Rise of Rainbow Rocket Chapter 20

The next day, Joe arrived at the entrance of Vast Poni Canyon, Alola. He kept his laptop in his backpack in case May was unpredictable. After journeying through the canyon, he spotted May with a Chimecho fighting off a Hakamo-o.

“Are you May?” Asked Joe.

“Yes, I am.” Said May, and her Chimecho just defeated the Scaly Pokémon. “Hey, you’re Joseph! Dad told me about you, and you defeated Brendan yesterday. Have you registered 200 Pokémon species yet?

“Of course.” Said Joe. “That’s why I’m here! If I beat you, I’ll finally have the chance to work with Birch!”

“Okay!” Replied May, returning Chimecho to his Poke Ball. “But I won’t go down as easily! Go, Swellow!” Swellow was sent out.

“I choose you!” Said Joe. “Dedenne!” Dedenne was sent out.

“Swellow!” Said May. “Use Air Slash!” Swellow attacked Dedenne with a blade of air that could even slice the sky, but luckily, the Antenna Pokémon didn’t take much damage.

“Dedenne!” Said Joe. “Use Thunderbolt!” Dedenne hit Swellow with a strong bolt of lightning, cutting her HP in half.

“Swellow!” Said May. “Use Endeavor!” Swellow attacked Dedenne with all her might until their HP was equal.

“Dedenne!” Said Joe. “Use Parabolic Charge!” Dedenne attacked everything around it with electricity, restoring his HP and knocking out Swellow in the process.

“Guess you’re as strong as they say you are.” Said May, returning Swellow to her Poke Ball. “Go, Breloom!” Breloom was sent out.

“You did a great job, Dedenne!” Said Joe, returning Dedenne to his Poke Ball. “Go, Talonflame!” Talonflame was sent out.

“Talonflame!” Said Joe. “Use Aerial Ace!” Talonflame confounded Breloom with speed and then slashed, knocking out the Mushroom Pokémon.

“That was a quick one.” Said May, returning Breloom to her Poke Ball. “Good thing my next Pokémon is tougher! Go, Torkoal!” Torkoal was sent out.

“That was excellent, Talonflame!” Said Joe, returning the Scorching Pokemon to her Poke Ball. “Go, Vaporeon!” Vaporeon was sent out.

“Vaporeon!” Said Joe. “Use Hydro Pump!” Vaporeon shot a high volume of water at Torkoal, leaving her with 30% of her HP.

“Torkoal!” Said May. “Use Smog!” Torkoal attacked Vaporeon with exhaust fumes, which didn’t do much damage, but managed to poison the Bubble Jet Pokémon.

“Vaporeon!” Said Joe. “Use Water Pulse!” Vaporeon attacked Torkoal with a pulsing blast of water, and the Coal Pokémon fainted.

“I’m already left with three Pokémon.” Said May, returning Torkoal to her Poke Ball. “Go, Swampert!” Swampert was sent out.

“You did a great job, Vaporeon!” Said Joe, returning the Bubble Jet Pokémon to his Poke Ball. “Go, Gogoat!” Gogoat was sent out.

“Gogoat!” Said Joe. “Use Grass Knot!” Gogoat snared Swampert with grass and tripped him, making the Mud Fish Pokémon lose half his HP.

“Swampert!” Said May. “Use Ice Beam!” Swampert fired an icy-cold beam of energy at Gogoat, dealing a great amount of damage.

“Gogoat!” Said Joe. “Use Horn Leech!” Gogoat drained Swampert’s energy with his horns, and the Mud Fish Pokémon fainted. It also restored some HP to Gogoat.

“I still have two left!” Said May, returning Swampert to his Poke Ball. “Go, Raichu!” Raichu was sent out.

“That was excellent, Gogoat!” Said Joe, returning the Mount Pokémon to his Poke Ball. “Go, Krookodile!” Krookodile was sent out.

“Raichu!” Said Joe. “Use Play Rough!” Pikachu played rough with Krookodile and attacked her, dealing a good amount of damage to the Intimidation Pokémon.

“Krookodile!” Said Joe. “Use Earthquake!” Krookodile shook the ground violently, leaving Raichu with half her HP.

“Raichu!” Said May. “Use Iron Tail!” Raichu hit Krookodile with her hard tail, leaving the Intimidation Pokémon with half her HP.

“Krookodile!” Said Joe. “Use Dig!” Krookodile dug into the ground and popped up right underneath Raichu, making her faint.

“Remember how I was battling with a Chimecho earlier?” May asked Joe while she returned Raichu to her Poke Ball.

