Chapter 8

True Colors

(Ash's POV)

Three days after reading Lance's message, I departed on Pidgeot to the Indigo Plateau, where the meeting of all the Elite Four members of the five regions was to be held. Along with Pikachu who held onto Pidgeot's back in front of me, I brought along Bulbasaur, Typhlosion, Totodile and Glalie. The rest of my Pokémon were either still at professor Oak's lab or at home, in order to protect Misty, Claire and Ethan should anything happen. Jessie, James and Meowth had taken a gamble by contacting me on my Pokégear phone; they had told me that Team Rocket had tinkered with our video phone inside our house while we were visiting Mom and Dad in Pallet Town.

"Pi, pikachu pika pikapi?" Pikachu looked up at me.

"Not much farther, buddy. The Indigo Plateau should be just beyond these cliffs," I replied, looking at the horizon which was laden with mountainous terrain. "It should be visible any…minute…there it is!"

The arches leading to the entrance of the Indigo Plateau became visible just as Pidgeot flew over and above a high rock formation. He soared through the air, touching down smoothly on the grass on his talons and leaned sideways. Pikachu got down by sliding off Pidgeot's right wing as I simultaneously dismounted from him.

After I recalled Pidgeot, we approached the entrance. The Indigo Plateau was obviously closed due to the meeting – its doors were locked, and two guardsmen were standing watch outside. As I walked up to them, the one on the left began speaking to me.

"Ah! So you've come, Mr. Ketchum! The Indigo Plateau was closed today for this occasion. Please come with me; they are waiting for you inside. The meeting is being held in the same room which you were in just over two years ago, during the shadow Pokémon crisis," he greeted me, then unlocked the door, opening it for me and Pikachu as we entered after gesturing a 'thank you' to the two of them.

Once the doors were closed behind us, we could hear an incessant chattering of the numerous voices of the various Elite Four members from inside the room. Then, the chatter died down after a single voice – most likely Lance's – began to address all of them.

"Well, this is it. We should go in, buddy," I said to Pikachu.

"Pi," he nodded, and we entered the room to find all the members of the Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh and Unova Elite Four gathered around the same long rectangular table as I remembered it. Although the council had begun just barely a quarter of an hour before my arrival, many of the members looked irritated – most likely due to indecision and conflict.

"Ah! Ash! It's good that you've finally arrived. Please, take a seat," Lance rose from his chair, extending his hand towards the empty seat between Prima and Agatha. I silently thanked him, then took my place. Prima turned and smiled at me briefly as I did the same to her, before we both turned our attention back to Lance.

"Now that Ash has arrived, I believe that it is time to formally discuss our course of action regarding Team Rocket," he said. "As you know, Team Rocket have been discretely acquiring all major radio broadcast towers and centers around this side of the globe. Since we haven't been able to subdue their actions by means of law, we must inevitably resort to direct action."

"What do you suggest we do, then, Lance?" Glacia asked, with calmness and grace to match that of Prima.

"I will tell you what I insist we do, later, after we are all fully aware of the current circumstances we face. But for now, I believe it is important that you all hear what Ash has to say," Lance said, and then sat back in his chair as I rose to address them.

"I've just recently learned two days ago, that Team Rocket's scientists are currently designing some sort of radio wave signal, which I believe that they are planning to unleash after taking control of all the major radio broadcast centers. There's also been mention of some kind of 'unique frequency radio signal' that's currently being developed in their headquarters. What's also worrying is that they've also collected the remnants of Team Galactic, who are now co-operating with them in their latest project."

A worried chatter then ensued, before Aaron spoke up. "We were already worried when we learned that the Galactics had been extracted from their cells. The fact that they are co-operating with Team Rocket makes it all the worse."

"What kind of 'radio signal' could this be? Do you think it's designed to interrupt other media signals?" Karen wondered.

"That's not likely. As we all know, Team Rocket's main goal and target is to capture Pokémon solely in the name of revenue and profit. Interrupting media signals wouldn't be high on their organizational agenda," Lance said.

"Well, at least now we have some kind of idea as to where they might be, instead of having to resort to conducting a wild goose-chase to track them down," Flint noted. "But how do we know exactly where?"

"As a matter of fact, I think I know where Team Rocket's HQ is located," I said, peering down at the broad map set across the long table. "It should be…here," I pointed, placing my finger on a point which lay within the rugged and barren mountain ranges between Kanto and Johto.

"That's so close to the Kanto Indigo Plateau…" Phoebe murmured, while the rest of them spoke incessantly with hushed voices amongst each other.

