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{{BookInfobox|
{{BookInfobox|
title=Team Rocket Blasts Off! |
title=Team Rocket Blasts Off! |
image=Teamrocketblastsoff.jpg |
image=Team Rocket Blasts Off cover.png |
image_size=250px|
image_size=250px|
published=January 2000 |
published=January 2000 |
ISBN=9780439154185 |
publisher=[[Scholastic]]|
author=[[Tracey West]]|
previous=[[Night in the Haunted Tower]] |
previous=[[Night in the Haunted Tower]] |
next=[[Charizard, Go!]]
next=[[Charizard, Go!]]
}}
}}


'''Team Rocket Blasts Off!''' by [[Tracey West]] is the fifth book in the novel series based on the [[Pokémon anime]]. It focuses on the [[Team Rocket]] trio of [[Jessie]], [[James]], and {{MTR}}. It was published by [[Scholastic]] in January of 2000 and is 87 pages in length.
'''Team Rocket Blasts Off!''' by [[Tracey West]] is the fifth book in the [[Pokémon anime novelization series|adaptation of the Pokémon anime]]. It focuses on the [[Team Rocket trio]] of [[Jessie]], [[James]], and {{MTR}}. It was published by [[Scholastic]], and is 87 pages in length.


{{spoilers}}
{{spoilers}}


==Synopsis==
==Blurb==
This novel follows the basic plot of ''[[EP063|The Battle of the Badge]]'' but expands the story to include flashbacks from Team Rocket's past.
<ab>'''''Prepare for Trouble!'''
And make it double! When Team Rocket's boss leaves Jessie and James in charge, they become Gym Leaders. And Team Rocket doesn't fight fair.
Jessie and James are determined to finally defeat Ash and get their hands on his Pikachu. No matter what it takes.''</ab>


When Team Rocket steals [[Misty's Togetic|Misty's Togepi]] and presents it to [[Giovanni]], he is upset because the baby Pokémon is not useful to him. But before Giovanni can scold the trio, he receives an urgent call about trouble with his [[Mewtwo (anime)|ultimate Pokémon]]. He hurries out of the room, reluctantly putting [[Jessie]], [[James]], and {{MTR}} in charge of the [[Viridian Gym]]. In their excitement, Togepi wanders away.
==Plot==
This novel follows the basic plot of ''[[EP063|The Battle of the Badge]]'', but expands the story to include flashbacks from Team Rocket's past.


While searching for Togepi in the basement of the gym, the trio stumble upon a computer database of Team Rocket's members. While reading their files, the trio reminisce about [[EP003|one of their first battles with Ash]], [[EP028|their fashion salon scam]], and [[EP055|their encounter with Todd Snap]]. Frustrated by their failures, the trio decide to disband.
{{TRT}}'s plot to capture {{AP|Pikachu}} has led them to [[Viridian City]]. Team Rocket views this Pikachu as very special, determined to capture it and present it to their boss, {{an|Giovanni}}. While surveying {{Ash}} and {{ashfr}}, they notice {{TP|Misty|Togepi}} in {{an|Misty}}'s arms. At [[Viridian Gym]] Ash, currently with seven badges, is confident that he can win an [[Earth Badge]]. However, {{Gary}} arrives with his cheerleaders, and berates Ash for being constantly behind him. Gary approaches the gym's guards, announces himself, and it let into the Gym. Ash tries to enter also, but is prohibited as only one {{pkmn|Trainer}} is allowed at a time. Forlorn, Ash covers his head with his hands, unaware that Togepi has climbed onto his shoulder. He is startled, and Togepi flies into the sky, into a {{p|Fearow}}'s beak. The Fearow then drops Togepi onto [[James]]' head, and [[Jessie]] attempts to catch it. Jessie fails to catch Togepi, and in the process destabilises a plank at the edge of the roof, and falls into a pile of rubbish. However, Togepi falls into Jessie's arms, and they return to the boss' headquarters at the Gym.


