Chapter 27 – A scare in the air
Professor Oak's Ranch – Pallet Town, Kanto Region…
"Ahahaha. So first Hunter. Now Nova. Wow Ashy. It's almost as if you've made the move attract work on the same gender," Zorua laughed, then added almost to himself, "Actually it's a shame there's not TM for that."
It was mid-morning and Ashachu, Zoroark, Axew and Sniveon were sitting together at a table in Staraptor House, the hotel/café run by Staraptor in Pokémon Square, the Centre of the community the Pokémon living on Oak's ranch had built for themselves. They all had large glasses of berry juice in front to them.
Axew rolled his eyes at Zoroark's comment and muttered, "You would want that wouldn't you," before saying to Ashachu, "But Nova doesn't really seem like the romantic type. He's so snarky and serious."
Ashachu had just said he thought Nova might be flirting with him after what had happened last night, hoping they would give him some advice. He answered Axew, "Well. While we were coming back from Kalos, he came to talk to me and started telling about this other boy he was mated to. And then he started touching my tail. And last night he. Put his paw on mine."
Zoroark put a paw over his mouth to stifle his laughter. Ashachu glared at him, "What's so funny."
"Nothing," Zoroark replied trying and failing to stop laughing. "It's just…You're so like Ash. He's obtuse when it comes to any romance outside Pikachu too. Of course he's likes you. Trying to hold someone's paw is like the definition of a sign of liking someone."
Sniveon picked up her glass and took a large gulp of the sweet liquid. Her mouth had suddenly gone very dry and her heart was racing. Nova liked Ashachu too. The kit was too popular for his own good. Would she ever get a chance to tell him how she felt.
"Are you okay." Ashachu looked at her curiously having noticed her uncomfortable fidgeting.
In her haste to answer she accidentally inhaled some of her drink. Coughing, she spluttered, "Yeah. I'm in. Just…" Cough cough. "It's hot in here." Axew patted her on the back.
"So. I suppose the important question how do you feel," Zoroark asked slyly when Sniveon had finished coughing. "Do you like Nova or Hunter better. And you were kissing Hunt pretty hard on the dock."
Ashachu blushed and looked down at his paws embarrassed as Axew slapped Zoroark's arm with his claw and shouted, "Zoroark!"
"What," replied Zoroark.
"That's the problem," said Ashachu. "I don't know how I feel. If I did I wouldn't be… I think I sorta like him. He's cute and all. But he can be kinda, well like Axew said, cold…And then there's Hunter. I know he still in love with me and I'm still not sure whether I want to be mates with him. And if I do something with Nova it'll break his heart."
Axew sighed. "Wow. That's tough. I don't how to solve a problem like that. I guess the only thing you can really do is look inside your heart and ask yourself what you want."
"And it's not like you have to want either Hunter or Nova as a mate," Sniveon pipped up. "I mean. You're still really young… You could end up liking someone else entirely."
Axew nodded. "That's true. Maybe you should just tell Nova and Hunter when you see him that you just don't feel ready to have a mate yet."
Ashachu sat back thinking about it. Part of him thought Axew and Sniveon were right. If he didn't know how he felt then maybe it wasn't the right time to be thinking about finding a mate. But at the same time….
"I think you should just fuck this Cyndaquil," Zoroark blurted out making Ashachu go red in the face and Axew and Sniveon sweatdrop.
"Z-zoroarrrkkk," Axew groaned. "What the actual distortion world."
"Just giving the kit advice," Zoroark said nonchalantly. "Come on. It's obvious Ashachu's at least a little bit interested or he'd just stay completely oblivious like Ash… Go on Ashachu. Just fuck this guy. It doesn't have to be anything permanent."
"Err…" Ashachu opened his mouth but only let out an incoherent sound. Although he wouldn't have put it that way, Zoroark had basically summed it up. Ashachu was sexually curious about Nova and Hunter. And someone else too… But it wasn't right to try having sex with someone like trying a berry or a new move, was it? And he didn't really want to admit that in front of Sniveon.
"Ignore Zoroark," Axew said. "He's got the sex drive of a Bunnelby."
"I wish I had the drive of a Bunnelby," Zoroark muttered.
"I could ask him on a date," said Ashachu in an attempt to direct the conversation away from mating. "You know. Just to see how we go together."
Although he didn't notice, Sniveon's ears fell back against her head as he said that.
"That's not a bad idea," said Axew. "Spend some time alone together see how you get on. What do you think Zoroark."
"Good idea," Zoroark replied. "What would you do together though."
Ashachu shrugged. "I dunno…Train."
Axew tilted his head. "That's not much of a date."
"I'll say!" scoffed Zoroark. "At least do something fun. Find a place in the forest with a lot of tasty berries. Or sneak into two to watch a human movie. That's what we used to do. Remember Axew."
