Ash had wanted to head for Cerulean Cape as soon as possible, but his friends had other plans. By the end of Ash's gym battle, it was only half past twelve, so the group had decided to spend the rest of the day in Cerulean City, and then leave the next morning. They decided to go to the Cerulean shopping center for lunch, and to stock up on supplies. After lunch, Brock left to pick up the supplies they needed, while Misty and Leaf went to look in clothing stores, leaving Ash and Pikachu alone. The duo decided they would just wander around until the others were finished what they were doing. After about five minutes of walking, one store caught Ash's eye. A Poké Ball store.

When Ash and Pikachu entered the store, they both stood in awe at the amount of different Poké Balls that were for sale. There were the basic red and white balls, as well as Great Balls, Ultra Balls, Net Balls, Dusk Balls, Nest Balls, and many others. Ash figured this was a good time to stock up on Poké Balls, and began to pick out which ones he wanted. After about twenty minutes, he was finished and payed for them. He ended up buying: 10 regular Poké Balls (which gave him a free Premier Ball), 3 Heal Balls, 6 Great Balls, and 4 Nest Balls. He figured they may be useful at some point. As he was left the store, he spotted a poster on a wall. He approached the poster and read what it said:

"Are you a trainer looking for a challenge? Then come and test your strength against the Nugget Bridge challenge! Defeat 5 trainers and win a prize!" This challenge interested Ash very much. He checked the map in his trainer's guide, and saw that Nugget Bridge led to Cerulean Cape. He may as well take the challenge on the way. He turned to Pikachu, who was sitting on his shoulder.

"You up for it buddy?" he asked.

"Pika!" he replied, with a thumbs up. With that, they went to find the others.

Brock had just left the super market he was shopping in. He had bought medicine for both humans and Pokémon, food, and other things he thought they may need. Misty and Leaf had finished their window shopping also, and had met up with Brock, and were now waiting for Ash. They didn't need to wait long though, as after about 2 minutes he found his friends. He told them about the Nugget Bridge challenge, and decided they would check it out the next day. But since it was starting to get late, they decided to spend the night at the Pokémon Center, well, apart from Misty, who wanted to sleep at her house.

The trio of Ash, Brock, and Leaf, rented a room at the Pokémon Center. They released their Pokémon in the room, all except Onix, for obvious reasons. Pikachu was sleeping on Ash's bed, Pidgeotto and Zubat were roosting on the bad posts, Charmander and Bulbasaur were playing together, Butterfree and Beedrill were discussing something, Geodude was also sleeping, and the two Nidoran were sitting together. Leaf thought they could possibly be in love, but didn't address it, in case it embarrassed them, or she was wrong. Ash was laying on his bed next to Pikachu, studying his Pokédex, reminding himself on his Pokémon's moves. Brock was in the small kitchen that was provided for trainers, preparing lunch for the next day. Leaf was sitting on her bed, brushing her long brown hair.

Ash found himself in the middle of an open field with no one else around.

"Brock? Leaf? Pikachu? Where are you guys!?" he called out, but got no answer. He heard something behind him and turned to see a shadowy figure. Ash assumed it was some type of Pokémon, but one like he had never seen before. What was weird was even though he was covered in shadows, there was nothing around to cast a shadow. The figure raised its hand and was about to launch an attack, when a giant ball of blue flames suddenly enveloped the figure. Ash looked up and saw a giant shining golden bird like Pokémon. It cawed loudly then flew away. Ash stood in awe. He couldn't believe what he just saw. Suddenly, Pikachu appeared front of him. "Pikachu! Where have youAHHH!" he started before Pikachu hit him with a Thunder Shock.

Ash opened his eyes to find he was back in his bed, hugging Pikachu so tightly, he couldn't take it anymore and released a Thunder Shock. Leaf and Brock stood over him, staring at the scene.

"Ash, are you okay?" Brock asked with concern. Ash released his grip on Pikachu and sat up.

"Yeah, I'm fine, I just had a weird dream" he replied.

"Okay then, get ready to leave, we're meeting up with Misty in an hour" Brock explained, as he recalled Geodude and Zubat. Leaf finished repacking her bag and recalled her Pokémon as well. Ash got up and headed for the bathroom for a quick shower. The whole time he was getting ready, he couldn't help but think about the golden Pokémon from his dream, as well as the strange figure that was attacking him. 'I should probably ask Professor Oak when I get the chance…' he thought to himself. He tried to push the thoughts out of his head for now. After they met up with Misty and got breakfast, they would start heading for Nugget Bridge and Cerulean Cape, which got the boy excited.

