FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Hey everyone.....I'm back. I know it's been a while since I last posted....and I know I'd be back with something special....but that will have to wait for now: things need to be RIGHT for it to happen.....so, until then, I'll post what I can....okay?

I know, I know: you guys are both sad and upset with me....but I PROMISE you to give you a special treat soon, I promise.....not then, on with the warning.

CAUTION: I/Aquos do not hold or own any rights to the characters and/or Pokémon listed, only my main character. Also, this story may contain yaoi, male-male relationships, and sex scenes. If you're old enough (physically and mentally) to be mature about it, read to your heart's content; if not, DON'T.

............................

(Lucas's POV)

The last thing I remembered was laying on the bed in a room at Hearthome's Pokémon Center. That was where I was SUPPOSED to wake up to....but it wasn't, not by a long shot.

I felt myself laying down on hard ground and I slowly rose to my feet. I looked around and saw nothing but fog as far as I could see....which wasn't that far anyway.

"Huh? Where am I?" I asked myself, looking around more. I found myself staring at myself: I looked the same as when I fell asleep, no different. What's going on?

'Well, maybe I might find something....even if this IS a dream....' I told myself: that HAD to be it, a dream....nothing more than that.

My legs started walking as I moved forward: it felt weird since, normally, I had almost no control over my actions in my dreams....sometimes, even, my speech isn't natural to me. This felt different, though: I had full control over my volition, I wasn't following this "pre-made plan" like in my dreams......so what is this?

..................................

As I walked I continued to look around; I had no sense of time: had I been here a minute? An hour? Who knows?

"This is getting weird: I haven't seen anything solid yet....just this fog." I said out-loud again; I tried swatting at it, yet it was loose enough for it to be a vain attempt.....if only I had a Pokémon with me that knew Defog: at least THEN I could see better.

"No - what I NEED is a way out of here....or some LANDMARK that I could use so I could find my bearings.....I feel completely lost in this stuff......" I convinced myself, stopping in place and looking around again: I tried and focus my gaze on something definite, something solid that I can revolve around and still see wherever I am....

After, maybe, a few skims I spot something: it was a shadowed figure, blurry to everything but black "stuff". It was the only thing I could see, so I went with it.

"Good enough for me." I told myself as I started walking towards the shadowed figure.....slowly it came into view and slowly I saw what it actually was.

The figure, itself, had a familiar shape to it: it was tall and humanistic, like a person; it had details that told me, though, that it wasn't human. One example would be the tail, the other being it's ears sticking up. Slowly I pieced together more clues and found out what it was: a Lucario.

"Wait....what's a Lucario doing here in my dreams....." I trailed off as I spoke: now it made sense.... "....L-Lucario?"

As soon as I said this, the figure turned and began to move: it was a slow walk, but it slowly started to leave my sight. I began running to try and catch up.

But something was amiss: I was running, yet he kept getting farther away from me. I looked and saw my feet moving forward, yet it was like I was being pulled back.

"Lucario!" I called out to the figure; I was earned with a brief look back and I nearly cried: I saw Lucario's -MY Lucario's- face wrought with pain and sadness....broken-hearted. It tore my own heart apart. The last thing I remember was tears streaming down my face.

.........................

(Normal POV)

Everything in the PC, except for Lucas's tossing and turning, was silent: Lexi and Flygon in their room, Monferno, Gallade, and Lucas in their room...

"Ngh....Lucario...." muttered Lucas as he flipped around in his bed; it could only be heard in his room, yet it was loud and noticeable. Monferno was awoken by that, as well as Gallade, and groaned out loud.

"Lucaaaas! You're being loooooud!" Monferno whined, laying back and just trying to go back to sleep again; Gallade agreed with the Playful Pokémon...yet he felt like he had to do something instead of just bitching about it.

He got up from his bed and walked over to the other bed Lucas was in: he leaned in close and gently shook Lucas a bit.

"Lucas...."

"Ngh...." Lucas muttered softly as he tossed over; he was facing the same way Gallade was. The Blade Pokémon nudged the human a little harder, yet still trying to be gentle.

"Lucas....wake up...." He whispered.

"Ngh-n....no....d-don't....go...." Lucas murmured as he let out a soft groan....it almost sounded like he was in pain.