"By the way…how did you acquire this information, Ash?" Cynthia asked. "It's hard to think how someone like you could ever know such top-secret information about Team Rocket."

"I didn't," I shook my head. "I've got three friends in there right now, who are former members of Team Rocket. They quit the organization more than two years ago, to change their lives for the better."

"For their actions, it's been decided that they will each be given full and official pardons from the authorities. After all, they're putting their very lives at risk, through what they're doing," Lance said.

I gave a heavy sigh, as I made an announcement to them. "There's bad news, though – the three of them say that they are under heavy suspicion that they are involved in a secret-streaming plot within the organization. Because of that, the amount information I've received from them has seriously diminished in the last few days. The last message they sent me said that they discovered that Team Galactic's scientists are working alongside their Rocket counterparts in developing the radio signals."

"Galactics working with the Rockets in developing radio signals…" Prima pondered in thought, before bring her head up to speak again. "Do you think that…they could perhaps be constructing a satellite to launch into space?"

"I'm not sure, Prima," Lance replied. "It would normally take many months to construct a satellite. But even so, we mustn't take anything for granted. We should act sooner rather than later…or too late…"

"At least now that we know exactly where they are, we should continue to respond to this in a calm and assured manner," Lucian stated. "After all, rushing to take immediate action may not be the best solution to this problem."

"Well said, indeed," Will smiled smugly as he applauded Lucian's decision.

"I agree as well," Bertha nodded. "We should continue to keep an eye on any occurrences, and try to take other measures, before resorting to the use of force to overcome Team Rocket's plan."

"Other measures, sister?" Agatha criticized her. "Team Rocket is growing in power and influence day by day, and all that the three of you can do right now is suggest that we just sit on our hands, watch, and do nothing?"

Bertha sighed as if she was disappointed at her older sister's lack of patience and vigil, before Marshal complimented Agatha's point. "She's right! We're gonna achieve nothing by just sitting around here, doing nothing! I don't wanna wait for those satellites to cause trouble in my home region! We've gotta act now!"

Will then responded with a demeaning and condescending laugh. "Tsk , tsk, tsk…you Fighting Pokémon trainers…always placing your fists and knuckles ahead of your tongues and minds…" Caitlin grinned and winked at him while Lucian also chuckled, closing his eyes and crossing his arms as he leaned back into his chair. Both Marshal and Bruno gave Will a short-lived glare, before grunting and turning their heads.

"Enough," Koga declared solemnly, in a quiet voice which was still clearly audible, silencing all. "Continue, please, Ash."

"I'm afraid that…taking control of radio towers is not all that they're doing right now. I've learned from the three of them that some people from Team Rocket broke into our house in the Seafoam Islands and microchipped our video phone, and most probably many other electronics that are used for communication. The only device I can really trust is my Pokégear, which wasn't tampered with, due to the fact that I had it on me while Misty and I took our kids to visit my parents in Pallet Town."

"Well, then couldn't you have checked your devices for such microchips, and removed them?" Sidney asked.

"If I had removed them, Team Rocket would automatically become aware that Iknew that they were placed in there. And since Jessie, James and Meowth are the only Team Rocket members who knew us well personally, their cover would be completely blown, and they would then be put in danger," I said.

"That certainly seems like the wise thing to do. But it must be frustrating for you to endure such a long period of surveillance by Team Rocket. Just how will you cope?" Sidney asked.

"That's not what worries me the most – the thing I want more than anything now is just to live in peace with Misty and our children. I'm willing to endure through this, if it means being able to achieve that in the end," I stated resolutely.

"We should start serious planning on what our next course of action is," Drake said. "Whether we take action immediately or not, we must nonetheless prepare ourselves for any eventuality."

"Yes, Drake, you're right," Lance nodded. "It has now been two weeks since the fire on Cinnabar Island. Team Rocket would have made significant progress since then. It is therefore imperative that we come up with an effective plan quickly, to counter any new radical developments. We must list each and every radio station that Team Rocket has seized so far, so that we may have an idea of just how fast their advances are being made."

"Please keep in mind that the number of broadcast stations Team Rocket controls will most probably be greater than that which is officially known," Prima noted. "They will most definitely have resorted to blackmail and personal threats to existing radio station proprietors, to ensure their silent obedience."

"So far, the major radio stations in Sinnoh which we are certain is under Rocket control, are those in Eterna, Veilstone, Snowpoint and Sunyshore City. We're currently keeping a close eye on Hearthome and Jubilife City: they are two of our most significant cities, with each possessing several major commerce and radio broadcast buildings," Lucian informed.

