Flinky: Hello world! It's Flinky. Now, recently my chapters have been shorter than normal. So to make up for it, this chapter (and all chapters in the future) will be much longer. This chapter alone is a little less then 4,000 words, something that I've never done before.

Red: Wow.

Flinky: Of course, there are some downsides. I won't update as frequently because it will take me longer to write each chapter.

Leaf: aww.

Flinky: Cheer up! This is one of the best chapters! It's the attack on Pewter Tower!


"Red, you caught a Mew!?"

Leaf was still in shock from when I said that I caught a Mew.

"I don't believe it."

"Can we see it?" asked Michael.

"Sure. Come on out, Omni!"

She appeared in front of us.

"You must be Red's friends. I'm Omni. Do you want to play with me?"

"I still say it's a fake. Probably a Ditto."

"Omni, would you like to prove him wrong?"

"Yay!"

Omni flew over to Blue and put her paw on his chest. Blue started glowing like a Pokémon evolution, and when it died down, Blue was a Squirtle.

"What did you do to me?!"

"I turned you into a Squirtle! I looked through your memories and saw that your first Pokémon was a Squirtle."

"Change me back!"

"I don't know Blue. I'd say the new look suits you."

"Red, have your Mew change me back!"

"I'll let Omni decide."

"Just say the magic word."

"Ugh...Please change me back."

"Okay!"

Omni did the same thing she did to change Blue the first time, except he came out as a human.

"Much better. Red, you need to control your Pokémon!"

"Remember, I wanted her to prove that she's real? After you said she was a fake?"

"Grr..."

Leaf cut off our argument. "When you two are done, we have to get to Pewter Tower."

"Okay. Michael, are you ready?"

"Yep."

"Then we're off."

The hike was uneventful, up until we came across a Rocket grunt.

"Hey, you kids!"

We saw him at the same time.

"What it is, guard?"

Most grunts hate actually being called a "grunt", so if I don't want to attract any unwanted attention, I'll have to call them "guards".

"You are not allowed to be outside of the city boundary. If you come with me willingly, you will only receive minimal punishment. Now, tell me your names."

"Red, Leaf, Michael, and Blue. Blue and I are admins, so let us pass."

We both took out our badges. I hoped that he wasn't informed that we were in Poké Underground. Thankfully, he wasn't.

"Oh, sorry. Please don't tell Brock."

"Brock?"

"He's my boss and runs Pewter Tower."

"You are forgiven. Now, allow us to pass."

"Yes sir."

We walked by. When he couldn't hear us, we started talking.

"So we're close," I said.

"Should be."

"Hey guys, there's a Spearow here. I'm going to catch him!" said Blue.

"Go ahead. If you have more Pokémon, you'll be able to fight better."

"Alright. Go, Squirtle!"

Blue's Squirtle came out of his ball.

"Water Gun!"

Squirtle launched his attack and hit. Spearow started going up in the air and used Tackle.

"Dodge it!"

He avoided the attack.

"Now, Tackle it!"

Squirtle made another hit.

"Go, Pokéball!"

The Pokéball wobbled once, twice, three times, and it popped open.

"Ugh. Probably just bad luck. Go, Pokéball!"

Spearow was sucked in once again, but this time he actually caught it.

"Okay, I got a Spearow. Now, you will never beat me."

"I would love to beat you right now but we're almost there and I want to keep my Pokémon strong."

Eventually, we reached Pewter City. The tower wasn't that hard to find, but the real problem was getting there without anyone noticing.

"So we have a few options on how to get in. Dress up like a grunt, have someone distract the guards while everyone else gets in, or brute force. Any preferences?"

Michael said, "I don't think we have enough firepower to take it down by force."

Leaf said, "I say we have a distraction. They will only fall for the fake grunt trick once and we should use it in a place like Viridian or Saffron."

"So it's distraction. Blue, any problems with that?"

"Nah."

"Now, we need to figure out who will stall them and who will battle Brock."

"Since I have the most Pokémon, I'll be a distraction."

