A thug of shadow

Jovi awoke fairly early the following morning. This was mostly because she was excited about what Lily had for her. The first thing she did when she woke up was look at her two pokémon. They were both still asleep cuddled together. She then had a look around her room. Not much had changed but she did notice a package on her desk. It was wrapped in brown paper and tied with white string. Someone must have snuck into her room during the night and placed the package on her desk. Jovi climbed out of bed to have a look at the package but disturbed Plipli and Mimi in the process. The two pokémon woke up and gave a little squeal to tell Jovi that they were awake. She looked over and immediately realised that she had woken the two up.

"Oh, sorry I woke you." Jovi said.

"Plusle, plusle." Plipli replied. Plipli then became interested at what Jovi was looking at. And because Plipli was interested, Mimi was also curious. The two cheering pokémon jumped off of the bed and then onto the desk. They both began looking at the package that had been left there. It was addressed to Jovi from Lily. Jovi became excited and began to open the package. Inside the package was a silver box, about 1 foot square. It was also about 1 inch thick, with what looked like a severing running around the outside of the box, but only on three sides. This indicated that it opened. Out of curiosity, Jovi opened the box and found a screen on the inside. The screen immediately flashed, catching Jovi off guard. An image of Jovi then appeared on the screen in a smaller box. The screen then began displaying details on the screen.

'Trainer name: Jovi'

'Trainer ID: 62995'

'Owner registry complete. PDA registration complete.'

After seeing this, Jovi closed the device, with her eyes lit up. Lily had been given a PDA. With this, she could now go on a pokémon journey safely. Until now, she wasn't allowed to go any further than Gateon port because she had no way of keeping in contact with Lily. This was now no longer an issue. Almost as soon as the registration had finished, the device began ringing. It was the sound of a basic phone ringing. The device was also flashing on the outside. Curious, Jovi re-opened the device. The main screen immediately changed to another screen. This screen was mostly blank, except for a table. The top row of the table had an entry, LILY, pokémon HQ lab. Jovi realised that it was an e-mail but she didn't know how to open the mail, as the PDA had no buttons on the inside.

"Man, where's the instruction manual?" Jovi asked in frustration. She began searching through the packaging that the PDA was in, trying to find any sign of an instruction manual. While she was doing that, Plipli and Mimi had a look at the device. They hadn't seen anything like it before. They were used to unusual gadgets but nothing like this. The twp pokémon began prodding the device on the edges. Mimi then eventually prodded the screen by accident. She had touched the entry on the table, causing the e-mail to open suddenly. As a result, the pokémon leapt back in shock, landing on Plipli's back. The two pokémon then fell onto the floor, nearly knocking the PDA onto the floor. Jovi did hear the two pokémon fall onto the floor. She immediately looked over and saw them on the floor. She was able to crack a smile.

"Are you two ok?" Jovi asked. The two pokémon squeaked but climbed to their feet. Jovi walked over to the PDA to check that it hadn't been damaged and saw that the screen had changed. The e-mail that she had received was now being displayed. She began reading the message aloud, so Plipli and Mimi could listen as well.

"Jovi,

If you're reading this, then I'm assuming that you've found this PDA or Pokémon Digital Assistant. It's an invaluable tool for any pokémon trainer. I have prevented you from leaving you to travel the region until now because I was worried that you would not be safe, but now that you have grown very strong with your plusle and minun, I now feel that you are ready to follow in your father's footsteps. On that subject, can you come to the main office; Krane needs to speak to you.

Lily"

"Did you two do this? How?" Jovi asked, looking down to Plipli and Mimi. The two pokémon looked back at her, not knowing what she meant by that. Jovi had another look at the PDA. Having a thought, Jovi touched the screen with her finger. The e-mail disappeared and the PDA returned to the main screen. Jovi then realised that the screen was a touch screen, and that was how the PDA worked. She looked back down at Plipli and Mimi.

"Well, we'd better see what Krane wants." With that, Jovi changed into some casual clothes and went off to the main office.


When Jovi arrived at the main office, she saw Lily at the main desk, looking at a file that had been compiled soon after the second shadow incident. It was a file that had the records of the different shadow attacks. Krane was nowhere in sight though. Jovi decided to ask Lily as to where he was. Lily noticed Jovi as soon as she reached the desk.

"Morning Jovi." Lily greeted.

"Morning mother." Jovi replied.

"I presume you found the PDA."

"I sure did, and thanks a lot." Plipli and Mimi then jumped onto the desk and both squeaked to greet Lily.

"And how are Plipli and Mimi, are you two ok?" Lily asked.

"Plusle!" Plipli squeaked.

"Minun!" Mimi added.

"I'll take that as a yes." Lily replied.

"Krane wanted to see me Lily, where is he?" Jovi asked.

"He just went downstairs. I think he went to get…" Before Lily could finish, Krane entered the room. He was holding a device in both of his hands. The device looked like a metal arm, but the hand end looked a little like a glove. There were a couple of wires on the outside. Jovi didn't seem to notice the device and she just greeted Krane.

"Morning Krane."

"Ah, morning Jovi. Morning Plipli and Mimi." Krane greeted. Both pokémon squealed to greet the professor.

