AUTHOR'S NOTE: Greetings, readers! Here is Chapter 50 of the continuing adventures of Tristan, Hillary, and Pikachu, as they continue their journey through Kanto. The four Rocket Brothers from the Red, Blue, and Yellow version games make appearances here. As always, please feel free to read and review, and remember, feedback of any kind is always welcome.

TEASER: A chance encounter with the four Rocket Brothers forces Tristan's grandmother to tell him the horrible truth about what happened in the past.

Chapter 50: THREE EEVEE FOR VICTORY!

Tristan, Hillary, and Pikachu are finally back on the road to the Indigo Plateau, site of the Pokémon League Competition, but this time, under the special escort of their grandparents, Veronica and Eric.

"I really can't wait to get there," said Tristan excitedly as he rode along in his grandparents' car with Veronica at the wheel.

"I wonder what Pokémon you'll battle against," added Hillary.

"Well, no wonder what Pokémon you battle, I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time," replied Veronica.

Eric agreed. "She's right. Just do your best out there and you'll never lose."

"Thanks, guys," said Tristan. "I'll do my best."

Veronica could tell that Tristan had gotten his fighting spirit back. A battle was just the perfect thing for him.

But suddenly, three injured Eevee stumbled onto the road just ahead of the car.

Tristan quickly spotted them. "Grandma, look out!" he shouted.

Instantly, Veronica honked on the horn and slammed on the brakes, skidding to a halt just inches away from the injured Eevee.

"Phew!" said Hillary.

"That was a close one," added Veronica. "Thanks for the warning, Tristan. My reflexes are getting slower these days."

"Is everyone okay back there?" asked Eric.

"We're okay," replied Tristan and Hillary.

Pikachu agreed.

Veronica immediately got out of the car and went to check on the Eevee. Everyone else followed.

Veronica examined all three of the Eevee very carefully. They all had wounds everywhere. "This isn't good," said Veronica. "We've gotta help these Eevee. Tristan, I need you to help take care of the wounds first. Do you have your first aid kit with you?"

"Yes I do," replied Tristan.

"Good, there's no time to waste," said Veronica.

Tristan quickly got out his potions and immediately proceeded to spray them onto the wounds of the three Eevee, one at a time.

"How did they get injured in the first place?" asked Eric.

"I don't know, dear, but now's not the time to wonder about that," replied Veronica. "We have to get these Pokémon to the Pokémon Center as fast as we can."

"But where can we find one?" asked Hillary. "Viridian City must be far away by now."

"There's one close by," replied Veronica. "Everyone, get in the car, and take the three Eevee with you."

Tristan, Hillary, and Eric each picked up one of the Eevee very carefully.

Then everyone hurried into the car, fastened their seat belts, and, with screeching tires, sped away to the Pokémon Center as fast as they could.


"Nurse Joy, please help us!" pleaded Veronica as she and the others arrived in the Pokémon Center lobby a few minutes later.

"What happened?" asked Nurse Joy.

"We just found these three Eevee, and they're in really bad shape," explained Hillary.

"Then let's get them on the stretchers!" ordered Nurse Joy.

Tristan, Hillary, and Eric each got the Eevee onto one of the stretchers, and three Chansey pushed them into the operating room. as the door closed behind them.

"Now what?" asked Tristan.

"I guess we'll just have to wait it out," replied Hillary.

Just then a woman in police attire rushed into the Pokémon Center with a Growlithe at her side. It was Officer Jenny. "Does anyone have any injured Pokémon with them?" she asked.

"Hi, Officer Jenny," replied Tristan. "No, none of us has any injured Pokémon."

"Well, even if you didn't, I need to know if any injured Pokémon have been brought to this Pokémon Center today," said Officer Jenny.

"Come to think of it," replied Veronica, "we just brought in three injured Eevee."

"I was afraid of that," sighed Officer Jenny. "Many Pokémon have been getting seriously hurt on this stretch to the Indigo Plateau lately, and it looks like there are criminals out there who will stop at nothing to capture them."

"You mean someone's trying to hurt them on purpose?!" exclaimed Hillary.