“Yes, I do.” Answered Joe.

“Well, he happens to be my final Pokémon!” Said May. “Go, Chimecho!” Chimecho was sent out.

“Krookodile!” Said Joe. “Use Foul Play!” Krookodile turned Chimecho’s power against him, dealing so much damage that it made the Wind Chime Pokémon faint.

“You beat me!” Said May. “How come you turned down being Champion of Hoenn?”

“I have a different goal in mind.” Joe answered. “Any chance you know where Birch is?”

“My dad?” May asked. “Oh, he travels the region and studies Pokémon habitats! Last time I checked, he was checking Pokémon in Route 117 in Hoenn.”

“Thank you!” Said Joe, and he sent out Talonflame to ride her to Hoenn.

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After a few minutes, Joe has finally arrived in Route 117, Hoenn. Professor Birch was spying on a Marill diving for plants in a pond. Joe tapped on Birch’s shoulder to see what was going on.

“Shush!” Birch told Joe quietly. “I’m spying on Marill. This Pokémon uses its tail as a life preserver, so when it’s diving for food, it’s tail bobs along the surface.”

“I know that already.” Said Joe, lying on the ground to spy on Marill. “I read it in a book.” Joe then started thinking to himself.

‘Well, my dream has finally come true.’ He thought to himself. ‘But why does it feel that something is missing?’ Joe looked around at other Trainers engaged in Pokémon battles in the distance, like a jogger’s Dodrio fighting an Engineer’s Magnezone, two women with Hariyama and Linoone fighting an Ace Trainer’s Grumpig and Heracross, and a Pokémon Breeder’s Roserade fighting a Psychic Trainer’s Metagross. It soon dawned on Joseph that his dream wasn’t working with Birch, but participating in Pokémon battles.

“Birch?” Joe asked aloud, scaring away the Marill. “Sorry about that.”

“That’s okay.” Replied Birch. “I can always find a Seedot in a tree. You wanted to ask me something?”

“I feel that my dream all along is Pokémon battles, but not fighting wild Pokémon unless I want to catch them.” Joe explained

“Really?” Asked Birch. “But you’ve worked so hard to get here. Didn’t you want to work alongside me?”

“That’s alright.” Replied Joe. “There are plenty of Pokémon Professors out there. Trainers, on the other hand, come and go. Some retire, while some unfortunately pass away, and I want to live my life to the fullest. Besides, your daughter would make a good professor when you retire!”

“You’re right!” Said Birch. “It’s sad that you won’t be my apprentice, but I already have one in my daughter May! She’s the Aspear of my eye! Joseph, if you want to be a Pokémon Trainer, go be a Pokémon Trainer!” Joe took out Talonflame again to fly to his hometown in Vaniville Town, Kalos.

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The next day, Joe made it home to Kalos, but his parents weren’t around. He walked over to Calem’s mom so he could find out where they would be.

“Where are my parents, Jade and Jasper?” He asked.

“They’re in Aquacorde Town.” She replied. Joe took out Gogoat, mounted himself on the Grass-Type Pokémon, and rode him to Aquacorde Town. He saw Jade and Jasper in a boat in the town’s river, unaware that it’s actually connected to the sewers.

“You do know that leads to the sewers, don’t you?” He asked them.

“Who was that?” Asked Jasper.

“That sounded a bit like Joe.” Replied Jade. Suddenly, they turned around and were elated to see who was talking to them.

“Joseph!” They shouted in unison, and they peddled over to the shore to hug their son.

“We were hoping you’d see us!” Said Jade. “But why aren’t you with Birch in Hoenn?”

“I discovered my true purpose, mom.” Replied Joe. “I don’t want to be a Professor’s assistant. I want to be a Trainer! I already have nearly 100 Pokémon caught, and they need to be put to good use!”

“But I thought you don’t like fighting wild Pokémon.” Said Jasper.

“I don’t.” Replied Joe. “But I will fight other Trainers, and there are always plenty of them! I will stay in Kalos for a week to spend time with you, but after that, I’ll go Battle other Trainers. Maybe even Gym Leaders!”

“Okay.” Said Jade. “But please be safe! You’re our greatest discovery, even more so than the Rare Candy formula!” And so, Joe learned that his true purpose was Pokémon battling, and vowed to be the best Trainer alongside Red, Cynthia, and Kukui.

THE END

Author's Notes: When a Pokémon uses Endeavor, it attacks the opponent until their HP are equal.

