Chapter 33: Tech Upgrade
"Where are we?" After a bit more traveling Ash and Nikki found themselves standing in a rather busy city. Skyscrapers threatened to block out the sky, while stores with bright neon signs lined the streets. It didn't take Nikki long to recognize just where they were.
"This is Neutron City," she announced.
"Neutron City?" Ash inquired.
"It's considered the technological center of the entire Legenda region," Nikki explained. "My family and I used to come here a lot when we were first getting our daycare up and running."
"It's a long way to Pinegrove Town from here," Ash commented.
"Trust me, we were well aware of that. That's why we made sure to stock up on whatever we needed before heading back home," Nikki explained.
"(Seems that would have been easy with all the stores here,)" Pikachu commented.
"(You said it,)" Buneary agreed. Taking a bit more time to take in the scenery they quickly realized how easy it would be to get lost.
"You wouldn't happen to remember where the Pokémon Center is, do you?" Ash wondered. Nikki looked around at their surroundings, trying to determine which way to go to get to the Pokémon Center.
"I… have no idea," she announced.
"You're kidding," Ash groaned.
"It's been a long time since I've been here. Things have changed since my last visit," Nikki replied. "And besides, this is a big city. Even if things hadn't changed it'd still be hard to find the Pokémon Center."
"Looks like we'll have to search for it on our own," Ash assumed.
"Or perhaps we could help you find your way." Ash and Nikki spun around and saw two people they were not expecting to meet.
"Professor Oak," Ash said.
"And Professor Redwood," Nikki added. "What brings you here?"
"We're here on official business. We were actually on our way back to the Pokémon Center when we spotted you," Professor Oak explained. "I assume that's where you were heading."
"We would… if we knew where it was," Nikki admitted.
"We'd be more than happy to show you the way," Professor Redwood offered.
"That'd be great." Ash and Nikki followed the professors on their way to the Pokémon Center, completely unaware of the fact they were being watched.
With the two professors leading the way it took no time at all for them to find the Pokémon Center. As they neared the building Ash was finishing telling the professors of his and Nikki's recent adventures, as well as the newest additions to their ever-growing family.
"So Charizard and Larvitar joined you," Professor Oak commented.
"Yeah. Liza said that's why they wanted to come find me," Ash explained. "She also told me you told her where I was and that's how she knew where to look."
"I just told her you were in the Legenda region. It was Professor Redwood who guided her from there," Professor Oak stated.
"Well thanks to the both of you I've got two new Pokémon," Ash said.
"I'm sure they'll help you in the Legenda League," Professor Oak said. "Speaking of which how are you faring?" Ash proceeded to take out his badge case and opened it up.
"I've already got two badges," Ash bragged. "Now I just need to find the Area Boss so I can earn my first Crest."
"That's rather impressive," Professor Redwood praised. "And how about you, Nikki? How are you doing as a coordinator?" The coordinator in question hung her head in disappointment.
"Not so good. I still haven't earned my first ribbon," she sighed.
"I wouldn't worry too much about it. You'll get your first ribbon soon enough," Professor Redwood stated.
"I hope you're right. If I don't get on track soon I fear I may miss the Grand Festival," Nikki said.
"You'll make it. Trust me," Ash stated. There was a certain confidence in his voice that made Nikki believe him.
"Yeah, you're right. Thanks, Ash," she said. They continued talking as they entered the Pokémon Center, while outside two suspicious individuals observed.
"I wasn't expecting them to have escorts," the first one griped.
"Those were kids, not escorts," the second corrected.
"But they had Pokémon. Didn't you see that?" the first argued.
"A Pikachu and a Buneary, big deal," the second scoffed. "Look, just forget about those kids and remember what we're here for."
"Yeah, alright," the first relented.
"We pull this off we'll be in the money," the second stated. With their goal clear they approached the Pokémon Center.
"You're Pokémon are all in perfect health," Nurse Joy announced as she returned Ash and Nikki's Pokémon.
"Thank you, Nurse Joy," they said as they received their Poké Balls.
"It was my pleasure," the nurse replied. "Also, the update completed just a little while ago, professors."
"Ah, thank you," Professor Oak said, piquing the curiosity of the two young trainers.
"Update? Update to what?" Nikki inquired. A smile graced the professor's lips as he prepared to explain.
"The update Nurse Joy spoke of is the final update to the project Professor Redwood and I have been working on," he explained.
"It's the main reason Professor Oak and I are here in Neutron City," Professor Redwood added.
"What is it?" Ash wondered.
"This." Professor Oak walked over to the front desk where Nurse Joy handed him two objects. He then walked back and showed Ash and Nikki.
"The next evolution of the Pokédex," he announced. "We call it… the Pokécomm."
"Pokécomm?" Ash questioned.
