Our heroes are on their way to Santalune City, the site of Ash's first Gym battle! However, an unfortunate event is about to occur right in front of our heroes eyes.
A sniper is high up on a mountain, looking down on Route 4. As he's looking down, Ash and the others are seen walking on the Route.
"I still can't believe you had a case not a DAY after your task force was started up!" Serena said.
"Believe me," Nathan said, "crime takes no holiday."
"That's the truth." Clemont said. The sniper grinned as he aimed for one of the group.
"Relax, Clemont," Bonnie said, "it's not like a crime is gonna happen right in front of us." The moment Bonnie said that, the sniper fired.
"GET DOWN!" Nathan yelled. Everyone got down and went behind cover, all except one. The sniper quickly ran off towards Santalune City, forgetting to police his brass. Nathan looked around and saw nothing, except one thing.
"Is everyone alright?" Ash asked.
"Anyone hit?" Clemont asked. Nathan went from behind cover and ran towards one person, Jamie.
"Jamie," Nathan said, "are you okay? Speak to me!" Ash then looked at Nathan and approached him. The others did so as well.
"Is she okay?" Aria asked.
"Did she get hit?" Serena asked.
"Yeah," Nathan said, "she got hit. I just don't know where."
"Jamie," Bonnie said, "talk to us!" Nathan then saw a gunshot wound on Jamie's head and checked her pulse.
"Call an ambulance," Ash said, "she needs help!"
"She's dead," Nathan said, looking at the others, "Jamie's dead." Nathan then looked at the mountain and glared, putting his sunglasses on.
"Is everything alright?" Bonnie asked.
"You know how she was killed, don't you?" Ash asked. Nathan stood up and balled up a fist.
"We've got a sniper." Nathan said.
The Santalune Sniper
After witnessing Jamie's death at the hands of a sniper, our heroes immediately go into action to look for her killer. However, the local authorities have just arrived, and were taking their statements. This made Nathan wonder something.
"How did you guys get here so fast?" Nathan asked.
"Someone reported it." An Officer said.
"Immediately after it happened? I don't think so. You've got a dirty cop in your ranks." Nathan said.
"Who do you think you are?!" A Captain asked. Nathan showed his badge and ID.
"Commander Nathan McGarrett," he said, "Five-0 Task Force."
"Damn it!" The Captain said.
"I want copies of all your reports," Nathan said, "and keep me updated on the case." Nathan then walked off with Ash and the others in tow. As they walked, Nathan saw burnt patches of grass and looked ahead. Dedenne then jumped out and started walking towards where the burnt patches of grass stopped. It then used electricity to find a horde of Pikachu, Raichu, and Pichu.
"Look at all those Pokémon!" Bonnie said, her eyes lighting up like a Christmas tree. Nathan pulled out his Pokédex and pointed it at a Pichu first.
"Pichu," the Pokédex said, "the Tiny Mouse Pokémon. The electric sacs on Pichu's cheeks are small. If it tries to store more electricity than they can hold, Pichu will shock itself."
'Interesting.' Nathan thought. He then pointed it at a Pikachu.
"Pikachu," the Pokédex said, "the Mouse Pokémon, and the evolved form of Pichu. Pikachu can help other Pikachu who are feeling weak by sharing its electric current."
"Pika?" Ash's Pikachu asked.
'How odd.' Nathan thought. He then pointed his Pokédex at a Raichu.
"Raichu," the Pokédex said, "the Mouse Pokémon, and the evolved form of Pikachu. Raichu's tail functions as a ground and releases electricity into the surface, which keeps it from shocking itself."
"Wow," Ash said, "what a diversity."
"Yeah," Serena said, "it's an anomaly alright." Just then, two Pikachu went up to Ash's Pikachu and held out their paws.
"Pika Pika!" The first one said.
"Pikachu Pika!" The second one said. Nathan then saw a flash and glared.
'Not on my watch you don't.' Nathan thought. Ash's Pikachu caught on and looked at Nathan.
"Pika!" It said. Ash saw the flash and nodded to Pikachu.
