The Incredible Poke-Odyssey chapter 11

Muscle Island

Cameron slowly woke up from what seemed like his eternal 
unconsciousness.  The last thing he remembered was holding onto the 
ferry's rail while getting sucked into a giant whirlpool.  He found his 
glasses lying on some sand and put them on.  He looked around and found 
himself all alone washed ashore on a huge tropical island.  

"Hello?!" he called out nervously, "Misty? ,Brock?, Stella?, Seymour?, 
Jenny?, Bill?, are any of you guys out there?!" Cameron then realized 
that he was all alone on this probably uncharted island.  He was about 
to go into a panic until he remembered that Ash and his friends also 
got washed up on an island in one episode.  "Yeah", said Cameron 
quietly, "I'm probably on the island of Porta Vista.  And if I keep 
walking, I'll find the tropical resort and all my friends will be 
waiting for me at the luxurious hotel.  Yeah, that's how it might work 
out for me." 

He looked at himself and he was pretty wet and sandy.  His backpack was 
gone.  He patted his head and realized that Ash's hat was gone as well. 
"Oh gee!" thought Cameron, "I promised Mrs. Ketchum that I'd return 
that hat to Ash.  What am I gonna tell her?  Or will I ever get the 
chance to tell her?!" He reached into his pockets and all he could find 
was his waterproof Pokedex, the gym badges he kept in the Pokedex's 
little compartment, and a blue comb.  And finally, he nervously felt his 
Pokebelt.

"NOOOOO!" he cried as he looked down and found empty spaces on his 
Pokebelt. "They're all gone!  Sandy, Gloom, Zubat, Slowpoke, and even 
mean Buzz!  All gone!" he shouted as tears filled up in his eyes. 
"They're probably down in the bottom of the sea dying right now!" He 
started to run around in agony until he tripped on something round.  He 
picked it up and discovered it was one of his Pokeballs.

"Maybe they haven't drowned at all", thought Cameron who was now calm, 
"Maybe they're scattered all over this island just like Ash's Pokemon 
were in that same episode.  I wonder which one are you." He opened it 
up and out popped the one he really didn't want to be alone with.

"BUZZZZ!" said the Electabuzz looking around at his surroundings then 
looking at his master.  He zapped Cameron again taking advantage of his 
damp clothes.

"Please Buzz", pleaded Cameron, "I really need your help right now.  
We're both stuck here on this deserted island and we need to start 
looking for the others while trying to find things to survive." But 
Buzz just yawned and sat down on the sand completely ignoring his 
master.  Cameron was sick to death of Buzz's attitude.  He had no 
choice but to follow Stella's advice.

"ATTENTION!" shouted Cameron in his loudest, angriest voice.  Buzz 
stood up and looked curiously at the kid. "Now you listen and you 
listen good you smart-alec, short-tempered little runt!" shouted 
Cameron, "Like it or not, we're gonna need each other to survive and if 
you don't like it, you can just curl up into a puny little electric 
blanket and short circuit for all I care!  You got that Private?!"

"Buzz", scowled Buzz.

"I can't hear you!" shouted Cameron. But Buzz didn't yell back.  He 
just turned his back on Cameron and started to wander off.  Cameron 
just didn't have a strong and commanding voice like Lt. Surge, or 
Electra did.  "Come back Buzzy", pleaded Cameron while running after 
him. "What do I have to do to get you to listen to me?" Buzz only 
replied by paralyzing Cameron with his thunder wave attack.  Cameron 
sadly stood there paralyzed while he watched his probably now ex-
Pokemon walk off into the horizon. "I hope you find a master that'll 
treat you worse than Surge does!" he shouted.

*      *      *      *      *      *

On the other side of the island, a Pokeball was sitting on the sand 
quietly.  Then it started to shake itself open and out popped Sandy.  
"Shrew?" he called out wondering where Cameron is and where he was as 
well.  He looked around and found Cameron's backpack lying on the beach 
right next to three Pokeballs.  Sandy rushed over to the balls and 
sniffed them.  He knew which Pokemon were in each one by their scent.  
He tapped open two of the balls and released Zubat and Slowpoke. "Hey, 
are you guys all right?" asked Sandy, (TRANSLATED IN ENGLISH FOR THOSE 
WHO DON'T SPEAK POKEMON).

"Yeah, I'm fine", replied Zubat, "I just love being dragged out of my 
dark and cozy Pokeball at all sorts of crazy hours!"

"Your welcome!" said Sandy sarcastically.

"Where's Mamma?" asked Slowpoke. 

"I don't know", replied Sandy, "I hope he's okay."

"You don't think Cameron drowned in that blue and green stuff that 
tastes like salt?" asked Zubat.

"MAMMA!!" cried Slowpoke out loud, "I WANT MY MAMMA!"

"Hey, calm down kid", said Sandy while patting Slowpoke on the head, 
"Zubat only thought Cameron might've drowned.  I bet he's still alive 
somewhere on this island.  We survived, so there's a very likely chance 
he may have too."

"Okay Sandy", said Slowpoke feeling better. "I believe we'll see Mamma 
again."

