Episode 151: In the Mimelight

Jessie, James, and Meowth are hiding in an alleyway of Kanaveral City. They're gathered around a holographic projection of Giovanni. Giovanni looks at them in surprise. "I've seen the footage on the news. You're telling me that you three stuck around after I ordered a retreat and actually managed to defeat Team Planetary's Ultimate Weapon and instigate events leading to the disarming of Team Planetary?"

Jessie, James, and Meowth all nod emphatically. Jessie adds, "We knew we couldn't give up when we were so close. We were in a unique position to follow through on Team Rocket's ultimate goals."

Giovanni strokes his chin as he carefully observes the trio. "It would seem that I've underestimated you three yet again. You did what even the Giovanni Garrison could not. How interesting. Team Magma, Team Aqua, Team Galactic, Team Plasma, Team Flare, and Team Planetary. You three were responsible for the collapse of them all. You will be commended for your efforts."

James says, "Rewards are not necessary. We have simply done our duty as Team Rocket operatives."

Jessie is quick to chime in with, "But rewards are appreciated, if not necessary."

Giovanni continues, "Team Planetary will no longer have the ability to block my efforts to infiltrate Tenno. However, after the failure of the invasion, Team Rocket needs time to recover before further infiltration efforts are undertaken. But it would seem we need not be in any hurry. You three are free to return to your usual activity. Giovanni out." The projection flickers away.

Jessie, James, and Meowth all glance at each other for a moment, then leap up as they cheer, "Ya hoo!"

Meowth shouts, "We did it! The Boss is praising us!"

Jessie adds, "We were the heroes not only of the world, but of Team Rocket!"

Wobbuffet butts in, "Wobbuffet!"

James cheers, "Things are looking up!"

Mime Jr. mimics, "Mime mime mime-mime mime!"

Meowth pauses to consider something. "But wait… We've been on this Team Planetary mission for a long time. What do we do now?"

James is glancing across the street towards a tower, marked with a Pokéball emblem as a gym. "I actually have something I need to take care of. You two can figure out what you want to do without me." He grabs Mime Jr. and dashes off.

Jessie and Meowth take confused glances at each other. Meowth asks, "Do you ever get the feeling that James is hiding something from us?"

Then they both laugh it off. Jessie chuckles, "As if he would hide anything from us! We're his best friends!"

Their attention is caught by Ash, Brock, and Brenda walking down a nearby street. Meowth comments, "The Boss did give us permission to resume regular operations. What do you say to keeping up the success streak and capturing ourselves a Pikachu?"

Jessie grins. "I was afraid you wouldn't ask."

Ash, Brock, and Brenda stroll happily down the streets of Kanaveral. As they walk, many other pedestrians seem to recognize them.

A businessman asks, "Hey, aren't you those guys?"

A mother walking with her baby cheers, "You saved us! Thank you!"

A child shouts across the street, "You're my heroes!"

The Planetary Crisis is over, and now our heroes are everyone's heroes! And with things settled down, it's finally time for Ash to get a match he's been looking forward to for a very long time.

Brenda asks, "Ash, do you think you're ready for the Kanaveral Gym?"

Ash laughs. "Of course we're ready. I first challenged Neil back when we first came to Kanaveral. I only had one Tenno gym badge then. Now I have seven. I say that makes me six badges over ready. And once we beat Neil, I'll be qualified for the Tenno League!"

Pikachu cheers, "Pika!"

Brock laughs. "Just don't forget how challenging everyone says Neil is. After all, the guy was the first man on the Moon. You have to be strong to manage something like that."

As they walk and talk, Jessie and Meowth sneak just out of sight behind them.

They stop in front of the gym tower. Brenda gasps. "Wow, I've never seen a gym building that's so tall."

Brock points out, "All the towers in Kanaveral are at least that tall. The gym kind of had to be too."

Ash urges them forward. "Come on. Enough staring. Let's go." He enters the building and announces, "Neil, I challenge you to a gym battle!" Brock and Brenda follow behind him. Jessie and Meowth also sneak in before the door closes.

Neil turns around and smiles. "Ash, I was wondering when you would show up. I have much reason to be thankful towards you. You saw something that I was blind to, and for that, you have my eternal gratitude."

Ash smiles back. "I was only doing what I thought was right."

"I know I promised you a battle after the rocket launch, but someone got here before you. Would you mind waiting?"

