Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon, or any of its characters, settings, etc

Chapter 2: Trouble in the City of Green!

"So, this is Viridian City, huh?" Fala said, taking in the sight of the town they had just arrived in. "Not much to look at, I guess, but I can't say I expected much."

"Haven't you ever been here?" Sami asked, surprised that Fala seemed to be unfamiliar with the town.

"Nah, I'm afraid I haven't been anywhere other than Pallet." Fala said. "I just arrived here from Johto yesterday. Did you really think that a Houndour would be roaming around wild in Kanto?"

"Well, I guess I didn't give it much thought." Sami admitted sheepishly. "But hey, coming with me will be a great way for you to explore Kanto! I'll be traveling all over to collect my gym badges, so you'll get to see everything with me!"

"Heh, sounds pretty good." Fala said. "You really want this traveling partner thing, don't you?"

"Well, I know my mom had some friends with her when she was traveling." Samantha said. "And my dad did too. Even my brother had friends with him. Besides, you don't seem like a bad person, so I figured you'd be a nice guy to have around."

"I see." Fala said. "Well, anyway, I heard there's a gym in this town. Is that your first stop?"

"No, it's closed down." Samantha explained. "The former leader turned out to be the boss of the criminal organization, Team Rocket."

"Jeez." Fala said. "I guess they'll need a new gym leader, huh?"

"Well, they've got eight gym leaders already, but I'm sure one of them is ready to retire." Samantha said. "You might end up working as the gym leader here. Who knows?"

"Who knows indeed." Fala said. "Anyway, it's getting late. We should probably get to the Pokémon Center for the night, and get dinner."

"I agree." Sami said. "Pichu? Cinder? What do you think?"

"Chuu!" Pichu said, nodding in agreement. Cinder remained silent, but also nodded.

"Alright, let's go, then!" Samantha said, leading the way towards the Pokémon Center. As they neared the building, Cinder began sniffing the air suspiciously, letting out a low growl. He kept his eyes trained on the top of the Center, although Samantha, Fala, and Pichu couldn't see what he was staring at. The automatic doors slid open, and they all proceeded inside, not giving a second thought about what Cinder had growled at.

Atop the Pokémon Center, three figures sat, discussing with one another what they had seen. The trio was comprised of a boy and a girl, both about 20 years old, and a cat-like Pokémon. They were all holding binoculars, and the two humans wore white outfits adorned with a large, red letter "R" on the chest. The boy had shoulder-length crimson hair and green eyes, while the girl had long blonde hair tied back in a braided ponytail and brown eyes.

"Did you see that amazing Pokémon those kids had with them?" The boy asked, grinning excitedly.

"The Houndour?" The girl, Jamie, responded. "Of course I did. I've never seen one that color. No doubt the Boss would love to have it."

"You're right about that." The boy said. "So, how are we gonna steal it?"

"They're just like their parents." The Pokémon said to itself as the boy and girl formulated their plans. "Tryin' to steal some kid's Pokémon in the name of da boss. Makes me proud."

"Did you say something, Meowth?" The boy asked.

"Nah, nuthin' important." The Pokémon Meowth said. "But listen, dis is all about style. Ya needs a flashy entrance to stun the crowd while ya steals their Pokémon!"

Samantha lay awake in her pale blue sleeping bag, holding Pichu up against her body. Not far off, Fala lay in his fiery red one, with Cinder curled up at his feet.

"Still awake, Fala?" Sami said.

"Yeah. I am." Fala said softly.

"Do you ever miss your family?" Samantha asked quietly, her eyes glistening slightly.

"I... grew up without my family." Fala said. "Cinder's the closest thing I have to one. I guess you're lucky you have a family to miss."

"I guess so..." Samantha said.

"First night away from home?" Fala said. "Must be rough. I'm sure you'll get used to it. Besides, you've got me, don't you? At least you're not entirely alone."

"I guess you're right." Sami said, smiling a bit. "So you're definitely going with me, then?"

"Eh, sure." Fala said. "I don't see why I shouldn't. I figured it'd be nice to have someone who knows what this region is like, and someone I can train with."

"Thanks, Fala." Samantha whispered. "I'm glad you'll be coming with me."

"No problem." Fala said. "Good night, Samantha."

"Good night, Fala." She said, closing her eyes and drifting off to sleep.

Samantha was not asleep for long before a loud crash interrupted her, as a circular panel fell from the ceiling and landed between her and Fala. The emergency lights immediately cut on, filling the Pokémon Center with a dim white light.

