Episode 19: Rocket's Red Err

A Delibird flies through the air. It seems like the skies ahead are clear and nothing is in its way. Suddenly at high speeds, a Talonflame dives at Delibird, knocking back. A piece of paper flies from Delibird's sack. Delibird shouts angrily, "Deli deli!"

The Talonflame dives again, picking up the piece of paper this time. "Tallllllonflame!"

Delibird looks into its sack and realizes the paper is gone. "Deli!" It flies angrily at the Talonflame, managing to catch up. It grabs the paper and pulls. Talonflame doesn't let go. They have a tug-o-war for a few moments, before the paper is ripped, sending both Pokémon recoiling back. Talonflame flies off out of sight. Delibird sighs, "Deli…" It looks at the half piece of paper in its hands and shrugs. It then puts it back in its sack and continues on its way.

Well, isn't this situation a familiar one for our heroes?

Ash, Brock, and Brenda stand facing Jessie, James, and Meowth. Ash demands, "What makes you think this time is going to be any different than any time before!?"

James replies, "Because we're doing this for The Boss!"

Jessie adds, "He has faith that we can succeed in the Tenno Region, so we will!"

Meowth nods. "Meowth, that's right!"

Wobbuffet appears. "Wobbuffet!"

Ash sighs. "Pikachu, just get this over with…"

Pikachu, seemingly annoyed itself, steps forward. Without even putting much energy into it, "Pikaaaa chuuuuu." It shocks Team Rocket.

They are sent up into the air, screaming, "Team Rocket's blasting off already!" Instead of disappearing in twinkle of light, the scene follows them as they then fall back down, landing in a tree. They are left hanging in it. Jessie is angry. She demands, "How are we ever going to please The Boss if you two keep on screwing up all the time!?"

James, hanging on a branch by one leg, replies angrily, "Excuse me, but you're just as much to blame!"

Meowth shouts, "Yeah, if anyone's not to blame, it's me!"

Jessie and James both hit him in the back of the head. Meowth swings around scratches them. The three then get into fight, causing an obscuring dust cloud. The tussle causes the tree to shake enough for the branches to snap, and they fall to the ground. They all look at each other and sigh. James is just about to say something as Meowth interrupts him, pointing up to the sky and declaring, "Hey look, it's the Team Rocket Delibird!"

Sure enough, the Delibird seen earlier is flying down towards them. "Deli deli!"

Meowth translates, "It claims its brining news straight from HQ for us!"

The previous loss is completely forgotten. James says with excitement, "Maybe The Boss is sending us some super powerful Pokémon to help us here in Tenno!"

Jessie counters, "Or maybe he's promoting us!"

Meowth shouts excitedly, "I bet he's rewarding us for all the great things we've done for him!"

Delibird lands in front of them. It reaches into its sack and rummages around for something. It produces the torn piece of paper. "Deli!"

Meowth takes it. "It's a letter with The Boss' letterhead!"

James says excitedly, "Well what are you waiting for!? Read it!"

Meowth reads, "Team Rocket Grunts 1024 and 1025-"

Jessie interrupts, "That's James and I!"

Meowth mumbles, "Why am I always being left off of these things…?" He looks back to the letter and continues, "It has recently come to our attention that your current position in the Tenno Region requires some changes. You are no longer fit to serve as Team Rocket Grunts."

Meowth, Jessie, and James all look at each speechlessly for several moments. Jessie, as if trying to contain intense anger, asks, "Did…that…letter…just…say...what…I…thought…it…said?"

James says, "That can't be it! Keep reading Meowth!"

Meowth shakes his head remorsefully. "No, that's all it says."

What it means sinks in to all three at the same time. They all shout with despair, "We've been fired!"

Jessie looks at Delibird angrily. "You worthless bird! Get over here!" She stomps towards it.

Frightened, Delibird leaps up and flies away. "Deli deli!"

James starts to cry. "How could The Boss do this us? We were his only operatives in the Tenno Region!"

