Chapter 3

After what seemed like forever, Nurse Joy came back out with Kai's Pokemon.

"I'm happy to inform you that your Pokemon are fighting fit. We hope to see you again." She said with a smile on her face.

"Thank you!" Kai said, taking the balls. "Come on out guys!"

The two Pokemon came out in a brilliant flash of white.

"If you'd like, we have rooms in the back for traveling trainers, you're welcome to spend the night." Nurse Joy said.

"Thank you!" Kai said. I am really tried. Tomorrow I'll check out the gym.

The next day Kai was up early and ready to go. He grabbed a quick meal at the Pokemon Center and raced out the door. He looked around outside and identified a building with a brown roof and big words that said GYM.

"That was easy to find," said Kai to no one in particular. "Here I go."

Kai ran up to the gym and tried the door. It was locked.

"Aw. Come on!" Kai said, pulling on the door again.

"You won't get in," said a voice behind him. "The gym leaders not here."

Kai spun around a saw an old man standing in front of him. "What do you mean he's not here? It's his gym, what if somebody wanted to challenge him?"

"How many badges do you have, kid?" the old man asked.

"Um, none. This would be my first badge."

The man laughed. "You should skip this gym, my boy, Blue only battles trainers with seven badges. You aren't strong enough to face him!"

"Blue?" Kai asked. "Professor Oak's grandson? He used to be the champion of all of Kanto!"

"I know kid," the old man said. "Go to Pewter City, Brock is there, he'll be an easier gym leader."

"Okay," Kai said. "Where's Pewter City?"

"Go north through Viridian Forest and you'll be there. The forest will be easy if you have a fire type."

"Charmander is my starter Pokemon. So I'm good." Kai said. "What type of Pokemon does Brock use?"

"Rock and Ground types are his specialty. A Water or Grass-type would be your best bet. You might have a hard time with that Charmander though."

"Okay," Kai said. "I'll try and catch another Pokemon and see what I can do."

"Good luck kid."

Kai turned and walked towards the Viridian Forest.

As Kai stepped into the woods he noticed two things, the group of about 20 Butterfree in front of him, and the fact that they were all in a cage with about three men in black surrounding it. They had a big red R on the front of their outfits. Kai immediately dove into a nearby bush to hide.

Team Rocket? Kai thought in alarm, I thought they had been disbanded. Kai watched as Team Rocket carted the Butterfree away. I've got to stop them.

Kai jumped from his hiding place and ran after the Butterfree. "Stop!" he shouted and the three Team Rocket grunts turned and looked at him.

"Really?" said the first one, "you're gonna try and stop US? The great Team Rocket?"

Kai's eyes narrowed. "Release the Butterfree Team Rocket, or else."

One of the other grunts laughed. "Oh no," he said sarcastically. "I am SO scared."

"You should be," came a voice from behind Kai.

Kai turned to see a young man or at least an older boy walking towards them. He had a blue shirt and spiky light brown hair. Kai immediately recognized the person as Blue, the 8th gym leader and a former Champion of Kanto.

"Go Blastoise!" Blue shouted. The blue turtle Pokemon appeared and roared. "Attack!"

Blastoise unleashed a stream of water so powerful that it blew the grunts over the treeline and farther into the woods. Next, Blastoise ran forwards and body slammed the cage with the Butterfree.

The cage burst apart and the Butterfree flew in scattered directions. One Butterfree, however, did not fly away. It fell to the floor, its right wing twitching.

Kai ran towards the Butterfree. "What's wrong with it?" Kai asked.

Blue walked up to Kai, "It's hurt," he said. "Team Rocket must have injured it."

Kai scooped put the Butterfree. "I'll take it to the Pokemon Center in Pewter City. I'm going there anyway."

"Alright," Blue said, "I've got to go, good luck."

Blue turned and walked back the way he came. Kai watched him go for a minute then remembered the Butterfree. Don't worry buddy, I get you to a Pokemon Center.

Kai started to run through the forest, he got about 20 feet and was stopped by a wall of Beedrill.

"No!" Kai said, "get out of the way! I have to get through!"

The Beedrill just buzzed angrily in response. Kai took one of his Pokeballs and released Charmander. "Charmander, Ember!"

Charmander shot a blast of fire out of its tail. It hit one of the Beedrill and it fell to the ground, fainted.

"Great job Charmander," Kai shouted, he had sent out Nidoran as well, "Nidoran and Charmander, just keep attacking until they're gone!"

I've got to get this Butterfree to safety. Kai thought, running past the Beedrill.

Charmander and Nidoran followed quickly but still keeping the Beedrill at bay. One of the Beedrill lunged forwards and right towards Kai.

Kai looked back and saw the Beedrill coming, he braced for the attack.

It never came.

Kai opened his only to shut them again. A brilliant flash of white light was surrounding a figure in front of him. Kai recognized it as Charmander, only it wasn't, or at least it was changing. Charmander got taller, a single horn sprouted from the back of his head, the flame on its tail got brighter. The light faded and there stood a Charmeleon, with a fainted Beedrill at its feet.