Chapter 12
Totodile Migration
Once our female trio arrived at Dumemark, a small town right next to Violet City, the only thing on Callista's mind was to find a phone and to call home. She was lucky to find a small pokemon center at the beginning of town.
Callista and the duo stepped into the center and all dashed to the nearest videophone. Callista sat down and dialed Professor Elm's number as the other two girls hovered around her.
The phone rang a couple of times until Callista saw the Professor pick up the phone.
"Hey there Professor!" Callista smiled and greeted him.
The Professor seemed surprised to see her. "Hello there Callista, I was afraid you have forgotten about us. Your mother has been calling here to find out how you are doing. You should call her too."
"I tried in Florando," Callista explained, "but you were gone and mom's line was busy."
"So how are you doing? I see Ruby is still with you," Elm said as he saw Ruby smile and wave at him.
"We're fine. We are in Dumemark town and I already won a badge at the Cherrygrove City gym and I'm now close to battling for my second badge."
Professor Elm noticed Emily. "Now who is this young lady?"
"Oh this is Emily," Callista introduced her new friend to the professor. "We met her in National Park and then she found us again in Florando City. She's traveling with us now and she's an awesome flying pokemon trainer."
"Well, that's great. The more friends the better I always say. Great to meet you Emily." Elm said as he waved.
"Great to meet you too." Emily replied.
"Catch any new pokemon?"
"One," Callista replied. "I have a Growlithe now."
Ruby interrupted the conversations for a second. "Speaking of which, give me Growlithe's pokeball and I'll take it to Nurse Joy for a check up."
Callista handed Ruby Growlithe's pokeball. "Great thanks."
Ruby left and Professor Elm continued, "I'm glad you're doing so well. Believe it or not a few of your rivals have given up pokemon training."
"Really?" Callista was surprised to hear this and she want to hear more.
"Yes, it seems that Harriet and Scott couldn't defeat the second gym in Cerulean City. They both tried a few times, but for some reason they just couldn't defeat the gym leader so they gave up and went back home. Now its just you, Ian, Hailey and Mathew now. Keep up the good work!"
"Wow thanks Professor," Callista said. "I won't let you down!"
"I know you won't. I have to go now. I have lots of pokemon to feed. Good luck on your Violet City match and call me again very soon."
"I will!"
"And don't forget to call your mother."
"I will Professor!"
"Goodbye Callista."
"Goodbye Professor." Callista ended the conversation and hung up the phone. The video screen went blank.
"Professor Elm seems really nice," Emily said as Callista picked up the phone again and dialed her mother's number.
As Callista tried to call her mom again Emily left to meet Ruby at the cafeteria tables. Again the line was busy. Callista hung up the phone and thought, "How am I supposed to call mom if she is always on the phone. Maybe Professor Elm can get a hold of her and let her know I'm okay." Callista got up from the phone and joined the girls. Emily was looking at her pokemon guide when Callista walked up to their table.
"Check it out Callista," Emily said as she patted the chair next to her, motioning for Callista to sit down. Callista sat and the three of them hovered over the guide.
Emily read out loud, "Violet City; located between Dunemark town and the Ruins. Sights to see includes the historic Sprout Tower, a Pokemon Academy, Pokemon Gym and it has its own Pokemon treatment Center."
"What does it say about the gym?" Callista asked as she tried to rush Emily through the pages.
"Hold on, hold on I'll get to it," Emily scanned though the words and found the information on the gym. "The Violet City gym is the home of the Zephyr Badge. The leader of the Gym is Falkner a bird pokemon trainer."
"So he's kind of like you," Ruby said to Emily.
Emily nodded, "Yeah, but he's a lot stronger than me. Plus he only trains bird pokemon. Me, on the other hand, I like all kinds of flying pokemon."
"What else does it say about the gym?" Callista nudged Emily to continue.
Emily scanned though more words, "I think that's it. That's all it says about the gym."
Callista was a little disappointed. She was hoping to get more information about the gym, but as least she knew what kind of pokemon that the gym leader raised there. "I better make sure Pikachu is in tiptop shape for the battle," Callista thought to herself as she began to build a stradegy for her gym battle.
'Ding Dong' the treatment light flickered off and Callista knew her Growlithe was ready. She walked up to Nurse Joy who was smiling when she saw her.
"Here you go Callista," Nurse Joy handed her Growlithe's pokeball. "Growlithe is doing remarkable well. I believe it can start battling now, just very mild battling. Take it slow so Growlithe will be able to get back into shape and in no time Growlithe will be able to battle like normal again."
"That's sounds great Nurse Joy thank you," Callista replied. "See ya."
"Good bye and good luck in your journey Callista," Nurse joy replied back as Callista met up with the other girls as they waited for Callista by the exit door.
After a short break, the trio decided there was not much to see in Dunemark so they started to head to Violet City. Since Dunemark was right in the middle of route 31 the trio continued going north. As they talked about pokemon they came across a beautiful flowing river surrounded by hundreds of trees.
"Wow this is really pretty," Ruby said as they all looked around at the scenery.
"Yeah, it's so peaceful here." Emily said as Callista just nodded.
"Watch out!" A voice called from behind as a trainer came running towards them chasing a small blue pokemon. The pokemon dashed by them and then leaped into the water. As the trainer flew by them they saw a glimpse of a very handsome looking boy about eighteen years of age. Dark brown hair flew in the wind as he chased the pokemon to the river. "No!" He screamed when he realized he lost the pokemon. He shook his head for a minute and then turned to the girls. "Hey there," the handsome boy walked up to them and held out his hand. "Sorry about the disturbance ladies, but I have been looking for that pokemon for days. My name is Victor, I am a junior explorer for Violet City."
Emily looked him over as she was beginning to like what she saw despite the fact he was in old torn up jeans and a dirty white shirt. He had brown eyes, which matched perfectly with his fair skin.
"I'm Callista," Callista replied as she shook his hand. Callista then pointed to her friends. "And this is Ruby and Emily."
Emily immediately took a shine to Victor as she pushed Callista out of the way and grabbed his hand. "Hello nice to meet you Vic. Mind if I call you Vic?"
"Uh sure that's fine," Victor smiled; he was very flattered at her reaction to him.
Callista nudged Emily and continued to talk to the boy. "What about that pokemon you were chasing? It ran between us so fast I wasn't able to see what it was."
"Oh, it was a Totodile."
"Wow, a Totodile," Callista said. She remembered Totodile was one of her choices she was able to pick from when she went to pick up her first pokemon. Sure she wanted a Totodile too, but she made the right choice when she took Chikorita.
"Yup," Victor said. "My teacher and I have been trying to follow the migration of the Totodile, but the leader had run off and I was trying to catch it so I could return it to the group. The Totodile do not migrate unless there is a leader."
"That sounds like an interesting job," Callista said.
"So where are you three girls headed?"
"Violet City, I'm on my way to compete in the Violet City gym to win my next badge." Callista bragged.
"So you girls are all trainers," Victor said. "That's cool. I was a serious trainer too, until I found my passion in pokemon studies. I still battle every now and then just for the thrill."
This gave Callista an idea. Nurse Joy did say she wanted for Growlithe to slowly start to battle again. Maybe she could have a small battle right now.
"So if you still battle then how about having a match with me?" Callista asked. "I could always use the practice before the next gym."
"Well, I really shouldn't but it is just too hard to ignore a pokemon battle." Victor agreed as the two trainers spread out to give the battle more room.
Ruby and Emily sat down in the grass on the sidelines to watch. Emily refused to take her eyes off of Victor as he prepared for battle.
"How is a two on two battle sound to you?" Victor called out as he grabbed a pokeball.
"That is just fine by me," Callista shouted back as she too grabbed a pokeball from her waist.
"I'll go first," Victor tossed his first pokeball into the air. "Go!"
Rattata appeared from its pokeball.
Callista smiled and thought to herself. "This is perfect. This is a good start for a healing pokemon." Callista tossed Growlithe's pokeball into the air and called out her fire pokemon.
Growlithe appeared from its pokeball and prepared for battle.
Ruby nudged Emily when she realized Emily wasn't around when Callista got Growlithe. "That's the injured Growlithe Callista saved. It sure is getting better and it looks great!"
Ruby was right. Growlithe's wounds have healed and its fur was beginning to grow back. Growlithe looked happy to be battling again.
"Go Rattata, hyper fang now!" Victor ordered as his Rattata attacked.
"Growlithe dodge it!" Growlithe leaped to the side and dodged the attack. "Now tackle it!"
Growlithe charged at the little pokemon and tackled it with a strong tackle attack. Rattata was tossed aside, but quickly got up.
"Rattata quick attack, let's go!" Victor ordered as Rattata bolted towards its opponent.
"Now let's try a fire attack," Callista commanded. "Use fire spin now!"
Growlithe used its flames to create a circular barrier between itself and the attacking Rattata. With hot burning flames in its way Rattata hauled to a stop.
"Now take down!" Callista ordered as Growlithe leaped through its own flames and slammed into the Rattata with its take down attack.
Rattata was tossed to its trainer's feet and collapsed onto the floor.
"Return Rattata," Victor called his pokemon back and pulled out another pokeball. "I know this is risky but it's worth a shot." Victor released his pokemon. "Go Ledyba!"
A small ladybug looking pokemon appeared.
"Wow, he's sending in a bug pokemon to battle against a fire type?" Ruby whispered to Emily.
Emily whispered back, "Either he is extremely smart and has a plan or extremely stupid and is just doing whatever."
"We'll find out," Ruby said as they continued to watch the battle.
"This battle should be an easy for you Growlithe! Go and use your tackle attack!" Callista ordered as Growlithe charged at the bug.
"Ledyba, fly away!" Ledyba took off into the sky. "Use your swift attack!"
The stars on its back glowed as it released several glowing stars straight for its opponent.
"Dodge it!" Callista called out, as Growlithe just barely was able to dodge the attack. "We better end this fast. Use your flamethrower!"
"Ledyba, use supersonic!"
Ledyba produced a loud, high-pitched sonic wave that hit the Growlithe before Growlithe had a chance to attack. After a few seconds, the Ledyba stopped and flew back to the ground. Growlithe seemed very wobbly and looked confused as it ran around in small circles. It was acting like it didn't know what was going on.
"Return now!" Callista called her Growlithe back. "Impressive."
Callista stared at the Ledyba and thought to herself. "I can't use Chikorita for this battle, so that only leaves me with..."
Callista grabbed a pokeball and called out her pokemon, "I choose you, Pikachu!" Pikachu appeared from its pokeball. "Okay, Pikachu it's all up to you now!"
"Go Ledyba use your supersonic again!" Victor called out as the Ledyba flew into the air.
