After getting Hana and the others patched up, including herself, Alex took some time to repair her bag. It reminded her of the first time she had to repair it back in Viridian City. At the rate things were going for it, she might have to replace it pretty soon, unsure if she'll be able to afford it. Between food and medicine for everyone, there's not much left over for anything else.

When she was done and her Pokémon were returned, she decided to talk to them. She wanted to take Gabby and Bando out and train them for a bit.

~So two of us have to switch?~ Hana asked.

"Yeah, but I want you guys to decide. I don't want to force you. It'll be like how Sienna and Lance chose, right?"

~That's right,~ the poison type nodded. ~Her house is really nice and her mom's really kind. She let us wander around the house, inside and outside until it starts getting dark, then she has us go back in. The other Pokémon that live there are really nice as well.~

~It sounds like it!~ the butterfly beamed.

"The gym is supposed to have electric Pokémon and three of you are weak to their attacks. It would be risky to use any of you even if we did train a lot beforehand."

~I'm not going. Weak or not, I want to get stronger. I don't want to have the same mistake almost happen before we got Gabby. And the incident in that tunnel is proof that I need to get stronger,~ Ansen stated, the girl not surprised.

~I could go. After the tunnel, I'd like a little break. And I would like to meet your mom and her Pokémon. You said she had Butterfree like me, right? I bet it'll be fun to say hi to them, maybe learn some things from them,~ Hana said brightly. ~After the gym, if Gabby and Bando don't want to stay or someone else wants to switch, I'll come back if you need me.~

"Are you sure?"

~I am.~

"Anyone else?" Alex asked.

~Maybe I could take a break to?~ Ken asked. ~I don't know how useful I'll be in an electric gym. I know I can resist electric attacks, but they're different to water attacks with someone like Nala.~

"If you want to switch, that's okay. And like Hana said, should Gabby or Bando want to go back, then you can come back if you want."

Talking a bit more, making sure Nala wanted to stay, getting her confirmation, Alex recalled everyone before heading inside. She headed towards the nearest booth, calling her mom. They talked a bit, informing her she's arrived in Vermilion City and anything else interesting that had happened. Eventually, the topic of swapping Pokémon came up. Before long Alex sent Hana and Ken over, her mother transferring Bando and Gabby.

"Take care, you guys," Alex waved when they were called out. The Pokémon waved back enthusiastically.

~We will!~ Hana beamed brightly.

Once the connection cut, Alex couldn't help but feel odd switching some of her oldest Pokémon out, but at the same time excited. She'll get to bond with her newly made catches and hope they'll become good friends. Maybe she'll get Bando to talk if he's around a team that cares?

Feeling better, she headed out, having looked at the clock to see the time. It was about lunch, so she headed for the restaurant they would meet up at. When she arrived, Chase was there, greeting her as were Benedict and his family.

"Had fun out there?" the geologist asked.

"You can say that," she laughed nervously.

Avoiding sharing certain details when talking about Steven, she shared what happened, introducing Gabby to everyone.

"Mousy?" Bill wondered, looking at the Pokémon curiously.

"Her name's Gabby. She's taking Ken's place while he rests at my mom's. Bando took Hana's for the same reason."

"That's good to hear you're switching your team around. That should help with getting them stronger," Benedict said with a proud smile.

"Yeah, but it's odd not having them around. And it's still strange not having Sienna around either."

"Maybe you could switch for her later? Maybe have Nala go to your house if possible?" Blair suggested. "Since the gym uses electric types, she'd be really weak there. Same with Ansen given he's a flying type."

"Ansen would probably start chasing me around if I tried sending him home," Alex joked, knowing it would likely happen. While it's been a while since he attacked her, that doesn't mean he wouldn't start again.

"I'm actually surprised you were able to catch a Dugtrio. They're supposed to be really tough to fight," Tiana commented. "You're a very lucky girl."

"Thank you, I hope Bando and I will do really well together as a team," Alex smiled as she held the other ball. She'd call him out, but she didn't want to risk damaging the floor if he started digging. It was a strange mystery with Pokémon like Diglett and Dugtrio.

"I'm sure you will. If you can raise a Gyarados with no problems, then I think you can handle a Dugtrio," Benedict chuckled.

