Chapter 39; rivalry reignited
Ariana was sitting alone in the dark conference room waiting for the rest of the rocket admins to start the meeting. Her thoughts were dwelling on their long gone boss. And to the hedgehog who had sent him to exile.
After the fall of team rocket and Giovanni's departure for exile, she, petrel and archer struggled to hold everything together. Grunts were making power plays and backstabbing each other, making off with captured pokemon to sell them. In general everything was going downhill nonstop.
And as if their troubles weren't enough, the team of Jessie and James along with their Meowth had gone rogue in a way pursuing some nobody child with a Pikachu they called powerful. Archer, the de facto leader and the strongest of the admins, had contacted them at first, ordering them to reunite with the rest of the team in Johto but the three morons bluntly refused stating they would get that Pikachu for the boss.
Archer had even tried to at least redirect them towards "the hedgehog who took down the boss". If they were not going to obey the chain of command, they could at least do something useful by trapping Sonic and his raichu.
The three idiots had of course refused stating that Sonic's raichu was worth nothing compared to the Pikachu they would steal.
"And the best part is" Ariana thought with a sour laugh "everyone saw the kid they are pursuing lose to the hedgehog. And not just lose, but get utterly crashed. Though it certainly was impressive how he brought down Moltres".
Just as she decided there was no point worrying about the three nuisances, she heard footsteps from the corridor. Finally they were here.
Archer and petrel, the other two admins of team rocket entered the room. They sat at the small table, Archer on the side of the table where Giovanni would sit back in Kanto, while petrel and Ariana sat opposite each other looking at him.
"Good news my comrades. The plan is ready to be set in motion. Soon enough we will have our first asset to get rolling again".
"Are you sure this is the best way to get us rolling archer?" Petrel asked with a hint of hesitation "there are so many more ways and better ways to make money".
"We can't risk attracting too much attention on us right now petrel" Archer explained patiently "and also. Slowpoke tails are a safe bet. Do you have any idea how much one costs? We'll be swimming in riches before even revealing ourselves again".
"I agree" Ariana added "we need an easy way to make money and stay unnoticed. Doesn't get easier than this".
Petrel nodded though still having reservations.
"So how soon are we talking about?" Ariana asked archer.
"Very soon. As soon as I give command. We have a full team waiting to get started on the slowpoke well here in Azalea".
"Then what's keeping you from giving the order?" Petrel asked him.
"The lack of buyers. Or more precisely, the lack of a fully negotiated and agreed-to cooperation deal with someone interested in buying slowpoke tails. I have a restaurant owner on standby who is interested. And I'll be meeting with him later today. He is also a safe bet. He is greedy so he will pay loads in exchange for what he sees as an investment".
"Excellent" Ariana exclaimed.
While discussing they heard a fuss from the corridor. The door burst open and a grunt walked in shaken. The two grunts guarding the meeting were trying to prevent him from disturbing the meeting, clearly failing.
"What is the meaning of this?" Archer asked slightly annoyed.
"It's…" the grunt said panting in exhaustion and panic "it's very bad news boss".
Archer, feeling his blood rising to his skull, walked up to the grunt, took him from the shirt and lifted him to meet his eyes.
"What. Did. You. Call me?"
"B-Boss?"
Archer slammed his fist in the grunt's face fuming in anger.
"We only have one boss! And because of incompetent fools like you he is in exile! Never forget that!"
"Y-yes bo.. I mean mr archer… admin sir…"
"Now" Archer said taking a deep breath to calm down "what is the meaning of your intrusion?"
"We… are being trailed… sir" the grunt said shaking in fear.
"Trailed?" Archer asked "by who?"
"Who cares who it is?" Petrel intervened more annoyed than Archer "who could possibly be a threat to us here?"
"T-the…"
"The?"
"TheherofKanto".
Archer began losing his patience.
"Say it again. Slowly" he spoke the last word in a menacing tone.
"The hero of Kanto sir".
Archer's eyes widened. Petrel gasped. Ariana proceeded to grab the grunt by the neck.
"What sick joke is this?!"
"No joke ma'am. He jumped me in the woods outside of cherrygrove city. And this time he is not alone".
"Not alone?" Archer asked the grunt.
"Y-yes. He has brought two allies along. A smart one and a damn brute who… I think he would have broken my neck if the hero of Kanto didn't stop him. He also… knows you're leading us sir".
"Say what?"
"He… told me to deliver a message to you. He said… team Sonic is coming for all of us".
Archer heard the words echoing in his head.
The hero of Kanto was coming for them.
And this time he was not alone.
