sLegal Stuff: Poke`mon, Ash, Misty, Brock, Jessie, James, Giovanni, Butch, Cassidy, Pikachu, Primeape, Pidgeot, Venusaur, Charizard, and everyone else related to it is copyright of Nintendo, GameFreak, 4KidsEntertainment, and CREATURES. If this is similar to anyone else's fanfic, please know it was unintentional, accidental, and coincidental. Wow, so many dentals! Appointments? Anyway, if anyone has a problem with it, please e-mail meeeeeeeee at Blue9Tiger@aol.com. This is my first Poke`mon fan-fic, so I hope you enjoy it! Oh, and I no some of you think that Poke`mon is immature, and that I'm trying to make it more mature than it is, but....I wrote it with knowledge about the anime, game, and sometimes, the cards. This a combination of the three. Oh, and if any of the personalities are off, do not bash me! Many others have gotten them worse! But, no copying or changing, unless it's me. Thank you! This is Part I of-----4, 5, 6, who knows? This is Chapters 1-10. Now, take a trip into the center of my twisted mind......and enjoy! As you can see, this is the modified disclaimer. Whoo-boy. Started: 11/2/00 Finished: 12/?/99 Modified: 1/6/00

And the Rocket's Red Glare by Blue9Tiger

Part I

Chapter I Double Trouble in Viridian City

The sun burst out over the dark shadow of Viridian City. Its rays brightened the quiet town, and the usual acitivities of interest began: the occasional Gym matches, citizens heading to their places of work, and the local police officer-Officer Jenny, took her place in the booth bordering the green city. The officer sighed. It had been awfully quiet and routine since Poke`mon Trainers Ash Ketchum and Misty of Cerulean City had left Viridian City to continue their journey: Ash to become a Master of Pocket Monsters, and Misty to educate herself in the ways of Water Poke`mon.

She remembered both clearly: Ash with his innocent, childish face, marked with excited brown eyes and, above it, eyebrows that seemed to always be pointing inward. When he ran past her the first time, Jenny could remember his attire: a blue-and-white jacket with a black shirt under it, his Poke`mon League Expo cap, fingerless green gloves, black, red, and white sneakers, light-blue jeans, and a thick green backpack. Of course, Misty was very much in contrast, with deep blue eyes, and a mouth that always seemed to say the most extreme thing there was to be said. She recalled what Misty wore also: a yellow tanktop, red-and-yellow sneakers, a red scrunchie, blue shorts, and a bright red minature backpack slung over her shoulder. Back then, Ash was 10 and Misty was 11, and they seemed very much against each other. After they had left Viridian, they seemed to be on slightly better terms. Officer Jenny knew both of their goals, and wondered if they had reached them. Her question would be answered soon.

"I can't believe it! I beat the Orange AND the Jolt League! I really must be a great Poke`mon Trainer!" Jenny's face suddenly rose. Her brown eyes gazed intently on the horizon, and she spied three people, a tiny Egg Poke`mon with designs on its shell, and a small electric rodent, two of the people very familiar, heading in her direction.

"Don't forget about my bike, Ash! I still haven't forgotten about it and I won't let you get away!" "I know, I know!!!" The boy replied in frustration.

"Pika, pika."

"Tog-prrriiiii!"

Jenny smiled. She immediately knew; Ash had come home to rest from his journey for a while, and he needed a rest in Viridian City before travelling back to Pallet Town. She was about to greet them when another person accompanying Ash rushed up to her in a flash. He was unmistakable with half-shut eyes and spiky brownish hair.

"Hi, Jenny," he said in a drawly tone. " I'm Brock. I don't think we've met, but now that we have we can-------"

Misty grew annoyed, drew a fan, and delivered the blow on the Trainer's head using the fan in her free hand. Togepi watched the proceedings with bright eyes. After recovering in a few seconds, Brock continued, "By the way, You look lovely in that short skirt!"

"COME ON!!!!!!!!!!" Misty shouted in his ear, which she then dragged him by in frustration across the road. Ash gave a nervous chuckle, accompanied by a bead of sweat. He then looked up confidently and greeted,

"Hi, Officer Jenny!" "Hello, Ash! How are you doing on your Poke`mon journey?" The small boy glowed with pride.

"Great! I came in 16th place in the Poke`mon League, but I beat the Orange League, and the Jolt League!"

"Pikachu!" The yellow Poke`mon's high and spunky tone further confirmed the deed. The officer smiled, and affirmed,

"So I guess you really are a Poke`mon Master." After a pause, she changed to a darker subject. "How are you dealing with those crooks?" Ash answered confidently,

"Oh, Team Rocket? They get in our way sometimes, but nothing I can't handle!" Misty and Brock came rushing back, and the former shouted in her shrill voice,

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN, YOU CAN'T HANDLE?! IF WE HADN'T HELPED YOU OUT, YOU WOULD BE CLOBBERED!!!!!!!!!"

"Pika, Pikachu!!!!!" He agreed angrily, electricity sparking from his wide red cheeks.

"Okay, okay! Nothing WE can't handle!" Ash agreed finally.

"Quit it, you guys. We've got more important things to do," Brock commented, having recovered from Misty's fan. Everyone agreed, and the group was on their way. They walked through the city, admiring the view.

"Wow," Brock exclaimed, "Viridian looks greener than ever!"

"Yeah," Misty agreed. "Ever since Viridian City Gym was destroyed." She paused, shook her head to see if she was seeing correctly, and looked again. "Wait, it's rebuilt!" No one noticed her remark, all too glad to be back in a familiar town.

"Pika!"

"Tog-priii!!!" Ash playfully ran ahead of the others. He spied the large building with the letter "P" built onto its face. "Come on, guys, we've got to get to the Poke`mon Center!" They all quickened their paces, nearly knocking over people on the street. They watched in indignance the Poke`mon Trainers barreling through their quiet city. Little did they know that, those same children would do that again, in the exact same month, but for a very different reason.

The Center was within sight, now, but Ash, Misty, Brock, Pikachu, and Togepi didn't notice the alley they were zipping past, and didn't percieve it would lead to their downfall.

Three shapes bounded out from within the alley, leaving the travellers frozen in their tracks. Two wore white uniforms with a red R upon it. The symbol was unmistakable and there were few who would defy them. The last one was a Poke`mon. All, together, looked somewhat strange, the girl having ridiculously long red hair and the boy wearing his blue hair slightly long, also carrying a rose. The gang stood in front of them in defiance and shouted out,

"Prepare for trouble!"

"And make it double!"

"To protect the world from devestation!"

"To unite all peoples within our nation!"

"To denounce the evils of truth and love!"

"To extend our reach to the stars above!"

"Jessie!"

"James!''

"Team Rocket, blast off at the speed of light!"

"Surrender now, or prepare to fight!"

"Meeeee-owth! That's right!" All recognized them immediately. "Team Rocket!" They yelled in unison. Ash growled angrily,

"What are you up to this time?!"

The teenagers smiled evilly. The female spoke first, slightly accented.

"You'll be happy to know we're not after Pikachu today. We're not even after any Poke`mon!" James added, in his usual heavily accented tone,

"We're after a much bigger prize-YOU!" This completely nonplussed Ash and his company. For as long as they could remember, the notorious Rocket Gang's sworn goal was to acquire any Poke`mon by any means, usually by robbery, and also to do away with any Poke`mon that didn't prove to be useful. So, it was very unusual for them to say this. Nevertheless, they all followed their adversaries into the alley, where whatever deeds they would do would not be seen by prying eyes.

"Weezing, go!" Shouted James. He flung his Poke`Ball to the ground, and out burst two large balls of gas, of a deep purple hue, and both joined by a stem.

"Wee-zing," it cried in a saddened voice.

"Weezing, Sludge.............." His Trainer ordered, then paused, as if for waiting for something.

"Pikachu, I choose you!" Ash pointed at the dirty battlefield, onto which Pikachu ran eagerly.

"Chu!"

"Pikachu, Thunder!" The small mouse sped towards the poisonous balls of gas, which seemed to be what Jessie and James wanted, for the latter finally finished his sentence:

"........Now!!!!!!!!"

Everything seemed to happen at once. Weezing opened its mouth, letting thick black sludge spill out of it. The substance hit its target: Pikachu's eyes. With the mouse blinded, the battle was over.

"Aw! Pikachu!" Ash cried in despair.

"Chu....."

"Ash, send out another one!" Misty yelled.

However, while the confused Poke`mon Trainer was fumbling through his belt for his other Poke`Balls, Jessie declared,

"Now, it's time for some fun!" Her partner agreed.

"Weezing, Sludge----on the twerps!"

Before they had sufficient time to dodge the attack, Ash, Misty, and Brock were blinded, and the battle was completely over. Meowth approached them with a rope, and quickly secured all, knocking them out with a gas.

"Ha,ha,ha,ha,ha! Lets see ya get outta dat!"

Jessie added in glee and satisfaction, "We've got them!"

Chapter II Bargain with the Boss

The world suddenly returned. Slowly, consciousness was re-granted them, as a result of the orders of their adversaries. They vauguely realized they were fastened securely to a thick pillar by use of a rope, and their vision was still somewhat blocked by the sludge.

"Wake up, you twerps!"

The harsh voice of Jessie struck their ears, and they were both lifted from their daze.

"Yeah, wake up!"

The shrill screech of Meowth led them to spring completely awake. Once open, Misty's blue eyes strained, and she caught sight of her backpack, or rather, the sight of her MISSING her backpack, and she took notice of her hands, which were freed from her precious Egg Poke`mon. A rush of terror seized her.

"Ash! They took all of our Poke`mon!"

"What?!" The confused boy answered in anger and fright.

Meowth nodded, and added,

"And guess who else we took!"

They didn't seem to know the answer, but they immediately did once James pointed his gloved finger at the spot on the left side of Ash. Both their eyes shifted to the left, and an even stronger terror seized both of them.

"Brock!" They exclaimed in unison. Ash growled, this time in completely raw and free and anger, "Where'd you take them?! What--What did you do with them?! They're all our friends! Free them right---------"

"Quiet, kid!"

Meowth, being a cat Poke`mon, revealed his claws and sliced Ash's soft face with them. He cried in pain, unable to nurse the wound with his hands. Misty looked on, knowing there wasn't much she could do, except to try to fufill both his and her demand. She pulled her fiercest and most blood-freezing expression out, and screamed,

"TELL US!!!!!!"

The tone of her voice hardly daunted the gang, but nevertheless, the question was answered, by all three. "We took your Venusaur..."

"And using one of the boss' devices..."

"We put it under OUR control! Hee,hee,hee,hee!" Ash and Misty gasped in horror.

"Then we snatched all of your Poke`mon........."

"Along with that other twerp........."

"And locked them in the dungeon!"

Ash's face fell. He might have been a dense person, but his heart told him that his companions weren't faring well. As he fell silent, Jessie and James, now abominatingly hateful to his eyes, untied him and Misty, and led them into the dark, vast domain; known to anyone belonging to that gang as headquarters.

Ash's predictions were right, to anyone's horror. Deep in the ill-lit, foul-odored, damp room, sat every single of the Poke`mon Ash, Misty, and Brock carried, the latter trying his very best to protect them from Ash's twisted Venusaur.

"Venus! Venusaur!"

It roared loud enough to shake the iron bars of the door and window. All the Poke`mon gasped and shook in terror, all crowding behind or around Brock, save a few of the larger ones such as Charizard, Pidgeot, Kingler, Onix, Starmie, and Blastoise, who prepared to face off against the fierce Posion/Grass Pocket Monster.

"Pika......"

" Venusaur..... "

"Togeprrriiii"....." I'm scared!

"Pidgeot! Pidg---Pidgeot! Pidgeot!" Just keep the smaller ones away!

"Golem! Golem! Go-lem! Golem-Golem!" We'll try---Charizard and Pidgeot could withstand Venusaur's grass attacks, but Onix, Kingler, and Blastoise are like me! "IIIIIWWWAAAAAKKKKUUU!" We'll all try our best!

Brock stared at all intently. He strongly suggested,

"Don't attack yet! If Venusaur starts attacking, then counterattack! Remember, we don't really want to hurt Ash's Poke`mon!"

All nodded, though Charizard was somewhat reluctant. To show it, he blew a spout of fire into the air.

"Venus! VEN-USAUR!!!!!!!!!"

It had enough of waiting. Venusaur drew its flower to the tiny amount to sunshine coming in through the barred window, and fired. In the same instant, Charizard, Blastoise, Onix, and Pidgeot attacked, the smaller ones trailing at Brock's reluctant signal.

Meanwhile, Ash and Misty were being led through the entrance of the HQ, a high, wide hall. Jessie and James trailed, smiling and chuckling amongst themselves. Meowth led the way, gaily explaining,

"After dat stinker Mewtwo trashed da place, we rebuilt it and enlarged it! This is where........" Suddenly Jessie's thick boot slammed on top of Meowth's head. She snarled,

"Stop giving away all our secrets! That's for later!"