They talked some more, Bill playing with Cerulean as she flew about the room, letting him chase her tail.

When it got late, the trainers bid them farewell as they headed back to the Pokémon Center to get some rest.

On the following day, Alex decided that it was time to train her newly acquired Pokémon for the eventual gym battle. Chase chose to accompany her, wanting to help her out as best he can. They met with Benedict and the others briefly, informing them of their plans before leaving them to their own things.

Bill wanted to go with them, but his parents told him he couldn't, the small boy fussing until his cousin came to the rescue. She asked him for his help to explore the city with his parents, the boy lighting up at the offer.

"I think he's really taken a liking to Cerulean," Chase commented as they headed for a spot to train.

"Looks like it, I can only imagine what might happen when we part ways," Alex laughed nervously.

{I'm sure he'll be okay. He's a tough kid,} the psychic hummed in thought.

Finding a good spot to train, Alex called the rest of the team out, introducing them properly with the ground types.

"Everyone, this is Gabby and Bando. They're going to train with us and help us with facing the gym and however long afterward," Alex introduced before turning to the new additions. "This is more of the team. This is Cerulean, Ansen, Lance, and Nala. And this is my friend, Chase. There are a couple more you've yet to meet, Ken and Hana, my Pikachu and Butterfree. They traded places with you so you can train."

~It's a pleasure to meet you,~ the water type greeted happily.

~Same, I met some of the Pokémon back at Alex's house. That Charmeleon is really nice. Same with the Clefairy, Jigglypuff, and Bellsprout,~ Gabby beamed, looking more confident.

"I'm glad to hear everyone's getting along," Alex smiled, before focusing on the task at hand. "Now, to start our training, we'll pair up into teams and keep to a certain range so we can see one another. This is done to avoid accidents. That way I'll be able to heal anyone or get you back in your ball so I can get you to the Pokémon Center for treatment."

~I can agree to that if it means keeping safe,~ the ground type nodded.

Bando said nothing but nodded as well.

~Not much of a talker,~ Ansen commented, the ground type shifting his heads similar to a shrug.

"Ansen, think you and Lance could help Gabby? She'll need to have support until she's caught up."

~No problem,~ the poison type nodded.

~Sure,~ the avian shrugged.

"Thanks. Nala, could you and Cerulean help Bando out?"

~Of course,~ the water type beamed.

~Sure thing,~ the psychic grinned.

They quickly split up to find decent spots to train, mindful of how far they go. Alex and Chase sat down to watch. She picked this area as it was closest to the city limits and the Pokémon Center should something bad happen.

Once she knows where Gabby and Bando are at and the others are doing okay, she'll start looking into finding a better spot with stronger Pokémon. One place to come to mind was the area where she caught Gabby. She remembered seeing some trainers there, so it couldn't hurt, but there was also a chance they could encounter a similar strength shift like around here. She doesn't want to risk putting her Pokémon in danger again.

While watching the Pokémon train, she and Chase took the time to talk about yesterday.

"So you met a friend yesterday, right?" Chase asked.

"Yeah, I met him back in Viridian City. It was thanks to him that I have Hana," Alex answered.

"Really?"

"Mhm… He suggested that I get a Caterpie and when I was near the forest, I found her."

"Talk about lucky."

"Yeah…"

"Is something wrong?"

"Huh?"

"Did something happen yesterday?"

Alex looked away, having recalled the strange interaction the two had when Team Rocket was mentioned, unsure whether to share or not. She wasn't sure how Steven would feel if she told someone about his Pokémon or his ability, yet at the same time, it didn't feel right keeping it from her friend. She trusts Chase enough keeping Cerulean safe as well as knowing she can understand Pokémon.

After debating this for a moment in her mind, she decided it would be alright to tell him. At some point, they'll meet, and it would make talking about the interaction yesterday easier. He might even have some advice or thoughts to help understand what happened better than what she and her Pokémon could come up with.

"Well, something strange happened when I was talking to Steven," she started. "I ended up telling him about Team Rocket and what they had done in Mt. Moon and the problems in Cerulean City."

"So what happened?"

"He looked really scared. I wanted to ask, but I didn't…"

"Maybe he had a run-in with them?"

