'I've found it!' Rosemary thought to herself, as she slid past a double-bolted door in the base's westmost corridor. On the other side, natural caverns led to freedom. 'We've found our way out… But who knows how quickly we'll have to escape, once Papa and Pikachu are free!?'

There was no time to dawdle with a secured door, she decided, leaping back from it to rear a paw back. Teal energy built into an Aura Sphere, and she roared, lobbing it at the door.

Smoke and fragments of solid steel flew in all directions from the impact, flooding the hall. A huge gap had been seared in the door, while what remained was buckled, dented, and cracked.

"Hey! They're over here!"

"Move it! Take no prisoners!"

Rosa's ears flicked. Many of the Rockets remaining had just turned tail to come her way. 'They're being drawn here… Which means they'll be further from Ma and Pa. If I can keep the commotion going, the coast will be clear for them!'

It was a risky thought, Rosa knew. And she'd been advised against such recklessness. But, he was in far more peril, right now, than she was. She thought of Ash's words, from days ago.

"It's like a great hero once told me… If someone's in trouble, we have to do something, right?"

That was enough. Her aura bundles levitated, and both paws stretched outward. Aura Spheres were summoned, and summarily thrown wildly in every direction, one after the next. Explosions rattled the corridor, walling and wires flew about in the crossfire.

The fluorescent lights overhead started to flicker, and that sparked her memory. Ash had intentionally busted the lights to scatter and blind Rockets, back at Silph. With her own senses, she'd be afforded a supreme advantage.

That was enough motivation to lob an Aura Sphere at one of the overhead lights. Shattered glass rained from the fallout, and the hallway was significantly darker. Rosa drew back a paw, gathering another Aura Sphere.

"Raticate! Dig!"

The floor broke beneath Rosa, causing her to stumble. A nasty uppercut smashed into her jaw, courtesy of a hissing Raticate. She snarled, stumbling back and brushing the back of her wrist over her chin. "Rio!"

"Rrraticate!" A fierce Raticate opposed her, followed by a Rocket commanding her, with several more agents tailing them.

Rosa lit her fist ablaze with Reversal, and shot forth. Burying her fist in Raticate's gut, she followed through after a moment of lag. She knocked the rat into her trainer, knocking them both on their backs.

Several Golbat appeared in flashes of light, afterward, swarming and ambushing Rosa.

"Air Cutter!"

Swift beats of their wings conjured a storm of razor-sharp gusts of wind. Rosa was battered and sliced on all sides, pulling in and guarding her body from as much of the assault as possible.

Gritting her teeth, Rosa memorized the sight with wide, shining blue eyes. The attacks replayed in reverse in her mind, and were promptly understood. "Raaagh!" Flexing her arms outward, she fired an onslaught of Air Cutter from the force of her shout alone. The cutting projectiles struck the Golbat in succession, dropping them to the floor.

The Lucario panted, catching her breath. She felt sore, and the damage was starting to pile up.

"Dark Pulse!"

She turned her head, only to catch a volley of wicked rings coming from behind her before they smashed into her back. She howled in pain, tumbling forward to slide into the felled Golbat.

"Haha! You didn't really think you'd step on Team Rocket's turf without paying the price, did ya!?" A larger Rocket cackled, towering over the grunts opposite of him. He was accompanied by a Weezing floating alongside him. "The rest of you, on the other hand, have been pathetic. You couldn't stop a single mutt?"

"Er… We're sorry, Officer!" One of them stammered out.

"It's stronger than it looks!"

"Forget it," the higher-ranked villain dismissed. "Lucario are rare. Let's take this one, and search the base for any other intruders. The Executive's counting on us to clean up the… huh!?"

A golden aura had erupted around Rosa, startling everyone present, except for her. The vile intentions of everyone surrounding her was too much to bear. It filled her with righteous fury, and the sting of the Dark-type energy on her hide did the same. She was sick of it all, already.

The curved spikes on her wrists spontaneously doubled in size, and their points even more razor-sharp. The large spike on her chest, as well, jutted out with a deadly point. Despite the pain she was in, Rosemary found the strength to stand on her hind legs. ~You're all… the worst!~

The larger man was slack-jawed. Unable to form a cohesive sentence, before the Lucario's fist and wrist spike were consumed in a blinding blaze, and shot across the room. Her paw was buried in Weezing's face, sending a residual storm of energy through the corridor that knocked every Rocket on their backs.

She roared, following through to spike Weezing off the ground, off the ceiling, and back down upon their gobsmacked trainer. Every enemy present had been knocked out in an instant.

Rosa breathed heavily, her adrenaline serving her, but also leaving her trembling. She stared down at her fist and spikes, awestruck by her new power. She didn't understand it, but it should be enough to power through and save her loved ones; that much, in her heart, she knew.


"This really is sad, you know…" Ariana laughed behind her glove, leering down upon Ash. The poor welp was still laying on his back. "I was hoping to at least have something of a challenge. But, here we have the same thick-skulled brat who'd jump onto an airborne helicopter… rolling over and waiting for the end. Where did that spirit go, I wonder?"

"When I did that," Ash answered, "I had Pikachu by my side."

"How quaint… and how stupid," Ariana mocked. "Did you think your rat's power would somehow save you from an eleven-story fall?"

"It's not about power!" Ash snapped, sitting back up. "It's never been about power… It's always been about having my best friend by my side. Someone I know I can count on, to stick with me through thick and thin!"

"Did I say sad…? I'd like to amend that to tragic," the Executive corrected herself. "You've got nature's order backwards. Following at a Pokémon's heel instead of making it kneel at yours… It's no wonder you're in this position, no matter how skilled you might be! You're an idiot, chasing after nothing more than a tool."

"You're wrong!" Ash shouted. His fingers dug into broken tiling, crumbling it. "There is no order. We're equals! And we'd never lose to people who think like you… but you, you've taken him! The Pokémon you've got doing your dirty work isn't Pikachu. They're just… a fake! A puppet, behind the real Pikachu! It's not fair!"

"Not fair?" Ariana cackled. "Life isn't fair."