Ash and Misty didn't respond or comment. They were busy taking in all the earlier information, as well as being in awe at the immemse size and incredible appearance, with its thick pillars, and a long, red carpet, and a computer screen at the end of the hall.

"Wow..." Ash quietly said, looking at the screen. James pushed a button, and everyone stared at the screen, and the shape, shrouded by shadows that appeared on it. The ominous shape spoke, sending a surge of unspeakable horror through Ash and his female companion, his voice penetrating their very nerves, and keeping them from demanding anything.

"Greetings. I trust that you blundering idiots have carried out the plan, for once?"

Jessie and James nodded curtly, the former answering,

"Yes, Sir!"

Misty couldn't help inquiring,

"Uh, who are you?"

The man, who seemed past slightly past or in his prime, smiled evily, and responded,

"My name is Giovanni. I am the Leader of the Viridian City Gym, and of Team Rocket." "WHAT?!" Ash and Misty's eyes grew wide, and their mouths dropped like a boulder.

Their surprise and wonder was immeasurable; this kind of thing was absolutely unexpected. Unfortunately, in the future, Ash was to discover something even more shocking. However, they quickly recovered from their show of ignorance and came to their earlier demand:

"Let Brock and the others go!!!!!" They yelled in unison.

Giovanni chuckled deeply and softly, and replied, going into a long speech,

"I will, on one certain condition. Though you are mere children, all three of you are exceptional Poke`mon Trainers. Your skills would be very useful to our organization. Therefore, I ask you to join us."

The response was expected and immediate.

"NO!"

The Boss hardly moved, and answered the defiant remark,

"Very well. Your friends will suffer."

With that, he pressed a button, revealing the image of his other prisoners, who were being mercilessly whipped and sliced by Ash's own Venusaur a device around its head, and who put more strength into it with Giovanni's order, that caused the machine to glow, stimulating Venusaur's mind. Their distinct but weak cries for help hit Ash's ear all at once:

"Pika! CHAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!"

"Pidge------ottttt!"

"Kooo------"

"RRRRRrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr........"

"Blast---oise......"

"Iwakkuuuuu......."

"Hito......"

"Star......"

"Vulpppppp!"

"Togeprrriiiii!"

And as of then, Brock was weakened to the point of not being able to defend the Poke`mon, and lay in a sorry heap on the blood-drenched floor. Both Ash and Misty were speechless. Team Rocket were the relentless criminals they so often made fun of and ignored. Jessie seemed to read his mind, for she remarked, "You brats have always thought we were an annoyance, but now we're finally showing that we are a threat, to you and everyone else! We're finally getting it back!" "That's right!" Meowth chimed in. Ash groaned silently. Behind him, Jessie and James laughed in expected triumph. To urge him on, they teased,

"It's your choice......"

"But those twerps don't have long to live!"

The boy was about to say "yes" when Misty explained,

"Ash! If we join, we'll never be the same! We'll be doing what Jessie and James do all the time! And-you'll never be a Poke`mon Master if we join!"

The other didn't listen. He was about to lose nearly all of his friends, and he would readily sacrifice his dignity to help them.

"Okay, we'll join....."

Ash lowered his head and voice in complete surrender and defeat. All Team Rocket members present let out a hearty laugh of triumph, and then their leader ordered to Jessie and James,

"Release them. Bring them here."

"Yes, Sir!"

With that, they led Ash and Misty back down the great hall. They turned a corner, and walked down the steps. Each step brought less light, and made the new members frightened. They walked through the dark halls until they reached the door to the dungeon. Finally, Ash spoke for the first time since they were upstairs. This whole proceeding greatly reduced the amount of words he had to say.

"You'll never get away with this!"

James smiled, and handed his adversaries three bundles. The familiarity of it struck them immediately. Ash looked at it, memories of the time he, Misty, Brock, and Duplica, another Trainer, had mocked Jessie and James. Now, as they were ordered to change clothes, Ash and Misty felt an eerie sense of irony. Of course, the youngest Leader of the Cerulean City Gym had the spunk to comment about it.

"Ugh, Ash, if YOU didn't decide to take a rest in Viridian City, this wouldn't've happened!!!!! Now we'll---------" However, he was not in the mood for it.

"Shut up, Misty! It's not like we knew it would happen. Team Rocket usually finds us wherever we go!"

"Dat's right, ASH," Meowth answered in mockery, wrapping his tail around Ash's face. This annoyed him greatly, and led the Poke`mon Trainer to clamp his teeth onto the cat's tail.

"MMMMMMMMMMMMMEEEEEEEEE--------OOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWTTTTTTHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

The screech could be heard in the dungeon, springing Pikachu and Togepi awake. They removed their stiff bodies from the ground, dazed and confused at what happened. They gazed at Ash's Venusaur. The device had been removed from its head by a Rocket who had sneaked in and then out, and the Poke`mon was sleeping peacefully, the Venusaur without any memory of what had happened.

The heavy metallic door swung open. The ominous creak sent consciousness flying back into the rest of those within. Ash and Misty rushed into the dark room, into which the hallway light penetrated. They shook Brock, trying to pull him out of his dead sleep. He stirred, and rose. He was a fright. It appeared as if he ended up sheilding the other Poke`mon, even the larger ones, because they didn't seem to be in too much physical pain, in contrast to Brock. His shut eyes opened, though no one could really tell, since they were always in that position. He caught the sight of all of the Poke`mon, who were obviously safe and unhurt, and the Venusaur silent and doing no more damage. His eyes shifted to Jessie, James, and Meowth, whom he growled at with anger.

The next sight he nearly fainted at: his friends in the ubiquitous Team Rocket uniforms. He failed to conceal his surprise, and likewise with all of the Poke`mon, whose mouths dropped like stones.

"Ash! Misty! What are you trying to do?!!"

They looked at each other with embarassment, and Misty explained,

''We joined, Brock! We had no choice!"

As soon as the Poke`mon heard this, a deafaning mexture of screams, yells, groans, and roars filled the dungeon, leaving the humans covering their pounding ears. The Rock Trainer was left speechless. His eyebrows drooped until they could go no further. A small tear formed in his closed eye. He sighed heavily, accepting the truth with restraint. Brock took the remaining uniform from Ash's gloved hands, and slipped it on, with great embarrasment. He dropped into deep thought, and finally asked, to really no one in particular,

"How could've this happened?"

At this time, all of their minds, even the Poke`mon, were concentrated on one thing: everything they ever dreamed of and hoped for was shattered. Everything. Ash's dream of becoming a Poke`mon Master, Misty's dream of being well-rounded, Brock's dream of becoming a Master Poke`mon Breeder, Pikachu's dream of helping Ash achieve his goal, and down the line. Their thoughts were interrupted by Jessie directing,

"The Boss needs us. Lets go!"

After recalling their Poke`mon, they walked desolately out of the dungeon.

Chapter 3 Battle for their Dignity

"Ah, you are all here," Giovanni remarked as he observed the new members before him. They nodded their heads solemnly. The Viridian City Gym Leader smiled.

He said, "Let the battle begin."

"HUH?!" They all remarked.

"You don't think I would admit you without testing your abilities, first, did you? You will battle the whole team, them each using one Poke`mon, and you using as many as you like."

He revealed the Rocket members that now stood in front of him; there must have been over 100.

"WAAUUUGH! How are we supposed to battle all of them?!" Ash screamed.

"I don't know, but we'd better think of something," Brock remarked.

"This isn't fair!" Yelled Misty.

"All's fair in love, war, and Poke`mon Battles, Misty," Jessie answered.

"Pika, Pika!!!!"

Not even Ash's leading Poke`mon could see any way that he could win the battle. "Yeah!" the others agreed.

"We'll need to battle our hardest to win against them!"

Misty commented to Ash.

"Right! Charizard, I choose you!"

"Misty calls---Golduck!"

"Golem, go!"

The three balls fell to the floor, and the three Poke`mon were freed from them, prepared to fight, awaiting their orders.

"Charizard, Flamethrower!"

"Arbok, Toxic Attack!"

"Weezing, Tackle Attack!"

The two Poison Poke`mon charged toward the Fire lizard, determined to succeed in their attack. however, Charizard was no ameteur at fighting and certainly did not lack speed and strength, and counter-attacked both the Tackle and the Toxic with his own Tackle. The snake and gas-ball were sent flying, but were forced to recover and continue the fight. Neither side was close to giving in; one would have to be defeated.

"Arbok, Poison Sting, now!"

"Chhhaaaaaa-----bokkk!" The sleek cobra widened its jaws. It headed for Charizard, its eyes gleaming.

"Charizard, Fly away!" Ash ordered. Charizard obeyed, after so many months of refusal. The majestic Fire Poke`mon spread its wings, and with a fearsome roar, dodged Arbok. Despite this, its owner still retained confidence.

"Arbok, underground! It's not flying too high yet!"

Before Charizard or Ash could react, the snake had burst through the floor, smashing into Charizard. Everyone gasped as he fell to the ground, obviously out of the battle.

"Aww, Charizard! Return!"

Ash held his Poke`Ball in his hand, and the Poke`mon disappeared into it in a red flash of light.

"Okay, now it's my turn!" Misty cried excitedly.

"Golduck, Fury Swipes!'

The blue duck was a sight to be feared, rushing toward Arbok with its claws furiously slashing. The snake fell under the attack.

"Wow, Arbok didn't stand a chance!" Meowth remarked.

Jessie growled. "Shut up!"

Her face tightened as she recalled her Poison Poke`mon. James stepped foward and reassured his partner,

"Don't worry, Jess, I'll take care of her! Weezing, go!"

Once again, the balls of poisonous gas rushed for the attack. Misty looked at it in disgust and directed her Poke`mon confidently,

"Golduck, Water Gun!"

Rushing water blasted out of Golduck's mouth, hitting Weezing.

"Wee-zing!!!!!!!!!!" It cried in pain.

"Weezing, Poison Gas Attack!"

Weezing floated toward Golduck, spraying gas onto it. The latter groaned and squawked, the poison taking effect and immobilizing it.

"Ah! Golduck, return!" Misty shouted angrily.

"Pikachu........" The electric mouse sighed, realizing that the battle was as good as lost, unless Weezing could be defeated by the next Poke`mon.

"Golem, Rock Throw, now!"

The Rock Poke`mon leaped into the air, curling up, smashing on top of Weezing. Weezing fell, exhausted and unable to fight. James sighed.

"We lost again. Like we always do."

Jessie and Meowth believed it was his fault, so they unleashed their wrath on him, the details I won't explain. Ash smiled triumphantly then jumped up and down in glee. His other friends cheered upon their victory. Despite their side's two losses, Giovanni grinned. He still had roughly 100 more Poke`mon to use; many impressive in size and appearance. He gave the signal for the other Rockets to send their monsters out. Besides, there would be two more that he could usually count on for at least a day or two. But, the problem with them was, that they always ended up in jail, and it would take them a while to get out.

Ash stared at the lineup of strong Poke`mon, and his eyebrows knitted, confident that they at least had a chance.

"Come on, Misty, Brock! We can beat them! All we need are the right Poke`mon! If we try our hardest we'll win!"

"I don't know, Ash," Brock responded.

"It's not often when a Moltres and Zapdos lose, especially when they're trained well, even if I use my Rock Types!"

"A Poke`mon's a Poke`mon! Pikachu, go!"

His electric mouse nodded, tearing into battle, this time confident to not be stopped by something like sludge.

"Starmie, go!"

"Star!"

"Togepiiii!"

The shrill cry could still be heard above all the other noise. It watched in interest the whole fight, and the colorful Starmie flew onto the battlefield.

"Onix, gooooo!" "Iwaku!"

"Heh. Who's up first, the wimp Pikachu? Zapdos, let it attack first."

"WIMP?!" Ash fumed. "I'll show you! Pikachu, Agility!"

The rodent was charged with anger at the former name, and sped as if it were truly lightning, sparking with yellow flash.

"Zapdos, Fly!"

The Ledgendary Bird of electricity flew up into the air, slowly because of it's immense size. But, that didn't matter to Pikachu. In fact, now that it was in the air, more damage could be done.

"Pikachu, Thunder!"

"Pi--PIKACHUUUUUU!!!!!!"

The whole hall seemed to be filled with electricity, blinding those commanding and those spectating. Zapdos didn't seem to be quivering at first, but as the attack strengthened, the lighitning bird started to weaken. However, Zapdos was a strong Poke`mon, and its Trainer wouldn't allow a little electricity to defeat it.

"Zapdos, Light Screen!"

It seemed to become sheilded by light. Zapdos now hurtled toward Pikachu. Pikachu saw Zapdos, frightened at its immense size, the glow of its eyes, and the impressiveness of its wings.

"Zapdos, use Thunder!"

Electricity seemed to fry the very air. The Thunder shocked not only Pikachu, but everything that was near it, including the Poke`mon Trainers. They were shocked before, but this electric attack seemed to fry their very nerves. It was no puny attack this time; it was life-threatening to both human and Poke`mon.

