Of course, it was a trap. Free tickets for an expensive cruise were too good to be true, and now that he thought back to the two "girls" who had given them the tickets, Ash realised they had somewhat familiar hair styles.

As Jessie and James continued to call out their motto, the many grunts around the room released Pokémon. Ekans, Koffing, Zubat, Rattata, Drowzee, nothing really out of the ordinary from what he had seen Rocket grunts use in the past, apart from a few evolved forms of those Pokémon.

"Team Rocket blasts off at the speed of light!"

"Surrender now, or prepare to fight!"

"Meowth, dat's right!"

Now that they had finished with their motto, Jessie and James released their Pokémon, though they had both apparently evolved since their last encounter. Instead of her Ekans, Jessie released a large purple cobra-like Pokémon, with a colourful, intimidating pattern on the inside of its hood, Arbok. Instead of his usual Koffing, James a Weezing, which Ash remembered from his encounter with Proton back on Nugget Bridge.

The Rocket members began to harass the guests, trying to make them hand over their Poké Balls. Ash wasn't going to let that happen. As a trio of grunts began to approach his group, with two Zubat and a Koffing following behind them, Ash quickly grabbed two Poké Balls from his belt, and released Charmander and Nidorino. Both Pokémon looked around confused for a moment, before spotting the approaching grunts, and taking a battle stance and growling.

"Hand over your Pokémon kid!" one of the grunts ordered, but Ash had other ideas.

"Charmander, use Flame Burst, Nidorino, Water Pulse!" Ash ordered. Both Pokémon did as they were told without hesitation, firing their attacks at not just the Rocket's Pokémon, but also the grunts themselves. The grunts cried out in pain, before ordering their Pokémon. The pair of Zubat began to fire Air Cutters, while the Koffing spat Sludge at them.

"Metal Claw, Horn Attack!"

Both Charmander and Nidorino charged at their opponents, the fire type's claws glowing silver, and the poison type's horn glowing white. Nidorino rammed in the Koffing, while Charmander slash at both Zubat at once, causing all three Rocket Pokémon to fall to the ground, fainted. The grunts stared at the fallen Pokémon in disbelief, before recalling them, and running away.

Trainers all over the room had begun to fight back as well, which of course included his companions, plus Gary and Daisy. Misty had released Poliwag and Staryu, Brock released Geodude, Gary had called out his Kadabra and Spearow, and finally Daisy had a Flareon out.

Ash had always enjoyed seeing Daisy's Pokémon at Professor Oak's lab, and hearing about her journeys through Kanto. But now was not really the time to think about that. While everyone else was giving their Pokémon orders, Brock let Geodude fight on his own, while he was trying to heal Pikachu with a Revive. Daisy seemed to notice him and ran over, leaving Flareon to fight on her own as well. Upon reaching Brock, Pikachu had already swallowed the powder from the Revive, and was beginning to wake up. Daisy pulled out a Poké Ball with a camouflage pattern, a Safari Ball, and released a Chansey.

"Chansey, use Soft-Boiled on Pikachu" she instructed. The pink Pokémon nodded, and the egg in her pouch began to glow on yellow, and she raised her arms. At that, a yellow glow in the shape of Chansey's egg flew out of her pouch, and was absorbed into the electric mouse's body, which also began to glow yellow. After a few seconds, Pikachu was up, and seemed to be back to his normal amount of energy. He quickly noticed the situation, spotted his trainer, quickly thanked Brock, Daisy, and Chansey, and ran over to Ash.

"Pikapi!" he cried, as he ran up Ash's back and onto his shoulder.

"Pikachu! You okay now?" the boy asked, to which the electric type nodded. Ash grinned, "Alright buddy, let's teach Team Rocket a lesson, Charmander, Nidorino, let's go!" He ran in the direction of the stage intended for musicians, where Jessie, James, and Meowth were standing, Arbok and Weezing beside them.

Jessie spotted the boy coming towards them, "Arbok, Poison Sting that twerp!" she ordered, pointing in Ash's direction. The snake's mouth opened, and a barrage of toxic needles fired from her mouth.

