The Chronicles of the Pokemon Master
Disclaimer: Nope, I don't own Pokemon, I would have been rich otherwise.
"Human speech."
"Telepathic speech between Ash and someone else (No one else but Ash can hear them and vice versa)."
"Telepathic speaking in general."
Last time in TCOTPM: Ash challenged Sabrina for his sixth gym badge. He lost the match and went up into the mountains to train, where he got trapped in a snowstorm. One thing led to the other and Growlithe evolved into Arcanine. Now Ash's decided to stay 3 weeks in Saffron to make sure his leg heals properly and to prepare for the rematch.
\***/
Chapter 13
\***/
"Thanks Professor!" Ash said as he clipped the newly received Pokeball on his belt, having traded in Ivysaur for Wartortle.
"No problem, my boy. Don't be a stranger!"
The phone call ended and Ash walked back to Brock and Meowth.
It had been two week since Ash had been stranded in the storm. His leg had slowly but surely gotten better over the weeks. He still had to wait for about a week for it to heal entirely, but it hadn't hurt for quite some time now. The crutches Ash had used weren't necessary anymore, luckily.
"Shall we then?" Brock asked.
"Let's go. I can't wait!" Ash answered excitedly.
They stepped out of the Pokemon Center and made their way through the streets, weaving through the crowd.
"So where were we going again?" Meowth asked.
"There." Ash pointed towards a building. It towered far above all the other buildings and it seemed like someone had done a lot to make it look impressive. A sign was plastered on it: Silph Co.
"And what does it do?" Meowth asked.
"Silph Co. is the leading manufacturer of Pokemon technology. They sell Pokeballs and other Pokemon-related items. We wanted to take a peak." Brock answered as they made their way inside.
Ash looked around in wonder, everywhere he looked he saw Pokeballs. It could only be described as an explosion of colours. From the original Poke ball to Full restores, everything needed for on a journey was in here.
Brock and Ash split up as they searched the shelves. Now and then Ash picked up something and showed it to Meowth, telling him what it was used for.
"The tour through Silph Co. will be starting in ten minutes. Are you interested in what we're developing now and our history? Please make your way to the gathering point. We hope you enjoy your day!"
Ash's eyebrows rose. A tour through Silph Co. would be interesting indeed.
After meeting up with Brock and them agreeing on it, they made their way to the gathering point for the tour.
"I've heard rumours of a top secret development project." One of the girls in front of them whispered.
"Really, what's being said?" Her brunette companion asked.
"They're saying it's something really powerful. Maybe something like a weapon."
"Really?" The brunette continued again. "Silph Co. wouldn't manufacture something dangerous though, right?"
The conversation came to an end as a woman neared the group. "Good morning, welcome to Silph Co. My name is Mandy, I'll be your guide today."
Meowth climbed onto Ash's unoccupied shoulder, Pikachu already occupying the right one.
The group walked out of the store and into one of the many hallways. On the right of the hallway windows enabled them to take a peak on one of the labs.
The guide recited the history of Silph Co. like it was her life story as they made their way through the building.
Everything seemed fine really, until they reached the fifth floor.
"As you all know now, Silph Co. is an important manufacturer of Pokemon technology. Some recent developments…" Ash stopped listening to her speech as Pikachu growled softly.
He looked at the yellow Pokemon with furrowed brows. "What is it?" Ash asked as he tried to calm Pikachu down with a scratch.
Pikachu growled again, harder this time. The girl next to him, the brunette from earlier, looked at him and Pikachu curiously.
"He's smelling something. He associates it with something bad." Meowth whispered.
Ash's brows furrowed. Pikachu kept at it, the calming touch not helping.
"Miss, is there a restroom anywhere around?" Ash asked eventually. Maybe being away from the group would help Pikachu relax, since he wasn't comfortable around most humans anyway.
"Uhm yes. Just around the corner, the second door on your left. You can't miss it."
"Thanks."