"CCCHHHHHHAAAAAAAA!"

"AAAAAAAAAAAAHH!"

The shouts of pain could be heard almost a mile away. When Zapdos was shocking, none had energy to stir. All were down on the floor.

"Pikachu--return...."

Ash ordered weakly.

"Starmie, Recover......"

"Star!"

Starmie glowed, and all its wounds were healed. It flew into the battle. The Rockets had seemed to stay a far distance away from the place of battle, and were fairly in good shape.

"Ha! The Boss's plan is working," Jessie observed.

"What was the plan. again?" James whispered. Meowth overheard them and answered,

"To make 'dem join, and to make 'em weak so 'dey won't fight back! When we're done with 'em, they'll be like regular bad guys!"

"Ah! Good plan!"

The Rocket saw Starmie, and quickly predicted it would be easy prey for his Zapdos.

"Zapdos, give another Thunder!"

"Screeeeeeeeeeeee....."

"What, Zapdos, you can't use it?!"

"Screeeeeeee........"

"Ha! Now's our chance for a comeback," Misty declared. "Starmie, Tackle Attack." The star-shaped Water Poke`mon surged towards Zapdos, the points protruding out, spinning like a sharp wheel. It continually struck Zapdos, weakening it to the point of defeat.

"Argh! Zapdos! Return!"

He stepped backward, and the next Rocket took his place.

"Scyther, Slash!"

"Scyther!"

Starmie continued to spin, but the bug sliced off three of Starmie's arms. Misty gasped in horror.

"Starmie!"

"Scyther, Cut!"

Before anyone knew what was hapening, Scyther had slashed the core of Starmie, the source of its energy. Meowth cheered his teammate on as Misty recalled her Poke`mon.

"'Dat a way! We'll beat those twerps! Keep slicin' em!"

"Onix, Bind!" The large Rock snake slithered toward Scyther, roaring. The bug was not intimidated, however, and leaped with unimaginable agility towards Onix. Unfortunately for Scyther, Onix was not something to go against without a bucket of water of a pile of grass.

"Scyther...SCYTHERRR........."

There was now no hope for Scyther. Onix had wrapped it in its clutches and was squeezing the life out of it mercilessly.

"Onix, Bind it!"

"Grrrrr, Scyther! Swords Dance!"

Scyther shook its head. Onix had coiled even tighter, like a boa constricter with a helpless monkey.

"Do you surrender?" Brock questioned seriously.

"Grrrrrr, Scyther, return!"

Scyther disappeared in a red flash, marking another victory for Ash and company. "Yeah!" Ash exclaimed, slapping Brock's hand.

"Bring it on, Team Rocket!"

The Leader answered,

"You are part of us, now, so the ones you are fighting are merely your teammates."

"Oh, yeah, we forgot," Ash said, more defeatedly.

And so, the battle continued. Win after win, loss after loss. It seemed to go on for all eternity. Onix vs. Hitmonchan, Venusaur vs. Moltres, Seaking vs. Nidorino, and the list went on. The monotony never bored the ones engaged in the battle, for it was their pride they were battling for. It finally narrowed down to last battle: Ash vs. Giovanni. Which Poke`mon? Venusaur's Paralyzed, Blastoise is Poisoned, Pidgeot's Burned, Kingler's too weak, and Pikachu's Frozen. Who can I use to battle Giovanni? Maybe, Charizard........but its too weak from the other battles! So is Kingler, but it fought more..........I guess I'll have to go with......

"Charizard, I choose you!''

Ash flung the Poke`Ball to the ground, and for the eighteenth time Charizard appeared. It roared weakly, showing its opposition to fighting again. But, it spread its wings, waiting for the opponent to show itself.

"Nidoking, go!"

"Nidoking?!" Ash exclaimed in surprise.

"I thought he only had Golem, Kingler, and Machamp!" Brock added.

"Well, as you can see, I have more, young boy. And now you will see the power of the Viridian City Gym Leader! Nidoking, Tackle!"

The purple Drill Poke`mon, though of great size, stampeded as if it were in its Nidoran stage, smashing into Charizard with increased impact. The latter roared, echoing in the large hall.

"Charizard, Submission!"

The dragon-like Poke`mon took flight, his great wings spreading out and flapping, causing a great wind. He collided with Nidoking, who still continued to run. Both were injured, falling to the ground.

"Nidoking, Horn Drill! End this, now!"

"Nido!!" Brock informed, "Ash, Horn Drill is Nidoking's Special Attack!"

"Aughhh!"

The Ground/Poison Poke`mon aimed its horn at Charizard, who was attempting to get up. It was too slow for that, because of its immense size.

"Charizard!!!!!!" Ash yelled in terror.

The rest of his friends were frozen in position, including Pikachu, but for obviously a different reason. Suddenly, a ball that was pale pink in color appeared between the charging Nidoking and the dormant Charizard. It made Nidoking stop immediately, and Ash, Misty, Brock, Pikachu, Jessie, James, and Meowth almost as immediately knew who it was.

"AAAAAAHHHHH! It's Jigglypuff!!!!!" "Jiggly!" The little Balloon cried. It drew in a long breath, prepared to Sing.

"Hey, maybe Jigglypuff will be good this time!" Brock observed, leading Ash to inquire,

"Huh? Why?"

Misty caught on. She whispered to her friend,

"If we cover our ears and let Jigglypuff Sing to them, we can sneak out of here!"

"Good plan, Misty!"

Their plan soon backfired, for their adversaries were planning the same thing, thanks to Jessie and James' warning. As a result, everyone covered their ears except for a few, including Nidoking. It fell heavily to the ground as it drifted of into slumber, lulled to sleep by the soothing lullaby of Jigglypuff, who was now standing on a small raised platform that appeared behing Nidoking.

"Jigglyyyyyyypuff, Jigglyyyypuff......"

"Yeah! Okay, Charizard, finish it!" Cried Ash, as he held his hands clamped over his ears, and standing far away from Jigglypuff, practically outside of the hall and out the door.

His friends followed his example, and slammed the door to block the song from reaching them, but Jessie and James were keeping a close watch over them in case they tried to escape. Ash repeated the order,

"Finish it!"

The Trainer's voice reached the Poke`mon's covered ears, Charizard nodded, and initiated his Flamethrower Attack, literally char-broiling Nidoking in its sleep. On top of that, the pink balloon had opened her eyes, and realized not everyone was awake. She did her harmless damage of writing on those who were not, her scribbling failing to improve since the battle against the giant Alakazam and Gengar near Pallet Town. So, she quickly left in disgust. Everyone ceased covering their ears, feeling a little tired, because of the song and battle.Everyone knew, though, that Ash, Misty, and Brock were the victors: there was no doubt about that. The former dashed over to Charizard and hugged him; he was so overjoyed at the victory against so many people, all of them with evil and greed in their hearts, all of them fairly adept Trainers.

"Great job, Charizard! We won!"

However, at the same time, tears flowed from Ash's eyes, and Charizard's eyes drooped. "But, this-----I guess is the last time we fight against these crooks."

Ash released Charizard, then recalled him silently. He then stepped backward to rejoin Misty, Brock, and Pikachu, who had melted and now was fine. Ash rubbed him on his head.

"Pikachu! Pika!"

"You did a great job, too, Pikachu! So did you, Misty, Brock!"

"Thanks, Ash," they replied, exhausted.

"Oh.....I can't believe those twerps won!" Jessie complained. Meowth was too exhausted to talk, having fought a battle against a Dewgong. He simply nodded and fell flat on his face. James watched in disgust, and answered his partner,

"I know, but I guess that that means we'll have three really good members added to the team!" The other's face brightened. She added,

"And also, that Pikachu we've been losing sleep over to capture! Ha! Oh, look, the Boss is going to talk to them!"

They all fell silent to see what Giovanni had to say. He approached what were once his adversaries.

"Well done, young ones. I willingly except you into Team Rocket, and myself and all your other teammates........." His dark eyes shifted to them, boding ill for whoever disagreed. ".....have respect for you and all of your Poke`mon. However, you obviously have seen these two--ugh, members very often." He pointed to Jessie and James, who sighed heavily in embarrassment. Giovanni continued, "You will train with them, and two others---they will be arriving soon."

Ash whispered to Misty,

"Lets hope he means "soon" as in a month!"

"Right, Ash." "Pikachuuuuuu."

Unfortunately, soon was a very strong word to Giovanni, and the two expected members appeared in the shadows behind Ash and his company.

"Prepare for trouble and make it double!"

Jessie and James' face fell, the former's nearly plunging on to the floor.

"Oh, no! Not 'dem!" Meowth screeched.

"It can't be them!" Brock moaned.

"But it probably IS!" Screamed Misty.

"To infect the world with devestation!

"To blind all people from every nation!"

"To denounce the goodness of truth and love!"

"To extend our wrath to the stahs above--------"

However, Giovanni could and would not bear to hear the rest of the motto.

"Butch, Cassidy, stop this nonsense IMMEDIATELY!!!"

Both immediately stood at attention, stiff and rigid.

"Yes, Suh," replied Butch, whose voice made a few Rockets in the room moan and groan. Giovanni explained to Ash and company,

"You might know Butch and Cassidy, since they were the ones that had you, him, that annoying photographer, and you two blundering idiots......" He shot a glance at Jessie and James once again. ".....arrested at the Breeding Center."

Ash and Brock started to sweat; that memory hadn't occured to them in so long, and now that it did it hit them like a bullet.

"It was a lie! We didn't do anything!"

Giovanni replied coolly,

"You're not among honest people anymore, boy. In fact, in our organization, lying is life and truth is death; deception is first over directness. In other words, you had better reform your attitude about things; your good character will not help you around here. To help you change that, Jessie, James, Butch and Cassidy will instruct you in our ways. THERE IS NO WAY AROUND IT."

With that, he and the other Rockets disappeared deeper into the shadows, leaving Ash, Misty, Brock, and Pikachu with who were once their greatest enemies.

Chapter IV The Rockets Have Been Lit

"So, what are we supposed to do?" Ash inquired, looking up at his teammates.

Jessie and James chuckled evily, but the former's face fell when she caught sight of Cassidy on the opposite side. She growled in menace at her.

"What's the big fuss, Jess?" Cassidy drawled. "You know these kids'll get more experience from us."

"Shut up!" Jessie ordered, obviously not in the mood.

"Both a' ya shut up!" Meowth chimed in.

"We got lotsa work ta do!" Butch added, "We won't get any work done if Jessie and Cassidy stay togethuh. Uhh, maybe we should split up. Uhh, I'll go with Jessie. James can go with Cassidy and Meowth. We'll work on the little kid and the othuh little kid. Uh, Cassidy, you work with the yellow rat and the othuh little kid."

Everyone groaned. Never let someone that doesn't know names explain things, thought Cassidy. She specified,

"Your stupid partners James, Meowth and I will work with Pikachu and------"

"I'm not stupid!" Both blurted. She glared at them and then asked Ash and company for their names. She continued after she recieved them,

"---Brock, and Jess and Butch will work with Ash and Misty."

"Fine with me!" Jessie answered, and the two groups headed into two different parts of town. It was pleasant weather, the sun shining just the right amount of light over the city of Viridian. Ash, Misty, Jessie, and Butch walked, attempting a low-profile through the streets.

"Um, what do we have to do?" Ash asked Jessie. The red-haired Rocket pointed to a small green lawn they were approaching.

"You see that over there? Watch!"

There was a small pond in the middle of the grass, concealing a thin snake-like Poke`mon.

"What is it?" Ash pulled out his Poke`Dex: no response. Butch took it from him, explaining it was unnecessary. "Why?" Ash wondered aloud. His question was soon answered, because a Poke`mon that he saw a long while ago, poked its head from the water. Both Ash and Misty gaped at it.

"AHH! It's Dratini!"

They were abruptly cut off by Butch, who clapped his hand over their mouths.

"Quiet, you kids! If anyone sees us we're back in the jail again! This Dratini's a paht of a special public exhibit."

He removed his hand from Ash and Misty's face, for the latter was ready to bite him.

"Okay, we'll be quiet. Now what do we do?"

"Isn't it obvious, Ash? They want us to steal that Dratini!"

"That's right," affirmed Jessie.

"Use your Poke`mon to weaken it, then we'll make the capture!"

"Uh, okay. Kingler, go! Vicegrip!"

The Crab Poke`mon heavily walked toward the Dratini. Using its gigantic claw, it clenched Dratini, squeezing the life out of it. The Dratini was weakened fairly well; it was Paralyzed. Meowth jumped into the water, to his great reluctance, and grabbed the Dratini. As he jumped out, he screamed,

"I hate water!"

Nevertheless, he had the Dratini, and stuffed it into the bag Misty held over her shoulder. Then they quickly flew. As they did, Ash and Misty smiled with a nervous air about them. They didn't know whether to be proud or ashamed. It was their first felony; a word the small boy and girl never expected to hear in their long lives.

