Back at the Crimson Cove Pokémon Center, Ash, Misty, and Brock were waiting for Nurse Joy to finish healing their Pokémon when Brock noticed that the afternoon news was starting.
"Let's see if they have more information on that scientist that got hurt at Grandpa Canyon." He picked up the remote control and turned up the volume on the television.
"The top story today is the attack on a research party at Grandpa Canyon," the news anchor began. "Earlier today, Foster Blackwood, a professor of Pokémon archaeology at Celadon University, and Celadon U. graduate student Tyler Daniels were attacked by an unknown Pokémon while on a research expedition at Grandpa Canyon."
"Hey, isn't that the guy that we met at the Ruins of Alph?" Ash exclaimed as Foster's picture appeared on the television screen. "Professor Oak's old student?"
"Oh no! It is Foster!" Misty gasped as she stared at the television. The three had met the young scientist a few months ago at the Ruins of Alph and Misty had developed a crush on him.
"Professor Blackwood was airlifted to the Vermilion City Regional Trauma Center where his condition has been upgraded from critical to serious. Mr. Daniels was able to escape from the attack unhurt. With more information on today's events, let's go to our field reporter Emily Hunt."
"She's pretty," Brock said as the attractive blonde woman appeared on the screen.
"Thanks, Chris," the reporter began. "Behind me is the area where the attack on Professor Blackwood took place earlier today." The camera panned around the canyon to a site just to the reporter's right. "Matter of fact, you can still see some of the bloodstains on the rocks from this morning's brutal attack."
"Poor Foster," Misty said softly as she bit her lip, trying not to cry.
"What everyone wants to know right now is what did this to Professor Blackwood and why. Based on the description given by Professor Blackwood's assistant, the Pokémon that attacked them was quite large. I quote, 'a huge, red and white, bird-like Pokémon with a blue triangle-shaped mark on its body'. Pokémon researchers are currently trying to determine what was it that attacked the young scientist."
Just then, Officer Jenny appeared on the screen. "Excuse me, but I'm going to have to ask you leave."
"Officer Jenny!" Brock said happily as a goofy grin appeared on his face.
"This site is currently being treated as a crime scene, and as long as the Pokémon that did this to Professor Blackwood is still out there, it's not safe for you to be here," Officer Jenny told the reporter.
"And you are…?" the reporter asked, holding the microphone in the police officer's face.
"I'm escorting you out of here," Officer Jenny told her as she took the reporter by the arm.
"Back to you, Chris," the reporter finished as the two women moved offscreen.
As the camera momentarily focused on the spot where Foster had been attacked, Togepi jumped out of Misty's arms and toddled up to the television screen.
"Toge-toge-pi!" the Pokémon said happily as it patted the television.
"Togepi, what are you doing?" Ash asked as it observed the Pokémon's unusual behavior.
"Well, we found Togepi in Grandpa Canyon," Brock said. "Maybe it knows that's where it came from."
"How could it?" Ash replied. "Togepi didn't even hatch until we were far away from the canyon."
"Maybe it's something instinctive," said Brock.
"Come here, Togepi," Misty said as she picked up her Pokémon. "We can't see the TV if you're in the way."
"With me now from Pallet Town is noted Pokémon expert Professor Samuel Oak." The footage from Grandpa Canyon was replaced by the familiar scene of the interior of the Oak Pokémon Research Laboratory.
"Hey, it's Professor Oak!" Ash exclaimed as a gray-haired man in a lab coat appeared on the television screen.
"Professor Oak," the news anchor began, "I understand that earlier today you spoke with Professor Blackwood."
"Yes. Foster was one of my former students."
"Can you give us an update on his condition?"
"He's in rough shape, but the doctors are optimistic for a full recovery."
"What kind of injuries did Professor Blackwood receive as a result of this vicious attack?"
"Well, I'm not a physician. I think you should speak to Foster's doctor about the nature of his injuries."
"Certainly, Professor. I understand. Anyway, after speaking with your colleague, do you have any ideas as to what sort of Pokémon would attack your former student and why?"
"Foster suggested that perhaps he and Tyler had disturbed the Pokémon's nesting area. Wild Pokémon will often attack anything that threatens their young, including humans."
"Do you know exactly what sort of Pokémon was it that attacked Professor Blackwood?"
"Based on the description Foster and Tyler provided, the Pokémon they encountered is currently unknown. I'm corresponding with several of my colleagues, including Professor Robert Elm from Johto and Professor Felina Ivy from the Orange Islands, to see if they can provide any information on this Pokémon."
"That name…that name…" Brock was now lying in a fetal position on the floor.
"Do you think Brock's ever gonna tell us what Professor Ivy did to him?" Ash whispered to Misty.
"Don't say that name…that name…" Brock moaned again.
"I asked my assistant to provide a sketch of what this Pokémon might look like based on Foster's and Tyler's description." Tracey briefly appeared on the screen and handed Professor Oak a drawing.
"Hey, there's Tracey!" Misty exclaimed as she pointed to the screen.
"Thanks, Tracey," Professor Oak said as he took the drawing from his assistant and held it up to the camera. "As you can see, it's similar to the Pokémon Lugia, but the markings are different."
Togepi hopped out of Misty's arms again and began patting the image of the Pokémon on the television.
"What's with Togepi today, Misty?" Ash asked as the two watched the Pokémon chirrup happily to the drawing on the screen.
"I don't know, Ash. Togepi's acting pretty strange." Misty bent down and picked up her Pokemon once more. "Togepi, you're going to get eye strain if you sit too close to the TV."
"Togepi-togepi-togepi," the Pokémon said in a sing-song voice as it continued to stare at Tracey's drawing.
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And overhead at Grandpa Canyon, the Pokémon whose image was similar to the one currently appearing on the television was still searching for her child.
Where can you be? I won't stop looking until I find you.
To Be Continued…