==Viridian Forest==

==Route 28==

"I don't know. I never sold a damn kid before, but we gotta act like we know what we're talking about."

"If you've never been there before than how do you even know we'll be able to?"

"Leave that up to me, besides have you got any better ideas?"

"I suppose he could be our little ward. Have em' run about and chop fire wood for us."

"What'll the women say when we pull up to town with a little boy running around with us?"

"They'll think up proper lads with a servant and all."

"I'm done talking about this. Go make sure he's still asleep."

A few hours later Ash is awake, sitting in the back of the carriage, looking over his map. The clouds have cleared and he's able to see that the sun is not where it should be, if they were heading to Pewter City. "I don't think we're headed in the right way. It looks like we're travelling south right now when we should be going west."

The man snatches the map away from Ash, "How about you shut up."

Starting to get a grasp of the situation he's in Ash asks, "I really need to use the bathroom, can we stop?"

"You're gonna have to wait kid."

Ash makes a bolt for his gear, but the confined space in the back of the carriage allows for the man to seize him. He restrains Ash and grabs hold of his wrists with one hand while pulling chains out of a bag with the other. Fastening it to the carriage he latches manacles on to Ash's wrist to find that they are too big. "They boy's to small for the shackles." He calls out to the driver up front.

"Then wrap some cloth around the inside first, just make sure his hands don't go numb. He'd be useless."

The man grabs some rags and twists them around his wrists before chaining him to the carriage. Fearing the punishment for attempting to call out for help, Ash stays quiet. He resigns to watching the trail and dirt road pass beneath them as that they are roll on. Noticing tall blades of grass bending in the field beside them, Ash looks to see Pikachu bouncing through the filed, in pursuit of the carriage.

A few hours pass and the sun is positioned at its peak in the sky. The carriage comes to a stop and ahead Ash can hear the two men bickering. He stretches his head around the side to see the reason for the halt; it appears a woodland animal has decided to take a midday nap in the middle of the road. From the size of the black hide billowing over the road, there was no getting the carriage around it.

"That's no ordinary bear; look at that pattern, and the size of it, we could get alotta cash for a hide like that."

"All we got is a .22, how are we suppose to kill that thing?"

"With the right shot you could take down a mammoth with that gun. Besides it's already asleep, I'll handle it." The driver steps down and reaches to his side compartment for his bolt-action rifle. The second man grabs a hunting knife and together they tip toe towards the sleeping beast. The driver motions for them to stop and takes aim at the back of the bear's head.

The knifeman leans in and whispers, "No not there. If it's got a clean head we can get double."

The driver adjusts his positioning for the heart from behind the shoulder blade. He steadies the gun and fires.

The beast wrenches to life -his thick hide absorbing most of the bullet- and twists around to the two men in a fit of carnal fury. The driver hurriedly steps back reloading the gun as the knifeman runs for the carriage horse and attempts unhinging it. The rifle takes aim firing another shot, which merely embeds in the bear's cheekbone serving to only further enrage it. Charging on all fours the bear slams into the gunman and mauls him with two quick strikes that leave him incapacitated. The knifeman is now busy unlatching the second side of the horse as Ash sits in the back biting away at the rags around his wrists. The bear crashes down on the front end of the carriage, splitting the front axel and sending the horse into a panic that knocks the knifeman down. While the knifeman lies helplessly on the ground, the bear digs its heavy paw across the man's chest and then quiets his screams with a hardy bite. The horse, still stuck to the broken wagon, is attempting to drag itself away as Ash pulls with all his might at the cloth wrapped in his shackles. The bear commences to gorging on his fresh lunch, clothing and all, and then curls up in a ball a few meters up road after he finishes.

Ash manages to pull the rags free and slips his hands through the manacles. He gathers up his gear and steps out from the carriage to survey the scene. The two men lay dead, one partially recognizable with just his face and chest caved in; the other, a bloody disarray of flesh and bone. Pikachu wisely kept his distance and is only now approaching the area. Cautiously, Ash makes his way to the front of the beast and stares him over in his now peaceful state. Its heavy breathing throws up particles of dirt that go on to adhere to his bloody mane. From within his backpack Ash pulls out the empty CB and activates the scanner across the animal's body. Once the genetic recognition has been completed the massive animal dematerializes and evaporates into countless particles. Ash admires the glowing light of his CB for a moment before stashing it in his bag and finally unlatching the riled horse. In the absence of the bear, and now free of its restraints, the horse calms its nerves allowing Ash to guide it to the broken carriage to use as leverage for mounting it. Together, with Pikachu following, they ride away from the ruins that remain of the two travelers. Instead of turning back north, from where he came, he decides to continue south out of Kanto and towards the unknown. The sun begins its descent into darkness.

