ETR Synopsis

## Extinction of Team Rocket

*The Extinction of Team Rocket* (also stylized as *Extinction of Team Rocket* or *ETR*) is a fantasy/coming-of-age novel written by American writer Cooltrainer Ashton. The first novel in the *Extinction of Team Rocket* series, it follows Andrew Brown, the Gym Leader of Viridian City and the second-in-command of crime syndicate Team Rocket, who is faced with a harrowing decision of whether to remain a part of his family's organization or escape that holds the brevity of altering his life and the life of his community forever, and the only obstacle in his path is the fear placed onto him by compounded childhood trauma. As previously mentioned on the ETR Inspiration page, the storyline takes place within Kanto and Johto, following the Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver storyline.

The book was published through independent e-book platform Smashwords on February 19, 2020, in celebration of his 30th birthday. Barnes has said in interviews that one unexpected aspect of the book that he adores is the focus on mental health and addressing the stigma that those who suffer from mental illness are faced with as they seek out answers and/or treatment. Reviews of the book have been favorable, with Drew's narrative and nostalgia for the Pokémon HGSS storyline getting rave reviews.

### Book Description

*From Smashwords:*

*Andrew Brown, better known as Drew, is the second-in-command of the pokémon world's most crafty and dangerous crime syndicate, Team Rocket, as well as Viridian City's beloved gym leader, Joseph Miller. Under the leadership of his older brother, William, the organization is dedicated to the ruthless takeover of the world and earning profit at the hands of pokémon. Despite his tough demeanor and intimidating appearance, Drew has a gentle side that he does not allow anybody to see. In the wake of his father Giovanni’s disappearance, he is tasked with helping with a mission that pairs him with a young recruit named Jake, who longs to find a mentor who can help him become the trainer he always wanted to be. Feeling trapped and isolated inside his family's organization, the connection between the two leaves Drew feeling differently about his circumstances. Whether or not he wanted to, he is faced with a dilemma: to continue living within limited means and be miserable, or make a life-changing choice that will give him what he's always wanted. Don’t miss a new take on GameFreak’s classic storyline of Team Rocket’s infamy and the unfolding of Drew’s role of greatness in The Extinction of Team Rocket!*

**Please note: due to profanity, violence, and mature subjects, work is not suitable for young readers.**

### Synopsis (Warning: **contains spoilers**!)

#### Chapter One

*The Extinction of Team Rocket* opens on the battlefield of the Viridian City Gym, where dust is still settling after a trainer was able to defeat Drew to earn an Earth Badge. No sooner had Drew healed his challenger's pokémon and gym grunts begin to repair the battlefield, in walks Drew's older brother Will, interim leader of Team Rocket. Will's saccharine façade triggers Drew's bullshit detector, as their relationship has never been more than a diplomatic air of respect. Though they're related and were raised by the same mother, Drew hardly thinks they're alike. Despite being dressed in their father's attire, he's able to distinguish between the malicious intent his father possesses and the lackluster evil Will has shown. Seeing as how they didn't have any semblance of a relationship until Drew became an Executive, he holds his older brother at arm's length, a fact that puzzles and confounds Will.

As the grunts finish their work, a junior executive named Rodney offers to heal Drew's pokémon. Drew doesn't trust him, sensing that his motives aren't pure, and it goes against his regimented protocol of healing his own pokémon. As a new trainer, he feared going to the Pokémon Center in town after completing a mission in which he stole every pokémon under the nose of the nurse with his charm and feared being identified as the criminal he saw himself as, so he learned to heal on his own from the books he read often. This act allowed him to bond deeper with his team. Drew politely refuses, to which Rodney gives a rebuttal about lending a hand because of how hard he works to maintain the gym. Seeing as how nobody pays compliments to Drew, it's just another red flag, to which Drew insists that the team follows procedure. After some encouragement from Will, to avoid any potential disagreement in front of a lower-ranking member, Drew begrudgingly accepts, following Will down the elevator to the fourth basement floor, where the Executives live in private suites.

Their suite isn't glamorous, despite Will's status as leader, with the palette being bland, more than likely to encourage members to put their full focus on their work. As Drew and Will begin talking, with this time meant to help Drew unwind from his day, Will offers a free day to Drew in exchange for his help with a mission. Upon hearing that it's another mission with the purpose of helping them getting a message out to their father, Drew rebukes him with the facts, adding that their efforts are useless and he's not worth finding because his plans failed and he left without a trace or even leaving behind a message. In response to Will's silent brand of anger displayed on his face, Drew relents and agrees to the mission. However, he's less enthused to find out he'll be tagging along with a grunt in order to mentor him, with Drew wishing to go alone. Because Will is in charge, Drew acquiesces and reminds Will that he owes him. With that settled, Will leaves to attend to some unfinished business before the day is over.

With that matter settled and being alone, Drew proceeds with his shower, taking a moment first to take in his appearance. His arms and half his chest is covered in tattoos, his attempt to cover the scars left behind from the childhood trauma he'd endured with the hope that the memories could be dispelled with positive imagery. The only things he despises is the "R" tattoo on his side that all Executives are required to receive and the waterproof, skintight device on his ankle that tracks his whereabouts and can't be removed without they key, lest he receive a colossal dose of electricity. After submerging himself in freezing water due to not having hot water, Drew dresses in his favorite pajamas and buries himself under his quilt, attempting to will himself to sleep. Night is his least favorite part of the day, as nightmares frequently visit him, forcing him to relive painful memories of his past. With a nightmare cutting his rest short, his nerves leave him shaking for a while, unable to control it. This moment of discomfort is another reminder of his time with the family organization and his desire to be free from it all. Finally, after a while, he dozes back off.

That next morning, Drew dresses in his Executive uniform before he rode up to the second floor. Upon entering Team Rocket's makeshift pokémon center, he finds his team laying on stretchers, untreated and sleep-deprived from their pain, not to mention Dr. Namba, Team Rocket's most tenured scientists, who's conveniently absorbed with his blueprints and not with the issue at hand. After scolding him and giving some unwanted, tense wisdom, he leaves, leaving Drew to share an emotional moment with his pokémon before feeding and healing them. After submitting Rodney's Junior Executive account for termination, he gathers clothing from his apartment and brings it to the reserved helicopter for their mission before arriving at the cafeteria for breakfast.

Any time Drew enters the cafeteria, activity and conversation cease, thanks to his reputation of being tough, which amuses him. After being served a mediocre breakfast, an altercation between an unnamed redheaded grunt and an Executive named Ariana catches his attention. After the kid flees the space from fright, Drew is caught up a verbal standoff with Proton, another Executive, with Drew holding his ground through Proton's threats and giving him some jabs of his own. But Proton doesn't act like on his words and joins the other Executives at a table on the opposite side of the room. Once Drew finishes eating, he returned to the heliport to find his grunt, Jake, waiting for him.

Jake Adams is one of few in Team Rocket with blue eyes, and he's known for his messy unkempt short hand and toothy grin. He looks up to Drew and enjoys any missions they take together. Drew's perception of Jake is conflicted. He's annoyed by his grin, yes, but he doesn't get the same vibe as he does from others. There are plenty of grunts who don't care enough about what they do, but, while Drew generally doesn't trust anyone, Jake is always excited about his work and didn't come across as having any ulterior motives. Regardless, since anyone could turn on him, as past history taught him, Drew keeps up his façade as they board the helicopter and take off, spending the first moments of the flight in silence. However, Jake bridges the gap with questions, hoping Drew will warm up to him since they'd had previous missions together. As they talk, Drew learns more about how other grunts view him, inquiring as to if Jake believes all the theories floating around them and is surprised to learn that he thinks they're misinformed. Drew then informs Jake that he made himself intimidating for his own protection, but his confidence on the battlefield is legitimate, but his yields more questions, much to Drew's discomfort. Viewing him as authentic authority figure, he doesn't understand why Drew would have to go to such trouble, only being told that Team Rocket was rough for him and it ended when he made himself tougher, resisting any other questions thrown at him. As a segue off himself, Drew asks Jake about his motivations in joining Team Rocket, learning he was promised confidence he desperately wanted if he joined and regrets the choice to a slight degree since he knew his family wouldn't approve. As they approach Ecruteak City, Jake returns the question, with their landing giving Drew the opportunity to dodge the question.

