Copyright © 2003 Keith E. Kimball
E-Mail: Bdrodman@aol.com
Well, hello, dear reader! As any Narrator should, let me welcome you to another day in the fantastic world of Pokèmon! It's time to check in with our friends; Ash, Misty, and Brock, as they journey across Mount Silver. As you'll recall, Professor Elm charged them with delivering the stolen infant Pokèmon, Larvitar, back to his mother. Our heroes hope to find her somewhere inside the mountain's Pokèmon preserve, then head back down so Ash can take part in the Silver Conference.
With his usual confidence, Ash was leading the way as the trio plodded up the steep, winding mountain path. Pikachu was keeping pace at his side, but Ash's backpack was taken up by Larvitar peeking over his shoulder. Togepi had a similar arrangement on Misty's back since her arms were tired.
By contrast, Brock's hands were full of an unfolded map. "Let's see here," he said thoughtfully, "Professor Elm said we should find Ranger Mason. If anybody knows where exactly Larvitar comes from, Mason will, he said."
Larvitar and Ash alike perked up at that. "So," Ash asked, "Where do we find this guy?"
Misty broke in, "Mason might be a girl, you know. The professor didn't say."
Giving her an irritated look, Ash replied, "It's just a figure of speech, Misty. I didn't mean anything by it. And you don't have to nitpick everything I say."
Misty smiled a little, reaching out to gently stroke Larvitar's smooth forehead. The little Pokèmon grinned happily back at her as Misty said, "Yeah, sorry. I guess I shouldn't spoil the mood, now that Larvitar likes the rest of us and not just you, Ash."
"Thanks to that Unown we met the other day," Brock reminded her.
The face of everyone but Larvitar screwed up a little as they recalled their bizarre adventure inside Larvitar's mind, courtesy of the strangest Psychic-Type Pokèmon of them all. Larvitar remembered it as well, of course, but for now the very young creature was thinking solely happy thoughts. Besides being free of his pathological fears caused by his being kidnapped while still inside his egg, Larvitar was almost back home. With true friends who had stuck by him through several other adventures as well. How could life possibly get better than this?
Brock cast a wary eye at the sky. "We've still got an hour or so until sunset," he observed pragmatically, "but it looks like rain coming in. Maybe we should find some shelter for the night."
Throwing another irritated look at the air, Ash grumbled, "We're so close to Larvitar's home now…but you're probably right. Maybe there's a cave we can hide out in." Ash got some relief when a glance over his shoulder revealed Larvitar still smiling happily, not minding the delay at all.
Misty sighed, "Too bad the Pokèmon Center is a couple hours back. We'd never make it before the rain rolled in."
The troupe's concentration was shattered by a burst of light ahead in the forest. A small rip appeared in the open air, blasting a column of light straight down into the trees. With a clap of thunder, the opening disappeared just as quickly as it had appeared. The trio barely had time to gasp.
"What," Brock gulped, folding his map back into his vest, "do you suppose that was?"
Misty put a finger to her cheek thoughtfully, "It looked kinda like when Team Rocket blasts off."
Brock shook his head. "Except they go up. That went down."
Ash started running toward the source, calling back to them over his shoulder. "We won't find out from here! Let's go!" Pikachu leapt to keep pace, "Pika-chu!"
As his friends fell in behind him, Ash grinned at Pikachu and Larvitar alike. "Maybe it's a legendary Pokèmon," his eyes shone with enthusiasm, "Maybe even a brand-new one! We could be the first to see it, ever!" Pikachu grinned, "Pika!" right back at him.
Misty had caught that behind him. "Wait, Ash!" she called, "What if it's dangerous? We can't take Larvitar there!"
That made him stop. Ash considered it for a second, then shrugged free of his backpack. He thrust it into Misty's surprised arms, giving her a strong look. "You're right," he admitted, "and we probably shouldn't take Togepi, either. I know I can trust you to look after Larvitar, Misty. Me and Brock will be right back, we'll just check it out real quick. I promise. You'll all be safe here."
Misty's eyes shone a little. She hammed up the confidence in her reply, trying to cover her embarrassment with, "We'll be safe? Ash, I didn't know you cared."
