The Army of Ash! Destroy Team Rocket!

Chapter 1: Prepare For War

Goh was at a loss for words. He had absolutely no clue what to say to his friend. Goh had no way of relating to what was happening to Ash right now. The day had gone on so innocently and normally. Goh had caught a few more Pokemon, and Ash had been making progress in training up his newest team for his inevitable rematch with Leon.

Then Rotom Phone rang.

Ash was clearly shocked and worried when Officer Jenny told him that his mother was in the hospital, but when she went on to say that Delia Ketchum was in the hospital because she had been attacked, Ash was horrified. Pikachu hadn't taken the news much better. The electric mouse cried out loudly, over and over again, clearly in great distress at the news. In stark contrast to Pikachu's vocal reactions, Ash was almost eerily silent as the group quickly traveled back to the hospital his mother was in.

Goh felt so stupid during all this, wishing that he could think of something, anything to say to his new friend. However, Ash didn't exactly seem very much up for conversation. And yet, the worst was clearly yet to come. Officer Jenny didn't divulge much information on Delia's condition, so what they found when they entered the hospital room was nothing less than a hideous surprise.

Delia lay still in the bed, a respirator on her face and an IV in her arm. The woman was in a deep coma induced by high levels of poison, according to the doctor that led them into the room. Goh looked at Ash's face, and it unnerved him how terrified the Kanto Trainer was. Ash had always been so brave and bold and confident, never backing down from anything, whether it be rogue Gigantamaxed Pokemon or the violent Legendary of the Darkest Day itself. And yet, right now, Ash was truly afraid as he beheld his mother, who was now in critical condition.

Goh's self loathing over how he had no words to say was suddenly forgotten when Pikachu started screaming. Pikachu wailed tearfully and would have thrown himself onto Delia to hug her if Ash hadn't quickly hugged him tightly against his chest. Eventually, Pikachu stopped struggling and resigned himself to simply cry into Ash's shirt. The doctor assured everyone present that Delia was getting the best of care and that she would awaken once she was cured and purged of all the poison. Delia was a very healthy and strong woman, so she would be able to recover in due time, according to the doctor. Professor Oak was also present, and he put a hand on Ash's shoulder as he assured the boy that his mother was safe and being treated, and would soon get better.

Ash spent a few moments just holding his mother's hand, but then, seemingly out of nowhere, asked if he could talk to Officer Jenny.

". . .It was just as the caller said. Delia had been. . .attacked, and her Mr. Mime had been taken. It figures that the one who gave me the anonymous tip was at least involved in the attack, if not the attacker himself," Officer Jenny said with a look of dismay, "I'm very sorry, Ash."

Ash, Goh, and Pikachu stood before the officer in the hospital lobby, all with differing reactions to the account. Goh was angry at the fact that anyone would do something to a nice person like Ash's mom, Pikachu was still crying as his ears hung low, and Ash seemed to be fighting an inner battle with himself, as if he was trying to keep something under control and just barely managing to do so.

". . .Why?" Ash said finally, his eyes shut as he grimaced, "Who did this?"

Jenny sighed and said, "Well, the attacker actually left a calling card."

Ash opened his eyes, and he saw that Jenny was holding out a small black card to him. Ash took it and read what was typed onto it.

"This is the penalty for meddling in our affairs. Do not interfere with our activities anymore. This is your final warning."

Ash blinked, and he said, "I don't get it. What-?"

Ash suddenly lost his voice when he turned the card over. Printed on the reverse side was a very familiar letter "R." Ash let the card drop from his fingers as he stared st nothing with his mouth hanging open.

"Ash," Jenny said gently, "I assure you that we are looking into this matter. We've been getting closer and closer to finally taking down Team Rocket. They've gotten bolder and bolder, and thus will soon make a fatal mistake due to their overconfidence. We will find them, and we will arrest the ones responsible for the attack on your mother, as well as find her Mr. Mime."

"No you won't, you can't do anything," Ash said rather sharply, the brim of his hat covering his eyes.

