A/N: Part #9 of 'A PokéSeries' is a sort of mini series with individual mini-parts. I'll warn you now, Part 9 as a whole going to be looooooooo(insert several thousand more 'o's for dramatic effect)oooooong. However, it will include such incredibly odd things like:
-Talking Pikachus and Raichus
-Mews(so cute) and Mewtwo
-Aliens a space travel ( ^_^; )
-Six or more human TR members(excluding Giovanni)
-Pokémon training Pokémon
-Made up Pokémon(I lost count of those Eevee evolutions)
^^^^^^
A PokéSeries #9
War of Wars
by Cyllya
"Prologue: Spirit of the Forest"
and
"Part 1:To be a Master"
Prologue
Guyana, South America…
As soon as the sun rose over the small lumber camp that was deep in the rain forest, everyone was awake and at work. This included the wild Pokémon. As a chain saw neared the edge of a very large tree, the tropical Pidgeys and their babies looked down at it nervously.
The chain saw started to cut into the bark. From somewhere in the dense foliage came a huge white beam. It hit the worker with the chain saw. He was knocked unconscious and clear into another tree. The Pidgeys smiled at where the beam had come from. They couldn't see through the leaves, but they knew who had saved their home…
Seeing its work done as the other workers scrambled over to assist their comrade, Mew, the legendary Pokémon, smiled. It flew down to the small lake that was next to the logging camp. A Goldeen looked up at it sadly.
"Mew?" Mew questioned.
"Goldeen…" Goldeen said. It looked sick.
"Mew…." Mew said. It put its paws on Goldeen's back and concentrated. It used its Recover attack to heal the poor fish.
"Goldeen, Goldeen!" Goldeen said happily. It waved at Mew with its fin and dived out of sight.
"Mew-mew…." Mew smiled again and took a few sips from the water. It picked a large, broad leaf off a nearby bush. It used the leaf to scoop up some water. It flew away with the leaf full of water and paid little attention to the pipe that spilled chemicals out of one of the logging camp's buildings. The chemicals splashed onto the shore and ran into the water. Mew did, however, pause to look in disgust at the cloud of dark smoke coming from the same building.
Mew flew toward a small cave in a nearby cliff side. It used its tail to snatch a large brightly-colored flower from a tree without slowing its flight. It paused by the cave entrance.
"Mew?" came a high voice from inside the cave.
Mew flew inside and hovered before a second Mew. The other Mew had three very tiny Mews curled up next to it on their pile of leaves. Mew poured the water into a hollowed-out rock that was next to the other Mews. It gave the second Mew the flower.
"Mew-mew! Mew…" the second Mew took the flower and smiled. It lifted one of the baby Mews up to the water. It opened its eyes and started sipping the water. After drinking its fill, which was not very much, its mother lifted the other two, one at a time. When they were done, the two adults drank. Then the five of them curled up and took a nap.
Later, the Mews were awakened by the babies. They were crying. The mother's stomach rumbled. She squealed and put her paws on it. She looked like she'd been poisoned. Though not feeling so well itself, the first Mew tried to comfort the others.
"MEW!" Mew vaguely remembered flying passed the chemical pipe. It also remembered that the Goldeen was sick. It looked at the water with hatred.
"Mew?" the other Mew asked.
"M-mew! Mew-mew-m-mew! Mew!" the first explained.
"Mew!" the second cried. It use picked up one of the squealing babies and used Recover. The first Mew did the same with another baby.
For a Pokémon that knows Recover, healing itself is easy. However, healing other Pokémon is hard and takes a lot of energy. Both adults had to combine the last few shreds of their energy to heal the third baby. It watched them writhe in a failing attempt to heal themselves.
They collapsed onto the ground, and the flower fell between them.
"Mew?" the third kitten questioned. It pushed at its mother's foot. She didn't answer…
Part I-
Pallet Town…
Chapter 1
"Mime, mime, mime, mime…" Mr. Mime hummed as he swept Ash's bedroom. Ponyta followed him around pointlessly.
"Mr. Mime? Tracey has breakfast made. Can you wake Ash and Misty up?" Ash's mom called from another room.
"Mr. Mime!" Mr. Mime smiled and began to sweep Pikachu's face.
"Pika…pika!" Pikachu muttered, pawing vainly at the broom, "Pika-CHU!"
"Thank you, Mimie!" Mrs. Ketchem called, recognizing the sound of Pikachu's Thunder attack.
"Pikachu…" Ash muttered. He sat up, fried.
"We gotta destroy that broom…" Galacteon, who was also blackened, glared at Mr. Mime's broom as the others awoke.
"Pika," Pikachu agreed.
"Come get breakfast everyone!" Tracey called.
"Ooh, breakfast!" Galacteon ran into the kitchen. Ash, Misty, and Tracy quickly gave all their Pokémon a bowl full of Pokémon Food, some fruit, and some toast. Tracey's Pokémon were already eating Mr. Mime fed Ponyta.
"Hey, Ash. I bought you this magazine while I was at the store," Mrs. Ketchem said. She handed it to him as he sat down.
