Hi everyone. Thank you all for reading my first chapter of my second fic and for encouraging me to continue writing it. Well, here it is. Chapter 2. Enjoy! The Incredible Poke-Odyssey, chapter 2 The Origin of Rocketville! Cameron suddenly woke up thinking he'd be back safe and sound in his room. Instead, he found something egg-shaped sitting on his chest. "Pi, pi?!" said the egg. "Togepi?" asked Cameron as he found his glasses lying next to him and put them on. There it was. The mysterious egg Pokemon known as Togepi. It was smiling at Cameron while doing a funny dance on his chest. "Now Togepi, please leave the poor boy alone", said the girl who picked it up and cradled it in her arms. "You don't know where he's been." "Hey, are you all right kid?" asked the guy who was next to the girl. "Yeah, I think so", replied Cameron who was looking at the faces of Misty and Brock. They almost looked exactly the same as they did in the TV show except that Brock looked 20 and Misty looked 17. And a very sexy looking 17 at that! ;) "Just what do you think you were doing out there?" demanded Misty, "Going out in the open during Rocket curfew? Did you leave your brain at home with your parents?" "Hey, go easy on him Misty", said Brock, "We've all been going through rough times these past five years. Badmouthing complete strangers isn't going to help us." Cameron looked around at his surroundings. He was lying on an old mattress inside a giant sewer. There were people all over the place dressed in dirty clothes, eating canned foods, and warming themselves up by fire-lit trashpails. "I see that our new friend is awake", said a pleasant voice. Cameron saw Mrs. Ketchum coming up towards him with a tray in her hands. "Hello dear, I'm Mrs. Ketchum. I take care of the sick and tormented citizens down here. I hope you like canned ham, canned potatoes, and canned peas", smiled Mrs. Ketchum who placed the tray of food on Cameron's lap. "I'm sorry it isn't much, but canned food is all we've got down here. It would be a really dark day if I lost my trusty can- opener. Hee hee!" "Thank you Mrs. Ketchum", said Cameron as he dug into the meal. It may have been canned but Ash's mom knew how to work her magic on any type of food. "My what a polite young man you are", smiled Mrs. Ketchum, "And what is your name?" "I'm Cameron Fusterman" said Cameron who was still a little confused but at least his stomach was full. "Nice to meet you Cameron", smiled Mrs. Ketchum, "These two dears found you asleep on the street about to be harmed by those awful Rockets. Their names are...." "Misty and Brock?" replied Cameron. "Yes we are", said a surprised Brock, "How did you know our names?" "Isn't it obvious?" asked a proud Misty, "We're two of the leaders of the famous Pallet Rebellion. Even someone like him would know the marvelous magnificent me." "Yes, you're definitely Misty", smiled Cameron remembering that cute little ego she sometimes has. "Say, where's Ash?" "ASH??!!!" shouted Misty and Brock. Mrs. Ketchum fainted at the three lettered name she just heard. "What do you know about Ash?!" shouted Misty grabbing Cameron by his gray sweatshirt. "Please tell us before my mind goes south for the winter! AGAIN!!!" "Take it easy Misty", said Brock as he helped Mrs. Ketchum back on her feet. "Yes Misty", said Mrs. Ketchum calmly, "You just can't shake someone around like that if you have a question. Please let me handle it." She approached Cameron slowly and placed her hands on his shoulders. "Where's my little Ash!!!" she screamed hysterically as she shook Cameron around like a rag doll. "I'll do anything to know if my boy is safe and well!!! I'll give you anything! Candy, cookies, a million dollars, clean underwear! I just want my baby back here in my arms!!!" and she started crying. "I'm sorry ma,am", said a shaken up Cameron, "But the last time I saw Ash was at the circus when Team Rocket kidnapped him thinking he was a Mr. Mime. That's all I can tell you. I'm sorry." "I'm a terrible mother!" sobbed Mrs. Ketchum, "They were all planning on rescuing Ash but I told them not to worry. I told them all to come back to my place and have lunch and I was sure Ash would come back safe and sound, but he never did! I'M A TERRIBLE MOTHER!!!" Cameron felt sorry for Mrs. Ketchum. She really did care about Ash and now she was suffering mentally from his disappearance. "No it wasn't your fault", said Brock, "It was mine. I never should've put him in that Mr. Mime suit to begin with and when Team Rocket tried to net him, I grabbed Stella but not Ash. I lost a good friend because of my obsession with pretty