Joe deciding to become a Pokémon Trainer instead of a Professor's assistant is inspired by this video about wants versus needs. In this video, YouTuber Pietro Schito looks at the wants vs needs in the Pixar film Onward. Just be warned that there will be spoilers for the film.

Create Good Character design with Want vs. Need PIXAR ONWARD - YouTube

May's Pokémon in this story takes more inspiration from the games rather than the anime: In Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, she has a Swellow, Shroomish (which Breloom evolves from), and Torkoal, depending on which Starter you chose. She also has a Raichu in the remakes Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, as well as a Mudkip in the mobile spinoff game Pokémon Masters EX.

When a Pokémon eats an Aspear Berry, it will be cured of a burn caused by a Fire-Type Pokémon.

Rise of Rainbow Rocket Chapter 19

Joe entered the Champion's room, and it was high on a blue octagonal platform. Sitting on the throne is Brendan, who helped fight off the Rainbow Rocket Grunts when the Legendaries were captured.

“If it isn’t Joseph.” He said. “Birch told me about you, and have managed to register 200 Pokémon species! I only have half that many registered. May, on the other hand, has at least twice as many as you have.” This made Joe green with envy.

“Can’t we just get the battle started, already?” Joe asked impatiently.

“As you wish.” Said Brendan. “Go, Hariyama!” Hariyama was sent out.

“I choose you!” Said Joe. “Rapidash!” Galarian Rapidash was sent out.

“Rapidash!” Said Joe. “Use Psycho Cut!” Galarian Rapidash tore at the Arm Thrust Pokémon with blades formed by his psychic power, cutting Hariyama’s HP in half.

“Hariyama!” Said Brendan. “Use Heavy Slam!” Hariyama jumped into the air and slammed into Galarian Rapidash, dealing a great amount of damage.

“Rapidash!” Said Joe. “Use Psychic!” Galarian Rapidash hit Hariyama with a strong telekinetic force, and the Arm Thrust Pokémon fainted.

“Great job so far.” Said Brendan, returning Hariyama to his Poké Ball. “Go, Mightyena!” Mightyena was sent out.

“You did a great job, Rapidash!” Said Joe, returning Galarian Rapidash to her Poké Ball. “Go, Lucario!” Lucario was sent out.

“Lucario!” Said Joe. “Use Aura Sphere!” Lucario fired a ball of focused energy at Mightyena, leaving the Bite Pokémon with half her HP.

“Mightyena!” Said Brendan. “Use Swagger!” Mightyena strutted in a way that confused Lucario, but also sharply raised his Attack stat.

“Lucario!” Said Joe. “Use Aura Sphere again!” Instead, Lucario hit himself in confusion.

“Mightyena!” Said Brendan. “Use Fire Fang!” Mightyena lit her fangs on fire and bit Lucario with them, leaving the Aura Pokémon with half her HP.

“Here, Lucario.” Said Joe, pulling out a Full Restore. “This will heal you.” Joe sprayed Lucario with the medicine, healing him of his confusion and restoring his HP.

“Mightyena!” Said Brendan. “Use Fire Fang again!” Mightyena lit her fangs on fire and tried to bite Lucario with them, but the Aura Pokémon dodged it.

“Lucario!” Said Joe. “Use Force Palm!” Lucario hit Mightyena with a shock wave from his paw, and the Bite Pokémon fainted.

“Did you bring any Ground-Type Pokémon?” Asked Brendan, returning Mightyena to her Poke Ball.

“Unfortunately, no.” Joe replied. “Which is a surprise, as I have registered over 20 Ground-Type species.”

“That’s a shame.” Said Brendan. “Go, Manectric!” Manectric was sent out.

“Manectric!” Said Brendan. “Use Shock Wave!” Manectric struck Lucario with a quick jolt of electricity, dealing a good amount of damage.

“Lucario!” Said Joe. “Use Earthquake!” Lucario shook the ground violently, and the Discharge Pokémon fainted.

“That doesn’t surprise me.” Said Brendan, returning Manectric to his Poké Ball. “Apparently, a lot of non-Ground-Type Pokémon can use Earthquake. Machamp, Altaria, Dusclops, and even Glalie! Anyway, my next Pokémon is a super-powerful Ice-Type Pokémon you may have already encountered. Go, Walrein!” Walrein was sent out.

“That’s enough for now, Lucario!” Said Joe, returning Lucario to his Poké Ball. “Go, Togedemaru!” Togedemaru was sent out.

“Togedemaru!” Said Joe. “Use Thunderbolt!” Togedemaru hit Walrein with a strong bolt of lightning, cutting her HP in half.

