Final Chapter:
The Return of Team Rocket
Location: Pallet Town
We were home. And we only had one more Badge to get. We did have a day off, so today would be the day that Elaine took on Lorelei of the Viridian Gym.
"Okay," I said. "Time to head out!"
"Hold on," said Mum. "We have a guest."
"Who?" I asked.
The door opened up, showing Trace. He was in a panic and out of breath. "Trace dear," Mum asked. "Whatever is the matter?"
"It's… the Gym!" he said. "It's been besieged!"
I looked at Elaine. "What does that mean?" I asked.
"It's been taken over!" Trace said. "By… by…"
"Okay okay," I said. "Calm down. Tell me what is going on."
"Well," he said. "I was meeting Uncle Blue…"
"Stop there!" I said. "UNCLE Blue? You mean the Gym Leader?"
"Well," he said. "Was. You see, I'm his nephew."
"YOU NEVER TOLD US THIS!" I replied.
"Chase," Elaine told me. "We can talk about that later. Who took it over?"
"I… it's hard to explain."
"Well why not take us over there?" I suggested. "If it's that horrible."
Trace nodded. "Okay but prepare to be shocked."
"Is it Team Rainbow Rocket?" I asked.
Trace gave us a worried look, confirming that I was right.
Location: Viridian City
The three of us dashed to Viridian to see a huge gathered around the Gym. "Come on!" I said.
"Trace?" Behind us, we saw a man wearing a black-button shirt and green shorts.
"Uncle Blue!" Trace said. "Are you okay?"
"Am I okay?" he asked. "Yeah, I'm fine. I was just in Alola checking with Red on the… doesn't matter. I came back to check on the Gym that I handed down to Lorelei when I went to start this project, but on the way, I heard that there had been a Gym coup of sorts."
"And that's why we're here!" I said. "To find out who did this."
Blue looked at his Gym. His pride and joy. "It's… and I can't believe this either… Giovanni."
"I knew it," I said. "Like, I know we battled those two Grunts back in Saffron City, but I never thought Giovanni would be back to."
"And he's back with a vengeance to," Blue replied. "He's got backup. He's upgraded to Team Rainbow Rocket. I was told this by Professor Willow, and we pinpointed Alola as the epicentre. That's why I'm over there, and why we're busy with an ambitious project. Why he decided to come back to Kanto though? Must be part of his plan."
"Well, his plan is going to be put to an end right here and now!" I said.
"Wait!" Elaine shouted running after me.
"I'll go with them," we heard Trace say as he ran after us.
We pushed through the crowd to see Officer Jenny barricading the doors which now had multicoloured Team Rocket logos on it.
"Everyone stay away!" Officer Jenny shouted.
"We need to get through!" I shouted.
"Sorry," she replied. "This is too dangerous."
"Hold on!" The crowd parted to show Professor Willow and Blue coming through. "Don't worry," the Professor said. "I trust these three. Well, I don't know you very well."
"Thanks?" Trace asked.
"And we have three people who might be able to help!"
"Three?" I asked, just as I saw three silhouettes in the distance. We saw them get closer and closer, revealing them to be Legendary Pokémon. Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres!
"Woah!" I said.
At a safe distance, three people dropped down. From Articuno was a woman wearing a large-blue coat. She had black leggings and short white hair.
"Hello," she said in a deadpan manner. "My name is Blanche, Leader of Team Mystic."
"You seem like a nice lady!" Elaine said.
"Do not call me that," she replied. "I go by they/them."
(Message from Chase, didn't know that. That's how I will refer to them from here on out).
"Sup!" said a man with spiky-blonde hair with a black jacket and a yellow undershirt. "Names Spark, head of Team Instinct!"
"And I am Candela," said the black woman with short hair wearing a red and white shirt. "I lead Team Valor."
"These are my students," said Professor Willow. "I trust them to help you."
"With you on our side Giovanni won't stand a chance!" I said.
"Okay then," said Officer Jenny. "Good luck."
"I'll go to," said Blue. "Professor Willow, keep everyone in check."
Professor Willow nodded.
"Come on!" Spark said. "Let's get this party started!"
"Before you go," said the Professor. "Chase, Elaine. You will need these." He handed us some bands with a stone inside them, as well as two other stones. "These are for Gengar and Pidgeot respectively. Give it to them and when you're in a pickle, let your hearts become one. You'll know what I mean when the time comes."
I took the stone for Gengar and Elaine took Pidgeot's. At that point we saw Spark getting impatient so headed in.
Location: Viridian City Gym
The Gym was not like the others. Whilst yes, every Gym is unique, every Gym is also welcoming. We didn't feel that in the Viridian Gym. All the floor was wet.
