The Incredible Poke-Odyssey chapter 6

The Not So Slow-Pokemon

Cameron and friends were now traveling across a beautiful beach, along 
with their new companion Seymour Scientist, heading for Cerulean City.

"Isn't this beach wonderful?!" smiled Misty with stars in her eyes, "I 
haven't seen the beautiful blue ocean in five years!  It's much better 
than looking at dirty sewer water.  I was getting sick of that stuff!"

"Mainly that's because people have gotten sick in that water", laughed 
Stella.

"This beach is very special to me!" smiled Misty, "This is where my 
sisters and I used to hang out every summer.  I can still remember the 
spot where they use to bury me in the sand.  And then they go leave 
with some tattoo-coated bikers and come back for me in about a week!" 
Then she started to frown.

"Gee, I knew Misty's sisters always picked on her", thought Cameron, 
"But not like that!"

"But I'm not gonna let that incident spoil my mood!" smiled Misty as 
she threw off her yellow jacket and jeans showing off her red bikini. 
"It's time for some fun in the sun!"

"But Misty, we don't have time for any beach fun", said Brock.

"Yeah", agreed Jenny, "Team Rocket's still on our trail and they could 
spot us easily in this wide open beach!"

"Oh all right!" sighed Misty as she slowly got dressed, "But can we 
please go shell collecting along the way?  I'd go ballistic if we left 
a beach and I didn't bring back any shells with me."

"I suppose that would be okay", said Jenny, "Just as long as we keep 
moving."

So our heroes kept walking, with their shoes off, so they could enjoy 
the water splashing against their feet.  Cameron smiled as he watched 
Sandy run across the stuff he feels right at home in.  Sand!  He almost 
blended in with the beach.  Misty was picking up any shell she could 
find with glee while her Seaking and Staryu were swimming along beside 
her.  Psyduck waddled right behind her for he still didn't know how to 
swim.  Brock and Stella walked together holding each other in the 
romantic atmosphere. 

Jenny looked over at Seymour and noticed that his face was bright red 
and he was sweating terribly.  She took out a small tube and approached 
him. "Seymour, I think you need some sun screen", said Jenny as she 
took off his glasses and applied the cream all over his face.

"Uh thank you Officer Jenny", said Seymour turning even redder than 
ever, "When you live in the mountains all your life, you don't tend to 
get much heat."

"Please just call me Jenny", smiled Jenny.

"Okay Jenny", smiled Seymour, "I think you might need some of that sun 
screen yourself.  You're becoming red too."

"Oh my", said Jenny as she looked into her compact mirror.  But it 
wasn't a sunburn red, it was another kind of red. ;)

"Just look at all these pretty shells I found!" giggled Misty as she 
held out her backpack filled with shells of every shape and size.

"It looks like someone else found his own shell too", said Cameron as 
he pointed to Psyduck who had his bill against a huge spiral shell.

"Maybe Psyduck does take after you after all", smiled Brock.

"If only he could take after my brains", sighed Misty.

"That looks like a Slowbro shell", said Seymour.

"Slowbro?" asked Cameron as he took out his Pokedex.

"SLOWBRO, the hermit crab Pokemon", replied Dexeena, "This Pokemon can 
only be formed when a Shellder clamps on to a Slowpoke's tail.  When 
that happens, they instantly evolve into a Slowbro."

"Yes", said Seymour, "Usually all Shellders are bivalve shaped but once 
they combine with a Slowbro, it suddenly becomes spiral shaped.  It's 
been a mystery to all us scientists."

"It looks like the Slowbro abandoned its shell", said Cameron, "And 
Psyduck's trying to use it as a horn."  Misty was shocked as she saw 
Psyduck trying to blow through the shell like he was Dizzy Gillespeie.  
Even his cheeks were puffing up like crazy.  But instead of notes, out 
popped little round things.

"YOU STUPID PSYDUCK!!!" shouted Misty as she shook Psyduck around 
causing him to drop the shell and let all of the round things spill 
onto the beach. "You can't even respect your own watery kind can you?!"

"PSY-YAI-YAI!" shouted Psyduck while clutching its head. 

"Careful Misty", said Cameron, "It looks like Psyduck's losing his 
marbles!"

