Chapter 4 Emergency at the Pokemon center
It was almost six-forty pm, the sky already having turned orange the sun was barely visible. Running slowly down the road Ash and Nikki had been silent since seeing the mystical bird. They weren't on bad terms, but Pikachu and Spike were critically injured, and they just wanted to get to the Pokemon Center. This is a Pokemon emergency. A few moments later the two trainers could spot the outline of the city.
As they continued their trek the group made their way into the city. As they passed the city gates, they noticed it was bigger than they had expected. Of course, they had visited in the past, but it was always by coach to avoid wild Pokemon and they had only explored the retail side. This was more of a housing area. They saw a sign saying, 'Viridian Pokemon Center 25 minutes' with an arrow pointing in the direction and they broke into a faster run. Yes, they were tired, beaten, and exhausted, but their Pokemon needed help.
While pushing forward they heard an announcement throughout the entire city.
"Citizens of Viridian City. Please be on the lookout as we have reports of Pokemon thieves in the area." A female voice spoke through several intercoms. This didn't make Ash or Nikki feel any better after everything that has already happened now, they needed to be careful of Pokemon thieves? Great.
As they ran through several streets of houses and flats, they also spotted what looked like a peaceful park nearby. As they ran, they saw a police station ahead and there stood a female officer. She had turquoise blue hair which falls mostly behind her neck and was quite big and spiky at the bottom; Her hair is covered with a dark blue police hat with had red lining around the summit, a golden star emblem in the center, and a black flap; A short sleeve dark blue top (same shade as her hat), a name badge which read 'Officer Jenny', it has red lining around the sleeves and collar, the center of the top is also more of a lighter blue color with two pockets; She also has a black belt with a golden buckle; Her skirt was the same shade of dark blue which stands half way between her knees and waist; Finally she had on black shoes which were suitable for running. She flagged down the two trainers.
"Hold it!" Officer Jenny shouted causing both children to stop in front of her. "Where do you think you're going with that Pikachu and Nidoran?"
"My Pikachu is seriously injured. We need to take him to the Pokemon Center!" Ash pleaded.
"Yes, and my Nidoran and Charmander need help too!" Nikki added. Officer Jenny looked at these two kids for a few moments before deciding that they were being honest. After all the reports said that the Pokemon thieves were in their early twenties, and these kids are ten, so they didn't match the suspects.
"Alright I believe you both. Just show me your IDs and you both can go." Officer Jenny says as she held her hand out to them.
"Um… Do you mean our pokedexes?" Ash asked a little uncertain as both he and Nikki pulled out the red devices. Without a word Officer Jenny took the two devices and opened them both. She pushed a few buttons and the pokedexes confirmed Ash and Nikki's stories. Officer Jenny smiled as she handed back the devices.
"Okay kids. You're free to go." Officer Jenny spoke as Ash and Nikki took their pokedexes back from her.
"Thank you, Officer…Jenny." Both replied together as they read her name badge.
"Can you show us the way to the Pokemon Center?" Nikki requested.
"I can do even better than that." Officer Jenny says with a wink and an inward smirk. "I'll take you there myself." Before Ash or Nikki could respond or even question, Officer Jenny ran inside the police station leaving the two ten-year old's bewildered. After about a minute Officer Jenny drove from behind the police station on a motorcycle with a side car. This caused both Ash and Nikki to sweat drop. That isn't the biggest sidecar and the two of them would be very close inside it.
"Hop in." Officer Jenny instructs. Ash and Nikki looked at each other. She was a police officer so she can be trusted, and travelling by a motorized vehicle is faster than walking, what's the worst that could happen? With that the two kids climbed into the sidecar. Due to the small space, Nikki was practically sat on Ash's knee, who however, didn't notice because he was too focused on Pikachu.
With everyone strapped in and the engine revved Officer Jenny drove off at a dangerously fast speed. This caused the two kids to cry out and Nikki latched onto Ash holding Spike closer for safety. Did this officer really have a driver's license?
As they drove off into the city, Misty was right on their tail. She had found the remains of her bike, and as a result was now on a warpath. She was marching through the city with the fried bike on her back not at all bothered by the strange looks she'd been getting. As she closed in on the two ten-year old's she saw them drive off at fast speeds. It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that their first stop would be the Pokemon Center. With her targets set Misty continued her march to avenge her bike.
'Those two kids are going to regret messing with me.' Misty thought angrily.
