Disclaimer: Excessive belching can cause brain damage and social ostracism. Kids, please don't give in to peer pressure. Play it safe.
--The Greater Good
*****
~Cirrus~
I followed James to a meadow just outside of Viridian City. Jessie and Meowth followed behind me to make sure I didn't run off. No one noticed the oddity of such a walking formation so no one tried to stop them. But why should anyone try? I knew no one in this world and...
Suddenly Jessie shoved me. "Move it twerp, we haven't got all day."
Ten minutes later we were airborn in a Meowth shaped hot air baloon. The balloon's basket was actually big enough to comfortably carry up to ten people, according to the consumer information tag I saw attatched to the wicker side, but there was only me, Jessie, James, and Meowth. I sat down, my back to the basket wall and watched them. They were looking over the edge, looking for potential victims? I guess so.
Without warning, the balloon heaved up and down and my stomach followed suit. The trio seemed unaffected by it but I wouldn't be able to stomach much more.
"Excuse me, but do any of you have any Dramamine?"
"Drama-what?" Jessie asked.
"Is that a Pokémon?" James looked confused.
"Yeah, like a Dratini?" Meowth stared up at me, "'Cause if you have a Dratini you better hand it over."
I frowned, "No, it's medicine so I won't get airsick."
They looked at each other and laughed. "Dat's a nice joke, kid," Meowth said, "Airsickness medicine! What a hoot! Seriously, how's about you checkin' out your backpack. I know the Boss gave you a real nice Pokémon."
I looked at the bright yellow pack. "You guys didn't go through it?"
"No!" James exclaimed, "That's why we're still alive!" Meowth nodded in agreement.
"Maybe I shouldn't open it then."
"Don't listen to those jokers," Jessie said, "They're only playing around. That pack was specially prepared for you and should have what you need for a three week journey."
"Waitaminute, I only have three weeks? To catch ten rare Pokémon?"
Jessie nodded.
"Three weeks? Aww man." I thought quickly, remembering how the tv show portrayed these three as idiots, but since I've been here they seemed a whole lot smarter than that. I shrugged and unzipped the pack.
General traveling stuff, travel sized toothpaste, floss, shampoo and conditioner, a complete change of clothes, pyjamas, a bar of soap, a wallet, ten empty Pokéballs in their reduced size, a black belt to put them on and...something at the bottom wrapped in plastic..
I took it out carefully, something black and white and....
"Red?!?" WTF? "A uniform?"
"That's right!!" Jessie was practically beaming. "Your very own Team Rocket uniform!"
James and Meowth stood close to her and suddenly they looked above them, tears in their eyes and said in unison, "For the Glory that is Team Rocket!"
For the Glory that is to be my next Halloween costume. I sighed and gently repacked my pack, not wanting to disturb them while they were in such a respectful state. There was one lone Pokéball on an outside pocket of the pack and I took it out. It felt so solid and heavy in my hand. I placed it in my jacket pocket and looked inside the wallet. There was some money inside and what looked like a drivers license turned out to be a Pokémon Trainers license issued two days ago. I looked up to Jessie, "Is this real?"
She smiled, "You bet it is. Here," She handed me a thin box. When I opened it, I saw eight objects. "Badges?" I didn't even have to battle gym leaders?
I handed them back to her. "Sorry, but I think I want to do it myself."
She shrugged, "Not my loss. Hey guys, I think we have our very own Twerp. All she needs is a rebellious Pikachu."
"I do have a name you know." I glared at Jessie.
"Yes, we do know, Cirrus, but calling you twerp is more fun."
"Ya, don't wanna tax those mini-brains of yours." I muttered.
"What did you say?" Meowth lept up, flashing his claws at me.
"Nothing," I replied calmly, "Just that I was wondering what Pokémon the Boss gave me."
"So call it out," James said from his lookout post.
I held the Pokéball in my hand. "Right." I nodded. "What do I do?"
The three facefaulted and James and Meowth fell over.
"What do you mean, What do you do?" Jessie roared at me.
