A Ketchum's Journey Vol 2

by Girlofthewater

Ash Ketchum is continuing his journey to become a Pokemon Master with his eight-year-old sister Hayley, by his side. Follow Ash, Hayley, their Pokemon in making new friends as they follow Ash's dream of becoming a Pokemon Master in the Hoenn and Sinnoh regions!

3. There's No Place like Hoenn

To my readers- I decided that instead of making 2 huge volumes of A Ketchum's journey, I decided to make them into 4 separate volumes. Volume 1 will contain the Kanto and Johto regions, Volume 2 will contain Hoenn and Sinnoh regions, Volume 3 will contain Unova and Kalos regions, last but not least, Volume 4 will contain Alola and Galar regions.

I know that there are those of you are going to ask me if Meeko will evolve. Yes, she will evolve after meeting her evolved form at the Veilstone City Gym. Hayley will feel like Ash did when he tried to leave Pikachu behind with the wild Pikachu in Volume 1, but Meeko will make Hayley see sense by trying telepathy for the first time with her. Will Meeko be using telepathy with Ash, Hayley, Brock and Dawn (this is when I add the Sinnoh region to this Volume) all the time? We'll have to see when I start writing the Sinnoh region.

I want each and every one of you to know that if you personally don't like the way I'm writing the fanfic, then you don't have to read it. I will not reach through my laptop to force you to read any fandoms that I write for because you can probably find a lot better fanfics in those fandoms over mine. Even if you can't find what you're looking for and still don't like the way I write it, then I encourage you to write your own. Happy Reading!

I DONT OWN POKEMON. I ONLY OWN MY OC AND THE CREATION OF HER REGIONAL POKEMON TEAMS. ALL REGIONAL POKEMON TEAMS WILL BE POSTED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE CHAPTERS FOR MY OC.

Shoutouts:

Guest-Would you rather I do two huge volumes, placing Kanto through Sinnoh in volume 1 and place Unova through Galar in volume 2 or do 4 different volumes so that I can try and answer questions when I give out Hayley's region teams?

---

"Wow, its Petalburg City!" said Ash.

"Pika!" shouted Pikachu as Hayley and Meeko smiled.

Narrator: Continuing their quest to be a Pokémon Master and young Pokémon trainer, Ash and Hayley begins their new journey in the Hoenn Region.

Hayley: Petalburg City looks better than Pallet Town.

Meeko: Riol.

Appearing behind Hayley and Meeko, Ash: Don't tell Mom and Professor Oak that.

Narrator and Hayley: We won't.

Meeko, paw raised in the air: Riolu!

Narrator: Today, they head to Petalburg City, home of Ash's first Gym.

"Pikachu, Hayley, Meeko, our first battle in the Hoenn Region is comin' up!" said Ash.

"Pikachu!" said Pikachu.

"Hey, Ash! Hayley!" May called out. "Wait up. Please! D'you mind tellin' me what's the big fat rush?"

"What do you think?" asked Ash. "I've got a big gym battle down there waitin' for me!"

"And we only call Pikachu fat when he has too much ketchup in his stomach." said Hayley, gently poking Pikachu.

"Pika!" giggled Pikachu, then gently swipes her nose. "Pikachu!"

They then take off towards town. "Yeah, but can't we slow down?" she asked, then sighs when they didn't hear her. Once in town, Ash, Hayley and May were sitting in a park.

"So Petalburg Gym's a big deal, huh?" asked May.

"Are you kidding?" asked Ash. "If I win in a gym battle there, I get a badge, and once I get eight of those badges, I can compete in the Hoenn League!"

"That sounds great, I guess." said May.

"Pikachu!" said Pikachu.

"I knew it." said Hayley, glancing at May. "You're not interested in being a Pokémon trainer at all, are you?"

"What makes you say that? Of course I want to be a Pokémon trainer." said May, getting uncomfortable.

"Pika? Pika-Pika." Pikachu said to Hayley.

"Just a hunch." she said, not taking her eyes off of May. "You'll confess to us eventually."

"Riolu." said Meeko, raising an eyebrow.

"Come on!" said Ash, knowing that Hayley might be onto something. "You wanna compete in the Hoenn League, right?"

"Uh, oh, yeah!" said May. "Of course, Ash!"

"Thought so." said Ash, giving his sister a knowing look that she could be right. "Wonder what the Petalburg gym leader's gonna be like."

"I wonder what Pokémon the Gym Leader's gonna use against you." said Hayley.

"Me too." said Ash, smiling at her.

"Riolu!" said Meeko.

"Pika!" said Pikachu.

"I'm sure he's a nice guy." said May.

"What? May, do you know him?" Ash asked.

"Me?" asked May. "Well, I don't really know him that well."

"I'm guessing relative." said Hayley, taking a sip of water.

"Pika, Pikachu." Pikachu said, then imitates Brock.

"Riol." Meeko said, shaking her head and imitates Misty. "Riolu, Riol."

"Good guess." Ash said to their Pokémon.

"The word on the street is he's very kind and also very strong, and, of course, I hear he's very handsome and a really great man!" May said as she described the Gym Leader.

"Sounds like you know him pretty well." said Ash as Hayley nodded.

"Uh…no, I just wish I did." said May.

"Hey, I know!" said Ash. "Why don't you come with me and Hayley, and then we can meet him together?"

"Well, I really cant." said May.

"But why not?" asked Ash.

"Are you scared that we might find out that the Gym Leader might be a relative of yours?" asked Hayley.

"No, it's not that, Hayley!" said May. "Well, you see…."

"Pika?" Pikachu asked as May walks away.

