Note: Do I even need to say this chapter is inspired by/takes the place of episode 63 with differences?
We're in the last gym!
44: Ash vs. Viridian Gym
"Misty, it'll probably be fine," Brock assured as he paced with her on the outskirts of Pallet's dwindling though still busy festival, sun low in the sky.
"What would you know!" Misty said, turning back to the other gym leader and glaring his way. "You never even went to Viridian Gym! It was awful both times I went! It's crawling with Team Rocket's people!"
"Team Rocket might be bad, and Giovanni might not be the best guy, but he does seem to be running a legitimate gym. He wanted the status of it, right?" Brock reasoned as he and Misty maneuvered to the safe spectating area of a festival battle.
"He wants to control us! And he got that! I don't think he cares too much about his gym," Misty snapped, facing away from him, then suddenly turning as Brock walked in front of her.
"If he was actually using the gym to attack trainers or steal pokemon, there would be complaints."
Misty stopped in her tracks, sighing as Brock almost ran into her. He didn't understand, and wouldn't be convinced, just like Ash hadn't been convinced. "What's wrong with Viridian Gym? It's right nearby here. There's a waitlist but I'm already signed up, for two weeks from now," was all Ash had said when Misty had clearly explained that he absolutely shouldn't go there. When she'd further protested, he'd just explained how Viridian Gym definitely gave out badges and he even knew trainers with the badge. He'd never listened to her before either, like when she'd said maybe he shouldn't challenge a gym reader using two rock/ground types with two flying types and an electric type, then again when she'd tried to explain that Sabrina was top tier. Of course, that had all worked out in his favor somehow, but this time he really needed to listen.
"You and Ash are both pig-headed!" Misty exclaimed, turning around to face Brock.
"I'm just saying, I've never heard any complaints," Brock said with a shrug.
"And where do you think the complaints go..." Misty began in a low voice before shouting. "They go right to Viridian Gym! They go right into his slimy hands where he rips them up and then only reads some petty complaint about Lt. Surge using a naughty word or something!"
"I-I never..." Brock stammered. "I mean, I uh, never really thought about that. But I still think if it were really being used for Team Rocket, the word would spread, and I haven't heard anything. I've heard plenty of other things about what Team Rocket has done wrong, but nothing to do with Viridian Gym at all."
Misty folded her arms, breathing in deeply before letting it out. Now that she thought about, he was right about that. Sure, she'd heard of crimes committed by Team Rocket, 'counterfeit' and otherwise, even seen those crimes - but nothing that had specifically happened in Viridian Gym. Even during her first visit, Giovanni had seemingly made sure she was ambushed far from the gym. Even so - "It's way better to just stay away," Misty declared.
"Excuse me."
Brock and Misty relaxed, nodding at the boy that had approached. It was the one Ash had talked to before that had been comically wary of Pikachu. Brock nodded at him. "Hey, I don't think we've officially met. I'm Brock of Pewter."
"Tracey, of Tangelo Island," the boy said, shaking Brock's hand.
"Ha, you're a little far from home," Brock said.
"I'm happy to have the opportunity to work with the professor here in town," Tracey explained.
"I bet it's fun with all those pokemon!" Misty exclaimed. "Oh, and I'm Misty of Cerulean."
"Yeah, we've met, though I guess you don't remember," Tracey said sheepishly.
"Yeah... Sorry," Misty said. Maybe he did look a little familiar, but she wasn't sure from where other than earlier that day. "Are you sure it was me?"
"No way I'd mistake Misty of Cerulean," Tracey said with a chuckle. "You're the one that stood up to Giovanni right in his own gym. That was by far the most exciting event of all the semester meetings I attended."
"Oh." Misty raised her eyebrows. "So you're... A gym leader? No, wait, you just said it, Oak's assistant." She suddenly remembered Tracey, cowering behind a notepad both times she'd went to Giovanni's sham show. Of course, he was just observing, didn't have a vote or any say in anything even just in name. "Why were you there?" she asked.
"The professor asked me to observe in his place. He didn't want to go himself," Tracey explained, then opened up his book, flipping before he stopped on a page. "I was curious what you'd do next, but then you were quiet, and I don't think there's been any Cerulean representation since."
