[Kalos Champion Diantha]: See, people are all different. Jessie and James are outstanding because of their integrity and character.
[Hoenn Elite Drake]: Everyone's moral compass is different, and that's what makes us unique individuals. But don't romanticize Team Rocket too much — in reality, they are an evil organization.
[Kanto Elite Bruno]: Then what about Rocket Logistics?
[Champion Lance]: That's different. Even if they've done a few good things, it doesn't erase the evil they've committed. You can't lump the two together.
[Bruno]: Sounds like a double standard to me.
[Lance]: …Whose side are you on, ours or the enemy's?
[Diantha]: Still, I really think Ash only managed to save all those Pokémon thanks to Jessie and James.
[Lance]: That rebellious streak of his rivals yours, Bruno.
Jessie, James, and Meowth: "No! You've got it wrong! We're loyal to Team Rocket! Forever faithful to Boss Giovanni!"
Even as they protested, it didn't change the truth—
they were good people at heart.
"Let's roll the VCR."
In the footage—
"Don't worry, everyone. Just as this kid said, we'll make sure to rescue your Pokémon."
Cynthia walked over to Ash, gently ruffling his hair as she spoke to the trainers who had lost their partners.
As the Champion of Sinnoh, her words carried immense weight.
Soon, everyone believed in Ash, their eyes filled with hope and trust.
Feeling their expectations upon him, Ash clenched his fists tightly.
He hated that feeling—having his partners torn away from him.
Team Rocket had gone too far this time.
"Don't pressure yourself too much," Cynthia reassured softly, rubbing his head again. "I believe in you."
Ash took a deep breath, steadying himself.
"I get it. But how do we even find Team Rocket now?"
They were too good at disappearing—so fast that even Ash's Aura couldn't track them.
Sinnoh was huge. Who knew where they might be hiding?
At that moment, the key players arrived.
While Ash was still worrying about Team Rocket's whereabouts, Jessie, James, and Meowth appeared like saviors descending from heaven.
"Jessie, are we really going over there?" James asked nervously, glancing toward Cynthia. He still remembered her—oh yes, very vividly.
"Of course we are!" Jessie huffed. "Did you forget what that woman said to us?"
"Yeah! She deliberately sent us away! Unforgivable, nya!" Meowth added, tail flicking.
And so, the trio approached Ash with as much calm as they could muster.
After they explained why they'd come, Ash's eyes lit up.
"You mean, during the commotion just now, you managed to plant a tracker on one of their Pokémon?" Cynthia asked with interest.
Under her piercing gaze, the trio stiffened.
Fortunately, Ash quickly vouched for them, explaining how they'd helped him before.
Cynthia nodded in acknowledgment. "Then we'll count on you."
"Pika!" Pikachu chirped in gratitude.
Jessie, James, and Meowth waved it off like it was no big deal.
"The twerp really believed that easily?"
"Even better! Saves us the trouble of explaining!"
"Next time, that awful woman's getting a taste of Pikachu's Thunderbolt! Nya!"
"Ooh, that'll feel good!"
[Acerola]: Wow, I didn't think there were actually kind people in Team Rocket!
[Lorelei]: No, no, don't lump them in with the rest of Team Rocket. In Kanto, just saying 'Team Rocket' is enough to stop a crying child — that's how terrifying they are.
[Steven]: Not just Kanto — Rocket Logistics has expanded so much, they've got branches in other regions too. But outside Kanto, they seem to stay away from outright criminal acts.
[Wallace]: Maybe that's intentional. Lance, didn't you used to go undercover in Team Rocket? Did you tick off Giovanni or something?
[Lance]: What? No! I was this close to becoming their second-in-command! If we hadn't wrapped the operation when we did, I might be Team Rocket's boss by now!
Kanto, Viridian Gym.
Giovanni had been in a relatively good mood—until he saw Lance's comment.
His expression darkened immediately.
He still remembered how his Johto branch had been destroyed…
And to think, he'd been ready to make that guy the regional head!
Turned out the man was a cop.
Not only that—he'd dismantled Giovanni's entire operation!
And as if that wasn't bad enough, a red-capped kid had meddled in his plans, ruining everything.
If not for that, Team Rocket would've flourished again by now!
Still… maybe this was a sign.
Team Rocket couldn't stay a "dark organization" forever.
Giovanni had no delusions of world domination.
He just wanted power and control—nothing more.
Looking up at the image of the trio, Giovanni's face twisted into a half-smile.
"So… they actually teamed up with outsiders to attack our own elite forces."
He clenched his fist.