"Then I'll make it fair!" Ash snarled, once again finding his will to fight. Leaning on to one knee, he planted a hand, and sprinted towards the red-headed villain. "Give me that Poké Ball!"

"Pikachu! Put him out of his misery!" Ariana snapped her fingers.

"Chu…!" The brainwashed Pikachu took to the air swiftly, brandishing the silver hammer of Iron Tail.

Ash could barely comprehend Pikachu's speed, only able to act because his attack patterns were imprinted on his memory. He raised and crossed his arms over his head.

The pain that came down upon his forearms was excruciating; like they'd been struck with a hammer. Ash shouted, letting them fall to his side to shake the numbness out.

Unfortunately, the bloodlusted Pikachu gave him no reprieve. Right in his face, the orange-tinted mouse bore fangs and remorseless eyes. "Chu… Pi-ka!" Swinging, he struck his disarmed trainer in the jaw. Ash's head swam; his skull rattled and shook, and the entire side of his face ached. He rolled and bounced roughly along the floor, falling in a heap.

"Ugh… Owh…" Groaning, Ash held his face, only to feel a wetness trickling onto his fingertips. His gloved hand was dripping with blood; he'd incurred a busted lip. It hurt like hell, but Ash couldn't stop staring in wide-eyed amazement. 'That should've ended a whole lot worse.'

"How very irritating.. That Iron Tail should've snapped his arms, if not his neck!" The Executive grimaced, walking the same train of thought.

"As… ath if I'd- ah!" Trying to support himself with his palms, Ash's weight gave out under him. His forearms pounded in a sharp pain. He pulled himself up on his knees. "...ath if I'd go down thath eashy!"

"You got lucky, but you're a lot more fragile than you think," Ariana hissed. "Again!"

Electricity gathered on Pikachu's tail, quickly forming an Electro Ball. Just as it was ready to launch, the room trembled, and the lights started to flicker. Ultimately, the end-result was a black-out; the room was pitch-black, if not for Pikachu's golden glow, and the flashing red security lights.

"Have they still not handled the intruder!?" Ariana snarled, stumbling before turning around. Another detonation sounded nearby, and thick, black smoke flooded in through a collapsing door. She coughed into her sleeve. "This is madness… I'll just have to leave your rat to kill you, itself!" She started to brave the haze, only for another explosion making her tremble and falter.

The Dark Ball slipped from her hand, and the sound of cold metal clacked and rolled into the ichor. "How irritating… Not that it matters. I'll be back for it. Enjoy your 'best friend' making the light leave your eyes."

That was the last Ash heard of Ariana. That left them alone, as far as he could tell. Just him and Pikachu, on a scarred, dim battlefield, lit only by Pikachu's gold, and pulsing, intermittent red.

The beacon of Pikachu's Electro Ball held steady. It hadn't fired, he noticed. It lit one half of Pikachu's face, showing a look of… disgust? Anger? Ash wanted to say that it was a look of struggle, but that felt optimistic.

Still, he'd never been one to see the glass half-empty.

"Pikathu… I'm shorry. i'm shorry I leth thish happen tho you. Ish all my fault," he sobbed, tears trickling and pooling below him. "...My faulth that you're in thish to begin with! And I'll geth you outha here, even if it kill—"

"Kaaa!" Pikachu shrieked furiously, his temper once again building. He turned his hips to unleash the Electro Ball, but in the midst of it—

~Sto…. — …at!~

Electro Ball closed in, and exploded against Ash. Electricity rattled him, and he flew back, hitting the dented wall where Pidgeot had fallen. His pain was forgotten, along with the stench of burnt clothing. He blinked. "Pi… Pikachu…?" Had he heard that right? Surely it wasn't his imagination!?

~...op blaming your—elf!~

In stark darkness, Ash had to wait to see Pikachu until the red lights flashed again. His partner looked furious — even more than before. It was hard, now, though, to make out the unhealthy color of his fur, in the viral red. When Ash squinted, he was certain he saw tears in his eyes.

~ ...a team!~ That same voice buzzed in his head again, like radio static. Ash struggled to concentrate; to find clarity in it. Every interruption struck like a harsh slap to his psyche. Like the pain his partner felt shot right to him. ~ …Isn't either of our faults!~

"I… thinkh I hear you…" Ash swallowed heavily, nodding. "...Yeah, that's true. We are. And I'll free you, no matter wha- AAH!"

The continuous flash of a Thunderbolt shot through him, making him buckle on his hands and knees. By now, Ash was too worn down to feel pain acutely. He only hunched over, eyes half-lidded. "P-Pikachu…"

~ …leaving together or — not leaving at all!~ The voice resembling Pikachu's shot through Ash's mind. The Thunderbolt he was unleashing on him was nearly forgotten. ~That's — who we are!~ The electricity kept pouring on, even now.

It was like Pikachu was trying his best to channel his aggression, to shock some sense into him.

"You're righth," Ash whispered. Digging his elbows into the cold floor, he pulled himself closer to Pikachu without leaning weight on his arms. "I geth…" He reached up, wiping his bleeding lip. "I get it…! You won't be leaving without me, and I won't be leaving without you!"

Pikachu's eyes snapped wide open. For a moment, in that bright light, Ash saw his soul flicker within them. But, the electricity hadn't stopped.

Ash braved it, and pulled himself up to his partner. "We'll… get out of this… together!" Rocking on his knees, he lunged with the remainder of his strength, and pulled Pikachu into his arms. Holding him tightly against his chest, he smiled. "That's a… ugh! That's a promise, Buddy…"

~Ash…~ A horrible, wicked fog ensnaring Pikachu's heart and mind was seeing its end. Warmth and light resembling his best friend shone a beacon in the fog, and a lively teal drew the bridge between them. The phenomenon his trainer carried known as Aura made their minds one.

He felt Ash's love, and it was so much stronger than hate. ~...Ash!~ Pikachu tilted his head up, making eye contact with his trainer. In the dim, flashing red, he could make out the look of disbelief breaking, replaced with pure joy. He swallowed his sobs, and buried his face in his trainer's chest.