"Go for it, buddy." He said. Pikachu then jumped onto Nathan's shoulder as he threw Kakashi's Poké Ball in the air, grabbing it while revealing the badge around his neck.
"Let's go, Kakashi," Nathan said, "use Water Pulse where that flash is! Pikachu, use Electro Ball in that same direction!" Nathan then threw Kakashi's Poké Ball while Pikachu jumped up.
"Froakie!" Kakashi said, landing on a tree branch.
"Pikachu!" Ash's Pikachu said. The two of them then saw the flash and glared.
"Fro! Kie!" Kakashi said, using Water Pulse.
"Pika Pika Pika Pika Pika Pika! Chu-pi!" Ash's Pikachu said, using Electro Ball. The attacks then merged and Nathan's eyes changed to a Dark Blue.
'Attacks combine!' Kakashi and Ash's Pikachu thought. The attack then became stronger as a poacher's eyes went wide.
"ELECTRIC PULSE!" Nathan yelled. The attack then hit the poacher, causing him to become paralyzed and fall out of the tree he was hiding in. The group of Pichu, Pikachu, and Raichu were shocked. One of the two Pikachu that approached Ash's looked at Nathan. When Kakashi and Ash's Pikachu landed, they both smiled and fist bumped each other. Just then, a female Pikachu approached Ash's Pikachu and smiled.
"Pikachu!" It said. Ash's Pikachu smiled and held a paw out. The female took it and shook it.
"Looks like you made a new friend, huh?" Ash asked. Nathan then looked into a clearing and glared, seeing 50 more poachers.
"Stay here," Nathan said, pulling out his expandable baton and opening it, "I'll deal with them." The female looked at Nathan in shock as another male approached.
"Pika Pikachu!" It said.
"No matter what happens," Nathan said, "keep everyone safe, Kakashi." Kakashi then saluted.
"Kie Fro!" Kakashi said. The poachers revealed weapons, but Nathan never stopped walking. The group of Raichu stood in front of Nathan, ready to fight.
"I understand you want to help," Nathan said, walking through them and stopping before getting into a stance, "but you should stay back and watch how I get things done." The female with Ash's Pikachu looked on as the second male copied the stance. The female saw what the other male did and copied it. One of the poachers grinned.
"Looks like we're taking out the Commander of Five-0, boys." He said. Nathan's eyes stayed Dark Blue as he glared intensely.
"In your dreams, asswipe." Nathan said.
"Rai Chu." A Raichu said.
'Get them, Nathan.' Kakashi thought.
'Good luck, Nathan.' Ash's Pikachu thought. A poacher then charged at Nathan and went to attack. Nathan blocked and connected with an attack of his own, knocking the poacher into several others.
"What?!" One of the poachers asked.
"Get ready for a beat down." Nathan said.
"You can't defeat all of us!" Another poacher said. Nathan glared further.
"Never underestimate a McGarrett." He said. Several poachers then charged at him, weapons at the ready. Nathan fought off all of them without breaking a sweat and sent all of them to the ground with ease. The other male Pikachu was copying the moves Nathan was doing, as was the female with Ash's Pikachu, until only one poacher was left standing.
"Well done," he said, "I'm surprised you've gotten this far. Most would give up after five minutes. Perhaps we should settle this in a battle. Loser gives a Pokémon to the winner. Deal?"
"What are you putting up?" Nathan asked. The poacher grinned.
"How about my strongest Pokémon?" He said. Nathan glared.
"It's a damn trap," he said, "so don't think I'll fall for it. Either tell me what you're REALLY putting up, or I'm throwing you in jail."
"Alright, fine! I only have a damn useless Ralts to give away!" The poacher said.
"You mean a Ralts you poached." Nathan said. The poacher then got pissed.
"SHUT UP!" The poacher yelled, charging at Nathan. Nathan grinned and the female with Ash's Pikachu knew what was coming.
'Time to show him who's boss.' Nathan thought. The poacher threw a punch which Nathan dodged by leaning to the side.
