Twisted Pokémon
Chapter 1
Not Feeling Well? Must've Been the Fish
A young boy walks down a grass-lined road. The road was a small, dirt, country road. It probably didn't see many travelers. Behind him, a young girl was toting a small knapsack. Walking alongside her was a young man with an overly stuffed backpack with as many zippers and side compartments as there were blades of grass along the road. His nose was deep into the spine of a local traveler's guide. "We should reach the city gates within the hour," he quipped without removing his face from the guide. The boy grew a rather large smile and put some extra pep in his step. Riding his shoulders was a little Pikachu. Pikachu was a yellow electric Pokémon. When it stood upright it was about a foot tall. The chubby mouse had pointy black-tipped ears and a lightning bolt-shaped tail. It often sat on the boy's blue and white jacket. On top of his head was a red and white ball cap. Blue jeans, a green T-shirt, and white sneakers gave him a typical teenage look. His green, fingerless gloves rounded out his colorful outfit.
The girl stepped up to where the boy was walking to remind him, "Don't forget to rest at the Pokémon Center first."
"Of course, Misty, where else would I go?" said the boy, giving Misty a funny look.
"I know you all too well," Misty teased. "You'll run straight to the gym with worn-out Pokémon."
These three had traveled together for a long time. Misty was a tall red-haired teen with a low-cut pair of blue jean shorts and a yellow tank top with red suspenders. Her red hair was up in a ponytail on the left side of her head. She was a gym leader in the city of Cerulean with her sisters. Her specialty was water-type Pokémon. The youth of Kanto sometimes set out to become Pokémon masters. This journey would lead them all over the region, capturing and training Pokémon. To be the best, they had to win at gyms. Most towns had a gym. Every gym had a leader. If a trainer could beat the leader, they were awarded a badge as proof of their victory. If a trainer managed to beat all eight gyms, they could challenge the Pokémon league. The league is the king of all Pokémon challenges. Only the best of the best make it that far. And only the cream of the crop make it out victorious. The boy had won himself five badges. His sixth badge awaited him in the next town, Fuchsia City. The man was also a gym leader, a rock-type trainer from Pewter City.
Slowly over the horizon the Fuchsia City gates appeared. The boy's grin grew even bigger, and he started walking faster with each step, until he was in a full-on run. Misty rolled her eyes. "Ash, wait up," she whined, as she was forced to run in order to keep up with him. The man, also reluctant to run, walked behind a few more paces before launching himself into a run.
Ash stopped as he reached the gates. He slowly walked through in total amazement of the quiet little mountain city. In awe, he took in the beauty that surrounded him. His companions quickly caught up and stopped to gaze at the cityscape with Ash.
"Isn't it beautiful, Brock?" Ash asked the oldest member of the trio. Brock had quite the natural tan to match his dark, spiky hair. He wore a green T-shirt tucked under a brown vest. Green pants and black shoes made him look like quite the hiker.
"Yes, I've always wanted to visit the Safari Zone," he said. The Safari Zone was a one-of-a-kind national park. Here, for a small fee, one could explore the mountain forestry, and get an opportunity to catch extremely rare Pokémon. The Safari Zone was on the left of the band of travelers. To their right was the Pokémon Center and gym, nestled into the mountainside. They stood in the valley between which the city was set in. Down the main thoroughfare was lined with various shops and snack stands. "In fact, I think I'll take a look now," Brock added as the began walking in its direction.
Misty followed. "I heard there are some nice shops near there, too."
"How about we all meet back at the Pokémon Center in an hour," Brock suggested. Misty nodded; Ash didn't respond. As each traveled their own way, Ash was left standing at the gate, still staring at the city.
Pikachu poked his cheek. "Pika?" the Pokémon asked.
"Hmm, you're right, Pikachu. I'm hungry, too," Ash said as he started down the street, looking for a tasty stand.
"Get your tasty Magikarp Fish Sandwich here," shouted a man frying fish at his little stand. The man had purple hair, a red shirt, and a pair of blue jeans. Over top he wore an apron with the stand's logo on it.
"Or some fresh Goldeen Sticks," shouted a woman at the register. She was about the same age as the man. She had long red hair pulled back into a ponytail. She had the same red shirt and logo-imprinted apron.
"All for low, low prices," said a talking Meowth. Meowth typically didn't talk. They were a tan cat Pokémon with a gold coin on its head.
"Looks like fish is all that's on the menu," Ash said to Pikachu.
"Oh, we also have fried Doduo legs," the man interjected.
"We'll take two," Ash informed the man. He happily dropped a couple of legs into the deep fryer.
"That'll be ¥217," The woman told Ash.
"It'll take a couple of minutes," the man shouted over the sizzle of the deep fryer. "We have plenty of seating over there," he continued, pointing to a couple of patio tables to the left of the stand.
"We'll let you know when it's ready," said the Meowth. Pikachu jumped off onto the counter as Ash reached behind him to get some money. He paid the woman who smiled at him when he turned to go to the tables. He made it a few steps before he heard a loud thud. He glanced back to see Pikachu in a glass dome. The man and the woman tore off their mundane clothing to reveal Team Rocket uniforms.
Team Rocket was an evil organization that stole Pokémon for their own gain. These two have been after Ash's Pikachu since day one.
"Prepare for trouble," the woman said, striking a pose.
"Give me back my Pikachu!" Ash shouted, one hand pointing at them, the other clutched on one of many Pokéballs lining his belt.
