Back in the Pokemon Center, just as night was falling…
Ash was sitting down on one of the fluffy seats close to the phones, looking brought down by the fact he wasn't able to defeat Paul as Snivy was in the middle of recovering energy in the back.
"Well, seeing as how this was your first battle, I'd say failing to win is an understandable result," Misty said a bit bluntly as Ash looked away from her. "Hey! I'm talking to you, you know! Don't just ignore me like that!"
"Uh, Misty? Maybe now would be a good time to be reassuring rather than to bring Ash down," Dawn said in annoyance.
"I was being helpful!" Misty countered only to soften a bit upon noticing Ash's expression as he looked even sadder. "Okay, maybe I was being a bit harsh. Still, your battle could have ended better if you just paid closer attention and not mistake all Turtwig as being slow. Just try and get better next time, please. You shouldn't be too upset over losing, though, as all Trainers lose sometimes."
"That isn't why Ash is upset, Misty. Right, Ash?" Dawn asked her friend.
At this point, Ash finally spoke to the pair. "Kinda? Don't get me wrong, I'm a bit sad to have lost. But what is really bothering me is that Paul is still out there being a jerk. I wanted so badly to defeat Paul and show him that being a jerk is no way to be a Trainer. A truly good Trainer needs to have a strong bond with their Pokemon. At least, that is what some of the greatest Trainers like Cynthia and Wallace have said."
At this point, Dawn put a hand on Ash's shoulder comfortingly. "Well, who's to say that Paul is right? I mean, just because he thinks power is all that matters doesn't mean all Trainers think and act that way or that they should behave in such a way."
Ash started to smile upon hearing his friend's encouraging words. "Thanks a lot Dawn. You're the best. I just wish that Snivy didn't take such a beating in the process."
"I'm sure that Snivy will be better in no time, though. In the meantime, why don't we have a chat with Professor Oak. You do remember what we saw in the forest earlier, right?" Dawn tried to change the subject and make Ash happier.
"The forest…? Oh, right! The Professor won't believe what we saw earlier today! Let's talk to him now!" Ash said as he got up and went over to the phone nearby and typed in the Professor's number.
"Well, I have to admit that Ash definitely looks a lot happier than he did before," Misty noted to Dawn.
"When you're close to someone for a large chunk of someone's life, you tend to get to know them very well. Like, what would make them happy or sad," Dawn said.
"You're really that close as friends?"
"Of course. At times, I'd even say we're siblings," Dawn said.
"Yet you both look so happy and close," Misty muttered as she looked annoyed all of a sudden.
"Uh, are you okay?"
"F-fine! Just drop the sibling talk and move on to something else, please!" Misty lied badly.
"Um, okay? I guess you have some sibling baggage, right? Dawn asked kindly.
"What did I say about the sibling talk?" Misty grumbled.
"Sorry," Dawn grumbled back as she walked over to the phone Ash was on.
Eventually, the screen turned on and showed Professor Oak on the other end. "Oh, Ash! It's good to see you! So, where are you currently at? Is Pikachu still with you? Have you or your friend caught any Pokemon yet?"
"Well, I did manage to catch myself a Snivy. She's currently healing after her first tie. As for Pikachu, he's healing after a fight with a bunch of Spearow. However, that isn't why I called," Ash admitted.
"Oh? Then why did you call, Ash?" Professor Oak asked.
"You see… I think Pikachu, Dawn, Piplup, and I saw a Ho-Oh earlier today," Ash said.
"R-Really? Are you sure?" Professor Oak asked in a hushed voice.
"Yes, I'm sure," Ash confirmed.
"We saw it soar through the sky with a rainbow trail following it and everything your book said!" Dawn confirmed as Piplup nodded in agreement.
"If only I could have taken a picture of it."
"Well, either way, this is an interesting thing to have happened. Not many people or Pokemon have ever seen Ho-Oh in their lifetimes," Professor Oak was amazed.
"Are you sure you didn't just imagine it?" Misty teased Ash.
"Hey! We did see it!" Dawn countered.
"Yeah! Unless the fumes of your bike messed with our heads, I'd say we didn't just imagine it," Ash agreed as Misty looked mad at being reminded of her bike. "Uh, sorry to remind you of that?"
"Well, either way, it appears that it was a good decision to take you on as an assistant and Trainer. Hope all your travels will bring you more exciting adventures," Professor Oak said with a bow as the phone call ended.
