Rose signing on.

This part is a bit long (7 pages! Yikes!) because I added a song in it. No the song doesn’t belong to me and neither does the concept of Pokemon. The only thing I own is a dog named Wedge, a few Star Wars buttons, Rose Thorn, her Pokemon nicknames, and anything else I come up with as I go along with this. But enough talking, let’s get to the story.

_____________________________________________________________________

A Brief Moment in Time

“That was a great dinner Brock!” said Misty.

“Yea, even the Pokemon loved it!”

“Pikachu!”

“Toge piiii!”

“Why thank you. It’s a recipe I wanted to try out. I’m glad you liked it. Rose?”

I look up from my half full plate of food.

“Huh? Oh, yea, it’s wonderful Brock.” I say as I play with my food with the spoon.

Ash looks at Misty confusingly at my statement. I ignore it.

I have a lot on my mind tonight. Plans had to made.

“Rose, are you alright?”

“Hmm?” I look up and see Master Ketchum. “Oh, I’m fine Ash. I just… well… miss my mother.” It was the best excuse I could come up with for my silence.

“What was she like?” asked Misty.

I look down thoughtfully. My mother? “She was the most loving, warm-hearted person I knew.”

“Knew?”

“She-” I look to the ground for comfort, but none came. “She died a year after I was taken.”

“Oh Rose…”

“I’m alright, Brock.” I close my eyes from the world. “At least I know she died in our hometown.”

“Which town is that?” Misty questioned.

I hesitate. Should I tell them?

No. It reveals too much.

I set the plate down and get up.

“Where are you going Rose?” asks Ash.

“To bed. We still have to train tomorrow; I need the energy.” I say without stopping.

“Well, ‘night.”

I don’t answer back. I can’t.

I slip into the covers of my sleeping bag without changing and close my eyes. I should at least get some sleep tonight.

@---}-----

I wake abruptly. I look up to see where the moon is. 9 o’clock. Perfect timing, of course. I look for were the others are. Master Ketchum and Misty are sleeping in their own sleeping bags. Brock, he was still sitting in front of the now low fire, holding a mug. I wasn’t sure if he was sleeping or not because he’s back is towards me.

Good, he won’t be able to follow me.

I creep out of my sleeping bag and grab my red bag as I leave the campsite.

I need to do this, starting tonight.

@---}-----

I finally reach the clearing where Ash and I battled.

This will be a perfect place to set, if I could only find some kind of stream or river…

I close my eyes and just listened.

This time it was different. There was Pokemon in this forest. There was life.

And where there is life, there has to be food and water.

My ears were searching for several minutes 'til I heard it. The smooth rushing sound of water.

I quickly walk in the direction of the sound. In minutes I came to a river, and I was lucky enough to find an apple tree close by.

Perfect.

I set my bag on the ground and open it up. I take a knife out and five black Pokeballs. They’ll have to wait a little while longer.

I shake the apple tree and dozens of apples fall out. I set to work and cut the apple core out of each apple. Some I cut into large or small pieces, others I leave whole. When I’m finally done, I set them in a large pile.

There, ready.

I then grab my Pokeballs and toss them into the air.

“Come on out everybody!”

Five red beams of electricity shoot off onto the ground and my Pokemon appear.

Aura, my male Dratini, Mystic, my female Dragonair, Slash, my Sneasel, Moonlight, my Umbreon, and finally Pikachu.

They look at me with worried looks then at the forest. They felt vulnerable out of their balls. Even Pikachu, who hates his Pokeball the most, agrees with them.

“It’s alright,” I reassure them. “You are safe here. They won’t find us here. Ever.” They still looked doubtful though.

I point to the pile of food. “Look what I have for you!”

They smile at the sight of food. But instead of rushing to the food, they run and knock me into the ground. I’m being nuzzled by five different Pokemon with love.

“Ok already! You’re tickling me!” but they continued to roll around with me.

“Ok guys knock it off! I love you too! Now go eat! You guys know you should eat when you could!” I raise my voice as high as I can without making it sound like I’m yelling.

