Authors Note: This is a side story/spin off from my main story Electric Tales. I've tried to write it so new readers won't be totally lost, but if you enjoy it or want more background please read my original story.
For my existing readers I hope you enjoy - it will become Team Rocket backstory orientated as the story progresses. It will link to my main one, with events happening in here cannon. I didn't want to include it to detract too far from the main story, so I think it works best separate. There will be a lot more focus on relationships in this side story than adventure and pokémon battles.
Electric Tales - A Rocket Story
It was a beautifully overcast day in Pallet Town. Amber Ketchum, the teenaged red haired electric pokémon trainer, daughter of Ash and Misty Ketchum, was walking down the dirt roads towards Oak Laboratories located a top the highest hill in the small farming town. Gary Oak, grandson of the late famous Professor Oak was currently residing there and had requested her presence.
The teenager had been all over Kanto collecting gym badges from the different cities and having all kinds of adventures with her pokémon team. She'd interned at the Vermillion City Gym, assisted researcher Bill at his Cerulean Lighthouse, helped thwart Team Rocket against their evil schemes of world domination, aided legendary pokémon, forming a close bond with the legendary Thunder Bird Zapdos and along the way uncovered the dark secrets of the past. Now she was finally in training before the Pokémon League competition started at the Indigo Plateau. Still, the invitation from the close family friend came as a welcome break from the grind, the girl welcomed it.
"Boy times like these I sure miss my bike" The teen whinged looking up at the clouds as she trudged onwards up the steep hill. Still, it didn't take her long to reach the iconic building.
"I'm here Uncle Gary! What did you need to see me about?" The red head loudly announced her presence to the old family friend.
Gary Oak appeared, dressed in his lab coat, clipboard in hand. "Hey squirt. Good timing, sure didn't take you long to get here."
"Well, I'm currently living back at Mom and Dad's before the league tournament starts, so I was nearby."
"Ah I see. There is something I need you to do for me, if it doesn't cut into your training too much?"
"Na, I can take a break. What is it?"
"Ha typical, just like your father …"
Gary walked over to a small desk and pulled out the top draw, removing a lump of rock. "Here. Take this fossil. I was in the process of studying it, but with the fossil research facility on Cinnabar, well, literally going up in smoke, I'm stuck till they are up and running again."
Amber sweat dropped feeling slightly responsible for that turn of events and took the chunk of rock off the older man, examining it's features. It looked something liking to an ancient flying pokémon.
"Soooooo. What exactly am I supposed to do with this?" Amber enquired, confused.
"I think you're my best chance of solving it's mystery."
"Mystery? … Wait me?!"
"Um hum. See it doesn't restore by the conventional methods like usual pokémon fossils - helix, dome and so on. Seems there another piece to puzzle I just don't have. I know there has been some extensive work in the Galar region on fossil restoration and well with you being the lil' globetrotting, go getter you are, I figured who better for this mission."
"But I don't know anything about pokémon fossils." Amber raised her eyebrow, rolling the rock around in her hands.
"I'd go myself but, well, I'm all tied up here, not to mention I'm snowed under with updating data on the Legendary Trio Birds."
"The Galar region … I've heard of that place … hey that's where Champion Leaf is, isn't it?" Amber exclaimed.
"Is it? I wouldn't know." Gary stated, sheepishly scratching his cheek. Clearly lying.
"Well, have you asked her about it? Your good friends, right?"
"Once upon time maybe. But we haven't spoken in years. Anyway, I'm sure she's farrrr too busy to be mithered by an old fool like me about rocks."
"But you said you hadn't spoken to her so how'd you know if she."
"Here is your plane ticket!" Gary thrust the paperwork into the teenagers age cutting her off mid-sentence. "You leave first thing tomorrow morning. I've arranged transport to take you to the facility in Stow-on-Side."
"Good thing I said yes then ..." Amber grumbled under her breath. "Not like I have anything else going on."
Hearing her perfectly well, Gary responded "I'd say I owed you one, but then I think of the innovative one of a kind pokégear of mine that you lost … and the top of the line Rotom Phone I gave you to replace it ..." Gary put his finger to his chin and tapped lightly. "Remember?"
