Adventures Series, Episode 4 (Version 1.1), “Team Rocket Switching Sides” Available for Download at: http://www.acmecity.com/games/mythical/292 You remember Ash Ketchum, right? The kid who’s training for the Pokémon League Novice Tournament? Well, guess what. Training’s over. Next stop: The Indigo Plateau. Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon. All characters are property of their respective owners, except for one character which is mine, and you’ll have to read the story to find out who he is. And please do not alter this fanfic in any way without my permission. ************************************************************************ Wednesday, October 21st, Pallet Town Mrs. Ketchum: Goodbye, Ash! Goodbye, Pikachu! Good luck at the Pokémon League tournament! Ash: Thanks, mom! I’ll see you soon! Pikachu: Pika! Narrator: After some time at home, a little summer school to catch up on his studies, and some expert training from Professor Oak, Ash is ready to head on to the Indigo Plateau, and the Pokémon League Novice Tournament. Ash: Just think, Pikachu. In less than two weeks, we’ll be competing to enter the most prestigious group of Pokémon trainers in the world! Pikachu: Pikachu! Ash: And with you, Squirtle, Bulbasaur, Charizard, Krabby, and Muk, I’m going to become a Pokémon master! ************************************************************************ Adventures Series, Episode 4: “Pokémon League Bound,” Chapter One: “Team Rocket Switching Sides” Story Written by The Freedom Fighter ************************************************************************ Narrator: Ash and Pikachu travel towards Viridian City, where they’ll make a brief stopover before heading to the Indigo Plateau. Ash: All right! First, we’ll go to the Pokémon Center so we can rest after that long training session with Professor Oak! Pikachu: Pika! Ash: Then, after we stay a day to check out the sites, we’ll head on to the Indigo Plateau! At the Pokémon Center, Ash and Pikachu are surprised to find it busier than usual. Ash: Wow! Look at all the trainers! Must be a lot of people here on their way to the tournament too. They see Nurse Joy and a bunch of Chansey running all over the place, checking out and rejuvenating Pokémon after Pokémon. Soon, the place eventually empties out, with the exception of Ash, Pikachu, Nurse Joy, the Chansey, and a few other trainers and their Pokémon. Ash: Hi, Nurse Joy! Busy day, huh? Joy: Yes, Ash! I can’t believe that all these trainers are on their way to the Pokémon League Novice Tournament! Look at how many Pokémon I have to heal! She points to a conveyor belt in the back room, where the Chansey are running Pokéballs through the rejuvenation machine. Hundreds of Pokéballs are stacked against the walls, nearly burying the Chansey alive! Ash: Wow! I’ve never seen so many Pokéballs in one place in my entire life... except for the ones that Professor Oak has. Joy: At this rate, I’ll be up all night and most of tomorrow morning healing all these injured Pokémon. (turning serious) And I suppose that you have some Pokémon to heal? Ash: Um, well... Joy: Please don’t hide it, Ash. I know you mean well, but if you’ve got an injured Pokémon or two, then it’s my responsibility to heal them. Ash: Are you sure it’s not too much trouble? I wouldn’t want to bog you down any worse then you already are. Joy: I’m stuck with my job, so a few Pokémon from you won’t make any difference to me. Ash: Well, okay. Pikachu, you don’t mind staying the night with Joy, do you? Pikachu: Cha! Pikachu! Ash: All righty then, I’ll see you tomorrow! Joy: Hold on, Ash! (turns to a Chansey) Put these Pokéballs in a special place. I’ll take care of them myself personally later. Ash: Thanks, Nurse Joy! Joy: That’s not why I wanted you to wait! Your friend, Misty, was here about a month ago, wasn’t she? Ash: She was? Where was she heading? Joy: Towards Pewter City, to do a delivery for me, and to confront the gym leader there. Ash: Pewter? Why would Misty go there to face Brock? Could she be after... a Boulder Badge? Joy: Could be... Ash: Hmmm, I’d better call Brock and find out. He walks over to the videophone and dials Brock’s house in Pewter City. Brock’s father, Flint, answers it. Flint: Hello. Ash: Yes, I’d like to speak to Brock. Flint: Ash, it’s me, Flint! Ash: Flint? You look kinda older. Flint: (grinding his teeth) Don’t flatter yourself, kid. (talking normally) Anyway, hold on. (yelling upstairs) Brock! Phone call! Flint steps aside, as Brock sits down at the phone. Brock: Hey, Ash! Ash: Brock! Brock: How have you