[Cues: jrd. - Beachy]
The Outsider's Insurrection
Indigo Iliad
Chapter 49: Fourth Island Follies
Translated Pokémon Speech
Pokédex Entries/Computerized Voices/Flashbacks
Reference to an Accessory in the Games
-o-
(Floe Town, Fourth Island | April 30th | 11:00a.m.)
"Can you believe it? We're in the hometown of one of the Elite Four!" Misty said excitedly. "Thanks again for the autograph."
"It was not an issue." Crimson mused. "Anything for my friends. Thanks for showing Lilo a good time."
"That was sweet of you to help her and her sister. I do need to ask if you did it to get her pants." Misty asked a bit accusingly.
"Not really. She lost her parents like I did too." Crimson said sagely. "Besides, Nani's hot and all, but too focused on her sister. I didn't want to have sex with her thinking she had to do it for her sister. I have some standards."
"Good to know." Misty said having her accusations resolved. "So, what do you want to with our time here? This island is kind of quiet."
"Icefall Cave." Crimson remarked. "I feel like exploring, plus I need to talk to you away from prying ears."
"Something wrong?" Misty said as Crimson looked to see he was not watched.
"I'll explain when we get there." Crimson said heading over to Icefall Cave.
Misty followed as they entered into the cave to receive a chilling air. Thankfully, Crimson slipped on his Aqua Hoodie and Misty slipped on Crimson's yellow hoodie. Crimson noticed something on the ground and took it up.
"An HM for Waterfall? Useless." Crimson said shoving in his bag.
The layout of the place was a bit expansive, but Crimson was able to lead Misty through while explaining everything.
"Wait, Team Rocket has a bomb on the ship?! Why the hell didn't you say anything?" Misty asked.
"And let Team Rocket threaten to blow us all early, no way. Besides, Bulma is working on disabling the bomb remotely. She's close to it, and she's also located where it is. I had Melvin do some digging around for me. He found out what I was up to and wanted to help. I didn't want him at first, but then he revealed some valued info." Crimson said explaining that Melvin helped his Uncle keep track of employees. "Get this, he manages to get his Exeggutor to hypnotize one of the newer employees. Got him to sing like a canary. Got me a list of all the staff hiding out as Team Rocket agents. It's lucky I got VIP because one of them was a housekeeper."
"Damn, Melvin pulled through for you. And I think I need to better secure my stuff…" Misty said concerned.
"Don't worry, I got that housekeeper busted for stealing. All I had to was ask Neo to steal something and plant it on the housekeeper. Eva broke that housekeeper's arm and I got a laugh out of it. The ironic thing is the housekeeper had managed to steal a few things from others…but got away with it for so long because they were small things." Crimson mused darkly chuckling.
"At least nothing bad is going to happen on Fourth Island, right?" Misty said as Crimson gave her a knowing look.
"Well, I don't sense much people or any Pokémon giving off distress. I guess I can catch a new Pokémon. I haven't caught one…in eight days…wow, I really am a bit picky." Crimson said in self-reflection.
"I'm hoping to get my hands on a Lapras." Misty said with a wry grin. "And I have someone with a Pokédex to make that task easier."
"And what do I get out of that?" Crimson said satirically as Misty pouted. "I'm kidding. Dex Bulma?"
"You'll need to head to the back caves. Scores of Lapra pool around them because they led out to the ocean." Dex Bulma mused before marking the location on her mini-map.
"Crimson, I wish your father was here…so I could tell what a genius he was." Misty said earnestly.
"He'd appreciate it." Crimson said as they both ran to seek out those Laprases.
Tessa had to be used to zap any annoying Zubat or Golbat in the way before they came to a new problem. A gang of Sneasel guarding the way down to get to the Lapras. From what Misty and Crimson could translate, they were the Lapras' protectors to which no one was passing unless they wanted a fight.
