1- Party Ruined.
It has been a while since the last time Earth was threatened by the Decepticons and Galvatron's downfall, and it seemed life has returned back to normal. Or more and less: in Pallet Town there was a lot of hustle, one that included a certain pokémon trainer and his best friend. Pikachu and Ash, who was wearing a new outfit composed by a red cap, a white t-shirt with a red stripe down the middle, a blue jacket, darker blue shorts and black shoes with blue accents (Pokémon Journeys Ash's outfit), were heading to Professor Oak's lab carrying lots of items, mostly used for celebrations and parties. Once they reached the lab, they let everything on the field, and immediately all Ash's pokemon came and started to pick something, but not just to play with it: everyone was helping with different chores: setting some tables, placing dishes, even preparing a piñata full with candy.
"Everything looks fine, guys. Seems like you have everything under control here." Ash observed.
"Pika pi." Pikachu nodded.
"That's because they're your pokemon, Ash." Tracey agreed exiting the lab carrying some snacks. "By the way, Professor Oak wants to see you."
"Huh? Me? Why?"
"I don't know. He said it was something he wanted to show you."
"Pika?"
"I'm sure it would be nothing, buddy. Make me a favor and stay here to coordinate things around with everyone. I'll be back soon." Ash reassured.
Ash went to the lab's main room to start looking for his old friend, who long time ago gave him his first and most loved pokémon. But he also found someone else.
"Mom?"
"Hi dear. Could you please pass me the glace? I think I let it on the table." Delia asked while she was busy checking the oven.
"Right away." He went to pick it and passed it to his mother. "What are you doing here? I thought you were making the dessert at home."
"I was, but it seems for some reason our house' oven has broken and Mr. Mime is checking what's wrong with it. So I asked Professor Oak if he doesn't bother if I use his."
"And I said it is a pleasure. I always like to take a taste on Delia's special desserts."
Ash turned to the room's exit and saw Professor Oak getting inside. He smiled at seeing him, but then he got surprised at seeing he wasn't alone: he was accompanied by a boy from around his same age with spiky black hair with little red visas, his eyes were blue and his skin somewhat tanned. He wore a gray jacket with a poké ball in the center, also a dark sweatshirt, red socks, and gray and black shoes.
"Oh, I didn't know you had a visit."
"Don't apologize, Ash. It's okay, he came so fast that I didn't have time to warn anyone." Professor Oak reassured him.
"So, you are Ash Ketchum. Professor Oak has told me a lot of things about you: you must be a very experienced pokémon trainer." The new boy said.
"Well yeah, that's right. That's thanks to my multiple travels around the world."
"So, you're a traveler, huh? I wondered how is it to travel to other places. But of course, I'm interested on it by duty."
"Huh?"
"He's a member of another pokémon research department. He has come here in order to get some instruction and orientation." Professor Oak explained.
"That's right. My intention is to capture all pokémon till reach Mew. He's supposed to have all genes of every one. My name is Goh."
"Sounds exciting, almost like become a pokémon master. Pleased to meet you, Goh." Ash said shaking his hand, just when a little thing went jumping between them, carrying some food. "Whoa, what was that?"
"Hahaha, relax Ash, it's just my trip partner."
The little jumping thing was some king of bunny pokémon which jumped to Goh's shoulder.
"Whoa, I have never seen a pokémon like this." Ash admired.
"This is Scorbunny, my first pokémon. He's very energetic, for a fire type. I'm still new on training pokémon, so may I ask you some advice if you don't mind?"
"Of course not. I also passed through the same when I have mine, so the most important detail is that you remember that any new pokémon which joins you is also your friend. Just don't forget that and you will be fine."
"That's it? Hum, I expected something more complex, but I guess I will give my best."
"That's the spirit. By the way, me and my friends are preparing a party right outside. Wanna come with us?"
"Huh…thanks for the offer, but I have to return back with my duties. Anyway, thanks for everything, Professor Oak." Goh saluted while he left.
"No problem. Well, that's something new. No one expect to meet someone new by surprise."
"Yeah, but it's a shame he can't stay. I would like that he meets the others." Ash lamented.
"Maybe other day. If there's something I have learned is that you always have more than one encounter with the people you connect."
"Yeah, you're right. Maybe the next time. So Professor, Tracey said you wanted to see me. Is something wrong?"
"Of course not, Ash." Delia answered. "Just the contrary."
"In fact, there's something I want to show you. Something you surely will recognize better than I." The professor said as he went to bring back a package.
He took out a small case, full of a kind of object Ash recognized immediately.
"Hey, those are Z-Crystals! Where did you get them?"
"They came within this package. The message said it was a present for you from your old friends, Professor Kukui and Professor Burnet. I know you have quite an experience with these special objects, Ash, so I assume you would understand what to do with them. They also send you memories, in their and their son's name."
"Whoa, that's amazing, professor. I can't wait to show them to my friends, they will get impressed." Ash thanked before he realized something. "Wait, did you just say that Professors Kukui and Burnet are now parents?"
"Well, better for them." A very familiar voice said, which made everyone turn at the door. "Something told me I may find you here."
"Hi Serena. Glad to see you are here."
"Sam, allow me to introduce you to Serena. She's not an ordinary girl, you see? She and Ash are currently dating." Delia revealed, which caught the professor off guard.
"Whoa, really?! I thought with him focused on his pokémon journey, Ash would not be interested on girls after growing a little more."
"Yeah, I was also surprised, but they just make a cute couple."
"Hey, hold a second, now that it comes to my mind. Haven't I seen her somewhere?"
"Think a little professor. Try to remember when I was little and you already made a special activity for kids here at home." Ash encouraged.
"Aha, now I remember: The Pokémon Summer Camp. Ash was present there and he also came back with that girl once."
"I know. It isn't cute? It's like they were destined for life, like something taken from a fairy tale."
"Mom, please, you're embarrassing us."
"Hehehe, I think I agree with Ash here, Delia. I just came here to see where Ash was. Everyone else is wondering as well." Serena explained.
"The others are here too? Then what are we waiting for? Let's go with them. I have something that I want to show you."
"We also have to help them finish preparing everything."
"Wait. Do you need help here as well, mom?"
"Actually, it wouldn't bother me to have a pair of hands here. So that way I could speed things up."
"Allow me Delia, that's way I can also learn how to make Ash's favorite desserts."