"What?" The poacher asked. Nathan grinned and kicked the poacher back, sending him onto the floor. The poacher looked at Nathan and glared. Nathan then heard a song being played and grinned.
'Perfect.' Nathan thought.
"What's with the grin?" The poacher asked.
"Time for some Hip-Hop Kido." Nathan said, getting Serena and Aria's attention.
"Who cares? You're still dead!" The poacher said, getting up. Just then, a known rap song started playing and the poacher started to charge. Nathan dodged him, moving to the beat. Nathan then hit him in the chest as he was going to strike again. Clemont couldn't believe what he was seeing.
"No way," Ash said, just as shocked as Clemont, "he's dancing WHILE he's fighting!"
"It's called Kido," Bonnie said, "a type of martial arts where you incorporate dancing as well as fighting. There's different kinds of Kido, but this is the most well-known." The song went on for quite some time until Nathan dealt the final blow to the poacher, pinned him on the ground, and placed him in restraints.
"You're under arrest." Nathan said. Nathan then looked in the shadows and saw a Ralts with tears in its eyes. Nathan pulled out his Pokédex and pointed it at the Ralts.
"Ralts," the Pokédex said, "the Feeling Pokémon. It can use the horns on its head to read human emotions. Ralts rarely shows itself to humans, but may occasionally approach when it senses positive or happy feelings."
"This must be the Ralts that was poached." Clemont said. The Ralts then ran to Nathan and jumped up, hugging him. Nathan gently held the Ralts in his arms and smiled.
"Let's get you to a Pokémon Center." Nathan said. Ash's Pikachu then jumped onto Ash's shoulder, much to the dismay of the female Pikachu. Serena smiled and knelt down.
"Why are you looking so sad? You're too cute to be sad!" Serena said. The female Pikachu then looked at Serena.
"Pika?" It asked.
"Yeah," Serena said, "you shouldn't look this way because a friend is leaving. Not unless you don't want to see him again." Nathan sighed and looked at Serena.
"She fell in love with Ash's Pikachu," he said, "and she doesn't want to leave him."
"Pika?!" Ash's Pikachu asked. The female Pikachu looked at Nathan in shock.
'How did you know?!' She thought.
"Because I saw that look before." Nathan said. The female Pikachu looked even more shocked.
'You can understand me?!' She thought.
"I can understand your thoughts," Nathan said, "not just you." Serena then had an idea.
"How would you like to join my team?" She asked. The female Pikachu looked at Serena in shock.
"Are you sure about this, Serena?" Ash asked.
"Ash is right," Clemont said, "taking care of a Pikachu is a lot of work. Especially a female."
"You know I can help, Clemont!" Bonnie said. The male Pikachu then knocked a Poké Ball off Serena's belt and into her hand, knowing it was empty.
"Pika Pika!" It said. The female looked at the other male in shock.
'What is my brother thinking?!' She thought. Nathan readied one of his empty ones from behind his back as Serena looked at the male.
"You want to join my team?" Serena asked. The second male Pikachu then nodded and Nathan nodded to Serena.
'Trust me on this.' Nathan thought. Serena grinned and nodded back.
"Alright." Serena said, readying her Poké Ball. Nathan revealed one as well and the second male looked at Nathan in shock.
"Now!" Nathan said.
"Go Poké Ball!" Nathan and Serena said. Serena's hit the female while Nathan's hit the other male. The balls shook for a moment as everyone was silent. Both balls then stopped moving as they both clicked shut. Nathan and Serena both went to their Poké Balls and Nathan grinned.
"Alright!" Serena said.
"We just caught a Pikachu!" Nathan and Serena said, each in a different pose.
"Alright," Nathan said, "come on out you two." Nathan and Serena then threw the Poké Balls and the two Pikachu stood before them. Sure enough, Serena had the female and Nathan had the second male.
"Should we give them nicknames?" Serena asked.
"Yeah," Nathan said, "we should. That way, they don't get confused."
"True." Serena said.