"That's the spirit", smiled Sandy. "Now let's all gather these things 
on the beach and search for your mamma!" he said while laughing in the 
inside at what Slowpoke thinks of Cameron.  He took his and his two 
friends' Pokeballs and put them inside Cameron's backpack and was about 
to put in the Pokeball that contained Gloom as well.

"Aren't you gonna let Gloom out?" asked Zubat, "It is one of us."

"No, I don't think that'd be a good idea", said Sandy fearing that 
Gloom might pounce on his body and suck out all the minerals like it 
did when they first met.  How Sandy wished he never pulled that tiny 
little Oddish out of the ground.

"But it might starve to death if you keep it away from any sunlight for 
a long while", said Zubat, "And this island is filled with sunlight.  
Oh, how I loathe that stuff!" she cried while trying to hide her eyes 
with her wing.

"Oh, all right", said Sandy nervously as he tapped open the Pokeball 
and released the smiling Gloom.  Sandy quickly hid in the backpack 
hoping it wouldn't find him.

"Hi everyone", said Gloom politely, "Where are we and where's Cameron 
and Sandy?"

"We don't know where Mamma is", said Slowpoke, "Do you?"

"Gloom wouldn't really know Slowpoke", explained Zubat, "Its been 
inside its Pokeball all this time just like the rest of us."

Sandy listened to the conversation they were having and was hoping that 
Gloom wouldn't find him or that his friends wouldn't tell it that he 
was hiding inside the backpack.  Just then the flap open and Sandy 
looked in fear at the smiling, nectar drooling mouth of Gloom. "Oh 
there you are Sandy", said Gloom, "I was worried that you've drowned 
and I know how much you hate water."

"You're not gonna absorb me till I'm dry are you?" asked Sandy while 
sticking out his claws in defense.

"Don't worry Sandy, I'm your friend now", smiled Gloom as it got into 
the backpack and sat down next to him. "Please forgive me for what I 
did to you when we first met.  I was just an immature little Oddish 
back then.  Cameron feeds me water, sunlight, and very delicious plant 
food and I love the taste of that stuff better.  I really like Cameron 
a lot.  I just wish he wasn't allergic to me, that way we'd be closer 
just like he is to you." And nectar tears started to ooze out of 
Gloom's eyes.

"It's okay my friend", said Sandy putting a comforting claw on Gloom's
head. "I'm here for you."  

"Is there any room in there for two more Pokemon?" asked Zubat as she 
and Slowpoke crawled into the backpack with Sandy and Gloom.  And they 
all sat in there in a tight squeeze wondering if they'll ever see their 
beloved master again.

*      *      *      *      *      *

Cameron, who was now free from Buzz's paralysis, was wandering the 
beach trying to look for his friends, his Pokemon, and signs of any 
civilization.  He then spotted a sexy body lying on the beach.  He ran 
up to it and found it was Reiko completely wet and unconscious.  
Cameron was about to run away from this dangerous girl but then looked 
at her helpless and probably waterlogged as well.

"I just can't leave her to die like that!" he sighed, "Even if she is 
evil, violent, and incredibly sexy when wet!" But then he snapped out 
of it and removed the mask from Reiko's nose and mouth.  She had the 
most beautiful face in the world of anime.  Cameron's heart started 
beating like crazy and was almost too scared to give her CPR.  But he 
got over it and pushed at her chest, pinched her nose, and started 
breathing into her mouth.  Just then, Reiko coughed up the water into 
Cameron's face, started coughing some more, and sat up.  The first 
thing she spied was the blonde-haired, glasses-wearing boy whom she 
remembered as the enemy.

"Are you all right?" Cameron asked her concerned.  Reiko only replied 
by grabbing him by the shirt and slamming him down onto the sand.

"How dare you put your filthy lips on the ones of a ninja!" shouted 
Reiko, "Like the Ginsu knife that cuts through a tomato after it kills 
a metal can, I should cut off your face for the sexual treatment you 
tried to give me!"

"Hey, I just saved your life!" shouted Cameron as he stood up. "You 
should show at least a little gratitude!"

"Oh, I'll show you my gratitude", smiled Reiko evilly, "By carving you 
a tattoo on where the sun doesn't shine!" She tried to pull out her 
sword, but found out it was gone, along with her katanas, rope, and her 
throwing stars.  Even the Pokeballs that contained her Tentacruel and 
Kingler were gone.

"NO!!!" she cried, "Not my little babies too!  Why did this have to 
happen to me?!"

"Welcome to the club", said Cameron, "I've lost all my Pokemon too."

"Well I am pleased that my enemy is suffering from great losses as 
well", said Reiko, "And at least I have me a prisoner."

"Prisoner?!" laughed Cameron, "We're stuck here on a deserted island 
with no jail cells or dungeons and all your weapons are gone.  How can 
I possibly be your prisoner?"

"Like the aged Ekans that loses its poison but still keeps its wrap 
attack, a ninja can still rely on other attacks without the use of 
weapons!" Smiled Reiko as she leapt up high into the air, landed next 
to a nearby boulder, and smashed it in two with one karate chop.  
Cameron was afraid, yet impressed, by this powerful and complex girl. 
"And if you even think of running away from me, I know a thousand 
ways to cripple a person.  I've been practicing on all my Ken dolls!"