'Watch out Nugget Bridge, cause Ash Ketchum is coming!' he thought to himself.

The group had met up with Misty, and had finished their breakfast. They were now finally going to Nugget Bridge. When they got close, they saw a lady sitting at a table, with a sign which read:

"Nugget Bridge Challenge! Sign up here!" Immediately, Brock ran towards her with hearts in his eyes.

"Here we go…" Ash said to the girls.

"The Nugget Bridge is nice and all, but I think we should go across the bridge of love together!" Brock flirted, before being grabbed by the ear by Misty.

"The only bridge your crossing, is the one to a restraining order" she told him, he only responded with "Not the ear…" The two Pallet Town trainers looked on while sweat-dropping. The pair approached the woman.

"Um, excuse me, we would like to sign up for the challenge" Ash said politely.

"Of course!" the lady replied, "Just write your names down on this sheet, as well as a list of the Pokémon currently with you" she told them. They did as they were told, thanked the woman, and stepped onto Nugget Bridge. The woman smirked as they left the table, she pulled out a walkie-talkie.

"Sir, it's those kids from Mount Moon, they're taking the challenge" she said into the walkie-talkie. "Good" a male voice replied back, "They will not stop us this time."

The group walked towards the first trainer on the bridge. He was dressed like a Bug Catcher, and was holding a net. He saw the group and got ready for battle.

"Hi!" Ash greeted the boy, "I'm Ash, and this is Leaf, we're taking the challenge" he explained.

"Okay, get ready, cause I'm the first trainer, the name's Cale by the way" he told them. Ash was battling first. Cale released his Venonat, a bug and poison type that looked like a purple, fluffy ball.

"Alright, Pidgeotto, I choose you!" Ash exclaimed as he released the flying type. "Pidgeotto, use Gust!" Ash ordered, Pidgeotto flapped its wings and sent the Gust at Venonat, who was to slow to dodge.

"Venonat, use Confusion!" Cale ordered. Venonat's eyes glowed blue, and then Pidgeotto was surrounded but the same energy. Venonat slammed Pidgeotto into the ground. Ash had to think of something fast or he could lose, but luckily, he thought of something.

"Quick, use Sand Attack!" Ash instructed. Pidgeotto flapped its wings on the ground and sent sand right into the Insect Pokémon's eyes. Venonat lost its concentration and released Pidgeotto. "Use Wing Attack, let's go!" Ash commanded. Pidgeotto's wings glowed white and hit Venonat with them. Venonat then collapsed on the ground, unable to battle.

"Alright, we did it!" Ash cheered, "Pika!" Pikachu joined in. Cale recalled Venonat.

"Wow Ash, your Pidgeotto is strong" he commended.

"Thanks!" Ash replied. "Alright, your next, Leaf was it?" Cale said pointing at Leaf.

"Alright, let's do this!" she exclaimed. This battle didn't last long either; Leaf used Butterfree, while Cale used a Paras, which was quickly knocked out by Butterfree's Gust attack.

The next 8 battles went by just as quickly, which everyone thought was a bit odd. They finally reached the end of the bridge, and were greeted by a man wearing a zipped up, black hoodie. Green-ish blue hair could be seen underneath it.

"Greetings trainers" he greeted, an evil smirk hidden beneath his hood, "Congratulations on making it this far, but this will be as far as you go" he finished.

"What?" Ash asked in confusion. The man took his hoodie up and threw it on the ground, revealing what he was wearing underneath. The group looked in shock at what they saw. He wore a black shirt with an all so familiar logo printed on it: a big, red "R". Suddenly 4 Team Rocket grunts appeared and surrounded the group.

"Team Rocket!" Ash exclaimed, "PiPi-kachu!" added Pikachu.

The man smirked, "My name is Proton. I've heard about you kids, I don't appreciate you interfering with our plans at Mt. Moon, so now you need to be punished" Proton told the group, as he released two Pokémon. The first Pokémon looked very similar to a Koffing, but was a lot bigger, and had a smaller second head. "Weeeezing!" it wheezed. Ash scanned it with his Pokédex.

