Performing in Another Region

What's good, everyone? Long time no see and welcome to the relaunch of my Serena fanfic – "Performing in Another Region." Just like the original, Serena is the main protagonist and this story takes place right after she left Kalos for the Hoenn region to compete in Pokémon Contests. Serena will also be accomplished by three original characters: Namaiki, Anthony, and Cameron. You already met Namaiki, but her character has caused some confusion last year. You will be Cameron and Anthony later on at the beginning of the series. I've already outlined up to at least twelve chapters and now I'm in the process of typing them up. So, I hope this relaunch turns out a lot better than the original. For now, enjoy this small prologue to start things off.

Prologue

Those metal bars were stronger than Ursaring thought. Its claws glowed white before unleashing another round of fury swipe on the cage, but the attack didn't even leave a single scratch. Ursaring released a loud roar frustration; that was the eleventh fury swipe and the Hibernating Pokémon was getting desperate to escape its prison cell. An idea suddenly came in Ursaring's head. It opened its mouth and an orange beam formed before being shot at the cage. However, the results were the same as the fury swipes.

Two figures – a male with messy, blue hair and a blonde female with straight hair – walked toward the cage in blue jeans, brown boots, dark green vase-like jackets and matching caps. The symbol on both the jackets and the caps had the money green "T" running through the golden yellow "C." Ursaring became more aggressive for every footstep the duo made. They were the reasons behind Ursaring's capture in the first place. A harsh growling noise rumbled between the closed gap of Ursaring's jaws. That was a clear sign to back away while demanding freedom, but the two humans were not about to show any mercy.

"Settle down," Heather shot at the prisoner. "You need to absorb all your energy for where you're about to go." But the Ursaring growled yet again, this time directly in Heather's face. Her hair blew in the 'wind' as the blonde found herself covered in saliva and tiny bits of berries. "Disgusting," Heather complained while trying to scrape the substance off her person. "How everyone else is in Hoenn already while we're left behind babysitting?"

"You better do something. This thing's breath smells like it's been eating Magikarp from a sewer."

"Relax," Bell scuffed under his breath. "There's nothing to fear: check this out." He pushed one button from the device strapped on his arm and immediately the cage was surrounded with yellow electricity. Ursaring roared once more, but this time in pain as its body was impacted by a strong jolt of electricity before landing on top of its back. Now, Ursaring was paralyzed and its brown fur was covered in static from the top of its head all the way down to the feet. "My latest invention works perfectly, but I'm not surprised."

"What did you do?"

"Each cage is made out of titanium steel – strongest element in the world – and equipped with a sensor that will unleash a thousand volts of electricity if any Pokémon attempt to break free."

"Won't that hurt the Pokémon?"

"Not unless they continue to touch the bars," Bell explained. "But it is only powerful enough to paralyze them. And since when did you start caring about Pokémon?"

"Please. All I care about is money," Heather answered. "But the Pokémon lose their value if they are harm. Which means less money for shopping and less time at the salon." Ursaring tried to break the cage with another hammer arm but was hit with another round of electricity.

During Heather and Bell's conversation, a red luxury car with chrome rims pulled up in front of their headquarters. A shaggy red-headed male exited the car wearing a dark grey shirt inside a black overcoat, black sunglasses, and several chains around its neck. Bell and Heather felt a sudden chill running down their spines. It was like watching a horror film and their boss was that serial killer who harassed the male and female together. "Uhh…B-B-Boss," Heather stuttered. "You're here."

"We thought you were heading to Lilycove City," Bell replied.

"So, you're saying I can't stop by and check out on my own organization?" Their sketchy boss asked, wiping off the lenses to his glasses.

Fear struck down on the two like lightning on a rainy day. Every stray of Bell's blue hair was sticking up straight like Ursaring. "Sir, we didn't mean…"

"Calm down," Alphonse dismayed. "You two are acting like you see a poltergeist. I thought I drop by to check on the merchandise, but it looks like there were some problems." Alphonse was referring to the Ursaring laying in the cage surrounded by sparks of electricity.

