Hello everyone, SkarmorySilver here. This is basically a repost of my VERY first fanfiction EVER, Pokemon: Iron/Copper. Basically, Ash and a few new friends travel through a new, mysterious land, the Kroel Region. Here, the Pokemon are known as Powermon, and for good reason. They live by only one rule, kill or be killed, and the humans will seriously have to tough it up to survive in this brave new world.
This first chapter introduces two of my very earliest OCs, Andrew "Andy" Tempest (my Author Avatar, if you will), and Lapis "Pi" Lazuli. As you will see soon, the two of them are chock full of surprises, and Ash's Badass Normal status will definitely come in handy when dealing with them in the days ahead.

A word of note: I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THE FAKEMON FEATURED IN THIS FANFICTION. All Powermon belong to Juan Pablo, aka Darksilvania, whose deviantART account can be found here:

darksilvania . deviantart . com (remove spaces)

Now, with that out of the way, let's get on with the story. So sit back, put on your pith helmet, and enjoy the show. ;)

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Chapter 1: All Roads Lead to Kroel

The sun rises over a distant land. A distant morning chorus of songs and calls awakens the world. As the dawn breaks, birds start winging their way skyward, lending their voices to the clouds above.
But these are no ordinary birds. They're Pokemon, creatures with magical powers that can be trained and used for battles. These bird Pokemon are of many kinds: Pidgey, Hoothoot, Tailow, Starly. They all fly together, in peace and happiness.
[female narrator:] "Sunrise over my homeland. This is a time for man and beast alike. It is a time for anyone and everyone to get up and get going. And a time for life to start anew in this beautiful world of Pokemon."

Pokemon: Iron and Copper

The bird Pokemon fly past the title, and then over the other Pokemons rising in the light of dawn: Sentret, Bidoof, Bulbasaur, Magikarp, Mantyke, you name it. All the while, they're tweeting merrily in communication to each other. Suddenly, they stop singing. There is something in the air, heading in their direction. And it is flying very fast.
[female narrator:] "But this is no ordinary place, even by Pokemon standards. This is the Kroel region, where one rule is enforced among all others: survival of the fittest."
There is a screech in the air. A great silver eagle, with feathers like knives and red and gold sheathes on its wings, dives out of the sun. It's a Fhureigle! The other birds scream in panic and spread out so as to confuse their newfound foe. They flock closely, moving in a unified mass like real birds flocking to avoid a predator. But then a Pidgey, jostled violently by a wayward Tailow, spins wildly out of control and strays from the flock. The hungry Fhureigle screeches again, seeing this, and dives.
There is a great slashing noise as wings meet flesh, a high-pitched shriek of panic and a great crunching noise as curved talons sink deeply into the Pidgey's internal organs. In an instant, it is over. The Fhureigle has caught its breakfast.
The Steel Eagle Pokemon clutches the Bird with its talons as it flies off, the rest of the flock forgetting the excitement and resuming their morning flight to their feeding places. But the Eagle has its meal. It lands at a nest on the eaves of a suburban house, and as it settles to its morning brunch, it begins to wonder what is inside the window it is perched over.
Behind that window, we see a room completely covered in blue. Walls, floor, bedsheets, toys - everything about it is blue. And that is due to the obsessions stemming from the 10-year-old girl who is just waking up right now, tucked under her sea-patterned covers.
[female narrator:] "My name is Lapis Lazuli. But you can call me Pi. It's my tenth birthday, and I'm about to become an official Pokemon trainer."
The girl, whom we now know as Pi and the narrator, twitches uncomfortably under her covers, trying not to think about waking up. The door opens, and someone's head peeks in.
A teenage boy, sixteen years of age with jet-black hair that is decorated with a pair of pale-tan and sky-blue goggles, looks into the room. A scarf, which is blue with spirals on it, wraps around his neck. A blue lizard-like Pokemon, with a dark blue frill around his neck and dark blue bumps down his back, is sitting on his head.
"Pi?" the boy asks as he looks into the room. "Wake up, sleepy-blue-head. I bought your favorite, Bluk-flavored Flop Tarts!"
[Pi:] "I used to live at home with my parents, but ever since I joined the Pokemon Research Guild and Training Academy, I have come to live with Andrew, my very best friend. He's one of the assistants to Professor Parcel, who used to teach at my school when I was younger."
The girl gets out of bed groggily. Now we see that it isn't just her room that is blue. Her PJs are blue, her fingernails are polished blue, her eyes are an irresistible shade of brilliant sapphire blue - even her hair is royal blue, streaked with baby blue. Pi wipes her eyes and yawns. Apparently, she didn't have a very good sleep last night. "Good afternoon, Sokka," she says, sleepily running her fingers through her untidy hair. "How's Aang and Katara, have they made peace with the Fire Nation yet?"
"Eat up, buddy," says Andrew as he shoves the plate of blue breakfast tarts into her hands. "You don't wanna starve on your tenth birthday."
Pi pauses for a moment, takes a bite out of a tart, and then gives a double take. "Wait ... I'm ten?"
"Of course you are," says Andrew. "You're about a minute from becoming an official Pokemon trainer!"
"I am?" Now Pi is fully awake. "I am!" Practically brimming with excitement, she shoves the plate back into Andy's hands and dashes out of her room and down the stairs, still in her PJs. "I'm ten!" she bubbles. "I'm ten! I'm a Pokemon trainer!" Andy, meanwhile, feeds one of the tarts to the lizard creature, which is named Frimbella. "That Pi," he says, smiling. "She just can't get a grip of herself, eh Zach?" The Frimbella replies in a voice like a ten-year-old child. "You can say that again."

Ep 1: All Roads Lead to Kroel! (Pi reads the title card.)

