Grounding a Rocket

"Stop right there twerp!" Before I knew it Team Rocket was back. Got to say this was a good way to start out the day. Misty and I've been traveling this forest going on two days now and it's been getting progressively dull as it went. Misty has still confused me with some of her random outbursts at times, but I've done my best to learn from her antics the best I could. Every consensus I'm led to is that girls are very stupid and not really worth much. Girls like mama are much better. They're nice and very smart. They don't fly off the handle at much as Misty would. Apparently she's going through something that goes beyond my understanding. I don't get it, but I guess it's just one of those things I'll figure out in time like the old man said. At least I have my friends to talk to like Ace and Pikachu. Even though I can't understand Pikachu that well I get by from his projected aura. It's gotten easier to navigate the forest around beedrill nests (that's one place I wouldn't chance even on my best day) and Ursaring caves with Ace evolved now. He can fly farther and for longer. With my aura I've been capable of seeing anything of interest he can see once we connect with one another. Lucario trained me on this technique called Melding: To the see what other being you're close did. I saw the path and know that Pewter City is less than a day away. Now that I think of it I could really use a car like Gary. Still Ace is the best scout a trainer could have by his side.

Today being as blissfully boring and same with quiet since the weedle incident. It's been really nice, but I really did need something to help excite the day. Like god itself was listening to me, Jesse and James came in suddenly to save the day. They even grabbed my Pikachu right from under me. I mean, I didn't even see them coming. Not the hot air balloon, the giant mechanical hands, or even heard the sound of the basket swaying in the wind or through the trees. Speaking of which that hot air balloon could really come in handy to help us get out of this forest faster. By the Mew they were so sneaky… Alright enough of that.

I waved at Jessie with a smile. "Hiya pretty lady," I called right back into character.

"Hiya cutie!" Jessie waved back at me with a smile on her lips, but caught herself before my sweet talk could work effectively. "Don't try and sweet talk me brat!" She yelled at me.

"But Jessie you're so beautiful! You could be a model if you wanted to and trump all the rest." I fed some fuel to her vanity. By the slight smirk and look of pride I saw within her eyes it worked well enough.

"I... well you are right about that." She placed a hand on her chest and smiled from pride. "I am very beautiful that few can match."

I grinned when my Sweet Talk landed a super effective hit on Jessie. This lady is really full of herself. My mama is much prettier than this lady. I find the fact that mom is older than this lady making her vanity all the more worthless if you ask me. Though I'm curious what a hug from her would be like. I really like hugs for some reasons from pretty ladies. I think it's because I've been hugged by more pretty ladies than anyone else in my life. Mom, Yancy's mom, Gary's mom, this one Poke Ranger with a long grey pony tail, Nurse Joy, Officer Jenny. I just noticed realized that it's mostly the pretty girls that are really nice to me. The not so pretty like most of the lady people at home and Misty are really strange around me or mean. Maybe that's a sign.

"Jessie don't fall for this." James rose his voice to snap Jessie out of her stupor of grandeur. He glared at me and crossed his arms over his chest as if saying that no matter what I say I can't win him over. I've seen his kind on television before. His kind like more like girls than boy. His hair is slick with a bright sheen to it. I can smell the designer perfume or cologne he wears same with the gel he'd apply to his hair to keep it flat and shiny. He's just begging a Farrow to swoop down and pick him up by the head with how shiny it is. He's hand appear to be very delicate, or rather he's delicate with them. His nails don't have a speck of dirt in them and oval in shape as if cut masterfully by one of those people that do girl's nails. His uniform is fresh and smells okay. Wearing white brings out his highlights and eyes. That means that he finds his appearance as important and flamboyant to him as it is to Jesse

I cleared my throat next and waved at James next. "James how are you?" I greeted him brightly.

"Oh, I'm alright." He responded evenly though with a bit of his glare softening.

"You must have done your hair yesterday because it looks so even and clean. It looks good," I complimented.

"Oh, really!" He placed a hand through his hair with a bright smile. "Well thank you so much darling boy I appreciate that. Not many can see my hair in such a late even though I put so much work into making it this good."

