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Ep 2

Disclaimer: I in no way own Pokemon. It’s as simple as that. Questions, comments, rants, or flames can be sent to cats84@usmo.com I love hate mail by the way. It’s fun to read.

In the Celadon City Pokemon Center Takeshi is drooling over Nurse Joy, who is working uncomfortably in his shadow, repeatedly asking him to leave her alone. It seems Takeshi has forgotten the princess. In the corner of the room sat Kasumi, languidly drinking a soda and Satoshi, who was still whimpering over his defeat. “Come on Satoshi, it’s time to call home,” urged Kasumi. She reached for his arm, but he jumped a good three feet away. “NOOOOOO!” he screamed. “I want my PIKACHU!!!! WAAAAAA!!” Kasumi buried her head in her hands as Togepi inched near her soda. Nurse Joy looked up from her filing. “Please, keep it down,” she said harshly. But Satoshi continues to cry until Takeshi got annoyed, picked him up and plopped him down in front of a video phone. “Call,” he ordered. Anyone who disrupted his Nurse Joy watching received cruel and unusual punishment. “Okay,” Satoshi sniffled as he dialed home. His ditzy mother picked up. A Mr. Mime could be seen waving in the background. “Oh, hi sweetpea!” she gushed. “I’m so glad to hear from you! How are you?” Anyone could see that Satoshi was down, but Mrs. Ketchum being her sunny self, didn’t or wouldn’t notice it. “I got my Pikachu stolen by some mean people,” he said with exaggerated sadness. He was a mama’s boy through and through. “Oh, hon, I’m sorry. Want mommy to get you a toy?” He nodded. “And some new Teletubbies underwear?” He nodded. “I’m coming home mom,” he said in an equally disgusting baby voice. “Okay. I’ll be sure to cook extra tonight. Hurry home!” “Okay mom, bye,” said Satoshi and hung up. He turned to find Kasumi hiding a grin behind her hand and Takeshi with.......EYES popping out. “You wear Teletubbies underwear?” Kasumi exclaimed. She burst out laughing and accidentally knocked Togepi into her soda, which splashed all over the floor. Takeshi fainted and Nurse Joy rushed him into ER. “It....it’s not true!” he yelled, balling his fists. “I can dress myself!” This only made Kasumi laugh harder. Togepi licked at the soda on the floor. Satoshi cried.

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Team Rocket had followed Satoshi for no apparent reason after they’d gone to see a movie and spent a little time getting to know Saikobi. *Thinks of “The King and I.”* They were glad they did now after overhearing Satoshi’s call to home. Kojiro was giggling madly. “He wears Teletubby underpants!” “This could make really good blackmail one day,” agreed Musashi. Meowth was laughing so hard he’d fallen backward into the grass. Saikobi laughed. A true one. A first in a long month. Then suddenly, an idea came to her. A crazy idea. A mischievous idea. But an idea it was. An idea to tease Satoshi. Saikobi hummed as she placed the unconscious Pikachu at the window, standing him up on his hind legs. “What are you doing?” Musashi asked. Saikobi only smiled. She manned Pikachu like a puppet. She made his paw knock on the window to get Satoshi’s attention. Satoshi jerked his head wildly in all directions until he saw his beloved, perhaps too much beloved, Pokemon in the window. His gasp from inside was audible and his eyes grew wobbly again. Team Rocket watched intently. “Oh Pikachu! I’m so glad you found me!” Saikobi pantomimed Pikachu to wave hello and make an “I love you” sign. “Awww! I love you too Pikachu!” Saikobi’s eyebrows raised at the mental state of this kid. She tried to laugh as quietly as she could as were Musashi, Kojiro, and Meowth. “He actually tinks Pikachu’s talkin’to em!” Instead of running outside to check out this strange event like a normal person would, Satoshi continued to stare and worship Pikachu. That is, until Kasumi saw what was going on. “Satoshi! What the--?” She tapped her finger on the glass. Not seeing Pikachu respond, *well duh, its eyes are closed* she instantly figured it out. “Satoshi! Somebody’s playing with you! It’s not Pikachu talking to you!” Musashi, Kojiro, and Meowth buried their laughs in their hands. Saikobi looked at them while making Pikachu move. “Akanbe on three,” she said. “My arms are getting tired. One.....two....” On three all of them jumped from their hiding places and pulled their lower eyelids down and stuck their tongues out. “Ahhhh! It’s Team Rocket!” screeched Kasumi, racing back to Togepi, who was stuck to the floor due to the soda. Satoshi just stood there, not absorbing, not doing anything. “Pikachu....” He was traumatized for life.

