Chapter 4- New Rocket Recruits!

~Here we are at the next chapter of my -fabulous- quest to save Misty from the poison that that BASTARD Red Kaiser had put into her… (I swear! First chance I get, I’m gonna tear his freaking head off!) I’ve never imagined teaming up with Super Fiends… but for a job big this big, taking down the Team Rocket organization, we’re desperate. On a lighter note, at least we’ve reached the part of the story a lot of you’ve been waiting for, the Team Rocket break in. Yeah, I’m excited too. Woo-hoo I’m jumping for joy. Not. This is serious! My girlfriend’s in danger of death and I’m stuck with an insane author who’s probably escaped from an asylum… As soon as I’m finished with Team Rocket, I’m going to find Red Kaiser and make him pay…

-Ash Ketchum

(Location- Outside Team Rocket HQ)

Located in the Center of the Emerald Jungle, Team Rocket HQ was located. Team Rocket is a powerful organization of criminals, run by the criminal mastermind known as Giovanni. His criminal empire has reached unbelievable power, able to rival the military. Until today, everyone who has stood up to this organization has been crushed… but now, Ash Ketchum and the Super Fiends taking that challenge…

BEEPBEEPBEEP

The transceiver phone started beeping, and Ebi answered, “Hello?”

“EBI! This is Ash! (CRRRR…!)”

“Hey guys! It’s Ash!” Ebi called out and everyone gathered around to listen, “Is everything okay? You got in without any trouble?”

“That’s right. Team Rocket is letting in everyone looking to join.” Said Gary, “Because there’s so many recruits, they can’t do background checks on them all”

“As for me, though they saw sort of a resemblance between me and ‘Ash Ketchum’… I just told them I was his evil twin, and they actually bought it! Man… I always thought Jessie and James were the stupid ones in this organization but SHEESH!” Said Ash, “Me and Gary have already passed our evaluation tests and have been given the rank of soldiers.”

“Not me though! The moment I told them I was a Super Fiend and looking to join, I swear they were crying out of joy. I won’t have to go through the standard training, and have already been enlisted as special opts!” Bonsai’s voice spoke up

“That’s good” said Ebi “Now if I know the way they work, Ash and Gary will partake in a number of missions, and seeing how active Team Rocket is these days, it won’t be long from now. Right now they’re looking for someone to become the new elite, so they’ll be evaluating everyone. Show them your skills in the field, and get promoted quickly. If you two also get to Special Opts, you’ll get a shot at becoming their Star Elite Agent 001!” Ebi then sighed, “Unfortunately, this will also mean you must be prepared to do some bad things. Following their orders, you’ll have to steal pokémon as well” Said Ebi, “But don’t worry, just do your jobs and climb the ladder quickly. The faster you get through with this, the faster it’ll be all over, and we’ll tear up Team Rocket and return all the stolen pokémon”

“All right Ebi, thanks!” The transceiver phone switched off Back in Team Rocket HQ, the three of them stood there. “So we’re clear on the objectives?”

“Yeah” Said Gary. He and Ash were being sent to the Safari Zone to steal the rare pokémon… while Bonsai would be dispatched for more dangerous assignments “This is gonna be our first mission. We’ll have to prove our worth”

***

(Location- Safari Zone)

“Man this sucks!” Ash whispered. He and Gary were dressed in the black uniforms and masks worn by Team Rocket grunts, and both sat in a blimp. From the window, he could see the herd full of Kangaskan they were supposed to capture. Team Rocket captures large numbers of pokémon, most of them would be sold for high profits while the stronger ones were kept and trained by the organization. “Having to steal pokémon… this job’ll leave a bad taste in my mouth…”

“Keep your voice down!” Gary whispered. “I know it sucks, but try to act eager. We’re going to return the pokémon when we’re done anyways”

“Yeah, I guess… I suppose I should look on the bright side to this… if there is one.” Ash sighed, “I wonder… the Safari Zone Warden… the sadistic old man with the gun and itchy trigger finger… should I warn everyone about him?”

“Nah, let ‘em find out for themselves… whoever’s left after he starts firing anyways” Gary smirked, the two of them laughed silently… in a few minutes, the blimp landed, and everyone moved in military formation.

