.

~~**II**~~

Enter Iris and Axew

The electricity sparks out of control, nearly coming into contact with Gwen. She flinched away, taking a step away from the examination table. Pikachu cried out from the discharge of lightning.

"Pikachu!" Gwen cried out to her Pokemon. "No!"

From behind her, Anthea joined Professor Juniper at the computer. It came back on less than a minute beforehand. "The system is on overload!" Juniper cried. "The lab could be destroyed!"

"All because of that lightning?" Anthea called back. "Is Zekrom really behind this?"

Gwen was focused on Pikachu. He was in so much pain, she couldn't stand it. They hadn't even been in Unova or a quarter of a day and this happens? Was it some sort of bad omen? Bad luck? Pikachu cried out again and Gwen leapt over to her partner, enveloping him in her arms, hoping to take the pain away.

The electricity shocks the both of them, causing the Pokemon and Trainer to cry out in pain. With a single, intense shock, the two of them are knocked off the examination table. Anthea kneels down next to Gwen. "Are you alright?" she asked, careful not to touch the girl who still had remnants of electricity coursing through her.

With a couple spasms, Gwen finally felt the use of her limbs returning. After a moment, she was able to sit up on her own. "I'm up at least," she said. Anthea gave a relieved smile and Gwen noticed another worried one. "Don't worry Oshawott, I'm fine."

Oshawott's worried expression softens and he gave Gwen a smile.

Gwen, of course, was feeling fine but what about... "Pikachu!" Gwen searched for her partner who also sits up, shaking off. "Pika?" He blinked a couple times before hopping to his feet. "Pika!" His lightning-shaped tail crackles with electricity with ease.

Gwen rose to her feet, a giddy feeling in her chest upon seeing Pikachu's use of electricity. "Pikachu! Does that mean you're back to normal?"

"Pikachu!" he affirmed.

"Alright, then!" Gwen braced herself. "Use Thunderbolt on me!" Gwen hears Anthea protest, but she ignores it. Pikachu does as well, charging his attack and striking Gwen. Gwen grit her teeth and took the attack, more glad it was working than being in pain. "Nice shot!" Gwen told Pikachu. "Volt Tackle go!" His whole body becomes enveloped in yellow as he charges at her, slamming into her stomach and against the wall. Shaking out of a daze, Gwen holds Pikachu close with a smile. "You're really alright! That's good."

After recovering from the electric attacks, Gwen and Pikachu exit the Pokemon Center, as well as Anthea and Professor Juniper. "Do you really think that thunderstorm was caused by Zekrom?" Anthea asks.

"Even if it was, Zekrom is probably long gone by now," Juniper replies.

"I'll just say that was quite the experience," Gwen commented, looking out into the setting sky.

"Well, don't make a habit of letting trouble follow you," Anthea told her.

Gwen shrugged. "I don't think that's up to me," she replied with a chuckle.

"Well," Juniper sighed. "Let's call it a day. I'm exhausted and well past ready for dinner."

"That reminds me," Anthea said, a finger at her chin. "How did you get by without me here?"

Juniper quirked a brow. "I can cook and clean just as well as you can."

"'Just as well?'" Anthea repeated. "Not likely."

Juniper rolled her eyes playfully. "Come on, let's just eat." She turned to Gwen. "Gwen, you're more than welcome to stay if you'd like."

Gwen nodded. "Thank you."

The sisters prepared a Tamato Lasagna and a side salad. Gwen happily helped herself to a second serving. Pikachu sat next to her, digging into his own bowl of Pokemon food.

"So Gwen, you plan to travel through the Unova region?" Juniper asked from across the table.

Gwen nodded. "I've traveled through Kanto and Johto and I wanted to see a completely brand-new sight. I got a recommendation to visit the Unova region since it has Pokemon that have never been seen before in my home."

Anthea nodded. "We have a few Kanto-native Pokemon around here, but it's enough to count on one hand. But I guess we more than make up for it with our own variety."

"And do you plan to challenge the Gym Leaders and enter the Unova League?" Juniper asked.

"Yes," Gwen confirmed. "I'd love that."

Juniper nodded. "How about you stay the night here and we can see you off tomorrow?"