Ash looks disappointed. "Oh…" He forces a grin. "Of course." He looks around. "Who's your challenger? I wouldn't mind watching the battle."

Neil looks around too. "Strange. He was just here. James?"

Ash questions, "His name is James…?"

Jessie and Meowth look to each other in confusion.

Someone sighs and steps out from behind the nearby bleachers. It's James. Mime Jr. is in his arms. Upon being spotted, he shouts, "Twerps!"

Jessie leaps forward and shouts, "James!?"

James gasps, "Jessie!?"

Ash gasps, "Team Rocket!?"

Meowth leaps up and randomly shouts, "Meowth!"

Jessie shoves Meowth aside and asks, "What are you doing here, James?"

James' eyes dart left to right. "I…I figured the twerps would come here…so I…uh…scouted ahead…"

Neil looks at him with confusion. "No, you came here for a gym battle. You even showed me your seven gym badges."

Ash gasps, "Seven gym badges? How is that possible?"

Meowth taps his foot. "James, is there something you haven't told us?"

James sighs. "Fine." He pulls out a badge case and opens it for all to see. In it is seven gym badges. The first is the Comet Badge that Halley gave him. Also present is Neutrina's Radioactive Badge, Crate's Meteor Badge, and four other unknown badges.

Ash, Jessie, and Meowth all step in closely to look at the badges. Jessie looks to James and asks, "How'd you manage to steal these without us?"

James sighs. "I guess the truth is out… I didn't steal them…" He looks to Jessie. "You were always so happy doing Pokémon Contests…"

Jessie forces a laugh. "Yeah…I was before…not anymore."

James ignores her attempts to cover her secret. "I needed something for me to focus on. Something in my life outside of Team Rocket." He hugs Mime Jr. tightly. "That's what Halley inspired me to seek after my battle with him." He sighs. "You probably think I'm completely pathetic now." He looks to Jessie and Meowth. "You'll never respect me as a teammate…" He looks to Ash. "And you'll never respect me as your adversary…"

There's several moments of silence. Jessie, Meowth, and Ash all laugh. Meowth says, "If Jessie can compete in contests—"

"Used to compete!" Jessie emphasizes.

"Used to compete in contests, then I don't see why you can't battle at gyms."

Ash adds, "And I've never respected you as an adversary anyways."

James contemplates this. "Hmm… When you put it that way…" He looks down at Mime Jr. "So, you don't think any less of me?"

Jessie shakes her head. "Not at all."

Ash laughs. "I don't think that would be possible."

James grins. "Okay then." He looks back to Neil. "Do you accept my challenge?"

Neil chuckles. "After that little soap opera, how could I not?" He beckons to the battlefield, which is designed to look like the surface of the Moon.

James takes his position, while Neil moves to the spot across from him.

Ash, Brock, Brenda, Jessie, and Meowth move to the bleachers. Brenda comments, "This should be interesting."

A referee enters the room. He announces, "This will be a three-on-three—"

James interrupts, "Wait, I meant to ask. Would you agree to a two-on-two battle instead?"

Neil stares for a moment at James. "A two-on-two? For what reason?"

"I only have two Pokémon who can battle with me. The other gyms all agreed."

Neil crosses his arms. "I'm sorry, James, but three-on-three battles are league standard. I will not be authorizing anything less than that."

James looks dejected. "Oh…"

Jessie stands up. "James, you can borrow Repiv or Buzzsaw!"

"Wobbuffet!"

"Better yet, take the blob!"

James shakes his head. "No…I can't do that…I need to win this using my own Pokémon."

Meowth suggests, "What about Mime Jr.? Why can't you use it?"

James looks down to Mime Jr. in his arms. "Mime…Jr… I couldn't… Mime Jr. doesn't battle… I could never put Mime Jr. in harm's way…"

Neil comments, "James, Mime Jr. seems to mean a lot to you."

James nods emphatically. "It does. Mime Jr. means everything to me."

"Have you ever asked Mime Jr. if it wants to battle or not?"

"But—" James sighs. "I haven't."

"Then ask."

James looks down to Mime Jr., who looks back up at him. They stare into each other's eyes. "You've never been in a real battle before…what do you want to do, Mime Jr.?"