"Pikachu!" Ash laughed with unbound joy, nuzzling his cheek into the soft fur atop his partner's head. He savored the squeaks of joy from his partner who, as he now knew, didn't mean any particular word. Pikachu was simply happy. "You're back… You're back! I missed you so much!"

~I missed you, too!~ The voice he'd heard several times before came through with clarity. It was a curious reconstruction of how Pikachu usually sounded, suited to human language. Somewhat high-pitched, if a touch scratchy. ~It was horrible, Ash… I never want to feel that, again.~

Ash vaguely remembered what Riley said, about him connecting to another's heart. 'Empathy is the key to it all. Loving and understanding one another. Seeing another's perspective.' It made so much more sense to him in action. ~You won't, Buddy… That's a promise.~

~Thank you.~ Pikachu was still shuddering. He knew he was home when Ash's fingers gently caressed the fur on his back. The horrific claustrophobia lingered, but ultimately, he was home.~ Sorry about all those attacks. You were being very thick-headed.~

Ash laughed to himself. ~Had a feeling you were trying to knock some sense into me… In your own way.~ A brief pause. ~...So, this is your voice, huh?~

Pikachu smiled into Ash's chest. ~I think we should leave, now.~

~I don't have the energy to move, even if I wanted to.~

~I don't either. The team… Did I—?~

~Yeah, you knocked 'em out.~

~Then we're helpless.~

Ash laughed. His chest hurt, but he couldn't help it. He pulled back a little, just to look into his best friend's tired eyes, every time the security lights pulsed. There was no sound, but their own breathing, and the occasional far-off explosion. For just a moment, they were alone.

Or, so they thought. But in the nearby blackness, a cream-colored tail with a brown, curled end stood out, and a paw lightly tossed the twisted Dark Ball that'd caused Pikachu so much pain.

The clack of metal against the flooring drew Ash and Pikachu's attention. The awful device slowly rolled their way, stopping beside them. The trainer hesitantly reached out and held it.

They looked to where it'd come from. The smoke was drifting away, but there was no one to be seen.

Ash stared down at the awful contraption. ~Let's hope Dawn finds us before Ariana does.~


While Rosa was busy securing the exit, Dawn wound her way through hallways on the vague directions that the Pokémon had given her. Rocket grunts had fallen one after another in her path, taken down by her reliable Empoleon.

But, their defeats didn't bring any relief. All she could think about was finding Ash, and her heart pounding heavily in her chest. It didn't help matters that she'd been forced to stop in her tracks every other moment, after a majority of the lighting had died out. Navigating an underground base in the dark wasn't ideal, nor was it wise.

The next time the red lighting illuminated her path, though, it was obstructed. The crimson-haired Executive from Silph stood in her way. "You…!"

"So, you're the intruder… I think you've caused quite enough trouble," Ariana spat.

"Where are Ash and Pikachu!?" Dawn snapped, her voice hoarse. "Hand them over!'

"That voice…" Ariana's cherry lips parted in a snarl. "You! You were that grunt that I told to watch the first floor, weren't you!? You sabotaged us!"

"Happy to disappoint you," Dawn shouted back. She grabbed her partner's Poké Ball, tapping its center button. It expanded to fit the palm of her hand. "You'll be dealing with a lot worse if anything's happened to either of them!"

"You think you're in a position to make threats…? How bold." Ariana, herself, grabbed her own Poké Ball. "I'll be sure to punish you for your part in Team Rocket's failure. I've found a few quick ways to power up since my embarrassment, there. Arbok!"

"Chaaah!" The gargantuan serpent slithered around Ariana, and then towered over Dawn.

"I wanted to take you down a peg, anyway." Dawn grimaced, and slung her own backhanded.

"Empol!" Empoleon cried mightily, throwing out his wings. Then, he stumbled, nearly losing his footing. "Pol…!"

"Empoleon…!" Dawn gasped. 'He's probably taken a lot of damage from our battles already.' Finishing this quickly would be best. "Empoleon! Hydro Pump!"

"Poolll…!" Empoleon fired a torrential jet towards Arbok, who dipped and slithered around it.

"Use Glare," Ariana shouted.

Rising after Hydro Pump's failure, Arbok hissed, flashing the terrifying pattern imprinted under its chin. The awful sight sent a tinge of terror through Empoleon, and he suddenly felt numb.

"He's paralyzed," Dawn muttered bitterly. "Use Steel Wing, now!"

Empoleon cried, and brandished his wings, starting his charge. But, numbness shot through him, and he fell to one knee.

"It can't move? How sad," Ariana mocked. "Earthquake!"

Tremors shot through the field, rattling Empoleon down to the bone. The proud bird shouted in pain, nearly stumbling over.

"Like I said," Ariana continued, "I've invested in a few new improvements after losing so badly to that rat. An Executive rarely has time to train, but TMs are awfully convenient."

"Empoleon! Whirlpool!" Dawn shouted, ignoring her.

Empoleon raised his valiant wings, stirring up a raging whirlpool over his head. Tossing his wings, he ensnared Arbok into its rough waters, juggling it mercilessly.

"Now, follow it up with Ice Beam!" Dawn waved a hand.

Empoleon opened his beak, but suddenly found himself immobile.

"Paralyzed again…!"

"Arbok! Grab it with Wrap, now!"

Arbok's scaly, purple tail escaped the Whirlpool several times before being dragged back in. A final attempt snapped out and wrapped around Empoleon's torso, ultimately breaking Whirlpool. A woozy-looking Arbok kept his hold.

"Now! Earthquake!"

"Chaaaah…!" Arbok twisted her body around in mid-air, and brought Empoleon down brutally into the ground. Sequentially, the earth-shook below them, again, with Empoleon bearing the entire brunt of it.

Dawn gasped, and watched Arbok unravel from her starter. Empoleon laid face-first, unconscious. She swallowed heavily. "Thank you, Empoleon… return." She recalled him, opting for another. "Togekiss! I'm counting on you!"

"Kiss~!" Togekiss entered the fray with a hasty loop. Despite her usual, serene self, she looked awfully serious, knowing the stakes. Her maternal streak extended to Ash and Pikachu, and anyone endangering them would see her wrath.

"Use Sludge Bomb!" The Executive shouted, as Arbok spat explosive venom towards Togekiss.