Jenny was surprised by this response, but then sighed again and said, "Ash, I understand-."

"Team Rocket's being doing stuff in every region in the world, and it's always me and my friends who have to stop them," Ash continued, "We stopped Team Rocket from catching Lugia and her baby in Johto, Team Rocket went crazy with ghost trains and plans to catch the Weather Trio and Meloetta in Unova, and Gozu made helping Necrozma way harder than it needed to be in Alola."

Tears dripped down Ash's cheeks as he pulled the brim of his hat down further and continued, "I get it now: I can't count on anyone else to stop Team Rocket. You'll never catch Giovanni doing things your way. If I had figured it out sooner, then this wouldn't have happened."

Ash then ran right past a shocked Officer Jenny and out the door. Pikachu blinked the tears out of his own eyes and zapped the card Ash had dropped, frying it with his electricity, and then took off after his Trainer. Jenny then turned to Goh, who was just standing there with his mouth hanging open.

"You'd best go after your friend," Jenny said matter-of-factly, "He's obviously not going to listen to me."

Goh blinked, then he nodded and quickly took after Ash.

Goh found Ash and Pikachu sitting on a bench. Pikachu was resting in Ash's lap, and Ash was staring out at the horizon, his brow furrowed in deep thought. Goh stood by nervously for a moment, then slowly walked over and said, "Hey."

Ash nodded to acknowledge that he heard him, but didn't answer.

Goh stood awkwardly nearby, then he said, "Ash, I really owe you a lot. . .for being the first real friend I've made in a long time. And I just wish I could do more than just say how much it stinks, and how sorry I am, Ash. And, and I just. . ." Goh hung his head and and his body shook as he wiped his eyes.

Ash shook his head and said, "Don't worry, Goh. I'm not mad at you, or anything. I'm mad at myself for not doing anything sooner."

Goh looked up at his friend in confusion, "Ash?"

"Team Rocket's been following me since I first started being a Pokemon Trainer," Ash said, "You heard what I told Officer Jenny. They've been doing terrible things right in front of me. Sure, I'd help stop 'em, but then I'd just go back to my journey as if nothing ever happened. I just never took them seriously like Aqua and Magma, or Galactic or Plasma or Flare. I should've stopped them for good, but I didn't, so what happened to my mom was my fault."

"No way," Goh said with certainty, "That wasn't your fault, Ash. There's no way you could've taken down all of Team Rocket. You don't even know where they are!"

"Not at first," Ash admitted, still staring off into the horizon, "But around half-way through my time in Unova, I probably could've. I had caught enough Pokemon, and the way to their headquarters was staring me right in the face."

Goh stared at Ash in blank confusion and asked, "What are you talking about, Ash?"

Ash just shook his head and said, "I don't know. Maybe now I have a better chance, but I should've at least done it after Alola, or maybe even after Kalos."

"Done what? What do you mean?" Goh said, his voice starting to show signs of concern for his friends.

Ash held Pikachu in his arms as he got up from the bench. He gave a determined nod and said, "I know a sure fire way to find Team Rocket's headquarters. Then I can defeat Giovanni once and for all and make him disband Team Rocket so they'll never hurt anyone else again."

"By yourself?!" Goh exclaimed.

"No, of course not," Ash said, then he smiled down at Pikachu and said, "I'll have all the Pokemon friends I've made since I first started my journey. That's what being a Pokemon Master is all about. Becoming the very best of friends with Pokemon that no one ever was, so that when there's trouble, we can all help each other defend the world. Right, Pikachu?"

"Pika, Pikapi!" the mouse Pokemon agreed with a determined nod.

". . .aren't you gonna tell Officer Jenny-?" Goh began.

"No," Ash said with certainty, "Giovanni made this personal, and Jessie, James, and Meowth have been making this personal for even longer. So now this is just something I have to do on my own. The Pokemon I've trained are plenty strong enough for this. We can do this, I know we can."

