Adventures Series, Episode 19 (Version 1.3), "I Challenge You" Another day, another chapter, a lot of pain. Now I know why the writers of the anime don't include a six-on-six Pokémon battle in an episode. I'm attempting it here for the first time. Please tell me how it turns out. As a special note, this chapter and the next one were originally supposed to run in the opposite order... that was when I found out that the events involved didn't agree chronological with the anime. Thus, that's why eight is nine and nine is eight. Oh, and I'm inviting you readers on a behind-the-scenes look at "Misty's Travels to the Pokémon League." Interested? Then watch your mail for "Three Short Stories: Master Ball Edition," coming later this month! Now, on with the story that never ends... Disclaimer: Jane, Calamity, and Pidgeo were created by me, but I'm starting to get ticked off at them after they asked for a raise this morning... ************************************************************************ Scene begins in a clearing somewhere along Route 12, just south of Lavender Town, near a lake. Narrator: Our story today starts rather usually as Team Rocket goes... fishing? Persian: Dis is truly pathetic! I can't believe you dopes have stooped so low! Jessie: (tying her line up) Oh be quiet! Just hand me that worm! James: (casts his line) We're going fishing! We're going fishing! Jessie: (casts her line as well) Can't you fish quietly? Persian: (shakes his head) When you two are done trying to catch dinner, we can try and find that Zapdos! Suddenly, James feels a tug on her line. James: Wow! I think I caught a whopper! Jessie: What is it? James lifts his rod and reels the line in, and on the other end is... James: (sweatdrops) A Magikarp! A stupid Magikarp! Jessie: (sighs) At least you didn't use my monthly bonus to buy it. Persian: Too true! James throws the fish Pokémon back, as Jessie begins to feel a tug on her line. Jessie: (her eyes brighten up) I think I got one! Persian: It better not be another Magikarp! Jessie: No! It's a big one! (starts to struggle with the line) I'm losing it! Persian: (turns to James, points at his own head) I thought she lost it months ago! James: You think so? Jessie: (angry) Shut up and help me before it gets away! James and Persian walk over, James puts his arms around Jessie's stomach, Persian wraps his paws around James' right leg, and they join Jessie in trying to pull the line. It finally gives in, as all three fall backwards and a water Pokémon comes flying out of the water and into Persian's mouth. Jessie lands on top of James, their faces meet briefly, then Jessie gets off as if nothing happened. Jessie: (walks over and takes the Pokémon out of Persian's mouth) It's a Shellder! Persian: You caught a Shellder? James: (getting up) Technically, the Shellder landed in Persian's mouth, so he caught it! Shellder: (jumps out of Jessie's hands, then faces Team Rocket) Shellder! Jessie: What's it about to do? James: It looks like it's charging up for an attack. Persian: Oh no, it's the aurora beam, quick, run before your frozen in place! But it was too late, as Shellder fired the beam, freezing the three in place. She then jumps back in the water. Narrator: Looks like Team Rocket's not going anywhere for awhile. Jessie, James, and Persian: (simultaneously) S-s-s-s-somebody un-f-f-f-freeze us, p-p-p-p-please! Narrator: At least we know that Misty can at least relax for once. ************************************************************************ Adventures Series, Season 1 [Episode 19] "Misty's Travels to the Pokémon League" Chapter Eight: "I Challenge You" (Revised Version, Try # 3) Story written by Freedom Fighter ************************************************************************ Wednesday, February 16, Route 18 The scene changes as Misty is seen approaching Fuchsia City. It's a windy day, as Misty can be seen clutching Togepi tightly in her arms, trying to keep the egg Pokémon warm. Misty: It sure is cold out here. I wish I had a jacket. Togepi: Togepi. Misty: Don't worry, Togepi. We'll be in Fuchsia City in a few minutes. Then I'll see if I can buy a jacket for you... and a sweater for me. Unknown to