Ch. 38: Journey

Kari Arc

Kari and Al are sitting alone in one of the classrooms. Kari is talking about her plans to bring down Team Rocket- she just has to put an end to the awful things they're doing.

"And how exactly do you plan to do that?" Al looks at her seriously, "You and Eevee may be powerful, but there's no way you're strong enough to take down the entire organization by yourselves..!" She looks up at him, "Well… maybe if you helped us-"

"No. I'm sorry, but I can't." He stands and tries to walk away. Kari follows, "But, Al..!" He stops in his tracks, "Your father saved my life. He rescued me from that place. I couldn't…" He looked down at his feet. Kari sighed.

The door slid open suddenly. "Aha! There you are, Kari!" Eric enters the room, Ezra just behind him.

"Were you looking for me?" Ezra and Eric share a look, "Yeah, you haven't heard?" Ezra raises an eyebrow, "The Boss is looking for you. He sent out a message to everyone in the base." Kari gulps. She looks at Al. Could he know what they were discussing?

Down in the battle fields Kari and the others arrive to find the whole school sitting at the bleachers. Giovanni is standing before them all. Kari walks forward, her friends just behind her. At the sound of approaching footsteps Giovanni turns, "Well it's about time. We've been looking all over for you." Kari's eyes are barely able to look upon her father.

"Was there something you wanted to tell me..?" He chuckles, "It's your 8th birthday next week and as a gift, I wanted to offer a proposal to you." Everyone is waiting with anticipation. She glances up at him as he speaks, "This past year you've risen above all odds and managed to graduate as the top student in the Rocket Academy. So, Kari… I challenge you." Silence.

Kari blinks, "…Huh?" Giovanni pulls out a Poke'ball, "I challenge you to a battle." There's a unanimous gasp from the crowd:

"Wow. A battle?"

"A battle with the Boss?"

"The Boss and Kari, huh?"

"So cool!"

"Awesome!"

"But isn't she his daughter?"

"Isn't that kind of unfair?"

Kari gulps.,"Y-you wanna battle me?" He smirks at her, "The ultimate test to see whether or not you are ready." She furrows her eyebrows at him, "Ready for what?" His head drops to the side as he gives her a look, "I guess we'll see. So? What do you say?"

Kari turns to look at her friends. Should she? By the looks of their faces, they're worried about her. Ezra gives her a thumbs up. "Hey, you're a great Trainer, Kari! If anyone can take him on, you can!" Eric shrugs, "And besides, he's your Dad. I'm sure he won't be too hard on you." She shares a look with Al… They weren't so sure about that…

Kari takes a deep breathe, turning back to face her father. She nods, "Ok. I accept your challenge." Giovanni smiles, "Very good." The crowd cheers and hollers. Koga, another one of the Team Rocket instructors takes the sidelines as the referee.

It's Eevee versus Golem. For a while, Kari and Eevee are barely able to hold their own. Eevee uses his speed to dodge most of Golems attacks, but even the backlash is painful. On top of Golem's mere strength, Giovanni is a veteran Trainer. Every time Kari thinks of some new strategy to get around her opponent, he manages to out-smart them.

The crowd is cheering in their favor but Al knows that Giovanni is just holding back. It's been a long battle so far and Eevee's breathing heavily. Kari looks across the field: Golem isn't even breaking a sweat. He looks back at Giovanni, waiting. When given the signal, Golem switches things up. Faster than expected, he takes down Eevee.

Eevee gives a wail as Golem slams his heavy body on top of him. The crowd is holding their breath. Golem rolls away but is ready for more. Although his HP is low, Eevee keeps trying to fight. Kari is unsure of what to do. She wants to fight. She wants to try and win, but she doesn't want Eevee to be hurting. Her hands shake as she watches Golem beat on Eevee, ruthlessly. The crowd is quiet. Some have turned their heads, unable to watch any longer. Amy has her hands over her mouth, her eyes shut, "So cruel." The only person who doesn't seem to mind is a young blonde girl- Alice. She smirks at Kari's situation.

Kari gives a start as Golem tosses Eevee like a doll. She runs forward to check on him. He's beaten and Kari wants to call it. But before she express her concerns Eevee staggers to his feet. He gives Kari a look. He knows what she's thinking and he knows that he may not be strong enough, but… Eevee doesn't want to give up… not yet. Their eyes meet, "B-but… you're hurt…"

"So. Will you forfeit?" Giovanni taunts her, "Is that all you've got to show me?" Kari's head snaps up at the sound of his voice. She's furious upon looking at her father. After learning the truth about Team Rocket. After being called out in front of all her friends. She clenches her fists and stands, Eevee beside her, resolute.

"No. We're not finished yet!" There's something inspiring about Kari and Eevee's determination. Giovanni can see the rekindled flame in her eyes- in Eevee's eyes. He can see how the audience is feeling for her, several of them nodding in favor of her words. He smiles. It's just as he thought.

But even with all that fire and passion and determination, it's not long till Eevee is knocked out. With a whole new kind of fury Eevee battles on against Golem, somehow able to fight back even with all the damage he's sustained. Giovanni calls for one final Rock Throw Attack… Eevee is lying unconscious underneath as the dust clears.