Ash felt a blush creeping up his collar, but he was saved as Larvitar chirped, "Laarvitaarr!" at him. The little monster's arms pawed at him as fear grew in his big round eyes. Ash let Larvitar catch his own hand in both of the Pokèmon's, grinning reassuringly.
"It's just for a minute, Larvitar. You can trust Misty just as much as you trust me, remember?" he told the upset creature. Misty hugged Larvitar's back close to her chest in response, and Togepi chirped encouragement from behind her as well. She prodded, "It's probably not dangerous at all anyway. I'm just worrying for nothing." Larvitar relaxed visibly and Ash gently pulled himself free.
Together, Ash, Brock, and Pikachu charged off. The trio left behind watched with big eyes. More or less to herself, Misty whispered, "Yeah. Not dangerous at all…sure…" Togepi and Larvitar murmured quiet agreement with her.
The friends might've had some trouble finding where the bolt struck if it wasn't for a wispy plume of black smoke still rising above the trees. Glancing up to home in on it as they ran, the group soon burst into a large clearing.
That bolt from the heavens had pushed over a large tree directly in the trainers' path. Ash observed, "Hey, that tree is what's smoking…but I don't see any flames."
Brock noted, "Look here. This big branch that got knocked off must've been the culprit."
Genuine relief flooded Ash's expression as he added, "It's burned out already. Good. No forest fires, at least." Suddenly Ash's movements grew quiet. "Look at how the ground's all pushed up," he pointed, "I think it's on the other side of the tree." Brock simply nodded; both trainers crept forward to peek over the fallen foliage with Pikachu at their side.
They found the impact had left a small, charred crater. And at the center of it, as Ash has suspected, there was a Pokèmon nobody had ever seen before.
It was unconscious and laying on its side; facing its watchers. It was the size and roughly the shape of a Charmander. The light green creature was in a fetal position with its tail curled up near its face. That appendage was long and slender, but otherwise ordinary—lacking a Charmander's blazing flame at its tip. They were at just high enough an angle overlooking the Pokèmon that Ash and Brock could see its smooth, featureless back.
Brock was surprised; first Ash had yielded to Misty's demands without a fight, now he was quietly pulling out his Pokèdex to check on the new creature before awakening it and letting it know he was there. The other trainer was actually thinking for once. Perhaps, Brock surmised, he and Misty were finally rubbing off on Ash.
The device scanned the creature, then announced in its full, normal voice, "No data. This Pokèmon is unknown." The group was horrified; Ash had forgotten to lower the volume.
Instantly, the mystery Pokèmon's eyes snapped open. They were jet-black irises against a field of beautiful gold. Ash and Brock gasped in wonder at the sight. "Wow," Brock gushed, "I wish I could find a girl with eyes like that."
Then the Pokèmon spoiled the effect by narrowing his gaze into a hard stare. Ash and Brock alike were taken aback at the horrible look from such a cute face. Quickly finding his short, thick legs, the little creature raised his tiny clawed hands and clenched them with definite menace.
Another surprise; most Pokèmon called out their own name when they spoke. But this little creature roared an animalistic cry like a full-grown Gyarados. It was high-pitched, but fierce. Humans and Pokèmon alike jumped back from the crater at a sound way too big for such a small throat.
"Whoa!" Brock yelled, "That's some Roar Attack!"
"You said it," Ash agreed, "But Pikachu's not backing down!"
He'd backed up with them, yes, but Pikachu had placed himself firmly between his human friends and the crater. Ash gulped. The Electric-Type was regarding their mystery guest as he clambered over the dying tree with a dead-serious expression. Pikachu's fur was standing on end. Sparks danced from the electric pouches in each cheek as the mouse snarled, "Piiikaaa-chuuuu…" low in his throat.
"Pikachu," Ash asked, "What is it?" He hadn't seen his little friend this serious since their battle to save Ash's mother, Delia, from a misguided girl named Molly.
Pikachu didn't have time to respond. The new Pokèmon charged, jaws gaping in a Bite Attack. Without waiting for battle commands, Pikachu dodged with Agility. The other creature's teeth closed on empty air. Then Pikachu went racing back toward his opponent in a Quick Attack. Ash and Brock hurriedly scuttled backwards some more, to give the Pokèmon battle room to play out.
