Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon or any of the characters, except the OC Greg Grassman.
Author's note: Italics are thoughts and Celebi's telepathic messages. I don't know if Celebi can really do that, so let's just assume it can.
Chapter 2: Prologue part 2
It has been three weeks since Greg lost his parents and he was now busy trying to think of a good way to get back at Team rocket and Giovanni for what they did to him. He had spent the last few days learning as much as possible about Team Rocket and now knew almost everything, including the location of their secret HQ. With this information, he now had a plan, which he was now talking to Celebi about.
"Ok, so what I think I'll do is pose as a potential recruit, ace all their entry requirements, then strive for a position within their group that allows me direct contact with Giovanni. Then I will kill him and quickly hightail it out of there. Now be honest." he motioned to his hat, wig, and glasses. "Does the disguise work?"
Celebi flew around his head, inspecting the disguise, then nodded. While it was slightly worried that Greg planned to kill, it completely understood his motives.
"One last thing to do." Greg said, pulling out a custom-made Luxury Ball and pointing it at Celebi. "Don't worry, this is just a precaution. I'll use it only in emergencies, but for now I need to hide you." Celebi looked apprehensive, but nodded. Do it.
Greg watched as his best friend turned into a beam of red light and vanished into the Luxury Ball.
"Ok, I'm all set." He muttered.
Greg sat opposite Giovanni's second-in-command and listened to what the other man was saying.
"Alright, we don't usually give positions of power to our younger recruits, but I think we can make an exception for you, since you did pass all the standard AND advanced entry requirements with flying colors. First though, what's your name, son?"
Greg thought for a moment. "Kevin Lincoln." He finally muttered.
"Ok, tell me, Kevin, have you by any chance had any experience with any legendary Pokemon?" the executive Rocket asked.
Greg thought for a moment, before leaning in and saying in a low voice. "I'm about to show you something, and this has to stay a secret, all right? If the other members get wind of this, I might be in serious trouble."
The officer leaned forward, intrigued. "Very well. What is it you want to show me?"
Greg hesitated for a moment, then took out his Luxury Ball. "Come on out." He said.
The Rocket member watched in awe as Celebi materialized in the room.
"Impressive, isn't it?" Greg smirked. "I caught this sucker in the forest nearby. I think it's the same one the Grassmans were so fond of."
Celebi knew what Greg was doing, so to keep up the act it scowled at him, faking hatred and annoyance.
"I must say, this is really something." The Rocket said, clearly impressed. "I can see why you don't want the others to know. A team of three members recently had a mission to catch that thing, but they failed. And now you have it." They both chuckled at the irony.
The officer then turned serious. "Alright, that settles it. I'll put you in charge of the Legendary Division of Team Rocket. You'll be commanding the Rockets responsible for capturing Legendary Pokemon. Welcome to Team Rocket."
The two then stood up and shook hands over the table.
Change of plans, Celebi. Greg thought, knowing Celebi would hear him. I won't kill Giovanni. Instead, I'll play him for a complete fool.
Celebi inwardly smiled.
Half a year later:
The Legendary Division has made excellent progress since Lincoln took over. Team Rocket now has in its possession almost every Legendary Pokemon known to mankind. Thanks to Lincoln, Team Rocket is the most feared criminal organization in the world.
Giovanni smiled as he read the latest status report about his gang. He felt nothing could stop him now. He felt invincible.
His perfect day was ruined when a Rocket guard rushed into his office.
"Boss, sir." The grunt said without preamble. "Something is happening in the Legendary Division building. Lincoln has removed all the legendary Pokemon, including a Celebi no one knew about. He is asking to speak to you, and you alone."
A Celebi no one knew about? Giovanni felt a growing suspicion rise inside his head. Wait, the boy is about 10 years old, he has a Celebi caught near the Grassmans' house…Giovanni gasped as he realized what that meant, then turned to the guard. "Lead the way." He said sharply.
The guard nodded and the two ran off.
Greg stood against a wall, surrounded by a semi-circle of Team Rocket members held at bay by Celebi.
"Out of my way, out of my way." He saw Giovanni pushing his way through the crowd, then the Rocket boss was facing him.
"You do realize we have you outmatched and outnumbered, Lincoln?" Giovanni smirked. "Or should I say Grassman?" he spat angrily.
Greg removed his disguise, stunning everyone in the room, then leered.
"Excellent deduction, Boss." He said. "Took you long enough. So now what happens?"
"Well, you can return all the Pokemon you took." Giovanni motioned to the huge sack filled with PokeBalls Greg had slung over his shoulder. "And if you hand over that Celebi, we'll let you leave unharmed, provided you don't bother us again."
Greg pretended to think over the proposition, then shook his head.
"I have a better idea." He smiled. "Celebi, use Teleport. Get us far away from here!"
A flash of light illuminated the room, and when the Rockets regained their eyesight, the boy, his Celebi, and all their hard work was gone.
Giovanni ground his teeth in frustration, knowing he just gained a very powerful enemy.
Elsewhere, Greg was talking to a huge mass of just-released Legendary Pokemon.
"Ok, I got all you guys out of Team Rocket's clutches. As far as I'm concerned, they won't be getting their hands on any of you again. I'll personally make sure of that."
Latios whistled a question and Celebi telepathically translated.
"Why did I rescue all of you?" Greg repeated. "Easy. Team Rocket killed my parents while trying to get my friend here, and I decided to infiltrate them and kill Giovanni for what he did to me. Then I got put in charge of the division that captured you all, and I decided that releasing you guys will also be ample payback, while at the same time I avoided stooping down to his level."
"Anyway, now I want to ask a favor. Should Team Rocket attempt to track me down, I won't be able to fight them all off, even with Celebi here. So, I was wondering, could five of you maybe decide to accompany me for a while until things calm down?"
After a short silence, Suicune, Raikou, Moltres, Regice, and Groudon came forward, but faltered when Greg took out five Luxury Balls.
"Don't worry, guys, this is a safety measure." Greg explained. "Team Rocket will track me down immediately if you guys are seen. It would make it much easier if you guys agreed to hide in those." Celebi added a few words of encouragement of his own.
The five Pokemon looked at each other, then collectively nodded and let themselves be absorbed into the balls.
"To the rest of you, good luck." Greg said as the remaining Pokemon started to disperse.
Back in the Rocket HQ, Giovanni faced a team of his best ten followers.
"Your objective is clear." He said. "I want that Celebi captured, and that sniveling brat Greg dead. Do you understand?"
"Yes, sir!" the team of assembled Rockets yelled.
"Very well. Go forth and don't come back without that punk's broken corpse." Giovanni advised them, his eyes flashing dangerously. "I suggest you all stick together on this. As much as I hate to admit it, the brat is actually a strong trainer. It won't be easy, but I think you can do it."
"And unless you want to regret living, don't fail me on this."
The ten Rockets bowed and left in search of Greg.