Chapter 15: Old Team, New Pokémon
The next day Ash, Nikki and their Pokémon were standing in the middle of a field on the outskirts of town. After their loss at the Lunick Gym the previous day Ash and his Pokémon were eager to right the ship and get back on the winning track.
"Okay, guys. We may have lost yesterday, but that just means we have to work harder and come back stronger," Ash declared, getting a round of cheers from his Pokémon.
"And let's not forget about coming up with a strategy this time. That's what beat you last time," Nikki pointed out. Ash nodded in agreement and began thinking about the battle.
"Well, from what I've seen he likes to have his Quagsire use Dig and then come at us from different angles, so we have to find someway to take him out before he can cause us too much trouble," Ash mused. "We don't know much about his Gliscor, or what his third Pokémon is."
"(So how do we prepare for an opponent we don't know a lot about, or for one we know nothing about to begin with?)" Pikachu questioned.
"I wish I had the answer," Ash replied. "For now I think everyone should split into pairs and spar with each other. Try to think of new offensive strategies to combat Clayton and his Ground types." The Pokémon nodded and paired off in groups to train. Onix sparred with Gible, Bayleef with Torterra and Pikachu with Donphan.
"So Ash, what do you have planned for the next attempt?" Nikki questioned.
"First of all I need to find a way to stop his Quagsire from using Dig to hit us from our blind sides. Then I need to find a way to combat Gliscor," Ash explained. "I'll also need to think of what his third Pokémon could be."
"We know it'll be a Ground type, but that's it. Not really much to go on," Nikki said.
"It's better than nothing," Ash commented. With that he got to work thinking of a strategy to use against the Gym Leader while his Pokémon practiced their various battle techniques.
After James captured his Tropius the mischievous trio continued searching for a Pokémon that Jessie could catch. Unfortunately none of the Pokémon they found seemed to pique her interest.
"Come on, Jessie. We've come across tons of Pokémon for you to catch. Why are we still looking?" James whined.
"Because none of those Pokémon were worthy of me," Jessie declared.
"But we've come across everything from Butterfree to Glameow. One of them should have been good enough," Meowth argued.
"Well they weren't! Now stop complaining and keep looking!" Jessie demanded. With very loud sighs James and Meowth kept their eyes opened for any potential Pokémon for Jessie.
"I'm starting to wonder if we'll ever find a Pokémon Jessie will deem worthy," James whispered.
"No kidding. She's more picky than a Skitty," Meowth commented. The trio continued their search, though James and Meowth wondered what the point of it all was. Not long after thinking that they came across a Pokémon.
"What is that?" Jessie asked. The Pokémon looked like a snail with a lava body and a rock for a shell. James immediately began searching through his index cards.
"Let's see… ah! That's a Magcargo," he informed her.
"Not something I'd have an interest in," Meowth commented.
"Now hold on one second," Jessie said, catching her companions by surprise.
"Now don't tell me you're actually interested in that," Meowth said.
"And why not? That Magcargo may be just what we're looking for," Jessie replied.
"What makes you say that?" James asked.
"Oh come on! Just look at him! That rough and rugged exterior shows that he has the toughness to take the twerps' Pokémon head-on," Jessie explained. "Not only that but I think I could turn him into quite the interesting Contest Pokémon."
"I'll give you part about being able to take on the twerps' Pokémon, but that thing is not Contest material," James repeated.
"I gotta agree with Jimmy-boy on this one. That Magcargo looks a bit too rough around the edges to be a good Contest Pokémon," Meowth commented. Unfortunately for them Jessie didn't take objections too well.
"I don't care what you two think! I'm catching that Magcargo and that's that!" she boomed, causing James and Meowth to recoil in fear. Her outburst got the Magcargo's attention.
"(What's going on over there?)" the Lava Pokémon questioned. Seeing that she had his attention Jessie grabbed a Poké Ball and prepared to battle.
"You're mine!" she declared. "Seviper, let's go!" Her Fang Snake Pokémon appeared and took a battle stance. As soon as he realized what was going on the Magcargo took a battle stance as well.
"Let's start off the proceedings with Poison Tail!" Jessie ordered.
"(At onc-ce,)" Seviper hissed. He lunged at the Magcargo, his bladed tail glowing a bright purple. Right before the blow struck home the Magcargo's eyes flashed green and a barrier was formed between him and the attacking Seviper, effectively blocking the Poison Tail.