They get the picture and run for the food.

They have been in their Pokeballs too long, I think to myself. I wish I could of let them out more in the past, but every time I do I put their lives in danger.

I shake my head. Even now it doesn’t matter to them what I do for them. They just love me because I protect them the best I can.

I even painted their Pokeballs black for camouflage.

I sigh deeply. They deserve so much more.

When they finish their food they happily waddle to the riverbank to wash the apple juice off. I tell them they can relax as I brush all of them down one by one.

I get the brush out of my bag and I start with Aura. In the process of brushing he probably peeled ten layers of skin, natural for a Dratini to do.

I move then to Mystic, which was easier. She didn’t shed her skin like Aura did.

Slash didn’t want a brush down. He was content to his ‘preening’.

“Moonlight,” I call. “It’s your turn.”

“Umbre.” she had been laying out on the ground soaking up moonbeams.

I make my way to her. “Don’t bother getting up Moonlight!” I say sarcastically.

“Umbreon!”

I carefully brush her fur, careful to avoid her yellow circles. Even if Moonlight is mine it doesn’t mean she won’t hurt me, at least, not intentionally.

I don’t ask Pikachu if he wants to be brushed. Originally all Pikachus love to be brushed, but he never has, never, as long as I’ve had him.

I stand up and pick up my red bag.

“Come on guys. You need some exercise.” And they followed me with a wide range of agreements.

@---}-----

“Here we are.” I say when we reach the clearing. “Alright guys, you know what to do. Let’s warm up then practice.”

“Dra Dratini!” “Dragonair!” “Sneas Sneasel Sne!” “Umbre!” “Pika Pika!”

Then several things happen at once. Moonlight and Pikachu started racing each other, Slash started to jump from tree to tree, occasionally cutting a large branch, and Dragonair and Dratini threw dragon attacks at each other to strengthen themselves. They do this every time I get them out because they know how little time they have out is valuable.

I shake my head at myself.

It shouldn’t be like this. They should be able to feel safe, no matter where they are. But instead they have to protect themselves by hiding.

“Pika pi.” “Umbre... On.”

What?

I look at Pikachu and Moonlight.

I start to laugh uncontrollably. While racing they had somehow started to roll in a ball and they had ended up on top off each other, both very dizzy.

This is what it should be like. Like happiness.

After several more minutes of warming up I decide it was time.

“Alright guys that’s enough. Now, lets train.” Pikachu climbs onto my shoulder while I think of opponents. “First will be Slash and Moonlight.”

“Umbreon!” she says as she gets in a fighting stant.

“Sneas El!” and he extends his claws.

@---}-----

“Ooo...” I start to sing our song.

_____

Slash and Moonlight race towards each other. Slash tries to make a slash as he passes, but misses.

_____

“Just look in my eyes,

Tell me,

You got all that it takes,

And much more,

All you got to do is say.”

_____

Moonlight dodges just in time to miss the slash. She shrieks to a stop and turns around to run after Slash again.

_____

“Stop telling me lies,

Show me,

With every move that you make,

You can’t score,

Just tell me that you want to play.”

_____

Moonlight’s image splits into two. She’s doing a Double Team attack. Slash is confused on what to do.

_____

“You can feel it but you can’t steal it,

‘Cause boy I got the magic touch!”

_____

Slash opens his mouth and lets out a high pitch sound. He is using a Screech attack. Moonlight slows down and her double image is no more. She’s swaggering. Now is Slash’s chance!

_____

“Can you be the best,

With the power you posses,

Will you stand up to the fight?”

_____

Slash concentrates and his stone shimmers. He disappears! Moonlight looks around and doesn’t find Slash anywhere.

_____

“Can you pass the test,

Are you fighting to confess,

That you just can’t get it right.”

_____

Slash suddenly appears behind Moonlight! He did a Faint Attack! But Moonlight sees Slash behind her and runs using a Swift attack.

