Warehouse
"So, you didn't marry Jessebelle?" Jessie asked.
"For the last time, I will never, nor would I ever, marry Jessebelle!" James exclaimed.
"So, you didn't want all that money?" Meowth questioned.
"Again, no." James stated. "Sure, money has its perks, but I learned early that to much of it turns out people like my parents and Jessebelle. My grandparents admittedly have a pretty penny themselves, but they're nowhere near as rich. They're also far better people."
"So, you've been traveling with those couple of kids we met at the mansion?" Jessie and Meowth asked.
"Yeah, they've been great." James smiled. "The main reason I ended up in Team Rocket was for the freedom, but they've helped me realize I don't need to be a criminal to be free. I can live the life I want without hurting pokemon." He frowned. "I've really come to regret that actually."
Jessie had some hope, over the course of hearing James out, that he'd join back up with them. How could she ever ask such a thing when it wouldn't benefit him. I mean, he seemed so much happier on the other side. Meowth felt the same way.
"Look, I know you two don't have the ability to get a clean slate like me, but Wes Orre was a member of the previous Team Rocket. Now, he's the champion of the region." James stated.
"What are you saying James?" Jessie and Meowth asked.
"What I'm saying is, why do you two even want to stay in Team Rocket?" James questioned rhetorically as he knew the gist or what could possibly get them out. "Meowth, you lived the lap of luxury as Giovani's lap cat, but he eventually replaced you with Persian.
In other words, he tossed you aside, and you've been trying to get in his good graces ever since. Why? You're a pokemon who can talk and understand all other pokemon. On this side of the law, Pokemon Professors, Breeders, and so on would love to have your gift around."
"You really think so?" Meowth asked.
"I know so." James then looked at Jessie. "Jessie, I've known you longer than anyone else in the world. You and I failed together so many times. You've always wanted to be the best… to be the best so your mother would come home.
Take it from someone with awful parents; people who abandon you or ignore what would make you happy aren't worth pleasing. You got to find what makes you happy because that's what makes life worth living."
James then looked at them both. "Giovani never was someone worth following anyways. That goes beyond the way he just abandoned you Meowth. He is a deplorable man who doesn't care about us and punishes his people for their failures."
He then decided he had one more thing to tell Jessie. "Honestly, you should be proud of yourself for everything you have done to get to this point. You always try so hard to be the best. Honestly, I don't know your mom, but I can't imagine being her only to leave someone so amazing."
Jessie blushed before standing and punching James into the floor for being sappy. Traveling with those kids really did change him.
She then looked to Meowth. "What do you think?"
"Honestly, I'm not sure Jessie." Meowth stated. "I mean, I never thought of trying to be a translator for the other side." He looked at the ground. "It did hurt a lot when Giovani dumped me for that lousy Persian. Still, I don't know."
"I was hoping you'd have a more concrete answer." Jessie sighed. "I think we'll need to at least consider what James said." She walked away from their unconscious friend. "Leave him a note, Meowth. I think I hit him a little too hard this time."
"Right Jessie." Meowth declared.
He wrote a quick note and tapped it to James' face before they left.
Saffron Ally
Serena, with Cubone behind her, faced off with Admin Petral. Despite how far she's come, she was uncertain how well she'd do against an Admin. Ash just barely edged out a win against Ariana after all. All she could hope for was that his black clothing denoted him as weaker.
"Alright girlly, let's see just want you got." Petral threw out his pokemon. "Go Voltorb!"
"I choose you, Magnemite." Serena declared.
The electric types appeared ready for battle.
Serena vs Petral (P. I)
"Voltorb, use tackle." Petral declared.
Serena waited a second as the pokemon moved. "Magnemite, match him with your tackle."
The two pokemon collided with Magnemite holding the clear advantage as Voltorb was knocked back into the wall.
"W-What?" Petral questioned.
"That was my Magnemite's analytic ability." Serena declared. "As long as I move after you do, my pokemon's move gains a power increase."
"I should have realized." Petral smirked. "Voltorb, nullify that advantage by throwing up a reflect followed by a light screen."
"Magnemite, hit them fast with thunder shock." Serena ordered.
Reflect was immediately thrown up, but that move only reduced the effectiveness of physical moves allowing Magnemite to strike with a more powerful special move like thunder shock. As Voltorb rolled back, he did manage to activate light screen securing his defenses.
"Now, let's build up with a charge." Petral ordered.
"Quickly, tackle!" Serena commanded.
Petral smirked as his pokemon sparked with electricity. Really, this was just a way to draw her pokemon in, and it worked.
