Poke-Odyssey 2001 chapter 9

The Croconaw Seeker

Cameron and his friends were still on the road to Garlic Acres where the
next Ryooku gym is located. As they were walking through the beautiful
valley, they spotted a new kind of Pokemon sitting on the ground just
minding its own business.

"Look at that Pokemon", said Misty studying the little mouse with a long
snout and little red dots on its blue back. "I've never seen that one
before."

"That looks like a Cyndaquil", said Tracey. "A very rare fire-type
Pokemon."

"Cyndaquil?" asked Cameron as he took out his Dex.

"CYNDAQUIL: the fire mouse Pokemon", replied Dextra. "Cyndaquil is
timid and always curls itself up in a tight ball if attacked."

"Hey, that would be a neat Pokemon to own", said Ash as he took out a
Pokeball.

"Hold it a minute Ash Ketchum!" said Misty as she grabbed Ash's wrist.
"Why should you be the one who gets to catch it?! What about me?"

"But you carry water Pokemon around Mist", said Ash. "And Cyndaquil's
a fire-type. It could get hurt if you let it play around with your water
splashing types."

"Not if I get it a bathing cap", said Misty.

"Hey, I don't have a fire type on my team", said Cameron. "Maybe I
should try catching it!"

"But you already caught a Sudowoodo the other day Cameron", said Ash.
"So it should be my turn to catch a Pokemon."

"Actually, I'd like to catch it", said Tracey. "Cyndaquil's bright flame
would be perfect when doing my watching at night or when traveling
through dark caves."

Everyone started having an argument until Reiko made a silent whistle
so she wouldn't frighten away Cyndaquil, but get everyone's attention.

"I suggest we be like the Spearow that likes collecting straws for its
nest and draw straws ourselves", said Reiko as she took out a huge
plastic straw, threw it in the air, and used her sword to cut it into 5
different sized pieces. Then she mixed them up. "Whoever draws the
longest straw gets to catch the Cyndaquil", said Reiko as she extended
the straws to Cameron.

"Good idea my radiant one", smiled Cameron as he took the first straw
but then frowned when he found it was a really short straw.

"I am sorry Came-chan", said Reiko as she kissed Cameron on the cheek
making him feel a little better. Everyone else took their straws and it
turned out the one with the longest straw was none other than the main
human star of Pokemon.

"Hey, I got the longest straw!" shouted Ash as he happily danced around
with glee while everyone looked at him funny. "I get to catch Cyndaquil!"

"Well could you be a little quieter about it?" sighed Misty. "Or else
you might frighten it away and we'll have to put up with your whiny
depression!"

"Oops, sorry Mist", said Ash blushing and then silently approached the
Cyndaquil who had just turned around. "Quil?" it asked.

"All right Cyndaquil", smiled Ash. "Prepare to enjoy your last minute of
freedom battling my Muk!" And Ash released a big clump of purple ooze
right in front of the shaking Cyndaquil. "MUK!" it roared.

Everyone held their noses for Muk was incredibly stinky. "I thought Muk
was back with Prof. Oak", said Cameron.

"Back at the Cayenne Pokemon center, Ash called up Prof. Oak and asked
him to transport over Muk since he no longer had his Pidgeot with him",
explained Misty. "I just wished he would've picked a more sweet smelling
Pokemon instead!"

"He could've asked for a Tauros", said Cameron.

"Eyeeew!" moaned Misty imaging the piles those Tauros leave behind.
Almost smellier than Muk.

"Okay Muk", said Ash. "Let's knock out that Cyndaquil with your poison
gas."

"MUK!" said Muk as it sprayed some green gas out from its mouth. "QUIL!"
shouted Cyndaquil as it breathed fire at the gas causing it to explode in a
big BOOM! "MUUUUK!" hollered Muk as it slithered around in circles with
its gooey skin on fire causing it to glomp into Ash's arms.

"Don't worry Muk", called out Ash who was crawling out of the ooze.
"I'll help put your fi... ,fi, fi, FIRE!!!" he screamed when he realized
he was on fire too. Both Ash and Muk were now running around in fiery
circles.

"Ash, you should've known that poison gas ignites fire types", groaned
Misty. "Starmie, water gun now!" And she released her Starmie that
sprayed some water on Ash and Muk putting out their flames.

"Whew, thanks Mist", said Ash all wet, but no longer burning. "Muk!"
said a thankful Muk as Ash pulled it back into its ball.

"Uh oh, guys", said Cameron. "I don't think we've made that mouse our
friend at all!" Everyone looked at the angry Cyndaquil. Red angry
flames were spouting out from its back while its little closed eyes
opened up with fiery rage. "CYNDAQUIL!" it growled cutely.