Mime Jr. continues to look James in the eyes as it says, "Mime mime mime, mime. Mime mime mime. Mime-mime mime mime, mime mime. Mime mime."

Jessie asks Meowth, "What's it saying?"

Meowth wipes a tear from his eye. "It's beautiful. Mime Jr. is saying that it's James' partner, and that it wants whatever James wants. The two of them are in it together, through thick and thin. If James wants to battle Neil, then so does Mime Jr."

Brenda gasps. "Wow, I never knew Mime Jr. and James were so close. It's so sweet."

James continues to stare at Mime Jr. He's stunned. "Mime Jr…"

Haking and Ivine both appear from their Pokéballs. "Haking!"

"Ivine!"

"Haking? Ivine? What is it?"

"Hak hak hakin!"

"Ivine iv vine!"

Meowth translates, "Haking and Ivine also have James' back. They understand his feelings towards Mime Jr., and they want to do anything they can to help."

James smiles at his Pokémon. "You two are such good friends to me." Something occurs to him. "If you two can defeat Neil's Pokémon on your own, then there would be no need for Mime Jr. to battle in first place. Are you willing to do whatever it takes?"

"Hak hak!"

"Vine!"

"You guys will try? For Mime Jr.'s sake? Thank you." He looks to Neil and nods. "Okay. We'll do it."

"Mime mime!"

Neil grins. "In that case…" He nods at the referee.

The referee nods back. "If there are no further objections, then this will be a three-on-three battle. Only the challenger will be allowed to substitute Pokémon. Battle, begin!"

Neil throws a Pokéball. "Blast off, Metang!"

The Pokémon that Neil sends out isn't a regular Metang, but rather a Tennoan Metang. It's silver and gold colored with glowing red eyes. Instead of levitating, it floats above the ground using its two arms as rockets.

This encourages Ash to pull out his Pokédex. "Metang, Tennoan Form, the Two Stage Pokémon and a Steel and Fire Combo-Type. The combined ability of the rocket boosters of two Tennoan Beldum means this Pokémon can fly twice as fast for twice as long. It consumes minerals which it converts into rocket fuel. Evolves from Tennoan Beldum at level 20 and into Tennoan Metagross at level 45."

James puts Mime Jr. down at his feet. "Go, Haking!" Haking floats forward as James returns Ivine to its Pokéball for now.

"Hak! Hak!"

"Haking, let's give this everything we've got! For Mime Jr.'s sake!"

"Hak!"

"Haking, use Gyro Ball!" Haking spins about fast enough that it blurs into the shape of a top and flings itself at Metang.

Neil is quick to counter, "Metang, use Flame Charge!"

"Metang!" Metang aims its rocket arms behind it and fires a powerful thrust from them to propel itself forward covered in flames.

The two Pokémon collide, crash, and bounce back. James immediately follows up with, "Give yourself some cover, Haking! Use Smokescreen!"

"Haaak!" Smoke billows out from Haking's pores and quickly covers the battlefield in a thick shroud of smoke.

"Great! Now Tackle!"

Neill advises, "Metang, stay alert. It could come at you from any angle. When it does, be prepared to counterstrike with Meteor Mash."

Metang cautiously observes its surroundings, or at least as much of them as it can with its limited scope of view.

Haking suddenly bursts in from its side. Metang attempts to punch it away but is too late. Haking slams into Metang. Metang crashes into the ground and skids across the floor.

Brock says with amazement, "I can't believe this is the same James we battle on a daily basis. He's showing skill, determination, and ingenuity that we never see from him."

Ash agrees, "It is unusual to see."

Meowth grins smugly. "How about you just hand Pikachu over now all nice and amicably. That way you'll never have to face James like this."

Ash laughs. "Are you kidding? I want to battle James at his full potential. Looks like it would be fun."

Meowth shrugs. "Can't fault me for trying."

Brenda, who's sitting next to Meowth, stares at him critically and chastises, "Yes. I can."

Meowth scoots away from her uncomfortably.

James is too focused on his battle to hear any of the banter. "Now that it's down, try Gyro Ball again!"

"Up, Metang!"

Metang tries to get back up as fast as it can, but Haking is quick to come from behind. Haking plows through it with Gyro Ball.

But as Metang tumbles back, it manages to fire its rockets and regain control over its flight. The moment it does, Neil orders, "Let's clear out this smoke! Use Flame Charge in circles!"

