Chapter 1
There are many beautiful and mysterious things in the world. Especially the wonderful beings called 'Pokémon'. These magnificent creatures co-exist with humans, living, learning, and loving. The connection between humans and Pokémon is a very important one. So important, in fact, that there are those who dedicate their lives to protecting the balance of the world, and maintaining the relationship between both people, and Pokémon. They are called, simply, Pokémon Rangers.
It was a sunny day in Sinnoh, there loomed in the middle of Hearthome City, a large, grey building. Made of steel, and concrete, it stretched far above the rest of the city. A gigantic Pokéball was etched into the side of it, letting everyone in the vicinity know what it was. On the bottom floor, large glass doors slid open, to allow people and Pokémon to come and go. There were those in casual wear, business suits, long coats, and short jackets, many on them in reds and blacks. Footsteps could be heard across the marble floor of the main lobby, the clicking of black leather boots echoed off of the walls. A young man in a red jacket, with a long-sleeved, black V-neck beneath it, and black pants, walked up to the front desk.
"Hello," he said in a deep voice, "Ranger Kuro, checking in." He swiped his identification card along the table. The table beeped, and the clerk looked up.
"Yes… um, they are waiting for you upstairs." She was blushing furiously, and gestured to the elevator. "T-thank you, for checking in…"
"Thank you, very much, miss." Kuro then headed towards the large steel elevator doors. They opened, letting him inside.
"Top floor, please," he said, the lift began to proceed upward. A few moments later, the elevator doors opened. He stepped out, and into the office. Coming to the middle on the room, stopping over the centre of a large Pokéball in marble on the floor, he stood with his hands clasped behind his back.
"Hello, Chief."
An elderly gentleman turned around, silhouetted by the light coming in from the large windows of the office, and glared at him. "Ah, Kuro, good timing, we just finished examining the Pokémon that you brought in earlier."
"How are they?" he asked, sternly.
"They're doing well, if you really care to know."
"Of course, I do," he replied, stiffly.
The Chief let out a laugh. "Relax; I know that you care about Pokémon, even if you never show it. I just wish you'd loosen up, a little, that's all.
He sat down behind a large oak office table, in a large leather chair. "Take a look at the screen, Kuro."
A large screen appeared, and lit up. Statistics about the Pokémon were displayed on the wall.
"The Pokémon were being used to test a new Team Galactic mind control program."
"The question is, are they using it on normal Pokémon, or are they planning to use it on special Pokémon?" Kuro asked, turning back to the chief. "If it's normal Pokémon, we could just let the normal authorities handle it, I'm sure that Officer Jenny could take care of it, by herself."
"That may be, Kuro, yet if it covers a large amount of Pokémon, and if it has to do with any legendary Pokémon, then it falls under our jurisdiction. Remember, we are responsible to keep up Human-Pokémon relations so that there is peace between our two worlds."
"What would you like me to do, Chief?"
"I need you to find out what Team Galactic is trying to do, using the mind control technology. All we know is what they are using. Not for what reason they are using it. It is a situation of national security."
"They could be plotting to take over the world, just like Team Rocket was. Maybe they're taking control of the Pokémon and are planning to make an army, to take it by force."
"That's what I want you to find out. See what they are up to, if it's something big, then I want you to report in, then I will send backup, and you will stop them."
"Roger that, Chief, I'll find out what they are up to."
"Good, good. Now, get to work. Dismissed."
Kuro bowed to his commander, and replied with, "Yes, sir."
As he turned away, he heard the gruff voice, again. "How's the shoulder?"
Turning back, he simply bowed and said, "It's working fine, sir. It won't get in the way."
He walked over to the elevator and the door closed behind him. "Lobby, please." The elevator descended to the main area of the building. Exiting the lift, he made his way across the centre on the lobby, where two eyes and flushed cheeks watched him walk by.
"H-have a nice day!" cried the clerk at the head counter.
Turning to the young lady, Kuro smiled. "Thank you, very much. You do, as well."
"T-thank you! Kuro-san…" She was now blushing furiously, and fumbling with her hands in front of her.
Turning around, he walked towards the entrance and left.
"Kuro… kun." She smiled after his form retreated out the door.
Kuro proceeded to walk down the street towards the Pokémon Center. He walked down through the gorgeous city streets of Hearthome. She was a beautiful city; some would argue the most beautiful. It was the place 'where hearts touch each other'. Everyone wanted to live there, it was a centre of commerce, and was home to many families. It was a city built when Human and Pokémon both, gathered to live in peace. That was the entire reason that Pokémon Ranger Headquarters was built there. He could see Amity Square in the distance. He would go there often, at one time. Then, he wasn't alone. As he passed by the stores, he looked into the windows. He saw many things, a butcher, a ramen store, a fishmonger. He passed by the local Pokémon Fan Club, and the Poffin House. He continued walking down the street and saw a jewellery store. He suddenly realised that he was in the expensive, shopping district of the city. The large doors of the Persian & Co. loomed before him. He looked in the windows, at the gorgeous layouts, lined with signature blues. There before him were beautiful jewels, jewellery made from Fire Stones, Moon Stones, Corsola horn, and then he saw a simple wedding band for sale, on display. The sight brought many thoughts to his mind, among them, one that brought a small smile to his face.
"Cynthia…"
Smiling, he turned away from the window, putting his hands in his pockets. He continued on his way to the Pokémon Center. He had a misty look in his eyes.
…
When he made it to the Pokémon Center, with its giant sign in the shape of a 'P' above on the roof. He walked through the entrance. At the counter he was met by the lovely Nurse Joy. She was clad in her cute nurse's uniform, hair up, with her two signature loops hanging down, standing behind a console.
