The Victory Pokemon

"My sincere apologies but the Castelia City Gym is closed as I'm hosting an art exhibit in Undella Town, I apologize for any inconvenience this might have caused but I'll be back in two weeks. If you're of the impatient sort then I'll happily point out the Virbank City Gym to you, it's just a few hours from here by boat!" Cilan read out the sign plastered across the Gym doors while Ash hung his head and uttered out a groan of disappointment.

"You mean I have to wait? Man I was so psyched for this!"

"Pika!" Pikachu snapped his fingers with an equally disappointed expression.

Brock couldn't help but chuckle before speaking up. "Well shall we check out the sights or head to Virbank City first?"

"Virbank City!" Ash was quick to shout and Cilan was quick to back him up.

"Virbank City please, I'd love to see Pokestar Studios! Just imagine getting to see Brycen, Sabrina or some other celebrity!" Cilan gushed as his green eyes shimmered with excitement at the idea of meeting one of his celebrity idols. There was still the fishing competition in Castelia City but there was enough time to explore Virbank City before that happened.

"Sabrina? You're not talking about the Sabrina I think you're talking about are you?" Brock questioned.

"Oh right, you two are from Kanto... oh my gosh, you've met Sabrina!" Cilan was quick to put together before rushing right up to Brock and practically getting into his face as his eyes were filled with stars. "What was she like?! Did she have any hobbies? Is she nice?! Please tell me, I've got to know!"

"Uh... we actually didn't get to know too much about her as she turned me and our other friend, Misty into dolls last we saw her!"

"Seriously? That actually happened...?" Iris asked with narrowed eyes.

"She was a lot more cheerful after Haunter decided to stay with her though." Ash added before looking thoughtful. "I wonder how Haunter's doing..."

Hilda looked between them all before shrugging. "Well then I guess Virbank City it is then!"

"Here's the meteorite sir!" The Team Rocket trio simultaneously exclaimed while holding out the space rock towards Pierce. The Rocket executive quickly snatched it from their hands before handing it over to Zager.

"Get to work on that right away, the boss is counting on us to locate the rest of that meteor!" Pierce then turned back to the Rocket trio. "As for you three, I no longer require your services. You're free to do whatever you wish!" Pierce then promptly pushed the Rocket trio out of their Castelia City sewer hideout, knocking the three right into the yucky sewer water without a care before slamming the door shut.

"The nerve of that jerk, my uniform reeks! It'll probably takes ages to get this smell out of it!" Jessie growled out.

"Sure is rather ominous that he kicked us out though, weren't we supposed to be promoted? Why's he treating us like we're standard Rocket grunts." James questioned.

Meowth coughed up as he resurfaced. "Who cares, let's get back to basics by capturing that Pikachu! Once we succeed Pierce will be taking orders from us!"

"You're right, he'll regret treating us like this!" Jessie growled out while James stared at the door for a brief moment before standing up to follow the two of them out of the sewers while remaining unaware of what was happening behind the door.

The three just happened to come out of the sewers not far off from where Ash and his friends had been standing which allowed them to overhear their plans.

"Oh this will be a rather simple and easy trick, we'll disguise ourselves and lead the twerps onto a boat due to arrive on some island not far off the coast. Then once we're there we'll proceed to reveal ourselves as we spring a trap!" Meowth smirked.

"How will we get off that island though? If I recall we left our Meowth balloon back at Rocket Headquarters." James spoke up before letting out a surprise eek as Meowth whipped three jetpacks seemingly from out of nowhere.

"With these babies!" Meowth grinned. "I swiped them when Pierce wasn't looking, he hasn't paid us for the last few jobs so I thought why not steal these as payment!"

"Jetpacks!" Jessie and James let out excited squeals before clasping their hands together. They could blast off whenever they wanted but actually be in control of it now!

Pierce opened the door to the sewers before quickly closing it as he realized the trio had left. "Zager do you got a lock onto the meteorite?"

"Are you doubting my genius?! Of course I do! There's a massive radiation of power smack in the middle of that Desert 'Resort' as these Unovans call it that matches the exact same signature as this meteorite shard!"

"Impressive, most impressive. You've done well today Zager, why don't you go take a break? I've got to call the boss." Pierce waved his hand dismissively but Zager refused to move.

