[Cues: jrd. - Beachy]

The Outsider's Insurrection

Indigo Iliad

Chapter 50: Failure to Launch

Translated Pokémon Speech

Pokédex Entries/Computerized Voices/Flashbacks

Reference to an Accessory in the Games

-o-

(Between the seas of Five and Six Island | May 2nd | 11:00a.m.)

"Something's wrong, boss." One of the grunts said confusedly. "You've been pressing that button for a few minutes now."

When Team Rocket was inked down to the Sevii Islands, Giovanni had three members run that operation. The Three Beasts of Team Rocket; Sird, Carr, and Orm. All three were near even to the level of the Four Admins but were arguably more vicious in how they did business. Carr kept trying to activate the bomb not realizing he was far out of range.

"What's with this thing?" Carr said flustered. "Where's the damn S.S. Anne?"

Carr with a few grunts were on a boat that was planned to be used to raid the cruise ship, but there was no explosion. His phone rang and to which he angrily picked up.

"What it is, Orm?!" Carr snarled.

"The plan failed. They find out about bomb, our undercover agents arrested." Orm said simply. "The bomb was disarmed and disposed of."

Carr threw his remote into the sea in anger asking how this plan failed. They had set up everything, only to end up with nothing. Giovanni was not exactly pleased to see one of his plots foiled and on the news.

(Kassai Institute, Six Island | May 2nd | 1:00p.m.)

"You mean I could get her in?" Nani said excitedly.

"Of course, Miss Pelekai, your sister has passed the test decently and I feel you meet the need for financial aid." Sofia said kindly. "So, take this."

Sofia gave her a signed form to take to the cashier for her to get her bill.

"Welcome to Kassai, Lilo." Sofia said as Lilo nodded.

As the sisters left the office, Lilo asked what Nani was going to do.

"Well, I can't just leave you here even though I could. So…I had to quit my job and move us here." Nani remarked. "I'm still looking for a place to settle, but it's either here or the nearby Seven Island."

Elsewhere, the former graduates were looking on their old stomping grounds to be recognized by the current students. Crimson found it weird to be…treated with some high praise and respect. Joe and Rusty reunited with old friends.

"Good to see you two again." Kensuke said high-fiving Joe. "How goes the journey?"

"All good, but I've been itching to reunite with Sissi." Joe admitted.

"Speaking of her, you just missed her." Suzuhara said as Joe grabbed by the collar. "Ease up, man! She was here yesterday, battled for the headmistress's badge before heading off to Seven Island."

"Don't you have her number?" Rusty said causing Joe to let out of Suzuhara.

As Joe was trying to call number, Crimson walked the halls gaining faint memories of his time in school. It was like looking back to a completely different person. He fluffed his Black Dragon jacket before just zipping it up on his red tank top.

"Good thing, I wore pants and shoes. This place is colder than I remember." Crimson said thinking back.

"But I thought the cold never bothered you."

Crimson turned to see his old teacher, Chris Mclean. Dear Articuno, the memories.

"Chris, I assume you're making a student's life here hell. But I guess considering I was such a success you got a pay raise." Crimson said sardonically.

"Guilty." Chris snarked. "But it is good to see you and the old class again."

"Do you really mean that or are you riding on the clout we gave off?" Crimson said before walking away.

Crimson headed right back out the courtyard only to see Ash was in, the midst of, a battle with a student from Kassai. Ash's Pidgeotto had just defeated the student's Fearow.

"Yes! Great work, Pidgeotto." Ash said as Pidgeotto flew back to him.

Pidgeotto, however, began to glow before ascending to his final form of Pidgeot.

"I guess you can't ride on my shoulder anymore." Ash said as Pidgeot set itself on the ground.

"No, but I can take you to the skies!" Pidgeot bolstered.

Ash took the hint and his winnings before getting Pidgeot's back taking off to the skies.

"Well good for him." Crimson thought before leaving for Water Path.

"Crimson, wait!" Nani said coming up.

"So, Nani? How did it go?" Crimson asked.

"Perfect, the bill is manageable and Lilo got in." Nani said. "Now, all there's left is to find a place to stay."

"You'll figure that out soon enough. I wish you the best." Crimson said before Nani gave him her number. "Hm?"

"I…don't usually do this…but if you need another massage, I'd be willing to do it for you." Nani said as Crimson took the slip of paper. "Especially, if you need a happy ending."

Crimson bid her goodbye and a bit of thanks feeling pleased with himself. As he left for elsewhere, Leanne was walking in with her suitcase as Cardin and Sazandora were pleading with her not to leave them.

"No! My mind is made up!" Leanne said firmly. "And besides, Rusty's simply more of a man than you, Cardin."

Cardin would have hit her, but he simply gave up. Maybe it was those goods or the loss of Rusty, but he just could not stand to look at her. He turned around and went back to the ship. Sazandroa was a bit more persistent.