Cameron thought it would be best not to try escaping from her just yet.  
He wasn't sure if he really wanted to either. "Okay, I'll stick with 
you", he said calmly, "So shall we both explore this island until we 
find some civilization and maybe our Pokemon?"

"No we will not!" said Reiko, "We will remain here on this spot until 
my glorious Queen Jessie finds me."

"How do you know if she's still alive?" asked Cameron.

"Reiko slapped him on the cheek, "How dare you say that about my 
wonderful queen!" she shouted, "I know Jessie, she's probably found 
some way to survive and she's probably out there looking for me right 
now.  And when she does find us, I'm going to show my gratitude to her 
by presenting you for her daily torment."

"If she is actually looking for her", thought Cameron knowing Jessie.  
Then Reiko slapped him again. "Hey, I didn't say anything!" he 
protested.

"I call tell what you're thinking about my queen by your expression!" 
shouted Reiko, "Now we are going to remain here whether you like it or 
not and you'd better like it or else!"

Cameron nodded his head while Reiko approached some nearby rocks.  
She started to take off her black ninja shirt while Cameron stood there 
shocked. "What...What are you doing?!" he asked.

"I'm damp and I could catch pneumonia if I wear this garment of watery 
death." Said Reiko as she finally pulled it off revealing a white tank 
top that was cut off at the waist.  Cameron was relieved and was 
secretly fascinated at how attractive she looked in face and body.  
Reiko neatly laid her shirt on one of the rocks so it could dry out in 
the sun.

"You'd better take that wet shirt off too", said Reiko.

"No thanks", said Cameron, "I feel okay."

"Well I'm not going to risk you dying of pneumonia just before my queen 
gets here and she can't enjoy the pleasure of torturing you", said 
Reiko sternly, "Now take it off!" and she smashed another nearby rock.  
Cameron quickly pulled off his wet sweatshirt, laid it on a rock, and 
quickly covered his body with his arms.

"Now don't be like that!" said Reiko, "You obviously have nothing that 
would interest me and you could use some sunlight on that pasty skin." 
Cameron just wanted to insult her back about her body but couldn't for 
she was stronger and she was too sexy.

"So should we start looking for food?" asked Cameron, "I could go up 
into the trees and try to find some fruit."

"Oh no", shouted Reiko, "And have you be like the crafty Mankey that 
escapes from its prey by swinging to freedom from tree to tree?  I 
don't think so!  You will gather firewood while I will go into the 
water and gather fish.  And if you try to escape from me, remember 
this!" and she leapt high into the air and landed five feet on the 
other side showing Cameron that she could easily tackle him no matter 
how fast he could get away. "Now start gathering!" she commanded.

"Yes ma'am!" said Cameron as he started to pick up every nearby stick 
while Reiko stepped into the water.  Cameron did feel kind of 
embarrassed being held prisoner by this psycho ninja girl with his 
shirt off, but for some reason he wasn't scared.  The tropical sun felt 
warm on his body and Reiko was extremely beautiful.  He then saw her 
standing in the water with her eyes closed and her hands clasped 
together.  Cameron thought it would be a good chance to sneak away, but 
he was curious about what she was up too.  All of a sudden, all kinds 
of fish swam up to Reiko constantly flipping out of the water.  It was 
like she was using some kind of ancient ninja power to summon them.  
She then started chopping and kicking at the fish knocking them onto 
the beach.  She then gathered up all the fish and approached Cameron 
who had gathered a fair amount of firewood.

"Good, we can proceed with the cooking", said Reiko plopping the fish 
at Cameron's feet.

"So how do we start a fire?" asked Cameron.

"Oh, I forgot about that!" shouted Reiko angrily, "We do not have 
anything here that could start one.  I must punish myself later for my 
lack of thought!"

"Hey, take it easy", said Cameron. "Don't be so hard on yourself."

"If you tell me to take it easy again, I'll be hard on you!" shouted 
Reiko, "The ninja is not one to be taken lightly.  Got that?!"

"Yeah, sure", said Cameron realizing that Reiko's words were kind of 
amusing. "Hey, I think I got an idea." He took off his glasses and 
aimed them at the sun.  The lens suddenly caught a sunbeam that Cameron 
aimed at the pile of wood causing a little spark to form.

"Why that's amazing!" said Reiko surprised, "What survival camp did you 
learn that from?"

"From a movie called Toy Story", smiled Cameron putting his glasses 
back on.  

Reiko was puzzled and then took a good look at Cameron.  He did look 
cute without his glasses and even cuter without a shirt. "Do you work 
out?" she asked.

"Not really", said Cameron, "P.E. was my worst subject at school.  But 
I do try to lift two volumes of War and Peace every day to build up my 
arms."

Reiko became perplexed, yet fascinated at this boy's way of thinking 
then said, "Let's just eat." And she picked up a stick and stabbed a 
fish.

*      *      *      *      *      *

Cameron and Reiko had eaten all the fish they could and then they both 
lied down on the sand letting their food digest while soaking up some 
of the sun's rays. "What I wouldn't give for some hush puppies right 
now", said Cameron who loved to eat those things with seafood.

