With Laoise and Ash each having new pokémon the travellers are making their way triumphantly to Vermilion City. Or at least they would've been, except they're lost again.

Brock was reading the map, Misty was taking a rest, Pikachu sat on the stump observing, Laoise had been listening to ambience music with her headphones, and Ash was looking through his binoculars.

Ash spots an entire flock of wild Spearow through said binoculars. "There's nothing but Spearow around here."

Misty gave him a side glare, "Well, that's the least of our worries, isn't it?"

Ash replied, "Just because we're a little lost doesn't mean I have to stop catching all the wild Pokémon I can, does it? "

Pikachu seemed to agree. "Chu."

Laoise removed her headphones. "Yeah, there's a whole list of pokémon with my name on them."

Misty groaned, "I just can't go one step further." And she began moving her arms in frustration, "We've been looking for Vermilion City for ten whole days!"

Brock then interrupted, "Uh, there's a bug right on your..."

Before Brock can finish his sentence, Misty screamed in panic.

"Get it away!" Misty jumped onto Ash's back. Laoise turned off her music player with a frown, all the screaming was distracting.

"It was just a piece of grass." Brock laughed when Misty kicked him square in the face.

Misty griped, "I'm going crazy! Where are we?!"

The map Brock had been holding floated up, Ash caught it in his hands to look at it.

"According to this, we're right in the middle of nowhere." Ash examined the map. "But it looks like Route 24 leads to Vermilion City."

Misty looked at him brightly, "Does this trail take us to Route 24? "

"According to my calculations, it does."

Misty picked up her bag, "All right! Then let's get this show on the road!"

She sets off ahead, but quickly comes to a stop when she finds the way blocked by a huge, bulking creature cast in shadows.

Misty stared for amoment then discreetly tried to get the other's attention, "Hey, Ash, take a look at this thing!"

Ash It looks like some kind of giant Pokémon! Pikachu!

Pikachu becomes alarmed and hid behind Brock's backpack. But it didn't matter, as the sunlight's intensity dimmed, revealing a Charmander sitting upon a rock.

"It's just a little Charmander." Laoise pointed out.

Brock said, "She's right. A Charmander."

The Charmander opened its little mouth with a yawn, "Char!"

Everyone but Laoise fell over in disbelief after seeing that it's wasn't a giant, and possibly dangerous, Pokémon.

"Charmander. A flame burns on the tip of its tail from birth. It is said that a Charmander dies if its flame ever goes out." Dexter, Ash's Pokédex identified.

The Charmander lay on the top of the rock, looking at them with it's blue eyes.

"So it dies if its flame goes out?! That's so sad."

Ash smiled at it, "When I went to get my first Pokémon from Professor Oak, I was disappointed that I couldn't get a Charmander. Now I can catch my own."

Misty looked at it. "I don't know. It looks like it's in bad shape."

"Maybe it's hungry." Laoise said, she pulled out an apple streusel muffin from her bag and tried offering it to the Charmander.

The Charmander only looked at the muffin and made no such movement.

"C'mon, little guy, it's good." Laoise offered.

"Stand back, Laoise, catch it and we'll take it to a Pokémon Center for help." Brock said.

Ash threw a pokéball but the Charmander knocks the ball away with its tail.

"It looks pretty healthy to me." Ash said, "You think I should have Pikachu battle it first to weaken it and make it easier to catch?"

Misty suggested. "Why don't you let me catch it? My water Pokémon would be stronger against Charmander."

"Hold on a minute! Take a look at the flame on its tail." Brock noticed, "There's no way it can still have the strength to battle."

Laoise said, "Well, if it's sick or something we can't just leave it here."

"Ash, try the Pokéball one more time." Brock said.

This time the pokéball hit the Charmander, but the Charmander broke right out from the ball, and the ball bonked Ash on the head.

Brock commented, "It sure has a lot of spunk."

Ash mumbled, "A little too much if you ask me."

Misty put a hand on her hip, "I think this Charmander has an attitude problem."

"Pikachu" Pikachu took a different approach.

In this case, he climbed up onto the rock and talked to the Charmander. When he comes back down, he managed to communicate to Ash that the Charmander was waiting for someone to come by and pick him up.

Misty looked back at the Charmander, "You mean it belongs to somebody?"

"Laoise, get down from there!"

Laoise had climbed up on the rock and was petting the Charmander, "But he's so cute! And I wanna hold him."

"Leave it be, if it's waiting for someone, I think we better leave." Broack said, "It's probably best if its own trainer takes care of it."

Ash said, "I hope its trainer comes back soon."

As they walk away, Laoise looked back at the Charmander briefly before climbing back up and placing a blanket over it.

"It's gonna be a cold night." Laoise said as she petted it one last time.

Then she climbed down and rejoined the others. The Charmander wistfully looks up at the sky with mournful whine.

Soon, everyone spots a Pokémon Center along the road as the clouds gather up to signal the coming of a storm. The spotted the pokémon center on the map, which meant Route 24 couldn't be too far.

And not a moment too soon, the rain started falling and caused electricity to come out of Pikachu's cheeks. Everyone hurried to get out of the rain. But with the rain, Laoise's anxieties began to start. Now she knew how her parents felt if she or her sisters weren't home during a storm.

That same night, Charmander tried to keep its flame from going out in the storm by using a leaf to over it like an umbrella.

Inside the pokémon center, Misty brought soup for the group and noticed Brock looked concerned. And he looked at Laoise, who seemed to be pacing nonstop and looking out the window.