They quickly flew, failing to notice a familiar, and now a threatening woman that perched in a tree. She climbed down from the thick oak, heading in the direction of them.

Meanwhile, there was mayhem elsewhere in the city, near a Poke`mon Center. Brock and Pikachu stood smashed against the wall of the building, waiting for their oppurtunity.

"So," Brock reviewed the mission to himself, "we have to break into the Poke`mon Center and steal the ones that are healthy." He sighed deeply, and expressed himself to Pikachu, "I don't want to do this. Especially because this Center is run by Nurse Joy!!!!!! I can't do it! She'll never forgive me! (sigh) Ahhhhhhhhhh! It's not right!"

"Pikaaa," he whined sadly.

However, both knew that Cassidy and James were there distracting Nurse Joy, but with a hawk's eye on Brock and Pikachu. If they backed out on the plan, there was probably trouble waiting at the end. He sighed once again, drew in a breath, and withdrew his knife from his belt. The Poke`mon Breeder used the butt end of it to crack the window, instead of risking the obvious noise of calling Onix. The shattered window provided a large, but jagged opening for the two to crawl through.

Once on the other side, Brock activated his flashlight, and flashed it across the room. As soon as he saw the glass enclosures in the room, he frowned.

"Whoops, these are the Poke`mon in Intensive Care! They're not healthy!"

"Pika, Pika."

Brock cautioulsly peered through the doorway, and spied healed Poke`mon being returned to their owners at the front desk, along with Nurse Joy talking to Cassidy and James, who seemed to be growing more impatient for Brock and Pikachu to complete the mission. The reluctant Rocket member crouched low, and crawled along the floor, reaching the room next door where the healed Poke`mon were kept, escaping the notice of Nurse Joy. I can't believe I'm doing this, he thought to himself. Strangely, Pikachu was thinking basically the same thing.

Meanwhile, Meowth, Cassidy and James could barely keep from bursting with impatience with their teammate. It took all of their will to avoid a fatal slip. Though Joy was a simple person, she couldn't help being suspicious about their presence.

"What's wrong? You look like you're waiting for someone."

Cassidy smiled pleasantly, but inside, she was frowning with anger and annoyance at Brock's tardiness. "

Oh, nothing, we just need to heal our two hurt Poke`mon.

" She explained, referring to Giovanni's Scratchcat Poke`mon.

"Meowth!"

"Right," James agreed, detatching Weezing's Poke`Ball from his belt and handing it to the red-haired nurse. She accepted it and walked to a large machine, placing the Poke`Balls onto it.

Brock quickly shut the door and locked it, quietly. He waved his flashlight about the room, Pikachu providing more light. The other stood up, staring at all of the Poke`Balls. All of them were labled, to prevent confusion, and arranged neatly in rows. Brock pulled out the bag he had stuffed into his pocket that afternoon, and instructed the electric rodent,

"Help me with these, Pikachu."

"Pika, Pika."

The two of them randomly grabbed the Poke`Balls on the shelves and stuffed them into the bag. It filled up quickly, and soon the room was completely void of the red-and-white devices, but not of Poke`mon. Suddenly, as Brock and Pikachu prepared to make their escape, yellow light filled the room, coming from one corner. The light seemed to be rotating, for a strange reason. Brock had not seen these before, but soon identified what they were.

"Pika-chu-chu!Pika-Pika-chu-chu!Pika-Pika-chu-chu!Pika-Pika-chu-chu!Pika-Pika-Pika-Pika-Pika-Pika-Pika-Pika-chu!!!"

"It's a bunch of Pikachu! Acting as a light source! I wonder if we should steal these, too?"

Before his question could be answered, all of the "components" for the "light bulb" scampered off of their platform, with a mixture of fear and hatred in their eyes, their cheeks sparking madly. Before the two knew what to do, a blast of electricity was seen, sending the burglars to the floor. The last things the Trainer felt before sliding into unconsciousness was the pain of his stiff arms being pulled behind his back, the cold metal of handcuffs closing tightly, to the point of cutting into his wrists, and his whole body being jerked violently up. Back on the streets of Viridian, Ash, Jessie, and Butch were running, unaware of the fate of their teammate, or the danger close behind them. The red-haired teenager smiled slyly at Ash, asking,

"See? That wasn't so bad, right, Ash?"

Both Ash and Misty let out a moan, that turned into one of despair when a loud, feminine voice sounded, freezing the criminals in their tracks.

"So, you think you can just--------wait! You're--------"

Jenny was speechless when she recognized who the robbers were. She silently made the arrest, and led them toward where her police car sat.

"Wauughhhhhh........" The boy groaned, as he and his teammates were hauled into a gray paddy wagon, and the metal doors closed with a deathly slam.

Consciousness returned to Pikachu. He was awakened by no one, just by the stillness and silence of the world. He opened his eyes, his only memory being of being mercilessly shocked by nearly a dozen of his own kind, and police officers bursting into the room.

"Pika........." he said softly, finally opening his eyes, horrified at the sights and sounds he now beheld. All around him were thick stone walls, and the front presented metal bars, with an angry mob beyond that were angrily yelling at him and his friends. Most carried signs that insulted them all gravely. The cell was thick with red: not blood, Pikachu confirmed, but tomato, which happened to be his favorite thing to swallow, and also whizzing all about the cell.

"Pika!!" The mouse ran toward the mess; it was all over, even on his Trainer and everyone else in the cell. Ash was in one corner, his stained Poke`mon League cap hiding his open brown eyes, silent, unmoving, seeming to lose touch with the world. Pikachu ran up to his trainer, questioning with his face red with tomato, "Pika?" Instead of responding, the boy became even more silent and still, his face frozen with an expression that terrified Pikachu's soul. The latter thought for a moment, and used his powerful, but fairly mild Thundershock on the silent figure above him. A scream was suddenly heard, and Ash returned from unusual deep thinking.

"Pikachu..........you're okay!" Ash apparently failed to notice Pikachu before this. The latter leaped into his trainer's arms, overjoyed that Ash was now responding. Now that he was, Pikachu decided to engage in a conversation.

"Pika, Pikachu-Pika? Pikachu Pika-Pika?" What happened, Ash? Where are we? "(sigh) They got us, Pikachu. Officer Jenny. We're in jail!!!"

"Pika, Pika-chu?" What about the others?

"They got all of us! The plan didn't work." "Pika.Pikachu!" What do we do now? And why are there angry people out there! I'm scared! The other was about to answer, when Misty, who looked like a fright, explained,

"We're going to be on trial, tomorrow! If the judge thinks we're guilty, then....."

"Togeprrriiii!"

Jessie finished the sentence, softly,

"We're finished." She quickly raised her tone of voice to the mob. "GRRRRR! STOP THROWING TOMATOES AT MY BEAUTIFUL FACE AND INSULTING US!!!!!!"

James moaned,

"We'll all go to prison, and we'll be wasted away by all of the labor. Ohhhhhh............."

Butch added to the misery:

"If we do get off the hook, we won't be able to mess up again 'cause the next time they'll go really hahd with us." Brock pointed to the people outside of the cell.

"They're all the townspeople........Whoa!"

A tomato flew over his head, which he dodged and it landed in Cassidy's mouth.

"They're angry at us for trying to steal their Poke`mon, so they're throwing tomatoes ar us!"

Some of the cries from outside of the cell they were able to clearly hear and understand, each one spurring more embarrasment and anger, mixed together, changing the group's feelings about Team Rocket.

"Damn ya Rockets! All the way ta Hell!"

"I hope judge kicks your ass into prison for 100 years!"

"Shit like you don't deserve to live; we got a right to our Poke`mon!"

"Who leads ya? You're worse than him!"

"You son of a bitches can't take 'em now that you're locked up like rats!"

"Pika........"

Salvation and problem came in the same instant., in the form of a certain blue-haired police officer.

"Okay, break it up! If you're not friends of the criminals, than get out of here! Save some of those tomatoes for yourselves! They'll get more what they deserve soon!"

It took her all of her strength to shove them the mob out of the door. After that was accomplished, she turned and walked in the oppositte direction. Jenny was extremely angry and confused as to why it did happen. She walked up to the cold steel bars and hesitated.

She couldn't believe it: staring at people she knew and trusted and would accept her help readily in every way, that were now evil and twisted, seemingly innocent faces merely masking the true terror that lay within. Jenny examined their tomato-stained faces, and breathed a sigh.

"Ash.........Misty...........Brock.........." she addressed them in her severest tone, ".....though my cousins and I know you well, I couldn't.....go.....easy on you."

"We know," Ash mumbled. The others nodded their heads, and the police officer continued,

"What you did was very wrong, and I don't know why you did it. That Park Exhibit was today; no one was able to see it because it was missing." She finished gravely, "Because of you. And not to mention the Poke`mon Center robbery." Brock sweated in great embarassment, but, strangely, soon it was overtaken by anger. Ash was ready to blurt out, "We didn't want to do it," but that would only deepen the trouble. Jenny would not be sympathetic and understanding to that phrase, so he said nothing. What's there to say? He thought angrily. This time it's no frame; we did it and we knew we were doing it! The officer seemed to read his mind, for she discussed the same topic with the Rockets. "I heard about what happened with the Breeding Center." Everyone save Jenny had exactly the same thought at that time: NOT AGAIN! "Right, Butch and Cassidy framed you then. But now, you were actually working with them!" She shook her head in confusion and dismay. She walked away from the cell, mumbling, "I just don't see what would make you want to join a bunch of lying criminals. I don't see how you could stand to become one of them." As soon as she was out of earshot, Cassidy remarked,

"Now we REALLY have to get out of here because if Jenny is going to be watching us the whole time; we'll never hear the end of it; at least YOU won't," referring to Ash, Misty, and Brock, "because we've always been bad but you haven't and........."

Jessie had heard quite enough. She drew her ready fan and brought it down on her rival's head. That seemed to have rattled her unceasing thoughts into a positive direction, for she very well produced the idea that was needed. It was simple, but no one had thought of it yet because of the heavy black cloud hanging inside of their minds, and in the case of Brock and Pikachu, the previous shock. "I've got it; let's use our Poke`mon to break through the bars and then we can make a break!"

Everyone agreed, so each sent out someone with the skills to complete the task.

"Kingler, I choose you! Crabhammer!"

"Misty calls--Staryu! Airborne Tackle, now!" "Onix, go! Rock Throw!"

"Go, Lickitung! Tackle Attack!"

"Weezing, go! Smokescreen into the hall!"

"Raticate, go! Hyper Fang!"

Pikachu and Togepi watched in anticipation as the Poke`mon performed their attacks, battering the bars that kept them confined. They seemed to crack under the weight of each Poke`mon, especially Kingler's Crabhammer and Onix's Rock Throw. Lickitung's powerful tongue bent the bars, making them easier to break. The threat of Jenny stopping them was eliminated with Weezing's Smokescreen. Raticate's Hyper Fang slowly cut through the bars. Staryu's spinning against them caused dents that would lead to the bars' collapse.

Though unconscious of the fact, they were all working together, something they rarely, if ever before, did.

Within minutes, they were out of the cell, the only signs of them being thick gas, fallen tomatoes, and broken metal bars. As they fled the station, though, the three friends of Jenny looked upon it one more time, determined not to end up there again. As for the officer, both she and Ash, Misty, and Brock knew one thing: they were now enemies: mortal enemies. The bond between them, and all good people had been cut. There were no second thoughts. What were once honest and good people had been completely and wholeheartedly transformed into evil, lying, thieving, cheating beings lower than dirt by determination to go the whole distance, since they had gone partly, and complete humiliation by one who they were so close to. They would show the world who they really were. Their days as true Poke`mon Trainers and Breeders were over: they were turning over a new leaf: a rotten, charred one. From now on, if they committed a crime, they couldn't blame it on their partners; their whole hearts were into it. They were now official members of Team Rocket, whose only desire was to rule the world using living devices of nature: Poke`mon, and to obtain them by any means necessary, whether it be the lowest way on Earth.

Chapter V Prediction of Truth

An icy wind tore throughout a sparsley populated town, east of Saffron City and Celadon City, rattling the old sign that clearly read, "Volunteer Poke`mon House". Inside of the faded purple-roofed building several people were gathered, eager to hear the news of the old man at the back of the house.

"My friends, ten more Cubone will be left motherless not long from now."

All surrounding him gasped in horror at the unexpected statement. One, who held a Psyduck in his arms protested,

"But, Mr. Fuji! Team Rocket isn't after Marowak anymore. They're targeting Psyduck! And.....lately they've been stealing Poke`mon, not killing them!"

Another holding a Nidorino agreed,

"Besides, Team Rocket has been subdued ever since the Marowak were moved on the Safari Zone. It is strongly protected and I heard they have a new security system to detect who are members and who are not!!"

