Chapter 70:

Prepare for Trouble

Location: Hokulani Observatory

Bringing Hau along, we burst through the doors of the Observatory to see Sophocles standing there. He was panicked.

"Okay," I said. "What's wrong? But don't tell me until you've calmed down a bit, okay?"

"We know you're panicked," Hau said. "But if you can't get the words out, we will happily wait."

"It's… it's…" he said. "So, I have this experiment called… Festival Plaza and… oh it's not good!"

"What izzn't? Roto. Sopheclezz you need to calm down."

I decided to take it one step at a time; that was the only way we were going to get anywhere. "Okay, from the beginning. What is Festival Plaza?"

"I'll show you," Sophocles said. With that, he pushed a button and we were transported off.

Location: Festival Plaza

Sophocles took us to a fair of some kind. There were stalls of food and games. It looked like a lot of fun, but there was no time for recreation.

"Sophocles this place is amazing!" I said. "This is something you have been working on?"

"Yeah," he said. "It's a place where people and can come from all over the world to meet at the click of a button. It's still in beta, but it's having to be brought to a halt for… that reason." He pointed to a black castle in the centre.

"Izz that part of it? Roto?"

"Looks a bit evil," Hau replied.

"That's the reason," Sophocles replied. "It has been taken over… by Team Rainbow Rocket!"

I looked at Rotom Dex. "This… is not good."

"Wait wait wait," said Hau. "Team Rainbow Rocket? Who are they? I've heard of Team Rocket before. They were a group from Kanto who stole Pokémon."

"They're back," said Sophocles. "And worse than ever!"

I gulped but tried to keep my cool. "So, what is in that castle?"

"The Battle Agency," Sophocles replied. "A place where people can rent out strong Pokémon to battle. The use of own Pokémon are banned, but Team Rainbow Rocket have somehow breached that system."

"Of courzze. Roto. Hacking makezz me SO MAD! ZZT ZZT!"

"What are we waiting for?" Hau said. "Let's make Team Rocket fall again! Again!"

Location: Battle Agency

Flags of Team Rainbow Rocket hung everywhere as the whole place was lit up in red and black.

"My Battle Agency!" Sophocles shouted. "You won't get away with this!"

"No they won't," I said. "Incineroar, go!" However, the Pokéball wouldn't open.

"I told you," said Sophocles. "Pokéballs don't work in here with the exception of Team Rainbow Rocket's."

"Then how am I suppose to beat all the Grunts?!" I shouted.

"Well, for starters it's only one Grunt," said Sophocles.

"Really?" Hau said.

"Secondly, use the Rentals!"

"That'll be fun!" I said.

I saw a warp pad open up as a male Grunt walked out. "Oh great, the Champion. Wait, you can't use your Pokémon! Good luck with beating me!" He walked back through the warp pad.

"I'll do it," I said. "Show me the rentals."

I picked them. Which one's I picked? I'll show you now.

After that, I stepped on the warp pad and found myself on a battlefield. The Team Rainbow Rocket Grunt was on the other side.

"You are pathetic!" he said. "Trying to take down Team Rainbow Rocket? Not gonna happen!"

"I have a team!" I said. "One that'll take you down! Good luck!"

Elliott Vs. Team Rainbow Rocket Grunt

"Go Arbok!" the Grunt shouted, sending out the serpentine Poison Type.

Arbok (アーボック)

#062

Poison Type

Cobra Pokémon

11'06" (3.5 m)

143.3 lbs (65 kg)

After stunning its opponents with the pattern on its stomach, it quickly wraps them up in its body and waits for them to stop moving.

Ekans -Lv 22- Arbok

"And I'm using Heatran!" I shouted, as my Fire Type came out.

"Woah! Roto! You never told me Legendary Pokémon were available! Zzt zzt!"

"Legendary or not, I'm still winning! Arbok, Glare!" Arbok stared at Heatran, and it became paralyzed.

"Earth Power!" Heatran managed to get in a strong Ground Type move that hit Arbok for lots of damage.

"This won't happen. Arbok, Dragon Tail!" Arbok hit Heatran with its tail. It wasn't very effective, it forced Heatran to be switched with another Pokémon. Specifically, Lurantis.

"Uh oh, Roto. A Grass Type."

"I'll be fine. Weather Ball Lurantis!" Lurantis fired a ball of clouds at Arbok, finishing it off.

"Big deal. Go Golbat!" Out came a Poison and Flying Type.

"I know just who to use for this," I said. I recalled Lurantis. "Next up, Gengar!" The Ghost Type was sent out. "Hypnosis!" Gengar waved its hands around, making Golbat fall asleep. "Now Dream Eater!" Gengar sucked away a lot of Golbat's HP. "And again!" Gengar finished off Golbat with one last move.

"Okay, you're good. Go Raticate!" Last but not least was a brown Pokémon with two sharp teeth.

