All Alone (BEING EDITED)

Chapter 14: The Leader of Team Magma

"Finally we're here." I say, stretching my arms above my head. Chatot looks at himself.

"Never take me on an open boat again. My feathers are all out of place! It took me forever to get them cleaned and straightened!" he complains. I roll my eyes. He has some serious problems about his appearance. I start walking down the dock towards town. A white, sandy beach stretches out on either side of me. Kids play in the water or build sand castles while the parents relax on towels enjoying the sunshine. I smile as I watch some of the kids play tag on the beach. I remember those times when I was a kid when mom would take me to the beach near Sandgem Town. I would always try to make the best sand castle out of all the kids on the beach. I sigh and turn my head away. Chatot is still trying to sort out his feathers, so it's no use talking to him. I continue along the dock until I reach the steps leading to town. I slowly climb to the top and look around. I need to find out where the shipyard is. A map is standing across the road and I quickly run towards it. I scan the map looking for the correct pier.

"There it is, Chatot." I say, pointing my finger at it. "We just go straight down the road and it's the first building on the right" Chatot ignores me completely and continues cleaning his feathers. I scowl at him and adjust my backpack before setting off down the road. I look to my right and catch sight of the building. It looks like a large factory and there are a few cranes situated next to it. I quickly sprint to the doors and step inside. Inside are stacks of iron beams and a few scientists milling around completing checklists. A desk sits in the far corner with a man standing behind it looking at various blueprints. I walk over and quietly tap the desk to catch his attention.

"Hi. My name is Hikari. I was sent here by Mr. Stone to deliver some parts to Captain Stern. Do you know where he is?" The man nods.

"Yes. He is just down the road. He owns a museum and he is constantly checking all the relics there. It's the white building sitting on a small peninsula." he replies.

"Thanks!" I smile before running out the doors.

"Are we seriously going to a museum?" Chatot asks. I glare at him.

"Now you decide to talk?" I say, annoyed. "And yes, we are going to the museum." Chatot growls, obviously irritated at the idea. I ignore him and trudge down the road. I glance at the buildings to my right and spot the white museum settled next to the water. I calmly walk up to the glass doors and push them open. A quiet gasp escapes my mouth as I step into the room. Inside are relics and various artifacts from ships, other sea faring equipment and multiple discoveries made on the ocean floor, but that's not what surprises me. There are also about ten Team Magma grunts looking around the museum. I tilt my head in confusion. What in the world are they doing here? Chatot is just as shocked as I am and gives me a worried look. I shake my head and look around the room once more. Oh no. Standing in the corner reading an article on the first submarine is none other than Paul, the very last person I want to see here. Is he still following me around? He desperately needs to get a life. I nudge Chatot with my finger and point at Paul. Chatot follows my gaze and quickly understands the problem. He leans over and whispers in my ear.

"At least it's not Conway." A frown crosses my face.

"Don't remind me." I whisper back. A staircase leading up to the next floor stands to my left and I quickly walk over to it. I glance around, making sure no one noticed me and head up the stairs. There are no grunts on this level, but there is a man dressed in green attire standing next to one of the glass cases. I stroll over to him.

"Um...excuse me are you Captain Stern?" I ask. He turns around. He appears to be a middle-aged man with gray hair. He smiles.

"Why yes, that is me. I can see that you have the Devon Parts I had requested from Mr. Stone. Thank you for bringing the case all the way here." I smile and hand him the case.

"Oh, it was no problem." Two Magma grunts walk over and suddenly surround us.

"I believe you have the Devon Parts. Our leader requires those parts so we will have to take them from you." One of them says.

"So what if I do? You can't take them from me." I growl. The other grunt scoffs.

"Of course we can. You're just a child. You can't tell us what to do." Um, excuse me? Did he just call me a child? I'm sixteen! I'm so going to beat him now. They both take out a pokeball and two Numals appear in front of me. I smirk.

"Are you serious? This is all you have?" I snap my fingers and Chatot immediately launches off my shoulder. He glows white and dives towards both pokemon. He hits both of them with his Aerial Ace and they fall to the ground. Chatot glides back to my shoulder. The grunts stare at me in awe.

"How could I get beaten by a child? I'm supposed to be a future ace-grunt and I get beaten by a child?" The second one exclaims. He continues to ramble on about his defeat, but I just ignore him. A tapping noise sounds from across the room and everyone looks up to see who it is. A man dressed in similar red clothes and wearing glasses is standing at the top of the stairs. He starts walking towards us and I notice a stone inserted on the side of his glasses. It is similar to the one Steven has. The man walks up to us and the grunts salute him. He shakes his head in disappointment.

"To think such a simple task as retrieving a case would be so difficult. Not only that, but you got held up by a mere child." He scolds them. He then turns to me. "I'm guessing you don't know who I am. I am Maxie, the leader of Team Magma. Since you are so curious of our tasks I might as well enlighten you. We are an organization dedicated to the future of humanity. What aspect of that future? Well, in order for humans to survive we need land. We need land to thrive on. Without it we are nothing. Our sole purpose is to create more land, to build a better future for today's generations and for generations to come. That is what we are after and nothing will get in our way. If you know what's good for you you will no longer interfere in Team Magma's plans. That is all." he smirks at me. A low growl utters in my throat and I glare menacingly at him. Maxie pays no attention to me and turns to face the grunts.

"Let's go." They quickly march down the stairs and out of the building. Chatot turns to me.

"Do you want to interfere in their plans?" he asks. I grin evilly.

"I think it would be a good idea. We might be able to save humanity from yet another evil plan, plus it gives us something else to do." He copies my grin, pleased with my answer. I turn to face Captain Stern. I point at the case that holds the parts Team Magma was after.

"What are you going to do with those?" I ask. He jumps, startled out of his thoughts. He grins happily at me.

"I need to get these back to the shipyard. We are building a deep-sea submarine and I have been waiting for these parts. I can finally continue the project. Thank you so much for saving me and these parts!" He shakes my hand and quickly walks down the stairs.

"Well...that was interesting." Chatot says. I nod. I'm still thinking about what Maxie said. How are they supposed to expand the land? Nothing a little snooping around can't solve. I chuckle silently and stroll towards the stairs. I climb down the stairs and begin heading towards the doors. A hand on my shoulder suddenly stops me. I turn on my heels to see Paul standing right behind me. I sigh inwardly.

"Hello again." I grumble.

"What were those guys doing here?" He asks with his usual stoic expression. I shrug.

"They wanted some parts or something like that." I answer. I don't want him to know I was involved. Then again, he was following me the other day. He looks at me, not really believing what in said.

"Hmph." he replies. I consider asking him why he is following, but I decide against it. I can have a little fun with this.

"I have to go now. Perhaps I'll see you around." I spin abruptly and walk out the doors, leaving Paul behind.

"So, what now?" I ask. Chatot tilts his head.

"The next gym is in Mauville City. We should head there. It's an electric-type gym, so it should provide a challenge." he responds. I nod.

"Mauville it is. Let's go"