"Well you'd better not get your hopes up prisoner", said Reiko in a 
relaxed voice, "Because when Team Rocket's through with you, you won't 
be seeing another puppy again, unless Queen Jessie orders me to feed 
you to our Growlithes."

"You really have high hopes that you'll be rescued", said Cameron, "I 
think it's good to have hope in tough times like these.  I admire your 
faith and courage."

"Uh, thank you prisoner", said Reiko.

"Just call me Cameron", smiled Cameron.

"Okay Cameron-san", said Reiko.  She was a little surprised that a 
prisoner of hers could act so nice to her.  Maybe he wasn't really her 
prisoner after all.  Just then they heard a weak cry call out, "Buzz!" 
Cameron sat up and found Buzz crawling on the ground feeling very 
tired and weak.

"Buzz, are you all right?!" gasped Cameron as he approached the furry 
Pokemon that just collapsed on the ground.  Reiko was worried that he'd 
order his Electabuzz to shock her so they could escape.

"Don't you dare try shocking me with that thing!" shouted Reiko as she 
started to go into attack mode.

"Relax", said Cameron in a serious voice, "Buzz doesn't look like he 
could harm a fly right now.  There's something terribly wrong with him.  
Buzz, what's wrong?  Did somebody beat you up or are you just hungry?"

"Buzz!" cried out Buzz who showed Cameron by trying to shoot a bolt out 
of his finger but all that came out was a little spark.  Cameron pulled 
out his Pokedex and typed up the habits of an Electabuzz.

"An Electabuzz's main food source is electricity", replied Dexeena, 
"If it doesn't get any within 48 hours, it will die."

"Don't worry Buzz", said Cameron cradling his Pokemon, "I won't let 
you die.  Even if you don't like me at all, I'll find you some 
electricity to eat."

"Ha, Ha, Ha!" scoffed Reiko, "And just how are you going to find any 
electricity on this non-tech island?"

"I think I have an idea", said Cameron as he ran up to the rock, 
grabbed his shirt which was now dry, and came back to his Electabuzz.  
Then Cameron pulled out his comb and started rubbing it on the fuzzy 
part of his shirt creating static electricity.  "Here you go Buzz", 
said Cameron as he put the staticky comb up to Buzz's mouth, "It's 
not a Thanksgiving dinner, but at least it's something."

"Buzzzz!" said Buzz feeling a little better as he slurped up the 
electricity.  Cameron then continued to rub the comb some more creating 
some more static for Buzz.  Reiko watched Cameron feed his poor, tired 
Electabuzz for a whole hour and did some thinking.  She remembered how 
Cameron said that his Electabuzz hated him, but here he is feeding the 
hateful Pokemon doing everything he could to keep it alive.  Reiko then 
remembered that Cameron gave her CPR when she drowned in that ocean.  
This was two times today that he saved two of his enemies. "Could I be 
wrong to mistreat this nice guy?" wondered Reiko, "No, he is just 
another dumb kid and he will still feel my wrath soon!  Don't forget 
Reiko, you are a ninja who feels no emotion!"  

Then she looked at Cameron again.  He was getting pretty tired trying 
to keep Buzz alive.  His second arm was getting numb and he was 
sweating.  But Buzz was feeling a little better.  Well enough to take 
the shirt and comb from Cameron and to feed himself.  He looked at his 
master and made a quiet, "El, buzz", which probably meant, "Thank you", 
in his language.  

Cameron smiled for he wondered if Buzz would respect him now.  Then he 
felt some hands massaging his shoulders. "Reiko?" he asked.

"You did everything you could for your Pokemon", said Reiko, "So you 
deserve some nursing as well.  But don't get any thoughts!  I'm only 
doing this so you'll be well enough to gather more firewood when the 
time comes."

"Sure, whatever", said Cameron who suddenly felt relaxed and happy as 
Reiko's soft hands squeezed his bare shoulders until they were sore no 
more.  Just then, they heard a voice call out, "MACHOP!" They both 
turned around and found a small lizard-like Pokemon with gray skin and 
huge muscular arms.  Cameron aimed his Pokedex at the creature.

"MACHOP, the superpower Pokemon", replied Dexeena, "Loves to build its 
muscles. The Machop trains in all styles of martial arts to become 
stronger."

"A Pokemon that can be taught the ways of the ninja", smiled Reiko, 
"I must catch it!  That way I'll have a strong fighting Pokemon by my 
side just in case that Electabuzz gets better and my prisoner has it 
attack me!" She reached into her boot and managed to find an empty 
Pokeball.  She threw it at Machop, but Machop managed to whack it away 
with a strong karate chop causing it to hit Reiko right into the face.  
Then the Machop started to run into the tropical forest.  "COME BACK 
HERE YOU INSOLENT LITTLE POKEMON!!" screamed Reiko who had a huge round 
sore mark on her face. "You will become my prisoner as well!" And she 
ran after it into the forest while Cameron watched curiously.  Just 
then he heard Reiko scream.  He looked at Buzz who was still building 
his strength up on his shirt and comb.  Feeling that Buzz'd be all 
right for now, Cameron ran into the forest to see what happened to 
Reiko.  