Amber sweat dropped. "I'll go, I'll go!"
"Thanks squirt and hey I'm sure it will be great training for the tournament. Who knows what you'll encounter in the wild area's there? Maybe some cool electric type pokémon you won't find in Kanto."
Amber tucked the fossil and plane tickets away in her backpack. She bid Gary goodbye and went off to prepare for her round trip.
She was off to Galar!
Amber was sat on the plane currently flying over the vast ocean. Too high up too see anything particularly interesting, she flipped on the pokédex feature of her Rotom phone and brought up all the pokémon found in region. Of course, paying special attention to the electric types exclusive to the area.
"Oooh Yamper! What a cutie! I'd love to meet one!" Amber beamed looking at the cute little tan and yellow dog pokémon. She then swiped to a purple pokémon with a white bolt on it's forehead. "Ahhh Toxel, now that's a cool pokémon! I'd give anything to have one on my team."
After a few more swipes, Amber put down the phone. She sighed as she looked out of the plane window. It was a long flight and she'd watched all the movies she could stomach for one trip. On the flip side it gave her time to be alone with her thoughts.
Galar region …
*** Flashback ***
Amber looked the guy before her. Brown floppy hair styled in curtains finished at his chiselled jawline and framed around his brilliant green eyes, an athletic figure cut in a form fitting black and white Team Rocket uniform. Agent Shane.
Amber's head was spinning with questions. "You! Tell me what is going on?"
"Now's really not the time to get into it, seriously, we've got to get out of here. Like Now!" Shane grabbed her hand and pulled her under the vent, ready to aid her escape.
Amber shoved him away "Wait! What are you playing at?!"
"Amber, please, we don't have time."
"No. We make time! First you kidnap me, now you're rescuing me? Yeah, no I'm going to need a bit more to go on before I blindly follow you!" Amber frowned.
"You have to trust me." Shane grabbed her hand and looked deeply into her eyes.
His pleading expression caught her off guard. "… why should I ever trust you?" She spoke back softly.
"Because! Because … I, well I …" Shane fumbled over his words.
Amber cocked her head. "What is your deal?"
Shane blushed deep crimson and stepped towards her. He gently cupped his crushes face and pressed his lips to hers, giving in to all his pent-up feelings.
Ambers eyes widened in surprise. She didn't reciprocate but she also didn't pull away. He parted his lips slightly, deepening the kiss. After seconds, the Rocket Agent pulled away ending the kiss, he looked down at the floor and then back up into Ambers eyes, the blush still across his face, breathing heavily and slightly sweating. Amber stayed perfectly still, shocked.
They both looked at each other confused and unsure.
"This doesn't change anything. You're a member of Team Rocket" Amber spoke quietly, looking away from him. "I can't forgive that!" A blush across her face.
Shane's heart sank. He quietly nodded. "I understand. For what it's worth I really am sorry Amber."
"What part for exactly?" Her tone almost bitter.
Shane looked up. Emerald green eyes met chocolate brown.
"All of it."
Amber stroked Zapdos along it's beak gently.
Amber, along with her Dad, Ash Ketchum, Mother, Misty and two rogue Team Rocket agents – Shane and Thea - had just rescued the legendary bird from the clutches of the evil organisation Team Rocket and were about to head off to Cinnabar Island to tame the resulting power struggle between Moltres and Articuno.
"Are you guys coming?" Amber called over to Thea and Shane.
These two Team Rocket agents had trailed the plucky young girl all over Kanto, intent on kidnapping her - as part of Rocket Bosses Butch and Cassidy's evil schemes - but eventually switched sides to aid the Ketchum girl. Defecting from Team Rocket, Shane learned of his heritage – he was the son of former betrayed Team Rocket agents Jessie and James, who had mysteriously disappeared over 10 years ago – along with his teammate Thea, he played a key part in his "employers" demise.
"Actually, no, I'm going to head to Galar to find my parents, there's nothing for me here." Shane looked over at Thea. "So long as you're coming with me?"
"Uhh ... Of course! Always." Thea stuttered.
Shane took a step towards the blonde agent and clasped her hands in his. "Did you mean what you said?"