"Pokémon Times? Thanks, Mom!" Ash said. He read it while he ate. After flipping through the first few pages, he didn't look so happy.
"Pika Pika-pi?" Pikachu questioned, hopping onto the table.
"I was afraid of this," Ash muttered.
"What is it, Ash?" Misty asked.
"See for yourself," Ash handed her the magazine.
"'Like before, all participants of next year's Pokémon League competitions must have total of eight badges from this year.'" Misty read aloud, "What does that mean?"
"It means that if Ash wants to go to the Pokémon League again," Tracey said, "he has to get his eight badges all over again too."
"Well don't think I'll be helping you this time," Misty said, handing the magazine back.
"You didn't help me last time!" Ash protested, rubbing his head, "You just followed me around, nagged at me, and hit me on the head a few times!"
"And look where you'd have been if I hadn't," Misty said, "If it weren't for Brock and me, you couldn't have found your way from one gym to the next."
"My head hurts just thinking about your method of helping," Ash said.
"Or maybe it's because you still have some of those bumps on your head," Galacteon offered.
"Could be," Ash said.
While Ash and Misty were arguing, Galacteon noticed that Pikachu looked sad.
"What's wrong, Pikachu," Galacteon asked, "It won't be that hard."
"Chu-chu," Pikachu mumbled, "Pika ka Pichu."
"Oh," Galacteon said, looking at Pika and the Pichus, "If Misty decides not to come with us, her Pokémon won't either…."
"Pika…" Pikachu said sadly.
Chapter 2
Back in Guyana, Jessie, James, and Meowth were cutting the already-chopped trees into plywood. The other Team Rocket members, Pyra, Flames, and Ninetails were a few feet away doing the same thing.
"Tell me again why we got this job," Meowth muttered.
"'Cause of how many times we've all screwed up," Ninetails said.
"How come Cassidie and Butch don't have to be here?" James muttered.
"They're suck-ups," Ninetails said simply.
"Oh," James said.
"Be glad that they aren't here," Pyra said.
"I know," Jessie agreed, "I hate Cassidie even more than I hate you."
"Look who's talking," Pyra said.
"Uh-oh," Meowth and Ninetails mumbled in unison.
"You're a windbag," Jessie said.
"You're a show-off!" Pyra said.
"Idiot!"
"Nitwit!"
"Know-it-all!"
"Egotist!"
"Nincompoop!"
"Dolt!"
"Hey, cut it out and get back to work!" James said.
"Dim-witted fool!" Jessie continued.
"Moronic blockhead!" Pyra said.
"Break it up!" James hollered.
"Give it up," Flames advised, "They're mad now. We can't stop that."
"You ugly bonehead!" Pyra yelled.
"What?!" Jessie demanded, "You won't be calling anybody ugly by the time I'm done with you!"
James and Flames had to hold the two of them back to keep them from ripping each other to shreds. Meowth sighed and carried a piece of plywood to the pile it belonged in. On his way back to the logs that they were cutting, he accidentally stepped on one of Ninetails's tails.
"Ow! Watch it!" Ninetails exclaimed.
"Excuse me," Meowth said snidely, "You shouldn't be putting your tails in everyone's way, you stupid canine."
Ninetails growled.
"Oh, I'm so scared," Meowth mocked.
"You…" Ninetails fried Meowth with Flame Thrower. This started a fight between the two of them.
After a moment, everyone heard a loud hiss. They froze in their quarreling positions and looked to the door where the angry-looking Giovanni stood with Persian.
"Hello, sir…" Jessie stammered. Everyone snapped into attention stance.
Giovanni sighed, "You can settle your arguments later. For now, I want Jessie, James, and Meowth to go scouting in the forest."
"Anything particular that we're looking for, sir?" Jessie asked.
"Not really," Giovanni said, "But keep an eye out for large trees, any Pokémon worth collecting, and anything that might lead to trouble."
"Yes, sir!" James said. He, Jessie, and Meowth ran out the door.
"You three get back to work," Giovanni said to Pyra, Flames, and Ninetails.
Chapter 3
Jessie, James, and Meowth walked along the narrow trail along the cliff side. Meowth spotted a small cave up ahead. They walked over to it.
"What's inside?" Jessie asked.
"A Pokémon!" Meowth said quietly, "I think they're sleeping."
"Mew?" one of the curious baby Mews crawled awkwardly over to Meowth.
"Eww! A rat!" Jessie exclaimed.
"That's not a rat," James said, picking it up.
"It's the baby version of one of those things," Meowth said. He pointed to the adult Mews.
"What kind of Pokémon is that?" James asked.
"I have no idea," Meowth said.
"But you always know things about Pokémon," James said.
"That means it's really rare!" Jessie said, "Let's catch them and present them to the boss!"
"Shh!" James said, "They'll be harder to catch if they're awake."
"Don't waste your time," Meowth said as he put his paw on the chest of one of the adults, "These two… are dead."
"Oh," Jessie sighed, "Oh, well."
