The next day I met up with Emerald outside the Pokémon Center. Emerald was polishing one of his Pokeballs. "Wally, I fear we haven't the time to waste. Despite the gym being good training I fear Team Crown is going to be moving on and we simply can't lose your Pokémon."

I nodded, Rodney was really important to me. Way more than some gym I didn't want to take on anyway.

Ralts was less than pleased. How am I supposed to show off my strength if we can't even take on the gyms? My goal is to get strong and gyms make you strong!

"Ralts..." I sighed, I didn't want to deal with him right now so I shut my mouth.

Emerald glanced off to the north exit of Rustboro City. "There we will find the Rusturf tunnel. Now come along Wally." He walked down the marble road and I followed him.

"So Emerald," I said in my weak attempt to make conversation. "Where are you going after we beat the Team Crown goons?"

Emerald shrugged. "I'm not entirely sure. Whenever the Team Crown members are causing trouble I suppose."

This guy is so serious. Team Crown this, Team Crown that. He should train that Bagon of his. Ralts told me, sitting on top of my shoulder.

We strolled through the small route leading to the Rusturf tunnel. Some Pokémon scrambled around in the grass and a light breeze blew through. A group of trainers were battling each other off to the side.

"Eevee use take down!" One trainer commanded, his brown furred Pokémon rushed forward and slammed into the opposing trainer's Skitty. The small kitten landed on its feet and struck back with a double slap.

Trainers were always battling. Nonstop fighting, sometimes I really appreciated contests for slowing things down and having trainers do something but battle.

I found battles fun sure, but not all the time. And especially not against completely random trainers. Pokémon were better as friends.

Emerald lead us to the entrance of the tunnel, he went in first and when I followed my eyes took a moment to adjust to the blinding dark. There was very little light but I could faintly make out some details.

The air was so much cooler and little bits of water dripped from stalactites in the ceiling onto the ground, there was even a little water pool.

I continued forward taking everything in. The silence of the cave set all my nerves on edge. As we walked my foot kicked something, it skidded across the floor and stopped on a wall.

"What was that?" Emerald asked.

I moved towards where I'd heard where the object hit the wall. "I'm not sure, but I think it's an item someone dropped." I felt around until my hand closed around a spherical object. I brought it close to my face and could easily tell it was a regular Pokeball. "It's just a Pokeball. Let's go."

Eventually we reached the exit. The light outside was blinding. I had to squint before I could make out Verdanturf Town.

We slipped out of the cave and arrived at the town. It was about noon when we arrived and the sun was shining over the little town.

There were only a couple buildings and even fewer houses. The town was surrounded by mountain on three sides, however it had a path to Mauville City, which towered over my vision. It was incredible how massive that city was.

A couple of Team Crown goons were standing around the Pokémon Center talking, I looked to Emerald and he nodded.

Alright let's show them how strong we are! Ralts shouted in our minds.

Emerald went first, sending out a dark blue metallic machine with two arms. Both arms had sharp claws. The Pokémon floated in the air and charged at the Team Crown members.

"Use Meteor Mash!" Emerald commanded, one of his Pokémon's fists began to glow white and it punched the first Team Crown member in the gut, throwing him into a wall.

The other two released their Pokémon, a Zubat and a Lairon. I recognized one of them as the one that attacked me in the Petalburg Woods.

Alright stick em up and give back Rodney ya punks! Ralts said, jumping onto the ground and holding up his stubby little hands.

Emerald's Pokémon came back to his side. "Wally, you take the Zubat. Metang can handle the Lairon!"

"Look the brat is back, and he brought a new kid too! Team Crown doesn't mess around!" The first grunt said. He pointed at Metang and his Lairon charged forward, Metang caught it by its horn and the two began a standoff.

The other grunt's Zubat swooped down at Ralts. He teleported out of the way and reappeared behind the Bat Pokémon. "Ralts use Confusion!" I said, my Pokémon grabbed his bat opponent and threw it into the ground. Its wings were continually pushed down to keep it from become airborne once more.

