"Normal Speech"

{Pokemon English Speech}

~ Telepathic Speech ~

*Thoughts*

Warning: This chapter has only one swear word. If you don’t like swearing, then please don’t read.

I had finally gotten all of my Pokemon to level twenty. It didn’t even take as long as I thought it would.

Shock is level twenty, but he is still a Pichu. Gover had told me that I could use my powers to stop him from evolving to early. But when Shock finally does evolve into a Pikachu, he can still learn the moves that a Pikachu can.

I was really surprised with how quick I had gotten six Pokemon in less than a day. Then again, I didn’t actually capture any of them. Well, except for one. A level five Zubat. He was just a baby and is now with Professor Oak. I named him Leech.

Leech is really harmless, but he seems to enjoy scaring people. I know that, because I had swapped a sleeping Shock for Leech, so I could learn about Leech’s habit, emotions and so on. What I had found out was that Leech isn’t much of a talker.

I had only kept Leech with me for half-an-hour, before giving him back to Professor Oak and getting Shock back. Shock wasn’t happy with me swapping him over for a weak bat. At least that’s what Shock called him.

Now we were heading over to the nearest Pokemon Centre. It was dark and we wanted a place to stay the night. Plus, I also needed to heal my Pokemon and we haven’t even eaten anything yet.

We arrived at the Pokemon Centre in just ten minutes. I guess we really were in a hurry to have something to eat and go to bed.

Gover had insisted on eating a hamburger for dinner. The problem is that those things cost lots of money. Which is quite unusual for apiece of meat, lettuce, tomato, pickles and cheese stuck between two halves of a roll.

When we had finished our lunch we headed up stairs for bed.

I was lying down on the bottom of the buck bed. There were two buck beds. One across from each other. A young girl with jet-black hair and bright blue eyes was sleeping on the top of the buck bed. Her Pokemon, a Metapod and a Raticate were sleeping on the bottom bed.

"Hi, I’m Katy." The girl said. She was dressed in pink striped pyjamas with a picture of a sleeping Persian wearing a nightcap.

"I’m Ana." I replied.

"Where are you’re Pokemon?"

I pointed above my head. "Up there on the top buck. I helped them up there."

Katy nodded. "They’re so cute! Oh yeah, don’t call me Katy. No one really ever calls me Katy. Even my parents. Please call me Katz."

"Katz. You mean with a ‘Z’?"

Katz nodded. "Yep. My friends used to tease me about my name, and it had kind of grown on me. So now, I’m just called Katz"

"Katz. Nice name. Can you tell me about your Pokemon?"

Katz thought for a moment. "Well, let’s see. Mmmm. My Metapod’s name is Buggy and my Raticate’s name is Ratty. I’ve raised them both since I was five. I’m only twelve now."

"Are you on a Pokemon Journey?" I asked.

Katz shook her head. "No, I’m visiting places, so I can learn about Pokemon. Its part of a school project and the Teacher had given us two months to learn as much about all the one-hundred-and-fifty Pokemon as we can. Don’t know how I’m going to learn about the Legendary Pokemon, though"

"What Pokemon have you studied?"

"Only Rattattas, Raticates, Caterpies and Metapods. That’s my problem. I’m hopeless at finding Pokemon to study. My Teacher isn’t going to be very impressed. He studies Pokemon himself. However, I did write a three-page report story on Vulpixes last year. Maybe I should show it to him."

"How long have you been travelling for?"

"Two weeks and I haven’t even done much. I can’t seem to find a single Pokemon. I’ve only studied my own and I don’t know what to do."

"I think I might know something. I’m going to battle Brock tomorrow to get the Boulder Badge. Maybe if the two of us get up early tomorrow, you can study my Pokemon. That way you have more Pokemon information to give to your Teacher. We might even find some other Pokemon to study."

Katz brightened up. "Really? How many Pokemon do you have?"

"Seven different kinds all together. I have a level five Zubat at Professor Oak’s Lab. I only caught it recently."

"A Zubat? I always wanted one of those."

"How come?"

Katz shrugged. "I don’t know. I just think they’re cool. I don’t think I’ll ever evolve it into a Golbat, though. They’re too creepy."

I looked at the clock on the wall. It read 3:30 am. "Well, it’s late. We should be getting some sleep before morning comes."

Katz nodded in agreement. "Yeah, you’re right. ‘Night, Ana."

"Night, Katz. ‘Night, Gover, Anemo, Shock, Toxicity, Hyeto and Ace."

I didn’t get an answer. I guess they were already asleep.

I closed my eyes and snuggled into the blankets to make myself comfortable. It didn’t take any of us very long very to fall completely asleep.

_____________________________________________________________________

"I can’t believe he did that," Daniel said as he entered his own room. He was instantly greeted by Duel, who was jumping around near Daniel’s ankles as soon as he had entered the room. "How could he have locked me up in that storage room?" Duel, who had stopped jumping around, was now making whining noises to get Daniel’s attention, but he wasn’t having much luck.

After two minutes Duel was getting pretty fed up. "EEVEE!" He said loudly.

Daniel jerked his head towards his small companion in surprise. "Jeez, you have such a loud voice for a small dog. What’s up, Duel?"

Duel gave him a look that clearly said ‘what do you think is up? I’m hungry, that’s what up. And when I’m hungry, you have to feed me’

"Spoil sport," Daniel muttered as he rampaged through his bag. He took out a large bag of ‘Poke’ Treat Youngster ’. It’s a bag of food for baby Pokemon. Daniel opened the bag and walked over to Duel’s food bowl, and filled it to the brim with Poke’ Treats Youngster.

Duel had his tongue hanging out from one side of his jaw, and was panting like he had just being running. Daniel knew that it was just Duel’s way of saying ‘thank you’.

"Look, Duel. I brought you a new flavour. It’s beef, vegetables and bits of liver in a biscuit. I hope you like it."

Duel was now wagging his brown and creamy-white tipped fluffy tail from side to side, happily.

"Eeeeeeee!" He squealed happily. "Eevee, ee, ee!"

"I’m glad your happy," Daniel said as he watched Duel munch down his Poke’ Treat. In just a few bites Duel had finished, and was sitting on his haunches looking at Daniel with shiny large black eyes. "Gee, I guess you really were hungry." Daniel commented.

"Eevee!" The little brown and creamy-white evolution canine Pokemon replied. He thumped his tail twice on the ground and then kept it still.

