Rapid's Journey Chapter .1. "Wait Your Highness, wait!" Neighed Speedy, as he raced down the hall after Dash, the Queen of the Rapidashes. She stopped. "What is it?" she asked. "There is a fire in the Ponyta section, made by one of the young ponytas that was practising it's Ember attack." "Send for the Squirtles then, I am too busy to bother with an over-zealous youngster that has broken the rules. I need to find my son. He has gone off to find a Pokemon Trainer that wants to catch him. If he gets caught, who will succeed me on the throne?" Speedy thought for a moment, "I'm sure that you could have another child, Your Highness. Let Rapid have his fun." "No, I must find him. His leaving would be too much of a loss. I must be going now." Speedy shook his head as he watched Dash race off into the forest looking for her son. "What will happen next?" He said, then raced off himself to get the Squirtle Squad to put out the fire. "Rapid!, Rapid, come here this instant!" Neighed Dash. "Where has that young Ponyta gone?" Suddenly there was a rustle in the bushes next to her. "Who is there!" she cried, getting ready to use Fire Spin on whoever or whatever it was hiding in the bushes. Out jumped a boy. "Oh good!" he cried. "A Rapidash already! I must catch this one." No! Thought Dash, I mustn't let him catch me! If he catches me, I won't be able to find Rapid! Dash backed away, neighing and shaking her head, she flared up into a big ball of flame, causing the boy to back off. "Maybe I will leave her alone and follow her instead" he said. Feeling relieved at that, Dash walked up to him and knelt down beside him. "She wants me to ride her!" He said in amazement. He got up on Dash's back and she got up and started trotting away, neighing all the while for Rapid. Why did I ever leave the palace? Rapid thought as he walked through the forest. "I was treated with respect there. When I'm caught by a trainer, I will have to do what he or she wants me to do. No more ordering people about. He came upon a clearing with a pond in the middle. "That water looks nice and cool" he said. He walked over to the pond and took a drink. "Gosh, I feel exhausted! That tree over there looks nice and shady, I might go and have a sleep for a while." He trotted over to the tree, lay down and went to sleep. After a few minutes, a young boy came along. He hadn't managed to catch any good pokémon yet but he was still hoping that he would. "Wow! what type of pokémon is that?" he said when he spotted Rapid. He took out his Pokédex and asked it what he was. "Ponyta. A fire horse." It said. "Cool!" yelled the boy. "Pokéball, go!" he cried, throwing one of his pokéballs. Rapid woke up and dodged the pokeball just in time. "Oh dear" he neighed " I must get away!" He got up as fast as he could and ran away, leaving the boy behind. "Rats! I almost caught that Ponyta! Oh well, I might as well follow him and see where he goes." So he followed the path that Rapid had made while he was escaping. Chapter.2. "Water Spout, now!" Shouted Speedy, looking around all the while for more Squirtles. I wish that Dash was here to help order them about, I wonder if she has found Rapid yet. A young Ponyta came up and stood beside him. "Yes, Royal Advisor?" He said, looking ashamed of himself "You wanted to see me?" "Yes, I did, young Flamethrower. I understand that you started this fire?" "Yes, I did, Royal Advisor." Replied Flamethrower, looking down at his hooves. "And is there a suitable reason for you breaking the rules in this fashion?" Asked Speedy. "No, Royal Advisor, I was just testing out my Ember attack" "That is definately not a suitable excuse, I am afraid that you will have to speak to the Queen when she returns from looking for her son, Rapid" Speedy moved away quickly, realising that the fire hadn't been put out yet. "Put the fire out!" he yelled at the Squirtle Squad. "Hurry up while you're at it!" Hurry up, Your Highness, we need you here he thought, wondering again how she was going. She had been trotting for a few hours when she came to the same clearing that Rapid had been in a few hours before. I can smell him all around here, and there are a person's footprints, I hope he hasn't been caught! Wait! there are his hoofprints over there! I must follow them to see where he went! Dash thought, picking up the speed to a canter. "Steady!" The boy cried, almost falling off, "What have you found here?" He asked her. "Oh well, I'll soon find out if she keeps this speed up. Just go a bit slower will you!" On and on they cantered, with still no sign of Rapid. He kept running for several hours before finally stopping, panting with the exertion. I hope that boy has stopped following me he thought as he stood still, catching his breath Why did I ever leave the palace? He thought, looking around to see if there was a path near-by. Seeing that there wasn't, he decided to make one himself. He flared up in flames and used his Ember attack on a near-by bush. "Phew! I never knew that it took so much energy to do all this in one day!" he said, then went on down the path that he had made. Meanwhile, the boy was following the path that he had made before. "Wow! A Ponyta sure can run fast! I bet it would be fun to ride on his back! We would run like the wind!" Suddenly he heard hoofbeats in the distance. "What is that?" he said, looking back. "Wow! it looks like a Ponyta except it has a horn!" He took out his pokedex and asked what it was. "Rapidash, a fire horse, Ponyta evolves into this pokemon" it said. "Wow! it sure can move fast! I wonder if it will stop for me?" He waved his arms and Dash stopped. He was amazed to see that another boy was riding her. "Hello, what is your name?" asked the boy riding the Rapidash. "Michael" replied the other. "What's yours?" "Adam, nice to meet you." "Nice to meet you too. How did you catch this Rapidash?" asked Michael "I didn't" he replied "I tried to, but she didn't let me. She let me get up on her back though" "Cool! Do you think that she would let me up as well?" "I think so, not sure. Ask her and see." Michael walked up to Dash and said "Hello Rapidash, can I ride on your back as well?" Dash thought for a moment I might just let him. I'll have to use agility and gallop to make up for the extra weight though. Sure, why not? So she walked over to a rock and looked over to Michael, waiting for him to get on. "Hey! she seems to want me to get on! Cool!" said Michael. So he got up behind Adam and held on tight so that he wouldn't fall off. Dash used her Agility Attack and started galloping off down the trail again. Chapter. 3. "Phew!" said Speedy. "Now that the fire is out, I can get on with other matters like keeping those Ponytas under control." And so he galloped off to the section that the Ponytas had been moved to until the Ponyta section could be fixed. Along the way he saw the Minister called Fire Ball. "Good day, Minister, how are you?" asked Speedy. "Very worried." He replied looking around. "Have you seen the Queen lately?" "Yes, as a matter of fact, I have. She went off into the forest to look for her son, Rapid" Said Speedy. "Why do you want to know?" "I was looking for her to ask her about the festival that is coming up in a few weeks." "That's right! oh gosh, I had nearly forgotten about the festival! I hope that the Queen hasn't forgotten!" Said Speedy. "So do I. Well I must be going now to make preparations. Good day, Royal Advisor." "Good day Minister." I wish the Queen would return, we have a lot of planning to do. Hurry up Your Majesty! thought Speedy as he watched the Minister hurry off. He then hurried off himself to the section that the Ponytas had been moved to. What has he done now? Thought Dash as she came to where Rapid had burnt the bush. Was he so scared that he had to burn something to get away? Or was it just as a bit of fun? I'll soon find out anyway. Even with Michael and Adam riding. And so she kept racing along the path that Rapid had made just two hours ago. "Gosh! Rapidash sure can run fast!" Michael yelled at Adam. "Yeah, Rapidash is the fastest Pokemon ever found!" Adam shouted back. "I didn't think that she could go this fast though! Hey, look! That bush has been burnt! I think that the Rapidash is looking for either a Ponyta or another Rapidash! "I think it is the Ponyta that I was following after my pokeball missed when I tried to catch it that she is following. Maybe it is her son." Replied Michael. "Yeah, I wish she would slow down a bit though!" Shouted Adam back at him. On they sped, going even faster now looking for something ahead. "Oh rats" Rapid mumbled, looking at the Beedrill that was in front of him. "What have I put myself into now? How am I going to get out of this mess?" He knew that he had to protect himself, so he flared up in flames and used his Fire Spin attack on the Beedrill. "Take that!" he neighed, watching as the Beedrill flew away, obviously amazed that he had been hit. "Wow, am I good or what!" He said, feeling very proud of himself, and off he galloped again, on his journey to find a Pokémon Trainer. Chapter. 4. Why ever did the Queen leave us here? These young Ponytas are getting out of hand! Thought Speedy as he watched the Ponytas run around the room. "Flare! Stop that right now! you too, Flame!" Neighed Speedy at the two young, twin Ponytas, only a few more battles away from transforming into a Rapidash, who were teasing one of the younger Ponytas who had a lot more battles to go yet. "Why should we?" choroused the two Ponytas, Flare and Flame. "Because I said so!" Replied Speedy "And you will stop or would you like to have to talk to the Queen?" "We will stop, Royal Advisor. Sorry." "Good. Run along now." "Yes Royal Advisor." And off they ran to play with the other Ponytas again. He can't be too far ahead. Unless of course he has transformed into a Rapidash. No, it couldn't be possible. His hoof-prints haven't changed size yet, so he must still be a Ponyta. I hope I find him soon, I have to organise the festival! I hope that the Minister and Royal Advisor are able to organise it by themselves. Thought Dash as she galloped after Rapid. Suddenly a singed-looking Beedrill came out of a tree. I bet Rapid used his Fire Spin attack on this one. She thought proudly as she made herself ready to battle the Beedrill. "Hey! Look at that Beedrill!" Shouted Adam. "Is that what it is called?" Said Michael. "I didn't know that. Hey! It looks like it has been burnt! See? Its wings are all singed around the edges!" "Seems like it is going to be more than singed soon" Replied Adam as Dash flared up in flames and used her Fire Spin attack on it. "Look! It's unconscious! Which one of us shall catch it?" "Can I?" asked Michael "I only have five pokémon. I could use this one." "Sure!" Replied Adam. "Go ahead!" "Pokéball, go!" shouted Michael. "I hope it stays caught" He said while the pokéball wriggled. Then the light went out. "Yeah! I've got Beedrill!!!" He shouted. "Woah! Settle down, Rapidash!" he yelled as she started galloping again. I hope he is happy now that he has a good pokémon. But I still must find Rapid before night-fall She thought, galloping west towards the sunset. I must go even faster now so that I will catch up with him. "What am I going to do now?" said Rapid, looking at the Ninetales in front of him. "How am I going to get away from this one?" He flared up in flames and used his Take Down attack. Ninetales countered with Fire Spin. "Oh rats! I never knew that this could be so dangerous!" He was getting desperate so he used agility and ran past the Ninetales as fast as he could. "Phew" he said as he slowed to a stop. Suddenly he started to glow! "What is happening?" He neighed as he slowly changed form into a Rapidash! "Wow!" he said, looking at his different shape. "Wow, I feel so much more powerful now!" So he used his ember attack and cleared the path, then started running off again. Chapter. 