Hi, it’s Articuno, yet again! This is the third part of the story and most certainly not the end. All I can say is this will eventually end or have a pause with a new series in between. A small overview of what happened <Don’t read if you read “The 9th Badge”> Ash misty and Brock all have the Starlight Badge, which was given by Heather, the Beach City Gym leader. Brock is now staying with Heather at her gym because they can’t stand being apart. Team Rocket really hates Heather (find out why in “The 9th Badge” ^_^) Well here’s the story and I’m really sorry for the long delay. Floyd really sidetracked me.

    The last time we saw Ash and Misty they were headed to Flight City, Brock is with Heather in Beach City, and Team Rocket was planning on getting revenge on Heather, after they get some lunch.

    Ash and Misty are walking down the path to Flight City talking.
    “I wonder what Brock’s doing.” Misty said.
    “Probably talking or swimming with Heather.” Ash said holding Pikachu in his arms because it was sleeping. “I wonder, where is this town?”
    “Who knows, we’ll probably find it soon though.” Misty replied.

    Back in Beach City

It has been 1 week since Ash and Misty left. Brock and Heather at that particular moment were eating dinner.
    “Brock, where did you learn to cook like this. These are delicious!’ Heather commented taking another rice ball.
    “Well, I and 11 brothers and sisters. My dad left to train Pokemon and my mom died so I had to take care of all my siblings.” he said, “My mom taught me how to cook. I also make Pokemon food. It’s a part of becoming a great Pokémon breeder.”
    “Wow, 11 brothers and sisters. I have 1 sister and I’m not even sure if I can handle her.” she said “ It must have been hard to have your mom die.”
    “It was. After I battled Ash, my dad came back so I went with Ash on his journey.” Brock said.
”My parents don’t really like Pokemon, but when I told them how much I had wanted to be a trainer, they told me how they had been trainers. My dad gave me a Metapod and my mom gave me a Pidgeotto with fly. Now Metapod is a Butterfree, the pink one, and Pidgeotto is a Pidgeot and stored in my computer.” she said.
    “I miss traveling with Ash and Misty.” Brock said, looking out the window, towards the forest.
    “I miss the days when I traveled too,” she said, sitting next to him. “ I have an Idea on how we can go traveling again. I just need to get someone to watch the gym,” she said getting up and walking over to a phone. She dials a number.
    “Hello?” a voice says.
    “Hi mom!” Heather said cheerfully.
    “Hi Heather! I was getting worried about you.” the woman said as her picture popped up. “Who’s that with you?” she asked looking at Brock.
    “Mom, this is my friend Brock. Brock, this is my mom.” she said introducing them to each other.
    “ Hi.” Brock said.
    “Nice to meet you Brock.”
     “Is Ashley around? I need to talk to her.” Heather said.
    “Sure. I’ll get her. Ashley! Phone! It’s your sister!” Heather’s mom yelled.
    “Guess what mom? I’m a gym leader!” Heather said to her mom
    “That’s great honey! Here’s your sister.” her mom said as she got up and a young girl sat down.
    “Hey Ash!” Heather said to the girl.
    “ I told you not to call me that.” the girl said to Heather.
    “Do you still have Chansey, Jigglypuff, and Clefairy?”
    “Yeah, and Squirtle, Pidgey, and Pikachu. Why?”
    “I have a gym and need your help.  Fly to Beach City. I have a present for you.” Heather said.
    “OK, see you in a few minutes.” Ashley said as she hung up the phone.
    “She must have been doing something.” Heather said, standing up from the phone. She went over to a closet and looked for something.
    “What are you looking for?” Brock asked.
    “You’ll see.” she said putting two boxes in her pocket.
    “I think I see her.” Brock said, looking up towards the sky.
    A girl came down from the sky being held by her shoulders by a Pidgey. “ OK, what do you want.” she asked.
    “I need you to take over my gym. Take these.” she said handing two evolution stone boxes to the girl.
    “Wow! Moon stones! Sure! I’ll run you r gym for you!” she said looking at the stones in awe.
    “ Thanks sis! Have fun!” she said walking off with Brock.
    “ You said you have a Pidgeot with fly? Why don’t we fly up and spot them from the air?” Brock suggested.
    “Good idea! Go Pidgeot!” she said.
    “Pidgeot! Ot!” the Pokemon cried as it flew from its Pokeball.
     “Come on Brock, hop on!” Heather said as she got on the Pokemon.
    “Uh.. OK.” He said as he got on too.
    “Pidgeot, up!” she said giving the bird a small jab in the side with her foot. “They’ll be pretty far by now.” She said looking around for Ash, Misty, and Pikachu.
    “I see them!” Brock said pointing to a boy with a Pikachu on his head and a Girl with short orange hair.
    “Let’s surprise them. We’ll land around that bend.” She said pointing out the destination. “Pidgeot, land there!”
     “Pidg!” it say flying until it was almost directly over the spot, when it folded it’s wings in a dove in a nearly 180 degree angle near the ground it pulled up and landed softly on the ground.
    “Nice landing Pidgeot.” She said recalling Pidgeot.
    “That was fast.” Brock said in a dazed voice.
    “Sorry, should have told you about that. That’s how Pidgeot lands.” She said. “Let get ready for when they come.”
    “OK.” Brock said.