"Sneasel, the Sharp Claw Pokémon. Vicious in nature, it drives Pidgey from their nests and feasts on the Eggs that are left behind. Its paws conceal sharp claws. If attacked, it suddenly extends the claws and startles its enemy. They tend to attack in groups. It is said to be the inspiration the kamaitachi yōkai in Japanese folklore."
"Tessa, come back." Crimson said returning Tessa. "Atlas, let's go."
When they saw the Gyarados, the Sneasel all laughed at him with one in particular having a bit of snark.
"This guy has to be stupid. Who picks a Water/Flying type to fight an Ice type? Guys, let me deal with this idiot!"
"So, I'm an idiot, huh?" Crimson said scaring the Sneasel. "Atlas, light Sub-Zero here up like a match."
"Wait, did you under…WHAT THE HE…ahhhh!" Sneasel screamed as Atlas spewed flames out of his mouth. "But you're a water type! How?!"
Sneasel gracefully dodged.
"That's a secret, plebian. You face the might at Atlas!" Atlas boasted.
"I will freeze your fire." Sneasel said sternly.
An epic battle was soon to begin only for Sneasel to get smacked in the face with a Quick Ball. Atlas even protested that he wanted a fight. He hoped Sneasel would get out, but the Quick Ball clicked shut signal a successful capture.
"Yes, Sub-Zero, welcome to the family." Crimson said taking up the ball.
He returned Atlas to send him back to the PC to let Sub-Zero into the active party before letting him out.
"You've got to be kidding me." Sub-Zero said.
"Welcome aboard, Sub-Zero." Crimson said cheerfully. "Since Misty and I can understand Pokémon speak, you just sound like Sub-Zero the character."
"You can't be serious." Sub-Zero said before Crimson nodded. "Well, at least I sound cool to you, but you better not disappoint, or you'll be sorry."
"I doubt you're be displeased, Sub. I happen to be good at what I do." Crimson said confidently before checking his Pokédex. "Ok, I can move with this. Get you some new moves and a steady diet of vitamins, you'll make for the coldest ninja in Kanto. Especially when you evolve."
"Wait, we can evolve?" A Sneasel asked.
"You just need to have a Razor Fang and level up in the night…" Crimson explained as Sub-Zero was feeling a bit better that evolving was in his future.
Sub-Zero followed along as Misty and Crimson went down to the Lapras pools in the back cave. It felt more like a sanctuary.
[Cues: A Moment of Calm - Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time/Darkness/Sky]
Lapras were everywhere including a familiar one with a white scarf Crimson knew all well. There was Suzy at the edge of the shore as Heather was brushing it humming a cheery tone. Her Pokémon all sat around
"Miss Megumi, that was lovely." Crimson said as Heather whirled around red faced. "Well don't stop because of me. And hello to all you guys and girls."
Her Pokémon all said their hellos.
"I still find it weird you can easily talk to Pokémon. Why are you even here?" Heather asked.
"I'm helping Misty get a Lapras. But what about you?" Crimson asked.
"I just wanted to take Suzy to her homeland…I supposed you don't remember considering your depression, but our class went on a trip here years ago. Suzy was a little one then. She got hurt and our teacher patched her up. I gave up a big white scarf before seeing it off. It would be years later before we met again and she…was being chased by poachers. I recused her." Heather said showing a bit more emotion. "It was during that year you were in your funk…literally a few days after it started."
"Hey for what's it worth, I think that's noble of you." Crimson said assuring her. "Were the poachers ever caught?"
"One was…but the other one got away. He remembered my name and said he'd get me back someday. It was the reason I couldn't go on my journey that year. My parents got all paranoid…if it wasn't for the fact that he got arrested in Jotho this year, I'd be stuck at home." Heather bemused. "I was mad he was caught because I went and got a pair of brass knuckles that I wanted to pummel him with."
"Save it for Team Rocket." Crimson joked before sending out Tank into the water. "Now, I promised Misty to get her a Lapras."