"Alright! The second day of the rest of our lives is tomorrow! Once we get our Pokemon healed up, we can go to the Pewter City Gym and I can earn my first Gym Badge!" Ash said excitedly.
"As much as I'd love to see that, maybe we should slow down a bit? I mean, we still need to make our way through Viridian Forest before we can get to Pewter City," Dawn reminded Ash.
"Oh, right," Ash realized as he blushed in embarrassment.
"Forgot that we still had a bit of a trip to get to Pewter City, eh Ash?" Misty teased as Ash looked a bit annoyed.
"Look, why don't we just go and check to see if Pikachu is doing better yet," Ash suggested as he was about to ask Nurse Joy just that. However, before the trio could move at all, the lights suddenly went out. "What in the world? What's going on?!"
"Maybe someone forgot to pay the bill? Either that or…," Misty started to realize something that Dawn also realized.
"Or the crooks that Officer Jenny warned us about have come here," Dawn guessed as Piplup started to look scared.
"Correct you are, you childish pests!" A strange male voice said as bombs were dropped on the roof, blasting open a hole in the roof that a Meowth hot air balloon flew over.
"I guess we shoulda expected to see those thieves at some point if Officer Jenny was worried about this happening. Just what do you think you're doing, anyway?!" Ash demanded.
"Prepare for trouble!" The red-haired woman from earlier yelled as a rope came out from under the balloon and the trio slid down it slowly.
"Make it double!" The blue-haired man continued.
"To protect the world from devastation!"
"To unite all peoples within our nation!"
"To denounce the evils of truth and love!"
"To extend our reach to the star's above!"
"Jessie!"
"James!"
"Team Rocket blasts off at the speed of light!"
"Surrender now or prepare to fight!"
"Meowth, that's right!"
"Cool bad-guy speech. Now, can you tell us what you're here for?" Misty snarked as the trio fell comically.
"Yeah! I've seen more threatening villains on T.V.," Ash agreed. "Still, though, why do they have a Meowth that can talk?!"
"I guess it makes them stand out from other criminals at least…," Dawn noted nervously.
"Excuse me, little kids! We happen to be among the most feared criminals this side of Kanto! Don't treat us so casually!" Jessie yelled out in anger.
"Uh, technically, aren't Giovanni, Pierce, Butch, and Caasidy more feared than us?" James asked as Jessie and Meowth looked annoyed at the quip.
"First them and now you?! Are you trying to make us look bad?!" Meowth demanded.
"I was just saying…," James pathetically retorted.
"So, how are these guys supposed to be a threat again?" Dawn asked Piplup, who responded with a shrug.
"You'll see soon enough, little girl," James said sinisterly.
"Uh, we're teens, not little kids," Misty pointed out.
Jessie proceeded to growl in annoyance, "Anyways…we're obviously here to steal every rare and valuable Pokemon this side of Kanto."
"Seeing as how we have to only worry about rookies like you, judging by the fact you don't know us very well, I'd say this mission is already a success!" Meowth finished with a grin.
"I won't let you thieves steal my Pikachu or Snivy!" Ash yelled protectively of his Pokemon.
After a few moments of silence, however, the trio laughed hysterically as if the idea itself was a joke. "You honestly think we give a damn about that pathetic yellow rat you were given out of pity?!" Meowth laughed.
"And what is a Snivy anyway? I doubt that this kid has any worthwhile Pokemon," Jessie sneered as she pushed Ash aside.
"But…but my Pokemon are strong! And we can…stop you and…," Ash sadly said.
"Yeah, keep telling yourself that, rookie! Ooh! Looks like we've already got our hands on some prime Pokemon. Look at that birdie!" James said as he pointed to the nearby Piplup. "This will be easy pickings!"
"I'm afraid not! Piplup, use your Bubblebeam on these guys!" Dawn commanded as Piplup shot out plenty of bubbles from his beak, knocking back the trio. "Great job, Piplup!"
"Grr! Who does this little girl think she is?" Jessie growled angrily.
"I don't know, but her Piplup seems to be a potentially strong Pokemon at least," Meowth said sinisterly.
"I know! We should capture 'em! Also, a Pip-what?" James asked, confused.
"A Piplup, ya dumbass!" Meowth yelled as he used Fury Swipes on Jame's face.
"Well, either way, let's get to battling and stealing! Ekans, let's go!" Jessie cried out as a purple snake Pokemon popped out of her Pokeball. "Ekans, use Poison Sting right now!" Ekans proceeded to shoot out many poison needles from her mouth.