Misty, three familiar figures were following her. Jane: There she is! Calamity: This time, we'll have all six Pokémon ready! Jane and Calamity throw out all of their Pokéballs, as Pinsir, Kabuto, Charizard, Venusaur, and Blastoise join Pidgeo. Jane: She'd better prepare for trouble... Calamity: ...And make it double! A couple hundred feet ahead, Misty tries to think about her past encounters with Team Rocket to pass the time, including the most recent... Misty: I can't believe it! Jane and Calamity have gone too far! They destroyed the very bike that Ash gave me! He paid for it with his own money! Well, his mom probably paid for it. But still, those two are going to pay! A smokescreen appears in front of Misty, blinding her all around. Suddenly, she hears those famous words... Jane: How would you like the debt to be paid, Misty? Maybe we'll charge it! Calamity: Yeah, we'll add the charge to the time you'll be spending working for our boss! Misty: Don't you two have better things to do? Okay, maybe not yet... oh wait, the smokescreen is beginning to clear out... Jane: (appears in front of Misty) Prepare for trouble! Calamity: (appears behind Misty) And make it double! Jane: To introduce the world to devastation! Calamity: To love our team and unite our nation! Jane: To denounce the values known as truth and love! Calamity: To extend our knowledge to the stars above! Jane: Jane! Calamity: Calamity! Jane: Team Rocket, the best when stealing Pokémon is right! Calamity: Surrender now, or prepare for a fight! Pidgeo, Charizard, and Pinsir appear behind Jane, while Venusaur, Kabuto, and Blastoise appear behind Calamity. Pidgeo: Pidgeo! Get ready for a battle! Charizard: Rrrrooooaaarrrr! Pinsir: Pinsir! Venusaur: Saur! Kabuto: Kabuto! Blastoise: Toise! Misty: (not in the least bit scared) You guys "claim" to be Team Rocket's best, yet you two can't even look in the mirror in the morning to see if you look okay. Jane: What is that supposed to mean, you ponytail freak? Misty: (trying to ignore Jane's comment) Anyway, just look at yourselves! Jane, that hairdo of yours looks ugly! Those hair strands sticking out of that giant ball of hair! Just ugly! Jane: (trying to find a mirror) Where? There better not be any hair strands attacking my perfect hair! Misty: And you, Calamity! Those pants of yours are so dirty! Don't you ever wash them? Calamity: Well, it's pretty hard to find a washer and dryer out here in the wild! Misty: And there's no lens in the left side of your glasses! Calamity: There isn't! (begins to panic) Where is it? Misty starts to sneak away, then makes a break for it. Calamity and Jane finally snap out of it and go after her. Jane: (looking at a mirror) There aren't any strands sticking out of my beautiful pink hair! (spots Misty on the run) Hey! Come back here, you little runt! Calamity: Wait, Calamity! Help me find the lens for my glasses first! Jane: It's right in front of your face, nimrod! Now come on! Pidgeo: I can't believe you two just stood there as she got away! Jane: It's not like you and the other Pokémon did anything to stop her! Calamity: Yeah! All six of you were standing there as if nothing was happening! Misty leads the way into Fuchsia City, and manages to lose them in the alleys, since she knows the place better than the Rockets did. Misty: Whew! That was close! (she turns and spots a clothing store) Hey, we can buy some warm clothes there! Togepi: (excitedly) Toge, toge-priii! Misty carries Togepi towards the store. Meanwhile, Jane, Calamity, Pidgeo, Charizard, Pinsir, Venusaur, Kabuto, and Blastoise search frantically for Misty and Togepi, but to no avail. Jane: Any luck? Calamity: No. Pidgeo: Rats! The boss is gonna be mad at us when he finds out that we lost the girl! Jane: Well, we've got to be doing better than the rest of the Team Rocket losers... Watermelon Town Detention Center, Cell Block B, Number 7 - 01. Inside are Cassidy and Butch, still disappointed over their last humiliating loss. Cassidy: I can't believe we lost to the brat again! Butch: And this is the third time we've been behind bars! The boss will never help us out of this one. Cassidy: We could escape, but the only problem is that