When I posted this on Space Battles, somebody asked what happened to the Team Rocket Trio. To clarify, they eventually quit after Team Rocket started to fall apart and are now the proud owners of a very successful family restaurant; their Double Trouble Noodle dish is the most popular item. Twerps love 'em.
Ash sighed as he returned his Pokemon. He had been passing through Viridian when three low level grunts tried to mug him. After the events with Meloetta in Unova, Giovanni had been forced to flee from his job as gym leader. Now, Team Rocket was slowly crumbling with the boss's disappearance and lack of funds. Remnants were often left scattered about and he had been mopping them up for quite some time now. However, unlike the trio he used to encounter as a child, these people weren't a challenge at all. Just a few attacks and he could wipe out their teams in an instant.
"Pikapi? Chu-ka Pika Pika."
Ash looked at Pikachu who had been riding on his shoulder the entire time. Apparently he couldn't even be bothered to battle, and that said a lot about their situation. "I know, I know. No challenges, no hijinks, no costumes, no mechs. These guys are no fun," replied the trainer. "I would do anything to see those three again, you know? They weren't really bad people-" A few sparks from his companion gave him sufficient warning. "-if they weren't trying to kidnap you all the time."
Pikachu accepted that answer before tilting his head in a curious manner. Then a broad smile broke out on his face as he started whispering something into his partner's ear. That's when Ash broke out into a grin as well.
"You know buddy, you might just have an idea there!"
-Scene Break-
Jim looked down at the gang's haul with a wicked smile on his face. He had just finished extorting several small businesses by offering them "protection". If they paid the cash, they wouldn't have to deal with his little group. Just as he was about to start divvying up the money, a Flash attack was used in front of the crook, temporarily blinding him. Was that music he heard as well?
"Prepare for trouble, go and redouble!""
"To protect the world from devastation, and to vent my growing frustration!"
"To denounce the evils of lies and greed, because those families had mouths to feed!"
"Ash Ketchum!"
"Goofing off to show my might, surrender now or prepare to fight!"
"Pika!"
Jim stared. In front of him was the dreaded trainer that helped defeat his former employer. And his entire team were doing poses that would make the Power Rangers weep with envy.
"What the fu-"
The Thunder Wave that hit the mook instantly shut him up and thankfully prevented this fic from getting a higher rating.
"You were right Pikachu! If those three aren't around anymore, we're going to have to carry on their traditions ourselves!"