Chapter 84 – Preparing for Trouble

Aether Paradise – Alola Region…

"Hirosaki…Ash. Are you two alright."

An ashen faced Cameron was waiting to meet Ash and Hirosaki as they returned to Aether Paradise, landing back on helipad above the conservation area and the main building. Before Ash had even had the opportunity to dismount, he embraced both of them in a crushing and slight awkward hug.

"Cameron," Ash protested, gripping Hirosaki's feathers to stop himself slipping off, and causing the Latios to wince in pain.

"E-easy their bro."

Pikachu, luckily for him, was not caught up in the hug, and leapt off Ash's back to share a quick hi-paw with Lucario who was standing behind Cameron. They exchanged a brief greeting of "Pika-chu" and "Lu-car," respectively.

Fortunately for Ash and Hirosaki, Cameron quickly let the two of them go, and they were able to disentangle themselves from each other.

"Well, that should keep them fighting amongst themselves for a little while I hope," said Ash, glancing back up at the three mega-aircraft floating menacingly above them. Even though they were miles and miles in the air above them, they still looked massive. "Might buy us some time….What's going on down here. Did they get the Pokémon out?"

"C'mon," said Cameron. "I'll show you!"

[Pokémon]

Meanwhile…High in the air above Aether Paradise…

The Halberd was so peculiar in shape and size, the fact it flew at all seemed to be in sheer defiance to the laws of physics. Built like a battleship, it had a hull shaped somewhat like a conventional aircraft, except with a nose built like a battle helmet, and bat like wings and fins at the rear.

On top was built a long flat open deck, which ran most of the length of the vassal, and above that a large, towering superstructure. Several giant gun turrets were mounted here, pointed in all directions. The largest being an enormous round stout cannon in the centre of the deck, just ahead of the superstructure.

The cannon made the perfect place for Team Rocket to restrain Cleave. His claws were cuffed together in a tight pair of leather straps, which in turn were connected to a long thin chain that was attached to the large cannon. In addition, Team Rocket had strapped a large, spiked leather collar tightly around his neck.

The wind whipped his body, and despite his thick pelt and his species penchant for cold environments (he was of course an Ice Type), he shivered. A few tugs at the chain had indicated that it wouldn't break easily, and he knew better than to try and gnaw through it with his teeth.

"Trapped like a Rattata," growled a satisfied Gozu, with a wide and evil looking grin on his face. High up at the top of the superstructure, in the secondary flight deck, he had a Pidgeot-eyed view of the deck. His spyglass was pressed to his eye to give himself an up-close view of the captive Cleave. "And with him, the trap is sprung."

He lowered the spyglass and turned to his superior present, Matori.

"Lunala will come to rescue her mate," she said, folding her arms, a smug little smile forming on her bespectacled face.

"And the blinding one will be drawn to Lunala," concluded Gozu. "Meanwhile, all the Pokémon in the Aether facility are ours for the taking."

Matori nodded, then looked up at the male curiously. "What about the opposing vassals. The Plasma Frigate and whatever that other ship? I have to say, that was unexpected. You have a plan I take it?"

Gozu snorted. "This is the most powerful vessel ever constructed. They try and interfere with out plans and we'll blast them out the sky. That's the plan!"

Matori perused her lips, unapproving of Gozu's sense of confidence, but didn't challenge him. Instead, she said briskly, "If the teams are ready, prepare to commence the attack on Aether Paradise. It would be better not to delay and cause a stalemate..."

[Pokémon]

Aether Paradise...

"Madame President. It appears that some Pokémon have broken free from the facility and escaped into the ocean."

The announcement was made by Colress, in the president's office at the top of the facility. Despite the information he was conveying, the scientist remained his usual clam and upbeat self. As though he were informing her of who had won the local Pokémon contest.

Lusamine sighed as she wandered over to the window. Far below, she could see a number of black dots moving swiftly away from the facility across the ocean. She let out a heavy sigh, before replying, "Do you have ID's for them!"

Colress consulted the electronic device embedded in the wrist of his large white lab coat. A miniature computer of sorts that displayed holographic images in front of him; A Gyarados, a Ninetails, a Lapras, a Grovyle. "I can give you a list."

Lusamine looked back at him and shook his head. "No point. We don't have the resources or the manpower to send anyone after them. We can't protect any Pokémon outside the facility. I guess I have to accept that it was their choice to leave. Do you know were those kids got to?"

As if on que, Ash and Cameron burst into the office with Pikachu and Lucario in tow.

"Well, speak of Giratina," said Colress with a chuckle, which most certainly did not suit the situation.

Lusamine returned to her desk, with a curt "There you are," and gestured the two boys to sit. Cameron did as indicated, while Ash chose to remain standing. If Lusamine had an issue with that, she said nothing as she launched into a debrief.