Officer Jenny has all of our Pokémon, including Raticate. If we do escape by ourselves, how are we going to tell the boss about our Pokémon? I can see it now... Giovanni's Voice: You lost all of your Pokémon? You two disgraces are worse than those bumbleheads Jessie and James! You're fired from Team Rocket! Now get out of my face before I decide to pass a harsher judgment! Butch: I see your point. Jenny: (yelling from off screen) Hey, quiet you two! Cassidy and Butch: (simultaneously) Yes, ma'am! Back in Fuchsia City, the wind has begun to pick up and clouds are forming above the city. Jane: (looks up to the sky) We'd better find her quick! It looks like a storm is moving in. Calamity: Don't worry, Jane. The only storm that will be moving in will be the Team Rocket storm, to sweep that girl from here right into our boss' lap! Pidgeo: Can you stop it with all the talking! Let's just find her and get out of here! Pidgeo! Onward, fellow Pokémon! Charizard, Pinsir, Venusaur, Kabuto, and Blastoise follow Pidgeo, marching deep into the city. Calamity: Who died and made Pidgeo the leader? The search for Misty and Togepi continues all over the city, but no matter how hard they search, the Rockets can't find them. An hour passes, and snowflakes have begun to fall on the unsuspecting city. Misty and Togepi also come out of the store. Misty is now dressed in a yellow fleece sweater, a gray pair of sweatpants, and a pair of light blue gloves. Togepi is now decorated with a light blue coat. Misty: How do you feel, Togepi? Togepi had fallen asleep thanks to the fact that it was really warm in the coat. Misty: Sleep tight, Togepi. (notices a snowflake land on her nose) Uh oh, it's started to snow! I'd better get to the gym before the storm gets any worse. A few minutes later, Misty stood outside where the gym used to stand. The house where Koga, the gym leader lives, is still up nearby. She walks over and knocks on the door. Aya, Koga's sister, opens the door. [1] Misty: Hello, Aya! Aya: Misty? Is that you? Misty: Yep. Togepi: Toge-prrriii! Aya: And who's this little bugger? Misty: This is Togepi. Togepi, meet Aya. Aya: (shakes Togepi's hand) Pleased to meet you, Togepi! Togepi: Prrrrriiiii! Aya: Oh, I guess we'd better get out of the cold. Let's go inside Misty. Misty steps inside and Aya closes and locks the door behind her. She then leads Misty to the living room, where the two of them sit down. Aya: So what brings you to Fuchsia in such dreadful weather like this? Misty: Trust me, I'd rather be in some place warm right now, but I'm here to battle Koga for a Soul Badge! Aya: A Soul Badge? Why didn't you battle with Koga the last time you were here? Misty: Because then, I wasn't interested in collecting badges. Aya: Speaking of which, where are the others? Misty: Well, Ash is now a member of the Pokémon League, so I'm guessing he's out on a tropical island with Brock and Pikachu enjoying the sights. Aya: At least he's warm and cozy. Misty: (to herself) He'd better not get too cozy... Aya: Did you say something Misty? Misty: Oh, nothing! Aya: Okay. Misty: So where is Koga anyway? Aya: Getting some lumber supplies. Once this storm stops, he says he'll resume rebuilding the gym. Seriously, you don't know how long it took us to get the money needed to rebuild the place. Misty: Really? The other gyms that Ash... um, Team Rocket destroyed are already back up and running. Aya: Well, that shows that being out here in the middle of nowhere doesn't help at all. Anyway, why don't you and I have a battle while were waiting? Misty: Sure! Aya: Okay. Let me put on something warmer on first. Soon enough, Misty and Aya were outside preparing to battle. Misty placed Togepi in her satchel, then placed it down on the ground next to her feet. Both of the trainers then drew a Pokéball. Aya: This'll help as a warm-up match. You ready, Misty? Misty: Ready. One-on-one? Aya: One-on-one. Let's get started. ************************************************************************ Aya: (throws a Pokéball) Venonat, go! Misty: (throws a Pokéball) Misty calls Poliwrath! Aya: Venonat, confusion! Misty: Poliwrath, hypnosis! The two Pokémon traded attacks. Poliwrath became confused