"So what is it we're doing heading north?!" Cassie asked, as Ash took them along a side road.
"I still don't have an answer for getting to the Seafoam Islands, but since we're finally nearby there's something I've wanted to test out." Ash said, looking at his map.
"Are you going to fill me in, or do I just have to keep guessing until I find the right answer?" Cassie said sarcastically.
"There's an old Power Plant nearby, and apparently electric types flock to it like crazy." Ash said.
"But you already have Pikachu, why do you need another electric type?" Cassie asked.
"I don't, but if they gather there, it must be for a good reason, maybe they get supercharged there." Ash said.
"So you're thinking Pikachu could get that same boost in power." Cassie realized.
"It's worth looking into." Ash admitted. "Even if it's nothing, I'll try it."
"Hey Ash." Cassie said worriedly looking up.
"Oh no." Ash said, recognizing the giant robot of Team Rocket's heading straight for the Power Plant. "Let's go!"
As they were running towards the Power Plant, Ash was frantically trying to use his watch to get a hold of Kazor.
"Come on, of all times, I could really use you." Ash said, trying every button combination.
"Ash." Cassie said, fear dripping in her voice.
"SKRAAAA!" A cry called out.
"Pi?" Pikachu said, small sparks coming from his cheeks.
"Let's go." Ash said, forgetting about the watch.
Ash and Cassie ran towards the Power Plant to see the giant robot breaking through the side of the building.
"What could be stored in there that Team Rocket wants so badly?" Cassie asked.
"I don't think it's something stored." Ash said. "I think it's for something living in there."
Ash rushed towards the robot, only for a leek to be shot at the ground right in front of him.
"It's a pity. I gave you a second chance because you were a child and didn't deserve death, I don't give third chances." A lean woman said, her nails scratching into the side of the building. "I am the chief enforcer of Team Rocket, and you will not be leaving here."
"Wait what, what do you mean second chances?" Ash asked confused.
"Remember the Farfetch'd that released you in the Safari Zone, I told him to do so, you and that girl are kids, you should have kept your noses out of this, but no more." The woman said. "Farfetch'd hit him with Slash!"
"Whoah!" Ash said, leaping back as the Farfetch'd swung his leek from the ground upwards towards Ash's face. "Wrong move lady, in case you forgot, flying types are weak to electricity. "Pikachu use Thunderbolt!"
"Farfetch'd use Mimic!"
A bolt of lightning shot out of Farfetch'd's leek, blasting back Pikachu and his attack easily.
"Pikachu use Quick Attack! She can't match our speed." Ash said with confidence.
"Farfetch'd use Slash!"
Instead of aiming for Pikachu, Farfetch'd aimed for Ash, making the trainer jump backwards in fright.
"Hey you aren't allowed to attack other trainers." Ash complained.
"Oh, is you getting in our way of a better world? Not annoying enough." The woman said.
"A better world! You're stealing and attacking innocent people!" Ash shouted, dodging the leek again.
"They will be crying our names out in thanks for what we'll do." The woman said.
"Yeah, keep dreaming crazy lady. But if rules are out the window. Dratini come on out!" Ash said.
"Dra? Tini!" Dratini exclaimed happily seeing Ash and Pikachu.
"Okay Dratini, use Hyper Beam!" Ash said, picking up the dragon.
"Skraaa!" The cry echoed out again.
Suddenly from the Power Plant's roof, Zapdos burst out, electricity crackling from his entire body.
"You won't get away this time." Revan's voice called out from the robot. "Freeze net fire!"
Ash quickly resumed Dratini, blasting the air between the robot and Zapdos.
"Go! Run! While you have the chance!" Ash shouted to Zapdos.
"That kid again? I thought you said you could handle him?!" Revan said angrily.
"Focus on getting Zapdos, I'll finish this child one and for all." The woman said, grabbing another Pokeball. "Marowak use Bonemerang!"
"Ahh!" Ash yelped as he jumped out of the way, before turning. "Cassie look out!" Ash said tossing another Pokeball at random.
"Seel?" Seel said confused as the bone slammed into his head. "Seel Seel Seel." Seel cried, rubbing the red spot on his forehead.
"You have, nevermind, stay out of our way, it's for the best." The woman said. "I don't hurt family."
"Wait what?" Ash said confused. "I didn't know I had an aunt?"
"We are linked in a different way, an ancient and mystical way called aura, and I saw yours just then." The woman said. "I will refrain from hurting you this one last time, do not waste this opportunity." She said. "Go now, before someone sees you."
Ash looked in confusion as the woman raced back towards the Power Plant.
"Skreee!" Zapdos cried out.
Ash couldn't make out what was happening, but he knew he had lost. Zapdos was captured, and what about that woman, what did she mean about aura, and how did he just use it?
"Cassie, are you okay?" Ash asked, rushing over to her.
"I'm fine, but Seel." Cassie said.
The red spot on Seel's forehead had swollen up quite a bit.
"Hold on, I've got something." Ash said.
"Ash! Your arm!" Cassie cried out, seeing blood covering his hand.
"She managed to hit me, she really was aiming to kill." Ash said, grabbing some bandages from his bag, and cleaning and wrapping his arm, before spraying medicine on Seel. "I'll have to get this looked at back in town." Ash said, tightening the wrapping around his wrist.
"Ash, are we going to be okay?" Cassie asked worridley.
"I promise, we'll be fine, I'll do what it takes to do that." Ash promised.
Authors notes
42 chapters in and this is the first official mention of aura for Ash. He does have an ability, and it will be gone over, but he won't have the full range of powers like Trap Ash had, that Ash spent a lot of time and energy researching his abilities, allowing them to grow and become stronger.
Also, figured I'd go over the references from last chapter now.
The first was the old man and the very large man. They were Uncle and Tohru from Jackie Chan adventures.
Then there was the man in overalls with a green shirt, obviously this was a reference to Luigi and Luigi's Mansion games.
The third was the most important ghost reference out there. Who you gonna call? Ghost Busters!
The fourth reference was the man in an orange jumpsuit and the woman in a blue bodysuit, being Jack and Maddie Fenton, professional ghost hunters from the show Danny Phantom.
Finally was a bit of a stretch was the man with a sword in his undies. That is a reference to the Knight Arthur from Ghosts and Goblins, who loses his armor whenever he is hit and is left in only his underwear.