Whoa!
Cevan and Kevin were now having a headache. Ever since they woke up that morning, it felt like a gong was being hit in their head over and over, echoing "danger" in his head. It seemed to get stronger with each hit.
Man! What could possibly give such a headache from sensing danger?!? Kevin asked Cevan.
Whoa! Cevan repeated, as they were hit by another "danger" wave. Whatever it is, it's pulsing strong! I even have a hard time making this not so painful!
This is nearly blinding! Kevin nearly said it aloud, it was so intense.
Wait! I have an idea! Cevan said, followed by another expression of surprise. Let's use our minds with each other and try to tighten the psychic connectivity within! It might loosen the pain a bit.
Huh?
Just concentrate on the image of your Scyther, and picture yourself within its head!
It took nearly a half-hour, with the danger signal pounding on Kevin's mind, for them to get it right. Cevan's reasoning worked. The Danger signal was now about as strong as when they first sensed the Fearow flock.
Hey Cevan, Kevin began asking, How on earth did you know about that?
You remember that one banquet we had to celebrate your fifth year in holding the champion title?
Yeah, I remember that, Kevin said. Nothing about being in the Pokémon League ever left his mind over the nine years of being absent from his position, which made it all the more painful whenever he longed for it back.
Well, I was talking with Lorelei's Jynx that day. I used to have a small problem controlling danger signals being sent from anything larger than a dragonair. It taught me how to enhance my mind to make me stronger to such signals, so I wouldn't be hindered in a battle.
Well, I can tell vaguely where the signal's coming from, Kevin stated, And it feels more like it's coming from Vermilion City.
So what are we waiting for? Cevan said, sounding a little eager. Let's get moving!
* * *
"Well, here we are!" Ash declared. "Vermilion City. Certainly has been a while since we last came here, huh Misty?"
"And one I don't exactly like, either… Especially with the S.S.Anne." Misty recalled back to when they had gotten tickets for a "luxury cruise" on the S.S.Anne, a boat that they normally wouldn't be able to ride unless they were rich. However, they found that it was a setup for them so Team Rocket could steal their Pokémon. Team Rocket was defeated, but the boat began sinking, and they were dragged under the water. Eventually, they escaped the boat, but not the rage of a Gyrados, and they were knocked sky- high from its Dragon Rage attack.
"We better get that statue you still have to Nurse Joy, Ash," Tracy reminded. "The sooner we get it to her, the sooner we'll get to Professor Oak so he can review my sketches!"
"Come on, Tracy! Try thinking of something else for a change!" Misty snapped.
The three of them, however, did not enter the city without followers. Jessie, James, and Meowth were watching the three of them, disguised in trench coats, with Meowth hiding in James's.
"I wonder how valuable that statue is," Jessie said silently to the rest.
"It might sell for a fortune, if we got our hands on it," James added.
Meowth was listening to the conversation, but as he looked around, he saw an object in the sky. Wondering what it was, he asked, "Hey, what's that up there?"
Jessie and James both turned around to face the route north of Vermilion and the strange object. "What is that?" Jessie asked, not looking at James.
"Hmmm…" after concentrating, he concluded with, "I think… I think it might be someone riding on the back of a fearow!"
They both took off to the rooftops. Spying on the man, he landed near the entrance to the city and hopped off the Fearow. Not even saying a word, he recalled the Fearow.
"Who do you know of, Jessie," James asked, "that can ride a Fearow, as well as stand on its back?"
"No one I can think of," Jessie concluded.
The man then began to run to the docks. Accidentally plowing through a few people, Kevin finally made it to the edge of the water. In his head, Cevan and he both managed to get the signal to them under control, but now that they were closer to the danger, it was nearly as powerful as before. It took him a few minutes to have that settle down, as well.
Meanwhile, Ash had given the statue to Nurse Joy, and now headed towards the docks. "Seems kinda different without that boat, huh Misty?" he asked.
"Now that you mention it, it does," she agreed. Looking around, she spotted a dark figure wearing a cape. Pointing toward it, she asked, "Hey, isn't that Cevan?"