With Ash, Nikki, and Officer Jenny tearing up the road and Misty to focused on hunting down her prey none of them noticed they hot air balloon in the shaped of a Meowth head. In the basket were three individuals.
The first is a woman, Jessie. She has long snake style dark red hair with a curled tips, sapphire blue eyes, a long-sleeved midriff shirt with a large red R on it and a black short sleeved midriff shirt underneath, a short white skirt, thigh-high black boots, green pearl-like earrings, and a pair of long black gloves.
The second is a man, James. He has shoulder length lavender hair with a small single fringe at the center of his head, green eyes, a white long-sleeved shirt with a large red R on it and a short sleeved black undershirt, white pants that meet up with black boots and matching black gloves.
The third is a Pokemon, Meowth. He has pale cream fur, his ears are black lined with light brown inner color, this color also matches his tail end and feet, black fine pupils in his big eyes, a golden yellow charm in the center of his forehead, and six whiskers, two on each side of his face and two going upward surrounding his charm.
"A wanted poster? How flattering." Jessie says in disgust.
"Flattering? This picture makes me look terrible." James replied. "The person who chose this terrible picture is going to wish they never looked at this face."
"We're all sorry to see your face, Jimmy." Meowth piped up, which is weird as it can actually speak the human language. "Now stay focused. We have a plan we gotta do." Meowth says as he grabbed a fishing rod using patience and accuracy, he managed to hook the corner of the wanted poster and pulled it up to the basket.
"Hmph. You're right I suppose." James says as he turned his head to the side.
"Are you ready to steal some rare and valuable Pokemon?" Jessie asked in a sinister tone.
"I'm ready." James answered in an equally as evil tone smirking.
"And don't forget me! I'm the top cat! Meeeeowth!" Meowth added. With that the hot air balloon flew off in the same direction that Officer Jenny had drove off towards a few minutes ago.
As the motorcycle closed in on the Pokemon Center, Ash and Nikki thought it was all over. They were driving at a dangerously high speed which seemed only to increase as they got closer and closer to the door. The two ten-year-old's closed their eyes as they prepared for the impact.
"AAAAAAHHHH!" Both screamed in fear. Officer Jenny just laughed as she smirked.
"Just hold on, kids." She laughed as she sped up again. "I know what I'm doing." Though that didn't ease the two ten-year old's minds, they were positive that they were going to crash. But as they were inches from the doors they opened automatically, and Officer Jenny threw on the brakes and made a 90 degree turn. The bike flew into the Pokemon Center and then it screeched to a halt completely stopping in front of the desk.
"See?" Officer Jenny grinned. "I told you I knew what I'm doing."
"Oh my!" The nurse behind the desk exclaimed in shock. Her name is Nurse Joy. She has dark pink hair, fair skin, a light pink colored dress with a white nurse apron, and low-heeled shoes. "What's going on? We have a driveway you know."
"It's a Pokemon emergency, Nurse Joy!" Officer Jenny exclaims as the two kids climbed out of the sidecar.
"Nurse Joy, can you please help my Pikachu?" Ash pleaded as he showed her the unconscious mouse in his arms.
"Can you please help my Spike?" Nikki pleaded as well as she showed her the unconscious Nidoran in her arms.
"I understand." Nurse Joy replied as she walked over to a microphone. "Chansey, we need a large stretcher. Stat." A few seconds later a pink egg shaped Pokemon, Chansey, pushed out a large stretcher up to Ash and Nikki, both carefully laying Pikachu and Spike down on the stretcher. Nikki pulled out her pokedex to scan Nurse Joy's assistance.
Chansey, The Egg Pokemon. A rare and elusive Pokemon that is said to bring happiness to those who manage to get it. It shares it's egg with any Pokemon that is injured. Nikki's pokedex spoke.
"Nurse Joy, can you take a look at my Charmander too please?" Nikki asked, worriedly as she held Blaze's pokeball out to Nurse Joy.
"I'd be happy too." Nurse Joy smiled before she took the pokeball from Nikki and walked into the back as Chansey pushed the stretcher in the same direction.
"Well, my job is done." Officer Jenny spoke. "See you kids around and stay out of trouble." With that Ash and Nikki said their thanks and Officer Jenny drove off leaving the two trainers alone in the Pokemon Center's lobby.