"That's what I think. He has a lot of scars as does his Jolteon. I don't even know if the rest of the Pokémon have scars or not."

"Yikes."

"Not only that but… Promise not to tell anyone, okay?"

"Of course."

"He told me that he can understand Pokémon too. He proved it when answering my Pokémon's questions. Not only that, but he has two legendary Pokémon."

"You're kidding?"

Alex shook her head, "I didn't see them, but Henry vouched for him. He has an Articuno and a Mew of his own."

"No way! He's got a Mew as well?" Chase almost shouted, but kept his voice down.

"That's what he and Henry said. If I couldn't understand Pokémon, I might not have believed Steven, but if Henry says so, I'm more willing to believe them."

He couldn't believe what he was hearing. But what reason did Alex have to lie to him? And while still strange to think about her ability, if this Jolteon said it was true, then what reason could he have to lie as well? Truth or not, it was a lot to take in, the teen pushing his glasses up to pinch the bridge of his nose.

"But if that's true and what you said about his reaction to Team Rocket, it sounds like he had a serious encounter with them."

"That's what I'm afraid of. He was practically begging me not to get involved with them any further than I had."

"But you aren't actively seeking them out though…"

"That's what I told him, but I think he was having a flashback or something."

"Like PTSD?"

"I guess… I kind of wish I could have asked him, but…"

"You did the right thing not asking. While you may see him as a friend and he trusts you enough to share some secrets, the two of you are still strangers. If he had traveled with you like I have, then it might be different. I can't really say."

"Maybe if we bump into each other again, I can try to spend more time so I can know him better and he knows me more? That way it might be less awkward if I were to ask him about it in case I see that it's bothering him."

"That could work, but don't expect him to answer still, same with his Pokémon. If he had encountered Rockets, then it's probably not pretty."

Alex nodded as she continued to watch the others train. She could see Bando knocking Pokémon out with ease, hardly needing assistance.

As for Gabby, she struggled, her claws simply not sharp enough to do serious damage when attacking some Pidgey or the occasional Meowth. Any Bellsprout that tried sneaking up on her was taken out by Ansen, sometimes Lance if he was closer.

When the weaker ground type started getting badly hurt, Alex retrieved her to let her rest and heal at the Pokémon Center. She gathered up the others so they can recover as well.

Once recovered, she took them back out for more training, having them do the same tactic again. However, given how strong Bando has proven himself to be, Alex had him focus more on weaknesses for blind spots and ways to protect himself from potentially harmful attacks, Ansen covering that part. Cerulean and Nala could now train more freely without having to worry about the Pokémon.

As for Gabby, she continued to train under her seniors. Slowly, she was starting to get the hang of using her claws for real offense than simply stunning her opponents. Where she simply surprised or stunned wild Pokémon, she began to cause actual damage. Now she had to focus on building up her muscles and learn to better defend herself in the heat of the moment.

In the few hours they started, Alex took her to the Pokémon Center for any injuries beyond her skills.

The day continued until it was nearing evening, Gabby starting to look more confident in herself as she successfully defeated another Pidgey.

~Didn't think battling could be this hard,~ the Sandshrew panted.

~You're doing really well. I had trouble myself when I first joined,~ Lance reassured. ~Same for Nala, even Hana.~

~Really?~

The poison type nodded as they walked back to Alex when hearing her call for them, that they're calling it a night.

~Yeah. Sure, it can get a little scary when facing strong Pokémon, but so long as we try our best and support each other, we'll be fine.~

~That's nice to hear,~ the ground type hummed.

They followed their trainer to the Pokémon Center for their final healing. Alex thanked the nurse, wishing her a good night as they left for another restaurant Benedict's family invited her and Chase too. When they arrived and were let in, greeting the family.

"How did training go?" Blair asked.

"Pretty good, Bando's really strong, so it doesn't look like he needs a lot of training. The most I might work with him would be to make sure he knows his strength. I wouldn't want him to hurt someone by mistake. Gabby still needs work, but she's catching on fast. She's starting to beat some Pokémon on her own, so it shows."

"That's wonderful to hear," Tiana beamed. "If it goes well, maybe she'll evolve into a Sandslash? Some I've seen are quite cute."

