The Sun shone warmly on one of the largest islands of Orange, but not inside the jail cell of Mandarin Island. The only occupants were Butch and Cassidy, famous agents of Team Rocket. They were busily scouring their brains to find a way out of there, but nothing came.

"Cass, this was all youh fault!" the groggy, raspy-voiced teenager growled.

"My fault?! That was YOUR Drowzee!" She countered, baring her teeth.

She was about to strike him, but a strange feeling prevented her from doing so, and it startled Butch.

"Huh?"

"We don't have any time for this! We've got to figure out---"

Suddenly, the stony wall of the cell opened, revealing a dull red light that was eerie yet inviting for the two Rockets.

"What's that?"

"I don't know, Butch."

They clung loosely onto each other, fearful of the unknown. A figure, shrouded in mysterious dark colors, made himself present. His mouth twisted into a confident smirk. He then glared harshly at his minions, but they were usually competent and reliable, so he treated the folly with dark humor.

"Butch? Cassidy? Back in again so soon?"

"Sir!"

"Yes," he sighed, reaching into his pocket for money, but then the same red light appeared. "Butch, Cassidy......what is that?"

"I-----we don't know, Suh," Butch responded.

Without warning, a small machine appeared, beeping and whirring. It turned off the red light and spoke, sending chills through Butch and Cassidy.

"REALITY SHEILD BROKEN. INITIATING PRIMARY ENGINES. MERGING SEQUENCE STARTED. LOCATING SECOND MASS. MASS LOCATED. CONFIRMING MASS DATA. ANALYZING. TELEPORTATION OF MASS IN THREE, TWO, ONE........."

The small machine started glowing intensely. It aimed at a spot far away through the window, and fired a white beam towards it. The white flash expanded, larger and larger, until it had swallowed the entire island of Indigo. Then, it fired the same beam towards the three Rockets, with the same harsh glowing light. And when the light disappeared, there was only calm water, breaking against the shores of the Orange Islands, which were untouched by the machine's rays.

Out of Indigo Onto Mobius by Blue9Tiger

Chapter I An Early Retirement

Cassidy opened her eyes. She and Butch were still in the cell, but the door was open. Their first impulse was that Giovanni had paid the bail, but that idea went out of their minds because the latter was in the cell with them. It seemed like there was a struggle between Jenny and someone, or something else, judging from the large splotch of blood on the table, and then pieces of shard metal from the opponent. Of course, that was no concern of hers. She hated Officer Jenny, like a Grizzly Bear hates a Black Bear in its territory, and would surely rejoice at her demise.

She shook Butch awake, and when he wouldn't, resorted to using her mallet. He stood up, dizzy, then looked out the window.

"Hey, Cass, we can see Gringy City from heah!"

"Gringy City?! What are you talking about? We're on Mandarin Island!"

Giovanni woke from all of their yelling, and stared out the barred window, that was lacking bars, and smoke was pouring from it. Then he realized that it was not a window. It was a hole made by a powerful force.

Out the window, surprisingly, the three beheld the grimy, pollution-ridden city, sky still filled with the unnatural colors of the exhaust gas and other toxins.

"That can't be Gringy City!" Cassidy argued. "We're in-----Vidirian City-HUH?"

All stared at the sign that read, "You are leaving Viridian City."

"Something's wrong, heah," Butch observed. "How did we get transpohted from------OH MY GOD!"

He oddly jumped into the Boss' arms, who immediately dropped, or to be more precise, threw him onto the ground.

"Ow....."

"What was that for?!" He demanded, more than miffed.

"If you saw it, you'd jump too!" Butch moaned, sweat flying over his head. While he did that, a large, heavy object approached, beeping and whirring.

"Butch, you big baby! It's good you don't act that way in front of Jess and her partner. Ugh, she'd really nail us, then!"

"I'm scahed!"

"Well, just don't jump on me!"

She blushed as she said it, but Butch was too scared to notice.

"Enough. What is that thing?"

"PRIORITY ONE. PRIORITY ONE."

"Butch, was that you talking?" Cassidy asked, confused.

"No! It was that---that---"

Butch was now to the point of fainting, and could barely sit. Cassidy glowered down at him, and chided,

"You're acting like James!"

Butch ignored her, now frozen in terror by the sight now in front of them.

"PRIORITY ONE. APPREHEND....."

A hulking, yellow machine emerged out of the shadows, its gleaming metal unfamiliar to the three Rockets. The object walked towards them, armed with some type of cannon, and before they could escape, a beam of energy fired, and then all faded into a pitch black.

Chapter II When Organizations Collide/Habitual Distrust

The sky was bright and calm, and the forest was quiet. That combination's silence was complete silence. Too quiet for Jessie. She stood up from her sleeping bag and walked over to James and Meowth, who were still sleeping.

"James! Meowth! Wake up! We've got to capture Pikachu!"

Silence. They showed no intention of waking, so Jessie provided some motivation by kicking them.

"GET UP!"

"EEeeeeeee!" James squealed, rubbing his sore rear. Meowth did not feel in the mood to be kicked, and revealed his claws.

However, before he could Slash her, a strange, dull boom sounded. It grew louder, and louder, and then the source of it was visible.

"Heads up, dudes!" A slightly high-pitced voice was heard clearly by Jessie, James, and Meowth.

A blue streak was tearing along the ground at incredible speeds. He showed no sign of slowing, and crashed right into Jessie and James, who failed to move out of the way.

"Ow! Road hogs!" the blue shape groaned, rubbing his head. His eyes were a deep brown, but the pupils were so large that it was hidden most of the time. He had short spines down his back, that rendered his blind side untouchable. He walked like Meowth, on two legs, and had red-and-white sneakers, that always seemed to be moving.

The infamous gang immediately regained their composure, and began their motto.

"We're not road hogs!" Jessie started.

"We may hog the spotlight..."

"What are ya creeps 'gonna pull?!" Sonic demanded, alarmed.

"We'll show ya creepy, blue-boy!" Meowth blurted.

With that, they began their speech, Sonic giving them a look of disgust.

"Prepare for trouble!"

"And make it double!"

"I ain't got time for this---"

"DON'T INTERRUPT!!!"

The exclamation was so loud that Sonic was forced to unwillingly oblige, though tapping his foot the whole time.

"To protect the world from devestation!"

"To unite all peoples within our nation!"

"To denounce the evils of truth and love!"

"To extend our reach to the stars above!"
"Jessie!"

"James!"

"Team Rocket, blast off at the speed of light!"

"Surrender now or prepare to fight!"

"Meowth, 'dat's right!"

Sonic fell onto the floor, laughing as loud as able.

"What's so funny?!" they snarled in unsion.

"Ha-ha-ha-ha! What did you eat for breakfast?! Ha-ha-ha! That was the STUPIDEST of all the stupid speeches around!"

Jessie turned red with anger, pock marks dotting her head.

"That was NOT funny!"

"You ain't the head honchos of style, either!" He continued, unable to contain insults. Meowht could not either, and his eyes slid into a sly position, talking under his breath.
"Meowthh! He finally noticed!"

"Shut up, Meowth!!" Jessie ordered, planting her boot on his head.

"Man, touchy!" the blue creature winced as he saw the abuse. Then he stared at the uniforms of Jessie and James, and noticed the red R. His eyes lost the teasing shine and darkened, filled with hate and disgust "Shoulda known...you're from Robuttnik's fan club!"

