• “And the winner, using a Dragonite and a Blastoise, is…”
    “Big Brother! Big Brother! Can you play with us?” yelled a little black-haired boy and a little red-haired girl simultaneously.
    A 16 year-old boy with black hair with red at the tips lifted the simulator glasses of his face and glared at the twins. They stepped away from him, feigning fear. Two grins quickly reappeared on both of their faces as they tugged on their older brother’s sleeves.
    “Come on, play with us!” they said almost simultaneously again, “Are you training?”
    “No, I’m not training. I’m just playing a video game. It’s not like I was doing anything important!” the boy said in a sarcastic tone, “Go away, I’m busy. I’ll play later.”
    An older man wearing goggles stepped out from behind the viewing device for the simulator, “Don’t worry Vincent. You’re done here anyways. You know you always get the highest score on this thing. Go on.”
    Vincent sighed and let his younger siblings pull him away to play another game of “Super Trainer!” and yet another game of “Cutie Makeover!”. Vincent was forced to stare at a mirror, looking at his black long-sleeve shirt with a red stripe on the sleeves, his dark scarlet baggy pants with a black stripe along the sides, and his black and white sneakers . He couldn’t help but wonder if he really looked like his dad the way everyone else said he did. The twins then got bored with Vincent (to his joy) and went off to find another victim.
    Vincent walked off to cafeteria to get something to eat, pulling the barrettes out of his silky, somewhat spiky hair. He grabbed a quick sandwich and a soda and sat down at an empty table. He quietly listened to murmur of the people around him and the big screen television set. Then, a news reporter appeared on the TV, interrupting the game show. She apologized for the interruption and proclaimed a breaking news story. The room grew quiet to listen in.
    “This just in. The S.S. Moonlight, a carrier ship Pokémon to the Orre region, has recently disappeared. There are many worried about the onboard Pokémon’s wellbeing.” The reporter said, “Police from all over the region are investigating on the matter on hand. And you can be sure ONBS will report on any more news as it comes in. Now back to your regular programming.”
    The talking resumed, only louder and more frantic. Vincent could hear some snippets of the surrounding conversations. There was some “Not again” and “Are they back?”. Quickly finishing his sandwich, Vincent left the cafeteria. He walked around the Pokémon HQ Lab, which was more expanded than when his dad was a kid. He couldn’t find the man he was looking for. He asked the secretary, whose name was either Jane or Jill (Vincent never knew), where he could be. She told him that he just went to the Alpha-Omega wing of the building, where the trainers of the Alpha-Omega Organization and its scientists trained, studied, and prepared for any disturbance Orre may have.
    Alpha-Omega Organization was created by Michael, the legendary hero of Orre (He single-handily stopped the last major Cipher/Shadow Pokémon plan in the last 25 years.) in case Shadow Pokémon or evil organizations like Cipher were to appear again. (Cipher never did come back after Michael stopped them.) Thanks to them, crime dropped increasingly (with the occasional theft and such) and more Poké spots and even Poké observatories and reserves in Orre began developing. Slowly but surely, wild Pokémon began appearing once again in the Orre region. Orre had been peaceful for a very long time.
    Vincent walked around the Alpha-Omega wing, looking for the man most people called Professor. He finally found him talking to a group of scientists and trainers, both hands in his lab coat.
    “Prof. Michael, you’re not saying that Cipher is returning again, are you?” said one of men surrounding him.
    “Well, that I can’t be sure of. But, the news report worries me.” Said Prof. Michael, “Nether the less, we should check on the snag machines and the Purify Chamber just in case.”
    Once the men left, Vincent walked up to Prof. Michael, “Dad? What’s going on? Does it have to do with the Shadow Pokémon incident from way back?”
    “Vincent, do you remember what I told you about the last Pokémon incident. How Cipher disappeared so long ago?” The professor turned to his son, his green eyes looking into his silver ones.