while Venonat fell asleep. Misty: Poliwrath, double slap! But Poliwrath was still confused, and she hit herself several times. Misty: Come on, Poliwrath! Aya: (throwing out a potion) Venonat, awakening! After being doused by the potion, Venonat woke up. Aya: Now, Venonat, tackle attack! Misty: Poliwrath, use your bubble attack! Poliwrath's attack missed completely, while Venonat connected, but because of her size, was unable to produce a significant amount of damage to Poliwrath. Misty: Poliwrath, try your double slap again! Aya: Venonat, disable! But it was too late for Venonat, as Poliwrath had already begun her attack. After slapping Venonat several times, she fainted. Misty: Good work, Poliwrath! Aya: Nice try, Venonat! Misty and Aya: (in sync) Return! The two Pokémon return to their Pokéballs, then the two trainers walk up to each other and shake hands. Misty: So how did I do? Aya: You look like you're ready to me. Koga's Voice: I'll say when a trainer's ready. Aya: Brother? It's about time. Koga: Well, I would've been sooner had the lady at the register known the difference between a three-eighths and a three-sixteenth. Koga appears with a truckload of lumber supplies. He then stares in surprise when he recognizes Misty. Koga: Ah, Misty, what brings you here? Misty: I'm here for a Soul Badge. Koga: Really? Well, give me some time to put all of this stuff away, and then we'll battle. Not too far away, and quickly closing in on Misty's position... Jane: Oh, come on! How hard is it to find one little girl out here in the middle of nowhere? Calamity: It's like she's playing games with us, and she knows all the ways to get ahead! Pidgeo: Well, don't worry. Soon, it'll be Team Rocket who's ahead of the game! Half an hour later, back at Koga's gym... Koga: Well, Misty, how's that Psyduck of yours coming along? Misty: Pretty good. Still dumb as usual, but he usually comes through when it counts. Aya: Well, why don't we see it? Misty: Sure! (hands her satchel with Togepi inside) Can you hold Togepi for me during the match? Aya: Of course, Misty. Misty: Misty calls Golduck! Golduck appears in front of Misty, to the surprise of Koga and Aya. Koga: A Golduck? What happened to Psyduck? Misty: Whoops, I forgot to tell you that Psyduck evolved while I was in Celadon City. Koga: That's a relief. I thought you had gotten rid of Psyduck and exchanged it for a Golduck! Golduck: Gol? Gol-duck! Koga: I should've known that a trainer such as yourself would never be able to give up such a valuable Pokémon. Misty: (sweatdrops) Yeah... valuable. Koga: Anyway, let's begin before the storm gets worse. Misty: In that case, do me proud, Golduck! Golduck: Golduck? Misty: Just battle, you dim-witted duck! Koga: And I choose Venomoth. Misty: Golduck, use the fury swipes! Koga: Venomoth, stun spore! Venomoth was faster on the draw, and Golduck was stopped dead in his tracks. Misty: Golduck! Koga: Psybeam! Venomoth fires the psybeam at Golduck, but for some strange reason, misses completely. Koga: What is this? Misty: Good work, Golduck... whatever you did. Now, try your confusion attack! Golduck: Duck! Venomoth becomes confused, giving Golduck a temporary advantage. Misty: Now, Golduck, hydro pump! Golduck fires the hydro pump, blinding Venomoth. Due to the cold weather, it also served as a mini-freeze ray that renders some of Venomoth's attacks useless. Koga: Venomoth, poison powder! Venomoth was unable to respond. Koga: Try sleep powder! Still no luck at all... Koga: Then use leech life! Once again, Venomoth was unable to release the attack. Koga: Try something! Venomoth did, and it ends up the only attack Venomoth can do is tackle. So Venomoth used it... and knocked Golduck to the ground. This makes Golduck angry, as the duck performs the fury swipes attack once again. This time, Venomoth passes out due to overexhaustion in the cold. Koga: Venomoth, return! Go Golbat! Koga withdraws Venomoth from battle and throws out Golbat's Pokéball. Misty: Okay. Golduck, return! Misty calls Vaporeon! Golduck returns and Vaporeon takes his place on the snowy battlefield. Koga: Golbat, supersonic! Misty: Vaporeon, quick attack! Vaporeon strikes fast, and then