Author's Note: The following chapter is essentially a summery of what happened in Trial of the Phoenix from Marie's perspective.
* * *
Chapter 7: Vengeance Denied
The dawn had come to the forests of Johto, and Marie had since gotten back on the trail of Lisa and her two friends. She had started back at their campsite. The three had left in such a hurry the night before that they had left their belongings behind. And those items were just what Marie needed to go after them. In her six months of working as an elite agent, Marie had trained Houndoom to track people by scent.
Houndoom had gotten a good whiff of the items, and in moments it, Marie, and Zoroark were hot on Lisa’s trail. It was not long before Marie had found Lisa and her two companions, and she decided that it would be best to ambush them. She and Zoroark waited from behind a tree while Houndoom hid in the bushes. Marie could hear Lisa and her friends talking as the approached.
“Hey Lisa, call me crazy but it seemed like Noir Mask knew who you were.” Lisa’s redheaded female companion noted. “In fact it seemed like she really hated you for some reason. Are you sure she didn’t seem familiar to you at all?”
“I think I’d remember meeting someone like her before.” Lisa told her. “And in any case it doesn’t really matter. All we need to worry about is fighting her off.”
Marie found that she was still enraged by the fact that Lisa didn’t know who she was. It made Marie want to make Lisa suffer even more. As soon as Lisa and her two friends got close enough, Houndoom jumped out at them from the bushes and growled.
“A Houndoom!” the redhead observed.
“I wonder if it’s wild?” the boy with the Pikachu asked.
“Now!” Marie whispered to Zoroark from behind the tree. The monster fox leapt out and joined Houndoom, answering the boy’s earlier question.
“We meet again my dear Lisa.” Marie said as she walked out from behind the tree. “It was wise to leave your things behind when you escaped last night. Too bad I was able to use those items have my little Houndoom track you by your scent.”
“You’re not getting Pikachu!” the boy declared.
“Oh please, I’m no longer interested in acquiring your little electric friend.” Marie told him. “Since our little encounter last night my mission has changed. I’ve now been ordered to acquire Entei.”
“Well if you want to steal Entei, you’ll have to go through me!” Lisa proclaimed.
“I was hoping you would say that Lisa.” Marie said with a sort of sinister glee.
Before a battle could begin, the riff of an electric guitar suddenly filled the air. The group looked around and saw standing at the foot of a nearby hill was a young man who looked to be in his early teens with spiky blond hair. He was wearing a black t-shirt, a yellow vest, faded jeans, and a pair of sunglasses. The young man held the red electric guitar that the group had heard moments ago. Standing next to the young man was a Pokemon that resembled a lion. It was mostly blue, but had a mane of black fur and additional black fur on its front legs, rear, and tail. Its eyes were red and gold, and on the tip of its tail was what looked like a four-pointed star.
“Well what do we have here?” the young man said. “Here my pal Luxray and I were out for a stroll in this forest and we find a girl in a mask trying to hold up some innocent travelers.”
“Who are you?” Marie demanded to know.
“Me? I’m the bad-ass rocker of Sinnoh, Bolt Hanson.” The stranger proudly announced. “Now why don’t you just lay off these nice people?”
“This is no business of yours, so get lost!” Marie told him. “Otherwise your life will become very unpleasant.”
“That kind of talk makes me want to butt in even more.” Bolt said as he took out a decorative Pokeball. “In fact I see this as a good chance to use the Pokemon I caught just a few days ago. Let’s rock Raikou!”
Emerging from the ball that Bolt had thrown was a yellow saber-toothed cat with black stripes. It had red eyes, and over its nose was what looked like a blue X. Adorning its forehead was a dark-grey crest, and on its back was something that looked like a purple thundercloud. Its thin tail looked like a light-blue lightning bolt. Raikou roared at the group after emerging from the ball.
“Impossible!” Marie shouted. “First Entei and now Raikou?”
“My new friend here is the legendary Raikou told of in song and story.” Bolt confirmed. “But I don’t know anything about Entei.”