"That'll be neat to have, but only if Gabby wants to evolve," Alex giggled before getting up. "I'll be back; I want to let them out so they can eat."

"No problems, you know where we'll be," Benedict reassured.

Alex laughed as headed over to the front desk. She handed her Pokémon to the man so he can take them to a feeding area, namely for Nala. But with Bando now in the team, he would need to go as well. The only one she kept with her was Cerulean, more due to Bill wanting to play with her. She was surprised her Pokémon hasn't gotten tired playing that little boy so much.

When she returned, she had her psychic out of her ball, the pair joining the others for dinner, talking about how their day had gone. It felt strange to Alex, given that neither she or Chase are part of the family, yet Benedict and Tiana treat them as if they are. It was nice and refreshing given they're away from their respective homes.

When dinner was over, they bid the family goodnight and headed back to the Pokémon Center to clean up and get some sleep. After a good night's rest, the day returned, Alex and her team were back training.

It would also be the same day Benedict and his family would start transferring their things onto the cruise now that they're at a closer date to its departure.

They returned to Route 6, but there was an increase of Bellsprout, so they quickly left, needing to find a new training spot. Gabby shared that her previous home didn't have large populations of grass types, so they decided to head there to train.

"You're doing great, Gabby!" Alex cheered as the Pokémon took down a Spearow.

She had dodged its more dangerous attacks, only affected by the lesser ones like Growl and Leer before defeating the bird.

~Thanks!~ the ground type grinned, feeling more pumped about battling. She can see why Ansen and Cerulean love it so much, feeling her muscles starting to strengthen the more she fought. It was that and the adrenaline rush from battling!

"Are you a trainer?" a boy's voice asked, the Sandshrew looking up.

"Yeah," Alex answered.

"Think we could have a battle?"

"Sure."

~Think I could try?~ Gabby asked, having run over to tug at her trainer's pant leg.

"Alright then," Alex smiled. "If it's too much, I'll switch you out."

The Sandshrew nodded as the boy called out a strong looking Ekans.

Both trainers battled, however, Gabby ended up having to be switched quickly when the Ekans had her bound with its body, squeezing her far too tightly. Lance took over the moment the trainer could recall her, the poison type knocking the snake out with his horn.

"Aw man, thought I was going to win," the boy sighed.

"Yeah," Alex laughed nervously as she patted Lance. "You did great."

~Thanks,~ he smiled as they parted ways with the trainer. ~That Ekans was really tough. I can see why Gabby was having trouble.~

"I'm just glad I was able to switch her out," Alex sighed as she held the ball in her hand.

"You okay?" Chase asked worriedly.

"Just panicked a little."

Pressing the button, Gabby was out, looking both tired and disappointed at her performance in a trainer battle.

~I'm sorry I couldn't win,~ she apologized sadly.

"Don't be, you did better than you think. That Sand-Attack helped Lance," Alex reassured, the poison type agreeing.

~You think so?~

~Yeah, he was far busier trying to find me visually and trying to spit the stuff out than actually landing attacks,~ Lance added. ~It looked a lot bigger than most of the Ekans that seem to live around here.~

~I heard there are some Ekans nest elsewhere from passing Spearow and Pidgey that fly through,~ Gabby commented. ~Maybe that's where he came from?~

"Who knows, but the fact we beat him, show you guys have been getting stronger," Alex beamed. "Come on, we'll head back to the city so you can get properly healed. Afterward, we'll come back to do some more training. We'll just avoid battling trainers for a bit until we're feeling more confident."

~Alright, think I could I rest in my pokéball though?~ Gabby asked.

"That's fine." With a press of the button, the ground type was back inside, Alex clipping it to her belt with the others.

"Who knew the Pokémon around here were this tough?" Chase commented as they began heading back.

"I know. They're completely different from the Pokémon back in Cerulean City, even Mt. Moon, and Pewter City," Alex answered. "I can only imagine how much tougher others might be elsewhere. Are the Pokémon near Fuchsia City tough?"

"Probably, but given what my Pokémon consisted, most didn't bother me," the boy sighed, quickly changing the subject. "So what are you going to do? Are you actually going to keep training?"