"Oh no, you don't! Piplup, use your Bubblebeam to counter that Poison Sting!" Dawn cried out as the two attacks met, though the Bubblebeam managed to get a few bubbles through that proceeded to hit Ekans.
"Ekans! You'll pay for that, twerp! Now, Ekans, use Bite and chomp down on that bird Pokemon!" Jessie yelled as Ekans slithered at Piplup, fangs glowing white.
"He's a Piplup! As in, Piplup, now duck and then use Peck!" Dawn yelled as Piplup pecked at Ekans, causing some pain for the Snake Pokemon.
"Grrr! What makes you think you twerps can stand up against us, anyhow?!" James demanded.
"Simple. We care about our Pokemon and don't go around stealing every Rattata that catches our eye!" Ash countered.
The trio started to look really mad in response to this comment. "You think you can beat us, even though you rookies are facing grown adults?!" Meowth demanded.
"Um, yes we do?" Misty responded.
"Grr! We'll show you twerps who's boss! Koffing, go!" James yelled out as the Poison Gas Pokemon popped out with a goofy grin.
"Hey! Two against one isn't fair!" Ash yelled out in protest.
"Please! We're crooks! We are more than capable of fighting dirty!" Jessie argued.
"Like this! Koffing, use Sludge!" James commanded as the Poison Gas Pokemon shot out some Poison gunk at Piplup's face, blinding him. "Try to fight us now when you can't even see!"
"Oh no! Piplup!" Dawn cried out in worry as she was about to run towards Piplup and wipe the sludge off his face. However, the Koffing and Ekans of the Team Rocket trio blocked her path from reaching her starter Pokemon.
"Uh uh, twerpette, don't get in the way of us stealing your Piplup or the other rare and powerful Pokemon in this dump if you know what's good for ya. But, if you do, we'll be more than happy to have our Pokemon give ya a fight ya won't forget," Meowth warned with a malicious grin.
"How do you sleep at night?" Dawn demanded with a glare.
"Like logs, of course!" James answered proudly.
At this point, Ash and Misty were whispering to each other.
"We have to do something to stop these thieves. I thought they'd be complete jokes, and while they kinda are, they're tougher than I expected," Ash admitted.
"See? This is why you can't underestimate your opponents," Misty whispered as she looked over to Ash, who looked annoyed. Seeing this and realizing now wasn't the time for snark, she then said, "I agree though. I don't want to think of all the sad Trainers that will have lost all their Pokemon because of them."
"Not to mention how much Dawn will miss her Piplup should they steal him. What do we do?" Ash asked.
Misty stood there for a good moment, before deciding, "I'll distract them. You go in the back and get some Pokemon to help us fight from back there."
"Oh, right. But why not fight them yourself? Don't you have a large array of Water-Pokemon to use as a Gym Leader?" Ash asked curiously with a hint of annoyance.
"Actually…most of my Pokemon are back at the Gym. And the one Pokemon I do still have isn't fit to battle away from water. I can't fight them. But you can! But make it quick. I won't be able to distract them for long," Misty admitted as she motioned for Ash to go in the back, which he was quick to do.
"So, twerpette, ya still wanna try playing the hero?" Meowth asked.
"Grr!" Dawn seethed as she tried to think of some way to stop the trio. Eventually, she thought of something. "Piplup, please run away right now! I'll be fine! Just escape now while you can! These guys only want you, not me! So, please, run! Save yourself!" Piplup, however, shook his head in response to this, both because he didn't want to surrender so easily and also because he didn't wanna abandon Dawn.
Suddenly, Misty came up to the trio holding her Pokeball and yelled out, "Stop right there, you thieves! If you think I'm gonna let you get away with stealing all these Pokemon from their Trainers, think again! Let's go!" Misty cried out as she sent out her Pokemon; a Goldeen that just flopped pathetically on the floor.
"Uh, Misty? I appreciate you trying to help, but isn't there anything else you could do?" Dawn asked.
"So, you Team Rocket bozos want to battle me and my Goldeen? I promise we'll be a tough challenge!" Misty challenged the trio.
The trio stood there for a few seconds before they began to laugh hysterically.
"Oh no! Look out you guys! The useless fish and her airhead Trainer think they can stop us!" James laughed as Misty growled.
"Yeah! Let's chalk that up to another Pokemon we don't need to bother stealing!" Jessie agreed.