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Team Rocket *I’m going to call them that instead of listing the names* ran down the street from the Pokemon Center, laughing uncontrollably. “What a dumb kid!” said Meowth. “Anybody could see it was fake.” “He’s not anybody!” replied Saikobi. “He’s a mentally unstable child!” “Or he will be after that!” added Musashi.

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Takeshi’s vision was fuzzy as his eyes cleared. He was lying on a hospital bed with a concerned Nurse Joy at his side. “Oh, you’ve woken up,” she said, smiling. “I hope you’re feeling better.” Takeshi made his goo-goo face. “I feel fine. I was hoping we’d get some time alone.” Nurse Joy’s eyebrows furrowed. “What do you mean?” “I faked fainting so I could get your attention, “ Takeshi revealed. Her face flushed red with anger and she pulled out a metal baseball bat and knocked him unconscious again.

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Kasumi meanwhile, was busy snapping her fingers in front of Satoshi’s eyes, trying to get a response from him. “Satoshi! Hey! HEY!” She slapped him. “Whaaaaaaa??” His eyes bulged. “Hey! Pikachu’s gone!” Kasumi gave him the “no-duh” look. “Uh..yeah. Team Rocket stole it, remember? And we brought you here to call home. And now we’re leaving,” she explained slowly, annunciating each word. Satoshi bawled, falling on the floor. “WAAAAAA! I want my Pikachu, b-but I also wanna go home to get my new toy!” Kasumi dragged him by his belt out the door. If he cried one more time, she’d leave him at their next stop.

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It was growing dark when they decided to stop for the night. If Saikobi had chosen to become one of them freely, she had to know what it was going to be like. Musashi, Kojiro, and Meowth whipped out their sleeping bags and laid them on the ground. “Why are you doing that?” asked Saikobi, playing with Pikachu, who had just woken up. “This is where we sleep,” Musashi replied. “I told you to get used to it.” Saikobi dutifully took out hers. “Does he treat all of you like this?” That question struck a nerve. The White Rockets were always given the lowest salary and made to do the dirtiest work. But Musashi and Kojiro were especially looked down upon. “That’s our own business,” snapped Musashi. “I was only asking,” Saikobi snapped back. “You know, you really don’t have to be so harsh.” Musashi rolled her eyes and turned her back to her. “Just go to bed.” Saikobi looked to Kojiro, who gave her an apologetic expression. She laid down, but the tangle of grass could be felt through her bag. Not only that, but her wounds from the lynching still throbbed with pain. Pikachu waddled over to her. “Pi. Pika,” it said. “It said thanks,” replied Meowth, half asleep. “For what?” she whispered. “Pikachu, you’re going to be taken back to....you know where. Do you want that?” “Pikachu pi chu ka,” it said, waving its paw indifferently. “I’ll take you with me,” said Saikobi. “That is, if I ever get back home. I suppose I could just get up and walk there right now but........” She paused, realizing her whispering sounded stupid. Sakaki may have all routes to the palace blocked. God, what am I getting myself into? I’ll have to fight this on my own. In the distance, the screeching of Garuda could be heard.