5. "And what sort of parade is there going to be this year?" Asked Speedy of the Council Members who were called Fireball, Flamebuster, Speedfire and Rapidfire. "What about asking the young Ponytas to do a presentation of their Ember attack skills?" Suggested Rapidfire. "We could just make that into a competition." Replied Flamebuster "We need a parade, not a competition." "I agree." Said Speedfire "I could sort something out if you all allow me to have the right of freedom to order the Ponytas about." "Sure, why not" Said Fireball and Rapidfire "Ok, if we all agree, then I will allow it." Said Speedy. "Well, shall we depart now? I have to go and look after the Ponytas again." "Yes, shall we?" asked Flamebuster. "I agree, we all have things to do" Replied Speedfire. I wish that Rapid would stop running and let the Queen to catch up to him! We need her here! Thought Speedy as he galloped off towards the newly repaired Ponyta section Oh rats! Thought Dash as she looked over at the same Ninetales that Rapid had attacked just half an hour ago. I will have to fight it, but how can I with Adam and Michael on my back? I know, I'll let them get off and then attack. So she walked over to a big stone and kneeled down beside it, letting Michael and Adam get off. "Is she going to battle it?" Asked Michael "I think so." Replied Adam. "Watch how she moves. Can I catch this pokemon?" He asked "Sure!" Said Michael. "I caught the last one so It's your turn to catch a pokemon." "Thank-you!" Said Adam, and then turned to the battle between Dash and the Ninetales. Dash flared up in flames and used the Fire Spin attack on Ninetales. Ninetales countered with Ember but was greatly weakened because of having been battled by Rapid as well. Dash saw this, and used Take down, stunning the Ninetales. "Good job, Rapidash!" shouted Michael "Pokéball, go!" shouted Adam, catching the Ninetales."All right!" he shouted, jumping into the air. "I got Ninetales!" Dash moved over to the rock again, obviously tired, but not wanting to stop yet. "Hey, Rapidash is tired!" Said Michael "Yeah, maybe we should stop here for the night so she can rest." Said Adam, lying down next to the rock. "Yeah, I'm a bit tired as well." Michael replied, joining him.Seeing that Adam and Michael weren't going to get up on her back again, but rest instead, Dash had no choice but to lie down as well and go to sleep. "Wow!" He said, looking around at the town he had come to. "I am getting very tired, I wonder if there is a stable near-by that I can sleep in?" So he went off looking for a stable. When he came to a deserted barn, he looked inside, and, seeing no-one else there, he decided to sleep there for the night and keep going on his journey at sunrise. Chapter. 6. "Ok, all you young Ponytas, there is a new rule. I am sorry to have to make this rule, but thanks to one of your number, it is necessary. The rule is as follows. Any Ponyta found using any attack without supervision and permission, will be exiled from the palace. He or she will be forced to leave, and sent off into the forest to fend for him or herself. is that clear?" Asked Speedy of all the Ponytas that were standing in front of him. "Yes Royal Advisor." They all replied in unision. "Good. Now off you go and have fun. Remember the new rule as well!" he said, dismissing the Ponytas. "Now," he mumbled to himself "Maybe now we can get on with the preparations for the festival. And off he galloped towards the Council Room. "Uh-oh." Said Adam when he woke up. "Maybe we shouldn't have fallen asleep right here." He shook Michael to wake him up. "Hey, Michael!" He said in a hoarse whisper. "Look what's all around us" "Wha?" Replied Michael, still half-asleep. "What is all around us? Yikes!" He shouted, seeing all the Kakunas that had surrounded them in the night. "What shall we do to get out of here without waking them up? Should we wake up the Rapidash?" He asked "No, I think we should let her sleep. She was really tired out after that battle." "Yeah, I guess you're right. We'll wait till she wakes up on her own then." Said Michael, lying down again so as not to wake up the Kakunas. Adam lay back down again as well, and looked up at the sky. "She had better hurry up." He said. "There is a storm coming. If she gets wet, she'll get even more weak than she is already, and I don't know where there is some shelter." "Yeah, I don't know of any near-by shelter, either." Replied Michael. "Oh well, I might as well go back to sleep." "Yeah. see you when we wake up!" "Come on Pikachu!" Rapid heard when he woke up. I wonder who that is he thought. He put his head out the door and looked around. He saw a young boy pulling a Pikachu along with a piece of string. He was also wearing rubber gloves. What is he doing wearing those gloves? Thought Rapid. I might just follow him and see where he is going. If he is good enough and kind to this Pikachu, maybe I will let him catch me. So he pushed open the barn door and followed the boy at a distance, not wanting him to see him. "Ok, I give up!" The boy cried. "I am going to take off these rubber gloves, and untie this string!" He untied the string and took off the gloves. "There!" he said. "Do you trust me now?" "Pika!" said Pikachu, shaking his head. The Pikachu ran off and climbed up a tree. "Fine then! I don't need you to catch all the pokemon! Hey, look! there's a pokémon over there! I wonder what kind it is." So he took out his pokédex and asked what it was. "Pidgeot. A flying bird Pokémon." It said "A very good pokémon for the young trainer to catch as their second pokémon." "Cool!" Cried the boy. "Pokéball, go!" he shouted, throwing the pokéball. It hit the Pidgeot on the head, capturing it, but then it opened, letting the Pidgeot out again. Pikachu fell out of the tree because he was laughing so hard. Rapid couldn't help himself either and chuckled at the boy's stupidity. "Ha ha, very funny!" He said, and then took out his pokedex again and asked why he couldn't catch it. "You usually have to battle using another pokémon to be able to catch another pokemon." It said sarcastically. "Now it tells me!" the boy said. Then he picked up a rock and threw it into a bush that was near-by. Out came another bird pokemon with a bump on its head. the boy took out his pokedex and asked what it was. "Spearow. Very dangerous when angered." It said. "Oh, great!" The boy said. "This one looks extremely mad! I had better get out of here!" "Pika!" Said the Pikachu, nodding his head. The boy ran off right through the middle of some large clumps of grass. More heads popped up. Unfortunately for the boy, they were all the heads of more Spearows and they all looked very angry. "Oh drat!" He said and then ran off with Pikachu following. Rapid looked at all the Spearows, and then ran after the boy as well. I hope he isn't going to stay this stupid and unkind he thought, running along as fast as he could. If he does, then I certainly won't let him catch me! So he put his head down, and ploughed through all the Spearows, deflecting their attempts at attacking him. Chapter. 7. "How are the preparations going, Speedfire?" Asked Speedy. "Fine. The Ponytas are taking my orders without complaint." Speedfire replied. "How is everyone else's preparations going?" "Quite well." Said Fireball. "What about you, Flamebuster and Rapidfire?" "Very well indeed" Said Rapidfire "Everything is going to plan." "Yes, I agree with Rapidfire. Everything is going according to plan." Flamebuster said. "Well then, I mustn't keep you waiting, I believe we all have something to do." Said Speedy, standing up. "Yes, we do as a matter of fact." Said Fireball, also standing up. "Well, good day, all. "Good day." Said Speedy, and off he ran to make preparations for the festival. Why ever didn't they wake me up when they saw these Kakunas? I might have been able to get us away from them then, but now I'm not sure if I can. They are waking up now, and will soon be evolving into Beedrills. I can't handle that many Beedrills. I'll have to sneak past as quietly and as quickly as I can. Dash thought as she looked around the clearing. She walked over to the big stone and let Michael and Adam get up on her back again. Then she used agility and sneaked out of the clearing, still following Rapid's trail. When she came up to the place where he had evolved, she stopped so suddenly, that Adam and Michael nearly fell off. He's finally evolved! She thought, filling up with pride for her son. It will be so fun to have another Rapidash around. What will we do though? He can't go back in with the Ponytas. We will have to make another section. She looked around once more and galloped off down the trail again. "Oh no!" said the boy as he came up to the cliff. "How am I going to get away from those Spearows now?" He looked back. The Spearows were getting closer by the second. Finally he made a decision. He picked up Pikachu, and jumped over the edge. down, down, down he went, falling, falling, falling. Suddenly he hit the water. He opened his eyes and looked around. Oh rats! there's a Gyrados! And a Seaking! He swam around the two pokemon, narrowly missing being caught. Rapid looked at the boy being swept down the river. What the heck has he done now! I will have to jump over the edge as well and hope that I land on the other side. He galloped back a bit, and galloped towards the edge. He juped as high and as far as he could, then landed on the opposite bank. Wow! Thank goodness I didn't land in the water! Now. I had better follow the boy in the river or I will lose him. So he galloped off down the river, following the boy. What's that up there? It's a hook! Now, if only I can get caught on it..... He swam up towards the hook. he caught it, and hooked his shirt on it. He felt himself being pulled up, and when he rubbed his eyes to get the water out, there was a girl looking back at him! She threw him onto the bank, kneeled down beside him and said "Are you all right? What's your name" "Yeah." Said the boy. "Ash, What's yours?"1 "Not you, you dimwit! The Pikachu! How could you be so cruel, throwing it into the stream like that!" "Uh... Sory, but we were running from a whole lot of Spearows." "So what! That Pikachu needs to get to a Pokémon Centre quickly! Here, put him in the basket of my bike and I will take him." "No thank-you, I will take him myself." So he put the Pikachu in the basket, jumped on the bike, and rode off. "Hmph! Boys! All the same! You'll have to pay me for that bike!" She yelled after him, and started off herself. Rapid, just getting to the scene, saw what happened and ran off after Ash. Chapter. 