Pokémon HGSS#19: Rocket Takeover of Goldenrod Radio Tower
After traveling down the metal corridor for a couple of minutes, Jonathan and Beatrice eventually emerged in the basement of The Goldenrod City Radio Tower. The whole place was filled with large wooden crates and scraps of construction materials. It also acted like a storage area for old radio and video equipment as well as other electronics that were no longer in use.
At first they thought the place was completely empty, but they heard voices come from the other end of the basement.
Jonathan and Beatrice hid behind the crates and listened in to the conversation. Two Team Rocket Members were standing over two people who had their hands and feet tied up. The Rocket Grunts were mocking the two individuals.
“We need to save them,” Beatrice whispered to Jonathan.
“It has to be quick. We don’t want to blow our cover,” JOnathan said.
“I have just the thing,” Beatrice said pulling out a Pokéball.
The Pokéball opened with a red beam of light and Beatrice’s Butterfree hovered by her side.
“Free! Butterfree!” It said.
“Butterfree, use Sleep Powder!”
Butterfree nodded and flew over to the two Team Rocket Grunts.
“Hey, what’s that?” One asked pointing up at the Pokémon before they were showered in with blue dust.
The two swayed and fell over, completely asleep. Jonathan and Beatrice ran forward to catch the two Team Rocket Grunts and laid them on the ground softly, so they would not wake up. Then they turned to the two people who were tied up.
One was a young gentleman, the same age as Beatrice and Jonathan, with red hair which they both recognized immediately.
“We wondered where you went,” Jonathan said helping Silver to his feet. “We lost you in the Team Rocket Headquarters.”
“I held them off for awhile, but eventually they captured me and forced me on their helicopter,” Silver said wiping dust and dirt off himself. “I’m surprised you made it here.”
“We had some help from some friends,” Beatrice said.
“Pfft. Typical,” Silver said as he rolled his eyes.
Beatrice ignored Silver and helped the other gentleman to his feet. He was an older man that neither Jonathan or Beatrice recognized.
“Thank you, miss,” The man said. “I’m glad you two arrived when you did. Those Team Rocket individuals seemed impatient. Apparently they were new recruits who didn’t want to get stuck with ‘babysitting duty.'”
“I don’t want to be rude, but who are you?” Beatrice asked.
The man let out a laugh.
“I guess I should introduce myself. My name is Pryce and I am the Mahogany Town Gym Leader. Nice to meet you,” Pryce said.
“Nice to meet you too,” Beatrice said. “My name is Beatrice and this is Jonathan.”
“Nice to meet you,” Jonathan said.
“Jonathan here is actually a really strong trainer and already has six gym badges. We were actually planning to heading to Mahogany Town so he could challenge your Gym.”
“That’s before we knew about Team Rocket’s plans at The Lake of Rage,” Jonathan chimed in. “We met Lance there and were able to stop their horrible siren. Then we chased Team Rocket here.”
“Speaking of which. Maybe we should do something about that,” Silver said.
“You two should get out of here,” Jonathan said.
“That’s very considerate of you, Jonathan, but I’m afraid I cannot leave just yet. Team Rocket has my Pokémon and I will not leave without them. I have battled with them for decades. They are my closest friends,” Pryce said.
“They stole my Pokémon too,” Silver said. “And I am getting them back.”
“Alright I guess all four of us are going together then. Where are they holding your Pokémon?” Jonathan asked.
All four of them went up the stairs to find a variety of Team Rocket Grunts and their Pokémon which had taken over the Radio Tower. Jonathan and Typhlosion lead alongside Beatrice and Marill. Their cover was blown, but they easily swept through the Team Rocket Grunts. They made it to a room full of stray Pokéballs which all held Pokémon which Team Rocket stole.
Silver and Pryce sorted through Pokéballs until they found their Pokémon.
“Dewgong, Piloswine, Glalie,” Pryce said hugging the Pokéballs before putting them into his coat.
Silver grabbed his Pokéballs and put them into his bag.
“Alright, let’s go,” Silver said.
“I will take the freed radio tower personnel and lead them out to the police outside,” Pryce said. “As far as I know, the Team Rocket Higher Ups are on the floors above us. They continue to put out a message to Giovanni…”
Silver flinched at the name.
Pryce continued. “Take out their leaders and take out Team Rocket once and for all. And Jonathan?”
“Yes?”
“I’ll see you back in Mahogany Town. I look forward to our battle,” Pryce said before leaving with a dozen or so freed hostages.
Silver tapped on his Pokéball and with a red glow, a large blue reptelian Pokémon with large jaws appeared beside him.
“Feraligatr,” It growled through its large teeth.
“Come on, Feraligatr. It’s time that we finish this,” Silver said.
“Silver…” Beatrice began.
“You heard the old man. It’s time that we take down Team Rocket. For good,” Silver said before walking up the stairs with Feraligatr following behind.
Jonathan turned to Beatrice and noticed her distraught expression.
“Don’t worry, Bea. After we take down Team Rocket, we’ll talk with Silver. We’ll figure out everything,” Jonathan said.
“Yeah. Sure,” Beatrice said. “Let’s just go.”
