Chapter 19: Friends Come Back & Friends Leave for Good
While Zach was driving, Josh & Megan were trying to figure out where to go next, and Zubat & Pichu were playing a game, I was recording the Gym Battle I just had into my Pokédex and admiring my new Water Shell Badge. Josh and Megan were fighting over which island to go to. One of them was very large and tropical, while the other one was more technical and industrial.
"Why don't you two just flip a coin?" Zach asked.
Neither of them had thought of that. Josh got a coin out and Megan called Heads in the air. The coin rolled on the boat a few minutes but finally landed...on Tails.
"Heh. Guess we're heading over to Mandarin Island after all!" Josh said.
"Hmmph. That's only because this boat isn't steady or level." Megan said angrily.
"So the lovebirds are already fighting, huh?" I said to the pair.
Josh & Megan then looked at me with fire in their eyes. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a giant paper fan came around and smacked me hard. Zach was trying to contain his laughter. We made it to Mandarin Island in about an hour. After pulling into the dock, we went downtown to get something to eat, and noticed that a huge mall was having some sort of festival. Curious, I decided
to check it out. The others followed suit. When we got inside, there were balloons and booths everywhere.
"What's going on?" I asked.
"Hmm. Looks like a huge gala or something" Zach answered.
"Wonder what it's for?" Megan asked.
Josh looked at all the balloons.
"Well, since I see giant Pikachu, Pichu, Jolteon, & Zapdos balloons, I think this is a Pokémon gala, or an electric party." Josh said.
"Well? What are we waiting for?" I said as I ran into the crowd. Megan grabbed Josh and followed me. Zach sighed and ran, trying to catch up to us.
There were all sorts of things going on. There were various games where the person has to try to guess a Pokémon's weight or games of luck where you had to spin a wheel, and games where you were tested on skill, like those water squirter contests. I tried my hand in the weight guessing contest, but wasn't even close. Zach spent about $20 in the wheels and lost it all, considering they only cost a quarter a piece. Megan desperately wanted to win a little Squirtle that was being raffled, so Josh spent $10 on raffles, which
were 50 cents each. Zubat & Pichu sat down on top of a tent to get out of the crowds. While I played a racing video game starring Rapidash's & Dodrio's, Zach sobbed over losing $20, Josh tried to calm him down, and Megan was chowing down on a hamburger. Just then, a voice on loudspeaker spoke up.
"Ladies & Gentlemen! We have the winning number for our raffle of our prize Squirtle! The number is: 1765489! Will the person with that number
please report to the raffle booth! Thank you!"
"I don't believe it!? I spent $10 on 20 tickets I didn't even win anything!" Josh shouted.
"It's all right. I can live without a Squirtle" Megan said.
"Heh. Spending all your money on your girl, huh Josh?" I asked.
Once again, out of nowhere, a giant paper fan smashed into my face, knocking me dizzy. Josh quietly sipped his drink while Megan laughed. Zach was still sobbing. It was just then when the lights went out all over the mall. We wondered what was going on when suddenly, the roof crashed down. People ducked for cover and saw above some sort of giant machine floating in the middle of the air. The loudspeakers went on with two familiar voices.
"Prepare for Trouble!"
"Make it double!"
"To protect the world from devistation!"
"To unite all peoples within our nation!"
"To denounce the evils of truth and love!"
"To extend our reach to the stars above!"
"Jesse!"
"James!"
"Team Rocket Blast off at the speed of light!"
"Surrender now or prepare to fight!"
"Meowth! Dat's right!"
It was Team Rocket! They came to steal all the Pokémon!
"What are you three clowns doing here?" I yelled.
"We're here to do what we do best! Steal Pokémon!" Jesse shouted back.
"This time we've got a foolproof plan! Start it up!" James said.
Meowth pressed a button on the console, and suddenly the bottom of the machine started glowing blue. Before any of us knew it, our Poké Balls were sucked up onto the magnet. Zach finally stopped sobbing long enough to see what was going on. I ordered Zubat to attack, but Team Rocket activated a huge vacuum and started sucking up all the Pokémon. Megan tried to grab Pichu
but was too late, as her Pokémon was sucked into the giant bag along with a lot of others. Just then the bag glowed yellow, but didn't pop. Zubat tried fighting it, but the suction was too strong, and it was sucked up too. When all the Pokémon were captured, Team Rocket laughed and started to leave.
"Thank you really for all the delicious Pokémon!" Jesse said.
"It was a real breeze." Meowth said.
"I never knew we had such a magnetic personality!" James commented.