"Short for Pokémon computer," Professor Redwood said. "With this trainers and coordinators will have a much easier time on their journeys." The device was no bigger than a standard Pokédex, but when the professor opened it up they saw it was much more. It looked like a small laptop computer with a small screen on top and a keyboard on the bottom.
"It still provides trainers with the standard information regarding the various Pokémon they encounter, but now it does so much more," Professor Oak stated. "With this you can now determine whether the Pokémon you've encountered is wild or not, and if it does indeed have a trainer who that trainer is and where they are."
"It also comes with GPS so you'll never get lost," Professor Redwood added.
"(Or in Ash's case not get lost as often,)" Pikachu commented.
"Pikachu!" Ash groaned, getting a laugh out of his faithful companion.
"It also comes with a built-in videophone so you can contact anyone you want from wherever you are," Professor Redwood continued.
"(That's convenient,)" Buneary commented.
"That it is," Professor Oak agreed. "With all the features included with the Pokécomm trainers and coordinators alike will find their journeys much easier."
"And we have plenty Pokécomms here to distribute," Professor Redwood announced. She was standing next to a table with two large boxes filled with Pokécomms.
"Wow. That's a lot," Ash commented.
"You're planning on handing out all of them?" Nikki inquired.
"If not all then as many as we can. The more trainers and coordinators that we give them out to the better," Professor Oak stated. At that moment the doors to the Pokémon Center opened and two individuals walked in.
"Excuse me, Nurse Joy," the first called.
"Yes? How can I help you?" the nurse offered. The first individual walked up to the front desk and handed her a Poké Ball.
"We found this Pokémon outside. He wasn't looking too good so we captured him. We'd appreciate it if you took a look at him," the second explained.
"That's what I'm here for," Nurse Joy stated. "Now let's just see… ah!" As soon as she went to open the Poké Ball it spewed a thick smoke cloud, obscuring everyone's vision.
"What's happening?!" Nikki called.
"I don't know! I can't see!" Ash shouted. After about a minute the smoke dissipated, allowing everyone to see once again.
"Is everyone alright?" Professor Oak asked.
"I think so," Nikki replied.
"We're fine," Ash said. "Who were those guys anyway?"
"And what did they want?" Nikki added.
"Oh no! The Pokécomms are gone!" Professor Redwood cried. The boxes that once sat on the table next to her were now gone, indicating that the two individuals were after them from the beginning.
"They were nothing but thieves!" Ash shouted.
"Someone needs to call Officer Jenny!" Nikki suggested.
"I'm on it," Nurse Joy said. While she called the authorities Ash, Nikki and the professors were deciding their next move.
"We need to track those thieves down before they get too far away," Ash stated.
"That's going to be easier said than done, my boy," Professor Oak said. "Neutron City is rather large, and with no way of tracking the thieves they can disappear quite easily."
"You leave the tracking to me," Nikki declared. She grabbed two Poké Balls and tossed them.
"Shinx! Vulpix! We need your help!" she called. The two Pokémon appeared and awaited instructions from Nikki.
"We need help tracking a pair of thieves. Can you give us a hand?" Nikki requested.
"(Sure,)" Shinx agreed.
"(Just leave it to us,)" Vulpix declared.
"Good. Now we just need something the thieves had that they can get a scent off of," Professor Redwood said.
"Would this do?" Nurse Joy asked. She was still holding the device the thieves used to cover their escape.
"Yes, that'll be perfect," Professor Redwood said. She took the device and held it down in front of Vulpix and Shinx, letting the two Pokémon get the thieves' scent off it. Once they had the scent memorized they began searching the Pokémon Center lobby for the thieves' trail.
"Do you think they can find it?" Ash wondered.
"Yeah. I believe in them," Nikki replied. A short while later Shinx managed to pick up their trail.
"(Found it!)" she announced.
"Great! Lead the way." With the Flash Pokémon leading the way the group left the Pokémon Center.
"I'll tell Officer Jenny you went to look for the thieves!" Nurse Joy called.
"We'll let you know when we find them!" Professor Oak said. Nurse Joy nodded and went back inside the Pokémon Center to await Officer Jenny's arrival.
The two thieves had put some distance between themselves and the Pokémon Center. They had found refuge in an abandoned warehouse just on the outskirts of the city. Confident they had gotten away with their prize they paused to see just what they had.
"What are these things?" the first asked as he held one of the Pokécomms in his hand.
"I don't know, but if those professors made them then they have to be valuable," the second assumed. "All we have to do is find the right client."
"You really think we'll find someone here?" the first wondered.
"Of course we will. Neutron City is full of big spenders. All we have to do is find the right one," the second stated.
"Well then, what are we waiting for? Let's get searching," the first said.
"Now you're talking," the second declared. He got up and headed for the warehouse door.
"Hold on. We're just going to leave these things siting out in the open like this?" the first asked.
