Chapter One

After almost a week, Ash, Misty, Brock, and Doug had arrived at the coastal city of Sandstone. The underground road had been longer then they had thought and they had gotten lost several times as well. They probably would have still been lost if Togepi hadn't wondered off and found the exit by accident. The only good thing that had happened was Doug running into a Cubone. It had put up a great fight, knocking out both Pikablu and Mew. But Kabuto finally knocked it out and Doug captured it. When they had gotten into the City they went straight to the Pokemon Center to heal the Pokemon and rest.
"I never thought a soft chair would ever feel as good as it does now.", Doug said.
"A lot better then any of those rocks.", Brock agreed.
Ash and Misty walked up with a tray of food and water.
"Alright! Ham sandwiches and spring water.", Brock said grabbing the things off the tray.
"I take it then you guys didn't like the soup I made?", Ash asked.
"The soup was ok...if you like tasteless paint remover.", Misty replied.
Everyone ate the sandwiches and relaxed.
"After we get our Pokemon from the Pokemon Center we need to head for the harbor. There's a ship headed for Cinnabar Island today.", Brock told everyone.
"Actually, there isn't. The Harbor is closed for the next few days.", Doug explained.
"How do you know that?", Brock asked confused.
"I got a newspaper.", Doug replied.
"So what are we going to do?", Misty asked.
"The Harbor is closed because of the opening of a new Pokemon Gym. The Gym isn't licensed by the Pokemon League yet so we don't need the badge from there."
"A new gym?", Ash asked amazed.
"Don't tell me your going to challenge the Gym leader there.", Misty moaned.
"Of course I'm going to challenge him. I'll be the first Pokemon trainer to beat him.", Ash replied proudly.
"One problem. They don't have a Gym leader yet.", Doug said.
"How can they have a Gym without a Gym leader?", Brock asked.
"The city is going to hold a meeting to decide who will be the gym leader."
"When is the meeting", Misty asked.
"Yesterday. This paper is from several days ago."
"Now that's a late breaking story.", Ash replied.

Chapter Two

After getting they're Pokemon from the Pokemon Center, Ash, Brock, Misty, and Doug went to the new gym. The Gym was not very big and the sign on the door said wet paint.
"I guess we better ring the door bell.", Doug suggested.
Ash pressed the button and they waited. After a few moments the door opened and they went inside. The inside of the Gym was the same as most of the others except for slight differences in color. Ash looked all over and couldn't find the Gym Leader.
"Hello?", Ash called out.
When nobody answered Ash became disappointed.
"Maybe he's at lunch.", Misty suggested.
"Or maybe he's behind you!"
Everyone screamed at the new voice.
"Don't do that!", Doug complained.
"Sorry. I couldn't resist it.", the guy said.
"Are you the Gym leader?", Ash asked.
"Yep. I just moved in yesterday."
"Alright! I'm Ash Ketchum and I challenge you to a Pokemon battle!"
"Already? I haven't even had a chance to unpack my Pokemon yet."
"We can help you unpack.", Doug suggested.
"Thanks. My name is Daniel."
Everyone introduced themselves and helped Daniel unpack. About an hour later, after the unpacking was finished, they all sat down to talk.
"So you come from Viridian City?", Brock asked Daniel.
"I moved here a few months ago. I got a job as an assistant to a Pokemon breeder.", Daniel answered.
"How did you become the gym leader?", Misty wondered.
"A few of my friends suggested I apply for the position. I have some pretty powerful Pokemon, or so I'm told."
"I bet my Pokemon are more powerful then yours.", Ash said.
Brock, Misty, and Doug looked at Ash.
"That was rude!", Doug said.
"A real Pokemon trainer wouldn't say something like that!", Misty added.
"Sorry.", Ash apologized.
"That's alright. I wouldn't be surprised if yours are more powerful."
"Lets see.", Brock suggested.
Both Ash and Daniel agreed.