"Pikachu use thunderbolt and hurry!"
Pikachu charged up its electricity and this time before the Ledyba could attack the Pikachu released its thunderbolt straight into the body of the bug pokemon. After a few jolts the Pikachu stopped and the Ledyba fell to the ground. "Ledyba no!"
"When it comes to speed you can't beat my Pikachu!" Callista bragged as her Pikachu nodded.
"Pika pika chu."
"Ledyba get up!" Victor coached his pokemon back up. "Now use your swift attack!"
"Pikachu use your swift attack too!"
Both Ledyba and Pikachu released their swift attacks. The glowing stars struck each other in midair both destroying each other's attacks.
"Wow, their attacks are about the same level!" Ruby whispered to Emily again. "Callista is going to have to try something else."
Callista was thinking the same thing Ruby was as she ordered her next attack, "We'll have to stick with your electricity. Try your thunderbolt!"
Pikachu charged up its electricity as it leaped into the air.
"Ledyba use your swift attack again!" Victor ordered as Ledyba flew into the sky towards Pikachu.
Just as Pikachu released its electricity the Ledyba also shot several glowing stars at the same time. This time, however, Pikachu's thunderbolt was stronger than Ledyba's attack and completely demolished the swift attack.
"Thunder shock!"
Pikachu quickly charged up another attack and released it into the Ledyba. The Ledyba took a lot of damage and fell to the ground.
"Finish it with a quick attack!" Callista shouted her final order as Pikachu zigzagged back and forth and struck Ledyba with a powerful quick attack.
Ledyba was tossed aside and collapsed onto the ground. It was unable to continue the battle and Pikachu was the winner.
"Ledyba return!" Victor called his pokemon back. "Wow, that was a great battle. You are good."
Before Callista could respond a figure appeared behind her as Victor saw it approach. "Oh no!" He whined when he realized what it was. Callista and the other girls saw his expression and turned to see an older woman in a long white lab coat step up behind them. Her arms were crossed as her dark eyes looked stern and disappointed.
"Victor, I asked you to retrieve that Totodile and I find you here having fun with these girls," she said, angrily.
"I'm sorry teacher it's not what you think. I..." Victor tried to explain, but the woman just held her hand up for silence and continued. "We need that pokemon and I want you to find it. I don't care how you do it."
"Yes, ma'am." Victor agreed and looked at Callista. "I'm sorry I have to go."
"I'm sorry if I got you in trouble," Callista apologized.
Victor shook his head. "No, it's not your fault. It's mine. I should have waited until I found the Totodile." Victor then nodded his head in goodbye to Ruby and Emily and then ran off down stream of the river.
The woman sighed and then turned her attention to the girls. "I am sorry you had to see that, but let me assure you it was necessary."
"I don't see why," Emily muttered to Ruby as Callista stepped over to the woman.
The woman held out her hand, "I am Miss Rivera, but you can call me Delora. I am a Pokemon Researcher, I specialize in pokemon behavior."
"Nice to meet you," Callista shook her hand and introduced herself and her friends again, "I am Callista and these are my friends; Ruby and Emily. We are on our way to Violet City, which is where you work I presume?"
"Yes, how did you know that?"
"Victor told us!" Emily blurted out. "He was trying to get that Totodile, and then when it got away Callista challenged him to a battle. It's not polite to refuse battles."
Delora just smiled. "I know, but Victor should know to contact me when something changes. And that includes a battle. All he had to do was call me on his walkie-talkie and explain what happened to the Totodile."
"So that's why you were upset. It was because Victor didn't tell you about the Totodile so you didn't know what was going on?" Ruby said as she glared at Emily for her rudeness.
Emily just shrugged Ruby's comment off.
"Exactly, especially if he plans on becoming a researcher himself." Delora looked at the girls. "You ladies must be hungry from battling. Come and rest at our camp for a little bit until you regain your strength." The woman pulled a small, hand held walkie-talkie from her belt under her lab coat. She held it up to her mouth and spoke, " Victor I am taking the girls back with me to the camp. Come back when you have word of the Totodile." Delora put the walkie-talkie away. "Come girls." Delora said as she walked away along the river, heading upstream.
Callista and Ruby followed close behind as Emily staggered far behind. Emily didn't exactly like this woman very much.
Meanwhile in another part of the forest area two familiar people were walking next to the same river towards Violet City. Both of them were wearing Team Rocket uniforms that were full of dirt and sweat.
"Pat are you sure those brats are headed this way?" Garret whined, as he grew tried of walking.
"For the thousandth time, yes! Callista is a trainer and she is collecting badges so she is bound to head for Violet City since that gym is the closest," Pat answered. "And where ever she goes her friend with the Quilava will go."
Suddenly a Totodile leaped out of the river and landed right in front of Pat.
"Hey, do you see that?" Pat said, as she got excited.
"A Totodile!" Garret cried out.
"And Totodile can evolve into Feraligatr!" Pat cried out in excitement. "Let's grab it!"
Pat and Garret dove toward the Totodile. Totodile saw them coming and at the last minute it leaped up into the air as the team landed face first on the ground. The Totodile landed on Pat's back, opened its mouth and took a large bite on Pat's hindquarters. Pat shrieked as the Totodile ran off back into the water.
"That little pest!" Pat complained as she continued to wince in pain. "How dare it bite me there!"
"It's gone now," Garret replied.
"Not for long," Pat complained. "I am going to hunt it down and capture that little pest if it's the last thing I do."
"What do you have in mind?"
"Listen up," Pat said as she pulled Garret closer to her and begin whispering a new plan in his ear.
Delora led the female trio to a small campsite, surrounded by lots of big trees, containing two small tents and two folding chairs. The camp was also sitting near the same river that the Totodile had escaped in earlier.
"This place looks cozy," Callista commented as they stepped into the campsite.
"We don't have electricity running though here so that's another reason why Victor really needs to be on his toes. We have to do as much research as we can before the sun goes down to end the day. He is the type to slack off if someone gives him the chance," Delora said. "Have a seat girls."
The girls settled down on some soft grass as Delora rested on a chair nearby.
"What kind of research are you two doing?" Callista asked. "And why did you need that Totodile?"
Delora replied, "Like I said before, Victor and I are doing research for Violet City. There was an article printed out in a research magazine a couple of months back that stated Totodile are not the nurturing kind of pokemon and it said when Totodile lay their eggs the parent Totodile abandon the eggs to hatch and leave their offspring to fend for themselves. The company I work for did not believe a word of it and sent us out here to discover the true behind these horrible accusations on the Totodile."
"Wow," Ruby replied. "I never thought anyone could believe a pokemon would do that to their own offspring."
"I know, and that is why I need Victor to be at his best," Delora continued. "We need to get the Totodile moving so we can follow them to their nesting grounds and record what we find. And I'm sure we'll find out that the Totodile are just as nurturing just as all the other pokemon are."
"Wow, that sounds like a cool job and really important too," Callista said.
"Yes it is." Delora replied as she turned her head when she caught a glimpse of Victor jogging towards them. "Victor, over here!" Delora waved him down. Victor ran over to her and stopped, extremely out of breath. "Well?"
"I lost the Totodile leader, but at least we still have all the other Totodile." Victor noticed that his teacher was about to say something as she started to open her mouth, but he had a feeling he knew what she was going to say so he said it first. "But even so we still need to leader so it can lead the other's back to the nesting ground."
Delora closed her mouth and nodded.
Callista looked up at the sky. It started to get darker and Callista assumed it was getting late "Looks like we aren't going to make it to Violet City until tomorrow," Callista sighed.
"Look at it this way," Ruby said. "At least we'll be able to sleep under the stars."
Delora liked the sound of this. "That sounds like marvelous idea. I can build a fire and we can all lay under the stars and talk pokemon."
Everyone like the idea, so Victor and Emily left to collect fire wood as Delora and the other girls set up their sleeping bags outside in a large circle. As night fell and the stars begin to appear in the dark sky the group sat comfortably around a large campfire talking about pokemon and their journey.
"And when I get stronger I want to battle with Lance," Ruby finished her story as the others sat in silence listening to her.
"I have met Lance once," Delora said. "I went to do some research studies in the Dragon's Den and I ran into him inside while he was training his pokemon."
"Wow," Ruby said.
Delora had heard Callista's story, and after she just finished listening to Ruby she then turned to Emily. "So why are you traveling?"
Emily looked at her friends and then at Victor.
"Yeah, you never told us why you were traveling?" Callista recalled. "All you said was you wanted to join us."
"Yeah, well." Emily began. "As you know already know I am a flying pokemon trainer. I was really hoping that one day I'd be able to open my very own pokemon gym."
"But Violet City already has a flying gym," Ruby said when she quickly remembered what Emily had read from her guide earlier today.
"Yeah, but Falkner only trains bird pokemon." Emily looked up into the sky. "My gym will be full of all types of flying pokemon. All the flying pokemon you can imagine from Johto pokemon to Kanto pokemon. When I get my gym I will train hard and completely wipe out Falkner's gym and ground his bird pokemon. My gym will be the most popular gym in the whole Johto land!"
Callista yawned which spread throughout the group. Everyone was getting tired. Delora looked at Victor.
"We should get some sleep if we are going to find that Totodile in the morning," she said as she yawned and laid down in her sleeping bag with Victor also going to sleep.
If Callista and the others were going to make it to Violet City by noon tomorrow, they needed to get their sleep as well. As the five of them rested the night got darker and darker as the campfire got dimmer and dimmer. As Callista, Ruby and Emily were sound asleep, Delora quickly snapped awake as she shot up out of her sleeping bag. The violent movement woke Victor up as he slowly opened his eyes.
"What is it?" Victor said, still half asleep.
"I hear something," Delora replied as she got up out of the bag and walked around the perimeter of the campsite. "Something is moving through the grass. I can hear it."
Delora was right. A sound of broken tree branches caught their attention as they looked over only to see the head Totodile appear.
"Shhhh," Delora shushed Victor before he could even open his mouth. Delora ducked down and pretended to be asleep as she saw the Totodile move in closer. "I think its ready to lead the others to the nesting ground. But first it's checking to make sure the coast is clear for its family." Delora whispered to Victor as they watched the Totodile survey the scene.
Once the Totodile thought it was safe it ran back into the trees. A minute or two passed when Delora and Victor heard more sounds coming their way. A whole herd of Totodile appeared with the leader leading the bunch towards the river near the campsite. One by one the Totodile leaped into the water as the leader continued to keep watch. Once all the Totodile were in the water the head Totodile leaped in and began leading the group up stream. Delora quickly jumped up and ran to her backpack. Victor watched as she pulled out a pokeball and released a pokemon.