Brock said, "I wonder. Do you think anybody picked up that Charmander yet?"

Laoise admitted, "I'm worried, I hope he's okay. That storm out there could be too much for that poor little guy."

Brock then said, "What if its trainer left it there?"

Laoise's eyes widened, "You mean it coulda been abandoned?" and then she had another terrible thought that left her on edge, "Uhm, guys... w-what happens to a pokèmon if their trainer dies?"

Ash, Pikachu and Misty look at her in shock.

"Try not to think of that." Misty said, though she'd paled.

Brock tried to sound optimistic in order to calm the rest, "I don't know, guys. It's trainer must have went and gotten it by now."

Laughter is soon heard. But it wasn't the warm, friendly kind. But there wasn't anything good about this sort. There was a group of older teens settled into the circular couch around the giant furnace. One of them in tight leather pants with a pink shirt, cowboy vest, blue hair was showing off his Pokéballs.

"You're the man, Damian."

"Yo! I thought you had a Charmander too."

The teenager with the pokèballs, Damian gloated, "Yeah, I had one. But that puny thing was so weak, it couldn't even beat the weakest opponents!"

Misty frowned, "I don't like his attitude."

Laoise scowled, "What a loser! Everyone with a conscience knows Charmander is weak against Water, Rock, and Ground."

Brock confirmed, "I agree. Charmander can do better if their trainers work hard, they can be strong."

"So what did you do with the Charmander?" one of the boys asked Damian.

Damian laughed, "Ah, I left it on some rock in the woods."

All three travelers exchanged shocked looks, but Laoise looked like she was going to blow her top.

Damian continued to gloat. "That thing is so stupid! No matter what I do to it, it keeps on following me! I finally got rid of it by promising I'd come back for it. It fell for it! It's probably still there waiting for me!"

The travelers were all glaring.

Ash scowled. "That jerk!"

Misty grumbled. "Yeah, and it's still waiting for him on that rock."

Laoise was growling, she started pulling up the sleeves of her hoodie and had every intention of giving that horrible punk a piece of her mind. However it looked like Brock also had enough of him.

Damien laughed that the Charmander probably still out there right now, waggling its stupid little tail, and another of the kids laughs that it'll probably waggle its tail so much that the flame goes out.

At once, Brock furiously grabbed Damian by the shirt collar. "GO AND GET IT!"

Damian was taken by surprise. "Huh?"

Brock growled, "That Charmander is still waiting for you! GO AND GET IT NOW!"

Damian glared back, "Why should I?"

"You lied to your Pokémon and said you'd be back! Now it's waiting out there in the rain for you!" Brock said sternly, "And if its tail flame goes out, it'll die!"

Damian shoved Brock's grasp off his collar. "Oy! What I do is none of your business!"

Ash stomped over, "DO WHAT HE SAYS!"

Damian glowered, "What'd you say, nerd?!"

Ash snapped back, "You heard what I said! And you wanna be a Pokémon trainer!"

Misty added, "You're disgusting!"

Pikachu was also fuming. "Pika! Pika!"

Laoise snarled, "I say we pound him!"

Damian picked up a Pokéball. "You wanna fight with me?"

One of the boys in Damian's gang threatened, "You better not mess with Damian."

Our heroes prepare to face off with Damian and his gang, until Nurse Joy break things up.

"Let's break it up! You know the rules!" she scolded. "Pokémon are not meant to be used in personal fights! It's disrespectful to the Pokémon and their trainers!"

Damian grumbled as he and his gang left, "Yeah. Well, tell them they're the one's what started it."

A trainer grabs all of Damian's Pokéballs as Damian finishes his sentence.

Laoise furiously shook her fist at him, "Drop dead, langer! You're a murderer and a thief, you hunted a baboon and have stolen the poor thing's face!"

"Laoise!"

Nurse Joy said to the travelers, "I think you'd be better off not to get mixed up with them. They have a very bad reputation."

Brock blushed, "Thanks for the advice. "

Nurse Joy laughs and walks away.

"She sure is pretty. I've never seen anyone as pretty as her." Brock said.

Misty put her hands on her hips skeptically, "What are you talking about? She looks just like all the other Joys."

"Yeah, it's a Joyful world. All right, snap out of it!" Ash said.

"But what about the Charmander?" Laoise reminded. "We gotta help it!"

Brock immediately remembered, "Oh that's right!"

Outside, our heroes pulled on raincoats and raced to the spot where they left Charmander.

Misty said, "This is dangerous, going out in a storm like this to help a Pokémon! What if we all catch pneumonia?"

"You sound like my mother!" Laoise retorted.

Ash said to Misty, "Well, no one asked you to follow along. "

"We've gotta help a Pokémon in need!" She winked back.

Meanwhile the poor Charmander still on the rock, desperately trying to protect his weakening tail flame with a leaf from the heavy rain and stay alive when a flock of Spearows attacked, only for Ash to break it up by throwing a rock.

Laoise tried beating them off with a stick. "Stop that! Go away! Go away! Leave him alone, you bullies!"

But the Spearow turned their attention to the group. Ash ordered a Thunder Shock from Pikachu, and he obeys, scaring off the Spearow – albeit shocking the group too.

They checked up on the Charmander, the blanket Laoise had placed on it was already soaked and furthermore the flame on its tail was almost out.

Brock urged, "Let's get it to the Pokémon Center!"

Ash took off his raincoat. "I'll make sure its tail flame stays lit!"

Our heroes quickly wrapped Charmander up in their raincoats rushed back to the Pokémon Center as the storm worsened.