As he got deeper into the forest, he suddenly saw about 20 cartoon eyes 
peeking out of the darkness. "I don't like the looks of those eyes", 
said Cameron nervously, "And he was right, for all those eyes belonged 
to a troop of six foot tall lizards that looked like Machops, but were 
bigger, more muscular, and wore golden wrestling belts around their 
waists.  Cameron pulled out his Pokedex and Dexeena described them.

"MACHOKE, the evolved form of Machop", replied Dexeena, "Its muscular 
body is so powerful that it must wear a power-save belt to regulate its 
motions."

"Machoke, choke, choke, choke", said all the Machokes at once as they 
all surrounded the nervous Cameron.  He tried to slip right under their 
legs but one of the Machoke's grabbed him and wrapped its huge arms 
around Cameron's torso. 

"How dare you do this to a member of Team Rocket!" shouted Reiko as 
another Machoke brought her to the group all tied up with strong vines. 
"My queen will have all your cyst's cut out and have you eat them when 
she hears about this!" All the Machokes just laughed at Reiko's funny 
human words, especially the little Machop that she was unsuccessful of 
catching.  She then saw the Machokes tying up Cameron with strong vines 
as well. "No, you can't be their prisoner!" she wailed, "I made you my 
prisoner first fair and square!"

"Sorry, but we can't always get our way", said Cameron as the Machokes 
started pushing him and Reiko somewhere even deeper into the forest.

*      *      *      *      *      *

The Machokes had marched the two tied-up teenagers into a village with 
huts made out of bamboo and mud shaped like Pokeballs.  They became 
surprised when they saw the citizens of this village. "It's a whole 
community of Machops and Machokes!" gasped Cameron.

Sure enough, there were Machops and Machokes everywhere.  Lifting 
barbells made of boulders, punching punching-bags made of slabs of meat.  
They even saw Machop kids sitting on the ground playing some kind of 
card game that had human pictures on them. 

"I guess I'm not gonna find my friends relaxing in a tropical resort", 
he thought nervously.  He looked at Reiko marching beside him looking 
unafraid and very angry. "How can she remain calm in a situation like 
this?" he wondered, "Must be a ninja thing."

Then they came across a huge stone throne at the end of the village.  
Sitting on the throne was an extremely huge Machoke with four strong 
arms.  Cameron thought if he could reach his Pokedex, Dexeena would 
say something like, "MACHAMP, the evolved form of Machoke.  Using its 
powerful muscles, the Machamp throws powerful punches that can send the 
victim clear over the horizon."

Cameron also noticed a thing on the Machamp's head.  "Ash's hat!" said 
Cameron, "So that's where it went to!"

The Machokes made the teenagers get down on their knees while they did 
the same thing bowing their heads saying, "Ma-Machoke-Choke!" which 
meant, "Your Majesty!"

"That Machamp must be the king of this island", Cameron whispered to 
Reiko.

"What do you suppose gave it away?" said Reiko sarcastically, "Is it 
because he's sitting on a throne while these muscle-brains are 
groveling in shame and making us do it too?!" Machamp approached Reiko 
and looked at her with a huge smile on his huge mouth.  He ordered a 
Machoke to cut Reiko free from her bonds. 

"You've just made your last mistake King Stupid!" laughed Reiko as she 
started to make a flying kick at Machamp.  But he just grabbed Reiko by 
the ankles with his upper hands holding her upside-down.  Then used his 
lower hands to feel and pinch Reiko's arms.

"This cannot be, HA HA HA!" laughed Reiko who was extremely ticklish, 
"Tickling a ninja will lead you to dire consequences!  HA HA HA HA!" 
When Machamp was finished, he threw Reiko into the arms of a Machoke 
who held onto her tightly.  Then Machamp ordered Cameron cut free from 
his bonds.  He approached the boy and started pinching his arms as well.

"HA HA HA HA!" Laughed Cameron who was also ticklish, "If I didn't 
know better, I'd say he was testing our muscles!" he thought while 
laughing.

Then Machamp stopped and spoke to his Machoke subjects. "Machamp, 
champ, champ, champ!" he said in a pleased voice.  Then the Machokes 
grabbed the teenagers and took them to another place.

*      *      *      *      *      *

Cameron and Reiko now found themselves locked in some kind of cell 
shaped like a giant Pokeball. "I wonder what they're gonna do to us?" 
Cameron asked.  Reiko just sat there quietly holding her knees.  A 
small door below the big door opened and their dinner was pushed in to 
them.  It was mineral water and wheat germ. "This must be a Machoke's 
regular diet", said Cameron as he looked at the yucky stuff, "No wonder 
why they stay so buffed.  Care for some Reiko?" Reiko still said 
nothing.  Cameron walked over to Reiko and discovered that she was 
crying.  That didn't seem like her one bit.

"Don't worry Reiko", said Cameron, "We'll find some way out of this!  
Remember the hope you have that your Queen will come for you soon."

"Who am I kidding!!!" wailed Reiko, "Jessie's not really coming for 
me!  She doesn't really care about anyone but herself.  I guess this 
is what happens to you when you try to make friends with evil!"

