and travelled through many cities and towns earning badges and becoming master trainers. Some at a point in their lives return to Pallet, to share their success with the man who started them off on their journey. Professor Oak a world renound pokemon researcher who is loved or envied by many people. Who for all his talents still resides in that tiny town, he says he is happy where he is, studying pokemon and passing his knowledge to his assistant Tracey Sketchit. This young man had worked with the Professor for about five years now, not long since turned 20, he was a hard worker who rarely stopped for a social life. Well all his friend were far away, either on journeys, or working as leaders in their gyms. Of course this never seemed to bother him at all. Yes Professor Oak liked the simple life, enjoying his work and looked forward to such occasion when a trainer would return a hero, or maybe he was still waiting for the one who went missing so many years ago, to return!

‘wow that sun’s hot today’ Tracey Sketchit muttered to himself. He was busily preparing food for the many pokemon in the ranch of Professor Oak’s lab. His marill was helping itself to breakfast. Fixing the last bowl he grabbed the trolley he so often used and placed several bowls onto it and went on his way.

Professor Oak was at his computer, filing various information into his databases, stopping every couple of minutes to sip at his coffee. Around his computer were photos of different trainers who had kept in contact over the years. One he was very fond of was of Ash Ketchum and his friends, Misty, Brock, May and her brother Max, also in the picture was his grandson Gary and Ash’s mother Delia. He smiled at the picture, allowing the memories to flood his mind. The next photo did not bring as many happy memories as he’d like, in it was a young girl around 10 years old, with long brown hair and blue eyes, she wore a blue hat with pikachus printed on it, a purple shirt and blue jeans were her outfit of choice. She looked ready for her first day as a pokemon trainer, holding a poke ball, though the identity of the pokemon was to remain a mystery. The professor sighed ‘where did you go our rainbow?’. suddenly the doorbell rang. ‘could it be?’. the professor headed towards the door, just as Tracey was too, they both reached at the same time. ‘don’t worry Professor I’ll get it’ the boy smiled to his mentor as he opened the door.

‘Dude long time no see!! How’ve ya been?’. a young man around Tracey’s age was standing at the door. He had brown messy hair and a beaming smile. ‘Ha…ha…Harry? Is that you, what are you doing here?’ Tracey stammered after the sudden shock he received. ‘Tracey do you know this young man?’ the Professor asked. ‘oh yeah Professor sorry, this is Harry De Mann my best friend from my hometown’. Tracey was expecting the Professor to give his usual warm greeting, but instead he gave Harry one last look and turned to walk away, looking disappointed and hurt.

The two friends were now walking and catching up on old times. Harry talked of girls he romanced while Tracey had been away, though Tracey seemed to be half listening. He kept thinking about the way the professor had acted, and that look, he had never seen that look on his mentor’s face. ‘don’t get me wrong Sally was a great girl, but I hade to move on ya know? Then there was Cassie, wow was she a good la…… hey Trace are ya listening? Tracey snapped back to reality ‘Huh? What? Oh sorry Harry did you say something? Harry frowned at his old friend ‘dude I’ve been talking for the last half hour and you haven’t even heard a word, what’s up with you, I thought you’d be happy to see me again’.

‘I am.. I am Harry, it’s just I’m worried about the Professor, he was acting strange earlier’

‘ well I don’t blame you, I thought he was supposed to be friendly, but he wasn’t very friendly to me’

‘It’s not like him, I think something’s wrong. I better go and see if he’s alright!’ Tracey raced off back towards the Lab. ‘hey wait for me!!’ Harry followed behind.

Soon after Tracey and Harry were back at the Lab and looking for the Professor. They found him at his computer once again working on his files. ‘Professor…’ Tracey slowly walked towards the Professor, ‘…um Professor are you alright? The Professor turned round to the both of them

‘Hello you two, finished catching up already?’ the professor smiled.

‘see I knew he was a loon’ Harry remarked ‘Harry don’t!!’ Tracey snapped, Harry was known for opening his mouth before thinking. He turned back to the Professor, confused once more at his change of mood. ‘Professor I was concerned about you, you seemed unhappy earlier. What’s wrong?’

The Professor smiled, though it seemed filled with sadness.

‘ I was just reflecting on some of the trainers that have left Pallet, and I was reminded of one in particular. She left here about nine years ago and for a while she sent word of how her journey was going. Then all of a sudden she stopped calling, we never heard or saw from her again, vanished of the face of the earth. She was the happiest and most loved girl in Pallet, our rainbow who always wanted to stand out. Our little Sakura’

Professor Oak’s eye’s were filled with tears. The story and how it affected the professor really hurt Tracey. How could some one just disappear like that? But before Tracey could ask any questions, an e-mail flashed up on the computer, Professor Oak turned back to his computer to read it. After a moment or two the Professor remarked ‘oh my… boys I think you better pack a bag….. We have to go!!!’

The professor ran out of the room to prepare a bag. As he left Tracey and Harry turned to the computer to read the mystery e-mail. It read:

Dear professor oak

A picture was attached to the e-mail, it was a large dark building, resembling an ancient castle.

….this is known as Dark Castle Academy, I have suspicions that it is controlled by Team Rocket. What concerns me most is how the students are treated. Please.. please get here as soon as you can

Professor Willow.