"Hello, and welcome to the Pokémon Center, Kuro-kun! Would you like to rest your Pokémon?"
"Hello, and yes, I would like that, very much." He proceeded to give her his Pokéballs.
She turned to the machine, flipping her beautiful pink hair around, and placed the Pokémon in it.
"One moment please…" The machine lit up and several lights flashed on the console. Five notes then played in the air. "All done! Here you go!" Nurse Joy said, as she handed Kuro back the Pokémon.
"Thank you, Nurse Joy." He placed his Pokéballs in his pouch. "How are things?"
"Oh, they're wonderful, Kuro-kun!" She turned to a large pink Pokémon. "Don't you agree, Chansey?"
The Chansey smiled, responding, "Chanse, chanse!
Kuro nodded in acknowledgement. "Hello, Chansey."
"Chansey!"
"What about that young man you talked about, Nurse Joy?" he asked. "The one that wouldn't leave you alone?"
"Oh, you mean, the breeder?"
"Yes."
Nurse Joy tapped a finger to her lips, thoughtfully. "After his Croagunk dragged him away, I haven't seen him since."
"I see." He put his hands in his pockets. "I should get going. I have a mission to do."
Nurse Joy smiled at him. "Okay, Kuro-kun. Remember, you owe me a dinner, sometime."
"You didn't beat me that badly."
"I still beat you."
Kuro sighed. "Fine, but later, all right?"
"Okay," She said, happily.
"Good-bye, Joy."
"Bye!"
As he turned to walk away, he heard Nurse Joy calling after him.
"You know, you'd be more handsome if you smiled more!"
He rarely had much to smile about. He waved over his shoulder. "Good-bye, Joy."
"Have a nice day!" She waved to him.
"You, as well," he responded. He walked silently out the door. Kuro needed to find any leads on Team Galactic that he could. He walked down to where one could always find information, the local drinking establishment.
It was a three-story tall, brown-roofed building. It was nestled between two taller structures, a light-brown building, and a grey building. There was a large sign, stating 'Bar' in green lettering. Kuro reached the brown doors, located beneath a concrete overhang, jutting out of the front of the building. It had two orbs perched atop its front corners. He entered the bar, looking around for the local information posts. The inside was as nice, and clean as the outside. It had a friendly atmosphere, with wooden tables, and chairs, situated around the main part of the room. The long bar, with the barkeep behind it, stretched along the back. He saw the usual suspects. Then, he saw what he was looking for. There was a pair of Galactic grunts sitting at the bar, seeming to be enjoying themselves. They were obvious with their matching grey and black uniforms, with their dubious choice in hairstyle. He sat down next to them and ordered a drink. The barkeep knew him, and had the drink ready before he sat down. Those paying attention quietly moved away, fearing trouble. He was listening carefully for any hints of information.
"We're going to be at the top of Team Galactic!" one of the grunts said.
"How is that? Are you going to do something big?" Kuro asked, looking over from his drink.
"Hah! We are going to catch one of them legendary Pokémon!" boasted the other grunt.
"How are you supposed to do that?"
"Why should we tell you? Wait, you're a Ranger!"
"There's no way we're telling you!" They got up from their chairs.
Kuro stood up and took a sip of his drink. "Are you sure about this? You might not want to go up against a Ranger."
Out of the corner of his eye, he could see the barkeep give him a look that implied, 'Don't mess up the place too much, Kuro'. Looking over, he raised an eyebrow that said, 'It's up to them'.
"You don't look so tough." One of the grunts smirked.
"Look…" Kuro said, shaking his head, "if I win, then you let me know what you are up to."
"And, if you lose?"
"Whatever you want."
"Give us all your Pokémon. A Ranger's Pokémon would sure come in handy in furthering the cause." The grunts took out Pokéballs, and threw them in the middle of the floor. "Go! Golbat!"
The Golbats appeared in front of them. "Wing Attack!" the grunts cried. The Golbats swooped at Kuro with great speed. He rolled and dodged them. Pulling out a Pokéball, he threw it.
"Go, Luxray, battle position!" The Luxray appeared before them, clad in blue and black fur; it shook its short mane. "Crunch, now!" The Luxray lunged at a Golbat and bit its wing, then threw it to the ground.
"Now, Golbat! Poison Fang!" The other remaining Golbat swooped towards Luxray and attacked.
"Luxray! Dodge!" The Luxray jumped out of the way and stood ready. "Spark!"
Luxray charged up, covering its body in blue electricity, and rammed into the Golbat, knocking it into the wall.
"Looks as though I win. Good girl," Kuro said, Luxray walking up to him, swaying her star-tipped tail back and forth, elegantly.
"No chance!" The grunt took out another Pokéball, but a Pokéball flew through the air and hit him in the hand causing the grunt to drop his. It flew back to Kuro.
"No, no, no," Kuro said waving his finger at the two grunts. "It's over."
The grunts went running at Kuro, but he punched one in the face with his right hand, and kicked the other in the stomach. They went stumbling back across the room. Kuro walked up to them, lying amongst the wrecked chairs and tables. He gave the barkeep an apologetic look.
"Now, where were we?" He picked one of the grunts up and shook him. "What is your plan?"
"Not telling."
"Does it have something to do with the new mind control system for Pokémon?"
"You know about that?"
"Yes."
"Darkrai," the grunt whispered.
"What?"
"We're trying to capture Darkrai."
"Why? Where?"
"I-I don't know! They didn't tell us!"
Kuro dropped the grunt on the ground. He made sure to have the manager bill headquarters of the damages. He'd file it under 'work expenses'. As he left the bar, he told the barman to call the authorities. Standing outside, he had a troubled look.
Something was wrong. What did they want with Darkrai?