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Sometime in the night, Musashi woke. She knew it was time to hand Pikachu in. She’d wasted enough time already. As she rose silently, she caught a glimpse of Saikobi’s face, pale skin glowing eerily. A moment of compassion passed, but Musashi dismissed it. She grabbed Pikachu, covering it’s mouth. It squirmed as it woke up. “Shhh!” hissed Musashi. “Don’t move!” Pikachu relaxed. Somehow, after all this time evading capture and now having it finally happen to him didn’t make as big of an impression as once thought. He knew subconsciously it would happen. Satoshi was just too weak. Pikachu accepted it and allowed himself to be carried back to Team Rocket headquarters.

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Saikobi’s eye fluttered open to catch the morning sunlight. Her head was thick with sleep, and she couldn’t remember where she was. Then the shapes of trees came into focus, causing her to start. The quick movement made her gasp and throw her head back. Her wounds were undoubtedly infected. Kojiro and Meowth rushed over to her. “What’s de madder?” “Would you mind helping me up?” she asked, holding out her hand. “It’s my back.” Kojiro pulled her to her feet. “Thank you.” “What’s de madder with your back?” She tugged the collar of her shirt down over her shoulder, revealing one of the whip marks. “That’s what’s wrong,” she answered with a hint of bitterness. “There’s more. Go ahead and look.” Kojiro tentatively raised the back of her shirt to discover festering, angry red lashes streaked over the pale flesh. “Oh my God,” he whispered. Just at that moment, Musashi appeared. When she saw Kojiro examining Saikobi’s bare back, jealousy flared in her. “What’s going on he--?” Her breath caught in her throat, when she saw what was really happening. “What the hell happened to you?” she demanded. “Who did this?” “Your Boss did this,” she said icily, glaring back over her shoulder. “He beat me because I wouldn’t sleep with him.” Kojiro lowered her shirt back down. Musashi and Meowth’s mouths were hanging open. “Oh God,” gasped Meowth. “He’s never abused anyone before.” “Well I guess he changed his mind when he saw me,” Saikobi replied. She paused when she felt something warm and sticky slide down her back. She reached under her collar and nearly screamed when her hand came back covered in blood. “Blood,” she murmured, staring at her fingers. “We should take you to a doctor er somedin’,” offered Meowth. “No, no,” she said. “It’s best if I stay out of public view. If I go to a doctor, they’ll likely keep a record. And then Sakaki could get his hands on it. It’ll just have to heal on it’s own.” Musashi made a mental note to be a bit, just a bit, kinder to her. “Hey, where’s Pikachu?” Musashi bit her lip. “I had to take him to the Boss. There was no sense in wasting any more time.” Saikobi nodded, though seemed disappointed. Kojiro was in a world of his own, trying to make sense of all of this. “Why did the Boss even want you in the first place?” he asked. Saikobi motioned with her hand for them to sit down. “It’s a long story.”

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Sakaki glowered over his desk at two of his most trusted employees. Kosaburo and Yamato were effortless criminals and well deserving to wear their much prided Black Rocket uniforms. He could only trust them to handle this mission. “I need you to do something of utmost importance to me,” he said darkly, his eyes glittering in a serpentine fashion. “I want you to keep an eye on Saikobi and those fools Musashi and Kojiro. Though judging by the rare Pikachu Musashi brought to me suggests that she may not be doing all that badly. Still, there is a chance that things could go wrong. She may attempt to reach her parents, although I have them under tight security. We must waste no time in figuring out the secret to her powers of destruction. Go now and don’t screw up.”