girls! "Please don't blame yourself Brock", said a voice. Out of the shadows came Stella, the ringmaster of the Pokemon circus that was invaded. "It was my fault. Ash tried to speak up to save himself but I covered his mouth. If I had only treated my original Mr. Mime nicer in the first place, none of us would be in this mess!" "Actually it's all Ash's fault!" shouted Misty, "That kid is always doing stupid things and getting himself into one mess after another. If he only refused to put on that Mr. Mime costume in the first place, he wouldn't have gotten himself kidnapped! No offense Mrs. Ketchum." "None taken", said Mrs. Ketchum who had stopped crying. "To tell you the truth, I always figured that Ash didn't have all his screws tightened in. Maybe he wasn't mature enough for me to let him leave on his Pokemon journey." "And when I whipped Ash with my trusty whip. He could've at least have the backbone to throw off the costume and walk away!", said Stella. "At least Ash's disappearance brought the two of us together", said Brock as he took Stella in his arms. "That's probably the first and last thing he's ever done right!" and he and Stella kissed. Cameron couldn't believe the things he was hearing. Ash had been missing for probably a long time and his friends and mother were still bad-mouthing him. "To tell you the truth, it was all your faults!" said Cameron in an angry voice. "Ash did everything he could to help you out with that circus and you just used him. And when dangerous criminals took him away, it was pretty thoughtless of you all to just go off and have lunch when Ash needed you the most! That just doesn't seem like friendship to me!" "He's right!" cried Mrs. Ketchum again, "We're hurting Ash again even when he isn't here! I'm a terrible mother!" "No, you're not a terrible mother", said Misty, "We're all just angry and frustrated at Ash's disappearance and for what Team Rocket has done to your town. We just never took them seriously until now." "I'm sorry for blowing up at all of you like that", said Cameron, "It just made me angry at what I just saw happened in that circus tent yesterday." "Say, that reminds me", said Stella, "How did you know all of that happened? Were you sneaking around in my circus? That's trespassing you know?!" "And what do you mean you saw that yesterday?" asked Brock, "That incident happened 5 years ago." "Five years?!!" gasped Cameron, "But I saw what happened on TV yesterday afternoon on my bed." "I didn't know someone was broadcasting my circus live", said Stella. "All right kid, we want the scoop and we want it now!" shouted Misty, "Exactly who are you and how do you know so much about all of us?" "Well", said Cameron as he was slowly telling the story of how he got zapped by his pocket TV and ended up here with them. "Now let me get this straight", said Misty as she wrote down some stuff on a pad. "You come from a world where we're all cartoon characters on a TV show and you somehow mysteriously got transported here into our world? Fell right into Meowth's bedroom, got locked in a dungeon, saved by a Sandshrew and ended up here with us?" "Yes", said Cameron who couldn't believe the story he just told himself. Misty wasn't really taking notes. She was actually sketching Cameron in a straitjacket with googly-eyes, an arrow through his head, and the words NUT BOY underneath him. "That story sound pretty farfetched", said Brock, "Are you sure those Rocket scientists didn't switch your brain with a Farfetch'd brain?" "Honest, my story is true", said Cameron, "And I can prove it." He reached into his pocket, pulled out a little book and handed it to Brock. It was a mini-Pokemon anime album that featured scenes from the cartoon show. "I don't believe this!" said a shocked Brock, "That's all of us and some of the adventures we've had with Ash! Look at this. There's the time we met up with the Squirtle Squad! I remember that adventure well." "And look", said Misty as she took the book from Brock, "There's the time when we got onboard the St. Anne! I can't believe that we couldn't recognize those two girl prize givers as Jessie and James. I should've looked more clearly." "And will you look at this", said Mrs. Ketchum as she took the book from Misty, "Here's the time when we were all vacationing in Porta Vista and I won first place in a beauty contest! Oh those wonderful memories!" "And you look cute in a bathing suit Brock", said Stella winking at him. Brock just shyly blushed. Cameron smiled for the beauty contest episode never made it to American TV, but at least the characters from this world got to