Hello Fanfiction Readers! How is it going today? Ash, Misty, Cilan, and Iris and their Pokémon have finally arrived in Castelia City! Isn't that great? Everything is not fine in Castelia City though, and when the lights go out and the sun sets, the Rockets will come out to play.
Disclaimer: The Disclaimer? Hmm...It seems that I have lost the darned thing.
Pokémon Black and White
Chapter Twenty
Team Rocket's Point of View
The Team Rocket Trio - along with Pierce and Dr. Zager - were in a helicopter as they used the meteorite they stole to check the Desert Resort for their objective. They shot a beam of a purple light down at the ground in their search.
"Sensor readings?" Jessie asked.
"None yet." James replied.
"Well, Doctor Zager?" Pierce asked.
"Excellent..." Doctor Zager said. "If we're able to maintain these coordinates."
"Coordinates holding at one-two-one-six." Meowth said.
"We've picked up something!" James said.
"Yes, it seems you have." Jessie said, placing her hands on James' shoulders.
"Oh my..." Pierce said.
"Yes, I've found it!" Doctor Zager exclaimed. "The Meteonite!"
"We shall excavate it at once." Pierce said.
Normal Point of View
"We made it!" Ash exclaimed excitedly, fist-bumping the air happily. "Gym Battle, here I come!"
"Pikachu!" ("Here we come!")
"Castelia City sure is a big place, huh?" Iris commented.
"Yeah." Misty said. "It sure is different from my hometown of Cerulean City."
"And from my hometown of Pallet Town." Ash added.
"Right!" Cilan said. "While we're here, we've got to find a place call the CasteliaCone. Their ice cream's famous!"
"Yeah, I remember having that." Misty said, looking down at Marill. "It was delicious, wasn't it?"
"Marill, Marill marill." ("Yes, it was delicious.")
"Yummy!" Iris said. "Let's go before the gym battle!"
Misty couldn't help but snicker quietly to herself about that comment.
"No way!" Ash said, putting a hand up in Iris' face. "After the gym battle!"
"Pika, Pika!" ("Yeah, after!")
"The gym's just up ahead." Cilan said. "Let's take a shortcut and walk through Central Plaza."
"Ash, are you ready for your gym battle?" Iris asked.
"Ready to give it everything I've got!" Ash replied.
"Pika pika!" ("And nothing less!")
"Hey, look over there." Misty said, pointing over to a nearby tree. "Look who it is."
"Burgh?" Ash wondered.
"Oh, Ash." Burgh said.
"I'm just on my way to challenge the Castelia Gym." Ash said after they said their hellos.
"I see." Burgh said. "But I don't think I can battle now." Burgh then looked up into the tree he was under. "Something's bothering me..."
"Burgh, what is it?" Cilan inquired.
"The Bug-type Pokémon..." Burgh replied.
"Bug-type Pokémon?" Misty asked, a shiver going down her spine.
"They picked up on something last night and have been restless ever since." Burgh said.
"You know what?" Iris said. "I've heard Bug-types become restless when something's bad gonna happen."
"That's right." Burgh said. "It's also been scientifically proven that Bug-type Pokémon have an ability. They can sense electromagnetic waves."
"You know, I sense something, too!" Iris said before pointing somewhere. "From over there!"
"Uh..." Iris said with a sweat-drop after they arrived at what she pointed at.
"CasteliaCone..." Cilan said. "And it's closed, to boot."
"Man..." Ash said with a sweat-drop. "I think you were just hungry for some ice cream." A thought then crossed his mind as he added with a smirk. "Only a little kid would get so excited over ice cream."
"What did you just call me!" Iris shouted angrily. "How dare you!"
"Not so enjoyable when it's you being called that huh?" Ash said, crossing his arms.
Pikachu, Misty, and Marill just stood and sweat-dropped.
Pikachu then jumped off of Ash's shoulder.
"Something wrong Pikachu?" Misty asked as she kneeled next to Pikachu where he was inspecting a manhole covering.
"Something wrong with the sewer?" Ash inquired after he noticed Pikachu was gone.
