-Part Two-

Ash hummed to himself as he went into the centre with Pikachu by his side. He halted and his deep brown eyes wandered around the room as the doors closed behind him. "Hmm, no Misty. Maybe she's eat-" He was cut off as his stomach let out a loud growl, causing a couple of people to glance at him as they passed. "-ing," he finished and chuckled. "Wouldn't be a bad idea, huh Pikachu?"

Pikachu shook his head and smiled. "Pi, Pikapi."

"Alright then, food it is." Ash turned around as Brock came in. "We're going to have something to eat."

"What about Misty?"

"She'll show up. You know her. Mood swings come and go more than Team Rocket."

"I'm going to have another look around for her."

Ash shrugged. "Suit yourself. Come on Pikachu." Ash and his pokémon headed towards the centre’s restaurant. Brock watched his friend walk away with a curious expression on his face.

"What-cha looking at?" came a voice behind Brock that made him jump slightly. He turned his head to the side and half smiled.

"Oh hey Misty. We were wondering where you went."

"Yeah, sure. I think Ash has other things on his mind," she muttered, shoving a thumb in the raven-haired trainer's direction.

"Misty, can I ask you something?" Brock turned so he was fully facing her. "It's about Ash."

Misty blushed slightly, but looked away in an attempt to hide it. "What about the runt?"

Brock smiled. She was hopeless at hiding the fact that she was head-over-heels about Ash. He shook his head to clear his thoughts and went back to the topic at hand. "Have you noticed that he's acting rather... strangely lately?"

Misty blinked her aquamarine eyes a few times before looking to Brock. "What do you mean?"

"Follow me." He led her to the restaurant door and they looked in. "See Ash there?" He pointed Ash out in the line for food and Misty nodded.

"Looks the same to me," she said. 'Fine assed,' she added in thought and suppressed a smile.

Ash yawned and wiped his eyes. Pikachu looked up at his trainer with worried eyes but Ash smiled and petted the pokémon, saying something that his little spies couldn't hear. Brock looked down at Misty.

"He's yawning all the time, like he's never had enough sleep."

"So? Brock it's probably just some stress. He's been training hard for a few competitions now so yeah he's sleepy. I don't see what's the matter." She stood back and leaned against the wall beside the door.

"I don't think so. I'm sure that he's up to something we don't know about."

"Ohh yeah?" Misty cocked an eyebrow at her older friend. "Like what then?"

"I don't know, but it's something." He moved away from the door before Ash turned around and saw him. "The way he knew the way here and to the Pokémon Centre was weird. He told us that he'd never been here before."

"Alright, maybe he asked for directions while you weren't looking?" Misty sighed and rolled her eyes. "Brock, Ash is still the annoying little boy that has been bothering us for ages, so there's no need to worry, alright? You're just over reacting."

"Maybe you're right."

"You bet I'm right. Now let's get something to eat coz I'm starved." Misty pushed away from the wall and headed off to get something to eat. Brock watched her go in and head over to Ash.

"I'm just being paranoid," Brock whispered to himself and smiled, going over to join his friends.

* * *

Ash belched loudly and sighed, rubbing his stomach. This gained a few chuckles from people around them and a few glares from others.

Misty cringed and lowered her head. "Ash! That's revolting!"

"Well sorry. Excuse me." Ash grinned and took a drink. "That was nice. I needed that."

"Pikachu!" the small rodent agreed and smiled.

'Pig.' Misty shook her head. "I'll never get over how childish you act sometimes, Ketchum." She placed her fork down on her plate and wiped her mouth.

"Ohh relax. It's not like I'm breaking any rules here." Ash rested his elbows on the back of the chair and pushed it back, balancing on the back two legs.

"So what are we going to do now?" Brock asked, crossing his arms and leaning on the table.

"I think I'm going to have a look around this place. I've heard from a few people that the stores here are supposed to be really good." Misty looked at the two guys. "What about you?"

"There's a breeding centre around here. I'm going for a look," Brock said and turned to Ash. "What about you?"

Ash stifled another yawn. "I think I'm going to head off to bed. I didn't get a lot of sleep last night."

"I wonder why," Misty grumbled and glared at him.

Ash felt his cheeks heating up so, to save himself from some embarrassment and trouble, he quickly got up and picked Pikachu up. "Like I said, I'm going to bed. I'll see you guys in the morning or something."