"Self-Destruct!" Petral shouted.
Voltorb stated to glow.
"Magnemite, get back now!" Serena panicked.
It was too late as Voltorb exploded taking Magnemite with him. When the dust cleared, both pokemon were on the ground with swirls in their eyes.
"Return Magnemite." Serena declared. "You did great."
Petral simply returned his pokemon while focusing on her. "That pokemon was decent, but an electric & steel type isn't a pokemon I want to battle for long. Go, Raticate."
"He only has three pokemon on him and is now down to two. If I continue to battle like I was with Magnemite, then this battle will end in my favor." Serena nodded. "Alright, time to step it up. I choose you, Machop!"
"You think I fear a low stage fighting type?" Petral chuckled. "Please, my Raticate won't fall to some 1st stage."
Machop glared at the man and squared up with the large rat looking more determined that he already was.
Serena vs Petral (P. II)
"Raticate, use swords dance." Petral declared.
"Machop, use leer." Serena declared.
Astral swords appeared around Raticate and danced around him granting the pokemon an attack buff by two stages while Machop leered at the rat decreasing his defense by a stage.
"Raticate, strike with quick attack." Petral ordered.
"Machop, strike with bullet punch." Serena commanded.
Raticate shot off at Machop, but the fighting type's metal covered fist slammed into the rat stopping him.
"Keep it up with a vital throw." Serena shouted.
Machop picked the rat up and threw him into the back of the alleyway dealing out further damage.
Petral smirked. "Use counter!"
Raticate glowed with fighting energy as he charged at Machop slamming into him for massive damage. The fighting type was knocked on his back.
"Follow it up with a head butt!" Petral shouted.
"Machop, dodge!" Serena shouted.
Machop had just gotten to his feet, so he was unable to avoid the striking rat which knocked him back down once more. When he hit the ground this time, Machop had swirls in his eyes.
"Machop, return." Serena declared. "Thank you for doing your best."
"See, I told you girly." Petral stated. "I'm admittedly the weakest of the admins, but I make up for it with my preparation."
"Keep talking, but I have four pokemon left." Serena declared. "I choose you, Eevee!"
The evolution pokemon appeared ready for battle. "Eevee!"
Serena vs Petral (P. III)
"Quick attack!" Petral declared.
"Match that Raticate with quick attack!" Serena declared.
The two pokemon sped at each other and slammed into one another; however, this surprisingly turned into a stalemate as they ended up standing across from each other.
"What was that?" Petral asked. "My pokemon should easily win any encounter with that runt."
"With that swords dance you used earlier, you'd normally be right; however, Machop got off a leer weakening your pokemon defense to physical attacks. Beyond that, my Eevee also has adaptability increasing the power of his stab moves." Serena explained.
"Then, I'll just have to go beyond your strength." Petral declared. "Raticate, use swords dance."
"Eevee strike now with double kick!" Serena ordered.
Astral swords appeared around Raticate once more and danced around him granting the pokemon another two stages to his attack. Then, Eevee got in there landing a few kicks to the Raticate which certainly hurt.
"Use swift." Serena ordered.
"Focus energy to prepare for the next attack." Petral ordered.
Raticate glowed with energy which consolidated within him before taking the stars to his body pushing the rat back. By this point, the rat was panting and Eevee only seemed so much better than him.
"Raticate, headbutt." Petral ordered.
"Eevee, use your headbutt." Serena tried.
The two pokemon collided; however, Raticate effortlessly overcame Eevee this time around. The evolution pokemon was sent flying before crashing to the ground behind Serena with swirls in her eyes.
"Just like that, you're down to three pokemon." Petral smirked. "I'll tell you what, I'm feeling generous. Give me Cubone and one pokemon of your choosing. Then, you can scamper off."
"Not happening." Serena declared defiantly. "My pokemon are the reason I've gotten as far as I have. Without them, I wouldn't be the person I am. As for Cubone, I will defend him from you. Team Rocket will not get their hands on this pokemon."
Cubone looked up at the trainer who was so willing to protect him. The little guy had to admit that she reminded him a lot of his mother. He just hopped she wouldn't end up like his mother.
"I choose you, Doduo." Serena declared.
The twin headed bird appeared ready for battle.
"Well, your choice." Petral stated. "Let's keep going then."
Serena vs Petral (P. IV)
"His Raticate's attack is high, but his speed has remained stagnant. On top of that, he's practically exhausted after dealing with my Machop and Eevee. If I use the right move, this could end with our next exchange." Serena thought.