"That was Protect!" Meowth shouted. Then, before Seviper could recover, the Magcargo spat a stream of flames at him.
"Now he's using Flamethrower!" James shouted.
"Dodge that, Seviper!" Jessie ordered. Right before the Flamethrower struck Seviper slithered out of the way.
"Time for a different approach! Use Haze!" Obeying his master Seviper spewed a thick Haze cloud in the Magcargo's direction, effectively disorienting the Lava Pokémon.
"Now get in there and use Wrap!" Jessie shouted. The Fang Snake Pokémon plunged into the Haze cloud and quickly found the Magcargo, wrapping his serpentine body around him.
"Now use Bite!" While still wrapped around the Magcargo, Seviper bit down on his shell, getting a painful groan out of the Lava Pokémon.
"Now finish up with Poison Tail!" Jessie ordered. Seviper flung the Magcargo into the air and, right as he was about to hit the ground, slapped him to the side with a powerful Poison Tail. The Magcargo was left weakened, giving Jessie the perfect opportunity to capture it.
"Okay, Poké Ball! Let's go!" she shouted, tossing her red-and-white sphere at the Magcargo. The ball bounced off the Magcargo, converted his body into energy and pulled him inside. The ball hit the ground and began to shake.
"Did… Did it work?" Meowth wondered. He, along with Jessie and James, continued to watch the Poké Ball shake. After a few tense moments the ball stopped shaking and a 'ping' echoed through the air, signaling that the Magcargo had been successfully captured.
"Hey, you actually caught it!" Meowth shouted. Jessie, with a smirk on her face, walked over and picked the Poké Ball up.
"Naturally," she boasted.
"You know, with our new Pokémon I'm feeling confident enough to take the twerps on right now," James bragged. At that moment the trio heard a pair of voices nearby. They followed the voices and eventually came across Ash and Nikki in the middle of their training session.
"Well, looks like we're getting our chance," Jessie commented. "Shall we?"
"After you," James offered. Filled with a new sense of confidence the trio prepared to make their presence known.
The training session had been going well. All of Ash's Pokémon were in top form and appeared ready for their rematch against Clayton. However, Ash was still having difficulty coming up with an effective battle strategy.
"Oh man… my Pokémon are ready to go, but without a battle plan we'll still lose," he groaned.
"Just take your time. No one said you have to challenge the Gym Leader again so quickly," Nikki suggested.
"I know, but my Pokémon are raring to go and I don't want to make them wait," Ash replied. "They want to battle again so badly."
"Then allow us to satisfy their urges!" The next thing Ash and Nikki knew Team Rocket appeared from the forest.
"Not you three?" Ash groaned.
"Out of the sky, falling with grace.
A spark in the eye, arriving with haste.
Ready and willing to put twerps in their place.
Jessie!
James!
Meowth's the name!
Team Rocket, burning a trail!
Blazing a path!
Kickin' some tail!
Wobbu Wobbuffet!
Mime Mime Mime Mime!"
"Alright, what do you want this time?" Nikki demanded.
"What we always want: your Pokémon!" Jessie answered.
"As if that's going to happen. Every time you three try anything you end up being blasted off!" Ash said.
"(That's right!)" Pikachu agreed.
"That was true in the past, but this time will be different," Jessie said.
"Really? And what makes you say that?" Nikki questioned. At that moment both Jessie and James smirked.
"Simple… you two aren't the only ones with new Pokémon," Jessie said. "Go, Magcargo!"
"Tropius, come out!" James shouted. Two Poké Balls flew through the air, opening to reveal their newest Pokémon. But upon appearing Tropius turned around and tackled James to the ground.
"What are you doing, Tropius?" James griped.
"(Rice ball, please,)" Tropius requested. With an exasperated sigh James reached into his jacket, took out a rice ball and gave it to the Fruit Pokémon, who was more than happy to devour it right then and there.
"(Mmm…. yummy,)" Tropius sighed.
"Now, would you mind getting off and battling please?" James asked.
"(Okay!)" With a flap of his wings Tropius flew out and landed next to Magcargo.
"Did you expect them to have new Pokémon with them?" Nikki asked Ash.