    “Yeah, you said it was as if they dropped off the face of the earth.” Vincent said.
    “Well, there have been rumors going that there was another organization like Cipher in another region, with worse plans. Their name, so I’ve heard, is-”
    “Michael, we have a problem.” Jovi, Vincent’s aunt tapped Prof. Michael on his shoulder with a serious look, “We need you down by the Purify Chamber and Detection Center.”
    “Okay Jovi, I’ll be there.” Prof. Michael turned back to Vincent, “Vince, would you mind coming with me? I need to talk with you.”
    So, Vincent followed his dad and aunt to elevators that led to the lower floors. He never came down there before do we was curious to actually see it. He would be chipper if it wasn’t for the solemn mood both of the red-haired man and the blue-haired woman had. The elevator dinged as it reached the 4th lower floor. The floor was well-lit for being underground, as a large machine occupied its center with several rooms to the sides of it. Chanseys and their owners walked back and forth from the rooms, making notes here and there, looking very busy and almost distraught. Vincent walked up to the huge machine, seeing a section where 9 round shaped depressions lay, perhaps for Poké balls. He heard the adults talk behind him.
    “Michael, the Detection Center just pulled out some weird results.” His high-pitched aunt said, “It appears that Shadow Pokémon have appeared in the region. Of course the numbers are too small to be sure of but…”
    “No Jovi, this is still something to be worried about. We have to track the cause of this.” Michael scratched his head in thought, “Vincent, can you come with me? I may need your help with this.”
    Vincent nodded and followed his dad to one of the rooms. That particular room had several cylinder glowing cases. Another scientist was inside, an older man older that Prof. Michael. Vincent walked up to one as reached to touch it but could feel the heat emanating from it and pulled away. He gave his dad a questioning look, but saw that Prof. Michael was talking to the other scientist. The other man nodded and walked to the case Vincent was next to and opened it with an elastic glove. Blue steam hissed out of the case as he pulled out its contents. He pulled out what Vincent only barely recognized from pictures from history books: a Snag Machine.
    “Vincent, if my apprehensions are true, my worst fear is going to come into play. To prevent that, I am going to have to give you this: a Snag Machine. I have been perfecting it in case Cipher was to come around again, so you’ll find it is much sleeker than its original design.” Prof. Michael told his son.
    “So does that mean I’ll finally be part of Alpha-Omega? After all these years of begging?” Vincent said with a smirk.
    “Unfortunately, that is exactly what it means. Take the Snag Machine, Vince.” Michael said, almost worried.
    Vincent turned to the scientist holding the Snag Machine. Prof. Michael was right; it was sleeker that those he had seen in books. He slid the shoulder piece onto his left arm, not his normal throwing arm, and the black glove connected to the shoulder piece by a black insulated wire onto his left hand. There were two small glass orbs on the shoulder piece and the glove glowed a dark red color once he put it on. Vincent looked admiringly at the machine on his arm, flexing his fingers. It was a perfect fit, just as it was for someone else so long ago.
    “It looks perfect Vincent; I guess you are my son.” Prof. Michael jokingly said, “Now, we have to induct you into the Organization. Come on, let’s go.”
    The two walked over to another smaller room, slightly darker than the rest of the floor. Prof. Michael had Vincent sit down in a plush chair. He then, pulled out black tattoo ink and a needle. After sterilizing the needle, he asked Vincent to say the Alpha-Omega Creed, which Vincent had memorized since he was 9 years old. Once that was done, he applied the tattoo ink underneath his right eye, forming a triangle shape down to his cheekbone and proceeded to color it in. Vincent did not even cry or scream (he did flinch a bit).
    “Welcome to the Alpha-Omega Organization, Vince. Now I have a job for you.” Prof. Michael put his hand on Vincent’s shoulder.