The stranger saw Pikachu coming, and his sinuous tail lashed around into a Tail Whip. Pikachu, surprised, was caught broadside. The mouse flew threw the air, landing on his feet - barely. "Pikaachuu!" he growled, darting forward once more.
"Wait, Pikachu!" Ash commanded, "Together, we can win this! Use Quick Attack again!" Pikachu did so, racing across the open clearing toward his opponent. For his part, the new Pokèmon stood his ground, staring hard and clawed fingers twitching, as he prepared to counter another physical assault.
Once Pikachu drew near, Ash bellowed, "Thunderbolt, now!"
Pikachu stopped cold, out of reach of tail and claw alike, and sent a bolt of electricity rippling from him to strike the newcomer with a cry of "Pikkaaa!!"
Pikachu's target took the blast head on, groaning as his scales sizzled with the assault. Apparently the stranger could take a lickin' and keep on tickin', because his gaze simply grew more angry. With a snarl of hatred, the Pokèmon charged forward. Again caught by surprise, Pikachu found himself clutched by the neck in a furious Bite Attack.
"No!" Ash cried.
Pikachu was tossed into the air. Before he could land, another Tail Whip caught the mouse and sent him flying across the clearing. Pikachu crashed to the earth. Stunned, the spunky Electric-Type tried to regain his feet in a wobbly fashion.
The opposing Pokèmon then leaned forward in a quick and vicious gesture. His throat was working as he moved to strike Pikachu with a long-range attack of some sort. With a furious growl, he spat up a ferocious…smoke ring.
The smoke ring brushed gently across Pikachu's fur. Even that mild contact was enough to dissipate the smoke harmlessly.
The stranger looked both shocked and horrified. He clutched at his own throat, trying to spit something other than mere smoke. A few more measly whisps escaped his maw, but that was it.
"Was that supposed to be a Smokescreen Attack?" Ash wondered.
"Must be a Fire-Type," Brock commented, "And his fire's gone out, like Cyndaquil's can."
"Yeah," Ash lit up, "And that means we've got the advantage! Go, Pikachu! Quick Attack, one more time!"
"Pi!" came his friend, his wits restored as he dashed up. Even as the other creature was still trying to summon up a decent Fire-Type attack, Pikachu crashed into him head-first. The mystery creature was knocked backwards, but his clawed feet dug deep grooves into the earth as he remained upright determinedly. Pikachu's opponent struck back with a Slash Attack, sending the mouse flying again.
"Man, that Pokèmon's solid. Fast, too," Brock mentioned.
Shocked, Ash noticed blood seeping from Pikachu's wounds. This wasn't a fight for honor with the mystery Pokèmon; it was a true battle for survival as far as his opponent was concerned.
Ash growled in frustration, "I don't care what he is! Until I catch him first!" He pointed toward the stranger, ordering, "Brock's right! We need to slow him down! Try Thunder Wave!"
Confused by Pikachu's Agility, it was the other Pokèmon's turn to be surprised when Pikachu's Thunder Wave washed over him. This attack was never meant to cause direct damage, and for a few seconds, the new Pokèmon shrugged it off.
But when he tried to step forward into battle, the stranger soon realized it had electrically charged him. He was now in the grip of alternating currents of pulses that fired his muscles spasmodically. He tripped on his own feet and fell flat on his face.
As the newcomer snarled in frustration, Pikachu grinned.
"I think we got it," Ash agreed, "Pokèball, go!"
He threw the empty device, which gently bounced off the Pokèmon's head. The Pokèball opened, its red beam wrapping around the creature to begin capturing him.
The Pokèmon snarled and his tail whipped around. Its beam contact broken by the impact, the Pokèball soared back toward Ash. He caught it easily.
Ash and Brock gasped as the creature broke free of the Thunder Wave's effects. He raced forward, howling with rage. Forgetting his frustration in place of his anger, the little monster was plowing not at Pikachu but at Ash with blood in his narrowed eyes. "Hey!" Ash began.
Pikachu growled, "PIKKAA-CHHUUU!" and sent the creature flying with a Thunder Attack.
The new Pokèmon slammed backwards into the thick bore of a still-standing tree. For a second, he was pinned there by his own momentum; then he slid down the tree and disappeared behind a row of shrubbery with a thud.