"You want me to come?" Brock asked.
"No, I'll be fine. I just need to calm Pikachu down."
Brock nodded.
Ash made his way to the restroom, his pace a bit quicker than normal. It wasn't everyday that Pikachu growled after all. He had been around strangers more and more, and it hadn't been much of a problem anymore, until now.
He found the restroom and opened the door. Pikachu jumped onto the countertop immediately and began to make wild gestures.
"Pika pi. Pikachu pika pi pi Pikachu!"
"Uhrm, Meowth help? He's a bit too hysteric to understand right now."
"He says he smelled the same guys that trampled his village."
Pikachu kept going, Meowth trying to translate everything.
"They mean bad news. They smell fresh so they shou-"
Meowth didn't get to finish what he was saying as screams came from outside the restroom.
Ash shushed them immediately and went to the door, listening closely.
"Do we have all of them?" A low voice growled out.
"Yes boss." Several voices answered.
"Take their Pokemon and bring them to the other hostages."
"Yes boss."
Ash's eyes widened. He looked at Pikachu and Meowth worriedly.
"We're going back, you look for stragglers."
"Yes boss."
"Shit." Ash said, panic setting in. They were close by from what he could hear, which meant he was going to be found. Being found meant trouble. Big trouble.
Ash motioned for Meowth and Pikachu to get behind the door with him quietly. The two of them sprang in action and moved themselves next to Ash.
"Pikachu when he steps through the door I want you to use Grass Knot, followed by Thunderbolt. Just enough to knock him out, okay?" Ash whispered.
Pikachu nodded, an emotion shining through his eyes that Ash couldn't quite make out.
He heard several doors get opened and slammed shut for the next few seconds. A minute had passed by when Ash finally heard the door to the restroom open. Before the man could fully step into the room, grass sprouted up from the floor, encircling one foot. The man tripped, going down face first. Before the man could get up Pikachu sent a Thunderbolt towards the guy.
The guy grunted as the electricity hit him. His body slacked, signalling his descent into unconsciousness.
Pikachu cut off his attack, albeit rather reluctantly.
Ash stepped away from the corner and checked the guy. Luckily, he was still breathing. Ash opened his backpack quickly and searched through it for some rope. He found it after a second and took it out. Ash turned the guy around and froze for a second. Plastered on the black shirt of the guy was red R.
"Team Rocket." The words came out shakily.
Ash looked at Meowth for a second, but he was looking at the R, his face blank from emotion. Pikachu's eyes were full with hatred as he looked at the uniform.
Ash shook out of it and began to bind the guy, making sure his arms; legs and hands wouldn't go anywhere when he did wake up. Lastly wrapped some of the rope around his head, making sure to gag the Team Rocket grunt to the best of his abilities.
When he was done he shoved the guy into one of the stalls, hoping that no one would come searching for the guy.
"Okay, for now we're save. What do we do now?" Ash said, pacing around.
"Got it." Ash said as he looked at the large window. He took Pidgeot's Pokeball off his belt and opened it.
She appeared in the restroom, her wing already trying to stretch. She tucked them back in however as she took in the small room.
"Pidgeot, I need your help." Ash said before turning towards Meowth.
"Pidgeot will get you down to the ground. When you get there, search for Jenny. Tell them Team Rocket has taken Silph Co. and that they've taken hostages." Ash said as he crouched down in front of Meowth.
"But what about you?" Meowth asked.
"I'm not sure yet. Just make sure we'll get help."
"I- but Ash!"
"You can do this Meowth, I trust you." Ash said, determination shining through his eyes. A tender smile formed as he placed his hand on Meowth's head, trying to assure him.
Ash stood up and faced the window. He almost pouted when it didn't look to be able to open.
"Oh well, then we'll do it the violent way. Pikachu, use Rock Smash on the window."
"Pika!" Pikachu jumped towards the window, his tail glowing brightly. He slammed it against the glass and landed. The glass shattered into dozens of little pieces.