"Tang!" Metang boosts itself even faster with its rockets. It flies in circles at a high speed. Doing this creates a vortex of wind that blows away the Smokescreen.

"Quickly Haking, use Tackle again before the smoke clears completely!"

"Meteor Mash!"

Haking appears from the smoke before it's completely gone, but Metang is able to notice it earlier this time. It stops moving in circles and aims a glowing fist at Haking. The Meteor Mash impacts its target.

Haking hurtles back and crashes into a wall. "Haaak!"

Neil follows, "Now use Bullet Punch!" With all the speed it built up from Flame Charge, Metang is quick to dash at Haking. With its momentum directed, it aims it arms at the crashed Pokémon as it prepares to unleash a furious barrage of punches.

But James counters, "Sludge Bomb! Now!"

"Haking!" Haking doesn't even bother to recover before hurling and glob of sludge at the incoming Metang. The sludge hits Metang's face and covers its eyes. The Pokémon shouts in surprise as it veers off course and crashes into a wall as it tries to remove the sludge.

Brock exclaims, "Brilliant! A Poison-Type move like Sludge Bomb may not deal any damage against a Steel-Type Pokémon like Metang, but that doesn't mean the move is useless. James found a way to use it for utility!"

James then orders, "I feel it! One more Gyro Ball will finish this off!" Haking spins about and rams into its crashed opponent.

Brock watches with anticipation. "Gyro Ball is a move that gets stronger the slower the user is than the target. All those Flame Charges may have sped up Metang, but that also powered up Haking. James is turning his disadvantage into an advantage."

Everyone watches to see if Metang will get back up. With one arm, it pushes itself up. But then it collapses.

The referee announces, "Metang is unable to battle! This round goes to James and Haking!"

Jessie shouts in shock, "James won something!?" Her surprise turns into a cheer. "James won something!"

Meowth adds, "James actually won something!"

James shoots them a stern look. "Geeze, thanks for the vote of confidence, guys."

Meowth laughs. "Always a pleasure, Jimmy Boy!"

James rolls his eyes and returns attention to his foe.

Who's That Pokémon!?

It has an internal organ that senses and tracks the earth's rotation. Using this special organ, this Pokémon begins hooting at precisely the same time every day.

Neil recalls Metang. "You put forward a strong effort, James. Most trainers I battle have a tough time making it past even my first Pokémon. Let's see how you fare against my second." He swaps Pokéballs. "Time for liftoff, Klinklang!"

James also pulls out a Pokéball. "Haking, you did a great job. Now rest. I'll need you in top form for later."

"Haking! Hak!"

James recalls Haking and throws another Pokéball. "Show them what your made of, Ivine!"

Ivine appears, and the moment it does, it turns to James and leaps at him for a hug.

But James, using his gloved hand, adeptly catches Ivine midair and stops it. "I'm sorry my friend, but this battle is serious. There is no time for foolishness."

Ivine, who's hanging from the vine that James grabbed it by, nods in understanding. "Vine."

James sets it down. "If we win this, I promise you'll get the biggest hug later."

Ivine grins at the thought. It cheers "Ivine!" as it dances happily about.

Brock looks at the two combatants thoughtfully. "Normally, Ivine's biggest advantage in battle is its ability to make foes itch upon contact. But that ability is useless against an inorganic Pokémon like Klinklang. It is physically unable to get itchy. Whatever James' plan was for using Ivine, he'll have to change things up."

This time, Neil is the first to make a move. "Klinklang, use Charge Beam!"

"Ivine, use your vines to dodge!" Ivine shoots to vines into the ground, which in turn launch it into the air higher and faster than it could have jumped. This puts it up and over the Charge Beam. "Now use Mega Drain!" Ivine turns its jump into a midair somersault over Klinklang. As it faces down towards the Pokémon, green tendrils of energy reach out from it to Klinklang, through which it absorbs energy. It then lands gracefully on the ground behind Klinklang. "Now catch it with Wring Out!" Ivine flings several vines at its foe to ensnare it.

Neil is quick to counter, "Gear Grind!" Klinklang's gears begin to spin rapidly, but it makes no motion to dodge the incoming vines or move in to attack Ivine. Instead, when the vines latch on, they get caught in the spinning gears. This rips Ivine from where it stands and throws it across the room. "Follow it with another Charge Beam!" Just as Ivine crashes into the floor, it's also hit by a beam of electricity.

