Eight and Beyond!

Claire glanced at the doorknob, seeing as she left the door unlocked. "It's open," she said.

JayJay opened the door and entered, then went to where Claire was. He was exhausted, but he realized he was feeling much better. He had been training for almost twelve hours and it felt good to have used all his energy.


"So, how was your day?" he asked in a kind voice

"Pretty fair." She closed the book. "I'm working on some plans to get us a safe route and such through the mission. After dinner tonight, come back here and I should have it all laid out."

He nodded, then went to eat. After four bowls of hearty chili, he went back to see Claire.

Claire had put out several pieces of paper and a large map out on the bed. All of which had some sketches and writing on them. "You're back, I see." Claire shifted some papers around and picked up her book, flipping through pages.

JayJay nodded and came in the room. Then started looking over the papers.

"So, what I'm thinking is that we break everything down. Start at Cerulean instead of Viridian being that there's no gym leader there due to Giovanni. While I'm at Cerulean helping out Misty, you need to make your way to the Indigo League and get the Elite and Champions in Cerulean. After that, everyone needs to split up and claim a town to go find the gym leaders. If they're out of the town then they can join the fight in Saffron. The Elites and Champion need to travel around and get all the trainers possible in the fight to reclaim the cities. The Indigo League can wait for last seeing as there's nothing there once everyone evacuates. In the mean time, we can go on the search for Giovanni and take him down." Along the explanation, Claire had been pointing to several points on the map and browsing pages.
"Any questions?"

"When do we leave?"

"Whenever you're ready. I've trained as much as I can with the Rockets before. I'm about at my limit."

"Hm . . . Alright, We leave tomorrow at dusk."

Claire nodded. "This has turned out into a Regional War. I have a feeling this'll end up in the history books if we actually succeed." Claire laughed a bit. "We'll be making history."

JayJay smiled, then went to go sleep

Claire removed her cloak after JayJay left. In the distance, she saw a Fearow with a rider arrive in New Bark. She then changed back into her black sleeve-less shirt and blue jeans. She put the utility belt back on and walked outside.

"When I saw you come up, I got changed. Why are you here, Shade?"

"I need to know when you're leaving to face the Rockets."

"Tomorrow. Why?"

"You do have a plan, right?"

"Of course."

"You better make sure you're careful. New patrols have been sent out all over the region. I picked a bit of a fight over a family that was taken in yesterday and Giovanni's angry."

"Family? Any idea of who was in it?"

"A mom and her kid. Report said it was from the Vermilion Patrol."

"That's my family!"

"Then you better make sure you succeed in the fight. They've been jailed in the upper floor cells together."

JayJay sensed Claire was distressed, but he knew she would call if she needed help

Claire sighed. "All we can do is wait until tomorrow."

"Do you wish to train tonight?"

It was obvious Claire was angry. She nodded. "Come at me."

"Very well."

JayJay sensed Claire in combat, but restrained himself. She wasn't in danger and would call if she were

"Y'know," he said. "I've yet to understand why you insist on combat by fist instead of Pokemon."

"Because I know that fighting with Pokemon won't be enough for them. Team Rocket is too close to victory to fight without ruthlessness. And if I'm going to take on Giovanni with or without Jay, depending if we're together if we find him or not, I'll need to know how to fight by fist."

"How are you so sure?"

"You don't want to know."

The two continued on under the moonlight.

Soon, it got to JayJay and he got up and went outside. He knew exactly how to hide his massive body so the shadows concealed him as he watched, he rooted for Claire under his breath, and had to hold himself back whenever Shade almost landed a close call

"You're getting better," he said. "Stronger too. I didn't ever get to see you in that top. I can tell you've got a bit of muscle on you contrary to before."

"Never did much working out. Got a chance to now."

"Well, if you two succeed at saving Kanto then you'll surely go down in history."

"It's no surprise, really. This is basically the Kanto versus Rocket War. It'll take everyone to fight back, but you two will set it to win or lose. You guys aren't immortal, and nor are the Rockets. People are going to get hurt. Pokemon included."

"We'll have to risk it all if we want to get somewhere with this. I hate to say that, but we really have no choice."

"Just remember. If one of you makes the wrong move, it could be the last. Everything must go according to plan, and if something goes wrong you need to take defense. Don't keep fighting. Defend."

"That's in my planning book."

JayJay silently rooted Claire on

After minutes of combat, Claire seemed to be getting slower.

"You're weakening. You won't survive if you don't pick it up."

"I'm going as best as I can. Cut me some slack."

"Cut you some slack? Will the Rockets cut you slack? No, they'll keep going at you until they murder you. Keep pushing it!" Shade snapped at her.

"I'm trying, alright!"

"Then try harder! Work it! Faster! Stronger!"

"Stop yelling at me!"

"Then do it!"

Claire finally flipped out and channeled her anger to him. She was moving and moving fast. Shade couldn't hardly keep up with her. She finally nailed him down to the ground, anger coursing through her.

"I dare you to try to get up." Her fists were clenched and it looked almost as if she didn't break a sweat doing it.

"Perfect. That's what it'll take to finish them."

JayJay was worried but knew Claire would win. He remained hidden

Shade got up, after Claire allowed him too, and brushed dirt off of him.

"We can call it a night. You're as ready as you possibly can be now. Get some rest. You'll need all of your strength tomorrow."

JayJay remained hidden, not wanting to move yet

Claire nodded. Shade hopped onto his Fearow, which was watching over nearby, and bid her a farewell. "I'll be rooting for you. When the time comes, I'll join you in the fight." They flew off.