8. "What the heck am I going to do with these Ponytas?" Mumbled Speedy, looking at all the Ponytas running around the paddock. "Ok all you Ponytas, time for roll call!!!" Speedy neighed at all the Ponytas. They all came and lay down in front of him. "Ok. All of you ponytas line up in front of me when I call your names. Ok. Firefly, Flower Flame, Flamable, Flame Tail, Fire Blaze, Charchol, Fire Wall, Charred Remains, Blazing Flame, Fleet Foot, Flare, Flame, Flamethrower!" All of the Ponytas lined up in front of Speedy, in the same order that he had called them. "Ok all, gather around so we can discuss what we are going to do at the festival." They all huddled around Speedy, and started whispering..... Coming to the town, Dash had to be very careful. This was the town where the best pokémon trainer of them all lived. She kept in the dark alleys and came upon the barn where Rapid had slept the night before. She looked inside. Seeing only some hay and spiders, she went out again and looked on the ground. "Why did the Rapidash look in there? Do you think she is looking for the Ponyta?" Asked Michael. "I don't know, but I think that the Ponyta has evolved into a Rapidash. Remember those singed bushes back there?" "Yeah, I thought that it was just because the Ponyta attacked another pokémon." "Well I think it has evolved because the hoofprints have changed shape and gotten larger. Look!" "Yeah, I guess so." Dash snorted and started following the tracks. She had seen some marks that looked like Rapid was following a boy who was dragging something. I hope he doesn't get caught. Thought Dash, picking up the pace to a gallop. I hope I catch up to him soon. And off they went, galloping down the path. I hope that Pikachu is going to be all right. Thought Rapid, still galloping after Ash. At least he is taking it to a Pokémon Centre. I might be able to talk to it later on, if it survives. If I do, I'll have to ask it if Ash really is as stupid and unkind as I think he is. Misty was still following behind. "Boys." She mumbled, looking obviously disgusted. "They are all the same. I hope that I catch up to him and get my bike back. I got that bike for my birthday. Hey! There's a Rapidash up there following him! I wonder why. I bet Ash would try to catch it. Oh well." Misty sighed and started walking even faster, not caring if her legs were starting to hurt or not. Her bike was what mattered, not her legs. Ash also picked up the pace. "It's all right, Pikachu, I'll get you to a Pokémon Centre no matter what." Ash said, riding as fast as he could. "Pi...." Pikachu said faintly, then slipped into unconsciousness again. "Hang on, Pikachu, don't die!" Ash said, then started riding even faster. Chapter. 9. "Is he going to be all right?" Asked Fire Ball. "I don't know" Fire Snap, the Rapidash Doctor replied. "We can only hope that Speedy gets better." Speedy has been sick for three days now. surely he will get better soon. Thought Rapidfire. Hot Hooves, the nurse came galloping up. "Doctor, quick! three mares are having their Ponytas!" She said to him. "Ok, Speedy should be all right if I go to check on the mares." He said as he got up. "Show me where they are." They both galloped out the door and down the hall. "Just think," Flamebuster said. "More Ponytas to play games with. Won't that be fun?" "Yes. It will be, won't it, Speedfire?" said Rapidfire "Yes. How will we find the time to teach them as well though?" Speedfire asked. "We will find the time somehow." Fireball said. They all sighed and got ready for a long wait. What has happened to him? Dash thought, looking over the edge of the cliff. Why would he jump over the edge? why is he following that human? I should jump down and make sure he didn't land in the water. "Why is she looking down there?" Asked Michael. "I think I know why. Can you see those hoofprints?" Adam said. Michael nodded. "Well I think that the Ponyta or Rapidash or whatever jumped over the edge." Adam continued. "Over the edge! If the Ponyta landed in the water, wouldn't it have died?" Michael asked worriedly. "Yes, it would. I think the Rapidash is going to jump over the edge as well." Adam said. "Oh, no!" Michael shouted. "Over the edge! What if we fall in?!" "I don't think we will. If I know anything about pokémon, this Rapidash is at the top level of 100. She can use agility and that will make it so that we will land on the other side safely." Adam said reassuringly. Dash heard what they said and backed up about 200 metres. She used her agility attack and started galloping towards the edge. Adam and Michael both held onto her mane as hard as they could. She jumped over the edge, and landed on the other side of the river. just like Rapid had a few hours before. She stumbled, throwing Adam and Michael off. Luckily, they fell onto some soft grass. But Dash wasn't so lucky. When she landed, she had slipped on some gravel, and twisted one of her hooves. Adam sat up and looked over at her. "Oh no!" He shouted. "What will we do now that the Rapidash is hurt?" Michael sat up as well. "How will we heal her?" He asked, walking over to Dash and petting her neck gently. "We can't heal her unless we get her to a Pokécenter. I don't know how we will get her there unless one of us catches her. I don't think she will let us do that though, I wouldn't want to, either. she is happy being wild, I think. I guess it is too dangerous, also, for one of us to go alone, and it is also way too dangerous to leave her here on her own, defenceless as she is." Said Adam. "Why don't we ask her?" Michael suggested. "Can't we let her go afterwards?" "No, we can't let her go. It is impossible to let a pokémon go after it has been caught. Breaking the pokéball won't help either. It hurts the pokémon. I asked the Professor in our town and he said that it destroys part of their will to live, in other words, they want to die after the pokéball is broken." Replied Adam. "I never knew that." Said Michael. "I'm glad that you are here to teach me all of this stuff. Should we try and help the Rapidash stand up so she can lie down under that tree over there?" "Ok. I guess we can try." Said Adam. They both got up and rolled Dash onto her uninjured side. then they went over to that side and helped her stand up and limp slowly over to a tree. She collapsed and lay her head down, obviously in pain. "I wish I had a Chansey...." Mumbled Adam, sitting down beside her. "What's a Chansey?" Asked Michael, sitting down next to Dash as well. "It is a Healing Pokémon." Said Adam. "I wish that I had one." "Yeah, I agree. But does it look like this?" Michael took out a pokéball and said "Pokéball, go!" Out came a Wigglytuff. "No, that's a Wigglytuff." Said Adam, trying very hard not to laugh. "Nice try anyway." They both sighed, and leaned against the trunk of the tree. Michael started petting Dash's neck again and Adam brushed her forelock out of her eyes. I hope Pikachu survives. Thought Rapid, hiding behind a tree near the PokeCentre. Ash had gone into the PokéCentre just 5 minutes ago. He was still inside, probably waiting for the Nurse to tell him whether Pikachu would survive or not. Misty appeared a short distance away, hurrying towards the PokéCentre. When she spotted her bike, she ran in as fast as she could. Ash was inside, sitting on a chair looking very worried. "Well?" Misty said, standing in front of him. "Is the Pikachu going to survive or not?" "I don't know." Ash said, looking dejected. "The nurse hasn't come back to tell me. I hope he is going to be ok." He sighed and leaned back, looking at his hands. "Why did I ever throw that stone?" He mumbled. "What stone?" Misty asked, sitting on a chair next to him. "What stone did you throw? You didn't throw it at the pikachu, did you?" "Of course not!" He said, looking shocked. "Why would I hurt my own pokémon? I threw it at a bush and it accidentally hit a Spearow on the head." "Oh. That's bad. Spearows are very nasty pokémon when they are mad." Said Misty, looking down at the floor. "Yeah, I noticed. I was running from a whole flock when we came upon a cliff. We had two choices. Jump, or get attacked. I chose to jump." "Oh. So that's why you were in the river." She said. "Sorry for shouting at you when I pulled you two out." "That's ok. You didn't know then." Ash said. Suddenly a nurse came in, looking relieved. "He will be ok now." She said. "He will be fully healed by tomorrow morning. you can go then." "Thank goodness!" Ash said, looking relieved. "Can I see him?" He asked, starting to stand up. "No, Not now, he is in an electric booth, getting charged up. You can see him tomorrow when you go." The nurse said. Then she turned away and went back through the door. "Well that's good news." said Misty, standing up as well. "Would I be able to come with you?" "Sure thing! You can come if you want to!" Ash said. "Thanks." Misty replied. They both sat down again, looking at the floor. Chapter. 