Ooh, that was a plot twist! Very cleverly concealed by doing absolutely nothing to hint that any of it might possibly be happening!

Thirteen-year-old you had nothing to be ashamed of on the getting poetic front!

So I know the main Team Rocket people in the cartoon are kind of faily and mostly harmless, and other members of the team are supposed to be a bit more serious - is “Mysterious menacing person who can cut holes in the universe for interdimensional travel and is fully prepared to murder a child” as weird of a fit for the team as I tend to imagine?

And Rachel’s psychically connected with the mysterious stranger! I’m guessing he is and/or murdered a family member of hers? Possibly with magic?

“Ooh, there’s a magical link with this child and she can spy on my plans! But no worry, it’s easily severed! ...after I engage in just enough conversation to be tantalizingly full of hints!”

And now mystery girl! I’m guessing...a slightly reworked interpretation of someone young Riona knew on a message board?