Episode Thirty-Six
As our three heroes continue on with their Pokemon adventure, they find themselves in a town that's busier than normal. Gee, I wonder what all the excitement's about. Let's find out together, shall we?
"What do you think could possibly be going on, Pikachu?" asked Amanda.
"Pika." Pikachu answered, which meant 'I haven't the foggiest idea.' A young boy in a green shirt and jean shorts ran up to the group.
"Don't tell me you've never heard of the annual Pokemon Trade Show." He said.
"Pokemon Trade Show?" Amanda wondered.
"Eevee?" Eevee squealed, which meant 'What's that about?'
"I've heard about it." Said Michelle. "My dad used to take me to the show every year. It's where trainers go to trade their Pokémon with other trainers and they make new friends along the way."
"That certainly seems interesting." Said Mark.
"Maybe I'll see you guys there then." Said the boy, and he disappeared.
"What do you say, Pikachu?" Amanda asked. "Should we check it out?"
"Pika!" Pikachu cried, which meant 'Let's do it!' The three of them followed the signs that pointed them toward the event, but on the way there, they came across a strong looking Pokemon with long legs and big arms.
"I wonder what that is." Said Amanda. She took out her Pokedex for more information.
"Machoke, the superpower Pokemon. Machoke possesses incredible strength and its muscles are as strong as steel. It can also lift extremely heavy objects with just one finger." They witnessed Machoke lifting up a nearby tree without so much as breaking a sweat.
"I guess that's what the Pokedex meant by Machoke having so much strength." Said Mark.
"Machoke are usually supposed to be in mountain areas and not wide open fields like this." Said Michelle.
"Regardless, I'm not passing up an opportunity to catch it." Said Amanda. She grabbed one of her Poke Balls and threw it.
"Fearow, I choose you!" she cried. Fearow appeared in a blaze of light and screeched loudly.
"Flying type attacks are strong against fighting types like this." Said Amanda. "Fearow, Wing Attack now!" Fearow looked blankly at Machoke before flying over to a nearby tree and munching on the worms that were in the tree's nest.
"Fearow, this isn't the time to eat." Said Amanda. "Get out there and battle Machoke this instant!" Fearow remained focused on its snack, however.
"Pikachu." Said Pikachu, which meant 'This is embarrassing.'
"Poor Amanda. Fearow still won't listen to her." Said Michelle. Amanda angrily recalled Fearow and reached for another ball.
"Venonat, I choose you!" she cried. The small bug type appeared and stared down at Machoke.
"Psybeam attack." Amanda ordered. Venonat shot a pink beam right at Machoke's belly. Of course, with how strong the fighting type was, he readied his right leg and kicked the small bug Pokemon several feet backwards.
"That's a pretty strong Mega Kick it just did." Said Michelle.
"Come on, Venonat, get up." Said Amanda. Venonat shook off the attack and picked itself back up.
"Use your Disable." Said Amanda. Venonat's eyes glowed a bright blue, and when Machoke tried to use Mega Kick again, it couldn't do so. The fighting type then used its arms to try and slice away at Venonat.
"That's a Karate Chop attack." Said Mark. Venonat was able to use its speed to dodge the chops.
"That's the way to do it, Venonat." Said Amanda. "Try another Psybeam." Venonat shot another pink beam at Machoke, dealing more damage. The fighting type wasn't done yet, however, as it picked up Venonat with its right hand, spun the bug type around a couple of times before launching it into a bush.
"What was that?" Amanda asked.
"I think that was Seismic Toss." Said Mark.
"A pretty strong one, too." Said Michelle. Venonat managed to get out of the bush but then collapsed onto the ground.
"Venonat, return!" Amanda cried. The bug type got sucked back into its ball via red energy.
"That was a good try." Said Amanda. She reached for another ball and threw it.
"Weepinbell, I choose you!" she cried. The grass type appeared in a blaze of light. Machoke wound up for a Mega Punch, but Weepinbell jumped out of the way.
"Great dodging. Now, use your Vine Whip." Amanda ordered. Weepinbell shot out its vines and wrapped them tightly around Machoke's neck.