"Those aren't marbles", said Misty as she stuffed Psyduck back into his 
Pokeball, "Those are Slowpoke eggs.  You usually find them in abandoned 
Slowbro shells."

"But where's the Mamma Slowbro?" asked Cameron, "She just didn't 
abandon her children.  Did she?"

"Of course she did", said Seymour, "You see Cameron, the Shellder 
doesn't live as long as a Slowbro.  When the Shellder dies, the Slowbro 
eats the meat of the Shellder and then lays its eggs into the empty 
shell.  Once the Slowbro finds a safe secluded spot for its young.  The 
Slowbro then goes into the ocean and dies."

"Wow", said Cameron, "That means all those poor little Slowpokes have 
to fend for themselves once they're born."

"Well at least they won't have to worry about forgetting when Mother's 
Day is", said Brock.

"Look", said Stella, "Some of the eggs are cracking up."

"That means it's time for the next generation of Slowpokes to arrive", 
said Misty, "Everyone get behind that huge rock over there.  It's not 
good for newborn Slowpokes to see humans."  Everyone followed Misty to 
a huge rock that was big enough for six humans to hide behind and there 
they watched a most amazing and beautiful sight.  One by one, a cute 
little pink Pokemon hatched out of each egg.  They had faces that 
looked like hippos, and very long tails.  They were no bigger than your 
hand and they kept saying "Slowpoke!" in cute sounding voices.  Cameron 
took out his Pokedex again.

"SLOWPOKE, the dopey Pokemon", replied Dexeena, "This water-psychic 
Pokemon is so slow and dopey, it takes five seconds for it to feel pain 
when under attack."

"I don't think they look dopey", said Jenny, "I think they look so cute 
and tiny."

"Aren't Slowpokes usually bigger?" asked Brock, "About the size of a 
dog?"

"They'll get bigger", said Misty, "Just as soon as they get into the 
ocean and swim around for a year."

"Correct", said Seymour, "It's like when you put a tiny fish into a 
bathtub.  It might get too big for your fishbowl."

"There they go", said Stella as they watched about 30 Slowpokes leave 
the shell and the hatched eggs and crawl off into the sea. 

"Happy journey to all of you", sighed Misty who just loved watching the 
habits of water Pokemon.

"Hey, that one hasn't left yet", said Cameron pointing to one Slowpoke 
who was crawling around in the sand trying to find the water.  Instead, 
it kept banging its head against the rock they were all hiding behind.

"Psyduck must've given it stupid germs", thought Misty.  Just then they 
heard a loud cawing sound shouting "FEEAARROOOW!" Everyone looked up 
and found a huge bird with large wings and a sharp scary looking beak.  
Cameron aimed his Pokedex at it.

"FEAROW, the beak Pokemon, the evolved form of Spearow", replied 
Dexeena, "With its huge and magnificent wings, it can stay aloft 
without ever having to land for rest.  It usually likes to fly around 
looking for food like clueless little Slowpokes!"

"Everyone duck down!" shouted Jenny as the Fearow swooped down, grabbed 
the poor Slowpoke with its talon and flew off."

"SLOWPOKE!" cried the frightened Slowpoke.

"That poor little Slowpoke was just born!" shouted Cameron, "That bird 
can't do this!"

"Actually it can", said Brock, "It's the way nature works."

"Well I just can't stand here and watch an innocent baby get eaten by 
that anti-stork!" shouted Cameron, "Sandy, use your swift attack to 
bring that Fearow down!"

"No Cameron!" shouted Misty, "You don't know what you're doing!"

"Shrew!" said Sandy as he pulled some glowing stars out of his armor 
and started throwing them at the Fearow like a trained ninja.  Fearow 
cawed loudly and let go of the Slowpoke.  Cameron started to run and 
then slid across the sand until the Slowpoke landed safely in his hand.

"You're safe now kid", smiled Cameorn.

"Slowpoke", said the Slowpoke gratefully as it hugged Cameron's finger 
with its tail.  

"Now you've done it hero!" shouted Misty, "We're all gonna become Swiss 
cheese now that you've ticked off that Fearow!"

"FEAROW!" shouted the bird as it started to soar down at our heroes 
while its beak started to spin around like a drill.

"Go Pokeball!" shouted Cameron as he threw an open Pokeball at Fearow.  
But Fearow just destroyed it with its beak.