“She’s talking about this. Go Entei!” Lisa interrupted as she threw out her Pokeball. Entei roared as it emerged from the thrown ball.
“Okay, that’s a weird coincidence.” Bolt noted. Meanwhile the Togepi the redhead was holding began waving its stubby little arms back and forth.
“Zoroark, Houndoom, return.” Marie commanded as she called her two Pokemon back to their balls. She then pulled out Darkrai’s Pokeball.
“What, are you going to try and catch us all with that Master Ball?” Bolt joked.
“This Master Ball contains my secret weapon.” Marie told him “One of my most trusted Pokemon. Go… Darkrai!”
Darkria emerged from the thrown ball. Lisa, her two friends, and the meddler known as Bolt all went a bit pale upon seeing the dark Pokemon of legend. Even Entei and Raikou seemed to become a little afraid.
“No way… a Darkrai?” Bolt said with a hint of fear in his voice.
“You’ve seen that Pokemon before?” asked the boy with the Pikachu.
“Only in books with ghost stories.” Bolt told him. “It’s a Legendary Pokemon from my home region of Sinnoh. They say it puts people to sleep and gives them an endless nightmare.”
“Where did she get a Pokemon like that?” Lisa asked.
“In hell.” Marie answered with a psychotic grin. “And in a moment you’ll all experience my hell first hand. Darkrai, hit them with Dark Void!”
Darkrai raised its arms and between its hands formed a ball of black energy. At the same time, Togepi continued to wave its arms back and forth. The shadowy Pokemon threw the ball, which split apart into several more balls. But seconds before the balls could hit, Togepi’s arms flashed and suddenly Lisa and the others vanished in a flash of white light. Darkrai’s attack hit the ground where they once stood. Marie looked at the suddenly vacant spot with a shocked expression and suddenly cried out in frustration.
“Damn! Damn! Damn!” Marie shouted as she hit the tree she was standing next to with her fist over and over again. “So close… I was so CLOSE!”
With that last punch Marie stood there breathing heavily for a moment. As she started to regain her composure she took her fist away and looked at her knuckles. Blood had soaked through the white glove on her hand. All the time Darkrai had been looking at her with silent concern.
“I’m fine Darkrai.” Marie assured the Legendary Pokemon. “I’m just really frustrated right now. After all this time I’ve come close to making Lisa pay for what she did to me and she’s managed to get away from me two times…. But she won’t be so lucky a third time.”
With that, Marie tended to her injured hand and replaced her glove with a spare she had. She then called back Darkrai and got out the metal disc to contact Giovanni. Marie did not want to tell Giovanni of what had happened, but she knew that Giovanni would call her himself if too much time had passed.
“Report.” The hologram of Giovanni commanded as soon as it flickered on.
“There’s been another complication sir.” Marie reported. “The trainer with the Pikachu and his companion with Entei have been joined by another trainer who has somehow managed to capture Raikou. And unfortunately they managed to get away.”
“So now a trainer with Raikou has appeared.” Giovanni observed. “Hmm… perhaps Suicune will appear next. For now only observe and report. I will be heading to Ecruteak myself. Inform me of any developments until I arrive.”
Marie gritted her teeth a bit in frustration. She did not like the idea of just standing by and watching when her chance of getting back at Lisa was so close, but again she knew she had no choice.
“Yes sir.” Marie responded, and with that the hologram vanished. “So now I can only watch…. Okay then, I’ve waited this long to settle things with Lisa. I guess I can wait a little while longer.”
* * *
Some time later Marie had gotten back on the trail of Lisa and her companions and followed them to Ecruteak City. She had followed the discreetly until they had reached the Ecruteak City Gym. Once, there, a man with slightly long blond hair wearing a blue headband, a light-blue long-sleeved shirt, and black pants had greeted Lisa and her three friends. Marie had recognized the man from an article she once read as the city’s gym leader, Morty. Morty had led the four inside, so Marie decided to try and se if she could continue to watch them from the roof.