"Raticate, strike fast with quick attack." Petral declared.
"Doduo, dig yourself into the ground and hold on because this is going to hurt." Serena declared. "Then, put your all into drill peck!"
The twin headed bird dug his talons into the ground enabling him to remain standing even as Raticate pushed Doduo back. With their proximity, the bird slammed a powerful drill peck into the rat sending him into the ground. Raticate had swirls in his eyes.
"I must admit, I didn't think that bird of yours would have lasted through that attack." Petral laughed. "Let alone defeat my Raticate. Still, I have my strongest pokemon at the ready to end this. Go, Muk!"
Serena vs Petral (P. V)
"Give it everything you got Doduo." Serena declared. "Use pursuit."
Doduo charged right in.
Petral smirked. "Use ice punch."
Serena's eyes went wide as Muk's right first became coated in ice and he slammed into the oncoming bird dealing out a lot of damage.
"Follow it up with thunder punch." Petral ordered.
"Doduo, us feint attack." Serena declared.
The twin headed bird moved its foot like he was going to collide with the lighting covered fist only to pivot at the last second around the poison type before slamming his foot down on the poison type's head.
"Finish that bird with moonblast." Petral ordered.
"Doduo, get out of there!" Serena tried.
A mini moon appeared above the two pokemon before Doduo was bombarded by a powerful fairy attack slamming him into the ground. When the energy cleared, it was revealed that Doduo was unconscious.
"Doduo, you really put in work to help us reach the end." Serena returned him. "Rest now because the next pokemon will finish this."
"Really girly?" Petral smirked. "You think your next pokemon will end this?"
"I know he will." Serena gripped the pokeball. "In fact, I've been saving two just to handle whatever ace you may have. Still, I think this next one is all I'll need to stop you here and now. I choose Wartortle!"
The turtle pokemon appeared ready for battle. "War!"
"A second stage evolution of a starter. Looks like she's been holding back and let me wear my pokemon out. Still, I am someone who's always prepared." Petral nodded. "Alright, let's see if you really can finish this girly."
Serena vs Petral (P. VI)
"Wartortle, use water pulse." Serena ordered.
"Muk, use toxic." Petral ordered.
Muk glowed purple and Wartortle followed suit being badly poisoned while the poison type was hit with the powerful water move dealing out good damage. Then, Wartortle was affected by the poison hurting him.
"Wartortle, use iron tail." Serena declared.
"Venoshock." Petral countered.
Wartortle's tail glowed with metal energy as he slammed it down on the poison type only to be hit by the poison move which only took its toll more due to the target being poisoned. Still, the damage was enough to wind Muk while Wartortle wasn't dealing well with the poison.
"Damn, that bird's strike was only the beginning because that turtle is fast." Petral smirked. "Alright girly, you can keep Cubone. After all, I'm not out to get captured over something personal when our mission here is already a success. Muk, use haze."
"Wartortle, strike with another iron tail." Serena ordered quickly.
While Wartortle was able to get that strike in, Muk remained standing before spewing an icy haze into the air forcing Serena, Wartortle, and Cubone to lose sight of anything not directly in front of them.
Serena immediately scooped Cubone up fearing Petral may try to swipe him. The haze cleared soon after revealing that Petral and his Muk were gone. He had to have run by Serena which meant Petral had been serious about getting away.
"Hearing that their mission was a success is very worrying." Serena muttered to herself.
Suddenly, the Cubone burst into tears prompting Serena to push that Admin out of her mind for the time being. She instead choose to hug the pokemon. Sure, she may not understand what brought him to this point, but she could guess it involved Team Rocket.
Serena rubbed his back. "It'll be okay Cubone."
Lavender Tower
Cross and Ash had climbed the tower together after the latter convinced the former to let him help. A problem quickly arose as their only opposition was a single guard and a Haunter. Cross effectively handled both as they soon reached the second to last floor.
Upon reaching this floor, the pair were confronted by Hun and Attila of Team Rocket. With them having every intention of defeating the children before them, Cross and Ash got ready for a battle… despite Cross' reluctance to accept Ash's help.
"This shouldn't take long." Hun stated. "Go, Steelix."
"It should still be fun." Attila smirked. "Battle time, Skarmory."
Cross scanned Steelix while Ash scanned Skarmory with their pokedexes:
Steelix, the Iron Snake Pokémon. Strengthened by the pressure and intense heat of living underground, its body is stronger than steel.
Skarmory, the Armor Bird Pokémon. Because Skarmory nests in briars and is constantly scratched by thorns, its wings become razor-sharp.