Just then, a man with blonde hair wearing an explorer's suit jumped
in front of the raging mouse. He picked up the fire-producing mouse
with his bare hands.

"What is he doing?!" gasped Ash.

"Is this guy insane?!" cried Misty.

"He's asking for some serious third degree burns!" thought Cameron.

"Like the little gross piece of anatomy that you find in a lost and
found box", thought Reiko. "Has this fool lost his mind?!"

"I think I've seen this guy before", said Tracey. The Cyndaquil sprayed
fire into the man's face, but he just shook it all off and smilingly
stared lovingly at the frightened mouse with a charred face.

"There's no need to be afraid of me little mate", he said in an
Australian accent. "I just want to help you get home to your loving
mother." And he put the Cyndaquil into an empty Pokeball and put it on
his belt.

"Aw, I was supposed to catch it", moaned Ash.

"Oh, sorry mate", said the man as he took out a clean towel. "I didn't
know you were watching me. Goodday to you all." And he wiped the char
off his face until it was clean again.

"Yes, I think I recognize you!" smiled Tracey. "I've seen you on TV a
lot at the Pokemon centers. You're the Croconaw Seeker!"

"Bingo!" smiled the man. "But please, my friends call me CS."

"Croconaw Seeker?" asked Misty.

"Aw, does that mean you don't want to be friends?" asked CS with a
pretend pouty pace.

"Oh, sorry", said Misty blushing. "It's just that I've never seen or
heard about anyone like you."

"Then you must be strangers in Ryooku", smiled CS. "It figures. My show
only seems to air in this beautiful Pokemon filled country known as
Ryooku, so tourists visiting here don't seem to know me."

"But I have", said Tracey. "Guys, this is the famous Croconaw Seeker.
He travels all over Ryooku searching for the most dangerous, deadliest
Pokemon that could end up hurting people. He captures them, and takes
them to secluded places where they won't be able to harm anyone."

"You got that right mate!" smiled CS. "And I'd also like to introduce
you to my little camera-croc, Croconaw. Come on out here my true blue
friend."

"Croconaw!" said a Pokemon who emerged from a nearby bush. It was a
short blue crocodile with red hair on its head and holding a vid-camera.
Cameron aimed his Dex at the Croconaw.

"CROCONAW: the evolved form of Totodile", replied Dextra. "Croconaw
opens its huge jaws wide open when attacking. If it loses any fangs
while biting, they grow back quickly."

"I've never met a Pokemon that can operate a camera before", said Cameron.

"Yep, Croconaw and I are quite the team", said CS proudly. "I catch the
Pokemon while he films me doing it."

"But shouldn't Croconaw have been the one battling that Cyndaquil?"
asked Ash.

"Oh no", said CS. "Croconaw's just happy being an observer. Right
Crockie?"

"Croconaw" said Croconaw that almost sounded like. "Whatever!"

"And besides", said CS. "This Cyndaquil's only a baby. I just had a
report that a baby Cyndaquil had wandered away from its mother. And
it's my job to take it back to her. Would you all like to come with me
to watch an actual episode of mine being taped?"

"Sure", said Tracey excited. "What do you say guys? Seeing the live
Croconaw Seeker in person is a dream come true for a watcher like me."

"That would sound like fun", said Cameron wondering how this happy, but
a little insane, man would handle the mother of a fiery Cyndaquil.

* * * * * *

CS had led our heroes into a forest. "Okay this is the spot", he said,
"Everyone get behind those bushes over there." And they did while
peeking through the holes of the bushes. There they saw a pack of
weasel-like Pokemon with fire sprouting from their heads and bottoms.
Cameron took out his Dex and turned the volume on low so Dextra's voice
wouldn't frighten them.

"QUILAVA: the volcano Pokemon. The evolved form of Cyndaquil", replied
Dextra. "This hot-headed Pokemon is fully covered by nonflammable fur.
Quilava can withstand any kind of fire attack."

"One of these Quilavas is this Cyndaquil's mother", whispered CS. "And
I'm about to reunite them."

"Are you gonna have Croconaw help you out?" asked Misty. "Those Quilavas
look like they have very explosive tempers."

"He always does", smiled CS. "By taping me in action. Ready to roll 'em
Crockie?"

"Naw!" sighed Croconaw as he aimed his camera at the Quilavas while CS
jumped out right in front of the surprised creatures.

"He's gonna get burned again!" gasped Ash. Sure enough, the Quilavas
started looking angrily at the strange human. They started forming large
fiery rings over their heads.