"Krane, what did you want to see me for?"

"Ah yes, it is quite an urgent matter. Do you recognise this device?" Jovi had a look at the device that the professor was holding and instantly recognised it.

"Brother's Snag machine!"

"Yes it is."

"But why do you need it?"

"There have been alleged sightings of shadow pokémon."

"I thought big brother got rid of them all."

"It's only unconfirmed rumours, but we can't take any chances. You did use the snag machine simulation haven't you?"

"Yes. It's one of my favourite past times."

"I know it is. Plus you're the strongest trainer here."

"Well, I do want to follow my brother."

"Now you've got your chance. I'd like you to take these." Krane then gave Jovi 5 poké balls and helped Jovi put the Snag machine on her left arm. He also fitted the aura catcher to her head, so she could see the shadow pokémon. Jovi took them and had a look at them.

"I'll go. I might meet up with my brother."

"I figured you'd say that."

"I'm so proud of you Jovi." Lily added.

"The first sightings were in Gateon port."

"That's where Emili lives." Jovi exclaimed.

"I don't know what kind of shadow pokémon there are, but you'll need this for your PDA." Krane then gave Jovi a card that looked like a floppy disc. Jovi took the device and had a look at it. She then inserted the card into one of the slots on the side of the PDA and then opened the device. When the main screen was displayed, another option appeared on the main screen. The new option was 'Shadow Monitor'.

"That shadow monitor will automatically record data of all shadow pokémon you meet. It will be invaluable in your journey." Krane explained.

"Right, now I'd better be off. I'm a little worried about Emili." Jovi said.

"Just…be careful." Lily said.

"I will. Plipli, Mimi, come on." Jovi recalled the two pokémon into their poké balls and then went outside the lab. She then climbed on her little scooter, which was almost identical to the one used by her brother, except that it was grey rather than white. She climbed onto the scooter, gave one final wave to Lily and Krane, and then drove off towards Gateon port.


Gateon port was pretty much exactly like it was 3 years ago. There were a few other people walking around but nobody that seemed obviously rough. Jovi kept Plipli and Mimi in their poké balls, just in case there were a few ruffians around that wanted her pokémon. The first place that Jovi went to was the poké mart. She had about 5,000 worth of money and she needed to buy some potions and some heals. The poké mart had improved in the last three years. The herbalist had moved out and into the pokémon centre. Much to Jovi's surprise, she found Emili in the poké mart. She was at the back of the store buying some potions. Jovi came up behind her to grab a few potions as well, making sure that Emili noticed her.

"Hi Jovi, this is a surprise." Emili greeted.

"Hi Emili. Great to see you."

"What brings you here?" Jovi had a quick glance around to check if anyone else is around. She didn't want to alarm any other customers but she felt that she had to tell Emili what she was up to. Besides, Jovi could trust Emili very well. Jovi leant in close so nobody could listen to what she was about to say.

"Keep this quiet, but Krane has asked me to investigate reports of shadow pokémon." To Jovi's surprise, Emili wasn't horrified about the shadow pokémon.

"So that's what you were doing."

"Yeah."

"Well, I was one of the people who saw a shadow pokémon."

"Did you?"

"Yeah. I battled somebody the other day with a rather violent zigzagoon. Volbeat and Illumise were only just able to win."

"What did that guy look like?"

"I'll tell you, but first there's something that I want to do."

"What is it?"

"Jovi, I challenge you to a pokémon battle."

"Ok then. Let's just finish buying what we need to and then we can have our battle."


Jovi purchased 5 potions and 5 full heals from the poké mart. It was currently out of stock of the more useful healing items like super potions and full restores. Jovi and Emili found a clear area in the main square of the port, a perfect area for their battle. The two got into suitable positions opposite each other.

"How about a two on two battle?" Jovi suggested.

"Fine by me. That's what I'm used to." Emili replied.

"Same here." Both trainers held two poké balls in their hands.

"I chose volbeat and illumise!" Emili shouted, throwing the two poké balls into the air. The poké balls opened and a volbeat appeared from one and an illumise appeared from the other.

"Volbeat! Volbeat!" The volbeat cried.

"Illumise!" The illumise added.

"Then I chose Plipli and Mimi!" Jovi shouted, throwing the two poké balls in the air. Plipli and Mimi came out of their poké balls.

"Emili, you can make the first move." Jovi said.

"Thanks. Volbeat, tackle! Illumise, tackle!" Emili shouted. The volbeat and illumise came running at Plipli and Mimi as fast as they could.

"Plipli, Mimi, evade with quick attack!" Jovi shouted. Plipli and Mimi evaded the tackle attacks with incredible speed. Volbeat and illumise screeched to a halt, not noticing where Plipli and Mimi had gone.

"Mimi, helping hand! Plipli, thundershock the volbeat!" Jovi shouted. Plipli and Mimi joined hands. Mimi gave Plipli a power boost and Plipli released a powerful surge of electricity towards volbeat. The shock found it's mark but volbeat was able to stay standing. The shock, however, did leave the pokémon paralysed. The movements were suddenly much slower. The illumise went over to the volbeat and tried to help it move.

