Chapter 7

The kids arrived at the Sycamore Pokemon Lab around mid morning. Alexis had caught Augustine up on all their adventures the night before. They showed the kids into the lab.

"So you're all traveling together now, eh? Sounds like a great plan," Augustine said.

Serena stepped forward, holding up a basket. "I baked delicious macarons for everyone."

"Mm, such a sweet treat," Augustine said with an appreciative sniff.

"That's so nice of you, Serena," Alexis said. "I suggest we take a break and have some tea with them."

Augustine nodded. "I still have a little work to do, so I'll have mine a bit later."

"Will you let us see what you're working on?" Serena asked, placing the basket on a table.

"Of course. Make yourselves at home."

Bonnie looked around. "Hey, Serena, where'd your basket go?"

Serena looked around. Sure enough, the basket full of macarons was gone. Alexis heard crunching coming from the corner. With a sigh, she walked over to find a Chespin hiding behind a potted plant, happily stuffing macarons in his mouth.

"Ah-ha! I knew it was you, Chespin," Alexis said, surprising him. "Sneaking around again."

The Chespin peeked around the planter, grinning sheepishly. "So that's Chespin, huh?" Ash said.

Augustine nodded. "Yes, it's one of three Pokemon new Trainers can choose from. There's Froakie, a Water-type, Fennekin, a Fire-type, and Chespin, who's a Grass-type."

"Awesome," Ash said. He took out his Pokedex.

"Chespin," it said. "The Spiny Nut Pokemon. Chespin can flex the soft spines on its head, making them so stiff and sharp they can even pierce through stone."

Pikachu tried to reason with Chespin to get the macarons back, but to no avail. Bonnie knelt down to get a better look. "It's so cute."

Alexis gave Chespin a stern look. "Alright, Chespin, come out and give the macarons back. You've had enough."

Reluctantly, Chespin came out from behind the planter and handed the basket back to Serena. Clemont chuckled. 'If you wanted macarons, you should've just said so. We'll share."

Chespin stared at him for a moment, then ran off down a hallway. Alexis looked at Serena. "Sorry about that. That particular Chespin is a bit of a prankster."

"That's okay," Serena assured her. She put the macarons in her bag. "So can we see what you're working on, Professor Sycamore?"

Augustine nodded. "Of course. Right this way."

Serena and Bonnie followed him from the room. Clemont tore his gaze away from where Chespin disappeared and looked at Alexis. "Have you made any progress in your writing yet? I remember you said you were fighting writer's block."

Alexis sighed. "No, not yet. I've had a couple of ideas, but none of them have really panned out." She ran a hand through her blonde hair, then looked at the boys. "Hey, you wanna see something cool?"

Ash and Clemont both eagerly agreed, so Alexis led them over to a computer and opened a file. The document contained plans for something she and Augustine had been working on for the past year. "See? If we can get this to work, we'll be able to test if a stone is a true Mega Stone. I'd like to eventually be able to determine exactly which Mega Stone, but I'd settle with this for now."

Clemont adjusted his glasses and looked at the blueprints. "Fascinating. May I have a copy of this to study? I may be able to suggest a few modifications."

"Sure." Alexis got his email address and sent him a copy of the file. She was just about to suggest that they catch up to Augustine and the girls when an explosion rocked the lab.

Alexis looked at the boys. "That came from the sunroom." The three of them ran to the sunroom, arriving just in time to see a box truck pulling away through a hole in the wall. They ran outside and found Chespin laying in the road, looking at the truck as it quickly vanished from sight. There was no sigh of Augustine, Serena, or Bonnie.

"Sophie! Cosette!" Alexis yelled. The two assistants quickly came running. "Augustine, Bonnie, and Serena are missing. Close off the hole in the wall and do a count of the Pokemon. I'm going to look for them."

Sophie nodded. "You can count on us."

"I'll let Officer Jenny know what's going on," Cosette said as she ran inside.

Alexis turned back to the boys. "Thanks, Chespin. We'll take it from here," Ash was saying. He took out a Poke Ball and released Fletchling. "Fletchling, follow that truck!"

"Fletch!" Fletchling took off into the sky.

Chespin took a few steps forward, sniffing wildly. He picked up something from the ground. "What is it, Chespin?" Alexis asked. "Hey, this is a piece of macaron."

Chespin ran forward and picked up another piece. "Ches, Chespin!"

"Why are they out here?" Clemont wondered.

Alexis looked at the road. More pieces of macarons were scattered on the pavement, in a clear pattern. "Serena must've left us a trail. Come on!"

Alexis and the boys ran down the road. Chespin went with them, pausing every few steps to pick up another piece of macaron. The trail led them out of the city and along a forest road. Alexis was so worried about Augustine and the girls that she hardly noticed when Meyer rode by on his moped.