The roof of the gym had an open skylight, which Marie right away went over to. The room that the skylight was over was the gym’s stadium, and was with luck that Morty had led Lisa and the other three to that very room. There in the room waiting for the group was a brown-haired man wearing a purple tuxedo and white cape. Once they had gathered, Marie had overheard most of their conversation. There were a few parts of that conversation that Marie had missed, but she had been able to find out everyone’s names.
Marie found out that the boy with the Pikachu was named Ash, and the redhead holding the Togepi was named Misty. The man in the cape and tuxedo meanwhile was known as Eusine. Marie was also able to learn of the reason Lisa and her friends had gone to the gym, and of the possible explanation for Lisa and Bolt capturing Entei and Raikou. She sighed and activated the holographic disc to contact Giovanni.
“Any new developments to report?” Giovanni asked as soon as his hologram flickered on.
“Yes sir. It seems that it may not be a coincidence that the two trainers that have captured Entei and Raikou have shown up in the same place.” Marie answered. “Apparently there is a prophecy that says that Entei, Raikou, and Suicune will choose three trainers to become their partners. It is said that once the partners are chosen, the Pokemon Ho-Oh will then appear at Ecruteak’s Tin Tower to test a certain trainer.”
“I see, so are you certain this prophecy might be true?” Giovanni asked.
“As hard to believe as it sounds, there are too many coincidences at work sir.” Marie pointed out.
“Well then, the Legendary Beasts are one thing, but Ho-Oh is another prize all together.” Giovanni said with a sinister grin. “Continue to observe and report. I will be arriving in the city in a few hours. Until then keep me informed of any changes.”
“Yes sir.” Marie replied, and with that the hologram disappeared.
* * *
Since her last conversation with Giovanni, Marie had witnessed Misty’s capture of the legendary beast Suicune and heard the bells from the Tin Tower that signaled the arrival of Ho-Oh. She had managed to follow Lisa and the others to the Tin Tower, where she had been able to hear the revelation that Ash was the trainer Ho-Oh intended to test. As soon as Ash had begun his climb to the Tin Tower, Marie was contacted by Giovanni’s helicopter and was told that it would soon be landing just outside the city. Marie was then given the coordinates; they were not that far from the tower. As quickly as she could Marie headed for the landing sight.
Marie stood and watched as the large black helicopter landed a few feet away from her. As soon as it landed, Giovanni stepped out accompanied by his Persian and ten Team Rocket grunts.
“Any new developments to report?” Giovanni asked.
“Suicune was captured not too long ago.” Marie reported. “Right now the trainer that former members Jessie and James were chasing, Ash Ketchum, is heading to the top of the Tin Tower to await Ho-Oh. At least that’s what I’ve heard.”
“Well then, I think we should head over to the Tin Tower ourselves.” Giovanni said with a sinister grin. “Once Ho-Oh lands at the tower we’ll strike. First we shall take the Legendary Beasts, then Ho-Oh itself!”
“I suggest we get moving then sir.” Marie pointed out. “I suspect it won’t be long until Ho-Oh makes its appearance.”
“Then by all means, lead the way.” Giovanni instructed.
Marie took Giovanni and his men to the Tin Tower. When they arrived they waited behind the nearby trees and watched as Lisa, Misty, Bolt, Morty, and Eusine waited in front of the tower for something to happen. Waiting with the five were all three of the Legendary Beats. After a few moments of waiting the bells of the Tin Tower rang for a second time.
“Sir, up there!” one of the grunts said to Giovanni.
Marie, Giovanni, and the rest of the gang looked up and saw a massive bird flying towards the tower. It was red with a white underside and had green band around its long neck. Shimmering green feathers rimmed its wings, while its tail was made completely of golden feathers. The great bird had black rings around its eyes, and a gold comb adorned the top of its head.
“Ho-Oh.” Giovanni said with an evil grin. “Alright, we strike now. Go and introduce us Noir Mask.”
“Yes sir.” Marie replied with a smirk before heading out.
“I wish we could be up there with Ash.” Misty said to Lisa and the others with a worried expression.
“Ash and Pikachu have to face this challenge on their own.” Morty told her.
