The Army of Ash! Destroy Team Rocket!

Chapter 3: Mustering the Troops

Rowlet sat dozing on his perch, a usual state for the Grass/Flying Type Pokemon. Honestly, it would actually be stranger to see the small Pokemon wide awake at any time other than during a meal or during a battle. However, Rowlet's sleep was interrupted by a Dusk Form Lycanroc that zoomed in and knocked into his perch.

Rowlet awoke midfall and hooted out in panic, flailing his wings as he fell to the ground. He immediately jumped up and hooted angrily at Lycanroc, unhappy at having been woken up in such a manner. However, once Lycanroc excitedly spoke to him, Rowlet's mood took a 180 in response to this good news. Rowlett quickly flew and landed on Lycanroc's back, and the wolf ran off into the other room where Professor Kukui was waiting along with their two larger teammates; Incineroar and Melmetal.

KuKui smiled at the group and said, "Well, it sounds like you're all eager to see Ash again, aren't you?"

The Pokemon all nodded and voiced their happiness.

"Well, Ash didn't tell me exactly why he needed you all to join him in Kanto," Kukui elaborated, "But I'm quite sure Ash will fill me in on it soon enough." The Professor of the Alola Region then took out couple of shrunken Pokeballs and said, "Well, everyone back in your balls so I can Transfer you all over via the Global PC system."

Rowlet tilted his head at this, looking slightly nervous.

Kukui noticed and reached over to gently pet the Grass Quill Pokemon. "Don't worry," Kukui said kindly and with genuine patience in his voice, "It's completely safe. You won't feel a thing, I promise."

"Go-go-go, keep up the pressure! Don't let up!" Anthony shouted to the two Pokemon sparring in the ring.

On one side was Anthony's Hitmonchan, and on the other was a very determined Primeape. Hitmonchan used Agility to speed itself up and shot forward with a Comet Punch. However, in a stunning turn of events, Primeape actually dodged the punch and landed a Mega Kick in Hitmonchan's chest. As Hitmonchan was elevated slightly, Primeape jumped up and grabbed him, finishing the match with a Seismic Toss.

Primeape slammed his fists together and roared in triumph.

"Awesome, Primeape!"

Primeape's eyes widened at the familiar voice, and turned to see Ash clapping while Pikachu sat on his shoulder, cheering for the Fighting-type as well. Primeape jumped over the ropes and dashed towards Ash. He quickly climbed up onto Ash's other shoulder, promptly stealing his hat as well.

Ash laughed and patted Primeape on the back, "It's good to see you too, Primeape. You've gotten so strong."

Anthony walked over to Ash and nodded, "That's right! Thanks to me! Your Primeape was born to be a P1 Champion. It won't be long now, Ash."

Ash nodded, "Yeah, I know it. But something important just came up, and I need Primeape's help. It'll be like. . .a special type of training."

Anthony gave Ash a thumbs up and said, "Hey, Primeape's been doing amazing. I'd bet switching things up would do him good."

Ash turned to Primeape and said, "What do you say, Primeape? You up for a new adventure."

Primeape nodded and pumped his fist in excitement, then fist bumped Pikachu as the two Pokemon nodded to each other.

The Squirtle Squad led Ash and Pikachu into a cavern to where their leader was situated. The head Squirtle was resting in a shallow pool when they arrived. He lifted his signature dark sunglasses and cried out in joy when he saw his old friends. He leapt out of the water and quickly ran over to Ash, jumping into his arms for a hug.

"I missed you too, Squirtle!" Ash said happily, "I'm so glad you and your friends have been doing so well. I asked around and everyone really loves the Squirtle Squad!"

"Squirt squirtle squirtle!" the turtle said proudly.

Ash nodded, but then turned slightly serious and said, "Well, Squirtle, I know you guys have an important job to do, but something big's going on, and I really need your help."

