Chapter 79; The endgame begins
The truck carrying team Sonic and gym leader Clair finally exited the tunnel, allowing the heroes to take a good look at the valley Blackthorn city was located in, surrounded by high mountains, one of them being mount Tensei.
"We are here" Sonic said seriously.
"So this is it" Knuckles took a deep breath. Although this was going to be a coordinated attack unlike last time, the nervousness was the same.
"Yes" Clair nodded "it's one of the most historic places in all of Johto, not only known for our deep culture about dragon type pokemon but the geography too".
"The geography? How come?"
"Are you aware of the legend of the beasts?"
"Of course we are" Knuckles confirmed, wondering why Clair was bringing this up.
"You must be aware then that Lugia's tower was burned to a crisp and the legendary Ho-oh ressurected three pokemon that had perished as the beasts, Raikou, Entei and Suicune correct?"
"We do" Sonic confirmed this time, wanting Clair to get to the point.
"Lugia's tower had been desserted for a long time before it burned down. Lugia and Ho-oh had left due to their distrust of humans".
"We are aware of all this. So why are you bringing it up?" Knuckles inquired.
"Lugia left and made its home in the whirl islands as you are aware since you ventured into its home to save it" Clair explained before finally getting to the point.
"It is believed the mighty Ho-oh made its new home somewhere in these mountains, going the exact opposite way Lugia went"
"Huh Never thought about it that way. Where though?" Knuckles asked Clair.
"No one knows where. This is what I meant. Ho-oh enthusiasts visit the city a lot hoping to get a glimpse of the rainbow pokemon".
Knuckles nodded.
"Yeah. It is said seeing Ho-oh sets you up with eternal happiness. Makes sense why a lot of people would seek it out".
"I don't buy this" Sonic disagreed "as powerful as Ho-oh is, and I have firsthand experience of its power" he said rubbing his once slashed side "I don't believe it can grant eternal happiness. Because happiness is not a destination, it's a choice".
Knuckles and Clair gave him a weird look. Sonic took it as the message had gotten across wrong.
"Sorry if I was unclear. I know it sounds impossible but honestly, if one walks through life, thinking this or that needs to be done or certain conditions need to be met for one to be happy, they will spent their entire life miserable. We all have the choice to be happy in the moment with what we have right now".
The weird look didn't go away for Knuckles but Clair nodded understanding. Part of her training to master her emotions included this line of thought.
"I get what you're saying. If you are to seek Ho-oh, do it to meet it, not in pursuit of a cheap way to happiness".
"Exactly" Sonic said in relief "You ok Knucks?"
"Yeah just… wow you went full philosopher there for a moment. All deep and stuff".
"Hehe" Sonic giggled.
He then noticed Tails hadn't uttered a single word in a long time.
"Tails you want to share what's on your mind?"
Tails however was so lost in his thoughts he didn't even listen.
"Tails" Sonic snapped his fingers next to his friend's ear, causing him to gasp in surprise.
"You ok? You've been silent for a while".
"I know. It's just… something's been bugging me for a while".
"Then share it with us. That's what we're here for".
Tails thought about it for a moment before replying.
"Don't you guys think that this endgame plan by team rocket is a little… random?"
"What's so random about it?" Knuckles asked him.
"I mean… acquiring a dragon type army sounds like something they should have done from the beginning. Whether it was for themselves or for money… like what makes them think a dragon army will stop us?"
"We will freeze them solid" Sonic joked.
"I don't mean that they are so weak to ice. A dragon army would be a real threat regardless of what we fight them with. But that's not the point. I mean… sure they are powerful pokemon… but they have hit us with other powerful pokemon before. And plus… we're not part of the equation for them. They think we're dead. So why a dragon army? It doesn't make any sense".
"Whether it makes sense or not what we saw in those plans is undeniable. So be ready" Clair warned him, trying to get him to stay focused.
Tails nodded but wasn't done thinking about it. Something wasn't right here. He just couldn't quite grasp what.
The truck then drove through town, as team Sonic paid close attention to their surroundings as well as the people they passed by, trying to spot anything that would lead them to the right direction.
Eventually the truck arrived outside Clair's gym which was by the town's lake.
Clair hopped off the truck and looked around.
