Hey worldwide web,

New chapter, wooh! Most of the stuff is at the author's note at the end, so nothing to say here. Sorry about the cliffhanger, is what I would say if I was. But cliffhangers are great, so never mind. Yeah, I'll get to the story now.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

"Come on Sammy, get up!" Topher said desperately, shaking his blonde friend. Sammy shivered under his touch. Her eyes were closed and she was lying limp on the ground. Her hands were clammy as Topher looked around for anyone that might be able to help. They had been running into the deeper parts of the woods where even the annoying Bug Catcher seemed to be scarce. "Okay Tophy, just calm down." He sent out Rattata and Squirtle. Both of them were tired from their battle with Beedrill.

"Squirtle," the Water-type said in alarm at seeing Sammy on the ground. He drizzled cold water on the scrape on her shoulder which was a sickening purple. Sammy twitched.

"Don't do that!" Topher snapped. Squirtle looked hurt. "Sorry, I shouldn't have said that. I'm just worried, that's all. We need to move her. I'm pretty sure I can lift her." He grunted as he scooped her up in his arm. She was surprisingly light. "Bet that Amy never let her eat. Poor girl. Come on guys, let's go."

They walked through the forest, unsure of where they were. Every so often they'd call out for Ella or somebody. Never Amy, though. Topher was beginning to sweat and get tired. He didn't say anything though. Squirtle was kindly blasting his face with cold water to help him keep his strength up.

"I bet my hair's a mess," Topher complained. Suddenly, his foot came into contact with a rock. The Chris Mclean fan fell flat on his face, dropping Sammy. "Oh come on!" He struggled to life her back up as Squirtle blasted him with more water. "I have no idea where we are." All the trees looked the same. "Is anybody out there?!"

Crack! Something stepped on a twig behind Topher. He spun around, but saw nothing. "Who's there?" Topher asked nervously. Squirtle and Rattata circled around him, ready to fight off anything that attacked. A collective noise began to fill the air. It was like the sound of several hundred wings beating together in rapid succession.

One by one, purple butterfly Pokémon emerged from the trees, grass, and shrubs. Topher recognized them was Butterfree. They all rushed at him, releasing sparkling blue powder form their wings. "Sleep Powder!" Topher cried. Squirtle and Rattata dashed towards the Bug/Flying-types, but didn't make it very far before they succumbed to sleep. Topher began to feel sleepy. He tried to reach into his bag, but ultimately collapsed on the forest floor as dark shadows began to surround him.

When Topher woke up, he was lying on a straw mat. A large wooden roof was over his head. He rolled over and saw Rattata curled up in a ball next to him. "Where am I?" Squirtle was in his shell next to Rattata. "And where's Sammy?"

"Is she your friend with the poisoning?" Someone asked. Topher turned around and saw a small boy who looked vaguely close to Topher's age. Yet his extremely weak frame and small size made him look a couple years younger. "Sorry if I startled you. I'm Cameron." Cameron had dark skin and really short brown hair. A red sweatshirt was tied around his waist and he was wearing a white t-shirt and orange shirts. Sitting beside him was a butterfly net.

"Topher," Topher replied. "Uh yeah, Sammy did get poisoned I think. By her own sister's Beedrill."

"I figured it was a Beedrill sting," Cameron admitted. "It was pretty strong too, but with some Pecha extract I was able to keep it at bay. She'll have to head to the Pokémon Center in Pewter City to be safe but at least there won't be any major tissue damage."

"How do you know?" Topher said in surprise.

"I've grown up around Bug-types all my life," Cameron explained. "When I was younger my mom was really overprotective. So she basically only let me be around Bug-types because their string made for protective coatings. I never got to do much except read and sigh a lot. But I plan on being a great doctor someday, for people and Pokémon. That's why I joined the ELOBC to make use of my skills."

"The ELOBC?" Topher had never heard the acronym before.

"The Elite League of Bug Catchers," Cameron answered. "We're Bug-type enthusiasts that have devoted our time and energy into showing the world that we aren't so easily squashed. We protect the secrets of the rare and exotic Bug-types from those who seek to do them harm- Are you filming me?"

Topher rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "Sorry, I've got my own reality show that I host and this makes for a killer two-part episode."

