Chapter 7: Return to Johto

As this chapter opens, on one boat, Team Rocket is zooming off to the Johto

region with another boat closing on their position. Ash, Misty, Brock, and

Duplica are looking at a radar screen on Marin's boat.

Duplica: That must be them! (Pointing at a cluster of dots in their direct

path) What are those?

Marin: Don't know. I don't think they're watching their radar, there aren't

any islands over there. Maybe its the Johto navy. I'm going to the radio and

I'll see who that is. (Picking up radio microphone) Ships in sector 07,

this is Marin from Shimouti Island. Can you identify yourselves, over.

Voice: (Coming over the speaker) This is Commander Lang of the Johto Navy

force. We are on patrol in the area, there has been a lot of activity in the

area recently. Team Rocket may be on the move again. You're moving at a high

rate of speed, are you chasing after something, over.

Marin: (Speaking into the microphone) Yes, we are. The boat directly ahead

of us may have the Team Rocket agents who caused those four bombings in the

Kanto region. We got this information from a reliable source, over.

Commander Lang: (Voice coming through the speaker) We'll check it out. We

just got a fax from the Kanto region, saying that Team Rocket may be in the

area. Our navy force will check it out, your boat should either turn a

different direction, or dock with one of our ships, in case it gets ugly,

over.

Marin: (Speaking into the microphone) Roger that. We'll dock with you then.

Send me coordinates for the ship you want us to go to, over.

A beep is heard. Marin flips a switch and the boat changes direction. The

autopilot is now bringing the boat over to the Johto Navy force.

Ash: What ship are going to dock with?

Marin: The lead vessel, the Gyrados. Hang on, I'm cutting the turbo engines

off.

The ship lurches as the boat experiences a sudden loss of speed. Marin's

boat is soon in sight of the Gyrados. Docking manuevers are implemented,

Marin's ship is brought up and stored inside of the Gyrados. Soon all five

travelers are on the Gyrados, the ship kicks up its engines and is now in

hot pursuit of Team Rockets boat.

Author Note: The Gyrados is a navy ship that looks like an U.S. Navy

Destroyer, so you can picture what I am talking about here.

On the Team Rocket vessel...

Jessie: (Suddenly noticing the radar screen) Uh-oh. I think someone is

following us...

James: More like several people. (Points at the radar screen) It looks like

they're closing on us. (Panics) What will we do, Jess? We can't be

caught...who knows what they'll do to us.

Meowth: I'll call the boss. (Picks up the cell phone and calls Giovanni) Hi,

boss. Dis is Meowth. We're in the sea south of Johto, it looks like there

are several boats in hot pursuit of us. We need some help, please...

Giovanni: (On the other end of the line) We have a submarine in the area,

which was waiting to strike a target when I implement the "Hostile Takeover"

plan. I can divert it to your position. I will set your boat to fire on

those pursuing ships, then your boat will self-destruct. No evidence will

remain, and they'll think you commited suicide or were killed in the

explosion. The submarine will then take you our Johto base. Call me when you

get there. Got all of that, Meowth?

Meowth: Got it, boss. We'll talk to you soon. (Turns off the phone) Listen

up. The boss wants us to go on a sub that he's sending over, then the boat

will fire on those ships that are following us. The boat will then

self-destruct.

James: (Curious) A submarine? Did he say who was in it?

Meowth: Nope. I guess we'll soon find out. (Getting nervous) I hope that

submarine hurries up...

Jessie speaks a few moments later, after seeing the blinking dots on the

radar screen get closer and closer.

Jessie: (Very nervous) Where is that sub at? Those ships are almost in

visual range.

James: Did you switch to underwater view? (Pushes a button) Oh, there it is!

(Excited) It's right below us!

A submarine surfaces next to Team Rocket's boat and speeds along parallel to

it. A hatch on the submarine opens up and a voice yells out.

Voice: Get in here, now! We have to get underwater and dive quickly, so we

aren't detected. Move!

James: Come on, Jessie, Meowth- let's go.

Meowth, Jessie, and James climb off of the boat and descend into a Team

Rocket submarine. The submarine quickly dives to avoid detection. The now

unmanned boat starts to speed ahead even faster, the engines now going into

overdrive. The cannon on the back of the boat auto-loads itself and prepares

to fire on the incoming ships.

On the bridge of the Gyrados, Commander Lang spots the ship with his

binoculars.

Commander Lang: Prepare to dock with that boat and capture the occupants.