"My mates watching at home and those who are around me this minute",
said CS happily. "You're about to witness an actual flame wheel attack.
Let's see if it'll do any damage to me."

"I can't look!" cried Misty while closing her eyes shut. "QUIL!" shouted
the Quilavas as they released their rings. "Is it over?" asked Misty as
she opened one eye. To her surprise and everyone else's, CS was treating
those fiery rings like hula-hoops not getting himself burned at all.

"Remember, I am a professional seeker", said CS. "Please do not try this
at home. Unless someone out there wants to follow in my footsteps!"

"He'll probably lose those feet if he keeps this up", said Ash.

"Does he put his life in danger like this all the time?" Cameron asked
Tracey.

"That's why people like him so much", said Tracey. "He's trained himself
to handle any kind of danger, attack, and maneuver so he won't ever get
hurt." And he started making sketches of the fearless Croconaw Seeker
in action.

"Just like a well trained ninja", said Reiko.

Once the flame wheels dissolved, CS just stood there proudly smiling at
the surprised Quilavas. "Quil, quil, quil?" they all muttered wondering
why this human doesn't flee in terror. "Okay mates", said CS. "Now that
you've had your fun with me, I was wondering if I can ask you lovely
Quilavas a question. Is one of you the proud mother of this fine young
nipper?" And he released Cyndaquil right in front of the pack.

"QUIL!" cried one of the Quilavas happily. "QUIL!" cried Cyndaquil as
it ran into its mother's arms while tears plopped onto their bodies and
turned to steam from their flames.

"My pleasure my flaming friends", smiled CS as he waved goodbye to the
happy pack that waved goodbye back to him.

* * * * * *

"That was really awesome", said Cameron walking next to CS. "And you
didn't even get your clothes burned neither."

"It's all in the line of work mate", smiled CS. "I've been handling
Quilavas since I was a little kneehigh."

"I really want to be the world's greatest Pokemon master more than
anything", said Ash. "But I wouldn't have the nerve to do what you just
did."

"There's nothing to really be afraid of", said CS. "Pokemon are usually
more scared of you than you are of them. Which is why you have to handle
them with care and not hurt them to show that you want to be their friend."

"Just like when I first met Pikachu", said Ash remembering how Pikachu
didn't like him at first. But when Ash protected him from a flock of mad
Spearows, Pikachu started to trust his master and start to love him.

"Ah, here we are", smiled CS as he approached a huge tree on top of a
hill looking down at a small village.

"Why are we stopping here?" asked Reiko.

"This tree right here is my next mission", said CS. Everyone looked at
the tree and found it was an ordinary tree with pinecones hanging from it.

"But I don't see any Pokemon in that tree", said Ash. "Just some
pinecones."

"That's what they want us to think", said CS. "These are actually Pinecos
in disguise."

"Pinecos?" asked Cameron as he looked at the pinecones. He suddenly saw
a few of the cones with eyes staring funny at the humans. "Living
pinecones!" gasped Cameron as he took out his Dex.

"PINECO: the bagworm Pokemon", replied Dextra. "Pineco likes to make its
shell thicker by adding layers of heavy tree bark. The additional weight
doesn't bother it. But watch out. If you get too close to it, it'll
explode!"

"You mean those little cones could blow up if we get near them?" asked
Misty.

"Right!" said CS. "I just had a report that a swarm of Pinecos have made
their home in this tree. And the kids from this village like to play
near it a lot. That could cause a lot of self-destruction hurting the
poor kids along with the timid Pinecos. You all stay back here, I'll
take care of this", and he slowly approached the tree while Croconaw
started to film him.

"First he plays with fire, now he's gonna play with explosives?!" gasped
Misty.

"Don't worry Misty", said Tracey as he took out his sketchbook. "I've
seen this guy on TV many times. He always seems to come out okay in
the end."

"In case he doesn't for once, let's all remember him the way he is",
said Ash putting his cap over his heart and bowing his head.

CS started to climb up the tree and sat himself down on a branch
surrounded by nervous Pinecos. "Goodday all you beautiful coneheads!"
he smiled while waving at them. "Can I be your friend?"

"PINECO!" shouted all the Pinecos as a huge explosion came out from the
tree. Smoke started surrounding the top while unconscious Pinecos
started falling out of the tree onto a huge pile on the ground.

"OH NO!" cried Misty. "Why did he have to finally get himself killed
when we met him?!"

"No, look!" said Cameron. "He's alive!" Sure enough, everyone sighed of
relief when CS dropped down from the tree unharmed and smiling, but
completely covered with soot.