"Robuttnik? Who's Robuttnik?" James asked, wide-eyed.

"Ya don't know who Robuttnik is?! Where on Mobius are YOU from?!"

"We ain't from Mobius! We're from Planet Oyth!" Meowth declared.

"We're on a different planet?!" Jessie inquired.

"Earth? Phew, then ya ain't with Robuttnik. Okay, then you're past cool with me. But, what are the R's for?"

"Must we repeat ourselves?" James groaned.

"Maybe just the last part! Team Rocket, blast off at--"

"Okay, okay! I had enough! I'm Sonic the Hedgehog, from the Knothole Freedom Fighters!"

"What are they?" James asked.

"We're---"

Before he could explain their purpose, the conversation abruptly ended.

"Sonic!" The voice was obviously feminine, and the hedgehog immediately recognized it, and answered,

"Sal!"

Sally jogged up to them, and asked,

"Sonic, have you seen anyone that looks---like----this?"

The squirrel held up a robot, who also was a Rocket. His once-brown eyes, now black and red, still shone with love and energy.

"Jessie! James!" He exclaimed.

"Mondo!" The trio answered, eyes lighting up.

"Wait, what's mondo?" Sonic asked, looking at them.

"What's he wearing?" Asked James.

"He isn't "wearing" anything, except your colors! He was roboticized!"

"Then how'd he get his memory back so fast?" Sonic asked.

"Roboti--huh?"

"Funny. Um, "Mondo" showed surprising resistance to the process. After he was roboticized, he ran all over Robotnik's headquarters, breaking things and driving him crazy!"

A smile found Sonic's face, and made itself clear.

"Cool! So the piece of junk failed?"

"Yes, but then the next victims, who we couldn't save, were fully roboticized!"

"I wondah who 'dose were......"

"Well, Mondo always had a strong spirit!" Jessie remarked.

"Mondo, are you okay?" James asked.

"I'm fine! But wow, what a jolt! I feel like I've been shocked by a Zapdos and a Jolteon! Can I do that, again?!!!"

"I------don't think so!" Jessie exclaimed, sweating. "Mondo, did you see the twerps, yet?"

"No...if I saw them I'd take their Pikachu!"

"Pika-whatsis?" Sonic asked, confused.

" "Take" it? As in stealing?" His squirrel friend inquired, eyes serious.

Jessie and James fell on the ground in annoyance, and said,

"Of course!"

Both Sally and Sonic's face darkened. The Freedom Fighters would steal from Robotnik when needed, but they disapproved of the practice of stealing for the sheer joy or pleasure of it, and naturally a sense of distrust formed in both groups' eyes.

"Aw, too bad," Sonic teased. "And we were 'gonna let ya in Knothole, too!"

"What's that?" Asked Jessie.

"It's none 'a your business!" Sonic snapped.

"Fine, we don't need your help!!" the female growled. Mondo sighed, knowing that Robotnik had roboticized half of Indigo Island in only a few hours. If Team Rocket and the Freedom Fighters didn't work together, they would never find out why they met, and more importantly, drive out Robotnik. As he listened to the arguments fly back and forth, he wondered if there was any hope for the island was left. The large amount of thinking and new feelings was too much for him, and he shorted out.

"Mondo! Grr, now look what you did!"

"If you were watching over him, he wouldn't be busted!" Sonic chided, shaking his fist.

"If your lousy dictator didn't bring us here...umm....uh......" James stopped, unable to say anymore.

"Will you stop fighting?" Sally asked. "We don't even know how it happened!"
"I know how it happened! Just be quiet long enough for me to talk!" Wailed Mondo. Jessie, James, and Meowth glared at the hedgehog opposite of them, both in position and mind.

"Okay, kid, talk!" Meowth affirmed. The brown-haired Rocket walked over to him, and set him in his lap to pat his head as he talked. While he did so, Meowth's head seemed to sink because of the metal.

Chapter III Love Power no More

The sky above Indigo was dark. Only creatures of circuits and iron occupied it, now. It now lay between the Great Forest and Robotropolis, and, like they saw, the one in the middle is hurt the most.

It had become a place of utter darkness, where Pokémon only dwelled, not lived. They were not alive, they only existed, only were. Their Trainers did the same, only dwelled, for one reason: to serve Dr. Robotnik.

"This awesome power......I knew it was a good idea to build that machine!"

His short assistant, sporting a long nose, nodded his head, agreeing,

"It was, Sir!"

The enormous Overlander pet his robotic crow, who made no sound. The former frowned, taking notice of a detail he overlooked.

"But it's not to its maximum capacity! It needs more power!" The large man snarled, almost squeezing his pet, who frowned.

"May I suggest the Chaos Emeralds, Sir?"

"Just what I was going to say, Snively!" the other cackled, almost tasting victory. "With the Chaos Emeralds, the machine will have the power to merge Mobius with any land mass in existence! And then every one of them will be easy to roboticize."

Snively grinned, but then it faded.

"But how do we find them, Sir?"

"Don't act so dull, Snively. On the Floating Island!"

"But, Sir.....how will you deal with that echidna, Sir?"

Robotnik's metallic eyes lit up with anticipation, but not the kind of the light-hearted, instead the kind of the cold and bleak.

"I was just getting to that, Snively. Units RY2, RK3, RS4, RP5, report!"

Four figures appeared, all identifiable by dark black eyes, with the pupil red, and everything on and in them, a gray steel. The two younger ones kneeled before Robotnik, and the older one stood there stolidly. Before the process, it was clear that the latter was in charge, but now, was reduced to being a follower.

A young fox was watching from the corner. He heard every single word of Robotnik's plan and order, and then quickly took off, avoiding the machine-ridden rooms, and taking the least congested path, not having the skill of his idol, Sonic, or the ego of him, for that matter.

Jessie and her team continued to fight with Sonic, while Sally and Mondo tried to calm them down, though the latter would usually side with his heroes. To their relief, the verbal war was interrupted by the double-tailed fox, who still had a full supply of air to talk.

"Aunt Sally!" he yelled, blue eyes flashing. Sally bore her authoritative expression, and she frowned.

"Tails, how many times have I told you not to go into Robotropolis?"

"Uhhhh..."

The fox didn't know how to answer the question, and played dumb. Sally knew better, but only gave him a small lecture.

"It's a dangerous place and I don't want you getting hurt!"
"But they're---"

The brown squirrel lost her temper, and burst out,

"TAILS!"

"But Aunt Sally, they're going to attack!" he protested, eyes in earnest.

"Who's going to attack?" James cut in, slightly worried.

"RY2 and RK3, or---was it RS4 and RP5? Or---uhh..."

"RK3? Sounds like a science fiction flick......" Sonic groaned.

Jessie, stressed from the odd impending danger that she knew nothing about, suddenly exploded, eyes wet.

"THIS seems like science fiction!! Why the hell are we here?! Why?!"

"Calm down, Jessie!" James put his hand on her shoulder, but feeling that this was not just one of her usual melodramatic moments aroused by something irrelevant.

"Yeah, chill out! You're more wound than Knux!"

Both ignored the hedgehog, and James continued to comfort her.

"Jessie, I'm sure we'll figure out why...but why are you so emotional about it? You're never this way!"

