New Directions
“Alright you three,” Giovanni continued, “listen and listen well. For the past three days Team Rocket headquarters has received absolutely no communication from Cassidy, Butch, nor any other member of our organization in the Kalos region. No reports of success, no indications of failure, no routine check-ins, nothing. After having waited inordinately long for some signs of mission status, I have spent the last several hours attempting to contact our agents through various means. I went through each and every member we have there before at last coming to you. As you are the only responsive team, it falls to you to tell me what I want to know. And trust me when I say I am in no mood to hear anything but the utmost, unvarnished truth of the situation.”
Jessie, James, and Meowth swallowed as one.
“Now first, tell me what has been happening there. All that you know, and no embellishments.”
“Ummm…” Jessie took a deep breath. “Well boss, we haven’t seen heads or tails of Cassidy or Bob or any of the others ourselves for three days either. They said they were going to take everyone on a mission to ambush Lysandre himself to bring him to you, but they… left us behind.”
Giovanni’s frown deepened.
“They sent us off to go plan their victory party!” James blurted out, voice cracking a little. “They told us to go to the beach and ordered us to use our own money to make sure they had a nice festival all set up in their honor when they got back!”
“But we tried ta follow ‘em instead boss!” Meowth admitted, sweating bullets. “We thought dat partyin’ weren’t da best use of our skills so we decided ta tag along by balloon an’ help see?”
“But they eluded you fools, I take it?”
The trio abased themselves, foreheads nearly to the earth by this point, and shuddered.
“We couldn’t find them, no,” Jessie muttered from where she was. “We searched high and low for three days without rest and all we found was this stupid patch of dead trees!”
Giovanni raised an eyebrow. “Go on.”
“There’s this chunk of forest on a trail near Route 14 where something killed a bunch of trees a few days ago. Something froze the ground and tore up the trees, but when we got here everything had melted already. We searched the area and found a net set up but not triggered buried underneath all the dirt and torn wood.”
“It looked like it could have been issued by Team Rocket,” James added.
“And that’s all you found? No indications of causalities?”
“Sir no sir!” all three said as one.
“I see.” Giovanni sat back in his chair. “So, it would appear at least somewhat likely that Team Flare has at the very least chased your fellows into hiding, possibly captured or incapacitated them, or perhaps applied a more permanent sanction.”
The dispassionate way he said that did not bode well to Celestia’s ears.
“Nonetheless, it remains a priority to stop the proliferation of the Dark Ball technology and bring a halt to whatever scheme this Lysandre is brewing for this ‘ultimate weapon’. The world will not be put at risk by such an unstable man wielding a superweapon. Not if I have anything to say about it.”
That sentiment, the alicorn found herself nodding along to.
“Only a man utterly callous or completely insane would wish to revive those devices,” Giovanni mused. “The Dark Ball’s energies over-tax the bodies of the Pokemon trapped inside. Though this provides a substantial boost in power, the massive exertions forced on them eventually lead to multiple organ failure and death within anywhere from a year to a mere few weeks. Anyone willing to do this to their own Pokemon… what would they be willing to do to the world, if they had access to something like the legendary superweapon from Kalos’ past? What would they do to my agents?”
After a moment’s thought, the boss shook his head. “Something must still be done, but it seems you three are the only ones left active in the area. Therefore, against my better judgement you three will be given one more chance to redeem yourselves for your failures.”
“We won’t fail you, Giovanni sir!” Jessie, James, and Meowth shouted at the top of their lungs, still abased on the earth.
“I should hope not.” Giovanni paused. “Now listen to me and listen well. Follow my orders to the letter, you understand?”
“Yes sir!”
“Good.” He nodded. “Now, here is exactly what I want you to do…”
“Understood, sir!” the trio saluted, a few minutes of explanation later.
“Excellent.” Giovanni folded his hands together. “I will remain in touch. Giovanni out.”
With the slightest touch of his finger, the projection of his three most useless yet strangely resilient and loyal agents vanished in an instant. On his lap, Persian rubbed his head against Giovanni’s stomach and kneaded his paws, so the boss stroked his pet in response. As was his wont, he soon fell into contemplation and thought as his pet purred appreciatively. Today, his thoughts were on Kalos and the rapidly-deteriorating situation there.
For a moment, just a moment, Giovanni thought of the strange pale, winged, rainbow-maned Rapidash he’d seen accompanying his least favorite trio. The odd Pokemon hadn’t said anything, but he felt sure it had been paying close attention to every word that he had said. And there was a look in its eyes that suggested something more…
Giovanni shook his head once and put the matter from his mind. No matter how unusual or beautiful it might look, his rational mind told him it wouldn’t be anything more than a pretty curiosity. After all, those three had managed to capture and tame it.
