The Incredible Poke-Odyssey, chapter 4

Cameron's First Badge

The next morning, Cameron and his friends were all getting a full police
escort to Mt. Moon thanks to Officer Jenny.  She was driving them all in
her personal van with Cameron riding gunshot.  He looked out the window 
holding Sandy in his arms so they could both see the wonders of this 
vast animated land.  

"It looks like we'll all be passing through Viridian City everyone", 
said Jenny.

"Sigh", said Misty feeling a little sad.  Cameron looked at Misty and 
wondered what was wrong with her.  They drove through the tall 
buildings of Viridian City and passed the Rocket owned Pokemon gym that 
was still in ruins from Ash's final victory and there was a huge sign 
on it that said CONDEMNED.

"I guess Team Rocket abandoned it when they took over Pallet", said 
Brock.

"Double Sigh", said Misty.

"And there's the first Pokemon center Ash had ever visited", said 
Cameron.

"Tripple Sigh!" said Misty while a tear formed in her eye.

"What's wrong Misty?" asked Cameron, "You look a little down today."

"It's just that seeing all these familiar places reminds me of the time 
I first met Ash", said a sad Misty.

"You must really do care about him", smiled Cameron.

"I do not!" she shouted. "I remember that little loser stole my bike 
and wrecked it six years ago!  I swore that I was gonna track him down 
until he pays me back for it!  I'm really glad you freed us Cameron.  
Now that I'm back in the outside world, Ash is no longer free from our 
debt! Heh heh heh!"

Cameron, Brock, Stella, and Sandy all looked funny at Misty.  "What?!!" 
she asked.

Little did they know was that a giant Meowth-shaped balloon was 
following them every inch of the way.  It was piloted by James, Meowth, 
and their new partner Reiko.  "Look, there's our old Rocket gym", said 
James.  "And they're gonna tear it down!  They just can't demolish all 
of our happy memories from that place!"

"What happy memories?!" sneered Meowth, "Don't you remember that our 
old tyrant of a boss used to torment us day and night at that place?!  
I just wish I could see the look on his and that dumb Persian's faces 
when they find out that his lowliest Rockets are now living the royal 
life.  I bet they'd both be coughing up hairballs.  Heh, Heh!"

James started laughing too.  But Reiko just sat there picking her ear 
with her sharp katana. (Kids, this is something you should never do.  
Unless you're a psychotic ninja like Reiko!)

"Do you remember the time when our old nemesis Ash, tried to compete 
for the Earthbadge?" smiled James, "We rigged the booth he was standing 
in to electrify him whenever his Pokemon got beaten!"

"Yeah, and we also rigged Jessie's booth by accident making her feel 
the sparks too", said Meowth.

"HA HA HA HA!" laughed both James and Meowth just realizing that they 
got back at Jessie for all those years of abuse she put on them.  But 
then they both got whacked on the head by two huge mallets marked HIS 
and ITS.

"Like the gigantic Dragonite that keeps its head in the clouds and ends 
up stepping on a manure factory. You should never keep your eyes off 
an enemy when you have the upper advantage!" said Reiko angrily as she 
pushed James's and Meowth's heads to the side of the balloon and 
discovered that Jenny's van was gone.

"Uh oh", said James, "The boss isn't gonna like this."

"What are you talkin' about?!" asked Meowth, "We're our own bosses 
now!" But they both got bonked on the head again by Reiko's twin 
mallets proving who was the boss of this mission.

"Interns can really move up in this world", said a dazed James.

*      *      *      *      *      *

Jenny's van soon drove out of Viridian City, into Viridian Forest, and 
then they entered territory that was familiar to Brock, Pewter City.  
"Jenny, can we please stop here for a while?" begged Brock. "I have 
family that I haven't seen in years."

"Oh, okay", smiled Jenny, "As long as we're here, I think I'll visit my 
big sister.  We'll rest here and continue our journey tomorrow."
 