Thea's eyes widened slightly. "Every word."
"I feel the same way." Shane conceded.
Amber's jaw dropped. "But what about me?!" The teen blurted out immediately without thinking. A faint blush across her face.
It had not been so long ago that Shane had confessed his love to the red headed Ketchum teenager, whilst she had been hesitant to return his gesture, his words had still impacted on girl. But now like his allegiance to Team Rocket he had turned 180 and was now in the direction of his oldest companion. Agent Thea, who had confessed her feelings for the ex-Rocket boy.
Shane looked at Amber, a faint blush of embarrassment appeared on his face.
"I'm sorry Amber. I think you're amazing. I really do! You're going to go on to great things, I know it." Shane looked away from the redhead and towards the blonde again. "But Thea's the one really I love. Deep down I've always loved." He looked Thea in the eyes. "I never thought a knockout girl like you would ever fall for a guy like me, so I kinda just gave up on the notion and pushed those feelings aside."
"A guy like you? Shane you're everything I've ever wanted." Thea swooned and swept his brunette curtain hair from his face lovingly, placing a lingering kiss on the corner of his mouth. The duo pressed their foreheads gently together. They both blushed hard and grinned.
"Your parents are at the facility near Stow-On-Side." Ash informed the young man as he released his Charizard. Mounting up on him ready to fly away. Misty and Pikachu joined him.
Shane nodded and smiled with gratitude. "Then that's where we're headed."
"Well, I better get going too. Good luck with everything." Amber smiled sweetly, covering up the bitter feeling swelling in her heart.
The electric trainer hoisted herself up on the flying electric pokémon. Her Pikachu bounding up to ride alongside on the legendary bird.
Amber nodded "Right. Ok Zapdos, lets fly!"
"Good luck to you too!" Shane and Thea waved after them as the Ketchum's departed from the Celadon games corner, ready to face their next challenge.
*** End ***
Amber rested her chin on her hand and continued to look out of the window. Stow-on-Side … I wonder if I'll see them there … See him there.
After touching down and going through customs, the young Ketchum was now in the Galar region and on her way over to the research site at Stow-on-Side. Flying across the region by the Corviknight flying taxi service exclusive to Galar, Amber watched the terrain form away from trees and grass and into a rich orange sandy landscape.
Guess I must be getting close …
"The research facility is just outside the city, on route 6. I'll drop you off there." The Cabbie quipped as they began their descent.
Amber saw a group of Helipotile run into the long dry grass. The teen grinned with excitement "Can't wait!"
Amber touched down on the dry dirt floor. The sun was blazing, creating a heat just about tolerable. She looked around; the place was very isolated. Out cropping's of rocks and ledges distorted the landscape, creating a multiplatform form like environment with patches of dry grass scattered around offering the grounds the only vegetation.
"Oh hey it's you!"
Amber gritted he teeth slightly. She knew that voice. She turned to be greeted by a familiar bottle blonde, ex-Rocket Agent Thea and by her side as always Shane. The pair hadn't changed much from their last encounter, except looking a lot more tanned and Thea's hair was slightly longer. Amber cringed slightly; she was so pasty in comparison to them!
"We saw the Corviknight touch down and had to investigate. We never get visitors this far out." Thea smiled.
"Hey Amber! Wow it's really great to see you again!" Shane grinned widely; his smile warm.
"Heyyyyyyy." Amber half smiled feeling very awkward. Fortunately, the vibe wasn't picked up and Shane walked over to greet his old acquaintance.
"It's so rad you're here, man I saw what you did on Cinnabar Island, standing up to the legendary birds like that? That was pretty metal." Shane grabbed the teen girl's hand and shook it enthusiastically.
"Yeah, it was totally wild." Thea nodded in agreement joining her boyfriend.
"It was … something else alright …" Amber smiled back half-heartedly, trying to play it as cool as possible, though inside her heart was pounding.
"Oh Mew. It really is you." A middle-aged lady sauntered over to the group. She wore a figure-hugging black dress, ankle boots with a white lab coat draped over her. Her hair was long and brown. "Arwww I haven't seen you since you were a baby. Now look at you all grown up and travelling the world. What a delight."
