Today we find our heroes nearing Azalea Town, having just got out of the mountain range
"Care to talk about it?" Cassie asked, floating by Ash.
"I get it, I've been quiet ever since I left Dragonite with Lance, but I'm certain it's the right decision for him right now." Ash said.
"And what about you, how are you feeling about it?" Cassie asked.
"My feelings aren't important, I have my team members and with Misdreavus I'm more prepared than ever before." Ash commented.
"Dragonite was a unique Pokemon, you kept him for a reason, but you let him go with Lance to get stronger, I get that, but it's okay to feel sad about it." Cassie commented.
"I'm not feeling sad or bad, I'm doing just fine." Ash remarked. "We should be getting close to Azalea, and once there, I'll take on the gym just to show you how fine I am right now."
"Ash." Cassie said worriedly.
"I told you, I'm fine." Ash said.
"No, look over there!" Cassie said, seeing guys in Team Rocket uniforms.
"Now there is something I can hit." Ash said. "PIkachu use Thunder!"
Pikachu sent out a powerful electrical blast, getting the attention of the Team Rocket members.
"Kid, you had better rethink these things before attacking us." One said.
"You have no idea who I am, do you." Ash taunted.
"Oh, they know exactly who we are, brother." A distorted version of Ash's voice said.
"Oh no." Cassie said, seeing the messed up clone of her brother appear out of the ground.
"What are you doing here?" Ash demanded.
"I am here because my father needs me to do the work to save us." The clone said angrily.
"And what is that?" Ash questioned.
"Permanent bonding." The clone said. "ZapMolCuno failed, but they aren't the only Pokemon known to be able to fuse. Slowpoke and Shellder come together to create a Pokemon."
"Yeah, I know, I know. A Shellder bites down on Slowpoke's tail and they evolve together and becomes Slowbro." Ash remarked.
"Yes, but if a Shellder bites onto the head of a Slowpoke, it evolves into an all new form." The clone said, grabbing a black Pokeball with a red R on it. "Slowking use Psychic!"
A strange Pokemon came out, lifting both Ash and Pikachu into the air.
"Let's give him more targets. Egguardo, Teddiursa, Misdreavus, let's go!" Ash called out.
The three Pokemon came out of their respective Pokeballs, charging at Slowking.
"Misdreavus use Attract! Teddiursa use Lick! Egguardo use Dizzy Punch!"
The trio charged at Slowking, knocking them back before his concentration broke, freeing Ash and Pikachu.
"Pikachu use Thunderbolt!" Ash called out.
"Slowking use Ice Punch!" The clone demanded.
The Slowking gracefully moved out of the way of the Thunderbolt before striking Pikachu.
"Misdreavus use Psywave! Teddiursa use Mud Slap! Egguardo use Dizzy Punch! Pikachu use Mimic!"
Pikachu swung his tail with an icy force, striking Slowking before Teddiursa and Misdreavus attacks struck him, followed quickly by Egguardo striking him. The Slowking falling to the ground and unmoving.
"Now leave this town and it's people alone." Ash said angrily.
"Don't you see, we have what we needed, all the research we needed from this well, we have it now." The clone said, as another Slowking and two Slowbro came out of the well, all with angry looks.
"Those Slowbro's don't look too friendly." Cassie said worriedly.
"Pikachu use Thunder!" Ash called out.
A blast of electricity shot at the grouped Pokemon, sending them and the disfigured clone out and away.
"That seemed a bit much, even for Team Rocket." Cassie commented.
"When it comes to them, nothing is too much, I need to find out what they're planning and stop them, once and for all." Ash said angrily.
"We will, we just need some more time and knowledge, there is nothing left for you to find here, just keep going and go to Azalea Town next." Cassie assured.
"I know, but that thing walking around with my face, I can't stand it, he needs to be taken out before we have another case of mistaken identity with one of them hurting someone I care about." Ash said. "I don't want to deal with that again."
"No kidding, Megan was pissed at you." Cassie laughed. "And to think she likes you too."
"What, that's crazy, of course she, I mean not that I don't but that's just insane." Ash countered.
"You do remember I see a lot more than you think I do, people don't notice if I'm around when you're not paying attention." Cassie giggled.
"Yeah, I'll need to remember that for in the future in these cases." Ash sighed, heading straight towards Azalea Town.