Squirtle stared at Ash, studying the Trainer's face. He didn't know exactly how, but somehow he knew that this was different from when Ash asked him to help him out at that Battle Pyramid. This was something more important, more serious, more dire.

So, Squirtle nodded and wriggled out of Ash's arms. He then turned to the rest of the Squirtle Squad and spoke authoritatively to them. The other four Squirtles nodded and chanted strongly. Squirtle smiled and nodded to Ash, saluting to him officially.

"Pika? Pikachu? Pikachu!" Pikachu cheered.

Ash was clearly thrilled as he said, "Really? You'll all help?"

The Squirtle Squad all cheered.

Ash walked through the forest near Pallet Town. Pikachu and Primeape were waiting back at the lab, as Ash felt that he had best do this on his own. Looking up into the trees, Ash silently searched for any sign of them. He knew that once he found one, he'd find the others; and once he found the others, he'd find their leader.

The sound of ruffling feathers and cawing caught Ash's attention, and he jerked his head up to see a couple of Spearows flying away as fast as they good.

Ash smiled, and he quickly jogged off in the direction the Spearows were fleeing from.

Before long, Ash could hear the sound of Pidgeys and Pigeottos squawking and calling all around him. He came across a mid-sized clearing, and he could see a large number of the Bird Pokemon perched on branches or pecking at berries. Many of them turned to look at human warily, but none of them showed any actual fear or moved to attack. After all, most of them either knew him or knew of him.

Ash felt a gust of wind as the flock's leader descended and landed a few feet in front of him. Ash smiled at Pidgeot and slowly stepped forward. He reached out and carefully stroked the side of Pigdeot's head. Pidgeot leaned into Ash's touch, squawking softly and happily.

"I knew I made the right choice in letting you stay here," Ash said, "You did a great job protecting everyone, making sure everyone could get as strong as you."

Pidgeot nodded, chirping as he extended his wings to embrace Ash.

"I missed you too," Ash said, getting slightly misty eyed as he continued to stroke the Pokemon's head. Then he backed up a bit a said, "I knew you were happy here, and I knew that the flock needed you. This is what you were meant for. . .but right now, I need your help. Something big's going on, and I need all the help I can get. Just for a few days. You've helped the Pidgeys and Pidgeottos so much. I know that they can handle Fearow's gang thanks to you." Ash looked right into Pidgeot's eyes and said, "So, can you come with me, and help me save Kanto and keep Pokemon everywhere safe?"

Pidgeot blinked, and he moved his head sideways, then he hopped back from Ash and threw his head back to cry out to his surrounding flock.

Ash's eyes widened as he watched all of the Pidgeys an Pidgeottos leap from their branches ans fly around in a big circle above them. Pidgeot flapped his wings, crying out loud and calling his entire flock to action.

Ash looked up at the birds, then slowly looked over at Pidgeot and said, ". . .All of you, too?"

Pidgeot nodded with a look of pride, joy, and determination.

Ash blinked, then smiled and nodded thoughtfully, "Yeah. . .yeah, that could work. That'd be perfect. It's just what I-." Ash looked fondly at his loyal Pidgeot and said, "Thank you. . . thank you so much, Pidgeot."

Ash stuck his head under the faucet in the bathroom sink, letting the cool water run over his head and neck. He turned off the water and lifted his head up, shaking the water out of his hair before properly drying off his head and neck with a towel. At that very moment, a literal army of Pokemon was waiting for him outside. Goh was keeping Professor Oak busy, meaning Ash had time to address his Pokemon, informing them of what he wanted them to do.

As Ash stared at his reflection in the mirror, he thought about the Pokemon he was unable to recruit. He had given Butterfree and Lapras their full on and well deserved freedom a long time ago, Greninja was still busy cleaning helping Zygarde clean up Team Flare's mess in Kalos, Goodra had already been through a war against Florges' army in the wetlands so Ash figured it would be wrong to ask him to fight in another war after the trauma he received as a Goomy, and Naganadel was in another dimension.