"Wait, Misty can go do that by herself. I challenge you to a battle." Heather said seriously. "A full battle."
"I just caught Sub-Zero, and I have a bit of policy to not throw them into a fight unless it's dire. But seeing you only have five, I'll take you on."
"Fine." Heather said sourly. "Just be prepared to fork over your money when you lose."
"Confident, are we?" Crimson teased checking his PokéDex. "Well then, allow me to even the score as a sign of good faith."
He tossed Heather five Rare Candies staying it was for Sonu to evolve.
"Finally!" Sonu said trotting up eating them out of her hand.
With a glow and a swirling flame, Sonu became the mighty Rapidash.
"Well shit, guess I'm the last to evolve….at level 50…damn it, leveling's random as shit." Dray muttered.
"Giving me a handicap? How sweet." Heather said sarcastically.
"Oh, that wasn't a handicap." Crimson said with a grin. "That was give you a fighting chance."
"Cheeky bastard! I missed when you were the quiet kid." Heather said as Crimson jumped back.
[Cues: Pokémon HeartGold/SoulSilver OST – Rival Battle]
"Suzy, you're up first." Heather said as Suzy gave a battle cry.
"Tank, all you man." Crimson said as Tank glanced over as Suzy. "I'd say ladies' first, but I'mma not. Tank, use Surf and use the wave to land a Mega Punch!"
Tank's body glowed blue as he rose on top on the water forming a wave for him to ride on as his fist glowed white. Suzy was able to dodge it and Heather gave her the only to make it Hail.
"Shit. She probably has Blizzard on Suzy." Crimson thought as he instinctively made a small shield of aura.
"How did you do that?" Heather said quizzically.
"The shield thing…I think my dad or my mom taught me." He said making the excuse. "Besides, I don't want a concussion."
"Ow! Is this…who the hell used Hail?!" Misty screamed as she was in the water on top of Risa.
"Tank, dive underwater!" Crimson said as Tank went down with a splash. "Blend into the water!"
"Oh no, you don't! Suzy, go after him!" Heather said as Suzy dived after them. "Flush him out with Surf!"
Underwater, Suzy was looking for Tank while forming a blue sphere in her mouth. Tank tensed his fists and went for it! BLAM! WHAM! Tank had hit her with Brick Break, but Suzy hit him with the Surf sphere. The impact blasting Tank out of the water and smack onto land.
"Will Tank be all right after that?" Sub-Zero asked.
"I call him the Tank for a reason." Crimson said as Tank got up as Suzy surfaced.
"Blizzard!" Heather said as Suzy glowed an icy blue.
Suzy spewed off a blistering blast of cold that got Tank to shiver as his body froze up trapping him in the cold.
"Damn it, it's too cold. My nipples are rigid." Tank said whimpering.
"Too much information!" Suzy whined.
"Damn, he's frozen. He….oh right, I almost forget. Tank! Use Heat Crash!" Crimson said as Heather blinked in surprised.
Tank's body exploded with flames as he leapt into the air with the platter of hail hitting him, melting into shush.
"Use Blizzard again, full power!" Heather said as Suzy fired up in the air.
Tank dived down for Suzy clashing against the cold blast with a brief struggle of power. Normally, STAB would put the fight in Suzy's favor, but Crimson knew gravity was going to be an equalizer. Plus, Blizzard only had five power points meaning Suzy could not keep it for too long.
"My mouth is getting sore…and he's so fat!" Suzy strained out.
"Tank, Hyper Voice!" Crimson said as Suzy paled.
"Son of a…." Suzy said only for Snorlax to screeched, "BIIIIITTTTTTTCCCCCCHHH!"
The soundwaves overtaken Suzy harming her before the living fireball slammed into her burning her. Tank got into course panting having damage from the Blizzard. Suzy was not in better shape either.
"I need to end this now!" Heather thought before calling Suzy to use Liquidation.