"I just have to go and take care of a few things first." she tells them.

"Huh?"

"Later, Ash and Hayley." said May and takes off.

"Pika-Pika!" Pikachu said, waving at May.

"Uh, okay." said Ash. "See you."

"I'd say it's her dad." said Hayley.

"I think it's her older brother." said Ash.

"Pikachu?" asked Pikachu.

"Riol." shrugged Meeko.

Later on that day, Ash, Hayley and their Pokémon arrived at the Gym. "Here we are at the Petalburg Gym." said Ash.

"Are you ready for this?" asked Hayley.

"Sure am." said Ash.

"Pikachu." Pikachu tells her.

"Good. You both got this." said Hayley.

"Riolu." said Meeko.

"You heard our sisters. You ready, Pikachu?" Ash asked. "Let's go give it our best shot!"

"Pika-Pika!" said Pikachu, ready for anything.

Ash and Hayley walked inside the empty Gym. "Hello?" Ash called out. "I'm Ash. My sister and I are from Pallet Town. I'd like a battle! Huh? Is anybody here? Hello?"

"Can you please keep it down?" asked a 7-year-old boy, appearing behind them. "I'm right in the middle of watchin' a video of the Silver conference!"

"Geez, rude much?" asked Hayley, then turns to her brother. "Gary has better manners than he does and we grew up with Gary."

"Riolu!" Meeko said, gesturing to the boy.

"Oh, I'm sorry, kid." said Ash.

"Pikachu!" said Pikachu.

"Wow! It's really you! And you!" he said, pointing to Ash and Hayley.

"That's right, but how do you know me?" asked Ash.

"And me?" asked Hayley.

"You were in the Johto League Silver Conference with her standing behind you." said the boy, as he points to Ash and Hayley.

"Mm-hmm." Ash nodded.

"That's right." said Hayley.

"You lost in the second round!" gloated the boy.

Ash and Pikachu groaned as Hayley and Meeko glared. "Hey!" she shouted, then takes away his book. "Don't make my brother feel bad!"

"He's your brother?" asked the boy.

"Yeah and I gotta live with him for the rest of my life!" shrieked Hayley.

"Hold on. Your name…." the boy said, trying to remember Ash. "Don't tell me! Your name….is Alf!"

"Where in the world did you get the name, Alf?" asked Hayley as she and Meeko gave the boy a look.

"It's Ash." said Ash.

"Pikachu!" said Pikachu.

"Hey, and that's your Pikachu and her Riolu." said the boy. "Hi, there, Pikachu and Riolu, my name's Max!"

"I'm Hayley Ketchum and this Riolu's name is Meeko." said Hayley as Max picks up Pikachu and Meeko, hugging them.

"I watched you compete at the Silver Conference live, and then I've been watching the videos made of it ever since!" said Max.

"Wow." said Ash.

"Yup, you lost in the second round, and then you got knocked out by Harrison and his Blaziken." Max continued. "Then that was it for you!"

"Do you have to keep talkin' about the ones I lost?" asked Ash.

"Uh…can you let Meeko go now?" asked Hayley.

"Riolu." said Meeko, struggling against Max's grip as she tries to push his arms.

"She doesn't like when unfamiliar people pick her up." said Hayley. "She gave one of our friend's siblings a black eye."

"Oh…sorry." said Max, letting her go as said Pokémon glares at him.

"Besides, I did make it to the victory round, you know?" said Ash.

"I know! You battle was so awesome!" said Max. "I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. That final battle between your Charizard and Blaziken was really cool!"

[Flashback]

"Blaze!" said Blaziken, being knocked back at the Silver conference.

"Both Pokémon just kept takin' one attack after another and kept gettin' back up!" said Max.

"All right!" said Ash. "Good job, Charizard. Now use Flamethrower!"

"Char!" shouted Charizard, about to release Flamethrower from its mouth but fell from exhaustion.

"But I guess Charizard just couldn't handle it." said Max.

[Flashback ends]

"If you had it to do over again, don't you think you would have used Charizard's attacks more effectively?" asked Max. "If I'd of been there, I would have won it! You've still got a long way to go."

"Hold it, kid!" said Ash.

"Stop rubbing Ash's loss in his face!" sad Hayley, seeing the sad look of her brother.

"Huh?"

"You're acting like it's his fault that he lost at the Silver Conference!" said Hayley, glaring at him. "You're being obnoxious, rude and annoying." She the crossed her arms. "You're lucky that I'm not letting Meeko beat you up."

"Riolu." said Meeko, crossing her arms and glaring at Max.

"Why would you let Meeko beat me up?" Max asked her.

"Because Meeko and I will always protect Ash and Pikachu no matter what." said Hayley. "Whether Ash wins or loses, he's still my brother and I will always know that he's going to train even harder than ever."

"Even if he doesn't win at the Hoenn League?" questioned Max.

"Even if Ash is the runner up at the Hoenn League, he's still going to work harder for the next League." answered Hayley. "I'm proud of my brother no matter if he's the winner, gets placed in the top 8 or is even placed in the top 16. Ash has my unconditional love and so does Pikachu."

"Riolu!" said Meeko, picking up the mouse and giving him a hug.

"Pikachu!" squealed Pikachu happily.

"It's one thing to watch it on TV, and another to actually be battling!" said Ash, placing his head on Hayley's shoulder.

"So do I detect some sour grapes?" asked Max, ignoring Hayley's lecture.

"Uh…"

"Yup, you've got some nerve comin' here after losin' in round two." Max tells him.

"I told you. It was the second round in the victory tournament, kid!" shouted Ash.