"I dunno if Nova would be into that sort of thing though," said Ashachu. "He seems to want to spend most of his time training. I don't even think he likes berries…"
"Well there has to be something he likes other than just training," said Zoroark.
"You could always just let him pick the date," suggested Axew.
"He'd probably pick training," said Ashachu with a sigh. As much as he wanted to get to know the Cyndaquil he didn't fancy spending several hours getting his ass kicked.
"You know," said Sniveon. "Trainings not a bad way to get to know him. Don't they say trainers and Pokémon can understand about each other by having battles. And we all spend a lot of time training with each other."
"Yeah but it's hardly romantic is it," said Zoroark. He sniggered and then added "Here's a conversation that's literally never happened. Where'd you meet your mate. In the final of the Kalos league."
Sniveon chuckled and Axew rolled his eyes. Ashachu couldn't help but grin. He picked up his glass and drank a few mouthful enjoying the sweet Oran berry flavor.
"You know. I am going to ask him to go on a date with me," he said suddenly putting the glass down and wiping his mouth with his paw. He stood up. "Do you know where he is?"
"I think up at Oak's with Ash and Jimmy," said Axew…
In Professor Oak's lab…
"Okay. If you'll just open up nice and wide there Hikari…"
"Pika." His ears twitching nervoulsy, Hikari did as he was told. Opening his mouth wide he allowed professor Oak to insert a cue-tip and rubbed it against his cheeks. Ash was holding Hikari in his arms while Pikachu, Typhlosion, Nova and Oshawott stood watching.
"So Professor. What was that for," Jimmy asked as Professor Oak withdrew the cue-tip and placed it in a Petrie dish on the desk.
"I'm collecting dead cells from the sides of Hikari's mouth," the professor explained. "I can use them to perform a DNA test to determine exactly what type of Pokémon Hikari is."
Jimmy frowned. "But…Isn't he a Pikachu."
"Possibly but from what Ash has described to me it's possible that there may be something else going in his cells."
Ash remembered something Miror B had said during their confrontation at the league. "Zygarde Core."
Professor Oak raised an eyebrow curiously. "What's that Ash."
"It's what the guy who was chasing Hikari said. He called Hikari a Zygarde Core."
Oak frowned and rubbed his chin. "Hmm. Well I've never heard a Pokémon go by that name before. But we still don't know everything there is to know about Pokémon."
"How long will the test take to complete," asked Jimmy.
"It depends on what I find when I sequence the DNA," the professor explained. He bustled about placing the Petrie dish into a fridge. "If I can't find anything out of the ordinary I may have to run further analysis. And of course it is possible that whatever special power Hikari possesses is not hidden in his DNA."
"So professor. Do you have any idea what Hikari's power is," said Ash.
Oak sighed and shook his head. "Alas my boy I'm afraid not. To be honest, without seeing the transformation for myself I can't even begin to speculate. I'm hoping the test will shed some light on it…" He was quite for a moment, then said a little more animatedly, "By the way I was wondering if you could do a very special favor for me."
"Uh sure," said Ash curiously wondering what the professor wanted. "What is it?"
"I need you to run a very important errand for me in the Hoenn Region."
"The Hoenn Region," Ash said excitedly. At once images of beaches palm trees, towns, open ocean, Volcanoes and Sceptile flooded in Ash's mind.
"That's right," said Professor Oak with a nod. "I need you to deliver a very special Pokémon egg to my colleague Professor Birch in Littleroot Town. Normally I'd ask my grandson Gary to go. But he's off working in the Sinnoh region."
"You know Typhlosion, Nova and I have never been to the Hoenn Region before," added Jimmy thoughtfully. "I'd love go. It'll be a great opportunity to meet lots of different Pokémon."
"Ty Typlosion," the fire type said happily. Nova sat quietly on his head.
Ash thought about what the professor had just said. "A Special Pokémon egg?" That made the trip seem even more exciting. "You bet we'll go. Right guys." He looked at Pikachu and Oshawott.
"Pikachu."
"Oshawott Osha."
Pikachu smiled and gave a nod, while Oshawott beamed and let out an excited cry at the prospect of traveling more with Ash. Hikari on the other paw flattened his ears apprehensively…
[Pokémon]
Meanwhile…
"Sooo. Lemme guess. You fuck up again and now you want me to pass your sniveling explanations onto the boss," said the sneering voice of Derek, Jessie, James and Meowth's supervisor out of the receiver. "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't just tell him to fire you."
Jessie gritted her teeth trying to restrain herself from the retort she longed to throw back at him. She, James and Meowth were cramped into a phone box in some unknown town in the Decalore Islands where they had wound up after escaping the Beeheeyem, phoning headquarters for help.