==Doctor's Lab==

The full body graphene suit has been developed and the fourth subject is ready to enter the chamber. He steps into the cage and is immediately able to see Mew drooping in the corner showing the signs of malnutrition and sun deficiency. Its bones are bulging from the body and its eyes are glossed over in a daze as the scientist steps in front of the humbled creature. He pulls a syringe from his side pocket and stoops down to Mew's level. Tentative, at first, of some sort of resistance; the scientist eases his hands forward wearily, but, after realizing the creature has no physical struggle left in it, he begins to handle it less deftly. From within its veins the deep crimson is drawn through the syringe into vials until the scientist is satisfied with the amount. Drained from the transaction, Mew sprawls onto the ground as the scientist hurriedly exits the chamber. Once outside he is greeted by a chorus of enthused scientist honoring his courage for stepping into 'the void'. The Doctor pushes his way forward to personally shake the hand of the man finally able to collect the precious DNA. He takes the vials from the scientist and looks them over in admiration before declaring, "Have these taken up to B12 to be analyzed immediately."

==Pallet Town==

Gary is huddled into his blankets deep asleep as sunrays pierce through the blinds across his room. His door barges open and his little sister runs in screaming, "Wake up! Wake up! It's on!" In her hands is a battery powered AM/FM radio tuned to the Kanto mainland broadcast of the World Tournament. Gary shrugs himself awake and sits up as the announcers introduce themselves, "This program is offered by CB Corporation solely for your enjoyment. We will not impose upon your good nature with any commercial interruptions. Coming to you today from Tamamushi City are two celebrated radio personalities who will bring you the action and color of the days matches. Satoshi Tajiri; noted news anchor and globetrotter, and Junichi Masuda; WTA sports analyst and newspaper correspondent. The next voice you hear will be that of Ken Sugimori at the court side."

Both Gary and Daisy are crowded around the radio now positioned on the end of his bed.

"Good morning everyone. We're off. The glorious sun shines and a grand day it is, cool and pleasant. I'm looking down upon the most amazing spectacle of modern times. The astonished clouds too, look down upon the house our emperor built, The Kankitsu Stadium. Bursting and bulging to its furthest walls with ninety thousand human beings, crowded elbow-to-elbow and rib-to-rib. They've paid over one million dollars in the primitive hope of seeing today's contestants batter each other into insensibility."

==Kanto Mainland==

==Kankitsu Stadium==

Sitting behind a plexiglass barrier are two dapper sportscasters before a set of ribbon microphones.

"From the outermost walls rows on rows of individual chairs float downward from the bleachers and the far flung grand stand to the brilliantly illuminated field. Every courtside seat, every customer has his own individual chair with an elevated queue. The field itself, blazing under the white-hot sun, is like a meadow, glowing in the center of a mountain valley. And now one of the most interesting figures in all of Kanto steps before us to speak."

In the center of the vibrant green field the master of ceremonies steps to the standing microphone and addresses the audience. A bell tolls, "Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention. Welcome to our opening bouts! I know you want it, so here go. Permit me to present to you at this time, last year's K.O. winner over Kid Illness, the one and only gem of the Kalos Coasts, lovable, and still the world's tournament champion, Frederick T." The crowd erupts in deafening cheers as a man in his early thirties approaches the east end of the field waving to no one specific. "Quiet please, quiet! "Introductions will be brief, of course you want action, and I'm here for that purpose, to give it to you. The challenger comes from the far away land of our gallant allies, Unova, and has earned his right to stand before you today. The unseeded contestant, Archie Woback." A slightly older man walks to the west end of the field to a less enthused rumble of applause.

"I respectfully ask for your indulgence, your cooperation and patience with me a half a moment on a matter of such great importance that it is for the benefit of everyone within the sound of my voice. In the name of fair play and sportsmanship I take the liberty upon myself to make a plea. Your reaction to this debate was so magnificent that it is still being discussed among men in all walks of life; gentlemen of the press, government state and city officials, high in their respective offices. I sincerely ask that you leave this imprinted in your minds as you walk out of this stadium today. The animals you will see before you, though putting on a display of spectacular extravagance that can be seen on non other stage in the world, are deemed by some to be treated in a cruel and unusual way. It is in light of this that I remind you today of the majestic technology our emperor has bestowed upon us; allowing our technicians to not only recant, but redact, revoke, and altogether undo, the injuries that will be witnessed before you humble and charming folk. Yes, I'm sure that most of you are aware, but for those in the dark as to the arrangements of this fair tournament, all animals engaging in battle will be healed, free of charge mind you, at the end of the tournament in our CB animal facilities. However, it is still an endurance competition, so all injuries sustained will remain until the end of the trainer's duration. It is in the nature of that great Kanto sportsman spirit that I declare this tournament begun."