"Alright. I will get a boat so we can cross the lake to the clandestine's dojo. Do NOT move before I'm back"
"Got it" Sonic assured her.
As Sonic and Knuckles patiently laid back and waited, Tails looked around them seemingly admiring the high mountains.
"Guys?" he asked them as he still looked around "do you have the same eerie feeling that I have that we're about to head right into a trap?"
"What gives you this feeling exactly? They'll never see us coming".
"Look around. The place is surrounded by mountains. It feels sort of like a cage. Anything goes wrong they all get captured".
"But what else could the symbols mean then? Clair herself said they are leading here" Knuckles reminded him.
"I don't know. I just know something still doesn't add up".
Clair whistled to them, having brought the boat.
"Come quick! One at a time!"
Sonic nodded and went first.
Knuckles and Tails followed shortly after.
The three friends then laid inside the boat as Clair began rowing.
"Should I take over?" Knuckles offered.
"No for two reasons. One, I got this. Two, they see you, our entire plan goes to hell. You stay down and shut up until we're there".
The three friends exchanged a look of admiral. Clair wasn't playing around.
The journey to the entrance of the cave was relatively short, though ended funny when Knuckles slammed his head against one of the boat's sitting planks as he got up, causing his two friends to have a little laugh and for Clair to giggle.
Hopping out of the boat they found themselves in front of a large opening in the mountain foot.
"Here we are" Clair said "the dragon's den. Inside is the dragon shrine, my clandestine's dojo. Normally when one comes here, after defeating me in battle, they need to prove themselves by traversing the cave, reaching the dojo and face the master. Not in a battle of course. He asks questions that reflect one's attitude and treatment towards pokemon and only the worthy truly earn my badge".
"I see" Tails said in understanding "a final test to make sure whoever is strong enough to beat you has a kind and uncorrupted heart that won't abuse the power".
"Correct. You three have proven this already to me and the entire region. So there will be no need for a test here".
"Will this master be expecting us?" Sonic inquired.
"Yes. He wants to meet you three, you especially" she told Sonic "he will also be the one to point us to where we need to look for team rocket".
"Good then. Shall we go in?" Knuckles asked.
"Yes" Clair nodded.
"Alright then. Ladies first" Sonic said gently.
Clair smiled.
"I can see why Jasmine is so fond of you" she teased him as she took the lead with her cape billowing behind her.
"Now that's confidence" Tails teased his friend.
"Just setting an example for you pal. Our mission will be over soon. And afterwards Cosmo awaits you in Azalea".
"You and Knuckles just won't stop poking me with this will you?" Tails bumped him on the shoulder with his fist.
"Nope. Not until you get the girl" Sonic scratched his friend's head playfully.
"And maybe not even after that" Knuckles joined the teasing.
After a short walk, the three friends found themselves in a large underground chamber, a big underground lake extending in front of them. And right there in the middle, the dojo stood proudly.
Their presence was soon felt by the inhabitants of the lake as Magikarps, poliwags and dratinis appeared on the surface looking at the newcomers.
"Wow" Knuckles was impressed "wish I could get a dragonite".
"Who knows, maybe one day" Sonic commented.
Suddenly a boat appeared coming from the dojo. Inside was a young man rowing and an old man with a very long beard who stood sternly looking at them.
Once the boat docked on their side, the old man walked calmly outside.
Clair bowed.
"Master".
The master nodded and told Clair to straighten herself. He then took a good long look at team Sonic's members. His look unnerved Tails.
"Yes, yes. Exactly as you described them, my old student. I can feel their intent is true. But…"
Silence ran throughout the cave.
"I sense… something in you… hero of Kanto".
"Me?" Sonic asked him.
"What do you sense master?"
"Not sure… what I feel is dark in origin… and yet… non-existent".
"What's that supposed to mean?" Sonic again asked.
"I do not know. The dragon clandestine will help you as promised. But I will ask you to be mindful of your emotions. I sense something ominous in your near future young hedgehog. So be very, very careful, of what you allow in your heart".
The three friends exchanged a glance of confusion.
What could possibly be that supposed nonexistent source of darkness?
"What if it's Sonic's feelings for Jaz?" Tails wondered silently. That was certainly something that could be used against him.
The master then turned back to Clair.