"I kind of promised I would. Plus, Gabby seems to want to keep going. If she doesn't want to at any point, I won't make her."

"You're a really great trainer. These guys are lucky to have you."

"Thanks, I'm really glad to have met them. I feel just as lucky."

As they neared the city, they saw some trainers battling with one another. They were battling in the pathway, making it impossible to get around. They were forced to wait until they were done. They were battling with a Spearow and Pidgeotto, both boys shouting orders to their respective avian to attack one another.

"Use Fury Attack!"

"Blind it with Sand-Attack!"

Alex and Chase covered their faces when the sand was kicked up, the attack stronger than they're used to.

"Man, Ansen would be jealous if he saw that guy's Pidgeotto," Alex joked as she tried shaking the dust out of her hair. "We should move. If we can get hit with a Sand-Attack, I hate to be around if they used something stronger."

"Good i… Alex, watch out!" Chase started, grabbing her as the blinded Pokémon came charging towards them.

The Spearow had gotten disoriented, charging blindly instead of following commands. Its beak glowed as it aimed to strike its opponent. Alex let out a cry when it grazed her side, her hoodie getting ripped in the process. She grabbed her side, tears springing to her eyes as she felt the spot wet. She pulled her hand away to see blood on her palm.

"Ow…" she whined softly.

"Shit! Hold on, let me get some bandages," Chase panicked as he pulled her bag off to rummage for medical supplies. He pulled out the first aid kit, having her lift her shirt to see how bad it was. "Looks like it nicked you pretty good. It doesn't look serious. But it'll be better to have the doctor look at it."

Alex nodded, trying not to cry as he put pressure on the wound to feeling the stinging grow from the antibiotics rubbed in. The tape was quickly applied to hold it in place, arms helping her up. Chase had slung her bag over his shoulder.

The trainers stopped, realizing what happened. Instead of helping though, they both fled, fearing the trouble they could be in.

Reaching the Pokémon Center, the nurse was thankfully free to tend to the girl's injury, taking her pokéballs, handing them to Chansey.

"Looks like the cuts are small. They probably hurt worse than they really are," the pink haired woman joked nervously. She was busily reapplying the medicine and re-bandaging it more properly to ensure the area's protected. "Doesn't look like you'll get any scars from it, but what happened?"

"We were on our way back here when there were some trainers battling. They had a Pidgeotto and a Spearow. We were waiting for them to finish since we couldn't get around. We went to move away when the Pidgeotto used Sand-Attack. Next thing I know, Chase grabbed me and the Spearow cut me. I don't think it was trying to hurt me. It was probably blind from the sand."

"Sounds like it. If I see them, I'll be sure to talk with them about proper battle safety."

"Thank you. How are my Pokémon?"

Smiling, glad to see the girl already looked better, she stood up. "I'll go check. I gave them to Chansey to take care of."

"Okay."

"You should be okay if you want to wait in the lobby with your friend."

Alex nodded as she got up, picking her hoodie up, ready to throw it back on. She was already in a new t-shirt, the nurse having to take it since it soaked up most of the blood, thus a health hazard.

A frown formed when seeing the large tear on the side, reaching the front pocket and most of the back. Who knew that much damage was done to her clothes while her skin was almost untouched in comparison? The tear was far too big for her to repair and there were bloodstains, almost impossible to get rid of.

"I really liked this," she sighed. She'll have to throw it out; there was no way around it.

Holding it in her arms, she walked out to the main lobby, finding Chase eagerly waiting for her. There was immediate relief in his eyes when seeing her walking towards him, seeing that she was okay.

"Alex!"

"I'm okay. You were right about the cuts. Nurse Joy just redressed it after looking it over," she smiled reassuringly.

"I'm glad you're okay," the boy smiled.

"If only I can say the same for my hoodie," she sighed.

"Can it be fixed?" She shook her head as she held it up, the boy cringing at the sight. "Yeah…that can't be saved."

"Tell me about it," she pouted. "I swear, if I see those guys, I'll tell them they owe me a new hoodie."

"I don't blame you."

They sat and waited for the nurse to return, seeing her carrying the tray holding pokéballs, calling Alex over.

"Here you go."

"Thank… Wait, there's only five!"