"Then why are you always praising her even when she's not around?" 
asked a now surprised Cameron.

"Because Jessie trained me to!" sobbed Reiko, "She wanted a warrior 
that'll always like her no matter how vain or cruel she acts.  It just 
drove me crazy.  The only reason I joined Team Rocket was so I could 
find a way out of that trapped town.  Now that I'm actually free from 
it, I've landed in another far worse prison.  And I don't know the 
Machamp language for sucking-up!"

"Well why didn't you try to run away from your teammates when you had 
the chance?" asked Cameron.

"Because I'm addicted to being Jessie's little bootlicker!" cried Reiko, 
"I didn't mean to do all those mean things to you and your friends.  
It's just once I had a taste of power, knocking around James and Meowth 
under Jessie's permission, I just couldn't get enough of it!  My older 
siblings warned me that too much power could corrupt the most innocent 
soul and they were right!  I bet I can hear them laughing at me right 
now!"  And she started crying even harder.

Cameron never figured that this pyscho-girl who welds a mean katana 
could have a troubled, emotional side. "Please don't cry", said Cameron 
as he wiped the tears from Reiko's eyes with his finger. "We'll get out 
of this mess.  Remember I'm a good guy and good guys always seem to 
prevail in the end.  I bet if you become a good guy too, that'll make 
our chances twice as good."

"You sound like a cartoon character from a cheesy Saturday morning 
show", said Reiko now laughing a little.  Cameron started to laugh too.  
He was starting to enjoy his time with Reiko now that she showed him 
her other side.  Then he noticed Reiko shivering.

"Are you cold?" asked Cameron and then he started shivering as well.  
Mainly because night had fallen and neither one of them were wearing 
their shirts.

"Just a little Cameron-san", said Reiko, "Maybe if we hold each other, 
that'll warm us up a little", and she scooted over to where Cameron 
was sitting and wrapped her arms around him burying her face in his 
bare chest while her tears ran down it.  A blushing Cameron sat there 
shocked but then also wrapped his arms around her.

"I'm truly in an anime world", he thought while smiling.

*      *      *      *      *      *

Meanwhile, Sandy, Gloom, Zubat, and Slowpoke were wandering the beach 
calling out for Cameron.  Slowpoke was carrying Cameron's backpack on 
his back while Zubat was scouting around up in the night sky.  She then 
noticed something brightly sparking from below.  She immediately flew 
back down to the search party.

"Have you found Cameron?" asked Sandy.

"No", replied Zubat, "But I found someone else we could invite to our 
little search party.  They all followed Zubat and they found Electabuzz 
still feeding himself with static electricity.

"Hey, you're Cameron's Electabuzz", said Sandy, "The one that doesn't 
like him at all."

"Yeah, and what's it to you rodent?" said Buzz in a smug voice.

Sandy was about to carve his initials into Buzz's hide for that remark 
until Gloom stopped him. "Do you know what happened to our master?  
Even though you don't like Cameron can you please help us find him, 
for your fellow Pokemon?"

"Who says I don't like the little geek?" said Buzz, "I admit that at 
first I thought he was just a boney little twerp who wouldn't last five 
seconds on the battlefield.  But when I was running low on juice, he 
gave me this comb and the shirt off his back to keep me alive.  Lt. 
Surge taught me that a good soldier never leaves a faithful companion 
to die.  And as soon as I get all my strength back, I'm gonna start my 
own search party and find my new Sergeant myself."

"Wouldn't it be better if we all joined you?" asked Zubat, "After all, 
five Pokemon heads are better than one."

"Please help us find Mamma", pleaded Slowpoke.

Buzz looked puzzled at what Slowpoke said and then replied, "Okay, you 
tenderfoots can come with me.  But remember, I'm the leader of this 
squadron and if any of you get out of line.  It's K.P. for all of you!"

"K.P.?" asked Sandy.

"Kracking Pokemon", smiled Buzz.  Sandy just made a hidden scowl at 
this bossy Electabuzz.

"Do you know which way Cameron last went?" asked Gloom.

"The last I remember, our Sergeant went into the forest chasing after 
some human girl", said Buzz. "I tried to go after him, but I wasn't 
fully charged up yet."

"Maybe this'll help", said Sandy sniffing the shirt. "I think he went 
in that direction."  And Sandy ran off into the forest while the others 
followed him.  Usually Slowpoke was the one that always followed last, 
but this time it was Buzz who was walking slowly still feeding himself 
static.

"I'm just glad Surge isn't here to see me like this", sighed Buzz.

*      *      *      *      *      *

The next morning, Cameron woke up to a surprising, yet wonderful 
situation.  He was leaning against a wall while a sleeping Reiko was 
holding onto him using his chest as a pillow.  Cameron decided to let 
her sleep and not wake her up to the scary cell that they were being 
kept in.  But unfortunately, the Machokes burst in waking her up.

"What, what's going on?" asked a groggy Reiko finding out she was 
holding her prisoner passionately.

"I think it might be time for our breakfast", said Cameron looking at 
the smiling Machokes.  They picked up the teenagers and clamped some 
golden wrestling belts around their waists. "Then again, maybe later", 
said Cameron wondering what was going to happen next.