"You damned Pokémon! Don't you dare lose!" The grunt screamed, his Zubat broke free of Ralt's control and it tackled my psychic and fairy type Pokémon.

"Uhm Ralts use uh..." I should've practiced more I'm completely blanking! Wally! Ack... calm down! You're the brains... ow ow ow! You've got... this! Ralts struggled while Zubat sunk its small fangs into his arm over and over. He couldn't concentrate enough to use Confusion. I needed to think fast.

I bit my lip before the idea came to mind. "Ok Ralts, teleport into the air and then trap Zubat with Confusion." Ralts warped into the air and Zubat became trapped in his grasp, the bat was still biting on Ralt's hand so he turned his body and they both fell back onto the ground.

Ralts teleported back to me and the Zubat slowly got back into the air, only to fall to the ground and faint completely. Oh yeah! Who's awesome! I'm awesome! And Wally too I guess. Ralts gloated.

"We actually won! We beat him!" I cheered, excitement washed through me. Maybe battles had a little more merit than I initially gave them.

The grunt returned his Pokémon and glared at us. Then he looked over to his friend and smiled. "Don't her so excited so soon."

I also looked to the other battle and concern flared up in my stomach. Lairon was consistently damaging Metang. Metang was clearly in lots of pain and covered in little dents.

"We have to help somehow... Ralts use Confusion and hold Lairon as long as you can." I told him. My Pokémon nodded and concentrated, suddenly Lairon could no longer move. Emerald looked over at me and gave a smile.

"Metang use Meteor Mash to finish this!" Emerald moved his fist in an uppercut motion. Metang's fist once again turned white and it uppercut Lairon, Ralts released it from the Confusion and the steel and rock type went flying, landing on its back defeated. The grunt returned his Pokémon and growled.

"You might have won this battle but once we report this to Ruby, we'll be the ones laughing!" The second grunt said. The third grunt slowly got up and limped over to the other two.

"Hang on. Give me Rodney back!" I shouted, anger boiled up inside of me. I couldn't let fear control me. And I wouldn't. The first grunt took Rodney's Pokeball off his belt and tossed it at me,  I cradled the ball in my hands.

The three grunts ran off and Emerald returned his Pokémon. "Well done Wally, I couldn't have done that without you."

I shrugged. "Don't mention it. So you have to go now, right?" I asked. Emerald nodded.

"Indeed I must be off, I hope we meet again Wally. Continue to get stronger." Emerald told me.

"Bye Emerald," I waved and he walked off towards Mauville City. I wanted to be like him, strong and brave. Defending my friends with everything I had.

And Team Crown, they took my Pokémon, my friend. I could never let them get away with that. Maybe I'd just have to swallow my fears, if it meant helping people be safe from the menace of Team Crown, then it would be worth it.

Ralts yawned and laid down. Wally I'm exhausted. Make Rodney battle next time. I returned Ralts to his Pokeball and made my way into the nearby Pokémon Center.

After I finally got my Pokémon healed I sent Rodney out of his Pokeball. The Shroomish look around for a moment and then looked up at me, he jumped with joy and I crouched down to pat his head.

"Rodney I'm so happy to have you back! I was so worried about you, but you're back now."

"Shroo-Shroomish!"

I got up, it was almost 2 in the afternoon but it felt like it'd been so much longer because of how tired I was. At least I could finally visit my uncle. My two day journey was over.

I made my way over to my uncle's house, I hesitated before knocking. Did I really want to go in? I'd had so much fun on my journey so far... maybe I could convince my uncle to let me go on a journey. I should at least say hi. I knocked on the door.

"Come in!" My uncle shouted. I pushed the door open, and I remembered how good it felt to see family.

———————-
Oh my goodness I finally got another chapter out! I really am sorry about my summer funk. I do still think about this story. I can't promise consistent updates but I can at least say I'll try not to forget about this story. Even if it's just one chapter a month I will give this story attention.

With that being said thanks everyone a bunch for giving this chapter a read! I appreciate and you're all great! Have a great day! Bye!