"Things have been similar in Hoenn," Drake said. "Team Rocket has attained certain control over the radio stations in Mauville, Rustboro, Petalburg and Mossdeep City. We're also concerned for Slateport and Lilycove City."

A wave of concern swept over me as I began to fear for May, Max, Caroline, Norman and Drew, before my attention then went to Shauntal, who spoke next.

"So far, Striaton, Opelucid, Driftveil and Nacrene City have been taken over by the Rockets. What their next move is, none of us have any way of knowing."

"Hmm…it seems that there may be a pattern here, regarding the radio stations Team Rocket is seizing," Lance spoke. "In Johto, Olivine, Mahogany and Blackthorn City's stations have been seized, and in Kanto, Viridian, Cerulean and Fuchsia City. It appears that Team Rocket is taking the radio stations of the outlying major cities first, before moving to take those of the great metropolis areas. Assuming that they continue their acquisitions at their current pace, they may take the metropolis radio stations in approximately just over a week from now."

"Then what do you suggest we do, Lance?" Grimsley looked at him with a brooding expression.

"Like Lucian has said, it is best to keep a close watch on the radio stations in the largest metropolitan broadcast areas of each region. That means Jubilife City in Sinnoh, Castelia City in Unova, Lilycove City in Hoenn, Goldenrod City in Johto, and Saffron City, here in Kanto. Once they are on the brink of being acquired, or if they've already been acquired by Team Rocket, we will know that it is inevitable that we must turn to the use of force as a last resort."

"The direct approach! See? That's what I was talking about!" Marshal boomed, before Lance interjected again.

"I'm afraid that we will not be able to do much with our Pokémon, Marshal. If they are made to fight, Team Rocket will invariably resort to the use of firearms and other weaponry, and I am unwilling to put my Pokémon at such risk so soon after the Battle for Kanto, which was barely over two years ago."

"If the use of Pokémon is out of the question, then we have no choice but to confide our trust in the security forces and military personnel to handle the problem," Bruno said. "But I'm afraid that doing so would result in great losses, should the situation indeed escalate."

"We have no choice, Bruno. Giovanni is a man of destructive ambition. He must be stopped for good, otherwise his threat will continue to loom everywhere," Lance looked down at the table. "To counter this felonious and subtle act of Giovanni, we must also act subtly in our response."

"What are you suggesting, Lance?" Aaron asked.

"By what we know of Team Rocket's plans regarding the takeover of radio centers, we can hazard a guess that they are indeed intending to launch a satellite of some sort, like Prima said. Due to the fact that Team Rocket's headquarters is a facility which is secretive and large enough, they could well be planning a launch from there. However, that is not to say that we should completely dismiss other possibilities for the launch site."

"Oh…I believe I can see where you're going with this," Will grinned as he rested his chin on top of the fingers of his joined hands. "Do you plan on conducting a broad-scale espionage mission of your own to discover these 'potential launch sites', then?"

"Of sorts, you could say, yes," Lance confirmed. "Members from Kanto, Hoenn, Sinnoh and Unova, I'd like to make a formal request."

They all looked attentively at him, as Cynthia spoke to him while twirling her hair. "Go on, please."

"I ask that you contact the police and military of your respective regions, and send to Kanto any spare personnel you can. We will need as much help as we can to deal with this crisis, and I don't think that Kanto can stand alone in this."

A round of murmurs and discussions swept around the table between the Elite Four members of each respective region, before all was quiet again. Then, Marshal was the first to speak up, giving Lance his answer.

"The answer is yes! We'll do what we can, and send over whoever we can!"

Drake was next. "The majority of the Hoenn police are busy keeping an eye out for any activity from Team Magma and Aqua, but there should be military assistance available. And who knows – we may even be able to spare some police personnel!"

"Due to the fact that Team Galactic no longer poses a direct, immediate threat to Sinnoh with their actions, I believe it is safe to assume that we will be able to send both military and police assistance to you, although we must also look to secure our own cities as well," Lucian said.

"Well, you may be the Champion of Johto, but I'm still the Leader of the Elite Four, and therefore I have the power to call the shots," Karen said. "But yeah, since we're in this together, I'll see what we can do about it."

"Excellent. I strongly appreciate all of your help," Lance thanked. "But I must also say this: all personnel you send over must be given proper disguises. We do not know where else Team Rocket's henchmen could be secretly watching our actions, and should they see uniforms from other regions, they will suspect us. Make sure that all the military and police forces you provide us are disguised as tourists of some sort, and are also carrying their necessary official identification documents. The local authorities will acknowledge them and let them in. Several squads should be assigned to locations all across Kanto for possible launch sites, while the vast majority will be stationed in Viridian City, ready for immediate dispatchment."