Amber's jaw dropped slightly "Champion Leaf!"
The woman smirked and posed, hand on hip, head tilted showing off her best angle.
"Wait you know me?" Amber pointed at herself in surprise.
"Of course. Me and your Daddy go way back. We were close back in the day. I mean of course you've changed a lot since I last saw you, but I'd recognise those Ketchum looks anywhere. Oh you're your Daddy's girl alright. With your mothers flaming locks of course." The seasoned pokémon trainer looked the young teenager up and down.
"… Like Dad … of course." Amber couldn't help but droop at once again being compared to her famous father.
Leaf strode up to the girl and draped an arm over her shoulders. "So sweetie. What brings you to Galar?"
"Oh right!" Amber pulled off her backpack and rummaged around inside. She pulled out the fossil. "Gary Oak gave me this. He thinks it's a pokémon fossil, but he can't figure it out. He thought maybe the answers would be here. So he sent me to get answers for him."
"Gary Oak you say. Well isn't that just a blast from the past." The woman's tone of voice changed. It was tinged with bitterness. She bent down slightly to look at the fossil. "So the great Gary couldn't figure this out huh? Must be quite the impressive bit of rock. Wouldn't come here himself then?" The woman raised an eyebrow.
"He said he would, but he was … um, too busy with his work. A lot's happened lately and he's pretty swamped."
"Isn't that always the way. Would if he could" Leaf resisted the urge to roll her eyes. "Well it's nice to have you here at least. Come on I'll introduce you to the team."
The group began to walk over to the research base. Shane walked next to Amber, with Thea and Leaf slightly behind. Shane began to make excited small talk with the new visitor.
"So, how's your Kanto campaign going? I bet you've advanced a ton since I last saw you."
"Oh yeah! I've got all 8 badges now!" Amber showed off her collection.
"Awesome! I knew you would. You'll smash the pokémon league."
Amber couldn't help the blush appearing on her face from the boy's honest compliment.
"And your pokémon? How are they doing?" Shane continued oblivious the effect his charm was having.
"Amazing. Pikachu has evolved into Raichu."
"I am so glad to hear that." Shane grinned.
"He reallllly is." Thea injected, a tease in her voice. Shane had always been vocal on his dislike for pikachu's.
"Pikachu are deadly and unpredictable!" Shane reasoned back.
"And it's evolved form that's 10x more powerful isn't?" Thea continued the tease.
"Depends on the pikachu …" The ex-Rocket agent mumbled.
"How about you? How's everything going here?" Amber decided to change the subject, saving the boy from further embarrassment. "Did you locate your parents?"
"Yeah I did! Honestly, I really can't thank you enough for getting me here. I've not been this happy with life in a long time." Shane gave a little back glance at Thea, who smiled warmly back to her boyfriend.
"It was more Dad than me …" Amber confessed shyly.
"Well I'm grateful either way." Shane smiled at the redhead, his brilliant green eyes dazzled in the sunlight. Amber blushed in response once more. Leaf noted the little exchange between the two and cocked an eyebrow slightly.
"Thea and Shane have been a breath of fresh air around here; they've settled into research life surprising quickly. Quicker than I ever did." Leaf praised the newcomers to their little group. "It's so nice talking to people who also don't know an atom from an aipom."
The group continued the walk till they entered a flat clearing.
"This is the research facility!"
"… It is?" Amber sweat dropped. The area was just a sandy clearing with a few tents and machinery. A handful of people in lab coats walked between sites. Hardly the impressive laboratories the teen had seen in Kanto.
"Haha, I know it doesn't exactly look like Oak Laboratories but we're doing some stella things here, ground-breaking even."
Amber turned around to be greeted by a senior looking man in a lab coat. He had greying hair, styled spikey and dark eyes. He maintained a trimmed figure despite his advancing years and had a kind face.
"Amber, this is Dr Foster. He's from Kanto too. He studied under Professor Oak at Celadon University. He's one of the geniuses behind pokémon restoration and a leading figure head in prehistoric pokémon. In short, Dr Foster is brilliant." Leaf introduced the gentleman.