At the Pokémon Center, Nurse Joy looks out the window, just as our heroes burst in

"Nurse Joy. Please help us!" Laoise was panting.

Nurse Joy was stunned to see all four trainers and Pikachu soaked, catching their breath. "What is it? What's wrong?"

Brock answered, "This Charmander is in bad shape!"

Ash motioned, "The flame on its tail."

The flame on Charmander's tail was very small, if left unattended then the little fellow wouldn't long for this world.

Nurse Joy gasped, "There's not much time!"

At once, the Charmander was rushed into emergency care. Nurse Joy turned to them and scolded, "Charmander is very weak. How could you let it get into this condition?"

Laoise was indignant, "We didn't do it Nurse Joy. It was Damian's fault!"

Ash nodded, "Laoise's telling the truth. Damian was the one who abandoned it."

Nurse Joy was stunned, "What?"

"Well, Damian promised Charmander to come back for it, Charmander's loyal to Damian, so it believed him." Ash explained.

"Yeah, that's I said we should have pounded that cold-blooded jerk!" Laoise said, "He left the poor Charmander for dead."

"Poor Charmander. And Damian just left with the rest of them." Nurse Joy said, looking at the weak pokémon.

Brock asked, "Joy, I'm begging you, please save it! Charmander has got to get better!"

"I'll do whatever I can."

The red treatment light goes on, indicating that the treatment for Charmander is underway.

After an intense and distressing wait, Nurse Joy finally comes out of the operating room and reports that Charmander has pulled through, and it will be fine by morning.

Morning arrives, and Brock's shout alerts the others It turns out Charmander has disappeared from the emergency room.

Ash is certain that the Charmander has simply gone back to the rock. Brock wants to go after it again, but Misty points out that it is no use. Even though Damian does not care about it, the Charmander is still stubbornly loyal to him.

Nurse Joy confirmed there was nothing they can do until Charmander sees the truth.

Meanwhile, Charmander walks back to the rock where it was sitting on to wait for Damian. The little fire type looks back for a moment in thought.

As for our heroes, they begin walking away from the Pokémon Center, but Laoise and Brock can't get Charmander out of their minds. Although Brock is still disappointed, the group left the Pokémon Center. Up ahead, Team Rocket has just finished digging another one of their pitfall traps for the twerps. However, Pikachu is too light to activate the trap. Jessie and James argue over who is responsible for this failure until Meowth silences them with scratches to the face.

When our heroes, being a lot heavier than Pikachu, walk over the trap...

Ash paused. "Whoa! You feel something?"

Brock confirmed, "I did!"

Misty questioned, "Feel what?"

"Like the ground shifted under our feet." Laoise said, glancing left and right.

And they ended up triggering the trap and falling right into the hole. Team Rocket appears who are delighted at the fact that their trap worked. Pikachu tries to shock them, but Team Rocket's rubber uniforms insulate them against electricity. Pikachu tries to run, but they release a special ball that swallows Pikachu and further insulates his electricity.

Ash tried to climb out of the hole, but slid back down on the others each time. Team Rocket showed up at the edge of the hole to gloat.

Jessie laughed, "Hello, down there! Thank you so much for dropping in.

James held up the rubber contraption holding Pikachu. "Don't worry, Pikachu is safe with us. We won't lose him like you did."

Pikachu looked forlornly at his trainer, "Chu."

"Pikachu!" Ash looked up in frustration, wanting nothing more than to rescue his little friend.

Meowth said, "Let's get outta here!"

Then, Charmander walked up and blocked Team Rocket's way. "Charmander!"

Jessie looked at it, "What is that thing?"

Charmander made motions with it's little claw. "Char Char mander!"

Meowth turned to Jessie and James to translate, "It's saying, 'you better give Pikachu back to those guys right now.'"

Jessie pursed her lips skeptically. "It's got to be kidding."

James dismissed it, "Now step aside, you insolent little firebug. We haven't got time to play with you."

Meowth added, "Team Rocket plays rough, so get moving!"

Charmander powered up, unknown to the confused Team Rocket, and lets loose a powerful Flamethrower, causing James to drop the balloon Pikachu is in.

It was enough to send the three running. James whined, "That twerp got us really good. And you see, didn't I tell you we needed fireproof uniforms?"

Jessie retorted, "Shut up and keep running!"

Meowth yowled, "Some geniuses! Meowth!"

"Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off again!" The troublesome trio wailed.

At the same time, Damian came out of the bushes and noticed the singed Team Rocket running off. "Charmander beat them?"

The gang were able to climb out of the hole. Brock smiled to see who else was waiting, "Wow! Thanks for the help."

Misty said, "You see, Brock? Charmander knew we cared. That's why it's here."

"Aw thanks, little guy." Laoise gently petted Charmander, which it allowed. Its skin was smooth and warm.

Ash offered, "Charmander, how'd you like to join up with us? I'm afraid your "trainer" isn't coming back."

However, Damian took this opportunity to show up. "Hey, Chamander. Been looking all over for you."

Ash glared. "Damian, it's you!"

Brock frowned, "What do you want, Damian?"

Damian said, "I came back for Charmander, just like I promised."

Everyone gasped. Charmander looked at our heroes, and then back to Damian. Confused as to what it should do.

Brock warned, "Careful, this trainer already abandoned you once before."

Damian said smugly, "Charmander is mine. I'm the one who caught it, remember?"

Ash called him out, "Damian, you bragged about how you abandoned it!"

Damian "Good thing I did. That toughened it up! Besides, what's wrong with dumping off a weak Pokémon?"