"Wh-what's going on?!" Sami shouted, looking about frantically. "F-Fala?!"

"Sh!" Fala hissed, silencing her. He didn't speak, but simply pointed up to the ceiling where the panel had fallen from. A circular platform was being lowered in, with two people, a boy and a girl, standing on it.

"Who are they?" Samantha asked, a hint of fear in her voice.

"To engulf the world in devastation!" The boy shouted.

"To enslave all peoples within our nation!" The girl chimed in.

"To pronounce the evils of truth and love!"

"To extend our grasp to the stars above!"

"Jonathan!" The boy said, the platform about halfway to the ground.

"Jamie!" The girl added, winking at Fala and Samantha, holding a rose in front of her lips.

"Team Rocket blast off at the speed of light!"

"Surrender now, or prepare to fight!"

"Meowth! Dat's right!" Shouted a small, cat-like Pokémon, jumping down from the roof and landing directly between Jonathan and Jamie.

"Who are those guys?" Fala asked, his eyes locked on the trio descending from the ceiling.

"That must be Team Rocket." Samantha said. "My mother told me about them. They're a group of no-good Pokémon thieves! She said they were always trying to steal Pokémon from her and her friends when she was traveling."

"The ones you're thinking of are our parents, actually." Jonathan said. "Jesse and James."

"What do you want?!" Samantha shouted, her eyes blazing with hate.

"Isn't it obvious?" Jamie said, as the trio jumped down to the floor. "We want your Pokémon! Give them peacefully, and we won't have to hurt you!"

"Yeah right!" Fala shouted. "As if I'd let scum like you take Cinder!"

"So we're gonna have ta do dis da hard way, huh?" Meowth said.

"Alright then, go! Seedot!" Jonathan said, sending out a small Pokémon resembling an acorn.

"Have at them! Spinarak!" Jamie shouted, unleashing the spider Pokémon.

"You ready, Pichu?" Samantha said, as electricity began to spark at Pichu's cheeks.

"Let's do this, Cinder!" Fala said. Cinder obediently jumped in front of his master, glaring down Spinarak.

"Alright, Spinarak, Poison Sting!" Jamie shouted.

"Seedot, use Bullet Seed!" Jonathan commanded. Obediently, the two enemies fired their attacks, with a hail of stingers raining down on Cinder and a barrage of seeds being fired at Pichu.

"Cinder, use Ember to block the stingers!" Fala ordered. Cinder opened its mouth wide, flames shooting out, engulfing the Poison Sting and keeping it from reaching Cinder.

"Pichu jump to the right!" Sami said, and Pichu moved aside just before the Bullet Seed attack could land.

"Pesky little brats." Jonathan said. "Seedot, use Quick Attack!"

"See... dot!" Seedot said, slamming its body into Pichu, moving too quickly for Pichu to dodge. Pichu was knocked backwards, but quickly scrambled back to its feet.

"Now, Spinarak, tie down that mutt's paws with String Shot!" Jamie said.

"Spinaaaa!" Spinarak cried, firing sticky webbing at each of Cinder's paws, tying them to the floor.

"Heh, too bad for you, that's not enough." Fala said. "Cinder, use Flamethrower!"

"Hooouuuundouuurrrr!" Cinder howled, exhaling a stream of fire straight at Spinarak. The spider Pokémon was engulfed in the strike, and instantly knocked out.

"No way..." Jamie said, shocked. "How could he take down Spinarak in only a single blow?!" She called back Spinarak as Fala and Cinder frantically worked to free Cinder's paws.

"Now, Pichu, use Thundershock!" Samantha shouted.

"Piiii chuuuuu!" Pichu exclaimed, firing a small bolt of electricity at Seedot. The attack struck, knocked Seedot to the ground.

"Get back up, Seedot!" Jonathan said. Seedot staggered back to its feet, panting slightly.

"Meowth, how come you're not fighting?!" Jamie shouted.

"Eh, like I'd ever listen to yous two." Meowth said. "Come back when yer stronger."

"Had enough yet?" Samantha said.

"Never!" Jonathan said. "Those Pokémon will be ours! Seedot, use Take Down!"

"Dooooot!" Seedot exclaimed, slamming its body with such force into Pichu that it knocked itself out. Pichu was flung backwards by the strike, landing dazed by Samantha's feet.

"Pichu!" She shouted, picking up and cradling the mouse Pokémon in her arms. "Are you okay?!"