James clenches a fist in frustration. "Ivine."

"Now move in for a Gear Grind to attack with!" Klinklang lunges at the fallen Ivine while its gears spin rapidly.

"Quickly, Ivine! Get out of there!" Ivine manages to whip a vine out and wrap it around the bleachers. Once it's done that, it's able to pull itself away from Klinklang's attack without first having to get back up. "Now use Ivy Whip!" As its moving away, Ivine lashes out with a second vine and whips Klinklang from behind. It's careful to not allow the vine anywhere near areas where it can get caught in the gears.

The attack knocks Klinklang off-balance but seems to do little else.

Neil announces, "If you like dodging so much, let's see how you respond when that's no longer an option. Use Lock-On!" Klinklang focuses on Ivine and sends out a red pulse of energy. That pulse shrinks down onto Ivine and leaves behind a glowing target marker.

Meowth remarks, "If I remember correctly, Lock-On makes it so that the next move Klinklang uses will hit no matter how quickly Ivine dodges."

Brock nods. "Exactly. James is going to have to come up with a new strategy now."

With Klinklang's target locked, Neil orders, "Now use Zap Cannon!"

Brock gasps. "Zap Cannon normally is a very inaccurate move, but by pairing it up with Lock-On, he's completely nullified its weakness!"

James urges, "Ivine, try your best to dodge it anyways!"

Ivine uses its vines to push it up and to the left, similar to how it dodged Charge Beam before.

But it's no use. The orb of electricity fired like a cannon ball from Klinklang veers from its original course to follow. Ivine uses a vine to pull itself down to the ground quickly, but once again the Zap Cannon follows it.

Realizing Ivine has no chance to dodge, James switches tactics. "Ivine, we have to soften the blow! Use Ivy Whip!"

Ivine stops running and stands firm. It whips to vines at the attack. The vines slice straight through the orb, forcing it to explode early. Despite this, Ivine is still caught in the shockwave.

"You okay, Ivine?" James asks with concern.

Ivine stands back up. "Vine."

"Great! How about we return the favor with a nice tight hug?"

"Ivine!" Ivine leaps at Klinklang much like it does often at James. Its vines unfurl as it prepares to wrap them tightly around its target.

But then sparks of electricity zip out from it, Ivine shouts in surprise, and it falls to the floor with a thud.

Ash asks with concern, "What was that? What happened to Ivine?"

Brock explains, "When Zap Cannon hits its mark, it will always paralyze the target. That's part of what makes it such a powerful move."

Brenda surmises, "So, if Ivine's paralyzed, that means it's going to be even harder for it to land any damage now."

Brock nods. "I'm afraid so."

Jessie shouts, "That's not fair! Come on, ref! Red card him! Foul! Foul!"

The referee stares at Jessie, unsure of how to respond.

Meowth whispers to her, "I think you've got the wrong sport in mind."

"Wrong sport? Aren't they all the same?"

Meowth groans.

Despite Jessie's concern, James doesn't allow himself to be too impacted. "Get back up, Ivine. I know you can do it." With James' encouragement, the Pokémon stands back up firmly. "We may not be able to move as well, but that doesn't mean we can't fight. Wait for my signal and go."

"Ivine."

Neil orders, "Ivine's ability to dodge is hindered! Use Charge Beam!"

"Klink Klang!" The gear Pokémon fires off another beam of electricity at Ivine.

"Try to dodge it anyways, Ivine!"

Despite its hindered movements, Ivine is able to dodge to the side of the beam, which just barely moves past it.

"Let's see how you dodge a close-range move! Klinklang, use Gear Grind!"

James grins. "Exactly what I wanted! We may not be able to move, but that doesn't mean we can't let Klinklang move for us! Ivine, use Wring Out!"

This time, Ivine goes all in and allows many of its vines to be captured in Klinklang's gears. It hurts Ivine like it did the previous time the two moves met, but Ivine is ready this time, and the extra vines clog the gears.

"Iviiiiine!"

"Klaaaang!"

Both Pokémon shout in pain as they become more and more tangled together.

Neil shouts, "Reverse gears! Reverse!" But it doesn't matter which way the Pokémon rotates its gears.

The referee holds up two flags and announces, "That's it! I'm calling a double technical knockout!"