"Air Slash!" Dawn shouted.

The Jubilee Pokémon danced patterns around the sludge with ease, and whipped one of her wings around to conjure hostile winds. She lobbed it towards Arbok, capturing it in a cutting wind tunnel. Arbok fell to just one move.

"Damn it…" The Rocket recalled her Pokémon, and tossed another sphere. "Muk! Screech!"

A mass of sentient sludge appeared, opening its mouth to unleash an ear-splitting ring that assaulted and wethered Togekiss.

"Fight back with Air Slash!" Dawn ordered.

Togekiss pulled back from the harsh noise, and whipped up another Air Slash.

"Minimize!" Ariana countered. Air Slash approached, but not before Muk's body liquified, and retreated into the cracks between the floor tiles. Effectively disappearing, as nasty gusts tore at the floor tiles.

"It's under the tiles…!?" Dawn gasped.

"You won't have any luck hitting a Pokémon who's out of your reach," Ariana taunted.

"Then as long as you're in hiding, we'll make the most of it," Dawn said. "Prepare a Sky Attack!"

A white halo started to envelop Togekiss.

"Use Rock Tomb!"

Purple goo seeped through the cracks in the floor, and huge spires of rock materialized above Togekiss, crashing down atop her.

"Togekiss!" Dawn cried in worry. She winced, as the stones converged to crush and constrict the Jubilee. "Power through it! I know you can!"

Heavenly light leaked through the stones, before obliterating them in a straightforward charge. Togekiss soared through in a straightforward charge, albeit slower than before.

"Her wing looks hurt," Dawn gasped. Flayed feathers and a bruise on her snow-white wing were apparent, causing a lag in her speed. Unfortunately, it gave Muk ample time to retreat and dodge.

Ariana smirked. "Sludge Bomb."

Volatile sludge pelted and exploded against Togekiss, sending her tumbling back through the air.

"Kiss…!" Togekiss hissed, nursing her wing and grooming the grime out of it. "Toge." Her voice sounded hoarse, and bubbles of toxin popped off of her down.

"She's poisoned," Dawn observed, grimacing. 'I have to do something… If we can't find Muk, then…' Her eyes snapped open. 'That's it! Find him! Thanks, Kenny… Our battle's about to save our hides.' She raised a hand up high. "Togekiss! Let's track it down with Aura Sphere!"

Togekiss mirrored her trainer, raising a heavenly wing to conjure the spitting image of life itself. Teal and vibrant, it sought out the offending life force that stood between them and their loved ones.

"Now, charge another Sky Attack," Dawn shouted, and Togekiss once again gathered light.

Aura Sphere swerved, and plummeted into the floor, detonating it. Purple goo shot out of the debris unceremoniously.

"What!?" Ariana hissed, wide-eyed.

Togekiss saw her prey, and shot forth. Crossing Muk in a streak of godly light.

Muk fell in a heap, unconscious. Subsequently, Togekiss recoiled from poison damage.

The Rocket wordlessly recalled Muk, and substituted them with a Vileplume. "Sleep Power!"

"Use Safeguard!"

A healthy green glow basked over Togekiss, stopping the Sleep Powder in its tracks.

"Air Slash!"

Togekiss started to whip up her wing, only to recoil and fall towards the floor. The harsh chill of poison struck her, again.

"Togekiss!" Dawn shouted.

"I've got you," Ariana grinned. "Sludge Bomb!"

Vileplume aimed her large flower at Togekiss, and fired. Nasty sludge exploded, sending the Jubilee tumbling towards Dawn's feet. Belly-up, she was unmoving.

"Thank you…" Dawn recalled Togekiss, and exhaled. "Let's take them down, Buneary!"

"Bun!" Buneary somersaulted out of her Poké Ball, landing battle-ready. She, in particular, was fiercely motivated, glaring daggers at Pikachu's captor. She stomped the floor below her, breaking the tile she'd stood on to a fine powder. Arceus willing, she'd beat her to a pulp.

"Togekiss set us up with Safeguard," Dawn explained to her partner. "So you won't suffer any status effects. Let's save Ash and Pikachu!"

"Buneary!"

"What a spirited little runt… It won't be the first I've crushed, today." Before either girl could parse what that meant, she waved a hand. "Use Sludge Bomb!"

Vileplume aimed her flower, and fired the putrid artillery.

"Shock Wave," Dawn called, as Buneary's ears aimed at the incoming fire. Blue lightning struck at all targets, detonating them before they could reach her. "Now, Dizzy Punch!"

She sprinted into the debris, following her keen hearing to Vileplume. The simplistic face of her foe gawked as she entered their personal space, and punched into the center of their face with her ear. Deciding one wasn't enough, though, her coiled ear struck to uppercut Vileplume off of the ground. Consecutive alternating blows bashed the flower higher and higher, launching it.

Vileplume landed on unsteady feet, barely keeping herself from toppling.

"You stubborn little.. Giga Drain!" Ariana ordered.

Green, shimmering light jolted and ensnared Buneary, lifting her off the ground to sap her vitality right out of her body. Vileplume felt her stamina steadily returning to her, standing upright.

"Don't give in, Buneary," Dawn encouraged. "Use Ice Beam!"

"Buhn…!" Buneary tensed, fighting the sickly feeling that was robbing her of her energy. She'd held her own against stronger foes; as if she'd buckle to this. She opened her mouth, firing freezing rays that struck Vileplume, breaking the grip Giga Drain held.

But, Buneary's efforts didn't end there. "Buuuuhnnn…!" Still airborne, she continued to pile on Ice Beam, long past its usual dues. Ice began to cover Vileplume, gradually encasing her in ice.

"Good work, Buneary!" Dawn praised. "Now, finish it with Jump Kick!"

Landing on her feet, Buneary lunged forward, foot-first, into the ice encasing Vileplume. It promptly shattered, and she planted her heel mercilessly in the Grass-type's face.

Vileplume fell unconscious.

"You little…!" Ariana hissed, managing her temper while recalling Vileplume. "How!?"

"How, what?" Dawn demanded.