"Meowth hop on." Ash said as motioned towards Pidgeot.
Meowth did as he asked and settled himself between Pidgeot's wings, making sure to hook his limbs under them so he wouldn't lose his balance.
"When you're done, make sure to return immediately. I'll need all the help I can get." Ash said as he scratched Pidgeot's neck.
"Pid Pidgeot!" And with that she flew out of the window.
Ash kept an eye on her as she glided down towards the ground. Eventually she reached the ground and Meowth hopped off, running off immediately. Pidgeot launched herself into the air again, speeding towards the destroyed window again.
Ash backed away from the window so she could get into the restroom again.
"Thanks. For now, return." Ash said. He returned her and clipped the Pokeball to his belt again.
Next he took another one from his belt, opening it.
"What's going on? I felt your distress." Maeve said instantly after appearing.
"Team Rocket has taken control of this building and taken hostages." Ash answered as he opened another Pokeball.
Ivysaur appeared for the first time since he had traded him for Wartortle.
"Ivy Ivysaur!" Ivysaur walked up to him and rubbed his head against one of Ash's legs fondly.
"Yeah, I've missed you too buddy." Ash crouched down and stroked him in his neck.
"Okay, so listen up. I've got no idea what Team Rocket is doing here, but we're the only one right now who can help out. We don't know when back up will come, so we need to be careful."
"Maeve can you sense everyone in the building?"
"No, my powers aren't developed enough yet. I can sense someone's Aura from close by however."
"Okay, that will do. So this is the plan: Maeve will sense if someone close by. If that is the case I want you to use Sleep Powder, Ivysaur. Make sure it's potent enough to knock them out for some time. If we get caught before you can use it, we'll have to make sure he won't rattle us out. We'll try to do as much damage as possible. Sounds good?" Ash asked.
The three Pokemon nodded determinately.
"Let's go then."
Ash opened the door and scanned the hallway carefully.
No one.
Good.
He stepped out of the restroom, followed by Pikachu, Ivysaur and Maeve.
The guy who had been in charge of taking the hostages back had went left. Ash followed the supposed route.
"There's nothing up ahead." Maeve mentioned.
Ash nodded and kept walking.
Ash turned a random corner, taking them into a new hallway. Nerves shook him from the inside, but that didn't let them stop him.
After some time of walking around Maeve stopped them.
"There are two individuals behind this corner."
Ash motioned for Ivysaur to step forward and counted to three with his fingers.
On three they jumped around the corner. Ivysaur extended his vines immediately. Before the two grunts could react they'd been wrapped up, the two vines covering their mouths simultaneously. Ivysaur had already sped up towards them as he launched his Sleep Powder into their faces.
A second ticked by before the grunts went slack. They were out like a light.
"Well done." Ash whispered.
They went into the hallway that the grunts had been occupying. Just at the end of it was a stairway, leading up to the next floor.
The next two floors were cleared the same way, putting grunts to sleep left and right. Unfortunately, they stumbled upon a pair of grunts that wasn't as easy to take down.
"Who the hell are you, boy?" One of them said after he had dodged the vines Ivysaur had shot at him.
"Better yet, how did you get here?" The other one grunted.
"Oh whatever, let's just get rid of him."
Both grunts opened two Pokeballs simultaneously. An Arbok, a Raticate, a Drowzee, and a Golbat appeared.
Without waiting for them to go first, Ash ordered his Pokemon. "Pikachu, use Thunderbolt on Golbat. Use Razor Leaf on Arbok and Drowzee, Ivysaur. Maeve, use Brick Break on Raticate."
Pikachu's Thunderbolt was already underway as the grunts ordered their Pokemon to attack. The bolt of electricity hit Golbat, reducing his health to nothing. The flying type fell to the ground; smoke circling from its body.
Ash frowned at Pikachu for a second. That Thunderbolt would have knocked Golbat out with fifty per cent of that power. Pikachu was using every bit of his energy, which was worrying.
