Me: Double update time! I used the time between this and my last update to write up several more chapters, so I don't have to work as hard between updates. Anyway, this chapter is largely a filler, but it gives us a good sense of foreshadowing for the future of the characters.

Crow: The identities of the mystery characters will be revield at the end of the chapter.

Servo: Let's-a go!!!!!!!!

Chapter 12: News Spreads Quickly

At a news station in Saffron City, people were frantic to get the biggest information of the day ready for the viewers at home. When all the material was ready, the show began. A man in his early thirties said, "Hello, welcome to tonight's news. The biggest story of the night is the recent attack on Pallet Town done by none other than Team Rocket. Our on the scene reporter is there as we speak. Gabby, can you hear me?"

Clear on the other side of Kanto, a young woman was enthusiasticlly talking back to her boss. She said, "Yes I can! Hello everyone! Gabby here, and I'm here live outside the famous Oak Pokemon Reaserch Lab in Pallet Town where a few short hours ago, members of Team Rocket stormed the lab with what eyewitnesses described as mutated pokemon. Yes, you heard me right, mutated pokemon. The pokemon in question were used by a couple of Team Rocket grunts who are now in police custody. It's been confirmed by the people at the lab that it was a plot of revenge towards a young man and lady who had stumbled upon a Team Rocket operation south of here in the vacinity of Starview City where one of the grunts accidentally told them the location of their headquarters near Viridian City, which was found to have been abandoned before the police arrived."

The news anchor back at the station said, "I see. Gabby, how are the people. Are they ok?" Gabby then said, "Everyone's ok, but their shaken up a bit by the grotesque apperance of the two poor mutated pokemon. Professor Oak and his assistant, Tracey were able to utilize some Snag Machines they, like many other pokemon researchers, were given by the Pokemon HQ lab in Orre after the last Shadow Pokemon incident. I'm still currently trying to get more information, but everyone at the lab is being tight-lipped about it."

From behind Gabby, one could see Brock attempting to ask her out on a date, but Max drags him away. Jessie and James are then seen sickering at Brock's failed plan.

The anchor said, "Ok Abby, great job as usual. We'll be sure to bring more news as it breaks." At that moment, a TV screen turned off. The person who did so was a young woman who wore dark cloathing with a pattern similar to a Seviper's scales. She also had long dark hair, and peircing eyes which at the moment were filled with worry when she saw Brock. She thought, 'Brock was there when that attack occured!? Oh my, I hope he and his friends are ok...'

The woman rushed off with some of her pokemon in case she needed them. She left the Battle Frontier facility she worked at, the Battle Pike, in the hands of her helpers as she ran off to see if her friends were allright. Across numerous regions around the world, people who had a connection in one way or another with Ash or any of his friends became concerned. Even some pokemon began getting restless.

In a valley hidden by tall mountains, a particular Charizard heard what had happened back at Pallet Town and flew off to the small town without anyone knowing of it's absence. Also a certain Squirtle left his team to venture to the same town. A large bird known as a Pidgeot flew southward from his nest outside Viridian City to see an old friend.

Elsewhere, a young lady with red hair done up in a single pigtail was riding her bike towards Pallet Town. The basket on the bike held a small mouse pokemon called an Azuril as they rode down the dirt roads. In many other places, humans and pokemon alike are flocking to Pallet Town as they felt that Ash, Brock, May, Max and their new friends may need help.

High up in the sky, a sillouetted figure watches everything from above. It's bird-like in apperance due to it's massive wings. It says to itself in a telepathic voice, "The young one's friends are arriving as I had predicted. Young Ash will need all the help he can get to not only help his new friends, but to also save this world. We will meet soon, and I shall help you save the unfortunate pokemon that have been transformed. I will not allow such a travesty to plague our world any longer!"

With a shrill shriek, the figure vanished in a flash of fire. The pokemon far below heard the screech and knew that the actions of Team Rocket have finally convinced their great Poke-God to reveal itself to the world once more to put an end to Team Rocket and their new allies.

To be continued...

Servo: Ok, here are the mystery characters, in no particular order: The Charizard, Squirtle, and Pideot seen leaving for Pallet Town happen to be three Ash's old pokemon. The girl with the Azuril is Ash's closest friend, Misty. The woman who works at the Battle Pike is Lucy. The bird pokemon at the end will have his identity kept in secrecy until the time is right.

Crow: Why is Lucy showing concern for Brock?

Me: When Ash got his Luck Symbol, Brock once again attempted to hit on another woman. This time, it was Lucy. With Lucy's personality being somewhat harsh, I was expecting Brock to be smacked across the face. But suprisingly, Lucy blushes, and throughout the entire time Ash is there at the Battle Pike, Lucy blushes at the thought of Brock. When the gang leaves the Battle Pike, it's revealed that Lucy's favorite pokemon are ones with squinty eyes, like Snorlax, Abra, and Makuhita. Apparently, she has a crush on Brock due to his squinty eyes. When I wrote this chapter, I had to include Lucy so that Brock can get the happy ending he's been wanting for so long.

Crow: The happy ending he's been wanting? Somehow that doesn't sound right... (get's thrown against the wall by Zane)

Zane: Say anything like that again, and I'll turn you into a blender!

Me: Ok, calm down! R&R!