"Whoa, Pikachu," Ash chided, "I want to capture it, not defeat it. Don't use Thunder again, OK?" But when he turned his gaze to his shorter friend, Ash was surprised to see Pikachu's fur still bristled. Sparks danced again, and Pikachu never took his eyes off the bushes. "Pikachu…?" Ash continued, "What's up with you? You're creeping me out…"
"Pika!" his friend responded, using a low-powered Thunderbolt to blast the foliage away so he could get a bead on the mystery guest once more.
The three friends relaxed; the creature was laying on his side. The other Pokèmon's breathing was labored and his eyes were swirling in their sockets. Pikachu's fur started settling back into place. Ash was practically glowing with joy now. "Looks like another perfect capture for me," he boasted as he wound up his Pokèball for another try.
For a second, Ash's target glowed with a purple flash…before he got a chance to throw his Pokèball again.
"Look out!" Brock responded, "It just used Recover!"
With an ear-splitting roar, the mystery menace regained his feet. He jumped against the tree he'd bounced off of mere moments before. His claws dug deep, tearing great sap-filled rips into the innocent foliage, as the Pokèmon used it for a springboard. Ash had never seen such fury. Clearing more than half the distance to his targets in one leap, the ferocious Pokèmon bore down on them once more.
"Remember, capture!" Ash reminded, "Go, Pikachu! Agility!"
As Pikachu neared, the newcomer stopped cold. His muscles twitched, and he snarled in frustration. Pikachu grinned. The Thunder Wave still had some grip on his foe, after all. Realizing this as well, Ash commanded, "Quick Attack, now!" Pikachu launched himself headlong against the other Pokèmon's gut.
With a grin, the mystery Pokèmon dropped his paralyzed act and grabbed Pikachu securely just before the Electric-Type's blow struck home. "Piikaaa!!!" the mouse groaned as he got a Body Slam driving him into the ground. "No! Pikachu, use Agility to escape!" Ash cried.
The newcomer wasn't giving Pikachu a chance. Still pinning Pikachu beneath his superior weight, the Pokèmon lit into Pikachu with two Slash Attacks followed by a ferocious Bite. Although only a couple inches taller than his foe, the creature then shook Pikachu in his jaws like a Snubbull with a favorite bone.
Finally, Pikachu went limp in his opponent's grasp. Disdainfully, the creature spit Pikachu back toward Ash. Ash jumped forward, catching his unconscious friend in outstretched arms. "Pikachu! Speak to me, buddy!" But Pikachu remained senseless.
Ash looked up, realizing the other Pokèmon was now growling at him and Brock in earnest. Brock swallowed hard; both he and Ash backing up. Ash's hands were full of Pikachu and he couldn't unleash another of his Pokèmon friends from their Pokèballs strapped to his belt.
Brock found his hand twitching for his own team on his belt as an old-fashioned gunslinger might for his weapon. Their little foe didn't miss a movement; the unknown Pokèmon's claws twitched and the creature knelt into a crouch. He'd never have time to unleash a Pokèmon at this range; nor could both he and Ash dodge an attack either. One of them, maybe, but both…never.
From the treeline behind the humans came a cry of, "Go, Corsola! Spike Cannon, now!" Misty's cute little Pokèmon bounded past the boys, firing an enthusiastic barrage of needle-like shells from the quad projections on her back. Corsola's trainer stepped up to their friends' sides as well, still clutching the backpack-clad Larvitar to her chest as Togepi peeked timidly over her shoulder.
The bulk of the Spike Cannon barrage missed the mystery Pokèmon as he leapt straight up. By the time he came back down, Corsola's attack had flown harmlessly by underneath him. Finally unobstructed, the monster gave a gleeful growl as he leapt once more…at Misty.
"Look out!" Ash cried, throwing himself in front of Misty. The oncoming Bite Attack found a home in his thigh instead of hers; Ash screamed. Still unconscious, Pikachu fell from his arms as Ash knocked Misty over. Reflexively, she grabbed at Ash and Pikachu alike but only succeeded in dropping Larvitar. The baby Pokèmon landed on his feet in spite of Ash's backpack as the humans fell over together behind him.