“Besides, you five have your own problems to worry about.” Marie interrupted as she stepped into view, getting their attention.
“Whoever you are, leave now!” Morty commanded. “This is no place for the likes of you!”
“You’re in no position to be making demands I’m afraid.” Giovanni said as he, Persian, and the ten men he had brought with joined Marie.
“Who are you?” Eusine demanded to know.
“I am Giovanni, the leader of Team Rocket. And as you may have guessed, I have come for Ho-Oh and the Legendary Beasts.” Giovanni explained. “I suggest you hand over those beasts and allow us to enter the Tin Tower. Otherwise things will become very unpleasant.”
“Dream on creep!” Bolt declared.
“So you’ve chosen to do things the hard way I see.” Giovanni said with an amused expression before snapping his fingers. Within moments the Team Rocket grunts surrounded the group. “I’ll give you one more chance. As my former underlings used to say, surrender now or prepare to fight.”
“C’mon Morty, we can take these guys!” Eusine declared. “Go Alakazam!”
Emerging from the Pokeball thrown by Eusine was a somewhat humanoid creature with a large fox-like head that had a long mustache. Its torso, lower legs, and forearms were brown, while the rest of its body was tan. In each hand it carried a large spoon.
“You take on half, I’ll take the rest.” Morty told Eusine. “Go Gengar!”
Emerging from the thrown ball was a black almost spherical creature with short arms and legs. Its back was covered with spiked fur and its face consisted of two red eyes and a sinister grin. The Rocket grunts all responded by sending out several floating grayish-purple balls with faces on them. The creatures looked similar to Wheezing.
“A bunch of Koffing huh? This’ll be a piece of cake.” Eusine said confidently.
As Morty and Eusine began fighting off the Koffing, Misty, Lisa, and Bolt, were left to face Giovanni and Marie.
“I’ll let my men handle your friends.” Giovanni said to the trio. “In the meantime you three still have us to deal with.”
“Sir, I would like to take on Lisa Flare, the girl with Entei, myself.” Marie requested.
“By all means, go ahead.” Giovanni replied. “The other two are more than enough to keep me occupied.”
“Thank you sir.” Marie said with a somewhat insane smile. “Now we can finally settle things dear Lisa. Go Zweilos!”
Emerging from the thrown ball was a Pokemon that looked like Deino, only larger and with a second head and tattered wings. Deino had evolved into Zweilos shortly before Marie dealt with Jessie and James, the two Team Rocket members she had originally been sent to investigate.
“I have no clue what you’re talking about, but fine with me!” Lisa told Marie. “Go Entei!”
Entei roared and charged at Zweilos. War broke out all around as Giovanni began to do battle with Misty and Bolt while Eusine and Morty fought the grunts.
“Use Flamethrower!” Lisa commanded.
Entei breathed out a stream of fire at Zweilos. However the two-headed dragon dodged the attack and flew around to the left side.
“Dark Pulse!” Marie commanded.
Zweilos fired streams of black energy rings from both its mouths, hitting Entei in the side. But when the smoke cleared Entei looked relatively unharmed.
“Nice move, but not good enough!” Lisa declared. “Use Fire Spin!”
Entei breathed out another stream of flames from its mouth. But rather than hitting Zweilos directly, the flames surrounded the two-headed dragon, creating a tornado of fire.
“Your dragon isn’t going to be going anywhere for awhile.” Lisa said to Marie. “I’m actually surprised that you aren’t using Darkrai for this battle.”
“There are a few too many people around for me to use Darkrai.” Marie told her. “Besides, I think Zweilos is more than enough to stop you. Use Dragon Rush!”
Zweilous suddenly burst forth from the tornado of fire, its body shrouded in blue light. The dragon then rammed into Entei with incredible force. But the beast of fire quickly recovered and got back to its feet.
“Now use Dragon Breath!” Marie commanded.
Zweilos hit Entei with blasts of green flames from both heads. Entei was hit by the attack and suddenly seemed to have trouble moving.