"Well, thanks a lot, Serena."
"Alright. I will warn everyone outside. I would like to keep the crystals here in the lab for now if it doesn't bother you, professor. Once the party is over, I will take them to show to my friends."
"I think that's very responsible of you, Ash. And no problem." Professor Oak agreed saying goodbye.
Ash ran back to the exit, and once outside he saw the rest of his friends helping with the party's details while their pokémon played with Pikachu a little.
"Hello guys."
"Well, about time." Misty said.
"Hi Ash." Ritchie saluted.
"Looks like you beat us at coming to help preparing everything." May observed.
"What were you doing? Acting like a kid and slip away from your duties?" Iris joked.
"No. Professor Oak wanted to show him something. Also, there was other boy who came to him for advice." Tracey clarified.
"Have you seen him? His name is Goh." Ash asked.
"Sorry, but we just got here. Maybe he left just moments before." Dawn answered.
"Piplup." Piplup nodded.
"And Serena?"
"She's inside helping mom with the dessert."
"Now that explains why smells so well." Max noticed as his mouth was watering.
"Come on Max, stop thinking with the stomach and give us a hand here." May objected.
"Hey, I'm not a glutton, unlike you."
"But May has a point: before the meal we have lot of time to pass and enjoy everyone with lots of activities." Clemont pointed as he checked his bag.
"My brother has brought his laptop so he can play some music." Bonnie shared.
"Then I'm sure these speakers will come in handy." Misty said pulling them out of her bag. "I managed to borrow them from my gym."
"I have brought some movies so we can choose at least one in home cinema style." Ritchie showed.
"And to complement whatever delicious meal Ash's mother is preparing I have brought some pokéblocks for our pokémon as some snacks." May offered.
"I have some poffins too." Dawn added.
"And I have brought a portable pool so we can also take a swim." Max followed taking it out of his backpack.
"Where did you get that?" May asked surprised.
"Mom and dad bought it for me as birthday present, and before you judge me know that they gave me permission to take it."
"Relax May. I'm sure our water pokémon will appreciate this detail from Max." Misty reassured.
"Then it seems we have everything for the party." Ash summarized.
"Well…everything except…them." Iris reminded, a little sad. "This party was supposed to celebrate that we finally ended with the Decepticons, but it would be better if we were all."
"I know that's hard, but…" Clemont started, until something came to his mind. "Wait, maybe this could cheer you up."
"Exactly what?" Ritchie asked.
"Ratchet sent me this a few days ago, but I felt this may be something I should see when we were everyone together."
Clemont pulled out his laptop, turned it on and showed them an archive which contained an image and audio log of the Autobot medic.
"Hi Clemont. I'm…not sure if everyone else is there with you seeing this, but I just want to make sure you're doing fine. As for us, things couldn't be better: I just received news from Team Prime, they are starting to settle things up on Cybertron, while Optimus is on a quest to return the Allspark back to our planet's core, in order to allow new generations to walk upon our restored home world. Starscream and Shockblast are still hiding among the ruins, but I'm sure they will be caught sooner or later. Oh, as a detail, Sideswipe told me he managed to make Knock Out speak, threatening to not allow him buff his finish." The record played, making the group laugh. "So, I know you guys are intending to make a celebrating party, and you may want the rest of the team to be there as well. I will try telling them as soon as I contact them. It shouldn't take that long, so please," Then they saw Ratchet stop as he heard some noise being and saw that something was smoking. "Plusle, Minun, I needed that!"
Of course, that caused them to laugh as the other times.
"That never fails." Bonnie said laughing.
"Oh Ratchet, you never change." Ritchie added.
Back to the recording, Ratchet sighed returning to the screen. "Well, I just want to say…that you may now be very affected by the others' departure, but never forget that no matter the distance, we're closer than you think. And if there is anything you still want to learn, about anything…you know where I am. That's all, I should get back to duty. Send memories to the others in my and behalf the rest of the team, they'll surely appreciate it." And the record ended.
"Well, what do you know? Ratchet does know how to reach to the heart." Iris opined.
"That's very sweet from him." Dawn felt.
"He means that even if they are out there busy, they still remember how important we are for them." Tracey reassured.
"And I'm sure they don't want us to lament their absence, but to enjoy in their behalf." Ash followed. "So, what are we waiting for? Let's get everything settled so we can get this party started."
"You've said it, Ash." Delia agreed as she and Serena came out, with a cake on a dish. "And you better make some sport, so once I have finished you kids come hungry."
"I'm already am, Ms. Ketchum." Max said spotting the cake.
"Me too." Bonnie added as they looked like if they were going for it, but fortunately their elder siblings grabbed them.
"Easy, you little sweet tooth." May warned.
"First, as Ash's mom said, we have lots of other things to do." Clemont added.
And the entire group finished settled things for the party and preparing for fun and games, not aware that right on Earth's moon, a big and sinister shadow was passing through its surface, heading right straight to the planet. Meanwhile, the gang started the celebration with different kinds of activities with their pokémon: playing hide-and-seek and other games, a paintball fight by teams, a sweet time in the pool Max brought (after it was full of air, of course), a choreography of pokémon contest made by Dawn, Serena and May and a dance contest (in which Serena took the chance to dance with Ash, Bonnie, Iris, Misty, Tracey, Max and the pokémon enjoyed making free style, Dawn invited Ritchie to dance with her, which made him nervous just like May also did with Clemont, but he performed ridiculously). Meanwhile, up on Earth's orbit, as the same dark figure passed through the sun's reflection, it seemed to be firing a storm of lasers at something, until that something was hit by one of the shots and started falling to the planet, leaving a trail of smoke and fire. At the same time, back with the gang, finally lunch time arrived, and with everything ready at the table, everyone called out their pokémon so they enjoyed as well.
"Hmm, tasty, has always." Max appreciated.
"Your mother surely knows how to make a meal worthy of a 5-star hotel." Ritchie opined.
"The only competitor who may be at her same level may be Brock." May pointed.
"Who do you think would win in a duel between they two?" Dawn wondered.
"I've been learning a lot with your mother, Ash. And we also have started to exchange recipes."
"That's amazing, Serena."
"Okay. Time for the dessert." Bonnie announced. "Did you mind if I can share a little with the pokémon?"
"Only if they want as well." Misty said.
The gang was so happy enjoying that they didn't notice someone was watching them from a curious firecracker stand. Actually, it was three the ones which were spying on them.
