(And still they come, those strange creatures. I sense them near my forests. Be strong once more, my friends. Do not allow yourself to be captured.)

The small group of humans stood silently, watching the trees, which bordered the rocky beach, sway. One of the Trainers whistled, scanning the environment before him. "Check out how big the island is!"

The other turned to him. "Wonder whether it's got any new Pokémon?"

"Let's go find out!" came the enthusiastic reply, and they both rushed off quickly up the sandy incline; eventually disappearing into the trees.

Another in the company of the group of travellers was a solitary Gym Leader, the only one to use both Water and Grass Pokémon in her battles. She frowned as the trees bent and whispered in the wind, trying to hear any sort of other noise from the dry forest.

She did not notice when the three astute-looking scientists left her and the beach, she was concentrating so hard. "This can't be right. What is an island without any life?" she said to herself, and flicked out a Pokéball.

The Ivysaur growled in surprise at the new surroundings, and turned a full circle to view it all. "Sar!"

"Ivy, I need you to think carefully. Do you like this place?"

The Ivysaur shrugged noncommittally, looking back at her with a curious gaze.

"Yeah," the Gym Leader nodded. "That's kinda how I feel too."

Only then did she notice the Grass-like Pokémon winding its way out of the forest. Humming softly, it was headed straight for the couple. Every step released spores which drifted down and fell on the sand.

Ivysaur growled.

"Stay calm," warned the Gym Leader quickly. "and don't challenge it."

The Pokémon reached the Ivysaur and they briefly touched noses. Ivysaur dodged the spores and then backed away with a grunt.

"Hi there," the Gym Leader said casually, kneeling slowly. "Can I have a look at you?" She extended a hand and tickled the already-purring Pokémon under the chin, noting the smooth rubbery texture of the skin under the downy fur. "Looks like a Grass Eeveelution. Maybe we've finally discovered the truth to the rumour!"

It purred and stretched luxuriously on the sand, obviously enjoying the attention. When the Gym Leader retreated her hand after a few more moments, it sat up and tilted its head to the side; looking at her quizzically.

When the lone Trainer appeared from the other side of the forest and stared in astonishment, nobody noticed; until he started dashing excitedly down to the beach again; brandishing a Pokéball. "Hey! A Pokémon!"

Before the Gym Leader could even react and turn backwards to shut him up, both Pokémon whirled around at blinding speeds and the Minami Pokémon started snarling horribly.

Please don't say it, please don't... the Gym Leader pleaded in her head. But it was too late.

"Pokéball! GO!"

The UltraBall caught the Eeveelution in mid-step, and it became white light, flashing in all directions before being sucked into the Ball. The Ultra-Ball wobbled and then quickly exploded, showing bits of metal into the air, and exposing the now thoroughly enraged Pokémon.

The Trainer growled in frustration, ignoring the fury of the Minami Pokémon, and reached for another Pokéball. "Torchic! Weaken it with Ember!"

The Eeveelution started dashing towards him, dodging the spluttering efforts of the tiny Hoenn Pokémon, and growled so loudly it was enough to scare even the Gym Leader. "Ivy!" she snapped.

Ivysaur's long vines whipped out instantly; snapping neatly round the green Pokémon's waist. Without a pause, it slashed backwards at them with long claws. Most were severed instantly.

Ivy screeched in pain, and retreated what was left of its vines. The Gym Leader, still staring, watched as the white-faced Trainer stumbled back to the greenery, his Torchic following gladly.

The Eeveelution was beyond incensed. It furthered the attack by swiping a claw down Ivysaur's face, drawing three jagged tracks of blood. Ivysaur bugled again in pain.

Damn it! the Leader yelled in her head. I will not fight you! "Ivy, return!"

She staggered backwards as the Pokémon advanced, urgently reaching for another Pokéball. "Wailmer! I need you now!"

She tossed the Pokéball behind her, and a low bubbly call from behind told her Wailmer was well and truly solid by now.