Once on the ground, Drew and Jake meet Butch and Cassidy, two senior-ranking grunts, and receive the artifacts they acquired before returning to the helicopter, with Drew poking some needed fun at Butch's buttons, which doesn't disappoint when he erupts into an outburst. As they change, Jake takes notice of the tattoos and scars covering Drew's body and inquires on what happened to him. After a cigarette, Drew maneuvers the helicopter into another take off before Jake reminds him of his question. Rather than write him off, Drew decides to offer some honesty and advises it's too much that he would rather not reexamine anything. When questioned about any lack of trust between them, Drew remains silent. The hint is taken, with Jake accepting the circumstance but shares that he thought Drew was different from the other Executives and hoped it wasn't another act.

Silence covers them as they land in Goldenrod City and Drew enjoys another cigarette before they make their way to Kanto Broadcasting Network's Radio Tower, appearing as tourists, before covertly placing miked devices in select locations. Once the tour finished, they made their way back to the hideout, with Drew offering a farewell before returning to his apartment to rest.

Fast forward to the following evening, while eating dinner in the cafeteria, Jake's yelling from another table and turning over his tray catches Drew's attention, resulting in him calling him and escorting him downstairs to his apartment. Having observed his change in demeanor over the past day has struck a chord within himself, and he's resolute in not having him believe he's just like everyone else. Finally, against his better judgment, Drew shares a condensed recount of his being kidnapped and tortured into being commissioned into Team Rocket, the bullying and abuse he endured from other grunts (with his censoring any graphic details), his physical transformation, and his rise to being Second-in-Command, not to mention what happened to his father and why Drew didn't leave. Once he finishes, Jakes asks if he's thought about leaving, with Drew saying he used to, but the idea is long gone. Jake shares that he was wrong in joining Team Rocket and wants to become a real trainer again... but he isn't going without Drew. After shushing him and bringing him into a closed room, he shares leadership wouldn't care if he left, but for himself they'd fight to keep him because he has too much intel. Jake wants him as a mentor and to help him, but Drew doesn't believe escaping is feasible. To Jake, it is if he believes it is. The truth is Drew wants it but isn't motivated to orchestrate an escape. Jake thanks him for his candor before bidding good night, with Drew telling him to continue being the great kid he is.

The next afternoon, Drew is called out of his pokémon training to attend an Executive meeting, where the Executives have fed the story of the redheaded kid, whose name is confirmed to be Ralph, assaulting Ariana and they believe Drew should be the one to discipline him. Fear strikes his heart, and because he has no intent of going against Will's wishes, he makes his way to the Game Room, a room dedicated to punishing grunts who display undesired behavior, with the walls lined with a wide variety of weapons on hand to ensure the respective grunt complies. A terrified Ralph greets him, bound and gagged, but being back in the room triggers Drew, as nearly every instrument was used on him, and the memories attached to them bring him to tears. He unties Ralph and gestures for him to go, leaving him vulnerable to a barrage of flashbacks and dissociating. When he snaps himself out, he retreats to his apartment and sleeps on and off the rest of the afternoon.

That night, Drew answers the door to find their guard, Joe, escorting Jake down, ensuring he wasn't bothering him. After giving him affirmation, Jake joins him in the living area, advising Ralph is a friend and shared everything that happened, advising that Drew needs to leave. Since they're alone, Jake shares that he's come up with a plan to escape and wants to know if Drew is interested. He counters every question he's posed, but Drew is still reluctant. After being advised he needs to believe, and finally Drew agrees, choosing the next evening when midnight strikes.

#### Chapter Two

Drew fills Jake's spare backpack the next morning when Will leaves their apartment, with both agreeing to meet in the rec room after Drew comes to the second floor. They spend the day apart, with Drew training his pokémon and silently making notes of everything discussed in all meetings he attends. That night, as the midnight hour draws closer, Drew acts like he's going to bed, wearing his robe, and joins Will in the living room. Will thanks him for his help with the mission in Goldenrod City, and Drew uses the opportunity to ask more about future plans under the guise of wanting to support Will's ambitions. When it gets later, Will bids Drew good night and convinces him to allow him to hug him. Drew shakes off any potential guilt over his escape souring their lack of a relationship, as it wouldn't keep him from wanting his freedom. After dressing and waiting for Will's snoring to begin, Drew sneaks out and down the hallway, almost reaching the elevator before Joe catches his attention. To not blow his cover, Drew reassures him he's going to train since he couldn't sleep and breathes a sigh of relief when Joe accepts the lie and allows him passage into the elevator without being escorted.

Once on the second floor, Drew rushes to their Pokémon Center to access the pokémon storage facility, but the door wouldn't recognize his code, and repeated attempts yield the same outcome. After using Will's code, he's able to enter the space, but he encounters another roadblock by being unable to command the system to release his pokémon, discovering that Rodney had rigged the system to give him access to withdraw pokémon or override the system's command. Losing patience, as the person who helped set up the system, Drew overrides the system with a programming code and brings it completely offline. With his sights set on entering the storage room through the corresponding door, he walks into it, with the door barricaded from the inside. After inspecting the glass, he switches tactics and kicks hard on the glass several times till his foot is throbbing and the glass shatters and yields a portal to jump through. Hobbling on his good foot, he finds his six companions' pokéballs and unlocks the door before coming face to face with Joe.

His grim demeanor is filled with disappoint over Drew's actions and refuses to listen to reason, as he's completely on Team Rocket's side. Before he can counter, Drew wrestles him to the ground and knocks him out cold after realizing Joe has the advantage. To salvage his escape, he ties him up with rope and puts him in the storage room, barricades the door, and hobbles through the portal before exiting the center and locking it indefinitely with Will's code.

With Joe incapacitated for the moment, Drew hobbles through the hallway toward the rec room when he encounters Rodney, out of uniform and ready for a confrontation. After some choice words, Drew decks Rodney and lands several well-aims punches all over his body, leaving him writhing on the ground and bleeding. After breaking his glasses and tossing them out of reach, Drew reaches the rec room and gets reintroduced to Ralph, who's quiet. After they grab their bags and make their way out of the room, Rodney trips the alarm, which echoes throughout the whole floor. Jake and Ralph guide Drew through a secret passage that's supposed to lead outside to Viridian City, so due to the circumstances, they move as quickly as they can.

However, during their journey, Ralph switches their course, much to Jake's dismay, stating they need to change tactics since the Executives will expect them to take the normal passage. Despite Jake's arguments, they enter a different partition and follow a different path for a while before the ground gives way and plunges them deep into the ground. Based on the lit torches and Team Rocket emblem on the walls, they're still in Team Rocket territory, as Ralph confirms his betrayal of the group.

The Executives appear, and they bring Ralph into another chamber, leaving Will to confront Drew. Will is livid over Drew's actions and wants to know why he'd disgrace the family, and Drew's response does nothing to placate his anger, as he believes everything Drew's said about his childhood is a total farce. When Will advises he's decommissioning Drew as an Executive and reaches for a pokéball, Drew swings and knocks him down before he and Jake fly through the open ground on Dragonair, who lets out a Hyper Beam to grant them passage into the open air. Now the objective is to flee the scene as fast as they can, elude Team Rocket's forces, and get to a safe destination.

As Drew and Jake process through the betrayals they've both sustained, they fly as fast as Dragonair can fly, use its powers to produce a thunderstorm, and attacking any rogue pokémon that follow them. Eventually, they arrive in Saffron City, with Drew urging Jake to head home, as he has no desire to bring him into the mess that's ensuing. Jake pleads with Drew to let him come for support, but he's resolute in protecting the young man who saved him from a life of imprisonment. After a tearful goodbye, Jake leaves the scene, allowing Drew to locate the police department. Once inside, he gives his pseudonym of Joseph Miller, the fake name everyone in Viridian City knows him as, and says he needs to speak to the Chief about a Team Rocket-related incident. After waiting a few moments, he's brought into Chief Ken Douglas' office, where Drew comes clean about his identity, his past, and his desire to help the police destroy his family's organization. After answering all of the Chief's questions, Drew has a goodbye with his companions before he's booked, fingerprinted, and brought into his own private cell. For the first time in the longest time, he feels secure and not cold as he accepts how everything played out and is ready to face the next day in whatever it holds for his plan.