Ash focused onto the fight again, keeping the incident in the back of his mind for now.
Maeve had already slammed Raticate unconscious, leaving Arbok and Drowzee.
"Use Psybeam on the blue one!" One grunt commanded.
"Use Acid on Pikachu!" The other said.
"Pikachu, use Iron Tail to block Acid! Ivysaur close in and use Mega Drain on Drowzee."
"Maeve, dodge the Psybeam and get in close to use Blaze Kick on Arbok."
Pikachu tail lit up brightly as he placed it protectively in front of him. The purple stream of poison slammed into the tail but bounced off harmlessly, steel being immune to the effects of poison.
With Arbok focusing on Pikachu and Maeve dodging every Psybeam, Maeve was able to advance towards Arbok, while Ivysaur was able to run up to Drowzee, who was so busy with trying to hit Maeve, that it didn't notice the threat until it was to late.
Both grunts tried to reverse the situation when they realised what was happening, but they were far to late. A green energy encased Drowzee, sipping the energy out of him and into Ivysaur while at the same time Maeve attacked Arbok with a fully powered Blaze Kick.
The Acid attack stopped abruptly, giving Pikachu room to finish it off with a Thunderbolt as Ivysaur and Maeve jumped away.
The electricity hit both Pokemon, zapping them into unconsciousness.
"Use Sleep Powder before they can get away!" Ash ordered as he saw the grunts try to back away.
"Ivy Ivysaur!" Ivysaur blasted the powder into their faces immediately.
Their eyes glazed over for a second before they fell down, peacefully sleeping.
"Well done guys."
Pikachu jumped back to his usual spot on his shoulder as they began their way up again.
Eventually they walked through a floor where everything seemed normal, as if Team Rocket hadn't invaded it.
After searching the floor for Team Rocket grunts and coming up empty Maeve stopped abruptly at the corner of the last hallway.
"There are two grunts stationed outside a door. Dad, I'm sensing a lot of presences in the room they're guarding. As in, a lot."
"Could you pinpoint that statement?" Ash asked, biting on his lip nervously.
"I'm not sure, but there have to be at least fifty people in there."
Ash frowned for a second. "Oh- wait, the hostages, they've got to be the hostages."
"Let's go." Ash whispered to Ivysaur without further ado. They couldn't mess up this time. If they could free the hostages, or even try it, they had at least tried to accomplish something else than just creating chaos.
On the count of three, vines shot towards the grunts, wrapping them up and silencing them nicely. Ivysaur ran up to them and shot the grunts with a load of Sleep Powder as silent as possible, not wanting to alert anyone to their presence. A moment later their bodies slackened and Ivysaur lowered them to the floor.
Ash sneaked up to the door, followed by Maeve. He listened carefully, trying to hear something that would clue him in if there actually were any hostages.
He didn't have to wait long.
"What did I say girl, keep your mouth shut."
A soft cry answered the harsh voice, barely audible.
"Well, I'm quite certain that whomever that was, wasn't Team Rocket." Ash said, looking at Maeve.
Ash backed away from the door and motioned for Ivysaur and Maeve to get closer.
"We're going in. We have to at least try and free them. When I open that door I want you to fire whatever long distance attack you have on Team Rocket members." Ash whispered silently.
"I don't have a long distance attack." Maeve mentioned almost sheepishly.
"Really?" Ash said, surprised. "We'll need to work on that as soon as possible then. But, for now, you can help distract anyone trying to come close to me while I try to free the hostages."
Maeve nodded, determination shining through her eyes.
"I'll make sure to give you back up in there," Ash said to all three of them as he tapped Pidgeot's, Arcanine's and Dratini's Pokeball. "Just tell them to shoot the guys with the red R, and you'll be good."
"Okay, let's go."
Ash sneaked towards the door and put his hand on the handle. He breathed in shakily before pulling it down and slamming the door open.
