The sun slowly set over Kanto's western mountain range when Ash and Serena finally arrived in Viridian City. They would have made it faster, but Ash's adrenaline was wearing off and his ankle felt like it was on fire. As the two limped into the city the first thing they noticed was a deafening silence.
"Where is everyone?" Serena wondered aloud.
"Maybe there's some town event keeping everyone busy." Ash offered as he tried peeking down an alleyway.
"This is a huge city; nothing could do that." Serena responded wearily.
Suddenly the pair heard a motorcycle racing towards them at top speed. It was a police motorcycle with a pretty woman with black hair in her early 30's riding it. The two weren't sure what to expect when she pulled up, but they sure didn't think that she'd stick her baton in their face.
"Identification, now!" She barked.
"Woah what?" Ash asked, taking a step back.
"You heard me get your Id's out right now!" She responded fiercely.
"Wait, here's mine." Serena said as she quickly handed over her Id.
The officer studied it thoroughly before looking over the two and sighing.
"You two aren't with Team Rocket are you?"
"Team Rocket?" Ash asked in confusion, "No we're just trainers from Pallet Town. My Pikachu got injured from the journey and we're trying to get to the pokemon center."
The officer seemed to finally notice the injured mouse in his arms.
"Ok hop on, I can give you a ride."
The two scurried into her side car, Serena had to hide a blush from the close quarters with Ash. The officer then floored the bike unexpectedly fast and the group was off.
"Sorry I came at you kids like that. You two can call me Officer Davis." The blue haired officer said.
"Don't worry about it, we appreciate the ride." Ash answered with a smile, he was just happy to finally be off his ankle.
"Why did you think we were Team Rocket?" Serena asked.
"Team Rocket came to this city about three weeks ago. A small squad of them have been burglarizing the city nearly every night, attacking innocent people, breaking into homes, even committing arson to cause distractions. It got so bad the mayor had to pass an emergency order that set a curfew at 8:00 pm. When I saw two kids that were a little dirty peeking into alleyways, I immediately thought I had Team Rocket."
"I guess we do look a little shady like this." As said as he gestured to his torn and charred clothes.
"But Officer Davis, I'm confused." Serena said, "My stepdad is a member of the Kanto Special Investigative Unit. He always said that Team Rocket was nothing more than second rate thugs."
Davis sighed, "He wasn't wrong. Team Rocket has been around a long time. Heck I remember hearing about them when I was younger than you kids. They always had a reputation as a bit disorganized and always looking for easy money. They pulled off some decent heists over the years, but they were never viewed as an imminent threat to Kanto, more like a bedtime story parents would tell to scare their kids. Things changed about 5 months though. It started when we got word Team Rocket was aggressively recruiting new members from around the world and bolstering their ranks. Then they went on the offensive. Waves of crime have been taking place all over Kanto because of Rocket agents, homes destroyed, businesses extorted. Viridian City might be getting hit the hardest but the tactics this group is using isn't different from other Rocket cells across Kanto and Johto."
"How terrible" Serena said as she listened intently.
"After the mayor ordered a lock down last week Team Rocket activity has mostly died here. But we keep hearing chatter about one more big operation they're going to launch before they leave town. Info is scarce so when I saw you kids I was really hoping I'd get some answers. Anyway, we're coming up on the pokemon center, make sure to stay inside tonight, curfew isn't lifted until 6:00 unless you have an exception pass."
"Aren't we coming up a little fast on the building?" Ash warned but Davis merely smiled. Her Motorcycle flew towards the doors that automatically opened right before impact and the bike slid across the pokemon center lobby."
"I think I'm going to be sick." Muttered Serena as she stumbled out of the side car.
A brown-haired woman in a white nurse's outfit approached the group followed by a Chansey.
"Good to see you, officer. Still can't park outside, can we?" She asked with a sweet smile.
"Sorry about that Nurse Macy." Davis chuckled. "I'm just dropping off some travelers."
"Nurse Macy, my Pikachu got attacked by a flock of Spearow!" Ash shouted as she showed her the pokemon.