"My sister is active now, not me," Misty said. "I mean, I was for a few months recently again, but it's mostly been her. She's not as dedicated as me."
"Oh. So everything's okay?" Tracey said.
Misty scowled. "I'm fine. There's just no point in going, for my sisters or me, really." Misty stomped her foot. What was with all the talk about Giovanni and Viridian Gym today? First Ash, and now this guy. "Why is Oak having you just watch, anyway?" Misty asked. "Why isn't he doing anything?"
"There's nothing we can do," Tracey said. Misty nodded before glancing back down. She'd already known that much was true. "That would be up to you guys, right? You're both gym leaders, aren't you?"
Misty again looked away. She'd already realized that, and then just blurted something out. Had she done enough? She'd just been talking about doing something with zero action. "We are," Brock confirmed Tracey's question in her place.
Tracey smiled back at them. "The meeting a few days ago wasn't very interesting. But if you're there in the fall, I'm curious how it will go. Will you be going back to Viridian Gym?"
"I'm going back in just two weeks, apparently," Misty muttered.
"Oh - Hey Misty, you don't really have to," Brock said.
"No. I'm going," Misty affirmed.
Ash led the way to the entrance of the gym, looking all too cheery as he climbed the overly ornate outside stairs, looking back at Brock and Misty briefly as he did. "Today is gonna be it! The day I get all the badges for the league! Come on, Pikachu!" Ash tried to rush off, almost tripping on the top step. He stopped not far from the door, giving his friends the opportunity to catch up.
"What is it?" Misty asked as they did.
"Um, look," Ash motioned to the darkly dressed group near the side of the building. Half hunched down, others stood, some leaned against the building as they huddled in a circle. Coarse laughter echoed over from them. A few turned and observed the visiting group, revealing the bright red 'R' on their uniform, but they soon shifted their attention back to each other, unconcerned.
"You wanted to come here," Misty pointed out, going past her friend to the door. "I told you, so I don't see why you're surprised. We'll be just on time, so let's get this done." Misty tried to enter with absolute confidence, but once she saw the two in the hall inside, she couldn't step over the threshold. As Ash and Pikachu went in, Brock behind them, she forced herself to follow too.
Unfortunately, the other rockets were right in their way, a man and a woman. The man was one of the ones that had ambushed Misty after her first visit to this gym. He'd been the one stopped another man from hitting her, but that had only been because he'd figured she'd 'understood' that they would hit her if she continued to bother Giovanni. Maybe if she stayed behind Brock, he wouldn't even notice her.
No such luck. "Hey Cass, check out who's here," he said, nudging the woman and smirking Misty's way.
"Who?" the woman asked.
"You know, star girl. Starmie and staryu training gym leader, pissed off the boss, one of the kids that disappeared after the St. Anne sunk," the man explained.
So he even knew that much about her? Misty bit her lip, hoping to just walk past these two and onto the battle room.
Instead, they got in her way. "Can't stay out of trouble, can you? What are you here to try and mess up today?" the man asked, leaning down slightly to be more on her level.
"I'm just watching my friend's gym battle! There's nothing wrong with that, is there?" Misty demanded. Her heart rate quickened, worrying that there really might be something wrong with that from their point of view, but she was still able to glare at the rocket agents.
"Right." The man stood up straighter. "There's still that going on." With that, he lost interest and left with the other one, clearing the hall.
Misty let out a sigh once they were out of sight. "Let's go," she said. Since Misty had been there before, knowing exactly where to go, she led the way. Right before they reached the door to the arena, another opened up, a boy carrying a large box appearing.
"Hey!" Misty exclaimed, stepping out of the way.
The boy put down the box, sighing, before his eyes widened in recognition. "Oh? It's Miss Misty!" he exclaimed with a grin.
"Yeah, 'Miss Misty', right," Misty muttered. Though she couldn't muster up the ability to show as much enthusiasm regarding seeing this guy as he was able to fake to see her, he could probably be counted on to be polite, so she ought to as well. "Hi, Mondo."
"And Brock and Ash, too! Also the esteemed Pikachu. Hello, hello," Mondo greeted before the others did in return.
"Hey. What have you been up to?" Brock asked.