"Huh?" Ash asked. They all looked.
"Hey, it is him!" Tracy said. He couldn't help the fact that this man had some unusual Pokémon. "But why is he here? We better go ask."
Walking over to him, Ash said, "Hi Cevan!" Once again, Kevin was startled, and spun their direction.
"You again?" Kevin asked. "So… our roads cross again…"
"Why are you all the way at Vermilion City, Cevan?" Tracy asked. "I thought your home was up at Cerulean City."
"Not at, nearby," Kevin corrected. "I guess I have a confession to make… you remember when I was hearing the Fearow?"
"Yeah, that was odd how you heard it and Pikachu didn't hear a thing," Ash commented.
"Pikachu," Pikachu agreed.
"Well, that's the thing," Kevin said. "I didn't. Instead, I was sensing the danger approaching."
"What?!?" The three of them said. Pikachu also said the same, with a "Pika?!?"
Tracy then realized something. "Wait a minute! Of course! Your name is the same as the Lost Trainer Kevin's Scyther, Cevan!"
"Who's the Lost Trainer Kevin?" Ash asked.
"The Lost Trainer Kevin was the greatest champion, nine years ago, Ash," Tracy said, looking at him. "Back then, anyone who wanted to could challenge him, but they had to get through the rest of the Pokémasters' Squadron. The Pokémasters' Squadron, when their champion disappeared, reformed to the Elite Four, so now there's a set number in the team."
:The Pokémasters' Squadron reformed? How can this be?: Kevin thought, shocked. :Man, I am really behind!:
"Well, I'm the reason his Scyther had that name," Kevin said boldly.
"You mean he stole your name?" Tracy asked, curiosity now brimming.
"Not stole, honored. You see, to you, it may seem like he just copied my name, but to me, he honored it by placing it on his Scyther and using it as if he were talking to me!"
"Well, I guess you have a point there." Tracy seemed a little confused. "Did your voice just change?"
Kevin had Cevan actually say that last bit of information. "Sorry, my voice cracked," he said.
"So, Cevan, how does your sense work? Are you a Psychic?" Tracy asked.
Kevin actually laughed. "Oh, flamethrowers, no!" but his good humor left almost immediately. "Actually, my gift can detect danger only if it involves me. If Pokémon were to suddenly target you and only you, Tracy, I wouldn't sense it. That is, unless, for example, it were a Charizard about to flamethrower you. Since I'm standing right next to you, I would sense it, because I would get scorched, too."
"Is that why you're here then?" Misty said. "Because you're hiding from something?"
"No, I'm here because the danger is coming from the ocean. Somehow, it involves me." Kevin looked at them. "I think it involves you, too."
"Here, borrow my binoculars. Think you can see something out there?" Tracy asked.
It was strongly contrary for Kevin to actually accept something from someone else's help, but he shoved the feeling out of the way. Or, at least, the pulsing of the danger signal cleared his mind. "I'll try, but I think I need some altitude. Come, Fearow!" He said, as he pulled a ball from his beltbox. The ball opened and a fierce-looking Fearow popped out. "Let's get some altitude!" jumping onto the back of the Fearow, it took off into the sky.
"Wow! That's quite a Fearow he has there!" Tracy exclaimed, pulling out his sketch book. "I'm going to make a sketch of it!"
Kevin's Fearow finally stopped ascending, and Kevin looked through the binoculars. "I don't see anything, Fearow," He said after five minutes. Looking down to Tracy, he yelled, "I'm going to go further out to see, Tracy! I'm going to see what I find!"
"Sure! Go ahead!" Tracy yelled back. Kevin zoomed out to sea.
* * *
We've gone out for ten miles, and yet we still don't see anything! Cevan said irritably. What on Earth could possibly be sending— Cevan suddenly stopped. Wait! I see something! Stop, Kevin!
"Hold, Fearow!" Kevin commanded. The Fearow stopped flying, and now kept it's altitude. Kevin looked through the binoculars to see what it was, adjusting it to focus in on the object. :It's creating quite a wave, whatever it is,: he thought.
