Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon

The Grandee

Chapter One

There were hundreds of them. Thousands. All of them, swarming around like bug pokemon in retreat, most likely to their leader. Always snickering to themselves or in pairs like they had the upper hand, and always being mistaken in the end, blundering out of site in cowardice. They had the most strangest uniforms, predictable pokemon, and distracting personalities, usually setting comrades off with comments that resulted in their defeat. Pests like them never won. Never. Yet they always managed to come back. I fumed.

Grunts.

I had been on my way back to Mahogany Town to inspect the old Team Rocket base under the souvenir shop I had taken down with my pokemon and Lance earlier in my journey. Officer Jenny and the police department suspected of a few rocket grunts loitering around the area, and taking no chances, had me take the job and report back to them at the rendezvous in New Bark Town. Of course I agreed; I felt as if it were my duty to protect everyone from Team Rocket because I had done it once before. If they were up to something, nothing would stop me from taking them down.

Motivated to find out the truth, I headed over from the Sinnoh region, though hoping to find nothing out of the ordinary. Arceus only knows what idiotic events could unfold when grunts were lurking about.

So here I was, entering the secret passageway, courtesy of the lady who originally owned the Souvenir Shop. She says someone broke in a few nights before, yet didn't steal anything. This definitely gave me the skepticism Officer Jenny had and I told the old woman the culprit would be found out soon enough.

I looked down into the secret hideaway, and something inside me jumped, instantly giving me the feeling that what awaited me down there wasn't just empty space. But knowing I had my Pokémon with me, snugged in the pockets of my bag, I began my descent into the dark abyss that was once the Team Rocket Headquarters.

Walking past the Persian statues, I noticed their eyes were still a dull grey than blazing red from when I deactivated them. Instead of statues though, they looked like ghosts, with auras darker than their creator's. It was as if they were looking at me, and I shuddered like I did years ago in the same position. Yes, years ago. All of this makes me feel considerably older, as if my adventure, my legacy, the culmination of my youth, became nothing but a story to tell. Eight years in the past, maybe more, I had been battling beside Lance, the former champion, to defeat the men and women who had stirred up chaos in Johto. My only relieve was that it was all over and everyone was safe.

I moved away from the rest of the Persians and proceeded in the direction of the center base with ease. When I first explored this area it seemed spooky and daunting, but now I new every corner and guided myself to the destined location. I was surprised to see the doors of the transmission device room already open, and when I stepped inside, I was faced with a dark, small shadow. A gasp sounded from it and then it shouted, "Hey!"

It was still dark, and I couldn't see much. But from the voice and stature of the person in front of me I could only guess who it was.

"A filthy grunt. Why are you here?" I demanded, quickly hovering my hand over my first Pokéball. Looking beyond the man in front of me, I noticed someone else kneeling down by the transmission device with something hooked up to it. I narrowed my eyes and looked back at my current situation. "Tell me, now!"

I could hardly see the smirk, but it was there. "No." He was holding himself higher than me, with arrogance just oozing out of him. The fake glint in his eye told me he was weak and I stepped forward with my Pokéball in my hand, ready to throw. Ready to battle.

"Hold it." The other man by the transmission device ordered. He stood and I could hear him shaking the dust off from his pants as he came beside the grunt. He was as least a head taller with broader shoulders, and suddenly his face lit up. The flashlight he was holding underneath him made his appearance a cliche horror. "We're done here. Let's move out." Obviously he was the leader with the orders. Obviously I was utterly confused. But that didn't stop me from recognizing him. It suddenly came to me.

"Proton! I'm surprised your showing your face." My voice was low, and I felt dangerous. This time around I called out my Ampharos and it gave out a battle cry. "I'm going to ask this once more. Tell me why you are here." He shown his flashlight on my figure and my eyes shut from the sudden sharp light. I heard him laugh.

"My, my. Look who we have here. Little Lyra? Is that you?" I heard the other grunt cackle beside him. My disgust for both of them grew, if that was even possible. I had taken Proton out a long time ago. This didn't make sense. If Team Rocket was gone, then why was he here?

"I have to admit, I thought this mission was going to get interrupted, but by you? What's the little champion doing here?" My eyes went to his other hand where he was holding the object that was previously connected to the transmitter. I didn't recognize it, but I assumed it wasn't meant for any good.

I still didn't have an answer. At this point I was fed up and shouted, "Ampharos! Use thunder at those grunts!" The yellow Pokémon nodded and with arms outstretched, she glowed with lightning. As the move conducted around Ampharos, Proton had already sent out his own partner. A Quagsire.