Mondo smirked, tapping his foot. "That's... Top secret. I can't just go sharing." Mondo tittered in a mock-insidious fashion. "Team Rocket has some big plans, extremely impressive plans... But I'm not at liberty to share."
"You mean like the one where you own all the pokemon?" Misty said. "And then, um, I dunno, you take over the world with them?"
Mondo shivered, his laughter turning forced before he tried to change the topic. "So, what brings you here to our humble gym?"
"The gym is- Never mind. I'm just here for Ash's gym battle," Misty informed.
"Yeah, it's for the last badge I need," Ash added.
"Oh! That's fantastic. I love watching the trainers in the league every year! I could never compete myself, but it's fascinating to see the truly talented bunch. Will you actually be one of them, Master Ash?" Mondo gushed, then reached and grabbed Ash's hands.
Ash's eyebrows raised before he pulled away. "I gotta get to my gym battle," he said.
"Of course, of course," Mondo stepped out of the way, then reached out, presenting the door to the room where the actual battle would occur. "Please, do go. I hope to be able to brag to others this year about having saved the winner of the league from certain death just during the previous league."
"Oh yeah, that did happen while the last league was going on," Misty recalled. As they continued the conversation with Mondo, more and more uniformed Team Rocket agents were coming into the halls, certainly observing them. At least they didn't try and approach. "Thanks, Mondo," Misty said, opening the door.
"Wow," Brock exclaimed, spinning around and looking up at all the columns and decorations.
"A little much, huh?" Misty said with a smirk. "We sit over here." She led Brock to the oversized spectator's area. There was no need to have any interaction with Giovanni. They were just there to watch.
"Hello?" Ash called.
"Pikachu?" Pikachu echoed, paws in front of its mouth.
A platform nearby where the gym leader would be expected to be lowered with a mechanical whir. Ash and Pikachu's eyes both followed the display closely as it descended. When it had finally reached the bottom, two very familiar people stepped forward. Ash shouted out in surprise. "Hey!" he exclaimed. "You guys? What's that you're standing on? What is this?"
"If you ask us about 'this' or 'that'," Jessie began, stepping to the ground and posing as she adjusted the collar of her suit, which happened to be the same loud color Giovanni often wore.
James jumped next to her, striking his own pose, clad in a sequin-coated dress. "The answer will be found in-" he continued being interrupted.
"What the hell!" Misty ran from her place as a spectator, approaching the two uniformed rocket agents. "What are you two doing here? Where's Giovanni?"
"Welcome, welcome!" Jessie continued, projecting her voice to reach the whole of the large battle arena, though Brock and Misty were the only spectators. "I'll be your gym leader today. Next to me is my lovely assistant."
"Charmed to meet you," James added.
"Meet you? Of course we know you!" Misty shouted.
Meowth sat up and stretched from a table on the platform. "Huh? They're here already?" It stood up and posed itself. "That's right! Meet the gym leader of Viridian Gym!"
"Where is the actual gym leader?!" Misty demanded. "It's not you! No way you're even qualified!"
"Excuse me, young miss," Jessie began. "You're correct that the regular gym leader isn't here, but perhaps you're not familiar with gyms. There are often co-gym leaders, along with understudies. Our boss- Ah, leader of Viridian gym leaders, he makes use of them."
"That's right! So listen closely to instructions!" James continued, also projecting his voice.
"This will be a-" Jessie began, but Misty wasn't done.
"Where's your license, huh?" she asked.
"License, Meowth!" Jessie said. Meowth jumped down and handed her a paper. The acting gym leader snatched it before walking to the interloper, leaning over and waving the document in front of Misty's face.
Misty grabbed it herself. "Jessie of Viridian City," she read as Jessie walked away, clutching the paper tight enough to wrinkle it. "What is this..." Misty continued as she looked the document over, a bad photocopy with Jessie's picture and information pasted over specific areas. "This is an obvious fake! And the nerve... Giovanni not only uses his wanted 'counterfeit' agents as stand-ins, but even has you using your actual name? You think not being in the damn Team Rocket uniforms means you won't be recognized or something? Wait, wait, you're even wearing it in your photo here!" Misty dropped the obvious forgery on the ground. Meowth grabbed it and smoothed it out before placing it back on display.