"He stopped the boss on his own" he thought completely ignoring and partially even forgetting Sonic's ally Mike during the time team rocket was reigning over Kanto "and now he has allies with him".
"Archer deploy me to stop him. I have unfinished business" Ariana volunteered.
"No" Archer silenced her raising his finger "our survival and preparation for the revival of team rocket is more important than some unfinished business. The chance for revenge will come in due time. But for now we will be patient".
Ariana desired to object but knew better than to disobey orders, unlike the three idiots.
"Understood sir".
"Petrel. Send proton to the slowpoke well and commence the tail harvesting".
"But sir the deal…"
"Will be sealed later today. You have your orders so follow them".
"…Yes sir" Petrel said and left.
"All of you leave" Archer ordered everyone out.
The grunts and Ariana walked out of the room. Archer took the silence in, trying to quell his rage for Sonic. The hero who had taken everything from team rocket.
"Team rocket vs team Sonic huh? Bring it on then. I will make sure team rocket prevails".
While this was taking place, team Sonic was having one final training session before taking on the gym leader, Falkner. Knuckles was a bit anxious as this would be his first gym battle.
"How did you feel during your battle against the first gym leader of Kanto Sonic?" he asked his friends as they headed towards the gym.
"Honestly, I felt sure of myself. And even more sure when I realized Brock used rock types. Blastoise handled them awesome even as only a squirtle. That was also the second time we saw my buddy here" he said as his hand grazed raichu's pokeball on his belt "reveal his uniqueness of striking ground types with electric moves".
"You know that is one factor I looked over when analyzing your bond with raichu. It was kind of unique before you met it. I can't imagine how just meeting you would empower it like this".
"Makes sense" Sonic shrugged "maybe we will learn more about that uniqueness down the line".
Finally making their way to the gym, Sonic heard a familiar voice cheering himself.
"We did Pikachu! Our first gym badge of Johto!"
"Pika pika!"
"You have got to be joking" Sonic commented. Tails and Knuckles looked at him in confusion.
The door of the gym opened and Ash walked out holding the zephyr badge. His eyes met Sonic's and his smile immediately changed to a look he would take if his birthday had come early.
"Well well well. What brings you here champ?"
"Hi Ash. Or should I call you champ as well?"
"Pika" Pikachu growled at the sight of its rival.
"Rai" Raichu growled back.
Misty and Brock also walked out following Ash. Misty was holding a pokemon egg.
"Huh speak of the devil. How are you doing Sonic?" Brock asked.
"You were talking about me?" Sonic asked back.
"Ash commented that he wished you could see him against Falkner".
"Yeah we are much stronger now. And we're both champions. What say you I finally prove myself?"
"Hold your horses there pal" Knuckles intervened "I don't think that will be a fair battle for Sonic. He is building a new team from scratch".
"So am I" Ash fired back.
"New team huh? Just make sure not to repeat the mistakes of your first team" Sonic said calmly.
"What mistakes?"
"I mean that make sure you get them all to their maximum power".
"If you mean evolve that's up to my pokemon".
Sonic sighed. It was pointless to argue.
"Well in any case we're here to challenge Falkner ourselves, so a battle with you will have to wait".
"Falkner's pokemon are resting. You're going to have to battle him later" Brock explained.
"Damnit" Sonic thought "well that sucks".
"Not at all" Ash said eager "now that you don't have an excuse so battle us!"
"Pika pika!"
Sonic was about to accept until Knuckles intervened again.
"How about this pal. Beat me first then Sonic's all yours".
"Ha! You think I'm afraid of you?"
"You're on Ketchum!" Knuckles said.
After a visit to the pokemon center to get Ash's pokemon all healed up, they found an open space for the battle. As Sonic, Tails, Misty and Brock stepped away to give Ash and Knuckles space to battle, Tails got to interact with Misty and Brock. He also explained his involvement in the attack on silph co and how he and Sonic had worked together to foil team rocket's plans. He also explained how he wasn't taking on the gym challenge but the he was taking care of a sentret they had rescued at the start of their journey. Although after getting elbowed by Sonic he omitted their encounter with a rocket grunt as well as team rocket's presence in Johto.
"I have only 2 pokemon Ketchum. You may use any 2 on your current team but no more. Agreed?"
"Agreed".
"Good. Ready Ketchum?!"
"Bring it on Knucklehead!"
"Knucklehead?" Sonic asked aloud "are you gonna nickname every single person you meet?"
Ash ignored the question.
"Chikorita I choose you!"
"Go bellsprout!"
Bellsprout and chikorita emerged.
