We all walked down a dirt path at night. "Okay, it's been pretty cool," JT said. "This will probably be my last day with you guys. I mean, I know it's only been 3 days, but I feel I may be a crowd."
"Not at all," Lizzie said. "We'll love for you to stay at least another couple of weeks."
It was about 8:00 at night and the sun was setting. We had stopped at a Burger World and got some bacon double cheeseburgers. Just the thought of it made by mouth water. I took the first bite.
"This is the first thing besides tofu and rice that we've had in the past week," Lizzie said.
"Hey," Willis said. "Are you insulting my cooking?"
"No," Lizzie said. "It was just getting a little boring. "Your Super Secret Breakfast for breakfast. Candy bars as snacks and rice for dinner. Who wants that everyday? We have a lot of money for orphans. So it's really nice to have some fast food."
"I'm about to go in the Pokemon Center and take a shower," I said. "We can spend the night there, too. It's been days since we've bathed. My God, I reek!"
JT agreed that none of us smelled really great. We went into the Pokemon Center, got our Pokemon healed, bathed, and rented a bedroom. Two bunk beds.
As we sat in our room, Lizzie and JT were watching some movie called The Nameless Story of Romance.
Willis and I were looking at a map on my laptop. "Ah hah! Bukendo City is just about 20 or 21 miles from here. That means in a couple of days you can compete for your fourth badge," Willis said.
"Which one is it?" I asked him.
"I'm not sure. I think it's the Platinum Badge. All I really know about it is that they guy uses bird Pokemon that have a different type. You know like flying/fire and flying/steel.
"Which Pokemon does he have?" I asked.
"Don't know," Willis said. "The trainer website doesn't say what Pokemon gym leaders use. They just tell their names, the location, and the types of Pokemon they use."
I knew that my battle would hafta wait. I turned and looked at the clock. It was about 10:00 at night. "I have a lot of work to do tomorrow," Willis said. "My grandmother lives down the street. I haven't seen her in over a year. You guys are welcomed to come with me. I'm sure she'll let us stay with her for a day or so before we have to get back on the road."
"Cool," Lizzie said. Her eyes were glued to the TV. It was an old black and white movie. Some guy was on the screen and he was greeting some women with flowers. The woman cried and hugged him.
"How romantic," Lizzie said, gushing over the man.
"Girls," Willis muttered when Lizzie was out of earshot. "And look. She has the VCR on. I think she's recording this."
Outside the Pokemon Center, rain beat hard on the window. I looked out and smiled when I saw who was outside. "Mew," the Pokemon said.
Julius held a bag of ice to his head and Kio tried to get some feeling back in his arms.
"Those little twerps are always one step ahead of us," Kio muttered. "And we don't have Ray. If he were with us, I'm sure we would've won."
"Look at the bright side," Julius said. He held a shiny Pokeball to his face. "We managed to catch a Tauros. And we caught it fair and square."
"That's not our nature," Kio said. "I'm disappointed in you, Julius."
Julius buried his face in his hands. "I know! Oh, the shame!"
I opened the window and let Mew in. Mew entered the room. JT looked a little surprised.
"It's Mew!" Lizzie cried. She ran to Mew and threw her arms around it. Mew hugged her back and then hugged Willis. Mew flew to me and jumped into my arms.
"Good to see you too, Mew," I said, laughing. I hugged Mew tightly. Mew looked over my shoulder.
"Oh, this is JT," Willis said. "JT, meet Mew. Mew is our longtime friend. It shows up every now and then. Mew is really nice."
"Mew," Mew chirped again.
JT cautiously walked up to Mew and held out a hand. Mew shook it, but was so small, had to use both hands.
"Glad to see you two are getting aquatinted," Willis said. "Mew, tomorrow we have a big day. You'll hafta wear a disguise."
We made our way down to Willis's grandma's house. Mew was wearing baggy jeans to cover its tail, a black shirt to cover its pink arms, and a do-rag on its head. It was still very small. Mew was only about 3 feet tall, so we got some looks when we walked down the street.
