Rose signing on. I’ll just take one brief moment of your time (no pun intended, seriously! I did that by accident) then I’ll get back to writing on my story, and your adventure I hope. I just wanted to let everyone who has read this story this far, thank you for spending you time on this particular story, out of the many on this website. I hope you have enjoyed it as much as I have just writing it. And now. Onward! To adventure! Rose signing off.

A Brief Moment in Time

I quietly but quickly make my way down the stairs, ignoring the couple as I leave.

Ahh! How could he be so thickheaded!

I shake my head at myself as I lightly step down the stairs.

How could I be foolish enough to fall for him? Of all people, why him? I should not have let myself be so vulnerable.

I don’t even know if I’m going back to my rightful time or not.

I enter the PokeCenter quietly. Nurse Joy had already sent everyone to bed but had left the door unlocked for weary travelers seeking a warm bed, or a least, a warm floor.

Jesse and James had settled themselves on two couches. Meowth, both Pikachus, and Togepi lay in a huge blanket in the middle, cuddling next to each other.

I silently remind myself that we still need to travel to Goldenrod City tomorrow for the final confrontation. I need my rest.

I sit in a Lay-Z-Guy chair in the corner of the room, pull my legs up, and close my eyes.

For hours I wished for sleep, but none came. My mind was full of full of the day’s happenings. I could not think of anything else.

Eventually I hear Ash and Misty come in. But I do not bother to open my eyes. As long as they are safe I am not concerned when they come in.

But... where’s Brock? Where could he be at this time of night?

Even though I wait for him, sleep finally finds me and I never hear Brock enter.

@---}-----

I open my eyes to the first few rays of sunlight. Though I did not get very many hours of sleep, I feel rested and restored.

“Chansey!” “Chansey!”

Even at dawn the Chansey were busy making breakfast and preparing trays and beds for patients that will come for the day.

I look down and notice that someone had placed a blanket on me last night.

I smile at the figure who gave the gesture, who was sleeping a few feet away in his sleeping bag.

Brock.

He had came in last night after I had fallen asleep.

I get up from the chair and place the blanket on him. I sit down and gently run my fingers through his dark brown hair.

What is this I’m feeling? Do I... do I... love him?

I run my fingers through his hair again.

Even in his sleep he looks strong and brave. How could I not fall for him? Once he stopped being so goofy around me, I became... attracted to him.

I hesitate, then lean down and kiss him on the cheek. He smiles but remains asleep.

“Thank you, Brock.” I whisper loud enough me to hear.

“...Rose...”

I place a hand on the cheek I had kissed for a moment, then get up onto my feet.

I have to be alone, for a few hours at least.

I’m so confused.

@---}-----

I hid away into an empty room for the patients. The only time I was interrupted was when Nurse Joy accidentally found me.

She asked if I had eaten breakfast and if I was alright.

When I assured her that I was fine and was not hungry, she left.

I look at my watch. 9 o’clock. We should leave soon.

I went for the stars and started to climb down.

Though I had felt rested earlier, now I do not. Now I am weary. My adventure so far and, I can not deny it, worry had taken a toll on me. I feel like I have a termendous weight on me.

My face grows determined. Everything depends on me. I can not fail.

“Rose!” I look for the caller and smile.

“Good morning Misty.”

“You weren’t at breakfast and no one knew where you where. We were worried you had decided to leave without us.”

“You know I wouldn’t do that Misty.” My smile grows wider. If anything could help me right now in my moment of trial, my... friends... would be able to.

“Well everything has already been packed. We’re ready to leave when you are.”

“Great.” I sigh slowly. Misty’s concern for me had given me some energy, but I was still tired. Misty gives me a look of concern, but dismisses it.

“Rose,... thanks.”

A frown knits at my brow. “For what?”

“Look I don’t know how you knew my song last night. And I won’t ask because you won’t tell me. I just wanted to thank you. Last night... it was perfect.” she says with a dreamy look on her face.

I guess last night went well for her. I smirk at my thought.

“Your welcome Misty.”

@---}-----

We were a little over help way to Goldenrod City, and I was antsy.

Ash and Misty had been giving each other lovey-dovey looks and held hands the entire trip.

Pikachu, who had been surprised at his trainer’s strange behavior, had grown accustomed to their better moods.

Jesse and James had no clue what had happened to them, but I decided it was better for them to find out for themselves. It was obvious that last night’s crusade was a success.

At first I didn’t mind the love-sick teens’ actions, but now... now I’m ready to gag myself with a spoon.

I mean, they were my idols when I grew up, they were my heroes. Now I see the most famous and loved Pokemon Master with the girl that traveled with him from day one, who always encouraged him to eventually fulfill his destiny, acting like a couple of Jynxes during mating season.

I shake my head to clear it.

It’s not really disgusting, it’s actually romantic.

Maybe I’m just jealous.

As we rise over a steep hill my legs stiffen and I catch my breath in my chest at the sight in front of me.

Goldenrod City.

The Pokemall building, the radio station, and the other buildings, shimmered in the golden sun, hence it’s name.

The city looks normal and unharmed.

I don’t understand. Why didn’t they destroy it? What’s the purpose of keeping Goldenrod City intact?

Though the city itself looks normal the people milling about do not.

Terror strikes my heart.

Team Rocket Grunts. I drop to the ground and motion the others to do the same, and they do.

They were probably Level Three Grunts. Just strong enough to keep unwanted visitors out, but not important enough to know what the executives are doing. They were just following orders.

Level Three. Not good. That means they can shoot long distances without even bothering to find out what they were shooting at.

I wish I had my sidearm right about now. Too bad I left it in the Jeep in my time. Now I’m kicking myself.

They’ll see us in plain sight during the day. But we can’t wait that long. We need to put the plan into action. Now. But how can we?

Time elapsed slowly as I thought.

“Rose?” Brock had crawled right beside me.

I smile wide. I got it.

“Brock, come on. We have to go back into the woods so they don’t see us.” He nods and we make are way back the trail that brought us here. The others do the same once they understood. There we would be able to talk and not worry about them seeing us.