10. It was now two days since Speedy had died. There were only five days of mourning left. Flamethrower had set out to look for Dash, he had evolved into a Rapidash just a week before Speedy had died, and since he was the only Rapidash that was willing to go, the Council had decided to let him set off to find Dash. The Council had appointed Fire Ball as the new Royal Advisor, but only until Dash came back to change it. There were five young Ponytas now. Their names were Highflame (a colt), Blazelight (a colt), Firefeet(a filly), Firestar(a filly) and Flametrotter(also a filly). All three mares had survived, fortunately. Why did Rapid have to run so far and so fast? Thought Flamethrower, galloping along as fast as he could. Why did Dash let a Human ride on her back? I hope she hasn't let it catch her. When he came upon the city, he ran straight through, not caring where he went because it was the middle of the night. When he came up to the cliff, he looked down over the edge. He heard and felt that Dash was down on the other side of the river. He galloped back a bit and stoped. Then he galloped as fast as he could towards the edge and jumped over. He landed safely on the other side and walked to where he thought Dash was. What was that?! Dash thought, pricking up her ears at the thud that had sounded nearby. She snorted and nudged Adam, waking him up. "Wha? What do you want, Rapidash?" He said. Dash nickered and pointed her nose in the direction that the hoof beat noises were coming from. "Oh. Sounds like another horse-type pokemon. I had better wake up Michael." He moved over and nudged Michael. "Hey sleepy head, wake up. It sounds like we've got visitors!" "What? What do you mean visitors?" Michael said, sitting up and rubbing his eyes. "What's that noise?" "It sounds like it's a Rapidash or Ponyta." Adam replied, standing up and looking out into the darkness. Flamethrower appeared and walked over to Dash. "Your highness, what did they do to you!" "Who are you, and how did you know I was the Queen?" "It's me, Flamethrower. I evolved a few weeks ago. Speedy is dead, your highness. Fire Ball is the new Royal Advisor until you return." Flamethrow er said. "Oh. I'm a bit injured right now, so it might take a while for me to get back. I still haven't found Rapid yet." Dash replied. "Would you like me to help you find him then?" Asked Flamethrower. "Sure. Just remember who is in charge here. Ok?" Dash said. "Ok. You are, of course." Flamethrower said, then lay down next to Dash. "We should get some sleep, Your Highness." "Yes, I agree." Dash said. "What are they saying?" Asked Michael, looking over at the two Rapidashes. "I wish I knew." Adam said. It seems that the Rapidash we have been riding on is a leader of some sort. I wonder what their names are." "I might ask the mare, to see if she can tell or show me." Michael said. He got up and walked up to Dash. "Can you tell me your name, Rapidash?" He asked. "Dash" Said Dash. "Dash, Dash, Dash". "Well that was easy." Michael said. He turned to Flamethrower. "What about you? Can you tell or show me your name?" Flamethrower stood up, thinking. Suddenly a thought came into his head. He turned to the river and shot a stream of fire over the top of it. "Fireblast?" Michael asked. Flamethrower shook his head. "Is it Flamethrower?" Asked Adam, coming up to stand next to Michael. Flamethrower nodded his head. "Rapidash!" He said. "We had better go to sleep now." Said Adam. "We have long day tomorrow." He walked over to Dash and lay down next to her. Michael and Flamethrower followed him. They all went to sleep, none of them dreaming because they were so worn out. Rapid was walking along the road, following Ash, Misty and Pikachu. I really must talk to that Pikachu when they set up camp. Thought Rapid, trotting slowly along. the hours passed and it was finally afternoon. Ash got some firewood and Misty set up the sleeping bags. While Ash and Misty were cooking their dinner, Pikachu hopped into the forest and Rapid trotted up to him. "Pika!" Pikachu said, and started to power up so that he could use his thundershock attack. "Rapidash!" Rapid said, backing off. Pikachu stopped powering up. "Pika pi?" (what do you want?) He said. "Rapi rap dash" (I wanted to ask you about Ash.) Rapid replied. "Pika pika chuuuu?" (What about him?) Pikachu asked. "Rapid rap rapi dash rapidash rapid." (I'm looking for a trainer and wanted to know if he is a good trainer.) Rapid replied. " Pika! pika pika pi"(No! he isn't a good trainer.) Pikachu said. "Pika pi! Pi kachu chu!" (Go away! leave us alone!) Pikachu powered up and used thundershock on Rapid. Rapid collapsed and drifted into unconsciusness. "Pika!" (There!) Pikachu said, then hopped back to the campsite. When Rapid finally woke up, it was morning, and Ash, Pikachu and Misty were still asleep. He trotted over to them and sniffed the remains of the fire. Ash moved and woke up. "Wow! what type of pokémon is this!?" He said, getting his pokedex. "Rapidash, a fire horse pokémon." It said. "Cool!" said Ash. "Pikachu, go!" he shouted. Pikachu woke up and saw Rapid "Pika pi pika chu!" (I told you to go away!) He shouted. "Pikachu, thundershock attack, now!" Ash shouted. Rapid galloped into the forest while Pikachu was powering up. "What an awful person" he said, then trotted off again. Chapter. 11. Pingtung walked into a clearing full of chaos. Rapidashes, Ponytas and Squirtles were running everywhere, trying to get away from Team Rocket. He took out all his pokéballs. "Go Rapidash, Blastoise, Scyther, Jynx, Dragonite, Charizard, Hypno, Golduck, Onix, Machamp, Butterfree, Raichu, Golem and Alakazam!" He yelled, throwing them in front of him. All the pokémon came out. "Attack Team Rocket!" He yelled and pointed to where Team Rocket was busying themselves, catching as many pokémon as they could. "Butterfree, sleeping powder attack!" Pingtung yelled. Butterfree flew overhead and started throwing it's sleeping powder over the top of Team Rocket. Unfortunately, Team Rocket had a Spearow that blew away the powder. "Charizard, Hyper Beam attack, now!" Pingtung yelled again. Team Rocket got hit, and started to retreat as fast as they could, leaving the pokémon behind. Raichu finished them off with its Thundershock attack and Team Rocket flew off into the sky. "Phew!" Pingtung said. "That was close". "Return!" He yelled, getting his pokémon back. "Now, to see who lives here with so many pokémon." He said, walking towards the castle. He went inside and started looking around. All he could see were Rapidashes and Ponytas. "Where are all the humans?" He murmered to himself. He opened a door and found himself in what looked like a throne room. There were important-looking Rapidashes inside who looked at him and started to move towards him menacingly. He backed out and closed the door. "I wonder what all that is about." He said, them went on down the corridor. Pokezip was walking through the forest. He heard a noise nearby and decided to investigate. He came out of the forest in a clearing, and found Dash, Flamethrower, Adam and Michael still asleep. As he walked into the clearing, Dash woke up and neighed, waking up the rest of the group. "What are you doing here?" Michael said angrily, standing up. "I thought you would stay at Lavender Town!" "Well I didn't, did I?" Replied Pokezip. "You aren't my mother, so who are you to tell me where I should stay?" He said angrily. He looked over at the Rapidashes. "Whoose are they?" He asked, walking over to Flamethrower who got up and stood between him and Dash, who stayed lying down. "No-one's." Said Adam. "The mare, Dash is hurt." "She is?" Pokezip said. "How bad is she hurt?" "We don't know." Said Michael. "Can I help in any way?" Pokezip said, looking worried and trying to get closer to Dash. "I hope she isn't hurt too bad. Have either of you got a Chansey?" Flamethrower stood between Dash and Pokezip, trying to keep him away from her. Dash neighed to him. "It's ok, Flamethrower, let him come over." She said. Flamethrower moved away and Pokezip knelt down next to Dash who moved so that he could get to her hoof. "Her pastern is broken." He said, stroking her neck. "I'm afraid that even my Chansey won't be able to heal it. We need to get her to a PokéCentre." "How do we get her there though?" Asked Michael "Do you think my Charizard would be able to carry her?" Pokezip asked, going through his Pokéballs. "What about its claws?" Adam asked. "I don't think it would hurt it." Pokezip said. "Let him try." Said Michael. "Ok, but he must stop if Dash gets hurt." Adam said. Pokezip took out several Pokéballs and looked through them. He picked one and threw it. "Go...!" He shouted. Unfortunately, a Butterfree came out. "Rats! Not you again!" He shouted. "I thought I told you to stay in!" Adam and Michael started laughing. Pokezip glared at them and got out another Pokéball. "Go Charizard!" He shouted. This time a Charizard came out and he sighed, relieved. "Ok, Charizard." He said. "Do you think you can pick this Rapidash up and carry her?" He asked it. "Char!" The Charizard said, then flew over to Dash. He hovered over her and gently picked her up. "Charizard!" he said, then flew over to Pokezip. He gently put Dash down and floated down next to her. "Char" He said again, nudging her with his nose. "Told you!" Pokezip said. "Ok, we know you did. But where is the nearest PokéCentre?" Adam asked. "Just down the road." Pokezip replied. "Well we had better get started then." Michael said. "Charizard, pick up the Rapidash and carry her." Pokezip said. "Char!" The Charizard said, then picked Dash up and flew beside the road while Adam, Michael, Flamethrower and Pokezip walked down the road. They came to the PokéCentre and Pokezip made Charizard take Dash in. "Well I've got to go now." Pokezip said, putting Charizard's Pokéball away after he returned. "Hope I see you all sometime soon so that I can see how Dash is doing." "Ok. Bye" Said Adam. "Yeah, bye." Michael said. "Sorry 'bout being so mean to you before." "It's ok." Pokezip said, then walked off into the forest down a small path. Adam, Michael and Flamethrower went into the Pokecentre to wait for Dash. Rapid was walking slowly down the path in the forest, wishing yet again that he hadn't left the Rapidash Castle. Little did he know that there was someone sneaking up behind him. suddenly there was a crashing noise in the bushes nearby and he heard a boy yell out. "Wartortle, go!" Pokezip yelled, coming out from the bushes. Oh no! Rapid thought. I can't fight a wartortle! I'm not strong enough! I'll get hurt if I battle it! "War!" the wartortle said. Rapid neighed and backed away. Pokezip saw that he was scared, and, not being unkind, he decided to let the decision rest on the Rapidash. "Wartortle, return!" Pokezip shouted. He put the Wartortle's pokeball away and took out another one. He murmured reassuringly to Rapid as he slowly moved towards him and put the Pokéball on the ground just in front of him. he moved slowly away. "Do you want me to be your trainer?" Pokezip asked. Rapid looked at him carefully. He's actually asking me! I've never heard of a trainer doing that before! He thought. He stepped towards the Pokeball and sniffed it. He snorted and touched it with his nose, accepting the bonds that it put over him and went inside. He opened his eyes and saw nothing but darkness. So this is what being caught is like he thought. "Wow! I've got a Rapidash!" Pokezip shouted. He picked up the pokéball. "Rapidash, Go!" He shouted. Rapid came out and looked at Pokezip. "Rapid!" He said. "Is that your name?" Pokezip asked, walking over to him and patting his neck. Rapid nodded. "Well then, Rapid, can I get up on your back?" Pokezip asked. Rapid nodded again and started to move over to a rock. Pokezip stopped him. "Don't worry, I can get up." He said, and grabbed a handful of his mane. He jumped up and landed on Rapid's back. "I guess we'll learn as we go." Pokezip said. "At the next shop I'll have to get a bridle without a bit. A hackamore, I think it is called." Rapid neighed and stamped one of his hooves. "Ok, ok, ok." Pokezip said. "Follow the path to the next town." He said, and they walked off into the sunset. Chapter. 