Before we get to the chapter I'd like to answer a question I've been asked quite a bit. The reason Ash, Nikki and everyone else can understand Pokémon is because I want them to. In certain episodes of the anime there have been trainers who could understand Pokémon. Rather than have that be restricted to just certain trainers I decided to apply that to everyone. I hope that clears that up for everyone.
And now, on with the story.
Chapter 30: Forbidden Love
Ash was riding high with his recent Gym battle victory. Now that he earned two badges he was ready to challenge the Area Boss for his first Crest. Unfortunately Fiona's warning was proving to be more true than first thought.
"Okay… if I were an Area Boss where would I be?" Ash thought out loud. With no leads to go on locating the Area Boss would be like trying to find a needle in a haystack.
"Fiona did say it was going to be hard to find them," Nikki stated. "Maybe we should have asked her for a lead or something."
"Yeah, but it's too late for that now," Ash sighed. After presenting him with his Gym badge Fiona left in search for some new Pokémon, more specifically a Bulbasaur of her very own.
"So what do we do now?" Nikki questioned.
"There's not much we can do other than asking around and seeing if anyone knows where the Area Boss is," Ash answered.
"But who do we ask? The Pokémon Center isn't exactly full of trainers," Nikki stated. Looking around they saw they were the only trainers in the Pokémon Center. The only other person there was Nurse Joy.
"Do you think Nurse Joy might know something?" Nikki wondered.
"Let's ask her," Ash suggested. The two trainers and their Pokémon approached the front desk where Nurse Joy greeted them with a smile.
"Can I help you?" she asked.
"We were wondering if you could tell us where the Area Boss is," Ash inquired.
"Sorry, but I have no idea where he is," Nurse Joy replied. "Besides, if I did it wouldn't do you any good."
"Why not?" Ash asked.
"The Area Bosses are always on the move, so there's every chance that if I did know where to find him by the time you arrived at that location he would have moved on," Nurse Joy explained.
"I see," Ash said.
"I'm sorry I couldn't be more helpful," Nurse Joy apologized.
"It's okay. Thanks for trying." With their information gathering plan foiled the group went back to the drawing board.
"Okay, so now what" Nikki wondered.
"(Maybe we could ask around town and see if anyone knows anything,)" Pikachu suggested.
"Good idea," Nikki agreed. They left the Pokémon Center to continue on to the next town. Shortly after stepping outside, though, they found their path blocked by a familiar sight.
"Hold it right there, twerps!"
"What the?"
"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!"
"Team Rocket!" Ash and Nikki shouted simultaneously.
"That's right, and we're not leaving without your Pokémon!" Jessie declared.
"That's where you're wrong!" Ash stated.
"That's where we're right!" Jessie countered. "Yanmega, get them!"
"You too, Tropius!" James called. Both of their Pokémon appeared shortly after that, but as usual James's Tropius turned around and tackled him to the ground.
"(Rice ball, please,)" he requested. As James was reaching for a rice ball Ash and Nikki sent their Pokémon out.
"Go, Shinx!" Nikki shouted.
"Meganium, I choose you!" Ash shouted. As soon as Ash and Nikki's Pokémon appeared Tropius finished his rice ball and turned around. The minute he saw Meganium his eyes grew wide and his voice caught in his throat.
"Yanmega, use Silver Wind!" Jessie ordered. Rapidly flapping her wings Yanmega unleashed her attack.
"Use Protect!" Ash countered. Meganium brought up her Protect shield, effectively blocking Yanmega's attack.
"Use Charge Beam, Shinx!" Nikki shouted. Once the Silver Wind was blocked Shinx jumped out and fired her Charge Beam, the concentrated Electric beams striking Yanmega for super effective damage.
"(Alright! That's how you do it!)" Pikachu cheered. Sensing that something was off Jessie looked over at James and notice that Tropius had not moved.
"What are you waiting for? Get your Pokémon out there!" Jessie demanded.
"R-Right," James stuttered. "Time to Fly, Tropius!" He expected to see his Fruit Pokémon take to the sky, but after a few seconds it was apparent that Tropius had no intention of doing so.
"Tropius? Are you listening? I said use Fly," James repeated. He looked at Tropius and noticed that his gaze was transfixed on Ash's Meganium.
"Tropius, what's wrong?" James asked.
"It's time we sent them packing! Pikachu, Thunderbolt!" Ash shouted.
"Hidden Power, Buneary!" Nikki added. In the blink of an eye both attacks hit, sending Team Rocket on their way.
"We're blasting off again!" the trio cried as they vanished.
"Great work, everyone," Ash praised.
"We really showed them that time," Nikki added.