"Okay Leaf. Since I've beaten everyone here except Michael, I'll take on Brock. Now, who wants to come with me?"

"I'll come just to save you when you fail."

"Actually, can I come? I caught a shadow Pokémon a while ago and putting it in a sad situation like battling several humans won't help while fair battles will."

"Okay. Leaf and Blue will distract the guards while Michael and I will go in. Any objections?"

"I wanted to go in to fight Brock."

"No. Anyone else?"

No one spoke.

"Then it's time to start."

Leaf and Blue walked to the entrance.

"Names and job."

"Leaf and Blue, members of Poké Underground."

"They're rebels! Get them!"

The two ran off, taking the guards with them.

"Let's go!"

We ran into the tower and closed the doors. The first floor was just barracks for the grunts. I took out a pistol in case someone tried to attack me.

I looked for a set of stairs that would take me to the next level. I saw them, but it was under surveillance. We would need to find another way around.

"Michael, we got to find another way."

"You're right. Maybe the vent?"

"Unoriginal but good idea. Let's go!"

I climbed up to the top of a Grunt's bunk where I banged open the vent. We climbed in and crawled through several floors before we stepped out for a break.

I said, "We can't keep doing this. This place is at least 20 stories tall and climbing through the vents will tire us out."

I thought for a minute.

"I got it. Go, Pikachu!"

I sent out Omni taking the form of a Pikachu.

"Wait, is this a Rocket building?"

"Yea."

"Sorry, I can't help. I'll explain why another time."

Before I could say anything, she returned herself.

"Well, that's great. Michael, do you have anyone with an electric-type move?"

"Yea, well, sorta. I do but he's not stable. I don't see any other way though, so I guess I'll have to do it. Magnetric, I need you!"

When Michael sent it out, it had a blank look on his face. It also had a small purple smoke thing coming out of it.

"What's that purple stuff?"

"Wait, you can see it?"

"Yea, can you?"

"Not without a special device. The purple stuff is it's aura, and it means it's a Shadow Pokémon."

"Didn't you tell me about it when we first met?"

"I think so."

"It doesn't matter right now. Will it listen to you?"

"Normally."

"Great. Well, give me a second."

I looked around until I found a panel that leads into the Facility's electrical system. Using my pocketknife, I cut out some of the insulation leaving just the copper wire.

"Have him put as many volts as possible into this wire. If it works, we can take out the electrical system."

"But won't that just cause people to get suspicious, which is why we're avoiding the cameras in the first place?"

As he finished saying that, I heard footsteps.

He recalled Magnetric while I found a place to hide. We settled on hiding in the closet with gun drawn.

Looking through the cracks, I saw two grunts walking in the room.

"Come out you two, we wouldn't want you to get hurt."

"Come on. Those two are virtual ghosts. No one can find them. They're not going to come out because you asked."

"Worth a shot."

They began searching through the room. I noticed one slowly making their way to me. If we didn't do anything, we would be caught!

I sent out Ignite.

"I need you to burn through the steel wall so we get out."

"Char!"

He used Flamethrower (which he recently learned) to cut out a circle. Michael had his non-shadow Nuzleaf use attacks to make dents in the wall where we could put our hands and feet. We climbed out while Ignite put the circle back on. I had Glow use String Shot to temporarily seal it. Now, Michael and I had to hold on and hope no one noticed two kids hanging off of Pewter Tower. Our odds aren't very good.

We waited outside for five minutes before climbing back inside. The Grunts were gone.

"Now, as I was saying, have Manectric put as many volts as possible into this place."

I gestured to the wires I cut out.

"Okay. Go, Magnetric! Use Thunderbolt on the wire!"

He did so, causing the building to lose all power.

"Alright! Magnetric, return! Now, let's go."

"Have a weapon or Pokémon out in case a grunt finds us. Now, let's move!"

We ran up the stairs and came across the two grunts from earlier. I shot both of them, knocking them out. We kept on going until we reached the top floor. There were six grunts and a man with very thin eyes.

He said two words: "Get them."

"Ignite, let's see if these grunts are flammable!"