And they say that television spoils a youthful mind. I'd say it's helping me deal with tropes like this if you asked me. It's making this just too easy. "So," I trailed off while I approached a bit. "Can I have my Pokémon back please?" I cupped my fingers and used the technique I've see used in my cartoons by kids my age. I just had to force my eyes wide open until they water, pucker up my lips, and look as pathetic as humanly possible.

"Ah, of course you can sweetie," Jessie answered and reached for the controls of the arms and box. "Here, let me just..."

"No," James recovered his senses. He swiped his hands across Jesse's stopping her from releasing my Pokémon. Man I was so close to. Maybe next time I'll focus more compliments on James to see if I can keep my control on him longer so Jessie can act next time. Though this was a good exercise on getting my way outside of fighting and arguing. I don't verbal lashings. It's easier to take physical ones because then I can fight back and punch something. I've seen Old man Oak use his words to get his way many times over people. The right words, facial features, and atmosphere he could coerce his way out of the darkest of situations. I've seen it happen more than once and even on television. If I can do this as well I can only imagine the edge I'd have against the many obstacles I'll meet on my journey to find my dad. First I have to follow in his footsteps like I'm doing now. Leave, travel, explore, conquer, and become stronger. Talking is important of a skill to learn to reach this goal.

"Listen twerp, we are capturing your Pikachu," James announced with his finger pointed at me.

"Th-that's right," Jessie reflected the same stance as James. "We will take your Pokémon kid here and now."

I stared at the two of them for a moment. They just grabbed my Pikachu without any insulating material on their bodies. I dare say this was very foolish of them but for the life of me I couldn't help but want to play along. "Hey, come on." I leaned forward with my face of sadness back on. I noticed their eyes twitch and an aura of conflict surround them. "If you let my Pikachu go I'll feed you," I offered them both. I can tell that they're hungrier than a beached wailord is desperate for water.

"Yeah right twerp we aren't…"

RAWWWWLLL!

We all heard that loud stomach churning growl. Misty giggled a bit behind. She's been silent for the most part but now she's giggling. She looks better with a smile on her lips. Not as annoying and city girly. Jessie's cheeks reddened and she rubbed her stomach after the roar subsided. I can't hate these guys. I hate thieves, but I can't hate these two. "Okay, how about another deal. We battle again and this time without Pikachu since he's captured."

"A deal. Why would we deal with you?" James sneered at me.

"Because you grabbed my Pikachu," I pointed at the same Pokémon resting under James's arm. I had to shake my head at him to stop him from killing those two right when we was snatched. I really wanted to see how this would play out.

"Yeah, and?" James asked. "

You grabbed the electric mouse Pokémon without rubber gloves and flammable clothing," I pointed out dryly. Just to get my point across Pikachu's cheeks sparked forcing James to release him. A small back smudge appeared on his white top where Pikachu was almost to the point of coming to fire. I heard the Team Rocket had a very different set of clothing made of insulated material to stand up to the basic attacks of most Pokémon they'd attempt to capture. I heard it was black not white as well. I'm thinking they decided to forsake the black uniform meant to sustain under the pressure of Pokémon resistance and fashion's sake over practicality. I wouldn't put it past them since they're that sort of people. They've a firm level of self-entitlement associated with their temperament as well. Their Pokémon reflected this. They assumed that just because they're just that they can overcome simple trainers like myself. I've the sneaking suspicion they come from a life of money and riches that decided to become little rebels. Not so much like me that doesn't care much for what anyone does or thinks of me, but at least I know where I stand.

I'm so relieved Team Rocket got here to make my day interesting. I'm more comfortable being alone with my Pokémon alone in the wild like this, but seeing that Misty is with me that peace is all but nonexistent. If I'm going to suffer humans like this I might as well suffer some that I can mess with a little and learn some interesting things about.

I leaned down just as Pikachu ran up to me then jumped up to my shoulder. "As you can see," I sighed before climbing up to my feet. Jessie and James looked at each other with the most astonished expressions I've ever seen on human faces before. It was comical. So much so that Misty giggled a bit more behind me.

"Ash do you like messing with these guys," she asked me through her giggling. I shrugged at her question. She was there the third time I saw them and how I played with them a bit without really taking them too seriously. She's seeing it on the other side of battle this time around. "That's sort of mean," she giggled a bit more at me.