Ash then thought about what exactly he was doing. It all seemed quite simple at first glance. He had seen Team Rocket do such terrible things, most of which were just as bad if not worse than what the evil teams he had helped stopped had done, and because he didn't do enough, Mimey was captured and his mother was in a coma. However, as Ash thought about his plans of storming Team Rocket HQ and defeating Giovanni, he began to second guess his own thoughts.

"I have to do this," Ash said to himself, "I just have to. . . and I want to . . .but I don't even know why that is?" Ash grabbed the sides of the sink tightly as he scrunched up his eyes and said, "I don't get it. Whenever something goes wrong, or somebody wants to destroy the region or hurt Pokemon or force a Legendary Pokemon to do what they say. . .why am I always there?"

". . .lest the earth shall turn to ash. . . "

Ash let out a loud huff, more out of frustration than relief. He had tried to forget about that Shamouti Prophecy. After all, it seemed like it was all over. They'd stopped Lawrence III, the battle between Lugia and the Legendary Birds was stopped, and the world was saved. Ash wanted to be a Pokemon Master, not some Chosen One. But as so many crazy things kept happening around him, Legendaries, disasters, people trying to take over or destroy the world; more and more did that Prophecy come to mind, refusing to leave, refusing to be forgotten.

"Fine," Ash said with certainty, "But I'm doing this because I want to do it. It's still my choice. I choose to stop Team Rocket!"

Seeing all of his Pokemon standing before him on the property owned by Professor Oak put a smile on Ash's face. Each and every one of these Pokemon were his friends. From the Pikachu perched on his shoulder to the herd of 30 Tauros in the back. Ash was also aware of the other four members of the Squirtle Squad, as well as Pidgeot's flock, who were waiting back in the forest for their leader to tell them when and where to go.

Ash took a deep breath, and picked up a microphone connected to a large speaker. With Pikachu on his shoulder to give him emotional support, Ash started to speak.

"Hello, everyone! I know you all wanna know why I brought everyone together here. It's really important, probably the most important thing we'll ever do. . .if you guys decide to go through with it, cause its gonna be dangerous."

Ash took a moment to gather his thoughts, then continued.

"You guys all know Team Rocket. Mostly from Jessie, James, and Meowth. But most of you also know about the really bad things that the rest of Team Rocket has done. Like when they tried to capture Lugia's baby, or when they captured Meloetta so they could control the Weather Trio in Unova, or when they tried to capture Necrozma. The point is, Team Rocket is just as bad as all the other Teams we've fought. They're probably even worse because Aqua, Magma, Galactic, Plasma, and Flare only stood in one region, but Team Rocket has been in probably every region in the world. And they've been stealing and kidnapping Pokemon from their homes for so long. . . they've probably got thousands of Pokemon locked up right now!"

Ash could hear his Pokemon talk amongst themselves in response to that fact. Ash let them all settle down before continuing.

"Well. . . . I guess I realize now how dumb I was for not seeing that they needed to be stopped. That Giovanni needed to be stopped. You all know that my dream is to become a Pokemon Master, but a true Pokemon Master would always fight to defend the world and it's Pokemon, and I didn't do that! Everytime Team Rocket would do something serious, I'd just forget about and go back to blasting off Meowth and them like it didn't matter. I didn't take Team Rocket seriously, which is just as bad a helping them."

Pikachu noticed that not only was Ash shaking, but he was also hanging his head in shame. Pikachu licked Ash's cheek, pulling him out of his funk as he sighed and gave Pikachu a nod in thanks.

"I probably would have kept on doing nothing. . .if Giovanni hadn't. . . did what he did," Ash began slowly, then he frowned hard and said in a level tone, "Giovanni sent someone from Team Rocket. . .and they took Mimey. . .and they hurt my mom real bad. . ."

