Todd and Luke walked up the the ranger station door. The pickup truck they'd used to come here sat in the distance.

"Ready?" Luke asked.

"Why? Is Zara, like, ugly or something?"

"Or something." Luke gave a wry smile as he knocked on the door.

The door opened, revealing a large, light-green deer-like form.

"Zara, this is Todd, an animal control officer," Luke said, ignoring the shocked look Todd had etched on his face. "Todd, this is Zara."

"You... you're not..." Todd began.

"Yes, I am a Pokemon myself. Being one of the first Pokemon to register for permanent residence here has been challenging." The Pokemon trotted around Todd, watching him. "Good to see a law enforcement officer working in service of their homeland."

"Yes. My job involves catching dangerous animals, and lately, subduing Pokemon. Not, y'know, working alongside them."

"Did you say, Pokemon?" Zara's eyes narrowed. A glowing horn grew from her head. "What do you do to them?"

"Please, no! Do I have to explain the specifics of my profession to you?" Zara's death glare and glowing horn was still fixed on him. "I respond to requests regarding dangerous animals or animals in distress. Now, I help the police and military protect the people of Earth from hostile Pokemon."

"Did you not see the San Fransisco Zoo? They've got it heavily fortified. National Guard soldiers, a few Humvees in the parking lot, the whole nine yards." Todd said to Luke. He turned to Zara."Say, what kind of Pokemon are you?"

"I'm a Virizion."

Todd's fingers tapped on his phone's screen. "You protected the Pokemon back on your homeworld. That is... an excellent trait for a national park ranger, I'd say. If you want to know more about me..." He brought up some images on the screen. "I have some images of Las Vegas - that's where I once lived. It used to be a beautiful city. But... well, you should know what happened." Zara shook her head. "Here. I'll show you."

She looked at the screen. The buildings of Las Vegas was still there, yes, but the streets had cracked, sewage bubbling up from ruined wastewater pipes. Todd swiped to the next image. Another street - or was it the same one? - It was hard to tell, with a few wrecked cars and dead Pokemon lining the streets, with holes torn through their bodies. Zara choked up when she saw the picture. While checking it a second time, there were... humans. Dead humans lay on the side of the road, many of them clutching guns There were a few wearing military uniforms.

"What is this?"

"The soldiers took me away to here. Since then, I devoted my life to make sure such a disaster never happens again," Todd replied. "This... this city is my home, now, and I intend to do all I can to mitigate the threat of hostile Pokemon."

"No, I meant what happened in the picture."

"Some crazy Pokemon started attacking these humans. In response, they drew their weapons and fought back. I wasn't around to see the worst of it. The worst part? The medics and emergency workers found some of them still alive. I am lucky I never had to handle a wounded Pokemon."

"The soldiers and rangers here do not really care about my presence. It seems like they've gotten used to me. Others, however... I can sense their fear. Some tighten their grips on whatever weapon they hold, as if expecting me to attack." She stared at Todd's belt. "What is that thing?"

Todd smiled. "I've a stun gun," he said, pulling it out. "It's great for when you want to temporarily immobilize something, like a dangerous animal. I haven't used it on a Pokemon yet, though." He frowned. "I think just asking you to handle hostile Pokemon would be the better bet."

"You'll find it a lot easier to handle hostile Pokemon if you get one of your own to help."

"Yes. Unfortunately, we don't have many ways of stopping hostile Pokemon a few months back. In fact, we still don't. No Pokeballs to our name, or a 'mon with us. Except for you, and whatever scattered guys people have found." Luke said, pointing to Zara. "There are many 'mons that can resist gunfire. I don't want to take my chances fighting one of them," he continued, a massive smile plastered on his face. "Hell, Zara - the soldiers asked me to help defend some people from Pokemon once. That was the first time that I learned bullets don't work well on Ground- and Rock-types, but a high-pressure garden hose does." He walked back to the truck. "Guys - let's get all of us in the truck. We have some time to kill, so a tour of the park is in order. Consider it on the house." He opened the truck bed.

"All of us?"

"Why do you think I brought the truck with me in the first place?"

The trio climbed - or in Zara's case, jumped - into the truck. Luke started the engine, and the group drove off, into an uncertain future.

~~End of Book 1~~

This chapter marks the end of Michelle's and Todd's journeys!

First of all: I'd like to thank the readers who stuck with this story till the very end; especially the ones like SnowLabrador and Cavik who gave me valuable advice via reviews, and Lance of the Fanfiction Treehouse Discord server (as well as other members there) for worldbuilding advice.

This story started as an attempt to portray the chaos that the unexpected arrival of Pokemon on Earth would bring. When it became clear that the premise was too broad to work properly without careful planning, I decided to make the story more personal - on two peoples' lives as they struggle through this new world.

Michelle was born from an idea that not all people would be ecstatic with their lives being changed so drastically in a short amount of time - and in a way they could not understand. Todd was the sort of person who would be cautiously optimistic (and whose attitude towards Pokemon might change later on).

Even then, Michelle's desire to stop the Pokemon and reclaim her Pre-Shift life is also born from a desire to protect her family. She clearly does care about her own kind somewhat, even though she hides it.

I'm sure none of you would blame me for not wanting to write for a while. Rest assured, you will be reading about Todd's life in San Fransisco with his brother Fred, as well as Michelle's mission to stop the hostile Pokemon of Earth at any cost, as soon as I can manage to write it.

Please review - I'd like to hear your thoughts if you made it this far!

Thanks again!