"Well well, look what we have here? Looks like we have come across a big twerp reunion." A very familiar female voice spotted.
"It seems they are making some kind of party. It may be someone's birthday." Another familiar voice, a male one, added.
"Now I get why it smelled so good. You think they will not bother if I sneak and take a little piece for myself?" A third voice, more recognizable than the others, wondered spotting the cake instead.
"Don't think with the stomach, remember why we are here. This is it; this may be the day we are finally going to get Pikachu." The female voice remembered.
"And maybe with the help of our new toys we may be able to get a few other pokémon along the way." The male voice agreed.
"Then we better get started. It's playtime." The third voice decided.
Suddenly, from beneath the stand, a lot of small balls from different colors came out rolling, right at the gang's table. Piplup was enjoying a few pokéblocks when he spotted one of the balls right behind him. He thought it was some kind of ball to play with, and tried to catch it, but before he could the ball rolled by itself. Piplup became confused, and decided to try to catch the ball, going after it. The same thing happened with Pikachu, Sparky, Marill, Skitty, Pancham, Axew and Dedenne. Their trainers noticed that as well.
"Oh, look at them, enjoying every second they have." Iris admired.
"Yeah, those moving balls are a great idea, big brother. Where did you get them?" Bonnie asked.
"Are they some kind of mini-robots?" Max invented.
"Eh…to be sincere, I didn't bring those." Clemont revealed.
"Then who was? We everyone have contributed something." Ritchie wondered.
While the gang debated, they were not aware that something hidden under a big napkin took the chance they weren't looking and did something with the cake they still didn't taste yet.
"Well, how about if we continue now with this one?" Max suggested as started to pick a piece of the cake.
"Hey Max, wait for the rest. Don't pick a bigger piece for yourself." May objected.
After picking one, Max, Bonnie, May, Dawn, Iris, Tracey and Ritchie started to eat it, but it appears something went wrong, because at the moment they all put disgusted faces as they tried to get rid of the bad taste from their mouths by different ways: brushing their tongues, drinking lot of water… In the same moment, when Piplup managed to catch the ball, it suddenly opened, making come out lots of sparks and loud noise, like it contained firecrackers inside which detonated at the opening. That scared Piplup a lot, making him run right at the stand. The same happened to the other pokémon which were playing with the balls, all while Ash, Serena, Clemont and Misty, who still hadn't taken a bite, looked at the others confused.
"What's wrongs, guys? Have you eaten too much that you don't like sweet taste anymore?" Misty asked.
Serena took a very little piece of the cake and taste it. She didn't react like the others, instead, she seemed like analyzing the taste.
"That's weird. It tastes salty." Serena identified.
"What? But cakes are supposed to not have salt."
"That's the weird thing, Ash. And I have been with Delia seeing the entire process. I would know if this would have salt."
At the same time, the scared pokémon reached the stand, and right from below it some kind of gloves attached to mechanical cables grabbed them by surprised and dragged them under it. The kids were lucky to spot that, after calming their affected friends, of course.
"Hey, where has Piplup gone?" Dawn asked.
"And Pikachu and Sparky?" Ritchie followed.
"I saw them getting under that stand." Ash pointed.
"Are you sure of that? I believe I saw something else." Bonnie added.
"Prepare for trouble, cause we are back." The female voice announced.
"And make it double, so now we're up to the task." The male voice continued.
Then, the stand started to transform: not like the Autobots and Decepticons used to perform, but it was turning into something huge.
"To protect the world from devastation!"
"To unite all people within our nation!"
"To denounce the evils of truth and love!"
"To extend our reach to the stars above!"
It came out a very recognizable woman in a familiar uniform. "Jessie!"
Followed by a particular man with the same red R on the chest. "James!"
"Team Rocket blast off at the speed of light!"
"Surrender now or prepare for a very familiar fight!"
"Meowth, that's right!"
"Wobbuffet!"
"Team Rocket!" Everyone said in disbelief.
"It's been a while since the last time when knew about you. Where have you been?"
"Seriously Bonnie?" Max complained.
"Ah, it's very sweet from you to have been wondering about us." Jessie appreciated.
"Let's say we have taken a very well-deserved vacation." James continued.
"But not everything has been simply resting, I assured you. We also have been getting ready for the moment to get back to business. So here we are." Meowth ended.
"Pika pi!" Pikachu called from inside a glass ball where he and the other pokémon were trapped, in middle of the now fully transformed familiar Meowth balloon of Team Rocket.
"Pikachu!" Ash yelled.
"So you are still up to your intentions to steal pokémon." Serena deduced.
"You got that right. But also I have to thank you for such yummy candy which I recently got my hands on." Meowth thanked with some pieces of cake on his mouth.
"Hey, that means that what happened to the cake is was also your undoing?!" May asked very mad.
"They surely gave us the change when we were distracted." Ritchie deduced.
"And I guess these little trinkets are also your undoing." Clemont added taking one of the exploding balls.
"That was only a little surprised for your pokémon." Jessie admitted.
"How do you think we managed to drag them into our little trap?" James continued.
"So you came here to ruin our party?!" Iris asked mad.
"Coming to try to steal pokémon is something we all can see coming, but ruining our event is going too far." Tracey supported.
"Yeah, let's see if you have fun with them. It's your turn now." Misty declared as she and everyone threw at them the remaining balls.
All the balls landed into the balloon where Team Rocket was, and they did their trick, scaring the three thieves the same way they did to the pokémon.
"Enough with pranks and games. Let's get out of here." Jessie declared.
"Everyone, hop on." Meowth said as he pressed the on button.
Immediately, two propellers appeared at the balloon's sides, making it to take off.
"Say farewell, Pikachu. And so your friends." Meowth mocked.
"Pika pika!" Pikachu shouted as he and the other pokémon tried to get out by their ways.
"Hey, come back here!" Ash demanded.
"See ya!" Team Rocket mocked.
"Snorlax, take that balloon down with Hyper Beam." Ash instructed.
Ash's Snorlax prepared to launch his powerful attack, but once he did…
"Then here you have." Jessie said as a gadget appeared in front of them, like some kind of antenna which redirected the attack back to them, missing them for sort.
"No way. They can reflect even powerful attacks like Hyper Beam?" Ritchie asked in disbelief.
"It seems they have had enough time to think about everything." Misty reminded.