Bridge Officer 1: Got it, sir. (Noticing the radar screen) It appears that

the ship is speeding up, sir. We'll still catch it, though.

Commander Lang: Good. Prepare a boarding party.

On the deck of the Gyrados- Ash. Misty, Brock, Duplica, and Marin are

scanning the sea ahead of the ship, watching for Team Rocket's ship.

Misty: I see them! Look, over there! (Points her finger at a small figure on

the horizon)

Brock: I'm sure they can't outrun this ship...

A loud bang is heard, along with an explosion on the deck just 100 feet away

from where Brock and the rest of the group is. All five people hit the deck.

Ash: What was that?

Duplica: Are they attacking the Gyrados? They must be nuts. One hit from

this ship will blow that boat outta the water.

Misty: They must be nuts...

On the bridge of the Gyrados- Commander Lang is trying to figure out what to

do.

Commander Lang: Status report.

Bridge Officer 2: We've been hit with a grenade on the main deck, minor

damage in the aft section. No one was hurt, but that explosion was awfully

close to those five people we just picked up. I recommend that they be

brought to the bridge or another safe location on the ship, sir.

Commander Lang: (Thinks for a second, then responds) Bring them up here.

Those idiots on that boat must have a death wish, to try and pick a fight

with a Johto Destroyer. Send a message over the speakers, telling them to

stop and surrender, otherwise, we'll have to fire on them.

Bridge Officer 1: Got it, sir. I'm sending the message now.

As the message is sent over the speakers, the boat auto-loads another

grenage and launches it at the Gyrados, hitting the main deck again and

starting a small fire.

Commander Lang: (Yelling) Fire teams to the main deck! Prepare to return

fire.

Ash and Misty enter the bridge, followed close behind by Marin, Duplica, and

Brock. Pikachu is on Ash's shoulder, looking very scared.

Commander Lang: I'm Commander Lang, welcome to the bridge. Your "friends"

over there have fired on us twice, and they aren't responding to the

surrender message I just sent. I have no choice but fire back- they can't

escape.

Bridge Officer 2: We're within 200 feet of the boat, sir.

Commander Lang: Open fire with the forward batteries!

At this moment, Giovanni, who has been controlling the boat via remote

control from his base, suddenly cuts the engine power to the vessel. The

shots from the Gyrados fly over the boat and explode in the water, totally

missing it. Two seconds later, the Gyrados is mere yards from the Team

Rocket boat.

Giovanni: This will really teach them. (Pushes a button on the remote) So

much for that ship- it doesn't matter, really. One lost boat compared to the

confusion that the explosion will cause for them and the rest of the Johto

region- prefect for my next phase.

The Team Rocket boat self-destructs, sending a shock wave and shards of

material into the Gyrados, causing the ship to lurch to starboard suddenly.

On the bridge of the Gyrados, everyone is throw to the ground. Commander

Lang gets up immediately and asks...

Commander Lang: What happened? Status report!

Bridge Officer 1: The ship we chasing...it just exploded! Minor damage to

port hull.

Commander Lang: All stop! Bring us back to the explosion site. Have diving

teams ready. I want to see if anyone was on that ship.

Bridge Officer 1: Aye, aye sir.

Ash: Do you think they blew themselves up? They didn't seem like a suicidal

bunch to me.

Commander Lang: I don't know. We'll check it out.

After a short time, the Gyrados returns to the explosion site. The dive

teams are dispactched, and find no trace of any person or pokemon being on

that vessel. Back on the bridge of the Gyrados...

Commander Lang: (To the group of five travelers) It appears that no one was

on the vessel, which means they escaped somehow. Our fleet is going to

spread out and search the area. We'll contact you if we find anything. You

can continue on your journey.

Misty: Thank you. We have to discuss our next destination, we'll let you

know as soon as we're ready to disembark.

Commander Lang: Take your time, just let me know. (Goes back to work,

talking to various officers and looking at various reports)

Misty: Come on, let's go out to the deck and decide what were going to do.

(All five travelers and Pikachu leave the bridge and go outside)

Ash: Any ideas, guys?

Marin: I was going to go back to the Orange Islands, I can give you a lift

to wherever you want to go.

Brock: Team Rocket got away somehow...the navy here will take care of it. I

don't think there is anything we can do...

Duplica: I'm sure they'll be back...but where?

Misty: I think we should go over to New Bark Town, talk to Professor Elm,

and see if there has been any activity in this region. They had to be

heading this way for a reason.