Downstairs, a group of teenage people are waiting for Pi. One of them is female, fourteen years old, with dark tanned skin, long wavy brown hair, and hair loopies on either side with blue beads to go with her eyes. Her clothes are blue, with pale wavy markings. Her name is Katara, a Waterbender and Pi's Waterbending teacher. The next is her sixteen-year-old brother, Sokka, with his hair tied in a small ponytail and a black-bladed sword and a boomerang in sheaths on his back. The third is a pale-skinned barefoot twelve-year-old girl with black hair in a bun, misty blue unseeing eyes, and green and dull-yellow clothing. Her name is Toph Bei Fong, an Earthbender. And the last is a seventeen-year-old with long dark black hair, golden eyes, and a scar on the left side of his face. He is Zuko of the Fire Nation.
"Hey guys!" Pi finally arrives, with Andy close behind holding the Flop Tarts. "I'm ten! I can get a Pokemon!" She is met with general applause as Katara claps her on the back. A small blue Pokemon is cuddled in her arms. It has a shark-like snout and fins, and little dog-like legs - a Makoy, one of the four Water Starters to the region. "Good for you," says Katara. "I half thought you'd end up having to go back to your parents to learn Waterbending like I used to, but I guess this works too."
"Congrats, Pi," says Sokka proudly as he swigs his Kanto-Cola Diet. "You're finally joining the club!"
"It's not a club, Sokka, at least not per se," Andy says. We see that his uniform is similar to his Pokemon. A pale yellow stripe spans across his sky-blue leather jacket, and in the front pocket a little golden medallion with a spiral at the front is pinned and shining. "She's going into the Pokemon Research Guild and Training Academy." Still, Sokka's little black dog Pokemon, a Chihuahuark, sits up and barks approvingly. Out of sympathy for him, Sokka tosses him a Flop tart, which is quickly dispatched in one gulp and the Chihuahua Pokemon nuzzles his leg affectionately. "Sure, but I still think she's one of us. Kinda like my Chihuahuark here, right little guy? Right?"
Zuko ignores Sokka as he nuzzles his little Pokemon. Instead he turns to Pi. "Don't get over-excited, Pi. This is a serious matter. Our goal is not to win Battles or Contests, but to preserve the power and diversity of the Pokemon world."
"We need your help and effort," Toph adds. A little doll-like Pokemon, like a human but without arms and legs, hovers next to her. "Wei Ou would love to hear of your progress in the battle against you-know-who."
"You-know-who?" Pi asks, confused, as she picks up a tart and takes a bite out of it. "Right now, it would be best NOT to ask," says Andy, who is also feeding Zach a tart. "Now try and eat your breakfast before we leave. You wouldn't want to starve, right?"

An hour later, Pi - now in her regular clothes, which are blue of course - docks her blue bicycle at the parking lot of Professor Parcel's lab, heads over to the front doorstep, and rings the doorbell. Andy and Zach are right by her side, as usual.
The door opens. A scientist with thick white hair, including a Santa-esque mustache and beard, stands before them. "Well, hello there, Miss Lazuli," Professor Parcel beams at them. "I assume this is your tenth birthday, am I correct?"
"Yes! Oh yes it is!" Pi replies, grinning with excitement. "A pleasure to meet you again, guys," he says, extending his mechanical right arm to shake her own. "So you're here for your first Pokemon, right?"
"Yeah," says Andy. "She is. And I thought I'd accompany her and show her the ropes."
Then a humanoid black-and-white figure appears by Parcel's side. It is a Homoformulus, and it is five feet tall and wears dark sunglasses. "Good day, madam," Faust the Homoformulus says in a thick British accent. "Can I be of your services?"
"Of course," Andy snarls as he glares at him. "Now my first demand is for you to mind your own buisness."
"Don't worry about Faust," says Parcel. "He's my personal assistant. He helps with studies and chores, and he'd be delighted to take you on a tour of this place."
"Save that for later," hisses Andy. "We're here for some SERIOUS buisness."
"Right then," says Parcel. "Come in and have a look for yourself."

Inside, Pi, Andy and Zach are taken to a Pokemon paradise. A special room decorated to look like a jungle houses all sorts of awesome Pokemon. Starly and Tailow flit through the trees, warbling with joy. Viperuga, Larvaggot, and Eclipillar crawl all over branches and leaves, happily feasting on the green growth. Magikarp and Osteish swim in a local pond, reveling in the warm water. And high above them, unnoticed by all, the same Fhureigle, having finished his breakfast, glides in through an open skylight and perches on a branch, eyeing them slyly.
"This place is so cool," Pi breathes as she marvels at the diversity of the Pokemon. "It's exactly why I want to become a Pokemo- "
But before she can finish, a movement catches her eye. A little brown Pokemon bursts through the canopy and lands on her head. She shrieks in surprise, causing Andy to jump and Zach to whip round to face the "threat," hissing. The creature looks like a brown monkey, but from its back white wings sprout, flapping as they carry it off Pi's head and into the air. Its body is pale brown with a dark brown belly, and has a red vest that matches its red fez-like topknot, which is covered with a dark-red and yellow headband with a light blue arrow on it.
"Hey! Give that back you little thief!"
Another boy bursts through the undergrowth. This one has a dark-red and yellow shirt with a little insignia of three sky-blue spirals on it, and his pants are dull brown and held up by a belt with another three-spiral logo on the buckle. His hair is black and short, and he has an arrow marking on his forehead. His name is Aang, an Airbender and the Avatar.
The winged monkey, a Volarimp, lands on a nearby branch and moons Aang, sticking out his tongue. The angry Airbender leaps up at him, but misses as he takes off again. Several more leaps fail too as Volarimp chatters annoyingly at him, and then Volarimp lands on Pi's head again. Aang makes another leap, and both Pi and Aang shriek as they realize that Volarimp forced Aang to jump at Pi in an attempt to get his headband back. One resounding CRASH later, and the two are sprawling on the ground, dazed from the collision.
"Are you all right?" Andy asks in desperation as he and Zach rush over to them. "I'm fine," says Aang. "Just get my headband back!"
"Hey," Pi says as Andy helps her up. "Do I know you?"
"Aang!" Andy cries out in amazement. "What are YOU doing here?"
"Same reason as your little blue-haired friend," Aang snarls grumpily, as he glowers up at the annoying Winged Monkey Pokemon which is still teasing him and playing with his headband. "I'd be getting a Starter Pokemon if only that thing would just let me my headband!"
"I'll take care of this," says Zach, rubbing his hands in preparation for battle. "Let me show you my Quick Attack!" And with that he charges at the tree and begins climbing it with great speed. The Volarimp is caught completely by surprise; Zach launches himself at the little Pokemon, flaring his frill and screeching wildly. One powerful collision later, the monkey drops the headband, which lands in Aang's hands as he rushes forward to catch it. At the same time, Zach runs off the end of the branch, waves goodbye at the astonished Volarimp as he floats in the air for a split second, then plummets downward, extending his frill like a parachute to slow his descent as he lands back in Andy's arms.
"Whoa," Aang gasps as he puts on his headband again, watching Andy stroking Frimbella's frill. "Your Frimbella is amazing! I wish I had a Pokemon like that."
"You will, soon enough," says Professor Parcel, returning with some Oran Berries. "Come with me."

