@Scytherwolf; @Soups;

Episode 82a: Current Events (part 1)

"I'm glad Brock's doing okay after coming to terms with his heartbreak." Misty smiled--it had been a few days since the group had met Temacu, who had seemed to click with Brock. However, it turned out she had feelings for someone else, much to Brock's sadness, confusion, and anger.

"He was back to his usual joyful singing, guitar playing self yesterday." Ash agreed. "I was a little concerned when the guitar didn't come out for three days."

"Well, when you go through something like that, you need time to deal with your emotions--and every person grieves differently." Misty explained.

She was about to say more when a familiar "Yah-ho!" got her attention, and smiled when she found Ethan, Lyra, and their Pokemon waving to them a little farther down the road.

"Long time, no see, you guys!" Ethan smiled as he knelt to accept Ash's hug.

"You're not mad at me for giving you that cold, are you?" Brock asked Lyra as the group made their way down the path, near a large field close to a wind farm.

[Interesting fans...] Tintri mused as he watched the turbines spin in the gentle breeze.

"These aren't the kinds of fans that keep you cool in the summer--these fans are specially made to harness the power of the wind to generate electricity." Lyra explained. "It's a great source of clean energy."

[Nice!] Tintri smiled.

"Let's all let our teams out for a while--this field's perfect for everyone to play in!" Ash suggested before heaving his Poke Balls skyward. "Come on out, everyone!"

The group did not know that Team Rocket was watching them from behind the wind generators. "Let's see...what would be a good plan to take Hat-twerp's Pokemon?" Jessie mused.

"The only thing I want to think about is lunch..." James groaned. "It is past noon, after all..."

About then, all the Rockets' stomachs growled at the same time. "Okay...we can come up with a new plan over lunch." Jessie sighed, slightly annoyed as Meowth spread out a picnic blanket, secured it with some rocks, and then opened a picnic basket piled with food. "Although I will commend you for making a picnic lunch, Meowth..."

"Well, da last supply drop from da boss had plenty of food, and it a nice day, afta all, so I taught we could have a little picnic before our next heist!" Meowth smiled as he made himself a tuna salad sandwich.

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After they had had lunch, the Rockets discovered a strange building near the wind farm. "I wonder what's in there..." James mused as he approached the door and knocked. "Hello? Anybody home?"

When no answer came, James next decided to try pulling the door open, but no matter how hard he pulled, and shoved, the door didn't budge.

"Hey..." Meowth pointed out a card reader near the door. "I tink dis place requires a card key to get in..."

"NOW you tell me..." James sighed as he slumped to the floor, exhausted.

"But dat's nuttin a little lockpickin' wouldn't fix!" Meowth grinned as he scrambled on top of the card reader, extended a claw, and went to work attempting to pick the lock.

A SNAP got the Rockets' attention some moments later. "Of all da times ta break a nail..." Meowth grumbled before the door slowly opened with a whir. "But it was woith gettin da door open!"

"Let's go inside!" Jessie suggested as she led James and Meowth inside the complex, unaware that Jigglypuff was following them.

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Meanwhile, Lyra and Hana were enjoying a stroll across the field. It's such a nice day... Lyra thought. Nothing like spending the day with your best friends...

[Lyra...] Hana speaking snapped Lyra from her thoughts. [Check out this abandoned complex near the wind farm!]

"Lead the way, Hana." Lyra replied as she followed the Chikorita over to the same complex the Rockets had found, complete with the door still open. "Hello, anyone there?" she called as she peeked inside the room.

[I wonder what's inside?] Hana wondered as she and Lyra walked inside the complex.

Lyra was about to answer Hana when she heard the door slam shut! After hurrying over and trying to pull open the door, she slumped to the floor in defeat. "It's no use...we're stuck in here..."

[Maybe not...] Hana replied, directing Lyra to a map of the complex on one wall. [We are all the way up here...] She pointed out her and Lyra's current location. [...and there's another way out on the bottom floor. So all we have to do is find our way to the bottom.]

"Sounds easy enough." Lyra smiled. "Lead the way, Hana."

To Be Continued...