Ash: Sounds good to me, we can't help them out here anyway. Can you drop us

off, Marin?

Marin: (Smiles) Sure, no problem. I'll go talk to Commander Lang and my boat

will be up and running in no time. (She walks back onto the bridge)

Brock: Well, I guess, they got away again...

Duplica: (Squeezes Brock's hand) Don't worry, we'll find 'em.

Ash: (Enthusiastic) That's right! If they're out there, we'll find them!

Pikachu: PI-ka!

Marin returns to the group, walking over from the bridge.

Marin: Commander Lang said to go back to the launch area and get the boat

ready. Let's go!

All five of the group and Pikachu walk down to the launch deck. After a

short bit of preperation, the boat is launched and Marin's boat zips over

the water towards New Bark Town. Meanwhile, in Team Rocket's submarine...in

a dark room, just below the main hatch...

Jessie: (Fumbling in the dark) Where's the light switch?

James: Don't know Jessie. They had us get on the sub and descend to this

room. You find any switches, Meowth?

Meowth: Nope.

A crack of light appears as a door slowly starts to open.

Meowth: Hello...anyone there.

Voice: Come forward.

Jessie: (Frightened) O...k...

Jessie, James, and Meowth walk forward and open the door. They gaze upon the

room they have just entered. Switches and dials are everywhere. There are

three seats up in the front of the room, situated in the center by a large

viewscreen. The center chair suddenly turns around, revealing a young woman

in a Team Rocket uniform.

Domino: Welcome to the bridge. I'm sure you've heard of me before, the Black

Tulip aka Domino. I'm surprised the boss wanted to save you three...failure

after failure, except of course, for those bombings.

Author note: Same Domino from Mewtwo Strikes Back. Remember, her and

Giovanni had their memories wiped by Mewtwo, so she only knows the trio by

reputation.

James: (Angry) That's right! We're actually doing something right, that's

why the boss wanted us saved!

Jessie: We've given up trying to get that Pikachu...waste of time.

Meowth: Payback time for those meddlers!

Domino: Orders are orders. You should know that the next phase of our plan

involves taking over key pokemon areas in this area and in Kanto. The boss

wants to get some more pokemon to train for Team Rocket, and to take over

areas rich in pokemon, so we'll have a base for the next phase...in this

area, we're going to take over and set up bases in some forested areas NE of

Olivine City. That's where we're going now. (Turns around) Helmsman, take us

to the Olivine base as quickly as possible.

The helmsman, who is in the left front seat, pushes a few buttons and sets

the course.

Domino: Why don't you three go downstairs and get something to eat, we don't

need famished people working on this next assignment. Take those stairs

(Points to stairs on the port side of the bridge) to the bottom. My cook

will give you something. I will inform you when we get there.

Meowth: Got yah! Let's get some grub.

James: Count me in. Come on, Jess.

Jessie, James, and Meowth go downstairs and enjoy a light meal. The

submarine continues towards Olivine City. A few hours later, in New Bark

Town, Marin says goodbye as she drops off her passengers and returns home.

Ash, Misty, Brock, and Duplica head over to Professor Elm's place and knock

on the door.

Professor Elm: (Opening door) Who's there?

Ash: Its Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town, I'm sure you remember me.

Prof. Elm: Oh, yes. How are you doing?

Ash: I'm ok. These are my friends Misty, Brock, and Duplica. We were just

chasing after Team Rocket with the Johto navy, but they disappeared. Any

suspicious activities in the area?

Prof. Elm: Really? You were out chasing Team Rocket? I could see why you

guys would want to get them, since they destroyed your hometowns and bombed

other places. Nothing suspicious going on here. Professor Oak was looking

for you, maybe you should give him a call. Come in.

All five people walk into Prof. Elm's lab. Ash goes right to the phone,

while Brock, Duplica, and Misty have a seat on a couch. Professor Elm speaks

to the trio on the couch.

Prof. Elm: Do you guys want something to drink?

Brock: Sure.

Duplica: Yeah.

Misty: Sounds good.

Prof. Elm: I'll be right back. (Leaves the room)

Prof. Elm goes to his kitchen to get some soda pop for his guests. He

returns and serves the pop to a grateful Misty, Brock, and Duplica. Ash is

at the same time dialing Professor Oak to speak to him.

Ash: (Dialing Prof. Oak's number into the telephone) I hope he's

home...(Video screen pops up, shows a blank screen for a moment, then shows

a picture of Prof. Oak) How are you doing, Professor? Professor Elm said you

were looking for me.

