Chapter 2: The Boy and His Poke'mon

The last thing Mario could remember was falling from the sky after getting hit by lightning. He didn't know what happened after that, but he felt that he was lying down on the ground. Mario slowly opened his eyes and saw he was in a forest. However, the creatures in this forest were like nothing he had ever seen before. One of the creatures crept up in front of him. It looked like a green lion made out of leaves.

Virizion- I see you are awake.

Mario- Who are you?

Virizion- There is no need to fear. I am Virizion. One of the Legendary Poke'mon that makes up the Four Swords of Justus.

Mario- Poke'mon?

Virizion- I see you are not from around here. Poke'mon are the creatures you see before you; they live everywhere here in Kanto.

Mario- Kanto… Is that where I am now?

Virizion- Yes. I saw you falling out of the sky and I saved you.

Mario- Thanks. Say, you wouldn't have happened to have seen my brother or this airship we were chasing?

Virizion- Sorry, but I have not. Head to the south. There is a town called Pallet Town. Maybe you can find your friends there.

*Over at this place called Pallet Town*

Mario found the place Virizion told him about and began looking around. There were even more of these Poke'mon in this town than there were in the forest. Some people were having the Poke'mon battle each other. As Mario was taking in the amazing sights, he suddenly bumped into someone and they both fell to the ground.

Mario- Oh! I am terribly sorry about that! I wasn't watching where I was going.

Then Mario saw a young boy with a blue jacket, short black hair, and a white cap with an unusual symbol on it. On the boy's shoulder was a small yellow Poke'mon with long pointy black ears and two red dots on its cheeks.

Ash- No, it was my fault. I was in a rush and I wasn't paying attention to who I was about to crash into.

Mario- What's your hurry?

Mario helped the boy get back up.

Ash- Three of my Poke'mon were stolen by these thieves called Team Rocket. I was trying to locate them before it was too late.

Mario- Would you like some help?

Ash- Thank. I'm Ash Ketchum, by the way. This is my buddy, Pikachu.

Pikachu- Pika.

Mario- I'm Mario. Do you have any leads on this Team Rocket?

Ash- If only I knew where they ran off to! I've searched everywhere in Pallet Town, but I can't find a trace!

Then Mario remembered something he had seen in the forest on his way over to Pallet Town.

Mario- Ash, I think I have one idea. I was in a forest just north from here. As I was crossing through, I found a small cave. There was a lot of noise coming from it.

Ash- It's worth a look.

*Over in this cave in the forest near Pallet Town*

Two humans with the letter R on their shirts and a small Poke'mon called a Meowth were making repairs to some kind of hot air balloon.

Jessie- I can't believe the twerp made us crash before we could make out great escape!

James- Well, at least we gave the twerp the slip before we crashed. And we still have three of his Poke'mon.

Meowth- Just hurry and fix the balloon so we can make our delivery to the boss!

James- One second! The burner isn't lighting. Just need to get it to light and we're good to go.

Ash- Team Rocket!

The three of them turned around and saw Ash, Pikachu, and Mario behind them. The three of them did this annoying motto that they say every time they encounter Ash, but they were really making fools of themselves.

Mario- Who are these jokers?

Jessie, James, and Meowth- What?!

Jessie- You never heard of us?! We're Team Rocket!

Mario- Yeah,, I never heard of you guys until Ash told me about you. Ash, are they really that important?

Ash- Not really. They just like to boast that they're bigger than they are.

Jessie- I'll show you to respect us! Gourgiest, I choose you!

James- And you as well, Inkay!

Jessie and James each threw a Poke'ball, and out came two Poke'mon. One Poke'mon looked like a ghostly pumpkin; it was named Gourgiest. There was also a Poke'mon that looked like a squid named Inkay.

Ash- Pikachu, you ready for this?

Pikachu- Pika!

Pikachu jumped off of Ash's shoulders; ready to fight.

Jessie- Gourgiest, use shadow ball!

James- Inkay, use psybeam!

The two attacks were coming right for Pikachu, but Pikachu dodged them. Pikachu had amazing speed and it was hard for Team Rocket's Poke'mon to even hit Pikachu.

Ash- Pikachu, use thunderbolt!

Pikachu- Pika CHU!

Pikachu fired an electric attack from his body and knocked out Team Rocket's Poke'mon. Meowth was still in the balloon, and he had somehow gotten it to light.

