This never happened in the anime, so the chapter is inspired by the games and the manga "Pokémon Adventures". Plus a few scenes are inspired by "Pokémon Origins" Episode 2: Cubone and Episode 3: Giovanni.

Disclaimer: I do not own any Pokémon characters! I only own my OCs!

Chapter 26: Team Rocket's Attack in Saffron City

Ash and I got to keep some evolution stones after visiting Stone Town, especially for Oliver, Rina, Poliwag, Nidorino, and Exeggcute. I already had a Moon Stone I was saving for Luna that I got from Mt. Moon.

We had just made it to Lavender Town and dropped by the Pokémon Center to heal our Pokémon before visiting Mr. Fuji. To be honest, I wasn't so scared of the town anymore. I guess I was getting better with my phasmophobia, but I shouldn't speak too soon or else I would get Jynx'd.

"I wonder how Mr. Fuji and the Pokémon are", Ash said as we walked towards the Pokémon House.

"And Reina and Cubone", I added.

"Them too", Ash chuckled softly.

"Mr. Fuji is like a grandpa to me", Misty commented. "I've really grown to like him."

"Yeah, he has such a kind aura that affects both humans and Pokémon", Brock nodded.

"Maybe he has something new to teach us", I said. "I love to learn new things about Pokémon."

"You're like a sponge when it comes to knowledge, sis", Ash laughed softly.

"Chu!" Pikachu smiled.

"I can't help it", I chirped.

We found the Pokémon House and knocked on the door. Seconds later, Reina opened the door. Her eyes widened in joy when she saw us.

"Ash! Ashley! Misty! Brock! Welcome back!" Reina smiled widely with pink cheeks.

"Hi, Reina", Ash waved softly. "Long time no see!"

"Pikachu!"

"It's been a while", Misty giggled. "How is everyone?"

"Oh, we're great! In fact, we've got a special guest today!" Reina replied excitedly.

"A special guest?" Ash and I repeated simultaneously.

Reina let us inside so we could take off our shoes. The first room was empty, so the volunteers either weren't here or they were looking after the orphan Pokémon in the other room. Reina led us to Mr. Fuji's office and knocked on the door before opening it.

"Mr. Fuji! Ash, Ashley, and their friends are here!" she called.

I looked into the office and saw Mr. Fuji sitting by a table with a young woman who appeared to be in her early twenties. She had long black hair with shorter layers around her face and a fringe and small purple eyes. She was wearing a red and black dress with yellow cuffs over black tights, white gloves, and red and yellow knee-high boots. She had an elegant aura that I first thought she came from a wealthy family.

"Sabrina!" Brock exclaimed happily before he ran to the woman and grabbed her hand before getting down on one knee. "I'm so happy to see you again! You look lovelier than ever before!"

"Sabrina…?" Ash repeated the name.

I gasped loudly in realization. If Brock knew this woman, then it could mean… "She must be the Gym Leader, Sabrina!"

Sabrina snapped her head up when she heard that. Her expression looked cold for a second, but her warm smile melted the icy aura around her.

"That's correct", Sabrina nodded before she snatched her hand back and stood up from her seat. "And I see you're the same as ever, Brock."

"You know my heart will be yours if you reciprocate my feelings", Brock said hopefully.

Misty sighed loudly before she walked over to Brock and pinched his ear. "Just quit it already, Brock!" she said exhaustedly and pulled him away from the female Gym Leader.

Sabrina giggled softly as Mr. Fuji stood up from his chair and walked over to us. "Welcome back, youngsters. I didn't expect to see you again so soon", the elderly man smiled.

"We're heading to Saffron City, so we thought we should drop by and say hi, Mr. Fuji", Ash explained.

"It warms my heart to see the heroes of Lavender Town again", Mr. Fuji chuckled. "Would you like some tea? The volunteers have a free day, so the house is a little too empty."

"We would love to have tea with you, Mr. Fuji", Misty smiled widely as she let go of Brock's ear.

Brock hissed softly in pain as he rubbed his sore ear. "L-Let me brew the tea, Mr. Fuji. My brothers and sisters love the tea I make."

Sabrina giggled softly. "I look forward tasting it, Brock."

That was enough motivation for Brock to run to the kitchen and start working.