Meanwhile, Ash was in the back looking for his Pikachu and Snivy to see if he could check on them and battle with them or some other Pokemon to fight off the intruding purloiners.
Very quickly, Ash found Nurse Joy and her Chansey tending to Ash's Pikachu, charging him up with a Pikachu powered back-up generator. Meanwhile, Snivy was resting on a nearby table. "Uh, Nurse Joy?" Ash politely asked the Pokemon nurse as he tapped her shoulder.
The Pokemon nurse quickly turned around and was relieved to see Ash was there and not Team Rocket. "Oh, for a moment I thought you were a thief or something. I'm sorry to not have gotten back out front sooner, but I was busy treating your Pikachu and making sure he'd be okay. If something more is going on like I thought, we need all available Pokemon ready to fight. I don't know how, but the generator for our center had the wires cut. Someone must be breaking in for something."
"You'd be right about that. Three thieves are here to steal all the Pokemon they can, and I need help to fight them off right now!" Ash explained.
"Oh my! Well, fortunately for us, your Pokemon have just about fully healed from their previous battles. I just need some last minute checks on your Pikachu and they both should be ready to fight off the intruders," Nurse Joy said as Ash started to sigh in relief.
"To be honest, as fun as this has been, we have work to do and it would be best to get to stealing while the power is still out," James noted.
"Right! Let's head on back and steal those Pokemon! James, grab that bird and Meowth, get the bags and fill them with as many Pokeballs as you can!" Jessie commanded.
"And what, pray tell, do you plan on doing?" Meowth asked in annoyance.
"Why, keep watch for Officer Jenny, of course!" Jessie answered.
"Seriously? Can't youse lift one of your fingers to help us? If ya wanna impress da boss ya need ta pull yer weight too!" Meowth reminded angrily.
"The boss won't appreciate us slacking in the middle of a theft, you know, so just do something!" James agreed.
"What? You expect a lady to sully her beauty by stooping to such laborious tasks when I can have you two do them?" Jessie asked.
Noticing that the trio was still arguing and that both their Pokemon were distracted as well, Dawn was quick to get out a handkerchief and wipe off Piplup's eyes. "Don't worry, Piplup, I'll get you seeing again in no time." In a few seconds, Piplup was able to see again, and he gave a happy cry. "Perfect! Now Piplup, use your Bubblebeam on both of them!" Piplup complied as he shot at and knocked down both villainous Pokemon with his bubbles.
"What?! How did you-," James demanded as he and his teammates turned to see Piplup could see again.
"Grrr! Jessie, ya shoulda been willing to carry yer weight and do something!" Meowth blamed the red-head.
"Says the one who chose to fight over such a trivial matter! Well, anyway, we can settle that later. For now, Ekans, use Wrap!" Jessie commanded her Pokemon, who proceeded to wrap around and trap Piplup painfully.
"Oh no! Piplup!" Dawn cried out in worry.
"Well, looks like we have the advantage once more, twerpette. Now stand still while we take what belongs to us!" Jessie ordered as the trio began to head to the back…only to see Ash and Nurse Joy with Ash's Snivy and Pikachu.
"Huh?! What's this?!" James demanded.
"Snivy, use Leaf Blade on that Ekans, now!" Ash commanded as she did just that, causing a fair amount of damage to the grass snake and forcing the poison snake to release Piplup, who cheered and sighed upon being freed.
"Oh, thank goodness! Piplup, you're okay! Thanks for the help, Ash. And I'm glad to see that your Pokemon are doing fine." Dawn sighed in relief as Piplup nodded in confirmation.
"Don't mention it. I know you'd do the same for me. Now, let's stop these thugs and save all the Pokemon!" Ash said as Dawn nodded in agreement as all three of the duo's Pokemon turned to confront the Team Rocket trio.
"What is the meaning of this? How are your Pokemon able to fight back?" James demanded.
"I thought they were still drained of energy and in the back!" Jessie agreed.
"Simple. Nurse Joy gathered just enough Pika power to finish restoring Pikachu and Snivy to full health," Ash answered.
"Um, guys? We may have underestimated that amphibian Pokemon. It may be worthy of bringing to the boss," Meowth said.
"And the Pikachu?" Jessie asked.
"Eh…still doesn't seem worthy of our time," Meowth decided.
"First of all, she's a reptile-like Pokemon according to the Pokedex," Dawn said.
"And second, her name is Snivy!" Ash yelled in annoyance.
