Eight and Beyond!

JayJay had his usual nightmare, but this time he felt stronger. He was still unable to move because of the tethers, but he could feel their grip slipping. He saw the light and tried very hard to reach it, but felt felt something pierce his heart and he instant fell unconscious.

(OOC: This post has been approved by ZeldaG2016 to be continued here on TheMillsberryGrove after a conflict with Staff on another website. Do not lock this topic per Administration. Thank you.)

The hour grew late at night. Claire had returned back to the Pokemon Center, only to find Nurse Joy outside with a candle trying to see in the darkness of the night.

"Nurse Joy, what is the matter? Is something wrong?"

"I've been hearing strange sounds outside. I can't call the police because their lines are busy right now."

"Go back inside and lock the door. Whatever you do, don't wake up JayJay. Just leave a note saying I stayed out late tonight. I don't want him in any trouble." Nurse Joy nodded and headed back inside. After writing the note, she watched the outside from behind the glass. Claire continued out to explore. She heard a sound in the bushes. "Who's there?" she asked. A figure in the shadows jumped out. His face was dark. As was his voice.

"Greetings again, Miss."

"It's you! You're Shadow."

"Indeed I am, but I come with company this time." He snapped his fingers. It was obvious she was surrounded.

JayJay awoke with a start, his body ached and his bones felt cold. He pushed himself up and out of bed. He noticed Claire wasn't in her bed. He feared the worst, but composed himself. He washed up and got dressed in a pair of dark blue jeans, black shoes, black wristbands, a dark grey fedora with a black hat band and a dark grey vest. He skipped his workout today and only ate a piece of bread for breakfast. After clipping his Pokeballs in their holders in his vest, he headed out to the lobby to find Nurse Joy.

"Nurse Joy, have you seen Claire? She isn't in her bed and I haven't seen her in the lobby." JayJay asked, hoping he was wrong

Nurse Joy shook her head and JayJay's heart sank. "No, she told me not to wake you when we heard a noise outside and she went to investigate. I called the police, but they haven't found her yet. Don't worry, Officer Jenny is on the- wait, where are you going?" Nurse Joy asked as JayJay couldn't stand still anymore and dashed out of the Pokemon center. Nurse Joy seemed really worried.

JayJay tossed all his Pokeballs out and told the team what was going on. They all roared out and split up, his Pokemon searching for her by scent and JayJay searching by instinct.

(OOC: Yeah, I said was going to be here when you got back online. Sadly, that didn't happen thanks to Mother. >> )

Claire had been in a brawl with multiple grunts that came her way. She wondered why Shadow decided to appear here and now in Vermilion against her. She knew that something wasn't right about him. Claire tossed away several grunts, though it was obvious she couldn't do much because the cloth was pulling back on her impact.

"I came here for a reason, Miss. And I will serve my purpose."

"Why did you contact me?" she asked. "Why didn't you just attack while we were in private?"

"Because my purpose hasn't been told to you yet. And I need you to help complete the puzzle. Just stop struggling already."

Claire denied and removed the bandages off her hands. "I've had it!" She let out a full blown attack until Shadow called off his team and took combat to her. The more force she let out, the more pain seemed to surge through her fists. Small drops of blood were stained on her hands. Fighting with Pokemon wouldn't settle it and she knew this.

She felt Shadow come behind her and cover her mouth. He whispered in her ear, "If you want to stop Team Rocket and continue your Pokemon journey, you'll have to come with me. You can explain everything to your partner later. We don't have time." Claire stopped struggling as Shadow let her go. "I'll leave your partner a note and sign it in your name. I know you've yet to let him see your handwriting."

"How do you know?"

"Because up to this point you've yet to let him see my letters, and I refused to let you reply. That much I know."

---

The two left Vermilion. A note was left laid on the ground, held down by a rock as a very light breeze began to blow through. The note read,

"I'm sure you're looking for me, but I promise you that I won't be too far. Continue on your journey and head through Rock Tunnel. Let the police go on with the search for now. Please, do it for me while I'm away. Where I'm headed I won't be injured, so do not fret for my safety. If you trust me, and if you're a friend, you'll take my advice and continue on.