"Look what you did! You've made him mad!" yelled Hayley.

"Don't you get it?" Ash asked. "That takes an awesome trainer!"

"Riol?" Meeko asked Pikachu, holding out a popcorn bucket.

"Pika? Pikachu." said Pikachu, grabbing a few kernels.

"But you still lost right?" asked Max.

"That's it!" shouted Ash. "I don't wanna talk about this anymore, okay? Get the gym leader. That's who I came to see!"

"That's me." said Max.

"Huh?"

"Oh, yeah!" he said. "The Petalburg gym leader is yours truly! Ta-da!"

"Yeah, sure." said Ash.

"I am!" shouted Max.

"You're too young to be the Petalburg Gym Leader." said Hayley.

"What, you both think I'm not good enough?" said Max.

"Hey, calm down." said Ash. "Okay, Okay, I believe you."

"Good!" said Max, then glares at Hayley as he ran to the other side of the gym battle field. "So you wanna battle?"

"Uh…" said Ash. "So what are your gym rules?"

"This outta be good." said Hayley as she and Meeko sit behind Ash, away from the battlefield.

"According to the official rules of the Petalburg Gym, all battles are three on three." said Max.

"Three on three?" asked Ash. "Great! Hayley and I havent caught any Pokémon since we got to the Hoenn Region, so Pikachu's it! Unless Hayley would let me borrow Meeko."

"So show me your Pokémon!" said Max.

"Wait, aren't you supposed to show your Pokémon first?" asked Ash.

"Since I outrank you as gym leader, you've got the honor!" Max said, pointing at the eldest Ketchum child.

"No deal, Max!" argued Ash. "You go first!"

"No, you go first!" said Max as both boys growled at each other.

"Hi, Max. What's going on here?" asked May, popping up outside of the window.

"Huh?" they asked, looking up at her.

"Uh, hi there, sis!" said Max.

"Your sister?" questioned Ash.

"I knew it!" said Hayley. "The Gym leader is her dad."

"Well, then, who have we here?" asked May and Max's dad.

"Hello!" said their mom.

"Wait, who are you guys?" asked Ash as Max grinned.

"Wipe that grin off your face. It's not that funny." said Hayley, causing the smile to disappear from Max's face.

"Ash, Hayley, I'd like you to meet my mother and father." said May.

"Pleased to meet you. I'm Norman." he said, introducing himself.

"And I'm Caroline."

"And this is my little brother." said May, pointing to Max.

"Yeah, we met." said Ash as he and Hayley glared at him.

"You see, my dad is the real leader of the Petalburg Gym." Max explained.

"That's right." said Norman.

"Okay, that means the Petalburg Gym is where you come from, May?" asked Ash.

"Why, uh, yes." she said.

"Round two, big brother." said Hayley.

"Yep…round two." agreed Ash.

"We really appreciate you bringing May all the way home." said Caroline, not hearing what they had said.

"Oh, sure." said Ash.

"Don't mention it." said Hayley.

"But really, we didn't do much of anything at all!" said Ash.

"Mom! Dad! This is the guy who lost in the Silver Conference second round!" said Max, pointing at Ash.

"I told you before, it was the championship tournament!" said Ash.

"His name is Alf!" said Max, purposely saying his name wrong.

"My name is Ash!" He tells him.

"Alf, Ash, whatever!" said Max.

"Would you stop that?" Hayley asked Max.

"Stop what?" he asked her.

"You know exactly what I'm talking about! Stop pronouncing his name wrong." said Hayley.

"Why would I do that?" Max asked smugly, crossing his arms.

"Because I've known Ash all my life, Mr. Know it all." Hayley said, crossing her arms again.

"Jordan gets really protective of you, doesn't she?" asked May.

"Yeah and I wouldn't trade her for any other sister in the world." said Ash.

"If I were you, Max, I would start pronouncing his name correctly." advised Hayley, then gets in Max's face. "And be nice to my brother for a change! I'm sure that your parents have told you to be nice to your sister."

"Riolu!" shouted Meeko, bringing Max down to her level. "Riolu, Olu!"

"Oh, and remember, don't ever get on Meeko's bad side." Hayley warned Max as Meeko releases him. "She gets punchy and kicky when you get on her bad side."

"Got it." said Max, pushing up his glasses and starts blushing behind her back.

"And you're not really the gym leader, are you?" asked Ash.

"Of course I'm not, silly." Max tells him. "Can't you see I'm just a kid?"

"Don't worry, Ash….karma will come after him soon enough." said Hayley as Ash growls at Max.

"Oh, and by the way, dear, what happened to your bike?" asked Caroline.

"Uh, well, you see, Mom…." May starts to explain.

"Pikachuuuu!" shouted Pikachu, releasing his thunderbolt.

"My bike's barbequed!" shrieked May.

"Sorry, May." said Ash.

"Pika-Pika!" Pikachu said, apologetically.

"Pikachu didn't mean to do that." said Hayley.

"Riolu." said Meeko.

"That's not a big deal." said Norman. "Bikes are replaceable."

"And walking is better for your health anyway." added Caroline.

"Tell me, May, what kind of Pokémon did you end up getting from Professor Birch anyway?" Norman asked his daughter.

"Oh, yeah! Tell us, May!" Max said excitedly. "What did you get?"

"You'll see." said May, taking out the Pokéball. "Torchic, come on out!"

"Torchic!" chirped Torchic.

"What?" asked Max, surprised that his sister chose Torchic. "Why'd you pick that? If it were me, I definitely would have picked a Treecko."

"Torchic!" shouted Torchic and starts pecking Max in his back.