Prof. Oak: (On the other end of the line) Yes, I was. Team Rocket struck

Tracy's home town as well. I tried to get a hold of you guys, but I got no

answer. (Ash sweatdrops at the mention of this)

Ash: (Nervous) Uhh...we must of turned the pokedexs off earlier. Sorry about

that.

Prof. Oak: No problem. You don't have to turn them off to save power, just

put them in standby mode, the batteries will last for quite a while. A

warning light will come on when there is 25% power or less remaining in the

batteries.

Ash: Got it, Professor. Where's Tracy at? Did he go back to his hometown

after the bombing?

Prof. Oak: Yeah, he went back to his hometown to see what happened and how

bad the damage was. Team Rocket is really getting out of control here-

(Sighs) What is the world coming to? Anyway, did you find Team Rocket?

Ash: (Excitedly) Well...we found their boat speeding away from the Orange

Island area and we gave chase in Marin's boat, which we were on. We almost

caught up with them when we ran into the Johto navy. They picked us up and

we went in a real Johto destroyer. It was so neat...

Prof. Oak: Then what happened?

Ash: It was weird. Their boat started to fire at us, then Commander Lang had

it shot down. We stopped and investigated the site, and their were no

bodies, Team Rocket just disappeared...

Prof. Oak: (Puzzled) How in the world did they get out of that one? There

were no other boats nearby, right?

Ash: Nope. The navy fanned out around the area, and found nothing at all.

Prof. Oak: That is quite odd. What are you guys going to do next?

Ash: Well, I don't know yet. I talked to Professor Elm, he said there was

nothing suspicious going on around here, so I don't know what to do next.

I'll ask my friends what they want to do.

Prof. Oak: Sounds good. One more thing, Ash. Your mom is was wondering about

you. You should call her after you've decided what your doing next, ok? I

have to get going, the pokemon need to fed. Talk to you later. (Hangs up the

phone, the video screen in front of Ash goes blank, and closes)

Ash walks over to where his friends are sitting, and has a seat next to

Misty.

Prof. Elm: What did Professor Oak want?

Ash: He was just wondering what how were doing and where we were at. He said

that Tracy went back to his hometown to see what happened...

Misty: (Putting her hand on Ash's) Ash, what are we going to do now?

Ash: That's what I wanted to ask of you guys.

Brock: Well, we could, since we're here, go to Blackthorn City. Ash still

needs the 8th Johto badge, and we can't just sit around doing nothing.

Duplica: (Smiling) Brock's right. Why don't we go to Blackthorn City, and

keep an eye out for anything suspicious. We can't stop living our lives

because of Team Rocket. Hopefully, we'll run into some trainers along the

way, I would like to battle again...

Brock: (Putting his arm around Duplica) I'm sure they'll be some people to

battle against- I know you'll win, too. (Duplica blushes)

Duplica: (Sweetly) Brock...thanks. As long as you're there cheering me on,

I'll be ok.

Misty: (Looking at Ash) Sounds like a plan to me. We gotta get Ash here his

last badge, so he can enter the Johto championchips.

Ash: (Excited) Yeah...that would be great! It would put me one step closer

to being a true pokemon master!

Prof. Elm: Well, its sounds like you guys know what you're going to do next.

I'll let you know if I get any information on Team Rocket, or see anything

suspicious.

Ash: (Standing up) Well, let's go! We've got a long way to go!

Misty: (Standing up) Relax, Ash. We're in no hurry. (Puts her hand on her

stomach) Why don't we go into town and get something to eat? I'm hungry...

Brock: Me too. (Noise of a stomach grumbling is suddenly heard)

Duplica: (Having a sweatdrop) I guess its unanimous...

Prof. Elm: I'll tell you guys where you can get a good meal...

Professor Elm tells the group about a little restaurant in New Bark Town

that has great home cooked meals. After learning of the restaurant's

location, the group heads out and grabs a bite to eat. In another part of

the Johto region, a submarine has docked with an underwater base near

Olivine City...

The crew of the submarine quickly file off of the boat into the base,

traveling down a long corridor connecting the dock to the main base. At the

end of the corridor, the main control room, filled with computers and

staffed by Team Rocket personnel await the crew.

A few minutes after the crew unloads, the four remaining passengers leave

the submarine.

Domino: (In commanding tone of voice) Follow me. We're going to go the

command center, where the next phase of the operation will be commencing

soon. (Starts to walk down the corridor)

Meowth: Well, come on you two. Let's go.