With their Pokemon being examined and their clothes dirty from the events in Route 1 Ash and Nikki went into the bathrooms in the lobby to clean up as best as they could. And since Nurse Joy was healing Pikachu, Spike, and Blaze they haven't been able to get a room for the night. While they had been cleaning themselves up, they changed into their nightwear. Ash had changed into a white short sleeved shirt and blue shorts. While Nikki had changed into a dark red short sleeved shirt and dark red shorts. Once they had changed, they followed the signs around the Pokemon Center, they found the laundry room and set their clothes down to have them get washed. They then returned to the lobby.
Once in the lobby Ash sat on a seat while Nikki went over to a couple vending machines to get a drink and a snack. She bought two sodas and two candy bars, one each for her and Ash. As she stood up after collecting them from the dispenser, she noticed two posters on the wall. The first one was for the Pokemon Indigo League Challenge:
Do you want to be the very best? Are you aiming for the top? Try the Indigo League Challenge. Battle and beat the eight-gym leaders of the Kanto region and battle against the best in the Indigo League Stadium, for your chance to win the right to enter Kanto's Champion's League.
Register at the nearest Pokemon Center for more information.
'Ash and I still need to sign up. We better do that while we are here.' Nikki thought with a happy grin. She then looked at the second poster. It was for the Pokemon Chateau Challenge:
Do you like fashion? Do you like battles? Combine the two with the new Battle Chateau Challenge. Dress up and compete in a knockout tournament, raise your rank up to Grand Duke or Duchess.
Facilities in: Viridian, Cerulean, Celadon, Saffron, Fuchsia, and Cinnabar. To compete enter at that City's Chateau.
'Battle Chateau? Hmm…that could be interesting. Not too sure about the fashion though.' Nikki thought as she began to imagine herself in a simple dress with Spike in her arms, and Ash by her side as she's being handed a big golden trophy with the crowd cheering. Ash then swept her off her feet holding her in his arms, and then he began to lean closer their lips becoming mere inches apart then…
"Hey, Nikki." Ash called out to her, snapping her out of her 'Ash-Anticy.' "What are you looking at?"
"Oh Ash." Nikki says trying not to show her embarrassment for having another 'Ash-Anticy.' "I was just looking at these posters."
"Cool the Indigo League, We should register while we're here." Ash says as he inspected the first poster.
"Yeah. I also saw this one." Nikki said pointing to the Battle Chateau poster.
"The Battle Chateau?" Ash asked as he turned his attention to the second poster.
"Yeah, I thought maybe tomorrow I would check out the one here in Viridian. I'm not into fashion but the battles could be good training for my Pokemon for the League." Nikki says with a smile on her face. She always got easily excited for Pokemon battles especially since now she gets to be apart of the battles with her own Pokemon.
"Hmm…" Ash hummed as he read the poster. "Well, if this is one of the ways you think will help you with training for the League than I say go for it. Beside you always looked nice in a dress when your mom made you wear one before." Nikki blushed hearing Ash's compliment.
"Thanks, Ash." Nikki says softly in a sweet tone.
"We should probably call home while we wait. I bet our moms would like to know that we're here." Ash suggested not noticing Nikki's previous tone. Nikki nodded in agreement, and they walked over to the video phones, while in the process, Nikki handed Ash one of the sodas and candy bars.
"Is it alright if I call my mom first?" Nikki asked.
"Not at all." Ash said with a smile as he gestured her towards the chair. Nikki smiled, Ash was always the gentleman, it was one of her favorite things about him. Nikki sat down and dialed her home number hitting the call button. It took about 25 seconds before someone picked up on the other end. The screen lit up and Diana appeared on the other side.
"Hello Lazario residence." Diana said cheerfully.
"Hi, Mama. Ash and I are travelling together, and we made it to Viridian City." Diana looked a little surprised, not because they made it to Viridian as Route 1 isn't that big, but because she got to travel with Ash.
"Well, it's good to see that you both got there safe. I knew you could do it." Nikki blushed knowing her mother meant asking to travel with Ash, even though it was him who asked her. Her daughter's reaction caused Diana to giggle, it was fair too easy to tease Nikki.
'She knew Nikki could do it? What is it that she knew Nikki could do?' Ash wondered with confusion.
"Is Ash with you now?"
"Yes… He is." Nikki says nervously. She didn't want to say anything that would give her mother more fuel to tease her with. With the mention of his name Ash pushed his previous thought to the back of his mind and made his way over to Nikki's side.
"Good evening, Ms. Lazario." Ash greeted with a smile. Diana sighed, guessing he would never stop with the formalities.
"Ash, it's good to see you." Diana says with a smile. "I'm also very happy to know that Nikki won't be out there alone. Can you promise to look out for her like you did in Pallet?"