"Volbeat, are you ok?" Emili asked.

"It's been paralysed by the thundershock." Jovi said.

"Oh no. Volbeat, are you ok?" Volbeat was able to slowly able to turn its head around and look at Emili.

"Volllllll……beat." The pokémon was able to reply, although it's voice was very slow.

"Do you want to continue?" Jovi asked. Emili looked away from her volbeat and back at Jovi. She had made up her mind about what she wanted to do. She had seen that Plipli and Mimi's attacks were very powerful.

"Jovi, I give up. I don't want my pokémon to get hurt anymore."

"Ok then. You did well though." Emili recalled volbeat and illumise. Jovi allowed Plipli and Mimi to have a little cuddle with each other before she recalled them. This didn't surprise Emili; she knew that the two pokémon had feelings for each other.

"Thanks. Plipli and Mimi are incredibly powerful."

"We'd better get to the pokémon…" Before Jovi could finish her sentence, they were interrupted by the sound of crashing and banging.

"What's going on?" Emili asked.

"Don't know."

"It's coming from the Krabby club."

"Let's go."


The two ran towards the Krabby club as fast as they could. When they arrived, they saw that a fight was going on. It appeared that a single thug had gotten into an argument with some of the sailors. The thug was fairly buff, with brown hair and wearing jaggy jeans and a shirt. He was also using a single indistinguishable pokémon against a sailor's poliwag. The poliwag was taken out in a single hit, being thrown against the wall of the Krabby club. The thug had recalled his pokémon before Jovi and Emili arrived. When they were able to see the thug, Emili recognised him.

"Jovi, that's the guy who had that violent zigzagoon." Emili said.

"So, that would be a shadow pokémon. He can't keep that pokémon." Jovi said.

"What are you intending to do?"

"I'm going to take that pokémon from him. It's the only way."

"Steal the pokémon?"

"That's how my brother did it three years ago. There really is no other way."

"Ok, but I'm not comfortable about this." Jovi and Emili cautiously walked closer to the Krabby in, just when the thug had recalled the pokémon. He then turned around and saw both Jovi and Emili. He immediately recognised Emili and gave a very menacing sneer.

"I remember you. You defeated my prize pokémon the other day!" The thug shouted. Emili flinched at the thug's shouting. She did remember that battle but she was in no suitable condition to fight.

"Look, I don't want to battle you again." Emili said.

"Nobody refuses a challenge from me, the great Naps!"

"Naps, why does that name sound familiar?" Jovi thought to herself.

"I don't have time to fight you. I just wanted to see what was going on." Emili said.

"But you still challenge me? I'll pound you into oblivion!"

"If you want to do that, you'll have to go through me." Jovi said.

"And you are?" Naps asked. Jovi then remembered the name Naps. It was the same name of the cipher peon that had kidnapped Krane three years ago. She then had a sudden feeling that this was the same Naps. She immediately dismissed the idea, not realising that she was correct.

"Naps, I challenge you to a pokémon battle!" Jovi said.

"Heh, you think you can beat me? I'll pound you into oblivion!" Naps threw two poké balls into the air. They opened up and revealed a rhyhorn and a poochyena.

"I won't lose this. Plipli, Mimi, go!" Jovi released the two pokémon from their poké balls. The two pokémon landed and assumed a battle position.

"You little plusle and minun stand no chance against my rhyhorn!" Naps scoffed.

"Jovi, rhyhorn's a ground type. Plipli and Mimi are doomed." Emili said.

"I know what I'm doing. These two have a rather unusual attack under their belt, a move they can't usually learn." Jovi whispered into Emili's ear.

"I hope so."

"You can make the first move, since you're going to lose immediately." Naps said.

"Very well, Mimi, quick attack the poochyena!" Jovi shouted. Mimi charged right at the poochyena before Naps could react. The attack scored a critical hit and knocked out the poochyena instantly, knocking it into the wall. Naps recalled his poochyena and sneered.

"A lucky punch, but now it ends. Rhyhorn, take down the minun!" Naps shouted. The rhyhorn began charging as fast as it could towards Mimi. Plipli immediately ran into the way, putting herself in the way of the rhyhorn.

"Plipli, water pulse!" Plipli opened its mouth and released the water pulse directly at the rhyhorn. The attack completely overpowered the rhyhorn and knocked it out. Everyone who was watching was amazed at the water pulse attack. Naps just stared in disbelief.

"How can a plusle use water pulse?" A sailor who was watching in the background asked. The sailor next to him just shrugged. Naps eventually growled menacingly.

"I still have one pokémon left. It will crush you completely. Go zigzagoon!" Naps shouted, recalling the rhyhorn and throwing another poké ball into the air. Just like he said, a zigzagoon popped out. As soon as 8it landed, it growled very evilly. Almost as soon as it came out, the aura reader attached to Jovi's head activated. A transparent screen came out and covered her left eye. She looked at the zigzagoon through the aura catcher. She then saw a purple aura of darkness surrounding the pokémon. It was just like she had suspected.

"Just like I thought, a shadow pokémon!" Jovi said aloud, deliberately so everyone around could hear.