"Excuse me, what?!" Laoise growled.

The Charmander was doubly shocked. Damian said, "I wasn't gonna come back for it, but now that I've seen what it can do, I'm real glad I ran into you guys."

Charmander's look of shock turns into a look of sadness as it realizes that Damian truly never cared for it.

Misty gasped, "That's terrible!"

Brock said, "Raising a Pokémon is the best part of being a trainer!"

Damian scoffed, "You wish! It's the most boring part of the job!"

Brock was outraged. "How dare you call yourself a Pokémon trainer!"

"People like you are the very reason WHY I prefer the company of pokèmon and animals!" Laoise snarled.

Misty told the Charmander, "You see? He doesn't care about you. He just wants to use you to win matches."

"Charmander, don't go back with that monster!" Laoise said.

Both Brock and Ash addressed the Charmander, and Damian pulled out Charmander's pokéball.

"Charmander, return!" He threw Charmander's Pokéball, only for it to be knocked right back at Damian's face by Charmander's tail to the shock of everyone.

The boy was livid. "That does it, I'LL CRUSH YOU WITH EVERY POKÉMON I'VE GOT!

However, Charmander unleashed a rather cathartic Flamethrower at Damian, and Pikachu unleashed a thunderbolt.

This left Damian, charred, and groaning in pain and he ran off. "Boo-hoo-hoo-hoo! Mommy!"

"Yeah, you better run!" Laoise shouted.

Brock cheered, "Way to go, Charmander!"

Charmander looked at our heroes, now what would it do?

Brock put a hand on Ash's shoulder, "Go ahead, Ash. You get Charmander. It'll be a great Pokémon."

Laoise smiled brightly, "I know you'll take good care of him."

Ash was confused for a moment, "But Brock, you saved it, so you deserve it, I guess."

Brock nodded, "Right, but don't forget, you're the one who kept the flame on its tail lit. I'm sure you'll raise Charmander to become a great Pokémon."

Ash nodded, "Thank you, Brock." And he took out a Pokéball. "Come on, Charmander! Welcome to the group!"

Charmander beamed, "Char! Char!" and it happily jumped into the Pokéball.

Misty stated, "You got a Pokémon, and a new friend."

Ash smiled, "Yeah!"

"And he's all yours, that's two in the Kanto starters." added Laoise.

And so the group continued on their journey to Vermilion City, unknowing that adventure awaited for them.

Ash, achieved his dream of catching a Bulbasaur. It was a shocking victory. And so, Bulbasaur joined the ranks. And the little Oddish decided it wanted to be a part of Laoise's team, so it followed suit.

Soon, the travelers lost their way, but found a Charmander. Braving a fierce storm, the gang came to its rescue. Abandoned by its trainer, the fire Pokémon recovered its strength and gained some new friends. Charmander became Ash's newest Pokémon.

Laoise knew she would need more varieties to her pokèmon team if she hoped to win more badges and battles. As she listened to a relaxing tune more befitting a Renaissance fair from her musical playlist, she pondered on the fact that she wanted to add a water and fire types to her team.

Ash was pretty pleased with himself as he skipped down the road. Becoming a Pokémon trainer looks like it'll be a snap. Or will it? Can things continue to go so smoothly?

Judt then, Ash noticed his right foot sank into the ground as he took his next step. Everyone stopped to notice, but the ground gave way, causing them to fall into a pit.

Misty groaned, "No! Not another hole!"

Brock grunted. "Ow! I landed on my head!"

Laoise rubbed her shoulder. "Who dug this hole?"

Brock speculated, "It must be a prank."

Misty said, "Someone has a bad sense of humor."

Laoise moaned, "And it wasn't funny."

Ash wondered, "Who would play such a rotten trick?"

They stagger to their feet, wondering who is responsible for such a rotten trick. The culprits are five little blue turtles wearing sunglasses poked their heads over the rim of the hole, laughing at the kids' fate. And they just laughed harder when the kids and Pikachu complain that this was a dangerous prank to play.

Misty and Brock climbed out of the hole and get a good look at the pranksters. Ash pulls out Dexter to identify them.

"Squirtle, this tiny turtle Pokémon draws its long neck into its shell to launch incredible water attacks with amazing range and accuracy. The blasts can be quite powerful."

Ash declared, "With my very own Squirtle, Gary will never beat me, go Pikachu!"

Pikachu, who was as indignant as the others over the joke, used Thunderbolt at the Squirtle leader (the only one wearing Kamina shades) but one of the Squirtles got in the way, getting soaked and shocked instead. Pikachu, lead Squirtle stared down each other, almost old western style, until a distant police siren is heard, causing the gang of Squirtle to retreat.

Officer Jenny arrived on her motorbike, but obviously she's not the same one from Viridian city. Her female cousins are all police officers, and much like all the Nurse Joys, all of them look identical, with the same names to boot.

They head to the Police Station Jenny works at, where she explains that the Squirtles they bumped into call themselves The Squirtle Squad

"I've never heard of a Pokémon gang." Misty remarked.

Officer Jenny explained, "They're all Squirtles who were deserted by their Pokémon trainers."

Ash said softly, "Not again."

"First Charmander and now these Squirtles." Laoise said glumly then glowered. "What's this world coming to?"

Officer Jenny said, "They don't have a trainer so they just run wild and play tricks on the whole town. It's really kind of sad because if they had somebody to care about them, they wouldn't have turned out to be as bad as they are. It's a real shame."