She sighed, staring at the conquered island just inches away from her foot. She searched for anything but the real reason.

"Right, I know, James."

"It's got to be Robotnik who got you here in the first place," Tails concluded.

"But how did he get all of your kind so fast?" Sally asked, staring at the polluted Viridian City.

"That's what WE want to know!" Wailed Jessie.

However, they were not going to answer that question just yet, since a new threat arose.

"Uh, guys, there's RY2 and RK3!" Shouted Mondo, his red eyes flashing.

"PRIORITY ONE: CAPTURE NON-ROBOTIC LIFE FORMS! PRIORITY TWO. DESTROY RM1!"

Though Sonic and Sally were puzzling over the two robots' identities, Jessie and James knew almost immediately.

"Cassidy!"

"Butch!"

"More of you dudes?!" Sonic complained in annoyance.

"Not 'dem again!" Meowth screeched, covering his ears.

"PREPARE FOR TROUBLE!"

"Not this thing, again!"

Sonic tore towards the older robots, who seemed to retain a spark of their personality.

"LOOK, HE'S TRYING TO FIGHT US."

"THAT'S A LAUGH!"

"WHAT CAN A HEDGEHOG DO---"

"AGAINST A TAPIR? DROWZEE, GO!"

"DROWZEE....."

"Whoa! What's that?!"

"Drowzee's one of their Poke'mon!" Jessie exclaimed, grasping her Poke'Balls. "We haven't beat---I mean, we'll beat it! Don't help us!"

"Hey, this OUR planet, so lay off of it!" Sonic snarled, gritting his teeth.

"And these our OUR teammates..." James cut in.

"And rivals......"

"Stop it, all of you!" Sally ordered. "We need to work together to stop them!"

"Work together? Not on your life!" Sonic declined.

"'Den show us how ta fight, Blue Boy!" Meowth challenged.

"You got it, slow-mo!"

"Sonic, be careful!"

"Who needs care when you've got talent?"

Sonic grabbed a Power Ring, held it into the air, and charged, setting the ground aflame. Butch and Cassidy sat their calmly, their eyes glowing a bright red. Mondo, who was near Jessie and James, suddenly stood erect, and his mechanical eyes narrowed and sharpened.

Without warning, he jumped in front of Butch and Cassidy, Sonic smashing into Mondo.

"Way past uncool! This dude's lost his mind!"

"Rrg, now what?!" Jessie growled, canines bared.

"Oh, no! Mondo!" James moaned.

"He's bein' controlled by Botch and Cassidy!" Meowth screeched in horror, blue eyes wide.

The presently trio raised their lasers, shouting without control of their words,

"SURRENDER NOW!"

"Okay, you're both goin' down!"

"Sonic, we should try to work together with them!"

The blue hedgehog ignored his princess' suggestion, and leaped towards Butch, Cassidy, and Mondo.

"OW........"

Sonic had bounced on top of Butch's thick head, but Cassidy nailed him with her laser.

"Meeeeowth, 'dat'll teach 'im."

"Stop it! We'll never get anything done this way!"

Jessie growled, staring down at the squirrel with cold contempt.

"Rrrrr.....she's right. Arbok, go!"

"Chaaaaaaa---bokkkkkaaaaaa!"

"Whoa! A little big, ain't he?"

Jessie folded her arms and lifted up her head.

"That's none of your concern! Arbok, Bite!"

"Chaaaaa-bokkaaa!"

The violet-hued Cobra leaped towards Butch, Cassidy, and Mondo, who were readying their next attack.

"Sonic, just for once, work together!"

Sally was in earnest, but the other still had the spunk to question her.

"Is that a request, Sal?"

"NO."

Sonic leaped onto Arbok, annoyed, who was too absorbed in charging to be disagreeable, and as Butch, Cassidy, and Mondo fired, Sonic whipped foward a Power Ring, and Arbok dove Underground, resurfacing again, forcing Butch and Cassidy toward the Ring, and it glowed with power.

"Fight it, dudes!"

The Ring shone with the intensity of the Sun, and encompassed Butch and Cassidy with its energy. It sent them memories of their past with Team Rocket, forced them to remember those glorious days. Finally, the golden shine faded, and all three fell down.

"Wow......what happened?" Mondo asked, red eyes flickering.

"Hey, kid, get off of me," Butch groaned, eyeing Mondo.

"Well, look who's here!" Cassidy immediately stood up, creaking and groaning.

"Well, Cass, it looks like it's obvious who's prettier!"

Cassidy looked down at herself, and almost malfunctioned when she did.

"Ohhhhh, nooooo! My hair is ruined!"

"Thehe she goes again..." Butch groaned, head in palms.

Sonic and Sally stared weird looks at each other, knowing that they were dealing with irrational and fashion-conscious people. Meowth sensed their disgust, and said,

"We are what we are!"

"I can see that," Sally observed, watching Jessie and James fight with their metallic rivals. "Still, they would make good Freedom Fighters. If we can't work together, they can at least FIGHT for our side."

"What, us?!" Meowth demanded, eyes wide.

Chapter IV Island Invasion/An Honest Induction

In the midst of the terrible war that raged beneath it, the Floating Island was and possibly forever unscarred by it. Though its guardians shed its blood to protect the Floating Island, it still remained tranquil and more or less clean, until now.

Knuckles the Echidna sat on a rotting log, content to stare at the untouched sky, and its swirling clouds, bright Sun, low, breezy winds, and a metallic craft. Then he realized it.

"An intruder!" Knuckles snarled, leaping off the log and tearing towards the edge of the island, eyes flaring up. Upon reaching the edge, he studied it intently.

The pilot of the craft studied the echidna, and after whirring and clicking, grabbed a red-and-white Ball and flung it onto the island.

"GOLEMMMMM..."

"What the---?!" His eyes widened at the size and appearance of the intruder. But, like always, he was ready to face it.

"GOLEM, TACKLE."

"Oh, juuuuust great! Just what I don't need! Robots!"

"GOLEM."

"Ugly ones, at that!"

The gigantic Megaton Poke'mon rolled towards Knuckles.

"Just like Sonic, but a lot slower!" he observed, jumping into the air, easily dodging the rolling stone.

"GOLEM, EXPLOSION."

"GOOOO---LEMM....."

The steel Rock Type glowed, and exploded in a mass of elements, making contact with Knuckles, and leaving the guardian out cold.

"MISSION COMPLETED," the robotic human droned, landing on the island, and releasing the rest of his Poke'mon. "INITITATING STAGE TWO." As Knuckles was recovering, he dimly heard the thudding of the robotic monsters on the ground, but could not, in the meantime, do anything to stop them.

Back in the Great Forest, the unusual group of the Freedom Fighters and Team Rocket were heading towards Knothole, a mixture of conversations flying throughout the wood.

"You think we can trust 'em?"

"Well, we'll see who they really work for."

"What's the plan, Sal?"

"Train them as Freedom Fighters."

"WHAT?! Sal, they're like Nack! You couldn't trust him with five Mobiums!"

The mentioned poked his head from a clump of bushes, eyes piercing the groups.

"Heh-heh, just a few more loose ends.....can't have those ameteurs taking over my bag.I may be a bounty hunter but stealing's not below me.....a nice frame'll fix them....let them have their fun for a while...then when they're just beginning to trust them......hehheh......"