"Weezing, the Poison Gas Pokémon, and the evolved form of Koffing. It grows by feeding on gases released by garbage. Though very rare, triplets have been found" stated the Pokédex. The second one was similar to Zubat, but a lot bigger as well. It had a huge gapping mouth and thin feet, and unlike Zubat, had eyes. It was a Golbat. Once again, Ash scanned the Pokémon.

"Golbat, the Bat Pokémon, and the evolved form of Zubat. Being nocturnal, Golbat fly at night in search of prey". The grunts released their Pokémon as well, an Ekans, Raticate, Drowzee, and a Machop. Ash turned to his friends, and saw them sending out their Pokémon as well, Brock released Onix, Misty released Staryu, and Leaf released Bulbasaur.

"You guys take the grunts, I'll take Proton" said Ash, which his companions nodded in agreement. Ash turned to Pikachu on his shoulder, who nodded back to him, telling it's trainer it was ready to fight. Ash also released Charmander, who growled at the man wearing the familiar uniform. "Pikachu, Electro Ball! Charmander, Ember!" Ash ordered.

Pikachu quickly charged up it's Electro Ball, and launched it at Golbat. Charmander meanwhile fired a barrage of small fire balls at Weezing.

"Heh, Golbat avoid, Weezing, block with Smog" Proton ordered. Golbat flew out of the way of the incoming electric attack at a great speed, while Weezing released a thick Smog attack to block Charmander's attack.

"Well that's not gonna work…" Ash muttered to himself. Meanwhile, Onix was taking both Raticate and Drowzee on at once, Staryu was fighting Ekans, while Bulbasaur was fighting Machop. Ash tried to think of his Pokémon's moves.

'I have to slow Golbat down somehow… Wait! That's it!' Ash thought to himself.

"Pikachu, use Quick Attack, and when you hit Golbat, use Thunder Wave!" Ash ordered. Pikachu sprinted towards Golbat, then jumped and rammed into the bat Pokémon, and released a stream of electricity from its cheeks, instantly paralysing the foe. Golbat flinched at the electricity moving through its body, and struggled to stay in the air. That should take care of Golbat, but what about Weezing? Ash had been training Charmander to learn a stronger fire attack, and it was going pretty well, but Ash didn't know if it would work now.

Deciding to take the risk, "Charmander, try Flame Burst!" he commanded. The Lizard Pokémon was nervous about using the attack, but if Ash thought it work, then it did too! Charmander breathed in, and then fired a larger fire ball than it did with Ember, at Weezing. The Poison Gas Pokémon tried to defend with Smog again, but was surprised when the fire type's attack went straight through it, and caused an explosion when it hit the poison type. Weezing fell to the ground unable to continue fighting, and Proton recalled it. That took care of Weezing, now to finish of Golbat!

The rest of the groups Pokémon had just finished defeating the grunt's Pokémon.

"Pikachu, use Electro Ball again!" Ash ordered, this time, the attack hit its target, as the bat Pokémon was to slow to dodge, due to being paralysed. Golbat fell to the ground also unable to battle. Proton glared at Ash in anger, before smirking.

"What's so funny, Proton?" Ash questioned.

"I must admit I'm impressed with your strength, and I surrender" the Rocket Executive admitted before adding "for now". Suddenly a rope ladder fell to the ground, which Proton grabbed onto. The group looked up to see a black helicopter with the Team Rocket logo painted on the side.

"We will meet again, Ash Ketchum. And when we do, you will not win" Proton exclaimed, as the helicopter flew off. Ash growled as he watched the helicopter fly away. He then noticed the Rocket grunts were left behind, and had been put to sleep with Leaf's Bulbasaur's Sleep Powder. Brock called the police on his Pokégear, while Leaf released Butterfree to tie them up with String Shot, like it did at Mt. Moon. It take long before the Police arrived, led by Officer Jenny. Brock immediately tried to flirt with the officer, but was dragged off by Misty. The policewoman thanked the group for capture the Rocket members for her, before leaving, taking the grunts with them.

As the group continued on their way to Cerulean Cape, a pair of red eyes watched them from some bushes. The boy in the red hat had definitely attracted the owner of the eyes' attention.

"Bulba..." it muttered to itself, as it turned away and headed back to it's home. It knew it had seen some of those trainers, somewhere before...