Team Rocket’s Revenge (COMPLETE) | Bulbagarden

Ash and friends have boarded the next flight to Alola in order to evade Team Rocket. Professor Oak is keeping in touch with updates about the Rocket situation.

Ash: So, what's happening right now?
Oak: You might want to listen to this. I'm detecting a large cluster of Rocket agents gathering outside their headquarters. They must be planning something big.
Brock: Thanks for warning us, Professor. We'll be sure to keep an eye out for them.
May: Hopefully, we won't have to. There's no way they'll find us here!
Max: Oh, I don't know, sis. With Team Rocket, you never know...

Upon landing, our heroes are greeted by Professor Kukui, who has agreed to house them during their stay in Alola.

Kukui: Glad you could make it, Ash. Professor Oak has filled me in on everything.
Ash: Nice to see you too, Professor Kukui. How are my Pokémon doing?
Kukui: I want to surprise them, so I haven't told them you're coming, yet. But I did bring along someone...
Rotomdex: Boop beep beep boop! Ash! I am so glad to see you again!!!
Ash: So am I, Rotom! What have you been up to?
Rotomdex: [puts on wig] Solving mysteries! Alolan Detective Laki has been showing new episodes all week, and I'm not going to miss a single...wait...IT'S ON IN TWENTY MINUTES!!!! WE HAVE TO GET HOME RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!!
Kukui: Okay, Rotom! No need to worry. We'll get back in time.
May: Your Rotomdex is weird, Ash.
Ash: He's not weird, he's just...enthusiastic.

Later, at the Kukui household...

Kukui: Guess who's here, everyone!
[Ash's Alolan team, who have been sleeping on the floor with Kukui's son, immediately wake up and smother their trainer with affection]
Ash: Guys, not so hard!
Max: Looks like Ash's Pokémon really missed him.
Ash: I'm sure you guys know Brock, but these are my other two friends, May and Max.
Max: Nice to meet-OW!
[Rowlet starts pecking Max]
May: What's the matter?
Max: This little guy is pecking my foot!
Ash: That's my Rowlet. I guess he's really happy to meet you, Max.
[Ash's Melmetal approaches May and points to his back]
Melmetal: Metal?
May: Say what?
Ash: Melmetal wants to know if he can give you and Max a ride on his back.
May: That won't hurt him, will it?
Kukui: Of course not! Melmetal's a Steel Type. He can handle it.
May: Well, okay.
[Melmetal lets May and Max climb on]
Max: Wow, I've never rode on a Steel Type before! This is fun!
May: Yeah, you're a really cool Pokémon, Melmetal!
[Melmetal blushes]
Brock: I hope you won't mind me asking, Professor, but, whose child is that?
Kukui: Oh, that's our son, Lei. He loves when we have visitors.
Ash: Where's Professor Burnet?
Kukui: She's been helping out at Aether Paradise for a few days. You'll probably see her tomorrow.
Brock: Wait, who was watching him when you came to pick us up?
Kukui: Ash’s Pokémon did, of course! They’re really close with him.
[Incineroar winks at Lei]
Lei: Kitty!
Max: Whoa, the baby just said something!
Kukui: Yeah, he’s been learning how to say the Pokémon’s names lately. Now if only I could get him to learn my name…
May: Hey, guys, is it just me, or did we forget something back at the airport?

Elsewhere, Jessie (who was on a different plane) makes her way through town trying to find the twerps. It’s not easy, since Ash didn’t bother giving her directions to the house.

Jessie: This is exactly what I was afraid would happen. Those twerps aren’t going to hear the end of it when I catch up to them!

Suddenly, a familiar face lands in front of Jessie and grabs her.

Jessie: Bewear? I never thought I’d be happy to see you again. Can you take me to the twerps?

Bewear nods her head and runs off towards a nearby beach.

Meanwhile, Ash and the others are relaxing by the shore. Brock and his Swampert are enjoying the cool ocean water. Kukui prepares a nice barbecue, while Lei plays with Ash’s Pokémon. Their peaceful gathering is suddenly interrupted by an out of breath Jessie and Bewear.

Jessie: [panting] Finally…I’ve caught up with you.
Kukui: What’s she doing here?!? She’s one of those criminals from Team Rocket, right?
Jessie: For your information, Professor Kahuna, I’m a good guy now. And I expect to be treated like one!
Kukui: Is this true?
Brock: Yeah. She couldn’t take their increasingly violent attacks anymore, so she left.
Kukui: Well, if you guys say so. But, I still have my doubts.

Back at the airport, another plane lands. This one, however, has James, Meowth, and Harley on board.