"Ladies first." Nathan said. Serena smiled and knelt down to the female.
"Does the name Jamie sound good to you?" She asked.
"Pika!" The female Pikachu said.
"That settles it." Serena said.
"Alright," Nathan said, "how about Steve for you?" The second male smiled and saluted.
"Pikachu!" It said. Nathan nodded and Steve jumped up on to Nathan's shoulder. Jamie did the same, but jumped onto Serena's.
"Alright, Kakashi," Nathan said, holding up Kakashi's Poké Ball, "return." Kakashi then returned to its Poké Ball and two Raichu approached Nathan and Serena.
"We'll take good care of them," Serena said, "don't you worry." The two Raichu smiled and gave Nathan a strange crystal that Ash immediately recognized.
"That's a Z-Crystal!" Ash said.
"A what?" Bonnie asked.
"It's something from the Alola Region," Nathan said, "and it's part of a superstition. It's said that there's a hidden power within all Pokémon. Only when Pokémon and Trainer truly become one can they use the power of Z-Crystals to unleash the hidden power known as a Z-Move. From what I remember, this is an Electrium Z."
'Why is there a Z-Crystal all the way in Kalos?' Nathan thought. Nathan took the Z-Crystal and placed it in a pocket on his jacket. The two Raichu then saluted and the entire group moved out of the way. Nathan and the others then walked past them and continued on to Santalune City, headed straight for the Pokémon Center. Once there, Nathan asked the Nurse Joy there to give the Ralts a check-up as well as giving his other Pokémon one. Once they were taken to the back, Nathan went to a chair and sat down. He then pulled out his book on Forensic Psychology and started to read. However, something on the news caught his attention.
"The Santalune Sniper has struck once again," a News Anchor said, "this time committing murder. Police still haven't given a statement as to the progress of the investigation, but they have said that this murder is heinous enough for the death penalty. According to sources, the victim was walking with Pokémon Performer Serena, Lumiose City Gym Leader Clemont and his sister, Kalos Queen Aria, Pokémon Trainer Ash Ketchum, and Commander Nathan McGarrett of the newly formed Five-0 Task Force. Could this have been a failed attempt to assassinate Serena and Aria?" Nathan glared and tuned it out. He then saw a man in a long coat.
"You cold?" Nathan asked.
"No," the man said, "I'm offering you the deal of a lifetime. Help me get the Santalune Sniper, and I'll help you surpass your father's dream of starting a Task Force. I'll help it become a federal agency."
"That explains the long coat," Nathan said, lowering the book, "you're a Pokémon Ranger, aren't you?"
"Yeah," the man said, "I am."
"Let me see some ID." Nathan said.
"You're kidding me." The man said.
"I'm not," Nathan said, "you could be impersonating one for all I know."
"Fine," the man said, "I'll show you." The man then pulled out his ID and showed it to Nathan. Nathan looked over it carefully and nodded.
"Okay," Nathan said, "I'll bite."
"I know information that will blow you away." The Ranger said.
"I'm listening." Nathan said.
"I know where the sniper is gonna hit next." The Ranger said.
"How do you know?" Nathan asked.
"Because I've been tracking the sniper's tracks for years," the Ranger said, "and I know for a fact it's gonna be here." Nathan then looked at the Ranger and sighed.
"Can you make it any more obvious?" Nathan asked. The Ranger tried to run, only to be met with a clothesline from one of the cops at the crime scene.
"You're under arrest." The Officer said, taking the Ranger into custody. Nathan continued to read his book undisturbed. After a few moments, Nurse Joy brought his Pokémon out along with the Ralts.
"They're all just fine," she said, "and I'm glad you brought this Ralts when you did. Its Trainer is on his way to get it."
"Thank you." Nathan said.
"No problem." Nurse Joy said. After she said that, a young boy walked in and gasped in shock.
"Ralts!" He said. The Ralts then ran to the young boy and jumped up, hugging him. Nathan smiled and went to the boy.
"It's okay," Nathan said, "I had Nurse Joy make sure of that."