Ash's attacker maintained its grip on his leg. Growling, the Pokèmon tried to regain his feet and give Ash's wound a good ripping tug. Before he's quite managed that, Corsola leapt onto his back. The half Rock-Type's far superior weight kept her foe flat on his belly, but still he didn't release Ash from his iron jaws.
The lot of them were one big heap now. Togepi was still trapped in his mistress' backpack and trying to squeeze out from under her. The sound of the attacking Pokèmon's snarls carried over the myriad cries of his jumbled opponents. Ash's grip fell down to the Pokèmon's head, futilely tugging at the clamping jaws. The creature redoubled his hold and blood started staining Ash's jeans.
"Enough!" Brock cried, "Go, Onix! Use Bind to help Ash!"
The enormous stone snake appeared in a flash of light, his bulk filling the clearing. Onix roared and his deep voice alone shook the trees for a mile around. Corsola jumped clear as Onix turned and daintily wrapped the very tip of his tail around Ash's assailant, Binding it securely.
As fierce and determined as the newcomer was, he was still very small. With a gentle but firm squeeze, Onix forced his prey's jaws open. Misty pulled Ash free in a spurt of unleashed blood. She slung her backpack off and started to rummage for a makeshift tourniquet. Togepi handed her a scarf in anticipation of her need. She gave her baby buddy a pat in thanks, then turned to bind Ash's wound and staunch the bleeding.
Brock glanced over his shoulder at a strange grinding noise. His eyes widened so much, Ash and Misty could almost see the whites of his eyes. When they looked, they too saw the noise was coming from the stranger's teeth as he tried Biting down on Onix's tail repeatedly. Equally incredulous, Onix squeezed his Bind shut again to discourage the Pokèmon from only hurting himself by struggling.
It was no use; the never-say-die determination of this Pokèmon knew no bounds. The grinding continued, and a few of the Pokèmon's teeth broke off and fell to the ground without scratching Onix's granite coils.
Larvitar stepped free of Ash's backpack completely. The little creature's face was aflame with righteous fury of his own. "Larviiiii…" his eyes glowed white, "…TARRRR!!!" With that, he sent a burst of brilliant white spheres - his Hidden Power Attack - at the Pokèmon still helpless in Onix's rock-hard clutches.
Onix pulled free just before the blast caught their foe in midair. The resulting explosion sent the newcomer flying up into the brewing storm clouds overhead, disappearing from sight with a gleam.
Ash was gritting his teeth against his pain. It was much better now that Misty had stopped his bleeding, but it still hurt a lot. "Misty!" Ash groaned, "I thought you were guarding the baby Pokèmon! What're you doing here?"
His tone chased the worried frown from her face as she snapped, "Sounded like you could use some help. And I was right." Their eyes met. They saw a confused combination of embarrassment and concern, each for the other's welfare, reflected in the opposing set of eyes. Ash and Misty looked away quickly. She busied herself with the tourniquet.
"We need to get you out of here," Misty briskly said, "Ash, let me use Bayleef.."
"Sure," he ground out from his clenched teeth, "But don't forget Pikachu."
"Of course I won't!" she huffed.
Ash fumbled, dropping his Pokèball. As he kneeled next to his fallen friend, Brock caught it one-handed. Brock's free hand managed to Return Onix to his own belt. As Ash thanked him both for Onix's efforts and the catch, Brock released Bayleef.
The Grass-Type turned to her master with worry in her eyes. Bayleef's concern was echoed by Larvitar, who had joined Misty at Ash's side. Tears welled up in Larvitar's eyes, and the little creature clutched at Ash's chest, sobbing.
Misty put a hand on Larvitar's shoulder, but the Pokèmon slapped her away. "Hey! Larvitar," she said as gently as she could, "You've got to let us help Ash. Otherwise, he won't be all right. C'mon, back in Ash's pack. I'll carry you. You can trust me."
When Larvitar still didn't move, she scooped him up and dumped him in anyway. Then she handed the struggling Pokèmon to Brock, who immediately began cooing reassuringly. Larvitar's wide-eyed gaze from within the cloth confines didn't look soothed very much but there was nothing more to be done.