"They steal for a living," I pointed out. While I might have stolen a couple things here or there in my life I don't do it as a method of adding to my overall gross income, whatever that means. I know mom would mention it as well as the money she'd make from making quilts and blankets on her free time. I don't know what though. Mom doesn't need to work at all but does. Now that I think of it she's always moving around from some reason or another. If she's sitting down, even when watching her soap opera things, she's doing something like knitting, doing leather work, or taking apart this set of cool looking gear she has handing up in her closet. I think I asked her once why she's always moving in some way or another. She responded with an "it's safer to always be on the move so develop the habit to keep yourself safe and aware sweetie." She told me that right before pinching my cheek tightly bringing a smile to my lips then kissing my forehead. Always keep moving to keep safe. Lucario said the same thing, but he said if you keep moving it makes it more difficult for your enemy to land a solid blow. So keep moving else you'll get hit. Simple enough.

"You did the same when you stole my bike though," she reminded earning a nice roll of my eyes from that. She's never letting that go it seems. Do girls always dwell on the past like this? It happened, I can't change it, and even if I could I wouldn't. I like being alive after all. Her bringing it up every other four hours was tolerable for the first two days but on the fourth this is getting dry.

"Yes," I responded just as dryly. "Yes I did," I decided not to argue. I don't like arguing and from what I've see on television and read once or twice it doesn't work. Well, I've seen Prof. Oak get a leg up once or twice. I miss Yancy. She's so cool, lively, and awesome. She's the only girl my age that's cool to me without being annoying.

Team rocket suddenly reached for their pokéballs, but I rose my hands up before the battle could start. "Wait," I called and they stopped right before they released their balls. "The deal," I reminded them of my offer yet again. I could shot them into submission with Pikachu, using Ace to scratch them to pieces making moving extremely difficult, have my caterpie tie them up with string shot, easily cover them with bird blood I took from the pidgeotto, and then leave them for the spearow to pick clean; I could also tell Pikachu to electrocute them until their hearts stopped, but I really don't wish to do that. Honestly I've read many books with this sort in it alongside television shows mama looked at. They're loyal more to the cause than the boss. They blindly follow for they believe they've no other choice. I could use a bunch of simpletons like this and Jessie really is pretty. Much prettier than most of the ladies in Pallet Town. I just wish she'd cut her hair. It extends out her head and doesn't even touch her back. That's just weird. If an Ursaring gets their claws through that she's done.

"What do you recommend?" Jessie asked for the two of them.

"We battle and like I said before I won't use my 'captured' Pikachu." I dropped my hands same with the two fingers I used on each. "I'll use other Pokémon instead. If I win then you have to give me the trainer's value and send it to my poked and be my servants for a week. If you win of course my Pokémon are yours and I'll give both of you a Trainer's value instead. Sounds fair if you ask me," I finished with my head tilted a bit to the side. "Right?"

They glared at me then turned around I guess to speak to each other. "Ash," Misty called as she walked up behind me. "What are you doing? These guys are Team Rocket," she said frantically.

"They're basically harmless right now so don't worry. I'm on top of this," I reassured her so not to suffer her bickering right now.

Misty frowned but nodded regardless and stepped back. "Do you need help?" She offered, but I shook my head.

"I got this like I said."

"Okay." Misty stepped back away from me right on time. Team Rocket whirled around to face me. "Fine Twerp…"

"Ash." I said. "My name is Ash. Can you at least call me my name?"

"Nope." They both said which I can understand. Once you start naming something you start getting attached to that something.

"Well then," I pulled my pokèball off my belt and pressed the button. Team Rocket did the same.

"Go Ekans," Jessie called.

"Koffing, go." James yelled on top of the.

I rose meowth's pokèball at first. I'm a bit surprised they haven't mentioned him at all since finding me. I placed it away for the next one. I tossed my pokèball and out came my Pokémon. A caterpie; the same I've captured not too long ago.

"What?" "Is that it?" The two of them laughed. "Take care of that bug." The two Team Rocket Pokémon loomed over my caterpie who cowered under their shadow.