"Which boss are you referring to?" He suddenly asked. Pierce's eyes widened as Zager let out a laugh. "I knew it, you've been consulting with the enemy! You might have those three buffoons fooled but you don't have me fooled! I'm not so blind as to the fact that neither Marcus nor Johnathan have reported in for weeks and if I had to guess, they likely walked in on you while you were contacting this mysterious boss of yours so you had no choice but to kill them!"

Pierce slowly clapped his hands together. "Well done Dr. Zager, you've pieced the puzzle together!" Pierce reached into his lab coat before producing a metallic object that made Zager begin sweating heavily.

"I-Is that a g-gun...? Those were outlawed since the Great War twenty years ago! Even Giovanni himself helped in destroying those, how on earth do you have one of those?!"

"This is an invention of my own design, a freeze gun!" Pierce smirked as he pointed it at Zager. "You see Zager I was planted in your organization for quite some time, Ghetsis put me there over a decade ago so that I could raise up the ranks and help destroy the organization from within! Who do you think planted that stuff for you and Giovanni to find? It was me, I planted it there so that we could lure Giovanni out and kill him! Ending the Team Rocket threat once and for all! Ghetsis isn't stupid, he knows that Team Rocket is a threat. You lot have survived countless botched operations while most organizations flee with their tail between their legs after one failure involving legendary Pokemon! At times I played the part of a mindless grunt as to mask my intelligence and now we've got exactly what we need to start a war with Team Rocket! This is the end of Team Rocket and the beginning of the reign of Team Plasma!"

"Y-You'll never get away with this! Giovanni is quite the powerful trainer, he's gonna beat this Ghetsis of yours just you watch!"

"That may be... but with you dead I can continue playing both sides until I've got a good idea of the winning side!" Pierce held up the freeze ray again as he pointed it at Zager. "Goodbye Dr. Zager, say hello to Marcus and Johnathan for me!" Zager was frozen in a block of ice which soon shattered and left the former Team Rocket scientist in tiny untraceable shards as Pierce walked over to their communication device before activating it, immediately dropping to his knees as a hologram of Ghetsis appeared within the room.

"Agent Pierce what news do you have for me?"

"It's the meteorite alright, the one with the creature you've had those dreams about!"

"Excellent, you've done me proud today! What of Team Rocket, is Giovanni coming?!"

"Of course, I'm gonna call him once I wrap things up with you and he'll immediately embark to the Unova region with a fleet of Rocket members!"

"Excellent, I'll prepare my troops immediately. Be ready when the time comes Pierce, you better not fail me! It's crucial that Giovanni not survive this war!"

"You can count on me, sir!" Pierce saluted before Ghetsis disappeared. Pierce then quickly messed up his hair and broke a ketchup packet apart before rubbing it across this face as he reached to press another button causing Giovanni himself to appear, stroking his Persian as usual before suddenly taking a pause as he saw Pierce's appearance.

"Pierce! What happened to you?!" Giovanni slammed his fist against his desk, Persian leaped up with a startled yowl before letting out a frustrated hiss at him.

"It was just awful sir! That villainous team, Team Plasma broke into the hideout and relentlessly assaulted us, I'm afraid that Zager, Marcus and Johnathan are dead."

"And? Do they know of our plans?" Just as Pierce thought Giovanni brushed right over the demise of the Rocket agents. He viewed almost every single one as tools, only a few were exceptions such as Domino, Attila, Hun, Butch, Cassidy, and his second in command Archer!

"I'm afraid that they do, they're on their way to the Desert Resort to steal the meteorite right now! They're sending their entire arsenal!"

"Then we must do the same! Get ready Pierce, this will be the battle of a lifetime!" Giovanni hanged up.

Pierce smirked as he began rubbing his hands together. "Oh I hope so!"

"Hm... this boat doesn't seem to be going the right direction." Cilan mused over his map.

"We're going to Victory Garden?!" Iris exclaimed. "Ash you must have bought the wrong tickets!"

"No I didn't, they say Virbank City!" Ash showed her the tickets. "And those nice locals over there offered to show us the way!" Ash pointed towards what was obviously Team Rocket in disguise. Iris looked towards them before looking back at Ash.