Along one side of the room the hostages were kept, all of them tied up. Team Rocket grunts kept an eye on them while one Team Rocket grunt with an alternatively coloured suit lazed around on one of the chairs.
Ash's hands went to his belt immediately, releasing Pidgeot, Arcanine and Dratini from their Pokeball before any of the grunts could react.
The three materialised in front of him as Ivysaur and Pikachu made their move towards the grunts. Maeve passed on what was going on immediately, and Pidgeot, Arcanine and Dratini moved in on the other grunts.
Chaos ensued.
Long-range attacks went flying through the room, targeting the grunts as Ash and Maeve moved between them in sync. Grunts released their Pokemon, trying to counter the firepower on Ash's side.
A Flamethrower from Arcanine went by Ash's head on the left, while a Dragon Rage went off on his right. He rolled under it with Maeve, closing in on the hostages.
A grunt tried to close in on Ash, but Maeve was ready for her and smashed her down with Brick Break.
Ash almost pitied her; Maeve hadn't held back with that attack.
Finally after dodging attacks left and right, and Maeve having to smash their way through two other grunts and their Pokemon, they made it to the hostages.
"Hello Brock, having a nice day there?" Ash panted out as he crouched behind him, loosening the rope on his hands.
"It could have been better. Just get us out of here and maybe I can reverse this shitty day with a nice meal." He grumbled.
"Will do."
When Brock was freed Ash moved to the next, the guide from their tour.
Maeve was busy fighting off a Houndour that had tried to attack Ash. Her attacks were intense, every attack hitting harder than the one before.
Their success didn't last long however.
The guy in the different get-up stood up and opened a Pokeball lazily. An Abra appeared, and before anyone could react the psychic type had vanished, taking the Team Rocket guy with him. A second later they materialised behind Ash.
Before Maeve could even react Ash felt something sharp being pressed against his throat.
"Now, if everyone can just calm down and stop attacking, that would be a dream come true." The guy behind Ash said wistfully.
"And if you don't… well…" He didn't finish his sentence, but tightened his hold on Ash instead, pressing the blade against his throat threateningly.
The six Pokemon stopped immediately and the freed hostages backed away in fear.
"Now isn't this better. Chaos should be created by Team Rocket, not by some random boy who wants to be a hero." The guy breathed in his neck unpleasantly.
Ash tried to wiggle around, but the Team Rocket member stopped him immediately.
"So, who do I have the pleasure to meet with?" The guy asked.
Ash kept his mouth shut stubbornly.
"Oh don't be like that, doll. You know what, I'll compromise. I can't ask such a thing without introducing myself first. So silly of my."
"My name is Petrel, I'm one of the Team Rocket Admins. And who are you, doll?"
Ash still didn't answer him; he wasn't going to play this game with him.
"No? No answer? What a pity. Let's make this more interesting then. You answer my question, or I'll shoot your dog." Petrel's unoccupied hand disappeared for a second and reappeared, but now with a gun occupying his hand. He aimed it towards Arcanine as he nudged Ash.
"Okay, stop! Stop it!" Ash caved in easily, panic setting in. "I'm Ash! Ash Ketchum! Please don't shoot him!"
"Now aren't you just a good doll. I'm almost getting fond of you." Petrel said as put away the gun and petted Ash's head instead.
Ash shuddered involuntarily.
"Now, I think Boss will want to know who caused such a ruckus in our operation." He said. "So, this is what we're going to do. You're going to return your Pokemon for me, and if you even try to think of anything else, I'll cut your throat. Got it, love?"
"Yes." Ash said.
Petrel moved his unoccupied hand again, but instead of going for his gun he moved it towards Ash's Pokeball belt. He handed Pidgeot's Pokeball over and Ash aimed it slowly, not trying to seem like a threat. He returned her and tried to put the Pokeball back on his belt.
Petrel hummed disapprovingly and instead snatched the Pokeball out of Ash's hand and put it in his own pocket instead. Ash tried to protest but Petrel stopped him immediately.