"That's very nice of you," Gwen said with a smile. "Thanks a bunch."

The next day, with everything packed, Gwen headed out the lab. It was at the edge of town, in between the town and the forest. Anthea and Professor Juniper saw her and Pikachu off. Juniper handed Gwen a PokeDex and a container of Pokeballs.

Gwen was stunned. "For me?"

"Of course," Juniper told her. "Every trainer I see gets their own PokeDex. It'll tell you all about the Unova Pokemon you meet."

Gwen took the PokeDex and Pokeballs. "Thank you," she said, very grateful.

"And just like Trip, if you catch more than six Pokemon, you can transfer them here," Juniper added. "I'll watch over them for you."

"Thanks," Gwen replied.

"Good luck on your journey," Anthea wished. "There's a Pokemon Center on the other side of the forest. Stop by if you need help."

"I will!" Gwen called as she turned and raced for the forest. "See you later!"

About an hour into the forest, Gwen turns to Pikachu on her shoulder. "What kind of wild Pokemon do you think we'll meet first? What about those Pokemon from yesterday?" She only knew the name of the Deerling. The others were unknown to her.

Rustling from the side of the road caught her attention.

"Pika!" Pikachu pointed to the bush as it moves. A large, dark purple shape moved behind it.

"A Pokemon?" Gwen exclaimed, taking out her PokeDex. It opens and registers a small olive-green Pokemon with ivory tusks and a sage green horn on the top of its head. Axew, the Tusk Pokemon. Axew marks its territory by making scratch marks on trees with its tusks, which will regrow if the fall out.

Gwen looked from the image on the PokeDex to the purple shape, a brow quirked. "That doesn't look a thing like this?" Perhaps the PokeDex read wrong. Either way, "I'm going to catch it!" Gwen pulled a Pokeball from her pocket and tossed it.

It bounced off the purple shape, which yelps in pain. It actually said, "Ouch!"

"Ouch?" Gwen repeated. Pokemon don't talk! And why didn't the Pokeball work?

The purple shape emerged to reveal a girl perhaps a year or two younger than Gwen's fifteen years. Her hair is quite large, held in two pigtails on top of her head with the rest of it flowing widely out and tied at the end where it reaches her knees. Her skin is the color of milk chocolate. She wore a creamy white, long-sleeved shirt with pink cuffs and neckline, a pink skirt with a bow on her left side. Under were white leggings that stopped just past her knees.

"Okay, what was that for?" she howled.

Swallowing heavily, Gwen explained. "I'm so sorry. I thought you were a Pokemon."

The girl stomped over to Gwen. "Oh, so what you're really telling me is that I look like a Pokemon. Your PokeDex-" she put on a cute smile that oddly endears her round face "-is this cute face in there?" Her face quickly sours in anger as she stomped her foot. "Is it?"

Gwen flinched away, quite afraid of this girl's anger. "No! Uh...I'm so sorry?"

After several moments, her glare softens. "Fine. I accept your apology." She crossed her arms and shifted her weight to one leg. "But you've got a long way to go as a Trainer if you think I look like a Pokemon." Gwen fought a chuckle. With that hair, it could be some sort of Pokemon. "Right, Axew?"

Her hair began shifting and the little green Pokemon pops out. "Axew! Axew!"

Gwen gaped. "So that's where it was!" The Axew was actually in her hair? That seemed probable with how much of it she had...but it was still weird.

The girl's eyes drifted down and she spotted Pikachu at Gwen's ankles. She gasped, squatting down to Pikachu's level. "Whoa, no way! A Pikachu?" She scooped Pikachu up in her arms, squeezing him tightly. "You've got to be the sweetest thing ever!" She tapped at Pikachu's red cheeks, making them jiggle. "And these jiggly cheeks, you can't find anything this jiggly in Unova!"

Gwen blanched at the girl's handing of Pikachu. Just squishing him like that and touching him without his consideration. "Hey, could you go easy on my partner?" she told the girl.

But she didn't seem to hear her. "I'm dying to know what a Pikachu is doing here! Tell me! Tell me! Tell me!" She nuzzled against Pikachu, much to his chagrin.

Still woried over Pikachu, Gwen answered the question. "Uh, we're from Kanto. I'm Gwen."