experience it. "I guess you really are telling the truth Cameron", said Brock, "So we're all actually cartoon characters in your world?" "No it can't be!" cried Misty, "I'm too beautiful to be a cartoon character! I should be doing movies or at least sitcoms!" Everyone started laughing, even Cameron. Then he started to look around the place. "Didn't I have a Sandshrew with me?" he asked. "Yes, it's right here my boy", said another familiar voice. Out of the shadows came an old man wearing a dirty, torn lab coat holding a Pokeball in his hand. "Professor Oak?" asked Cameron. "You are correct Cameron", smiled the Professor. "I've healed your Sandshrew and given him his own Pokeball. Here you are", he said as he gave the ball to Cameron. Cameron opened it up and out popped his friend. "Sandshrew!" called out Sandshrew as he jumped onto Cameron and started licking his face. "How'ya doing Sandshrew", smiled Cameron. "You're looking really better, all nice and sandy. Say, how about I call you Sandy?" "Shrew!" replied Sandy who really approved of his new name. "So you're from another world?" said Prof Oak as he took out a little light and started shining it in Cameron's ears, mouth, and nostrils. "Very interesting!" "Professor", asked Brock, "Do you have any idea how Cameron ended up in our world?" "I believe I might have a theory", said Prof. Oak, "Come with me everyone." * * * * * * Prof. Oak had led the group into another part of the sewer. It was full of lab equipment, machines, and empty Pokeballs. He pointed to a strange looking device that looked like a giant white cone with an antenna on top. "This here is a matter teleporter I've been working on in secret", said Prof. Oak, "I have this theory that Ash is still alive out there somewhere and this device will teleport him to wherever Team Rocket left him and bring him back to us." "You mean you've devised a way to bring back my Ash?!" cried Mrs. Ketchum with hope in her eyes. "I didn't tell you earlier because I didn't want to get your hopes up", explained Prof. Oak. "I typed in the name, age, and description of Ash hoping it will locate where Ash is and begin the teleportation. But instead, it brought you here Cameron. "Wow!" said Cameron, "I thought the reason I got here was the shock from when I put the batteries from my Pokemon game into my pocket TV when I was watching the Pokemon show." "Interesting theory, but I don't really think so", said Prof. Oak. "I typed in Ash's name, hair and eye colors, and the age he would be today. But you Cameron don't seem to fit any of that subscription. Very puzzling." Prof. Oak looked at the computer screen on his teleporter and found a whole bunch of letters and numbers all jumbled together. "What the...." Asked the Professor as went to the other side of the teleporter. "So that's it, eh?" he said disappointedly. "What's wrong Professor?" asked Misty, "Have you found out why your machine didn't work?" "Yes you might say there were a few quirks", said Prof. Oak, "Make that a few quacks!" and he held up a funny looking duck in front of Misty. "PSYDUCK?!!!" shouted Misty. "Yes", sighed Prof. Oak, "Your Psyduck seemed to be playing with the keys before I activated the teleporter. The machine got so confused trying to read Psyduck's mess that it brought Cameron into our world sending him crashing through Team Rocket's palace." "You dumb duck!!!" screamed Misty as she shook Psyduck around like crazy. "It's bad enough that you keep ruining my life. Do you have to ruin Ash's and this poor kid's life too? I really thought leaving you down here while I battle up there would make things better. But no!!! You always have to find some way to ruin it for me and all of us!!" "Psy-yai-yai!" said a shaken Psyduck. "Hey, go easy on him Misty", said Brock taking the poor duck away from her. "Yes", said Mrs. Ketchum taking Psyduck in her arms, "Let me mangle this dumb duck! He prevented me from getting back my son!!!" and she started shaking Psyduck even harder than Misty did. Psyduck's headache suddenly got even worse causing his eyes to glow a scary blue color. "Uh oh", thought Cameron as he grabbed Sandy and quickly hid behind a nearby table for he knew about Psyduck's powerful confusion attacks when his headache is increased. Everyone who was near Psyduck started to fly around in the air bouncing off the walls. Cameron quickly helped everyone up and patted the poor Pysduck who didn't look so happy. When everyone was calm, Mrs. Ketchum slowly spoke up. "Professor Oak", she said, "Can you please reactivate your machine so you can bring back my son?" "I'm afraid I can't", said