IOTMV Issue 1 - The Encounter

**The Encounter** is the first issue of The Poképals: Invasion of the Metal Virus. It was created on November 21, 2023.

## Concept

The start of the issue began with Vulpix having her strange infection, and Isaiah researches this to realize that it's a metal virus breakout. Vulpix uses her Blaze to speed up her running and to ease the infection off a little, as she ran into Tito. Tito came from the origination of where the virus happened, and she knew what it was. Zombots were being spread throughout Sortles, and The Poképals was led by Isaiah and Anala who were trying to figure out the problem. Vulpix and Tito ran into a friend of theirs who got infected completely, and it happened to be Fennekin! She was feisty and was about to infect Tito, but then Vulpix pulled her away. Tito's tail still got caught, and the two were going to return to the Poképals using Vulpix's Blaze attack to make her run at Sonic speed. She teams up with Anala but then the same Fennekin Zombot arrived and caught Isaiah! Vulpix now needs to save him!

## Story

Vulpix alerts Isaiah about something on her arm. He's confused about it, as Vulpix tells him that it tingles her. Isaiah was then curious and was about to touch it but Vulpix quickly moved her arm away from him, stating it could end up being an issue. Isaiah went to research this and told her he would get back to her once he found out what was going on. Isaiah went on his computer and searched up information about tingly things, as he's heard about it before but is only a blue in his head. He then realized that it was from the Sonic area, where he says that "it's a metal virus, which means anyone who comes into contact with someone who is infected, they also get infected, and this metallic stuff spreads all over them." Vulpix could be in danger and confidently rises up to be the hero of the situation, while also thinking what could happen if he was a "Zombot", what the infected are known as, named by Sonic and Dr. Eggman, making him queasy. Vulpix freaks about as her infection spreads around her, as Isaiah gets her attention. He urged her to run to fight off the infection, using her Blaze attack to speed herself up. Vulpix was stressed but she still did, dashing off at full throttle like Sonic. Vulpix may be the new blue blur hedgehog (as the orange/pink blur) but she's only a fox. Thoughts ran down on Vulpix:

*"I've been weak for about 5 years, but I finally decided to train myself, and Isaiah helped me out. Thanks to him, I would always be fast and strong. If I stayed weak, I would've been fully covered in that stuff by now. If Isaiah told me that running this fast would 'ease off the infection', then I hope he's right."*

She then met Tito as she was losing her breath. She realized she was standing on her hind legs and asked why, and Tito was usually hanging out at the Sonic area, which was how she's been getting used to standing on her hinds. Vulpix asked her if she knew what was going on and why there was metallic stuff on her arm. Tito actually did know, as she was there when it happened, but then she evaded from the scene before it got worse. She told her the same thing Isaiah told himself, as the infected can spread the virus throughout the town, and also used the term "Zombot", as becoming one can lose control of themselves. Vulpix was then scared, also afraid that she might not ever be able to cuddle Isaiah again. Tito wasn't sure of what to say, but then a Zombot approached her and Vulpix pulled her away before it could fully infect her. The Zombot growled at the two, but Vulpix knew who it was. It was ***Fennekin?!*** Vulpix tried telling her to snap out of it, and Fennekin eased off her anger slightly. Vulpix was risking her hands being infected after grabbing her shoulders. She was then crying, and Tito grabbed her arm and ran away from Zombot Fennekin. As Vulpix whimpered again, Fennekin gave a concerning expression but we weren't sure how she was feeling. Back at home Isaiah told the team about the virus and that they had to be careful as he was looking for a cure (similar to Tails). Vaporeon hated this virus and Primona agreed and that it was a pain. Anala gave an update on the virus being put on Fennekin, to Isaiah's shock since he put Vulpix on a mission. Eevee and Taya were starting to worry about themselves, then Espeon came up to them and said that she'll protect the two. Iceberg asked Anala how she got infected, as she remembers that Fennekin mastered her fire-type attacks, including one of her stronger ones: Fire Ball. Anala was stressing out and couldn't answer.

Tito and Vulpix were together again as Tito gave her more advice, that if Vulpix touches an infected, the part Vulpix collided with the infected will start the virus at that spot. Vulpix sighed and looked at her right hand which was infected up to her wrist. Tito looked at her tail, and sure enough Zombot Fennekin caught her before Vulpix pulled her away. Vulpix was hoping to see Isaiah but Tito was gonna talk to him. She told Tito his house is pretty far and she could take them there, as Tito saw her running quickly when she met her. Vulpix grabbed onto Tito's arm and ran faster than last time, with an unprepared Tito screaming loudly as she never expected her to be that fast before. As the Poképals went out, Anala sighed and couldn't believe they had to fight one of their members, as it was a pain. When she said that however, it was brought to Primona's attention agreeing with her. Anala then jolted when Vulpix and Tito arrived, and Vulpix told Anala her experience with Fennekin being terrible. Anala was devastated about hearing that and told her that they'll get her back. Vulpix was then confidently agreeing and the two fist bump while rising her spirit. Isaiah was proud of her, nearly crying tears of joy stating she's growing up quickly, while Vaporeon is shuddering with actual tears agreeing with him. Vulpix strikes a pose while Anala cheers her on, but then, the same Zombot Fennekin arrived. Vulpix tried to ease her off and get her to stop, but Zombots are known for being unresponsive as she leaps onto Isaiah suddenly with a furious look. As Fennekin looked dead onto Isaiah with her front paws pressured into his chest, infecting him, Vulpix risked her hands again trying to pull her away. Isaiah was sweating frantically and begged Vulpix to save him. Vulpix was whimpering as it could be the end for Isaiah!