Jonathan ran up with Typhlosion behind him and Beatrice took the rear with Marill and Butterfree.
Heading up the stair from the lobby to the first floor, they saw a variety of different cubicles that had been abandoned as well as conference rooms and offices.
They climbed the next set of stairs to the third floor where Silver had already taken care of two Team Rocket Grunts which were holding some more personnel hostage. Silver was already on his way to the fourth floor, while Jonathan and Beatrice untied the hostages.
“Head out the front door, alright? Don’t stop running until you reach the police,” Jonathan said.
The personnel nodded and ran down to the lobby.
Jonathan and Beatrice them climbed to the third floor of The Goldenrod City Radio Tower.
“Feraligatr, use Water Gun!”
Feraligatr opened its large jaws and unleashed a highpressured stream of water. The water slammed into a Team Rocket Grunt and its Golbat.
“Typhlosion, use Flame Wheel!” Jonathan shouted.
Typhlosion bent down and surrounded itself with fire before launching itself. It slammed into a Team Rocket’s Koffing, knocking it out.
“Run to your masters,” Silver said. “Let them know their time is short.”
The two grunts nodded and ran off towards the fourth floor.
“Silver!” Beatrice said. “What is wrong with you?”
Silver turned to her.
“This is Team Rocket. They are pathetic. They only attack in groups, because they are too weak on their own. They are worthless.”
“Look, Silver. We want to take down Team Rocket too, but…” Jonathan began.
Silver cut him off.
“You don’t know them like I do!”
“Then tell us what you know,” Beatrice said in a soft tone.
Silver shook his head.
“Come on Feraligatr. We are wasting time,” Silver said as he turned.
“Silver!” Beatrice called out, but again, it was too late. Silver climbed the stairs to the fourth floor.
Jonathan and Beatrice followed.
On the fourth floor, there was a lot more electrical equipment. This was the room where they recorded and broadcast all their radio programs. There was also a large conference room making up one wall of the floor where more radio tower employees were huddled together.
Jonathan took a quick glance over and saw that among the crowd of people was Professor Oak who sat beside a lady with red hair and large circular glasses.
Jonathan and Professor Oak made eye contact and gave each other a knowing nod.
“Beatrice, I need you to lead these people out of here,” Jonathan said as he turned to her.
“But, Jonathan. I thought we were going to take Team Rocket down together,” She said.
“I know, Bea, but while there are people in this building, they are at risk. I need you to do this for me. Please.”
Jonathan looked into Beatrice’s eyes and they shared a moment before Beatrice broke the glance. She nodded.
“Alright, Jonathan. I’ll do this. Just be careful,” Beatrice said.
She looked at him and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
“Just don’t do anything stupid,” She said.
Jonathan stood there stunned for a moment before Beatrice made her way to the conference room. She began leading people down the stairs towards the exit.
“It seems like our captives are being set free,” One voice said.
“No matter. They have served their purpose,” Another voice said.
Standing near the staircase on the far end of the room were two Team Rocket Executives which Jonathan and Beatrice had crossed paths with before. One was the blue haired Rocket Executive that they had run into at the Slowpoke Well in Azalea Town.
“I guess we have some troublemakers to take care of,” The other Team Rocket Executive said.
This Executive was the red haired woman in a white scientist coat that they had ran into at the Team Rocket Headquarters underneath Mahogany Town.
“No matter. Nothing will stop us. Not even some annoying kids,” She said with a sly smile.
“Team Rocket. Your time is through. This stops now,” Silver said taking the lead.
“Didn’t we tie you up in the basement?” Team Rocket Executive Proton said.
“Just another failure to add to the list of Team Rocket’s plans,” Silver said. “Now I’ll give you a chance to surrender like the weaklings you are. Or else I’ll have to do with force.”
Feralgatr growled to reinforce this point.
Jonathan stepped up with Typhlosion by his side.
“Silver and I will take you down together,” Jonathan said.
“You are both children way out of their league,” Team Rocket Executive Ariana said. “We are here now with a grand mission to show the world that Team Rocket is not gone. We are more powerful than ever and when Giovanni returns we’ll reach our peak. Nothing will stand in our way. Especially not children.”
“Giovanni will not show his face,” Silver said. “He’s a coward just like you and the rest of Team Rocket. Weak.”
“You don’t know what you are talking about,” Proton said.
” I know way more than you do!” Silver shouted before taking a deep breath. “Now are we going to do this?”
“We’ll teach you a lesson,” Proton said. “Go Weezing!”
“Go, Vileplume!” Ariana said.
A double-headed ball of noxious gas appeared in front of the Rocket Executives as well as a new Pokémon that Jonathan had never seen before. This new Pokémon was a plant Pokémon which had a purple body and a large, red flower on its head. The flower was polka-doted and smelled sweet.
“Weezing!” One Pokémon coughed.
“Vileplume!” The other Pokémon called out.
“I’ll take down the Weezing. Focus your attacks on Vileplume. It’s a Grass and Poison-Type Pokémon so your Typhlosion should have no problem with it,” Silver said.
