Chapter 48 – Big Sister and the Beast
Lusamine's office, Aether Paradise…
"…The raid lasted for about ten minutes before police stormed the hotel. At least fifteen members of Team Skull were arrested including it's infamous leader Guzma. An estimated ten fled the scene and two were killed by police with a third injured. The police spokeswoman released the following statement…"
"Team Skull's Boss Guzma has finally been arrested. We believe him to been responsible for most of the activities carried out by this gang over the last ten months. We're hopeful now that we have the leader Team Skull's activities will decrease but we're encouraging all citizens to be vigilant."
"Guzma is wanted in three regions over drug dealing and Pokénapping. This is the first time he's been sighted in public in the last six months. It's still unclear why he chose to be personally involved in the Hano grand resort raid but whatever his reason it seems to have backfired. He will appear in a Heahea Court…"
"Turn that off."
Wicke obediently raised the TV remote and pushed the red button. The screen went blank, the images of Guzma being led out of the Hotel in handcuff escorted by two uniformed police officers disappearing.
Lusamine groaned leaning forward on her desk and resting her head on her hands. "…Tell me! Did they at least get the Lucario."
Wicke bit her lip. "I-I don't know Ma'm. There's nothing in the news report about a Lucario so I. I would say not."
Lusamine sighed a deep sigh of exasperation. "Fine. Get out."
Wicke turned and walked out of the room relieved to have been dismissed. The President was not pleasant to be around when she was angry.
Lusamine opened the secret compartment in the draw of her desk and pulled out the silver phone. Guzma was entitled to one phone call. Would he be stupid enough to phone her begging for money for lawyers. Perhaps he would threaten to expose their relationship if she didn't try to get him out of prison. Whatever the case she need to act now to recover the situation and find a way to still get her hands on the Lucario.
She pulled a waste paper basket from underneath the desk and dropped the phone into it. Then she took out a Pokéball holding it flat in her hand. It burst open releasing a litten, a red and black cat Pokémon, onto the desk.
"Ember," she whispered stroking the cat's head.
"Lit Litten." The fire type spat small balls of flame into the bin setting fire to the mounds of paper inside.
*Guzma could tell the police about Lusamine and give them the phone number. All that number would lead them to a phone contract paid for by an intermediary a few months ago and only ever used to phone his number. Suspicious certainly but nothing would link it to her, not with the phone and SIM card destroyed.
[Pokémon]
Akala Island….
The two Team Skull Grunts slide down the side of the hill landing in a mass of bushes at the bottom. Neither was entirely sure what to do. They had seen the police cars and the chopper outside Hano Grand Resort. Their bros would have been arrested by now. Guzma too most likely…
The pink haired girl, only known as Grunt B, pulled back a few of the branches. In front of them was Royal Avenue, a street built around the Battle Royal Dome. The grey stadium illuminated by bright spot lights with trainers and Pokémon milling out the front. They weren't going that way.
"So what are we supposed to do now genius," She hissed at Grunt A, her muscular male accomplish. He had Lucario slung across his back.
"Get back to Po Town," he replied. "We did what Guzma told us to. We got the Lucario. We just get it back to base and we've done our job."
Getting back was easier said than done. Team Skull's base was miles away on Ula'ula Island. They had arrived on Guzma's yacht which was anchored in the bay opposite the Hotel. That would almost certainly have been impounded by police by now.
"We gotta ditch the Lucario and make a run for it," said Grunt B.
Grunt A glared at her. "You kiddin'. That'll blow our reward. Boss told us to take it so we're takin' it."
"Well you got any better suggestions," she replied. "If those trainers over there see us with the a fainted Pokémon over your shoulder what do ya think they're gonna do. They're gonna battle us or call the fuckin' cops."
Grunt A snorted. "Let em' try. My team's man enough to take anyone…"
Suddenly something long and thin like a vine wrapped itself around the grunt's ankles. The two youths barely had time to notice before they were dragged out feet first out of the bush.
"Well well. What have we here."
Two people and two Pokémon stood over them; A man with lavender hair dressed in white shirt, colourful jacket and brown trousers, a woman in a pink dress with long red gravity defying hair that stuck out behind her, someone in a brown trench coat who was clearly a Meowth standing on top of another Pokémon, and a Carnavine – who was holding them by the ankles with it's vine.