Another room, and more Pokemon. But these are unique Pokemon. They are the Kroel Starters. "These will be the Pokemon you can choose for your journey. You can only take one, though, so choose wisely. It will be your friend for life. You first, Avatar." And he hands Aang the Oran Berry.
The first Pokemon he comes across is a bush-like creature with a long neck and tail and short legs. It is a Magyora. But it takes one sniff at the berry and turns its head. "That's one Starter off the list," Aang scoffs.
The second is a lizard-like Pokemon with pipes on its back and a flame on its tail. The Blazard looks at the Oran Berry, then blasts Aang in the face with its fiery breath. "Nope," Aang groans again, his face blackened with ash. "Not for me."
The third is a small creature like a sea reptile. It has stripes and fins, and is called Marigne. It looks at the Oran Berry, then knocks it out of his hands with a stroke of its claws. "Not again," Aang sighs.
The fourth creature is a little green monkey. It looks at the Oran Berry, then with a flick of its tail causes it to fly up and hit Aang squarely in the head. "Nah," says Aang. "Too fiesty." And so he rejects the Grassian.
The fifth creature looks like a little red human with goat's legs and horns. It sniffs the Oran Berry, looks up at Aang, shrieks, blasts him with flame, and then darts away to hide. "Too timid." And so he rejects the Devimp.
The sixth creature looks like a landshark; it is named the Makoy. But instead of biting the Berry, it bites Aang's hand. "Too frisky," Aang scorns, rubbing his smarting wrist. And so he rejects the Makoy.
Four rejects later (a wood lizard, a fire parrot, a ghost tree stump, and a water lizard), and Aang finally comes across the last one. It is a small horse, about one and a half feet long, but covered with lime-green scales instead of fur. It has a fan of red feathers on its tail and red ears. This creature is called a Dragorsy, and it is a Kirin or Blaze Spirit Pokemon. The creature looks into his eyes, and then smiles. It walks up to him and, tentatively, sniffs and then takes a tiny bite out of the Oran Berry. It likes the flavor. "Well, looks like I've finally found someone who likes me," he says as he watches the Dragorsy eat the Oran Berry. "Congrats, kid," Andy sarcastically comments, glancing at Frimbella. "You've finally found your Starter."
The Dragorsy looks up at Aang. It seems to want to play with him. "Guess this means we'll be together, right?" The little Fire pony places its front hooves on his arm and licks his face causing him to laugh in pleasure and affection. "Always." "Hor-sy," Appa the Dragorsy whinnies, in its grateful childish voice (its voice is the same as Horsea).
Professor Parcel marvels at this display of friendship. "Now that Aang has chosen his Starter," he says as he turns to Pi, "who will YOU choose as your starter?"
Pi is watching this the whole time. "Um - " she begins, but at that precise moment there is an earsplitting CRASH. Everyone rushes over to see what happened, and a horrible sight greets their eyes. A gaping hole has been carved in the wall outside the lab, probably by explosives. Uniformed men with white-and-red mustelid Pokemon are all over the place, snatching up Pokemon in leather sacks. The terrified Volarimp that stole Aang's headband earlier tries to fly away but is seized by the tail and stuffed into a sack.
"What is going on here?" Faust asks, appearing again at the door to the terrarium.
"Another one!" a poacher cries. "Get it!"
Several men leap at the Homorfulus, but he is ready for them. He puts on a pair of dark sunglasses and cries, "Dark Pulse!" Instantly, purple and black balls of darkness form in his hands and he throws them at his new foes. They scatter, and the bag with Volarimp drops. Almost immediately, the Pokemon leaps upon the poacher's face, hissing and scratching. "GET IT OFF ME!" he screams, struggling as the prankster-turned-mini-monster rips at his shirt pockets. Aang rushes over and disengages the Volarimp from his victim, just as he takes out a Pokeball and shoves it at his face. "I got a guy with a good Crush Claw, pal, and I ain't afraid to use it!"
Aang flees. He heads back towards where Dragorsy is standing, but the Poachers are faster. With one swift motion, the leader trips Aang, and ties him and the Volarimp in a rope net. And seconds later, all the Starters are bagged too. "Let's move out," the leader barks orders to his crew. "The Boss doesn't want us to be late!"
"PI!" Aang screams, thrashing around in a futile effort to escape. "ANDY! PARCEL! HELP!"
"AANG!" Pi screams back. "NO! LET HIM GO!" She rushes at the Poachers, trying to get to Aang, but several goons grab her and toss her aside. In a flash, every uniformed man and Zangoose is gone, having dissapeared back through the hole in the wall.
"Oh," Faust exclaims as he pats the inconsolable Pi on the shoulder. "This is terrible. So terrible."
"Poor Aang," sobs Pi as she wipes fat tears from her face. "He's been kidnapped and it's my fault that I couldn't save him."
"It isn't," says Andy as he comes up behind her. "If you tried to help him out earlier those Zangoose would have hurt you a LOT."
"Don't worry," Zach adds. "We'll save him. And the other stolen Pokemon!"
Zach gives her a scrap of paper he found on the ground earlier. It is the one that Volarimp loosed when he took out the poacher's shirt pocket. "What's this?" Pi asks, wiping her face. "I think we have their adress," he says.
"335 CrushClaw Alley," Pi reads. "That's it! Now we know where they're headed! We can still get them back!" "Right then," Parcel states proudly. "Let's go!"
And with that, Parcel, Faust, Pi, and Andy with Zach sitting on his shoulder, head off through the hole in search of their foes.

High above, still picking Pidgey feathers from his wings, the same Fhureigle, having witnessed the whole thing from a safe distance, looks down upon the hole in the wall and scowls.