"Because," said Meowth. "We're da only team who can get hold of dat Pikachoo. Without us Team Rocket'd could kiss goodbye to owning Zekrom's kit."
"You're right," Derek replied sarcastically. "Without your invaluable skill, there wouldn't be teasing this little yellow rat through the bars of it's small cage. Oh wait. I'm not doing that because you failed."
Jessie hissed angrily but James muttered to her, "Jessie. Calm down," before saying to Derek, "But that's the thing see. We haven't be able to capture Pikachu yet because it's so strong."
"Too strong for anyone but elite Team Rocket agents like us," added Meowth.
"Whatever." Derek sounded bored. "I don't know who you think you're fooling pretending you guys have the skill to do anything other than clean the toilets at HQ. As it happens however the boss seems to see something in you because he's decided to throw even more resources after you. He's putting you in charge of Team Rocket's Zeppelin squadron to aid in capturing Pikachu. Personally I think he'd be better filling a dumpster full of money and setting it on fire!"
A stunned silence fell over the Trio as they all looked at each other. Then James stammered "Th-The Boss is g-giving us the Zeppelin squad. T-to c-capture P-Pikachu."
"Oh wow," Meowth sniffled a tear forming in his eye. "What a great boss."
"Ha see," Jessie suddenly burst out gleefully. "The boss has total faith in us. We're going to capture Pikachu and after he promotes us to executive Vice Presidents for doing so the first thing I'm going to do is fire you along with Cassidy and Biff."
"Butch," James corrected her."
Derek gave a long exasperated sigh. "Sure Jessie. Whatever. The blimps are waiting for you at Cinnabar Island. See ya losers." The line went dead…
At Team Rocket HQ Derek sat back in his chair and rubbed his eyes before picking up a can of soda pop and sucking it through a straw. "Ha morons," he said to himself. "Those blimps haven't been used in years. They're totally unfit to fly. About the only thing the boss has maintained on them is their insurance policy. That ought to cover at least some of what that Trio of clowns is costing us…"
[Pokémon]
Two days later – Cinnabar Island…
Ash, Jimmy, Pikachu, Ashachu, Typhlosion and Nova were standing at the air strip at the end of Cinnabar Island off the coast of Pallet Town, staring at a massive Zeppelin moored their that would take them to the Hoenn Region.
Ash had decided to take 7 Pokémon with him; Oshawott, Hikari (who hated being parted with Oshawott), Sniveon, Buizel, Emolga, Ashachu and of course Pikachu who went everywhere with Ash. He also had with him an egg case containing a pink Pokémon egg with blue poke dots.
"Piikaaa," Ashachu said in awe his eyes widening at sight of the giant aircraft. "I never saw a blimp this close…"
"It's bigger than I thought," Typhlosion agreed with almost as much awe in his voice as the young mouse.
Jimmy on the other paw frowned. "I don't know. It looks kinda beat up. You think it's okay to fly."
The Zeppelin was grey and shaped like a Wailord, long and round with fins at it's tail and six propeller engines to it's sides. There was a gondola mounted under it's front from where the craft were piloted. It was however clearly an old craft that had been in service a long time. Signs of wear and tear covered it's body, including one or two places where the tiles that made up it's membrane were peeling.
"It's not beat up. It's just broken in," said Ash though in an unconvinced voice. "They wouldn't fly us in something that was unsafe."
At that moment, two men in blue overalls emerged from the terminal building opposite and spotted them. One of them shouted out "You kids aren't here for a blimp ride are you?"
"Yes sir," Ash replied. "We've got tickets to the Hoenn region." He reached into his pocket and pulled out two slips of green paper, which he held up to show the two workers.
The two workers did a double take, reeling back in apparent shock.
"Wow you kids a brave…"
"How much ya getting' paid."
Ash begun to feel a little nervous. Maybe the blimp really was beat up.
Jimmy voiced his fear asking, "Um…Is there something about the blimp we should know?"
The two men looked at each other knowingly for a moment, then one man after looking to see if anyone else was around leaned over to Jimmy and said in a low voice, "Listen. That Blimps so dangerous, everyone says it's haunted by a ghost! I wouldn't fly in it if you paid me a million bucks."
Ash and Jimmy looked at each other. Both had gone pale. Ash opened his mouth about to ask whether they ought to just leave when another set of voices shouted "Attention please."
The two workers were suddenly push violently out of the way by a man and a woman dressed in flight attendant uniforms consisting of white shirts, red ties and blue blazers.
"May I have you're tickets please." The man yanked the tickets Ash was still holding out of his hands and examined them. He was young looking, only about 10 years older than Ash with straight purple hair, his eyes hidden behind dark shades.
"Passengers may now begin boarding," said his companion. She was similarly aged with dark pink hair.