"What do you want to do, Duel?" Daniel asked. "Anything particular?"

Duel shook his head. "Ee."

"How about I’ll take you to the park for a run?" Daniel suggested.

Duel gave Daniel a questioning look. "Vee?"

"We can also do other things. How about fetch? You love that game."

Duel jumped up and down in excitement. "Eevee!" he cheered.

"OK, it settled then. We’re going to the park for a while. We deserve a bit of a break, any way."

Duel nodded in agreement. "Vee. Eevee. Eeee."

Daniel laughed slightly. "Come on. Let’s get going."

Duel jumped on Daniel’s bed to get a better view of Daniel’s bedroom window. It was still dark outside. "Vee? Ee?"

"Yes, now. I know it’s late, but it’s only 5:45 am. I want to give you some exercise before everyone else gets up. We do this every night any way."

Duel cocked his head to one side. "Vee?"

Daniel signed. "What’s up with you? You always love to play in the park with me at night. You like the peace and quite."

Duel looked slightly sad. "Eevee."

Daniel picked Duel up and sat him on his lap. He then checked Duel’s eyes. They were red from the lack of sleep. They were also damp. "Didn’t you get enough sleep? I left you for six hours to get some sleep. Why didn’t you go to sleep when I told you to?"

"Eevee, ee, vee."

Daniel blinked in confusion. "I wish I could understand you, Duel." He suddenly understood what Duel was trying to tell him. "Oh, I think I get it now. You’ve been awake all day, waiting for me to come home, right?" Duel nodded and Daniel added, "And when I didn’t come you started to worry and cry?"

Again Duel nodded. "Veeee!" He cried.

Daniel smiled warmly. Daniel had always acted as a Father as well as a friend to Duel. "I wasn’t going to leave you, Duel." At Duel’s doubtful look he added, "I’ll never do that. You can count on it." He hugged Duel briefly. "You’re my Pokemon companion. I’m always there for you."

Duel tilted his head to one side. "Ee?"

"Ok, where ever I go, you go. Is that OK?"

Eevee nodded. "Eevee, ee?"

Daniel blushed in embarrassment. Sometimes he could understand Duel, but not always. "Yeah, I surpose even when I’m in the shower. As long as you turn around."

"Veeeeeeeeeeee!" Duel laughed. He was laughing so hard that he fell off Daniel’s bed.

"Duel! Are you OK?" Daniel yelled worriedly. When he saw Duel upside-down with his fluffy tail over his head, and his long brown ears flat against the floor, he laughed and picked Duel up. "Jeez, you’re such a silly little Canine Pokemon."

Duel gave Daniel a dirty look. "Vee!"

"I’m only kidding, Duel. Do you want to forget about going to the park tonight? Maybe we can do it another night."

Duel nodded his head. "Eevee, ee."

"OK, we won’t go to the park tonight. How about tomorrow night?"

"EeeeeeeeVEEEEEEE!" Duel cried in excitement.

Daniel smiled. "I’ll take that as a yes." He got into bed. "Goodnight, Duel."

Duel pawed one end of Daniel’s pillow, turned three times and then curled up into a ball. "Eevee, ee" He said sleepily.

_____________________________________________________________________

Katz yawned and stretched. "Remind me again why were up 6:00 am in the morning."

I signed. Unlike Katz, I wasn’t tired at all. "Because you want to study my Pokemon before I battle Brock and leave Pewter City."

Katz nodded and yawned again. "That’s OK, it’s just that I’m not much of a morning person."

I nodded in understanding. "Neither am I, but I was prepared for waking up early. That’s why I don’t look very tired."

Katz grinned as she looked down at her clothing. She had obviously dressed in a hurry and had thrown anything on. She wore a white T-shirt with the words ‘I’m the number one Pokemon Watcher’ in blue letters, and orange trousers. "That’s also probably why you’re wearing much more better clothes than me."

I looked down at my own clothing and screwed up my face in disgust. I was wearing a jet black T-shirt and trousers. "Black isn’t really my colour, but I’ve been told that this colour actually suits me."

"It actually does," Katz commented helpfully.

"For now on, I’m going to introduce myself to new colours. That’s why I like your clothes. Net a single speck of black. Although, I wouldn’t always be wearing a white T-shirt with the words ‘I’m the number one Pokemon Watcher’ and orange trousers. I mean, it just isn’t me."

Katz looked offended. "Hey, I have you know that these clothes are signed by the great Pokemon Master."

"Who? Ash?"

Katz nodded proudly. "Yep. He’s the greatest Pokemon Trainer ever. He’s so cool!"

I grinned. "It’s official, you have a crush on him."

Katz blushed furiously. "No I don’t."

"Yes you do."

Katz blushed in embarrassment this time. "So what if I do? Beside’s Ash and Misty are together any way. It doesn’t really matter any way, I like Gary. He’s way better than Ash."

I shook my head a little in amusement. "Next you’ll be saying that you like Rudy or one of the other Gym Leaders, Elite Four or whatever. I hope you’re not the female version of Brock."

Katz gave me a dirty look. "Yeah, whatever. Just you wait into you find a boy like."

I smiled. "I don’t think that will ever happen. Are you ready to go?"

Katz signed and then ran to catch up with me. "Hey, wait up. Where’s your Pokemon?"

I stopped walking and waited for Katz to catch up. "They’re in their Poke’ Balls."

"Where are we going? Katz asked.

"I saw this grass area with a nearby pond, concrete and even a cave. It’s also quite close to Viridian Forest. It should be a great place to study my Pokemon in their natural habitat. And who knows? We might even find some wild Pokemon to study as well."

Katz smiled in happiness. "Sounds great to me. Come on! Let’s go!"

She ran off and I harried to catch up with her. Soon we had arrived at the place I was talking about. As soon as we got there, Katz opened her backpack and took out a medium-sized writing book, small note pad, a large art book and a medium-sized pencil tin. I think it’s one of the ones that artist use.

I looked at the stuff in awe. "Wow! What’s with all that stuff?"

"Well, the writing book and where I keep my info about Pokemon. In the note pad I write the name of the Pokemon I have studied and I also use it to write down some tips on Pokemon Watching that other Pokemon Watchers tell me. Things on like what to do if you want to study Clefairies or whatever. The art book is where I draw the pictures of the Pokemon I meet. And of course, the tin is filled with coloured pencils, texters, paint brushes, pens and pencils. Somewhere inside my bag are little round tins of paint in case I want to paint a Pokemon picture. You can actually do that, you know. In fact, the neater your work is, the more good marks you get at the end of term one."

