Glad you like the chapters so far! I don't own Pokemon, enjoy!

Chapter 16: Here Comes The Squirtle Squad

"I don't know how Ash gets out of being lost, but for once, I think I am."

Angelina was walking through the forest and off-route from the dirt path. She heard people talking to her left and walked in that direction, peeking out from behind a tree. There holding binoculars and hiding behind bushes was Team Rocket's Jessie and James, and their talking Pokemon Meowth.

"There, I see them," Jessie said, looking through the binoculars. "The little brats, and Pikachu's with them."

"Do you see a restaurant?" Meowth asked. "I'm really starving here."

"But no more pizza!" James reminded.

'What's Team Rocket up to?' Angelina thought as Jessie smacked Meowth and James with her paper fan.

"I'm sick of pizza every meal!" James complained.

"You'll never eat again if you mess up this mission!" Jessie yelled.

"Can we order Chinese food?" James asked quietly.

"Or maybe some tacos?" Meowth piped.

Jessie growls and whips her fan at James and Meowth again. "Am I the only member of this team who thinks world domination is more important than what's for lunch? Now let's focus ourselves on what really matters and that's how we're going to capture Pikachu!"

Then what caught everyone's attention was Jessies's stomach growling.

Jessie laughs nervously and pulls out a picnic basket. "Now my stomach says it's time to eat."

"Yes!" James exclaimed happily.

"Yea, yea!" Meowth cheered. "We're going to have a picnic!"

Suddenly, the Rockets turned around and saw five Squirtles wearing black sunglasses. Four of them had round glasses and the fifth had pointed triangle shaped glasses.

Angelina gulped and quickly ducked behind the tree. 'Uh oh, not good!'

"You guys got a problem?" Jessie narrowed her eyes rudely.

"Squirtle Squirtle, Squirtle Squirtle!" the Lead Squirtle spoke up.

"Meowth, what's it saying?" James asked.

"I think it said, 'give us your food, or else.'!" Meowth translated.

"You're threatening us?" Jessie questioned. "We're Team Rocket, we threaten!"

"Squirtle, Squirtle Squirtle!" a sparkle gleamed in the Lead Squirle's sunglasses. (Guess you'll have to see it our way then)

"Let's show these little creeps." Jessie pulled out a Pokeball.

"I'm game." James agreed, also holding a Pokeball.

Angelina was surprised that the Squirtles were smart to set a trap for Team Rocket, but it was possible when the Rockets fell into a hole that Angelina didn't even know was there. The Squirtles laughed and walked toward the hole, Angelina watched as Jessie and James were tied to a tree while Meowth was tied up and hanging from the tree's branch. She then saw the Squirtles digging into Team Rocket's picnic basket and start to eat. Jessie and James began to wake up, and so did Meowth.

"Oh no, they're eating all the jelly doughnuts and éclairs!" Jessie exclaimed.

"They're drinking all the lemonade!" James frowned.

"This is cruel and unusual!" Meowth cried.

"Squirtle Squirtle!" the leader snapped. (Ah, shut up)

"Those aren't Squirtles, they're piggles!" Jessie growled.

"They're starting on the sandwiches!" James whimpered. "We've got to do something!"

"Hmm," Jessie thought. "Wait…. You Squirtles, how'd you like to do a little job for us?"

The Squirtles stopped eating and looked at Jessie.

"There's these three kids with a Pikachu," Jessie explained. "Our Boss would be most appreciative if you helped us capture them. He'll make it worth your while."

"Squirtle Squirtle!" the leader waved off unbelievingly.

"What did the Squirtles answer?" James asked.

"The Squirtles says 'forget it, no humans can't be trusted'!" Meowth translated.

"So make them trust us!" James demanded.

Meowth grinned. "Dat won't be easy, but let me see what I can do." He turned to the Turtle Pokemon. "Squirtles, both of these humans belong to Meowth."

"Belong to!" James was shocked, Angelina snickered quietly.

"They'll never trust you two." Meowth replied. "You've got 'liar' written all over you, just let me handle this."

"Oh you little…." James growled.

"These humans are my pets." Meowth continued. "I trained them, but they're pretty stupid."

The lead Squirtle and his group talked it over, the leader gets up.

"Squirtle!" (Explain yourself!)

"Don't ever raise your voice to me again, you bad human!" Meowth yells, raising his foot and hits James in the head. "Bad human! Bad, bad human!"

"Squirtle Squirtle!" the leader says to his group while pointing to Meowth. "Squirtle, Squirtle, Squirtle!"

"Squirtle!" Squirtle #2 gets up and released Meowth from its bindings.