"Lucas...!" Gallade whispered loudly, shaking him harder now. Abruptly, Lucas's eyes flew open and he leaned up.

"Lucario!" he called out; he was panting hard. His hand went to his forehead and felt it with the back of his hand...then his palm wiped it: cold sweat.

"Lucas....are you okay?" Gallade asked: he seemed rather worried about his trainer, since he sat down next to him. Lucas bit his lip.

"B-bad dream.....that's all.....I'm fine....." he said in his heavy breathing. Gallade looked at Lucas's eyes and shook his.

"Give me your hand...." He commanded; Lucas seemed a little curious...but listened and gave Gallade his right hand. The Psychic type took it in both of his paws and closed his eyes, his forehead creasing for a few seconds until he relaxed and set Lucas's hand back down...yet he was still holding it.

"It was about Lucario....wasn't it?" he asked gently. Lucas let out a soft gasp at the question, his face showing question and confusion....mainly on Gallade's actions.

"I....uh......w-well....." Lucas stuttered gently; Gallade stayed calm and tried to stay in his comforting for Lucas: he never was one to comfort someone, let alone someone with a problem like Lucas....yet he felt like he should try. After a minute, Lucas let out a long sigh in defeat "......yeah...."

"You want to talk about it?" Gallade asked as he released Lucas's hand and stayed next to Lucas; the trainer moved his legs over the bed, like he was gonna get out, and just sat there.

"I....I was alone, in this....place: I was surrounded by fog.....and I couldn't see anything....." Lucas explained, breathing heavily, as if trying to calm himself. Gallade nodded as he rested his hand on his shoulder, rubbing it gently: he saw Lucario do this a few times and felt like it was the right thing to do at the moment; Lucas enjoyed the comfort since he knew that he'd never tell anyone if they didn't ask...or press on like Gallade did.

"When I walked around to find something to give my bearings, I saw a figure: I thought that I could go there and try and find out where I was or get out of my dream.....but the closer I got to it, the more I realized who it was...."

"Lucario...." Gallade muttered. Lucas nodded solemnly and continued on.

"When I realized who it was I immediately tried to catch him......but, once I started running, he seemed to leave faster: it was like I was being pulled away, running on a conveyor belt moving faster than I am.....but, that's not what scared me the most....." Lucas shook his head as he closed his eyes; his hand bunched up tightly as he tried to fight the urge to cry "Lucario......his facial expression......was horrible: he looked like he was heart-broken.....like he could never trust me or anyone ever again......it, literally, broke my heart....."

Gallade, quickly seeing what was going to happen, wrapped his arms around his trainer and pulled him close; Lucas couldn't hold back and soon he was sobbing quietly into Gallade's arms.

The Blade Pokémon didn't know what to do, frankly, at this point: he never thought things would go this far. All he could do right now was rub his back and try to calm him down.....which he started doing.

"Hey, it's alright.......it's alright....." he cooed gently; during all of this, Monferno was asleep again.....sleeping of, probably, food.

Lucas slowly pulled himself closer to Gallade, trying to calm down slowly so he didn't stay this way and make Gallade feel weird. He leaned away a bit and wiped his eyes with his arm, sniffling a bit as he breathed heavily.

"Feeling better?" Gallade asked, his paw resting on Lucas's shoulder; the trainer smiles softly and wrapped his arms around Gallade tightly. It surprised the Blade Pokémon, yet he gave in and hugged back.

"Y-yeah.....I think so.....thank you, Gallade......I'm sorry for just bawling like that.....but I needed that....." he apologized, keeping himself close to Gallade in the hug: right now, frankly, he needed some affection. Gallade smiled softly and pulled the human closer.

"It's fine, really.....I was glad to help.....we're all here to help you, Lucas...." He said softly, pulling Lucas away so he could face him. Lucas nodded and smiled a little wider.

"I just need to remember that.....yeah...."

"You gonna be alright now?" Gallade asked, standing up off the bed. Lucas smiled and nodded, getting up with him.

"Yeah....I'm still upset about Lucario....and I still miss him.....but I'll be strong and hang in there....for him...." Lucas said confidently. Gallade smiled: he saw why Lucario loved him so much; he was strong-willed, determined, and capable of adapting if he needed.