"(You bet we did,)" Buneary agreed. While Ash and Nikki praised their Pokémon for a job well done Meganium's mind was on the Tropius that had appeared in the last battle. She saw the way he was looking at her, and despite the fact that he was with Team Rocket she did consider him quite cute. However, she also knew there was no chance of anything developing between them because of the fact that he was a Team Rocket Pokémon. She only hoped he realized that as well.
A few miles out of town Team Rocket's blast off came to an abrupt and painful end when they crashed to the ground in a large cloud of dirt and dust.
"Ow… my back," Meowth groaned. "Those blast offs are getting more and more painful each time."
"This wouldn't have happened if James's Tropius had done his part!" Jessie accused. "Just what happened back there?"
"I don't know. One minute he was asking for a rice ball like usual and the next it was like he was in some kind of trance," James said. The three of them looked at Tropius. He looked no worse for wear, but he had a spaced-out expression on his face.
"Tropius? Hello?" James called.
"Are you even paying attention?" Meowth questioned. Despite their efforts to get a response out of him the Fruit Pokémon continued to look spaced out.
"This is pointless. Just return him to his Poké Ball already," Jessie spat. James sighed and complied with his partner's demand, but as soon as he returned Tropius the Fruit Pokémon re-emerged.
"Hey! I didn't tell you to come back out!" James griped. Instead of paying attention to his trainer Tropius was frantically looking around.
"(Where is she?)" he asked.
"Huh? Where's who?" James questioned.
"(That Meganium. That… beautiful Meganium,)' Tropius sighed, a dreamy look on his face. At that moment all three members of Team Rocket shared a knowing look.
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Meowth asked.
"I am. James… your Tropius looks like he's in love," Jessie stated. The look on James's face could only be described as horrified.
"In love? Not with the twerp's Meganium?" he shrieked.
"Afraid so, Jimmy-boy, and from the looks of it he's fallen pretty hard," Meowth commented. Looking back at Tropius they saw he had grabbed a small twig and wrote in the dirt "Tropius & Meganium" inside of a heart. This was a problem that could get out of control fast, and one James knew he had to put an end to right now.
"Tropius, I know what you're thinking and it won't work," he stated.
"(What do you mean?)" Tropius asked.
"I know you think you have a chance with the twerp's Meganium, but I'm here to tell you that you don't," James said.
"(But you don't know that,)" Tropius argued. "(Things may work out. She and I could have a future together.)"
"I don't plan on finding out. Now I want you to get this silly idea about the two of you being together out of your head," James demanded.
"(Now just a minute! You may be my trainer but you don't control my heart!)" Tropius declared.
"You're right about one thing… I am your trainer, and as your trainer I am ordering you to forget that Meganium!" James yelled.
"(You can't do that!)" Tropius protested.
"I can and I will!" James retorted. Tropius was devastated. He thought James might have understood, but here he was practically forbidding him from following his heart. In one final desperate attempt Tropius took to the skies, trying to get away so he could search for Meganium.
"No you don't! Return!" The next thing Tropius knew he could feel himself being drawn inside his Poké Ball.
"(No! Meganium!)" Those were his final thoughts before being drawn inside his Poké Ball. James stored Tropius's Poké Ball and turned towards his comrades.
"James?" Jessie called. This was a side of James she had not seen in a long time.
"You okay there, James?" Meowth asked.
"I'm fine," James replied. "Now, how about we start planning our next trap for the twerps." As he walked by them both Meowth and Jessie looked to each other.
"It looks like he's got things in hand," Meowth commented.
"Yes, but I can't help but feel sorry for Tropius," Jessie mused.
"Feel sorry for him? Why?" Meowth questioned.
"I know what it's like to experience a love that will never be," she said. "I know what it feels like to constantly hear the naysayers tell you it'll never work, and the pain you experience when you finally discover how right they were."
"Is it… really that bad?" Meowth wondered.
"It's a pain that stays with you long after the deed has been done," Jessie explained. Though he had had his feelings rejected before Meowth was able to recover. He wasn't sure if Tropius would be able to do the same.
"What do we do then?" he asked.
"There's nothing we can do. We just have to let fate run its course," Jessie replied. It wasn't the best suggestion she could have made, but given the circumstances it was the only thing she and Meowth could do. The two of them then went to join James so they could formulate their next plot.
"That's it! This plan is fool-proof!" After hours of plotting and scheming the devious trio had come up with a plan that they hoped would get them Ash and Nikki's Pokémon.
"There's no way this can fail!" Jessie boasted.
"I hope not. The last thing I want is a second blast off in one day," Meowth said.
"That's not going to happen. Come on." The trio left to set up their plan, completely confident that they would finally succeed.
"Well that didn't go exactly as planned." Ash, Nikki and their Pokémon spent the entire day asking around to see if anyone knew where the Area Boss was. Unfortunately for them no one had any idea, leaving them right back where they started.
"I was really hoping we'd get some kind of lead," Ash sighed. From his place on Ash's shoulder Pikachu patted the side of Ash's head.