"And with how they professional are with mechanics, surely they might come up with who knows what kind of instruments." Clemont added.
"Now let's make sure do light up their party with a little explosive help." James announced.
"Bombs away! Bombs away!" Both Jessie and Meowth said as they dropped some bombs over the gang and the place where the party was taking place.
"Look out!" Serena spotted.
"Take cover!" Tracey advised.
The bombs exploded everywhere, causing a real mess. The explosions made such noise that Delia came out.
"Ash? What's all that noise?"
"Mom no, stay inside!" Ash warned.
Ash's warning came just in time: Delia entered the lab right before a bomb exploded right in front of the entrance.
"What's going on?" Delia asked alarmed.
"It's Team Rocket! They are back!" Ash answered.
"Don't worry Ms. Ketchum, we'll handle this!" Misty reassured.
"Please, be careful."
"Corsola, use Mirror Coat to block those bombs."
Corsola used the move to create a protective shield between them and the bomb rain.
"We need to stop them and rescue our pokémon." Serena said.
"Leave it to me. Noctowl, Swellow, Staraptor, Unfezant, Talonflame, you have to reach that balloon and take it down. Use Aerial Ace, Sky Attack and Brave Bird."
The five flying pokémon took flight and went after the balloon, dodging the bombs. Once near enough, they used their moves against the balloon, but they were surprised when they saw it didn't make a scratch.
"What? They didn't even break the balloon." Tracey saw with his binoculars.
"How is that possible?" May asked.
"We already told you we had time to prepare for anything. And our way to escape was no exception." Jessie reminded.
"Our new balloon is made by a new formidable and resistant material, and elastic enough to allow it to fly." Meowth revealed.
"Guys, turn around. Let's try another thing!" Ash instructed.
The pokémon tried to grab the balloon and tear it apart with their claws. Inside the glass prison, Pikachu decided to try to use his electric attacks to weaken the glass, but instead his electricity was absorbed and canalized all through the balloon, making it to zap the flying pokémon, stunning them and making them fall.
"Of course we didn't forget to take care of Pikachu's electric defenses." James pointed.
"You did enough guys, return!" Ash thanked as he returned his pokémon back to their poke balls. "We need a plan if we want to have any chance to catch them off guard."
"I think we will have to try with all our pokémon." Clemont suggested.
"Then let's do it." Ritchie supported.
"Ash, we need your pokémon which still can fly to carry as much as they can to take them near Team Rocket's balloon."
"Charizard, Zippo, Happy, Scyther, Rose, Dragonite, Heracross, Glalie, Beautifly, Gliscor, Noivern and Togekiss can help with that." May suggested.
"And Greninja, Sceptile, Infernape and Blaziken can approach with their agility." Serena added.
"Okay. Let's get started." Ash nodded.
After giving everyone the right instructions, the big flying pokémon took flight heading to Team Rocket, helping some of their companions to get closer: Charizard allowed his pals Bulbasaur, Squirtle, Totodile and Quilava to ride on his back while he carried Bayleef with his hands; Heracross allowed Staryu and Politoed to ride him as he carried Goldeen with his hands; Zippo performed the same as Charizard but allowing Corphish and Buizel to ride him as he carried Torkoal; Noivern let Oshawott, Scraggy, Pignite and Leavanny ride him and carried Krookodile with his claws; Happy transported Venonat; Rose did the same with Chespin; Scyther carried Luxray and allowed Braixen to ride on his back; Beautifly allowed Pachirisu to ride onboard; Gliscor grabbed Dawn's Quilava; both Glaceon and Sylveon managed to hook to Glalie's horn so he could carry them; Togekiss allowed both Bunnelby and Buneary to ride on her back and Dragonite carried Excadrill, Wartortle, Heliolisk and Palpitoad on his back while taking Boldore with his hands. At the same time, Greninja, Sceptile, Infernape and Blaziken followed the air group jumping between trees to get closer to the balloon.
"Woah, looks like the twerps are sending a farewell committee." James spotted.
"Then let's receive them with open arms. As Team Rocket does." Jessie accepted. "Meowth, make sure everything is set for visitors."
"Already on it, Jess."
The fastest flyers were the smallest, so Rose, Happy, Beautifly, Togekiss and even Glalie speeded up, almost reaching Team Rocket in no time. Both Glaceon and Sylveon started the attack with Ice Shard and Fairy Wind.
"A simple cold windy day is not going to ruin or chance. Go ruin their breeze." Jessie demanded pulling out one of her poke balls.
A Woobat came out, revealing to be one of Jessie's previous pokémon, which started to use Gust to counter the combined attack. As response, Glalie decided to approach the balloon and hit it with Headbutt, while his passengers got ready to board it. But before he could perform it…
"Oh no, you don't. Seviper, stop them." Jessie ordered taking out other poke ball.
"Seviper." The poisonous snake pokémon hissed right before using Poison Tail, intercepting that way Glalie's move, and taking him down.
That caught Sylveon and Glaceon by surprise and forced them to jump before they expected.
"You wanna join with your friends? Alright, as you wish." Meowth said before he pressed a remote controller.
Two mechanical gloves appeared from a secret compartment and grabbed both pokémon, putting them where Pikachu and the others were trapped. Togekiss managed to approach enough to Buneary and Bunnelby could attack them with Dizzy Punch and Double Slap, assisted by Chespin with Pin Missile.
"We could use a secret asset right now." Jessie suggested in pain.
"I know which: Chimecho, Heal Bell!" James called.
Suddenly, coming from one of his poke balls, Chimecho appeared and used his healing move, reversing the attacks' effects and leaving Team Rocket with full strength.
"I knew you would come in handy for sure." James complimented.
"Chim." Chimecho appreciated.
"Now is our turn." Jessie announced pulling out other poke ball. "Surprise them with Silver Wind."
That poke ball was Yanmega's, which started to use Silver Wind against the pokémon rescuers. They managed to stand against the wind, except Rose, who didn't stand against and ended losing balance, making also Chespin to fall off.
"Don't worry, there's room for everyone." Meowth said.
"Hand out!" James announced as he used another controller.
Another pair of gloves were fired and grabbed both falling pokémon and did the same as before. Inside the cage of glass, Pikachu was now trying with not electric attacks to break free, using Iron Tail the best he could. Sparky also assisted him with Volt Tackle, the same as Piplup with Drill Peck, and Axew with Scratch. Now Happy was the one charging, preparing to launch a Solar Beam, while Venonat used Confusion to immobilize the balloon.