*      *      *      *      *      *

Cameron and Reiko found themselves in the center of a huge fighting 
arena.  In the stands were hundreds of Machops and Machokes cheering, 
waving flags that say M on them, and wearing large foam hands in the 
shape of fists.  And in the center aisle was the Machamp sitting on his 
throne still wearing Ash's hat.

"It looks like they want us to fight each other", said Cameron 
nervously.

"Well I don't fight for lowly unintelligent Pokemon!" shouted Reiko 
who was trying to pull her belt off but it was too clamped on tight. 
Just then, two Machokes jumped on top of platforms on the opposite ends 
of the arena.

"Ma, ma, champ, Machamp!" called out Machamp announcing the beginning 
of the fight.  Machoke 1 started to karate chop the air around it.  
Cameron suddenly found his arms swinging in all directions for he now 
had no control of them.  He also found himself walking to Reiko getting 
ready to karate chop her. "What do you think you're doing?" gasped 
Reiko, "This isn't you!"

"I don't know!" cried Cameron. "I can't help myself!" Then Machoke 2 
started to jump up in the air and make a huge kick.  Reiko suddenly 
jumped up high in the air as well kicking Cameron sharply in the chest 
and onto the ground.  Machoke 2 started to make a headlock move and 
Reiko suddenly pounced on Cameron putting him in a headlock while 
wrapping her other arm around his torso.

"These aren't my traditional fighting skills!" shouted Reiko, "What's 
happening to me?!"

"The Machokes must be controlling our movements with these belts!" said 
Cameron gasping for air, "Which means we're the Pokemon and they're 
our masters!"

Machoke 1 made a low kick causing Cameron to swing his leg knocking 
Reiko off of him.  Then Machoke 1 started to raise its arms into the 
air and spin around very fast.  Cameron found himself lifting up Reiko, 
spinning her around, and tossing her onto the ground. "I hope you 
realize that I really didn't do that!" shouted Cameron.

"No problem", said Reiko weakly, "But this does feel like a nice 
workout though."  Machoke 2 started pumping itself up causing Reiko to 
get up while her arms were blowing up like huge balloons.

"Uh oh", thought Cameron, "That looks like Machoke's focus energy.  
Now I'm in for it!" But then Cameron found his arms and pecs blowing 
up for Machoke 1 was using focus energy as well. Cameron almost thought 
he saw Reiko salivating at his new body.  But Machoke 2 made Reiko 
charge at Cameron putting him in a tight bear hug squeezing him very hard.

The crowd was cheering loudly waiting for one of them to die.  Some 
were even betting jars of wheat germ on who'd be the winner.  Just 
then, Cameron and Reiko found themselves standing perfectly still not 
moving at all making the crowd very angry.

"What are those Machokes doing?!" demanded Reiko who saw them standing 
perfectly still also.

"There's your answer!" smiled Cameron as he looked down and found all 
of his Pokemon who just rushed into the arena.  Slowpoke was using his 
disable attack on the Machokes causing them to stop the fight.  All the 
Machops and Machokes started to charge into the arena ready to pound 
on the Pokemon.  But Buzz, who was feeling 100 percent better, managed 
to paralyze the first half of them with thunder wave, Gloom put the 
second half to sleep with sleep powder and Zubat used supersonic to 
confuse the last half causing them to attack each other.

Sandy looked curiously at his incredibly pumped up master standing 
perfectly still. "Sandy, can you get these belts off us?" asked Cameron.

"Shrew", replied Sandy as he slashed the belts off of Cameron's and 
Reiko's waists causing them to move again as well as shrink back down 
to their skinny selves.

"What a shame", thought Reiko sad that she lost her newly given 
strength but happy that she was free.

"Thank you my friend", smiled Cameron as he hugged Sandy while all his 
other Pokemon friends approached him. "And thank you all, all, uh, 
AACHOO!" sneezed Cameron.  Gloom sadly started to step a few feet away 
from him.  "And I thank you too Gloom", called out Cameron causing his 
Gloom to smile a little.  

"Slowpoke", said Slowpoke returning his backpack to his Mamma. "Thank 
you son", smiled Cameron as he removed the pack from Slowpoke and 
hugged him like a parent.

"Zubat, bat, bat", said Zubat as she perched herself on Cameron's 
shoulder. "You're the tops too Zubat", he smiled as he wiggled her ear.

 Buzz humbly approached Cameron and handed him back his comb and shirt 
all neatly folded. "Very nice", smiled Cameron, "You truly are a 
disciplined soldier."

"BUZZ, EL, BUZZ!" shouted Buzz saluting his new commanding officer.  
Suddenly, they heard a loud scary voice scream out, "MACHAMP!" An angry 
Machamp jumped out of his throne and landed on the ground with a huge 
THUD causing everyone to almost fall down.

"Leave this to me", smiled Reiko ready to make this champ look like a 
chump.  But Buzz pushed her aside and approached the hulking Machamp.