    Back with Ash and Misty...

    “I hope we find a town soon.” Misty said.
    “Maybe it’ll be around this corner.” Ash said, pointing to the corner in the road.
    They kept walking and rounded the corner and saw a surprise.
    “Heather? Brock? Is that really you?” Ash asked.
    “Hi you guys!” Brock said greeting them cheerfully.
    “How did you guys get here so fast?” Misty asked.
    “We rode my Pidgeot. It knows fly.” Heather said.
    “Let’s get going! We gotta get to the next town!” Ash said as he heard a sound from the forest, “What’s that?” he asked looking towards the sound.
    “Well, well, if it isn’t loser Ash!” Gary teased as he walked out of the forest.
    “Gary!” Ash said in a stunned voice, “Where’s your fan club?” Ash said noticing there wasn’t a group of cheering girls around him.
    “Who needs a fan club when you have a girl friend.” He said, “Come on out!” he yelled into the forest.
    “I’m coming!” the girl yelled.
    “She sounds familiar..” Heather said.
    “Jeez Gary, you gotta slow down! I don’t want to mess up my hair or clothes, and look like... Heather?” she said, about to diss Heather but stopping the moment she saw her.
    “Look like me, eh Kristy?” Heahter said giving the girl a look.
    “What are you doing here?” Kristy said. She was shorter than Heather with wavy black hair.
    “Same thing I want to ask you. I thought you said Pokemon were dirty, disgusting creatures.” Heather replied.
    “They are, except for Gary’s.” She said, hugging Gary, “And mine.”
    “Typical.” Heather said rolling her eyes.
    “Oh, yeah? Let’s battle then.” Kristy said, pulling a Pokeball out of her pocket.
    “Fine then.” Heater said, grabbing a ball out of her pack.
    “Go Vileplume!” Kristy said throwing her Pokeball between them.
    “Vileplume!” the Pokemon said.
    “I choose Pidgeot!” Heather said throwing the Pokeball into the air, letting the bird get a flying start.
    “Pidgeot!” the bird yelled as it flew around.
    “Vileplume, Sleep Powder!” Kristy said pointing at Pidgeot.
    “Vile.. PLUME!!!” it yelled shooting powder at Pidgeot.
    “Pidgeot, gust!” Heather said as soon as Vileplume released the powder.
    “Pidgoooot!” It said flapping its wings rapidly blowing wind at Vileplume, sending the powder back at it.
    “Vile?” it said as the powder hit it “Plume... “ it said, falling asleep.
    “OK, Pidgeot, use wing attack!”
    “Pidgeo!” it said, hitting Vileplume with its wing, until it fainted.
    “What? Return Vileplume! Go Seel!” Kristy said recalling Vileplume, and releasing Seel.
    “Seel!” it yelled, slapping its flippers together.
    “Fine then. Pidgeot, return. Bulbasaur, I choose you!” she said throwing a Pokeball in front of Seel.
    “Bulba!” the Pokemon yelled.
    “Seel, Headbutt!” Kristy said.
    “Bulbasaur, Razor Leaf!” Heather said.
    “Seel!” it said moving rather quickly on its flippers, ready to hit Bulbasaur with its horn.
    “Bulbasaur!” it said shooing leaves out of its bulb. As soon as they hit Seel, it fainted.
    “Not again! Your gonna lose this time! Go Pidgeotto!” Kristy said releasing the bird from its ball.
    “Return Bulbasaur! Go Pikachu!” she said  throwing the ball onto the ground.
    “Pikachu pika!” it cried
    “Pidgeotto!” it said, landing on the ground.
    “Use Sky Attack Pidgeotto!” Kristy said as the bird flew up high preparing to dive at the Pikachu.
    “Pikachu, use Agility then Thunder!”
    “Pidegoooo!” Pidgeotto yelled as it dove towards Pikachu.
    “Pika..chu.” it said quickly moving out of the way before Pidgeotto could hit it, making Pidgeotto crash into the ground. “Pika.” It said, gaining electricity, “PIKACHU!!!” it yelled, frying Pidgeotto.
    “Why did I lose?” she screamed.
    “I used Pokemon that had an advantage over yours.” Heather said calmly.
    “Well I have 1 left, go Persian!” Kristy said, releasing the large cat from its ball.
    “Go Clefable!”
    “Purr, ru ru.” It mewed.
    “Clefable!” Clefable said joyfully.
    “Persian, Fury Swipes!”
    “Clefable, Sing!”
    “Mewr ru!” it said leaping at Clefable.
    “Cle fable, fable, cle, fable cle, faable!” It sang imitating Jigglypuff.
    Kristy watches as her Pokemon fell asleep. “Wake up Persian!” she yelled.
    “Clefable, doubleslap!” she said as Clefable smacked Persian until it fainted.
    “I hate you Heather!” Kristy said.
    “So? You gonna tell your mommy?” Heather teased.
    “Hey! That’s my girlfriend!” Gary whined.
    “So?” Heater asked.
    “Quit teasing her!” he whined again.
    “Whatever.” Heather said, shrugging her shoulders.
    “Do you know who I am?” Gary asked.
    “Let’s see. A whiny 10 year old brat with a big ego and bad taste in clothes and hair?” Heather said mainly ignoring him.
    “Rggh.” He growled. “Fine, see ya later losers!”
    “Yeah, see ya!” Kristy said with a sneer.
    “I’m glad they finally left.” Heather said.
    “Yeah, let’s keep walking so we can get to town.” Ash said.