"Nice one, but I also have a trick up my sleeve." James remarked as he pulled out one his poke balls.
The pokémon which came out was Amoonguss, and surprised the two pokémon with Stun Spore, paralyzing them both, making them to stop their attacks and even making them fall. They also were grabbed by the mechanical gloves and placed within the rest.
"Nice one, buddy." Meowth congratulated before high five with his pokémon companion.
Beautifly and Togekiss approached next and started moving side to side, in case they try again with the gloves, as Pachirisu, Bunnelby and Buneary attacked the balloon with Discharge, Mud Shot and Ice Beam. But that was distraction, because while Team Rocket was focused on them, Emolga and Hawlucha took the chance to approach the glass prison gliding silently.
"Emo." Emolga saluted them.
"Axew ew." Axew greeted with the others.
Emolga started using Hidden Power against the glass to break it. Unfortunately, the move's impacts made loud noise.
"Hey, what are you thinking you're doing down there?" Meowth spotted. "I guess I will have to teach you a lesson.
He launched another glove at her, but Hawlucha intercepted it with Karate Chop, covering Emolga as she continued trying to set them free.
"Blast! I can't stop her if that one is in middle."
"Let that to me, Meowth. Guys, take care of them." James declared pulling out two more poke balls.
From one of them came Carnivine, who surprised Hawlucha trapping him with Bind before being thrown into the cage as well. The other one was Inkay's poke ball, who also surprised Emolga, grabbing and throwing her alongside Hawlucha by using Foul Play.
"Looks like your diversion has failed. Now is our turn. Seviper, use Haze." Jessie commanded.
Seviper created a huge dark cloud which covered their attackers. Inside of it, Beautifly and Togekiss were unable to breath, and so their passengers, which stopped attacking. They flew out of the cloud, but that was exactly what Team Rocket expected: suddenly, both pokémon flyers were hit by Vine Whip, and dragged next into the cage, the same as Bunnelby, Buneary and Pachirisu by the gloves.
"This is like go for shopping in sales season." Jessie opined.
"I think it is more like going fishing." James corrected.
"Come on, don't stop coming. Let's keep them coming." Meowth said proud.
Suddenly, the balloon shook, like if it received a strong impact.
"You shouldn't have wished that loud, Meowth." James complained.
"What was that?"
They looked below and saw what the cause was: Blaziken, Sceptile, Infernape and Greninja managed to reach the balloon and now started to attack it.
"Those twerps never give up." Jessie cursed.
"What did you expect? We already know them at this point in time." Meowth reminded.
"Well, that's the reason we have been preparing for this moment." James declared taking another poke ball of his.
In that moment, Sceptile was about to strike with Leaf Blade, but before he reached the balloon, James's last poke ball revealed his last surprise: Yamask, which attacked Sceptile with Will-O-Wisp by surprise, and because he was plant type the attack affected him more. With Sceptile unable to keep up with them, Infernape, Greninja and Blaziken decided to avenge him attacking all at once with Mach Punch, Water Shuriken and Fire Spin.
"Sorry to crush your party. Go freeze them." Jessie instructed taking two last poke balls.
This time Frillish and Gourgeist came out. The first one managed to paralyze the three pokémon with Psychic, catching them off guard. Unable to do anything, now they were at Team Rocket's mercy.
"You don't look so tough now, don't you?" Jessie mocked. "Teach them a lesson, Gourgeist. Seed Bomb, let's go."
"You too, Inkay and Carnivine. Psybeam and Bullet Seed." James added.
The four pokémon followed the commands and stormed their hostages with everything they got. That ended with the three pokémon hurt enough to not being able to keep following them, landing next to Sceptile, who examined if they were okay. Meanwhile, inside the prison, the pokémon were getting tired of trying to break the glass. But Axew, seeing a little crack in the glass, decided to use all his strength and prepared to charge once again ready to use Outrage this time. Suddenly, a strange phenomenon happened while he charged: his body was lighted up by a blue aura as his body started to change. The other pokémon looked in disbelief as he ended breaking through the glass. The noise and light were perceived by Team Rocket as well. When the light expired, Axew was completely changed: he not just looked bigger but also his body changed, he evolved into Fraxure. His pokémon pals were cheered by this surprise, but Fraxure was not exactly happy as they were: in the moment he finished evolving that's when he broke through the glass, but now he wasn't able to move, he was stuck. He only could hear Team Rocket's laughs.
"I admit we didn't see that coming, but looks like you got yourself in very tight situation." James said.
"Guys, look ahead. Looks like the great final is coming." Meowth spotted.
The rest of the gang's pokémon are finally approaching them.
"Don't let them get away!" Ash requested.
Each pokémon used a move by its own: Charizard, Zippo, Torkoal, Pignite, Braixen and both Quilava used Flamethrower; Bulbasaur, Bayleef and Leavanny used Razor Leaf; Squirtle, Totodile, Staryu, Buizel, Politoed and Wartortle used Water Gun; Heracross used Hyper Beam; Goldeen used Supersonic; Corphish used Bubble Beam; Oshawott used Hydro Pump; Scraggy, Excadrill and Heliolisk attacked with Focus Blast; Gliscor and Krookodile used Stone Edge; Noivern employed his Boomburst; Scyther attacked with Razor Wind; Luxray used Swift; Palpitoad used Mud Shot; Boldore used Flash Cannon and Dragonite decided to attack with Ice Beam. All the moves merged into some kind of multi-attack super beam.
"Look, it's a combined move." Ritchie saw.
"All their attacks have merged in order to strike at once." Tracey deduced.
"Let's see if your balloon can endure that!" Max warned.
"Oh, we have to admit, this may be too much for it. But he can." Jessie smirked. "Wobbuffet, show time!"
Wobbuffet put himself between the balloon and the combined attacks and used Mirror Coat, stopping the attacks so sudden. And after a while holding all that combined power, he sent it back to the group, getting hit by the beam ending in a huge explosion. As the cloud dissipated, the gang saw all their pokémon falling very hurt, so they had no other choice but retrieve them back to their poke balls.
"This can't be." Ritchie expressed shocked.
"Not even with all their attacks combined?!" Max asked in disbelief.
