Ash's Return: A Pokémon Story

Chapter Three: Rocket Revolt

Three tall figures strutted through the corridor, the noise from their shiny black boots echoing through the silent hallways. In front, side by side, walked a red-haired, ferocious-looking woman with sharp eyes and a blue-haired man with a gaunt face and long, gangly limbs. Both wore a white uniform with a red 'R' emblazoned across the chest. The only evidence that Jessie and James were brother and sister was in their sharp chins and strong brows. They had been summoned by Giovanni, the boss. It frustrated them that, even after all these years, they were still forced to call their father 'boss' or 'sir'. Giovanni ruled Team Rocket with an iron fist, and his children would not be excused.

Behind Jessie and James walked an imposing figure: their personal bodyguard. He was dressed all in black and his face was covered; only his fierce, dark eyes showed. They could be seen darting around, watching for any signs of a threat. Those who knew Team Rocket would not fault this behaviour; working for the criminal organisation was a dangerous job.

The trio arrived at the centre of the building: Giovanni's gym, a large expanse where he would destroy his opponents. Above the gym, on a balcony overlooking the room, sat the Boss, silently surveying their approach. They crossed the floor and opened a small side door that led up to the balcony. Giovanni was alone; his former companion, Persian, had died of old age some years back. This had made him even more bitter and salty than ever. Placing themselves in front of him, the three of them bowed slightly and James quietly mumbled a greeting.

"Sir."

Giovanni ignored this and regarded his children, saying nothing for several seconds. Finally, when the tension was at breaking point, he opened his mouth and spoke in a slow, deep voice.

"I have decided to disband Team Rocket. I am old now, and our continuous failures have wearied me. It is time we focused our attentions on more...legitimate practises."

For a while, no one moved or spoke. Jessie and James simply stood still with their carefully constructed masks slowly breaking and revealing their anger. Suddenly James snarled and his response erupted out of his control.

"This is an outrage! You would deprive us of our legacy? You would cast aside all we have worked for? You—" He was silenced when Jessie turned and brought her hand down hard on his shoulder, diverting his attention. Their eyes met and she nodded reassuringly to him, so slightly that it was almost imperceptible. He stared at her for a few seconds then nodded back, sensing she had a plan.

Jessie turned back to her face her father and regained mastery over her expression. She looked at him coldly.

"Sir, as you said, you are old now. It occurs to me that maybe you are losing your touch. Perhaps the true reason for our failures is...you." She looked at her bodyguard, who, having not moved a muscle during the whole exchange, now tensed. She spoke quickly to him. "Kill him."

No sooner had the words left her mouth than the bodyguard opened his cloak and drew a sword. He darted forward and thrust it straight into Giovanni's chest. The old man let out a yell as the blade was pushed deeper. He began wheezing; his breathing slowed. His wild eyes moved from the man stabbing him to his children. There they rested until the light left them, and his head dropped forward.

The bodyguard withdrew his blade and sheathed it, then stepped back. Jessie's expression was one of dark satisfaction, James's one of horror.

"What have you done?" James said, gasping. "Our father! What—" Jessie cut him off.

"You said yourself James, this is our legacy and we will not be deprived of it. The old man had to die," she spat.

"But..." James started, then lowered his head resignedly. Jessie pressed the intercom button on the Boss's desk and spoke into it.

"All members of Team Rocket must report to the gym immediately. All members to the gym." They waited in silence for several minutes while the floor below gradually filled with people. The still body of Giovanni was ignored. When Jessie was satisfied that everyone had arrived, she raised her voice and spoke to the crowd.

"Our father, the great Giovanni, is dead. Control of Team Rocket shall therefore pass into our hands. You answer to us now." She beamed as a slow cheer spread through the crowd and 'Team Rocket!' was chanted.

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