Chapter 7:

Heavy Metal

Location: Saffron City

Saffron City. The biggest settlement in Kanto. Full of skyscrapers, including Silph. Co, one of the biggest companies in the world. They make Pokéballs mainly, with the biggest factory being just outside Laverre City in the Kalos region.

"So you're battling Sabrina?" asked Elaine.

"Yep," I said, sending out my team. Eevee, Gengar, Pinsir, Meltan, Blastoise and Magneton. "We got this! But are you all ready?"

Everyone was, except Meltan. It seemed distracted by… Silph. Co. "What's up?" Elaine asked. "Hey, maybe it's found some more of its friends!"

"I'm not sure we have time," I said. "I was planning on doing our Gym battle now."

"Well…" Elaine said. "I'll go with Meltan! But it does mean that I will have to miss the battle and use Meltan, if that's fine with you."

I decided it was. I wasn't sure what all this stuff with Meltan would amount to, but it seemed important. "Done deal. Meltan is important for the Professor's research, and I guess that means I can't use it. Now which of you're Pokémon should I use?"

"How about Growlithe?" Elaine suggested. "It knows Crunch so you have a Super Effective move!"

That sounded fair.

So we did the deed. Meltan for (temporarily) Growlithe.

"That's done," I said. "Good luck Elaine!"

She smiled. "Sorry again I can't watch, but I think this is important."

Location: Saffron City Gym

Inside the Gym was like a huge city with warp panels to zip across to. It was amazing to think how something like it would fit inside a Gym, but this was a Psychic Type user we were talking about.

Anyway, yeah. There were Trainers who used Psychic Types (and Haunter… that's clearly not a Ghost Type. What's next, Venomoth?)

Eventually, I made it to Sabrina. We had long-black hair and was wearing a red dress.

"Welcome," she said. "This is the Saffron City Gym. At one point one of the hardest Gyms, ever since a few Types came along, I've been taken down a few pegs. This… is the power of the Psychic Type!"

Chase Vs. Gym Leader Sabrina

"Go Gengar!" I shouted. This was a bit risky. Whilst Gengar's Ghost Type moves would do great, it was also a Poison Type which is weak to Psychic Type moves.

"Go Mr. Mime!" Sabrina shouted, sending out the creepy clown.

"Use Shadow Ball!" Gengar fired a shadowy blob at Mr. Mime, but it missed!

"Use Light Screen!" Mr. Mime created a barrier around itself. This would halve damage from Special moves like Shadow Ball.

"Let's use another Shadow Ball!" What would have dealt with Mr. Mime in one blow didn't because of the Light Screen.

"Use Psychic!" Mr. Mime blasted Gengar with Psychic energy.

"Use Shadow Ball once more!" Gengar finished off Mr. Mime with one last Ghost Type move; that was a testament to how strong Gengar was.

"Okay then, let's see how you deal with Slowbro!" Out came the pink Pokémon with a Shellder biting its tail. Well, it was apparently a Shellder.

"Use Shadow Ball!" Gengar fired another shadowy blob at Slowbro. It survived.

"Now use Psychic!" Slowbro blasted Gengar, taking it down.

"Special Attacks may be blocked, but let's see how you deal with Pinsir's Physical power!" And this is why you have a good mix. "Use Swords Dance!" Pinsir span around and did a pose, creating some swords that raised its Attack.

"Slowbro, Surf!" Slowbro created a huge wave that crashed down onto Pinsir.

"Come back with X-Scissor!" Pinsir slashed at Slowbro in an X formation. One more would do it.

"Now Psychic!" Pinsir got a blast of Psychic energy, almost finishing it.

"Now use X-Scissor!" Pinsir sealed the deal with Slowbro.

"Okay, you're doing well. Now it's time for Jynx!" Out came… whatever the heck Jynx is. It had long-blonde hair and was swaying from side to side. "Use Ice Beam!" Jynx shot a cold beam of energy at Pinsir, finishing it off.

"You did well," I told Pinsir. "Growlithe, you're up next!" It was time for a Fire Type.

"Use Psychic!" Jynx lifted up Growlithe telekinetically then slammed it down again, almost downing it.

"Use Flare Blitz!" Growlithe set itself ablaze and charged into Jynx for a one hit KO! However, this was at the expense of Growlithe going down from recoil.

"A sacrifice? Not everyday I see that strategy employed. Okay Alakazam, finishing things off!" Finally was Sabrina's ace. Spoons in both hands and golden, it was Alakazam.

"Go Blastoise!" I shouted.

"Alakazam, Calm Mind!" Alakazam got in a meditating position and raised its Sp. Attack and Sp. Defense.

"Use Bite!" Blastoise bit Alakazam for Super Effective damage.

"Now use Psychic!" One blast of Psychic energy and Blastoise was down.

"No!" I yelled. "Alakazam is strong enough without the Calm Mind boost. I must not give up. Go Magneton!" The three metal balls were sent out.