"Of course, I won't let anything happen to her." Ash says with a smile. In the back of his mind, he remembers the promise he made Nikki about sticking together, but honestly that didn't mean that he couldn't be protective.
"Thank you, Ash." Diana thanked him with gratitude. After everything he has done for Nikki since they met at that fatefully summer camp, she knew she could trust him. With that the mother and daughter started making general chat. But when Diana asked about their first day's adventure both ten year old's sweat dropped. They explained their 'quiet stroll' down Route 1 conveniently forgetting to mention the part about almost dying and the army of Spearow that chased them. After a couple more minutes an alarm went off in the Lazario house, which caused them to end the call.
After Nikki ended the call with her mom she switched with Ash. Once he was seated comfortably, he dialed his home number and pushed the call button. As when Nikki called her mother, it took about 25 seconds before the screen lit up. The image was of Ash's living room, though Delia wasn't in the frame.
"Evening, Ketchum residence." Came Delia's voice off screen.
"Hi, Mom. It's me." Ash says. Hearing that it was Ash Delia rushed to the phone and sat down.
"Hi, Honey!" Delia smiled as she greeted him excitedly. "I see you made it to Viridian City. It took your father four days to get there when he first started his journey." Ash frowned when his mom mentioned his father. He didn't like his father. The man was hardly ever around. He and his mom were extremely lucky if they see him once a year.
"Yes, mom. We're at Viridian's Pokemon Center." Ash muttered. Delia sighed, it seemed Ash still has issues with his father, if he only knew the reasons why.
"Now Ash…" Delia says as she smiled sweetly. "HOW COULD YOU DO SOMETHING SO RECKLESS?! I don't know what you did yet, but I know you've done something dangerous!" Delia explained. Ash gave a nervous laugh as he rubbed the back of his head with a sweat drop.
"Ya see, mom, I was trying to catch a Pidgey. But it ended up angering a nearby Spearow who called in it's friends and they chased us all the way to Viridian." Ash says nervously, while conveniently leaving out the part of jumping into a river and almost being fried alive by a thunderbolt.
"Ash…" Delia sighed. She knew how her son could be and didn't think he could stop finding trouble as trouble always seemed to have a way of finding him whether he was looking for it or not.
"Sorry, Mom. Honest it was all a complete accident." Ash mumbled.
"Alright, Honey." Delia says admitting defeat. She knew she could yell at Ash until she was blue in the face and until the Miltank came home but it wouldn't have any effect at all. "Just please promise me that you'll try to stay safe no matter what comes up or happens?" Ash smiled and nods, he knew his mother was just worried for him and would continue to worry for him.
"Yeah, Mom. I promise." Ash replied.
"Since you're in Viridian why don't you go visit your Aunt Yellow?" Delia asked making the suggestion. "I'm sure she will be happy to see you again. And in her last letter she said that Nikki's Uncle Riley is staying with her for a while as well." Ash grinned, he had seen his aunt a few months ago, she doesn't really go out much and always seemed attached to Ash and Nikki when she came with him to see her. And he hadn't seen Nikki's Uncle Riley since last year when he was staying with his Aunt Yellow. He often wondered if something had happened before because it wasn't often when he saw Aunt Yellow without Mr. Lazario.
"Yeah, Mom. I'd love to see her and Mr. Lazario again. I'll go tomorrow." Ash says with a smile. After some general chat, the Pokemon Center chime went off and Nurse Joy reappeared back at her desk. With Nurse Joy's reappearance Ash said goodbye and hung up. He could finally find out how Pikachu is.
Ash and Nikki made their way over to the desk where Nurse Joy was waiting.
"Nurse Joy!" Ash yelled as he made his way over clearly excited. "How's my Pikachu?"
"And my Nidoran, Spike? And my Charmander?" Nikki asked standing beside Ash. Nurse Joy was startled at first from Ash's yelling, but she soon relaxed with a warm smile, it was heart warming to see two trainers that care for their Pokemon so much.
"Your Pikachu is going to be just fine." Nurse Joy explained. "He exhausted his electric supply which caused him to collapse. He is currently in the recovery room being recharged." Ash sighed in relief. He was happy that Pikachu was going to be all right. "As for your Nidoran and Charmander, your Charmander is just fine." Nurse Joy says as she hands Nikki Blaze's pokeball. "Your Nidoran is going to be fine. He was worn out, but he is in the recovery room now resting."