"I choose you, Pikachu." Ash declared.
"Litten, let's take these two down." Cross declared.
The pokemon ran out onto the field only for the opponents to suddenly shimmer as their attacks were lowered by a stage.
"That brat has intimidate on his Litten." Hun stated.
Attila scoffed. "Lucky break."
"Please." Cross shook his head. "Any trainer worth their tittle understands their pokemon's abilities. I understood that Litten could even things up a bit better than my other pokemon. Now get ready because we don't hold back."
Ash & Cross vs Hun & Attila
"Steelix, use automize." Hun ordered.
"Skarmory, use automize." Attila commanded.
"Litten, we need to hit them hard." Cross stated quickly. "Use fire spin on Steelix."
"Pikachu, thunderbolt on Skarmory." Ash declared.
Both steel types had golden energy which shot up from beneath them rising their speeds by two stages each. Litten let loose with his flame striking Steelix and leaving behind fire which seemed to move around the steel type. Pikachu struck Skarmory sending him crashing to the ground.
"Steelix, use rockslide on Litten." Hun commanded.
"Skarmory, strike the rodent with steel wing." Attila commanded.
"Pikachu, build us your speed and dodge with agility." Ash ordered.
"Litten, use revenge." Cross ordered.
Steelix caused rocks to appear above Litten before crashing down on the little guy slamming him into the ground. While that certainly hurt, he still managed to stand before cloaking himself in fighting type energy.
Because he was attacked first, that fighting energy only increased in size before he smashed into the Steelix managing to send it tumbling to the ground. Skarmory moved into strike Pikachu who ran from it causing his speed to go up by a stage.
"These runts are running circles around or steel types Hun." Attila commented.
"I don't know about Ash over here, but after what you monsters did to Litten's mother, you better believe he'll keep fighting no matter what." Cross declared.
"As for me, my pokemon and I grow stronger through every encounter with Team Rocket." Ash declared. "Pikachu wants to fight you just as much as I do. It's all because we lost to a couple of you at the start of our journey."
"Lit." Litten declared.
"Pika." Pikachu declared.
Cross & Ash, and Litten & Pikachu stared at each other. Cross and Litten where glaring at Ash and Pikachu. Just like Cross denied he had anything in common with Team Rocket, he denied that Ash and he could be anything like the other.
"Look at them forming a bond." Hun scoffed. "It's sickening. Steelix, use head smash on that Litten."
"Skarmory, strike that Pikachu with a sky attack." Attila declared.
Cross and Ash both realized those were some strong attacks their opponents were using. Even as Steelix took damage from fire spin's lingering effect, it didn't seem like that was going to stop it.
"Pikachu, use agility to gain speed and jump on Skarmory's back when he comes in for the attack." Ash ordered.
"Litten, endure!" Cross declared.
Litten glowed a faint white as Steelix smashed into him dealing out heavy damage which sent the small cat flying. It was at this moment that Cross wished Litten had Blaze because that would be more beneficial now than intimidate.
As for Pikachu, he ran head long at Skarmory boosting his speed by another stage. Just as Skarmory was going to strike, Pikachu managed to jump and land on the back of the armored bird. Litten, who was on the ground, tried desperately to stand.
"Litten, stand up now!" Cross shouted. "You cannot look weak and be one of my pokemon. Especially since I promised your mother, I'd make you strong. If you don't stand up now, all our training towards that goal will have been worthless."
"Cross…" Ash stated.
"Shut it, Ketchum." Cross declared. "Just because I don't treat pokemon the way you do, it doesn't mean I'm any less of a trainer. Now, show them how strong I've already made you Litten. Stand up and fight!"
"Lit…" Litten slowly rose before standing up with a determined cry. "LIIITTTEEN!"
He glowed a brilliant white and doubled in size. When the glow faded, Litten was now a Torracat.
"Cross got his pokemon to evolve like that." Ash stated amazed.
Cross immediately scanned him with his pokedex:
Torracat, the Fire Cat Pokémon. A Fire type, and the evolved form of Litten. When Torracat spits fire, the fiery bell at its throat makes a high-pitched ringing sound.
Type: Fire
Ability: Blaze
Sex: Male
Current Moves: Growl, Scratch, Flamethrower, Fire Fang, Fire Spin, Lick, Roar, Fury Swipes, Bite, Revenge
Almost immediately after, Torracat glowed with a powerful, red aura. His physical attacks may be at an all-time low, but his fire attacks just gained a serious boost.
