering what had transpired between them during their match. Huh. Maybe there was more to the girls' relationship than he could comprehend at present.

"Anyway, can we get Eevee back to the PokeCenter now?"

"Sounds like a good idea to me," Gary responded with a rare warm grin, perhaps feeling that one of his sarcastic or blunt quips would be better saved for another time.

A couple of hours later, after Eevee had received both a good nap and some decent first aid from the talented and dedicated Nurse Joy and her assistant Chansey, the group of three trainers left to pay a visit to the Pewter City Gym and see about its open hours, which they'd unfortunately missed for the day, so they went out to grab dinner instead.

Misty, who'd been sitting on the question since that afternoon, finally got around to asking Ash and Gary about the odd event that Leaf had mentioned in passing earlier.

"Ancient Pokemon exhibit, hmm...?" Ash replied first, staring into the distance as if deep in thought for a few seconds before deadpanning, "I've got no clue. Oh well!"

"I think she was talking about Pewter's Museum of Science and Natural History. They have a department dedicated to the excavation and research of ancient Pokemon species. Rumor is they've even been involved in potential resurrection or cloning with the use of DNA," Gary rattled off informatively.

"Wow... I don't really understand it but that sounds pretty amazing! Can we go check it out?"

Misty smiled down at her perfectly healed Eevee, suppressing the guilt that bubbled up in the back of her mind at the sight of the Pokemon. It still stung some to think back to their battle earlier with Leaf, still bothered the redhead some to remember the harsh lesson she'd learned. The first thing she'd done for her Pokemon after Eevee had woken up was apologize profusely for letting her down, but of course Eevee had just licked her hand and nudged affectionately against her fact, not quite understanding but wanting to make her trainer feel better.

Misty and friends made their way up the few blocks to one of the bus stops on Main Street, which would take them the rest of the way northeast where the museum was apparently located.

After the ten minute commute, their group found themselves standing in front of a massive four story complex, facing a magnificent courtyard and stately architecture built out of the same slate gray stone that seemed to be the main source material used in most of Pewter City's historical builds.

"C'mon guys!" Misty called out, perfectly carefree if the way she was skipping excitedly towards the main entrance was any indication.

Just as she'd opened one of the double doors, she and the others heard a distraught and irate shout from inside the building.

"Wait! Thief! Stop them please!"

A tall figure in black sprinted through the door Misty was holding, so strong and reckless that they inadvertently collided into her and caused her to tumble to the ground.

"Hey, what's the..." she began angrily in response to this transgression but faltered at the sinister expression and demeanor of the man before her as he glared icily before remembering he needed to be on his way.

As soon as he was gone, many things happened in succession. Ash was checking to make sure she was okay while Gary was staring suspiciously after the man in black, followed immediately by the front door bursting open again and a whole slew of people appearing all at once, including a few in blue security uniforms, a fair number of curious bystanders, and two people sporting white lab coats.

"Oh - oh no, are you alright, honey?" the first one, female with a rather meek and neurotic personality, simpered, giving Misty a once over, bouncing on the balls of her feet and pacing to and fro in clear distress. "Oh no, oh my, but there's no time, we have to hurry! Oh, I can't believe this happened! How could it - how will we ever find--"

"--Penelope, calm down please," her coworker attempted to cajole her authoritatively, having just apparently finished a phone call because he was placing his cell in his pocket. "I just contacted the police and Sergeant Jenny will be here soon. There's nothing else we can do for now without potentially risking our safety. You three," he motioned towards the group of trainers, "I'm sorry to approach you like this but we're in the middle of an emergency situation. We've just had a very valuable fossil stolen from one of our exhibits by someone wearing a black jumpsuit. Did you happen to notice anything we might be able to report to the police when they arrive?"

"No, how could we when--?"

But Ash was cut off before he could say anymore.

"The guy looked middle-aged, had black hair but there were gray streaks on the sides, gray eyes. He looked at least six feet tall. He exited through the gate and took a left. It seemed like he was trying to u-turn around the museum campus and escape into the northern woods," Gary recited and, after catching sight of Misty and Ash's bemused expressions, he added, "I was watching him go just in case it might help."

"Thanks, son, that was very smart of you. You three!" And the male scientist turned to face the security officers. "Go around back, fan out with your Pokemon and chase the thief down. Don't do anything to risk damage to that fossil. If you can safely stall until Sergeant Jenny and her officers show up then do so, otherwise send someone back here so they can lead the police in the right direction when they arrive."

The trio of security personnel nodded in affirmation of this instruction and ran off instantly afterwards. Misty finally got back to her feet and watched them go, feeling mysteriously equal parts excited and frustrated over how she'd let the criminal get away. Still, to think someone had been able to steal an artifact from a well-guarded museum in (mostly) broad daylight...

The thought had barely even crossed her mind when a more familiar figure, smaller in stature with long brown hair and wearing a black turtle-collared skater dress, dashed by them all in a blur of tricolor, out the gate and circling the campus in an instant, following the security guards.

"Wait, was that...?" Ash started tapering off towards the end of his perturbed comment.

"I think... it was..." Gary replied, his tone somewhat more admirable. "Wait, Misty!"

For the redheaded novice trainer had already taken off as fast as her legs would allow, Eevee ever loyal at her side. The two boys had no choice but to pursue their reckless friend, ignoring the shouts from the administrative scientist and his more panicked assistant.

"Grr... those kids better not cause any damage to this operation!"

"I just pray everyone will be alright. With Team Rocket behind this, we can't... always be sure, can we...?" Penelope responded cryptically in a somber tone, immediately sobering her superior up, his expression softening into shame and concern.

"Yes, you're quite right."

OoOoO

Notes - And thus ends this chapter with a somewhat unintended cliffhanger. Miya wasn't able to guess what went down in the next chapter so I wonder if anyone else will be able to? Lol. It's not that special to be honest. Also coming in the next chapter is Misty's first gym battle! And, oh... is Ash jealous...?

Likes, comments, reviews, whatever is available from the reader's end is really invaluable to a writer's interest in continuation.