"Sorry, I'm new here. I've never used one of these before."
Jessie glared at me and menacingly said, "Listen twerp..." but a popping sound stopped her. I saw a flash of red light and suddenly the Charmander I'd rescued was blocking me from Jessie.
He, I just knew it was male, growled at her, "Char, char mander."
Jessie scowled at Charmander, but she stepped back. "Just wait till we land outside of Saffron City. Then we'll find out."
Charmander turned to me, his blue eyes shining. "Char char!"
I smiled, "Charmander, come here."
Jessie, James, and Meowth huddled in the far side of the basket. I couldn't make out what they were saying. Charmander curled up next to me, the flame on the tip of his tail kept the both of us warm. Out of habit, I have a dog at home, okay it's Matts dog, I stroked Charmanders head and he leaned into me. "You need a name and I'm not too creative so I hope you'll bear with me. Hmmm, can I just call you Flare?"
He grimaced but nodded.
I laughed, "I know, it's not creative at all, but...I don't want to treat you like a pet or just any old Pokémon. You're my friend, Flare, probably the only one I'll have here. Other than Pikachu, you're my favorite Pokémon. So whaddya say? Friends?"
Flare nodded, "Char."
"Sweeet!"
*****
I don't know how long it took to get to Saffron City and I really didn't care. As soon as the balloon touched ground, I jumped out of the basket and relished being on solid ground. Flare jumped out behind me and I reached in for my pack.
"Just where do you think you're going?" James demanded.
"Dat's just what I was wonderin'," Meowth smirked, the moonlight glinted off his golden crest. He gave James a sack and another one to Jessie.
"Huh?" I was confused and hungry. From beside me, Flare growled low in his throat.
"Er, what they mean is that you need to stay here with the balloon." Jessie explained hastily. "You aren't in uniform, you see, so you can't come with us. We'll go to town for some food and supplies and when we come back, we'll set up a tent and we'll sleep there and you stay in the balloon."
I could only nod in agreement. What other choice did I have?
They started to walk away when Jessie turned back, "Twerp...you'd better be in uniform by the time we get back."
I stuck my tounge out at their retreating backs. "Yeah and I'd call you three suckers if I knew how to use a hot air balloon."
*****
So we waited, sitting on the mist dampened grass, our backs against the balloon basket. After a half hour had gone by, I began wishing I had some marshmallows to roast on Flare's tail.
I held my second Pokéball in my hand, turning it around, feeling the weight of it. I pulled my legs up to my chest, resting my chin on my knees and set the Pokéball on the grass in front of me. How the heck do I get this open? I didn't want to throw it, it seemed so rude, but how else would I find out who was inside?
I closed my eyes. "This is all too confusing."
I heard grass rustling and I opened my eyes to see Flare walk over to the Pokéball, bend over and tap it. The ball kind of jumped and popped open, releasing a beam of light. The light faded revealing a small, round form. I smiled as realization dawned on me. "It's a...a..."
"Jigglypuff!" The small Pokémon answered me.
"Yeah, wow!" A Charmander and a Jigglypuff. This Pokémon catching was gonna be a breeze.
*****
Flare and I passed the time waiting for the notorious trio by getting acquainted with Jigglypuff, whom I named Prism. I was trying to be more creative this time and I felt that Prism was female so that's why I chose that name. Okay, so I wasn't anymore creative than the last time, so sue me.
I also put on my costume, ah, uniform, Flare watching out while I put it on. Luckily I somehow got pants instead of a skimpy skirt, but the shirt was somewhat cropped.
We were still talking, er, as well as one human and two Pokémon could, when I heard James yelling. We all jumped to our feet. I saw that Jessie and James, the two now full sacks being guarded by Meowth, had taken out two Pokéballs each and were about to release the Pokémon inside when I yelled out, "No, wait! The Jigglypuff is mine!"
The three immediately relaxed. "Call back your Pokémon," Jessie said, picking up one of the sacks. "Both of them."