Finally, he saw what it was. A feeling of dread washed over him. The danger… it was far greater than he could comprehend.
Uhh… Cevan stammered. Did I—have I… ever f-faced one of those before?
Yes, but only one time, Kevin said. And only one of them. This… I wouldn't even dream of facing them.
Well, there's two of us now, Cevan declared. Let's waste them.
Are you crazy?!? They're on a warpath! No wonder why I sensed their coming! Looking down to his Fearow, he got to a crouch position. "Fearow! Agility to maximum speed and let's get back to the City!!"
"Feear!" it screeched. Kevin could feel it power up and suddenly it sped faster to Vermilion City than a bullet train could ever go.
Meanwhile, Tracy and Officer Jenny were having a discussion. "You really shouldn't give things to others you don't know," Jenny said. "As far as I know, that man could've been a thie—"
Suddenly, a Fearow sped to a landing behind her. Kevin hopped off. "Return, Fearow," he said solemnly, as he recalled the bird. Then, to Tracy, he said, "Here you are, Tracy." He handed the binoculars to him.
"What did you see, Cevan?" Ash asked.
"Who are you, anyway?" Officer Jenny asked. "We'll need to see some identi—"
"No time, Jenny. We need this whole city evacuated!" Kevin interrupted. "Everyone here is in terrible danger!"
"Unless I see some identification from you, there's no reason for me to believe you," Jenny answered firmly.
"Please, you have to trust me on this! There's not much time!" Kevin pleaded.
"What did you see, Cevan? I trust you," Tracy said. He then turned to Officer Jenny. "Please listen to him, Officer Jenny. He returned my binoculars, right? There's no reason not to believe him."
"Hmmm… Well, all right," Jenny finally said. "But if there really isn't anything, then I'm going to have you arrested for causing a widespread panic."
"If you saw what I saw, then you would understand why I'm freaked out here!" Kevin said, his voice erratic.
"What did you see?" Ash asked persistantly, turning Kevin to face him. "Tell me! What Pokémon did you see? We can't help unless you tell us what it was! What did you see?!?"
Cevan and Kevin were now having a headache. Ever since they woke up that morning, it felt like a gong was being hit in their head over and over, echoing "danger" in his head. It seemed to get stronger with each hit.
Man! What could possibly give such a headache from sensing danger?!? Kevin asked Cevan.
Whoa! Cevan repeated, as they were hit by another "danger" wave. Whatever it is, it's pulsing strong! I even have a hard time making this not so painful!
This is nearly blinding! Kevin nearly said it aloud, it was so intense.
Wait! I have an idea! Cevan said, followed by another expression of surprise. Let's use our minds with each other and try to tighten the psychic connectivity within! It might loosen the pain a bit.
Huh?
Just concentrate on the image of your Scyther, and picture yourself within its head!
It took nearly a half-hour, with the danger signal pounding on Kevin's mind, for them to get it right. Cevan's reasoning worked. The Danger signal was now about as strong as when they first sensed the Fearow flock.
Hey Cevan, Kevin began asking, How on earth did you know about that?
You remember that one banquet we had to celebrate your fifth year in holding the champion title?
Yeah, I remember that, Kevin said. Nothing about being in the Pokémon League ever left his mind over the nine years of being absent from his position, which made it all the more painful whenever he longed for it back.
Well, I was talking with Lorelei's Jynx that day. I used to have a small problem controlling danger signals being sent from anything larger than a dragonair. It taught me how to enhance my mind to make me stronger to such signals, so I wouldn't be hindered in a battle.
Well, I can tell vaguely where the signal's coming from, Kevin stated, And it feels more like it's coming from Vermilion City.
So what are we waiting for? Cevan said, sounding a little eager. Let's get moving!
* * *
"Well, here we are!" Ash declared. "Vermilion City. Certainly has been a while since we last came here, huh Misty?"
