Author's Note:
Hey, guys; I know that it's been about a month or so since I've last posted a chapter. I've been going through some stuff and I just wasn't feeling up to writing up until now but this week I figured now was a good time to finish this chapter and upload it as soon as possible. I'll try to get the next chapter up and running as soon as I can but I'm not making any promises.
Song Credit: (I'm Free) Heaven Helps The Man by Kenny Loggins
Chapter 2 – Viridian City Ambush
"Attention, citizens of Viridian City! Attention, citizens of Viridian City!" a woman announced over the citywide intercom speakers. "We have reports of possible Pokemon thieves in the area. Be on the lookout for suspicious looking strangers. Repeat, be on the lookout for suspicious looking… Huh?"
Just then she looked up from her walkie talkie to see Ash frantically running in her direction with Pikachu in his arms followed by Rhonda and her friends.
"Speak of the devil."
It was then that she suddenly grabbed Ash by the backpack and quickly stopped him in his tracks.
"Hold it! And just where do you think you're going with that Pokemon, young man?" she demanded.
"It's my Pokemon and it's hurt; I got to get it to the hospital right away," Ash protested defensively.
The female officer then glanced down to look at Pikachu sympathetically.
"Oh I'm sorry. I thought that you might be stealing it. Just show me your ID and then you can go."
"I.D.? Well I…." Ash paused hesitantly as he found himself at a loss for words. "Uh, I don't have any. You see, we just came here from Pallet Town and…"
"You know, you're the fourth person today that I've seen from Pallet Town," the officer said.
"The fourth…" Ash pondered for a moment as a realization came to him. "Oh… that means that Gary Oak is here already."
"It's very unusual for someone to carry a Pokemon around in his arms and not in a Poke Ball," the female officer replied in a matter of fact tone.
"Well, unfortunately this Pikachu appears to have a great aversion towards Poke Balls for some reason," Rhonda retorted wryly while rubbing the back of her head absentmindedly.
"How do I know that you didn't steal that Pokemon, especially since you don't appear to have any identification?" the officer retorted in a stern and authoritative voice.
"Please let me through; I wouldn't steal a Pokemon and I've got to get Pikachu to the hospital. Please, miss," Ash begged desperately.
It was then that the officer noticed Ash's Pokedex sticking right out of his pocket.
"Hey, what's that in your pocket?"
"What? Oh, this?" Ash said as he took out his Pokedex and showed it to her.
The officer then snatched the Pokedex away from him with an excited and overjoyed look on her face.
"That's it! This is perfect! A Pokedex! That will solve our problem!"
"How exactly, ma'am?" Jasmine asked in a bored voice.
Ash also stared at her with a perplexed and bewildered expression.
"Let's see if you're the real deal here…" the officer mused as she tapped on a button in the Pokedex and then an automated voice came on.
"I'm Dexter, a Pokedex programmed by Professor Oak for Pokemon trainer Ash Ketchum from the town of Pallet. My function is to provide Ash with information and advice regarding Pokemon and their training. If lost or stolen, I cannot be replaced."
"Oh, my Pokedex," Ash marveled in amazement. "I didn't realize that it was also my ID."
He then looked over at the officer with a sheepish grimace.
"Can I take Pikachu over to the Pokemon Center now?"
"I'll get you there in no time at all," the officer assured him with a finger wag and a wink.
A short time later, the officer was now on her motorcycle as Ash and Pikachu were sitting on the left sidecar while Rhonda and the others were sitting on the other sidecar.
"Now sit back, relax and hang on," the officer said as she then rode off.
However, as the motorcycle trailed off and left behind a huge burst of smoke, the smoke then dissipated and faded away, revealing the redheaded girl from earlier with her now dismantled bike.
"Hey, what's the big idea? Ugh… come back here!" she yelled as she raced off after Ash and his friends while carrying the bike over her shoulders and panting heavily.
Meanwhile, a suspicious looking hot air balloon that resembled a lot like Meowth was hovering over the Pokemon Center as a pair of teenagers was studying a Wanted poster depicting them intently.
"A wanted poster? How flattering," the red headed teenage girl said.
"Flattering? This picture makes me look terrible," the purple-haired teenage boy shot back.
"Then you should be happy that the photographer captured the real you," the red headed teenage girl replied with a conniving smirk on her face.
"Exactly," the purple-haired teenage boy smirked back as he put down the Wanted poster, showing his face.
"We'll show these bumpkins," the red headed teenage girl vowed.
"The people of Viridian City will be sorry that they ever saw this face," the purple haired teenage boy concurred.
"We're all sorry to see your face; stay focused," a talking Meowth interjected. "We're here to capture rare and unusual Pokemon. Don't forget, Meowth!"
"Absolutely," the red headed teenage girl agreed with a nod.
"But of course," the purple haired teenage boy chuckled deviously.