“Walrein!” Said Brendan. “Use Surf!” Walrein summoned a tidal wave that swept up Togedemaru, leaving the Roly-Poly Pokémon with 70% of his HP.

“Togedemaru!” Said Joe. “Use Thunderbolt again!” Togedemaru hit Walrein with another strong bolt of lightning, and the Ice Break Pokémon fainted.

“The next Pokémon I have is a literal tank.” Said Brendan, returning Walrein to her Poke Ball. “Go, Aggron!” Aggron was sent out.

“You did a great job, Togedemaru!” Said Joe, returning the Roly Poly Pokémon to his Poke Ball. “Go, Lapras!” Lapras was sent out.

“Lapras!” Said Joe. “Use Hydro Pump!” Lapras blasted water at a high volume at Aggron, and it would’ve made Aggron faint, but she had the Ability Sturdy with her.

“Aggron!” Said Brendan. “Use Body Press!” Aggron slammed her body into Lapras, leaving the Transport Pokémon with half her HP.

“Lapras!” Said Joe. “Use Return!” Lapras attacked Aggron with all her might, and the Iron Armor Pokémon fainted.

“I still have one more chance!” Said Brendan, returning Aggron to her Poke Ball. “Go, Sceptile!” Sceptile was sent out.

“You did a great job, Lapras!” Said Joe, returning Lapras to her Poke Ball. “Go, Talonflame!” Talonflame was sent out.

“Talonflame!” Said Joe. “Use Flamethrower!” Talonflame breathed very hot flames at Sceptile, leaving the Forest Pokémon with half his HP.

“Sceptile!” Said Brendan. “Use Dual Chop!” Sceptile thrusted at Talonflame with his sharp elbows, which dealt damage to the Scorching Pokémon, but also left him with a burn from Flame Body.

“Talonflame!” Said Joe. “Use Flamethrower!” Talonflame breathed very hot flames at Sceptile, and the Forest Pokémon fainted.

“I can’t believe it.” Brendan said jaw-dropped. “I’ve remained undefeated for more than a decade, and then somewhere out of the blue, a Trainer younger than me with famous parents, beats me at my own game! Come with me, Joseph.” Brendan and Joe walked into a big blue hall with a large computer in the center. “Place your Pokémon here, Joseph. Their data will be recorded into the computer.” Joe placed his Poke Balls on the computer, and it scanned each of them.

“Talonflame.” The computer said. “Level 55. Female. Met at Level 2 in Route 2, Kalos. Lapras. Level 55. Female. Met at Level 20 in Union Cave, Johto. Togedemaru. Level 50. Male. Met at Level 28 in Blush Mountain, Alola. Lucario. Level 50. Male. Met at Level 5 in Floccesy Ranch, Unova. Rapidash. Level 50. Male. Met at Level 36 in Glimwood Tangle, Galar. Raticate. Level 50. Female. Met at Level 2 in Route 1, Alola. Congratulations, Joseph. You’re the new Champion of Hoenn.”

“This must be a big honor for you, Joseph.” Said Brendan. “Do you want to stay here and join the Pokémon League?”

“No thank you.” Said Joe, picking up the Poke Balls from the computer. “I may have defeated Hoenn’s Champion, but my quest isn’t over, yet. I need to beat May next if I want to fulfill my personal goal: Work alongside Professor Birch.”

“Very well.” Said Brendan. “You’ll find her in Vast Poni Canyon, Alola. Good luck.” Joe left the building so he could find May in Alola.

Author's Notes: Return is a Pokémon attack that deals more damage the more your Pokémon likes you. If it loves you enough, it will look like this.

Swagger can be a risky move: It confuses the opponent, but also sharply raises its Attack stat.

Vast Poni Canyon is a great place in Sun and Moon where you can train Grass, Water, Psychic, and Ground-Type Pokémon. Pokémon found here include Murkrow, Boldore, Machoke, Sableye, Carbink, Jangmo-o, Lycanroc, and Golbat. This is also the only location in Alola where you can evolve Magneton into Magnezone, Nosepass into Probopass, and Charjabug into Vikavolt.

Rise of Rainbow Rocket Chapter 18

Joe entered the next room, and there were spikes below the floor. It was the room of Drake, who uses Dragon-Type Pokémon.

“If it isn’t the boy who defeated Rainbow Rocket!” He said. “As Glacia may have already told you, you’ll be needing Ice-Type Pokémon if you want to battle me! Go, Dragalge!” Dragalge was sent out.

“I choose you!” Said Joe. “Rapidash!” Galarian Rapidash was sent out.