It made sense than pretty much all of Ash's Pokemon knew Delia Ketchum and her Mr. Mime. Delia was a very sweet and caring woman who loved all of Ash's Pokemon, and Mimey was also quite caring, nurturing, and sympathetic to all. Therefore, hearing this sent a massive wave through the crowd. It was a mixture of furious roars and snarls for vengeance, gasps of pure disbelief, and heartbroken sobs and wails.

"I know how you all feel!" Ash shouted out over the crowd with the aid of the large speaker next to him, "And believe me, it all really hurts. And it really makes me feel awful when I think about it took something like this to make me finally realize that something needs to be done about Team Rocket! What happened to Mewtwo alone should have been enough! But it took them hurting my own mom for me to wake up. I'm still made at myself for being so stupid, but what matters now is that I know what I need to do. What we need to do. I know where Team Rocket Headquarters is! I know where Giovanni is! And if all of you are willing to help me, than we can go there and take down Team Rocket once and for all!"

The entire crowd of Pokemon cheered, voicing their willingness to do this. However, Ash raised his free hand and shouted, "Wait! Wait a minute, please! This is gonna be dangerous. REALLY dangerous. The place has tons of bad humans with Pokemon and machines that we'll have to fight to get to Giovanni. I don't want to force any of you into doing something you don't think you're ready for. If any of you aren't ready to give everything you have and put yourselves in super dangerous battles, that's okay! I don't want to-."

Ash was cut off by an even louder cheer from every single one of his Pokemon. Ash looked throughout the crowd, and he saw that not one of them looked scared or apprehensive at all. Ash was shocked at first, then he smiled, brimming with pride.

Ash raised his free hand to get everyone to settle down, then he said, "Okay. . . okay. . .thank you, everyone. So, I've got a plan to how we're gonna get in there, catch Giovanni, and get out. It also involves freeing as many of the Pokemon trapped there too. First off, we're gonna need to break through Team Rocket's defenses. The walls and any other hazards they have there. That'll be up to Donphan, Snorlax, Torterra, Boldore, and Melmetal. You guys we'll be able to smash right through! And don't worry, I've got a plan for getting you all right up to the base real fast. Trust me, it'll be awesome!"

Melmetal flexed his massive arms impressively as Donphan, Torterra, and Boldore all stomped in excitement. Snorlax gave a very slow salute.

Ash nodded and continued, "Right. Next, we need two teams that'll focus on getting into where all the kidnapped Pokemon are being held. If this is gonna work, not only do we have to break open those cages, we need to get the Pokemon to fight with us. So I need Pokemon who are strong and friendly. Pokemon who can encourage other Pokemon and earn their trust fast. Dragonite, you'll be the leader of one team, cause no one can resist a hug from you. Bulbasaur and Leavanny, you guys are really nice, so you'll be good at this. You too, Rowlet. Snivy, your Attract should be useful. Pignite, you can be the leader of the other team. Oshawott, Palpitoad, Totodile, Bayleef, Torkoal, Gengar; you'd all be perfect for this. Just focus on showing them you don't mean them any harm, that you're there to save them, and that you need them to help fight for their freedom! Okay!"

The named Pokemon all nodded and cheered, raising their appendages proudly.

Ash went on, "Next, we've all seen Team Rocket use some pretty crazy looking mechs and stuff, so we need to make sure we smash up their labs too, or else they might try to send out some new amazing but evil science stuff to stop us. This team is gonna be made up of Pokemon who'll be ready to destroy anything anytime as fast as they can. Heracross, Kingler, Corphish, Scraggy, Krookodile, Hawlucha, Incineroar, Glalie, Buizel, Quilava, Muk, Gible, Dracovish, and the Squirtle Squad. Make things as hard and crazy for the Team Rocket scientists as you can!"

