Adventures Series, Episode 6 (Version 1.1), “Three Short Stories” Available for Download at: http://www.acmecity.com/games/mythical/292 The plot thickens with three special short stories that’ll change things for our heroes. But is it for better or worse? Disclaimer: Cassie, Jane, Calamity, Pidgeo, and the three new characters introduced in this fanfic are my property. All others are property by 4Kids’ Entertainment and Kids’ WB! ************************************************************************ Adventures Series, Episode 6: “Three Short Stories” Story Written by The Freedom Fighter ************************************************************************ Table of Contents: Brock in “The Date” - Brock meets a girl that may be “the one,” but things don’t go according to plan on their first night together. Cassie in “Changing History” - A look at the past, present, and future of Cassie, one of my own created characters. Team Rocket in “Conference” - Giovanni meets with the three factions of Team Rocket to discuss their plans for Ash and the gang. ************************************************************************ Brock in “The Date” ************************************************************************ Friday, October 23rd, Pewter City Narrator: After Misty had left Pewter City about two months ago, Brock’s chances of falling in love with a girl have gone down tremendously. Nurse Joy is always too busy at the Pokémon Center, and Officer Jenny has become so annoyed with him that she screams every time she sees him. In fact, every single girl in the city now knows about Brock, and they do their best to stay away. Brock: Did I ever tell you how lovely you look in the daylight? Girl: (screams) Aaaahhh! Get away from me! I’d never date you unless you were the last man on the planet! Brock sulks as the girl runs away. Narrator: Brock’s only chance of getting a girl is to wait for one to come to him to challenge for a Boulder Badge. But it was getting close to winter, and less people want to start their Pokémon journeys this late in the year. It’s gotten to the point where Brock hasn’t fought a Pokémon battle, for a badge or just for fun, in almost a week! One day, he left early since it was evident that there wouldn’t be any new challengers until the weekend. Unfortunately for him, a strange figure walks inside about an hour later, only to find the gym empty. The figure takes off a hat, a pair of gloves, and a trench coat. It’s a beautiful young women, about twenty-three years of age. She has long black hair that stretches all the way down to her waist in the back. Seeing that no one is there, she left, but not with out leaving a calling card... Present day: After an extended vacation from the gym, Brock returns Friday morning to set up, hoping that a challenge might come his way that day. In fact, it only takes less than an hour. A young woman walks in, a Pokéball in hand. Brock: Excuse me, may I help you, miss? Woman: The name’s Patti. Patti Masters. Brock: (in a tuxedo) Slate. Brock Slate. <1> Patti: (laughing) You’re silly. How about going on a date tonight, say about eight o’ clock? Brock: (stuttering) D-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-ate? Patti: Sure! But first, let’s get this match over with. Brock: All right, then. Brock pulls a lever, and the arena forms in the center of the gym. Brock pulls out a Pokéball, and prepares to throw it. Brock: (back in his regular clothes) Geodude, go! Patti: Geodude? How predictable! (throwing a “floater” into the air) Electabuzz, let’s go! Geodude: Geodude! Electabuzz: Buzz! Brock: Geodude, tackle attack! Patti: Electabuzz, quick attack! Electabuzz strikes first, sending Geodude reeling. Patti: Okay, Electabuzz, thunder shock! Electabuzz: (charging up) Buzzzzz! Brock: Geodude, defensive curl! Unfortunately, Electabuzz connects before Geodude can defend itself. As a result, the rock Pokémon was weakened significantly. Brock: Geodude! Patti: Electabuzz, finish it with your thunder punch! Electabuzz knocks Geodude out. Brock recalls Geodude and pulls out another Pokéball. Brock: Onix, go! Onix: Ggggggrrrrrroooooaaaaaaaarrrrrrr! Patti: (pulling out Electabuzz’s Pokéball) Easy as pie! Electabuzz, return! (pulls out another Pokéball and throws it) Vaporeon, let’s go! Brock: Onix, tackle attack! Patti: Is that all your Pokémon know how to do? Vaporeon, water gun! Vaporeon’s attack hits Onix square in the center of its head. Onix begins to double over. Brock: Onix! Patti: Vaporeon, aurora beam! The aurora beam freezes Onix is in place. Brock tries to