"Woah ash has a chikorita just like you Sonic" Tails commented.
"I can see that. Question is, how will they battle?"
"Chikorita razor leaf!"
Chikorita unleashed its barrage of leaves onto bellsprout. The latter's double resistance to grass allowed it to take the attack unscathed.
"Bellsprout growth!" Knuckles said smiling.
Bellsprout used its move successfully, raising its attack stats by one stage.
"Chikorita more razor leaves!"
Chikorita repeated the attack to once again little effect.
"Bellsprout growth again!"
Bellsprout also repeated its move.
"Ash razor leaf won't beat a bellsprout. You're giving him time to grow his attack and knock you out with one attack!"
"I know what I'm doing Brock don't worry" Ash said without convincing anyone, especially not Sonic.
"Chikorita tackle!"
"Bellspourt grab it with vine whip!"
Bellsprout used vine whip, wrapping the vines around its opponent. The increased attack proved vital to bringing chikorita to a complete halt.
"No chikorita!"
"Now slam it down!"
Bellsprout brought chikorita hard down. Chikorita took a big amount of damage but its grass typing allowed it to survive the attack.
"Chikorita use tackle again!"
"Bellsprout vine whip again!"
Bellsprout once again stopped chikorita mid-air.
"Now chikorita! Use razor leaf!"
The barrage of razor leaves came down onto bellsprout. The damage was nonexistent but its vision became blurred from all the leaves.
"Now break free and tackle!"
Chikorita took advantage of bellsprout's distraction and broke free from the vine whip. Coming down hard and unexpectedly, the attack resulted in a critical hit. Knuckles looked on helplessly as bellsprout was knocked out.
"Way to go chikorita!"
"Chiko chiko!" chikorita jumped up and down in joy that its trainer was happy.
"What are you waiting for Knucklehead? Bring out your next pokemon!"
Knuckles recalled bellsprout. He stood there for a moment observing the pokeball.
"I'm sorry" he said in a serious sad tone.
Sonic and Tails knowing their friend better than Ash, Brock or Misty could tell that something was bothering him. But before they could ask him if he was ok, Knuckles had sent out cyndaquil.
"Cyndaquil, avenge bellsprout! Rapid fire ember!"
Cyndaquil unleashed its attack, which after the training had increased its power greatly. Ash and chikorita were caught off guard expecting only one small ember to come towards them instead of a barrage of smaller embers. Chikorita tried to dodge, but eventually got struck over and over before toppling.
"Ha! Take that Ketchum!"
"Chikorita return" Ash recalled his grass type "you were amazing. Get a good rest" he looked back at Knuckles and his cyndaquil.
"Looks like we will have to fight fire with fire! Go charizard!"
"Charizard?!" Sonic exclaimed out loud.
The kanto fire starter emerged and roared, ready to attack.
"Hey that's not fair!" Tails tried to intervene "you said you were building a new team as well! Charizard has an unfair advantage over Cyndaquil".
"Why's it not fair?" Misty asked Tails "Falkner used stronger pokemon on Ash too".
"What do you mean stronger pokemon?" Sonic asked her.
"He used his pidgeot. His partner pokemon" Brock explained.
"Falkner uses flying types?" Sonic wondered silently, taking a silent note to train accordingly "in any case, that Charizard went toe to toe with my Moltres. Cyndaquil has been with us for a few days, it has barely trained".
"That's not Charizard's problem! Flamethrower!" Ash said undeterred, unable to wait to fight Sonic afterwards.
Cyndaquil tried to fight back with its rapid fire ember, but it was easily overpowered.
"Charizard don't let up! Fire spin!"
Charizard trapped cyndaquil in the fire spin.
"Now flamethrower again!"
The attack had devastating effects to both Cyndaquil's health and Knuckles' mentality. Badly hurt but still standing, it looked back at Knuckles and, wanting to make him proud refused to yield to Charizard.
"Charizard finish this! Flamethrower!"
"Ash stop! Cyndaquil can't take anymore!" Sonic warned him.
Charizard fired its attack.
"Raichu save it with quick attack!"
Raichu moved like a blur. Before the attack could land, Raichu had pulled Cyndaquil out of the way.
"Hey it's rude to intervene!" Ash turned to Sonic.
"You were about to hurt Cyndaquil. You really thought I would let you?"
"If your friend can't take the heat then he should've surrender" Ash fired back.
Sonic wasn't expecting someone like Ash to be pulling that sort of move, using an older pokemon on their new journey. Even he had had a talk with raichu explaining why he would use it less during their Johto journey, except of course against team rocket, as it wouldn't be fair for their beginner opponents.
