AUTHOR'S NOTE: Greetings, readers! Here is chapter 19 of the continuing adventures of Tristan, Hillary, and Pikachu, as they continue their journey through Kanto. Jessie, James, Meowth, and Giovanni make their appearances in this chapter, too. More of Shinji Miyazaki's music cues make their appearances in this chapter, too. As always, please read and review, and remember, feedback of any kind is always welcome.
TEASER: Tristan and Hillary are dealing with Team Rocket members left and right, but will they be able to figure a way out of this mess? Plus, Jessie, James, and Meowth are still after Tristan's Pikachu! And will Tristan and Hillary find the source of Celadon City's trouble and fix it?
CHAPTER 18: BATTLE IN THE HIDEOUT, PART 2
(Music Cue: A Fight! Real vs. Copy Pokémon (as heard in "Forest Grumps"))
Last time, our friends finally arrived in Celadon City, in hopes of winning Tristan's fourth Gym Badge. However, Team Rocket had also infiltrated the city. After Team Rocket invaded the Pokémon Center, Tristan and Pikachu made quick work of the situation. He and Hillary quickly made their way to the Rocket Game Corner to run Team Rocket out of Celadon City. It was there that they discovered a secret hideout underneath. After escaping from the maze and regrouping at the end of it, our friends found themselves surrounded by several Team Rocket members. Will they find a way out of this mess and stop Team Rocket's plan? The battle continues!
Tristan, Hillary, Pikachu, Pidgeotto, Butterfree, and Charmander, still surrounded by many Team Rocket Grunts, had their backs against one another to try and think of something as Giovanni watched on one of the security cameras in satisfaction.
"Let's see how you get out of this, little boy," smiled Giovanni wickedly.
"Rattata, Raticate, get those kids!" shouted the Rocket Grunts as they threw several Pokéballs.
(Music Cue: Rocket-Powered Disaster)
Several small purple rat Pokémon with curvy tails and bigger furry tan rat Pokémon with whiskers emerged from the white lights that shot out of the Pokéballs. All had oversized teeth.
"Rattata and Raticate," said Tristan. "Just great."
"It's a nice rhyme for a situation like this, but we need to get out of it somehow," suggested Hillary.
"Pidgeotto, Gust attack!" ordered Tristan.
Pidgeotto quickly flapped its wings, creating a gust of wind from them. It blew two of the Raticate away, but two more took their place.
"Charmander, Flamethrower!" commanded Tristan.
Charmander fired stream after stream of fire from its mouth at multiple Rattata, but every time it defeated one, another always took its place.
"Pikachu, give them a Thundershock!" shouted Tristan.
Pikachu shot a yellow bolt of electricity at the Rattata and Raticate, but with the same results as the last two attempts.
"All right, Butterfree, Confusion!" ordered Tristan.
Butterfree's eyes and some of the Rattata and Raticate's outlines glowed in a purple color.
The Rattata and Raticate were lifted into the air and tossed back down to the ground, but they got back up and were helped by several more.
"It's no use!" exclaimed Hillary. "No matter what we do, these things just won't stay down!"
"So are you giving up, then?" asked one of the Rocket Grunts.
"No way!" shouted Tristan. He turned to Pikachu. "Pikachu, Quick Attack!"
Pikachu charged toward some of the Raticate with a white line trailing behind it and rammed into the Raticate with quick succession, but more Raticate took the places of the fallen comrades.
"Rattata, Raticate, show them YOUR Quick Attack!" commanded the Grunts.
All the Rattata and Raticate charged forward with white lines trailing behind them.
Tristan's Pokémon were hit one by one and fell down to the ground.
"You can do it, guys, just hang in there!" encouraged Tristan.
Pikachu, Pidgeotto, Butterfree, and Charmander all struggled to get back up after the flurry of Quick Attacks they had just endured.
"It's no use, boy," said the Rocket Grunt. "There's no way you'll whip us.
"Whip?" said Tristan. "That's it!" He took out a Pokéball and threw it. "Ivysaur, I choose you!"
A light blue quadruped with a pink bud and bloomed bulb materialized from the white light that shot out of the Pokéball.
"Quick, Ivysaur, whip the Rattata and Raticate with your Vine Whip!" commanded Tristan.