"…Can you do me a favor, Jess?" Meowth asked.
"It depends. What do you need?" Jessie asked.
Meowth sniffled, "Can you have Arbok dig a hole in the corner over there?"
"Huh?" Jessie asked.
"I don't know why these Pokémon died, and I probably never will," Meowth said, "but it's clear they didn't die of old age. Being a Pokémon myself… I know that that's the only way a Pokémon should die."
"Now don't get all mushy, Meowth," Jessie said.
"Jessie," James said, "Arbok is a good digger. Have it dig a hole."
"Fine," Jessie threw Arbok's Pokéball.
"Char-bock!"
"Arbok, dig a hole in the corner of the cave," Jessie ordered.
"Char!" Arbok tunneled in and out of the dirt until there was a neat, circular, three-by-three hole in the corner of the cave.
"Thanks," Meowth said. He laid the adult Mews in the hole and began to cover them with dirt.
"What about the three babies?" Jessie wondered.
"We could always give them to the boss," James suggested.
"I'm not saying we shouldn't take them with us," Meowth said, looking at them as they watched him bury their parents, "but do I have to remind you what happened last time we gave a baby Pokémon to the boss?"
Jessie and James thought about it. They remembered trying to give Togepi to Giovanni.
"What does it do?" had been Giovanni's reaction. At that time, Togepi's abilities didn't exceed weighing down papers.
"Meowth's right," James said, "The boss wants Pokémon, not paper weights."
"There are three of them," Meowth said, "If we each train one, we'll see how tough they turn out to be. Maybe they can evolve into something stronger like Togepi evolved into Togechikku."
"Mew?" the babies questioned.
"I guess," James said. He picked a Mew up. He asked, "What do we call them if we don't know their name?"
"Give them nicknames," Meowth advised as he patted the dirt down.
"Pinky," Jessie said blandly picking up a Mew.
"I'll name you 'Meow,' after me," Meowth said to his Mew.
"You're cute a kitten," James said to the Mew he was holding, "so you need a cute name. Something like… Kitsy?"
"Mew!" it said.
"So 'Kitsy' works for you?" James asked.
"M-mew…" Kitsy said.
James handed Kitsy an small version of an empty Pokéball. It sniffed at it curiously. James pushed the button on the ball. Kitsy was surprised when the ball suddenly got bigger than it was. James pushed the button again and Kitsy was sucked inside. The tiny feline didn't resist.
James offered Meowth a Pokéball for Meow.
"Thanks," Meowth said, putting Meow inside the Pokéball. Jessie made Pinky officially caught. Meowth sighed. He picked up the now-limp flower and tossed it on the grave. He said, "Let's go."
"Arbok, return," Jessie said, calling Arbok back. As they left the cave, the flower looked less limp.
Chapter 4
Pika and Pikachu were chatting quietly to each other in the living room of Ash's house. Ash and Misty were in the kitchen arguing.
"You're always giving me a hard time," Ash said, "Why don't you give me a break for once?"
"If you want a break, go buy a Kit Kat bar!" Misty said, "You only got… four of your badges fairly."
"I got them all fair and square!" Ash exclaimed.
"Did not!" Misty said.
"Yeah I did!" Ash said, "You saw how Pikachu and I won the Thunder Badge."
"But Tracey only gave you the Boulder Badge because he felt sorry for you," Misty said.
"I beat Koga's Golbat with Charmander," Ash said.
"You didn't beat me in Cerulean City," Misty said, "My sisters gave you the badge because Pikachu beat Team Rocket."
"You're being a sore looser again!" Ash said, "Charizard beat Magmar."
"I didn't loose," Misty protested, "You got the Rainbow Badge by saving a Gloom."
"I didn't see you doing anything to help," Ash said, "And not many trainers can when a battle if they feel the same pain that their Pokémon do."
"You only got the Marsh Badge because Haunter made Sabrina laugh," Misty said.
"If I hadn't been a good trainer, Haunter would have stayed in Lavender Town," Ash insisted, "Making Sabrina laugh herself into a defeat was a great strategy! You said so yourself!"
"No, I didn't!" Misty said.
"Did too!"
"Did not!"
"Did too!"
"Did not!"
"Did too!"
"Did—"
Tracy, who was sitting at the table, sneezed. A second or two later, Tracey did too.
"Bless you," Misty said, "Did not…or did too…or…."
Tracy laughed.
"What's so funny?!" Misty demanded.
He continued laughing.
Ash shrugged.
"Now either you said I did something that I said I didn't do," Misty said to Ash, "or I said you did something that you said you didn't. Unless you said I didn't do something that I said I did."
"Huh?!" Ash demanded. Unseen by everyone, Jigglypuff hopped through the open window.
"I don't know; I'm so confused!" Misty cried.
"We can tell," Tracy laughed. He sneezed again.
"You shouldn't be laughing at anyone!" Misty moaned, "You sketch in your sleep!"
"No I don't," Tracy said.
"Yeah, you do," Galacteon said, "Last night you really had your paper and pencil instead of using imaginary ones!"