XXXXXXXXXX

We sat in the reception area and drank Brock's tea and snacks he found in the kitchen. Reina brought Cubone so he could play with Pikachu and Luna. We had a nice time and asked Sabrina a few questions, especially about her overseas trip. It turned out she had psychic powers herself and could levitate things. She demonstrated it with a tea spoon and made it levitate by her powers. Her eyes glowed as she moved the spoon around in the air.

It was interesting and fascinating how a human being could be born with psychic powers. How was it even possible? Another part of me said it shouldn't be possible and yet I was seeing it in front of me.

Sometimes, the world around me was so confusing it exhausted me.

After the tea, Mr. Fuji called me and Ash to his office. He said he had something for us. Ash and I sat by the main desk as we watched the elderly man place two boxes in front of us.

"After you told me you're on a journey to become the best Trainers in the world, I remembered having these and decided to give them to you next time you visit me", Mr. Fuji explained.

Ash and I exchanged a glance before we opened the boxes. My box contained two round gems that looked like the marbles Ash and I used to play with years ago, except these were bigger. The smaller one had rainbow colors with a weird symbol inside of it. The bigger one, that was almost as big as my palm, had a similar weird symbol inside, and had the colors of fire. Ash got the same gems, except his palm-sized marble was blue and black.

"What are these, Mr. Fuji?" Ash wondered.

"Those are Key Stones and Mega Stones", Mr. Fuji replied.

"Key Stone? Mega Stone?" Ash repeated.

"I don't think I've read about them in Professor Oak's lab…", I mumbled softly.

"That's because the research about these stones has just started", Mr. Fuji explained. "The Professor of the Kalos region believes the key to these stones is the love and connection you have with your Pokémon. He said if a Trainer lets its Charizard carry the Mega Stone and they hold the Key Stone, you can evolve Charizard even further."

"A further evolution?!" Ash exclaimed in shock.

"Is that really possible…?" I wondered.

"Like I said, the research about the stone has just started, but that's what Professor Sycamore told me when I contacted him", Mr. Fuji shrugged softly. "I'm sure you'll find out more if you let your Charizards hold the Mega Stones."

I glanced down at my stones. For some reason, I felt like I wasn't ready yet to use them if there was just very little information about them. I didn't want to cheat my way through the journey and the Pokémon League.

"Thank you, Mr. Fuji… But I won't use these yet", I shook my head.

"Oh? And why not?"

"I just feel like…it would be cheating to use something that's been barely researched and it could give me an unfair advantage", I explained as I closed my box.

"You're right, sis", Ash nodded as he closed his box. "I appreciate the gift, Mr. Fuji, but I won't use them until this is a common thing that Trainers can use in battles."

Mr. Fuji looked a little surprised by our response, but he then started chuckling softly. "You two really are kind and considerate. I won't force you to use them, but keep them with you until you feel ready to use the stones."

"Thank you, Mr. Fuji", Ash and I bowed softly.

All of the sudden, the door to the office was thrown open. I jumped in surprise and felt my heart skip a beat by the sudden noise.

"Mr. Fuji! Ash! Ashley! Hurry to the reception room!" Reina shouted frantically. "Something's happening!"

Ash and I brought the boxes with the stones and hurried to the reception room with Mr. Fuji. Everyone sat in front of the television as there was a BREAKING NEWS report. We sat down to see what was going on.

"What's going on?" I asked.

"Team Rocket's invaded Saffron City!" Misty replied worriedly.

"What?!" Ash and I exclaimed simultaneously.

"I receive a call from my parents, saying a large group of Team Rocket appeared out of nowhere and took everyone's Pokémon in the city", Sabrina explained as she held up a purple PokéGear. "The call broke when Team Rocket broke into our home. Good thing I brought my Pokémon with me."

The reporter kept talking about the invasion until the screen started sparkling. Seconds later, the reporter was replaced by a dark room and one single spotlight shining down on a dark figure that sat on a couch and patted a Persian.

"Giovanni!" my brother and I exclaimed.

"The boss of Team Rocket? What does he want?" Brock wondered.

"Greetings, everyone in the Kanto region", Giovanni began, his voice being altered by the technology. "I, Giovanni, leader of Team Rocket, have occupied Saffron City and Silph Co. Everyone in the city is under control of my organization until I've finished my personal business. However, if there is a resistance within the city, we will take extreme measurements to silence them, including those who might attempt to enter Saffron City to try stopping us. If you care about your dear ones, stay put until we leave Saffron City on our own. And don't worry about your Pokémon; we shall take good care of them. All hail Team Rocket!"