"Kanto?"

Gwen nodded. "Yeah, he came from the Viridian Forest. We've been partners for five years now."

"Isn't that nice," the girl stated. "It's nice to meet you. I'm Iris." She held her hand out for Gwen to shake, but Pikachu got fed up with her grip and used Thunderbolt on her. "Whoa, that tingles!" She collapsed on the ground, Pikachu finally free from her death grip.

While Gwen did feel guilty, she didn't apologize for Pikachu. She knew he'd only shock people if they agitated him. And even she could see that he was very aggitated being held by Iris.

Iris quickly recovered and the two of them sat down just off the path. "I'm sorry Pikachu," she apologized. Pikachu nodded to her, accepting the apology. Iris then turned to Gwen. "Tell me, Gwen. Wasn't there a thunderstorm in Nuvema Town yesterday?"

Gwen nodded, adjusting her glasses. "Yeah, it was intense, both times. Professor Juniper says Zekrom caused all that lightning."

"No way!" Iris gasped, leaning forward, inches from Gwen's face. "Zekrom, the Legendary Pokemon, caused it? Please! I want to know everything!"

Her brow knotted, Gwen wondered why Iris wanted to know about her experience. Sure it was a legendary Pokemon, but it gave her and Pikachu quite a rough time. She felt more wary than awed by Zekrom.

But before she could think of what to say, Pikachu called out. Gwen looked to see him pointing over toward the trees. She followed his direction to see a Deerling. "It's a Deerling!" she exclaimed, climbing to her feet and chasing after it, Pikachu right behind her.

She came upon a small clearing with about seven Deerling scattered around it. All of them the same burnt orange like yesterday. Gwen couldn't help but wonder what they looked like during the other seasons. Would their coats look as lovely this? If she had one of her own, she might find out! She grabbed a Pokeball from her pocket and tossed it toward the nearest Deerling. But it merely blocked it by brushing it with its ear. How is that possible?

Iris came up behind her. "You don't get it. You act like a little kid. If you want to catch it, you have to battle it."

Gwen turned a glare at her. "I've caught Pokemon before, I don't need you telling me what to do. C'mon Pikachu!" Pikachu leapt in front of her.

One of the Deerling noticed Pikachu in a battle position and cried out to the rest of the Deerling, which become frightened and run away.

"Wait!" Gwen called, trying to catch up to them. She wanted to catch a Deerling! But a rumbling stopped her in her tracks. She turned to see a group of the rat-beaver Pokemon from yesterday. They rammed right into her, sending her to her rear. They continue running, some of them stepping over her. They weren't heavy, but it was jolting when they pounded on her stomach and climbed over her face. Within a couple moments, it was over and Gwen felt very, very bruised. "Oww, what was that?"

Iris scoffed. "It was a Patrat! What a kid!"

Gwen sat up and glared. "Well, excuse me for not knowing a Pokemon I've never seen before!"

Iris rolled her eyes. "But you know the Deerling."

"That's because Juniper told me about them yesterday!" Gwen snapped.

"Then it seems you have a lot to learn!" Iris sang. Gwen seethed at her mocking tone.

Anthea had given Gwen some snacks to bring along, but it was just enough for lunch. When it rolled toward evening, Gwen didn't have much when it came to something to eat. But when she saw apples hanging from a tree, she had an idea. She pulled a few of them from the tree and settles under it. Taking her packs from her shoulder, she rumaged through to find her squeeze tube of chocolate. She had two of them that were brought from Kanto. They had a hint of sweet Pecha Berry extract in them to give a slighty fruity kick. Taking her pocket knife, Gwen cut off a piece off the apple and squeezed the chocolate on it.

"What's that?"

Gwen turned to see Iris near the tree. They'd gone looking for where the Deerling could have run off to, but didn't find any. That and Iris got bored quickly and ran off as well. Gwen hadn't seen her in hours. At least she seemed more friendly now than she was before. "It's chocolate squeeze," she answered. "Try it." She held out the slice of apple.

Iris took the slice and gingerly took a bite. Her face brightened. "Wow, that's yummy!" She shoved the rest in her mouth in glee.

Gwen nodded. "I know, I love this stuff!"