Meowth- Hey guys! I got the balloon to light! Now we can get out of here!

Jessie and James ran to the hot air balloon and began flying away.

Ash- Hey, get back here! And give me back my Poke'mon!

James- Not a chance!

Meowth- In fact, I think we'll take one more.

Then mechanical hands came out of the basket of the hot air balloon, grabbed Pikachu, and pulled him towards Team Rocket.

Ash- I won't let you get away with this!

Mario reached into his pocket and pulled out a super leaf.

Mario- What luck! I still have a super leaf!

Ash- What are you going to do with a leaf?

Mario- Just watch.

Mario ate the super leaf and transforms into Raccoon Mario. Ash was left speechless as Mario turned into a Raccoon and used his tail to fly up towards Team Rocket's balloon.

James- If I didn't know any better, I'd say that man with the mustache just turned into a flying raccoon and is heading this way.

Jessie- Don't be ridiculous! Raccoons can't fly!

Raccoon Mario smacked the mechanical hands holding Pikachu with his tail, broke them, and caught Pikachu.

Raccoon Mario- This one can.

Jessie- Hey! Give that back! We stole Pikachu fair and square!

Raccoon Mario flew up to Team Rocket and grabbed the box that had Ash's poke'balls in them.

Raccoon Mario- Not a chance. In fact, I'll take this too.

Raccoon Mario flew out of the balloon while holding Pikachu and the box containing Ash's three Poke'mon.

Ash- Now Pikachu, use thunderbolt on Team Rocket's balloon!

Pikachu- Pika CHU!

Pikachu fired another electric attack at the balloon and it blew up. Then Team Rocket was hurled far into the distance.

Jessie, James, and Meowth- Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off again!

Raccoon Mario landed in front of Ash and handed him his Poke'mon back.

Raccoon Mario- I believe these belong to you.

Ash- Mario, you gotta tell me how you just did that!

*Back in Pallet Town*

Ash brought Mario to the Poke'mon Center, which is a place where Poke'mon Trainers could heal their injured Poke'mon, and where a Trainer could rent a room and rest. Ash gave Nurse Joy his Pikachu, Charizard, Greninja, and Hawlucha, because those were the Poke'mon that Team Rocket stole from Ash. While Mario and Ash were hanging around the lobby of the Poke'mon Center, Mario told Ash about the Mushroom Kingdom and about all his adventures with his brother, Luigi. He also told Ash about how he and Luigi could gain super powers by eating certain objects like a fire flower or a super leaf. Then, Ash told Mario about the Poke'mon and about himself. Ash proclaimed himself to be a Poke'mon trainer who wanted to become a Poke'mon Master and be the best. But more importantly, he cared for the Poke'mon of this world and was willing to do anything to protect them. Mario discovered that Ash had made many friends because of his bravery.

Mario- Wow. The world of Poke'mon sounds so fascinating.

Ash- It is. By the way Mario, I've been meaning to ask you something. Why did you come to Kanto in the first place?

Suddenly, Luigi entered the Poke'mon Center and saw Mario.

Luigi- MARIO!

Luigi ran up to his brother and gave Mario a big hug.

Luigi- Mario, I almost thought I lost you when the lightning struck you and you fell from the sky! Where have you been? I've been worried sick.

Mario- It's a long story, Luigi. By the way, this is my new friend, Ash. Ash, this is my brother, Luigi.

Then Mario told Ash about how Bowser stole the blueprints for Professor E. Gadd's new aircraft, and how he crash landed in Kanto after the lightning hit him. Ash put his thumb and index finger to his chin, like he was thinking about something.

Mario- Well Ash, it was great to meet you, but Luigi and I still have to save Princess Peach from Bowser. Wherever they are right now.

Luigi- Actually, I discovered where Bowser is hiding: in a tower in the mountain not far from here.

Mario- I'll catch you later, Ash. Lead on, Luigi.

Mario got up from his seat and he and Luigi left the Poke'mon Center. Ash watched them as they left, looking thoughtful. After they left, Ash pulled out a cell phone and placed a call.

Ash- Clemont, it's Ash…yes I found Team Rocket and got Charizard, Hawlucha, and Greninja back, but that's not why I called. I had help from a new friend and I think he might need assistance. Bring Bonnie and Serena as well.