"And just remember that I'm the top cat!" Meowth declared confidentially.
"You got it!" the purple haired teenage boy exclaimed.
"Meowth!"
Then as this exchange was going on, Pete and the Super League of Villains were hiding behind a pile of bushes as Kronk popped his head out and peered out at the lone hot air balloon floating in the air with the binoculars.
"Well that's interesting…" he mused. "Looks like we got some company, folks."
"Better hope they don't steal our thunder," Yzma growled.
"I highly doubt it; it's not like they're after the same thing that we're after," Gothel scoffed contemptuously while glancing at her nails nonchalantly.
"From the looks of it, it sounds like they're after some rare and valuable Pokemon," Iago quipped.
"Hmmm… perhaps those Pokemon might be of use to us," Jafar pondered while rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "After all, don't they all possess the purest of hearts…? And that boy Ash Ketchum… why he might have the purest heart of all…"
"That boy really thinks that he has what it takes to be a Pokemon Master," Vivian scoffed with a disdainful eye roll. "My dear grandniece Rhonda might have a better chance of beating the Pokemon League than he does… What a useless idiot he is… However…"
Her voice then suddenly trailed off as the wheels began spinning and turning rapidly in her head and an idea soon came to her.
"What if we follow these little brats all the way to the Kanto Pokemon League and then when they are facing off against the Elite Four that is when we strike and we will steal Ash's heart and turn him into a Heartless, just like all the others?"
"Hmmm… I like the way you think, Vivian…" Ursula chuckled evilly as Zira also flashed a diabolical smirk while flicking her tail.
"And I know just the perfect person to help me pull this off," Vivian declared while clasping her hands together with an evil and devious smirk on her lips.
Meanwhile, the heroes were now fast approaching the Pokemon Center as Ash marveled at the impressive size of the building.
"The Pokemon Center. It's gigantic."
"This is tricky; just hold on. Here we go," the female officer warned.
"What the hell is she doing?" Rhonda whimpered with a hint of dread and fear in her voice.
It was then that Ash and the kids started to scream and cry out in terror as the female officer leaped wildly into the air and sailed right into the Pokemon Center just as the glass doors slid open before landing right in front of a desk.
"We have a driveway, you know," a nurse with pink hair and wearing a white outfit and hat admonished her sternly just as Rhonda and her friends rolled off the motorcycle in a stunned daze.
"It's a Pokemon emergency," the female officer insisted.
"Please help it," Ash pleaded while holding up his injured Pikachu.
"Oh, looks like a Pikachu," the nurse said. "We'll do what we can."
She then turned to her computer as she began typing into her keyboard furiously.
"I need a stretcher for a small electric Pokemon, stat!"
A pair of Chanseys then entered the lobby while pushing out an empty stretcher.
"Chansey," they both chorused.
The nurse then gently placed the now unconscious Pikachu onto the stretcher as she looked over at Ash and the others sympathetically. "It'll be okay."
She then turned her attention to the Chanseys.
"Rush this Pokemon to the Critical Care Unit."
"Chansey," the Chanseys answered as they then quickly wheeled Pikachu away.
The nurse then pulled on her latex glove as another Chansey appeared with a tray of medication.
"Who are you?"
"His name is Ash. He's the Pokemon's trainer," the female officer explained.
"If there is anything that I can do, please just tell me," Ash pleaded anxiously.
"You can be more responsible," the nurse chided him sternly.
"Huh?" Ash balked in confusion.
"If you want to become a Pokemon trainer, young man, you don't let your Pokemon battle til it's in this condition," the nurse continued to chastise and rebuke him sharply with a disapproving look in her eyes.
"But you don't know what happened," Ash argued petulantly.
"Yeah, it's not his fault it got attacked by a gang of Spearows," Luthor interjected.
"What's past is past. Now we have to heal your Pikachu," the nurse said.
"What can I do?" Ash asked.
"Just leave everything to me," the nurse reassured him calmly with a smile.
"It's in your hands; I know you'll give the Pokemon excellent care," the female officer replied with a prompt salute.
"You got it here just in time," the nurse replied.
"That's my job!" the female officer beamed with a wink and a smile.
"Hold it!" a male voice hollered as Rhonda and the others turned around to see Mitchell frantically bolt through the glass sliding doors with a panicked expression while carrying a small orange briefcase.
"Mitchell, what are you doing here?" Katie exclaimed in surprise as Mitchell quickly rushed over to them before stopping to catch his breath.
"I can ask the same of you lot," Mitchell replied while still panting and gasping heavily, wheezing sharply. "Do you have even the faintest idea how worried sick you all made everyone back home? Your folks went completely spare when they realized that you all vanished without a trace and they couldn't get a hold of you, so they contacted Madame Director Shirvani and then she sent me to come find you, but not before giving me this…"
He then held up the orange briefcase and flipped it open, revealing 5 Poke Balls.
