???: Ol… …an… …ey! Are y… alri…!?
James: Urgh…
James was starting to come around and could hear someone talking very loudly to him. He didn’t know who it was. He still felt very weak after the PULSE Tangrowth sapped some of his energy away from him. He tried to open his eyes but they just wouldn’t. The very least he could do was open them as if he was squinting at something. He slowly moved his head towards the sound of the voice. He slowly looked over to his right and could see a figure standing there. He couldn’t make them out though. The only thing he could see was a lot of pink. Just as he saw the person though, he could feel the person’s hand smack him across the face. This actually helped him a bit and his eyes shot open from the surprise pain on his cheek. He sat up somewhat quickly holding his face.
James: Ow…
???: Sorry but you weren’t responding to anything else.
James: Well… could have done it maybe… a little softer…
???: I’ve already been standing here for a half hour trying to wake you up! What else do you want me to do?!
James: A half hour…? I’ve been out for that long? Wait. How do you know that?
???: I was here to take care of these Meteor jerks myself but you came along and did it instead!
James: Heh…
???: Although, looking at what happened to you afterwards kind of makes me feel I didn’t have to deal with that guy at least… Still, I should have been the 1 to take out the grunts at least.
James turned towards the person talking. He could tell that this person was a girl. She was also very short. In fact, she seemed too young to be an adult. It took him a bit in his current state but he eventually figured out that this person was a little girl.
James: Hold on… You’re just a little kid… You shouldn’t be messing around with these guys… They’re bad news…
???: Urgh! Here we go again! Another adult trying to tell me what to do!
James: If this were Team Rocket… I would say go for it. But these guys are on another level…
???: This is so annoying! I FINALLY get away from my dad so I could stop the bad guys here and I not only find YOU taking care of them but I had to look after you after that weird looking Pokemon attacked you!
James: But-
???: And now you’re trying to tell me what to do! Just like my dad! He doesn’t let me do anything or let me go anywhere!
James: Maybe he’s just trying to look out for you?
???: Not the way he does it… You know, sometimes I think he secretly is trying to punish me because I remind him of mom. But joke’s on him! I stole mom’s ring and I snuck out to beat up bad people too!
James: I really don’t think it’s a good idea to try to take them on by yourself…
???: Ugh! You’re so annoying! By the way, why did you send out your Mr. Mime before you got knocked out?
James: What…? Mr. Mime…? You mean Mime Jr…
???: Noooo. I mean Mr. Mime.
James: What?
???: Look to your left dummy!
James slowly turned his head to the left and there was in fact a Mr. Mime standing there by him.
It appeared it was crying but was trying to stop to seem tough, to which it was failing at miserably. It couldn’t hold back anymore though and hugged onto James crying its eyes out to him and also in front of the little girl. He was completely confused on where this Mr. Mime came from.
James: H-Hey…! I’m still kind of woozy here… Could you not do that…?
Mr. Mime: -let’s go- Mime Mime…
James: Who’s Mr. Mime does this belong to…?
???: Huh…? Ohh. Right. You were knocked out so you didn’t see it.
James: See what…?
???: Well it was a Mime Jr. that came out of your PokeBall. It tried to wake you up but when you wouldn’t wake up, it started to glow and everything and then it evolved into a Mr. Mime.
James: -looks back at Mr. Mime- So… you used to be Mime Jr.?
Mr. Mime: -nods yes- Mr. Mime Mime.
James: Heh… Thank you friend… You always were looking out for me…
Mr. Mime: Mr. Mime Mime!
James: I’m sorry I couldn’t watch you evolve though…
Mr. Mime: -softly hugging James- Mr. Mime.
James: -returns the hug- Could you help me up buddy?
Mr. Mime and the girl helped James up to his feet. He couldn’t quite stand up on his own though so Mr. Mime put his arm around its shoulders to help him stand up more. The little girl didn’t seem so sure on James trying to move around though.
???: Uhh mister? Are you sure you should try to move? You still don’t seem so good.
James: I can’t let Team Meteor keep doing harm here… I know there’s another machine up there in Beryl Ward…
???: Hey! You leave that 1 alone! I’ll take care of that 1. I live there after all. And don’t you dare try to stop me!
James: Wait. Hold on.
???: What is it now?