Raticate (ラッタ)

#016

Normal Type

Mouse Pokémon

2'04" (0.7 m)

40.8 lbs (18.5 kg)

Its disposition is far more violent than its looks would suggest. Don't let your hand get too close to its face, as it could bite your hand clean off.

Rattata (Alolan Form) -Lv 20- Raticate

"Thanks," I told Gengar. "Go Lurantis!" My Grass Type came back out.

"Raticate, use Super Fang!" Raticate chomped down on Lurantis, taking away half its health. "And now Crunch!" It then bit down and almost defeated Lurantis.

"Use Sunny Day!" Lurantis made the sun above very bright.

"Crunch!" Raticate hit with a Critical Hit Crunch, defeating Lurantis.

"Heatran, finish it off!" Out came my paralyzed Legendary.

"Raticate, Super Fang!" Heatran's HP was halved.

"Use Lava Plume!" Heatran threw lava everywhere. Raticate was hit hard. It also burned it! Raticate went down the next turn!

"Fine! Take your stupid Agency back!"

The Grunt teleported away and, as if by magic, the lighting got brighter, and everything seemed to get more friendly.

Going through the warp pad showed that Sophocles had command of everything again.

"Thanks!" he said. "Do I need to be more careful next time?"

"This was Team Rainbow Rocket's doing," I said. "Sophocles, these guys are criminal geniuses. They always find a way to do anything… but beat me." I looked at Hau. "We can't let something like this happen again. Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

Hau nodded. "We go into the belly of the beast."

"You don't mean… Zzt."

"Yes," I said. "A place I wished I would never have to go back to… the Aether Foundation."

"Huh?" Hau said.

"Gladion told me something," I said. "I think Faba must be involved."

Ula'ula Island - Aether Paradise

Location: Aether Paradise

We got to the entrance to the large complex; an outdoor area.

"This is really happening," Hau said.

"I know," I replied.

"Oh, it's you two!" Wicke greeted us. "Listen, maybe now isn't the right time for a visit."

"It is," I said. "Wicke, are Team Rainbow Rocket here?"

Wicke looked at us concerningly. We had no time to lose. "Where are they? Roto?"

"The Mansion," she replied.

The once white mansion was now completely black with the Team Rainbow Rocket logo on it.

"This can't be true," I said.

"They're back," Hau replied.

"And so, we are." We saw Faba walk towards us.

"You!" I shouted. "What have you done?"

"Brought back a team!" he said. "No, it's an empire now!" From out of the Mansion we saw multiple Team Rainbow Rocket Grunts come out.

"No," I said. "Look how many of them there are."

"So," came a voice. "This is the Champion of Alola?"

"That voice!" Hau said. "It… can't be!"

A big screen emerged from the Mansion to show Giovanni's face. With him were other bosses of crime syndicates. Maxie from Team Magma, Archie from Team Aqua, Cyrus from Team Galactic, Ghetsis from Team Plasma and Lysandre from Team Flare.

"What are they doing there?!" I said. "Some of them were killed in their plans! How have they come back to life?"

"What?" Giovanni asked.

"Speak into this," Faba said, handing Hau a microphone.

Hau tapped it, and it made that high sound. We covered our ears. "Sorry," Hau said. "Anyway, how are some of you back? They can't have come back to life."

"They haven't," said Giovanni. "They come from a world where… well… they stomped on their foes! Including… the versions of this world."

"And you?" Hau asked.

"Me?" Giovanni asked. "I am very much the same Giovanni from over here. And thanks to my second in command, Faba…"

As Faba said this, he straightened up his collar. (He was clearly proud of this role). "That's me," he said.

"I have not reformed Team Rocket, I have created a stronger organization! TEAM RAINBOW ROCKET!"

All the Rainbow Rocket Grunts saluted.

"We'll take you all on!" I shouted.

"That won't be happening," said Faba. "Hypno! Use Psychic!" He sent out his Hypno to keep us in place.

"You won't get away with thizz! Roto!"

"Oh," said Faba. "I will, when I deal with you!" He looked at Hau. "I will spare you if you join Team Rainbow Rocket. But as for you, well, we can't have a Champion messing up my… I mean our plans. Toodles!" Hypno blasted me away out of Aether Paradise.

"HAU!" I shouted as I was flung into the air.

Across the sea I flew. Eventually, I knew that I was going to have to make impact.

"Tapu… Tapu…" I was heading towards the sea so fast that I couldn't get the words out. I embraced for the end…

Then, something jumped out and grabbed me. It was… a Swampert! Swampert swam me quickly to a boat. When it got there, it flung me on board. "Ouch," I said. I looked overboard. "Hey," I said. "Thanks Swampert."

I saw Swampert get recalled by a Trainer of a boat. "You went flying out like a jetpack fulled Swellow," he said.

"Thanks but…" I saw who it was. Brown hair? Tall stature? I was meeting… Brendan Seaview! The Champion of the Hoenn region!

"Hey kid," he asked. "Are you alright? What happened?"