-Claire"

After almost an hour of searching, JayJay found Claire's note. There were no words to describe how he felt. He called in his team and read it to them, they were shocked. JayJay and his Pokemon felt abandoned, for they all thought of Claire and her Pokemon as friends. He didn't know what to think. He bit his tongue to keep from yelling out and folded the note, tucking it away in his pocket he went back to the Pokemon Center, his team still out of their Pokeballs. JayJay packed up his stuff and Claires stuff. He didn't know how, but he managed to get it all in his duffle bag. He decided to travel light from here on out. He took a few extra Pokeballs, some honey loaf, a few potions and his team's vitamins in his light bag. He left the duffle with his extra things and Claire's things with Nurse Joy


"I'll call this Pokemon center when I'd like you to send that to me. I'll pay for the shipping. Just keep it safe, please" He asked Nurse Joy, who assured him his belongings would be unharmed.
He recalled his team into their Pokeballs and set off to Cerulean. He didn't say anything when he left.

He battled trainers and Pokemon along the way, but none were a challenge anymore, they hadn't been training like he had. It was getting dark when JayJay arrived in Cerulean, but he wasn't going to stop for the night, he turned to the east and started making his way to Rock Tunnel

By the time Shadow and Claire got a safe enough distance from Vermilion, he summoned his Fearow from his Pokeball.

"If we're going to make it to Saffron, we'll have to fly. Some of the roads are closed off, and it isn't safe to travel alone now. I can't have the grunts spotting me with you or we risk ruining the whole thing." Shadow and Claire hopped on the Pokemon.

"Who are you? Why are you doing this?"

"First of all, I'm a solo spy working under the nose of Team Rocket. Second of all, when I saw you and your partner fight I knew you'd be the only one I could get to agree and understand. Your partner is a bit stubborn, and I know only you can convince him."

"Then why take me this way? Why not let me explain?"

"Because he won't listen to reason right now. Team Rocket is already claimed Vermilion City, but the Pokemon Centers surely will not be harmed. Cerulean was their first choice, but you and your friend stopped them atop Mount Moon. I came to you because I need the help of another trainer or two. I can't take down Team Rocket single handed, and nor can you." Shadow kicked off the ground, his Fearow taking flight into the darkness for Saffron.

"How do you even plan to get me into headquarters?"

"First of all, you're going to have to be taken as captive until we can get you into the recruit program. Seeing your strength, you should be able to pass easily. Once you've passed, you'll have to do the same thing I did to protect myself."

"What's that?"

"Take on your alter ego. Just like I did to contact you."

JayJay battled the trainers and wild Pokemon along the way, then healed at the Pokemon center and headed into Rock Tunnel. It was very dark, but his eyes adjusted quickly. He couldn't see like it was daytime, but he didn't need flash to get through here. He had a vague idea where he was going, but he really only needed to head east.

The two soon arrived in Saffron City. Claire was escorted to the Team Rocket Headquarters. Upon entrance, a member at the desk stopped them.

"Shadow, who have you brought with you?"

"Remember the kids that stopped us back on Mount Moon?"

"Yeah?"

"This is one of them. The girl."

"I'll call Giovanni right away to have you talk to him."

Moments later, they were on an elevator to the top floor. Claire didn't want to have to face him, but she was also aware that he was the leader of the Viridian Gym. That knowledge could serve her, and JayJay, well in the future.

"Master Giovanni, may I come in?"

"Of course."

They entered and Shadow bowed. "I have brought with me a member of the duo that stopped us on Mount Moon. She has requested to join with us here in Team Rocket."

"So," he started. Giovanni stood up from his desk and walked over to her, circling her and observing her face and structure. "You were that pesky girl of the duo that stopped us? The boy 'of unbreakable will' and the girl 'of unstoppable fists?'" He laughed. "Well, if your purpose for coming is true, then we can make you a recruit right away. Your Pokemon, I see, are not with you. You won't be needing them. We have Pokemon for you to use. Shadow will be your mentor. From here on out, you're a member of the Rockets. I don't need to know your name, for as you'll make a name of yourself soon enough." Claire shivered as Giovanni walked up to her and put a hand to her face. "I'm sure of this." He grinned and dismissed the two.

"Excellent. Now, we have things to discuss." Shadow led her to his dorm at the headquarters.

JayJay blazed through the Tunnel. No Pokemon or Trainer could stop him or his team. He decided to take his time, though, train as much as he could while he was there. Not stopping to a crawl, he did cool his jets a bit. He needed to try and calm down but it was impossible. He caught several Pokemon, including a monstrous Onix, but he didn't plan on using them. He would send them to his father for training. His father was a master trainer and between the Pokemon he caught himself, and those JayJay and Hans sent him due to their teams being full, or feeling the Pokemon would be better off in a relaxed enviornmet, his father had raised a small army of top tier Pokemon. He taught Hans and JayJay everything he knew about raising them and vitamins and the ways Pokemon grew. JayJay snapped out of his daydream and kept going

When they arrived in Shadow's dorm, he gathered a folded set of clothing items on his shelf.