While our heroes are hot on their tail, the poachers are driving their stolen van through the streets to their lair. At the back of their truck, the stolen Pokemon are still tucked away in their bags, and a certain Airbender is roped up at the back of the car. Where his captors are going, he doesn't know, but one thing is for sure: it's not going to be a nice place to hang out.
As the thieves' destination nears, Aang knows that once they're there, he has to get out as fast as possible and warn the others. He dares not to move, not making a sound, terrified but knowing that soon his chance to escape will come. Nearby him, Dragorsy and Volarimp are stuffed away into their own bag.
The poachers know that Aang can't escape the van undetected. What they don't know is that Aang has learned to understand and speak the language of Pokemon.
"I can't move!" Aang hears Dragorsy say in Pokemon language as the latter thrashes around helplessly. "Is there anything you guys can do?"
"I don't know," says Volarimp. "There's gotta be a way out of here, and the only way out is when those jerks get to where they're headed."
Aang joins in on the conversation. "The only thing we need to know is WHERE they're headed," he says. "But right now we have to focus on getting loose and out of the van."
Then the van hits a bump in the road. The bag jerks; Volarimp collides with Dragorsy, and the impact causes him to release a puff of small flame that hits the bag. Then a tiny hole appears in the bag, and grows larger and larger as the fire eats away at the bag. Within a few seconds, the hole is large enough for the Pokemon to squeeze through.
"Nice work, Appa," says Aang. "Now untie me and let's bust out!"
"Seconded," says Volarimp as he starts working on the ropes holding the Last Airbender.
Meanwhile, the van arrives at its destination, what seems to be a run-down apartment. But as it moves into the parking lot, one of the parking spaces lights up as the border. The van parks there, and then the space descends like an elevator. The van goes along for the ride, moving down, down, down, until it reaches a bottom floor. Here it drives into another parking space, this one underground.
Several people rush forth to unload their daily cargo. "What is it that you have this time?" one of the poachers, larger than the rest, asks the driver. "Good haul today," he replies. "We got the Starters that guy was asking for."
"Let me see them." And the big guy walks over to the cargo hold. But what a surprise they have in store. The moment the door opens, there is a blast of Firebending from both the Avatar and the Fire Starter that fries the smaller poacher and sends the others running. Aang bursts out, the bag full of Starters in his arms, Dragorsy and Volarimp close behind. "After him!" the big poacher shouts, alarmed and furious.
The angry poachers try to chase after the Avatar, but being an Airbender he is way too fast for them. Dragorsy clings to his leg and Volarimp to his headband as he makes way for the elevator. Then it starts to rise.
Now or never, Aang thinks in desperation, and leaps with all his might. He barely clears the gap, and the elevator closes just as the toe of his shoe clears the edge of the platform. Lasers fire, but nay in vain as Aang makes it out of the poachers' lair.
Outside, he reads the adress of the apartment where the poachers are hiding. "335 CrushClaw Alley," he recites to himself. "They're keeping the other Pokemon here. We better find the others before it's too late!"

Meanwhile, all the others - Pi, Andy, and Parcel and Faust - are racing along towards Argent City, following the tire tracks left by the van. "Is this idea of following the tire tracks a smart idea?" Pi asks. "I don't know," says Andy. "But it's the only way we have to find them." "Can't you just fly and look for them from the air?" Fausts suggests. "I don't think so," Andy replies. "If I know poachers, they're bound to stake out their stash underground, so that won't matter."
"Well I think it would still be worth a sho - WHOA!" Pi starts, but she shrieks again as she trips over something and lands flat on her face causing everyone to stop and turn round.
Wiping dirt from her face with her sleeve, Pi looks around to see what did the damage. It is a Pokemon, and a small one too, about 1.5 feet long with shades of light blue, dark blue, and white. Its face looks like that of a miniature Ponyta, a bit like Dragorsy, but instead of hooves it has aqua-green fins and a long curly tail, as well as a dark blue fin instead of a mane. Its skin has a shiny, slippery sheen and is covered in a mesh of tiny scales. It lies there, unconscious, as though someone had just dropped it there.
"What is it, Pi?" Zach asks, jumping onto the ground and sitting next to Pi who is kneeling next to the Pokemon.
Pi lowers her head to examine the poor little creature. It looks hurt, as though it had been tossed out of a moving car. And Andy has an idea of what car it was. "Hi-po," the little Pokemon whimpers. (Its voice sounds like that of Hippopotas.)
"Mr. Parcel," Pi asks as she picks up the Pokemon. "Did you forget to take this guy to the lab while we were at your place?"
Parcel looks at the Pokemon, examining it closely through his cybertronic monocle. "Ah, yes," he says. "That's a Hiponea right there, girl. I always forgot that little bugger, it can't move very well out of the water. Fishing for it is very difficult as it prefers berries to bait and is very fast in the water."
"So what would this thing be doing all the way out here?" asks Pi.
"I know," Andy snarls, with a menacing gleam in his eyes as they momentarily turn a vivid sapphire blue with slits for pupils. He bends over to look closely at the Hiponea and begins speaking in a series of clicks, hisses, squeaks and grunts. To Pi's wonder and amazement, the Sea Horse Pokemon speaks back. "Aw man," Andy says bitterly. "Looks like Hiponea got tossed out of a moving vehicle full of stolen Pokemon. Considering the tracks it was found near are the same as those we're chasing, I assume those guys who were driving that vehicle were the same guys who took Aang."
"So is it possible for you to lead us to them?" Pi asks Hiponea, but to her surprise it angrily brays and begins repeatedly slapping her in the face with its fins. It jumps out of her hands and lands flat on its face on the ground again. "What was that for?" Pi asks.
"I'll take care of this," says Andy, picking up the creature - only to get slapped himself.
'You try to get near me,' the Hiponea brays in Pokemon language, 'and you're gonna get a Fin Slap to the face!'
"Why?" Andy asks in Pokemon language. "Why do you refuse our help?"
'Because it's my mission! And mine alone! My friends are in danger and I'm going to save them!' And with that, he scrambles off as fast as his fins can carry him, off into the woods, where he tumbles head over fins straight down the small cliffs and lands with a splash into a nearby river. With a flash of tail fin, he is gone.
"Some help HE was," Zach growls sarcastically as Andy wipes his slightly waterlogged face. "Well we can't stay here forever," he says as he takes out the paper again. "We gotta get to - "
"335 CrushClaw Alley as soon as we can," a voice calls nearby. Aang comes rushing down the road, Dragorsy, Volarimp, and the other starters at his heels.
"Aang!" Pi exclaims. "How did you get here?" "I busted out," he pants as he comes to a halt in front of them. "They're keeping all the other Pokemon in their underground facility at Argent City." "As I thought," Andy snarls, his eyes turning blue again for an instant. Pi is still looking at the river where Hiponea vanished, but Andy gets her attention again. "Pi, I know what you're thinking. The other Pokemon are still missing, and our job is to find them. But at least we still have Aang."
"Uh, all right then," says Pi sweatdropping. "Where exactly are we supposed to go again?"
Andy slaps his forehead. Pi's attention span can be so pathetic.

