Chapter 11: Team Rocket Blasts Off
(Alola league, Second Round)
James sighed sadly as he walked out of the stadium. Despite his best efforts, The Masked Royal had cut him down to size, ending Team Rockets' involvement in the Alola League.
"So much for becoming a champion. Guess its back to odd jobs or us."
Jessie and Meowth met him outside, looking just as disappointed as he was.
"Sorry, guys. I tried, I really did."
"We know, James."
"Well, that's just great. Now what?!"
Their answer came in the form of their communicator beeping. Panicking, they darted around, making sure no one had noticed. Luckily, there was no on around, allowing them to answer without fear. To their dismay, Giovanni's secretary Matori greeted them.
"Oh, its you. What do you want?"
"By Giovanni's orders, you three are to return to Kanto immediately. Your mission in Alola is hereby terminated, and you will receive further information when you arrive."
Before the trio could ask any more questions, Matori cut the call off, leaving them in the dark.
"Uh oh. If it's coming directly from Da Boss, it can't be good."
"Come to think of it, I haven't heard from headquarters since the Aether Paradise incident. Why would they contact us out of the blue like that?"
"Isn't it obvious? We're done, over, kaput! Giovanni saw our failure in the Alola League, and wants to fire us in person for being such disgraces to Team Rocket!"
James and Meowth, not looking forward to their debriefing. Still, they knew that if they didn't go to Giovanni, he would come to them, so they went back to their hideout, packed up their gear into the submarine, and set off for home.
(Unknown, Kanto Region)
Giovanni rubbed his forehead in frustration. The past few months had been little more than a drain on his time, resources, and overall patience.
After the failure that was Aether Paradise, Giovanni and Archer had teleported away with an Alakazam, leaving the various grunts and lower ranking members of the organization to be rounded up by the International Police. Serves them right, thought Giovanni. If they can't come to consciousness quick enough to escape, then let them rot in prison. Unfortunately, this turned out to be a mistake.
As it turns out, when you abandon your loyal underlings, they turn out to not be so loyal. When his admins learned that he had left them, they immediately turned over all information they had on him and his whereabouts. Over the past few months, his bases had been raided by the International Police, with him only managing to escape thanks to his inside informant. Although they had since relented, Team Rocket was greatly weakened, and weakness is something he does not tolerate.
His stewing was interrupted by his phone beeping. Sighing, he picked it up.
"What is it?"
"Sir, Jessie, James, and Meowth are here."
"Send them in."
The door slid open, and in stepped the nervous trio.
"You wanted to see us, sir?"
Giovanni sighed. He really hoped he wouldn't regret this.
"Yes. As you know, Team Rocket's research into Ultra Wormholes yielded no positive results, and we were forced to retreat."
"Yes sir, but what does this have to do with us."
"If you imbeciles would let me finish, you'd find out."
The trio kept quiet, allowing Giovanni to continue.
"As a result of recent setbacks, I've been forced to focus on regional operations, which is why we've severed contact with you. However, do to the admins being arrested during the retreat, and crack down by the international Police, I've been forced to take drastic measures. Henceforth..."
Giovanni took a long pause. Not for dramatic effect, but because he dreaded the words he was about to say.
"...You three are being promoted to the position of Admin. Third in position, behind only me and Archer."
James and Jessie gasped in surprise.
"Admins? Us?"
"As much as it pains me to admit it, you three have been the most productive agents of the organization, and despite your loss in the Alola League your mission in Alola was the most successful. Here, take these."
Pulling out a drawer in his desk, he took out two cell phones and handed them to Jessie and James.
"A cell phone?"
"These are the latest inventions from Silph Co. Not only do they have all the functions of a regular phone, but they also function as fully operating Pokedexes. I trust you will use them wisely."
"Yes sir! We won't let you down!"
"Good. Dismissed."
The three admins left his office, giddy with power. Giovanni leaned back into his chair and took a deep sigh. Those three were going to be the death of him, he just knew it.