"Surprised?" He evilly asked while grinning.
Oh, I WAS surprised. I always expected something nasty from this guy… Anything! But this… Siding with Team Rocket – with my enemies…
"Just… how?" I carefully asked him.
"How? You asked me!" He accusingly answered. "You asked me to find Team Rocket… But I did even more! And I like what I did…"
"I… I just don`t understand!" I made a step back and grabbed my head to pull all those crazy thoughts together. "You infiltrated Team Rocket to gain information for me?"
"Pffft… You think too much of yourself. I did not infiltrate them… I joined them!"
I can`t believe it… The world crumbles around me. I did not expect Douchebag to be able for such a betrayal. Absolutely!
"They promised me power… They gave it to me." He began explaining. " They gave me the chance to show myself. They paid me quite a lot… So that I can fulfill my dreams."
"They are Team Rocket!" I shouted at him. Just now I have noticed that the blue glow of next teleport is in the room behind the Douchebag. He stands on my way on purpose.
"I don`t care. Giovanni gave me what he promised – at least, he doesn`t lie. The rest doesn`t matter to me."
Of course… How could I think otherwise. Douchebag doesn`t care about morality and other shit. He cares about money and power. Too bad I don`t care about it too. I can`t let anyone stand on my way. Even him. Especially him.
"You were sent to stop me…" I said severely. "But you will not. Get the hell out of my way, Douchebag."
"Nope." He playfully replied, threw his pokeball up and caught it on landing. "You shall not pass me, loser. Giovanni has a serious talk with company president… No one can disturb them."
"I can, and you will not delay me, Douchebag!" I was angered really to my limit.
"But I will. Together with him…" He have dropped the pokeball on table and the capsule opened releasing his pokemon outside. Surprisingly it appeared to be Pikachu… I suddenly caught myself on a thought that I don`t know any other Douchebag`s pokemon but Quartz and Caesar. This is going to be hard battle.
"So… We will make our pokemon fight for us? How about dealing with this faster and easier in a fair fist fight?" I tried to provoke him. But instead I just made him think a bit.
"You`re afraid of losing, yes? You could never beat me and you never will!" His provocation sounded much stronger than mine. "Please, fist fight as you wish… With my Flash the Pikachu."
"This is it. I will move you from my way, traitor! Reaper, deal with him!"
And so I sent my first pokemon on the field. Well, it was the large office room again – my last battle with Giovanni in an office didn`t end well. But I always enjoy breaking stuff during the fight.
"Let`s start with Poison Sting!" I gave the first command.
"Double Team…" Our opponent coldly replied. He had some plan…
The mouse pokemon was faster than us and managed to disappear among the fake images even before our attack. Our first hit destroyed the phantom, but Pikachu himself remained somewhere near.
"Okay, we know how to deal with this. Strafe maneuver!"
After my command Douchebag became more serious. He knows that I have lots of tricks that can overcome his rough power.
"Quick attack, Flash!" He ordered.
Meanwhile my Reaper charged into the first phantom image and flew through it proving its fakeness. But right after that another one rushed right to him and reached my Beedrill in a moment. The impact was quite strong but it just threw my pokemon back and helped him to accelerate in another direction. He rushed through the circle of Double Team images and struck Pikachu in the back with his stings. This didn`t cause the poison but looked good too.
"Oh no, nothing can compare our speed! Flash, Agility!"
Okay, let`s see what can this move do. Let`s see and hit at the same time.
"Reaper, seize the moment and hit with Twineedle!"
The opposing pokemon somehow began to warm up, stretching his limbs and causing the bright red aura glow around him. Just after that the opponent jumped back and forward much faster than before. I guess now I know what this move does…
Anyway, this did not interfere with our attack and Reaper struck this damn Flash with his nice long stings. I even felt some enjoyment from that view… The hit was good and took the opponent to the edge. We`re winning now.
"And now use Thunderbolt, Flash!" Douchebag angrily shouted.
This doesn`t sound good… Thunderbolt is one of the strongest electric moves, it can really change the whole course of battle. We must finish him right now!
"Twineedle, again! Give him your best shot!"
The powered-up Pikachu jumped back and discharged a powerful lightning at my Reaper even before he moved from place. The small electric charges covered his body showing the cursed effect of paralysis.
