Gyga-crisis

Chapter 1- Collectors

"And now, our breaking story tonight." The TV flashed. An anchorwoman from channel five was speaking. "Just this morning, Silph Corporation has announced its successful creation of the first artificial pokemon since Porygon 2, nearly 3 years ago. Details as of now are sparse, but its name has been revealed. Less than an hour ago, at Silph Co. itself, our agents picked up 'Gygachyp'. Gygachyp will be the 513th documented pokemon in Johto, Hoenn, Zivayne, Kanto, Shinou and Orre."

A young man, almost 20, sat comfortably in a large red chair, in a tiny pokemon center. A large TV clung to the wall of the building.

He wore black jeans and shoes with tiny white dots running alone the side of them. A white dress shirt covered a navy blue shirt, underneath. On the top left corner of the shirt was a black pokeball. His black hair was covered by a snow white cap as well.

"Boo!"

The man smiled. On his shoulder was a tiny little bird. Its long tail was black and had a staring eye at the rounded end. His body was a beautiful, pure white color with a navy blue orb on each wing. On his head were two puffy feathers that also looked like eyes.

"Sssh, Peeka, I'd like to hear the rest of this."

"Boo!" Peeka said more firmly.

The man put his hand on his pokemon's head, stroking lovingly. "What is it?" The man said as he pulled his attention away from the TV.

Peeka knew that his trainer would do anything for him. He loved him too much not to.

Peeka pointed his wing in the direction of the front desk. Nurse Joy was calling and waving a piece of paper in her hand.

"Mr. Zanis? You're pokemon is healed!"

He smiled once more and got up from the chair. Nurse Joy had a pokeball in her hand, the bill in the other.

"Your total comes to 112, sir." The woman said, as politely as possible.

"Me? Pay?" He chuckled, taking the pokeball from her hand. He stood four or five inches above her. For a moment fear spread itself over her face. "No, you see, I am here on business for the PRTC." He pulled out a small credit card with the words 'Pokemon Research and Training Corporation. "They'll cover it all." Zanis sneered and waited for the Nurse to check him out of his room.

As he was about to leave, pokeball stored safely in his shoulder bag, someone grabbed his wrist.

Zanis whipped around, utterly misbelieving someone would have the temerity to stop him. "What?"

An 18 year old boy stood, smiling at him. "Ummm, did I hear you were part of the PRTC?" The younger boy sounded excited.

"Yes," Zanis said flatly. "What of it?" His tone was harsh and cold.

The boy hesitated. He hadn't expected to be treated like this. "Well… I am also… I mean, part of the PRTC…" He waited for this more intimidating man to approve. When it didn't look like he was going to the younger forced a smile and continued. "My name's Glasius by the way… I'm in the Environmental Protection Unit. What about you?"

Zanis groaned and folded his arms over his chest. "I am a collector of rare and endangered pokemon. Anything else?"

"Wow…" Glasius said, his jaw dropped.

"Yeah, I am pretty interesting… now buh-bye."

"Wait!" He said, once more grabbing Zanis' wrist. "What brings you here to Johto? What rare or interesting pokemon are you looking for?"

"Listen," Zanis' voice turned hostile. "How much longer is this going to go on? As I'm sure you can imagine I've important business to attend to that desperately calls for my attention."

"Oh! I'm so sorry!" Glasius said, with little sympathy in his voice. Obviously he was intent on keeping this conversation going. "I… I'm simply astounded to meet someone of your caliber and grandeur. Especially one from far away…"

"Sirap Town."

"In the even farther away…"

"Zivayne region."

"Exactly. Which brings me back to my previous question, what brings you here to Johto? To Azalea Town none-the-less."

"Uh… I'm headed to Mt. Silver." He somehow thought that that might surprise the boy.

"Oh, perfect! I hail from Blackthorne city! I know of an absolutely marvelous shortcut into the mountain! How long will you be in town? I can come with you!"

It was Zanis whose jaw dropped now. He was flabbergasted that anyone would want to accompany him to Mt. Silver. He wasn't angry either… he was rather touched. "But… why? What reason would you possibly have for wanting to convoy along with me?"

"Because I find you enormously entertaining and interesting. Just think of it: we'll be the perfect companions, the perfect partners, and the perfect team!" His eyes had lit up with stars and he was clearly picturing it in his head. "Besides that, traveling together is much more fun! I can do my thing while you're off battling tremendous pokemon, on a magnificent search for extraordinarily rare pokemon to bring back to Zivayne. So… how about it?"

"Well…" Zanis decided it was much easier just to give in. "Fine. Whatever."

"Spectacular!"

It hadn't taken long for Glasius to pack some clothes and other essentials.

They had planned to leave the next morning and that Zanis would stay in Glasius' tiny apartment room. Apparently he got it free, as long as he worked for PRTC. Zanis didn't bother asking any questions.

The apartment seemed uncharacteristically clean for an 18 year old. There weren't any food wrappers on the ground and the bed had been made by the time they'd gotten there.

"Umm… I guess for tonight we'll have to share a bed." Glasius bit his lip as he spoke. Even by spending very little time with Zanis, he knew that the older man approved of very little. "Unless you want to sleep on the floor… which doesn't sound very comfortable…"

"Okay, whatever."

Glasius smiled.

Zanis frowned in submission to his new friend…