"Ace," I called but to no response. I pushed out my aura sight and find him... Nothing. He's too far out scouting around and probably mating for all I know. I sighed at the predicament I've placed myself in. I've one Pokémon against two. That's not good. "Don't falter caterpie! Stay determined," I cheered with a closed fist to project my own. This was extremely out of character ever for me, but I have to cheer on my Pokémon to make them grow well. Caterpie heard me and stood, crawled strong.

"Know what twerp, you can have the first move," James laughed at my Caterpie.

"Bad mistake," I muttered with a shake of my head. "String shot." Caterpie leaned back and shot a strong concentrate of slimy and silky webbing at the two Pokémon. The amount of string it shot at the two was stifling. It even surprised me. It got so ridiculous that the two of them turned into cocoons and pasted together in a little after a minute.

"WHAT!" Jessie gapped.

"How did that happen!?" James whined.

Even my jaw was dropped for a moment, but I shook off my shock and pointed at the bundle of Pokémon. "Now tackle them into the trees." Caterpie crawled and rammed into the two of them until they hit a tree. "Keep it going." Like ping pong they shot from one tree to Caterpie who tackled them back up into the trees and watched them ram into branch after branch.

"Ekans do something!"

"Koffing get out!"

This continued for another two minutes before the wrapping ball with a lump stopped moving. Leaves and branches stuck out of it like mom's pincushion. I've heard of crushing defeats but that was funny and ironic.

"This isn't over!" James barreled at me flowing with a red aggressive aura.

"Ash, watch out!" Misty yelled.

Pikachu arced his cheeks in preparation to shock him.

"I got this." James reached out to grab me. I side stepped to the left. He's taller than I am. I reach up to his stomach at most but I've fought the bigger guys in my town more than enough to know how to take down the tall one. Cut down the tree. I dropped down and kicked him right in the knee. That knee of his seized and he fell straight down to the dirt in a grunt. At he leaned I grabbed his shoulders from behind him and vaulted over his right shoulder until I was in front of him. He looked up to me and I smirked down at him. I was above him now with him on his knees. I shot up and kneed him in the chin forcing it up. I grasp the very loose fabric of his top with my left hand to keep him steady then shot down with my elbow out taking the left side of his chin forcing his face to the right. By this point his vison is swimming. His pain threshold is really weak if this has him this lanky. I released his shoulder and his fell forward with his eyes wide just barely awake. I can tell just from the trembling. I grabbed his shoulder once more then walked up behind him bringing him back up from his slouched over position. I wrapped my arm around his neck in a tight choke hold and waited as he weakly struggled against my sleeper hold. After about ten seconds he stopped moving.

I felt the aura telling me to move which I did with my foot out. Jessie shot past me and into the ground next. I don't see myself ever hitting a girl unless I have to. With this in mind I still walked up to her with my knife drawn. As she came up she stopped once the edge of my knife met her throat. Her eyes widened and her body froze in place. I don't like sore losers so I decided to give her a warning. "I don't like to be attacked that much. It makes me... react," I put as simple as possible. I don't like to react in this way but it's what I know best. "So please do give me the reason to. We're trainers not animals. Okay?" I tested for a solid yes. I'd like to come to an accord if that's possible. Jessie nodded her head silently so I smiled and pulled my knife away from her neck. "Sorry about that pretty lady. I hope I didn't hurt you," I looked over her neck knowing full well I didn't harm her physically.

"I'm better off than James," she muttered. "Who are you kid?"

"I'm Ash?" I responded in the manner of it being a question. I'm pretty sure I told her this before. Then again it's like what I learned from Misty. Sometimes girls hear half of what I say. I don't want to get used to repeating myself for no reason. Leaving that behind, I noticed Caterpie crawling back to me. "Caterpie." I leaned over then picked him up. "Awesome job Caterpie. I told you, you could do it." Caterpie gave me that cute shiny eye thing that earned him a hug from me. I placed him in my other shoulder and waited for Jessie to climb up to her feet. I held my hand out to her and she sighed before taking it. I helped her back up and she crossed her hands over her chest. I think she was pouting for some reason. I'm actually shocked she recovered from having a knife to her throat just a second ago. Most girls from what I've read from the city or the entitled sort would reacted frantically from something like that.

"Oh my god Ash!"