"Raah!" Persian hissed threateningly.

After that, the television shut down by itself, leaving us alone in a tense silence.

"I can't believe it…", Misty mumbled stunningly.

"Why would they occupy Saffron City like this?" Ash wondered.

"I think I know", Sabrina spoke up, making us turn to her. "I've heard rumors of Silph Co. trying to create the ultimate Poké Ball ever; the Master Ball."

"Master Ball?" I repeated.

"It's a Poké Ball said to catch any Pokémon no matter how powerful it is", Sabrina explained. "So I can imagine Team Rocket wants the Master Ball and its data so they can mass produce it."

"And then use the Master Balls to catch the most powerful Pokémon, including the Legendary Pokémon…", I mumbled.

"This is really, REALLY bad!" Misty exclaimed worriedly.

"We've got to do something!" Ash said determinedly.

"But what can we do, Ash?" Brock wondered. "Compared to the raid we helped out with in Celadon City, this is too big for us to handle. We should wait for the authorities and the Pokémon League to deal with Team Rocket."

"And give them more time to escape with the data for the Master Ball so they can catch and harm innocent Pokémon?!" Ash argued. "No! We've got to do something now before it's too late!"

"Do you have any ideas, Ash?" Reina asked.

"Cuu…", Cubone growled softly in the girl's arms.

"Umm…", Ash trailed off before his shoulders sank in defeat. "I actually don't know."

"That's so like you", Misty sweat dropped.

"Pi pikachu…", Pikachu sweat dropped while scratching the back of his head.

"I might have a plan", Sabrina spoke up.

"Really?" I asked.

Sabrina nodded as she picked up her PokéGear. "I need to call the members of the Elite Four and Champion Lance to help out…including my colleagues."

Saffron City was right in the middle of the region and the main cities close by were Cerulean City, Celadon City, Vermilion City, and Lavender Town. Did this mean Misty's sisters, Erika, and Lt. Surge could help out?

We waited for Sabrina to finish her calls before I asked a question. "So… What's the plan, Sabrina?"

Sabrina looked at each one of us with her sharp eyes. "I've got my Abra who can use Teleport, so we'll infiltrate Silph Co. from the inside."

Infiltrate… I was already getting a little nervous, but the thoughts of Team Rocket hunting down Pokémon and harming them and using them for the evil deeds were my drive to stop the organization before they could get their hands on the Master Ball.

I hugged the box with the gemstones tight in my arms, briefly considering whether I should use them for this emergency.

XXXXXXXXXX

Hours later, after going through the plan to stop Team Rocket and switching Pokémon from Professor Oak's Lab, we were ready. We waited until it was night because Team Rocket and their Pokémon might be a little tired to battle us, which could be the best distraction.

Once it was time, Sabrina's Abra teleported us to the basement of Silph Co. It was more like a storage area, so there were no grunts around.

Since the Saffron City Gym Leader had been to Silph Co. before, she quietly led us the way. Ash had called out Gengar and told him to scout ahead while being invisible. We reached a door that led out to the first floor, but as soon as Sabrina slightly opened it without making a noise, we saw the hallway was crawling by grunts and their Pokémon.

Sabrina quickly closed the door before someone could spot us. "This is going to be trickier than I first expected…", she whispered.

"What do we do now…?" Misty asked.

"Charge forward with our Pokémon…?" Ash suggested.

"Pika…"

"Let's wait for Gengar and see if he's found Giovanni…", Sabrina replied. "If he knows where the leader is, we hurry to that floor together. However, if we get stopped by grunts, we split up so we can give each other time…"

"Why don't we just teleport to the floor with your Abra instead…?" Brock wondered.

"We need to weaken the grunts so the others can apprehend them when they flee the city…", Sabrina reminded him.

"Gengar!"

I had to bite my lower lip to not scream in fear when Gengar showed up out of nowhere. I hid behind Misty while Gengar chuckled mischievously.

"Gengar…! Don't show up like that just to scare us…! Especially now…!" Ash scolded his Pokémon.

"Gehehengar…!" Gengar chuckled.

"Never mind…", Ash shook his head in defeat before getting serious. "Did you find Giovanni…?"

"Gen gengar!" Gengar nodded and did movements with his hands to show us which floor the Team Rocket leader was.

"Eleven… He's on the top floor where the president of Silph Co. has his office…", Sabrina mumbled.

"We have many stairs to run up to get there…", Misty sighed.

