Poke-Odyssey 2001 chapter 7 The Desert Duel Today, our heroes have finally left the hot and leafy Tabasco Jungle and were now traveling through the even hotter and dusty Wasabi Desert. Unfortunately, they had used up all the water from their canteens and they were completely out of the stuff. "I don't believe this!" whined Misty. "First we trudge through a bug infested steamy jungle and now we're marching through a dry, waterless desert! Is there no justice in this life?!" "Is there any day of the week you don't complain Misty?" asked Ash. "Only when you're not around to complain to my ever listening guy", said Misty now smiling. "Oh great", said Ash. "Now you're making me sweat even more!" "How are you doing Sandy?" asked Cameron who was sweating as much as everyone else. "Shrew!" smiled Sandy who was happily skipping along the dry sand that matched the color of his body. "I guess heat and sand doesn't bother you at all since you're made of the stuff", sighed Cameron. "How far is the next gym Tracey?" asked Ash. "According to my map", said Tracey. "The Wasabi gym should just be north if we keep walking non-stop for about 3 days." "Three days without shade or water?!" cried Misty. "I won't be able to stand it! WAAAAAAH!" and water started gushing out of her eyes while everyone, except Ash, covered their ears. "Hey thanks Mist", smiled Ash as he took out a paper cup and filled it with Misty's tears and was about to drink it. "Don't do that Ash!" shouted Tracey. "Don't you know that tear water has salt in it?" "Yes", said Reiko. "Like the foolish Psyduck that tries to refresh its scorched throat with water from the sea. It could lead to dire consequences." "And it wouldn't really taste good either", said Cameron. "Believe me, I tried tasting my tears one time." "Oh, all right!" groaned Ash as he handed the cup to Misty. "Here are your tears back my little water sprite", he said with a goofy smile. A sweatdropping Misty looked funny at the water. But she just took it and decided to dump it all on Ash's head. "There", she smiled. "Even though you can't drink my water, you can still get drenched with it." "Thanks Mist", said Ash feeling a little refreshed. "Say Misty-chan", asked Reiko. "Can you cry up some more water for us?" "Sorry, but my eyes are too drained", sighed Misty. "I'm too hot to cry or wail again right now." "Maybe all our water Pokemon can cool us off with their water gun and surf powers", said Cameron as he was about to release his Slowking. "Yeah, that's a good idea Cam", smiled Ash as he was about to release his Blastoise. "You're a brilliant hero my Came-chan", smiled Reiko as she was about to release Tentacruel and Kingler. "You can't do that Cameron!" said Tracey. "I have to actually agree with that", sighed Misty. "You should never let water Pokemon use up all their water while traveling in the desert. Otherwise, they'd completely dry up and die." "Oh, all right", sighed Cameron as he put Slowking's Pokeball back on his belt while Ash and Reiko did the same thing with their balls. "It is so unfair!" sighed Reiko. "Like the world's richest man who's stranded on a deserted island with all his money but with no food or drink to spend it with, we all have refreshing water Pokemon that cannot help us right now!" "I know!" smiled Misty. "My Togepi has the power to metronome up ice cream. How about it Togepi? Can you help us with your most delicious attack?" "Toge, Togepi!" smiled Togepi as it jumped out of Misty's arms and started wiggling its hands around starting up its metronome attack. Everyone pulled out some bowls and spoons excitingly waiting for their throat-quenching treat. But however, instead of ice cream, Togepi could only made hot fudge sauce appear and it dumped all over our heroes. "Yeech!" groaned Ash as he flicked the chocolate out of his eyes. "Has your Togepi been watching Willy Wonka lately?" "Togepi! What happened to that ice cream technique that Cleffa taught you back in that Pokemon center?" scolded a chocolate Misty. "PIIIII!" cried Togepi as it started crying for disappointing its mother. "Please go easy on Togepi Misty", said Cameron. "I remember when I used metronome on my Gameboy, I never knew what was gonna happen. Sometimes it was a weak attack like splash while other times it was a powerful attack like hyper beam. Togepi didn't mean to dump all that syrup on us, it was just an effect of the unpredictable metronome." Misty looked down at her sad Togepi, then smiled and picked it up. "I'm sorry Togepi", said Misty. "I should've realized that you or any other Pokemon would have no control of the tricky metronome. Can you please forgive me?" "Pi!" smiled Togepi as it started licking away at its chocolate-coated mother. "Aw, my cute little egg baby!" smiled Misty as she hugged Togepi until it too was covered with chocolate. "You look like a Cadbury