“There’s the target, men!” said the squad leader, as everyone crouched atop a hill, overseeing a herd of Kangaskan, “Our mission is to capture as many Kangaskans as possible before getting spotted by the authorities. We have only five minutes to complete our objectives, MOVE NOW!” He shouted, as all the grunts sprang into action, releasing pokémon and attacking…

“Hey Gary…” Ash and his rival stood up and watched those people battling with the wild pokémon. All of them were having a hard time, none of the Kangaskans had been captured yet, and in fact some of the grunts were losing, “You remember what Ebi said about showing our skills on the field?”

“Yep, and I think it’s time…” Both of them whipped out pokéballs, “LET’S GO!” They both shouted and darted forward… “ATTACK!”

“WHOA…!” All the others gasped as they saw the two young trainers, releasing their pokémon and flying into battle. They fought with incredible strength and skill, both handling several pokémon at once and taking down large numbers in merely seconds. The two of them alone were stronger than the rest of the squad combined!

“Fifteen… sixteen… seventeen…!” Ash counted as he kept throwing pokéballs and capturing pokémon, “Hey commander! Running low on pokéballs here!”

“I’ll also need more if you expect us to capture the whole herd!” Gary shouted as he continued to attack and capture the wild pokémon. The squad leader nodded speechless, and everyone quickly handed over their empty pokéballs.

“It’s way easier capturing them like this than with Safari Balls!” Ash commented, trying not to enjoy this since it was for Team Rocket… but battling and capturing pokémon… this was his nature, he couldn’t help it… and by the looks of it, Gary felt the same way as well… “Hmm?” Ash suddenly spotted something…

“What you doing with Tommo’s family!” A blue-haired wild child in animal skins and wielding a boomerang shouted as he came riding the leader of the Kangaskan herd, “LET THEM GO NOW! KangakangaSKAAAAAN!!!!” he shouted as the lead Kangaskan leapt into the air and he threw his boomerang down…

SMACK!

“AGH!” One of the grunts screamed when the boomerang hit his face, knocking him out, while the weapon went flying back to the kid’s hands

“Someone, get rid of him! He’s a witness!” the squad leader shouted

“I’ll handle it sir!” Ash quickly stepped forward, while Gary continued to handle the herd. Suddenly he darted forward, so fast the eye couldn’t follow, and stopped behind the wild boy and the lead Kangaskan… “I’m sorry…” he whispered

“SKAAAAN…!” The pokémon roared and lunged at Ash…

POW!

“AH…!” All the rockets gasped when they saw Kangaskan stumble there dizzily, and fell to the ground. Knocked out by a blow from Ash’s fist.

“NO! YOU ATTACK MAMA-KANGA!! YOU BAD MAN!” Tommo screamed and threw the boomerang towards Ash’s face…

“HM!” Ash hand immediately caught the boomerang. He quickly snatched Tommo in his other arm and darted forwards again, this time running into the woods.

“LET GO OF TOMMO, BAD MAN! TOMMO NO FORGIVE YOU!” the wild child continued to shout as they ducked behind a tree…

“Shh! Tommo, it’s me!” Ash said quietly…

“Ash…?” Tommo calmed down, looking at him… “You are Ash?”

“Yeah, it’s me!” Ash pulled off the mask and hat that came with the uniform, letting the boy see his full face. The boy gasped in shock

“A-Ash…! Why? You good person! Why you help bad men?”

“Don’t worry Tommo, I’m only pretending to help the bad men” said Ash, “The bad men that wants to take your family away, I will stop them soon! I promise you… I WILL rescue your family!” he spoke seriously, looking into Tommo’s eyes

“O… ok!” Tommo nodded. Tears were gathering in his eyes, but Ash’s words were giving him strength. Tommo smiled brightly, he knew he could trust him, “I believe you, because Ash is good person, and Ash is Tommo’s friend!”

“That’s good Tommo!” Ash smiled brightly, placing his hand on Tommo’s head. “All right Tommo… I want you to hide now, until the bad men go away. Go find the woman with blue hair named Jenny, and tell her what’s going on, but just don’t mention my name, or else I could get into trouble. Understand?”