“Rapidash!” Said Joe. “Use Psycho Cut!” Galarian Rapidash tore at the Mock Kelp Pokémon with blades formed by his psychic power, cutting Dragalge’s HP in half.

“Dragalge!” Said Drake. “Use Poison Tail!” Dragalge hit Galarian Rapidash with his tail, leaving the Unique Horn Pokémon with 85% of his HP.

“How has Rapidash not been poisoned yet?!” Drake shouted. “Dragalge has the Ability Poison Touch, for crying out loud!”

“Galarian Rapidash has the Ability Pastel Veil.” Joe explained. With this Ability, Rapidash and its allies cannot be poisoned. Rapidash, use Psycho Cut again!” Galarian Rapidash tore at Dragalge with blades formed by his psychic power, and the Mock Kelp Pokémon fainted.

“There’s always a drawback to having a Dual-Type Pokémon.” Said Drake, returning Dragalge to his Poké Ball. “Luckily, my next Pokémon is pure Dragon! Go, Haxorus!” Haxorus was sent out.

“Rapidash!” Said Joe. “Use Dazzling Gleam!” Galarian Rapidash emitted a powerful flash of light, cutting Haxorus’s HP in half.

“Haxorus!” Said Drake. “Use Crunch!” Haxorus lunged towards Galarian Rapidash and bit him with his vicious fangs, dealing a substantial amount of damage.

“Rapidash!” Said Joe. “Use Dazzling Gleam again!” Galarian Rapidash emitted a powerful flash of light, and the Axe Jaw Pokémon fainted.

“You should’ve brought some Ice-Type Pokémon with you!” Said Drake, returning Haxorus to his Poke Ball. “Go, Flygon!” Flygon was sent out.

“You did a great job, Rapidash!” Said Joe, returning the Unique Horn Pokémon to his Poke Ball. “Go, Lapras!” Lapras was sent out.

“Flygon!” Said Drake. “Use Rock Slide!” Flygon hurled large boulders at Lapras, leaving the Transport Pokémon with half her HP.

“Lapras!” Said Joe. “Use Ice Beam!” Lapras fired an icy beam at Flygon, and the Mystic Pokémon fainted.

“A lot of Trainers tend to do that.” Said Drake, returning Flygon to her Poke Ball. “Luckily, my next Pokémon melts Ice! Go, Salamence!” Salamence was sent out.

“Salamence!” Said Drake. “Use Flamethrower!” Salamence breathed very hot flames at Lapras, leaving her with a quarter of her HP.

“Lapras!” Said Joe. “Use Ice Beam!” Lapras fired an icy beam at Salamence, and the Dragon Pokémon would have fainted, but he had a Focus Sash tied around his left horn.

“Salamence!” Said Drake. “Use Dragon Claw!” Salamence tore at Lapras with his sharp claws, and the Transport Pokémon fainted.

“I never would have expected that!” Said Joe, returning Lapras to her Poke Ball. “Go, Togedemaru!” Togedemaru was sent out.

“Togedemaru!” Said Joe. “Use Zing Zap!” A strong electric blast crashed down on Salamence, and the Dragon Pokémon fainted.

“I still have one more chance!” Said Drake, returning Salamence to his Poke Ball. “Go, Altaria!” Altaria was sent out.

“Altaria?” Asked Joe. “Doesn’t Winona have an Altaria?”

“I’m not ready yet!” Said Drake, pressing a button on his ring, causing Altaria to change: She grew more fluffy white feathers on her back and head, her tailfeather grew as long as a Raichu's, and her blue feathers were changed from blue to teal. Altaria has Mega Evolved into Mega Altaria.

“You did a great job, Togedemaru!” Said Joe, returning the Roly-Poly Pokémon to his Poke Ball. “Go, Lucario!” Lucario was sent out.

“Lucario!” Said Joe. “Use Meteor Mash!” Lucario hit Mega Altaria with a hard punch fired like a meteor, leaving her with 75% of her HP.

“Altaria!” Said Drake. “Use Earthquake!” Altaria shook the ground violently, leaving Lucario with half his HP.

“Lucario!” Said Joe. “Use Meteor Mash again!” Lucario hit Mega Altaria with another hard punch fired like a meteor, leaving her with half her HP.

“Altaria!” Said Drake. “Use Flamethrower!” Mega Altaria breathed hot flames at Lucario, and the Aura Pokémon fainted.

“You did a great job, Lucario!” Said Joe, returning Lucario to his Poke Ball. “Go, Talonflame!” Talonflame was sent out.