"Damn it… Come on! You can do it!" I cheered for my Reaper. I believed he can do it. And he DID.
The powerful hit with pointy stings threw Pikachu back and made him crush into some bookshelf. Firstly, some papers fell out of it… And then the fainted body of Flash.
"This isn`t the end!" Douchebag angrily yelled while returning his pokemon. "You can`t beat me, loser."
"Well, I have spent the whole month training every night… What can YOU tell me about it?" I challenged him to a speech battle also. "How was your last month?"
"Hmph!" He snorted and threw another pokeball on the field. Suddenly his next pokemon appeared to be Growlithe.
"Ha! Lots of money but no funds for a Fire Stone? Pitiful…" I shook my head in disappointment.
"Muhtar, Flame wheel!"
He was serious about our battle and attacked without delay. I`m not sure if my Reaper can withstand an obviously fire-type move but we can try to weaken the opponent for the future.
"Fine… Let`s try Poison Sting!" I gave the command almost feeling this won`t work.
The opposing puppy pokemon angrily hopped to us creating a burning sphere around his body. I`m sure we would be faster if not for the paralysis… Soon this Growlithe jumped high up to the ceiling and curdled into a blazing ball just to fall on my Beedrill from the height. Of course, we couldn`t counterattack in this situation and Reaper was crushed into the table he was standing and into the floor. Just a crater remained after the broken furniture with my pokemon lying in it, fainted.
I returned him silently and looked at Douchebag with interest. Now he felt his own glory for the victory… This guy likes when his plan works.
"Fine. Let`s do something else…" I grinned and threw my greatball on the field.
The evil figure of ghost-type pokemon immediately covered in the shadow and laughed at our opponent before actually entering the field.
"Say hello to your douchebagy old master." I greeted Loser. "Let`s show him who is the loser now! Sucker punch!"
"Roar!" Douchebag calmly replied clicking his fingers.
My pokemon charged his hand to perform an attack… But suddenly he lost the concentration and surprisingly looked at his left arm. As I know, this move works only when the opponent`s move is attacking… That means Roar is not an attacking move… What is it?
The opponent gave me the answer. The loud growl shook the walls of Silph Co. and suddenly my Gengar screeched and turned into the energy returning back to his greatball.
"What the heck?"
I felt the strange shook on my shoulder belt and the lower greatball opened by itself to release the pokemon on the field. That`s… how my Magikarp faced Douchebag. And made him laugh uncontrollably.
Judging by Muhtar`s confused muzzle he wasn`t expecting to face Magikarp. The fish pokemon landed on the table debris and was just hopping and catching the air. Pitiful sight…
"That was just… the best!" Douchebag shouted through the laugh. "I will even give you the first move!"
"That`s all we need. Magikarp, use Tackle!" I realized that my plan can be very risky. But I really wanted to erase this stupid smile from Douchebag`s face. My Magikarp will destroy him! I know that he endures physical moves pretty good and this Muhtar seems to have physical moves. We have trained a lot and I think we can actually survive for one or even two rounds. I have to give my partner a chance.
But this chance has to be higher, I thought looking at the decorative water tank near the wall. The thick glass tube of water filled with different seaweed, corals and etc. Looks cool and dangerous. Perfect.
"After the hit… move to the Position, Magikarp!" I added another command. This is actually one of the simplest for my team and even Magikarp can perform it. I tried to point somewhere near the water tank so Douchebag doesn`t uncover my plan.
"This won`t help you… Flame Wheel!" My rival loudly ordered.
I knew how this will end… We have trained our reaction speed quite a lot so my pokemon was first to land a hit. Magikarp finally makes me proud of him…
The quick and easy Tackle damaged the opposing Growlithe a bit but after that my fish pokemon jumped back before the water tank.
"Position!" I gave the command to stop and Magikarp fell on the floor waiting for what`s coming at him.
And something actually was coming… When the foe monster turned into a spinning wheel of fire, Douchebag finally realized my trick, but it was too late. Muhtar rushed to my Magikarp and crushed into the water tank together with him. The mix of sharp glass and burning water for a fire-type pokemon was really painful.
The water flooded the whole floor and covered Growlithe completely. The natural water doesn`t seem to be really hurt for him but it still had the effect. That makes me think…
"Finish him with Tackle!" I gladly commanded to Magikarp.
