Strike of Team Aero

Aria panted as she sat at the top of a tree in the national park. “THIS SUCKS!” She cried as she clung to the highest branch. “First I nearly get stabbed by a Beedrill, and then I nearly get a Megahorn rape… How the hell did that old man think that I could go out and capture a bug?” She made the mistake of looking down. “Those Kakuna are evolving! Why do Kakuna always evolve at the worst times?!”

At the east entrance, Bugsy was distributing prizes. “Finally, the first-prize winner is Bug Catcher Rob. He wins the rare Sun Stone. Please remember that this contest is every week, so please come back again.”

As the crowd dispersed, Winona ran up chaotically. “Bugsy! Has Aria reported in?”

The explorer turned. “No, I have some people doing cleanup. She’ll appear eventually.”
Winona grabbed him by the collar. “Level two psychic type in a swarm of Scyther!” She started shaking him violently. “SHE COULD BE DEAD!”

Dropping to the floor, the bug trainer gasped his response. “Okay… You can go in now…”

“What did I ever do to deserve this?!” Aria cried as the army of Beedrill started to advance. “I wasn’t a terrorist or anything!” Her eyes darted around as she scanned the area. “All I can do is hope that I can fly.” With a cleansing breath she leapt from the tree and spread her arms, praying her psionics would take care of the rest. As she felt herself drop, she knew that wasn’t going to work.

Winona dove in with Alteria for the save. She struggled to balance the transformed Pokemon while keeping in the air herself. With her friend safe, she sped down to the hospital to toss her on a ready stretcher. “Check her for any stings or cuts.”

The medical team nodded, “Chansey!” With the bright cheer, they hurried to the emergency room.

As the trainer let out a sigh, the dark Pokemon appeared. “Sneasel.”

“I’m sorry, I don’t speak ice type.” She turned.

The creature glanced, “Sneasel.”

“I don’t like your tone.”

“Sneasel.” The dark-type produced a notepad and pen. After sketching a message, he handed the note over.

“I apologize, Airhead, I’m used to being able to talk with trainers. More importantly, I provided a plan B for Aria.”

“That’s good… I guess…” She blinked, “How did you get a Pokemon for her, anyways?” Receiving another note, she couldn’t help but read it out loud. “I’m forty years old, as an elder in the Ice type I have some families that owe me favors…” She broke. “Okay, what is the plan?” Following the Pokemon, she went into the basement.

The Sneasel closed the door behind him as he turned to the trainer. “There’s a translator here, so we don’t have to trade notes. Now, I want to introduce you to one of my old acquaintances.” He brought her attention to a form in deep violet clothes. “This is Madam Jynx, ten years my junior and a respected psychic.” He then turned to the form. “Jynx, this is Winona of Fortree City. She is the master to the goddess.”

“It’s a pleasure, Mistress Winona…” The psychic bowed. “I’m glad to know that the goddess is in the hands of such a lovely trainer.”

Winona’s eyes sharpened- she could get some information. “Now, why is it so important that Aria is in the hands of a lovely trainer?”

“Need to know basis.” The Sneasel countered.

“I have Pokemon that aren’t weak to ice with steel attacks.”

The dark Pokemon felt a drop of sweat trail down his brow. “Good answer.”

“Anyways…” The psychic continued, “Back twenty years ago, a woman named Venus was the trainer for Mew, but she was loyal to a man- the leader of Team CYPHER. During this time, they were beginning an instrumentality project to create invincible Pokemon. For this project, Mew was betrayed and used as a sacrifice to use the energies to create these ‘Shadow’ Pokemon. Because of this, the world was threatened to tear apart. To our fortune, an Aura user proposed a way to bring back Mew and save us all. The spirits Uxie, Mespirit, and Azelf found one child each to serve as a host.”

“So… Aria and two others?” Winona prodded, “Who’re the other two?”

The Jynx shook her head. “That is not important. However, you will know. The spirits' colors are blue, yellow, and pink.”

“Back to business.” The dark type sounded. “Jynx’s youngest daughter will be joining your Gym’s family as Aria’s subordinate. All you have to do is promise that you will not betray Aria.” He turned, “Even though it is more likely that I will kill you first.”

“Right…” Winona turned. “Where is this Pokemon?”

Out of Jynx’s robe came a small, purple creature. “Are you going to train me?”

“Smoochum, this is Mistress Winona. She is your master’s master. Your master is resting right now.”

Winona bit her lip at the ice type. “So… Is everything cleared here?”

The Sneasel nodded. “It would be a good idea to check on Aria.” He reached for the knob before turning again. “Feel free to take Smoochum with you. She’s under your line of command now.”

Aria sighed as she flipped through the pages of a magazine. “Jeeze… How did I get that many stings?” She flipped the page as she scanned through the news. “Huh, Drake won the Elite tournament. That’s pretty cool.” A knock was heard as she turned. “It’s not locked!”

Winona appeared in the doorway with the small psychic in her arms. “Feeling better, Aria?”

“A little.” She smiled. “You’d be amazed by the damage a Weedle can do.”

“I’m sure you learned a lot today…” The trainer laughed.

“By the way, did you get a new Pokemon?”

The wind trainer looked down to the minute form. “Actually, this is yours. Sneasel knew that you weren’t going to capture a Pokemon today.”