"Isn’t it hard?" I asked curiously.

Katz sat down on the ground and reached for the binoculars that was around her neck. "Not at all. You just have to remember to be a good drawer, write neatly and get as much information as you can. Another thing you have to remember is to keep very quite when studying Pokemon in their natural habitat. But the main thing is to have fun."

I sat down on the ground next to Katz. "It doesn’t sound that hard, but it still must be difficult finding wild Pokemon."

Katz nodded. "Yep, defiantly. Especially for me. Most of the people at my Pokeschool have filled up most of their writing books with Pokemon information. I haven’t even filled up at least one book. And I haven’t taken very many notes. I haven’t missed a single class. Nor do I zone out in class while the Teacher’s talking, so I don’t know why I’m so bad at Pokemon Watching."

"Don’t be," I said. "The main thing to do is try you’re best. If you try you’re best then it ends up better than anyone else’s any way. So just try you’re hardest. You’ll get there eventually."

Katz looked much happier now after I had said that. She nodded and grinned. "Don’t worry. I will. I’m going to do my best. It doesn’t matter if I’m at the bottom or top of the class."

I smiled. "That’s the spirit. We should start before I have to battle Brock. Plus, I want to go exploring before my Pokemon and I leave Pewter City."

"OK, then. It’s time to send out you’re Pokemon."

I took out a Poke Ball. "Let’s do one Pokemon at a time." I threw the Poke’ Ball on the ground and it burst open and a flash of red light appeared. It quickly merged into a small pigeon-like Pokemon with gold and silver feathers and bronze coloured eyes. For some reason overnight she had grown. She was now the biggest Pidgey I have ever seen. She stood 0.60 metres tall, which is quite big for a Pidgey. She now also weighed 3.60 kilograms."

"She’s so big and her colours are different." Katz said in awe.

"All of my Pokemon are like that," I told her.

For twenty minutes Katz wrote in her writing book all about Pidgeys. When she had written five pages, she stopped.

"What’s up?" I asked her.

"I can’t think of anything else to write. I think I’ve written everything I can on Pidgeys." She chewed the end of her pen thoughtfully. "Maybe I should draw a picture of Anemo. Only I’ll draw her as her original size and colour her in as her normal colours."

I smiled in thanks. No point in telling Katz that this is Anemo’s original size, colour and weight.

"Are all of your Pokemon like Anemo?"

I nodded. "Yep."

"Can I see them?"

Again I nodded. I reached out for another Poke’ Ball and tossed it on the ground. The same red light appeared, but this time it emerged into a 1.22 metre tall lizard with gold and silver coloured skin and bronze coloured eyes.

Katz looked at Gover in shock. "How can a Charmander be this big?"

I shrugged. "They were all normal yesterday. I guess they just grew overnight."

Gover nodded. {Yep. That’s exactly what happened.}

Katz was still staring at Gover in a mix of wonder and amazement. "I wonder how tall Gover would be if he evolved into a Charmeleon and a Charizard."

"If Gover evolved into a Charmeleon he’d be 3.80 metres tall and would weigh 37.80 kilograms. When he evolves into a Charizard, he’ll be 3.40 metres tall."

"Why is the Charizard smaller than the Charmeleon?" Katz asked, confused.

I shrugged. I had no idea. "Maybe its because Charizard actually fly and Charmeleons don’t."

"Maybe. What about you’re other Pokemon?"

This time I grabbed a Great Ball from my Poke’ Belt. The red light merged into a small mouse. It was mostly gold, but where there is usually black there was silver. Its eyes were bronze and the cheeks were also silver. It stood 0.60 metres tall.

"Wow!" Katz said in awe. "Your Pichu is even bigger than a Pikachu."

I laughed. "When Shock evolves into a Pikachu he’ll be 0.82 metres tall and that’s bigger than a normal Raichu."

Imagine a giant Pikachu that’s even bigger than a Raichu and has gold and silver coloured fur.

Katz laughed. "Whoa! A Raichu is bad enough for a large rat. I don’t want to have to see a large Pikachu." She laughed again, then suddenly stopped. "Wait! If Shock is going to be 0.82 metres when he’s a Pikachu, what’s he gonna be when he’s a Raichu?"

I smiled evilly and said in a spooky voice. "1.58 metres tall."

Katz looked at me in horror. "That’s even bigger than Gover! Wow! I’d love to make my Pokemon that big."

I showed Katz the rest of my Pokemon. Then for an hour Katz worked in silence, while I talked to my Pokemon that she had already studied.

Twenty-four minutes later after taking Ace from the pond to study him closely, Katz stood up and gently put Ace back in the pond. "Now stay in there," She told him. "I want you to act like a Dratini. How about you do some more swimming? I want to see how you swim."

I watched Katz as she started to write about Dratini information. She wrote for fifteen minutes and then stopped. Her face was still a look of concentration.

"Well, I can’t seem to find many things about Dratinis," Katz signed. She chewed the end of her pen thoughtfully. "Maybe if I study Dratini’s abilities I might be able to learn more things."

I shrugged. "Do what you can."

Katz chewed the end of her pen, in nervousness this time. "Mmmm! Maybe I should skip that idea. I’m not interested in battle techniques." She thought for a minute. "How about speed? People learn the speed of a normal animal. Peregrine Falcons are the fastest birds ever, as well as the fastest animal ever!"

I shrugged again. "Um, I’m not exactly the person to ask. I don’t go to your school. Do you mind if I train my Pokemon that you have already studied for a bit?"

Katz didn’t look up. "Mmmm? Oh, yeah. Um…sure."

I sighed and called loudly. "Come on Anemo, Gover, Shock, Toxicity and Hyeto! I need to train you." The five Pokemon sprinted towards me. "Man, I never saw anyone run so fast before." I commented as my Pokemon reached me in world recorded time.

Gover grinned. {Maybe that’s because we’re much bigger now.}

Anemo snorted and rolled her eyes. {Or perhaps its because we were bored.}

I waved my right hand to cut them off. "Look, I don’t really care. The point is that you’re all here." I looked at Ace who was still being studied closely by Katz, and quickly added. "Well, almost everyone."

{You said that you going to train us, but we’re already at level 20.} Toxicity said, puzzled.