"We need to end this now Attila." Hun declared. "Steelix, head smash once more."
"You got it Hun." Attila stated. "Skarmory, head straight for the ground and smash that rodent off your back."
"Torracat, show them your strength by putting you all into your new flamethrower!" Cross shouted.
Ash refocused on the match. "Pikachu, full power thunderbolt!"
Skarmory was heading straight to the ground before Pikachu let his thunderbolt rage. It coursed through the armored bird fainting him and having them fall to the ground at a slower pass. As Steelix charged at Torracat, he let loose with a supercharged flamethrower.
It washed over the full length of Steelix before dissipating revealing the steel type was only mere inches away from Torracat. The iron snake pokemon then collapsed to the ground fainted. The moment he did, Torracat followed. Pikachu was still up and came to stand before the trainers.
"Attila, we need to leave now." Hun ordered while returning her pokemon.
"Understood." Attila nodded as he returned Skarmory and grabbed a new pokeball. "Muk, come out and use haze!"
The poison type emerged and immediately filled the room with the icy haze which forced Pikachu, Cross, and Ash to close their eyes.
"Hey, get back here!' Ash shouted. "I got one!"
"Damn it, I'm not letting you criminals get away!" Cross shouted. "I think I got the other!"
The haze dissipated to reveal that Cross and Ash had grabbed each other by their shirts. Attila and Hun were nowhere to be seen. They released each other the moment they realized this.
Cross simply walked towards Torracat and picked him up slinging the pokemon over his shoulder. "They're gone, but we should make sure Mr. Fuji is even still here. Beyond that, we need to see if he's okay."
"Wait Cross." Ash stated getting the guy to stop. "I-I'm sorry. You're right in that we don't raise pokemon the same way, but you've never been one to abuse pokemon. You just like to push them in ways I don't while still caring about them in your own way."
Cross looked back at Ash before sighing. "Alright, apology accepted." He started walking once more. "Now, we have to get Mr. Fuji."
Top of the Tower
When Ash and Cross arrived, they saw an old man bound by ropes.
"Mr. Fuji!" Cross shouted as they ran over to him.
Ash immediately set about freeing him.
"Cross, my boy." Mr. Fuji stated in shock. "You must get out of here quickly before Team Rocket…"
"Slow your roll old man." Cross stated. "Reina explained everything when I came to the orphanage, and myself, as well as Ash here, already got rid of the grunts in this tower. We also have people who are scouring the town to deal with anyone else."
"I see." Mr. Fuji was freed, and Cross helped him up. "I should have known you'd be able to do it."
"Are you okay, sir?" Ash asked concerned.
"Yes, no need to worry about me young one." Mr. Fuji nodded. "I am fine. I only wish I could say the same for Cubone's mother."
"As unfortunate are that is, at least he has you, and one day he'll find a trainer." Cross stated.
"Yes, I do believe you are right." Mr. Fuji sighed. "Anyways, thank you boys for coming to my aid. Now, we should get out of here."
Ash and Cross agreed with that as they followed the old man out.
Jessie & Meowth: There are differences between their situation and James'. James; parents cleared his criminal record and he was left in Viridian Forest all by himself. Couple that with Jessebelle being a potential encounter in that forest, and you run into a main reason why he'd end up traveling with Ash and Serena. Jessie and Meowth don't have clean records, a way to leave, and don't really have outside problems to influence them besides James. If it happens, it'll take a bit of time.
Admins: You can disagree, but the way I see the order of strength, currently, stands with Giovani, Archer, Ariana, Proton, & Petral with everyone else more or less vying for power outside of this group. True, Proton is referred to as the most dangerous Admin, but that does not equate to strength. If you wanted to argue that, you could argue that he didn't take power in Giovani's absence because he was unfit to lead, but this is like the pokemon mafia we're talking about here.
Reader (23): Yeah, that woman in the photo did look strikingly like Cynthia. That was part of the reason I decided to make that connection while the other was the thought of who could be so high up as to make Verity feel the way she did. Sorry, no love rival. Yeah, I felt that way about the Chateau. I'm not sold on making her a water specialist because we already have Misty.
Like yeah, there are gyms that specialize in one type of pokemon, but I always feel those specialist who have significant rolls to play should be kept to one as not to overcrowd the typing. For instance, Misty who is a rival and will show up from time to time. Then, you have Surge who is the electric specialist. Sure, Clemont may show up later, but that'll be more of an exception to the rule than anything else.
Reader (24): Yep, more Team Ash vs Team Rocket.