Chapter Three

Ash and Daniel prepared themselves for the battle. It was decided to use only three Pokemon in the battle.
"Ok. Are you both ready?", Doug asked.
Both Ash and Daniel nodded.
"Alright. Go!"
"Bulbasaur! Go!", Ash yelled.
The Pokeball landed and Bulbasaur appeared.
"Pokeball go!", Daniel yelled.
The Pokeball landed and out came an Ivysaur.
"Wow. Daniel has an Ivysaur.", Brock said surprised.
Both Ash and Daniel ignored Brock and began the battle.
"Bulbasaur! Tackle it!"
Bulbasaur jumped at the Ivysaur.
"Ivysaur! Sleep Powder!"
Ivysaur began to spread the powder in the air. Bulbasaur began to get sleepy and then fell to the floor asleep.
"Bulbasaur! Return!", Ash commanded.
After Bulbasaur had returned to the Pokeball, Ash pulled out a new Pokeball and threw it.
"Squirtle.", Squirtle said.
Daniel called back Ivysaur and threw out another Pokeball. The Pokeball landed and out came Wartortle.
"Wartortle! Bubblebeam!", Daniel commanded
Wartortle's bubble beam was similar to the bubble attack except that the added beam caused Squirtle to get dizzy and it fell over dazed. Ash called back Squirtle and used his next Pokemon.
"Pikachu! I choose you!"
Pikachu jumped up.
"Wartortle! return!", Daniel called.
Wartortle returned and Daniel threw his last Pokeball out. The Pokeball landed and out came a very large Ryhorn. Pikachu almost immediately fainted after seeing the huge Pokemon.
"Pikachu.", Ash moaned.
"Don't worry Ash. That's the usual response when I use Ryhorn.", Daniel apologized.
"I would faint to if I saw that Pokemon coming at me.", Doug said.

Chapter Four.

After the Pokemon battle had ended Daniel offered to show everyone the various sites around Sandstone City. First they went to see the amazing eighteen foot tall ball of tin foil that had been finished a few weeks ago.
"Now that is a ball of foil.", Doug said amazed.
"That's nothing. You should see the thirty foot tall ball of cotton.", Daniel replied.
Next they went to the Museum.
"This Museum has some of the best Pokemon Fossils. They even have a complete skeleton of Kabutops.", Daniel explained.
"Now that's impressive.", Doug replied.
And with that they entered the museum.

Meanwhile on the other side of the city.
"Why are we here again?", James asked.
"I told you five times already!", Jessie replied annoyed.
"I know but I have a very short attention span."
"We are here to steal Ash's Pikachu! It's what we have been doing ever since we first saw it!"
"Ok. Now I remember."
"Will you two be quiet. I'm trying to figure out this map.", Meowth complained.
"You idiot! That's a subway map!", Jessie replied.
Just then the three of them saw an amazing site. There was a Meowth running down the road toward them.
"Another Meowth?", James said shocked.
"Of course there would be more Meowth. I'm not the only one.", Meowth replied.
As it got closer they saw that it had something in it's mouth.
"Hey! That Meowth has money in it's mouth!", Jessie said happily.
"Like taking candy from a baby!", James added.
Team Rocket hid themselves in an alley and waited for the Meowth to come by. Just when they heard it running by they jumped out and got a huge surprise. The Meowth had disappeared.
"Where did it go?", James asked.
Just then they heard a group of people coming and they turned to see who it was.
"There it is! That Meowth stole my money!"
Team Rocket realized they were pointing straight at Meowth.
"Let's get out of here!", Meowth yelled.
Team Rocket ran as fast as they could while the mob was chasing them down. After the sound of the crowd had disappeared the Meowth came out of it's hiding place inside a trash can.
"Meowth?", the Meowth said.

Just then Daniel was leading everyone out of the Museum.
"Sorry guys. I didn't know the Fossils were moved to the Museum in Pewter City.", Daniel apologized.
"That's ok. Those paintings in the art section were wonderful.", Misty replied.
"Yeah, if you like that kind of stuff.", Ash said.
"And what's wrong with art?", Misty asked Ash angrily.
Before Ash could answer they heard a muffled scream and crash from where Doug was. They looked over and saw that he had been knocked down by a Meowth.
"It's Meowth!", Ash said pulling out a Pokeball.
"No it isn't! It's just a Meowth.", Doug replied.
"What is that in it's mouth?", Brock wondered.
They all looked closely and saw that it was money.
"There has to be at least twenty dollars in it's mouth.", Ash said amazed.
Suddenly the Meowth jumped off of Doug and landed on Misty's shoulder.
"Pretty affectionate isn't he.", Misty said.
Suddenly it poked it's head into her bag and pulled out some money. Then the Meowth jumped off Misty and ran into a nearby alley.
"That thief took my money!", Misty said shocked.
"At least he didn't knock you to the ground.", Doug replied.
Misty opened her bag and Togepi poked his head out.
"Toki.", Togepi said.
"At least it didn't hurt Togepi.", Brock said.
"I'm going to find that thief and get my money back!", Misty declared.
Misty ran off toward the alley.
"Why can't we have just one quiet day without something like this happening?", Ash asked Brock.
"Because that would be to easy.", Brock replied.