Fuji shook his wrinkled head, arguing,

"I know. Somehow, I know that Team Rocket has resurfaced, now more determined than ever to make lives miserable for unpopular Poke`mon. They might have acquired new members, or maybe some strange technology."

All nodded, realizing the direness of the situation.

Team Rocket has been a pain in the neck as long as I can remember, thought the man holding Psyduck. He asked Fuji in a grave tone,

"What should we do?" The old man turned around, facing the wall, as if that is where the solution would come. He clapped his hands together, bowing his head. He prayed for an answer, from both the spirits of deceased Marowak and higher powers. When finished, he turned to face the group, and spoke,

"We can only wait; there is nothing we can do at the moment. We can only wait."

"Wait, no we can do something!" Psyduck's watcher shouted. "We can send people to the Safari Zone to keep an eye on the Marowak there!"

"Good suggestion, young one. Go, then. We'll keep an eye on matters here."

The volunteers disembarked, heading into the icy Lavender wind.

Deep in the Safari Zone, three Rockets clad in white walked. It had been only a few days since their arrest and escape from jail. Since then, Jessie, James, Butch, and Cassidy trained them to the best of their ability, and now they were ready. Their own parents wouldn't have recognized them now: all with serious expressions: showing defiance to all who would dare to stop them. Even Pikachu who usually was pleasant, had a glare of evil on his face. Their mission today they wouldn't fail. They had recieved sufficient training by their teammates, and now, even though hints of guilt were present, it was time for them to show their skill......in ending the life of a clan of Marowak.

"Wait, Misty, why are we doing this, anyway?"

Misty sighed and answered, "I heard Marowak are very protective of their young. We can't capture Cubone if we can't gte rid of their mothers!"

Ash thought for a second, then suggested, "Why can't we just capture the Marowak, too? I don't know if we should do this!"

Brock explained, "Marowak hardly stay in Poke`Balls. It'll be hard to capture, and we don't have much time. And we don't want Marowak; it's not that easy to train. We want the Cubone because they're the ones that are easy to train."

"Okay," Ash agreed, with reluctance, his feelings matching his teammates' feelings about the whole situation. The sting of guilt grew.

They headed deeper into the Safari Zone, the eerie cries of the different species of Poke`mon not startling the members. It wasn't long before they discovered a band of Marowak: a stout, fierce warrior with a skull masking its identity.

Its thick brown hide save the head was exposed, giving it the appearance of a two-legged dog. The parents of the constantly threatened Cubone, these rough Ground Type Poke`mon would not go down easily, and Ash and his teammates knew it. All grabbed their Poke`Balls and flung them at the Marowak, paralyzing them momentarily.

The balls fell to the ground, releasing the Pocket Monsters, who prepared to give thier strongest attacks against the Marowak.

"Blastoise, (gulp) Hydro Pump!"

"Golduck, (sigh) Water Gun!"

"Vulpix, (moan) Fire Spin!!"

The barrage began. The Marowak groaned as they were hit with the blasts of water, combined with the powerful tornado-like Fire Spin. They were unable to fight back; the blasts were so powerful and continual. The Rockets ordered their fighters to launch attacks unceasingly and at maximum power. However, every single attack brough unbearable guilt to the launchers.

"Maro---wak!"

That signalled the downfall of the first one. Tears streamed from their eyes, at the sight of their fallen relation, weakening them even more.

"All right, we got one!" Exclaimed Brock. Unfortunately, the cries of the Marowak didn't go unheard by Lavender volunteers. Three were making there way to the point of disaster that very moment: bent on stopping Team Rocket and saving Marowak and Cubone.

"There they are! They're being burned and soaked!"

"C'mon., lets get 'em!"

"Careful, we ain't cops! One wrong move against Team Rocket and they'll have us in jail for assault!"

"Right, just get the other Marowak and Cubone out of there and try to rescue those ones!"

They bounded through the long grass, dodging Pinsir and Chansey stampeding towards them. Something seemed terribly wrong.

"What's with them? Team Rocket ain't that intimidating!"

"Wait............"

Their worst fears were confirmed. The blazing Fire Spin had caught on the crisp grass and had spread into a brushfire, which Safari Zone Poke`mon were fleeing from. There was no hope for Marowak, who tended to hide in the grass, away from human eyes. Cubone tended to be a little more conspicuous, when danger arose, screaming its name and breaking into a long wail. Unfortunately, the Ground Type Poke`mon were nowhere to be seen, nor their wails could be heard.

"Agh! Cubone!" Cried one of the volunteers.

"Marowak!" Another called.

They searched vainly, finding no traces of the Lonely or Bonekeeper. Finally, they sighted the place of disaster, where the fire had been somewhat deteriorated because of the mix of water. It brought pain to their eyes. It was a pitiful sight to see: charred and softened skulls belonging to ten Bonekeeper Poke`mon. Their eyes were shut, and their limp and unmoving figures were further blackened and baked by the fire. The Lavender volunteers retreated in defeat, trying to find any Poke`mon who could have been rescued from the fire, or from their enemies' Poke`Balls : there was none. The Safari Zone was finished, completely obliterated by Team Rocket. Mr. Fuji's prediction came true.

Chapter VI Headline of Madness

"Come in," a deep voice boomed.

Jessie and James walked into their Boss's large office, which was apart from his in the Headquarters, for this was the Viridian City Gym. They tried not showing any nervousness, and handed a newspaper, titled The Viridian Garden to him. "

Looks like those kids did it," James commented gleefully.

Meowth agreed,

"Yeah! Who woulda' thought dat dey could pull it off!" T

Though the paper told events occuring in that city, it told of the events in surrounding areas, and the destruction of the Safari Zone was certainly news. He began to read expectantly to himself, as his underlings and his Persian looked eagerly over his shoulder.

Safari Zone Destroyed-Surviving Poke`Mon Left Homeless

Yesterday, Saturday, the popular Safari Zone, located near Fuschia City, was burned to the ground as a result of a fire. All Trainers were evacuated, but many Poke`mon died in the fire. Poke`mon Researchers, including Pallet Town's Professor Oak, and the Fushcia Police investigated. He identified many of the victims of the fire.

"Among the Poke`mon caught in the fire were Cubone, Marowak, Pinsir, Chansey, Tauros, Kangaskhan, Nidorina, Nidorino, Nidoran (F), Nidoran (M), Rhyhorn, Paras, Parasect, Dratini, Exeggcute, Venonat, Venomoth, Krabby, Psyduck, Poliwag, including many of the buildings that stand there. It is a complete outrage that someone would do this on purpose. I hope that the perpetrators are punished," says the Poke`mon Prof.

The police say,

"We suspect the crime was committed by Team Rocket. We're puzzled at the fact that the fire occured in the first place. It does not fit their usual M.O. We're guessing that they changed it to throw us off, but we're sure its Team Rocket. "

Witnesses from the Lavender Volunteer Poke`mon House were there, trying to save the Poke`mon. "Those Rockets! They don't care for anyone! Cubone are scarce, and Marowak are even scarcer than Cubone! It's getting too far," says Luke Nneg from Lavender Town.

The Safari Zone is now being repaired, thanks to donations from citizens.*

Over thousands of dollars in land were lost. The Poke`mon that survived are being moved to the Volunteer House in Lavender Town. They are being treated for injuries or mental shock.

*If you have any information on the wherabouts of Team Rocket, call the Viridian Police at 458-9027.

*If you wish to give donations to the Safari Zone, call 592-0004."

Giovanni grinned proudly as he put down the paper. I've recruited the right ones, He thought. He then whirled his chair around to face Jessie and James.

"You and Butch and Cassidy have trained them well," he congratulated.

"Thank you, Sir," they responded in unison.

"At first, I thought that this plan would lead to our downfall, because when you described your meetings with them I suspected there would never be any chance of changing them. But this plan is actually seeming to work."

He paused, collecting his thoughts, then continued, "I trust that they will be here within ten hours. I have another assignment for them, in Pallet Town. Now, go. You have some business elsewhere."

Jessie nodded.

"Yes, Sir! Ash had a Rival named Richie. He owns a powerful Pikachu, too. If we steal it......"

The other finsihed, "I'll advance your salary."

"Thank you, Boss!" James shouted. "We'll steal it as easily as the kid does!"

Giovanni nodded in affirmation, and the others took leave of their Boss, who began to form new plans in his twisted mind. For years I have been forming my master plan. It always has been pulled together by either misdemeanors or felonies. We have several corporations under our control; some we have lost over the years, others we've retained control of. There's so many we've lost: Silph Co, the Celadon perfume industry, the fishing industry at Vermillion, Poke`mon Tower, several Power Plants, and other major industries. Maybe we can win them back with those young ones. Maybe........then, gradually, my master plan can be initiated.

Chapter VII The Colors Splattered

"Come on, guys! The Boss wanted us back in Viridian three hours ago!" Ash coaxed his friends, brushing off the ash and smoke from his uniform.

"Pika, Pika!"

"Tog-rrpiii!"

Misty panted loudly to show her disapproval of the speed they were going. Brock agreed with her and pointed out,

"Ash, we've been running from Fuschia City to Viridian City, with only a few breaks! (gasp) That's way more than just a mile!"

"Oh, sorry," Ash apologized, rubbing his head. "I forgot. I guess I'm so excited because we caught so many Cubone!" And killed a ton of others The small boy thought deep in his mind.

Brock smiled, with the burden of tiredness and sleeplessness apparent in his tan face, saying,

"Also, I'm the one with the bag!"

"Oh, yeah, I forgot." A bead of sweat formed on Ash's vivacious face. The three approached a large lake. "Oh, no! How are we going to cross that?" Ash groaned in despair. The young Cerulean City Gym stepped foward with confidence.

"Never forget that water's my specialty! But you don't need to be a Water Trainer to know that we can---steal a boat to cross it!"

"Pikaaaaaa!"

"Hey, Misty's right! There's the dock over there! Lets go!"

The Rocket Gang tore through the air, rushing toward a deserted and trustowrthy boat. Brock set it adrift with his knife, then all three bounded into the boat and initiated the engine. The small boat tore off, leaving the owner of the rental in raging fury.

There were no major obstacles after that; it was straight to Viridian City from then on. Upon arriving, they immediately stormed into Viridian City Gym. Giovanni was at the door, instructing one of the members. At the sight of them, Giovanni immediately abandoned his activity and turned to face them.

"Ash, Misty, Brock. Well done."

"Thanks, Sir," they responded in unision, the exhaustion plain to see on their filthy faces.

" After you rest tonight, I have an assignment for you in the morning. Be at Headquarters by then."

The statement was obviously not music to their ears, for they collapsed to the floor in complete exhaustion.

The pale darkness began to fade as Cassidy noisily plodded into Headquarters. Her eyelids were heavy and her expression distorted. The blonde-haired Rocket had been up all night running errands all over the nearby cities of Viridian and Cerulean, operating the latest scams to cheat customers. She groaned. On top of all that, she needed to wake up the "kids" so they could start their "job".

The girl walked through the desterted hallway, turning a corner to the right, nearly hitting the walls because of her sleeplessness. Cassidy walked through the hallway, mumbling the rooms to herself,

"Gym........another gym........another gym......boy this place hasn't been the same since it was rebuilt! Bathroom.............another bathroom..........a room........here it is!"

Cassidy barged into the room, in her hurry tripping over Brock's leg, and landing heavily on Pikachu. The result was unwanted, but predictable.

"PIKAAAAAAAAACHUUUUUU!" A set of screams were heard, for the floor was metallic. After the mouse did his damage and everyone was a heap on the floor, Cassidy glared at him and picked him up angrily from his favorite green blanket decorated with lightning bolts.

"I don't need that today you little rat and I didn't get a bit of sleep last night so listen to me-Wake up!!!!!"

That was sufficient to spring the others awake.

"What does he want us to do this time, Cassidy?" Ash asked somewhat eagerly, his brown eyes sparking. Misty, on the other hand, groaned and stated, "I hope he doesn't want us to go all the way to Fuschia City again."

"Tog---priiiiiii,"

Misty's Poke`mon agreed with her. Cassidy shook her head wearily.

"It's not far away this time the Boss wants you to go to Pallet Town--------"

Before she could go any further, a shout of terror stopped her.

"Waugh! Cassidy, Pallet Town's my home! I couldn't rob from there!" The other glared at him with a look of disgust.

"Kid are you telling me that you can steal Poke`mon from a very public place but not your birthplace?"

Ash looked up, quite ashamed, and lamely responded, "My mom and Professor Oak and all these people I know are there. Stealing from them would be like-----"

Brock finished, thoughtfully,

"Stealing from yourself."

Misty coaxed her blonde teammate,

"I think you should let him decide if he wants to go."

Before she could respond, Ash yelled, "Of course I'll go! But I don't want to hurt my mom or the Professor!"

Cassidy nodded, then collapsed onto the floor, snoring softly.

"I guess we'd better get going," Brock said.

"Right."

As they tore through the doorway, Ash thought, Anyway if we stay here I probably won't have the heart to go.