Nurse Macy quickly studied Pikachu before turning back to Chansey, "I need a cart right now." She ordered as the large pink pokemon hopped into action."
Quickly Pikachu was wheeled to a door in the back left that led to a large operating area. Nurse Macy and Chansey worked over Pikachu for almost 20 minutes as Serena and Ash watched through the glass in silence. Finally the nurse came out. The two looked at her intently as she took a deep breath before smiling, "Your Pikachu should be ok. It'll need to rest here a few more days and I'll want our doctor to look at him when he gets a minute, but I'm confident in a full recovery."
Serena smiled widely as Ash sank to the floor in relief. "Thank you" he half whispered.
"Of course, that's my job. Honestly, I should be apologizing. The Spearow have been a problem ever since they migrated here earlier this spring. Usually, we'd send our gym leader or recruit someone else to push them off but with Team Rocket we've just had no manpower to spare. I'll make sure this is reported and rectified. In the meantime young man, why don't you join me in another operating room. I might specialize in pokemon but I should be able to patch up your injuries."
Over the next 20 minutes Ash was fixed up. Nurse Joy gave him a boot to wear for a bit on his bad ankle and cleaned and bandaged his wounds. He also required some stitches on his right hand where he had punched the drill peck. All in all, Serena was lucky. She had a few scratches and her legs were scraped from the bike crash, but nothing required anything more than a band-aid and patience. Afterwards the two were given rooms for the night. Instead of heading to bed though the two showered and changed into casual wear before going to call their parents, they both agreed it was probably best to avoid mentioning the Spearow incident.
"Yep, it was really a nice walk. The trail was beautiful." Serena said as she awkwardly laughed. On the other end was her entire family. Her mother and stepfather sitting in front of the screen and her younger siblings peaking over their shoulders.
"Serena, did you catch any new pokemon?" Her brother asked.
"Not this time Gabriel, we just got too distracted by how… peaceful it was." She said with a sweat drop.
"I'd hoped you would have gotten to Viridian City earlier, I meant to warn you about what's going on, but it slipped my mind with all the festivities today." Her stepfather Manny said.
"It's ok, a police officer took us right to the pokemon center. Team Rocket really has people scared here."
"Yes I do want to discuss them with you further." Manny said before turning and patting Serena's siblings on the head, "But let's save that conversation for another day."
Taking the hint Serena smiled and nodded.
"Honestly sweety we're just relieved you made it." Grace cut in, "Where's Ash?"
"He's talking with his mom." Serena said as she motioned to her right.
A few seats down Ash was facing Delia. Unlike Serena, Ash's face had been scratched and there was no way to hide.
"I told you mom, I'm fine. We just got stuck in the storm for a bit and I fell walking." Ash said, technically it wasn't a lie, "I think my clothes are ruined though."
Delia seemed to want to press further but relented, "Well, as long you're ok. I packed you some extra clothes because honestly, I kind of expected this. How's Pikachu?"
Ash smiled widely, "He's sleeping in the back now, but I think we finally became friends!"
"Of course you did! Who wouldn't love you? You should call Prof. Oak though. I think he was anxious to hear from you."
"Ok I'll call him now. I love you mom."
"I love you too sweetie!" Delia beamed before the feed cut.
Serena also wrapped up her call and walked over to Ash, "You ready to get dinner?"
"Right after I call Prof. Oak." Ash said without looking at her. Serena eyed him wearily, Ash hadn't looked at her or even really talked to her since they got to the pokemon center.
After ringing for a moment, the computer lit up to a smiling Prof. Oak.
"Ash, Serena, it's great to hear from you." The old man said with a large smile. His eyes then narrowed as he studied the two, "What happened to you two. You look like you've been put through the ringer."
"Oh nothing, we're fine." Serena said with a nervous laugh.
"We just got caught in a storm coming here, I fell in the mud."
Oak stared at the two intently, "Kids, I've been watching over new trainers for nearly 4 decades now. I know injuries when I see them. So how about you tell me what really happened?"
The two teams briefly looked at each other before sighing. Ash then proceeded to tell everything that happened with the Spearow. Oak listened intently until the story was finished and gave a hardy laugh. "I see now, well as long as you two and your pokemon are ok that's all that matters. Journeys are meant to be filled with challenges after all."