    With Gary and Kristy

    “I hate Heather.” Kristy said, kicking a stone into a tree.
    “Why?” Gary asked.
    “She’s always been better, smarter, and more likely to do it right the first time than me.” She said. “She was even a Pokemon master!!”
    “Really?” Gary said, “That’s amazing. I feel sorry for you. We’ll get her back somehow.” He said putting his arm around Kristy’s shoulder.
    “Thanks Gary.” She said moving her head to kiss him when suddenly a net pulled them up off the ground.
    “Prepare for trouble!” a girls voice says
    “And make it double!” a boys voice responds
    “To protect the world from devastation!”
    “To unite all peoples within our nation!”
    “To denounce the evils of truth and love!”
    “To extend our reach to the stars above!”
    “Jessie!” says a girl leaping out of a tree
    “James!” replies a boy leaping out of another tree.
    “Team Rocket, blast off at the speed of light! 
    “Surrender now or prepare to fight!”
    “Meowth! That’s right!” says a talking Meowth landing in between of Jessie and James.
    “Team Rocket?” Gary and Kristy ask each other.
    “Wait a second, you’re not who we’re looking for.” Jessie said looking at Gary and Kristy.
    “Who were you after?” Gary asked.
    “Ash Ketchum and his Pikachu. We were also going to get revenge on this girl.” Jessie said stopping to think. “What was her name again James?”
    “Heather.” James said with a shudder. “ I don’t want to remember her. Such painful memories.”
    “I hate her too.” Kristy said. “How about we join forces to get them back?”
    “OK.” Jessie said letting them out of the net. She throws them each a Team Rocket uniform. “Welcome to the team.”

    Back with Brock, Heather, Ash, Pikachu, and Misty..