Goh stepped forward and said, "Sorry, Ash, but I'm in this too! You can count on my Pokemon to fight with yours!"

Ash frowned and said, "Goh, I can't-."

"I don't care!" Goh said loudly, surprising Ash quite a bit, "I doesn't matter what you say to me or what you do, I'm going to stick by you during all this. If you don't want anyone else to know what you're gonna do, fine. My lips are sealed. But I'm going with you whether you like it or not. You're my friend, Ash, and friends stick together no matter what. So there!"

Ash stared wide eyed at Goh, amazed at how determined and resolute he was. "Goh. . .I. . ." Ash began.

"Pika pika?" Pikachu questioned, looking similarly impressed with Goh while at the same time concerned for Ash.

Ash seemed to understand Pikachu's concerns, and he looked down and smiled as he said, "Well. . .thanks Goh. Really, I. . .hearing you say that. . . It probably would be a good idea for you to help me. I was kinda starting to become like how Mewtwo was."

Goh was surprised by this comparison, as the encounter with the powerful Pokemon on Cero Island and the subsequent curb stomp battle was very fresh on his mind. "What do you mean?" Goh asked.

Ash looked up at Goh and explained with a sad smile, "Mewtwo was. . . really hurt by humans. Specifically Team Rocket. He was really angry and really hated them for a while. Even after destroying the lab he was imprisoned in and everyone else in it, it wasn't enough for him. It took a lot for him to finally let it go and understand that most humans can be good and kind." Ash then gained a look of shame and said, "I was starting to get a little angry at Officer Jenny and Looker and everyone else for not stopping Giovanni and the rest of Team Rocket after everything they've done. I've seen members of Team Rocket just . . .get away so much. I never realized how bad and unfair that all was until they decided to go after my mom. I don't want to end up still feeling angry if my plan fails, or if Giovanni escapes. Like, what if after I've stopped Team Rocket, it isn't enough for me? What if I'm always angry and can't trust people anymore?"

Goh suddenly put his hands on Ash's shoulders and said, "Hey! That's crazy! You're Ash! You never give up, and you always have a positive attitude. You know what's right, and you do it! And you believe that people can achieve their dreams and do the right things. You believed in me, right?"

Ash couldn't help but smile again, and he said, "Sure, I do. Besides, the point is that as long as I've got friends like you, I know I'll be alright. I guess I've made tons of friends in every region I've traveled to. But this is gonna be dangerous, and this really is just one of those things I feel I have to do on my own. But if you're gonna stick with me, then I'm not gonna turn you away. This really means a lot to me, Goh!"

Goh winked and said, "No problem, Ash! Me and Cinderace and Drizzile and the rest of my team are with you! So come on! Tell me what your plan is!"

When Meowth opened his eyes, he couldn't see a thing. The room was pitch black. What's more, he could feel coils of rope tightly wrapped around him. As he wiggled about, it became clear to him that he had been tied up onto a small chair.

"Hey! What's da big idea!?" Meowth shouted into the darkness.

After receiving no response, Meowth continued to struggle against his bonds as he went over everything he remembered. It was the usual song and dance. Another attempt at catching Pikachu. However, and much to Meowth surprised recollection, he distinctly recalled Pikachu sending out an Electroweb at him, which the mouse Pokemon then used to reel him in towards the twerps. Shortly afterwards, Jessie and James were blasted off again, and then he was knocked out by fierce, seemingly vengeful Iron Tail.

Meowth was then suddenly blinded by light, and as he blinked to adjust his eyes to the new light level, he saw that he was in what looked like an empty warehouse. To Meowth's right, Goh was shining a tall gooseneck lamp in his face. To Meowth's left, Pikachu was standing with his arms folded and his cheeks sparking as he glared at him with a hatred Meowth hadn't seen since the aftermath of the Ghost Train incident in Unova. And directly in front of Meowth stood Ash Ketchum himself, who looked rather serious with his hat turned around backwards.

"Alright, Meowth," Ash said sternly, "I've got some questions about Team Rocket's headquarters."