Cameron shook his head. "I suppose I am not one to judge the actions of others too harshly. Would you like to see your friend?" Topher nodded and attached his Dex to the strap of his bag so it could still record.

"I have to make up for a lack of filming. Things have been intense the past few days." Cameron secretly rolled his eyes. "Hey, what is this place?" As they left the hallway with its paper-thin walls, they entered a sort of courtyard with a gently Zen garden. The whole complex was designed like a pagoda.

"The ELOBC was founded in Johto," Cameron said. "So we honor the region by building our headquarters in the same style as those in ancient times. There's always one or two people who are bitter from the War of Separation, but most people respect our society."

"You make it sound like some sort of cult," Topher laughed nervously.

Cameron shrugged. "We are on independent organization. Our funding comes mostly from our home region, where those that respect Bug-types donate money."

"Are you from Johto?"

"Yes, I'm from New Bark Town. My mother and I moved to Kanto when I was three. Now we live in Pewter City." He led Topher out to a balcony overlooking the front of the building. Topher was surprised to see that they were still in the forest. On the ground below, many young men and women, children, and adults were lined up, looking warriors with butterfly nets in their hands. They began to go through various battle exercises in unison. Many of the older bug catchers had one Bug-type out with them. "We take training very seriously here."

"Why aren't you with them?"

Cameron laughed. "I'm not a traditional bug catcher. I help with ailments and provide them with intelligence. Come, I'll show you the infirmary."

The infirmary was large room full of cots and straw mats. Wooden tables were lined up in the back, littered with berries and other remedies. Three of the beds were surrounded by cotton sheets. Cameron lifted up the first one. Sammy was rest on a cot. Caterpie was on her shoulder. She smiled up at Topher. Topher was relieved she was okay.

"How are you feeling?" Cameron asked politely.

"Much better now," Sammy told him. "Thank you so much." She looked at Topher. "Hey…they said you carried me here. That was really nice of you."

Topher turned red, but realized the camera was still going. "Of course, made for a great chase scene." Sammy's smile faded and Topher realized he shouldn't have said that, even if he hadn't been recording during the desperate attempt to find help.

"Well thanks anyway," she said dejectedly. "I suppose if you had left me there the viewers would have been upset." She was about to say something else, but a moan rose from one of the other cots.

"My tummy feels wonky," a strangely familiar voice said. Topher couldn't quite figure out who it belonged too. Cameron took down the cotton sheets and both he and Sammy gasped. Leonard and Max were on the other two occupied cots.

"You!" Max snarled, forgetting about his stomach. Leonard, whose left arm was wrapped in a bandage, glared at them. "What are you doing here?"

"Team Drama?" Sammy said in surprise. "If you're looking for Scarlett, she's not with us."

Leonard shook his head. "We aren't here for you. We were on our way to our next mission when we were jumped by this monstrous Beedrill that looked like it had been crushed by a tree beforehand." Topher and Sammy exchanged glances. "These brave warriors saved my gremlin and I."

"A, point of information please," Cameron said.

"This is Team Drama," Topher explained bitterly. "A group of thieves who attack people in broad daylight and have horrible mottos."

"Our mottos are brilliant!" Max protested. "Leonard, destroy them."

Leonard shook his head. "Those aren't our orders and Sugar isn't even here. We need to find her first before we do something evil."

"You mean EVIL?"

"Yes Max, EVIL."

Cameron raised an eyebrow. "The ELOBC maintains political neutrality outside of Johto, so it doesn't really matter. Now if this Sugar person is still in the forest, would you like us to find her?"

"We're missing someone too," Topher added. "Her name's Ella. She's about your height, wears a princess dress, and sings a lot."

"Eevee's with her too," Sammy added, nervous about not having her starter Pokémon. Caterpie nuzzled against her neck,

"Follow me," Cameron said. He led the four through another hallway, Max and Topher still glaring at one another. He opened a door and inside the room was a large interweaving network of string. At the end of each strand of silk was a hollow wooden cylinder. In the center of the mess was female Bug Catcher. "These silk strands can transmit sound from one end to the other. Johto soldiers used this tactic during the War of Separation. We have them running throughout most of the forest in the highest trees. We use them to hear the Pokémon and people. If one of us runs into trouble, we find one and call for help. If we hear trouble, we go and investigate."