Meowth cries as well. "How could The Boss want to get rid of me, I just know that he's been waiting for the opportunity to replace that filthy Persian with me…"

Jessie, still angry, looks at them and shouts, "Shape up you two! We may not be Team Rocket any more, but show some dignity! The world's not over!"

James looks up. "It might as well be…"

Jessie slaps him. "Stop that attitude, stop it right now!"

Meowth sobs, "What else can we do?"

She slaps Meowth as well. "We just have to move on and forget this ever happened! Surely there's other things we can do."

James and Meowth have stopped crying, but are still extremely upset. James shakes his head. "Jessie, we've dedicated our entire lives to Team Rocket. Without them, we have nothing."

Jessie suddenly starts to sob as well. "You're right!" James and Meowth start crying again. They all huddle and cry together.

Who's That Pokémon!?

Using the long fur on its arms like whips, this Pokémon launches into combo attacks that, once started, no one can stop.

Ex-Team Rocket walks depressingly out from behind some trees. They are all moving slowly, and hang their heads in despair. They just happen to be intersecting the path Ash and friends. Ash and Pikachu instantly leap to a fighting stance. Ash shouts, "Not you three again!"

Jessie, James, and Meowth look up at Ash, and then back down. James sighs, "We're really not interested in catching your Pikachu anymore…"

Meowth adds, "Yeah, in fact, you'd be doing us a favor by blasting us off…"

Ash tilts his head in confusion. "Um…okay. Pikachu…Thunderbolt?"

Pikachu is equally confused, but shrugs, unable to pass up the opportunity. "Pikaaaa chuuuuuu!"

The attack hits, launching ex-Team Rocket once more into the skies. They cry with no emotion, "Not Team Rocket's blasting off…" They disappear in twinkle.

Ash, Brock, and Brenda continue to look confused. Brenda asks, "What was up with those guys?"

Brock suggests, "Maybe they've finally decided to give up catching Pikachu."

Ash laughs, "That would be the day!" Pikachu, Brock, and Brenda join in laughter.

Ex-Team Rocket lands in what appears to be a town taken straight out of a western movie. It's dusty, old, and rickety. After landing, they just lie on the floor, not moving even the slightest bit. After a few moments, a kid strolls by. He's young, wears blue overalls with a black shirt and a red hat. He stops next to them and looks at them curiously. He picks up a nearby stick and pokes each of them once. They still don't move. He asks, "Excuse me, are you three okay?"

Jessie, James, and Meowth sigh and slowly stand back up. Meowth solemnly responds, "Yeah kid, we're alright…at least physically…"

The kid looks the three of them over. "Falling from the sky…the costumes…a talking Meowth sidekick…" His eyes suddenly go wide. "You three must be superheroes!"

James sighs. "Sorry kid, but-"

Jessie holds up her arm and cuts him off. "So what if we are?"

The boy looks excited. "I knew that someone like you would show up eventually! Why don't you come to my house? You three look hungry."

James and Meowth instantly perk up at the mention of food. Jessie says, "In that case, we are superheroes. You may call us Team…um…Righteous. We're the defenders of the innocent…and all that stuff…"

The boy is wide-eyed. "That's so great! Our town really needs people like you!"

James says, "Of course, we can help, but first we require fuel for our heroic exploits."

The boy nods. "Of course, follow me."

It's Mienshao!

Jessie, James, and Meowth are sitting around a table with a spread of food. The boy from before and presumably his mother stand watching them eat ravenously. The mother says, "So is it true, have you three really come to help our town?"

Between bites, Jessie says, "That's our job and all, as heroes."

James nods in agreement. "Yeah, we're always doing this kind of thing, we travel from town to town, helping whoever needs us."

Meowth slyly adds to himself, "Not to mention reaping the rewards."

The mom smiles. "Then I'm glad you enjoy my cooking so much, it's the least I could do." She suddenly looks down and says remorsefully, "Especially after the bandits have taken so much from us…" She looks back at them. "Do you three already know about our bandit situation?"