There was something about their appearances and voices that seemed suspiciously familiar to Ash, but he didn't have time to think about as the man grabbed him by the arm and pulled him, Pikachu and Ashachu who were on his shoulders towards the aircraft.
"Come on now. Boarding time!"
"Bu-bu-but what about the ghosts," he protested stupidly.
"What ghosts sir," the man asked nonchalantly.
"Those guys told us there was a ghost living in there?"
"Oh they must have been from a rival blimp line. Our Zeppelin is unrivaled in it's speed and luxury."
The two attendants steered Ash, Ashachu, Pikachu and Jimmy up the gangplank and onto the Zepplin with Typhlosion and Nova following.
"But. Don't you want to see our tickets," said Jimmy.
"I've already seen them," replied the male while his companion sang, "Now everyone prepare for take off."
[Pokémon]
The Hoenn region lies some four thousand miles to the south-east of the Kanto region. Shipping company regulations usually provide between 75 to 100 hours for their vessels to cross this distance but an ridged airship can usually make the journey in some 17 hours depending on the weather.
While commercial airliners could do the journey in less than 10 hours, the Hoenn region has no commercial landing runways or refueling facilities or any form of passenger or freight airport. The S&MD and Alola Star lines, seeing their investments threatened by commercial air travel have aggressively lobbied the regional government to prevent airport construction.
So trainers and travelers seeking passage to Hoenn must travel by sea or aboard a Zepplin unless their party contains a flying type with the stamina to cover this distance with a human on it's back…
No sooner had the two attendants had pushed Ash, Jimmy and their Pokémon aboard, the Zeppelin took off. It's mooring rope was cut loose and it rose into the air and meandering in a southerly direction, out over the ocean. It's hydrogen gas tanks allowing it float on the breeze, while it's six propellor engines bore it forward.
The Zeppelin's name was the Articuno. It had been built 10 years ago for the Trans-regional Air Service but since been bought for some reason by the Viridian City Gym Leader, who claimed he kept it for tax purposes. In it's day the Articuno had been a comfortable and elegant vessel.
Its decks were furnished in the finest carpet and wood paneling and it's passengers afforded all the comforts of a luxury ocean liner or hotel. There was a restaurant, a lounge and bar, games room, TV lounge, Kitchen and many snug passenger cabins with bunk beds and a fold out washbasin…
But now it had fallen into disrepair. The lounge, into which the two attendants showed Ash, Jimmy, Pikachu, Ashachu, Typhlosion and Nova, was shabby. It's couches and chairs Mothim-eaten and stained, the carpet fading, it's tables covered in dust and a smelled strongly of Meowth.
Jimmy scowled and Typhlosion and Nova wrinkled their nose at the stench. "Is this a joke? I though this was a luxury blimp. This place looks like a breeding ground for Trubbish."
"And where is everyone," added Ash.
For a brief second, Ash swore he saw the two attendants exchange a nervous glance before the woman said "Um. It's the slow season. Not many people travel this route this time of year."
"And travelers these days prefer an art deco look," added the man.
"Why don't you take a seat and we'll get you a drink." Without warning the attendants grabbed hold of him and Jimmy again and forced into nearby chairs around a small table.
"H-hey," Ash protested while Pikachu let out a small growl and Jimmy looked bewildered.
"Piiikaa."
Then a third attendant appeared. A Pokémon by the looks of it about a head taller than Pikachu and Ashachu, but dressed up in a chefs uniform with white overalls, a tall hat and a fake mustache making it difficult to tell what sort of Pokémon it was. It was carrying a tray with six glasses of a pale orange beverage and a bowl of savory snacks and placed them on the table.
"'ere ya go." It's voice also felt strangely familiar to Ash and Pikachu's eyes narrowed. "Compliments of the blimp line."
The Pokémon attendant, seeing the expression on Pikachu's face, darted backwards to stand behind the female attendant almost as if it were trying to hide.
"Pika." Pikachu gave a cry of alarm and pointed his paw at Meowth and Jimmy, noticing this strange behavior stood up and said, "Alright just what's going on her…"
But he didn't get to finish his sentence. At that moment a soft voice filled the cabin.
"Jigglypuff, Jiggly, yy-puff, puff. Jigglypuff, Jiggly"
Ash felt his eye lids grow heavy. Ashachu gave a yawn, while Pikachu fell into his lap.
"N-n-no. It can't be-eeee," Jimmy said yawning and falling back into his chair. Tyhlosion fell to the floor his eyes closing. Nova tried to resist it shaking his head and trying to remain in his paws but after a few seconds fell to the ground and started snoring.
Ash just managed to catch a glimpse of a small pink ball shaped creature standing by the door singing before he too fell fast asleep… The three attendants exchanged satisfied smiles.