"Is that how you found us?" Topher asked.

Cameron nodded. "We heard the scuffles with that Beedrill. Seemed like it was quite a menace. Although with its Trainer, it probably had to be."

"You know Amy?" Sammy said in surprise.

Cameron snorted. "Who doesn't know her by now? I was anxious to help you at first, until I realize that you had no mole on your face. She entered the forest, terrified of anything that moved."

"Really? Wow, I thought she did everything so perfectly," Sammy admitted.

"Nobody starts out their journey perfect, especially not her. We offered her help, but she called us all nerds and refused. Then she tripped over a Kakuna and was chased by a Beedrill swarm." Sammy smiled at the idea. Cameron was laughing. "Anyway, let's find your friends." He looked at the other Bug Catcher. "Have you heard two young females recently?"

"Let me check," she replied, grabbing several canisters and holding them up to her ears. "I'm checking the ones closest to the path first." She listened again. "Yes, there's one female voice…and she's screaming in pain."

"Oh no!" Sammy gasped. "We have to go and see who it is. They could be in trouble!"

"And if it's Sugar?" Topher offered.

"Well she still doesn't deserve to get hurt." Max and Leonard also seemed concerned, at least for their teammate.

"We can mobilize a retrieval unit," Cameron promised. "Where's the noise coming from?"

"Just a little ways north of here," the Bug Catcher replied. She quickly marked on a map where it had come from. "Give this to Kisho." Cameron nodded and took the map. He ran out of the pagoda with the others on his heels. Kisho we have to go on a retrieval mission!"

A young man, a couple years older than Sammy and the others, was leading the group of Bug Catchers in their exercises. He had a wild mane of jet black hair and a fierce mantis-like Pokémon at his side. It was bipedal and insectoid, with its two forearms consisting mostly of large white scythes. A pair of wings and a smaller sub-pair twitched in unison. Most of its joints were covered in a spiky green shell. Sammy felt around and pulled out her PokéDex.

Scyther, the Mantis Pokémon. It slashes through grass with its sharp scythes, moving too fast for the human eye to track.

"What is it Cameron?" Kisho said in an unamused tone. He clearly wasn't happy that his morning exercises had been interrupted. "And who are they?"

"The Trainers we rescued," Cameron replied. Kisho's gaze softened, but it was still as serious as before. "Two of their friends are missing, and at least one is in trouble. Ayano gave us a map to where she is. We need to rescue her."

Kisho nodded. "Asao! Take over the morning exercises for me. Hozumi, Hideki, Futoshi, and Emiko; come with me. We must retrieve someone who is in trouble." Three male Bug Catchers, and one female quickly gathered in Kisho and the others. "Let's move out!" He checked the map and then began to charge in the correct direction. Everyone else followed.

As they reached the point, Kisho stopped them. "Remain quiet while I survey the area." He peered through the bushes. "I see a young girl, in a pink dress. She's hurt."

"Ella," Topher and Sammy said in unison, running out of hiding.

"Wait!" Cameron called out, but they were already on the scene. Ella was kneeling on the ground, static electricity moving through her body, preventing her from moving. Ponyta and Bulbasaur were standing protectively in front of her, blasting seeds and pellets of fire at a Pikachu. Sammy knew exactly what Pokémon it was, because Pikachus were practically the symbol of the Pokémon market. It was almost impossible to find a product that didn't have one stamped on the side or bottom.

"What's wrong with her?" Sammy asked as she helped Ella slowly to her feet.

"She's been paralyzed," Kisho explained. He pulled out a flask of red liquid and held it up to Ella's lips. "Cheri Berry extract." Movement spread across Ella's body as the paralysis wore off.

"Thank you," Ella said weakly, stretching out tense and sore muscles. "I was trying to befriend that Pikachu, but it hit me with a Thunder Wave before I could sing to it." The other four Bug Catchers sent out their Butterfree to subdue the Pikachu. The Electric-type quickly avoided the sleep-inducing powders and hit them all with Thunder Wave. "That Pikachu is quite a menace."

"Pikachu are a nuisance in general," Cameron said. "They're fast and their Electric typing gives them advantage over anything in the air. Lately they've been getting stronger and it's quite exhausting to keep dealing with them."