James shakes his head. "No…um…we had only heard that your town was in trouble, but not why."

The mom nods. "Alright, allow me to fill you in. You see, for the past year now, our town has been plagued by bandits, attacking us with their Pokémon, stealing anything they can. Some of us tried to fight back with our Pokémon, but the bandits stole those Pokémon as well. Now our town is poor and has almost nothing, and yet those bandits return every month to take whatever they see fit. The food I served you is some of the last in our stock."

Jessie, James, and Meowth barely listen, as they continue to eat and nod occasionally.

The mom continues, "You actually came just in time, the bandits are supposed to return any time now."

As if in response, a rough and tough voice from shouts, "Alright, it's that time of the month again! I want everyone in this pathetic town out here now, so I may inspect their houses and take anything I desire as payment for your town's continued protection!"

The mom shouts, "That's one of them now!" She and her child run outside.

James stops eating and stands up. He declares, "I guess it is time for us to take action and protect the innocent!" He turns around to see Jessie and Meowth, each holding a bag of food, sneaking out the back door. He demands, "What do you two think you're doing!?"

Jessie answers, "What does it look like? We're taking the food and running."

Meowth nods. "Yeah, we've got all we can get from this lame town."

James is angered. "How dare you say that!? These people fed us the last of their food because we promised we could help them! We owe it to them to help! And help them we will!"

Jessie responds, "James, do I need to remind you that we're not heroes? We're villains! We don't save people!"

"That was before! Or do I need to remind you that we're no longer part of Team Rocket!? This our chance to forge a new identity! Give ourselves a new purpose in life!" Mime Jr. appears to copy James' inspirational movements. "We dedicated our entire lives to Team Rocket, and they deserted us! I think it's a sign that we were meant to do bigger and better things in life! We were meant to be heroes, and the opportunity to fulfil that destiny and repay these kind people is now! I say we forget our past and move forward as good guys…as Team Righteous!"

Jessie and Meowth sigh in defeat. Jessie nods. "Fine, we'll help the people. I don't like it, but we'll help."

Meowth states, "But don't think this change is permanent."

James smiles. "Something tells me that you'll change your mind about that. Now come on, let's move out!"

They walk outside. Once out there, they see a crowd of villagers on one side of the town, and a single thug on the other. The thug is dressed like a biker, with a black leather coat covered in metal spikes, as well sunglasses. The thug is saying, "I've waited long enough. Get out of my way!"

The boy shouts, "You won't take anything from us this time! We have superheroes to protect us!"

The bandit laughs. "Superheroes!? Are you joking!?"

James declares, "No, he's not!" The crowd parts way, revealing Jessie, James, and Meowth.

Jessie adds, "Even if it's against our better judgment, we will protect this town!"

Meowth finishes, "You don't stand a chance!" The three step forward.

The bandit laughs again. "You are fools!" He throws a Pokéball. "Show them Scraggy!"

Jessie and James each throw a Pokéball. "Go Haking!"

"Go Repiv!"

The bandit commands, "Use Brick Break!" Scraggy runs at Haking, with its fist glowing.

Jessie shouts, "Stop it Repiv, Wrap!" Repiv slithers at the Scraggy and wraps its body around it, immobilizing it.

James commands, "Now Haking, Tackle!" Haking rams its self into Scraggy.

The bandit shouts, "Get out of there!" Scraggy manages to slip out.

"Repiv, get it with Poison Fang!"

"And then you go in for a Sludge Bomb Haking!" Repiv strikes at Scraggy, biting it. As Repiv withdraws, Haking launches a series of poisonous sludge attacks. The two attacks knock out Scraggy.

Meowth looks surprised. "You two jokers actually did it."

Jessie and James look at each other excitedly and then jump for joy. They both cheer, "We did it! We won!"

The bandit returns his Pokémon and looks angrily at Jessie and James. "Mark my words! You'll pay for this!" He runs away.