"Can't you just leave me alone?" Leanne said infuriated.

"Damn it, child! You don't to…" Sazandora said before Allison floored her with a punch.

"Thank you." Leanne said as Allison put a hand on her shoulder.

"Good luck, Miss Yamamoto." Allison said dragging Sazandora back to the ship. "I hope you do well!"

-o-

(St. Anne | May 2nd | 7:00p.m.)

"So, you invited me to a grab a drink?" Crimson said sipping on his tequila. "You two getting married or something?"

When Jessie, James, and Meowth invited Crimson for drinks, Crimson felt something was up.

"No, it's not like that." James insisted as Jessie was fighting off a blush.

"It's just this will be the last time we'll see each other. We're leaving Kanto…probably for good." Meowth said as Crimson smirked.

"You'll be missed, but hey you'll find your fortune elsewhere. Besides, when I get back to Kanto, shredding Team Rocket will be a focus. It'll be best for you not to come back until that's over." Crimson said calmly.

"Yeah, you took being on the news like a champ." Meowth snickered. "But here's a new beginning."

They all clinked glasses and heartily drank.

"There's one thing I want to ask you for, Crimson. One more battle." Jessie said firmly. "I'd be damned if I don't get one over you!"

"Oh, if you insist. I assume doubles then, let us keep it to one Pokémon each." Crimson said getting one.

"You're on." Jessie said.

Once they got to an empty arena, the match was on. Jessie and James sent out Arbok and Weezing.

"All right, Sub-Zero, Jett, it's game day!" Crimson said as Kimiko and Jett were let out.

"You two again?" Jett said as Arbok growled.

"I owe your trainer one last beating." Arbok said defiantly. "You'll get it this time!"

"He's new." Meowth said noting Sub-Zero.

"It is time to entertain our guests." Sub-Zero said forming a ball of ice before crushing it.

"Weezing, Gyro Ball!" James said as Weezing began to spin.

"Arbok, Thunderbolt!" Jessie said as Arbok sparked with electricity.

"Oh, the irony." Crimson thought before saying, "Jett, block that Thunderbolt and counter with Thunder Fang! Sub-Zero, stop Weezing with Metal Claw!"

Arbok fired off a bolt of electricity as Jett charged into the attack head-on using it to charge up his Thunder Fang as he bit down on Arbok. Sub-Zero, with claws of metal sheen, used them to block Weezing's head-on attack. Their attacks grinding on each other both sides taking damage for it.

"Arbok, counter back with Crunch!" Jessie said as Arbok sank his jaws on Jett's head.

"Weezing, Sludge Bomb!" James said before both Sub-Zero and Weezing jumped back.

"Sub-Zero, Taunt." Crimson said as Sub-Zero said in turn, "You face Sub-Zero of Icefall. I refuse to show mercy."

Weezing spat a glob of poison after him as Arbok and Jett were in a biting match.

"Toxic!/Incinerate!" Jessie/Crimson said as both hit with their attacks to force the other back.

Arbok ended up burned and Jett ended up badly poisoned. Both hissed at their status conditions.

"Sub-Zero, give your Psycho Cut a try!" Crimson said surprising all.

Sub-Zero took a breath as his arms glowed pink as he materialized a pair of hard light pink katanas of psychic. Being this was against type, the rush of the energy felt so alien to him. He crossed blades as his Expert Belt glowed.

SLING! He sliced through Weezing's Sludge Bomb before landing a clean hit. Weezing landed smack on the ground clearly on his last legs as the blades faded away.

"Worth it. Totally worth it." Crimson thought before calling for Jett to use Earth Power.

Jett punched the ground as the ground under Arbok glowed yellow and exploded pelting him with rocks. Arbok and Weezing defiantly stood up to fight.

"For what's it worth, your Pokémon clearly want to win this so bad for you. I commend them and you, which makes what I'll do next painful for me." Crimson said brushing his hair aside. "Jett and Sub-Zero, give them a send-off! Shadow Claw!"

"Poison Jab!/Smog!" Jessie/James said.

There was one final clash.

"Damn. Why couldn't I beat you?" Arbok asked.

"You came close, though." Jett said as Arbok and Weezing fell.

"Thanks for the battle." Crimson said tossing Jett an Antidote. "This one was a lot closer than last time. You gave Sub-Zero a good proper first battle."

"Seriously?" James said dryly as Weezing was returned.

"Quite ironic and fitting for our battle history." Crimson said knowingly.

"Of course, it is." Jessie said returning Arbok.

Crimson got his prize money from them.

"So, this is it. Just a few more days until Hina Island." Jessie remarked.

"For what's it worth, it was fun while it wanted." Crimson stated returning Sub-Zero. "Take care of yourselves."

(A/N: One final song, one final clash. Jessie and James deserve that at the very least. I think I'll skip Seven Island.)