"Don't choke!" Amanda exclaimed. Machoke tried to move, but the vines were holding him firmly in place.
"The longer the vines stay on Machoke, the more energy he loses." Mark observed.
"I think you can let go now, Weepinbell." Said Amanda. Weepinbell obeyed and removed the vines from Machoke's neck.
"Finish this up with Sleep Powder." Said Amanda. Weepinbell sprayed blue dust onto Machoke, sending him to the ground and causing him to fall asleep.
"Nice job." Said Amanda. She nodded and grabbed an empty ball.
"Poke Ball, go!" she cried. She tossed the ball at Machoke and the fighting type got sucked in. The ball wiggled and shook a few times before signaling a successful capture.
"Machoke is mine." Said Amanda. "Good job, Weepinbell." She gave her grass type a playful pat on its head before recalling it to its ball. She then quickly sent Machoke to Oak's lab and the three friends continued onward.
"I'm not one to tell you what you should do during this trade show, but Machoke might be a good candidate for a potential trade." Said Michelle.
"How come?" Amanda wondered.
"Because that's the only way to get a Machamp." Said Mark.
"Training and battling aren't the only ways for Pokémon to evolve, you know." Said Michelle. "For certain Pokémon like Kadabra and Haunter, you have to trade them to get their fully evolved forms."
"So you're saying that if the Abra I captured back in Cerulean was a Kadabra by now, I'd be able to get an Alakazam just by trading it." Said Amanda.
"Right." Said Michelle.
"I don't know." Said Amanda. "I've never really traded any of my Pokemon before. I'm not sure I want to go through with it."
"Just think about it for a little while." Said Mark and they continued walking. Thirty minutes later, they arrived at the show.
"Wow, look at all of these different trade tables." Said Amanda. Beside each table was a transporter for conducting any trades.
"This looks like it's going to be fun and interesting." Said Michelle. A smartly dressed young girl a bit younger than Amanda approached her and had a look at Pikachu.
"I wonder what she's doing." Said Amanda.
"She's probably looking for possible trade targets." Said Mark. The girl continued to look at Pikachu before getting excited.
"I've always wanted to see a Pikachu in person. It's an honor to meet you." She said.
"Pika." Pikachu said, which meant 'Thanks, I guess.'
"Say, Pikachu, how'd you like to be my Pokemon?" the girl proposed. "I have something really nice I can give your trainer in exchange."
"What do you have that you'd want to give me for Pikachu?" Amanda asked.
"See for yourself." Said the girl. She grabbed a Poke Ball and opened it up. A bipedal, humanoid Pokemon resembling a woman appeared in a blaze of white light. The Pokemon had pink lips, saucer-like eyes and long, blond hair. It was also wearing a red gown with two gold circlets on its chest. Amanda had never seen this Pokemon before, so she took out her Pokedex to find out more information about it.
"Jynx, the human shape Pokemon. Jynx prefers to communicate by using various dance movements. When battling, be aware of the Lovely Kiss attack, which puts Jynx' opponents into a deep slumber."
"I guess you could say Jynx packs a powerful kiss." Said Michelle.
"Well, it's not every day an opportunity to acquire a Jynx falls into my lap." Said Amanda. "I'm not sure, though."
"I can tell you're having a hard time deciding, so maybe a battle will help you make your decision easier. My Jynx against your Pikachu. What do you say to that?" said the girl.
"If you want a battle, you'll get one." Said Amanda. "Are you ready, Pikachu?" Pikachu nodded and jumped off Amanda's shoulder. It focused heavily on Jynx.
"This will be a one on one battle with no time limit." Said Michelle. "Trainers, begin!"
"Pikachu, start with your Thunderbolt!" Amanda cried. Pikachu unleashed a bolt of electric energy and fired it towards Jynx.
"Jynx, use Teleport now!" the girl commanded. Jynx disappeared right before the attack could hit. Pikachu looked around and saw that Jynx was behind him.
"We'll have to try something else." Said Amanda. "Use your Quick Attack!" Pikachu sped toward Jynx, but the girl was on top of the situation.
"Teleport again." She said calmly. Pikachu lunged at Jynx, but the Pokemon disappeared again.
