Episode 97:
A New Friend or Foe

Last time on Pokémon: Icy’s Quest… After being almost toasted by Mewtwo, Icy and Sara and their friends discover a strange pokémon species known as Annon. These Annon help Icy to escape from the Ice Palace just before it collapses. But now that they are finally free again, what dangerous new plot is developing under their noses?

“You failed his grace…”

“He is no threat to you now.”

“No? See for yourself all knowing cat…” The dark figure held up a small glass. In it, the image of Icy, Sara, and the others formed.

“Impossible. He’s too weak to break the barrier.”

“He obviously has… It doesn’t matter now. Are you ready to serve his grace again?”

“The preparations are all set.”

“Excellent…”

“Icy, do you think we are close to the forest?” asked Sara.

“I’m still trying to figure out where ‘here’ is…”

“Perhaps I can be of assistance,” Hocus said. He used his higher senses to search for other people. “Darn, I don’t sense any other people for miles. We are alone out here…”

“Well hello there little Pikachu. Is that your girlfriend over there?” said an old man walking by.

“No one for miles huh…”

“Well… Hmm…”

“Hello sir, could you tell us where the closest city is?”

“AGHHHH, it talks!!!” The old man suddenly leapt into the air and took off as fast as his old legs could carry him.

“It talks… If I hear that one more time, I think I’m gonna have to thunderbolt the person…”

“Master, let’s follow him.”

“What, you wanna scare him some more?”

“No, he might lead us to town or somewhere with other people.”

“Good point, I can scare tons of people all at once! Let’s go!” The other mearly sweatdropped.

So the group followed the old man’s tracks back towards some unknown location. They were too occupied to notice the other thing following them.

“This is my destiny. I, Janus, champion of The Dark Lord, shall take my place as ruler of this realm. Those daring to oppose me shall meet an early end. I will destroy the group known as Team Rocket and bring an end to their treachery. Then, while the people applaud me as their hero, I will pave the way for a new empire. My empire.”

“You speak too highly of yourself Janus.”

“I speak the truth.”

“Ha. Are you really going to just storm their headquarters?”

“Yes.”

“HA! You don’t even own a pokémon.”

“I have one.”

“One?”

“When you see the pokémon I choose and raised, you will see that one is all I need.”

“How about this. When I see you capable to taking down Team Rocket, then I’ll take you seriously. You just remember, after you defeat Giovanni, he’s mine.”

“You may have him, but not to kill. Rough him up a bit like you do to Icy. You should know how to keep your opponent alive enough to survive right?”

“Shutup.”

“Do your job right next time and I won’t remind you of your failures.”

“I’m only helping you because I hate Team Rocket just as much.”

“Who said anything about me hating Team Rocket. This simply works into my ultimate plan.”

“Ultimate plan?”

“You have no part in it. Concern yourself with this only.”

“I warn you Janus. Don’t double-cross me. You may talk big, but not many have lived to tell stories about me. Don’t think you will be an exception.”

“Hold it. I just got word Giovanni has heard of Icy’s presence. Ahh, it seems he’s dispatched a group to finish the job.” Janus sneers at Mewtwo. “You might not get into so much trouble after all.”

“This changes nothing.”

“Sir.”

“Where is that Pikachu now?”

“He appears to be headed for some small village about 15 miles south of the rift.”

“Send agents to that area and kill him. If the townsfolk see anything, burn the village.”

“Sir?”

“You heard me. There is to be no evidence.”

“Yes sir.”

“I want that Pikachu dead at any cost.

Back to our heroes, they are still following the tracks left by the old man. Suddenly, Hocus senses something following them.

“Master, behind us. Duck!”

Everyone got down as a strange looking beast flew over them. “What the heck is that?”

“Is it a pokémon?” Icy found Dee in his bag and analyzed.

“Pokémon identified. Neiteio. Bird type pokémon. This is a newly discovered pokémon therefore no further information is available.”

“Neiteio?” Icy watched the strange greenish colored bird fly by. Suddenly, it disappeared.

“Hey, where did it go?” Sara said fearfully. The both looked around but didn’t see anything. Just then, Neiteio appeared behind them. “AGHHH!!!”

“Nei!” it cried as it prepared a night shade attack.