Misty returned her own backpack to its place, complete with Togepi safely ensconced within once more. A quick command, and Corsola also Returned to her Pokèball. Finally, she took Pikachu into her arms before commanding, "Bayleef, use Vine Whip to hold Ash on your back. Let's go, but don't outrun us! We need to stick together!"
"Baye!" agreed the Pokèmon, gently scooping Ash up to lay her master with his back to hers. Then the group started running back down Mount Silver. Bayleef took the lead, despite her caution not to truly outdistance the others. Ash closed his eyes as his vision spun and tried not to yelp at Bayleef's every jolting step.
Behind Misty, Brock could swear he saw her backpack give off a little flash of blue light just for a split second.
Then he ran face-first smack into a wall. Not a tree or a bit of mountainside, but a good, thick, manmade wall.
As Brock tried to gather his wits, sprawled on the ground, and Larvitar howled over being dropped again, Misty and Bayleef glanced around. "What?!" she said, "It's, it's—the Pokèmon Center!" Indeed, she was staring up at the sign for the last such institution they'd passed. "It's almost like we Teleported…" she continued, finally noticing Brock spread-eagled behind her on his back.
"Get up, Brock! This is no time for a nap!" she growled, freeing one hand to pull Brock to his feet.
"Huh? Just one more minute, Mom, school's not for an hour…" he groaned as he retrieved Larvitar.
Bayleef had already dashed inside with Ash still firmly in her grip. Through the still-open automatic double doors, they heard Nurse Joy cry out, "Oh, dear! Right this way, immediately!"
By the time Misty and Brock joined Bayleef with their own charges, the young man had gotten some of his marbles back. "Hey, Misty," Brock slurred a little, rubbing his puffy nose, "This place is for Pokèmon, not people. I'll stay with Pikachu, but you'd better take Ash to the hospital."
Down the corridor, the pretty-in-pink nurse turned back from leading Bayleef at his words. "I can patch this bite wound up, no problem," Joy assured them firmly, "If your friend needs more, I'll help you get there myself after I've stabilized him. Blissey, take care of that Pikachu."
The large egg-shaped Pokèmon, every bit as cheerful and pink as her mistress, took Pikachu tenderly from Misty's arms. As Ash, Bayleef, and Joy disappeared behind the swinging ward doors, Larvitar groaned fearfully in Brock's grip. Then, when Blissey took Pikachu out-of-sight back there as well, the little Ground- and Rock-Type had the last straw. He shrieked out a Screech Attack at the top of his hearty little lungs, pawing desperately toward the ward doors as tears gushed anew.
Misty hurriedly tried to soothe him. Hands firmly clasped over her ears (and doing her absolutely no good), Misty's voice was lost in the horrific blast of sound. Brock was bouncing Larvitar up and down gently, trying to rock him, and wishing he could cover his own ears without dropping the poor little thing yet again.
Even Togepi popped back up over Misty's shoulder, trying to help his mistress with the younger Pokèmon by making silly faces and chirping, "Togi!" It was just the sort of thing Pikachu usually did to cheer Togepi himself up, Misty thought.
Blissey returned swiftly, looking calm as the Screech Attack continued. Her small, dark eyes flickered a little apology to the humans. Then, when Larvitar paused to catch his breath for another Screech, Blissey began softly Singing.
Too late, Misty remembered that Jigglypuff didn't have a monopoly on this sleep-inducing maneuver. Within seconds, she and Brock's knees were weakening even as their eyes drooped. Larvitar and Togepi yawned widely. The trainers leaned forward, toppling slowly into one another. For a instant, they stood pressed against each other, Larvitar drowsily not minding being a Pokèmon sandwich inbetween.
Blissey caught them gently in each arm as they went under completely, letting Larvitar slide down her front and into her Kangaskhan-like egg pouch. Grinning quietly to herself, Blissey reflected it was a good thing she didn't actually have an egg at the moment. She busied herself setting up the humans in the lobby's chairs, complete with a blanket for each. Then she happily just let Larvitar go on sleeping inside her warm, soft pouch as she returned to the operating theater to tend Pikachu's wounds.
Meanwhile, somewhere between the brewing storm clouds above and the trees reaching heavenward below, a giant hot air balloon shaped like a Meowth's head bobbed.