"More tea, Professor?"

"Thank you, Mrs. Ketchum."

Pallet Town's most prominent person sat in one of Ash's mom's wooden chairs, discussing various evens with her. He drank eagerly, happy that he had come to Mrs. Ketchum's home. Between sips, the gray-haired man stated proudly, "Ash won against the Jolt League." The other nearly dropped her tea cup with pride. Her only Poke`mon, Mr. Mime, that served as a friend and a maid, bustled about the house, sweeping things that were dusty.

"I know! I can't believe my Ash did it! He won against the Poke`mon Leauge, the Orange, and now the Jolt! He's so mature now, that I think he'd be ready to win against any league!"

"Mime!!!"

"Yes, Mrs. Ketchum. At first I thought he was hopeless, but now I have total confidence he can place decently in any league in the entire world. even if he lost. I am very proud of your son."

Now came the irony. The glass of one of the windows shattered-doing the same to their conversation.

"Mr. Mime?"

"Huh? What's that?" Oak wondered. He didn't have to wait long to get an answer.

Quick as lightning, five shapes appeared in the window. Both the professor's and woman's face fell, recognizing who they were.

"I can't believe it!" Mrs. Ketchum softly said.

"It can't be true!" Exclaimed Oak.

They listened in horror to what then ensued:

"Prepare for trouble!"

"And you can make it triple!"

"To protect the world from devestation!"

Then, two other voices joined, both vauguely familiar to Oak and Ash's mom.

"To denounce the evils of truth and love!"

"To extend our reach to the stars above!"

"Ash!"

"Misty!"

"Brock!"

"Jessie!"

"James!"

Then, a chorus of darkness:

"Team Rocket, blast off at the speed of light! Surrender now, or prepare to fight!"

"Meowth, 'dat's right!"

"Pika, Pika!!"

The following words they spoke Mrs. Ketchum could not and would not hear. She was unnerved by this terrible sight: her son and all of his friends in the uniforms of that hated and feared organization, speaking the slogan of them as if it were second-nature.

She couldn't bear it; tears flowed from her eyes, realizing that her son was not the same person he was as he walked out of the her long so ago.

"We're here to take possesion of------" Jessie announced, then Ash finished, trying to hide his great guilt,

"Mimie!"

"What?" Professor Oak questioned in disbelief.

While both sat there, still holding thier tea cups, paralyzed with fear, Misty confidently held her empty device.

"Poke`Ball, go!"

"Mime!"

However, the Psychic Poke`mon wasn't about to be captured by a group of thieves, no matter who they happened to be, whether it be Mrs. Ketchum's son or the Leader of the strongest Gym in the world. Quicker than the Poke`Ball, he used Barrier, that blocked the whizzing Ball.

"What?" Misty was obviously surprised. "What happened?"

Mrs. Ketchum seemed to beam with pride at Mr. Mime's skill. But, Professor Oak somehow knew that it the Barrier Poke`mon would fare ill. Team Rocket would find a way around the walls.

His fear was confirmed when Jessie shouted,

"We won't be defeated like last time, old man! Go! Arbok, under the floor, now!"

"Chaaaaaaa-bok!" A crash was heard, as the cobra smashed through the floor. Wood flew everywhere.

"Mime? Mime? Mr. Mimeeeeeeeeee!"

Arbok had grabbed ahold of Mr. Mime's leg, breaking his concentration and the invisible walls. Misty winked at her teammates, and the PokeBall flew once again, Mr. Mime disappearing.

"Hope you enjoyed the show!" James exclaimed, as he sent out Weezing.

"Weezing, Smokescreen!"

Thick green gas filled the house. It blinded Mrs. Ketchum for a few crucial moments, sufficient time for the Rocket Gang to escape through the window with Mr. Mime. In addition, she couldn't find her companion.

"Professor! Professorrrrrrrrrr!" Ash's mom wailed. "Where are you?"

No answer.

Professor Oak's eyes darted wildly. He was tightly bound and gagged, and all the Rockets had surrounded him, each with a rifle pointed at his face. He noted the enviroment: a cluttered basement of a Pallet citizen.

The old man barely moved as the blue-haired member walked toward him to remove the gag, handing his rifle to Meowth, who tottered with the weight of it.

"Whoa-whoa-whoa-wowwwwww!"

The researcher began to sweat, but put foward the question prompty:

"What do you want?"

"Uh, Professor," Ash said, lacking force and ferocity, "we want you to unlock your house so we can take your Poke`mon!"

A confused expression crossed Oak's wrinkled face. When he finally percieved that the gang meant business, he searched for an excuse.

"I left my keys in the lab!" Brock rudely shoved his hand into one of Oak's deep pockets, feeling for metal. The professor unwisely protested, and the guns cocked.

"Okay, okay!" He said in a subdued tone. He then added, "But I can't get into my lab without being untied."

"How pathetic do you think we are?" James wondered aloud, untying Oak's binds. The latter thought angrily, Very. Now what am I going to do? Ash is there, and Misty is there, but wait, the two others are over there: wait, I can't go anywhere! Team Rocket is everywhere! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

The Poke`mon Prof shot a glance behind him as he stuck the key into its hole. He suddenly had deathly contempt for anyone who wore the R on their shirt. That organization had done what James said it would do: "Unite all peoples within our nation", and had blinded them with greed and love of power. Power, Professor Oak thought with annoyance. That's what I need to get out of this mess.

The key turned, and the door swung open. Everyone walked in, heading into his large laborotory. There, Oak was forced to sit and watch as all of his experiments, research, and the Poke`mon of Trainers, including even his grandson, were stolen before his very eyes. Despite his serious yet cool tempermant, his eyes flared up in anger at this abominable sight. However, there was nothing that could be done, but to watch the crime and listen to Team Rocket's gloating.

Jessie laughed uncontrollably as she stuffed the scores of Poke`Balls in a sack.

"This is like taking candy from a baby!"

Her partner gleefully giggled, agreeing,

"I know! We're really succeeding!"

"Meowth! 'Da Boss'll make me Top Cat again for sure!" :

"Mm-hmm."

Ash, Misty, and Brock nodded their heads, loading Poke`Balls, while Pikachu and Togepi kept a watchful eye on Prof. Oak, who scanned the room for a phone. To his dismay, the phone line was cut; no doubt who did it, either.

Gradually, the room's Poke`Balls decreased, until it was completely void of them.

"Thank you for the Poke`mon, Professor," Ash remarked in an obnoxious, yet gleeful tone, as the five of them rushed out of the door, along with the heavy bundles of Poke`Balls.

Professor Oak watched them, eyebrows falling on top of his eyes, and as soon as they were gone, he took leave of his desolate laboratory, to comfort Mrs. Ketchum and see if the Rocket Gang had attacked her again.

Ash sat by the fire of the small camp he and his friends set up for the night, that happened to sit between Headquarters and Pallet Town. Everyone else was asleep, save Pikachu. The young member watched the flames, each part flickering up or down.

It crackled, being fed by Poke`Balls containing Poke`mon that didn't carry impressive traits. Ash winced at each one he threw into the fire. This was not his dream; the goal he wanted for himself. He never imagined he would be doing this, as he stared at his gloved hands, the color of which symbolized evil and darkness. He rested his chin on it, listening to the steady snores of his teammates, whom he once simply called friends.

"Pika!" Ash's yellow mouse rubbed his face against Ash's chest, trying to smile, but the pain and guilt of his heart clearly showed in his face. Ash rubbed Pikachu's head, knowing that he and his other friends were going through this together. Then the boy's face fell again, speculating aloud,

"My mom probably won't look at me ever again."

"Pika, Pika. Pika?" Misty's Egg Poke`mon had waken up, and started to walk away from the camp. "Pika!!!"

Being the unhired bodyguard of Togepi, Pikachu rushed off to catch up with it, for it was not very young or bright, and there were flightly dangers in the forest, such as Spearow and Pidgeotto.

"Pikachu! Hey, where are you going?"

Ash followed him into the dimly lit early morning forest, leaving his teammates by the fire. He found a nearby river, which Togepi was carelessly walking towards. "Oh, no! Togepi can't swim!"

There were a set of stones crossing the river: just what Ash needed to reach the other side and keep Togepi from trying to swim. He unhesitatingly ran across the slippery stones, his boots providing some traction. Unfortunately, the last stone was not what it seemed to be; it was merely only a loose rock that would eventually be carried downstream, and carrying Ash along with it. "Waugggggh!" He screamed in terror.

The river was swift, carrying the frightened boy across the water into rocks and branches, while the rescued Togepi watched him with a confused expression. He couldn't find Pikachu anywhere; his eyes darted every which way, and screaming, "Pikachu," but he couldn't pinpoint Pikachu's location. Then the boy realized the other problem: "We're going to fall!"

As he said, he was heading toward a waterfall, that looked strangely familiar. Before Ash could think anymore, he found himself plunging down the waterfall, yelling loudly. The impact on the water was not soft; in fact, it stunned him as he hit. Lucky for him, he hit feet-first.

Ash began to swim, soon encountering four Gyarados. He dodged them quickly, and scrreamed toward shore like mad.

He found relief from his flight when Misty, Brock, Jessie, and James tugged on his arm and he flew out of the water, choking and coughing.

"Ash, are you okay?" Brock asked concernedly. Ash nodded, still choking.

"Why did you decide to take a swim, anyway, Ash?" Misty wondered aloud.

After he could talk again, Ash answered, angrily,

"It was your stupid Togepi that made me fall into the river!"

"Whoops! Sorry, Ash," Misty apologized, blushing.

She looked at her Egg Poke`mon, who seemed so cute, young, and innocent, akin to them. Pikachu agreed with Ash, angry at his fur wet.

"Pika, Pikaaaaa!"

Ash quickly switched to a different subject, one he thought of as he was washed downriver.

"Now I remember! This is where Misty and I met!"

"Hey, that's right, Ash! And I hope you didn't forget about my bike, because this is the place YOU STOLE IT FROM ME!!!!!"

The other groaned, and their conversation was interrupted by their other teammates.

"Come on, Ash! We've got to get these Poke`mon to the Boss."

"Jessie's right! Lets go before he gets mad at us again!"

So, they backtracked from outside of Viridian to their Headquarters, wondering what sinister plans he had this time.

Chapter VIII The Waters Evaporated

Team Rocket presented their haul to their Boss.

"Impressive," Giovanni commented as he felt the cool metal of the Poke`Balls. "You have done well. I have a mind to give you a bonus."

"All right!" They all yelled, slapping each others hands. Then came the down of the part.

"Four hours from now be in Cerulean City. We are launching an attack."

The order was responded by a crash; his underlings had fallen on the floor, the hardest of all was Misty.

Giovanni frowned, and continued,

"And I will give you all radios, so you don't need to return to Headquarters or Viridian Gym. And, for you new members, I will give you my Hotline."

The Leader gave them each a black card with the number on it.

"Hey, thanks Boss!" The black-haired Poke`mon Trainer exclamined.

They stuffed the card into their pockets, and hurried out of his office. As soon as the door shut, the tall man buried himself in his paperwork.

The sun had taken shelter behind grayish clouds, providing an eerie light to guide Ash and his teammates to Cerulean. Misty seemed to be slightly worried, though it would be sweet revenge on her older sisters, she felt a little uneasy about it, as she said aloud to her teammates,

"This'll be my chance to get even with my sisters for taking advantage of me for so long! They'll see who's boss!"

Ash and Brock frowned.

"Don't you feel just a little guilty about it, Misty?"

The Cerulean Trainer shook her head, and snapped angrily,

"Do you think I'm a wimp, Ash?! I don't feel a thing for my sisters!"

Jessie and James barged into the conversation, the latter commenting,

"At least you have sisters to feel something for; I'm an only child!"

Meowth smirked, and asked from the side of his mouth, "Is dat da reason you're so pathetic?"

"Quiet, you imbecile!" Came the angry response.

Brock started to become annoyed, remarked,

"Stop that! We've got more important things to think about!"

"Pika, Pika."

"Togepriiiiii!"

"Hey, what time is it, anyway?" Ash asked, to no one in particular.

Everyone remembered, and the talking ceased for a while as they broke into a run. However, it started once again as they approached Cerulean City, as they discussed the procedure for the plan, simply titled: Blue. They discussed it with eagerness, knowing that if the job succeeded, they would recieve a handsome raise.

The city hadn't changed too much. There was still the coffee shop in the town. The cousin of Jenny that was native to Viridian was still suspicious of innocent people, and the Cerulean City Gym still held frequent shows.

Misty quickened her pace as the five of them approached her native Gym; this would be what she considered as the biggest payback of her entire life. They edged across the outside wall, feeling for a back entrance. Since this sort of thing was second-nature for Jessie, James, and Meowth, the door was found quickly, and all rushed in.

Quick as lightning, the gang was dressed as mere popcorn sellers, their red caps covering their eyes. Pikachu and Togepi had stationed themselves inside of the popcorn. They walked about, serving snacks to hungry people, waiting for Butch and Cassidy's signal, that would come from the Boss.