"Psychic!" Crimson called out as Tank had a telekinetic hold on Suzy.
Tank used that hold to slam her into the wall, but Heather had Suzy counter with Dragon Pulse knocking them back. Suzy hit the ground free from the psychic hold.
"Suzy can't take much more of this." Broot said worriedly. "But neither can he…especially with the Hail."
"Surf, Suzy, swamp him!" Heather said as Suzy summoned a wave to ride on. "Game's over."
"I don't think so. I don't know it will work, but Tank, I believe in you! Smack Down!" Crimson said as Tank grabbed one of the chunks of hail.
It glowed hot white before he flung it at her with all his strength. It nailed Suzy forcing her to crash on the ground, and, with that super-effective hit, Tank took the first win before collapsing out cold himself.
"Impressive…even though Tank fell, he held on to finish the job." Sub-Zero said giving respect the tubby Pokémon.
"Damn it, at least that's one." Heather said as they returned their fainted Pokémon.
"Shit, that is bad! I was hoping that Suzy didn't up and get defeated. I was hoping to take out his Charizard and that crocodile with her. At least I still have Dray, one Thunderbolt from him will put that Charizard down easily." Heather thought before sending Sonu out to fight.
"Sir Jett, let's jam!" Crimson said sending out his faithful croc.
"Oh great….at least Sonu has Solar Beam, but the hail has just one turn left before it fades. I can't fade a turn charging, I need to attack now." Heather thought before decided to switch out Sonu.
She had Broot get into the fight in Sonu's stead.
"Jett, Aerial Ace!" Crimson said as Jett sped off with a glowing white trial.
"WHAT?!" Heather and Broot said before Jett nailed Broot with an Aerial Ace.
"But since when does…to hell with this! Broot, Energy Ball!" Heather said as Crimson called for Incinerate.
Both shot the other would their attacks with doing considerable damage to the other with Jett reeling from the blow a tad more.
"I can't take a lot more of those." Jett mumbled. "He got me with a lucky critical."
"Razor Leaf!" Heather said as Broot fired a volley of razor-sharp leaves.
"Shadow Claw your way through!" Crimson said as Jett's claws glowed an eerie purple and black.
He slashed through several them only taking one or two cuts from the leaves only Heather to prep Broot to use Energy Ball.
"Jump over it and use Earthquake!" Crimson said as Jett made a jump.
Barely dodging the attack, Jett smacked Broot with an Earthquake-powered fist. Broot saw rocks before passing out from the head trauma as Jett landed smack on the ground. Jett was drained, but he was still conscious to raise a thumbs up as he was returned. Heather reluctantly returned.
"Kimiko, flame on!" Crimson said sending out Kimiko in his stead.
"Finally, Dray, get in there!" Heather said as Dray slithered into place. "Use, Aqua Jet!"
Consumed by water, Dray rocketed forward only to be blown back by Kimiko's Dragon Pulse after Crimson had her Mega Evolve. Overkill? Yes, it was, but Crimson was never one to hold back on his rivals. Heather only had two left, but she was persistent in not giving up.
[Music Ends]
On the other side, Misty was glad the hail stopped as rubbing the bruise on her head. She made note to deck Heather one for being stupid enough to use Hail indoors. Misty was having her own little battle against Lapras who wanted to fight. She sent out Starmie to fight her.
"Starmie, let's try your new moves. Tri Attack!" Misty said as Starmie's gem glowed white.
Starmie fired three multi-colored beams of energy from its gem to which the beams twist and turn nailed Lapras paralyzing him.
"Of all the luck!" Lapras whined before firing off a Dragon Pulse. "Taste my draconic wrath!"
"Use Rapid Spin to dodge it!" Misty said as Starmie spun the around to tackle Lapras.
"Sparkling Aria!" Lapra sings, forming an orb of water above his head.
The orb burst and turns into multiple bubbles that are fired at the opponent pelting Starmie.