Machamp started chopping at Buzz with all four of his arms causing him 
to flinch in pain. Cameron and his Pokemon watched worriedly while 
Reiko was kind of grateful that Buzz was taking the pain Machamp had 
planned for her.  Just then Buzz balled up both his fists and sparks 
started to shoot out of them.  Machamp stopped fighting for he was 
curious.  Then Buzz started punching at Machamp non-stop sending 
currents of electricity through his large body.

"What kind of cool attack is that?!" smiled Cameron as he took out his 
Pokedex.

"Thunderpunch, Electabuzz's specialty attack", said Dexenna, "Several 
blows of Thunderpunches can cause severe damage to an opponent." Buzz 
started to charge up his fist making it glow like the sun.  He then 
shocked Machamp good and hard causing him to smile and fall to the 
ground.  Zubat quickly snatched the hat away from Machamp and placed 
it back on Cameron's head.

"BUZZ, EL, BUZZ!" shouted Buzz as he leapt onto the Machamp's butt 
and saluted.

*      *      *      *      *      *

Cameron, Reiko, and the five Pokemon had returned to the spot where 
they first met.  Reiko found her shirt now dry and put it back on.  
Cameron was sitting on a rock gathered around all his dear Pokemon, 
except for Gloom who was standing by the forest so that its master 
wouldn't start sneezing and was getting ready to defend its master in 
case the Machokes would try to go after them.

Reiko approached Cameron and gave him a kiss on the lips.  "Wow, what 
was that for?" he asked while blushing.

"That was for saving my life when I had drowned", smiled Reiko, "Like 
the aluminum foil that keeps a ripe tomato fresh.  You truly have a 
heart of gold."

"Thank you", smiled Cameron who no longer thought of Reiko as an enemy 
and maybe even more than a friend.

"So do you think we'll actually ever get off this island?" asked Reiko.

"Maybe those things coming over here might be able to help", said 
Cameron pointing to the two figures swimming up to the shore.  Reiko 
immediately knew who they were.

"Tentacruel and Kingler!" cried Reiko happily as she ran over to her 
two Pokemon and gave them a big hug while they hugged her back as 
well.  Cameron smiled for now everyone on this island was reunited 
with their Pokemon.  Just then, he heard some buzzing up in the sky.  
Everyone looked above and saw a helicopter flying above the island.

"We have to get the pilot's attention somehow", said Cameron.  Buzz 
replied by shooting a thunderbolt up in the air.  The pilot managed to 
see it and started to come in for a landing.  "Hey Reiko", called out 
Cameron, "Come on, we're finally saved!"  Reiko was about to approach 
the landing helicopter until her eagle-eye spotted a policewoman 
through one of the windows.  

"Uh, oh", said Reiko as she approached her two Pokemon and started to 
speak to them.  Cameron and all of his Pokemon approached the 
helicopter just as the door opened.  He was even extra-happy when he 
saw who came out of it.  "Misty, Brock, Stella, Jenny, Seymour, Bill!" 
he cried, "You're all alive!" 

"And so are you!" smiled Misty as she gave Cameron a big hug.

"I'm sure glad you're okay kid", smiled Brock, "When that ferry got 
pulled under, we saw you get pulled away into the center of the 
whirlpool."

"The rest of us were lucky", said Stella, "The whirlpool finally 
stopped and we all managed to grab onto the nearest thing that would 
keep us afloat."

"And we were even luckier that the Celadon Nurse Joy had heard about 
the boat's sinking and got in this helicopter to save us", said Seymour 
pointing to Nurse Joy who was at the cockpit waving to Cameron.

"And we begged Joy to keep circling around every island and area of 
this sea until we found you", said Bill, "Something inside all of us 
told us that you were still alive."

"You guys are the greatest friends I could ever ask for", said Cameron 
with a tear in his eye. "And now we have a new friend that can join 
us.  Oh Reiko! Uh, Reiko? Where are you?" he asked while looking around 
the beach but found no trace of the girl.

"You mean that vandal's here?!" shouted Jenny as she took out her 
handcuffs, "Wait'll I get my long arms of the law around her!  I lost 
two vans because of her and those dirty Rockets!"

"Hey, what's this?" asked Misty as she found a huge stick sticking out 
of the sand with a note stuck at the top.  Cameron grabbed the note and 
read it.

"Dear Cameron-san:

I truly enjoyed the time we were forced to spend together.  I've never 
met a boy quite like you.  You're clever, sweet, and you treat and love 
your Pokemon dearly.  But unfortunately I cannot be with you.  For I am 
still a Rocket and I took an oath of loyalty to Queen Jessie even if I 
didn't like it.  I'm going off to find her and that silly Meowth 
wherever they may be.  But I'm going to do what I can to lead them off 
your trail for I do want you to succeed in your mission.  I truly hope 
we can have another magical moment like we did in that cell and maybe 
next time we won't have to engage in battle afterwards.

Until we meet again.

Reiko.  XOXOXOXO"

Cameron looked up from the note and saw two figures swimming off into 
the horizon and whispered. "Good luck my cute little ninja!"

*      *      *      *      *      *

Reiko was riding on top of her Tentacruel while Kingler was swimming 
right behind them.  She turned around and sadly watched the island 
where she had her amazing adventure disappear into the horizon.

TO BE CONTINUED