"Looks like those good fer nutthin' Team Rocket wanna be's da boss told us about," said the Meowth. "And hey. Look who they've got with 'em."
"Isn't that the twerps Lucario," the man asked. Evil grins spread across the trio's face.
"Hey! Who are you guys," demanded Grunt A. He tried to get to his feet but Carnavine tugged on his leg to send him tumbling back down. "Get off! Don't you know who we are."
"Who are we. That is the question indeed," said the red haired woman.
"The answer to come as we feel the need," added the male.
"To protect the world from devastation."
"To unite the peoples within our nation."
"To denounce the evils of truth and love."
"To extend our reach to the starts above."
The two humans ripped their disguises off to reveal the white Team Rocket uniforms concealed underneath.
"Jessie."
"James."
"Team Rocket Blasts off at the speed of light."
"Surrender now or prepare to fight."
"Meowth dat's right…" The Meowth discarded the trench coat to reveal he had been standing on top of a Wobbufett's head. The blue Pokémon saluted and shouted happily "Wobbufett."
At the same time Pokéballs on Jessie and James's belts burst open releasing a Braxien and a Noibat who preformed a bow and said their names to end the motto.
"Braxien Brax."
"Noibat."
The Skull grunts stared incredulously. "Team Rocket."
"I thought Kanto was your turf," said Grunt A. There was a distinct note of fear in his voice. Team Rocket had a reputation for being disciplined, strong and ruthless. They were the reason Team Skull did not have members in Kanto or Johto. And of course, the two grunts were unaware of the fact that the agents who had just captured them were probably the dumbest and weakest in the organisation.
"Wh-what are you going to do with us," asked Grunt B.
Jessie, James and Meowth formed a huddle. "Hey. Do these guys seem scared of us," asked Jessie. "That's new."
"They probably 'eard of our reputation," said Meowth. "Ya know. Da famous Meowth and friends. The most fearsome members of all of Team Rocket who took down Team Flare, and who strike fear into the hearts of trainers everywhere."
James raised his eyebrows. "People really think that about us!"
"I say we milk this for all it's worth," Jessie said gleefully. "We threaten them into working for us and then steal whatever Pokémon they have."
"Great idea jess," giggled James
The trio stood up to address the Grunts. "What are we going to do to you," said Jessie. "Well that depends."
"He said something about annihilating anyone who gets in Team Rocket's way," James added.
"You two nice kids wouldn't be in our way would you?"
The two grunts went pale in the face. "N-no no," Grunt A sputtered. "We're just…"
"Well. Maybe we'll consider letting you live if you help us in our mission," said Jessie
"We're here to capture a certain Pikachoo," said Meowth. He extended a claw and held it up threateningly. "You gonna help. Or 'ave I gotta cut ya so ya don't get in the da way!"
[Pokémon]
Heahea City, Pokémon Centre…
"Here you go. All your Pokémon have been restored to full health," Nurse joy said as she emerged from the treatment room pushing a trolley containing Ash, Cameron's and Jimmy's Pokéballs, Pikachu, Hunter, Ashachu and Nova. Typhloison and Hirosaki following behind.
"Thanks Nurse Joy." Ash breathed a sigh of relief as he gathered up his and Cameron's Pokéballs and placed his back on his belt and Cameron's into his bag.
Pikachu and Ashachu climbed onto his shoulders, their cheeks pressed against his. At the same time Jimmy embraced Typhlosion tightly and Nova climbed onto his head while Hirosaki floated over to Akane who was waiting by the door to avoid attracting suspicious looks.
Hunter slid off the trolley and looked around the room. "Hey! Where are my parents," he asked his voice full of sadness and concern. "What's going on." The Riolu remembered Team Skull barging into the ballroom and the subsequent battle but had been knocked out by an air slash to the back of the head from a Golbat.
"Umm. We're not sure," Ash replied adding quickly, "but don't worry. I'm sure he's fine," seeing Hunter's eyes brim with tears.
"Pika." Ashachu slid off Ash's back and put a paw around his best friend and licked his cheek to comfort him.
"They'll be with the police back at the hotel," Jimmy suggested though he didn't sound entirely convinced. "I mean they couldn't have gone far after they slipped off."
"It was dad they were after," Hunter blurted out. "That Big bad Guzma guy said so. He said he was looking for Lucario. Wh-what if more of those creeps caught up with them before police arrived."