"You idiot! You hurt Arbok!" Jessie chided, slapping Mondo, who didn't flinch.

"Jess, did you tap me?"

"Whaa---?"

"He's like us," Cassidy explained. "Robots feel nothing emotionally, and physically they feel less pain than humans. That's why I'm not---up to fighting with you today."

"Well I am!" she countered stubbornly. Butch went to her side, saying,

"Jessie, give it a rest. She's been through a lot."

"Alright, fine......"

"How many of us have been roboticized?" Asked James dully.

"All of us. Even other Trainers."

"Even the Boss?" Jessie asked. Butch nodded, answering listlessly.

"He was roboticized with us. He's headed towahds the Floating Island."

Sonic and Sally whirled around, shocked.

"What?!"

"Then we'll HAVE to let them fight with us!" shouted Tails.

"You're right. Or else the island will be devestated."

"Did I hear devestation?"

"NOT now, Jess....." Meowth groaned.

The group enetered Knothole. The Rockets stared at the fresh village, completely opposite of Indigo Island and Robotropolis.

"Wow! What a relief!" Mondo shouted, hugging a sapling, but accidentally uprooting it. "Oops........"

Sally sighed, and finally explained,

"This is Knothole Village."

"Ah, the air is fresh!" James shouted, spreading his arms out to grasp the air.

"Yeah......"

"Wish we could enjoy it, too......" Butch groaned.

"Meowwww.....cheer up!"

"You're telling US to cheer up?"

Sally sighed again, hoping that everything would go according to plan, and gave them instructions to make sure of it.

"While you're here, Team Rocket, you can't steal from us."

"Well, that's fine with us because you don't have any Pokémon!"

"Meooooowth, 'dat's right!"

"We only steal Pokémon and valuable objects!"
"And nuttin' in here looks valuable!"

Sally nodded, glad that there were some of these strange humans on their side. Sonic, however, was still dead set against them.

"How do we know that you're not 'gonna steal?"

"Why are you asking? We already stated our purpose!" Cassidy moaned.

"Because---we'd like you to join the Freedom Fighters!" Sally covered Sonic's mouth, glaring at him.

"WHAT?!"

"Well, because you're the only non-robotic humans around, that would know about these.....Poke'mon."

"That's true," James said, fingering his PokéBalls.

"But we'll never join YOUR team!"

"Team Rocket's where we belong!"

"Oh, boy. Here they go again."

"Will they evuh luhn?"

"Look who's talking?!" Jessie sneered. "You're not very smart to get caught in someone's mind-control device!"

"Well-----" Cassidy stopped, unable to find a retort.

"Well, your Boss is roboticized, there's no where else to go.....please?" Tails asked, eyes large and pleading.

"He's got a point."

"Well, do we really have any choice?"

"Fine, then take the oath."

With a deep sigh, all nodded, knowing that they had taken one vow only to break the other.

Chapter V Training and Bonding/Fall of the Chaotix

"So, ya think you can beat me? At racin'?!"

"Well, it's worth a try," Cassidy shrugged, striding to the invisible starting line. "But Jess and James are the fastest!"

"YOU asked for it!" Sonic said, pointing at her.

Jessie laughed in a sinister tone.

"That's right, Cassidy, and all we have to do is to shoot weapons! You have to race with that little blue twerp!"

"Yo, watch it........" Sonic growled.

Sally groaned, wondering when they would stop fighting, or Jessie, James, and her would never get to target practice.

"I'll give ya a head start!"

"How many seconds?"

"I'll start when you're almost there!"

The race was from one end of the village to the other, length-wise, and then into a sparse part of the Great Forest. The ground was even enough, and Cassidy had Butch silent on the sidelines, so she was somewhat confident. However, when she stared at her oppenent, who was faster, lighter, and more spirited than her, her confidence dwindled.

"Okay, Fashion 'Bot! Let 'er rip!"

Cassidy detested both ends of the address, and sped off with extra energy and zeal, passing ten huts in a second, way above the rest of the Freedom Fighter's normal speed. Sonic stared at her with an open mouth.

"Wha--no way-?"

"Sonic, you'd better get going! You wouldn't want a robot to beat you, right?" Tails taunted, then walking into one of the huts.

"Not in THIS universe!" Sonic yelled, finally revving up on the starting line and racing off, leaving a trail of flame.

"Catch me if you can!"

"Man, she's fast! But not fast enough........"

The blue hedgehog grabbed a Power Ring from his backpack, which glowed with supernatural energy, and his speed increased. He finally spied Cassidy, who was reaching the finish line. She could feel the hedgehog streaking behind her, that telltale booming sound, almost like a warning of his approach. She tried to run faster, and then, as a last-minute trick, jumped to cover more ground, and they hit the line at the same second.

Rotor was at the line, showing them his stopwatch.

"Good job, guys!"
"Who won?" Cassidy asked, losing a gear and several screws from the exertion. Rotor examined his watch, and then compared the time with the other one, concluding,

"It was a tie!"

Sonic's eyes bulged out, while Cassidy fell on the ground, a sweatdrop as large as a Diglett dotting her head.

Back at Knothole, Jessie was testing out the firearms of the planet Mobius on a few empty PokéBalls that some Trainers left behind.

"Ha, these are like the cannons back on Indigo!"
"But stronger!" James shouted with enthusiasm as he blew apart the Ball with the laser he held.

"But it's not something to beat up your---friend with," Sally warned.

"Awwwww......" Jessie moaned, staring at the device longingly. "Oh, well, mallets work best!"

"Oh, noooooo......" James groaned.

Inside Tails' hut, Meowth, Arbok, and Weezing were training, taking an immediate tolerance to Tails, because of his good attitude.

"Don't give Meowth too much experience! 'Dere's no way I'm 'gonna evolve!"

"Evolve? But that's a zillion-year-process, isn't it?" Tails asked, grabbing a chili-dog. "By the way, want some?"

"Smells like sometin' 'da twoyp would cook."

"Twerp?"

"Yeah, 'tree Pokémon Trainers---Meowth, 'dat Misty...gets on my noyves!"

"Then they must be what people consider "good" guys, then, right?"

"Meowth, 'dat's right."

"But you aren't so bad. I mean, for Overlanders," Tails complimented. It was obvious that he wanted the Rockets and the Freedom Fighters to bond.

"Eh?"

He bore a serious look in his bright blue eyes.

"Humans. Robotnik's a human. Since then, we've considered most humans bad."

"Well, we're bad, but not as bad as 'dat Robotnik!"

Tails smiled, and gave Meowth the chili dog. The latter finally decided to eat it, and since he was unused to the spice, jumped up eight feet off the floor. "HOTTTTTT!!"

"Okay, lets get to battling. Umm, Meowth, come here and battle---"

"Rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrraticattttteeeee!"

"Oh, no! 'Dough 'dis one is weak, I'll nevah be tough enough 'ta beat it!"

"Part of being a Freedom Fighter is determination! Don't give up so easily!" Tails encouraged, opening a door to reveal Cassidy's mechanical Raticate.

"Well, heah goes!"

"Now, robots battle without orders, so you won't know what will happen until it happens! Okay?"

"Ehhhhhh...okay!"

Tails let Raticate out, who made a terrible creaking sound, and its somewhat enhanced snarl was too much for Weezing's hidden ears.

"Okay......Fury Swipes!"

