"Good morning, Officer Jenny." Hugo says as he enters the Pewter City Police Station.
"I was told that the investigation into why Pewter was attacked should have been completed by this morning."
This particular Officer Jenny is obviously coming towards the end of her shift, and is fed up.
"It's 5.30 in the morning. The detective reports aren't due back until noon." The officer explains with a hint of boredom apparent in her tone of voice. "What are you even doing up at this hour?"
"Well my best friend has been told he may never walk again, all as a result of these attacks, so I'm very eager to learn the reason behind them. As if I was gonna be able to sleep at a time like this."
The bored officer rolls her eyes. Just then, the doors at the building's entrance swing open.
"EUREKA! I think I've got it!" A strange looking man exclaims. He wears a suit and tie with a brown unbuttoned coat.
The man wonders over to Hugo.
"The name is Looker. I am a member of the International Police." He announces, shaking his hand.
"This villain seems to be after something." He begins to explain.
"After what? Blood? Death?" Asks Jenny.
"Based on our CCTV footage of this man, he carries a very unusual weapon. At a first glance, it appears to be an ordinary walking stick. However, upon closer inspection you can see that is not the case. It is actually some sort of contraption which absorbs the energy of pokémon which have been defeated in battle, similarly to a pokéball. However, unlike the notorious spherical contraption, this device serves a devious purpose. Not all of a pokémon's energy is the same. There are parts of a pokémon's energy that serve the purpose of powering it up. Essentially, each pokémon possesses body parts that function to enable them to learn certain moves. It is the energy from these bodily functions that the device desires. The rest of the energy from a pokémon serves the purpose of keeping it alive; keeping its heart pumping and its blood flowing. This energy is 'useless' for this device, hence why it rejects said energy, which essentially kills the pokémon. All that would be left of it is a puddle of blood." Looker looks pleased with himself to have discovered all of this overnight.
"Incredible!" Hugo gawks, at a loss for words.
Officer Jenny still seems bored.
"Big whoop! Do you actually know HOW he got this weapon?" She rests her elbow on her desk and her chin on her hand.
Looker shakes his head. "Negative. We have no leads whatsoever. However, it is clear that the man intends to power up this device. It is unknown what powering it up will do, but it cannot be good for the rest of us."
"How did you figure all that out in one night?" Hugo asks. "The International Police are amazing!"
Looker wears a smug grin on his face.
"Ugh. Don't feed his ego. If it gets any bigger it won't fit in this building." Jenny says sarcastically, sounding as bored as ever.
"I have to go and tell my friends about this. Thanks Looker and Jenny!" With that, Hugo takes off racing towards the pokémon centre.
Leaf is feeling good. In fact, she feels great! She's never had a proper friend before, other than Hugo when she was a child. Now, all of a sudden, after spending so long travelling around on her own, she has two great friends! Misty and Dawn. Both of them are so interesting. The girls had stayed up late having a great time in their room. Now, this morning, the trio are making their way into the Pokémon Centre's lobby. Dawn is still on her crutches with the cast on her foot.
"Finally. Good evening." Hugo jokes as he's sat at a table wolfing down some eggs and Tauros bacon.
"Ew! How can you eat a Tauros? The poor thing!" Misty snarls, not even bothering to explain why they're up so late.
"It's already been killed, sheesh, it's more respectful to eat it than let it get thrown away-"
Dawn giggles. "I bet that's your third breakfast?"
Hugo shakes his head while his mouth is full. "Nu-uh. First meal of the day."
"Are you kidding mister?" A kid shouts over, from the table they're sat at with their family. "That's your fifth plate!"
Misty and Dawn glare at him. "What did I tell you about wasting all our money on food?! In fact, wait a minute, how did you even get your hands on the money?!" Misty is not happy.
"Gee, thanks kid." Hugo groans, giving the kid an evil stare while the kid simply laughs.
"The money was in our room-"
"Maybe Rotom snuck in this morning and took it for me..."
"WHAT?!"
"Hey, I get why there are so many criminals. When you own a ghost pokémon, stealing would be so easy… you locked the door? Fine, I'll just have a pokémon phase through it!"
"Have you at least been to see Brock this morning?"
Hugo finishes his meal and stands up quickly. "Oh crap. Brock!" He dashes off out of the building, eager to see his friend. Misty dashes off after him, yelling angrily as usual. "DO YOU ONLY THINK ABOUT FOOD? YOUR FRIEND IS HURT AND YOU STILL THINK IT'S MORE IMPORTANT TO WASTE OUR MONEY ON FIVE BREAKFASTS..."