"That Pikachu, and now a mere Buneary… How did you make such a weak and common Pokémon so powerful!?"

"That's the power you find when people and Pokémon care about each other," Dawn replied. "Something you wouldn't get!"


"Shouldn't we… help them?" James frowned, looking behind him while running along with the group. There were Rocket grunts aplenty, lying unconscious through the corridors. "It feels a little extra traitorous to leave all these grunts while we escape."

"We're not even supposed to be here, James, remember!?" Jessie snapped, stepping over yet another. They'd only barely dodged running into that raging Lucario by taking another route.

"Yeah, if we get caught for any of dis, we'll be cooked," Meowth deadpanned. "I t'ink we've done quite enough. Made sure the Twoip got through to Pikachu and everything."

"And it couldn't have worked without my scheming," Jessie claimed, rounding a corner. "With a few more explosions and Seviper's Haze, we led that rotten Executive away from Pikachu, and before she finds us, she'll run into the Twerpette! Honestly, it serves her right."

"And whatevah that Dark Ball does, the Twoip can find one of his brainy friends to figure it out. I'm just glad she dropped it in all th' commotion… I was worried I'd have to swipe it!"

"That's all well and good, but" James replied, "isn't all of this talk awfully incriminating?"

"Please. This base is done for. It's falling apart. I'd be surprised if a trace of security footage even remains," Jessie reasoned. Her point was very much vindicated, when they came to a halt before the staircase leading to the exit. It was frozen over from top to bottom. "And it has the Twerpette's handwriting all over it."

She reached for a Poké Ball and called out Yanmega. The large insect dipped so that she, James, and Meowth could hop onto her back. She furiously beat her buzzing wings, soaring up the staircase. Luckily, its door was already wide ajar.

"Yeah. It's just a damn shame that we came out of this with absolutely nothing to show for it."

"Oh, I wouldn't be so sure about that~." James simpered, chuckling under his breath.

Jessie looked over her shoulder, squinting. "What's that supposed to mean?"

There was a glint in his emerald eyes, as he flashed two small objects between his finger tips. A flash drive, and the plexiglass slide of genetic material. "With these, we might not even need Pikachu."

"That's our Jimmy!" Meowth cackled, affectionately slapping the lavender-haired man's shoulder. "T'inkin with that big fat head of yours!" They had to duck when clearing the door, and dipped towards their truck that still laid near the entrance. He hopped off of Yanmega before Jessie recalled her, and hopped into the front of the vehicle.

"We got to do the right thing, and came out on top!"

James took the driver's seat, buckling in and revving the engine. "But really, what else would you expect…"

"...from the new and improved Team Rocket?" Jessie sang, drowned out by the screech of tires as their vehicle fled the scene.


"The same sentimentality as your friend… I guarantee you, it won't work in your favor. It didn't work out in his."

Dawn gasped sharply, cupping her knuckles over her mouth. "What happened to Ash!?"

"I left him to his fate. With you, however, I'll take far more direct action." Ariana called on another Pokémon; this time a Magcargo. Loose magma dripped from their chin, searing the floor. "Flamethrower!"

Magcargo spewed hot flames from its mouth.

"Dodge, and use Jump Kick!" Dawn commanded. She needed to get past her opponent, and fast. Buneary recognized her urgency, leaping out of Flamethrower's path to plant her padded feet on the closest wall. Ricocheting off it, she shot towards the ceiling, turning upside down to catch her footing against it.

"Bun…! Neary!" She sprung into a swift drop, turning over to smash her foot into Magcargo's shell. She felt the floor below Magcargo give, and sprung away immediately afterward.

"Freeze them! Ice Beam!"

Buneary twirled in mid-air, firing spinning cold flashes down upon the recovering Magcargo. Cyan blasted away at them without end. Unlike last time, though…

"They're not freezing!?" Dawn looked on, concerned. She pulled out her Pokédex.

"Magcargo's ability: Magma Armor. The Pokémon is covered with hot magma, which prevents the Pokémon from becoming frozen."

"Foolish child," the Rocket scoffed. "Flamethrower!"

Roaring flames melted through the ice, blasting Buneary with white-hot wrath. The rabbit cried, falling from the air onto her back. She convulsed, as a smaller blaze came and went. She'd suffered a burn.

"Darn it…! Sorry, Buneary." Dawn apologized, but the rabbit was back on her feet, waving it off. She was just as determined as Dawn, herself. "If we can't freeze them, then we'll pummel them some more! Use Jump Kick!"

Buneary sprang into action, once more.

"Stubborn vermin," Arianna said. "Use Rock Slide!"

Magcargo's cry ushered in an avalanche of boulders, swiftly and mercilessly crushing Buneary.

"Buneary!" Dawn gasped. One of the rocks split in half, revealing her partner to be unconscious. "...Thank you. Return." Recalling her, she took a deep breath, and continued. "Pachirisu!"

"Pah!" Pachirisu appeared, standing battle-ready. For once, her carefree cheer was absent.

Ariana smirked. "Use Earthquake!"

Dawn struggled to keep her footing, watching her Elesquirrel stumble and double over in pain. In just one super-effective blow, she looked to be on the verge of passing out. "Pachirisu… can you continue? Do you want to take a rest?"

"Chi!" Pachirisu shouted, looking back at Dawn. Pained as her expression was, it'd never been bolder. Under all of her hyper enthusiasm, Ash and Pikachu were still family.

"Got it," Dawn nodded. "Then, use Sweet Kiss!"

Several pink hearts hovered across the fray, ensnaring and assaulting Magcargo. "Mahh…!" The sluggish, white-hot Pokémon lolled and swerved about, confused. His trainer grimaced.

"Now! Thunder!"

Blue lightning eclipsed Pachirisu, blasting into the ceiling and shattering the lighting above. Falling glass was scorched before it touched ground, and stray bolts of lightning ricocheted directly into the unmoving Magcargo. The Fire-type writhed, collapsing afterward.

The Rocket returned Magcargo without a word, and called upon her Honchkrow.

Now they had an airborne foe. Earthquake was out of the picture, but hitting a deceitful Honchkrow might prove more difficult than a static foe. "Pachirisu! Sweet Kiss!"