"Why do you poor Pinecos have to be so anti-social to us nice humans
all the time?" Sighed CS as he took out a Pokeball the size of a bowling
ball and sucked all the Pinecos in.

"That was incredible!" said Tracey as he finished his sketches of the
awesome scene. "And you're not the slightest bit hurt!"

"Do you have some kind of endure power like the Donphans have?" asked
Reiko.

"Aw, those Pinecos really didn't hurt me", smiled CS. "I've been blown
up by those beauties half my life. And it always clears up my sinuses."

"What are you going to do with all those Pinecos now that you've caught
them?" asked Cameron.

"I'll be taking them to a special wildlife preserve where they'll be able
to find a nice tree where no one will ever disturb them again", said CS
proudly. "Now if you'll excuse me. I need to wash off all this soot in
a nearby lake."

"But I see a Pokemon center in that village", said Ash. "They have
showers there you can use."

"But does a shower have fresh air, a beautiful countryside view, and
lovely green moss floating on top of the water?" asked CS as he headed
off for a huge lake that was on the other side of the hill.

"Bathing with green moss?!" asked Misty. "Eyeeww! That could definitely
turn you green on the inside as well as the outside!"

* * * * * *

Our heroes were sitting on rocks keeping an eye on CS's equipment while
he was bathing in the lake singing, Waltzing Matilda.

"I wonder who this Matilda is?" asked Misty. "Is she his girlfriend?"

"I don't know", said Tracey. "But he seems to like to sing that a lot on
his show."

"I know that song", said Cameron. "Waltzing Matilda is a song from Australia."

"What is Australia Came-chan?" asked Reiko.

"You've never heard of Australia?" asked Cameron. "The Land Down Under?
The Outback? Shrimp on the barbie?"

"You mean this Australia is underground?" asked Reiko puzzled. "Sounds
like a dirty place."

"And outback where?" asked Ash. "Outside our backyards?"

"And what girl would want to put a greasy shrimp on a Barbie Doll's
head?" asked Misty. "You could get cocktail sauce in her beautiful hair!"

"Oh yes", said Cameron. "Australia probably doesn't exist in this world.
I almost keep forgetting that I'm in a whole new world."

"And you're very welcome in it my Came-chan", said Reiko as she kissed
her blushing boyfriend. Just then, they saw a pebble roll by his feet.
They all turned around and found a discouraged Croconaw sitting on a
log throwing pebbles around. "CROC!" he said in a mournful voice.

"Croconaw never seems to be happy", said Cameron. "I noticed that he
always holds that camera with a grim face."

"Pikachu", said Ash. "Why don't you go talk to Croconaw and see what's
eating him?"

"Pika!" said Pikachu as he walked over to Croconaw.

"I hope that croc doesn't eat him though", thought Cameron as they
watched Pikachu having a conversation with Croconaw while tears started
forming in the croc's eyes and not because they were regular Croconaw
tears.

"Did you find out what's wrong with Croconaw?" asked Ash when Pikachu
returned to him. "Pika, pi, chu, Pikachu, pika, pi", explained Pikachu
while Ash listened for he had finally mastered the art of understanding
Pika-talk.

"What did Pikachu say?" asked Misty.

"Well, it turns out that Croconaw is really unhappy being a camera-croc",
said Ash. "He wants to battle wild and dangerous Pokemon like all Pokemon
should. But instead, his master's the one who's taking on these Pokemon
while Croconaw just operates the camera like a human."

"Gee, I guess that can be frustrating to some Pokemon", said Misty.

"I agree", said Tracey. "Some Pokemon are peace loving and don't like to
battle at all, but certain trainers force them to fight anyway. But this
poor Croconaw seems to have the opposite problem."

"That is correct", said Reiko. "This Croconaw looks like he is a warrior
at heart, but his master will not seem to let him become one. Just like
the Officer Jenny who wants to go out and bust crime, but ends up
becoming a desk jockey instead."

"Maybe we can talk to CS and tell him how his Croconaw feels", said
Cameron.

"Did somebody call my name, or at least my initials", smiled CS as he
appeared all nice and squeaky clean. "Well, no time to dilly-dally around
here. We got one last mission for the day. Right Crockie?"

"Naw!" said Croconaw pretending to smile as he and the others helped
gather up the equipment.

* * * * * *

As they walked down a path, Cameron walked over to CS. "Uh, CS", asked
Cameron. "There's something I'd like to talk to you about."

"Sure go ahead mate", said CS. "My ears are open like a Wigglytuff."

"It's about..." said Cameron but CS stopped him.

