In Kanto...

Serena woke up in a dark room. Her mouth was covered and she couldn't move her hands or legs. The room was barely lit, but she could see Espeon, Umbreon, Amelia, and Silver tied up as well. She tried to communicate with them, but they were still out cold from the Hypnosis. Something then came to her memory.

"Espeon?"

"Huh? What? Serena?"

"You're ok! Do you know where we are?"

"No! All I remember is running into a Drowzee that used Hypnosis on us."

"I was sleeping when someone came into my room and used a Gengar to put me to sleep!"

"Amelia! Are you all right?"

"My head hurts, but I'm fine."

"Do you know what's going on?"

"I think I do. Giovanni brought us back here."

"Who's Giovanni?!"

"Do you remember organizations like Team Rocket, Galactic, Magma, Aqua, Plasma, and Flare?"

"Yeah...but that doesn't tell me who Giovanni is."

"He's the leader of Team Rocket. He brought all of the leaders together to..."

She stopped.

"To what?!"

"To kill Ash."

As soon as Serena heard those three words, she stopped. Although she was telepathically silent, her silence told Amelia how worried she was now.

"Why am I here?"

"You're here to act as bait for Ash to come."

"How do you know all of this?"

"Because, Kalos Queen, that's the task she was supposed to perform."

They looked up and saw Giovanni walking towards them with the leaders of Team Flare, Plasma, Galactic, Aqua, and Magma behind him. Serena tried to speak, but her mouth was blocked. Giovanni walked over and ripped the barrier off so she can speak.

"What?! But I thought she was a performer!"

"She is."

"Then why was she-"

"I gave her the task. She had no choice but to accept it."

He walked over to Espeon.

"Otherwise, her sweet little Pokemon would be...well...no more."

Serena gasped and gritted her teeth.

"What about Silver?! Is he a lie too?!"

"If you mean betrayal, then no. He was just in Hoenn to get Amelia's attention. He did this of his own free will. Everything was going well until he persuaded Amelia to turn against me. That's when I put you to sleep to transport you here."

Silver was beginning to stir. He opened his eyes and saw his father and the other leaders. He too had his barrier ripped off so he could speak.

"Dad?"

Giovanni stood silent.

"Archie. Bring the Kalos Queen and Espeon with me. Cyrus and Lysandre. Stay in here. Ghetsis, wait downstairs for the boy."

Serena was gagged again and picked up by Archie, who followed Giovanni. Ghetsis closed the door behind Cyrus and Lysandre and waited on the first floor for Ash to arrive. Now Umbreon was beginning to wake up.

"Where are we? Wait-where's Espeon?!"

"Dad has her and Serena."

"We need to get out of here. I'm not letting him hurt Serena, especially not Espeon."

Meanwhile, Lysandre and Cyrus sat down in front of them.

"Great. So our fate is to sit down and watch two children and a Pokemon."

"I actually have a bone to pick with Serena. She and the former champion foiled my plans to obtain Yveltal's power."

"Then what are you doing here to get revenge on Ash?"

"I came when they said that they would need the girl."

Umbreon was secretly using Psychic to undo the knots shackling Amelia and Silver, as well as itself.

Meanwhile, Ash and Pikachu were flying all over Kanto to see if he can hear anything from any of the Pokemon Serena was traveling with.

"Ash?"

"This is Espeon, right?"

"Yeah! Look, we need-"

"I know, I'm on my way. Do you have any idea where you are?"

"Hmm...there's a big sign that says gym. There are a Pokemon Center and PokeMart next to it."

"You're in Viridian City. I'll be right there."

They quickly flew over to the Viridian City Gym and opened the door. The room was dark. Gyarados remained out as they explored the darkness. Finally, a light shone.

"Welcome, Mr. Ketchum."

"Ghetsis."

"I'm surprised you remembered. HYDREIGON, TRI-ATTACK!"

"Gyarados, Flamethrower."

The attacks easily increased the illumination of the room. He could see Ghetsis and his Hydreigon on the far side of the room.

"I've been assigned with the task of eliminating you."

"From whom?"

"You'll find out. Hydreigon, Flash Cannon!"

"Hydro Pump!"

The Flash Cannon missed and Gyarados landed a Hydro Pump, which slammed both Hydreigon and Ghetsis into the wall. Ash ran up to Ghetsis.

"Where are they?!"

A screen descended from the ceiling. Giovanni appeared.

"Well, if it isn't the champion. I see you got my little welcoming gift."

"Giovanni! Where are they?!"

"Well, I know where the Kalos Queen and Espeon are! Right behind me."

He showed Ash and Pikachu that both Serena and Espeon were held by Psychic right off the building's edge.

"He must be on the roof!"

"Well, Mr. Champion, since you care so much, why don't you save them?"

"GYARADOS, FLAMETHROWER!"

The attack ended the transmission, and the champion and his partner began to navigate the maze that was the Team Rocket base. Back where Amelia, Silver, and Umbreon were, their hands were freed. The trainers kept their hands behind their back to avoid suspicion.

"Umbreon, I need you to use Hypnosis on those two."

Umbreon then sprang into action, much to the surprise of Lysandre and Cyrus. They tried to catch him, but he outran them easily. When he got them tired, he unleashed a Hypnosis, putting them to sleep. Amelia and Silver took the opportunity to untie their feet, and they were off. Giovanni was watching them using monitors on the roof and smiled. Ash had made it to the steps, and he saw Silver, Amelia, and Umbreon run by.

"Guys! Over here!"

They stopped and saw Ash waiting for them.

"How did you get over here?"

"Thank Espeon and Delphox. They let me know where you were and what happened."

"How sweet. A family reunion."

At the top, Archie stood leaning on a wall with a Mega Sharpedo next to him.

"Touching, but you little scamps aren't getting up here."

"PSYCHIC, UMBREON!"

Umbreon lifted the two into the air.

"What?!"

"Hypnosis!"

Umbreon jumped up and sent them both into a deep sleep as well. As soon as he stepped foot on the ground, he scampered up the steps to save Espeon.

"Amelia, go get Officer Jenny! We'll handle Giovanni."

"But-"

Silver silenced her with a kiss, but that only worried her more. Silver and Ash then followed Umbreon. The latter opened the door and saw Giovanni staring over the Kanto region. Espeon and Serena were still being held fifty stories above the ground.

"Umbreon. I suspect you're here to save Espeon?"

He growled.

"What a hero you must be."

Ash, Pikachu, and Silver caught up and Giovanni's attention turned to them. Amelia had made it outside the building.

"And what team leaders they must be," Giovanni grumbled.

"Pikachu, use Iron Tail!"

"Alakazam, drop them."

"NO!"

Just as they were about to descend, Alakazam caught them.

"Any sudden moves, and they're dead."

The four contemplated what they can do as Giovanni stood with a smile on his face.

TO BE CONTINUED...