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Musashi, Kojiro, and Meowth, sat silently in disbelief. Saikobi’s tale was outrageous. They’d never heard such a thing. Now she was staring back at them, waiting to see if they believed her or not. “So, Sakaki wants to use you to take over the world? And you’re telling us that a thing called Garuda was sent to help you?” asked Musashi skeptically. Saikobi nodded solemnly. “Yes, it’s all true.” “But I thought Sakaki wanted you for his....” Musashi jabbed Kojiro in the stomach before he could finish. “I don’t expect you to believe me. I can’t understand it myself. I only know that my family is in danger and I have to free them.” “And what do we have to do with it?” asked Musashi again. “I don’t know,” said Saikobi, playing with the edge of her shirt. “Maybe you don’t have anything to do with it.” “Well that doesn’t help us much,” replied Musashi, absentmindedly fingering Kojiro’s hair. Kojiro was preoccupied with his injured stomach. Saikobi noticed this but didn’t say anything. Something was going on with those two. “Well, I have to get home. And soon or the whole world is in danger. You’ve got to help me. Please. I promise if you help me I’ll...I’ll.....give you..um....a reward. Yes, a reward.” Kojiro, Musashi, and Meowth lit up at this. “How much?” Meowth questioned. “Twe...no....thirty thousand yen,” she answered. They drooled, yen signs flashing in their eyes. “Deal,” they said in unison.

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Kasumi and Satoshi set up camp by the banks of a pond. The surface wavered and sparkled in the bright spring sunlight. Kasumi had hoped the fresh air would clear his head. His already empty head. “Satoshi we’ll get Pikachu back, I promise,” she said, kneeling down by his side. “We have to go after Team Rocket,” he retorted, glaring at the water. “They can’t just take whatever they want.” “Yes they can,” she reminded him. “Satoshi, they’re too strong.” “No! I want Pikachu back!” he yelled, jumping to his feet. “He’s mine!” “Okay, okay,” Kasumi said hurriedly, holding out her hands to stop him. “We always know they stumble into us. All we can do is wait. They’ll be back.” Satoshi nodded in determination.

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Team Rocket set up camp near a pond. It was getting late again, the sun blazing bloody red as it set, reminding Saikobi to clean out her festering wounds. She edged toward the water, glancing over her shoulder nervously. “Meowth, are you sure they’re not watching?” she asked. He nodded. “Go ahead. I’ll cover for you.” She took off her clothes hesitatingly and slipped in the water. She exhaled in relief as she cleaned out the dried blood and pus. Meowth closed his eyes in modesty until she told him it was okay. “Can I ask you something?” Meowth wandered over. “Yup.” She looked in the direction of camp. “Um, do Musashi and Kojiro like each other?” Uh oh, Meowth thought. Dis is trouble. “A course dey do,” he answered in his pronounced Jersey accent. “Dey been friends most of their lives.” She leaned in closely, her eyes flashing impishly. “But do they like like each other? I mean, are they.....you know....” she lowered her voice, “ in love?” Meowth rolled his eyes. “Duh. Everyone in Team Rocket knows dat. Dey gotta control it though, odderwise (otherwise) dey’re fired. I’m surprised you didn’t see de way dey’re all over each other.” “Ouch,” she replied, dipping her head back. “That’s too bad.” Meowth’s ears twitched. He heard a splash across the pond. It was now too dark to see what it was, and he was feeling too lazy to use his superb night vision. “You betta get out,” he advised. “I hear somthin’ else out dere.” She stopped cold and instinctively crossed her chest. “What is it?” she inquired. Then she heard that familiar maddening voice. “Ahhh! Isn’t this great, Squirtle? A power swim to get buff! We’ll see who’s weak!” “Oh gawd,” Saikobi gasped. “Please don’t tell me....oh gawd! It’s Satoshi!” “Meowth! Get out!” the cat whispered frantically. “If I see dat kid naked...ugh!” Saikobi squinted her eyes shut. “Hey do you hear something, Squirtle?” She gritted her teeth and quietly inched to the shore. But you know how it is when you try he was being watched by. “Ahhhh!” Musashi tossed her head back and cackled. They heard Kasumi squabble and saw her throw his clothes at him. She kept a hand over Togepi’s eyes. Saikobi couldn’t take it. She ran back to camp and collapsed on the ground, shaking with laughter. Meowth handed her her clothes with an evil smile. Now they’d seen everything. She threw her clothes on before Musashi came back holding a rather traumatized Kojiro. “Is he gonna be okay?” Meowth asked. “I don’t know. Just the sight of that brat even with his clothes on is enough to do anybody in,” she replied. “I’ve been violated!” he said disgustedly. “I’ll never feel like a real man again!” Meowth rolled his eyes. “Have you ever?” Meanwhile, poor Squirtle had fainted and was still floating out in the middle of the pond.

