I looked at all of the gold and jewelry in the chest. We were at the police 
department. 
     "Well, what do you want to do?" Officer Jenny asked. "You could sell all of 
it ... it's worth billions of dollars. It's all up to you."
     I sighed. "Well, ... I want to sell some of it. We need the money for 
training. We wanna keep some of the things in it for souvenirs also. The rest I 
wanna send to my Mom."
     Officer Jenny smiled. "Well, that's very nice. You've got it."

Jamie and I had indeed done it. We counted the money we had. "That's six 
thousand, nine hundred and five dollars," Jamie said. She looked at the $100 
bills, wide-eyed. "I never thought I'd see this much money in my life!"
     "This isn't even close to half of it," I said, shoving it into my backpack. 
"The rest is in Mom's PC. But we're not thinking about money right now. We're 
focusing on getting to Viridian City."
     "Oh, right," Jamie said. She slowly put the money into her pack. "Viridian 
City..."
     I snatched up my backpack, and we started walking. Jamie again pulled out 
her map. "Okay, we've gotta go east, and when we see the ledges we go north, and 
keep going straight from there..."

Team Rocket HQ
     "You were fooled by eleven year old children?! That is unacceptable!" a 
loud angry voice yelled. This was directed at Meowth, Luke and Lisa.
     "It's not our fault," Luke said quietly. "We have come close to being 
arrested twice this week. We've got to be more--."
     "SILENCE!"
     Luke closed his mouth and looked down. He was shaking with fear.
     "Um ... Boss, could we possibly make it up to yas?" Meowth asked. 
     Boss stood over them. He was almost 7 feet tall. He had huge muscles. His 
black hair hung over his face, covering his eyes and nose. 
     A small smirk slowly spread over his lips. "As a matter of fact you can ... 
there is a way."
     "Wh-what is it?" Lisa asked.
     "Oh, I think you'll like this one," Boss muttered. 

"Hey, here are the ledges," I said. "Look, we ca--."
     I was cut off as a brown figure swooped out of the school and whizzed by my 
head. I stumbled backwards, nearly falling over. 
     "What is that?" I demanded. I pointed the Pokédex at the quick, flying 
organism. 
     "Pidgey. The Tiny Bird Pokémon. It is usually found around forests and uses 
it wings to kick sand into its opponents eyes. Once fully evolved into a 
Pidgeot, its Gust attack is the most powerful Gust, ever witnessed by a human. 
Pidgey are known to attack predators, so approach with caution."
     I put the Pokédex into my pocket. 
     "That is one fast Pidgey," Jamie said. "Most Pidgey aren't that fast..."
     I smiled. "Don't worry. Pikachu and I have this under control. Right 
buddy?"
     Pikachu nodded and his cheeks sparked. It fired a Thundershock at Pidgey.
     Pidgey dove down under it and with incredible force, hit Pikachu with a 
Quick Attack from 20 feet in the air.
     Pikachu tried to catch Pidgey, but Pidgey rammed straight into the electric 
mouse and sent him flipping through the air.
     "Wow," Jamie asked. "Want my Squirtle to help you out?"
     "No way!" I cried. "I don't need your help for everything, Jamie. Let me do 
this!"
     "But I--."
     "Let me do this! Pikachu, Tackle!"
     Pikachu jumped at Pidgey and tried to take him out of the air. However, 
Pidgey grabbed Pikachu with its talons and carried it high into the air. It did 
a few somersaults. 
     "Oh my God ... Dimmy, I think this Pidgey knows how to use Seismic Toss!"
     I knew I couldn't let that happen. "Pikachu, wrap your tail around Pidgey's 
body!"
     Pidgey then flew at the ground. It was 30 feet above. Then 25. Then 15. 
Then 10. 
     Pikachu finally wrapped its tail around Pidgey's talons, along with the 
back of Pidgey.
     Pidgey tried to release Pikachu for a Seismic Toss, but Pikachu clung on. 