"Hey Burgh?" Ash asked after he knelt down next to Pikachu. "What's down there?"
"A sewer." Burgh replied. "It runs underground from the outskirts of the city to the river."
"Hold on..." Burgh said after they moved the manhole covering. "Come to think of it, I remember a Pokémon once wandered from the river into the city through this sewer..."
"Hey, maybe there's something down there!" Ash said.
"Then let's investigate!" Burgh said.
"What are we waiting around her for then?" Misty inquired before going down the sewer. "See you at the bottom.
"Hey Misty!" Ash shouted before going down after her. "Wait for me!"
"Look, what's that?" Ash inquired after they were in the sewers. Ash then pulled out his Pokédex to investigate.
"Venipede. The Centipede Pokémon. Venipede explores its surroundings by sensing vibrations in the air with feelers on its head and tail." The Pokédex uttered.
"Wow!" Ash commented after going to the Pokémon. "So it has really amazing antennae!"
"But what's it doing?" Iris wondered.
"Aside from squirming, I'd say it's scaring Misty." Ash said, feeling Misty clutching on his back.
"Sorry Ash." Misty said. "I'm just not fond of Bug-types."
"It looks like somehow it got its head stuck." Cilan interjected.
"'Kay, I'll help you out!" Ash exclaimed after Misty let go of his back.
"Wait!" Burgh said, placing a hand on Ash's shoulder before he got too close. "Poison Point is Venipede's Ability. Be careful or you could be poisoned."
"But..." Ash said. "It's so weak. Poor thing."
Ash then shook Burgh off and grabbed onto Venipede.
"Ash!" Iris said.
"Are you okay?" Iris inquired after Ash fell back after getting the Venipede freed.
"You bet..." Ash said.
"Uh it's using Screech!" Cilan shouted as Venipede unleashed waves of the ear-splitting noise.
"It thinks we're its enemy!" Burgh said.
"I wonder if I gave it that idea." Misty said with a sweat-drop.
"Venipede, stop!" Ash shouted.
Venipede then stopped and collapsed from exhaustion.
"You're hurt, and it's gonna get worse." Ash said as he went over to Venipede to place a hand on it. "Now, try and take it easy. I won't hurt you."
"I just wanna help!" Ash said as he got closer to the Venipede.
"Watch out!" Cilan said after Venipede got up. "It'll attack!"
"Ash, please stop!" Iris said.
"Yeah, that'll happened." Misty said. "One thing you can count on in Ash is his stubbornness."
"Come on, we're not gonna hurt you." Ash said. "Don't worry..."
Venipede then attacked, slamming its head into Ash.
"You see?" Ash said, holding Venipede after he was knocked back. "Everything's okay."
"All I wanna do is help you!" Ash said, looking down at Venipede.
"Pika pika!" ("It's true!")
"Veni." ("Okay.")
"So, we're good?" Ash asked.
"Pede." (I guess.")
"That's a relief." Ash said after gaining a purplish tint under his eyes.
"Hey, Burgh..." Ash said, placing Venipede down. "Venipede's hurt. Can you please-"
Ash then collapsed back as he felt the effects of Poison Point.
"Ash, no!" Cilan said.
"No!" Iris said.
"Pikapi!" ("Ash!")
"He's been poisoned!" Cilan commented.
"We need an antidote!" Iris said.
"I think I've got some!" Cilan said.
"I'll take care of Venipede!" Burgh said.
"And I'll take care of Ash." Misty said, kneeling down next to the Pokémon Trainer.
XXXXXXX
"Whoa, thanks, Misty." Ash said after he recovered from his Poisoned state and ate something Misty put in his mouth. "You got me through this."
"Oh Ash." Misty said with a wink. "You know I'm always here for you!"
"Thanks." Ash said, blushing lightly.
"Although, it was Cilan who made this, not me." Misty said.
"Okay." Ash said, turning his attention over to Pokémon Connoisseur sitting next to Misty. "Thank you Cilan."
"I'm glad I could help." Cilan said.
"That should do it." Burgh said after he placed a bandage on the part of its head Iris sprayed with Super Potion.
"Pe..." ("Hmm...")