"We have discreetly investigated the town and found one rather suspicious location that fits the bill for what you sought Clair. The old factory on the outskirts of town, close to the dark cave. Piper noticed some suspicious individuals enter the premises yesterday and after asking around town, she did learn that a young boy was heading there to explore when they were chased out by some people claiming to be doing maintenance work. One of them was wearing a dark grey shirt with R on it".
"Definitely them" Sonic said with a hint of anger and anticipation.
The master sized Sonic up for a moment, trying to tell of this was frustration because of what team rocket did to pokemon or something darker.
"The plan must be to raid the dragon's den to loot the pokemon of the cave master. We found these plans in their hideout in Mahogany. Show master, Tails".
Tails revealed the plans. The master took a good look and nodded.
"Yes, yes. It does seem to confirm everything. We need to take action immediately. Darin!"
"Yes master" the boy rowing the boat stood up.
"Gather your peers and station yourselves around the old factory. I and Clair will get these young trainers here to the main entrance discreetly. Go".
"Yes master" Darin confirmed and rowed back to the dojo.
The master then turned to Clair again.
"We will need an hour to get everything set up, my old student. Show your friends to their safe house and then bring them to the factory when I let you know".
"Yes master" Clair bowed and turned, motioning to the three friends to follow.
Returning to the truck, Clair instructed the driver to take them to the safe house.
When he heard the term safe house, Sonic imagined a warehouse or an old basement. But instead the truck stopped in front of…
"My place" Clair explained as the three trainers looked around trying to guess where they would be staying to lay low.
"Say what?! We can't accept that" Sonic tried to object.
Clair, not accepting objections, shoved Sonic out, surprising him with her unexpected strength while motioning to Tails and Knuckles to follow after a few minutes, one by one, so noone would notice.
After Clair basically dragged Sonic to her apartment, once they were in, she started observing the street to signal Tails to come in.
"Why did you try to refuse back there?" she asked Sonic while observing.
"Look, sorry if I came out as ungrateful…"
"I know you were not. But something bothered you about it and I'd like to know what it was".
Sonic was rather impressed. Clair never seemed to mince words.
"Long story short, one of the two detectives in the team rocket case helped us find them in Mahogany. He offered us his house as a safe house. And now we are presumed dead and…"
"And you think he blames himself" Clair finished his sentence.
"Basically" Sonic said.
"Faking your deaths wasn't the optimal choice, sure. If anything it was stupid. But I can tell it came from a place of good intentions. So don't feel guilty about getting help because of guilt".
Sonic looked down thinking about her words of wisdom.
As she signaled Tails to come in, she tried to be more direct.
"Don't be sorry. Be better next time, get it?"
"I do. Thanks for the help" Sonic finally said.
Soon after this exchange, Tails and Knuckles finally came in. Clair closed the curtains and locked the door before offering them a quick snack.
"Get some peace and prepare yourselves. We will be going soon".
Sonic nodded and joined his friends in the couch as they chewed on cereal bars to distract themselves. Raichu decided to spend its time curling on the rug and resting, with Espeon next to it, as it was battling its thought about Jolty.
"Time sure does fly" Sonic commented "it feels like yesterday we came here and now we're about to finally end this mission".
"Tell me about it" Knuckles agreed "what do we do afterwards? We have all the badges so we have around a month before the tournament".
"Heh. Talk about speedrunning the gym challenge" Sonic had a laugh "honestly I don't know. There's so much stuff we could do, apart from training of course, we should not neglect it".
"Maybe we could try to seek the beasts, get to the bottom of their mystery" Knuckles suggested.
"You guys seem to be forgetting that the moment Looker realizes we're still alive he will start pursuing us again" Tails reminded them.
Sonic face palmed himself.
"Damn I forgot. I guess we will have to deal with this first".
"One step at a time" Knuckles told his friends "first we take care of the rockets. Then we deal with Looker's pursuit".
Sonic and Tails nodded in agreement. They had to stay in the present.
Another twenty minutes later, Clair returned. The look on her phase said it all.
It was time.
Taking a deep breath Sonic stood up.
"It's time".
Tails and Knuckles also stood up.
"Let's finish this" Tails declared.
"Once and for all" Knuckles added.
The ride to the factory was short but felt like a century. All three friends felt a mix of anxiety combined with eagerness.