Leaf begins to follow, until she is stopped. Dawn grabs her, interlocking their arms.
"Maybe me and you shouldn't go. It's quite a long walk to the hospital, and we're in no fit state to be walking far. Let's grab some breakfast." Dawn smiles.
The pair make their way over to the food counter. "The prices are much better here than in Sinnoh. Get whatever you want Leaf, don't worry about the price." Dawn gestures towards the counter, her warm smile ever-present on her pale face. She reminds Leaf of Hugo so much.
"I-I'm not hungry." Leaf frowns.
Dawn tries again. "Come on Leaf, you haven't eaten much since we've met, I'm sure you could use a nice bit of Miltank meat?"
Leaf shakes her head. "No thank you."
Dawn frowns. "Are you sure? We don't mind spending a bit of money. Look how much Hugo ate."
"I need to go on a diet..." Leaf explains.
Dawn glares at Leaf's worryingly skinny body. Her ribs are very visible.
"Hugo has to eat so much to make up for all the time I starved him..." She mumbles.
"What was that?" Dawn asks, not quite hearing her fully.
"I'm greedy." Leaf mumbles. "I've had enough to eat. I don't need more. I'm already fat." Her voice grows quieter and quieter.
Dawn is struggling to understand Leaf, but she catches the last part.
"Fat? Leaf, have you looked in a mirror? You're the complete opposite of fat!"
Leaf frowns. "Thanks Dawn, but I know you're only saying that to make me feel better."
Meanwhile, in the hospital, Hugo and Misty arrive at Brock's bed.
"Brock! I'm so sorry man! If only I'd been a little bit faster, I could've been there for you." Hugo apologises.
Brock shakes his head weakly. "You are the last person who should apologise, Hugo. You saved my life. It is I who should be apologising to you for abandoning the group in the heat of the moment. I only wish I could've done more for Onix..."
Hugo frowns. "Onix was a great partner, huh?"
Brock has a distant look in his eyes. "It's such a shame. I was apart from it for so long while I made my way through Hoenn and Sinnoh, then I finally brought it with me again, now this happens… at least it will be up in rock type heaven. Onix. It was big, long, always hard, just like my..."
"WOAH! We get it. Geez. Some people never change, even after life changing experiences." Interrupts Misty.
To the surprise of Hugo and Misty, Brock suddenly seems happy. He bursts into laughter.
"Wh-what's funny?" They both ask, accidentally in-sync.
"I guess I'm a lucky guy." He chuckles.
"Lucky?!" Exclaims Misty. "How could you possibly be-"
"Well, my dick still functions properly. And look who's caring for me here."
"Is everything alright over here?" Right on cue, one of the Nurse Joy's pokes her head around the corner.
"Yes, we're fine. Mighty fine." Brock grins. Joy continues her walk through the corridoor.
"I think I'll enjoy my time here while I rest and recover." Brock explains to his friends. "Maybe soon I can rejoin you guys on your journey?"
"I'm already looking forward to it!" Hugo smiles.
"I'm not..." Misty groans, which gets a laugh from the boys.
Just then, on the TV in Brock's room, an uninteresting programme about Meowths is interrupted by a news bulletin.
"This just in!" Begins the reporter.
"Mount Moon has apparently been taken over by the criminal organisation Team Rocket. Several travellers have been taken hostage and anyone who attempts to enter the cave, which connects Pewter City to Cerulean City, is being forced to turn back. The few who've tried to force their way through have reportedly themselves been taken hostage. The police are already doing their best to resolve the issue..."
"Bah!" Brock exclaims. "If I weren't stuck in a hospital bed I'd head over there and teach them a lesson myself!"
"We all know what the police are like in Kanto… they won't do a thing." Complains Misty.
"Ugh…" Groans Hugo. "Don't think about following, Mist. You'll only slow me down."
"See you soon Brock!" Hugo waves goodbye as he opens the hospital window and dives out. Before he hits the ground he launches a pokéball and summons Kabutops. The shellfish pokemon immediately knows what to do and Hugo lands in the wave summoned by its surf attack.
"He could've just taken the stairs..." Says Misty.
"That guy… is awesome." Brock grins.
If there's one thing Hugo himself will tell you he's good at, it's running. He is fast. With no time to waste, he maintains a steady pace faster than many people can sprint all the way through Pewter City to the route 3 exit. Route 3 is a decent sized route, but at the pace he travels at, it's going by very fast. Until…
'Oh no, that tree looks familiar. Do I go left or right here? Uh oh...' Hugo thinks to himself as he realises he's totally lost.
