[Cues: Pokémon FireRed/Leafgreen OST - Intro]

The Outsider's Insurrection

Indigo Iliad

Chapter 54: Reviving the Vibes

Translated Pokémon Speech

Pokédex Entries/Computerized Voices/Flashbacks

Reference to an Accessory in the Games

-o-

(Vermillion City | May 7th | 11:00a.m.)

It had nothing but a straight curb stomp at the Gym that Crimson did not even need to witness. Sissi had went to the gym asking for a battle. Lt. Surge decided to let Misato, who was still a bit new to Pokémon training, handle Sissi as she only had one badge. Misato figured this would be easy, and then Sissi sent out Voltkin, who promptly made quick work of her Voltorb and Pikachu.

"Are you sure you only have one badge? How long have you even been a trainer?!" Misato said frantically.

"Counting my time at Kassai, close to several months." Sissi said with a shrug. "I just started traveling a few days back with my boyfriend."

"Oh joy…" Misato said defeatedly giving up the badge, the cash, and a TM.

"So, can Joe and I get a turn?" Rusty asked only for Joe to stop him. "Oh…never mind then."

Rusty was nothing that Misato clearly looked distraught over the lost being…so quick. Rusty, Joe, and Sissi promptly decided it was best to leave.

-o-

(Sepia City | May 7th | 11:00a.m.)

"That's what happened while the Big Black Dragon went on vacation. Well, this is a good thing. Ridding the world of those two psychos, they were bad for business. And now Crimson's ready to take on the Rockets directly." Roman said with a mirthful grin. "This is excellent news!"

"Especially considering the Rockets have been trying to put the squeeze on the city." Emerald mused. "I had hoped to finally leave the Underground, but the Rockets are making leaving not an opinion."

In the meeting room, the air was quiet for a bit as the four in the room were taking it in for the moment before Neo spoke up.

"Nevertheless, let's just be prepared to back up Crimson if he needs us. The sooner the Rockets are ousted, the better." Neo remarked.

"Speaking of…what's Crimson up to now?" Mercury asked.

-o-

(Vermillion City | May 7th | 11:30a.m.)

"Sofiya, as promised. I got you a Shinx…it's a male one." Crimson said sending it over through the PC.

The two were in the midst of a video chat.

"Excellent work. Now about your payment, would you prefer I had it off to Ms. Sinclair?" Balalaika asked.

"Go on ahead." Crimson remarked. "Enjoy him, I really need to go."

He hung up before logging off the PC. He rejoined his friends who were all sitting in the lobby.

"I got it done, so we can get going." Crimson said as everyone got up. "So, did you get the badge?"

"Rusty and I are skipping that gym. We already have three badges, figured we'd skip that one in favor of another. So, where to?" Joe asked.

"I was thinking Lavender Town, but I need to return to Celadon. Meaning we're going back to the Underground to get there." Crimson explained. "You guys ready?"

"Wait a second, but you already have Erika's badge? Why go back?" Misty asked curiously.

"I'll explain on the way." Crimson said with a wink. "And it's good to have a full deck traveling with me."

Rusty got off the phone and fluffed his Black Dragon jacket.

"Ugh, but I may have to split. That was Professor Tree, and I may have to go back to Viridian to deal with the legal fallout of my parents being jailed. They just want my testimony and clear some things up." Rusty said with an annoyed sigh. "Even though they already have my parents in prison."

"Parents are overrated." Joe said bluntly.

"Does everyone have shitty parents?" Sissi asked.

"No, mine were good…they're just gone." Crimson said questioning internally if they're even dead.

"I don't have issues with mine…but my mother babies me." Misty said with a sigh. "Whereas my father is in the Kanto Marines and he's a bit of hard worker who encourages work ethic."

"Either way, we should make our preparations and get moving." Crimson said before leaving. "I'm going to make some swaps."

Crimson went over to another room and sent out Sir Jett.

"Buddy, I'm going to have to swap you out for it." Crimson remarked.

"I thought the Psychic gym was next." Jett said.

"It is, but I have to go back to Celadon to deal with business. And I need a space to bring it others to train up. I want to raise up all team to 40. I may also swap out Tank as well." Crimson said with a bit of thought. "Besides after everything, you could use a break."

"Well, at least you're telling me this first. Send me off to the PC, though. I need not to hear Atlas' mouth. Some peace and quiet is what I need." Jett said with a sigh.

"Done." Crimson said before sending Jett off to PC storage.