"Grandma Edna's house should be just down the street," Willis said pointing with his finger. "She's like, 65 years old and she is TOUGH when it comes to manners! So you guys remember to say bless you, excuse me, thank you, you're welcome, and other polite things."
"What about Mew?" JT asked.
"We'll just say that Mew can't talk and it has a bad dwarfism disease what makes it stay about 3 feet tall for the rest of its life," Willis suggested. "Grandma Edna's house is right around this corner."
As soon as we turned the corner, a huge red car sped at us! We all yelled and ducked down. Everyone except for Mew. Mew shot its hands out in front of it and the car flew right over our heads!
I got up when I realized what happened. "Pikachu, Pika," Pikachu said quietly. (That was really scary.)
"Are we dead?" Lizzie asked, also lifting her head. "Are we in Heaven?"
"Maybe we're not in Heaven but we're in," JT started.
"Hello!" I cried knocking on both their heads. "We're still alive, here."
Willis dusted himself off. "Whoever was in the car sure needs a ticket. I hope they get caught by the police. We almost got killed."
Suddenly, an elderly woman stuck her head out the door. "Weebear? Is that you?"
"Weebear?" I asked. Lizzie, JT, Pikachu, Mew, and I giggled.
"Yeah, it's me, Grandma," Willis (or should I say Weebear) said. "Um, these are my friends. Lizzie, Woody and his Pikachu, JT, and--Erm."
I knew he didn't have a name to call Mew. "Erm -- herm -- Her--Herman," I said. "His name is Herman."
Mew looked up at me and nodded. "Quick thinking," Lizzie whispered. She smirked at me.
"Come on in," Grandma Edna said. "I baked some brownies and what would you kids like for lunch?"
"Pizza," we all said in unison.
Grandma Edna and Willis ordered pizzas. When Mew didn't eat, Grandma Edna seemed a little surprised.
"Mew -- I mean Herman had a huge breakfast," I said. "And he doesn't eat very much so he probably won't be eating anything else today -- or ever."
Grandma Edna obviously didn't hear the last part. She just smiled at Mew and walked away.
"You know, the wonderful neighbors next door have a kid just about your guys age that loves to battle," she said. "Why don't you kids go over to their house and ask for a battle? Willis told me how much you 3 like Pokemon matches."
After hearing this, we ran across the yard and knocked on the door. A girl came out. She had green hair teed into a Pokeball, blue eyes like Misty's, and was wearing blue jeans and a green T-shirt. "Hi. Can I help you?"
"Yeah. We came to challenge you to a Pokemon Battle," I said. "We love challenges and hearing about you, we're up for the challenge."
She smiled. "I'm Kirsten," she told us. "I don't think you want a match against me."
"Oh yes we do," JT said, now stepping up next to me.
Kirtsen shrugged. "I doubt it. You see, I'm undefeated. I'm taking after my idol, A. J. Michaels. He is undefeated in Pokemon matches. Come into my house and you'll see what I mean."
We walked into her house and there was a huge poster of a boy with scabbed legs and a red T-shirt on. He had 3 Ratticates, a Beedrill, a Butterfree, and a tough looking Sandshrew. In black letters across the poster it read "A. J. Michaels: Record; 276 wins and 0 losses as of January 1."
"Whoah, that guy is good, obviously," Lizzie said.
"So," Kirsten said, "woody, JT, Lizzie, my record is 68 wins and 0 losses. Are you positive you still wanna fight me?"
"I may not be undefeated," I said. "However, I have only lost 2 matches and I've tied 1. I've won over 35 matches and have a variety of Pokemon."
"Okay. You are very impressive. But how about me fighting your little friend here. I've never faced another girl before."
Lizzie and Kirsten stood in the backyard of Kirsten's house and faced off. Lizzie sent out Butterfree first.
"Alright, you're sending out a Butterfree? It's time for me to bring out Vulpix!"
Kirsten threw her Pokeball high into the air. What looked like a red-orange fox with six tails emerged from the ball. "Vulpix," it cooed.
