Inside his office Giovanni waited. He knew that Neo and the other Pokémon with him were coming and he had prepared a special welcome for them. While he waited, Persian at his side, one of his agents walked in.
Giovanni: Is everything ready?
Agent: Yes sir. Everyone else has left and all preparation are complete.
Giovanni: Good. You may leave me now.
Agent: Yes sir.
The agent left the office. Giovanni stroked his Persian's fur.
Giovanni: Let us go greet our guests.
Persian meowed as it followed its master out of the room.
Three Pokémon were seen flying over the Silver Mountain range. Salamence was carrying Chad, Neo, Hope and Star, Chad's Fearow was carrying Crystal and Mech was flying behind them.
Chad: We should be able to see Team Rocket's Headquarters soon.
Neo: Alright.
Hope: So, you got a plan of attack?
Neo: I'm pretty sure they'll have some sort of trap waiting for us.
Chad: That's obvious. Giovanni wouldn't leave their headquarters defenseless. He's got to have some sort of trap for you guys. The only question is what.
Star: It would be nice if we knew what to expect.
Neo: We do. The unexpected.
While they talked Team Rocket Headquarters came into view. A large grey building at least 10 stories tall it loomed over the landscape, casting a shadow of evil over everything. The sight was enough to send shivers up their spines.
Chad: Well, here we are.
Neo: Right. Let's do this.
As Chad guided his Pokémon downwards Neo and the others stared at the massive building, each one thinking about the dangers that were waiting inside.
The group stood on front of Team Rocket Headquarters, facing a bit of a problem. Standing between them and the building was a rather large steel gate requiring a pass code to open.
Mech: Oh man. How are we supposed to get in now?
Neo: It looks too strong to try to force open, that's for sure.
Chad: We won't need any of that. If I'm right the pass codes I have should still work.
Hope: And if they don't?
Chad: Then this will be harder than we originally thought.
The Pokémon waited as Chad input his pass code. Once he was finished he stood back and waited to see if they had worked. A few seconds later the massive steel gate opened, granting them entrance.
Chad: Good. They worked.
The group walked inside and made their way inside. Once they were in they noticed that the place was strangely empty for being their headquarters. Chad had a good idea what was going on.
Chad: This has got to be part of Giovanni's trap for us.
Crystal: If that is true then we must be careful. What is our course of action?
Neo: Here's the plan. You guys go with Chad and see if you can find my friends and the antidote.
Hope: What are you going to do?
Neo: I'm going to face Giovanni.
Hope: By yourself?! But that's…I wouldn't recommend it.
Chad: She's right, Neo. Giovanni isn't someone to be taken lightly.
Neo: After what happened to Sasha because of him I'm the one who shouldn't be taken lightly.
They would have protested further, but they noticed that there was something different about Neo. His attitude was that of a Pokémon possessed. In his current state-of-mind nothing would stop him, not even the leader of the most powerful criminal organization in the world.
Hope: Okay. We'll go with Chad.
Chad: Neo, Giovanni is likely to be in the battle room.
Neo: Where's that?
Chad: Down that hall to your left. It'll be the fifth door on your right.
Neo: Okay. You guys be careful.
Hope: You too.
With that the group split in two. Chad, Hope, Star, Crystal and Mech headed down one hallway to find Neo's captured friends and the antidote for Sasha's poisoning while Neo headed down another to find and exact revenge upon Giovanni.
10 minutes after they first broke in, Chad and the others came upon a door at the end of the hallway.
Chad: This has to be the one.
Mech: It better be. We've checked so many they should classify me as the Door Opening Pokémon.
Crystal: Your timing may be off, but your sense of humor is always appreciated.
Chad: Try to stay focused, guys. Who knows what's waiting for us behind this door.
Realizing Chad was right the group readied themselves for whatever Giovanni had behind the door. But when Chad opened it, they were met by what looked like a security office. Monitors showing different parts of the base lined the walls.
Mech: Wow. This is some setup. You can pretty much see the entire base from here.
Star: You can say that again.
Chad: Still, something doesn't seem right. With this many cameras setup around the base how were we able to get in unnoticed? Unless…
Before Chad could finish the door slammed shut behind them. Chad tried to pull the door open, but it was locked.
Chad: Damn! I should have known it was too easy!
Hope: Looks like this was part of Giovanni's trap for us.
Mech: So we're trapped in here while Neo is…oh no! Neo!
Crystal: He's alone out there.
Star: Do you think he's Giovanni's target?
Chad: That would make sense right now.
Hope: Hey! What's up with that monitor?
Everyone looked at the monitor Hope was talking about. Instead of showing an image of the base interior there was a person on it. Chad recognized the face immediately.
Chad: Giovanni!
Hope: That's Giovanni, the head of Team Rocket?
Giovanni: I hope all of you are comfortable.
Mech: Hey. This is just a recording.
Crystal: You're right.
Giovanni: Since I'm sure Chad already told you who I am I'll skip the introductions. In just a few minutes a battle will take place involving the final member of your little "renegade group" and myself. You're welcome to watch but I'm sure you already know what the outcome will be. And as soon as I'm done with him you will be next.
As soon as the video finished the screen changed to show Neo standing outside a pair of large double doors leading to the battle room.
Chad: No, Neo! Don't go in!
Neo stood there, staring at the doors leading to the battle room. He knew Giovanni was probably waiting for him on the other side, but he wasn't going to let that stop him.
Neo: Alright. Time for some payback.
The doors opened, almost as if they were asking him to enter. Neo wasted little time going through. The doors closed behind him, but he was concerned with that. Standing across the room from his was the source of all his anger and hate. The man who was responsible with his friends captures and Sasha's poisoning.
Neo: Giovanni.
Giovanni: I have been waiting for you, Pikachu.
Neo: My name is Neo.
Giovanni: It doesn't matter to me what your name is. Once this battle is finished you'll be just another Pokémon in my collection.
Neo: Don't bet on it.
Giovanni: Oh but I am.
Neo glared at the leader of Team Rocket. Then, with a snap of his fingers, Giovanni ordered his Persian to the field. It looked at Neo and licked its lips.
Giovanni: I think I'll let my Persian have some fun with you for a bit.
The Persian let out a sinister meow and got in to its battle stance. Neo responded by getting into his own battle stance.
Giovanni: Just to let you know I'll only be using four Pokémon.
Neo: It doesn't matter how many you use. I will defeat you and make you pay for the pain you've caused my friends and me!
Giovanni: I seriously doubt that, Pikachu. Once you've seen the other three I have you won't feel like beating anyone.
Will Neo be able to defeat him, rescue his friends and find the antidote for Sasha? Just what does Giovanni have planned for Neo? Will Chad and the others be able to secape in time to help? Find out in the next chapter of Battle For Life And Love!
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