"Use Taunt," Ariana shouted. Meanwhile, her sneering avian goaded Pachirisu on with a nasty cackle and a provocative wave of his wing.

"Chi…! Pa-pa-pah!" Pachirisu stomped in place, lost in her temper. Sweet Kiss was null.

"Tch…!" Dawn grunted. "If you want to fight head-on, Pachirisu, then that's fine with me! Let's cage Honchkrow in, with Thunder!"

Pachirisu screeched, unleashing her fury all at once. Rather than one distinct pillar, many-pronged bolts fired off into the closed corridor, lighting it up with ricocheting lightning.

Honchkrow squawked, panicking and darting left, right, and center to avoid the hazardous storm. But they were too many, and drawing too close. It accidentally brushed against one of the currents, and suffered the consequences. Frying and dropping, like a moth drawn too close to a flame.

Of course, he rolled over, only unconscious. He disappeared into a flash of red light, all the same. Ariana snarled, putting it away. "There's no way it was this weak…! I just evolved it with a Dusk Stone," she seethed, "it should've been made much more powerful!"

Dawn stood for a moment, blinking. She understood, now, why Ash had hesitated with Misdreavus. She shook the thought off. "Hard work and experience trump quick shortcuts! But, I wouldn't expect anything better from a Rocket."

"Just who do you think you are…!? Insolent brat!" Ariana called out her last Pokémon; a Slowbro, who made the ground under him tremble. "You'll regret this."

Dawn ignored her threats, focusing on the fight ahead. "Pachirisu! Thunder!"

Lightning ricocheted off the walls, striking their large target in Slowbro. The bulky Pokémon seemed to completely ignore the super-effective move, only to recoil afterward. "Slow…"

"Use Slack-off!" As commanded by the Rocket, Slowbro yawned loudly. A healthy green glow surrounded him, and in his sloth, he recovered any health he'd lost.

Dawn grimaced, leaning onto her back foot. 'Pachirisu only has so many Thunder in her… And she's already used three! That could work against us, in the long haul.' It was time to change gears. "Then, it's time for Sweet Tooth!"

The villain looked bewildered by the command, but that could only work in their favor. Pachirisu charged Slowbro, her buck incisors growing exponentially and sporting a lovely pink shine. She lunged, chomping into Slowbro's arm. Hearts burst from the impact, and exploded.

"I don't know what sort of parlor trick that is," Ariana said, "but it won't work here. Focus Blast!"

A blue, volatile orb appeared in Slowbro's paw. and detonated against Pachirisu at point-blank range. Dawn gasped.

The rodent was sent flying, forcing Dawn to leap and catch her against her chest. After Dawn landed, her boots squeaking against the floor, she got to check on her Pokémon. Pachirisu was beaten and battered, unable to battle.

"I… don't get it. Why did Sweet Tooth fail?" Recalling Pachirisu, she pulled out her Pokédex again.

"Slowbro's ability: Own Tempo. This Pokémon has its own tempo, which prevents it from becoming confused."

"That's our luck," Dawn said, pocketing the device. 'Two-for-two on abilities that have worked against us. Now, what's next…? Should I send out Absol against a Psychic-type? They have Focus Blast, so maybe not… Besides. Absol's been our key to sensing danger. We'll need her.'

Opting to save the Disaster Pokémon, Dawn relied on her sixth and final partner, throwing her Poké Ball forth with vigor. "Quilava! It's all come down to you!"

The Volcano Pokémon tumbled onto the floor on all fours, screeching loudly. Her back furiously went ablaze. "Lav!"

"Eruption!" Dawn shouted, as Quilava raised her back, and aimed her blaze towards Slowbro. Magma fired in a straightforward stream, making her body recoil.

"Slack Off!" Ariana ordered, after her Pokémon had been scalded. If Slowbro had felt pain, he didn't show it, bathing himself in a regenerating aura, once more.

Dawn bore her teeth in frustration. 'There go Sweet Tooth and Eruption…! How are we supposed to beat them, at this rate!?'

Seemingly just as aware of her upper hand, Ariana smirked. "Use Surf."

A tidal wave rumbled and rose under Slowbro's feet, cresting to dwarf Quilava.

"Rainbow Wheel!" Dawn shouted. Relying on their Contest combinations, once more, they placed their bets on Quilava retreating into a blazing wheel, spewing intermittent flames that only expanded the inferno in volume. Ever-increasing temperatures colored the flames with hints of the entire light spectrum.

"Quilavv!" Quilava rolled into the coming wave, and the front hissed and boiled around her. She powered through, crashing into and spinning mercilessly against Slowbro before tumbling back.

"You are a nuisance," the Executive spat. "Nasty Plot!"

The ordinarily vacant Slowbro took on an uncharacteristically sinister expression, pondering devious plans and crushing victories. A red aura surrounded him, sharply boosting his power.

"Rainbow Wheel!"

"Surf!"

Quilava wrapped into a colorful pinwheel a second time. The coming tidal wave, unfortunately, was twice as furious as before, knocking the wind cleanly out of Quilava when its front smacked into her back. She squealed, rolling back in the tide, ultimately landing on her back beside Dawn. She coughed, sputtering up waterlog. Her fur was matted and she felt somewhat dizzy.

"Oh, Quilava…! That one looked painful. Are you hanging in there?" Dawn asked.

The mammal grit her teeth and pushed herself into a sitting position. "Lav!" As if she'd quit with everything on the line!? Not a chance!

"Drown it out, with Surf!"

Another towering wave eclipsed Slowbro, leaving Dawn and Quilava in its shadow.

"Smokescreen!" Dawn quickly urged.

Quilava flipped onto all fours, and thick smog consumed the corridor.

Ariana coughed, guarding her eyes, nose, and mouth from the veil. "Damn it all… Where are you!?" When the smoke started to clear, she gasped at the sight before her. Quilava was clinging to the shell on Slowbro's tail, keeping a stubborn grip, despite the lax Pokémon's protests. "You vermin…! Get rid of it!"

"Use Flamethrower, now," Dawn shouted, "and don't let up!"