*      *      *      *      *      *

Jenny had dropped the group off at the front yard of Brock's old home.  
Then she drove off to the police station that was across the street 
where her older sister, which looked exactly like her, was waiting 
eagerly for her.

"Jenny, it's so good to see you!" cried Jenny while hugging her.

"The same goes for me too Jenny", said the other Jenny.

"It's amazing that an entire family can all look alike, have the same 
careers, and all have the same exact name." Said Cameron, "I wonder how 
they can tell each other apart?"

"Brock always seems to know", said Misty winking, "Why don't you explain 
to Cameron the different ways you use to go ga-ga for each Jenny you see?"

"Please Misty", said Brock disgusted, "I was immature back then.  I'm 
now an adult and Stella's a whole lot better than a hundred Jennies put 
together.  She's the only love and beauty I need in my life." And he 
picked up Stella and started to hug her.

"Thanks Brock", smiled Stella, "But that still doesn't excuse you for 
what you did last night!"

"Oh darn", whispered Brock, "It was worth a shot."

*      *      *      *      *      *

Brock knocked on the door and a girl who had spiky hair and shut eyes 
exactly like he had answered. "Big brother?" asked the girl.

"Yes it's me Suzy", smiled Brock patting his little sister on the head.

"Brock!!" cried Suzy as she leapt onto her brother knocking him down. 
"I'm so glad you're back!" she cried. "Because my dolly is ripped and 
I need it fixed!"

"Yep, it's good to be home!" smiled Brock.

*      *      *      *      *      *

The minute they all entered inside.  All of his ten little brothers and 
sisters piled on top of Brock welcoming him home.  "Hey Cindy, Timmy, 
Tommy, Twins, and all the rest", smiled Brock as he hugged them all at 
the same time wishing he had longer arms.

"Don't I get a hug too?" asked a voice.  Brock looked up and saw his 
father Flint dressed in an apron and holding a spatula in his hand.

"Hello Father", said Brock quietly.  Flint knew that he wasn't really 
Brock's favorite person since the time he abandoned his family years 
ago causing his own wife to die of a broken heart and leaving Brock to 
take care of his ten younger siblings demolishing his dreams of 
traveling around and becoming a Pokemon breeder.

Brock approached Flint slowly and hugged him tightly.  "Oh Dad!" cried 
Brock, "It's so great to be home and I forgive you!"

"Thank you son", said Flint totally relieved.  All of Brock's siblings 
along with Misty, Stella, and Cameron were smiling at the touching 
sight.  Cameron smiled and thought about his own father. "I'll be home 
soon Dad", he thought.

*      *      *      *      *      *

Everyone was gathered at the table that afternoon for lunch.  They had 
to bring extra chairs to the table for they had some guests, as if a 
table for eleven wasn't crowded enough already.  Brock had prepared a 
meal of spaghetti for his siblings requested that he make it since they 
hadn't had his good cooking in years.

"Brock" said Timmy. "I really like Stella a lot.  She's got pretty 
hair and beautiful eyes.  I wish she were my sister-in-law!"  Stella 
just blushed at the words he just said and then looked at Brock with a 
smiling face.

"Okay Brock, where's my five bucks?" asked Timmy.

"Five bucks?!!!" asked Stella now frowning.

"Yeah, Brock promised me five bucks if I said those nice things about 
you." Said Timmy innocently.  Stella looked angrily at a nervous sweaty 
Brock and then smiled at Timmy.

"I'll give you ten bucks if you tickle Brock to death", smiled Stella 
as she handed Timmy a ten.

"Uh oh, I think I left the garlic bread in the oven too long", said 
Brock as he left the table and headed into the kitchen while Timmy 
followed him holding a feather.  Everyone at the table started laughing.

"So Cameron", said Flint, "I understand that it was you who helped 
Brock and his friends escape from that trapped town."

"All I did was make a suggestion", said Cameron blushing, "It was 
Brock's Onix that was the hero."