"Amanda, you have to try and stop Jynx from teleporting." Said Mark.
"I know that, but it doesn't matter what attack I try to use." Said Amanda. Jynx suddenly re-appeared in the air.
"Give that little rat a Body Slam." Said the girl. Jynx dove down straight toward Pikachu.
"Pikachu, try to roll out of the way!" Amanda commanded. Pikachu just barely managed to dodge the attack in time.
"Great, now use Thunder!" Amanda commanded. Pikachu unleashed its most powerful bolt.
"Use Teleport." The girl ordered. Jynx quickly disappeared and then re-appeared right beside Pikachu.
"Try as many electric attacks as you want, but with how fast Jynx can teleport, you won't get any of them through." Said the girl. Pikachu got ready for another electric attack, but Amanda stopped him.
"It's just going to teleport over and over again if you keep doing that." She said. "We have to go with different attacks now. Try using Swift." Pikachu shot yellow stars out of its body, and before Jynx could teleport, it got hit by the stars.
"Finally." Said Amanda. Jynx then grabbed Pikachu with its hands and pulled it close to her face.
"Okay Jynx, time for the Lovely Kiss!" the girl commanded. Pikachu tried to wiggle out of Jynx's grasp, but the dual ice and psychic type planted a hard kiss on Pikachu's cheek, sending it to the ground fast asleep.
"Pikachu, no!" Amanda cried.
"Finish it with Psywave." The girl commanded. Jynx shot psychic waves from its body right at Pikachu. With the little rat fast asleep, there was no way for him to avoid the attack. Jynx controlled the waves to fling Pikachu up and down on the ground before the electric type officially fainted.
"Pikachu is unable to battle. Jynx wins the match." Said Michelle.
"Great job, Jynx." Said the girl and she recalled it to its ball. Amanda ran over to Pikachu and scooped him up.
"Are you okay, buddy?" she asked. Pikachu opened his eyes and smiled.
"That was a good try, Pikachu." Said Amanda.
"That Jynx was certainly at a pretty high level, but you did your best." Said Mark.
"Your Pikachu did a great job." Said the girl.
"Thanks. Your Jynx was really good too." Said Amanda.
"So, are you convinced enough to trade?" the girl asked.
"Pikachu!" Pikachu exclaimed, which meant 'Don't do it, Amanda!' Amanda smiled at her partner.
"Don't worry, I would never trade you for anything." She said. Pikachu breathed a sigh of relief. Amanda turned her attention to the girl.
"Pikachu here is my best friend and was also the very first Pokemon that I ever got. I can't just give him away." She said.
"I understand." Said the girl. "Perhaps you have another Pokemon that you can give me in exchange for Jynx." Amanda thought for a second before shaking her head.
"I'm sorry, but I'm not interested in making a trade for Jynx." She said.
"I guess I'll have to find somebody else then." Said the girl. They went to another table that was being run by an eight year old boy. His face lit right up when he saw Michelle's Eevee.
"That Eevee of yours is so adorable." He said.
"Thanks." Said Michelle.
"What would you say about trading your Eevee for my Pidgeot?" he proposed.
"Eevee?" Eevee squealed, which meant 'Are you really going to trade me away, Michelle?'
"Not a chance." Michelle said to Eevee. She then turned to the boy. "Eevee's been my partner and best friend for the longest time, and she would be upset if I were to trade her away. No deal."
"Fair enough." Said the boy. The trio continued walking around the event area.
"If anything, I should trade Psyduck." Said Michelle. "He's done nothing but cause trouble ever since I got him." As if on cue, Psyduck immediately popped out of his ball and started walking in between Michelle's legs.
"What are you doing that for?" Michelle asked. Psyduck just stared down at the ground and turned its head to the side.
"Duck?" it said in a confused manner. Michelle sighed and recalled him.
"I guess that's why you want to trade him." Said Amanda.
"If he keeps acting up like this, then I might not have a choice." Said Michelle. "He's on thin ice as far as I'm concerned."
"I know how you feel, Michelle." Said Amanda. "Sometimes, a part of me feels like getting rid of Fearow. No matter what I tell it to do, he won't listen and I can't figure out why."