"That''s right," said Officer Jenny.

"We have to find some way to stop them!" said Tristan. "Because if we don't, more Pokémon could end up just as badly as those Eevee did!"

"I've been trying to find clues to see if they'll lead me to the criminals, but so far, nothing," said Officer Jenny.

"How many of them were there?" asked Eric.

"As far as I know, there are four," answered Officer Jenny, "but there may be more than that. So if you see them, be very careful, because as I said, they'll stop at nothing to get rare Pokémon, and it sounds like those Eevee were most fortunate when you all found them.

Veronica then clenched her fist in anger. "As a self-appointed Eevee trainer, I will do my best to help bring these dastardly criminals to justice!"

"Grandma's right," added Tristan. "They're not going to get away with hurting Pokémon."

Pikachu agreed with them.

"Thanks for you help, and good luck!" called Officer Jenny as she and Growlithe started to leave the Pokémon Center.

But just then, Nurse Joy emerged from the operating room.

Everyone rushed to her.

"Are those Eevee going to be okay?" asked Tristan.

"These Eevee are going to need a lot of rest, but you got them here just in time," answered Nurse Joy.

"Thank goodness," sighed Hillary.

"Nurse Joy, I just got word that these people brought in three injured Eevee," explained Officer Jenny. "They were found in the middle of the road on the way to the Indigo Plateau."

"That's what the kids told me," replied Nurse Joy.

"We'll have to find the criminals before some other Pokémon gets hurt!" said Tristan.

"But how do we do that?" asked Hillary. "We don't know what those criminals look like."

"You forget, Hillary, that I have a Pokémon that can help us with this investigation," smiled Tristan. He went outside the Pokémon Center and threw a Pokéball.

Pidgeot materialized from the white light that shot out of it and awaited Tristan's orders.

"Pidgeot, I need you to scout the area and look for a group of at least four people," instructed Tristan.

Pidgeot complied and immediately flew off to begin its search.

"That's a great idea," said Officer Jenny. "With surveillance from the air, I'm sure we'll find something, even if it turns out to be nothing."

"Knowing Tristan, he's trained that Pokémon exceptionally well," replied Veronica. "I think we're all in good hands with him."


Meanwhile, as Pidgeot looked high and low through the air, a black jeep with four people in black uniforms was speeding along the road.

A Voltorb, Gloom, Growlithe, Venomoth, Cubone, Poliwag, and a Drowzee were all in cages in the back of the jeep. They were all very miserable and all had some injuries.

"Wow, I can't believe we pulled that off," said the first one.

"Yeah, but those three Eevee got away," grumbled the second. "We almost had them, but that lousy bush made us just miss them."

"Don't worry about it," said the third. "Once we get all those Pokémon to the boss, we'll forget it ever happened."

"I sure hope so, Harry," said the fourth one. "We still have many more Pokémon to find, and this is only the beginning of our conquest."

Pidgeot overheard the conversation from above and immediately started flying back to the Pokémon Center to alert Tristan and the others.


Back at the Pokémon Center, Tristan and the others waited for Pidgeot to return with any information.

Presently, Pidgeot appeared in the sky and alerted everyone.

"What is it, Pidgeot?" asked Tristan. "Did you find something?"

Pidgeot squawked and pointed its wing toward the road, leading to the Indigo Plateau.

"It must have found the criminals," said Eric.

"All right, then let's go!" commanded Officer Jenny.

"I'm going, too," said Veronica as she and Officer Jenny dashed out of the Pokémon Center.

"I'll be right behind you, guys!" called Tristan. He turned to Hillary. "Hillary, I need you to stay here."

"Awww, no fair," complained Hillary. "Why do you always have to treat me like a little kid?"

"Grandpa, could you look after Hillary for me?" asked Tristan.

"No problem," replied Eric. "You just be careful out there."

"Thanks," said Tristan. "Let's go, Pikachu!"

Pikachu quickly followed Tristan and the others out of the Pokémon Center.

Everyone got into the two cars and followed Pidgeot to the location of the criminals.