"Oh? Have we met?" James asked, an expression of mock confusion on his face.
"Right, the counterfeit Team Rocket," Jessie began calmly. "We're often mistaken for them. But she's Jess E, I'm Jessie, and we part our hair differently, see?" She pointed.
"But then you have the talking meowth-" Misty began.
"Just a bit of ventriloquism. You thought it really spoke?" James said, eyebrow raised.
Misty shook her head. "Whatever. You're not licensed. This gym battle is invalid!"
Jessie chuckled. "Would you like to file a complaint? Give it right here. We'll hand it to the boss ourselves." She outstretched her hand with a mocking grin on her face.
"So your boss really is the gym leader," Ash said. The rockets neither confirmed nor denied it. "I guess this is a Team Rocket gym," Ash concluded.
"Of course! That's what I was telling you!" Misty exclaimed.
"It's okay, Misty," Ash assured with a smile. "I'm still gonna win."
"But-" Misty began.
"It's an official gym, and I'm still here to battle," Ash said.
"Great," Jessie said.
"Spectators, take your seats immediately!" James boomed.
"Go on," Ash encouraged with a nod. "I've been ready a while."
"Yeah, let's go," Brock said with a wry smile. "We'll see how this goes."
This time, Misty went by the gym leader's side, to be closer in case they tried anything. As she and Brock sat, Jessie extended her arms dramatically and continued. "Welcome all to the elitist of the elite pokemon gyms, Viridian! I am your gym leader, Jessie! Today I welcome Ash of Pallet Town! This will be a three on three battle. If the challenger wins, he can except to receive the prestigious Earth Badge!" Jessie held out one of the badges for effect.
James cleared his throat. "On the other hand, if the lovely gym leader wins, we'll be expecting a pokemon in return. We'll choose Pikachu," he said.
"That's not happening," Ash said.
"I told you so! I told you so!" Misty folded her arms and cringed from the stands. "Giovanni doesn't give a damn about having a respectable gym!"
"Uh, you guys don't want to go there," Brock advised, shaking his head.
"Heh heh. No confidence?" Jessie suggested.
"I understand that. We're the elite of all elites around here," Meowth said. "You'll be lucky to leave alive."
"The dramatics around here..." Misty buried her head in her hands as she groaned.
"I'll leave alive, with my pokemon, plus my eighth badge!" Ash declared. "Let's battle already!"
"Pikachu!" Pikachu cheered. Team Rocket's routine had made it excited for the upcoming battle.
"Can do!" Meowth said, stepping around on the table. "Allow me to present gym leader Jessie's line-up!" It pressed a button, and a curtain rose, spotlights turning on, highlighting three large pokemon in cages. "Ta da!" Meowth held out its paws, presenting the nidoking, nidoqueen, and rhydon.
"Those poor pokemon!" Misty exclaimed.
"Relax, it's just part of the show," Meowth explained. "They're having a blast."
The three pokemon did indeed seem to be enjoying themselves. There was room for them to step back, forward, and side to side, and they did, while flexing and posing. "Now if the challenger would present his lineup," James requested.
"Huh?" Ash said. "Do I have to, um, show what pokemon I'm using?"
"Go ahead, Ash," Brock called. "Some gyms do it this way, it's fine."
"Alright then. Hm." Ash wrinkled his brow before taking out three pokeballs. "Go, Bulbasaur, Squirtle, Charizard!" he shouted. Bulbasaur and Squirtle called out as they were released. Charizard snorted and looked away. "You can go watch with them, Pikachu," Ash said, nodding to the spectating area.
"Pikachu." Pikachu nodded, then ran over to Brock and Misty. It sat on Brock's lap, looking expectantly onto the field.
"Hehe, I thought he'd use Pikachu against ground types again," Misty commented with a smirk.
If the challenger's pokemon could step to the side," James said. Ash's three pokemon went to where they were directed, over to the mirror location to the gym's pokemon, though without cages. "Now, let the battle begin!" James said.
Jessie held out a remote, pressing a button on it. "You're up! Nidoking!"
"Go, Squirtle!" Ash held out his hand toward the field as he ordered his pokemon.