Its body sparked and it used a Thunderbolt. Both Pokémon drove themselves into 
the ground. Dust flew everywhere.
     I fanned it away with my hand and ran over to where the two Pokémon had 
landed. They had created a small crater in the ground, but neither of them 
looked like they were seriously injured.
     Pidgey flew up a few feet in the air and flapped its wings with all the 
strength it could.
     "Plant your feet," I said to Pikachu. "Don't move. I don't care what it 
takes. Stay put..."
     The Gust attack hit Pikachu, but Pika got down on all fours and faced the 
attack. Dust and grass flew up around Pikachu, but it closed its eyes and took 
the brunt of the attack.
     After nearly a minute, Pidgey stopped flapping. It was exhausted. 
     "Windmill!" I ordered.
     "Windmill?" Jamie asked. "What's that?"
     Pikachu's tail glowed white. Pikachu spun it around, sending sparks flying. 
Then Pikachu jumped into the air. It twisted around and smacked Pidgey in the 
side of the head.
     Pikachu was now on top of Pidgey. "Spark!" I ordered.
     Pikachu used a Spark attack on Pidgey, then jumped off. 
     Pidgey's wings gave out. It started falling from the air, nearly 
unconscious.
     I threw my Pokéball at it. The ball bounced off Pidgey's head, opened up, 
and sucked Pidgey in with a red light.
     The ball hit the ground and shook. Once, twice, three times, four times, 
five times, six times ... POOM!
     "We -- we did it! We caught Pidgey!" I cried excitedly. "We caught our 
first Pokémon partner!"
     "Pika, Pikachu!" Pikachu also cried happily. 
     He jumped into my arms, and I gave it a quick hug. Jamie then playfully 
messed up my hair. "Good job. You used some moves that a normal Pokémon wouldn't 
expect. What was that 'Windmill' attack you used?"
     I smiled. "Well, it's move I taught Pikachu last night while you were 
asleep. We fought a Noctowl. It got away, but Pikachu really put up a fight. I 
told Pikachu not to use electric attacks, cuz Noctowl would expect it. Noctowl 
used Gust and Pikachu went flying. Pikachu then got up and hit Noctowl with its 
tail. And a Gust is just powerful winds, so that's how we got the name 
Windmill."
     "Awesome," Jamie said.
     "That was impressive," a voice said.
     Jamie and I turned towards the sound of the voice. 
     A girl around our age, maybe a year older, walked towards us, clapping.
     "Great battle. You deserve that Pidgey."
     "Yeah ... yeah, thanks. Um, who are you?"
     "My name's Ruby," she said. "I live in Pewter City. I came here so I could 
see what sort of Pokémon were here."
     "Well, mostly Pidgeys, Ratattas, Nidorans, and a lot of bug Pokémon. It's 
really fun to live in Pallet. No pollution."
     Ruby looked at Pikachu then at me. "Ya know, there's a Pokémon Center down 
the street. Let's get your Pokémon healed. Afterwards ... we can have a battle."

My Pokémon were now completely healed. Ruby and I stood across from each other 
behind the Pokémon Center, each with a Pokéball in our hands.
     "Ever since I saw you battle Pidgey, I knew we had to have a match."
     "Isn't this a little sudden?" Jamie asked.
     Ruby ignored her. "Ready, Dimmy?"
     I nodded and threw the ball. "Pidgey, go!"
     Ruby threw her ball also. "Go, Spearow!"
     Both bird Pokémon popped out of the Pokéballs. 
     "Spearow, Peck attack!" Ruby cried. "Full speed!"
     Spearow sped at Pidgey, and tried to drill into it with a Peck.
     "Pidgey, use Sand Attack," I commanded. 
     Pidgey flapped its wings as hard as it could. Sand flew up from the air, 
creating a wall of it in front of Spearow. Spearow slowed to a stop when it saw 
the sand it tried to avoid it. 
     Ruby shook her head. "Little attacks like that won't stop my Spearow. 
Tackle!"
     Spearow flew right through the sand and hit Pidgey with a hard Tackle. 