"Misty. Can I drop the hammer?" Starmie asked.
"Go for it! Thunderbolt!" Misty said as Starmie released a wicked bolt of electricity. What Misty did not know was Crimson had Tessa use Electric Terrain…empowering her Starmie's Thunderbolt.
Electrocuting Lapras, Misty saw it to attempt a capture throwing a Dive Ball at him. He went in and the ball hit the water with a plop as Starmie used Psychic get the waggling ball in Misty's hands. CLICK!
[Cues: Pokémon HeartGold/SoulSilver OST – Rival Battle]
Back to Heather and Crimson's fight, Sonu and Tessa were in the heat of the moment.
"Hypnosis." Heather said as Sonu's eyes glowed pink. "What's going on?! Tessa should fall asleep."
"Not with Electric Terrain, not only does it power up electric moves, but it completely nullifies sleep. Meaning you can have your Pokémon go to sleep or do that to others. So, Tessa, Thunderbolt!" Crimson said as Tessa fired off a massive bolt of electricity.
Sonu reeled and screamed in pain as she was electrocuted, but Heather had an idea realizing she could use this against him.
"Wild Charge!" Heather said as Sonu's eyes tensed.
Using the electricity, Sonu's body was surrounded by red electricity before charging and tackling Tessa. The recoil damage was a small price to pay.
"Double Kick!/Swift!" Heather/Crimson said as both attacks smacked their Pokémon at the same time.
"Solar Beam!" Heather said as Sonu began to charge.
"Use Charge!" Crimson said as Tessa began sparking with electricity. "And now, Charge Beam!"
A clash of a beam of raw electricity versus of a sunlight powered death ray crashed into each other forming a beam struggle. Sonu seemed to be overtaking for the moment.
"It's game over guppy for you, 120 base power is on my side." Heather touted.
"I'm so scared, if not for the last that the move Charge doubled the power of the next electric move used plus Electric Terrain adding a 50% general boost. This means, Charge Beam is somewhere between base 150 to possibly 200. More than enough to overcame Sonu…and don't forget about STAB." Crimson said with a shark-like smirk as Heather and Sonu knew they were screwed. "Tessa, don't hold back!"
"With pleasure, rarrgh!" Tessa said as her beam overtook Sonu's.
"And I just evolv…AAAHHHHHH!" Sonu said before being bombarded with electricity.
Down went Sonu, leaving Heather with her Honchkrow who was sweating bullets. Donna know if she flapped her wings into that ring it was suicide, and Heather knew this. Heather had to be begrudgingly fold…once again admitting defeat.
[Music Ends]
"Damn it, you outplayed me." Heather said defeatedly.
"I was a top student for a good reason." Crimson said. "Though, you caught me off guarding with Wild Charge. I'd admit that the Terrain family of moves are weird in their logic."
The electric terrain slowly faded as Crimson returned Tessa. Within her ball, Kimiko returned to her normal form.
"We should get out of here and get our Pokémon patched up. For what its worth, you give me a good run. Had our levels were more even, you've would been a bit more of an issue." Crimson admitted.
"Wait a damn minute, your act of mer…your Pokémon were over 40." Heather dryly stated.
"Just over the tip." Crimson mused as Misty surfed back into shore with Risa. "Oi Misty, you got what you wanted?"
"I did. I'll need your PokéDex later." Misty said getting onto shore before returning Risa.
"Well, then. It's a bit after one. Let's get out of here." Crimson said as the three trainers and Sub-Zero headed out.
"Hmm, his sense of strategy is apparently impressive. This Crimson might be the fitting trainer for me. Moves with grace and strikes cold as ice." Sub-Zero thought. "Yes, this will be perfect."
Crimson had ensured Sub-Zero a chance to put his brethren goodbye before they all left for the ship. As Crimson dropped off Tank and Jett at the center, he turned to heal his still standing members with Hyper Potions and Elixirs. Heather had to drop most of hers in the ship's center. The two were walking and chatting about as Misty had to call her sisters hoping they were not messing with her new capture.
