Crowning of the King

Mauville City.

It was a perfect city in the eyes of the Thieves Guild, and a place where a simple switch could lead to mass-blackout. They knew about the power plant, dragged deep into the ground to avoid detection and they knew that with this power they could bend and manipulate those within the city. However, there was another objective in mind for this particular task and Giovanni had finally come out of the shadows to take control. Damon had gone missing, choosing to disappear from his role as the true Leader on a temporary hiatus with Agent Proton now taking the reins. He loved having the position, the fact that a mere child could merit it despite his own experience was distasteful, but his chance had come, and he would take it. What other choice did he really have?

Giovanni had instructed for it to end in the most central town in the Hoenn Region where all roads collided into one, a massive crossover that led in all directions, and a place where they could cause some chaos. He had been planning this move for a while now, plotting every detail of it and so the timing would be perfect and the after-effects lasting. Something, though, remained lingering in his stomach that sent shivers of discontent and worry. Nothing had ever gone perfectly for Team Rocket, but now they strangely were, but when would they stop? The Thieves Guild would simply have to arrive in Mauville City, hold up the town and capture the trainer known as Rod to blackmail his father out of hiding. Red was still on the loose, but Giovanni would get him back in no time with Blue on his hands.

The Light were unaware of it, Damon wandering the streets somewhere and so Giovanni could simply lean back in his leather chair and let it happen. Sipping on a glass of red wine as he always did, the stereotypical bad-guy look, and allow his own workers and staff to continue their duties. Kanto was already theirs, Gym Leaders and now former Elite Four members patrolling and capturing those who tried to resist. Money flowed in from increase tax rates and any rebellion from the Police or even the Johto Government was flushed aside with pure strength and brute.

Someone knocked on the door as Giovanni called for entrance, the light from the outside world beaming through the open window. A warm day in the Kanto Region, unusual due to the season, but yet a positive sign of things to come in a world growing in twistedness and confusion. The door creaked open and Giovanni placed his glass on the table with a wry smile, "Daniel, how good to see you. I expect everything is going as planned?"

Daniel nodded, the light catching the scars on his face from past battles and duels he had around the Region. Giovanni had placed it on him to scout and eliminate trespassers into the Team Rocket HQs scattered around, and every single one of them were decent trainers. He had survived, but the revolution was growing from somewhere deep inside. "Everything is…fine, Giovanni. We have to be more cautious, I feel there is a rebellion growing."

"Rebellion? Calm down will'ya?" Giovanni spluttered in response, using his fingers to comb his greasy hair back before sipping on his wine again, "There is no more threat in Kanto, just keep doing your job! I'll need you to brief Agent Proton again though. Bloody fool has his ears up his arse too often."

"He does love to talk to himself…"

"Let him know of the plan for Mauville City, and the consequences of his failure. I want Rod captured, the Light disbanded and Blue to be found."

"Understood."

Giovanni smiled again, despite his raise of tone and harshness of voice, he felt energy and power flowing through him. So many years he had trawled the world without power and here he was at the top once again, leading a criminal organisation into a better world, his world.

But that gut-feeling still remained, and he just couldn't relax until he knew what it was…

…

Chris had managed to win the Slateport Tournament, the media churning out stories about his talent and skill, whilst remaining undefeated with his Grovyle dominating each battle. Critics had labeled him as a very demanding trainer of his Pokemon, but his response was clear: it got him the victories. Nobody could argue with that, and his methods would continue in that same vein of light. Rod hadn't seen him since being knocked out by a rampaging Nidoking, the shock of the event still being questioned by many who had never even heard of 'double-evolution' before. The tests had been done, and the newly evolved Pokemon was passed as medically safe with no lasting side-effects to cause harm. Chris had made no comment on what had happened, ignoring the fact and gloating about his victory before leaving Slateport City later that week with a trophy in hand and a medal around his neck.

Rod had a completely new problem to deal with now as his Nidoking had been constantly refusing to listen to him. They had decided to contain it within the Pokemon Centre, a large function room dedicated to housing it while it recuperated and regained energy whilst also learning about its new size and stature. It wasn't the same agile Pokemon it had been only a few days before; closer to the ground and athletic abilities, and now it had become a sturdy powerhouse. Rod had watched it all day through the glass window, his Nidoking constantly looking at its arms and tail before facing the corner and looking upset. Every time he entered the room, the Drill Pokemon completely looked away and swung its tail violently in his direction, as if ashamed and humiliated.