"And that little suggestion was what started it all", smiled Flint, 
"That's why they should always have suggestion boxes in office 
buildings.  Thank you Cameron for reuniting my whole family and I want 
to give you something."

"Aw, you don't have to sir", said Cameron humbly.

"But I want you to have this", said Flint as he opened up a nearby 
cabinet and took out something.

"Wow, a Pokebelt for carrying Pokeballs!" smiled Cameron, "But are you 
sure you don't want to give it to Brock?"

"I've been planing on making Pokebelts for each of my kids", said 
Flint, "And I'd like you to have my first one.  Go ahead and try it on."

Cameron did as he was told and put on the belt.  He took the Pokeballs 
that contained Sandy and Oddish out of his pocket and placed them into 
the built in holes on the belt. "Thank you sir", smiled Cameron. "This 
is really neat."

"Wow Cameron", smiled Stella, "Now you look like a real Pokemon 
trainer!"

"Too much like Ash if you ask me", thought Misty still thinking about 
Ash.

"Cameron", asked Tommy, "Wanna have a Pokemon match?"

"Me, actually competing in a real live Pokemon match?!" gasped Cameron.

"Why not?" asked Tommy, "Are you too scared to take on a little kid 
like me?"

"And all of us!" asked the rest of his siblings each holding a Pokeball.

"Why don't you go ahead Cameron", smiled Flint. "I gave them each one 
beginning Pokemon and they all need some experience."

"And so do you Cameron", smiled Misty.

*      *      *      *      *      *

Everyone was outside in the backyard where Cameron was facing his very 
first opponent, Tommy.

"Go Diglett!" shouted Tommy as he released a cute little mole like 
Pokemon.

"Oddish, I choose you!" shouted Cameron as he released his new 
Pokemon.

"Why does he have to sound like Ash too?" thought Misty.

"Diglett, scratch attack now!" commanded Tommy as Diglett tried to 
slash up Oddish but quickly dodged out of the way.  Oddish jumped on 
top of Diglett's head and started absorbing all the minerals from its 
body just like it did to Sandy the other night. "DIGLETT!" cried Tommy.

"Oddish, I didn't command you to use absorb!" said Cameron as he 
quickly pried Oddish off a drained Diglett while Tommy picked up his 
poor Pokemon.

"I'm sorry Tommy", said Cameron, "I just caught this Pokemon yesterday 
and it still needs some disciplining."

"That's all right", said Tommy, "Dad has a whole medicine cabinet of 
healing potion and besides, I now know that my Diglett needs some more 
training.  Thanks for the match."  Said Tommy bowing to him.

"You sure are a good sport Tommy", smiled Cameron feeling happy that he 
won his very first live Pokemon battle.

"I hope you'll be a good sport when you lose to me", said Cindy as she 
leapt in front of Cameron holding a Pokeball. "Go Krabby!" she shouted 
as she released a small crab.  Oddish looked at Krabby, jumped out of 
Cameron's arms, landed on the crab's head and started absorbing again.

"No Oddish!" shouted Cameron, "I didn't command you to attack just yet!"

"That's okay", smiled Cindy, "We can handle your rebel Pokemon.  
Krabby, vicegrip!" Krabby quickly grabbed Oddish by the stems and 
started to hold it tightly so it couldn't absorb anymore.

"What'd I tell you?" smiled Cindy as she crossed her arms in triumph.

"Oddish, use your stun spore now!" commanded Cameron.  Oddish managed 
to cough up some pollen which hit Krabby right between the eyes causing 
it to let go of Oddish and to fall backwards completely paralyzed.

"KRABBY!" shouted Cindy as she picked up her Pokemon while Oddish did 
a cute little victory dance.

Next the twins sent out their male and female Nidorans, but Oddish 
managed to paralyze them again with stun spore.  Then Timmy approached 
Cameron. "Go Venonat!" shouted Timmy as he released a purple furry bug 
with huge red eyes.