"Would you hurry up!" Jesse snarled at her pilot, "We saw that bolt from the blue a long time ago! We've got to get there before anybody else and find out what's going on!"
Meowth turned from the blower. Since he was standing on the little control platform dead center in the balloon's basket, this brought him nearly eye level with his tall, leggy teammate. He snapped back, "Well, excuse me, Miss Bubblegum Princess! If youse weren't so busy dyeing yer hair dat stupid burple color, mebbe youse could do some woik 'round here fer a change!"
Jesse bent over to wave a fist threateningly in Meowth's face, "What?! Say that again, I dare you, you overgrown hairball!"
As Meowth popped his claws out, James rushed over. He didn't dare really stand betwixt them, much less actually touch either, lest they turn their wrath on him. So the mealy-mouthed man settled for waving his hands and smiling placatingly. "Hello?! Not another cat fight while we're flying, hmm? I think we've all crashed often enough in our lifetimes already."
Still glaring at each other out of the corners of their eyes, his teammates turned away from each other with respective grunts.
Turning to the basket's edge to study the storm (not to mention hopefully distract his friends from mauling each other), James continued, "Hmm…maybe we should land. That's a nasty looking storm rolling in."
Jesse joined him, resting her elbows on the edge. The growing wind was starting to whip her hair around despite the impressive amount of hairspray she used to make her outrageous hairdo. The dark clouds she was studying did seem fairly intimidating. She sighed, "Looks like we've got no choice but to hoof it. If it's so hard to keep this balloon in the air, Meowth, you should have no trouble bringing it down."
Before Meowth could reply, James pointed ahead excitedly, "Yes, hurry! I just saw a flash of lightning!"
The cat got cut off again as Jesse leaned forward, shading her eyes one-handed to peer intently. "That couldn't have been lightning. It was on the ground, not in the sky. It was white too. Lightning is yellow." She grimaced. "You should know that."
"Sometimes it's blue," Meowth reminded.
"Unless it comes courtesy of Pikachu," Jesse muttered.
James remained adamant. "Didn't you see it too, Jess? It was electricity, I'm sure of it!"
His friends turned back to him as Meowth got another word in edgewise with, "I didn't see nutin'. Git yer eyes checked, Jimmy."
Jesse turned back to the outdoors. Just in time for a Pokèmon catapulted through the air to slam into her face and knock her flat on her back against the deck. It was hard to say which was more surprised; her or it. The new Pokèmon flopped sideways off her kisser and laid there, trying to catch his breath.
Jesse's hands flew to her bleeding nose as she sat back up. She didn't need her omnipresent hand mirror to know some true damage had been done to her beautiful countenance this time. Slowly, ominously, a blast of red rose from her jacket collar, spreading across her face and making Jesse's skin stand out well against her formerly matching coif.
Oblivious, James and Meowth watched their hitchhiker getting back on his feet with wonder. "I've never heard of such a Pokèmon," the human said, "Any ideas what it could be, Meowth?"
Meowth shrugged, "Hold yer Ponytas fer a minute, Jimmy, and I'll find out." Meowth jumped down from the blower and put on his best smile. "Yo, buddy! What's up? Nice weather we's havin' today, ain't it?"
The newcomer gave him such a hard stare back that Meowth jumped into James' arms, shivering. Their little rider stomped his feet and shook himself angrily, puffing himself up as much as he could even as he clearly sized up his opponents.
Quaking along with the scratch cat in his arms, James whined, "He looks like he's been in a fight!"
"He looks like he's ready for anudder one! With us!!" Meowth bawled.
Jesse had finally reached critical mass. Absolutely livid, she stood and scooped up the new creature in one angry motion. Holding him at arms' length, she roared, "HOW DARE YOU?!! MY FACE!! MY BEAUTIFUL, WONDERFUL, FANTASTIC FACE!!" The sheer force of her voice peeled the newcomer's eyelids and lips back, exposing a crocodilian smile with a few fresh gaps between the teeth. Not that Jesse cared in the least.
Meowth found enough solace in the familiar sound of Jesse screaming to quip, "It ain't that hot, sister."
His teammate turned to vent her rage at him. The Pokèmon still in her grip took advantage of the opportunity to Bite Attack onto her forearm, good and hard.