"I am now," I said. "But what are you doing here?"

"Hey, Bren!" came a voice from the inside of the boat. A Teenager opened the door. "I heard some splashing, everything alright?"

I knew who he was…

Calem Yvonne! Champion of Kalos! "Woah!" I said. "Two… no. Three Champions on a boat?"

"Three?" Calem asked. "Wait… you must be Alola's Champion! Nice to meet you!" He helped me up off the ground. "Elliot isn't it?"

"Elliott Mitchell," I replied. "Sorry, my mind is racing."

"I'm sure it is," said Brendan. "But what was going on out there?"

"Elliott?! Roto?" I heard Rotom's voice out at sea.

"Rotom! It's me!" I shouted from the boat as I saw Rotom Dex scanning the sea looking for me. It spotted me and came to the boat.

"Elliott! Zzt zzt! You're alright!" Rotom Dex ran into my arms.

"This is your Pokédex?" Brendan asked. "It seems a lot more… sentient than ours. Anyway, I'm Brendan Seaview. Champion of the Hoenn region."

"Bonjour. I'm Calem. Champion of Kalos."

"Alola! I'm Elliott, first and current Champion of Alola!"

Calem looked out to sea. "That's it over there! Konikoni City! That's where we're docking. You can tell us more about what's going on when we get there."

Location: Konikoni City

"What?!" both Champions shouted.

"Yeah," I replied. "Giovanni is back, and bigger than ever. And he's got everyone with him."

Calem walked back and forth in a panic. "But, how? Lysandre. He activated the Ultimate Weapon which led to his… nevermind. HOW is he back?"

"It'zz not the Lyzzandre you fought. Roto. It'zz a Lyzzandre from a world where he wazz victoriouzz. Zzt. Same goezz for Maxie and Archie to."

Brendan sat down. "It's horrible to think. A world where he beat me, or a variation of me and succeeded."

"My friend Hau is still over there," I said. "But hey, I have two more Champions on my side! We can take them down! Come on, we need to head out immediately!"

I walked to the boat when Brendan grabbed my shirt. "We can stay here for now. Your mind is not straight at the moment. What we are going to do is rest here for today, but then yes. We will all go and take down Team Rainbow Rocket and save your friend. I understand what you are thinking, but going in when you're in a tizzy is the worst thing we can do."

Brendan was right. "Okay, I'll wait. Hey, why don't we show each other our Starter Pokémon?"

"Great idea!" Calem said. "I choose you, Chesnaught!" Out came a greed and yellow Pokémon with a shell that had spikes on it.

"Swampert, come out again!" The same Pokémon that saved me was summoned.

"And mine? Incineroar!" I sent out my Partner.

"Wow!" said Calem, getting out his Pokédex.

Incineroar (Félinferno)

#727 (National)

Fire/Dark Type

Heel Pokémon

1.8 m (5'11")

83 kg (183 lbs)

Although it's rough mannered and egotistical, it finds beating down unworthy opponents boring. It gets motivated for stronger opponents.

Litten -Lv 17- Torracat -Lv 34- Incineroar

When Incineroar came out, I saw it cross its arms.

"Everything alright?" I asked it.

Incineroar then did a karate chop motion with its arms, going in a cross formation. "It's Cross Chop!" Brendan told me. "It's a Fighting Type move, and a strong one at that!"

"Great timing!" I told Incineroar. "Now, that brings us to the next question. What are you two doing here? Vacation?"

"Sorta," said Calem. "You see, we were told to come here by a man named Professor Willow."

"Professor Willow?" I asked. "Never heard of him."

"He told us something was going on, but I thought he was talking about the Battle Tree, which is a facility that opened up on Poni Island. Maybe he was talking about that, but this to."

"I dunno," I said. "But whatever it is, I think this might have something to do with it. For now, we should get some rest. We'll leave at first light though."

Both Trainers looked at me. Not with a serious face, but with a smile. I did the same. We're Champions; we could do this!

"I should send a letter though," I said. "I can't leave Hau hanging."

"Procezzing email now. Roto."

"YOU CAN DO THAT?!" I asked.

"Yep! Sent! Zzt zzt!"

"Thank goodness," I said. "I just hope it doesn't get sent to the Aether Foundation junk mail."

Rotom's Move Dex!

Zzt zzt! Today, Elliott uzzed a Legendary! Heatran! I mean, it shouldn't be too surprizzing; he hazz Lunala and the Tapuzz, but that'zz bezzidezz the point. Fire Type move!

Overheat!

Overheat izz a strong but rizzky move. It izz one of the mozzt powerful Fire Type movezz there izz… but it comezz with a catch. It lowerzz Sp. Attack! And, reminder, Overheat izz a Special move. So, it will get weaker each time you uzze it. Hint; uzze a White Herb to rezzet said stat.

Pokémon that can learn Overheat include Pyroar and Turtonator!

Oh, and didn't I tell you? We have two other Championzz with uzz! Roto!