Flare and Prism stood in front of me.
"Else none of ya gets any food." Meowth said, looking smug.
Flare looked up at me. "It's okay guys," I held out their Pokéballs, "Flare, Prism, return." I could see them looking loyal but wiling as the red beam recalled them. I reattatched the balls to my belt and tured to the three. "So what's for dinner?"
"Breaded Pidgey." Meowth said as they set up dinner.
I gulped, Yum, now this was worth waiting up for.
*****
The next day we were up in the air. My stomach was stronger this time and I peered over the edge of the basket to see below. The view was beautiful, trees passing below; a creek wound its way through and then was out of sight.
I yawned and looked at my watch. It said it was ten-fifteen, but it felt later than that.
"Jessie, when are we having lunch? I'm hungry!" James whined.
Or possibly around luchtime.
*****
I sat down on the floor of the basket, there were no seats, and closed my eyes. I got ten minutes tops before I heard James squealing and talking fast about something he'd seen on the ground. Meowth slapped him and Jessie slapped Meowth and then they huddled, whispering fiercly.
I scowled and called out, "What's going on?"
Meowth sauntered over, a gleam in his eyes. "You're gonna prove your loyalty ta Team Rocket, that's what, Twerp. Take us down, James."
I'm gonna what?
As soon as the balloon touched down in a clearing in the forest, Jessie and James lept out. "Listen to Meowth!" She said before sneaking off with James.
"I've only got a few minutes before they need me. You're gonna use your Jigglypuff to lure our victims to sleep." He rubbed his paws together. "We're finally gonna get dat Pikachu!" He listened and then said, "Let's go!"
I ran after him, my pack on my back, in the direction Jessie and James had gone. I saw Meowth leaping out saying, "Meowth, that's right!"
Oh man, I can't believe I have to do this. I got out Prisms pokéball, feeling nervous. Though I tried to prepare myself, it was odd to hear Misty and Ash's voices so near.
"You won't get Pikachu!" I heard him cry out.
"Pi Ka!"
"Bulbasaur, I choose.."
"Ah-ah-ah! We've got a surprise for you, Twerp! Cirrus, come on down!" Jessie yelled out.
I sighed, There's my cue. I stepped through the bushes into the bright sunlight of the clearing, saw Misty, Ash, Pikachu, and Brock stare in surprise at me.
"You have a new Team Rocket member?" Ash started to reach for something in his back pocket, but Misty slapped him.
"She's human, you idiot! I can't believe you were reaching for your Pokédex!"
"I wasn't! My..back was itchy."
I sighed again and drew back my arm, Prism's pokéball in hand, started to yell, "Prism, I choose..." but there was a popping sound and Flare was suddenly in front of me.
"Char! Mander cha!" He said fast.
"Get that thing out of here!" Jessie screeched.
"Look, Ash, it's that Charmander I told you guys about. It sure doesn't obey well." Brock said, a smile on his face.
I glared at Flare. "Whaddya doing? I have to do this! Return to your pokéball!" but Flare lept up and grabbed Prisms pokéball and took off. I darted after him and heard Ash mutter something. A pause and then Pikachu's voice, "Pi Ka CHU!"
There was an incredible flash of light and a roar of thunder. I tripped as I stopped running and heard Jessie and James yelling and shouting. I looked up and then saw them and Meowth streaking across the sky. I froze in place, shocked.
I ran back, leaving Flare, this couldn't happen. When I got to the clearing it was empty, not one person or pokémon in sight. I listened carefully and heard Ash and Pikachu's victorious voices fading away.
Oh..kay. Now what was I supposed to do? I didn't know anyone, had no shelter, and no Pokémon to protect me. I couldn't find the balloon and soon got lost.
I fell to my knees and cried.
*****
So I sat under a tree all day long, waiting. I saw many Pokémon: Pidgeys, Rattatas, Caterpie, but no Weedles, thank goodness. And no travelers, no trainers, no people at all.
Sux to be me, I thought darkly.