"Torchic, stop that right now!" said May.

"No, keep going Torchic." said Hayley.

"Wah!"

"You're kidding, right?" Max asked Hayley.

"I'm not." Hayley tells him. "You should be happy that she chose Torchic. May is thankful that she chose Torchic. She doesn't want to freeze around a campfire on cold nights in the forest."

A grin appears on May's face as Hayley said it. "Torchic!" said Torchic, huffing at Max as it hops into Hayley's lap, snuggling against the young girl.

"I think Torchic's a fine Pokémon to start out with." said Norman.

"And, May, it's cute as a button!" Caroline said.

"Yeah!" said May, agreeing with her mom.

"Torchic, do you wanna hear a song?" asked Hayley.

"Tor?" it questioned.

"Pika-Pika! Pikachu!" Pikachu tells it.

"Riolu!" said Meeko, taking Hayley's special notebook out of her backpack and shows Torchic what her trainer has written.

"Torchic!" said Torchic, with wonder in its eyes as Meeko flipped through the pages.

"Man, I just wish that I could have MY own Pokémon. Just like Hayley has Meeko." said Max, glaring at Torchic and Meeko. "I'd just love to have a Treecko."

"Uh….." said Hayley and Ash, feeling uncomfortable by this.

"Torchic!" shouted Torchic as it goes for a second round of Peck.

"Ow, ow, ow!" Max cried out. "Get off of me! Stop it!"

"Riolu!" Meeko said, pointing to Max.

"Ash, why don't you and Hayley join us for lunch." suggested Caroline. "You both must be starved."

"Thanks! We sure are!" said Ash and Hayley.

"May tells me that you've both been traveling for a long time." said Caroline as they all were in the kitchen.

"Oh, yeah." said Ash. "We've been to a lotta places."

"Like the Orange Islands." said Hayley.

"You've been to the Orange Islands?" asked Max. "That's sounds so cool! I'd love to go to different places too!"

"Yep. I just wouldn't suggest visiting Pinken Island." said Hayley. "You don't wanna be arrested by Officer Jenny on that island."

"And have you both traveled all alone? Besides having each other?" Caroline asked.

"Actually, we were travelin' around with some of our best friends." said Ash. "And Pikachu and Meeko, of course."

"Kachu!" said Pikachu.

"I know that you're going to ask." Hayley said, seeing the question appear on Caroline's face. "Meeko was given to me by Professor Oak as a Pokémon egg."

"Professor Oak? Y-You got Meeko from Professor Oak?" stuttered Max.

"Yeah. She's not common in Kanto, but I'm proud to have her anyway." said Hayley, beaming at Meeko.

"Riolu! Riol, Riol!" said Meeko.

"Well, that's good!" said Norman. "Travelling with friends is always much easier."

"Oh, yeah." said Ash and Hayley.

"And it's a lot more fun too." said Ash.

"I only wish I could go travelling around with a bunch of my good buddies." said Max. "That'd be great!"

"Dad, Ash would like to have a gym battle with you." May said to Norman.

"Yeah. Hope that's okay." said Ash.

"Of course, Ash." said Norman. "Are you going to cheer for your brother, Hayley?"

"Always." said Hayley. "Meeko and I are Ash and Pikachu's cheerleaders."

"Riolu." said Meeko.

"So how many badges have you earned so far?" Norman asked.

"This'll be the first one." replied Ash.

"So you're just getting started?" asked Norman.

"Yeah. What are the Petalburg Gym rules?" Ash asked.

"I told you already." said Max. "It's a three-on-three elimination, remember?"

"Excuse me. Is that really true?" questioned Ash.

"Yes." answered Norman and Ash groans

"But I don't have any other Pokémon besides Pikachu and my sister has Meeko." said Ash. He then looks at Hayley and Meeko.

"Riolu!" Meeko said, volunteering herself.

"This is the one exception, Ash." said Hayley.

"Thanks, but I've got to at least try on my own first." said Ash.

"Ok then. Olu." said Hayley and Meeko.

"What?" asked Max, smirking at the siblings. "You both got one little Pokémon? No wonder you lost in the second round of the Silver Conference."

"Stop! It was the championship!" Ash shouted.

"But if you were able to compete in the Silver Conference, you must have lots of Pokémon!" said Norman.

"I do and so does Hayley." said Ash. "But we both decided to leave 'em all back in Pallet Town."

"You know, you could have them transferred to the Pokémon center." said Caroline.

"I could, but what we both really wanted to do is start off from the beginning and use only those Pokémon that we capture here from the Hoenn region." said Ash.

"Hayley captures Pokémon?" asked May.

"Isn't she a little young?" asked Caroline.

"Yeah, but….." said Ash as they all looked at Hayley. "Hayley has her own path."

"He's right." she tells them.

"Hmm. Admirable plan, young man." said Norman.

"Soon as we get more Pokémon, I'll come back!" said Ash and Hayley nodded.

"That's not necessary." he tells Ash. "Since you came all this way, I'll battle you!"

"Wow! You mean it?" asked Ash.

"That's nice, Norman." said Caroline.

"Of course, it won't be an official gym battle." said Norman.

"That's okay!" said Ash. "I still really appreciate it."

"He can take it!" said Hayley.

"Thank you!" they both said.

Back inside the Gym, Ash and Pikachu were ready. "All right, Pikachu, let's go!" said Ash.

"Pikachu!" shouted Pikachu, ready to battle.

"He's pretty confident for havin' only one Pokémon." said Max.

"Okay, Vigoroth." said Norman, bringing out his first Pokémon. "I choose you!"