"Hoooot," A Hoothoot appeared and was ready for its orders.
Delora whispered to her pokemon, "I want you to follow the Totodile upstream and when they stop I want you to come right back."
"Hooooo." Hoothoot nodded and then flew off into the sky.
Delora looked at Victor, "I think we should wake up the girl. I think they might want to see this."
Delora and Victor shook the girls awake and told them what was happening. Callista, Ruby and Emily were more than excited to go with the researchers as they leaped out of their sleeping bags and threw on their jackets.
Delora and Victor lead the girls upstream as they followed the river hoping to find the Totodile. Hoothoot soon appeared in front of them and fly down to its trainer.
"Did you see where they stopped?" Delora asked her pokemon.
Hoothoot nodded.
"Can you show us where they are?"
Hoothoot nodded again and then flew off upstream again.
After a few minutes of walking upstream Delora saw something in the distance. She put her hand up to stop everyone from moving.
"Wait a minute, I see something up ahead." Delora said. "Wait right here."
Delora slowly crept further up until she disappeared into the darkness. It took a few moments for her to return and when she did, she waved for the others to follow. Delora led them a few feet ahead and then stopped when she got to at thick bunch of trees and shrubs right next to the water. She motioned for the others to push the branches and leaves aside and when they did they were all amazed at the sight they saw. There were many Totodile, all of them different sizes. All the Totodile were scattered around in the small area as they all worked around little white oval objects.
Callista took a good look and was the first to notice what the white objects were, "Hey, are those pokemon eggs?" Callista whispered to Delora.
Delora nodded in silence as Victor started taking pictures.
They all watched as all the Totodile began putting leaves and dirt on the eggs to keep them warm.
"It appears that these eggs have been here for a few weeks already and the Totodile are taking care of them while the eggs get ready to hatch," Delora started to talk to a recorder so she could have it on record. The other girls kept silent until Emily noticed something.
"Hey, something is moving around over there," Emily whispered and pointed out.
She was right. One of the leaves that were placed by a Totodile was shaking. It shook and shook until the leaves slid off to reveal a hatching egg.
"It's hatching!" Ruby whispered in excitement.
They watched as eggs started to crack and shell pieces began to break off. The parent Totodile helped as it gently lifted the baby Totodile out of the egg by the baby's strong tail and lowered it to the ground. The baby Totodile opened its eyes and looked up at its parent. "Totodile," the baby squeaked.
"Awe," Callista sighed, "How cute."
It took a few more moments for other eggs to begin hatching and soon the whole area was full of baby Totodile running all over the place. The head Totodile then walked up to another Totodile. This one was very big and talked to it. "Totodile toto dile dile totodile," the head Totodile said as it led all the other Totodile into the water. The large Totodile stayed behind.
"What is going on?" Callista asked.
"I'm thinking that Totodile is now in charge of protecting the young as the head Totodile and the others went to find food for the young." Delora said as they stayed behind with the young so Victor and Delora can do their job and get proof of their findings with pictures and voice recordings.
"Totodile!" A pokemon screamed in panic in the distance.
"Hey what is that?" Callista said as she, Ruby and Emily took of in the direction on the scream.
"We should follow," Delora said to Victor as the two of them followed the girls downstream along with Hoothoot flying behind them.
The group followed the cries until they found the cause.
The Totodile were trapped in a large fishing net hovering over the water being carried away by a large hot air balloon. The balloon was black and had a huge red R on the front.
"Hahaha," a familiar voice laughed.
"Hello there," Pat appeared in the basket of the balloon. "Prepare for trouble!"
Garret then appeared next to Pat. "And make it double!"
"To conquer the world and its habitation."
"To restart our forces and its new generation."
"To announce the team to all the masters."
"To build our team and cause disasters."
"Pat."
"Garret."
"Team Rocket takes over with all of its might."
"Surrender your pokemon now or prepare to fight."
Delora shook her fist at the team. "What do you think you are doing?"
"We are taking these Totodile for our boss," Pat explained. "These will make a wonderful addition to Team Rocket when we force evolve them into a large group of Feraligatr."
"They have young to care for!" Delora argued. "You can't take them!"
"Well its too bad for them," Pat cried out. "One of these Totodile bit me and now they are all going to pay for it."
"You can't take them I won't let you," Delora called out.
"What are you going to do about it?" Garret said.
"Watch us leave with your precious Totodile!" Pat said as she pulled on the hot air balloon fire control and made the balloon rise higher into the sky. "Bye bye now."
As Team Rocket began to drift away Delora ran after the balloon. "No you can't do this!"
The female trio, along with Victor, ran after her.
Once Delora realized she wouldn't be able to keep up on foot she called to her pokemon. "Hoothoot follow them!"
Hoothoot darted into the sky and followed Team Rocket at a safe distance. As the balloon started to disappear over the trees Delora and the others continued to follow in the direction Team Rocket were headed.
"I just have to get those Totodile back," Delora cried out.
"Don't worry we will," Callista said as the others continued to follow.
Pat and Garret lowered the balloon, when they figured they had lost their enemies, in front of a small cabin. The cabin was close to the same river, but on the opposite side that the girls were on and it was further downstream. As Garret used Croconaw to drag the pokemon into the cabin, the head Totodile tried to reason with the Croconaw to let them go. Croconaw ignored the Totodile's pleads and continued to drag them inside. Croconaw wouldn't let anything keep it from obeying its master's orders.
"Well, well, well, our boss is going to be pleased with us when were give him these Totodile," Pat said. "And after we get these Totodile to the boss and evolve them we can use them to get that Quilava."
"Maybe when we do catch it we can force evolve that Quilava too and make it stronger," Garret said.
Pat slapped in along side his head, "You don't force evolve strong pokemon like Quilava. Only when the pokemon are small and weak like these Totodile do you force evolve them. Now get some rest we have a long day of traveling tomorrow morning to get to the new base."
There was barely any furniture in the cabin so Garret and Pat slept wherever they found room with Croconaw standing guard over the Totodile.
It was morning when Callista and the others were able to catch up with Team Rocket as they approached the cabin. Hoothoot flew to its trainers shoulder and perched.
"Are you sure Team Rocket is in there?" Delora asked her pokemon as Hoothoot nodded.
"How are we going to get them out?" Callista asked as they all examined the scene.
"We have to figure out how to get Team Rocket to leave the cabin. If we charge in who knows what will be waiting for us. But if we can get them to come out then we can get them with a surprise attack," Emily planned.
The female team snuck up to the side of the cabin and searched for an opening. Emily found a small hole between the logs and showed it to Ruby. Ruby quietly called out her Quilava and ordered it to attack.
"Quilava," Ruby whispered to her pokemon, "use your smoke screen and blast those crooks out of this cabin."
"Lava lava," Quilava nodded and put its mouth up to the hole. It took a deep breath and blew a large amount of smoke into the cabin. The smoke, very slowly, began to fill the cabin.
Pat and Garret were so excited about their capture, as they counted all the Totodile they had captured; they didn't notice what was going on right way.
"...Six.... and that makes seven...eight.... nine," Pat counted as Garret wrote on a memo pad how many Totodile there were.
"Our boss is going to love this," Garret said as Pat continued to count. "With all of these Totodile, he'd be able to create a large army of Feraligatr!"
"This little one," Pat said as she pointed to the leader of the group, "Seems to be pretty tough. It must be at a high level."
The head Totodile glared at its captors and snarled as it showed them its sharp ivory teeth.
"Oh, stop complaining!" Pat said in a very stern voice. "You'll still be the leader when we give you to our boss. And you will command all of your little friends to help you obey our boss's, and your new master's, commands."
"DILE!" Totodile refused to go with these evil humans as it started to nibble at the net.
"Stop it you little blue reptile!" Pat shouted.
The Totodile was just about to break though the net, when Garret called out his Ariados. "Ariados, use sleep powder."
Ariados appeared and released a small cloud of sleep powder, which covered all the Totodile. The head Totodile tried to stay away, but it soon fell asleep with all the other Totodile.
"That was easy," Pat said as she continued to count the pokemon.
"Uh, Pat?"
"What is it?" Pat looked over her shoulder.
"Does it seem like it's getting a little smoky in here?" Garret asked as he noticed the room began to look hazy and a bit darker.
"It's your imagination!" Pat argued as she turned back to the Totodile.
On the outside, Quilava was still using its smoke screen as it continued to blow smoke into the cabin.
"Great, keep going!" Ruby said as her and the other's continued to wait for Team Rocket to emerge from the cabin.
As the smoke began to build up Garret begin to cough.
"What's the matter now?" Pat complained.
"I smell something," Garret coughed. "It maybe just be me, but does it seem like the air is getting thicker and smoggier?"
Pat then noticed the smoke surrounding their feet on the floor. "Ah, there is a fire!"
Pat grabbed Garret and pulled him outside of the cabin. Garret collapsed onto the ground coughing up all the smoke he breathed in as Pat looked around for the fire.
"I don't see a fire," Pat said, "Some is fishy here."
"Hold it right there!" Callista shouted as she appeared from the side of the cabin.
"It's the brats!" Pat said. "They actually found us!"
Delora called her Hoothoot back and joined Callista. "You give us back those Totodile," Delora commanded as Ruby, Emily, Victor and Quilava joined in.
"Speaking of the Totodile," Pat smiled. "You do know they are still inside breathing in all that toxic smoke."
Delora gasped, "No the Totodile!" Delora tried to go in after them when Ruby held her back. "Let the fire pokemon handle this! Quilava go get the pokemon," Ruby then released her Vulpix. "Vulpix help Quilava out!" Vulpix appeared from its pokeball. Quilava and Vulpix raced into the cabin and together they pulled the large net full of Totodile out of the cabin to safety. "Great job!"
"Chikorita come on out!" Callista released her Chikorita. "Use your razor leaf and set the Totodile free!"
Chikorita released four razor leaves toward the net slicing the ropes into pieces. The Totodile shouted for joy and all together they bolted towards the river.
"We have to stop them!" Garret shouted.
"We will!" Pat grabbed a pokeball and called out her Murkrow. "Go Murkrow stop those Totodile!"
Before Murkrow could attack, Ruby stepped in to the rescue. "Vulpix use your fire spin and surround that bird!"
Vulpix released a large circular burst of flames that quickly surrounded the bird pokemon. Trapped in a circle of flames the Murkrow tried to fly through it to escape but when it did it the fire burned its feathery body and it did major damage to itself.
"You dumb pokemon!" Pat shouted at her Murkrow, as it lay motionless on the ground.
Garret stepped up. "I'll take care of them, Croconaw go!" Croconaw appeared from its pokeball. "Use water gun on the Vulpix!"