"Whatever! Now, Koffing, use your Clear Smog attack on that 'Snoovy'!" James commanded as Koffing created a bunch of mist to try to attack and hide.
"Oh no you don't! Snivy, use your Leaf Storm right now!" Ash commanded as Snivy created a flurry of leaves that hit the Koffing and knocked him back.
"Grrr! Ekans, use Poison Sting on that green lizard!" Jessie demanded as a bunch of poison barbs were shot out.
"Piplup, counter with your Bubblebeam!" Dawn cried out as Piplup's attack and Ekans attack canceled each other out. "Now, use Peck!" Piplup rushed to hit Ekans once more.
"Koffing, attack on back with Sludge!" James yelled out as Koffing hocked up some poison gunk, ready to spit it at the penguin.
"Pikachu, stop them with Quick Attack!" Ash yelled as Pikachu dashed into Koffing, knocking him back hard and causing the gunk to be shot on the ceiling. Piplup, meanwhile, was successfully able to Peck at Ekans, knocking the Snake Pokemon back at Jessie.
"Good job so far, Dawn!" Ash congratulated his friend.
"Thanks, you too!" Dawn said back kindly.
"Y-You've hurt my Koffing with that yellow rat!" James yelled in shock and anger.
"And my precious Ekans too! You will pay for that!" Jessie growled, furious.
"No, you'll pay for trying to hurt and steal all of our Pokemon!" Misty countered.
"Yeah! While I admit it's nice you at least care about your own Pokmeon, we can't just let you get away with stuff like this! We're gonna stop you!" Dawn yelled challengingly.
"This may not be all bad. After all this is over, we'll be able to get ourselves some powerful Pokemon. Heck, it may even be worth it to steal that Pikachu as well," Meowth wondered.
"If only that twerpy kid wasn't able to grab his restored Pokemon! Then we'd be able to win!" Jessie yelled, being a sore loser.
"I do have to wonder how that twerp even had the time to get his Pokemon and wait for them to be done healing," James wondered.
"Simple. It's a little something called a decoy, you crooks," Misty answered as the trio began to realize what had just happened.
"Wait! So then…," Jessie began.
"...Her sending out her useless fish…," James continued.
"...Was a way for the one kid to get his Pokemon back?" Meowth finished.
"Of course! Why else would I send out a Water-Pokemon that can't be used outside of water?" Misty asked rhetorically.
"Thanks for that, Misty. Now, let's get this battle finished so we can finally rest for now!" Ash said as he looked at his best friend Dawn, who nodded.
"I can't believe we're being defeated by a bunch of twerpy kids! Oh, the humiliation!" James yelled out.
"Butch and Cassidy will be laughing at us forever if they found this out!" Jessie agreed.
"But we can't just leave! Remember, if we're to prove ourselves to the boss, we need to be ruthless and fight to the bitter end!" Meowth reminded his teammates.
"Of course! Let's try and see if our Pokemon can end this in one shot! Koffing, use Tackle!" James decided.
"And Ekans, you use your Bite attack!" Jessie agreed as both Pokemon began to rush at the kids and their Pokemon.
"Let's end this right now! Pikachu, use Thundershock!" Ash cried out as Pikachu zapped both Pokemon, knocking them back into their purloining Trainers. All the crooks were painfully zapped by the Electric-Type as the Team Rocket trio struggled to think of a way to get out of this mess. Eventually, the attack caused an explosion, blasting the trio and their Poison Pokemon out of the Pokemon Center.
"Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off!" The trio yelled as they were sent flying.
"Well, looks like we won, Ash!" Dawn said cheerfully as she and Piplup sighed in relief.
"I know. But if it weren't for Misty and Nurse Joy, Pikachu wouldn't have sent them flying. So, I have to thank them both," Ash admitted.
"Your thanks is appreciated," Misty said. "Just don't get a big head for defeating these weakling crooks so easily."
"Hey! What you saw there was skill! Dawn and I did awesome! Can't you just accept that?" Ash asked.
"Maybe a little, but not fully. If they didn't fight dirty, the battle wouldn't have lasted long at all. Goldeen could have even beat them," Misty pointed out.
"That's kinda rude to say of us, don't you think?" Dawn grumbled.
"Hey, just calling it as I see it," Misty responded.
Before Ash could retort, the lights suddenly turned back on. Nurse Joy quickly came from the back room looking relieved. "So, I take it that you were able to repel the Pokemon pilferers?" Nurse Joy asked.