Half an hour after leaving Mr. Parcel's lab, our heroes arrive at the dark street where the poachers are supposedly hiding. It's not the prettiest street: everything looks run-down, litter is everywhere, and you can't even take two steps without someone who looks like a serial killer looking at you.
"Are you sure this is where they're hiding?" Andy asks.
"I saw the apartment," says Aang. "But because I escaped their HQ, they're bound to be after my blood. So stay alert."
But no one comes out for them when they arrive at the apartment. It's a large building, but there are torn curtains, shattered windows, and graffiti scrawled all over the place.
"They're hiding under the parking lot," says Aang. "Pi, come with me and investigate. Andy and Faust will search the building just in case." "Go figure," says Andy, glancing at Faust uncomfortably. Aang wastes no time in finding the parking lot, second to the left. "This looks like the place," Aang states. "Well, now our only problem is how do we get in?" Pi asks.
Just then, another van drives in, taking everyone completely by surprise. Andy has to leap at Parcel to push him out of the way as the van full of angry poachers drives headlong into the parking lot, busting a parking meter. They pour out, surrounding Pi and Aang as Faust, Parcel, Andy and Zach hide in the safety of the bushes. "Hands in the air!" the poachers shout, their Zangoose flashing their claws. Behind the bushes, Faust and Parcel look on in horror as Andy slaps his forehead for the second time.
Aang sticks up his hands without even flinching and says to Pi in a matter-of-fact tone, "Now you know."

Half ANOTHER hour later, Andy and Faust eventually decide to look inside the building. "Dang," Andy snarls. "Those jerks had better be hiding around here SOMEWHERE."
"I cannot be sure about that," Faust states, his sunglasses on as usual. "I'm not quite sure if entering a dillapidated building is really a smart idea."
"Well, they've GOT to be here," says Andy. "If only I had something that could help us by mapping the building."
"Mapping the building ... That's it!" Faust exclaims. "Quick, Albert, hand me that Magnet you bought along!"
Andy takes out the Magnet from his pocket, saying "Be sure to use it wisely." "I don't mind if I do," Faust states as he snatches it and swallows it in one gulp.
The plan works beautifully; the whole building becomes easy to map because Faust has turned into a living metal detector. And not only that, they are able to hide from foes as they sneak through the building, looking for the elevator to the basement where the poachers are hiding.
"Is there any chance we can find Aang and Pi?" Andy asks. "I cannot be sure," Faust replies, "but there is a chance. I still have knowledge of a few Psychic moves from that time I digested that Twisted Spoon a bit too well, and I should be able to use a few to help us out."
"Great. Then do it for Aang and Pi."
"Oh, all right, I will. Future Sight!"