I signed a little, and pointed to Shock. "Shock, you’re a little big any way. Do you want to evolve into a Pikachu?"

Shock nodded eagerly. {You bet! Soon I can become a Raichu!}

I grinned as I focused my powers into Shock. It took only five seconds before he was covered in a white light. What took Shock’s place when the light had gone was a 0.82 metre Pikachu with gold fur; silver cheeks, tail base and ear tips; and bronze coloured eyes.

Shock looked up at me with intelligent bronze coloured eyes. {Can I please have a new nickname?} He asked sweetly.

I nodded, still looking at Shock in awe. He was the biggest Pikachu I had ever seen. "How about Lightning-Storm?"

Lightning-Storm jumped up and down. {That’s a perfect nickname. I like it.}

I smiled and recalled all of my Pokemon to their Poke’ Balls except for Gover, Anemo and Lightning-Storm. I then headed back to where I had left Katz and Ace, only to find them gone.

Gover scratched the back of his head in confusion. {I swear I could remember us leaving them here,} He muttered.

I kept my glace to where I last saw Katz. "I wonder where they are."

Gover shrugged. {Who knows?} He looked up at Anemo, who was flying around in circles. {Quit flying around and help us look for them.}

{Yeah, well I don’t see you doing anything either.} Anemo shot back.

{Yeah, well…}

I signed and put both of my hands to my head in annoyance. "Not this again. Please, not again." I muttered as I turned to look at Gover and Anemo. "Will you two please cut it out?"

The two stopped arguing and looked at me. They were obviously waiting for me to say something. I turned to look directly at Anemo. "Fly up and see if you can find them."

Anemo nodded and took wing. She flew as high as she could in order to scan the area. {I see them!} She called down. She didn’t say anything for a few minutes. Then, {they appear to have been at Viridian Forest. They’re coming this way now.}

"Good job, Anemo." I said as I held my arm straight out in front of me for Anemo to land on. "Let’s wait for them."

It took only five minutes for Katz to come running towards us with Ace slithering behind her. They both looked tired and out of breath. And Katz hair was all over the place.

I looked at them in a mix of shock and amusement. "What the heck happened to you two?"

Katz looked up at me, still panting. "We…were…being…chased…by…a…Rhydon!" She almost yelled between breaths. Finally she had gotten her breath back.

"So you ran." I mused. "Which direction did the you two go?"

Ace pointed towards Viridian Forest with the end of his tail. "That way. Towards Viridion Forest."

I nodded. "Er, it’s Viridian not Viridion. Any way, one more question."

"What’s that?" Katz asked.

"Where did the Rhydon go?"

Katz looked at every one of us at a time. "Um, I think he went towards Viridian City."

I shook my head. "Uh-huh! His not there."

Katz face paled a little. "I really don’t want to know how you knew that, but I’m going to want to know any way." She swallowed. "So, just say it already."

I smiled a little. "I wouldn’t have known where Rhydon was if he wasn’t behind you."

Both Katz and Ace quickly turned around to look behind them. Sure enough there defiantly was a huge Rhydon towering over them.

{Here’s an idea,} Gover said nervously. {Let’s run.}

"Good idea," I said as I turned to run behind me.

We ran. Actually Anemo flew and Ace slithered. But either way we did get quite a long distance from the Rhydon.

"It’s gaining on us!" Katz yelled as she turned her head back to look at the Rhydon, who was still chasing us.

"Just keep on running," I advised.

{Oh, no!} Lightning-Storm said in despair. {We’re blocked off by a very large rock.}

I looked at the Rhydon. "You mean two very large rocks. The Rhydon’s a Rock-Type remember."

"It’s head is also filled with rocks," Katz muttered as she took a step backwards, towards the rock.

"Maybe that’s why it’s know as a Rock-Type." I mused.

Once the Rhydon reached us he stopped. He then glared at us with angry red eyes. He was obviously angry or very upset, because he roared. It was only a short roar, but it was still loud.

I turned to Gover. "Gover use a Ember attack!" I ordered.

Gover looked at me, to the Rhydon, to me again and then back at the Rhydon. {Uh-huh, not me.} He said as he ran to hide behind me.

Scaredy cat," I said.

{But I’m a Lizard,} Gover protested pointedly.

"Let me rephrase that. Scaredy Lizard."

{I hate to say this, Ana,} Anemo said as she flew up as high as she could. {But you also have a scaredy bird.}

I signed and rolled my eyes. "Why do I even bother? Gover is 1.22 metres tall and he’s still scared of a Rhydon. How lame is that?"

{I don’t see you doing anything, either.} Anemo called down from above.

"At least I’m not running away." I shot back as I reached for an Ultra Ball from my Poke’ Belt. "I choose you, Hyeto!"

A 0.82 metre tall Horsea with gold coloured skin; a silver underbelly and dorsal fin; and bronze coloured eyes emerged from the Ultra Ball.

Hyeto turned to look at me. {What can I do for you, Ana?}

I pointed towards the Rhydon. "Attack it with your Bubble."

Hyeto complied by turning towards the Rhydon and shooting out dozens of fairly large bubbles. They pop harmless on the outraged Rhydon, who appears to be waiting for us to attack first. Once Hyeto had finished her attack the Rhydon charged towards us.

{Why is it chasing us?} Gover asked as he looked at Katz and Ace. {They’re the ones who somehow made it angry.}

I looked at Katz. "How did you two mange to anger the Rhydon?"

"Rule number one: never get to close to a Rhydon just to study it." Katz said more to herself then to anyone else.

"You should write that rule in your note book," I advised Katz.

{Excuse me, but am I the only one who notices that there is a Rhydon charging towards us?} Gover said in annoyance.

I looked at him. "Obviously yes." I looked at the Rhydon. It was still charging towards us. "Wow! We’ve been standing here for two minutes, waiting for the Rhydon to ram us with his horns. Jeez, he is quite a slow runner isn’t he? Why is he taking so long any way?"

Everyone shrugged.

{Got any plans?} Lightning-Storm asked.

"Yeah, I might have one." Katz said. "Why don’t we get all of our Pokemon to attack the Rhydon?"

"Good idea," I said as I reached out for my Great Ball and threw it. "Go, Toxicity!"

A 1.2 metre tall Nidoran with gold coloured fur; silver coloured spots and ears; and bronze coloured eyes. His claws were also silver.

Katz threw two Poke’ Balls on the ground. "Go, Buggy and Ratty!"