"I prepared these for you. A camouflage from normal eyes. With this, you can stay hidden from your partner long enough to guide him. You know what you need to do already, I'm sure. But, that scarf of yours you'll need to be careful of. If he sees you wearing it, he'll know it's you. Now, tonight, you'll be training with me as hard as you possibly can. And it's going to be hardcore. By the time your friend is done in Rock Tunnel, he'll be powerful. And if he thinks you're the one that 'kidnapped Claire' then he'll attack you head on. You have to be ready for that. Ready for anything.

"I know you're injured already, but I'm going to have to ask you to do this. When you face your friend, you'll be wearing protective equipment under the sleeves of your shirt and cloak. He won't know it's you."

The two headed out to a training facility and battled it out, fist to fist.

JayJay knew he was close to the end of the Tunnel. He kept going and was stopped by a Black Belt.

"Hey, would you help me train? My Pokemon and I need Sparring partners, but everyone seems to have run off" JayJay knew it was because he had scared them off, and then felt kind of bad, so he agreed to train with the Black Belt. The two began with breathing exercises, then traded stance tips and motion control. They began sparring and so did their Pokemon. JayJay noticed the style in which this Black Belt battled was much different than he expected. The two were in no way evenly matched, JayJay outclassed him, but the Black Belt knew how to keep JayJay at bay. his Pokemon faced the same opposition. It was perplexing and entertaining to see. Soon, JayJay found a weakness and exploited it, bringing his opponent to his knees with a crushing "Ursaring Chop" and after a minute or so, his Pokemon won as well. The Black Belt nodded and smiled. Without a word, JayJay knew what had just happened and smiled back. Just because JayJay was physically stronger, didn't mean he would alway have the edge. He needed to know how to fight each enemy individually, not expect something from a trainer based on what he knew about others like them.

JayJay rested for a moment and then headed to the exit. He was out of Rock Tunnel and headed South, on his way to Lavender Town

Claire and Shadow had practiced sparring together for what seemed hours on end. When she felt too exhausted to fight, she tried to land one last blow. She was off target and Shadow came back with a swift blow, aiming for her chest. Claire attempted to dodge but instead ended up redirecting the blow to her face. She was tossed to the ground, though completely conscious.

"Ow..." The left side of her face was throbbing slightly. A small cut had been made, luckily not blinding her.

"I'm terribly sorry," Shadow said. "You're doing well, but I can see that you're too tired to continue." Shadow offered a hand to help her up. She accepted willingly. "You're free to travel out tonight or stay in my room. My room has a bunk since my other mate was evicted."

Claire was getting a small headache. "Thanks for landing it on my face."

"Hey, I said I was sorry." They both laughed a little bit. Claire knew it was unintentional, and she was sure that it would heal up fast. When they returned to his room, he applied proper medical supplies to ensure the wound would heal. "I was going to give you something to cover it, but it may aid you. When you put on your cloak, use the mask within it to hide the lower part of your face. You can't have him finding out."

---

Later, Claire got changed into a gray, long sleeve shirt with black gloves that met up to her elbows. Her jeans were midnight black, as was her cloak. She tied her hair back into a pony tail and tightened the mask over the lower part of her face.

JayJay made his way through the moonless night into Lavender town, but only to heal his Pokemon and find out where the nearest town with a badge was. He overheard some shady characters talking about Saffron City and the Rocket HQ there, but didn't stay to investigate, for fear of their lives. He went to the mark and restocked, then headed back to the Pokemon center and sent his extra Pokemon to his Father's PC. He left and then walked around, Lavender a bit, not knowing what to do or where to go next yet. Dispite his lack of sleep, he was fully awake and alert, not even bags under his eyes

Claire had to write a letter for JayJay until she could properly disguise her voice from him. She also needed a cover name. After finishing it up, she decided to use the name Luna. Luna represented the moon that often shined down at night. Tonight wasn't the case, but she used the name anyway.

Though she was tired, she headed out into the night and took a flight to the end of Rock Tunnel on a Pigeot. Claire didn't carry any Pokemon on her except the Pigeot, but the Pokeball was hidden in a tiny pocket in her cloak. In a pocket in her jeans, she had the scarf folded gently.

---

(I'm writing the letter here so we can use it when Luna/Claire gives it to JayJay in-game.)

The letter was written in fine cursive, much more professional than the last letter sent.

"I'm aware of your missing friend, and I do want to help you in your search. All you need know is that I can offer my assistance. I'm not a trainer that you'd come across on your travels. I do know who you are searching for, and I promise you'll need my help in the future to find her.

My name is not important to you know. For now, I'd advise you to rest. Traveling through Rock Tunnel like that is quite exhausting."