Meanwhile, the people in black uniforms were making headway to their sinister destination. They stopped to take a short rest before resuming their journey. One of them spoke to Giovanni, the Boss of Team Rocket, on the radio.

"Boss, this is Barry," said the first one.

"Proceed," said Giovanni.

"We have seven Pokémon to show you, including a Cubone," said the first man. "We tried to get three Eevee, but they got away."

"Having seven Pokémon is better than none," said Giovanni. "Bring those Pokémon to me immediately, then go find the Eevee."

"Yes, sir," replied the first man.

The transmission ended.

Suddenly, Pidgeot appeared and launched a Quick Attack on the tires on their car, causing them to deflate and tilt the car sideways.

The men were shaken out of the car.

"Who did that?!" demanded the first man.

Pidgeot glared at the men, who were very scared just as the two cars arrived on the scene.

Tristan, Veronica, Pikachu, and Officer Jenny stepped out of the cars.

"You're under arrest for Pokémon poaching and willful injury!" declared Officer Jenny.

"You've got some nerve!" fumed Veronica. "It's bad enough that you steal Pokémon, but intentionally hurting them is just sick!"

"Let those Pokémon go right now!" demanded Tristan.

"Ugh!" growled the men. "Just great. It's that kid again!"

Veronica became nervous. "You know them, Tristan?"

"I don't know their true identity, but I have an idea who they are," replied Tristan.

The men took off the black uniforms and revealed more black uniforms with red Rs on them. "We are the four Rocket Brothers!"

"Team Rocket!" exclaimed Tristan.

"That's right!" said the first one. "I'm Barry!"

"I'm Gary," said the second.

"I'm Harry," said the third.

"And I'm Larry," said the fourth.

"Oh, dear," whispered Veronica to herself. "Not Team Rocket." This is not what I wanted to happen, she thought. I promised Sarah and Bill that I would never mention Team Rocket to Tristan. Now he already knows about them.

"We don't give a hoot about what you say," shouted Barry. "We're taking your Pokémon anyway!"

"Go!" they all shouted as they threw their Pokéballs.

(Music Cue: Kanto Trainer Battle (version 1 (as heard in "Battle Aboard the St. Anne")))

Barry's Machoke, Gary's Cubone, Harry's Weezing, and Larry's Golbat and Hypno materialized from the white lights that shot out of them.

"You cheaters!" exclaimed Veronica. "You're using five Pokémon at once!"

"Well, we can, too!" replied Tristan as he took out a Pokéball and threw it. "Charizard, go!"

Charizard materialized from the white light that shot out of it.

"Grandma, send out your two Eevee!" suggested Tristan.

"Right!" replied Veronica as she threw two Pokéballs of her own. "Go, Eevee!"

Veronica's two Eevee materialized from the white lights that shot out of the balls.

"Now we're even," said Tristan.

"Not for long, you fools!" said Harry. "Weezing, Tackle attack!"

"Golbat, Wing Attack!" yelled Larry.

Weezing charged toward one of Veronica's Eevee while Golbat's wings glowed, intending to strike the other Eevee.

"Go, Eevee, double Quick Attack now!" commanded Veronica.

Both Eevee sped toward Golbat and Weezing with white lines trailing behind them. They successfully rammed into Golbat and Weezing, knocking them back.

"Hey, not bad, Grandma," remarked Tristan.

"It's amazing what a former champion can do," replied Veronica.

"Machoke, give those Eevee a Low Kick and send them into next week!" yelled Barry.

Machoke proceeded to give Veronica's Eevee a strong kick.

"Charizard, Flamethrower!" ordered Tristan.

Charizard shot a hot stream of fire from its mouth at Machoke, blasting it at close range.

"You're red-hot yourself, Tristan," said Veronica.

"Well, we've been practicing," replied Tristan.

"Get up and fight back!" shouted Barry and Larry.

Golbat, Weezing, and Machoke all struggled back to their feet.

"You fools!" scolded Gary. "You don't just wing it and kick it when you have a bone to pick with whoever gets in our way! Cubone, Bone Club!"