"Wait a minute mate, please hold that thought!" said CS as he pointed to
something on the road. It was a Kangaskhan taking care of a baby in her
pouch.

"That's a Kangaskhan and her baby", said Tracey. "But I thought those
kind of Pokemon are only found in Kanto."

"It's a bloody mystery to me!" said CS. "But however they got here, I
have to return them back to their rightful home before they frighten any
other travelers along with themselves."

"Oh no", said the Kangaskhan baby as it jumped out of its mother's pouch.
"You'll be the frightened ones once we catch you!"

"Blighters! A talking Kangaskhan?!" gasped CS. "How very fascinating!"

"There's an explanation for that you funny talking human!" said the baby
as it took off its Kangaskhan costume and showed everyone his true evil
self.

"It's really a talking Meowth!" gasped CS again. "Quick Croconaw, you've
got to film this for my viewers! They'll be talking about this for years!"

"NAW!" grumbled Croconaw as he operated his camera.

"You mean I'm gonna be on TV?" said Meowth with stars in his single eye
while he combed his hair with a fishbone. "Be sure to get my good side!"

"I'll smack your good side if you don't get your head out of the clouds
and trap those twerps!" said the mother Kangaskhan in Jessie's voice.

"Oh, all right" sighed Meowth as he took out a remote control and pushed
the button that caused our heroes to fall into a hidden pit. Only CS and
Croconaw managed to jump out of the way.

"What kind of Kangaskhan would teach its young to be a troublemaker?!"
demanded CS.

"One who loves to make trouble", said Jessie's voice.

"And make that double", said James's voice as the Kangaskhan undid a
zipper on its chest and revealed itself to be Jessie who was sitting on
James's shoulders. Then they said their usual motto while Meowth ended
it with his usual, "That's right!"

"You were right Jessie", laughed James. "Those twerps wouldn't be able to
resist going near a rare Pokemon such as a Kangaskhan."

"Which enabled them to fall right into our little pouch prison!" laughed
Jessie evily.

"Team Rocket", said CS while calmly smiling, "I have heard of you three.
You cause more chaos than a Houndoom choking on angel-food cake."

"Listen you cute, but funny accented man", said Jessie. "We have no
quarrel with you, just those punks in that pit!"

"So we're gonna give you a little break", said James. "You and your
camera hugging croc can skip away all healthy and happy and let us get
to our task of tormenting some twerps!"

"Sorry mates, but I can't let you do that!" said CS while making a
battle pose.

"I think he wants to do it the hard way", said Meowth.

"Just remember, we gave you a chance!" said Jessie as she released her
Arbok right in front of the unafraid man. "Let's see how your short
little Croconaw does against my economy sized Arbok!"

"CROCONAW!" said Croconaw eagerly waiting for his first battle.

"Oh no, my little buddy's an observer, not a fighter", said CS. "I'll be
taking on your adorable little Arbok."

"Naw!" groaned Croconaw as he snapped his fingers.

"WHAAATT?!" gasped all three Rockets together.

"He's not serious is he?!" cried Misty from the pit. "Taking on fiery
rodents and exploding pinecones is one thing. But this, THIS IS AN
ARBOK FOR PETE'S SAKE!!!"

"I'm afraid not", said Tracey knowing the Croconaw Seeker too well from
his shows.

"You're joking, aren't you?" laughed Jessie. "You want to battle my Arbok
single handed?"

"Not really battle", said CS. "I just want to get to know it better."
And he started scratching the surprised cobra's chin while the Rocket's
jaws dropped to the ground.

"What are you doing Arbok?!" shouted Jessie. "Can't you see that guy's
making a fool of you?! Show 'em up with your bite attack!"

"AAARRBBOOK!" hissed Arbok as it tried to snap at CS but kept leaping
out of the way. Then he grabbed the tip of Arbok's tail and started
stroking it.

"My, you've got such a beautiful Arbok", smiled CS as he studied Arbok's
tail while it was staring angrily at this strange human. "And just look
how strong these coils are. I bet you could squish my guts out if given
the chance!"

"This guy can't be for real!" gasped James.

"I can't believe I'm meeting a human who's even dumber than you two!"
gasped Meowth.

"Quick CS!" cried Cameron. "Grab Arbok's neck before it bites you!"

"No, no! You should never do that to an Arbok!" said CS. "That could
really hurt it. If you're gonna handle a splendid snake like Arbok, you
should pick it up by the tail so it'll trust you more."

"I'll show you how trusting my Arbok can be!" shouted an annoyed Jessie.
"Arbok, squeeze that screwball to death with your wrap attack!"