"Oddish, stun spore now!" commanded Cameron.

"Venonat, psybeam now!" commanded Timmy as Venonat shot a powerful 
psychic beam from its forehead knocking Oddish out completely.

"ODDISH!!", shouted Cameron as he ran over and picked up his completely 
dazed Pokemon. "Don't worry Oddish", he said as he put it back in its 
Pokeball, "You've done all you could today." He put Oddish's ball back 
onto his belt and took out another one. "Go Sandy!" he shouted as he 
released his Sandshrew.

"Venonat, leech life now!" commanded Timmy as the bug rushed over to 
put the bite on Sandy.

"Sandy, use your sand attack now!" commanded Cameron as Sandy sprayed 
sand into Venonat's very sensitive eyes causing it to yelp, "NAT!!!"

"Now finish it off with a tackle attack", smiled Cameron.  Sandy rolled 
up into a ball and threw himself at Venonat completely knocking it back 
into Timmy's arms.

"Venonat!" said Venonat apologizing to Timmy.

"It's okay Nat", smiled Timmy, "At least you defeated his first 
Pokemon.  I couldn't be prouder of you."

"Your kids sure are good sports", said Stella to Flint.

"You can thank Brock for that", said Flint, "He taught his siblings to 
love and respect all Pokemon like they were their own children." Stella 
then looked at Brock who was watching his brothers and sisters battling 
with Cameron.  She then put her arm around Brock and kissed him on the 
cheek.

"Does this mean I'm forgiven?" asked Brock smiling.

"What do you think?" smiled Stella as he tackled him onto the ground 
and started kissing him while Timmy and Venonat were watching them.

"Does this mean I get my five bucks from Brock?" he asked.

So far Cameron and Sandy were doing pretty good.  Sandy mangaed to 
defeat the Caterpie, Weedle, Metapod, and Kakuna from the next four 
siblings.  Finally Suzy, the youngest sibling approached Cameron.

"Are you ready to taste the agony of defeat?" asked Suzy in a cute 
little voice.

"Sure thing", said Cameron as he bent down and whispered into Sandy's 
ear. "You'd better go easy on her", said Cameron, "It might upset a 
young girl like her if you trash her Pokemon."

"Shrew", whispered Sandy and nodded his head.  Then Cameron stood up 
just as Suzy released her Pokemon. "Go Butterfree!" shouted Suzy as she 
released a beautiful purple butterfly that flew over Sandy's head.

"A Butterfree!" thought Cameron nervously, "I'd thought she'd have a 
much smaller Pokemon after the cocoon types we just faced!"

"Butterfree, use your psychic attack!" commanded Suzy.  Sandy found 
himself hovering in the air for Butterfree was using its psychic powers 
to lift him up, slam him onto the ground a few times, and throw him 
into a nearby tree.

"SANDY!" cried Cameron as he picked up his bruised Sandshrew who was 
feeling a little psyched-out.

"You did it Suzy!" shouted all of the siblings as they picked up their 
youngest sister and paraded her into the house with her Butterfree 
following them.

"I hope you weren't too disappointed Cameron", said Brock, "But I think 
it was nice of you to battle my siblings and build up their hopes and 
confidences.  Now they'll be even more determined to keep training so 
they can take on any trainer big or small."

"Thanks", said Cameron feeling pretty good even though he lost in the 
end.

"Come on", said Brock, "Let me take you to your very first Pokemon 
center so you can learn how to get your Pokemon healed, my treat."

"But don't Pokemon centers heal them for free?" asked Cameron.

"Which is why it's a treat for both you and me!" winked Brock.

*      *      *      *      *      *

An hour later, Cameron and Brock left the Pokemon center after getting 
Cameron's Pokemon healed.  Cameron just had a nice conversation with 
Nurse Joy while a Chansey took the Pokeballs that contained his Pokemon 
to a healing machine.  

