Trainer Name: Alice
Location: Route 4


Aster (0/25)
[Ivysaur, Male]		 ??? (0/25)
[Tyrunt, Male]		 Marionette (0/25)
[Shuppet, Female]
Finn (0/25)
[Nidorino, Male]		 Paprika (0/25)
[Pichu, Female]		 Aria (0/25)
[Pidgeotto, Female]

Egg: (P19;9/38)
Partner Pokemon: Buneary (20/20)
Items: Pokeballs (x5), Potions (x2), Premier Ball, Lemonade
Points: 133

Alice watched nervously as a van pulled up. Were they taking them away? But no... Brandon, Nathan and Marcela were dragged out. Alice was glad to see them but the knife at her throat kept her frozen.

Max made a deal with the Rockets, giving himself up in exchange for the group's freedom, just like he had in Pewter City. The grunt removed the knife and released Alice from her handcuffs. She leaned over, hands on her knees, finally able to breathe properly.

"Alice, are you okay?" Rose asked concernedly, running over to her.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Alice replied, "Thanks Rose."

Max began talking to each member of the group individually. During this time, the fact that he was really leaving started to sink in. Alice remembered something he had said to her, when they had been investigating Pewter City together.

"You know Alice, I wont always be around. Eventually all of you will be traveling and exploring on your own."

At the time Alice had dismissed it, or seen it as something happening a long way off. They had only just started and the world was dangerous. They needed Max. But now she realised she had been expecting this moment. Every time Max disappeared she feared it would be the last time they saw him... first in Mt. Moon, then at the museum, and now... Despite all her efforts to remain strong, she felt tears gather in her eyes. Would this really be the last time?

Finally Max got around to Alice. "....Alice..I like the new clothing change. Your father couldn't have picked the clothes out any better."

Alice couldn't help laughing, though it came out more like a strange hiccup.

"You guys did really amazing...I am so proud to see you here. Dont be scared..dont let the others worry about me. We will meat again soon enough." Max continued.

"We learned a lot from you," Alice replied, smiling now. "We'll do our best to make you proud."

Max reached out and touched her shoulder. Alice looked him in the eyes for a few moments before dropping her gaze. "Take care of yourself," she said finally.

The grunts came over and cuffed Max and began moving him toward the van. Max looked at her. " Did I ever tell you about the time I time traveled to the battle Regsteel?...there were living dinos types there and a pyramid...and human worshipers..To battle it I had to climb the steps of one of the great pyramids..you gotta try it sometime." Max said as they began to pull him away.

"That sounds amazing," Alice cried, trying to keep her voice steady despite the tears rolling down her cheeks. "I hope you can show me one day."

"Find Porygon keep it safe from these guys...find Misty she....she was once very close with me..you can trust her." Max said as the grunts forced him toward the van.

Meg rushed forward, punching one of the grunts until a biker pulled her away. Alice understood her pain and frustration. Alice wiped her eyes, determined to be strong for the others. She would deal with her own anger and grief later. For now, she forced it all inside.

Alice turned away from the van to face the group. She placed a hand on Meg's shoulder, and another one on Rose's. "This sucks," she started. "But have to keep it together if we want to save Max. He's gotten out of worse than this, right? He'll be fine. . The best way to honor Max is to find Upgrade. And for now, the further we are from the Rockets the better. We don't want to give them any time to consider breaking their deal with Max. What do you guys think?"