The sun was setting on Kalosian soil, its rays of light leaving for new places. As the moon started to rise so did a hot-air balloon that carried three amateur criminals to Professor Sycamore's lab.
"The funny thing was," Jessie said, she was lounging on the side of the hot-air balloon looking at lonely cars driving through the street in Lumiose City, "When I saw that brow-haired twerp, I had a sudden feeling. A feeling that I wanted to follow him and make his life miserable."
"That is a really specific feeling," James said, he was checking the mechanisms of the hot-air balloon one more time.
"I know, but this is the same feeling that I felt when I first saw Ash," Jessie replied longingly.
"Ash?" Meowth said, his ears perked up, "Jessie, you know we can't chase a kid across 30 seasons and a few spin-offs anymore. We have adult responsibilities."
Jessie sighed, she enviously watched little specks on the streets of Lumiose City happily walk back home, "I just want that feeling again, is that too much to ask?"
James' eyes softened, he knew the feeling far too well. He positioned a complex mechanism on the balloon, "No it isn't, but this mission is incredibly important, and we can't afford any one of us getting distracted by their emotions"
"You're right. I can't get distracted at this time, "Jessie said, she had found her old confidence again, "Let's go rob some Pokemon."
After Hop had found the security camera and showed it to Sycamore, he immediately called the police. That one camera had given him enough evidence to prove to the police that it wasn't just some vandalism and possible theft but actually planned crime. A few police cars arrived at Professor Sycamore's lab, ready to guard it with their lives.
"Seems like Rocket tech," Officer Jenny said, she flipped the camera around, "My cousins have seen plenty of this stuff. The question is how did it get here?"
"Our Pokemon have been stolen by some group claiming to be Team Rocket, maybe they planted it?" Sycamore asked.
"Team Rocket has been here?" Officer Jenny repeated, "Oh, this is bad."
"Why? Aren't they just a little gang?" Hop asked.
"They're much worse than that," Tori said, recalling the stories his mom told him to make him behave when he was younger. Those stories never failed to do their job, "They've stolen more Pokemon than any other Pokemon terrorist group. They've also tried to conquer Kanto with a super-Pokemon!"
"You got your facts right, kid," Officer Jenny nodded grimly, Hop heard the confirmation and made a disgusted face, "And if they're here that means Kalos is in big trouble."
"I got some bad news, guys," James said, he had flipped the cameras into Professor Sycamore's lab one more time and saw Officer Jenny inspecting his precious camera, "The cops know we're here."
"Even better," Jessie said confidently, she looked at Sycamore's terrarium with her binoculars just to check whether there was any air security, "That means we can have a dramatic finale to this mission."
Meowth looked back at James and said, "Stop worrying, the sleep powder will get to them too, by the time they wake up, we'll be long gone."
Their hot-air balloon had landed over Sycamore's terrarium and was hovering right above the shattered glass ceiling, police cars surrounded the building and roadblcoks were placed, making it very difficult for people to enter or exit Sycamore's lab, unless you were flying.
"Drop the powder, Meowth," Jessie commanded, she watched as a thick gray powder filled the inside of the fake habitat, and as every Pokemon fell into a peaceful sleep, the powder seeped through the open doorways and spread through the lab. The sleep powder reached the outside of the lab and the many police that were guarding it fell onto the ground, fast asleep.
After a while, the powder dissipated allowing outsiders to sneak in without falling asleep. "All of you," Jessie said, she unleashed all her Pokemon from their Pokeballs, "Round those Pokemon up."
James soon followed suit with his own Pokemon and in a matter of minutes, the 12 Rocket Pokemon had rounded up every last sleeping Pokemon and wrapped them inside a large durable net.
"Alright, let's get out of here," Meowth said, he lit the flame to the hot-air balloon letting it rise higher into the air. Jessie and James returned their Pokemon and helped the balloon lift off again.
When the lab had become another bright speck off in the distance James jumped in the air, celebrating their victory. He was confused at his partners lack of excitement, "Why aren't you guys celebrating."
Meowth shook his head, "James, we're still in Lumiose. There's still a chance things go wrong."
"What can go wrong now?" James said, "We're thousands of miles in the air with a bag full of dangerous Pokemon that might wake up at any time and police possibly on our tail."
Both Meowth and Jessie looked at him.
"Ok, now that I put it like that, I can see what you mean," James said quietly.
Unbeknownst to Team Rocket another threat was still inside the terrarium. Tori had recognized and barely avoided the gray sleeping powder thanks to his Pokemon battling knowledge. He saw Team Rocket drifting off into the night sky and all he could do was watch as dozens of Pokemon flew to the arms of a society of dangerous criminals.
"If only I could get up there," Tori said, the gears of his battling brain turned for the first time in months. He suddenly remembered a useful Pokemon he could use, as long as he wasn't asleep.