"Why not? It's not like anyone knows this stuff is here," the second explained. He figured his partner was right as he got up and headed towards the warehouse door.
Those boxes should be safe until we get back with…"
"Hold it right here!" Both thieves were shocked to see Ash, Nikki and the professors standing mere feet from the door.
"What the?! I thought you said no one knew where we were!" the first shouted.
"They must have followed us here," the second assumed.
"Give back what you stole right now!" Nikki demanded.
"Not a chance!" the first thief refused. "The only way we'd give these things up is if the price was right."
"So unless you're here to buy them from us I suggest you keep moving," the second suggested.
"No way! The professors worked too hard on those to just let you steal them," Ash argued.
"Then I guess we're going to have to make you leave." The two thieves each took out a Poké Ball, prompting Ash and Nikki to do the same.
"Get them, Weezing!"
"Teach them a lesson, Machoke!" The thieves tossed their Poké Balls and called out their Pokémon.
"Go, Swablu!"
"Charizard, I choose you!" Neither thief seemed concerned when Nikki's Swablu appeared on the field, but their demeanor soon changed once Ash's mighty Charizard made his entrance. The shock wore off quickly, though.
"Come on! Let's take care of these kids!" the first thief declared. "Use Sludge Bomb!"
"Give them a taste of your Rock Slide, Machoke!" the second ordered. Their Weezing spat out a glob of poison while the second called forth massive rocks to come crashing down.
"Dodge!" Ash and Nikki shouted. It took little effort for Charizard and Swablu to avoid the attacks, giving Ash and Nikki the opportunity to counter-attack.
"Featherdance, Swablu!" Nikki called. Her Cotton Bird Pokémon quickly flew circles around the thieves' Pokémon, blanketing them in the shimmering Featherdance. Eventually the Weezing and Machoke began to feel the effects of the attack-lowering technique.
"Hit them with Steel Wing, Charizard!" Ash instructed. With both of the thieves' Pokémon currently weakened by Swablu's Featherdance it was easy for Charizard to land a powerful Steel Wing, sending both Pokémon reeling.
"Let's finish this! Dragon Pulse!" Nikki shouted.
"Flamethrower!" Ash added. There was nothing the thieves' Pokémon could do but watch as the two attacks were fired in their direction. From Swablu came a blue sphere of Dragon-type energy while Charizard spewed forth a massive flame. The two attacks engulfed the Weezing and Machoke, and once they had dissipated there was no doubt Ash and Nikki had emerged victorious.
"You're finished! Now return what you stole from us!" Professor Redwood demanded. Their Pokémon defeated the thieves were left with only one option.
"Let's scram!" No one was prepared to see them attempt to run away.
"They're getting away!" Nikki shouted.
"Oh no they're not!" Ash declared, grabbing a second Poké Ball. "Stop them, Larvitar!" The Rock Skin Pokémon appeared moments later and quickly dug underground.
"Where's she going?" Nikki wondered. She got her answer when the ground beneath the thieves suddenly gave way.
"She used Dig to make a pit trap for them to fall into," Professor Redwood observed. "That's one clever Pokémon."
"That she is," Ash agreed. Moments later Larvitar resurfaced, a smile on her face.
"Good job, Larvitar," Ash praised.
"(Thanks, Ash,)" Larvitar replied. The group walked to the edge of the pit and looked down. The thieves weren't hurt, but they clearly weren't going anywhere.
"Guess all that's left to do now is let Officer Jenny know where we are and find the Pokécomms," Ash stated.
"They're probably in that warehouse they came out of," Nikki guessed.
"Would you two mind looking for us while we wait for Officer Jenny to arrive?" Professor Oak requested.
"Leave it to us. If they're in there we'll find them," Nikki stated. While the professors stayed outside Ash and Nikki entered the warehouse to search for the Pokécomms.
"They probably left them in the boxes the professors had them in," Ash assumed. "That should make them easier to spot."
"There they are!" Nikki declared. The boxes were sitting out in the open on a table right in the middle of the warehouse. The two trainers approached the boxes and peered inside.
"Looks like they're all here," Nikki said.
"Come on. Let's get these outside." Ash and Nikki each grabbed a box and headed outside to rejoin the professors.
It only took a few short minutes for Officer Jenny to arrive. After securing the two thieves in the back of the police van she got a statement from Ash, Nikki and the professors regarding what happened at the Pokémon Center.
"Sounds to me they weren't anything but two-bit thieves looking for some easy money," Officer Jenny assumed once she finished recording the statements.
"Thankfully we were able to stop them and get the Pokécomms back before they could make their easy money," Professor Oak said.
"I agree, and now I think it's time to put these two where they belong… in jail," Officer Jenny declared. She saluted before entering the police van. As Officer Jenny drove off Ash, Nikki and the professors were left to thank their lucky stars they were able to stop the thieves.