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“Kasumi did you see that?” asked a wild-eyed Satoshi. He quickly pulled on his pants and threaded a belt through the loops. “I saw,” quipped Kasumi. He gave her a look. “No! Did you see who was on the other side of the pond?” “Yeah. I was right, wasn’t I? They found us.” “We have to get Pikachu back!” he exclaimed. “Well in the meantime, why don’t you go get your Squirtle?” she asked, idly pointing to an object bobbing on the water’s surface. Satoshi’s eyes bulged. “Ack! Squirtle!” He started to undress. “SATOSHI! I’ll let Goldeen out to help. Just please keep your pants on!” A ray of red light shot out of a Pokeball and gold and white fish formed in the water. “Goldeen, bring back Squirtle,” ordered Kasumi. The fish swam out to the center of the pond and retrieved an unconscious Squirtle. “I guess maybe it fainted from my undressing,” said Satoshi sheepishly, putting one arm behind his head. “Who wouldn’t? Poor thing.” Satoshi refocused on what he was talking about before. “We HAVE to get Pikachu! PLEASE Kasumi!” he begged. Seeing that he was on the verge of tears, Kasumi sighed and nodded. “Okay okay. Just so I don’t have to hear you cry.”

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She studied them while they slept, noting how each feature gave a clue about their personalities. Musashi had a harshness that covered what she really felt. Her naturally domineering personality led her to be the more charismatic of the three. And a control freak at that. But the only reason that was so was because she truly loved her friends. Her stubborness kept that fact a secret. Kojiro was more subdued in Musashi’s shadow, but he had his moments. He let himself be ruled over for the same reason she ruled. The cat had his purposes as universal translator and plot schemer. He was devious and cunning, not genuinely evil. Only their boss was evil. What an interesting mix, Saikobi thought. And what am I doing here? How did I get here? A feral scream interrupted her wonderings. With a cry, she whirled around in its direction. Two glowing ruby red eyes with no pupils stared straight back. Saikobi gasped and backed away from it. Meowth, having heard the creature’s call, lazily opened his eyes. When his vision cleared, he saw what was frightening the princess. “Meowth!” he yowled, clinging to Saikobi’s shoulders, sharing her fear. She was unconsciously aware of the pain his claws were causing as they bored into her healing wounds, but was more anxious about the creature standing before her. It screamed again, and took a step out of the shadows. The vague light of the moon only allowed a glimpse of a massive bird like body with the limbs of a man. It glinted off the long ropes of jewels that hung about its neck. *When this thing screams, think of how the velociraptors sound in Jurassic Park.* She creeped back further and bumped into either Musashi or Kojiro’s sleeping form. She didn’t bother to look. “Wake up,” she said shakily, nudging the body. “Wake up!” The body stirred, but made no move to rise. “Wake up !” she said more forcefully, elbowing the person behind her. “Ouch!” cried an irritated Musashi. She had been having a wonderful dream, *hehe* and hated that it had been cut so short. She pushed herself up on her elbows and twisted around to face Saikobi’s back with a petrified Meowth latched onto her shoulders, and the bloody orbs of some monstrosity lurking in the shadows. Musashi sat up for a better look at the thing and quickly wished she hadn’t. “Saikobi, what is that?” she asked fearfully. “I don’t know. Just be quiet,” she whispered back without turning her gaze away. But another step forward and another blood chilling shriek sent Musashi holding on to Kojiro for dear life. “Mmmmm,” he said, feeling her arms around him. He opened his eyes. “Musashi....AHHHH!” He caught his first glimpse of the being and returned her gesture. The creature stalked closer, lowering it’s huge head to Saikobi’s level, its eyes narrowed with intrest. She sucked in a sharp breath between her gritted teeth and squeezed her eyes shut. She braced herself to die. But it didn’t come. Instead, the creature sniffed her and decided she was not an enemy. It rubbed its head against her shoulders, knocking Meowth off. Saikobi’s eyes fluttered open. “Wait,” she said. “It’s.....you’re.....Garuda.” “That’s the thing you told us about?” screeched Musashi, hugging Kojiro tighter, that of which he didn’t mind. “Yes. You don’t have to be scared. He’s come to help,” she answered, stroking the green feathers of the creature. The feeling of fear had left her, replaced by relief and a sense of security. “I think it’s safe to go back to sleep,” said the princess. “He won’t kill you. I promise.” Noticing that Meowth had not spoken a word and that he was still paralyzed with fright, she nudged him back to his own sleeping bag. “Are you sure it won’t kill us?” asked Kojiro. “Of course I’m sure. Now go to sleep because I have something very important to talk about in the morning.” She tried to make herself as comfortable as possible in the cheap bag and fell asleep with a smile on her face. Musashi and Kojiro on the other hand, refused to seperate, still afraid of certain death, and for other obvious reasons. They fell asleep in each other’s arms. Garuda kept watch.