"Vigoroth!" said Vigoroth.

"Go Ash and Pikachu! Riolu!" said Hayley and Meeko as they held up signs and wore cheer outfits.

"Where did they get those outfits?" asked May. "They look great!"

"A Vigoroth?" asked Ash.

"Vigoroth, the wild monkey Pokémon. Vigoroth is only comfortable going berserk. Will destroy anything in its path by spinning both arms and goes more berserk when done." said Dexter.

"Sounds like Ash's Primeape when he first caught it." said Hayley. "At least Alfie is more tame."

"Who's Alfie?" asked Max as Hayley grins at him.

"Pika!" Pikachu shouted in fear as light reflected on Vigoroth's nails.

"Vigoroth!" it bellowed as Ash and Pikachu protected themselves from being hit.

"Check it out!" said Max. "Dad's Vigoroth is rarin' to go!"

"Man up, you two!" Hayley called out. "Vigoroth hasn't done but shouted at you."

"Riolu!" Meeko added.

"I wonder what kind of attacks that Vigoroth's gonna use?" Ash thought to himself. "We'll just have to do the best we can. Now, Pikachu, go!"

"Pika!"

"Vigoroth, use Scratch Attack now!" said Norman.

"Vigoroth!" shouted Vigoroth.

"Pikachu, dodge it!" said Ash.

"Vigor!" said Vigoroth as it swipes Pikachu off the ground.

"Pika!" Pikachu shouted.

"Pikachu, are you okay buddy?" Ash asked.

"Pika!" he said, standing back up.

"Do Scratch attack one more time!" said Norman.

"Vigoroth!" it shouted as it ran towards Pikachu.

"Dodge it again!" said Ash.

"Vigoroth!" shouted Vigoroth as Pikachu dodged its attack. "Vigoroth!"

"Pika!" screamed Pikachu as he felt Vigoroth's scratch.

"Don't give in, Pikachu." said Ash. "Quick Attack!"

"Pikachu!" shouted Pikachu as he uses Quick Attack on Vigoroth.

"Roth!" shouted Vigoroth, dodging Quick Attack.

"Pika!"

"Vigoroth!"

"Pika!"

Outside of Petalburg Gym, Team Rocket was watching the battle. "Maybe we don't want Pikachu after all. Maybe only Meeko." said James.

"We can't grab Meeko without Pikachu." said Jessie. "Not of we grab that Vigoroth instead. Its natural nastiness would be a perfect fit for Team Rocket."

"Yeah, but if we gave it to the boss, that would be even better!" said Meowth.

"And if we gave him all three, then that would be even better that that!" said Jessie.

"Yeah!" cheered Meowth and James.

"Wobbuffet!" Wobbuffet chimed in.

"Pikachu, Thunderbolt attack now!" shouted Ash.

"Pikachu!" shouted Pikachu, releasing Thunderbolt from his body.

"Vigoroth, dodge!" shouted Norman.

"Roth!" said Vigoroth, dodging the electric attack.

"That was fast!" said Ash.

"Vigoroth! Vigoroth!" said Vigoroth, running away from Pikachu's Thunderbolt.

"Pika?" asked Pikachu as Vigoroth closes in on him.

"Use Quick Attack!" said Ash.

"Pika!" shouted Pikachu and aims Quick Attack at Vigoroth's body.

"Roth!" Vigoroth shouted in pain.

"Vigoroth!" Norman called out.

"Good job, Pikachu!" praised Ash.

"Go, Pikachu, Go! Go, Pikachu, Go! Go, Pikachu, Go!" cheered Hayley as she and Meeko did they dance.

"I didn't think they had a chance against Dad's Vigoroth!" said Caroline.

"Yeah, Ash is good, huh?" said May.

"Of course he's good." said Max. "He did make it to the championship tournament of the Silver Conference, you know?"

"Yeah."

"All right Vigoroth, Scratch attack!" Norman shouted.

"Vigoroth!" growled Vigoroth, then used Scratch.

"Pika!" Pikachu cried out in pain.

"Time to finish this one up." said Norman.

"Vigoroth! Roth! Roth! Roth! Roth!"

"Pika!" shouted Pikachu as he was headbutted by Vigoroth.

"Pikachu!" shouted Ash and Hayley.

"Pika!" said Pikachu as he crashes into the wall.

"Pika-Pik!" shouted Hayley as she and Meeko ran over to him.

"Oh, Pikachu!" said Ash, taking him from Hayley's arms. "Pikachu, are you all right?"

"Pika." said Pikachu, telling Ash that he was fine.

"No broken bones or a broken tail?" asked Hayley.

"Riol?" asked Meeko.

"Pikachu." he said, wiggling his tail and shakes out his limbs.

Out of nowhere, the gym starts shaking and smoke appears from the floor. May, Max and Caroline gasp as the smoke clears. "What was that?" asked May.

"Prepare for trouble from a hole in the wall."

"And make it double. You're in for a brawl."

"To protect the world from devastation!"

"To unite all people within our nation!"

"To denounce the evils of truth and love!"

"To extend our reach to the stars above!"

"Jessie!"

"James!"

"Team Rocket makes a mad dash at the speed of light!" said Jessie.

"Surrender to these great effects or prepare to fight!" said James.

"Meowth! That's right!" said Meowth.

"Wobbuffet!" shouted Wobbuffet.

"Great….the idiots are here." Hayley said sarcastically as she slumped over.

"Riol…." said Meeko, slumped over as well.

"Team Rocket!" said May.

"Oh, how sweet! It's always nice to meet your friends." said Caroline. "Thank you so much for being there for my May."