"Pidgey, show Spearow how your Tackle is harder!"
     Pidgey then rammed hard into Spearow. Spearow flipped backwards into the 
air, but shook off the attack. It flapped its wings and sent a Gust flying at 
Pidgey.
     The streaks of air hit Pidgey and knocked it to the ground. Pidgey bounced 
across the field.
     "Spearow, use Leer!" Ruby ordered.
     "Pidgey, cover your eyes," I suggested.
     Pidgey put a wing in front of its eyes. Spearow's eyes glowed yellow, but 
the Leer failed.
     "Use Leer, Pidgey!" I said. I knew if I fought Leer with Leer, one of them 
would hafta give, and I was hoping it was Spearow.
     Pidgey took its wing down and used a Leer of its own.
     Pidgey and Spearow leered at each other with intensity in their eyes. Beads 
of perspiration ran down their faces. 
     About 20 seconds passed and then suddenly, Spearow turned its head and 
blinked. 
     I saw the opening. "Pidgey, use your Seismic Toss!"
     Pidgey nodded and flew at Spearow. Spearow turned at the last second and 
stuck out its talon. 
     Pidgey's talon hit Spearow's. Spearow lifted its wing and put it behind 
Pidgey's head. 
     "Complete Shot!" Ruby cried.
     Spearow drove itself and Pidgey both hard into the dirt. Dust flew 
everywhere and both Pokémon were hurt on the ground.
     Spearow got to its feet first and stood behind Pidgey, waiting for it to 
get up. Spearow was preparing for a Gust attack to finish Pidgey off.
     "Pidgey, Seismic Toss!" I ordered.
     Ruby didn't expect for me to go for the same move twice. She gasped.
     Pidgey jumped backwards, landing on Spearow's shoulders. Pidgey flew up 
into the air, higher than the treetops ... almost 30 feet. 
     It did backflips with Spearow still in its grasp. After about 5 of them it 
flew back to the ground. The air rushed against them. When both were about 5 
feet above the ground, Pidgey released Spearow, sending it flying hard into the 
ground.
     Spearow was returning to its feet with pain. I knew that one more hit would 
finish it.
     "Now, end it with a Quick Attack!" I commanded.
     Pidgey went full speed at Spearow, but at the last possible second, Spearow 
threw itself to the ground. Pidgey still flew forward -- and hit Ruby.
     Ruby fell backwards and gasped for air.
     Jamie and I ran over to her to see if she was okay. I bent down over her 
... fearing the worst. 
     "Are you okay?" I asked.
     Ruby opened one eye. I then looked down at her shirt. It had a huge hole in 
it where Pidgey had used Quick Attack.
     Behind that shirt was another one. A black one. In a bold pink letter it 
had the letter "R" written on it. 
     "No..." Jamie muttered. "Don't tell me she's with TR!"
     "You guessed right," Ruby said. She sat up and ripped off the fake shirt, 
revealing the Team Rocket one.
     Before I could say anything, there was a huge explosion from yards away.
     I looked up and groaned when I saw a Koffing-shaped balloon floating from 
the sky.
     The two figures inside of it stood next to each other, arms crossed, 
waiting for it to completely land.
     "Prepare for trouble," the girl said.
     "Make it double," the boy said after her.
     "To inflect your world with devastation."
     "To make you weep in every nation."
     "To bring out the evils in truth and love."
     "To break your reach to the stars above."
     "Lisa."
     "Luke."
     "Team Rocket, blasting off at the speed of light."
     "Surrender now, cuz we'll bring you the fight."
     "Meowth! That's right!" Meowth said, jumping out of the balloon. 
     I backed away from them. I knew these guys were tougher than what I had 
heard. Just not as intelligent. "What do you want now?!" I demanded. "Haven't 
you caused enough trouble?"
     Lisa smirked. "Trouble? Trouble is the only thing you need to prepare for, 
because we're it!"
     "And make it double, you little piece of sh--."
