Chapter 24 Encountering Matori Matrix
Ash and Serena are now at the Cerise Laboratory, as Professor Cerise is showing them a picture of their next research.
"Huh, that sure is a pretty place." Serena says.
"But Professor Cerise, did something happen there?" Ash asks in confusion.
"As you can see, this is the Resort Area in the Sinnoh Region. Supposedly, this lake is home to a Pokemon known as "The Lord Pokemon."
"Lord Pokemon?" Serena asks.
"What kind of Pokemon is that?" Ash also asks.
"We don't really know about it." Ren says. "Witnesses mention that seeing a massive shadow in the lake, and it jumps incredibly high."
"And a lot of trainers are gathering there to try and catch it." Chrysa says.
"Then we should go check out the "Lord Pokemon" ourselves." Ash says.
"And maybe we can capture that Pokemon as well." Serena adds.
After a while, Ash and Serena are now at the Resort Area. Serena says, "So this is the Resort Area..."
"It seems so. I think I want to go for a swim in this place." Ash says.
"Me too. How about we take a rest after we find the truth about the Lord Pokemon?" Serena says.
"I guess." But then the two of them stop as they notice four figures who are turning away from them once they notice them. Serena asks, "Is that Team Rocket?"
"Don't tell me that they are interested in the Lord Pokemon as well..." Ash mutters. "But since they are in their own disguises, I think I have an idea." Ash whispers to Serena, and then he walks towards them and asks, "Excuse me! Where can we find this lake?"
Ash shows the Rotom Phone to Team Rocket, and James quickly replies, "Oh, that lake is over there."
After pointing in the direction, Ash and Serena thank them before leaving. Serena asks, "Are you sure it is a good idea to ask them? What if they start trailing us again and take Pikachu?"
Ash says, "I don't think so...I mean, it seems like they're taking a break from Team Rocket business, I found out using my Aura."
"If you say so..." Serena says.
After arriving at the shopping district, Ash and Serena are looking around the shops until they find Team Rocket again.
"Looks like they really are following us..." Serena sighs.
"But I think this time it is just a coincidence..." Ash says as he greets them. "You guys again! Thanks for earlier!"
"Well, it was nothing..." James says while sweating. "But what are you doing here?"
"We're about to go fishing." Ash says.
"But we need to get sturdy fishing rods..." Serena says. "But we don't know what we should pick."
Just then, James suddenly grabs them and shows them around the fishing rods, causing Jessie, Meowth, and Wobbuffet to be surprised. After a while, Jessie manages to grab Pikachu as a skater passed by.
"Pikachu!" Ash says, and much to his surprise, Jessie returns Pikachu to him, and she says, "You should be more careful as well, Pikachu."
"Thank you so much." Ash says to Jessie, who is also nervous, and says, "You're...welcome."
After getting the fishing rods, they decide to leave Team Rocket alone and Serena says, "Strange...are you sure they are just taking a break? I mean...that was quite risky if that Jessie took Pikachu just like that..."
"I know, but all that matters is that they return Pikachu and help us with the rods." Ash says.
After arriving at the lake, they notice a lot of people fishing. Serena says, "Everyone is here for the Lord Pokemon."
"Well, we can't lose to them, can we?" Ash says as they also fish.
After a while, Serena's rod is moving and she says, "I think I got it!"
But it turns out to be a Goldeen, and it flops onto the land as Serena scans the Pokemon. "Goldeen, the Goldfish Pokémon. A Water type. When the weather warms up, Goldeen form schools and swim upriver. Some say this is a sign that spring has arrived."
"I don't think this is the Lord..." Ash says.
"You're right." Serena says as she puts Goldeen back into the lake.
Just then, Ash's rod is moving and he says, "I think I got it this time!"
But it turns out to be a Magikarp, and Ash also scans the Pokemon. "Magikarp, the Fish Pokémon. A Water type. With neither strength nor speed, Magikarp is thought to be the weakest Pokémon of all."
"This isn't either." Ash sighs. "But come to think about it, your first time fishing is back in Ambrette Town, remember?"