They wanted to end this very badly.
Once arriving at their destination, they met up with Darin.
"Is everything set?" Clair asked him.
"Yes. Everyone is in position. Are you sure the master's plan is ok? Shouldn't some of us join you four inside?"
"No" Sonic answered for Clair "I'm already making an exception for Clair here. We started this fight, my friends and I. And we're going to be the ones to finish it".
He looked at the factory.
"It's no longer about just the Pokemon for us".
Darin nodded, slightly unnerved but also in awe of Sonic's determination. He knew now why team rocket feared the hedgehog.
Cautiously team Sonic and Clair approached the massive building, finding an entry relatively easily.
Once inside the walked on the tips of their toes, trying to be as quiet as possible. Tails had the advantage of being airborne as his tails spinning made almost no sound and therefore he assumed the role of scout.
"I hear something from the main room up ahead" he informed them.
Turning the hallway to meet with him, they found themselves in front of a large of double door.
Voices could be heard on the other side.
"Ready?" Clair asked Sonic.
His look of determination showed there was no need for an answer.
"Knuckles. Do the honors".
Bumping his fists together in determination, Knuckles winded his hand and then smashed the door open with all of his strength.
One of the twin sides of the door was torn from its hinges as team Sonic charged in, poke balls in hand, ready for combat.
But nothing. Empty.
"Clear" Sonic called out to Clair.
"Empty? How? I heard voices" Tails looked around in confusion.
"Mistress Clair!" a voice called from outside.
Clair told team Sonic to stay there and run outside using a small door to the side.
Outside were two of the dojo students, holding a total of four teenagers from the back of the shirts.
"What's happening here?"
"Those four came out of the side door over there? Are they ones we're looking for?"
"What are you about you moron? Let us go" one of the four teenagers, a boy complained.
Clair sighed.
"Do they look like team rocket to you? Let them go and tell the others to sweep the place top to bottom".
Walking back inside, she informed team Sonic of this.
"So no team rocket? We were wrong?" Tails muttered in disbelief.
"Don't lost faith just yet. We will search this whole place".
The search lasted for hours. At around 4PM they found a sealed room. With a big R on the door.
Knuckles tried breaking the door down but it didn't budge.
"Stand aside" Clair ordered sending out a pokemon the three friends had never seen before.
"Kingdra! Hyper beam!"
Kingdra unleashed the powerful attack easily breaking the door down, almost disintegrating it.
Team Sonic cautiously walked in.
Inside was nothing but a small locker. Confused Sonic grabbed the handle.
He opened it.
Inside was a small device, looking like a remote controller.
"What is this joke?" he asked in frustration "this is their great endgame?"
Tails was stumped. It didn't make any sense. Where was team rocket?
Clair observed the inside of the locker and found a mechanism connected to a metal pin that was removed the moment the locker was opened.
"That's strange. This feels like a booby trap. Yet nothing happened".
Unbeknownst to all of them, the controller was activated the moment the metal pin was removed, as it was keeping a button permanently pushed until that point.
"So now what?" Sonic asked them for ideas.
"For now we will get you back to the safe house. Obviously something else is at play. Unfortunately, Lance asked me to join him for a league obligation so I have to leave town for today. You can stay at my place as long as you need. Just one thing. If you need anything, contact my master. He will send for anything you need".
"I understand. We will" Sonic assured her.
Afterwards the heroes returned to Clair's apartment, where she bid them farewell and left.
Now alone, the three friends didn't know what to say to each other. Somehow somewhere they had messed up. And they needed to find out where their error was.
As Sonic was pondering ideas that didn't include using his still turned off phone, Knuckles was exercising to get his mind to focus and Tails was maniacally trying going over the plans and again looking for anything.
This went on for hours. By nightfall, Knuckles was just staring at the ceiling, Sonic had fallen asleep and Tails was ready to give up. No matter how many times he thought it over it, it didn't seem to lead anywhere.
Espeon hopped on the desk, finding Tails with his cheek against the plans, laying in misery.
"It's pointless Espeon. I can't figure this out".
Espeon rubbed its head against Tails' face lovingly, causing him to crack a smile.
"Thank you Espeon".
Espeon then pointed to the sleeping Sonic and his Raichu.