Just as Croconaw released a burst of water toward the fire pokemon, Ruby retreated and called Vulpix back. "Vulpix return quick." Vulpix managed to escape into its pokeball just in time. "Whoa, that was close."
Garret and Pat watched as all of the Totodile, except for one, managed to escape into the water. The leader of the group stopped before it reached the water and turned to watch the battle. It seemed curious about the humans that had saved it and its family of Totodile.
"No! All of our pretty Totodile are gone!" Pat snarled at the group responsible for letting their capture escape. "You little brats. You'll all pay for this!"
"Croconaw attack now!" Garret ordered as Croconaw attacked the trio.
Since Chikorita was already out Callista decided to battle with her grass partner. "Go Chikorita tackle attack!"
"Tackle attack!" Garret ordered.
The two pokemon charged at each other and using all of their strength they crashed into each other using their tackle attacked. Both of the attacks seemed like the same about of strength as both pokemon got pushed to the side by the other's attack. Callista was proud of how strong her pokemon were getting and continued to attack as hard as she could so Chikorita could gain even more strength. "Chikorita use your tackle again!"
Garret decided to accept this silent challenge and attacked again. "Tackle attack!"
Again the two pokemon slammed into each other with their tackle attacks. This time Chikorita's attack seemed a little bit stronger as Croconaw as tossed farther back than before.
"Now use your razor leaf attack!"
"Croconaw dodge it!"
Croconaw dodged the razor leaves that Chikorita released and charged at the Chikorita again.
"Chikorita dodge it!"
Chikorita dodged the attack by leaping to the side. Croconaw stopped charging and spun around keeping its back away from its opponent.
As the battle between Croconaw and Chikorita continued, Delora glanced to the side and noticed the head Totodile staring at Callista and her Chikorita. Its eyes were fixed on the battle as if the Totodile was studying it. Delora continued to watch both the battle and the Totodile.
"Go Chikorita use your razor leaf attack!" Callista ordered again as Chikorita released several more razor leaves.
Croconaw, again, was able to dodge out of the way.
"Croconaw bite attack!"
"This is it Chikorita hurry and use your vine whip," Callista ordered as Chikorita stretched out its vine whip and wrapped it around the Croconaw's mouth, snapping it shut.
"Oh no, not again!" Garret screamed as he realized what was going on.
"Now whip it Chikorita!"
Chikorita lifted the Croconaw into the air, swung it around in a large circle, and threw it towards Team Rocket. Pat and Garret were able to duck out of the way but poor Murkrow, who was finally able to stand up from Vulpix's previous attack, got hit in the back by the Croconaw's large body and collapsed again. Neither Croconaw nor Murkrow had the energy to get back up.
Ruby stepped up to finish, "Looks like it's my turn! Quilava send them away with your flame wheel!"
"Quilava lava lava!" Quilava bolted toward Team Rocket as it built up its flames.
Team Rocket screamed as the Quilava struck the Team and their pokemon with a powerful flame wheel. Team Rocket was shot up into the air.
"I was so sure we were going to win this time!" Pat whined.
"We were close," Garret replied.
"Mur."
"Croco!"
"Team Rocket is blasting off again!" Pat and Garret shouted as they disappeared into the sky Quilava galloped over to its trainer. "Great job Quilava!" Ruby knelt down and stroked Quilava's fur as its flames on its back died down.
Now that all the Totodile were safe, and Team Rocket was disposed of, they still had one thing left to worry about.
"So what are we going to do about this mechanical thing," Callista asked Delora as she pointed to the crashed balloon and the huge broken up net that was used to catch the Totodile.
"I could always sell it for scrap and use the money to help fund our study," Delora said as she stepped over to Callista.
Ruby called her Quilava back.
"Thank you so much Callista, Ruby, Emily. I don't know what we would have done if Team Rocket escaped with the Totodile," Delora thanked the girls as everyone gathered together.
"It was nothing. I think I should be thanking you. Because of you I got to see something I have never seen before. A Totodile nest and baby Totodile hatching from their eggs. That was totally awesome."
"Totodile!"
"What was that?" Emily asked as they heard a Totodile speak.
They all looked around and saw the head Totodile still staring at them by the river. The Totodile walked a little closer and then started to snap its large mouth in Callista's direction.
"What is it doing?" Callista asked Delora.
"I believe that Totodile may want to challenge you Callista," Delora replied.
"How do you know?" Emily asked.
"Well, I have been watching the Totodile watch you battle and it seemed very interested," Delora replied. "It must have been impressed with your strength."
"Okay if it wants a battle I'll give it one!" Callista said as she stepped up to the challenge. Since Chikorita was already out of its pokeball Callista decided to battle with a grass type. "Let's go Chikorita!"
"Chika!" Chikorita leaped into battle once again as the girls and Victor all stepped out of the way to give the battle some room.
The Totodile grinned and prepared for battle.
"Chikorita use tackle attack!" Callista ordered as Chikorita charged at the Totodile.
The Totodile just braced itself and took the attack. It was pushed back a little, but besides that it was unaffected.
"We'll have to try a your grass attacks for the advantage," Callista said when she realized Chikorita's strength was going to work. "Use your razor leaf attack."
Chikorita swung its large leaf around and released several razor leaves toward its opponent. Totodile used some very fancy footwork to dodge each and every one of the attacks. Totodile leaped back when the razor leaves were done and released a large blast of water, which struck Chikorita with a mighty blow. Luckily Chikorita was a grass pokemon and the water attack didn't do much damage. Chikorita recovered quickly and then attacked with another razor leaf attack. The Totodile again used its footwork to dodge and was successful until it was hit with the last of the leaves. The Totodile got tossed to the side. It struggled to get back into its feet but only for a second. The Totodile turned to Chikorita and released another water gun attack. This time Chikorita managed to dodge the attack with ease and was ready to attack right back.
"Use your vine whip!" Callista called out.
Chikorita stretched out its vine whips toward the Totodile. The vines whipped the Totodile right in the face several times until the Totodile managed to grab a hold of the vines with its mouth and stop the attack.
"Oh no!" Callista cried out.
The Totodile yanked the Chikorita off of its feet and started to twirl the little pokemon around in a small circle. Then as it gained plenty of speed the Totodile let go of the vines as it sent the Chikorita soaring right into a tree. The Chikorita was down, but Callista could tell that it wasn't out yet as the pokemon managed to stand with out much struggling.
"We are going to have to stay with far away attack," Callista said as she saw the Totodile attack with its mouth open wide.
"It's going to use its bite attack," Ruby called from the sidelines.
"Don't try to use your vine whip just dodge out of the way," Callista ordered as the Chikorita leaped to the left as it dodged the attack.
"Now use your sweet scent!" Callista called out as the Chikorita released a cloud of its scent toward the Totodile.
Totodile sniffed it, but it seemed not to be too effective.
"Try something different!" Emily called for the sidelines.
Callista wasn't sure what else her Chikorita could do.
"Throw a razor leaf," Callista finally ordered at the Chikorita obeyed and attacked the Totodile.
Totodile just dodged the attack once again with its quick footwork and then used its leer attack. The Chikorita looked away just in time, but unfortunately the Totodile noticed its adversary looked away so it charged and struck the Chikorita in the back with a tackle attack. Chikorita was getting exhausted, but Callista wasn't about to give up just yet. She knew Chikorita had a few more attacks left in it so she tried to think about what else grass pokemon could do. Totodile, seeing the hesitation, charged again, but this time Callista was ready. She remembered one more attack that she was ready to try.
"Chikorita use your sleep powder!" Callista ordered as Chikorita released a blanket of sparkling clear dust over the Totodile.
The Totodile's running pace slowed to a stop as the water pokemon began to fall asleep. The Totodile's eyes closed shut as the pokemon fell asleep still standing.
"Now finished it with your best tackle attack!" Callista called out her last attack as the Chikorita charged at the sleeping pokemon.
The Chikorita used all of its remaining strength and struck the Totodile with a mighty tackle attack. The force of the blow woke the Totodile up as the Totodile got thrown to the side. It struggled to get back up onto its feet, but when it couldn't find the energy to rise, the Totodile collapsed onto the ground. Callista took this opportunity and grabbed an empty pokeball. "Pokeball go!" Callista called as she tossed the pokeball at the motionless Totodile. Totodile was sucked into the pokeball as the ball twitched and twitched trying to contain the pokemon. Finally, the ball stopped and the light flickered off. Totodile was captured and Callista was ecstatic. She ran up to the pokeball and held it up in the air.
"Yay, I caught a Totodile!" Callista shouted out in excitement.
"That was great," Ruby commented as Emily clapped for joy.
Victor and Delora stepped up to Callista.
"Take good care of at Totodile," Delora said.
"I will," Callista replied as she looked over at the nesting grounds. All the other Totodile looked confused. They didn't know where their leader was. Callista tossed Totodile's pokeball and released her new pokemon.
Totodile appeared and shook its head still trying to recover from the battle with Chikorita. Totodile looked over at its friends and ran over to them.
"Totodile toto toto totodile," the head Totodile spoke to another Totodile. This Totodile was a lot larger that the leader and seemed to be agreeing with whatever the leader was saying. The bigger Totodile nodded and then went back to the others. With a loud cry the big Totodile began to lead the other Totodile back into the water. Callista's Totodile smiled and then looked back at its new master. "Totodile." It said as it nodded to Callista.
"What just happened?" Emily asked.
Delora attempted to answer her; "Since Totodile is now yours I think it just pasted its leadership to another Totodile."
"Wow really," Callista said. "Is that true?"
Totodile nodded and smiled.
"It looks like it likes the idea of traveling with you Callista," Ruby said when she saw the Totodile smile.
Callista knelt down and held open her arms. Totodile rushed to her and gave her a big hug. "I am glad to have you join me Totodile." Callista said as she held the Totodile in her arms. "I know we will be great friends."
After the touching moment with Totodile, it was time for Callista and friends to leave and continue their journey.
"I can't thank you enough for what you have shown us," Callista said to Delora as the trio was packed up and ready to go.
"The same goes for me and helping us save the Totodile," Delora replied as she and Callista shook hands.
Victor was with Emily as they too were saying their goodbyes.
"I wish you would be able to come with us," Emily said to Victor.
"Yeah, but my teacher needs me here," Victor responded. "And you need to continue your journey so you can get strong enough for your gym."
Emily smiled and gave Victor a big hug. "I'll miss you."
"Miss you too."
Emily returned to her friend's side as they said their final goodbyes.
"Goodbye!" Callista, Ruby and Emily all called out together as they waved to their friends.
"Goodbye and good luck on your journey," Delora called back as she and Victor waved back.
The girls turned and continued on their journey down the road towards their next stop, Violet City with high hopes and a new pokemon.