"And one I don't exactly like, either… Especially with the S.S.Anne." Misty recalled back to when they had gotten tickets for a "luxury cruise" on the S.S.Anne, a boat that they normally wouldn't be able to ride unless they were rich. However, they found that it was a setup for them so Team Rocket could steal their Pokémon. Team Rocket was defeated, but the boat began sinking, and they were dragged under the water. Eventually, they escaped the boat, but not the rage of a Gyrados, and they were knocked sky- high from its Dragon Rage attack.
"We better get that statue you still have to Nurse Joy, Ash," Tracy reminded. "The sooner we get it to her, the sooner we'll get to Professor Oak so he can review my sketches!"
"Come on, Tracy! Try thinking of something else for a change!" Misty snapped.
The three of them, however, did not enter the city without followers. Jessie, James, and Meowth were watching the three of them, disguised in trench coats, with Meowth hiding in James's.
"I wonder how valuable that statue is," Jessie said silently to the rest.
"It might sell for a fortune, if we got our hands on it," James added.
Meowth was listening to the conversation, but as he looked around, he saw an object in the sky. Wondering what it was, he asked, "Hey, what's that up there?"
Jessie and James both turned around to face the route north of Vermilion and the strange object. "What is that?" Jessie asked, not looking at James.
"Hmmm…" after concentrating, he concluded with, "I think… I think it might be someone riding on the back of a fearow!"
They both took off to the rooftops. Spying on the man, he landed near the entrance to the city and hopped off the Fearow. Not even saying a word, he recalled the Fearow.
"Who do you know of, Jessie," James asked, "that can ride a Fearow, as well as stand on its back?"
"No one I can think of," Jessie concluded.
The man then began to run to the docks. Accidentally plowing through a few people, Kevin finally made it to the edge of the water. In his head, Cevan and he both managed to get the signal to them under control, but now that they were closer to the danger, it was nearly as powerful as before. It took him a few minutes to have that settle down, as well.
Meanwhile, Ash had given the statue to Nurse Joy, and now headed towards the docks. "Seems kinda different without that boat, huh Misty?" he asked.
"Now that you mention it, it does," she agreed. Looking around, she spotted a dark figure wearing a cape. Pointing toward it, she asked, "Hey, isn't that Cevan?"
"Huh?" Ash asked. They all looked.
"Hey, it is him!" Tracy said. He couldn't help the fact that this man had some unusual Pokémon. "But why is he here? We better go ask."
Walking over to him, Ash said, "Hi Cevan!" Once again, Kevin was startled, and spun their direction.
"You again?" Kevin asked. "So… our roads cross again…"
"Why are you all the way at Vermilion City, Cevan?" Tracy asked. "I thought your home was up at Cerulean City."
"Not at, nearby," Kevin corrected. "I guess I have a confession to make… you remember when I was hearing the Fearow?"
"Yeah, that was odd how you heard it and Pikachu didn't hear a thing," Ash commented.
"Pikachu," Pikachu agreed.
"Well, that's the thing," Kevin said. "I didn't. Instead, I was sensing the danger approaching."
"What?!?" The three of them said. Pikachu also said the same, with a "Pika?!?"
Tracy then realized something. "Wait a minute! Of course! Your name is the same as the Lost Trainer Kevin's Scyther, Cevan!"
"Who's the Lost Trainer Kevin?" Ash asked.
"The Lost Trainer Kevin was the greatest champion, nine years ago, Ash," Tracy said, looking at him. "Back then, anyone who wanted to could challenge him, but they had to get through the rest of the Pokémasters' Squadron. The Pokémasters' Squadron, when their champion disappeared, reformed to the Elite Four, so now there's a set number in the team."
:The Pokémasters' Squadron reformed? How can this be?: Kevin thought, shocked. :Man, I am really behind!:
"Well, I'm the reason his Scyther had that name," Kevin said boldly.
"You mean he stole your name?" Tracy asked, curiosity now brimming.
"Not stole, honored. You see, to you, it may seem like he just copied my name, but to me, he honored it by placing it on his Scyther and using it as if he were talking to me!"
"Well, I guess you have a point there." Tracy seemed a little confused. "Did your voice just change?"
Kevin had Cevan actually say that last bit of information. "Sorry, my voice cracked," he said.