Cubone proceeded to hit both of Veronica's Eevee with its bone.

"Both of you, dodge and hit Cubone with your Quick Attack!" ordered Veronica.

Both Eevee easily dodged by going in both directions. Then, they sped toward Cubone with a white line trailing behind them, and they scored a huge direct hit.

"Hypno, Hypnosis!" yelled Larry.

Hypno swung its pendulum back and forth, again and again. Both Eevee looked at the pendulum and started to get drowsy.

"Now what's happening?" wondered Veronica.

"Hypno's Hypnosis attack is causing the Eevee to fall asleep!" replied Tristan. "If we don't do something fast, they're both going to be in big trouble!"

"Hurry, Eevee, get away!" commanded Veronica.

But it was too late. Both of Veronica's Eevee closed their eyes and fell fast asleep.

"Hypno, Dream Eater attack!" commanded Larry.

Hypno's hand glowed in a red color, then both Eevee glowed red, too. Then a red line connected the two Eevee to Hypno as it began to absorb their energy.

"Being outnumbered isn't so bad, now is it?" taunted Larry. "Especially since it can take on two sleeping Pokémon at once!"

"Eevee, you have to wake up now!" shouted Veronica.

Just then, three quadruped Pokémon came from out of nowhere and slammed into Hypno, causing its Dream Eater to stop.

"Oh, no, Hypno!" cried Larry.

(Music Cue: Gym (version 1 (as heard in "Battle Aboard the St. Anne")))

The three Pokémon jumped in front of both of Veronica's Eevee, ready to defend them.

"Could those be..." began Tristan.

"It's the same three Eevee we brought to the Pokémon Center!" gasped Veronica, "but I thought that they were in bad shape!"

"Well, five Eevee are much better than two," remarked Tristan.

Pikachu agreed.

Presently, both of Veronica's Eevee woke up, and they weren't very happy about being attacked while sleeping. They joined the other three Eevee and readied themselves for battle.

"This is great!" said Barry. "Now there are five Eevee instead of the three we wanted to capture!"

"Now's our chance to catch 'em all!" added Gary.

"Eevee, Double Team now!" commanded Veronica.

All five Eevee made copies of themselves, confusing all four of the Rocket Brothers and their Pokémon.

"Whoa, I wouldn't want to get on any of the Eevee's bad sides," remarked Officer Jenny.

"Or on Grandma's either," added Tristan.

"Okay, Eevee, Tackle them and send 'em flying!" ordered Veronica.

All five Eevee, plus the copies sped at the Rocket Brothers and their Pokémon and successfully rammed into them with such force that they were sent flying into the cage, causing the captured Voltorb, Gloom, Growlithe, Venomoth, Cubone, Poliwag, and Drowzee to be freed. They were very happy to be free as birds again.

"All right, dear, why don't you finish them off?" suggested Veronica. "I think the five Eevee have all had their payback."

"You got it, Grandma," replied Tristan. "All right, Pikachu, finish 'em off with your Thunderbolt attack!"

Pikachu complied and sent a yellow bolt of electricity their way, shocking them and sending them skyward with a "ding" to mark their flight.

"Great work, Pikachu," commended Tristan as Pikachu happily leaped into his arms.

The five Eevee, plus the Voltorb, Gloom, Growlithe, Venomoth, Cubone, Poliwag, and Drowzee were all happy that the chaos was over at last. The seven Pokémon then went off into the distance to their destinations.

"How did those three Eevee get better so fast?" wondered Veronica.

Presently, Nurse Joy, Eric, and Hillary arrived on the scene. They were all in Nurse Joy's car.

"There you guys are!" called Hillary.

Tristan then smiled. "There's just no stopping you, is there, Hillary?" he said.

"Nope," replied Hillary.

"The Eevee had disappeared from the Center a few minutes ago," explained Nurse Joy. "Then we noticed that they had left their bandages behind, meaning that their injuries weren't as serious as we first thought."

"That's excellent news, right, Grandma?" said Tristan.

"It sure is," replied Veronica.