"Pika pika!" Pikachu loved the chocolate squeeze as well. Gwen cut two more pieces and adds the squeeze for her and her buddy. She handed Iris her second tube. The girl didn't bother cutting the apple, she squeezed the chocolate right onto the apple and took a bite. She offered some to Axew as well.

When they were done with dinner, Iris asked about the thunderstorm again. Gwen explained what happened to her and Pikachu, including what Zekrom's power did to Pikachu.

"I get it now," Iris exclaimed from her perch in the tree next to them. "Pikachu couldn't use any Elelctric-Type moves because of Zekrom."

Gwen nodded. "Pikachu must have stored and then let out all of his electricity, because of all the intense stuff Zekrom was up to. That's what the professor said, at least."

"Well, Zekrom is a legendary Pokemon, you know," Iris replied. She stood on the branch she's perching on, a fist pumped toward the sky. "I'd love to meet Zekrom someday! I can't wait to meet Zekrom!"

Axew pops out of her hair. "Axew! Axew!" he cried. Gwen felt herself wanting to squeal at how adorable he was.

But to Iris's enthusiasm, Gwen rolled her eyes. "Go ahead," she told the overly-excited girl. "I've already had the meeting that I wouldn't wish to repeat." She looked down to Pikachu situated her in lap, rubbing his head. "Unova must have all sorts of interesting Pokemon: Deerling, Axew...and so much more that I don't know the names of and haven't met yet. This is gonna be great, huh Pikachu?" He cooed in agreement.

Gwen looked up toward Iris, a question on her lips, but finds the girl curled up on the branch, asleep. Wow, that was quick. Gwen leaned back on the ground, an arm pillowed behind her head. She looked up at the stars overhead, admiring the line of white in the darkness. The stars were so different in Unova then they were in Kanto. Now her journey would be under this sky.

Digging under her shirt, Gwen pulled out a thin gold chain. There was an oval-shaped locket at the end of it. Unclasping it, Gwen gazes at the image inside. A woman with a striking resemblance to Gwen is inside, though she looks about twenty years older. "I miss you, Mom," Gwen said.

Overhead, a sharp line of white dashes across the sky, disappearing from sight as soon as it appeared. "A shooting star!" Gwen exclaimed. "Pikachu, did you see it?"

"Pika pika!" He answered yes.

With a smile, Gwen curled on her side, Pikachu snuggled at her stomach, and went to sleep.

The next morning, Gwen and Pikachu awoke with Iris missing. Her stuff was gone as well, so she probably just left once she woke up. Gwen didn't think twice about it. Since Iris ditched her yesterday, it was hardly surprising that she did today as well. She and Pikachu started through the forest again. Perhaps they would make their way back to the path by lunch time.

"Well, Pikachu," Gwen said to her buddy. "It's a brand-new day. Wonder what Pokemon we'll meet this time!" She was bummed that she couldn't catcha Deerling, but perhaps it wasn't meant to be.

Then they both saw the grey bird Pokemon. Gwen took a closer look at it, seeing a pale grey crest that's actually in the shape of a heart and amber-yellow eyes that create an naive aloofness. Taking out her PokeDex, Gwen pointed it up at them. Pidove, the Tiny Pidgeon Pokemon. A Pidove's flock's cooing can get extremely noisy. Pidove is attracted to shiny objects.

Gwen smiled, remembering her Pidgeot. Her Flying-Type Pokemon had become a valuable friend. Perhaps a Pidove would be the same. She turned to Pikachu. "Let's catch a Pidove!" She pointed to the nearest one. "Let's go for that one! Pikachu, Thunderbolt!" The attack hit right on and immediately knocks Pidove to the ground, unconscious. Gwen took out her Pokeball. "Alright, go Pokeba-" But she was interrupted by the whole flock of Pidove who come charging at her and Pikachu, angry that their flockmate was attacked. They sent a barrage of attacks to the pair then fly away.

Knocked on her rump, Gwen rubbed her shoulder where a Pidove made a pretty powerful Quick Attack. "This is not going easy!" she said, rising to her feet. Luckily, she saw one Pidove who didn't fly away. Instead, it patted across the grass, foraging for food. "Okay, Pikachu," Gwen called, pointing toward the Pidove, "this time we'll get it! Use Quick Attack!"