"Take down!" Douchebag ordered angrily. I guess I got him into my trap…
Two pokemon raised from the water and glass and together rushed to each other. My Magikarp moved much faster in this large pool of water and managed to hit first again. The collision was pretty strong for both pokemon: my partner was thrown back to the broken water tank and into the pool and Growlithe was thrown into the nearby pillar and… actually finished.
The look on Douchebag`s face was just unforgettable. The weakest pokemon has just defeated one of his overpowered bandits!
"Unbe-f****ng-lievable…" He swore quietly.
"Hey, watch your mouth, there`s…" I looked back and noticed that Leaf is actually not with me now. I even felt a bit sorry for that. She would want to share my triumph together with Misty. "Well, yeah… Swear as you like."
"Ugh…" My opponent was literally shivering from the anger inside him. From the pure hatred to my Magikarp splashing in the pool of water.
But then Douchebag began to look around. He finally began to observe the area and find the opportunity to use the battlefield in his favor. He finally learns how to battle.
After a couple of seconds the cunning smile on his face stated he actually found something.
"Well, then, let`s cheat together!" He said while returning his fainted Growlithe back. The new pokeball was thrown on the battlefield. "Eggman, let`s go!"
So, now an Exeggcute entered the fight. Quite fitting name, I have to say. And a really strong opponent for us. Should I replace Magikarp for someone that isn`t weak to grass-type?
"Stun spore, Eggman!" Douchebag immediately began the fight without even giving me the time to think. In such condition Magikarp has no chance of winning, especially while being paralyzed. I guess we`ll take the risk and just show that bastard how much we can withstand. Maybe we can even try separating this group of eggs and destroy them one by one.
"Tackle the right one and return!" I gave the command knowing that staying in the water before the attack gives my pokemon the speed advantage.
My Magikarp quickly jumped from the pool and hit one of the eggs throwing him back. Other eggs hurried to jump after their lost brother and reunite. Maybe this is their weakness… What a strange pokemon.
But this strange pokemon quickly regrouped and spit a cloud of dangerous green powder at my Magikarp splashing in the water. The effect of paralysis appeared immediately causing my pokemon shiver. Now it will be harder for us to attack as we attacked before.
"Well, let`s try to overcome this… Tackle the same one once more!" I ordered with a little bit less determinant than before.
"Ha-ha… Stay where you are, stupid fish! Eggman, use Confusion on that panel!" Douchebag shouted evilly and pointed at something up above my pokemon. When I noticed that the shock was real... He was going to attack the electrical board!
This time Exeggcute had the advantage. All six eggs collected together to cast their horrible spell and explode the device under the ceiling. This caused the lights overcharge and a large cable falling down right into the pool of water. Magikarp was struck by strong electrical discharge and could not get away because of the paralysis.
"What are you doing?" I shouted at the Douchebag. "This will kill him!"
"Nah, just one stupid Magikarp… They never die." He replied coldly.
That angered me really strong. My previous observations stated that elemental powers caused by pokemon and the ones created by nature or human are completely different things. The first ones can`t kill, but the second one – can! I had one training with Surge`s Pikachu and I know how pokemon-created electricity affects water pokemon. It`s NOTHING compared to what my Magikarp is experiencing right now… to what Douchebag did. This idiot is going to kill my pokemon!
I knew this will hurt. The pool of water is under voltage now, but I have to save my pokemon. Without a second thought I rushed to him and pushed out of the water. Strong electrical charge hit me and made lose control of my body. That was really, really, REALLY hurt! The vision slowly became blur…
"Oh, you stupid…" Douchebag swore irritated and pushed me out of the pool with something long. "I don`t want to kill you, oh no… I just want to have some fun! And you`re spoiling it again!"
The pain was slowly fading away and feelings were returning back. The uncontrollable heavy breath didn`t let me say anything so I was just trying to blink enough to see my Magikarp. All I wanted was just to see him alive.
But then the distant cries of crowd reached me… I couldn`t understand it and it was becoming closer and closer… louder and louder… And – what`s the most important – it was scaring Douchebag.
"What the hell…" He confusedly shouted when the first hit in the door sounded.
"Hah…" I wheezed trying to get up. "Looks like someone will have to make a choice."
"What do you mean?"
I stood up straight and looked at my Magikarp lying nearby. Burned and hurt but breathing and alive. I silently returned him back into the greatball and stared at Douchebag.