The entire town cheers. Someone shouts, "Three cheers for Team Righteous!" The entire crowd cheers, "Hip, hip, hooray!" three times.

A tear comes to Jessie's eye. "They…like us…they actually like us…"

Meowth looks extremely happy. "This might just be the happiest moment of my nine lives."

James is proud. "What did I tell you guys!? This is it! Team Rocket is no more! For now on, we are Team Righteous!"

The crowd continues to cheer.

Some time has passed. Team Rocket (Righteous?) is watching as some town people raise a banner displaying what is now known as the "Righteous R." The boy approaches them with some friends of his age. One kid says, "There's no way you know them."

The boy responds, "But I do." He looks up at them. "Excuse me, but my friends don't believe me when I tell them that I was the first in the town to meet you."

James smiles. "It is true, he was the one who found us after we fell from the sky." The kids all look at them with admiration. James proclaims, "And you too kids, can grow up to become heroes! All you have to do is believe in yourself and power of justice!"

The kids all smile and then run away laughing. A man wearing a suit approaches them next. He says, "As mayor of this town, I am obliged to thank you three, but to be honest, I don't know how I ever could. We owe you so much."

Meowth says, "Don't mention it, it's all part of the job."

Suddenly, from across the town, someone shouts, "Help, the bandits are back!"

They each look off toward the direction of the cry. Jessie says, "Time for action!"

The mayor declares, "Good luck Team Righteous, may your battle be successful!" Jessie, James, and Meowth run off.

A giant group of similarly dressed bandits has appeared at the edge of town. Several townspeople look towards them with horror. The lead bandit demands, "Where are the ones you know as Team Righteous!?"

Jessie and James can be heard laughing. On top of a nearby building, Jessie appears. "Prepare for trouble bad guys!"

James appears on a building across the street. "Make it double if you're wise!"

"To protect the world from devastation!"

"To unite all people within our nation!"

"To defeat the evils of malice and greed!"

"To extend our help to all who plead!"

"Jessie!"

"James!"

"Team Righteous blasts off villains at the speed of light!"

"Surrender evildoers or prepare to fight!"

Meowth appears on the street between them. "Meowth that's right!"

Wobbuffet joins Jessie. "Wobbuffet!"

As does Mime Jr with James. "Mime mime!"

The lead bandit looks at them. "You three ruined my hold on this town! You're going to pay!"

Meowth shouts, "No, it is you who will pay for the injustices you have done to this town!"

Jessie and James each throw their Pokéballs, letting out Repiv and Haking again. "Repivvvvv!"

"Hak haking hak!"

The leader snaps his fingers. "Get'em boys!" Each of the bandit horde throw a Pokéball, each letting out a Scraggy.

Jessie commands, "Repiv, spray them with Poison Sting!"

James adds, "And Haking, rapid fire Sludge Bomb!"

The two Pokémon release a rain of attacks, which hits most of the Scraggy, instantly rendering them unable to battle. Several Scraggy make it past the attacks and move in at Repiv, who manages to weave and slither its way around each of the Brick Break attacks.

James says, "Make it harder for them to attack, Smokescreen!" Haking clouds the field with black smoke. A fight can be heard, but not seen. Within a few moments, the smoke clears, revealing that Haking and Repiv have defeated all of the Scraggy.

Meowth declares, "You cannot hope to defeat us, for we fight for truth, justice, and the Pokémon way!"

The lead bandit steps forward. "You may have defeated my thugs, but I will be much harder to defeat!" He throws a Pokéball of his own. "Put a stop to this Scrafty!"

A Scrafty emerges. "Scraft!"

"Head Smash on the Haking!"

Jessie shouts, "Repiv, intercept it with Takedown!" The two Pokémon collide with massive force.

James commands, "Quickly, use Sludge Bomb!" Haking sends several globules of sludge at Scrafty, hitting it before it can recover.

This angers the leader. "Get back up and use Focus Punch!"