"Ash I hate to break it to you but they look just like you, a fish out of water. I think they're confused tourists." Iris shrugged.

"Well Victory Garden's still a pretty cool tourist destination!" Hilda smiled. "My bro told me about this cool Fire type Pokemon that lives here that a rare and powerful Pokemon!"

"Rare and powerful, huh? Maybe I can battle it!" Ash clenched his fists as an eager smirk crossed his face, Pikachu copied his trainer while Iris shook her head.

"I swear you can be such a kid sometimes!"

The boat soon landed at the dock and the group departed from the boat along with a small group of tourists and the Team Rocket trio.

"So where's this Pokemon at?!" Ash exclaimed while eagerly looking around.

"Up at the old lighthouse from what I recall," Hilda pointed towards an abandoned looking lighthouse on the center of the small island. "It used to be functional but Victini's made it his home for the last hundred years."

Team Rocket watched as the twerps began making their way towards the lighthouse before turning to each other with eager expressions. "This is great, we can swipe Pikachu along with this powerful Fire type Pokemon!" Meowth exclaimed.

"The Boss will be most pleased with that!" James grinned.

"We'll be promoted for sure!" Jessie cried out. The three clapped their hands together excitedly while being unaware of the black boat with the Plasma insignia on it docking right behind them.

"Hello?!" Ash called out as he walked into the lighthouse, his eyes darted around as he tried to locate the mysterious Pokemon but all he saw scattered about were Pokemon plush toys. "Mysterious Fire type? I've come to challenge you to a battle if you don't mind! Or y'know, it'd just be nice to meet you!" He chuckled.

Iris gazed around the room as not a thing stirred. Brock, Cilan and Hilda looked around as well but didn't see a Pokemon anywhere!

"Maybe it left? Your brother hasn't seen it in years so who knows if it's even here-Aaaah!" Iris screamed as the plush in front of her suddenly flew up into the air before holding up his fingers to make a 'V'. The small cute Pokemon then let out an enthusiastic cry as his eyes glowed bright blue before making the Pokemon plush toys all around the room suddenly levitate off the ground! The toys circled around the group as they watched in amazement for a bit.

"Victini, Victini tini!" Victini cried out energetically, seeming to want them to play with him!

Team Rocket had entered with Yamask and Frillish released from their confinement, they were about to ambush the gang and shout their motto before their eyes rested on Victini.

"Aw he's so adorable!" James gushed.

"I don't think I could bring myself to capture it!"

"Me either!" Meowth added.

Ash stared at the levitating toys for a moment before letting out a chuckle as he gave Victini a smile. "Sure, we can play with you!"

"Pika!"

"Axew ew!" Axew cried out before leaping off Iris' shoulder. Victini then let out a cry of joy as he began chasing Pikachu and Axew all across the room, the three Pokemon already acting as if they were close friends with how they were behaving. However the moment didn't last for long as loud footsteps could be heard before the wall next to them began to crumble as the familiar black scaled Haxorus appeared with a loud roar!

"Team Plasma!" Ash exclaimed while Darmanitan, Beartic and what appeared to be Gurdurr's evolution appeared through the hole.

"Missed us?!" Chase shouted as he pointed towards Victini. "Victini you're coming with us!"

"Victini?!" Victini exclaimed before quickly shaking his head.

"I'm afraid that's not a choice you can make, Darmanitan attack!"

Brick threw out his arm as he signaled for Conkeldurr to rush forward as well.

"Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"

"Pika... chuuu!" Pikachu's cheeks sparked before the Fire and Fighting Pokemon were blasted with a powerful shock of electricity! They cried out in pain before collapsing on the spot while Chase's eye twitched from frustration before pointing angrily towards Ash.

"How is it that you're always where we go? You're constantly interfering with our plans and I'm sick of it! Can't you see what we're doing is benefitting Unova and Pokemon kind?! It might not look like it right now but you've got to break some eggs to make omelets!"

"You sound like you're brainwashed just listen to yourself!" Iris shouted.

Brooke looked at her feet for a moment before looking up as the black knight stepped in. Victini let out an eager cry and flew right over to him, sensing that it was his old friend!

"Wait you know Victini?!" Chase asked with a startled look. "I thought you were with Team Plasma since you were a toddler!"