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In the opalescent predawn light, Satoshi and Kasumi slithered into Team Rocket’s camp. After many hours of bickering and repeated failures to come up with a good plan, Satoshi decided the only thing to do was confront them. “Satoshi, you’re dead if they wake up,” said Kasumi peevishly as they surveyed the camp from behind a thicket of brush. “Don’t worry, I can take care of myself,” he snipped, edging closer. “After all this was my brilliant idea. It can’t fail.” Kasumi groaned silently and slapped herself on the forehead, wondering why she’d ever agreed to do this. Knowing Satoshi, he’d do something stupid in only a matter of minutes and his “brilliant idea” would over. Not noticing the presence of Garuda in the deep shadows, Satoshi let out a war cry and charged through the bushes. He threw himself on top of an entangled Musashi and Kojiro and started to throw a hissy fit. Oh God, Kasumi thought, wishing she was someplace far away from here. Cerulean City was starting to seem pretty appealing at the moment. I was right! Baka, baka Satoshi! “Hey you thieves! Gimme back my Pikachu now !” His demand was followed by kick from Musashi and he flew back a good distance. “What do think you’re doing, you little queer?!” she spat, climbing over a disoriented Kojiro to her feet. Satoshi glared up at her from where he’d landed. “I want my Pikachu! Give him back!” Musashi laughed scornfully. “I’d be happy to give it to you,” she mused. “But unfortunately, it’s been handed over to The Boss.” He growled at his own foolishness pounded a gloved fist on the dirt. Saikobi, Kojiro, and Meowth formed a circle around him. “Awww, poor baby,” Musashi replied scathingly. “Get over it! Go home and play with you other Poketoys.” Kasumi grudgingly pushed her way through the thicket, cursing her conscience that told her to help her friend. “Oh come on,” she interrupted. “He’s only ten. Of course he’s going to screw up.” “Thanks a lot, Kasumi,” Satoshi muttered through gritted teeth. “Well, why don’t you twits go screw up somewhere else and quit bothering us?” snapped Musashi, cocking her hands on her hips. It was then Satoshi had another “brilliant idea.” He decided to use his one true power. Throwing tantrums. He forced tears into his eyes, and made his lower lip tremble. “Oh no, not again!” Kasumi moaned. Togepi gurgled and babbled happily. It liked watching Satoshi cry. Meowth slapped the kid. “You make me sick,” he said. “But..but...all I want is my best friend back,” he whined. “My Pikachu. The one who’s always been there for me..” Kasumi took offense. “Hey!” “ And never let me down,” he continued. “ Please, please give him back!” Kojiro shook his head. “Pathetic,” he said. “ You’ll have to do better than that.” Satoshi sucked in a deep breath and prepared to unleash the loudest tantrum he could. But before he could so much as open his mouth, Garuda screamed and lunged forward. “AAAHHHH!” Satoshi cried, cowering behind an equaly startled Kasumi. “Wha--what is that thing?” He instinctively reached for his Pokedex and aimed it at the creature. “This specimen is not of the Pokemon kingdom,” came the robotic voice. “Not a Pokemon? It sure looks powerful though. I’m gonna capture it!” “No don’t!” shouted Saikobi, rushing