Nidoking's cage opened, and it ran onto the field, calling out with enthusiasm as it posed again. Squirtle ran onto the field and playfully posed itself in response. "Squirtle, squirtle!" It declared it was starting to enjoy gym battles after having won one. The two pokemon called out their mutual joy at the match before getting their first orders.
"Squirtle, water gun!"
"Nidoking, earthquake!" As Jessie spoke, she pointed her finger up in the air rather than down at the ground as seemed appropriate for the order. Nidoking roared out loudly, stomping on the ground. As it did, a puff of glitter exploded into the air before the ground in front of Squirtle started to shake. The water type pokemon fell back, going into its shell briefly before springing back to its feet, spraying the stream of water in Nidoking's face. "Nidoking, now! Thunder!"
"Squirtle, quick! Skull bash!" Ash ordered.
The lights seemed to dim, and it was a moment before Ash and the spectators noticed it was the actual gym's lighting. Squirtle threw itself forward at its opponent before bouncing back. Nidoking was pushed back only slightly, then put up its arms, roaring out into the air as lightning extended from its horn to the air before crashing down again on Squirtle. Various effect lights sparkled as the attack completed. "Squirtle..." Squirtle called in defeat, going back into its shell before falling backward and spinning in like a top.
"Yahoo!" Jessie and her friends called out.
"Squirtle, return!" Ash gritted his teeth as he brought back his pokemon.
"If the opponent could send out his next pokemon," James said in a brief lull.
"Go, Bulbasaur!" Ash continued without comment.
"Bulbasaur!" Bulbasaur called as it ran onto the field.
"Bulbasaur, razor leaf!"
"Nidoking, double kick!"
Bulbasaur finished its attack first, pelting the larger pokemon with leaves, being able to dodge both kicks by jumping out of the way, right by Nidoking's foot as the second part of attack completed. "The thing's faster than it looks! Nidoking, earthquake!" Jessie ordered a repeat of the first attack.
"Bulbasaur, again, razor leaf!" Ash shouted.
"Bulba, saur!" Bulbasaur called. The battle field's lighting dimmed again, a torrent of leaves becoming visible as it brightened again, engulfing Nidoking before it slumped and fell over.
"Nidoking, return!" Jessie took out the pokeball and sent back the pokemon back inside. "Not bad, challenger, but we're just getting started!"
The lights cut off completely. "What's going on?" Misty asked worriedly, grabbing Brock's arm. Before either of them could think about it too much, a black light went on. Jessie had changed into a one-piece dress, now with the bright-red 'R', which glowed in the new lighting.
"Bulba... Bulba..." Bulbasaur hopped around, noticing it had been dotted with several spots of color in the meantime.
"Second level, go! Time to take the stage, Nidoqueen!" Jessie pointed forward, pressing the second button on her remote. Nidoqueen, who was also glowing a bright color, either by its own innate coloring or some paint, roared out is own call as it ran in front of Jessie for the battle.
"We're still going?" Ash realized. "Come on, Bulbasaur! Leech seed!"
"Nidoqueen, double kick! Aim right for that little target!" Jessie shouted.
"Bulbasaur!" Bulbasaur called, managing to hit its target before again being able to dodge the double kick attack. "Bulbasaur," it called again in satisfaction as the leech seed restored any stamina lost by the previous partial hit from 'earthquake'.
"No good, Nidoqueen. Let's knock it down! Tail whip!" Jessie continued.
"Bulbasaur, you can win!" Ash encouraged. "Vine whip."
Nidoqueen moved closer to complete its technique, swiping its tail in front of the other pokemon. However, this allowed Bulbasaur to hit Nidoqueen on its own with ease. Nidoqueen continued to swing its tail around, and Bulbasaur called out in surprise, moving away and stopping its attack.
"Quick, Nidoqueen! Earthquake!" Jessie ordered.
"Bulbasaur, razor leaf!" Ash ordered.
Bulbasaur completed its technique before being bounced around by the earthquake attack. "Bulba, bulba, bulba," it called as it forcefully sprung up from the ground.
"Bulbasaur, vine whip!" Ash ordered.