The next morning, the jailer escorts Drew to the department's morning meeting, where he provides all the information he has on Team Rocket's upcoming plans, and answers all of their questions and lays out his plan for eradicating them, consisting of infiltrating their hideout during their Radio Tower takeover to render it useless and then confront the Executives and bring everyone into their custody. Though there are some logistical issues with the number of officers needed, Chief Douglas is on board with Drew's suggestion of holding a conference to recruit the Kanto and Johto Gym Leaders and the Indigo Elite Four. After the meeting adjourns, he shares breakfast with Drew in his cell and asks more about his life, and when asked if he can help him with anything, Drew asks to speak to someone about his issues with his flashbacks and physical and mental issues.

On the following day, as the department works to organize the conference, Drew receives a visitor in the form of Dr. Namada, a psychiatrist brought in by Chief Douglas to talk to Drew about his aforementioned issues. As Drew shares more information and Dr. Namada asks questions to clarify, at Drew's request he offers a provisional diagnosis of complex post-traumatic stress disorder. The news breaks Drew, and he retreats back to his cell with help from the guard and refuses to talk to Dr. Namada, asking to be left alone, leaving him to grieve and process the news for the remainder of the day.

#### Chapter Three

As days go by, Drew loses his concept of time and ruminates on all the mistakes that brought him to where he is now, often being hard on himself and seeing the situation only for selling out for his sanity and that his being killed out of frustration would've been better than what had actually taken place. He didn't have hope of anything changing and felt Chief Douglas was foolish to think his plan was viable or that they'd recruit help to take down Team Rocket, and he'd spend the rest of his life in jail, his flesh rotting as he served his sentence.

At the same time, memories came back to him, recalling 13-year-old Drew when he became Gym Leader and losing battles because his father had only allowed him to use stolen pokémon, so as he served out missions he looked and caught his teammates in order to build the team he needed to bring the Viridian Gym to a new height of success. His emotions came more to the surface when remembering how he and Espeon became connected. After a long day of work as well as searching for viable pokémon, he returned to the Pokémon Center in Ecruteak City emptyhanded, only to meet an eccentric individual who offered him a pokémon he couldn't care for. That's when Eevee became his first teammate, and the bond they created translated to its protecting him when he was ambushed by grunts who only wanted to steal it. When they thought they'd beaten Drew, Eevee stepped in and evolved, evolving into Espeon and trouncing all of its opponents. And, over time, Drew acquired his other teammates in unique circumstances: he caught Scyther from the Safari Zone after befriending it, he found a baby zubat abandoned by its mother outside Mt. Mortar and nursed it back to health, Larvitar was found outside Mt. Silver, Dratini was caught outside Blackthorn City, and Vulpix was caught outside Goldenrod City. Not only did they become strong teammates, they were also his closest friends, and they were nowhere to be found.

A different new day brought a visitor back to Drew. Despite his insistence, he doesn't believe Dr. Namada saying that there was hope of having a normal life. In tears, Drew counters, asking how could he ever have a normal life after being tortured and raped, as he could never get those damaging images and feelings out of his mind. But Dr. Namada gently reminds him that everything he wants is in front of him, and the only obstacle in front of him is himself. Drew believes that he's disappointed him and that either he's dumb for believing in him or his mind is playing tricks on him. He assures Drew he hasn't disappointed him, as he's shown courage and determination in destroying Team Rocket, and everyone around them has faith in his recovery. Despite wanting to continue feeling sorry for himself, Drew finally admits that he doesn't want his mind to remain in its current state and wants his pokémon and life back. Dr. Namada offers his help as long as its what Drew wants, but first he must attend to what's immediately in front of him. Once the conversation concludes, Drew prefers to be alone, thinking over everything he said and wanting only to sleep the rest of his life away.

The following day was the day of the conference. The guard wakes Drew and escorts him to the prisoner's communal shower, washing up and ignoring everyone around him, not wanting to associate with anyone or for them to catch onto his true identity. Due to his appearance, the others ignore him, allowing him to get clean and leave as quickly as possible to be away from the nudity around him. After dressing, he's brought to Chief Douglas' office without handcuffs, being given his cigarettes as a concession for their day. Chief Douglas learns of how Drew's last few days have been, feeling compassion for his circumstances and bringing them back to how important the day's conference is. Since it was lunchtime, Drew joins him and the other officers and puts away as much food as he can eat, having hardly eaten anything over those days of solitude. He bears through the conversations, uncomfortable with how the officers were trying to get to know him, as if he wasn't just a prisoner. When lunch concludes, he rides with Chief Douglas over to City Hall and waits outside the building as last minute preparations are completed and everyone had arrived.

Chief Douglas welcomes the crowd and thanks them for their time before introducing Drew by his pseudonym and bringing him onstage. The crowds cheer, full of smiles and recognition, yet Drew's nerve throbbed as he accepted that he'd be destroying their trust in these next few moments. He sits on the stage and explains that he's lived a double life and is ready to come clean. He reveals his identity, and before he can explain anything further, Lt. Surge reacts and cuts him off, wanting nothing to do with him. Since someone has risen in opposition, Erika is the next Gym Leader who refuses to help, consider the trouble Team Rocket caused for her city. Pryce also joins her, wanting to know why he's not in jail, followed by Bugsy, offended that he'd ask for their help. More people stood up, but the commotion in the building quieted down as soon as Lorelei speaks, with everyone showing respect to the Elite Four member. She quells their anger by sympathizing with their feelings but recognizing that the police are here with Drew and that she still sees him as family, despite the deception, and she'll give him the benefit of the doubt until he's proven untrustworthy.

With that chaos subdued, Drew regroups and sympathizes with the group for being shocked and precedes to explain why he got mixed up into Team Rocket, revealing the identity of his infamous father. Once he explains the painful journey before getting commissioned, Lt. Surge gives a rebuttal of disbelief, with Koga asking if proof is available. Disdainfully, Drew removes his shirt and allows his guests to see the scars carved into his body, some even still showing through his tattoos. The mood in the room shifts as the crowd gets to see it for themselves. Drew continues his story, bringing them up to present day and why he brought them to Saffron City, outlining his plan and what he'd require of them, should they agree to participate. Having nothing left, he issues a heartfelt apology and reveals his PTSD diagnosis, reiterating that the whole department would appreciate their help and adjourns them.

While some guests leave right away, others take their time and spend some time reacquainting themselves with Drew, feeling more vulnerable, especially when questions about his pokémon emerge. After their guests leave, and Drew has had a chance to smoke a few cigarettes to center himself, they return to the police department.

#### Chapter Four

On the morning of the raid, Chief Douglas personally comes to wake Drew up, with his being irritable to being woken up out of nightmare-free sleep. Once he realizes who it is, he apologizes and follows him after his handcuffs are removed. Drew then showers and dresses within the department's locker room and dons a police officer's uniform. He recognizes there's immense pressure on him to succeed, but he's never felt more ready to achieve victory over Team Rocket. Once he's dressed, his pokéballs and cigarettes are returned to him.

As they return to the lobby, their entire entourage is present, with all the Gym Leaders and Elite Four members scattered among the many police officers, with the sight giving Drew home. However, eye contact with Lt. Surge unnerves him, prompting him to search for friendly faces, with him connecting with Brock and Lance and moving over to them, shaking hands. Drew shares how grateful and surprised he is that everyone showed up, with Lance advising that sharing a common enemy can bring people together even if you're at odds with them. Due to the large number of people in the lobby, they head outside, where Drew releases his teammates and enjoys a brief reunion with them, with Brock inspecting them and remarking that he's never seen a Team Rocket member's pokémon look so strong or well cared for. When asked what he did to achieve that, he shares his previous fear over visiting the Pokémon Center and how he became involved in every aspect of their care, which helped develop a strong bond with them. Misty soon joins them and is friendly with them, especially so with Drew.