A Pokeball flew out from behind them, striking the surprised Pikachu in the face. It opened up and Pikachu disappeared inside. The ball fell to the ground. Shake, shake, shake. Click! The ball flew back into the hand of its owner.

"Howdy y'all!" Sugar said with a wave. "Can't believe I caught this here Pikachu for myself." Topher and Sammy groaned.

"Oh that was excellent Sugar," Ella complimented. "Congratulations."

Sugar raised an eyebrow. "Uh, don't you remember me bashing your head into a table?"

"Oh yes, but that doesn't matter because I'm better now." She reached out to hug Sugar, but the farmer girl just pushed her away.

"Have we got enough now Max?" Sugar asked.

"Yes, and this seems to be the strongest specimen yet," Max grinned. He pulled out a strange metal helmet that was shaped perfectly for a Pikachu's head and ears. "A Light Ball, three Cell Batteries, and a some Metal Coat to finish it off. It's my finest invention yet."

"What does it do?" Topher asked, as they all secretly reached for a PokeBall.

Max, completely oblivious to what everyone else was doing, explained the plan. "It gets put on a Pikachu's head and manipulates its brain to turn all emotions into pure EVIL! Then it does our bidding for us as its powers are amplified!"

"That's horrible," Sammy said.

Max shrugged. "It doesn't force the Pokemon to do anything it doesn't deep down, secretly want to do." He placed the helmet on Sugar's Pikachu and flipped the switch. It hummed and flashed and immediately Pikachu began to glare. "It worked! I mean, of course it did. And this Pikachu will lead our Pikachu army." He pulled out a remote and pressed a button. "Tremble before-"

"Enough of this," Kisho interrupted. "Scyther, attack!"

Scyther flew at Team Drama. Pikachu jumped out of the way used Thunder Wave. Even paralyzed, Scyther still moved with incredible speed. Sugar, Max, Leonard, and Pikachu barely avoided getting sliced at with the dull side of the scythes. Pikachu fired an intense bolt of lightning at Scyther, sending him to his knees.

"Team Drama Electro Mecha assemble!" Max called out. He threw a small metal cube into the air. It unfolded into a large metal bowl with propellers on the bottom. Team Drama and Pikachu jumped into the mecha and turned it on. Sammy could see a large glass tank full of wild Pikachus. Sugar's Pikachu seemed to be ordering them into a battle formation.

"Now that we know where yer little base is, we can go and claim it for Team Drama!" Sugar said excitedly. "Release the Pikachus!" They flew towards the pagoda, releasing the Pikachu's onto the cleared away ground.

"We have to go there at once," Kisho said. "Hideki, stay with our guests and keep them safe." He extended his butterfly net to the length of a large staff. He looked at Cameron. "This is a Code Infestation, I need all Bug Catchers on duty." Cameron gulped.

"Yes sir," he said as he clumsily extended his net. He looked at his new friends. "I'll try and stay close, but I have to help." He rushed off after Kisho and the others to defend the pagoda. Hideki was a shorter, yet silll intimidating Bug Catcher with flaming red hair. He stealthily led them around the side of the pagoda.

"Things might get dicey," he admitted. Ella, Topher, and Sammy stared at the battlefield. Bug Catchers were knocking away Pikachus left and right with their butterfly nets. Clouds of dust from the wings of Butterfree floated lazily above the fighting. Team Drama hovered above it all, blasting bolts of lightning at the pagoda. "And there's Cameron.

Cameron was doing a surprisingly good job. He may not have trained as much as the others, but he was holding his own as he batted away Pikachus and deflected blasts of electricity. They noticed a Kakuna was strapped to his back, which fired poison barbs and string at any Pikachus that tried to sneak up on Cameron. Also fighting near the healing Bug Catcher were a Butterfree and a strange teal pine-cone Pokemon. Sammy pulled out her PokeDex, but no information came up.

"That's a Pineco," Hideki explained. "Native to Johto, meaning your Kanto Dex won't register it. It's a Bug-type and Cameron's starter. They're pretty close." Pineco was spinning around, launching pin missiles at the Pikachus. "Look, I know you're out guests, but do you think you could help us?" A blast of lightning struck the roof of the pagoda. Hideki swore. "If that catches fire the whole thing burns down. I have to go!" He sent out his Butterfree and a Beedrill before rushing at the some Pikachus.