     "Sssshhh!" Ruby hissed. "Do you hear that?"
     "Hear ... what?" Jamie asked.
     Suddenly, I was struck from behind and knocked hard into the damp grass, 
landing hard on my arm. "Oww!" I cried in pain. I grabbed my arm, squeezing it. 
I thought I dislocated a bone.
     I rolled onto my back and looked up ... into the burning eyes of Magmar. I 
took a deep gulp and backed away, but Magmar reached down and grabbed me by the 
throat.
     A brown object came rushing towards the back of Magmar. I took advantage 
and brought both legs up, then flipped over.
     Magmar fell over my head. I scrambled to my feet and realized it was Pidgey 
who had saved me.
     "Thanks Pidgey," I said. Pidgey floated down next to me and nodded.
     "Squirtle, I choose ... you!" Jamie called throwing her Pokéball to the 
ground. In a flash of white light, Squirtle appeared.
     Pidgey, Pikachu and Squirtle faced Magmar, Meowth and Spearow.
     "Meeeowwwth! Fury Swipes!" Meowth yelled. It jumped into the air and tried 
to claw both Pidgey and Pikachu at once.
     Meowth was cut short as Squirtle Headbutted it back to the ground, but by 
that time, enough time had passed for Magmar to recover from the Tackle and use 
an Ember on Pidgey.
     "Oh, no, Pidgey!" Jamie gasped, turning towards the fallen bird Pokémon. 
"Squirtle, use Water Gun on Magmar!"
     "Magmar, dodge it!" Lisa commanded. Magmar did so, very swiftly I may add. 
It rolled out of the way and the Water Gun hit a tree. 
     "Spearow, use Peck!" Ruby yelled.
     Spearow flew at Pikachu and brought back its head for a Peck, but Pidgey 
jumped onto Pikachu's shoulders and flew him into the air. Spearow ended up 
pecking a bunch of pebbles.
     Pikachu climbed onto Pidgey's back and flew at Meowth and Spearow.
     "Pidgey, Pikachu, Quick Attack!" I ordered.
     Pikachu jumped off of Pidgey's back and hit Meowth with a flying Quick 
Attack, and Pidgey sacrificed its own body to ram Spearow into a tree.
     Now it was Pikachu and Squirtle against Magmar.
     "This wasn't supposed to happen!" Luke said to Lisa. "We were supposed to 
steal their Pokémon and leave!"
     "Stop your complaining," Lisa whispered. "Magmar can defeat Squirtle and 
Pikachu. They've only had those Pokémon for a week. We've had Magmar for nearly 
a year. And when we defeat their Pokémon, they'll be defenseless and have no 
choice but to hand over their unconscious Pokémon. And then we can bring them 
back to boss and get our raise!"
     Magmar commenced attack. It used a Fire Punch on Pikachu and sent it flying 
into the air. 
     Squirtle reached up and grabbed Pikachu, but Magmar used Flamethrower and 
knocked both of them to the ground.
     Squirtle got up with struggle, but Pikachu bounced back up. 
     "Good, Pikachu," I complemented. "Thundershock!"
     Pikachu let an electric charge from its body. It traveled through the air 
and hit Magmar.
     "Magmar, Mirror Coat!" Lisa commanded.
     Flames shot out of Magmar's body. The Thundershock was used at full power, 
but Magmar didn't budge. The flames around its body got bigger as the 
Thundershock got harder, and there was a huge explosion.
     I coughed as smoke went everywhere. I fell to one knee, unable to breathe.
     "Squirtle, use Bubble to get rid of this smoke," Jamie said, cupping her 
hands over her nose.
     Squirtle shot bubbles through the air and the smoke cleared.
     Magmar was back in view. It was breathing heavily, but that Thundershock 
didn't even leave a scratch!
     Magmar rose it arms above its head, and blew out a huge Flamethrower.
     Pikachu and Squirtle had been standing right next to each other, but they 
both jumped out of the way.
     However, Jamie couldn't do the same. The attack hit her at full force. She 
screamed and crumpled to the ground.