JayJay thought long and hard, then decided to head back to Rock Tunnel for training, he knew he wouldn't be able to sleep tonight and no Gym would be open this late anyway. He headed back North, his eyes icy and his muscles looking like steel. The smile he had for a moment after fighting the Black Belt had long since faded.

(OOC: I'm switching over my character name to Luna seeing as Claire's taking on her alter ego.)

Luna heard nearby footsteps and hid back in the darkness. With no moonlight to shine down, camouflage would be far too easy. She saw his face and knew JayJay had made it to Lavender in one night. She was a bit amazed. Then again, at the same time, she wasn't really surprised.

With his eye readjusted to the dark, and his other senses on high alert from stress, JayJay noticed something moving in the dark, but figured he'd leave himself open if he stopped to investigate. He did well to mask the fact he noticed anything and kept walking, no more than a few yards from the Tunnel, he stopped. Instinct compelled him to ignore reason and he halted. He cracked his neck, a tone that could send shivers down the spines of lesser men, and took off his bag, then brought his fists together, popping all his knuckles before turning around to face the path from which he had just come, the glare coming from his eyes would paralyze an Arbok

"Who is there" JayJay stated in a clear and low voice, not really asking a question, more calling a challenge

Luna stood stalk still for merely a moment and found she was briefly trying to hold her breath. She tightened the mask around her face and stepped out. The cut on her face still burned but she didn't show it. Luna knew that the moment she let out a breath he'd attack her. She reached into her pocket and pulled out the scarf, unfolding it gently and letting the slight breeze blow it as if it was new. She only hoped it would keep him from attacking.

A low, animalistic growl escaped his chest when JayJay saw the scarf and the figure. He took a step forward, putting his weight on his front foot, ready to charge, yet something told him this figure was no threat.

"Where is she" again, not a question, more a challenge, he was in no mood for games and felt his rage building. "Answer or prepare to defend yourself!" he roared out, the sound echoing off the rocks could be heard in Lavender town

Luna knew he was being serious. She pulled the envelope from her cloak pocket and held it out to him. She motioned for him to accept it, trying to avoid showing any threatening sign toward him. Luna didn't flinch towards the growl, being familiar with his beastly side, but it did prove to her that he had no idea who she was.

She didn't speak a word. Rather, kept the envelope with the letter held out to him.

He walked forward slowly, knowing if he rushed he would charge.His eyes were fixed on those of the figure, and he realized it to be a woman, but that only crossed out half the population of suspects he had
He made it to the figure and accepted the letter, he also reached for the scarf. He was acting off of instinct alone at this point and he wanted the scarf as a reminder of what he had to do, not that he needed a reminder, he just wanted one.

Luna tossed him the scarf willingly. She back flipped onto a rock behind her and gave a small bow. Tossing her Pokeball into the air, the Pigeot came out. She jumped off of the rock and landed on the Pigeot as it took off into the sky. The two quickly disappeared into the darkness.

He held the scarf close and read the letter. He tucked it into his vest and went into the cave for another hour of training before he would go back to the center to rest. He wasn't calm, he wasn't reassured, he was furious beyond belief and so were his Pokemon. They all know they were being lied to and there was a wool being pulled over their eyes and there wasn't a [Censored-D*] thing they could do about it. They had no control, no answers, and no Claire to smack some sense into them. Not that she ever actually did smack any of them, but she was very calming to be around. She would know what to do. And then it hit him. He knew what to do.

As Luna returned back to headquarters, she checked back in and left for Shadow's room.

"So, how did it go?" He wanted to remove her mask but she disallowed him and pulled back from him.

"Don't do that," she stated. She pulled the hood of the cloak down and the mask. "He doesn't suspect, but he's very angry. If anyone's going to settle him down, it's going to have to be me."

"That side of you can't show right now."

"No, but Luna can. If she can lead JayJay into thinking I'm alright, then he won't be reluctant to trust her."

After their training, JayJay and his team headed back to Lavender Town, He was still had a death grip on her scarf. Once his team was healed, he headed back into a spare room. He didn't sleep, but he did relax just enough to reagin his strength. He was heading to Saffron city next, but he would keep his eyes and ears open. Something was up, he was being lied to and he knew she was in danger. It would take nothing short of an army to stop him, and with his Pokemon helping him, he knew they'd find her. His thoughts drifted to the woman in dark clothes. He wanted to know who she was and why she was helping him (If you could even call that help) and why she seemed familiar. He checked the latter in his pocket. read it carefully, studied it even. then the letter he got from the woman. They weren't the same hand writing. Something seemed so wrong about these letters