Ivysaur shot two green vines from the bud on its back and repeatedly whipped the Rattata and Raticate with them.
"It's working!" remarked Hillary. "Ivysaur's Vine Whip attack is whipping those guys into shape!"
But Tristan wasn't finished yet. He took out another Pokéball. "Wartortle, blast 'em with your Water Gun!" he shouted.
Wartortle emerged from the white light that shot out of it and immediately fired a powerful stream of water from its mouth at the Rattata and Raticate. One by one, they fell and didn't get back up.
"Okay, everybody, let'em have it!" ordered Tristan.
All the Pokémon fired their attacks straight for Team Rocket's Pokémon. Pikachu fired a Thundershock from its cheeks. Charmander fired a Flamethrower from its mouth. Wartortle shot another Water Gun attack. Ivysaur fired a flurry of razor sharp leaves. Pidgeotto furiously flapped its wings for another Gust attack. And Butterfree surprised everyone by firing a beam of mysterious light from between its antennae.
"Whoa, what was that?" gasped Hillary in wonder.
Tristan took out his Pokédex, Dexter, and looked up the attack.
"Psybeam," identified Dexter. "This Psychic attack inflicts damage and has a chance of confusing its targets."
"Wow, this is so awesome!" remarked Tristan.
All the attacks from Tristan's Pokémon combined into one powerful force and rammed into all the Rattata and Raticate, knocking them out, and sending them flying into the Rocket Grunts. They all collapsed in a heap and fainted.
"We did it!" cheered Hillary.
"Great job, everyone," praised Tristan. He turned to Butterfree. "That Psybeam of yours was awesome! I certainly wasn't expecting that."
Butterfree blushed in modesty.
Then Tristan spotted something in one of the Rocket Grunt's open hands.
"What is it, Tristan?" wondered Hillary.
Tristan picked up the object and examined it closely. "It appears to be some sort of key card," he replied. "It may be what we need to help us advance in the hideout."
"Then, what are we waiting for?" said Hillary excitedly. "Let's go!"
"Everyone, return!" instructed Tristan as he took out five Pokéballs and aimed the buttons toward his five other Pokémon.
Five red beams of light shot out of the Pokéballs, transformed the Pokémon into red energy, and shot back inside. Only Pikachu was left out.
Tristan put the Pokéballs and the newly found key card inside his pockets and he, Hillary, and Pikachu made their way downstairs to the next basement floor.
Giovanni was still watching the children in one of the security cameras, and was most intrigued at the recent turn of events. "It appears the boy is doing well, but let's see if he can make it to me," he smiled as he pushed a few buttons on his TV screen and changed the video to what was happening on the third basement floor, which was where Tristan and Hillary were just entering. "I think it's time for a few more reinforcements," he said, and he turned on his intercom once again. "Attention, lone Team Rocket Grunt on the third basement floor...Two kids are heading your way...Find them and kick them out."
Tristan and Hillary heard the announcement and were beginning to lose their patience.
"I am really getting sick of that voice," grumbled Tristan.
"When will we face you already?!" exclaimed Hillary.
"If only there was a quick way to get to whoever is making those announcements," said Tristan.
"Maybe there is, Tristan!" replied Hillary. "Look there!"
Sure enough, there was an elevator right in front of them. They dashed for it just as it opened and went in.
"Let's hurry and find that person on the bottom floor!" said Tristan as he pushed the down button.
But the elevator didn't do anything.
"That's weird," said Tristan.
"What's weird?" asked Hillary. "Is there a problem?"
"I don't know," replied Tristan. "Could it be broken?"
"The elevator doesn't work?" said a voice. "Who has the Lift Key?"
(Music Cue: Let's Run!)
Tristan and Hillary were startled to find another Rocket Grunt right behind them, and they were trapped in an open elevator with no way out.
"This is the end for you, kids," said the Grunt. "There's no way to escape this clever trap I set up for you."
"So you planned for this? Let us go this instant!" demanded Tristan.
"No can do," smirked the Rocket Grunt. "This is MY trap and YOU fell for it. Now be good little kiddies and stay in the cell while I get the Boss."
"No, you fool!" shouted Giovanni's voice on the intercom. "You're the one who's trapped! Get away!"
