Pokémon live in all kinds of habitats, and most of those are far away from human habitation. However, these Pokémon still need to be able to train and also heal themselves. So, whenever there is a large enough consentration of Pokémon in one area, they get together and build their own Pokécenters. There was one of these such centers near training grounds in the middle of a beautiful forest. The group of Pokémon that lived in the area would show up about once a week to train, so they got to know each other pretty well and started to become friends. The group consisted of a meowth named Purr, a ratata named Scruffy, a raticate named Gnaw, a pidgey named Flappy, and a pidgeot named Peck.

One day, there was a new member to the group. It was an evil gengar named Shadow. He befriended Scruffy and Gnaw, who were very interested in getting to know the shady character. He told them things about the other members in the group, especially about Purr. Scruffy got really angry at the things Shadow told him, so at the next meeting, he attacked Purr! He accused Purr of being up to no good, and having planned to backstab the other members! Purr was shocked, so he started to fight back. Flappy and Peck believed that Purr was innocent, so they joined up with him, against the rats and the ghost. They had a huge fight on the training grounds, but in the end, Flappy came out on top (he was a powerful fighter). The others healed themselves at the Pokécenter, then they split off into two groups.

After the fight, Purr, Flappy and Peck discussed what had taken place. Why had the rats turned against them? That evil Shadow must be planning something against them, and only time would tell what it was.

The Pokémon lived pretty close to one another, but today they didnit feel like going back to their normal homes. Instead, each group decided to find a place that they could make a fort. If there was going to be fighting, they would have to protect themselves. Purris group headed west in search of a nice place to call home base. On the way, they came to a small stream, so they stopped to rest. While they were resting, they heard noise coming from upstream. The group hid in case there would be danger. Suddenly a couple of Pokémon that they hadnit seen before, came waddling down the stream. It was a golduck and a psyduck! Purr came out of his hiding place to greet the new Pokémon. Startled, the ducks attacked Purr in defense! After a short battle and alot of explaining, Purr managed to convince the golduck (named Goldy) and the psyduck (named Pseudo) to join his group. He told them about the other group of Pokémon that was out to get him, and that they could attack at any minute. Goldy and Pseudo agreed to keep their eyes peeled for danger. Now if Shadow and those betraying rats attacked, they would sure be surprised!

While Purr was talking to Goldy and Pseudo, Flappy and Peck were having a conversation of their own. Now they were beginning to get suspicious of Purr. Why was he trying to build up an army instead of straightening things out with Scruffy and Gnaw? Was Shadow right -- was Purr really up to no good? They knew they couldnit trust Shadow, and now they couldnit trust Purr either. They decided to stick with Purr a little while longer to keep an eye on him. Then they would sneak away, and start a group of their own. After all, birds of a feather stick together -- and nowhere in that equation does it mention anything about cats!

Meanwhile, Shadow, Scruffy and Gnaw had decided to head south-east in search of a new base. They would be keeping their eye out for any unfamiliar Pokémon to join their group. Shadow had told them that Pokémon from all over were being lured to this location, almost out of instinct. Something big was happening, but the two rats had no clue what it was.

Soon Purris group had reached a small clearing. It seemed a perfect place to call their new home. Night-time was rapidly approaching, so they decided to settle down to sleep. Flappy and Peck flew up to the high branches of a nearby tree. They didnit want their backs to the untrustworthy cat. Purr curled up next to a small boulder and tried to fall asleep. He was confused about what had gone on that day, and he was a little scared. Why did it seem that everyone was turning on him? He had thought of Scruffy and Gnaw as his friends, but now they seemed as if they hated him. He was particularly sad about Scruffy, who he had really liked.

His thoughts were interrupted by a rustling noise coming from the bushes. Suddenly a tiny clefairy came bouncing into the middle of the clearing! The Pokémon all jumped up in surprise. The startled clefairy, finding herself in the middle of a group of strange Pokémon, screamed and ran back towards the bushes. Purr pounced on the small creature to stop her. He didnit want her to be afraid of them. But before he got to explain himself, he was thumped on the back of the head by a large branch. Goldy and Pseudo jumped up -- this must be the attack that they were waiting for! They jumped on Purris attacker and wrestled him to the ground. The clefairy bit Goldy's leg to try and help her friend, but Purr staggered over and peeled her off. Pseudo cast a hypnotising spell on the other Pokémon, and it fell asleep. They dragged it out into the light to see what it was, and found out it was a large clefable! Purr explained his story to the tiny clefairy, but she wouldn't believe him. All she wanted was her friend to wake up. As a sign of friendship, Purr ordered Pseudo to undo the spell, and the clefable woke up. He was about to attack again, but the clefairy stopped him. It looked like they would have two more members to their group.

Flappy and Peck had been watching the goings-on from up above. They wanted to see what Purr would do. Just as they had suspected, he had persuaded the fairies to join his group. Now they were certain that Purr was indeed an evil Pokémon. They nodded once to each other, and took off silently into the night.

To be continued...