"No mom, those are the bad guys!" said May.

"That's okay." Jessie said. "We're not your run-of-the-mill criminals."

"We do bad things with panache and style!" said James.

"We'll rob you, but we'll do it with a smile!" said Meowth.

"You don't look so stylish." commented Max.

"Read this." Hayley said, handing Max her notebook.

"James has a…." Max started to say out loud when she covers his mouth.

"Don't say it unless you want to see him freak out. Meeko and I have rights in making sure she doesn't find him. Whatever you do, don't ever call Jessie old unless you really want to." said Hayley. "Anyone has that honor of saying that to her face."

"We're here for your Pokémon!" said Jessie. "Go, Arbok!"

"Arbok!" hissed Arbok.

"Go, Weezing!" said James.

"Weez!" wheezed Weezing.

"Use Smokescreen!" James tells Weezing.

"Weezing!" shouted Weezing, releasing Smokescreen from its mouth.

Everyone in the gym starts coughing from Weezing's Smokescreen. "Pika! Riol!" cried Pikachu and Meeko.

"Hold your breath, everyone!" said Norman.

"Now, Arbok, give them your Headbutt!" said Jessie.

"Cha!" shouted Arbok, headbutting Pikachu in his stomach as he was thrown into Meeko.

"Pika!" he shouted.

"No, Pikachu!" shouted Ash.

"Meeko!" shouted Hayley.

"Vigoroth, let's go!" shouted Norman.

Vigoroth snarls as it heads towards Weezing and Arbok. "Roth?" questioned Vigoroth as it swings its arms.

"Come on!" Max said to his sister. "You should get in there with your Pokémon, too, May!"

"Huh?"

"Can't you help 'em out with your Pokémon?" he asked.

"Uh, right." she said. "Now, Torchic! Let's go!"

"Torchic! Chic, Chic!"

"Now what do I do?" asked May.

"Now would be a good time to give it an attack." said Max.

"Okay. Don't rush me!" May told her brother. "Let's see now. Attack…."

"Arbok!" shouted Arbok.

"Torchic!" screeched Torchic as Arbok knocks it into the air.

"My little Torchic!" gasped May.

"And now we'll be taking Pikachu, Meeko and Vigoroth with us!" said Jessie.

"That's what you think!" said Ash.

"You'll never get Pikachu and Meeko." said Hayley.

"Pikachu, Thunderbolt!" said Ash.

"Meeko, Cross Chop!" said Hayley.

"Pikachu!" shouted Pikachu.

"Riolu!" screamed Meeko.

Max screams as he feels Pikachu's thunderbolt and Meeko's Cross Chop. "Oh, no!" said Ash. "Max, you didn't get hit, did you?"

"Pikachu!" Pikachu said, concerned.

"Sorry, Max." said Hayley.

"Riolu!" Meeko said, apologetically.

"Well, it's one thing, learnin' about Pikachu's Thunderbolt on TV but a whole 'nother thing to feel it in the flesh!" said Max. "You also can't forget Meeko's Cross Chop either. Wow. Got to say, they're impressive."

"Hey, Team Rocket's gone!" said May.

"Roth!" said Vigoroth.

"My Vigoroth is still here, safe and sound." said Norman.

"Roth!"

"Yeah, and so is my Pikachu and Meeko." said Ash.

"Pika-Pika!" said Pikachu.

"Riol." said Meeko, standing in front of Hayley.

"Hey, May, what's wrong with you?" asked Ash.

"My Torchic's gone!" said May.

"What?" asked everyone, then ran over to the hole Team Rocket made in the wall, gasping as they watched Team Rocket fly away in their balloon.

"Just like we said." said Jessie. "Service with a smile! Have a nice day!"

"Now what do I do?" May asked the others. "I just got that Torchic!"

"Don't you worry 'bout a thing, May!" said Ash. "Hayley and I'll get your Torchic back. I promise."

Hayley starts to giggle as she gets out a water gun. "Riolu!" giggled Meeko, rubbing her paws together.

"Pika-Pika!" said Pikachu.

"One out of three's not bad." said Jessie as they landed their balloon. "All right, so Vigoroth was an elusive catch, but at least we finally got Pikachu."

"Or Meeko." said James.

"Now on with the insulated gloves and protective padding, and hello, Pikach…" Jessie said as she starts to open the bag, revealing Torchic.

"Torchic!" said Torchic, staring at Jessie.

Team Rocket gasped, seeing that they grabbed the wrong Pokémon. "That sure ain't Pikachu or Meeko!" said Meowth.

"Torchic!" squealed Torchic.

"It's a Torchic." said James, taking a closer look.

"Torchic!" Torchic said, basically telling him, 'Well, duh!' as it releases Ember on him.

"This is all wrong!" said Jessie and looks at Torchic. "You're so teensy. Most definitely not Team Rocket Material."

"We'd be laughed right out of the Boss's office." said James as smoke rose from his hair.

"But if we can use this Torchic to go back and bag Pikachu and Meeko, then everything'll be fine!" said Meowth.

"Yeah!" said Team Rocket, ready to try again.

"I doubt they got too far by this time." said Ash.

"Let's split up and look." said Norman. "Caroline, you and I go this way."

"You got it." she said.

"Knowing my dad, I bet they find 'em!" said Max.

"Your mom and dad are both really great." said Ash.

"They're really nice." said Hayley.

"Yeah." said May.

"If I only had my Noctowl with me, this search thing would be a piece of cake!" said Ash.

"Pikachu!"

"I wished we brought Noctowl and Raven." said Jordan.

"Riolu!"

"Raven?" asked May and Max.