"Hurry, Tris!" whispered Hillary. "We can use this situation to our advantage!"
"I'm on it, sis," replied Tristan as he turned to Pikachu, who was sitting on his right shoulder. "All right, Pikachu, give him a Quick Attack!"
Pikachu rushed toward the Rocket Grunt with a white line trailing behind it and rammed into the Grunt so hard that an item was sent flying from his hand into the air.
"NOOOOO!" he screamed.
"Quick, grab it, Tristan!" shouted Hillary.
Tristan rushed to catch the falling object in quick succession. Sure enough, it was the Lift Key that Tristan and Hillary had heard the Rocket Grunt talking about. It was just what they needed to make the elevator work.
"Oh, no!" cried the Rocket Grunt as he got back on his feet. "I dropped the Lift Key!"
"Well, it looks like we got what we came for!" smiled Tristan triumphantly. "Come on, guys, let's go!"
Pikachu and Hillary hurried inside the elevator just as the elevator door began to close.
"Wait! Come back here!" panted the Rocket Grunt as he rushed to try and stop the fleeing children.
But it was too late, for the elevator closed all the way, and he hit the door face first, knocking him out cold.
Inside the elevator, Tristan and Hillary were a bit nervous on what would happen when they reached the bottom floor.
"Do you think whoever planned this takeover will be down there?" asked Hillary.
"I don't know, sis," replied Tristan, "but we'll have to be ready for anything at this point, so stay close."
As the elevator made its way down, three familiar figures were lying in wait for them.
"Those twerps should be here any second now," whispered Jessie.
"I can't wait to pounce on them," added James.
"Dis is one of da best plans ever!" agreed Meowth. "Once da twoips arrive, we'll take dere Pikachu off dere hands!"
"Shhhh!" whispered James. "You'll give us away!"
"Let's hide," advised Jessie. "The twerps are almost here."
And they hid from view just as the elevator arrived and Tristan and Hillary came out.
"Okay, here's the plan," began Tristan. "As soon as I find whoever has been making those announcements, we'll battle him and..."
But Tristan's speech was cut short by Pikachu's cry for help because it was grabbed by a rubber bag and placed inside.
"PIkachu!" cried Tristan.
"Not another step, twerps!" called a female voice. It belonged to Jessie.
"How dare you humiliate us at Mount Moon!" added James.
Tristan and Hillary were very annoyed.
"No, not you guys again!" exclaimed Tristan.
"Didn't you three learn your lesson?!" fumed Hillary.
Music Cue: Team Rocket Motto 1997-1998 M20 (as heard in "Beach Blank-Out Blastoise"))
"Prepare for trouble...it's payback time," said Jessie.
'Make it double for this little rhyme," added James.
Then Jessie and James immediately went into their motto.
"To protect the world from devastation."
"To unite all peoples within our nation."
"To denounce the evils of truth and love."
"To extend our reach to the stars above."
"Jessie!"
"James!"
"Team Rocket blast off at the speed of light, light, light!"
"Surrender now, or prepare to fight, fight, fight!"
"Meowth, dat's right!" chimed Meowth as it stood between Jessie and James.
"Give back Pikachu right now!" demanded Tristan.
"We can't do that yet," cooed Jessie. "We're so close to the Boss, and he's going to be very happy once he sees his little gift."
"Ta-ta, twerps!" called James, as he, Jessie, and Meowth started to make a break for it.
"No, you don't!" said Tristan as he took out a Pokéball and threw it. "Ivysaur, I choose you!"
Ivysaur materialized from the white light that shot out of the ball.
"Ivysaur, use your Vine Whip to stop them!" ordered Tristan.
Ivysaur shot two green vines from the bud on its back and extended them enough to make the Team Rocket trio trip.
"All right, if it's a fight you little twerps want, you've got one!" snarled Jessie. "Arbok, Lickitung, I choose you!"
"Go, Weezing! Go, Victreebel!" shouted James.
A purple cobra Pokémon, a two-faced Pokémon with holes and a creamed colored skull, a pink bipedal Pokémon with a tail and long tongue, and a yellow bell-shaped Pokémon with green leaves and a gaping mouth and teeth emerged from the four white lights that shot out of Jessie and James' Pokéballs, but the bell-shaped Pokémon immediately went back to try and eat James to show its affection.