"You think I could benefit from it?"
"Eees" Espeon cried out.
"Alright. I'll take a breather" he smiled petting it and reaching for the lamp on the desk, intending to close it and get some rest.
The moment he shut the light off, his brain exploded.
The room was now fully dark. And the plans could still be read.
"Luminous paint" he whispered in shock as he read through the plans again.
And the plans were not the same.
In fact now they spelled team rocket's true endgame.
And a devastating endgame it was.
"THAT'S IT!" he screamed, waking up Knuckles.
"What's wrong?! We under attack?!"
"I figured it out!"
"You figured what out?"
Tails without replying rushed to Sonic.
"Sonic wake up!" he yelled shaking him.
"Hmm… what did you say sugarplum?"
"Ew don't call him sugarplum, he's not Jaz" Knuckles joked.
Tails, not in the mood for fan, pinched Sonic's nose, causing him to wake up after a few seconds.
"What the… Tails?! What are you doing? Unhand my face!"
"Sonic I figured it out! Team rocket's endgame! We've been duped!"
"Duped?" Sonic asked him in confusion, his mind still not fully awake.
"Bamboozled!" Tails continued.
"We've been smeckledorfed!" Knuckles yelled.
"Seriously?! You found the time to make this joke?!" Tails asked him angry.
"Hey how can you resist such a setup?"
"Quiet!" Sonic stopped them "what are you talking about Tails?"
Tails brought the plans.
"Take a look!"
The plans, with the luminous paint glowing in the dark, were no longer symbols of dragons and mountains.
It was basically a map of Goldenrod city.
"Goldenrod?" Sonic inquired intrigued.
"There are Xs on the map. One here" Knuckles pointed out "another here and another on the port".
"Indicating their targets" Tails explained with an upset voice "the power plant, the radio station and the port".
Sonic set the plans down as Tails opened the lights back up.
"I still don't get it. What's their plan?"
"Take over Goldenrod, broadcast their return through the radio station and then escape by boat" Tails assumed.
Sonic was still not sold.
"No, no. Something doesn't add up. Everyone already knows they're still around. Why make a power play like that with no real reward? There's nothing to gain".
"Maybe it's not about gaining something" Knuckles guessed "maybe they just want to spread fear again".
"They wouldn't risk such a thing. Even with us out of the picture they're in shambles. They would need a really strong leader to get them back on… SHIT!" Tails screamed rummaging around Clair's apartment until he found a calendar.
"FUCK! I forgot!"
Sonic and Knuckles were really worried. Tails may not have been such a wall flower any more but cursing like this meant he must have been really shocked by something.
"Tails what's wrong?" Sonic asked him.
"Sonic… tomorrow is the day".
"What day?"
"The passage of the Atachi satellite" Tails almost regretfully explained.
"What's that?" Knuckles asked him.
"Only the world's most advanced satellite. It was originally created to broadcast the first world championship of Pokemon battling around the world. Wherever it is, if one can connect to it, they could broadcast to the entire world!"
"But what does this satellite have to do with team rocket?" Knuckles again asked.
"Giovanni" Sonic whispered in horror.
Tails nodded.
"They're planning to call out to him. Now that we're out of the picture there's no need for him to remain in exile. If he returned… team rocket would return to its full power".
"That was their plan before too. They were trying to buy enough time and prepare for taking over the city. They need the experimental generator I showed you when we were there to reach out to the satellite and broadcast the message" Tails explained before getting hit by another realization.
"That's why they were using those radio waves… they were testing their equipment before using it for their real purpose… contact Giovanni".
"So you're saying… our enemies are going to attack Goldenrod city tomorrow?!" Knuckles asked in realization.
"Exactly. And we fell for it. I fell for it. Ariana outsmarted me again! She left those plans there on purpose, never expecting me to imagine she would use something as childish as luminous paint!"
"Why would she paint the real plans though?" Sonic asked him, wondering if this was another trick.
"Arrogance. Their boss had it, they have it" Tails assumed.
"What do we do now? They're planning a citywide attack. How are we going to stop them?"
"There's only one thing we can do" Sonic said without a hint of confidence in his voice.
"We got to go to Looker".
"Say what?! Are you insane?!" Tails grabbed his friend from the shoulders.