"That's great." Ash said. "Thank you, Burgh!"
"You did well too Iris." Cilan said.
"Thanks Cilan." Iris said, blushing faintly.
"Well, it was nothing, but you, Ash..." Burgh said. "You have totally awed my pure heart! Incredible!"
"Yeah, incredible." Misty said with a sweat-drop.
"Here." Iris said, placing an Oran Berry next to Venipede. "This Oran Berry will help you feel a lot better!"
"Veni!" ("Yum!")
"Pede!" ("Delicious!") The Centipede Pokémon said after sucking the Oran Berry of its juices and its blue color.
"You're getting your strength back!" Ash commented.
"Pede, Veni Veni!" (Yes, I sure am!")
"But why would Venipede stick its head inside that pipe in the first place?" Burgh pondered.
"Huh, that sound..." Cilan said.
"It's a Venipede Colony!" Cilan said.
"Yeah, look at all of them!" Iris commented.
"Yeah, look at of those Bug-type Pokémon." Misty said nervously.
"Venipede live in the barren lands outside of Castelia City!" Burgh said. "So what're they doing here?"
Three Venipede then diverged from their colony. The one in front unleashing another Screech attack.
"It's Screech again!" Iris said.
"They're angry at something!" Burgh said.
"Yeah, but what?" Ash wondered.
The two Venipede behind the one that used Screech then fired two Sludge Bomb attacks above the people.
"Quick, we need to get out now!" Burgh said after some of the Venipede were coming in close to them.
"Wait!" Ash exclaimed. "What about this Venipede?"
"Veni!" ("Yeah!")
"There's no time, Ash!" Cilan said. "Run!"
"Hurry!" Iris added.
"Take care, okay?" Ash said before running to join up with them.
"Yeah, take care." Misty said nervously before spiriting ahead to get behind Cilan and Iris.
"Veni..." ("Bye...")
Ash then heard Misty scream.
"What is it Misty?" Ash asked before he breached the manhole and looked around.
"Look at all the Bug-type Pokémon." Iris said.
"The city's become infested!" Cilan added.
"Misty, calm down!" Ash shouted, placing a comforting hand on Misty's shoulder.
"I'll try Ash." Misty said.
"Officer Jenny!" Burgh said after they went to where an Officer Jenny pulled up in front of them with a Herdier.
"You must leave." Officer Jenny said. "It's dangerous here!"
"But, Officer, do you know what's going on?" Burgh asked.
"Only that a Venipede Colony is swarming the city!" Officer Jenny replied.
"Yes, but why?" Cilan inquired.
"We've got Professor Juniper working on that." Officer Jenny said.
"Professor Juniper?" Ash said.
The group of people then heard an explosion and saw a plume of black smoke appear.
"That's near the Pokémon Center!" Burgh said.
"Let's check it out!" Ash said.
"They're everywhere!" Iris commented as they neared the Pokémon Center.
"Yeah, and they're sending shivers down my spine." Misty said.
"Thousands of them!" Cilan commented.
"Hey!" Ash exclaimed. "Look, it's Trip!"
"Who's Trip?" Misty asked.
"Who knows exactly." Cilan shrugged.
"When he was battling Ash earlier at the Pokémon Battle Club in Luxuria Town," Iris began. "he just left. I wonder what his reason was."
"He's one of the first people I met when I came to Unova." Ash added.
"Lampent, let's go!" Trip shouted.
"A Lampent huh?" Ash said, getting his Pokédex.
"Lampent, the Lamp Pokémon. Lampent moves around by floating through the air. Most often found in the deep forest, they now can be seen living in cities as well." The Pokédex uttered.
"Listen, everyone!" Trip shouted. "Let's use Flamethrower!"
"Right, Flamethrower!" The three guys next to Trip said.
A Darmanitan, a Pignite, and a Pansage then fired their Flamethrowers at the Venipede along with Trip's Lampent.
The Fire-type attacks pushed some of the Venipede away, causing them to fall to the ground.
This angered some of the nearby Venipede as they synchronized their Sludge Bomb attacks.
"Stay strong!" Trip shouted. "Use Flamethorwer once again!"