"Scrap, I should have seen this coming knowing they have Wobbufeet." Clemont cursed.
"And I didn't expect now they have so many pokémon. Normally it is the other way." May recalled.
"With all our pokémon wounded, how are we going to prevent them to taking the others?" Dawn asked desperate.
"Does…does this means…that they actually did it? They have won and we will not see our friends ever again?" Bonnie asked fearing the worst, starting to drop a few tears.
Ash could only groan as they saw the balloon getting away and gaining altitude. Also, they were not the only ones surprised.
"That's all? They don't have anything else to send to us?" James asked confused.
"Looks like we manage to leave the twerps out of ideas." Meowth suspected.
"Wobbuffet!"
"Guys, do you realize what this means? We actually did it. We finally manage to take their pokémon at last!" Jessie realized.
"It finally happened!" James followed happy.
"We made it at last!" Meowth added.
"We finally got Pikachu, hurray, hurray! We finally got Pikachu!" Team Rocket celebrated singing.
It seemed that Team Rocket finally achieved what they wanted for such long time, and there was no one and nothing which could stop them at their moment of victory. Or does it? At the distance, without them noticing, there was a plane approaching. Even if it had them on its sight, the plane's eyes were more focused on Team Rocket's cargo: it scanned all the pokémon inside its cage, but stopped right at Pikachu, like if it recognized him. As response, the plane aimed the balloon as target, and one missile which it had attacked to one of its wings was fired. Team Rocket was too much distracted celebrating their success, until Wobbuffet stopped and heard something.
"Eh? What's wrong, Wobbuffet?" Meowth asked.
"There's something bothering you?" Jessie asked concerned.
"Wobbu, Wobbu!" He said pointing at the distance.
They tried to spot what he detected.
"What exactly are we trying to see?" Jessie wondered.
"Maybe Wobbuffet sensed something approaching. After all, his senses are more sharpened than even mine." Meowth deduced.
"Well, I don't see anything out of place. Just a whole of clouds." James answered, before he decided to search with his binoculars. After a couple of seconds searching, he finally saw something. "Hey! I see something! Maybe that's what he was trying to show us."
"Wobbuffet!" The pokemon nodded.
"Can you identify what it is?" Jessie asked.
"Give us details." Meowth added.
"Hmm, it certainly doesn't look like a flying pokémon. Rather it seems…no wait, I see clearly now: it looks more like a missile." James described.
"A missile?" Jessie asked confused.
"What's a missile doing here? I don't remember this was place where military perform their tests." Meowth reminded.
"Well, from what I can see it seems the missile its approaching fast. Right…at…us?" James reported, starting to get nervous realizing where the missile seemed to be heading. "Eh? Meowth, is this balloon capable of withstand even missiles' impact?"
"Eh? Why do you ask?"
"Because I'm afraid we're going to be able to see the missile better."
At that answer, Jessie, Meowth, even Wobbuffet took their binoculars to watch, and they saw what James was referring to: after a couple of moments seeing the missile getting bigger until it was enough for the binoculars, they manage to see it coming, right at them. Starting to feel the worst, they tried to launch as many bombs as they could, in a desperate attempt to neutralize it, but they missed all times and the missile was now too close, so they simply hide into the balloon's basket. The missile ended making contact with the balloon, causing a huge explosion which obliterated everything. But for Team Rocket was something they had gotten used to.
"No fair! We finally managed to success, and now this comes out of nowhere?!" Jessie complained in annoyance.
"I simply can't understand how the twerps managed to get their hands into a resource of that kind!" James followed.
"Yeah! When it comes to rockets and missiles, we are the ones who normally use them. Not the contrary!" Meowth shouted.
"Wobbuffet!"
"Looks like Team Rocket is blasting off again!" Everyone announced as the whole trio and their pokémon flew until missing in the sky.
On the other hand, Pikachu and the other pokémon finally escaped their prison when it destroyed, but now they were all in free fall. Fortunately, Tracey spotted them with his binoculars.
"I see them, they're out. But they are in free fall." He informed.
"If we don't do something, they will get hurt." Serena exclaimed.
"I think I have an idea."
"You Max? Really?" May asked not convinced.
"It's a crazy one, but I think it could work. I just need Snorlax."
"Snorlax? Why?" Ash questioned.
"Tell him to lay himself right under where they are falling. That way, when they reached him, his belly will act like a trampoline and will cushion their fall."
"Hey, that's a great idea."
"No doubt, with Snorlax's big size and the resistance of his front side, his belly will manage to catch the other pokémon without causing him any damage." Clemont supported.
"Then let's hurry." Iris added.
Snorlax followed Max to where he signaled him to lay on the ground. As the pokemon continued falling, the gang remained next to Snorlax in case one got out of the way. And then, Max's idea worked: one by one, the pokémon landed on Snorlax's belly, which absorbed the falling's strength, and allowed them to bounce right back with their trainers.
"Oh, thank Arceus you are safe." Dawn expressed hugging all her pokémon.
"I have to congratulate you, little brother." May admitted.
"Yeah. Your idea has helped everyone to return safe and sound." Bonnie supported.
"Nah, it was nothing."
"Is everyone okay?" Ash asked.
"Pikachu." Pikachu answered giving him a thumb-up.
"Hold on. Where's Axew?" Iris reminded starting to search for him. "Has anyone seen him?"
"Hey, who's that pokémon?" Misty asked pointing at a new one.
"That's a Fraxure, the evolved form of Axew." Tracey recognized.
"Hey, do you think that could be…?" Serena started.
Iris approached him and bowed a little. "Axew? Is…is that you?" Fraxure answered hugging Iris, so she understood. "I can't believe it. Look at you, you have evolved. I bet Team Rocket didn't expect that."
"We all have to thanks Snorlax for saving our pals. Thank you." Misty thanked, but when they looked at him, Snorlax was already taking a nap.
"He's sleeping, what a surprise." Bonnie simply said.
"It's okay. You have earned it." Ash said retrieving him back to his poke ball.
"Surely it wasn't us, so how do you managed to escape from Team Rocket?" Ritchie asked.
"Pika pi." Sparky said shrugging.
"You guys didn't turn the scales again them?" Dawn asked in disbelief.
"Then if they didn't manage to set free themselves and it wasn't our pokémon, who was?" Serena wondered.
Then, Pikachu and the other pokémon heard something approaching, and looked up to see four planes coming at them fast.
