Ash and his friends were ready to travel far and wide to get the Pokémon back. So thus they traveled through Caterpie infested forests and the Scyther jungles. They sailed the S. S. Anne and traveled all throughout Kanto to search for the Team Rocket hideout.
After one day of tireless searching, the eleven friends (or twelve with Pikachu) regrouped. "The hideout isn't at the beach," said Misty. "It isn't near the beautiful Nurse Joy at the Pokécenter," said Brock. "BROCK!" screamed everyone. "I'm sorry guys, I get distracted easily," Brock explained.
"It isn't at the gym," Max said. "It isn't at Viridian Forest by the beautiful trees that are fun to draw," Tracy said. "Pikachu pika-pi!" said little Pikachu. (Translation: It isn't on Ash's shoulder.") Ash sighed in defeat. "We can't find them! Let's give it a rest for today."
The group walked off backed to Pallet Town in sorrow. As they got back into the outskirts of Pallet Town, Dawn spotted something. "Look!" she yelled. They all looked up and spotted a shady building. The sign said 'Team Rocket's Secret Hideout'. "Ahhhh!" Ash screamed in rage. "Who was assigned to searching Pallet Town?" he asked, in frustration. "I was, Ash!" called May, happily. "I'm sorry but there were so many clothing stores and malls to go to, I couldn't resist!" Everybody facepalmed.
The group walked inside the abandoned building. There they found Jessie, James, and Meowth playing Clue (I don't own Clue and I...oh, never mind. Just remember I don't own anything and I won't mention this again.) on the living room floor. "I think it was Professor Plum in the study with the revolver!" proposed James. "No, it was Team Rocket last night in my family room with the stolen Pokémon!" Ash shouted.
"What the heck are you talking about? And how did you little twerps find our secret lair?!" asked Jessie menacingly. "Yeah talk, or face Meowth!" Meowth threatened. "Actually, it's fine if you make yourselves cozy," said James casually. "Shut up, James!" scolded Jessie and Meowth.
"What we're saying is that you took our Pokémon!" yelled Ash. "No we didn't, twerp king!" Yelled Jessie, in anger. And with that, Team Rocket sent out Victreebell, Arbok, and Meowth. "Uh, maybe we should've thought this one through..." said Ash, nervously.
Meanwhile, Gary was watching the whole event from outside, chuckling with laughter. He had already set up part two of his revenge back at Ash's house- it was a fake victory cake filled with an electric buzzer that would shock people with more voltage than a Pikachu. The situation, Gary thought, looked hopeless for Ash. Gary was on the edge of his seat, anxiously waiting for the payoff of his work. Then, a question came to his mind.
"Wait a minute, if I'm the main character, then why am I barely in this chapter?" asked Gary. "Gary," I said, "we've got to focus on what Ash is doing to see the results of your plan." "Oh, I understand now." Gary resumed watching and refrained from breaking the fourth wall again.
Back inside, Ash was panicking. He only had his Pikachu to fight with, and that seemed like an easy lose at the moment. "We'll step in Ash," said Misty. Ash's friends all threw their Pokéballs out and battled. Arbok got destroyed by Misty's Staryu, Victreebell was pummeled by Brock's Onix, and Meowth got toppled by Tracy's Scyther.
"Stop! Stop! You win. You... beat Team Rocket," James surrendered. "Good!" yelled Ash. "Now, give us back our Pokémon!" Team Rocket was shocked. "We didn't steal your Pokémon, you self-centered, accusatory brat!" spat Jessie. "I guess they were telling the truth, it wasn't them." said Ash. "All this work for nothing! Let's go home."
The group remained gloomy for the entire journey back to Ash's house. On the table, there was a giant cake. "Hooray!" the group shouted and ran to the table. "Look!" Ash said. "A card!" He began to read the note. "'Dear Ash, congratulations on the win. Enjoy this gift. Love, Mom.' Cool! Let's eat!" Gary watched nervously outside. Ash dug into his cake and without blinking a an eye took the first bite.