Joey had always wanted a Rattata. With their great agility and surprisingly high jaw strength, Rattata made the perfect starter pokémon. Without a second though Joey tossed his prized pokball. It was a direct hit!
Rattata broke free with a single shake.
Before horror could register on Joey's face, Rattata pounced, forcing him to turn tail and run. "Nooo!" he managed to cry. Try as ge might, there was no way he could outrun the vicious rat.
As usual, Joey was wearing shorts. Rattata sank his fangs deep into his ankle then dashed out of sight. Blood poured from the wound, soaking his sock a deep red. Rattata darted through Joey's legs again, tripping him up, gnashing his teeth left and right, tearing out small chunks of flesh.
Joey's heart pounded. He was losing too much blood. His head rushed and his vision faded. Suddenly he realized with grim clarity that he couldn't outrun this thing. A wave of hopelessness rushed over him, smothering him like a dark blanket. All was lost.
Then he heard a low, forceful meow from up above, like a calm threat. On a tree branch Joey saw the friendly face of a Meowth who looked much plumper than when they'd first met. With an adrenal surge of strength Joey pushed himself up the tree.
Rattata tried to pursue, but Meowth hissed menacingly. Rattata bristled and spat, but quickly turned and ran away. Meowth resumed leisurely grooming himself. He didn't mind Joey's beleaguered breathing as they rested together in the tree. Joey wished he still had a cell phone so he could call his friend in Johto and tell him about what happened. He decided it could wait, he'd tell him later.