Gallade smiled and chuckled to himself.....which Lucas looked at him curiously "What?"

"You're everything that Lucario has said you were: strong, smart, enduring.....only now, though, do I see he was right...." Gallade said; he saw Lucas stutter a moment and look away, his face growing red with embarrassment.

"O-oh....I...I see.....that was, uh....kind of him....." Lucas replied; his breathing was slow and uneven, most-likely taken aback from his Pokémon's comment.

Gallade let out a small chuckle and gave him a smile. Lucas smiled as well and yawned a bit.

"Well, since I'm up, might as well change and get cleaned up.....don't want my Pokémon saying I smell...right?" Lucas said as he walked over to his bag; he grabbed a light grey tee and a pair of tan khaki shorts from inside it and walked to the bathroom. Shortly after, the sound of water could be heard.

(Lucas's POV)

After I turned on the faucet I let the water just run for a bit, letting it heat up a little....yet I also wanted to just clear my head with the steam of the shower: maybe that'll help ease my mind more.

'How long did I sleep?' I finally thought; I pulled out my PD from my back pocket (it was still I there when I fell asleep) and nearly fell backwards from the time: it SHOULD'VE been, like, 2:00 pm.....it was, actually 9:30 am.

"I slept through the rest of the day?!" I nearly yelled: I never slept that long before....that was, like, 18 hours straight! That scared me.

"Yeesh....I gotta not do that again...." I told myself, placing the PokéDex on the sink and stripping off my old shirt; to be honest, I don't think I ever got a look at myself since last week....and I didn't think I looked good.

I braced myself and stood in front of the vanity....and went bug-eyed: not only was I wrong...but way off!

Before, I would've been disgusted from my look since I always had some acne....but, now, I didn't....like I never had it....not ONLY that, but I looked, maybe, a little more fit that before....like I've actually worked out or played sports a lot....which was NOT the case at all.

"W-whoa....." I told myself, my hand going to my face and feeling if what I was seeing real...then started chuckling "I wonder: was this a gift or something from Azelf....or just a freak coincidence?"

I shook my head: better not think about it; you never looked at a gifted horse in the mouth, as they say.......or something along those lines.

Smiling I stripped the rest of the way and stepped into the shower; the water, at first, was a little hot....yet felt MUCH better after a while as I got used to it.

As I started to clean myself, my thoughts trailed to the others....

"I wonder how they're doing....." I trailed off.

(Normal POV)

As Lucas was in the shower, Gallade kept watch over the little Playful Pokémon sleeping: he felt like he should pull a prank on him or something, revert to his Kirlia days before.....maybe do something like he did with the bitch of a Lucario he had to put up with back in the hotel room in Jubilife......

'Well, in all fairness, I was told I snore sometimes....and that might have been the reason she spat in my mouth' Gallade thought, shuddering a bit at the brief reliving; he banished that memory from his mind and decided to just wait until he woke up: at lease HE didn't snore.....very loudly, anyway.

.......................

Back in Lexi and Flygon's room, the two of them woke up around the same time. Lexi thought it was nice of Lucas to get her a backpack and an extra change of clothes....yet she did not like the style he picked out.

'Well....it's the thought that counts, right?' she thought as she came out of the bathroom with the clothes on: they were a little big on her, but fit nonetheless. The boots fit as well....so Lexi decided to wear them as well.

"Oh, Lexi......you look nice!" Flygon complimented. Lexi smiled at the compliment.

"Thanks, Flygon....you wanna take a look around Hearthome? Maybe get something to eat?" The dragon looked confused.

"I thought Lucas had all the money...."

"He does....but I have a little as well: just in case he spends a lot and we need a little reserve...I kept most of the winnings we earned from the Cycling Road." She explained. Flygon smiled and got up: he was laying down on the bed lazily, waiting for his trainer to come out.

"Good thinking: I trust Lucas, but that was a smart idea too."

Both nodded and they headed out of their room: Lexi peeked in Lucas's room and told Gallade that she and Flygon were going out for a bit; the Blade Pokémon nodded and promised he tell him when he got out of the shower. After making sure they know the message, the two walked out and started for the door of the PC.