"Eeeeek! Victreebel, would you please stop?!" shrieked James as he tried to get out of Victreebel's gaping mouth.
"Well, this is interesting," murmured Tristan as he scanned the two new Pokémon with his Pokédex.
"Lickitung: The Licking Pokémon." identified Dexter. "It uses a tongue that is more than twice the length of its body to battle as well as to gather food.
"Victreebel: The Flycatcher Pokémon. Victreebel lures prey with the sweet smell of honey. Swallowed whole, the prey melts into nothing in a day, bones and all."
"Blech!" exclaimed Tristan. "That's disgusting!"
"You're telling me!" added Hillary. "We not only have to deal with Arbok and Weezing, but we also have to deal with two other gross Pokémon!"
"Weezing, Smog attack! Victreebel, use your Razor Leaf attack!" commanded James.
(Music Cue: Battle! Kanto Trainer (as heard in "Battle Aboard the St. Anne"))
Victreebel fired a flurry of razor sharp leaves while Weezing fired a green cloud of smoke to cover Victreebel's attack.
Ivysaur found this hard to manage because it couldn't see the sharp leaves battering it one by one.
"Ivysaur!" cried Hillary.
"Go, Pidgeotto, blow this smog away with your Gust attack!" ordered Tristan as he threw Pidgeotto's Pokéball.
Pidgeotto materialized from the white light that shot out of it and instantly flapped its wings furiously, creating a huge gust of wind.
The Smog and Razor Leaf attacks had cleared up.
"That was quick thinking, Tristan!" praised Hillary.
"Arbok, Poison Sting attack now!" yelled Jessie.
Arbok fired a barrage of poisonous darts from its mouth at Pidgeotto.
There was no way for Pidgeotto to dodge it from its current position.
"Quick, Wartortle, use your Water Gun attack!" commanded Tristan as he threw Wartortle's Pokéball.
Wartortle materialized from the white light that shot out of it and quickly shot a stream of water from its mouth. It easily negated Arbok's Poison Sting attack.
"Likcitung, try a Lick attack!" ordered Jessie.
Lickitung quickly extended its long tongue at Wartortle and successfully licked it on the face.
Wartortle became very dizzy.
"Wartortle!" exclaimed Tristan.
"Ah!" said James excitedly. "Looks like the twerps are getting licked!"
"Charmander, I choose you!" shouted Tristan as he threw Charmander's Pokéball.
Charmander emerged from the white light that shot out of it.
"Hurry, Charmander, cover Wartortle with your Flamethrower!" ordered Tristan.
Charmander fired a stream of fire at Lickitung, who got hit by the blaze.
Wartortle then recovered from Lickitung's Lick attack and was ready to battle again.
"Yeah, that's the spirit, Wartortle!" said Tristan.
"Quick, Arbok and Lickitung, use your Wrap attack!" yelled Jessie.
"Weezing, Victreebel, Tackle attack!" commanded James.
Arbok and Lickitung charged forward and proceeded to wrap their opponents with their body and tongue, respectively while Weezing and Victreebel did full-body charge attacks.
"Wartortle, blast 'em with your Water Gun at full power now!" shouted Tristan.
Wartortle took a deep breath and shot a huge stream of water from its mouth. It was so powerful that it sent Arbok, Weezing, Lickitung, and Victreebel flying backward into Jessie and James.
The rubber bag was sent flying from Team Rocket's hands and was caught in Tristan's.
Pikachu emerged from the bag, happy to see its Trainer.
"Are you okay, Pikachu?" asked Tristan.
"Pika, Pika!" replied Pikachu happily.
"That's a relief," remarked Hillary.
"Arbok, Lickitung, this battle isn't over!" yelled Jessie.
"Go get those twerps!" demanded James to Weezing and Victreebel.
(Music Cue: Raid!)
Arbok used its serpent-like body to spring forward while Lickitung charged forward for a Tackle attack. Weezing fired brown sludge from its mouth while Victreebel fired another flurry of razor sharp leaves. All four aimed their attacks at Tristan's Pokémon, much to his and Hillary's surprise.
"Those guys just don't know when to quit, do they?!" exclaimed a shocked Hillary.