Zach held onto the side of his helmet as he let out a pained grunt. Brooke and Chase showed signs of concern for him much like they had earlier.

"Vic-Victini...?"

"Victini!" Victini cried out, wrapping his arms around the helmet as he gave his friend a hug. Hilda looked hopeful for a second as she wondered if Victini would help set his mind right, Zach's arms started to raise up to return the hug before he tightly gripped Victini with his hands.

"Gotcha, you're mine now!"

"Hahaha!" Chase laughed as he held up an empty Pokeball and reached towards Victini, however right before the ball made contact the knight's grip on Victini loosened up. "What the?! We had him, why'd you let him go?!" Chase shouted as he waved his fist aggressively for a moment before tilting his head as the knight held onto his head again. "What's wrong with you...?"

"Victini!" Victini flew over and hid behind Hilda.

"Zach..? Zach keeping fighting, you've got to break free!" Hilda begged as she cried out. Zach continued holding onto his head before letting out an aggravated shout.

"Draco Meteor!" He shouted.

Haxorus raised up his head and roared as bright purple meteors began pouring down from the sky above, crashing right through the ceiling and down towards the twerps and Team Rocket. Team Rocket let out alarmed cries as they hugged one another before Victini raised up his arms, bringing up a protective blue barrier around the large group and shielding them all with a grunt. He then turned towards Team Plasma with an annoyed look upon viewing his now destroyed home and toys which laid torn and in ruin, Victini let out a cry as he summoned a powerful blue ball of electricity between his hands before firing it upon Team Plasma! Brooke let out a terrified scream before clinging to Chase who had a terrified look as the electricity went flying towards them before the black knight suddenly raised up his sword.

"Foolish Fire type, I can control Electric attacks hahah!" The sword absorbed Victini's electric attack much like it did with Pikachu's Thunderbolt several weeks prior, however unlike Pikachu's attack he couldn't control this! The attack instantly released from the sword and increased in volume before creating a large electrical explosion that sent everyone on the island flying while completely destroying Victini's home!

Hilda awoke with a pained groan several hours later, her eyes opening slowly before quickly shooting open as she saw it was dusk! "W-What happened?! Ash? Cilan? Brock..? Anybody?!" She called out before noticing them all recovering along the Castelia City shoreline along with Pikachu, Axew and Victini although the Fire type wasn't moving.

"No!" Hilda quickly rushed forward and pressed her hands across the Fire type's stomach. "Live, live!" She shouted before Brock quickly pushed her aside and listened to the Pokemon's heartbeat before closely examining it.

"Victini's alive, he's just in a coma. He'll be like this for awhile..." He stated with a saddened expression. Hilda frowned before reaching for a Pokeball.

"Well we can't just leave him like this, Team Plasma will just come back for him! Once he recovers I'll release him and he can be free once more!"

Ash groaned out before looking up into the sky as several black helicopters with large red R's went flying above them. He tilted his head as he wondered what was going on?

Not far along the beach laid Brooke and Chase along with the black knight. Brick was nowhere to be seen. They looked up as the sound of incoming helicopters flew ahead before another set of black helicopters appeared with the familiar Plasma insignia across them.

"Ugh..." The knight rubbed his head with one hand while tightly gripping his swords with the other. "W-Where's Haxorus?! Is he sake? Is he alright?!" He asked rather anxiously and different than usual which the two were quick to note before he calmed down as Haxorus burst out from the sand next to them.

"Hax!"

"Praise Arceus you're okay!"

The communicator on the black knight's wrist began beeping as he held onto his head again before a hologram of Ghetsis suddenly appeared before them.

"Ghetsis!" Chase exclaimed before immediately taking a bow alongside the knight while Brooke stood standing, eyeing the two as she remembered what the strange Dragon girl had said.

"My lord?"

"Knight. You're to report to the Desert Resort immediately, there's a war incoming!"

"A w-war...?" Chase looked up.

"Team Rocket is here and threatening our way of peace, we must put an end to them immediately no matter what the cost!"

"Yes my lord, we'll be right there!"

Chase and Brooke flashed each other worried looks before looking up at the helicopters as they started getting a sick and worrisome feeling inside their stomachs.

And so the war begins...