"What are those planes doing?" Max asked.
But when they got closer, they saw those planes were purple, and almost reaching them they transformed, revealing to be Decepticon heavy air soldiers. And the same plane which destroyed Team Rocket's balloon came and transformed as well. But it wasn't exactly a most pleased company.
"Well well, long time no see ya."
"Starscream?!" The group asked in horror and surprise.
"I don't know what your pets were doing on that floating thing, but I'm surprised they managed to land without a scratch."
"You are the one who took down Team Rocket's balloon?" Bonnie asked shocked.
"Team Rocket? Are those friends of yours?"
"Not exactly." Misty answered.
"Guess I indirectly helped you, but that wasn't my intention. It seems I arrived sooner than expected: I don't see any of your special protectors around."
"What are you doing here?" Tracey demanded.
"Those treacherous Autobots have brought us pain has none of you can even imagine. Well, now I'm going to take from them what they most appreciate!" The Seeker leader shouted as the soldiers pulled out their weapons.
"Run!" Ash shouted.
The Decepticons started firing lasers at them, although they didn't have the most precise aim. Piplup and Marill attempted to stop them with Bubble Beam and Water Gun, simply allowing the gang to gain enough time to put some distance. Sparky and Dedenne joined them with Thunder Shock, but even if they hit the Cons, it simply stopped them a little.
"Haha, nice try. But our shell is stronger than you think, enough to resist whatever you throw at us." One of the Decepticons mocked.
The group had no choice but to keep running. But Ash knew that if they followed to the lab, they could figure out where the professor and her mom were.
"Anyone has a plan?!" Max asked.
"Being attacked by Decepticons was the last I expected to happen us today!" Clemont admitted.
"On these circumstances I think I prefer Team Rocket instead!" Iris revealed.
"At least they didn't shoot us." Misty agreed.
"And our pokémon are too weak because of them to battle these Cons." Ritchie added.
"So, what can we do?!" Dawn asked.
Ash analyzed everything what happened till that moment: Team Rocket attempted to steal some of their pokémon, the others got tired and hurt trying to rescue them and Starscream's soldiers were tough enough to resist their pokémon' moves. But…what about non ordinary moves? Then an idea came to his mind while he looked back to the lab.
"Maybe it could work." He thought before turning at his friends. "Guys, I think I have an idea, but I'll need a diversion. Try to catch their attention."
"What? Are you sure, Ash?" Serena asked.
"Trust me, I have a good feeling."
Serena doubted, but she always trusted Ash's intuition. "Alright, but be careful."
"We'll distract them. Run when it's clear." Ritchie nodded.
"Hey clanckers, you know how to play tag? Try to catch us!" Bonnie challenged.
"Hey! What did you call us?!" One of the cons demanded mad.
"Permission to make them eat their words, commander Starscream." Other requested.
"Permission granted." Starscream answered smirking.
Ash and Pikachu waited until the others managed to persuade the Cons to follow them. Then, they ran the fastest they could until they reached the lab.
"Oh, you got Pikachu back. Do you managed to take care of Team Rocket?"
"Indeed mom, but don't go out yet. It still not safe."
They went to the professor's room and started registering it for what they came for.
"Come on, hurry. Where did you place them, professor?" Ash asked searching between the bins.
"Pi? Pika pika!"
Pikachu called Ash to show him something he pulled out from one near the professor's desk.
"That's it! Great job, buddy! Now let's go back and help our friends!"
"Pikachu!"
Back to the outside, the Decepticons lost trail of the gang, which it appears decided to hide between some woods at the town's limits.
"We lost then, sir. It seems they got away."
"No, they're just lurking somewhere nearby. Spread out and find them. And bring them to me unharmed…not much." Starscream ordered as he joined his soldiers. "Come out, come out, wherever you are."
The group was hidden in the largest number of woods, where the Decepticons still didn't search.
"So we're supposed to wait here till Ash comes back?" Iris asked a little impatient.
"Didn't at least he mention what does his plan consist of?" Clemont added.
"No, but he must have a great motive to take such risk." Serena told.
"She's right. Ash wouldn't left if he doesn't believe there's something there which can help us fight Starscream." Ritchie supported.
"Well I just hope he better hurry, because the Cons are starting to get closer." Max observed through the woods.
"Calm down. As long as we don't make a noise, they would not know where we are." Tracey reassured them.
Everyone remained totally quiet and still. Suddenly, Misty started to feel some tickles on her back, which forced her to contain her desires to laugh. She looked back to see what was tickling her, but that may be a mistake, because she saw a Weedle crawling on her back. That was too much for her, ending with a huge scream.
"Take it off, take it off, take it off me!" She yelled running from one place to another in a crazy way.
She managed to shake the bug pokémon off, which relieved her. But she realized what she did: she tried to return and warn the rest, but the Decepticons already discovered their hiding place and surrounded them.
"Seriously Misty?!" May asked in annoyance.
"Sorry guys, I couldn't avoid it. I had a bug on my back."
"And given the circumstance what's worse? Have a little bug which doesn't bother you, or being crushed by Cons?" Dawn criticized.
"Hahaha, I find amusing your little manias and phobias. Thought it wasn't how I envisioned the challenge of capturing you, maybe I'll conform planning the different and varied ways to enjoy tormenting you. I am anxious to know how the Autobots will react after discovering what shocking and horrifying fates awaits you." Starscream declared as he was about to grab them.
"Let them alone, Screamy!"
Already irritated by the nickname, Starscream and the Cons turned to see the missing members of the gang.
"Ash! You're back!" Tracey saw.
"I know you will!" Serena exclaimed.
"Of course he did. He's made of the same spirit as Optimus Prime, so he cannot help to perform as hero. But better for me, that means I'll start with you." Starscream decided.
"To reach my friends, you will have to pass over us first!" Ash challenged.
"Pika pika!" Pikachu supported.
Starscream laughed. "And how exactly do you have planned to stop me, Ash? Your pokémon attacks are not strong enough to make us any harm, and its only matter of time they will grow weak. Admit it, you are without ideas."
"No, you're wrong. I still have one ace up my sleeve." Ash said, revealing he now had some kind of bracelet.
Misty recognized that item. "No way. Is that…?"
"You presume of the power of your kind, but you still underestimate the true power which the links between pokémon and people can forge." Ash pronounced as he placed a yellow Z-Crystal on his bracelet.
