Nikki kept her back to the black helicopter as it rose and left, clutching the wound on her arm as the blood began to stain the grass.

"Hey, Nikki!"

Nikki growled angrily as she turned around and saw Brock, Misty and Ash behind her.

"What do you want?" She said angrily. "I thought I told you to get lost!"

"We know about you," Ash said, his eyebrows raised in pity. "We know that youre that guys daughter and you were raised to be a strong Pokemon trainer."

"Its none of your concern." Nikki growled.

"Team Rocket is no good," Misty said. "That guy has bad plans for you, you should get away while you can."

"I can take care of myself," Nikki growled at her.

"At least let me take a look at that arm," Brock said, stepping forward. "It could get infected."

Brock reached out to take a look at the Persian scratch but never got there as he found himself being side kicked in the chest by Nikki. Within one hit, he was back down on the floor, clutching his ribs.

"Why do you keep doing that?" Misty angrily shoot at her, kneeling down to aid the wounded Pokemon breeder. "He was just trying to help you, I think youve broken his ribs."

"He brought it upon himself," Nikki smiled cruelly. "I dont need anybody's help. I fight alone, just me and my Pokemon. No one else!" Nikki swiftly turned and stalked off into the forest, her Bulbasaur obediently at her heels.

The sun was beginning to set, casting the usual beauty and colour within the sky as some Pokemon began to settle for the night while others began to wake for their nights hunting trip. Usually, Ash would be sitting, eating dinner and admiring the sky colours but this evening he wasnt even hungry as he watched Nikkis form disappear.

"Stay here and help Misty with Brock Pikachu," Ash said, turning to his faithful friend with a look of dead seriousness.

"Where do you think youre going?" Brock said as he gritted his teeth in pain.

"To find Nikki," Ash answered, keeping his back to them. "Somethings wrong with her and Im going to find out what."

Without waiting for a response, Ash had ran and disappeared into the darkening forest.

"Bulbasaur, Bulb Bulb," Dark Shade said in desperation, liking the blood that was still dribbling down its trainers arm.

"Let it bleed Dark Shade," Nikki sighed, pushing the Bulbasaur away. "He says letting a wound bleed in pain will make me stronger. Thats what I have to do, whether I like it or not."

"Saur," Dark Shade nodded, leaving her arm alone to settle on her lap for the night.

Nikki smiled as she stroked its head.

"I have to find them soon," she said to the grass Pokemon. "If I dont then Ill have to pay the price. But how does he expect me to do it Dark Shade? How can he expect me to track down five of the most rare and powerful legendary Pokemon on the planet just like that. Especially when theyre birds and they can fly wherever they want."

"Bulbasaur," Dark Shade said, rubbing its head against her shirt for comfort.

"I cant just run Dark Shade," Nikki said sadly. "This mark means that I belong to Team Rocket. Even if I did run, hed come up with some way of finding me again."

"You shouldnt have to do what he says," a voice cut through the blackness.

"You!" Nikki snarled, standing to face Ash. "What do you want now."

"I want to help you," Ash said. "Team Rocket will only use the Pokemon you capture for bad. Your father shouldnt be using you like this. If he wants those Pokemon so bad then let him get them himself."

"You think you know whats going on!" Nikki screamed in fury, pinning Ash up against a tree by his neck. "You know nothing! This is a mission that I have to see through to the end. Not because I want to but because I have to! Itll be much better for your health if you just leave me alone!"

Nikki pressed her hand against Ashs throat hard, causing him to choke for air. His lips began to turn blue from lack of oxygen and his eyes opened wide to stare into her two orbs, filled with rage. Nikki stared at the young trainer, his eyes filling with tears as he feared for his life. His eyes were beginning to flutter shut as he lost conciousness. Closing her eyes and sighing, she tossed him aside.

"Vine Whip Dark Shade," she said quietly.

Making no sound, her Bulbasaur threw out its attack, hitting Ash as he began to descend to the ground, knocking him unconscious.

"You have a big heart Ash," Nikki said, standing over his body. "But Ill only warn you once, stay out of my way and I will not harm you."

Turning, Nikki walked silently away, her Bulbasaur following close behind as she left a trail of blood from her still bleeding arm. Ash remained unconscious, stained with her blood.

In the next chapter: Its been seven years since anybody has heard from Nikki until an attack on Cerulean City.