The three laughed and flew off in a cloud of smoke. I ran outside and saw a smoke trail heading south. I just looked out there. I had to save my Pokémon, but how could I? I didn't know which island they were heading to. The police came a few minutes later, and the trainers told them what happened. I took the time to call Professor Oak.
"Ah, Matt. What can I do for you?" Oak asked.
I quickly told him about the robbery.
"Hmm. They used a vacuum and a magnet." Oak said as various Pokémon walked in the background.
"That's it! Professor, do you still have that Magnemite I caught a few months back?" I asked.
"Um yes I do. Oh! I see now! Good thinking!" Oak said.
"Thanks. Can you send over Magnemite, as well as Venusaur, Staryu and Weepinbell?" I asked.
"Will do." Oak said as he got the Pokémon.
After a few minutes, four Poké Balls appeared next to the phone. I thanked the Professor and hung up to get the others. I was just about to leave when the phone rang again.
"Nurse Joy? What is it?" I asked.
"Professor Oak said you were here, I have something for you." Joy said holding up a Poké Ball.
I couldn't believe it, "You're serious!?"
Joy nodded. I asked her to send it right away. A few minutes later the ball appeared. I grabbed it and put it on my waist. Now there was no way I could lose. I thanked Nurse Joy and hung up. After running to the dock and finally finding the others, I let out Magnemite.
"Magnemite. I need you to try to sense Team Rocket's magnet. See if you can draw in to it." I asked.
Magnemite nodded the best it could and floated around for a few minutes. Then it's magnets shook and Magnemite was being drawn to the southeast. We started up the boat and followed Magnemite. The farther we went the more Magnemite sped up. Soon enough we came across a tiny island that had only one
factory on it. Magnemite stopped here. Guess that's where Team Rocket is. We ran up to the building. Using Venusaur, we smashed our way inside.
"Huh? How did you find us so quickly!" James shouted.
"Easy. My Magnemite here followed the magnetic trail your machine left behind!" I said.
"Drat! We've almost got all the balls loaded too. Oh well. Arbok! Lickitung! Take care of them!" Jesse said.
"I knew we should have grabbed their Pokédex's! Weezing! Victreebel! Go!" James shouted.
Arbok, Weezing, Lickitung, & Victreebel, right after trying to eat James again, marched off to stop us. I called out Staryu and Weepinbell to assist. Magnemite tried to Thundershock Arbok, but using Dig, Arbok dodged the attack and leapt at Magnemite, crushing it. Staryu tackled Arbok back, but Victreebel's Vine Whip knocked the star back and some Razor Leaves put it out
for good. Weepinbell tackled Victreebel, but was thrown back by Weezing's Tackle & Smog attacks. All that was left was Venusaur.
"You can do it Venusaur! Razor Leaf! Now!" I shouted.
Venusaur understood and started sending tons of leaves out. Weezing's smoke and Victreebel's Vine Whips stopped them, though. Lickitung stepped up and licked Venusaur, paralyzing it.
"Oh no! Venusaur! Return!" I shouted.
"Ahahaha! Did you really think you could beat us this time?" Jesse asked.
"I'm not done yet! I've still got one Pokémon left who can beat you!" I shouted.
"Oh yea! Just try it!" Meowth yelled.
I just smiled and threw the Poké Ball. "I choose you! Go get 'em!"
Out of the ball came a blob of white energy. The energy began to materialize into a long but skinny creature. It's legs were tiny and its arms had two stingers on them. It flew using its insect-like wings.
"Beeeeeez!" the Pokémon shouted.
"BEEDRILL!?" Megan, Josh, Zach, Jesse, James & Meowth shouted all at once.
They were right. Beedrill was finally fully healed and ready to go. It buzzed up to Team Rocket, ready to win.
"Grr. This stupid thing is in our way! Get rid of it!" Jesse shouted.
The Pokémon understood and started to attack. Lickitung tried to paralyze Beedrill, but by using Agility and a Fury Attack, Lickitung was soon knocked
out next to Jesse. Victreebel threw some leaves at Beedrill, but a Pin Missile shot through them and smacked Victreebel into James. Arbok & Weezing tried a double team, but Beedrill's Twineedle sent them flying. Beedrill was ready for the final command.
"Beedrill! Rage attack, now!" I shouted.
Beedrill's eyes glowed red as it started charging, and smashed the machine to pieces. Zubat & Pichu flew out and landed on the floor. Jesse, James, Meowth & the Pokémon flew into the sky.