{What’s up, Katz?} Buggy asked.

"We’ve got a tight situation on our hands," Katz replied.

{Um, not every one of us has hands.} Ace pointed out.

"Oh, all right!" Katz said in defeat. "We have a tight situation on our hands, wings and paws."

"Buggy and Ace have a tight situation on their shoulders." I quickly added before either of them could say anything.

"Buggy use your Tackle!" Katz ordered loudly.

Buggy threw himself towards the Rhydon and slam into it as hard as he could. The Rhydon grunted at it knocked Buggy away with his right arm. Buggy went flying and landed somewhere in the bushes.

"Buggy are you OK?" Katz eagerly asked her hurt and fallen Metapod.

{I’m fine,} Buggy assured her.

"Return, Buggy. Go Ratty! Use your Hyper Fang!"

Ratty used his front teeth to bite down hard on Rhydon’s hard skin. The only thing that Ratty managed to do was break his own fangs.

{Aaaaaaaa!} Ratty yelled in pain, before he was tail whacked into the air and landed in Katz’s outstretched arms. She recalled him safely into his Poke’ Ball.

"That’s it," Katz signed. "My Pokemon aren’t properly trained. They belong to my Dad and he gave them to me for company on my journey." Katz turned to me. "So it’s up to you and you’re Pokemon, Ana."

I nodded. "Right. Everyone of my Pokemon gather up now and face the Rhydon. I’ll tell you what attack to use. When I count to three you attack the Rhydon with the attack I told you to do. Is everyone clear on that?"

My Pokemon nodded tensely and eagerly got ready for battle.

"OK, everyone, let’s start off without any attacks. When I give the signal Gover you use Growl, then Smokescreen and then Leer. That way the Rhydon will have a weaker Attack, Accuracy and Defense, so he’ll be much easier to get. Ready, Gover?"

Gover nodded. {As ready as I’ll ever be.}

"On the count of three. One…"

The Rhydon was getting closer and closer. It seemed to be taking its time. I guess it really wasn’t in a hurry to pound us with its weight. I saw Gover get ready to aim a Growl at the Rhydon.

"Two…"

I wasn’t actually sure why I was counting. I just wanted my plan to work. *This is a good strategy* I thought as I watched the Rhydon get closer and Gover looking more nervous by the second.

"Three!" I practically yelled without thinking.

Gover complied by growling as loudly as he could at the Rhydon. The Rhydon stopped dead in its tracks and bellowed in anger and pain as its Attack strength was decreasing. But before the Rhydon could recover, Gover blew out a Smokescreen that surrounded the Rhydon in a cloud of almost thick black smoke and then quickly used Leer.

"Good job, Gover." I said. "Now it’s you’re turn, Anemo."

Anemo flew down towards the Rhydon. She hovered in the air, using her wings to keep her up.

"Just use a Sand-Attack, Anemo." I ordered.

Anemo flattered down to the ground and landed on the spot with the most sand. She then used her right wing to brush lots of sand into Rhydon’s eyes.

I was surprised when the Rhydon attacked back with a Water Gun attack. Fortunately Anemo was able to dodge it.

"How can a Rhydon learn Water Gun?" Katz asked no one in particular.

"They can by TM." I answered. "Great work, Anemo. It’s now your turn, Lightning-Storm."

{Alright!} Lightning-Storm cheered as he runs up to face the Rhydon.

"Lightning-Storm use your Tail Whip!"

L-S run up towards Rhydon, who was still rubbing his eyes from the sand that Anemo had thrown, and whipped the Rhydon with his tail. The Rhydon took a step backwards and grunted in a mix of surprise and annoyance.

"Good work, Lightning-Storm. Go Toxicity! Use your Leer!"

Toxicity used his Leer attack on the Rhydon to lower its Defense. He then stepped back for Hyeto to attack with her own Leer and Smokescreen. Then Ace finished the job by using another Leer.

The Rhydon was swinging its tail blindly from side to side in pain and anger. It was still wiping the sand from its eyes. The effects of Growl, Smokescreen, Leer, Sand-Attack and Tail Whip were working.

"It’s working. Now let’s attack it. All together. Gover use Ember, Anemo use Gust, Toxicity use Horn Attack, Lightning-Streak use Slam, Hyeto use Bubble and Ace use Twister."

Gover began spinning around and around. Bits of ember flew from his tail flame and landed on the Rhydon who roared in pain.

Anemo began flapping her wings in order to use a Gust attack and at the same time Lightning-Storm was slamming his whole body against Rhydon’s, while Toxicity was trying to stab the Rhydon with his forehead horn. Hyeto then started to shoot bubbles into Rhydon’s face and Ace then decided to use his Twister attack.

I wasn’t too surprised that Ace could learn a Pokemon move from Johto. In fact, Gover told me that things like this would happen.

When the Pokemon were finished with their attacks, the Rhydon took a step forward, made a weak growl and then fell face first onto the ground.

Lightning-Storm jumped up and down in excitement. {Woo-hoo! We did it! We beat a Rhydon!}

We all cheered for a while and quietened down a little. I watched with interest as the Rhydon slowly got up. It looked at me in the eyes.

{Next time you and your Pokemon are mine.} He said before walking back the way he came.

"Katz, I don’t think that Rhydon is wild." I said with uncertainty.

"What makes you think that?" Katz asked me.

"Think about it. A Rhydon can’t just teach itself Water Gun. It needs a TM and a Trainer."

Katz thought about that for a few seconds. Finally she nodded in agreement. "You know what? I think you’re right. When Ace and I was moving closer to sturdy it we noticed that there was defiantly somebody else there with the Rhydon. A figure or something."

{What did the figure look like?} Gover asked with interest.

It was Ace who answered. {Like a human figure.}

Katz nodded. "It was weird. The figure just pointed at the Rhydon and said something in a language Ace or I couldn’t understand."

{The Rhydon defiantly understood it.} Ace added darkly.

{Can you remember the word?} Gover asked eagerly.

Katz frowned in concentration. "I’m not sure. I think it was ackter or something like that."

"Attack," I said suddenly. Gover nodded in agreement while everyone else looked at Gover and I strangely. "I don’t know how I know, but I do. It could be some kind of alien language, but I’m pretty sure that ackter means attack."

Gover was still nodding. {That’s right. It is the language of the Dark Huanis.}

Katz laughed. "Excuse me? Dark Hua-what?"