"Stop it!" Ash shouted, rushing over to them to prevent any further attacks. "You can't do that!"
"Ugh, out of my way you two." Trip said as Ash and Misty stood in front of him. "I don't have time to deal with you now."
"Why're are you attacking the Venipede, Trip?" Ash inquired.
"Yeah!" Misty shouted. "I don't like Bug-type Pokémon but you don't see me going around riding on my Gyarados as I unleash a Flamethrower attack.
"Well, they're attacking us for no reason at all!" Trip said. "The only thing we can do is stop them."
"Look, right now, Professor Juniper's trying to figure out what's really happening, so knock it off!" Ash said.
"So naïve..." Trip said. "Ash and whoever this girl is-"
"The name's Misty from the Kanto region." Misty interrupted.
"And Misty," Trip continued. "for your information this isn't the Kanto region boonies, see?"
"What was that?" Ash and Misty asked angrily.
Before any violence could occur though, an older man came up.
"Now, look. It's imperative we act quickly!" The older man said.
"The mayor!" Officer Jenny said.
"Otherwise, the Venipede will bring our fair city to its knees." The Mayor continued.
"But-" Ash said.
"Their poison also poses a grave threat." The Mayor said. "Citizen safety is my prime concern. The Venipede must all be removed."
"But, sir, if you try to remove them, the fight will just escalate!" Burgh said. "The battling will grow even fiercer than before and both sides will surely end up getting hurt!"
"Well, do you have a better idea?" The Major asked.
"We could gather the Venipede in Central Plaza and keep them there while we figure out the cause of their migration." Burgh answered.
"Your Honor, Professor Juniper is working on exactly that as we speak." Officer Jenny said, coming up to stand behind the Major.
"Mr. Major!" Ash, Misty, Cilan, and Iris yelled in his face. "Won't you, please?"
"But how do we get the Venipede to go to Central Plaza?" The Major asked with a small sweat-drop at the four teens in front of him.
"We find their leader first." Burgh said. "The Venipede are sure to follow their leader anywhere. Trust me."
"Oh, I see..." The Major said. "All right then. Let's give your plan a shot."
"That's great!" Ash, Misty, Cilan, and Iris exclaimed in unison.
"However, if you're not able to gather them in Central Plaza, I'll be forced to remove them." The Major added. "So, agreed?"
"Agreed!" Burgh said. "We'll search for their leader immediately. Would you please go and get Nurse Joy, Cilan?"
"We'll need the help of Audino." Burgh continued.
"My pleasure, Burgh!" Cilan said.
"Let's go!" Burgh said.
"Right!" Ash, Misty, and Iris said.
Professor Juniper's Laboratory
"Professor Juniper, we've received data from the Unovastar Satellite." One of Professor Juniper's associates said.
"But, Professor, I'm confused." The man said as a map of Unova appeared on the screen in front of Professor Juniper. "Why do we need that data to figure out the cause of the Venipede's mass migration?"
As he asked this a picture of a desert and Castelia City appeared on the screen in front of Professor Juniper.
"It simple." Professor Juniper replied. "Normally, Venipede dig underground tunnels and nest there. But with this mass migration, there may have been some sort of radical underground change."
Normal Point of View
"Hey, Burgh!" Ash said as they ran to find the leader of the Venipede. "Any idea how we're gonna find the Venipede leader?"
"The fact is, many wild Pokémon are constantly under threat, so the Pokémon that senses danger the quickest usually becomes their leader." Burgh answered.
"And usually the leader will be perched somewhere where they can keep an eye out on the whole colony!" As Burgh said this, they stopped at a four-way intersection and looked around.
"Up there!" Iris exclaimed where she spotted something. "Like that one?"
"Yeah!" Ash said. "And that Venipede's bigger than the others!"
"Too big if you ask me." Misty said.
"Another reason to be their leader." Burgh said. "And if, in fact, we're right about this..." Burgh then moved his index finger towards himself as if to taunt the Venipede. "it will make its way down and battle anyone who approaches!"
The Venipede, provoked by Burgh, then jumped onto the ground from its perch.