It couldn’t be that impressive.
“Hiya Professor!” Ash waved at the image on the screen.
“And a good evening to you, Ash and Pikachu,” Professor Oak smiled.
“Pika!” said Pikachu cheerfully from atop Ash’s shoulder.
“To what do I owe the pleasure of your call?”
“Well you see,” Ash replied, “I was calling to check in on how that Pokemon I sent you was doing. It’s been a few days since we last spoke and I was just wanting to be sure everything was alright.”
“Oh more than alright,” Oak assured him. “Twilight here is making a remarkably fast recovery, especially considering the extent of her injuries. Wouldn’t you say so?”
“Light,” came the response from somewhere off the camera.
“But there’s something else that I think you should know about her, Ash. From what she’s told me – and I know it may seem hard to believe at first – this unique specimen of Pokemon you sent me isn’t from our world at all!”
“Woah.” Ash and Pikachu’s mouths opened. “You mean like she’s an alien or something? Because there was this one time in Mount Moon…”
“I’m not quite sure I would use the term ‘alien’.” Oak scratched the back of his head. “At least not as broadly imagined in popular culture. I would classify Twilight as a form of unintentional dimensional traveler.”
“You mean like Unown?”
“Something like that, although in her case the travel wasn’t voluntary and according to her story she wasn’t already a Pokemon of some type in her home dimension. The mechanisms of this are theoretical at best, but it seems that during her accidental dimensional jaunt, young Twilight somehow transformed from what she calls an alicorn to a unique species of Pokemon all her own.”
“Wow. So is she looking to get home?”
“Oh yes.” Oak nodded. “Ever since she could communicate she’s been absorbing knowledge on this world, and in particular the state of interdimensional travel here. I’m sad to say that there isn’t much to offer on the subject, not that it’s stopped her from looking.”
As if on cue, there came the sound of frantic page-turning from somewhere else in the laboratory.
“And even more remarkably, according to her story the Pokemon you caught isn’t just a traveler from another dimension, she’s a princess from another dimension. One of four, as a matter of fact. Not something you just find wandering through a forest every day, eh?”
“That’s pretty incredible!” Ash smiled for just a second, then lost it just as suddenly. “Hang on, did you say one of four?”
“Yes.” The professor nodded again.
“Chu?” Pikachu asked from his shoulder.
Ash put a hand to his chin, looking down slightly. “One of four… hey professor?” He looked back up at the screen. “Can you ask, uh… Twilight if she knows anybody who looks a bit like her, only taller… and whiter… and with a rainbow-colored mane?”
Before Oak could do any such thing, or even answer, there was a sudden flash of energy and the screen was filled with purple. Ash and Pikachu jumped in their seat.
“Light? Twi li li light?! Light twi twi li twilight! Twi twilight! Twi twi twi twi twi twi twi twi twilight!”
“Pikachu! Pika pika pikachu!” Pikachu responded, waving his arms in an attempt to calm the suddenly-frantic alicorn down.
“Twilight! Light light li twi! Twilight!” she responded, not one iota less urgently. “Twi twilight twi! Light li twi twi twi! Light?!”
From off screen, Ash could barely hear Professor Oak’s voice.
“I’m guessing that’s a yes.”
As the moon slowly rose overhead, Luna walked softly through a dark forest. A small blue and white Pokemon floated by her side, clutching its flower tight. All around them, the land was quiet and still save for the chirping and occasional bioluminescent Bug Pokemon. The alicorn knew now that that hardly guaranteed its safety. After a moment, two stepped into a small, deserted clearing.
“And you are certain that this is the direction of the nearest bastion of civilization?” Luna asked her little companion.
“Absolutely.” Floette nodded. “I may avoid humans myself for… personal reasons, but I know where they live. And if you want cities and governments, you want humans. There’s a big city in that direction,” she pointed, “not more than a day or two by air. I still don’t know if it will help you though, people don’t understand Pokemon languages.”
“I assure you I am capable of finding some means of translation if that applies in my case.”
“I still think you should stay. Rest another day or two.”
“I must find my sister and a way home, and to do that I must find civilization.” Luna shook her head. “I still think you ought to come with me. This forest isn’t safe for a creature your size, even with Haunter no more.”
Floette shook her own, much smaller head. “And I told you, I won’t live near humans. I’m perfectly capable of caring for myself out here – I’ve been doing it far longer than you can imagine.”