"Here – a gift courtesy of Professor Oak from the Kanto region, which is where I reckon you guys are in right now. Here are 5 Pokemon carefully selected and chosen for all of you. There's Squirtle, Bulbasaur, Spearow, Venonat, and Growlithe. You can all pick whichever one you guys want."
"Okay, I want Bulbasaur!" Luthor said as he grabbed the Poke Ball containing Bulbasaur.
"I want Squirtle!" Katie exclaimed.
"I'll pick Spearow!" Jasmine yelled.
"Wow, how brave of you," Rhonda retorted dryly with narrowed eyes before she turned to face Mitchell. "We had a pretty bad run in with a flock of Spearows earlier; that's actually why we're here. And Ash's Pokemon partner got the brunt of it."
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that," Mitchell frowned sympathetically.
"Okay, I guess this leaves Venonat for me," Shirley replied.
"And I guess Growlithe is for me!" Yuki exclaimed.
Mitchell then smiled as he watched the rest of the gang take the remaining Poke Balls.
"Oh my goodness; I left my motorcycle parked at the front desk," the female officer suddenly interjected with a sheepish look on her face.
"Next time use the driveway," the nurse replied.
The female officer then laughed nervously before dashing right off.
"Ash, you and your friends need to go to the waiting room," the nurse instructed Ash.
"Can't I…" Ash protested but before he could finish, the nurse and her team of Chanseys had already disappeared through the doors leading to the Critical Care Unit.
Ash just looked on at the doors silently with a worried and despondent look on his face.
Pikachu…
"There's really nothing much we can do, mate. All we have to do now is wait and hope for the best," Mitchell sighed.
TLSTLSTLSTLS
Then as the hours passed, Ash and his friends continued to sit in the waiting room while anxiously awaiting any news about Pikachu's condition. Ash glanced up to see that the sign glowing above the doors was still glowing bright red and he hung his head sadly with a deep, disappointed groan. He then slowly turned his attention to a couple of phone booths sitting a short distance away from him as an idea soon occurred to him.
"I'll call home."
Ring, ring, ring! Phone call, phone call! Ring, ring, ring! Phone call, phone call, phone call!
Meanwhile back in Pallet Town, Ash's mom Delia suddenly appeared with her face completely covered in white cream while wearing a pink towel on her head and a white robe. She then pushed a button on the computer keyboard in order to answer the phone call.
"Hi, this is the Ketchum residence."
"Hey, Mom," Ash answered.
Delia then squealed in excitement as she quickly tore the towel off her head and face cream while quickly grabbing the phone and holding it to her ear.
"Oh, hi, honey; is everything okay?"
Delia's face then popped up on the computer screen as the video screen quickly connected and went online.
"Where are you, Ash?"
"The Pokemon Center in Viridian City," Ash answered.
"You're already in Viridian City?" Delia marveled in awe at her son as Ash was now sitting down in front of the computer screen while Rhonda and the others were leaning over both of his shoulders. "It took your father four days to get there when he started Pokemon training. Oh, he'll be so proud; you're the apple of his eye."
"Yeah, a rotten apple," Ash grumbled dejectedly.
"Oh, Ash; don't get discouraged. You're doing just fine. Honey, you're growing up right before my eyes… spreading your wings and soaring like a Spearow," Delia replied encouragingly.
"I feel more like a fallen Pidgey," Ash replied glumly while tilting his head slightly to the right side.
"Poor choice of words there," Yuki retorted sardonically.
"Lame," Jasmine scoffed disdainfully.
"I won't let you talk about yourself that way!" Delia scolded him sternly with narrowed eyes. "Just be confident. You can do anything that you set your mind to. Do you understand?"
"Yes," Ash said quietly, his voice barely above a hoarse whisper.
"And are you changing your underwear every day?" Delia asked.
"Yes," Ash answered.
"Okay; good night son. I love you," Delia smiled while waving goodbye to Ash.
"Me too, Mom. Bye," Ash replied as he then hung up the phone and the computer screen turned off.
"Why does she keep asking him that? Is there something that we need to know about?" Rhonda whispered to her friends in a hushed and discreet tone.
"I don't know; maybe he has a medical problem or something," Yuki shrugged.
"Or maybe he's just like you," Katie retorted while glancing at Rhonda with a teasing and coy smirk. "Too lazy to change his drawers, even when his mum asks him to."
"Hey, I'm clean! I'm not a filthy and dirty pig!" Rhonda protested angrily.
"Then why does your mum have to constantly remind you to change your clothes, Rhonda?" Katie demanded sternly. "Sometimes you wear the same old outfit four days in a roll."
"I-I don't know! I forget sometimes!" Rhonda protested sharply, her face turning a bright crimson red as she felt herself recoiling with shame and embarrassment.