Ignite came out and started using Flamethrower on them. Michael had his Espeon attack too. Over the chaos, I yelled out to the man, who I figured was Brock.

"I challenge you to a Pokémon battle!"

"Everyone hold it!"

All the grunts stopped attacking, causing Ignite and Espeon to do the same.

"You're challenging me to a battle?"

"Yep."

"You actually may give me a good battle. All of these grunts stand no chance against my Pokémon. I accept. I want a two on two battle. Is that okay?"

"Yep."

"Go, Geodude!"

"Geodude."

"Go, Blacklight!"

"Umbreon."

Michael stood at the side with a grunt. He yelled out, "We will co-ref to avoid bias. Each side is permitted to use two Pokémon each and the battle is over when all of one side's Pokémon are unable to battle. Both sides may substitute. Begin!"

"Blacklight, Faint Attack!"

Blacklight disappeared and struck Geodude on his back.

"Geodude, Tackle!"

Geodude charged at Blacklight, but he dodged.

"Good work. Another Faint Attack!"

"Geodude, Defense Curl!"

Geodude curled into a ball when Blacklight hit.

"Keep using defense curl!"

Geordie kept on raising his defense, making it difficult for Blacklight to do any damage. It was getting frustrating since Blacklight's moves were Quick Attack, Tackle, Faint Attack, Bite, and Sha- oh wait...

"Blacklight, use Shadow Ball non-stop!"

Since Shadow Ball is a special attack move, it bypassed Geodude's defense boosts, knocking him out.

"Geodude is unable to continue. Brock, please send out your final Pokémon."

"Go, Onix!"

A large Onix came out and roared.

"Use Rock Tomb!"

Onix used the move, which knocked out Blacklight in one hit.

"Blacklight is unable to continue. Red, please send out your final Pokémon."

I was shocked. He took me out in one hit! Not only that, all of my other Pokémon had a type disadvantage. This was not good.

"Ignite, I choose you!"

Ignite ran up to the battlefield. He was still out from the fight with the grunts.

"Using a Fire-Type on a Rock and Ground-type? Rookie mistake."

"Then try us."

"Then I will. Rock tomb!"

"Dodge it, then repeated Metal Claw!"

Once every three hits, Ignite's attack went up doing more damage to Onix. After a while Onix fainted.

"Onix is unable to battle, Ignite wins. Which means the victory goes to Red!"

I beat Brock! If Gold was right, then he should be back to normal.

"Brock, how do you feel?"

"All the grunts get out and close the door. I wish to talk to these two alone."

"Yes sir!" they said unanimously. They all left leaving just Michael, Brock, and me.

"What have I done all these years? Because of me, everyone's life is a nightmare."

"I'm going to say the se thing I'll say about everyone who's been brainwashed: it's Team Rocket's fault."

"Yea...you're right. I will fix things."

Brock opened a door into his office and gestured for us to follow.

Inside, there were huge computers and a wall of live security camera feeds.

"This is the control room. I can do anything to the city from here. Cut the power, distribute food, manage the Facility, and everything else."

"So what can you do about Team Rocket?"

"First, I'll fire the grunts. Next, I will remove all of the dictator rules like curfew. It is within my power, although Admins and Giovanni will take notice. After that, what I will do illegal. I will be opening up stores and something that hasn't been done since Red's days: allow people to become trainers."

"That's awesome! Nurse Joy will have a job, Pokémarts can open, people can actually fight back, and it's perfect! Score one for Poké Underground."

"Okay then, time to start."

Brock pressed a button on a computer near a microphone.

"Attention all guards: due to the recent break-in of Pewter Tower by some kids you are all fired."

Brock proceeded to take of their names from a database.

"I would like all citizens to pay attention now. Due to certain instances, I have made a decision: numerous laws will be abolished and/or modified. There is now no limit on curfew. Citizens may now choose their job at the employer's consent. You are free to buy goods rather than be supplied them by the government. On a side note, Poké is now the currency of Pewter City. Now, for the last thing, citizens are allowed to catch and train Pokémon. First, you must apply for a trainer's license. Additionally, Pokémon Centers and Pokémarts are now open."

