It took a little while to pack up all our things and get ready to hit the road again. I was excited, because the next gym was Clay's gym. Maria would challenge it. But the reason why I was excited, was because Clay's gym was in Driftveil City. And that was where the main base of the old Team Plasma was now, including Sage Rood. I gave Brandon a call and told him to tell the Sage that I'd be there later today.

I got everything into my bag and Kitt and I left the Pokemon Center, Kitt walking beside me now, because of his size. As we were walking down the street, I saw something down by the gate towards Driftveil. I stopped.

There was a group of figures in dark clothes - but in between them, I spotted a flash of dark blue hair.

Oh no.

Suddenly I was running. The figures became obvious - members of the new Plasma. And standing in the midst of them, whirling around with his Servine hissing beside him, was Alan. The people were laughing, shoving him around, their Pokemon darting about his Servine and snickering. "How's the little fuzz-head going to fight all of us?" Chuckled one of the new members. "Little idiot thought he could take on a whole bunch of us at once."

"Let me go!" Spat Alan, bristling in fury. "You dirty rotten thieves! I'll beat you all!"

But he was obviously losing. A Patrat jumped at Leaf the Servine, and slashed his arm. The little grass type yowled.

I stepped forward. "Let him go." I growled.

They stopped, looking at me in surprise. Kitt stood in front of me, glaring at them. The Plasma grunts laughed.

Then Kitt's twin tails lashed forward. CRACK! A Low Sweep on the Patrat and it flew. CRACK! The Purrloin was thrown too. The Plasma grunts took a step back in shock.

"Let him go." I repeated.

They ran.

As they went, one of them shoved Alan and he hit the ground with a grunt. I walked over and held out my hand. He looked up at me, hesitated, and then took my hand. I helped him to his feet.

"...Thanks." He murmured after a moment.

I shrugged, but I felt embarrassed for no reason. "No problem."

He rubbed at a bruise on his cheek. I checked my bag. "Oh, here, here's an Oran Berry. It'll help that." I handed it to him, and he took it.

Finally he looked me in the eye. "Tabitha...why did you do that?"

"What?"

"Helped me." He grimaced. "I mean...aren't you and your brother like...their friends?"

"No." I shook my head. "That's new Team Plasma. And they're just a bunch of thieves. We're old Team Plasma. We just want to help Pokemon, that's all."

"Old Team Plasma." He huffed, looking off. "They were just thieves too."

I wilted slightly, but I could feel my temper flaring. "Look, Alan, I know your sister's Purrloin was stolen. I know. But that's not Brandon's fault - or my fault - can't you just let it go?"

His hand clenched in a fist. "No. I can't." Alan shot me a fierce glare. "I was five-years-old, Tabby. FIVE! And Erica was only three! She can barely remember her Purrloin. Five years and she can't remember Fluffy. They were best friends, and Fluffy - she was stolen, and I couldn't do anything. So Leaf and I have been training our hardest, because I am going to find Fluffy and bring her back to Erica. Team Plasma broke our family apart, and I am going to put it right. And I'll beat every member of Plasma, old or new, to find her. Even you."

I bit my lip. I...ached for him. I understood why he hated Plasma so much, I'd understood for a long time. But it still hurt when he looked at me with such anger. We had used to be best friends. I even said that out loud. "We used to be best friends, Alan."

He shook his head and shoved his fist in his pocket. "Before Plasma, Tabby. Before Plasma ruined everything."

I looked at him, something dull aching in the pit of my stomach. Then I pushed it away, and I grabbed his arm. "Alan, come with me."

"What?"

"If you really want to find Fluffy, then there's someone you should meet."


Remnants (c) me
Pokemon (c) Pokemon

(Aw, poor Alan. Same stats as before, fyi.)