"Ash, Cameron. It looks like Ash's stunt in the air bought us enough time to secure most of the sick, injured, and juvenile Pokémon. All we can do now is protect them from attack until the authorities can get here. Some Pokémon escaped the facility, but there's nothing we can do for them. The only thing left for you to do, is prepare for the battle of your lives."

Cameron raised an eyebrow. "How are we supposed to battle a giant battleship."

Lusamine pursed her lips. "Team Rocket steal Pokémon. They can't fire at us, without potentially destroying their targets. That means they have to send down foot soldiers. Between the two of you, Colress and I and the Employees I have here there is enough skill, power, and Pokémon to slow them down!"

"Except their not here for Pokémon in the Aether Foundation, are they," replied an angry Ash, folding his arms and glowering at Lusamine. His voice and tone were so forceful that Cameron turned and looked up at him in surprise. "Team Rocket have come for the blinding one!"

Cameron raised his eyebrows and gasped. "Ash!"

"You trapped us here because you wanted to use Geyser to lure and fight Necrozma! And now Team Rocket is here to do the same thing, aren't they!"

Lusamine was unperturbed his tone, leaning back in her chair and giving him a curious look. "Well...You're certainly a lot more confident now than you were back in the laboratory."

Ash marched up to the desk and slammed his hand on the oak panelling, standing over Lusamine. Being a scrawny kid of only sixteen, the effect was not particularly impressive. Nevertheless, he spat angrily at the Aether President, "I may have been desperate back down there, but now I've got all my Pokémon with me, and you don't have time to waste dealing with me. I don't have to stay and help you fight! I'm only doing it because I care about the Pokémon you've got here! Now I have lost my two kits, and one of my oldest friends because of this shit! So, if you know something about the blinding one, that could possibly help here, you'd better tell us!"

A smile cross Lusamine's face. "I often wondered how a mere child could bring down an evil organisation as ruthless and fanatical as Team Flare and Cipher. And now I know." Her eyes narrowed. "Such power you have. Such passions. No wonder scores of powerful Pokémon choose to follow you. To let you be their trainer..."

"But alas, you allow yourself to be ruled by emotion," added Colress in a curious tone. He straightened his glasses to peer at Ash. "There is a forcefield around the facility. Projected from the Halberd. You can't escape Aether Paradise, any more than we can. Unfortunately, at this moment, we are forced to work together to survive. Something you realised when Lusamine had you trapped in the labs. And, as we have control of the EM Wave device, I would say your dependence upon us, is higher than our dependence on you!"

It was at these words that Cameron went very pale, as though he were going to be sick. "Wait, Forcefield... Uh-oh!"

[Pokémon]

Out on the ocean surrounding Aether Paradise...

"GROW-OWWWW!"

Growlithe let out a long piercing and sorrowful howl as the Gyarados swam away from the Aether Paradise. Goodra petted him on the top of the head so as to comfort him. Though all that achieved was leaving a glob of slime in his fur. Growlithe felt it soak into his skin and roll down the back of his neck.

"This was a stupid idea," the Dragon Pokémon mumbled as they drew further and further away from the floating structure, and the ocean swelled around them. He glanced fearfully upwards at the Halberd in the skies above. Like a metallic cloud of death.

Neither of them had made the journey. Aside from Growlithe and Goodra, there was Gyarados, Lapras, Grovyle, Piplup, Ninetails, Hakamo-o and Dragalge. The latter seven being residents of Aether Paradise not intent of being present there when Team Rocket arrived.

"We must be miles from shore," Goodra continued to mutter. "How are we safer out here."

At these words, Growlithe let out another howl. "Growww!"

Goodra rolled his eyes. "Uh, no keeping you happy, is there," he muttered under his breath, so Growlithe couldn't hear him.

Akala Island was visible from this distance, though only faintly on the horizon. The dome shaped peak of Wela Volcano loomed above it, a pillar of smoke rising into the air. From their distance, it looked as though it would take an eternity to reach the shore.

Growlithe lay down and started licking his right paw. It was an effort not to look at anything else around him. Then he placed his paws over his eyes, pressing hard until all light was blocked out. Gyarados was carrying him, Goodra and a couple of the other non-water Pokémon on his back. His thoughts turned to Hunter, his friend, his team mate.

The last time he's seen him had been the previous evening, when he'd run out to find someone...What was that Pokémon's name. Ashachu or something! Flying off on the back of a Tropius. Growlithe hadn't seen him since...

"Oh Hunter, where are you," he whined. "Wherever you are, I hope you're alright."

"Probably, knowing him, trapped inside a Charizard's belly," Goodra muttered to himself, with a chuckle.

Unfortunately, it was loud enough for Growlithe to hear him. "Why do you have to be such a jerk all the time," he barked, raising his head to glare at the dragon type. His eyes were red from sobbing into his paws.