"You're not the only one who has trained hard." He shouted. The last time I battled him, he only had two Pokémon. I hadn't thought a Quagsire would be apart of the Rocket bunch and I expected a Crobat to fly out of his Pokéball. This time I wasgoing in blind. Though they didn't call me the champion for nothing.

"At the ceiling!" I commanded. And at the last second, Ampharos directed Thunder above us, sending bright jolts away from the enemy. Proton looked startled at my move, creating a moment when he wasn't paying attention. It was a very, very small moment, but I took it. I took it and ran towards him, avoiding the other grunt from tackling me to the ground. In a swift movement I grabbed the device out from Proton's arm. He turned around quickly but Ampharos was already over at my side in an instant, using Protect on both of us. "Looks like you need to train a little bit harder." I said. He shook his head with a smile and retrieved his Pokémon.

"Oh Lyra. This reminds me of old times, you know?" He looked at me ambiguously and I wondered why he didn't seem surprised or angry. His demeanor the last time we battled was more aggressive, and had even said at one point he was the cruelest member of Team Rocket, which of course wasn't that threatening at all. This time he was more...calm. His blue hair I noticed was longer, and ideally, I realized, so was his experience with Pokémon. I couldn't doubt his skills at this point. It would make me no different from them; cocky. I didn't reply back to him. Their infiltration underground was enough for me to know Team Rocket was planning something. I didn't need an answer anymore either because I had their device.

"We've grown smarter over the years." Proton and the grunt started backing away before the room started to shake. "And I hope you presume that Team Rocket is back in action." I was still protected by my Ampharos, but realized I had to get out of the base like them. The walls started to crack and I withdrew my partner. Ampharos's Thunder was stronger than I thought. I was impressed and was happy the headquarters was caving in. This means no one else is able to access it. The bad part was getting out.

"Don't worry about returning what you stole either." He gestured towards the object in my hand. "I was going to dispose of it anyways." I stood shocked. I put my Pokémon and myself in danger to take something that wasn't useful after all. And what exactly was Team Rocket's plan? Proton was smiling again in a tranquil manner. It made my stomach turn. Knowing he was the bad guy, a pleased one at that, made me think not only how much has happened over the years that I didn't know about, but also how more sadistic he, and probably all of the other executives, had become.

"The age of mediocracy has died, Lyra. Team Rocket isn't playing games anymore. Our new boss has made sure of that." Parts of the ceiling came falling down around us and before I knew it, Proton was gone. I had to think fast, but I couldn't. So I ran. New boss? How? When? Since when did Team Rocket have the upper hand?

I managed to tell myself they didn't. This was just another game. Members in the organization are known to lie like that. Making people think that something big is coming. Something that will change the world forever. My mind reeled at all the possibilities when he said that. If Team Rocket had been resurrected, then where are they now? Their new headquarters had to be somewhere, probably still in the Johto Region. That was where they wanted to strike first.

It was like breaking the barrier that had my body tied up when I reached the entrance of the secret base. Panting, I took in the fresh air, realizing there wasn't much oxygen down where I previously was. Looking behind me I saw the rocks piling up on the staircase until even the Souvenir Shop shook. Then, everything fell quiet. I looked over at the owner and her eyes were wide and questioning.

"I, uh, sorry about that. I''l inform the police force with what I found." I did not need to tell the lady anything about what happened, especially if it could potentially start a rumor. Without further interrogation, I quickly stepped out of the shop and took out my Dragonite and mounted him. "Alright, let's fly back to New Bark." I said. Dragonite's wings spread out and started flapping until we were lifted off the ground and flying through the air.

Team Rocket certainly thought they were sly. I'll have to inform the police on this one, and Ethan and Silver- my two best friends. I haven't talked to them since I left for the Sinnoh Region a few years ago and I haven't met up with them when I came back either. This isn't the best time to reunite, but it can't be helped. They will be able to help me battle against Team Rocket, fighting side by side and making sure all whom we love and care for are safe. Like when we were younger.

No, actually. The situation back then doesn't seem to compare with the one now. The innocence in which was my familiarity isn't with me anymore. No longer am I a child. And unfortunately, my mind keeps telling me that the encounter with Proton wasn't a natural, good-spirited one. He was a grunt too, meaning he was deceitful and ostensibly stronger. So he says for everyone else as well. From what it seems, it's as if they are still the high-and-mighty characters that plan on obtaining something outsiders aren't aware of. But I've seen them all in action. They believe they can get anything in the beginning, like this. They were so wrong.

Right?


This is my first fanfic, and hopefully you guys liked it. Please, tell me what you like so far and what you didn't!