Amber and the Doctor shook hands. "It's nice to meet you, Doctor." "Likewise. But call me Foster. Doctor sounds like I'm about to give you a shot. So, what brings you to our humble facility?"
Amber pulled out the fossil. "I was given this by Gary Oak. He told me to bring it here. Said he can't figure it out, but if there was any chance to revive this, it would be here."
Foster took the fossil and held it up to the blazing sun, turning it. "Ah Gary Oak, quite the name in the field! I knew his Grandfather very well. This must really be something if Gary is stuck on it. I'm honoured he's come to me."
"Well he's not exactly come to you himself has he …" Leaf interjected, the bitter tone in voice again.
"Aha this is a fossilised bird." Foster continued seemingly ignoring Leaf's little outburst.
"Bird?" Amber tilted her head.
"Yes. The reason it wouldn't work is you need another piece to revive it. This specimen simply won't work by itself. It's only a part of the full picture."
The group looked puzzled.
Foster sweat dropped. "Think of it like mixing paint. This on it's own is the colour red. But revival is purple. You need a blue to combine with the red, otherwise you can't make purple."
"Ooooooooooooooooooh" The group unionised together. Though Amber still didn't really get it.
"Told you he's brilliant." Leaf winked at Amber.
"Well just because I've figured out something is missing; doesn't mean I've figured out what is missing." Foster reasoned, mulling the fossil over in his hands.
"I thought you said we need blue?" Amber blurted out. The rest of the group paled at the dumb outburst.
The Doctor sweat dropped. "It's still quite the mystery. I look forward to working on this! I'll bring it to the team right away! My partner Cara Liss will be so excited!"
"So even you don't know how?" Amber deflated slightly.
The Doctor offered the teenager a soft head shake and smile before departing the group to start work on the mystery fossil with his colleagues.
Leaf placed her hand on the teenage girl's shoulder. "Don't worry kid. Foster and his team will figure it out before you can say Fletchinder."
"How can you be so sure?"
"Because they did this." Leaf pulled out a pokéball and released a large pink fairy pokémon
"Clefableeee"
Amber's eyes widened. "Oh! Is this?!"
"Yes. This is my Clefable that was petrified by Team Rocket's monster experiment all those years ago. Doctor Foster reversed the process and brought my Clefable back to me. Perfect as the day she evolved." Leaf smiled down at her partner. "Faaabbllleeeeee."
"Wow that's amazing." Amber's eyes glistened. "They actually did it, they brought a pokémon back from extinction."
"She wernt da only one." A scratchy voice called out. Amber turned around and found herself face to face with a Kanto meowth.
"A talking Meowth?!" Amber was gobsmacked, she'd never known a pokémon actually talk before.
"Bit late to da party ain't ya kid?"
Shane walked over and scratched Meowth behind the ear, the pokémon closed his eyes and purred in response.
"This is my Meowth. Well, more my parents I guess, he was a pokémon under Team Rocket, but he joined Mom and Dad and rebelled against them, just like we did. Only they were not as successful …" Shane continued to pet the cat pokémon. "Doctor Foster managed to bring him back too, just like Clefable. It's been amazing spending time with him, he was always my favourite babysitter when I was a kid. He's been telling me stories of when I was little, and before I was even born."
"An' now ya all grown up. I missed so much." Meowth's eyes welled up and he hugged Shanes arm, rubbing his head against his friend.
"Shane really does bring out another side in Meowth, I'd never seen him so affectionate." Leaf beamed at the sassy cat acting all gooey over his favourite human. "He's usually a sarcastic pain in the."
"Oh my Arceus! Is that! … It is! Amber Ketchum! Wow look at you!" Another middle-aged man came barrelling forwards, a dust could kicking up behind him and sketch pad in hand. His hair was dark, tied up into a man bun. A faded red headband lined his forehead, keeping loose hair out his eyes. "You've grown up so much, I can't believe it! Though not as tall as I thought you'd be … your mother was definitely taller at this age … because you're what? Gotta be 16 at least! Guess you take after your Dad, he didn't have a growth spurt till he was about 18! Guess the hair sticking up adds an inch or so …"
Amber paled as the strange man began sizing her up, measuring her arm span and height and then detailing it all on his pad. "I'm going to make a quick sketch. Then we can compare!" He began to sketch the teenager.