The crystal started to light up and emanate an aura of energy, and even changed its form a little.
"Ready Pikachu?" Ash checked.
Pikachu jumped, grabbed Ash's cap and put it on before nodding him "Pika!"
"All right, let's do it!"
Both pals did a fist-bump and performed the same move synchronized. Suddenly, a yellow aura of energy surrounded Ash and flowed to Pikachu. That surprised everyone, even Starscream, who was speechless for what he was seeing.
"By the Allspark, what…what is that power?"
"Much bigger than a Thunderbolt, at super-full power. 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt!"
"Pika!"
Pikachu jumped high in the air and charged an electric sphere which surrounded him. Once it was fully charged, it generated multiple beams of electricity, each one of a different color. They went directly at the Deceptcions, and Starscream, as always when it comes to imminent danger, ran the fastest he could, trying to get to safety, escaping for little from the beams. The Decepticon air heavy soldiers, however, were not that lucky: they received the beams directly, starting to feel the effects of the unleashed energy, which ended in a huge explosion. Once the smoke dissipated, the duo saw the four Decepticons walking out of the smoke, but instantly fell to the ground, which sparks traveling all through their bodies: the attack was a success, it fried them completely.
"Whoa!" Both Bonnie and Max expressed.
"You have said it." May and Dawn followed.
"Piplup."
"Unbelievable." Iris added.
"I can't believe what I just saw." Clemont said in disbelief.
"Now that's was a surprise." Misty said in relief.
They were not the only ones surprised at seeing how the Cons ended: Starscream showed a shocked face. "What in the…How?"
"There's more than meets the eye in our world. But it seems you Decepticons are still too shortsighted to realize it yet." Ash declared.
Starscream's face changed to an angry one as he got back on his feet, a little affected by the attack. "Perhaps, but you will need more than a secret show of lights to change our intentions. We Decepticons have come a long way in order to fulfill our quest, and this will be the world which will provide us with everything we need to satisfy our desire of payback. Get this on your little heads, humans and pokémon, this time…we have come to stay, with or without Autobots. So you better get ready…for the next assault."
Once Starscream ended his speech, he transformed and took flight. Pikachu tried to shoot him down with Thunderbolt, but he already retreated back to space.
"Ash! That has been amazing!" Serena said running to hug him.
"You said it. A shame I didn't manage to catch that moment with my notes." Tracey followed.
"It has been the best attack I've seen in all my life." Ritchie added. "How did you do it?"
"Because it was a Z-Move. I witnessed it by myself the last time we battled, that's how Pikachu managed to beat Mega-Gyarados." Misty revealed.
"And it was thanks to this trinket?" Iris asked looking at Ash's wrist.
"You bet. This is a Z-Power Ring, and this thing inserted is a Z-Crystal for electric type." Ash confirmed showing them the ring and Pikashunium Z, now back to being an Electrostal Z. "Alola's professor sent them to me in a package, alongside each kind of Z-Crystal."
"Whoa, that's so awesome." Max expressed.
"Does that mean we all now can use them to perform Z-Moves as well?" Bonnie asked excited.
"Not exactly. For that to be possible each one should wear a Z-Ring." Tracey reminded.
"That may be totally necessary, now that the Decepticons are back." May defended.
"Looks like Max's intuition was right." Dawn reminded.
"This is very bad. And Starscream said this time the Decepticons are not going to hold back, no matter what." Serena added.
"Then we have no choice, we need to let Team Prime know this." Ash proclaimed looking at Clemont.
"I will call Ratchet."
Minutes later after Team Rocket last attempt to abduct Pikachu and the following unexpected visit of Starscream, the gang cleared everything from the party and attended their pokémon. Fortunately, no people from Pallet Town spotted the fight and Pikachu's Z-Move even caused the remains of the Decepticons to end in a very unrecognizable state. Now everyone was in Professor Oak's lab waiting until Tracey used the lab's equipment to heal the pokémon. Meanwhile, Serena and Ash were updating his mother about the recent events.
"Are you sure of that, Ash? Maybe you mistaken them with one of Team Rocket's mechs. You said they usually use them in their attempts to steal pokémon."
"Trust me mom, I wish it that would be the case. But we're completely certain: it was Starscream, in the flesh."
"So that means the Decepticons are here, back in our planet." Serena added.
"We gotta warn Team Prime so they come and help us deal with them."
"I just got news about it: I recently sent a message to Ratchet warning him about this morning's incident." Clemont announced.
"Did you also mention him everything? Even Team Rocket being back to business?"
"Of course not, Bonnie, those guys are not an emergency."
"Yeah. That we have being catch off guard for just this time doesn't mean asking them for backup is necessary to handle them."
"I'm with Dawn. We managed to deal with those three many times in the past. Compared with the Decepticons, fighting them is like a walk in the park." May supported.
"Piplup." Piplup nodded.
"So, hasn't he answered you yet?" Ritchie asked.
"I was getting there. Just a few seconds after sending the message, I received one from him. And it seems to be urgent." Clemont revealed.
"Urgent? Maybe they know about it too." Misty deduced.
"And didn't care to warn us?" Iris complained.
"Perhaps they discovered it moments ago while we were still battling them." Max assumed.
"Yeah, rebuilding an entire planet devastated by war after a long time requires lot of work and attention." Bonnie defended.
"Hum, you're right. If he or the others discovered something troubling concerning us, Smokey would have warned me at the very moment." Iris reconsidered.
"What the message says?" Ash asked.
"It reads 'Unexpected events have taken place, no time to describe, meet me at the nearest shore once you receive this message. Travel with extreme caution, brief you once safe.'" Clemont rode.
"Why the shore?" Max wondered.
"No idea, but Ratchet's gotta have a good reason."
"Then we better don't waste more time. We must head to the meeting point in order to know what's going on." Ash declared.
"The nearest shore is a 1 hour walk from here." Serena showed on her digital map.
"Oh, your map is very precised, Serena. I need to get one of those." Max admired.
"Well, we better depart at once. Now that all our pokémon are back in shape it should be easier to go." Tracey announced as he returned them their pokémon' poke balls.
"Please be careful. And give me a touch once you are with the Autobots."
"Don't worry mom, I doubt Starscream will try to attack us again." Ash reassured.
"Specially after what he witnessed." Ritchie supported.
"Fear nothing Delia, we will be cautious." Serena added.