Sort of like Misty just did right then and there. I suppose it's different for the older ones.

"You know, I was led to believe that Team Rocket agents are supposed to be notorious for their ingenuity and their criminal minds. You guys aren't that good at what you do," I spoke truthfully.

"Quiet twerp!" Jessie yelled as she shot back up to her feet with her fist up.

Note to self: girls don't like the truth being thrown at them it seems. Maybe I should ease it in next time to test this.

"Do you guys know how to fight?" I asked a bit confused. I've heard horror stories of Team Rocket agents taking down Officers with ease and committing robberies that are borderline insanity. One team of Agents sacked Poké Mart toward, hacked into its database, fought off all the guards and their Pokémon, and then escaped via parachute out of the city. Or rather until the Air Guard came in and cut the strings out from under them one of them pulled out a Pideot and they glided away with an electric type on top of their bird offering support. It was on the new for days and seeing the camera feeds that one time I snuck into Yancy's dad's shack was cool. He was a prior officer after all so still has all these gadgets and screens he manages. These two are nothing compared to those team rocket guys that escaped with 17 different Defender Pokémon and Officer Pokémon same with millions syphoned from Poke Mart. The theories behind their infiltration are one of my favorite to story to get into the mind of criminal masterminds like them. There two don't match that. "You guys really lack of strength. I guess that's the reason you're targeting a kid like me huh?" I mused a bit.

"Quiet you!" She demanded.

"I really don't think you're in any position to make demands of me Jessie." I narrowed my eyes down at the women even though she stood taller than me. "Just because I think you're really pretty and want a hug from you doesn't mean I can't hurt you." They don't even have any guns by the looks of it. I'm shocked they don't even have any knives to protect themselves from the Pokémon that roam the tall grass and trees. They're easy prey now that their Pokémon are indisposed and I have a mouse Pokémon that doesn't like her all that much. Jessie seemed to have read the situation and backed down for a moment. Then she smirked.

"What are you going to do kid? How old are you anyway? Ten?" Close but not close enough.

"Well if you weren't my servants for a week I'd leave Pikachu here to electrocute the both of you. While you're paralyzed I'll..." I trailed off for a moment in thought. What could I do to her anyway? I don't want to hurt her or anything like that. Mom and Prof. Oak have told me many times not to result to violent unless necessary. I don't listen most of the time, but still I don't feel comfortable harming girls physically. Though I could make a couple pointless threats to scare her. She's already cautious of me and a bit hesitant to challenge me. Her friend did and he's out cold on the ground right now. Might as well seal the deal a bit.

"Start cutting off chunks." I grinned at the woman as I pulled my knife out of its scabbard once more. "Then leave you for them." I pointed up and above you could see eyes of the bug types all staring down at us. Almost waiting for one of us to drop dead and make the corpse their next meal. Jessie paled and backed back down. I was serious as far as she knows. I don't differentiate between men or Pokémon when they present themselves as threats. I don't appreciate threats to my life all that well. Pikachu felt exactly what I was feeling and sparked his cheeks. I pulled my cap down a bit to shadow my eyes a bit but my grin never faded.

"W-what do you want?"

"Money for one. Like the Trainer's value you owe me." I felt no more playfulness now that we're in business. I was playing with them before, but then she had to treat me like a child. I'm a Pokémon trainer; technically an adult under many different standards. I accepted the role of a trainer, breeder, researcher, ecologist, and many more apprenticeship opportunities once I picked up my pokédex. I don't appreciate not being taken seriously and not being given my dues. Jessie nodded furiously and pulled out a purse from… somewhere. I watched and she pulled out a couple bills and handed them to me. I took them and placed them in my wallet. I reached down for James' pokèball and point it to his koffing. With a squeeze that ball activated and pulled his Pokémon back into its pokèball. "Jail broken," I mused. Normally pokèballs only work for their trainers but this one worked for me regardless. I believe with this pokèball you can capture the Pokémon that have already been captured if memory serves. There was a scare about it a couple years ago on the television. I placed the ball back into James' pocket and rose my hand up to Jessie.

"What?" She asked fearfully.

"Pokèball." She reached into her… Somewhere and pulled out her pokèball. "How are you doing that?"