When it started getting dark, I climbed up into the tree. It's branches were wide enough that I could carefully sleep on.
First thing's first. I changed out of my costume/uniform and into some jeans and a sweatshirt. The sweatshirt had a small logo of the Viridian City Gym on the front. Warmer now, I settled back in the tree branch and tried to stay calm.
An hour after I got in the tree, I saw my first wild Pokémon fight.
Thanks to the bright full moon, I saw that it was a fight between a rattata and an eevee. The rattata was nearly twice as large as the eevee. I aimed my pokédex at one then the other, but all it said was, "Rattata, the _______ pokémon." and "Eevee, the ________ pokémon. This pokedex requires fresh batteries for any additional information to be released." It didn't even bring up a picture of either one. But for the rattata to be so big, it had to be at a strong level.
While the Eevee would tackle and evade, the rattata was making all sorts of moves; bite, quick attack, tail whip. It didn't take long for the eevee to stumble off to the shrub near my tree.
The rattata hissed victoriously and began to glow white. I held my breath, It's evolving..
Sure enough, when the light faded, it left behind a Raticate. The newly evolved Pokémon ran off, but from below, I could hear pitiful whimperings of "Eui..." I had to do something for it. I knew that Pokémon had their own language, but I hoped they all understood English. I'd try anyway.
"Hello? Eevee?"
A whimper.
"I'm in the tree above you. I'm gonna come down now, I have food and a potion to help you. Don't be scared, I won't hurt you." I shimmied down and found the Eevee easily. It was huddled under a bush, cuts over its glorious brown coat. "You poor thing," I said, trying to sound soothing as I gave it the potion. Most of its visible wounds healed, but it still whimpered.
I gave it a bit of Flares pokéchow, which it ate eagerly, nipping my fingertips with its sharp teeth.
"Eee," it said, shaking when it saw it had nipped me.
"Naw, don't worry, these things happen."
It sighed, trembling.
"Look, Eevee, let me take you to get some help, like a Pokécenter or something. I promise to release you wherever you want when you're better, okay?"
It stared at me with deep brown eyes; it was thinking. After what seemed to be an eternity *by calvin clone*, but was really only a few seconds, the Eevee nodded.
I smiled and took out a Pokéball, "Pokéball, go!" I gently tossed it and a red beam of light engulfed Eevee and pulled it in. The pokéball dropped to the ground with a yellow glow, rocked twice and then the yellow light faded and I heard a small chiming noise.
Eevee was safe and mine, for now. I picked up Eevee's pokéball and said to it, "Don't worry, Eevee, I'm taking you to a Pokécenter..."
Suddenly the Pokéball glowed bright blue and vanished.
"....now? Where'd it go?"
With the absence of Eevee's whimpering, the night became suddenly oppressing and I felt very alone. A Pidgey chirped near me, crickets resumed their song, and a sound of footsteps came from my left.
I didn't wait to scramble into the safety of the tree. Something large stepped into the path, as tall as a man and wearing purple armor, but it had a tail...
Mewtwo?
The helmeted head swung in my direction and its eyes glowed blue. I found myself lifted into the air and brought safetly to the ground in front of Mewtwo.
Hello, Cirrus, he said.
I grinned and hugged him fiercly, more out of relief than the fact it was him. He didn't return the hug and I stepped back.
"I'm so glad it's you! I was so scared."
He smiled, a small smile and said, The nearest town is thirty miles away. You can call Giovanni from there. A pause. Your Pokémon are already there. Nurse Joy has her hands full.
I scowled, "Flare's gonna get his tail whupped on. When I get my hands on him..."
Don't be too hard on them, they knew what you were about to do was wrong.
"I knew it was wrong, but I have to help Team Rocket if I want any chance of getting home." I looked up at MewTwo. "If I don't steal Pokémon, how will I get the one's Giovanni wants?"
It won't matter, he already has me. I believe he will be happy with any ten Pokémon. His tone turned serious. The events you spoke of to me will soon come to pass. When they do, you will be free of Jessie and James' influence. Then you will catch your Pokémon freely and legally.