Gover rolled his eyes. {Dark Huani. They’re actually known as the Shadow Huanis now. They’re evil. A Huani is a Human-Animal. Half human and half animal. Like the centaur are half man and half horse, and the Minotaur are part human and part bull.}

"Creepy," Katz commented with a grin.

Gover nodded. {Oh, yeah. Defiantly creepy, and I don’t mean they’re looks. Compared to their features they look normal. It’s what they do that’s creepy. Actually it’s more disgusting then creepy. After all they have been known to eat their prey while its alive.}

Katz looked as if she was about to vomit or pass out after I translated what Gover had just said. "Thanks for the news flash, Gover." She said grimly.

"Next time keep the comment to yourself," I added. Although, for some reason I really wasn’t that grossed out. "You know, the name Shadow Huani seems quite familiar. I’m pretty sure I’ve heard it from somewhere. I’m not sure where, though."

{You’ll find out someday,} Gover assured me. {There’s also a species known as the Light Huani. They’re basically the good version of the Shadow Huani and they’re language is close to that of the Shadow Huanis. They’re both Myths. Nobody really believe that they exist.}

"How come?" I asked.

{Because they have never really seen one up close. Huanis are rare. There are only thirty-six different kinds. Eighteen Shadow Huanis and eighteen Light Huanis.} Gover looked at all of us one by one. {But they are wrong. The Huanis do exist. They always have and they always will.}

"So, basically they’re just aliens, right?" Katz asked after I had translated once again. Believe me, translating is hard work.

Gover nodded slightly. {Sorta. More of a Myth than an Alien.}

{Did you see the colour of that Rhydon?} Anemo asked.

"It was jet black." I said. "The stomach and the horn was white and the eyes were grey. I’m surprised I didn’t notice it before."

"Notice what before?" Katz asked me.

"Didn’t you see the Rhydon’s colours?" I asked her.

Katz nodded. "Of course. How could I have missed it? What’s the Light Huani word for attack?"

I looked at her. Surprised by the question. "Ackser. Why?"

Katz shrugged. "Just wondering, that’s all."

I snorted. "That’s all?"

Katz grinned, but didn’t say anything.

"This keeps getting weirder and weirder." I said to myself more then to anyone else.

{Well, just wait, because it’s going to get even weirder.} Gover said.

I smiled and shook my head a little. "As if it already isn’t."

Katz signed and shook her head a little. "I really don’t have the slightest idea what you’re all talking about, but for now I don’t really care. Can we please change the subject?"

I really wanted to learn more, but Gover stopped me from saying that to Katz by telling me it was secretive, so I just nodded.

"Great," Katz said. "I’m didn’t really understand it any way. I’ve finished studying for one day. What next?"

I shrugged. "I don’t know about you, but I’m going to Pewter City to battle Brock."

Katz looked slightly nervous for some reason. "Um, can I come? I might learn about Rock-Type Pokemon."

I smiled. Now understanding her reason for being nervous. She thought that I was going to turn her down now that all my Pokemon had been studied. "Sure you can. I don’t mind. Is that OK with you, guys?"

All of my Pokemon nodded.

We arrived in Pewter City in less than five minutes. Once we got there we walked into the Pokemon Centre.

"Hello. How may I help you?" Asked a Nurse Joy at the counter.

I pointed to Gover and Anemo. All my other Pokemon where back in their Poke’ Balls. "Could you please heal my Pokemon?"

Nurse Joy smiled as she looked in surprise at Gover and Anemo. "Of course. Just stay here. It shouldn’t be too long." She put my Poke’ Balls onto a tray and mentioned for Gover and Anemo to follow her though a door at the back of the counter.

Two minutes later Nurse Joy came back with my Pokemon and then went back to the room behind the counter to heal Buggy and Ratty.

Katz and I left the Pokemon centre with our Pokemon fully healed. We then headed towards Pewter City Poke’ Mart to buy some items.

Katz only brought ten Potions, six Burn Heals; twelve Antidotes and four escape Ropes. She also brought a book on Pokemon Watching.

"It’s edition two," Katz explained to me as she put all her stuff in her backpack.

I ended up buying thirty Potions, twelve Ice Heals, eight Escape Ropes and eighteen Antidotes. For Gover I brought a book that he always wanted called ‘The World of Pokemon’.

For Anemo I brought a Do-It-Yourself-Flying-Type Kit. It has all the things you need to keep your Flying-Type Pokemon’s feathers clean, its talons sharp and its beak shinny.

I brought a book called ‘The Legend of the Poison Pokemon’ for Toxicity. The book was about three grown men travelling the world with their trusty Pokemon. They travel for four weeks before spotting what is believed to be a large snake-like Pokemon, and when I say large, I mean large. As in huge. The three men have claimed that they have seen a giant snake, but no one believes them. They say that the largest ever known snake is the Steelix. It’s the longest Pokemon ever. I haven’t read the book, but Toxicity told me that it was more of a story than a documentary, although it did have some useful facts about all Poison-Type Pokemon. Excluding ones that people have claimed to have seen.

Toxicity also told me that those three men have fully evolved their Pokemon and are going on a very long journey to find this creature again. That is what is surpose to happen in part two, but whether they’ll release the book no one knows.

All Hyeto wanted was a waterproof vest, but because she was bigger than all Horseas, I had to get her one that would usually fit a Seadra.

Ace got a box of dragon pallets. They’re dragon food. Its what a Pokemon Trainer would usually buy if they were looking for Dragon Pokemon. Dragons absolutely love them.

We left the Poke’ Mart after buying what we wanted. Katz had also sold a useless Nugget for $5000 and brought a book on Pokemon Training. I also brought a book on Pokemon Training, but mine had information on what to do if you already were a Pokemon Trainer. Katz book only had information on becoming a Pokemon Trainer. Like getting your license, what’s the best Pokemon to pick and stuff like that.

A little latter on Katz and I were standing in front of the Pewter City Gym with all of our Pokemon in our Poke’ Balls.

Together the two of us walked in. I was surprised to find that the gym had changed since Ash had came here to battle for the Boulder Badge. The walls were made of ruff and ragged rocks. The battlefield was cover with small stones, obviously making any Pokemon stand on them very uncomfortable. Also on the battlefield were large boulders.

Further up was about five to six steps leading up to a platform. On the platform was a rocky chair, which looked quite uncomfortable, but defiantly not for the teenager or young adult that sat there.