I managed to calm down and took a step forward. "But we have to do this… For the Pokémon that Team Rocket is planning on catching with the Master Ball…! And save the innocent people who are being forced to complete the Master Ball…!"

"Right! We've got to go now!" Ash exclaimed.

Sabrina nodded and grabbed the door handle while picking up a Poké Ball from her pocket. "On my mark… Ready…"

Ash, Misty, Brock, and I grabbed our Poké Balls as well as we waited for Sabrina's signal.

"GO!"

Sabrina slammed the door open before we ran out to the hallway, surprising the Team Rocket grunts. We called out our Pokémon and took them out before they could command their Pokémon to harm us.

Unfortunately, it didn't take long before a grunt set off the fire alarm, alarming everyone in the building that intruders had broken in.

XXXXXXXXXX – Normal POV

It didn't take long before the whole city of Saffron was under chaos. Team Rocket grunts that were scouting the streets heard explosions from Silph Co. and hurried to assist, but instead they got told by the colleagues to run away because there were powerful Trainers storming the building.

The city alarm was set off, so the citizens that were in lockdown looked out the windows, scared and worried of what was going on. Another massive explosion erupted by the south gate of Saffron City.

Team Rocket grunts and their Pokémon crashed on the ground while the smoke cleared up to reveal Lt. Surge, his Raichu, and the Elite Four member Lorelei and her Dewgong.

"Sorry, babies! But you better stay here unless you want to get electrocuted!" Lt. Surge laughed with his arms crossed.

"Rai rai!"

"Great work, Dewgong", Lorelei praised her partner.

"Dewgo!"

Another group of grunts ran to the west gate leading to Route 7, but they suddenly were levitated from the ground before they got a shower of Stun Spore. The grunts could barely move their bodies before they were dropped down to the ground.

Erika and her Gloom appeared by the gate with Elite Four member Will and his Exeggutor.

"We make an excellent team together, Lady Erika", Will commented while adjusting his mask.

"Exeggutoor!"

"We certainly do", Erika nodded before she pinched her nose. "But the grunts certainly need to try out my perfume. They smell bad!"

"Gloom loom!"

The north gate was blocked by something that looked like a pile of big boulders, but when the desperate grunts tried climbing up the pile, it suddenly moved, revealing a furious Onix. The grunts flew in the air as a wave of water flowed on the ground. The water was deep enough to catch the grunts before they could injure themselves.

Misty's three sisters, Daisy, Violet, and Lily stood on top of a Lapras as it swam into the city. Lapras fired a Hydro Pump in the air, making special effects for the three sisters who were posing on the Pokémon.

"Our little sister may be on a journey to become the next Cerulean Gym Leader, but she still has much to learn…", Lily began.

"And now that she's in trouble while saving people from bad Team Rocket, we must help her out!" Violet continued.

"That's why the three sensational sisters are coming to everyone's aid!" Daisy finished.

"Roooo!" Lapras howled as the water slowly dried up.

Elite Four member Bruno walked over to Lapras with a Machamp by his side, looking very unimpressed by the sisters' behavior. "Ladies… I know you are performers, but we've got a mission here."

For the grunts hurrying to the east gate, it felt like it was taking forever for them. They felt like they were in a void just running and running and running forever. What they didn't know was they had been put to sleep by a Haunter and two Gengars.

The grunts were sleeping on the cold concrete just by the east gate while the three ghost-type Pokémon floated around them, making sure they were sleeping tight. The ghost Pokémon looked up when they heard the familiar sound of a cane patting the concrete. Elite Four member Agatha watched the sleeping grunts quietly as she used her cane to tell her Pokémon to grab every Poké Ball each grunt had.

"I was hoping Team Rocket would quit pulling such stunts after their last boss passed away, but they're still persistent to this day", Agatha commented softly.

Champion Lance walked up to her with his Dragonite standing behind him. The late twenties Champion looked at the horizon, hearing the commotion that had erupted in Saffron City. "Team Rocket…", he growled in frustration. "They're doing whatever they can for their world domination. Agatha, tell the others I'm heading to Silph Co.!"

"Will you try arresting Giovanni?" Agatha asked.

"Absolutely!" Lance nodded before he climbed onto Dragonite. "As the Champion and a member of the Pokémon G-Men organization, it's my duty to arrest criminals! Dragonite, go!"

"Ryooo!"