The radios wouldn't be able to be heard by their holders; the stadium was packed to the limit and extremely noisy. They were in their usual black uniform, so, among the colorful crowd, they would be easy to spot. Other members were stationed elsewhere in the large Gym.

Misty's sisters, the typical teenager, were especially excited for the upcoming show.

"Isn't this like, great, Lily? This is 'gonna be like, our best show!"

Her blonde-haired sister, Daisy, agreed,

"Totally! And, like, since its, like, a show totally for, like, our Water Poke`mon, we'll totally be a total success! But too bad our little sister couldn't be here to help us with it!"

As Misty walked past them, continuing to sell popcorn, she thought, Oh, I'll be here, all right. But I won't help you with the show. Meanwhile, Butch and Cassidy were hiding in the quiet hallway, silently listening for Giovanni's voice on the radio The show was nearly ready to commence; all of the Gym's Water Poke`mon would be released for the show, soon. Finally, their waiting ended; Giovanni spoke loudly,

"Butch, Cassidy? Are you there?"

"Right here, Sir." They responded.

"Initiate Operation: Blue!"

Butch nodded, recklessly lit a blue sparkler, and hurled it into the main room of the Gym. The sparkler didn't cause many problems with the audience: most speculators thought that it was part of show. Officer Jenny, who was stationed at the main entrance, grew suspicious of it.

"Hmm, very unusual. The Sensational Cerulean Sisters aren't this imaginitive. Hmmm....."

Her suspicions were confirmed once the lights were dimmed: black-uniformed Rockets flooded the Gym, overturning benches, chairs, and just about anything not nailed down, joined by Butch and Cassidy. After causing that minor damage, they dove into the water, attempting to trap the Water Poke`mon with nets. The temporary popcorn sellers saw their cue, Pikachu and Togepi burst out of the popcorn, and agilly climbed the ladder to the installed diving board. The spotlight was on them, now, prompting them to say the ubiquitous slogan with greater force, as the audience gasped and screamed, because they were watching the sparkler.

Violet, the last Gym Leader, observed,

"This isn't, like, part of the show!" Ash and Brock started them off, sharing a megaphone.

"Prepare for trouble!"

"And make it double-double-single!"

Misty and James were about to continue, but another light stopped them. This light was brighter, and would have blinded the gang if they didn't sheild their eyes. Despite this, Misty and James continued,

"To protect the world from devestation!"

"To unite all peoples within our nation!"

"To denounce the evils of truth and love!"

"To extend our reach to the stars above!"

"Ash!"

"Misty!"

"Brock!"

"Jessie!"

"James!"

Then, the distinct voice of Officer Jenny reached their ears, amplified by her own megaphone.

"TEAM ROCKET, BLAST OFF DOWN THAT LADDER AT THE SPEED OF LIGHT! SURRENDER NOW, OR PREPARE TO FIGHT AGAINST THE 57 OFFICERS IN THIS GYM!" She added, "DON'T THINK YOU CAN GET OUT OF IT, EITHER!"

Ash and the others looked wildly around them; all doors exits were blocked. Everyone began to panic, but Jessie eased their fears, by revealing a smokebomb.

"Now, you see us, and now you don't!"

The teenager exclaimed as she flung the bomb to the ground below. People screamed as it went off, being blinded by the smoke that poured out. With the confusion, they and the other Rockets made their escape, having time to snatch some of the weaker Seel.

Unfortunately, as all barrelled into the hall, its evolved form appeared. The sleek Sea Lion Poke`mon had climbed out of the water to save the stolen Poke`mon. Behind it, Misty's sisters, obviously angry at the ruin of their show, stood.

Misty stared into Dewgong's deep eyes. She suddenly remembered how she was able to raise one of the Gym's Seel into this stunning form of it. Her whole reminisce was interrupted by the Water Type angrily yelling,

"Gong-Dewgong! Dewgong! Dewgong! Gong!"

Misty was about to answer it, but Ash prevented the conversation.

"Come on, Misty! Lets go before Jenny comes back!"

"Pika, Pika!"

Misty sighed, and they all turned in the opposite direction. However, Dewgong wouldn't give up on its mission. Daisy saw what it was trying to do and ordered,

"Dewgong, use your, like, Ice Beam!" "Dew-gong!"

A flash of white light exited from its body, sailing over everyone's head except one, and that unlucky member was frozen in his tracks, now surrounded by and stuck in a thick wall of ice. The Dewgong continued to fire as it moved across the smooth floor, each time freezing one Rocket. Finally, only Ash and his team, Butch, and Cassidy were left unfrozen.

"Waugh! It's going to get us!" Ash screamed.

"What are we going to do?" Misty inquired.

"Once we're frozen, Jenny will get us!"

Brock added,

"We can't get away! Dewgong is too fast!"

Apparently, though Dewgong was out of the water, it's wet body slid easily and swiftly on the floor.

"And it has good aim!" Jessie observed.

Ash moaned. Then, he had an idea.

"Pikachu, slow it down with your Thunderbolt!"

"Pika! Pi-ka-CHUUU!"

The blast of electricity came into contact with the Dewgong, who temporarily stopped. As they continued to flee, Pikachu jumped into Ash's arms, the latter hugging him for a job well done, and saying,

"Great job, Pikachu!" "Pika!"

Their precious moment of warmth and comfort was interrupted by Butch's raspy voice.

"You can get all mushy latuh! We 'gotta split befoh that Dewgong gets movin', again!"

"Oh, right!" The small boy agreed.

With that, the gang disappeared from the Cerulean Gym, their mission accomplished.

Chapter IX The Boulders Dashed

It was now evening. The dark clouds did not disappear; they only became thicker. The sky boded rain that night, which would only be a minor inconvenience to Ash and his teammates. The other Rockets had disappeared, to run other errands, while the seven other members camped out beyond the outskirts of the city they had just robbed, waiting for further orders.

Brock sat near the blazing fire, cooking rice balls and assorted foods for the team. He was wearing his favorite ruffled apron, and a satisfied smile that he was able to pursue one of his his favorite hobbies. Unfortunately for him, though, his smile would soon turn into a deep frown, because he would be faced with a hard decision.

The Rock Trainer's radio activated, and he immediately answered the static,

"What now, Boss?"

"The next target is Pewter City. Inform the others about this. You are to attack the Gym next morning. After that, await my orders as to what you will do with the Poke`mon you have stolen from Pallet Town, Cerulean City, and next morning: Pewter City."

All the enthusiasm for cooking suddenly left Brock. He hardly heard the clatter of the pan as it hit the ground, the rice balls spilling all over the place. Of all the towns in this world, why PEWTER?! he thought with frustration at the order. He shook his head in disbelief, leading Ash to ask what was wrong. The other answered, sadly,

"The Boss wants us to steal from the Pewter City Gym."

"Pewter? That's your hometown!"

Cassidy overheard the conversation.

"Oh no, not another one that doesn't want to attack their hometown! What's with you? If you really loved your parents I would think that you would never have left home."

Brock's face grew hard.

"I'VE BEEN TAKING CARE OF MY FAMILY FOR SO LONG!!!"

He yelled loud enough to cause a Snorlax to stir. Cassidy stepped back from the other, Jessie chuckling at her. Brock continued, in a more subdued tone,

"Its just that my father took care of the family since I left."

James stepped in, to ignite hatred against Brock's object of "affection".

"Look, Brock. Before your father came back, you had to take care of your family, right? And the reason that he left was bad, right?"

Brock nodded.

The blue-haired member continued,

"So, here's your chance to get even!"

The Breeder sighed. He buried his face in his gloved hands, and said,

"Okay, I'll do it."

The others smiled in satisfaction, the least of all Ash and Misty. The reason for this was that, even though they were completely turned from good, they still had feelings and consciences, and this assault against their families was sufficient enough to rouse their sympathy with their relations. However, the new leaf had gotten the better of the young Poke`mon Trainers, and evil reigned more strongly than ever, even if guilt still lingered.

The dawn had broken. The sun's rays reflected brightly on the smooth boulders of Pewter City. The town was quiet as usual; there were few Gym matches since Brock left. However, his father, Flint, would occasionally train there. Now, however, the large Gym was occupied by only by a few Pewter Gym Trainers, that were training their Rock or Fire Poke`mon since midnight. The sounds of training suddenly ceased; the deafening sound of the Gym's doors sounded, marking the entrance of Brock's father.

He was surrounded by his children, who eagerly stared at the Poke`mon who were battling. Of course, they didn't remain silent for long, for they started their usual complaints: Suzy crying about her ripped dress, Tommy wailing for his corn flakes, and other things. One of the Trainers walked towards Flint, and greeted in a cold tone, set off by instinct rather than contempt,

"Hi, Mr. Flint. How's that son 'a yours doin'?"

"I don't know. He left town more than a year ago to become a Poke`mon Breeder. I haven't heard from him since."

The Trainer respomded,

"Well, I hope he comes back, soon. Training with my Rhydon and Graveler and other guys in a Leaderless Gym isn't fun. Pete here's never up to battling since he lost against that Ash fella. And the other guys agree with me; they aren't in here!"

"Shut up! He just had beginner's luck!" Pete growled. Ever since the Poke`mon League, Pete Pebbleman, the owner of a Cloyster and Arcanine, tended to snap at anyone who mentioned "Ash" or "Poke`mon League"..

Their conversation was interrupted by a deafening pounding; the thick door was locked, and Brock had ordered Onix to smash it down. Before those within had time to open the door, the Rock Snake barged into the door, finally opening. It roared in menace, staring down at the people below its rough head, with a strange, evil glare. Though the sight of Onix was familiar and friendly to Flint's children, they now stood in terror of it. There was something different about it that they noticed.

"AHH! What's Onix doing?" Suzy screamed in horror.

"I don't know," Flint responded dully, as he watched the motions of the terrifying Rock Type; something was not right. Pete Pebbleman ceased his griping, and he too up. looked

"Agh! Onix! Is the Leader back?"

The other Trainer recalled his Rhydon, Graveller, Dugtrio, and Sandslash, and smiled in expectancy.

"That's the Leader, all right!" He exclaimed. "I'd know that Onix anywhere! Hey, Brock! Welcome back!"

The teenager followed his Onix into the Gym, deceptively smiling. He had his usual green vest upon the orange shirt, accompanied by brown pants and blue sneakers. Over his shoulders, his thick blue backpack that seemed to be capable of holding any kind of weight. He walked in regularly and casually, asking in the same tone, "How's the training doing? Have any of your Poke`mon reached the point where they can't learn any more?"

"Nope, not yet, Brock. But my Rhyhorn and Diglett evolved, and they're both on level 50."

"All right, keep up the good work," he encouraged.

Then, Brock spied his father, looking quite shy, in a corner, accompanied by his siblings. He strolled over to them, greeting each one, that had matured somewhat.

"Hi, Suzy, Tommy, Timmy........."

He proceeded to name all ten. They reached up to hug him, and noticed the major differences in him that were not present when they last saw him, which they didn't hesitate to mention to their older brother. Flint noticed the differences, too, but decided not to comment, yet. Brock's other trainers listened to the conversation, also, wondering what had happened.

"Brock, why do you have a cut on your face?"

"Uh......paper cut!" "And why are their marks on your wrists?"

"Uh.....rope burn! Really, it's nothing!"

"And why are you talking so loud?"

The questions hit him, continuously, unceasingly. Brock knew that he would have to reveal his identity sooner or later, and then, at the right moment, he and his teammates would strike. The right moment happened to be present. Immediately Flint's oldest son removed his somewhat conservative clothing, revealing the Rocket Gang uniform underneath.

At that moment, his teammates bounded out from behind Onix's tail, and began to shoot out metallic nets from guns that they were holding.

"Say good-bye to your precious Rock Poke`mon!" Jessie gloated.

Her partner added,

"They'll become even more hard-headed with Team Rocket!" Rhydon, Dugtrio, and the rest were trapped beneath the heavy nets, with Onix as their powerful guard. Then, with its large mouth, it began to haul the nets out of the door, slowly because it was such a weight.

Ash turned to yell,

"We have to stay here to get them away from Onix!"

They all nodded, and stood firmly, glaring at the Pewter Trainers. This event left the Trainers and Brock's family speechless: their mouths hung open, and did not shut. The only thing that went through their minds was: Hard-headed. That's what happened to him. The thought echoed and pounded in their brains, until they could stand it no longer.

Many Rock Trainers, though of limited mind, were brawny and physically unbeatable. Though minus their Poke`mon, Pete and his companions were not about to give up the fight. "Lets get 'em!" He shouted, aiming his heavy fist at Ash's face, attempting to send him over the horizon. The boy dodged, screaming in fright.

The former continued, directing Flint,

"Get out of here and take your kids! We'll get these no-good Rockets 'outta here!"