Creme Egg Togepi!" laughed Cameron. "Well we'd better find some way to get this chocolate off of us before the sun dries it and we end up become choco-statues", said Tracey who was starting to get stiff. "I guess I have no choice", sighed Misty. "Golduck is the strongest of my water Pokemon, so he can spare a little water to wash us all off." And she released her Golduck. "Gol?" asked Golduck wondering why all his friends were suddenly brown colored and sweet smelling. "It's a long story Golduck", said Misty. "But can you wash us all off with a little of your water gun? But save a little for yourself though." "Gol", replied Golduck as he squirted water on our heroes until they were clean again. "Thank you Golduck", smiled Misty as she hugged her duck. "That Golduck sure is awesome", thought Cameron. "Who could've imagined that same duck was once the klutzy clueless Psyduck that drove Misty crazy?" "PSI YAI YAI YAI YAI!" cried Golduck as he started jumping up and down like crazy for the hot sand was burning the soles of his webbed feet. "Golduck, return!" sighed Misty as she sucked Golduck back into his ball. "Then again...." Thought Cameron. * * * * * * Our heroes kept walking through the desert that seemed to get hotter by the minute. "How much hotter is this place gonna get?" complained Ash as he peeled off his shirt. Tracey took out a thermometer and the temperature started rising and rising until the red liquid exploded from the top like a bloody fountain. "This is strange", said Tracey. "The Wasabi desert usually never gets this hot!" "At least Sandy likes this weather", said Cameron as he looked down at Sandy who didn't look at all happy. He was spread out on the sand panting a mournful, "SHREW!" "Sandy, what's happened to you?!" cried Cameron as he picked up Sandy who felt very hot as well. "I thought you Sandshrews liked living in hot deserts." "SHREW!" moaned Sandy as he completely passed out. "Sandy, you're burning up!" cried Cameron in a panic. "Even if he doesn't like it, we have to get him some water somehow!" "He's not the only one!" cried Ash as he carried a passed out Misty in his arms while she was holding onto a passed out Pikachu and Togepi. "Reiko, are you all right?" asked Cameron who was looking at his panting and sweating love. "I am sorry Came-chan", puffed Reiko as she fainted. "But like the Seel that thinks it can survive out of icy enviroments forever, I do not think I can survive this Magmar's heart I'm traveling through anymore!" and she passed out too along with Growlithe. "Rei..!" cried Cameron, but couldn't finish that name for he passed out too still holding onto Sandy. "Why are we suddenly burning up like this?!" cried Tracey and then he suddenly passed out. * * * * * Up in the sky, Team Rocket was floating above in their balloon. They were holding a gigantic magnifying glass right under our heroes causing them to get even hotter. "I hadn't had this much fun since I toasted the school nerd's Weedle farm!" cackled Jessie. "I like my twerps sunny side down!" snickered James. "And this is definitely sunny for them!" "Hey look, the last goody-good had finally kicked the empty ice bucket!" laughed Meowth as he saw Ash fall down unconscious. "HA HA HA HA!" laughed all three Rockets as James broke out his ice cooler and handed himself and his teammates some cherry slushees. "To the end of Ketchum, Fusterman, that traitor Reiko, and those other two twerps!" smiled Jessie as she and the others clapped their paper cups together. "Hey, let's go down there and see if they're still alive", laughed Meowth. "If they are, we can force them to watch us drink these cool refreshing slushees and gag them so they won't get one drop!" "Ooooh! I like that!" snickered Jessie. "But first, let's toast them some more so they'll be even thirstier!" "Hey, what's that?" asked James as he pointed to something that was flying their way. It was a mysterious looking bird with a boy riding on its back. "Xatu, use your psychic power to destroy that glass!" said the boy in an Egyptian accent. "XATU!" cooed the bird as it used its psychic powers to drag the huge magnifying glass away from Team Rocket. Then the glass started twisting up and shrinking down until it disappeared from sight. "Hey you birdbrains!" shouted Meowth. "Don't you know how much that huge magnifying glass costs us?" "You could've at least kept it around so we could recycle it for our next evil scheme!" shouted James. "Well now I get to destroy something of yours!" shouted Jessie as she took out her bazooka. She fired a missile at the boy and the bird but they just teleported away from the missile's path. "Hey, where'd they go?" asked James puzzled. "Xatu, solarbeam now!" called out the boy's voice. "Uh, oh!" the 3 Rockets said as they nervously turned around and found the bird absorbing sunlight and then firing a