"Looks like Team Rocket's blasted off for the last time!" All three said in unison.
While I congratulated Beedrill and welcomed back Zubat, Megan hugged Pichu, Zach found our Poké Balls, and some that belonged to other trainers, and Josh spotted a helicopter leaving from the roof. That must have had the other balls. We ran outside just in time to catch a glimpse of it as it flew off. Zach & Josh called out their fliers while Zubat & Beedrill sped away with me & Megan following in the boat. The helicopter pilots noticed Zach & Josh following them and decided to act.
"Looks like those kids that bothered James & Jeese are following us" a woman said.
"Let's take 'em out with the Drowzee Hypnotizer" a man said.
Just then, short, yellow, waves shot out from the back of the helicopter. Zach, Zubat & Beedrill dodged them, but Josh wasn't so lucky. Within seconds both Josh & Pidgeot were asleep and fell into the ocean. Luckily, me & Megan weren't far behind, and we sent out Raticate & Dratini to retrieve them. Meanwhile, Beedrill was trying to hit the thing with Pin Missile, while Pichu tried shocking.
"Hah. You'd think they'd realize that the thing is coated with rubber!" the woman said.
Zach & Scyther closed in to try to cut the rudder off. However, as soon as Scyther touched it, a small ball was launched and electrocuted Scyther and threw Zach off. Recalling Scyther, Zach sent out Lapras to catch him and take him to the helicopter, which had just landed on an island not too far away. Zach made it there in no time and recalled Lapras, then rode off on Rhyhorn, followed by Zubat & Beedrill. They had soon reached a large metal door, which promptly crashed under Rhyhorn's feet. As soon as Zach got in, however, about 20 Rocket Agents stood in front of him, Poké Balls ready. Zach called out Golem & Pinsir for support, but they were outnumbered. Various Pokémon came out, one was a Primeape. As soon as it came out it charged at Zach, only to be knocked away by flames.
"Hey! Did we miss anything?" I asked, running in with Flareon, Graveler, Raticate & Raichu behind me. Megan ran up also with Machop, Vulpix & Nidorina out.
"Nothing much bro" Zach said and smilied.
"Where's the helicopter?" I asked.
"It's inside that building" Zach pointed to the building the Rockets were protecting.
"OK. Zach, see if you can hold off these agents. Megan. Head back to the boat and try to wake up Josh. Zubat & I will go inside" I said.
Megan nodded and rushed back to the boat. I called Zubat over and rushed up the stairs when a Rocket stopped me, but was quickly kicked aside by Raticate. I thanked it and ran inside through the hallway, only to come upon a huge Poké Ball transport room. Inside were two people dressed in black Rocket uniforms.
"Hmm? And who is this pest?" The man asked. He had short blue hair.
"I don't know, looks like that kid that gave Jesse so much trouble!" the woman with blond hair tied in two comet-like shapes said.
"I'm here to stop you and save the Pokémon!" I shouted. Zubat & Raticate piped in.
"Heh. Allow us to introduce ourselves boy!" the woman shouted.
"Prepare for Trouble & make it double!" the two said in unison.
"To infect the world with devistation!"
"To blight all peoples in every nation!"
"To denounce the goodness of truth and love!"
"To extend our wrath to the stars above!"
"Cassidy!"
"Butch!"
"Team Rocket circiling Earth day & night"
"Surrender to us now or you will surely lose the fight!"
I just stood there in amazement. Raticate & Zubat had sweatdrops on the back of their heads.
"Why did you guys steal Jesse & James's motto?" I asked them.
"WE DID NOT STEAL IT!" Cassidy yelled.
"That's right, and now it's time for you to hand over your Pokémon to us." Butch said.
"No way! Raticate! Zubat! Get them!" I yelled.
"A Raticate? Heh. You're pitiful Raticate is no match for mine! Come out Raticate!" Butch said.
Butch threw another Poké Ball and out came Raticate. Wanting to show its strength, my Raticate stepped up. Butch's Raticate leaped towards mine, but Raticate Water Gunned it away. My Raticate tackled Butch's, but was beaten back by Butch's Raticate's Hyper Fang. Raticate jumped up and tried a Thunder, but Butch's managed to dodge it, then hit mine with a Quick Attack. My Raticate jumped up and kicked Butch's, but his chomped down on mine's leg hard. It then used Seismic Toss to toss it across the room. Raticate
struggled to get up, and started glowing. It focused its energy then attacked and tackled Butch's Raticate. As Butch's was getting up, my Raticate used its Jump Kick to slam Butch's into the wall. Both of them got up quickly and jumped at each other. Butch's Raticate Super Fanged my Raticate, but it got a taste of its own medicine when Raticate Hyper Fanged its tail and brought it down, hard. Butch's Raticate tried to get up, but couldn't. My Raticate was OK, but very weak, and breathing hard.