"Right," the old man replied, hurrying Brock's siblings out of the dreams, tears spilling from his shut eyes, the same thing happening with his devestated children, torn about the very thought of the fate of their older brother, him and his other friends once having so much to live for. And now, nothing, absolutely nothing to live for except for a life of darkness and crime that could only lead to a sorry existence in a Raticate-infested dungeon or a city prison, with a record as long as Onix's segmented body.

While the Pewter Trainers were attenpting to chase the Rockets, bent on literally throwing them out of their Gym, Jessie stood in front of Pete, coaxing,

"If you were real Trainers you would free your Poke`mon, not go after us!"

James agreed,

"Right! If you want them back then take them back!"

Pete frowned, hurling his fist at the others, hitting its target, while yelling,

"Don't think I'll fall for that! We won't let you do this again!"

With that, Jessie, James, and Meowth were sent painfully through the stone wall and out the Gym, yelling,

"Looks like half of Team Rocket is blasting off again!!!!!!"

With the first half gone, their landing spot unknown, the Pewter Trainers had only three humans to take care of. Pikachu boldly jumped in front of Ash, his wide red cheeks sparking. Onix had not yet made it out of the door, there were a few inches until it would. They hardly noticed that their teammates were outside of the Gym, and still thought they had some backup.

"Nyah......" Ash teased as he pulled the skin below his wide eye down, tongue jutting out. That annoyed his adversaries immensely, and before the boy could heed Misty and Brock's warning of "watch out, Ash", the Arcanine owner sent the former through a wall of a different part of the Gym, accompanied by a crack.

"Ash!"

"PI-KAAAAA!"

While they had their heads turned, all Trainers aimed at Pikachu and Togepi, kicking them out the door at lightning speed.

"Pikachu!"

"Togepi!"

Misty's eyes filled with flame, and she exploded.

"GRRR..DON'T EVER HURT MY TOGEPI!!!!!!!!"

The Gym Trainers chuckled at the statement, and whomped the Cerulean Trainer in the face, hurtling both her and Brock through the rocky wall. Onix saw this through its large eyes, and immediately threw down its bundle of nets. It had quite enough of its friends being sent right through the wall of the Pewter City Gym.

It slithered in, seeing that the Trainers were back to their usual activity. It roared in rage, sufficient noise to attract their attention.

"Hey, it's his Onix! I'll go get some water and douse it!" Cried the Trainer of Dugtrio and Rhydon.

"I don't know," another commented.

"I don't think that Onix wants to take a bath, it looks like it wants to--------"

"IWAKUUUUUU!"

Onix barrelled foward, swinging its stone tail at the Trainers, who scattered. For the first time in its life, Onix was destroying things, dearly loved objects that it had known for so long. This didn't occur to it. The Rock Snake only wanted to release its anger that it had built up over the years, and now that it was released, Onix would stay calm for another span of time. The lesson was swift and destructive, like a tornado in one area. It caused sufficient damage that wrecked the Gym, leaving it a cracked hollow stone, jagged holes scattered about the walls.

Having done its damage, Onix once again grabbed its moaning load, and slithered towards the landing point of his master and friends.

Chapter X The Training Underway-Pidgeotto Squad

Onix growled softly. It had taken so long to haul the Rock Poke`mon that Team Rocket had long since recovered, and had set up camp. Brock sat cooking, and saw that Onix was back.

"Hey, Onix! Good job!" Brock acknowledged, referring to the stolen Poke`mon. "Return!"

Onix obediently disappeared into its Poke`Ball.

He continued cooking, while Jessie, James, and Meowth questioned Ash and the others about their often use of camping.

"Hey, kid, why do you set up camps....."

"When there's a city back there....."

"And up ahead 'a us!"

Ash thought for a moment, and replied,

"Habit, I guess. We've been doing it for so long."

"Camps are a risky thing! Someone could notice the fire!"

"And maybe Officer Jenny might be the one to notice," Misty thought aloud. "So what should we do?"

The others smiled.

"Sneak around in the cities!"

"Keep moving!"

"And if ya do sleep, don't use da fire!" Brock frowned.

"Then how am I supposed to cook if we don't light a fire?!"

Meowth grinned, and commented,

"Ya can use Jessie's hot air ta warm up your food!"

The red-haired girl growled, and tugged on the corners of his mouth, screaming,

"Why don't we use YOUR hot air?!"

"Meee-owth!"

The noise was interrupted by the member's radios activating. Giovanni's voice was heard clearly through the minor static.

"Have you carried out the mission?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Good. I'm supposing you want to know what you need to do with these Water, Rock, and other Poke`mon. I want each of you to train them to be their strongest. You see, my plan is to raise Poke`mon you stole from the fifteen different elements....."

"FIFTEEN?!" Ash blurted, loud enough to make Giovanni pull the radio from his ear. He continued, somewhat annoyed,

"I have assigned you different Types--my other men have taken charge of the other elements. You will train Water, Rock, Electricity, Poison, and Flight Poke`mon. If the ones you have stolen that are not of these Types, send to me and I will give them to their Trainers. This strategy will begin today and end at the end of the week. If they are unruly to the point it cannot be tolerated, do away with them."

"Why are we training them, Sir?" Jessie asked.

"I have planned this for very long. If it succeeds, Silph Co., and from there, many other companies will be ours. This will be achieved by creating a team of well-trained Poke`mon, from every element. Remember, do not use your own. We need the ones you have taken; your tame ones won't have the same emotional qualities to carry out the plan----------"

Static filled the radio again, cutting the conversation off. Everyone turned the radios off, and started to discuss who would take what. Naturally, they wanted to train their favorite types, but some of the Poke`mon were on such an advanced level or took a dislike to the trainer that it would make it impossible for some to train certain types, as they soon found out.

Jessie sent out a Venomoth, but as soon as it saw her, it sprayed its PoisonPowder everywhere.

"Agh! I can't handle this Venomoth!"

Brock sent out a strong Onix, but it aimed its gigantic horn towards him.

"This Onix won't obey me!"

That thing happened with the rest of them. James wondered aloud,

"Maybe we should switch Poke`mon."

"Yeah, lets try it!" Ash agreed.

He exchanged Brock his squawking Fearow with the latter's Onix, and both calmed down. Jessie gave Misty her unruly Venomoth, and the latter handed over her sleeping Shellder. The exchanging continued. Then, they released the other Poke`mon. Some were killed, the rest were sent by means of Ash's Pidgeot to Giovanni.

At the end, the team was left in charge with only thirty kinds, each training six monsters of one specific element.

"All right! Lets get going!" Ash yelled, eager to train Rock Types, with his brown eyes flashing. "Everyone, go!"

The Poke`Balls struck the ground, releasing six Rock Poke`mon, all itching to fight, but uneasy about the thought of being trained by Team Rocket, who often carried whips to enforce their orders to their Poke`mon. However, when the latter clearly saw that they had no whips, they became somewhat willing, though they resented being trained by such lowlifes as them.

"Iwakuuuuuu!"

"Geodude!"

"Grrrrrr....."

"Golem!"

"Rrrrrrr........"

"Roar-roar-roar!"

Misty released her Poison Poke`mon, somewhat uneasily, for she had seriously trained nothing but the Water Type.

"Go, Venomoth, Arbok, Weezing, Nidoran, Grimer, Beedrill!!!!!"

The Poison monsters appeared, wondering what would happen next.

Next was Jessie.

"Shellder, Seaking, and the rest of you........go!"

And so, it continued with Brock, then finally James.

"Fearow, Pidgeotto, Dodrio, Farfetch'd, Doduo, and Articuno? Go!"

The birds squawked and screeched, causing echoes in the forest.

"Electabuzz, Magneton, Raichu, Electrode, Voltorb, Magnemite, go!"

The Poke`mon were now assembled, watching each other intently, sadly speaking of their great trouble now that they were in the hands of the Rocket Gang.

"Rai, Rai........"

"Chaaa-bok!"

Tears streamed from their eyes, and the faces of the Poke`mon Trainers drooped.

"Awww, how are we going to train them if they're sad?" Ash lamely exclaimed.

Pikachu walked over to his evolved form, engaging in deep conversation, Meowth translating for the rest of them.

"Pika, Pikapi, Pikachu!" Cheer up! It's not bad after you get used to it.

Jessie's Cobra slithered toward the stolen one, who had round warning markings, hissing,

"Chaaaaaaa--------bokkk! Chaaaaa!" Some masters good, others bad. These masters good, once enemies of Master, now friends of Master. Friends kind.

Meowth finished translating, and Raichu continued, now bawling, tears soaking the ground.

"Rai, Rai-Raichuuuuuu!"

"Pikachuuu??!!!!" You're Lt. Surge's Raichu?!

"Rai-chuuuuuuuuuuuu!"

"Chhhaaaaaaa-bokkk!"

"Chhhaaaa-bok, Chaaaa?!!!" Agatha's Arbok?!

Ash nearly fainted.

"You mean Raichu and Arbok belong to Gym Leaders?!!"

Misty frowned, protesting,

"You weren't this scared when you helped rob my Gym!"

The other argued, "Well, this is different! I know you better than them!"

Everyone else sighed. This training session wouldn't be as easy as they initially thought. The Raichu and Arbok looked at each other, the latter heading towards Misty and the former towards James, its wide cheeks lighted with electricity.

"Rai-chuuuuuuuuuuuu!"

A burst of lightning was sent out toward the blue-haired male, electrifying his very nerves.

"EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!"

"Ah! James, are you okay?" Jessie asked.

"C'mon, you guys! Lets get ta work!" The training commenced.

First, Team Rocket would have to make their Poke`mon obey. Then, there would come the real training. That night, the warm air was filled with sounds of orders and Poke`mon groans.

There was a soft wind blowing through the thick green forests bordering Mount Moon, not far from Pewter City. The night provided sufficient cover for them, hiding their evil actions from prying eyes.

"Allright, Geodude, Rock Throw!"

"Geo!" "Arbok, Wrap Attack!"

"Ha! Like that worked, Misty!"

"Grrr. I'll show you, Mr. Poke`mon Master!"

The Cerulean Trainer screamed. "Arbok, Glare!"

The paralysis attack froze Geodude, immobilizing it.

"Dude-----" "Waugh! Geodude! Shake it off!"

"Geo----dude........Geodude!"

The Rock Poke`mon remembered how it's former trainer taught it to rid itself of Paralysis. It jumped stiffly toward, bashing Arbok's face with its rocky fists.

"Arbok, Bite!"

"Geooooo!"

The other battles started. Unfortunately, it was hard to control them in the dark. The training became more tedious to continue as the long night wore on. However, thr battles quickly ended when a loud chorus of screeches sounded.

"Pidgeooooooooon! Pidgeooooon! Pidgeooooooon!"

"Huh? Pidgeotto?!"

The wind that blew as a result of the birds was tremendous. What was unusual about them was that all wore square blue caps on their feathery heads. They sped about them, squawking and screeching in menace. No one could figure them out at first, but Meowth identified them by the blue caps.

"Ahhhhh! Meowth! Dey're police Pidgeotto!"

"Police?!"

All screamed in unison. Ash watched their motion, yelling to the others eagerly,

"Well, some stupid police Poke`mon won't stop us from training our Poke`mon! Geodude, I choose you!"

Others took his lead.

"Raichu, go!"

"Go, Cloyster!"

"Fearow, go!"

"Arbok, go!"

The Rocket Poke`mon hurtled toward the flock of Pidgeotto, blasting their attacks, however small, at the former.

"It's working!" Brock affirmed.

"I think we're going to win!" Jessie declared.

Unfortunately, a familiar droning voice was heard over the wind and sounds of conflict.

"Okay, Pidgeotto, round them up!"

Quick as lightning, the birds produced tight rope, and constricted their opponents. All moaned sadly, for their list of crimes had increased since they escaped from jail. Officer Jenny made a signal to her Pidgeotto, and walked over to her prisoners. Brock's expression changed from sad to confused.

"Excuse me, miss, but are you the Jenny from------"

"Shut up!"

The harsh tone of her voice and the picture of an X on her cap signalled that she wasn't from any city Brock was about to mention. Nevertheless, she introduced herself.

"I am the reinstated cousin of the Jenny from Viridian. I'm from Pewter City! And I know every crime of your record like the back of my head!"

Jessie couldn't help but remarking,

"Then that must be an ugly record!"

"Shut up! You've escaped custody just to top your record off! So I'm taking you back to Viridian City, straight to the courthouse!"

A gasp was heard.

"And after the judge is done with you, you won't be robbing anything or anyone for a long time!"

All lowered their heads in silence. The plan was obviously forefit, and it would take a miracle for them to evade the justice of law. As Team Rocket was thrown into the officer's car, all their hope of any more light was shattered.

The End (for the dark moment) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Comments, suggestions, questions, insults, flames, fire, fireballs, anything involving words, send to Blue9Tiger@aol.com (phew) My first Poke`mon fanfic! Finally done! Yay! Look out for the second part coming very soon!