James: I know you’re dead set on taking on Team Meteor and while I would like to stop you, I know I can’t so please do this 1 thing for me before you go take them on…
???: Well… since you’re letting me take them on on my own, I suppose I can. What is it?
James: Do you know a woman named Ame?
???: Do I know her? Of course I do! I don’t know anyone that doesn’t know her.
James: Good… I want you to go tell her that I’m alright and to not worry about me…
???: You want me to lie to her?
James: I-I’m not lying…!
???: You can barely stand with your Pokemon helping you! You are not alright!
James: Just… please go tell her…?
???: Ugh. Fine. But right after that, I’m going to beat those Team Meteor jerks in Beryl Ward.
James: Deal…
???: Alright. I’m gonna go then.
James: Wait…
???: What now?
James: I just realized… I never asked for your name…
Heather: -sighs- It’s Heather. And yours?
James: I’m James…
Heather: Alright. Well I’m going to go now. Come out Salamence! It’s take-off time!
Heather threw out a PokeBall and the giant Dragon popped out. James couldn’t believe that this little girl was a trainer to such a powerful monster such as Salamence. She hopped on top of the dragon and James watched as it flew up into the air and towards the direction of the Grand Hall. He watched all the way until he couldn’t see them anymore.
James: Alright Mime- Err, Mr. Mime… I’m gonna need you to help me walk for a bit…
Mr. Mime: Mr. Mime?
James: I may be weak right now but we can still at least go looking for the missing policemen…
Mr. Mime: Mr… Mr. Mime Mime.
James: Thank you… I remember seeing another way to get into Jasper Ward from where I found that sign. Let’s go there.
Mr. Mime helped James walk over to the sign. It was hard for the pair of them to get down the ledges but they were able to do it albeit wasting some time. When they made it to the sign, they could see the other way into the Jasper Ward. They went that way and were soon back into the ward. There was only 2 buildings in contact. They weren’t able to get into the 1st building. The door wouldn’t budge. The 2nd building however, they were able to get in. Right in that room, the pair could see a Team Meteor Grunt and 1 of the missing policeman. The grunt turned around and could see James and Mr. Mime.
Meteor Grunt: Hey! It’s you! Heh. Looks like Taka wasn’t able to stop you but he was able to really weaken you.
James: Maybe so but I’m still gonna rescue that policeman…
Meteor Grunt: What?! You still intend to rescue this pig?! -laughs- That’s the funniest thing I’ve heard! Heck. From the way you’re talking, you can’t even give commands to your Pokemon correctly. So what exactly are you going to do?
Policeman: Citizen, just get out of here! I’ll be fine! Don’t risk your life for me!
James stood there looking at the grunt with rage. He wanted to so badly to rescue the policeman but he knew what he said was true. If the 2 battled, James wouldn’t be able to command his Pokemon in time and he would surely lose. Mr. Mime could see that his trainer was in trouble and knew it had to help in some way. It used its Psychic powers to bring out 1 of James’ PokeBalls. All the people present were somewhat confused at what was going on.
James: M-Mr. Mime? What are you doing…?
Mr. Mime: Mr. Mime. Mr. Mime Mime!
Meteor Grunt: You better put it down if you know what’s good for you clown!
Mr. Mime: Mime Mime Mr. Mime!
James: Wait… You’re gonna battle… for me…?
Mr. Mime: Mr. Mime!~
James didn’t expect this. He didn’t even know if it was possible for a Pokemon to command another Pokemon in a battle. But he trusted his Pokemon and decided to have it done. Mr. Mime had the PokeBall pop open and out came Growlithe. The grunt couldn’t believe what was going on but brought out its Pokemon. James instructed Growlithe to listen to anything Mr. Mime told it to do. At 1st, the little fire dog Pokemon was confused but trusted James. So it went along with it. It was the most interesting battle anybody had ever seen. Mr. Mime was able to command Growlithe great though and was able to win the battle. The Meteor Grunt was shocked that it lost in such a weird way.
Meteor Grunt: I lost a Pokemon battle with a trainer being a Pokemon…?! I am not telling this to anyone! I am out of here! -leaves the building-
James: Nice job Mr. Mime…! And you too Growlie…!
Growlithe: Groooowlithe!
Mr. Mime: Mr. Mime!
Policeman: Thank you for saving me.