"I'll sit your throat." He sang. "Now, maybe the boss will be nice enough to return your Pokemon, if he doesn't kill you of course. Get on with it." Petrel said as he gave the next empty Pokeball, which was Ivysaur's.
And so they kept on going until only Pikachu was over.
Ash looked at Pikachu uncertainly. "I-" Petrel shushed Ash instantly.
Petrel hadn't killed him yet however, even after so many threats and he wanted his boss to handle him, so Ash gathered al his courage and kept on going. "Just- Just- let me say something. My Pikachu doesn't lik-"
"Pi Pikachu!" Pikachu shouted towards him, determination shining in his eyes. He nodded towards Ash in encouragement.
"I- Okay." Ash said, his eyes softening.
He aimed the Pokeball at Pikachu, and for the first time since they had met Pikachu returned to his Pokeball. Petrel snatched it from his hands and put it away before petting his head again.
"Now, that wasn't so hard, was it? Let's get you to the Boss now. You," Petrel pointed towards a grunt. "Make sure everything is under control again when I'm gone. I don't want to hear anything has gone wrong in my absence."
The grunt nodded frantically.
Petrel pushed Ash into the hallway.
Ash felt the pressure of the knife on his throat disappear as Petrel put it away.
"Now, walk. And don't even think of escaping, doll." Petrel said as he tapped his gun against his leg.
Ash began walking, feeling dizzy from all the nerves coursing through his body. It was one thing to create chaos at a Team Rocket operation, but meeting the boss of Team Rocket hadn't been the plan. He liked being alive, thank you very much.
And what of his Pokemon? What would happen to them of he didn't get them back?
Pikachu would rather die instead of staying at a Team Rocket facility. They would try to exploit Arcanine's ability to use Hydro Pump and he didn't even want to think what they would try to do with Maeve and Dratini, them being such rare and powerful Pokemon when fully evolved.
"We're here." Petrel said giddily.
Ash swallowed, the panic really setting in. He was going to meet the boss of the biggest crime organisation in Kanto.
Petrel pushed open the door as he held Ash closely. The gun rested threateningly close to his face, on his shoulder to be precise.
"Oh Bo-oss, I've got a present for you." Petrel's insane childlike demeanour stayed, even though Ash was meeting the guy behind all the evil done by Team Rocket.
"What is it, Petrel?" A man snarled. He kept his gaze focused on the Silph Co. president however.
"This kid was causing quite the chaos downstairs. He made it all the way to the hostage room without being seen." Petrel answered as he ruffled Ash's hair again. The gun pointing towards his face brought a stark contrast to the situation however.
Petrel giggled. "Ash Ketchum to the rescue. It rhymes even!"
The Team Rocket boss straightened abruptly. An almost inaudible sigh came from him before he turned towards Ash.
The boss of Team Rocket was an intimidating man. He was tall and had a good mass of muscles. The black suit he wore only strengthened his intimidating figure. The scowl plastered on his face almost sent Ash running.
The boss seemed to take him in.
"How the hell did that even happen? That kid is like, what, eleven?" Ash's face snapped towards the direction of the feminine voice.
Now that he wasn't so focused on the intimidating figure of the Team Rocket boss Ash took in the rest of the occupants whom were present in the room.
Three other Team Rocket members and a Persian were littered around the room.
The one who had spoken up was a female with red hair who wore a white dress. She looked at Ash, her eyes giving away how unimpressed she was with him.
The other Rocket member had blue hair and wore a white suit. He was looking at his nails, a bored look plastered on his face as he looked up to Ash now and then.
The last Rocket member was something else entirely. He had the same blue hair as the other male Rocket member, only a bit darker and he wore a pitch-black outfit. What the difference was between him and all the other occupants in the room however, were his eyes. They were completely emotionless.