"Doing what?"

I paused and shook my head. "Nothing." I'm better off not knowing. I repeated the same as I did to koffing to Ekans and handed her the ball. She took it from my hand quickly and placed it… somewhere. I think the same place as that purse.

"So what are you going to do Ash with your... servants," Misty frowned at me. She walked up to me after checking up on James.

"I'm not going to be a servant to no little brat," Jessie spat at me.

"Well, then I guess we have a situation." I placed my knife up and pointed to Jessie. "You're without Pokémon to protect yourself with and one downed companion. What do you plan to do in the forest with man eaters every corner of the way?"

"We'll figure it out." Her aggressive response didn't even answer my question.

"Okay, last I checked the nearest town is a day away," I lied smoothly seeing that it's half a day away. But making exaggerations like this can make the choices appear that much more drastic.

"W-we'll be fine." That stammer of hers sounded so confident at well.

I looked down to the ground then shrugged. "You're the adult not me so I'll take your word for it." I sheath my knife and stepped back from Team Rocket.

"Hey twerp." Jessie called out to me. "Do you know what happened to meowth?" I nodded my head at her question. "Where is he?"

"I captured him." Jessie stared at me. I'm guessing she's coming to terms with what I said. I gave her that moment to look around. I haven't seen Ace for most of the day today now that I'm thinking of it. I wonder what he's doing.

"You what!?"

There it is. "I captured him as the deal we made before entailed."

"What deal involved capturing meowth?" She roared. I put my hands up with my knife out of hand.

"I know your upset… but calm down," I warned her firmly.

"Don't tell me to calm down you brat!" I stepped back away from the woman. She smirked and took the ground I gave to her. I looked back and Misty paled so I slowly stepped further back to defend her against this threat.

"You will give meowth back twerp. Or else," she said evilly. I'd retort if I could, but I was too busy watching the four weedle from above slink down via silky threads. All of them landed behind her. I slunk down and took hold of James and pulled him up a bit. He began to stir when I pulled him into a small buddy drag. "What do you think you're doing? Release meowth!" She demanded loudly.

"Don't move," I warned once more and Jessie just smirked at me. I can't believe she hasn't heard them moving behind her yet. They're literally right behind her.

"You're in no position to demand anything from me brat now…"

"Weep…"

She froze with wide eyes.

"Do not move." I said again as I dragged James away.

"Uh," he groaned and rubbed his head. "What happened?"

"Do not talk, don't make any sudden movements, and don't panic." I whispered in his ear. Right now Jessie is soaking up all the attention from these weedle and I'd like to keep it that way.

James blinked and looked up once I pointed at Jessie. "Oh no," he said gravely. The poison of a weedle has effects that that hit different people in different ways. It also depends on the genders. The gender of the Pokémon as well as the victims. It hits females harder sometimes and I think they know this.

"Don't move Jessie," I said with my hands up. Around that time one weedle got close enough to touch her. I could see the shivers going up her spine.

"Don't move." Misty repeated drastically.

"D-do something," Jessie let out in a squeak.

I narrowed my eyes at her. I pat James on the back and stepped back. "You got this James."

"W-what?"

I walked to my tree and picked up my pack. "Don't move and they'll leave… Eventually." I stepped back leaving them in place. I got my money so I can cash in on the servant bit later if they survive.

"You can't leave us here," James almost cried. He's a step away from the panicking phase.

"Ash, we can't leave them," Misty took his side.

"Tauros crap," I scoffed. "They're Team Rocket anyway so they're good at getting out of sticky situations."

"Pika."

"Pikachu agrees with me see."

"How do you know that? Pikachu should we leave them?" Misty asked sweetly. Pikachu nodded his head. "Eh?"

"See. Pikachu and I aren't the "good guys" that jump into danger for others without reason. They tried to steal from me."

"And you beat them with ease. Please Ash. Please," Misty begged.

"Don't do that?" I averted my eyes.

"Please." Oh no, the sparkling eyes, quivering lip, and tilt of the head. Dang it. Momma would use this attack to get her way, and I always give. This isn't to clean dishes though. I've just tried it before to no avail. Now it's being used against me. I could fight it off, but only to a point.

