It was a peaceful day in Cerulean City. Mothers emerged from their houses to deliver their children to school and then to go on to do the shopping. Wondering Pokemon trainers came to visit the Pokemon centre, Pokemon mart or even to challenge the three sisters who awaited challenges in the large Pokemon gym. The city was well known for its water Pokemon speciality and many underwater shows were held within the gym that stared some of the most powerful and beautiful water Pokemon such as Goldeen or Kindgra. Crowds of people talked with friends and business partners without a care for their happenings around them.

One such happening were the ex-members of Team Rocket staring into the windows of the local bakery, drool hanging from their gaping mouths. Since they had been fired by Giovanni, they had been forced onto the streets with only just enough food to keep them alive.

"Oh brother," James groaned as he stared at the delicate pastries. "My stomach is so empty its starting to hurt."

"Mine too," Jessie moaned, clutching her complaining stomach.

A deep rumbling suddenly shook the entire city.

"Was that you Meowth?" Jessie said, looking hopefully at the thin Pokemon.

"No," Meowth replied in more of a squeak then voice.

Slowly, the starving threesome looked upwards in time to see a giant attack collision made of fire and lightning zoom straight towards them. Their screams of terror were cut off as the collision hit the window and smashed it. Jagged glass flew straight out, slicing deep into every part of their three bodies, killing them instantly.

The peacefulness was shattered as some citizens screamed and ran for cover, others stared up in wonder at the fierce battle that was taking place above them.

A large electric bird soared high over the buildings, keeping a wary eye on the orange dragon that was chasing it. Riding the Charizard was a female trainer wearing a sleeveless yellow top, black jeans and a blue cape. Her face and arms were heavily scarred, giving her a fearsome and dangerous appearance. She stood with perfect balance as her Charizard flew towards Zapdos at full speed.

"Fire Heart, Flamethrower!" Nikki commanded.

Fire Heart thrust its neck forward and threw out a hot stream of fire, more deadly then the lava found in a volcano. Zapdos let out an ear shattering shriek as it countered with a powerful Thunderbolt attack. The two attacks collided again, this time hitting the Cerulean Pokemon gym. Within seconds, terrified people and Pokemon were fleeing from its doors as the entire building was engulfed in flames, burning to the ground within minutes.

Nikki didnt look twice at the disaster as her Charizard flew over the Zapdos, keeping up with its speed. The scarred trainer easily jumped off the dragon Pokemon and onto the unsuspecting Zapdos.

Angered, Zapdos gathered all the electrical energy in its body and threw it all out at Nikki in one big Zap Cannon attack. It gave a screech of fury when it turned its head to find that its foe was totally unharmed.

"You fool Zapdos!" Nikki laughed. "Ive been training non stop for seven years with some of the most dangerous Pokemon on the planet. Ive stood firm against a Rhydons Earthquake attack. Ive withstood a Venusaurs Solar Beam attack. Ive been able to take down a Steelix in physical combat. Ive even taken on a Hyper Beam attack from a Snorlax. You really think that after all that you can take me down with that!"

Zapdos shrieked with rage as it threw out attack after attack, each one having less and less effect as it began to weaken.

"Forget it Zapdos," Nikki smiled. "Ive trained for years with the same Pokemon, they are all as strong as I am. And Im even stronger. When you consider the fact that I can even beat my Machamp in a fight, thats pretty damn strong!"

Zapdos gave one final attack, using all its energy.

"Ive had enough of this child play," Nikki said, taking out one of her Pokeballs. "Kye, lets finish the job."

Kye, a Hypno, came out of its Pokeball in a flash of white light.

"Kye, use your Psychic attack!" Nikki ordered.

"Hypno," Kye nodded as its eyes and body glowed with a eerie purple light. Surrounded by the attack, Zapdos was frozen to the spot in mid air as the citizens below stood in awe and horror.

"Nice job," Nikki smiled, taking out a Pokeball which was different than normal Pokeballs. This one was a jet black with deep red studs lining the release button. On the top, there was a red R symbol. In one swift movement, Nikki jammed the release button onto the body of the helpless Zapdos, trapping it within the ball.

Nikki began to plummet towards the ground, causing some women to scream in terror for the girl. She called back her Hypno in mid-fall as her Charizard flew underneath her. Nikki landed on both her feet with such skill that the most nimblest of Arcanine would have been outmatched. She brought the Pokeball containing Zapdos close up to her face and smiled when she noticed it quiver slightly.

"There is no use in struggling Zapdos," she spoke to the ball. "That Pokeball is fresh from the top scientists of Team Rocket. It is stronger then the Masterball and will hold any Pokemon. Even you."

Nikki brushed her fringe out of her eyes and looked down on the town. Many citizens were looking up at her with complete shock and wonder, their mouths open like Magikarp at feeding time. An evil grin slowly spread across her face.

"Fire Heart, use your Flamethrower," Nikki said calmly.

Grunting in reply, Fire Heart shoot down a powerful fire attack, engulfing the whole city in flames. Citizens screamed in terror and fled as their clothes caught fire and others were trapped in buildings. No one in the city was spared as Nikki ordered attack after attack on the city and within five minutes, every single person was dead.

"Soon!" Nikki cried to the heavens. "Soon the world will know the name of Team Rocket!"

The Charizard flew away from the burning city as its trainer let loose her wild evil laughter.

In the next chapter: Ash and Brock receive a new Pokemon and decide to try it out.