James: No need to thank me… My Pokemon did all the work here…
Policeman: Thank all of you. But… are you ok? You seem really weak.
James: I-I’ll be fine… I still need to find the rest of the policemen and to stop Team Meteor…
Policeman: Well… If you insist. I’m going to go back to the Police Station though. See ya later.
The policeman exited the building and headed back to the Police Station. Mr. Mime returned Growlithe back to its PokeBall and once again started to help James back to the main area of the Jasper Ward.
Meanwhile at the Grand Hall, Ame was at the PokeCenter part of the Grand Hall speaking with the Nurse Joy, talking over about the Pokemon Healing Machine and how she was doing. Apparently, the healing machine there was starting to go on the fritz and Ame needed to know exactly what was the problem. As the 2 were talking, Heather walked in and looked around for Ame. When she spotted her, she walked up to her near the PokeCenter.
Heather: Hey Ame.
Ame: Hmm? Ahh. Heather. It’s kind of surprising that you’re here… by yourself… with no sign of your father anywhere… Does he know about this?
Heather: Of course not. I snuck out and took my mom’s ring.
Ame: Heather, you know that’s not a good thing to do. You should go back and return the ring.
Heather: But Ame, you know I hate being cooped up in that house. Plus, I’m taking on the bad guys!
Ame: The bad guys? What do you mean?
Heather: You know what I mean Ame! Team Meteor! They’ve destroyed the Jasper Ward and now they’re trying to do the same thing to Beryl Ward!
Ame: I absolutely forbid that!
Heather: What?!
Ame: Heather, you’re just a child. You have no business in taking on Team Meteor at all.
Heather: Oh come on Ame! You damn well know how strong I am!
Ame: -sighs- While you may be a very strong trainer, this is still no matter for a child. Now go back home and stay there and let me and everyone else worry about Team Meteor.
Heather: This stinks! I can never do anything! I can’t even stop the bad guys!
Ame: Heather…
Heather: Alright. Alright. I’m going. Ohh yea. I almost forgot. I actually came here to tell you something.
Ame: You mean you telling me you planning on taking on a terrorist group wasn’t it?
Heather: Nope. This guy named James wanted me to come here and tell you that he’s alright and doesn’t want you to worry about him.
Ame: James… Why would he want you to tell me that?
Heather: I don’t know. He was really adamant on me telling you that though.
Ame: Heather… tell me the truth. Is he ok?
Heather: Umm… Not really…
Ame: What happened?!
Heather: He was taking on a Team Meteor member and after the battle, the guy used a weird looking Tangrowth to sap some of James’ energy out of him.
Ame: What?! Are you sure this happened?!
Heather: Yea. I saw the whole thing.
Ame: You better not be lying to me Heather! This is serious if it’s true!
Heather: I am! I am! Last I saw him, his Mr. Mime was helping him stay on his feet.
Ame: You mean to tell me he doesn’t even have the strength to stand on his own?
Heather: Yea. He didn’t look good. You could even tell it in the way he was talking too.
Ame: Heather, you have to take me to where he is right now?
Heather: Alright. We’ll ride on Salamence.
Ame: Nurse Joy, when I come back, we’ll talk more about the healing machine. In the meantime, just do the best you can do alright?
Nurse Joy: Of course Ame.~ Be safe.
Ame and Heather went outside of the Grand Hall. Heather called out her Salamence and the 2 girls climbed onto the dragons back. Heather called for the big dragon to take off into the air and it did. Ame was severely worried about James. She hoped that he was still there at the spot Heather had last seen him.
Back at the Jasper Ward, Mr. Mime and James had finally made it to the main area of the ward. It took a long time for them to transverse through the toppled buildings and passed trees. They started to walk down a long road when the pair could hear something from a building. It sounded like someone freaking out. James motioned for his Pokemon to help him get into the building and the Pokemon obliged and did. When they got inside of the building, they could see a man running back and forth inside the building. The 2 walked up to him. Although the man stopped, he was talking as if the 2 weren’t there.
James: Sir… Sir, you gotta calm down…
Man: I-I-It’s gone! It’s gone!
James: Gone…? What’s g-
Man: IT’S GONE! My darling little Mareep is gone!
James: You lost your Mareep…?