"Phew dat was close," the Pokémon attendant sighed.
He pulled off the Chef's overall, hat and fake mustache to reveal himself to be Meowth while James took off the black shades and Jessie removed her hat allowing her long hair to flow free. They each removed a pair of wax earplugs from their ears.
"Is it just me or is the twerp getting dumber," said Jessie looking at the unconscious Ash thoughtfully. "You'd think he might have learnt to see through these stupid disguises by now."
"Hey don't complain," replied James. "If he stops falling for disguises we'll have to find another way to get Pikachu…"
"Hopefully dis 'll be da last time we 'ave to trick 'em," said Meowth. "If da plan works Pikachoo'll be ours for good." He grinned at the sight of Pikachu snoozing on the ground beside Ash's feet and rubbed his paws gleefully. He then turned to Jigglypuff and said "Hey T'anks dal fer puttin' 'em to sleep and all!"
Jigglypuff leaned back against the wall and raised her paw. "No problem Meowthy. Just remember to hold up you're end of the bargain." See then turned around and walked out of the lounge saying, "See ya at the concert hall."
Jessie and James watched her go frowning.
"What does she mean your end of the bargain," asked Jessie.
"I told her she'd get to perform on stage with the great Pokémon coordinator Jesselina," Meowth answered. "So when we get to Hoenn Jess. Ya 'ave to enter a contest."
He suddenly felt a little nervous wondering if a reprimand was coming, but Jessie merely shrugged and said "fine… Now let's move the twerps. They don't exactly add much to the décor."
James grabbed Ash by the shoulder as Meowth and Jessie picked him up by the feet.
"Ugh. How much does this kid weigh," complained Jessie as they heaved him out of the room. Despite his scrawny figure Ash was surprisingly heavy, and of course fast asleep he was a dead weight. "It's like dragging a Golem!"
"Maybe you need to work out more," James suggested causally but regretted it when Jessie glared at him.
"Hey! I'll have you know I graduated with the highest fitness score in my class at the Team Rocket academy."
"Look. Let's just get him on da bed," Meowth groaned through clenched teeth. This was hard enough without Jessie and James fighting…
They dragged Ash to one of the passenger cabins and dumped him on the lower bunk. However as they were halfway up the corridor, the blimp suddenly pitched forward. The unexpected jolt caused James to let go of Ash causing his upper body to drop to the ground.
"James. Watch what you're doing," Jessie snapped.
"It's not my fault," James snapped back indignantly. He bent down and picked the boy back up. "Blame the pilot."
None of them noticed the Pokéball that fell off Ash's belt and rolled down the corridor…
[Pokémon]
POP… The Pokéball burst open setting Oshawott free in a flash of white light.
"Osha Oshawott." The Sea Otter stood up tall and proud his arms folded thinking he'd been sent out to battle. After a brief second he opened his eyes only to find himself alone in an unfamiliar place.
"Huh. Ash. Hikari. Pikachu…" He looked around seeing no sign of either his trainer or anyone else, just his Pokéball lying open against the wall. "Anybody?... Where am I?"
Oshawott tried to work out where he was. The last time he'd seen Ash it had been back and Oak's Ranch. Ash had asked him if he wanted to come to place called the Hoenn region.
"…Hmmm. I guess this must be the ship or the plane or whatever that goes to the Hoenn region. That would explain why the floor feels like it's vibrating." He could feel slight vibrations under his tail that he couldn't on land. "But how did I end up here by myself"
He looked at his Pokéball again and a sad thought occurred. "…Maybe Ash dropped my Pokéball." At once he felt a pain in his heart. "…No. Ash wouldn't be that careless with me. Would he? I hope not." He then shook his head. "Nah of course not. It was probably an accident. But I'd better go find everyone anyway."
Oshawott sniffed trying to detect Ash's, Pikachu's or anyone else he knew's scent. He noticed Ash's smell immediately coming from a room nearby. But he also noticed something else… A strong aroma of something sugary and sweet.
"Hey I know that smell. That smells like Cookies…Mmmm."
The delicious smell made his stomach give a little rumble. The scent was wafting up a set of stairs opposite him.
"I gotta get me one of them." He turned and was about to head down the stairs when he stopped and looked back up the corridor. "…But wait. Shouldn't I…Nah. There's cookies…"
[Pokémon]
The Articuno had two main decks. Cabins, Lounges and dinning rooms were on the top, Crew quarters, the kitchen, the radio room, showers, toilets and a pantry. Oshawott made his way down the stairwell following his nose and quickly found where the smell of the cookies was coming from…
The crew mess, right down the end of the corridor from the stairs. Oshawott let his nose lead him towards it, chanting happily to himself and thinking about the cookie.
