Vanish

Chapter 1

KABOOM! The noise echoed over and over again in May's head.

Ash! she thought, knowing that her friend was on that hot air balloon when it exploded.

He had only jumped on to try and save Pikachu, for the poor yellow pokémon had lost his memory. Meowth had found him and filled his head with all new memories, making Pikachu really believe that he was a part of Team Rocket, and that May, Ash and the others were his enemies.

But when Team Rocket was about to make their getaway, Ash jumped onto the balloon.

James, not wanting a pretty pissed off trainer anywhere near him and the newly acquired Pikachu, had foolishly ordered Pikachu to use Thunderbolt. And the balloon exploded.

May ran furiously behind Max and Brock, watching Ash falling...falling... He couldn't die, it just wasn't possible.

The three were nearing a river when May heard a loud splash! She knew instantly that Ash was in the river somewhere, but where? She hoped he didn't drown.

"Come on!" shouted Brock, running downstream. "I think I see him!" And he poured on his speed, making it to a fairly shallow part of the river. Once he spotted Ash, floating lifelessly in the river, he dived in.

May stood by the edge of the river with her brother, holding her breath.

"Hey, look!" Max suddenly exclaimed, pointing to a lump of wet yellow fur a few feet away from them.

"Pika...pikachu...," Pikachu said, coughing. He then noticed the others and stood straight up. "Pika!" he said menacingly, sparks flying from his cheeks.

May and Max backed away, Max commenting, "I guess Pikachu still can't remember anything."

Just then, Jessie, James and Meowth splashed on shore.

"At least...we had something...softer than the ground this time...," Jessie sighed.

"It's a wonder we nevah die after all those falls!" Meowth replied.

"Ah! Pikachu!" James exclaimed, running over to the mouse pokémon. "I was so worried!"

Pikachu jumped on James's shoulder and cooed cutely.

James scratched Pikachu under the chin and looked to May and Max curiously. They appeared to be...what? Afraid?

"Ha-ha!" he laughed. "Yes, you should be scared, because now we have Pikachu! You shouldn't mess with us and our plans ever again!" And with that, he happily led Jessie and Meowth away from there, probably to find another one of their bases.

May turned her eyes back on the river. She could see Brock making his way back to shore with Ash, but was having a hard time.

And now I wish I had a water pokémon, she thought. But as soon as the thought sank in, she got another idea. She grabbed a pokéball from her bag and threw it.

"Bulbasaur, I choose you!"

Bulbasaur appeared in front of her, looking up questioningly.

"Bulbasaur, I need you to use Vine Whip to carry Brock and Ash out of the water!" May said quickly, and the pokémon hurried to comply.

Max nodded approvingly. "Good idea, May!"

But Bulbasaur wasn't having a lot of luck lifting both Ash and Brock out at the same time with his not-fully-developed vines.

"Forget about me, I can swim myself!" Brock called out to them. "Just take Ash!"

May nodded and gave new orders to her Bulbasaur.