Quilava reared her head, and spat Flamethrower directly into the back of Slowbro's head. The bulky Pokémon swerved and bucked his tail, challenging her grip. She wrapped her front and hind paws more tightly around the spikes on Shellder's shell, pouring on even more heat.

"You don't have any moves to get rid of Quilava," Dawn directed at Ariana. "And we're going to keep firing away until we win! I'm not leaving without Ash and Pikachu!"

"Damn you…!" The Executive snarled. She was in a bind. Helpless to do anything but watch, as Quilava poured on the flames. That was, until an inferno burst around Slowbro and the former disengaged, returning to her trainer.

Slowbro hunched over, with smoke trailing from his body. He'd suffered a burn.

"Take it out," the Rocket barked. "Focus Blast!"

Slowbro retaliated with a compact bomb of energy, throwing it at Quilava. The move detonated, sending Quilava crashing into one of the corridor walls.

Quilava cried out, and slumped over. Bruised, waterlogged, and panting heavily, she wasn't in the best of straits.

"Quilava…" Dawn's hands trembled. "I have to do something!"

Before the Coordinator could act, though, her very own Pokémon felt the stakes, and embodied them. A roaring flame consumed Quilava's back, burning away at the wall behind her and eclipsing her body. Ruby eyes snapped open, leering at Slowbro.

Quilava stood on her hind legs, sporting roaring reds and oranges.

"That flame… That has to be Blaze," Dawn muttered.

"Still clinging to hope when it's in that sorry shape… Drown it out for good! Surf!" Ariana shouted.

Another rising tide came, courtesy of Slowbro. It towered over the glowing marsupial.

"Give it all you've got, Quilava!" Dawn cried. "Hold it off, with another Rainbow Wheel!"

Quilava tucked and rolled, embraced in a cyclone of flames that flashed alternating colors. The artful show of defiance only grew, though, in the throes of Blaze. Hissing away at the boiling and dissipating water, the wheel pushed and gave against Surf's force in a stalemate.

A stalemate that was only temporary; a second time over, Rainbow Wheel shone even brighter, and started to expand at a rapid pace. First at half the wave's size, and then matching it.

"W-what is that!?" Ariana stammered out, terrified. From her vantage point, the tide was colored with all colors of the rainbow, hissing and faltering under the flames that now shot above its crest.

"Quilava…!?" Dawn uttered out, blinking at the sight in awe. She watched the flames tear through their obstacle and blaze a trail into Slowbro, forcing his trainer to vault out of the way in a panic. Floor tiles burnt and melted in its wake, and the sound of a heavy impact knocked Slowbro further back. The white-hot kaleidoscope of flames hopped back before Dawn, and its glow finally died away. In the center of it all was a completely new form; a bipedal monster, towering even over Dawn, with a cream and blue hide; its back obscured almost entirely by the ongoing heat of Blaze.

The new Pokémon look back, sporting a longer, mature face and keener eyes. Her gaze was unshakably bold, though she did flash the faintest of smiles back at Dawn.

"Quil… Typhlosion! You've evolved!" Dawn exclaimed, retrieving her Pokédex.

" Typhlosion: The Volcano Pokémon. The fully-evolved form of Cyndaquil. It attacks using blasts of fire. It creates heat shimmers with intense fires to hide itself."

"A little bit of last-minute luck won't save you," Ariana hissed, though it was hard to tell whether she was trying to convince Dawn or herself. She was taking several steps back, and shouted her command hoarsely. "Slack Off!"

Before Slowbro could do so, flames wrapped around him again. The burn struck.

"Now's our chance," Dawn said to herself, brows furrowed. "Let's use your new move! Double Edge!"

Typhlosion charged with a feral roar, throwing her entire body-weight at Slowbro. A bruising shoulder-tackle smashed into Slowbro, knocking the slow-witted Pokémon airborne. Typhlosion snarled, gripping him in a bear hug before he could depart, and swung her body around. With a cry of effort, she threw Slowbro's weight brutally into the burnt, crumbling corridor wall.

The scarlet-haired Executive took slow, frightful steps back once she saw the damage, and had to deal with the reality of the wreckage: Slowbro was beaten. Her entire team was. "Tch. You really are strong," she said, recalling him. "It's too bad. If you were to join Team Rocket, you could be an Executive."

Dawn didn't dignify that with a response. "Tell me where they are," she said sternly, "if you want to walk out of this in one piece." Her threat was backed up by Typhlosion, who stood by her side. Even through heavy breaths, she looked no less threatening.

"...This hideout is done for," Ariana lamented. "But that's fine. Team Rocket has much bigger, and broader plans. We wanted that Pikachu, but he's ultimately insignificant to our leader's bid for world domination. You'll come to appreciate Team Rocket's true power soon enough. Enjoy yourself while you can," she laughed, tossing down a small capsule.

A smoke bomb; pitch-black blanketed Ariana's end of the corridor. Her echoing laughter could be heard, before drowning out.

"Get back here!" Dawn shouted, ready to give chase. But, the smoke was already clearing. The Executive was nowhere to be seen. Her fist trembled at her side. "Ugh… We lost her!"

"Phlooo," Typhlosion replied.

"You're right," she nodded. "She can kick rocks. We need to find Ash and Pikachu." Turning to Typhlosion, she smiled, stroking her chin. "You think you can tough out the rest of this thing?"

"Phlo!"

"Right." Dawn called on Absol afterward. "Hey girl, can you lead us to them?"

"Sol," Absol grunted, and nodded her head to lead Dawn and Typhlosion.

The stubborn glow of Typhlosion's Blaze lit crumbling corridors more steadily than the flashing lights. It, and Absol's clairvoyance led Dawn steadily towards a large room towards the center of the base. She came to two steel reinforced doors, completely broken off their hinges, and dented in as if they were made of little more than tinfoil.

She felt her stomach jump at the damage, and moved on. The wanton destruction left to her on the inside was even worse. Broken glass, busted and concave floor tiles, fissures in the ground, concave walls, and burns and ashes abound. It was all so distracting, really, that she didn't notice-

"...Dawn?"