"Ha, haha!" Meowth laughed happily. "See, you guys can trust me!" the leader unties the feline Pokemon and it now eats the food from the basket.

"Meowth, what about us?" Jessie demanded. "Untie us, too!"

"I want a doughnut!" James whined.

"Be quiet!" Meowth snapped, he got up and jumps onto James and Jessie's shoulders while holding a lemonade can and a jelly doughnut. "We gotta keep up dis act till the Squirtles trust me, and dat's gonna take a little time…." He then eats the rest of the doughnut.

"More than what you think!" Angelina stepped out of her hiding place.

"What the-!" Meowth coughed and spat out the doughnut, he jumped down and pointed a claw at her. "How's come you're not tied up?"

"Uh…. Well…." Angelina grew nervous, looking from Meowth to the Squirtles. "You see…. I…."

"Save it, kid." Meowth said, knowing that Angelina didn't want to be tied up like Jessie and James. "I don't wanna here your excuses, yous were suppose to be back here ten minutes ago."

"Oh?" Angelina looked at the feline Pokemon, then she realized to play along. "Yeah, right! I was in town at the Poke Mart, but the walk back was longer that I expected."

"Squirtle?" the leader asked. (Is she your pet?)

"Of course," Meowth replied. "She's my special pet compared to dose two nimrods." He motioned toward Jessie and James who glared daggers at him, then the feline winked up at Angelina. "Aren't ya, sweetcheeks?"

Angelina raised her eyebrow as she wanted to refuse on that, but she didn't want to get in trouble, so she nodded.

"Squirtle, Squirtle, Squirtle!" the leader added. (At least she isn't a spy)

Angelina gulped that she was going to be found out for following Ash around, but she sighed in relief as Meowth replied, "Yeah, she's not like dat though."

"What it say this time?" James asked.

"Ah, nothing you need to know." Meowth waved off.

"Squirtle, Squirtle, Squirtle?" the leader then asked. (So what was your pet saying earlier about these other humans and a Pikachu?)

"You're taking up the offer?" Meowth grinned. "Great, here's my idea so far," the feline Pokemon whispered to the leader and other Squirtles that now huddled together.

Angelina heard bits and pieces of the discussion, her fists clenching and unclenching when Meowth said "capture da twerps and bind them in rope while deir Pikachu is caged, leaving my pets (Jessie and James) to…." she knew something was wrong with that and just had to see Meowth's plan for herself.

"All right, let's get a move on!" Meowth ordered.

"Where?" Angelina asked.

"You'll see," Meowth smirked. "For now, untie my pets. I'd like to speak to dem alone."

Angelina sighed. 'And I thought I was trusted.' She walked over to the tree and loosened the ropes that binded down Jessie and James.

"Come, my pets." Meowth said. "I have a plan to un-foil."

"This better be good, Meowth." Jessie growled irritably.

Angelina watched Meowth discuss his plan with Jessie and James; for a Pokemon that had the intelligence of human speaking-language and the ability to walk on two feet, Meowth was very crafty and sneaky, too.

"Yous know what to do?" Meowth asked.

"Yes, tomorrow at noon." Jessie replied. "And we'll take the balloon with us."

"Good, and yous better return to dat hide-out we passed by earlier." Meowth added. "Da Squirtle Squad don't like waiting."

"Right, Meowth." James nodded. "We'll meet you there."

Jessie and James departed in the Meowth balloon. No sooner than that, Angelina tagged along with Meowth and the Squirtle Squad through the forest.

Meowth looked out from behind a tree, grinning, "Does twerps are over dere fishin', now's good as never for da plan."

"Squirtle!" (Okay) the leader nods, turning to Squirtle #2. "Squirtle, Squirtle!" (Get going)

"Squirtle!" Squirtle #2 said, then departing. (Right)

Angelina sighed, waiting two or three minutes until hearing Ash and Co. yell out "Hurry Pikachu!" and no sooner "Chaaaaaa!" from Pikachu in pain.

"Now, go!" Meowth yelled.

"Squirtle!" the Squirtles rushed out with rope in hand. (Charge)

"What the-!" Angelina peeked out, seeing the Squirtle Squad lasso Ash and Co, then tie them up. "Meowth, was that suppose to be a joke?"

"Close to dat, sweetcheeks." Meowth chuckled and stepped out from behind the tree, "You're not gonna Squirtle outta dis one!"

"It's Meowth!" Misty exclaimed.

"Meowth!" Ash yelled angrily.

Angelina was scared, she didn't want her friends hurt and yet she didn't want her reputation ruined for tagging along with Meowth.

"Hey Meowth," Angelina called out. "I'll meet you at the hide-out. My Noctowl will fly me there."

"All right," Meowth shrugged. "Less for me to worry."