"(Don't feel bad, Ash. We'll find out something soon,)" he said. Ash glanced over to his first Pokémon and smiled.
"Thanks for that, buddy," he said, giving Pikachu a scratch behind his ears.
"I would suggest that we keep looking, but it's getting pretty late in the day. I say we head back to the Pokémon Center and try again tomorrow," Nikki suggested.
"I don't think you will be doing anything like that!" To their surprise standing in front of them was Team Rocket.
"Not again!" Ash groaned.
"Twice in one day. This must be our unlucky day," Nikki sighed.
"Trust me, it's about to get much, much worse," Jessie stated. "Do it, James!" Her partner grabbed a Poké Ball and threw it out.
"Tropius, we need air support!" he called. The ball flew through the air and fell to the ground… without opening.
"Hey James, I think you grabbed the wrong Poké Ball," Meowth commented.
"No, that's Tropius's Poké Ball," James said. He walked over and picked it up.
"Tropius, come out. We need you," he pleaded. Again the ball did not open. Now James was becoming frustrated.
"I know you can hear me! Now get out here!" James demanded. By now Jessie and Meowth had gathered around him to see what the problem was.
"Maybe it's broken," Meowth commented. The trio looked the Poké Ball over for anything that seemed damaged.
"No, it's not broken," Jessie stated. "Do you think that, maybe, he's just not listening."
"But why would he do that? Why would he just decide to not listen like that?" James wondered.
"Well, you were pretty harsh with him over that whole Meganium thing earlier," Jessie pointed out. "I think he may still be upset with you over that." With that new bit of information James looked down at Tropius's Poké Ball.
"You're still upset over that? I told you it won't work between you two! Now get over her and get out here!" James demanded. Just like before the Poké Ball remained closed.
"Well this is just great! Without Tropius we can't go through with our plan!" Meowth griped.
"Forget Tropius. We can use Yanmega instead," Jessie stated. She grabbed Yanmega's Poké Ball and prepared to call on her.
"Okay, Yanmega! Come on… huh?"
"What is it, Jess?" Meowth asked.
"The twerps! They're gone!" While they were preoccupied with Tropius Ash and Nikki decided to leave and avoid another confrontation with Team Rocket.
"They're not supposed to do that!" Meowth yelled. Jessie then turned her glare to James.
"This is all your fault!" she shouted.
"My fault? How is this my fault?" James demanded.
"If you hadn't upset your Tropius earlier we wouldn't have had that problem!" Jessie accused.
"How is that on me?" James questioned.
"Hey, guys! How about we do less arguing and more restocking. Our reserves are getting kinda low," Meowth reported. With more pressing matters at hand Jessie and James agreed to drop their argument. They changed into their disguises and prepared to head into town. Before leaving James placed Tropius's Poké Ball with his Team Rocket uniform.
"I'll deal with you when we get back," he said.
"Keep an eye on our things, Meowth," Jessie instructed.
"Yeah, yeah. I know the drill," the Scratch Cat Pokémon replied. While the two humans were off getting supplies the Pokémon was left to watch over their possessions.
"No one's ever found us before and I doubt they'll start now," Meowth stated. He then walked over to where Jessie and James's Team Rocket uniforms were. Sitting on top of James's was Tropius's Poké Ball.
"You caused us a lot of trouble today, pal," Meowth commented. He turned his back to the ball, but as soon as he did it burst open and Tropius appeared. The first thing he did was look around for his trainer.
"(I thought I heard him leave,)" the Fruit Pokémon commented. Tropius's sudden appearance startled Meowth at first, but he quickly regained his composure.
"H-Hey! What gives? You don't show up when we need you but now you decide to grace us with your presence!" the Scratch Cat Pokémon griped. It was then Tropius took note of Meowth's presence.
"(Oh, Meowth. Good. I'm going to need your help with something,)" he said.
"Hold it! Why should I help you? When we needed your help earlier you gave us the cold shoulder!" Meowth accused.
"(I'm not asking for much. I just need to know if that Meganium is still around,)" Tropius stated.
"Oh, come on! You're not still thinking about her, are you? It'll never work between you two!" Meowth said.
"(You don't know that!)" Tropius argued. "(Now just tell me where she is!)" Meowth sighed. It was clear that nothing would change the Fruit Pokémon's mind.
"Well, if I know the twerp he's staying at the Pokémon Center. That's where you'll find her," Meowth said.
"(The Pokémon Center, huh. Which way is it?)" Tropius inquired.
"That way," Meowth answered, pointing off in the direction Jessie and James just left in. "Of course I doubt if you'll…" Before he could finish his statement Tropius took to the sky and flew off. Meowth let out another sigh.
"I hope he knows what he's doing."
"That was strange back there." After their brief encounter with Team Rocket Ash and Nikki returned to the Pokémon Center.