As the three Rockets storm away from each other, they realize that their experiences with Team Rocket may have given them many hardships, but they have also had good times with each other and become close friends. Reunited, the trio decide to go back upstairs and run the Gym.
Giovanni is currently battling Gary, and defeating him with his {{OBP|Mewtwo|original series|ultimate Pokémon}}. Once Giovanni is victorious, the trio present him with Togepi. Although they claim that Togepi is a rare Pokémon, they fail to explain its powers, causing Giovanni to get angry with them. Giovanni is then interrupted by a call about a problem with his ultimate Pokémon, and leaves the trio in charge of the Gym. As they celebrate their new promotion, Togepi escapes their sight. {{MTR}} reminds the others that Togepi could be a useful bargaining chip for Pikachu, and they scour the Gym to search for it. Their search leads them to a basement, but the doors behind them shut unexpectedly. The door will not budge, and Jessie accidentally removes the doorknob from the door. The trio blame one another for their predicament, until Meowth breaks it up to focus on getting out. Jessie finds a computer in the hope that it can lead to a way out. On the computer's database, she comes across their Team Rocket file. Although the file criticises the trio, they pick out the compliments that the boss has given them, and recollect their greatest battles.  


Meanwhile, {{Ash}} and {{ashfr|his friends}} continue their search for Togepi. When they finally find it, they run into {{Gary}}, who has been beaten by an unknown, incredibly powerful Pokémon of Giovanni's. As they ponder what kind of Pokémon it must be, the reunited Team Rocket trio reappear.
Meowth reminisces about his greatest attempt to capture Pikachu, [[EP003|when they sneaked up on them]] in [[Viridian Forest]]. Jessie and James sent out their {{TP|Jessie|Ekans}} and {{TP|James|Koffing}} against Ash, who at that time was an inexperienced battler and kept to the Pokémon League rules of only using one Pokémon at a time. Koffing blinded Pikachu with {{m|Sludge}}, which forced Ash to send out {{AP|Pidgeotto}}. Although it evaded Koffing's Sludge, Ekans was able to {{m|Dig}} underground and surprise Pidgeotto. Pidgeotto fainted as a result of Koffing's and Ekans' joint attacks, and Ash had to send out his {{AP|Caterpie|Butterfree}}. Caterpie used its {{m|String Shot}} to incapacitate Koffing and Ekans. Meowth then mistakenly recounts that he then battled and defeated Caterpie, winning their battle against Ash. Jessie reminds him that Caterpie also wrapped Meowth into a cocoon.


Team Rocket explain to Ash that they are currently the [[Gym Leader]]s, much to his shock. They challenge Ash to a battle with Pokémon owned by the Gym, but there is a twist: every time one of Ash's Pokémon takes damage, Ash is inflicted with pain too. At first the battle is looking good for Team Rocket, but when [[Ash's Squirtle]] attacks and Jessie is shocked, they realize that they accidentally left the pain shocker on their side too. Eventually, Team Rocket loses the battle and are forced to award Ash the {{Badge|Earth}}. The story ends with Team Rocket blasting off again, vowing to one day capture Pikachu.
Jessie then reminisces about her greatest battle, [[EP028|opening a fashion salon]] at [[Celadon City]]. This salon was a scam in order to steal rare Pokémon that trainers brought in for a makeover. Misty entered the salon and Jessie gave her a makeover. Despite Meowth ruining the scam by revealing their true identities to Misty, Jessie had the idea of kidnapping Misty and tying her up as bait. Ash, {{an|Brock}} and [[Suzie]] then arrived, and Ash and Brock challenged Team Rocket to a battle. Ekans and Koffing were dressed in elegant outfits, while Ash and Brock sent out Pikachu and {{TP|Brock|Geodude}} Ekans slammed into Pikachu by turning into a wheel, and Koffing used Sludge to eliminate Pikachu and Geodude. Jessie erroneously believes that this ended the battle, but James reminds her that Suzie's {{p|Vulpix}} used {{m|Fire Spin}} to blast them off.