    “Yea! We finally made it!” They all yelled as soon as they saw Flight City down the path.
    “Let’s drop our Pokemon off at the Pokemon center and the find someplace to eat.” Misty said.
    “OK.” They all said heading to the Pokemon center and dropped off their Pokemon.
    “Let’s eat there.” Ash said pointing to a café.
    They all walked in and sat down at a table and ordered some lunch.
    “I heard that the Gym Leader here has a rare Pokemon, the same one that one of my old friends wanted to catch.” Heater said.
    “Do you know what type of Pokemon the gym uses?” Ash asked her.
    “I think its bird Pokemon, like Pidgeotto and Spearow.” She said. “I don’t know who the gym leader is though. Pikachu has an advantage over bird Pokemon, same with ice, rock and ground Pokemon.”
    “Well let’s finish lunch and get our Pokemon from the center.” Brock said as the waitress brought the food to the table.
    A half an hour later they were standing in front of the gym.
    “Look at those statues!” Ash said looking at the statues of the Pokemon on the roof of the Gym.
    “Yeah, those are all the bird Pokemon in the world of Pokemon. Pidgey, Pidgeotto, Pidgeot, Spearow, Fearow, Psyduck, Golduck, Farfetch’d, and the 3 legendary birds. Articuno, legendary bird of ice, Zapdos, legendary bird of electricity, and Moltres, legendary bird of fire.
    “Let’s go in.” Ash said pulling the doors open, which were covered with engravings of the bird Pokemon.
    “So, another challenger?” a voice from a darkened end of the gym.
    Brock noticed Heather trying to identify the voice of the gym leader. “What’s wrong? Is it Team Rocket?” he asked.
    “No. It... the voice reminds me of an old friend.” She said staring into the darkness.
    “Well? Who is the challenger?” the voice asked.
    “I am.” Ash said stepping forward.
    “Fine then.” The voice said as he stepped out of the darkness.
    “Byrum?” Heahter said in a puzzled voice.
    “Heather? Nice to see you again!” the boy said waving to her. The boy was slightly taller than she, with short tan hair was.
    “You know him?” ash asked.
    “We’re old friends.” She replied.
    “Enough chat. Let’s start this battle.” He said removing a Pokeball from his belt
    “OK. Go Pidgeotto!” Ash said throwing a Pokeball.
    “I choose you Pidgeot!” Byrum said.
    “Pidgeotto!” Pidgeotto cried as it exited the Pokeball.
    “Pidgeot!” said Pidgeot.
    “Pidgeotto! Use gust!” Ash said.
    “Pidgeot! Wing Attack!” Byrum said.
    “Pidgeottoooo!” it said as it sent a strong gust at Pidgeot.
    “Pidgeot!” it said flying effortlessly through the gust and whacking Pidgeotto with its wing.
    “Pidgeot! Dive at it!” Byrum said pointing at Pidgeotto.
    “Pidge!” it said as it flew towards Pidgeotto.
    “Pidgeotto! Quick Attack!” Ash said.
    “Pidgeotto!” it said as it hit Pidgeot square on, knocking it into the ceiling, making it faint.
    “Pidgeot! Return! Go Fearow! Win his battle!” He said.
    “Fearow!” the Pokemon cried as it swooped out of its Pokeball.
    “Come back Pidgeotto! Go Butterfree!” Ash said “Butterfree, Sleep Powder!”
    “Fearow! Use Mirror Move!”
    “Frreee!” the Pokemon cried sending Sleep Powder through the air.
    “Fear! Row!” it, said as it dodged the powder. It gathered the Dust in to a ball and sent it back at Butterfree, who fell asleep.
    “Butterfree! Wake up!” Ash pleaded.
    “Fearow! Drill Peck!” Byrum said.
    “Fearow!” the Pokemon yelled as it flew up high and came down in a spiraling motion. As soon as its beak hit Butterfree, Butterfree fainted.
    “You leave me no choice Byrum. Return Butterfree! Go Pikachu!” Ash said.
    “Ha! This Bird can stand your simple Pikachu. Return Fearow, Go Zapdos!” Byrum yelled.
    “Kraaak!” it said, it’s cry sounding like electricity flying out of a wire.
    “Pika!” Pikachu yelled.
    “Zapdos?” Ash asked Bring out his Pokedex.
    <Ping sound> “Zapdos, a legendary bird that uses super strong
     electric attacks to paralyze and knock out its opponents.” Dexter said.
    “Pikachu! Thunder!”
    “PIKACHU!!” Pikachu yelled sending a huge bolt of electricity at Zapdos.
    “Kra?” the Pokemon hardly fazed by the attack.
    “Your wimpy Pikachu can’t hurt my Zapdos. Zapdos, show it a real thunder!” Byrum commanded.
    “KRAAAKK!” it cried at it smacked its wings together, creating a thunderbolt twice the size of Pikachus.
    “KAAAA!!” Pikachu yelled as it fainted from the attack.
    “Pikachu! I give up!” Ash said as he ran over and picked Pikachu up and ran out the door with Misty following him.
    “Byrum, it’s been 3 years.” Heather said. “You’ve changed.”
    “I know.” He said.
    “How did you catch that Zapdos?” Brock asked.
    “I found it in a Power Plant. I battled it with my Sandslash, and caught it in an Ultra Ball.
    “Let’s battle.” Heather said.
    “OK. Go Zapdos!” Byrum said.
    “Articuno! I choose you!” Heater said, tossing an Ultra Ball in to the air.
    “Krakk!” Zapdos cried.
    “Cuno!” Articuno cooed.
    “Zapdos! Thunder!” Byrum yelled.
    “Articuno, Agility!” Heather said.