"Oh professor, Ash also got this incredible feather!" Serena said.
"Feather?" Oak asked in confusion.
"That's right!" Ash said he then proceeded to go over everything that happened with the strange bird Serena couldn't see. "It was really clear to me, but Serena couldn't see it. Then just as it left my sight this floated down to us."
Ash then pulled out the red feather, still radiating gold light.
For the briefest of moments Ash could swear he saw Prof. Oak's eyes light up in shock. But as quickly as it happened it ended, and they seemed to go unusually dull.
"That is quite interesting Ash. It could be the feather of a very rare pokemon."
"Do you have any thoughts on what it could be?" Serena asked.
"Yes, I do." Oak answered, was there… sadness in his voice, "For now though Ash I'm going to ask you to keep that feather hidden somewhere safe in your backpack. I'd also avoid showing it to anyone or they may try and steal it. If you're still curious we can look into it further next time you all stop by Pallet Town. Please make sure to hang onto it, Ash."
Ash smiled softly, "Of course I will Professor. I want to learn more about it."
"Excellent" Oak said finally returning to his usual smile, "Now I hate to go kids, but I just realized there's something I must do. You both please have a terrific stay in Viridian City!" and with that the feed cut.
Both Ash and Serena were a bit taken back by the Oak's demeanor but decided to drop it and get dinner.
It was only in the dining hall that Serena truly came to understand how large pokemon centers were. Sure, as students her class had been to the one in Pallet Town. But Pallet Town was small and away from main roads so the pokemon center was more like a lodge with medical equipment and non-perishable food. Big city pokemon centers though dwarfed them. As the honey blonde haired girl came to learn, the average pokemon center in a city was three stories. The first story was divided into two halves. The back half served as a medical bay for pokemon with dozens of rooms while the front half served as a lobby and waiting room, this was also where PCs were set up to make calls. The second floor had over 40 small rooms for traveling trainers to sleep in. Finally, the top floor was a large cafeteria that was also furnished with diner style booths and TV's playing different pokemon events that were taking place across the world. On top of that the backs of each pokemon center had large battlefields for matches and training. As traveling trainers, Serena and Ash were given free food, lodging, and medical care by the pokemon league. Serena remembered in school that this was offered to anyone who graduated in the last 5 years with a pokemon license as a way to encourage more teens and young adults to go on journeys and take part in various league events.
As Serena and Ash sat down Serena smiled as she sniffed in the scent of her chicken noodle soup. Despite the exhausting day, the teen didn't find herself exceptionally hungry and opted for a soup and salad. Ash opted for a hamburger and milkshake although Serena eyed him wearily as he barely touched his meal.
"Ash, the nurse said Pikachu would be ok. You don't have to worry anymore." Serena said softly.
Ash nodded without looking up, "I know and I'm so happy."
"Then why have you been so… glum?" Serena asked.
"Because I know you probably hate me now." Ash muttered.
"What are you talking about?" Serena asked.
"It was my fault for the Spearow attack. If I hadn't gone throwing a rock at some bushes you wouldn't have almost died. I understand that you probably don't want to travel together anymore."
Serena stared at her crush speechless before bursting into laughter causing Ash to look up at her in confusion.
"Ash, I wish you would've just told me this earlier." She explained, "I don't blame you for what happened, heck the nurse herself said that the Spearow on the route were very dangerous. Besides I was cheering you on when you threw the rock, we should just take this as a lesson to be more careful."
"So, you still want to keep traveling together?" Ash asked nervously.
Serena smiled warmly, "If that's ok with you."
"Of course it is!" Ash beamed. He then quickly devoured his hamburger before going back for seconds. As the boy sat back down he saw Serena intently watching a recording of a pokemon contest from Hoenn the week earlier.
"Are you thinking of becoming a pokemon coordinator?" he asked.
"I… I don't think so." Serena responded hesitantly.
"So what are you thinking then? I know you said you weren't sure before but you must have something in mind." He pried.
