"So what are we looking for exactly?" Megan asked as she and Butterfree flew from above.
"For now we're just following these tracks." Ash said, wiping the sleep from his eyes. "Just keep an eye on Ponyta's flames, I'll watch the tracks from here."
"Copy that." Megan said. "Ash you know that when we find them…"
"I know." Ash said plainly. "But we can't let them get away with whatever they're doing."
Time passed by quietly as they continued their trek, following the tracks until they eventually stopped at a cliff faceZ
"This can't be it." Ash said. "The tracks just stop, nothing could have lifted that thing."
"Maybe it didn't, look at them, they go right to the wall, if it had stopped, the tracks couldn't be that close." Megan said.
"Meaning that whatever they're up to, is behind a stone wall." Ash said, slowly realizing what that meant.
"Don't worry so much, Sandslash help us out with Dig!" Megan said.
The ground type popped out of its Pokeball before it began to claw a few feet away from where the tracks were, quickly tunneling through the rocks and dirt.
"Are you coming?" Megan asked.
"Right, sorry." Ash said clambering into the hole.
"Why would they take things out of the mine, just to bring them into a cave?" Megan asked.
"I'm not sure, why does a cave need that big of a metal door?" Ash said, seeing the other side of the entrance. "You still with me on this?"
"Yeah, can't run me off that easily." Megan said with confidence.
After a bit of walking, they came across a very large room that was several stories deep.
"Let's keep this moving people." Revan's voice barked through loudspeakers. "That machine needs to be covered in the metals taken from Granite City or it won't stand a chance.
"What machine?" Megan asked before seeing the giant robot being built. "What is that even for?"
"No clue, but if it's team rocket, it can't be for anything good." Ash said.
"Well well well, if it isn't my favorite headache." Revan said as a platform lowered him to Ash and Megan's level. "You know I thought my bomb would have gotten rid of you. No matter, I'll stop you here and now." Revan said as Arbok and Gyarados slithered up beams and onto their floor.
"Pikachu let's go."
"Sandslash let's do this!"
"Gyarados use Hydro Pump! Arbok use Acid!"
"Pikachu use Thunderbolt!"
"Sandslash use Dig!"
Sandslash dove into the wall, being quickly followed by Arbok as Pikachu and Gyarados exchanged blows.
"Gyarados use Hyper Beam! Arbok use Bite!"
"Pikachu use Thunder!"
Arbok was launched back out of the hole with Sandslash spinning back out after it as Pikachu let loose a massive electric attack, deflecting even Gyarados's Hyper Beam.
"Gyarados use Dragon Rage! Arbok use Screech!"
The attacks caught both trainers off guard, giving Revan time to have them surrounded.
"So I'm sure your wondering now, what our plan is." Revan taunted as the two were tied up.
"Kind of, yeah." Ash said snarkily.
"Well seeing as you won't be around to stop us, this machine is built to withstand even the toughest of Pokemon's attacks." Revan said.
"What do you mean, we won't be around?" Megan asked.
"Oh when the robot takes launch, you two will be burnt to a crisp left behind in this cave." Revan said with a laugh.
"And now I'm wishing I didn't follow you." Megan said frightfully.
"You know, I remember you thinking you've finished me before, who's to say I won't escape again." Ash taunted.
"Ahh! Hahaha, your mind games won't work, enjoy your last few minutes." Revan said before walking off.
"Ash, tell me you have a plan." Megan begged.
"Yeah can you reach my Pokeballs?" Ash asked.
"Which one?" Megan asked.
"Anything will do right now." Ash said.
Megan grabbed onto two Pokeballs, sending out Dratini and Jigglypuff.
"Those two might not be our best options." Ash admitted. "But we'll make it work. Dratini aim a tiny Dragon Rage at the ropes. And Megan, brace yourself."
Ash and Megan did their best to seperate enough to allow the ropes to be burned without either trainer getting hurt.
"Move!" Ash said grabbing Megan, before rushing out of the main area followed by Jigglypuff and Dratini.
The two made it out of the cave just in time to watch the giant robot fly off.
"So now what?" Megan asked.
"We tell the authorities, I have no way of catching that thing." Ash said. "Let any gym leaders or officers know to look out for a giant robot."
"And what about you?" Megan asked.
"I'm heading back to Granite City, and then make it to Lavender Town hopefully.
"Then this is where we part again." Megan said. "Hopefully next time we run into each other, we'll be heading in the same direction."
"Yeah, hopefully." Ash said with a smile.
"Now I owe you twice, next time I'm saving you." Megan said, sending out Butterfree.
"See you then." Ash said, climbing onto Ponyta.
Back in Granite City
"So your on your way to Lavender Town?" The old man asked for a third time.
"Yes." Ash said.
"So you'll want to head North West, to here." The man said pointing on Ash's map.
"I'm not seeing a town there." Ash said.
"It's not on many maps, but it's an oasis with a small village surrounding it, head there and meet with the mayor, he'll give you directions from there." The old man said.