“Talonflame!” Said Joe. “Use Brave Bird!” Talonflame tucked in her wings and charged into Mega Altaria from a low altitude, knocking the Humming Pokémon out and reverting her to her original form.

“That was an outstanding battle.” Drake said with disbelief. “You may face the Champion now. If you were able to defeat all of us, then you should be able to defeat Brendan! Oops.”

“I knew that, already.” Joe replied. He healed his Pokémon and entered the next room.

Author's Notes: In Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, Drake's room has spikes on the floor.

In Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, however, there's lava instead. I chose with spikes because I felt that it would be too hot for Dragalge and Altaria.

When a Pokémon holds a Focus Sash, it will be left with 1 Hit Point (HP) if hit with a move that would knock it out.

Rise of Rainbow Rocket Chapter 17

Joe, now donning a coat, entered the next room, and it was cold as ice. It was the room of Glacia, who uses Ice-Type Pokémon.

“I’ve heard a lot about you, Joseph.” She said. “You’re the one who saved the world from Team Rainbow Rocket."

“Yes, that would be me.” Joe replied.

“As one would guess by my name,” She started. “I specialize in Ice-Type Pokémon. Glacia. Glacier. Get it? It’s a play on words.” Joe wasn’t really amused.

“Can’t we just start the battle, already?” Joe demanded. “It’s freezing in here!”

“Very well.” Said Glacia. “Go, Ninetales!” Alolan Ninetales was sent out, and it started snowing.

"Why do you have a Ninetales?" Joe asked.

"I think she's graceful." Replied Glacia.

“Then I choose you!” Said Joe. “Lucario!” Lucario was sent out.

“Lucario!” Said Josh. “Use Meteor Mash!” Lucario hit Alolan Ninetales with a hard punch fired like a meteor, and the Fox Pokémon fainted.

“You may be wondering why my Ninetales has the Ability Snow Warning.” Said Glacia, returning Alolan Ninetales to her Poke Ball. “Well, the next Pokémon I send out is the reason why! Go, Castform!” Castform was sent out, and it changed into its Snowy Form.

“You did a great job, Lucario.” Said Joe, returning Lucario to his Poke Ball. “Go, Talonflame!” Talonflame was sent out.

“Talonflame!” Said Joe. “Use Flamethrower!” Talonflame breathed very hot flames at Castform, dealing a great amount of damage. Talonflame also got buffeted by hail.

“Castform!” Said Glacia. “Use Water Pulse!” Castform hit the target with a pulsing blast of water, leaving the Scorching Pokémon with 80% of her HP.

“Talonflame!” Said Joe. “Use Flamethrower again!” Talonflame breathed very hot flames at Castform, and the Weather Pokémon fainted. She also got buffeted by hail.

“Doing great so far.” Said Glacia, returning Castform to her Poke Ball. “Go, Walrein!” Walrein was sent out.

“You did a great job, Talonflame!” Said Joe, returning the Scorching Pokémon to her Poke Ball. “Go, Togedemaru!” Togedemaru was sent out.

“Togedemaru!” Said Joe. “Use Thunderbolt!” Togedemaru hit Walrein with a strong bolt of lightning, cutting his HP in half.

“Walrein!” Said Glacia. “Use Surf!” Walrein summoned a tidal wave that swept up Togedemaru, leaving the Roly-Poly Pokémon with 70% of his HP. He also got buffeted by hail.

“Togedemaru!” Said Joe. “Use Thunderbolt!” Togedemaru hit Walrein with another strong bolt of lightning, and the Ice Break Pokémon fainted.

“A lot of Trainers take that approach when they face my Walrein.” Said Glacia, returning the Ice Break Pokémon to his Poke Ball. “Go, Glalie!” Glalie was sent out.

“You did a great job, Togedemaru!” Said Joe, returning the Roly-Poly Pokémon to his Poke Ball. “Go, Lucario!” Lucario was sent out.

“Lucario!” Said Joe. “Use Aura Sphere”! Lucario let loose a blast of aura energy and fired it at Glalie, making it lose half his HP.

“Glalie!” Said Glacia. “Use Earthquake!” Glalie shook the ground violently, dealing a great amount of damage to the Aura Pokémon. Lucario also got hit with hail, making him faint.

“Sometimes Trainers can be unpredictable.” Said Joe, returning Lucario to his Poke Ball. “Go, Talonflame!” Talonflame was sent out, and the hailstorm subsided.

“Talonflame!” Said Joe. “Use Flamethrower!” Talonflame breathed very hot flames at Glalie, and the Face Pokémon fainted.