(Lexi's POV)

Me and Flygon just reached the desk and passed it when a girl came walking in, all huffy and upset, and started giving out commands. The second I saw her I hated her.

"Excuse me! I require assistance.....now!" he ordered. He didn't even open her eyes as she snapped impatiently like she was about to be waited on: I knew at once she was a rich kid....and not because of the look.

She was wearing a periwinkle petticoat that had frills and laces and all that sort of junk on it, a small, white purse hanging from her elbow, white stockings, and fancy light blue shoes that clacked when she took a step. She was also wearing this hood-like bonnet and headband of the same color of her gaudy dress. Yep, knew it: she was a TOTAL snob...and had to be swimming in money as well.

As the impatient girl waited at the front desk, Nurse Joy walked up, with a smile, and greeted her.

"Ah, hello Alexandria. How are you today?" she asked; the girl looked away and stuck her nose up high and dignified-like.

"I am terrible: my dresser mixed up my outfits so I had to wear my CASUAL clothing today for my battle....which I ALSO lost! I've come here so he may be healed, if you don't mind." Her voice was clear and crystal, yet I could INSTANTLY tell it meant to be hurtful and demeaning - you know, like that "I'm-better-than-you-and-you-know-it" tone. It drove me nuts.

Nurse Joy gave a small frown "Oh, I'm terribly sorry: of course, may I see your Growlithe, then?"

'Growlithe?' I thought as I peered behind me; he reluctantly pulled out a Pokéball from her purse and summoned her Pokémon: the canine had orange fur for its body and tannish-yellow for its "hair", chest fur, and tail. It was covered in black straps in places and had, ironically, soft brown eyes. The Growlithe was, actually, rather adorable....but what set me off was the bruises it had, covering its body.

It let out a small whimper as Alexandria picked it up carelessly and set him on the desk in a soft thud: I felt my fists bunch up; how careless can someone be with their Pokémon?

I felt Flygon nudge me and brought me back to reality.

"You okay, Lexi?" he asked me. I shook my head and looked back to the small group.

"I...I don't know.....I just......" I frown hard "I can't stand people like her: all high and mighty just because she has money....thinks she can use whoever just to get what she wants BECAUSE she has money.....what makes HER so special than the rest of us?!" I whisper my reply as I turn around towards her direction; Flygon followed and we started walking towards the girl: as I got closer, I was able to get a gauge on how old she was.....probably about a 2-year difference between us from judging the sound of her voice; older or younger, I couldn't tell.

"Perfect!" she said cheerily, then a little glumly "Oh, and has my Fire Stone come in yet? I'm tired of having to deal with such a small, weak Pokémon....I need something that's more.....me."

I felt my face scrunch up and my hands ball into fists; I opened my mouth before I had the words formed in my head.

"If you want something to match your personality.....then go try a Gastly!"

She turned around and gave a small gasp, obviously offended, the frowned just like me.

"Well! If I wanted advice on Pokémon from someone like YOU....I would've asked it; besides, what right do you have to insult my choice of Pokémon: you oh-so-happen to have a giant salamander with wings! That says a lot about who you are, you know...." She gave a smirk, as if satisfied with her work. I felt my throat vibrate, as if to growl, when I tried to think of a comeback.

Flygon beat me to the punch, though.

"Like you have any right to criticize Lexi! Look how well you're treating your own Pokémon!"

I chuckled a bit, yet the girl just looked confused.

"Excuse me? What did that thing just say?" she asked: her tone was a mixture of her expression and a little bit of offense.

"Oh, nothing really....he was just asking 'if you had the right to criticize me; you treat your own Pokémon as well as you would with something out-of-fashion'....I agree with him, too."

She stomped her foot and let out a "oooo!" in anger...with only made her look that much more immature: this was getting to be fun, actually.

AS she was about to say something, Nurse Joy came back: I barely notice that she left with Growlithe. Smiling, Alexandria scooped up her Growlithe and looked at me: I knew where this was going.

"If you feel like you can take care of MY Growlithe better, then why don't we battle: MUCH more civilized than running our mouths; you win, you may take my Growlithe......but if I win, I take your Flygon."

My eyes widened and darted from Flygon to Growlithe to her: she was betting her own POKÉMON on a battle...and expected me to do the same?! How much dumber can you get?!