Dawn jumped, startled. "Ash!?" She gasped, finally spotting him. In the center of the room, he laid in a heap. She rushed over to him with her heart in her throat, kneeling beside him. "Ash, I'm here!"

"That's… good." The boy said tiredly, lifting his head enough to look up at her. He smiled. "Talk about a sight for sore eyes…" His frizzy hair aside, he was covered in soot and bruises. His jacket was burnt in several places. His lip was busted, sporting drying blood.

The same could be said for Pikachu, who sat nestled in his arms. Although he sported very little damage, physically, his fur was stained with blood that she could only assume to be Ash's.

"Wait — Pikachu!" Dawn exclaimed. "So you found him… He's okay?"

"Cha…" The mouse uttered out weakly.

"'Okay' is relative here," Ash said. His voice was hoarse. "But he's safe. We made it…"

Dawn felt her eyes sting and her lower lip tremble. But she knew, more than anything, that they were still very much on a rescue mission. She held strong. "We need to get out of here, now."

"Would," Ash coughed, "love to… But I can't even move."

"Typhlosion," Dawn asked. "Do you think you could let that Blaze go and carry Ash for me? I can handle Pikachu, and Absol could lead us out of here."

"Ty," Typhlosion nodded, and extinguished her flames. She crouched and reached for Ash, while Dawn took hold of Pikachu.

Ash instinctively hugged him tighter.

"Ash," Dawn scolded.

"Sorry. I-I just…" Ash forced out shaky words. "I just almost lost him…!"

Dawn pursed her lips, and ran a hand through his hair. "Well he's going to be with us, alright? We can't save either of you if we don't leave."

Ash reluctantly complied, letting go of Pikachu, and Dawn scooped him up.

Typhlosion scooped up Ash in her arms, looking down at her trainer's dear companion with pity and fury. Every bit of her wrath had been deserved before, and then some. "Ty," she tried to comfort him, to her best efforts.

"Hey… Wow. Typhlosion?" Ash echoed, finally catching up. "Quilava evolved. That's awesome."

With Absol's lead, Dawn left the battlefield, with Typhlosion running along with her. "She evolved trying to save you," she explained.

"Huh. Thanks girl," Ash said weakly. "I owe ya one… Y'know Misdreavus did the same thing?"

"She evolved!?" Dawn asked, startled. "And I thought…" She shook her head. "I'll ask and congratulate her about it later. C'mon."

The group started to step over Rockets lying about, left and right. Some with Pokémon she recognized from her fights, but progressively less so. By the time she could see Rosa, they were piling up, and she had to work her way around them.

The Lucario rushed over as soon as they were within sight. She didn't seem to have any more obstacles. ~Papa!~ She cried, gripping onto the burnt hem of his jacket. ~Uncle Pikachu…~

Ash tilted his head just a bit, if only to see his daughter's face again. He smiled weakly. "In the flesh… A little burnt, though."

~That's awfully morbid,~ Pikachu chided.

"C'mon. We can talk once we're out of here," Dawn said, turning for the cavern open to them through the busted-in door. "Typhlosion, can you give us your light, again?"

"Phlo," Typhlosion grunted, as they stepped into a cavern that, contrasting to the dim Rocket base, was pitch-black. A weak, steady flame emanated from her back, providing an orange glow for them to traverse.

Rosemary led the group, with the keenest senses of them all, while Dawn, Absol, and Typhlosion kept pace just behind her. The cavern tunnels were chilly and dry. Acting as a last-resort escape for Team Rocket, Dawn would have to guess, its paths were smoothed out and straightforward. She could only hear the clack of Absol's claws on rock, and Ash and Pikachu's breathing.

Neither of them sounded particularly great, but it was steady. They'd get help, as soon as they found their way out. At least, that was the plan, when Typhlosion's light started to flicker and dim.

Dawn nearly tripped over a rock in the darkness, and halted. "H-hey! Typhlosion…?" Her Fire-type was also panting, now, lagging in her steps. Ash was starting to slip from her grip, but she secured him. "...You're really tired out, aren't you? It doesn't look like you can carry him and keep your flame on.

"Typhooo!" She argued.

"Set Ash down, and rest for a minute," Dawn scolded. "I guess we'll have to stop moving."

The Volcano Pokémon grumbled, sitting down and gently placing Ash on a particularly flat surface, turned so that the incline favored him sitting upward. She winced when he grunted in pain, but ultimately laid down next to him. Her flame was dim, but steady.

"Urgh, so…" Ash blinked slowly, not bothering to lift his head. "What, now…?"

"We have no choice but to call Officer Jenny," Dawn concluded, sitting down near him. She reached into her bag, and was surprised to come across his red cap first. Pikachu, still in her occupied arm, weakly grabbed for it, and she handed it to him.

With a second thought, she gently placed the Electric Mouse on Ash's belly, the way she'd found him, with the cap. Then, she was free to take out the handheld radio. Squinting at it in the dim light, she initiated a call. "Hello…?"

Harsh sound and static rudely greeted her. "Still too close," Dawn muttered. Though, afterwards, she heard a hint of clarity.

"—ello!?" Jenny's voice came through, if only in parts.

"Officer Jenny!" Dawn spoke clearly. She'd have to try moving a little further away. She walked reluctantly away from where the others laid, waiting for the feedback to die out.

"Dawn! Can you hear me!?"

"Yes! I can. Sorry. We just now got reception," Dawn replied. "We need a rescue party."

Even over the device, Jenny sounded urgent. "What is your status. What happened?"

"We've found Ash and Pikachu," she answered. "They're pretty badly beaten, but they're safe. They're too worn out to move any further… We found them in a Team Rocket base, but it's starting to fall apart!"

"Copy," Jenny answered. "Is anyone else present?"

Dawn hesitated. She almost couldn't care less whether the Rockets suffered for their own actions, but they had plenty of Pokémon among them. Who knew how many were stolen, themselves? "...A lot of unconscious Rockets are still there."

"...I think it's a given that I picked the right person to handle this," the officer said dryly. "Right! We've locked onto your coordinates, and we'll be coming with a search party, ASAP. Sit still until we arrive, do you copy?"

"I copy," Dawn answered. Then, the feed went dead.