"Do they normally have problems like that?" Nikki asked.
"Not normally," Ash replied. "It's strange to see them having problems with one of their Pokémon."
"(I'm just glad we didn't have to battle them again. Once a day is enough for me,)" Pikachu commented.
"(You said it,)" Buneary agreed. "(Besides, we still have to find out where the Area Boss is.)"
"No one around town knew anything, so that leaves us with very few options," Nikki said.
"I know," Ash agreed. While they spoke inside outside their Pokémon had been let out of their Poké Balls for some fresh air. As they went about their business they were unaware of the pair of eyes watching from the shadows.
"(Come on… where is she?)" Tropius whispered. His eyes scanned the field behind the Pokémon Center, searching for the Pokémon who had stolen his heart.
"(There she is!)" His heart skipped a beat as he finally found the object of his obsession. To him Meganium was more beautiful now than before. He wanted nothing more than to run out there and declare his undying love for her, but before he could fantasize further he saw another Pokémon approaching her. A Sceptile. He frowned as he saw the newcomer stop right next to Meganium and start a conversation. From the happy look on her face Tropius assumed she knew the Sceptile. He knew he had to make sure the Sceptile didn't interfere with his possible relationship with Meganium, but he didn't want to blow his cover. All he could do was sit and wait.
"(You know, I never did get a chance to congratulate you on evolving,)" Sceptile said.
"(Thank you. With the rest of you guys evolving before me I didn't want to feel left out,)" Meganium replied.
"(Don't worry. Evolved or not you'd always be one of us,)" Sceptile stated.
"(Aw, that's so sweet of you,)" Meganium cooed. During this Tropius fumed with anger. Even though he couldn't hear what was being said between them just by looking at Meganium's facial expressions he could tell this Sceptile was saying something that made her happy. He was so consumed by his anger he didn't watch where he was stepping. The snapping of a twig beneath his foot put him in panic mode as he looked around to see if he had been spotted. Meganium and Sceptile also heard the twig snap and were also looking around to find the cause. As they searched Sceptile caught a glimpse of something hiding within the trees.
"(What is that?)" he wondered.
"(Do you see something?)" Meganium asked. He was so focused on what he saw that he didn't hear her question.
"(What did you say?)" he asked, giving her his full attention.
"(I was wondering if you saw something,)" she repeated. Before answering he looked back towards the trees only to find the thing that he saw had vanished.
"(I thought I did, but it's gone now,)" he said.
"(What do you suppose it was?)? Meganium wondered.
"(Who knows,)" Sceptile replied. Unbeknownst to either of them the thing Sceptile saw was Tropius. The Fruit Pokémon, having seen enough, beat a hasty retreat back to Team Rocket's camp. During his return trip his mind was filled with thoughts of Meganium and Sceptile, and how hard he would fight to make Meganium his.
The next day Ash and Nikki were ready to leave the Pokémon Center to continue their journey. Having found no leads on the location of the Area Boss they were prepared to move on and hopefully encounter him on their travels.
"Everyone ready to hit the road?" Ash asked.
"All set," Nikki answered. They had just walked out the Center's doors when…
"Hey, guys! Wait up!" To their surprise Fiona ran up to them.
"What's up, Fiona?" Ash asked.
"I finally found one," she bragged. Before they could ask what she meant she stepped to the side. Standing behind her was a Bulbasaur.
"You got your own Bulbasaur!" Nikki commented.
"Yeah. I found her outside the Gym this morning," Fiona explained.
"(Hi there,)" the Bulbasaur greeted.
"Hello," Ash said.
"Oh, you're so cute," Nikki gushed. Pikachu and Buneary also greeted her.
"So I take it you're off to find the Area Boss," Fiona assumed.
"We're going to try. With no leads to go on that's going to be a difficult task," Nikki said.
"I might be able to help with that," Fiona stated.
"Really? How?" Ash asked.
"Do you know where he is?" Nikki wondered.
"No, I don't. But I do know where he was last seen," Fiona said. She asked Nikki to take out her map. After scanning it for a bit Fiona pointed to a large desert area to their north.
"There. Last I heard the Area Boss was studying some ruin there," she said.
"Thanks. That's more than we had a minute ago," Ash commented. Now that they had a lead the group was more eager than ever to get moving.
"So long, Fiona!" Ash called.
"Goodbye! Good luck on your journey!" she replied. With their destination now determined Ash and Nikki left Treetop Town. Hopefully they would find the Area Boss soon so Ash could finally compete for his first Legenda League Crest.
Now that the group finally has a location to start searching for the Area Boss it appears as though things are looking up for Ash and company. Will they find him where Fiona told them? And what of the love triangle developing between Meganium, Sceptile and Tropius? To what lengths will Tropius go to? Find out in the next chapter of Search for Power!
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