Prof. Oak sadly, "I'm sorry." "You can't?!!!" asked Mrs. Ketchum calmly while grabbing Prof. Oak by the labcoat with an angry look on her face. "And I'll show you why", said Prof. Oak as he approached the teleporter, opened up a small door, and pulled out a small rock. "That looks like a piece from the Moonstone", said Brock. "It is", said Prof. Oak, "This is what powers up the teleporter. Unfortunately it can only be used once. I'll need two more Moonstone chunks if we want to get Ash back and to send Cameron back to his own world." "But the original Moonstone is back at Mt. Moon", said Misty, "And there's no way we can get it because of that stupid electric wall!" "Then there's no hope for any of us!" sobbed a depressed Mrs. Ketchum. "Where did that huge wall come from?" asked Cameron. "You should know, you seem to watch us all the time", said Misty. "Yes", smiled Mrs. Ketchum who grabbed Cameron's shoulders. "You can tell us what Team Rocket did with Ash and how we can get him back and free our town from those horrible Rockets. Please tell us!" "I... I don't know", said Cameron, "The last Pokemon show I saw was when Team Rocket kidnapped Ash and left the circus. Then I suddenly ended up here." "I knew it had to be too good to be true!" wailed Mrs. Ketchum. "I'm being punished for being a terrible mother!!!" "I'm sorry Mrs. Ketchum", said Cameron, "I wish I knew how to help all of you. I don't even know how Team Rocket was able to do all of this damage." "It's a long sad story", said Brock. "Five years ago after having lunch with Mrs. Ketchum. Misty, Stella, Pikachu and I went back to the circus thinking Ash would be back any minute now. Instead Jessie, James, Meowth, and hordes of Rocket thugs arrived with tanks, motorcycles, and armored cars. They invaded Stella's circus and nabbed all of her Pokemon, even her Mr. Mime." "I miss my mime!" cried Stella, "I've failed to save him along with all my other Pokemon. This was the only one I could save!" She opened up a Pokeball and released a big clump of vines wearing shoes. "A Tangela." said Cameron. "That was a really rough time for her", said Brock, "Little Pikachu tried his best to shock away those baddies, but the terrible trio managed to nab him with a rubber net. Once all the Pokemon were seized, Team Rocket blasted off and we never saw Pikachu or any of Stella's Pokemon again." Cameron wondered why he didn't see Pikachu down here. "Just then things went from worse to tragic", said Misty, "We were all going to start a rescue party and track down those Rockets until a huge electric wall suddenly appeared circling around Pallet Town trapping all of us in. Then hundreds of Rockets stormed the town seizing all the citizens, taking away their Pokemon and bringing them into the center of the town. That ugly Meowth shaped balloon landed in the center of the town and out popped Jessie, James, and Meowth. They were wearing purple robes and paper crowns like the ones you find at fast food restaurants!" START OF FLASHBACK: Jessie: "Prepare for trouble!" James: "And make it double!" Jessie: "To protect the world from devastation!" James: "To unite all peoples within our nation!" Jessie: "To denounce the evils of truth and love!" James: "To extend our reach to the stars above!" Jessie: "Queen Jessie!" James: "King James!" Jessie: "Team Rocket blast off at the speed of light!" James: "Surrender now or prepare to fight!" Meowth: "Royal Meowth, that's right!" "Attention all you lucky people of this town", smiled Jessie, "The all powerful and sometimes merciless Team Rocket has chosen your humble little town to be our kingdom!" "Yes", smiled James, "Tomorrow we'll be holding classes at the nearby college on how to say your new pledge of allegiance and how to bow down as low as you can to us." "You have no right to take over Pallet Town like this!" shouted a citizen. "We're all democrats here!" "Democrats?" asked Meowth, "What kind of Pokemon is a democrat? And where can we steal one?" Jessie just pulled Meowth's crown over his mouth to keep him quiet. "As I was saying", continued Jessie, "You will all do as we say, pay whatever taxes we just feel like coming up with, and treat us like royalty!" "And if you don't like it, you can just leave", said James, "But don't let the electric wall kill you along the way!" "One more thing", said Meowth who just had his crown straightened up, "We all think Pallet Town is a wussy name for a kingdom. I hear by declare that this town will be now called Meowthland!" "Meowthland?!" said Jessie, "We were going to name this place Jessiopolis!" she growled as she grabbed Meowth by