"You're willing to bet your own Pokémon, a Pokémon you raised YOURSELF, on a battle....?! And you want me to bet Flygon?! That's insane!" I insulted her "Why on EARTH would I accept those terms?!" She merely snickered.

"Why not? If you feel like you can take better care of a Pokémon than moi," she taunted me, motioning to herself "then I see that you have nothing to lose."

I looked to myself and seethed a bit: as sound as her logic was, and it was still full of holes, I can't do that to Flygon....I can't put him on the line, that's where I stop.

I let out a sigh of defeat as I knew what my answer was....but Flygon nudged me in the back gently and brought my attention to him; he smiled confidently and nodded: he was willing to go along with it.

"You sure? What if you lose? I don't want you to be with her!" I whispered to him; he smiled and shook his head.

"I won't lose....not with you commanding me, Lex. You can do this: you can save that Pokémon from her!" he encouraged me.

I smile softly and petted him gently on top of his head; he purred gently and I turned around to face Alexandria.

"You're on."

.........................................

As soon as I agreed we walked out and got ready for our battle: even though I've already fought a few on the Cycling Road (with Flygon telling me his moves as soon as he could), I knew this was gonna be different; I didn't want to hurt the Pokémon.

"Well, we might as well make proper introductions...." Alexandria spoke, smiling "I am Alexandria St. Clair."

"Lexi, Lexi Trell." I answered back. She let out a soft sigh.

"Lexi....short for Alexis.....we would've been such good friends if we met on a more positive note...." I frowned.

"Not likely." I replied honestly; he frowned hard and seethed very silently...yet it was still funny.

"Flygon, go easy on Growlithe: I don't want to hurt him." I called to Flygon; he turned around and nodded at me, smiling. Alexandria laughed and smiled, both being irritating to me.

"Well, don't WE sound noble! Enough of that aside; I shall make the first move then, if you don't mind."

"By all means, go on ahead!" I called to her.

"Alright, Growlithe: use Flamethrower!" she called. The canine, slowly, brought its head up and unleashed a burst of flames from its mouth.

"Flygon, into the air!" I called; the dragon flapped it wings and took off into the sky quickly....though the wind itself from the wings was able to deflect the flames away "Now, use Strength!"

Flygon leaned itself down towards and zoomed towards the Pokémon quickly. The Growlithe whimpered in fright as Alexandria smiled in confidence.

"Growlithe, meet it with Flamethrower again!"

The canine let loose another wave of fire; I started to panic a bit.

"Pull up, pull up!" I called to Flygon. I could hear him yelp as he stopped himself and gained elevation again. The flame barely grazed his body.

I let out a sigh of relief and drew my attention back to the fight: I could plainly see Alexandria laughing confidently in my face; she even went on to boast.

"Well, I certainly didn't think that I would win so easily: as weak as my Growlithe is, being able to defeat a mighty Flygon is PROOF that I am the better trainer."

I felt like I was a Pokémon just then...cause I KNOW I never let out a growl: this girl brought the worst out of me.

"Oh, just SHUT UP! It's not over yet!" I yelled at her "Flygon, Dragon Breath!"

The green Pokémon pulled back and let out a jet of purple mist out of his mouth, spraying the attack at the Growlithe.

"Growlithe, meet it with another Flamethrower." She ordered calmly; the small canine nodded, though didn't look happy about it, and did as it was commanded: it unleashed another wave of heat at the breath....but, this time, the results were different: Flygon's Dragon Breath cut RIGHT through the flames, like paper.

The DB continued on, with Alexandria shocked it didn't work, and hit the Puppy Pokémon. It recoiled and was thrown back a bit....it seemed like it hurt a lot.

'Dang it....I didn't want to do this, but unless I start going all-out, Flygon will be exhausted: I can't start playing Cat-and-Mouse with her!' I thought in my head: that must be how she won in battles: she intimidated her enemies, taunting them to attack and calling her bluff.....then attacks weakly to scare the opponent. She's not battling, she's toying.

My fists bunched up as I let loose another command.

"Flygon, Dragon Claw!"

He followed the order and flew straight for the Puppy Pokémon, his right arm glowing.

Alexandria started to panic a bit: she was used to winning, I'll bet.....and, seeing how things turned on her, now is panicking.