"We sure were. By working together we were able to overcome the odds and come out on top!" Ash said happily.
"And no Pokemon were taken from their Trainers!" Dawn added on.
"That's great news! I was able to turn on the backup generator for the Center. There was some kind of jammer, probably the work of the Team Rocket thieves, that prevented the backup power from turning on right away. I called Officer Jenny back here using the Pika power after you went back up front, Ash. Looks like we won't need her help after all," Nurse Joy said. Suddenly, Officer Jenny skidded into the Center on her bike, creating a mark on the floor near the earlier mark. "But I'll still have to clean things up."
"Sorry about that. So, I take it that you all were able to repel the Team Rocket members before I got here?" Officer Jenny asked.
"Yeah! Of course we were! They were no match for us all working together!" Ash said.
"That's good to hear. So, is there anything I can do for you all to repay you for your public service to Viridian City's Pokemon Center?" Officer Jenny asked.
"Oh, you don't have to do that. Knowing we did good is reward enough," Dawn said politely and truthfully before her and the other's stomachs began to growl, causing the trio to blush.
"Oops! Uh, looks like we forgot to have dinner during all this excitement," Ash said.
"Well, maybe I can get you all something to eat. Do you all like pizza?" Officer Jenny asked as the trio nodded.
Later, we see Jessie, James and Meowth hanging on to a rope from their balloon, struggling to keep hold of it in their pain and exhaustion of their most recent failure.
"Great, a cat losing to a mouse," Jessie grumbled.
"I know, right? We're gonna be even bigger laughingstocks in Team Rocket's hierarchy when word of this gets out. We'll never get that promotion now!" James yelled out. Meanwhile, Meowth was deep in thought as he started to realize something. "Meowth? What are you thinking?"
"I was thinking of a way to perhaps fix all our problems and get rich," Meowth answered.
"Elaborate," Jessie demanded.
"Did you see how powerful and rare all the Pokemon those kids had were, especially that Pikachu? That Pikachu is no ordinary Pikachu," Meowth answered.
"I see your point. It's certainly very rare, a perfect prize. The boss will love to have such a powerful Pokemon in his own army," James started to understand.
"Let's catch it," Jessie agreed with a nod.
"Perhaps we will. Soon enough, we'll be making it big and be rich!" Meowth said as the trio begins to laugh gleefully. Soon, their balloon rips and sends them flying into the night.
The next day… Ash, Pikachu, Dawn, Piplup, and Snivy were walking through Viridian Forest with Misty not that far ahead.
"Well, I guess Misty wasn't fully kidding when she said she'd follow us. She's walking ahead, sure, but she's still trying to stay with us in Viridian Forest," Dawn said.
"I know, right? She definitely is persistent. Maybe we can pay her back someday. For now, we probably shouldn't focus on that, though," Ash said.
"Then what should we focus on? Oh, you mean-?" Dawn began to realize as Piplup looked on hungrilly.
"Yeah! My first Gym Battle in Pewter City!" Ash confirmed as Piplup fell sadly and comically.
Noticing this, Dawn consoled Piplup, "Don't worry. I can give you some food when we take our next break."
Soon, the group hears Misty screaming up ahead.
"What is going on?! Do you think Misty came across a scary Pokemon or those Team Rocket thieves again?" Dawn worriedly wondered.
"I don't know. But we should go and help her!" Ash decided as Dawn agreed, the group rushing forward as they saw a fearful Misty nearby. "What's the matter?"
"Look over there," Misty said as she pointed to the left. Upon looking over there, the duo and their Pokemon saw what Misty was afraid of; a tiny Caterpie.
"It's a Caterpie. Cool! It's one of the bug Pokémon that can be found in Viridian Forest! I'm gonna catch it! We could use some new friends!" Ash cheered.
"Well…okay. We could use a break for Piplup's sake…and maybe Misty's. I don't see why she's scared. Caterpie is a Pokemon, after all," Dawn wondered as she got out food for Piplup.
"Even if it is a Pokémon, bugs are disgusting and I don't like them! Do something!" Misty demanded.
"All right. Stand back. Time to catch a new Pokemon. This one's a piece of cake, so I won't even need to fight first. Pokéball, go!" Ash cried out as he threw his Pokeball.
Hope you enjoyed the chapter. I'm doing the best I can to follow the story of the anime while still being unique. This includes some characterization. While the characters will be a bit smarter and more mature, they'll still be themselves. Also, if anyone has any suggestions on what I can do differently, please let me know.