“I still have one more Pokémon!” Said Glacia, returning Glalie to her Poke Ball. “Go Froslass!” Froslass was sent out.

“Talonflame!” Said Joe. “Use Fire Blast!” Talonflame hit Froslass with a spiral of fire, leaving the Snow Land Pokémon with 30% of her HP.

“Froslass!” Said Joe. “Use Shadow Ball!” Froslass shot a shadowy blob at Talonflame, leaving the Scorching Pokémon with 70% of her HP.

“Talonflame!” Said Joe. “Finish her off with Steel Wing!” Talonflame hit Froslass with her metal-hard wings, and the Snow Land Pokémon fainted.

“You’re definitely as strong as the news says you are.” Said Glacia. “You may enter the next room, but please bring a strong Ice-Type Pokémon.”

“Done and done!” Said Joe, and he healed his Pokémon and advanced to the next room.

Author's Note: In the Pokémon video games, whenever there's a hailstorm, it damages every Pokémon in battle unless it's part Ice.

Glacia using Alolan Ninetales in this chapter also took inspiration from the YouTube video mentioned in the last chapter. He stated that it was because Glacia trains her Ice-Type Pokémon in warmer climates, which also parallels Kantonian and Alolan Ninetales.

Rise of Rainbow Rocket Chapter 16

Joe entered the next room, which was dark and eerie. It was the room of Phoebe, who uses Ghost-Type Pokémon.

“Hi, my name’s Phoebe!” She greeted. “And I use Ghost-Type Pokémon, most of which I caught at Mt. Pyre! Go, Banette!” Banette was sent out.

“I choose you!” Said Joe. “Raticate!” Alolan Raticate was sent out.

“Raticate!” Said Joe. “Use Sucker Punch!” Alolan Raticate ran towards Banette and hit him with her tail, dealing a good amount of damage.

“Banette!” Said Phoebe. “Use Grudge!” Banette chanted a mysterious spell that would reduce the PP of Alolan Raticate’s next move to 0 if it faints.

“Grudge?” Joe asked himself. “Pretty impressive. I have to use a move she’d least expect. Raticate, use Shadow Ball!” Alolan Raticate hurled a shadowy blob at Banette that didn’t just knock out the Marionette Pokémon, but also depleted all of Shadow Ball’s PP.

“I knew you were gonna start with a Dark-Type Pokémon.” Said Phoebe, returning Banette to his Poke Ball. “Luckily, I have a Dark-Type Pokémon as well, and it only has one weakness! Go, Sableye!” Sableye was sent out.

“You did a great job, Raticate!” Said Joe, returning the Mouse Pokémon to her Poke Ball. “Go, Rapidash!” Galarian Rapidash was sent out.

“Rapidash!” Said Joe. “Use Dazzling Gleam!” Galarian Rapidash emitted a powerful flash that left Sableye with 60% of his HP.

“Sableye!” Said Phoebe. “Use Poison Jab!” Sableye covered his claws with Seviper venom and jabbed Galarian Rapidash with them, dealing a good amount of damage.

“Rapidash!” Said Joe. “Use Future Sight!” Galarian Rapidash focused his energy on a powerful Psychic-Type attack, but nothing happened.

“Really?” Asked Phoebe. “A Psychic-Type attack against a Dark-Type? Good luck trying to deal damage! Sableye, use Power Gem!” Sableye tried attacking Galarian Rapidash with a ray of light that sparkled as if it were made of gemstones, but luckily, the Unique Horn Pokémon dodged the attack.

“Rapidash!” Said Joe. “Use Smart Strike!” Galarian Rapidash stabbed Sableye with his sharp horn, leaving the Darkness Pokémon with half his HP.

“Sableye!” Said Phoebe. “Use Foul Play!” Sableye turned Galarian Rapidash’s power against him, leaving the Unique Horn Pokémon with 30% of his HP. However, Sableye got hit with the Future Sight attack and fainted.

“How is that possible?!” Asked Phoebe, returning Sableye to his Poke Ball.

“Future Sight can somehow damage Dark-Type Pokémon.” Said Joe.

“Interesting.” Said Phoebe. “Reminds me of how Rock Throw used to have a 65% chance of hitting the target 20 years ago. Go, Dusknoir!” Dusknoir was sent out.

“You did a great job, Rapidash!” Said Joe, returning the Unique Horn Pokémon to his Poke Ball. “Go, Raticate!” Alolan Raticate was sent out.

“Raticate!” Said Joe. “Use Sucker Punch!” Alolan Raticate ran towards Dusknoir and hit her with her tail, leaving the Gripper Pokémon with half her HP.