Goodra rolled his eyes. "Oh, grow up! The little tykes always getting himself into stupid fights. Or doing something stupid and dangerous he's told not to. Don't worry, I'm sure he'll turn up sooner or later." Then adding under his breath, "seriously, why did I get the job of babysitting you!"

Growlithe didn't hear the remark this time…

If he had though, he wouldn't have had the opportunity to respond, as at that very moment, there was cry of "QUITE." The travelling party suddenly came to a halt in the middle of the ocean. Looking around, Goodra and Growlithe noticed Hakamo-o, standing on the back of Lapras, with his claw in the air as though to stop the party.

"What is it," shouted Goodra.

Hakamo-o didn't answer, but instead shouted to Gyarados, "Gyarados, use your hyper beam attack. Aim straight forward!"

Growlithe felt the ground beneath his paws shifting, as Gyarados reared his head out of the water to aim. He found he had to cling on so as to slip off and into the ocean, as the once flat service of the sea Pokémon's back became an incline and felt a tremor under him as Gyarados let forth a golden beam of pure energy.

It ought to have arched high into the sky before fizzling out with a bang. Instead, it caused a great explosion of light and dust only a few meters away from them. Growlithe dropped down and covered his eyes with his paws again. Goodra grunted, falling to his all fours to keep from falling off their watery steed.

"I blood knew it," roared Hakamo-o. "Those damned humans!"

"What is it," shouted Goodra as he got back to his foot-paws.

"There's a forcefield. We've been set up. It's a trap."

Goodra's eyes widened, and Growlithe looked up, his eyes widened a lurch of fear tearing through his stomach. All around them, there were nervous cries and murmurs from the other Pokémon.

Growlithe let out another howl of despair. "GROOOOOWWWLLLL!"

And then there was a shout of "Up there!" followed by "FUCK." Goodra turned his head skyways and to his horror saw his worst nightmare descending upon them. There were four humans dressed in Team Rocket uniforms decorated with a Large purple R, and a Pokémon, descending from the sky. All donning jet packs.

"Well, well, what do we have here," said one of the humans, a gold-haired woman, tauntingly in an annoying sing-song voice.

It was of course, Cassidy, and with her Butch, Jessie, James and Meowth. Though, of course, Goodra and Growlithe had not met them before. They had however, heard stories from Lucario, Hunter and the other members of Cameron's Team and knew they had better prepare for trouble.

"Hello, their cuties," added Butch, in mocking tones. "You've got nowhere to run, and nowhere to hide!"

"Ahhh this isn't happening." Growlithe lay back down on Gyarados's back and covered his eyes with his paws, whimpering.

Goodra rolled his eyes. "Fucking grow a pair Growlithe. You've got no trainer to protect you now. You're going to have to fight!"

"Not happening, not happening!" Growlithe repeated. It was unclear whether he was ignoring Goodra and Team Rocket or couldn't hear them.

"Useless," Goodra muttered as he turned to look up at Cassidy and the others, whizzing about with their jet packs. "Alright, bring it on!"

He expected the humans to reach for Pokéballs or other weapons. But instead, Cassidy simply called out, "Mewtwo. Psychic attack!"

The command, it quickly transpired, was aimed at yet another floating figure, who descended from the Halberd to join it's human masters. Humanoid in shape with a long thickset tail and wearing an armoured suit that covered it's body from view.

"What the hell," Goodra gasped, wondering what to do. He had no instinct for dealing with something like this.

The armoured creature raised an arm. Though covered by a gauntlet, it's paw had three long fingers, which it held upwards as though holding an invisible ball. It was like being seized from below by an invisible net. Goodra and Growlithe floated into the air, shrouds of purple aura encasing their bodies...tell-tale signs of a psychic attack.

"Oh fuck," Goodra swore, flailing about.

"Ah, Ahhhh, AHHHHHH," screamed Growlithe, overtaken by panic.

"Well, isn't this going to be easiest bunch of Pokémon we ever caught," chuckled Butch, in his gravelly dulcet voice, as he and the other Rocket grunts pulled out Pokéballs. Not regular red and white balls, but rather jet black and embossed with Team Rocket's R insignia.

One by one and all around him, the other Pokémon started disappearing, sucked into the black Rocket Pokéballs by beams of red light. Goodra fought to hold back the panic, gritting his teeth as he tried desperately to think of a plan. Too bad he didn't know any ghost or dark type moves that would have been able to break the psychic hold over them.

"Shit!" His heart thumped and his stomach turned over as he saw one of those balls flying towards him.

Nearby Growlithe cried, "Cameron, Hunter, Somebody... HELPPPP!" The fur around his face was wet with tears.