    Zapdos sent out a thunderbolt at Articuno. Articuno sat there until the bolt was a few yards away, then it quickly dodged it.
    “What!” Byrum yelled. “Zapdos, Drill Peck.”
    “Articuno, Blizzard.” Heather said.
    “Kra!” Zapdos cries as it spiraled towards Articuno.
    “Articuno!”  said as it shot an ice beam out of its beak and flapped its wings creating blizzard like conditions around Zapdos. When it cleared, Zapdos was fainted and frozen solid.
    “How in the world? Zapdos should have fried your Articuno!” He said.
    “Yeah, but Arti here is really strong after all the battles its won.’ She said, stroking the birds head “He’s the strongest Ice Pokemon  in the world today.”
    “Humph!” Byrum grunted as he rushed his Pokemon to the Pokemon center.
    “Uh.. where’d you get that?” Brock asked with a surprised look on his face.
    “Who Arti?” she said stroking Articuno’s feathers. “I caught him in Seafoam Islands. I knew all about Articuno by time I found him. Bulbasaur and Pikachu help me catch him. I needed an Ice Pokemon for one of the Elite Four.”
    “You’ve been through Pokemon League?” Brock asked.
    “Of course! I was Pokemon Master until this kid A.J. came along. That Sandshrew was unbeatable.” She said, “None of my grass or water Pokemon could harm it. Not even my Sandslash could get a hit in on it. So instead of quitting Pokemon training, I became a Gym Leader.”
    “Ash would be jealous if he knew that!” Brock said.
    “Yeah. Is there a Pokemon you’ve always wanted to catch? Mine was Articuno. Until I caught it of course.” She said.
    “I’ve always wanted a Golem.” He said.
    “I have a Graveler that will evolve when it is traded. If you trade me a Pokemon of yours, you can have it.” She replied.
    “But I don’t want to trade any of my Pokemon.”
    “No problem! Just catch me something and we can trade.” She said.
    “OK. See ya later!” Brock said heading out to the woods.
    “Heather?” Ash asked, coming up to her.
    “Yes?” she replied.
    “How can I beat that Zapdos?” he asked
    “What Pokemon do you have?”
    “A Pikachu, Bulbasaur, Squirtle, Butterfree, Pidgeotto, Charizard, Muk, Krabby, and a herd of Tauros.”
    “Well none of those work really good against electric Pokemon but if you caught a rock or ground type Pokemon, you might be able to win.” Heather said.
    “Thanks!” Ash said as he went to run off into the woods,” How many Pokemon do you have?” he asked.
    “Um.... around 120.” She said in a soft voice.
    “120! And you’re not in the Pokemon League?” Ash yelled.
    “Well I was until this kid A.J. and his Sandshrew came along and beat me.” She said.
    “A.J.?” Ash yelled remembering his battle against A.J.
    “Yup. I’m going to the Pokemart, do you two want to come?” she said.
    “OK.” They both said following her to the Pokemart.

    With Brock in the woods...

    “Hmmm. I wonder where all the Pokemon are today.” He said looking around for a Pokemon.
    “Growl! Growlithe!” said a voice from a bush.
    “Huh?” he said looking at the bush.
    “Grooowlithe!” it howled as it leapt from the bush.
    “All right, a Growlithe! Heather will love this! Go Vulpix!” Brock said throwing a Pokeball.
    “Vul! Pix!” Vulpix said as it came out of its ball.
    “Groooowl!” Growlithe howled.
    “Vulpix! Fire Spin!” Brock said.
    “Vullll!” it said as it shot flames out of its mouth.
    “Groowl!” it said as it countered Vulpix’s Fire Spin with a Flame-thrower.
    “Woah, that’s one strong Growlithe! Vulpix, Confuse Ray!” Brock said.
    “Vulpix!” it said a s it stared at Growlithe, confusing it.
    “Grow? Grow?” it said in a dazed voice.
    “OK Vulpix, Quick Attack!”
    “Pix!” it said at it hit Growlithe with it’s Quick Attack.
    “Growlithe!” it said as it bit itself with a bite that was meant for Vulpix. “Grow? Grow! Grow! Grow!” it said yelping in pain.
    “Wow, it was pretty confused. Pokeball go!” he yelled as threw a Pokeball at it. The Growlithe was sucked in to the Pokeball. The Pokeball rolled a few times until it went ping.
    “All right!” he said as he picked up the Pokeball and gave it a Super Potion. “Let’s go Vulpix”
    “Vul! Vulpix!” it said leaping into his arms.
     He walked back to town and fond Heather in the Pokemon center finishing up changing her Pokemon line up.
    “Ready to trade?” he asked her.
    “Oh! Is that what you’re trading me?” she asked as she saw Vulpix.
    “No.” he said as he pulled out a Pokeball, “This Pokeball has what I’m gonna trade you. It’s a surprise.”
    “Vul!” it said as it nuzzled Heather.
    “Your Vulpix is so cute!” she said petting Vulpix. ‘Let’s go to the trading machine.”
    “OK.” He said. They walked up to the machine and placed the balls in the machine.
    “Here we go.” Heater said as she pushed the button. The balls went up into the machine. A few seconds later they came back down. “There. It’s finished.” She said as she picked up the Pokeball.
    “Let’s go see our Pokemon. I want to watch my Graveler evolve.” He said walking out of the building. Heather followed him, wanting to see what he traded her.
    “Pokeball go!” they said at the same time.
    Heather’s Pokeball opened and a puppy like Pokemon popped out. “Growlithe!” it barked.
    “A Growlithe! Thank you Brock! I needed a fire Pokemon!” she said as she hugged him.
    “Uh.. You’re welcome! Look, Graveler’s evolving!” he exclaimed.
    “Graveler!” it cried as it glowed. It’s rock body hardened and it’s arms and legs became skin like. Then a head formed out of the body. “Golem!” it yelled stomping the ground.
    “All right! A Golem! Thanks Heather!” he said as he kissed her.
    “Your welcome.” She said as she blushed “Let’s go show Ash and misty out new Pokemon.”
    “OK.” He said following her to the Pokemart.
    They spotted Ash, Misty, and Pikachu and told them what happened.
    “So you have a Golem?” Ash asked Brock.
    “And you have a Growlithe?” Misty said to Heather.
    “Yup. Brock caught it and traded to me for my Graveler which evolves when you trade it.” She explained. “I’m going for a walk. Anybody want to come with me?”
    “No thanks, I’m gonna see what Golem knows.” Brock said.
    “I need to find a rock or ground Pokemon.” Ash said.
    “I’m going with him.” Misty said.
    “OK. Meet you guys at 8 o’ clock in the Pokemon center!” she said as she walked down a path. She walked until she saw a small stream flowing through a shade tree grove. “How peaceful!” she said as she wandered in and sat down and leaned against a tree. “I guess I’ll read.” She said pulling out a book entitled A Pokemon’s Life: The world through the eyes of a Pokemon: Bulbasaur/ Ivysaur/ Venusaur Edition. She started reading when a voice interrupted her concentration.
    “Prepare for trouble!” it said.
    “And make it double!” replied another.
    “Why me..” she moaned.
    “To protect the world from devastation!”
    “To unite all peoples within our nation!”
    “To denounce the evils of truth and love!”
    “To extend our reach to the stars above!”
    “Jessie!” she said jumping out of a tree.
    “James!” he said as he leapt out of another.
    “Team Rocket! Blast off at the speed of light!”
    “Surrender now or prepare to fight!”
    “Meowth! That’s right!” Meowth said jumping on top of her head.
    “OW! Must you always jump on me!” she said as she grabbed him by the tail and flung him at Jessie and James. “I’m outta here!” she said as she got up and got ready to run.
    “The original team of two is more!” said a boy’s voice.
    “It has now grown to four!” replied a girl.
    “Gary!” he yelled.
    “Kristy!” she replied.
    “We joined Team Rocket today!”
    “Now were gonna make you pay!”
    “Why do I have such a run of luck!” she said throwing her hands in the air and rolling her eyes. “Well I gotta go! See ya!” she said as she started a sprint into the woods.
    “Not so fast!” James said as he threw a net at her, causing her to trip and fall flat on her face.
    “YOW!” she said lifting her face off the ground. “What was that for?” she yelled at them.
    “That was for all the pain you caused us.” Jessie replied, “Now your coming with us.” She said with a sneer.
    “That’s what you think.” Heather said as she took in a large breath of air, “BRO- mphh mh mell?” she said as she was quickly gagged by James.
    “You’re not getting away that easily.” James said.
    Heather made a gesture for James and Gary to come close to her. When they were close enough, she kicked them both in the groin.
    “James! I though you learned!” Jessie said leaning over him.
    “Gary! Oh Gary are you all right?” Kristy said fussing over Gary “How could you hurt him!” she yelled at Heather.
    She picked up a stick and wrote a message in the dirt. It read ‘Because I wanted too!’ She giggled to herself at her feat.
    “I’ll finish this.” Jessie said as she hit Heather in the head with a frying pan. “Let’s get back to the campsite.” Jessie said as she dragged James, Gary and the unconscious Heather back it the campsite. Kristy ran into town and slipped a ransom note into one of his pockets.