"Knuckles" he turned back to his friend "let me end this battle for you".
Knuckles picked up Cyndaquil in his arms.
"Teach him a lesson Sonic".
"Oh I will" Sonic affirmed as raichu took its battle stance against Charizard.
"You think I'm scared of your raichu?"
"You should be. Especially after our battle at the league".
"Charizard flamethrower!"
"Raichu quick attack!"
Raichu easily dodged the flamethrower but Charizard soared to avoid getting hit by it. Raichu tried to use thunder punch but found itself unable to reach it.
"Damnit. Again with flying. Same problem with Zapdos" Sonic thought "but what if…"
"You should have never made your raichu such a one-sided fighter Sonic! Charizard fire spin!"
Raichu was engulfed in the fire spin as Sonic felt the heat but managed to hide it.
"Charizard flamethrower!"
Charizard unleashed its attack.
"Use quick attack to jump!"
Raichu realized what Sonic was going for. But having never trained in this version of quick attack before it had to stay still for a moment to charge before unleashing the attack to propel itself. The flamethrower found its mark burning raichu.
Sonic of course once again felt a fraction of raichu's pain. But unlike the previous times, the pain worked as a booster, making him desire to defeat Ash even more.
"Raichu do it!"
The next moment raichu disappeared like a yellow blur and smacked Charizard on the jaw at full force, causing it to get dizzy momentarily. Raichu span through the air momentarily and landed on Charizard's back.
"Thunder punch go!"
Raichu moved before Ash could react. The thunder punch came down hard on Charizard's back, causing it to roar in pain and plummet to the ground, crashing down hard and fainting.
Ash couldn't believe that even after everything he lost in such a fashion.
"This doesn't make any sense! There shouldn't be such a distance between us anymore".
As Raichu returned to Sonic's side, the latter looked at Ash in sincere confusion.
"What made you think we are suddenly equals in battle?"
"The fact that the two of us together were the orange islands' chosen one this year? And also that we are both champions now?"
"The fact that we were both the chosen one, the fact that we both won a regional league and our battle prowess difference are completely different things" Sonic countered.
"Sonic that actually isn't all true" Misty intervened "both you and Ash faced the titans there. Ash even beat Drake the orange island champion".
"That isn't true either" Tails joined in "Sonic got the birds' attention while Ash raced to get the treasure".
"Yeah. Sonic literally got zapped by Zapdos head on and survived. Had it not been for him Ash might have never made it back to Shamouti on time. Not to mention that Drake's team was powerful but Sonic's real rival in Kanto, Mike, had a similar team and with a Zapdos too. Ash merely beat an imitation of that team" Knuckles also added.
"Were you there Knucklehead?" Ash fired at him.
"It's Knuckles. And no I was not. But I believe Sonic's words on that. And also we saw your match on TV. Sonic would have run through that team no problem with his Kanto team".
"Drake's dragonite would give raichu a run for its money. Also you should have known that had it not been for me putting the treasure on the pedestal on time, Sonic would have perished at the hands of the titans".
"I know that Ash" Sonic said seriously "and I am grateful for that. But you need to realize that racing to the island of ice and back did not make you any better a trainer or your pokemon any stronger. Beating Drake was also very impressive and did increase your battle prowess. But it didn't lower the distance between us enough to beat us. It simply verified you have a pure soul and a brave heart and that you have indeed grown a bit stronger. But» Sonic emphasized when speaking the work "you're a long way from beating us".
Ash clenched his fist still unwilling to accept this difference in their power.
"Fine then. You're stronger for now. But just you wait until the Johto league. I will beat both you and your friend Knuckles!"
"Not if I have anything to say about it Ketchum" Knuckles fired back.
"We'll see about that Ash. I will only say this once. Don't talk the talk. Walk the walk. You know that I know you can do it. So do it. Come on guys. We'll be back tomorrow for the battle with Falkner. See you guys around" Sonic concluded bidding farewell to Ash's group and turned to leave with Raichu following.
Tails waved goodbye to Ash's group too. Knuckles shared one more rivalry look with Ash before following his friends back outside the city to train more before tackling the gym the next day.
Unbeknown to either Sonic or Ash's group, all of them were being observed by the red haired trainer who had stolen totodile on the day team Sonic's Johto journey began. He observed Sonic's tactics thinking of ways his totodile and his new addition, zubat would prevail in combat against a powerful raichu like his.
"You will pay" Silver swore "I will get stronger. Beat team rocket before you. And then you will pay for what you did to my father".