XXXXXXXXXX – Ashley's POV

Ash and I were running up the stairs to the last floor where we could hopefully stop Giovanni from escaping before it was too late. Misty, Brock, and Sabrina covered for us, so we were the only ones who could apprehend Team Rocket's leader.

Gengar showed us the way to a door that must be the Silph Co. president's office, but it was heavily guarded by Jessie, James, Meowth, Arbok, and Weezing.

"The twerps are here?!" Jessie and James exclaimed shockingly.

"What the frick are you doing here?!" Meowth hissed angrily.

"What do you think?! We're here to stop you from obtaining the Master Ball!" Ash retorted determinedly.

"Pika pikachu!"

"Geengar!"

"Sorry, but we won't let you enter the president's office!" Jessie laughed.

"Our boss is currently having a meeting with the president and he ordered us not to let a single fly in", James added.

"And he said if we did our job well, we'll get a bonus!" Meowth added before he drew out his sharp claws. "So I won't let you break my dream to become his new pet Pokémon!"

"Shaarbook!"

"Weezing wee!"

"Ashley, are you ready?" my brother asked.

"Yes", I nodded while grabbing Luna's Poké Ball. "Go, Luna!"

"Clefaiiry!"

"Luna, use Psychic on Team Rocket!"

"Gengar, use Psychic too!"

The whole Team Rocket party was levitated up to the air before our Pokémon threw them through the door, which turned out to be unlocked. Ash and I ran into the office with our Pokémon, but stopped in our tracks as soon as we crossed the threshold.

The president of Silph Co. sat on a sofa in front of a coffee table while Giovanni was looking out the window with his Persian by his side. Two other Team Rocket grunts were with him inside the office. I recognized the two grunts right away; they were Cassidy and Butch from the Pokémon Tower! But didn't they get arrested and got locked up?

Cassidy glared at Jessie, James, and their Pokémon while resting her fists on her hips. "You guys are supposed to guard the door! Not barge in while Boss is having a meeting!"

"Deal with the twerps if you think you're better than us, Cassandra!" Jessie argued.

That ticked Cassidy off. "It's Cassidy, Jessica!"

"What did you just call me?!" Jessie yelled angrily.

"Raaah!" Persian hissed.

Everyone stopped talking and making noise as Giovanni slowly turned around with his arms behind his back. He looked at me and Ash with amusing eyes.

"So… We meet again, twins", Giovanni greeted. "I assume you are responsible of the commotion going on in Saffron City."

"That's right!" Ash nodded. "We're here to stop you from getting the Master Ball and its blueprints so you can't mass produce it and catch and hurt anymore Pokémon!"

"The president was just about to sign the papers which give me the rights to have the Master Ball", Giovanni spoke calmly. "Have you kids not been taught to stay out of adult business?"

"Business?! You and your organization forced your way in here!" the president shouted angrily.

"The Pokémon League and the police are on their way right now!" Ash added. "You're going to stay here until they get here!"

Giovanni chuckled amusingly. "Do you really think you and your Pokémon can stop me? Don't you remember what happened last time in Celadon City?"

I flinched inwardly when I remembered how Giovanni's Persian took down Bruce and Primeape with such ease, and they were fighting-type Pokémon that were super-effective against normal-type Pokémon.

"Yeah, but we've gotten stronger since then!" Ash growled as he grabbed another Poké Ball. "Battle us, unless you're a coward!"

"How dare you insult the great Giovanni?!" Butch exclaimed angrily before he grabbed a Poké Ball. "I'm gonna teach you a-!"

Giovanni raised a hand, stopping Butch from calling out his Pokémon. "You really hurt my feelings just now, arrogant boy. I'm afraid I'll have to teach you and your sister a lesson."

Jessie and James had called back their Pokémon and hurried to stand behind their leader with Meowth, Cassidy, and Butch. James grabbed a briefcase and walked over to Giovanni before opening it. There were six Poké Balls inside the briefcase, which clearly belonged to the Team Rocket leader.

Giovanni grabbed two Poké Balls before turning back to me and Ash. "Since there are two of you, we'll have a double battle right here, right now."

"Inside my office?! That's outrageous!" the president growled, but he hurried to pick up the paperwork and ran towards us.

"Where do you think you're going, president?!" Cassidy yelled as she ran after him. "You can only leave after you sign the papers!"

"Luna, use Psychic to stop Cassidy!" I shouted.

"Fairyyyy!" Luna's eyes glowed as she moved her arms to aim them at Cassidy.