Totodile Migration
Once our female trio arrived at Dumemark, a small town right next to Violet City, the only thing on Callista's mind was to find a phone and to call home. She was lucky to find a small pokemon center at the beginning of town.
Callista and the duo stepped into the center and all dashed to the nearest videophone. Callista sat down and dialed Professor Elm's number as the other two girls hovered around her.
The phone rang a couple of times until Callista saw the Professor pick up the phone.
"Hey there Professor!" Callista smiled and greeted him.
The Professor seemed surprised to see her. "Hello there Callista, I was afraid you have forgotten about us. Your mother has been calling here to find out how you are doing. You should call her too."
"I tried in Florando," Callista explained, "but you were gone and mom's line was busy."
"So how are you doing? I see Ruby is still with you," Elm said as he saw Ruby smile and wave at him.
"We're fine. We are in Dumemark town and I already won a badge at the Cherrygrove City gym and I'm now close to battling for my second badge."
Professor Elm noticed Emily. "Now who is this young lady?"
"Oh this is Emily," Callista introduced her new friend to the professor. "We met her in National Park and then she found us again in Florando City. She's traveling with us now and she's an awesome flying pokemon trainer."
"Well, that's great. The more friends the better I always say. Great to meet you Emily." Elm said as he waved.
"Great to meet you too." Emily replied.
"Catch any new pokemon?"
"One," Callista replied. "I have a Growlithe now."
Ruby interrupted the conversations for a second. "Speaking of which, give me Growlithe's pokeball and I'll take it to Nurse Joy for a check up."
Callista handed Ruby Growlithe's pokeball. "Great thanks."
Ruby left and Professor Elm continued, "I'm glad you're doing so well. Believe it or not a few of your rivals have given up pokemon training."
"Really?" Callista was surprised to hear this and she want to hear more.
"Yes, it seems that Harriet and Scott couldn't defeat the second gym in Cerulean City. They both tried a few times, but for some reason they just couldn't defeat the gym leader so they gave up and went back home. Now its just you, Ian, Hailey and Mathew now. Keep up the good work!"
"Wow thanks Professor," Callista said. "I won't let you down!"
"I know you won't. I have to go now. I have lots of pokemon to feed. Good luck on your Violet City match and call me again very soon."
"I will!"
"And don't forget to call your mother."
"I will Professor!"
"Goodbye Callista."
"Goodbye Professor." Callista ended the conversation and hung up the phone. The video screen went blank.
"Professor Elm seems really nice," Emily said as Callista picked up the phone again and dialed her mother's number.
As Callista tried to call her mom again Emily left to meet Ruby at the cafeteria tables. Again the line was busy. Callista hung up the phone and thought, "How am I supposed to call mom if she is always on the phone. Maybe Professor Elm can get a hold of her and let her know I'm okay." Callista got up from the phone and joined the girls. Emily was looking at her pokemon guide when Callista walked up to their table.
"Check it out Callista," Emily said as she patted the chair next to her, motioning for Callista to sit down. Callista sat and the three of them hovered over the guide.
Emily read out loud, "Violet City; located between Dunemark town and the Ruins. Sights to see includes the historic Sprout Tower, a Pokemon Academy, Pokemon Gym and it has its own Pokemon treatment Center."
"What does it say about the gym?" Callista asked as she tried to rush Emily through the pages.
"Hold on, hold on I'll get to it," Emily scanned though the words and found the information on the gym. "The Violet City gym is the home of the Zephyr Badge. The leader of the Gym is Falkner a bird pokemon trainer."
"So he's kind of like you," Ruby said to Emily.
Emily nodded, "Yeah, but he's a lot stronger than me. Plus he only trains bird pokemon. Me, on the other hand, I like all kinds of flying pokemon."
"What else does it say about the gym?" Callista nudged Emily to continue.
Emily scanned though more words, "I think that's it. That's all it says about the gym."
Callista was a little disappointed. She was hoping to get more information about the gym, but as least she knew what kind of pokemon that the gym leader raised there. "I better make sure Pikachu is in tiptop shape for the battle," Callista thought to herself as she began to build a stradegy for her gym battle.
'Ding Dong' the treatment light flickered off and Callista knew her Growlithe was ready. She walked up to Nurse Joy who was smiling when she saw her.
"Here you go Callista," Nurse Joy handed her Growlithe's pokeball. "Growlithe is doing remarkable well. I believe it can start battling now, just very mild battling. Take it slow so Growlithe will be able to get back into shape and in no time Growlithe will be able to battle like normal again."
"That's sounds great Nurse Joy thank you," Callista replied. "See ya."
"Good bye and good luck in your journey Callista," Nurse joy replied back as Callista met up with the other girls as they waited for Callista by the exit door.
After a short break, the trio decided there was not much to see in Dunemark so they started to head to Violet City. Since Dunemark was right in the middle of route 31 the trio continued going north. As they talked about pokemon they came across a beautiful flowing river surrounded by hundreds of trees.
"Wow this is really pretty," Ruby said as they all looked around at the scenery.
"Yeah, it's so peaceful here." Emily said as Callista just nodded.
"Watch out!" A voice called from behind as a trainer came running towards them chasing a small blue pokemon. The pokemon dashed by them and then leaped into the water. As the trainer flew by them they saw a glimpse of a very handsome looking boy about eighteen years of age. Dark brown hair flew in the wind as he chased the pokemon to the river. "No!" He screamed when he realized he lost the pokemon. He shook his head for a minute and then turned to the girls. "Hey there," the handsome boy walked up to them and held out his hand. "Sorry about the disturbance ladies, but I have been looking for that pokemon for days. My name is Victor, I am a junior explorer for Violet City."
Emily looked him over as she was beginning to like what she saw despite the fact he was in old torn up jeans and a dirty white shirt. He had brown eyes, which matched perfectly with his fair skin.
"I'm Callista," Callista replied as she shook his hand. Callista then pointed to her friends. "And this is Ruby and Emily."
Emily immediately took a shine to Victor as she pushed Callista out of the way and grabbed his hand. "Hello nice to meet you Vic. Mind if I call you Vic?"
"Uh sure that's fine," Victor smiled; he was very flattered at her reaction to him.
Callista nudged Emily and continued to talk to the boy. "What about that pokemon you were chasing? It ran between us so fast I wasn't able to see what it was."
"Oh, it was a Totodile."
"Wow, a Totodile," Callista said. She remembered Totodile was one of her choices she was able to pick from when she went to pick up her first pokemon. Sure she wanted a Totodile too, but she made the right choice when she took Chikorita.
"Yup," Victor said. "My teacher and I have been trying to follow the migration of the Totodile, but the leader had run off and I was trying to catch it so I could return it to the group. The Totodile do not migrate unless there is a leader."
"That sounds like an interesting job," Callista said.
"So where are you three girls headed?"
"Violet City, I'm on my way to compete in the Violet City gym to win my next badge." Callista bragged.
"So you girls are all trainers," Victor said. "That's cool. I was a serious trainer too, until I found my passion in pokemon studies. I still battle every now and then just for the thrill."
This gave Callista an idea. Nurse Joy did say she wanted for Growlithe to slowly start to battle again. Maybe she could have a small battle right now.
"So if you still battle then how about having a match with me?" Callista asked. "I could always use the practice before the next gym."
"Well, I really shouldn't but it is just too hard to ignore a pokemon battle." Victor agreed as the two trainers spread out to give the battle more room.
Ruby and Emily sat down in the grass on the sidelines to watch. Emily refused to take her eyes off of Victor as he prepared for battle.
"How is a two on two battle sound to you?" Victor called out as he grabbed a pokeball.
"That is just fine by me," Callista shouted back as she too grabbed a pokeball from her waist.
"I'll go first," Victor tossed his first pokeball into the air. "Go!"
Rattata appeared from its pokeball.
Callista smiled and thought to herself. "This is perfect. This is a good start for a healing pokemon." Callista tossed Growlithe's pokeball into the air and called out her fire pokemon.
Growlithe appeared from its pokeball and prepared for battle.
Ruby nudged Emily when she realized Emily wasn't around when Callista got Growlithe. "That's the injured Growlithe Callista saved. It sure is getting better and it looks great!"
Ruby was right. Growlithe's wounds have healed and its fur was beginning to grow back. Growlithe looked happy to be battling again.
"Go Rattata, hyper fang now!" Victor ordered as his Rattata attacked.
"Growlithe dodge it!" Growlithe leaped to the side and dodged the attack. "Now tackle it!"
Growlithe charged at the little pokemon and tackled it with a strong tackle attack. Rattata was tossed aside, but quickly got up.
"Rattata quick attack, let's go!" Victor ordered as Rattata bolted towards its opponent.
"Now let's try a fire attack," Callista commanded. "Use fire spin now!"
Growlithe used its flames to create a circular barrier between itself and the attacking Rattata. With hot burning flames in its way Rattata hauled to a stop.
"Now take down!" Callista ordered as Growlithe leaped through its own flames and slammed into the Rattata with its take down attack.
Rattata was tossed to its trainer's feet and collapsed onto the floor.
"Return Rattata," Victor called his pokemon back and pulled out another pokeball. "I know this is risky but it's worth a shot." Victor released his pokemon. "Go Ledyba!"
A small ladybug looking pokemon appeared.
"Wow, he's sending in a bug pokemon to battle against a fire type?" Ruby whispered to Emily.
Emily whispered back, "Either he is extremely smart and has a plan or extremely stupid and is just doing whatever."
"We'll find out," Ruby said as they continued to watch the battle.
"This battle should be an easy for you Growlithe! Go and use your tackle attack!" Callista ordered as Growlithe charged at the bug.
"Ledyba, fly away!" Ledyba took off into the sky. "Use your swift attack!"
The stars on its back glowed as it released several glowing stars straight for its opponent.
"Dodge it!" Callista called out, as Growlithe just barely was able to dodge the attack. "We better end this fast. Use your flamethrower!"
"Ledyba, use supersonic!"
Ledyba produced a loud, high-pitched sonic wave that hit the Growlithe before Growlithe had a chance to attack. After a few seconds, the Ledyba stopped and flew back to the ground. Growlithe seemed very wobbly and looked confused as it ran around in small circles. It was acting like it didn't know what was going on.
"Return now!" Callista called her Growlithe back. "Impressive."
Callista stared at the Ledyba and thought to herself. "I can't use Chikorita for this battle, so that only leaves me with..."
Callista grabbed a pokeball and called out her pokemon, "I choose you, Pikachu!" Pikachu appeared from its pokeball. "Okay, Pikachu it's all up to you now!"
"Go Ledyba use your supersonic again!" Victor called out as the Ledyba flew into the air.