been? Where’s Pikachu? Ash: He’s with Nurse Joy, being healed. Brock: Nurse Joy, the apple of my life... Ash: Brock! Brock: Huh? Oh, yeah. Ash: Brock, do you know where Misty is? Brock: Misty, why? Do you miss her already? Ash: No, that is, um, just wanted to see how she’s doing. Brock: Well, yes she was, and she managed to win a Boulder Badge. Brock continues, telling how Misty came in for a badge, then how Team Rocket nearly got the best of both of them, and then how Duplica saved them in the end. Ash: Duplica? What was she doing there? Brock: Beats me, but she went with Misty to Cerulean City. I haven’t heard from them since. Ash: So you’re telling me if she doesn’t have four badges by the end of next week, they’ll take away her license? Brock: Yes! Sad, isn’t it? Ash: Yeah. But I wonder if she can do it? Brock: Don’t worry about Misty. She’s a fighter. She won’t let her sisters, Lt. Surge or Sabrina get the best of her. Ash: I guess you’re right. Well, I gotta go. I’ll call you when I arrive at the Indigo Plateau. Brock: Sure. Good luck at the tournament, Ash! The videophone turns off. Ash turns around and ends up staring at Nurse Joy’s chest. Joy: Ash, will you be able to find a place to stay? Ash? Ash? Ash: Um, sure... Joy: Okay, then, see you in the morning. Joy heads back to the desk to take care of the few trainers left there. Ash, quickly runs outside. He then stops to rest, breathing heavily. Ash: Whew, that was close! I wonder if Nurse Joy noticed... He walks off to a nearby hotel. As he leaves, three shadowy figures watch from the roof of the Pokémon Center. James: Look, it’s that kid again! Let’s steal his Pikachu! Jessie: Forget about him! I’d like to get my revenge on that Ditto-owning girl who tripped us up in Pewter City. Meowth: (smacking the both of them) Forget about your petty revenge schemes. Let’s just steal the Pokémon here in the Center. There ought to be plenty left by trainers on their way to the Indigo Plateau. Jessie: So let’s go! (pulls out her Pokéball) Arbok, go! James: (pulling out two Pokéballs) Weezing, Victreebel, go! Meowth: Bust down the door, you three! Joy runs to the main lobby upon hearing the three Pokémon break down the front door. Joy: Oh no, not you guys again! Jessie: To protect the world from devastation! James: To unite all people’s within our nation! Jessie: To denounce the evils of truth and love! James: To extend our reach to the stars above! Jessie: Jessie! James: James! Jessie: Team Rocket blast off at the speed of light! James: Surrender now, or prepare to fight! Meowth: Meowth! That’s right! Joy: Get out of here! You’re not going to destroy this Pokémon Center like you did last time! And you’re not getting any Pokémon either! Jessie: On the contrary, we’re going to steal every Pokemon here! James: And you can’t stop us! Meowth: Stop yapping and start collecting! James: Weezing, sludge attack! Weezing: Weezing! Weezing’s attack knocks out a few of the Chansey, and splatters all over Nurse Joy’s uniform. Joy: My uniform! (gets angry) You don’t know how long it takes me to get all of the stains OUT! Jessie: So? What are you going to do about it? Meowth: Yeah, you don’t have any Pokémon to battle with. Ash: But I do, Meowth! Team Rocket turns around to see Ash standing in the doorway... what was left of it. Ash: All right, Pikachu, thundershock! (then realizes) Oh no! Nurse Joy, you still have my Pokémon! Jessie: Play time’s over, boy! Arbok, wrap him up! Arbok: Char-bok! Arbok instantly takes a hold of Ash, and begins to squeeze him tightly. Nurse Joy, meanwhile, tries to sneak back to the conveyor belt to get a Pokéball. Unfortunately, James catches her in the act. James: Oh no you don’t! Victreebel, sleep powder! Victreebel uses his sleep powder, but aims it at Team Rocket and Ash. They all fall asleep on the ground. Victreebel then clamps itself to James’ head. James immediately wakes up, screaming in pain, with his Pokémon hanging on for dear life. James: Get it off me, get it off me, Weezing, help! Weezing’s asleep, just like everyone else. Suddenly, a Wartortle materializes in front of James. He looks up, and sees Nurse Joy holding three Pokéballs. Joy: I’m still picking the pieces of glass out of my hair from the last time you guys were here. Now I’m going to get my revenge! Wartortle, skull bash! Wartortle: Wartortle! The water Pokémon rams right into James’ stomach, knocking him and Victreebel to the ground. This wakes Ash up, and he gets out of the way as Nurse Joy prepares for the final blow. Joy: Okay, Wartortle, hydro pump! Wartortle’s attack sends