Meanwhile, Team Rocket is accosted by the Squirtle Squad, tied to a tree, and all of their food is stolen and eaten. Taking advantage of the Squirtle's mistrust of humans, Meowth tricks them into helping him with Team Rocket's latest plan to finally steal Pikachu.

One hour later, our heroes are resting at a nearby lake. Elsewhere, Misty is fishing while Ash and Brock lie on the riverbank. One of the Squirtle Squad members pops up and soaks them with a Water Gun. Ash, tired of the Squirtle Squad's antics, confronts the Squirtle when it jumps out of the water. Pikachu charges to attack, but the Squirtle withdraws into its shell and tackles him, knocking Pikachu into the water, where it is attacked by a wild Goldeen.

Ash yells for Pikachu to swim to shore, though he cannot outswim the Goldeen. Pikachu is hurt by Goldeen's horn and knocked out of the water onto the shore

"Pikachu!" Ash tries to run over to Pikachu, but gets caught by a lasso, along with the others.

"You gotta be kidding me!" Laoise yelped in alarm.

"They got us!"

The Squirtle Squad members wrapped the ropes holding all four youngsters around until they're all tied together, then appeared from behind a tree.

Meowth laughs triumphantly "You're not gonna Squirtle outta dis one!"

Misty said, "It's Meowth!"

Ash frowned. "Meowth?"

Later, the four travellers are tied to a rock in a cave, with Pikachu in a cage nearby.

"I'm da Pokémon in charge here. Ha! Just wait till my human pets get back!" Meowth gloated, poking his tail at Ash and taunting him until Ash bites it and he screams in pain.

"Don't believe him, Squirtles! Meowth's a big liar!" Ash said, "Those humans aren't Meowth's pets, Team Rocket's just trying to trick you all into doing their dirty work."

The Lead Squirtle questioned, "Squirtle?"

The Squirtles started to think differently until Meowth convinced them otherwise. "Who are you gonna believe? This human, or a fellow Pokémon?"

"Squirtle!" shouted the Squirtle squad.

"Ha! Right! You think they'll save you humans?!" taunted Meowth.

"But it's true!" Laoise said earnestly.

Brock looked over to Pikachu. "Ash, Pikachu's in bad shape!"

"Huh?" Ash looked over to Pikachu.

Laoise did so too and saw the little guy didn't look like he was doing so well.

Misty said, "We've got to do something!"

Brock added, "We've got to heal Pikachu with some Super Potion before its too late!"

Ash noted, "But we don't have any Super Potion. What can we do?"

Brock said. "A shop in town sells it."

Ash was worried. "In town?" And he looked to the Squirtles, "Squirtle Squad, please, you've got to let me go into town. If I don't get the medicine, Pikachu's in a lot of trouble!"

The Lead Squirtle shook it shead. "Squirtle Squirtle Squirtle Squirtle, Squirtle."

Meowth translated, "Dey know you humans are only trying ta get away!"

Ash insisted, "Trust me, I won't run away. As soon as I buy the medicine I'll come back. I promise."

"Squirtle."

Meowth again translated, "Squirtle says 'promises are cheap'."

"I'm begging you, please trust me." Ash began to cry.

Laoise was anxious and she said, "If you don't believe our words then believe with eyes and look at Pikachu. And I do mean look! His life may depend on that super potion!"

The lead Squirtle looks at them, and then to Pikachu. Soon, Ash is untied and prepared to set out, but he's given an ultimatum.

"Squirtle Squirtle Squirtle Squirtle." warned the lead Squirtle.

Meowth smugly translated, "Da Squirtle says "if you're not back here by noon tomorrow, da red-headed girl gets wasted."

Misty was outraged and she kicked at Meowth, "Why you mangy little flea trap! When I get out of this, I'm gonna wrap your tail around that..."

Before Misty can finish, Ash interrupted with words of encouragement.

"Misty, don't worry! I'll be back! Okay? I'll be back for all of you, I promise." Abnd he hurried out. "So long! Be back in a flash!"

"May the Maker protect you." Laoise said.

The others could only watch Ash as he left for the town.

"Good luck." Misty said softly.

'Even if that kid does make it back, We'll all be long gone.' Meowth thought maliciously.

Ash sprinted to a nearby rope bridge, but it broke, causing him to fall into the water below and receive a Horn Attack from a Goldeen. Ash eventually made it to the nearest town. Ironically, he is knocked out when Gary slams a shop door into his face. With this rival none the wiser.

Back the cave, the others could only wait. However aside from the anxiety, Laoise was also getting easily bored and as a result she kept fidgeting.

"Can't you hold still?" Misty told her.

"But I'm bored!" Laoise whined sand said to the Squirtles, "Can't you at least interrogate us with twenty questions or something?"

"Where's the point in dat?" Meowth replied.

One of the Squirtles had been rummaging through their bags and found Laoise's music player unattached from her noise cancelling headphones.

Laoise tried to explain, "Uhm, just so you know I-"

When the Squirtle turned it on and inadvertently pressed play to one of the tunes, it played loudly. Naturally, this made everyone jump.

"Put up the volume." Laoise finished.

Ash awakened the next day to overhear Team Rocket holding up the store. Jessie and James made a successful getaway with their stash aboard their Meowth balloon. Before Ash can chase them down, he attempted to get a Super Potion. Though the townspeople pulled their weapons on Ash, Officer Jenny intervened. Ash managed to obtain the medicine and get a ride back to the cave with Officer Jenny.

With the bridge to town broken, Jenny and Ash find another way into the cave, but it is too narrow for an adult, so Ash had to go through it alone. However, he found everyone gone.

