Deep Pockets
Shawn walks down the hallway with two steel headbands in his hand. He opens the doors to a lab with thousands of headbands in glass cases. "Before we were kicked out of Team Rocket, I took a few things. First, I took some minerals from Jesse's safe, where I harvested the stone codes. Then, I took some of Cassidy's headbands from that failed mission. I worked day and night for months until I perfected the devices where we can control any Pokemon at will and enhance all of their strength." Luca arrives with an envelope. "It is from Dr. Kuroi Bara. She wants to meet with us now." The men walk into the conference room, where Maxie and other members of Team Redemption are seated. Dr. Kuroi Bara has violet hair and brown eyes. "Now, were are close to bringing our plan to light. Giovanni failed to complete the mission like the piece of shit he is. We will take over and prove that we are the chosen ones." The members applauded. "Excusing the setbacks by some meddling children from the nearby school, we have everything we need to control all Pokemon and bring everyone to their knees." After the speech, Dr. Bara speaks with Shawn. "Good work. It is better than Professor Stupid-ba's invention. However, I need you to stir up trouble and catch a Pokemon. It can be stolen." "What about the Pokemon from last night's attack?" "We will use it as well. We need two guinea pigs." Shawn smiles. "I'll bring some backup."
Ash is in the woods training with Pikachu. "Pikachu, use Electro Ball," Ash commands. Pikachu uses the move and breaks three rocks. "Great, now use Electro Web." Pikachu uses Electro Web, and the pieces of rock connect to it. "Now, use Volt Tackle." Pikachu uses Volt Tackle and creates a supercharge that magnetizes the area. "Now, let's round it out with Thunder!" Ash commands. Pikachu uses Thunderbolt, but Shawn appears and uses a megaphone to suck the Thunderbolt. "Hey, what was that?" Ash asks. Shawn appears with two members of Team Redmention appear. "Well, we have a boy and his Pikachu training. Isn't that illegal?" "No. I can travel around, but I can still train my Pokemon. Plus, who are you?" "A man who needs a Pokemon." One of the team members whispers to Shawn. "This is the famous Ash Ketchum with the Pikachu," Shawn said with a creepy smile. Ash grabs Pikachu and runs, but Shawn's Tsareena uses a High Jump Kick on Ash. Pikachu jumps out of Ash's lap and battles Tsareena. Tsareena has one of the headbands on her head as she battles Pikachu. After a while, Pikachu appears to be winning until Shawn turns the dial on his iPad to ten. Tsareena uses Solar Blade and sends Pikachu flying into Ash's arms. Ash tries to run, but his torso is bruised from the Trope Kick. Tsareena looks Ash in the eye. "Please, leave me alone," Ash began. Tsareena looks at Shawn. "Do it!" Shawn commands, and Tsareena finishes with one powerful Stomp. Later in the morning, Allison is with Raichu in the courtyard. "We are going on a date with Ash and Pikachu, so we need to look cute so that Ash can be generous with his wallet," Allison chuckles. Raichu chuckles too. "I'm kidding. We are going on a romantic montage at the Botanical Garden." Raichu hears something and runs off. Allison follows her and screams. "Ash!" She rushes him to the infirmary, where he wakes up. He feels like shit, but he notices that his bruise is healed. However, he looks like he was in a fight. "Tsareena used Aromatherapy," Ash whispers. "What happened?" Allison asks. "That is what I want to know?" Yolanda asks. Ash stays quiet.