Man: We were with each other and then the buildings started to fall and we got separated and I can’t find it. I just can’t find it! I don’t know what to do! It’s gotta be so afraid and alone and I… I…
James: Just try to calm down…
Man: Calm down… Calm down… Just gotta stop, think and calm down… Calm down and… Ahhh!
The man resumed running back and forth inside the building. There was nothing more that James could do for the man. So he and Mr. Mime turned around and exited the building. He couldn’t fathom the thought of losing 1 of his Pokemon. He decided he’d search for the Mareep while also searching for the Policemen as well. The 2 of them went down a small alleyway. They looked to a corner and could see a policeman sitting on the ground. He seemed very frightened about something. The 2 walked up to him a nudged him.
Policeman: Ahh! The vines got me!
James: S-Sir…! It’s not vines…!
Policeman: Uhh, huh…? Oh… I’m sorry… Wait. Are the vines gone?
James: I guess so… This is the 1st time I’ve been here…
Policeman: Ohh thank the heavens. I vine became violent when I approached it and when it ripped through the ground, I was trapped here.
James: That sounds like it was a bad experience…
Policeman: Yes it was. But thank you for finding me here. I should get back to the Police Station. Umm… I should take you with me. You don’t look so good.
James: No… You go on ahead… I have to search for the rest of the officers…
Policeman: But sir-
James: Please…
The policeman stared at James for a couple of seconds. While he didn’t want to, he had no other choice but to respect his wishes. The officer walked passed them and went back to the Police Station. The 2 then got out of that alleyway and continued down the road. James could feel himself getting weaker again but he forced himself to keep going. He could see Mr. Mime was worried about him. He put on a brave smile for his Pokemon. The 2 came up to what seemed to be a run down shack. They took a peek inside and could see a Pokemon run up and down inside. They went inside and realized that it was a Mareep. It was obviously the Mareep that man was freaking out about before. The 2 approached the Pokemon. When the Mareep saw them, it backed up into a corner. The 2 came over to try to comfort it.
James: H-Hey little buddy… It’s ok…
Mareep: M-Mareep…
James: Don’t be scared… of me… I came here to find you…
Mareep: Mareep?
James: -digs through his pockets and finds some Pokemon snacks- Here… Wanna have a couple of these…
James held the snacks out in his hands towards the Mareep. For a couple of seconds, the Mareep didn’t do anything. Then, it slowly walked up to him and sniffed his hand with the food. It slowly took 1 of the snacks and ate it. When it swallowed it, it looked more calm and happy. It started to eat the rest of the food out of James’ hand. In a matter of minutes, the Mareep was completely calm. James was happy that he could calm down the Pokemon. Unfortunately though, he could feel himself not being able to stand for that much longer. He knew that he had to bring this Mareep back to its owner before he couldn’t move again. The 3 got out of the shack and walked slowly back to the building. However, when they made it and went inside, no 1 was inside. The man wasn’t there anymore. James couldn’t believe that he wasn’t there anymore. They searched where they could but couldn’t find the man anywhere in the building. With nowhere else to look, the 3 of them exited the building and back outside. The Mareep looked up at James and Mr. Mime with sadness in its eyes. James felt horrible for it. Its trainer had essentially abandoned it. James had an idea though. James had his Mr. Mime take out an empty PokeBall and put it in his hand. He asked the little sheep Pokemon if it wanted to come with him on his journey. The Mareep looked up at James and tears started to fall from its eyes. It shook its head yes and nuzzled up against James leg. But just as James was about to touch Mareep with the PokeBall to capture it, he suddenly felt weaker, slid off of Mr. Mime and fell face 1st onto the ground. Mr. Mime and Mareep looked at each other worryingly. They had no idea what to do.
Meanwhile, Ame and Heather had just exited the Malchous Forest. They searched the entire forest but couldn’t find James anywhere in there. Ame was very worried that James could be hurt or worse right now. The 2 started to head towards the PokeCenter of the Jasper Ward to see if maybe James went there.
Ame: Are you absolutely sure he was there?
Heather: For the 100th time, yes! Why do you keep asking?!
Ame: Because he’s not there!
Heather: Geez. Why do you care about this guy anyways?
Ame: He’s uhh… a very good friend of mine.
Heather: Ohhhh. I get it. You’re his girlfriend aren’t you?
Ame: H-Huh? What makes you think that?