Angelina rolled her eyes, she threw her Pokeball that revealed her nocturnal Pokemon. She mounted his back and ordered, "Fly overhead, but make sure we're following Meowth!"

Noctowl nodded and took to the air, flying overhead but secretly behind Meowth and the Squirtle Squad pulling the tied-up twerp-brigade (quoted from Meowth) along the road. Angelina pointed toward the ground, mostly at a cave located in the middle of the forest where she saw everyone walk inside. She thanked her Noctowl and recalled it before entering the cave and quickly ducked behind a huge rock. Meowth was perched on a rock beside another rock that the Squirtles were tying Ash and Co to, and an injured Pikachu was in a cage on the ground.

"I'm the Pokemon in charge here, just wait till my human pets get back!" Meowth cackled and it teases by sticking its tail in Ash's face. "Nya, nya, nya, nya, nya!"

Ash bit down on Meowth's tail and the Pokemon jumped high into the air screaming in pain.

"Don't believe him, Squirtles!" Ash warned. "Meowth's a big liar! Those humans are not Meowth's pets, Team Rocket's trying to trick you into doing their dirty work!"

"Squirtle?" (What)

"Quiet human!" Meowth scratches Ash's face. "Who are ya gonna believe?" he asks the Squirtles. "Dis human or a fellow Pokemon?"

"Squirtle!" (Fellow Pokemon) the Squirtles cheers while Angelina growls and mutters to herself, 'I'd trust a human any day to a Pokemon.'

"Ash, Pikachu's in bad shape!" Brock informed, catching Angelina's attention, next to Ash's, toward Pikachu's cage.

"We've got to do something!" Misty said.

"We've got to heal Pikachu with Super Potion before it's too late!" Brock added.

"But we don't have any Super Potion. What can we do?" Ash asked desperately.

"A shop in town sells it." Brock replied.

"In town?" Ash asked desperately, then looks to the Squirtles. "Squirtle Squad, please. You've just gotta let me go into town. If I don't get the medicine, Pikachu's in a lot of trouble."

"Squirtle, Squirtle, Squirtle, Squirtle!" the leader shook its head. (No way bub, If we let you go you'll just run away and get the cops.)

"Dey know you humans are just trying to get away." Meowth said simply.

"Trust me, I won't run away. As soon as I buy the medicine, I'll come back. I promise." Ash swore.

"Squirtle!" (Promises are cheap)

"Squirtle says 'promises are cheap'!" Meowth translated.

"I'm begging you!" Ash said, lowering his head as tears leaked onto the ground. "Please trust me."

Squirtle looks from Ash to Pikachu.

'Come on, Squirtle,' Angelina begged in thought.

The leader motions to the other Squirtles and points to Ash, they untie him as Meowth didn't look too happy about that.

"Squirtle, Squirtle, Squirtle, Squirtle!"

"The Squirtle says 'If you're not back here by noon tomorrow, the red-headed girl gets her hair dyed purple.'" Meowth translated.

"Purple!" Misty screamed. "Why you mangy little flea trap! When I get out of this, I'm gonna rip your tail in-!"

"No, no! Don't worry, I'll be back, okay?" Ash said, which calmed down Misty somewhat. "So long," he turned and began to leave the cave. "Be back in a flash!"

"Good luck," Misty whispered hopefully.

Later during the night, Angelina had stayed perched behind the rock that the rock that the Squirtles were sitting around. Misty and Brock were still tied up, and Pikachu's cage was placed in front of them.

"Pikachu, don't give up." Brock encouraged.

"Ash will be back here with the medicine soon, just hold on." Misty reassured.

Angelina had fallen asleep uncomfortably, but she was awoken sometime the next day by a sudden blast of cold water.

"Yaaaahhhh!" Angelina shrieked and got to her feet, she was dripping wet. "What the heck was that for?" she screeched at the Squirtles.

"Since when did you get here?" Misty asked. "We never saw you come in."

"Um, well…. You know me," Angelina laughed nervously. "Sometimes you see me, and other times I just pop in unnoticed."

"Come on, let's go." Meowth motioned toward the exit of the cave. "Dat twerp will be back here any minute."

"His name is Ash." Angelina backhanded the Pokemon from behind his head. "You're starting to act like Jessie, and that's annoying me. Ya know, I can really see you as a Pokemon translator than a good for nothing of Team Rocket."

"Dat's what you think, sweetcheeks." Meowth grinned. "I was born in Team Rocket and I'll become da top cat right next to da Boss."

"Quit calling me sweetcheeks!" Angelina grits her teeth and raised her fist. "Or else I'll-"

"Don't stoop down to his level, Angel," Brock warned. "That'll only make things worse."