the mouth. "I think Jamestown would sound nicer", said James. "That name is copyrighted you dope!" growled Meowth. "Like any lawyers are gonna bust through that wall and slap us with lawsuits", sneered James. Jessie, James, and Meowth started arguing and then broke into a fight cloud while all the frightened and confused citizens watched them duking it out making bets on the cute red head. A few minutes later, the fight cloud dissolved and it showed Team Rocket covered with bandages. "After a peaceful discussion", said Jessie, "We've all decided that this town will now be known as Rocketville. Remember that name, live by it, and you'll all be living peaceful and very semi-healthy lives!" "What have you done with my little Ash you horrible Rockets?!!" shouted Mrs. Ketchum. "Show some respect for our beloved monarchs you wacko!" shouted a thug who was about to strangle her until Brock and Misty got in his way. "Leave the poor woman alone Bruiser", said James. "We're going to be merciful just this once since this is our first day as monarchs." "So you're the twerp's mother?" smiled Jessie as she looked over Mrs. Ketchum. "Your little boy sure has given us a hard time throughout our villainy. I wish we could say what happened to him but I have a feeling that you're never gonna see him again or anyone else from the outside world for that matter!" "But we will give you this so you can always remember your little Ashie-Poo", said Meowth, "While you're slaving away for us! HA HA HA HA!" and he flung something at Mrs. Ketchum. It was Ash's Pokemon league expo-hat. "Oh Ash!" sobbed Mrs. Ketchum, "What have I done to you?! And to everyone else I know and love?!" END OF FLASHBACK: "And that's how I lost my son, my town, and my entire life!" cried Mrs. Ketchum. "Gee", said Cameron, "Usually in the cartoon when somethng bad happens, they break it up into 2 or 3 parts, but five years? That's like five seasons!" "And you wouldn't believe the suffering we all went through those long 5 years", moaned Misty, "On the first day of Rocketville, the trio ordered all us citizens to build that ugly Meowth shaped palace like we were Egyptian slaves. The back-breaking labor wasn't so bad, but seeing those 3 getting carried around wearing those lame Pharaoh hats was complete eye murder!" "Once their palace was finished", continued Brock, "They sent all the citizens back to their regular jobs while increasing taxes almost every day. If you couldn't pay them, they take away your house and replace it with a smog-spewing factory! So far, they've built 30 factories in the past year!" "Is that why almost everyone is living in the sewers?" asked Cameron. "Yes and it seems to be getting crowded almost every tax day", said Prof. Oak, "And you won't believe what those Rockets have done to our schools and our TV shows! This is what our poor children are learning!" and he turned on a nearby black and white TV and showed Cameron. "It's time for Rocket Room", said a lady teacher wearing a black rocket uniform with a huge scary smile on her face who was surrounded by little kids that were also dressed in smaller versions of the uniform. "I'm you're teacher Miss. Scary and this is our little friend Doo- Beedrill!" In flew a giant bee with two huge needles on its hands ready to do some serious stinging. "Today were going to recite the Rocket alphabet", smiled Mrs. Scary, "Doo-Beedrill loves the alphabet. In fact, he really hates it if you mess it up. Now let's all sing together so that Doo-Beedrill won't have to make Swiss cheese out of you!" "Bzzzzzzz!" said the Beedrill waiting to hear some singing. The kids all nervously started singing. "R R R R R R R. R R R R R R R. R R R R R R. R R R R R and R. Now we know the letter R. It's the only one worth knowing cause it's best by far!" "I can't watch this!" cried Cameron, "Please turn it off!" and that's what the Professor did. "I'll never think badly of Barney or the Teletubbies again after that!" said Cameron. "We just couldn't take all this suffering", said Stella, "That's when we decided to start up this underground rebellion hoping one day we can find a way to rid ourselves of those rotten Rockets!" "So you're the rebels Meowth was talking about", said Cameron. "That's correct son", said Prof. Oak, "The rebellion consists of me, Misty, Brock, Mrs. Ketchum, Stella, her circus crew, my grandson Gary, and many others." "Yo! Gramps!" called out a funny voice. Cameron recognized that weird sounding voice. It was Prof. Oak's obnoxious grandson Gary. He looked like he was sixteen and his cheerleading squad was standing right behind them looking