"Yes…we did have some minor problems," Bell admitted.

"But you are working through them, right?"

"Y-Yes, sir." That was enough to convince Alphonse as he nodded his head in understanding. Walking into the cockpit of the plane, Alphonse was astonished by the number of Pokémon his team collected. Half of them attempted to break out of their prisons by using their attacks, but it was in vain. In fact, some of them suffered the same fate as the Ursaring. While the remaining Pokémon were more scared to even look at the Team Covetous leader; wondering what does this team of crooked hunters had in store for them? The flashy leader stepped up to one cage that held an Eevee captured.

"E-Eevee," the Evolution Pokémon was terrified and stumbled backward until its tail was touching the back of the cage. Eevee quivered as this bad man chuckled in delight, secretly begging this stranger to be released. Unfortunately, freedom was not what Alphonse had planned for the Eevee. "Aww. You don't have anything to fear, little one," he said. "You'll be in good hands where you're going."

Eevee continued to shiver while burying its head in its little legs. All Eevee was asking was its freedom again, but it was obvious that simple request was denied. Alphonse pulled out a matte gold smartphone and discovered someone from his evil organization was requesting a face chat. "Alright, get the Pokémon loaded on the plane. We're moving out," he announced before accepted the face chat request. A man with a shortcut beard, wearing his Team Covetous uniform and with a scar running down the right side of his face appeared on the screen. "How's your mission?" Alphonse asked.

"Boss, you would not believe the number of eggs we uncovered," Dennis proclaimed. "Take a look." He turned his phone around exhibiting eighteen shelves of Pokémon Eggs. Half of which were in stock while Jackson was collecting the eggs in a sack. Nurse Joy had storage every Pokémon type in this little room arranged from water to fire, grass to electric, bug to psychic, flying to fairy.

"Excellent work, you two," Alphonse complimented. "Those eggs will make a great asset to Team Covetous. Now, grab every single one of them and meet me at Lilycove City."

"Right," Dennis ended the conversation.

Jackson got all the evidence he needed for a solid case. But to be honest, he didn't know what was more shocking: just how strong this organization was or discovering Alphonse was the leader of Team Covetous. Jackson did find it strange how someone like him gets all his money from. Now he was more eager to destroy Team Covetous and expose Alphonse for the fraud he truly is. In the mix of his determination, his recorder fell out of his jacket and onto the floor.

Hey!" Dennis cried out. "Don't break those eggs, newbie. They cost more than your entire miserable life." Jackson desired to exact revenge on Dennis and the poor treatment he received since day one, but now that the brown-headed male got all the evidence he needed. So, Jackson could stop this little sheared and get to the reason why he really came to Hoenn.

Dennis tied one knot of his bag of merchandise and held it in the air with triumph. "The question is how much I should charge for each egg?" Suddenly, two dark green vines wrapped around the sack before pulling it out of his evil hands and into Jackson's hands from across the room. "Sorry, Dennis, but these eggs are not for sale."

Dennis turned his head a sharp 180 degrees to find Jackson holding both sacks with a green bipedal Pokémon standing beside him. This Pokémon looked like a mushroom because of the cap on top of its head. It had two red claws on each hand and feet. Dennis looked down at the kid with his pupils filled with both rage and confusion. "What the hell are you doing?"

"Why, isn't it obvious? I'm stopping you from stealing these eggs to satisfy your selfish desires."

"So, you're a comedian all of a sudden? You better think carefully about this, kid. There are repercussions that come from stealing from Team Covetous, especially from a traitor."

"Traitor?" That remark made Jackson laughed. "That's funny because the truth is…" Jackson yanked off his disguise to reveal his real outfit: a pair of dark blue pants with matching shirt underneath a small sturdy orange vest, orange boots, black fingerless gloves, and an orange cap. "…I was never on your side in the first place," Jackson finished.