"Really?" Tracy wondered, "I wonder if I really sketched something."
"Let's see," Galacteon said. He went down the hall and returned with Tracy's pad of paper.
"Hmm…" Tracy said. He flipped through the pages with Galacteon and Jigglypuff looking over his shoulders.
"Mew?" Galacteon observed, "Not bad."
"Moltres," Tracy said at the next page.
"It doesn't look real," Jigglypuff said. Tracy looked at Jigglypuff suspiciously. He shook his head.
"Zapdos," Galacteon commented about the next page, "That one's pretty good."
"This one's Jigglypuff," Tracy said.
"I'm cuter in person," Jigglypuff said.
Tracy looked at Jigglypuff. He said, "I must be sicker than I thought." Jigglypuff shrugged. Tracy turned the page again.
"Woah," Galacteon commented, "I never pictured Officer Jenny like that."
Tracy quickly turned the page again, unveiling a sketch of Articuno.
"Now that's all wrong," Jigglypuff said.
"What'd you say?!" Tracy said. He hadn't found out Jigglypuff could talk yet.
"No offence," Jigglypuff said, "but his beak is supposed to be shorter than that. Plus you made his wings and crest too small. And in reality, his tail is way longer than that. Here, I'll show you."
Jigglypuff took the pad, turned to the next page, which was empty, and used her marker to draw a picture of Articuno. She colored it with her other markers. In her opinion, it was perfect.
"That's pretty good," Galacteon commended, "Where'd you learn to talk?"
"Being a human teaches you that sort of thing," Jigglypuff said.
"Cool," Ash said.
"Oh, that's good," Tracy said, "For a second there I thought I was hallucinating."
"Me too," Ash admitted.
"Mmm-hmm," Jigglypuff said, "Sorry about my lack of performance today," she sniffled, "but it's allergy season and my throat hurts. You'll have to wait till next time."
"What a shame," Tracy said dully.
"I'm sorry you're not feeling well, Jigglypuff," Misty said, "Do you want something to drink?"
"No, thank you," Jigglypuff said.
A pair of loud squawks filled the air.
"Besides," Jigglypuff said, "my ride is getting restless. Bye, nice seeing you." She tied her colored markers together with a string, jumped out the window, and landed on a Doduo that had a special double-head reins. Jigglypuff twirled her microphone in one hand, pointed it forward, and cried, "Puff!"
"Doe!" the Doduo squawked. It ran out of the front yard and down the street. Everyone sort of silently stared out the window in perplexity for a moment.
"You know," Misty commented, "it seems like all of the people and Pokémon we meet are kinda weird. Then they keep getting weirder."
"Pretty much," Ash said.
"Ash?" Mrs. Ketchem asked as she entered the room and opened the refrigerator. Ponyta snagged an apple and dashed into the living room.
"Yeah, Mom?" Ash asked.
"Since you're going to have to travel around and get your eight badges again," she said, taking out the orange juice, "I was wondering when you're going to be leaving."
"Uh, well," Ash stammered, "I'm not sure exactly, but it'll be soon."
"Okay, take your time," she poured a glass of orange juice and left.
Chapter 5
"Purr-r-r-r-r…."
In Giovanni's underground headquarters in Viridian City, all three versions of Team Rocket waited semi-patiently at a long metal table for orders. They were in the underground HQ because the normal one was almost, but not quite, rebuilt from the time Jessie and James destroyed it as gym leaders. Persian circled Giovanni's chair and looked mockingly at Raticate, Ninetails, and Meowth.
"I have better things to do than watch you fail," Giovanni said as calmly as possible, "Even Cassidie and Butch, who are, for future reference, my favorites of you all, are imperfect."
Cassidie's haughty grin turned to a wince.
"So," Giovanni continued, "I thought that since you all seem to screw up for different reasons, that perhaps the six of you could come up with an plan together. Hopefully you will correct one another's flaws. Now stay here and think of something. I have something to look after."
"Yes, sir!" Butch said with fake giddiness. Giovanni and Persian left, along with everyone's artificial smiles. They all slumped. Flames moaned.
Sighing, Cassidie said, "You heard him; let's get started."
"How do you suppose we do that?" Flames asked.
Cassidie thought, "Why don't we discuss the common flaws of our plans so that we can work to fix them. Although it feels like a good time, and I can think of a lot of good ones, let's try not to confide by insults."
Everyone moaned.
Cassidie said, "Who would like to start?"
No one volunteered.
"Cassidie came up with the idea," Butch said, "So unless anybody has a better one, we shouldn't have to go first."
Again no one volunteered.
"So, Pyra, Flames?" Cassidie said, "What problems have you had lately?"
"Uh," Pyra stuttered.
"Well…" Flames muttered.
"We kinda have this problem thinking of things to do," Pyra said.
"When we do get a good plan," Flames said, "we end up giving a lot of Pokémon to the boss."
"They're always really small and sickly though," Ninetails added.
"Mmm-hmm," Cassidie said thoughtfully, "Where do you get those Pokémon?"