“Yes!” Tommo cheered, quickly jumped up into a tree, “Tommo go now! Good luck Ash! KangakangaSKAAAN!!!” he swung from the vines and was out of sight.

“Hmm… all right!” Ash put back on the hat and mask, and walked back to the field.

The field was empty save for the rocket members, who were busy loading up the pokéballs into the blimp. “What kept you?” Gary stood there with his arms crossed as the others worked. Apparently while Ash was gone, he had taken on the entire herd and captured them all

“Had some business to take care of” Ash looked at the pokéballs the others were loading up. “Whoa, there were that many Kangaskans?” he asked, seeing the number of pokéballs.

“Nah, I also captured a herd of Tauros while you were gone…” Gary scoffed. He wasn’t feeling so great right now… even worse is that his trainer instincts had taken over earlier and he felt enjoyment from catching all those pokémon

“Hmm… you know, for some odd reason, I feel like I’ve forgotten something…” Ash thought out loud… when he suddenly heard the click of a gun, “Hmm?” he turned around to see the warden and his gun, “Oh right, that”

“You damn poachers… Team Rocket! Release the pokémon you stole!” The warden shouted, pressing his pistol to the back of Ash’s head

“Hey, easy there old man… you don’t want to do anything stupid” the squad leader said calmly, not wanting things to turn ugly, “We’ve got you way outnumbered”

“You think I care about that? I’m sick of you criminals running around and stealing pokémon, while no one even does anything to stop you!” he shouted

“You know, technically it’s not stealing. We followed all the rules, battling wild pokémon and captured them like all trainers do. If that’s illegal, then you’re saying that every pokémon trainer in the world is a criminal.” Ash crossed his arms, rather calmly despite the fact he had a gun pointed at his head

“Quiet you! You think I don’t know the barbaric things you people do with the pokémon you capture?” He growled, pressing the gun harder against Ash’s head “If you don’t release all the pokémon right now I swear I’ll…!”

SMACK!

“AGH!” the warden hit the ground, unconscious

“Sorry to be so rough, but I just plain don’t like you” Ash crossed his arms, “The gun pointing I can handle, the death threats I can live with… but calling US barbaric when you’re the one who made that ‘Throw the Food! Throw the Rock! Throw the Ball!’ rule… It’s freaking annoying, and Safari Balls SUCK!” He shouted the VERY-true fact, after having knocked the warden out. He placed his hands in his pockets and walking towards the stunned crowd “Our five minutes are up, let’s go”

As everyone entered the blimp and it took off the ground, heading back towards the Team Rocket base. Everyone was cheering about the mission’s success, mostly towards Ash and Gary’s record-breaking performance.

“You know Ash, knocking out the gun-totting warden who made the evil ‘Safari Ball rule’ I can understand, but why did you have to punch that kid’s Kangaskan?”

“First of all, that Kangaskan doesn’t BELONG to that kid. I did it myself so Tommo wouldn’t get hurt accidentally if I used a pokémon.”

“Liar, with your pokémon battle skill, your pokémon wouldn’t make a mistake like that. You just wanted to show off your fighting skills to everyone!”

“Just because that’s true, doesn’t mean I’m a liar!” Ash smirked, “Or is it that you’re just jealous because you can’t do stuff like that?”

“Why would I be jealous? I captured two herds in under five minutes” Gary smirked

“You two!” Ash and Gary’s playful bantering was interrupted by the squad leader, “As I was saying. You rookies have done an incredible job, no, more than that… in all my years, I have never seen such an excellent performance!” the sergeant, “I would like to know your names”

“I’m uh… Vash!” Ash answered the first name that came into his head…

“Knives” Gary also answered the first name, the came into his head

“(Score!)” Ash cheered mentally, this time he didn’t choose an embarrassing one!

“(Dammit!)” Gary cursed mentally, because Ash said that name, this one automatically came up… one that was almost as embarrassing as Ash’s!

