"There it is, the site of my first gym battle." Ash said looking at the Pokemon Gym in front of them.
"Aren't you nervous?" Cassie asked.
"Incredibly, but that won't stop us." Ash said.
"Hey there future champion!" A man said walking up. "I'm Jim Guy, the guide for your Pokémon Gym."
"Hi Jim, I'm here to challenge the gym leader." Ash said.
"I'm sorry, but the gym leader isn't here right now, he had to rush off to the museum on short notice." Jim said.
"Can you tell us where the museum is? I'd really like to challenge him today." Ash said.
"I'd be happy to show you where it is, but I make no promise that you can get him to leave his prior commitment." Jim said, leading the group to the museum.
"And right up there is the museum, our gym leader Brock should be inside giving a demonstration." Jim said.
"Thanks again Jim." Ash said.
"Bye Jim." Cassie added.
"I hope to see you at the gym again tomorrow." Jim said.
As Ash and Cassie approached the museum, they saw a group of men in black uniforms storm the entrance.
"Cassie go back to the Pokemon Center." Ash said. "I think those guys are the team rocket from the news."
"What about you? You can't fight them on your own." Cassie said.
"Jim said the gym leader Brock should be in there, if I can get his help, maybe we can stop them." Ash said.
"Okay, just be careful." Cassie said.
"Okay Pikachu, stay close." Ash said as he approached the front entrance.
"Hey you! Stop!" A voice said. "You don't belong here!"
Ash turned to see a man in black clothes with a red R on his shirt running towards him.
"Get ready Pikachu." Ash said.
"Rattata come out!"
"Pikachu use Quick Attack!"
"Rattata use Hyper Fang!"
The Rattata lunged at Pikachu, baring its fangs towards Pikachu's gut, as the yellow rat sped out of the way just in time.
"Pikachu use Thundershock!"
"Rattata use Hyper Fang!"
Pikachu stood its ground, sending a small burst of electricity through the Rattata, sending the normal type off course.
"There he is!" A second team rocket grunt said.
"Should've stayed away when you had the chance." The first rocket grunt said, as his Rattata got up.
"Ekans let's go!" The second rocket grunt said.
"Zubat take them down." A third commanded.
"Pikachu use Thunder Wave!"
Pikachu sent out a spiral of electricity at the three Pokémon drawing near. The sparks barely phasing Ekans or Zubat.
"Rattata use Hyper Fang!"
"Zubat use Supersonic!"
"Ekans use Poison Sting!"
"Geodude use Defense Curl!"
"Sandshrew use Dig!"
A Geodude put itself between Pikachu and Team Rocket's Pokemon, blocking most of the attacks with ease. Meanwhile a crater appeared beneath the three causing both Rattata and Ekans to fall in it.
"Did you really think you could attack our city without us gym trainers noticing?" The boy asked.
"The least you could do is fight fair." The girl scolded, standing next to Ash.
"You guys came at just the right time." Ash said happily.
"We can handle this from here." The boy said. "Geodude use Rock Throw!"
"Sandshrew use Scratch!"
"Rattata use Quick Attack!"
"Ekans use Wrap!"
"Zubat use Leech Life!"
Geodude hurled itself at Zubat, only for Ekans's tail to reach up and slam the rock to the ground, keeping it from moving, as Sandshrew struggled keeping up with the Rattata.
"Pikachu use Thundershock!" Ash said rejoining the battle.
A jolt of electricity shot from Pikachu at Ekans and Geodude. The rock type remained unfazed while Team Rocket's Ekans slumped to the ground, its grip on Geodude releasing.
"Handle the Zubat. Pikachu is fast enough to catch the Rattata." Ash said.
"Good idea." The girl said. "Sandshrew use Scratch!"
"Geodude use Tackle!"
"Zubat dodge it!"
As Geodude passed by, the Sandshrew hopped on top, the two Pokémon launching at the Zubat.
"Now as for you. Pikachu use Quick Attack!"
"Rattata use Quick Attack!"
Pikachu and Rattata began a race, with Pikachu quickly gaining ground on the Rattata, pushing it to the ground with ease.
"Hey idiots!" A new voice said. A slim man with long slicked back black hair stood behind the team rocket trio as they stood at attention. "We got what we came for, so stop messing around and let's get out of here before the cops arrive!"
"Yes sir!" The three rocket grunts said.
"Árbok use Screech!" The man declared
The large snake unraveled, letting out an ear piercing sound. Ash and the gym trainers covered their ears, hoping to avoid being hurt, by the time they looked up, Team Rocket was gone.
"Are you three okay?" Yet another new voice said.
Ash turned to see a darker skinned man jogging towards them.
"It's all good Brock, in no small part thanks to this trainer." The boy said, patting Ash on the back.
"I didn't do much, but they got away." Ash said.
"No one was hurt, and they didn't get much." Brock said.
"What were they here for?" The girl asked.
"The amber we found last year, I'm not sure what their plan is, but we haven't had any luck, so I doubt they will." Brock said.
"Sir, that's been your life's work for months." The boy argued.
"And I'll find something else Forrest, everyone is safe, and the building is still standing, when fighting Team Rocket, that's a win." Brock reassured. "As for you, what's your name?"
"Uhh, I'm Ash." Ash said. "And I'd like to challenge you to a gym battle."
"A gym battle against Brock? With just a Pikachu? There's not way that you're ready for him." The girl said.
"Megan, he's entitled to challenge me, no matter the odds, that's my job. I will have to ask that we wait until tomorrow, I need to make sure there are no remaining Team Rocket grunts hanging around the city." Brock said.
"Okay, I can wait, I'll see you tomorrow." Ash said.
Back at the Pokemon Center
"Ash!" Cassie exclaimed running up to him. "I was so worried, are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine, you didn't have any problems making it back here right?" Ash asked, checking to make sure she wasn't hurt.
"I'm fine, no one saw me get away from the Museum." Cassie remarked.
"Good, now let's get inside, Pikachu is exhausted." Ash said.
Characters of the day
Team Rocket
Their leader Giovanni has disappeared, most of their members are scattered, but does this smaller Team Rocket pose an even bigger threat.