Kari dashes forward. She helps Eevee out from under the rubble, desperate to check on his condition. They've never been pushed this far before. Eevee is breathing, though he looks terrible. She holds him close, on the verge of tears. The audience and her friends watch with sad eyes.

A shadow suddenly looms over her. She looks up and sees her father standing there, "You're weak." Kari looks down in dismay. Giovanni sneers, "A Trainer like you doesn't belong within the Team Rocket Ranks… But perhaps that is because you've learned all that you can here." Kari looks up at him, confused.

"You're certainly not without potential. You've managed to surpass every other student- against all odds. In fact, you might even surpass me someday." Everyone is on the edge of their seats as they listen to Giovanni speak, "Did he just say what I think he said..?" Ezra looks around at Al and the others.

"I think it's about time you've left this place, Kari, and begun your own journey." Kari is stunned, "Poke'mon League Regulations state: 'As long as a parent has given their consent, and with standing proof of their skills, even a child may be allowed to compete for the Championship Title.' " Kari is grasping for comprehension. She stands, "W-what are you saying?"

"I'm saying that I give you permission to leave this place. To go on a journey to become stronger." Giovanni is actually smiling now, "The world will know where you came from. You will become the face of this organization and bring glory to the Team Rocket name!" He reaches for something in his pocket. Kari can see that same hungry look in his eyes. This was what he wanted all along. He wants her to become a strong Trainer, not for herself, but for Team Rocket… To help bring evil and for wrong-doings. All around him, Al notices the looks of his fellow members. They're cheering for her. Everyone knows how strong Kari is- how strong she can become.

Giovanni turns Kari to face the crowd, "With a Trainer like you on our side, Team Rocket could be unstoppable. So… What's your decision?" He shows her the proposal. In his hand is the Earth Badge. Kari's eyes are wide. If she agrees to this, she will be able to use the Badge as proof to enter the Indigo League..!

She looks at the beaten Eevee in her arms. After a moment's consideration her mind is made up. She faces her father straight on. Her eyes are fierce, "I'll do it." The room erupts into cheers. No one notices the sad look on Al's face.

…

Kari throws her backpack over her shoulders. She's found a hat that goes perfectly with her outfit simple outfit of blue jeans, sneakers, and a red shirt with a white collar. As she looks around one last time she takes a deep breath. This was it. She was ready. Her eyes fall on the photo beside her bed. It's of her, her mother and father holding onto one another. A photo from a happier time. She smiles, "See you, Mommy." Kari walks out and closes the door.

Al is standing at the end of the hall. His arms are crossed and he's leaning up against the wall. Just behind him, Kari notices a small birthday cake. It's February 14th. Her 8th birthday.

"So you're actually going through with this." Kari doesn't respond.

"I thought you wanted to bring down Team Rocket. Isn't that what you said?" He stands firm. She smiles sadly, "You were right, Al. You and Daddy were both right." Al's shoulders slump upon hearing this. She clenches the straps on her backpack, "I'm just not strong enough… Not yet…" She looks up at him. Al notices how fierce her eyes are. Such determination.

"Don't you get it? This is my ticket out of here!" She shows him the badge, "I have to leave. It's the only way I can become stronger! The only way I can become strong enough to take down that whole darn organization!" She lets out a desperate sigh. "I'm going to go on this journey. I'm going to capture more Pokémon, build up my own army, and someday… I'll be back. Just you wait." They lock eyes, "I will bring down the entire Team Rocket Organization and put an end to all the evil they plan to do… That's a promise."

A moment of silence hangs between them. Al shrugs, "Alright then." He's smiling at her, "And I'll be here when you do." He nods. Kari blinks, raising a confused eyebrow, "I thought you couldn't betray my father..?" Al's gives her a hard look, "That's what I thought, but…" He considers his words, "That day when the two of you battled. The way he treated you... and Eevee- it was almost cruel. I couldn't live with myself if I let him keep at it."

"Oh, Al…"

"And I'm sure I'm not the only one!" He smiles at her, "I'm going to help you, Kari. While your away, I'll see if I can find some other renegades willing to stand up against The Boss. There has to be others." Kari giggles a bit, "What, like, some kind of 'Renegade… Rocket Members'?" Al cocks his head to one side, considering the strange thought. He smiles at her, "Something like that."

Just outside Al says his goodbyes to Kari and Eevee. She sighs, looking around, "Well, no surprise. Daddy's not here to see me off." Though she pretends not to care Al knows how she really feels. He tries to change the subject, "So! Where you off to first?"

Kari smiles brightly, "I figured I'd visit Pallet Town first- meet with a couple of my friends before I head out." Al hands her a lunch box, "And you know the way?" She nods, "Of course!" He walks her down the porch steps, "Alright then… Well, be careful." Kari stops. She steps forward on her tippy-toes and kisses him on the cheek. Al's face is almost the same shade of red as his hair.

"Thanks, Al. You're a great person… And a great friend." She turns to leave, giving a final wave as a the sun starts to rise in the distance. A new day, for a new journey..!