"Will I see you again?"
Probably not.
"Oh."
I will take you to the city now, hold on tightly.
I held on to his outstretched paws. A blue glow engulfed us for a moment and then faded. I let go of Mewtwo, hugged him again. This time, one paw patted my back.
Perhaps, one day, we will meet again. Until then, he touched my ears with his paws and they tingled. A parting gift.
A blue bubble surrounded him and as he rose into the air, he waved and said, Farewell. He shot off then, disappearing into the star studded sky.
Untill we meet again, Mewtwo, take care.
*****
Mewtwo had left me on the outskirts of the city. I followed the path into it and had my first meeting with an Officer Jenny.
"What are you doing out here? It's 3:45 a.m."
The Growlithe by her feet growled softly.
"I know, but I got lost in the woods and finally found my way here." No way she'd believe me about Mewtwo and I'd never tell about him anway.
"Do you have any I.D.?"
Eeek, no...wait, I remembered the 2nd episode...Ash's Pokédex. I grabbed my pokédex from my backpack and handed it to her.
"Hmm," Officer Jenny said, punching a few buttons. "Cirrus Blaine, a 16 year old trainer from Viridian City." She seemed pleased with the information. "Welcome to Cerulean City, where do you want to go?"
To Disneyworld. I thought blankly. "Uh, I'd like to go to the Pokécenter. If you wouldn't mind showing me the way, that is."
Officer Jenny smiled, "Sure, why don't I just drive you there?"
I thought back to the second episode again and sighed.
*****
We got to the Center safely and she walked me to the front desk. Jenny explained my situation to Nurse Joy and then left.
"Someone told me you have my Pokémon."
"The Charmander and Jigglypuff? Yes, I do." Nurse Joy smiled. "They're resting now and I'll give them to you tomorrow morning." She led me to a waiting area with lots of couches. They looked very inviting, more so than a tree branch.
"You can sleep in here. I'm afraid that all the other rooms are occupied by other trainers. I'll get you some sheets and pillows."
I watched her disappear into a room. I chose a couch that was close to the front desk, but faced the other direction. I placed my pack on the floor and sat down. It was extremely soft and sleep threatened to overtake me.
Nurse Joy came back with a large pink Pokémon following her. It carried a pillow and Nurse Joy carried some blankets. I took the blankets and the pokémon placed the pillow down.
"Chansey!"
There you go!
I blinked. That thing didn't just...I didn't understand it...Did I?
"Good night," Nurse Joy said, "Will it be okay if I woke you around seven? I wouldn't want the other trainers to disturb you."
"Sure that'll be fine." I smiled up at them.
"Chansey!"
Good night!
"Yeah, good night to the both of you." I snuggled down, warm and safe and fell deeply asleep, too tired to think about talking Chanseys.
*****
It wasn't the early morning light that woke me up, nor was it Nurse Joy or an errant Trainer, but rather a tapping on my shoulder. I opened one eye and saw two blobs in front of me, one orange, the other pink. I opened my other eye, blinked and turned over. "Wake me when it's time for breakfast."
But it's time now, come on Cirrus!
Great, now she won't get up.
It's all your fault.
No it isn't.
Is too.
Not.
Too.
I'll flame you if you don't shut up.
Well I'll sing!
I heard two collective gasps for breath and I tuned over, glaring at the two. Fire was dancing in Flares mouth and Prism had a determined look and a makeshift microphone.
"Enough!!" I said fiercely.
The two looked at me with innocent expressions. Flare swallowed his attack like a kid caught chewing gum in school. Prism's expression turned smug when Flare coughed up a puff of smoke.
"You two stop yelling each other. It's giving me a headache. And Flare, I have to apologize. It was my fault for listening to Jessie, James, and Meowth. You only did what was right, Flare."
They both stared at me like I had a naked mole rat on my shoulder.
You understood us? Flare said, Since when?
Who cares dummy, and after I bragged about snatching her last Hershey bar!!