For a moment there was silence. Then Jimmy shook his head. "Nah. The police are looking for them. Even if Cameron and Lucario did get captured, they probably wouldn't get far. I mean. Team Skull didn't exactly look like the smartest bad guys around."
"Even so," said Ash. "We should probably look for them ourselves."
[Pokémon]
Brooklet Hill…
Team Rocket had taken refuge at Brooklet Hill, a location a few miles north of Heahea City in the North-west of Akala island filled by Rock-pools and cascading waterfalls. It was surrounded by thick lush jungle making it the perfect location for their hideout…At least, that's what the Trio hoped.
The Meowth balloon had been deflated and hidden in a bush and a small camp had been set up by the side of one of the pools. A small campfire was burning and two tents had been erect. Grunt A and Grunt B were knelt on the ground by the waters edge..
Grunt A was washing clothes in the pool under the eye of Jessie while Grunt B polished James's bottle cap collection.
"Come on put some hustle in it," said James gleefully. His whole life he'd been bossed around; by his parent, by Jessibelle, by the boss, by Jessie. It sure felt gratifying to order someone else about. "I want to be able to see my face in those caps."
"Their bottle caps," the Grunt groaned as he took another cap out of the seemingly bottomless sack. "How could you see your face in them. And how come you have so many bottle caps."
"I don't expect questions. I expect polishing. Move it."
The grunt rolled his eyes and continue to scrub. This was humiliating and degrading beyond his worse nightmares but there was nothing they could do about it. Carnavine still had them by the ankles and Jessie and James had confiscated their Pokéballs. Even if they could somehow get them back, who knew what powerful Pokémon the rocket agents had.
"You tell him James," said Jessie. She poked Grunt B in the back. "And you. I want all those stains to be gone from my uniform."
"Hmm. Da internet says that these are Team Skull Medallions," Meowth said closing the laptop and holding up the S shaped skull necklaces the grunts had been wearing. He slipped them around his neck. "Hehe. So shinny. I think I'll keep 'em. They made of real silver?"
"Team Skull," repeated Jessie. "That's definitely the gang the boss told us to watch out for."
James laughed. "Hehe. What was there to watch out for. Capturing these two was like taking candy from out of the mouths of babes."
"And their boss was just arrested," added Meowth.
"Then I guess that makes them complete armatures," said James and the Trio laughed.
Anger flashed across the two grunts faces, but neither were brave enough to retort.
"So 'ow come you guys were tryin' to steal dis Lucario," Meowth asked once they'd stopped laughing. Lucario lying unconscious against a nearby tree, his feet and paws tied together and a gag in his mouth.
Neither grunt responded so Jessie snapped, "Meowth just asked you a question."
"I-I dunno," Grunt A replied quickly. "Guzma just said we absolutely had to get our hands on it at whatever cost. He didn't say why."
Jessie shrugged. "Well. Whatever wanted it for it's ours now."
"Plus. Not like he's gonna need it in jail," said Meowth making Jessie and James laugh again.
[Pokémon]
Hikari closed his eyes and stretched out the hundreds of Zygarde cells on Akala Island. Through their eyes he could see the entire Island. Hundreds of images appeared in his head until he found the one they were after.
"Lucario's near the rock pools not too far from here." He opened his eyes and he was back in the Heahea City Pokémon Centre with Ash and the others.
"Sounds like Brooklet Hill," said Akane. "But we'll need a vehicle or a ride Pokémon to get there quickly…"
"What about Cameron," asked Jimmy.
Hiakri shook his head. "I didn't see him but… Team Rocket are there too. And two of those people from the wedding."
"Team Rocket!" Everyone groaned and Hunter let out a growl.
"Alright," said Ash determinately. "Let's go."
"I'll go on ahead," said Hirosaki. "I can get there quicker by flying. You guys get officer Jenny."
Ash nodded. "Good idea. Pikachu. I want you to go with Hirosaki."
"Pikapi." Pikachu obediently jumped from Ash's shoulder and onto the Latios's head gripping the feathers on his neck.
"I'll go too," Typhlosion said raising his paw.
"Me too," Hunter pipped up.
Ash gave him a disapproving stare and said "No. It's too dangerous."