"So that's what it was like being in a real live Pokemon center", said 
Cameron, "It was almost like being in a motel."

"But remember, each Pokemon center has only 3 day limits to a trainer." 
Explained Brock, "They can be pretty cruel to freeloaders."  They 
turned around and saw a Chansey throw an old hobo out on the street 
along with his empty Pokeballs. "See what I mean?" asked Brock.

"I also noticed that you didn't try to romance the Nurse Joy that 
worked there", said Cameron.

"That's because I finally found Stella, my rightful love", smiled Brock, 
"And besides, that Nurse Joy used to be my babysitter when I was little.  
She even changed my diapers!" he said while blushing.

"Maybe Stella will do the same thing for you when you're older", 
laughed Cameron.

Brock was about to whack Cameron for that wisecrack until he noticed a 
huge building. "Hey, it's my old gym", smiled Brock as he pushed aside 
a huge rock, picked up a key, unlocked the doors to the gym and they 
both stepped inside.

"Yep, it's the same when I last left it", smiled Brock has he looked at 
the rock covered floor and the spot where he use to sit cross-legged 
whenever a trainer wanted to battle him.

"Cameron", said Brock, "It just feels so great to be back in my old 
home city with my family, friends, and all the other things that are so 
dear to me.  And all of this happened because you dropped into my life.  
Is there any way I can repay you?"

"Well", said Cameron, "I would like to compete for a BoulderBadge if 
you don't mind.  I want to experience my very first live official gym 
match."

"You got it!" smiled Brock as he leapt to his old spot while Cameron 
went over to the other side of the gym. "Why don't we make this a one 
on one match with no time limit?" asked Brock.

"That works for me", said Cameron, "Sandy, I choose you!" and he 
released Sandy who was looking a lot better and ready for battle.

"Then I choose Graveler!" said Brock as he released a large boulder 
monster with very strong arms.

"Sandy, use your fury swipes!" commanded Cameron.

"Graveler, harden yourself!" commanded Brock.

Sandy started slashing like crazy at Graveler but the giant rock was 
almost impossible to scratch. "Graveler, give him your seismic toss!" 
shouted Brock.  Graveler then grabbed Sandy, crumpled him into a ball 
and threw him across the floor.  Luckily Sandy's armor had protected 
him a little.

"Graveler, tackle him now!" shouted Brock as Graveler stared rolling 
like a steamroller heading toward Sandy.

"Quick Sandy, dig underground!" shouted Cameron as Sandy dug under the 
rocky floor escaping Graveler's attack just in time.

"Graveler, dig after him!" shouted Brock.  Graveler started to tear 
through the rocky floor as well until all the guys saw were two holes 
in the floor and a lot of pounding coming from the ground.

"What have I done?!" thought Cameron imagining the mess his Sandshrew 
would become once this was all over.  Just then Graveler emerged from 
the ground smiling.

"Way to go Graveler!" shouted Brock as Cameron bowed his head in 
defeat.  Just then, Graveler fainted and Sandy leapt from out of the 
ground and landed onto Graveler's back shouting, "SANDSHREW!" while 
giving a victory sign with his claws.

"You did it Sandy!!" cried Cameron happily as he ran over and picked up 
Sandy who licked Cameron's face with joy.

Brock went over to his knocked out Graveler and patted him on its bumpy 
head. "Don't worry Graveler", smiled Brock, "You put on quite a battle 
for me and I'll always be proud of you."

"Graveler!" said the huge boulder while smiling.

"Congratulations Cameron", said Brock as he handed him a little badge 
in the shape of a boulder. "The BoulderBadge is yours.  You earned it."

"All right!" smiled Cameron as he marveled at the small but important 
looking badge and then showed it to Sandy. "You're the one who really 
earned it Sandy." He smiled while Sandy stuck his chest out waiting for 
it to be pinned on him.