“I can imagine quite a long time,” the princess responded drily. “Is that your final answer, then?”
“It is.”
“In that case I wish you well, Floette.” Luna spread her wings. “And I thank you most sincerely for all of your assistance.”
“Don’t mention it. Helping Pokemon in need is what I live for.”
“A worthy calling, I think. Fare thee well, my friend.”
“And you as well.” Floette nodded.
With one last look back at the Pokemon that had so recently saved her life, Luna beat her powerful wings but once and she was aloft. She rose quickly through the hole in the trees above, circled once to wave goodbye, and then was off into the night.
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Hot dang, that was a fast update. And a good one. Pieces, ever more pieces …
The situation evolves.
Patience... Celestia will surely soon reach her full potential. Just you wait, wandering clown posses. What is this plan Giovanni instructed the TR team to follow? We’ll find out next time!
Now Twilight knows Ash and co have met Celestia. She isn’t going to like hearing how both meetings went. I guess she’ll want to come back with Ash ASAP in the hope of finding her mentor. I hoped to see her do a tour of Oak’s park and meet Bulbasaur and Muk, but I’m as much eager for her meeting Ash, Pikashu and co in earnest.
I wonder which town or city Luna will land into...
I can imagine how the three’s reunion will go for the humans around.
“Celes, tia, celestia lestia!”
“Lu! Lunalu! luna!”
“Twitwi! Lightwi! Twi twi light!”
Did Cadence get ported to the pokemon world as well?
derpicdn.net/img/view/2017/4/30/1425621__safe_screencap_rarity_twilight+sparkle_fluttershy+leans+in_spoiler-colon-s07e05_adorkable_alicorn_animated_cropped_cute_gif_hoofy-dash-kicks_h.gif
8319361
We don’t know.
And AZ's Floette makes a cameo? Sweet! And good to see that Luna didn't get Dark Balled. Now which city did Luna get escorted to?
Heading to civilization, with all these new Dark Balls in production, may be a terrible mistake...
And now we have the first vestiges of contact between the princesses. No doubt Twilight is going to demand to travel with Ash once she hears of her dear mentor being captured by people as heinous as Team Rocket... which may lead to some revelations on both ends. Celestia trusts James enough at this point to stick with him, I should think, and Ash really needs to get with the program about Team Flare. I'm excited!
Giovanni also seems quite reasonable in this. I mean, he's still very obviously the leader of a criminal enterprise and acts the part, but he does seem to care for his pokemon. I like it.
Oh man, I didn't notice this story made a comeback. Excellent chapter. Though Ash and Pikachu are still pricks who need several more ass beatdowns, if I recall correctly. Hope to see more soon!
8319651
I don't think he "cares" for his pokemon in the same sense that Ash or others trainers do (Mewtwo being a prime example of how Giovanni thinks of how to treat certain pokemon)... the guy (at least in this story) gives me the feeling that, if the Dark Balls *didn't* have such serious detrimental effects to the pokemon's health and longevity, he'd immediately make use of them himself.
But as it stands, anything that ruins pokemon (and thus ruins his power, both current and potential) is something he does NOT approve of. So, I think it's more "I care about these creatures on some level because they form the powerful core of my criminal empire, and anything that harms them is something that harms me and my plans", rather than "DON'T YOU DARE HARM MY FUZZY-WUZZIES, YOU MONSTERS!".
This is what fuels me.
Loved the update!
8319755
8319651
The way I see it, Dark Balls *must* have some sort of drawbacks to explain why the rest of Team Rocket isn't using super balls that can apparently capture Tyranitar and Celebi without fail, empower them, and instantly brainwash them. The way I figured it, Pokémon, like humans, aren't actually using their body's full capacity under normal circumstances due to being unable to cope with the resultant stress. Dark Balls function by essentially welding that internal switch to the "on" position, resulting in a Pokémon capable of extraordinary feats of strength and aggression. Hence, "their power instantly increases to the highest level". Of course the price is that there's a reason that your body doesn't normally operate at 100%, and the same with them. A Pokémon caught in a Dark Ball and thrown in battle again and again will find its health rapidly deteriorating as its organs simply can't cope with the demands of its master. Of course, in its brainwashed, hyper-aggressive state it won't care, which only aggravates the problem.
While all this might suit a slash an burn type of guy like the Iron-Masked Marauder, Giovanni is a more patient and calculating man. He'd rather have Pokémon around as long-term assets (and useful for stuff besides "burn everything") than see a rare specimen keel over of heart failure after six months. And he is capable of some affection for at least certain Pokémon, ask the Persian in his lap.