In response, both trainers take out their respective Pokéballs and recall their Pokémon. The Pokéballs safely disentangle the entwined Pokémon.

Brenda asks, "What's a technical knockout?"

Brock explains, "A technical knockout, or TKO, is declared when a referee decides that a Pokémon who is still able to fight, can no longer do so safely. In this case, any further battling between Ivine and Klinklang could have caused them both serious harm. Now, even though they weren't knocked out, both will be treated as such and be unable to battle again."

Brenda nods. "That means Neil only has one Pokémon left."

Meowth adds, "And James still has two! He might actually win this!"

Neil stares at James with curiosity. "An interesting strategy. You were willing to risk your Ivine's safety to defeat Klinklang."

James nods. "Anything to make sure that Mime Jr. doesn't have to battle."

"We'll see if you can keep that up against my strongest Pokémon." He pulls out his next Pokéball.

It's Hoothoot!

Neil throws the Pokéball, "T-minus zero, Orbot!"

The Pokémon that appears from the Pokéball looks like less of a Pokémon, and more of an exact match of a space shuttle orbiter, with no features to make it look like a Pokémon, or even something alive.

Ash stares critically at it. "What kind of Pokémon is that? It's just a spaceship."

James is more concerned with the Pokéball in his hand. He looks from it to Mime Jr. "I know I'm asking a lot from you Haking, but please. You have to finish off this one last Pokémon. Then Mime Jr. won't have to battle at all. I'm counting on you!" He throws the Pokéball.

"Hak haking hak!"

"Haking, use Gyro Ball!"

As Haking spins out at Orbot, Neil commands, "Mode Shift and stop it!"

Orbot's parts begin to move. Seams open up around it. Some parts fold in, while others fold out. Within seconds, the Pokémon now actually looks like a Pokémon. It's a humanoid mecha which still bears a strong resemblance to its space shuttle form. What was once the nose and windshield of the shuttle now forms the Pokémon's chest, while the rockets form the feet. The wings and fin of the shuttle are now attached to its back. Overall, it has kept its white and black color scheme.

In this new form, Orbot rushes forward using its rocket-powered feet and punches Haking away before the Gyro Ball can land.

Ash gasps. "That's more like what I would expect a Pokémon to look like!"

He checks his Pokédex. "Orbot, the Transform Pokémon and a Steel and Flying Combo-Type. The parts that comprise this Pokémon are capable of shifting in order to transform it between two different modes. Each mode battles in its own unique way. Does not evolve."

"That's why it looked so strange. It's a Pokémon that transforms into a spaceship."

Neil orders, "Orbot, use Meteor Mash!" Orbot's fists detach from its arms and fly at the downed Haking with rocket thrusters of their own.

"Haking, quickly use Sludge Bomb!"

"Hak!" Haking launches its Sludge Bomb, but the incoming fists swivel out of the way and avoid the sludge entirely. They continue on to slam into Haking for a rocket-powered punch. Haking is blasted into the air.

"Now, Magnet Bomb!" Once its fists reattach, Orbot holds out both arms towards Haking with fingers spread. Clumps of metal materialize around them. The clumps are shot at Haking like bullets one after the other.

"Haking, you have to regain control and get out of the way!" Haking manages to direct its momentum upwards and out of the way of the Magnet Bomb, but the attack is able to redirect its own trajectory and strikes Haking anyways.

"Haaak!"

James grimaces. "This isn't going well…"

"Orbot, use Mode Shift, then follow it up with Steel Wing!" Orbot's parts begin to shift and fold. Piece by piece, it transforms back into its space shuttle form. Once done, its wings glow a metallic silver and it dives towards the downed Haking.

Brock explains, "While in its Shuttle Mode, Orbot prioritizes speed and defense. While in its Robot Mode, it prioritizes attack strength. Using Steel Wing while in Shuttle Mode is going to make it even harder for Haking to dodge or counter."

James watches the incoming Pokémon with fear. He looks to Haking, who is lying on the ground, barely even able to get back up. It looks like the battle has taken its toll, and it's been pushed to its limit. By the looks of it, one more hit is all it will take to knock it out. He looks down to Mime Jr., then back to Haking. He closes his eyes, clenches a fist, and says to himself in frustration, "I'm sorry, Haking. I promised you that we would never use this move, but it's the only way. Please, do it for Mime Jr.'s sake! Haking, use Explosion!"