“Very well, Vash and Knives!” The squad leader spoke. (thankfully he’s one of those guys who don’t watch anime) “Heh-heh! Vash, huh? Cool name. With you around, you’d be like a ‘stampede’, heh. Vash the Stampede… it’s got a good ring for a criminal.” He turned to Gary, “As for you… what kind of name is Knives anyways? Sounds like the name of some evil weirdo obsessed with stabbing things…” Ash was beaming, while Gary was resisting the urge to strangle him. “I know talent when I see it. As soon as we return, I’m recommending you both for Special Opts, with your skills I know you’ll make the cut. Who knows? Maybe one of you may even become the new elite!” Though this wasn’t necessarily a good thing, Ash and Gary couldn’t help but smile. At the mention of becoming special operatives, the two wondered what the job would entail, and also what was that super fiend doing right now…

(Meanwhile)

“Heh…! All too easy…” Bonsai laughed as he walked smugly through the government facilities, all around him lay the bodies of countless government security guards and pokémon, too injured to move. “Mission accomplished…” he said, picking up a disk

“You know, when we break into these sorts of places, we usually try to avoid fighting” scoffed Elite Agent 009 Domino, the Black Tulip.

“And that’s why you’re all so weak” Bonsai simply replied, he along with four other operatives were deployed to assist her with this mission… though Bonsai in fact followed no orders or directions from the superior officer, and acted on his own, “Catch” he said, tossing the important disk at her.

“Ah…! Watch it!” Domino exclaimed, catching it, “If you broke this disk, we’d have failed the mission, and have come all this way for nothing!”

“What are you complaining about? Not like any of you did anything but watch me do all the fighting” Bonsai answered rather arrogantly.

Domino growled… as did the other operatives… really, they hated working with this man, “You are way out of line agent! You are to obey my commands, or I will report this insubordination! In this team, we have ways of doing things!”

“So? I have my own way of doing things. Yours is too boring, and it takes too long. If I want something, I just walk in and take it, and crush anyone who gets in my way…” Bonsai turned around and glared at them, causing them to flinch… they could sense he was threatening them. The others growled, but backed down. They knew this man was far stronger than them… and he was unpredictable. They didn’t trust him, and felt he could just as easily turn against them. Domino was growling… tempted to pull out her Black Tulip weapon… but she knew that if she drew her weapon he would fight back… and she could not defeat him…

Suddenly, red lights started flashing… the alarm was sounding! “It’s the alarm!” One of the operatives shouted, “We’ve got to get out of here right now!”

“Then go ahead, I’m staying right here” Bonsai unfolded his weapons as the other special opts ran to escape. The Super Fiend smirked as he could see many armed guards coming in his direction, “The first hundred was a big disappointment. I hope you guys prove tougher… and make me feel at least slightly challenged…”

(Several Days later)

It has been several days have passed since the Safari Zone mission, and Ash and Gary had quickly attained the rank of Special Opts like Bonsai. They were often deployed with other operatives to undergo more difficult missions… most of them involved offensives against the government such as breaking into secure areas to steal classified documents or sabotaging equipment. As special operatives, Ash and Gary’s continued to accomplish outstanding tasks, completing each mission perfectly no matter the level of danger… even when it practically involved fighting an entire army, not a single one was left standing when Ash was through with them. And though Bonsai didn’t act well with others and despite his unpopularity among most of the Rocket organization, no one could deny his power, as he had single-handedly completed all of his missions, taking on hundreds of opponents alone.

The countless achievements of these three did not go unnoticed, and it wasn’t long before Giovanni had selected them among hundreds of other Rockets to be nominated for the 001 title. But with such skill, it was unfair for only one of them to become an elite, which is why he had them do battle against other Elites to evaluate their abilities. Even the elites were unable to stand up to the Chosen One, to gifted trainer and the Super Fiend. The bottom ranking elites 008 and 009 were booted off from the ladder and the others downsized to make room for the newest and best agents in the entire organization. ‘Vash’, the strongest among them, ranked 001. ‘Legato’ the trainer with unparalleled skills and flawless battle tactics was granted 002. Bonsai the Super Fiend who had climbed to the top with sheer strength, despite his attitude and not following orders, he completed every one of his missions and crushed anyone who challenged him… he was now 003.