"ARBOK!" hissed Arbok as it coiled itself around CS tightly. "Aw, this
feels so cozy!" smiled CS as he pulled out one arm and started stroking
Arbok's scary looking hood. "You're just an affectionate little nipper
aren't you?"

"Arbok", hissed Arbok calmly for it seemed to like being stroked in a
place no one would have the nerve to touch. Arbok uncoiled itself from
CS and plopped down onto the ground all happy and peaceful.

"WHAT?!" gasped Jessie as she recalled her happy Arbok. "How dare you
tame my evil little Arbok. Do you know how long it took me to make it
fierce and unfriendly?!!"

"Don't worry Jess", said James. "Let's see how this nutcase enjoys my
Weezing!" and he released Weezing right in front of CS.

"What a cute looking Weezing you've got there", said CS while pinching
both of Weezing's cheeks causing both faces to blush.

"He thinks Weezing is cute?!!" thought Misty from the pit.

"Don't just float there like a red balloon!" shouted James. "Give that
guy your smog attack!"

"WEEZING!" said Weezing as it coughed out smog all over the place
causing it and CS to get surrounded in darkness. "Just you wait guys",
snickered James. "Ol' Weezy will have him crying out in pain!" But when
the smog cleared, they found CS unharmed while bouncing Weezing around
like a beach ball. "Weezing!" it said in a happy playful voice.

"You truly are a nice Weezing", smiled CS. "You just need a breath mint."
And he took out two mints and plopped each one into Weezing's twin
mouths.

"Hey! You're supposed to be crying out in pain!" shouted James. "Not
playing around with my Weezing!"

"You should really play with it more often mate", said CS. "It'll become
a better Pokemon if you do!" and he tossed Weezing back to James causing
him to get knocked onto the ground.

"I really had oodles of fun playing with your Pokemon, but I really need
to help my friends right now", said CS as he reached for his backpack.
But instead felt something furry and pointy eared. The thing then jumped
off of CS's back and ran over to Jessie and James.

"Hey guys, look what I found in his backpack!" said Meowth as he was
holding an economy-sized Pokeball.

"NO!" said CS. "You must not open that ball!"

"Why, is your missing brain inside it?" laughed Meowth as he was about to
open it.

"Yes, do it Meowth!" laughed Jessie. "A Pokeball this big must contain
something big and scary that we can easily corrupt!"

"Don't say I didn't warn you!" Sighed CS as he took out some ropes and
he and Croconaw went over to help free their friends from the pit.

When Meowth had opened the ball, the Rockets became disappointed when
they found out what was in it. "Aw, it's only a bunch of pinecones!"
groaned Meowth.

"This guy's even loonier that I thought!" growled Jessie. "Putting dirty
pinecones in a powerful Pokeball like this!"

"Yeah, let's give them all back to him!" shouted James as he and the
others grabbed some cones and were about to throw them at the back-turned
man and his Croconaw. Suddenly, James's cone let out an annoyed,
"Pineco!"

"Pineco?" gasped James as he looked at his cone and found two cute little
angry eyes staring at him. "Uh guys", said James nervously. "I think my
cone has a mind of its own. How about yours?"

Jessie and Meowth suddenly looked at their cones and found eyes on theirs
too. "PINECO!" shouted the rest of the Pinecos as they bounced out of
the ball and started glowing a bright color.

"I have this feeling we're gonna be blasting off again!" said Meowth as
he nervously clutched onto Jessie and James who were clutched onto each
other as well. Sure enough, all the Pinecos exploded sending Team Rocket
blasting off once again.

Once CS had helped all of our heroes out of the pit, he picked up the
huge ball and sucked all the unconscious Pinecoes back in. Then he
looked up and saw Team Rocket disappear into the sky. "Nice folks", he
said while smiling. "They certainly gave us quite a bit of fun havoc for
us, huh Crockie?"

"NAW!" moaned Croconaw for he was still mad that CS wouldn't let him
battle once again.

* * * * * *

Our heroes were continuing following CS to his final mission for the
day. Cameron looked down at the bummed Croconaw and approached CS.
"You know CS", said Cameron. "I think your Croconaw really wants to
engage in a Pokemon battle sometime soon."

"What ever gave you such a silly idea like that?" laughed CS. "Croconaw's
hunky-dory just operating a vid-camera. You should feel honored
Crockie. Not many Pokemon have that kind of talent."

"Naw!" growled Croconaw at what his master had said.

"What?" asked CS puzzled, "I said that as a compliment."

"My Pikachu spoke to your Croconaw earlier", said Ash. "He's kind of
tired of you having all the fun taking on these dangerous Pokemon."