Chapter Five

Misty chased the Meowth down the alley until it came to a dead end. Misty, thinking she had outsmarted the Meowth jumped at it. The Meowth, at the last second, jumped out of the way and through a window. Misty ended up landing in a puddle of water.
"I'm going to get that Meowth!", Misty yelled.
"What did I do?", Meowth said.
Misty looked over and saw Meowth hiding in a garbage can. Then she noticed Jessie and James.
"Team Rocket!", Misty screamed.
Just then Doug, Ash, and Brock ran up. Daniel followed them as well.
"Pikachu! Thundershock!", Ash called to Pikachu.
Pikachu fired the electricity at Team Rocket, electrocuting them.
"Hey! What did we do to deserve that!", Jessie yelled.
"Your Team Rocket. Why not?", Brock answered.
"He's got us there.", James admitted.
Jessie smacked him across the head.
"What are you doing here? Trying to steal Pikachu again?", Ash demanded to know.
"Or Togepi?", Doug added.
"We were but we got chased by a mob that thought I had robbed them.", Meowth explained.
"Where did that Meowth go?", Doug asked Misty.
"It jumped through that window over there.", Misty replied.
She pointed to a small window that was part of an abandoned building. Ash walked over to the door.
"I'll open it."
Ash ran at the door and hit it with his shoulder. Instead of opening, the door held and Ash fell to the ground in pain. Doug walked up to the door and turned the knob. The door opened.
"Brains over brawn Ash."
"What brains?", Misty replied.
Doug was the first to enter the warehouse. He was soon followed by Ash and Brock. Brock found the light switch and turned it on. A few of the bulbs were burned out but there was enough light so they could see. Finally Misty and Daniel entered as well, followed by Team Rocket.
"I don't see the Meowth.", James said.
"It's probably hiding.", Brock replied.
"I think we better split up. We can cover more ground that way.", Daniel suggested.
"Actually I think it would be better if we just look over there.", Misty said.
They all looked at where Misty was pointing and got a big surprise. There was a huge pile of money sitting in a corner of the building. And sitting next to it was not only the Meowth, but also it's babies.
"That Meowth isn't a he! It's a she!"
Just then a large mob burst into the warehouse from a door across the room.
"There they are! Lets get them!", a member of the mob yelled pointing toward Team Rocket.
"They found us!", James yelled.
"Were going to be charged with a crime that we never even had a chance to do!", Meowth added.
"Not if I can help it.", Doug said.
"Your going to help us?", Jessie asked amazed.
"Sure we are.", Misty replied.
"Yeah.", Brock said as well.
"We aren't going to let them hurt you guys. That's what we do.", Ash added last.
"How considerate of you.", Jessie muttered.

Chapter Six
Each of the members of the mob pulled out a Pokeball. After they had thrown they're Pokeballs and each of the Pokemon had appeared, Ash, Doug, Brock, Misty, and even Daniel had thrown they're Pokeballs.
"Cubone! Skull Bash that Electabuzz!", Doug called.
Cubone jumped high in the air and used it's Bone Club to smash into the Electabuzz's head. The Electabuzz fell over dazed.
"Staryu! Water Gun!", Misty ordered.
Staryu fired a powerful stream of water at the Flareon that had attacked her. The water immediately knocked Flareon out cold.
"Zubat! Mega Drain!", Brock said.
Zubat began to drain the energy from a huge Graveler. The Graveler immediately fell over.
"Ryhorn! Get them!", Daniel ordered.
The Ryhorn charged toward a small group of Pokemon and threw them all over the place.
"Pidgeotto! Whirlwind!", Ash called.
Both Pidgeotto and Pikachu attacked the Blastoise that was still standing. Pikachu used it's Thunderbolt while Pidgeotto blew it into a nearby wall. Suddenly everyone realized they were surrounded by people in uniform.
"Hands up everyone! Your all under arrest!", Officer Jenny yelled.
Everyone put there hands up. Even a few of the Pokemon that could.