Meowth brought down his claws on Raticate's steel face, only to hurt himself.

"Meeeeeeeeeooooouuuuuuuchhhhh!!!"

"RRRRRRrrrrrrattticattte!"

The once-fuzzy Rat tackled its opponent, burying its fangs in Meowth's flesh, the pain intensified by the metal teeth.

Think, Meowth! I can't lose to a rat! It's like losing to a mouse! I 'gotta fight back! What's steel weak against--hey! Same as rock!

Meowth lifted a pail of water from a table, and tossed it on Raticate.

"Waduh attack!"

"Rrrrrrrr--------"

"Huh?"

The Raticate slowly regained its strength, and didn't seem to rust. Tails searched for a comment, and found one.

"Ingenuity helps, but this one's rust-proof!"

Raticate, angered by the earlier assault, delievered a Jump Kick, sending Meowth into the door.

"Okay! 'Dat's it! Ya made me mad!"

Meowth thought about Tails' remark. "Ingenuity helps". "My claws won't woyk, so I'll have ta settle for-----"

Raticate advanced, but was waiting for the next attack.

"MMMMMMMMMMMMMEEEEEEEEEEEEEOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWTTTTTTTTTHHHHHH!!!!" Screech.....

"Rattttttttttiiiiiiicatttttttteeeeeeeeeeee........"

"Hey, I did it?!"

"Good job........Meowth....." Tails complimented, dazed from the loud Screech. "Okay, now, Arbok versus Drowzee!"

Arbok was just about to charge, when someone screamed.

"'Alllllppppppppp!"

Mondo had tossed his empty PokéBall onto Antoine, who was actually caught.

"Mondo, what are you trying to do?" Asked Jessie, bewildered at the feat.

"Trying to see if he was a Poke'mon! But since he can talk...... guess not......"

"'AAAaalllppppp! I can't zee anything!!!!!"

Sally made the Rocket release Antoine, who then fainted.

The serene, tranquil, and clean Floating Island was now littered with scrap metal and a few dead bodies. The Chaotix: Mighty, Charmy, Vector, Espio, Heavy, Bomb, and Knuckles had met the invading robots, but their style of fighting was different than any other they had ever seen.

"RHYDON, LEER."

The gray Drill Pokémon glared at Vector, red eyes shining.

"Yo! Tha' ain't my tune, so don't'cha play it, or ya'll be playin' th' blues!"

"Give it a rest, Vector!" Ordered a violet chameleon with a harsh eye. "We've got to figure out how to beat this thing!"

"FURY ATTACK."

Rhydon rushed at Vector first, attacking with its fists. He made contact several times, and the crocodile couldn't stand it for long.

"Dude, tha' killed!"

Espio changed his color from violet to green, seeming to disappear in front of Rhydon.

Knuckles and Mighty had confronted the robotic Golem.

"GOLEM, ROCK THROW."

"Who are these---guys?" Wondered Mighty, wincing as he was hit with a rock. "And what do they want?"

"Don't you mean "what" are they?" Knuckles corrected, slamming his fist into the machine, who barely flinched at the attack.

"Hey, lets double the Spin Dash!"

"Good thinking, Mighty. Wonder why I didn't think of it?"

The echidna and armadillo curled up, zipping foward, and succeeded in denting it slightly.

"This isn't working, Knux! What do we do?"

They stared over at Charmy, Heavy, and Bomb, and their antagonist, a mechanical Machamp, pounding its chest in victory. Then they saw Vector and Espio out, with Rhydon roaring monotonously in triumph.

"Great, all that's left is us!" Knuckles groaned, staring with angry blue eyes at their opponent. "Contact Sonic, will you?"

"The Freedom Fighters? Got it!" Mighty affirmed as he rolled off to a secluded locale, dodging the other Pokémon or throwing a punch at them.

"Floating Island to Knothole. Condition: RED! Repeat: RED!"

"Huh? Who is this?" Asked Butch, who Bunnie was teaching about the communications line.

"This is Mighty the Armadillo! Condition: RED!"

Butch acknowledged, but the acknowledgement led into a pointless, irrelevant, time-consuming conversation.

"OK! Condition read."

"No, OUR condition's red!"

"I know. Youh condition is red and read!"

"Are you some kind of joker? This isn't funny! Our condition is RED!"

"Yeah, I know your condition's read! I read it a few minutes ago!"

"How could you make it red---oh, to Hell with the damn thing! Just get over here! Over and----"

There was no more said, since he was knocked unconscious by a Gyarados.

"That's a confusing ahmadillo!" Butch observed, Bunnie sighing in frustration. "Well, WE know that theih condition's red and WE'VE read it! Thehe, that's it!"

"Did I hear condition red?" Sally asked, and then Bunnie fainted.

Chapter VI Getting Through His Skull

Within an hour of hearing the distress call, Jessie, James, Meowth, Sonic, and Tails were on their way to the island.

When they landed, Knuckles immediately confronted Sonic.

"Who are those guys?"

"Prepare for---"

"NOT NOW!" Meowth screeched, Slashing them both. Jessie and James disproved, and were about to thrash him.

"You little-----"

"Dudes, chill out for a sec'!"

Knuckles scratched his head, realizing how strange it looked when people fought aimlessly.

"So, Knux, how about some info?"

"Take a look around, hedgehog!" The red echidna answered, annoyed.

Sonic obeyed, and then nodded.

"Lets juice and jam!" Sonic yelled, tearing off in search of the source of the destruction, Knuckles following airborne.

"Hey, wait for us!" Wailed Jessie, she and her partners streaking towards Sonic.

"Watch out for that---Kingler!"

"What's a Kingler?"

"THAT'S a Kingler!" Yelled Jessie at the top of her lungs.

"MAN! Even Rotor wouldn't wanna eat that!"
"KOO-----KIEE!!!!!" It roared, bringing down a humongous claw on the ground.

Knuckles lunged at it, aiming for the eye. However, it closed its eyes, bringing the eyelid down on his gloved fist.

"OW! Unghh....." He strained, trying to force his fist out of the crushing eyelid. Sonic grabbed his hand, and wrenched the red echidna out, who couldn't do much with the mangled fist.

"Are you alright?" Asked James.

Knuckles groaned, and Sonic signalled them to fight.

"I think it's time we've pulled out the big guns!"
"Right! Fire!"

Jessie and James fired the lasers at Kingler, who tried its best to Harden to repel the attacks.

"Jessie, did you notice how familiar that Kingler looks?"

Suddenly, its Trainer appeared, red flash in his eye.

"Could it be---"

"The Boss?"

"AFFIRMATIVE. ALL UNITS, APPREHEND!"

"Wait, Sir! Remember us?"

"Your un-favorite members?"

However, he had no recollection, and the roboticized Dan'in attacked. Their uniforms were now a dark gray, and their eyes could clearly be seen: all visors with the color red.

"REPEAT: APPREHEND."

"Apprehend this!" Sonic exclaimed, spinning into a ball and into the mecha-Rockets.

"Sonic, go easy on them---they're family.."

"Family?!"

"Go easy on them? They're monsters!" The hot-headed echidna retorted, whacking one in the face.

"Yeah, but if you don't, you'll be sorry....."

"Meeeowthhh..."

"Why, one of them's going to pull a big object on me or something if I call them human crap?" Knuckles asked, somewhat teasingly.