"Raticate! You did it!" I said as I ran up & hugged my Pokémon.
"You think you've won so easily? Sorry to disappoint you kid, but you could never defeat us!" Cassidy said with a laugh.
"I don't think so! Zubat! Attack!" I said pointing at Cassidy.
Zubat rushed forward, but was slammed back by some kind of force. The doors opened behind Cassidy to reveal a somewhat tall, fully yellow Pokémon with a white collar: Hypno. Hypno's eyes glowed and soon, I was thrown against the wall and couldn't move an inch. Hypno used a Psybeam to knock back Zubat & Raticate.
"Haha! Hypno! Finish that kid off while we finish refueling the helicopter!" Cassidy said.
Hypno nodded and started waving it's pendulum. I realized the attack instantly. Metronome. Hypno swung its pendulum more & more. After a few minutes, it stopped. Its eyes grew wide and glowed orange. Then its mouth opened up to gather energy. It had decided on an attack: Hyper Beam. The beam was about to fire. I knew I was dead. Zubat and Raticate came to and saw what had happened, but it was too late. Hypno fired the beam. I braced myself for impact. As the beam hit, I felt like something was blocking it. When the beam
dissipated and I opened my eyes, I saw what had happened. Raticate stepped infront of the beam! Hypno, weak from using such a strong beam, stopped to recharge. Raticate & I fell down and immediately inspected my rat.
"Raticate! Speak to me! Raitcate!" I yelled with tears in my eyes.
Raticate barely was able to say its name. I enlarged a Poké Ball and put Raticate inside. As I looked at the ball, a hatred spread inside of me. I looked at Butch, who had saw the whole thing. Cassidy came back to see what happened. Hypno was done re-charging, when the door broke open. From the door came a huge boulder: Golem!
"Hey Matt! What's up?" Josh said, coming in. He was finally awake!
"Josh, listen to me!" I said, running up to him, "I need to borrow Pidgeot. Raticate got seriously injured and I need to treat it right away!"
Josh nodded, "Sure thing. Pidgeot! Take Matt to the Pokémon Center!"
As Pidgeot flew me over, the others handled Butch & Cassidy. Raichu produced a Light Screen to deflect Psybeams while Golem, Flareon, & the others attacked from a distance. Eventually, the walls came crashing down, stopping the criminals and fainting Hypno. It didn't take long for the police to arrive. They arrested Butch & Cassidy and gave their Pokémon to Professor Oak. Jenny then gave out the stolen Poké Balls back to their trainers. Zach, Josh & Megan hurried back to Mandarin Island, and found me sitting on the couch, about to burst.
"They....They said that Raticate needed surgery" I said without lifting my head.
Zach tried to comfort me, but Nurse Joy came in right then. I looked at her with watery eyes and could barely make out her shaking her head. Immediately I rushed into the room. Raticate was sitting on a bed, barely alive. Zubat sat down on the bar while I held my friend. Raticate barely managed to look over at me with concerned eyes.
"Raticate. I'm so sorry. If I didn't bring you here, you wouldn't....wouldn't..." I couldn't finish my sentence as I was crying too hard.
"Ratttiiicaa" Raticate tried to say something, but then fell silent. Its eyes closed for good. Zach, Josh, Megan, & Nurse Joy looked on from the doorway.
"No...no...NO! RATICATE!" I shouted in the room. I laid on Raticate's stomach and cried for hours.
The next morning, we went back to the mainland. I carried back Raticate's body to Route 1, in the exact spot I captured it. Zach & Josh helped me bury Raticate, and I put a small cross as a tombstone. During this, I could remember all the times I spent with it. From first catching Rattata to it defeating that bird trainer, to helping me defeat Misty, to evolving into Raticate, and helping me in the tournament and during the island trips to find Scott & in Cinnabar. It helped me a lot during training and was one of my best Pokémon during the League. I remembered its fight with Butch's Raticate and how much its helped me.
"Oh Raticate...why? Why did you have to die to save me?" I asked in tears.
After remembering the times with Raticate, I got up, and started to walk away with my friends. As the four of us looked back, I thought about all the happy times we had all over again. Then I said my final respects.
"Good-bye Raticate. My Pokémon. My ally. My friend."
To be continued...
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