"Osha Osha Oshawott. Osha Osha Oshawott."
But once he got to the room, the door of which was slightly a jar, he heard voices from inside…Horribly familiar voices.
"So. Let's go over the plan once again."
"OSHA." He gasped and flattened himself against the wall hoping he couldn't be seen through the crack. "Th-that sounded like…Like that James guy from T-team Rocket. If they're here then…"
He fell quite as he heard Jessie's voice.
"Simple. Once we get far enough out to sea, we'll dump the twerps on a deserted island then float away to present out Pika prize to the boss."
Oshawott felt a lurch of fear in the pit of his stomach. "Oh no. They've got Pikachu again. And by the sounds of it Ash too. How did this happen."
His fear quickly turned to anger. He growled his paw moving to his Scalchop. "Well. I'll show them. No way am I letting them do that to Ash."
Suddenly the Zeppelin pitched a second time, the entire front end lurching forward. Oshawott lost his balance and fell over.
There was an angry babble of voices from inside the room.
"Ugh. Why does that keep happening," shouted Jessie. "Whose flying this thing."
James replied, "You know that's a good question."
A split second later there was the sound of scrambling foot steps and chairs being pushed back and Jessie, James and Meowth burst out of the room.
"OSHA." Oshawott leapt back to his paws and drew his Schalchop ready to fight, but the Trio didn't notice him, instead racing back up the corridor towards the front of the craft.
"Huh. Well they're certainly in a hurry," Muttered Oshawott surprised as he lowered his Schalchop.
He walked inside the crew mess. The room was small and cramped with most of the space taken tables and chairs. One table had a plate of cookies on it as well as…
"Osh. Pikachu. Ashachu."
Oshawott gasped. Pikachu, Ashachu and Nova were lying on the table and Typloshion was slumped against a wall. All four Pokémon were deeply asleep. Their paws and been bound with bits of rope.
"Pikachu. Are you okay?" Oshawott jumped onto the table and prodded Pikachu. The mouse didn't even move but just lay there snoring.
Oshawott felt his heart start to beat fast and his stomach churned with fright. What had Team Rocket done to them. "Come on buddy. Wake up." Oshawott lifted Pikachu into a sitting position and slapped at his cheek with his paw. Nothing.
"Piiikachuuu. I said wake up."
He slapped him again slightly harder. Still nothing.
"PIKACHU."
He picked up his Scalchop and hit Pikachu hard over the head with it. The mouse remained unconscious.
Oshawott groaned frustrated. "Damn it Pikachu. WAKE UP." He blasted his water gun directly in Pikachu's face. Cold water soaked his fur, but it was still not enough to wake him. Pikachu lay still, his eyes closed, breathing deeply.
Oshawott sighed. "Crap. Whatever those losers did, they did it well…Hmm. What do I do. They could come back any minute."
[Pokémon]
Jessie, James and Meowth ran into the Gondola at the front of the Articuno. It is here where the pilot flys the Zeppelin, controlling the seep of it's engines via a set of leavers and steering using a large wheel that is connected to the tail fins.
Braxien was standing at the wheel as Noibat fluttered around his head. He looked over his shoulder as he heard the Trio enter and said with a smile, "Oh. Hey guys. What's up. Got Pikachu yet."
"Noi Noibat." Noibat flew over to James, landing on his shoulder.
"Um. Have you been flying this thing the whole time," Jessie asked pointing at the wheel.
Braxien nodded. "Yep. It's easy. You just need to follow the instruction manual Noibat and I have got it down. Right Noi."
"Noi Noibat." Noibat lifted it's wing forming it's claws into an O shape.
Braxien grinned. "Heh. Just call us Pilot Braxien and Co-Piolt Noibat."
"Noi Noibat Noi…"
James beamed. "Co-Pilot Noibat. That has a nice ring to it."
Jessie and Meowth stared at Braxien almost dumbfounded.
"So err. Where we going," asked Meowth.
"Hoenn of course," said Braxien. "Derek said, the blimp usually runs between Cinnibar Island and Hoenn."
"I thought we going to dump the twerps on a deserted island," said Jessie.
The Blimp gave another violent lurch, it's entire front dipping and causing the Trio to loose their balance.
"Ugh. If this keeps happening I'm going to get seasick," Jessie grumbled. She rounded on Braxien and shouted, "I thought you knew how to fly this thing."
"I do. It's all about finding the right balance. The blimp is balanced by two tanks of water, one at the front one at the back called ballast. We just need to let some water out of the front tank. Noi."
Braxien waved his paw at Noibat, who fluttered over to a lever in front of the wheel and landed on it. A hatch on the front of the Zeppelin opened letting out a torrent of water. The front of the craft rose levelling it out. Braxien grinned. "See. Nothing to it."