"Uh, I think you might need a shirt like me if you want to wear it", 
said Cameron thinking about the welfare of his proud Pokemon.

*      *      *      *      *      *

Later, Cameron and Brock were walking back to the house with Sandy 
marching proudly along the way. "I'm sorry about the holes in your gym 
floor", said Cameron.

"Hey, don't sweat it", said Brock, "That usually happens a lot when 
trainers bring their ground Pokemon to battle.  I always keep a hefty 
supply of rocks of all sizes to plug up those holes."

When they got back to Brock's house, they found Officer Jenny and her 
sister crouched down behind some bushes along with their Growlithes. 
"Jenny and uh, Jenny?", asked Brock, "What's going on?"

"Duck down and be quiet!" shouted both Jennies as they grabbed the boys 
by the shirts and brought them both down behind the bushes. "There's 
trouble afoot" said the Pewter Jenny.

"Team Rocket is holding your family and friends hostage in your own 
house!" said the Pallet Jenny, "And we can't let them see you!"

"Too late, they already have!" shouted James as he poked his head out 
of the window.

"James you jerk!" shouted Brock, "If you harm one hair on any of my 
loved ones...."

"Too late, we already did", smiled Meowth as he held up a lock of dark 
brown spiky hair from one of his siblings.  Brock started to turn red 
with rage.

"You boys have a choice", said James, "You can either come in here 
peacefully and join our all-night hostage party or you can stay out 
there and we'll have to entertain our guests by ourselves.  Meowth, 
if you please?"

"My pleasure James", said Meowth as he put on an Elvis wig and suit and 
started singing, "I ain't nuthin' but a Meowth cat, purring all the 
time!  You ain't caught a Pokemon so you ain't even a peon of mine!"  
The group outside could hear everyone screaming in pain from inside.

"We've got to get in there!" cried a panicked Brock.

"And have you all taken back to Rocketville and make Officer Jennies 
look bad everywhere?" asked the Pewter Jenny, "We don't think so!"

"Wait, I think I have an idea!" said Cameron as he looked at Sandy.

*      *      *      *      *      *

Cameron and Brock slowly approached the door and it opened.  In the 
center of the room they found Brock's siblings on the floor all tied 
up.  On the right side was Misty and Stella tied back to back on chairs 
and on the left they found Flint hanging upside down from the coat rack 
all tied up.  Just then James, Meowth, and a girl they've never seen 
before jumped right in front of them holding a rope.

"I'm so glad you both could make it", said James, "We've saved a spot 
for you right by the fireplace."

"Now give us your Pokeballs if you want live humans in this house!" 
said Meowth holding a sack.  Cameron and Brock complied and put their 
Pokeballs in Meowth's sack.  Then Reiko quickly tied up the two guys 
and sat them right next to Misty and Stella.

"Ya' got any last words before we send you all back to Rocketville?" 
sneered Meowth.

"Yes I have", said Cameron, "If all of your prisoners are gonna be 
taken back to Rocketville, shouldn't you teach them your pledge of 
allegiance so they'll know it as soon as they get there?"

"Cameron, what are you doing?!" shouted an angry Misty.

"Why that's a marvelous idea!" smiled James, "Jessie will adore having 
a bunch of new subjects pledging their loyalty to her the minute she 
sees them.  What do you say Meowth?"

"Oh, all right!" grumbled Meowth, "That is if it's all right with our 
high and mighty intern over here."

"Yes, that would be good", said an emotionless Reiko, "Our queen will 
be most pleased."

"Then it that case, I want you all to repeat after us or Meowth will 
start singing again!" smiled James.  All of the hostages nervously 
repeated the Team Rocket motto over and over again for exactly 20 
minutes until they all knew it by heart while their brains were about 
to disappear.

"Could you repeat that again please?" asked Cameron, "I want to be sure 
I get it right."

"They say the 52nd times the charm!" smiled James.

"I'm gonna kill Cameron for this!" thought an almost hoarse Misty. 