"That's Fearow's drill peck!" shouted Jenny, "Its most powerful attack!"

"Zubat, I choose you!" shouted Cameron as he released his Zubat.

"Zubat, use your supersonic attack to confuse that Fearow!" commanded 
Cameron.

"Zubat!" replied the bat as it flew up in front of Fearow and launched 
a bunch of sonic waves.  Fearow managed to dodge out of the way and 
shot some sonic waves back at Zubat causing it to become confused and 
crash down onto the ground.

"ZUBAT!" cried Cameron as he picked up his poor friend in one hand 
while holding Slowpoke in the other, "I thought Fearows couldn't learn 
supersonic", he said.

"They can if they use a mirror move attack", said Brock, "Fearows have 
the ability to copy any attack that's launched at them."

"And it looks like it's gonna stick to its original harmful attack 
right now!" shouted Stella as Fearow started up its drill peck again.  
Everyone started running like crazy until Seymour threw out two of his 
Pokeballs releasing Clefairy and Clefable.

"Seymour, what are you doing?!" shouted Jenny.

"Protecting us", shouted Seymour, "Okay guys, use your light screen!"  
Clefairy and Clefable pointed to the Fearow and a huge flashing light 
started to appear causing Fearow to crash into something.  When the 
light cleared, our heroes found themselves protected in a huge glowing 
dome.  Fearow flew away crookedly along with a crooked beak.

"Nice work you guys", smiled Seymour as Clefairy and Clefable undid 
their light screen and hugged each other happily.

"Cameron how could you do something that dumb?!" shouted Misty, "Going 
against a deadly Fearow just to save one tiny Pokemon?"

"I just couldn't stand to see this cute little Slowpoke get eaten", 
said Cameron as he tickled Slowpoke's belly while it laughed, "Slow!"

"Misty's right", said Brock, "I really think it would've been smarter 
if you let nature take its course."

"You know", said Cameron angrily, "That exactly sounds like the time 
when Ash got captured by Team Rocket and you didn't do a thing to help 
him!"  Misty, Brock, and Stella hung their heads down in shame.

"You just had to bring that up!" sighed Misty.

"You're right Cameron", said Stella, "I just wish we had the morals 
that you and Ash have.  That way we'd be better friends and better 
people."

"Let's all make a pact to be better friends and help each other out and 
those who need help along the way", said Brock.

"Agreed!" said the group as they all joined hands in friendship.  Then 
Cameron looked at the new friend he had in his hand. "Would you like to 
come with me?" asked Cameron.

"Slowpoke!" it said in a slow happy voice.

"Cameron, it can't come with you", said Misty, "It has to get into the 
ocean and swim around for a year.  Otherwise it'll stay that puny size 
forever."

"But we've become friends", said Cameron.  

"I'm afraid Misty's right Cameron", said Seymour, "You wouldn't want to 
deny a Slowpoke's rightful size would you?"

"Trust me", said Misty, "I'm a water Pokemon expert.  I know about this 
stuff."

"Oh, okay", sighed Cameron as he bent down to put Slowpoke back onto 
the beach.  But it wouldn't let go of Cameron's wrist for its tail was 
wrapped around it tight.

"Sorry, I'd like for you to come with me but I can't", said Cameron as 
he pried Slowpoke off his wrist and faced it to the ocean. "The sea is 
where you rightfully belong along with your brothers and sisters."

"Slowpoke!" it said in a sad little voice.  Cameron started to feel sad 
too as he stared at the tiny Slowpoke, but Misty turned him around and 
made him walk off along with the rest of the group. "Just keep 
walking", said Misty. "And let it get on with its natural Slowpoke 
life."

As they continued walking Sandy turned around, then tugged Cameron's 
pants leg and replied, "Shrew!"

"What is it Sandy?" asked Cameron, "They all turned around found the 
Slowpoke following after them pretty fast.

"That Slowpoke sure isn't living up to its name", said Stella.

"I guess this means it really does want to come with me", smiled 
Cameron.

"But it can't", protested Misty, "It won't be healthy if it stays that 
small size.  This is why humans should not be around when Slowpokes 
hatch!"

"Cameron, you have to convince Slowpoke that it'll be more comfortable 
in the water", said Brock, "Put it into the water and let it feel the 
coolness and pure saltiness of its natural habitat."