"No, but it doesn't matter. We're going to beat them anyway!" Ash declared. He glanced back at his Pokémon and saw all of them were ready to battle. He then looked back to Team Rocket, a smirk on his face.
"So, still feeling confident?" Ash inquired.
"Oh yes, very much so," Jessie replied with a smirk of her own. "In fact we're so confident that we'll let you make the first move." This didn't set too well with James and Meowth, who immediately began to question Jessie's actions.
"Trust me. I know what I'm doing," the redhead told them.
"Okay, you asked for it! Pikachu, Thunderbolt!" Ash shouted.
"(One Electric blast off coming right up!)" Pikachu said. Seconds later a bolt of electricity erupted from his body, heading straight for Team Rocket.
"Magcargo, Protect," Jessie calmly instructed.
"(Right,)" Magcargo complied. Right before the Thunderbolt hit it was blocked by a shimmering green barrier.
"What the… they blocked it!" Ash groaned.
"Now use Flamethrower!" Jessie ordered. Magcargo took a deep breath and spewed a massive stream of fire at Pikachu.
"Dodge it!" Ash shouted. Pikachu managed to jump out of the way of the Flamethrower, but that left him wide-open for Tropius. However, James had no idea what attacks his new Tropius could use.
"What are you waiting for? Hurry up and call an attack!" Jessie demanded.
"Oh, right!" James replied. "Umm… just what can you do?" Jessie and Meowth groaned at his incompetence.
"(Well, I can use Fly, Stomp and Magical Leaf,)" Tropius informed him.
"Alright then, use Magical Leaf!" James shouted.
"(Sure thing!)" Tropius flapped his wings, sending a volley of glowing green leaves at Pikachu.
"Get out of there, Pikachu!" Ash shouted. Unfortunately the attack came too fast for Pikachu to dodge and he took the full brunt of the Magical Leaf.
"Pikachu's in trouble!" Nikki gasped.
"Not for long! Let's give him some back-up, gang!" Almost immediately the rest of Ash's Pokémon sprang into action. Torterra and Bayleef were the first ones to act, firing a Razor Leaf and Leaf Storm respectively.
"Another Protect, Magcargo!" Jessie ordered. Once again the shimmering green barrier appeared and blocked the attacks.
"Come on!" Ash groaned, growing increasingly frustrated.
"Calm down, Ash," Nikki said, trying to keep Ash from losing his cool. "Remember, the more times you use Protect consecutively the higher the chance it could fail."
"That's right! There's no guarantee that Magcargo will be able to block out next attack!" Ash said. "In that case… Donphan, Rollout! Onix, Iron Tail!" The two Pokémon Charged their opponents, Donphan rolling into a ball and Onix with his tail giving off a silvery glow.
"Stop them with Magical Leaf!" James ordered. Taking advantage of Tropius's type advantage James countered with a Grass attack, the glowing green leaves hitting their marks and causing a considerable amount of damage to both Donphan and Onix.
"Donphan! Onix!" Ash cried.
"Flamethrower!" Ash turned around just in time to see Magcargo torch Torterra and Bayleef with his Flamethrower. With four of his Pokémon now down for the count it all fell on Pikachu and Gible to drive off Team Rocket, and both of them were up to the task.
"Okay, Pikachu, use Thunderbolt! Gible, Dragon Pulse!" Ash instructed. The two Pokémon complied, Pikachu firing a blast of electricity and Gible a pulsing orb of Dragon-type energy.
"Magcargo, Protect!" Jessie ordered.
"Tropius, fly behind Magcargo!" James instructed. As Magcargo erected his Protect barrier Tropius flew down and landed behind him. As a result both attacks were effectively blocked, resulting in Team Rocket's Pokémon taking no damage. Ash groaned in frustration upon seeing his attacks fail once again.
"Use Stomp, Tropius!" James shouted. On James's command Tropius flew out from behind Magcargo and dove down at Pikachu.
"Watch out, Pikachu!" Ash warned. The Mouse Pokémon looked up in time to see the massive Fruit Pokémon bearing down on him. He tried to run out of the way, but tripped over his feet and fell face-first to the ground.
"Pikachu, no!" Ash cried. Before he could do anything else Tropius brought his entire body weight down onto Pikachu, stomping him into the ground. Moments later Tropius stepped off of Pikachu, revealing the battered Mouse Pokémon. Nikki gasped when she saw the condition Pikachu was left in.