"From the wild," Pyra said, "It seemed to be the only to keep police away from us."
"Makes sense," Meowth said.
"Wild Pokémon aren't as strong as trained ones," Butch said.
"Why would they be sickly?" James asked.
"Good question," Cassidie said. To Pyra and Flames, she said, "Maybe you're over-injuring them. After you catch them take them to a Pokémon Center. If you think you might get caught if you went there, give them Potions and Antidotes."
"Try to catch Pokémon that are strong too," Jessie said.
"And it wouldn't hurt to train them just a little before giving them to the boss," Cassidie said.
"I guess you're right," Pyra said.
"Seems logical," Flames agreed; he looked to Jessie and James, "What problems do you two have?"
"The twerp," Jessie, James, and Meowth said in unison.
"Elaborate, please," Flames said.
"It's always the same kid and his friends that screw up our plans," Meowth said.
"We've tried taking his Pokémon," Jessie said, "but those plans mess up even worse."
"His Pikachu is really tough," James said, "About a year ago, that Pikachu was strong enough to blow up Viridian City's Pokémon Center."
"And it keeps getting tougher," Meowth said.
"Does that Pikachu know the Thunder attack?" Butch asked.
"Hmm," Jessie thought, "Yeah, it does. Why?"
"Then it's over level 50," Butch said, "Anything with that much experience is worth getting."
"Is this the same twerp and company that wrecked our breeding center plan?" Cassidie asked, "and, with your help, our plan with Drowzee in the Orange Archipelago?"
"Yep," Meowth said.
"The same ones that kept us from getting rid of those stupid Vaporeon?" Flames asked.
"The same," James said.
"We'll have to do something about him, won't we?" Cassidie said.
"Revenge?" Meowth suggested.
"Oh, yeah," Cassidie said, smiling. She sighed, "I can taste the revenge by just thinking about him."
"You're lucky," Butch said, "When I think about him, I taste the prison food."
Cassidie's dorky grin vanished and was soon followed by an, "Eww! Gross!"
Chapter 6
"I don't think you're in much of a travelling condition," Mrs. Ketchem said to Tracey. They were in the kitchen. Tracy looked sick.
"Isn't it just—" Misty began, interrupted by Tracy's sneeze, "—allergies?"
"Probably," Mrs. Ketchem said.
"I feel like I've been trampled by a herd of Donfan," Tracy said, then sniffled.
"A herd of what?" Ash wondered. No one bothered to answer him.
"A Donfan?" Galacteon whispered to himself.
"[I think Bulbasaur fought one of those…]" Pikachu murmured.
"[Did you win?]" Togechikku asked.
"[Donphan didn't stand a chance,]" Pikachu said.
"Pika…" Pika smiled.
"[Besides, Togechikku,]" Pikachu said, "[You were there as a Togepi.]"
"[Oh, yeah,]" Togechikku recalled.
"I think I'm gonna be leaving in a few days," Ash said, "Are you going with me?"
"I'm sorry, Ash," Tracey said, "I need to wait until allergy season is at least partly over before I can go anywhere?"
"Me too," Tracy said.
"Guess you'll be on your own then," Misty said to Ash.
"I have my Pokémon," Ash said.
"Hope they can read maps," Misty said. She turned her expression to thoughtful, "…and cook, and clean, and—"
"I'm not that helpless!" Ash protested.
"Of course not!" Misty said sardonically. She snickered. Tracey sneezed.
"So what will you be doing while I'm out having fun?" Ash asked.
"I'll be back home where you can get me lost," Misty said.
"I've never gotten us lost," Ash said.
After a few seconds of silence, everyone but Ash and his mom burst out laughing. Ash frowned.
"The most memorable lost incident would have to be the snowy mountain," Misty explained.
"And we got out of that safe and sound," Ash said.
"Because we found Team Rocket's balloon," Misty said.
"We'll just see how things turn out!" Ash said.
"Alright then," Misty said smugly.
~~~
"Okay, here's everything I gave you last time!" Mrs. Ketchem said cheerfully. She and Ash were in his bedroom. She shoved some clothes, rubber gloves, a clothesline, some hot chocolate mix, a sleeping bag, a spare sleeping bag, and a few other things into Ash's arms. Ash put them as neatly as possible into his backpack.
"Thanks, Mom," Ash said, slightly exasperated.
"Plus here's some mittens," Mrs. Ketchem continued, "and a wool hat, and some sunscreen, and sunglasses, and Chap Stick, and a three-hour calling card, and here's some change incase you want a soda or something, and are you feeling okay? If you think you might be getting sick come right back home, okay?"
"Uh-huh," Ash said.
A tear rolled down Mrs. Ketchem's cheek, "Oh, I can't believe you're leaving me again! Will you write this time?! Please?!"
"Uh, sure," Ash stuttered. Over at the end of Ash's bed were Pikachu, Pika, and the Pichus.
"Pi-Pikachu!" Pika cried and hugged Pikachu.
"Pika!" Pikachu said.