Nikki sighed in relief as she took Blaze's pokeball. She was beyond relieved that Spike was all right.
"Can we see Pikachu and Spike?" Ash asked.
"Of course. Chansey is currently setting up the recharger though so when she is done, I'll have her show you."
Nikki let Blaze out who than jumped into her trainer's arms happily greeting her. She was completely unaware of what had happened while resting in her pokeball. It wasn't long before Chansey came and escorted the two trainers to the room which Pikachu recharging and Spike was resting.
Chansey lead the two trainers into the recovery bay. When they arrived both Spike and Pikachu were laying on separate beds still unconscious. Pikachu had cables taped to his cheeks and a sort of computer screen on the side showing the mouse Pokemon's vital signs.
Nikki smiled in relief that Spike was okay. She hoped that he would wake up soon so that she could spoil him with treats and loving.
Ash seeing this caused his eyes to water. He hadn't even been a trainer for a day. If he hadn't been so naïve and tried to catch Pidgey by himself than he wouldn't have angered that Spearow. And they wouldn't have been chased and Pikachu and Spike wouldn't have gotten hurt protecting them. Slowly and quietly, Ash walked over to the bedside. He stood over his injured starter looking at him with a depressed look on his face.
"I…I'm sorry Pikachu…" Ash mumbled. Suddenly he felt a hand rubbing his back in a comforting manor. It was Nikki.
"Don't be so worried, Ash. Nurse Joy said Pikachu would be just fine. You went above and beyond to keep me, Spike and Pikachu safe. And I know Pikachu is thankful for that. You showed him that there are good humans in this world." Nikki reassured him with a friendly smile.
"Thanks, Nikki." Ash thanked her with gratitude. He wasn't sure why, but she could change his mood around in an instant.
The two sat in silence. Ash by Pikachu's bedside and Nikki by Spike's bedside. It wasn't awkward by any means. It was just that neither really had anything to say and were waiting for Pikachu and Spike to wake up. After about twenty minutes Ash's stomach growled but unlike before Ash didn't respond. He was solely focused on Pikachu.
"Ash…Don't you want some food?" Nikki asked.
"No…I'm just gonna stay here and wait for Pikachu to wake up." Ash says though it was without thought and his eyes didn't leave his starter Pokemon. It seems that no matter what Nurse Joy said Ash was going to worry until Pikachu woke up.
"I'm going to go get something." Nikki said. She hated seeing Ash like this. "I'll bring you something back." Ash didn't reply as he was too focused on his partner. Nikki sighed as she couldn't stand seeing him like this. He wasn't even bother for food. What did he do with the real Ash?
With that Nikki left him and the Pokemon.
Leaving from the recovery room Nikki went through the lobby and into the cafeteria. It was late and the hot food had stopped being served. Nikki looked through the cold food and grabbed a couple sandwiches for her and Ash. She was making her way back to the recovery bay when she was stopped going through the lobby.
"I'VE FINALLY FOUND YOU!" An angry female voice blurted out. Nikki turned around to see Misty, The girl that had pulled them out of the river, marching towards her with some sort of wreaked remains on her back. When she stopped in front of Nikki, she dropped the remains down beside them.
"What happened to your bike?" Nikki asked a little shocked to see it like that.
"WHAT HAPPENED TO MY BIKE?! YOU AND YOUR BOYFRIEND HAPPENED TO IT!" Nikki blushed. Did she really just call Ash her boyfriend? If only…
"You both stole it and apparently ruined it in the process of trying to save your Pokemon!" Misty explained clearly incredibly angry. "You both have to buy me a new bike! RIGHT NOW!" Nikki's liking of this girl was growing smaller and smaller by the second. First, she slapped Ash accusing him of hurting Pikachu and Spike. And now she was calling Ash her boyfriend…What if he heard her… Plus does she have to yell so much?
"Hold it!" Nikki yelled back. "We were being chased by a flock of angry Spearow and Pikachu and my Nidoran needed urgent medical attention. Our only concern was our Pokemon." Nikki retorted though she couldn't bring herself to correct her about the boyfriend thing.
"Well still! I'm not letting you both out of my sight until you've paid for my bike!" Misty retorted back at Nikki. Hearing that was the last straw for Nikki's temper.
"Ugh, my bike my bike! Are you some sort of mental materialist or something?! Are things that be replaced all you care about?!" Nikki asked angrily.
"What is that suppose to mean?!" Misty angrily asked.