His mind jumped to the worst case scenario then he remembered the threat.

"Misty! What have you done?!" He saw the Squirtles and Meowth outside and raced out. "I told you I'd be back by noon and I am! What did you do with my friends?!"

"We're right here." Misty said.

She and the rest were standing just to the side of the cave entrance unhurt. Brock was holding Pikachu in his arms.

"We're okay." Laoise reassured.

"Where's the Super Potion for Pikachu?" asked Misty.

Ash took out the Super Potion from his pocket and hands it over. "Here."

Immediately, they sprayed the potion onto Pikachu's wounds.

Ash noted, "So, Misty, you're in one piece."

Misty grinned with a shrug. "Nope. I'm still alive."

"The Squirtle Squad was bluffing." added Brock.

Misty said. "They play tricks, but they'd never cross that line. "

"Yeah, the worst they did was nearly let us yawn ourselves to death." Laoise said calmly. "They checked out my music player, but it'll need to recharge soon. Let's just say they like a lot of musicals too." she winked.

The Squirtle Squad laughed. Soon, an explosion is heard

Ash had forgotten to warn them, "It's Team Rocket!"

Team Rocket had announced their arrival with several explosions and their motto. They throw down a few more flash bombs, and drop a ladder for Meowth to climb up with Pikachu, whom he nabbed while everyone else was distracted.

"Quick! Run for cover! Head for the cave! "

"Hurry!"

Laoise, Brock, Misty, and some of the gang rush into the cave for cover, but Ash hears the leader of the Squirtle Squad calling for help, as its on its back and can't get upright. Ash rushed to its rescue, leaping on top of him to shield the Pokémon. A bomb lands nearby and exploded, but when it cleared they seem to only be a little dusty.

Ash and Squirtle both seem exhausted though, and Ash asks if the happy Pokémon is okay before warning it to save itself as two more bombs drop. The Squirtle was so moved by his actions that it hauled him up and dragged him away at speed.

Laoise's jaw dropped. "How is he able to do that?!"

The Lead Squirtle jumped while carrying Ash and they almost crashed into the others. An explosion knocked them through the air and crashing into the entrance of the cave, the other Squirtles, Brock and Misty. Team Rocket's balloon sailed in overhead and they're delighted to see no sign of the Squirtles.

But then Ash and Squirtle appear on the grass up above the cave entrance, startling Team Rocket who have no idea about the rear exit. Ash has Squirtle use Water Gun on the balloon, and apparently it is at high enough pressure to cut right through the canvas. Meowth loses his grip on Pikachu who falls through the air as Team Rocket are sent blasting off again! "Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off again!"

Ash rushed down the side of the cliff and then leaps through the air, catching Pikachu and landing safely. Soon, our heroes see smoke rising from the forest above them for a fire has been set in the forest by the falling bombs.

Officer Jenny rode in. "If it keeps burning, the whole town could go up in smoke!"

"Wait, I got an idea. Right Ash? " Laoise smiled.

Ash nodded, "Right. It's okay." He turned to the Squirtle Squad. "Listen. If you Squirtles work together, you can combine your Water Guns to put out the fire!"

Together, the Pokémon manage to put out the forest fire and save the town and the Pokémon living in the forest. As a result, the Squirtle Squad are honored for their bravery

"And so, we gratefully award this certificate to the Squirtle Squad. Thank you all for saving our town from the fire. Because of your skill and bravery, we proudly appoint the Squirtle Squad the town firefighters." Officer Jenny had said.

Their heroism is commended and Officer Jenny gifted the Squirtle Squad with a certificate and the title of local firefighters, complete with a uniform.

Later, our heroes are seen walking down the path towards Vermilion City when Misty spotted something behind them. "Hey, Ash. That Squirtle is following us."

Sure enough, the leader of the Squirtle Squad is seen following the group.

"Squirtle Squirlte! Squirtle!"

Ash offered, "Would you like to come along with us, Squirtle?"

"You up for an adventure maybe more?" Laoise asked.

"Squirtle Squirtle." The Squirtle took off its sunglasses and leaped right into Ash's arms.

Ash laughed happily. "Welcome to the team, Squirtle!"

"Squirtle Squirtle."

"Guess I've caught a new Pokémon!" Ash cheered.

Pikachu smiled, "Pika!"

Laoise grinned brightly, "Congratulations Ash. You got all three starter Pokémon."

"Caught?! What do mean caught?" Misty demanded.

Ash waved her off, "Oh, what's the difference? It's on our side, now."

"Yeah, now onto Vermillion city!" Laoise pointed to the path.

The travellers continue onwards, a familiar scene: Wandering in a forest, it appears they have once again lost their way.

It's been quite a while since Laoise left her own home in the Bluebell Hollows, and a lot has happened. She and Ash have already earned two of the qualifying badges for participation in the Pokémon League. A boulder badge, and a cascade badge.

Ash was admiring his badges, "Pretty impressive, huh?

"You didn't earn it, Laoise did. You got yours just because Brock and my sister felt bad for you." Misty came in with the buzzkill.

Ash scowled. "I did too!

Laoise then interrupted with a matter of fact tone. "I thought it was… first of all, because Ash wanted to win WITHOUT bizarre flukes. Second, because YOUR sisters know you already manipulated Pikachu to your favor so he wouldn't battle you."

Pikachu sweat dropped. "Pika!"

Misty glared at Laoise, "Hey, what's that supposed to mean?!"