powerful golden beam at their balloon popping it. The balloon started to blow away while the Rockets were holding onto it with their dear lives. "Why is it almost every place we go, they have their own twerp foiling our plans?!" whined Jessie. "At least this is a nice breeze!" said James. "Are you talking about the breeze in your head?" grumbled Meowth as they blew away from sight. "Looks like Team Rocket's blowing away its hot air again!" they all shouted. "Nice work Xatu", said the boy as he patted the bird's green head. "Now take us down please." "Xatu!" cooed Xatu as they landed right next to our fainted heroes. The boy got off of Xatu's back and studied their dried-up bodies. "You were right Xatu", said the boy. "Some poor travelers would be needing our help today. Please teleport us all home immediately!" "XATU!" said Xatu as it extended its beautiful wings, glowed brightly, and teleported out of sight taking the boy and our heroes with it. * * * * * * Cameron soon woke up to something cool and wet on his face. "Ah, water!" he sighed of relief. "Thank you! Thank you!" "Shrew!" said a happy voice. Cameron opened his eyes and found out it was Sandy giving him his usual loving tongue bath. "Sandy!" he said as he sat up and picked up his Sandshrew. "You're all better! But where are we?" Cameron looked around and found he was lying on a fancy bed in a royal looking bedroom. "Is all this a mirage?" he asked. "Oh no my friend. It is very real", said an Egyptian-accented voice. Cameron looked at the doorway and a 15 year old boy had walked in. He had very tan skin and black hair with a blue headband and he was wearing baggy white pants and a red unbuttoned vest. "Ah, so you are the next one in your group to awaken", smiled the boy as he handed Cameron a goblet of juice. "Drink up my friend", smiled the boy. "This juice was made from my loving Shuckle." "Oh, uh, Thank you", said Cameron drinking up the juice gratefully. He didn't know what a Shuckle was, but he was too extremely thirsty to care where it came from. "My name is Leo Patra", said the boy extending his hand out to him. "How do you do?" "I'm Cameron Fusterman", said Cameron shaking hands with him. "And this here is Sandy." "Shrew!" said Sandy extending a claw of friendship out to Leo. "My, what a strong and lively Sandshrew you have", smiled Leo as he picked up Sandy. "I've always admired the mighty Sandshrew. How it can survive in the desert for months without water. It is truly a samurai of the sand." "Shrew!" said Sandy smiling while blushing a sandy red. "Wait, where are my friends?" asked Cameron. "I was traveling along with four other people." "Don't worry", said Leo. "Three of your friends are relaxing in my rec-room right now while the one called Ash is still asleep. Come on. I will take you to them." So Cameron picked up Sandy, got out of the bed and followed Leo through a huge hallway filled with valuable urns, Egyptian statues, and paintings of famous looking pharaohs. "Wow, are you some kind of prince?" asked Cameron. "Not really", said Leo. "But my father is extremely wealthy. He owns over 200 oil wells in the Wasabi Desert. You might say he has a black thumb." Then Leo pushed open two huge doors and showed Cameron and Sandy in. They marveled at the huge rec-room that had 6 large screen TVs, a juice bar, and a huge Olympic-sized swimming pool filled with all of Misty's and Reiko's water Pokemon along with Tracey's Marill swimming around all refreshed and happy. "If you have any water Pokemon with you, it might be a good idea to let them cool off in my pool", said Leo. "Okay, thanks", smiled Cameron as he released Slowking into the pool and he floated around happily with all his other water Pokemon pals. "Hi Cameron, I'm so glad you're all better again", called out Misty's voice. Cameron turned around and smiled as he saw Misty, Tracey, Togepi, Growlithe, and Pikachu sitting on a pile of pillows while two servants were fanning them with huge leaves. "Our new friend really knows how to live it up", smiled Misty as she laid back and ate a caviar covered cracker. "And this Shuckle knows how to make the best berry juice around", smiled Tracey as he put his goblet up to a strange looking spotted rock and juice started pouring out one of the holes. "Thanks again Shuckle", smiled Tracey as a cute little bug's head popped out from the hole and cooed out a friendly, "Shuckle!" "So that's a Shuckle", said Cameron as he took out his Pokedex. "SHUCKLE: the mold Pokemon", replied Dextra: "The berries it stores in its vase-like shell decompose and become a gooey liquid with healing properties." "And it certainly worked very well", said Tracey. "If it weren't for Leo and his Shuckle, we would've died from heat exhaustion." "And I wouldn't be enjoying this pleasurable treatment", called out Reiko's voice. Cameron turned around