"Growlithe, meet it with Flame Wheel!"

Reluctantly, Growlithe stood up and started running towards Flygon: he did a dodge roll forward and was immediately engulfed in flames; he continued to spin forward, like a tire shredding the ground.

Soon, the two collided: it was easy to decide who won.

Flygon pushed and soon the Growlithe stopped in mid-air; I heard a gasp, either from the trainer or Pokémon, maybe both, as my Pokémon continued on and slashed at the Pokémon: a large gash appeared on the Pokémon as he was thrown to Alexandria's feet. That was the end of it.

I balled up my fists in anger: I won, but Growlithe was hurt....by my hands....how could I?!

Alexandria huffed, stomper her foot, and turned herself around so she wouldn't see me.

"Well, it appears I lost: congratulations, Alexis.....you are the superior trainer. You, also, have made a DANGEROUS rival.....we WILL meet again!" she said; she brought out a Pokéball from a purse that I only now just noticed and dropped it next to the fallen Growlithe "I was going to get rid of this worthless Pokémon anyway: even as an Arcanine would it still be too weak for my standards."

My eyes widened as I, literally, felt my blood boil over: okay, that was it.

"You know what?! Why not just take your snooty ass OUT of here! I HATE people like YOU: thinking that you can use anyone you want just because your daddy has money.....well, you can't! And don't you think otherwise!"

She turned only looked at me, a little stunned.....then frowned and gave a "humph!" and walked off. I felt myself let out another growl in anger......but that anger was let out in a long sigh of defeat: I was the real loser here.

"Lexi, let's get Growlithe to the Pokémon Center: he doesn't look too good." Flygon voice brought me from my trance; I felt my head lurch a bit as I saw Growlithe's condition: he was covered in bruises and had the large gash on his chest and stomach. The sight was terrible.

"You're right; let's hurry." I said as I walked over: I picked up the Pokéball and pulled the canine into my arms and started running inside the PC.

Nurse Joy was at the desk taking care of paperwork when I stopped at the desk.

"Nurse Joy, can you help?! Growlithe's hurt!" I said urgently.

"Oh, my!" she gasped as she gingerly took the Pokémon out of my hands: I looked at my arm and saw that I had a little blood on it: I barely noticed it.

She pressed a button with her hand quickly and a Chansey came out with a small stretcher. Nurse Joy put Growlithe on the stretcher. The Pokémon left and Nurse Joy followed; I was right on her heels.

"Will he be okay?" I asked her.

"I can't say for sure: the wound itself isn't lethal, by far.....but we must treat it quickly so it does not get infected." She answered "How did this happen?"

My heart sank a bit.

"A battle.....I battled Alexandria....since I felt that she was raising her Pokémon badly......" I explained "I won....but had to go all out to win....."

Nurse Joy looked back and smiled sweetly.

"Don't you worry: we will help him in any way we can. I promise."

Her smile made me smile.

"Thank you, Nurse Joy."

.........................................

(Normal POV)

As Lexi and Flygon waited outside the Emergency Room, Lucas finally got out of the shower: he was in there for, about, 40 minutes; not only did he clean himself, he used the hot steam to clear out any negative thoughts he had. So, for now, he was confident Lucario would be fine and come back soon.

He thought his old clothes were a little grimy, so he changed into a set of his new clothes: he was now wearing his light grey tee and tan khaki shorts that he brought into the bathroom with him. He kept his shoes the same and also kept wearing his crescent moon necklace.

"I feel SO much better, now...." He said as he stretched and let out a soft groan of pleasure. He looked around as saw that Monferno was asleep; Gallade was laying on the couch, watching TV. He rolled his eyes and smiled, chuckling and walking over to the two.

"Hey, you two." He said; Gallade looked over and smiled as he saw Lucas.

"You seem to look better. Shower help?" he asked.

"Yeah: my head's all cleared up, I don't feel "dirty" anymore....."he eyes drifted to Monferno "Lemme guess: just had something to eat."

"Yep: out like a light the second he finished."

"Geez....he is so weird sometimes....." Lucas groaned lightly, chuckling a bit.

"You let him join." Gallade pointed out.