Chapter Seven

A few hours later, after everything had been explained to the police, Doug, Ash, Misty, Brock, and Daniel gathered back at the local Gym.
"It's a good thing Officer Jenny believed us. I didn't feel like going to jail for the next twenty years.", Daniel said.
"We've met a few of her cousins so she double checked on us with them.", Ash explained.
"So what's going to happen to the Meowth and it's babies?", Misty asked concerned.
"The little Meowths were taken to a local adoption agency. They shouldn't have any trouble giving them homes.", Brock answered.
"What I would like to know is where Team Rocket went.", Ash said nervously.
"They disappeared just before the police arrived so they could be anywhere.", Doug answered.
Suddenly the lights went out and they heard someone enter the gym.
"Pikachu! Flash!", Doug called.
There was a sudden burst of light and the gym became lit again.
"I didn't know Pikachu could do that.", Ash said surprised.
"I taught him when we were down underground. I figured we could use.", Doug explained.
"Nice trick. But that Pikachu is going to be ours!", Jessie yelled.
"Team Rocket?!", Ash yelled in surprise.
Team Rocket didn't waste any time. James pulled out a large bazooka and fired it at the surprised trainers. The bazooka had fired a net that had caught everyone in it, except for Pikachu and Doug.
"It worked!", James said proudly.
"Yeah but you missed one!", Meowth replied annoyed.
Doug pulled out a Pokeball and Threw it at Team Rocket.
"Mew! Slam attack!"
Mew flew at Team Rocket. But before it got there Arbok appeared out of no where and grabbed Mew with it's tail.
"Good work Arbok!", Jessie said.
Doug wasted no time and threw out the rest of his Pokeballs.
"Hey! That's cheating!", James whined.
Pikablu, Kabuto, and Cubone ran toward Team Rocket. Suddenly Weezing appeared and used it's Toxic gas to surprise the attacking Pokemon. All three of them fainted. In a matter of seconds Team Rocket had beaten all of Doug's Pokemon.
"Pikachu?", Pikachu asked Doug.
Doug knew he couldn't send Pikachu against them by himself. Doug thought about what to do and couldn't think of anything. Just then something crashed threw one of the windows and landed in front of Doug. It was the Meowth!
"Meowth!", it cried.

Chapter Eight

Everyone stopped doing anything and looked at the unexpected appearance.
"What did that Meowth say?", Jessie asked Meowth.
"It said if we want a fight then it's willing to give us one.", Meowth answered.
"One little Meowth against our Pokemon? This should be amusing.", James said.
The Meowth turned toward Doug and looked at him.
"You want me to help you?", Doug asked.
The Meowth nodded once and turned back toward Team Rocket.
"Lets finish this fast! Arbok! Poison Sting!"
Arbok jumped at the Meowth.
"Meowth! Counter Attack!", Doug said.
Meowth jumped at Arbok and smashed it's head into Arbok, knocking it back into a nearby wall.
"Arbok! You idiot!", Jessie yelled.
"I'll handle this. Weezing! Sludge that Meowth!", James said.
Weezing shot sludge straight at the Meowth but missed it after the Meowth jumped into the air.
"Meowth! Pay Day!", Doug called.
The Meowth continued it's jump and headed straight for Weezing. Just before it hit Weezing it pulled it's front paws back and brought them forward hard into Weezing. The impact launched Weezing into the wall that Arbok had hit.
"Weezing!", James yelled.
Suddenly Team Rocket saw that the Meowth wasn't finished. It's jump was taking it straight toward them.
"This is going to hurt.", James moaned.
"Doesn't it always.", Meowth added.
And with that Team Rocket got smashed back into the wall where Arbok and Weezing were. The force of the impact kept them going through the wall and they disappeared in the distance.
"We won!", Doug yelled in triumph.
The Meowth jumped back to where Doug was and jumped up into his arms.
"Do you want to stay with me girl?", Doug asked the Meowth.
The Meowth nodded. Doug pulled out a Pokeball and the Meowth entered it.
"I got Meowth!", Doug said happily.
"That's great. We would be even more happy for you if you could get us out of this net!", Misty said annoyed.
"Oh. Sorry."

Chapter Nine

The next day everyone got together to say goodbye to Daniel.
"You have some powerful Pokemon with you Daniel. Treat them right and you could be one of the greatest Gym Leaders ever.", Brock said.
"Thanks. You guys have some great Pokemon too. I hope you guys do great in the Pokemon League Championship.", Daniel answered.
After a few more minutes of talking they finally said goodbye and continued on they're journey.
"If we take the secondary road to the East we should get to Marble Town. They have a ferry that goes to Cinnabar Island two times a day.", Brock said.
"Hopefully we won't run into Team Rocket on the way." Ash added.
"After what Meowth did to them I think they're in an emergency room somewhere.", Doug said.
"If that's true then we have nothing to worry about.", Misty added.
"Hey guys. Long time no see.", Ron said.
"You were saying Misty?", Doug groaned.

To be continued...