Trenton squinted at the blazing July sun, which made the town dance and waiver under its influence. Scorching beams of light refracted off the metal roofs of the houses around him, blinding him with every momentary glance to the sky. This kind of weather was unbearable for most people, and they were far more content in their air-conditioned homes. However, Trenton was young, barely into high school, and he could take the heat with nothing more than a thin layer of sweat covering his skinny frame. Normally, even he wouldn't be out in these hellish conditions, but the promise of money lured him on. Professor Oak's lab had been broken into, and all the starter Pokemon he gave to beginning trainers had been set loose. A handsome reward had been put on these Pokemon's heads for their return, and with no one else willing to brave the veritable layer of hell outside their front doors, Trenton knew it was his time to shine.

He had taken a trip to Viridian City with his father a few days ago, and spent his weekly allowance on Pokeballs from the Pokemart. Now, he crept along the dilapidated back alley behind Gregg's Convenience Store, scanning all around him for potential movement. He paused, allowing the air to settle. The gray walls and glass-littered street slowly wrapped themselves around him, camouflaging him from the outside world, to try and coax out the unwelcome presence invading their territory. The distant rumbling of a pickup truck was all that could be heard over the deafening silence, and Trenton quickly grew restless. Then, just as he was about to resume his search, a tiny leaf-colored blob poked up from behind an overturned trash can.

Giant vines shot out from the blob, gripping the aluminum can, and tossed it against a wall. The metallic crash reverberated around the compact space, and Trenton withheld a gasp. The young bulbasaur waddled out from the forest of trash and gunk, munching on a half-rotten head of cabbage. He was covered head-to-paw in grime and muck, but the twisted strands of ivy that formed his skin were still the vibrant color of spring leaves. His eyes shone with excitement over his treat, as if they were coated in a fresh layer of dew. He lifted his slitted nose to the sky, sniffing at the air, and then noticed the unwelcome aroma wafting in the air. Several thoughts ran through his mind, before his head snapped towards Trenton. He started snarling.

The snarling was a disguise for its fear. Trenton knew that. A small smirk crossed hisface, and he gradually let his hand drift towards his pocket, where his Pokeballs were kept. All the while, the bulbasaur kept snarling, its strident growl growing in volume every passing second. Trenton's hand found his pocket, and he glanced down, carefully pulling out a Pokeball.

That's when he felt a stabbing pain in his left arm.

The bulbasaur's mouth was clamped securely around Trenton's bleeding arm. Its eyes, now a deep crimson red, matched the blood slowly trickling down its frenzied face. Trenton howled in agony as the Pokeball dropped from his shaking hand. He slammed the frothing animal against the brick wall beside him, but it wouldn't release its death grip on his arm. Trenton stumbled around the alley, crying out as the teeth of the creature dug deeper into his flesh, drawing more blood to the surface. Tripping over a shattered TV, Trenton lost his balance, hitting the ground with a sickening thud. He started grasping around the floor of the alley. His vision began blurring. His screams became a muffled mumbling. Trenton's hand met the Pokeball.

He mustered one final burst of energy, lifted his arm, and slammed it into the bulbasaur's head.

As the Pokeball opened, and the creature was encased in an incandescent gleam, it let out a guttural shriek. The shriek continued as the bulbasaur was drawn into the Pokeball, and it lingered in the air even after the ball closed, charging the atmosphere around Trenton with a tangible layer of despair. Trenton sat there momentarily, squinting up at the blazing July sun, clutching his arm, which continued to bleed. After a few seconds, a small smile crossed his face, and he sat up. He stumbled to his feet, grabbing the Pokeball as he did so, and limped out of the alley, a pool of blood and sweat trailing behind him.

…

The fence had been built around Pallet Town three months ago. The mayor assured everyone that this change in scenery was only temporary, but people still showed concern over the lack of freedom. It had been a weekly tradition for Pallet Town children to explore the open fields around the outskirts of town with bats, looking for Paras nests to destroy, but now, you weren't allowed beyond the city limits without a permission slip from the Security Office. No one outside the city council and PTPD knew why the fence had been placed to begin with, but rumors spread, filling curious minds with the explanations they wanted to have. Some said it was a horrible case of rabies spreading among the local Rattata population, others said that Team Rocket had sent death threats to Professor Oak. Whatever the cause was, the fence had been put up, and it stayed that way, reminding all the citizens of the unknown dangers that lay in wait just beyond the confines of their small town.

Trenton strolled down Souther Street, one of the more neglected areas of town, and the only road with access to Route 1. The sun had begun its slow descent, casting long shadows across the cracked pavement. His left arm was now securely held to his chest by a cast, and his right hand remained constantly vigilant over his pocket, where the precious Pokeball resided. He walked along, kicking stray pebbles and cans to the side of the road, until he finally reached his destination. Professor Oak's lab.