"Use Psychic!" Alakazam blasted Magneton. Whilst not very effective, it did make a bit of a dent. Alakazam's power was unbelievable.

"Use Thunderbolt!" Magneton shot a bolt of electricity at Alakazam. It was paralyzed! "Nice shot! Now give it another dose!" Magneton used another Thunderbolt.

"Alakazam, Shadow Ball!" Alakazam fired a black ball at Magneton, knocking it out.

"Last chance Eevee." Eevee went onto the battlefield.

"Use Psychic!" Alakazam blasted Eevee with Psychic energy and… it stayed standing!

"Nice!" I said, just as Eevee started glowing. "Wait… this is the same glow as Pikachu back at the Fuschia Gym! Are you going to use a move?" Eevee got onto my shoulder. "Let's call this… Veevee Volley!" Eevee jumped up and onto Alakazam. It was finished.

"Yes, I predicted you would win. But it was tough. If you had one, then my powers would still be weak."

"Congratulations. The Marsh Badge, is yours." Using telekinesis (not the move), Sabrina gave me a Badge that was gold and round.

I got… the Marsh Badge!

"Additionally, this." Sabrina gave me a TM. "This is TM33, which contains Calm Mind. It raised Sp. Attack and Sp. Defense."

"Thanks," I said, looking down.

"I had a prediction you would be sad after the match. Is it… your sister?"

I nodded. "Yeah. We always watch our matches, but she needed to rush to do something."

"Chase!" Suddenly, Elaine came running in. She seemed out of breath.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"They've… got Meltan!"

"WHAT?!" I shouted. "Okay, calm down. Let me just go to the Pokémon Center to heal then we can sort out a plan."

Location: Saffron City Pokémon Center

"Okay calm down," I said as Elaine continued to hyperventilate. "I'm not angry. What happened?"

"Well," Elaine said. "First we went to the Battle Dojo where we battled to get a Pokémon. A Meltan was there and I won us each a Pokémon. Here you go."

Elaine handed me a Pokeball. I threw it and inside was a brown Pokémon with boxing gloves and a pink skirt-thing I had no idea what it was.

Hitmonchan (エビワラー)

#107

Fighting Type

Punching Pokémon

4'07" (1.4 m)

110.7 lbs (50.2 kg)

Punching in a corkscrew fashion, it can punch its way through a concrete wall like a drill.

"And I got this!" said Elaine, sending out a mouthless-brown Pokémon with long springy legs.

Hitmonlee (サマラー)

#106

Fighting Type

Kicking Pokémon

4'11" (1.5 m)

109.8 lbs (49.8 kg)

When kicking, the sole of its foot turns as hard as a diamond on impact and destroys its enemy.

"Cool," I said. "So, Meltan. What happened?"

"Oh, Meltan is right here!" Meltan popped out happily.

"Then… why are you in such a hurry?" I asked.

"Silph. Co." She said. "They have a lot of Meltan there. I wasn't talking about our one."

"Great!" I said. "Let's head there now!"

"One teeny problem..." she said. "Team Rocket are there."

"What?!" I said. "But they were taken down years ago! How have they returned?"

"They're back alright," she said. "And like I said, they have a bunch of Meltan."

"Even if they didn't, they're still going down!" I said. "What are we waiting for?"

Location: Silph Co.

We practically ran into the building. No one seemed to bat an eye.

"Where are they?" Elaine asked. "Team Rocket! I saw them here!"

Everyone looked at Elaine awkwardly. "What are you talking about?" said the Receptionist.

"Surely you must know!"

"We'll go look," said two workers. One had pink hair that was tied back whilst the other had blue hair.

"Great!" I said. "Looks like we'll be showing Meltan it's buddy after all!"

I saw the two grin a bit. "We'll take you right there," said the female.

We were put in an elevator. We went down before the male worker broke the silence.

"So," he said. "You have a Meltan?"

"Yeah!" Elaine said, opening her Bag a little to let Meltan peer out.

"Great," the female worker said. The doors opened and we were brought down a long hallway.

"Is this where you found them?" I asked.

"They were being wheeled through the offices under a black cloth," Elaine said. "Meltan managed to see one though. I knew it was Team Rocket because I saw an R underneath the clothes they were wearing. I didn't see their faces much though. I ran out when I saw the R."

Eventually, we were brought through a door. In there was a cage full of Meltan. They were all crying for help.

"Here you go," the male worker said. "Now, if you would hand us the Meltan and we will get everything done for you."

Elaine went into her Bag, then pulled her hand out. "Wait… why can't I do it myself?"

"Please," said the female worker. "It's much too dangerous."

"We've encountered many Meltan!" I said. "We've had no problem!"

The female worker gritted her teeth. "We insist you give us the Meltan."

"What is you problem?" Elaine asked. "Wh- who are you?"

The two smiled. "You wanna know?" both of them asked before ripping off their clothes, revealing a woman wearing a two-piece white uniform with a multicoloured R on it and a man with short-blue hair wearing a similar uniform but a one piece.