"Whoa, that's a big Bug-type." Misty commented.
"You're their leader." Burgh said, walking over to kneel in front of the Centipede Pokémon. "You should know you're all in danger if you stay. You must follow me."
"Venipede!" ("I think not!")
The Centipede Pokémon then fired a Sludge Bomb attack, nearly hitting Burgh before he moved his head slightly out of the way.
"Whoa!" Burgh exclaimed. "Wait! Calm down, Venipede!"
"Lampent, Flamethrower!" Trip shouted.
Lampent then fired its Flamethrower attack at the Centipede Pokémon who merely jumped back out of the way.
"C'mon, Trip, knock it off!" Ash shouted.
Venipede then fired a Sludge Bomb attack at Lampent.
"Dodge it!" Trip said.
Lampent simply floated out of the way.
"Will you just stop it?" Ash inquired.
"No need to senselessly attack." Misty said.
"If we can stop their leader, we'll break up the colony and get rid of them!" Trip explained.
"Or possibly make the situation worse." Misty said.
"It's a no-brainer!" Trip said, ignoring Misty's comment.
"Well, this isn't up to you!" Iris interjected.
"We agreed as long as we move them to Central Plaza, they won't be attacked!" Ash added.
"Actually, Trip never agreed to that." Misty said causing Ash to sweat-drop.
"It's useless!" Trip said. "The Venipede Leader has no interest in you!"
Trip then turned his attention back to the Venipede. "Take that Pokémon out now, Lampent!"
Lampent then raised its "arms" as it began to form a Shadow Ball attack.
"No!" Ash said. "Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!"
Pikachu then became enveloped in his electricity as he fired the attack, causing it to explode along with the Shadow Ball
"That was a waste of time." Trip said.
"Trip!" Burgh exclaimed. "Stop this now!"
"Yeah!" Iris said.
Misty then became a bit nervous when a Venipede came over to Ash.
"I know you!" Ash commented.
"Venipede." ("Hello.")
"Hey there." Ash said. "You see, Trip? The truth is these Venipede are really nice Pokémon!"
"Doesn't look like they did any noticeable damages." Misty said, looking around.
"There has to be a reason for them to be so angry!" Ash said.
"I couldn't care less about your reasons." Trip said. "The end result is what counts!"
"This guy gets on my nerves." Misty said, letting go of Ash's arm.
"But you don't have the right to stop them!" Burgh said.
"Huh?" Trip said.
"The honesty of our pure hearts' caring purpose hasn't been fully realized as of yet!" Burgh continued.
"He's right!" Iris said.
"Give us a chance!" Ash said.
"Or I might just have to use my mallet." Misty muttered.
"Humph." Trip said dismissively.
"Burgh!" Cilan shouted. "I found Nurse Joy and Audino and brought them with me!"
"Lampent, return!" Trip said. "Go knock yourself out...I know the result."
"What's wrong with him?" Iris pondered.
"Who knows." Misty said, shrugging.
"Nurse Joy, may we please use Audino's Heal Pulse to calm down the agitated Venipede?" Burgh asked.
"Of course!" Nurse Joy replied before clapping her hands together. "Audino, use Heal Pulse!"
"Audino!" ("Okay!")
Audino then focused a pink orb in its hands before unleashing it in waves and sparkles. "Audino!" ("Here goes!")
"All right, Venipede!" Burgh said after Heal Pulse took effect. "Won't you please follow my lead?"
Burgh then began to play on his flute.
"A bug flute!" Cilan commented.
Burgh quickly got the attention of those Venipede effected by Heal Pulse. They were then following him as he walked away.
"Look at that!" Iris commented. "Burgh is amazing!"
"I'll lead them over to Central Plaza." Burgh said. "In the meantime, perhaps you could round up any Venipede stragglers!"
And with that, Burgh began walking away, playing his bug flute.
"Right!" Ash, Misty, Cilan, and Iris said.
"And we'll help out, too!" Nurse Joy added.
"Audino!" ("Yep!")
"There's a few!" Ash exclaimed, seeing four Venipede in an alley. "Pidove, I choose you!"