Pikachu bounded toward Pidove with lightning speed and hit Pidove right on. Gwen then called out Iron Tail, which also makes contact with the Pidove. "Now, Pokeball go!" Gwen tossed the Pokeball and it smacked against Pidove, enveloping it inside. It shook once, the red light at its core blinking. It shook two more times, but then burst open, Pidove flying out. The Pokemon readied itself for battle, flapping its wings ferociously, kicking up powerful winds that bite at Pikachu.

"That's Gust!" Gwen exclaimed, recognizing the move. "Hang on tight, Pikachu!" The Pidove then attacked with Quick Attack, knocking right into Pikachu. It used Air Cutter next, but Gwen and Pikachu were more ready this time, Pikachu dodging the attack. Before the Pidove can make another move, Gwen called out her next attack. "Use Thunderbolt Pikachu!" Pikachu charged his signature attack to Pidove, smashing right into it and knocking it unconscious again. Gwen used her Pokeball again, tensely watching the ball as it shakes once...twice...times...and it stills. Gwen cheered, picking up her Pokeball with a brand new Pokemon! "I caught a Pidove!"

"Pi! Pikachu!" he cried, just as excited.

"Wow, you're really that excited over catching a little Pidove? What a kid."

Gwen turned a glare at Iris. "Yes, I am. This is my first Unova Pokemon. Why wouldn't be excited?"

Iris shrugged. "It's just that Pidove are excessively common. I don't get all your hype."

Gwen scoffed. "So, a common Pokemon isn't good enough for you?"

"Not enough for me to get excited over," Iris replied.

Gwen rolled her eyes and prepared a retort, but was cut off when she heard cries from behind her. She turned to see claws grabbing Pikachu and Axew. Three familiar figures come into view with the machine that grabbed her's and Iris's Pokemon. "You guys again!" she shouted.

"Again, the question, so twerpish indeed," the man said.

"The answer to come as we feel the need," the woman added.

Bringing the blinding white light of evil into the future.

Thrusting the hammer of justice down onto the black darkness of the universe.

And carving our names in the rock of eternity.

The fiery destroyer: Jessie.

And with thunderous emotion: I am James.

Wisest of the wise: Meowth.

Now we gather under the name of Team Rocket!

So, they're called Team Rocket, Gwen thought, finally knowing who to call the near-thieves of her Pikachu. "Give Pikachu back!"

"What are you doing to my Axew?" Iris hollered. "He's mine! Give him back!"

"I see," James mused, turning to the struggling Axew, "so this is an Axew."

"And we clam Axew as part of our take over of the Unova region!" Meowth announced.

"Hold on," Iris gasped. "You must be a Meowth. What are you doing here? Forget about that! How can you talk!?"

Meowth curled his whiskers with a smirk. "Simple, I'm a genuis! A Meowth that you only get to hear once in a lifetime."

Pikachu and Axew were then unceremoniously dumped into a clear glass box that was attached to a cable on a hot air balloon. The two try beating on the glass, but they don't even make it budge.

Gwen stepped up, clenching Pidove's Pokeball in her hand, not about to let her Pokemon and Iris's get taken away. "Oh no you don't!" she called. "Go Pidove!"

Pidove soared out of its Pokeball, taking right for Team Rocket.

"You're up, Meowth!" Jessie called. "Show them not to mess with a Pokemon from Kanto!"

Meowth leapt for Pidove. "Fury Swipes!" he called.

"Pidove, use Gust!" Gwen countered. Pidove flapped its wings furiously, catching a strong wind that knocks Meowth back before he could strike with his move. Meowth landed firmly on his feet in front of Jessie and James.

"Well, that could have been worse," Jessie muttered, pulling out a Pokeball. "Try my Pokemon on for size!" A bat-like Pokemon with a light blue, fuzzy body with a pink nose that actually has the shape of a heart in it. Dark wings sprout from both sides of it.

Gwen didn't recognize the Pokemon. "What's that?"

"It's a Woobat," Iris told her.

"A Woobat," Meowth repeated. "That name's got a nice ring to it!"

Jessie agreed. "Nice ring's a good thing. Woobat, use Air Slash!"