"Yeah, I was trying to get a Corsola, but failed in the end. We were trying to fish out a Golden Magikarp, right?"
"Yeah, that's for the Ambrette Aquarium." Ash says.
After several tries, all they can find is Magikarp and Goldeen. Serena sighs, "Do you think the Lord Pokemon really exists?"
"It has to be..." Ash says as he decides to go with the Octillery lure. Just then, the rod is moving and it is shaking very hard.
"Ash!" Serena says as she rushes to help, and the same goes with Pikachu, Sylveon, and Raboot.
"This feeling...it just like the time when we fished out Team Rocket's Magikarp Submarine..." Ash says as they are reeling in harder.
"Speaking of Team Rocket..." Serena says as she notices the four of them passing by. "Can you four help us?"
Just then, Jessie, James, Meowth, and Wobbuffet decide to help them, and they fish out a giant Magikarp.
"That sure is a huge Magikarp...could it be a Totem Pokemon?" Ash gasps after fishing out the Pokemon.
And the Magikarp flops into the air, causing everyone to look at it with surprise.
"Now I definitely want to capture it!" Ash says as he throws the Pokeball, but the Magikarp just flops it back.
"If that's the case, let's battle it. Torterra! I choose you!" Ash sends out his Sinnoh Grass Type Pokemon, as it roars.
"Use Rock Climb!" Ash says as Torterra attacks the Magikarp, causing it to take a lot of damage. "Now it's our chance!" Ash throws the Pokeball again and this time it is captured.
"You did it, Ash!" Serena cheers. "Magikarp's data is added to the Pokedex!" Rotom Dex says.
After Ash and Serena are thanking Team Rocket for help, they hear explosions and Serena asks, "What's going on here?"
They rush and see that a lot of Team Rocket grunts, led by Matori, have nets with a lot of Pokemon.
"Group 1, take them to the back immediately." Matori says.
"Team Rocket..." Ash mutters.
"Wait, they are Team Rocket as well?" Serena asks.
"If I remember correctly, they are Matori Matrix, they were at Alola as they were trying to capture a Legendary Pokemon known as Necrozma..." Ash says. "They are far more dangerous compared to the four that we met."
"We have to stop them from taking those Pokemon." Serena says.
"I agree." Ash says as they step forward. "Hey you! Give those Pokemon back!"
Matori notices Ash and says, "Eliminate them."
Just then, four grunts send out Rhyperior, Purugly, Toxicroak, and Stuntank to battle, Ash says, "Riolu! Pikachu!"
Serena says, "Sylveon! Raboot! You too!"
All four Pokemon are engaging in a battle, Pikachu and Riolu leap into action with Quick Attack and Vacuum Wave. Toxicroak sidesteps to avoid and poisons Pikachu with its Sludge Bomb. Riolu is knocked back by Purugly's Fury Swipes while Rhyperior hits Raboot with a Stone Edge. Sylveon is using Moonblast at Purugly, but it gets hit by Skuntank's Sludge Bomb. Pikachu fails to get up in time and is knocked down by a follow-up Venoshock and Skuntank's Flamethrower.
"Oh no! Pikachu!" Ash says as he tries to get his Pokemon, only that the Flamethrower blocks his path.
"Ash! It's too dangerous!" Serena says as she tries to grab Ash before he does something rash.
"We'll be taking this one as well." One grunt grabs Pikachu as the others throw smoke bombs, causing the whole Matrix to make a clean getaway with the Pokemon.
"What happened here?" Officer Jenny arrives, but it is too late as everyone is sad at their loss of Pokemon.
"Damn it..." Ash mutters as Serena is also looking at him with worry.
With Pikachu nabbed, Ash and Serena retreat to the local Pokémon Center to think things over.
"I'm going to save Pikachu no matter what." Ash declares.
"But we don't even know where they went..." Serena says.
"Brave, aren't you? I like that." Just then, they notice that Jessie, James, Meowth, and Wobbuffet are standing in front of them. "We'll help you out."