"Oh, okay", sighed Cameron as he picked up Slowpoke and put it into the 
shallow end of the water.  It seemed to like the stuff a lot and 
started swimming around in it like a pro.

"You did the right thing Cameron", said Misty as she placed her hands 
on his shoulders. "Now let's all get away from this spot fast before 
Slowpoke tries to follow us again."

This time everyone started to run across the beach hoping the Slowpoke 
wouldn't try to follow again.  But Cameron wished it would.  Just then 
he heard everyone scream.  He and Sandy turned around and found a huge 
pit in place of their friends.  They rushed over and found everyone 
lying in the deep pit piled on top of each other.

"Are you guys all right?" asked Cameron.

"We're in a dirty pit and I'm at the bottom of this pile!" grumbled 
Misty, "What do you think?!"

"Uh oh", said Brock, "Whenever any of us lands in a pit, that means 
only one thing!"

"I was afraid you were going to say that", said Cameron knowing what 
usually comes next whenever someone falls into a pit on the TV show.  
Just then, he and Sandy saw something digging a path right toward 
them.  Then Meowth popped out from the sand wearing fake rabbit ears 
and holding a carrot.

"Eh" he said while crunching the carrot, "How's it hangin' Nurse?" Then 
Meowth got kicked into the sky from Reiko's black boot.

"Prepare for trouble", said Reiko as she did a double back flip from 
out of the ground.

"And make it, COUGH, COUGH, HACK, COUGH", said James as he emerged from 
the ground coughing up sand and old fishbones.

Reiko: "To protect the world from devastation!"
James: "To unite all peoples within our nation!"
Reiko: "To denounce the evils of truth and love!"
James: "To extend our reach to the stars above!"
Reiko: "For my glorious Queen Jessie!"
James: "And King James!"
Reiko: "Team Rocket blast off at the speed of light!"
James: "Surrender now or prepare to fight!"

"MEEOOOWWTHHH, THHHAAAT'S  RIIIGGGHHT!" shouted Meowth as he landed 
onto the sand with his carrot stuck to his nose like a snowman.

"I guess you were right James-san", said Reiko bowing to him, "The 
classic hidden pit trap may be old and unimaginative, but it seems to 
get results."

"Yes Reiko", smiled James, "You should always listen to those who are 
older than you to receive wisdom."

"I'm only 9 years old and I've never received any wisdom from the older-
than-me dimwit!" sneered Meowth. "Besides, you haven't caught all of 
them." And he pointed a claw to Cameron and Sandy.

"Get out of here while you can!" shouted Jenny from the pit.

"And leave you to get taken back to Rocketville to be punished?" asked 
Cameron, "I don't think so!" 

"If he gets any more noble, I'm gonna get him a Ponyta's feedbag", said 
Misty.

"Like the Bellsprout that won't let tiny bugs escape until they're 
slowly and painfully digested, you won't escape my wrath either!" 
smiled Reiko as she took out a rope and was about to tie up Cameron.  
But then Sandy jumped right between them and started slashing Reiko's 
rope to pieces.

"Thank's again Sandy", smiled Cameron.  "Shrew!" replied Sandy giving 
him a claws up.

"Why you upstart Sandshrew!" yelled Reiko, "You will pay for 
dishonoring me!  Go Tentacruel!" she shouted as she released her 
Tentacruel that was looking even meaner than ever.

"Sandy, use your sand attack on it!" commanded Cameron.

"Tentacruel, water gun now!" commandaed Reiko.  Tentacruel quickly shot 
a powerful jet of water at the approaching blast of sand dampening it 
along with poor Sandy.

"SANDY!" cried Cameron as he picked up his poor soaked Sandshrew who 
replied, "Sandshrew!" which meant, "I'm sorry."

"Like a hut made of mud that disappears when the rainstorm comes, 
there's no way your puny Sandshrew can protect you now!" laughed Reiko.

"But I've still got more!" shouted an angry Cameron.  He put Sandy back 
into his Pokeball and then released his Zubat.  But Zubat just fell to 
the sand still dazed and confused.

"Oh no!" gasped Cameron, "Zubat's still pretty wiped out from that 
Fearow attack!"

"My what a foolish Pokemon trainer you are", laughed Reiko, 
"Tentacruel, constrict that little bloodsucker!"