Soon, everyone comes outside, with Chief Douglas' voice carrying over the cacophony of conversation, thanking everyone for their time and service and, in true show to Drew, giving him full control over the mission. He pulls himself together fast and addresses his crowd, promising them his strongest leadership and loyalty through the mission before he splits them into two groups: one to go with him to raid Team Rocket's hideout and the other to do more groundwork in Goldenrod City to prepare the citizens and Goldenrod Police Department for the Radio Tower bust.

Once groups are made, Drew's group huddles to go over their plan. Due to the nature of the area, they need to drive close enough to the hideout without setting off any of the organization's security sensors, but Morty asks how they'd get into the hideout without someone noticing them. Sabrina suggests teleporting, but Blaine wonders how she could teleport them to a place she's never visited. Karen then suggests that Drew could, with the entire assembled group giving her weird looks. When prompted by Lorelei, Karen advises that some people have the natural ability or have the means to learn, with Sabrina affirming that she senses that ability within him, explaining to Brock that only those with telekinetic DNA can teleport by channeling it the right way, and Espeon serves as the best guide to draw that gift out of Drew. As their discussion wraps up, other officers join their group and provide three large SUVs, with Brock, Misty, and Lance joining Drew as he takes the driver's seat and takes his group along their route. As they drive, he and Lance connect more, with Lance advising he's the kind of person he'd love to bring into the G-Men, the Organized Crime Brigade team under Japan's military, which flatters him immensely.

After traversing the route with ease, Drew's group enters the Viridian Forest and drives far enough in to be close to the hideout without being detected. They huddle and review their plan, with everyone releasing their Psychic pokémon and joining hands. With all pokémon aiding Espeon, Sabrina guides Drew through how to connect to the ability she detected within him. Soon, once the final step is given, the entire group feels a rush of air and the feeling of falling before they appear in the room housing the hideout's generator. Their teammates immobilize all the grunts present while the group arrests them, and Brock and Lance assist Drew with bringing the generator offline and stealing a vital part. Once the prisoners were put to sleep by Karen's vileplume, Will and Sabrina teleport them outside while the rest of the group moves through the corridor, with Drew finding the security system's main computer as his group continues to arrest fugitives. Once the grunt guarding the room is dealt with, Drew overrides the entire system and steals a part before moving on, with him dragging the grunt out with him before the group teleports outside to bring the fugitives together. With 50 men captured, they teleport back to continue their search while the groups gengar keep watch.

They traverse further into the basement, with his group arresting grunts while he returns to the storage room where all of their stolen pokémon are housed, with the glass now replaced and, as Drew suspects, more protection on the door. Since his foot hadn't fully recovered, Scizor and Pupitar break down the glass so Drew can hop in and gather up the thousand pokéballs before teleporting outside and placing them within the SUV.

Once he's back inside, their search leads them to Ralph, who's apprehended by Lance and pleads with Drew for forgiveness, stating the Executives had never planned to promote him and scammed him out of the opportunity. Drew, given his position, has zero sympathy and refuses to help him, dishing back sharp and salty quips to underscore how doomed he is and, being a fellow criminal, has zero power to do anything but have his group detain him. Once he's taken away, feeling tired, Drew regroups with his team, and they reach the Game Room. From his change in demeanor and his face going white, they confirm this room holds a debilitating power against him. They inspect the room, with Drew passing, and they give him a group hug, with Drew struggling and overall succeeding at keeping his emotions restrained.

The bottom two levels didn't produce any grunts, so they explore the home floor for the Executives, with the team showing more interest in Drew's apartment and inquiring how he could've lived there without any modern comforts whatsoever. Once they run through a final check of the building, they regroup outside to make the trip back to Saffron City. Due to his exhaustion, Drew rests in the backseat with Espeon and Misty, with Misty's arms remaining around him for the entire trip, too spent to remove them. Once they reach Saffron City, they help bring their fugitives into the department's building to be booked before they teleport to Goldenrod City. However, once they arrive, Drew collapses from exhaustion, Sabrina noting that his first use of his powers has overtaxed him.

When Drew wakes up, his group is within the Goldenrod Police Department, with him laying on a cot with Misty nearby for supervision. When Misty checks on him, whether by his intuition or just a hunch, he figures out where Misty's intentions lie. Chief Douglas announces that Team Rocket has infiltrated KBN's tower and advises the group to collect themselves before they move to that location. Drew brings Misty into an empty conference room and talks to her about the vibes he's gathered, with her confirming and apologizing for the timing but admitting that she likes him. Drew, in his response, advises he's flattered but doesn't feel capable of connecting with someone due to the physical and sexual abuse he endured, believing he's asexual. Despite being turned down, Misty is still so proud of him for what he's accomplished and how he's risen above everything that's tried to destroy him. Drew feels honored, in spite of how he sees himself, and tells her his pokémon are the most important to him rather than trying to find a relationship.

Once their group assembles, they ride in patrol cars traveling to their destination, enduring Petrel's sickening voice as their broadcast announces their power and their desire for Giovanni to return to them, with the entire town empty due to the second group's efforts. As they creep on the scene, they assist the police officers by arresting anyone they find, with Drew enjoying the faces he gives to those who recognize him. Once the first floor is clear, they repeat the process, with Drew going off on his own to find the Executives. As he reaches the office where they are, he kicks down the door, with it bringing all their equipment to the ground, and they glare at him once their shock evaporates. Once he breaks the news to them, they seethe with rage, with them releasing their vileplume, golbat, and weezing to battle their way out of the situation. However, Espeon and Pupitar trounce them, leaving them to pull out their concealed weapons. Thankfully, Espeon immobilizes them, causing their weapons to fall, and Drew's group locates them and detains the Executives so Drew can have a word with Will. Their conversation doesn't yield anything positive, as Will sinks lower into hatred by saying he values their father more than him before both brothers wrestle each other to the ground. Once the group pries them apart, Will disowns him. However, Drew gives him some tough wisdom before they bring them down to the ground floor, with Will sobbing and pleading through the journey.

Outside, Chief Douglas comments to Drew that the now fugitives will now rot in jail. Drew doesn't respond, as he'll end up with the same fate soon. As everyone is brought to patrol cars, with the Executives hurling insults at him as they move. Petrel attempts to spit on Drew but misses, with Drew grabbing him by the collar and vowing to get revenge on him for all the hell he put him through. After they're put into patrol cars, Espeon releases itself out of its pokéball and draws him into a vision, showing Giovanni landing in a clearing outside the city. Once Chief Douglas is briefed, he agrees to allow Drew to go alone to meet him but to bring Lance, Bruno, and Koga with him for backup, with them riding on Lance's dragonite and charizard and Drew's dragonair to their destination.

#### Chapter Five

Drew, Lance, Koga, and Bruno fly outside Goldenrod City and the National Park into the open fields separating Goldenrod's City limits from nearby Violet City and Ecruteak City, sunset still an hour away. A few minutes after they dismount, Drew spots Giovanni and steps forward to separate himself from his pack, Giovanni's brooding appearance making his blood boil. He's ready to face his destiny and confront his father.

Giovanni approaching him unsettles him, and Drew brushes off his hug, only for him to grab his wrist and fasten a metal device to it, later revealed to be a device that will poison him if he tries to remove it. Giovanni claims Drew should thank him for how well he's turned out, intending for him to take over the organization rather than Will. Drew advises he'd never wanted anything he had to give him and is going to bring him to justice but not without a fight. They both take their own sides of their makeshift battlefield, with Drew taking a deep breath and reconnecting with the energies of his pokémon, his own telepathic connection with all of them he had prior to the mission strong and his biggest strength in battle.