Ash then continued to sit there in his chair silently for a few moments before he turned his attention to a multi-colored mural on the wall containing four mysterious looking mythical creatures. On the upper right hand side was an image of a familiar looking bird etched on a light blue square and the moment Ash laid eyes on it, he suddenly remembered the golden shimmering bird that he saw flying across the sky right near a rainbow.
"What is it, Ash?" Rhonda asked as she noticed that Ash's demeanor had now changed to that of curiosity and wonder.
That's the flying Pokemon that I saw earlier… Ash thought to himself, seemingly not even hearing Rhonda's question.
It was then that the computer screen suddenly lit up with the message "Phone Call" as an automated voice began blaring in the air.
Ring, ring, ring! Phone call, phone call! Ring, ring, ring! Phone call, phone call!
Ash then turned his attention to the computer as he pushed a button to answer it.
"Hello, this is Ash. Who's calling?" Ash asked.
"Here; I'm over here," a male voice answered as Ash turned around to see that another computer screen was on and he saw the back of a familiar looking figure. "Ash, it's Professor Oak. Don't you recognize me?"
"No, Professor; I don't recognize the back of your head," Ash answered.
Professor Oak then balked in a sheer panic as he soon realized that he was using the wrong camera.
"Eh, oops; wrong camera," he said as the computer screen flickered off for a brief moment before it turned back on, showing Professor Oak's face properly.
"There. Ahem. I just spoke with your mother and she tells me that you made it to the Pokemon Center in Viridian City. Is that correct?"
"I couldn't be talking to you if I wasn't here," Ash replied.
"Oh, I see…" said Professor Oak as he then noticed Mitchell and turned his attention to him. "Oh, yes, IDA Agent Mitchell Deson, how nice to see you. Did Rhonda and her friends receive the package that Madame Director Shirvani gave you?"
"Yes, Professor," Mitchell nodded.
"Excellent!" Professor Oak beamed as he then refocused his attention back to Ash. "And as for you, you dialed the Pokemon Center in Viridian City and you were able to answer."
"Yeah, because that's where I am," Ash replied.
"Jesus Christ on a cracker can we get on with it?! We already went over this!" Rhonda exploded angrily, clenching her teeth and shaking her fists furiously.
"Does he think we're stupid or what?" Yuki whispered to Shirley, who face-palmed herself with a soft groan.
However, Professor Oak didn't seem to notice or even be fazed by Rhonda's outburst as he continued to talk to Ash. "Mhmm… I suppose that proves it then. The other new Pokemon trainers made it there with no problem and I'm pleasantly surprised that you got there so soon."
"Well, he did have a little help from us," Katie admitted with a sheepish and coy grin while wrapping her arms around Luthor and Rhonda and pulling them close to her.
"I'll admit that when you left, I had my doubts that you could handle your Pikachu, but when my grandson Gary said that you wouldn't have a single new Pokemon by the time you got to Viridian City, I bet him a million dollars that he'd be wrong," Professor Oak added.
As he said this, Ash's face immediately fell as he soon realized that he hadn't be able to successfully catch a single Pokemon other than Pikachu since he had first left Pallet Town.
"Well, money isn't everything, right?" Ash laughed nervously with a sheepish grimace.
Oh, why do I even bother? Professor Oak grumbled to himself as his spirits soon flagged and he dropped his shoulders melancholically.
"Hey, Professor, I did manage to catch a Pidgey by myself before we got here," Rhonda interjected excitedly.
"And I also did see a flying Pokemon like that one," Ash added while pointing at the light blue bird-like figure on the mural. "It flew right over the rainbow."
"Don't talk such nonsense. You couldn't have seen this Pokemon. Trainers have searched their whole lives and never seen it," Professor Oak laughed incredulously.
"It sure looked like it," Ash retorted petulantly.
"Ash isn't lying, Professor; we saw it too right along with him!" Shirley exclaimed insistently.
"It looked like a shimmering, golden Phoenix," Rhonda added.
"Oh, I'm sorry, children; you must have all been mistaken," Professor Oak replied apologetically.
Just then, he turned from his screen as he heard a doorbell ring off-screen.
"Ah, there's my pizza. Coming!"
He then disappeared off-screen for a moment, only to pop back in to say farewell to Ash and the others.
"It was very nice talking to you, Ash. And good luck to you and your little friends."
Professor Oak then dipped off-screen again as his voice could be heard.
"Mmm, anchovies, spinach and pineapple pizza!"
And with that, the screen turned black.
"Ewww, who even eats that kind of pizza? So gross!" Katie grimaced in disgust and repulsion.
"There you are!" a female voice hollered angrily as Ash yelped and jumped in surprise. "Now I've got you!"
He and the others turned around to see the same redheaded girl from earlier panting heavily while still carrying her ruined and charred bicycle over her shoulders.
"I knew I'd find you here."
