By: Tammi
Ash meets a new Pokemon trainer.
Disclaimer: I own neither Speed Racer nor Pokemon.
"I can't believe we're actually here in Pallet Town," Trixie said.
"Neither can I," Sparky agreed. "And for two big events. Spridle's entered in a Pokemon match today, and tomorrow Speed participates in the Pallet Town 500."
Spridle Racer was just as excited. "Speed and I will be there for each other!" he exclaimed jubilantly.
Meanwhile, Ash was at his house, talking about the match with Misty and Brock.
"This boy I'm meeting today probably hasn't had the experience that I've had," he said.
"I don't know, Ash," Brock replied. "He's the kid brother of Speed Racer, the most famous race car driver in the world. He may prove very formidable."
The Racers and their friends checked into their hotel. Afterwards, Spridle decided to pay Ash a visit. "I want to meet my challenger."
Everyone went with Spridle. The little boy knocked on Ash's door.
Ash opened it, and saw Spridle standing there. "So you're Spridle Racer," he said. "You're no match for me."
"We'll see about that," Spridle retorted. "I challenge you to a battle before the match."
"You're on!"
"All right," Spridle said. He pulled out a Pokeball. "Pandare, I choose you!"
A Pokemon resembling a small panda emerged from the ball just as Mrs. Ketchum, Misty, Brock, Pikachu, and Togepi came out to see what was going on.
Ash looked up Pandare on the Pokedex.
"Pandare. A fire Pokemon. Very rare. Delivers a superblaze attack. Will not hesitate to take on all comers."
"Be careful, Spridle," Speed, Mr. and Mrs Racer, Trixie, and Sparky cautioned. Chim Chim merely chattered.
"I will be," the little boy assured them.
Suddenly, Brock looked at Trixie. He walked up to her. "My name's Brock," he said. "Did anyone ever tell you you're beautiful?"
"Yes. Speed Racer did."
Misty grabbed Brock by his ear. "Can't you see she's Speed Racer's girlfriend?" she asked.
Ash realized that he was dealing with a new Pokemon. He decided to use a water Pokemon. "Squirtle, I choose you!"
"Squirtle!" the turtle cried.
"Pandare!"
Pandare breathed fire at Squirtle. Squirtle used a watergun attack, and extinguished the blaze.
No one noticed the mysterious vehicle that was entering the yard. Without warning, two giant claws reached out. One grabbed Squirtle, and the other seized Pandare. Both were placed inside the machine. Pikachu ran forward, and was also captured.
"Hey, what's going on here?" Spridle asked.
"Prepare for trouble."
"Make it double."
"To protect the world from devastation."
"To unite all peoples within our nation."
"To denounce the evils of truth and love."
"To extend our reach to the stars above."
"Jessie."
"James."
"Team Rocket blasts off at the speed of light."
"Surrender now, or prepare to fight."
"Meowth, that's right!"
"It's Team Rocket!" Ash, Misty, and Brock cried.
"Correct," James said. "Now we have Pikchu, Squirtle, and Pandare. The boss will be pleased."
"Yeah, we may even get a big promotion," Meowth boasted.
"Give me back my Pandare!" Spridle shouted.
Suddenly, James looked at the older boy. "Say, aren't you Speed Racer?"
"I am," Speed Racer replied.
"I'll make a deal with you," James said. "I challenge you to a road race. If you win, I'll set the Pokemon free. If I win, we keep them."
"I accept your challenge, James," Speed Racer answered.
"No," Ash protested. "Team Rocket can't be trusted."
"I have no choice," Speed Racer said.
A short while later, Speed got into the Mach Five, and James into his own race car. The two competitors took off.
At first, James was ahead. Then Speed passed him. Seeing this, James pushed a button on the dashboard. A dart flew out, heading directly for one of the Mach Five's tires. Speed swerved to avoid it. It landed on the side of the road.
Speed headed for the finish line, leaving James in the dust.
When it was over, Speed approached Team Rocket. "All right," he said. "I won the race. Now hand over those Pokemon."
"Nothing doing!" James snapped. "Did you really believe we'd let those Pokemon go? Come on, Jessie, let's deliver our prizes to the boss!"
"Ash was right!" Speed said. "You three can't be trusted!"
But inside Team Rocket's vehicle, Pandare used his Superblaze attack to melt the bars of his cage. Then he used it to free Pikachu and Squirtle. The three leaped out of the vehicle.
"They're free!" Jessie cried. "Arboc, I choose you!"
"Wheezie, Victory Bell, go!" James shouted.
Victory Bell tried once again to trap James.
"Not me, you stupid plant!"
"Pandare, Superblaze attack!" Spridle yelled.
"Pandare!" Pandare shot a jet of fire at Arboc.
"Pikachu! Thunderbolt attack!" Ash called.
"PIKACHU!" Pikachu shocked Team Rocket and their Pokemon. They all flew through the air.
"Team Rocket's blasting off again!" In an instant, they were gone.
"They won't be back for a while," Ash said.
Later that day, Ash and Spridle pitted their Pokemon against each other at the gym. It was Pikachu against Pandare. Althought Pandare put up a good fight, he was beaten by Pikachu's thunderbolt attack.
After the match, Spridle shook Ash's hand. "You won fair and square, Ash," he said. "You really are a good Pokemon trainer.
"Thanks," Ash replied.
"Say," Spridle said. "How would you and your friends like to come to the Pallet Town 500 tomorrow to cheer on Speed Racer?"
"I'd love it!" Ash exclaimed.
The next day, the Racers, Trixie, Sparky, Ash, his mother, Misty, Brock, Tracey, Professor Oak, Nurse Joy, and Officer Jenny, were all there to see Speed Racer. Racer X was there too.
Speed drove the Mach Five around the track, passing all the other drivers. As always, he was the first to cross the finish line. The audience cheered.
After Speed accepted his trophy, he and his family and friends bid the others farewell.
"Maybe we'll meet again for another match, Spridle," Ash said.
"You bet we will," Spridle answered.
"I'll miss you, Trixie--" Brock began. Once again, Misty grabbed him by his ear.
"Get a life, Brock!"
Everyone burst out laughing. "So long!" the Racers said.
Ash went back to his house, knowing that he and Spridle would meet again some day.