"So, Cevan, how does your sense work? Are you a Psychic?" Tracy asked.
Kevin actually laughed. "Oh, flamethrowers, no!" but his good humor left almost immediately. "Actually, my gift can detect danger only if it involves me. If Pokémon were to suddenly target you and only you, Tracy, I wouldn't sense it. That is, unless, for example, it were a Charizard about to flamethrower you. Since I'm standing right next to you, I would sense it, because I would get scorched, too."
"Is that why you're here then?" Misty said. "Because you're hiding from something?"
"No, I'm here because the danger is coming from the ocean. Somehow, it involves me." Kevin looked at them. "I think it involves you, too."
"Here, borrow my binoculars. Think you can see something out there?" Tracy asked.
It was strongly contrary for Kevin to actually accept something from someone else's help, but he shoved the feeling out of the way. Or, at least, the pulsing of the danger signal cleared his mind. "I'll try, but I think I need some altitude. Come, Fearow!" He said, as he pulled a ball from his beltbox. The ball opened and a fierce-looking Fearow popped out. "Let's get some altitude!" jumping onto the back of the Fearow, it took off into the sky.
"Wow! That's quite a Fearow he has there!" Tracy exclaimed, pulling out his sketch book. "I'm going to make a sketch of it!"
Kevin's Fearow finally stopped ascending, and Kevin looked through the binoculars. "I don't see anything, Fearow," He said after five minutes. Looking down to Tracy, he yelled, "I'm going to go further out to see, Tracy! I'm going to see what I find!"
"Sure! Go ahead!" Tracy yelled back. Kevin zoomed out to sea.
* * *
We've gone out for ten miles, and yet we still don't see anything! Cevan said irritably. What on Earth could possibly be sending— Cevan suddenly stopped. Wait! I see something! Stop, Kevin!
"Hold, Fearow!" Kevin commanded. The Fearow stopped flying, and now kept it's altitude. Kevin looked through the binoculars to see what it was, adjusting it to focus in on the object. :It's creating quite a wave, whatever it is,: he thought.
Finally, he saw what it was. A feeling of dread washed over him. The danger… it was far greater than he could comprehend.
Uhh… Cevan stammered. Did I—have I… ever f-faced one of those before?
Yes, but only one time, Kevin said. And only one of them. This… I wouldn't even dream of facing them.
Well, there's two of us now, Cevan declared. Let's waste them.
Are you crazy?!? They're on a warpath! No wonder why I sensed their coming! Looking down to his Fearow, he got to a crouch position. "Fearow! Agility to maximum speed and let's get back to the City!!"
"Feear!" it screeched. Kevin could feel it power up and suddenly it sped faster to Vermilion City than a bullet train could ever go.
Meanwhile, Tracy and Officer Jenny were having a discussion. "You really shouldn't give things to others you don't know," Jenny said. "As far as I know, that man could've been a thie—"
Suddenly, a Fearow sped to a landing behind her. Kevin hopped off. "Return, Fearow," he said solemnly, as he recalled the bird. Then, to Tracy, he said, "Here you are, Tracy." He handed the binoculars to him.
"What did you see, Cevan?" Ash asked.
"Who are you, anyway?" Officer Jenny asked. "We'll need to see some identi—"
"No time, Jenny. We need this whole city evacuated!" Kevin interrupted. "Everyone here is in terrible danger!"
"Unless I see some identification from you, there's no reason for me to believe you," Jenny answered firmly.
"Please, you have to trust me on this! There's not much time!" Kevin pleaded.
"What did you see, Cevan? I trust you," Tracy said. He then turned to Officer Jenny. "Please listen to him, Officer Jenny. He returned my binoculars, right? There's no reason not to believe him."
"Hmmm… Well, all right," Jenny finally said. "But if there really isn't anything, then I'm going to have you arrested for causing a widespread panic."
"If you saw what I saw, then you would understand why I'm freaked out here!" Kevin said, his voice erratic.
"What did you see?" Ash asked persistantly, turning Kevin to face him. "Tell me! What Pokémon did you see? We can't help unless you tell us what it was! What did you see?!?"