“Oh dear, that’s what happens sometimes when my darling Zweilos uses Dragon Breath!” Marie laughed madly. “Sometimes the opponent becomes paralyzed. Now Zweilos, hit Entei with Dragon Rush!”
Zweilos’s body became shrouded in blue light once again as it charged at Entei.
“Fight back with Stomp!” Lisa commanded.
Seconds before Zweilos rammed into Entei, the beast of fire recovered somewhat and raised its right front leg. It brought that leg back down on Zweilos with such force that the dragon was crushed into the ground.
“It won’t be that easy to beat me Noir!” Lisa declared. “I don’t know what your problem with me is, but I’m taking you down!”
“…You really don’t know, do you?” Marie said in a cold tone. “You know I’m actually really hurt that you haven’t realized…. But in the end I guess it doesn’t matter. Very soon I’m going to make you pay for what you’ve done.”
“What on earth are you talking about?” Lisa demanded to know.
Before Marie could answer, everyone heard the beating of a pair of massive wings from atop the tower. The noise made everyone stop fighting and look up. Descending from the top of the tower was Ho-Oh, and riding on its back were Ash and Pikachu. Giovanni chuckled sinisterly at the site.
“Well, I must say I’m impressed young man!” Giovanni called up to Ash. “It seems you were able to capture the great Ho-Oh. You’ve just saved my men and I a lot of trouble. Now hand Ho-Oh over to me!”
“No way!” Ash declared. “Why do you want Ho-Oh anyway?”
“Why that’s obvious!” Giovanni said with amusement. “To become the strongest force imaginable. With Ho-Oh and the Legendary Beasts at our disposal Team Rocket will become the strongest power in the world! No one will be able to stand against us!”
“And what about all the Pokemon you’ll end up hurting?” Ash asked. “Don’t you care about that?”
“As long as those Pokemon do what we tell them I don’t care one bit how they feel!” Giovanni laughed. “All that matters is how well they serve us!”
“You monster!” Ash shouted.
At that moment Ho-Oh suddenly flew down at Giovanni at incredible speed. It shrieked and its eyes lit up with a blue light. Suddenly, a bright blue light that had expanded from Ho-Oh enveloped Ash, Pikachu, and Giovanni. The flash was so bright that Marie and everyone else had to shield their eyes. The flash only lasted for ten seconds, and when it cleared Ash and Pikachu both had very confused expressions on their faces. . Giovanni meanwhile looked up at them with an expression of terror.
“No… it can’t be!” Giovanni said as all the color drained from his face. “I-I never wanted… but that means… if this vision is true…. We’re retreating at once!”
“Sir?” one of the grunts asked in confusion.
“You heard me, this mission is canceled!” Giovanni ordered. “Now move out!”
Many of the grunts looked at each other in confusion. Marie meanwhile gritted her teeth and called back Zweilos.
“You heard him, now move!” Marie ordered the grunts. The grunts then began calling back their Pokemon. Meanwhile Marie looked back at Lisa. “I guess we’ll have to settle this another time dear Lisa.”
With that, Noir Mask began walking away with the grunts. Giovanni and Persian joined them after Giovanni had taken one last look at Ash. Within minutes they arrived back at the helicopter. Once everyone had gotten aboard, the helicopter took off and headed back to Kanto.
“Sir, forgive me for asking, but why did you call off the mission?” Marie asked Giovanni as she looked at him from the chair right across from his.
“…Ho-Oh showed me something in that flash of light.” Giovanni answered. “Something that I do not want to happen…. But if it does happen, Ash Ketchum may be my only hope of stopping it…. Which is why from this moment on, all members of Team Rocket will avoid confrontations with Ketchum if possible, understood?”
“…Yes sir.” Marie replied.
As the helicopter continued to fly on, Marie kept trying to figure out just what Giovanni had seen that made him back down from trying to steal Ho-Oh and the Legendary Beasts. But in the end she didn’t really care. All Marie knew was that she had missed out on her chance to get back at Lisa, and for all she knew it was the only chance she was ever going to get.