Ash and Serena are surprised that Team Rocket will help them find their base, Serena asks, "What do you mean?"
"Heading straight at them is pointless. You have to think carefully." Jessie says.
"Actually, in the confusion earlier, I managed to put a tracker on one of their Pokemon." James says. "So we know where they went."
"Really?" Ash asks, using his aura to connect with Serena, "Looks like those four have some bad blood with that Matori Matrix?"
"Perhaps we can have a truce just for this time..." Serena says.
"Here's the plan. One of you acts as a decoy and the other one sneaks in and saves the Pokemon. Are you in?"
"We'll do it." Serena and Ash say in unison, and so are their Pokemon.
"Then let's go." James says as they follow the tracker and reach Matori's Camp.
"I still have a feeling that those four are up to no good..." Serena sighs.
"Me too, but it is the only chance we have right now." Ash sighs as well.
They spot the cages of stolen Pokémon being patrolled by several agents, Jessie says, "Now Serena."
Serena nods as she and Sylveon rush into the scene and yells, "Hey! Team Rocket!"
Just then, the grunts spot them and go for Rhyperior and Toxicroak. Serena says, "Now let's see how you do this! Magikarp!"
Serena throws the Pokeball and the giant Magikarp appears, using its Splash to distract the grunts.
At the same time, Ash and James manage to sneak to the cages and open the lock. "Pikachu, have this." Ash gives Pikachu a Pecha Berry to heal its poison.
"Everyone, run for it. And please quietly." Ash turns to the other Pokemon as they sneak out of the cages.
"What are you trying to do?" The grunts are sweating after seeing Serena's giant Magikarp.
"Simple. Use Splash!" Serena says, and the Splash causes an Earthquake to send the grunts and their Pokemon flying and crashing to the tent, which alerts Matori to rescue effort.
"Oh no, that spot me..." James mutters as he quickly retreats, as Ash stands with Pikachu and Riolu. "Team Rocket! I'm here to make you give everyone's Pokemon back!"
"Get them." Matori says as both Purugly and Skuntank are sent out.
"What can a mere child do, huh?" Matori says as the grunts are attacking.
Pikachu uses Iron Tail to counter Purugly's Slash attack, leaving it winded. Matori calls for the agents to make another move, but they soon find themselves surrounded and outnumbered by all of the freed Pokémon.
"Serena, you're just in time." Ash says.
"The grunts realize that they are surrounded, along with Matori. Ash says, "Now all of you! Attack!"
All the Pokemon are attacking the four grunts' Pokemon, and they manage to overwhelm the whole Matrix. Officer Jenny also arrives as she yells, "You're under arrest for stealing Pokemon!"
"Retreat for now!" Matori says as one grunt uses Rhyperior's Stone Edge to create a defensive barrier, allowing the Matori Matrix to escape Officer Jenny in their helicopter.
The Trainers are soon reunited with their Pokémon, and Officer Jenny thanks the boys and Rocket trio for their help. Serena turns to the trio and says, "By the way, we haven't asked your names even though you have been helping us a lot today."
Jessie is trying to do the motto, but James and Meowth wave off the curiosity and intervene, dragging Jessie away.
"So close..." Ash mutters. "I would want them to get arrested for now."
"But there's always another time." Serena says.
Back at Cerise Laboratory, the Professor and his assistants meet the giant Magikarp for the first time.
Chrysa says, "It really is a giant Magikarp, just look at the size..."
"Other than that, it is just a Magikarp." Cerise adds.
The giant Magikarp makes a massive leap, smashing through the Park's glass dome and then landing with a mighty splash, leaving everyone soaked.
"Well, that's amazing..." Professor Cerise mutters.
"Yeah." Ash and Serena sighs.
Here is a new chapter, and in this chapter, Ash and Serena fight against Team Rocket's Matori Matrix and manage to save their Pokemon. The next chapter will be back to Kalos, as some reunion is going to happen. I hope you like this chapter.
New Pokemon: Magikarp