"I don't like doing things for free," I struggled to get out. This attack is super effective against me. Especially when a girl does it right. Misty isn't much of a girl so it's not super effective like when mama uses it.

"I'll give you a hug," she offered.

'NOOOO!' Critical hit. The Ash was defeated.

"Ace!" I yelled to the sky and all the weedle looked directly at me. I smiled at Misty then turned towards the four Pokémon as they approached me. Pikachu charged his lightning attack.

"Ptooo!" At my call Ace appeared a couple seconds later.

I pointed at the weedle. "Gust!" At my order two weedle shot at me only for it to be shot back away by a strong wind from above. My golden friend hovered above the trees and slowly made his way down. "Move Jessie."

"Don't need to tell me twice!" Jessie shot away from the weedle that was about to climb on top of her.

I pointed at the two that didn't fly away from me and ordered Pikachu next, "thunder shock."

"Pika!" Yellowish white lightning left pikachu's body and hit the two head on. One though evaded in time to avoid most of the shock. The attacks overall had some effect, but didn't stop the four. Pikachu stood in front of me same with Ace at the ready. The four weedle glared at us with glowing poison point in their head. Jessie shot behind me along with James. I have two adults cowering behind me, a kid. Something's not right about this.

One weedle moved fast and tackled Pikachu before he could react. He skid back and growled.

"Tackle!" Pikachu did the same and forced the worm back.

Ace bat away a weedle attempting a poison sting to the ground. "Peck." He dropped down and pecked hard into the bug type. It stopped moving.

I faced the remaining three. One used string shot and hit Ace but only his leg and thankfully not the wings. This weedle wasn't stupid. It stamped its mouth down keeping Ace from taking flight any further than three feet.

"Use gust." Ace flapped his large wings and picked up more air than before, blowing the three of them back again.

"Pikachu, tackle the one with the red spot." It was the strongest one. It took two gusts then a thunder shock, and still is fighting on. It charged Pikachu with its poison point up. "Pikachu shoot to the side!" Pikachu leapt out the way of the weedle then tackled it's side right on the spot. The weedle shot away but right itself with a determined gleam in its eyes. It's used string shot and hit Pikachu in the eyes.

"Pika!"

I grit my teeth at his scream of pain. "Ace grab Pikachu." Ace shot towards Pikachu just as the weedle charged to stab Pikachu with its stinger. Ace picked up Pikachu and burst up just as the weedle was about to hit them. I sighed in relief, because I don't have any antidotes sadly. I don't wish to rush to the nearest Pokémon center like a couple days back. I don't have a bike this time. "Ace, come back." Ace glided to me and dropped Pikachu in my arms Pikachu scratched as his eyes, but I stopped him. "I know it burns but just wait okay?" I turned back to Misty. "Can you take him Misty?"

"Yeah." She ran up to me and took Pikachu from my arms.

"Ptooo!" I looked back and saw Ace fall out the sky towards me. "Ace!" I caught him in my arms and fell down to my butt. I looked him over and saw a mark on his leg. It was turning purple.

"Poison?" I reached up to his head and found him burning hot. "String shot laced with poison? That can happen? Crap." I looked at the weedle as it crawled towards me. It's female and at the point that it's about to evolve. I dare say it's different compared to the rest as well sort of like Ace. It's the biggest so it makes sense that it's evolved a bit more than the rest.

"Wee." I looked down to my Caterpie. When did he… I shook my head and pointed at the weedle.

"Can you take it?" Caterpie gave me a determined nod and moved to guard me. I pulled myself to my feet and placed Ace to the side. I pulled a pokèball out my pocket and faced the weedle. "Okay, here we go." Down to one useful Pokémon we faced the weedle.

"String shot!" The weedle did the same and both attacks connected. It wrapped around Caterpie but it blinded the weedle.

"Tackle." Caterpie slid out the silk string and tackled weedle in the face forcing it back. The weedle struggled to stand. It suffered some good damage from Ace so it only makes sense it's on it's last leg. "One more time." Caterpie moved and tackled the weedle again but the weedle didn't back down and pushed back. Caterpie won the exchange and pushed weedle to the ground. I threw my pokèball and hit the weedle head on. The weedle turned into code and absorbed into the ball when it burst open. The ball shook once before it went still. I rose my hand and the pokèball shoot into it.