recall it, but to no avail. Patti: Okay, we’re going for the win! Vaporeon, acid armor! Brock: Patti, no! It was too late. The acid armor attack pierces through the ice and poisons Onix, who unfreezes, but then immediately faints to the ground. Brock: Onix, return! Patti: (handing Brock a potion) Here, just use this revive and your Onix will be fine. Brock: Why did you do this, Patti? Patti: I don’t know. I just wanted to see how powerful my Pokémon are. Brock: Well, you picked the right time to test them out. (turning calm) Say, are we still on for that date? Patti: Yeah! Where are we eating? Brock: At the famous Chez Eevee, on the corner of Fifth Avenue and Main Street. Patti: Okay, then. See you at eight. And sorry for hurting your Pokémon... Patti recalls her Vaporeon, then leaves the gym. That night, Brock waits at the restaurant Chez Eevee for Patti to arrive. He’s dressed in the same tuxedo as before. After waiting for nearly an hour, Patti finally arrives, dressed in a very revealing green dress. A black handbag hangs over her right shoulder. Patti: Sorry about being late. Brock: (drooling over Patti) Forget it. Patti: Brock, what are you staring at? Brock: Nothing, my dear. Patti: Well, then, let’s go in. A few minutes later, the couple is sitting at a table, looking at a menu. A waiter comes up to the table, and after ordering, he takes the menus. Brock then begins to ask Patti a few questions. Brock: So, Patti, where are you from? Patti: I’m from Lavender Town. Brock: You mean the town that’s home to the Pokémon Tower, the most haunted place in the world? Patti: Actually, the third most haunted place, but who’s counting? Brock: True. So, how were you able to control all of your Pokémon so well? Patti: Well, you don’t train for thirteen years without getting good. Brock: (surprised) Thirteen years? Then that makes you... Patti: Quiet! You don’t have to tell the whole world! Brock: And your just starting your badge journey now? Patti: Actually, I’ve already got all eight badges! Brock: Then why did you challenge me to a match? Patti: I wanted to see how good you were. I’ve heard of your travels with Ash Ketchum and Misty Waterflower. Brock: How do you know about my friends? Patti: Oh, come on. Everyone’s heard about you guys. The most adventurous trainers in Pokémon history! And you still managed to get all eight badges in only a year! Brock: Actually, Ash was the only who fought for badges. Misty and I were along just for support. Patti: Have you ever considered going on your own journey. Brock: No. Unlike Ash and Misty, my dream is to become the world’s best Pokémon breeder. Patti: Breeder, huh? (to herself) Rats, I can’t recruit him! He might not be able to handle what’s coming up. Or maybe... (to Brock) Brock, what Pokémon do you have? Brock: Let’s see, I have Onix, Geodude, Zubat, and Vulpix. Patti: Four Pokémon? Typical for a breeder. Brock: Typical? And what Pokémon do you have, Patti? Patti: Well, I have Electabuzz, Vaporeon, Gastly, Pidgeot, Primeape, Voltorb, Slowpoke, Tangela, Charmeleon, Snorlax, Tauros, Mr. Mime, and Graveler. Brock: Wow, what a broad range of Pokémon! Patti: Yeah. You’ve got to know them all to compete in the Pokémon League. Brock: You’re in the League? Patti: Yep, but not just a member, a ranked member! She digs into her purse and pulls out a badge that resembles a Pokéball. It has the number 19 in the center, with PL in orange letters sandwiching it. Brock: 19? Patti: That’s right. They release rankings every other week. I’m currently ranked nineteenth in the League! Brock: How did you get so good? Patti: Remember? I’ve been a trainer for thirteen years. Brock: Oh, yeah. Have you faced off with the Elite Four yet? Patti: Three times already. Unfortunately, I haven’t succeeded in defeating Lorelei, the ice Pokémon trainer. She’s currently ranked tenth in the League. About twenty trainers challenge her every week, but usually only one trainer wins against her in one month! Brock: I wonder if Ash would be capable of beating her? Patti: Who knows? The way that boy battles, it might be possible for him. The couple is interrupted by the waiter, who places their dinner on the table. They had both ordered stuffed lobster. Half an hour later, Brock pays the bill, and the two stand outside the restaurant. Patti: Thanks for the wonderful evening, Brock. Brock: You’re welcome, Patti. How about we go out again, same time next week? Patti: Sorry, I can’t. Being ranked high in the League keeps me pretty busy. I have to be in battle constantly and win to stay where I am in the rankings. I