"Lorelei turned this into an Ice Type Gym," said Trace. "But Team Rainbow Rocket have clearly melted that plan away."
"Wait," I said. "Lorelei! What happened to her?"
"Don't know," said Blue. "We might come across her. We find Giovanni, we might find Lorelei."
"You won't be finding anyone."
From the shadows, three figures emerged. One was bulky with a tattoo on his chin. "Well," he said, cracking his knuckles. "If it isn't the Go Squad."
"Cliff," Blanche said. "You're part of this to I see?"
"Why not?" he asked. "Team Rainbow Rocket took me in when I needed. I owe the boss my life!"
"Oh great," said a woman wearing a white jumpsuit who was next to emerge. "Cliff dear, what have we told you about monologuing?"
"Sierra!" Spark replied semi-sarcastically.
"Spark honey?" she asked. "It's so nice to see you! Well, it would be if you weren't part of this loser guild!"
"You'll be part of the loser guild when we're through with you!" Spark said.
"I don't know about that," said the final figure. He was wearing a black coat with black and red hair. He had large glasses. "You see, my analytics of you losing? Quite high!" He looked at Candela. "Especially you."
"Quiet Arlo!" she responded. "You want to see our strength? Come get some!"
Team Rainbow Rocket Arlo Vs. Team Valor Candela
"Lapras, go!" shouted Arlo, as he sent out his Water Type.
"You're up Moltres!" Candela replied.
"Interesting," Elaine replied. "Lapras is the better choice here though, being a Water Type and all."
"Use Flamethrower!" Moltres shot fire at Lapras.
"Come back with Surf!" Lapras rode upon a huge wave. Moltres swiftly dodged.
"Now Air Slash!" Moltres slashed the air and the shockwave hit Lapras. It flinched. "Now hit it with Heat Wave!" Moltres flapped its wings, shooting hot air at Lapras. It was down.
"But… my analytics! They never said they were wrong!"
"Alright darling," said Sierra. "You've had your fun. Now it's my turn."
Spark looked back at us and nodded in an assuring manner. "Leave it to Sparky!"
"Well sweetie, that won't happen."
Team Rainbow Rocket Sierra Vs. Team Mystic Spark
"Alakazam, you're up!" Sierra shouted, sending out a Psychic Type.
"Zapdos, let's get things charged up!" Out came Spark's Legendary Pokémon. "Give it a dose of Thunderbolt!" Zapdos fired lightning at Alakazam, paralysing it.
"Oh darling, why did you do that? Alakazam, Psychic!" Alakazam tried to move, but it couldn't!
"Now's our chance! Use Drill Peck!" Zapdos' beak seemed to spin, then it jammed it into Alakazam's head.
"Psychic!" Alakazam blasted Zapdos with Psychic energy. It was fine.
"Finish with Thunderbolt!" Zapdos shocked Alakazam one last time, knocking it out.
"Oh sweetie, you annoy me."
"Okay!" Cliff said, cracking his knuckles. "Now it's time for them over there!"
"Us?" I commented, thinking that Elaine was involved to.
"He was talking to me," said Blanche. "It's okay, I forgive you." Blanche got their Pokéball ready. "It ends here."
Team Go Rocket Cliff Vs. Team Mystic Blanche
"You're up Onix!" Cliff yelled.
"Articuno, I choose you!" Blanche shouted, sending out their Legendary.
"This could go either way," I said. "Onix's Rock Type moves has the upper hand here, but Articuno's Ice Type moves should pack a punch on the opposing Ground Type.
"Ice Beam!" Articuno shot a cold beam of energy at Onix, doing lots of damage.
"Now Onix, Rock Slide!" Onix made rocks fall from above onto Articuno. It was bashed about.
"One last Ice Beam!" Articuno fired one last blast at Onix, finishing it off.
"Grr. Thank you Team Rocket…"
"Enough games!" I shouted. "Where is Giovanni?!"
"Not here!" A voice rang throughout the building.
"That's him," Blue said. "Trust me, I've faced him twice."
Behind the Grunts, a screen appeared with Giovanni's evil face on it. His hair was black (though greying), he was wearing a black suit with a rainbow R on it and his grin gave us a chill.
"That's the guy alright!" Blue said. "Where are you?"
"Wasting your time that's what!" Giovanni said. "Because now… I have a message to give to the World."
All of a sudden, a flashing red light started beeping.
"Citizens of the Pokémon World. I may not know you, but you will certainly get to know me. I am Giovanni Detivo, once the head of Team Rocket, but now the Leader of Team Rainbow Rocket! I am back, with support!"
