"What now?" Ash asked, as they landed in the water.

"What do you mean?" Wally asked.

"Team Rocket is here, more dangerous than ever. Diane is back with some upgrades, and it looks like Jessie is hopped up on legendary powers!" Ash said. "And there's no way we'll make it back to the boat in time!"

"Just relax." Brendan said.

"Relax, great idea, eventually they'll come back for us! And we're trapped!" Ash exclaimed.

"Wair, why would they come back for us, The Primal Force is destroyed." Wally reminded.

"Because they always do! Team Rocket has been after Pikachu for over four years! They'll be back sooner or later!" Ash argued, as he swam to a nearby shore.

On shore

"Look, panicking isn't going to help right now." Brendan said. "So let's come up with a plan to stop them once we see them again."

"And then what. They have the red orb, and are probably going to get the Primal Force right now." Ash said angrily.

'Beep beep beep.'

"And that's the alarm for the boat." Ash groaned.

'Beep beep beep.'

"Wally would you shut that off!" Ash said, trying to focus.

"My watch does not make that level of noise." Wally commented.

'Beep beep beep.'

"I think that might be your Pokegear." Brendan said.

"Howdy boys!" Bill shouted, as Ash flipped it open.

"Hey Bill, now's not a great time." Brendan admitted.

"Well I was gonna ask how you were doing, seeing as we just got signal back, but whats wrong?" Bill asked.

"We were attacked." Wally said. "Almost killed actually."

"By the Moltres?" Bill asked.

"No, Team rocket, and their newest member." Brendan said. "Add onto the stress that we're stranded, things aren't looking up for us."

"Okay hold tight." Bill said, before a quick pause. "Okay, I've got your location, we'll be there soon, and as thanks I'll see if I can't get you going again." Bill said.

"Come on ash." Wally said, only to see the oldest of the group walking off.

"Just give him some time." Brendan said. "I think he just needs to be alone."

In a secluded spot

"Really wish you were here right now." Ash said angrily, holding his hand to his chest. "We're in a tough spot and, well if you were here, maybe this never would have happened. But I was an idiot and rushed into things without thinking about the consequences, and now you're gone, and I have to figure out how to save everyone without you."

There was no response except for the sounds of waves rolling in. Ash stood, looking out at the horizon as he could make out just the smallest bit of Team Rocket's air ship leaving for the north.

Back with Brendan and Wally

"There you boys are!" Bill exclaimed, rushing off the boat. "Is everyone okay?"

"Just our prides." Brendan admitted. "Ash went to cool off for a bit, we haven't seen him for a while."

"Lets go find him. I don't want you boys out here right now." Bill said.

"What's the rush?" Wally asked.

"Tropical storm incoming." Bill said. "We need to get back to the main island as soon as possible."

"We should split up then." Wally said.

"No, you two stay at the boat, I'll find him." Bill said. "Celio, if I'm not back in time, get out of here."

Back with Ash, as the storm came in close.

"Come on, answer me!" Ash shouted. "I know you're here!" Ash screamed, as a bolt of lightning illuminated the beach.

"Pi." Pikachu said worriedly, as the rain poured in.

"Say something!" Ash shouted.

"Well, I don't think you're calling for me." Bill said.

"Bill? Sorry." Ash said. "I didn't know you were already here."

"Brendan and Wally are at the boat with Celio already, we need to get going before this gets worse." Bill said.

'BOOM'

"It might be too late for that." Ash said, seeing a tidal wave coming in. "Hold tight." Ash said, sending out two aura tendrils. One wrapping around Bill, and another pulling them up the cliff side.

"Ash, I don't know how you're doing that, but I am sure glad you can." Bill said.

"DON'T THANK ME YET!" Ash shouted. "I DON'T THINK THIS STORM IS NATURAL!"

In the distance, a figure leapt out of the water, yet it was completely made of water. The figure was huge and cried out towards Ash.

"HE'S GONE!" Ash shouted. "I GOT RID OF HIM! YOU CAN'T CALL FOR HIS HELP!"

"Ash what is that?" Bill asked.

"The primal force of Kyogre." Ash said. "At least I think it is." Ash said, as the storm began to disappear.

"Where's it going?" Bill asked, as the storm and figure inside of it left as soon as it came.

"Best guess, same way as Team Rocket and the red orb." Ash said. "If they have one, they likely have the blue orb."

"So what are you going to do?" Bill asked, as Ash lowered them down.

"I don't know anymore." Ash sighed. "I'm out of options and out of answers. I don't even know how we could escape again."

"Then let's find something." Bill assured. "How did you escape this time?"

"Moltres." Ash admitted. "But I don't think that will work a second time."

"So we just need something to get you out of the islands without being noticed." Bill said.

Back at the giant Pokemon Center

"What about Tentacruel?" Brendan asked. "He should be more than big enough."

"The problem is speed and stamina." Ash commented, looking at their options. "He could hold all of us, but they aren't known for continuous journeys."

"What about Rhyperior, or Snorlax?" Wally asked.

"Both are too slow." Bill said. "You'd never escape if they caught up."

"We're not even sure they'll come back for us." Brendan said.

"Milotic and Marshtomp have the speed, and are small enough, but they can only carry one of us at a time each." Ash marked them off. "And while I've heard of Tauros swimming, I'm not sure mine can do that."

"So our best option is for us to find a cave in Johto now?" Brendan asked.

"No, no we keep going, we get back on path and find a way to Cinnabar without using a boat." Ash said.

"Here you are boys." A nurse joy said, setting down their Pokeball trays. "They're all feeling better."

"Thanks Nurse Joy." Brendan said.

"You seem a little sad, if you want, the Lapras will be passing by in a few minutes." Nurse Joy said. "It always brings me joy."

"The great Lapras migration?" Ash asked.

"Yes, have you seen it before?" Nurse Joy asked.

"Twice, and guys I think I might have an answer." Ash said, rushing out of the Pokemon Center.

"Come on." Ash plead, looking out at the ocean. "Where are you? I know you're out here."

"Ash, what is up with you today?" Brendan asked, running out.

"There's one last option, I never counted on, I can't believe I forgot about this one." Ash said.

"But you said you released your Lapras." Wally said.

"Exactly, I released her, back to her herd during the migration." Ash said. "I just need to make it there in time."

"Ash! What are you doing?!" Wally shouted, as Ash began tossing his bag and excess clothes off.

"Milotic, we're going for a swim! Full speed ahead!" Ash said, tossing out her Pokeball.

"Pi pikachu!" Pikachu exclaimed, leaping after Ash and Milotic.

"Is there any chance his Lapras remembers him?" Wally asked.

"Knowing Ash, I doubt they ever forgot." Brendan said, watching Milotic swim forward.

Milotic leapt in and out of the water, going further and further from shore as the group of Lapras finally came into range.

"Come on where is she?" Ash asked, looking around.

"Pi?" Pikachu said, worridley looking around as well.

"Naaa." A cry came out, as a Lapras rushed towards him.

"LAPRAS!" Ash exclaimed, leaping from Milotic as Lapras lifted him up.

Authors note

Yep, Lapras is back, but what about Team Rocket, and what was with that Kyogre?