"He's probably going through a phase or something." Said Mark. "Don't give up on Fearow yet, Amanda. I'm sure he'll start listening to you sooner or later."
"I'd prefer sooner because if he's still being disobedient by the time I get to the Pokemon League, then I'm going to have a huge problem."
"There is one thing that works in your favor." Said Michelle. "You still have to earn two more badges before you can compete."
"I just hope that'll be enough time." Said Amanda. The three of them continued looking around the area for trade partners, and soon enough, it was Mark's turn to be approached. The girl that ran up to him was a year older than Mark.
"You wouldn't happen to have a Diglett by any chance, would you?" asked the young girl.
"You're in luck because I do have one." Mark answered. "Why do you want a Diglett, though?"
"Because I think it's a cute Pokemon." the girl answered. "Also, I've been trying to find a Diglett for a while but without any success."
"I don't think you'll be able to find one out here." Said Michelle. "Have you tried Diglett's Cave?"
"I don't even know where that is." Said the girl. "If I can get a Diglett right now, though, it'll save me a lot of time and trouble. In fact, allow me to show you the Pokemon you'll be getting if you trade Diglett to me." She opened up a Poke Ball and a Jolteon popped out. Eevee was a little scared of it at first and gave a little scream.
"There's no need to be alarmed, Eevee." Said Michelle. "This is just your electric type evolution." Eevee felt a little better.
"Well, I don't have an electric type on me, so this would actually help fill my want for one." Said Mark.
"Does that mean we have a deal?" the girl asked.
"I guess it does." Mark answered. The two trainers placed their respective Poke Balls on the transporter and watched as their Pokémon zoomed through the machine to their new owners.
"Just like that, Jolteon is your new Pokemon." Said the girl. "Take good care of it."
"I will." Mark promised. "And you make sure Diglett is looked after."
"Don't worry. Diglett's in good hands." Said the girl. She walked away proudly holding the Poke Ball with her new Diglett.
"You got a new Pokemon and made a new friend in the process." Said Amanda.
"All of that is really nice, but I just hope that girl will raise Diglett well." Said Mark.
"I'm sure she will." Said Michelle. "Come on, let's see your new Jolteon." Mark opened up Jolteon's ball and the pin missile electric type appeared instantly.
"Jolt?" he asked confusingly.
"Don't worry, you'll get used to your new surroundings in no time." Said Mark. "Now, there's a couple of Pokemon that my friends have that I want you to meet." Jolteon stuck out its paw at Eevee to give a handshake, but she quickly hid behind Michelle.
"Are you still scared of that thing?" she asked. Eevee nodded.
"I told you, Jolteon isn't a Pokemon to be afraid of. Now come out of hiding and say hello to our new friend." Eevee slowly approached Jolteon and gave out a small hello squeal. Jolteon smiled at Eevee, and she suddenly wasn't afraid anymore.
"You see, Eevee." Said Michelle. "Jolteon just wants to be friends with you." Eevee and Jolteon gave each other a friendly thumbs up and hug.
"I think those two will get along just fine." Said Amanda. "Okay Pikachu, it's your turn to meet Jolteon." Unlike Eevee, Pikachu wasn't shy at all and he greeted the new friend warmly.
"Pikachu!" Pikachu exclaimed, which meant 'It's very nice to meet you, Jolteon.'
"Jolt!" Jolteon yelled back, which meant 'It's nice to meet you too.' Mark recalled Jolteon and they continued walking.
"I wonder what other trades could possibly happen." Said Amanda.
"I guess we'll know if somebody wants to make a deal with us." Said Michelle.
"That actually gives me an idea, Michelle." Said Amanda. "How about if you and I make a trade together."
"Not for my Eevee, I hope." Said Michelle.
"Don't worry, I wouldn't even think of trying to take Eevee from you." Said Amanda. "Anyway, you remember that Machoke I caught earlier?"
"Of course." Said Michelle.
"I was thinking of doing a trade with you so I can get Machamp." Said Amanda. "Same deal with my Haunter so that it can become a Gengar."
"I suppose that can work." Said Michelle. "Which of my Pokemon, other than Eevee, would you want in order to make this work?"