To start, Giovanni sends out his nidoking, looking stronger than the last time he'd seen it, but Drew isn't fazed, sending out his most cherished companion, Espeon. Giovanni smirks, believing he has the advantage, but this isn't new to Drew. Trainers often underestimate Espeon's strength because of its delicate and smaller appearance; however, because the gem on its forehead is an amethyst rather than a ruby, its power is much greater than the average Espeon. Giovanni calls a Fury Attack, sending it charging toward it. Drew's eyes remain closed, able to see through Espeon's, and a telepathic command yields its Double Team attack, producing a dozen copies of it prancing around the battlefield, infuriating Giovanni. This display surprises the group of men with him, who've never seen him battle and getting a glimpse of his strong prowess as a Gym Leader. Giovanni calls a Hyper Beam in retaliation, and a Psychic attack redirects it, making direct contact. As it gets up, Espeon charges it with a Zen Headbutt, a move Drew created on his own, sending back to the ground in front of Giovanni, its energy compromised from Drew's onslaught. Despite Giovanni's persistence with Poison Sting, Earthquake, and Flamethrower attacks, Drew's resolve in enduring or countering them is unshakeable, with Espeon delivering a final Zen Headbutt knocking out Nidoking.

Giovanni's stunned at the outcome but grumbles and calls it back before sending out his nidoqueen. This next choice doesn't affect Drew, as he's expects the same outcome with Giovanni's stubborn strategy of brute force. Drew begins with Morning Sun to replenish some of Espeon's health before it dodges two powerful Thunder attacks and redirecting a third, which doesn't affect it due to its typing. Espeon then uses Reflect to minimize Nidoqueen's Hyper Beam, but Drew's not blind to the weakness in Giovanni's strategy. From all the books he's read and the dedication to discipline and exemplary training, he recognizes calling multiple high-energy moves and not using them strategically is the sign of a weak trainer, and while it isn't in his nature to want to hurt Giovanni's pokémon, he's not going to learn anything otherwise, so Drew needs to win the battle fast and apprehend him. After he calls a Fury Swipes attack, Espeon gives a Zen Headbutt, knocking out Nidoqueen.

Giovanni's clenched jaw amuses Drew, prompting some teasing, which doesn't amuse Giovanni. His next pokémon is Murkrow, the same pokémon from the idiom Drew uses, which tickles him and his group. Its first move is Drill Peck, which manages to break Espeon's Reflect, signaling that its energy is waning, and the setting sun means replenishing energy isn't possible, so Drew sets his sight on using its remaining energy to take down his opponent. Despite using Double Team, Murkrow's Hyper Beam manages to destroy every copy and hit Espeon. Its Night Shade attack also dispels another Double Team, sapping more of Espeon's energy, and it's also unable to dodge a Faint Attack. He recognizes it's time, so it gives a final, critical-hit Zen Headbutt against Murkrow's Drill Peck, resulting in a double knockout. While the sight is hard to take in, Espeon's dedication and performance leave him proud, doting on it and calling it back.

Drew reaches for Ninetales' pokéball but is caught off guard by Giovanni's sinister appearance, a smirk on his lips whereas he expected him to be stunned or upset about losing three teammates to Drew's one. Giovanni advises he underestimated Drew's ability and compliments his strength as a Gym Leader and how lucky Team Rocket is to have him as Second-in-Command, which unnerves Drew and prompts him to not stall their battle and choose his next teammate. After calling out his kangaskhan, Giovanni's aura changes, more confidence this time, advising Drew will regret challenging him and is no longer playing games. Drew resides himself to remaining focused and not falling for any tactics he has up his sleeve. He calls a Fire Blast attack, but Kangaskhan grabbing it and throwing it back shocks Drew, in spite of his giving no damage in return. As it charges with an Iron Tail attack, Kangaskhan grabs it and lands a detrimental Dizzy Punch, confusing Ninetales and breaking its connection with Drew, forcing him to now give verbal commands. Drew's command of a Curse attack fails, with Giovanni laughing at Drew's attempt to maintain control before delivering a knock-out Mega Punch. Giovanni jeers at Drew before commanding Kangaskhan to end Ninetales' life, Drew watching in silent, slow-motion horror as it picks it up and snaps its neck, its energy extinguished and Drew's heart swelling as its mental connection to him is severed. He runs to it, but its body is lifeless in his arms, with Giovanni telling Drew it's the consequence of challenging him, calling his pokémon useless and to stop stalling and send out his next victim. Despite protests from Drew's group about going against Pokémon League rules, Giovanni shows no remorse, threatening to poison Drew if he calls off the battle.

Heartbroken and beside himself, he brings Ninetales' body to his side of the field and tries to figure out how to continue the battle without losing more of his teammates, vowing to avenge it and tossing Espeon's pokémon to his group to protect it. He sends out his crobat, its speed its best trait to counter Kangaskhan's bulk. Crobat lands a Toxic attack in response to Kangaskhan's leer, with Giovanni patronizing Drew's tactic, with his wishing he would just fight and stop talking. With a Faint Attack, Giovanni's lack of reaction surprises Drew, letting him get an upper hand before attempting a Mega Punch. Out of fear of another murder, he retaliates with Haze and a Hyper Beam. Despite Kangaskhan getting hit and getting back up, its Dizzy Punch is countered by Supersonic and another Hyper Beam, knocking it out. Without skipping a beat, Giovanni sends out his rhydon. With his judgment lapsing, Drew commands a Faint Attack, but as it gets to the other side of the field, Giovanni commands it to use Horn Drill, drilling through its body, sending it to the ground in a pool of blood. Drew runs to hold it, his heart breaking as its life energy is taken and its blood staining his uniform. Giovanni lives to taunt Drew, with Lance calling for backup from Chief Douglas.

Though broken, Drew refuses to concede and promises retribution. Giovanni counters with suggesting that once he defeats Drew they can have a long talk in the Game Room. This sets Drew onto a trauma spiral, flashbacks flooding back into his conscious mind, with Giovanni suggesting Drew's become disillusioned with the glory of Team Rocket. He's unable to shake the memories off, watching as a helpless Drew is tortured in Viridian Forest, naked and tied up by senior grunts using humiliation as their tactic to break him of his resolve. When he refuses to join, they tase him, electrocuting him, prompting him to scream at the top of his lungs and defecating. After they'd laughed at his expense, one of them flung their whip again at his back, sending a burning pain over him. After a session of this torture, Drew is forced to do manual labor in the cold before later interrogating him in the Game Room. A different memory comes back where he's back in the Viridian Forest, and at the threat of being tased again, Drew breaks down in sobs and agrees to be commissioned. After being taken before Giovanni, he's formally commissioned, and he hopes the torture will finally end.

Giovanni commands Drew to send out his next pokémon. Shaking, Drew takes his next pokéball and sends out Scizor, unsure of how to take back control of the battle. Its Steel Wing attack barely counters Rhydon's Rock Slide. In response to another Steel Wing, Giovanni commands Rhydon to use Horn Drill again, resulting in a stalemate, sending Scizor back toward Drew. Scizor counters a Hyper Beam with Swords Dance, but Drew is still stumped, with Giovanni triggering him again, saying he's coming back with him to Team Rocket, and they'll have a nice, long chat about its future. Flashbacks continue to paralyze Drew, prompting tears as he remembers how he was exposed to the worst torture after his commissioning, with the older grunts around him ambushing him in bed and gangraping him to show their dominance over the leader's son, with Drew being too sore from his torture to resist. The pain went deeper than anything he'd experienced before, being manhandled by multiple grunts several nights every week, leaving him to cry himself to sleep each night. The memories leave Drew nauseated, tears continuing to fall. Giovanni calls a Hyper Beam, hitting Scizor, memories keeping Drew from counterattacking. His group calls out their support, but he can't tune out Giovanni's voice or the memories in his conscious. Giovanni calls a Horn Drill, and his mind screams, having to watch as Scizor is captured, its wings tired, before rhydon's horn pierces its armor and hitting its heart, falling to the ground in a pool of blood. Scizor gives its trainer a faint smile and connects its claw to Drew's chin before its spirit leaves its body.

