Chapter Nine
With Breea's second badge in hand, our heroes are now their way to their next destination. However, it appears someone needs a lesson in geography.
"Are you sure the route we're on will take us to Vermilion City?" asked Tyson.
"Of course I'm sure." said Breea. Unfortunately, she had never really been that good with directions and whichever way they took kept leading them around in circles.
"You know what I think?" said Tyson. "I think we're lost." Then he noticed the sun starting to set. "I think we should stop and camp out here for the night. We can try to look for Vermilion City again in the morning."
"That's a good idea." said Breea. They got into their sleeping bags and fell fast asleep. After breakfast the next morning, the two trainers set off on their way. This time, Tyson decided to be the one in charge of the map so that they wouldn't get lost. They hadn't gotten very far, however, when they came across a tall tree stump. Nestled tightly in the stump was a small puppy Pokemon that had orange fur and black stripes.
"I wonder what this Pokemon is." said Breea and she took out Dexter to check.
"Growlithe, the Puppy Pokémon. While loyal to its master, the Growlithe will drive away enemies by barking and biting."
"This thing must be pretty fierce if it's known to bite people." said Breea. She was about to send Poliwag out to battle it when Tyson stopped her.
"You might want to hold off." he said. "I don't think this Growlithe is in any condition to battle."
"What do you mean?" wondered Breea.
"Just take a look on the bruises and scratches on its' body." said Tyson. Breea went over and had a closer look.
"Woah, this looks pretty bad." She said.
"I'll say." said Tyson. "We've got to get this thing to a Pokemon Center right away." They carefully picked up Growlithe and ran as fast as they could. Inside the center, Nurse Joy had just logged onto the computer and was about to start her work when she heard Tyson and Breea rush in.
"Nurse Joy, you've got to help us." said Breea. "This Growlithe's in bad shape." Nurse Joy looked carefully at the Growlithe and then at Breea.
"I'll do what I can." said Joy. "But you should know better than to let your Pokemon get into this condition to begin with."
"Actually, this Growlithe doesn't belong to us." said Tyson. "We found it like this in the woods."
"Well do you know who it does belong to, then?" asked Joy.
"No we don't." said Breea. "For all we know, it could be a wild Growlithe."
"We don't know that for sure." said Tyson.
"Be that as it may, I still have to do my job and treat this poor thing." said Joy and she rushed Growlithe to the emergency room.
"Well what do we do now?" asked Breea.
"We wait and see what happens with Growlithe." said Tyson. Over in another area of the center, another trainer was bragging about his collection of Pokemon to his friends.
"I thought you had a Growlithe." said one of the boys.
"I did." said the trainer. "But that thing was so pathetic. It couldn't even beat opponents that were supposed to be weak to it. After the last battle it had, I got tired of it constantly losing so I dumped it by beating it up, leaving it in the woods and saying I'd return for it. And guess what, it fell for it. I'm never going back for that stupid thing ever."
"I don't like that guy's attitude." said Breea. Tyson got up quickly from the table they were sitting at.
"What are you doing?" asked Breea.
"You'll see." said Tyson. The other trainer was still laughing and gloating about the trick he had pulled when he was grabbed by the collar of his shirt.
"What on Earth is your problem, man?" Tyson bellowed. "Beating up a poor Growlithe just because it couldn't win a match? That's no way to treat your Pokemon."
"It's not mine anymore." said the other boy. "I don't care what happens to it as long as I don't have to see it again."
"Well you're going to see it again because you're going to apologize to Growlithe once it gets better." said Tyson.
"What if I don't?" asked the boy.
"Then I'll report you to Officer Jenny and she can deal with you." said Tyson. "Think about it." Tyson returned to the table.
"I hate to see people like that doing bad things to Pokemon." said Tyson. "That kid should be ashamed to call himself a trainer. An hour later, Nurse Joy approached them.
"I have good news." she said. "Growlithe is going to be just fine. He's recovering from his injuries right now and should be feeling much better by tomorrow."
"That's a relief." said Breea. She and Tyson slept peacefully that night knowing that Growlithe would be okay. The next morning, however, Nurse Joy rushed into the bedroom Breea and Tyson were staying in. She was panting heavily and had a worried look on her face.
"Growlithe's gone." she said.
"What do you mean he's gone?" asked Breea.