12. Pingtung had been walking along for nearly 20 minutes now, and he still hadn't found any humans, only pokémon. Where is everyone? He thought, looking inside another door and seeing only female Rapidashes with baby Ponytas. Who owns all these pokémon? There is so many. It seems like the pokémon own the castle, but that's impossible, isn't it? How can pokémon own a castle? He continued down the corridor and came to another door. He knocked on it, and, hearing only movements in the room, he quietly opened the door and looked inside. He jumped back as fast as he could, seeing a Primeape, obviously in a bad mood. The Primeape came out and looked around "Prime!" It said, and spotted Pingtung. "Prime?" It said again. Pingtung got up. "Uh..... Hello." He said, not being sure whether he was safe or not. The primeape walked up to him and sniffed around his body. It found the place where he kept his pokéballs. "Primeape!" It said, nudging one. "You want me to catch you?" Pingtung asked, surprised. "Prime!" The primeape said again, nodding its head. "Ok then." Pingtung said, getting out a pokéball. He threw it at the Primeape and it hit him. The primeape went inside, and when the ball stopped wriggling, and the light went out, Pingtung picked it up. "I've got Primeape!" He yelled happily. "Primeape, go!" He yelled, throwing the pokéball. "Prime!" Primeape said. "I think i'll call you Primey." Pingtung said. "Primeape!" Primey said, nodding his head. "Now. To try and find the people that own this place." Pingtung mumbled to himself. "Come on, Primey." He said. They then continued down the corridor. "She will be all right now." Nurse Joy said to Adam and Michael. "Thank you for helping us." Michael said. "Yeah. Thanks." Adam said. They walked outside with Dash and Flamethrower. "We had better not ride on Dash for a while until her leg is better." Adam said. "Instead, we should ride on Flamethrower if he will let us." Flamethrower snorted and nodded his head. He walked over to a large stone so that Adam and Michael could get up on his back easier. They got up on his back. "Where shall we go now, Dash?" Adam asked. Dash snorted and walked towards the forest. "Ok. We'll go that way then." Dash walked into the forest and Flamethrower followed. About half an hour later, they walked into a clearing and stopped. There in front of them was a sleeping Snorlax. "We'll have to sneek past." Adam whispered to Michael. "They only wake up to eat, and I have food in my backpack." "So do I." Michael whispered back. "What if it smells it?" He asked. "It'll wake up, and It'll fight us for our food." Adam answered. Dash and Flamethrower sneaked past as fast as they could. After a few minutes, they heard a crashing sound coming from the forest behind them. Dash neighed, and she and Flamethrower started galloping as fast as they could to get away. They had to stop after a while, because they came to a river going through the forest. "What is worse?" Michael asked. "Jumping the river, or finding out what is following us?" "Neither." Adam said. "But I suppose we'll find out soon." Dash and Flamethrower turned towards the forest to wait for whatever was following them to catch up. When Pokezip and Rapid walked into the city, they were the centre of attention. Everyone was glancing at them as they walked around the markets. Pokezip got off Rapid's back and they walked side-by-side to one of the stalls which sold saddlery and bridles. Pokezip picked up a bridle and showed it to Rapid. "What do you think of this bridle? Want it?" He asked Rapid. Rapid neighed and shook his head. He walked over to the table, nudged a hackamore with his nose and looked back at Pokezip. "You want this one then, do you?" Pokezip said, walking over to him. Rapid nodded his head and neighed. "Well I'll have to see if it fits you first. Stand still and I'll put it on you." He said, picking the hackamore up. He undid the throatlash and slipped the noseband over Rapid's nose. He did it up, making sure it wasn't too tight, and loosened the noseband a bit. "There." He said, standing back and holding the reins. "Is that comfortable?" He asked, patting Rapid's neck. Rapid nodded his head and nudged Pokezip gently with his nose. "Well then, I shall buy it for you." Pokezip said. He payed the man for the hackamore and got up on Rapid's back again. He picked up the reins and gently tapped Rapid's sides with his heels, guiding him towards the PokéCentre with the reins. "We'll go to the PokéCentre first, to heal a couple of my other pokémon, and maybe even get you checked up to see what level you are." Pokezip said. Rapid neighed and picked up the pace to a canter. "Steady, Rapid." Pokezip said, pulling gently on the reins. Rapid slowed down. "That's better. We have all day, you know." Pokezip said. He looked at his watch and saw that it was 10 o'clock in the morning. "Time seems to go slowly." He mumbled to himself, and they rode off to the PokéCentre. Chapter. 13. Pingtung heard running footsteps coming towards him, and he ducked into a doorway to see who it was. Two boys were running down the corridor, looking scared, and glancing over their shoulders as if something was chasing them. Pingtung stepped out of the doorway and the two boys skidded to a stop. "Who are you?" One of the boys asked. "I'm Pingtung." Pingtung answered. "Who are you?" "I'm Clarkizard, and this is Mewtwo." Clarkizard answered. "We just managed to escape from the dungeons. How did you get here?" "I saved the castle from Team Rocket." Pingtung said. "How did you two manage to get locked up in the dungeons?" "We tried to catch a few of the Rapidashes and Ponytas. They overpowered our pokémon and drove us into the dungeons, locking the doors after us. We only managed to escape because they all went up the stairs in a big hurry and left the doors unlocked after putting our food inside." "Well we had better get out of here then." Pingtung said. "Before the Rapidashes find that you have escaped, and come chasing after you." "Yeah." Mewtwo said. "Do you know the way out?" He asked. "Yeah, we just follow this corridor." Pingtung said. "When I came in, I just followed this corridor, and didn't turn any corners or go through any doors." "That's good." Mewtwo said. "But I think we had better hurry up. Listen." Pingtung listened and heard hoofbeats getting louder. "Ok, follow me!" Pingtung said, running back the way he came with Clarkizard and Mewtwo following. The crashing noise was coming closer and closer, when suddenly a Kangaskhan came out of the forest with someone in its pouch. "Hello!" The boy in the Kangaskhan's pouch yelled. "Hi!" Adam yelled. "What's your name?" He asked. "Konomex." Konomex replied. What's yours?" He asked. "Mine is Adam, and this is Michael, Dash and Flamethrower." Adam replied, pointing to each as he said their name. "Cool. Mind if I travel with you all?" Konomex asked. "No, not at all." Adam replied. "What about you, Michael, do you mind?" He asked. "No. It's fine with me." Michael said. "Cool. Where are you all going, then?" Konomex asked. "Wherever Dash takes us." Adam said. "She seems to be looking for someone or something." "Ok. Lead the way, Dash." Konomex said. Dash walked up-stream and the others followed. After a while, they came to a bridge which they crossed. On the other side was a Charizard. "Kewl!" Michael said. "Hey Adam, can I catch this Charizard?" "Of course! It's your turn to catch a pokémon." Adam replied. "That's right." Michael said, getting out a pokéball and pressing the button to enlarge it. "Blastoise. Go!" He yelled, throwing the Pokéball. "Blast!" The Blastoise said, coming out. "Blastoise, Watergun attack, now!" Michael yelled. Blastoise used his watergun attack on the Charizard, and dodged its ember attack that it countered with. Seeing that it was weakened, Michael thought. "Blastoise, finish it off however you can!" He yelled. Blastoise used tail whip and Hydropump, stunning the Charizard. "Good work, Blastoise! Return!" He yelled taking out another pokéball. "Pokeball, Go!" He yelled, throwing it at the Charizard. The pokéball hit. "I hope it stays shut." He whispered to himself. The pokeball wriggled, and finally stopped, the light going out. "Yeah!" Michael yelled. "I got Charizard!" "Kewl." Konomex said, sneering. "I liked the bit how you told your Blastoise to finish it off itself. But I guess it was ok, 'cause it worked. So, shall we go on?" "Ok." Michael said, his cheeks turning pink. "Lead the way, Dash." He said. Dash started off down the road again, and everyone followed. Rapid and Pokezip were walking down a trail in the forest when they heard a Pikachu and a Farfetch'd yelling. "What do you think, Rapid? Shall we see what's wrong?" Rapid snorted and nodded his head. "I'll take that as a yes." Pokezip said. He picked up the reins and gently turned Rapid towards the noise. Rapid started cantering, and skidded to a stop when he saw the Pikachu and Farfetch'd hanging by a rope from a tree. Pokezip got down off Rapid's back and ran over to the pokémon. He got out a pocketknife and cut the rope. "Who put you here?" Pokezip asked, cutting the rest of the rope away. "Pika pi kachu!" the Pikachu said. Pokezip saw a collar around its neck and turned it around. It had the word Mosher on it. "Is that your name, Mosher?" Pokezip asked. "Pika!" Mosher said, nodding his head. "Ok then, Mosher, and is this Farfetch'd your friend?" Pokezip asked "Kachu pi!" Mosher said, nodding his head even faster. "Cool. Want to travel with me and Rapid here?" Pokezip asked, pointing at Rapid. "Pika!" Mosher said, and hopped up on Pokezip's shoulder, and Farfetch'd flew up and landed on Rapid's withers. "Well that settles it." Pokezip said, picking up Rapid's reins again and getting up on his back. "Ok, Rapid, back to the trail, and we'll keep going on to the next town." Rapid walked back to the trail. Mosher, feeling like he would fall off Pokezip's shoulder, hopped onto Rapid's head. "Pika!" He said, settling down between Rapid's ears. Pokezip laughed. "Be careful, Mosher." Pokezip said, and they went off down the trail towards the next town. Chapter. 