Laoise said, "A reminder about the first badge: After the sprinklers went off, Ash and Pikachu had the rare opportunity to finally defeat Onix. However, when Brock's siblings try to stop him, Ash decided to forfeit the match, saying that he had an unfair advantage. THIS is what ultimately earned him the Boulder Badge, honor!"

"At least we both got two gym badges and six Pokémon." Ash said.

Brock acknowledged, "You're right. You'll need those six Pokémon to compete in the Pokémon league."

Ash verified his pokémon, "The names of mine are: Pikachu, Pidgeotto, Butterfree, Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle."

Laoise began to count off hers on her fingers, "Let's see…I got my own Bulbasaur, my newly evolved shiny Pidgeotto, Onix, a female Pikachu, a Metapod, and my new Oddish!"

"And we caught them all, fair and square!" Ash crowed.

"Caught them? Ash, only Laoise caught her Pokémon. All of yours followed you." Misty sneered.

"Well, they're all mine, and that's all that really counts for a Pokémon trainer." Ash laughed.

Misty added, "That may be true, and this may come as a surprise to you, but real Pokémon trainers always try to catch Pokémon on their own."

Ash sighed, "You never give me a break."

Misty said, "That's because you keep bragging about those two badges."

Brock stated, "It's really not unusual for most trainers to capture twenty or thirty Pokémon."

Laoise said with an eyeroll. "What do you two think I'm trying to do when you lose sight of me?"

Misty smirked, "You're lucky your Pokémon follow you around."

"You mean like the Oddish that chose to follow me instead of YOU?" Laoise reminded Misty with a sly grin.

"UGH!" Misty soured at that. "You're just enjoying this aren't you?"

"Naw, I'm just the tag-along following the trail." Laoise quipped snidely.

Ironically, some of Misty's claims were outright wrong such as telling Ash that all his Pokémon allegedly followed him and weren't actually 'caught'.

Laoise pointed out. "And for your big fat information, the only ones that wanted to follow him were Charmander and Squirtle, Aside from Pikachu being his starter, Ash caught a good half of his team!"

"Well don't forget, Ash had our help too." Misty said.

"Yeah, don't forget about that, Ash." Brock said.

Okay guys, that was mean and hurtful. And I'm aware, I need more than a few types for my pokèmon team if I'm gonna win anymore badges or get into the League!

Ash then ran off through the forest vowing to legitimately catch a Pokémon, Laoise decides to do the same. Ash finds his way out of the woods and discovers a beautiful beach and a sparkling blue ocean.

But he seemed, disappointed. "I don't want to watch the sunset, I want more Pokémon."

Laoise glanced around, "There's bound to be some right… hey, there's one by your feet!

Ash looked down and sees a Krabby walking between his legs. "Hey, wait! Stay here! Don't go! Come back! It's a Pokémon!" He got out Dexter.

"Krabby lives near the shore. It's average height is about 16 inches." Dexter's voice said.

"A Pokémon is a Pokémon, I guess. But this Krabby sure is shrimpy." Ash commented.

The Krabby looked at Ash and started bubbling foam from its mouth.

"Uh, I didn't mean to insult you, Krabby. You're a cute little..." Ash said and foolishly poked at its claw with his finger.

"No Ash, it's gonna pinch-" Laoise warned.

And it did, making Ash scream in pain. "Ouch. Ash and the Krabby stand off for battle."

"Showdown time! Tiny or not, you are a Pokémon and I'll show Misty and Brock that I can catch you!" Ash said proudly.

He and the Krabby charge toward each other. Not even bothering to call upon one of his Pokémon, Ash lunged at Krabby with a stick. When Krabby sliced it with little effort, Ash throws a Poké Ball and catches it.

Ash smiled and picked up the Pokéball. "Now I really caught one! Good try, Krabby, but not good enough!"

The Pokéball soon starts to glow, the Pokéball holding Krabby disappeared.

Ash was alarmed. "What happened? Where'd my new Krabby go? I don't see it anywhere!"

Laoise had been searching for more pokémon herself while Ash busied himself with Krabby. Though she got distracted easily. "Hey, that rock looks like a turtle. That one has got shells, and look at that one!" She pointed. "That one looks like a white colored Staryu!"

"HHAAAH!" The so-called 'rock' leaped up and laded, shaking itself a few inches from Laoise.

"It IS a Staryu!" Laoise was taken by surprise.

Ash held up Dexter. "I didn't know a Staryu can come in different colors."

Dexter inadvertently said, "Congratulations, you have stumbled upon a Shiny pokémon. every time you encounter a Pokémon there is a 1 in 4096 chance it will be shiny, making them quite rare."

"Oh! So they can be like the albino types of the pokèmon world." Laoise seemed to understand, "Better catch it, don't want Misty getting to it first! "

She got a little closer making sure it doesn't tackle her, and she took out Storm's pokéball. "Storm, we got something here!"

Her Pikachu materialized, ready for action. "Pikachu!"

The staryu blew a water gun, both Laoise and Ash barely avoided it.

"Quick, Storm – give it a thunder shock!" Laoise called.

Storm's cheeks blared and she shocked the Staryu. Laoise at once took her chance and threw her pokéball at the Staryu. The Pokéball shakes, but it soon stops and pinged, confirming the shiny Staryu's capture.

Laoise was needless to say excited. "Oh yeah! We got a Staryu!" She cheered, picking up both an equally delighted Storm and the pokéball. "And my first water type!"

And much like with Krabby's pokéball, tht one disappeared.

"Oh right," Laoise grinned sheepishly. "Pokémon trainers with a lab given Pokédex and Pokémon league participants are only allowed to carry six Pokémon at a time, and the rest are transported."