     "Jamie!" I cried. I ran to her and kneeled by her side. She had gotten hit 
in the stomach.
     The bottom half of her shirt was burnt to a crisp. I lifted it up enough so 
I could see her stomach. It was a red and brown color. Her breathing slowed and 
I knew we had to get her to an Emergency Room soon.
     "Hah, is your little friend hurt?" Ruby asked. She walked up to me and 
stuck out her tongue. 
     Angrily, I pushed Ruby backwards. She gasped and fell down the hill, 
rolling all the way down until she fell into the ice cold lake below.
     I turned my attention back towards the battle.
     Pikachu and Squirtle were taking unbearable punishment. Fire Punch after 
Fire Punch, Flamethrower after Flamethrower, Sludge Bomb after Sludge Bomb.
     I wanted to go out there and help them ... but I didn't have anymore 
Pokémon, nor did Jamie.
     I looked down, trying to hold back a few tears. Pikachu and Squirtle were 
going through all of this to save us ... and now Jamie and I were hurt. It had 
all been for nothing. We got too distracted in ourselves to help them. 
     "What?" I muttered. I turned towards the tree where Pidgey had been lying. 
It started to glow an eerie white color.
     "What's going on?" I asked myself.
     Suddenly, Pidgey started to slowly get bigger. Bigger until it was nearly 
twice as it large as it was before. It then stopped and it looked like a 
completely different Pokémon. I quickly took out my Pokédex.
     "Pidgeotto, the Bird Pokémon. Pidgeotto is the evolved form of Pidgey. It 
is known to have an incredibly strong Gust and is very territorial." 
     I turned to our Pokémon. Pikachu and Squirtle were both knocked out on the 
ground.
     "Hah! Your time us up," Luke said.
     "Yeahs," Meowth said. He had crawled back to the balloon during the match. 
"Give us your Pokémon!"
     I smirked. "Not a chance."
     "You don't have a choice, twerp," Lisa said.
     Pidgeotto flew up behind me and looked at Magmar, angrily.
     Magmar's eyes opened wide with fear. 
     "Sand attack!" I ordered.
     Pidgeotto flapped its wings hard. Sand flew up from the ground and covered 
Magmar. Pidgeotto kept the attack going for at least 20 seconds, until Magmar 
was covered from the top of its head to the bottom of its toes in sand and dirt.
     "Double Edge!" I commanded.
     Pidgeotto glowed green. It shot out its wings and flew at Magmar. The grass 
and dust flew up behind it, not able to resist the speed of Pidgeotto.
     Pidgeotto made contact with Magmar and sent the fire Pokémon flying back 
into the Koffing TR balloon.
     "Um ... I think Pidgeotto is pretty peeved," Lisa muttered.
     "Whirlwind!"
     "Um ... you can meet Meeeowth later," Meowth said.
     He tried to run away, but got caught in the Whirlwind as well as Luke, Lisa 
and Magmar. The balloon went flying into the air first, and then Team Rocket.
     "I wonder if Boss is gonna be mad," Lisa wondered.
     "What do you think?!" Luke snapped.
     "I think..." Meowth started.
     "Team Rocket's blasting off!"
     They continued to go soaring through the air until they were a speck in the 
sky.
     "You're not done yet!" a voice cried.
     I turned to see a soaking wet Ruby walking towards us. 
     She pointed a finger at me, but Pidgeotto used Gust. She and Spearow went 
flying through the air, until they too were a speck in the distance.

"As long as you wear this brace on the upper part of your arm, you should be 
fine," Nurse Joy said. "And Jamie, just keep these bandages on your ribs and put 
this cream on your burn before you go to sleep and when you wake up."
     "Thanks Nurse Joy," we said in unison. 
     As I got off the hospital bed, a wave of pain shot through my arm. I winced 
and shook it off. I knew Team Rocket was going to hafta pay for everything they 
had done. Someone had to pay for this...




TO BE CONTINUED