Ash reacted quickly, "Nidorino, counter with your Poison Sting!" Nidorino did the same as Arbok, firing them before the snake's attack reached them, the needles colliding with each and cancelling each other out.

"Now, Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!" Pikachu jumped off of Ash's shoulder, and quickly began charging his attack. But before the attack could be completed, there was blur of cream and brown, as Meowth appeared in front of Pikachu. The Scratch Cat Pokémon clapped his paws together in Pikachu's face, startling him, halting his attack, and before Pikachu can do anything, the normal type began to rapidly slash at the mouse.

"Take dat, and dat, and dat!" the cat cried as he continued to slash Pikachu with Fury Swipes. Pikachu cried out in pain, as he fell towards the ground. Ash quickly ran to catch his partner, but before he could reach him, Arbok had slithered over and wrapped its long body around Ash and squeezed hard. Ash cried out as Arbok's grip on him tightened, and Pikachu hit the ground with a thud.

Charmander and Nidorino ran to protect their trainer, but Weezing came at them both with a Gyro Ball, slamming into both, and sending them flying backwards. The Poison Gas Pokémon spat a Sludge attack at Charmander, who was trying to get back up. Weezing continued to fire Sludge at the fire lizard, but Nidorino jumped in front of his team mate, taking the damage with little trouble, thanks to him also being a poison type. Too distracted by protecting Charmander, Nidorino didn't see a Water Pulse coming from Jessie's Tentacool, and both Pokémon were hit by the attack, Charmander knocked out due to the super effective move.

Nidorino forced himself back onto his feet, but he began to stumble around, tripping over his own feet, Water Pulse had confused him. Pikachu pushed himself up, and glanced around, seeing Ash wrapped up by the large snake, Charmander knocked out, and Nidorino unable to walk straight. Pikachu could definitely take the Tentacool, but there was no way he could take Meowth, Arbok, and Weezing all at once. Realising he was outmatched, Pikachu decided he had to get help, so he quickly sped towards where Misty and the others were fighting back against the grunts.

"Pikachu-Pi!" the mouse cried, calling Misty's name in his "Pika-speak". The redhead turned at the sound of Pikachu's cry, turning her attention away from the battle happening between Staryu and a Rocket Grunt's Raticate.

"Pikachu, what's wrong?" Misty questioned. Pikachu pointed the direction he came from. Misty looked to where the Pokémon was pointing, and gasped when she saw Ash struggling in Arbok's grip. Misty quickly ordered Staryu to finish of the Raticate, which it did easily with a Water Gun and Thunderbolt combo. She then called for both Staryu and Poliwag to follow her, as she released Oddish. She would have called out Goldeen as well, but she knew the fish wouldn't be able to battle very well outside of water. "Staryu, Water Gun! Poliwag, use Mud Shot! Oddish, use Razor Leaf!" Misty ordered, pointing towards the purple snake. The Pokémon did as they were instructed, each firing their attacks, aiming at Arbok's head. The snake cried out as the attacks hit, causing her grip on Ash to loosen, as Misty ran forward to pull Ash, who was beginning to pass out, away from the large cobra. Arbok glared angrily at the redhead, before flinging herself at the girl, her tail glowing purple.

Before Arbok could reach Misty, Pikachu fired a Thunderbolt at the snake, frying her as she fell to the ground, her body sparking. "Thanks, Pikachu" Misty thanked. Kneeling down to where Ash laid on the floor, she quickly checked to make sure her companion was okay. She was no medical expert by any means, but he seemed to be okay for now. Ash stirred for a moment, before his eyes slowly opened, and he tried to sit up. "Ugh… What happened?" he questioned. Misty put an arm around him to make sure he wouldn't fall down again. "You got wrapped by Arbok" she answered. Ash's eyes widened, "Oh, the battle!"

He quickly stood up, almost falling back down again, but Misty kept him from falling. He turned, and glared at Jessie and James who were still on the stage. He quickly recalled his fainted Charmander and confused Nidorino, before calling out Bulbasaur. The Grass type quickly took in the situation, understanding what was happening. Ash nodded at Pikachu and Bulbasaur, who both responded with nods of their own, before the trio ran towards Jessie, James, and Meowth, Weezing, and Tentacool beside them. "Thunderbolt on Tentacool, Energy Ball at Meowth!"