Drew is overwhelmed by his grief, and Lance's attempts to come to Drew's side are squashed by Giovanni, who threatens him with poisoning Drew if he comes closer. Frustrated, Lance tries to build Drew up, advising Team Rocket is already destroyed and his strength can prevail, but Giovanni cuts him off, insisting on Drew choosing his next teammate. Drew sends out Pupitar, hoping for a different outcome. Rhydon goes in for a Horn Drill, with Drew commanding it to protect itself. Pupitar uses Protect, with Drew breaking down, struggling with his resolve to fight. The flashbacks continued, his cries for help filling his ears, the shame of being violated filling his mind and his embarrassment filling his senses. Espeon's spirit tries to comfort him, imparting the message that Drew was chosen for this and his strength will overcome. Once Giovanni insults Pupitar, Drew's snapped out of the trauma, watching as an angry Pupitar launches the most powerful Hyper Beam he'd witnessed from it, which is easily broken by Rhydon's Horn Drill. Giovanni orders another Horn Drill, with Pupitar trying to dodge before its outer shell is pierced. It falls, and Drew's anger takes over, bringing it to his side of the field and vowing to destroy him.

Drew sends out Dragonair and summons in a rainstorm, beginning its takedown of Rhydon due to its typing. Dragonair's Ice Beam counters its Rock Slide, and its Thunder attack counters its Hyper Beam, showing each pokémon is evenly matched. However, Drew's resolve edges out Giovanni's, with the Electric attack knocking it out due to it being soaked. Drew commands him to send out his final pokémon, prompting him to send out his pet, his persian, giving Drew the final push he needs for victory. After an onslaught between both pokémon, Persian is unable to match the strength and skill of its opponent, falling in defeat, and no sooner had they called back their pokémon, Drew pummels Giovanni, vowing for revenge for the near decade of abuse. His group separates them, not before Giovanni uses pushes the button on his device, yielding the device on Drew's wrist to puncture his skin and inject poison into his bloodstream, disowning him and wishing he were dead so that his organization could've lived. They frisk him and obtain the key to unlock it, with Bruno restraining him while Koga tries to stop the bleeding and Lance trying to console Drew. His anger subsides, leaving him in his grief over his father making him into a criminal. Lance, despite the circumstances, believes Drew is a hero and a generous and tough trainer, hoping he can see that without all the grief and trauma he's caused. Once the bleeding stops and Koga administers an antidote, Drew and his remaining teammates are left to grieve for his fallen pokémon as the police arrive to survey the scene. Like a father would do, Chief Douglas tries to console him, congratulating him on a well-done mission and to head back to Saffron City since dwelling on the scene isn't good for him and the team will take care of his fallen teammates. Before they leave, one of the paramedics on the scene confirms Pupitar is still alive but compromised due to its outer shell being punctured. Drew loves on it before they take it away to the hospital. With a goodbye, Drew leaves with Koga, Bruno, and Lance, returning to Goldenrod City to joyous celebrations from its citizens. However, the desire to celebrate isn't anywhere among them, riding the Magnet Train in silence back to Saffron City.

Once they returned to the police department, Drew is embraced by the Gym Leaders and Elite Four members for congratulations on the mission, and soon their concern over his appearance and demeanor result in Koga, Bruno, and Lance retelling what happened to our assembled body, with everyone shocked and disheartened by the news. Drew is numb and lacking any desire to celebrate, despite the festivities the department has organized. Chief Douglas brings in a cake and refreshments, wanting to toast to a successful mission, but Drew, in an effort to not speak, comes outside and chain-smokes cigarettes, wanting to be alone. Not even Chief Douglas can persuade him, and Drew requests to return to his cell. While thankful for his cell, he's unable to sleep, unable to cry anymore, his mind racing over the events of the evening. Despite the guard offering him food, he refused to eat. Once he finally dozes off, a nightmare of Giovanni murdering his whole team and wailing on him forces him awake. This time, with the guard's help, he works out in the fitness center, trying to exhaust his body for some rest. After some tough love from the guard, he eats something before returning to his cell, finally able to fall asleep, accepting that his cell will be his new permanent home.

The next morning, Chief Douglas wakes Drew, advising he's been requested at a ceremony put on by the Governor. Unsure of what to think, Drew goes along with it and is escorted by Chief Douglas into the department's locker room, with his being surprised that Chief Douglas didn't put him back in handcuffs, continuing in and showering and shaving before dressing in formal clothing. Drew's pokéballs and cigarettes are returned to him, a reminder of his loss and the grief weighing on him, before he escorts Drew to a patrol car outside, having him set up front with him instead of the backseat. They travel back to Viridian City, Drew being silent for the entire trip and Chief Douglas saying little until they reach the city limits, later saying that the media was in an uproar. The sight before them shows a huge event organized outside City Hall with hundreds of chairs and droves of reports set up, with many from the city and outside it swarming the event, easily besting more than 2,000 people. Chief Douglas parks and escorts him through the crowd before sitting in the front row with other Saffron City police officers.

After a few minutes of nervous waiting, Governor Lee comes on stage and begins his speech with news that Team Rocket is destroyed, prompting joyous cheers from the crowd, before giving an account of Drew's life up till the present day, unnerving him and bringing great fear over the implications of his appearance. After his introduction, he calls Drew onstage, and with support from the assembled police officers, he's brought to his feet and escorted to the stage. Now everyone knows who he really is, not the person everyone thought he was. Governor Lee reveals he'd gone undercover for the conference to see the qualities Drew possessed, not to mention participating in the raid at the Team Rocket hideout, resulting in him presenting a Medal of Freedom to Drew, naming the day of the mission as the Day of Peace in Kanto, and acquitting him of all his crimes against the government and granting him his freedom. He breaks down, the audience cheering and photographers going crazy with his devices. He's overwhelmed with the moment, never thinking he'd actually be free, and now he's faced with a new problem: what is he going to do now that he's no longer a criminal in the police's custody? After some final compassionate words from Governor Lee, Drew is escorted back to his seat, allowing them to watch the Gym Leaders and Elite Four members to receive their own medals for their service and bravery. Once Governor Lee answers questions from the press, Drew requests to be taken from the scene to avoid the media. Chief Douglas obliges and escorts him back to the car, revealing they'd had all his belongings with them the whole time. At his insistence, he takes Drew to the State Park in the city, shakes his hand and wishes him well and to not hesitate to contact him if he needs anything. He leaves, leaving Drew alone in the park, entering to find some solitude.

#### Chapter Six

The National Park is peaceful, giving Drew a respite from the chaos of the event. The space holds a special place in Drew's heart, as he and his mother, Saundra, had spent a lot of time there when he was a boy. After finding a tree to rest under, he releases Dragonair and Espeon, who lay with him as they rest. His thoughts settle on what he'll do to support himself and his pokémon, as he has no provisions, employment, or shelter, but his concern is on their well-being, not his own. He also struggles with his grief, feeling numb and trying to understand how the present circumstances could be real. Despite this, the peaceful atmosphere has a means of comforting him, and it highlights his need to relax. He dozes off, later waking up and having a cigarette, trying to enjoy the peace of the space and continue to relax. Once he'd finished, he returns to his pokémon and notices something approaching him out of his peripheral vision. His heart leaps when he realizes its his mother, her voice breaking him as they embrace. They're both in tears, with Drew repeatedly apologizing, with her embrace soothing his sorrow. Saundra has missed her son terribly but tells him everything will be all right. After remarking how grown and handsome he's become, she reveals she'd watched the conference at work and left swiftly to find him, only to learn he'd left the space and was taken to the park after contacting the police and being given Chief Douglas' number. Despite Drew feeling he'd never become the trainer he wished, she shares that she'd known from hearing stories that the Viridian Gym Leader was tough and kept morale high in town, concluding that he indeed did become a great trainer, in spite of the events that led to it. After asking where he's staying, she invites him to return home with her so he isn't alone at the start of this new chapter. After meeting and showing love for his two teammates, he joins her and returns to his childhood home.