"A Pokémon Ranger's uniform? I see. So, you're not a traitor…YOU'RE A GODDAMN PIG!" Dennis's blood was boiling to the brim of running over his skin.

"Then you're gonna hate this. Breloom, use energy ball."

"Loom.," Breloom confirmed. "BRREEELOOMM!" The Mushroom Pokémon opened its mouth and a green ball appeared in front of it, then fired the ball at Dennis. The hunter dodged by ducking his head, resulting in the energy ball to destroy the security lock box.

"NOOO!"

Flashing lights illuminated the egg room while the alarm system blared in every room of the Pokémon Center. It was only a matter of time until Nurse Joy arrived in the egg room. Dennis had to escape, but not before taking some of those eggs with him. Now that the mission had been compromised, it was time for Plan B.

Speaking of Nurse Joy, there was no need for her to use her access card since the door was already wide open. She rushed into the egg room and found two male figures standing on opposite sides, all the shelves completely empty, and two tied up bags. A thousand questions rushed in the medical professional's mind. "What's going on here? Who are you two? And where did all the eggs go?"

"Nurse Joy, meet Dennis," Jackson introduced. "He is a professional Pokémon hunter from Team Covetous."

"A Pokémon Hunter? Wait, did you say Team Covetous?"

"In the flesh," Dennis confirmed. "And I'm here to collect these Pokémon Eggs, but don't worry. There will be in 'excellent' hands." Dennis tossed two poke balls in the air. Two distinctive sound effects are accompanied by bright lights that turned into energy forms. One was a large, grey rhino-like Pokémon with a horn on its snout that resembled a drill. The other Pokémon had traits similar to a wasp, but with four legs that act like stingers with an additional stinger on its black-and-yellow striped abdomen. Both of Dennis's Pokémon glared down at the Ranger, Nurse Joy, and both Breloom and Chansey with their red eyes. It was scary because they have the same level of greed and selfishness with their trainer.

"This is terrible." All Nurse Joy cared about was the safety of the unhatched Pokémon Eggs that were being held captive in those sacks.

"Not to worry, Nurse Joy," Jackson said. "Breloom?"

"Loom," The Mushroom Pokémon jumped in front of its partner.

Dennis chuckled at Jackson and his partner. While Breloom may have an advantage over Rhydon being a grass-type while the latter is a ground and rock type, but the hunter's Beedrill is a bug and poison type. This could spell trouble for the grass type, so it is the perfect candidate. "This might not last long," he commented. "Now I'll be taking those eggs off your hands. Pin missile."

Beedrill fired small white needles from all four of its large stingers and aimed them at Breloom. "Use Mach Punch," the Ranger commanded. Breloom's right fist was covered in a white orb and repel every single needle, destroying the pin missile attack ad showering the egg room with a glittering white shine.

"What?" Dennis muttered out loud. "But pin missile is aBug-type move. Breloom should have been affected when it's Mach Punch made contact."

Jackson smirked with confidence while holding his arms in front of his chest. "That's because my Breloom is also a fighting type," he explained. "Mach punch is a fighting type move. So, I'm guessing this battle is far from over. Energy ball one more time." His grass-type partner released another energy ball from its mouth.

"Tail whip," Dennis growled, leaving Jackson and Nurse Joy in a state of confusion. A bug-type like Beedrill is unable to use the normal type moves unless he was not commanding Beedrill. Rhydon stepped in front of Beedrill then turned its grey body around and swung its tail. The energy ball was reflected back to the user.

"Dodge it, quick," Jackson commanded in the last minute.

"Breloom." Breloom sprung upward, avoiding the energy ball before the attack exploded onto the floor. However, Beedrill dashed forward toward its opponent with both of its front stingers sticking out further than its yellow head. Breloom didn't had a chance to dodge, so it was stabbed a couple of times. "LOOOOMM!"