"Wrap Repiv!" Repiv wraps around Scrafty's fist, stopping the punch. "Now Poison Fang!" Repiv strikes, biting Scrafty. Scrafty falls.

The leader is shocked. He returns Scrafty and shouts, "All bandits, retreat!" The band of bandits turn around and run.

James shouts, "And don't you ever dare come back!"

Jessie adds, "This town is under the protection of Team Righteous!"

Meowth adds, "And you better tell all of your bandit buddies too!"

The townspeople cheer. The mayor approaches the team. "That's twice now that you have saved our town. We are forever in your debt."

James looks off valiantly. "Do not mention it, for justice, is its own reward." He looks to the townspeople. "In fact, it is we who should be thanking you, for you people have allowed us to reach our full potential!" The people cheer. "It is a shame that we must leave."

Jessie yanks James off to the side, Meowth follows. She demands, "What do you mean we must leave? We have the perfect gig here."

James shakes his head. "It's no longer about getting the perfect gig. There are people out there who need our help even more than these people did. Now that we have solved their bandit problem, we have no reason to stay. We must move on."

Meowth nods. "I agree."

Jessie sighs. "Yeah, you're right."

James looks back out to the audience and shouts, "And with that, we must bid you all adieu! But do not fret, for…"

Jessie declares, "Anywhere there's evil in the universe…!"

James shouts, "Team Righteous…!"

Meowth comes in, "Will be there…!"

They all finish, "To make it all disperse!" The crowd cheers, and Team Righteous runs off into the sunset.

Jessie, James, and Meowth continue to walk away. James states, "It feels great to do the right thing."

Jessie and Meowth nod and both say, "Agreed."

James continues, "I think that even if I were given the choice, I would never return to Team Rocket."

Meowth asks, "Who's Team Rocket?" After a moment, they all laugh.

They all look up as they hear the cry of a Pokémon. "Tallllllonflame!" A piece of paper falls from the sky.

Meowth catches it. "Hmm…I wonder what this is." He uncrumples it, revealing a torn piece of paper. "That's odd, it's signed by The Boss." He looks at it. "Wait a second…hand me that letter The Boss sent us."

James pulls his torn piece of paper out of his pocket and hands it to Meowth. Meowth puts the two pieces of paper together and reads, "Team Rocket Grunts 1024 and 1025, it has recently come to our attention that your current position in the Tenno Region requires some changes. You are no longer fit to serve as Team Rocket Grunts." He stops for a moment, at the same spot as the letter ended before, but then continues, "Therefore, you are now being promoted to Team Rocket Grunt Class II, a more proper rank for your current position. Signed, Giovanni, Leader of Team Rocket."

The three look at each other, absolutely stunned. Jessie begins, "So we were never fired…?"

James adds, "And The Boss just wanted to promote us…?"

Meowth points out, "So we just went through all of that for no reason…"

They all leap up at once and shout, "Team Rocket's back!"

They all excitedly run like crazy. They run down a path. Up ahead, Ash, Brock, and Brenda can be seen. Before they realize what's happening, Jessie runs past Ash and grabs Pikachu off of Ash's shoulder. "I'll be taking this!"

They continue to run. Ash is a little confused, but he suggests, "Pikachu, want to try another Thunderbolt?"

Pikachu prepares its attack. "Pikaaaaaa chuuuuuuu!" For the third time today, Pikachu's electric attack causes Team Rocket to be launched into the air. Ash, Brock, and Brenda look at each other, not sure what to think about what just happened.

As Team Rocket flies through the air again, they look absolutely ecstatic. Meowth shouts, "It's good to be back were we belong!"

Jessie declares, "I hated being the good guy!"

James agrees, "The life of crime is the life for me!"

They all joyously shout, "Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off again!" They disappear in a twinkle.

While our heroes may never know the true story about what happened today, one would hope that our villains learned a valuable lesson about doing the right thing, The Narrator laughs, or maybe not!

To Be Continued…