A/N: sorry for the long no update... if you're interested in greyskyshipping you might want to have a peek on my new released story : Beginning 'till End, on my profile.

Typos and grammatical errors are too be expected.

---

Exiting the Petalburg Woods, I trained my Swablu on the trainers on the way to Rustboro while I returned my Mightyena to his Pokeball.

"Blu, use Sing!" I commanded my Pokemon. As it sings, her opponent fell on the ground asleep.

"Linoone! No!" the rich boy, Winston, cried out as his Pokemon was attacked by my next command which is Take Down.

His Linoone completely fainted and they finally lost the battle. Winston came to his Pokemon's aid and complimented his work before returning him to his ball.

It was quite a battle but we managed to beat him after Swablu receive some damage as well.

"That was one battle." he remarks then gave me a reward. We said our farewells as I continued heading to Rustboro.

My flying-type Pokemon flew beside me happily after that battle. But it still bothers me when my Swablu's going to evolve. It had been a month since I caught her.

Maybe we just needed a stronger opponent.

"Blu, we're going to find someone that's strong to let you evolve!" I cheered on to her and she chirps while flapping her cloud wings.

We entered the Pokemon Center to let them recharge, Mightyena and Swablu, from their earlier battle. And since healing their damages takes a while, I informed Nurse Joy that I would be visiting the Gym and so they're in-charge of my Pokemon for awhile.

She agreed and I had myself dashed out of the Center and head to Ms. Roxanne's Gym.

Grabbing the double door handles, I banged opened the doors creating a loud noise. "Ms. Roxann--!"

"SHHHHHHHHHHH!!"

I quickly clasp my mouth when I heard shushing sounds from her students. Mentally face palming myself that I've forgotten that I needed to be quiet whenever I visit her Gym.

I observed the students looking at me intently before they returned their eyes on the paper their answer on the moment.

Like, who goes to school on weekends? Not me.

"Well, if it isn't Ruby, dear!" Ms. Roxanne exclaims as she walks to get near my spot. "How may I help you?" she questions with a face looking really happy for who-knows reason.

Her enormous hard covered book was being carried by her small arms - I have no idea if she can carry it with no sweat or just pretending to be fine - with her high knee black dress and her usual pink ribbon behind her hair. Those clothes of hers really suit her. And by that, I mean it in a friendly way.

Automatically, my expression became serious; "By any chance, is there any problems that occured recently in Rustboro?" I questioned her with low straight voice.

She quickly caught on my sudden change ways; she forms a straight line on her lips as she shook her head to her sides. "I'm afraid there's none, at this moment." She thoughtfully replied; "Why? Is there someone threatening my city?" And this time her tone became stern.

I gulped back. Knowing Ms. Roxanne, I knew she would go all out of this gym and chase that Team Magma grunt off of this place. And I sure do not want that to happen. Since it is my fault to begin with I have to clean things up.

"Not at all. Just thought there would be a Pokemon clashing... and stuffs." I made up through my teeth.

She looks at me intently and I had to look straight at her to at least let her buy that off.

When she finally gave in, Ms. Roxanne sighs deeply like a huge problem decreased off of her small shoulders.

"Thank Arceus, I thought there would be bandits in the city."

...

It took a while chatting with Ms. Roxanne and by the time I had remembered my Pokemon in the Pokemon Center, I had to inform her I have to get going.

We bid our goodbyes and I headed to the center.

I finally retrieved Mightyena and Swablu who were fully energized and impatient from waiting for me. They must have thought I have abandoned them because the moment I release them out of their Pokeballs, they tackled me on the floor with teary eyes.

I never knew they could be this emotional. And some people were eying us as if thinking whether to help me out of this or just leave me be. I didn't mind them though.

A chuckle escaped from my mouth; "Sorry for the wait, you two." I ruffled their heads and after that they calmed down.

I raised their pokeballs to return them in but both growled at me in synchronization, and that took me by surprise.

"What's wrong?" Mightyena and Swablu shook their heads in a disapproving way.

Guess they don't want to return in the Pokeballs for a while.

I sighed; "Fine. But I'll return you guys later."

We got out of the center after I thanked Nurse Joy for treating them.

"Should we head north or east...?" I muttered to myself thinking where to go.

If we head north we'll go in Meteor Falls which takes time to get out and if we head east then we'll head in a cave that connects to Verdanturf Town.

Oh, who am I kidding? Of course east is the easiest ro--!!

"Move over!" I snapped out of my thoughts when someone suddenly yells near me and the owner of this voice pushed me making me fall ass first on the ground with a thud.

I groaned and looked to the person who was just running away with a suitcase on his grasp.

A man wearing red, Team Magma.

