Chapter 2: What Is This ............ It seemed like a month before I left the cave, even then I was scared. When I left, I bumped into Sonic. "Long time, no see. By the way, I didn't get your name. Mine's Sonic," "Ruby. By the way, what was Egg man after? I don't have anything that might interest him," "I think he's after that diamond you have," "I hope I can handle it," "Me too. I can't believe that you're almost as fast as me! How about a race?" "Sure! First to the jungle wins!" That race was great! We were going head to head. I was close to the cart when Sonic took a jump ahead to victory! Even though I lost, the race was great! "Wow! You're fast Ruby. That was a great race!" "Yeah! Uh, do you know where I can stay? With Egg man around a tent doesn't sound too safe," "I have a friend in Station Square who could help," "Sure, why not?" "Well, she may not agree," "Then lets make a plan B," "Plan B may not be as good but lets try it first," "Alright. Well, where is the place?" ................ The place we went to was in the Mystic Ruins, Angel Island was what Sonic called the place. Anyhow, the place was quite quaint for a place that was a giant ruin and a giant emerald. "Who's there? Sonic! What are you doing here?" "I'm the reason Sonic is here!" "Who are you?" "Knuckles, Ruby, and vice versa," "Nice to meet you Ruby, but I don't want anyone staying here, for reasons I don't know," As we left I wondered where I was going to end up. "Sonic, you have a plan C?" "The only place I can think of is Tails' workshop, though I'll have to explain to him why," "Sounds better than Angel Island," ................ It was a long walk, but we got there before sunset. It was a nicer place than Angel Island. I heard that Tails had a large workshop, but what I saw was a small place to work. "Don't let the place deceive you, it's larger than what you see. Tails! Tails!" Bang! There was an explosion coming the workshop. Then we saw what looked like a black fox coming out of the place, coughing. "Sorry Sonic! The prototype exploded when I heard you call. So, why did you call?" "I need a place to stay because Egg man is after my diamond," "By the way Tails, how is the prototype doing?" "Not so good," "Prototype of what?" "It's a prototype of a new type of plane. I hope it works so we can get to Egg man's bases in space. We'll be able to get to them unseen if this works. I don't think it'll work, that is without help," "I'll help! After all I need to work to keep the shelter that I have, with your permission Tails," "It sounds good to me," "There you are! Now for the diamond, or else!" It was Egg man again. This time, he was in a machine that looked like a giant spider. "Alright! Tails you get the legs, Ruby, you and I will get the head!" "Sheesh! Egg man you're using the Egg walker again! Even after I beat it already!" He was right. I saw his interview after he defeated it. That battle was easy because Tails could defeat it himself and there were three of us. "Whoa, that was tiring. I'm going on a walk to relax," "That was a nice fight so let's relax," ............... I got carried away in my walk so, I kind of, got lost. "Oh man! I'm lost and it's getting dark! "Pikachu! Pika pi pi pika! Pikachu!" "Oh, a Pikachu!" "Pika! Pikachu!" "Would you like to join me?" "Pika!" "Hi, have you seen my Pikachu?" "Pikachu!" "There you are Pikachu! Thanks for finding him, uh; I didn't get your name. Mine's Gold," "Gold, that sounds familiar. My name is Ruby," "Do you have a Poke'mon?" "No," "I would take you to the nearest Poke'moncenter, but it is getting late," "How about tomorrow? I mean I would be here, but I'm not sure about you," "I'll be fine in a tent. Well, see you tomorrow," When I left I helped Tails with what he called project "black tornado". It was tough, but we fixed the damaged areas and finished 3/4ths of what was left to do. It was about 3:00 before we stopped to hit the hay. ........... The next day, I went to the place where I met Gold. As I expected, Gold was there waiting. "Hey Ruby! Are you ready to get your first Poke'mon?" "Sure, but we have to hurry if we don't want to get caught by my friends. I don't want Tails finding out he has an extra," "Hey Ruby! What's up? And why are you here this early?" "Just please don't tell Tails that that I'm getting a Poke'mon," "I won't tell, if you let me have a Poke'mon," "It's okay, I have an extra ticket," And we were off. The train took us to Station Square where we headed off to