"But it's only 7:30," Brock told him and nodded to the clock on the far wall.

"I'll get to sleep, and there's always T.V. to keep me company." He placed Pikachu on his shoulder. "Later." With that he turned on his heels and headed out to the main counter to get a room.

"I still think he's hiding something," Brock said once Ash was out of earshot.

"Ohh for crying out loud." Misty threw her hands up and then shook her head. "I'll believe you if you can get me more proof, okay? But as for now, I'm going to see if there are any good shops still open." She got up from her seat and pushed it in.

"Ohh okay." Brock did likewise and brought the plates over to the counter. "How about we meet back around nine?" he asked as they reached the front door.

"Half nine."

"Alright. See ya then." They both parted their own ways, unaware of a shadow watching from above.

* * *

Misty stood over the counter and looked at all the items underneath the glass. "Ohh they are so beautiful!" she exclaimed as she looked over the jewels.

"That they are, Miss. Can I help you?" a clerk asked as he came over to her.

"Oh, no thanks. I'm just looking." She gave the jewellery another look over then turned to the clerk. "Actually, have you got anything to do with water pokémon?"

"Of course. Over here." The clerk led her to a glass press containing more jewellery, all shaped in the form of some water pokémon or another.

"Oh wow!" Misty's face was practically against the glass. "I wish I could have them all! Could I try some of them on?"

"Yes you can. Which would you like?"

"That one. The one of the Lapras," she pointed out a necklace and the clerk unlocked the glass case.

Just then there was the sound of smashing glass behind them. Misty covered her head and cringed as small shards fell on her.

"Hand over everything!" came a male voice behind them. Misty straightened up and turned around to see a man, clad in complete black with a hood covering his face, standing beside the broken window. He didn't look armed.

"I'll call the police!" someone yelled and rushed to get to a phone. The man glared over and snapped his fingers. Misty yelped as a small yellow ball shot out from under the man's jacket and slammed into the person running to the phone. The person cried out but was suddenly silenced as their head slammed up against the wall. They fell to the ground, out cold. The blur never stopped moving and vanished back underneath the man's jacket.

'So he is armed, in a way,' Misty thought and glared at him.

"Now, hand over everything before someone else gets hurt." His voice was deep and cold. The clerk nodded and started pushing everything into a bag with shaky hands.

"Press the button under the counter," the clerk whispered to Misty as he passed her. She inwardly nodded and looked at the man. He was preoccupied watching the clerk at the other side of the small shop so she took this chance to move towards the counter.

'Just a little more.' Her fingers moved under the rim and searched around for the button. 'Where is the damn thing?!' Her fingers touched something cold and she was just about to press it when her arm was pulled up behind her back. She gasped and shut her eyes tight.

"Now, now," the man whispered into her ear, "Trying to be heroic are we?"

"Jerk," Misty hissed through her teeth and glared over her shoulder at him. She still couldn't see what his face was like.

"Now you've gone and hurt my feelings, and I don't like that."

She whimpered as a cold blade was pressed against her neck. She shut her eyes and took deep breaths. It hurt when she swallowed as the blade was right up against the skin.

"Hurry it up!" he snapped at the clerk who had stopped when Misty was caught. He jumped and quickly tossed the last of the jewels into the bag. "Better." He tossed Misty to the side and she slammed into a table. He stalked over and snatched the bag. He was about to say something when a loud alarm was set off. He spun around to see Misty grinning at him from the counter, her fingers pressed firmly on the button. He cursed angrily and ran out the door.

"We can't let him get away!" the clerk cried out.

"Ohh he won't," Misty told him as she took chase. Once outside the shop she pulled out a pokéball and released the pokémon inside. "Go Starmie!" The purple starfish pokémon appeared. "Tackle that guy!" she commanded, pointing at the retreating thief. The pokémon complied and shot forward.

The man looked over his shoulder and cursed again. "Go!" was all he yelled and the yellow blur appeared again, zipping forward at Starmie with amazing speed.

"Starmie look out!" Misty yelled but she was too late. The blur hit Starmie and sent it back. Misty ran forward and grabbed her pokémon before it hit the ground. "Oh Starmie are you alright?" She smiled as it nodded. Frowning, she looked up to see the man and the blur vanish around a corner. "Who was that?"

~Ashla~
E-mail: pokemonbundle@hotmail.com