"Battling two against one is not fair," Nurse Joy scowled at the hunter. Breloom was shaking and a little bruised, but the mushroom Pokémon could still continue. Nevertheless, Dennis still had another evil trick up his sleeve. HE launched a sharp look at the pink head with something in mind. "Sludge bomb," he commanded Beedrill. One of the poison bee Pokémon's arm stingers turned dark purple before it released brown blobs of sludge toward Nurse Joy. The medical professional's sense danger toward her as she stared at the brown blobs only inches away from her. Her blue eyes were filled with fear. It was like she was staring at the barrel of a loaded gun that was firing multiple bullets at her all at once, but Chansey was not about to let anything happen to her.

"Chans—" The fairy-type Pokémon pushed Nurse Joy out of the way and took the impact.

"Chansey," Nurse Joy gasped in horror.

While Nurse Joy and Jackson rushed to the poisoned Chansey's aid, there was a sudden crash. They turned to find Dennis standing in front of a large hole in a wall. Rhydon's horn was spinning like a drill while standing on the other side carrying both of the sacks. "Thanks for the eggs," he screamed. "And don't worry: I'll take really great care of each one. Astalavista, losers!"

"He can't get away with those Pokémon Eggs."

"And he won't," Jackson stated. "Come on, Breloom."

"Breloom."

Nurse Joy decided to stay behind and care for her fallen partner while Jackson and Breloom gave chase. By the time the duo was in front of the Pokémon Center, a gray truck with gigantic wheels and chrome rims sped pass them and leaving them in a cloud of dust. "Well, there goes my ride." Now how would Jackson catch up with Dennis?

"Taillow." Out of the blue, he found a wild Taillow in the sky flying in his direction. The brown headed Ranger pulled out a green Capture Styler and point the stylus at the flying Pokémon. That Taillow would be perfect to keep track of Dennis. "Capture on," Jackson yelled, launching the Capture Disc with one press of a button. The Disc headed straight for Taillow while leaving a trail of blue beams. The Pokémon just flapped its wings in place as the Disc looped around it several times.

Meanwhile, a number appeared in the screen of the Styler. Jackson twirled his right arm around three times with the device still in hand. The Capture Line tightened around the Taillow before disappearing completely. "Capture complete," Jackson announced. "Taillow, I need your help. Follow that truck."

"Taillow," the bird Pokémon confirmed then headed straight for the truck.

"Breloom."

"What is it, Breloom?"

"Loom." Breloom was pointing at something from a distance. Jackson turned to see Officer Jenny in her usual uniform riding a motorcycle and a Growlithe in a side car.

"Officer Jenny."

After the motorcycle parked in front of Jackson, Officer Jenny scanned the former's outfit. "Judging by your outfit, I take it you must be Jackson," the law enforcer assumed.

"Yes, I am. And I take it you got my message."

"I did."

"Well, there's no time to explain the entire situation. We've got a Pokémon Hunter to catch and some Pokémon Eggs to save."

And that does it for my long-delayed prologue. I hope I didn't keep everyone waiting too long and if I did, I'm sorry. It feels good to be back.

For this relaunch, I decided to try something different like starting the fanfic off out with a prologue. What you just read was a little highlight of Team Covetous, an evil organization led by Alphonse that is benefited on one thing and one thing only: stealing rare Pokémon and selling them for money. They are a ruthless bunch that will use extreme methods on anybody – people and Pokémon – to get what they want and whoever stands in their way. You will definitely see them again without a doubt. If you thought Dennis was ruthless, wait until you learn more about Alphonse.

Also, I planned this fanfic to have more than 40 chapters, though I'm still not sure of the specific number. So, to organized my story, I'm breaking each chapter into separate parts that I called "Arcs." Chapter 1 will start the first arc entitled "The Introduction," which will introduce Serena to her new friends, who will be her traveling companions.

One other change I included is the rating. This fanfic will be rated T because the material will contain slight profanity and violence throughout with a little crude humor every now and again. I hope you enjoyed my prologue and don't worry: Serena will appear in the first chapter. The "Performing in Another Region" relaunch is in full swing and this is only the beginning. Stay tuned.

-MisterLooneyTune