The announcer exits the field dragging his microphone cord along with him.

Back at the broadcast booth the sportscasters chime in. "And there he goes folks, taking his leave off field."

"He truly commands a presence like none other, doesn't he?"

"And how. Now onto Archie Woback you almost feel sorry for the guy, a relative nobody going up against the current champ, Frederick T, here in the first round of the tournament. But alas, it has got to be someone and you folks at home just want a good fight."

"That's right Satoshi. Over in his corner of the field Frederick wastes no time in summoning forth his gargantuan cobra, 'Arbok'. Dancing now to limber up its muscles, the purple and black behemoth stretches nearly the entire width of the field from nose to tail. Thick as a telephone pole, the titan of the bayous is now slithering patiently by Frederick, trained to wait for that commencing gong."

Archie reaches to his side and calls his selection onto the field, a king spider crab taller than him with long slender legs and an intimidating oversized left claw. It shuffles forward clicking away as the gong sounds, signaling the start of the tournament. The cobra springs forward, gliding through the grass, until it collides with the crab and begins coiling around its slender legs. In an effort to stop the press, the crab hammers its big claw down into the torso of the snake, leaving a dent with a few broken ribs, yet unable to halt the snake's progress. The legs of the crab are being pulled together as Arbok tightens his grip, while the crustacean clamps its claws down with all its might. Blood seeps from the crevices of the snake's side, but its not enough, the crab's legs can no longer sustain the crushing force of the attack. Loud cracks begin echoing across the stadium to a divided response of shock and awe. The cobra unwraps itself leaving the broken crab to heap to the ground. Archie retracts his animal as the snake braces low to the grass in anticipation of its next prey.

A hawk-sized bat with the wingspan of a man is summoned to the field and clumsily flutters around in the air. Wrenching about across the stadium brings the bat close enough to the audience for them to see its hideous fang laden face up close. Reaching a peak in its flight, the bat swoops down at full speed towards the on waiting snake in a striking position. Both animals have their fangs bared as they crash together, but only one manages to land its attack. The bat swings around unharmed, while the cobra retracts back into a striking pose with significantly more blood streaming down his side. At the crescendo of its rise, the bat plummets back down toward the snake for another taste. They collide again, and more skin is ripped from the hide of Arbok. He hisses in pain and loads himself into attack position once more. The bat now in a sustained flight pattern is able to tear more and more flesh from the snake while dodging its bite attempts. Arbok is bleeding from every angle but his stringent trainer shows no signs of relent. The cobra steadies for another strike at the bat as it makes it way down from the heavens. With its wings clasped together for an optimal aerodynamic dive, the snake is able to shred through the leather of both wings in one bite. The bat crashes to the ground a maimed rat, hobbling about in a vain attempt to gain flight. Laughter breaks out amongst the more vindictive onlookers as Archie calls back his injured animal.

With the enemy gone Arbok becomes more aware of his own wounds and balls up to address the pain. Frederick withdraws his weakened snake from battle.

==Pallet Town==

==Gary's room==

"And here we are folks it's looking like both trainers are needing to call out new animals. Who will it be?"

"I'm impressed by the extent he was able to keep 'Arbok' out there."

"Without a doubt. And it appears Archie Woback is going with some sort of bipedal rhinoceros. Tell me, have you ever seen anything like that Satoshi?"

"I have not Junichi and by the rumble in the crowd I'm taking it that they are impressed by the sight of it. Could you describe it for our viewers back home?"

"Standing at, I'd say, about two meters tall this thing is a hulk of a figure, by the imprints it's leaving in the ground it must be clear over a ton. Its grey skin is glistening in the morning sun, a beautiful sight indeed, with two mammoth tusks on top of its elongated cranium and geez, just look at the claws on that thing."

"Truly a tough contender for the champ."

"Absolutely. Let's see what Frederick's decision is for this worthy challenger."