pretty disgruntled. "What is is Gary?" asked the Professor. "We gotta move!" said Gary who was sounding really serious. "Those Rockets are terrorizing a family who lives in a blue house on Elm Street!" "That sounds like the home of my good friend Mrs. Johnston!" cried Mrs. Ketchum, "We have to save her and her kids!" "Right, let's move out!" shouted Brock as he, Misty, Stella and Gary left Prof. Oak's lab. "Gary, rah", said his unenthusiastic cheerleaders. Prof. Oak opened up a Pokeball and out popped a Magnemite with a periscope attached to it. "Head over to Elm Street and show us everything that's going on with the Rockets at the blue house", ordered the Professor. And the Magnemite left the lab while Prof. Oak approached a huge monitor and turned it on. He, Cameron, Mrs. Ketchum, Sandy, and the cheerleaders watched the screen as the Magnemite traveled through the dark and dirty sewers and raised its periscope through an open manhole cover. There they saw a blue house where two Rocket thugs were threatening a poor woman and her two little kids. "We're very disappointed in you ma'am", said the first thug, "You know our beloved rulers just wants a little tax money to keep their luxurious palace running. And you have the rudeness to tell us that you're broke?!" "Please sir", pleaded Mrs. Johnston, "I don't even have any money to feed my poor children! Can't you show a little mercy for the poor?" "Awwww", said the second thug who looked into the eyes of the youngest daughter and patted her head. "I'll tell you what we'll do. You let us tear down your house and build a fertilizer factory here and we'll let your kids stick their feet into the leftovers. All those minerals in fertilizer must be better than deadly candy. HA HA HA HA!" "You can't take away our house you big dumb jerks!" shouted the oldest son as he sprayed his mustard bottle at the thugs. "Billy no!" shouted Mrs. Johnston. "Ooooh, you've made us very happy!" smiled the first thug, "Now we get to punish all of you for disrespecting Team Rocket! Go Koffing!" He shouted as he released a floating purple ball with a clueless looking face on it. "Go Charmeleon!" said the second thug as he released a mean looking orange lizard with a flame on its tail. "Quick children, come inside!" shouted Mrs. Johnston as she pushed her kids in and slammed the door. "Koffing, seal up all the doors and windows with your sludge!" commanded the first thug. "Koffing!" said the Koffing as it floated around the house spitting out sludge all over every exit of the nice clean house. "Charmeleon! Make that discourteous family feel the burn!" said the second thug. "Char!" said the Charmeleon as it breathed fire on the top of the roof. The Johnstons could smell the fire burning its way in and they closed their eyes waiting for it to be all over. "Oh those poor Johnstons!" cried Mrs. Ketchum and the cheerleaders at the same time. "I can't believe those Rockets would stoop to something like this!" thought Cameron who just wanted to squirt HOT mustard on those thugs. Just then, a Staryu and a Vaporeon flew into the air and sprayed water onto the fire. "What the..." shouted the thugs as they saw Gary, Misty, Brock, Stella and the three girls from her circus standing right in front of them. Gary had his Nidoking, Arcanine, Kingler, Dodrio, Alakazam, and Venusaur by his side. Misty had her Staryu and Seaking, Brock had his Vulpix, Onix, Graveler, and Golbat, Stella had her Tangela and her circus crew had their Vaporeon, Jolteon, and Flareon with them. "It's those stinkin' rebels!" growled the thugs. "That's Mr. Stinkin' Rebels to you losers!" said Gary proudly. "And don't forget Mrs. Stinkin' rebels too", said Misty, "No wait, I don't like the sound of that." "When will you guys learn that when you mess with innocent citizens, you'll have to deal with the forces of good!" said Brock. "What are you guys, the Superfriends?" said the first thug, "Let's whoop these rebels along with their dumb Pokemon!" He quickly sent out his Kofffing to attack them along with his Poliwrath, Rhyhorn, Zubat, Magneton, and Ivysaur. The second thug also sent out his Charmeleon along with his Mankey, Raticate, Nidoqueen, Drowzee, and Scyther. "Long live the Pallet Rebellion!" shouted the good guys as they sent their Pokemon to fight the Rocket's ones. It was the most spectacular Pokemon battle Cameron had ever witnessed. Vulpix was frying Ivysaur, Staryu was putting out Charmeleon's fire, Jolteon was putting the jolts on Scyther, and Alakazam was completely psyching out Zubat. While the battle raged on, Stella ordered her Tangela to cut down the