Heather: I can kind of tell by the way you’re so worried about him. Kind of reminds me of my dad but… nicer.
Ame: Ohh… I see…
Heather: Well, we’re almost there.
When they walked through the building, they were at the PokeCenter. But as soon as they turned around, they could see the Mareep and Mr. Mime trying to help something up from the ground. Ame remembered that Heather told her that his Mime Jr. Had evolved into a Mr. Mime and realized that the thing on the ground must have been James. Ame and Heather ran over and could see James knocked out on the ground. Ame knelt down beside him to make sure he was ok.
Heather: Well? How is he?
Ame: Well, he seems to be just knocked out.
Heather: Again. But I don’t get it. Unless he got hit by the move again, shouldn’t he be getting better by now?
Ame: Pokemon attacks work different on humans than Pokemon. But this seems to be different. From what you’ve told me, that Tangrowth was a PULSE Tangrowth. I’m not sure what the side effects are if a PULSE Pokemon attacks a human.
Mr. Mime: Mr. Mime…
Mareep: Mareeeep…
Heather: Well those 2 are definitely worried about him.
Ame: Mr. Mime I can see but where did this Mareep come from?
Heather: Maybe he caught it?
Ame: Well it seems to be sincerely worried for James. So I won’t shoo it away.
Heather: Well what do we do about James?
Ame: Umm… I’m not sure. No 1 has ever had to deal with something like this before.
Ame and Heather tried to come up with a solution to try to bring James out of his unconscious state but they couldn’t come up with anything. Once again, Mr. Mime started to tear up. Ame did as well. Mareep was really starting to worry for James. It then got a determined look on its face and stood back and started to collect electricity in its wool. Mr. Mime, Ame and Heather stood back as they watched what Mareep was doing. Suddenly, the whole ground started to glow a golden color. Everyone was amazed with what the Mareep was doing.
Heather: Whoa. What is this?
Ame: I think that’s Electric Terrain.
Heather: Hmm… Isn’t it true that when you use that move that nothing can be put to sleep or stay asleep?
Ame: Yes. Why?
Heather: Does an unconscious person count as sleeping?
Ame stared at Heather after hearing that question. Was that what this Mareep was doing? Using this move to wake James up from “sleeping”? They all watched for a couple of minutes. Then, James started to move his hands, his feet, his head, everything. The move had at least woken him up. Ame, Heather, Mr. Mime and Mareep ran over to James. Heather smiled as Ame and Mr. Mime hugged him and Mareep nuzzled up against him. James was puzzled as to what was going on but he could never deny the affection.
Ame: -crying- Ohh James. I was so worried something had happened to you!
Mr. Mime: Mr. Mime Mime!
Mareep: Mareeeep!~
James: Hey hey. It’s ok now. I’m not too sure what happened but I feel like I’m back to normal.
Ame: Thank this Mareep. It used Electric Terrain to help wake you up.
James: You did this Mareep?
Mareep: Mareep Mareep!~
James: Thank you. You really helped me out. Ohh. I almost forgot. -picks up the PokeBall from the ground- You want to come with me right?
Mareep: Mareep!~
James held out the PokeBall towards the Mareep. It happily tapped the PokeBall with its nose and went inside. The PokeBall shook a couple of times but finally stop, signaling that the Mareep was caught. James was happy that he had a new friend now and an added member to the family.
Heather: Well that was sweet. I’m kind of glad I got caught up in this now.
Ame: It is… But James, I thought you said you’d be careful!
James: H-Hey! I didn’t know he was gonna do that! I thought he would just get up and leave to wherever!
Ame: -sighs- Well considering I know there’s 1 in Beryl Ward, I think I’m gonna go to that 1.
James: What? Are you saying I can’t do this anymore?
Ame: What? Of course not. I’m just gonna help out.
James: Ohh…
Ame: And Heather, you’re gonna help out.
Heather: I am? I thought you didn’t want me anywhere near those bad people?
Ame: I don’t but I think you’d be extremely helpful right now.
Heather: Well alrighty then! What do we do?
James: Yea. What’s the plan sweetie?
The 3 of them huddled together and Ame started to discuss what her plan was. With James’ situation now seemingly under control, it was time to stop the destruction of Beryl Ward and to save it and the people and Pokemon of that place.
Pokemon Team
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