    An earsplitting noise had awakened Vincent from his slumber. He turned over in his bed and glared at the blaring alarm clock. Slamming the snooze button, he stared at the ceiling. Was it a dream? Is there really Shadow Pokémon back in Orre? Am I now part of Alpha-Omega? Vincent absentmindly thought while he stared at the ceiling. He touched his right cheek, feeling the tattoo that burned at its core, Nope, it wasn’t just dream.
    After getting up and getting dressed (finally with his new yellow Alpha-Omega vest), Michael walked outside the Pokémon HQ Lab. He saw one of the mechanics, whose name was Rick, waiting for him, wiping some specks of dirt off his sleek air-engineered black and red motorcycle.
    “Yo, Vince! Got your ‘cycle ready for ya. Ya headin’ to Gateon Port, right?” Rick asked, throwing the towel on his shoulder.
    “That’s right. Dad, I mean Prof. Michael, has me checking out the Port for a Shadow Pokémon clue. It may be just a scare though.” Michael answered, hopping on his motorcycle, eager to ride off.
    “Alrighty then, but be careful Vince. Gateon Port ain’t change much since I was a kid. The sailors are still brutish as ever. You be careful, ya hear?” the mechanic warned.
    Vincent nodded before he started up the motorcycle and putting on the goggles normally placed on his forehead. He quickly rode off, leaving Rick in a cloud of non-existent dust. Vincent was thoroughly enjoying riding his motorcycle again (even though he goes on rides almost every day). There is a saying going around that says, “You can’t take away a girl from her diamonds, any more than you can take a boy away from his toys.” The same could be said with Vincent. The only person he lets near his bike is Rick, for obvious reasons. The purr of the motor and the wind in his face were two things that Vincent just couldn’t live without.
    Vincent sped along the main road, leading from the Pokémon HQ Lab. He noticed how Orre was more populous and more “greenish” (in his words) than pictures he normally saw of it. Vincent always saw Orre like this, but noticed the overjoyed look on his father’s face when he walked outside. But, Vincent did not have the time to take in the scenery. (Well, he did but he did not take the time to.) Soon enough, he reached the entrance stairs of Gateon Port.
    He pulled the goggles off his face and looked at the view from his motorcycle once it skidded to a stop. The sky was as bright a blue as ever, with a few puffy clouds floating around and the sea reflected back its own color, a mixture of green and blue, as if to challenge the sky. Some Wingulls flew in the air, calling to one another. The city’s center was bustling as ever, with a couple of ships moored in the ports. There was sailors and trainers and citizens going here and there, back and forth, from the shops and bars and whatever other tourists attractions. He waved at his aunt’s friend, who was rushing to some place, bags in hand. She waved back and continued on her way. He noticed there were some groups of sailors by the newly renovated Blue Moon Bar (& Grill), talking loudly as usual. Vincent parked his bike and walked down the stairs and past the huge “Welcome to Gateon Port” sign. Maybe I should head to the Motor Shop and look for new parts, Vincent thought. But something else caught his eye.
    Vincent saw two suspicious-looking thugs, dragging a moving (and kicking) bag towards a hidden, unmarked truck. Before he could make a move, a girl in a navy blue hoodie whose face was hidden by its hood, stopped right in front of them. They exchanged some words that Vincent didn’t hear (was too far away) and suddenly a Pokémon battle begun. He stood there watching the battle, amazed by the girl’s grace and style of battling. Her Espeon was powerful and graceful, giving the thugs a hard time with their weak Pokémon (it was a double battle). Then, the thugs pulled out their last Pokémon, a normal Ratticate and a Seviper. Once Vincent saw the Seviper, his Aura Reader (which he got with the Snag Machine [still on his arm] from his dad) automatically went crazy with readings and Vincent could recognize that it was a Shadow Pokémon. The girl quickly defeated the Ratticate and weakened the Shadow Seviper (with a little trouble). Vincent ran closer to the battle, about to warn the mysterious hooded girl. Then, he noticed something that was hidden from his view.