Forrest approached on another blustery morning in Slateport City, his hands being warmed by a cup of hot chocolate, he spoke with his arm on Rod's back, "You just have to keep trying, eventually he'll come round."

Shaking his head, Rod glanced at the reptilian outlay of Nidoking and responded with a deep sigh, "I just don't understand what I did wrong. Fletchinder had a tough evolution as well and now this. Chris' Grovyle seemed completely under control!"

"I wouldn't worry about Chris." Forrest took a sip, placing the cup down to one side before leaning against the window and scratching his chin. "You both are very different, and his methods are tough. Nidoking is probably just embarrassed and also very confused; its whole body has changed! You need to consider that."

Rod replied with silence, knowing that Forrest had a good point and that his experience with Pokemon far surpassed anything he had encountered so far. Taking a deep breath, nodding at Forrest's smiling expression; Rod walked towards the door and pushed it open as it creaked slightly. The room was warm, Nidoking preferring the heated temperatures to the incoming wintry season outside, but Rod approached slowly as usual. The Drill Pokemon sensed his presence and walked back into the corner of the room, each step sending a riveting quake through the floor.

Rod muttered, raising his hand grievingly and avoiding the long purple scaled tail, "Nidoking…everything will be okay, I promise. I'm your trainer and I am going to stand by you. I know the transition is hard, but we can work at it together. Get stronger to together! What d'you say?"

Still nothing, Nidoking not even flinching or turning towards him as it sat towards the corner again. Shaking his head, upset at the lack of response, Rod turned away and headed back to the door with Forrest gazing on with a mixed expression on his face. He would try again later in the day in hope that the Drill Pokemon would finally come back to reality and also to Rod's team. Over the past couple of days, he had tried using his Pokemon to communicate with it, contacting previous Gym Leaders such as Roxanne and even trying to pull the heavyweight Pokemon to face him. Nothing worked, and so he would have to continue being patient despite the unnerving urge to fire up and battle it himself to gain its attention.

Letting the door shut behind, Rod gave Forrest a weak smile as they both walked back towards the busy lobby of the Pokemon Centre. Trainers were running around with Pokeballs in hand and Nurse Joy was busy at work with her Chansey tending to their every need. Emma was sat, in the minimal beam of sunlight creeping through the glass from a cloudy sky, reading a magazine with a cup of tea. Noticing Rod and Forrest approaching, she pushed her blond hair aside and frowned, "Still nothing? Did it even react at all?"

"Nothing!" Rod sighed and sat in the chair across from her and rubbing his weary eyes. "I just don't know what else to do…"

Nurse Joy had heard their brief conversation before wandering over steadily and piping up from behind their backs, "There is currently a trainer named Diana here looking to trade for a Nidoking. I'm not personally a fan of trading, but maybe this could be an option?"

As she walked away with a smile to continue her work, Rod glanced at his two friends and shook his head at their mixed looks, "That is not happening! I'm not giving Nidoking away, it's my Pokemon!"

Emma chirped up again, placing the magazine down and leaning forward excitedly, "But then you can get on with your journey and have a brand new Pokemon in your team as well!"

It would be exciting to have a new Pokemon, but it didn't feel right and Rod pushed the thought to one side. Standing up, he began to walk back towards the function room and disappeared around the corner with his footsteps angrily stepping on the ground. Emma and Forrest both glanced with deep regret in their thoughts, knowing that they may have both reacted badly towards Nurse Joy's offer. Despite it being a decent opportunity, Rod had always worked on having a strong bond between his Pokemon, and cutting Nidoking loose to someone else would be close to abandonment to him.

Emma asked, turning back to Forrest, "Have you ever released a Pokemon or traded away?"

"Yes, but these were completely different circumstances. Rod has to make a decision for himself and for the betterment of his Pokemon. Let's see what he decides to do."

Rod re-entered the function room yet again to see Nidoking still sulking in a corner, its tail twisting and turning in midair as it sensed his approach. Losing his patience completely, his mind upset at his friends' suggestion, Rod called with a finger pointed, "Nidoking, you need to look at me and we have to start moving forward. There are trainers out there who want you because you are special, and I don't want to give you away!"

Nidoking had suddenly moved, its limbs shivering to the sound of Rod's voice as the Drill Pokemon turned around in a hurry, accidently scratching the wood walls with its claws. The ground shook at it moved, but Rod stood still and glared at it with intent and frustration, but the look on his Pokemon's face was much different. Nidoking was in tears, its eyes watery and bloodshot along with its entire body complex as it shivered and weakened. With his mood instantly changing, Rod dived forward and hugged the Drill Pokemon as much as he could, his arms barely reaching around its front. He spluttered, tears now appearing in his own eyes, "W-we h-have to stick together!"

