Chapter 5: First Encounter
The morning brought out a new promise for Peter as he stood at the limits of Cerulean City. He was very proud of his Pokémon for their victory over the sisters. "Guess it's safe to say this is just the beginning," he said to Nido-G. "How about we get ourselves a new Pokémon for our next battle?"
Nido-G nodded as he was ready for action. The two decided to try out the spot where they first caught Oddish. It was still a perfect spot for Pokémon to rest and get a drink.
As they reached the spring, Nido-G began to stiffen his ears as to sense something nearby. "Is it a Pokémon?" Peter asked. Nido-G pointed to a clearing where the dirt was exposed. Peter took a good look at the clearing as he noticed what seemed to be an eye. "Looks like a Sandshrew," he thought. He then began to decided what Pokémon he should use. Charmander and Nido-G would be at a disadvantage against a ground-type like Sandshrew. "I think Oddish can make short work out of this guy," he said as he pulled out Oddish's Pokéball.
Oddish came out and was a little puzzled. It couldn't find Sandshrew anywhere. "Oddish! You can flush out Sandshrew with a Stun Spore!" Peter ordered. Oddish shook its leaves and created a cloud over the dirt. Sandshrew got up and was ready to attack. However, the Stun Spore made its movement rather sluggish. Peter knew it would be easy to just throw a Pokéball now. "Good job Oddish! I'll take over!" he said as he threw his Pokéball. It made impact and pulled in the stunned Pokémon. The ball wiggled furiously, but then stopped. Peter knew it was too easy, but then he figured that any advantage against a Pokémon was best.
Peter had stopped for a while to give his Pokémon a break. He was tending to his new Sandshrew, while the others were having a drink at the spring. "A ground type Pokémon would be perfect against the Vermilion gym leader," he said as he pulled out a flyer. It looked like the kind of flyer that military recriuters use to draft people into the army. "This Lt. Surge uses electric type Pokémon for all his battles. And I can teach this Sandshrew a few good tactics to beat them." Peter continued to fix up Sandshrew to perfect health as he then started to gather the rest of his gear.
"Okay everyone! It's time to go," he said as he recalled most of his Pokémon into their balls. Nido-G walked over to Peter ready to go as well. "Well, G. It looks like we're getting a bigger family now. It's too bad I can only carry 6 at a time, otherwise I would love to train all Pokémon I catch," he said. Nido-G seemed to agree with it.
The two had made their way to a clear field. Peter also wondered if he should buy any techniques from a department store. As he was walking, he noticed Nido-G stopped a few steps behind him. His ears were scanning around as if he heard something. "What is it, G? Do you hear a new Pokémon?" he asks. Nido-G then turns his head toward a small patch of grass. "I see..." Peter said as he put on his game face. He was ready to get out his Pokémon, when something jumped out. There were two trainers and a Meowth. Peter didn't know what to make of them, but he figured these three were watching him. "Is there something I can do for you two?" he asks the two strangers. They grin quite coldly as the young woman began to speak. "Yes, as a matter of fact, there is something you can do for us," she said.
"Hand over your Pokémon to us," the young man finished.
Peter looked at the two as he wondered who they were. "Well, at least you're direct. But I'm afraid I can't let you take my Pokémon," he replied back to them. The two look at each other with sinister grins as they turned their attention to Peter.
"You just don't get it, do you?" The young girl replied.
"We're team Rocket and we always get what we're after!" the young man answered.
"Meowth! That's right!" a small voice said. Peter looked down and to his surprize, it was the Meowth who talked. Peter then looked at the two and then began to point at them. "It really doesn't matter who you are, I won't give up this Sandshrew!" he exclaimed. The two then grinned vilianously as they approached closer. "Unless..." Peter finished.
"Unless? We don't make deals with anyone!" The young girl responded.
"Fine. But I could be willing to give you my Sandshrew... If"
"If? If what?" the young man wondered.
"If you trade with me." Peter finished.
"A trade??! Now you've really made us mad!" They both respond.
"We don't trade! We steal! And Pokémon are on our menu!" the Meowth explained.
"Then you'll love this!" Peter exclaimed. "Everyone knows I work hard and proud as a Pokémon trainer. This little fellow is power unleashed!" The three of them look in awe as Peter shows them his prize catch. "This would be worth three Pokémon in a trade."
"THREE POKéMON!?" they shouted.
"That's right. and all I want is just one of yours. Don't you guys think it's a steal?" Peter responded with sly grin. The three of huddle together as they see that a Pokémon worth three trades would be very powerfull. They then turn to Peter as they bow humbly. "Very well. I suppose this will be the only fair thing we do," The young girl said.
"But next time, we do things our way," The young man finished.
"Works for me. What do you have?" Peter asked. The two release their Pokémon. One was an Ekans and the other a Koffing.
"Now which one of these do you like?" Meowth said as it stood between them. Peter stroked his chin as he examined them carefully. "Let's see. Both of them are good at certain skills," He then smacked his fist on his hand. "I got it! I choose..."
He then points dead center between Ekans and Koffing. Meowth looked around before it realized it was the one. "ME????!" it said in surprize. Peter nodded as he looked at the two. "Is there a problem?" he asked.
"Oh no!" The young man said shaking his head. "That's a fine choice! You can have him!"
"What are ya saying?!" Meowth protested. "I don't belong to you guys!"
"Of course not. You belong to me," Peter said with a smirk. He then handed the ball to the young girl and shook hands. "Now it's official. You are the proud owners of a Sandshrew," Peter exclaimed. The two Rockets skip away laughing at Peter's misfortune. Meowth Shouted out still not too sure what just happened. "Oh well," it sighed. "At least they should be able to rescue me from this kid with that Mega Sandshrew."
"Weelllll," Peter said with a sly look.
"What do ya mean by that?" Meowth wondered.
"The truth is, I just caught the fellow. It didn't put up too much of a struggle," he confessed. Meowth's jaw dropped to the floor when it heard his deception. "YOU MEAN YOU SOLD ME OUT FOR A WORTHLESS POKéMON!?" it yelled.
"Not bad for a kid. Wouldn't you say?" he laughed. Meowth seemed a little irate, but then cooled down. "You know. I think you may be a bigger rat then my two associates back there. I think I will hang out with ya," it stated. Peter smiled as he then began to head south.
End of chapter 5
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