The first objective had been completed; they were now top-ranking elites, with authority surpassed only by Giovanni himself, and access to anything and everywhere in the organization.

“Now where could the Heal Sprout be?” Ash looked left and right. His 001 security card gave him access to almost everywhere in Team Rocket HQ. Ash explored everywhere in Team Rocket HQ, but didn’t find the heal sprouts he needed. The only places he hadn’t looked were the maximum-security places. Even he wasn’t sure that his 001 security card could let him in, but he had to try… Ash swiped the card through the reader. After a few seconds, the message came up: ACCESS DENIED

“DAMMIT!” Ash shouted as he punched the thick metal door…

“Is there something wrong, 001?” a voice spoke up, making Ash jump. Ash turned around and gasped as he saw

“WA!” Ash jumped, Giovanni was standing right behind him!

“What seems to be the problem, Agent 001?” asked Giovanni

“Oh… um… nothing sir.” Ash stood up straight, trying not to look suspicious

Giovanni glared at him suspiciously, making Ash sweatdrop. “You were trying to find out what’s behind that door, weren’t you?”

“Um…”

“Hmmm…” Giovanni’s glare changed into a friendly smile, “Such a curious lad… I like that.” Giovanni smiled, “Curiosity is the hunger for knowledge, and it is a virtue we appreciate here at Team Rocket. Come, let’s shed some light on your questions…” Giovanni slid the card through the machine. A green light flashed and the door opened up and Giovanni walked right in. Ash hesitated a little at first, but followed…

***

(Location- Rocket Laboratories)

The Rocket Laboratories were brightly lit, and full of computer mainframes everywhere, all hooked up to one giant computer. Ash could see a few scientists working, going over blueprints of some sort and other stuff as he followed Giovanni closely, and tried not to get lost in this maze of computers and lab equipment. As Ash walked, he switched on the transceiver phone in his pocket, pressing mute so that Ebi and everyone else in Jolt’s bunker could listen and not be heard.

“As you can see 001, this is a restricted area. My scientists work hard, creating new inventions and equipment for my soldiers. Of course the best of it only goes to the best. More specifically, me, and my top agents” he laughed, looking at Ash

Ash was quite impressed with these new equipment, but none of them were as formidable or advanced as Ebi’s creations.

“I have some of the best scientists in the world, who created the most advanced items in history, but there are still things they struggle with…” Said Giovanni

“Hmm? What sir?” Ash wondered

“This” said Giovanni as they stepped into a dark room.

The room was nearly pitch black. Ash could see all sorts of computers around this room, and a giant machine at the end. In the centre of the machine was a tall glass cylinder that glowed green in the darkness. As Giovanni stepped forwards, Ash gasped at what he saw in the cylinder

“Magnificent, isn’t it?” asked Giovanni

“Mewtwo…!” Ash gasped

“Hmm?” Giovanni looked at Ash

“How true! It is magnificent, sir!” Ash said quickly, “What is it?”

Giovanni sighed “Allow me to explain. This was years before you joined us, but I remember the project all too well. My scientists found a fossilized DNA sample of a legendary pokémon, Mew. Upon many years of cloning and genetic splicing, and not to mention improving the strength of the pokémon, we have create the ultimate fighting machine, a pokémon designed only for battle, with unmatched strength and power, Mewtwo…”

Ash listened carefully. This couldn’t be possible! Mewtwo was free! Roaming the world and without any fear of humans! How can he be here!?

“That was years ago…” said Giovanni, “Mewtwo became too smart for out own good, he developed a sense of self, destroying the lab and escaping into the wild. We have found no trace of him since, or if we have, he would simply erase all signs of it, including our memory…” Giovanni growled, “This is why we’ve produced a second one. This one however, we are careful to keep it under control. We have built this one out of flesh, blood and steel. He part pokémon, part machine. It’s brain is run by computers, and powered by the telekinetic abilities that the original Mew and Mewtwo possessed. This one however is not only powerful in the mind, but strong in the body. Cold as steel, this is our greatest creation… Cybermew.”