    Back with Ash and Misty

    “Ash, we’ve been searching forever! Let’s take a break!” Misty whined.
    “You can rest. I’m gonna keep looking.” Ash said.
    “Face it Ash, you’re not going to find any-“ Misty said as she was interrupted.
    “RHYHORN!” a Pokemon cried from a bush.
    “Ha! I found something!” Ash said. “Bulbasaur! Go!”
    “Bulba!” it cried.
    “RHY!” the Rhyhorn cried as it stepped from the bush.
    “Bulbasaur! Razor Leaf!” Ash said pointing at the Pokemon.
    “Bulb!” it said as it hit Rhyhorn with the leaves.
    “Go Pokeball!” Ash said throwing a Pokeball at Rhyhorn. The Pokemon was successfully caught.
    “Wow. Good job Ash!” she said.
    “Thanks.” He said as she attached the Pokeball to his belt. He notices Brock running towards him. “What’s up Brock?”
    “Pant, pant. Team Rocket, pant, got Heather again.” He said as he showed them the note. “They want Pikachu for her.”
    It said ‘Dear Brock, Misty, and Ash, We have Heather. Give us Pikachu and no harm will come to her. Sincerely, Jessie, James, Gary, Kristy, and Meowth.’
    “WHAT? Gary joined Team Rocket?” Ash yelled.
    “We better go find her.” Brock said.
    “Let’s go.” Ash said walking the direction that Heather went last.

    Back with Heather...