"Yeah, listen to your boyfriend." Meowth smirked. "He may got a point dere."

"Boyfriend?" Angelina growled as her face tinged red, both hands in fists and her eyebrow twitching.

"Well, you two wouldn't make a bad couple." Misty said, smiling slyly. "Better Angel than Melani, huh Brock?"

"Enough, Misty." Brock said. His face was also red and was about to hit the girl, but knew better not to since he was holding Ash's injured Pikachu.

They walked out of the cave and no sooner did they hear Ash yelling, "What have you done?" he finally arrived. "I told you I'd be back by noon, and I am! What have you done with my friends!"

"We're right here." Misty replied.

"Huh?" Ash turned around, seeing his two friends plus Angelina.

"Where's the medicine?" Misty asked.

"Here!" Ash said, handing over the super potion and Misty knelt down with Brock while holding the injured Pokemon, spraying on the medicine. "So Misty, your hair isn't purple."

"Nope, I'm still a red-head." Misty said happily.

"The Squirtle Squad was bluffing." Brock said.

"They play tricks, but they'd never change a girl's natural hair color." Misty added and the Squirtle Squad was laughing. Then an explosion ripped thought the air.

"That blast, it's Team Rocket!" Ash exclaimed.

And no sooner was that said, Jessie and James had arrived holding bombs and saying their motto.

"Meowth, grab the pikachu and climb up the latter!" Jesse shouted.

"And the rest of you are in for a real blast." James joked.

"Pikachu!" Ash cried. "Everyone, run for cover! Head for the cave!"

"Hurry!" Misty said.

Everyone rushes in, except for the lead Squirtle whom had fallen on its back and couldn't get up.

"Squirtle!" Ash rushes out and protects the Pokemon, shielding with his body. "Hey Squirtle, you okay?"

"Squirtle!" (Yes) the Pokemon replied weakly.

"Here comes more!" Misty shouted.

Angelina watched in worry as Ash layed covering Squirtle, and surprisingly the Turtle Pokemon lifted Ash overhead and ran for the cave.

"Come on," Angelina turns to the other Squirtles. "Let's help, Water Gun that balloon!"

Squirtle #2 nodded, blasting water at the balloon and popping it. Meowth had lost hold of Pikachu and Ash ran down the steep face of the cliff and jumped to catch the Pokemon as the balloon loses air and blows out of sight.

"Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off again!"

"Oh no!" Angelina points toward the forest, it was ablaze from the bombs.

"A fire! The blast must have set it off!" Brock said, just as Officer Jenny arrived on her motorcycle.

"If it keeps burning, the whole town will go up in smoke." Jenny said.

"Don't worry, Jenny. I got an idea." Ash said and turns to the Squirtles. "Listen, if you Squirtles work together and combine your Water Gun I think you can put out the fire." The Squirtles nodded, working in different areas using their water attacks on the fire until it was out.

"That was great, Squirtle Squad!" Angelina congradulated.

Back in town, the people have gathered to celebrate and thank the Squirtle Squad for rescuing them from the fire.

"And so, we gradually reward this certificate to the Squirtle Squad. Thank you for saving our town from the fire. Because of your skill and bravery, we proudly appoint you the town's firefighters!" Jenny gives the Squirtles a certificate and also their own jackets.

Later, Ash and Co are back on the road and are now leaving for Vermillion City.

"Hey Ash, that Squirtle is still following us." Misty commented.

"Squirtle, Squirtle!" (Wait up, wait up) the lead Squirtle calls as everyone turns around.

"Would you like to come along with us, Squirtle?" Ash asked.

"Squirtle!" the Turtle Pokemon nodded and takes off his sunglasses, its brown eyes sparkling in admiration.

Ash kneels down and holds out his arms as Squirtle rushes into them.

"Squirtle!"

"Guess I caught a new Pokemon!" Ash laughed happily.

"Pi-pikachu!" Pikachu nodded, also happy.

"Caught?" Misty asked, jealously. "What do you mean 'caught'?"

"Oh what's the difference." Ash said. "It's on our side now."

Angelina smiled, watching as Ash took out a new Pokeball and capture Squirtle. One more adventure, one more new friend. But there's much more excitement waiting just round the bend.

§To Be Continued§

*This chapter is based off the episode "Here Comes The Squirtle Squad",
*This episode is the third and final episode where Ash gets a Kanto's starter Pokémon.
*Squirtle was not actually captured in the episode but chose to go with Ash.
*This is the first episode that shows a town not featured in the games.
*Meowth and Misty tease Angelina and Brock about being together, which flusters them.

Chapter 17 is on the way! Thanks for reading!