"Butterfree, whatever you do--don't let Vulpix beat you to the punch," Lizzie said. Mew, JT, Pikachu and I sat down and watched the battle. "Butterfree, Confusion!"
Butterfree aimed a Confusion attack at Vulpix, but the fox swerved out of the way and the Confusion attack hit the ground. Chunks of dirt flew out of the ground. Vulpix capitalized on this quickly and hauled back his head. I knew Vulpix was preparing to use a powerful Flamethrower.
Unfortunately, I was right. A series of flames swirled into one and rushed at Butterfree. Butterfree was already knocked out.
"One down and one to go," Kirsten said. She didn't look at all concerned about the match. She was confident and relaxed. I could see beads of sweat run down Lizzie's face. None of us had ever been beaten that fast.
Lizzie picked a Pokeball finally. "I choose you, Marill!"
"Good," JT said to me. "Marill is a water type. It should be able to defeat Vulpix, a fire type."
I nodded. Lizzie got behind Marill. "Marill, use a Bubble attack!" Lizzie ordered. Marill opened her mouth, puffed up and released a stream of hard bubbles out of her mouth. The bubbles traveled in a direct line towards Vulpix.
"Vulpix, use Ember and get rid of the bubbles," Kirsten told her Pokemon.
Vulpix shot tiny fireballs at the bubbles. The bubbles popped, but this distracted Vulpix. Marill used Headbutt. The impact forced Vulpix over on its side. "I think Liz might have a chance," I muttered.
Vulpix also used Headbutt. This one sent Marill flipping through the air. Marill landed headfirst onto the ground. Vulpix puffed up her cheeks though. Lizzie realized this. "Marill, look out for Vulpix's Flamethrower!"
Marill turned her head as Vulpix shot flames towards her. Marill blasted water at it. The attacks hit each other -- but Vulpix's was stronger. Both the Water Gun and the Flamethrower nailed Marill. Marill fell to the ground in a slump.
"That was pretty easy," Kirsten said. "I hope I didn't hurt your Pokemon, Lizzie. Next!"
JT stepped up next. He took a Pokeball from his belt and tossed it. Haunter came out. Vulpix immediately jumped at Haunter and used Ember. Haunted dived under and flew right through a tree. It was inside it somewhere.
"Ugh," Kirsten muttered. "I hate ghosts. Vulpix, use a Flamethrower at that tree."
A blast of fire hit the tree. It left a huge scorch in it, and Haunter flew out. It slammed right into Vulpix. Vulpix skidded back and then used Sand Attack. Haunter shielded his eyes. He turned his back and then Vulpix used Flamethrower. Haunter fell facefirst into the ground.
"Haunter, use Hypnosis!" JT commanded.
Haunter's eyes glowed a pink color and rings of energy shot at Vulpix.
But Vulpix was smart enough to shield her eyes. With her eyes closed, she used a powerful Mud Slap that knocked Haunter out. Haunter flipped over and fell to the ground. He glowed red as JT recalled him to his Pokeball.
"You have a pretty powerful Vulpix," JT said. "But Spearow is my most powerful Pokemon."
"I betcha JT will be able to knock out Vulpix with his Spearow," Lizzie whispered to me.
"Spearow, come down on Vulpix with your Drill Peck!" JT commanded.
Spearow sped down to Vulpix and began to spin around. "Vulpix, Flamethrower," Kirsten ordered to her Vulpix. Vulpix shot a line of fire at Spearow, but Spearow spun through it easily.
Kirsten gasped. Spearow slammed into Vulpix. Vulpix rolled over backwards, but came back up and hit a Tackle. Spearow did the same thing. Both tackled each other 3 times. On the third tackle, they both fell to the ground. They were both battered and bruised -- but not willing to quit. Spearow flapped his wings hard to use a Gust attack. Vulpix was hit by the Gust hard. She flew into the air -- right into a tree branch. The branch broke in half and then she fell to the ground. I could see Vulpix struggling to get up.
