Ash and his friends were still in the prison of Team Strengtheners' base, listening to the thugs' conversation, who were talking loudly.
Moments after the conversation ended, they heard a noise coming from helicopter blades.
"According to what they were saying, Team Rocket is involved in the story." Brock stated.
"But what would they be doing around here?" asked Misty.
At that moment, they heard the door to the room they were being unlocked.
"Is anyone there?!" shouted Ash.
When the door was fully open, Ash and his friends saw four figures enter the room.
"If he thinks we're here for trouble..." Said a familiar, female voice.
"We're certainly going to burst his bubble!" Said a male voice, also familiar.
"Instead of causing tribulation…"
"We've undergone a transformation!"
"Though it's way outside our usual range…"
"We're going to do something nice for a change ."
"Jessie!"
"James!"
"Up till now, Team Rocket's been quite unscrupulous."
"Being good guys for once would be super-dupulous!"
"That's right!" Said Meowth.
"Pika!" Said Pikachu, heading towards Ash.
"Pikachu, glad you're okay!" Said Ash, hugging his Pokémon.
"Why are you helping us?" Misty asked, addressing the Team Rocket members.
"Well... We don't want the three thugs who kidnapped you to carry out their plan, whatever that may be." Said Jessie.
"Also, you can be valuable allies to stop them." Said James.
"By the way, do you know who these guys are?" Asked Meowth.
"These are the same guys who tried to ruin a village's Wobbuffet festival a few weeks ago." Brock replied. "Furthermore, they plan to use machines that allow them to control the Pokémon to their will."
His speech had left Jessie, James and Meowth in shock.
"But how are we going to stop them from using their equipment?" Ash asked.
"First, let's look for our Pokémon." Brock said. "I don't think these guys had enough time to take them when they fled with the helicopters."
They left the room and split up to maximize the search.
•••••••••••
After some time searching, Jessie, James and Meowth found a closed box in one of the rooms. Upon opening it, they saw several Poké Balls inside.
"Guys, I have an idea." Said Meowth. "Let's steal these Poké Balls and run!"
"Sounds like a good idea to me." Said Jessie.
"But what about the promises we made to the twerps?!" said James
"We don't have to keep the promises we make." Said Jessie. "After all, we are Team Rocket!"
"Even so, we still need their help if we are to stop Team Strengtheners' plans." Said James.
"Yea. We really need to stop this team's plans before they can do what they want to do." Said Jessie.
"He is well; let's return these Poké Balls to them." Said Meowth.
They started walking and screaming, calling out to the teens.
•••••••••••
"Do you think we should believe that Team Rocket is on our side?" Ash asked.
"I believe they are not lying, as we share enemies in common." Brock said.
"Still, let's keep our eyes peeled in case they betray us." Said Misty.
"Pika-Pi." Said Pikachu.
They continued looking for their Pokémon.
Suddenly, they heard screams.
"Where are you?" yelled Jessie.
"We managed to find your Pokémon!" shouted James.
"We're here!" The three screamed at the same time.
After a few seconds, they spotted the trio, panting, holding a box.
"Here are your Poké Balls." They said in unison as they handed the box they were holding to the boys.
"Thank you very much!" Ash said.
"But how are we going to stop the bandits from carrying out their plan?" Jessie asked.
"First, we need to know where they are going." Brock said. "Did you see which direction they went when they took off with the helicopters?"
"They headed East after leaving the base." Said James.
"Why would they choose to go there?" asked Misty.
"Probably to look for some legendary Pokémon there." Said Jessie.
"Whatever their objective is, we need to stop them. But how are we going to get to them?" Ash asked.
"Fortunately, we have our portable balloons." Said Meowth.
"Perfect! Let's use them to go after Team Strengtheners!" Ash said.
"What are you waiting for?! Let's go!" Said Jessie.
When they left the base of operations, Jessie and James each took a portable balloon from their pockets. Then, they turned them into giant balloons.
Jessie and Meowth headed for one of the balloons, while Ash, Pikachu, Misty and Brock headed for the other.
They were already getting on their balloons when James walked towards the balloon the teens were in.
"Do you know how to drive a balloon?" he asked.
"Unfortunately, no…" Brock replied.
"Then I'll help you direct it." Said James.
"But the balloons are too small to hold four people!" Said Jessie.
"Then I will also change balloons!" Said Misty, as she got out of the balloon she was in and headed for the other one.
"Right." Said Meowth.
In the final setup, Jessie, Misty and Meowth were in one of the balloons, while Ash, Pikachu, Brock and James were in the other.
"And here we go!" said Jessie and James, in unison.
After turning on the balloons' hot air, the groups headed East.
•••••••••••
Hisaishi, Tsuyoshi and Tetsuya could already see the Orange Islands region on the horizon.
"We have no time to lose. Everyone knows what to do, right?" Tsuyoshi asked.
"My mission is to capture Moltres, the legendary firebird." Hisaishi said.
"Mine is to capture Zapdos, the legendary thunderbird." Said Tetsuya.
"While I go in search of Articuno, the legendary ice bird." Said Tsuyoshi.
"Not even Lawrence, the one who tried to collect these legendary Pokémon, could do what we are going to do!" Said Tetsuya.
"We don't have time to talk. Those Team Rocket guys should be after us by now." Hisaishi said.
They headed in different directions in search of the legendary birds.