"Who are you anyway?" Rhonda asked questioningly with a suspicious glare. "I don't believe we've gotten your name."
"The name's Misty, if you must know," the red headed girl growled acerbically while giving her the stink-eye.
"Hey, what happened to your bike?" Ash asked while pointing at her bike.
"What happened to my bike? You happened to my bike, you little loser!" Misty sneered curtly, her face contorting into utter fury. "This is what's left after you stole it to save your Pokemon! Now I can see why your Pokemon is in the…"
However, she didn't even get to finish her sentence as she then suddenly lost her balance and then fell over backwards onto the ground. Ash then rushed over to assist her as he watched her rub the back of her head sorely.
"Let me help you," he offered as he tried to help her up, only for Misty to slap his hand away.
"I don't need your help and you're going to pay for what you did to my bike!" Misty snarled indignantly.
"I'll make up for it; I promise I will, really," Ash replied in an apologetic voice. "But I can't do anything about your bike until…"
"I don't want any of your lame excuses, kid!" Misty growled furiously with her face a bright beet red while clenching up her left fist, scowling deeply. "I just want a new bike right now!"
"Do you really have to be such a bitch about it, lady?" Katie snapped at her angrily with narrowed eyes. "Ash's got way bigger problems right now than some stupid dumb old bike!"
"Why don't you just shut your trap, you annoying little twerp?" Misty snarled back at her.
"It's my Pikachu," Ash suddenly interrupted in a rueful and sorrowful voice, glancing down at the floor guiltily. "My Pikachu's not too good."
Misty quickly changed as her face softened at his response.
"Huh?"
Ash then glanced over at the closed doors behind him, staring at it with an uncertain and almost fearful look in his eyes.
"Is it very serious?" Misty asked in a quiet and concerned voice.
"I think so, and there's nothing that I can do to help now," Ash replied sadly.
"Oh," Misty answered, sharing his sentiment.
Just then the red light in the sign faded away as the doors finally opened and the nurse and her team of Chanseys emerged with a stretcher containing a still unconscious and motionless Pikachu.
Ash then saw his Pokemon being carried out into the lobby as he quickly rushed over to his side along with the others.
"Pikachu? Are you all right, buddy?"
"Your Pikachu's resting; it's a good thing you got it here so fast," the nurse explained. "The procedure went well and it should be fine."
"Thanks to the Pokemon Center," Misty said.
"Yes, thank you very much," Ash replied in a grateful and relieved tone.
"Now your Pokemon needs a good rest in the recovery room. You should go in with it, Ash," the nurse added.
"Thanks," Ash nodded as he then turned to face Misty. "Listen, I'm sorry about your bike, but I'm gonna need some time to make things right."
"No way, I fell for that last time," Misty shot back at him irately.
"Huh?" Ash balked with a confused and perplexed face.
"Well, you should take care of Pikachu now and we'll settle this later," Misty retorted fiercely.
"Okay," Ash laughed nervously.
Just then everyone looked up as a high pitched siren rang all throughout the building.
"Your attention, please. Our Viridian City radar sensors have detected an aircraft belonging to a gang of Pokemon thieves. If you have a Pokemon in your possession, please exercise extreme caution."
Meanwhile, the red headed teenage girl laughed evilly as she, her partner and their Meowth were looking down at the city premises from the safety of their hot air balloon.
"Guess we woke up this sleepy dump."
"And how dare they act like we're criminals?" the purple-haired teenage boy protested. "They should welcome Team Rocket."
"Well, we'll teach them to respect that name," the red headed teenage girl vowed.
"Meowth! And when we snatch all their Pokemon, those scared little mice will know that I'm the top cat!" Meowth declared.
"We know, Meowth; we know," the teenage criminal duo answered simultaneously.
It was then that they tossed out two Poke Balls into the air.
"Ekans, Koffing, attack!"
The Poke Balls then dropped down to the ground swiftly before crashing through the glass ceiling as they fell to the floor. They soon opened up as two figures quickly emerged.
"Koffing!"
"Ekans!"
Koffing then levitated into the air and released a huge burst of deadly thick smog as it soon filled up the room.
"What are…? Who are they?" Ash demanded in a terrified and panicked voice.
"Don't be frightened, little boy," a female voice said.
"Allow us to introduce ourselves," a male voice replied.
"To protect the world from devastation…"
"To unite all peoples within our nation…"
"To denounce the evils of truth and love…"
"To extend our reach to the stars above…"
As the evil diabolical duo continued speaking, the smog slowly but surely faded away as they soon revealed themselves to their brand new foes.
"Jessie," said the red headed teenage girl.
"James," the purple haired teenage boy replied.
"Team Rocket blast off at the speed of light!"
"Surrender now or prepare to fight!"
"Meowth! That's right!" Meowth chimed in.
"What are you talking about?" Ash asked quizzically.