Harley: Ooh, we’re finally here! I can’t wait to see those beautiful beaches!
James: No, Harley. That’s not why we’re here! We’re supposed to be taking over, remember?
Harley: But how are we doing to do that when there’s only three of us?
James: Don’t ask me, ask Dr. Mambo! He’s the one who assigned us to this place!
[James’ Rotom Phone rings]
James: Hello?
Namba: IT’S NAMBA!!!!!
Harley: Um, how did he hear you?
Namba: I have eyes and ears everywhere…

And he’s right. A nearby person turns “his” head around to reveal a secret spy camera.

Back at the beach, Kukui’s barbecue is ready. All of the Pokémon dig in while Ash prepares to eat his food.

Ash: Down the hatch!
Kukui: Do you always have to say that before you eat?
Ash: No…but it sure is fun to say it!
Max. Eh, not really.
[May prepares to eat her steak, but Incineroar takes a huge chunk out of it]
May: Hey! What did he do that for?!??
Kukui: I guess I should’ve warned you, May. Incineroar loves to eat, especially when steak is on the menu.
May. Tell him not to do it again! I refuse to eat anything that has cat fur in it!

Suddenly, a strange round object falls on the table. It has a big letter “R” on it, which then disappears and is replaced by a ticking timer, accompanied by a poorly-accented English voice saying, “Bye-bye!” over and over.

Kukui: BOMB!!! GET AWAY FROM THE TABLE, EVERYONE!

Everyone gets away from the table just as it goes KA-BLAMMO!!!!!! Dinner plates and burnt pieces of food litter the beach, and Kukui’s glasses have been blown off by the force of the blast.

Kukui: Is everyone okay?
Brock: I think so. Where’s Ash?
Ash: [muffled] You’re sitting on me, Brock.
Brock: Whoops. Sorry, Ash.
Max: Who would ruin our dinner like that?

In the midst of the smoke, they can just make out some familiar voices taunting them…

Harley: Prepare for trouble, we’ve ruined your dinner!
James: Make it double, now you’ll all be thinner!
Harley: To protect the world from devastation…
James: To unite all peoples within our nation…
Harley: To denounce the evils of truth and love…
James: To extend our reach to the stars above…
Harley: It’s me, Harley!
James: And James, too!
Harley: Team Rocket blasts off at the speed of light!
James: Surrender now, or you’re in for a brutal fight!
Meowth: Dat’s right!
Mime Jr: Mime mime mime!
James: Hmmm, it doesn’t work as well without Jessie and Wobbuffet.
Ash: What do you guys want? We specifically came to Alola just so we could get away from you!
Jessie: Go away, you two! I told you I’m not part of Team Rocket anymore. How did you find us anyway?
Harley: Look, it’s just a coincidence that you guys happened to be here. Our new boss, Dr. Namba, sent us to take over!
Kukui: Dr. Who?
Brock: He’s a messed up scientist who tortured an innocent Lugia and her baby!
Max: And he tried to fuse Pokémon together so he could sell them to the public at a high price!
Kukui: Whoever this guy is, he’s not welcome here, and neither are you. Get off of my property or I’m calling the police.
Harley: Did you hear that, James? He’s gonna call the cops!
James: Ooh, I’m soooo scared! What next, you’re gonna tell your mommy?
Harley: Speaking of mommies, who’s that young man over there?
[Harley is referring to Lei, who’s hiding behind his father]
Kukui: I don’t know what you two are planning, but leave my son out of this.
James: Your son??? Hmmmm, maybe the boss would like an extra prisoner once we capture all of your Pokémon.
Kukui: If you put a single hand on Lei, I’ll make sure to rip your arm off!
Ash: Wow, I’ve never seen the Professor get so angry before.
Rotomdex: He is very protective of Lei, just as a good father should be.
Kukui: Since it doesn’t look like you guys are going to leave willingly, what do you say we have a battle?
Harley: That can be arranged! Go, Cacturne!
James: Go, Carnivine! [CHOMP!] Eeeee!!!! How many times do I have to tell you not to bite me??
Kukui: I could use some help here, kids.
Ash: We’ve got your back, Professor! Go, Pikachu!
Brock: Go, Forretress!
May: Go, Blaziken!
Ash: What about you, Jessie? You’re on our side now, right?
Jessie: I choose Gourgeist!
Lycanroc: Roc! Roc!
Brock: Ash, I think your Alolan Pokémon want to help out, too.
Ash: Sure, guys! It’s been a while since I battled with you.
Harley: Are you ready to lose, kiddies?
Ash: I’m always ready!

Author’s note: This is such an eventful chapter that I had to split it into two parts. The next one will see the actual battle, and its horrific consequences.

I should also point out that I initially wrote this story back in 2019, before Sun and Moon’s finale aired. Some parts of it have been updated slightly to reflect that, but you hopefully won’t notice.