"It means that you're a spoiled brat! Pikachu and Spike are laying in the recovery room unconscious and all you're worried about is a stupid bike!" Nikki replied angrily. Misty froze hearing that. Sure, she cared about getting repaid for her bike, but she would never put something like that over the priority of a Pokemon's wellbeing. Maybe she is being a little too hotheaded. Misty was about to reply when… BBBOOOOOOOOOMMMMM! An explosion went off in the lobby and black smoke blinded both girls.
In Pikachu and Spike's room, the mouse and poison pin Pokemon had since woken up. It turned out sacrificing himself to the Spearow's to protect both little mon and Nikki was the final straw, both Pikachu and Spike could trust Ash. The three boys were chatting. Ash and Pikachu had a lot in common while he and Spike had some things in common. As they were talking their attention was drawn by a loud… BBBOOOOOOOOOMMMMM! Coming from the lobby. Ash jumped up and moved towards the door to go investigate but stopped when he saw Spike walk in front of him and felt Pikachu jump on his shoulder.
"No, Pikachu, you haven't finished recharging and Spike you still need to rest." Ash warned.
"If you're going, I'm going." Pikachu retorted.
"Nikki is in the lobby. I'm going, Ash." Spike retorted.
"But you both are still injured." Ash pleaded.
"It's just a scratch." Pikachu joked.
"It will take more than a little injury to stop me." Spike says with a smirk. Ash sighed, as he learned from their chats, Pikachu is much like Ash himself. And nothing would stop Spike from going to Nikki's side.
"Neither of you are going to wait here, are you?" Ash asked in a defeated tone.
"Not a chance." Both Pikachu and Spike say proudly.
Ash sighed. "Fine. As long as you promise not to exhaust yourselves."
"Scouts honor." Pikachu smugly raised his paw.
"Whatever you say, Ash." Spike said with a smug smirk. Why was Ash skeptical about Pikachu and Spike keeping their promises. And with that Ash ran down the hall towards the lobby, with Pikachu on his shoulder and Spike running beside him.
In the lobby, Ash, Pikachu, and Spike busted through the doors to see a star shaped Pokemon spinning around creating a gust of wind blowing away the black smoke. They could also hear Officer Jenny's voice over the intercoms warning that the Pokemon thieves have been sighted in a hot air balloon. Ash pulled out his pokedex:
Staryu, the Star Shape Pokemon. Staryu apparently communicates with the stars in the night sky by flashing the red core at the center of its body. If parts of its body are torn, this Pokemon simply regenerates the missing pieces and limbs. The core of this Pokemon is valued as some type of jewelry.
Ash saw it was the orange haired girl from earlier battling with Staryu. 'Leave it to a girl to worry about her jewelry.' After that thought Ash noticed that the smoke was gone and there were two adults and three Pokemon all standing in the entrance.
"Okay, Staryu, that's enough. You can stop the Rapid Spin." Misty instructed, and the water type stopped spinning before returning to Misty's side. That's when the group started to…speak?
"Prepare for trouble." Jessie spoke.
"Make it double." James spoke.
"To protect the world from devastation." Jessie added.
"To unite all people within our nation." James added.
"To denounce the evils of truth and love." Jessie stuck a dramatic pose.
"To extend our reach to the stars above." James stuck a dramatic pose.
"Jessie."
"James."
"Team Rocket blasts off at the speed of light." Jessie made one final pose.
"Surrender now or prepare to fight." James made one final pose.
"Meowth, that's right!" Meowth chimed in at the end. Ash, Nikki, Pikachu, Spike, Blaze, Misty, Staryu, and Nurse Joy sweat dropped though all, but Ash and Nikki were amazing at a talking Pokemon. To them all Pokemon are like that. Nikki was still tense after hearing the groups name. Her Uncle Riley told her all about Team Rocket and she knew how dangerous they are. Ash was the first to recover.
"Hey, Nikki. I didn't see anything about the circus being in town." Ash enthusiastically smiled. "We should go." Team Rocket fell over anime style.
"Ignorant little twerp." Jessie spat in disgust.
"We are the mighty Team Rocket and we're here to steal all your rare and valuable Pokemon!" James said with an evil smirk.
"Meowth, that's right, Jimmy boy!" Meowth added.
"Well, you're out of luck! This is a place for injured Pokemon, so just leave!" Nurse Joy shouted even though she was terrified.
"We'll be the judge of that." Jessie smirked evilly. "I've never seen a male Nidoran with that color before."