"Wartortle, use your Water Gun again!" ordered Tristan.
Again, Wartortle shot a powerful stream of water from its mouth at Arbok, Weezing, Lickitung, and Victreebel, but this time they seemed to withstand it.
"No way!" cried Tristan as he watched Team Rocket's Pokémon hanging tough.
"Tristan, maybe Butterfree can confuse them," suggested Hillary.
"Right!" replied Tristan as he remembered Butterfree's newest attack. He took out its Pokéball. "Okay, Butterfree, let's see what you can do...use your Psybeam attack!" He threw the ball.
Butterfree emerged from the white light that shot out of it and shot a mysteriously colored beam of light at the four Pokémon.
Arbok, Weezing, Lickitung, and Victreebel were all hit and acted very confused and dizzy.
"What's the matter?!" demanded James. "Hurry and attack them!"
But none of them listened to any of the commands their trainers were issuing.
"Don't just stand there, Meowth, do something!" shouted Jessie.
"Okay," replied Meowth as he leaped forward toward Tristan's Pokémon and extended its claws. "Time for Fury Swipes!"
"Pikachu, go!" yelled Tristan as he thrust Pikachu into the air from his hands.
Pikachu's electricity sizzled from its cheeks. Pikachu concentrated all of it into its body and fired a jolt of electricity at Meowth.
"Pikachuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!"
But this jolt was much more powerful than some of the Thundershocks Pikachu had fired in the past, making Tristan wonder what attack it had just used. Nevertheless, it scored a direct hit on a screaming Meowth, causing him to fly backward into Jessie and James, taking the shock themselves.
The force of the big shock was so powerful that it caused an explosion, sending Team Rocket and their Pokémon skyward.
"Such dreadful twerps!" exclaimed Jessie.
"Now we'll never get promoted!" complained James.
"At least we won't get fired," finished Meowth.
"Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off again!" shouted the trio as they disappeared in the sky with a twinkle to mark their flight.
DING!
Back in the hideout, Tristan and Hillary were amazed by Pikachu's newfound power.
"That was a big Electric attack," remarked Tristan.
"I wonder what that was?" asked Hillary.
"Maybe Dexter knows," replied Tristan as he took out his Pokédex.
"Thunderbolt: One of Pikachu's strongest attacks," said Dexter. "Like Thundershock, Thunderbolt has a chance of paralyzing its opponents, but it is even more powerful."
"So that was a Thunderbolt," remarked Tristan in awe.
"I guess your will to defeat Team Rocket was so strong that Pikachu felt it, too," added Hillary. "So it learned Thunderbolt to help you out."
"Not just me, Hillary, I think it helped us," said Tristan. Then he regained his focus. "Okay, Let's go deal with the voice in the intercom system. Whoever it is he's going to regret messing with us."
Tristan returned his other Pokémon to their Pokéballs save for Pikachu, as he and Hillary forged ahead to a door. Tristan swiped the Card Key through the slot. As he did so, the door slowly opened to reveal an office space. There, in an orange suit, sat the leader of Team Rocket: Giovanni.
He turned around, saw the two children, and said, "So! I must say, I am impressed that you got here."
"Why are you impressed?" demanded Hillary.
"And why did Team Rocket come after us when we came into Celadon City?" added Tristan.
"You simpletons," smiled Giovanni. "Team Rocket captures Pokémon from around the world. Needless to say that you have some very rare and powerful Pokémon on your side. They're important tools for keeping our evil organization going.
"Using Pokémon as tools for evil purposes is just sick!" fumed Hillary. "Humans and Pokémon are supposed to live in peace and help each other out!"
"Just who are you, anyway?!" demanded Tristan.
Giovanni smiled and said, "I am the leader of Team Rocket: Giovanni."
A confused look came into Tristan's eyes. "I've never heard of you," he said.
Giovanni smirked. That's excellent, Tristan, he thought. Your knowledge of me may be limited, but I'm sure you will know why we met in due time. You still don't know that I was the one who initiated the attack in your hometown all those years ago, but for now, just be happy that you don't know these little secrets...yet. Then he said aloud, "I'm surprised that you have never heard of me, little boy."