“Alright,” Jonathan nodded. “Let’s go Typhlosion. Let’s go after Vileplume.”
“Typhlosion!” It roared.
The Pokémon Battle broke out between the two pairs of Pokémon. Typhlosion swirled fire around its body and charged at the Vileplume. Feraligatr leaped forward with its teeth encased with ice. Weezing unleashed a cloud of poison smog at both Pokémon. Vileplume spun and unleashed a tornado of sharp pedals. All four clashed in center of this office. All the while, the same message reaching out to Giovanni played on a loop.
“Feraligatr, Water Gun!”
“Typhlosion, Flamethrower!”
“Weezing, Sludge!”
“Vileplume, Razor Leaf!”
A blast of water and fire clashed with a stream of poisonous liquid and leaves creating small explosions between the Pokémon.
“Give it all you got, Feraligatr,” Silver yelled.
“You can do it, Typhlosion!” Jonathan yelled.
Both Pokémon summoned their strength and attacked again with thier water and fire. This time it was too much to keep at bay and it slammed into the Pokémon. Feraligatrs’s Water Gun slammed into Weezing, knocking it out, while Typhlosion’s fire singed the edges of Vileplume’s petals and it went skittering back to Ariana. Both Pokémon were unable to fight anymore.
“Now, go Sneasel! Freeze them!” Silver shouted holding up another Pokéball.
This one unleashed the black and white mammalian Pokémon with red feathers and sharp claws.
“Sneasel!” It shouted before unleashing a blast of ice energy from its mouth.
The ice began to coat both Weezing and Vileplume as well as their trainers, trapping them like statues surrounded by a thick layer of ice.
“No! No!” Ariana yelled as she struggled against the ice.
“We will not be defeated,” Proton shouted.
“You will stay here for now. The police should be here shortly,” Silver said.
“Silver, we need to turn off the message somehow,” Jonathan said looking at the complex system of sound and electronic equipment. “Do you know how to do that?”
Silver took a few steps towards the stairs.
“That is not the mission,” He said.
Jonathan turned to him.
“Silver? What are you talking about? We stopped them. Now we need to turn off this signal.”
“No. This is not the end. There is another floor,” Silver said. “I must continue upwards.”
Before Jonathan could rebuttal Silver and Feraligatr ran up the stairs to the fifth floor.
“Oh come on, not again,” Jonathan said before chasing after him.
Both Jonathan and Typhlosion climbed the stairs to the fifth floor where there was a waiting room area and a large office. Inside the office which Jonathan assumed belonged to the Director was another Team Rocket Executive which Jonathan was familiar with. This one had purple hair and was dressed in the traditional Team Rocket uniform.
Silver had already engaged him, but he quickly turned back to Jonathan.
“Jonathan to the roof. There’s another one on the roof. Hurry!” Silver said.
Jonathan nodded and took the stairs upwards again.
This time he stood on the rooftop of the building. The sun was now setting and the wind whipped around him. Jonathan held on to his hat, making sure it didn’t blow away.
There on the far side of the roof was a helicopter that he recognized as the one Team Rocket had used to get from Mahogany Town to Goldenrod City. Standing on the side of the roof, looking out at the city before him.
“Oh, Petrel, you….oh,” The man stopped.
This had to be the fourth Team Rocket Executive and based on what he was wearing, he seemed to be the current leader. This Team Rocket Executive had short, blue hair and wore a white Team Rocket Uniform with black underneath.
“And who are you?” He asked.
“I could ask you the same thing,” Jonathan said.
The man shrugged.
“Very well. My name is Archer. I am the interim leader of Team Rocket, but when Giovanni shows, I will retake my position as a Team Rocket Executive,” Archer said. “I’m guessing you have already dealt with the other Team Rocket Executives. Very well. That does not bother me. For Giovanni is on his way and Team Rocket is about to take its rightful place in the world. You cannot stop us.”
“How do you know that he will show? How are you so confident?” Jonathan asked.
“He is our leader and we are calling out to him. Our message is playing across devices all across Johto and Kanto. He will here that we have taken The Goldenrod Radio Tower and he will come to claim his rightful place as leader of Team Rocket once again.”
“What about The Lake of Rage? What was that all about?” Jonathan asked.
“We will testing out a signal that taps into the potential of a Pokémon and allow us to control Pokémon evolution. From what Petrel and Ariana said, it seems like we were successful in taking the worthless Pokémon Magikarp and forcing it to evolve into the powerful, Gyrados. Just one more way Team Rocket will become the most powerful group across the Pokémon world. Controlling evolution and even Mega Evolution will allow us to take over. No one can stand in our way.”
“I’m going to stop you!” Jonathan shouted.
“You?” Archer said studying Jonathan up and down. “Oh, I don’t think so.”
“Typhlosion!” Typhlosion roared as the mane of fire around its neck grew bigger and brighter.
Archer sighed.
“Well I guess you can certainly try,” He said pulling a Pokéball from his belt.
Header Photo Credit to FB Cover Street
https://fbcoverstreet.com/team-rocket-r-logo-facebook-cover
All photos of Pokemon and related content used were taken from Bulbapedia
https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Main_Page
Allen The Writer 