“Sara get down!” Icy shouted as he threw her out of the attack. “Ughh…” Icy hit the ground hard but get back up. “Alright. You want a battle with me huh? I’ll give you a battle.”

Neiteio took off again. Once he was airborne, he began teleporting from one place to another. Icy’s eyes raced to keep up with his constant location switching. Finally, Icy could no longer see him. Out of the sun, Neiteio swooped down for its peck attack.

“AGH!” Icy jumped out of the way and was mildly scratched by the giant bird’s peak. “Got it. Flying types are weak against lightning. THUNDERBOLT!!!” Icy let out a large bolt of lightning and fried Neiteio. The strange bird fly away acknowledging its defeat.

“You beat it!” Sara said happily. “Oh… you’re hurt…” She examined the wound Icy received from the peck attack. His right shoulder was cut deep. “We better find a town quick to heal you. That doesn’t look good.”

“Ugh… It’s nothing… Ugh… But… we do… need to get somewhere soon… Cyber, come out…” Icy’s Porygon appeared. “Land vehicle conversion program.” Cyber transformed into a land rover and Sara and Hocus helped Icy in. Frosterpie rode on Sara’s head. The rest of their pokémon were safe inside their pokéballs. Cyber sped for where the old man had run. Icy hoped that the Neiteio they beat would not return.

“An impressive plan.”

“Now do you understand how this is my destiny. First, I shall take away the corruption of this world. Then, while the people are too blind to notice, I will slowly dominate their lives. They will have choice but to willingly submit to my rule.”

“What did you need my assistance for then?”

“You are a diversion. Get as many agents out of the building as you can. What you do with them is your business. I’d prefer to expend as little of my energy as I have to.”

“Oh. Are you too weak to handle a bunch of bumbling idiots?”

“Not at all. But why should I waste my precious time on them when the bigger fish is much more worth my while.”

“You have yet to show me this ultimate pokémon of yours.”

“Heh heh heh. You’ll soon see. Now. I want the news covering all this. I want it to look as heroic as possible.”

“Another piece of bait for your audience?”

“Exactly.”

“And what about Icy?”

“Oh yes… Tell our contact to proceed at all costs. Casualties are irrelevant.”

“I like that very much…”

Cyber was approaching what looked like a small village. “Quick Cyber, Icy’s not doing so good.” The cut on his shoulder was getting worse. Icy could hardly open his eyes now. “Please Icy, hang on just a little while longer.”

“Miss Sara, I don’t believe we can just walk into that Pokémon Center. If that one man got so freaked out, the other townsfolk will probably have similar reactions. Let us stop around back and I will teleport Icy to where Nurse Joy will find him.”

“Ok.” Sara waited while Hocus teleported Icy into the pokécenter.

Hocus quickly set Icy by the desk and rang the bell, he teleported into a dark corner to make sure Joy found Icy.

“Yes, I’m coming… Houuuughhh,” she gasped. “Oh my Goddish. Chanseys come out here quickly. This Pikachu needs immediate medical treatment.” A group of Chanseys quickly placed Icy onto a stretcher and took him into the ER. Hocus teleported back out to Cyber and Sara.

“Ok. Nurse Joy has him now.”

“Umm, how exactly will we get Icy back?”

“I never though about that… I guess when he starts talking to her, she’ll understand. It’s late and we both could use some rest. Don’t worry about him. Nurse Joy will take excellent care of him.”

“Ok Hocus. Thank you.”

“Good night Miss Sara.”

The two pokémon fell asleep. Little did they realize that someone had spotted them. But this someone definitely wasn’t a friend. Beside the shadowy figure stood a tall metal bird. It’s cold steel eyes glowed as they watched the pokémon center below.

Nurse Joy and the Chanseys worked long into the night trying to heal Icy. Finally, he was in stable condition.

“Whew… What an evening…,” Joy sighed. She looked at the instruments one last time to make sure Icy was still doing fine. In her entire career, she had never let one pokémon die. She was one of the best pokémon doctors and very dedicated to her work. “Chansey. Please monitor the patient’s condition. I’m going to turn in for the night. If anything looks abnormal, please wake me right away.”

“Chansey!” it replied. Joy smiled and went to bed.