==Kankitsu Stadium==

Frederick reaches to his side and withdraws the first CB from his holster; pressing the button he summons a wolf, with the size and mane of a lion, and the hide of a tiger. The wolf roars letting out a mist of hot steam on the already sunny day. The crowd gives their shouts of approval as the monstrous animal begins stalking about the field. The rhinoceros beast simply paces in place, trampling the ground beneath it, while flapping its ears back and forth; its heavy breath stuttering between deep snarls. The beast lets out a deep squeal and charges forward, but the great wolf is too evasive for a clean hit. It circles around the grey beast and leaps to its exposed back with its jagged canine teeth outstretched, but is unable to clasp on to the thick hide of the rhino. Its teeth slide from the hard surface sending the wolf's body flailing to the ground unexpectedly. Advancing on the opportunity the rhino drops down headfirst and heaves the wolf off its feet and into the air, with its ivory tusk. Flipping head over heal the wolf manages to land swiftly and lunge forward in another attack, claws out. The rhino braces for the blow with its horn down, but the wolf dodges and latches down on the vulnerable area of its head, between the second horn and eyes. Letting out a squeal of pain, the rhino slams down with all its weight to release the wolf from its head. Yelping in response, the wolf gallops away and quickly circles around for another assault on the hunched down animal. Still in the attempt of lifting its cumbersome body, the grey beast is caught off guard by the burning fangs now bearing into the back of its neck. The rhino gathers all its might and continues to rise, struggling against the wolf that is now sinking further into its back. Blood begins dripping to the ground and the rhino's squeals grow to a higher pitch, his arms swinging about in vain, unable to reach the wolf. Sweat evaporates from the hot steam streaming from the wolf's jaw and the rhino is starting to show signs of fatigue. It drops to its knees, then hands, as it slowly collapses to the grass field. With the victory becoming evident, the crowd sends cheers and applause echoing through the stadium. The wolf releases its grip from the defeated beasts and responds to his fans with a majestic howl of triumph. Archie Woback withdraws his animal from the field and the victory bell is rung for the defending champion Frederick T.

==Pallet Town==

==Gary's room==

"Well, well, what a battle we've just seen here. Around the field are at least two hundred cameramen shooting lenses at the victor Frederick T. Even in this moment, his moment of victory, he does not express one single emotion. Archie Woback is hovering in his corner like a wounded chick. Archie looks as sad and sore and defeated as if he himself had been beaten on this day. Frederick's 'Arcanine' is a sight to behold, galloping about the field, conducting the orchestra of applause from the audience. He finishes his victory lap and Frederick now calls him back with his official CB Corporation Containment unit, sending him particle by particle to the QTComputer, located just miles away on Guren Island. Again folks that astonishing technological advancement is brought to you by our partner CB Corporation. Frederick T has been congratulated on all sides now, the press have their front-page photo, and police have the situation at hand. The field is now being prepped for the next match."

Motivated by the battle Gary decides to go out and train his own animals. He sends Daisy out so he can change, but before she leaves she turns to him. "Did Ash really go away to his new family?"

"Yeah, come on, how many times do I have to tell you?"

"Is he ever going to come visit?"

"Maybe. I don't know. They moved far away."

Disappointed, Daisy leaves with the radio and Gary gets ready to head out.

In his backyard, behind a few trees, he goes to a crate that he filled with hay to serve as a bed for his wounded rat. The greens he left yesterday have now been nibbled away and the rat has taken a liking to Gary. He gathers him from the crate and starts toward the town road. He comes up to his trail after the diner and lets the rat down to its feet. From his CB, he brings Eevee out, who he has to separate from trying to paw at the rat.

A rustle in the bushes catches his attention and a silhouette emerges from the shrubbery. "That's an interesting cat. Is it from around here?"

Eevee steps in front of Gary hissing and he looks up to the Detective's face, "I caught her myself in these woods."

"That so? Thing is, I got this list of mine full of animals, and that cat of yours appears to fit the description of one of em'."

Gary drops down and hugs his cat, "You don't understand! He said they were going to torture her! You can't let them take her back." He starts tearing up.

"Lay off it kid. Come on get up. I'm not here to take your pet away. I know a lot more than you think about your granddad, like the fact that he never declared any family for benefits. Can you believe that, in all his years working at that lab."

"But if they don't know about us then how did you find me?"

"Kid this town is a dump, nobody that works at the lab actually lives here. No, they either live out in the country or commute from the city. Same as your granddad, he had a place in Viridian but it was vacant, dusty. I knew, he couldn't have been living there, it was a plant. So I talk to a few people, and let's just say in a town with only one road, it ain't hard to track a car."