He's so lost in thought that he isn't looking where he's going, and trips over the feet of a much smaller person.
"Woah, sorry there." The youngster apologises.
"No no, it's all my fault. Say, I don't suppose you could direct me to Mount Moon, could you pal?"
"Well that's a coincidence! Just five minutes ago some kid with green hair who looked in just as much of a rush as you asked me the same question. Anyway, you just need to take your next left, then a sharp right, then carry on up the hill and from there you can see the entrance."
"Cheers pal." Hugo thanks him.
"Hey, anything for a fellow shorts wearer. I like shorts. They're comfy and easy to wear." The youngster explains.
As fast as he can, Hugo follows the youngster's direction. Sure enough, he reaches the top of a hill and can see the entrance to Mount Moon. There are two aggressive looking Team Rocket grunts guarding the entrance, and a small child appears to be opposing them.
"Raticate, hyper fang!"
"Ralts, no!"
Raticate easily defeats Ralts, much to the dismay of the child.
"Now get lost kid or you're gonna get hurt!" Threatens the grunt.
'Oh wow, is that...' Hugo wonders. 'It is!' "WALLY!" He yells as he sprints over.
"H-Hugo!" Wally exclaims.
"What are you doing out here all on your own?" Hugo asks.
"W-well...you see… I wanted to prove I could stop the bad guys all by myself!"
Hugo's eyes widen. "Dude, that's crazy! You're just a kid!"
"Imagine that!" One of the grunts laughs. "Some kid taking down Team Rocket all on their own."
"Sounds like the sort of thing that would happen in some late 90's gameboy game..." Adds the other grunt.
"Wally, I'm sorry, let the adults handle this. You keep training your Ralts. You'll get there one day." Hugo explains as he puts himself in-between Wally and the grunts.
"I'll prove you all wrong!" Wally is mad. "I will keep on training, and one day you'll all see the result of my efforts!" Wally runs off back in the direction of Pewter.
"You shouldn't have come here pal!" Warns Grunt #1.
"Prepare for an arse whooping!" Claims Grunt #2. "Golbat go!"
"Shinx, burn them!" Hugo throws out his pokéball, summoning Shinx a few feet above the ground. Before Shinx's feet even hit the floor, it has launched a powerful flamethrower attack. This easily knocks out the grunt's pokémon.
"I-impossible! It can't even learn that move! Are you some sort of freak of nature?!" Exclaims grunt #1.
"Well, my Shinx had its memory distorted a while back, so now it knows some crazy moves."
"NOT SO FAST!" A female grunt emerges from within the cave. She's pointing a pistol straight at Hugo and Shinx.
"Oh please." Hugo sighs. Before the grunt has any time to react, he returns Shinx to its pokéball and simultaneously drops another on the floor.
"Fine then. Die." The female grunt shoots. Unfortunately for her, she's too late. By the time she's pulled the trigger, Tyranitar is already in front of Hugo. The giant rock type glares down at her as the bullet bounces off its upper leg.
"I think you better run now!" Hugo warns them from behind his Tyranitar.
"SHIIIIIIIIIIT!" The grunts exclaim as they run for their lives. Tyranitar smashes rocks as it makes the entrance large enough to fit through.
Hugo strolls through Mount Moon casually. There are many Rocket Grunts hanging around within, but as soon as they see Tyranitar they run for it.
"SURPRISE, FOOL!" Out of nowhere, another Rocket grunt jumps out from their hiding place with a gun pointed at Hugo. The Sinnoh man had seen this coming though, and is one step ahead. Tyranitar is guarding Hugo's left side while Kabutops is guarding his right. The rock and water type stands between Hugo and the grunt. They attempt a shot but it bounces of Kabutops's head. A second bullet looks more accurate but Kabutops blocks it with its long claws.
"Damn it! You know how difficult ammunition is to get ahold of?"
"Yeah, you're in trouble off your boss for wasting two bullets, pal." Hugo grins. "Can someone take me to your leader or what?"
"No need. I'm right here." Hugo turns around to see that Giovanni is standing in front of him, looking very calm. Tryanitar and Kabutops stand at either side of Hugo, scowling at the villanous leader.
"What's your purpose here?" Hugo asks, very alert.
"Let's have a chat. Why not put your pokémon back inside their balls?" Giovanni grins a sinister grin.
"Look, I might not be the world's most intelligent trainer, but I'm not dumb enough to do that."
"Ah, well, it was worth a try, wasn't it? Anyway, to answer your earlier question, we have no interest in Mount Moon or any of the people held captive here."
"So what's the point of coming here?"
Another sinister grin appears on Giovanni's face.