"I'll start with Machoke for your Psyduck." Said Amanda. "For the second one, I can do Haunter for Electabuzz. I would give both Pokemon right back to you, of course."
"Well, all right then." Said Michelle. Amanda quickly opened up her Pokedex and switched out her Venonat for Machoke. The two of them then found an empty table and put the Poke Balls on the transporter.
"See you soon, Psyduck." Said Michelle. The two Poke Balls quickly went across the screen, and when Michelle opened the ball containing Machoke, it immediately started glowing white. It grew an extra set of arms, and it was now a bit taller. Amanda scanned the Pokemon with her Pokedex.
"Machamp, the Superpower Pokemon. This Pokemon is said to know every known style of martial arts. It punches very quick, and can throw up to five hundred punches per second."
"That's a lot of punching." Said Amanda. Michelle recalled Machamp and the two girls traded back. Once the reverse trade was complete, Michelle opened up Psyduck's ball.
"Hope you didn't miss me too much." She said, and gave a wink to the water type. Amanda pressed a button on her Pokedex and Machamp found itself back at Oak's lab. In Machamp's place was the ball containing Haunter.
"Now for trade number two." Said Michelle. She put the Poke Ball containing Electabuzz on the transporter, and Amanda did the same with Haunter. Once again, the two images of the Pokemon zoomed across the screen, and once Michelle opened up Haunter's ball, it glowed white. It grew arms, legs and feet, and when the glow stopped, Haunter was now a Gengar.
"You're definitely very cool, but I already have you." Said Michelle. The two of them then completed the reverse trade, sending Electabuzz back to Michelle and Gengar back to Amanda.
"Just like that, I have two new Pokemon now." Said Amanda. She exchanged Gengar for Venonat and smiled.
"Now that you have the Pokemon that you wanted, I don't think we need to make anymore trades." Said Michelle.
"I don't think so either." Said Amanda. The three friends started walking away when Mark spoke up.
"With all of this trade excitement, I'm surprised that nothing bad has happened to us yet today." Said Mark. Just then, they felt the ground give way underneath them and they all fell into the hole.
"I think you spoke a little too soon." Said Michelle.
"All right, who dug this hole?!" Amanda demanded. A pair of familiar voices gave an evil laughter above them.
"No! It can't be those two again! It's not possible!" Michelle cried.
"It's very much possible so prepare for trouble." Said Sally.
"With two of us, the possibilities double." Said Conrad.
"Team Rocket!" the trio yelled.
"Hey! Don't you know it's rude to interrupt someone when they're talking?!" Sally cried.
"And besides that, you didn't even let us finish our motto." Conrad complained.
"I'm pretty sure that motto is copyrighted." Said Amanda.
"Are you sure you didn't steal that from two other members of Team Rocket?" Michelle asked.
"Well…uh…" Sally stammered.
"They probably did steal it but don't want to admit it." Said Mark.
"Why are you even here right now, anyway?" Amanda asked.
"We heard about this little Pokemon trade show from another trainer, so why don't you be a good little twerp and trade us your Pikachu and Eevee." Said Sally.
"No way!" Michelle and Amanda both cried.
"Then we'll just have to take them." Said Conrad. Sally pressed a button on her remote control and a giant Poke Ball lowered itself into the hole via crane. Michelle and Amanda could only watch hopelessly as their partners got sucked in.
"Pikachu!" cried Amanda.
"Eevee!" cried Michelle.
"Come on Conrad, off we go with our two new Pokemon!" Sally cried with joy. She raised the giant ball and the two Team Rocket members began to fly away in their balloon.
"What do we do?" Michelle cried.
"I don't know." Said Amanda. "As long as we're stuck in this hole, though, I don't think there's much of anything we can do." Conrad and Sally were grinning in the sky as they flew through the air in their balloon.
"This is the best kind of trade, where we take two Pokemon without sending anything back." Said Sally.
"Isn't that the same as ripping somebody off?" Conrad asked. Sally just growled at him.
"I guess not." Said Conrad. Pikachu tried using Thunderbolt to bust the giant Poke Ball open, but nothing happened.