Then suddenly the Zeppelin pitched backwards, causing Jessie to stumble backwards and fall into James, sending both of them to the floor.
"Braxien," Jessie growled, her voice sounding dangerous.
"Not to worry," said Braxien Mareepishly. "That just means we have to let water out the back."
"Noibat." Noibat flapped his wings and jumped off the lever and onto an identical one beside it. This opened a hatch at the rear, releasing more water and levelling the Articuno out for a second time…
"Nothing to it. Hehe."
Then Meowth pipped up. "Maybe not. But there's somet'ing to dat storm cloud." He pointed out the windshield to a vast black cloud directly in the Zepplin's path.
[Pokémon]
Meanwhile…
Ash yawned as he opened his eyes. He had just woken from a deep and pleasant sleep to find himself lying on a tiny bed in a small room.
"Hey. How did I get here?" He sat up very quickly, hitting his head on something solid.
"Owwww." He rubbed the top of his sore head and looked around the room. He was lying on the lower of two bunk beds in a space barley bigger than a closet. The walls around him were slate grey and the only other furniture was was a small cabinet opposite his bed. It reminded him of the compartment on the Orrient Express.
"Ash." He heard Jimmy's voice from above him. "What's all the shouting about"
"J-Jimmy?" He replied questioning. "Wh-Where are we?"
"Don't you remember," replied Jimmy through a yawn. "T-that Jigglypuff put us to sleep with it's lullaby song…The hosts must have moved us here."
As he said that memories came back to Ash; the airfield, the Zeppelin, those strange attendants and Jigglypuff… And then he remembered something else. "Ahh. Where are Ashachu and Pikachu?"
"Huh. What do you…" Jimmy went quite for a second then suddenly leapt off his bed. "Y-you're right our Pokémon are missing. Typhlosion and Nova aren't here either."
He looked at Ash, as the other boy got out of bed. The worried expression on his face mirrored how Ash felt. He could feel the tensions and anxieties that he always did when he was separated from Pikachu. His heart was pounding and there was an unpleasant lurch his stomach. "What could have happened? You don't think those two flight attendants?..."
"Maybe they just put them in another cabin," Jimmy suggest. "But we'd better go look for them."
"Agreed!"
[Pokémon]
"Owwww. Arceus Pikachu. How much do you weigh," Oshawott groaned and he pushed Pikachu's unconscious body onto Typlosion's chest to join Ashachu and Nova. Despite being a mouse, Pikachu weighed a fair bit, probably owing to the muscles in his chest, stomach and limbs.
"C-come on…Oshaaa." After a few moments of struggling he managed to push the limp unconscious form of the mouse onto the unconscious figure of Typhlosion. He then stood panting for a few seconds before climbing onto the snoring Volcano's Pokémon's neck.
"Okay," He muttered to himself as he surveyed the mess room. "Let's go through this. I'll use my ice beam attack to make a track of ice along the floor. Then I'll use water gun to blast Typhlosion along like a toboggan. Easy. Alight. One. Two…."
He opened his mouth and fired a beam of blue energy along the floor. A thick layer of ice formed between Typhlosion and the door. Oshawott smiled. "So far so good."
He then walked to Typhlosion's rear end, stepping over, Pikachu, Ashachu and Nova, couched down and grabbed the Fire types's thick fur in his paws. "Here goes." He took a deep breath and fired a powerful water gun agaisnt the wall…
[Pokémon]
"Pikachu. Ashachu. Where are you."
"Nova…Typhlosion…"
Ash and Jimmy searched up and down both decks for their Pokémon, checking in every cabin, the dinning room, lounge, radio room and crew quarters…
They reached the Crew Mess just as the sleeping Typhlosion shot out the door like a bullet propelled by Oshawott's water gun.
"Whoa." Ash's eyes widened as the Pokémon knocked into him and they all fell into a heap.
"Ash. Are you alright," said Jimmy bewildered before noticing who it was that had hit him. "Typhlosion. Nova."
He dropped to his knees and cradled his two Pokémon in his arms. "Are you two okay."
Ash sat up slightly dazed and caught sight of Pikachu and Ashachu. "Pikachu. Ashachu. You're okay." A great wave of relief washed over him. He picked the two mice up before his vision became obscured by blue.
"Oshawott Osh Osha." A delighted Oshawott had thrown himself onto him and was nuzzling his neck.
Ash grinned and stroke his head. "Good to see you two Oshawott."
[Pokémon]
Back in the Gondola…
Black storm clouds had gathered around the Zeppelin. The view outside the window was just dark, lit only occasional flash of lighting. The Articuno started to shake as it hit turbulence.
Meowth bit his lip as the bolt of lighting streaked across the sky in front of them. "Eep. If any of those it us we're doomed. This blimps a giant gas bag."