door with its many vines freeing the Johnstons. Once the family was outside, Stella gave the thumbs-up signal to Brock. "Okay Golbat", said Brock, "Use your haze attack now!" Golbat flew high up in the air and sprayed a thick fog around everyone. The thugs couldn't see a thing and neither could their Pokemon and they ended up battling each other. Once the fog had cleared up, the thugs found the rebels and their Pokemon gone along with the Johnstons. All they found were their own Pokemon lying on the street all battered and beaten. "Our highnesses ain't gonna like this", sighed the first thug, "What shall we do?" "I really can't think on an empty stomach right now", said the second thug as he took a sausage out of his coat and smeared it on his mustard coated friend. * * * * * * A few minutes later, the rebels returned to Prof. Oak's lab feeling a little proud of their latest victory. "Gary, rah", said the gloomy cheerleaders again. "Congratulations on another great citizen rescue", said Prof. Oak. "It was no problem", said Brock, "The Johnstons are out with the others. They're a little shaken up but they're not physically hurt." "I'd better go calm them down and bring them some food", said Mrs. Ketchum as she left the lab. "That was the most awesome Pokemon battle I've ever seen!" said Cameron. "It was only just a typical day in this heck-hole we call Rocketville", sighed Misty. "I still thought it was excellent!" said Cameron. "And it looks like some of your Pokemon had evolved." "That's right", said Brock, "My Geodude and Zubat have been through many years of tough battles so eventually they would evolve into Graveler and Golbat." "And my Goldeen just evolved into a Seaking about a month ago", said Misty. "Its been a very strong and loyal fighter for me all these years." "Why hasn't your Psyduck evolved?" asked Cameron as he saw the duck licking the bottoms of his webbed feet. "Because he's hardly ever won any battles!" groaned Misty studying the bad habits of a Psyduck. "And you Gary were just great", said Cameron, "I've always wondered what kind of Pokemon you carried and now I believe that Bulbasaur was your first Pokemon now that I've seen that Venusaur of yours." "Just who exactly is this loser?" asked Gary. Cameron suddenly frowned. "He mistreats all people the same way he mistreats Ash!" thought Cameron. "Really Gary", said Prof. Oak, "I wish you wouldn't call every poor citizen we bring down here a loser." "Well that's what they are", shouted an angry Gary, "We rebels are the ones that keep winning these pointless battles while we defend these poor weak losers who can't even fight for themselves. This is no life for a great and fabulous Pokemon master like me!" "Hey, if these citizens had their own Pokemon, they could fight back too!", shouted Cameron, "If you didn't have any of your Pokemon fighting your battles for you, then you'd be as helpless as these poor citizens!" Gary just said nothing. He just spit on the ground and stormed out of his grandpa's lab while his cheerleading squad followed him without even cheering him off. "You have to excuse my grandson", said Prof. Oak, "He's just frustrated that he can't leave this town and continue his dream to compete in the Pokemon League. He doesn't mean to act this way." "Actually he does", Misty whispered to Cameron. "That evil electric wall has prevented many dreams from coming true", said Stella, "No one can do a thing about it. Anyone who even sets a finger on that deathwall becomes a southern fried skeleton in two seconds." "I've heard that ground Pokemon like Sandy are immune to electricity", said Cameron, "Have you tried sending either Graveler or Onix to go through the wall to get help?" "Sure my rock Pokemon could probably go through the wall", said Brock, "But unfortunately I can't. Pokemon need their trainers to go along with them or else some strangers might try to catch them thinking they're wild." "And once they're caught in a stranger's Pokeball", continued Prof. Oak, "They automatically get a new trainer with no memory of their old trainer." "Hmmmm", thought Cameron, "Have you ever tried doing this?" They all gathered around Cameron and listened to his idea. "Why that's so crazy it just might work!" said Brock. "Why didn't I think of that?" said Misty. "My friends", said Prof. Oak with hope in his eyes. "If Cameron's idea succeeds, we just might get our first step in freeing Pallet Town along with finding Ash!" TO BE CONTINUED AUTHOR'S NOTE: Just what is Cameron's plan on escaping from the iron fists and paws of Team Rocket's kingdom? Stay tuned for chapter 3 to find out.