Jessie, James, Meowth, and their Pokémon floating down the street, and out of town. James, being the only one awake, and with Victreebel still clinging onto his head, says the only thing he can think of at the time... James: Looks like, ouch, Team Rocket’s, ouch, Victreebel, would you cut that out, is washing out, ouch, again, Victreebel, please stop, ouch! Joy: Wartortle, return! Ash: Wow, Nurse Joy, I didn’t know you had Pokémon! Joy: Well, it never helps to be prepared. (sighs) Still, they managed to destroy the door, so again I’ll have to come up with the money to fix it. Ash: That’s too bad. Joy: I know! Do you have any money, Ash? Ash: Huh? Joy: You surely have enough money to help little ol’ me out, don’t you? Ash: Look, Nurse Joy, I barely have enough money for myself. (to himself) And I already owe another girl... Joy: (sarcastically) Oh, that’s just great! Ash: What? I’m sorry, I’d help you if I could, but I just don’t have the money. Joy: It’s not that! My dress is ruined! Ash: Can’t you just go home and get a new one? Joy: You know I can’t leave the Pokémon Center, especially with so many Pokémon here. Ash: I could stay and watch them. Joy: I’m afraid I can’t, Ash. Those Pokémon are my responsibility. If even one disappears, my reputation as a Pokémon nurse could be tarnished for life! Ash: I could get one for you, Joy. Joy: I can’t let you do that either, Ash. I’m also afraid of strangers in my house. Ash: But I’m not a stranger. Joy: Ash, you haven’t known me long enough to be a good friend. Besides, don’t you need your rest? It’s still a long way to the Indigo Plateau. Ash: Yeah, I guess you’re right. Are you going to be okay, Nurse Joy? Without a door, Team Rocket might return to try again. Joy: (pointing to her Pokéballs) Don’t worry, they won’t dare try again with the Pokémon I have. Ash: By the way, what Pokémon do you have? Joy: Ash, that’s none of your business! Ash: What? Why? Joy: Honestly, do you have to know what Pokémon your friend has? Ash: I thought you said we weren’t friends. Joy: We are, just not close friends, sort of... Ash! Will you go already? Ash: Okay, okay, I’m going! Ash finally leaves, heading off for the hotel. Joy sighs in relief as soon as he’s gone. Joy: Whew! I don’t know how Misty can stand someone like him. (to one of the Chansey that wasn’t hurt in the battle) I want all of the injured Chansey wheeled into the back room so I can take a look at them. In the meantime, keep the door guarded. I’m going to go wash up. I just hope there’s an extra uniform in the back... The next morning, the Pokémon Center is full once again, as many of the trainers from the day before have returned to pick up their Pokémon. Ash is among them. After standing in line for what seems like forever, he finally reaches Nurse Joy. Joy: Oh, hello Ash! Ash: Feeling better this morning? Joy: A little bit. The repair man won’t be able to come over until one o’clock to install a new door. Why doesn’t that Team Rocket know how to respect someone else’s property? Ash: They’re bad guys! What else are they supposed to do? Joy: I guess you’re right. But still, did they have to go and wreck the door! Ash: Um, Nurse Joy? Joy: Yes, Ash? Ash: I think you’d better get my Pokémon. The line is starting to get restless. Ash and Joy look back to see that some of the trainers are starting to yell at them. One even threatens to throw his shoe at the pair. Joy: (sweatdrops) Sorry! (to Ash) I’ll go get Pikachu and the others. A minute later, she returns with Pikachu and Ash’s five Pokéballs. Pikachu: Pika! Ash: (picking Pikachu up) How are you feeling today? Pikachu: Pika pikachu! Ash: That’s good. Well, thanks again Nurse Joy! Joy: Anytime, Ash. Ash: (waving goodbye) Bye! Joy: Good luck at the Pokémon League Tournament! And feel free to drop by whenever you’re in town! Ash: Don’t worry! I will! Ash and Pikachu head out of town, and towards the Indigo Plateau. But then they’re stopped by Officer Jenny. Jenny: Ash! Pikachu! Wait! Pikachu: Pika? Ash: Officer Jenny? What’s wrong? Jenny: Some boy just ran up to me and told me that a man, a woman, and a talking Meowth stole his eight badges! They ran off towards the Indigo Plateau! Ash: Team Rocket! Pikachu: Pika. Jenny: You’re the only ones who can stop them. You’ve got to hurry! Ash: Don’t worry, Officer Jenny! With me and Pikachu on the case, we’ll catch those robbers. Pikachu: Pikachu! ************************************************************************ Meanwhile, a mile up the road, Jessie, James, and Meowth have stopped on the side of the road to break for lunch. The