"To lure you here."
Hugo thinks for a moment, then he realises something. Team Rocket are the very same people he'd been trying to avoid, and now, without a second thought, he's marched straight into their temporary hideout.
"Wait a second… why were people shooting at me then?"
"To test you. If you can't even fight off these grunts, you're obviously not capable of doing what we need you for."
"Damn. I AM that dumb."
"Relax, young Hugo. I am sincere when I tell you I only desire a chat."
Hugo folds his arms. "Why would you want to do that?"
"Well, based on our encounter in Viridian City, it seems you possess an extraordinary power."
"What? The power to leave when I'm not wanted?"
"You remember all those Hypno's? They had no effect on you whatsoever, correct?"
"I guess they didn't."
"Well it appears that you are the only known living person that is immune to mind control. An attribute even I myself cannot boast."
"Well that makes sense I guess, considering my mind and memory got all messed up a while back..."
"We have a mission for you, young Hugo."
"A mission? So I'm suddenly a member of Team Rocket, then?"
Giovanni shakes his head. "Naturally, you should want something in return for us sending you on this mission. Well what we have is information."
Hugo frowns. "I don't see what information you could possibly have that I would-"
"It concerns your exceptionally slim friend."
Hugo's eyes widen. "Leaf."
Giovanni chuckles an evil chuckle. "It seems your sweet friend is not as inoccent as she may appear. Are you aware of her upbringing?"
Hugo shakes his head.
"Your friend is the daughter of someone I know very well. The woman known as Sarah, leader of team Oblivion."
Hugo scratches the top of his head. "Never heard of them."
"You will have soon. Their plan is almost complete." Giovanni explains.
"Plan? Something is happening?"
"And now, even more bad news for the poor citizens of Kanto..." Giovanni continues. "It seems a third gang are making themselves known. And they go by the name of Team Rainbow. Not a bad name. Imagine if our teams combined. We could be known as Team Rainbow Rocket. I like the sound of that..."
"Get to the point." Hugo puts his hands on his hips.
"The intentions of Team Rainbow are unknown, their members seem scattered as of now, but whatever they're up to cannot be good..."
"So how can I find this 'Sarah'?" Hugo believes that finding this woman might be the key to helping Leaf confront her past and deal with her condition.
Giovanni grins. "Her base of operations is somewhere near Vermillion City."
"Perfect! That's our my next destination." Hugo decides. "Well it was nice chatting with-"
"Hold it. I have not explained our mission. I have given you the information you desire, now you shall help me out."
"Fine! What do I have to do?" Hugo reluctantly agrees.
To Hugo's surprise, Giovanni calmly walks right up to him, within arm's reach. The gang leader holds out his hand, and there is a purple pokéball resting on his palm. It has the letter 'M' engraved on it in white.
"This is the Masterball. I would like you to travel to Cerulean Cave, and use it to capture Mewtwo. You are immune to its manipulative powers, but your friends are not, so you must enter the cave alone."
"MEWTWO?! The legendary pokémon?"
Giovanni nods. "That's right."
"Sorry, no can do-"
"Are you forgetting about the hostages we hold here? I believe only one of us are concerned with their well-being, and it certainly is not me."
Hugo aggressively swipes the Master Ball from Giovanni's hand.
"Good. Now don't even think about double crossing me. The Master Ball is an incredible piece of technology. It's fitted with a tracking device, so we'll know exactly where you are. In addition, it possesses its own power.
Giovanni pulls a small device with a button out of his pocket. He presses it, and Hugo feels a surge of energy rushing through his arm which holds the Master Ball.
"Now this is the impressive part. The ball has been programmed to only open when used on a pokémon with Mewtwo's D.N.A, meaning throwing it at your everyday Pidgey will prove useless. What's more, the ball is now bound to you, young Hugo. If it is moved more than ten feet away from you, we at Team Rocket HQ will know, and we will consider your mission to have failed."
Hugo glares at Giovanni. "Why should I care if I fail?"
Giovanni gives him a very serious look. It almost feels like he's staring directly into Hugo's soul.
"Do you really think it would be wise to make an enemy of Team Rocket?"
Hugo is not intimidated. "You know I really couldn't care less. As soon as I leave this place and the hostages are free, I could…"
Giovanni begins to laugh loudly. His laugh is very fitting of a supervillain.
"Too bad for you, I predicted that exact response… such a shame. Say, has your brother told you the news yet?"
Hugo immediately feels suspicious. "What...news?" He hesitates.
"Oh, you haven't heard? He's coming to visit in a few weeks! Flying directly from Sinnoh to Kanto. Wouldn't it be a shame if something were to… happen to that plane?"