    The girl pulled out a Poké ball with her left hand, making Vincent finally notice her Snag Machine. She swiftly snagged the Seviper, almost without notice. The thugs (who recognized the machine on her left arm) looked at each other and ran away, leaving their still moving bag. The girl knelt down to the bag and untied its knot, revealing a little frightened girl. Vincent, now closer, heard the little girl thank the mystery girl and ran off. The girl stood up and turned to face Vincent, her face still shrouded in darkness.
    “I hope you got a good view of the show. Do you want to challenge me and end up like those thugs?” the girl sharply said to Vincent.
    “I don’t know what you’re talking about. But, I would like to know where did you get that Snag Machine.” Michael retorted back, “They are illegal to have without a license.”
    “OH! So are you the Snagging Police? May I see your badge?” the girl harshly said then pointing to his Snag Machine, “I have my reasons for having this. What’s yours?”
    “Why should I tell you anything? You haven’t told me a thing.” Vincent could feel this wasn’t getting anywhere, “Look, I’m just making sure you’re not some Cipher grunt. Because if you were, I would have to fight. And we don’t want that now do we?”
    “Says you. If you believe I’m part of this so-called Cipher, why don’t we battle then? Let’s see if you can take me.” The girl reached for her Poké balls, ready to battle again.
    Vincent didn’t want to fight the girl. His instincts told him that the girl wasn’t bad, but his mind wanted an explanation for why she had a Snag Machine. But seeing the girl send out her Espeon, he knew that talking it out was no longer an option. He sent out his own Pokémon, a female Umbreon named Luna and the battle was about to begin. The people around them ignored the fact that the two teens were about to have a Pokémon battle. Gateon Port was used to random battles occurring in its streets.
    But before the Pokémon battle could begin, a woman called out to them. Vincent turned around to see his aunt, Jovi frantically waving at them, running down the entrance steps. Her long blue hair was in its usual messy bun, and her expression was in a frantic state. The two both stopped what they were doing, both recognizing the older woman.
    “Vincent! There you are!” Jovi yelled once reaching the end of the stairs, still running, “And Celena! You are finally here!”
    “Ah, Ms. Jovi! I was wondering when I will see you.” The mystery girl waved to her, her voice softening.
    Vincent looked back and forth between the two females with a confused look on his face. Wait, why does Aunt J know this chick?, Vincent thought. He looked back at the girl. She pulled off her hood to reveal her face. Her long purple, black-streaked hair blew around her face because of the sea winds and she placed her hands strategically on her hips so her short skirt would not blow around either. Her lips were painted with a dark amethyst gloss, matching her violet hair. She had bright hazel eyes, unlike any he has ever seen before, with a ring of green near her pupils. She half-smiled at Jovi, not quite surrendering her emotions to the blue-haired woman. Despite her initial demeanor towards Vincent, he couldn’t help but think that she was beautiful. But of course, it didn’t mean she automatically gained his trust.
    As Jovi was blabbing away to Vincent, the girl, Celena now, turned to look at Vincent truly. There was a moment when their eyes met, when hazel met silver. The very air grew electric in that moment, although no one outside the two could tell. Neither could describe the moment. Was it the starting of a destiny, fate perhaps? Who could tell? Jovi, with her bubbly self, could not detect the intense moment.
    “So Vincent, Celena, I hope everything is understood now.” Jovi said making both of the teens to look at her, “Celena is coming with us. She has precious information that we might need.”
    “I got it, Aunt J. I kinda wish I had gotten prior knowledge of this though.” Vincent responded.
    “I know, but Michael and I had just gotten word she was here.” She turned to Celena, “So, dear, will you mind coming with us now?”
    “Oh, no problem. It is why I’m here, isn’t it?” she smiled, not entirely though.
    Hm, something tells me that I’m going to be stuck with this girl, Celena was it? Vincent was thinking as he rode his motorcycle, following the green car, If so, then this will be fun… NOT.
    On To Chapter Two