Where are all the Basculin? Misty thought to herself, letting yet another Goldeen back into the water.
She had been fishing in Pinwheel Forest all day, and the four pokémon she had seen had all been Goldeen, not Basculin as she had been looking for.
She almost wished something would happen, just to distract her from her boredom. Then, thinking back on her travels with Ash and Brock (And, unfortunately, Team Rocket), she decided against it.
Hearing a rustle in the grass behind her, she realised she should be careful what she wished for.
Turning around slowly, Misty braced herself for whatever or whoever was behind her.
xXx
Ash strolled along the path in Pinwheel forest, Pikachu his only companion for once. "I wonder what cool pokémon there are here Pikachu! We haven't really got any from this region other than Oshawott. I hope we see some soon."
"Pika Pika." agreed Pikachu.
Ash was distracted from his search for pokémon when a scream split the air.
"Sounds like someone's in trouble. Let's go!" cried Ash.
"Pika!"
xXx
Misty was trapped, back against a tree, terrified.
A Sewaddle was advancing upon her, having smelt some of the pokémon treats in her bag.
Someone help me; please get that thing away from me! Misty begged internally, letting out a scared whimper.
Her prayers were answered when she heard a familiar voice.
"Misty? What are you doing here?"
Misty barely had time to murmur "Ash?" to herself before he saw the pokémon.
"Oh, a Sewaddle! Oshawott, I choose you!"
Five minutes later, Ash threw a pokéball and caught the Sewaddle.
xXx
"Yes! I caught Sewaddle!"
So distracted with his new pokémon, Ash didn't at first see the cage descending from the branch above his head and landing neatly over Pikachu. When he did, he didn't even look around before crying out "Team Rocket!"
"Looks like the twerp's getting smarter!" came a female voice.
"But apparently not smart enough!" answered a male one.
"Prepare for trouble,"
"And make it double,"
"To protect the world from devastation,"
"To unite all peoples within our nation,"
"To denounce the evils or truth and love,"
"To extend out reach to the stars above,"
"Jessie!"
"James!"
"Team Rocket blasts off at the speed of light,"
"Surrender now or prepare to fight!"
"You guys again!" shouted Ash, glaring at the two teenagers and Meowth. "Don't you ever get tired of following me around?"
"We are tired of it." agreed Jessie. "That's why we're going to catch Pikachu now and leave you alone."
While they were busy arguing, Misty was busy releasing Marill from her pokéball and whispering instructions to her.
Marill circled around the group, going behind Team Rocket, and heading straight for the cage. After she gave a hard push, the cage fell over onto its side. Pikachu bounded out and unleashed a huge Thunderbolt in Team Rocket's direction without preamble.
The last thing heard of them was "Team Rocket's blasting off agaaaaaaaaaaaaain!" and then a twinkle in the sky.
xXx
"Pika!" said Pikachu, heading back to Marill and nuzzling at her.
"Yeah, thanks Marill. You too, Misty." added Ash. "What are you doing here, anyway?"
"Same thing you are, I guess. Looking for new pokémon." at that moment, both Ash and Misty realised exactly what had been directly behind Team Rocket.
"Please tell me that's not what I think it is…" said Ash, covering his ears in expectation.
"ASH KETCHUM! YOU BROKE MY BIKE!" she yelled. "AGAIN!"