"Crimson, I'm sorry I said I missed you as the quiet kid." Heather said with a sigh. "That was uncalled for."
"Please. I've been called racial slurs. Literally, what you said isn't going to faze me too much. You were just being a sore loser." Crimson teased as Heather rolled her eyes. "By the way, how's it like traveling around with the oh so talented Gary. Figured you all were fighting over him…except Lindsay."
"Lindsay sees him as a little brother, and he does see her as a bit of a sister figure. The Clones are into him like leeches, Ella's interested, and me…I'm keeping my options open." Heather said as Crimson rolled his eyes. "Oh, like you aren't doing the same."
"I've had hookups, but no concrete relationships." Crimson teased.
"With Misty?" Heather said only for Crimson to laugh.
"Wouldn't you like to know?" Crimson teased as Heather looked incredulous. "I can't just kiss and tell what I do."
"But there is something you should consider, you don't have a complete team yet. Consider getting a sixth so you don't have to flake out of a fight. Maybe use the markets to bag yourself something nice." Crimson said before slipping her some cash. "Consider it my thanks."
"Come on, let's get you a Razor Claw." Crimson said before putting Sub-Zero on his shoulder.
Heather looked at the cash in her hands thinking she really did not deserve it especially where she realized she never paid him for losing the battle. She turned to call him out, but he was gone into the crowd leaving her alone.
"Ok, Sub-Zero, it's time you and I did some training." Crimson said excitedly. "It will focus on your movements, and I can teach you some new moves to better cover your strengths and weaknesses, but its best I do after you evolve. So, we'll get the claw and we're work from that."
"Hai. Let's get started." Sub-Zero said with a grin.
The day was spent with a focus on working on the art of ninjutsu, something that Sub-Zero was naturally gifted in. Sneak attacks, hiding in the shadows, and moving as one with shade. By nightfall, Crimson was pleased with the results of today's training and he got the Razor Claw to evolve Sub-Zero to a Weavile.
"How do you feel?" Crimson said as Sub-Zero evolved.
"Empowered and take my opponents into the cold." Sub-Zero said icily.
"Well, then. I think it's a total success. And I got something for you." Crimson said tying an Expert Belt around his neck like a scarf. "Something to up your game and to add an extra punch to your attack."
"Thank you." Sub-Zero said with a bow.
"Now, let's introduce you to the rest of the family." Crimson said.
Up in Crimson's room, he had Sub-Zero meet the gang in full, and even went to video call Velvet to land his Pokémon not in the active team meet Sub-Zero.
"Welcome to the team, Sub-Zero. I look forward to tag teaming with you in the future." Morticia said kindly. "Darks and Ghosts have to stick together."
"Huh…it's a lot smaller than I assumed. But no wonder, if this guy can go around with a dinosaur, this I have no worries. Although, having a trainer who was fully speak with me…is still bizarre." Sub-Zero said as there was a knock on the door.
Crimson opened to see Heather with a shopping bag.
"Here. My way of saying thank you…one of the guys at the shop recognized you and suggested I get you this." Heather said giving it to him. "I'd say, but Lindsay wants to have a girls' night."
She left him and he went inside to see what it was. A small storage case for his GB Advance, a pair of Wireless Adapters, and a few more mores.
"Aw Heather, you make the night. I…" Crimson said only to be cut off by Dex Bulma announcing, "Crimson, I've managed to locate the bomb. From the data on what's on the computer console on it, it has a few remote denotators. However, it seems they have to be in range to use. The only one that's a danger is the one on the ship. Most likely one of the Rockets on board have it. Shall I call Melvin?"
"Go for it." Crimson said as his Pokémon looked concerned. "Don't worry, I just need to call for a meeting. You guys relax, I'll be back."
"Oh no, you don't. Carry the rest of the team with you." Morticia said firmly.