"Vulpix, use Ember!" Kirsten cried. Ten tiny fireballs flew up and nailed Spearow. The attack sent Spearow falling down. Spearow did a nosedive right into the ground.
Vulpix then bit Spearow on the wing. A viscous Bite attack. Spearow was smart, though. He pecked Vulpix on the head repeatedly.
"Spearow, use a Mud Slap," JT ordered. Spearow flapped his wings harder. Mud flew up to the ground and hit Vulpix. Vulpix was distracted for a moment. She tried to shake the mud out of her eyes. Spearow flew high into the air and positioned for a Sky Attack.
"Oh, Spearow is getting ready for Sky Attack," I told Lizzie. "This is it for Vulpix. Sky Attack is the most dangerous and powerful bird type move ever."
Spearow swooped down on Vulpix at amazing speed. Vulpix finally got the mud out of her eyes, but when she looked up, it was too late. Spearow hit Vulpix with an amazing impact. Vulpix staggered around and then collapsed.
"Oh no," Kirsten muttered. But then even she gasped.
Vulpix slowly got to her feet. She had a huge bruise on her head, but she still continued to fight. "Do it again, Spearow!" JT ordered.
Spearow flew up high and came down. Vulpix puffed up and used a Flamethrower on Spearow. Spearow was pushed back. He was scorched. Vulpix then jumped off of a tree and came at Spearow with a Headbutt. This knocked Spearow out. Spearow fell to the ground. Smoke came from his body.
JT walked over to Spearow. He bent down and smiled. "You had a good match, buddy." He held out his Pokeball and returned Spearow.
Vulpix was also very hurt. I knew this was my chance to beat Vulpix. I didn't feel right about it since Vulpix was barely fit to fight. But I knew that it was what a trainer had to do to survive. I could win and I still wouldn't be breaking the rules at all.
"Okay. It's time to fight fire against fire," I said. "I choose Quilava first."
Quilava and Vulpix faced off.
Julius and Kio watched the whole thing on a camera. "It's about time for us to step in," Kio said. He held the ball to his face.
"Not yet!" Julius snapped. He pushed Kio back. "When the match gets close, we will attack. This time we will set out to steal the twerps and their Pokemon. Not to destroy them. That Vulpix is pretty tough, and so is that kid -- JT's Spearow. And of course Marill and Pikachu are tough. We will steal all four of them and bring them back to The Man."
Kio and Julius shook each other's hands. "It is almost time to attack."
"Quilava, Flame Wheel!" I cried. Quilava curled into a ball and was surrounded by fire. He then rolled at Vulpix with amazing speed. Vulpix was slammed down. I didn't know how Vulpix kept getting up and fighting. Ever since Spearow hit the Sky Attack, Vulpix hasn't battled the same way.
"Vulpix, Ember!" Kirsten cried. Vulpix shot fireballs at Quilava. Quilava did the same thing. Vulpix's Ember was stronger. The attacks both nailed Quilava. Quilava stumbled around and then Vulpix hit the Quick Attack. Quilava was knocked out.
"We just beat our old record," Kirsten told Vulpix. "You beat five Pokemon in the same match."
I sent out Pikachu. Before this match could begin, a bomb dropped down from the sky. Fire and smoke went all over the place. I looked up and groaned. Julius and Kio were in a huge balloon.
"To infest the world with devastation."
"To ignite all peoples in every nation."
"To denounce the goods of truth and love."
"To destroy kids' dreams to the stars above."
"Kio."
"Julius."
"Team Rocket blasting off everyday and night. Surrender now or be prepared to lose a fight."
"Who are these losers?" Kirsten demanded as TR swooped down in their balloon. Julius and Kio ignored this comment and immediately attacked.
They fired a gun. A bullet raced down at us. Before it hit us, it exploded and turned into a net. Pikachu and Vulpix were caught in a net! The net was attached to a rope on the balloon. "You see," Julius said. "We need your Pokemon. So we will kindly ask you to hand over Spearow and Marill."
"No way!" Lizzie cried. "You two jerks are murderers! You will never get permission to even HOLD any of our Pokemon!"