and was shocked to see his girlfriend lying on a table wrapped in a white towel getting her shoulders rubbed by a strong handsome man. "Oh, hi Cameron", said Reiko looking up at Cameron. "I didn't hear you come in. Like the Kangaskhan baby that feels comfortable in its mother's pouch. The things Akbar here can do is just Heavenly!" and she sighed as the man squeezed her in a sensitive spot. "She called me just Cameron instead of Came-chan", thought Cameron while turning green with envy then red with rage as this muscle-bound dolt was touching his one and only true love. Then someone else who was also red came charging in screaming in pain. "Ash, what happened to you?!" gasped Misty as she saw her boyfriend dressed only in his jeans with his entire upper torso all red with sunburn. "Look at me!" Ash cried out in pain. "I look like a Magmar! I even feel like one too! OW!" he cried as Misty tried to touch his sunburned shoulder. "I am sorry that happened to you my friend", said Leo. "That's why it is important to always wear as much clothing as possible when traveling through the desert. For the sun always hungers for bare flesh." "Well I hope Mr. Sun has had a happy barbecue with me!" moaned Ash as he slowly sat down not wanting to lean back. "Do not worry", said Leo. "My servants will help you get better", and he clapped his hands and out came four beautiful girls dressed in harem clothing. They were each holding jars of soothing cold cream. "Maybe this sunburn is a good thing after all", thought Ash smiling then frowned for it hurt to smile with a burned mouth. "Back off bimbos!" growled Misty as she snatched all of the jars from the girls and pushed them out of the room with her mean look attack. "The only female hands that'll be touching his skin are mine!" "And I couldn't ask for better hands my Misty", sighed Ash. Misty went behind her boyfriend and started clapping all over his burned back like a bongo drum. "AUUGHH!" cried out Ash in pain. "That's for thinking about what those girls were gonna do with you!" scolded Misty. Ash frowned, then smiled while flinching as Misty started applying the cold cream to his red skin. "How did you ever find us so quickly Leo?" asked Tracey. "We had all collapsed in the middle of the desert with no sign of civilization for miles." "You can thank Xatu", smiled Leo. "It always tells me what's going to be happening in the future." "Xatu?" asked everyone. "Xatu!" cawed out a huge bird that was sitting on top of a perch high above the ceiling. "Come down here Xatu and meet our new friends", smiled Leo. Xatu complied and flew down onto the floor and extended its beautiful wings. There was a huge Egyptian eye on each wing. "That is the most magnificent bird I've ever seen", gasped Cameron as he activated his Dex again. "XATU: the mystic Pokemon", replied Dextra. "It is said that Xatu's right eye sees the future and that its left eye views the past." "Can Xatu really show you the future?" asked Misty amazed. "But of course", said Leo proudly. "Xatu, show everyone what you had showed me today with your past wing." "Xatu!" said Xatu as it extended its left wing and an image appeared in the eye. There they saw our heroes traveling through the desert while Team Rocket was shining a huge magnifying glass over them. "Team Rocket!" growled Ash all covered with cream. "So that's why we were even hotter!" said Tracey angrily. "You were lucky Xatu had showed me this today", said Leo. "Once I saw this injustice, we flew on out there, blew away those awful villains, and teleported you all back to my estate." "And we all thank you and your Xatu for saving us", said Cameron. "Xatu", said Xatu bowing down. "Yes", said Ash. "But exactly how far is your estate from the place you found us?" "It would've taken a three day walk to get to my home", said Leo. "My estate is the only known civilization for miles around this desert." "Then that must mean..." said Tracey. Just then Xatu extended its right wing and it showed Cameron challenging Leo for a Badge. "You're the Wasabi Desert gym leader!" gasped Tracey. "You are right", smiled Leo as he showed them his gym leader's license. "Xatu has shown me many trainers traveling through this desert on their way wanting to challenge me. And I bet I know which one of you is my next challenger." "I would like to challenge you", said Cameron, then realized those were the exact words he said when he looked into Xatu's wing. "Are you sure you're up to battling me?" asked Leo seriously. "All of my Pokemon are desert survivors. And to tell you the truth, I'm not sure if you can really defeat me seeing how you and your Sandshrew fainted out there in the heat." "That was mainly the fault of Team Rocket!" said Cameron. "Sandy, my Pokemon, and I can handle anything you dish out. Right Sandy?" "Shrew!" said Sandy while boxing with his shadow. "Very