"Garchomp!" Tori shouted, his voice echoing across the lab. While he was walking he had found the two sleeping bodies of Lily and Alexa sprawled across a chair with two cups of coffee spilled on their laps. He decided to find out what happened to them later.
He found Garchomp sprawled in the kitchen floor, food surrounded his mouth and meat lay on the ground around him. Tori shook Garchomp's violently, he turned around and effortlessly swatted Tori across the room. Tori shouted in pain and the sound was able to wake up Garchomp, he confusedly looked around, wiping food off his face.
"Garchomp, the Pokemon have been stolen," Tori said, he hoped that Garchomp understood what he meant, "I need your help."
Garchomp gestured for Tori to hop on, but before Tori could even hold onto Garchomp's back fin Garchomp had already taken off, blasting through the narrow hallways of Sycamore's lab like a rocket. He shot upwards through the Terrarium and straight into the starry night.
The wind was lightly blowing into the faces of Team Rocket, even Meowth's alertness had gone down. They all leaned on the railings of their balloon, watching the night sky and lightly chatting amongst each other. The Meowth-shaped balloon was nearing the city wall of Lumiose City and once they passed it, they would be free.
Meowth sighed contently, he said, "We've finally succeeded in a mission."
"Tell me about it," Jessie said, her rush of adrenaline from stealing had run out and she could barely stand up because of exhaustion.
One of James' machines started beeping wildly, annoying everyone. Meowth said lazily, "Shut it off."
James dug into his bag until he found the machine that was making such a noise. His eyes widened, "I don't want to ruin the mood, but I think you'd want to look at this."
Meowth glanced at the beeping piece of machinery, he jumped up and shouted, "That dumb dragon won't quit!"
"Can't we just spray it with sleeping powder?"
"What a great idea, Jessie," Meowth said sarcastically, he hopped off the railing and started to pace the floor of the balloon, "If only we had any left!"
"Garchomp we're almost there!" Tori shouted; his voice reduced to a whisper because of the speed he was travelling at.
"Is that the brown-haired twerp?" Meowth asked, he got back on to the edge of the balloon and looked at the person on the Garchomp closely.
"It doesn't matter who it is," James said, "He's going to ruin our mission!" He unleashed his Inkay and Yanmask, and the two small Pokemon floated around the balloon trying to figure out where they were.
"Distract that Garchomp!" James commanded, and the two Pokemon loyally charged into battle.
The wind whipped onto Tori's face, threatening to push him off, so his arms were wrapped uncomfortably around Garchomp's back fin. He saw two small Pokemon fly towards him, they surrounded Garchomp, hitting him with measly attacks. Normally, the two Pokemon would probably be destroyed by Garchomp but their maneuverability had barely given them an edge. The two tiny Pokemon blinded Garchomp causing him to lose sight of where Team Rocket was. More Pokemon started to join the cause making it hard for Tori and Garchomp to see where they were going. Tori had to direct Garchomp through the flurry of attacks and nets that Team Rocket were throwing at him.
"Ha, twerp! We're going to make it out with all these Pokemon!" Jessie teased, she laid on the edge of the balloon and waved her hand, "Better go faster."
Garchomp was suddenly filled up with rage. He swirled around, blasting the attackers with the dragon's breath. This attack was able to drive away the surrounding Pokemon, however, it also made Tori fly off Garchomp's back. For a brief period, Tori was falling through the air, he reached out to what looked like the net hanging off Team Rocket's balloon. He, luckily, caught onto the net, however, the combined weight of him and the Pokemon was putting a strain on the net. Tori could hear the rope on the net snap as each string the rope was made from slowly broke. Tori made the mistake of looking down and his stomach seemed to have already dropped to the ground.
Garchomp flew down to the net and slashed at it, causing Tori and dozens of Pokemon to fall to the ground. Garchomp dived down and caught the net with his claw, placing the full weight of the net on his elbow.
"We did it, Garchomp!" Tori said, he climbed through a small hole inside the net and breathed a sigh of relief. The groggy Pokemon slowly opened their eyes, the fall seemed to have reversed the effects of the sleep powder. Garchomp turned around, planning to fly him and the net back to Sycamore's lab.
"That kid's getting away with our Pokemon," Meowth said, he was hanging on the edge of the balloon angrily, his foot being held by James to prevent him from falling, shouting at Tori, "Give those back, we stole them fair and square!" Then he went back to discuss something with the rest of the Rocket trio.
Tori looked as Team Rocket retreated toward the wall, but instead of flying over they repeatedly rammed the basket of the balloon against the floor of Lumiose City's wall. The old structure toppled over, casting a deadly shadow over the outskirts of Lumiose City.