Topher sent out Squirtle and Rattata. "Well, we can't just leave and it wouldn't be fair to deprive the fans of such an awesome fight."

Sammy looked sadly at the camera on Topher's shoulder. "It shouldn't just be about The Topher Show. They need our help." She sent out Eevee and Caterpie before running after Hideki.

"What's her problem?" Topher asked Ella, who sighed and shook her head before entering the pagoda to help those inside. Topher shrugged. "Women." He dashed off into the battlefield.

Sammy hadn't been in very many battles, unless you count the constant battle with Amy. So of course she was surprised at everything that went on. Bug Catchers deflected electricity and Pikachus left and right, gracefully moving in sync with their Pokemon. Even in their separate fights, they would never hesitate to assist a fellow warrior. Either by deflecting a surprise attack from behind, or spraying Cheri extract when needed.

"Eevee!" Sammy's starter cried as he shot a Shadow Ball at a Pikachu. Sammy felt more confident now that her best friend was back with her.

"Let's do this Eevee!" Sammy said bravely. Since she didn't have a net, it was only a matter of dodging the electric rodents and their attacks. Being skinny to the point of malnourished had its advantages as Sammy twirled and jumped to avoid getting hit. Pikachu's Static ability made physical contact a risk, so Eevee was really working his Shadow Ball. All that practicing was sure paying off. A Bug Catcher jumped in front of Sammy to block a Thunder Wave that would have hit her. He nodded before resuming the fight with his Weedle.

Team Drama loomed overhead with their mecha. "Eevee, aim at them and use Shadow Ball."

"Vee!" The blob of ectoplasm flew straight towards the mecha. Sugar smirked and released her Mankey. His claws extended as he attempted to use Fury Swipes to deflect. However, the attack passed straight through and the Shadow Ball struck his face. Mankey crashed to the ground.

"Aw fiddlesticks," Sugar grumbled. "Max, what happened to them surrendering to us immediately?"

"Apparently your loser-ness canceled out my EVIL," Max shot back. He pressed some more buttons and fired a blast of lightning at the roof of the pagoda. He smiled as it caught fire. "Excellent. Sugar, you're Pikachu is what's powering these electronic blasters. Only I probably could have picked a more EVIL specimen."

Topher looked up at the flaming rough. He nodded down at Squirtle. "Do your thing little buddy." Squirtle used Water Gun to put out the fire. The heavy clouds of powder from the Butterfree wings caught fire easily when exposed to the heat of electricity. Squirtle dashed across the battlefield putting out as many fires as he could. The Bug Catchers provided cover for him since getting hit with an Electric-type move would be brutal.

Rattata stayed with Topher near the back of the battle, rushing at Pikachus with Quick Attack or Bite. Being closer to the pagoda meant more Cheri Berries for the potential paralysis. Topher looked up and saw a cream colored Fighting-type jumped over Bug Catcher, knocking away any Bug-types in his path. "Oh no, Mankey!" Topher and Rattata stood in position. Sammy and Eevee were following Mankey, trying to slow him down with Shadow Balls and Sand-Attacks.

"Quick Attack," Topher said when Mankey got close. The Normal-type knocked the Pig Monkey Pokemon back so he could be hit with a Shadow Ball. Sammy and Eevee came to a stop in front of them. "I can handle Mankey," Topher promised. Sammy was covered in powder, her shirt had burns on it, and her hair was standing on end. It was probably the adrenaline rush that allowed her to nod in acceptance and sprint back towards the front lines in no time at all. Topher was surprised at how well she was handling this. She had seemed so fragile at the lab, as if a single rude tone would shatter her like glass.

"Mankey!" The screeching snapped Topher out of his thought. Mankey held Rattata in his hands and prepared to use Karate Chop. Rattata bit down on his hand, allowing room to squirm himself out of Mankey's grip. Farther away, Mr. Mime was up in the mecha blasting Psybeams at the Bug Catchers. Sammy was working hard to intercept them with Shadow Ball. Caterpie had taken up position on her wrists, switching from arm to arm whenever Sammy needed string shot in a certain direction.