The dark character continued his watch over the center. “This job is so not even worth my time. Usually I enjoy these missions but tonight just doesn’t feel the same.” His pokémon glanced at him. “You are not fazed by anything. That’s what I like. A heart of steel. One like mine. Still, I can’t understand why he’d send me to eliminate an injured creature. Not much fun or skill in that…” He sat back. “I will get them in the morning, when they are all together. Perhaps I will get lucky and have bonuses too.” He fell asleep while the steel bird kept watch.

The sun rose over the hillsides of the town. Nurse Joy was already working. She checked on Icy’s condition. It had much improved over the night. He was just waking up. “Oh good. Ahh, another patient saved.”

Icy slowly examined where he was. A Chansey stared back at him. “Oh… Hello Chansey.”

“Chansey.”

“I think I feel better now. Thank you, but I must be going.” Chansey watched as Icy climbed down from the table he was on. It watched as he made his way to the exit. Nurse Joy was just about to come back in when a trainer entered the center.

“Nurse Joy, can you please help me?” he asked.

She turned around and headed back to the desk. Icy continued for the door. He snuck past the desk and headed to the back of the center.

Sara and Hocus were already awake and waiting for him. “Master, you are ok!”

“ICY!” Sara cried a bit as she embraced Icy. “I was so worried. Why do you always do this to me?”

“I’m sorry Sara. It’s not like I meant to get nearly eaten back there.” They both smiled. “So, I have a feeling we aren’t close to Viridian City. Cyber, GPS component program please.” Cyber’s back opened up revealing a small computer. On it, a radar displayed their current position. “Heh. We’re a good ways from Viridian. But, it shouldn’t take more than a day’s flight home. Shall we?”

“Ok!”

“I think not…” said a strange voice.

“Huh.”

“Allow me to introduce myself. I am Gamma, professional agent. I have orders to destroy you and I would not like to disappoint my superiors. Please, for your own comfort, try to make this easy and do not resist.”

“You must be crazy. Cyber, jet mode!” Cyber quickly transformed into a jet. “Get in!” Everyone got inside. “See ya loser!” Cyber took off.

“Hmm hmm hmm. Eamudo, go.” The steel bird flew with impressive speed after Cyber.

“Icy, something’s following us.”

“What’s that?”

“Pokémon found: Eamudo, the steel bird pokémon. Its steel body makes its attacks much stronger than usual. No other information available.”

“Not again. Aghh, Cyber watch out.” Cyber rolled to the right to avoid Eamudo’s steel wing attack. “Man, that bird looks more like a machine than a pokémon. Hey, my thunderbolt should hurt it since it’s made out of metal.” Icy fired a thunderbolt at Eamudo. A direct hit but the bird kept coming, faster now.

“It didn’t work. You’re too weak.”

Eamudo bashed Cyber with its steel wing attack. “Hocus, use your recover on Cyber. Sara, I need your help.”

“What for?”

“When I tell you to, aim a thunderbolt directly at its inner body. If we attack together, we should be able to defeat him.”

“I got it.”

“Ok, 1… 2… NOW!!!” Eamudo was about to take another slash at Cyber when it was met by Icy & Sara’s combined electric attacks. It gave up and returned to Gamma.

“This is impossible!!!” Gamma said angrily. “Next time Icy, you shall not be so lucky!” Gamma recalled Eamudo to its pokéball.

“Hey mister!” A kid ran up to Gamma. “Ya wanna battle?”

“Get out of my way kid.”

“Heh, chicken! What’s wrong old man? Think you’re too good for me?”

Gamma swung around and grabbed the kid by the neck. “Listen boy. If you value your pathetic life, you will march straight on home to your mommy and daddy and never bother me again. Clear?”

“Uh huh…” the kid whimpered. Gamma threw him down and he ran off crying.

“Grrrr… At least today wasn’t a total loss.” Gamma opened his palm to see the three pokéballs he’d stolen off the kid. “I just love kids.”

“Well, it’s smooth flying to Viridian City!”

“I can’t believe we’re finally going home.”

“It sure has been awhile.”

“Yes… Oh no, I don’t think I cancelled the mail. It’s gonna be all over the place.”

“Don’t worry about it Sara. Let’s just be glad we are finally going to be able to relax for once.”

As they fly into the afternoon sun, do they even know about the dark plans Janus has in store? And just who does Gamma work for? Could he be a new elite agent working for Giovanni? So far, nothing is quite as it seems. Don’t miss the next Pokémon: Icy’s Quest.