Also I can't imagine the revelation that the lead proponent and chief field tester of the Dark Ball project wanted to overthrow him made him well disposed to it.
Luna doesn't realize that Floette is much older than she thinks...
The part with Twilight was funny
Well seems my question about Twilight and Luna was answer.
Twi's frantic moment was so cute being only able to speak in syllables of her name. Surely she'll want to go back to Ash to find Celestia, but oh boy she will give him and Pikachu the stink eye for attacking her.
And good to know that Luna is fine, that Haunter sure put a number on her, good thing AZ's Floette saved her.
Mistakes found.
Either "they all" or "all three".
8319755
Oh, well, of course. I wasn't trying to imply that Giovanni is anything other than what he is; quite cruel and cold, with few lines he won't cross in pursuit of profit. But I like the way he's being portrayed here, as a much more patient and rational plotter with the flexibility to play whichever side he needs. (Nor is he completely lulz evil.) It does serve to place him in stark contrast to Lysander, whose goals stem from a much nobler intent, but are far more rash and destructive and ultimately conclusive. (Not that Lysander is lulz evil either, but he's a madman. Which, again, contrasts nicely.) Lysander wants to alter the world forever - Giovanni prefers his world stable because chaos is bad for business, not because he has some grand world domination plan of his own that it would interfere with. He prefers to stay in the shadows and profit from them, which, come to think of it, sets him and Team Rocket apart from every other villain-team that's come since. They're the only ones that didn't have some cataclysmic scheme to crash, which all tend to be rather inherently tied to the region they're from.
...He might be 'don't you dare harm my fuzzy-wuzzy' about his Persian. Pokémon that aren't his longtime companions, certainly not. And I'm sure he sees his Pokémon as pets more than partners anyway.
8319835
Well put.
And yes; in that case, I suppose Dark Balls would be a waste of a Pokémon to a man like him - but he is capable of some affection for his own. I like that, too. What I'm trying to say is, you've put good nuance into these villains and I'm enjoying them very much. (Lysander extremely included, here. His chapter was chilling.)
8319835
He's also seem to care for his pokemon a great deal, like family if we go by canon in the manga, games and Origins special, including his son's pokemon and son as well. As well as relearning the joys of battles.
Twilight use Hyper beam!
TTTWWWWWIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIILIIIIIGGGGGHHHHHTTTTT!!
It's super effective.
The funny thing is, even with all of Celestia's power (once she unlocks it), he's actually right in his own backwards way. After all, fighting is something she generally prefers to avoid whenever possible, and a Pokemon who would rather play babysitter than battle isn't exactly the most useful asset for a criminal organization unless their benefits package is really good.
Also, Twilight is adorable and I'm really looking forwards to the hell she causes for Ash and company, especially the unintentional chaos that inevitably flows from her adorkable curiosity.
This should actually be spelled, "wont."
Dark Balls lead to Mega Evolution discovery?
8319835
It also makes a lot of sense to me that despite Giovanni being a bad guy he dislikes the idea of the Dark Balls. From a pragmatic point of view they are expensive, they kill the pokemon (meaning they would burn through the things way to fast and be very bad to storing rare ones) and they also make them insane, making them unreliable in battle.
8321225
They're reliable after a fashion, in the sense that they're brainwashed into obeying any and all commands no matter how suicidal. However if not micro-managed by their master their default mode is "psychotic rampage" and being stripped of free will they don't stop to consider things like "tactics", "stealth", or "consequences". They can't operate independently and they lack thought for anything beyond battle. They're not much good for anything but setting the world on fire and then being consumed by it themselves, which isn't Giovanni's thing at all.
8321250
Yeah, the world is where he keeps all his stuff.
8321250
Not to mention that available Dark Balls means that anyone else can get their hands on them (just successfully assault a weak team of TR-grunts and you have some).
At that point the DBs become a risk instead of an asset. If a DB can steal a mon in another DB, then any fight may just result in traiding DB-throws, stealing each others mon over and over, resulting in fights in which pokemons are useless.
If they can't capture mons in other DBs, then team rocket would be forced to use dark balls only to prevent their mons being turned agaisnt them. And as you already said, such an "army" is useless, since it won't survive for long.
8319377
Yes..... all the yes
9011678
heheh cute. Something about the thought of pones starting at a screen and yelling their names is adorable
The adorableness of that just killed me
Dawww
It's adorable how Twilight immediately becomes desperate, probably frantically trying to acquire information on Celestia's current whereabouts.