dodges out of the way to avoid Golbat's attack. Koga: Golbat, bite it! Misty: Vaporeon, water gun! Vaporeon's water attack drives Golbat away, as he flinches and doesn't perform his attack. Koga: Golbat, wing attack! Misty: Vaporeon, tackle! This time, Golbat pours on the speed and hits Vaporeon first, causing the water Pokémon to miss completely. Koga: Now, Golbat, ice beam! Misty: I'll take it one step further! Vaporeon, aurora beam! It's a battle between the two ice attacks, but Misty's Vaporeon has more experience, and the aurora beam eventually freezes Golbat in place. The bat falls to down to the ground, frozen in a giant block of ice. Misty: That settles it! I've won again! Koga: Congratulations, Misty! You've earned this Soul Badge! Aya: Nice work, Misty! Togepi, overjoyed as usual, celebrates Misty's victory as well. That is, until a familiar smokescreen appears... Jane: Prepare for trouble! Calamity: And make it double! Jane: To introduce the world to devastation! Calamity: To love our team and unite our nation! Jane: To denounce the values known as truth and love! Calamity: To extend our knowledge to the stars above! Jane: Jane! Calamity: Calamity! Jane: Team Rocket, the best when stealing Pokémon is right! Calamity: Surrender now, or prepare for a fight! Pidgeo, Charizard, Pinsir, Venusaur, Kabuto, and Blastoise all appear by the Rockets' side. Pidgeo: Pidgeo! Let's get ready to rumble! Misty: Hey! Haven't you guys learned your lesson yet? Koga: Team Rocket? Why don't you go bother someone else for a change! Jane: I don't know who you are, but I advise you to stay out of our business! Koga: Well, I'm making this battle my business! Aya: (getting up) Me too! Calamity: You three don't stand a chance against our mighty six! Misty: I think we can find some way to beat you clowns. Koga, Aya, ready? Aya: Ready. Koga: Let's take these guys out! Misty: (throwing two Pokéballs) Misty calls Horsea and Scyther! (to Vaporeon) Misty also calls Vaporeon to battle! Koga pulls out a full healing potion and gives it to Golbat, who instantly recovers. She then pulls out two max revives, tosses one to his sister, who applies it to Venonat, then throws out Venomoth's Pokéball. They both recharge their Pokémon. Koga: Venomoth, Golbat, attack! Aya: Venonat, go! Jane: Pinsir and Venusaur, go! Calamity: Kabuto and Blastoise, waste them! Pidgeo: Pidgeo! Let's go, Charizard! Misty: Ready for a six-on-six free-for-all, Team Rocket? Jane: We're ready. Ready to kick your butt! Calamity: Your tricks won't work this time! Pidgeo: Go, Charizard! Charizard: Rrrrrooooaaaarrrrr! Misty: Vaporeon, aurora beam! Vaporeon: Vapor por eon! The intense cold has already weakened Charizard slightly. The aurora beam furthers the damage, leaving room for... Aya: Venonat, psychic! The psychic attack proves too much for Charizard, as he faints and returns to his Pokéball. Pidgeo: How? How! Misty: Looks like the cold weather put your Charizard at a major disadvantage. Jane: You want a major disadvantage? Pinsir, squeeze that tiny little Horsea out of its misery. Vice grip! Misty: Use your agility attack, Horsea! Horsea ducks and dodges out of the way, but Pinsir is relentless, and he eventually makes his mark. Misty: Horsea! Jane: Squeeze the life out of it, Pinsir! It doesn't take long for Pinsir to drive away all of Horsea's energy, as the water Pokémon faints. Pinsir then throws Horsea's lifeless body towards Misty. Misty: (runs up and picks up Horsea) Horsea, are you all right? Return! (Horsea returns to its Pokéball, then she turns to the Rockets) You guys are gonna pay for this! Calamity: Not very likely. Anyway, it's time for me to get into this fight! Go, Blastoise! Koga: And I'll do likewise. Go Golbat! Calamity: Blastoise, water gun! Koga: Golbat, dodge the attack, then use your confuse attack! Blastoise's water attack misses wildly, as Golbat dodges to and fro, easily confusing the much bigger Blastoise. Koga: Now, Golbat, wing attack! The wing attack puts a few dents in Blastoise's shell, but no major damage. Calamity: Blastoise, blow away this pest with your hydro pump attack! The hydro pump connects, and with the added cold, the wet Golbat soon freezes in