===Blurb===
James recollects his brilliant plan to capture Pikachu, [[EP055|by using a Pokémon photographer]] called [[Todd Snap|Snap]]. Although they believed Snap was excellent at capturing Pokémon, it turns out Snap was only a photographer and captured Pokémon on film. James then dug a trap for Ash and his friends, although the trap was dug over a water pipe, which collapsed and carried them away to a waterfall. Snap tried to rescue them with his camera strap, and James had Meowth steal Pikachu from Ash's bag using a net. James mistakenly recounts that he used one of his Rocket Bombs to eliminate Ash. However, Meowth reminds him while holding the Rocket Bomb, Ash asked them to pose for a picture, and in doing so, the bomb exploded in their faces. Then, Ash sent out his {{AP|Bulbasaur}} to rescue Pikachu, and blast them off.
<ab>'''''Prepare for Trouble!'''
 
And make it double! When Team Rocket's boss leaves Jessie and James in charge, they become Gym Leaders. And Team Rocket doesn't fight fair.
With Team Rocket humiliated from their defeats, they start to turn on each other, and declare that they are better off going solo. Jessie recounts her time before Team Rocket, alone and friendless. James also recounts that before Team Rocket, he was due to be married to [[Jessebelle]], something that he dreaded. Before it joined up with Team Rocket, Meowth was a gutter cat, and was in love with another Meowth called [[Meowzie|Meowzy]]. Meowth learnt human speech in order to impress Meowzy, but Meowzy fell in love with a {{p|Persian}} instead. All three realise that they are better off together in Team Rocket, and band together to try and escape and capture Pikachu. Jessie finds the building plans on the computer, and they escape via a door next to the computer. They plot to booby-trap the Gym so that they can win against Ash.
Jessie and James are determined to finally defeat Ash and get their hands on his Pikachu. No matter what it takes.''</ab>
 
At the entrance to the Gym, Ash and his friends are searching in vain for Togepi when they hear its voice from behind the gym doors. With the guards gone, they find Togepi and enter the Gym. They find Gary and his cheerleaders, unconscious from his battle with Giovanni. Gary recollects his battle against the ultimate Pokémon, summising that an evil force is running the Gym. On cue, Team Rocket appears, announcing their promotion to Gym Leaders. Jessie, holding up an Earth Badge, asks Ash if he wants to challenge her for the badge. Although guessing that it is a trap, Ash has no choice, and makes his way to his platform. Jessie sends out a {{p|Machamp}}, a {{p|Kingler}} and a {{p|Rhydon}} to use in the battle. Ash chooses his {{AP|Squirtle}}, and Jessie responds with her Machamp. Machamp uses a {{m|Karate Chop}}, and Ash shockingly feels the same pain as Squirtle does. It is revealed that the trainer will feel the same pain as their Pokémon.
 
Ash then sends out Bulbasaur, to which Jessie sends out Kingler. Kingler blocks Bulbasaur's {{m|Vine Whip}} with {{m|Harden}}, and uses {{m|Bubble Beam}}. Ash feels every bubble hitting Bulbasaur, and falls to his knees. Ash sends out his Pidgeotto against Jessie's Rhydon, and uses {{m|Quick Attack}}. Jessie is surprised that she feels Rhydon's pain as well, as Pidgeotto uses a {{m|Double-Edge|Double Edge}} attack. She yells at James to turn off this feature, but he is unable to. Meowth pulls out a gadget in which he can use it to end the battle, but Gary knocks Meowth to the floor. Jessie sends out Arbok and Weezing, changing the gym rules. Ash then uses Pikachu to deliver a powerful electric shock to defeat Arbok and Weezing, and then to knock off Machamp, Kingler and Rhydon, winning the battle. Gary's cheerleaders cheer for Ash, while Jessie is reeling from suffering the same pain as her Pokémon. Jessie does not give Ash his Earth Badge out of spite, but Togepi finds Meowth's gadget and activates the button that blows up Team Rocket's platform. The badge falls out of Jessie's hands, and Ash catches it.


==Major Events==
==Major events==
*[[Jessie]], [[James]], and {{MTR}} become the temporary leaders of [[Viridian Gym]].
* [[Jessie]], [[James]], and {{MTR}} become the temporary leaders of [[Viridian Gym]].
*{{Ash}} gets the {{Badge|Earth}}.
* {{Ash}} gets the {{Badge|Earth}}.
*Jessie, James, and Meowth disband, but come back together.
* Jessie, James, and Meowth disband, but come back together.