Just before the blond Team Rocket grunt could grab the president, she was levitated up to the air and got thrown back, crashing into Jessie and Butch. The trio collapsed on the ground next to Meowth.

"Well, what else did I expect?" Meowth shrugged.

"Gengar, Pikachu, go with the president and protect him!" Ash commanded.

"Pika!" Pikachu nodded.

"Gengar!" Gengar nodded.

"Luna, you too!" I told my Pokémon.

"Cle-fairy!" Luna nodded.

"Thank you, you two!" the president nodded before he left the office.

Our three Pokémon followed the president, leaving us alone with Giovanni and his grunts. Giovanni didn't say a word as he threw his Poké Balls, releasing a Nidoqueen and a Rhydon.

"Queeen!"

"Rhydooon!"

"Squirtle, I choose you!" Ash yelled, throwing his Poké Ball.

"Squirtle!"

"Firered, help us out!" I shouted before I threw his Poké Ball.

"Rawr!"

"Nidoqueen, Double Kick. Rhydon, Fury Attack", Giovanni commanded.

Before I even had a chance to blink, Nidoqueen ran to Firered and kicked him hard on his jaw and chest, pushing him back into a wall.

"Firered!" I shouted worriedly.

"Squirtle, use Water Gun!" Ash yelled.

Squirtle fired a large water beam at Rhydon who ran towards him. The move merely splashed Rhydon while its horn spun around, ready to attack.

"Put all your energy into the Water Gun, Squirtle! Push back Rhydon!" Ash yelled determinedly.

Squirtle's eyes narrowed as he put everything he had into the Water Gun. Seconds later, he actually stopped the Water Gun move and jumped up before drawing his head, tail, and limbs back into the shell. After that, he fired water beams from all five openings while spinning around in the air. The water attack was stronger than Water Gun and actually hurt Rhydon. The ground and rock-type Pokémon cried in pain as it was forced back and fell face down on the floor.

"What was that?!" Butch wondered.

"That was Hydro Pump!" Meowth exclaimed.

Squirtle was still spinning around while firing Hydro Pump at Nidoqueen when his body began glowing. The shell got a little bigger while the water beams got thicker. Nidoqueen shrieked and was pushed back, but she remained on her feet.

Squirtle stopped glowing just as he finished using Hydro Pump. He popped his limbs and head out from the shell, including a fluffy tail. "Wartortle!" he roared.

"Squirtle evolved into a Wartortle!" I exclaimed joyfully.

"Wow, that was awesome, Squirtle…! I mean, Wartortle!" Ash quickly corrected himself.

"Wartor!" Wartortle nodded with a smile.

"Have you forgotten there is a battle going on here?" Giovanni spoke up. "Nidoqueen, use Surf on Charizard."

Nidoqueen ran towards Firered who had just gotten up on his feet. The female Pokémon collected water energy in her right hand while approaching my partner.

"Flamethrower!" I yelled.

Firered unleashed fire from his mouth just as Nidoqueen used Surf. The close collision of the two moves caused a massive explosion and a thick cloud of steam and smoke. I felt my body getting thrown back by the force and crashed onto the wall with Ash and Wartortle.

I collapsed on the floor, feeling my body being all sore after getting thrown onto the wall. I grunted softly as I opened my eyes, seeing the room had turned black after the explosion. The explosion had also created a hole in the wall showing the outside and the night sky.

Team Rocket was still in the room, but they were silent. Jessie, James, and Meowth were stunned by the destruction of the battle while Cassidy and Butch waved their hands to signal a Team Rocket chopper to hurry.

"Not a very hot Flamethrower", Giovanni commented while he called back his Rhydon and Nidoqueen. "You've got a Charizard and this is the best you can do? It only shows you still have much to learn, girl."

"F-Firered…?" I called weakly when I didn't see my partner, ignoring Team Rocket.

I forced my body to move while I pushed myself onto my knees before straightening up. I noticed another hole that led to another room next to the office where there was something orange lying there. I wobbled towards the hole in the wall and found Firered lying unconscious among the debris.

"Firered!" I shrieked worriedly and hurried to him.

However, just before I could reach him, I suddenly got dizzy and collapsed on the ground.

XXXXXXXXXX – Ash's POV

I must have lost consciousness when I got thrown to the wall by that explosion because when I opened my eyes, I saw the big destruction and a chopper that picked up Team Rocket. Wartortle was lying unconscious next to me, but my sister was in another room, lying next to Firered.