"Pikachu use thunderbolt and hurry!"
Pikachu charged up its electricity and this time before the Ledyba could attack the Pikachu released its thunderbolt straight into the body of the bug pokemon. After a few jolts the Pikachu stopped and the Ledyba fell to the ground. "Ledyba no!"
"When it comes to speed you can't beat my Pikachu!" Callista bragged as her Pikachu nodded.
"Pika pika chu."
"Ledyba get up!" Victor coached his pokemon back up. "Now use your swift attack!"
"Pikachu use your swift attack too!"
Both Ledyba and Pikachu released their swift attacks. The glowing stars struck each other in midair both destroying each other's attacks.
"Wow, their attacks are about the same level!" Ruby whispered to Emily again. "Callista is going to have to try something else."
Callista was thinking the same thing Ruby was as she ordered her next attack, "We'll have to stick with your electricity. Try your thunderbolt!"
Pikachu charged up its electricity as it leaped into the air.
"Ledyba use your swift attack again!" Victor ordered as Ledyba flew into the sky towards Pikachu.
Just as Pikachu released its electricity the Ledyba also shot several glowing stars at the same time. This time, however, Pikachu's thunderbolt was stronger than Ledyba's attack and completely demolished the swift attack.
"Thunder shock!"
Pikachu quickly charged up another attack and released it into the Ledyba. The Ledyba took a lot of damage and fell to the ground.
"Finish it with a quick attack!" Callista shouted her final order as Pikachu zigzagged back and forth and struck Ledyba with a powerful quick attack.
Ledyba was tossed aside and collapsed onto the ground. It was unable to continue the battle and Pikachu was the winner.
"Ledyba return!" Victor called his pokemon back. "Wow, that was a great battle. You are good."
Before Callista could respond a figure appeared behind her as Victor saw it approach. "Oh no!" He whined when he realized what it was. Callista and the other girls saw his expression and turned to see an older woman in a long white lab coat step up behind them. Her arms were crossed as her dark eyes looked stern and disappointed.
"Victor, I asked you to retrieve that Totodile and I find you here having fun with these girls," she said, angrily.
"I'm sorry teacher it's not what you think. I..." Victor tried to explain, but the woman just held her hand up for silence and continued. "We need that pokemon and I want you to find it. I don't care how you do it."
"Yes, ma'am." Victor agreed and looked at Callista. "I'm sorry I have to go."
"I'm sorry if I got you in trouble," Callista apologized.
Victor shook his head. "No, it's not your fault. It's mine. I should have waited until I found the Totodile." Victor then nodded his head in goodbye to Ruby and Emily and then ran off down stream of the river.
The woman sighed and then turned her attention to the girls. "I am sorry you had to see that, but let me assure you it was necessary."
"I don't see why," Emily muttered to Ruby as Callista stepped over to the woman.
The woman held out her hand, "I am Miss Rivera, but you can call me Delora. I am a Pokemon Researcher, I specialize in pokemon behavior."
"Nice to meet you," Callista shook her hand and introduced herself and her friends again, "I am Callista and these are my friends; Ruby and Emily. We are on our way to Violet City, which is where you work I presume?"
"Yes, how did you know that?"
"Victor told us!" Emily blurted out. "He was trying to get that Totodile, and then when it got away Callista challenged him to a battle. It's not polite to refuse battles."
Delora just smiled. "I know, but Victor should know to contact me when something changes. And that includes a battle. All he had to do was call me on his walkie-talkie and explain what happened to the Totodile."
"So that's why you were upset. It was because Victor didn't tell you about the Totodile so you didn't know what was going on?" Ruby said as she glared at Emily for her rudeness.
Emily just shrugged Ruby's comment off.
"Exactly, especially if he plans on becoming a researcher himself." Delora looked at the girls. "You ladies must be hungry from battling. Come and rest at our camp for a little bit until you regain your strength." The woman pulled a small, hand held walkie-talkie from her belt under her lab coat. She held it up to her mouth and spoke, " Victor I am taking the girls back with me to the camp. Come back when you have word of the Totodile." Delora put the walkie-talkie away. "Come girls." Delora said as she walked away along the river, heading upstream.
Callista and Ruby followed close behind as Emily staggered far behind. Emily didn't exactly like this woman very much.
Meanwhile in another part of the forest area two familiar people were walking next to the same river towards Violet City. Both of them were wearing Team Rocket uniforms that were full of dirt and sweat.
"Pat are you sure those brats are headed this way?" Garret whined, as he grew tried of walking.
"For the thousandth time, yes! Callista is a trainer and she is collecting badges so she is bound to head for Violet City since that gym is the closest," Pat answered. "And where ever she goes her friend with the Quilava will go."
Suddenly a Totodile leaped out of the river and landed right in front of Pat.
"Hey, do you see that?" Pat said, as she got excited.
"A Totodile!" Garret cried out.
"And Totodile can evolve into Feraligatr!" Pat cried out in excitement. "Let's grab it!"
Pat and Garret dove toward the Totodile. Totodile saw them coming and at the last minute it leaped up into the air as the team landed face first on the ground. The Totodile landed on Pat's back, opened its mouth and took a large bite on Pat's hindquarters. Pat shrieked as the Totodile ran off back into the water.
"That little pest!" Pat complained as she continued to wince in pain. "How dare it bite me there!"
"It's gone now," Garret replied.
"Not for long," Pat complained. "I am going to hunt it down and capture that little pest if it's the last thing I do."
"What do you have in mind?"
"Listen up," Pat said as she pulled Garret closer to her and begin whispering a new plan in his ear.
Delora led the female trio to a small campsite, surrounded by lots of big trees, containing two small tents and two folding chairs. The camp was also sitting near the same river that the Totodile had escaped in earlier.
"This place looks cozy," Callista commented as they stepped into the campsite.
"We don't have electricity running though here so that's another reason why Victor really needs to be on his toes. We have to do as much research as we can before the sun goes down to end the day. He is the type to slack off if someone gives him the chance," Delora said. "Have a seat girls."
The girls settled down on some soft grass as Delora rested on a chair nearby.
"What kind of research are you two doing?" Callista asked. "And why did you need that Totodile?"
Delora replied, "Like I said before, Victor and I are doing research for Violet City. There was an article printed out in a research magazine a couple of months back that stated Totodile are not the nurturing kind of pokemon and it said when Totodile lay their eggs the parent Totodile abandon the eggs to hatch and leave their offspring to fend for themselves. The company I work for did not believe a word of it and sent us out here to discover the true behind these horrible accusations on the Totodile."
"Wow," Ruby replied. "I never thought anyone could believe a pokemon would do that to their own offspring."
"I know, and that is why I need Victor to be at his best," Delora continued. "We need to get the Totodile moving so we can follow them to their nesting grounds and record what we find. And I'm sure we'll find out that the Totodile are just as nurturing just as all the other pokemon are."
"Wow, that sounds like a cool job and really important too," Callista said.
"Yes it is." Delora replied as she turned her head when she caught a glimpse of Victor jogging towards them. "Victor, over here!" Delora waved him down. Victor ran over to her and stopped, extremely out of breath. "Well?"
"I lost the Totodile leader, but at least we still have all the other Totodile." Victor noticed that his teacher was about to say something as she started to open her mouth, but he had a feeling he knew what she was going to say so he said it first. "But even so we still need to leader so it can lead the other's back to the nesting ground."
Delora closed her mouth and nodded.
Callista looked up at the sky. It started to get darker and Callista assumed it was getting late "Looks like we aren't going to make it to Violet City until tomorrow," Callista sighed.
"Look at it this way," Ruby said. "At least we'll be able to sleep under the stars."
Delora liked the sound of this. "That sounds like marvelous idea. I can build a fire and we can all lay under the stars and talk pokemon."
Everyone like the idea, so Victor and Emily left to collect fire wood as Delora and the other girls set up their sleeping bags outside in a large circle. As night fell and the stars begin to appear in the dark sky the group sat comfortably around a large campfire talking about pokemon and their journey.
"And when I get stronger I want to battle with Lance," Ruby finished her story as the others sat in silence listening to her.
"I have met Lance once," Delora said. "I went to do some research studies in the Dragon's Den and I ran into him inside while he was training his pokemon."
"Wow," Ruby said.
Delora had heard Callista's story, and after she just finished listening to Ruby she then turned to Emily. "So why are you traveling?"
Emily looked at her friends and then at Victor.
"Yeah, you never told us why you were traveling?" Callista recalled. "All you said was you wanted to join us."
"Yeah, well." Emily began. "As you know already know I am a flying pokemon trainer. I was really hoping that one day I'd be able to open my very own pokemon gym."
"But Violet City already has a flying gym," Ruby said when she quickly remembered what Emily had read from her guide earlier today.
"Yeah, but Falkner only trains bird pokemon." Emily looked up into the sky. "My gym will be full of all types of flying pokemon. All the flying pokemon you can imagine from Johto pokemon to Kanto pokemon. When I get my gym I will train hard and completely wipe out Falkner's gym and ground his bird pokemon. My gym will be the most popular gym in the whole Johto land!"
Callista yawned which spread throughout the group. Everyone was getting tired. Delora looked at Victor.
"We should get some sleep if we are going to find that Totodile in the morning," she said as she yawned and laid down in her sleeping bag with Victor also going to sleep.
If Callista and the others were going to make it to Violet City by noon tomorrow, they needed to get their sleep as well. As the five of them rested the night got darker and darker as the campfire got dimmer and dimmer. As Callista, Ruby and Emily were sound asleep, Delora quickly snapped awake as she shot up out of her sleeping bag. The violent movement woke Victor up as he slowly opened his eyes.
"What is it?" Victor said, still half asleep.
"I hear something," Delora replied as she got up out of the bag and walked around the perimeter of the campsite. "Something is moving through the grass. I can hear it."
Delora was right. A sound of broken tree branches caught their attention as they looked over only to see the head Totodile appear.
"Shhhh," Delora shushed Victor before he could even open his mouth. Delora ducked down and pretended to be asleep as she saw the Totodile move in closer. "I think its ready to lead the others to the nesting ground. But first it's checking to make sure the coast is clear for its family." Delora whispered to Victor as they watched the Totodile survey the scene.
Once the Totodile thought it was safe it ran back into the trees. A minute or two passed when Delora and Victor heard more sounds coming their way. A whole herd of Totodile appeared with the leader leading the bunch towards the river near the campsite. One by one the Totodile leaped into the water as the leader continued to keep watch. Once all the Totodile were in the water the head Totodile leaped in and began leading the group up stream. Delora quickly jumped up and ran to her backpack. Victor watched as she pulled out a pokeball and released a pokemon.
"Hoooot," A Hoothoot appeared and was ready for its orders.