Chase's eyes widened when he saw she was right, "One's missing…"

Panicking, she grabbed them all, running outside to see who it was, seeing the disoriented faces of Ansen, Lance, Nala, Cerulean, Bando…

"Gabby's missing!" Alex cried out. "That Spearow must have knocked her ball off my belt!"

~Wait, what happened?~ Lance asked frantically, running up to his trainer. ~What Spearow? What's happened with Gabby?~

"There was a battle earlier between trainers. The Spearow got blinded and accidentally attacked us. It cut me and we came here, but I never realized she was missing… We have to find her!"

Chase joined her, "I'll help you."

She nodded in thanks as they ran to where it happened, the Pokémon close behind, concerned about their missing friend. Reaching the spot, they found people passing through, stopping them.

"Excuse me. Have you seen a pokéball on the ground around here?" Chase asked a female trainer.

"No, I haven't. Why?"

"It got separated from its trainer. There's a Pokémon inside."

The trainer grew worried, offering to help as did others as they began looking around, time ticking as they searched as thoroughly as they could. Some even called their Pokémon out to help look; the Pokémon told what to look for. Some even dove into the water in case the ball rolled off the ledge, something Alex prayed didn't happen.

"Gabby…" the girl sniffed, wiping at her eyes as dusk started to fall and there was still no sign. "What if someone picked her up and took her?"

"We'll check with the police and the Pokémon Center in case she was dropped off."

"Geez, how can you be stupid to lose your own Pokémon?" a trainer sneered.

"I got attacked by a Spearow! I didn't intend to lose her!" Alex shouted, more tears falling.

"Whatever, I'm done," the trainer shrugged as he recalled his Pokémon and left.

"Calm down, we'll find her," Chase reassured, taking her hands in his.

It wasn't fair she had to go through with this again. First, she loses Nate, now it looks like it's happened again with Gabby. The worst part about all of this, they don't even know if she's actually okay or not.

With work, Chase made her come back to town, convincing her they should talk with the police so they can look. It was getting darker and soon they won't be able to see and it would start becoming a safety hazard.

"Gabby…" Alex cried as she hugged herself. "Why did this have to happen?"

"Don't give up," Chase begged as they waited for an officer to talk with them.

After several minutes passed, one spoke with them, taking notes of the missing Pokémon and what happened that led to it.

"We'll look for your Sandshrew, young lady, don't worry," Officer Jenny said, giving the girl a comforting pat on the shoulder. "So long as she's in her ball, she should be fine."

Alex nodded, not entirely convinced, but it was better than assuming she's lost and hurt somewhere out of her ball.

The two returned to the Pokémon Center, Chase placing a comforting arm around her. Along the way, they bumped into Tiana and Benedict, the pair noticing how grim they looked.

"What happened?" Tiana asked.

Tears forming again, Alex began sobbing into her hands, leaning into Chase as he held her tightly. He explained what had happened, the adults sharing concerned looks as they listened. Both hoped that the Pokémon will be found soon while they walked them back.

Alex - Pokémon 13 - Badges 2 - Deaths 1 - Unknown 1

Team:

Ansen - Pidgey - Pidgeotto

Lance - Nidoran M. - Nidorino

Nala - Magikarp - Gyarados

Cerulean - Mew

Bando - Dugtrio

Home:

Sienna - Charmander - Charmeleon

Maxwell - Jigglypuff

Lizzy - Clefairy

Vexas - Bellsprout

Gabby - Sandshrew

Hana - Caterpie - Metapod - Butterfree

Ken - Pikachu

Death(s):

Nate - Abra

Unknown:

Gabby - Sandshrew

I want to greatly apologize for the hiatus becoming so long. Work had gotten ahead of me from trying to earn enough to pay bills and such. I had no time to sit and type, let alone work more for more chapters.

I'm still not out of that pit though, but it's starting to come together by means of finances. I can't guarantee if I'll be able to post on a regular schedule again, but I'll try my best to do so.

Also, what do you might have happened to Gabby? Is she dead? Or could she still be alive?

I would also like to thank, PinkTheDinosaur on Deviantart for helping me with edits on this chapter.

If you enjoyed this, please leave a review and any helpful critique that may better improve the writing.