"You were the guys from earlier then!" Elaine shouted.

"Prepare for trouble," said the woman.

"And make it double," the man said, holding a rose.

"To protect the world from devastation!"

"To unite all people within our nation!"

"To denounce the evils in another story."

"We altered the lyrics so the lawsuit isn't gory!"

"Jessie!"

"James!"

"Team Rainbow Rocket blast off at the speed of light!"

"Surrender now or prepare to fight!"

"So, Team Rocket aye?" I asked. "Wait, aren't you guys supposed to have a talking Meowth?"

"You watch to much anime!" James said. "I've never heard of such a thing! And that's Team Rainbow Rocket to you!"

Jessie smirked. "Though I do know that you two are nosier than a Nosepass going into the business of Team Rainbow Rocket! We won't allow it!"

"Let's do it sis!" I said. "But first things first!" I grabbed Meltan from the Bag.

"Hey!" Elaine said.

"Go see you friends!" I told it, as I threw Meltan at the cage. "Okay. Let Meltan do the fusing whilst we do the battling!"

Chase and Elaine Vs. Team Rainbow Rocket Jessie and James

"Arbok, go!" Jessie shouted, as the slender Poison Type was sent out.

"Go get em Weezing!" James yelled, sending out his two-headed Pokémon. It was the Kantonian variety.

"Go Eevee!" I shouted.

"You're up Pikachu!" Elaine said in unison.

"Arbok, Poison Jab!" With its tail, Arbok jabbed Pikachu.

"Weezing, Sludge!" Weezing fired a blob of sludge at Eevee.

"Eevee, Glitzy Glow!" Eevee made its entire body glow, blasting Arbok with a Psychic Type move.

"Pikachu, Zippy Zap!" Pikachu surrounded itself in electricity and charged into Weezing.

"Now Arbok, Crunch!" Arbok sunk its teeth into Pikachu.

"And Weezing, use Psybeam!" Weezing fired a Psychic beam at Eevee. They were almost down.

"You can do it!" we both shouted as a they started emitting a familiar glow.

"It's just like at the Fuschia Gym!" Elaine shouted.

"And earlier at the Saffron Gym!" I replied.

We both looked at each other. "Let's do it," we both said.

"Pika Papow!"

"Veevee Volley!"

Our partners got onto our shoulders, then jumped off and into the enemy. They were taken down.

"No!" Jessie shouted. "What's going on?"

"We beat you, that's what!" I replied.

"Not us you nitwit!" James said. "The Meltan!"

We saw not that the cage was filled with liquid metal. It had a special coating that preventing anything from getting out, so it was secure. Instead of multiple Meltan, it was one big blob. The cage couldn't withstand it; it broke open to reveal a large Pokémon. It was Meltan, but with large arms, a belly button like hole in its chest and a wire for a tail.

Melmetal (メルメタル)

#153

Steel Type

Hex Nut Pokémon

8'02" (2.5 m)

1763.7 lbs (800 kg)

Revered long ago for its capacity to create iron from nothing, for some reason it has come back to life after 3,000 years.

Meltan -Fuse with multiple Meltan- Melmetal

Mythical Pokémon

"So that's why it was looking for Meltan!" I said. "It wanted to evolve!" Melmetal looked at Team Rocket, who were now hugging each other with fear.

"We better tell the boss," James said.

"You mean Giovanni?" I asked. "Where is he?"

"Look at this!" Elaine said, showing me the Pokédex. "Shall we try this move?"

"Yeah!" I said. "Melmetal, Thunder Punch!" Melmetal created sparks in its gargantuan hand, then punched Team Rocket out the building and far over the horizon.

"LOOKS LIKE TEAM RAINBOW ROCKETS BLASTING OFF AGAIN!" (Twing!)

"We had no idea this was going on," said Officer Jenny when she arrived at the building later that day.

"Yeah," I said. "Team Rocket are back, or should I say Team Rainbow Rocket. I'm really worried."

"Well, leave that to us now!" she said. "We will send out a full scale search throughout Kanto and Johto."

"Wait," I said. "But what if they are… somewhere else? What if they're located in Sinnoh or something?"

"Don't get too ahead of yourself," she replied. "But we will do that soon enough. If any new info comes along, report to us stat."

With that, Officer Jenny walked off. After that, we were greeted by a man in a very fancy business suit.

"Thank you for your help!" he said. "I am the CEO, and this is the least we could do for you. Please, take this Pokémon." He threw a Pokéball, revealing a pink and blue chunky Pokémon that was floating.

Porygon (ポリゴン)

#137

Normal Type

Virtual Pokémon

2'07" (0.8 m)

80.5 lbs (36.5 kg)

Porygon is the only Pokémon that people can fly into space can fly into space. None have managed the feat, however.

"Porygon is made of code!" I said. "It's truly quite unique!"

"Not as unique as Melmetal!" I said. "Okay then. Next stop, Cinnabar Island!"