"Bulba." Bulbasaur recovered quickly and looked up, seeing the opportunity to get ahead. "Bulbasaur!" it called out, extending its vines and hitting the other pokemon repeatedly.
"Again, Nidoqueen, earthquake!" Jessie shouted, but it was too late. With the final sap of the leech seed, Nidoqueen fell to the ground.
"Bulbasaur," Bulbasaur called with a smirk.
"Nidoqueen, return!" Jessie raised the pokeball and brought back her second pokemon before the lights cut again. Soon enough, a single spotlight went back on, and Jessie had done another costume change, this time into an alternate Team Rocket uniform, this made of black and red sequins. "To think a twerp like you pushes me this far... Without even Pikachu."
"Pikachu?" Pikachu called questioningly from the spectator's area.
"As if Pikachu would do much good here," Misty muttered.
"Now, for the final stage!" Jessie raised both of her arms, remote still inside one of hands. "Go, Rhydon!" As she pressed the button, the rest of the gym's lights turned on, and the mechanical door of the cage opened, Rhydon taking its place as the gym's final pokemon. As it called out in a large roar and posed, sparklers went off on each side.
"Bulbasaur..." Bulbasaur called, tentatively backing off. This one was even more massive than the other two. "Bulbasaur!" it called its willingness to battle, Rhydon echoing its own.
"Bulbasaur, leech seed," Ash repeated the attack that had given them the advantage against the last pokemon.
"Heh heh..." Jessie's face twisted in a grin. "Rhydon, fury attack!" she shouted. Bulbasaur began its own attack only to get hit again and again by Rhydon's own. It eventually fell, splayed on the ground, though not before having managed to wrap the leech seed around Rhydon's horn. "Tch..." Jessie frowned as her pokemon tried and failed to knock off the remnants of the parasitic attack.
"Bulbasaur, return!" As Bulbasaur went back in its pokeball, Ash turned to his last pokemon. "Charizard, now, it's your turn!" he said.
Ash's final pokemon stomped onto the field without much enthusiasm. More sparklers went off nearby Rhydon, Viridian Gym's final challenging pokemon posing dramatically again as Jessie made her own pose with her next order. "Rhydon, horn drill!"
"Chari-" Ash paused, holding his hat as the gym's pokemon rushed forward, horn lowered. Charizard parried the attack by grabbing Rhydon's whole body and redirecting it. Rhydon stopped just before hitting the wall. "Charizard, flamethrower!" Charizard eagerly followed the order, hitting Rhydon's side with the flames.
"That won't be near enough," Jessie commented. "Rhydon, rock slide!"
"Charizard, rage!" Ash ordered.
"This again?" Misty said.
Charizard roared out in fury as it was hit. It flung its arms toward Rhydon as part of its rage attack.
"Now, Rhydon, fury attack! Fight anger with anger!" Jessie ordered. Rhydon lowered its head, hitting Charizard multiple times, Charizard hitting back just as frequently. The flame on Charizard's tail grew brighter and brighter as the battle went on, eventually drowning out even the stage lights. Eventually, Rhydon was pushed on its side. Seeing the pokemon wasn't able to get up, Jessie quickly recalled it to its pokeball. Charizard raised its head and roared out in the wake of its victory, before its flame dimmed to normal and it snorted.
"You did it!" Misty said. "It wasn't a bad battle."
Ash ran onto the field, congratulating his pokemon and himself by extension. "Looks like Ash has been working with Charizard a lot," Brock commented. Misty nodded as they joined him on the field, just as the lights went out again.
"Hey! We've kind of had enough of this kind of thing!" Misty shouted out irritably.
As the lights went back on, James stood in front of them, now wearing a different flashy sleeveless outfit with a frilly skirt, two items in hand. "Congratulations," he said. "Now you're reached the stage of the second gym leader."
"Second gym leader?!" Misty repeated with disdain. "There's no such thing! You can't have a second gym leader in the same gym battle!"
"Hmph." James only grinned at Misty's indignation. "In life, you'll find there's often extra hoops to jump through," he said, now holding out the two hoops of different sizes as he spoke.
"Jump?" Ash suddenly realized there was an entire obstacle course. "Alright! Everyone, let's go!" Ash called his pokemon's names as he released each one. "Go through the hoops!" he said, pointing forward.