We could hear the yells if the citizens from inside the tower.

"And one final note: this city is liberated from Team Rocket! Pewter is now free!"

We saw a flashing light on a computer. Brock pressed it and Giovanni, along with Red and Gold, appeared.

"Brock, what is the meaning of this?! It is beyond your power to allow trainers again, let alone cut off from our mighty organization."

I spoke up before Brock could reply.

"Hey Giovanni! Long time no see. I think the last time I saw you in person was when I was an Admin."

"YOU! YOU BETRAYED YOUR COUNTRY! YOU'RE USELESS!"

"Is that what you told your son?"

Giovanni took on a sadder note.

"You don't know anything about my kid. He was the heir of Team Rocket, a mighty trainer destined for greatness. But he was killed by someone no better than you."

"Silver wasn't killed."

That was a big shocker for everyone. I had Omni read his mind, since I knew he wasn't telling us something.

"How do you know his name?" Giovanni asked, threateningly.

"Because Silver is a member of Poké Underground."

"YOU'RE LYING! SILVER IS DEAD!"

"I'm not. Ask Gold or Red, they have seen Silver with their own two eyes."

"Red, Gold. Is that true?"

"Yes sir." They said unanimously. Red then added "but we had no idea he was your son."

"Maybe it's a different Silver. What does he look like?"

"Red hair, attitude problem, black jacket, says 'humph' a lot."

"WHERE IS HE!?"

"Sir, me, Lyra, and Kris were the last to see him. He ran off when we were being captured."

I smiled inwardly. Silver was still on our side.

"Gah! You bastards! Brock, why have you committed treason against your country?"

"Because a life where people aren't brainwashed and are free sounds good to just about everyone."

"I will get all of you for this!"

"No, you won't."

I disconnected the call before Giovanni could say anything. We all walked outside. There was already a press group outside of the tower waiting for Brock and 'the mystery kids' to step out.

The reporters instantly started asking questions.

"What made you have this sudden change of mind?"

"What are you going to do without Team Rocket?"

"Will this encourage others to do the same?"

"Everyone, enough! I will have a press conference at 4:00. Anyone who wishes to ask questions will do so there."

He brought us over to the side.

"Thank you for helping me, but I have to ask one more favor. I want to destroy the tower and replace it with a gym."

"A what?"

"A gym is a place where trainers test their strength. Since up until now all trainers are either on the run or in prison, they will need to learn how to battle."

"Alright. I like that idea. But first, I want to find my friends."

As if on cue, Leaf and Blue walked over to us.

"You thought you could forget us?"

"Who are they?"

"Leaf and Blue. We, together, are the Kanto division of Poké Underground."

"Okay."

"So Brock here wants us to help demolish the tower. Are you on board?"

"Sure."

"I do enjoy the relatively sadistic sense of destroying something," said Blue.

I looked to Leaf for an explanation.

"While we were running we were attacked by an Abbra and it used Psybeam on his head."

"Oh."

"He'll be back to normal by tomorrow morning."

Since I don't want people to think I'm crazy, I didn't respond to Omni.

Michael said, "Okay, I have some ideas on how to take it down." He pulled up a blueprint of the building. "There is a lot of weight on this point. Attacking it should be able to knock it down."

"Okay, but why did you get a blueprint of this?"

"If the other towers are similar, then this can make a good map."

"Good point."

We all went to the spot that Michael pointed out. Everyone sent out their Pokémon and had them Attack the point. After a couple minutes, the tower looked unstable. We ran away as it fell over.

"Well, that was fun."

"Sure was. Now, I have to go to the press conference. I believe you may want to come to explain some things that I can't."

"Sure," we all said.

We went into a large room filled with reporters. I made a mental note to ask how reporters and news groups function in a dictatorship.

"Now, everyone. We have a lot to go over. I have brought these four kids to help explain."

Leaf and I waved our hands. Michael was frozen from all of the people watching, and we convinced Blue not to talk in public until he's back to normal.