"Agreed," many of them said, while the rest nodded silently, and the meeting was over. One by one, the Elite Four members left the room to return to their own places, while Pikachu and I departed the Indigo Plateau to return home.

Hours later, I finally came back home in the Seafoam Islands. On the way, I briefly stopped by at my parents' house in Pallet Town, to catch my breath and allow Pidgeot to rest his wings, before flying the rest of the way back.

"Mist, I'm home!" I called out upon opening the door. Seeing my entry from the living room, Misty ran over and threw her arms around me, leaning upwards and embracing me in a deep kiss. Claire came toddling behind her shortly after, and I stroked our daughter's forehead softly.

"Mist, it's only been a few hours! What's the matter, honey?" I grinned at her.

"Oh, nothing," she smiled. "You know I miss you whenever we're apart, no matter for how long or short. How was the meeting?"

"It was alright, I guess. The Elite Four members from the other regions basically agreed to send what help they could over here to Viridian City. Everyone's getting ready for a full-scale engagement with Team Rocket, which seems to be an outcome that's growing more likely with each passing day. They're also stepping up investigations as to where Team Rocket might be planning to launch a satellite," I said.

"A…satellite?" Misty murmured, wide-eyed.

"Yeah. Because of them seizing so many radio towers, we made a guess that they're constructing a satellite to emit the radio waves they're producing. It seems to be the most logical explanation, if you ask me."

"Hmm…that does indeed sound really probable…but who thought of that?" she asked.

"Prima."

"Oh, then they're definitely right about Team Rocket's plans," Misty stated.

"What makes you say that, Mist?"

"Ash, you know I've always admired Prima for her cool, composed and serene approach to things, right?"

"Uhh…yeeah…?" I nodded, not knowing what she was trying to get at.

"But I also admire her because she's really intelligent and wise! Few trainers can possess all those qualities, as well as her humbleness and honest approach to things, despite her power as a trainer!"

"Oh…Yeah, I can see that, now," I agreed. "No wonder she's your role model, huh?"

"She sure is," Misty grinned, before her expression darkened suddenly. "Hey Ash…I was wondering…if things really get bad as you say it might…what would happen to Jessie, James and Meowth?"

"I…uhh…hadn't thought of that, actually," I sunk my head. "By the way they tell me things are turning out for them inside Team Rocket HQ, the risk to their personal safety is always increasing. I want to help them – I really do. But just how we can help them, I don't know."

"Lighten up, honey. We can only hope for them at the moment. And besides, the three of them can take care of themselves in grim situations like these – they always have. We just have to be there for them when they need it, and the time is right," she stroked my shoulder.

I smiled, reassured by her words, then walked hand-in-hand with her and Claire to the kitchen for lunch. "You're right, Mist. The three of them will turn out perfectly alright."

…I hope…

(Meanwhile, in Team Rocket HQ's Board Room)

(3rd-person narrative)

Not more than three hours after the meeting between all of the Elite Four members, Giovanni held a meeting of his own with his executives, as well as Domino and Silver who were present. None of the Galactic admins were summoned to attend, and were instead busy overseeing the development of the satellite. Silver, viewing the executives as nothing more than bumbling fools on par with the lowly grunts in indecision and weakness, folded his arms as he looked with little patience across the table with his eyes in a half-glare.

Domino, seated next to him, looked at him for a short while as she sensed his irritation. The two of them weren't in a true romantic relationship as one may think, due to their professionalism in their devotion to Team Rocket – rather, it was a combination of both a romantic and professional relationship, shifting constantly as the situation required.

"I have pressing matters regarding the Galactic admins, father. What have you called us here for?" Silver said bluntly, and the chattering of the executives died down quickly.

"Always so impatient you are, Silver," Giovanni smirked. "Very well. I have called you all here today, in order to inform you of our evacuation plan."

"Evacuation plan? What exactly are you saying, sir? Surely you have faith that this plan will succeed!" the senior executive spoke up.

"I agree with him, father. I do not see failure as an option in any kind of situation," Silver puffed.

"Now, now…" Giovanni replied calmly. "It wouldn't hurt to be prepared for the unexpected…or unpleasant, would it? We must always be prepared for any eventuality, whether that may be good or bad. We have several reports from our undercover agents, all stating that a massive build-up in security is occurring in all regions; this can only mean that they suspect we will execute our plans soon."

"Very well sir, please continue," said another executive.