"He just doesn't get it, does he?" Jessie scoffed disdainfully.
"How can I? You don't make any sense," Ash protested in a baffled and flabbergasted voice.
"We're here for the Pokemon," James announced with a sly smile.
"You're not getting Pikachu!" Ash yelled angrily while shielding his still unconscious Pokemon protectively.
"Pikachu? We're not interested in your precious electric rat," Jessie sneered.
"We seek only rare and valuable Pokemon," James retorted coolly.
"You're wasting your time," the nurse argued. "This is a center for weak and injured Pokemon."
"Well, that may be so, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if we find a few Pokemon gems among all that junk," Jessie quipped snidely.
"They're not junk; they're precious, living beings!" Katie shot back furiously. "You people are despicable!"
"Well then, little girl, maybe I should start with you and your precious Pokemon," Jessie declared with an evil, conniving grin as she laid her eyes on Katie, sending a cold chill up her spine.
"The hell you will!" Rhonda screamed as she took out her Poke Ball and clutched it, ready to release her Pokemon as she stared them down defiantly. "Take one step towards her or her Pokemon and I'll make sure that you'll live to regret it!"
"You know, you're really starting to bug me," Ash grumbled with a disgruntled look on his face.
"Isn't that cute?" Jessie giggled.
"The boy's bugged," James laughed with a mocking smirk on his lips.
"Meowth, then let's squash him," Meowth declared.
"Koffing, attack!" James yelled.
"Ekans, attack!" Jessie cried.
Koffing and Ekans then started to unleash their respective attacks as Ash, Misty and the nurse ran for their lives while rushing Pikachu away in the other direction.
Rhonda then leaned back before she tossed her Poke Ball and summoned her Pokemon.
"Blaze, go!" she hollered as Blaze emerged into the air.
"Squirtle, go!" Katie yelled as she also summoned her Pokemon.
"Spearow, go!" Jasmine cried as she also tossed out her Poke Ball and Spearow emerged from the ball.
Blaze, Squirtle and Spearow then landed on the ground as they turned to face their foes.
Ekans then hissed loudly as it soon lunged right for them.
Looking into your eyes I know I'm right
If there's anything worth my love, it's worth a fight
We only get one chance
But nothing ties our hands
Spearow then swooped into the air and let out a shrill scream as it then dove right for Ekans.
"Spearow, use Peck!" Jasmine cried.
Spearow then charged right at Ekans as it began to jab it repeatedly in the head with its pointed beak.
"Spearow, now use Wing Attack!" Jasmine commanded.
Spearow then slammed both of its wings right into Ekans, knocking it away as it sprawled onto the ground in a daze.
Koffing then belched out a huge blast of toxic smog from its mouth as it was heading right for Squirtle.
"Squirtle, dodge it!" Katie yelled as Squirtle quickly evaded the attack.
"Squirtle!"
You're what I want
Listen to me
Nothing I want's
Out of my reach
"Now use Water Gun!" Katie hollered as Squirtle spat out a huge blast of water at Koffing, sending it flying and spinning through the thick and hazy cloud of smog.
"Koffing!"
Heaven helps the man who fights his fear
Love's the only thing that keeps me here
"Now Blaze, use Dragon Breath on Ekans!" Rhonda bellowed as Blaze lunged into the air with his eyes burning with fire.
"Charmander!" he snarled as he then let loose a huge stream of hot purplish flames from his mouth and it struck Ekans dead on, sending it tumbling and rolling to the ground.
However, Ekans wasn't fazed by the attack and just shook it off, seething.
"Ekans, use Wrap!" Jessie yelled.
Ekans then quickly slithered over to Blaze as it rapidly spun and circled around him before wrapping him tightly in its clutches. Blaze then let out a strangled gasp as he struggled to break free to no avail.
"Blaze, no!" Rhonda cried in a horrified and panicked voice.
"Ekans, release him!" Jessie ordered with a diabolical and wicked smirk on her lips.
Ekans then hissed out a reply before it spun around and hurtled Blaze right towards the computer console as it crashed right through the monitor, landing on the ground. Koffing then flew right out of the console with a wide and goofy grin on its face as it then proceeded to smash and crush it into bits.
"Koffing!"
"C'mon, Rhonda; we better go!" Yuki urged as she and the others soon made a hasty retreat.
"All right," Rhonda sighed reluctantly as she then slowly walked over to her now motionless and battered Charmander and aimed her Poke Ball at him before summoning him back into the capsule. "Blaze, return."
You're the reason that I'm hanging on
My heart's staying where my heart belongs
(I'm free!)
Meanwhile, Ash and the others had retreated into a strange and mysterious room where several Poke Balls were being held on shelves as they tried to keep hidden.
"Well, I think we're safe here," said Ash.
Just then the entire room went completely dark as the power shut off.