"Cruel!" said Tentacruel as it picked up Zubat with one of its tendrils 
and started to squeeze the very life out of it.

"Zubat, return!" shouted Cameron as he tried to suck Zubat back into 
its Pokeball but couldn't for Tentacruel's grip was very powerful. 
"It's all up to you now!" said Cameron as he took out his last Pokeball 
and released Oddish.

"Oddish, sleep powder now!" commanded Cameron.  Oddish opened its tiny 
mouth and coughed up the biggest cloud of pollen at Tentacruel and 
Zubat causing them both to fall right asleep.  Tentacruel then released 
Zubat so Cameron could pull it back into its Pokeball. "Nice work 
Oddish", smiled Cameron, "You saved Zubat and given it a chance to 
rest up its power too."

"Oddish!" said Oddish blushing.

"Tentacruel, awaken this minute!" ordered an angry Reiko who was 
shaking Tentacruel's tendrils trying to wake it up but with no luck at 
all.

"Give it up Reiko", said Meowth, "That squid's just checked into 
Slumberland."

"I guess it's time for the Rocket expert to step in", said James as he 
took out a Pokeball.

"Not so fast James-san", said Reiko as she put Tentacruel back into its 
Pokeball, "I still have one more Pokemon up my pants leg", and she 
reached into her boot and pulled out another Pokeball. "Go Kingler!" 
she shouted and released a gigantic crab with claws almost bigger than 
Cameron's body.

"What a cool Kingler", said Cameron.

"Kingler!" said the crab winking at him.

"Thank you", smiled Reiko, "I always give it a healthy diet of 
crabgrass and I keep its claws sharp by letting it play with my katana 
collection and.... Wait a minute!" she shouted, "I'm letting my guard 
down!  I must remember to punish myself later for that!  Kingler, water 
gun now!"

"KING!" said Kingler as it started to squirt some water at Oddish.  But 
Oddish just absorbed it all making it look a lot stronger.

"Thank's" said Cameron, "You saved me the trouble of having to water 
Oddish today."

"King, Kingler", smiled Kingler which meant, "Your welcome."

"Yes Kingler, you should be rewarded", smiled Reiko, "How about with a 
frozen vegetable dinner?  Ice beam that Oddish!"

"KING!" said Kingler as it shot a cold beam from its mouth and hit 
Oddish, freezing it in a block of ice. 

"ODDISH!" cried Cameron as he tried to pick up the frozen Pokemon but 
couldn't for it was too cold to touch with his bare hands.  He was 
forced to suck Oddish back into its Pokeball.

"Go on boy", laughed Reiko, "Send out your next Pokemon.  Kingler's 
just getting started!"

"But I don't have anymore left", said Cameron.

"Then in that case, it's time for you to come with us prisoner!" smiled 
Reiko as she took out some more rope.  Just then the little Slowpoke 
jumped right in front of Cameron and shouted, "Slowpoke, Slowpoke!"

"What's it saying Meowth?" asked James.

"It's saying, please don't hurt my mamma!" said Meowth who was laughing 
to death.

"That little pipsqueak thinks the boy's its mother?" said James who was 
also laughing out loud. "I wonder who the father is?!"

"I'm a mother?!" gasped Cameron looking down at the Slowpoke getting 
ready to defend its parental unit.

"HA HA HA!" laughed Reiko and Kingler at the same time. "So the tiny 
but tough Pokemon is gonna fight to save its poor weak mother!" laughed 
Reiko, "Kingler, remove this pest if you would." Kingler just flicked 
Slowpoke away with its claw causing it to roll into a nearby post and 
hit its head.

"How could you?" cried Cameron, "It was just born today!"

"It's the way nature works", said Reiko, "The big and strong must 
always triumph over the small and weak!  And now I'm going to 
demonstrate it again by using you and me!" She grabbed Cameron by the 
shirt and was about to slug him hard until they heard an angry voice 
shout, "SLOWPOKE!!!!"  They saw Slowpoke approaching Reiko slowly while 
huge question marks were flashing all around it.

"What on Earth is it doing?" asked Reiko as she let go of Cameron.

"I think that's Slowpoke's amnesia", said Cameron. "It uses amnesia to 
forget its own pain and launch an even powerful attack."