"Garchomp fly faster!" Tori shouted, the wall loomed over them, however it had stopped in its deadly path.
"Give us the Pokemon or we'll crush you with this wall," Meowth shouted. The balloon had precariously prevented the wall from falling. Tori tried to think of a loophole in Meowth's threat, however Garchomp had different ideas.
"Hey, Meowth, they're getting away," James told Meowth, "Maybe that wasn't the best idea," Meowth growled back at him and took control of the balloon. He shot after Garchomp and the wall that relied on the balloon to stay up came crashing down, a car alarm could be heard amongst Meowth's angry threats.
"Maybe we should give up, we've already got a ton of Pokemon in the warehouse," James said, he waited in fear for Meowth's response.
"Arm the nets, James," Meowth said, he glared at Tori, "We're not giving up."
Large nets flew down like hail until they covered the sky, Garchomp weaved through them, but his bulk would eventually get to him as one net caught him, tangling the Pokemon and restricting his flight. Tori and one small Pokemon jumped out of the net right before Garchomp smashed into the ground, creating a streak of cement and dirt from his unexpected descent.
Tori struggled to open his eyes, he looked around him and saw Garchomp worming in his net, trying to bite the Rocket trio. A little Fennekin was on his side, pushing him slightly. When he turned around to face her, she glared at him as if this was all his fault.
Tori painfully got up, he had sprained something from his fall, his vision was blurry, he wobbled over to the Rocket trio, fueled by the thought of coming back empty-handed to a disappointed Professor Sycamore.
Meowth walked up to him (On two legs!) he looked at Tori's injured body but couldn't keep eye contact, he said, "Kid, I applaud your spirit, but we don't want you to die."
James readied the balloon to take off, he got on and said with pity, "Leave, or else we will hurt you."
"You already threw a wall at me, what's worse than that?" Tori asked weakly, saying that made him lose balance.
"Kid, you got no Pokemon," Meowth stated, he reached a hand out for Tori to hold but Tori ignored it and struggled to get up independently.
"I got her," Tori said, he looked at the angry Fennekin by his feet, "And I don't need your pity."
"Then you asked for it," Jessie said solemnly, she stood back up and released her six injured Pokemon, "We tried to warn you."
Tori didn't know where that confidence came from, and he definitely regretted it. Seviper lunged at Tori, he ducked out of the way. Rocks flew from Yanmega, smashing into the pavement and sending dangerous debris down as rain. A rush of adrenaline fueled Tori, he was able to dodge all the attacks, most of them just barely grazing him.
"Go lighter on him, he's still just a human," Jessie commanded, she tugged the net one last time, believing it was sturdy she climbed onto the balloon.
Tori struggled through the attacks, and he forced his way to the Rocket balloon. He reached out, trying to grab onto the net, but a larger barrage of attacks hit him. One attack hit him, followed by another, Tori collapsed onto the ground and could only watch as the Rocket Trio prepared for takeoff.
Meowth leaped onto his balloon he regretfully looked at Tori and said, "I'm sorry, kid." All of Jessie's Pokemon returned to her Pokeballs.
In that one moment where Meowth and Tori locked eyes, Tori saw memories that weren't his own. A whole life of abandonment and growth flashed before his eyes.
The visions of Meowth's past faded away and all he could see was the Rocket balloon lifting off, the net swaying from side to side as it was pulled up, he saw a small Pokemon trying to burn through the net, it was Fennekin! She must've started when he was dodging attacks, and her flames had burned through the net Garchomp was in. He slashed out of the net and roared.
"Come on James! Get us out of here!" Jessie shouted, she leaned on the wall of the balloon to avoid Garchomp's violent attacks.
The balloon rose into the air, carrying an empty net and a very angry Garchomp into the sky, and because of that very angry Garchomp leaning onto the balloon's basket the whole balloon was tilted on its side.
Even worse for Team Rocket was that all the Pokemon that they stole had woken up and they weren't too happy about being taken away from their homes. Beams of different elemental energy shot out of Team Rocket's balloon. The balloon exploded violently, creating a bright light inside the night. The Rocket trio was shot up into the air, disappearing into the night sky as a tiny speckle of light.
Garchomp picked Tori's limp body up and led Sycamore's Pokemon back to his lab. Tori saw Fennekin walking proudly by Garchomp, "You used me as a distraction."
Fennekin nodded.
"I'm not mad, that was genius," Tori complimented, "but please don't do that again."
Fennekin laughed.
When Tori returned to the lab it was surrounded by a large police squad. Garchomp led the large group of Pokemon over, cutting through members of the shocked Lumiose City police. Garchomp lightly dropped Tori off next to Sycamore.
"So that's where you two went," Professor Sycamore said, his hair had lost most of its volume because of how suddenly he was put to sleep.