well then", said Leo. "Let the desert games begin!" * * * * * * A few minutes later, everyone was standing outside of Leo's estate. It was in the shape of a beautiful stone Meowth wearing a pharaoh's hat. "Wow, I'll bet Meowth would kill to live in a place like this", said Misty as she was holding an umbrella over a still burned Ash. "I wish that really were Meowth, so I can kill him!" grumbled Ash. "Care to wish me luck my radiant Reiko?" asked Cameron. "Sure, whatever!" said Reiko who was still under the spell of that massage. Cameron was about to complain until Leo called him over. "Well Cameron", he asked. "Are you ready for the challenges of the Wasabi Gym?" "You bet", said Cameron determined to win so he could win Reiko's heart back from that massage man. "We'll have three events. And the best two out of three will be the winner", explained Leo. "The first event will be a hole digging race." "Hole digging?" asked Cameron. "I never expected this! Wait a minute, digging is your specialty Sandy. You're sure to be good at this." "Shrew!" said Sandy clapping his claws together ready to show off his digging talent. "And here is my champion digger", smiled Leo, "Go Dunsparce!" and he released a flat yellow snake with tiny wings and a drill at the end of its tail. "Dunsparce!" it hissed. "Dunsparce?" asked Cameron as he pointed his Dex at the snake. "DUNSPARCE: the land snake Pokemon", replied Dextra. "When spotted, this Pokemon escapes backward by furiously boring into the ground with its drill-like tail." "The first Pokemon to dig a ten-foot hole will be the winner", said one of Leo's servants. Both Dunsparce and Sandy approached two Xs marked on the sand that were going to be the spots they were going to dig. "Ready, set, GO!" shouted the servant. Sandy started scooping out sand like crazy digging a deep hole while Dunsparce was doing the same burrowing with its amazing drill tail. "Go Sandy!" cheered on Cameron, but then stopped when some sand flew into his mouth and down his throat causing him to hack and cough. "More Shuckle juice?" asked Tracey handing Cameron a goblet. Sandy was still digging deeper while sweat was forming on his sandy skin. The moisture may've been painful to him but he kept on digging. He dug and dug until he finally came to a large stone that was in his way. Sandy tried to rock smash it, but the stone was too strong. He then noticed some writing on the stone that said, 10 feet. Sandy realized he had dug the ten-foot hole he was supposed to dug. Sandy then just laid down on the rock and panted a happy sigh. The servant looked down both holes and found both Sandy and Dunsparce lying on their destination stones all worn out. "Sandshrew has finished his hole one third faster than Dunsparce", he said. "Mr. Fusterman is the winner of this round." "Yes!" cried Cameron happily as he used Sandy's Pokeball beam to pull Sandy back up to him. "You truly are the king of diggers Sandy!" "Shrew!" said a tired but proud Sandshrew. "Very good Cameron", said Leo as he pulled Dunsparce back into its ball. "You are talented in the art of ground Pokemon, but can you handle the power of water?" "Ooooh! It sounds like the next battle's gonna be with water-types!" squealed Misty with delight. "The next event will be a well filling race", said Leo. "Whoever's Pokemon fills their hole with water up to the brim first will be the winner." "That sounds easy", smiled Cameron. "And I got the king of water types here. Go Slowking!" and he released Slowking right in front of the hole that Sandy had just dug. "Slow", he said looking down and almost falling in, but was caught by Cameron just in time. "Your Slowking may look royal, but it does not seem like the leader type to me", said Leo. Cameron just secretly sneered at what Leo said about his precious Slowking. "The impressive Totodile who rules the rivers of the desert is the real water king around here." And he released a cute little blue crocodile. "Totodile!" it said. Cameron took out his Dex again. "TOTODILE: the big jaw Pokemon", replied Dextra. "Totodile may be small, but it's rough and tough. It won't hesitate to take a bite out of anything that moves." "Does Totodile really like to bite people?" asked Misty nervously. "Totodile just nibbles when its being affectionate", said Leo. "Except when the mailman comes to my door and... I'd really don't want to go into that right now. Let's just start the match." "Ready, set, GO!" shouted the servant again. "Slow?" asked Slowie while scratching his crown. He was wondering where he should go?" "Quick Slowie!" pleaded Cameron. "Fill up that hole with water! Fast!" "SLOW!" said Slowie now getting the idea. He started squirting water into the hole while Cameron nervously watched the water taking its time rising to the top. He also noticed that Totodile was just standing there not filling