"What Hershey bar?"
Um, nothing, you wouldn't have liked it anyway.
A Hershey bar? In my pack? Gone? I'd mourn the loss later, I had explaining to do. "Since early this morning when," I took a quick look around to see if anyone would overhear, but there was no one around. "Mewtwo gave me the ability to understand you guys."
Like a TM or HM? Prism asked.
"Yeah I guess so."
Who's Mewtwo? Flare looked suspicious.
"It's a long story, I'll tell it to you guys later." I yawned and looked at the clock above the exit. 7:15 "Do either of you know where I can get some breakfast?"
Prism nodded and tugged at my hands. I picked up my pack and followed them to what I hoped would be a warm breakfast.
*****
I tried to talk to Nurse Joy but she was very busy with other "real" trainers. Flare was by my side but Prism had wanted more sleep, so she was in her pokéball.
"What should we do?" I asked Flare after the tenth failed attempt to get Nurse Joy's attention.
He looked around then up at me, I hate to think it, but maybe you should call Giovanni.
I walked over to a wall lined with five vid-phones, three were taken. Following the directions on under the phone, I dialed the number listed in my pokédex. The screen turned green and white letters flashed.
...Dialing...Dialing..
Then it changed to, Unable to connect...Redirecting....Dialing...
A blond woman in a lab coat answered the call and she looked at me. "Yes? What is it?"
"Hi, my name is Cirrus and I was looking for..."
"Yes I know who you are. Why do you want to talk to Giovanni? He's a very busy man, you know."
"I just wanted to ask him..."
"Ten Pokémon, steal them or catch them, it doesn't matter. He changed your assignment from rare to any kind. You're lucky, he's not usually so lenient."
What, was she psychic or something? I saw her raise an eyebrow, waiting for a response I guess. "Who are you and where is Giovanni?"
"I'm Professor Xanady Holly from Cinnibar Island, Giovanni's new lead scientist." Her brown eyes narrowed. "Why aren't you in uniform? There is one for you in your pack."
"Huh? I have to wear it? In public?"
"Of course! For the glory of Team Rocket."
"But it isn't Halloween!" I whined. "And what's with my pokéballs? Why did that Eevee I caught last night vanish?"
"You have been limited in the pokémon you are able to have with you from six to two. Anything you catch with the ten provided pokéballs will be automatically teleported here and money will be deposited into your Trainers account; accessible via your pokédex." She paused, studying me for a moment. "Do you understand? Are there anymore questions for me?"
"Uh, no, I guess not."
"Great. Now start catching those pokémon and don't call back unless you have a viable question."
The screen went green and I looked down at Flare, who'd been hiding from view. "It's okay, the Wicked Witch is gone for now." I got up and started walking, Flare close behind.
*****
After the nice little chat with Xanady, I bought some supplies, both human and pokémon, using the money in my wallet and headed on out. I went east, hoping to catch some low level Pokémon.
A half hour went by before Flare's pokéball started to jiggle. I had recalled him before I left Cerulean, just so he'd be well rested when I found a pokémon to catch.
I released him and we walked side by side through the quiet woods. Pidgeys flew overhead and I could hear some bug pokémon, but I wasn't in the mood to catch a Caterpie or Weedle.
Flare tugged at my jacket. "What?" I asked, looking down at him.
We have to talk.
I saw a clearing to the side of the trail. "Is that okay?"
In response, Flare practically dragged me over. We sat on fallen logs that faced each other. Other Trainers had used this as a camping site, the remains of a dead campfire lay between us.
This may sound wierd.
I considered my present circumstances and shook my head, smiling, "Not likely!" I said.
He looked up at me with narrowed blue eyes. That's not what I meant. Now shut up and listen.
Shocked into silence, I only nodded.
I know, a cliffhanger. Why is Flare acting so strange? Will Cirrus ever catch a Pokémon? Just who is this Xanady character? All this to be revealed, somewhat, in the next chapter!
That was so corney!!