"Well we won't give that slow one a chance", grumbled Reiko, "Kingler, 
bubble attack now!"

"KING!" shouted Kingler as it started shooting a horde of bubbles at 
Slowpoke.  But Slowpoke started to glow a strange color and some the 
bubbles started to merge into one big bubble bouncing back to Kingler 
and Reiko sealing them both in.

"What is the meaning of this?!" shouted Reiko as the bubble started to 
bounce up and down like crazy.

"That must be Slowpoke's confusion attack", smiled Cameron, "Now you're 
all in for it!" Then the rest of Kingler's bubbles formed into another 
huge bubble and started to bounce right at James and Meowth sealing them 
both in while bouncing them around as well.

"For once I wish someone would actually burst my bubble!" shouted 
Meowth.

"At least we'll stay fresh for a while", said James.  Then both bubbles 
started to bounce off into the horizon.

"It looks like Team Rocket's bouncing off again!" they all shouted.

"Thank you Slowpoke", smiled Cameron as he picked up his friend, "I 
would've been Rocket chow if you hadn't come along."

"Slow" replied the happy Slowpoke wrapping its tail around Cameron's 
finger again.

"Hey Cameron, way to go!" shouted Brock as he and the others emerged 
from the pit thanks to his Onix.

"You've handled that newborn Slowpoke very nicely", smiled Stella, "I'm 
very impressed."

"And did I just hear Meowth say that Slowpoke thinks you're its mother?" 
laughed Misty, "That's rich!"

"Just like how Togepi thinks you're its mother too?" asked Brock.

"Well I guess I'm rich too!" said Misty while sweating. "But you're 
still going to have to let it go back into the water Cameron, otherwise 
you won't have it for long."

"I just wish there was some other way", said Cameron sadly.  Just then 
Slowpoke started to grow really fast.  Cameron now had to hold it with 
both hands for now it was the size of a dog, the proper size that all 
full-grown Slowpokes should be.

"Hey, you're all grown up now!" said Cameron surprised, but happy.

"Slowpoke!" said Slowpoke in a deeper voice.

"Kids sure grow up fast these days", said Jenny.

"I guess defeating that high-level Kingler gave Slowpoke enough 
experience points for it to grow up into a full sized one", said 
Seymour.

"Well that changes everything!" smiled Misty, "Slowpoke can now be your 
Pokemon Cameron."

"Really for truly?" asked Cameron smiling at the Pokemon he was holding.

"Now that it's a full sized Slowpoke, it doesn't need to swim around in 
the ocean", said Misty, "I'm now happy to say that it can come along 
with you!"

"Thank you Misty" smiled Cameron and then looked at his new Pokemon. 
"Did you hear that Slowpoke?" he asked, "You can now finally come with 
me?  What do you say?"

"Slowpoke!" it said happily.

"I think it just called you Mamma", said Brock.

"Uh, listen Slowpoke", said Cameron nicely, "I really appreciate your 
affection, but I'm not your mother.  I'd prefer you think of me as your 
trainer and friend."

"Slowpoke!" it replied in the same tone.

"I believe that still means Mamma", giggled Misty.

"That's okay", smiled Cameron, "I'm just happy to have it on my team.  
Hey guys, come on out and meet the newest member."  He took out all 
three of his Pokeballs and released his Pokemon who weren't looking so 
hot.  Zubat was still sleeping, Oddish was still frozen, and Sandy was 
still terribly damp and crumbly.

"Oh no, I forgot!" gasped Cameron, "We've gotta get them to the nearest 
Pokemon center!"

"Wait, I see one about a mile ahead!" said Jenny, "In Cerulean City.  
Let's hurry everyone!" 

So Cameron called back all three of his injured Pokemon, put Slowpoke 
inside its very own Pokeball, and the six humans rushed off to Cerulean 
City while Seymour started up a poem.

"A boy met a Slowpoke, so tiny, so frail.
He wanted to own it, but that could not prevail.
It had to go to the sea so it could grow big and strong.
So the poor boy had to tell the Slowpoke, "So long."
But the Slowpoke would not give up on its newfound friend.
It followed and protected him right to the end.
And because that little Slowpoke had a great big heart,
It grew for the boy so their friendship could start."

"Very weird!" whispered Stella.

Jenny just giggled.

TO BE CONTINUED