_____

“You can win or lose,

But up gotta pay your dues,

Step or step away,

Do you really wanna play?”

_____

Moonlight makes her way to the opposite end of the field and sits, her mouth open, and a ball of light forming. A Hyper Beam attack!

_____

“The challenge is yours,

Take it,

You backed out before,

Now prove to me,

You control your destiny.”

_____

Slash starts clawing a hole into the ground. He’s using Dig attack. Now Moonlight’s Hyper Beam attack is ready and she shoots it at Slash.

_____

“Keep it steady,

Get ready,

Show me that you got the stuff!”

_____

Slash pointed his claws at Moonlight and energy from her was sucked into the air. He used a Spite attack. Moonlight’s Hyper Beam was reduced by four.

_____

“Can you be the best,

With the power you posses,

Will you stand up to the fight.”

_____

“Umbre... ON!” She hurdles a ball at Slash and it explodes! Slash takes damage. The clouds start to darken and it starts to snow. Slash is using Blizzard!

_____

“Can you pass the test,

Are you fighting to confess,

That you just can’t get it right.”

_____

The snow starts to flow everywhere and takes a lot of damage out of Moonlight. The Pokemon on the sidelines encourage her to go on. You can do it they yell. Moonlight then curls up in a ball and falls asleep. She’s using Rest to gain back her health.

_____

“You can win or lose,

But up gotta pay your dues,

Step or step away.”

_____

Slash uses a Beat Up on Moonlight, but it’s not very effective! He then uses Bite attack, but it’s not very effective either. Moonlight wakes up almost full health.

_____

“Let your self go,

Mister Lightshow,

Watch me when I play,

Change your mind set,

And you’ll be better everyday!”

_____

Moonlight uses a Attract attack on Slash! Slash is now attracted to Moonlight and doesn’t attack her.

_____

“Can you be the best,

With the power you posses,

Will you stand up to the fight?”

_____

Moonlight runs and hit Slash with her head. A Headbutt attack. Slash is still won’t attack Moonlight.

_____

“Can you be the best,

With the power you posses,

Will you stand up to the fight?”

_____

Moonlight sits down and powers up a Hyper Beam attack.

_____

“Can you pass the test,

Are you fighting to confess,

That you just can’t get it right.

You can win or lose,

But up gotta pay your dues,

Step or step away.”

_____

The Hyper Beam attack hits Slash full force and Slash is knocked out. Moonlight wins!

@---}-----

My Pokemon and I cheer for Moonlight as she steps off the ‘battlefield’. While they crowd around her to congratulate her I go to Slash.

I pick him up gently. “Slash? You alright?”

He looks up at me. “Sne... sel.” he says as he nods.

I smile wide at him. “You did great Slash. That was a great battle. I’m very proud of you. You have a nice long rest, ok?”

He nods once more and closes his eyes.

“Pika pika!”

Pikachu was pulling at my pant leg. Then he pointed to the forest. The others were quiet as they look in the direction he pointed.

“What’s wrong Pikachu? Is there something in there?”

He nods, he has a determined look on his face.

“Can you pin point where it is?”

“Pikachu.”

“Then do Thunder Bolt at it Pikachu!”

He then stands on his hind legs. “Piii... kaaa... CHUUU!” And he releases a powerful lightning bolt at the object.

“AHHHHHHHH!”

I cup my hand over my mouth.

“Brock!” I run to the forest and find Brock on the ground, his clothes singed from electricity. “Oh Brock... What are you doing here?”

“I I I ff ff-”

“-followed me here.” I hold out a hand to help him up. And he did, very painfully. “This wouldn’t have happened if you didn’t follow me.”

“Pika...”

Oh no! Pikachu!

“Pikachu! Don’t-”

Too late.

_____________________________________________________________________

Ok, so that was part five. A bit long, but did you like it? I hope you did, because there is still plenty more parts to come (I’ve written twelve so far. Tee hee.) There will be at least one more part with a song in it, but I’ll tell you when I send it in. But anyways, thanks for tuning in!

Rose signing off.