Serena smiled softly, "Honestly I have no clue. I always thought being a coordinator sounded really interesting. Growing up my mom never let me take part in pageants or anything else that took place on stage. She said I shouldn't objectify myself and should strive for something more like she did with Rhyhorn racing."
"Didn't your mom do some modeling or something back in the day?" Ash asked in confusion, he remembered a few years back Gary had found pictures of Serena's mom modeling and teased her about it until Leaf hit him.
Serena rolled her eyes, "Yea, but she always said that was second to her actual talent so it was ok. I thought contests would be a terrific way to get the best of both but after today I just can't see myself wanting to battle after we literally fought for our lives."
She seemed to think she misspoke and quickly added in, "Don't get me wrong I have no problem with them and think you should be a trainer. It's just not for me."
"No it's ok" Ash chuckled, "So you want to perform on stage with your pokemon? Obviously pokemon contests are the most famous examples but there's so many different things out there. If we work together I'm sure we can find something to fit you!"
Serena smiled, slightly blushing, "Thanks Ash I appreciate that. So have you registered for the Kanto league yet?"
"Not yet" The boy responded, "I decided to wait until Pikachu is better. I thought we could do it together."
"You and Pikachu sure bonded fast." Serena giggled, "It kind of seemed like Prof. Oak expected that."
"I felt like he was hiding stuff from us." Ash said thoughtfully.
"Like the feather?" Serena asked.
Ash nodded, "So you noticed too? That feather clearly isn't normal and the fact that I saw a giant pokemon and you couldn't was weird. The Prof. Oak I know would have been all over trying to learn more but it's like the moment we showed him the feather his mind went somewhere else."
"Maybe you should press him on it next time we talk to him." Serena offered, "I mean if you are curious, I think it's ok to want answers."
Ash smiled softly, "I thought about that, but I think for now I'm going to drop it."
"Why's that?"
"After graduating high school my mom worked as an assistant in Prof. Oak's lab for nearly 10 years. Her dad got sick and eventually died when she was only a little older than us and she said that it was Prof. Oak that helped her get through it all, "You can trust that man with anything" she'd always say. So if my mom trusts him like that, I think I will too. If there's more to the feather or Pikachu I'm sure he'll tell us when the time is right."
Serena smiled, "That's fair." She then leaned back and sighed, "It's weird, after everything today, tonight seems almost perfect."
"Yea…" Ash said although he sounded unsure, "But doesn't it seem like we kind of forgot something."
"HEY YOU BRATS!" A voice tore through the cafeteria and thrusted the trainers from their relaxation. Standing at the entrance was a very familiar redhead. Unlike their last meeting though her hair looked disheveled, and she was covered in mud,
"What did you do to my bike?" she growled.
Outside the pokemon center a few trainers had gathered on the patio desperately shouting towards the roof, "Come here little guy" a girl called.
"We brought you some milk." A boy pleaded.
Lounging on the roof was a Meowth, slumbering away. Despite their calls the feline pokemon showed no interest and eventually got up and crossed the roof leaving his admirers behind. When the coast was clear the pokemon gracefully leapt off the roof. When he reached the ground though he casually stood up on his back two paws before cracking his neck and front paws almost like a human. Taking one more look around the strange pokemon snuck into an alleyway. After changing paths multiple times the cat finally knocked rhythmically on a door to an underground basement. An eye slot opened up and a gruff voice asked, "Password?"
The Meowth rolled his eyes, "I'm a talking pokemon, do ya really think I could be anyone else?"
The man relented and opened the door. The Meowth casually strolled down into a cramped room where men and women were busy getting dressed in black outfits with red R's on them. Finally, he reached the front where two humans with white uniforms were talking, one a female with long red hair and the other a male with blue shoulder length hair.
"Well?" the woman asked.
The Meowth gave a sinister smile, "Right on schedule. Da lady cop just made her last swing by, it's time."
The woman looked over to the man who nodded.
"Listen up!" She barked loudly getting the attention of everyone in the room. "We just got the all clear it's time to pull off our final operation in this city."
"Follow directions and work fast." The man in blue added before breaking into an evil smile, "Tonight we raid the pokemon center."