The vision that Faust projects reveals a startling sight - Aang and Pi are in prison, but just then a rain of fiery sparks melts the bars of their cage. Dragorsy and Volarimp appear, and after untying them again the two kids and the two Pokemon manage to get out of the cage.
"Halt!" the guards say, flashing their guns, bringing the two to a halt. "You're not going anywhere."
"Not for long," says Aang. And with that he lashes out with a whip-like air projection that sends the guards flying back. But they've got their own tricks up their sleeves. "Zangoose, come on out!" they say, and the Cat Ferret Pokemon appear, their claws gleaming, their teeth gnashing as they face their new foes. In response Dragorsy and Volarimp jump out in front of the kids and glare at the Zangoose.
Two Zangoose against Dragorsy and Volarimp. The outcome is actually quite difficult to determine, but then again that won't matter; Dragorsy aims his first Ember above the bad guys, causing a pipe to rattle and break. Out pops a stream of water, flotsam, jetsam - and one furious little Hiponea who had apparently broken in through the sewer.
"Dang," one of them snarls. "I knew we'd forgotten someone."
"Never mind that," the other grunts, glancing at his own Zangoose which has a notch on his ear as he aims his laser bazooka at the little Water Starter. "We're gonna have fish supper tonight!"
Big mistake.
Two seconds later, the poor guy has been blasted by a powerful Water Gun and ends up falling flat on the floor, where he is slapped around like crazy by the angry Sea Horse Pokemon, causing Aang and Pi to laugh so hard their lungs almost collapse as the other goon looks on in shock and awe.
By the time the poor beaten up thug gets up with angry welts all over his face, Pi, Aang, and all the other Pokemon are long gone. The two men and their Pokemon look at each other, surprised at this turn of events - and start brawling.
Elsewhere, Aang and Pi are running as fast as they can towards the place where the others are being held. "What sort of plan do you have in mind?" Pi asks, holding the still fuming Hiponea. "It will be a tough job getting the others free," says Aang. "But when there's a will, there's a way."
Several turns later, they arrive at the main lab. "This must be the place," says Aang. "But where's everyone?" No kidding there, since all the Pokemon, as well as all the poachers, are gone.
"We'd - OW - better - OW - search - OW - the - OW - area," Pi says, wincing a bit. "And - OW - quickly - OW - before - OW - they - OW - come - OW - HIPONEA GET BACK HERE!" This is because the indignant Hiponea, still squirming in her arms, is now Fin Slapping her face so hard she's gone raw, and now it's jumped out, crawling as fast as it can away from her towards another corridor.
"Come back you little - !" Pi cries out, sprinting after the little creature. Dodging the Sea Horse Pokemon's flailing fins, Pi manages to catch up to it, but the moment she catches hold of it in her arms again she realizes something's wrong.
"Well well well," a sinister voice snarls in her ear. "If it isn't Little Miss Blue-Hair. Quite happy to see you, actually."
Pi turns her head, very slowly, to find herself staring down a lazor gun barrel. "Who are you?" she asks, terrified. "The name's Alex," the owner of the gun replies. "I happen to be a Pokemon Hunter, and if you excuse me I have a request to fill." And with that he grabs the Hiponea, and starts to walk away as he says, "I am in no need of unworthy scum like you, which is why I leave my servants to dispose of you."
"Guess again, skinhead."
The Hunter stops dead in his tracks. There, standing in front of him, is Andy, his eyes gleaming sapphire with slit-pupils and an unconscious goon dragging behind him. He throws the guard aside and extends a lovely set of razor-sharp fully retractable claws, one for each finger. "You won't be going anywhere, pal, at least not without anything that's bleeding."
"You shouldn't have said that, kid," says Alex as he raises his gun, but at that precise moment there's a rush of wings and a flying monkey comes out of nowwhere and knocks it out of his hands. Aang arrives, holding Dragorsy, as Volarimp throws the gun down a nearby garbage disposal chute and lands back on his head. "We've got you surrounded," Aang snarls. "Three on one - oh wait, make that four," he adds as Faust arrives, saying, "Come out with your hands up!"
"You're right," the shadowy Alex snarls. "I may be outnumbered, but I can still beat you all!" And with that, he takes out two red and white balls - Pokeballs. "Taurymanox, Gorgenom, let's show them!"
With a flash of white light, two ferocious looking Pokemon appear. Taurymanox has a body like a bull, but arms like a man and stands on two legs. The other Pokemon, Gorgenom, looks humanoid but has green reptilian skin, yellow claws, and four hissing snakes for hair.
"Shield your eyes," Andy nods to Zach as he snaps on his pilot goggles. "And let's get this party started."
"Run for it, Pi," Aang whispers. "Run while you still have the chance!"
Pi doesn't need telling twice as she scoops up Hiponea and makes a break for it. "Get the girl," Alex orders, and the Guardian Ox Pokemon exits into the maze of corridors in search of the blue-haired girl.
"All right," Andy snarls as he takes out a Pokeball of his own, this one with a blue spiral on it, and throws it into the air. "Flight Unit Illbis-117, clear for takeoff!"
With a flash of white light, another Pokemon appears. It is a pink bird, with a long white beak, its feathers mottled with black that leaves ugly blotches on the tips of its wings. "Ill-l-l-l-l-l-bis!" it trills, glaring straight at the Gorgon Pokemon. Normally, her potent look would cause intense pain, like poison to the eyes, but being a Posion-type, Illbis doesn't even flinch as it prepares to battle.
"Let's do this," Alex snarls, cracking his knuckles. "Gorgenom, Poison Sting!"
"Gor-r-r-r-r-r-r..." The Gorgon Pokemon snarls as her snake hair coils in preparation for the move. "...GENOM!" The snakes hiss violently as they spray powerful jets of poisonous darts. But Andy is ready, and he takes out a little blue-and-white controller-thing from his pocket and speaks into it.
"Illbis, deflect with Wing Attack! Over," Andy cries, and Illbis' wings glow purple as the darts make their final approach. At the last moment, the wings shoot forth, destroying the darts and raining glowing purple sparks everywhere.
"Fine," Alex growls. "Have it your way. POISON TAIL!"
Gorgenom screeches as she hurtles towards Illbis, her long green tail glowing purple. "Illbis, Poison Tail at twelve o'clock," Andy cries. "Wing Attack again! Over."
Illbis flings forth its wings again, but the Poison Tail scores a direct hit and sends the Plague Pokemon flying backwards, hitting the floor and sliding on its back towards the wall. "Now, Gorgenom," Alex roars. "Use Night Slash!"
"Surface-to-Air at twelve," Andy orders into his communicator as he watches Gorgenom race towards Illbis again, her claws glowing purple. "Dodge, then increase altitude to 15 ft then come back down with Sky Attack, over."
Illbis doesn't need another order from its "conning tower." Just as Gorgenom's claws slash at the bird, the latter explodes into the air, the Gorgon's Night Slash only clipping a few tail feathers. Illbis goes up as high as possible, the top of its head barely grazing the ceiling pipes, then turns around to face its opponent, its whole body glowing white this time. Gorgenom wheels round to face the bird as it dives, and readies another Night Slash - a second too late. One powerful collision later, and the Gorgon is sent flying backwards, and lands on her back.
"Increase altitude again to 10 ft then Plague Peck, over," says Andy as Gorgenom attempts to get to her clawed feet, but Illbis makes another attack dive, its beak glowing purple.
"Not so fast!" Alex screams. "Gorgenom, grab Illbis's beak then Seismic Toss!"
Just as Illbis lands the Plague Peck, Gorgenom grabs it by the beak. She shrieks as she leaps into the air, hurling the startled Illbis to the ground.
"Illbis, she's right on your back!" Andy cries, as Gorgenom prepares to stomp the wounded Illbis out of existence, but she is too weak to land properly; Illbis musters a last bit of strength, and raises itself up as Gorgenom leaps high into the air, her claws and fangs gleaming.
"Illbis! Vertical rise with Sky Attack! Over," Andy orders desperately, and Illbis' body glows white again as it flaps its wings and begins its ascent. Both Pokemon screech as they prepare the final blow, and collide in mid-air, causing a huge explosion and a dense cloud of smog.
Coughing and retching, Andy tries to get a glimpse of his Pokemon. When the smoke clears, Illbis lies sprawled on the ground, its eyes blank and unconscious (they look like spirals). Gorgenom towers over it, still standing. She has won against Illbis, but she's only getting started.
"Flight Unit Illbis-117, clear for landing," Andy says as he recalls Illbis to its Pokeball with a burst of red light. "Good work. Over and out."
"My turn now," says Aang. "Dragorsy, heed my command." "Hor-r-r-sy," Dragorsy whinnies as it steps forth to face the weakened Gorgenom.
"Don't just stand there," Alex commands at Gorgenom, his face twisted with anger. "Another Poison Sting!"
"Dodge, then use LaserBeam!" Aang commands, and Dragorsy dodges the purple darts. "HOR-R-R... SIIIIIEEEEE!" it cries, as white beams of light shoot forth from its is a flash of light, and next moment she buckles over in pain.
"No!" Alex roars in fury. But he has no choice but to recall Gorgenom. "You, children, are going to pay for this!"
"Technically," Andy scoffs as he strokes Zach's frill again, "I happen to be sixteen."