"What are you saying?"
"Oh I don't know. Perhaps the pilot on that particular day happens to be a member of a certain organisation?"
"My brother's flying over here and the pilot's a Team Rocket member?"
"You catch on quick, young man. Perhaps you're not as much of a fool as you make yourself out to be. You have exactly three weeks until the day of that flight. Now good luck catching Mewtwo, you're going to need it."
Hugo glares fiercely at Giovanni.
"Oh, my last repel just ran out. Good job Team Rocket always carry a nice supply of escape ropes."
"Voltorb, use flash!" One of the grunts orders. A flash of light occurs, then all of a sudden Team Rocket are gone. A group of five trainers run past Hugo. "At last, we've been set free! Thanks for trying to help, young man!" Says one of the trainers as they run out at a pace.
"Why are they in such a hurry?" Hugo asks his pokémon. Tyranitar shrugs. Then they see it.
"Z-z-z-z-z-ZUBAT!" Hugo yells in disbelief. Hundreds of Zubat fly towards them at a pace. Hugo returns his pokémon and runs as fast as he possible can, with swarms of the poison/flying types attempting to use leech life on him.
After another long run, Hugo arrives back in Pewter City. He makes his way straight over to the Pokémon Centre and accesses the video call system. He inputs his brother's number. 'I have to warn him' He thinks to himself.
Just as he's expecting to see Hubert's face pop up, instead he sees someone he doesn't want to…
"Wahahaha!" Laughs the Team Rocket grunt on the screen. "You really thought we wouldn't intercept your call? That's hilarious! Hey Dylan, check out this loser-" With that, Hugo ends the call.
"Damn it!" He punches the wall in frustration.
Just then, Hugo's friends notice him.
"Hi, you're back. How did things go?" Asks Dawn.
"You don't look as happy as I think someone who's defeated Team Rocket should." Decides Misty.
"Well… it's a long story..."
Hugo is about to explain everything that happened to Misty, Dawn and Leaf. But he's worried about the response he'll get if he tells them he's now working for Team Rocket.
"...Actually, by the time I got there, Team Rocket were already gone and the hostages were freed."
"Oh, that's good. Did you learn why they were there? Or why they left?" Asks Dawn.
"Y...no. No idea. But I did receive an odd request from somebody."
"An odd request? How odd?" Questions Dawn.
"Well… there was a man there who lives in Cerulean City. He said he's been trying FOREVER to catch a Ditto in Cerulean cave, but he just can't do it. And he begged me to help him. Said he'd offer thirty thousand pokédollars as a reward."
The girl's eyes light up. "Really?!" Exclaims Dawn excitedly.
Then Hugo realises something. He hadn't planned his story at all, and now by claiming this, he's gotten the girls hopes up that he has a way to raise money for Leaf's treatment. He instantly regrets telling this lie, but has little choice but to go with it now.
"Y-yes. Great news, huh?" He answers nervously.
"That's fantastic!" Exclaims Misty. "Hey hop-along, how's your foot?" She turns to Dawn.
Dawn attempts to put pressure on her weak foot, but you the others can see the grimace on her face.
"You go. I'll only slow you down."
"B-but Dawn..." Leaf seems sad. She has obviously grown quite attached to Dawn in the short time they've known each other.
"Hmph. I'm not going with HIM without you." Misty folds her arms and turns her back to Hugo.
"Sure. Whatever. I'll go on my own."
"NO! WAIT!" All three of the girls exclaim at once.
"What's wrong?" Asks Hugo, confused.
"You can't go alone!" Leaf exclaims. "I want to adventure with you! I spent all this time looking for you! Now I want us to go together!"
"You shouldn't go alone." Dawn explains. "No chance will you be able to find the place all by yourself. Your sense of direction is non-existent."
"Says you..." Hugo remarks.
"Knowing a buffoon like you, you'd mess up, or spend the money on something dumb, like one of those super expensive bikes they sell in Cerulean." Explains Misty.
"I'm going too!" All three demand at once.
"So what, you're gonna hop your way there, Dawn?" Hugo asks.
"I've got crutches." Explains Dawn. "I might be a little slower than usual, but I'll be fine..."
"Should you really travel so far on crutches?" Misty asks.
"Well, it's either that, or..." She grins mischievously."
"Oh no, I ain't carrying anyone this time." Hugo says defiantly.
"Well then, what are we waiting for? Let's get going. To Cerulean!" Misty announces. The four of them exit the Pokémon Centre as they take their first steps at the beginning of another crazy adventure.