Hirosaki lowered himself to allow the fire type to mount him. The Eon Pokémon then sped out the door.
[Pokémon]
"Team Rocket!"
Jessie, James, Meowth and the two Skull Grunt's heads shot up at the sudden voice and the screeching of engines. Three motorcyclists had come riding out of the trees dressed in Team Skull outfits.
"So, you're the ones Guzma was talking about?" said one of the riders. She was obvious the leader. A young woman, about 19 years old, with pink and yellow hair dawn into four long strands, black shadow around her eyes and a pink Team Skull tattoo on her belly button. She wore a black outfit similar to Grunt B, but much more revealing, and a silver Skull necklace. The other two were clearly more grunts dressed identically to A and B.
She put her hands on her hips and surveyed the trio, a look of disdain in her eyes. "…Hmph. You don't look like anything special to me."
Jessie, James and Meowth jumped in alarm.
"Yikes. It's more of them," James squealed.
He tried to grab Jessie's arm, but she brushed him off taking a step forward her eyes fixed on the leader to show she wasn't going to be intimidated. "Oh yeah. And just who do you think you are."
"I'm Plumeria," the woman replied. "I help keep Team Skull together. I'm like a big sister to all there numskulls. You have realized what idiots all there guys are, right?" Her eyes fell on Grunt A and Grunt B. "But don't you think some dummies are cute in their dumbness? You know what I mean, right? You picking on my cute, dumb brothers and sisters is really annoying me. So here's what's going to happen. Your gonna let these numbskulls here go. Then ya gonna hand over that cute Lucario you got tied to that tree. And then we're gonna leave nice and easy see."
Jessie snorted. "Ha. Like that's gonna happen. Listen kid. We're Team Rocket's A team. We're dangerous. You don't wanna mess with us. Just ask Team Flare."
"And since we're feeling nice," added James. "We'll let you leave you're Pokéballs on the ground and walk away without having to feel our wrath."
Plumeria rolled her eye then grabbed a Pokéball and tossed it into the air. Her two henchmen did the same. Three black pointy faced lizzard like Pokémon materialised in front of them; Salazzle who was big and feminine with a pink underbelly and two Salandit who were smaller with red stripes ion their tails and backs.
"Use Toxic."
The Lizards moved faster than Team Rocket could react, opening their mouths and spitting bright purple gunk at the Trio.
"ARGHG…" The Trio screamed in unison, hugging together and closing their eyes.
There was a loud bang they but didn't feel the wet sludge burn their skin. Jessie, James and Meowth opened their eyes to see Pikachu, Typhlosion and Hirosaki standing between them and Team Skull's Lizard.
"Isn't that…" Jessie begun.
"The twerps Pikachu," breathed James.
Sure enough, a moment later Ash, Jimmy, Ashachu, Hikari, Nova, Hunter and Akane charged out of the trees riding the backs of three Tauros.
"Team Rocket. And Team Skull!" Ash shouted as he slid down from his stead. Ashachu and Hikari were perched on his shoulders. "Let Lucario go now."
"Seriously both of you!" Added Jimmy. "Dealing with one set of bad guys is bad enough." Nova, perched on his head, laughed.
"Dad!" Hunter leapt off from behind him and dashed over to Lucario unconscious against the tree. "Dad…Wake up." He gripped his shoulders with his paws and shook him. "Dad…"
"Lu.." Lucario's eyes fluttered opened. "Hu-Hunter."
Plumeria sneered. "Hmmp. So. If you're here for the Lucario. You must be the Lucario's trainers. Ugh. Just what I need. More annoying numbskulls to deal with."
"Listen here punks," shouted one of the grunts. "That Lucario belongs to us now. So piss off unless ya wanna get hurt."
"You're the ones who are going to piss off," Jimmy shouted back. "Lucario's not yours. How dare you attack him like this."
"What do you want with him," Ash asked.
Plumeria laughed. "Ha. Like I'm gonna tell you that because it's you're business."
"Yeah kid. That's for Team Skull to know," said a grunt before frowning at Plumeria and asking, "Why does the boss want this Lucario."
"Err…" Plumeria scratched her head. "For reason I can't say here because the kids'll here. Dummy."
"She don't know neither," said the third grunt.
Plumeria slapped him on the back of his head. "Shut up Dummy… The point is. The boss wants that Lucario. And big bad Guzma always gets what he wants. So you can either get outta the way. Or we can fucking hurt you kiddies."