Eventually, they had to stop and rest. Ash looked up. "Hey, it's Fletchling!"

Fletchling was flying in circles over what appeared to be an abandoned warehouse. A box truck with a large red "R" on the sides sat in front. "That must be it," Alexis said.

Ash recalled Fletchling and they crept up to the building, peeking in through a hole in the wall. "There they are," Ash whispered.

Augustine, Bonnie, and Serena were tied up, sitting on some crates on one side of the room. In front of them stood a familiar trio. Clemont pushed up his glasses. "So, Team Rocket was behind this, after all."

Inside, Bonnie demanded to know what Team Rocket was up to. "Stifle your obnoxious Twerpish whining until our mission is complete," James ordered.

Augustine struggled against his restraints. "Do what you want with me, just let the girls go."

Team Rocket ignored him and moved away to a computer across the room. A huge tarp covered something beside them. "What do you think they're doing?" Clemont whispered.

Alexis studied the computer. "Augustine carries his research on Mega Evolution with him at all times. They probably kidnapped him to get it, and the girls were in the wrong place at the wrong time."

"We've gotta get them out of there!" Ash whispered.

"Now hold on," Clemont warned him. "We can't rush in, or we'll get caught too."

"We need a distraction," Alexis said. A cry from inside caught their attention. Chespin had slipped away from the group and spotted Serena's basket of macarons, knocking over a stack of empty cans in the process. "Never mind."

"Now that I think about it, rushing in is a great idea," Clemont said.

They ran in, surprising Team Rocket. Jessie crossed her arms. "Well, well. Why go chasing after Pikachu when Pikachu's chasing us?"

"Let our friends go, Team Rocket!" Ash demanded.

Jessie and James stood back to back. "Prepare for trouble, you're half right," Jessie said.

James whipped a rose out of nowhere. "That is our name, but your friends are stuck tight."

Alexis glanced at Ash. "Do they always do that rhyming thing?"

"No, that part's kinda new."

"To protect the world from devastation," Jessie was saying.

"To unite all people within our nation!"

"This part isn't," Ash said.

Jessie and James continued to alternate speaking. "To denounce the evils of truth and love."

"To extend our reach to the stars above."

"Team Rocket blasts off at the speed of light."

"Surrender now or prepare for one Mega Evolved fight!"

"Meowth, that's right!"

Alexis rolled her eyes at their antics. While they were busy with their motto, she and the boys began working on untying the others. She freed Augustine and threw her arms around him. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."

Clemont worked on his sister's ropes. "Bonnie, did Team Rocket hurt you?"

"I'm fine. Don't worry," she answered brightly.

Their inattention made Team Rocket angry. "We give you our totally awesome motto and you Twerps give us the brushoff!" Meowth yelled.

They continued to ignore Team Rocket. "Okay, let's get out of here!" Ash said.

"That's not going to happen!" Jessie screamed.

Meowth scrambled under the tarp while James entered a few commands on the computer. Something glowed beneath the tarp.

"What's that?" Ash said.

"Oh, you'll see soon enough."

"Behold, our magnificent Mega-Mega Meowth Machine!" Jessie said.

"What kind of machine is it?" Clemont asked.

The tarp fell away, revealing what looked like a tank with a Meowth upper half. Serena grabbed Bonnie's hand. "Come on!"

Clemont and Augustine were staring at the machine in fascination. "Oh, my. Marvelous," Augustine said. "It looks powerful."

"I know they're our enemy, but that's a super-cool invention!"

Alexis ran back and grabbed them both by the collar. "So not the time for this!"

Clemont and Augustine both gave her a sheepish grin and followed the others outside. The Meowth machine burst through the wall behind them. Chespin was trying to run with the basket of macarons and tripped, spilling them over the ground.

"Chespin, no!" Clemont yelled. He took a flying leap and grabbed Chespin, scrambling out of the way mere seconds before the treads of the machine rolled over him.

Ash ordered Pikachu to use Thunderbolt. Alexis brought out Litleo and ordered him to use Ember. The attacks were both absorbed by the mechanical Meowth's charm, then reflected back at them. Augustine pulled Alexis out of the way of a fireball that hit right where she was standing.

"This is bad," he said. "We need to destroy that medallion."

The machine turned toward Pikachu, moving to capture him. Ash scooped him up and dove out of the way, but the machine followed. "Get out of there, Ash!" Serena yelled. The machine reached to grab him again, but Litleo hit the arm with Headbutt, knocking it off course and giving Ash a chance to escape.

Suddenly, the machine stopped moving. It appeared to be out of power. Clemont and Chespin appeared in the opening of the warehouse. Clemont was holding the end of a thick cable.