"You should learn to respect your elders," the woman snapped.
"Sure thing, old lady," Ash smirked. A horrified expression overcame the woman.
"How dare you!" she snarled, reaching for her own Pokéball.
"Jesse, can I say my lines?" the man asked, disappointed he couldn't finish the infamous Team Rocket motto.
Jesse ignored the man's question and instead shouted, "Grab Pikachu and get outta here. I'll hold off the twerp."
The man grabbed Pikachu and ran to a hot air balloon hidden behind the stand. The balloon was a Meowth head tied to a small woven basket large enough for the two of them. Meowth followed the man. Even though it was a Pokémon, the chatting feline didn't do much fighting. The man gave Jesse a Pokéball before darting behind their makeshift business.
Jesse threw the man's Pokéball. "Go, Weezing," she called. The Pokéball landed in between her and Ash. The ball broke open and a flash of light filled the space between them. When the light faded, above where the Pokéball landed, a huge purple cloud floated there. It had two heads and was covered in pores. From these pores came poison gas.
Ash threw his Pokéball. After another flash of light, there stood a tiny blue turtle. "Squirtle, I choose you! Use water gun to free Pikachu," he commanded. The man was still trying to get the balloon off the ground.
"Not so fast," said Jesse. "Your battle is with me. Weezing, Smog now." A thick haze came from Weezing's pores.
"Squirtle!" Ash yelled. He couldn't see where his Pokémon was.
"Weezing, Tackle," Ash heard from across the haze. His Squirtle let out a cry of pain.
Ash threw another Pokéball into the dense smog. Out from this one came a large bird. "Pidgeotto, use Gust to get rid of this smog." The bird vigorously flapped its wings, and all the smog blew away. The current was also strong enough to send James, Meowth, and Pikachu high into the late afternoon sky. Ash ran past Jesse, his arm outstretched to the balloon sailing away with his Pokémon.
Jesse grabbed his shoulder. "The battle isn't over yet, twerp," she sneered.
Ash jerked his shoulder from her grip. "James will be back for you, won't he?"
Jesse raised an eyebrow. "I wouldn't advise scheming anything dangerous," she warned. "It's the quickest way to get burned." She threw a second Pokéball. From it came a giant purple snake. "Arbok, eat that turtle whole!"
The stage was set. A two-on-two Pokémon battle royale. Weezing and Arbok vs. Squirtle and Pidgeotto. "Pidgeotto, use Wing Attack on Arbok," Ash commanded. As the poison snake, mouth wide open, lunged at Squirtle, Pidgeotto stepped in the middle. Its wing were outstretched. Arbok smacked into it just below its chin. Arbok had just been clotheslined! It fell over backwards, gasping for air.
"Arbok, get up!" Jesse shouted. "Tch. Worthless. Weezing, Tackle!" she barked. The poison cloud slammed into Pidgeotto. The bird fell over but quickly regained posture. By this time, Arbok had gotten back up as well.
"Squirtle, Withdraw," Ash commanded. "Pidgeotto, take Squirtle up high." The turtle retreated into its shell. Pidgeotto picked Squirtle up with its claws, and soared up toward the setting sun.
Jesse grinned. "Trying to outsmart Team Rocket, are you? Well, it won't work."
"Watch me," Ash told her. "Pidgeotto, use Aerial Ace!" The bird Pokémon soared down at an incredibly fast speed, Squirtle still in tow. Pidgeotto smacked Weezing, beak first. The poison cloud fainted. "Now, drop Squirtle," Ash continued issuing commands. Pidgeotto did as it was told, dropping Squirtle right on Arbok's head. "Now, Squirtle, use Hydro Pump!" The tiny turtle popped out of its shell and hit Arbok at point blank range with a powerful stream of water. Arbok was knocked out, too. Ash had won the battle.
"Where's my Pikachu?" Ash asked.
"Maybe you should try the gym," Jesse suggested. "I hear it has ties to Team Rocket."
"Why don't you lead the way?" Ash added.
"Sorry, but I'm done with twerps like you," she said, and with that she ran into the crowd nearby.
"Wait!" Ash screamed, but it was too late.
…
Ash walked into the Pokémon Center. Brock and Misty were already at a booth waiting for him.
Misty jumped up from the table. "You'll never guess what I found," she said. Without giving him a chance to reply, she continued, "I got this uber-cute Jigglypuff purse. Oh, and these Seel slippers were 25% off!"
Ash just walked past her.
"Hey, where's Pikachu?" Misty asked, just realizing the small mouse was missing.
Ash didn't answer. He just sat down opposite Brock, and pulled down his hat over his eyes.
"What happened?" Brock asked, concerned about his friend and Pikachu.
"Team Rocket finally got Pikachu," Ash muttered under a stream of tears.
"Where did they go?" Misty asked, resuming her seat next to Brock.
"They said something about the gym." It was hard to understand him as he began to cry harder. The tears flooding the table in front of him. The small puddle grew more surface area with each drop. Gym was all Brock and Misty needed to hear.
Brock reached his arm across the table to console his friend. "It's getting late, but, first thing in the morning, we'll check out the gym and find out what's going on."
"Yea, we'll get Pikachu back, but first we need to rest," Misty agreed. "C'mon, we already rented us rooms for the night."
Ash and company headed to bed, but none of them would sleep.
AN: After over four years, I'm back rewriting my debut fanfic, Twisted Pokémon. I hope you'll enjoy it. 'Til next time, chow!
~Bow.