"All right, all right. Velvet, thanks for letting me see my team, but I got a Team Rocket plot to dear with." Crimson said hanging up.
He returned everyone except Sub-Zero and they left the room. He had called up a meeting of the Black Dragons and their associates. He even dragged Jessie, James, and Meowth to it. Using one of the empty VIP room, he was able to "reserve" it for a private party. It was then Crimson dropped an explanation to mixed reactions.
"Wait, you were just going to do fight Team Rocket by yourself while trying to deal with a bomb on the ship on your own? Dear Zapdos, Crimson, you're absolutely nuts. Balls of steel, but still nuts." Leone said respectfully.
"Even though, he's got a plan on how to deal with this. Right?" Joe asked as Lorelei sighed.
"This is a disaster. I was tasked to investigate, and I'm only finding out when it's already too late." Lorelei said worriedly.
"Even then, there's exactly three detonators for that bomb. One of them is on this ship, and I need it found and destroyed. I can go down to the bomb and disable it, but I need that denotator out of the game." Crimson said firmly.
"Thankfully, I got a list of the employees that are secretly Rockets. I managed to channel some Hypnosis to get one of them to spill." Melvin said producing the list.
"Dragons. Your task will be to seek them out…and find that detonator. Ensure they…are no position to alert the others we're on to them." Crimson said as Turbine and Aya shot up excited.
"We'll assist in the matter. I don't exactly like the fact that my vacation was going to be ruined by two-bit trash." Balalaika said crushing her lit cigar.
"I'm going with you to the bomb, Crimson. Don't protest, it's an order." Lorelei said firmly.
"You as my company? Why would I complain?" Crimson said cracking his knuckles. "Just keep up with me, Ice Queen."
Somewhere in Sinnoh, a white-haired girl sneezed. There a few snickers all around as Lorelei had a light blush.
"Don't get cocky, you may be good, but you're not on my level yet." Lorelei said firmly.
"Hold those words until I have all eight badges and I'm knocking at your door." Crimson said eyeing the mop of ice-cream hair in the distance.
If Neo was in for helping him, that was good, he thought.
"Oh, and Brock? Here." Crimson said taking out a Metal Coat out of his bag. "For your Onix to evolve."
He tossed it to the gym leader before leaving.
-o-
Going down to the lower floors, Crimson, Lorelei, James, Jessie, Meowth, and Heather moved carefully.
"So, why are you even coming with us, girlie?" Meowth asked Heather.
"I owe Crimson a favor, plus I wanted to ask if he could help me name my Ponyta." Heather said as Crimson asked if it was male or female. "It's female, but it's…Galarian. I got it at the marketplace."
"Jacira. It's from some tribe in Brazil coining the two ancient words for moon and honey. Figured if Sonu was of the sun, she'd be his moon." Crimson said as if it was a matter of fact.
Everyone was looking at him funny before he said he just likes his names with meaning.
"Thank you." Heather said appreciative. "It's lovely. You could probably a name rater."
"Glad to hear, but keep quiet. We're nearing the bomb, and it's probably guarded." Crimson remarked.
The group moved a bit of slower before they ended up in the storage bay of the ship where they found the bomb being guarded by three grunts who were playing cards.
"This is bullshit." Grunt A said drawing another. "We're stuck guarding the bomb, while everyone else gets to sleep in those nice rooms."
"When we blow this ship, I say we steal some bedding." Grunt B said firmly.
"Dibs on that Crimson guy's stuff. Lacey knows he's packing cash…" Grunt C said with a smirk. "Wish I could gotten me a Milotic."
"Oh please, we all know that the Boss gave the order for anything of Crimson's to go straight to him." Grunt A said as the other two dropped their cards in horror. "What?"
They stammered as Grunt A felt a chill down his spine. Grunt A turned around to get a punch in the face from Lorelei right into the table flipping it over.