Misty followed behind Ash, along with Staryu and Poliwag, "Staryu, Water Gun at Weezing, and Poliwag use Ice Beam!" The attacks collided with their targets before the Rocket Duo could order their own attacks, and their Pokémon collapsed to the ground.

"Uh oh" said James. He and Jessie began to back away, after grabbing Meowth and recalling their Pokémon, as Ash and Misty walked closer to them, but the villainous pair were quickly stopped by a wall behind them. "Well, I guess we know what happens next…" Jessie muttered in defeat.

"You got that right" Ash replied, "Pikachu!" "Staryu!" added Misty, "use Thunderbolt!" both finished together. Pikachu and Staryu gladly obliged their trainer's request, each firing a powerful blast of electricity at the Rockets. Jessie, James, and the fainted Meowth were enveloped in the combined Thunderbolt, before an explosion went off, and the trio were sent flying upwards, blasting through the roof of the ship, and off to who knows where, while yelling their regular catchphrase of: "We're blasting off again!".

Ash and Misty turned around to face the rest of the battle, which was just about ending. Team Rocket's Pokémon were sprawled all over the floor of the large room, with their trainers soon joining them, either by being attacked directly or being put to sleep by various grass and bug types using Sleep Powder or Spore.

"Well" said Ash, "I guess that's over".


After the ship had been retaken from Team Rocket's control, the S.S. Anne had returned to Vermilion City earlier than planned, due to damages to the giant ship, caused by the battles against the Rockets.

Gary had left almost immediately after getting of the ship, only saying "Smell ya later" before leaving.

Now, Ash, Misty, Brock, and Daisy stood outside of the Vermilion City Pokémon Center. "Well, I'm heading back to Pallet Town" Daisy stated. Ash nodded, "We're gonna rest here tomorrow, and then head to the next place with a Gym, uh, where is the next Gym Brock?" he questioned. "It looks like the closest Gym to us is in Saffron City" Brock stated, looking through his guide book. "Alright then!" exclaimed Ash, "On to-" "Actually" Daisy interrupted, "The gates into Saffron City are currently closed" she stated, "Your best bet would probably be to head to Lavender Town through Rock Tunnel, and then take the nearby underground tunnel the goes under Saffron, and ends up at Celadon" Daisy explained, "and besides, the Saffron Gym is one of the hardest Gyms in Kanto, even the leader uses one of her lower level teams" she added.

"Huh, well, in that case, were going to Lavender Town next!" Ash exclaimed.

Daisy smiled, "Well, I better get going it was nice to see you again Ash, and nice to meet you, Brock, Misty"

"Great to see you again too, Daisy, tell Professor Oak, hello from us!" said Ash.

"Will do" Daisy replied with a giggle, "See you later!" and with that she left, with Ash, Misty, Brock, and Pikachu waving goodbye as she walked off.

With that, the group headed into the Pokémon Center, ready for a day of relaxation tomorrow, before starting their trek towards Lavender Town.


Well, this took awhile to come out didn't… Sorry if this chapter was kind of boring, I had trouble writing the Team Rocket battle, and I didn't want to do what everyone else seems to do and have the S.S. Anne blow up or something similar, but didn't know what to do instead, so I ended up kind of rushing it. Anyway, next chapter will have two captures, but I won't say which Pokémon are captured, or who catches them, though it may be easy to guess based on captures that happened around this point in canon, so there's a hint I guess. Sorry again for this chapter taking so long, and I'll see you next chapter (whenever that happens to be…)

Current Teams:

Ash:

Pikachu (Male)

Charmander (Male)

Pidgeotto (Female)

Nidorino (Male)

Bulbasaur (Male)

Squirtle (Male)

At Oak's Lab:

Beedrill (Male)

Misty:

Poliwag (Male)

Staryu (Genderless)

Goldeen (Female)

Oddish (Female)

Brock:

Onix (Male)

Geodude (Male)

Zubat (Male)