"That debt will be repaid."
Back to the footage—
When it came to finding people, Team Rocket's trio were professionals.
As soon as they pulled out their tablet, the location of Monitor—the elite commander leading the operation—was exposed instantly.
Under their guidance, Ash, Chloe, and Cynthia set out for the enemy's base.
At first, Jessie and James planned to let Ash fight it out, then swoop in like fishermen reaping the spoils.
But when they saw Cynthia tagging along, they ditched that plan fast.
If they couldn't score points with the boss, they could at least teach Monitor a lesson.
That woman had dared to sideline them with a fake "vacation."
An unforgivable insult!
After a winding journey, they reached the forest hideout.
Monitor and her elite squad hadn't gone far—barely a few miles from the shopping district.
Clever. The most dangerous place is often the safest.
But this time, she'd messed with the wrong people.
The trio watched carefully from the trees while Ash fumed beside them, itching to rush in.
Cynthia held him back. "Wait. We need to free the Pokémon first."
Jessie raised her hand. "I've got a plan!"
Cynthia gave her a look that said, Go on.
For some reason, Jessie shivered.
"Here's the plan: Ash, you draw their attention. James and I will free the Pokémon from their cages."
Ash glanced at Cynthia, who nodded. "Do it."
And so the plan began.
Cynthia could've crushed them all easily, but she wanted to see how far Ash had come.
After all, she'd heard he was competing in the World Championships now.
She watched his back as he walked forward, eyes softening.
Let's meet again… on the Masters Eight stage.
Ash released his team: Sirfetch'd, Dragonite, Gengar, and Riolu.
As for the giant Magikarp he'd recently caught—yeah, this wasn't the time or place for that.
Including Pikachu, he had five Pokémon ready.
"Pikachu! Thunderbolt!"
No speeches, no warnings—just pure action.
"Pika… CHUUU!!"
A golden bolt of electricity surged forward, engulfing the central tent.
Monitor, who'd been inspecting the cages, froze mid-breath.
What the—?!
She turned sharply toward the boy.
"Who are you supposed to be?"
Ash crossed his arms, chin high.
"Since you ask so kindly, I'll tell you! I'm just a passing Trainer! And you evil Team Rocket goons better remember it!"
Monitor: "…Huh? Why does that line sound so familiar?"
"Don't just stand there! Attack!" she barked.
The elite members released their Pokémon, swarming Ash from all sides.
But he was ready.
Dragonite and Sirfetch'd clashed with the enemy's Pokémon. Gengar grinned wickedly as Riolu darted through the chaos.
Then came the shocker—Ash punched a Toxicroak out of the air.
Monitor's eyes bulged.
That's a top-tier battler! And this kid just… punched it?!
"This—this isn't human!"
Seeing her forces crumble, she shouted, "Retreat! Now!"
But just as they turned to flee—
A shadow fell over them.
Cynthia's ace, Garchomp, landed on the aircraft.
"Garchomp, don't let them escape. Dragon Rush!"
Her voice was calm, cold, and commanding.
Blue energy enveloped Garchomp as it dove from the sky like a comet.
Monitor recognized that tone immediately.
Nope.
She tossed a smoke bomb and slipped into the shadows.
No one caught her.
With Garchomp's intervention, the battle ended swiftly.
The captured Pokémon were freed and returned to their trainers.
The remaining Rocket elites were restrained, awaiting Sinnoh League custody.
Ash scanned the area with his Aura again.
"Huh? Weird… I can't sense her anywhere."
He scratched his head, frustrated.
"Should've let Pikachu zap her when I had the chance!"
Meanwhile, in the distance—
Monitor had just escaped when a burlap sack dropped over her head.
Jessie tightened the knot with a wicked grin.
\\
\"Well, well… look who we caught."
Their payback was brutal.
[Caitlin]: Whoa, that's harsh! Straight-up revenge! Doesn't Team Rocket have internal discipline?
[Cynthia]: Maybe they're special cases. They've always operated independently of the others.
[Caitlin]: True, they never really work with the rest of Team Rocket.
[Lance]: From what I know, those three have unique backgrounds. As long as Giovanni doesn't object, they can basically do what they want.
[Lance]: But credit where it's due — they helped Ash save the Pokémon and punished the culprit. In Kanto, they'd be awarded a medal and a banner for that!
[Elite Four Aaron]: That's what we call sacrificing family for justice. Seems even Team Rocket has a few who know right from wrong.
[Gardenia]: It's obvious, really. That Monitor woman probably gave them a fake vacation just to keep them out of this mission.
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