just wouldn’t have time for a relationship right now. Brock: Relationship? But I wasn’t even thinking of that until the third date! Patti: (giggles, then gives Brock a kiss on the cheek) Maybe we’ll meet again one day. Goodbye, and good luck! Brock: (waving goodbye) See you around, Patti. After Patti’s gone, Brock begins to skip all over town, yelling everywhere one single phrase: Brock: (shouting) I finally have a girlfriend! I finally have a girlfriend! Narrator: Brock continues throughout the evening to romp through town, spreading the good news, until Officer Jenny stops him, that is. But until then, one has to wonder whether Brock will see Patti again. ************************************************************************ Cassie in “Changing History” ************************************************************************ Saturday, October 24th, Route 26 The story begins at a strange house on Route 26, the route so new that maps hadn’t been updated yet to accommodate this new route. It served as a bypass to Cerulean City. Trainers who didn’t want to go to the city of “Water Pokémon” could skip over from Pewter to Vermillion, and come back to Cerulean later with Pokémon that would be so powerful that the match would be way too easy. Fortunately for the resident of this house, no trainer has used the trail yet, and the Pokémon League has no knowledge of it. According to Pokémon League Badge Earning Rules, a Cascade Badge must be earned before trying for a Thunder Badge. Inside is an 11 year old girl named Cassie Banks. She’s wearing a knee-high blue and white dress with white shoes. It’s an outfit that kind of makes her look like Dorothy from “The Wizard of Oz,” only younger. Her blonde hair is pulled up in a ponytail so that it won’t interfere with her work. She’s the type of person that’s beautiful, but also a know-it-all. In fact, not much else is known about her, except for her electronic equipment that’s scattered all over the house, and a bag that holds all of her Pokémon, thirty-five to be exact. Right now she’s at work on her computer, researching facts about the trainers participating in the upcoming Novice Tournament at the Indigo Plateau. She moved her mouse to the icon to print the document. In just one minute, her laser printer jams out over twenty pages of data. She takes the top page, separates it from the rest, then places the rest of the pile in the bag with all of her Pokéballs. In fact, the bag is full of a lot of stuff. Cassie is about to go on a trip. She then presses a button on the bag that makes it shrink to the size of a backpack, and it’s very lightweight. Turning off all the electronic equipment, and locking the door, she heads for Route 22, with the easy-to-carry luggage bag now on her back. Cassie: (looking up at the sky) Such a nice day. It’s too bad I had to spend it tracking down a ten year old boy who might get to Route 23 before I do. And who knows if this boy is truly the one destined to become a Pokémon master. She pulls out a tape recorder, which serves as her personal diary, and presses the record button. Cassie: (talking into the recorder) October 24th. I’ve just left my secret hideaway on Route 26 and I’m heading for Route 23 to intercept the Pokémon trainer named Ash Ketchum. He’s on his way to the Pokémon League Novice Tournament at the Indigo Plateau. But he’s unaware of the danger that lies there. I’m being sent by the “organization” to keep him safe. They claim that they need him for a task in the future. She passes tree after tree, with leaves of several different colors; some had already fallen onto the ground, while others patiently awaited their turn. Cassie continues to talk... Cassie: I can’t believe that I’m going to the Pokémon League Novice Tournament at long last. Especially after my dream was dashed three months ago. It seems like I was on my journey just yesterday... Flashback to a small town named Poli. It’s Cassie’s tenth birthday, and she’s celebrating with her friends and family. She had finished opening all of her gifts, which include lots of clothes, a doll, and a few other things. Suddenly, her parents stepped forward with a special “surprise” gift. Mr. Banks: Cassie, honey, this is for you. Mrs. Banks: Happy birthday, sweetie. Cassie: What is it? What is it? Mr. Banks: Open it and see. Cassie ripped open the box, and was surprised to find a piece of paper. But it wasn’t an ordinary piece of paper. It was... Cassie: Wow! A Pokémon trainer’s license! I’ve always wanted to be a Pokémon trainer! Mrs. Banks: Cassie, we have something else for you. Mr. Banks: Yes we do. Mr. Banks presents a new box, and opens it himself. It’s marked “Special Delivery: To Poli Town, from Professor Oak of Pallet Town.” Mrs. Banks: This was mailed here from Pallet by the famous Professor Oak! Inside are the three starter Pokémon, a Charmander, a Bulbasaur, and a Squirtle. You and two other trainers, another young boy your age which lives here in town, and a fifteen year old girl in nearby Sandsabar Town. But since it’s your birthday, you get to pick first. Cassie: Wow! Which one should I pick? Mr. Banks: Which ever one you like. Cassie thought for a long time before finally picking the Pokéball that had Bulbasaur in it. Cassie: (throwing the Pokéball) Come out Bulbasaur! Bulbasaur materialized in front of Cassie and all of her friends and family. Bulbasaur: Bulbasaur! Bulba? Cassie: Hello, Bulbasaur! I’m your new trainer! Bulbasaur: Saur? Bulba? Cassie: What’s wrong? Don’t you like me? Bulbasaur: Bulba-bulba-saur. Mr. Banks: What is the Bulbasaur saying, dear? Cassie: I’m not sure. Mrs. Banks: I wish Professor Oak was here. Maybe he could help. Oh, well. Cassie: Okay, Bulbasaur, return! Bulbasaur returns to its Pokéball. Cassie picks it up, and then runs up to her parents and hugs them. Cassie: Thanks, mom and dad! This is the best present ever! The party continues on into the night. Cassie’s memories return to the present day. Cassie: (pulling out Bulbasaur’s Pokéball and releasing the Pokémon) Bulbasaur! Bulbasaur: Bulbasaur! Cassie: It’s just like old times, isn’t it Bulbasaur! Bulbasaur: (nodding in agreement) Saur! Cassie: Remember the time when we fought our first Pokémon battle... Flashback to the Viridian Forest, against a ten year old boy trainer. Cassie had chosen Bulbasaur, the boy had pulled out a male Nidoran. Cassie: Bulbasaur, vine whip! Bulbasaur: Bulbasaur! Bulbasaur’s vine whip connected with the Nidoran several times. But it wasn’t out of the fight just yet. Boy: Nidoran, tackle that Bulbasaur! While the Nidoran charged at Bulbasaur, a team of six cheerleaders were yelling behind the boy. Cheerleaders: Gary, Gary, he’s the man! He can win battles like no one can! Cassie: Bulbasaur, look out! Nidoran missed as Bulbasaur dodges out of the way. Cassie: Bulbasaur, leech seed! Bulbasaur: Bulba! The seed plants itself on the Nidoran’s forehead. It’s soon enwrapped in a bunch of vines. Nidoran is unable to fight any longer. Gary: (angry) Nidoran, return! Cassie: All right, Bulbasaur! We won our first match! Bulbasaur: Bulbasaur! Gary: (still angry) Let’s go, girls. We’d better get to a Pokémon Center. (to Cassie) The next time we meet, you won’t be so lucky! Gary and his cheerleaders leave, as Cassie and Bulbasaur celebrate their first victory. Scene now switches to four months ago, Cassie (present day) doing a voice-over as we see her talking to the Nurse Joy in Viridian City. Cassie: (voice-over) After we defeated that boy named Gary, things continued to go our way. It wasn’t long until we had gotten all eight badges. With Bulbasaur and my thirty-two other Pokémon, we were ready to enter the league. The Pokémon League Novice Tournament was only a month away, so we had enough time to get there. I had already chosen my team, Bulbasaur, my strongest of course, Rattata, who was waiting to evolve into Raticate at any moment, Gloom, whose stench was unbearable to its opponents, Abra, my only psychic Pokémon, Meowth, who always seemed to be in the mood for shopping, and Eevee, the first out of four I had caught; I was still trying to decide what to evolve it into. (voice of Cassie, in the flashback) So, Nurse Joy, can I enter the tournament? Joy: (with a sad look) I’m sorry, Cassie, but without a Pokédex, you’re not allowed to enter the league. Cassie: Where can I get one? Joy: From whomever issued you your license. And you’d better hurry! The registration deadline is a week from today! Cassie: Professor Oak issued my license. But I don’t know how to reach him. Joy: Don’t worry. I’ve had trainers from Pallet pass by here. The professor’s number should be around somewhere... Ah, here it is. Joy hands an index card to Cassie and points her to the videophone. In moments, Professor Oak appears on the screen. Prof. Oak: Hello, Professor Oak speaking. Can I help you, miss? Cassie: Yes, you might be able to... She shows her trainer’s license to the professor. Prof. Oak: (examining it closely) That looks like a license that I issued. Who are you? Cassie: Cassie Banks, from the town of Poli. Prof. Oak: (checking his database) Yes, I thought you looked familiar. Your parents mailed