Woobat sent razors of air toward Pidove. Gwen called for it to dodge the it manages to fine. "Use Quick Attack!" Gwen called. With a burst of speed, Pidove dove at Woobat. But Woobat dodged and is ordered to use Gust. One hit managed to knock Pidove out, having had an intense battle with Gewn before getting some rest.

Gwen raced for her Pokemon, gathering it up in her arms. "No, Pidove!"

Jessie returned Woobat to its Pokeball. "This was a worthwhile catch. Of course, I caught it."

"Our premium mission in Unova is complete! Off we go!" James said as the three hop into the hot air balloon and begin floating away.

"Nice doing business with you, twerps," Jessie sneered.

Gwen returned her tired Pidove and she and Iris chase after the balloon. Iris leapt into the nearest tree. "I'm coming Axew!" she called. Gwen followed her, hauling herself up the trunk of the tree. She'd climbed plenty of trees before, so picking hand and footholes was simple. When she reached the top of the tree, she leapt off, holding a hand out toward the glass box with Pikachu and Axew inside. Her fingers just miss it and she went tumbling down the tree, hitting branch after branch after branch until she finally slammed against the ground.

Iris hopped down next to her. "Gwen, are you alright?" she asked.

It took a few moments for Gwen to get her breath back. She'd landed directly on her back and felt the impact burst against her spine and shoot down her limbs, down to even her fingers and toes. "I'm...okay," she gasped, sitting up slowly. Thankfully her glasses didn't fall off.

"Oshawott!"

Iris and Gwen turned to see an Oshawott run toward the balloon, taking the small yellow shell from its belly and hurling toward the balloon. The shell popped a hole in the balloon, sending it crashing down. The glass box broke open, hurling Pikachu and Axew from it. Gwen and Iris dove for their respective Pokemon, catching them before they slam to the ground.

Team Rocket landed perfectly on their feet, sneers on their lips. "You don't do that to us!" James called at them.

"Pikachu and Axew are not yours," Gwen bit back. "They belong to us! Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"

Jessie threw out her Pokeball again. "Woobat, use Air Slash!" she ordered. It hit Pikachu before he can charge his attack. Jessie ordered the attack again, but Oshawott leaped in front of Pikachu and sent out a Water Gun.

"Now, Pikachu, Volt Tackle!" Gwen called. Pikachu charged toward Team Rocket, but before he could make contact, they disappear in black smoke. It cleared to show Pikachu unable to find Team Rocket.

"Damn, they got away," Gwen muttered. But then Pikachu and Axew collapse. She and Iris gathered them up and held them close.

"Gwen, there's a Pokemon Center not far from here," Iris told her. "Let's get going!"

"Okay!" Gwen said, following her.

The sun just began to set when Iris and Gwen made it to the Pokemon Center. They handed their Pokemon to the nurse and have a late lunch while their Pokemon heal.

"You know Gwen," Iris said, "that was pretty brave what you did, jumping from that tree. Not well thought out, but brave."

Gwen decided to not take insult, this time. "Well, I wasn't about to let them take our Pokemon."

"Also, you didn't seem that surprised that the Meowth spoke," Iris added. "Do you know it?"

Gwen shook her head. "I met them the day before yesterday," she answered. "I was a bit shocked at first, but since they were trying to steal Pikachu, I couldn't spend much time wondering."

"So they've tried this before?" Iris asked.

Gwen nodded. "Yeah, we'll have to be careful."

Nurse Joy then called that their Pokemon were fully healed. Pikachu, Pidove, and Axew stand on the counter, right as rain. Pikachu and Axew leapt into their Trainer's arms and Gwen held out her hand for Pidove to land on.

"Thank you so much, Nurse Joy," Gwen said.

She nodded. "It was my pleasure, especially to see a Pikachu. How unusual to see one in Unova."

"So I've been told," Gwen chuckled. "We're from Kanto."

"Then welcome," Joy said. "And just like Kanto, if you Pokemon ever need help, or you need anything at all, feel free to stop by anytime.

Iris and Gwen roomed together in the Pokemon Center that night. "It seems we have lots of thanks to give to Oshawott," Iris said.

Gwen nodded. "If we ever see it again, we'll have to thank it."