14. The hoofbeats were getting louder. "We'll have to hide!" Pingtung yelled to Mewtwo and Clarkizard. "Where?" Clarkizard yelled back. "Yeah, I have no idea where we are going to hide." Mewtwo said. "In the next room we come to." Pingtung replied. "We'll have to open the door and close it behind us as quickly and as quietly as we can." He said. "Look, there's one just ahead." He said, spotting a doorway just ahead. They raced towards it, and skidded to a stop. Pingtung turned the handle and they jumped in. Pingtung closed the door behind them, and they leaned against the door, sighing in relief. Pingtung heard a noise behind them and turned around. "Uh-oh." He said, nudging Mewtwo and Clarkizard with his elbows. They turned around and froze. There in the room was a person with a cloak on, with the hood shadowing his face and hiding it from view. "Who comes before King Kold?" He said. "Uh... I am Pingtung, and this is Mewtwo and Clarkizard. What are you doing here?" Pingtung asked nervously. "That is of no importance." King Kold said. "The only thing of importance, is what you three are doing in this room, with fear in your hearts." Pingtung took a step forward, and stopped when King Kold moved his head up. "I came into the castle after I saved the pokémon from Team Rocket. I wanted to know who owned all the pokémon because I have never seen so many before. I met Mewtwo and Clarkizard a little while ago. "You tell the truth. I sense that you do not speak falsely. Sit before me, the three of you, and Tell me of your travels." Mewtwo, Clarkizard and Pintung moved forwards and sat on the mat in front of King Kold, and Pingtung started on the story of his journeys..... The town was quiet as Dash, Flamethrower, Adam, Michael, Konomex and his Kangaskhan went through. It was late in the afternoon, and everyone was packing up their stalls. "What do you think, Adam, should we go to an Inn for tonight?" Michael said. "Where will we put the pokémon?" Adam asked. "I doubt if there are any stables at the Inns." He went on. "I guess you're right." Michael said. "Shall we just go straight through then?" "We might as well." Adam said. Konomex had been looking at the stalls that were still open, and he came back with some more food wrapped up in packages. "I was nearly out of food." He said, putting them into his Kangaskhan's pouch. "Well, shall we go on then?" Michael said. "Yeah, of course." Konomex replied. Adam and Michael got up on Flamethrower's back and Konomex got into his Kangaskhan's pounch. "Lead the way, Dash." Adam said. Dash went straight through the town, and into the forest behind it. The sun was slowly sinking into the horizon, and they made camp. After eating, they all settled down to sleep. "Night all." Adam said. "Yeah, night." Michael replied. "Goodnight."Konomex said, and they all drifted off to sleep. Rapid lifted his head, catching a scent on the wind, and snorted. "What's the matter, Rapid?" Pokezip asked. "What is up ahead?" Rapid snorted again, and started trotting. "Pikaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!" Mosher yelled, nearly falling off. Pokezip grabbed him before he could fall off. "I told you to be careful, Mosher." Pokezip said. "Pika kachu!" Mosher replied. Pokezip laughed and looked up ahead as Rapid slowed down a bit. There was a boy up ahead, walking along the road. "Hello!" Pokezip yelled. The boy stopped and turned a bit. "Hello!" He yelled back. Rapid cantered up to him and stopped next to him. "What's your name?" Pokezip asked. "I'm called Lapras." Lapras replied. "What's yours? "I'm called Pokezip, but my name is really Anthony." Pokezip replied. "I like your Rapidash, Pikachu and Farfetch'd." Lapras said. "Why aren't they in their pokeballs?" "The Pikachu and the Farfetch'd aren't mine." Pokezip replied. "I'm riding on Rapid so that I won't get tired. Is that a good enough excuse?" "I guess so." Lapras replied. "Mind if I travel with you?" He asked. "Not at all." Pokezip replied. "Want to ride double?" "No thanx. It looks crowded up there." Lapras replied, smiling a bit. "Ok. Suit yourself." Pokezip said. He nudged Rapid's sides with his heels and flicked the reins. Rapid started walking with Lapras walking beside them. "Where are you headed?" Pokezip asked Lapras. "I'm heading for the Jolt League." Lapras replied. "You?" "Same." Pokezip replied. "Cool." Lapras said. "It's nearly night time." He said. "We should make camp." "Yeah. What about over there under those trees?" Pokezip suggested. "That'll do." Lapras said. Rapid walked over to the trees and Pokezip got down. He took his bag off and got out his tent and his sleeping bag while Lapras made a fire. After eating their dinner, Lapras and Pokezip went into the tent, and went to sleep. "See you in the morning, Pokezip." Lapras said. "Yeah. See you in the morning." Pokezip replied, and they both drifted off to sleep. Chapter. 15. Pingtung had been talking for hours, and was getting tired. "Well, that's the story of how I and Lapras got separated, and how I got here." Pingtung continued. "I thank you for telling the truth, at least." King Kold said. "Do any of you have questions you want to ask me before you go?" He asked. "Yes, I do." Pingtung said. "You want to know who owns the pokémon that live here." King Kold said. "Yeah..... How did you know?" Pingtung asked, surprised. "I can read your thoughts. That is how I know you were telling the truth in you story." King Kold said. "To answer your question, the pokémon own themselves. Their queen is a Rapidash whoose name is Dash. She has been gone for many months now, looking for her son, Rapid. He is going to be the king when Dash is gone." He continued. "I thought it was impossible for pokémon to own themselves." Mewtwo said. "It isn't." King Kold said. "The Council members are getting very worried. They sent out a newly transformed Rapidash a while ago, and he hasn't returned." "Could we go after them and see if we can find them?" Clarkizard said. "You could, but the Council would have to approve." King Kold said. "Ok. We'll do our best, if the Council approves." Pingtung said. "Very good." King Kold said. The door opened, and in came a group of Rapidashes, who stood in front of King Kold. They lined up as King Kold said their names. "Fireball, Flamebuster, Speedfire, Rapidfire, Flare, Flame and Fire Wall." King kold said, gesturing to each one. Pingtung, Mewtwo and Clarkizard bowed. "I have found these three to be worthy of the quest to find Her highness, Flamethrower and Rapid." King Kold said to the Council Members. Fireball came forward and stood in front of Pingtung. He neighed. "Yes. He is trustworthy, and cares deeply for his pokémon." King Kold said. Fireball snorted, and nodded his head. "He approves of you three." King Kold said. Fireball turned around and snorted, facing King Kold. "He wants you to have some protection." King Kold said. Flare, Flame and Fire Wall came forwards. "You are to have one each, they will protect you, and will help you find Dash, Rapid and Flamethrower." King Kold said. Pingtung walked up to Fire Wall, who looked more muscly, and had a deeper chest. "Will you allow me to ride you?" Pingtung asked. Fire Wall snorted, and touched Pingtung on the chest with his nose. "Good choice." King Kold said. "You next, Clarkizard." Clarkizard looked at Flame and Flare. He walked up to Flare. "Can I ride you?" He asked. Flare reared up, neighing. when his front hooves touched the ground, he snorted and nodded his head. "Again, a good choice." King Kold said. Mewtwo walked up to Flame. He reached out with one hand towards Flame's nose. "Can I ride you?" Mewtwo asked. Flame neighed and pushed his nose into Mewtwo's hand. "I wish you all a good journey." King Kold said. He waved his hand, and a wall disappeared. Pingtung, Clarkizard and Mewtwo got up on their Rapidashes' backs, and they all reared up in farewell before galloping out over the hills and valleys. "I hope they return soon." King Kold mumbled to himself. He waved his hand again, and the wall reappeared. "You can go now." He said to the Council Members, and the Royal Advisor. "They have gone." The Rapidashes went out the door, leaving King Kold alone in the room to meditate. Konomex had woken up at dawn. He sat looking at the fire, remembering the past few weeks, and his meeting with Ash, Brock, Misty and Pikachu. "I still can't believe that Ash, an amateur at that!, Actually beat me in pokébattle!" He murmured to himself. "That girl, Misty, looked nice. I wonder if I will ever see her again." He continued. Feeling hungry, he got some firewood and put it in the fireplace. He took out a pokéball and yelled "Pokéball, go!". Out came a Charizard. "Char!" Charizard said. "Charizard, light the fire." Konomex said. "Char, zard!" said Charizard, and used her ember attack on the firewood. "Good girl." Konomex said. He got out a frying pan, and started cooking breakfast. "Good morning!" Adam said. Konomex jumped, spilling one of the sausages onto the ground. "Oops, sorry." Adam said. "It's ok." Konomex said. "You hungry?" "Yeah." Adam replied. "What's for breakfast?" He asked. "Sausages and eggs." Konomex replied. "Cool. Sounds delicious." Adam replied. They both turned around at the noise of Michael screaming. They both started laughing as they watched him back away from a Venonat that was trying to get into his sleeping bag. "Get it away from me!" Michael yelled. "Ok." Adam said, getting out a pokéball. "Ninetales, go!" He yelled, throwing the pokeball. "Ninetales!" Ninetales said. "Confuse ray, Ninetales. Now!" Adam yelled. Ninetales used his confuse ray on the venonat, stunning it. "Pokéball, go!" Adam yelled, throwing another pokéball. The pokeball hit the Venonat, and it went inside. "Yeah! I got Venonat!" Adam said. "Very good." Konomex said. "Anyone for sausages and eggs?" "Yeah!" Adam and Michael said together. They all got out their plates and Konomex put some sausages and eggs on all of them, and they all sat down and ate their breakfast. After eating, they packed their stuff. "Do you think Dash is strong enough to carry one of us?" Michael asked. "Don't know. Ask her." Adam said. "Are you strong enough to carry me, Dash?" Michael asked. Dash nodded her head and Michael got up on her back. Adam got up on Flamethrower's back, and Konomex got into his Kangaskhan's pouch. "Lead the way, Dash." Adam said, and off they went, with Dash following Rapid's trail. It was morning. Pokezip looked up at the sky, watching the clouds pass overhead. Lapras was still asleep, so Pokezip decided to stay lying down until he woke up. When his stomach started grumbling, Pokezip got up and got some firewood. "Hey Rapid, can you light this for me?" Pokezip asked. Rapid nodded his head and walked over. He used his ember attack on the firewood, and the fire roared up. "Thanks, Rapid." Pokezip said. He got out a frying pan and some eggs and bacon. he put some butter on the frying pan and started cooking the bacon. Pokezip grinned as Lapras sat up, sniffing the air. "You hungry, Lapras?" Pokezip called to him. "Wha? Oh, yeah. sure am." Lapras replied, getting up and moving over to the fire. "Smells good." He said. "Thanks." Pokezip said. "Where's your plate?" He asked. Lapras went over to his bag and got out his plate. "Want me to get yours too?" Lapras asked. "You don't have to. I've already got mine." "Ok." Lapras replied. He walked over to the fire and held out his plate. Pokezip put sever rashers of bacon on it, and a few on his own plate. Then he cracked a few eggs open on the edge of the frying pan, and put them in. When they were cooked, he again gave some to Lapras and some to himself. They both walked over to a near-by log, sat down, and started eating. "It's delicious." Lapras said, his mouth half-full. "Thanks. My mother taught me how to cook them." Pokezip replied. After they finished eating, they packed up their stuff, and Pokezip got up on Rapid's back along with Mosher and the Farfetch'd, and off they all headed, towards the next town, and the jolt league. Chapter. 