me a picture of you to me to get you a license, since Pallet was the closest town that issued them. How has your journey been? Cassie: Exciting! I’ve collected all eight badges! Prof. Oak: You have? Congratulations! (stops) Oh, I see. You need a Pokédex, don’t you? Cassie: Yes, but how did you know? Prof. Oak: I have a sixth sense for knowing what trainers need. Where are you now? Cassie: The Pokémon Center in Viridian City. Prof. Oak: Okay, hold on. It’ll take me a few minutes to get a Pokédex for you... Back to the present once again, Cassie still holding her recorder, Bulbasaur by her side, and a pair of strange eyes following her, undetected. Cassie: Professor Oak didn’t take long to put a Pokédex together for me, and I... Bulbasaur: Bulba! Cassie: I meant we began to head for the Indigo Plateau. But then we ran across two strangers on the way. Back to the past, the two strangers, dressed as commonly as any normal Pokémon trainer would be. They approached Cassie, ready to battle. Cassie: What do you two want? Stranger 1: Allow us to introduce ourselves. I am Randy Vicardi. Stranger 2: And I am Jones McGray. Randy: We come to you looking for a Pokémon battle. Jones: Are you interested? Cassie tends to be the type of person who couldn’t resist a challenge, and this case was no exception. Cassie: Why not? This will be a perfect chance to prepare some of my Pokémon for the tournament. (throws out a Pokéball) Come out Abra! Randy: (throwing a Pokéball) I choose you, Clefairy! Jones: (doing the same) Let’s go, Farfetch’d! Clefairy: Clefairy! Farfetch’d: Far-fetch’d! Randy: Clefairy, double slap! Jones: Farfetch’d, sand-attack! Cassie: Abra, teleport now! The Abra disappears, as Clefairy and Farfetch’d attacks hit each other, causing them both to faint. Abra then appears in front of Cassie. Randy and Jones recall their Pokémon, then walk up to Cassie. Randy: Not bad. It looks like you trained your Abra well. Cassie: Thanks! Jones: (producing a card) A trainer like yourself doesn’t deserve to participate in the Pokémon League. Some one of your talents is far too advanced for that. Cassie: (blushes) Well, I’m not really that good. Jones: (hands the card to Cassie) Take this. It’s about a secret organization for special Pokémon trainers. Randy: You don’t have to take our offer if you don’t want to. But think about it before you make your decision. Cassie looks at the card, and sees only this: “The Pokémon Trainers’ Association. If you want to join, come to Warehouse # 3 in Ronde Town at seven o’ clock tonight.” When she looked up again, Randy and Jones were gone. Cassie: (voice-over as a shot of the “past” Cassie shows her in thought) I didn’t know then if I could trust these two, but if I was really as good as they said, wouldn’t I want to find out just how good? Scene changes to a hill overlooking Ronde Town in the present, where Cassie and Bulbasaur begin to remember what happened on their first trip here... Cassie: We’re back in Ronde Town. Never thought we’d end up back here again, huh Bulbasaur? Bulbasaur: (nodding its head in agreement) Saur. Cassie: (talking into her recorder) Well, that’s all for now, diary. Right now, I have to find this Ash Ketchum before it’s too late. Ending entry for October 24th. She turns the recorder off, places it in her backpack, and then pulls out Bulbasaur’s Pokéball. Cassie: All right, Bulbasaur, back inside your Pokéball. Bulbasaur returns, and she puts the Pokéball back in her backpack before walking towards Ronde Town. ************************************************************************ Team Rocket in “Conference” ************************************************************************ Saturday, October 24th A dark room in an unknown location. Seven figures are already waiting, sitting at a table in the room. Three seats are still empty, that is, until light came from the opening of the only door into the room. A familiar tune begins to play, as the three introduce themselves. Jessie: To protect the world from devastation! James: To unite all peoples within our nation! Jessie: To denounce the evils of truth and love! James: To extend our reach to the stars above! Giovanni: Will you two give it a rest and take a seat! It’s bad enough that you’re twenty minutes late! And where’s Meowth? Meowth: Meowth! Right here, boss! Giovanni pushes a button on the table and the lights came on. Suddenly, when everyone realizes who is in the room, several figures begin to stare at each other in anger. Cassidy: Nice to see you again, Jessie. Jessie: How did you manage to get out of jail? Calamity: I can’t believe a loser like you is in Team Rocket! Butch: Who are you calling a loser? James: Ooh, you’re cute! Jane: Save it, fool, I already have a boyfriend! The three Pokémon, Meowth, Raticate, and Pidgeo, begin to growl at each other, as if they’re about to start a free-for-all on each other. Giovanni: Will you all just sit down and be quiet! Everyone sits down, but in a way so that the people who hate each other are sitting across from each other (i.e. Cassidy sits across from Jessie, etc.). The three battling Pokémon are sitting at one end of the table. Giovanni sits alone at the other end. Giovanni: Now, do you nine know why I called you here today? Silence abounds in the room until one voice speaks up. James: Why are we here? Giovanni: (getting up from his seat) We are here to talk about a group of troublemakers that have been bothering us for the last year. They are the only ones that stand in our way in controlling all that is Pokémon. Calamity: So why can’t we just get a gun and shoot them? Giovanni: A gun? What is wrong with you? If we kill someone that way, the police officers will be on us twenty-four seven! I’m sure you don’t want that. Jane: So how will we get rid of these guys? Butch: And who are they? Giovanni: This is the group of troublemakers. Giovanni holds up a picture, which makes everyone else in the room facefault. The picture is of the gang: Ash, Misty, Brock, Todd, and Pikachu. Cassidy: Not those five! Butch: Those are the kids who put us in jail, especially that girl and that Pikachu! Jessie: That little brat has been bothering us non-stop ever since we met him in Viridian. James: He and his friends have been nothing but trouble. Meowth: They deserve to be finished off for what we’ve been put through. Calamity: Isn’t that the girl that we were after on Route 5? Jane: The very same one. Pidgeo: Pidgeo! Raticate: Raticate! Giovanni: All right, settle down. I have an ingenious plan that cannot fail. Cassidy: So what is this plan, anyway? Giovanni: It’s simple. As established by our agents, the foursome has now split up and gone their own ways. Butch: On their own, those four will never be able to protect themselves. Giovanni: Exactly! Jessie: But the brat isn’t exactly alone... James: Yeah, he’s got another kid about the same age traveling with him. Jane: That girl named Misty... Calamity: There’s a boy with her as well. Cassidy: (changing the subject) What about the photographer? Giovanni: The photographer won’t be of any immediate threat. Remember, he only captures Pokémon on film, not with Pokéballs. Butch: That’s right! Meowth: And the squinty-eyed guy who wanted to be a breeder? Giovanni: In Pewter City, but with some water Pokémon, he’ll be a snap! As for the girl, I’m sure even she can’t hold her own for long. Pidgeo: (under its breath) If only we would have had a little longer with her... Giovanni: What did you say, Pidgeo? Pidgeo: Nothing, sir. Giovanni: Now, she’s the first priority. She’s like the magnet for them all. Capture her, and the other sniveling fools will follow. It’s that simple! Jane: Allow us to take care of her, Giovanni. Calamity: She and her friend weren’t battling well against our Pokémon. If we strike now, we can catch them off guard! Giovanni: Calm down, you two. Of course you can have the girl. But not yet. Calamity: But boss, if we can get to her now... Giovanni: Rule Number One, Calamity. Never contradict me! (pulls out a golden Pokéball) Inside this Pokéball is the most powerful Pokémon ever! Don’t make me have to use you as its test subject. Calamity: (sweating) Yes, sir! Giovanni: (putting away the Pokéball) As for the boy named Ash, Cassidy’s team is in charge of getting him and his wretched Pikachu! But be warned, this boy is capable of anything. Cassidy: We know. Butch: We’ve tangled with him before. Raticate: Raticate! Giovanni: And that’s because he and his friends put you in jail! At least Jessie, James, and Meowth are smart enough to stay out of the slammer! Butch: But they were... Giovanni: Silence! (to Jessie, James, and Meowth) As for you three, you are to head for the Seafoam Islands, and search for these three legendary Pokémon. He shows them a picture of Articuno, Moltres, and Zapdos! The other two teams suddenly get angry. Jane: How can you give these bumbling buffoons a job this important! Calamity: That mission should be ours! Cassidy: Those three have failed so many times that they don’t even deserve to go after that silly photographer! Butch: I think they should be thrown of the team for so many failures! Jessie: We didn’t fail