The Drill Pokemon seemed to understand as it nodded its head, still adapting to its new body size and shape, and held Rod close with its powerful arms, almost crushing him as he pushed away with a smile. He steadily drew Nidoking's Pokeball from his pocket and placed it slowly on the ground as it faced the powerful Pokemon, Rod asked, "Can you please go into the Pokeball so we can get out of here? We can get training and help you feel better!"

Their eyes both meth, Nidoking freezing for a second before roaring loudly to send the entire Pokemon Centre into a complete rumble. Rod fell backwards, laughing but also noticing how strong his Pokemon had become in such a short space of time. The Drill Pokemon bent down on its knees and extended its powerful arms forward before touching the Pokeball with a sharp claw. Flashing into life, Nidoking transformed into a ball of red energy and floated inside of the Pokeball before disappearing completely. With a smile, Rod scrambled forwards and held the vibrating ball in his hand with happiness flooding his body along with relief.

A female voice broke the moment very quickly, Rod wheeling around in surprise, "That is one strong Nidoking. I'd love to see it in action."

She wore tight jeans with boots that came up to her knees, matching her leather jacket and short blond hair, Rod replied with caution, placing the Pokeball away, "Sorry, do I know you? What do you mean you want to see it in action?"

"The name is Diana, and I saw what happened at the Slateport Tournament." She spoke with severe interest as she rounded the function room gazing at Rod up and down. Diana was slightly older than him, but had a lot of confidence in her as how she strode around. "Could we have a battle? I'll use a Nidoqueen to test its strength."

Rod immediately shook his head and took a step back against the wall of the function room, knowing that Nidoking was nowhere near ready for a battle in its current state. He responded quickly, "No. Nidoking is off limits at the moment for any battling until it feels better. Next time we will be ready to accept your challenge."

Walking past her, feeling flustered at being asked to battle despite her knowledge of the Drill Pokemon's condition, Diana called after him, "It takes a lot of skill to train a Nidoking, I could help you, you know?"

Ignoring her, Rod continued to walk back into the brightly lit lobby area to tell his friends of the great news…

…

"They're going to attack them soon." Cynthia called at Gary Oak, her voice now reaching a higher pitch than normal in frustration and stress. "You and I have to be there with a few other recruits to stop them. The Thieves Guild is going to capture Rod, and then Blue and Red will follow."

"Relax! My god, you panic too much." Gary responded with his head shaking in disbelief as he pounded down on the keys of his laptop computer. The sun had begun to shine at last in Lilycove City as he began to make preparations for the imminent attack of the Thieves Guild. A report had come in early that morning, but strangely not from the agent involved, but by an unknown source from within Team Rocket. It seemed legitimate, but also queried more questions as to who was being unfaithful to Giovanni in releasing this information, could that person be used for more? "Mauville City is where they are all heading, and it will be cutting off Rod in his tracks on the way."

"Any idea of their current plan?"

"It looks like they will be going to New Mauville, the underground power plant. They might blackout the city and swipe him when nobody is noticing."

"Let's get there first." Cynthia had taken deep breaths to calm herself, the stress of the moment still moving through her body as blood began to boil underneath her skin. It had been a long time since her normal life of taking on challengers as the Sinnoh Champion had been accessible, and now it had been plunged into secrecy and anti-terrorism. The police in Mauville City had been warned of an attack, but not even they understood who the Thieves Guild was being run by. The Light would have to intervene, and they would have to succeed now in their most direct objective since their formation. "We'll see how good Giovanni has become in planning, and take them out before they even get close to Rod."

"Best thing you've said all day."

Gary smiled at the fact they had finally agreed on something, and there was no way he was going to allow Rod to get captured by the Thieves Guild, too much was on the line. Their agent had gone cold and silent, Giovanni was sitting in Kanto exerting his power and corruption and here they were as miniature team of trainers needing to intercept. It had to be at Mauville City, but they had to get there first, and with a limited amount of days left before the operation took place, it would be down to when Rod arrived there. Sending a quick email, Gary slammed the laptop shut and walked over to a small backpack sitting on the hotel bed. Opening it quickly, he grabbed six Pokeballs from within that all contained his prized Pokemon, eager to battle and ready to go. Looking down at them all, shining brightly in the room light, Gary licked his lips and prepared himself for battle…