Ella ducked as she was nearly hit by a Thunder Wave aimed at the pagoda window. She had gone inside to help the child Bug Catchers. Their young Caterpies and Weedles were using String Shot to support any parts of the pagoda damaged by the fighting. "You're all doing great!" Ella encouraged. A blue-haired Bug Catcher named Ayano ran down the stairs.

"We've got some problems," she explained. "Kids, I need you all to head to the safe rooms okay. Don't come out until one of us comes to get you. Stay in a line and behave. Kenji and Tatsumi should be in there waiting."

"What's wrong?" Ella asked in concern.

"Follow me," Ayano replied. They both ran up the stairs to a room with a large open window. Various levers and switches adorned the walls and floor. "This controls the base's defense systems. It's a bit out an ancient system, but it works wonderfully. The problem is the battle isn't in our favor right now." Ella saw that the Pikachu were advancing on the pagoda as they paralyzed Bug Catcher's and their Pokemon. "This lever right here should cure any paralysis out their, but I only want to use it when almost everyone is hit-" She slumped to the floor as a weak jolt of electricity hit her shoulder.

Max was laughing from the mecha. "And now for Thunder Wave level EVIL!" A large yellow pulse flew across the battlefield. Ella ducked behind a control panel to avoid getting hit. When she looked up, everyone fighting was frozen in place, save for the Pikachus. Ella quickly spotted Sammy and Topher, still in their fighting positions.

"Oh no!" Ella gasped as the mecha began to move towards the pagoda. She looked hesitantly at the lever Ayano had mentioned, pulled it anyway. There was the clicking of gears and a grinding noise. Please work...and it did.

Large paper fans snapped out of hidden panels and began to spin rapidly. Barrels of mysterious red powder fell from the room, breaking open. More powder was fired from secret trapdoors in the ground. The powder was blow by the fans all across the field. Slowly, everyone began to move again. Frowning, Ella gathered some of the powder on her finger and brought it to her lips. She grimaced at the familiar, spicy taste of Cheri berries. She gathered more dust and blew it in Ayano's face. The female Bug Catcher groaned as she got to her feet.

"Thanks, looks like you used it just in time," she grinned. "Now things are starting to look up. They definitely weren't expecting that." Team Drama was coughing out red dust as their mecha rocked back and forth in the air.

Sammy wasn't sure how she had made it up to the front lines, but before she knew it she was fighting near Kisho and Scyther. They were mirror images of each other, fighting back to back with blades and a butterfly net. Kisho jumped over near Sammy and took out three Pikachu. "We need to retreat inside!" He shouted over the cries of the battling. "We've got one final defense mechanism in all this but we can't have anyone outside!" He handed her a small scrap of paper. "Deliver this to Ayano on the top floor. She'll know what it means." Sammy took the paper and nodded. Eevee fired one last Shadow Ball at Mr. Mime before they dashed back to the pagoda.

Topher, who had finished knocking out Mankey, saw Sammy retreat and followed her. They both reached the top floor.

"Friends!" Ella cheered. "Shouldn't you be out fighting?"

"I have a message from Kisho," Sammy explained, handing Ayano the note. The bluenette scanned the paper, nodding, and flicked a switch. White banners with red Kakuna patterns on them flew high into the air. The other Bug Catchers saw this and immediately ran towards the pagoda. Sammy also noticed that any Pokemon capable of String Shot was making sure to stick at least one Pikachu to the ground before they left. Caterpie danced down her arm to the tip of her hand. He quickly tied down a Pikachu that was getting close to the front doors. Sammy patted him on the head. By the time everyone was inside, a thick cloud of powder covered the battlefield. No Pikachus were moving because they were trapped by the string.

"Where are they?!" Max snapped. "Did they surrender that easily?"

"It would appear so," Leonard observed. "Mr. Mime, do you sense anything?" Mr. Mime began to frantically wave his arms in a warning. "No, I suppose as an apprentice you wouldn't. Oh well, back to the Pokeball." He returned Mr. Mime before the Psychic/Fairy-type could protest.

Ayano began to sweat as she went through several combinations of pulls, flicks, and presses. "We need a Fire-type for this to work as well as we need it to," she said. Ella sent out her Ponyta. "All right, have him use Ember on the lantern in three..." she pulled the lever.