After changing, he joins her for a homemade lunch and then proceeds to tell her his entire story, not holding back on the abuse he endured, his C-PTSD diagnosis, the teammates he'd lost, and the scars that mark his body. Still, she believes he turned out well in defiance of all the evil done to him, and he has her full love and support. At the end of the day, she tucks him in, just the one time since she'd been deprived of so much of his childhood and early adulthood. With tears, he's asleep.

The next morning, they find an article in the paper on the front page, with them reading the article and Drew's lamenting that they chose an unflattering photograph to accompany it. The media dies down, with them issuing a statement for privacy. As life continues, Drew settles into a routine of new normalcy, trying to adjust to a different routine and resting as much as his boredom can allow. During this time, Saundra copes with watching her son suffer without being able to help him. But, in spite of the nightmares, Drew continues with therapy with Dr. Namada, forming a treatment plan and putting Drew on an antidepressant and an anxiety medication to help him cope with his condition as they begin therapy to assist him further.

A couple of weeks later from the event, Dustin Zane pays a visit to their home, congratulating Drew and checking on his well-being. Despite the praise, Drew admits he isn't a hero and doesn't see himself that way, resistant to any opposite opinions of Dustin or Saundra. As a segue, Dustin advises he came to check on him and to address the vacancy of the gym, revealing Drew is the only trainer he wants in leadership there, reinstating him and providing him with the key. Since Dustin is meeting with a contractor the next day to go over plans for renovation, Drew agrees to attend as his return to the gym, excited to finally return to what he loves as a free citizen.

### Cover concept

The ETR Cover consists of a basic black template with a watermark of a tilted, gray "R". The book's title is written in white calligraphy with an orange glow. The author's name is written in a different black calligraphy with a white glow. Vectors include an Earth Badge in pale and dark green and blurred vectors of Espeon and Dragonair.

### Book Playlist + Commentary

1.    **"Legendary" (DJ Khaled)**

Drew's bona fide beast mode jam for exercise or training, it's impossible not to feel pumped listening to this song.

2.   **"Pokémon(R)" (Video Games Live)**

Anyone who's listened to the scores from the anime will be walking down Memory Lane with this song, and a playlist for a Pokémon book wouldn't be complete without the scores that fans of the franchise grew to love.

3.  **"Gym Pokémon Heart Gold & Soul Silver Music Extended [Music OST] [Original Soundtrack]"**

With #2 being said, all main-series game players will recognize the gym theme music, and any reader could imagine this theme playing for any challenger entering the Viridian Gym, hoping to win a badge from Drew.

4.   **"Pokémon HeartGold/SoulSilver - Battle! Gym Leader & Elite Four (HQ)"**

And, in like manner, what better way to celebrate a gym battle than HGSS' Gym Leader theme?

**5.   "Double Trouble"**

This song from the Pokemon 2.B.A. Master soundtrack is a classic, and aside from the comedic atmosphere, it gives a lighthearted introduction to the nefarious organization depicted in ETR.

**6.   "Stressed Out" (twenty one pilots)**

From the very beginning of the story, we find tension within the plot. As Drew moves on from his battle and into his home life, quickly we see that not everything is perfect. On the contrary, Drew feels trapped within his own body, not to mention within his home and the organization he represents. His daily life of microaggressions and tension with other Executives, burying his past of abuse, and the struggle against his own body put him into a perpetual loop of stress.

**7.   "Castle Walls" (T.I. ft. Christina Aguilera)**

To that same effect, others looking in from the outside might assume Drew is fortunate. Or he's entitled. Or he's worked hard. But that couldn't be further from the truth. Drew feels anything but entitled or fortunate. Maybe he feels accomplished in that he escaped the lowly grunt world and aspired higher for his own protection. But it doesn't change the fact that he's trapped within someone else's kingdom, trapped behind the walls like the prisoner that he is.

**8.   "1-800-273-8255" (Logic ft. Alessia Cara & Khalid)**

This song brings the focus back to mental health and how important it is to seek out help and persevere, as current circumstances are always temporary. Though this isn't mentioned in ETR, Drew at one time struggled with wanting to take his own life. With the abuse and trauma he suffered before his commissioning as well as his treatment by other grunts prior to his promotion as an Executive, they all fed into the idea that he was worthless and had nothing to fight for.

**9.   "Viridian Forest" (Braxton Burks)**

A familiar score that straddles the line between peaceful and chaotic. Not only is Viridian Forest an insane obstacle for new trainers when they leave home, it's also the secret home of Team Rocket, unbeknownst to nearby residents. With the presence of hundreds of beedrill colonies, nobody would dare risk scouring the forest to find their secret headquarters.

**10. "Ecruteak City Pokemon Heart Gold & Soul Silver Music Extended [Music OST][Original Soundtrack]"**

As the plot progresses, Drew and Jake are brought to Ecruteak City, and the music changes to a melancholy theme. The city holds fast to religious and cultural tradition, and the presence of a tower badly damaged from a manmade fire gives a heavy air of shame and embarrassed humility to an otherwise lovely city. Surely, Drew wouldn't be thinking too much on the city and its tenets itself as much as he is trying to maintain a stoic façade with Jake as well as enduring the mission so he can return to his free day. What would he rather be doing? Aside from exercising, Drew loves to read.

**11. "Radioactive" (Imagine Dragons)**

This ID song sums up the degree to which Drew's trauma and environment have sealed him into a false sense of living - a simulation, if you will. He's merely surviving, and his decision to open up to Jake becomes the unexpected opportunity for another choice to be offered. His life doesn't have to remain how it is, but what will Drew decide?

**12. "Bring Me to Life" (Evanescence)**

Jake's breaking through to help him see he has a choice in what his life becomes is his wake-up call. He doesn't have to exist as a prisoner. If he believes that escaping is possible, he therefore holds within him everything he needs to carve out a life he finds beautiful. But, regardless of his decision, Drew doesn't yet believe that he's capable of such ambitions. Soon, he'll be forced to see it, but for now his fear speaks for him.

**13. "Heroes (We Could Be)" (Alesso ft. Tove Lo)**

Behind Jake's appeal is a desire for someone he admires and cares about to have the freedom he deserves. Escaping means having the life he wants, but it also gives him the chance to dismantle Team Rocket once and for all. Something only a hero could accomplish.

**14. "Show 'Em "What You're Made of" (Backstreet Boys)**

Finally, the day they awaited arrives. The day (or should we say night?) of the escape. Though Drew is determined to see their plan through, it's fraught with obstacles, and Jake and Drew barely make it to freedom, and it 's all at the hands of Ralph, Jake's frenemy who had no issue showing his true colors in exchange for power.

**15. "Bad Blood" (Taylor Swift)**

Ralph's trap lands Drew and Jake before the Executives, and while Ralph is escorted to "discuss" his promotion, Drew is face to face with his brother, William, who's livid with his younger brother for disgracing their family's organization. Back in danger, what will Drew and Jake do to turn the tide that Ralph shifted from under their feet?

**16. "What About Us" (P!nk)**

Drew's appeal back to Will's disappointment and anger is of innocence and disappointment. He hopes he can try to reason with him, but it becomes clear quickly that Will doesn't believe a word he says and is only out for blood in honor of their father. However, the plot shifts unexpectedly, and Drew and Jake finally make their escape.

**17. "In the End" (Linkin Park)**

As Drew and Jake fly away from Viridian City in search of shelter, both are forced to come to terms over the events of the last two hours. Drew is undoubtedly considering how everything he'd done to survive had only enabled his family's organization and kept him trapped, not to mention seeing Will as a pawn and not his brother, and Jake holds tremendous regret for trusting the wrong person and nearly jeopardizing their plan. As they part, with Jake returning home and Drew turning himself in, they both accept the circumstances and resolve themselves to seeing what the next day holds for them.

**18. "Broken (Radio Version/With Lyrics)" (Lifehouse)**

As Drew settles into his new environment and shares his plans with the Saffron Police Department, a shocking revelation comes in the form of a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder. The news leaves him reeling and his mental health spiraling as he grapples with the news.