"Now, I believe that we should start with the real history of Team Rocket, not the convoluted stuff that they teach you in school. There was once a time when Team Rocket was not in power, when people were free. A job you could have was Pokémon Trainer. You can start at age 10 and you get money by beating other trainers. A trainer's main goal is to collect 8 gym badges and challenge the Pokémon League. The Pokémon league has two parts: the tournament and the Elite Four. The tournament is where everyone who has eight badges will face off. How the tournament works differs by region. In Kanto, we had a standard bracket. No matter how it works, there will always be one winner. This winner gets the right to challenge the Elite Four. These are the best trainers in the region. If the person in question was to beat all four of them, they can challenge the champion for their position. The champion is the strongest trainer in the region. Cynthia, the champion of Sinnoh, is supposedly the strongest trainer in the world."

Everyone looked shocked, myself included.

"Now, that is a very general history of the past. Now, let's talk about Team Rocket. They started as a street gang bent on using Pokémon to take over the world. They started in Saffron, then Viridian. From there on out, it was slowly coming up in all of Kanto. They moved to Johto, then Hoenn, and finally Sinnoh. Once they controlled Japan, they worked on Kalos, and America with Orre and Unova. One boy in particular tried to stop them. A boy by the name of Red. He tried but didn't succeed. They've always said that he was 'executed' but that is not the case. Red was brainwashed. He is now a Rocket Admin."

That caused all of the reporters and journalists to stand up and ask questions.

"Silence! I'm not done yet."

After a little while, everyone calmed down enough for Brock to keep talking.

"Red wasn't the only one to be brainwashed. I was too. Many were. The cure is to beat them in a fair Pokémon battle. That was how these kids helped."

He gestured to us.

"These are members of Poké Underground. I will let them talk about who they are."

Leaf and I stepped up.

I started talking.

"I am Red, aka Fire to avoid confusion with the other Red. I am the current leader of Poké Underground. You may have heard of us on the news before after the incident in the Hoenn airport. We are a group dedicated to taking down Team Rocket. They have put up laws restricting our freedom and banning contact with Pokémon. Well, we won't stand for it."

Leaf took over.

"Pokémon should be out friends. Arceus created it that way, and it should always be like that. But having people connect with Pokémon is 'dangerous'. Otherwise, Giovanni can't do anything he wants."

"We have already liberated Pewter, and we have seven cities to go. We won't stop until we're dead or we're free."

That last line got a round of applause. Brock stayed behind and answered questions while we went outside to talk about what to do next.

"Well, I say we go to Cerulean. It's close."

"I agree. Everyone else on board?"

"Yep."

"I do believe it would be a preferable course of action."

"Then it's settled. Once we've rested up, we're going to Cerulean."

We walked for a bit before passing by the newly opened Pokémon Center. For the sake of our Pokémon, we stopped by to have them healed.

"Your Pokémon are fully healed. We hope to see you again."

"You want us to have our Pokémon become injured to the point of having to go to the hospital?"

"Well, no. We would like you come here rather than just use potions and revives and such."

"That makes sense. By the way, are there any rooms here?"

"Yea...wait. Everyone here has a house except for...YOU'RE THE MEMBERS OF POKÉ UNDERGROUND!"

"It's not that big a deal."

"Yes it is, you saved our city and gave me a job again. I don't know how I can repay you."

"Just keep running the center."

"Will do."

I noticed a young kid with a backwards hat.

"Nurse Joy, I would like to apply for a trainer's license."

"Right away. What's your name?"

"I'm Ben. I like shorts. They're comfy and easy to wear."

"Well, you also filled out your trainer catchphrase. Now, come with me."

Nurse Joy left two keys for us and went to register Ben.

"Now, let's head over. This will be the most comfortable thing we sleep in for a while."

"Right," everyone said together.

Leaf and I got one room while Michael and Blue got the other. I got in bed and drifted off. It was one hell of a day.


Flinky: And there it is. Next tower will be slightly less subtle.

Red: I'm looking forward to it.

Flinky: You should. Also, some plans regarding legendaries in future chapters.

Blue: I'd like to see you try.