The boy stood up. His black hair was straight and cut short. He was tall and strongly built. I knew it was Brock, but he looked so different. More mature.

"He’s different," Katz whispered in my ear, so that only I could hear her. I nodded in agreement.

Brock walked towards us and then stopped. He was just a metre away from us. "Do one of you wish t challenge me?" He roared. His voice was loud, but sort of gentle at the same time.

I took a step forward, determined to get my first badge and enter Ori Cave for the first time. "I’m here to challenge you. My name is Ana and I’m battling for the Boulder Badge." I said all of that with such pride that I even surprised myself.

Brock just stood there. He said nothing for a while. "Fine," He finally said. "Things are different now, so we’ll have a six on six battle. Let me warn you, though. Some of my Pokemon come from Johto, but I’m not sure if I’ll use them yet."

I nodded. A six on six battle sounded fine by me.

Brock took out a Poke’ Ball and threw it. "I choose you, Golem!"

A huge boulder with arms, legs and a head appeared. As soon as it had emerged it started to look for its opponent.

I unclipped the first Poke’ Ball from my Poke’ Belt that my hands layed on and threw it on the ground. It turned out to be Lightning-Storm. Both Brock and Katz looked at Lightning-Storm and me in shock and surprise.

I shrugged. "It’s a six on six Pokemon Battle. I have six Pokemon and Lightning-Storm is one of them."

"That’s the biggest Pikachu I have ever seen." Brock commented. "Its colours are also different."

{Can we please just battle,} The Golem asked impatiently. {I’m starting to get really bored.}

{Yeah, let’s rock n’ roll.} Lightning-Storm agreed and then quickly added with a smile, {Literally.}

The Golem rolled his eyes. {Just because I’m a Rock-Type and I’m round doesn’t mean that you or anyone else can call me whatever you like. Got that little mousey?}

It was Lightning-Storm’s turn to roll his eyes. {Whatever you say, Rocky. Let’s just get this over and done with.}

Brock pointed at Lightning-Storm. "Golem, ram that Pikachu with your Rollout attack!"

"Dodge it, Lightning-Storm." I said in a surprisedly calm voice.

Lightning-Storm jumped up into the air. At the same time Brock’s Golem went rolling past right under Lightning-Storm’s jagged tail.

"Now use your Thundershock!" I commanded calmly. Way too calmly.

"What the heck do you think you’re doing?" Brock roared in anger. "Electricity has no effect on Ground-Type Pokemon!"

I grinned. "Ever since I’ve been training all of my Pokemon I have been very surprised by their power. They’re so much different from every other Pokemon. Their size, weight, colour and power. Everything. Its all so different."

"Whether or not your Pokemon are different from other Pokemon your Pikachu still can’t defeat my Golem with electric attacks. So you’ll just lose this round."

I laughed. "I bet that you are going to be so wrong. Lightning-Storm will beat your Golem easily. I have faith in Lightning-Storm."

It was Brock’s turn to laugh. "Do you believe that faith will make your Pokemon stronger?" He sneered.

I was surprised, but I had the sense not to show it. Brock was always nice. He also had a great liking to girls, but none of them really liked him back. At least not that I know of. "Let’s just wait and see." I replied coldly, but firmly.

I watched as Lightning-Storm powered up for a Thundershock attack. In just a few seconds he let it out.

The electrical attack sailed through the air and landed straight on Golem’s rocky back. Golem closed his eyes, but did not yell in pain. When the electricity had gone Golem was still standing as if nothing as if nothing had happened. He shook his head a few times and grinned.

"See what I mean? Even faith has no effect on Pokemon Battles. You should have listened to me. Now you shall find out the power of the Rock-Type Pokemon. Golem, use your Earthquake!"

Golem would have used his Earthquake attack if he weren’t lying unconscious facedown on the floor. Brock gasped at his fallen down Rock Pokemon, but I just crossed my arms over my chest and grinned smugly.

"Would you like to rephrase all that?" I looked at Brock’s Golem, then back at Brock again and pointed at Lightning-Storm who didn’t even look tired. In fact, he looked determined to battle all of Brock’s Pokemon. You were wrong about a lot of things, Brock. Faith did help Lightning-Storm to win. Also, his electric attacks are much more stronger than any other Pokemon."

"But how?" Brock gasped.

I shrugged. "At the moment I have no idea. That’s why I’m going on this Pokemon Journey. Maybe I can get my questions answered."

Brock nodded. "Very well then. Maybe your Pikachu did beat my Golem, but I shall not lose the second round."

Again I shrugged. "Sure. Whatever you say." I recalled Lightning-Storm into his Poke’ Ball and took out another Poke’ Ball. "Go, Anemo!"

Anemo came out of her Poke’ Ball in a rush of Gold and Silver feathers. As soon as she was out, she took to the skies.

{Alright. Where’s my opponent?}

She was too busy looking for her opponent to really watch where she was going.

"Anemo, watch out for that…" I tried to warn her, but was too late.

THUND!

Anemo slammed straight into the wall in front of her and then slid down towards the ground.

"…wall." I finished unnecessarily. I signed and shook my head a little. "Are you OK, Anemo?"

Anemo got up and looked at me with dazed bronze coloured eyes. She swayed on her feet as she bird-walked towards me. {Oh, yeah. That was one hard wall.}

{Would you prefer to hit all the walls to find out which one is the hardest?}

I nearly jumped out of my skin. "Gover! How the fuck did you get out?"

Gover waved a clawed hand in front of me. {Ana, watch your language. I hate Poke’ Balls, so I just came out. Problem with that?}

I shook my head. "Nope. Not at all. In fact, I’m glad you came out. Maybe you can tell me why Brock is acting strangely."

{What do you mean by strange?}

"He’s rude and sneers a lot. That’s defiantly not like Brock."

{Oh, right. I can defiantly answer that question. Brock is obviously under the Shadow Master’s evil spell. The only way you can break it is to beat Brock’s Pokemon. That’s why his using six Pokemon. To make it a tough challenge. All the Gym Leaders will be like this until you beat them.}

I nodded and turned to Anemo. "Ready, Anemo?"

Anemo had already tooken to the skies. {You bet. There’s a giant Onix below me, but strangely, I’m more worried about the walls then that rock snake.}

I laughed. "No wonder. We’ll start first, Anemo. Use your Gust!"

Anemo beat her wings powerfully to create a stormy gust that was even more powerful than a normal Gust attack. In fact, it was so powerful that Onix was sliding across the ground towards the wall behind him.