"You may as well save your batteries there, Pikachu. That giant ball was built specifically to absorb any electric attacks you try." Said Sally. The two of them continued to float away, but then they saw a bird Pokemon flying toward them at tremendous speed.
"That's not the twerp's Fearow, is it?" Sally wondered.
"I don't think so." Said Conrad.
"Pidgeot, use your Wing Attack!" cried a voice. Pidgeot sped up and spread its wings out to knock the balloon backwards.
"Quick, speed up to get away from that bird." Sally ordered. Conrad tried to steer, but Pidgeot's attack had messed with the controls.
"It's not working." Said Conrad.
"That's just great." Said Sally.
"Okay Pidgeot, use Peck on that balloon!" the voice cried. Pidgeot stuck out its beak and popped a hole in the balloon, which also caused the giant Poke Ball to open. Pikachu and Eevee started to fall down quickly.
"Pika!" Pikachu cried, which meant 'We're going to crash!' Thankfully, Pidgeot flew right towards the two Pokemon and caught them on its back. Pikachu and Eevee were both relieved.
"Even when we try to trade, we get nothing." Sally complained.
"Some trade show this is." Conrad muttered.
"We're blasting off again!" they both cried. DING!
"Nice work, Pidgeot. Now, let's get these Pokemon back to where they belong." Pidgeot nodded and flew over towards the hole that the trio were still trapped in. The three of them were trying to climb out on their own, but to no avail.
"Maybe I can offer some assistance." Said the voice. "Pidgeot, swoop in there and bring those kids up." Pidgeot nodded and offered a leg for Amanda to grab onto. Michelle grabbed onto Amanda and Mark grabbed onto Michelle. Pidgeot then flew upwards carrying all three of them and put them back down on the ground.
"Are the three of you all right?" the trainer asked.
"Thanks to your Pidgeot, we're just fine." Amanda said with a smile. Pikachu and Eevee ran down from Pidgeot and hurried over to Amanda and Michelle.
"Are you guys okay?" Amanda asked. Pikachu and Eevee nodded.
"Thanks for helping us out there, mister." Said Michelle.
"You're very welcome." Said the trainer. "And next time, call me Toby." He recalled Pidgeot and praised it for doing an excellent job.
"So, where are you kids headed?" Toby asked.
"We're on our way towards Cinnabar Island." Mark answered.
"I'm hoping to win my next gym badge there." Said Amanda.
"I wish the three of you the best of luck." Said Toby.
"Thanks a lot, sir." Said Michelle. The three of them waved goodbye to Toby and continued on their way. Meanwhile, Conrad and Sally had landed hard on the ground from Pidgeot's attack and were feeling a little sore. They rubbed the sore spots and looked around to see where they were. Unfortunately, they saw three angry faces staring at them.
"So, thought you could get away with trying to steal our motto, huh?" Jessie asked angrily.
"Next time, try to come up with something original." Said James.
"Oh please, it was just a spur of the moment type thing." Said Sally.
"I don't care." Said Jessie. Meowth appeared from behind his two teammates.
"Maybe this will teach you two knuckleheads not to mess with our motto!" he cried and started scratching Conrad and Sally's faces.
"Ow! Stop! That hurts!" Sally cried.
"We won't copy you again, we promise!" Conrad cried.
"Team Rocket's getting beaten up again." they both sighed.
TO BE CONTINUED
Amanda's Party: Pikachu, Fearow, Wartortle, Weepinbell, Arcanine, Venonat
Michelle's Party: Eevee, Electabuzz, Doduo, Psyduck, Ponyta, Charmander
Mark's Party: Bulbasaur, Charmander, Jolteon, Gastly, Lapras, Nidorino
Amanda's Spare Pokemon at Oak's Lab: Rattata, Gengar, Magikarp, Butterfree, Zubat, Abra, Tentacruel, Pidgeotto, Dratini, Clefairy, Scyther, Flareon, Nidoran Male, Rhyhorn, Goldeen, Dragonair, Snorlax, Machamp
Michelle's Spare Pokemon at Oak's Lab: Gengar, Sandshrew, Nidoran Female, Poliwhirl, Tangela, Chansey