16. It was morning, and they had been galloping all night. "When will we stop?" Pingtung yelled to Mewtwo, who was galloping along-side him. "Whenever these three want to." Mewtwo yelled back. "I haven't been able to stop Flame." "Yeah. I haven't been able to stop Flare, Either." Clarkizard yelled, coming from up behind them. Fire Wall heard what they were saying, and started to slow down. Flare and Flame, seeing what he was doing, started to slow down as well. The three boys got off the Rapidashes' backs, and stretched their legs. "We can't stop for long." Pingtung said. "We must finish this quest for King Kold." "Yeah. That's true." Clarkizard said. "Maybe we had better start off again." He continued. Pingtung and Mewtwo nodded heir heads in agreement, and they all got back up on the Rapidashes' backs, and they all started galloping off again, following the trails of Dash and Rapid. They had been making good distance all morning, now that the loads were shared evenly between the two Rapidashes and the Kangaskhan.Suddenly Dash stopped, and lifted her head, sniffing the wind coming towards them. She swivelled her ears around, listening to something. "What is it, Dash?" Michael said, patting her neck. "I think there is something ahead of us." Konomex said. Dash snorted, and Flamethrower flicked his tail. He errupted into a huge ball of flame, and burnt a nearby bush. An Arbok scrambled out from behind the bush, and collapsed onto the road in front of them. "Anyone mind if I get this one?" Konomex asked "Nope. Not at all." Adam replied. "I've already got an Ekans." "I've already got an Arbok." Michael said. "Go ahead and get it. "Pokéball, Go!" Konomex yelled, throwing a pokeball. The Arbok went inside, and the pokeball stayed shut. Konomex picked up the pokeball. "Cool, I got Arbok." He said, and put it in his belt. "Good goin', Konomex." Adam said. Dash snorted again, and she and Flamethrower started walking off. "Wait for me!" Konomex yelled, half inside his Kangaskhan's pouch. He finally got in, and Kangaskhan hopped quickly so it could catch up. Kangskhan slowed down, and ambled beside Flamethrower, continuing to follow Dash's lead. It was nearly midday, and Mosher felt like walking for a while. "Pika kachu ka!" He said loudly, hopping up and down. "What do you want, Mosher?" Pokezip asked. "Pikaaaaa!" Mosher said again, pointing to the ground. "Oh, you want to get down, do you?" Pokezip asked. "Rapid, can you stop for a min?" Rapid stopped, and Mosher hopped onto the ground, and the Farfetch'd followed him. Pokezip laughed. "What a wierd couple." He said. Lapras laughed too. "Yeah. I wonder how they met each other." "I don't know." Pokezip said. "I found them hanging in a tree, tied up." "I wonder how they got there." Lapras said. "Strange place to find a Pikachu and a Farfetch'd." He continued. "Yeah, I know." Pokezip replied. Rapid started off again, and Lapras walked beside him. After a few hours, it was getting dark, and they could see a glow on the horizon in front of them. "We should get to Pewter City sometime tomorrow morning." Pokezip said. "That's good. Where is the Jolt League being held?" Lapras asked. "I don't know." Pokezip said. "We will have to find out when we get to Pewter City." "Yeah, I guess." Lapras replied, and they continued down the road in silence. Chapter. 17. "What happened here, I wonder" Pingtung said, looking over the edge of the cliff. "I have no idea." Mewtwo replied. "Why don't we let the Rapidashes decide where they went?" "Good idea, Mewtwo." Clarkizard said. All three Rapidashes backed up a bit, and started galloping towards the edge. "You sure about this, you guys?" Pingtung yelled. "No, but we have no choice do we?" Clarkizard yelled back. They screamed as the Rapidashes jumped over the edge, and when they landed, Mewtwo lost grip of Flame's mane and got thrown over his head. Clarkizard and Pingtung got off their Rapidashes' backs, and ran over to him. "Are you ok?" Pingtung asked worriedly. "Can you feel your legs?" He continued. "Yeah." Mewtwo replied weakly. "But my arm doesn't feel too good." He went on, wincing with pain. "Show me." Clarkizard said, gently picking up Mewtwo's arm. "I'm afraid this is broken." He said. Pingtumg went to his backpack and got out a bandage. "We will have to bandage it for now, until we get to a PokeCentre or a hospital." He said. Clarkizard took the bandage and wrapped it around Mewtwo's arm. Pingtung and Clarkizard helped Mewtwo get up, and get back onto Flame's back. They then got onto their own Rapidashes' backs, and Fire Wall, Flare and Flame started walking off down the road. They were finally out in the open, and the sun was shining. All up, it was what you would call a wonderful day. Dash snorted, and started prancing around. "Settle down, Dash!" Michael said, holding tighter onto her mane. "Looks like she wants to have a good gallop." Adam said. Konomex got out of his Kangaskhan's pouch and got out a pokéball. "Kangaskhan, return!" He said. He put away Kangaskhan's pokéball, and got out another one. "Raging Flame, go!" He yelled, throwing the pokéball. A Rapidash came out and reared up, neighing. Konomex got up on his back. "So.... anyone for a race?" He asked, looking at Adam and Michael. "Sure thing!" Michael said. "Yeah, why not." Adam said. "Dash, agility attack, now!" Michael yelled. Dash flared up into a ball of flame. "Raging Flame, Agility, now!" Konomex yelled. "Flamethrower, Agility!" Adam yelled. "Everyone ready?" Adam asked. Michael and Konomex nodded their heads. "Ok then. Go!" Adam yelled. All three Rapidashes raced ahead, going faster every second, racing off into the distance. Pokezip heard the sound of galloping hooves coming up from behind him. "Sounds like we have some visitors" Lapras said, looking back. "Yeah. Sounds like Rapidashes." Pokezip said. He tugged lightly on the reigns, and Rapid stopped. Rapid turned around to face the road they had just come up. Suddenly he snorted and reared up. When his forefeet touched the ground again, he snorted. "What's the matter, Rapid?" Pokezip asked. Rapid moved onto the side of the road, grabbing the shoulder of Lapras' shirt, and dragging him along with him. "Hey! Watch the shirt!" Lapras shouted. Rapid let go and snorted again. Pokezip looked down the road. He saw three Rapidashes, each with a boy riding on it's back, and one was clearly in the lead. As they came up to them, the one in the lead slid to a stop, nearly throwing the boy on her back off. She nickered, and trotted over to Rapid. "Rapid dash rapi dash dash!" (I have finally found you!) Dash neighed to Rapid. "Rapid!" (Mum!) Rapid replied, and nudged her with his nose. "Rapid dash dash rapi?" (Did you get caught, too?) " Rapi, dash rapid rapid dash." (No, but it seems like you have.) Dash replied. "Hey Dash, who's the Rapidash?" Michael asked. Rapid looked at Michael, and jumped. He walked closer to him, and sniffed him. "Rapid dash rapi!" (I remember you!) Rapid said. "Hey..... aren't you that Ponyta I tried to catch?" Michael asked, petting Rapid's nose. Rapid nodded his head and snorted. "Hey, who are you three?" Pokezip asked. "I'm Michael." Michael replied. "Me? I'm Adam." Adam said. "Konomex." Konomex said, patting Raging Flame's neck. "Who are you two?" He asked. "I'm Pokezip, and this is Lapras." Pokezip replied. "Do you know Rapid?" "Yeah. I tried to catch him a few months ago." Michael replied. "I'm glad you didn't, then." Pokezip said. "He's the best pokémon I have." "Yeah..... I noticed that." Michael replied. "This is Dash. It looks like she's Rapid's mother." "Yeah. I wonder why she followed him all this way." Pokezip said. "Rapid dash dash rapi rapid dash rapidash!" (Because I'm the Queen of the Rapidashes, and he's going to be the next King!) Dash said. "The Queen of the Rapidashes!" Lapras said. "I've heard of you! You live in a castle with a whole lot of Ponytas, Rapidashes and Squirtles, right?" He asked. Dash snorted and nodded her head. "Wow! I'm riding the next King of the Rapidashes!" Pokezip said. "Am I lucky or what?" "Yeah, but not as lucky as me." Adam said. "Flamethrower is one of her Royal Advisors." He continued. "I can't believe she let me ride her!" Michael said. "Maybe I should get off." Dash shook her head "Dash! Rapi rapid dash! rapi rapidash!" (No! Don't get off! It's been nice to carry you.) "Thanks, Dash." Michael said, patting her neck. Chapter. 18. "There's the PokéCentre!" Clarkizard yelled. "Good." Mewtwo said faintly. When they got to the Centre, Nurse Joy came up to them, and asked them who they were. After they had explained, she said "There's a message waiting for you three, and I had better go and look after Mewtwo's arm." She put her arm around Mewtwo's shoulders, and led him off into the hospital. Clarkizard and Pingtung went to the message box, and typed in the ID numbers of their pokedexes. A picture of King Kold came up. "I hope you are all doing well, and that you could find the trail of Dash easily." He said. "I wish you all good luck, and good fortune. Goodbye." And with that, the picture disappeared. "Well....." Pingtung said. "I wish we could contact him, but he didn't leave a number to contact him by." He continued. "Yeah." Clarkizard said. "I wonder if Mewtwo will be able to keep going with us." "I think so." Pingtung replied, sitting down. "I'll go look after the Rapidashes while you wait here." He continued, getting up and going outside. When he got to where the Rapidashes were tied, Fire Wall neighed, and pranced a little. Pingtung walked over to him and petted his nose. "I hope we find Dash soon, 'cause I want to find Lapras again, and apologise. It was silly of me to fight with him over a girl." Pingtung murmured quietly. He leaned against Fire Wall's shoulder, laying one arm over his back. They all had decided to turn back, and go back home to Dash's castle. She had promised Pokezip that he could use Rapid for as long as he liked, so long as he kept contact with the castle as to where he was in case Dash should get injured or sick, and Rapid was needed at the castle. Pokezip was riding