"Yes", said Tracey. "He's a Pokemon too and some Pokemon feel that
they're weak and useless if you don't let them battle."

"Crockie!" said CS concerned. "I never knew you felt this way!"

"Naw!" said Croconaw with tears.

"I'll tell you what mate", smiled CS. "Next time we come across something
small, like a Caterpie or a Metapod or even a Magikarp, I'll let you
battle that. What do you say?"

"Naw!" said Croconaw. He was a little disappointed that his master was
only going to let him battle small, harmless Pokemon, but at least he'd be
getting a little action.

"Why don't you let Croconaw take on the next Pokemon you're gonna be
facing?" asked Misty.

"Oh no Misty", said CS. "This kind of Pokemon is too much for someone like
him. Probably a little too much for me too. And it should be right
inside this cave." And he led them all to a huge scary cave.

"What, what's in there?" asked Misty shaking a little.

"I had a report that a giant sized Ariados has taken refuge in that
cave", said CS. "Folks from the nearby town could just wander in and
fall into its web, and if it ever has kids. Let's just say it won't make
the town at all jolly."

"What's a Ariados?" asked Cameron as he typed up the name in his Dex.
A huge orange spider with a horn on its head appeared on the screen.

"ARIADOS: the long leg Pokemon. The evolved form of Spinarak", replied
Dextra. "Ariados spins strong string not only from its rear, but also from
its mouth. It is hard to tell which end is which."

"A bug?" said Misty shaking even more. "Please tell me that they're the
small variety."

"Normally Ariados weigh about 74 pounds", explained CS. "But this
particular one we're going after is about 400 pounds. Truly a wondrous
sight! I can't wait to show you all", and he was about to lead them into
the cave.

"Uh, if you don't mind, I think I'd rather stay out here with Togepi",
said Misty with a pretend smile. "I don't want it getting frightened by
that Ariados."

"Okay, sure, I understand", said Ash winking for he knew about his
girlfriend's never ending fear of bugs. The others followed CS into the
cave while Misty waited by a rock feeling relieved.

"Toge, Toge!" whined Togepi wanting to go in too.

"Sorry Togepi", said Misty. "But I don't want you playing with any
dangerous bugs. Even tiny little bugs, like the ones crawling on my
shoes down there. CRAWLING ON MY SHOES?!!" She looked down and found
some little Spinaraks using the laces of her shoes like driveways.

"AAAAAAHH!" screamed Misty as she shook her feet around shaking the bugs
off and stormed into the cave while clutching onto Togepi who was happy
that it was going into the cave.

* * * * * *

Our heroes and CS were now standing near the edge of a cliff overlooking
something dark and creepy. "Talk about a huge website!" said Cameron
gazing at the huge spider's web that was as big as a trampoline.

"I wonder how many bytes it took to make that web", said Ash.

"Probably all the bites it took Ariados to eat the prey it catches in
it", said Tracey making a sketch of the huge web.

"Like the grandma that sits for countless hours on a rocking chair
knitting sweaters, That's probably how long it took this Ariados to make
it", said Reiko amazed.

"Pika, Shrew, Growwl!" said Pikachu, Sandy, and Growlithe all amazed
and yet nervous about this huge web they could accidentally fall in.

"You're not gonna jump into that web to catch it are you?" asked Ash.

"Oh no, I'm not that daft!" smiled CS. "I'm just gonna throw this Master
Ball at Ariados the minute it comes into my view. It'll catch that
mighty bug with just one quick lock. Then I'm gonna take it to a
secluded valley where it can live in peace with a bunch of other bugs."

"Either that or eat them!" wondered Cameron.

"Ari!, Ari!" said a creepy voice coming from the darkness. "Ah, here it
comes", smiled CS as he got his Master Ball ready. "Okay Croconaw, you
know what to do!"

"NAW!" groaned Croconaw as he was about to throw down his camera in
protest. But before he could do that, he heard a girl scream.

"Misty?" asked Ash as he saw his girlfriend running in fear not caring
what or whom she bumps into. And unfortunately, she bumped into everyone
except Croconaw causing them all to fall into the sticky web.

"Naw?" asked Croconaw as he looked down and found the humans and
Pokemon struggling to get free, but couldn't for their arms and legs were
completely stuck.

"I've always wondered what it was like for a bug to be caught in a web",
cried Cameron. "But I hoped I'd never have to experience it!"

"Sorry guys", said Misty feeling very ashamed. "I was too scared to think
about what I was doing!"