Jessie hit Braxien over the ear. "You hurt him pilot Braxien. Can't you make this stupid thing go any higher.
Braxien desperately pulled the ballast levers up and down but to no avail. "I'm trying. The tanks are empty. I can't her any lighter."
"Noibat Noibat." Noibat fluttered happily around his head as if oblivious to the direness of the situation.
"The only thing we can do it make an emergency landing." Braxien pointed at a large red button. "Push that. It let's the gas out of the balloon and we'll land in the ocean."
He cowered under the glare that Jessie gave him. "We can't do that," she bellowed striking him over the ear again. "The boss has trusted us with this airship and if we loose it we'll be thrown out of Team Rocket for good."
"We can't mess this mission up," wailed James, desperate tears appearing in his eyes. "The boss will take back our Blimp brigade uniforms."
"B-but not if we get him Pikachu," said Braxien. "That's what he gave us this stupid contraption for in the first place."
Jessie's scowl suddenly turned into an evil smile. "You're right. All we have to do is capture Pikachu and the boss won't care if we sink this silly blimp or not."
James stopped crying and clasped his hands together. "And then we'll be heroes…"
The three of them all started to sing. "All we need is Pikachu Doo-Dah. Doo-Dah. All need is Pikachu for everything to be okay." Noibat joined in flying around them and crying "Noi, Noi Noi, Noi Noi Noi," in tune with their song.
Meowth sighed and folded his arms. "Wow. Those three are acting screwier than usual. Maybe da blimp gas is getting' to 'em."
[Pokémon]
Ash, Jimmy, Oshawott, Pikachu, Ashachu and Nova had now gather back in the lounge room, watching the storm. Pikachu, Ashachu and Nova were still fast asleep, being held in their trainers arms, while Typhlosion had been returned to his Pokéball.
"Man. That looks like quite a thunderstorm," said Ash as a huge flash of lighting illuminated the dark clouds.
"Oshawott Oshh," Mumbled Oshawott.
"I hope the pilot know what he's doing," Jimmy said. "Come to think of it I haven't seen those two hosts since we fell asleep."
As if on cue a familiar voice said from behind them, "Well Duh Twerp. You tend not to see things when you're sleeping."
Ash's heart sank. He knew exactly who that voice belong to. And sure enough when he turned around, Jessie, James, Meowth, Braxien were standing there.
"T-team Rocket," he exclaimed angrily. Clutching Ashachu and Pikachu close to him.
Oshawott gripped his shoulder and cried "OSHA OSHAWOTT."
"You're the ones from Victory City," said Jimmy.
The Trio smirked as they launched into their motto.
"Prepare for trouble."
"And make it double."
"To protect the world from devastation."
"To unite all people within our nation."
"To denounce the evils of truth and love."
"To extend our reach to the stars above."
"Jessie."
"James."
"Team Rocket Blasts off at the Speed of Light."
"Surrender now or prepare to fight."
"Meowth that's right."
"Brai Braixen."
"Noi Noibat."
The motto concluded as it always did with the three Pokémon saying their names, and Wobbufett bursting out of his Pokémon and saying "Wobbufett" with a stupid grin on his face.
Jimmy reached for a Pokéball. "Alright Ninetails let's…"
"Uh-uh." Jessie waved a finger annoyingly at him. "I wouldn't do that if I were you."
"Dis blimps full of Hyrdogen gas," explained Meowth. "So if you use the wrong attack. We all go Pikaboom."
Jimmy dropped his arm.
Jessie gave a satisfied smile. "Good. Now then twerps. Hand over Pikachu and all your other Pokémon and we'll land you somewhere safely."
"There's no way I'm giving you Pikachu," Ash spat angrily, colour rising in his face. The hands holding Pikachu and Ashachu shook. "Or any of my other Pokémon."
"Yeah. You've gotta be dumber than you look if you think we're just going to hand them over to you," snapped Jimmy. "I'll die before I let you get Typhlosion or Nova."
"Well then. If that's the way you want to play it." Jessie pulled a Pokéball of her own. "Go Servi…"
"Jiggly."
She had raised her arm to throw the ball when a high voice cried out from the corner. Everyone turned and looked over at the bar counter to see Jigglypuff standing there holding it's microphone in it's paw.
The members of Team Rocket screamed.
"No Jigglypuff. Not Noowwww," shouted Meowth waving his paws. Too late.
"Jigglypuff, Jiggly, yy-puff, puff. Jigglypuff, Jiggly"
"No. Abandonship," Meowth shouted running for the exit, his team mate's behind him.
Ash, for the second time that day, felt the irresistible drowsiness over take him. He closed his eyes, as he Jimmy and Oshawott fell crumpled to the ground, asleep before they had finished falling…