up its hole yet. "Aren't you going to command it to start?" Cameron asked Leo. "But of course", smiled Leo. "I was just giving your Slowking a head start. I know how slow those kind of Pokemon can be." Cameron just secretly sneered again. "Totodile, it's time to fill up that hole with a rain dance!" said Leo confidently. "Rain dance?" asked Cameron as he watched Totodile do a funky kind of dance. Suddenly a huge storm cloud appeared over Totodile's hole and it started to gush out rain filling it up faster than Slowie could. "We certainly could've used that little rain maker today", thought Ash. Soon the rain stopped and the cloud disappeared and Totodile's hole was filled to the brim with water while Slowie finished in second. "Totodile's well is completed", said the servant. "Master Leo is the winner." "Nice work my reptilian friend", smiled Leo as he picked up Totodile while it gently nibbled affectionately on its master's arm. "You tried your best Slowie and I'll always be proud of you", said Cameron patting his tired Slowking who made a gratelful, "Slow!" "Well Cameron", said Leo, "It looks like we each won an event, but the final match will be the great tie breaker." "We're ready for it, right Sandy?" asked Cameron. "Shrew!" said Sandy who was still tired from that digging race. "But that will have to wait till tomorrow", said Leo as he looked at his wrist sundial. "It is getting late. Why don't we all get a good night's sleep and we'll have our final battle in the morning. That way your already tired Pokemon will be all rested up." "I suppose that would be fine", said Cameron looking down at his exhausted Sandshrew and his dried up Slowking. "How about it guys?" "Shrew!" panted Sandy gratefully. "Slow!" said Slowie in a thirsty voice. * * * * * * While everyone was sleeping in the estate, Team Rocket was sneaking around outside ready to do something not nice. "Just look at that handsome joint!" said Meowth as he pointed to the huge Meowth shaped estate. "It reminds me of our old Rocketville Palace!" "It does kind of", said James in a sad voice. "If only we can relive those memories again!" "We can!" snickered Jessie. "I have a feeling that those twerps are sleeping away in that palace. If we can break in, do away with them along with the owner, we can claim this place for ourselves!" "Great idea Jess!" smiled Meowth. "And the first thing I'll do is have that face reconstructed. They gave that Meowth a nose and I certainly don't have a nose!" "How do you smell?" asked James. "Terrible as always", grumbled Jessie as she held her nose. "Well how about I take your nose!" growled Meowth as he slashed Jessie's face. "WHY YOU MANGY ALLEY CAT!" screamed Jessie as she and Meowth had a huge cat fight. "Hey guys, look over there", said James as he pointed to something perched on a desert tree sleeping peacefully. It was Leo's Xatu. "Hey, that's the bird that burst our balloon!" said Meowth. "Let me at it! I'll have it for dinner!" "Wait a minute, I have a better idea!" smiled Jessie as she grabbed Meowth's tail making him trip. "Let's capture that bird and corrupt it! Then we can use its psychic powers to take over that estate!" "Ooooh! I like it!" giggled James. "And then I can eat it!" said Meowth while holding a knife and fork. "Arbok, seize that bird!" commanded Jessie as she released Arbok at the sleeping Xatu. Xatu opened one eye and just smiled at the huge scary cobra that was about to pounce on it. "XATU!" cawed Xatu as it used its psychic powers to freeze Arbok in the air and tie it up in a square knot, for it had predicted that Team Rocket would try to capture it. "ARBOK!!" cried Jessie as she ran over to her tangled up snake. "You don't suppose it was bird scout?" asked James as he saw the knot. "Uh, I think we're about to get the bird!" said Meowth as he nervously pointed a claw to the vicious looking Xatu who had its wings expanded and all four of its eyes were looking mean at the Rockets. "Uh, sorry we disturbed you", said Jessie nervously as she placed Arbok back into its ball. "But don't worry. You won't have to be bothered by us anymore. Right guys?" "Yeah!" said the other two Rockets as they and Jessie started to run off. But Xatu had released a dark shadow that completely covered the Rockets causing them to faint. * * * * * * The next morning we see Team Rocket dressed up like Egyptian slaves while tending to Xatu's every need, for Xatu was controlling them with its psychic powers. Jessie was fanning it with a huge leaf, James was grooming its talons, and Meowth was dropping grapes down its beak. "I'm not supposed to be feeding you", whined Meowth. "I'm supposed to be feasting on you!" "Keep it down Meowth!" whined James while filing Xatu's claws. "I'm trying to concentrate here. This poor Xatu hardly ever takes care of its nails! It's lucky that a beautician like me