Meowth suddenly put his ear against the stone floor and heard 
something. "Hey guys", he said, "I think something's going on down in 
the basement." 

James and Reiko put their ears against the stone floor and heard it 
too. "Hey pops", said James as he turned to Flint, "What's going on in 
your basement?"

"Basement?  This house doesn't have a basement." Said Flint puzzled.  
Just then the floor under James, Meowth, and Reiko collapsed and the 
three of them fell right through it. "Maybe it does", said Flint 
surprised.

Everyone heard a bunch of barking, biting, scratching, and yelling 
coming from the hole.  Soon out popped the Growlithes who ran over and 
untied the hostages with their teeth.  And out came Sandy carrying the 
sack of stolen Pokeballs.

"Your plan worked Cameron!", said Brock.

"What plan?!" demanded Misty who was suffering a headache that was 
worse than Psyduck's.

"Well", said Cameron holding Sandy, "Before we stepped in, I asked 
Sandy and both of the Jennies' Growlithes to dig a hole right under 
the house.  I wanted to keep the Rockets talking so they could hear the 
sounds of their voices and bring them down into the ground so they'd 
be powerless.  And I'm sorry we had to tear up your nice floor to do it 
Mr. Flint." 

"It's okay Cameron", smiled Flint, "I'm just glad you were able to save 
us all."

"And I'll get some rocks from my gym to plug up that hole", said Brock, 
"Right after we deposit some unwanted trash from it." He opened the 
door and the two Jennies charged in and circled the hole where they saw 
James, Meowth, and Reiko lying in the dirt looking battered, beaten, 
and chewed to perfection.

"You three are under arrest!" shouted both Jennies as they took out 
their handcuffs.

"Sorry, we don't feel like resting right now!" said James as he took 
out a Pokeball and released what looked like a Koffing with two heads. 
"Weezing, smokescreen now!" commanded James as Weezing flew around 
the room spraying black smoke all over the house.  When the smoke 
cleared, they found the hole empty for the Rockets had escaped.

"I hate to put this on my report", sighed the Pewter Jenny.

*      *      *      *      *      *

The next day, Cameron and his friends were all climbing inside Pallet 
Jenny's van ready to continue their journey to Mt. Moon.  Brock was 
standing in front of his family and Pewter Jenny getting ready to say 
goodbye.

"Do you really have to go Brock?", asked Suzy, "I'm gonna miss you 
again!"

"And I will too little sis", smiled Brock, "But if we stay here, those 
Rockets will come back again.  We need to keep traveling until every 
Rocket on this planet is defeated forever.  And only then, will I come 
back."

"And don't worry Suzy", smiled Pewter Jenny, "I'm going to stay in this 
house until I can be sure that the Rockets won't ever come back here."

"Please be careful Brock!" said Suzy as she hugged her big brother 
while all the other siblings hugged him at the same time.

"Don't forget the head of this household", said Flint as he managed to 
squeeze through the cluster of kids to get to his oldest boy.

"You take good care of the family you got traveling with you", said 
Flint, "We're all counting on you."

"You bet Dad", smiled Brock as he hugged his father and then stepped 
into the van.  Everyone waved goodbye as they saw the van drive off 
into the horizon while Brock waved out through the back window while 
a tear formed into his closed eye.

*      *      *      *      *      *

Meanwhile in the Meowth balloon, James, Meowth, and Reiko were busy 
tying bandages around each other almost like how Primeapes like to pick 
the lice off of each other's backs.  

"UUUUGGGGHHH!" screamed James as he started to scratch his bruised 
back, "Get these lice off of me!"

"The narrator only meant it as an example you lame-brain!" shouted 
Meowth as he bopped James on the head with a tiny mallet.

"Like the fresh white briefs that become pink when you put them in the 
wash with red long-johns.  Will my brain grow small like those fools 
if I'm near them every minute?" sighed Reiko.

TO BE CONTINUED