"I have dispatched a team of specialists to establish a small, underground facility beneath Rock Tunnel, to be used on a temporary basis, should the plan backfire. Should the need arise, a jet will be used to transport all those who are currently present in this room, to the underground facility. We shall be accompanied by a squad of our best agents for protection. The Kanto authorities will obviously attempt to give chase, of course, but I have devised a secret route which the aircraft will take, bringing us securely to the facility to prepare for our next move."

"But where exactly will we go from there, sir?" asked the executive sitting opposite to Domino. "How long would we have to stay in Rock Tunnel for?"

"A few days, at most. I don't believe that they will look for us endlessly. Once it is safe to do so, we shall abandon the underground facility, and head for our chief hideout in the Johto region. I shall see to it that all senior officers and agents relay this information to the lower ranks, so that they do not disperse in a rout," he said, then gave a brief pause before looking intently at all of them. "Is that all clear?"

"Yes, sir," they all answered at different times, except for Silver, who remained silent as ever.

"Very well, then. Dismissed," Giovanni ordered, and all of them moved to their respective offices and posts. Turning his office chair towards the window, he gazed out towards the setting sun, pondering on the truth behind his words.

'I shall not go with them. I shall not hide, while all glory is fleeting. It shall be victory or utter annihilation. There will be no middle ground…"

"Wait just a little longer for your father, my sweet Amber…we shall be together again, soon…"

These were the words which echoed in a silent whisper from time to time, within the darkness of the chamber which Fuji was tirelessly working on the special radio wavelength commissioned by Giovanni. Even the deformed and lifeless scientist himself knew that Giovanni may well have been lying to him about his promised reunion with his family, but he did not care – nothing mattered to him now that his life had been destroyed, save the precious memories of his past, and he would rather a slim chance than none if it meant being able to see his beloved daughter alive again.

"He's been working non-stop for as long as we can remember, that guy. He's like a zombie," Jupiter murmured to Saturn who was leaning on the wall opposite her, as they both peeped briefly at Fuji from beside the door.

"Don't forget – he technically is one," Saturn chuckled. "Brought back to life by using a prototype machine based on those used to revive fossils, if you can believe."

"He's like a walking skeleton with things hanging off him. His eyes are so red that they look bloody!"

"Hmm…true that. But I was wondering…we've always checked in silently from time to time on them in this room, right?" Saturn noted.

"Yeah…so what about it?" Jupiter turned a lazy eyebrow towards him.

"Think about it – he's always working by himself in that dark corner of his. What sort of singular radio wavelength signal could possibly require that much individual attention?"

"Huh…now that you mention it, you're right!" Jupiter silently exclaimed. "He's always working by himself, and never with any of the others! Those Rockets must be up to something, I'm sure of it!"

"We should report this to Charon. He's the one who'd likely be the most knowledgeable regarding this. If those Rockets are intending to double-cross us, then it's only fair that we return the favor! After all, we're the ones who are in chief control of the satellite project. If Giovanni betrays us, then we'll just have to bring his plans crashing about his ears!" Saturn smirked, and the two of them began walking off to the satellite development bay, from where the incessant clanking of cranes and machinery could be heard.

Yet for all their cleverness, the two of them had failed to take any notice or suspicion about the shadow which could be barely seen, down the corridor to their left.

"Well…we'll just have to see whose plans are brought crashing down, won't we?" Domino grinned sinisterly as she stepped away from the wall she was backing herself against, and departed to inform her leader about the Galactics' latest plot.

(End of Chapter 8)

A/N: I've finally found a way to bypass the 'Error 2' message that keeps popping up every time I tried to add new chapters. Hopefully the error issue on this site will soon be fixed properly.

It's always difficult for me to write chapters like this one and Chapter 14 of Book II, because I hardly have any kind of references or materials to work with when determining what kind of personality each Elite Four member has (especially for the Gen V Elite Four, as their Bulbapedia pages didn't even have their quotes up yet at the time I wrote this). As a result of their absence from any anime episodes, many of the Elite Four members' personalities are based on what I believe they would be like, by looking at their game quotes and portraits.

Because there's no mention on Bulbapedia as to where exactly Team Rocket's HQ is, I decided to place it someplace in the middle of the rocky mountains/canyons between Kanto and Johto, as it's similar to the description of the HQ's surroundings. Another reason why it's feasible that the HQ is in this location is because due to the mountains around it, it would be very difficult for others to find it.

I've decided to go ahead with the assumption/theory that Agatha and Bertha are sisters, after looking at each of their Bulbapedia pages.

I'm currently very busy with uni work, with assignments and large homework tasks for basically every subject. But as always, I'll try to put some time aside to work on this story. I'm looking to finish this one by late May or June, hopefully, as I really want to start on Book IV.

Please leave your reviews. : )