has come along!" "You're not supposed to be enjoying this you twit!" shouted Jessie. "Don't you realize that we're slaves to this creepy bird?! If only some bearded man would come along and tell this bird to let us people go!" "And don't forget Meowths", growled Meowth as he was still peeling grapes for Xatu. Just then, Xatu heard its master call out, "Xatu, please report for a gym battle." Xatu sighed wishing all this luxury could've lasted a little longer. It started concentrating and Team Rocket suddenly got teleported away. Then Xatu flew back into the estate to report to Leo. * * * * * * "Hey, we're free!" cried out Jessie happily not caring where she got sent. "Free as a bird!" shouted Meowth. "Oh my gosh! I can't believe I said such a thing!" "Yes, we are free", said James. "But where exactly are we free?" They all looked around and found out they were floating in the sky. And the law of cartoon logic states that whenever cartoon characters are floating in the air and they suddenly look down, they start to fall. And that's what Team Rocket did. Landing on a nice soft cactus patch. "OW, OW, OWIE, OW!" they all cried as they hopped off into the horizon all covered with needles. "It looks like Team Rocket's got the point again!" they all shouted. * * * * * * Our heroes were in a room on the bottom floor of the estate. Ash was feeling a lot better thanks to that cold cream and Reiko was all happy and giddy from another massage from Akbar. Cameron and Leo were looking down into a giant stone-made pit filled with Sandslash statues. "The final event will be a one against one battle in this pit", said Leo as he pushed a button on the wall. The statues suddenly started to pour out sand. "And just to make it interesting", smiled Leo. "Our Pokemon will have to battle with the chance that sand might get into their eyes, ears, noses, or anywhere else in their anatomies." "Sandy is just made for the sand", said Cameron proudly. "Do you feel like battling your opponent in your own turf Sandy?" "Shrew!" shouted Sandy as he dove into the pit and walked under the pouring sand enjoying a nice sand shower. "Bathing with sand?" thought Misty. "I knew Sandshrew's hate water, but this is ridiculous!" "Ah, here comes your opponent now!" smiled Leo as Xatu flew into the room and landed into the pit facing Sandy. "Sandy has to battle Xatu?!" gasped Ash. "There's no way he can win against that psychic powerhouse!" "Not only that", said Tracey. "Sandy's ground attacks won't be able to defeat a flying-type like Xatu!" "But like the Nidorina that soothes her rough skin with a mud bath", sighed Reiko. "A nice massage will always do wonders." "How's that metaphor supposed to help Sandy right now?" asked Misty. "Oh, is Sandy in a battle?" asked Reiko who was still thinking about that massage she just had and Akbar's magical fingers. "Sandy, swift attack!" commanded Cameron. Sandy started throwing his swift stars at Xatu, but it just kept teleporting in all sorts of different places avoiding each star with style and grace. "This is impossible!" gasped Cameron. "Swift attacks always hits and never misses!" "That's the beauty of my Xatu!" smiled Leo. "It can predict any attack that's about to get launched at it. So it knows the right spots to move out of the way. Xatu, give him your nightshade!" "XATU!" cawed Xatu as it started to release its dark shadow again. "Quick Sandy!" shouted Cameron. "Use your dig power to escape that nightshade!" "SHREW!" shouted Sandy for he was already on it. He quickly burrowed under the sand while the shadow missed him and disappeared. "Do not think you can escape the wrath of Xatu that easily!" laughed Leo. "Xatu, psychic attack now!" Xatu complied by firing its psychic energy into the sand. Suddenly a sand tornado started to form into the center of the pit causing Sandy to get trapped and whirled around in it like crazy. "Hurry Sandy!" shouted Cameron. "Use your own sandstorm to cancel out Xatu's storm!" Sandy complied by blowing out all the sand he had in his little body. Sure enough, the sand tornado ceased but Sandy's sandstorm caused the pit to get filled up even faster causing him and Xatu to get pushed up to the surface right in front of their masters' feet. "Sandy, are you all right?" asked Cameron looking down at his panting Sandshrew. "Shrew!" said Sandy while puffing out little pebbles. "Excellent work Xatu", smiled Leo. "You've tired that mouse out. Now finish him off with a solarbeam!" "Oh no!" gasped Cameron for he knew that solarbeams can really hurt Sandshrews badly. As he watched Xatu absorbing sunlight from an open window, he suddenly had an idea. He brought Sandy over and whispered something to him. Xatu was too busy concentrating on absorbing sunlight to predict what was going to happen next. Sandy suddenly punched Xatu in the stomach causing it to flinch and