"Hak!?" Haking looks to James with surprise. But then it sees the determined look on his face and nods understandingly. "Hak." It begins to glow a harsh white.

Neil gasps. "Orbot! Abort launch! Abort! Get out of there!"

Orbot's wings stop glowing and the Pokémon performs a maneuver to reverse its direction of travel.

Haking explodes, sending out a violent and fiery shockwave. Orbot puts on all the speed it can to outrun the explosion, but even in its Shuttle Mode, it's not fast enough.

As the battlefield is covered in smoke, everyone on the bleachers watches in stunned silence. Jessie asks, "Did he really just do it…? Did he really use that move…?"

Meowth, with jaw agape, nods. "He did…"

Ash notes, "I never knew Haking knew such a terrifyingly powerful move…"

Brock points out, "It's powerful, but it comes at the cost of Haking itself. James may be a criminal, but he also cares about his Pokémon. For him to use that move now…"

The smoke clears. Haking lies on the ground. It's been knocked out by its own move. Orbot is also on the ground, but it transforms back into its Robot Mode to show that it's still able to fight.

James' eyes widen in horror. "It…was…all…for…nothing…" He looks down to Mime Jr., who is looking up at him with concern. "I'm sorry, Mime Jr… I failed you…" He looks back up. "No, I still have one more option." He looks to the referee. "Ref, I surren—"

"Mime!" Mime Jr. has leapt up and slaps James across the face.

"Mime…Jr…?" He catches Mime Jr. in his hands and stares at the Pokémon.

"Mime mime mime, mime! Mime mime mime! Mime mime, mime mime mime mime! Mime mime!"

"You…you want to battle…even though you've never been in a real battle in your life…?"

"Mime."

"But…you're so precious to me. I don't know what I would do if you got hurt…"

"Mime mime. Mime mime mime mime! Mime mime mime. Mime!"

Jessie asks, "What's Mime Jr. saying?"

Meowth translates, "Mime Jr. is saying that James is precious to it as well. It wants what James wants. And if James wants to earn his eighth gym badge, then Mime Jr. wants to help him in any way possible. It says it doesn't care if it gets hurt, helping out its dearest friend makes everything worth it." Meowth wipes a tear from his eye. "It's touching stuff… Gets right to my heart…"

James continues to stare at Mime Jr.

The referee announces, "James, select your next Pokémon, or you'll be disqualified."

James suddenly makes up his mind. "Okay." He recalls Haking to its Pokéball. "Thank you for doing that, friend. I'm sorry that it came to such drastic measures." He puts away the Pokéball and shouts, "Mime Jr., I choose you!"

Mime Jr. leaps out onto the battlefield and mimics the dramatic pose that James took. "Mime mime, mime mime mime!"

Neil grins at James. "Very good. You made the right decision, James. I'm interested to see what this Pokémon that's so precious to you can do."

Brock surmises, "Mime Jr. may not be the strongest battler due to its lack of experience, but I'd bet that the Explosion took a whole lot out of Orbot. Mime Jr. may just have a chance. Haking's Explosion wasn't a waste."

Neil commands, "Meteor Mash!"

"Mime Jr., use Barrier!"

"Mime!" Mime Jr' raises its arms and pantomimes a wall in front of it, which turns into an actual barrier. The rocket-propelled fists strike the wall and bounce off of it. Each fist flies in a different direction.

"Quickly, use Mimic!"

"Mime mime!" Mime Jr. leaps up and over the barrier. Around its hands, a silvery energy takes the form of two giant robot fists. "Mime!" Mime Jr. fires off the fists at Orbot.

As it was focusing on retrieving its own fists, Orbot was too distracted to avoid Mime Jr.'s attack. The two rocket fists made of energy slam into it one after the other. "Ooorb!

Neil orders, "Forget your fists for now, use Magnet Bomb while they return to you!" Orbot's handless arms begin to summon Magnet Bombs.

James is quick to order, "Mime Jr.! Let's dance! Teeter Dance!"

"Mime mime mime mime!" Mime Jr. waves it arms to each side of its as pulse of energy emanates out from it. Orbot is caught in the pulse and forced to dance in sync with Mime Jr.

But Orbot isn't the only one caught in the rhythm. James, Neil, the referee, and even the audience are all forced into the dance. Everyone's dancing together.