Delora whispered to her pokemon, "I want you to follow the Totodile upstream and when they stop I want you to come right back."
"Hooooo." Hoothoot nodded and then flew off into the sky.
Delora looked at Victor, "I think we should wake up the girl. I think they might want to see this."
Delora and Victor shook the girls awake and told them what was happening. Callista, Ruby and Emily were more than excited to go with the researchers as they leaped out of their sleeping bags and threw on their jackets.
Delora and Victor lead the girls upstream as they followed the river hoping to find the Totodile. Hoothoot soon appeared in front of them and fly down to its trainer.
"Did you see where they stopped?" Delora asked her pokemon.
Hoothoot nodded.
"Can you show us where they are?"
Hoothoot nodded again and then flew off upstream again.
After a few minutes of walking upstream Delora saw something in the distance. She put her hand up to stop everyone from moving.
"Wait a minute, I see something up ahead." Delora said. "Wait right here."
Delora slowly crept further up until she disappeared into the darkness. It took a few moments for her to return and when she did, she waved for the others to follow. Delora led them a few feet ahead and then stopped when she got to at thick bunch of trees and shrubs right next to the water. She motioned for the others to push the branches and leaves aside and when they did they were all amazed at the sight they saw. There were many Totodile, all of them different sizes. All the Totodile were scattered around in the small area as they all worked around little white oval objects.
Callista took a good look and was the first to notice what the white objects were, "Hey, are those pokemon eggs?" Callista whispered to Delora.
Delora nodded in silence as Victor started taking pictures.
They all watched as all the Totodile began putting leaves and dirt on the eggs to keep them warm.
"It appears that these eggs have been here for a few weeks already and the Totodile are taking care of them while the eggs get ready to hatch," Delora started to talk to a recorder so she could have it on record. The other girls kept silent until Emily noticed something.
"Hey, something is moving around over there," Emily whispered and pointed out.
She was right. One of the leaves that were placed by a Totodile was shaking. It shook and shook until the leaves slid off to reveal a hatching egg.
"It's hatching!" Ruby whispered in excitement.
They watched as eggs started to crack and shell pieces began to break off. The parent Totodile helped as it gently lifted the baby Totodile out of the egg by the baby's strong tail and lowered it to the ground. The baby Totodile opened its eyes and looked up at its parent. "Totodile," the baby squeaked.
"Awe," Callista sighed, "How cute."
It took a few more moments for other eggs to begin hatching and soon the whole area was full of baby Totodile running all over the place. The head Totodile then walked up to another Totodile. This one was very big and talked to it. "Totodile toto dile dile totodile," the head Totodile said as it led all the other Totodile into the water. The large Totodile stayed behind.
"What is going on?" Callista asked.
"I'm thinking that Totodile is now in charge of protecting the young as the head Totodile and the others went to find food for the young." Delora said as they stayed behind with the young so Victor and Delora can do their job and get proof of their findings with pictures and voice recordings.
"Totodile!" A pokemon screamed in panic in the distance.
"Hey what is that?" Callista said as she, Ruby and Emily took of in the direction on the scream.
"We should follow," Delora said to Victor as the two of them followed the girls downstream along with Hoothoot flying behind them.
The group followed the cries until they found the cause.
The Totodile were trapped in a large fishing net hovering over the water being carried away by a large hot air balloon. The balloon was black and had a huge red R on the front.
"Hahaha," a familiar voice laughed.
"Hello there," Pat appeared in the basket of the balloon. "Prepare for trouble!"
Garret then appeared next to Pat. "And make it double!"
"To conquer the world and its habitation."
"To restart our forces and its new generation."
"To announce the team to all the masters."
"To build our team and cause disasters."
"Pat."
"Garret."
"Team Rocket takes over with all of its might."
"Surrender your pokemon now or prepare to fight."
Delora shook her fist at the team. "What do you think you are doing?"
"We are taking these Totodile for our boss," Pat explained. "These will make a wonderful addition to Team Rocket when we force evolve them into a large group of Feraligatr."
"They have young to care for!" Delora argued. "You can't take them!"
"Well its too bad for them," Pat cried out. "One of these Totodile bit me and now they are all going to pay for it."
"You can't take them I won't let you," Delora called out.
"What are you going to do about it?" Garret said.
"Watch us leave with your precious Totodile!" Pat said as she pulled on the hot air balloon fire control and made the balloon rise higher into the sky. "Bye bye now."
As Team Rocket began to drift away Delora ran after the balloon. "No you can't do this!"
The female trio, along with Victor, ran after her.
Once Delora realized she wouldn't be able to keep up on foot she called to her pokemon. "Hoothoot follow them!"
Hoothoot darted into the sky and followed Team Rocket at a safe distance. As the balloon started to disappear over the trees Delora and the others continued to follow in the direction Team Rocket were headed.
"I just have to get those Totodile back," Delora cried out.
"Don't worry we will," Callista said as the others continued to follow.
Pat and Garret lowered the balloon, when they figured they had lost their enemies, in front of a small cabin. The cabin was close to the same river, but on the opposite side that the girls were on and it was further downstream. As Garret used Croconaw to drag the pokemon into the cabin, the head Totodile tried to reason with the Croconaw to let them go. Croconaw ignored the Totodile's pleads and continued to drag them inside. Croconaw wouldn't let anything keep it from obeying its master's orders.
"Well, well, well, our boss is going to be pleased with us when were give him these Totodile," Pat said. "And after we get these Totodile to the boss and evolve them we can use them to get that Quilava."
"Maybe when we do catch it we can force evolve that Quilava too and make it stronger," Garret said.
Pat slapped in along side his head, "You don't force evolve strong pokemon like Quilava. Only when the pokemon are small and weak like these Totodile do you force evolve them. Now get some rest we have a long day of traveling tomorrow morning to get to the new base."
There was barely any furniture in the cabin so Garret and Pat slept wherever they found room with Croconaw standing guard over the Totodile.
It was morning when Callista and the others were able to catch up with Team Rocket as they approached the cabin. Hoothoot flew to its trainers shoulder and perched.
"Are you sure Team Rocket is in there?" Delora asked her pokemon as Hoothoot nodded.
"How are we going to get them out?" Callista asked as they all examined the scene.
"We have to figure out how to get Team Rocket to leave the cabin. If we charge in who knows what will be waiting for us. But if we can get them to come out then we can get them with a surprise attack," Emily planned.
The female team snuck up to the side of the cabin and searched for an opening. Emily found a small hole between the logs and showed it to Ruby. Ruby quietly called out her Quilava and ordered it to attack.
"Quilava," Ruby whispered to her pokemon, "use your smoke screen and blast those crooks out of this cabin."
"Lava lava," Quilava nodded and put its mouth up to the hole. It took a deep breath and blew a large amount of smoke into the cabin. The smoke, very slowly, began to fill the cabin.
Pat and Garret were so excited about their capture, as they counted all the Totodile they had captured; they didn't notice what was going on right way.
"...Six.... and that makes seven...eight.... nine," Pat counted as Garret wrote on a memo pad how many Totodile there were.
"Our boss is going to love this," Garret said as Pat continued to count. "With all of these Totodile, he'd be able to create a large army of Feraligatr!"
"This little one," Pat said as she pointed to the leader of the group, "Seems to be pretty tough. It must be at a high level."
The head Totodile glared at its captors and snarled as it showed them its sharp ivory teeth.
"Oh, stop complaining!" Pat said in a very stern voice. "You'll still be the leader when we give you to our boss. And you will command all of your little friends to help you obey our boss's, and your new master's, commands."
"DILE!" Totodile refused to go with these evil humans as it started to nibble at the net.
"Stop it you little blue reptile!" Pat shouted.
The Totodile was just about to break though the net, when Garret called out his Ariados. "Ariados, use sleep powder."
Ariados appeared and released a small cloud of sleep powder, which covered all the Totodile. The head Totodile tried to stay away, but it soon fell asleep with all the other Totodile.
"That was easy," Pat said as she continued to count the pokemon.
"Uh, Pat?"
"What is it?" Pat looked over her shoulder.
"Does it seem like it's getting a little smoky in here?" Garret asked as he noticed the room began to look hazy and a bit darker.
"It's your imagination!" Pat argued as she turned back to the Totodile.
On the outside, Quilava was still using its smoke screen as it continued to blow smoke into the cabin.
"Great, keep going!" Ruby said as her and the other's continued to wait for Team Rocket to emerge from the cabin.
As the smoke began to build up Garret begin to cough.
"What's the matter now?" Pat complained.
"I smell something," Garret coughed. "It maybe just be me, but does it seem like the air is getting thicker and smoggier?"
Pat then noticed the smoke surrounding their feet on the floor. "Ah, there is a fire!"
Pat grabbed Garret and pulled him outside of the cabin. Garret collapsed onto the ground coughing up all the smoke he breathed in as Pat looked around for the fire.
"I don't see a fire," Pat said, "Some is fishy here."
"Hold it right there!" Callista shouted as she appeared from the side of the cabin.
"It's the brats!" Pat said. "They actually found us!"
Delora called her Hoothoot back and joined Callista. "You give us back those Totodile," Delora commanded as Ruby, Emily, Victor and Quilava joined in.
"Speaking of the Totodile," Pat smiled. "You do know they are still inside breathing in all that toxic smoke."
Delora gasped, "No the Totodile!" Delora tried to go in after them when Ruby held her back. "Let the fire pokemon handle this! Quilava go get the pokemon," Ruby then released her Vulpix. "Vulpix help Quilava out!" Vulpix appeared from its pokeball. Quilava and Vulpix raced into the cabin and together they pulled the large net full of Totodile out of the cabin to safety. "Great job!"
"Chikorita come on out!" Callista released her Chikorita. "Use your razor leaf and set the Totodile free!"
Chikorita released four razor leaves toward the net slicing the ropes into pieces. The Totodile shouted for joy and all together they bolted towards the river.
"We have to stop them!" Garret shouted.
"We will!" Pat grabbed a pokeball and called out her Murkrow. "Go Murkrow stop those Totodile!"
Before Murkrow could attack, Ruby stepped in to the rescue. "Vulpix use your fire spin and surround that bird!"
Vulpix released a large circular burst of flames that quickly surrounded the bird pokemon. Trapped in a circle of flames the Murkrow tried to fly through it to escape but when it did it the fire burned its feathery body and it did major damage to itself.
"You dumb pokemon!" Pat shouted at her Murkrow, as it lay motionless on the ground.
Garret stepped up. "I'll take care of them, Croconaw go!" Croconaw appeared from its pokeball. "Use water gun on the Vulpix!"