fall down. Xatu's solarbeam got released, but it ended up bouncing off a chandelier, then an urn, and then a suit of armor holding a shield. "What the...." Gasped Leo as he watched the beam bouncing off all sorts of things in the room that reflected sunlight. "Just as I predicted!" smiled Cameron as he took off his glasses and lifted them up in the air. The beam bounced off the lens and finally started to head for its final hit. "Xatu?" gasped Xatu nervously. Then it was all over. The solarbeam that got even stronger from all that bouncing around hit Xatu knocking it out completely. "XATU!" cried Leo as he went over and cradled his defeated bird. "Xatu is unable to continue battling", said the servant. "Cameron Fusterman and his Sandshrew are the winners." "YAY!" all his friends cheered. "Oh yeah, hurray!" said Reiko who was still deep in thought. Cameron became disappointed in his girlfriend's lack of excitement for his victory. But Sandy's happy slurp made him start smiling again. Leo went over to Cameron and handed him a badge that was in the shape of a sandy pyramid. "Congratulations Cameron", said Leo proudly. "Your skilled Pokemon and your own cleverness has earned you this Pyramid Badge. I hope you will use those same talents in your future gym battles." "I will", smiled Cameron. "Thank you!" and he showed his friends his second Ryooku badge. "Look everyone", he said proudly. "I won a Pyramid Badge!" Everyone applauded for him except for Reiko who was smiling while staring at a piece of paper. "Wait a minute, what' s this?!" grumbled Cameron as he took the paper from Reiko and found out it was somebody's phone number and words that said, CALL ME SOMETIME, AKBAR! "I think I understand", said Cameron with tears in his eyes. "Why don't you just stay here so your new massaging boyfriend can touch you in ways that I never can!" and he ran out of the room all broken up. "What's the matter with him?" asked Reiko with question marks all over her head. The others, including Sandy looked mean-eyed at Reiko for they all knew exactly what was wrong with Cameron. "Oh, I see", said Reiko realizing what she just did. * * * * * * Cameron was sobbing on the bed he slept on while visiting Leo's estate. He always thought he might have competition for Reiko one day for she was extremely strong and beautiful and he was just so plain. She could have any guy she wanted and it looked like she may have found someone stronger and more handsome than him. Just then, he felt some hands massaging his shoulders. "Akbar?" Cameron asked. "No my foolish love", said Reiko's beautiful voice. "It is your one and only true love." "Reiko?!" gasped Cameron as he put on his glasses and stared at the only true love he ever knew. But then, turned his back on her for he was too hurt to look at her. "Please forgive me Came-chan", pleaded Reiko. "Like the Starmie that lures little fishes with its beautiful jewel then captures them and takes away their lives, I too was like those fishes. I don't ever want to lose you! You're my one and only Came-chan!" "But what about Akbar?" cried Cameron. "You weren't even paying attention to the Pokemon battle I was in and you didn't seem excited for me that I won my next badge!" "I know and I'm sorry", said Reiko with tears in her eyes. "I was just under the spell of those wonderful massages. But I don't love Akbar. I only loved the feeling of the gentle movements of hands taking away all my aches and pains. But that doesn't mean I'll fall in love with the guy." "Do you mean that?" asked Cameron quietly. "Of course", said Reiko. "And I'm sorry that I wasn't cheering you on like a loyal girlfriend was supposed to do. Here, let me make it up you now!" and she grabbed Cameron's shirt and yanked it off of him. "What...what are you doing?" gasped Cameron as Reiko started pushing him down onto the bed. He tried to sit up, but Reiko's strong arms wouldn't let him. "I want to show you how spellbinding a simple massage can be", smiled Reiko. Before Cameron could say another word, Reiko started rubbing his chest with her soft golden hands. Cameron started to moan, but it was a moan of happiness and calmness. He suddenly understood why Reiko was acting like she was in her own little world to pay attention to anything else. "I can definitely see how you were under the spell of these massage things", said Cameron now smiling as Reiko continued rubbing. "Does this mean I'm forgiven?" pleaded Reiko "Forgiven for what?" asked Cameron for he no longer had any hurt feelings for Reiko had showed him how much she truly loved and cared for him. Reiko smiled as she flipped Cameron over and started working on his back. "I love you my soothing little ninja!" sighed Cameron. "And I love you too my boy from another world", sighed Reiko as she traced little hearts on his back with her fingernails. TO BE CONTINUED!