a miniature ice cube. Koga: I can't believe this! (pulling out Golbat's Pokéball) Golbat, return! Jane: We're up two to one, and it's breakaway point! Venusaur, crush that Venonat! Aya: Venonat, psybeam now! Jane: Oh yeah? Venusaur, solar beam! Both beams were charged, then fired. Surprisingly enough, neither attack did any major damage to either Pokémon. Aya: The attacks had no effect! Jane: How can this be? Misty: Time to turn the tables on Team Rocket! Scyther, double team Pidgeo! Pidgeo: Huh? Suddenly, three Scyther appeared in front of Pidgeo. All Three Scyther: Scy-ther! Pidgeo: This ain't fair! Aya: Venonat, disable Venusaur! The tactic worked, as Venusaur's solar beam was disabled. Aya: Now let's try the psybeam again, Venonat! Venonat: Venonat nat! Venonat's psybeam hit hard and fast, but not hard enough to take Venusaur out. Jane: (to Aya) Come on, little girl. Is that the best you can do? Aya: Venonat, let's try the psybeam one more time! Jane: Not this time! Venusaur, tackle attack! Venusaur tackles Venonat before the bug gets a chance to attack. But on the other hand, Misty and Scyther sure had the advantage against Pidgeo. Misty: Scyther, slash! Pidgeo: Oh no you don't! Here comes my whirlwind attack, guaranteed to blow you away! Pidgeo blows away two of the Scyther... the fake ones. The real Scyther flies in and knocks Pidgeo out. Pidgeo: (down on the ground) Jane, Calamity, I'm not feeling too good... Jane: Not now, Pidgeo! Calamity: Time for me to cut in! Blastoise, hydro pump! Producing similar results as before, Venonat is hit and frozen in an ice cube. The score so far: Team Rocket 3, Misty and Friends 2. Jane: Looks like we win again! Misty: Not so fast! Koga: Wait, Misty. Venusaur is mine. Go Venomoth! Jane: What makes you think the evolved from of that bug will do any better? Koga: (ignoring Jane) Venomoth, psychic! Jane: Venusaur, withdraw! Calamity: Um, Jane, a Venusaur can't withdraw. Venomoth's psychic hit head on, knocking Venusaur out. Jane: Lucky shot! I just forgot my attacks, that's all. Koga: In a battle, knowing your Pokémon's capabilities beforehand is a big advantage. Jane: (pulling out a Pokéball) Venusaur, return! Koga: Venomoth is ready for his next challenger. Calamity: (to Misty) It's time to stop sitting on the sidelines and start battling! Go, Kabuto! Calamity rolls his Pokéball slowly on the ground... right into a snow bank. Misty: Scyther, time to play pick up! Scyther: Scy scyther! Scyther flies down and picks up Kabuto's Pokéball. Calamity gets angry and tries to retrieve his Pokémon. Calamity: Give back my Kabuto! Misty: Scyther, slash! Calamity: (stepping back) On second thought... Scyther slashes, getting a piece of Calamity's orange Rocket uniform. This also causes Calamity to drop his glasses. Calamity: My glasses! Where are they? He begins to search around for them... while Jane calls Pinsir back out. Jane: All right, Pinsir, time to take care of that Venomoth! Koga: Venomoth, confusion! Jane: Pinsir, guillotine! Venomoth's confusion attack works, as Pinsir makes a wild lunge and ends up destroying Calamity's glasses. Calamity: (hearing the cracking sound) Oh no! Please don't tell me! Jane: Calamity, I think Pinsir just destroyed your glasses. Calamity: It did? Jane, your stupid Pokémon destroyed my glasses! Jane: Stupid? Well, at least my starter isn't in the hands of the enemy! Aya: Now's the time to strike, brother, while they're distracted! Koga: Venomoth, toxic! Jane and Calamity, about to get into a fistfight with each other, have no idea that Venomoth has just greatly poisoned Pinsir. Jane then notices this act, and returns to battle. Jane: Pinsir, seismic toss! Pinsir performs the seismic toss and throws Venomoth into Scyther, who drops the Pokéball that he was holding, which opens on contact to reveal Kabuto! Calamity: Kabuto, is that you? Kabuto: Buto! Calamity: Get that Scyther with your slash attack! Misty: Scyther, focus energy! Jane: And I'll equal it with my own! Pinsir, focus energy! If Scyther fires on Kabuto, you fire on Scyther, got it? Pinsir: Sir! Misty: (cracks a smile) Scyther, focus energy attack... on Pinsir! Jane and Calamity: (simultaneously) She