Ash was shocked and appalled by this new being. Not pokémon, not even a clone like Mewtwo, this thing was just like a Kaiser Beast!

“We have had our run-ins with another group who think they are so powerful… though unfortunately they are. They call themselves the Kaiser Cult” Said Giovanni, Ash’s eyes opened wide at this statement. “They possess incredible military force, and technology at their disposal that far surpasses the government and ours. They’ve even been creating monsters to fight for them… Kaiser Beasts… I believe they were called” said Giovanni, “But Cybermew will be stronger. I have built this organization from scratch, and will lose to anyone! This is why I’ve had my agents sent out to disband all those other gangs, so I will have no competitors. Now the only one WORTH worrying about is the Kaiser cult, and with fighters like you at my side, they won’t stand a chance!”

Then something caught Ash’s eye, “What are those?” Ash asked

“Oh, those things…” said Giovanni, “They’re useless. At first when we were creating a new Mew clone, we were planning to put these heal sprout’s fluids into the mixture so that the clone will have natural defence against status ailments, but now that he is metal, he won’t need them, these things will all go into the incinerator…” Said Giovanni, “I’d say that is the last one. Though I know there’s no need for it, my men insist on leaving it here, just in case some sort of an irregular brain fluctuation or something like that… I don’t know, after all he won’t be having any. Come on, let’s go” he said. Ash obeyed him and left the room. They walked out of the laboratories, the door closing behind them.

***

(Location- Team Rocket Cafeteria)

The Rocket Cafeteria, provided all sorts of snacks and refreshments for the Team Rocket Agents. Since Ash, Gary and Bonsai were at the top ranks, naturally the food would be free. Lucky it was empty because everyone was out working, and the group sat in a shady corner

“Hey Ash, will you stop stuffing your face with donuts long enough to tell us what you called us here for?” asked Gary

“(Mmph!) jus’ a shecond!” Replied Ash, his mouth full of donuts. He swallowed them and spoke clearly “Wait for AntiArctic and Goth to get here!” he reached for more…

“Someone called my name?” everyone felt a chill in the room, and AntiArctic appeared out of nowhere

“What is it?” asked Goth, emerging from the ground as a shadow

“(sigh)” Ash pushed the plate aside and got up. It took a few minutes for Ash to explain the situation to them all, having to go over the Mewtwo story several times before they got it. Ash then pulled out the transceiver and spoke into it, “Ebi! This is Ash, did you hear all that?”

“Sure did! I also heard a load of other things as well! Good idea turning the thing on when you went into that Cybermew room!” said Ebi, “This tells us everything! They’re building an army to fight the Kaiser cult, and they’re also making a ‘Kaiser Beast’ of their own! (CRRRR…)”

“Did you also hear that about the Heal Sprout?” asked Ash

“Uh-huh! The last heal sprout! They say they don’t need it, but we do! Even if you take it, I doubt they’d notice, unless that Cybermew thing has some sort of attack on his brain! Better get it quickly just to be on the safe side! Well, that’s all I have to say for now! Ebi out!”

“Well, getting the Heal Sprout won’t be that much of a problem if we have you guys around, right?” said Ash, looking at AntiArctic and Goth

“What do you mean?” asked Goth

“You guys are a ninja and a phantom! You could slip through any barrier, so is it possible for you to get through to the heal sprout thing?” asked Ash

“Hmm… the door’s magnetically sealed so I can’t slip through” said Goth

“We haven’t tried the air vents though.” Said AntiArctic

“Then let’s go!” The two of them suddenly vanished. Looking up, Ash could see the grate hanging open, as the ninja and phantom moved without making any noise

“Will they get in?” asked Gary

“Positive” said Ash, sitting down and helping himself to some more of the donuts…

BZZZZZZT! FWOOOSH! CRAK! BLAM! BANG! CRASH! KABOOM!!!!

The sudden burst of noise made everyone jump and Ash almost choked on the donut he ate when the alarm started ringing. Through the entrance of the cafeteria, both Goth and AntiArctic ran in, panting heavily

“(gasp) I am never…” AntiArctic gasped, “EVER doing that again!”