“Dusknoir!” Said Phoebe. “Use Thunder Punch!” Dusknoir punched Alolan Raticate with an electrified fist, leaving the Mouse Pokémon with 60% of her HP.

“Raticate!” Said Joe. “Use Shadow Claw!” Alolan Raticate hit Dusknoir with sharp claws made from shadows, and the Gripper Pokémon fainted.

“Your Pokémon are clearly powerful.” Said Phoebe, returning Dusknoir to her Poke Ball. “Go, Gengar!” Gengar was sent out.

“How did you get Gengar?” Asked Joe.

“After Agatha died a few years ago,” Phoebe explained. “Her estate gave away her Pokémon to other Trainers: She gave one Gengar to me, another to Koga, Misdreavus to Acerola, and Crobat to Skyla. As for Arbok, he was released in Kanto’s Victory Road. That’s enough chat, let’s battle. Gengar, use Brick Break!” Gengar slugged Alolan Raticate with her ectoplasmic fists, dealing an amazing amount of damage to the Mouse Pokémon.

“Raticate!” Said Joe. “Use Assurance!” Raticate used what little energy she had left and kicked Gengar with her strong legs, leaving the Shadow Pokémon with half her HP.

“Gengar!” Said Phoebe. “Use Dark Pulse!” Gengar released a horrible aura imbued with dark thoughts at Alolan Raticate, and the Mouse Pokémon fainted.

“That was a tough one, Raticate!” Said Joe, returning Alolan Raticate to her Poke Ball. “Go, Rapidash!” Galarian Rapidash was sent out.

“Gengar!” Said Phoebe. “Use Sludge Bomb!” Gengar hurled filthy sludge at Galarian Rapidash, but luckily, the Unique Horn Pokémon dodged the attack.

“Rapidash!” Said Joe. “Use Psycho Cut!” Galarian Rapidash tore at Gengar with blades formed from his psychic power, and the Shadow Pokémon fainted.

“I still have one more Pokémon!” Said Phoebe, returning Gengar to her Poke Ball. “Go, Palossand!” Palossand was sent out.

"Why do you have a Palossand?" Asked Joe.

"Trainers were telling me that I should use a tropical Pokémon to fit my wardrobe." Replied Phoebe. “And there’s no Ghost-Type Pokémon more tropical than Palossand!”

“You did a great job, Rapidash!” Said Joe, returning Galarian Rapidash to his Poke Ball. “Go, Lapras!” Lapras was sent out.

“Lapras!” Said Joe. “Use Surf!” Lapras summoned a tidal wave that swept up Palossand and depleted half her HP. Thankfully for Palossand, however, her Defense stat rose sharply thanks to Water Compaction.

“Palossand!” Said Phoebe. “Use Giga Drain!” Palossand crawled over to Lapras and drained her nutrients, restoring a good chunk of HP to the Sand Castle Pokémon.

“Lapras!” Said Joe. “Use Ice Beam!” Lapras fired an icy-cold beam of energy at Palossand, leaving her with 40% of her HP.

“Palossand!” Said Phoebe. “Use Giga Drain!” Palossand crawled over to Lapras to try draining more nutrients from her, but the Transport Pokémon dodged it.

“Lapras!” Said Joe. “Use Freeze-Dry!” Lapras rapidly cooled Palossand, and the Sand Castle Pokémon fainted.

“You’ve proven to be a worthy Trainer!” Said Phoebe. “You may advance to the next room. Glacia awaits. But remember to bring a coat, please!"

"I will!" Said Joe, and he healed his Pokémon and entered the next room.

Author's Notes: Grudge is an interesting Pokémon attack that, like in this chapter, depletes the PP of a Pokémon's move that it got knocked out with.

Phoebe owning a Palossand in this chapter is inspired by a series of YouTube video someone made about Gym Leaders, E4 Members, and Evil Team bosses using newer/different Pokémon species. He felt that Phoebe owning a Palossand made sense because of her tropical aesthetics.

What If ELITE 4 and CHAMPIONS Had NEW MAIN Pokemon? - YouTube

Just skip to the 8:15 section in the video to hear about Phoebe.

I imagine that Agatha, a Ghost and Poison-Type E4 member from Red and Blue, would pass away around the events of say, Sun and Moon or Sword and Shield, and bestow her Pokémon to other Trainers.

Up until Black and White, the powerful Psychic-Type move Future Sight could actually damage Dark-Type Pokémon, which are naturally immune to Psychic-Type attacks, making it a dangerous attack.

Luckily, Lotad isn't part Dark.