After several more hearty cheers, Ash gained a far more serious expression and said, "Okay then. . .this is where things get real tough. . . Charizard, I'm gonna need you to fly right into the center of the base, or as close as you can bring me to it. Then I need you to stay at that spot not let anyone else in or out. I know you'd rather battle by my side, but this is really important, because I need to be able to get to Giovanni without worrying about any Team Rocket members coming to to try and stop me. I know you can do it, Charizard. You with me?"

Charizard nodded and gave Ash a thumbs up.

Ash smiled and said, "Great. Alright then. Tauros and all Flying-types! I've got a special job for all of you. But first, I need to pick out five of my strongest Pokemon to join me and Pikachu facing off against Giovanni. This is gonna be the most important battle we'll ever fight, so I thought long and hard about this, and I know that the ones I'm gonna pick are the perfect ones for the job."

Ash pointed and called out, "Infernape! I choose you!"

Infernape quickly jumped and leapt over the Pokemon in his path to reach Ash's side. He and Ash grabbed each others hands tightly, and Ash said with a smile, "After you went after Moltress to prove how strong you are and how much you wanted to become even stronger, how couldn't I pick you."

"Nape!" the Fire/Fighting-type said with a wide smile and a determined nod.

After one strong squeeze of their hands, Ash and Infernape let go, and Ash pointed out into the crowd and called out, "Sceptile, I chose you!"

The Grass-type swiftly reached Ash and nodded calmly.

"You were awesome against Tobias' Darkrai," Ash said proudly, "You'll be perfect for this battle."

Sceptile smiled around the twig he held in his mouth with impeccable coolness.

Ash turned and pointed, "Lycanroc, I choose you!"

Lycanroc howled loudly, and he quickly ran up to Ash, tackling him to the ground and licking him. Ash laughed as he petted the uniquely colored Pokemon, and after he gently rolled Lycanroc off of him and sat up, he said, "You helped me win the Alola League. I know you'll help me win against Team Rocket."

Lycanroc nodded and howled again.

Ash stood back up and pointed, "Sirfetch'd, I chose you!"

Sirfetch'd bounded over to Ash, and knelt before his Trainer in a chivalrous manner. Ash smiled as he knelt down as well so that he was eye level with him.

"You never give up, and you are a Leek Master," Ash said with certainty, "I know you can do this."

Sirtectch'd met Ash's gaze and nodded, a determined look in his eyes.

Ash then got back up and looked out at the crowd.

"One more," he said, more to himself than to the Pokemon gathered before him. Then, he pointed and made his finally choice, "Lucario, I chose you!"

Lucario jumped high and flipped through the air, then stuck a perfect landed right on front of Ash. Lucario stood tall and proud, smiling happily at his Trainer. It was blatantly obvious that Lucario was thrilled beyond words to have been chosen.

Ash put a hand on Lucario's shoulder as he thought about his experiences with Aura, with Riolous, with Lucarios, and with this particular Lucario especially. Ash thought about that egg that refused to hatch, the Riolu that was so attracted to Ash's Aura, the hours and hours of one on one training that had gone so far as to make Pikachu of all Pokemon jealous, and the amazing moment where not only did that Riolu evolve, but used Aura to tell ash directly that he had learned Aura Sphere.

And so, Ash could only say one thing.

"Lucario. . .the Aura is with me."

Lucario gave Ash a quick hug, then turned to raise his fist high and give a cheer to the crowd before them.

"And we won't be alone in this!" Ash said to his Pokemon, "Goh is coming with us, and he's bringing all of the Pokemon he caught! Team Rocket won't know what hit 'em! As long as we all work together and focus on taking down Team Rocket members, freeing the Pokemon they captured, and making things so crazy that no one will be able help Giovanni escape. If anything will prove that I could one day become a Pokemon Master, it'll be this. Is everyone with me!?"

All of the Pokemon cheered.

"Alright! Pidgeot, let your flock know that we're heading out. It's time to get rolling! Tauros, Flying-types, here's how we're gonna do it. . ."