I saw Pikachu and Marill trying to bite through the thick net. I needed to save them.
"Okay. Since you won't hand over the Pokemon, we will hafta use some brutal force," Kio told us. "Tauros, go!"
A bull came running out of the bushes. I gasped. Tauros gored Lizzie. Lizzie screamed. She flew right over Tauros and fell to the ground, clutching her ribs. There were two holes in her shirt. Each hole leaked with blood.
"Hey! You je,--" JT started.
Tauros jumped up and Tackled JT. JT fell to the ground.
Kio yelled down from the balloon. "Now, will you give us the Pokemon?"
"NO! Never!" JT croaked out. He held his back.
"Well,. It looks like we'll just hafta take them the hard way," Kio said. He aimed another gun at us. This time a net popped out. Lizzie, Kirsten and I were draped in it.
Tauros rose up his foot right over JT's head. "JT!" Lizzie, and Kirsten cried out.
"Pikaaaaaaaaa!" Pikachu cried from the net.
"Pix!" Vulpix yelled.
Tauros brang his hove down quickly -- but not quickly enough. JT rolled out of the way. And as he did that, a Psybeam attack nailed Tauros. I looked up and saw Mew floating towards Tauros.
Kio and Julius screamed. Mew rose both hands in the air. Rocks lifted off of the ground and hit Tauros. Tauros stumbled around. Mew then used another Psybeam. The attack made Tauros fall to the ground. Willis also came running out. Chikorita was with him. "Chikorita, Razor leaf!"
Leaves buzzed through the air. At least 10 of them. They dicinagrated the net. Pikachu and Vulpix were falling quickly. Mew used confusion and caught Pikachu. Chikorita used Vine Whip and saved Vulpix.
Eventually, we all got out of the net. Julius and Kio were just staring at Mew in shock. It took a minute for them to realize that they had to run for their lives. Kio recalled Tauros. They tried to float away, but we wouldn't let them get off that easily.
"Pikachu, Thunderbolt!" I cried.
"Chikorita, Razor Leaf," ordered Willis.
"Vulpix, use Flamethrower," said Kirsten.
Mew used a Psybeam. The four attacks combined and hit the balloon. The balloon basket exploded. Team Rocket went flipping high through the air. "We're blasting off again!" They then disappeared from view.
I smiled at Mew. Mew floated up and hugged me. It glowed white. Everyone was completely healed!
"Now," I said to Kirsten, "it's time to finish our match."
Kirsten nodded.
"Vulpix, Flamethrower!" Kirsten commanded.
Pikachu dodged under the Flamethrower and tried to hit Vulpix with a Quick Attack, but Vulpix rolled over and Pikachu missed.
"Pikachu, Thundershock," I said.
Pikachu shocked Vulpix. Vulpix started shaking. Vulpix wasn't gonna get beaten that easily though. Vulpix used a Roar attack. Pikachu tried to cover his ears. While he was doing this, Vulpix puffed up and shot a HUGE Flame at Pikachu. Pikachu was forced back against a tree. Burns scorched his skin. Vulpix then Headbutted Pikachu right through the tree -- but at the same time, Pikachu used Thunderbolt.
We all stood in silence, wondering who the winner was. When both Pikachu and Vulpix rolled out of the tree, unconscious there was a loud gasp.
"What does this mean?" I asked.
"I -- I don't know," Kirsten muttered. "Looks like a tie."
"A tie? That's good," Lizzie said. "Think of it this way. You two are the best trainers I know. Woody, you still haven't lost that many matches. And Kirsten..."
"I will count this as a loss," Kirsten said. She smiled. She walked up to me and shook my hand. "This will be a lesson for both of us. I will now begin my Pokemon journey. Woody, you will go far in this Pokemon business."
I smiled. "You're really cool, Kristen. I hope one day we can battle again."
Mew nodded. Mew then wiggled its tail. It left all of us with a tingling sensation for some reason. Mew then vanished in a white light.
"I don't think this will be the last time we see Mew," Willis pointed out.
TO BE CONTINUED...