She stepped quickly into the surf, still facing the opposite way to her Wailmer, and inch by inch clambered on to its rubbery back. Wailmer turned and began tracing the long way home, while the Eeveelution sat back down on the beach and growled at them once more.

A few minutes later, the frightened Trainer caught up with his two friends and the three tramped through the dryer bushland.

A flash of movement up ahead caused all three Trainers to start in surprise. "Hey, did any of you see that? It looked like a Pokémon!" one whispered excitedly.

They crept closer, and soon spotted the Pokémon, along with three other of its species. The small reptilian things squawked in surprise as the three Trainers loomed above them, and darted off on long hind legs.

"Pokéball! Go!" one shouted, and set off after them. "Come on you two; do you want to take home anything or not?!"

The Pokéball was neatly evaded by all four Pokémon, and soon dozens were flying through the air, the Trainers hardly making any ground as the Pokémon fled.

They followed the Pokémon towards a small incline which curved down to a small cave entrance; into which all four disappeared.

"Bugger..." one of the older Trainers cursed. "That's just great."

One of the others shook his head unbelievably. "You must just want to give up! I have a Fire Pokémon, don't I? Torchic, go!"

Torchic squeaked when it saw the dark of the cave entrance in front of it, and flared up its head-flames, staggering on its tiny legs into the entrance.

The Trainers followed slowly, soon hearing tiny chattering sounds and rustling in front of them. "Turn up the flame a bit, Torchic." its Trainer said softly. "Oh, and stop that peeping!"

The blaze from the flames illuminated the enormous cavern they had just stepped into. "Wow..." the Trainers whispered in unison.

In the center of the cave was a large nest of cracked eggs and the same reptilian Pokémon they had followed down here. The 'squawing' sound they made when they saw the humans intensified.

One put a hand to his Pokéball, only to jerk it up in surprise again when a low rumbling started, turning into a dull shaking, making stray clumps of soil fall from the roof. The peeping of Torchic was only just audible over the rumbling.

"It's below us!" a Trainer yelled, remembering his experiences living on land inhabited by Diglett and Dugtrio.

Something burst through the cavern floor, roared; and the shaking merely increased. The nest was suddenly abandoned as the small Pokémon rushed over and started jabbing incessantly at its mouth.

I have been unlucky today, and haven't fed. The chicks will have to go hungry for tonight.

Wait. I smell! Fear. Sweat. Meat...

The rest of its body emerged from the ground. With Torchic's light, the Trainers could see that it was very, very large.

It moved swiftly for the first time, swiping with its tooth-filled head; skewering the Trainers onto a row of pointed canine teeth.

Those inhabiting the lair of the female Terrasorex fed well that night.

The scientists were now deep into the bushland. The trees seemed deserted, until a yellow creature, reaching their thighs in height, poked a head round a tree trunk; nose wriggling urgently. "Veei!" it squeaked, and approached them slowly.

The scientists squatted instantly, one bringing out a sketchpad and quickly scribbling away. "Look at the earlike structures!" he whispered.

"And the leg length..." another noted, bending down further to stare eye-to-eye at the curious Pokémon. "Hey there, little buddy. I'm a human, and I'll bet you're a Pokémon."

The other two scientists looked at each other and rolled their eyes at the strange one-sided conversation.

"Where we come from, humans are friends with Pokémon. Would you like to be my friend? I'm a nice human. You look like a nice Pokémon. You must be very strong too."

The scientist who was still madly scribbling away groaned. "Quit it; you're probably giving it the shits."

"You're giving me the shits!" the other laughed.

"So anyway," he continued. "This is a Pokéball. Pokémon love these things. Wanna see how it works?"

The Pokémon's face fell as its eyes swung from the scientists face to the surrounding trees. Its dark eyes reflected a strange shifting picture of nighttime; where the same object had been used for evil.

"Ell..." it stated, and placed a paw on the scientist's arm, staring up with widened eyes. The other two scientists stared; one gripping his shoulder tightly, the other putting a tense hand on his back.

And then all three were jerking uncontrollably as the electric current raced through them. The Pokéball shortcircuited with a zap; smoking slightly.

Its task was done.