The ball burst open just above Goodra's head, it's red beam spilling out. Goodra's instincts told him to close his eyes, but he kept them open, determined to stare Team Rocket in the face (metaphorically) as they took him. But instead of causing his body to dissolve into energy as the beam touched his scales, it bounced off. The Pokéball flew away as though battered with an invisible tennis racket or hit with Pikachu's iron tail attack.

"What," queried a puzzled Butch as it returned to him.

"Ooh, these two must already have a trainer," sang out Cassidy. "Not to worry." She snapped her fingers. "Mewtwo, send them back up to the Halberd."

The armoured creature, made some sort of gesture with its hand, opening and closing the three fingers. At once Goodra and Growlithe felt themselves rocket upwards. The ocean below fell away and the Halberd loomed ahead. The metal beast growing larger and larger.

"Fuck, fuck, fuck!" shouted Goodra. "You are fucking goons! You won't take me alive!" He shook his paw at the vessel, knowing full well it was a completely empty gesture.

[Pokémon]

Aether Paradise...

"Oh, this is not good," groaned a pale Cameron in a hoarse voice. His voice was unrecognisable as his own. It barley more than a croak. He looked as though he was about to be sick. "This is not good at all!"

"Cameron... What's wrong," asked a concerned Ash. Even after everything they had been through, he had not seen Cameron like this. He put his hand on his shoulder. "C'mon tell me!"

"Pika Pikachu," cooed Pikachu, tilting his head, seeming as worried as his trainer. Lucario meanwhile was silent, his arms folded with a scowl on his face.

The Triangular shaped elevator platform dropped through Aether Paradise on its way down to the main conversation area. The different artificial Pokémon habitats flashed by as they descended; the artic floor all freezing cold, the ocean floor basically a giant water tank, and the jungle floor, hot and steamy.

Cameron swallowed and took a deep breath, as Ash squeezed his shoulder. "While you and Hirosaki were trying to distract Team Rocket, some Pokémon broke out of the Conservation Area to try and flee to safety. The Aether staff didn't even try to stop them, and I...I..." He choked up a little and had to clear his throat before continuing. "And I told Growlithe to go with them. Goodra too to look after him."

A slight frown crossed Ash's face. "Growlithe?"

"I just caught him," said Cameron, his voice trembling. "He's only Hunter's age. I thought he'd be safe if he got away before Team Rocket attacked, but now he's caught in a trap!"

Ash felt a lurch in his stomach, but he retained his composure. He griped Cameron's shoulder a little tighter and said, "We'll get them back. We'll rescue Growlithe and Goodra and Hunter too. And all the Pokémon Team Rocket have capture."

"Mmmmhmm..." Cameron mumbled inaudibly.

"C'mon Cameron," Ash said a little more forcefully. He grabbed a hold of Cameron with both hands and shook him. "We've beaten Team Rocket before, and we'll do it again! But you got to get a hold of yourself."

"Huh." Cameron looked up at him, blinking. His eyes were wet.

Ash was looking at him with that characteristic expression of steely determination. "This isn't the time to get all upset and worried. That won't help Growlithe, Hunter and the others. Now's the time to fight back! To do whatever it takes to save them. Are you with me."

"Pika Pika," Pikachu growled his approval of his trainer's words.

Cameron composed himself, taking a deep breath. "Yeah...I'm with ya!"

[Pokémon]

Halberd, Secondary Flight Deck….

"Sir, the system's reading a spike in the amount of ultra-energy in the immediate vicinity," barked Gozu as he stared down at a number of complicated readings and diagrams on the console.

Matori folded her hands together and smiled. "Then our predictions of our friend's behaviour were correct. It's all coming together! Prepare the Halberd for immediate attack."

"SIR YES SIR." Gozu took out a mobile communicator he wore on his belt and barked into it. "This is Admin Gozu in the forward command. All crew are to take positions immediately. This is not a drill. Prepare to enter battle mode!"

Red lights flashed throughout the interior of the vassal and a siren sounded, as all thought the Halberd Rocket Grunts in black uniforms were running about, taking up their various stations.

The many gun turrets on the superstructure of the vessel begun to move into position, with the most powerful guns pointed ahead in the direction of attack, and several small turrets pointing to the bow or the sides to protect from attack.

Outside streaks of lighting flashed across the dark storm clouds, spinning around until they formed a narrow vortex. A second Ultra Wormhole had opened, right above the Halberd. This one was smaller than the first and seemed to descend from the sky in a diagonal line, like a giant interdimensional pipe.

"Hmmm. What now!" Cleave, chained to the forward gun turret looked at it, his heart thundering in his chest. Surely the situation could not be about to get worse. And then from out of the end of the Ultra Wormhole, flew a large bat like creature with crescent shaped wings, and the Weavile gasped… "Lu-Lunala!"