"What lantern?" Topher asked. As if on cue, a lantern was thrown by a mechanism into the cloud.

"Two..." As it reached it's peak it began to fall back into the smoke.

"One! Everyone get down!" Ponyta shot a small pellet of fire at the smoke before returning to her Pokeball. For a second, nothing happened. Then it turned to hell.

The cloud of smoke exploded as the oil in the lantern was lit! The fire quickly ravaged the cleared away field, just barely stopping short of the pagoda. Pikachus cried out as they were burnt by the flames. Team Drama was launched into the air, their mecha thoroughly charred.

"TEAM DRAMA'S BLASTING OFF...FOR THE FIRST TIME!" Ding!

After a few seconds, Ayano pulled a lever that released water in a similar fashion to the Cheri dust. The fires were quickly put out as everyone left the pagoda to survey the damage. The field was now covered in ash, littered with fainted Pikachus. Some of them seemed badly burnt but all were alive.

Kisho shook his head as he let some of the ash slip through his fingers. "It's never had to come to that before. It's a shame, really." Ella knelt down near a Pikachu. "Don't worry, for the next month we'll be doing nothing but nursing the Pikachus of Viridian Forest back to health and then releasing them. We'll also need to rebuild the base, but thankfully it wasn't too badly damaged."

"There's another good thing," Cameron spoke up. "The ash will make great fertilizer for the gardens, and we can even plant thick shrubs to act as another means of defense." Kisho nodded proudly.

He turned to Sammy, Topher, and Ella. "I want to thank you for helping us. It was an honor having you three as our guests."

Sammy blushed, and bowed. "And thank you for rescuing me- I mean us," she glanced at Topher.

"It was no trouble at all. So I take it this means you'll be heading to Pewter City then?"

"If we can find our way out," Topher laughed. Kisho thought for a moment.

"Cameron! How would you like to show them to Pewter City?"

"I'd love to!" Cameron said, perhaps a bit too excited.

Kisho smiled. "Then it's settled. I actually have a message for you to deliver to the Gym Leader in Pewter City anyway," he revealed, handing Cameron a scroll. "It's nothing too urgent, so feel free to spend some time in the city."

"Thank you sir!"

Kisho nodded towards Ayano, who held out three silk bags. "I noticed you had no bags for items, so you can have these. They contain fresh berries, some Net Balls, and Silver Powder. Add that to a Bug-types food and its power will increase." Sammy grinned at her Caterpie.

"Thank you so much!" Ella giggled. "Oh my, it's getting dark. I don't know if I'd like being in the forest so late."

Cameron had an idea. "You guys can stay here!"

Kisho shrugged. "It's fine with me. We always have room for guests. You can stay the night and have Cameron leave with you in the morning." The trio sighed with relief. "Now come inside, we have a victory celebration to attend to." The Bug Catchers cheered and went inside the pagoda. Sammy, Ella, and Topher stood outside a little longer.

"That was..." Topher began, but couldn't find the words.

"...amazing!" Sammy finished, out of breath. The adrenaline was wearing off.

"We should hurry," Ella urged. "Or we may miss the party!" She twirled around before dancing through the front door.

Topher and Sammy walked up the stairs to the pagoda. Sammy looked at Topher with a frown. "You were filming that whole time, weren't you?"

"Yeah, couldn't afford to waste something like that." Sammy looked down at the ground. "But you know what...I think the batteries kind of low." Sammy looked back up. Topher flipped down the camera and turned it off. "No need to record a battle and a party. Of course there's a good chance the whole fight scene thing got deleted by...'accident'." Sammy smiled to herself as they both went into the pagoda. Maybe Topher wasn't completely clueless after all.

Happy New Year everybody! I was all set out to finish this before 2015, but it got finished at 12:07 AM. Oh well, it's still the first chapter of 2015. Here's to another great year! It's kind of late so I won't be explaining a whole lot in this note. If you have any questions either PM me or leave a review and I'll get back to you as soon as possible. No idea when the next chapter will come out, and I won't be doing anymore previews because I want the rest of it to be a surprise! Thanks everyone who's been with this story so far, and I will see you next chapter!