to protect Garuda. But she was too late. Satoshi had already thrown a Pokeball at the creature. What came next was quite frightening. Garuda caught the ball in its mouth and crushed it as though it weighed nothing. A low growl rumbled in its throat as it proceeded to attack. “Stop!” cried Saikobi, blocking his path. Garuda paused, examining Kasumi and Satoshi, and dutifully obeyed. Meowth snapped his fingers in diappointment. If she’d let Garuda attack those pests, he wouldn’t have had to worry abouth them meddling anymore. “Okay, enough of this,” spoke the princess. “I know you guys hate each other, but no bloodshed, all right?” She turned to Team Rocket. “We have a job to do, remember?” They nodded, not willing to forfeit thirty thousand yen. “Don’t count on gettin’ yer Pikachu back,” said Meowth. “What job?” pressed Satoshi. “None a yer business kid!” the cat yowled, fury swiping him. “We can’t leave this unsettled. Look, let me put it this way,” said Saikobi. “If you give the brat his stupid little mouse, he won’t bother you anymore.” “But capturing that Pikachu means success!” complained Kojiro. “Why should we give it back?” “Do you honestly want that kid following you for the rest of your lives?” Saikobi asked, pointing back at Satoshi. “I mean, think about it. Day after day, year after year...” “Augh! Okay! Stop! I’m getting bad pictures in my head!” moaned Musahi. She shot a cold scowl at Kasumi and Satoshi. “We’ll give it back, but you have to promise never to cross our paths again!” “Promise,” said Satoshi brightly. “Whadda we do about yer parents?” Meowth questioned. She grew pensive. “Hmmmm. We’ll have to split up.” “Split up?” echoed Kojiro, looking at Musashi anxiously. Noting their unwillingness to seperate, Saikobi answered, “Yes, but you two will see each other again. Now, who’s coming with me to the Shirasagi Palace and who’s going to take Satoshi to get his Pikachu?” “Ummm....Kojiro and I will come with you and Meowth can have the twer..er..I mean Satoshi and Kasumi,” answered Musashi. Anything to get away from those brats and still be with Kojiro. “You’re gonna leave me with them ?” he screeched, clawing at their faces. “No, we need a human to go,” urged Saikobi. “Musashi or Kojiro.” “I’m not doing it,” protested Kojiro. Musashi couldn’t stand the thought of Kojiro alone with another girl. Kasumi wasn’t a problem there because she was so unattractive. “Yes you are,” she countered. “I’ll go with Saikobi.” “Meowth too?” asked the cat hopefully. “Meowth, since you were the top cat, you’d know where all the captured Pokemon are. You have to go with Kojiro,” answered Musashi. Meowth crumbled then perked up as a thought came to him. “Yeah, dose guys need someone wid a brain,” he said haughtily. “Good it’s settled,” concluded Saikobi. “Be careful.” Musashi walked over to Kojiro and gave him a rather awkward kiss on the cheek. “For luck,” she whispered.He blushed, hormones running wild. “Uh..thanks, “ he stuttered shyly. “Good luck to you too.” She smiled coyly and sauntered over to where Saikobi and Garuda waited. “Come on ya guys!” yelled Meowth. “Let’s go.” They took off in the direction of where Meowth was sure Team Rocket Headquarters was located. Kojiro glanced back at Musashi, longing very obvious in eyes.

Continued