Title: A Rat for Team Rocket - Ch 3 Author: Goombario Pastebin link: http://pastebin.com/GS7BGiRc First Edit: Wednesday 29th of January 2014 12:01:22 AM CDT Last Edit: Wednesday 29th of January 2014 12:01:22 AM CDT Once again in their Meowth balloon, Team Rocket flew above Sinnoh, looking down for any traces of their usual trainer targets.   "Oh, I just can't wait!" Jessie gushed, hugging her newly-full Poke Ball. "Wait 'til the twerp sees that we have a Pikachu too!"   "It'll be shocking!" James said. "He'll be terrified!"   "You geniuses need to stop and think of somethin'." Meowth spoke up. Jessie and James looked down at him, obviously confused. Meowth crossed his arms, shaking his head. "Do I have to do all the thinkin' for you two? Just because we were lucky enough to catch a wild Pikachu doesn't mean it'll do a bit'a good against the twerp's Pikachu."   "Meowth does have a point." James said, putting a hand to his chin. "Even if it is a Pikachu, it's never been trained like that kid's. We can't just show up and expect something that's never been in battle to win against a Pokemon that strong."   "Then WHAT was the point of catching this thing?!" Jessie yelled, her face right in front of James's. The man stepped back, holding his hands out to stop her.   "T-To train it, remember?" James replied. "I'm sure we'll think of something!"   "Too late, I've already done it."   Jessie and James looked down at Meowth, who had a very sly smirk on his face.   "Land here, James. I've got an idea." Meowth said. James nodded, adjusting the balloon's flame and causing it to slowly descend to the ground.   After landing in a deserted field, the trio stepped out of their balloon basket. Jessie hadn't let her Poke Ball go for even a moment, worried that something might happen to it. Meowth approached her, jumping up and snatching it from her hands.   "Hey! What was that for?!" Jessie asked. When she tried to grab it back, Meowth held up a paw to stop her.   "Like yous two said, we can't do a thing unless we train this Pikachu." Meowth started. "Now Jessie, if I can ask, what did you do get Arbok to be loyal back in Kanto?" Jessie paused at this question.   "Hm .. Well, as an Ekans, it just kind of went along with it. It wasn't sure about working for Team Rocket at first, but when it saw that's the life I wanted, it accepted it. It was my best friend ..." Jessie sniffed, wiping a tear from her eye.   "Yeah yeah, not a dry eye in da house. Whateva." Meowth said. Jessie glared at him, but didn't say anything. "Thing is, we can't just assume that this Pikachu's gonna dig bein' evil."   "Evil's such a strong word." James said. "How about we tell it we're just pranksters?"   "Pranksters who rob museums and have stolen from children?" Jessie raised an eyebrow. "James, only you would possibly believe that to be a good idea."   "Well, at least I'm trying! I don't see you helping out!" James snapped at her. Meowth watched as his human teammates started to bicker amongst themselves. He sighed, tossing the Poke Ball in his paw high into the air.   "Uh ... I choose you?" Meowth wasn't quite sure what to say, but Pikachu popped out and appeared in front of him all the same. Pikachu glared at him, its cheeks crackling. Meowth backed away, shivering in fear. "L-Look bud, I'm your pal! Meowth's the name!"   "Pii-ka?" The Pikachu looked at him. Its cheeks calmed down. Meowth sighed in relief, walking closer.   "There we go. Calm down, buddy." Meowth said. He reached out to pat Pikachu's back, which proved to be a big mistake; the moment his paw touched it, Pikachu let out a violent zap. Meowth fell to the ground, charred and slightly smoking. "I hope dis ain't regular calm for you ..."   "Pika-ka-ka-ka!" Pikachu laughed at Meowth's pain, falling to the ground. Its cheeks sparked from its laughter. Meowth slowly stood, dusting himself off and barring his claws. Pikachu saw this and visibly gulped in fear.   "Dat's more like it." Meowth said. "Look pally, you're a part of Team Rocket now, so ya betta get used to it."   "Pi-kachu Pi?" Pikachu asked, tilting its head.   "Yeah, Team Rocket." Meowth replied. "We have big plans for you, ya little rat-"   Being insulted caused Pikachu to send another zap Meowth's way.   "OKAY, I get it!" Meowth said. "I'll watch what I say!" Meowth retracted his claws, dusting himself off once again. "Now look pal. We're called Team Rocket. We work for da boss to steal rare Pokemon for him. We take whatever we need. We're theives. Criminals, dig?"   "Pikachu?" Pikachu asked.   "Yeah, crim-in-als. Bad guys." Meowth paused; that sounded different when the twerps said it to people. Coming from his own mouth made it sound kind of, well, uncomforting. "Is that somethin' you think you'd be cool with?"   Pikachu didn't answer. It turned from Meowth.   By now, Jessie and James had ceased their arguments. They stood behind Meowth, James with a throbbing bump on his head from Jessie's multiple punches.   "What's the deal, Meowth?" Jessie asked. "We're not gonna have to brainwash the thing, are we?"   "We can't afford it." James answered her. "Besides, we don't have any Pokemon that can."   "Nah, it's cool." Meowth replied. "I think my little speech got through to the guy."   "A speech consisting of 'break the law or get lost?' yeah, real convincing." Jessie said. Meowth lept at her, using fury swipes on the woman's face while Jessie tried to pry him off. The two started their own argument, James watching Pikachu with interest. Taking care to not frighten it, James slowly crawled towards Pikachu. When it didn't shock him, James sat next to it. Pikachu looked up at him.   "Pika?"   "It's not as bad as Meowth made it sound." James said, looking at the small Pokemon. "Sure, we do a bad thing here and there, but we never hurt anyone. We're usually the ones who get hurt ...' James scratched his cheek in embarassment. "You see, there's this kid we're after who has a Pikachu, and ..."   Jessie and Meowth watched as James explained their story to Pikachu, who seemed fascinated at James's every word.   " ... and that's how things are. We're trying to give that Pikachu to our boss, so Team Rocket can become more powerful. If you're with us, you'd rule the whole Sinnoh region. You'd get anything you wanted, anytime. Your life would be perfect with Jessie, Meowth and I. We'll take good care of you." James looked at Pikachu, not sure if he made any impact. Pikachu jumped into James's lap, nuzzling his chest. A happy "Pikachu!" was the Pokemon's reply. Pikachu moved from James, walking over to Meowth.   "Pikachu. Pika, chu pi. Pi ka, Pikachu, Pikachu-Pi." Pikachu nodded, crossing his small arms. Jessie and James looked at Meowth, who had a big grin on his face.   "He said 'I'll do it, but I want tons of free food." Meowth translated. Jessie and James, looked at each other, clasping each others' hands.   "We've done it, James!" Jessie exclaimed. "We have our own Pikachu and we're gonna take over Sinnoh!"   "Isn't it great, Jessie? We're finally getting somewhere in life!" James replied. The two shared a hug.   -Pop!-   "WOBBBBB-BUFFET!"   Jessie recalled Wobbuffet to its Poke Ball.