"Why don't you just cut the small talk and leave Celadon City right now!" demanded Tristan.
"Hmph!" grumbled Giovanni. "For your insolence, you will feel a world of pain!"
Giovanni snapped his fingers. As he did, a feline Pokémon with six whiskers and a red jewel on his head lunged at Tristan and Hillary, who narrowly dodged its extended claws.
They were very angry for being attacked like that.
"Why is that Pokémon attacking us?!" demanded Tristan.
"That thing is dangerous!" added Hillary. "Someone could have been hurt!"
"Ha!" laughed Giovanni. "This Pokémon may be dangerous to you, but it is very tame to me."
The Pokémon growled at Tristan and Hillary.
"So it's your Pokémon!" exclaimed Hillary.
"Let's see what it is," said Tristan as he scanned the Pokémon with his Pokédex, Dexter.
"Persian: The Classy Cat Pokémon: The evolved form of Meowth," identified Dexter. "It is highly regarded as a pet for its beautiful fur. However, it is extremely temperamental and difficult to keep."
"Looks like your Pokédex didn't tell you how easy it was for me to soothe this savage beast," laughed Giovanni.
Tristan's face turned red. That was his last straw. "That's it! Go, Pikachu!" he shouted. He was clearly insulted by Giovanni's remark.
Pikachu leaped in front of Tristan, ready to battle Persian.
Hillary put her hand on Tristan's shoulder. "Easy, Tristan," she whispered. "Remember that Giovanni's evil and cunning, and will throw insults at you and attack you. You need to ease up on this and concentrate."
"I don't care how many insults he throws!" retorted Tristan. "Nobody gets away with it or attacking us for no reason!"
"Are we going to battle or are we going to spend the night arguing?" asked Giovanni. "All it's doing is keeping Team Rocket in Celadon City longer."
"He's right, Tris," advised Hillary. "The longer Giovanni remains, the longer Team Rocket stays in Celadon City."
"Then let's defeat him and drive Team Rocket out of here once and for all," replied Tristan. "Let's win it, Pikachu!"
Pikachu eagerly replied and awaited Tristan's directions.
"Go ahead, little boy," said Giovanni. "Attack from any angle you feel like."
"Pikachu, Quick Attack!" shouted Tristan.
(Music Cue: Danger! Pikachu!)
Pikachu sped forward toward Persian with a white line trailing behind it.
"Ha!" smiled Giovanni. "Attacking me from the front? How quaint. Stop it with your Slash attack, Persian!"
Persian lunged forward and got ready to pounce on Pikachu with its claws extended.
"Watch out, Tristan!" gasped Hillary.
"All right, Pikachu, jump over Persian!" shouted Tristan.
Still trailing a white line behind it, Pikachu jumped in midair and dodged Persian's attack.
"A very good ploy," said Giovanni. "I wasn't expecting that. But Team Rocket will be winning this battle. Okay, Persian, grab it with your Bite attack when it comes down!"
Persian used its teeth to grab a defenseless Pikachu by the tail and spun it around.
"Pikachu!" gasped Tristan in a worried tone.
Persian thrust Pikachu down to the ground and inflicted some damage on it
Despite the damage it took, Pikachu struggled to its feet.
"That's the spirit, Pikachu!" said Tristan. "I know you can defeat that Persian!"
"It's time to wrap this battle up and take my prize, little boy," said Giovanni. "End it with Slash attack!"
Persian lunged forward with its extended claws and closed in on Pikachu.
"Tristan, do something or Pikachu's finished!" cried Hillary.
(Music Cue: Gym 1997-1998 (as heard in "The Mystery Menace"))
"All right, Pikachu, use Thunderbolt at full power!" shouted Tristan.
Pikachu's electricity sparked from its cheeks, then it was concentrated into a big stream just like when it was used on Jessie, James, and Meowth. The electricity shot toward Persian, which was struck by it with such force that it couldn't complete its attack.
Persian collapsed to the ground and started to get up.
"Pikachu, Quick Attack!" yelled Tristan.
Now, it was Persian, who was defenseless, as it struggled to get up, but Pikachu surged ahead at full speed toward it with a white line trailing behind it.
"Persian, hurry!" exclaimed Giovanni.
But it was too late, for Pikachu rammed into Persian so hard that it had been knocked out.