"Oh…you see, I nickname all of my Pokémon. In case, Ash and I ever get the same ones." said Hayley.

"Her Raven is the pre-evolved form of my Noctowl." said Ash. "They would both be great in the search."

"Hmm." said Max, bringing out a magnifying glass. "They sure didn't leave any tracks behind!"

"Perhaps that's because they flew off in a balloon." May said, annoyed.

"Oh, that's right." said Max, forgetting that fact. "Then it's time to get the old noggin outta neutral and come up with a flawless theory. And with Ash as my right-hand man-on-the-scene, we'll solve this in no time!"

"He spends way too much time in front of the TV." said Hayley.

"Tell me about it." said Ash.

"Give me a break!" said May, placing her fist hard on her brother's head.

Max starts to tear up. "May hit me! I'm telling!" cried Max.

"Max, don't cry." said Ash.

Hayley looks up at her brother. "I finally understand what mom meant when she said about having an older brother." said Hayley, causing her brother to chuckle lightly.

"He's just faking it." said May.

"Well, sooner or later, that fake cryin' stuff was bound to get old." said Max.

"Stop messin' around, Max." said May as Ash and Hayley groaned. "What about Torchic?"

"Kids!" Norman called out.

"Huh?"

"We've located their hot-air balloon." he said, scaring three out of four kids.

"We'll get Torchic back." added Caroline.

"This is what you get for all the times you scared me when I was little, Ash." said Hayley.

"I deserved this one, Hayley." he said.

Hiding behind bushes, Norman shows them Team Rocket's balloon. "There!" he said. pointing it out.

"Pika?" asked Pikachu.

"Yep, that's it!" said Ash.

"Riol." said Meeko.

"Meowth's gonna get it." said Hayley.

Torchic whimpers in its cage as May starts to tear up. "My poor little Torchic!" said May, then runs out of the bushes. "Torchic!"

"Wait! Not so fast!" Ash shouted. "Be careful!"

"Oh boy." said Hayley as Ash's warning came too late. May and Max fell in one of Team Rocket's holes.

"Could be…a trap." said Ash.

"I'm coming!" Norman said to his kids.

"Me too!" said Caroline.

"But there might be…." said Ash and another hole appears underneath Norman and Caroline. "another trap."

"Pika!" said Pikachu.

"We…feel bad for this family, right?" asked Hayley, staring at the two holes in the ground.

"Riolu." said Meeko, nodding in agreement.

"Looks like you fell for it!" said Jessie, mocking the family.

"Thanks for dropping in." said James as they laughed.

"You guys are through!" said Ash. "Go, Bayleef! Use… Oh, I forgot. I don't have Bayleef."

"She's with Professor Oak." Hayley reminded her brother. "We don't have my Pokémon either. All we have is Pikachu and Meeko. Remember?"

Max and May groaned in pain. "Hey! Are you guys okay?" asked Ash.

"How's the pain? Is it worse that what you've got from Pikachu?" asked Hayley.

"Not for long! Go, Arbok!" said Jessie.

"Cha!"

"Get Arbok, now!" said Ash.

"Both of you!" said Hayley.

"Pikachu! Riol!" said Pikachu and Meeko.

"Quick, climb out!" said Ash as Hayley held him around his waist.

"So what's a hole doing here?" asked May.

"Cha!" shouted Arbok.

"Pika!"

"Olu!"

"It's a Team Rocket thing." said Hayley. "Why? We'll never know."

"Cha!" screamed Arbok as Pikachu and Meeko made contact with its body.

"Hey, Norman, are you two okay?" Ash asked once he and Hayley pulled May and Max out.

"Yes." he said, getting out with Caroline. "How dare you steal someone else's Pokémon, much less stealing my little girl's first Pokémon!"

"Looks like a big bad mad dad." said Jessie.

"I aint scared!" said Meowth.

"Oh, yeah?" asked Norman. "Vigoroth, go!"

"Vigoroth!"

"Arbok!" shouted Arbok as it was scratched by Vigoroth.

"So you wanna play rough?" asked James. "Now, Weezing. Go!"

"Weezing!" Weezing said.

"Okay, Vigoroth, use Scratch attack!" shouted Norman.

"Roth!" growled Vigoroth, preparing to use Scratch. Stealthily, Max made his way towards Torchic.

"I'll save you, Torchic!" he said.

"Torchic! Torchic!" begged Torchic.

"Ah! Torchic!" said May as Max brought it over.

"Here you go!" Max said to his sister. "You're welcome, sis. It was nothin'."

"Thanks, Max. You're the best!" May praising her brother. "Let's get you out of there right now. There!"

May smiles at Torchic as she takes it out. "Oh, Torchic, are you okay?" she asked.

"Torchic! Torchic!"

"You can stop crying. I'm here now!" she said.

"Chaaa!" shouted Arbok as it aims its tail at Vigoroth.

"Roth?" questioned Vigoroth as Arbok used Wrap.

"Oh! Vigoroth, no!" shouted Norman.

"Pikachu, Vigoroth needs help! Let's go!" said Ash.

"Let's go, Meeko! You help too!" shouted Hayley.

"Pika!" shouted Pikachu.

"Riol!" shouted Meeko.

Both of them hit Arbok's back with such force that it cried out in pain. "How dare you three do that to my sweet little Torchic?" asked May. "Torchic, go!"

"Torchic!" said Torchic.

"Torchic, Amber!" May shouted.

"You mean Ember." groaned Max.

"Oh, yeah. That's right!" said May, embarrassed. "Torchic, Ember!"

