Joining the fight

Jessie pulled out a pokeball and sent out a large snake“If you you won't hand them over...well. Ekans, Get me that case!”

Following Jessie's lead, James sent out a koffing, much to the surprise of Ash. He didn't recall when the last time they they had those kinds of pokemon. He had to assume that they had picked them up for nostalgia's sake once they got to Kanto. He didn't get much time to register the sight as the chaos started.

Ekans lunged forward and made a strike for the case but both Gary and Eevee were ready. With a quick shout from Gary, Eevee dashed forward and tackled at the large snake's face. The strike landed true, knocking the snake to the ground while the koffing closed in. Using the momentum from the first attack, Gary directed Eevee to preform a quick attack, knocking the koffing out of the air.

Ash's guard dropped while watching them battle seeing how well Gary and Eevee handled themselves. Their experience as a battlers was still serving them well, it seemed, not to mention Team Rocket's pokemon were still rookies.

Things made an unfortunate turn, however, as Jessie's ekans wrapped itself around Eevee and glared into his face. The pokemon stiffened, unable to move or act. Koffing followed up forming a smoke screen that obscured the view of the fight from Ash and his pokemon. Not willing to sit out any longer, Ash jumped out and dashed into the smoke. Though difficult to see, they made out the forms of Eevee and Ekans.

“Hypno, use your Psybeam on the Ekans,” Ash cried out.

Hypno planted his feet and reached out his arm, aiming his pendant. Gathering his focus he launched a multicolored beam of energy out and got a lucky on the snake. Gary scrabbled to his knees and picked up his Eevee into his arms. Koffing, seeing the new combatant panicked and released jets of smog around the area. Gary instinctively covered his pokemon and tried to sprint out of the zone, his eyes stinging.

“Koffing, no!” James cried before he and his partners were consumed by smog. He called back his pokemon but the damage was already done. With the battle having turned and a new trainer entering the scene, Team Rocket decided to cut their loses and retreat for the moment.

“Hypno!” Ash called out, getting a lung full of smog. Coughing, he grabbed Hypno and dashed out of the radius of the area as his throat burned.

As the smoke cleared, Ash looked over Hypno, who was luckily okay. Once he was sure his pokemon was fine, he turned his attention to Gary. He was happy to see that they both looked alright. Gray's eevee was already alert, ready to keep fighting.

“It's over buddy. I think we got some help,” he said, squinting over to Ash.

Ash was about to speak but then remembered his state of dress. Suddenly self conscious, Ash froze, not knowing what to say.

“Hey, thanks for the assist. I guess it got a little out of hand there. My name is Gary,” rubbing his eyes Gary walked over to a puzzled Ash.