"Bulbasaur?" Bulbasaur had no idea the point of it, and stayed still next to Charizard. Butterfree and Pidgeotto flew upward and over the hoops. Pikachu stayed with Brock, observing them. But Squirtle soon figured out what was going on.
"Squirtle!" it called, then jumped through the first hoop and onto a platform, before going through the second one and onto another. From there, it went through a maze, up some stairs, and reached another platform where it could easily jump to the one Meowth was on. "Squirtle!" it called out in victory, standing next to the rocket pokemon.
"Here you go," Meowth said, handing it the Earth Badge.
"Squirtle!" Squirtle called in glee, going down a slide before running over to Ash and handing him the item with a grin.
"I've got it... Finally... My last badge," Ash said, holding out the item for his human friends, pokemon, and even the rockets to see.
"Squirtle, squirtle!" Squirtle called. It was willing to do the final last difficult moves to win the last battle. Charizard snorted and looked away, not taking the pokemon's bait.
"It kind of did seem like a real gym battle," Misty commented as Ash continued to praise his pokemon.
"What else could it have been?" Jessie said, coming out from in back, dressed again in her standard Team Rocket uniform.
"Um, well," Misty continued, putting a hand awkwardly to her head. Though these were two unlicensed trainers, maybe having them run his gym was better than some of the things Giovanni had them doing, so she shouldn't go overboard with critiquing them right then, especially since it would rain on Ash's accomplishment. "The battle was pretty fun, actually. I never knew Giovanni could be such a creative gym leader."
"The boss has his own way of doing things. Of course, he let us run things how we see fit," Jessie informed.
"So you added these things? There was a lot I never thought of before - the lighting, other effects, costume changes, all of the pokemon to battle there for us to see from the start... It wasn't just a good battle, but a good show," Misty spoke honestly. "You guys don't have to be criminals, you can be doing something legitimate."
Though she'd meant it as a compliment, Jessie stared at her coldly. "Yes, I've never, ever thought of that. If only we could be legitimate trainers, license and all," she said, turning away with a scowl before tossing her hair and looking Misty's way. "Listen up, twerp girl - The only thing that makes someone legitimate is if people in power say it's so. Team Rocket will soon rule the world, so we'll be legitimate at everything we want."
"Um... Good luck with that," Misty muttered, then pulled Ash's arm. "Let's get out of here already."
"Pikachu!" Meowth called out to its friend, jumping down. "Come on, stay with us! We've got enough grunts here that your twerp trainer can't protest!"
"Pikachu," Pikachu called before turning away, rejecting Meowth yet again.
"That's enough, Meowth," James said. "You know the boss said not to cause trouble for any challengers here."
"But weren't you saying you'd take Pikachu if you won?" Misty pointed out.
"Just a little bit of gym humor!" James said with a smile.
"But Pikachu can stay if it wants," Meowth said.
"You're still on about that, Meowth?" Jessie said, shaking her head. "Stop trying with just words if there's nothing to back it up. You can't say Pikachu has a low ranking trainer anymore, can you? After all, this little boy just defeated me and is about to enter the league."
"I am," Ash said as he affixed the Earth Badge next to the Volcano Badge. He grinned at the rockets. "You all can watch me win there too!"
"Pft. I don't think you'll get that far," Jessie commented.
Ash ignored the remark as he brought his pokemon back into their pokeballs, and then went to the door. "I've gotta get training!"
"Wait, Ash!" Misty protested. "Right now?" As Ash ran out, she didn't protest more, just taking the opportunity to follow him with Brock, running past all the rocket agents, going too quickly to even study their faces. Outside, Mondo was loading up a jeep with some boxes, and gave them a quick enthusiastic greeting. Misty returned it, deciding not to think about the insidiousness for the rockets right then, including all that was implied by Jessie's declaration. She'd gone in their lair, or one of them, come back out, and been fine, after all. With her allies, including possibly Ash who had gotten so much stronger in just a year, they'd do something about Team Rocket soon enough. But for now, there was only the league ahead. For the first time, she'd be at one of Kanto's biggest events of the year in person.
Next chapter: Brock and Misty vs. Lola and Aurora