trio gobbles down sandwiches, chicken wings, sodas, and an apple pie. After eating and cleaning up, they take out the eight badges that they just stole. James: Wow! Have you ever seen anything so beautiful in your life? Jessie: Never! Unless you’re talking about me, of course. Meowth: Meowth! With these eight badges, Team Rocket will take over the Pokémon League! Jessie: Then we’ll be at the top of our game! James: And no one will be able to stop us! Ash: Except me! James: Why are you always around when we do something bad? Ash: Because I want those badges back! There’s a young boy back in Viridian that needs those to enter the Pokémon League! Jessie: Well, we’re not giving them back! James, Meowth, hold the twerp off while I make a break for it. Meowth: Meowth! Sure thing, Jess! James: We’ll take care of the boy! (prepares to throw a Pokéball, then realizes something) Jessie, wait a minute, where are you going? James turns around to see Jessie already running away with all eight badges in a small paper bag. Meowth: Jessie’s got the badges, and she’s trying to take ‘em for herself! James: But Jessie can’t do that! The badges belong to all of us. Ash: Correction. They belong to that boy in Viridian. I don’t know about you two, but I’m getting those badges back. Ash runs off after Jessie. James and Meowth decide to follow, after much deliberation... Meowth: If Jessie gets those badges to the League, she’ll ascend to the top without us! And if she does that, she’ll become the best of Team Rocket, while we’ll lose our jobs for failing to join her! James: No! I don’t want to go back to Jessiebell! Let’s stop Jessie! Just ahead, Jessie begins to laugh at her good fortune. Jessie: With these eight badges, I’ll be able to enter the Pokémon League Tournament! Jessie is running down the road, with Ash, James, and Meowth following about two hundred meters behind. Ash: Come back here, Jessie! Those badges don’t belong to you! James: Yeah! We stole them as a team, so we should all reap its benefits! Meowth: You’re gonna pay for double-crossing Team Rocket! Jessie: Not if I have anything to say about it. (tossing her Pokéball) Arbok, glare attack! Arbok: Char-bok! Ash, James, and Meowth are frozen in place, unable to move. The three watch dejectedly as Jessie runs off once again, with the eight badges still in her possession. Jessie: No one, not that brat, not Meowth or James, not even my boss will stop me from winning the Pokémon League Novice Tournament! She pulls out her Pokéball and recalls Arbok. That turns out to be a big mistake, as Ash, James, and Meowth become unfrozen from their spots. The trio soon begins to chase after Jessie once again. Jessie: You twerps will never capture me! Ash: Oh, yes we will! James: Jessie, please stop! Meowth: Yeah, James here isn’t in shape to run more than four hundred meters! Unfortunately, due to a rule in animation that unless a character has super speed, then anyone, no matter how big or small, runs at the same speed as the others. In other words, Jessie is too far ahead to be caught by Ash and the others unless she stopped to rest. Ash: At this rate, we’ll need a miracle to stop her! James and Meowth: (simultaneously) Somebody please stop Jessie! As if someone heard them, a motorcycle suddenly comes out of the bushes and parks itself fifty meters in front of Jessie. She skids to a stop and realizes that she’s trapped. At first, the glare of the sun makes it impossible to recognize the two characters on the bike. But then the two step forward... it’s Officer Jenny and a little boy. Jenny: Okay, Team Rocket, hand over the badges. Boy: Yeah, they rightfully belong to me! Me and my Pokémon got them fair and square. Jessie: I don’t think so. Ash: Officer Jenny! James: Officer Jenny? Meowth: Meowth, we’re in trouble now! What kind of miracle were you hoping for, James? Of all people, we had to draw an Officer Jenny... Jenny: Now that they’re trapped, it’s up to you Ash! Ash: Thanks! Ash turns his cap around, and prepares to throw a Pokéball, in the usual manner. Jessie and James follow suit with their own Pokéballs. Ash: Bulbasaur, I choose you! Jessie: Arbok, go! James: Weezing, go! The three Pokémon materialized, each in front of their respective trainers. Ash: Bulbasaur, razor leaf! Jessie: Arbok, poison sting! James: Weezing, sludge attack! Bulbasaur’s razor leaf attack hits Arbok head on, but Weezing’s sludge poisons Bulbasaur. Ash: Bulbasaur! Jessie: Arbok! James: All right, Weezing, tackle that Bulbasaur! Ash: (pulling out his Pokéball) Bulbasaur, return! (pulls out another