Elsewhere, Pi is running as fast as she possibly can, away from the battle. Hiponea's senses are the only thing that guides her. With each movement of the little Pokemon's fin or ear, Pi veers left and right, heading for the goal only her Pokemon can sense.
But she can't keep running forever. She slows to a halt, gasping for breath. "I'm sorry, Hiponea," she pants, "but I can't keep going for long. We have to rest for a few seconds," she says as she slumps onto the wall, exhausted.
But that will have to wait. Something is coming in their direction. The huge bull-headed creature appears in the corridor intersection in front of them, sniffing the air. It scents them, and bellows. "Uh, sir?" she asks nervously, as the Pokemon moves closer. "Do you happen to know of any stolen Pokemon around here?"
The Taurymanox stops, confused, but then launches a powerful Hammer Arm. Pi screams as she scoops up Hiponea and leaps aside just as the monster's fist smashes the place where she was moments earlier to splinters. At the same time, there is a commotion in the other corridor, and as Pi turns her head she can see an army of Zangoose, all of them armed with razor-sharp claws. They're coming at her, and they seem angry.
"MAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Taurymanox bellows loudly, flashing its horns as it charges. Pi tries to run, but the creature is too fast. Hiponea, however, knows better. "Neeeeeeeeeyie!" it neighs as it sprays a jet of water sideways, loosing some rocks in the wall. The Minotaur Pokemon may be strong, but it isn't that smart. It veers sideways, hitting the stones, and trips over its own hooves, crashing to the ground. Pi flees, leaping over the debris and turning a side corridor - and falling down three flights of stairs before coming to a halt in a chamber with cages full of Pokemon.
If Hiponea could speak human language, it would have said, "Told you."
"Great," says Pi. "Now if only we can find the keys to these things."
Then she spots something. It looks like a large platform. On that platform is a control panel with an "on/off" switch. She sets the switch to "on" - and the panel floats into the air. And that gives her an idea.
Five minutes later, all the cages are trailing behind on their floating platforms as Pi rushes back towards the exit. "I hope Aang's okay," she says to Hiponea, who is in her arms again. Hiponea can't speak English, true, but it CAN detect if something's wrong ... and that's exactly what it's detecting right now. Pi stops to catch her breath again, and then, from the corner of her eye, Hiponea slaps her arm again, and she sees something moving behind her.
The Zangoose appear in the intersection behind her. They see her, then hiss in anger, and then they charge. Pi flees again, but then she sees the Taurymanox in the next intersection. She stands there, terrified, but then notices the hidden pathway.
Moments later, Pi hurries through the corridors, trying to locate the exit, with Hiponea clutched close and dragging the other cages behind her. The Zangoose that were chasing her can't locate the hidden corridor, but they aren't the only ones. Just then, the walls right and left give way, and more Crush Claws shoot out at her. Pi shrieks and dodges them, and then one catches her foot and she falls over. And then she sees the Ox-headed creature barrelling at her from the corridor ahead.
Taurymanox on one side, wall of Zangoose on the other. Now Pi is trapped, with no way out. She can only scream in terror as the barrage of claws closes in on her, ready to tear her to shreds ...
A rending screech of metal resounds as the ceiling pipes rip and tear, pouring forth water. The girl's irises become a vibrant glowing turquoise as she rises shakily to her feet. The water starts moving erratically, swirling in a circle around her as she telepathically manipulates it, forcing back her foes. The pipes continue breaking, showering water as the enemy Pokemon are forced back, confused and terrified.
But Pi won't let them escape. With a roar, she slashes at the air with her hands, and the pipes and water tanks explode. A wall of water rushes forth, sweeping up everything in its path. Pi grabs hold of her wounded friend as the water reaches her and carries her off. Like a beast of the sea, she speeds forth like a torpedo, propelled by Waterbending and her rage, headed for the exit.
The wall of water rushes forth, felling columns like paper. The noise attracts the attention of Andy, Aang, and Alex, who are still in battle. "Whoops, time to go," Andy quips, and with that he grabs Aang and runs for it. Alex meanwhile notices the oncoming rush of water, and recalling his Gorgon Pokemon he takes out another Pokeball. "Percy, I think it's up to you," he says, and he drops the Pokeball just as the water hits.
There is a flash of white light, and with a rush of great wings Alex vanishes into the churning water. Swept away by the flood, Andy only manages to catch the flash of a disappearing blue-and-white tail fin.
Then suddenly, Pi is there, drifting unconsciously through the water. Andy grabs hold of her, hoisting her up onto the rising platform as it ascends to the surface.
Andy, Aang, Faust, and all the stolen Pokemon appear, soaking wet, in the parking lot in a puddle of water. At the center of it, Pi lies there, unconscious. As Andy starts unlocking all the cages, Aang kneels at Pi's side, sobbing slightly. "Pi?" Aang asks as he looks down upon her, tears forming in his eyes as he places a hand over her chest. Upon withdrawing his hand, he passes it over her mouth - and withdraws the inhaled water from her lungs, causing her to regain consciousness. "Aang?" she says, weakly, as Hiponea, lying upon her stomach, stirs as well. "Don't flood the underground tunnel system. Not fun."
"I used to say that about riding the Gyarados myself," Aang replies, smiling a bit.
High above them, perched on the eaves of the apartment roof, the same Fhureigle looks down upon the scene. The time will come, it thinks to itself. The time will come.