"Keep it up, Anemo!" I called to her.

Anemo kept on beating her wings. So far she didn’t look tied at all. Like Lightning-Storm had before, she looked ready to beat all of Brock’s Pokemon.

{See? The longer we use our attacks, the stronger we become.} Gover told me. {Anemo is using her Gust attack, but the more times and the longer she uses it, the stronger she’ll become. She’ll also have much more energy.}

"Whoa! You guys are defiantly different from normal Pokemon." I shook my head in amusement.

{Aaaaaaagggggghhhhh!} Onix cried out in pain as the Gust attack finally slammed into the wall. He fell onto the ground and landed unconscious facedown onto the stone-covered floor.

{Well, that was easy.} Anemo commented as she landed on the ground next to me.

I smiled as I recalled Anemo into her Poke’ Ball and took out another Poke’ Ball. "I’ll let you choose first, Brock."

"OK, then. Go, Omastar!"

I whistled in a mix of amusement and wonder. "A Rock and Water type. I haven’t seen one of these close up." I threw my own Poke’ Ball. "Go, Toxicity!"

{Alright! Another battle.} Toxicity said gleefully as soon as he came out of his Poke’ Ball. {Oh, look! It’s a tough-looking opponent. Not like those weak Caterpies I had to fight. What’s my first attack, Ana?}

"Double-Kick!" I yelled.

{Good choice,} Toxicity commented as he charged towards Brock’s Omastar. {Fighting-Types is strong against Rock-Types.}

Toxicity leaped up into the air and kicked Omastar on its shell with both of his back feet and landed easily on the ground.

"Aaaarrrgg!" Brock raged as he recalled his fallen Pokemon. "I choose you, Kabutops."

I recalled Toxicity. "Go, Hyeto!"

"Kabutops use your Slash attack!" Brock yelled in anger.

"Hyeto, Bubble!" I ordered quickly, but not loudly.

Kabutops and Hyeto did their attacks at the same time, but Hyeto’s was more effective, even though Kabutops in part Water-Type she still beat Kabutops easily.

Brock looked at Hyeto and me in shock as he recalled his Kabutops. Without a word he threw his fifth Poke’ Ball. Out came a Rhydon.

"Return, Hyeto and go Ace!" I yelled as I threw a Poke’ Ball at the ground. "Use Twister!"

Ace’s Twister had pretty much the same effects as Anemo’s Gust attack. In just five seconds Brock’s Rhydon had found himself slammed against the wall and out of the match.

"This is way too easy," I said as Brock and I recalled our Pokemon at the same time. "It’s your turn now, Gover."

Gover stepped forward in front of Brock. Quickly Brock released his sixth and final Pokemon. It turned out to be an Aerodactyl. As soon as it had got out, it took to the skies.

"Gover, use Ember." I ordered calmly.

Gover obeyed and started spinning around and around. The faster he spun the more bits of ember flew from his tail, into the air and splatted onto Brock’s Aerodactyl until the only large flying Rock-Pokemon fainted and Brock had to recall it.

Gover stopped spinning and ran towards me, gleefully. By the look on his face, he was obviously pleased with himself. {That was way too easy!}

I looked at Brock. He was sneering. He was actually smiling. He walked towards me. "As of the rules in Pokemon Gym Battles I’ll happily give you the Boulder Badge. With it you can go to the next city and even enter Ori Cave. I also want you to have this." Brock handed me a TM and $33,000.

I took the money and put it in my bag. I then put the Bide TM in a small pocket at the side of my backpack. Next, I opened the biggest pocket on my bag and took out a sky blue coloured box. My Dad had brought it for me a month ago in case I became a Pokemon Trainer. It was a special Pokemon Gym Badge holder. It could hold all of the gym badges in Kanto."

Katz, Gover and I exited the Gym. Katz had even gotten a Bide TM from Brock for showing him her drawing of all his Pokemon in action. She must have drawn them while our Pokemon were battling each other.

{Well, Brock’s back to normal.} Gover said as we made our way towards Ori Cave.

Suddenly there was a loud screech and a Pidgeot appeared in front of us. In its talons it carried a thin package wrapped in bright yellow paper. The Pidgeot dropped the package into my arms.

"What’s in it?" Katz asked curiously.

"I have no idea." I said. I started to read the note at the top of the package. "Dear, Ana. If you have gotten this package it means that you have beaten Brock. Every time you beat a Gym Leader my Pidgeot will send you a gift from me. I ordered him to watch over you and your friends. Hopefully someday will meet face to face, but until then I’ll contact you by my Pidgeot. From Shane."

"Who’s Shane?" Katz asked me.

"My Dad’s best friend. He disappeared a long time ago. But everyone thinks his in Ori Cave." I gently ripped open the bright yellow paper to find a laptop. It was gold in colour. In the middle were the initials L.M. written in silver. Around the edges of the laptop it was bronze instead of gold.

"It’s a laptop," Katz said in awe. "Wow! You’re really lucky."

"That’s not all that’s in there." I said as I took out another piece of paper and a small deep blue coloured box. I opened the letter and read it. "Dear Ana. My Pidgeot told me about your friend, Katz, and I thought that she might like to have what’s inside the deep blue box. From Shane."

"For me?" Katz asked in surprise as I handed the box to her. She gently took it from me and slowly opened it. Inside was a beautiful pendent hanging from a gold chain. The pendent was a mix of deep blue, deep purple, violet and silvery-blue swirls. Katz put it around her neck and stared at the pendent for a few minutes. "Its beautiful." She finally said, still looking at it.

I looked up at the Pidgeot. "Tell Shane, thanks for the gifts." I told it.

The huge bird nodded and flew up high into the sky. With a last cry, it turned and headed towards Ori Cave.

Katz and I looked at each other, but we didn’t say anything. Instead, we ran towards Ori Cave in hopes of finding new Pokemon and archiving our dreams.

_____________________________________________________________________

OK. That was the best way I could finish this Chapter. I’m not sure if Katz is a real word in the dictionary. If it is, I haven’t found it yet.

Just to let you all know, each chapter will be long. Only some chapters have violence in them, so if you don’t like it, then don’t read. None will have swearing.

This chapter is only eighteen pages long. Chapter one is twenty-eight pages long, so chapter two is shorter. I like writing long chapter stories, but I don’t always enjoy reading them.

Well, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please read and review. Flames welcome.