"And if we turn that Charmander into a Charizard it will make a great gift for the boss." James added looking at Blaze with interest.
Nikki narrowed her eyes at the threat of her Pokemon being taken from her. "If you think I'm going to let low lifes like you take my Pokemon than you've got anything thing coming!"
"There's no way we are going to let you take any of these Pokemon!" Ash shouted. "Not Spike! Not Blaze! Not Pikachu! None of them!" Nikki felt a rush of affection that Ash was standing up for her, sure they made that promise and she can stand up for herself when it comes to bullies like this, she still likes it when Ash is being protective like this. Just not to the point where he would risk his life.
"That's not your choice." James said with an evil smirk. "Koffing, go."
"Ekans, join in." Jessie added. The two poison types flew out in front of the two thieves. Both Ash and Nikki pulled out their pokedexes:
Koffing, the Poison Gas Pokemon. Koffing embodies toxic substances. It mixes the toxins with raw garbage to set off a chemical reaction the results in a terribly powerful poison gas. The higher the temperature, the more gas is concocted by this Pokemon. Ash's pokedex spoke.
Ekans, the Snake Pokemon. Ekans curls itself up in a spiral while it rests. Assuming this position allows it to quickly respond to a threat from any direction with a glare from its upraised head. It can release the toxins in it's body as a defense mechanism. Nikki's pokedex spoke.
"Nikki, you wanna battle these guys?" Ash asked. Nikki blushed a little. This was going to be her first battle and partnered with Ash? She had to be dreaming.
"Try to stop me." Nikki replied as she swapped her blush with a smirk and a look of determination. "Blaze, I choose you!" Blaze gave a growl of determination as she leaped in front of the two poison types. Despite being a little scared she didn't show it.
"Alright, Pikachu, you up to battle?" Ash asked as he looked at his yellow partner.
"Just try to stop me." Pikachu replied with determination as he sparked his cheeks.
"Alright, Pikachu, I choose you!" Ash says as he pointed at the battlefield. Pikachu jumped from Ash's shoulder and landed beside Blaze.
Ash and Nikki VS Jessie and James
"Ekans, bring me that blue Nidoran, Bite attack." Jessie said with a smirk. Ekans lunged for Spike with its mouth wide open.
"No, you don't! Blaze, use Scratch!" Nikki said with a glare. Blare ran at Ekans before jumping up and use Scratch on it throwing it back from Spike. Blaze growled before spitting a small flame. "Blaze, you learned ember?"
"Koffing, Tackle that little lizard!" Before Nikki could react, Koffing flew at a fast speed knocking Blaze away from Spike.
"That's a dirty trick fighting two against one!" Nikki said with a glare.
"We're here for your Pokemon tomboy." Jessie spoke with a snide tone. "We didn't come here to play by the rules."
"Alright, Koffing, blind the lizard and Nidoran with Sludge attack." James commanded. Koffing opened its mouth and launched a blob of toxic sludge at Blaze and Spike, but they were backed into a corner as Blaze stood in front of Spike to protect him.
"Staryu, dissolve it with Water Gun!" Misty shouted, Staryu jumped into action and squirted a jet of water out of it's top point. The jet of water collided with the sludge blob before it hit Blaze and Spike and dissolved it into thin air.
"Hey, three against two isn't fair!" James cried.
"I thought you didn't play by the rules." Misty mocked and Jessie saw red.
"Thanks…Misty." Nikki thanked with a genuine smile.
"No problem." Misty replied returning the smile.
"UURRRRRGGGGG!" Jessie groaned in frustration. "Ekans, wrap that stupid star!" Ekans lunged forward while the two girls were chatting and wrapped it's body around Staryu. "Now, Bite it." Jessie said with a smirk. While wrapped around Staryu, Ekans bit Staryu.
"Spike, help Staryu out! Use Peck!" Nikki shouted. Spike smirked as he ran at Ekans with his horn pointed at Ekans' body.
"Tackle it, Koffing." James said smirking.
"Pikachu, Quick Attack Koffing." Ash shouted. Pikachu shot off like a bullet and slammed Koffing into a wall. Spike continued using Peck on Ekans' body. The two poison types were laying on top of each other.
"Staryu, return those two with Rapid Spin." Misty said with a smirk. Staryu jumped and started spinning at a fast rate. It collided with the two poison types, and they were sent flying back at Jessie, James, and Meowth. Pikachu, Spike, Blaze, and Staryu all jumped in front of the evil team as they tried to get up.