"Pichu!" cried the Pichus. They started a group hug among each other.
"Pichu, Pika-Pikachu Pika," Pika said to them.
"Chu!" the Pichus said, finally understanding. They hugged Pikachu.
"Pi, Pichu…" Pikachu sniffled.
"Here's our phone number and address back home, Pikachu," Misty said, giving him a piece of paper, "You'll write and call us, right?"
"Tog-yi?" Togechikku asked.
"Pika-chu," Pikachu said. He nodded and took the paper.
"Didn't you say you keep a journal?" Galacteon asked Pikachu.
"Pika!" Pikachu pulled a small, red spiral notebook off the bed.
"Everything from the time you met Ash is in that little notebook?" Galacteon asked in disbelief.
"Pika," Pikachu shook his head and pointed to the closet, "Chu, Pika-ka Chu."
Galacteon pulled the closet open with his tail, revealing ten little red notebooks neatly stacked in two piles in the corner.
"Pika?" Pika wondered.
"Pika-ka," Pikachu said.
"Hey, Ash," Misty said, "Since I want to make sure your Pokémon stay safe, I could loan you Psyduck. A Psychic-type might be useful."
"Are you doing me a favor, or just trying to get rid of Psyduck for a while?" Ash asked.
"If I want to get rid of Psyduck, I'd give it to you," Misty said, "but I'm loaning it to you. Do want to barrow Psyduck or not?"
Ash considered, "Sure. Thanks, Misty."
"Okay," Misty said, "I'll go find him."
As Misty rummaged through her backpack, Ash's mom asked, "Is there anything else you might need, Sweetie?"
Misty shoved Psyduck into Ash's arms.
"Psy?" Psyduck questioned.
"How about some aspirin?" Ash suggested.
Chapter 7
Outside the house, everyone was saying bye to Ash.
"Psyduck, you listen to Ash to your full capability," Misty said, "I'll see you later."
"Bye, Ash," Tracy said, "I'll try to find you later."
"Okay," Ash said, "Bye."
"Goodbye, Honey!" Ash's mom hugged him, "And don't forget to—"
"Mom!" Ash cried, "I know, I won't forget! You don't have to tell me! Really!"
"Uh, okay," Mrs. Ketchem said, "Good luck, and goodbye."
"Mime!" Mr. Mime hugged Ash. Ponyta neighed.
"See ya, everyone," Ash petted Ponyta, then waved as he started down the road.
~~~
When Pallet was out of site and they were surrounded by seemingly endless grass, Galacteon noticed that Ash kept looking over his shoulder.
"What's wrong?" Galacteon asked.
"Nothing," Ash said, "It just seems so quiet without Misty following us."
"Ah," Galacteon said.
Pikachu walked up next to Galacteon and whispered, "[He misses her.]"
"Yep," Galacteon agreed.
"What?" Ash asked.
"Oh, nothing," Galacteon said.
They trudged on for a few more hours, stopping only three times. As the sun started to set, Ash decided to stop for the night.
"Not a bad idea," Galacteon said, stopping to lean against one of the few tall trees nearby, "I'm getting kind of tired."
"Help me look for firewood before you go to sleep," Ash said.
"Oh, okay," Galacteon said. He started searching the grass for wood as Pikachu climbed the tree and tried to break off the smaller branches.
"Pika-pi!" Pikachu called from the top of the tree.
"Huh?" Ash looked up. He didn't respond soon enough to avoid getting hit in the face with one of the branches Pikachu threw down. He said, "That should be enough wood, Pikachu…."
"Pika-pika-chu! Pika-ka-chu!" Pikachu cried.
"You see Viridian City?" Ash asked.
"Pika!" Pikachu called.
"He does!" Galacteon yipped happily.
"How far is it?" Ash asked Pikachu, "If we kept walking could we be there in 15 minutes?"
"Pika!" Pikachu nodded after climbing to a lower branch.
"So do you two want to keep going?" Ash asked, "The Pokémon Center will be a lot more comfortable than the ground."
Pikachu and Galacteon considered this. They decided to keep going.
"Alright! Let's go!" Ash said. He turned north and didn't take two steps before he heard a voice that was much too familiar.
"Prepare for trouble and make it double!" multiple voices said.
"To protect the world from devastation!"
"To unite all peoples within our nation!"
"Here we go again," Ash sighed as a group of four bright lights in other nearby trees lit up the area.
"To announce our power over truth and love!"
"To reach and grab to stars above!"
"Didn't see that coming," Ash said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu agreed.
"Jessie!"
"James!"
"Pyra!"
"Flames!"
"Cassidie!"
"Butch!"
"Uh-oh," Galacteon whispered as all six Team Rocket members jumped into view.
"Team Rocket circles the world all day and night!" Cassidie said.
"Surrender to us now, for you will surly loose the fight!"
"That's right!" Meowth and Ninetails said.
"Raticate!" Raticate finished.
"Uh…hi," Ash said, for lack of a better greeting.
"Hello," Jessie said, "Where're your friends, Twerp?"