==Debuts==
===Debuts===


===Pokémon Debuts===
====Pokémon debuts====
* {{p|Mewtwo}} ([[Mewtwo (anime)|Giovanni's]]) (identity unknown to the protagonists)
* {{p|Mewtwo}} ([[Mewtwo (original series)|Giovanni's]]; identity unknown to the protagonists)


==Characters==
==Characters==


===Humans===
===Humans===
*{{Ash}}
* {{Ash}}
*[[Misty]]
* {{an|Misty}}
*[[Brock]]
* {{an|Brock}}
*[[Jessie]]
* [[Jessie]]
*[[James]]
* [[James]]
*[[Giovanni]]
* [[Giovanni]]
*{{Gary}}
* {{Gary}}
*[[Gary's cheerleaders]]
* [[Gary's cheerleaders]]
* [[Suzie]] (flashback)
* [[Todd Snap]] (flashback)


===Pokémon===
===Pokémon===
*{{p|Pikachu}} ({{Ash}}'s)
* {{p|Pikachu}} ({{OP|Ash|Pikachu}})
*{{p|Meowth}} ({{TRM}})
* {{p|Meowth}} ({{TRM}})
*{{p|Togepi}} ([[Misty]]'s)
* {{p|Togepi}} ({{OP|Misty|Togepi}})
*{{p|Machamp}} ([[Giovanni]]'s)
* {{p|Caterpie}} ({{OP|Ash|Butterfree}}; flashback)
*{{p|Rhydon}} ([[Giovanni]]'s)
* {{p|Pidgeotto}} ({{OP|Ash|Pidgeotto}})
* {{p|Bulbasaur}} ({{OP|Ash|Bulbasaur}})
* {{p|Squirtle}} ({{OP|Ash|Squirtle}})
* {{p|Psyduck}} ({{OP|Misty|Psyduck}}; flashback)
* {{p|Geodude}} ({{OP|Brock|Geodude}}; flashback)
* {{p|Vulpix}} ({{OP|Brock|Vulpix}}; flashback)
* {{p|Arbok}} ({{OP|Jessie|Arbok}}; flashback as an {{p|Ekans}})
* {{p|Weezing}} ({{OP|James|Weezing}}; flashback as a {{p|Koffing}})
* {{p|Persian}} ({{OP|Giovanni|Persian}})
* {{p|Machamp}} ([[Giovanni]]'s)
* {{p|Kingler}} ([[Giovanni]]'s)
* {{p|Rhydon}} ([[Giovanni]]'s)
* {{p|Meowth}} ([[Meowzie]]; flashback)
* {{p|Fearow}}


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
* The page numbers on this book have a picture of {{p|Meowth}} next to them instead of the usual image of {{p|Pikachu}}. This is likely due to the book focusing on Team Rocket and not Ash and his friends. However, in ''[[Prepare for Trouble]]'', the next book focusing on Team Rocket, the Meowth images are not used.
* The page numbers on this book have a picture of {{p|Meowth}} next to them instead of the usual image of {{p|Pikachu}}. This is likely due to the book focusing on Team Rocket and not Ash and his friends. However, in ''[[Prepare for Trouble]]'', the next book focusing on Team Rocket, the Meowth images are not used.
===Errors===
===Errors===
* On page 77, the image displays a {{p|Pidgeot}} and a {{p|Nidoking}}. Neither of these Pokémon appear in the book otherwise; the Pokémon displayed should have been a {{p|Pidgeotto}} and a {{p|Rhydon}} instead.
** Similarly, a {{p|Krabby}} appears on page 63, though Krabby does not make an appearance in the book. Instead, the image should have been of a {{p|Kingler}}.
==In other languages==
{{Epilang|color=AAFFAA|bordercolor=FFAAAA
|cs={{tt|Rakeťáci prchají ze scény!|Team Rocket is running from the scene!}}
|fr_ca={{tt|Team Rocket à l'attaque|Team Rocket attacks!}}
|pl={{tt|Zespół R w akcji|Team R in action}}
}}


<br>
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{{AnimeBooks}}
{{AnimeBooks}}
{{Project Merchandise notice|book}}
{{Project Merchandise notice|book}}
[[it:Il Team Rocket decolla!]]
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