They had to be the other Admins than, since Petrel had said he was just one of the Admins. And well, the outfits stood out from the average grunt outfit.
"You would be surprised what this kid has up his sleeve." Petrel said as he motioned towards Ash with his gun. "Well… now I have them in my pocket, of course, but you know, details."
"Details don't matter." Petrel said in a matter-of-fact way.
Ash tried to shrink back from the gun, but was unable to as Petrel pulled him back.
"Really now? He bores me." The guy in white said.
"He came into the room with quite some power for a rookie, Archer." Petrel said, a proud smile on his face. "He would make a fine Team Rocket grunt. He has powerful Pokemon, and rare ones at that." Petrel smirked.
"He's got an Arcanine, a Dratini and uhm… what is the other one called again- ah wait- he has a Riolu. Those are pretty rare, and powerful when fully evolved."
"Enough Petrel." The boss's voice boomed through the room, his patience having run out.
"So-rry." Petrel sang.
"You can put the gun away, he can't do anything without his Pokemon around." Said the boss.
Petrel grumbled unhappily but put it away.
Ash jumped up in surprise when he felt something wriggle between Petrel and him.
"Mreow!"
Ash looked down with wide eyes as the Persian, who had been resting at the feet of the boss of Team Rocket, curled his tail around one of his legs while he rubbed his head against the other fondly.
"Well, isn't this getting interesting." The female Admin said, her voice tinged with curiosity.
"But- wait- how? Persian hates everyone but the Boss!" Petrel said. "Well aren't you just a special treasure, doll."
"Let's get going; we've finished what we came here for." The boss said.
"But boss- we haven't even obtained the Master B-."
"If you finish that sentence, we'll have to search for a new admin, Ariana." The guy who had seemed so bored before- Archer, if Ash remembered correctly, sneered towards the female threateningly.
"Stop talking!" The boss boomed out. Anger flashed through his eyes as he looked from Admin to Admin. The scowl that had been on his face had deepened considerably.
"We're going. Persian, use Dark Pulse on the window."
"Mreow!" Persian's tail loosened around Ash's leg as he gave one last nuzzle before he stood up and opened his maw. A dark energy formed and struck out towards the glass, which shattered into thousands of pieces.
"Good."
Next Ash heard a sound from outside. It became louder and louder until it was so loud that Ash could hear nothing else.
Wind stirred up in the president's office, and Ash's eyes widened when he saw what was making the entire ruckus.
A helicopter.
Someone in the helicopter threw something out towards the window.
Was that a-? Holy Mew it was. They had placed a bridge between the office and the helicopter.
"Petrel, give his Pokemon back. He won't be able to do anymore damage with them anyway." The boss boomed out over the noise.
Ash's mouth fell open in astonishment.
Petrel took out the six Pokeballs and clipped them onto Ash's belt himself, a creepy smile plastered on his face throughout it.
"Aren't you just a lucky doll! Getting away with all the shit you created and having your Pokemon returned to you." Petrel said as he squeezed Ash's cheeks childishly.
"Petrel, were leaving!" The female Admin- Ariana shouted.
"Well doll, I have to leave now, but what a fun time we've had, haven't we love?" Petrel skipped away happily.
He stopped in front of the improvised bridge and turned back around and waved at Ash before blowing a kiss.
Finally he turned back to the helicopter and walked into it, where the boss of Team Rocket had already settled in with the Persian.
Ariana and Archer followed behind and lastly the unnamed Admin, who hadn't spoken up once, made his way to the helicopter. Before he stepped onto the bridge however, he turned around towards Ash.
Emotionless eyes glided over his figure calculatingly. After a few seconds his lips turned up into a cruel smirk.
A sinking feeling twisted up Ash's insides as the Admin's coldness seemed to amplify when he looked at Ash.
"Proton, get on with it, you lazy bum. Ash's mine to stare at!" Petrel shouted.
The Admin's-, Proton's, smirk vanished as he turned around and walked up to the bridge and vanished into the helicopter.