all those missions! James: We just didn’t pass them. Meowth: Oh great, we’re doomed! Giovanni: That may be true, but if they know what’s good for them, they won’t fail this one, right! Jessie: Of course not, boss! James: We will not fail you this time! Giovanni: You’d better not! He presses a button, and three Pokéballs appear from a slot in the table. He hands them to Jessie, James, and Meowth. Giovanni: Take these three to help! And don’t have them defeated like you did the last time at the gym! Now get out of here! Jessie, James, and Meowth leave the room. The other six Team Rocket members are in distress over what just happened. Cassie: I can’t believe what you just did! Giovanni: Anyone who questions any more of my orders with have to answer to my “special” Pokémon! All of them step back, away from Giovanni. Giovanni: I thought so. Now, Cassidy, Butch, and Raticate, take these three and totally humiliate this Ash Ketchum and his Pikachu at the Pokémon League Novice Tournament! He hands them three different Pokéballs. Butch: But how do we enter the tournament? We haven’t gone to the eight gyms, or taken the entrance exam, or attended Pokémon Tech! Giovanni: Leave that to me. Just make sure one of you competes in the tournament. But don’t kidnap the boy until he drops out of the tournament. I’ll relay you three further instructions later. Now go! Cassidy and Butch: (simultaneously) We’re Team Rocket circling Earth all day and night! Surrender to us now, Ash Ketchum, or prepare to fight! Raticate: Raticate! The three laugh hysterically as they leave the room. Only Giovanni, Jane, Calamity, and Pidgeo are left. Giovanni: All right, my three secret agents. How’s Operation Misty going? Jane: Just as planned, boss. Calamity: I’m sure she doesn’t know we’re manipulating her, drawing her into our trap! Pidgeo: And when she trips up, we’ll step in to pick up the pieces! The trio begins to laugh before Giovanni throws them three Pokéballs, different from the others, of course. Giovanni: You know the drill. Although you three already have your fair share of Pokémon, I want you to use these three if the going gets tough. Is that understood? Calamity: Yes, sir. Jane: What about the other two, the breeder and the photographer? Pidgeo: Pidgeo! Who’s going to get them? Giovanni: Don’t worry about them. I’ll take care of them myself. The trio doubted Giovanni’s judgment, but they didn’t want to tell him about it. Giovanni: Now leave me. Follow the plan to the letter, unless I tell you otherwise. Jane, Calamity, and Pidgeo: (simultaneously) Right! Time to go! Calamity pulls out a silver ball and throws it down, filling the room with smoke. The trio is gone when the smoke finally lifts. Giovanni: I wish they wouldn’t do that. Suddenly, another Team Rocket member runs in, with a sheet of paper in hand. TR Member: Sir, a message from the TR Seafoam Island Post. Giovanni: Don’t ever interrupt me during a meeting! TR Member: But sir, there’s no one here, and it’s an urgent message! Giovanni: (snatches the note) Leave now! The member leaves the room. Giovanni reads the notice, then snarls. He crumples it up, throws it in the trash, and then walks out of the room. The only words that are readable from the crumpled up message are as follows: “...the ultimate Pokémon has killed...” ************************************************************************ Narrator: And so, three short stories prove to be very important in reference to all our characters. Has Brock finally found the perfect girl within Patti? Are Cassie’s intentions good enough to suggest a team-up with Ash? Will Team Rocket’s plans succeed? And who or what is this ultimate Pokémon? And what havoc is it creating at the Seafoam Islands? These answers and more will be revealed as the road to the Pokémon League continues for Ash and his friends. To be continued... Please e-mail me at jgg121@yahoo.com with your comments, questions, and suggestions for future stories! Author’s Note: <1> Once again, assumed last name, not the true last name. Copyright Date: 11/17/99, Revised: 6/7/00 Revisions from the Original Release Include: - More grammar and tense changes, nothing else special this time around. - Character profiles removed, are available at the website. In the next episode... Cassie catches up with Ash and TJ in Ronde Town. How close does she intend to get to Ash in order to complete her mission? Why is TJ so suspicious of her? And how does a wild Butterfree have the ability to create a rivalry between the two of them. Catch all the action in Episode 7, “A Sly Butterfree.”