"W-Why…?" I mumbled as I forced my aching body to sit up. "Why are you doing this? Why are you so cruel towards Pokémon?!"

Jessie, James, Meowth, Cassidy, and Butch got into the chopper first before Giovanni and his Persian followed them. However, the leader stopped in his tracks when he heard my questions. He turned around to face me and answer my questions.

"Because, to Team Rocket, Pokémon are nothing but tools for business and world domination", Giovanni replied. "We don't have any sentimental feelings for Pokémon."

"B-But… Pokémon are living creatures, just like we humans!" I argued as I stood up. "They feel pain when they get hurt and they get happy when we show them love!"

"Feelings are only for the weaklings", Giovanni retorted. "That's why you'll fail the battles in the future, like now."

I growled angrily at that comment. There was no way feelings could make one weaker! I saw that just moments ago! Squirtle sensed my determination and he got stronger because of that, and that's how he learned Hydro Pump and even evolved into Wartortle!

"You're wrong!" I shouted. "One day, I'll prove to you that feelings between Trainers and Pokémon make them stronger!"

"Good luck with that, child", Giovanni chuckled. "But, in all honesty, I hope for you and your sister's sake that we'll never cross paths again."

"Raah!" Persian hissed threateningly.

With that said, Giovanni stepped into the chopper with Persian before they left Saffron City. I was so angry at myself that we failed to catch Team Rocket, especially their leader. But one good thing was we managed to stop them from getting the Master Ball.

"Is everyone okay?!" a new voice yelled.

I turned to the door, which got thrown off its hinges by the blast, and felt my eyes widen in surprise.

It was Champion Lance!

"Y-Yeah, I think so…", I nodded before I called Wartortle back to his Poké Ball.

Lance stepped into the room with a Dragonair and looked around at the destruction. He growled quietly seconds later. "I assume Giovanni escaped, did he?"

"Yeah, just moments ago", I nodded before I hurried to Ashley. "He defeated me and my sister's Pokémon in less than five minutes."

"You're lucky you got away with just bruises", Lance said as he walked over to me and Ashley. "Giovanni is known to be extremely brutal when it comes to battles."

"We just witnessed that…", I nodded softly as I gently caressed my sister's pale cheeks.

"We need to get you and your sister to a hospital and get you checked out, and your Pokémon", Lance insisted.

"Is the president okay?" I asked. "Ashley and I sent our Pikachu, Gengar, and Clefairy with him after we got here."

"He's safe, thanks to your quick thinking", Lance nodded before he gently picked up Ashley. "Your Pokémon protected him all the way to the exit where your friends are waiting for you."

Misty… Brock… Sabrina…

Were they okay? Were they worried about us? I just hoped Misty and Brock weren't going to panic after seeing my and Ashley's condition.

I found Firered's Poké Ball on Ashley's belt and called him back so we could get him to the Pokémon Center. Without saying a single word, Lance and I walked towards the door, but I stopped by the threshold and looked out the hole in the wall to stare at the night sky.

Team Rocket… They were such a cruel organization.

One day, when I'll become a Pokémon Master, I will stop them once and for all!

XXXXXXXXXX

Ashley's party:

Firered the Charizard (male)

Bruce the Primeape (male)

Luna the Clefairy (female)

Oliver the Gloom (male)

Volt the Jolteon (male)

Kobra the Arbok (male)

XXXXXXXXXX

Ashley's Pokémon at the Lab:

Rina the Nidorina (female)

Wanda the Gyarados (female)

XXXXXXXXXX

Ash's party:

Bulbasaur (male)

Charmeleon (male)

Pidgeotto (male)

Pikachu (male)

Wartortle (male)

Gengar (male)

XXXXXXXXXX

Ash's Pokémon at the Lab:

Squirtle x4 (males)

Krabby (male)

Primeape (male)

Muk (male)

Beedrill (male)

Tauros (male)

Rhyhorn (male)

Exeggcute (male)

Nidorino (male)

Poliwag (male)

Dratini (female)

XXXXXXXXXX

Misty's party:

Goldeen (female)

Staryu (genderless)

Starmie (genderless)

Horsea (female)

Psyduck (male)

XXXXXXXXXX

Brock's party:

Geodude (male)

Onix (male)

Zubat (male)

Vulpix (female)

Rhyhorn (male)