During lunch, Ash is thinking about the encounter in the woods. "I heard that he lost his Pikachu," a student said. "I heard he was beaten up. What happened to that spunk?" another student said. Ash goes back to the table, and his friends talk to him. "I'm sorry," Yumi said. "Thanks. I know that Pikachu has been stolen before, but this time, it feels different," Ash said. "You haven't been left for dead before," Brock said. "True, but I felt powerless," Ash said. "No. The whispers are judgemental. They only want to bring you down to make themselves feel great," Jeremy said. "Did you know who took Pikachu?" Ulrich asks. "I think his name was Shawn. He was with Luca and Maxie." "Hold on, Kimosomi. I thought they were campers?" Aelita asks. "I think they are more. Remember, I had a feeling that it felt like we were dealing with Team Rocket," Dawn said. "I know. I think so too. Maybe some members were able to escape," Allison said. Dawn looks at Odd, and he is quiet. "Are you okay?" "Yeah," Odd said. Moments later, Jim escorts Officer Jenny to speak with Ash. "Hello. We spoke at the nurse's office," Officer Jenny said. "Yes," Ash said. Allison notices some notes that Officer Jenny has in her hand. "Stone Codes?" "Is this the man?" Officer Jenny asks. "Yes. My friends and I ran into him and his two friends a few times," Ash said. "Shawn, Maxie, and Luca?" "Yes." "I see. Thank you." "What is going on?" Brock asks. "We have reason to believe that some members of Team Rocket that were kicked out have formed a new group called Team Redemption." "Team Redemption?" Ulrich asks. "Yes. We have been monitoring them for months." Odd speaks with Officer Jenny and her wife, Officer Daisy, in the courtyard. "Is there anything we can do?" "Not at this time. However, I am asking about you," Officer Daisy said. "I'm fine. I can't believe it also happened to my friend." "I know. We are going to do everything we can." Odd goes back to his friends, and Dawn speaks to him. "Odd, did something happen to Houndoom?" Odd hugs Dawn and shows her the bruise on his stomach. "Odd!" Dawn cries. "I was walking in the park at night with Houndoom. Shawn was there gathering some fire stones with this device he used to scan them." "Stone Codes," Dawn said. "What?" "Nothing. Go on." "I got too close, and Tsareena ambushed me. She used Aromatherapy to heal me but took Houndoom. I told Mr. Delmas and Jim. At first, they almost blamed me for being out late but realized that was a shitty comment." Dawn hugs Odd again. "I think you should tell the others." Odd nods and tells the group. "Two of us. What's next, a raid?" Jeremy exclaims. "We need to do something," Ulrich said. "Remember, we are not trainers anymore. If we go on our own, we won't be protected," Yumi said. Ash takes a walk, and Odd follows him. "I think we need to get out Pokemon back." "I think so too." The boys head for the rec room to plan. "I saw something about Stone Codes," Allison said. "Odd told me he saw Shawn scanning some Fire Stones. Plus, Tsareena had a headband," Dawn said. "Headband? I think I understand something," Brock said. "We should go to the computer lab."
In the lab, Brock researchers "Rage Crown" on the computer. "Rage Crown? What is that?" Jeremy asks. "I remember when Ash and I traveled with our friend Misty, we ran into another friend named Ritchie. All four of us befriended a boy named Oliver. We had come face to face with Team Rocket went we met Oliver, specifically Cassidy and Buck," Brock said. "His name is Butch," Allison pointed out. "Well, he's in jail, so whatever. Along with Dr. Namba, the two created the Rage Crown where Pokemon increase their strength through rage." "Like how Blaziken's special ability is Blaze," Ulrich asks. "No. Blaze boosts the Pokémon's Attack or Special Attack by 50% during damage calculation if a Fire-type move is being used, resulting in effectively the same effect. More importantly, without anger." "I get it; Pokemon should get stronger by training and working on their moves, not using anger and rage," Yumi said. "I see; they wanted to capture a Lugia and use its baby as bait," Allison said. "Right, but we foiled their plans," Brock said. "Why are we looking at the Rage Crown?" Aelita asks. "I think those are the headbands Ash and Odd talked about," Jeremy said. "Also, I want to see if we can find something about Team Redemption," Brock said. "What are Stone Codes?" Ulrich asks. "What?" Yumi asks. "Allison mentioned Stone Codes." "Stone Codes or digital codes are the digital footprints of different rocks, stones, gems, and minerals. A few years ago, researchers created a scanner to discover the stone codes of well-known orbs. "Like the Adamant Orb," Yumi exclaims. "I remember reading about it." "Yeah, Allison and Ash were there. It was on display at the mall in the Hall of Gem exhibit," Dawn said. "Whoa!" "Whoa is right. I saw Officer Jenny had something about Stone Codes. Team Redemption must be using the codes to recreate the Rage Crown," Allison said. "Why?" Dawn asks. "Well, maybe they want to use different codes for different Pokemon. Like digital codes from a water-stone could work for a Squirtle. Or maybe help a rock type build up resistance to