"Hey, the lights!" Misty cried.
"I think they must have cut the power," the nurse said. "But we got our very own pika power source."
Just then the power came back on as a group of Pikachu began to walk around on a treadmill-like machine in a constant circle while generating as much electricity as possible.
"Wow, look at all of the Pikachus!" Misty exclaimed in amazement and wonder.
Just then a computer screen came on as an automated female voice started to issue a warning.
"Attention Viridian City Pokemon Center. A crisis situation has arisen. Initiating emergency Poke Ball transport sequence."
"We have to go save those Poke Balls," the nurse urged everyone.
A metal grappling claw then started to remove several Poke Balls from the shelves and place them on a moving conveyor belt as the nurse began to relay a message through the computer screen.
"This is the Viridian City Pokemon Center. We have an emergency situation. Transporting Pokemon Balls…"
"This is the Pewter City Pokemon Center. Downloader activated. Ready to receive Poke Balls," another female automated computer voice intoned as the Poke Balls were then being teleported out of the Poke Balls through a transporter machine.
But then a dark stream of smog suddenly seeped into the room as Koffing broke right through the doors and knocked several of the Poke Balls to the ground.
"Get those Poke Balls!" the nurse yelled frantically.
"O-okay!" Ash stammered as he began to apprehensively scoop the Poke Balls up in his arms.
"This is war! Don't just hold them! Throw them!" Misty scolded him sharply.
"All right…" Ash said as he then tossed the Poke Ball. "Poke Ball, here we go!"
The Poke Ball then released a Pidgey as it landed on the ground. However, the moment that it locked eyes with the Ekans, it soon flew into a terrified panic and dashed away in terror.
"Ha! That thing can't beat us!" Jessie laughed disdainfully.
"No? Okay, I'll try this one. Poke Ball, here we go!" Ash yelled as he then tossed out another Poke Ball.
However, to his surprise and dismay, the Poke Ball was empty.
"Argh… empty?!" Ash groaned.
"We're never going to beat them that way!" Misty groaned exasperatedly.
"Some of those Poke Balls are empty," the nurse replied in a matter of fact tone as she shrugged.
"Well, now she tells me," Ash sighed in an annoyed and irritated voice as he then picked up another Poke Ball off the ground. "This one feels like a real winner. Poke Ball, go!"
He then tossed the Poke Ball into the air as it then summoned a Rattata.
"A Rattata? Really?" Yuki scoffed with a contorted grimace.
"Ugh, come on now!" Shirley whined.
"Are you freaking kidding us right now?" Luthor groaned deeply while clutching his head with both of his hands. "This is totally rigged!"
"Allah please give me strength," Jasmine muttered underneath her breath while pinching the bridge of her nose.
Unfortunately, just as before, the Rattata was terrified at the sight of the Ekans and scattered away immediately.
"Heh, pipsqueak," James snickered derisively.
"Meowth," Meowth purred nonchalantly.
"I guess I'm going to have to take this into my own hands," Misty declared boldly. "You grab Pikachu and get out of here. I'll take care of these three clowns."
"That's pretty big talk coming from such a small lady," Jessie smirked tauntingly.
"At least you're right about the pretty part," Misty smirked back, not even the least deterred. "Thanks for the compliment."
"The girl thinks she's pretty," James replied in a wry tone.
"I agree with her. I think she's pretty too. Pretty pathetic," Jessie scoffed with her voice dripping with utter disdain and contempt.
Misty then grunted angrily at her comment. "I'll show you!"
She then tossed her Poke Ball into the air.
"Poke Ball, go!"
The Poke Ball then summoned a brand new Pokemon named Goldeen, only for Goldeen to continuously flop around on the ground.
"Goldeen, Goldeen, Goldeen…"
"That's your best shot?" Jessie scoffed in utter disbelief.
"She's all washed up," James retorted sardonically.
"You know as well as I do that water Pokemon can't battle on land," Misty retorted with a determined and bold smirk on her face.
"Then why in the world would you even summon it?!" Luthor screamed and hollered at the top of his lungs while flailing his hands around dramatically. "Are you seriously mental right now?!"
"Actually, kid, I was just warming up," Misty retorted while directing a knowing side glance at him.
"Warming up?" Ash questioned her uncertainly.
"Just get Pikachu out of here," Misty hissed at him admonishingly with an eye roll.
"Right," Ash nodded.
He then started to rush out of the hallway while frantically pushing the stretcher carrying Pikachu as he was being chased by Ekans and Koffing. However, he soon bumped into a black obstacle as he lost his grip on the stretcher, with the commotion soon waking up Pikachu from his slumber. Just then, a huge swarm of Pikachu flooded into the lobby as they all piled up onto each other before unleashing a massive Thundershock attack on Team Rocket, electrocuting them.
Pikachu then jumped and landed on the massive pile of Pikachus.