"YOU-----" Jessie took a break from her firing to bring down her mallet.

"OW! Why'd you----?"

"We've got to make the Boss remember somehow, or else they'll never stop attacking!"

"Hey! Good strategy! Lets see if my Ring'll wake 'im up!"

"It's not just a hypnosis spell!" Knuckles complained, bringing two Dan'in's heads together, knocking them out.

"How can you talk normally and fight?" James asked, losing concentration and accidentally zapping Meowth.

"Easy!" Sonic boasted as he held up a Power Ring at the Team Rocket Leader.

"ALL UNITS---FALL BACK---ATTACK--(bzzzzzt) (bzzzzztttt)---DESTROY."

"Way to go, Blue Blur!" Knuckles groaned sarcastically. "You set the old timer's systems backwards instead of fowards!!"

"Now what are we going to do?" Whined James, who was out of ammunition.

"Hey, guys!" Cried a younger Rocket.

"Huh? Mondo?"

"Man, why did he have to show up?"

"I have more Rings! Here's some more Rings, weird blue thing!"
"The name's Sonic, kid......!"

"Hey, you're shorter than me!"
"So? I'm 15!"

"So am I! (sigh) Well, I 'gotta go!" Mondo declared, fading over the edge of the island.

"Mondo, wait! Rgg, why does that kid have to leave when we need him the most?!" Jessie growled.

"Shuddap and lets get movin'!" Meowth screeched.

"Hey, I got everything under control!" Sonic assured, holding up the three Rings.

"We'll hold them off!" Jessie snarled, jumping in front of their teammates, just as Dan'in was about to fire off their last and most deadly blast.

"ALL (bzzt) units.....halt!"

They obeyed, and then suddenly remembered.

"Hey, what happened?"

"Where's my Slowpoke?"

"I dunno...."

"Rggghhh.....what------was------that?" The Leader inquired, grasping his head.

"Oh, Sir! Are you alright?"

Knuckles growled, surveying the mess.

"He'd BETTER be after he trashed my island! Of course, I could change that!"

"Yo, Knux, chill out! He was under Robuttnik's control!"

"Yeah, Knux! It's over!" Mighty said, appearing out of nowhere.

"Where were you?!"

"That big fish Gyarados or whatever took me out!"

"It's-----not over, yet......" the Leader warned.

"HUH?!"

"I sent---our Pokémon after your Chaos Emeralds."

Chapter VII Race for the Emeralds

Butch and Cassidy sat on a log, watching Mondo test his Ditto on Antoine, the second prank for the day.

"Ditto, go!"

"What eez 'zat?"

"That's my Ditto!"

Meanwhile, Sally was conversing with Butch and Cassidy about the wonders of Pocket Monsters, and was unable to get most of her answers.

"How many are there?" she asked.

"I don't know---I'm not a Pokémon Master!" Cassidy shouted. "How would I know?"

"Mohe than a hundred, definitely," answered Butch.

"Yeah, maybe two-hundred-something....."

"Ditto, Transform into that--uhh, thing!" Mondo commanded.

The Freedom Fighter was obviously offended, and folded his arms.

"Ditto! 'Ello! I'm Antione! I am 'zee beegest geek een zee whole wide....."

Antoine grew red as everyone present laughed.

But it was anything but light and happy on the Floating Island. Team Rocket, the Freedom Fighters, and the Chaotix were trying to stop the Rocket Pokémon from taking the Chaos Emeralds. They succeeded, but there was one Rapidash that refused to go down, and Sonic was the only one fast enough to race it.

"WHHHHHHHHRRRNNNN....."

"Okay, chrome-dome! Show me what ya got!"

The mechanical horse made no affirmation, but neighed again, and its metallic hooves resounded on the hard dirt. Sonic saw that his opponent was getting the better of him, and mounted it cooly. "No one said we couldn't play dirty!"

"WWWHHHRRRRRRNNNNN........" (FLAMETHROWER.)

"Yeoooooowwchhhhh! HOT!"

"WHRRRNNNNN......"

Sonic leaped off the horse, and continued to run beside it, trying to best it in speed, not just for his own ego this time, but for the Floating Island.

"Now that's more like it! Keep runnin', I'll catch ya!"

"WHRRRNNNNNN......"

The Rapidash thundered along the ground, glaring at Sonic, and blowing fire. But now that he expected it, dodged it with ease.

"Close shave!"

Its fiery tail barely missed Sonic, who slammed his spikes into it, and fell over. "There, finally lost--aw, man!"

There were several other Rapidash, who were diving down the Chaos Chamber, that sparkled with their fiery light.

Sonic spun into the ground, burrowing through the dirt and rock, finally emerging into the chamber.

"Hey, what'd they put in your oil today? If you suck that energy, you'll die along with us!"

The Rapidash surrounded the Chaos Emeralds, activating the machines strapped to their backs.

"WHRRRNNNNNNN........"

"Cat got your tongue?"

"WHHHRRRNNNNN......"

The Rapidash found nothing humorous in it, and attempted to bury it's horn into Sonic. The latter dodged, keeping in his spinning position. "Aw, you're no fun! Go a little faster!"

The mechanical horses' eyes glowed, and they blew Flamethrowers in unison. One caught Sonic in the tail, and he streaked towards the wall, landing his rear on the soothing surface. "Yow........"

The Rapidash, thinking that the threat was over, surrounded the Chaos Emeralds again. Sonic dashed foward, spinning into them, but again they repelled him with their fiery breath.

"WHHHHHHRRR......"

The machines activated, drawing energy from the green gems. Sonic staggered up, and then realized that he had the solution in his backpack.

The blue Freedom Fighter grabbed the small device, and flung it at the crystalline wall, which suddenly gave way into a portal. He then whistled toward the Rapidash, who zealously followed him into it, and then it vanished in a flash of light.

Chapter VIII Secret on the Cosmic Interstate/Untimely Frame

The series of roads known to Mobius as the Cosmic Interstate led from one reality to the next, bending rules of time or space.

The Rapidash were still thundering after Sonic, their metallic hooves easily audible on the road. At least he had gotten the Rapidash away from the Chaos Emeralds. But now they were chasing him.

On and on it went, down this highway and that highway, back and forth, and sideways and frontways, neverending, and infintely a reality.

"'Gotta lose these losers some how! But how?"

He turned on another junction, attaining his maximum speed, but the Rapidash still gaining. The hedgehog scanned for any sign of salvation, but found none.

Then he reached the "Neutral Zone". There was nothing there, but he didn't know if the Rapidash would trail him. Being the bold one as usual, he did, but then there was no road below, and he plunged into a white abyss.

A strange piece of metal suddenly crashed into his head, and to his horror the Rapidash were still after him.

He grabbed the device and fired, and it struck one. That one fell onto the ground, its body reverting back into flesh. Sonic was astounded, the machine having no indication of a Deroboticizer. He fired it again and again, until it's batteries were drained, and all of the Rapidash were flesh and blood once again.

"Whoa....past cool....."

"Whnnnnn...whiiiii!"

"Is it...the Deroboticizer?"

He examined the machine, and saw a PokéBall on it, and concluded it was not. "Better juice this thing back to Mobius!"

Sonic searched for a hole, and found it. He tore through it, and to his relief, brought him back to Mobius.