"Use Gust and get those Venipede to join us!" Ash said after the Tiny Pigeon Pokémon emerged.
Pidove then flew behind the Venipede and started to flap her wings furiously, sending them out of the alley.
"Awesome, great job!" Ash said.
XXXXXXX
"You ready?" Iris asked as they were on a building with some Venipede on it.
"Axew!" ("Ready!")
"Use Dragon Rage!"
"Axew!" ("Okay!")
As Axew's stomach glowed blue and white, it prepared the attack. Of course, the end result was Axew making it explode. This was following by a plume of black smoke interspersed with blue and white.
"Well, you tried." Iris said.
"Ax..." ("Yeah...")
Regardless, the Venipede went down the building.
"We did it!" Iris said, fist-bumping Axew.
"Axew, Ew!" ("Yep, we did!")
XXXXXXX
"Pansage, use Bullet Seed!" Cilan said as three Venipede were coming towards him. "But just to spice things up..."
Pansage then unleashed a barrage of energized seeds that seemed to dance in the air as they went by the Venipede. This sent them back into the group.
XXXXXXX
"Audino, Heal Pulse, let's go!" Nurse Joy said, mimicking the motion Audino makes.
"Audino!" ("Right away!")
Audino then unleashed its attack of waves, bubbles, and sparkles on the two quarreling Venipede they saw.
XXXXXXX
"Pidove, get them back in the group!" Ash said, noticing five Venipede sitting on an awning.
Pidove then went to use Gust, but was discouraged when a Venipede fired Sludge Bomb.
"Use Air Cutter!"
"Staryu, use Water Gun!"
The Flying-type move and Water-type move then collided with the Poison-type move, causing it to explode and send Pidove back a little.
"Pidove, no!" Ash said as he caught the Tiny Pigeon Pokémon.
"Whoa, it's Trip!" Ash said. "And thanks Misty!"
"No problem!" Misty replied with a wink.
"Quick, Tranquill!" Trip shouted. "Scare them with Air Cutter!"
"You do the same with Water Gun Staryu!"
"Get them to join the group!" Trip added.
Staryu then used it's Water Gun attack and spread it near the fringe of the awning while Tranquill unleashed the blue and white "X" of Air Cutter. The Venipede then jumped off the awning.
"All right, Trip!" Ash said. "You did a good job too Misty."
"All right!" Ash added. "Pidove, time to use Gust!"
Pidove then unleashed a furious barrage of wind against the Venipede, causing them to rejoin the group.
Pidove then flexed her muscles, proud of herself.
That pride would then turn to surprise as Pidove was enveloped in the blue light of evolution.
"Pidove's evolving!" Ash commented.
"It's Tranquill!" Ash exclaimed after the evolution was done. "All right, Tranquill! Use Gust and get all those separate Venipede to join the group!"
Tranquill then flapped her wings once, firing the gust of wind at the Venipede. This sent them scurrying over to the group.
"Use Aerial Ace!" Trip said.
His Tranquill then obeyed, flying low to the Venipede and sending them flying and scurrying back into the group.
"That was a job well done don't you think?" Ash asked Trip.
"I guess." Trip replied coolly.
"What's his problem?" Ash pondered.
Professor Juniper's Laboratory
"Professor Juniper," One of Professor Juniper's associates said. "we've detected an unknown energy flow!"
"Trace it back to its source." Professor Juniper said.
"Right." The man said as he did just that. "Professor, a second energy source has been detected in the Desert Resort."
"The two energy sources are now merging and the numbers are off the charts!" The man continued.
"Now what?" Professor Juniper pondered. "Something of major proportions is happening in the Desert Resort!"
Giovanni's Aircraft
"Update!" The man on Giovanni's video screen said. "Arrival in the Unova Region imminent!"
"Very good." Giovanni said. "The Meteonite..."
Giovanni then began to chuckle evilly to himself.
"Exclusively for the power and glory of Team Rocket!"
Castelia City
"All the Venipede stragglers have been safely gathered in Central Plaza!" Officer Jenny exclaimed.
"Hey, that's great!" Ash said, kneeling in front of the Venipede he pulled out in the sewers. "Glad you all got here in one piece."