"We can't stop a citywide attack alone Tails. You know that".
"But in what world is the logical choice to go to Looker?! He is gonna lock us up!"
"No. Not us. Only me".
"What makes you think he is gonna let me and Tails go?"
"You're not coming with me. I won't let you take the fall for this".
"And we're not letting you take the fall Sonic. There's got to be another way!" Tails heavily objected
"Yeah. Let's call Lance and Clair. They will be able to help".
"They have that league obligation, I doubt we'll reach them via phone".
"Mewtwo maybe?" Tails suggested.
"Won't work. He and my Kanto team are out there fighting poachers".
Tails paced back and forth trying to find another way out.
Sonic got up.
"Stop" Tails ordered him.
"I'm sorry Tails. But we're out of time. This started with me all those months ago in Saffron. Let it end with me here. Please".
Tails' fist trembled.
He hated it but Sonic was right.
If they didn't stop team rocket, their reign of terror would return. And Sonic wouldn't be there to stop them. Which even if he, it was wasn't guaranteed they would be able to stop Giovanni again.
They needed to stop it before it started. And Looker was their best hope.
"What if we called Morrison?" Tails tried one last idea.
"Looker won't even listen to him. In fact he will probably lock him up too. I won't let him take the fall either. He's got a family Tails" Sonic reminded his two-tailed friend.
"It just… doesn't seem right. After everything we've done. Everything you have done… to end like this".
"It's a thousand times better than the terror of Giovanni's reign returning. You don't have to come with me. You can both go home and live out your lives quietly".
"You won't face this alone mate" Knuckles said without any hesitation.
"If that's really the only way… then we'll face the end with you Sonic" Tails concluded.
Sonic shed a tear as the three friends hugged.
"Alright then. Let's go".
Leaving a message for Clair and locking the door, hiding the key under the doormat, the three friends set out to find the entrance of the dark cave. It was the quickest route. And with their pokemon's power level so high they would little trouble traversing it.
Once there of course, they were met by a weird scene; the police having blocked the entrance to the cave.
"What the…?" Knuckles was taken aback.
"Stay here" Tails said as he took off, flying just over the heads of the officers stealthily.
Approaching close enough to listen he picked up some phrases.
"It's very bad, the path is blocked".
"We found the remains of explosives in the cave".
"I just got a report. The ice path has also crumbled in a similar manner. Explosives".
"So only way out of Blackthorn is by car?"
Tails was horrified.
Then he remembered the remote that did nothing.
Returning to his friends he didn't have the courage to tell them looking them in the eye.
"We're stuck here".
"What? How?"
"All paths leading away from the city have been destroyed by explosives. That remote we found was the trigger. And we pulled it!" he buried his face in his palms.
"Tails it wasn't your fault" Sonic comforted him "you could never have seen this whole thing coming. Noone could".
"What do we do now?" Tails asked him still sounding sad "how are we going to get to Ecutreak now? We don't have a car, and even if we steal one, if we are arrested or even pulled over and identified no one will listen to us. Ariana boxed us in like ratattas! And she doesn't even know her plan worked".
"There's got to be another way to get there on time. Think" Sonic went into deep thought.
"I have half an idea" Knuckles said.
"Half?" Tails asked, so confused by the idea of a half idea that he stopped blaming himself.
"There is a path on the other side of mount Tensei for hikers. Maybe… just maybe… we could climb Tensei. And walk down from there. Maybe even roll down or glide down I don't know. But it's something".
"Climb Tensei? Are you out of your mind?!"
"Hey I don't see any other way ok?"
"Sonic?" Tails turned to their leader.
Sonic took a good look at the towering mountain.
"Hope you both are not tired. We have a long climb ahead of us" he decided.
Tails and Knuckles exchanged a look.
It was insanity.
But at this point team Sonic was improvising. All that mattered was reaching Ecutreak in time to warn Looker.
"Alright. Let's go!"
Getting as close to the foot of the mountain as possible, Knuckles donned his climbing gauntlets. Tails took off, with him and Sonic recalling their pokemon and the latter grabbing onto Tails' hands.
And with that team Sonic began their slow ascent up mount Tensei.
Unaware of the destiny that was in store for them on the peak, having spent 40 years awaiting fulfilment.