Chapter 11: The Squirtle Squad
While continuing their journey, Lyra, Misty, and Brock couldn't stop thinking about everything they had experienced. "I find it amazing that we ended up with so many new Pokémon in only one day," Misty said, clearly happy with her new Water-types.
"I'm just glad that none of the Pokémon were terribly abused," Brock added. "And I'm glad that Damian is getting what he deserves."
Lyra was also thrilled with her new Pokémon, especially having two of the Kanto starters: Bulbasaur and Charmander.
"Hey Ly," Misty said, "has your mom received Persian, Butterfree, Beedrill, Bellossom, Victreebel, Staryu, and Starmie yet?" She remembered that those specific Pokémon didn't want to battle, so Lyra had sent them home to her mother.
"Yes, she has," Lyra answered. "Professor Oak said she fell in love with Persian immediately. Bellossom, Butterfree, Beedrill, and Victreebel are already helping in her garden, and Starmie and Staryu are helping water the plants." She smiled, happy that her theory was correct. "Also, Professor Oak was so excited to see the Shiny Pokémon because he had never seen one before!" She giggled, remembering how the Professor's eyes widened in surprise when she told him about her Shiny Vulpix, Ditto, and Seel.
"Hahaha, I thought so! That was really nice of you to give your mom the Pokémon that didn't want to fight," Brock said.
"Well, I figured Mom would want some company around the house since I'm away. I'm not going to force them to battle if they don't want to," Lyra said with a smile. "Besides, they make great pets. Plus, I already have a Butterfree. Hey, I just realized—I now have the full evolution line of Pichu!"
Brock and Misty agreed that Lyra was a pure-hearted trainer. They still wondered how her Pokémon became so powerful without her forcing them to train, but for now, it remained a mystery.
Suddenly, Lyra felt the earth beneath her sink. They all fell into a deep hole. "Oww! That hurt," Lyra whined, immediately checking her Pokémon for injuries.
"Ow! I think I landed on my head!" Brock complained, rubbing his scalp.
"Who dug this hole?!" Misty shouted.
Five heads appeared over the edge of the pit, laughing hysterically at their handiwork. Misty yelled that it wasn't funny and they could have been hurt, but the pranksters just kept laughing.
Lyra climbed out of the hole to see who the tricksters were. They turned out to be five Squirtles wearing black sunglasses. One Squirtle wore pointy glasses, while the other four wore round ones.
Squirtle, the Tiny Turtle Pokémon.
It shelters itself in its shell, then strikes back with spouts of water at every opportunity.
Wow, first Bulbasaur, then Charmander, and now Squirtle, Lyra thought happily. How lucky am I? She sent out Pikachu to battle while Pichu stayed on her shoulder in case the Squirtles tried any more tricks.
The Squirtle with the pointy sunglasses—the leader—stepped forward. "Squirtle!" it barked, ready for a fight.
"Pika!" Pikachu replied, his cheeks sparking.
Just then, a siren echoed through the trees. The Squirtles scattered instantly. Officer Jenny appeared on a motorcycle. "Is everyone okay? Anyone hurt?" she asked.
"No, we're fine, thank you Officer Jenny," Lyra said, picking Pikachu up.
Officer Jenny brought them to the police station and explained the situation. "Those Squirtles are a gang called the Squirtle Squad," she said. "They were all deserted by their trainers. Now they pull pranks and steal. It's sad; if they had caring trainers, they wouldn't be like this."
Later, the three heroes took a break in town. "I've been thinking about those Squirtles," Lyra said, gently petting Pichu. "I've decided I want to catch one of them."
"Yeah, I'll catch one too," Misty agreed. "I've always wanted a Squirtle."
"But what about the other three?" Brock asked.
"Um, excuse me," a voice said from behind them. A boy about Brock's age approached. "My name is Michael, and I heard you were planning to catch the Squirtle Squad."
"Do you want to catch them too?" Lyra asked.
"Yes," Michael nodded. He explained that he had seen three trainers abandon those Squirtles, claiming they were "no good" compared to their evolved forms.
"But that's not true!" Lyra frowned. "Squirtle can be just as strong as Wartortle or Blastoise depending on how you train them. Look at Pichu—she's small, but she's my strongest Pokémon." She rubbed Pichu's head.
"I can see that. You've raised that Pichu well—it's powerful enough to even have an Everstone," Michael said, noticing the stone necklace around Pichu's neck. Lyra smiled; not everyone was observant enough to notice the Everstone.
"Those trainers tossed them away like trash," Michael continued. "They didn't trust me when I tried to help before, but I want to raise them well. Do you mind if I come with you?"
"Of course not!" Lyra said. They set off into the forest and eventually found the Squirtles swimming in a pond.
Before Michael could step forward, a net was thrown over the Squirtles. As soon as it touched them, it zapped them with electricity.
"Haa, haa, haa!" three voices laughed.
"Oh no, it's Team Rocket again," Luna whispered.
"Who are they?" Michael asked, shocked.
"Nasty crooks who steal Pokémon," Lyra explained. "But they never succeed when we're around."
"Pretty nice work," Meowth said, admiring the captured squad.
"These nets are electrical," James added. "Electric beats Water. We should use these more often!"
"No you won't!" Michael shouted, running out from the trees. "I'm not letting you get away with this!"
"You and what army?" Jessie smirked.
"This army!" Lyra, Brock, and Misty shouted together.
"Let those Squirtles go!" Misty commanded.
"Not happening, twerpette! Go, Ekans!" Jessie cried.
"Let's go, Koffing!" James added.
"Leave this to me," Michael said. "Go, Psyduck and Sandshrew!"
A yellow Pokémon that looked like a bipedal duck appeared. It had three tufts of black hair and a vacant expression.
Psyduck, the Duck Pokémon.
The pre-evolved form of Golduck. When a Psyduck's headache becomes severe, it starts to exhibit odd powers.
The battle began. "Ekans, use Poison Sting! Koffing, Sludge Attack!" Team Rocket ordered.
"Psyduck, use Water Gun! Sandshrew, use Swift!" Michael countered.
The Squirtles watched from the net. The three wearing rounded glasses recognized Michael. Seeing him fight to rescue them brought tears to their eyes. Michael then commanded Psyduck to use Psychic, tossing Team Rocket and their Pokémon into the horizon.
"Team Rocket's blasting off again!" they screamed.
Michael had Sandshrew use Swift to cut the net. The Squirtle Squad was free! The three Squirtles Michael had mentioned walked up to him. Michael knelt down. "I take it you remember me, huh?" The Squirtles nodded. "I know what your trainers did was wrong, but I will never betray you. Come with me, and let's become strong together."
The Squirtles hesitated, then took off their glasses to reveal teary eyes before jumping into Michael's arms. "I've caught you at last!" Michael laughed.
Lyra turned to the leader with the pointy glasses. "Do you want to come with me and become strong?" she asked. Seeing his friends happy with Michael, the leader decided it was time to disband the squad and trust humans again. He accepted.
Misty asked the fifth Squirtle if it wanted to join her, and the answer was a happy "Yes!"
The Squirtle Squad finally had owners who would care for them forever. After bidding farewell to Michael and Officer Jenny, Lyra, Brock, and Misty continued their journey toward Vermilion City.
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1. I think Misty should have gotten a Squirtle of her own in the anime.
2. I decide to give Lyra mum some Pokémon to look after so that she wouldn't be lonely. Like in the anime Ash mum has none and she sometime can feel lonely so made a little twist to it.
Thank you for reading this chapter!
See you in the next episode of Pika Ball Z! ⚡