"Veni!" ("I'd say!")
"Pikachu!" ("Good for you!")
"We can rest easy for now." The major said.
"I'd say." Misty said. "If I never see another stampede of Bug-types again it'll be too soon."
"And Burgh!" The major exclaimed, turning his attention the gym leader. "Excellent work!"
"Thanks!" Burgh said, gesturing to the teens. "But they're the ones who deserve to be praised."
"No, you do!" Ash said. "We just did what you told us to do."
"We knew it was the right thing." Cilan said.
'It sure was!" Iris said.
"Some more than others." Misty commented.
"Thank you." The major said. "You did great work. I'm truly grateful!"
"Huh? Hey, Trip?" Ash asked when he heard footsteps. "Where are you going?"
"To the next town." Trip said.
"What about your gym battle?" Ash asked.
"It looks like it's going to be awhile before this is all sorted out," Trip replied. "so instead of staying here wasting my time, I'll go to another gym."
"Oh, boy." Iris said.
"I sense a bit of bitter aftertaste." Cilan commented. "You could say that's an ingredient in Trip's recipe!"
"Well if it is," Misty began. "It isn't exactly an unfamiliar one."
"Hey, Trip!" Ash said. "Next time we see each other, let's have a Pokémon Battle!"
"We'll have to see." Trip said before walking off.
XXXXXXX
"Professor Juniper!" Ash said once the person had gotten off the helicopter she was riding.
"Hi, Ash!" Professor Juniper said. "Officer Jenny told me what happened. Great work, everyone!"
"Uh, Professor? Do you know the reason for the Venipede's behavior?" Burgh inquired.
"Yes." Was Professor Juniper's terse reply as she held up a tablet-esque device to show several lines of yellow and orange arrows pointing to a large energy source in Unova. "Take a look. We've discovered a mysterious energy flow below the barren land that surrounds Castelia City."
"Mysterious energy?" Ash asked.
"Correct." Professor Juniper said. "We found the energy's source. It's enormous and it appears to be emanating from the Desert Resort!"
"Of course!" Burgh said, realization dawning on him. "Venipede nest underground, so that huge energy source must've really terrified them."
"Agreed!" Professor Juniper said.
"But what exactly is this mysterious energy?" The Mayor asked.
"That's what we're investigating right now!" Professor Juniper said.
"Professor, I'd like to observe!" Officer Jenny said.
"I'd like to go as well," Burgh began. "but the Venipede in the Central Plaza concern me. So I'll stay behind and wait for you here."
"If it's okay with you Professor Juniper, I'd like to come too." Ash said.
"Of course you do." Misty said. "I'm coming to."
"Count me in." Iris said.
"Me too." Cilan said.
"If we can all fit in the helicopter." Professor Juniper said with a sweat-drop as she looked at the eager faces in front of her.
XXXXXXX
"Good luck!" Burgh said as they got into the helicopter and waved goodbye.
"See you later Burgh." Cilan said.
"Bye." Iris said.
"Goodbye." Misty said. "And take care of those Venipede."
"And remember Burgh." Ash added. "I'll be coming back for a gym battle really soon!"
"I'll be waiting for it!" Burgh replied before the helicopter took to the skies.
And as Ash and his friends - along with Officer Jenny and Professor Juniper - situate themselves in the helicopter, they fly to the Desert Resort. There they will see just what caused the Venipede Stampede.
"Now..." Burgh said, the back of his hands on his hips as he watched the helicopter disappear into the distance. He then lifted his left hand to scratch his head as he sweat-dropped. "What do I do with those Venipede anyway if their home is being disturbed?"
Author's Notes: Let's see...a stampede of Venipede...the Meteonite...Team Rocket...the Desert Resort...all those things together can only mean one thing. That the next episode is Ash's gym battle against Burgh! ...Just kidding. Honestly, the next chapter will be the sadly never shown conclusion to the Meteonite Arc. Since I don't have an episode to base the chapter on - aside from a few clips - it is going to take some imagination to make the chapter presentable. Wish me luck guys! Farewell!