Just as Croconaw released a burst of water toward the fire pokemon, Ruby retreated and called Vulpix back. "Vulpix return quick." Vulpix managed to escape into its pokeball just in time. "Whoa, that was close."
Garret and Pat watched as all of the Totodile, except for one, managed to escape into the water. The leader of the group stopped before it reached the water and turned to watch the battle. It seemed curious about the humans that had saved it and its family of Totodile.
"No! All of our pretty Totodile are gone!" Pat snarled at the group responsible for letting their capture escape. "You little brats. You'll all pay for this!"
"Croconaw attack now!" Garret ordered as Croconaw attacked the trio.
Since Chikorita was already out Callista decided to battle with her grass partner. "Go Chikorita tackle attack!"
"Tackle attack!" Garret ordered.
The two pokemon charged at each other and using all of their strength they crashed into each other using their tackle attacked. Both of the attacks seemed like the same about of strength as both pokemon got pushed to the side by the other's attack. Callista was proud of how strong her pokemon were getting and continued to attack as hard as she could so Chikorita could gain even more strength. "Chikorita use your tackle again!"
Garret decided to accept this silent challenge and attacked again. "Tackle attack!"
Again the two pokemon slammed into each other with their tackle attacks. This time Chikorita's attack seemed a little bit stronger as Croconaw as tossed farther back than before.
"Now use your razor leaf attack!"
"Croconaw dodge it!"
Croconaw dodged the razor leaves that Chikorita released and charged at the Chikorita again.
"Chikorita dodge it!"
Chikorita dodged the attack by leaping to the side. Croconaw stopped charging and spun around keeping its back away from its opponent.
As the battle between Croconaw and Chikorita continued, Delora glanced to the side and noticed the head Totodile staring at Callista and her Chikorita. Its eyes were fixed on the battle as if the Totodile was studying it. Delora continued to watch both the battle and the Totodile.
"Go Chikorita use your razor leaf attack!" Callista ordered again as Chikorita released several more razor leaves.
Croconaw, again, was able to dodge out of the way.
"Croconaw bite attack!"
"This is it Chikorita hurry and use your vine whip," Callista ordered as Chikorita stretched out its vine whip and wrapped it around the Croconaw's mouth, snapping it shut.
"Oh no, not again!" Garret screamed as he realized what was going on.
"Now whip it Chikorita!"
Chikorita lifted the Croconaw into the air, swung it around in a large circle, and threw it towards Team Rocket. Pat and Garret were able to duck out of the way but poor Murkrow, who was finally able to stand up from Vulpix's previous attack, got hit in the back by the Croconaw's large body and collapsed again. Neither Croconaw nor Murkrow had the energy to get back up.
Ruby stepped up to finish, "Looks like it's my turn! Quilava send them away with your flame wheel!"
"Quilava lava lava!" Quilava bolted toward Team Rocket as it built up its flames.
Team Rocket screamed as the Quilava struck the Team and their pokemon with a powerful flame wheel. Team Rocket was shot up into the air.
"I was so sure we were going to win this time!" Pat whined.
"We were close," Garret replied.
"Mur."
"Croco!"
"Team Rocket is blasting off again!" Pat and Garret shouted as they disappeared into the sky Quilava galloped over to its trainer. "Great job Quilava!" Ruby knelt down and stroked Quilava's fur as its flames on its back died down.
Now that all the Totodile were safe, and Team Rocket was disposed of, they still had one thing left to worry about.
"So what are we going to do about this mechanical thing," Callista asked Delora as she pointed to the crashed balloon and the huge broken up net that was used to catch the Totodile.
"I could always sell it for scrap and use the money to help fund our study," Delora said as she stepped over to Callista.
Ruby called her Quilava back.
"Thank you so much Callista, Ruby, Emily. I don't know what we would have done if Team Rocket escaped with the Totodile," Delora thanked the girls as everyone gathered together.
"It was nothing. I think I should be thanking you. Because of you I got to see something I have never seen before. A Totodile nest and baby Totodile hatching from their eggs. That was totally awesome."
"Totodile!"
"What was that?" Emily asked as they heard a Totodile speak.
They all looked around and saw the head Totodile still staring at them by the river. The Totodile walked a little closer and then started to snap its large mouth in Callista's direction.
"What is it doing?" Callista asked Delora.
"I believe that Totodile may want to challenge you Callista," Delora replied.
"How do you know?" Emily asked.
"Well, I have been watching the Totodile watch you battle and it seemed very interested," Delora replied. "It must have been impressed with your strength."
"Okay if it wants a battle I'll give it one!" Callista said as she stepped up to the challenge. Since Chikorita was already out of its pokeball Callista decided to battle with a grass type. "Let's go Chikorita!"
"Chika!" Chikorita leaped into battle once again as the girls and Victor all stepped out of the way to give the battle some room.
The Totodile grinned and prepared for battle.
"Chikorita use tackle attack!" Callista ordered as Chikorita charged at the Totodile.
The Totodile just braced itself and took the attack. It was pushed back a little, but besides that it was unaffected.
"We'll have to try a your grass attacks for the advantage," Callista said when she realized Chikorita's strength was going to work. "Use your razor leaf attack."
Chikorita swung its large leaf around and released several razor leaves toward its opponent. Totodile used some very fancy footwork to dodge each and every one of the attacks. Totodile leaped back when the razor leaves were done and released a large blast of water, which struck Chikorita with a mighty blow. Luckily Chikorita was a grass pokemon and the water attack didn't do much damage. Chikorita recovered quickly and then attacked with another razor leaf attack. The Totodile again used its footwork to dodge and was successful until it was hit with the last of the leaves. The Totodile got tossed to the side. It struggled to get back into its feet but only for a second. The Totodile turned to Chikorita and released another water gun attack. This time Chikorita managed to dodge the attack with ease and was ready to attack right back.
"Use your vine whip!" Callista called out.
Chikorita stretched out its vine whips toward the Totodile. The vines whipped the Totodile right in the face several times until the Totodile managed to grab a hold of the vines with its mouth and stop the attack.
"Oh no!" Callista cried out.
The Totodile yanked the Chikorita off of its feet and started to twirl the little pokemon around in a small circle. Then as it gained plenty of speed the Totodile let go of the vines as it sent the Chikorita soaring right into a tree. The Chikorita was down, but Callista could tell that it wasn't out yet as the pokemon managed to stand with out much struggling.
"We are going to have to stay with far away attack," Callista said as she saw the Totodile attack with its mouth open wide.
"It's going to use its bite attack," Ruby called from the sidelines.
"Don't try to use your vine whip just dodge out of the way," Callista ordered as the Chikorita leaped to the left as it dodged the attack.
"Now use your sweet scent!" Callista called out as the Chikorita released a cloud of its scent toward the Totodile.
Totodile sniffed it, but it seemed not to be too effective.
"Try something different!" Emily called for the sidelines.
Callista wasn't sure what else her Chikorita could do.
"Throw a razor leaf," Callista finally ordered at the Chikorita obeyed and attacked the Totodile.
Totodile just dodged the attack once again with its quick footwork and then used its leer attack. The Chikorita looked away just in time, but unfortunately the Totodile noticed its adversary looked away so it charged and struck the Chikorita in the back with a tackle attack. Chikorita was getting exhausted, but Callista wasn't about to give up just yet. She knew Chikorita had a few more attacks left in it so she tried to think about what else grass pokemon could do. Totodile, seeing the hesitation, charged again, but this time Callista was ready. She remembered one more attack that she was ready to try.
"Chikorita use your sleep powder!" Callista ordered as Chikorita released a blanket of sparkling clear dust over the Totodile.
The Totodile's running pace slowed to a stop as the water pokemon began to fall asleep. The Totodile's eyes closed shut as the pokemon fell asleep still standing.
"Now finished it with your best tackle attack!" Callista called out her last attack as the Chikorita charged at the sleeping pokemon.
The Chikorita used all of its remaining strength and struck the Totodile with a mighty tackle attack. The force of the blow woke the Totodile up as the Totodile got thrown to the side. It struggled to get back up onto its feet, but when it couldn't find the energy to rise, the Totodile collapsed onto the ground. Callista took this opportunity and grabbed an empty pokeball. "Pokeball go!" Callista called as she tossed the pokeball at the motionless Totodile. Totodile was sucked into the pokeball as the ball twitched and twitched trying to contain the pokemon. Finally, the ball stopped and the light flickered off. Totodile was captured and Callista was ecstatic. She ran up to the pokeball and held it up in the air.
"Yay, I caught a Totodile!" Callista shouted out in excitement.
"That was great," Ruby commented as Emily clapped for joy.
Victor and Delora stepped up to Callista.
"Take good care of at Totodile," Delora said.
"I will," Callista replied as she looked over at the nesting grounds. All the other Totodile looked confused. They didn't know where their leader was. Callista tossed Totodile's pokeball and released her new pokemon.
Totodile appeared and shook its head still trying to recover from the battle with Chikorita. Totodile looked over at its friends and ran over to them.
"Totodile toto toto totodile," the head Totodile spoke to another Totodile. This Totodile was a lot larger that the leader and seemed to be agreeing with whatever the leader was saying. The bigger Totodile nodded and then went back to the others. With a loud cry the big Totodile began to lead the other Totodile back into the water. Callista's Totodile smiled and then looked back at its new master. "Totodile." It said as it nodded to Callista.
"What just happened?" Emily asked.
Delora attempted to answer her; "Since Totodile is now yours I think it just pasted its leadership to another Totodile."
"Wow really," Callista said. "Is that true?"
Totodile nodded and smiled.
"It looks like it likes the idea of traveling with you Callista," Ruby said when she saw the Totodile smile.
Callista knelt down and held open her arms. Totodile rushed to her and gave her a big hug. "I am glad to have you join me Totodile." Callista said as she held the Totodile in her arms. "I know we will be great friends."
After the touching moment with Totodile, it was time for Callista and friends to leave and continue their journey.
"I can't thank you enough for what you have shown us," Callista said to Delora as the trio was packed up and ready to go.
"The same goes for me and helping us save the Totodile," Delora replied as she and Callista shook hands.
Victor was with Emily as they too were saying their goodbyes.
"I wish you would be able to come with us," Emily said to Victor.
"Yeah, but my teacher needs me here," Victor responded. "And you need to continue your journey so you can get strong enough for your gym."
Emily smiled and gave Victor a big hug. "I'll miss you."
"Miss you too."
Emily returned to her friend's side as they said their final goodbyes.
"Goodbye!" Callista, Ruby and Emily all called out together as they waved to their friends.
"Goodbye and good luck on your journey," Delora called back as she and Victor waved back.
The girls turned and continued on their journey down the road towards their next stop, Violet City with high hopes and a new pokemon.