I just wanted to make it clear that I'm using the Rocket Executive "Lance's" Japanese name Proton, since there's already a Lance and he will be involved in the story.

HGSS: Johto Saga

Season 1 Opening: Believe in Me

Part 5

Crossing Rocket

Ethan and Lyra descended the stony, damp tunnel downwards into the ground.

"When you size this place up, it looks like a well," Lyra observed when they had reached the bottom.

"Either that," Ethan started, "or you could have seen the sign outside that said 'Slowpoke Well'." Ethan chuckled at Lyra.

"Well, anyways, look at all the Slowpoke down here. But, wouldn't they be coming towards us? I hear that Slowpoke come at a very slow rampage on trainers when they enter their domain. I wonder if something's up. Ethan, we should check it out." Ethan nodded.

"It may have something to do with that guy from before. Maybe he's doing the same thing that other one was doing before?" Ethan suggested. Lyra shrugged and moved on.

Up farther ahead, Ethan yanked her behind a boulder.

"Shh. I see some more of those guys! One, two...four of them. Three wearing the same uniform as before, and one has a slightly different one with blue hair. He looks like he's talking to them." Lyra peaked out the other side of the boulder, grimacing.

"I wonder...if they are some kind of...look!" She noticed the word "Rocket" on the outside of the blue-haired guy. "Ethan, what did you say about the 'T' earlier? Team or trio?" Ethan nodded in agreement. "Then I think that's...Team Rocket! His shirt says rocket, so if you're right about the 'Team' then that has to be Team Rocket."

Ethan snapped. "I should have known before. I heard on the news some time ago about Team Rocket up to no good, but they were arrested. Or at least some of the minor members. I think he may be a high-up...they must be doing something with the Slowpoke...come o-" Ethan was cut short as a small pink pokemon's nose bumped into his knee.

"Huh? Look, a Slowpoke!" Ethan took note of its solemn looking eyes. "I-I think it's sad..." Lyra clapped a hand over his mouth.

"I noticed. You're talking really loud...!" She then saw one of the grunts looking over the boulder at her. She shrieked.

"Hey, you kids get out of here!" The man with blue hair approached them.

"What is it, Gorgan?" The man said.

"Oh, Leader Proton, these kids were just snooping around."

Ethan popped and flew backwards. "Who are you guys to say?! Oh, and what are you doing in here?" He barked.

"Oh, if we must say. Like some kids could do anything," Proton said in a very smooth, mannerly voice. "We are Team Rocket. We're in Slowpoke Well to take the Slowpoke tails and sell them. They're very popular in some areas as a...delicacy," he snapped.

"What?! You're going to eat the tails? That's horrible!" Ethan replied gruffly. Lyra straightened and glared into the grunts face.

"Oh yes. But if you have a problem with it, we can make a deal. We battle. Simple as that. But the conditions are..." He started, and paused, waiting for any hesitation. "The deal is that if we win, you leave and let us tend to our business. But, if you, with the tiniest chance there is, happen to win, we will leave and let these useless Slowpoke be...do we have a deal, kid?"

Ethan nodded. "Sounds perfect! Let's go. Lyra, take down the grunts. I know you can!"

Ethan sent out his Hoothoot.

Proton smirked and reached for a pokeball. Enlarging it, he sent out his Koffing.

Ethan slipped out his Pokedex. "Koffing the Poison Gas pokemon. The poisonous gasses it contains are a little bit light than air, keeping it slightly airborne."

"So Hoothoot was a good choice. Hoohoot, use Peck! Let's go," Ethan commanded. Hoothoot hopped towards Koffing, its beak glowing.

"Koffing, please fire a good ol' Sludge!" Koffing shot globs of sludge at Hoothoot. They hit directly, sending Hoothoot sprawling back. It stood back up, uneasily.

"Come on Hoothoot, you're stronger than him! Use Confusion!" Hoothoot's eyes glowed blue and Koffing was suddenly outlined in the same color. It was thrown into the air sharply. "Now, hit it with Peck!" Hoothoot hobbled forward again, this time jamming its beak straight at Koffing. Koffing was delivered with the blow and sent back, tumbling across the ground.

"Hm, you insist on being a pest...Koffing, use Poison Gas!" Koffing's mouth opened and a purple fume spilled out, clouding of Hoothoot. It began to shake all around, and stumble.

"Oh no, Hoothoot's poisoned..." Ethan thought to himself, as he covered his mouth.

"Hoothoot, use Confusion to blow the gas away!" Hoothoot barely used Confusion, but twister the gas into a funnel and aimed it at Koffing. Koffing was taken into this and slammed against the ground, the horrendous stench drowning it.

It was soon let up, Koffing revealed to be fainted. Proton recalled it and threw another Pokeball. "Come on out, Zubat. Use Wing Attack!" Zubat zoomed towards Hoothoot.

Suddenly, a funnel of water slammed into Zubat, smacking it up against a wall. Ethan looked over, to see the Slowpoke from before reared up, having fired Water Gun. "Thanks...Slowpoke! All right, Hoothoot and Slowpoke, use a Confusion!" The two pokemon fired off a ray, instead of just the telekinesis version, towards Zubat, exploding on contact. Zubat fell, fainted.

Proton recalled it and grimaced. "Looks like you've won, boy, but only with the help of the Slowpoke. Rocket, we're pulling out. You will see us again...!" Proton and his goons quickly cleared out of the well.

Lyra walked over, recalling her exhausted pokemon.

"So, you defeated a Rocket Executive, or so he called himself."

"I guess, but those guys were strange. I think we need to keep an eye out for..." Suddenly, the Slowpoke rubbed up on his legs.

"Hey, little guy. Thanks for helping me!" Slowpoke smiled. "Hm, do you wanna come with us on our journey?" Slowpoke nodded quickly. Ethan tapped it with a Pokeball and Slowpoke fell into it. It shook, but then sealed. "Yes, I caught...a Slowpoke!"

A man climbed down the ladder into the well, checking out every Slowpoke.

"Goodness gracious...were those mean people trying to hurt you...?" He asked the Slowpoke. He turned his attention to Lyra and Ethan. "You two...did you clear out Team Rocket? No need for an answer...thank you so much! Meet me at my house on the other side of Azalea Town ASAP!" He quickly hurried out. Lyra and Ethan shrugged and high-fived. They then headed out of the well.