The helicopter took off immediately, leaving behind a traumatized Ash and a traumatized president.
\***/
Ash looked towards the entrance of Silph Co. where police were still coming and going with captured Team Rocket grunts. Some of them were awake, but most of them were still asleep from Ivysaur's potent Sleep Powder.
He was cuddled between his Pokemon in a police truck. After he and the president had been left alone Maeve had forced herself out of her Pokeball, followed quickly by all the others. The six of them, plus a reunited Meowth, hadn't left his side since.
"A big operation of Team Rocket has been disabled by a young man named Ash Ketchum and a talking Meowth, who signalled the police force of what was going down in this building behind me. The president of Silph Co. hasn't given a statement as of why Team Rocket targeted Silp Co., but there's been rumours of a strong item being in development…"
Ash closed of the commentator's voice as his mind drifted back to the conversation he had had just an hour ago with the president of Silph Co.
Ash could still remember what the president had told him vividly. How Silph Co. was in the middle of creating a Master Ball, a Pokeball that Pokemon were unable to escape from, not even the Legendaries. And how Team Rocket wanted to obtain its blueprints to make thousands of them. Luckily the project was still in development, so the president couldn't have handed anything over if he had wanted to, which he didn't luckily.
"A Pokeball that's inescapable? Isn't that cruel? I know I'm someone who asks the Pokemon I've caught if he or she wants to come, so if he or she wouldn't want to, I would never even try catching them, or if I already had, release them. But the majority of trainers out there don't care. These Pokemon they're trying to catch wouldn't even have a fighting chance if the Pokeball the trainer is throwing with were inescapable. It's not okay and as I've said before, it's downright cruel." Ash had said crossly.
The president had looked him over for a second before smiling kindly at him and praising him for his thoughtfulness.
As a reward of helping out in such a dire situation the president had given Ash ten Luxury Balls, ten Cherish Balls and ten Premier Balls.
The creation of the Master Ball still didn't sit right with Ash, but he could appreciate the gesture.
"Pika, Pikapi?"
"I'll be alright. I've got you guys after all. How about you guys, how are you holding up?" Ash asked as he focused on the seven Pokemon around him.
Arcanine answered with a affectionate lick to his cheek while the other cheered.
"Shall we return to the Pokemon Center? I don't mind going to bed after all this drama." Brock's voice echoed through the sea of voices as he made his way to the police truck.
Ash looked up to his companion and smiled.
"That's a fantastic idea."
No wait; it wasn't a good idea at all. The Pokemon Center possessed telephones. Which meant that his mother could chew him out on the telephone for getting involved with Team Rocket.
He should be bloody lucky if she didn't demand for him to come home immediately.
\***/
In an unknown location far from Saffron City an intimidating figure sat, a Persian settled on his lap.
"He has grown tremendously, hasn't he? What a kid, having the guts to take down a Team Rocket operation. Well, he's certainly a chip of the old block. I should know."
Giovanni said as he looked over the hacked footage of the security cameras that hung through the whole of Silph Co.
"Oh, by the way, keep an eye on Petrel will you? He seemed a bit too fond of Ash." Giovanni said to the man standing at his desk.
\***/
POKEMON ACQUIRED:
On hand:
Arcanine (M), Dratini (F), Pikachu (M), Ivysaur (M), Pidgeot (F), Riolu (F) Maeve
At Oak Corral:
Charmeleon (M), Wartortle (M)
Weeeellllll, hello there… That's been like 5 months? :S
Maaaaaaaannnnn, that's so long. Sorry for taking so awfully long, but real life sucks, basically. Oh, and I've been revising the chapters, which is taking so fucking long.
Onto the chapter.
So Ash finally met Giovanni and you guys got a bit of an insight to his character. Petrel was fun to write. He's just this insane guy, who likes Ash way too much. Nothing Yaoi-like is going to happen between them though.
Tell me what you thought, and see you next time!"