She shrieked, releasing him. For his part, the Pokèmon refused to let go of her, however. Jesse smashed the Pokèmon against the side of the balloon, trapping him there with her hip. Then she started pulling, but still the creature didn't let go. Worse; he reached for her leg. Jesse's thigh-high leather boots kept her safe from his feet, but the Pokèmon's clawed hands dug into her between the footwear and her microskirt.
Furiously, she beat around his head and shoulders with her free hand. Yet the beast held on tight still. "For once," Jesse snarled at James and Meowth, "be useful when I need you!"
Snapped out of their catatonia, her friends reached for one of the offender's legs each. Once they'd gripped him firmly, they easily pulled his hold on Jesse's leg free, but the continuing Bite Attack was another matter. Team Rocket turned the Pokèmon into the rope in a tug o' war for Jesse's arm.
Suddenly looking crafty, the Pokèmon snaked his tail around James' forearm and coiled it tight. He released Jesse, letting her fall onto her rump, and turned back on his own tail for a snap at Meowth. With cat-like reflexes (literally), Meowth leapt clear. Disappointed, the creature grabbed for James even as he dangled from the youth's forearm still. James waved his arm frantically, "Get it off me! Get if off-off-off!!"
Jesse had her wounded arm underneath her opposite armpit to slow her bleeding. But a particularly evil smile stole across her face, marred slightly by some dried blood caking from her nose, as she stood. A quick tug retrieved a Pokèball from the narrow belt-style holder sewed onto the inner lining of her jacket's back.
"Go, Arbok!" she commanded, "Use Wrap Attack to get a grip on this situation!"
In a instant, the large purple snake appeared with a snarl of, "Arrbokkk!" Then he Wrapped his generous coils around the newcomer, pulling James free unscathed. Wiping his brow, James turned to Jesse with heartfelt thanks.
She didn't even notice James as she bellowed, "That's it, Arbok! Squeeze until that little sucker passes out! I want him to know what it means to mess with me!"
His head alone sticking out above Arbok's coils, the Pokèmon howled a Roar Attack. Arbok shivered mightily; glancing at Jesse. He would've Returned to his Pokèball at the sound if the sight of his mistress' wounds didn't fill Arbok with rare determination. Say what else about her you might, but Jesse did love Arbok dearly. Not to mention how royally angry she'd be at Arbok if he failed her now. Arbok hung on for her sake and his own alike, crushing the newcomer into submission.
Slowly, the other Pokèmon was sinking down into Arbok's relentless grip as his breath ebbed. The new Pokèmon snarled something and Meowth gasped. "Whoa, brudda! What language!"
Finally Arbok buried the newcomer in his grasp completely. The snake Pokèmon joined his teammates in a malicious little grin of victory
James turned to their ferocious leader, gently prodding, "Now, you just hold still for a minute while I get the first aid kit, Jesse. Don't exert yourself."
She smiled at him quickly, but her eyes remained on Arbok. "Wait a minute, James. I need to finish capturing this thing first. Arbok, loosen up a little." She pulled an empty Pokèball from her jacket this time.
"Yeah," Meowth chimed in happily, "Youse two play doctor a lot awready, anyways."
James blushed, but his lady love had more important things on her one-track mind. As Arbok allowed his victim's head to appear once more, she readied her pitch and smiled nastily.
A white glow sprouted from the Pokèmon, spreading quickly across its small body. "Aarbokkk?" wondered the Poison-Type.
Team Rocket gasped together, "It's evolving!"
As the glow strengthened, the Pokèmon started growing. Arbok found himself unWrapping from the creature's expanding form. As it swelled yet larger, Arbok's companions backed up across the balloon basket. Meowth bumped into the wall; James into him, and Jesse right on top of them both. There was nowhere left to go, and still the Pokèmon was growing.
A Pokèball popped open. "Wobbuffet!"
"Not now!" Jesse shrieked.
*****
Text, original characters, and events Copyright © 2003 Keith E. Kimball. This is a fan work and not for profit.
All other characters, events, and trademarks Copyright © their respective holders including but not limited to Nintendo Company Ltd., Toho Eiga Inc., GameFreak, The Pokèmon Company, Shogakukan Production Inc., 4Kids Entertainment, Sega Enterprises Ltd., etc.