We saw some men walk on with him. One was a man with red hair wearing a black coat. One was a man with a black beard wearing a black coat. One had spiky blue hair and wearing metallic astronaut like clothing. One was wearing robes and had a red mask over one of his eyes. One was wearing all black with spiky-orange hair and an orange beard. Finally, one was a Scientist wearing green glasses with a green beard.
"That can't be!" Blanche said as the red dot dissapeared. "How?"
"I know you can hear us," Giovanni said. "The advent of Team Rainbow Rocket will begin soon!"
With that, Giovanni signed off.
"This isn't good!" Trace said. "What do we-"Suddenly, we heard sounds of female grunting.
"Hold on," I said. I noticed a storage room with the handle ripped off. "It's coming from in there! Go Melmetal!" I sent out the Steel Type titan. It punched down the door to reveal a red-haired woman tied up.
"Lorelei!" Blue said, immediately going to untangle her. Blue looked up angrily to the Team Rocket Members. "It was you lot, wasn't it?!"
"Maybe dear," Sierra said.
"According to my calculations, I think they are wasting OUR time," Arlo replied.
"Yeah!" Cliff said. "Let's head back to the Alola region, stat! Oh, you wanna try and stop us? Too late! Team Rainbow Rocket… we've already won."
"Oh, and this Gym?" Arlo said. "Yeah, it's worthless." He threw us some keys. "Keep your lousy piece of work."
I picked them up as the three ran out.
"Stop!" Spark said
"No," Blanche replied. "He's right; we should take them on in Alola."
At that point, Blue had freed Lorelei. "Are you okay?"
Lorelei had tears in her eyes. "It was…dark and scary and…"
"It's okay," Candela said, holding her hand. "We're here now. There is nothing to worry about."
"What do you mean?!" I said. "Did you hear that announcement? Giovanni is back and more of a threat than ever! And he's going to send that message out to the entire world!"
"Not the time!" Blue said.
"Yes it is," said Blanche. "I can see why you're angry. It's not something that Lorelei needs to hear. Let's get her home. She needs some rest."
"As for us," I said. "We'll head back to the Lab."
"I'll take Lorelei," said Trace. "I'll see you guys later."
Location: Pallet Town
We needed to process what had happened. Giovanni back with previous leaders of evil teams plus a member of the Aether Foundation. Professor Willow met us outside.
"So…" I asked. "We can't just rush in. We need to think of a plan."
"They already said," Blanche replied. "Go to Alola."
"And how do we know if it's not a trap?" Elaine asked.
"Because we don't have much time to think of any other plans," Candela said.
Suddenly, Blue had a call. It was from Chase. "Huh? Yes, that's fine. She needs some rest. I'll talk more later, I have some planning to do now." Blue hung up. "Lorelei is at her place. She needs a month or so away from the Gym to recover. She was battered up quite a bit."
"Poor Lorelei," I replied. I clenched my fist. "All that Team Rainbow Rocket have done. They take over a Gym and now they're bringing these monsters back…" I stood up. "Okay team! If we're going to stop Team Rainbow Rocket, then we need to head to the Alola region!"
"I'm heading back tomorrow!" Blue said. "I'll book you all tickets!"
The three Team Leaders nodded.
"Count us in," Blanche said.
"Yeah! Let's kick some Team Rocket butt!" Spark replied.
"This… might be a bit of fun to," Candela joined in.
"As for me," said Professor Willow. "I'm going to stay behind at the Lab for a bit. I have some more research to do. I knew this day would come, so I sent out some invites. You might see some… very special Trainers over there."
"Great!" I replied. "The dilly dallying stops now! Let's go stop Team Rainbow Rocket!"
Pokémon The Journey: Let's Go!
Based on:
Pokémon Let's Go Pikachu! And Pokémon Let's Go Eevee!
Developed by Game Freak
Released Worldwide: 16th November 2018
Published by Nintendo and the Pokémon Company.
For the Nintendo Switch.
Also based on the characters from:
Pokémon Go
Developed and Published by Niantic (With support from the Pokémon Company)
Released in various countries in 2016
On Mobile Devices.
This is a non for profit Fanfiction adaptation by Penguinja.
The characters and events depicted in this retelling are fictitious. Any similarity to actual persons, real or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Thanks for reading!
The team will reappear in Pokémon The Journey: SM!
Before I flew off to Kanto, I headed back to Celadon City to see a Trainer with blonde hair and a white dress.
"Are you Lillie?" I asked.
"Yes," she said.
"I was told about your friend Elliott. He might need your help again at some point. Alert your brother when you get a moment. Faba has returned."
Lillie was horrified. "So, it's coming together. Okay, I will do just that."