"I promise, he didn't tell me anything, OK? I don't know where he is."

"That CB of yours will help. I don't need to take it just show me the back." The Detective assures him.

Gary grabs hold of Eevee again. "She doesn't have one. I told you, I caught her on my own."

"You just promised to me kid, now you can't go and follow that up with a lie. You're going to make me not trust you anymore."

Gary looks down in guilt and pulls out Eevee's CB for the Detective to see. He takes out a notepad to jot down the serial number.

"You're gonna be all right, you don't have anything to worry about. Just keep your head low and stay out of trouble."

With that the Detective walks away, leaving Gary behind to contemplate the decision he made.

==Doctor's Office B12==

"The initial scan of the blood has been completed, the code is being fed through our computers for analysis. We should have the results to you by the weekend." A hunched over technician squeaks as he hands over his report.

"Good, I'll take a look myself." He stands from his desk and walks down the hall with the tech to the computer room. Inside are two rows of arcade sized wood grain cabinets full of wires and rotating 9-track tape canisters. The creature's genome is printed on a large stack of paper, with a perforated binary code on fax paper, and being fed into one of the cabinets. A scientist stands over a line of ticker tape data being printed from the next cabinet. As the Doctor is surveying the progress one of his senior analysts approaches him.

"May I have a word outside?"

The Doctor nods and together they leave the technicians behind and proceed to the elevator. They rise in silence to level B1 and exit the building through a restricted staircase leading to the ground floor. The knob less door seals shut behind them as they step out into the sunny day. They are in the parking lot of the tallest building of the business district, which is located in the center of the city. Next to them the wide Iridescent River divides the city into north and south boroughs, interconnected by three suspension bridges built over the last forty years. The Doctor winces at the sun's reflection off the water.

"We have an issue. That third test subject of yours was brought in last week due to an episode of minor seizures that caused him to collapse on the job. He was diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy and a mild case tourette syndrome, it's agreed among our staff that the Mew damaged the neural network of his body." The Analyst says with a grim tension in his voice.

"My sympathy to the man, but this is of no consequence to me." Doctor replies callously.

"He's been speaking aloud about that secret little creature you're holding to some of the above ground staff. I believe it may be a symptom of the tourrettes, but regardless people are starting to ask questions."

"Whom?"

The analyst is hesitant with his reply, "It doesn't matter, no one believed his rant anyhow. Just the rambling of a mad man."

"What is it he said?" The Doctor inquires with noted curiosity.

"Well.. That you're experimenting on a demon down there."

"And where is he now?"

"He's been on temporary medical leave since his episode in the lobby."

The Doctor seems satisfied and gives no reply.

"While we are on the matter, has the fourth subject exhibited any symptoms since entering the chamber?" The Analyst asks .

"None as of yet, but we are keeping watch on him."

"Excellent news. So that means the prototype was a success?"

"You are my senior analyst. Why do you not know these things?"

"Sir, I've been busy dealing with the lobby situation above ground for days."

The Doctor ignores him as he stares at a commercial ship passing by on the river.

==Pallet Town Outskirts==

==Motel==

The black Packard is parked outside a rundown roadside motel, the Detective sits at the open window blowing cigar smoke out. Inside, the dingy motel room is warped from recent water damage and his coat is flung across the sheets. Leaning back in his chair he presses the bedside phone to his temple and listens to his partner ramble.

"OK. You ready?" He flips to a specific page in his notepad to read off Gary's CB number and awaits the other end, "….You said 'Eevee' right? … Yeah, that's the one."

In front of him is a page containing a list of all the missing animals, only a few have names, the rest are descriptions with unit numbers.

"What's the account's name?" The Detective listens for a moment before writing down Blue on his pad.

"Go ahead and run the account for me, see what else pulls up." On the other end he can hear his partner typing away on his keyboard, "Say again.. The old fool gave that kid the dragon? So he was holding out on me." The Detective says aloud, more talking to himself than anything, "Yeah, I been talkin' to the kid. What of it?"

His partners voice reaches a high pitch and he pulls the phone away from his ear, "Damn it, you just worry about things over there. I'll take care of this." The phone clangs out in protest as he slams the receiver into the cradle.

==Route 28==

Ash is riding his horse down the paved dirt road leading south as Pikachu follows. He comes across a low hanging tree wrapped around with a fruit vine covered in bright orange flowers. He is able to reach up and pull down enough food for the three of them. He dismounts from the horse and together they stop on the roadside for lunch.