"Oh shit, it's Lorelei, cheese it!" Grunt B said running only to see Crimson was here to.
"So, you fuckers were just going to pick me like a corpse?!" Crimson said enraged.
Grunt C booked it on for Heather to punch her with brass knuckles causing the loss of a tooth. A few minutes later, Jessie and James helped to tie up the trio.
"How could you betray Team Rocket?!" Grunt B asked Jessie as James rolled his eyes.
"I don't know, how about the fact that you put on the ship fated to blow up. And I have the sneaking thought that the boss wanted and hoped for us to die." James said as Meowth glared at the grunt.
"So, does this mean you'll join the Black Dragons?" Crimson said only to get slapped by Jessie. "Ok, I may have deserved that one."
"You're still a brat, we may no longer enemies, but you're now our rival." Jessie said crossing her arms.
"Ok, just admit that I grew on you." Crimson said dryly.
"I'll admit it, but she never will." Meowth said humbly. "By the way, I never got to thank you for taking out Cinder Fall. Let's just say, she…killed someone dear to me, and it's nice to know she was avenged."
"You're very welcome." Crimson said kindly. "But now we need to disable the bomb."
"Hook me up to computer on it, and I'll see what I can do." Dex Bulma said as Crimson did so. "You still need the detonator disabled or else they can override my attempts to deactivate the bomb."
Heather turned to Grunt B and asked him who had the detonator. Which Grunt B decided to spit in her eye, Heather gave him a brass knuckled backhand slap and asked again only to get blood spit on her. Crimson turned to Grunt C and unsheathed his sword having it at her throat.
"Ok, I'll tell you! I have the trigger…it's in the case there." Grunt C said before Crimson used the pommel of his sword to knock her and Grunt B out.
"Heather, I need you to call everyone. Call off the search." Crimson said smashing open the case before crushing the remote.
Heather took off taking out her phone as she did. Crimson had also made calls but made sure to talk to Melvin.
"Odd, that the first detonator was too easily placed. But I guess if security found it on them, that'd raise questions. Did we raise alarms?" Crimson asked.
"No. I made sure to let my uncle in on this and we have those taken into custody. Seeing that you got the control disable, we're going to at least ensure they are detained." Melvin said.
"Good to hear." Crimson said before hanging up.
"And done, the bomb's disarmed for now. I've killed the remote signal so just in case…." Dex Bulma said as Crimson unplugged her.
"Good, we're going to get rid of it." Crimson said deviously.
That night, Crimson would sleep soundly. As for the former Rocket, they lay awake wondering what they were going to do now. Crimson's words of encouragement to leave Team Rocket had finally stuck, and now they were deciding on what they would do now.
"James, I know we all quit Team Rocket…but what are we going to do now?" Jessie said as they lain in bed.
"Whatever we want. Crimson might be a little shit, but…he did free me from my parents. I don't really have anything holding back here now. Maybe we could use this cruise to this advantage, we could not go back to Kanto." James remarked as Jessie looked at him curiously.
"But where would we even go?" Jessie asked.
"There's other regions. We could go to one of them. I got family in Sinnoh I probably should see." James said thoughtfully looking over at a world of the regions. "Hey Meowth, throw a dart. See if you could hit a region."
Meowth took part and landed a shot.
"Well then, we got our destination." James said relived. "Sinnoh can wait."
"That's one issue dealt with." Jessie said relived. "Made sure to take out enough for us. But there's the matter of Team Rocket possibly coming after us."
"Are they really going to put resources towards to go after us?" Meowth asked.
The trio laughed at the idea especially considering Crimson and the Black Dragons was their former boss's larger issue.
(A/N: Yup, our former Team Rocket trio are leaving the building by the end of this arc. If anything, I was given some decent advice now that I actually had the trio quit the Rockets. I considered them staying to help in taking down Team Rocket, but I think they would more leave that in the hands of the Black Dragons. As for what region they're heading off to, that's a secret.)