"What? This can't be!" gasped Giovanni. "My Persian lost to Pikachu?" Then he smiled as Pikachu stood proudly before its defeated opponent.
"You did it, Pikachu!" cheered Tristan.
Pikachu happily replied and jumped into Tristan's arms.
"You're the best, Pikachu," he praised.
Giovanni came forward as he returned Persian to its Pokéball. "I see that you raise your Pokémon with utmost care," he said. "Well done."
"Why are you complimenting my skills, Giovanni?" asked Tristan suspiciously.
"A child like you would never understand what I hope to achieve someday," replied Giovanni.
"And just what is it?" demanded Hillary.
"Here, catch this," said Giovanni as he tossed them a mysterious pair of goggles.
"What's this?" asked Tristan.
"This is a Silph Scope," answered Giovanni. "It will help you see through ghosts in Lavender Town's Pokémon Tower if you ever have the guts to go there. In the meantime, I shall step aside this time. I hope we meet again." "He took out his radio. "Attention, all Team Rocket members...retreat at once."
Then he tossed a spherical object in the air. It exploded into a gray cloud of smoke, which surrounded Tristan, Hillary, and Pikachu.
"Hey, come back here!" coughed Tristan as he and the others tried to catch their breath.
When the smoke cleared, Giovanni was gone without a trace.
"He got away," grunted Tristan.
"I wouldn't worry about him, Tristan, but Pikachu's having the most trouble recovering from it!" said Hillary in a worried tone.
Pikachu was still coughing and was having trouble breathing normally.
"Pikachu inhaled lots of smoke!" gasped Tristan.
"Is everyone okay?" asked a voice. It was Officer Jenny. She had seen everything.
"Officer Jenny, please help us!" pleaded Tristan. "Pikachu needs to get to the Pokémon Center right away!"
"Come on, let's hurry!" advised Officer Jenny. "I'll take you there myself!"
Officer Jenny escorted Tristan and Hillary out of the hideout and out of the Rocket Game Corner as Tristan carried Pikachu in his arms.
A few minutes later, Officer Jenny's police car arrived at the Pokémon Center. Tristan, Hillary, and Officer Jenny got out of it and rushed inside the Center as fast as they could.
Nurse Joy was waiting anxiously for them. "Is everything okay?" she asked.
"Nurse Joy, Pikachu inhaled lots of smoke from the explosion!" panted Tristan.
"Let's take care of it right away!" advised Nurse Joy. She motioned for Chansey to wheel Pikachu into the examination room and followed them in.
Officer Jenny looked out the window and saw that there were no Team Rocket members in Celadon City.
"Well, it looks like Team Rocket's gone," she said. "You guys must have defeated their leader."
"We did," replied Hillary, "but he somehow got away after he was defeated."
"There may have been a few arrests, and we may not have arrested the leader, but at least the city is safe once more," said Officer Jenny. "Thank you both."
"You're welcome, Officer Jenny," replied Tristan, "but I think my Pokémon deserve most of the credit."
"I guess that's true," smiled Officer Jenny.
(Music Cue: Meeting and Parting)
A few moments later, Nurse Joy came out of the examination room with good news. "Pikachu's going to be just fine," she said. "All it needs is a good rest. Come to think of it, I think the rest of you could use a good rest, too."
"You're very lucky you got here when you did," added Officer Jenny.
"Thanks for the lift, Officer Jenny," replied Tristan.
"We appreciate it very much," added Hillary.
"Good luck on your journey, kids!" she said as she exited the building.
"Why don't you leave the rest of your Pokémon here with me tonight while you two get some rest?" suggested Nurse Joy.
"Thanks, Nurse Joy," replied Tristan. He turned to Hillary. "Come on, sis, let's get some sleep for real this time."
"You got it, big bro," she yawned as she followed Tristan to one of the bedrooms.
"After all the excitement tonight, I'm ready to try and earn my fourth badge!" proclaimed Tristan.
And so, Tristan and Hillary defeated Team Rocket and sent them packing. And after getting a good night's sleep, Tristan will wake up refreshed and ready to battle the Celadon City Gym Leader. Get some rest, Tristan...you'll need it!
► TO BE CONTINUED