"Don't remind me." Lucas said in annoyance: Gallade couldn't help but laugh at that. They both knew they were joking, but they had to admit: for a Pokémon like Monferno, this wasn't a very good nature for him.

"I just hope he changes when he evolves like you did: you are MUCH better than when you were a Kirlia....no offense." Lucas continued on, walking to his bag and shifting through it for something.

"None taken, I agree with you: I'm surprised you let me cuss that much."

"Hey, I do it too....not as much, but I've heard worse than what you said before.....hey, Gallade....did you go through my bag?" Lucas asked.

"No, Monferno did when he was hungry......why?"

"I think he moved my PD somewhere: I put it in my bag when I went to take a shower."

"I'll help you look....any ideas where it could be?" Gallade offered as he stood up and walked over to Lucas. Lucas smiled and nodded and the two started looking around.

.....................

"Where is it?" Lucas asked as he turned the pillows on the bed. Gallade was over by the couch as was lifting Monferno up with Psychic and was searching under the sofa cushions.

"Not in the couch." He said.

"Damn, where is it?" Lucas asked, walking over to Gallade. Both shrugged and sighed a bit, looking around again.....then Gallade's eyes spotted something in Monferno's lap.

"Hey, look...." He said; his hand trailed to Monferno's lap and plucked the object from his paw: it was dark blue with black lining.

"Here we are! He must've grabbed it on accident, thinking it was a berry or something...." Lucas said as he took it, smiling "Thanks for helping me look, buddy."

"No problem." Gallade said, smiling "Why'd you need it now? Why not keep it in your bag?"

"I was gonna go find Lexi: I wanted to see what she's up to....might be out in town."

"Ah, I see....alright then; good luck, I'll tell him when he wakes up." Gallade said, throwing a thumb at Monferno as he folded his arms.

"You're the best, see ya!" Lucas cheered, walking out the door with a single wave.

As Lucas walked out, he glanced inside Lexi's room: she wasn't there. He walked out and started walking around the PC a bit to see if she was anywhere else: though in different areas, all PCs had a generic look to them; the only exception is Snowpoint City's PC: it's much bigger and fancier than others.

"Lex? Flygon? You here?" Lucas called out softly, wanting to find the others yet not wanting to disrupt the patients.

He turned a corner and noticed Lexi sitting on a bench in front of the Emergency Room: not a good sign. He walked over and looked around a bit as he did so: Flygon wasn't with her. He started to panic a bit. As he hurried to his sister, his mind went to the worst possible scenario: Flygon is hurt severely and is having a hard time pulling through.

"Lexi....where's Flygon?" he asked.

"Oh, he went outside for some fresh air: he'll be back in a bit." Lexi answered. Lucas sighed in relief to himself. Well, that answers ONE question.

"Thank goodness: I saw you here and no Flygon....so I feared for the worst.....um, why ARE you here?" he asked.

Lexi looked away and into the warden window: the canine was on the stretcher still with Nurse Joy and her Chansey trying to patch up Growlithe.

.....................................

ALRIGHT then! Here we are, back at the ending of another well-written chapter (IF I do say so myself)! So, let's review what just happened:

1) ** **Lucas, to clear his mind, went to take a shower

1. a. ** **Also leaving Gallade in charge as Monferno was napping

2) ** **Lexi wanted to take a look around but ran into a rich, spoiled brat named Alexandria

1. a. ** **She was at the PC because she ordered a Fire Stone and would arrive for Nurse Joy to give her (weird it wasn't the PokeMart)

3) ** **Lexi saw how she treated her Growlithe and told her off

1. a. ** **And was then treated poorly by the girl

4) ** **Alexandria challenged Lexi

1. a. ** **If Alexandria won, she got Flygon; if Lexi won, she got Growlithe (OOOO, big bet)

5) ** **Lexi won, but wounded Growlithe severely

1. a. ** **Alexandria is now Lexi's rival

6) ** **Lexi is now in front of the ER in hopes Growlithe will be okay

Whew! That's a lot.....now then, what will happen next? Will Lucario return triumphantly like Lucas hoped he would, will Growlithe pull through and heal quickly....or will everything tumble down?! Find out next time in "A New Start as a Trainer!"

All I can say for next time, things are starting to HEAT UP FAST!