The lab was rather striking, compared to the humble abodes of the rest of the town. A towering mass of untextured steel rose high above Trenton's head, with the sounds of electrical whirring emanating from inside. Trenton ran up to the door, excited to receive the money he had worked so hard for. He lifted his hand, and knocked.

"Yo Professor Oak, it's Trenton! I found one of the Pokemon you lost!"

Within a few seconds, the door flew open, and Oak leapt out. He was an older man, but you could only tell by his graying hair. He was always excited about something, and couldn't sit still for more than a minute without needing to "check the bathometer", or "run some liver tests on Muk". The grownups found him abrasive. Children on the other hand, adored him, and he was half the reason the kids of Pallet Town loved Pokemon as much as they did.

"Oh, thank you Trenton! My, it's been a while, come in, come in, I was just about to have some baby carrots and orange juice!" Trenton was ushered across the threshold, thinking more about the money than the promised refreshments. "I'm surprised you were able to look for them in this weather, this heat wave's been just awful." Oak led Trenton into his living room, which was surprisingly homely given the rest of the building.

Trenton plopped himself down on one of the old, beaten up sofas the professor refused to replace. "It ain't awful, I've gotten used to it."

Professor Oak walked out with a pitcher of juice and a huge bowl of carrots. "You're lucky then, I haven't been able to get out of the lab for a few days now."

"Dang, you been able to get much work done then?"

"I've made due, although the lack of field work is starting to get to me. I need the outdoors, keeps me young." Oak took a sip of his drink. "But once this weather lets up I'll make up for it, I'm sure."

"Hey, good on you man." Trenton took one more carrot, then cleared his throat. "If it isn't too much trouble, I'd love the money for the bulbasaur." Professor Oak sprung from his chair, and clapped his hands together enthusiastically.

"Of course, thank you so much for reminding me! We'll just deposit the bulbasaur in the lab, and I'll have you on your way!" Trenton rose to his feet, and followed the professor into his laboratory.

It was an enormous space, occupied by whirring metallic machinery, with a million flickering lights scattered across its surface. Beakers, sealed containers of samples, and other miscellaneous objects lined racks on the opposite wall to the pair, and at their end, a small computer lay on a wooden table. Oak wandered over to the table, and let himself fall into the accompanying chair. He set the pokeball on a small platform next to the monitor, and let the comazation process begin.

Meanwhile, Trenton was peering around the place, looking for something. Oak noticed his intense stare, and spoke up.

"Can I direct you to something Trenton?"

"Uh, no, but can I ask you something?"

"Go ahead."

"How did the starter Pokemon break outta the lab if they were in the virtual coma your machine puts them in? It's not broken."

Oak, taken aback, looked at Trenton, then down at the floor, then back up at Trenton. He took a long time to respond, and when he did, there was a bit of uncertainty in his voice. "Well, I'm still trying to figure that out myself. I don't know how they got out of the machine, all I know is they got out of the lab, look for yourself." He pointed to a small tarp nailed to the opposite wall next to the racks. Trenton jogged over, and bent down, lifting a free edge of the tarp.

The gap was outlined by jagged edges, and was wide enough for a young child to fit through. Faint claw marks could be seen on the linoleum floor in front of the wall.

Trenton let the tarp fall back to its original position.

"It was probably some of those anti-Trainer radicalists." Oak assured.

"Then why would they use Pokemon? These scratch marks aren't human."

"Trenton, I'm really not sure, and either way, you shouldn't concern yourself with these things." Oak marched over to Trenton, and held out his hand, presenting a large wad of cash. "Now, if you would kindly leave, it's getting dark, and I must close down shop for the day."

"But Professor-"

"It was lovely talking to you Trent," Professor Oak hurriedly ushered Trenton out of the room, and towards the front door, "please feel free to stop by after I have this whole thing figured out." He shoved Trenton across the threshold, gave a hurried nod, and slammed the door.

Trenton, perplexed by the professor's sudden mood shift, shrugged, and stuffed the money deep in his pocket. Then, he hopped down the steps of the lab, and started strolling home. The sun had already set over the trees, and night had taken Pallet Town. In the distance, he heard Pidgeys calling to each other, and shivered. It was a mournful cry, though it was not meant to be. It was as if a woman was being strangled within the confines of the forest.

Trenton reached the fork leading to Route 1, and stopped a moment to stare out at the exit. The fence was tall, and armed with barbed wire. A single security guard stood watch at the exit 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with no exceptions. Tonight, the guard on duty was Xander, a nice guy all around. However, not a great guard, as he was sound asleep at his post.

Trenton chuckled, and was about to continue on his way, when he stopped. Something was standing in Xander's booth.

Trenton froze, and watched as the shadowed creature reached out, and laid an ashy hand around Xander's neck.

Trenton wanted to scream, but he couldn't.

He couldn't move.

He couldn't speak.

He opened his mouth.

The figure's hand closed.

The town lay silent.