"Pikachu."
"Spike. Blaze."
"Staryu.
"Thunder Shock."
"Thunder Bolt. Ember."
"Water Gun."
The trio spoke, respectively. The four Pokemon launched their individual attacks at the grouped target. Despite the water, the combination of Pikachu and Spike's electricity, Blaze's fire, and Koffing's gas caused a mini explosion. Which caused the evil team and their Pokemon flying creating a hole in the roof.
"TEAM ROCKET'S BLASTING OFF!" The group shouted as they disappeared into the sky.
The group of trainers and Pokemon turned towards each other. They were silent for a moment.
"WE WON!" Ash and Nikki shouted together as Pikachu, Spike, and Blaze jumped in their trainer's arms, respectively, equally as happy about their victory as their trainers. Staryu returned to Misty's side, it is a very tough Pokemon, brave natured and doesn't need affection after every win.
"Good job, Staryu. You were great." Misty praised as she knelt beside her starter with a friendly smile. "Now return." Staryu did enjoy some praise and happily was returned.
After returning her starter, Misty stood up and smiled at the celebrating trainers and Pokemon.
"Oh, thank you all so much! If it weren't for you three than those thieves could have taken all of the Pokemon here." Nurse Joy thanked. It was at that moment that they noticed the damage that had been done. The automatic doors had been blown open, with windows smashed, and shattered glass all over the floor. Chairs were turned over and damaged, while the whole area was covered in soot, and the floor was covered in cracks and damage.
"Sorry about the damage, Nurse Joy." Ash apologized after a nervous laugh.
"Don't worry about it." Nurse Joy reassured as she waved her hand to show no harm done. "All Pokemon Centers are covered by League funding, so they will cover the damage."
"Thank you, Misty." Nikki says as she walked up to the orange haired girl. "For protecting Spike and Blaze." Nikki offered her hand to Misty. Misty stared at the gesture. Why was this girl doing this? Sure, she saved her Nidoran and Charmander, but they also saved Staryu. They seemed to work well together, and sure they owed her a bike. But they actually made a good team.
"You're welcome, Nikki." Misty said as she accepted the handshake. "And…Thank you for saving Staryu."
"I have to say Misty, when we first met, I thought you were a stuck-up spoiled brat with anger issues." Nikki was being honest if not a little bit harsh, which caused Misty to frown. "But after battling and speaking with you, I have realized that I was wrong about you. You are pretty alright, and you clearly love your Pokemon." Misty smiled, yeah, the first part was uncalled for, but she still accepted it.
"I feel the same. When I pulled you out of the river, I thought you were some irresponsible kids who hurt that Pikachu and Nidoran." Misty was honest, and that caused Nikki to frown this time. "But those two clearly share a very strong bond, and the same goes for you and your Nidoran and Charmander. You both are pretty okay after all."
"Thanks, Misty." Nikki thanked with gratitude. "Why don't we start over?"
"Sure." Misty says with a friendly smile.
"It's nice to see you two getting along." Ash said as he walked over with a room key in his hand. Ash and Nikki had agreed ahead of time to share a room. After all they had done it before during sleepovers and it's not like they would be sharing a bed or anything. Plus, it would save on money, though that didn't apply this time as Nurse Joy offered the room, free of charge, for fighting off the thieves.
"Yeah." The two girls said together,
"But you two still owe me a bike." Misty said though not as angry like before. Nikki sighed, she had hoped they could just forget about that part, but it looks like Misty wasn't going to let it go. Ash, Pikachu, and Spike sweat dropped, they hadn't been present for the last…meeting before Team Rocket showed up.
"Don't worry, Misty. We just don't have the money right now, but we promise to pay you back as soon as we have the money." Nikki reassured, she really didn't want to deal with another argument.
"Okay. Then I'll just stick with you both until then." Misty suggested with a smile. Both Ash and Nikki exchanged glances. Sure, they didn't get off on the right foot, but that was now all behind them. Though Misty proved she could be nice and an experienced trainer. More experienced than either of them at least for the moment, and that could help them out at the very least.
"Okay, Misty." Nikki says as she started to look back at the orange haired girl. "You can travel with us."
"The more the merrier." Ash said with a smile.
Thanks for reading. Please favorite, follow, and review. And please if you have any questions feel free to ask them through PM, I will answer all of them. But don't think I will answer any that ask for big spoilers. I appreciate any and all support. Thank you and tune in when the next chapter is posted!