Before the police could question Tori, Lily charged through them. She forcefully lifted Tori's arms and inspected every inch of his body.
"I'm fine, Lily," Tori said, he shook his hands away from her grasp, "mostly."
Lily stepped aside, allowing a dozen police officers to question him and by the time they were done the sun had already started showing itself at the edge of the horizon. The police eventually left, feeling satisfied with the work they had done.
"Hey, what about the rest of the Pokemon?" Mairin asked.
The officers ignored her, when she asked again one of the officers lazily replied, "We'll get them to you, it just might take a while."
After that, they all drove off in their cars.
"Stupid police," Mairin mumbled, "Can't we find our Pokemon ourselves, Sycamore?"
"We could've if we followed the camera's signal," Sycamore replied, he took out the remains of the rocket Camera and laughed nervously, "Sadly I crushed it when I fell asleep."
Sycamore turned to Tori and said, "That was pretty brave of you. Maybe a tad bit reckless, though."
"Thank you, sir," Tori stammered.
"Do you have a stutter?" Sycamore asked, Tori's speech pattern had puzzled him for a while, "Because you seem to talk normally when around Hop."
"Oh, he only stutters when he's around people he admires," Hop explained, he laughed at Tori's reddening face, "You should take that as a compliment."
"Then thank you," Sycamore said, "I will pass that on to Alexa, she's been wondering as well."
"Where is she anyway?" Hop asked, he looked at the early birds of Kalos as if she would just magically appear on the streets, "She brought Tori here and just disappeared."
Sycamore dialed Alexa's phone number and said, "She went back home," After a short wait all he got was a request to leave her voicemail, "Guess she fell asleep. I suggest you three do the same."
"Nah, Tori and I still haven't had our Pokemon fight," Hop said, his eyes were filled with anticipation.
"Tori hasn't slept for 12 hours," Sycamore said sternly, "and he's injured."
"Sure," Tori said excitedly, his exhaustion melted away, "Let's battle."
Sycamore sighed, "Fine, just don't battle in the lab," He yawned and walked back into his lab tiredly.
"There's a battle stadium across the road, you can go there if you want," Mairin said, she pointed at the general location but before she could give any directions the two males had run off to fight.
Hop and Tori had wandered Lumiose City for a while, when they finally found the battle stadium their hopes of battling each other were interrupted once again.
"You there," A middle-aged man in a suit ran over, his Herdier leaping behind him. He shouted toward Tori. When he saw Tori turn around, he continued, "Yes, you, kid."
"Yes?" Tori asked.
"Are you the guy who fought near the wall of Lumiose City?
"Yes?" Tori asked he wondered where this was going, and he looked at the sad man.
"Then you broke my car!" The sad man replied, the Herdier yapped emotionally in response to its owner.
Hop said angrily, "For your information, he was saving Pokemon."
"The police would've done the same thing, except with less property damage," The sad man shouted back, "But back to business. You're going to pay for my car, or else."
"Or else what?" Tori asked.
"Or else I'll sue you until even your great-grandkids have debt, they'll be like," The sad man knelt on the concrete and said in an imitation of a child's voice, "If only my great-grandparents didn't anger the great Percy."
"Really?" Tori said.
"I'm the fricking Manger of the Pokeball factory," Percy gloated, proudly getting back up. He had to look up to see Tori in the eye, however, that didn't seem to shake him, "I make more money in a few minutes than you'll ever make in your life."
"Just a question," Hop interjected mockingly, "What car do you drive, the prissymobile? The cry-baby car? Or the wheels of failure."
"For your information," Percy said, he wheeled around to look at Hop in his eyes, Hop could feel a petty pride radiate off Percy, "It's an ultra-infinite cyber-truck."
"I take back my previous statement."
"Oh, and don't think about crying to Sycamore for help," Percy said mockingly, "Or else I'll sue him to the ground as well."
Tori asked, "How do you know that?"
"It's good to have money, kid," Percy said happily, he looked at their two pained faces like he was happy to see two kids as miserable as he was. He said giddily, "You have one year to pay back my car. Or else you're going to find your life taking a very different direction."
Hop watched as Percy pranced away happily, he growled, "That jerk, there's no way he could sue you."
"He probably could, he is rich after all," Tori said, his mind jumping to find a way he could earn that much money, "I think the only way to avoid it is by paying.
"Do you know how expensive that car is?" Hop asked, "There's no way that you can pay that in one year."
"Actually, there might be," Tori said, he had finally found one potential solution.
Hop thought for a while before saying, "You're not thinking that, are you."
"Yes," Tori said, he was happy to finally have an excuse to enter the Pokemon League "The only way to pay that much money, is to win the Kalosian Pokemon League."
Authors note: so how are you guys liking the series so far?