At that moment Misty and Brock arrived just as Laoise recalled Storm, thank her for her aid.

Brock said, "That's true, but you can switch one Pokémon for another by pressing the white button inside your Pokédex."

Ash looked in his Pokédex. "You mean this button?"

Brock nodded, "Right. It sends a signal that activates the system to make the exchange."

"Maybe later." Laoise said with a nonchalant shrug.

Ash said, "But I don't want to exchange my Pokémon."

Misty rebuked, "Then shut your Pokédex and quit whining."

Ash answered, "I wasn't whining, I just wanted to know where my Krabby went!"

Misty brushed it off, "Oh, you don't have to worry about that. Your Krabby got transported to a place for safe keeping."

Ash questioned, "Where's it get transported to?"

Brock explained, "Your Pokémon gets transported to wherever you got your Pokédex from."

"Then it must be with Professor Oak, same as my new Shiny Staryu." Laoise said.

Ash wanted to make doubly sure that Krabby is okay, and Brock said they could use a phone to call Oak... but they haven't passed one all day. Misty pointed out that she just wants to sleep inside for a change, she's tired of being outside in a sleeping bag at night.

Pikachu then got their attention. "Pika! Pika!" he's spotted a lighthouse up on a cliff overlooking the beach.

Excited, they all rushed up to the lighthouse… which they'd reached by nightfall. So they all find themselves staring at strange heavy doors with carvings of Pokémon in them. They ring the doorbell and bunch up together in fright at the sound, and then a weak British accentedf voice emerges from the intercom asking who is there.

Ash tells him they're hoping to use the phone, Misty pushed him out of the way, chiming in that they wouldn't mind staying the night and sleeping in a bed, and Brock spoke up to say he'd like to use the kitchen to make some that he makes delicious tamago chaahan and nabe. The owner replies by asking if he can make yakisoba as well, and Brock responded that he can make that in addition to katayaki, chow mein, sauce yakisoba, or anything else.

The doors opened and they head inside, the lighthouse feeling more like a large mansion. It's dark in the foyer, and there is no sign of their host.

Ash called out, "Would you mind if I borrowed your phone?!"

"There's a phone right near you."

Laoise looked, "Right to our left."

Misty commented, "Hey, it's a video phone. That's cool."

"And shaped like a Bellsprout." Laoise looked at it.

Ash began dialing, "I'll call Professor Oak now and see if he has my Pokémon!"

Laoise approached, "I better check up on my pokèmon too."

"The Professor won't mind if I call in collect." Ash spotted Professor Oak cooking something and feared the worst.

Prof. Oak assured, "Don't worry! I'm taking good care of your Krabby. It's right here."

Ash's newly caught Krabby is soon seen inside a bag filled with water.

"Anyway, that Krabby of yours is too small to make a very hardy meal. On the other hand, the Krabby that Gary caught would make an excellent dinner. Much better than tofu." Prof. Oak blew on his tofu to cool it down.

Ash gasped, "What?! You mean Gary caught a Krabby, too?!"

"Yes, it's quite a catch. Take a look for yourself."

In effect, Gary's Krabby was considerably much bigger than Ash's.

"That's a whopper!" Laoise blurted out.

"Ah, I see Laoise is with you." Prof. Oak noticed.

Laoise nodded, "Yes sir, I am. Did you get my new Staryu?"

Prof. Oak nodded. "I have. And a fine shiny it is too." He motioned behind him to show Laoise's new Staryu right behind him.

Oak tells the group that they are calling from Bill's Lighthouse, and that he is a very knowledgeable Pokémon researcher who knows more than Oak himself. Bill overheard the conversation, and accepted Professor Oak's request to give the quartet a crash course in Pokémon. The lights turn on and a giant Kabuto appears, claiming to be the keeper of the lighthouse. Meanwhile, Team Rocket has set their sights on stealing all of the rare Pokémon inside Bill's Lighthouse. They perform their motto and begin their ascent up the sea cliffs.

However, the Kabuto is actually a costume made by Bill, who has been stuck in a Pokémon suit for hours. After Ash helps Bill out of the costume, he explains that there are more than 150 known Pokémon species, but there is only one Pokémon he is searching for, which he claims is the largest Pokémon ever. He says it is unique and that no one had ever laid eyes upon it. He longs to see a Pokémon that has been making mysterious sounds from the sea. Bill plays a recording of the sounds out of the lighthouse to attract this Pokémon. It shows up covered in shadow, but looks like an uncommonly large Dragonite (although no one recognizes it as such).

He took the group up to the observation deck to overlook the ocean. He reveals that he heard a strange noise coming across the ocean from the Pokémon one night, but that it was the last time he ever heard it. As Bill is reminiscing, the same sound is suddenly heard, and a giant Dragonite appears, rising from the ocean. As it comes closer to the lighthouse, Team Rocket spots it and initially admired its beautifully haunting sound. Then, they begin launching a barrage of missiles to try to catch it. This angers Dragonite, and it smashes the top of the lighthouse and sends Team Rocket flying with its tail. Bill calls out for it, but to no avail, and the Pokémon simply walks away.

It was a crying shame, Laoise wished she could've gotten a better look at it. Oh well.

Over time, humans uncover new information about the mysterious ways of the Pokémon. The more knowledge gained gain, the more people see how little we actually do know. For just when one thinks they have the universe figured out logically, something happens that takes them by surprise.

And so the journey of discovery continues in the incredible world of Pokémon.

To be continued…