So, this is what he's talking about. He'll pay for pushing me. But the problem was the person I fought earlier and the guy who's running with a suitcase in hand were not the same person.

I looked at my side to see a missing Mightyena. "Wha-" cut off when I saw him chasing that grunt when they had a sharp turn toward east.

They disappeared from our sights. By the time I stood up, the same man in green suit came dashing out of the building that's on the other side of the Gym.

"Oh, dear!" He gasps as he look on every direction, "I've lost him!" He exclaimed in panic.

I wonder what's inside that suit case.

"You!" He said while heading to my spot. "You're the boy who helped me earlier! Have you seen a man in red running by?" He questioned, panic was present in his tone. Seems like I've myself involved into another problem.

"Yeah, he just went north then east holding a suitcase. My Pokemon is already chasing that man at this moment." I tried assuring him but instead more panic appeared on his face.

"Oh no! He's trying to escape with those important stones we've collected throughout the region!" He now looks like who's about to faint after seeing a ghost.

He did say 'important stones'. I wonder what kinds of stones are they. And speaking of stones, it reminds me of Sir. Steven's surna... oh.

Oh! Now I remember why the term Devon sounded familiar! Sir. Steven's father is the president of... Devon Corporation!

"I'll help you," I volunteered myself and noted to not include 'for the last time' since I now knew Sir. Steven's related to this, and it's too trouble for me.

Also, I knew he wouldn't be happy if his beloved stones were taken away by some random theif. I would not want to see him disappointed anyway.

The man in green suit thanked me and after that I quickly dashed off with Swablu heading ahead of me.

We passed few buildings and finally exited the city. Grasses were filled with wild Pokemon so I had to spray myself some Max Repel. Max repel has no scent so I wonder why it keeps most Pokemon away to a person sprayed with this?

My Pokemon, Swablu, noiced that I had sprayed some repel and quickly went ahead in a hurry. Strange. But I shrugged it off.

We found Mightyena barking just outside of a cave, signaling us that that Team Magma grunt is somewhere inside there.

I didn't have to asked my buddy if that grunt is really inside as I have already trusted this fella but we stopped upon going in the cave.

"Please, young man. Help me." An old man just beside the entrance cried at us. I quirked my eye brows in question.

I asked what was his problem and he said that his Pokemon got taken away by a man in red. I nodded in understanding and told him I'll help him get his Pokemon, which was a Wingull.

Mightyena and Swablu went on ahead and I followed them.

Mist welcomed us as we entered the cave. Quite spooky but I had a suitcase and a Pokemon to retrieve.

We climbed up a small rocky stair case.

I jolt when Yena growls up then my eyes gazed up.

"You, brat?!" The man in red exclaimed in this belief. I saw the suitcase was on his side while a struggling white bird on his other hand.

The Wingull's beak was clasped in between that grunt's grip. It looked like it was hurting and that made me panic.

After we made eye contact, he rushed away from our sights.

The three of us followed his path and saw him abruptly halt when two huge boulders blocked his way. Now he's trapped.

"Hand over the suitcase and release that innocent Pokemon!" I demanded in a strong manner.

Mightyena and Swablu prepared to fight at any moment by my side. I made eye contact with this person who seemed to be troubled of his current situation.

He knew he's trapped and has no other ways to escape here. But I knew he's about to throw his Pokebal---

"Okay!" He raises his hands up... in a surrending manner?

The grunt dropped the suitcase on the ground and the Wingull got released from his grasp. It flew up then away until it must have founded the exit.

I stood there dumbfounded along with my two Pokemon who were expecing a battle.

"What... the hell?" Were the only words that came out of my mouth after some moments of registering.

A grunt just... surrender himself. Okay, that was new. Weird.

"I'm returning this damn suitcase! Just spare me!" He picked up the suitcase and slowly went toward my spot.

My Pokemon were growling at him but he just ignored like they never existed. Oh, how rude of him! - is what they must have been thinking.

When he's finally in front of me, he handed the suitcase like it was an odd object. Like an out of this world object.

And reluctantly acceped it.

"Sorry for stealing it in the first place..." he apologized; "I'll be going out now."

He walked passed on my side and I was about to stop him because, who would jut let a guy off who pushed you and even stole something and hurt an innocent Pokemon?

But on the process of me turning around, a shadow loomed my face and saw a raised arm that's about to hit me.

Instinct of mine were ready to defend it but before I even made a block wih my arms, a firm hand gripped on that grunt's wrist tight.

"Don't you even dare to hit him." A menacing tone sounded in his mature voice.

My eyes gazed up and witness the Champion himself is right in front of me.

"S-sir. Steven?!"