"It's none of your business," Ash said.
"We'll make it our business," Butch said.
"What do we do?" Galacteon whispered.
"I'd say…." Ash began.
"[Run!]" Pikachu finished. Ash, Pikachu, and Galacteon abruptly ran down the road. They didn't get far before one of Flames's Charizards blocked their path.
"Charizard, go!" Ash threw Charizard's Pokéball. Both Charizards met head-on and took flight. After a few moments of aerial combat, they landed. One was on its back with the other standing on its chest.
"Which one is yours?" Cassidie asked, raising a rifle.
"The one on the bottom," Flames said shamefully.
Phit! A tranquilizer shot from the barrel of Cassidie's rifle and hit Ash's Charizard in the chest.
"Rrroww?" Charizard growled, taking the needle out of his chest. He slumped over and fell onto the other Charizard, who pushed him away.
"Pika!" Pikachu cried.
"Charizard!" Ash called.
"He's out cold!" Galacteon said.
"Galacteon, Pikachu!" Ash said, "Attack that Charizard together!"
"Pika!" Pikachu said, springing into action.
"Heya!" Galacteon cried, running after Pikachu.
Phit! Phit! They dodged the tranquilizers. As the Charizard took flight, Pikachu shocked it with Thunderbolt. Galacteon, dodging a third tranquilizer, charged up and used Mega Moonbeam. The star hit Charizard's belly, and the moons hit him in the back.
"Rrroww…" the Charizard grumbled in pain. It fell to the ground unconscious.
"Charizard return!" Flames ordered.
Phit! Pikachu used Agility and narrowly dodged another tranquilizer.
"Go, Arbok!" Jessie released Arbok.
"Get them, Ninetails!" Pyra ordered.
"Get out there, Raticate!" Butch commanded.
"Nine!" Ninetails cried. He torched the leaves in an attempt to hit Pikachu.
"Canines can't catch mice! Never send a dog to do a cat's job!" Meowth said. When he ran after Pikachu, he was fried. "Of course, no one's saying they can't try…."
"I am a fox, not a dog!" Ninetails insisted.
"Char-bock!" Arbok's jaws latched on to Galacteon's back paw.
"Arrroooo!" Galacteon howled.
"Galacteon!" Ash cried.
"Poison it, Arbok!" Jessie ordered. Galacteon's blade rose, ready to strike.
"No you don't!" Ninetails grabbed Galacteon's tail below the blade in his teeth.
Galacteon trounced around, trying to free himself.
"Alright!" Cassidie said. After missing Pikachu's tail by less than a millimeter, she turned her rifle to Galacteon, who was trapped.
Chapter 8
Jigglypuff was sleeping and was awakened by a lot of Pokémon battle sounds.
"Puff…" Jigglypuff moaned, rolled over, and attempted to go back to sleep.
The noise continued.
"[Maybe I can put those people to sleep…]" Jigglypuff considered. She got up, grabbed her stuff, and headed in that direction.
"Arrroooo!"
"[That sounds like trouble!]" Jigglypuff exclaimed. She started running in the direction of the noises. After going only a short ways, Jigglypuff stopped and panted. She tossed a Pokéball.
"Doe!" squawked the appearing Doduo. Jigglypuff hopped on its back.
"Jiggly-puff-puff!" Jigglypuff ordered. Doduo bolted toward the noise.
~~~
"Let go!" Galacteon howled. He kicked furiously, hoping to shake Arbok off. Arbok was beginning to get dizzy; he wrapped the end of his tail around Ninetails's middle. Galacteon bit into Ninetails's leg. Ninetails gave a muffled shout.
Click!
"What happened?" Butch said, seeing that Cassidie had fired her rifle, but nothing had happened.
"Empty," Cassidie sighed, lowering her weapon.
"Wee-ee!" Weezing tackled Pikachu from behind and knocked him over near Ninetails.
"Pika!" Pikachu cried as he was whipped by nine long white tails. "Pi…ka…CHU!"
"Nine…tails…" Ninetails muttered. After being fried, he fell over and was out cold.
"Heya!" Galacteon Slashed Arbok's face and was freed.
"Arbok! Why didn't you poison it?!" Jessie demanded.
"Char?" Arbok wonder.
"It's hard to poison a Lunar-type," Galacteon mocked.
"Chu!" Pikachu finished off Arbok.
"Go!" Pyra released another Charizard.
"Drowzee! Hypnosis!" Cassidie ordered.
"Drowzee…" Drowzee stood behind the new Charizard and used Hypnosis on Galacteon and Pikachu. Galacteon drooped; Pikachu collapsed.
"Nice try!" Galacteon said as he leaped at the surprised Drowzee.
"Rrroww!" the Charizard used Flame Thrower on Galacteon before he reached Drowzee.
"Arr.…" Galacteon moaned
"Hang in there!" Ash called. "Go, Squirtle! Water Gun!"
"Squire…till!" Squirtle blasted the Charizard with water. It fell, dizzy.
"Drow…" Drowzee began a Metronome.