"Pika, pika!"
"Pikachu, you're all right!" Ash breathed a huge sigh of relief.
Meowth then jumped into the fray as Jessie, James, Ekans and Koffing were still stunned and frazzled from the electric attack.
"Do I have to do everything? That mouse is cat food. Meowth! Just wait. Pikachu, you're mine."
"The hell he is," Katie growled as she then rushed into the scene and tossed out her Poke Ball. "Squirtle, go!"
"Squirtle!" Squirtle yelled as he emerged from the ball.
Ash then turned to face Pikachu as the two exchanged words for a few minutes, with Ash inexplicably speaking in Pikachu's language.
"So you want… you want more power?"
"Pika," Pikachu nodded.
"What's this?" Meowth demanded with raised eyebrows.
"Well, let's just say that Pikachu and I… are going to generate a little excitement for you, Meowth," Ash declared as he got onto Misty's ruined bike and started to pedal it furiously.
"What?!" Team Rocket gawked in utter disbelief as they continued to watch Ash pedal with all his might.
Pikachu then jumped onto the bike and prepared to unleash his electric attack.
"Okay, Squirtle, use Water Gun!" Katie yelled.
"Squirtle!" Squirtle cried as it shot out a huge burst of water from its mouth.
Just as it did that, the water blast then made contact with Pikachu's electricity just as Pikachu used its Thundershock attack, making it a lot more potent and deadly. Jessie, James and their Pokemon were once again electrocuted thoroughly as they were now convulsing and shaking violently.
However, the energy in Pikachu's Thundershock attack was so powerful and overwhelming that it then triggered a massive explosion, sending the entire building ablaze with billows of smoke darkening and clouding the sky.
The female officer then stopped right in her tracks on her motorcycle as she looked up at the burning blaze with amazement and disbelief.
"Too late. But not for the fireworks."
Meanwhile, Team Rocket was now floating away in their hot air balloon, hanging on to a rope for dear life but still very much alive.
"Great, a cat losing to a mouse," Jessie grumbled.
"That Pikachu is no ordinary Pikachu," Meowth declared suspiciously.
"It's certainly very rare; a perfect prize," James replied.
"Let's catch it," Jessie suggested.
"Perhaps we will," Meowth vowed.
But then a hole appeared on the balloon as it started rapidly deflating and losing air before it quickly flew away with its passengers as they screamed for their lives.
TLSTLSTLSTLS
The next morning, the Pokemon Center lay in complete ruins as the nurse was relaying a message to someone.
"Your Viridian City Pokemon was transported here safely."
"Thanks sis."
"Ash, Misty and Pikachu are heading your way to Pewter City, if they can get safely through the Viridian Forest," the nurse added in a worried and uncertain voice.
"Don't worry; from what I've seen, those kids can take pretty good care of themselves," the female officer reassured her confidentially.
"Well, I hope you're right," the nurse said as she turned to face the female officer with a smile.
TLSTLSTLSTLS
Meanwhile, in the Viridian Forest, Misty let out a terrified scream as she was startled by something in the Viridian Forest.
"What's the matter?" Ash asked.
"Look, over there," Misty whimpered as she pointed right at a lone Caterpie.
"Oh, cool; it's a Caterpie; it's one of the bug Pokemon," Ash replied in an astounded and impressed voice.
"Even if it's a Pokemon, bugs are disgusting and I don't like them," Misty groaned as she continued to cower behind Ash. "Do something."
"All right, stand back," Ash declared with a sigh.
He then took out a Poke Ball from his utility belt as he prepared to throw it at his prey. "This one's a piece of cake."
Ash then tilted his hat backwards as he then prepared to hurtle the Poke Ball at Caterpie.
"Poke Ball, go!" he yelled.
Meanwhile, as Ash was focused on his mission to catch his next Pokemon, Vivian was hiding behind a pair of large bushes as she and a young teenage boy with short light brunet hair and dark brown eyes were watching from the shadows.
"Now my dear boy, you know what you must do…" Vivian instructed him with a conniving gleam in her eyes. "You must help train your cousin to become the strongest Pokemon trainer that she can possibly be and make sure that she has what it takes to make it to the Pokemon League."
"Yes, Aunt Vivian," the boy nodded.
"Do not fail me; now go!" Vivian hissed sharply as she then gave the teenage boy a hard push, ushering him right out of the bushes.
The teenage boy turned around to acknowledge the older woman with a nod before darting out into the wide open clearing. He then took out his Poke Ball and tossed it up into the air.
"Treecko, go!" he yelled as a small figure emerged from the Poke Ball and landed on the ground.
"Ready for this mission, buddy?" the teenage boy asked his Pokemon partner.
"Treecko," Treecko nodded while glancing up at his human companion.
"All right then, now let's go," said the teenage boy as his eyes then landed on Ash and his friends from a faraway distance.