James: Alright. Let's see what see what the boss has planned...

Jessie: Yeah, I wanna see what his plans are for this region...

Jessie, James, and Meowth walk down the corridor, following Domino. They

soon enter the main control room.

Meowth: (Looking around) Wow, whatta room! This must have cost a lot to

build!

James: Yeah. This whole base must have cost a fortune...

Domino: It was a major expense, but has proved its worth time and time

again. The next phase will be starting soon, and this base is a major

operation center for the Johto region. (Starts to yell out orders) You three

will help out here until the operation leaders get here. Get to work!

Jessie, James, and Meowth are assigned to help at different stations by

Domino. A few minutes later, Domino addresses the personnel in the main

control center.

Domino: The operation leaders will be here in one week, I want all

departments to have their plans and personnel ready!

All of the personnel quickly get back to work, to avoid Domino's wrath.

Back in New Bark Town region, Ash and company have finished eating dinner

and are walking on the road to Blackthorn City. They pass through a forested

area and are on the edge of a clearing...

Duplica: (To Brock) That place was good for dinner, but it still doesn't

beat your cooking.

Brock: (Blushing) Uhh...thanks...

Misty: (Noticing the setting sun) It's going to dark soon, we should start

looking for a place to camp out for the night.

Ash: Misty is right, let's stop. We have a long way to go, and pokemon

masters need their rest. (Pointing up the road) There's a good spot.

The group set up camp in the clearing, and Brock sets up a camp fire. Misty

and Ash go and get firewood, while Duplica helps to set up the tents. Misty

returns short while later with some firewood.

Brock: (Scratching his head) Where's Ash?

Misty: Ash is calling his mom, he said that he forgot to earlier today.

(Throws the firewood into the pit that Brock has dug) Let's get this fire

going! It's starting to get cold...

Brock, Misty, and Duplica start the camp fire while Ash is talking to his

mother on the phone.

Ash: (Talking into the phone) Mom, you there?

Delia: (Happy) Oh, hi, honey! How are you doing?

Ash: I'm fine. Everyone else is good. I'm sorry, I forgot to call you

earlier, Professor Oak said that you wanted to talk to me.

Delia: I heard about your little "adventure" with the Johto navy. You guys

are really getting around... (Pauses)...anyway, what are you going to do

next, Ash?

Ash: (Excitedly) Well, we're on our way to Blackthorn City right now, so I

can face the Gym Leader Claire, and get my 8th Johto league badge.

Delia: Sounds good, Ash. It's getting close to Thanksgiving, I guess you

won't be back for a while...(Sighs)...but, at least your getting closer to

your dreams. I'll be fine if you can't make it back in time.

Ash: Mom, I'll see how everything goes, and I'll call you after I battle

Claire, and let you know how the match went. If you need me, just give me a

ring. Talk to you soon.

Delia: Take care, Ash- and be careful, ok? Team Rocket is still out there.

Say hi to Misty, Brock, and Duplica for me. Bye! (Hangs up the phone) (To

herself) I'm glad he's finally going back to get his 8th badge, it was

beginning to look like he had just given up on getting all of those Johto

badges...

Back in the Johto region, Ash walks back to the camp, and joins the others,

who have a roaring campfire going. The four travelers discuss their plans

for the next day as the evening draws on...

In a distant corner of the Johto region, a middle-aged scientist in a secret

lab works diligently on his new invention. The lab is jam packed with

computers and other scientific apparatus.

Scientist: (Punching commands into a computer) It's almost ready to go! Soon

my new invention will make my dreams a reality! With this kind of power,

Team Rocket can rule the world, and not have to wait forever to achieve

this, like our current leader is doing. Giovanni is taking far too long, and

the authorities almost captured the instigators of the bombings...

Another person walks into the lab, it is a middle-aged woman in a Team

Rocket uniform. She asks about the progress with the invention, and is

satisfied with the progress report. The Team Rocket agent promptly leaves

the room...

Scientist: (Smiling) Good. The plan is going to work, after all. Once I can

get my machine to work, it will demonstrate my true power! Giovanni will no

longer be seen as the best possible leader for Team Rocket, and will be

overthrown. Already, internal dissention has begun. There will be a new age

soon, and Team Rocket will rule it!

The last thing that can be heard from the lab is the sound of laughter from

within the main room...

To be continued in Chapter 8: Johto Adventures