The three lizzard Pokémon hissed. Pikachu, Typhloison and Hirosaki growled and snarled back.
Plumeria held up her hand forming it into a fist. "Salazzle and Salandit. Use…"
KABOOM…
Before she could complete her command there was a massive clash of thunder from above. Everyone's head shot up to see a blue spiralling tunnel in the clouds.
"Pika!" Ashachu gasped with fight. "N-no. It can't be."
"It's the same thing we saw on Melemele Island," said Nova.
Plumeria and the Team Skull Grunts reacted similarly, staring up at it with wide fearful eyes. Ash, Jimmy, Team Rocket and the rest of their Pokémon however looked perplexed.
"Huh. What's wrong," Ash asked Ashachu.
"James what is that," said Jessie.
James squinted up at it. "I believe it's a sky portal."
"How do ya know dat," said Meowth.
"Well. It's in the sky. And it looks like a portal!"
Suddenly something dropped from the portal landing with a hard THUD on the ground. As the dust cleared it was revealed to be a frightening looking creature. A red humanoid mosquito with bulging muscles across it's chest and long silver mouth.
"What that," gasped Jimmy.
"It's another Ultra Beast," Nova screeched in terror.
"Let's get out of here," Plumeria shouted sounding as if she were about to be sick. She and the two Grunt beside hopped back on their motorcycles. They hastily returned their Pokémon before riding away as fast at they could, leaving the two Grunts still held by Carnavine behind.
"Hey! Where ya goin'."
"What about us!"
"..BZZZ…" The creature let out a terrifying sound somewhere between a roar and a buzz. It raised it's powerful farms above its head, flexing and showing off it's powerful muscles. Everyone took a step back fearfully.
"J-James…What is that," Jessie whispered to her companion.
"I-I don't know," he replied. "But it looks angry. And strong."
"Just look at dem ripplin' muscles," stated Meowth.
"It must spend a lot of time working out," James added.
The beast looked around until it's bulging black eyes found Team Rocket.
"Is it," Jessie begun.
"Looking at us," Meowth finished for her.
Without warning it charged at them, scuttling across the ground on it's three legs.
"ARGH…" The Trio screamed and huddled together.
"Carnavine. Bullet seed," James called.
With it's vine still fastened around the Team Skull Grunt, the fly trap like Pokémon dived in front of it's trainer and fired a hail of green bullets from it's mouth. They didn't seem to have any affect bouncing off it's massive pectorals. The beast raised a massive fist and punched Carnavine. A small explosion resulted, which sent it, Jessie, James, Meowth and the two captive Skull Grunts blasting off into the air.
"PIKA!"
"PIKACHUU…"
Ash felt Ashachu and Hikari's paws grip his shoulders tightly. He did the only thing he could think of… "Pikachu. Use Thunderbolt."
"Typhloison. Flame thrower," Jimmy cried at the same time.
Pikachu let off a shock of electricity as Typhlosion fired a jet of fire and Hirosaki a beam of multi-coloured energy. Even Hunter launched a focus blast before Ash shouted "Hunter. Don't…"
The creature made that terrible buzzing roaring sound again as the attacks hit and covered it in a veil of yellow and orange. Then, to everyone's surprise, it flexed it's muscles and threw them off.
"Pika."
"Ty.."
"Wow," Ash gasped. "They had no effect."
"How strong is this thing," said Jimmy.
The beast whipped around, it's mean eyes darting from Pikachu, to Typhlosion and Hirosaki before finally settling on Hunter.
Hunter's eyes widened and he let out a frightened whimper. "Rio…"
The beast charged at him.
"RIO."
"HUNTER!" Ashachu leapt off Ash's shoulder and dived in front of Hunter to protect him. He was scared. Terrified. But there was no way he was going to let this creature hurt his best friend.
"Ashachu," Ash yelled.
"Pika," Pikachu screamed.
Suddenly something charged out of the trees and slammed into the creatures chest. It roared as it reeled backwards, a large gash in the middle of it's chest. The beast straightened itself preparing to attack again… but then it vanished, disappearing into thin air like a puff of smoke. The portal in the sky above closed, the tunnel retreating into the clouds.