"Well, it seems that you twerps have finally met your match," Jessie boasted.
"With our new Pokémon we're unbeatable!" James bragged. Ash didn't want to admit it, but the way things stood they did seem to have the upper hand. The only Pokémon Ash had that was in top form was Gible, while both of Team Rocket's Pokémon were in perfect fighting shape. Just when it appeared as though Ash would have to go this in a two-on-one situation Nikki and Buneary stepped up.
"Come on! It's not over with yet! We can still beat them!" Nikki encouraged.
"(That's right!)" Buneary agreed. Ash looked at her, a bit surprised, but seconds later a look of determination appeared on his face.
"You heard her, Gible! Let's do this!" Ash shouted. Filled with the same determination as his trainer Gible ran up and stood next to Buneary as they prepared to face off against Team Rocket.
"So the little twerpette wants to try her had against us. Well, be careful you don't get burned! Flamethrower!" Magcargo breathed in deeply and spewed a massive flame at the two of them.
"Dodge!" Ash and Nikki shouted. Gible and Buneary jumped to the side, letting the Flamethrower pass harmlessly between them.
"Now use Dragon Pulse!" Ash instructed.
"Protect!" Jessie ordered. Once again Gible's attack was blocked by Magcargo's Protect.
"My turn! Hidden Power!" Nikki called. As soon as Gible's attack struck the Protect barrier Buneary hurled her Hidden Power at the shield.
"Keep that Protect up!" Jessie ordered. Magcargo did as instructed, but when the Hidden Power hit the barrier shattered and the attack struck the Lava Pokémon, causing a large amount of damage.
"What the… What just happened?" Jessie shrieked.
"Like I said earlier, the more consecutive times you use Protect the more likely it is to fail!" Nikki explained.
"And now it's our turn to go on the attack! Gible, another Dragon Pulse!" Ash instructed. With everyone focused on Magcargo Gible was able to fire his Dragon Pulse and catch Tropius off guard, knocking him down next to Magcargo.
"Alright, we got them!" Ash cheered.
"That's what you think!" Jessie argued. Both she and James were preparing second Poké Balls when Torterra managed to get back to his feet.
"(No you don't!)" he grunted. He stood up on his hind legs briefly before slamming his forelegs down on the ground, sending massive shockwaves throughout the area.
"W-What's g-going o-on?" Jessie shouted.
"I t-think Torterra j-just learned Earthquake!" Nikki shouted once the tremors subsided.
"Earthquake? That's awesome, Torterra!" Ash bragged. Then, one by one, the rest of Ash's Pokémon began to recover. Now with seven angry Pokémon staring them down Team Rocket began to lose their nerve.
"Guys… I don't think we're going to like this!" Meowth shouted.
"No, you won't!" Ash shouted. "Pikachu, Thunderbolt! Onix, Dragonbreath! Donphan, Hyper Beam! Bayleef, Razor Leaf! Gible, Draco Meteor! Torterra, Energy Ball!"
"Buneary, use Hidden Power!" Nikki added. The seven attacks hit their marks, creating a massive explosion that sent Team Rocket and their Pokémon hurtling through the air.
"Even with new Pokémon we can't win!" Jessie cried.
"What went wrong? These new Pokémon were supposed to give us an instant turnaround!" James griped.
"Well that instant turnaround turned into a delayed blastoff!" Meowth complained.
"Team Rocket's blasting off again!" they all cried before vanishing over the horizon.
"Alright, gang! That was some great teamwork!" Ash praised.
"Hopefully they'll stay out of our hair for a while," Nikki commented. "In any case your team is looking primed and ready for action."
"Not only that but with Torterra learning Earthquake I think we may be coming close to a breakthrough," Ash added.
"(So does that mean you've got a game plan?)" Pikachu questioned.
"The beginnings of one, at least," Ash told him. "With a bit of time I should be able to come up with a winning strategy, and then that Gym badge will be as good as ours!" With their confidence now at an all-time high Ash, Nikki and their Pokémon got back to working on a strategy for the Lunick Town Gym Leader.
After an eventful training session that included another Team Rocket attack, as well as Torterra learning Earthquake, Ash and his Pokémon are feeling confident that they'll come up with a winning strategy for their Lunick Town Gym rematch. Will the second time be the charm? Find out in the next chapter of Search for Power!
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