Angel was in a strange town. It looked a great deal like her hometown of Cerulean City, but, at the same time, it didn't. At first, she couldn't place why. But then she noticed the rundownedness of buildings, most of which she recognized from her childhood, with their doors and windows shuttered closed. The streets that used to be full of joyful children and Pokémon now held young ones who were starving and filthy. Every now and again, she saw a better-looking tween, but it wasn't common. The children were all alone, no adults to comfort them. In fact, the only grown-ups she saw were very well fed and dressed, loitering around the only two shiny maintained buildings in town.
Everyone who was "better off" wore some form of clothing or item that openly showed their allegiance to Team Rocket. Angel breathed a sigh of relief. At least the town would now be saved. They'd help out the people here. Two children walked towards one of the adults. Their hands were open, most likely seeking food. Instead of giving them something like she expected, the Agent summoned a Pokémon, which made the children run off.
For a while, she just stared at the Pokémon she saw. It had an aura like a Shadow, but it was black instead of purple. And it didn't look like any Pokémon she'd ever seen before. As a matter of fact, it looked like it had been fused from several different Pokémon.
The sudden appearance of a Pokémon beside her caused her to jump, fearful that she was under attack. She calmed down when she remembered this was not only just a dream, but her dream. Still, when she turned to fully face the Pokémon and saw that it was a Giratina, she stepped back so quickly that she fell on her bottom in the process.
Giratina laughed at her, which only caused her to blush. "Happens every time. And yet, still funny." A female's voice. "Hello there, Angel Flamel. Your heart and mind are already going in the right direction, but too slowly. You need to understand now."
"U-Understand wh-what?"
"What Team Rocket is all about. You've already noticed that the Trainer over there called out a strange creature. You may have even concluded that it was related to Shadow Pokémon. You are correct, but they are not like the ones you hold within your pokéballs. These ones were created."
Though she didn't speak it aloud, Angel thought it was pretty cool that science could do that.
Giratina stomped a foot. "It is not!" There was a pause, and, when next she spoke, there was sorrow in her voice. "This is the result of hundreds of Shadows being dissected and experimented upon. They may be an aberration, but they are just like their normal counterparts in nearly every fashion. Team Rocket isn't the only ones running tests on them. But they are the ones most apathetic to the treatment of those they consider subservient."
Angel was silent, not really wanting to believe any of what was being said. "They can't be all bad if they're letting them go after they get what they want."
The Giratina shook her head. "It wasn't intentional. Giovanni wouldn't let potential strength like this slip through his fingers. His scientists aren't just testing to find the best genetics. When testing for their weaknesses and endurance, they don't care about the end result, so long as they get results."
"What?" Angel's eyes widened, horrified that anyone would be able to go that far for science.
"We cannot let this future come to pass. You are not the first to see the Shadows as the Pokémon they are. But you are the first willing to fight for them. They need you."
She shook her head furiously, still doubting everything she'd just been told. Eight years! That's how long she'd been with Team Rocket, and, until yesterday, she'd never been asked to do anything that wasn't wrong from her point of view. "How—" Angel swallowed, and took a deep breath. "How do I know that you are telling the truth? Or that you are even real, as opposed to a figment of my imagination?"
Giratina tilted her head, and the only thing Angel could see in her mind was her father giving her one of his common 'Are you really that dense?' looks. For the second time in less than two minutes, she blushed in embarrassment.
"Does it really matter? If I'm real, you believe me automatically because it came from a Pokémon. If I'm just inside your head, then you already believe what I say is true, and are desperate to convince yourself."
Angel chewed on that statement for a little while before speaking. "What do I need to do to prevent this future?"
"You're already on your way there. Continue doing what you're doing. Get those three to your father. They will be safe with him. I and the others will make sure of it. You know what else you have to do. It's all a matter of finding the courage."
She nodded, knowing this meant leaving Team Rocket. But it would also add a bullseye to her back. She'd need powerful friends if she wished to go this route. It took her a while to realize Giratina had spoken. Angel blinked, and gave the Legendary her full attention.
"Return to Vermillion City. Speak to Officer Jenny. You will need her connections in order to stay ahead of Team Rocket."
Angel shook her head so hard and quickly that she had to pause before speaking to let her dizziness pass. "I cannot! She doesn't trust me anymore. She'll just throw me in a cell the first chance she gets."
"Trust is unnecessary. As is becoming best friends again. You only need her help. The worst that will come of it is being locked away for a week or two."
Again, she shook her head, this time much gentler. "If some of the Shadows are in as much danger as you say they are, being locked up might cost them."
"And what if, in the future, you had the chance to save dozens, but were prevented because you were caught? No. It's best to do this now. On your terms. Before the ante is too high. Even at the loss of a life or two. You must do what is best for the greater good. That's a reason I chose you to be the first of the Warriors of Light. Now, awaken. Danger approaches."
From a sound sleep, Angel jerked into a sitting position. Though sweat poured down her face, she was shivering. Her breaths were quick and shallow. The reality of the dream was fading, but the sensations remained. Never before had she had experienced a dream like that before.
Angel frowned when she realized where she was. Hadn't she gone to the Pokémon Center to sleep for the night? How in the world did she end up here?
A crunch drew her attention, and she directed her gaze to the path into the city. Apparently hiding beneath the roots of a tree as she was, she should be able to see who approached without them noticing her. It was still possible, but most people tended not to notice the obvious. Unfortunately for her, the newcomers had a Pokémon walking with them, and it was at perfect height to see her.
It cried out in actual speech, and Angel couldn't move. Was she still in a dream?
The pair was still about thirty feet away when they knelt down. One was a male with short purple hair and green eyes. His companion was a woman with waist-length red hair and blue eyes. No way! Could it possibly be the most notorious trio in all the Regions? A quick glance down at their shirts confirmed her suspicions.
"Ohmygosh!" Angel exclaimed as she crawled out from her hidey hole. "Can it really be Jesse, James, and Meowth?"
They blinked in surprise, and then huddled together, muttering quietly amongst themselves. After a minute or two, they stood, and James spoke. "Oh, goody! Did you hear that, Jesse? We're famous!"
"I heard it, but now she knows for a fact that we're with Team Rocket!" Jesse wrapped an arm around James' neck, drew him in, and gave him a noogie with her other hand.
Angel laughed as she got to her feet, which made them turn to look at her. "Relax, Jesse. It's not like there's another group like you. And if there was, well. I'd hope you three could prove that you're the better team."
"Of course we could! Nobody's better than us!" James shouted with utter confidence. "But, uh. Who are you?"
She approached them. "I'm Angel Flamel. Perhaps you've heard of me?"
The three went into another huddle. When next they looked at her, they were all shaking their heads.
"Strange. I would assume you've heard of me. Maleficent and Iggy had."
"Now, them, we've heard of. You spoke their names with a bit of hatred. Do you have an issue with them as well?"
"I met them not too long ago. They tricked me, and stole my Melanistic Sableye, Ebony. He's one of my closest friends, and I was so surprised by their deception that I let them get away. Now, I'm scared I'll never get him back."
A third huddle. Then, Jesse: "Where did you last see them?"
"About a mile from Vermilion City."
"We'll help you. But only because it gives us a chance to put them in their place. We have a reputation to protect as the best of Team Rocket. Oh. You can travel with us if you'd like."
Angel opened her mouth to turn them down, but realized that she could just as easily transfer the three Shadows she carried to her father in Vermilion City. Plus, it would be a fun experience to travel with three of her heroes. "I'd love that."