"Normal Speak"

"Thoughts"

"(Pokémon Speak)"

"(Pokémon Thoughts)"

And now, on with the story.

Chapter 1: Peaceful Beginnings

In the world of Pokémon, change is always happening somewhere. Most of the time the change is for the better. But there are times when it's for the worst. For a small group of Pokémon, a big change will come. One that will pit them against the most powerful criminal organization on the planet.

The sun had just risen, signaling the start of a new day. In a small section of the Viridian Forest, the Pokémon were just beginning to stir. One was a small yellow mouse Pokémon. The red cheeks and lightning-shaped tail identified her as a Pikachu. Sasha was her name. She slowly opened her eyes, adjusting to the sunlight that had penetrated her den. Once she was used to it, she looked around, trying to find something.

Sasha: I guess Neo already woke up.

Rather than stay inside the empty den, Sasha got up and walked outside. She always did like the view of the forest in the early morning. The ground and trees sparkled as the sunlight bounced off the dew leftover from the night. To her there was almost nothing more beautiful. While she admired the scenery, the sound of flapping wings filled the air. Sasha knew who was coming.

Sasha: Angel! Buzz!

A pair of Bug Pokémon approached her. Angel was a butterfly Pokémon called a Butterfree. But unlike most who were blue, she was a pink color. Buzz was a Beedrill, a bee Pokémon with two large stingers on its forelegs. Both were friends of Sasha.

Angel: Morning, Sasha.

Buzz: Good morning.

Sasha: Morning. Say, you two haven't seen Neo around, have you?

Angel: I saw him earlier. Bandit and Ziggy were with him.

Sasha: They must be out gathering food.

Buzz: That would be an accurate assumption.

Sasha: Do you always have to answer with such big words, Buzz?

Buzz: Sorry. It's a habit I have.

Angel: We wouldn't mind it if we could understand most of the words.

Sasha: Well, I'll forgive you this time...Hey, I think I Neo and others coming back.

The three Pokémon turned to some nearby bushes. Soon, three more Pokémon came into the clearing. One was Neo, another Pikachu. Behind him were Ziggy and Bandit. Ziggy was a brown-striped raccoon Pokémon called a Zigzagoon. Bandit was a Linoone, the evolved form of Zigzagoon. He was white with brown striped running down his body. All three of them were carrying various berries they picked.

Neo: We're back.

Sasha: You couldn't wait for me, Neo?

Neo: I wanted to surprise you with breakfast in bed. But it looks like I took a little too long.

Sasha: Well it's the thought that counts.

Neo walked over to Sasha and the two started nuzzling one another. The others just watched.

Bandit: Those two take every opportunity to love each other they can get.

Angel: I don't really blame them.

Buzz: They're so in love that it really doesn't matter to them if they have an audience or not.

Ziggy: I'll say.

Bandit: I wonder if we'll end up like that when we find our significant other.

Angel: Only time will tell.

Feeling many pairs of eyes on them, Neo and Sasha ended their romantic activity. Both were blushing as they looked at their friends.

Neo: Sorry about that.

Bandit: We've gotten used to scenes like that by now.

Neo: Does that mean you wouldn't mind an encore performance?

Bandit: No! That's...okay.

The other Pokémon laughed at Bandit's outburst. While this was going on a pair of eyes not belonging to a Pokémon was carefully watching them from a distance. These eyes belonged to a human, but not one anyone would want to be associated with. His attire consisted of a long sleeve jacket, gloves, long pants, boots and a cap. All black. The one thing that stood out was the large red "R" on the front of the jacket. He was observing Neo and the other Pokémon through binoculars while speaking in a walkie-talkie.

Unknown Trainer: Affirmative, sir. I can confirm that there are six Pokémon in the area. A Zigzagoon, a Linoone, a Beedrill, a strange-colored Butterfree and two Pikachu. What are your orders? ...Understood. Agent Zack, out.

The person named Zack put his walkie-talkie away and continued to watch the Pokémon. He fingered a lone Poké ball on his belt.

Zack: I may not need to use you, but I'll keep you around just in case.

Later that day Sasha and Angel were out gathering berries. Since they were alone Sasha decided to find out about Angel and Buzz's relationship.

Sasha: So, how's it going with you two?

Angel: Well, it's not as serious as you and Neo yet but things are good.

Sasha: That's good.

Angel: And you? I know things are good with you and Neo.

Sasha: Couldn't be better.

Angel: So, any talk of...

Sasha: Hey! We may be deeply in love but we're not at that stage yet!

Angel started laughing, getting the exact response she wanted out of Sasha. Sasha soon caught on and started laughing with her. While they were talking, Neo and Buzz were in another part of the forest having a similar conversation.

Buzz: And that's the whole story.

Neo: So you're afraid that you'll ruin what the two of you have if you try to take it further. Is that right?

Buzz: That's exactly right. I figured that if anyone knew what I was going through it would be you.

Neo: Well, you came to the right Pokémon.

Buzz: So, any advice?

Neo: Let me think... Well, if there was any advice I could give you it would be to talk to her about it.

Buzz: You think that's a good idea?

Neo: Of course. Who knows, Angel might be thinking the same thing about you.

Buzz: I never considered that.

Neo: If both of you sit down and talk it might help make things more clear.

Buzz: Thanks, Neo.

Neo: Anytime, buddy. Anytime.

Buzz: Well, I'm heading back. What are you going to do?

Neo: I think I'm going to stay out here and train a bit.

Buzz: You and training. Don't you ever get tired of training?

Neo: It's good exercise. And besides, you never know when something will happen.

Buzz: True, though nothing ever happens around here.

Buzz said goodbye to Neo and flew off back towards his and Angel's nest. Neo kept going deeper into the forest, all the while feeling that something wasn't right.

Neo: I better make sure this training session goes well. I have a feeling that something bad is about to happen...something really bad.

Just what is the bad thing that Neo feels is about to happen? And does it have something to do with that mysterious Agent Zack? Find out in the next installment of Battle for Life and Love!

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