I sighed but didn't rest. "Ace!" I rushed to him and looked him over. The poison of the web isn't deadly, but it does cause paralysis judging from the case of trembles he has. Ace looks to be in pain, and I don't have any berries to help him. I haven't seen the sort I need on the way either. I pat his head and bowed my head. I reached for my pokèball and placed him inside it. He will have to rest until the poison goes through his system.

For now Pikachu needs the most attention. If that string shot is stringing with poison I can only imagine what it's doing to him. I walked up to him and removed my pack. I pulled out my canteen. "Pikachu I'm gonna pour water on you. It's going to burn but you'll have to bear with it."

"Pi." He nodded.

"Misty, turn him over to his stomach." She did as said while rubbing Pikachu's back.

"You caught that weedle," she asked, and I nodded.

"If it had stung us we would have died of sure. It's close to evolving and pretty strong. It overwhelmed my Pikachu and Ace. That's worth having as a fifth Pokémon." I held my bottle of water over Pikachu's head and poured it. Pikachu struggled but Misty and I kept him down. After a good ten seconds he settled down but laid down limp over Misty's leg. "I'm going to have to get my lighter and burn off the rest." I reached into my pack for a small lighter and held it under pikachu's eyes. I lit it up and the webbing instantly took aflame.

"Pi! Pika!" I held him down as he struggling grew anew, even more feral than before.

"Misty, do you have a Pokémon with water gun?"

"Uh?"

She looked at me in shock. I quickly grabbed her shoulder and shook her hard. "Misty! A Pokémon with water gun!"

"Uh, right." She fumbled for her pokéballs and pulled out one. "I have a staryu."

"Spray pikachu's eyes and don't stop the stream for as long as you Pokémon can hold it. I placed Pikachu against a tree with his closed eyes pointing upward. I have to work fast or he will be blind soon. I heard and click of a pokèball opening and releasing whatever it contained. A large star with a ruby red center appeared. "Staryu, water gun on Pikachu's eyes. Softly." The star suddenly spawned water and shot it into pikachu's eyes. Pikachu passed out a moment ago so this was painless. I held Pikachu's eyes open. I didn't care if I was getting soaked. I have to wash as much of this poison out as I can and fast.

Now that I'm thinking of it I should've had her use her Pokémon to defend us instead. Water type or not Staryu have a natural resistance to poison. Most of the waters they live in have poisonous Pokémon within it. I'm going to have to make that known to her now.

"Misty," I called to her. She looked up to me with worry. "Until we get to Pewter City I'm going to need you to defend us from Pokémon along the way. Okay?"

"O-Okay?"

I nodded at that. "Keep that up." I stood up and walked towards Jessie and James. They were on their butts but Jessie was holding herself for some reason. "You guys… I looked up towards their balloon. "I'm going to need that soon."

"What," James appeared to be ready to argue until I narrowed my eyes at him. I felt my vision faintly turn red. I'm in a bad mood now. This moment was supposed to be fun and entertaining not have me down two of my crucial Pokémon.

"Fine," Jessie relented.

"Jessie?" James was shocked at this.

"James this twerp isn't normal. You got smacked down by him," she reminded the man. I did do that after all.

"B-But…"

"No," she shook her head. "He have every reason to leave us like that but didn't. We owe him and I don't like owing anyone anything."

"Then we have an accord." I rose my hand to them. Jessie frowned but took my hand and shook it. James next. "Since you're my servants for the week I'm going to have to ask you a couple things about your organization I've been wondering."

"What? Why would we do that," James asked.

"Because I'm being nice," I retorted. I could very easily take it. I've watched enough and read from enough sources on how to make people talk. I'm may not have the experience, but I'm very eager to learn more.

"What do you want to know?" Jessie asked.

I blinked a bit then smiled. "The heist at Poke mart tower. I want to know about it while I nurse my Pokémon." That's a good place to start and this was a good start as well. Have them under my protection and have them knowingly follow my lead. Get them talking and dig for more information. The first steps are the easiest.

A/N: Oh man that was a ride. Anyway thanks for reading and please shot me a review or two.