Everyone stared at the creature that had just saved them. It was unlike anything Ash had ever seen before. It seemed to be comprised of the parts of different Pokémon stitched together, with it's head encased by a wooden contraption.
Akane whispered softly. "Null… But how?"
"Guys…Are you alright." A shirtless Cameron slid off the Type: Null's back. He spotted Hunter and Lucario and ran over to them. "Lucario… Thank Arceus…"
[Pokémon]
Half an hour earlier…
"Lu-Lucario," Cameron gasped getting back to his feet. His stomach was sore where the Grunt had hit him, a large purple bruise clearly visible over his tanned skin. But that didn't matter now. He had to save his mate.
He had seen the two Team Skull Grunts disappear over the side of the hill. He had to follow…
"Wait. Cameron stop." Before he could move he felt two strong arms wrap themselves around him. It was Gladion.
"Hey! Let me go." He tried to pull away, but Gladion was much stronger than would be expected from such a scrawny kid. As a result he only succeeded in sending them both back to the ground.
"Listen to me!" Gladion managed to climb on top of him, placing a knee in his stomach and hand on his chest to pin him down.
"Get off!" Cameron continued to struggle. "Get off."
"I'll let you go when you've heard what I have to say," Gladion said sternly. "You're mate's in great danger."
"What!" Cameron stopped struggling. Gladion got off him allowing him to sit up. "From those guys…Who are they exactly."
"Team Skull," Gladion replied. "They steal Pokémon from trainers sometimes but normally they're random. This is different. They came here for your Lucario. Guzma's never sent his dumbass grunts after a specific Pokémon before. Heck. He never usually leaves the base. If he wanted that Lucario enough for him to try to capture it himself then that means he wants if for someone."
"Wh-what. Who. Who want's Lucario," Cameron stuttered not having understood a word of what Gladion meant. "Who's Guzma."
"Who's Guzma," said Gladion almost incredulously. "Boy you don't much do you." When Cameron glared at him he added, "He's Team Skull's boss. As for who's really after you're Lucario." He paused for a second and bit his lip. "Let's just say Team Skull aren't the only ones who steal."
"H-How do you know all this," Cameron stuttered then remembered what the Grunts had said to him when they'd first appeared.
"Wait. You're one of them aren't you…"
Gladion shook his head. "Not really! I do stuff for them occasionally. But never stealing Pokémon. I only came here because I wanted to battle you after learning about…"
"You wanted to battle me. So you helped a bunch a bad guys who were trying to steal my Lucario," Cameron snapped accusingly.
Gladion didn't reply. Instead he pulled something out of his pocket and thrust it into Cameron's chest. "Take this fellow…"
Cameron automatically closed his hand around it. It was a Pokéball. Cameron gave him a perplexed look.
"They'll help you find your mate. Take good care of them okay," Gladion said as he got up and walked over to the edge of the cliff.
"Hey!" Cameron got to his feet to follow. "Who's they. What Pokémon's in this." He held up the Pokéball. "Where are you going."
"A long way away," Gladion replied. "Don't try to follow me or you'll regret." He jumped, skidding down the slope towards the beach. "Go save your mate…"
Cameron watched him run away then looked down at the Pokéball curiously.
[Pokémon]
Team Rocket Secret HQ – A unknown Location in the Kanto Region…
"Mr. Giovanni Sir."
Team Rocket's formidable boss looked up from the report on his desk to look up at the black uniformed grunt standing at the door to his office. "Yes. What," he snapped irritably.
"A package delivered to you from a Jessie, James and Meowth sir."
Giovanni frowned. "Who!"
"Operatives in the Alola region," the Grunt explained. "Their message claimed they were acquired from Team Skull Grunts."
Giovanni raised his eyebrows impressed. "Hmm… Perhaps I underestimated those clowns."
"Meoww…" His Persian, who had been curled up on the floor beside the desk, got up and pressed it's head into his lap. Giovanni rubbed it behind the ears.
"You like that Persian… What is it?"
The Grunt crossed the room and placed the box on the desk. It contained three Pokéballs. "Drowsee, Haunter and Yungoose."
"And our supply?"
"We already have a large supply of Yungoose and this one doesn't seem to be particularly powerful. However Drowsee and Haunter are good catches. We have agents in the field who could benefit from them," said the Grunt.
Giovanni rubbed his chin and stared intently at the box.
