Writing Project: Johto Journeys (Part 5)
Day #21
I arrived in Goldenrod City via flight, since Team Rocket had blocked the roads off. They weren't such idiots as they appeared, or they had learned from past mistakes perhaps. Either way, I landed quickly and avoided the grunts milling about the streets. The people I ran into were disgusted but since they weren't trainers they felt powerless to do anything. I noticed Whitney's trainers were blocked in the Gym, which was another smart move by Team Rocket. I checked the team I had on me, and determined I should be able to handle the matter. But I needed a way in . . . recalling a photo studio who had fake Team Rocket uniforms, I headed in there to find one in my size.
Wearing one, it was simple to wander into the Radio Tower and past the watchmen posted. At least, until I heard Silver barge in loudly. Seeing me, he called out my name and spoiled my disguise. I fought off a few grunts, while he came over to me and demanded to know why I was interfering with his vendetta . . . then almost abruptly he waved me off with an "I don't have time for a loser like you" and left the building muttering about first dealing with that Dragon trainer. I remain convinced I will have to duel Silver again soon, and it will not be a pleasant or easy experience.
I fought off wave after wave of grunts on the way to the Director's office, only to find Petrel trying to impersonate the Director; he was doing a decent enough job disguising his voice until he noticed me. Then he threw out his Pokemon to fight, and declared I would have to go through him if I intended to stop Proton and Ariana. The fight was against his Poison-types, and Allakazam threw them around handily enough while Petrel went from livid and angry to fearful and withdrawn. After I left his Weezing collapsed and exhausted, he threw a key to me and told me he would be gracious in his defeat; the real Director was being held in the basement warehouse, guarded by many more Team Rocket Grunts. Fine . . . I can take more of them on; Quilava evolved into Typhlosion from the exertion in the battles through the floors of the tower, and my Pokemon could probably take care of the grunts.
But I ran into Silver when I headed into the underground; he'd been tailing me hoping I could lead him to Lance so he could challenge them. Disappointed, he pulled out a Pokeball and decided I would be a fine consolation prize. He had indeed grown his team considerably, starting with a Golbat which managed to land a seriously damaging blow to Allakazam before falling under repeated psychic attacks. A Feraligatr of his own followed up, which I met with Ampharos; another smashing exchange of power, and I watched a double-KO. I threw out my Feraligatr to counter his Haunter, knowing Allakazam couldn't come out again without some rest. I countered his next Pokemon, a Magnemite, with Typhlosion . . . and then had to draw out Pidgeotto to handle his Sneasel. That failed horribly, as the Sneasel was fast and highly evasive. I went to Typhlosion again, who managed to take a powerful hit before slamming the Sneasel with a Lava Plume. Silver looked annoyed and confused. "How could I lose to you?" Then he walked off, scowling over a shoulder at me. I treated my Pokemon with what little recovery medicines I had left in my bag; I really should have restocked . . .
I worked my way through the storage rooms until I found the Director. He handed me a card and told me to get into the transmitter room of the Radio Tower and stop Team Rocket. He claimed he heard them talk about a special signal they had developed to control and compel Pokemon, which made me realize just how dangerous these apparent fools were. It wasn't the Grunts who were the problem, it was the leaders and scientists who were working with them. I hurried off, finding the Radio Tower still crawling with Team Rocket Grunts. Along the way, Proton stepped in to stop me only to find out I had a much stronger team now. Ariana stepped in after, and gave me a struggle before I could move on to the Observation Deck. There, Administrator Archer met me and challenged me to a battle over whether Team Rocket would continue its plans. He proved to enjoy Dark-types, which left me with little to leverage against him at the moment. However, I managed to knock out his Houndoom and win. After losing, he was quiet for a bit and then decided it was not the right time to revive Team Rocket fully if they could be beaten so easily . . . after departing, the Director met me at the bottom of the lift to congratulate me.
The Director handed me a wrapped parcel, saying it had been found in the old tower before the newer one had been built. It was a silvery wing of some sort, which resonated with a strange energy. He had no idea what it was used for, but expected I could discover the use in due time. I headed to the Pokemon Center so my team could get a well-deserved rest . . . and I could relax as well. It had been a long day, and ahead of me was the journey to the eighth Gym.
With this segment I'm caught up to what I'd written so far.