next to Lapras. "Hey, do you know Pingtung?" Pokezip asked. "Yeah..... I do." Lapras replied. "We had an argument, and we sorta split." "What was the argument about?" Pokezip asked. "We split 'cause we were going to different places. He was heading to this Castle he mentioned once or twice, and I wanted to go out and catch more pokemon." "We liked the same girl, and we were fighting over her, which she liked quite a lot. She left me for this guy called Brock. I have no idea what she saw in him..." Lapras replied. "Wow..... What was her name?" Pokezip asked, getting curious. "Her name was Tracey." Lapras said. "She went with them, 'cause they were going to the Orange League, and they were going faster than we were. She also liked Brock." He continued. "What an awful excuse." Pokezip said. "I wouldn't leave my girlfriend for a thing like that." "Thanx." Lapras said. He patted Rapid's side, and Rapid turned his head around and nudged his cheek gently, blowing his warm breath over Lapras' face. Lapras smiled a little and pushed Rapid's head away. "He's awfully friendly, isn't he?" Lapras said. "Yeah. He sure is." Pokezip replied. Pokezip settled down on Rapid's back, preparing for the long ride ahead of them. "What do you mean you can't find them!" King Kold yelled at an Alakazam. "You should be able to find them, you always have!" "Kazam, ala, zam" (Sorry, I can't) The Alakazam said. King Kold glared at it. "Go away, and leave me in peace." King Kold said. The Alakazam quickly went out of the room, hoping that King Kold wouldn't throw him out like he did last time. There was a knock at the door. "What is it?" King Kold said angrily. "Rapi dash rap dash rapi!" (We have found them!) Fireball neighed through the door. "Come in immediately!" King Kold said, sitting down on his Throne. Fireball quickly came in and stood in front of King Kold. He quickly told him all that he had been able to find out; that the three members of the council, and Pingtung, Mewtwo and Clarkizard had stayed at the PokéCentre that King Kold had left a message for them at. They had stopped there because Mewtwo had broken his arm, falling off Flame. King Kold stood up. "I shall have to teleport there and heal him, or they can't continue." He said. He got his cloak, and draped it around his shoulders. "Look after the castle while I am gone, Fireball." King Kold said. Fireball nodded his head, and backed away as King Kold started glowing gold. King Kold disappeared, and Fireball left the room. A few seconds after, King Kold found himself outside the PokéCentre. He saw Pingtung standing with the Rapidashes, and walked over to him. "Where's Mewtwo?" King Kold asked. Pingtung jumped, and turned around. "What are you doing here?" Pingtung asked. "I'm here to heal Mewtwo, and to see how the Council Members are." King Kold replied. "Now. Where is Mewtwo?" He asked. "Mewtwo's inside. so is Clarkizard. I just came out here to see how the Rapidashes were doing after such a long gallop." Pingtung said. King Kold nodded his head, and made his way inside the PokéCentre. When he got inside, he walked down the corridor to where Nurse Joy was busy working on Mewtwo's arm. As he walked into the room, Nurse Joy got up and turned around, wiping her hands on a cloth. "What are you doing in here?" She asked. "I'm going to heal Mewtwo for you, so that he can continue on the serch with Pingtung and Clarkizard." "Ok. You can have a go." She replied, moving out of his way. He sat down on a chair next to mewtwo, and gently placed his hands on Mewtwo's arm. "This may hurt a bit, but it should work." King Kold said. Mewtwo looked up at him, and nodded his head. "Go ahead." Mewtwo said. King Kold concentrated, and let his mind travel through Mewtwo's arm, assessing the damage. Mewtwo winced as he used telekinesis to move the broken bones together, and joined them, making the join as strong as possible. "Ok. It's fixed now. try to keep from moving it as much as possible for the next couple of days." King Kold said, standing up. "I will, and thanks for helping." Mewtwo replied. "Your welcome." King Kold said. Mewtwo jumped as King Kold suddenly disappeared from the room. Nurse Joy came and took him back to the waiting room where Clarkizard was waiting. "Are you ok?" Clarkizard asked him worriedly. "Yeah. King Kold came and healed me." Mewtwo replied. "Where's Pingtung? "Outside with the Rapidashes." Clarkizard replied. "Ok, let's go outside and tell him the good news." Mewtwo said. Clarkizard nodded his head in agreement, and they both walked outside to find Pingtung. Chapter. 19. "Hey Pingtung, guess what!" Mewtwo yelled as he went out through the door. "What? You're mad and I'm not?" Pingtung replied, smiling. "No, King Kold healed me!" Mewtwo replied, grinning. "Cool." Pingtung said. "So... Shall we leave now?" He asked. "Yeah, why not?" Clarkizard said, walking over to Flare. He got up on Flare's back, and watched Pingtung and Mewtwo get on their Rapidashes' backs. He nudged Flare's sides with his heels, and they started cantering down the road. It was a bit past midday, and everything was very quiet and still. Rapid pranced nervously as they trotted through the forests. "What is it Rapid?" Pokezip asked. "Rapid dash rap." (It's too quiet) Rapid replied, snorting. "Yeah. I agree." Lapras said. "The bird pokemon are usually making noises." He continued. Suddenly, a Scyther leaped out from the surrounding trees. Rapid reared up, and lashed out with his front hooves, nearly throwing Pokezip off. Pokezip cried out, and pulled back on the reins. Rapid flared up in flames, and used his Fire Spin attack on the Scyther, stunning it. Seeing that it didn't move, he settled down. Pokezip took out a pokeball. "Pokéball, go!" Pokezip yelled. It hit the Scyther, which went inside. the light went out, and Pokezip called the pokéball back to him. "Yeah! I got a Scyther!" He yelled. He put the pokeball away, and nudged Rapid's sides with his heels, moving him over to the group. "Everyone ok?" He asked. "Yeah, I'm ok." Lapras said. "Me too." Adam and Michael replied. "I'm ok." Konomex said. "Pika, kachu chu pi!" (I'm ok, and so is Farfetch'd!) Mosher said. "That's good." Pokezip said. "Shall we keep going?" Everyone nodded their heads, and they continued down the path. King Kold sighed, as he looked through some of the paperwork he had to do. He had to do it because none of the Pokémon could read or write. He looked up at the door when he sensed the Alakazam outside. "Come in, Alakazam." He said, opening the door kinetically. "Ala zam kazam ala kazam zam ala!" (Dash, Rapid and Flamethrower have been found!) The Alakazam said excitedly. "Found? Where?" King Kold said, standing up. "Ala zam kazam zam ala kazam ala zam zam ala" (They are heading towards the three people and Council Members you sent out) Alakazam replied. "What wonderful news! They should be back an a few days." King Kold said happily. "You can go now." He added, shooing the Alakazam towards the door. The alakazam nodded his head, and went outside, King Kold shut the door behind him. "If only they had never left." He murmured to himself. Suddenly shaking his head as if to get rid of an unpleasant memory, he walked back to the desk and sat down to finish off the paperwork. Chapter. 20. "Hey, what's that up ahead?" Pingtung said, pointing to the road ahead of them. "I don't know. It looks like some people riding Rapidashes and a Pikachu, and a Farfetch'd, and a person walking." Mewtwo replied. "Yeah. It sure looks like that." Clarkizard said. "Wel'll meet up with them soon, if we keep going at this speed. Shall we go faster?" He continued. "Sure. Why not." Pingtund said. They all tapped the sides of their Rapidashes with their heels, and they sped up to a gallop, the people and pokémon ahead getting closer at every stride. "Hey, there are three people on Rapidashes!" Pokezip cried out. "Yeah. there are." Lapras replied. "One of them looks like Pingtung." He continued. "Yeah! You're right, Lapras! One does look like him! Won't it be good to see him again?" Pokezip said. "I guess....." Lapras replied. The three Rapidashes galloped up to them, and stopped in front of them. "Hi! We're looking for a Rapidash called Dash who is the Queen of the Rapidashes, and Rapid her son. also Flamethrower, one of the Council Members. Have any of you heard of or seen them?" One of the boys asked. "Yeah. Rapid is my Pokémon, and Adam here is riding Dash. Michael is riding Flamethrower." Pokezip said. "Cool. But King Kold sent us to bring them back. What are your names?" He said. "I'm Pokezip. This is Lapras, Michael, Mosher, Farfetch'd, Konomex, Raging Flame, Adam and Michael. What are yours?" Pokezip asked. "I'm Clarkizard, and this is Mewtwo and Pingtung. Hey, I heard of you and Lapras in Pingtung's story." Clarkizard said. "Yeah, yeah. I'll handle it, Clarkizard." Pingtung said, moving in front of him. "Hello Lapras, Pokezip." Pingtung said. "Hey Pingtung. Long time no see." Pokezip replied. "Yeah. Hi." Lapras said. "I see that Tracey isn't with you, either." He continued. "Yeah. She left with Brock and that." Pingtung replied. "Shall we talk while we head back?" "Of course." Lapras replied. They started off, talking all the while, and made it back to the castle the next day. by that time, Pokezip, Lapras and Pingtung had all made up, and the Council Members had finished a long discussion with Dash about what had hapened in the long while she had been away. "They are here!" King Kold yelled to all the Pokémon in the hall in front of him. He had to cover his ears with his hands then, because all the Pokémon started cheering. Suddenly the doors burst open, and the travellers walked in. The Pokémon separated, and made a long corridor leading to King Kold, which they walked up. "Welcome home, Dash." King Kold said, patting her neck. Dash nudged his arm with her head, and neighed softly. Michael got off her back, and stepped away a little. King Kold mumbled something, and Dash started to glow. She grew four more legs, and her body turned gold. "Welcome home, Slephnir." King Kold said again, and led her towards the throne. Michael started after her. "What is that!" Michael asked. "I think it is a Slephnir." Adam said, appearing next to him out of the crowd. "Well she is certainly very pretty." Michael said. "She certainly is." Adam replied. A few days later, everyone gathered around again to say goodbye to Rapid, Pokezip and Lapras, who were again heading off to a league to battle in. Dash had talked to Rapid, and he agreed that he would come back again in two years' time. "I wish you both good luck." King Kold said as he stood at the door. "Thank-you." Pokezip replied. He nudged Rapid's sides with his heels, and spun him around. Rapid reared up in farewell, and they galloped off into the distance....... But their travels are another story.