Everyone watched Pikachu play along with the five happy Eevee.


"So you knew about the Team Rocket organization all along, Tristan?" asked Veronica some time later at the Pokémon Center.

Tristan nodded. "Hillary and I have encountered different members of Team Rocket many times before," he explained. "They're always up to no good. They go as far as stealing other people's Pokémon and any one that they can get their hands on."

Veronica then felt concerned. At last she said, "Tristan, I think it's about time you learned the truth about what happened a few years ago."

"What do you mean, Grandma?" asked Tristan.

"Well, it all started on a stormy day," said Veronica as she began to picture and tell the story of what happened on that fateful day.


(Music Cue: The Copy Pokémon Awaken! (as heard in "A Tent Situation")

"You were living in Pallet Town with your mother and father at the time," explained Veronica to Tristan. "Team Rocket had infiltrated every house, including yours. And, as I remember, they had stolen a lot of Pokéballs from every home in Pallet Town."

"But what happened to me?" asked Tristan.

"Their original plan was to steal Pokémon from your parents," answered Veronica. "They didn't have any, but decided to kidnap you instead." She continued to picture what happened to Tristan. "Those criminals had found you and had taken you out of the house. They then put you in a large truck and sped off, hoping that they could put you up for ransom. The storm in Pallet Town was loud and rain kept falling in sheets. Fortunately, before Team Rocket came to your house, your parents had already called the police and were alerted of the situation. Two police officers had found the location of the truck and were hot on Team Rocket's trail as they neared an abandoned gas station. However, the truck suddenly sped up and lost control, sideswiping the gas tanks and crashing into a bale of hay. The sparks and the exhaust from the truck were enough to start a fire, causing a lot of those criminals to beat a hasty retreat. However, the officers got you out of the truck and away from the station just in time before a massive explosion destroyed it."


"When your parents called me on that evening, they made me promise to never mention Team Rocket to you, but now it's too late," said Veronica as her voice started to break up. Tears began to fall from her eyes. She buried her face in her hands and began to cry. "Now you already know about it."

Eric gently put his hand on Veronica's shoulder. "It'll be all right, dear," he said.

"I know, but I just can't help it," she sobbed. "That's why the kids moved to New Bark Town to live with us in the first place."

Tristan and Hillary were confused, but understood why their grandmother kept this a secret for all this time.

"We know how you feel, Grandma," said Tristan.

"Yeah," agreed Hillary. "And even if you didn't tell us, this would put more of a strain on you. And besides, this wouldn't be the last time we had to face Team Rocket anyway. After all, they don't have schemes that we can't foil."

"She's right," added Tristan. "We've got friends in high places, or in Pokéballs, as the case may be."

Pikachu agreed, too.

That was when Veronica's two Eevee, jumped into her lap to show their smiles and affection.

(Music Cue: A Future Hope)

Veronica stopped sobbing and looked at the two Eevee. "You understand how I feel?" she sniffled.

The two Eevee nodded.

So did everyone else.

Then the three other Eevee came to Veronica's feet.

"Looks like you may have some more friends who just want to be with you," said Eric.

Veronica looked down at her feet and noticed the three Eevee. It was obvious that they wanted to be with her for comfort. "You want to sit on my lap, too?" she asked.

The Eevee jumped up onto Veronica's lap, causing her and her two Eevee to tip and fall over.

Everyone was surprised, but Veronica and all five Eevee were soon embracing one another.

"Oh, thank you all," said Veronica. "You five are just like warm bottles of joy." This time, tears of happiness fell from her eyes.

Everyone else proudly looked on.

"Well, it looks like Grandma's got three more friends," said Tristan.

"And three more mouths to feed," added Eric.

"It sure does," agreed Hillary.

Pikachu agreed with them.


Having been told the truth about what happened in the past, Tristan and Hillary look on understandably and happily as their grandmother adds three more Eevee to her ever-growiing Pokémon and human family. Now with his sights set on victory in the Pokémon League Competition, Tristan and his friends will soon be back on the road to the Indigo Plateau as their journey continues!

TO BE CONTINUED...