Later, back at Parcel's lab, all the Pokemon are returned, everything is being patched up, and Andy, Faust, and the others have gathered to commemorate the entrance of their newest members into the Guild. "Aang, Pi," says Parcel, "thank you for saving the Pokemon. Aang, because of your excellent conduct and compassion to resusticate your good friend, I will allow you not only to have your Starter Pokemon, but also one of the Pokemon from the lab."
"Wh - What?" Aang gasps, surprised. "Are you trying to tell me that I can start with TWO Pokemon?"
"It's happened before," Andy says as he pats Aang on the shoulder. "I know you'll be okay."
Just then, Volarimp reappears and snatches Aang's headband again. "Hey!" Aang cries out in alarm and irritation. "Why you - "
"Hold on," Andy says, holding Aang back. "You've forgotten that Volarimp is a primate, just like us. You must treat it with respect." He turns to Volarimp. "Same goes to you, good friend Volarimp. Now would you be kind enough to return my friend's headband and be his second Pokemon alongside his Dragorsy?"
"WHAT?" Aang does a double take. But Volarimp lands on his shoulder and shoves the headband unceremoniously over his face again, chittering happily. "Well, he wants it, since you were the one who saved him," Andy says. Aang looks a bit confused, but then a grin crosses his face. "All right, I'll do it! I'm gonna enter the Kroel League in no time flat!"
"Very well," Parcel says, smiling. "Don't forget your Pokedex and Pokeballs here."
Aang snatches the little red device and red-and-white Pokeballs from Faust's hands, and then Volarimp snatches his headband again and flies around joyously, causing Aang to laugh and chase him around happily.
Parcel, now satisfied, turns to Pi, a stern expression on his face. "Parcel," Pi gasps as she wipes a tear from her face. "I'm so sorry about - "
"Pi," says Parcel, "your powers are far greater than I have imagined, and you and your Starter will have a long way to go. However, I must recommend that you not only practice in Pokemon training, but in Waterbending as well, so that incidents like what happened today won't happen again."
"Hipo-hipo," Hiponea adds sympathetically, patting Pi's shoulder as she holds it to her chest as usual. Pi smiles a bit too, and now she realizes that she has started to take a liking to Hiponea.
"Parcel?" she asks. "Just one thing before we leave. How long do you think it will be before I stop flooding buildings every time I get angry?"
"A while," Parcel says, smiling and patting her shoulder. "But you'll get there."
"Here are your Pokedex and Pokeballs," says Faust, handing them out. This time, both the Dex and the Pokeballs are blue, just as she likes it. "Oh, by the way, where did Andy go?"
Having recovered his headband for the third time that day, Aang heads over to Pi again. "Andy?" he asks. "What of - "
The phone rings, and Faust goes to check on it. "Hello? Wait ... Visitors? Why, what a pleasant surprise, I'd be glad to see them."
"Visitors?" Pi asks as she and Aang look at each other. "I'm not sure, personally," says Aang. "But I wonder..."

A long way away, at the Argent City Airport, a commercial airliner touches down and unloads its passengers. One of them, a thirteen-year-old boy with untidy black hair topped by a red-and-black hat, stretches a bit after his long flight abroad. A yellow mouse-like Pokemon with red cheeks, two brown stripes on its back, and a lightning-bolt tail hops over beside him.
"We're here, Pikachu," says Ash Ketchum. "I can't wait to see Professor Parcel. Kroel League, here we come!"
Inside the cargo hold, three familiar figures twitch groggily, having been cramped in a tight compartment full of suitcases for a long while - a red-haired late-teens woman, a late-teens blue-haired man, and a little cat-like Pokemon with a gold plate on its forehead. "Typical," says Jessie. "Of all the places we could have sat in, we end up in the luggage compartment!"
"I'm starving," says Meowth. "I wish we'd at least taken third class."
"Hardtack and swill would do for me, thanks," says James, groaning as he stretches. "At least you don't get airsi - whoa!"
The luggage compartment opens, and all three cry out in surprise as they tumble out and onto the conveyor belt. The three Team Rocket members tumble into the cargo hold, and then they fall off and crash to the ground. "At least we don't have to worry about a CRASH landing," says Meowth. A blue Pokemon pops up among them and says "Waaaaaahhhhh-buffet!"
Ash and Pikachu head out of the airport, their luggage trailing behind in small floating platforms. Easily passing through security, they leave the airport, hail a taxi, and Ash pays his tip in advance. "If there's anything I don't want, it's having to tip you when we're at our destination."
"Where exactly IS this destination?" says the driver, glaring at Ash through his dark hair, which hides his left eye. "Professor Parcel's lab, please," says Ash. "Ah, Parcel. You heard of him, then?"
"Yeah, I have," says Ash. "I was just there this morning," says the taxi driver. "I must warn you there was a bit of a ruckus at the lab today, so it will be a bit of a mess, but on the plus side, you WILL get to meet a few friends there."
They later arrive at Parcel's lab, and Ash disembarks from the taxi, retrieving his luggage as Pikachu sits on his shoulder. "Good luck in the Kroel League, Ash," says the driver.
"Don't worry," Ash says as he waves farewell and starts to head to Parcel's lab. "I certainly will!" "Pika!" Pikachu adds happily as it too waves goodbye.
The taxi driver smiles a bit, then looks in the rearview mirror and brushes back his hair - revealing a familiar scar over his left eye. emLooks like the Avatar's going to have a VERY exciting journey,/em Zuko thinks as he drives away.
Ash arrives at the door and knocks. Parcel opens it as usual, and beams at the boy before him. "Ah," he says kindly. "So this is the famous Ash Ketchum."
"Yes, that'll be me," says Ash, as Pikachu confirms his statement with "Pika-pikachu!"
"I suppose you wish to enter the Kroel League, then?" he asks. Ash nods, grinning.
"Right then," he says. "Come with me to my main - " But at that moment, Andy bursts through, panting and in a state of panic. "Parcel!" he gasps. "Come quickly! It's an emergency!"
Moments later, Andy, Ash, Faust and Parcel dash over to the door to the lab. Andy presses in the entry code to unlock the security system, and the doors to the lab slowly open ...
Parcel, Faust, Ash, and Pikachu gasp in shock and horror at the sight before them, but what is it?
[Pi:] "Okay, so it's been a very hectic day for us. But as Andy and the others have just found out, our troubles aren't over just yet. What unpleasant surprise could be awaiting us now? You've gotta stay tuned for the answer!"

To be continued...

Well, that was fun! Note that there will be NO narrator, unlike the existing Pokemon anime. The characters themselves will be the ones narrating this story.
Anyway, read and review, folks. Chapter 2's gonna be coming up really soon!

Pokemon (c) Nintendo
Avatar: The Last Airbender (c) Nickolodeon, Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko
Professor Parcel, all fakemon (c) Darksilvania

-SS