Author's Note

Here's the second part of Apple Bloom's mission to eject Team Rocket once and for all.

28. Team Rocket is Grounded

After defeating Scorch, Apple Bloom and her companions find themselves in the underground area of the Goldenrod City Radio Tower to find the manager. The girls took care of an imposter and we're given a key to the basement.

"We better be careful." Apple Bloom said. "Even with out starters in their full forms, these Team Rocket goons will have powerful Pokémon to stop us,"

"Apple Bloom is right." Sweetie Belle agreed. "If Raticate and Weezing are any indication, we're in for a rough go."

Scootaloo pumps herself to get ready. "Let's get going! Lance is counting on us!"

The girls continue their their trek through the basement. Scootaloo sent her Machop against a Raticate. "Machop, use Karate Chop !"

Machop rushed in and chopped Raticate in the head. Meanwhile, Apple Bloom sent her Drowzee to battle a Koffing. "Drowzee, use Psybeam!"

Drowzee's psychic energy defeated the Koffing. After the battle, Drowzee started to glow. That means it's evolving. Drowzee became a humanoid creature with a white collar and holding what looks like a pendulum.

"My Drowzee evolved into a Hypno!" Apple Bloom realized as she takes out her Pokédex.

Hypno, the Hypnosis Pokémon and the evolved form of Hypno. The Pokédex said. This Pokémon likes to eat dreams of sleeping people. This makes it dangerous.

Apple Bloom felt happy, thinking this will be helpful. The girls battled grunts until they see a man wearing a blue outfit sitting on the floor. He had his hands tied behind his back, he saw the trio and called out to them. "Help! Over here!"

Scootaloo sees the man. "I think that's the real station manager!"

The girls untied the man and he became grateful.

"Thank you, my friends." The manager said. "These things from Team Rocket took over the radio tower to use their dark experiments."

"We saw one of them in Mahogany Town." Apple Bloom said with worry. "We saw a red Gyarados."

"Team Rocket must be stopped! I know a way to another area. Follow me."

The Cutie Mark Crusaders followed the manager in the basement area. When they came out of another area, Sweetie Belle recognize their surroundings. "Hey. This is the item shop!"

The Item shop owner saw the group. "What are you doing behind the counter?"

"These young ladies rescued me from Team Rocket." The radio tower manager said. "Now, we're taking the Tower back."

"Team Rocket? I thought those black outfits looked familiar."

As the group left the item shop, the Tower manager gave the girls a card.

"This card will lead you to another part of the Radio Tower." The manager said. "The creep in charge is in that section."

As the manager heads for another building to be safe, Apple Bloom makes plans.

"Let's head for the Pokémon to heal our Pokémon." Apple Bloom said. "Then, it's back to the tower and the eviction of Team Rocket."

Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo agreed and joined Apple Bloom to heal their Pokémon. Later, they returned to the Radio tower and used the card on the third floor. They were soon confronted by Team Rocket grunts with vicious looking black dogs with skull designs on their heads.

"Uh oh." Scootaloo gasped. "Those are Houndour, the Dark Pokémon."

Apple ustudied them with her Pokédex. Houndour, the Dark Pokémon. Despite their scary features, they are loyal to their trainers.

"Dark types aren't affected by Psychic energy." Apple Bloom said as she takes out a Poké Ball. "But, these critters are partially fire types. So, Let's go, Poliwag!"

As Poliwag comes out, Scootaloo has an idea. "Fighting types can stand a chance. Come out, Machop!"

"Insect moves are effective too." Sweetie Belle added. "Let's go, Beedrill!"

The grunts are not impressed with the girls' Pokémon. They all shouted in unison. "Fire Fang!"

As the Houndour charged with mouths full of fire, the girls made their move.

"Poliwag, use Bubble Beam!"

"Machop, let em have it with Karate Chop!"

"Beedrill, use Twineedle!"

Poliwag's bubbles, Machop's chop to the head, and Beedrill's stingers made short work of the Houndour. As the grunts retreated, Poliwag and Machop were evolving. Poliwag became a round blue creature with arms and legs. And, Machop looks like a wrestler with a belt.

"Out Pokémon are now a Poliwhirl and a Machoke." Apple Bloom cheered as she took out her Pokédex.

First, she studies her Poliwhirl. Poliwhirl, the Tadpole Pokémon and the evolved form of Poliwag. This Pokémon can adjust to land or water. She then studies Machoke. Machoke, the Superpower Pokémon and the evolved form of Machop. It wears a belt to regulate it's strength.

After recalling their Pokémon, the girls find their way to the office of a Team Rocket executive. When this red haired man wearing glasses see the girls, he was shocked.

"So, you three are the little ones who's been interfering with our affairs."
The executive said.

"That's us." Apple Bloom said. "Time for us to shut you villains down. Just like our friends did in Kanto."

"These friends must be Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon, and Babs Seed. I heard of their little adventures." He then takes out a Poké Ball. "Try and stop this! Go, Houndoom!"

Out came a bigger version of Houndour with long horns. Apple Bloom had this Pokémon studied, Houndoom, the Dark Pokémon and the evolved form of Houndour. If you hear eerie howls at night, it's probably Houndoom calling to it's pack.

Apple Bloom made her choice. "Let's go, Pidgeot!"

Pidgeot came out, the executive struck first. "Houndoom, use Flamethrower!"

Houndoom blew fire at Pidgeot. Apple Bloom reacted. "Dodge, then use Wing Attack!"

After avoiding the flames, Pidgeot struck Houndoom hard. The executive had an idea. "Here's my response to flying types. Houndoom, use Thunder Fang!"

With a mouth full of electricity, Houndoom rushes in to bite Pidgeot.

"Pidgeot, use Air Slash to stop him!" Apple Bloom called out.

Flapping it's wings hard, Pidgeot sends Houndoom to crash into a wall. The executive was shocked.

"I never knew that young trainers are this good." The exec said as he recalled his Pokémon. "Like Giovanni, I shall disband Team Rocket here in Johto."

This made the girls relieved. The next day, Lance and the girls returned to Mahogany Town, then recalled Dragonite and Pidgeot.

"Thanks to you three," Lance said, "Team Rocket won't bother anybody here in Johto."

"Thank you, sir." Sweetie Belle replied. "Now, we can continue our journey. Apple Bloom still needs one more badge in order to face The Pokémon League."

"Then, you should head for Blackthorn City. The gym leader there specializes in Dragon Pokémon. Farewell."

Lance soon heads out of Mahogany Town. Learning of their next goal, Apple Bloom has her plan ready. "Once we rested, we're off to our final destination: Blackthorn City!"

End of Chapter 28

APPLE BLOOM
Typhlosion
Pidgeot
Sentret
Ampharos
Hypno
Poliwhirl

At Prof. Elm's Lab
Scyther
Sudowoodo
Miltank

SWEETIE BELLE
Feraligatr
Beedrill
Sunkern
Granbull
Togepi

SCOOTALOO
Meganium
Weepinbell
Quagsire
Machoke
Pineco