Meowth groans, "Here we go again! Gotta dance!"

Ash and Brenda are looking to each other and laughing as they see them all dancing in such a silly way.

But being stuck dancing isn't the only impact of Teeter Dance on Orbot. The Magnet Bombs it had created now explode around it. Its own attack has damaged it.

James, even while dancing, grins at Mime Jr. proudly. "We can do this, Mime Jr.! I sense it now! Switch to Tickle! Use it before Orbot can recover!"

Mime Jr. leaps out from its dance. All at once, everyone stops dancing. Mime Jr. latches on to Orbot's side and begins to tickle it. Not even a tough Pokémon like Orbot is able to withstand the assault. It's quickly down on the ground laughing.

"Now we finish this! Mimic!"

"Mime mime mime-mime mime! Mime-mime!" Mime Jr. leaps up and summons a swarm of Magnet Bombs. The Metallic fragments are flung straight down at the still laughing Orbot.

Neil shouts, "Orbot, deflect them!"

But it's laughing too hard to hear. The Magnet Bomb swarm strikes, pelting Orbot with a barrage of small explosions.

James leans in eagerly to see what happened, but smoke obscures Orbot. As it parts, it becomes apparent that Orbot is still on the ground, but no longer laughing.

"Orbot is unable to battle!" The referee announces. "James and Mime Jr. win!"

James' eyes widen. "We…did it…" Then he jumps up and cheers, "We did it!"

"Mime mime mime!" Mime Jr. jumps up and cheers in imitation.

James runs out onto the field. Mime Jr. runs and jumps at him. James catches Mime Jr. and the two embrace in a tight hug.

Ash shakes his head in disbelief. "James actually did it. He beat a gym leader. And not just any gym leader. He beat Neil…"

Meowth looks to Ash and says, "If you think that's a tough pill for you to swallow, Twerp, think about how we feel."

Everyone has gathered outside of the gym. Neil presents a gym badge to James. "James, it is my pleasure to present to you the Rocket Badge." True to its name, the badge is shaped like a rocket ship firing its thrusters.

Jessie laughs. "A Rocket Badge!? It's perfect for you, James! I bet no one from Team Rocket has ever won a Rocket Badge before."

Meowth grins. "You've made us all proud today, Jimmy Boy. Not only did The Boss commend us, but you won a gym battle. It is a glorious day for Team Rocket!"

James slowly reaches out for the badge. He's in a state of shock and disbelief. "I did it…" He looks down to Mime Jr. "We did it… We earned eight gym badges…" He takes the badge, then holds it up into the air to announces, "I just got a Rocket Badge!"

Mime Jr. mimics his pose. "Mime mime mime mime mime-mime mime!"

"Haking hak!"

"Ivine!"

Ash objects, "Hey, that's my pose!" Then he laughs. "But you earned it." He walks closer to James. "So, you've really got eight gym badges now? I can't believe it. Does that mean you're going to compete in the Tenno League?"

James is surprised by the question. "I…I hadn't considered it…"

Ash grins. "You should. After seeing you in that battle, I want to battle you there. It would be fun. Of course, I'll have to get my Rocket Badge first."

James nods. "Yes. It would be fun to battle you as an equal instead of as an adversary. Okay. We'll do it. We're going to the Tenno League."

Ash grins. "I guess that officially makes us rivals. See you at the Tenno League, rival." He walks away. Brenda and Brock follow.

James is surprised. "Rival…? I have a…rival…?" He clenches the badge in his fist and announces proudly, "I have a rival!"

Who knew James had it in him? Has he truly found his calling outside of villainy? With a partner like Mime Jr. at his side, perhaps he has. And now that he's seen his new rival earn his eighth gym badge, Ash will be all the more eager to earn his own, as the journey continues!

Suddenly deciding to take James up on his earlier promise, Ivine leaps at his face and wraps its vines around it tightly.

Instead of trying to rip it off, James ignores the rash already appearing on his face and hugs it back. Mime Jr. leaps up and joins the hug. Haking may not have arms, but its rubs itself against James instead.

The hug lasts for several moments, until the itchiness becomes too much. Then James rips Ivine away and scratches furiously at his face and arms. Mime Jr. mimics the action both to copy James and alleviate its own itch. Haking has no choice but to scoot its face along the floor to scratch.

To Be Continued…