water type moves," Aelita said. "Exactly, so I see what is there," Brock said. Meanwhile, Odd and Ash plot. "I want Pikachu back as much as you want Houndoom back, but you heard Officer Jenny," Ash said. "I know, without a trainer license, we are in greater danger than before, but we have to get our Pokemon back," Odd said. "You don't have to tell me that again. Where do we start?" "Well, we need to figure out where they are located," Odd said. Ash thinks. "I remember seeing this symbol on their shirts." "I see; what the fuck is that?" Odd asks. "Set Inclusion," Ash said. "Oh, I have seen that near the old location for the Arccosine Day Spa." "Right. the new location is near the airport. Maybe Team Redemption took over the old location." "I think so. But what do we do? I have another Pokemon on hand. What about you?" "I also have one Pokemon. We are not going to ambush them, right?" "No. Only if we need to defend ourselves. We need to find the location and call Officers Jenny and Daisy." Ash nods, then sit on the couch, and Odd joins him. "Are you okay?" Odd asks. "No. I felt like an asshole because I let them take Pikachu," Ash said. "I feel like a dick because I was in the park after curfew with Houndoom" "You were on campus. I was not." "But, I froze. You fought back." "Are you trying to cheer me up? I know your ass didn't freeze." Odd sighs. "I did. Three adults and an overpowered Tsareena surrounded me." Ash hugs Odd. "Hey, you held on to Houndoom with all of your might. I think he knows that!" "And I think Pikachu knows you did everything you did." Ash and Odd chuckle. Then the ground caved in, and they fell. "Ahh!" They fall into a tunnel and see some members of Team Redmention running with Rage Crowns 2.0. "Team Redemption," Ash said. "Let's follow," Odd said. The boys follow the tunnel until they see a door that leads to the underground lab. Ash sees ten squares full of tools and machines. Odd sees three rooms full of steam and fire. "This is the old location of Arccosine," Odd said. Ash sees two glass cases with an unconscious Pikachu and Houndoom wearing crowns."I see them," Ash points out. Odd is about to run when Ash holds him back. "Remember, we call the police." Odd nods as he calls the police, and Ash activates his find my friend app. Maxie grabs the phone and has Empoleon use Steel Wing to pin the boys to the wall. "Nice crown," Odd teases Empoleon. "Thanks. I think my Pokemon handles it well. I wonder about yours," Maxie teases. Ash and Odd gulp.
The group heads to the rec room to find it empty. "I thought Ash and Odd were here," Aelita asks. "I think so. I can smell Odd's feet," Ulrich states. Jeremy looks around and sees the set inclusion symbol. "The set inclusion symbol?" "That looks like the logo for Arccosine," Dawn said. "What?" "A day spa." "Blah!" "Odd! Ash!" Aelita calls out. "I called them, and nobody answered," Yumi said. "Weird; where did they go?" Ulrich asks. Allison sees a ping on her phone. "Ash is at the old location of Arccosine." "The old location? Where is the new one?" Brock asks. "By the airport." "Right. After dropping us off, my mom went to the spa." "Okay, what does the spa have to do with the boys? I don't think they went to the spa," Jeremy said. Ash and Odd are bound and gagged as they see Dr. Bara place Rage Crowns 2.0 on Pikachu and Houndoom. The Pokemon scream in pain. The boys shout and kick. "Too bad. Once you Pokemon calm down, they will learn to like it." Luca walks over to Ash and touches his face. "You're the boy with the famous Pikachu. How does it feel watching your Pokemon become a member of Team Rempention?" Ash tries to get up, but Empoleon pushes him against the wall, and Ash hits his head. Odd screams "Ash" through his gag, but Luca grabs him. "See your Houndoom! He is taken in the rage. If his trainer weren't a scared piece of shit, maybe you would still have him," Luca teases. Odd kicks him in the face, but Sandcobra wraps Odd, and he cries. Sandcobra throws Odd next to Ash. Back in the rec room, Aelita brings Kiwi. "He was starting to bark loudly. I think he misses Odd." "I miss him too. Where they could be, and why would Ash's phone be at some old spa location?" Dawn asks. Kiwi sniffs around and barks at the rug. Allison walks over and lifts the carpet. "The tiles have been moved," Allison said. Brock looks closer. "The dirt is fresh. There was a hole." "Okay, I think the moved tiles, the fresh dirt, and the phone location are not coincidences. We should go to the old location of Arccosine Day Spa," Yumi said. "I agree," Jeremy said. "Me too," Dawn, Allison, Ulrich, and Aelita said. "I agree. I also think we need to be prepared for a fight!" Brock said. Odd and Ash open their eyes slowly as they see their Pokemon lying still. "So, your Pokemon will be ours and obey our commands," Shawn laughs. "Then we will expand to the city of Paris, then the region, then the world. Talk about a Redemption!" Dr. Bara exclaims.
Team Redemption! Team Rocket rejected members, hatched a new old plan, and kidnapped Pikachu, Houndoom, Ash, and Odd! Their friends are on the trail but will they save them in time? Rage Crown 2.0? Pikachu and Houndoom better be okay, right? Only time will tell.