The Rapidash streaked out behind him, heading towards the Great Forest, peaceable and free. Sonic smiled in satisfaction, and, gripping the device, followed them.

"Sal! Sal!"

"Sonic! The Floating Island's been saved. Everyone is back, here."

"Alright, Sal! And I got somethin' even cooler!"

Sonic gave the device to her, but they weren't able to make use of it because it had no power.

Nack emerged into the night. He knew that the device Sonic retrieved was valuable, therefore, if Team Rocket did not know better, they would have stolen it.

He sneaked into Princess Sally's room, where Sonic had deposited it in great excitement, grabbing the device, and then sneaked out.

"Sonic!"

"What's up, Sal?"

"It's not here! Someone stole it!"

"Bet I know who!"

"But why would they want to steal something of no value?"

"It LOOKS valuable enough!"

"Well, in any case, bring them here."

Chapter IX Advantages of Trust

Jessie, James, Mondo, Butch, and Cassidy did not admit to the theft, but were banished anyway, though Sally was reluctant. She had sent Jessie, James, and Mondo to Indigo Island, and Butch and Cassidy to Robotropolis. It was actually, a show of leniency, because, as as monarch, Sally could do much more than that.

She felt nothing for them, which was understandable, but yet, she wanted the Freedom and Fighters and them to trust each other, which Sonic couldn't comprehend.

"I can't believe that they would do that."

"Sal, I told ya! They're rotten!"

"I know, I know. But---there's something I don't understand about it."

"What's not to understand?"

"They said that they only steal Poke'mon. Then why did they steal that device?"

"I don't know! Uh, maybe for variety?"

The squirrel stared out the crudely built window, feeling the wind on her fur.

"Seriously, Sonic, what would they want with a piece of metal?"

Sonic was speechless, and Sally answered for him, "Nothing! There must be someone else behind this!"

Suddenly, Giovanni, accompanied by Dan'in, burst into the room, making quite a lot of noise.

"You're right."

The Freedom Fighters were suddenly wary.

"It's the other Rocket?"

Giovanni appeared, holding Nack, who was unconscious.

"It's this thing he stole, right?" He asked, tossing the device into Sally's arms. "My members wouldn't find any worth in it, and they judge by looks."

Sally nodded, and sighed.

"Now we have to get Butch and Cassidy back before they're found by Robotnik!"

"You do that, and I'll get the other four!"

"We meet at the fountain!"

"You got it!"

Both took leave of each other, leaving Rotor and Bunnie to take care of Nack, who had a sour expression on his face.

Jessie and James sat in an old abandoned house, looking through the window at the robotic Poke'mon, along with their Trainers. They seemed near death, if not in mind or body, then in spirit. But that was reserved only for their minds. From their mouths bubbled the usual talk.

"Working together with them wasn't worth it!"

"A total bust!"
"But we didn't do it!"

"Then how would we prove that we're innocent?!"

Sonic kicked open the door, eyes almost smiling.

"Ya don't have to!"

"What?" The inquiry was in unison. Mondo suddenly appeared out of the floorboards to talk, startling Meowth. Sonic ignored the strange appearance, and was urgent and serious, for once.
"C'mon, we 'gotta juice to Robotropolis!"

Mondo and Meowth immediately stood up, but Jessie and James held fast.

"Why? You don't trust us, so why should we help you?" Her eye flared distrust again, but Sonic managed to calm it down and persuade them.
"'Cause we found the rat-uh, weasel, that did it!"

"You did?"

"Yeah, so lets do it to it!"

The grime-ridden streets of Robotropolis was enough to even put the inhabitants in a low mood. Butch and Cassidy plodded along, conversing about their situation.

"We were just starting to get along, too," Cassidy droned, bunching her fist and setting her head on her hand. She looked depressed, an emotion she rarely displayed.

"What's wrong, Cass? Ouh motto means woh, not peace."

"Not our original motto--oh, never mind."

"Butch! Cassidy!"

"Sally?" They addressed with surprise.

"The culprit's been caught! Now, will you help us return your world to normal?"

"We'd love to do that, but how?"

"Nicole, bring up visual of Robotnik's control room!"

"ACTIVATIING, SALLY."

The computer whirred, and a hologram appeared above her keys. A large room with a chair, sets of computer screens, and all other sorts of contraptions were seen.

"Now, zoom in on that machine, there!"

"MAGNIFYING. FORMING DATA....COMPLETE. WILL DEACTIVATE WITH RAPID DEPLETION OF MASS. ONCE DEACTIVATED, ALL INHABITANTS ON THE ISLAND WILL RETURN TO ITS DESIGNATED POSITION, BUT WILL LEAVE THEIR CONDITIONS UNCHANGED."

"In other words, we have to deroboticize all of them before we destroy it. But how?"

"Sal! This thing's a derobiticizer! But it only works on Poke'mon!"

"Then go and find as many Poke'mon or humans as you can! And for goodness' sake, work together for once!"

"No way!" Sonic called, streaking away.

Daylight was approaching, though the sky was riddled with so many toxic substances that no one could tell the difference between night and day. There, it was as if night was an eternity.

"This place is creepy," James observed.

"Don't be so weak!"

"Both 'a youse be quiet! If one 'a 'dose trash cans find us....."

"Hey, look!"

"SPEAROW....."

"FEAROOOWWWWW!!"

"PID-GEY......"

"PIDGEOONNN......"
"PIDGEEEOTTOOO....."

"Lets get these metal-heads back to normal!"

Sonic aimed the strange device at the mechanical birds, and fired. But nothing happened, since they had either dodged or struck back with their own firepower.

"I guess we have to work together after all!"

"I can take care of 'em my--"

Suddenly, the metallic birds surrounded Sonic, who spun into a whirlwind to knock them off. They came at him again, with all their force, screeching and cawing an angry song.

Jessie and James watched, still stubborn with pride. They refused to try and help him, not out of hate but of bullheadedness, their will to stay apart.

The myriad of birds came again and again, using Peck, Drill Peck, or any of their natural skills. Sonic was overwhelmed, being unused to their variety of attacks, and was falling. But he wouldn't buckle down and admit that he needed help.

Hours passed. Nothing was accomplished, and time was flying away.

"I've had enough!" Jessie barked. "Lickitung, go!"

"Lickiiiii!"

"Tackle Attack!"

"Chhhhhhaaaaa-----bokkkkkaaa!"

James followed his partner's example, using Victreebel.

"Victreebel, eat them up!"

The green venus flytrap seemed to mistake his meaning, and went for James' head, instead.

"Bell........"

"EEeeeee! Eat THEM, not me!"

Victreebel obeyed, and delivered the attack to the mindless flock, as Lickitung Tackled them. The Spearow and Pidgey retreated, but their evolved forms continued to attack. But Sonic now had enough room to work, and spun into a ball, downing the larger ones.

Now that they were incapacitated, he fired the laser at them, and the Birds reverted back to their original selves. It was a pleasant sight to see them fly away.

Sonic looked up at the sky, into which the mechanical fowl were disappearing. His face suddenly became bright, and he turned to the Rocket trio.

"Sorry 'bout us not trusting you. You're way past!"

"I guess............you're okay, too." Jessie finally let her pride go, and shook Sonic's hand. James and Meowth did the same, and now turned to the horizon. It was only a matter of time before Robotnik released his weapon's power. They couldn't let it happen.