“Somehow I knew he was planning something…” She turned. “Smoochum, I’ll be teaching you some medicine. Can you use confusion to bring over that hat like thing in the corner over my bed?” The pulsing energy brought over the device as Aria sat up to attach it. A pleasant tone sounded as the machine did its work. “For someone who’s known I was a Mew since I was young, he insists on treating me like a human for medical attention.”

((Master could have fooled me.)) Smoochum pointed.

“Okay, you have a point there, Smoochum. I do look just the same as when I was human, more or less.” As the machine stopped its operation, the Mew slipped out of bed and returned the device. “There, that wasn’t too difficult.”

“So you’re healed?” The wind trainer inquired.

“When we get back, you can just hand me to Joy.” The Mew stated. “Just a note because I seem prone to every sort of injury except explosion.” After putting on her clothes, she turned to the door only to walk straight into an older man with graying brown hair. “Excuse me…”

“Are you Aria Hasaki?” The man posed.

Aria slowly looked up and jumped back at the sight. “P-P-P-Professor Oak?!”

The man before the girls was none other than the resident expert for Kanto. “Miss Hasaki… Aria.” He stumbled. “Would you be so kind as to join me on my radio program tonight?”

Aria looked over to the wind trainer. “I’d be honored. Let me catch a shower first, though.”

As the Mew disappeared, Winona took a moment to gauge the situation. “It’s an honor, Professor.”

He turned to the girl. “Oh, you’re Dragoon’s daughter, are you not?”

“You know my father?” She blinked.

“Of course, Dragoon and his rival Yew were crucial in helping me first develop my Pokedex project. I owe him a lot for his work.”

“Then can I ask a favor of you?” She glanced.

“Within reason.”

“During the program, can you not mention Team Aero?” She requested. “Aria has amnesia, and can’t remember the past year. I don’t think she could stand to learn what has actually happened.”

The researcher sighed. “I’ll do the best that I can. However, I am going to warn you that you’ll have to deal with her past at some point. And I have a suspicion Giovanni of Viridian City will use it against you.”

“Why do you think that?”

“He’s still breathing.” He laughed. “Anyways, I’ll see what I can do.”

“Thank you.”

Aria wasn’t exactly comfortable with the situation as they sat around the table. On the opposing side was both Professor Oak and the famous disk jockey Mary, while she sat with Smoochum, as Winona elected to sit in the lobby. “Now, Miss Hasaki…” Mary started. “We would like to thank you again for coming on tonight. I heard that earlier today you were brave enough to enter the Park’s Bug Capturing Contest.”

“Yeah.” She blushed. “That wasn’t the best idea after the festival.”

Oak jumped in. “Well, after using that much energy in the festival added to the fact that you have little training as a Pokemon, it was quite the challenge you were going on.”

“Well my trainer, Winona of Fortree City, Hoenn, was supposed to escort me for safety reasons, but the rules seem biased against flying trainers.” She answered.

“That’s terrible to hear!” Mary cried, “So I assume that you’re training the Smoochum that is sitting next to you?”

“Yep!” The Mew smiled brightly. “This is my direct subordinate. Just because I turned out to be a Pokemon doesn’t mean that I will stop being a trainer.”

//That’s quite an impressive story…// Winona heard Mary’s voice through the PA system in the lobby. //So where are you going to start?//

//That’s a good question, Mary.// Aria’s voice replied. //Perhaps I’ll try Sinnoh next summer, but I wonder about rising through the ranks in Hoenn, being that I’d practically rebel against my trainer.//

Winona blinked at that response. “Huh… Aria fighting against me? Well… It really would be against Alteria, wouldn’t it?”

//But anyways, on the topic of the festival.// Mary carried, //On behalf of all trainers in the Johto region and the world, I would like to thank you for…// Professor Oak suddenly made chopping motions across his neck. //All of your work in Team Aero in both fighting the Phobos Battalion and preparing the festival.//

Winona’s heart skipped a beat. Professor Oak must have not been able to talk with Mary beforehand, and now her hope was ruined. She was now suddenly without an idea of what to do. There was no way now that Aria could forgive her, especially if it meant that she remembered what happened in Lilycove. With no idea left, she ran from the building and made her way south.

Aria instinctually slammed her fist on the table, causing both Smoochum and Mary to jump from their seats. With a sharp breath, she put on a pleasant face. “I have no idea what you are talking about, you might be thinking about my twin brother.”

Oak was trying his hardest not to glare at his assistant. “Well, thank you for your time, Miss Hasaki. This brings us to the end of our program, so I will leave you with a special poem for our guest.” As per habit, he stood up. “Magnificent Mew/ Glittering in the blue sky/ Tells of tales unknown.”

Mary stepped in. “We hope to hear your responses soon, and please join us next week, where we will be speaking with the leading Pokemon storage expert Bill!”

The on-air light dimmed as Aria and Oak nodded to each other. “If you will excuse me, I have to go and track down my master.”

The professor nodded. “I’ll give you a lift. Do you know which way she went?”

“I’m Mew.” She smirked. “I’ve been keeping a third eye on her the entire time.”

“What’s going on?” Mary gasped.

“I’ll explain later.” Oak turned with a slightly harsher voice. “I’ll see you for the next meeting.”