    A few hours after being knocked out by a frying pan, she awakes drowsily.
    “Ugh. I don’t feel good. Where am I?” she thinks. She looks around to see Jessie, James, Kristy, and Gary messing around.
    “Well, well, did somebody just wake up from their nap?” Jessie taunted.
    Heather rolled her eyes at her trying to get on her nerves.
    “Now that you’re awake, you get to hear our motto, over and over again.” James said.
    Team Rocket goes through their speech to find that Heather had somehow gotten her book and was reading.
    “How dare you ignore our motto!” James yelled at her, though she hardly reacted.
    “Meowth! You better listen up or I’m gonna use you as a scratching post!” he said, yet again getting nothing more than an annoyed glance “I warned ya!” he said as he leapt at her face. She turned her head so that Meowth cut off her gag.
    “Jeez! Was that an old pair of underwear you used?” she said spitting on the ground.
    “I’m gonna get you this time!” Meowth said as he leapt at her again. She threw her book up and Meowth hit it head first.
    “Why do you guys even bother. You know I’m gonna get away.” She said.
    “Don’t be so sure,” Jessie sneered “The knot we tied the ropes is a special Team Rocket knot that only Team Rocket members know how to untie.”
     Heather looked behind her at the knot. “It’s a clove hitch on a fisherman’s knot.” She said.
    “What?” they all said.
    “Nevermind. Anyway, you all are so stupid, your combined IQ equals that of a Magikarps! That’s why you can’t train strong Pokemon, which makes you losers! Losers, losers you’re all lose-“ she said as they all hit her with various objects.
    “So that’s what she acts like in private...” Kristy said.
    “Nah, I think that’s just her reaction to Team Rocket.” James said.
    “I’m hungry!” Meowth whined.
    “Fine, let’s go get something to eat.” Jessie said.
    As Team Rocket walks off to town we join our heroes once again.
    “Where could she be?” Ash said looking around for any sign of Heather.
    “I don’t know but we’ll find he soon right Brock?” Misty replied.
    Brock was looking around in a very solemn face. “I see her!” he yelled pointing into a clearing where Heather was tied to a tree, passed out.
    They all ran up to her. ‘Heather, wake up!” Ash yelled.
    “Come on Heather!” Misty said.
    “Please wake up!” Brock pleaded.
    “Pika!” Pikachu yelled giving her a small shock.
    Heather slowly came to and opened her eyes. “Huh?” she said as her eyes focused. She was dirty and had quite a few bruises on her head. “You found me.”
    “We’re gonna untie you right away.” Brock said, gently touching her face.
    “Don’t, I have a plan to trick Team Rocket.” She whispered the plan to the group.
    “OK. We can do that.” Ash said confidently.
    Heather looked over at Brock and held out an ultra ball towards him. “Watch this Pokemon. The last thing Team Rocket needs is a Pokemon like this.” She winked at him and she suddenly passed out, dropping the ball on the ground.
    “I will.” Brock said picking up the ball and putting it with the rest of his balls.
    “Let’s start preparing the plan.” Ash said heading into the woods looking around for something. Misty followed him. Brock looked back once more and then exited into the forest.

    A few hours later...

    Heather woke up again to hearing Team Rocket talking.
    “Hey! Jerk wads! What ya doing?” she yelled to them.
    “So you woke up again?” Gary said pulling away from Kristy’s kiss.
    “I dunno.” Heather said, trying to annoy them by acting like a total ignoramus.
    “Just ignore her.” Jessie said.
    Heather looked down by her feet and saw some rocks. She flipped the stones up into her hands and threw them at their heads, knocking each one in the head at least once. “Hahahaha!” she laughed.
    “That’s it!” Jessie yelled as she came at Heather with a paper fan, ready to hit Heather several times.
    “Hurt her and die!” a voice from the woods yelled.
    “Huh?” Jessie said stopping mid swing at the voice with Heather cringing back.
    “Prepare for trouble!” a boys voice said
    “And make it double!” replied an older boy.
    “To protect the world from devastation!” said a girl’s voice
    “To ignite all peoples within our nation!” replied the two boys
    “To denounce the evils of truth and love!” replied the older boy
    “To extend our reach to the stars above!” replied the first boy and the girl.
    “Ash!” said the first boy.
    “Brock!” said the second.
    “Misty!” said the girl.
    “Team Rocket! Blast off at the speed of light! Surrender now or prepare to fight!” they all said at once.
    “Pi Pikachu!” said Pikachu leaping onto Ash’s head.
    “Quit coping us!” Jessie yelled.
    “Unite! Not ignite!” James said.
    “I have a deal for you.” Ash said, “I’ll.. I’ll give you Pikachu for Heather.”
    “Finally you see it our way.” Jessie said, “Give us Pikachu.”
    “I guess this is goodbye.” Ash said to Pikachu.
    “Chu?” it said.
    “Good bye. I’ll miss you he said giving Pikachu one last hug before he handed it over to Team Rocket.
    “You finally saw who the true victors were.” Jessie said with a sneer as she placed Pikachu into a glass chamber. “Untie her James.”
    “Go away.” He said coldly as he shoved her away.
    “Woah!” she said as she stumbled forward, still quite dizzy from the bruises on her head.
    “Heather!” Brock said as he ran forward to catch Heather. “Are you OK?” he asked.
    “I think so.” She said.
     “Ash! You gave your Pokemon to Team.. um.. er nevermind.” He said remembering who he was now. “I wonder what my grandfather would say?” he taunted.
    <If you only knew Gary. > Ash thought with a smirk.
    A cloud of smoke filled the area and when it cleared, Team Rocket was totally gone.
    “OK. Where’s Pikachu?” Heather asked.
    “In that tree.” Ash said pointing to a small oak tree. “Come on out Pikachu!”
    “Pikapi!” it yelled as it leapt into Ash’s arms.
    “I knew it would work. They can’t tell one Pikachu from another.” Heather said rubbing Pikachu’s head.
    “We even put a note around its leg.” Misty said.
    “Yeah, wait until they see that.” Brock said.
    “Let’s get back to town and get some food.” Heather said.
    “Yeah!” Ash said as their stomachs grumbled simultaneously. They looked at each other in a stupefied way and then laughed.