He sent out Tank to let him what is going on before sending him off to Tree's.

"Who would you like to put on your active team?" Dex Bulma asked.

"Lil' Swish and Marquesha." Crimson said before Dex Bulma made the swap.

The ball materialized on his belt and he sent out Lil' Swish taking him up in his hands.

"Hey, little guy. Ready for an adventure?" Crimson said kindly.

"Aw yeah! I'm so ready, I've been practicing my Glitzy Glo…whoa!" Lil' Swish said before he glowed white. "And it's finally time!"

Lil' Swish now was covered in fine, lilac fur. His ears are large, and he now had purple eyes with white pupils. There are tufts of fur near his eyes, and a small, red gem embedded in its forehead.

"Espeon, the Sun Pokémon. Espeon is extremely loyal to any Trainer it considers to be worthy. It is said that this Pokémon developed its precognitive powers to protect its Trainer from harm. Its fur is so sensitive, it can feel minute shifts in the air and predict the weather...and its foes' thoughts. It unleashes psychic power from the orb on its forehead. When its power is exhausted, the orb grows dull and dark."

Crimson wordlessly just hugged him stroking his fur. If Lil' Swish wanted to protect him, so be it. As for Rusty, he swapped Yanlin for Sasame. Joe had Sahara sent off to Tree's to bring Nigiri to the active team. She immediately got out her ball hugging Joe.

"Good to see you too." Joe said hugging back. "I want you to be meet my girlfriend, Sissi."

Nigiri had loved Joe dearly, and she sadly knew he probably could not take her as a lover. It had still hurt to see it in front of her, and she could not help but be a little jealous.

"Your hair is so silky." Sissi complimented.

Nigiri pouted, and Sissi let her meet Cherry. Misty had made the call to her sisters deciding to have Milan sent to the Gym to let Skrelp be put in her active team. Crimson found his TMs being used once again and made note to buy TRs when they returned to the underground. By the noon, they were all ready to go. The five opted to walk on Route 6 and bike down the path to Sepia.

"So, Sissi, what do you think of Kanto so far?" Joe asked having his arm around her.

"It's not too bad. It just feels a lot bigger…than Six Island." Sissi said sheepish. "Never thought I'd be doing any of this or dating a biker. My dad is going to have a field day."

"In all fairness Sissi, you're one of us." Crimson said confidently. "The path of a dragon is long, arduous, but with the right allies, fulfilling."

"How long until I get a jacket?" Sissi asked incredulously.

"In due time, you've only been rolling with us for three days now. The time on the plane doesn't count." Crimson said with a laugh.

"Oh, Crimson? I do have a bit of bad news though. I may have to split from the group to head back home. I owe my sisters considering I was on a vacation for a week." Misty said disappointed. "So…I'll be splitting when we get to Sepia."

-o-

(Team Rocket HQ, Viridian City | May 7th | 12:00p.m.)

Giovanni was simply not in a good mood with recent news. His plan for the St. Anne had failed and at the moment he could not do anything about it. He thought things could not have gotten worse, but then he got a call from Jessie, James, and Meowth. While they did not side with Black Dragons or rat Team Rocket to the police, it was the matter of them standing up to him and saying 'To hell with you, we quit' was the bigger insult.

"Such insolence. We can arrange a team focused on dealing with the…" Ariana said only for Giovanni to raise his hand.

"No. If they're still in Kanto, they would not have called. Clearly, they're out of reach. Personally, I could care less about those three idiots. We have bigger issues to deal with. Crimson is apparently back in Kanto, and I need eyes on him." Giovanni said firmly.

"We do have an issue about that. His little army, the Black Dragons, is growing in influence. Crimson, himself, is gaining a bit of a 'cult following' for his exploits." Archer remarked.

"All because he's a damn kurombo." Ariana snarled.

"Personally, let me deal with the punk. I'll crush him!" Proton said viciously.

"No. Proton, you're needed for an operation in Lavender Town. Ariana, I need you in Celadon with me. As for Crimson and his friends, I have hired a group from the outside to deal with him." Giovanni said with a snicker. "A real band of hateful kumojins."

(A/N: Season 5 starting off strong. And as for who is gunning for Crimson, I'll leave it a surprise. As for why Misty is dipping out of the main group again, this is for two reasons. One, this is a bit of realism to the responsibilities as Gym Leader. Two, I also wanted to give Sissi some space to shine which would place the team at four come next chapter. As for team status pages, I'll keep them off as I can post Team Status Pages every few or so chapters.)