"He's nowhere to be found in the emergency room." said Joy.
"Do you think he went back to that tree stump where we found him?" asked Breea.
"That's a strong possibility." said Tyson. "Let's not waste any time." They hurried back to the woods but found that the stump was completely empty.
"He's not here." said Breea. "Maybe he's wandering around by himself."
"I hope not." said Tyson. "Let's keep looking." They searched the whole forest but couldn't find anything. They were about to give up, when they heard a cry for help.
"That must be Growlithe." said Tyson. Breea immediately threw a ball.
"Pidgey, I need you." she said. A white light flashed and the small bird Pokemon appeared.
"Pidgey, I need you to find out where that cry is coming from." she said. Pidgey nodded and flew away into the sky. In another part of the forest, Horace and Jasmine were in a small secluded cabin and they had Growlithe cooped up in a cage. He let out a miserable whimper.
"Stop crying or I'll give you something to cry about." ordered Jasmine.
"Once we bring this thing to Jessie and James, we can use its fur to make warm winter coats." said Horace.
"An excellent idea." said Jasmine. Growlithe didn't liked the sound of that and whimpered some more. Soon, Pidgey showed up and the cabin and listened for Growlithe's cry. Once he heard it, he flew back as fast as possible.
"Did you find out where Growlithe is?" asked Breea. Pidgey nodded.
"Good job, Pidgey. Lead the way." said Breea. Pidgey took off again, with Tyson and Breea following behind at top speed.
"Well Horace, I think it's time to be on our way and take this Growlithe with us." said Jasmine. They were about to get into their balloon when they heard the door burst open.
"You're not taking that Growlithe anywhere!" exclaimed Breea. Growlithe immediately smiled upon seeing the young trainer.
"Not you brats again." said Horace.
"Why do you twerps always have to mess up our plans?" cried Jasmine.
"Your plans are always the same and they're always no good." said Breea.
"Now hand over Growlithe this instant." said Tyson.
"We'll hand it over when a Snorlax flies." said Horace. They picked up the cage and hurried outside. Breea and Tyson followed right behind them.
"Bulbasaur, use your Vine Whip to grab that cage." said Breea as she threw a ball. The small plant Pokemon appeared and thrust out two green vines. They hit Jasmine's hand with such force that it caused her to lose her grip and the cage tumbled onto the ground.
"Good work, Bulbasaur." said Breea. She recalled her Grass Pokemon and turned to Pidgey.
"Ram the cage with your Tackle attack!" Pidgey ran full force and head butted the lock on the door, causing it to open. Growlithe ran up to Breea and smiled.
"I'm glad you're okay." she said. "But Team Rocket won't be." she said. Then she saw the two criminals getting into their balloon.
"Oh no you don't." she said. "Pikachu, Thundershock!" The little mouse ran up to the balloon and gave a close range attack so powerful that it sent Horace and Jasmine into the sky.
"We're blasting off again!" they shouted.
"Great work, everybody." said Breea. "I'm especially you, Pidgey." The small bird cooed happily as the two trainers went back to the stump.
"Well here it is, the spot where we found Growlithe yesterday." said Tyson. Breea recalled Pidgey and turned her attention to Growlithe.
"How'd you like to join up with me?" she asked. "I don't think your trainer's coming back."
"That's what you think." said another voice. It was the same trainer that Tyson had reprimanded yesterday.
"Growlithe, I believe this trainer has something to say." said Tyson.
"Growlithe, I'm sorry for the way I treated you." said the trainer. "I shouldn't have acted that way, but I was just so frustrated at the fact that we kept losing repeatedly. I'm changed now. What do you say? Do you want to be my Pokemon again?"
"Careful." Breea warned. "He's already done harm to you once." Growlithe took this into consideration and launched a powerful Flamethrower at the trainer, scorching him and causing him to run away in fear.
"I guess that answers that question." said Tyson.
"Welcome to the team, Growlithe." said Breea and she held out an empty Poke Ball. Growlithe ran towards it, hit the button and was absorbed inside by red energy.
"Looks like you have a new Pokemon and a new friend." said Tyson.
"I'm just glad Growlithe now has a trainer like me to take good care of him." said Breea.
With Growlithe now firmly in Breea's possession, she and Tyson continue to make their way toward Vermilion City. What kind of other surprises lie ahead? Stay tuned and find out.