    Back with Team Rocket....

    ‘We finally got Pikachu!” Jessie said.
    “Wait till we tell the boss!” James replied.
    “There’s something wrong with this Pikachu.” Meowth said.
    “Huh?” they said as the same time.
    “Watch.” Meowth said as he made some faces at the Pikachu. It just sat there.
    “Look at its leg!” Kristy said pointing at its leg.
    A piece of paper came off its leg. It read ‘ If you find this note, WE TRICKED YOU!!!  This is a wild Pikachu. And Gary, Professor Oak knows what you’re up to. Your enemies, Ash, Misty, Brock, heather and Pikachu.’
    “Uh oh.” Gary said. “I gotta go.” He said running off.
    “Bye!” Kristy said following him.
    “What are we going to do now?” James asked.
    “I don’t know.” Jessie said thinking of Heather. <Next time Heather, next tine. >

    The next day...

    “Hey Heather! How are you feeling?” Ash asked he as she sat down at the table.
    “Better.” She said sitting down at the table with Ash, Misty, and Pikachu who was eating ketchup.
    “Breakfast is served!” Brock aid coming into the room wearing an apron and carrying a plate of pancakes.
    “So Ash, are you going to try to beat Byrum again?” she asked as she stared to eat a piece of pancake.
    “Yup. This morning.” He said.
    Heather chokes on a piece of pancake. “This morning? You haven’t improved your Pokemon yet!” she said.
    “Yeah? What are you going to use?” Brock asked.
    “You’ll see.” Ash replied.
    Heather looked at Brock and shrugged.

    In the gym...

    “So, you came to lose again?” Byrum said.
    “No. I came to win.” Ash said.
    “Fine 1 on 1. I choose Zapdos!” he said releasing the Pokemon.
    “Krakk!” it cried.
    “I choose Rhyhorn!” Ash said throwing a Pokeball.
    “RHY!” it yelled.
    “Good choice Ash!” Heather said. “Zapdos’s bird part and electric part are weak against rock type Pokemon!”
    “Zapdos! Thunder!” Byrum said as Zapdos slapped it’s wings together and created a huge thunderbolt and hit Rhyhorn square on. As the dust cleared, Rhyhorn still stood with hardly a scratch on him.
    “Ha! That won’t effect Rhyhorn! Rhyhorn! Horn drill!” Ash said as Rhyhorn hit Zapdos with it’s spinning horn. Instantly, Zapdos fell out of the air, hit the ground and fainted.
    “What?!? How did that happen!?!? Well, you win. Here’s your badge.” He said handing Ash a badge that looked like a Pidgeot wing. “Congratulations. You are the first winning trainer here. Oh, yeah! One of your Pokemon can learn fly.”
    “Why?” Ash asked.
    “New gym policy. All gyms give or teach a HM or TM to one of the winning trainers Pokemon. My gym does fly.” Byrum said.
    “OK. Here’s Pidgeotto.” Handing a Pokeball to Byrum.
    “Here it goes.” Byrum said as he shut the Pokeball into a box. The box shakes for a moment and then stops. “There. Now your Pidgeotto can fly you anywhere.” He said handing Ash his Pokeball back.
    “Thanks!” Ash said.
    “RRHYHOORN!!” Rhyhorn yells as it stars to glow and change into a Rhydon. “Rhydonn!”
    “Wow Ash! Look at how fast your Rhyhorn evolved! Rhydon is very good.” Heather said.
    They all walk out of the gym congratulating Ash on his victory.
    “It’s off to Indigo Plateau!” Heather said.
    “Is that where the Elite 4 is?” Ash asked.
    “Yup. Competitions start in two weeks.” She replied.
    “Two weeks?” Ash said. “Let’s get going then!”
    “Off to Indigo Plateau!” they all yelled as the started walking toward the Indigo Plateau and the Elite 4.

To be Continued…

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