"My reinforcements are coming for you…" I evilly informed him. "Do you think you was delaying me? I was delaying you!" I pointed at the door that was hit once more.
"You still can`t defeat me, that`s it!" Douchebag counterattacked me. "Even now you try to outsmart everyone, right? Without your tricks you will never beat me!"
"I already did." I replied shortly before another hit in the door. "So now… get rid of these Rocket clothes and head to my guys. You will have no chance against them and if they find out you worked for Team Rocket… You`re pretty dead."
"Now you`re giving orders to everyone around, yeah?" He said displeased.
"What? No! I don`t give orders. I just shout out loud good ideas…" I slowly passed him and headed to the room with teleport while staring at him. "Everyone who is smart enough to understand why these ideas are good, follow them. So you can stay here and ignore all my ideas on purpose just for show-off and wait for resistance forces to get you. Sabrina will be happy to burn out that small brain of yours… You will die with pride knowing that you managed not to listen to my orders. That`s fine, yes?"
This time Douchebag was paralyzed. He knew I`m right. He knew he doesn`t have much of a choice.
"I can keep everything that happened here in secret… Just because we`re gang for life!" I assured him. "But only if you stop being such a jerk and do at least something useful in your goddamn life!"
"Words are the only strength you have…" He quietly replied. "Maybe they will help you defeat Giovanni… Screw him, you WILL defeat Giovanni! I got everything I needed from Team Rocket, so I don`t need it anymore… But you will never be able to keep up with me!"
"We will see." I released a small device from my hand and stepped back into the teleport. The bright flash moved me to the next location where I was needed to be but the device remained. The small grenade remained…
Resistance forces with Leaf in the head finally broke through the door and got into the meeting room. Douchebag was there no more. Just the teleport and a small beeping bomb.
Explosion was pretty weak – it was not supposed to kill anyone. It was supposed just to break the teleport so no one follows me. It worked perfectly.
I appeared in a long hallway, completely alone. The large doors in its end mean I`m close to the president office. But I`m not ready yet to face what`s hiding inside that room.
Using the time I still have; I released all my team at once.
"Okay, guys, I won`t lie. Today we all may die." I said and sprayed hyper potion on Dumpling.
"This is a challenge we have already faced. But this time… It will be much harder." I addressed Reaper while healing him.
"We have to give everything we`ve got." I instructed Moment and sprayed him too.
"This is a battle we can`t afford to lose. So much is at stake. This is going to be serious. More than ever." I reminded Harry. He knows this better than anyone in my team and lowered his head accepting my medicine.
"The last battle… was just a joke. Another of Douchebag`s stupid jokes. But this one is NOT. So we have to fight until the very last drop of blood…" I seriously said to Loser. The time has come for him to realize our lifestyle.
The last one in line was my Magikarp. The big red fish pokemon silently lying on floor and looking at me with eyes full of hope. This causes just pity in my heart… I didn`t want to send this guy to war. He may not make it.
"…even if just one drop is all we have." I quietly finished my speech and healed Magikarp. Scratches and burns quickly disappeared but I knew it is not enough. He had a tough battle and a hard aftermath. I hope I can keep him on the bench and alive…
"So… Let`s go and save Kanto region!" I stood up and cheered my team. We all roared loudly in the name of victory. May be the whole floor could hear us but I didn`t care. We didn`t care. We headed to the office - together, all seven of us.
To my surprise the door wasn`t guarded. Not a single grunt there… Does that mean the boss sent everyone to battle resistance… Or he is just so sure he can handle me alone?
It doesn`t matter. Maybe he has prepared a trap for me… He definitely did. He knew I am going to use the bypass and so he sent Douchebag to stop me. I`m sure traitor listened to me and Bill at that moment, so the leader of Team Rocket could not stay unprepared.
I loudly opened the doors and got into large office room. This looked just like meeting room but much bigger. And near the large table I saw a high man in white suit and a woman in modest office uniform. The president of Silph Co. and his secretary, I guess. On the left of them a purple pokemon was standing growling threateningly at them.
And the only one sitting at the table was the Boss. The real Boss over Silph Co. The Boss over Team Rocket. The Boss over the whole Kanto region.
He slowly turned his head to me when I entered the room and smiled.
"Well, finally we gathered together!"