the Station Square Poke'mon center. "Hi, Gold! How can I help you?" "Hey, Nurse Joy! My two friends would like their first Poke'mon," "Well, choose from the four choices," There were quite a choice: Treecko, Torchic, Mudkip, and Pichu. Treecko was a grass type that looked like a lizard with a tail that looks like a lock of curly hair. Torchic was a fire type that looked like a chick with some feathers at the top that was in the shape of a flame. Mudkip is a water type that looked like a blue cat except the ears and the tail. The Poke'mon has a fin on each leg. The Poke'mon even has a fin on its head. Its cheeks look like they have an orange sea urchin on them. Pichu was an electric type that looked like a yellow mouse with diamond shaped ears and pink cheeks. I though it was adorable with its short tail. "Pichu is so cute! Do you want me to be your trainer?" "Pichu!" "I'll take that as a yes," "Hello there little guy!" "Treecko," "Would it be okay if I was your trainer?" "Treecko! Treecko Treecko Treecko!" "Wow! It seems like you two will make good trainers!" .................. Back at the mystic ruins we trained our new Poke'mon. Tails and I worked at night so we won't risk being spied on. Paprika (my Pichu), Treecko, Sonic, and I trained our Poke'mon with speed. After all, a Poke'mon you can't catch you can't hit. I decided to give Paprika a secret and rare move. Hm o6 teaches a Poke'mon any move even if it can't learn it from leveling up or Tms and Hms. Now it was time for Sonic and I to battle for the first time. And we battle each other. "Alright Paprika! Go!" "Go! Treecko!" "Paprika use fire punch!" "Pichuuuuuu!" "Treeckooo!" "Acck! Treecko! Fine, I know when I'm defeated. You win," "That was easy! I bet Paprika would win a race against Treecko," "Okay, later, when Treecko's in better conditions," .......... Later that day I ran into Gold again. This time he was panicking. "Oh, no you don't! You have to pay me for the damages you did to my bike!" I decided to pull Gold into the nook I was in. "Thanks," "No problem. Just who is she and why is she yelling at you?" "Her name is Silver and the reason she is yelling at me is Pikachu got sick and he ruined her bike," "Here take this ring, it's more than enough," "There you are, now you have to pay me off!" "Fine take this. It's all the money I have," I handed him a ring*. "No way! I'm going to end up paying you! This is more than enough. Way more!" "Thanks Ruby," "Just repaying the favor," "Hey! I never saw that locket you have until just now. What's in it?" "I guess it's okay to show you, just keep it a secret," I opened my locket to show Gold the picture. It was a picture of Gold and me at our 8th birthday. I remember that day. Gold I promised to be trainers that day. The day after that, we got separated. No way! You're my sister, Ruby?" "I guess so," *The common currency in Station Square ............. It was surprising to find Gold so soon. Still, I felt as something was still missing. It was getting late so I tried to sleep but this thought was bugging me too much. I thought I was just getting over the shock of finding Gold. Silver stayed with him so she could pay him back. I thought of black tornado and the progress we have. Then I thought of Egg man. He hasn't attacked for a week! He was up to something. I have to be careful; he could get my diamond if I'm not careful. I decided to hum my favorite song to pass the time. ......... "Pichu! Pi pi pi pichu," "Good morning Paprika. We have to be careful there is this man who is trying to hurt us and he hasn't done a thing for a week," "Pichuu," ............ I decided to use my money to buy a radio in Station Square. I noticed a poster for a battle of the bands. The prize was a chaos emerald. Just what Tails needed for the black tornado! The poster said Poke'mon were allowed to enter as long as they have a trainer to sing for them. At least one person has to be in the band. The band has to do one well-known song. Paprika and I decided to enter the contest. I thought we could use my favorite song: Everything Changes. That afternoon we were on stage. Paprika on the drums, and I was on the keyboard. We were better than I thought. At the end, we won! We went to say thanks to the other bands for the competition. None were ungrateful for the thanks, saying that we were a real band now and they thought we would be the best. I thought about everything that happened since I left. They happened because I found the diamond.