"Squirt!" Squirtle cried in alarm. He looked to Ash, who was too busy competing in a tug-a-war with Butch over the heavily sleeping Pikachu.
Galacteon noticed Drowzee, but was to busy fighting Flames's Arcanine to do anything. Pikachu's tail slipped from Ash's hands and Butch jumped away.
"Heya!" Galacteon, heavily injured, leaped back and glared at Arcanine. Small amounts of flame spurted out from Arcanine's bared teeth. Galacteon panted wearily.
"Du-O!"
Everyone looked up abruptly to search for the surprising noise. A shadowed figure appeared near one of Team Rocket's lights for a few second. The light was broken and the figure disappeared. One by one, the other three lights were broken the same way. The only remaining light sources were the burning foliage and the now-brighter-looking full moon.
"Hey! Who messed with our lights!" Jessie said.
"It doesn't matter!" Flames said.
"Keep fighting!" Butch ordered.
"Ar-Kay!" Arcanine looked around for Galacteon. It was too dark to see.
"[Get Drowzee!]" Squirtle yelled, searching vainly for Drowzee to stop the Metronome.
"Galacteon?!" Ash cried.
"Squirt!" Squirtle pointed to Galacteon, who was standing in the shadows gasping in exhaustion.
"What are you doing, Galacteon?!" Ash demanded.
Galacteon didn't say anything. He stood staring at the moon. It reflected in his eyes and on his tail blade. He howled.
"This is no time to howl at the moon!" Ash said.
"Do!" something large landed on Drowzee's head and began attacking.
"Jigglypuff!" Jigglypuff jumped off of Doduo, who was attacking Drowzee, and landed on Weezing before proceeding with a Double Slap.
"Heya!" Galacteon turned to face Arcanine. The star on his forehead was glowing. Arcanine roared. Galacteon's star emitted a circular light, making a sort of small hoop of light that hovered in front of Galacteon. The hoop broke away from the light that formed it. It grew and widened.
"Galacteon's new attack?" Ash wondered.
"New?" Jigglypuff wondered.
"Canine?" Arcanine questioned fearfully.
Galacteon roared and the hoop zoomed toward Arcanine. It rose enough to go over his head and around him. It lifted him off the ground and spun in crazy ways around him. It looked like Arcanine was trapped in a floating white sphere.
"Ar-Kay! NINE!" Arcanine howled. He writhed painfully.
"Wow," Ash commented.
"[Don't you know Lunar-type Pokémon are stronger in the moonlight?]" Jigglypuff questioned. She looked at Doduo, who stood triumphantly over the unconscious Drowzee. Galacteon practically collapsed at Ash's feet. Ash looked surprised.
"What's wrong?" Ash asked.
"Tired," Galacteon panted.
"Amateur…." Jigglypuff said and winked at Galacteon. To Doduo she said, "Jiggly-jig-jiggly-puff!" She spun on one foot for some unseen reason while Doduo pecked everyone with Fury Attack.
"What are you doing?" Ash asked.
"Err?" Galacteon whimpered.
"Jig…lee…" Jigglypuff stopped spinning and crackled with electricity, "PUFF!" Jigglypuff fried Pyra and James with Thunderbolt.
"Squirtle…?" Squirtle murmured nervously.
"Doe!" Doduo flapped hard with its tiny wings, took flight, landed on Raticate, and jumped over behind Jigglypuff, Ash, and Galacteon.
"Jiggly-puff-jig," Jigglypuff said. As Doduo bounded toward Butch, Jigglypuff looked at the moon.
"Duo!"
"Hey!" Butch cried as Doduo snatched Pikachu by the tail and hopped backward into its previous position.
"¯ Jig-uh-lee-puff…Jig-uh-lee-ee-ee-p—¯ " Jigglypuff's voice cracked. She stopped singing and coughed before anyone fell asleep.
"Too bad that didn't work," Jessie mocked.
Chapter 9
"Jig-uh-lee, puff, puff!" Jigglypuff inflated angrily.
"Allergies, huh?" Ash asked.
Jigglypuff, still ballooned, seemed to be concentrating. After a moment, she let her breath out and sent a huge beam of light toward Team Rocket.
"Ahh!" Cassidie cried as she, the others, and their Pokémon were blown into the horizon.
"Puff…" Jigglypuff moaned as she rolled off her feet and onto her back.
"See?" Galacteon asked weakly, "Now you're tired."
"Lunar Cannon takes a lot more energy than Lunar Hoop…." Jigglypuff said. She went to sleep.
"You need a rest," Ash said. Galacteon was drawn into his Pokéball.
No one noticed the Pidgey that had been circling over head the hole time. It had a tiny camera around its neck. The camera beeped thrice in time with a small red flickering light. In response to the beeps, the Pidgey turned and flew north.
"Doe," Doduo put Jigglypuff and her belongings onto its back with one beak and used the other to hand Ash Pikachu.
"Thanks," Ash said. With Doduo following, Ash continued on his way to Viridian, and eventually, the Pokémon League.