Chapter 2

I feel the poke balls heat surge through my hand as I throw it towards Ralph and the assaulting starlys. The ball glides to within two feet of the attackers and out flies the Pokémon piplup. Its light blue coat shines in the sun as it turns to survey me.

"Please, help my friend."

I plead with the piplup as my eyes begin to sting with the build-up of tears. I'm standing here waiting, feeling utterly useless as its hard look softens. I smile as it nods. Piplup puffs its chest and charges towards the nearest starly. Building speed it leaps and tackles the starly hard, knocking it to the ground. The second starly, witnessing what has happened dives towards piplup attacking with its wings. Piplup endures the attempt and counters with its bubble. As I stand here watching this stranger help me, fighting with all its might, I am overcome with emotion. Tears roll down my cheeks at this bravery.

Another powerful tackle from piplup snaps me into action. Hurriedly wiping tears from my cheeks I run towards Ralph. As I do I notice the starlys double up their gust attack to blow piplup off its feet. I can hear its pain filled cries as the starlys begin to dive bomb.

"Ralph! Help Piplup." I shout desperately.

Wiping blood from his mouth he springs into action. Grabbing the nearest poke ball Ralph throws it into the fray. A Turtwig bursts onto the scene.

"Turtwig! Assist piplup. TACKLE!" Ralph shouts with all the confidence of a seasoned trainer.

Turtwig smashes into the body of one of the starlys with a sickening thud before turning onto the second. Piplup, getting to its feet, puffs its chest out; almost doubling its size and growls the starlys into a hasty exit.

Hands on knees, a brief smile crosses my lips as I take in the hard fought victory. Ralph has fallen to his knees; exhausted.

"We should get some ice for your head."

"I'm… Fine…" Ralph dismisses me, whilst trying to catch his breath.

As we make our way towards the exit a thick frosty mist begins to fill the lakeside. As I struggle to breathe in the frozen air a voice cuts through the mist that causes every hair to stand to attention.

"It's impolite to use other peoples Pokémon."

My heart doubles in pace as I recognise the voice as the old mans from before the battle. I desperately search for his location.

"Well you shouldn't have abandoned them!" Ralph calls out.

"Abandoned? Hm. Merely misplaced, boy." He responds with a calm coolness that unnerves me further. "Now, since you have defiled my Pokémon you are in my debt and if I were you I'd listen closely."

He gives us a half smile that reveals what looks like pale blue teeth.

"My assistant will come to you in the morning with a pokedex. You are going to fill it for me. I require knowledge of the world's most powerful Pokémon."

"And why would we do that?" Blurts Ralph; foolishly standing up to the stranger.

The old man's demeanour shifts as he glides towards Ralph. I try to move to intercept the old man, but I can't. Every muscle in my body is aching as I try to force myself into movement. I'm frozen to the spot! He is getting closer to Ralph and I can't do anything about it! My heart beats to a speed I didn't think possible. As he reaches his target Ralph's eyes are locked to his.

"Boy…" Any trace of humanity he may have had gone from his voice. "You will do this for me. Obeying me is all you will live for."

As I stand frozen I attempt to cry out but my voice is lost in the mist, stolen by the cold. I see Ralph's eyes glow a soft blue for a split second before returning to normal.

"You have your orders… try to get some sleep; you have a long journey ahead."

As he vanishes into the mist a chilling echo screeches from every direction.

"Oh. And keep those weak Pokémon."

As we are released from his icy grip I feel the full effect of the day's events. I grip my head as I succumb to the darkness.