"Thank you, mister!" The boy said. The Ralts smiled and I nodded.
"You should get home," Nathan said, "it's gonna get late soon."
"I know," the boy said, "but I have no home to go to."
"Why not?" Nathan asked.
"Because my parents were killed in a fire three days ago." The boy said.
"What's your name?" Nathan asked.
"Justin." The boy said.
"Well, Justin," Nathan said, "my name is Nathan."
"It's good to meet you." Justin said. Nathan then pulled out his badge and showed it to Justin.
"I'm a cop," Nathan said, "and I run a special task force. I risk my life for the sake of others. That includes people and Pokémon alike. To hear you don't have a home, it makes me feel sorry for you. How would you like to stay with me and my friends as we go on a journey across the Kalos region together?"
"I don't know." Justin said.
"Did I mention that the Kalos Queen is on this journey?" Nathan asked.
"What?" Justin asked.
"Yeah," Nathan said, "and the Lumiose City Gym Leader and his sister are, too. As well as a Pokémon Performer and a Pokémon Trainer that helped a Garchomp several years ago." Justin gasped.
"You mean Ash Ketchum? A Kalos League Semifinalist?!" Justin asked.
"The very same," Nathan said, "and he's going after the Kalos League again. This time, with more experience than the last."
"Plus," Justin said, "he's got you to help him train! Oh, can you PLEASE talk to them about it?!" Nathan smiled and nodded.
"How about you ask them yourself?" Nathan asked. Nathan then led Justin to the battle field outside and saw Ash training with his Noivern to counter Viola's Gust. Justin got starry-eyed as he saw this and his Ralts became the same way. Serena then went onto the field and stopped them.
"That's enough training for now," she said, "lunch is ready." Nathan then walked to them with Justin in tow. Ash looked at them.
"Hey, Nathan," Ash said, "how's the Ralts doing?"
"It's doing fine," Nathan said, "I even have its Trainer with me." Justin then waved slightly and Bonnie smiled.
"What's your name?" She asked.
"Justin." Justin said.
"Well, Justin," Serena said, kneeling down, "it's nice to meet you. I'm Serena, a Pokémon Performer."
"I'm Bonnie," Bonnie said, "these are Dedenne and Squishy."
"Dedenne!" Dedenne said. Squishy warbled and Justin looked at Bonnie in shock.
"You have a Zygarde core?!" Justin asked.
"Yup," Bonnie said, "and it's a cutie. I call him Squishy because of how squishy he is."
"Wow," Justin said, "that's amazing!"
"Oh," Bonnie said, "this is my brother."
"I'm Clemont," Clemont said, "the Lumiose City Gym Leader." Aria smiled and stood next to Clemont.
"I'm Aria," she said, "the reigning Kalos Queen."
"I'm Ash," Ash said, "these are my Pokémon. Pikachu, Noivern, and Talonflame."
"It's nice to meet you all." Justin said.
"Would you like to join us for lunch?" Serena asked.
"Boy, would I!" Justin said. After a few minutes, everyone had finished their lunch and was either sitting in the shade, lying in the sun, or working on their strength. That is, except for Nathan. He was still reading his book on Forensic Psychology. Bonnie and Justin looked at him and smiled.
"He must take that stuff seriously." Bonnie said.
"He has to," Justin said, "he's got an important job to do. Someday, I'm gonna be just like him."
"You're gonna start a task force?" Bonnie asked.
"No," Justin said, "I'm gonna become a cop. I'm going to help people like he helped me." Bonnie smiled and put her head on his shoulder, shocking him and causing him to blush.
"That's actually a good goal to have." Bonnie then yawned and closed her eyes. Justin smiled and held her close, eventually yawning and closing his eyes. The two then fell asleep in each other's arms.
After a murder investigation was opened, it was soon closed as the killer was a Pokémon Ranger with unknown goals in mind. Now, as a new friend joins them, our heroes are faced with the Santalune City Gym, and its leader, Viola. What surprises are in store for them? Find out... as the journey continues!
To Be Continued...