"Looks like we may need to keep the Pokécomms in a more secure place from now on," Professor Oak commented. "If this happens again we won't have the two of you to help us."
"Let's just hope it doesn't," Nikki said.
"Agreed. In the meantime let's take these back to the Pokémon Center," Professor Redwood suggested. Ash and Nikki each took one of the boxes and followed the professors as the group headed back to the Pokémon Center.
Back at the Pokémon Center the group decided that it would be in their best interest for Nurse Joy to secure the Pokécomms inside the Poké Ball storage room until they were ready to be distributed. Ash and Nikki were waiting in the Pokémon Center lobby while the professors were with Nurse Joy storing the Pokécomms.
"Hopefully storing the Pokécomms there will prevent them from being stolen again," Nikki said.
"(We can only hope,)" Pikachu commented. A short while later Nurse Joy and the professors returned.
"There. The Pokécomms have been put away safely," Professor Oak announced.
"That's good," Ash said.
"We want to thank you two for helping us recover them," Professor Redwood said.
"Yes, and we feel that this is appropriate," Professor Oak added. The professors then each handed Ash and Nikki a Pokécomm.
"We want you two to have the very first Pokécomms," Professor Oak offered.
"Us?" Ash questioned.
"Yes. If it weren't for you two we wouldn't have them right now. We feel it's only right you receive the first ones," Professor Oak explained. This was not what Ash and Nikki were expecting, but at the same time they couldn't say no.
"Thank you," Nikki said as they received their Pokécomms.
"We had a feeling you'd accept, so we took the liberty of programming your Pokécomms for you," Professor Redwood said. Ash and Nikki opened their Pokécomms and were immediately greeted with their trainer status.
"Trainer status?" Nikki wondered.
"That's right. With these you can keep track of how many ribbons and badges you've earned as well as keep track of what Pokémon you've captured," Professor Oak explained.
"Also, it will allow us to send you updates on all the Pokémon you've left with us. For you, Nikki, your Pokécomm will be registered with my lab while Ash's will be registered with Professor Oak's," Professor Redwood explained. To say Ash and Nikki were impressed would be an understatement.
"Man, is there anything these things can't do?" Ash wondered.
"Despite all it can do you still need to use the Poké Ball transporter at Pokémon Centers to send and receive Pokémon, but other than that the Pokécomm can take care of just about everything else a trainer or coordinator needs," Professor Oak stated. Eager to see what the Pokécomms could really do Nikki took a look at her trainer status screen.
Name: Nikita Lyons
Hometown: Pinegrove Town, Legenda
Occupation: Pokémon coordinator
Ribbons won: 0
"It may be true, but I still don't like seeing that zero next to my ribbon count," Nikki sighed.
"That zero will change soon enough," Ash stated. After reassuring Nikki Ash took a look at his trainer status screen.
Name: Ash Ketchum
Hometown: Pallet Town, Kanto
Occupation: Pokémon trainer
Badges won: 2
"Wow. These are awesome," Ash commented. Shortly after saying that the screen on his Pokécomm displayed a new message.
2 Legenda League badges confirmed. Data update… Area Boss location confirmed.
The Pokécomm immediately displayed the map of the Legenda region. Shortly after that it zoomed in on a location well north of their current location. A small red blip appeared on the map.
"If I'm not mistaken that's Red Sands Desert," Professor Redwood stated.
"Red Sands Desert?" Ash asked.
"That's right, and based on what your Pokémon is saying that's where you'll find the Area Boss," Professor Oak observed.
"So whenever I earn enough badges my Pokécomm will let me know where the Area Boss is?" Ash asked.
"That it will," Professor Oak confirmed. "It will also inform you of any nearby towns that have Gyms you can challenge."
"Cool!" Ash exclaimed.
"Yours will do the same thing Nikki, informing you of any town that's hosting a Pokémon Contest," Professor Redwood added.
"That's awesome," Nikki said.
"Okay, now that we know where the Area Boss is we can hit the road with confidence," Ash declared.
"Yeah, but how about we wait until the morning to do that," Nikki suggested. Looking outside they saw the sun was beginning to set.
"I didn't realize it was that late in the day," Ash said.
"Neither did we," Professor Oak said. "I'm sure there are still some vacant rooms here in the Pokémon Center."
"There are, and I'd be happy to give you stay here for the night," Nurse Joy said.
"Thank you, Nurse Joy," the two trainers said. After a well-deserved rest Ash and Nikki would once again hit the road, this time knowing exactly where their next destination would be.
An unexpected meeting with Professors Oak and Redwood ends with Ash and Nikki bringing an end to a heist and earning new Pokécomms to replace their Pokédexes. Will these new pieces of technology make their journey any easier? Find out in the next chapter of Search for Power!
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