Suddenly, Butch, Cassidy, and Giovanni approached, along with Sally. They seemed out of breath, though their lung capacity was much more than an organic animal.

"We've been able to defeat most of the Pokémon, but there's still three more! And they're much stronger than the ones we've found....I think they have Trainers!"

"Trainers, schmainers! They can't be THAT bad!" Sonic scoffed.

"Well, we'll try and destroy Robotnik's machine. You defeat these three Poke'mon....but do it quickly! Once the island returns to Earth, they'll never get a second chance to be non-robots!"

"Got ya, Sal! Lets find these---"

"Blue Boy..I 'tink we found 'em....."

"RRR........GRRRRROOOOOARRRRRRRRR!!!!!"

"UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU........"

"GRRRRRRRRARRRRRRRRRRR!!!"

"Charizard?!"

"Onix?!"

"Gyarados?!"

Tails suddenly appeared, his eyes bulging out.

"What are THEY?!"

Sonic eyed the mechanical monsters: a gigantic lizard-like creature sporting wings, a towering snake with a horn atop its head and a once-stone body, and a blue fish, so terrible in appearance that it was called the Atrocious Pokémon.

"We can barely fight these normally!" Jessie wailed.

"How can we expect to beat them now?"

"Especially 'dey're 'da twoyps' ones!"

"Don't look at me!"

Onix and Gyarados lunged together, their jaws wide open, exposing plates of metal.

Sonic activated the Deroboticizer, only to find out that it was drained of energy.

"Man! Where's Rotor when ya need him?!"

Mecha-Onix roared triumphantly, and thundered its head onto the ground, shaking it so ferociously that all were thrown backwards. Gyarados charged foward, mouth showing every one of its cruel gray fangs.

"Hey, fish-face!"

"GRRRRRRARRRRRRRRR.....??"

"Why don't you nail someone meaner than you!"

"Knux!"

Sonic sighed in relief, while Knuckles buried his fist into Onix' and Gyarados' throat. He tossed an object down to the hedgehog, and its deep green glow betrayed it's identity.

"A Chaos Emerald!" Jessie exclaimed.

"Normally I don't--give presents--but for the sake-----of---the world--I guess-----I have to! Use---it with that contraption there!"

"Nice goin', Rad Red! Thanks!"

The blue Freedom Fighter jammed the Chaos Emerald in the machine's battery pack, and aimed. This time, the robotic Charizard attacked, with its fiery breath. At the same time, Jessie and James attacked, laser beams baragging their enemies.

In Robotnik's control room, lay the reason for all of that mess. Sally and the others lay in wait, nervously eyeing a timer on the cold wall. When that timer reached zero, Robotnik's machine would have activated, and the same thing which happened to Indigo would ensue. She looked at Cassidy.

"Thirty more seconds.....and he hasn't signalled us."

Finally, Gyarados fell, and was deroboticized. Two left. Only two, and ten times that left for time.

The two organizations struggled against Charizard and Onix, but the fight seemed to be becoming one-sided, with the latter as the winner. Again and again they fired, again and again they threw water, again and again they failed.

"Arbok, Underground!"

"Chhhhhaaaaa!"

Before it could even reach the surface, Charizard had bitten it.

"This isn't getting us anywhere!" Groaned Knuckles. "Wait......maybe they have a weak spot? If we can't hit them head-on we can fight with brain."

"Somethin' you don't have much of, Knux!"

"You too, Sonic!"

"Weak spots!" Tails repeated. "Jessie, James, Meowth, do they?"

Jessie and James recalled. Ten seconds left. They remembered all of their encounters with the three Pokémon Trainers, and remembered their battles, and stock knowledge.

"Onix feels most pain between its stones......."

"And Charizard gets iced on its' tail!"

"Then.....that's where we'll head!" Knuckles exclaimed, thrusting his fist between Onix's metallic portions, while Sonic spun through Charizard's tail. Doing that cost them two more seconds, and back in Robotnik's control room, Sally and the others were getting nervous.

"Hurry........." She whispered, staring at the timer.

"Ha, ha! Soon, the entire universe will be in my grasp!" Cried Robotnik.

"MERGING SEQUENCE INITIATED........"

"Alright! They're both down! Now lets end this party!"

"LOCATING SECOND MASS........"

"Sonic, just shut up and fire!"

"CONFIRMING MASS LOCATION......"

"What the--?! It's busted, again?!"

"TELEPORTING MASS IN THREE......TWO......ONE......"

Siemultaneously, Sonic and Sally fired. Onix and Charizard were returned to their normal states, and Robotnik's machine blew up. Suddenly, the whole of Inidgo Island faded, as quickly and rapidly as it came, and all there was left was dusty, barren ground.

Chapter X Back to Normal, Or is It?

Jessie snapped her eyes open. James and Meowth were sleeping again, but this time they didn't need a kick to rouse them, a whiny, squeaky cry did that.

"PIKAAA! PIKKKAA!"

"Huh? It's 'da Pikachu!"

"Lets catch it!" James affirmed.

The Pikachu revealed himself, eyes glowing, and licking its joints with a gray tongue.

"PIKA...PIKA!"

"Oh, no! It's robotic!"

"But isn't that the twerp's Pikachu?" Jessie asked.

"So how did it-----?" Her partner inquired.

"It couldn't have been real, could it?"

They stared at the robotic Pikachu, who was searching desperately for a Deroboticizer, while Jessie, James, and Meowth stared intently at him, laughing heartily.

Cassidy woke, and yawned. She looked out the barred window, relieved that there were only buildings to be seen. But then, she spied a strange sight.

"Butch, wake up!"

"Huh......yeah?"
She pointed at Jenny's coffee mug, which was pure iron.

"Oh, noooooo........"

Jenny walked into the room, and grabbed the mug, and Cassidy's face fell as she saw that Jenny's cap was made of steel.

"OW! My hat's getting too heavy these days........"

"Itwasn'trealitwasn'trealitwasn'treal......" Cassidy moaned.

In Team Rocket Headquarters, Giovanni sat in his chair, answering calls, and fixing his angry gaze on his flowerpot, where there were now metallic roses. He then saw that his desk was harder than usual, and when he saw the gray, fainted.

Far away on Mobius, Sonic watched the horizon, wondering what those strange humans were doing now, those who had helped to save Mobius, and not even their own planet. He wondered if they were really that bad, as he gazed at the setting celestial body in the sky.

Sally approached him, smiling.

"Sonic, now who's right, this time?"
His face immediately fell.

"Yeah, you were, this time, Sal! Way past!"

As they were talking, about unanswered questions, such as where did the Deroboticizer come from, and disappear to, and how did Robotnik build such a thing in the first place, a large white comet streaked across the sky.

"Sal!"

"What, Sonic?"

"Was it just me, or...was that an R?"

THE END

CQF? You know what it means! Uh, couple of notes here. Here we go!

People, when sending me flames, make the reason VALID, put in the Subject box: FLAMES and say what fic, and make it longer than two sentences! You know who you are!

Great! Finally made my first crossover! No sequels this time! Phew. Okay, look out for another one-shot and the tenth and eleventh part of ATRRG coming soon! And, after that, my second attempted crossover. 'Till then,

Blue9Tiger aka: ChibiMamoru4 aka: a whole buncha other names!