"Torchic!" squealed Torchic, releasing Ember from its beak, aiming it at Max.

"It's one thing to see Ember on TV, but another thing to feel it!" said Max, feeling Torchic's attack. "I'm impressed again."

"Let's see. What else?" May asked.

"There's Peck." suggested Max.

"Hey, that's right!" said May. "Torchic, use Peck!"

"Oh, it picked the wrong person to peck!" said Max as Torchic pecks him in his butt.

"Cha-bok!" shouted Arbok as it Headbutts Pikachu and Meeko.

"Pika! Riolu!" said both Pokémon.

"Pikachu!" shouted Ash.

"Meeko!" cried Hayley.

"Go, Vigoroth!" said Norman. "Let's finish this up once and for all!"

"Vigoroth!" shouted Vigoroth and headbutts both Weezing and Arbok, causing them to crash into Team Rocket.

"Now, Pikachu, Thunderbolt 'em!" said Ash.

"Meeko, help him out with Vacuum Wave!" said Hayley.

"Let's go!" said brother and sister.

"Pikachu! Riolu!" shouted their Pokémon, aiming their attacks at Team Rocket's balloon.

The balloon explodes, sending Team Rocket into the sky. "Why couldn't we have grabbed that Vigoroth instead of a tiny Torchic?" asked Jessie.

"From now on, I'll just be happy with whatever we get." said James.

"Well, I'd be happy if we'd just get a life!" said Meowth.

"Team Rocket's blasting off again!" they shouted.

"Torchic, I'm so glad to have you back." said May, hugging her Pokémon.

"Torchic! Tor!" said Torchic.

"May, your Torchic has sure grown awfully fond of you." Norman said.

"I'm so happy for the both of you!" said Caroline.

"Pika!"

"This is how a Pokémon trainer bonds with their Pokémon, is that right, Alf?" Max asked.

"Excuse me. The name's Ash!" he tells him.

"Okay….that does it!" said Hayley.

"Riolu!" said Meeko.

"Huh?" Max turns to see Hayley and Meeko heading for him.

"He told you….his name….was Ash!" Hayley screamed at the top of her lungs as she and Meeko beat up Max.

"RIOLU!" screamed Meeko.

"Next time….say his name…correctly!" said Hayley.

"Ow! Quit it! I'm sorry!" said Max as Hayley and Meeko punches every ounce of him.

"Hmph!" said Hayley, walking away with Meeko as the dust settles around him.

Night fell outside of the Gym as Ash, Hayley and May were getting ready to leave. "I guess it's time for you three to get going." said Caroline. "Do you have everything, May?"

"Don't worry, Mom!" she said.

"I'm sorry about having to beat up your son, Mr. Norman and Ms. Caroline." said Hayley. "It just annoys me when someone like him call my brother outside his name."

"Only Hayley gets to do that." said Ash, ashamed of what Hayley did.

"Its fine. Apology accepted." Caroline tells them.

"I think it was about time that someone had put Max in his place about it." said Norman.

Just then, Max appears before the trio. "Since you don't know anything about Pokémon, I should go too! Just like Hayley." said Max with his backpack in tow.

"Eh? Olu?" asked Hayley and Meeko as May and Ash yelled out.

"Your brother does know a lot about Pokémon, and he just might be a big help to you." said Norman.

"And a lot less worry for me." added Caroline.

"Ash, Hayley, would it be too much of a bother if Max traveled along with the two of you and May?" asked Norman.

"That's fine!" said Ash. "Okay, Pikachu, Hayley and Meeko?"

"Sure." said Hayley.

"Riolu." said Meeko.

"Pika!" said Pikachu.

"Thank you, Ash and Hayley." said May, grateful for them.

"Pika! Riol!"

"This is gonna be awesome!" said Max.

"I have a little something to give to the both of you." Norman said to the oldest siblings.

"Huh?"

"A badge case to hold your winning gym badges." said Norman.

"Aw!"

"Oh!"

"Oh, thanks a lot, Norman!" said Ash.

"At least it's better than pinning them to your clothing." said Hayley.

"This is cool!" said Ash, nodding in agreement. "Let's go do our best, May!"

"Yeah, sounds good." said May.

"And, son, this is for you." said Norman, handing Max something.

"Really, for me?" asked Max. "Oh! Oh, wow!"

"What is it?" asked Ash and Hayley.

"A Pokémon Navigator!" said Max. "I've been wantin' one!"

"With one of those, you'll always know exactly where you are!" Norman explained.

"Wow!" said May.

"And I'll take good care of it!" said Max.

"What's my job?" asked Hayley.

"You do what you always do, sis." said Ash. "Keep me out of trouble, listen to what I have to tell you and help with discipling the Pokémon who are stubborn."

"Oh yeah. I forgot about that." said Hayley, grinning.

"I suggest that you first travel to the closest gym from here and that's located in Rustboro City." said Norman.

"Okay!" said May and Ash.

"Pika-Pika!" said Pikachu.

"Bye, Mom. Bye, Dad!" said May as she and Max waved to their parents.

"Good bye, kids. Take care!" said Caroline.

"You do your best!" said Norman.

"You got it!" said Ash.

"We will! Bye!" said May.

"Hurry up, you slowpokes!" Max called out.

"Let's get out of town!" said Hayley.

"We're comin'." said Ash.

"Right behind you!" said May.

Narrator: And now, having been joined by May's little brother, Max, Ash sets his sights on Rustboro City!

Hayley: Where he'll get his first Hoenn Gym Badge.

Narrator: Right!

"You were you talking to?" Max asked Hayley.

"That person doesn't concern you, Max." said Hayley.