switched attacks! The energy surrounds Pinsir, as the bug falls to the ground... but not out until... Koga: Venomoth, tackle it out of commission! Venomoth dives from the sky and knocks the last of Pinsir's energy out... as well as his own. Koga: Venomoth, return! Jane: Pinsir, return! (begins to cry) It's not fair! Both of my Pokémon are kaput! Calamity: Oh shut up, Jane! Let me show you how it's done! Scyther has forgotten all about Kabuto, who's bought the time to reach Scyther and attack. Calamity: Kabuto, hydro pump! The hydro pump catches Scyther off-guard, but luckily Scyther is just knocked out, not frozen. Misty: Scyther, return! Vaporeon, water gun! Vaporeon lays the water gun attack on Kabuto, as the ancient Pokémon begin to slowly lose its energy. Calamity: Kabuto, no! Blastoise, use the hydro pump on that Vaporeon! Blastoise: Blastoise! Misty: Vaporeon, use aurora beam! All of the water from Blastoise's hydro pump was frozen instantly in mid-air. It was at that time that Kabuto fainted, leaving only Blastoise and Vaporeon left on the field. Calamity: Looks like it's just you and me, Misty! Misty: You'd better watch out, Calamity! Because I'm comin' through! Female Voice: Allow me to help! Aya: Who said that? Koga: Who's there? Another Blastoise suddenly comes charging in, and performs a skull bash attack that sends Team Rocket flying high into the sky through the snowflakes. Jane and Calamity: (simultaneously) Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off again! The Blastoise then disappears in a pink flash of light, as quickly as it had arrived. Misty, Koga, Aya, and Togepi begin to relax now that the battle is over. But you have to wonder... Misty: (in thought) Who was that stranger? Aya: It was some sort of weird force. Koga: Sabrina? Koga, Misty, and Aya: (simultaneously, shaking their heads) Naaaa. Aya: Sabrina doesn't carry water Pokémon anyway. Misty: True. But the question at hand is who's doing this, and why? Soon enough, Misty and Togepi were ready to leave Fuchsia City, and Koga and Aya waved them goodbye. Aya: Good luck, Misty! Koga: Let me know when you get to the League! Misty: I will! Narrator: And so, another giant battle against some of Team Rocket's best turns out in favor of our heroine, Misty. But as the beautiful white snow stops falling, Misty's dreams will never fall out of sight. She's only two badges away from the League. But does she have the strength to continue on? Stay tuned to find out... Back on Route 12, a young girl and her Growlithe has found the frozen Jessie, James, and Persian... Young Girl: Allow me to help you. Growlithe, flamethrower! Growlithe melts away the ice prison holding Team Rocket. Jessie: Thank you, my dear. James: Now allow us to return the favor. Persian: Persian! Give us all your Pokémon! Young Girl: Okay! James: You mean it? Young Girl: Yeah, and let's start with my Omastar! Blizzard attack! Jessie: Oh no! James: Oh no indeed! Persian: We're going back to the cube! The three were frozen in ice once again, and buried in seven feet of snow. The young girl sticks her tongue out at them, then walks off, her two Pokémon following her... To be continued... Author's Note: [1] Aya is the sister of Koga, the Fuchsia City gym leader. They are only related in the anime... this fact does not hold in any of the games or any other Pokémon continuity, at least to my knowledge. Copyright Date: 1/20/00, Revised 1/31/00, Second Revision 2/1/00, Third Revision: 12/19/01 Revisions from the Original Release Include: - Can anyone say my grammar was really bad in my first year of writing? I can. - In the Koga-Misty battle, Golbat's haze attack is changed to an ice beam. - In the six-on-six battle, Vaporeon's acid armor is changed to water gun. - Also in that battle, Vaporeon's mist is changed to aurora beam. In our next episode... Ash gets quite a surprise when he meets up with the guy who beat him in the Pokémon League Novice Tournament Quarterfinals. Ricky Langley returns, looking to pound Ash into the ground again! The next episode is the twentieth in our series, entitled "The Rematch." Oh, I mustn't forget to mention this girl we meet as well. Is she friend or foe? We'll see.