"And I fear it's about to get even more fearful!" gasped Reiko as she
pointed her toe at what was coming out from the darkness. It was the
giant Ariados with poisonous saliva drooling out of its mouth. "ARI!"
it said with hungry eyes.

"AAAAAH!" screamed Misty while Togepi just bounced itself happily on
the web without a care in the world. "Quick CS! Do something!"

"It's a funny thing", said CS who couldn't move his arms and legs. "I've
never been in a situation like this before. It should be interesting.
What am I saying?! I now actually have this fear of dying!!!"

"Quick Pikachu!" cried Ash. "Use your thunder attack on that..."

"No, stop Ash!" shouted Tracey. "If Pikachu shocks that Ariados, it'll
send currents though this web shocking us all as well!"

"Sandy!" called out Cameron. "Can you blow it away with a sandstorm?"

"Shrew!" mumbled Sandy for he had curled himself up the minute he fell
off the cliff. Now he was stuck on the web unable to uncurl himself and
unable to launch any attacks.

"Growlithe!" pleaded Reiko. "You must use your flamethrower to defeat
that bug!"

"GMRLMR!" mumbled Growlithe for some of the web had tangled itself around
Growlithe's mouth so it couldn't open it up to breathe any fire.
Everyone tried to reach for their Pokeballs but couldn't move their arms
to do so.

"I guess this is it guys" said Ash nervously.

"And I guess The Croconaw Seeker Show is permanently off the air!" said
CS sadly as the Ariados was about to go for him first. Suddenly a loud,
"CROCONAW!" was heard and something blue had jumped onto Ariados
knocking it off the web and onto the ground.

"Croconaw?" gasped CS as he and the others looked down and saw Croconaw
getting ready to battle the huge Ariados. "ARI!" hissed Ariados as it
started firing poison needles from its horn.

"Not the poison sting!" cried CS. "Crockie won't be able to handle that!"

"NAW!" shouted Croconaw as he fired his water gun washing away the flying
needles as well as soaking Ariados to death.

"Wow, I never knew your Croconaw had that kind of power", said Cameron.

"Neither did I", said CS. "Maybe he is more than just a camera-croc."

The angry Ariados shook itself dry and started to fire a sticky string at
Croconaw. But he easily snapped it to pieces with his strong jaws.

"Quick CS!" shouted Tracey. "Tell Croconaw to use his rage attack!"

"Well all right", said CS who had never ordered his Croconaw to use an
attack in his entire life before. "Crockie, be a good mate and use that
rage attack you Croconaws are famous for!"

"NAW!" said Croconaw happily as he started snapping, scratching, and
slamming into Ariados forcing it against a wall. Then Croconaw made a
glowing blue fist and punched Ariados in the stomach freezing it in a
block of ice.

"Your Croconaw also knows ice punch?" asked Cameron.

"I guess it does", said CS impressed. "Way to go my little snapper!"

"NAW!" said Croconaw blushing. Then he went up and snapped everyone
free from the web. Then CS took his Master Ball and threw it at the frozen
Ariados trapping it in.

"You were totally awesome Crockie", smiled CS as he hugged his Croconaw.
"I can truly see now that you are ready to take on big Pokemon just like
your master. And starting now, we're gonna take turns taking on these
beautiful, but fierce Pokemon and I'll film you in action."

"Naw?" cried Croconaw wondering if his master really meant it.

"Yep!" smiled CS. "Not only that, I'm changing the title of my show.
It'll now be called The Croconaw Seeker and his Croconaw!"

"Croconaw!" said Croconaw happily.

"Oh, all right", said CS. "It'll be called Croconaw and his Croconaw
Seeker. What do you say my true blue mate?"

"CROCONAW!" smiled Croconaw with tears in his eyes as he hugged CS.

"I only wish there was someone who just filmed you in action", said CS.
"Naw!" smiled Croconaw as he pointed to the camera that was stuck on the
cliff set on auto-pilot.

"You truly are a clever croc!" smiled CS as he hugged his partner again.

* * * * * *

As everyone left the cave, it was time to say goodbye to The Croconaw
Seeker and his now happy Croconaw. Our heroes waved goodbye to the pair
as they watched them head off into the sunset. "I can't wait to see how his
next show will turn out", said Tracey excited. "We can watch it knowing
that we've made a Seeker and his mate happy!"

"Maybe we can catch it on TV at the next Pokemon center", said Cameron.
"Shall we head off to Garlic Acres everyone?"

"YEAH!" they all shouted as they headed north to Garlic Acres where the
next Pokemon gym is located and maybe a Pokemon center with a TV in it.

TO BE CONTINUED