one) Muk, I choose you! Muk: Muk! Jessie, James, and Jenny: (simultaneously) A Muk? Ash: Yes, a Muk! Muk, poison gas attack on Weezing! Muk: Muk, Muk! Muk performs the attack, but he misses Weezing. James: Weezing, give it your sludge attack. Ash: Muk, retaliate with your own sludge attack! Boy: Hey, what happens when two Pokémon perform the same attack? The two Pokémon’s attacks, in this case, cancel out each other. But the splattering of sludge is enough to knock out both Pokémon. Ash: No! James: That was my only Pokémon! Jessie: What about Victreebel? James remembers what happened at the Pokémon Center in Viridian City... James: No way, not after what happened earlier... Jessie: Arbok, get up and fight! Arbok was still knocked out from Bulbasaur’s attack earlier. Meanwhile, Ash recalls Muk and pulls out one more Pokéball. Ash: Time to gain some experience points. Krabby, I choose you! Jessie, James, and Meowth: (simultaneously) Krabby? Where did you get all of these new Pokémon? Ash: I’ve Krabby and Muk for a while. This is just the first time I’ve used them in battle. Boy: All right, go get them! Ash: Krabby, bubble attack! Under normal circumstances, Arbok and Weezing would have overpowered Krabby. But since both of them are very weak, Krabby’s attack is super effective. Boy: Yeah! Jenny: Good job, Ash! You’ve got them on the run! Jessie: We’re not running anywhere! James: At least not without these badges. Meowth: Meowth! That’s right! Ash: Pikachu, you know what to do. Pikachu: Pikachuuuuuu! Pikachu shocks Team Rocket. The boy reclaims his lost badges after Jessie drops them. Ash: Pikachu, Krabby, return! Charizard, time to give them a going away present! Ash throws the Pokéball containing Charizard, but as usual, the Pokémon refuses to obey him. Ash: No, not now, why did you have to pick now to disobey me? Boy: Don’t worry, I’ll take care of these three! Pokéball, go! A Kangaskhan materializes from the Pokéball. Jessie, James, and Meowth immediately freak out at the sight of the giant Pokémon. Boy: Kangaskhan, mega punch! Jessie: Oh, dear! James: This may hurt... Meowth: Will you two shut up and brace for impact! The mega punch sends Team Rocket and their Pokémon flying towards the stratosphere. James: Jessie, if you hadn’t tried to take the badges for yourself, we wouldn’t be in this mess. Jessie: What do you mean me? If I had my way, I would have been long gone. Meowth: Face it, we’re long gone from the battle scene. Jessie, James, and Meowth: (simultaneously) Looks like Team Rocket’s blasting off again! Back on the ground, Ash recalls Charizard while the boy recalls his Kangaskhan. A little bit later, Ash, Pikachu, Jenny, and the boy, sit down to a picnic of their own. Ash: So, what’s your name? Boy: The name’s TJ. TJ Smith. Ash: Well, nice to meet you, TJ. Pikachu: Pika! Ash: TJ, are you on your way to the Indigo Plateau? TJ: Yeah, I’m going to get into the Pokémon League! Ash: Well, why don’t you join us? It’s only a week or two away, if we walk. Jenny: I’d help you guys out, but I’ve got to get back. Viridian City is probably a mess by now. Ash and TJ: Goodbye, Officer Jenny! Thanks for your help! Ash, Pikachu, and TJ watch as Officer Jenny revs up her motorcycle and heads back to Viridian City. Scene changes as the trio continues down the road. Narrator: And so, Ash, Pikachu, and their newfound friend T. J. are off to the Pokémon League Novice Tournament. They’re going to have to hurry, though, with just ten days until it begins, they’ll have to keep moving. But with Ash so close to the League, is there still one obstacle still left for him to clear? The answer could come his way on the next Pokémon! To be continued... Impressed? Disappointed? Send your comments to me at jgg121@yahoo.com. Copyright Date: 11/5/99, Revised: 5/17/00 Revisions from the Original Release Include: - A slight addition to the Pokémon Center departure scene, featuring some insight on a possible Ash/Viridian City Joy relationship... that might never get off the ground. - Similar to the last chapter, there were a lot of past tense to present tense changes in the script descriptions. - The character profile featuring TJ was taken out. It will be available on my website within the next couple of weeks, so stay tuned! In the next episode... Misty’s next stop is in Vermillion City, and the very tough Lieutenant Surge awaits. With nothing but water types on her side, it’s going to be a very tough battle for Misty. But could she have an ace up her sleeve with Psyduck? See how the battle tuns out in Episode 5, “A Quackingly Good Time.”