**19. "Because of You" (Kelly Clarkson)**

All of the issues he's faced to this point all stem from his childhood, in which his father instigated his torture and enabled members of his organization to bully him mercilessly before he learned to fight back. The lone thought ruminating within him is how broken and unlovable he feels, and it's all because of a man he despises more than anyone else in the world. With everything taken from him now, he again feels he doesn't have any motivation for hope on the horizon.

**20. "Heavy" (Linkin Park ft. Kiiara)**

Likely so, Drew's mental state is complicated as he processes through all recent events. Since he left the grunt world, he's never felt in control of his body or his mind and is afraid of what it's capable of. It throws flashbacks at him when he least expects it, he can't always sleep due to nightmares, and he's either left emotionally volatile or shaking from nerves. While getting news that something's wrong with you can be beneficial, it can also be devastating, as Drew finally has the confirmation of something he's always suspected was true. But that clarity is anything but comforting.

**21. "No Air" (Jordin Sparks ft. Chris Brown)**

As Drew processes, one fact that rings true is how much he misses his pokémon. Without them, life feels meaningless, and due to his diagnosis and his separation from them, he struggles with seeing what's in front of him with objective eyes. Focusing on anything like the upcoming conference or potentially leading a mission is difficult, as his mind can only focus on his diagnosis and how his life is over.

**22. "Miracle" (Paramore)**

The constant in this uneasy time is Dr. Namada, a compassionate soul who believes Drew has the power to achieve anything he sets his mind to, and that includes taking control of his life and mental health and living with his highest good and self in mind. Even if Drew doesn't believe his life can change, he has someone in his corner who does who refuses to give up on him.

**23. "Alive" (Sia)**

As Drew picks himself up and takes charge of the conference in which he and the Saffron Police Department seek out assistance from the region's best trainers, Drew's headspace is more stable, and how far he's come is more at the forefront of his mind than before. With the mission needing his attention, Drew is focused on making amends, paying the region and community back for his family's crimes, and eradicating Team Rocket once and for all.

**24. "Lose Yourself" (Eminem)**

The day of the mission is finally upon Drew, and he's never been more ready to lead the day and redeem himself. Every obstacle in his way only presents a challenge in the way of what he truly wants - a world free of Team Rocket's evil and his community to be paid back a debt they deserve.

**25. "Team Rocket HQ [Pokemon: HeartGold & SoulSilver]"**

As before, another familiar theme is needed, and it permeates the space as Drew's group ambushes the unsuspecting Team Rocket members and rounds them up, leaving the space desolate and offline before the real battle commences.

**26. "Apologize" (Timbaland ft. OneRepublic)**

As Drew moves through the space, encountering familiar faces and those who've mistreated him, he's anything but apologetic. He gets pleasure out of ransacking his father's empire and letting justice flood the organization so that nothing's left unturned.

**27. "Goldenrod City" (careless juja)**

The final location of the mission holds out hope as the assembled body arrives to finish the work that Drew started. Despite some fatigue, he's ready to confront the Executives and break the news to Will that Team Rocket is finished.

**28. "Look What You Made Me Do" (Taylor Swift)**

Honestly, this was the best song for the confrontation. Imagine how the door snaps and flies across the room, and the shocked stares land on Drew in a police officer's uniform. Without a doubt their reactions must've been priceless to Drew. But it all could've been prevented had Will been the big brother he needed and came to his aid.

**29. "Gives You Hell (Full Narrative Version)" (The All-American Rejects)**

Now, in this moment, Drew lives to make their lives miserable as he breaks the news to them and asks them to come willingly.

**30. "Pokémon HeartGold/SoulSilver - Battle! Team Rocket Music (HQ)" (Pokeli)**

In true Executive fashion, nobody is ready to surrender, so Drew is forced to use his power to bend them to his will. After a tussle with Will, his group arrests and leads everyone outside to be escorted to the police department. However, when Drew least expects it, Espeon gives him a glimpse of a vision. It's time for the real battle, and his opponent is the one man he wants to thrash and destroy.

**31. "Battle! Rival - Pokémon Heart Gold & Soul Silver Music Extended"**

The sight of Giovanni makes Drew's blood boil, and his hatred and determination fuels his desire to battle him into submission. This theme is another blast from the past for any Generation II players. Drew quickly gets the upper hand in their battle, bringing plenty of frustration from Giovanni before he switches tactics.

**32. "Scream" (Michael Jackson ft. Janet Jackson)**

Giovanni's tactics result in Drew's PTSD being triggered, hurling flashbacks at him faster than his mind can dodge, subduing him as his father commits murderous acts against his team and tearing him down as much as possible. However, Drew's resolve returns, and his hard-earned victory gives him the opportunity to rough up Giovanni before almost being poisoned. At the end of the day, despite the heavy loss he's sustained, all he wants is to be alone. There's nothing to celebrate - he's a criminal, and his team is fractured. He faces the same fate as everyone else who was arrested.

**33. "See You Again (Solo Version)" (Charlie Puth)**

Drew finds it hard to celebrate his victory and that of his team due to his grief. His team was his livelihood, and with a majority of them gone or injured, feeling any type of happiness is impossible. As he fades away that night into some shallow rest, all he can think about is what he could've done differently and how he'd do anything to still have his full team present.

**34. "Praying" (Kesha)**

As he processes, his hatred for his father continues to cool, still red hot. While he feels fulfilled that he defeated him (and without resorting to any cruel tactics) and is relieved that he's now in jail, it doesn't change the fact that he took so much from Drew, none of which he deserved, and he's at a loss at how he'll be able to move on from the many horrific experiences that make up the flashbacks replaying in his broken mind.

**35. "Fighter" (Christina Aguilera) / 36. "Warrior" (Demi Lovato)**

Despite everything he feels, Drew's heroic actions prove he's legendary. While he doesn't feel it, the badge of honor given to him by those around him has the power to change his perspective.

**37. "Viridian City (& Pewter City, Saffron City)" (Braxton Burks)**

On a new day, Drew is surprised to being escorted back to his hometown, where the mission took place, and the impending ceremony held by the Governor's office leaves him riddled with anxiety over what comes next.

**38. "Hero" (Mariah Carey)**

Unbeknownst to Drew, his community rallies behind him, and the Governor bestows him with the freedom he believed was too lofty to obtain. The shock and relief over it, not to mention the lack of worthiness, crashes down onto him. He doesn't feel like the hero everyone sees him as, but at the moment it doesn't matter. All he can think about is escaping the venue to find some solace after an emotionally-taxing event.

**39. "Place In This World" (Michael W. Smith)**

As Drew finds solitude in the park he and his mother, Saundra, spent much time in the good part of his childhood, the new obstacle in his path is how he'll manage his newfound freedom having nothing to his name and needing to provide for his remaining team members. However, a familiar visitor puts his fears to rest.

**40. "Home" (Daughtry)**

After reuniting with Saundra, Drew is invited to return home so that he doesn't have to face the beginning of this new chapter alone. Despite whatever negative emotions he's enduring, the love he and his mother share overshadows it all, and the peace of having somewhere to return helps foster the peace he's lacked for the last eight years.

**41. "Like My Mother Does" (Lauren Alaina)**

As he begins to recuperate in his childhood home, Drew is reacclimated to his mother's positive qualities. She's everything he wants to be, and despite whatever unworthy feelings he harbors, he's grateful that her love for him never wavered, even living an undisclosed life of crime away from all the comforts of home. She's the guardian angel he forgot was always with him, and she was the one who guided him home.

**42. "Dark Side" (Kelly Clarkson)**

As he builds a new routine for his new life as a free citizen, Drew continues to confront his mental illness, with Saundra being a witness to her son's heartbreaking struggles. Her love wraps itself around him as he continues to make sense of his condition and how to address his treatment.

**43. "Coming Home" (Diddy - Dirty Money ft. Skylar Grey)**

After a meeting with Dustin Zane, Drew is reinstated as the Viridian Gym Leader. Despite the work needed to get the gym functional and his mental health managed, he's thrilled at returning home to what he loves, which is mentoring trainers. Whatever's ahead, he's ready to face it.