"Chuu..." Pichu whimpered, not even opening its eyes.

"Gr... they're too strong, Jonathan." Jamie said. "I guess a head-on attack wasn't the best idea. Besides, I think I hear the police."

"Let's get outta here!" Meowth shouted, climbing up the rope that conveniently dropped down from the hole in the ceiling. Jonathan and Jamie quickly followed behind him, and the three scrambled into their Meowth hot air balloon, taking off as the police began to arrive.

"Don't think you've seen the last of us!" Jonathan shouted. "Team Rocket will be back for that Houndour!"

"Sami, are you okay?" Fala asked, walking over to her after he had freed Cinder.

"Yeah, I'm fine." She said. "But I'm not sure about Pichu..."

"Well, at least we're in a Pokémon Center." Fala said, smiling at her. "You did well for your first real battle. Sorry that it was a rough one. You go get Pichu taken care of, and Cinder and I will talk to Officer Jenny, okay?"

"Okay." Samantha said. "Thanks, Fala. I don't think I would've been able to hold them off on my own."

"Don't worry about it." Fala said, rubbing the back of his neck. "They probably wouldn't have attacked if Cinder and I weren't here, anyway." With that, he and Cinder walked over to Officer Jenny, and began explaining what had happened to her.

"Is your Pichu okay?" Nurse Joy asked, walking up from behind Samantha.

"No, I don't think so." Sami said. "He was hurt pretty bad. Do you think you could help him?"

"Sure, I'd be happy to." Nurse Joy said, smiling and taking Pichu from Samantha. "Don't worry, he'll be all better by morning! I suggest you get some sleep, okay?"

"Thanks." Samantha said. "I will." She then lay down in her sleeping bag once again, waiting for Fala to get back.

"Did you explain everything?" Sami asked Fala once he had also laid down in his sleeping bag.

"Yeah." Fala said. "I told Jenny about Team Rocket. She said that it's not the first time they've caused trouble here, but lately Team Rocket as a whole has become more active. Anyway, she and her sisters are on the lookout. It's nothing for us to worry about. We should get some sleep, it's more journeying tomorrow."

"You're right." Samantha said. "But I can't just let them go if I see them again. Stealing Pokémon from their trainers is a terrible thing to do. They disgust me."

"Well, you can give them what's coming to them if we see them again." Fala said. "Good night." It wasn't long before he fell asleep, indicated by his gentle snoring.

"Good night, Fala." Sami said. "And... thank you." She smiled, closing her eyes and falling asleep as well.

"So, you say these kids had an oddly colored Houndour with them?" Giovanni's voice crackled through the phone that Jonathan was holding between himself and Jamie. It was set to speaker so that they both could communicate with the boss of Team Rocket at the same time.

"Yes sir." Jonathan said. "It was quite strong. We were no match for it."

"And what of the girl? What did she have?" Giovanni asked.

"Just a Pichu." Jamie said. "Nothing special."

"Take it anyway, we could always sell it." Giovanni responded.

"Understood, sir." Jonathan said. "But what about our Pokémon? They can't battle right now."

"I'll send you two more to use however you want." Giovanni said. "A pair of Pidgey will drop them off by morning. Don't screw this up." With those words, he hung up.

"Worthless, just like their parents." Giovanni said to his pet Persian, stroking it affectionately on the head. "I'll send them the two Pokémon nobody wants. It's not like they'll ever succeed, anyway, so there's no harm in killing two birds with one stone. I can get rid of those two creatures and keep that trio of idiots occupied and out of my hair for a while."

"Here's your Pichu, ma'am." Nurse Joy said, handing Pichu back to Samantha. "He should be all fixed up. Quite a little fighter you've got there."

"Thank you very much, Nurse Joy." Sami said as Pichu took up his usual perch on her left shoulder.

"I should be the one thanking you two." Nurse Joy said, giving Fala and Samantha a kind smile. "You protected the Pokémon Center and all of the injured, defenseless Pokémon in here from those thugs. We really owe you."

"It was nothing, really." Samantha said, returning the smile. "It was the right thing to do, after all. Ready to go, Fala?"

"Of course I am, I've been waiting on you, remember?" Fala said.

"Thanks again Nurse Joy! Bye!" Samantha said as she and Fala headed out of the Pokémon Center.

"Good luck you two!" Nurse Joy called after them, waving.

And so, our heroes set off towards Pewter City once again. Their next destination: Viridian Forest!