“Wasn’t a pleasant experience for me either…” Goth panted, slapping his shoulder to put out the flame on it

“Um… did you get in?” asked Ash, putting down his donut

Goth growled and looked up, “Does it LOOK like I got in?!” he snapped at Ash, “Damn Team Rocket! They put all sorts of specially sealed areas in there, locks that need me to switch to the flesh to open, but traps to keep me from doing it! That’s how I got hit by the fire traps!” Goth complained

“Normally I can easily slip past detectors unnoticed… but those ones there have got to be the most advanced security I have ever seen! It is impossible for anything to slip through without sounding something, and that’s why I was hit with THESE things!” AntiArctic held up some dead electrical wires, “They wrapped around me and shocked me half to death! When I find out who made them, I’m gonna tie this around his neck and hang him!”

“When the alarm went off, that’s when the machine guns started shooting at us, forcing us to break out quickly. For god’s sake, WHO PUTS MACHINE GUNS IN AN AIR VENT?!” shouted Goth, “We gotta go! There’s some guards coming!” he said as they both simply vanished into thin air without a trace.

The door burst open and Jessie, James and Meowth jumped in.

“I think the intruders came in this way!” said Jessie

“Yeah! I’m sure of it!” Said James

“Meowth!” Meowth spoke up, “There they are!”

Jessie and James gasped at who they saw, “It’s the twerps!

“They must be the ones who broke in and set off the alarm!”

“Well they’re certainly not getting away!”

“Hold it!” Ash spoke up. He, Gary and Bonsai held up their 00 badges, “We’re official members of Team Rocket and we outrank you!”

“YOU’RE members of Team Rocket?” asked Jessie

“AND 00 agents?” James exclaimed

“They’re lying!” said Meowth

“They have to be! It takes a lot to be in Team Rocket, and you don’t have what it takes!” said Jessie

“It’s a great honour to have a 00 title! Don’t mock it by pretending you are one!” said James

“Lets get them!” said Meowth… but before they could attack, Ash, Gary and Bonsai attacked first. After a short yet sufficiently violent scuffle, Jessie, James and Meowth lay on the ground, tied up and gagged.

“I heard the sounds from here!” someone shouted. The door opened up and several Team Rocket security agents ran into the room. They gasped as they saw Jessie, James and Meowth, “What happened to them?”

“The intruders did this to them!” said Ash

“They went that way!” said Gary “If you hurry you can catch them!”

“Yes sir!” the Rocket security guards saluted and ran

“Pfft… idiots… there’s no intruder ANYWHERE around here…” said Ash, “Except maybe us. By the way, what could we do about these three?” asked Gary

“Don’t worry, HEY GOTH!” Bonsai called out

“What now?” Goth appeared seemingly out of nowhere

“These three know too much! Send them to the void until this whole mission is done!” said Bonsai

“Very well then…!” Goth raised his scythe. “MORTAL REAPER!” Goth slashed at the three gagged agents as they shouted something that could be interpreted as ‘NOT AGAIN!’ as they vanished from sight, banished to the void… again. “I’ll set them free when it’s all over… if I remember” he disappeared

“That’s all for now, let’s go” said Bonsai, walking off

“Don’t worry about Misty, we’ll get that Heal Sprout” Gary patted Ash on the back and walked off

“Thanks for reminding me…” Ash sighed, remembering Misty’s life was in danger. He sat himself down and grabbed another donut from the plate, “Even these tasty donuts won’t make me feel better about the situation…” He sighed. He really need something to get his mind off his current troubles… but what could possibly take his focus off the situation with the Heal Sprout?

CRRRRASHH!!!!!

Suddenly, the wall smashed open! Stepping out from the hole, it was the Super Fiend Aquamarine! “ASH KETCHUM! I’M GOING TO KILL YOU!”

Well that was a pretty convenient… in a way. If Aquamarine can’t take Ash’s mind off his current problems, nothing will. Has Aquamarine gotten stronger since their last encounter? Will he be able to get the sprout in time? Find out next time on Pokémon: Shadow of the Deceiver!

► TO BE CONTINUED