The giant Meowth's mouth opened. "What do I do to fix this thing?" Meowth yelled angrily to James.

"Turn on the auxiliary power!" James told him.

Meowth flipped a switch and the machine powered up again. Alexis cursed. "I'll say one thing for them. They're prepared."

"We need to attack all together," Clemont said.

Pikachu, Litleo, and Chespin all attacked at the same time. The attacks simply bounced off or were absorbed and reflected back. Chespin gave a frustrated cry and began using Tackle. Pikachu said something to Ash and he nodded. "Good idea. Alexis, let's help!"

Alexis nodded and ordered Litleo to use Tackle as well. Pikachu used Quick Attack. The combined attacks resulted in the metal groaning, but little else. Alexis cursed again. "Any other ideas?"

Before anyone could come up with a new plan, a fiery mass attacked the machine. It hit with a solid kick and leapt back. As the flames died down, they saw that it was Mega Blaziken. It landed on a tree branch near a masked figure. "It's Blaziken Mask!" Ash yelled.

Blaziken Mask pointed at the machine. "Use Flamethrower, now!"

Mega Blaziken leapt into the air and realized a massive stream of fire. The sheer power of the attack made the others cover their faces. When they looked again, the machine was a charred hunk of twisted metal. A piece fell off of the front, revealing Meowth coughing on the smoke.

"Now's our chance!" Ash said. "Pikachu, use Electro Ball!"

"I'm sure your Pin Missle will work now, Chespin," Clemont said.

Alexis grinned. "Don't forget about us. Litleo, use Ember! Everyone aim for the powercore!"

The three Pokemon attacked in unison. The generator began to spark and make a whistling noise. "Sounds like it's makin' tea," Meowth said.

Augustine pulled Alexis to the ground. "Everybody duck!"

An explosion rocked the ground. When the noise faded away and the smoke cleared, there was no sign of Team Rocket. Bonnie held up a fist. "And don't come back!"

Ash and Clemont high-fived, then turned to thank Blaziken Mask, but he and Mega Blaziken were gone. "Mega Blaziken was awesome," Ash said.

"Can I have one for Christmas?" Alexis asked. Augustine laughed and pulled her into his arms.

Clemont turned to look at Chespin. "Chespin, Litleo, and Pikachu were pretty awesome too." He knelt in front of Chespin. "You know what? I think you deserve a little reward." He pulled out Serena's basket of macarons, still miraculously in one piece.

Chespin eagerly ran forward. He was about to start stuffing them in his mouth, but paused. "Chespin, pin, ches!" He ran around the group, handing a macaron to each member, including the Pokemon.

"Be careful or there won't be any left for you," Clemont cautioned him. Chespin screamed and ran back to the basket.

The sun was setting by the time they got back to the lab. Alexis and the kids decided to stay another night and set out in the morning. "Thank you so much for your help today," Augustine told the kids. He slipped his arm around Alexis's waist. "Because of all of you, I'm free again."

"Yeah, but still. Your research lab's messed up again," Ash pointed out.

Alexis shrugged. "I'll make some temporary repairs tonight."

"Not to worry," Augustine agreed. "I'll have it all fixed by the time you come to visit again."

"We'd better get going," Clemont said. "Clembot will have dinner waiting."

Bonnie tugged on his shirt sleeve. "Big brother, excuse me."

"Bonnie, is something wrong?"

Bonnie pointed at the bushes nearby. Chespin was peeking out, gazing longingly at the group. "It's been watching us," the little girl said.

Clemont smiled at the Pokemon. "You were a big help, Chespin. I'm sure that we'll see you soon."

"Chespin! Pin, pin, ches!" Chespin cried.

Alexis knelt by him and patted his head. "Aw, Chespin. You want to go with Clemont, don't you?"

"Ches!"

Bonnie tugged on Clemont's arm. "I wanna travel with Chespin, too. Please? Please? Please?"

"Is it okay?" Clemont asked Augustine.

Augustine nodded to Sophie, who disappeared inside, returning a moment later with a Poke Ball. "Of course," he told the boy. "After all, that's what Chespin wants."

Sophie handed Clemont the Poke Ball. Clemont turned to Chespin. "So, Professor Sycamore says it's okay for you to come along with us."

"Ches!" Chespin leapt into the air, overjoyed. Clemont held out the Poke Ball and Chespin leapt inside.

Clemont thanked Augustine again and led the others home for dinner. Alexis stood up. " I don't know about you, but I'm ready for dinner, too."

"Yes, please! I've missed your cooking." Augustine took her hand. "I've missed everything about you.

Alexis squeezed his hand lovingly. "Then let's get started."