"What the?!" Amber didn't know how to react to the bizarre events unfolding. She could feel her face heating up.
The man paused and looked at Amber. "Don't say … you don't remember me! It's me, Tracey Sketchit!"
Amber's face looked blank.
The man's eyes dilated and watered. "I used to work at Oak Labs, I travelled with your mom and dad round the Orange Islands, I gave your mom her Azumarill … I was an Usher at their wedding!"
"Ohhhh … yeah of course! Tracey …" Amber sweat dropped, still none the wiser as to whom this man was.
No one ever remembers me! Internally Tracey was crushed, tears streamed down the pokémon watchers face.
"You're quite the celebrity aren't you" Shane chuckled at Amber. The redhead looked to the older teen and blushed in response. Leaf once again clocked the exchange. Her eyes narrowed for a brief moment.
"Tracey enough creeping on the kid. She's had enough attention for once day." Leaf grabbed Tracey by the arm and dragged him away. "We'll catch you youngsters later. Feel free to check out the rest of the facility and don't do anything I'd do. Come on Sketchit."
Thea stifled a laugh and waved bye to the adults as she walked over to Shane, Meowth and Amber.
Something shiny caught Amber's eye as Thea approached. "Hey is that?" Amber pointed to a partly concealed necklace around Thea's neck. The blonde smiled and pulled it out, showing off her precious accessory.
"Yeah, it's a heart scale. Isn't it pretty? Shane got it me for our 1-month anniversary." As Thea tilted the necklace the sun caught it, creating a soft rainbow of colour across its smooth exterior.
"It's beautiful." Amber's eyes sparkled at the sight. "Hey aren't they really rare? Like reaaalllllly rare? My dad gave my mom one years ago. She said it was a one of a kind."
"Just like the wearer." Shane wrapped an arm around Thea's waist and the couple shared a long loving look. Amber shifted uncomfortably, feeling uneasy. "Um maybe I better see what's happening with the fossil." The teen tried to excuse herself from the awkward situation she found herself in.
"Hey! Do you wanna meet my parents?" Shane lit up, ignoring the redheads attempt at a swift exit.
"Your parents?!" Amber's eyes widened.
Leaf walked into her trailer and slammed the door open hard. "I can't believe that coward!"
Tracey followed in behind the angry woman, gently closing the door behind them.
"It's been over 10 years. 10 years and he still won't face me!" Leaf threw herself onto the sofa. Laying down on her back, looking up the ceiling.
Tracey sat down on the end of the sofa. Leaf raised her foot up inviting a foot rub from the pokémon watcher, which graciously accepted.
"No instead he sends his little Chimchar out there to do his dirty work. Ugh just the mere mention of his name! And seeing her doesn't help. It's like I'm 27 again and back where I started. I can't believe it still has this effect on me! How pathetic."
Tracey massaged the ball of Leaf's foot. "I never saw the appeal personally. I mean his Grandfather was legendary, but Gary? Not so much. I couldn't stay working under him that's for sure. Way too arrogant for my liking."
"And what is to your liking Mr Sketchit? You're not into redheads too. Are you Tracey?" Leaf pouted, flirting, as she threaded her fingers through the man's thick hair.
"Absolutely not." Tracey began to kiss up the woman's leg gently.
Leaf continued to massage his head. "No, of course not, you're a good loyal boy aren't you, Tracey."
"Um humm" Tracey continued his ministrations.
"Like a little Lillipup." Leaf leaned back and closed her eyes, giving in to her play toy's advances. Tracey made for a good distraction, but her mind was still very much fixed on someone else. She turned her head to the side.
Gary …
Authors Note: I never understood characters that "write themselves." I remember an interview with a Spider-Man editor who said Peter Parker and MJ naturally came together, I though how can that be you're the ones writing them! But now I totally get it. Even I want Amber and Shane to end up together! Which was never intended ...
I promise it will get more Team Rocket orientated as the story progresses. Thanks for reading.